Short Cruises

"Short Cruises" by W. W. Jacobs is a compilation of funny stories from the early 1900s that present entertaining escapades in regular life. The book uses flawed characters to bring a comedic approach to difficult social situations. We begin with Mr. George Henshaw, who finds himself in a series of funny family problems. These issues are made worse by misunderstandings and his wife's mistrust, resulting in laughable schemes. The initial story sees Mr. Henshaw returning home to an angry wife, who thinks he has been unfaithful because of something that supposedly happened on a bus. While trying to prove his innocence and calm his wife, he and his friend Ted Stokes come up with a complicated alibi using a made-up person named Alfred Bell. This plan turns chaotic with mixed identities as Mr. Henshaw tries to avoid a fight while dealing with his difficult marriage. As a whole, the story has a light and funny feel, displaying Jacobs' talent for witty conversation and amusing stories