While the Auto Waits (Henry)

Disclaimer: This summary was generated by AI, so it may contain errors.

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O. Henry

While the Auto Waits

1907

Summary of the Short Story

Microsummary: A woman pretended to be rich and met a man in a park. They lied about their lives and discussed class differences. He discovered her true identity as a cashier, then revealed his own wealth.

Short Summary

In a small park, a young woman in gray met a young man. She claimed to be wealthy and of high social status, bored with her luxurious life. The man, Mr. Parkenstacker, said he worked as a cashier in a restaurant.

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The Girl in Gray — young woman, wears a gray dress and veil, claims to be wealthy and of high social status, actually works as a cashier in a restaurant.

They discussed the possibility of love between different social classes. The woman left, asking the man to wait before following. However, he secretly followed her to a restaurant.

The cashier's desk was well to the front. A red-head girl an the stool climbed down, glancing pointedly at the clock as she did so. The girl in gray mounted in her place.

The man realized the woman was actually a cashier. He found her book on the street, but left it there. Instead of exposing her, he got into his own automobile, revealing his true wealthy status.

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Mr. Parkenstacker — young man, ordinary appearance, claims to work as a cashier in a restaurant, actually wealthy and owns an automobile.

Detailed Summary

The division of the summary into chapters is conditional.

A Chance Encounter in the Park

At twilight, a girl in gray arrived at a quiet corner of a small park. She sat on a bench and began reading a book. Her plain gray dress masked its impeccable style and fit, while a large-meshed veil covered her face and turban hat. This was her third consecutive day visiting the park at the same time, and someone had noticed her presence.

A young man who had been observing her approached when her book fell from her hands. He quickly retrieved it, returning it with a mixture of gallantry and hope. The young man then attempted to start a conversation about the weather.

The girl looked him over, noting his ordinary appearance, and invited him to sit down. She expressed a preference for conversation over reading due to the poor light.

A Tale of Two Identities

The young man, emboldened by the invitation, made a flirtatious remark. The girl responded coldly, reminding him that she was a lady and excusing his behavior as a mistake common in his perceived social circle. Chastened, the young man apologized profusely.

Changing the subject, the girl asked about the people passing by in the park. The young man, adapting to her mood, described it as the drama of life. The girl then revealed why she had spoken to him, claiming to be from a wealthy and famous family, seeking escape from her privileged life.

I come here to sit because here, only, can I be tear the great, common, throbbing heart of humanity. My part in life is cast where its beats are never felt.

She expressed her weariness with wealth and the men who surrounded her, describing them as marionettes.

Oh! you do not know how weary I am of it -- money, money, money! And of the men who surround me, dancing like little marionettes all cut by the same pattern.

Revelations and Deceptions

The girl continued to paint a picture of her luxurious but monotonous life, mentioning her suitors - a German Grand Duke and an English Marquis. She then asked about Mr. Parkenstacker's profession.

Sometimes, I have thought that if I ever should love a man it would be one of lowly station. One who is a worker and not a drone. But, doubtless, the claims of caste and wealth will prove stronger than my inclination.

Mr. Parkenstacker claimed to work in a restaurant, specifically as a cashier. The girl seemed slightly disappointed but reiterated her admiration for humble professions. She then checked her watch and prepared to leave, mentioning her busy social schedule.

Conceive of the bondage of the life wherein we must deceive even our chauffeurs. Good-night.

As she left, she instructed Mr. Parkenstacker to wait ten minutes before leaving, hinting at the need for discretion due to her supposed high status.

The Truth Revealed

Despite her instructions, the young man followed her discreetly. He watched as she entered a cheap, glaring restaurant and took her place at the cashier's desk, replacing another girl. The truth of her humble profession was revealed, contrasting sharply with the elaborate story she had told.

The young man, having discovered the truth, walked back along the sidewalk. He found the book she had been reading, 'New Arabian Nights' by Stevenson, but left it on the grass. Then, in a final twist, he stepped into an automobile waiting nearby.

Then he stepped into the automobile, reclined upon the cushions, and said two words to the chauffeur: 'Club, Henri.'

This last action revealed that Mr. Parkenstacker, too, had been playing a role, and was in fact a man of wealth and status himself.