# II explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by O. Henry.

## What happens

Sir Everhard FitzArmond, a famous London physician, arrives at Oakhurst Hall to attend to the dying Lord Oakhurst. He pronounces Lord Oakhurst dead, and Lady Oakhurst, after a moment of confusion, breaks open her husband's cabinet to find his will. The will leaves everything to a scientific institution researching peach brandy extraction from sawdust. Lady Oakhurst faints, and Sir Everhard steals valuables before calling the servants.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Sir Everhard's professional demeanor masks his greed as he steals valuables after the patient's death.

### Humor and Irony

The absurd will, the doctor's theft, and Lady Oakhurst's focus on cream almonds create darkly comic irony.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

Narrates the scene at Oakhurst Hall.

### The Captain

Not present in this excerpt.

## Key lines

> Madam, your husband has croaked.

Madam, your husband has died.

_The doctor uses crude slang to announce Lord Oakhurst's death._

> a wild, unearthly shriek that would have made a steam piano go out behind a barn and kick itself in despair

a loud, horrifying scream that would have caused a steam piano to flee and destroy itself in frustration.

_Hyperbolic description of Lady Oakhurst's scream._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_41_se/chapters