Mr. Mulliner Stories · Chapter
The Truth About George explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Mulliner recounts the story of his nephew George, who suffers from a severe stammer. George falls in love with Susan Blake but cannot propose due to his speech impediment. After a failed attempt at a cure, he accidentally disrupts a village pageant and is chased across the countryside. The chase exhausts him, and upon returning home, Susan's sympathy finally enables him to speak fluently. However, his subsequent attempts to practice speaking on a train lead to awkward encounters with a fellow stammerer and a man who believes he is the Emperor of Abyssinia.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
George's stammer prevents him from proposing to Susan Blake, driving the plot as he seeks a cure.
Absurdity of Modern Life
The chase after the pageant mishap, the encounter with the Emperor of Abyssinia, and the comic misunderstandings highlight the absurdity of everyday situations.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Mulliner
Narrates the story of his nephew George in the bar-parlour of the Anglers' Rest.
- George Mulliner
The nephew with a severe stammer who falls in love with Susan Blake and attempts to cure his impediment.
- Susan Blake
The vicar's daughter and George's love interest, who shares his passion for crossword puzzles.
Key passages
“Dreadful liars some men are”
Some men are terrible liars.
Mr. Mulliner's companion comments on the doctor's tall tale.
“N-n-n-n-n-n—”
He stammered, unable to form a word.
The anxious man with pince-nez tries to speak but cannot get past the first sound.
“I-I-I-I-I-I-I—”
George stammered repeatedly.
George's attempt to explain his problem to the specialist.
“Sing it”
Try saying it in a singing voice.
The specialist's advice to George for overcoming his stammer.
“The wur-wur-wur-wur-weather”
The weather...
The large man on the train also stammers, mirroring George's affliction.
“I’m the Emperor of Abyssinia. That’s my palace over there”
He claimed to be the Emperor of Abyssinia, pointing to the lunatic asylum.
The delusional stranger George meets at the station.