A Matter of Sentiment by Saki (1911)

Name: A Matter of Sentiment
Author: Saki

The narrative unfolds during a house-party at Lady Susan's estate, coinciding with a major horse race. The guests are preoccupied with betting, but uncertainty looms as the favored horse, Peradventure II, lacks strong support. Lady Susan, known for her disapproval of various activities, including racing, creates an atmosphere of tension among the guests, who must discuss their betting strategies discreetly. Clovis, a guest, discovers that the butler, Motkin, has a relative with insider knowledge about the race. This revelation sparks hope among the party members, who are eager to place informed bets. However, Lady Susan's presence complicates their discussions, as they must navigate her disapproving nature while trying to glean information about the race. During dinner, Motkin subtly hints at a horse named "Better Not," which piques the guests' interest. The following morning, telegrams are sent to place bets, but the results reveal an unexpected winner, Sadowa, an outsider. Lady Susan, who had previously claimed to disapprove of racing, admits to having placed a bet on Sadowa due to its name's connection to her personal history with the Franco-German war. The guests react with disbelief and frustration, particularly Colonel Drake, who had been confident in his own selections. Lady Susan's unexpected success highlights the irony of her disapproval of racing while simultaneously benefiting from it. The story concludes with a sense of irony and the absurdity of the situation, as Lady Susan's casual approach to betting leads to a surprising victory, leaving the other guests in dismay.

By Saki · First published 1911 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Fiction · 1,626 words

First lines

It was the eve of the great race, and scarcely a member of Lady Susan's house-party had as yet a single bet on. It was one of those unsatisfactory years when one horse held a commanding market position, not by reason of any general belief in its crushing superiority, but because it was extremely difficult to pitch on any other candidate to whom to pin ones faith. Peradventure II was the favourite, not in the sense of being a popular fancy, but by virtue of a lack of confidence in any one of his rather undistinguished rivals. The brains of clubland were much exercised in seeking out possible merit where none was very obvious to the naked intelligence, and the house-party at Lady Susan's was possessed by the same uncertainty and irresolution that infected wider circles.

What this Textopian page supports

A Matter of Sentiment is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1911 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Saki
Date: 1911 CE
Language: English
Genres: Satire, Comedy, Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama
Length: 1,626 words
Structure: 1 section, 24 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Satire — The story critiques societal norms and the absurdities of the upper class, particularly their attitudes towards horse racing and disapproval of various activities.
Comedy — The humorous interactions and misunderstandings among characters create a comedic atmosphere throughout the narrative.
Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores character dynamics and social commentary.
Social Commentary — The text reflects on social behaviors and the superficiality of the elite, particularly in their gambling habits and personal disapprovals.