Uncle Valentine was sad. He comes home after years away after a scandal caused his marriage to fail. He explains it to his friend Charlotte. Then his ex-wife returns and does something I consider to be so nasty and painful to Valentine. Though she is only talked about, I did not like the ex-wife.

I cannot remember the names of the other three stories. I did feel bad for the man who was called home from Paris as his group of friends learn about their neighbor. I also felt sad for the school master who retires realizing he did not take risks and lived a staid life knowing his students would be working in the steel mills after graduation.

Willa Cather's writing was phenomenal. Her descriptions put you in the person's shoes. You see exactly what she sees. You feel what the character feels. I was glad I read these. ( )