Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance

Name: Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance
Author: M.R. James

A young man arrives at a country station in Eastern England, having unexpectedly inherited a property from an uncle he never met. He is greeted by the local bailiff, Mr. Cooper, who assures him of a warm welcome. The protagonist, a reserved and studious individual, is unaccustomed to country life and is eager to learn about his new estate, Wilsthorpe Hall. During his first day, he explores the house and gardens, noting the old-fashioned decor and the extensive library. He learns about the estate's former owner, his uncle, who was described as a reclusive and unhealthy man. The bailiff mentions a maze in the garden, which has been locked for years, and hints at the uncle's dislike for it. Intrigued, the young man expresses a desire to explore the maze. After a brief tour of the grounds, he discovers the maze's entrance and, despite its overgrown state, decides to enter. He finds a central column with a mysterious globe atop it, engraved with strange symbols and figures. As he examines it, he feels an unsettling presence and experiences a moment of dread, leading him to leave the maze. The next day, he begins to draw a plan of the maze, but his work is interrupted by a telegram from his former employer, prompting him to leave the estate temporarily. Upon his return, he finds that the plan he had drawn has been ruined by rain. He resolves to start anew and, while working, discovers a peculiar hole in the table beneath the globe, which seems to lead to an abyss. This sight terrifies him, and he collapses, suffering a concussion. During his recovery, he expresses a desire to open the globe, which leads to the discovery of ashes inside, suggesting a cremation. The maze is ultimately destroyed, and the protagonist learns that the stones in the temple were numbered, allowing him to reconstruct an inscription that hints at deeper meanings related to death and the afterlife. The story concludes with the protagonist reflecting on his uncle's legacy and the mysteries surrounding the maze, while also hinting at a potential romantic connection with Lady Wardrop, who had previously expressed interest in the maze. The narrative explores themes of inheritance, the unknown, and the intersection of the past with the present, leaving readers with a sense of lingering mystery and unease.

By M.R. James · First published 1919 · Genre: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery · 12,827 words

First lines

About fifteen years ago, on a date late in August or early in September, a train drew up at Wilsthorpe, a country station in Eastern England. Out of it stepped (with other passengers) a rather tall and reasonably good-looking young man, carrying a handbag and some papers tied up in a packet. He was expecting to be met, one would say, from the way in which he looked about him: and he was, as obviously, expected. The stationmaster ran forward a step or two, and then, seeming to recollect himself, turned and beckoned to a stout and consequential person with a short round beard who was scanning the train with some appearance of bewilderment. 'Mr Cooper,' he called out, -- 'Mr Cooper, I think this is your gentleman'; and then to the passenger who had just alighted, 'Mr Humphreys, sir? Glad to bid you welcome to Wilsthorpe. There's a cart from the Hall for your luggage, and here's Mr Cooper, what I think you know. ' Mr Cooper had hurried up, and now raised his hat and shook hands. 'Very pleased, I'm sure,' he said, 'to give the echo to Mr Palmer's kind words. I should have been the first to render expression to them but for the face not being familiar to me, Mr Humphreys. May your residence among us be marked as a red-letter day, sir. ' 'Thank you very much, Mr Cooper,' said Humphreys, 'for your good wishes, and Mr Palmer also. I do hope very much that this change of -- er -- tenancy -- which you must all regret, I am sure -- will not be to the detriment of those with whom I shall be brought in contact.'

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Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance is listed on Textopian as a novel by M.R. James, dated 1919 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: M.R. James
Date: 1919 CE
Language: English
Genres: Gothic Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Length: 12,827 words
Structure: 1 section, 104 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Work identity for Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance by M.R. James
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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Gothic Fiction — The story features elements typical of Gothic fiction, including a mysterious inheritance, an old estate, and themes of isolation and the supernatural.
Horror — The narrative contains horror elements, particularly in the depiction of the maze and the unsettling discoveries within it, culminating in a sense of dread.
Mystery — The plot revolves around uncovering the secrets of the maze and the history of the estate, creating a sense of intrigue and investigation.
Literary Fiction — The writing style is reflective and character-driven, focusing on the protagonist's internal thoughts and the exploration of themes such as legacy and identity.