Most of the stories and sketches in this collection were written in the years between the publication of Katherine Mansfield’s first book, "In a German Pension," in 1911 and the publication of her second, "Bliss and Other Stories," in 1920. “[Katherine's] talent was unique among us; she could reach and bring before us the in-between spaces and things and thoughts. Her work stirs and excites us, and so quietly; it is all an expression of the mood in love with life. It has the rare flavour that ensures. Beautiful work.”—John Galsworthy “K. M.’s perfectly lovely mind has lit a whole dismal day for me. Prelude is so wonderful that I can even forgive it not going on. I daren’t ask for more. I put K. M. above the world of effort and compromise.”—H. G. Wells