“Tobermory”

by H.H. Munro (aka Saki)

Page 9 —

“Thanks,” said Tobermory, “not quite so soon after my tea. I don’t want to die of indigestion.”

“Cats have nine lives, you know,” said Sir Wilfred heartily.

“Possibly,” answered Tobermory; “but only one liver.”

“Adelaide!” said Mrs. Cornett, “do you mean to encourage that cat to go out and gossip about us in the servants’ hall?”

The panic had indeed become general. A narrow ornamental balustrade ran in front of most of the bedroom windows at the Towers, and it was recalled with dismay that this had formed a favourite promenade for Tobermory at all hours, whence he could watch the pigeons—and heaven knew what else besides. If he intended to become reminiscent in his present outspoken strain the effect would be something more than disconcerting.

“Tobermory” was one of the many short stories written by H.H. Munro, the great British satirist who often wrote under the pen name of Saki.

You can freely read this story in its entirety here; or it can be found along with 141 other short stories and two novels in this excellent collection for 99 cents on the Kindle.

About This Collection:

“Open the book to page ninety-nine and read, and the quality of the whole will be revealed to you.” — Ford Madox Ford

But what short story could pass that test?

This collection applies Ford’s test to the 9th page of a wide range of short stories, old and new. To do so, I take short stories, put them in the format of a standard mass-market paperback, and excerpt page nine.

If you have a suggestion for a story, or if you’ve published one that you’d like considered (4000-8,000 words) please contact me directly: @E_H_Carpenter (Twitter) and let me know.

“9” graphic created by The Australian Graphic Supply Co