Inconsistency

"Inconsistency" by O. Henry is a short story that explores themes of love, deception, and human nature through the lens of a chance encounter. The narrative follows a young woman who is initially pursued by a charming yet unreliable man, leading to a series of misunderstandings that reveal deeper truths about their characters. O. Henry’s trademark wit and irony are evident as he delves into the complexities of relationships, highlighting the inconsistencies that often accompany romantic pursuits. The story ultimately serves as a commentary on the unpredictable nature of love and the quirks of human behavior.

• Short story

								
    Call a pretty girl a witch
    And she'll do her best to charm you.
    Tell an old maid she's a witch,
    And she certainly will harm you.
    Thus you see how hard it is to please them all.

    Call a pretty maiden "Puss,"
    And she'll archly smile upon you.
    Call an ancient one a "cat,"
    She will grab an axe and run you.
    The same name will not fit them all, at all.

    If you call your girl a "mouse,"
    She will think it cute and pretty.
    If unto an aged spinster
    You say "rats," you have our pity.
    Thus you see you need not try to please them all.

    * * * * *

"In a lighthouse by the sea" is what the opera company sang to a
forty-dollar audience in Galveston.

    * * * * *

"Yes," said the tramp as he accepted the dime and made for the lunch
counter, "I always hollers when I'm hit and I always hits a man when
I'm holler."
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