Current Issue
Salubrities Abroad Punch Magazine
Salubrities Abroad was a regular feature in Punch. Although not normally what I’d consider a short story, this one has that sort of character.
Still at Royat. Hotel Continental. — A propos of Puller “airing his French” Miss Louisa Metterbrun said something delightful to him the other day at dinner. Puller had been instructing us all in some French idioms until Madame Metterbrun set him right in his pronunciation. He owned that he had made a slip. “But,” says he, wagging his head and pulling up his wristbands with the air of a man thoroughly well satisfied with himself generally, “but I think you’ll allow that I can speak French better than most Englishmen, eh?”
Madame Metterbrun doesn’t exactly know what to say, but Miss Louisa comes to the rescue. “O Mr. Puller” — he is frequently at their house in London, and they know him intimately — “I always say to Mamma, when we’re abroad, that I do like to hear you talk French” — Puller smirks and thinks to himself that this is a girl of sense and rare appreciation — “because,” she goes on quietly, and all at table are listening, “because your speaking French reminds me so of home.” Her home is London. I think Puller won’t ask Miss Louisa for an opinion on his French accent again in a hurry.
© Punch Magazine
Become a Patron! Check our our NEW Patron rewards!
FIREFLY
Receives weekly links to new stories, exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the authors, and our undying love.
WILL-O-THE-WISP
Receives a free monthly download of our current issue, access to Ask Me Anything chats with the FFO staff, submission statistics, plus benefits from lower levels
SHOOTING STAR
Gain access to our monthly Mini-Critique sessions, the FFO Editorial Team slushpile wishlist , plus benefits from lower levels
AURORA
A chance to have your work discussed by the FFO editorial team, receive 365 Writing Prompts and our latest anthology, plus benefits from lower levels
LIGHTNING
Receive a monthly mini-critique from the FFO editorial team and request custom writing videos, plus benefits from lower levels
SUPERNOVA
Receive one flash fiction critique per month, mini-critique sessions, an opportunity to “sponsor-a-story,” plus all the benefits of lower levels!
Support Flash Fiction Online
Flash Fiction Online is a free online magazine that pays professional rates. So how do we make that happen? It’s due to the generosity of readers like you.
Here are some ways you can help:
Become a Patron.
Sign up to become a monthly donor and gain access to exclusive Patron rewards like manuscript critiques, insider submission statistics, the Editors’ Wishlist, free downloads of our current issue, and Ask Me Anything chats with the FFO staff. Read more…
Subscribe to FFO.
Never miss an issue! E-reader formats delivered to your inbox. Available from WeightlessBooks.com
Buy our issues & anthologies.
Each of our issues and anthologies are available in convenient e-reader formats (epub/mobi/pdf). Available from the Flash Fiction Online Store and WeightlessBooks.
Donate.
Consider a one-time gift that fits your budget.
Advertise with us.
Have a product, service, or website our readers might enjoy? Ad space available on the website and in our e-reader issues. Sponsored posts opportunities are also available. Learn more…
Spread the word.
Love one of our stories or articles? Share it with a friend!