A Professional Secret by O. Henry
The story revolves around a young woman who marries an older man for financial security. She discovers that he has been embezzling funds from his company and plans to use her inheritance to cover his tracks. The woman must decide whether to expose him or keep the secret, risking her own reputation and future.
By O. Henry · First published 1912 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary · 4,666 words
First lines
Dr. Satterfield Prince, physician to the leisure class, looked at his watch. It indicated five minutes to twelve. At the stroke of the hour would expire the morning term set apart for the reception of his patients in his handsome office apartments. And then the young woman attendant ushered in from the waiting-room the last unit of the wealthy and fashionable gathering that had come to patronize his skill.
What this Textopian page supports
A Professional Secret is listed on Textopian as a short story by O. Henry, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: O. Henry
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Humor, Social Commentary, Romantic Comedy, Medical Fiction
- Length: 4,666 words
- Structure: 1 section, 73 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Professional Secret by O. Henry
- 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 A Professional Secret?
- How does this short story by O. Henry fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The work explores complex themes of identity, societal expectations, and the impact of family legacy, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and irony, particularly in the portrayal of the absurdity of the characters' situations and beliefs.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques social norms and the behaviors of the wealthy class, particularly regarding medical practices and relationships.
- Romantic Comedy — The plot involves romantic entanglements and misunderstandings, typical of the romantic comedy genre.
Tags
Short Story · Mystery · Thriller · Crime Fiction · Plot Twist · Surprise Ending · Humor · Satire · Social Commentary · Class Satire · American Literature · Early 20th Century