# Short Fiction — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Short Fiction by Saki.

- [The Image of the Lost Soul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-image-of-the-lost-soul.md): A small, sweet-voiced bird seeks shelter on a cathedral roof but is rejected by the other birds. It finds refuge in the arms of a carved stone figure of a lost soul, which gradually softens in expression. The bird is cap
- [Dogged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/dogged.md): Artemus Gibbon, a timid and respectable young man, is coerced into buying a rakish fox terrier named Beelzebub at a church bazaar. The dog's depraved influence gradually dismantles Gibbon's placid life, leading him into 
- [The Blood-Feud of Toad-Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-blood-feud-of-toad-water.md): The Cricks and Saunderses, the only two families in the isolated hamlet of Toad-Water, fall into a bitter feud after a hen from the Crick household scratches up Mrs. Saunders's onion bed. The quarrel escalates through mu
- [New Wine in Old Bottles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/new-wine-in-old-bottles.md): A satirical dialogue between two working-class women, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Hooper, who attempt to display their intellectual pretensions by peppering their speech with mispronounced references to history, literature, and 
- [Reginald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald.md): The narrator persuades Reginald to attend the McKillops' garden-party against his will, hoping to curry favor with the hostess for a Persian kitten. Once there, Reginald's irreverent behavior—mocking Colonel Mendoza's ag

> 137 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=short_fiction_49_se_1260kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [Reginald on Christmas Presents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-christmas-presents.md)
- [The Saint and the Goblin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-saint-and-the-goblin.md)
- [Reginald on the Academy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-the-academy.md)
- [Reginald's Peace Poem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-peace-poem.md)
- [Reginald's Choir Treat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-choir-treat.md)
- [Reginald at the Theatre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-at-the-theatre.md)
- [Reginald on House-Parties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-house-parties.md)
- [Judkin of the Parcels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/judkin-of-the-parcels.md)
- [Reginald on Worries](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-worries.md)
- [Reginald at the Carlton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-at-the-carlton.md)
- [Reginald on Besetting Sins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-besetting-sins.md)
- [Reginald's Drama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-drama.md)
- [Reginald on Tariffs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-on-tariffs.md)
- [Reginald's Christmas Revel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-christmas-revel.md)
- [Reginald's Rubaiyat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-s-rubaiyat.md)
- [The Innocence of Reginald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-innocence-of-reginald.md)
- [Reginald in Russia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/reginald-in-russia.md)
- [The Reticence of Lady Anne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-reticence-of-lady-anne.md)
- [A Young Turkish Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-young-turkish-catastrophe.md)
- [The Sex That Doesn’t Shop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-sex-that-doesn-t-shop.md)
- [The Lost Sanjak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-lost-sanjak.md)
- [The Soul of Laploshka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-soul-of-laploshka.md)
- [Gabriel-Ernest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/gabriel-ernest.md)
- [The Strategist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-strategist.md)
- [The Bag](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-bag.md)
- [Crosscurrents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/crosscurrents.md)
- [The Baker’s Dozen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-baker-s-dozen.md)
- [The Mouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-mouse.md)
- [The Matchmaker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-matchmaker.md)
- [Tobermory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/tobermory.md)
- [Hermann the Irascible](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/hermann-the-irascible.md)
- [Wratislav](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/wratislav.md)
- [The Unrest-Cure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-unrest-cure.md)
- [Sredni Vashtar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/sredni-vashtar.md)
- [The Background](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-background.md)
- [Adrian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/adrian.md)
- [The Jesting of Arlington Stringham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-jesting-of-arlington-stringham.md)
- [The Penance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-penance.md)
- [The Stampeding of Lady Bastable](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-stampeding-of-lady-bastable.md)
- [Ministers of Grace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/ministers-of-grace.md)
- [Filboid Studge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/filboid-studge.md)
- [Esmé](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/esm.md)
- [The Peace of Mowsle Barton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-peace-of-mowsle-barton.md)
- [The Chaplet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-chaplet.md)
- [Mrs. Packletide's Tiger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/mrs-packletide-s-tiger.md)
- [The Easter Egg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-easter-egg.md)
- [The Hounds of Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-hounds-of-fate.md)
- [A Matter of Sentiment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-matter-of-sentiment.md)
- [The Peace Offering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-peace-offering.md)
- [The Recessional](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-recessional.md)
- [The Infernal Parliament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-infernal-parliament.md)
- [The Talking-Out of Tarrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-talking-out-of-tarrington.md)
- [The Music on the Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-music-on-the-hill.md)
- [The Remoulding of Groby Lington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-remoulding-of-groby-lington.md)
- [The Secret Sin of Septimus Brope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-secret-sin-of-septimus-brope.md)
- [The Story of St. Vespaluus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-story-of-st-vespaluus.md)
- [The Way to the Dairy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-way-to-the-dairy.md)
- [The Disappearance of Crispina Umberleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-disappearance-of-crispina-umberleigh.md)
- [The Schartz-Metterklume Method](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-schartz-metterklume-method.md)
- [Excepting Mrs. Pentherby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/excepting-mrs-pentherby.md)
- [The Seventh Pullet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-seventh-pullet.md)
- [Mrs. Pendercoet's Lost Identity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/mrs-pendercoet-s-lost-identity.md)
- [The Open Window](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-open-window.md)
- [The Cobweb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-cobweb.md)
- [The Seven Cream Jugs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-seven-cream-jugs.md)
- [Bertie's Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/bertie-s-christmas-eve.md)
- [Quail Seed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/quail-seed.md)
- [The Interlopers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-interlopers.md)
- [The Optimist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-optimist.md)
- [The Treasure Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-treasure-ship.md)
- [The Pond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-pond.md)
- [The Blind Spot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-blind-spot.md)
- [Dusk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/dusk.md)
- [The Unkindest Blow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-unkindest-blow.md)
- [The Sheep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-sheep.md)
- [The Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-threat.md)
- [The Comments of Moung Ka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-comments-of-moung-ka.md)
- [The Phantom Luncheon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-phantom-luncheon.md)
- [The Yarkand Manner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-yarkand-manner.md)
- [Laura](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/laura.md)
- [The She-Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-she-wolf.md)
- [The Boar-Pig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-boar-pig.md)
- [Shock Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/shock-tactics.md)
- [The Lull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-lull.md)
- [The Romancers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-romancers.md)
- [The Cupboard of the Yesterdays](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-cupboard-of-the-yesterdays.md)
- [The Purple of the Balkan Kings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-purple-of-the-balkan-kings.md)
- [The Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-hen.md)
- [A Touch of Realism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-touch-of-realism.md)
- [The Wolves of Cernogratz](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-wolves-of-cernogratz.md)
- [The Dreamer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-dreamer.md)
- [The Quince Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-quince-tree.md)
- [The Feast of Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-feast-of-nemesis.md)
- [Cousin Teresa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/cousin-teresa.md)
- [The Byzantine Omelette](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-byzantine-omelette.md)
- [The Forbidden Buzzards](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-forbidden-buzzards.md)
- [The Stake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-stake.md)
- [Clovis on Parental Responsibilities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/clovis-on-parental-responsibilities.md)
- [The Brogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-brogue.md)
- [The Almanac](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-almanac.md)
- [A Housing Problem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-housing-problem.md)
- [The Oversight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-oversight.md)
- [The Hedgehog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-hedgehog.md)
- [The Storyteller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-storyteller.md)
- [A Holiday Task](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-holiday-task.md)
- [Fur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/fur.md)
- [The Lumber Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-lumber-room.md)
- [A Sacrifice to Necessity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-sacrifice-to-necessity.md)
- [The Elk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-elk.md)
- [A Defensive Diamond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-defensive-diamond.md)
- [The Stalled Ox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-stalled-ox.md)
- [Canossa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/canossa.md)
- [The Name-Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-name-day.md)
- [A Shot in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-shot-in-the-dark.md)
- [Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/mark.md)
- [Down Pens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/down-pens.md)
- [The Philanthropist and the Happy Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-philanthropist-and-the-happy-cat.md)
- [On Approval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/on-approval.md)
- [Hyacinth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/hyacinth.md)
- [Fate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/fate.md)
- [The Romance of Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-romance-of-business.md)
- [The Toys of Peace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-toys-of-peace.md)
- [Louis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/louis.md)
- [The Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-bull.md)
- [The Occasional Garden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-occasional-garden.md)
- [The Mappined Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-mappined-life.md)
- [The Gala Programme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-gala-programme.md)
- [Louise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/louise.md)
- [The Guests](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-guests.md)
- [The East Wing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-east-wing.md)
- [Morlvera](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/morlvera.md)
- [Tea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/tea.md)
- [A Bread and Butter Miss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/a-bread-and-butter-miss.md)
- [Clovis on the Alleged Romance of Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/clovis-on-the-alleged-romance-of-business.md)
- [Forewarned](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/forewarned.md)
- [For the Duration of the War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/for-the-duration-of-the-war.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/endnotes.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters