THE TREASURE, a Short Story by Somerset Maugham

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Published 2024-05-26

Richard Harenger is a contented and responsible man working at the Home Office, living a life of moderation and enjoying simple pleasures like bridge, golf, and travel. He hires a competent house-parlourmaid named Pritchard, who becomes indispensable in managing his household with impeccable skill and discretion. Despite their professional relationship, a moment of kindness leads Richard to take Pritchard out for an evening, culminating in an unexpected romantic encounter. The next day, Richard regrets his actions, fearing ..... won't reveal more here.

All Comments (21)

@thrashrap 14 days ago

Imprisoned by convention, comfort and habits Richard Harrington was a very happy man as long as he wasn’t exposed to the possibility a true and deep human connection. Thus is the happiness of the upper classes.
@ElzevereBlock 7 days ago

What a joy to have things like this to listen to when the offerings on television are below garbage in enjoyment. Thank you for this.
@CasperLCat 21 days ago

Listening to several of these stories, leads me to believe that Maugham was a good, dignified, and eminently reasonable man, somehow. You can’t say that about a lot of great writers.
@carmenhealer4635 14 days ago

She is smart and had her release of tension just as he did. There is no mysogeny here. She has a great job with him and is too smart and competent to stay if she is not happy.
@amikkelsen 1 month ago

I’m impressed by the comfortable lifestyle he has on a home office salary.
@carolleenkelmann3829 14 days ago

Somerset Maugham is tops. Since my youth ( that being quite some time ago now), I have not read Somerset Maugham. It certainly is a treasure.
@bevygaines 21 days ago

Pritchard was a treasure, hope eventually someone found that out. He didn't deserve her !!!!
@artandminisbyvilma8116 21 days ago

I get the feeling that after he's not feeling so afraid, he might ask her to the movies again.
@deebaker9199 28 days ago

A happy man...but a very lonely isolated man? Beautiful story ❤
@poorthing 14 days ago

I've been non-stop listening to these Maugham short stories...❤
@dianal.clausen8118 1 month ago

Golly, this really touched me. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I appreciate Maugham more with every new short story.
@simone1966eire 14 days ago

I'm really enjoying the use of English vocabulary all but defunct today. Perhaps this story is an insight into the rigidity of class division. Wha'eva...love a good yarn😅
@vaughnmoore4950 21 days ago

Enjoyed this story ,sad though.
@harbinger2838 1 month ago

Only Sommerset Maugham frames it as such - enjoyable to the word.
@lindasteger7207 21 days ago

I think most women learn men want everything without commitment. For her it was enough. I just hope he gave her a huge raise.
@sallykariba6503 14 days ago

Lovely story and thank you for adding it. Alas, I have never listened to a story/ play with so many adverts.
@glendabarton1914 21 days ago

Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite authors. I have two big books of his short stories. I just discovered these on YouTube!
@ricardo53100 2 days ago

I am a man born in the USA in the middle of the 20th century. Were I in the position of Mr. Harenger I would marry her. She is absolutely perfect. That was socially impossible in those times. What a loss for both of them.
@GeorgeNeofotistos 21 days ago

I keep coming back to this one. What a sexy story, it's almost like i would want to live it myself. I think they loved or at least lusted after eachother from the beginning. The tention must have been delicious
@phyllislovelace8151 14 days ago

A true vignette. Thank you for posting this.