The Late Mrs Null

by Frank R. Stockton

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ...one of your subscribers in my own name, you will be willing to withhold the information you intended to give Mr Keswick." "Well," said the man, relapsing into his former confidential tones, " business is business. If I could see Mr Keswick, I don't know whether he would employ me or not. I have no reason to work for one person more than another, and, of course, if one man comes to me and another doesn't, I'm bound to work for the man who comes. That's business!" "You have said quite enough," said Lawrence. "Now leave this place instantly!" "No, I won't!" said the man, shutting his mouth very tightly, as he drew himself up and folded his arms on his chest. Lawrence was young, well-made, and strong, but the other man was taller, heavier, and perhaps stronger. To engage in a personal contest to compel a fellow like this to depart, would be a very unpleasant thing for Lawrence to do, even if he succeeded. He was a visitor here, the ladies would probably be witnesses of the conflict, and although the natural impulse of his heart, predominant over everything else at that moment, prompted him to spring upon the impudent fellow and endeavor to thrash him, still his instincts as a gentleman forbade him to enter into such a contest, which would probably have no good effect, no matter how it resulted. Never before did he feel the weakness of the moral power of a just cause when opposed to brutal obstinacy. Still he did not retreat from his position. "Did you hear what I said?" he cried. "Leave this place!" "You are not master here," said the other, still preserving his defiant attitude, "and you have no right to order me away. I am not going." Despite his inferiority in size, despite his gentlemanly instincts, and despite his prudent desire not to make an...

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Frank Richard Stockton was an American writer and humorist, best known today for a series of innovative children's fairy tales that were widely popular during the last decades of the 19th century. Stockton avoided the didactic moralizing common to children's stories of the time, instead using clever humor to poke at greed, violence, abuse of power and other human foibles, describing his fantastic characters' adventures in a charming, matter-of-fact way.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far this is my favorite of Stockton's writing, and I've reread it several times to try to gather up more nuance. The humor is great, and the hero has quite a difficult time with a charming young lady of his acquaintance, Mrs. Null. Her very name has a story behind it, which is part of what leads to a humorous and pleasant conclusion.

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring. Boring book about boring people in boring love triangles. Did I mention it was boring? It was very boring. None of the characters were particularly interesting (title character had promise but never really went anywhere), all were deadly dull. Do not recommend.