The Real Right Thing
The Real Right Thing is a short story written by Henry James and published in 1899. Plot summary The story begins with the mention of Ashton Doyne, a distinguished writer, who left his wife a widow. Mrs. Doyne decides to write a biography about her husband. Three months after the author's death, Mr. George Withermore, a young journalist and friend of the author, is approached by Mr. Doyne's publishers stating that Mrs. Doyne wants him to take on the role of writing her husband's biography. Withermore is surprised with this request. Nevertheless, Withermore takes the offer. Mr. Withermore and Mrs. Doyne make an arrangement to finally meet. Mr. Withermore tells us his impression of Mrs. Doyne. He says she is "strange" and "never thought her an agreeable one". Mrs. Doyne's intention to write the biography was not based on her behalf of her husband but of herself. "She had not taken Doyne seriously enough in life, but the biography should be a solid reply to every imputation on herself." Mrs. Doyne takes George Withermore into her husband's study." Mrs. Doyne leaves George Withermore alone for him to look over pieces of her husband's past. Every now and then she'd pop