Reginald in Russia, and Other Sketches

This etext was prepared from the 1910 Methuen and Co. edition by Jane Duff; proofed by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf
“He is a delightful person. One would not like a rich and octogenarian uncle to suppose that Reginald was one’s ideal of conduct and conversion. Yet there is sometimes reason in his paradoxical frivolities, and justice in his practical performances.”— Morning Post . “The book, by reason of its sustained brilliance, may be likened to a Brock’s Benefit at the Crystal Palace.”— Athenæum . “Mr. H. H. Munro (‘Saki’) has one of the lightest and most entertaining touches of the humorists of the day . . . The book is admirable comedy and free from malice and bad taste.”— Queen . “We feel sure that those who have already made Reginald’s acquaintance will be glad to renew it, and that those who know him not will not regret it if they add him to the list of their fictitious (albeit very real) acquaintances, not to say friends.”— Westminster Gazette .
AND OTHER SKETCHES
by SAKI (h. h. munro)
METHUEN & CO. 36 ESSEX STREET W.C. LONDON
First Published in 1910 .
TO M. V. P.
“ The Baker’s Dozen ” originally appeared in “ The Journal of the Leinster Regiment .” The other sketches have appeared from time to time in the “ Westminster Gazette .” To the Editors of these publications I am indebted for courteous permission to reproduce the stories in their present form .
Reginald sat in a corner of the Princess’s salon and tried to forgive the furniture, which started out with an obvious intention of being Louis Quinze, but relapsed at frequent intervals into Wilhelm II.
He classified the Princess with that distinct type of woman that looks as if it habitually went out to feed hens in the rain.
Her name was Olga; she kept what she hoped and believed to be a fox-terrier, and professed what she thought were Socialist opinions. It is not necessary to be called Olga if you are a Russian Princess; in fact, Reginald knew quite a number who were called Vera; but the fox-terrier and the Socialism are essential.