Afterwards, and Other Stories

"Afterwards, and Other Stories" by Ian Maclaren is a set of tales from the end of the 1800s, starting with Edward Trevor, a winning lawyer, who must deal with sadness when he learns something terrible about his wife, Maud. The story happens in different places, from sunny beaches to foggy London, and looks at ideas like love, giving up things for others, and how important everyday relationships are. The first story shows Trevor having a great time on vacation while remembering his wife, Maud, who is home looking after their son, Bertie. When Trevor gets a message telling him to come home quickly, something sad about Maud is revealed. The big change from happiness to sadness shows Trevor's struggles and how strong his wife is, teaching him about her sacrifices and their love. How this story begins grabs the reader and makes them think about relationships, feeling sympathy and thinking carefully about what is truly important in life.