title: The Jilting of Jane
author: H.G. Wells
genre: short story fiction
source: http://www.americanliterature.com/
published: 1894
first line: As I sit writing in my study, I can hear our Jane bumping her way downstairs with a brush and dust-pan.
In this short story by H.G. Wells a man named George tells the story of his housemaid Jane who is in love and engaged to be married to a man named William.
Jane has a low self esteem and thinks William is above her status.
She confides in Euphemia, George's wife, about her love.
When she brings William to the house to meet her employers, they notice that he is well dressed. Jane tells them that he was promoted at work.
William winds up leaving Jane for a wealthy older woman. Jane sees them in the street hand in hand and when she confronts them, they ignore her. Jane actually attends their wedding and throws a boot, yes a boot, at William.
George comments on how young Jane still is and how eventually she will get over the heartache.
We all have our sorrows, but I do not believe very much in the existence of sorrows that never heal.
George and his wife also comment on how this experience has opened Jane's eyes and made her wiser.
"I don't care," she said. "I don't care a rap. He will find out his mistake yet. It serves me right. I was stuck up about him. I ought not to have looked so high. And I am glad things are as things are."
Moral of the story? Time heals all wounds? You live and you learn?
I always enjoy H.G. Wells storytelling and find it impressive that although he was best known for science fiction stories, he still wrote short stories like this one.
About the author:
Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946) was an English author, now best known for his work in the science fiction genre. He was also a prolific writer in many other genres, including contemporary novels, history, politics and social commentary, even writing text books. Together with Jules Verne and Hugo Gernsback, Wells has been referred to as "The Father of Science Fiction".
quoted from wiki
