The Oversight Page #2

"The Oversight" is a novella by Hector Hugh Munro, better known by his pen name, Saki. Set in a whimsical, often satirical Edwardian England, the story explores themes of social hierarchy, the curious nature of human behavior, and the often absurd world of bureaucracy. It revolves around a minor bureaucratic mishap with significant consequences, showcasing Saki's characteristic wit and keen observation of societal norms. Through clever dialogue and sharp humor, the novella critiques the intricacies of authority and the folly of those who wield it.

• Short story

								


"Milly's at-homes are not very amusing, as a rule," said Lena, "and one
never gets a chance of talking uninterruptedly to any one for a couple of
minutes at a time; Milly is one of those restless hostesses who always
seem to be trying to see how you look in different parts of the room, in
fresh grouping effects.  Even if I got to speak to Popham or Atkinson I
couldn't plunge into a topic like vivisection straight away.  No, I think
the postcard scheme would be more hopeful and decidedly less tiresome.
How would it be best to word them?"

"Oh, something like this: 'Are you in favour of experiments on living
animals for the purpose of scientific research--Yes or No?'  That is
quite simple and unmistakable.  If they don't answer it will at least be
an indication that they are indifferent about the subject, and that is
all I want to know."

"All right," said Lena, "I'll get my brother-in-law to let me have them
addressed to his office, and he can telephone the result of the
plebiscite direct to you."

"Thank you ever so much," said Lady Prowche gratefully, "and be sure to
get the cards sent off as soon as possible."

On the following Tuesday the voice of an office clerk, speaking through
the telephone, informed Lady Prowche that the postcard poll showed
unanimous hostility to experiments on living animals.

Lady Prowche thanked the office clerk, and in a louder and more fervent
voice she thanked Heaven.  The two invitations, already sealed and
addressed, were immediately dispatched; in due course they were both
accepted.  The house party of the halcyon hours, as the prospective
hostess called it, was auspiciously launched.

Lena Luddleford was not included among the guests, having previously
committed herself to another invitation.  At the opening day of a cricket
festival, however, she ran across Lady Prowche, who had motored over from
the other side of the county.  She wore the air of one who is not
interested in cricket and not particularly interested in life.  She shook
hands limply with Lena, and remarked that it was a beastly day.

"The party, how has it gone off?" asked Lena quickly.

"Don't speak of it!" was the tragical answer; "why do I always have such
rotten luck?"

"But what has happened?"

"It has been awful.  Hyaenas could not have behaved with greater
savagery.  Sir Richard said so, and he has been in countries where hyaenas
live, so he ought to know.  They actually came to blows!"

"Blows?"

"Blows and curses.  It really might have been a scene from one of
Hogarth's pictures.  I never felt so humiliated in my life.  What the
servants must have thought!"

"But who were the offenders?"

"Oh, naturally the very two that we took all the trouble about."

"I thought they agreed on every subject that one could violently disagree
about--religion, politics, vivisection, the Derby decision, the Falconer
Report; what else was there left to quarrel about?"

"My dear, we were fools not to have thought of it.  One of them was Pro-
Greek and the other Pro-Bulgar."
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