The second Spoken Ink collection of superb short stories by H.G. Wells, who was a master of the form. Humour and wit abound inhis writing, as does sharp social observation. Among the 17 storiesin this collection, The Plattner Story tells of a chemistryteacher who analyses a most unusual powder one of the boys bringsto class, in The Cone a woman married to a bullyingindustrialist is having an affair with his young friend. Herjealous husband gives the lover a tour of the steel furnaces he isso proud of. The Sad Story of a Dramatic Critic is in factfall-off-your chair hilarious, especially as read by Mike Grady, anactor well-known and cherished as Thora Hird's son-in-law BarryWilkinson in Last of the Summer Wine. Truly poignant storiesof love are The Jilting of Jane and A Slip under theMicroscope.