A Safety Match Page #4

"A Safety Match" by W. W. Jacobs is a short story that blends humor and suspense. It follows the tale of a man who finds himself embroiled in a peculiar situation concerning a mysterious package and a safety match. As he navigates through misunderstandings and comedic twists, the story ultimately highlights themes of human folly and the unpredictability of everyday life. Jacobs' clever use of dialogue and character development adds to the charm of this engaging narrative.

• Fiction

								

in his voice.

“Not even if I asked you on my bended knees?” said Kate. “Aren’t you
glad you’re cured?”

“Yes,” said Tarrell manfully.

“So am I,” said the girl; “and now that you are happy, just go down to
the ‘Jolly Sailor’s,’ and make poor old Raggett happy too.”

“How?” ask Tarrell.

“Tell him that I have only been having a joke with him,” said Kate,
surveying him with a steady smile. “Tell him that I overheard him and
father talking one night, and that I resolved to give them both a
lesson. And tell them that I didn’t think anybody could have been so
stupid as they have been to believe in it.”

She leaned back in her chair, and, regarding the dumfounded Tarrell
with a smile of wicked triumph, waited for him to speak, “Raggett,
indeed!” she said disdainfully.

“I suppose,” said Tarrell at length, speaking very slowly, “my being
stupid was no surprise to you?”

“Not a bit,” said the girl cheerfully.

“I’ll ask you to tell Raggett yourself,” said Tarrell, rising and
moving towards the door. “I sha’n’t see him. Good-night.”

“Good-night,” said she. “Where are you going, then?”

There was no reply.

“Where are you going?” she repeated. Then a suspicion of his purpose
flashed across her. “You’re not foolish enough to be going away?” she
cried in dismay.

“Why not?” said Tarrell slowly.

“Because,” said Kate, looking down—“oh, because—well, it’s ridiculous.
I’d sooner have you stay here and feel what a stupid you’ve been making
of yourself. I want to remind you of it sometimes.”

“I don’t want reminding,” said Tarrell, taking Raggett’s chair; “I know
it now.”
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