The House of Martha

** "The House of Martha" by Frank R. Stockton is a story set in the late 1800s, told by a narrator living with his grandmother after spending a fascinating year in Europe. Upon his return, he's bummed that nobody cares about his exciting travel stories. He starts thinking about how conversations usually only have people who talk, but no one who listens. So, he decides to hire a person whose only job is to listen to him recount his adventures. Trying to find someone willing to listen becomes a funny challenge, revealing Stockton's witty take on society. **