# Grounds for Uneasiness explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Professor Sousa is invited to dine with a wealthy but stingy Houston citizen. After dinner, he plays classical piano pieces, but his host becomes restless and asks for livelier music because a wood-sawing worker in the back yard has been keeping time to the slow tempo, costing the host money.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Irony

The host's concern about paying a worker by the day while Sousa plays slow music creates an ironic and humorous situation.

### Social Class and Wealth

The host's stinginess and focus on economy despite his wealth highlight themes of social class and the pursuit of money.

## Key lines

> Professor Sousa was asked to play upon the piano, of which instrument he is a master, and he did so, performing some lovely Beethoven sonatas, and compositions by the best masters.

Sousa, an accomplished pianist, played classical pieces by Beethoven and other great composers.

_Establishes Sousa's skill and the type of music he played._

> “Say,” he said, “please play something livelier. Give us a jig or a quickstep⁠—something fast and jolly.”

The host asked Sousa to switch to a faster, more upbeat tune.

_Shows the host's direct request for a change in music._

> “No,” said the host, “I’ve got a man in the back yard sawing wood by the day, and he’s been keeping time to your music for the last half hour.”

The host explained that a worker paid by the day was matching the slow tempo, costing him money.

_Reveals the host's true motive for wanting livelier music._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/grounds-for-uneasiness
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters