Tourmalin's Time Cheques

"Tourmalin's Time Cheques" by F. Anstey is a humorous tale from the late 1800s. It tells the story of Peter Tourmalin, a fairly clumsy and shy man who has to prove himself during his engagement to Sophia, a level-headed woman. The story takes place on a boat traveling back from Australia, where Peter wrestles with his jumbled feelings about staying true to someone, temptation, and the bizarre idea of 'time cheques,' a special system that lets him 'borrow' time for things he thinks are important. The book begins by showing Peter's personality and situation on the steamer Boomerang as he comes back from Australia. Battling thoughts of the lovely Miss Tyrrell and the limits of his promise to Sophia, he's stuck in a funny state of not being able to make up his mind. As Peter thinks about whether to talk to the women on the ship or stick to his serious vow to Sophia, he meets Mr. Perkins, who shares the amazing idea of a time bank where extra time can be saved and used later. This interesting idea paves the way for Peter's upcoming adventures. As Peter thinks about his promises, the quirky idea of time banking adds humor and makes us think about human relationships and commitments, setting the stage for a series of exciting events where time, loyalty, and romance become key to his journey.