# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

- [My Roomy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/my-roomy.md): The chapter 'My Roomy' explores the dynamics of a baseball team's spring training, focusing on the narrator's relationship with his roommate, a rookie pitcher. The narrative delves into the rookie's struggles with contro
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The narrator, a veteran ballplayer, recounts the arrival of a mysterious new player, Mr. Elliott, at spring training. Elliott is a phenomenal hitter but a disastrous fielder, and his odd behavior and lack of equipment pu
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): The chapter details the difficulties of rooming with Elliott on the training trip. He has strange habits, such as running the bathtub all night and shaving in the middle of the night while staring at his roommates, which
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): The narrator, a baseball player, engages in a playful and superstitious rivalry with his roommate Elliott. He pretends to be asleep while Elliott turns off the water he left running, then retaliates by shaving at night, 
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): The narrator describes Elliott's eccentric behavior, including his loud singing at night, his confidence in his hitting, and his plan to marry a girl in Muskegon if he ever gets five hundred dollars. Despite fines and th
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): The chapter focuses on the narrator's interactions with Elliott, a teammate who is more interested in singing and poker than baseball. Elliott dreams of marrying and performing on the vaudeville circuit, but his behavior
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): The narrator recounts the team's trip to Boston, where Elliott's reckless behavior on the field and in the hotel elevator causes chaos. After a disastrous play that costs the team a game, Elliott's antics continue, culmi
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): The narrator observes his roommate, Elliott, who is a talented hitter but behaves erratically. Elliott receives a letter from his girlfriend in Muskegon but tears it up unread. He expresses his desire to join the New Yor
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii.md): The narrator reflects on the aftermath of Elliott's departure, feeling guilty and sorry for him. He proposes giving Elliott a share of the series money to help him marry his girl, despite warnings from teammates. The tea
- [Sick ’Em](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/sick-em.md): The narrator, a player on the Phillies, recounts the story of two pitchers, Lefty Smith (Smitty) and Fogarty, acquired from Fort Wayne. Smitty, a talented but lazy pitcher, refuses to pitch to his full potential, while F
- [Horseshoes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/horseshoes.md): A reporter encounters Grimes, the Athletics' substitute outfielder, on a train after the World's Series. Grimes, bitter about being called 'Horseshoes' by Speed Parker, explains his resentment. He recounts his own strugg
- [Back to Baltimore](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/back-to-baltimore.md): The narrator, a baseball manager, recounts his firing from his managing job by the club's owner, Mrs. Hayes. He describes the hiring of a naive, college-educated player, William Baker Junior, who seems to be favored by M
- [Phil and His 4d](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/phil-and-his-4d.md): Phil writes to his friend Dave about his recent purchase of a 1915 4d car for $150. He describes the troubles of learning to drive, the cost of lessons, and the various mishaps including running out of gas, a flat tire, 
- [Tour No. 2](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/tour-no-2.md): In this chapter, Larry Burns writes letters to his brother Ed from Brussels and aboard the Prinzessin Katrina. He describes the German occupation of Brussels, the journey across the Atlantic, the ship's amenities, and hi
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): Larry Burns writes to his brother Ed from a steamship trip to Europe with his wife Minnie. He describes the journey, his gambling, his wife's spending, and his interactions with other passengers, including a mishap at th
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): In this chapter, Larry Burns writes letters to his brother Eddy from Bremen and Brussels during the early days of World War I. He describes the chaos of war, his frustration with the German language, and his desire to re
- [Alibi Ike](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/alibi-ike.md): The chapter introduces Frank X. Barrett, a baseball player known as 'Alibi Ike' for his constant excuses. His manager, Mr. Warner, recounts how Ike's alibis frustrate the team, yet his skill on the field keeps him valuab
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The chapter introduces Frank X. Farrell, nicknamed 'Alibi Ike' by teammate Carey, who constantly makes excuses for his actions on and off the field. His habit of apologizing and explaining everything, from his batting av
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): In Cincinnati on a rainy day, a card game is organized, and Ike is invited to make it seven-handed. Ike claims to be ignorant of poker, but he makes a series of 'mistakes' that reveal his skill, such as raising with a pa
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): The narrator describes Alibi Ike's constant excuses for his performance on the baseball field, including a game against Rube Marquard where Ike strikes out, makes excuses, and later hits a home run when told to bunt, lea
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): The narrator describes how Ike, after a standout game, is chosen by Dolly, Cap's sister-in-law, to be her beau for a show. They fall for each other, and Ike begins receiving daily letters that he tries to hide by making 
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): The narrator and Carey reflect on the events in Boston, where Ike becomes engaged to Dolly. The team discovers the engagement when Cap's wife reveals Dolly's ring. Ike tries to hide his engagement but eventually admits i
- [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): Ike's slump continues as the team drops from first to fifth place. Carey and the narrator feel guilty for their role in Ike's engagement troubles. Cap receives a letter from his wife suggesting they write to Dolly to exp
- [Harmony](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/harmony.md): A baseball writer, pressed for a story, asks manager Ryan about the mysterious acquisition of young star Waldron. Ryan reveals that Art Graham, a veteran outfielder now on the bench, scouted Waldron after seeing him pop 
- [The Poor Simp](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-poor-simp.md): The chapter 'The Poor Simp' explores themes of masculinity, sports, and disillusionment through the lens of a character who is perceived as a 'simp' or a fool, likely in the context of romantic or social failure. The nar
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The narrator, a self-proclaimed smart ball player, reflects on the irony that intelligence is a handicap in baseball. He contrasts his own modest success with the greater financial rewards of less intelligent players lik
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): The narrator reflects on the previous spring training trip, noting that Carey was absent. Carey quickly identifies Skull Scoville as a target for his jokes, but Skull proves himself on the mound, impressing Cap and earni
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): The team travels east by train, and Carey tricks rookie Skull into going to bed early to secure a lower berth, while the others enjoy dinner and later tease Skull about a nonexistent fried chicken vendor in Evanston.
- [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): The team travels East, and on the first sunny day, Carey and the narrator play a prank on Skull Scoville, sending him to Brooklyn early in a taxi. Skull spends the day practicing with the opposing team, then pitches and 
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): The chapter follows Skull Scoville's attempts to navigate New York City and prepare for his pitching start in the World Series. Carey gives him misleading directions, causing Skull to get lost. On the day of his start, C
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): Skull Scoville loses his pitching control after a night of anxious guard duty on a train, leading to a disastrous game in Philadelphia and a brief outing in Boston. Carey teases him about his wildness, and the team conti
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): Skull's pitching control fails, leading to his release from the team. Carey plays a prank on him, introducing him to two women he claims are wealthy, which results in Skull leaving to get married.
- [Where Do You Get That Noise?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/where-do-you-get-that-noise.md): This chapter explores the cacophony of modern life and the search for meaning amidst the noise, touching on themes of disillusionment and the struggle for artistic integrity in a media-saturated world.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The chapter opens with a conversation about a baseball trade involving Hawley. The narrator and Dode discuss the deal, with Dode explaining that Hawley was traded because he was an incessant arguer who contradicted every
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): The chapter opens with the narrator telling Carey about Dode's tip, which Carey immediately tries out on Hawley, the new player. Carey attempts to bait Hawley into an argument about the rainy weather, claiming it's cause
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): During batting practice, Carey hits a long ball, prompting a debate among the players about why some ballparks and cities are better for hitting than others. Hawley argues that clean towns like Detroit and New York are b
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): The chapter is a conversation among the players about the decline in baseball attendance. They discuss various reasons, including the war, the rise of golf, and the affordability of automobiles. Hawley argues that the wa
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): In this chapter, the baseball players engage in a humorous and exaggerated conversation about golf and its supposed negative effects on hitting. Hawley explains why golf is bad for batting, citing the habit of waiting an
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): Carey's batting slump worsens after a series of double plays, and Hawley's constant criticism pushes him to the brink. After a costly throwing error costs the team a game, Carey confides in the narrator that he can't sta
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): The narrator recounts how Carey, a player on the team, deliberately provokes a fight between the manager, Cap, and a player named Hawley. Carey sets up a dinner where he and Cap join Hawley, and Carey steers the conversa
- [Oh, You Bonehead!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/oh-you-bonehead.md): The narrator, a football coach, reflects on his past mistakes after being confronted by Murphy about his treatment of a young player named Joe. Murphy criticizes the coach for exploiting Joe's talent and then blaming him
- [Good for the Soul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/good-for-the-soul.md): The chapter opens with a formal confession. Before a member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, on February 1, 1916, a man named Robert Frederick Warner, also known as Buck Warner, who was formerly a profess
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The narrator, a former National League shortstop with a career-ending knee injury, is urged by his wife Ethel to confess his past misdeeds. He recounts meeting and falling in love with Ethel, his financial troubles, and 
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): The narrator, a new player on a baseball team, discusses the team's prospects with Mr. Grant, who has strict rules against drinking and carousing. He rooms with Jimmy Boyle, who humorously describes the team's poor quali
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): The narrator, Warner, recounts his struggles playing shortstop after being moved from right field, his negotiations with Mr. Grant for extra pay, and his personal troubles with his fiancée Ethel, whose aunt's inheritance
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): The narrator reflects on paying his debts and sending a check to the girl's brother for his share of a garage. The marriage proceeds as planned, and Aunt Julia arrives with a forgiving smile and a check for $2,500. The n
- [The Crook](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-crook.md): The narrator, a ballplayer, recounts how umpire Bull Harper, known for his sharp tongue and never losing his temper, suddenly attacked catcher Cahill after being called 'crooked.' Bull is fired by Ban, but the narrator, 
- [Champion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/champion.md): The chapter focuses on the public persona versus the private reality of champion boxer Midge Kelly. A reporter, Joe Morgan, writes a flattering but inaccurate story about Midge's clean living and devotion to family, base
- [A One-Man Team](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-one-man-team.md): The chapter focuses on the opposing coach's strategy to stop Doane's star player, Davis, who is the core of their one-man team. The coach devises an unconventional defensive plan, emphasizing that every player must tackl
- [The Facts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-facts.md): This chapter presents a series of factual statements, likely about the characters and events in the book. The exact content is not provided in the excerpt.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The chapter opens with the narrator explaining that an engagement was broken off before it was announced, and only a thousand or so intimate friends and relatives knew about it. The narrator pieces together the fragments
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): Miss McDonald observes Billy Bowen at a football game, where his serious demeanor captivates her, contrasting with his earlier humorous persona. Billy, meanwhile, is preoccupied with mundane thoughts and the desire to sl
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): Ellen McDonald returns to Chicago and sends Billy Bowen a note. They begin a courtship, with Billy visiting her at her home. They discuss their families, and Billy reveals he has given up drinking. Ellen's brother Walter
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): Billy and Ellen's romance deepens as they attend The Follies and dance, leading to Ellen announcing their engagement to her family. Billy meets Ellen's father, who lectures him on sobriety and industry, and he endures a 
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): Tommy Richards returns to Chicago and reunites with his old college pal Billy Bowen, who is now engaged to Ellen. Billy has sworn off alcohol, but Tommy persuades him to drink, leading to a bet that Billy loses. The two 
- [Tour Y-10](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/tour-y-10.md): The narrator and her friend Kate embark on a two-week vacation to Yellowstone Park, departing from Chicago. The narrator expresses excitement and anxiety about the trip, while Kate teases her about backing out. They trav
- [The Holdout](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-holdout.md): The chapter follows a baseball manager's efforts to re-sign first baseman Bill Hagedorn after a disappointing season. The manager, Frank, is tasked by owner Mr. Edwards to convince players to accept salary cuts. Hagedorn
- [Ball-a-Hole](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ball-a-hole.md): In this chapter, the narrator and Jake caddy for two golfers, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Perkins, who are playing a match. The caddies engage in gamesmanship, manipulating the golfers' perceptions and scores. The golfers, both 
- [Gas, Oil and Air](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/gas-oil-and-air.md): The narrator, Charley, a working-class man, competes with George Boles for Alice's affection. To win her over, he buys a Swift Six car on credit, despite his limited finances. After a series of mechanical mishaps and a b
- [The Yellow Kid](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-yellow-kid.md): This chapter focuses on the character of the Yellow Kid, a young boxer, and his experiences in the world of professional fighting. It explores his interactions with handlers, promoters, and other fighters, highlighting t
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The chapter introduces Lefty Crosby, a talented but illiterate and extremely shy young pitcher. His teammate Buck Means reveals Crosby's vulnerabilities to the narrator and Gilbert, who then share this information with H
- [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): Crosby pitches well until Childs distracts him with a story about a girl, causing him to lose control and be pulled from the game. Martin defends Crosby and warns Childs, but Cahill ultimately intervenes, telling Childs 
- [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): On a train to St. Louis, a card game among the players takes a dark turn when Harry Childs jokingly places a gun on the table. Lefty Crosby, who is watching, reacts with extreme fear, turning pale and fleeing. The next m
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): Harry Childs continues his prank on Lefty Crosby by writing fake love letters, which Crosby tears up, revealing his deep shyness around women and his traumatic past involving guns. The chapter explores Crosby's fears and
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): The chapter focuses on the ball club's stay in Detroit, where the players are infatuated with Mary Lloyd, the hotel's telegraph operator. Harry Childs is particularly smitten, while the shy pitcher Crosby avoids her atte
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): In this chapter, the narrator Bill describes the team's travels and the ongoing teasing of Lefty Crosby about the possibility of being drafted for war. Harry Childs, who is in good form and planning to get married, repea
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): Joe Martin recounts a conversation with Lefty Crosby, who expresses a desire to get married despite having no money and little experience with women. Crosby asks Joe to help him reconnect with Mary Lloyd, a telegraph ope
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii.md): Harry Childs' lucky streak ends when he breaks his leg sliding into home plate in Cleveland. Young Mr. Crosby, terrified of meeting Mary, is helped by the narrator, Gil, and Martin, who force the pair into a taxi ride. T
- [The Last Night](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-last-night.md): Jay Arnold, a Chicago resident devoted to baseball and drinking, learns of the impending Prohibition and the war in Europe. Initially dismissive, he becomes worried and embarks on a final night of drinking, guided by Wal
- [The Clubby Roadster](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-clubby-roadster.md): Harry Cross inherits $2,500 from his wife's aunt and decides to spend it on a new car, a Clubby Roadster, rather than saving or investing. He invites the narrator and his wife on a weekend trip, which quickly becomes a c
- [A Chip of the Old Block](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-chip-of-the-old-block.md): This chapter is composed of a series of letters between a young man, Evan Barnes, and his grandfather. Evan writes from Washington, D.C., detailing his new life as a captain in a secret service department, his attempts t
- [The Young Immigrunts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-young-immigrunts.md): The chapter opens with a dedication and the beginning of a narrative, likely a humorous or satirical take on immigration or youth, written by Ring W. Lardner, Jr.
- [I: My Parents](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i-my-parents.md): The narrator, a four-year-old boy named Bill, humorously describes his parents, noting his father's unusual feet and his mother's beauty. He recounts his birth in a Chicago hospital and the family's impending move to Con
- [II: Starting Gaily](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-starting-gaily.md): The family departs from Goshen, Indiana, in their new car, leaving the nurse and two older brothers to follow by train. They travel through Michigan, stopping for lunch near Coldwater and unexpectedly visiting Ann Arbor,
- [III: Erie Lake](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii-erie-lake.md): The family departs Detroit on a steamboat for Buffalo, enduring a humorous journey filled with observations about newlyweds, local quirks, and the father's dry wit.
- [IV: Buffalo to Rochester 76.4](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv-buffalo-to-rochester-76-4.md): The family departs Buffalo by boat and car, heading toward Rochester. The father's frugality and the mother's subtle pushback create a tense but humorous dynamic as they stop for gas and lunch.
- [V: My Father’s Idear](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v-my-father-s-idear.md): The family attempts a shortcut to Syracuse based on the father's map reading, but the road leads to a dead end at a freight train. After a tense standoff, they turn back and take the main road through Geneva, arriving in
- [VI: Syracuse to Hudson 183.2](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi-syracuse-to-hudson-183-2.md): The family travels from Syracuse to Hudson, enduring rain, a hotel stop, a brief encounter with Mrs. Heywood in Utica, and a long drive through various towns. The father's sarcastic remarks and the mother's attempts at c
- [VII: Hudson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii-hudson.md): The family arrives in Hudson and is greeted by a young boy who offers to guide them. They find lodging with a woman who takes in loggers, and later meet a sailor who needs a ride to New York. The next morning, the sailor
- [VIII: Hudson to Yonkers 106.5](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii-hudson-to-yonkers-106-5.md): The family takes a rainy car trip from Hudson to Yonkers, stopping for breakfast at the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck, buying a coop for David and a cap for the narrator in Poughkeepsie, and passing through Garrison, Peekski
- [IX: The Bureau of Manhattan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ix-the-bureau-of-manhattan.md): As the family passes Spuyten Duyvil and enters the Bureau of Manhattan, the mother asks about making plans. The father says his plans are made and tells her he will drop her at the 125th Street station, where she will wa
- [X: N.Y. To Grenitch 500.0](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/x-n-y-to-grenitch-500-0.md): The narrator and his father attempt to drive from Manhattan to their new home in Greenwich, Connecticut, but get lost on the Grand Concourse and nearly head toward Pittsfield. After turning around, they reach New Rochell
- [XI: How It Ended](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xi-how-it-ended.md): The family reunites at the station in Grenitch after a train trip. The narrator's father awkwardly greets the nurse, and the children bicker about who cried during the journey. The mother praises the narrator's behavior,
- [The Big Town](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-big-town.md): The narrator and his wife travel to New York with the intention of finding a husband for Katie, marking the beginning of their adventures in the big city.
- [I: Quick Returns](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i-quick-returns.md): The narrator and his wife Ella, along with her sister Kate, inherit a fortune from Ella's stepfather. They move from South Bend to New York City to find a better life and a suitable husband for Kate. The chapter details 
- [II: Ritchey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-ritchey.md): The narrator and his family move from the Baldwin Hotel to a Riverside Drive apartment, driven by Ella's desire to give Kate a chance to meet 'real men.' The move proves costly and impractical, with the apartment costing
- [III: Lady Perkins](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii-lady-perkins.md): The narrator and his family, staying at a summer hotel, find the other guests aloof and snobbish. The narrator fabricates a story about his dogs having 'blanny' to impress Lady Perkins, an Englishwoman. His wife Ella and
- [IV: Only One](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv-only-one.md): The narrator and the women continue their stay at the Decker hotel, spending time with Daley at the racetrack. Kate's relationship with Daley develops, and she is proposed to but asks for time to think. The chapter also 
- [V: Katie Wins a Home](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v-katie-wins-a-home.md): The narrator reflects on returning to South Bend after a trip to New York, where they stayed at a family hotel and encountered comedian Jimmy Ralston. Katie becomes infatuated with Ralston and invests her inheritance in 
- [A Frame-Up](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-frame-up.md): The chapter 'A Frame-Up' explores themes of deception, ambition, and the consequences of manipulation within the world of sports and celebrity. It likely involves characters engaging in schemes or misunderstandings that 
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): A young farm boy from Benton Harbor, Michigan, named Burke, approaches Kid Howard in Chicago seeking boxing lessons. Burke wants to learn enough to beat Charley Porter, a seasoned welterweight. Despite Howard's skepticis
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): The chapter describes how a young farm boy, Burkey, trains with Howard in Chicago. Despite his natural boxing talent, Burkey refuses to punch with full force during practice, insisting he only wants to beat Charley Porte
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): Burke, a young boxer, seeks out Nate to manage his career after a falling out with his father. He reveals his ambition to marry a wealthy society woman, inspired by a story he read. Nate tries to focus him on boxing, but
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): Burke, a promising boxer, is being managed by Nate. Nate secures a match with Battling Igoe in Boston, hoping Burke will fight aggressively to earn a shot at Willie Kemp in New York. Burke wins the Igoe bout easily but w
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): Jack Grace devises a scheme to motivate Young Burke for his upcoming fight against Willie Kemp by fabricating a romantic interest from a wealthy socialite, Esther Fester. The plan involves sending fake letters to Burke, 
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): Burke receives a series of fabricated fan letters from 'Esther Fester,' which boost his confidence before his bout with Willie Kemp. Jack Grace and Nate orchestrate the letters to manipulate Burke's mindset, leading him 
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): The narrator and Jack Grace place bets on a young fighter, Burkey, to win by knockout against Kemp. Burkey is distracted, looking for a woman in the crowd, but Jack Grace refocuses him by mentioning she is in a box. Burk
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii.md): Burkey waits for a phone call after his victory, but receives a letter from Esther saying she is going to Europe with her father. Nate and Jack Grace scheme to keep her away, but Burkey sees her at the train station and 
- [Some Like Them Cold](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/some-like-them-cold.md): In this epistolary chapter, Chas. F. Lewis writes to Mabelle Gillespie about his life in New York, his struggles with song publishing, and his new job at the Wilton orchestra. He then announces his engagement to Paul Sea
- [The Battle of the Century](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-battle-of-the-century.md): This chapter, titled 'The Battle of the Century,' contains no provided text excerpts. Therefore, no summary can be generated.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i.md): The narrator, Pinkie, recounts meeting Jim (the heavyweight champion) and his manager Larry Moon in Omaha. Larry explains the financial and promotional difficulties of being a champion with no worthy opponents, and the p
- [II](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii.md): In New York, Jim Dugan and Larry Moon discuss the news of a boxing match in London where Goulet stopped Bradford in the first round. Larry sees this as an opportunity to build up a championship match between Goulet and J
- [III](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii.md): Larry Moon works to build public interest in a fight between French boxer Goulet and American champion Jim Dugan. He plants a story in the papers, negotiates with Goulet's manager La Chance, and outlines a plan to promot
- [IV](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv.md): Several months pass as Dugan takes on a setup in Michigan and wins in three rounds. He then fights old Tommy Fogel in Jersey, who surprises by lasting three rounds. The public gets excited, thinking Fogel might give Duga
- [V](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v.md): Larry Moon orchestrates a high-stakes negotiation for a championship fight between his fighter, Dugan, and Goulet. He uses two Cuban bankers as props to pressure Crawley and Guthrie into a $500,000 offer, then reveals hi
- [VI](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi.md): In early spring, the narrator runs into Larry Moon, who recruits him to keep Jim Dugan company during training camp for an upcoming fight in New Jersey. Larry explains that while the fight appears to be easy money, the r
- [VII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii.md): The narrator arrives at Jim Dugan's training camp in June. Dugan spars with partners, then confides his frustrations about the farce of training and his cynical view of the fight. He worries about the fight's outcome, th
- [VIII](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii.md): The narrator reflects on the public's tendency to believe in romantic underdogs, using the lead-up to the big fight between Goulet and Dugan as an example. Despite expert predictions, the crowd favored the smaller, war-h
- [A Caddy's Diary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-caddy-s-diary.md): A 16-year-old caddy at the Pleasant View Golf Club begins a diary at the suggestion of Mr. Colby, hoping to improve his writing skills for a future career as a golf pro. The diary records his observations of club members
- [The Golden Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-golden-honeymoon.md): An elderly couple, Charley and Mother, celebrate their golden wedding anniversary by taking a trip to St. Petersburg, Florida. They encounter another couple, Frank and Lucy Hartsell, and engage in friendly competitions a
- [Bedtime Stories](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/bedtime-stories.md): A collection of short stories exploring themes of ambition, disillusionment, and the complexities of human relationships, often set against the backdrop of sports, business, and domestic life.
- [How to Tell a True Princess](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/how-to-tell-a-true-princess.md): A humorous retelling of the classic princess-and-the-pea tale, where a prince is told by his father to marry a true princess. The king proposes a test of delicacy involving a pea under many mattresses and quilts. The pri
- [Cinderella](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/cinderella.md): A modern retelling of Cinderella set in a Roaring Twenties context, where a neglected stepdaughter, Zelda, is transformed by a fairy godmother to attend a dance, captivates a wealthy 'Prince,' loses a glass slipper, and 
- [Red Riding Hood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/red-riding-hood.md): A humorous retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, where the girl is sent to deliver gin to her grandmother, encounters a police dog, and is saved by her father who is playing golf nearby.
- [Bluebeard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/bluebeard.md): A woman marries a wealthy man known as Bluebeard, who forbids her from entering a small closet. While he is away, she and her guests speculate about the contents, but she cannot open it. When Bluebeard returns unexpected
- [A Closeup of Domba Splew](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-closeup-of-domba-splew.md): The narrator, a journalist, is sent to interview the Italian poet Domba Splew, who gained fame after publishing a poem in The Bookman. The interview takes place in Scranton, PA, where Splew describes his daily routine, h
- [What of It?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/what-of-it.md): A traveling salesman named Ben Lacey tells a story about a young playwright, Dexter Cosset, who is trying to think of a new title for his play after a producer renames it 'Carlotta's Corns.' Cosset, unable to think witho
- [Haircut](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/haircut.md): The barber, Whitey, tells a newcomer about the town's history, focusing on the late Jim Kendall, a notorious practical joker. Whitey recounts Jim's antics, his troubled marriage, his cruelty to his family, and his feud w
- [Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/mr-and-mrs-fix-it.md): The narrator describes his wife Ada's meddlesome friends, particularly Tom and Belle Stevens, whom he nicknames 'Mr. and Mrs. Fix-It' for their constant interference in his and Ada's lives. The Stevenses try to get the c
- [Zone of Quiet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/zone-of-quiet.md): A nurse, Miss Lyons, talks at length to a male patient recovering from an operation. She discusses her social life, her boyfriend Roy, her friend Marian, her past cases, and her views on marriage, weight, and aging. The 
- [Women](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/women.md): On the bench during a game, Young Jake complains about not playing. Mike Healy, a veteran third baseman, blames women for ruining his career, claiming a woman prevented him from meeting with John McGraw and that another 
- [The Love Nest](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-love-nest.md): A reporter, Mr. Bartlett, is invited by the powerful movie mogul Lou Gregg to his grand estate, the 'Love Nest,' to observe his seemingly perfect family life. Gregg proudly shows off his beautiful wife Celia and their th
- [A Day with Conrad Green](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/a-day-with-conrad-green.md): Conrad Green, a theatrical producer, wakes up depressed after a party, mourning his late secretary Herman Plant. He deals with a persistent blackmailer from Gay New York, a demanding new secretary, and a confrontation wi
- [Reunion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/reunion.md): Bob Mason and his wife Jennie, from Buchanan, Michigan, visit Bob's sister Rita and her husband Stu at their home in Sands Point, Long Island, after nearly twenty years of separation. The reunion is marked by cultural cl
- [Who Dealt?](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/who-dealt.md): In this chapter, the narrator, likely a woman, engages in a lengthy monologue during a bridge game, discussing topics ranging from a story written by her husband Tom to the peculiarities of a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Gu
- [Rhythm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/rhythm.md): Harry Hart, a successful but unscrupulous composer, rises to fame with his hit show 'Upsy Daisy' but his arrogance and lack of artistic integrity lead to his downfall. He alienates his collaborators, abandons his fiancée
- [Travelogue](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/travelogue.md): On a westbound train, Dan Chapman meets two women, Hazel Dignan and Mildred Orr. Hazel, a self-proclaimed seasoned traveler, dominates the conversation with tales of her travels and acquaintances, while Mildred, who has 
- [I Can’t Breathe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i-can-t-breathe.md): A young woman, staying at an inn with her aunt and uncle while her parents are abroad, records her diary entries. She is engaged to Walter but finds herself attracted to Frank, a charming man she meets at the inn. After 
- [The Jade Necklace](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-jade-necklace.md): The narrator, a secretary/valet to L. N. Bauer of Colossal Films, recounts the studio's scheme to compete with Supreme Pictures by signing the handsome Irish actor Maurice Kavanaugh. After buying the rights to a story ca
- [The Story of a Wonder Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-story-of-a-wonder-man.md): This chapter presents the autobiographical narrative of Ring Lardner, detailing his early life, his rise as a writer, and his encounters with various figures in the world of sports and entertainment. It reflects on his c
- [I: The Birth of a Wonder Man](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/i-the-birth-of-a-wonder-man.md): The chapter satirically recounts the birth of Ring Lardner in Niles, Michigan, in March 1885, blending historical events with absurd fictional details. It humorously describes the town's celebration, the flood of letters
- [II: The Boy Grew Older](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-the-boy-grew-older.md): The narrator abandons the third-person style due to confusion with his brothers also named Ring, and recounts his early childhood, including the family's crowded household, his first sweetheart Livid Taylor, and a disast
- [III: Young Man Goes West](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iii-young-man-goes-west.md): The narrator recounts a whimsical journey from Duluth to Seattle, involving a Sealyham dog pulling sleds, the deaths of relatives from exposure, and a stop in Butte. Upon arriving in Seattle, he attends a ball where he m
- [IV: Bright College Years](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/iv-bright-college-years.md): The narrator recounts his early life, from being alone in Seattle at age six to working as a squirrel-tender in San Francisco. He humorously describes his athletic prowess leading to offers from universities, and his pla
- [V: How Spanish War Ended](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/v-how-spanish-war-ended.md): The narrator satirizes the confusion surrounding the Spanish War, where even generals are kept in the dark about its location. The war ends with contradictory reports, leading to a rush of pension applicants. The narrato
- [VI: How I Threw Big Party for Jane Austen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vi-how-i-threw-big-party-for-jane-austen.md): The narrator recounts hosting a party for Jane Austen, who is in America to discuss a film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The party includes a visit to Texas Guinan's, where the narrator tries to pay with a bad check
- [VII: New York's Noon Life](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii-new-york-s-noon-life.md): The chapter satirically recounts the invention of the subway in New York, describing its luxurious accommodations and the game 'Have You Heard This One?' played with straps. It then shifts to the narrator's duty of showi
- [VIII: Football Trick Uncorked](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/viii-football-trick-uncorked.md): The narrator recounts his college entrance exams and his first football game as captain of Yale, where he uses a trick play to defeat Harvard.
- [IX: Yale, Beaten by Blind Boys](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ix-yale-beaten-by-blind-boys.md): The narrator, as Yale captain, resigns due to the misery of three players but is persuaded to stay after trading them to Dartmouth. The team wins two games but loses to several odd opponents, including the Weehawken Scho
- [X: A Gay Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/x-a-gay-christmas-eve.md): The narrator describes a lively Christmas Eve at the Grudges' home, where servants and family mingle democratically. The laundress Mrs. Stevens engages in witty banter, and the evening includes caroling, a baby's cry ins
- [XI: How I Swam the Hudson](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xi-how-i-swam-the-hudson.md): The narrator recounts his journey back to Yale after the holidays, which involves crossing the Hudson River. He receives misguided advice from a traffic policeman (later revealed to be A. D. Lasker, the future boat inven
- [XII: I Transfer from Princeton to Medicine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xii-i-transfer-from-princeton-to-medicine.md): After a hockey game fiasco, the narrator avoids being fired from the team due to being one of the only players with skates. He humorously recounts his academic misadventures at Princeton, including a confusing encounter 
- [My Medical Career](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xiii-my-medical-career.md): The narrator recounts his unconventional medical career, beginning with a scheme to run a filling station and restaurant on a highway while secretly practicing medicine. He then moves to Chicago, where he rents an office
- [My 2 Big Inventions](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xiv-my-2-big-inventions.md): This satirical chapter recounts the supposed inventions of 1899: the straw and the telephone. The straw, invented by Paul Whelton, was initially meant to help drowning bathers but found uses in weather forecasting and ca
- [XV: Sport Writer on The Rabies](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xv-sport-writer-on-the-rabies.md): In this chapter, the narrator recounts his early career as a sport writer for the tabloid newspaper The Rabies in 1900. He describes his eccentric boss, 'Oatmeal Haney' Thwack, who has an obsession with oatmeal, and his 
- [XVI: Star Reporter for The Rabies](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xvi-star-reporter-for-the-rabies.md): The narrator recounts his first assignment as a star reporter for The Rabies, covering the Helsh murder case. The story satirizes sensationalist journalism, featuring a drunken city editor, a bizarre murder investigation
- [Promoted to Contest Editor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xvii-promoted-to-contest-editor.md): The narrator is promoted to contest editor at The Rabies by Horace Greeley and Ben Hecht. He devises a guessing contest of famous men with missing letters, offering $50,000 in prizes. The contest attracts 500,000 entrant
- [XVIII: Halloween in Polyandry Hospital](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xviii-halloween-in-polyandry-hospital.md): The narrator is examined by two diagnosticians, Dr. Pine and Dr. Gasp, who diagnose him with chronic alfalfa and send him to Polyandry Hospital. He is tattooed in three places, recovers, and stays for Halloween pranks, w
- [XIX: A Soft Job](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xix-a-soft-job.md): Following his release from the hospital, the narrator is advised by Dr. Pearson to leave journalism for a calmer profession. He becomes a ticket agent at Grand Central Station, where his imaginative and individualistic a
- [Dan Boone's Joke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xx-dan-boone-s-joke.md): The narrator reflects on his playful youth, including a joke that ended his friendship with Daniel Boone, and his subsequent hobby of collecting autographs. He recounts humorous anecdotes of obtaining signatures from fam
- [XXI: I First Marry in Central Park—Lapland Lady for Bride](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxi-i-first-marry-in-central-park-lapland-lady-for-bride.md): The narrator recounts his first marriage to Hugga Much, a Laplander woman he meets at a weekend party. Despite her persistent advances, he eventually agrees to marry her. The wedding is held in Central Park, with unusual
- [On My Honeymoon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxii-on-my-honeymoon.md): The narrator and his bride Hugga honeymoon in Philadelphia at the Sesquicentennial Exposition, then decide to invest in a small-town post office in Gluten, where they cleverly pivot to selling dog accessories, netting ov
- [XXIII: My Romance Blasted](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxiii-my-romance-blasted.md): The narrator defends himself against press misrepresentation regarding his divorce from his first wife, Hugga Much. He describes their life in Gluten, NY, where they ran a post office while profiting from dog supplies, l
- [My Divorce Trial](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxiv-my-divorce-trial.md): The narrator recounts his divorce trial, which is presented as a farcical spectacle. The courtroom is packed with spectators and the twelve thousand co-respondents he named, who perform a musical number. The trial featur
- [XXV: Even Judge Ogle Smiled](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxv-even-judge-ogle-smiled.md): The narrator recounts humorous exchanges from his trial, including witty repartee between his lawyer, Attorney Dumb, and the opposing counsel, Mr. Wheedle. Their banter, which included insults and a joke about suspenders
- [I Revolutionize Theatre Business](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxvi-i-revolutionize-theatre-business.md): The narrator concludes his memoirs, explaining his move to Great Neck, Long Island, with his second wife Emma Geezle. He recounts his innovative solution to the problem of scantily clad performers in musical comedies: re
- [XXVII: A Postmortem Message](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/xxvii-a-postmortem-message.md): The narrator describes the literary and theatrical community of Great Neck, including neighbors like Ed Streeter, Sam Hellman, Gene Buck, and H.B. Swope. He humorously recounts how neighbors would drop by for Sunday meal
- [Sun Cured](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/sun-cured.md): Two New Yorkers, C. L. Walters and Ernie Fretts, meet on a train bound for Florida. Fretts, an insurance man from Brooklyn, recounts his recent month-long vacation in Miami, which he took on the advice of his efficient o
- [Hurry Kane](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/hurry-kane.md): The narrator, a catcher, recounts the story of Hurry Kane, a naive young pitcher who joins the team and becomes the target of practical jokes. Despite his gullibility, Kane proves to be a talented pitcher, and the team's
- [Now and Then](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/now-and-then.md): Irma writes letters to Esther from Nassau, detailing her honeymoon with Bob. She describes their idyllic activities, Bob's possessive and controlling behavior, and the gradual shift in his attitude as he becomes more int
- [The Spinning Wheel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-spinning-wheel.md): The narrator, a roulette dealer, recounts the story of Jess Dorsey, a fellow dealer who falls for a beautiful young woman named Amy Bennett. Amy loses small amounts nightly but wins big when Jess picks her numbers, leadi
- [The Venomous Viper of the Volga](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-venomous-viper-of-the-volga.md): Promoter Luke Lewis and his press-agent Sandy King devise a plan to keep the public interested in heavyweight boxing after the new champion Beau Burton is booed. They decide to stage a series of elimination trials, culmi
- [Man Not Overboard](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/man-not-overboard.md): Ben Brainard, a novelist, boards the Gargantua with plans to commit suicide at sea, driven by the rejection of his latest work and a broken heart. He meets Fred Lemp, a businessman who shares his own tragic life story, i
- [Anniversary](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/anniversary.md): On the ninth anniversary of her marriage, Mrs. Taylor reflects on her life with Louis, a solid but dull husband, while he reads statistics from the newspaper. Their conversation reveals the monotony and quiet disappointm
- [Nora](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/nora.md): In this chapter, Louie Brock, a producer of musical shows, introduces Mr. Hazlett to Jerry Morris and Frank Moon, a tunesmith and lyricist duo. Hazlett presents his straight play 'Nora' as a potential musical, but Morris
- [Liberty Hall](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/liberty-hall.md): The narrator, Mrs. Ben Drake, recounts her husband's aversion to visiting others' homes, detailing disastrous trips to the Buckleys and the Craigs, and his scheme of sending himself fake telegrams to escape. She then des
- [There Are Smiles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/there-are-smiles.md): The chapter introduces Ben Collins, a jovial traffic policeman at Fifth Avenue and Forty-sixth Street, known for his witty rebukes and good humor. His life changes when he stops a speeding Cadillac driven by a beautiful,
- [Mr. Frisbie](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/mr-frisbie.md): The narrator, a chauffeur for the wealthy Mr. Frisbie, describes his dual role as caddy and confidant. After a reporter's visit, he decides to write an article about his employer's private life, focusing on his golf obse
- [Wedding Day](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/wedding-day.md): Ruth, substituting for her sick sister Alice, attends the wedding of musical comedy star Brownie Burt and comedian Jimmy Shane. The ceremony is brief and unconventional, followed by a gathering at Ben Seaton's apartment.
- [Dinner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/dinner.md): Harry Barton, a thirty-three-year-old bachelor, reluctantly agrees to fill in at a dinner party hosted by Grace Halpern. He is seated between two attractive out-of-town guests, Miss Rell and Miss Coakley. Miss Rell domin
- [The Maysville Minstrel](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/the-maysville-minstrel.md): Stephen Gale, a gas company bookkeeper in Maysville, struggles financially and writes poetry in secret. A traveling salesman, Charley Roberts, discovers his poem 'To Stella' and arranges for its publication in a New York
- [Ex Parte](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ex-parte.md): A man, recently separated from his wife Florence, writes a letter to his friend Ed Osborne to tell his side of the story. He explains that he bought a new house from Jeff Cooper as a surprise for Florence, but she hated 
- [Old Folks' Christmas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/old-folks-christmas.md): Tom and Grace Carter, now financially successful, prepare an elaborate Christmas for their college-aged children, Ted and Caroline, who have adopted new names and modern attitudes. The children arrive late, prioritize so
- [Contract](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/contract.md): The Sheltons move to the suburb of Linden, where Mrs. Shelton hopes to make friends and play contract bridge. They are invited to a weekly bridge party by the Frenches. At the party, Shelton endures constant criticism of
- [Absentminded Beggar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/absentminded-beggar.md): The chapter introduces John Knowles, a dreamy and absentminded young man whose poetic nature clashes with practical demands. His sister Charlotte urges him to take a business job to support their ailing mother, but John 
- [High-Rollers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/high-rollers.md): Walter Finch accepts a higher-paying job, prompting his wife Marion to insist on renting a summer home in the affluent Hampton Dunes. Despite Walter's concerns about their financial disparity with their wealthy neighbors
- [Stop Me—If You’ve Heard This One](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/stop-me-if-you-ve-heard-this-one.md): In 1927, young playwrights Jerry Blades and Luke Garner meet the famous globetrotter Henry Wild Osborne at the Lambs' Club. Osborne entertains them with tales of his adventures, including flying with Lindbergh, witnessin
- [Pity Is Akin—](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/pity-is-akin.md): Henry and Mrs. Spalding visit the Cozy Club, where they encounter Marian Moore, a performer with a woebegone appeal. After a night of drinking, Henry is later called to testify in a trial against the club, where Marian i
- [That Old Sweetheart of Mine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/that-old-sweetheart-of-mine.md): Stella Crane, a lonely New York housewife, receives a phone call from Will, an old flame from fifteen years ago. They arrange to meet for lunch and a matinee. During their meeting, Will reveals he still harbors feelings 
- [Great Blessings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/great-blessings.md): The chapter opens with a presidential proclamation of Thanksgiving, then shifts to the Stewart family's Thanksgiving dinner. Clara and Tod host Tod's parents, Mother and Father Stewart, who are critical of Clara's parent
- [Second-Act Curtain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/second-act-curtain.md): The chapter follows playwrights Chambers and Booth as they struggle to write a second-act curtain for their play, which is trying out in Newark. After being repeatedly criticized for lacking a curtain, they decide to lea
- [Enter the Heroine](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/enter-the-heroine.md): Booth, while waiting for food in his hotel room, attempts to write a letter but is hindered by a broken typewriter key. A chambermaid enters and engages in a brief, humorous conversation about sickness and marriage. Afte
- [Inspiration from the Muse](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/inspiration-from-the-muse.md): Booth, seeking inspiration for his play, turns to various books and poems, but finds little help until he reads a sentimental poem about a mother and child. He considers visiting Chambers to discuss his second-act curtai
- [It's Got to Be Funny](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/it-s-got-to-be-funny.md): Booth, a songwriter, is tasked with composing a comedic song for a show. He struggles with the pressure to make it 'damn funny' and reflects on the loneliness of a neighboring woman, imagining her solitary life in the ci
- [Wasted Sympathy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/wasted-sympathy.md): Booth, a songwriter, is awakened by a call from Mr. Rose demanding a new second-act curtain. He struggles to create a song, but discovers it is a hymn he heard at a rehearsal. Frustrated, he observes a woman across the c
- [Detected!](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/detected.md): Booth wakes to find his bottle emptied and a telephone cord around his neck, prompting him to call the operator and request a house detective. The detective arrives and suggests both the emptied bottle and the displaced 
- [Mamma](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/mamma.md): A woman, known only as 'Mamma,' is found on a crosstown car in New York City, unable to remember her name or address. She insists her husband 'Dad' will come for her, and she must get home to bake a cake. Taken to a hosp
- [Words and Music](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/words-and-music.md): Hilda Harper, a stenographer, is infatuated with singer Roman Starr. She writes him a fan letter but receives no reply. After reading a flippant interview with Roman in the newspaper, she decides to pose as a reporter to
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter consists of a series of humorous endnotes and editorial exchanges between the author and editor, playfully correcting and disputing each other's claims about historical facts, personal anecdotes, and the aut

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