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About Bliss, Psychology, and Her First Ball (Unabridged)

Three delightfully intriguing short stories from the pen of Katherine Mansfield (born Wellington, New Zealand, 1888 - died Fontainebleau, France, 1923). In "Bliss" the listener is introduced to 30-year-old Mrs Bertha Young. She has everything…an adorable baby…an abundance of money…an absolutely satisfactory house and garden…friends…books and music…she was in love with her husband, Harry, of course, in every other way, but just not in that way. Then there was the pear tree.… The nameless He and She in "Psychology": He is 31; she is 30. She has invited him to tea. Their discourse turns to the future of the psychological novel, and she asks: "Do…you feel there’s quite a chance that the mysterious non-existent creatures - the young writers of today - are trying simply to jump the psychoanalyst’s claim?" His reply shocks her at first. Exactly when the ball began 18-year old Leila would have found it hard to say. This, "Her First Ball", is an enthralling experience but, at the same time, quite terrifying. Someone bowed, smiled, and offered her his arm; she hadn’t to die after all. Someone’s hand pressed her waist, and she floated away like a flower that is tossed into a pool. He steered so beautifully. That was the great difference between dancing with girls and men… And when they came back to the hall there was the fat man waiting for her by the door. It gave her quite a shock again to see how old he was…