At the Farmhouse by E.F. Benson
The Farmhouse by E.F. Benson is a short story about a young couple who move into an old farmhouse in the countryside and begin to experience strange occurrences, including unexplained noises and objects moving on their own. The story explores themes of supernatural phenomena, the power of suggestion, and the dangers of living in isolation from society.
By E.F. Benson · Genre: Horror, Ghost Stories, Short Stories · 7,547 words
First lines
The dusk of a November day was falling fast when John Aylsford came out of his lodging in the cobbled street and started to walk briskly along the road which led eastwards by the shore of the bay. He had been at work while the daylight served him, and now, when the gathering darkness weaned him from his easel, he was accustomed to go out for air and exercise and cover half a dozen miles before he returned to his solitary supper.
What this Textopian page supports
At the Farmhouse is listed on Textopian as a short story by E.F. Benson, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: E.F. Benson
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Horror, Ghost Stories, Short Stories, Classic Literature, Supernatural
- Length: 7,547 words
- Structure: 1 section, 51 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for At the Farmhouse by E.F. Benson
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering At the Farmhouse?
- How does this short story by E.F. Benson fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Horror first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Children by Gilbert Parker
- The Rockery by E. G. Swain
- Strawberry Acres by Grece S. Richmond
- An Arrow In A Sunbeam by Sarah Orne Jewett
- The Greenwood Tree by Grant Allen
- The Little House by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Horror — E.F. Benson is a recognized author in the genre of horror, and 'At the Farmhouse' is a renowned ghostly-story that portrays evocative and eerie atmospheres typical of horror fiction.
- Ghost Stories — The story centers around a supernatural encounter which involves ghostly presence and haunted locations, indicative of the Ghost Stories genre.
- Short Stories — 'At the Farmhouse' is a standalone short story, forming part of a larger collection by the author known for his concise and captivating storytelling.
- Classic Literature — Given E.F. Benson's status as an early 20th century author and his considerable contribution to English literature, this work falls within the realm of Classic Literature.
Tags
rural · country life · family · relationships · community · nostalgia · nature · agriculture · social dynamics · tradition · isolation · self-discovery