Mrs. Durmot invites Latimer Springfield to spend a Sunday at her home, hoping to provide him a respite from his intense election campaign. Despite her efforts to keep politics at bay, Latimer's anxiety about the election lingers. Upon arriving, he is quickly drawn into a chaotic situation when Vera, Mrs. Durmot's niece, informs him that a reservoir has burst, flooding the area and leaving them isolated. Vera insists that Latimer take in a pig and a gamecock for the night, as their usual accommodations are flooded. Reluctantly, he agrees, hoping to avoid further complications. The pig, however, proves to be a troublesome housemate, causing unrest throughout the night. Latimer struggles to manage the pig's antics while also dealing with the gamecock, which becomes increasingly agitated. As the night progresses, the animals engage in a chaotic battle, disrupting Latimer's attempts to find peace. He reflects on the absurdity of his situation, feeling trapped between the demands of his political ambitions and the unexpected turmoil of his current environment. The morning brings a revelation: the flooding was exaggerated, and the chaos was largely a product of Vera's imagination. In the end, Latimer confronts Vera about the deception, but she deflects with a comment about how she successfully distracted him from his political worries. The experience leaves him questioning the nature of truth and the absurdity of his circumstances, ultimately highlighting the interplay between personal and political chaos.
By Saki · First published 1910 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Fiction