THE TREASURE, a Short Story by Somerset Maugham

Richard Harenger is a contented and responsible man working at the Home Office, living a life of moderation and enjoying simple pleasures like bridge, golf, and travel. He hires a competent house-parlourmaid named Pritchard, who becomes indispensable in managing his household with impeccable skill and discretion. Despite their professional relationship, a moment of kindness leads Richard to take Pritchard out for an evening, culminating in an unexpected romantic encounter. The next day, Richard regrets his actions, fearing ..... won't reveal more here.

[@thrashrap]

Imprisoned by convention, comfort and habits Richard Harrington was a very happy man as long as he wasn’t exposed to the possibility a true and deep human connection. Thus is the happiness of the upper classes.

[@Edo9River]

Absolutely right on comment. This is what I appreciate most about out Maugham short stories. I don’t see them as art in the way I see a sculpture, but as a news report on the society of the time. It it “timeless” in the way of artistic depiction of beauty? I don’t know what I think right now.

[@anitaholst7671]

And Pritchard? How do you explain HER happiness?

[@patriciacee3106]

Acceptance.

[@CasperLCat]

Listening to several of these stories, leads me to believe that Maugham was a good, dignified, and eminently reasonable man, somehow. You can’t say that about a lot of great writers.

[@alanjackson1691]

The man was, apparently, an absolute shit. A sexual degenerate, snob and dilettante. He was a renowned seducer of young men and behaved in despicable fashion. It wasn't the embracing of his homosexual desires after abandoning his beard wife it was more the absolute selfishness of his entire life which made him such an unpleasant character. Yet I enjoy his writing.....

[@artandminisbyvilma8116]

I get the feeling that after he's not feeling so afraid, he might ask her to the movies again.

[@charlesj.shields9765]

She's married up- completely out of her class. And he can never do without her. Now, not even sexually. Smart woman.

[@audrey04021]

This is what I love about Maugham. He allows the reader to take the story where it will go. 😊

[@Ricebread343]

I would like to think that they are friends. Mind you, she knows her place. But once a year, maybe on Chridtmas, they could go and have a night out. Delightful ❤

[@carmenhealer4635]

She is smart and had her release of tension just as he did. There is no mysogeny here. She has a great job with him and is too smart and competent to stay if she is not happy.

[@amikkelsen]

I’m impressed by the comfortable lifestyle he has on a home office salary.

[@harbinger2838]

Those were the days. Staff and good staff could be had.

[@Edo9River]

Everything changed because of Hitler😢, damn.

[@Su-Jo]

​@@Edo9River What????

[@user-ic7ed8hx2d]

Ha, civil servants earn plenty!!

[@pianospeakstomysoul]

He took advantage of his position. She let him off the hook. The last sentence sums it up, "Richard was a happy man." I bet.

[@thrashrap]

In these days she didn’t have much choice if she didn’t want to loose her situation and reputation which would have meant abhorrent poverty, isolation and squalor.

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Somerset Maugham is tops. Since my youth ( that being quite some time ago now), I have not read Somerset Maugham. It certainly is a treasure.

[@dianal.clausen8118]

Golly, this really touched me. Thank you for sharing with all of us. I appreciate Maugham more with every new short story.

[@annemariefourie1476]

I enjoyed this now thoroughly!

[@mathiny3848]

A nice ending.

[@MariaLopez-xg2eu]

Well appreciated, sincerely

[@rosalindchu7588]

What a fantastic story, almost unreal.

[@suzipam1234]

My feelings exactly

[@bevygaines]

Pritchard was a treasure, hope eventually someone found that out. He didn't deserve her !!!!

[@vaughnmoore4950]

Enjoyed this story ,sad though.

[@harbinger2838]

Only Sommerset Maugham frames it as such - enjoyable to the word.

[@glendabarton1914]

Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite authors. I have two big books of his short stories. I just discovered these on KZbin!

[@deebaker9199]

A happy man...but a very lonely isolated man? Beautiful story ❤

[@sallykariba6503]

Lovely story and thank you for adding it. Alas, I have never listened to a story/ play with so many adverts.

[@lindasteger7207]

I think most women learn men want everything without commitment. For her it was enough. I just hope he gave her a huge raise.

[@user-ic7ed8hx2d]

How very sexist.

[@rosalindchu7588]

I genuinely think she’s the kind of woman who didn’t want any commitment either.

[@Aiko2-26-9]

Knowing your class and knowing your place is everything.

[@LMVG2233]

???

[@poorthing]

BS! what was accepted in the early 1930s (The Treasure, 1934) is ridiculous in the 21st century. Doesn't mean modern readers can't enjoy Maugham, but please- 'Knowing ones place/class'??

[@LMVG2233]

@@poorthing Agree with your observation! People who say such things are usually delusional about their class status and place in society. Typically, such people think very highly of themselves for no good reason other than artifical standards they have established. Truly great people don't do this and can be found across the entire spectrum of humanity.

[@LMVG2233]

@@poorthing Agree totally with your observation! People who publicly comment on one's class and place in society are delusional and immediately mark themselves as being innately inferior/insecure. Truly great people do not feel the need to draw arbitrary divisions in society and can be found across the entire spectrum of humanity.

[@Aiko2-26-9]

Obviously i didn't express myself well. I was observing that in this era knowing your place was everything. And I was marveling at it and thankful that in many societies, although sadly not all, this is no longer true.

[@phyllislovelace8151]

A true vignette. Thank you for posting this.

[@GeorgeNeofotistos]

I look so forward to these stories theey all are treasures. Thank you

[@poorthing]

I've been non-stop listening to these Maugham short stories...❤

[@lindabohl2454]

Thank you for sharing!❤❤❤

[@novascheller5957]

Another thoughtful probing story! 💚

[@brunovanhove1832]

A woman is like a well - provided table , Wich one looks at with a different eye before the meal ,than after! This is a old french proverb, i have to admit have thought about more than I care for!

[@honesty3440]

Charming! ❤

[@danjsy]

Fascinating document of class based misogyny in a different time.

[@daywilliams1000]

Misogyny is Hatred or mistrust of women. Hatred of women. Contrast misandry. Hatred of, contempt for, or prejudice against women. The story is about class and social status. It is not about hatred of women.

[@kauffrau6764]

@@daywilliams1000exactly. Thank you 🙏

[@kauffrau6764]

I heard no misogyny, only English class system and behavior.

[@---Dana----]

​@daywilliams1000 Wow. You really don't see it? Just wow

[@rambleon3698]

​@@---Dana---- May i recommend the Nancy Drew mysteries for you.

[@AliceJones-yc1kh]

This complicated story was superb! Keeping separate work from pleasure is difficult, it can be done.

[@johnford6967]

I"m smitten with Pritchard too!

[@fiddlersthree8463]

Who else but AI would shout "Asterisk, asterisk, asterisk" in the middle of a classic short storyI? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Explains how this channel posts so many stories in so short a time. Not saying that's a bad thing -- they're wonderfully entertaining!

[@DreamingCatStudio]

That was so bizarre!

[@coribird5177]

😂

[@KristenAnnMN]

He was born in 1874.🤦‍♀️

[@sarahsnowe]

And the sudden burst of an American accent . . . .

[@sohara....]

Will look out for this, and put a time stamp on it ... cos this doesn't sound like AI to me. *Channel could have accumulated a lot of readings, so as to release at a regular, planned interval.*

[@CounterfeitChristianityCanada]

So glad I found your channel. Maugham was amazing!!

[@clovelly1946]

Typical of that society in those days.

[@jemartinez50ja]

What a narcissist.

[@Ricebread343]

Delightful!! ❤ most enjoyable story.

[@chill_fridge]

Patience is a virtue

[@renafielding945]

Interesting. That was the message for me from the sermon yesterday. 😊

[@arborymastersllc.9368]

She was so much more intelligent than everyone. Damn. If only.

[@charlesj.shields9765]

It's Harenger who's the treasure that's been found, although he thinks it's the other way around. Pritchard kept moving, from position to position, until she got the right, rich dimwit. Class didn't limit her. And, unlike a conventional marriage, she can leave any time.

[@teresadelacanal1065]

What a sad story. Thank you for your extraordinary narration.

[@helenamaria710]

My pleasure, said the bot!

[@simone1966eire]

I'm really enjoying the use of English vocabulary all but defunct today. Perhaps this story is an insight into the rigidity of class division. Wha'eva...love a good yarn😅

[@JanisJanus25]

🇨🇦What a discovery. This is changing my listening life. Here from Canada. BC remote location .

[@GeorgeNeofotistos]

I keep coming back to this one. What a sexy story, it's almost like i would want to live it myself. I think they loved or at least lusted after eachother from the beginning. The tention must have been delicious

[@christinemarshall1366]

Very enjoyable and well narrated. Thank you

[@brigittewengert-rothmaier6856]

Thank you, I enjoyed the story very much, including the narrator and the piano!

[@rozalialuks6583]

A GENIUS! Thank you.

[@feralbluee]

💢Don’t read before you listen!! Seems she felt the same as he did. or she had a lovely evening and left it at that. she knew how to keep her man. i have always appreciated Maugham very much. his short stories are so different and interesting, while also being poignant. seems though that woman and man never become a couple. 🌷🌱

[@alanjackson1691]

Prittchard had his entire life in her hands. The power to expose him as a seducer of serving staff! You can be sure that he saw her in a new light afterwards, as when he gazed at her from behind his morning paper and watched her from behind..... It leaves this snapshot of comfortable upper-middle class life before WW11 on a high note. But it hardly ends there..... asterix, asterix, asterix.

[@user-bf5ik2sq5e]

I must admit, until the height disparity between herself, her deceased husband and Harenger's, I was under the impression that Pritchard was Harenger's estranged wife. She seemed to know precisely how everything should be. Aside from what was learned from the cook, Pritchard appeared too flawless, leading me to believe that Harenger was oblivious to his wife's appearance. His wife dressed according to her station in life, in contrast to someone in his employment. This was an enjoyable read....Workplace romance.🌹💕 I agree, Harenger will invite Pritchard to the movies again.

[@pattersonparkin7303]

It was a good one...... Hi from newzealand 🎉

[@patriciamay6396]

He’s not even close to being a catch

[@tigercasey1554]

Lovely story.

[@benediktmorak4409]

Also here, Just the right time / length of the story for one go!!!!!!!

[@janakparikh]

Nice little beautifully worded story

[@ireminsel]

Perfect.

[@harbinger2838]

I think I would be happy too!!!!!!

[@user-zb7cf3zx1e]

I love his writing ❤

[@Michael-bp5im]

I read this years ago Wily was a true artist

[@sbnsbaker1]

Excuse me, I'm going to need the rest of the story please!!

[@neuralsurfer]

that is the whole story as told by Maugham.

[@stellaburnell7947]

Maugham never tells everything - you are expected to fill in the gaps !

[@paullehman2749]

I'm smitten with Pritchard,,

[@nesapanjalingam704]

Thank you for this 😊

[@Edo9River]

❤❤❤What a devastating story that ends with the parlor maid slipping away.😮😮😮 have I been taught some lessons about women’s rights in merr😮y olde England?

[@klaudia.von.wagner]

Lovely story, as always. 📖🤍📚🌷👸🌷

[@nobody-vo7ei]

Quite right sir!

[@dl18336]

Cute story

[@douglasreynolds-op1no]

Good story! Still not trusting AI. I can't help but wonder if the comments aren't AI as well. Haha!l

[@DreamingCatStudio]

Not this one. 😊

[@stellaburnell7947]

@@DreamingCatStudio Nor this !

[@idreamtiwasbackatmanderley414]

Moi non plus !

[@quicklykay]

Nor mine.

[@kathleenellenford4816]

Thank you

[@debbielangton8371]

I've up graded from washer woman😂🤣🤣💃

[@junestanich7888]

SM really understood the privileged selfish male of the day

[@ginagabriel2613]

🙏🙏🙏💕👏👏

[@HughesMath1]

SPOILER ALERT Fall in love at the end and it's a movie... Which ones?

[@alidabaxter5849]

The snobbery and self indulgence of the narrator is absolutely terrifying. E. F. Benson wrote brilliantly about the snobbery of small towns in Mapp & Lucia, but he wrote humorously whilst this story is ice cold and savage. It's very hard to listen to this, the totally self centred life of a man who cares for nothing but his own comfort. But it's horribly well observed.

[@dianapeek6936]

I thought it was appalling and the characters made of wooden cut out dummies. I also found the narration set my teeth on edge.

[@stellaburnell7947]

@@dianapeek6936 It's AI - no soul although beautifully read.

[@carolthomas8528]

It seems like that to us today but that was only the attitude of the times . I do however find the AI voice excruciating.

[@davidscott1029]

Did he forget his station and she was obliged to remember hers!? A movie, a dinner, a dance or two perhaps will not be required in the future.😮 Friends no servants with benefits🤷

[@maureenbrophy7852]

Good

[@kellym.9453]

🙏🍀⛲️🍀🙏

[@francescaemc2]

grazie

[@leannenuttall5655]

So sad😢

[@sg-vp2qg]

Who does the beautiful artwork, please??

[@robertg1556]

Bastard better do the right thing. Doesn't even know that he's in love with her.

[@francislarv3012]

The only reference to her dead husband was a disparaging “he never did a stroke of work …”. Just like her new boss. Does he even wipe his own butt ?

[@lizlambert]

Well observed That's what a class system is about

[@alanwood4717]

Charmant

[@jeremypearson6852]

But, he’d always know and would probably always feel some guilt.

[@janegardener1662]

It was good for him to have another emotion besides smug self-satisfaction.

[@kimshienbaum3071]

LONG AD. too long

[@debbielangton8371]

🤣🤣🤣

[@debbielangton8371]

Mickey mouse😂🤣🤣

[@shaggyrandy1264]

Micky The Mouse😊

[@debbielangton8371]

Can I pay wiv Mickey mouse 🐁🐀 money 💰😂😂😂

[@ghanaempressajourneyhome4266]

In short she served him well & knew her place. His sexual release was was just that, a sexual release & she was available.

[@martin5504]

Strange narration.

[@sunandasengupta8113]

Women's role in a man's world defined perfectly😅

[@maureenball6733]

This bloke too good to be true.

[@marniekilbourne608]

Ugh! This guy is a total jerk! NOT a good story.

[@vh4575]

One of my favourite writers but the richness of his story telling does not suit this AI bland delivery. The lack of nuance spoils it.

[@pakde8002]

I honestly don't understand this complaint. I've heard several different voice on this channel and they're all quite good. A good reader is different from a voice actor. However, there's plenty of nuance in this narration imo. It sounds like a person reading as it should. I'm tempted to time stamp various passages that include dramatic pauses where a pause is not indicated by a comma and words emphasized by the narrator, presumably because the word was italicized but could have just as well been the interpretation of the narrator but that's too much work LoL. Anyway, it's free and comprehensible. Beggars can't be choosers as they say. 😅

[@Jordan-ky4nd]

Could you recommend a good narrator of his work? I’d love to hear it read well

[@amikkelsen]

I didn’t realize it was AI

[@HughesMath1]

I like this narrator. I wish he would save a voice for one author or overlap with an completely different kind of author. ie. All the Russian writers have the same great narrator. But it makes it hard to recall the author and point of view that author expresses.

[@Riklott1111]

@@pakde8002it’s things like “asterisk asterisk asterisk “ that the AI says