The Pupil

The Pupil by Henry James

Originally this was published in a magazine in the late 1800's as a short story. Pemberton has recently graduated from Oxford. He is looking for work in order to make some money. He finds the Moreen family is in need of a tutor for their 11 year old son Morgan. Morgan has a weak heart, which is one of the reasons he is schooled at home.

The Moreens are American but live in Europe. They spend all of their time, money and energy gallivanting around Europe wracking up hotel bills and trying to fit into popular society. Since all of their money is spent on extravagance, the Moreens never pay Pemberton.

Morgan, having a flaky family and spending all of his time with Pemberton, becomes quite attached. Eventually Pemberton needs some money (he and Morgan have devised a plan to run away from the Moreens) to live on. For a short time he takes another tutoring position. He returns to Morgan upon hearing that the boy's health is declining. When he reaches the newest hotel where the Moreen family has been staying, he finds the Moreens evicted and willing to hand over Morgan just to get him off of their hands. Morgan, in a state of euphoria over his good fortune..........has a heart attack and dies. Tragic!!

Rating 3 Great short read, felt for the position of Morgan against his rat fink family..........but not my favorite thing I have ever picked up.

Rating G