Some Short Stories [by Henry James]

"Some Short Stories" by Henry James is a compilation of narratives from the late 1800s, which investigate the intricacies of connections between people, the norms of their communities, and the hidden meanings behind their words. The book likely follows many different paths of life, detailing both average conversations and deeper emotions, all through detailed characters representing the complex social settings. The first story, "Brooksmith," begins with friends recalling Oliver Offord, a retired diplomat and lover of small parties, along with his loyal butler, Brooksmith. We learn how important Offord's home was as a place for conversations, elegantly helped by Brooksmith. As Offord's health worsens, the narrator wonders what will happen to Brooksmith and how he will live without his master, setting Brooksmith up not just as a servant but as a key piece of Offord's world.