A Character's Tragedy Summary

The story opens with the author addressing the reader directly, saying, "I persist in my old habit of giving audience every Sunday morning to the characters of my future short stories...I almost always find myself in bad company." (pg. 145.)

The author goes on to describe the scene of these meetings, as if the characters in his head are actual people who come to visit. They are an unruly group, with some pushing ahead of others for his attention. While some push ahead, however, some wait quietly, like the old man, a conductor, who lets others go first and then comes to the author timidly asking to be put into a story. The author grants his request, and has him die in a tale called "Old Music."

One Sunday the author goes into his Sunday meeting a little late...