# Short Fiction — Chapters explained > Chapter companions for Short Fiction by F. Scott Fitzgerald. - [Tarquin of Cheapside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/tarquin-of-cheapside.md): A poetic narrative blending classical and modern imagery, exploring themes of love, loss, and the passage of time through the lens of a young man's romantic disillusionment in an urban setting. - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md): A nocturnal chase through the dark, winding alleys of London, where a fleet-footed fugitive in soft shoes leads two pursuers in flowing boots through a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight. The pursuers clash with the watc - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md): In Elizabethan England, the reader Wessel Caxter is interrupted by a panicked man, Soft Shoes, who seeks refuge from two pursuing gallants. Wessel hides him in a garret and misleads the pursuers, who reveal that Soft Sho - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md): As dawn approaches, Wessel Caxter works through the night on his writing, while his guest sleeps after completing a mysterious manuscript. The atmosphere is heavy with fog and fatigue, and Wessel reads aloud the opening - [Porcelain and Pink](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/porcelain-and-pink.md): A comedic one-act play set in a bathroom where sisters Lois and Julie engage in a witty, contentious conversation while Julie bathes. The dialogue explores themes of vanity, literature, and modesty, culminating in a farc > 217 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_16_se_1369kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest. - [Head and Shoulders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/head-and-shoulders.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [Sandra Pepys, Syncopated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [Benediction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/benediction.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [Dalyrimple Goes Wrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/dalyrimple-goes-wrong.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/viii.md) - [Mr. Icky](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/mr-icky.md) - [The Camel's Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-camel-s-back.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [Bernice Bobs Her Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/bernice-bobs-her-hair.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [The Ice Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-ice-palace.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [The Offshore Pirate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-offshore-pirate.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [The Cut-Glass Bowl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-cut-glass-bowl.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Four Fists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-four-fists.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [May Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/may-day.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ix.md) - [Mr. In and Mr. Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/x.md) - [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/xi.md) - [The Jelly-Bean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-jelly-bean.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Lees of Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-lees-of-happiness.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [Jemina, the Mountain Girl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/jemina-the-mountain-girl.md) - [A Wild Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/a-wild-thing.md) - [A Mountain Feud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/a-mountain-feud.md) - [The Birth of Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-birth-of-love.md) - [A Mountain Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/a-mountain-battle.md) - [As One.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/as-one.md) - [O Russet Witch!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/o-russet-witch.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Curious Case of Benjamin Button](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ix.md) - [Benjamin Button's Military Ambition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/x.md) - [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/xi.md) - [The Diamond as Big as the Ritz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-diamond-as-big-as-the-ritz.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/viii.md) - [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ix.md) - [The Bribe to God and the Fall of the Washington Empire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/x.md) - [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/xi.md) - [Winter Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/winter-dreams.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [Winter Dreams](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [Hot and Cold Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/hot-and-cold-blood.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [Gretchen's Forty Winks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/gretchen-s-forty-winks.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [Absolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/absolution.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II: “On Saturday, Three Days Ago.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii-on-saturday-three-days-ago.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V: “Sagitta Volante in Dei”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v-sagitta-volante-in-dei.md) - [The Sensible Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-sensible-thing.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Baby Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-baby-party.md) - [Dice, Brassknuckles & Guitar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/dice-brassknuckles-guitar.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [The Adjuster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-adjuster.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [The Rich Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-rich-boy.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vii.md) - [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/viii.md) - [Rags Martin-Jones and the Pr‑nce of W‑les](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/rags-martin-jones-and-the-pr-nce-of-w-les.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [Jacob’s Ladder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/jacob-s-ladder.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [A Short Trip Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/a-short-trip-home.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [Magnetism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/magnetism.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Scandal Detectives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-scandal-detectives.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/vi.md) - [A Night at the Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/a-night-at-the-fair.md) - [The Freshest Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-freshest-boy.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/v.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) - [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iv.md) - [The Captured Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/the-captured-shadow.md) - [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/i.md) - [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/ii.md) - [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters/iii.md) HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_16_se/chapters