Short Fiction · Chapter
The Telegram explained
A young lady visits a telegraph office in Houston to send a message about a ring, but struggles with the cost and later returns to request an underscore and violet extract.
What happens
A young lady visits a telegraph office in Houston to send a message about a ring, but struggles with the cost and later returns to request an underscore and violet extract.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Irony
The young lady's concern over the cost and her later request for an underscore and violet extract highlight the humorous triviality of the situation.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator describes the scene at the telegraph office.
Key passages
“Ring was awfully lovely. Come down as soon as you can. Mamie.”
The ring is extremely beautiful. Please come here quickly. Mamie.
The young lady's telegram message about the ring.
“I wanted to underscore the words 'awfully lovely.'”
I wanted to emphasize the words 'awfully lovely' by underlining them.
The young lady returns to request an underscore on her message.