Between Rounds (Henry)

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O. Henry

Between Rounds

Summary of the book
from the Collection « Four Million»

Microsummary: In a boarding house, a married couple's love for each other is stronger than their arguments, and they are able to resolve their conflict when they join the search for a missing child.

On a warm spring night, a group of boarders were gathered on the stoop of Mrs. Murphy's boarding house.

🤱🏼

Mrs. Murphy — middle-aged woman; owner of the boarding house; frantic and emotional; desperate to find her son.

Inside, Mrs. McCaskey was waiting for her husband to come home.

🤷🏼‍♀️

Mrs. McCaskey — middle-aged woman; wife of Mr. McCaskey; emotional and passionate; quick to anger.

🤦🏼‍♂️

Mr. McCaskey — middle-aged man; husband of Mrs. McCaskey; gruff and sarcastic; quick to anger.

When he arrived, they began to argue, but their argument was interrupted by the news that Mrs. Murphy's son, Mike, had gone missing.

🧒🏼

Mike — 6-year-old boy; son of Mrs. Murphy; mischievous and adventurous.

Everyone joined in the search for the missing child, including Mr. and Mrs. McCaskey.

The search for Mike brought out the compassion in everyone. Even though they had been arguing, Mr. and Mrs. McCaskey were able to put aside their differences and come together to help Mrs. Murphy in her time of distress. The other boarders also showed their compassion by joining in the search for Mike. Even the policeman, who was usually quick to break up arguments, showed his understanding by allowing the McCaskeys to continue their fight while the search was underway.

Mrs. McCaskey's thoughts of what it would be like if they had a child of their own served as a reminder of the importance of family and how it can bring people together in times of need. Eventually, Mike was found safe and sound, asleep behind a roll of old linoleum under the bed in Mrs. Murphy's room. Everyone was relieved and the search was called off.