Alban made what he thought was an educated decision, one that protected his small number of men from what he determined would be a disastrous assault, their crew outnumbered. The "cowardice" his disgusted wife said she saw in his eyes is subjective, and we cannot know if it is true. Of course, the British way would be to take as many men and weapons available and go off to do battle - as indeed, the Dutchman did. That Alban deviated from the expected, was intolerable to everyone else. They'd have preferred that he and his men were cut down, shot and killed in the attempt to regain control of the island. Of course, they would. Alban was the only person who thought differently.

Wow! Brutal…. Excellent once more. Maugham is brilliant… yes this was one of his top pieces! ❤

Thank you for this and also for P&O. Maugham's observations of human nature... Chilling at times. Brilliant.

👍 Best Maugham story Ive heard / read.

Superbly read. Thank you. What an amazing story of a partnership of a principled man and his loyal wife who maintained their dignity until it was time when she didn't need to fly his principled flag

Loyalty means to stand by whatever happened. Is easy to stay by with a perfect person Is not easy to accept difficult situations. But exactly this is the loyalty. To be at side at good or WORSE. I would never be a traitor in a similar situation.

Wow the ending That was a good one

Better ending to not rely on wife to support his conviction.

What a wonderful, thought provoking story.

Little “sordid houses” love SM. I’m honestly conflicted, those “ awful people”.. Why have I listened to at least one story every day for several months? The “ thought of a scene”. . I’m so frequently imagining a deliberate exaggeration of perfection. Beyond criticism. Absolutely no imperfection. Not a speck of a blemish…superiority. Of the upperclass. … fodder for eugenics. 😊😊😊 who, I wonder is his audience? What was the reaction to this story? “Nature I loved, and next to that, art”….”pawns in a game”….”what was one to do with them”? Bordered the garden with “ pseudo-classical statues “….infectced with communist ideals”….” The iron hand in the velvet glove”. … “her ugly little monkey face was a mask of terror” what a track through the jungle…..exquisite…Im. Twisted with honest pleasure..blow for blow, two boxers trading blows, punches to the body and face, blood on tthe nsurface, the breaking of a bone in the rib cage.

The British £1 Note - The True Story (Condensed). Now. The reason that the 'British £1 Note' originally gained its name. Was due to the fact that the 'Paper Note' represented ownership of 'Twelve Troy Ounces (1 Troy 'Pound') Of Physical Sterling Silver Coins'. With 'Sterling' of course referring to the level of the 'Purity Of The Silver Coins'. With that purity being 92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper. Hence the name 'A One Pound Note'. IMPORTANT - The Note Was 'NOT' And Never Has Been 'The Real Money'. The 'Real Money' (The 'Sterling Silver Coins') were stored in a bank vault. And the 'Paper Notes' (representing ownership of 'The Real Money/The 'Sterling Silver Coins') circulated in the wider economy. Mainly to save us from having to carry a large amount of 'Weight Of Money' (of 'Sterling Silver Coins') around with us. And yes. We were then able to take a 'One Pound Note' into a bank. And they were obligated to give us the '1 Troy Pound Of Sterling Silver Coins' (The Real Money) That 'The Paper Note' Actually Represented Ownership Of. A situation that continued until the British people eventually 'Fell Into The Trap' of mistakenly thinking/believing that 'The Paper Notes Are The Money'. Which of course 'They Are Not'. At which point our political leaders and their banking overlords 'Completely Removed The Physical Sterling Silver Coins That Were 'Backing' The Paper Notes From The Economy'. So allowing them to 'Print An Astronomical Amount Of Paper Notes In A Large Variety Of Denominations'. A move which 1. Allowed our government 'To Begin To Live Wildly Beyond Its Means'. And 2. Allowed the bankers to create 'An Unlimited Amount Of Debt'. Debt that they 'Legally Create Out Of 'NOTHING' And Then Charge 'INTEREST' On'. So 'SYSTEMATICALLY' Robbing The People Of Their Hard Earned Wealth Through The Process That Is Known As 'INFLATION' ('Mass Currency Creation'). 'IMPOVERISHING' And 'ENSLAVING' them. I mean. Britain is now 'Totally Awash With Debt'. Both on a 'Personal And A National Level'. And yet, no one ever asks the logical question. With that being - "How Was This Actually Able To Happen"? Well, now 'You' know. And now you also understand the important difference between 'Mere Currency' (The 'Paper Notes'). And the 'Actual Money' (The 'Sterling Silver Coins'). A harsh lesson that the vast majority are just about to have to 'Re-learn'. As the 'True Value Of An 'Unbacked' British £1 Note Is Once More Realized'. With that 'True Value Of Course Being As It Is 'ZERO'. 'ABSOLUTELY NOTHING'. 'ZILCH' 'Not A Damn Thing''. Best wishes from Old Blighty 🙏 Andrew.

Thank you very much for these brilliant stories. Helps winter nights both cosy and entertaining. ,

I’m wondering if the narrator is Ai? Be reads all these stories like he’s reading a check list. And they’re wonderful stories. Wish I was reading them?😁

I’m not sure what I think of the story! I really don’t like either of the main characters, but it is well written, as always

@NowistheEvollvolution 'Andrew', 'THANK YOU' for 'Bloviating' on the 'History' of the 'One Pound Note". You 'Remind' me a bit of 'Alban'. You 'MUST' be a 'Joy' to sit 'Next To' at 'DINNER parties'.

- Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned -... While it was not quite true to the proverb, it was still good enough. So, the ending was actually no surprise to me.

Genius! Thank you

Thank you 🙏

Excellent

I love the voice..very relaxing.

I'm with Alban.

🙏🙏👏👏👏💕

Is this how Mrs Sunak felt vacating No 10 ?

Why ai so sarcastic?

What a cruel and horrible wife!

His wife throws him under the bus because he made the right decision not to endanger 8 men, as he was grossly understaffed. She would fit in so well with today’s Democrats.

I didn’t like the ending at all. It was horrible.