The spirit of a deceased writer, haunting his wife and her chosen biographer, ensures that they give up the idea of publishing a ‘Life’
1
Journalist George Withermore is commissioned by the widow to write the literary
biography of the recently deceased writer Ashton Doyne. She gives him facilities
to use the great man’s study to work on the papers, which he does in the
evenings after his regular day at the newspaper.
2
As he works Withermore becomes aware of the presence of the spirit of Doyne
approving his work and assisting him in finding the relevant documents.
3
Doyne’s spirit suddenly abandons Withermore, which makes him uneasy, and,
seeking advice of Mrs Doyne, finds that the spirit had been
‘pestering’ her. Together they realise that Doyne does not
want his biography written and they give up the idea.
these synopses
© 2002
part of an etext edition of
The real right thing
on
the Ladder : a Henry James website