The Intrusions of Peggy

The Intrusions of Peggy by Anthony Hope

Anthony Hope wrote two types of stories; one interesting for the civilized detail, the other for the situation and plot. When we read the first type we don't care about the result and we don't get excited. If we have a lot of free time and worry about little turns of expression, feeling and thought, and care a lot about a clean and pleasant society, we are content with books like "The Dolly Dialogues". The blend of tolerance, urbanity and cynicism is right for the person who is idle of sophistication who doesn't want to do anything very difficult; also to feel and to think. The other kind of book vein that Mr. Hope has been able to do well is the romantic adventure story: like "The Prisoner of Zenda," where we are drawn into a series of exciting impossibilities. "Peggy's Intrusions" is a mixture of these two ways. It has the Hope quality in the details: the indirect and civil suggestiveness, the lightness, the touch of the simple stylist. Relevant quotations could be made indefinitely. It also has the other element, like intrigue and a little bit of excitement.