The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories

The Hermit and the Wild Woman is a symbolic tale about two isolated individuals who find connection and healing in each other's company. The hermit is a man who has retreated from the world after a traumatic experience. The wild woman is a woman who has grown up in the forest and is unfamiliar with human society. When the two meet they are initially wary of each other. But over time they develop a deep understanding and affection for one another.The other stories in the collection explore a variety of themes including social class gender roles and the nature of love. In The Last Asset a wealthy woman discovers that she is bankrupt and must rely on the kindness of her servants. In In Trust a man is entrusted with the care of his friend's orphaned daughter but he finds himself falling in love with her. In The Pretext a woman uses a false pretense to reunite with her former lover. In The Verdict a jury must decide the fate of a man accused of murder. In The Pot-Boiler a writer struggles to write a popular story that will earn him money. And in The Best Man a man is asked to be the best man at his friend's wedding even though he is in love with the bride.