'The young man with the scenic cravat glanced nervously down the sofa at the girl in the fringed dress. She was examining her handkerchief; it might have been the first one of its kind she had seen, so deep was her interest in its material, form, and possibilities.' Dorothy Parker captured early twentieth century American society like no one else could. She was a masterful observer of character, a witty, sharply exact composer of dialogue and a poignant reader of the subtleties of relationship. In these five stories, of relationships strained by ill-will, social distance or circumstance, all her strengths are clear. This book includes The Sexes, The Lovely Leave, The Little Hours, Glory in the Daytime and Lolita.