The Way to the Dairy by Saki (1917)
In a park, two characters engage in conversation about the Brimley Bomefields, a trio of young women who have recently discovered a wealthy aunt. Initially, the aunt's newfound wealth seems a blessing, but it soon becomes a source of tension due to her intention to share her fortune with a disreputable nephew, Roger. The Brimley Bomefields, motivated by greed, decide to take their aunt to Dieppe, hoping to expose Roger's gambling habits and sway her opinion against him. The journey begins poorly, with the Brimley Bomefields suffering from seasickness while their aunt thrives. Upon arrival, they learn that Roger is not in Dieppe but in a nearby town. They convince their aunt to stay at a hotel with a casino, believing it will provide the opportunity to observe Roger's gambling. However, the aunt quickly becomes enamored with the casino, winning money and enjoying the thrill of gambling, much to her nieces' dismay. As the days pass, the aunt's gambling escalates, and she begins to lose significant amounts of money. The Brimley Bomefields, initially hopeful that they could control the situation, find themselves increasingly powerless as their aunt revels in her new lifestyle. Despite their attempts to steer her away from gambling, she becomes more entrenched in the casino culture, even selling shares to fund her gambling. Eventually, the Brimley Bomefields decide to leave, realizing their aunt has become independent and no longer needs their guidance. The aunt's cheerful acceptance of their departure highlights her newfound freedom and enjoyment of life, contrasting sharply with her nieces' disappointment and sense of loss. They return home, burdened by the knowledge that their aunt has embraced a life of gambling, while they remain trapped in their own societal expectations. The story concludes with the Brimley Bomefields' ongoing struggle to reconcile their past with their aunt's transformation, leaving them visibly affected by the experience. The narrative explores themes of greed, independence, and the consequences of underestimating others, ultimately revealing the irony of their situation.
By Saki · First published 1917 · Genre: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary · 2,914 words
First lines
The baroness and Clovis sat in a much-frequented corner of the Park exchanging biographical confidences about the long succession of passersby.
"Who are those depressed-looking young women who have just gone by? " asked the baroness; "they have the air of people who have bowed to destiny and are not quite sure whether the salute will be returned."
What this Textopian page supports
The Way to the Dairy is listed on Textopian as a short story by Saki, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Comedy, Social Commentary, Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 2,914 words
- Structure: 1 section, 45 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Way to the Dairy by Saki
- 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 The Way to the Dairy?
- How does this short story by Saki fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Satire — The story critiques social norms and the absurdity of human behavior, particularly regarding wealth and gambling.
- Comedy — The humorous situations and character interactions create a comedic tone throughout the narrative.
- Social Commentary — The narrative reflects on class dynamics and the moral implications of wealth and gambling.
- Fiction — The work is a fictional narrative that explores character development and plot.
Tags
satire · humor · short story · British literature · nature · rural life · social commentary · irony · character study · dialogue · class differences · absurdity