Gracie Goodnight by Thomas Burke
Gracie Goodnight, a young woman with striking hair, works for Kang Foo Ah, a prosperous shopkeeper in Limehouse. Kang's success stems from his shrewd business practices, and Gracie's charm attracts customers to his store. However, as Kang becomes increasingly arrogant and overbearing, he eventually fires Gracie after accusing her of theft when he catches her taking a few dry cakes. Feeling humiliated and angry, Gracie vows to get back at Kang for his treatment of her. After two days of reflection and a drop in Kang's business, she decides to swallow her pride and ask for her job back. That night, she approaches Kang, but their conversation escalates into a confrontation, leading to an accident where a lamp is knocked over, igniting a fire in the shop. As the flames spread, Gracie attempts to save Kang, who is trapped behind the counter. Despite his pleas for water, she uses fire extinguishers to try to douse the flames, but they are ineffective. The fire engulfs Kang, and he perishes in the blaze. Gracie, overwhelmed by smoke and heat, collapses but is later rescued and treated for her injuries. In the aftermath, Gracie is praised for her bravery during the fire, and the community recognizes her efforts to save Kang, despite his earlier mistreatment of her. An inquest follows, where she is commended for her courage. However, it is revealed that the extinguishers had been tampered with, filled with kerosene instead of the expected contents, suggesting a sinister motive behind the fire. Gracie is left as the sole person aware of this deception, carrying the weight of the truth about Kang's demise.
By Thomas Burke · First published 1926 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary · 4,342 words
First lines
Gracie Goodnight had the loveliest hair that ever was seen east of / Aldgate Pump-where lies that land of lovely girls and luxurious locks. / It was this head of hers-melodious as an autumn sunset-that turned the / discordant head of old fat Kang Foo Ah, and made it reel with delicious / fancies, and led him to hire her as a daily girl to clean up his home and / serve in his odoriferous shop.
What this Textopian page supports
Gracie Goodnight is listed on Textopian as a short story by Thomas Burke, dated 1926 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Thomas Burke
- Date: 1926 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Drama, Social Commentary, Tragedy, Short Story
- Length: 4,342 words
- Structure: 1 section, 44 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Gracie Goodnight by Thomas Burke
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- The Cue by Thomas Burke
- The Sign Of The Lamp by Thomas Burke
- The Paw by Thomas Burke
- A Down Stream Night by Thomas Burke
- Last Call by Bryce Walton
- The Third Time by Grant Allen
Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative explores complex themes of pride, social status, and personal dignity, characteristic of literary fiction.
- Drama — The story features intense emotional conflicts and character-driven plot developments, typical of dramatic literature.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques social hierarchies and cultural interactions in early 20th-century London, reflecting societal issues.
- Tragedy — The tragic elements are evident in the downfall of Kang Foo Ah and the consequences of Gracie's actions.
Tags
mystery · suspense · thriller · crime · detective · fiction · literary · dark · atmospheric · character-driven · psychological · urban