Velvet Ear-Pads by Edith Wharton
"Velvet Ear-Pads" by Edith Wharton is a short story that follows Professor Loring G. Hibbart, a man of intellect and solitude, who seeks peace and quiet to work on his refutation of Einstein's theory of relativity. The narrative begins with Hibbart on a train journey to a secluded pension in the hills of southern France, where he hopes to find the tranquility necessary for his work. However, his journey is interrupted by an encounter with a mysterious and talkative woman who claims to be a Russian refugee. The woman, who introduces herself as a Princess, engages Hibbart in conversation despite his attempts to avoid interaction by wearing velvet ear-pads. She reveals that she is in financial distress and asks Hibbart to gamble for her at Monte Carlo with a hundred franc note she gives him. Reluctantly, Hibbart agrees, and upon arriving at Monte Carlo, he finds himself unexpectedly successful at the roulette tables, winning a substantial sum of money. The story takes a turn when Hibbart, overwhelmed by the noise in his hotel room, uses the banknotes to block a crack under the door to silence the disturbances from the neighboring room. The next day, he discovers that the hotel has burned down, and he believes the money is lost. In a state of panic and guilt, he sets out to find the Princess to explain the situation and make amends. Hibbart's search leads him to Cannes, where he eventually locates the Princess living in luxury, contrary to her earlier claims of poverty. It is revealed that the Princess's fortunes have changed, and she is now wealthy, thanks to Hibbart's gambling success. The story concludes with a series of misunderstandings and revelations, as Hibbart learns that the money was not lost in the fire, and the Princess's fiancé, Taber Tring, had taken it to gamble further, increasing their wealth. "Velvet Ear-Pads" explores themes of chance, misunderstanding, and the unexpected intersections of lives, all wrapped in Wharton's characteristic wit and social commentary.
By Edith Wharton · First published 1903 · Genre: Social Satire, Historical Fiction, Drama · 5 chapters · 17,810 words
First lines
Professor Loring G. Hibbart, of Purewater University, Clio, N. Y., / settled himself in the corner of his compartment in the / Marseilles-Ventimiglia express, drew his velvet ear-pads from his / pocket, slipped them over his ears, and began to think.
What this Textopian page supports
Velvet Ear-Pads is listed on Textopian as a novella by Edith Wharton, dated 1903 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novella
- Author: Edith Wharton
- Date: 1903 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Social Satire, Historical Fiction, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 17,810 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 265 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Velvet Ear-Pads by Edith Wharton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Social Satire — The narrative critiques high society and class distinctions with sharp irony, a common theme in Wharton’s work.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and cultural context reflect the period-specific norms and societal structures typical of Wharton.
- Drama — Interpersonal conflicts and societal pressures drive the narrative, reflecting intense emotional and social struggles.
- Psychological Fiction — The exploration of characters' inner lives and motivations adds depth to the story.
Tags
High Society · Social Satire · Class Conflict · Gilded Age Critique · Elegant Prose · Intricate Morality · Cultural Criticism · Social Conventions · Psychological Insight · Upper-Class Lifestyle · Heritage and Legacy · Fashion and Decorum