All these stories in this book are sketches rather than short stories, more like wild creepers on jungle growth. Kind readers, search not for fragrant flowers among these leaf-buds. Some of these stories were written as early as 1915 and 1925. How many years of honest vintage! It may be that the author had in his juvenile enthusiasm for storage cellared not the grape juice of life but mere aqua tap water, at that. In any event, kind readers, taste in a generous ...