Look After the Strange Girl by J. B. Priestley. Short summary

5 seconds

At the dinner party, Mark is plagued by fear. The hero was bound by the fantastic situation in which he found himself. Mark feared the inevitable questioning, which could have put him in a very awkward position.

1 minute

Mark was sitting in an armchair near the smoking room, where the winter garden was clearly visible. It was considered a favorite spot for those who wanted to relax during the ball. Hero saw a group of guests gathered around a grand piano. Their singing could not drown out the hum of the generator working nearby, which Lord Broxwood had boasted about at dinner.

All evening Mark was tormented by the fear of the fantastic situation in which he found himself. The man feared bad consequences, for questioning was inevitable and might embarrass him. He was sure that if he found himself away from home, he would be less unhappy than he was now. The singing of the guests gathered at the piano only worsened his despair.

A shapeless lady in years sinks into a nearby chair. She introduces herself as Mrs. Buller, Lord Broxwood’s sister. The woman inquires about an incident during a bath when Mark lost consciousness in the water and the guest’s nephew pulled him out.