Stories 1 through 3 Summary

Story 1: The Death of a Clerk

While watching the opera The Belles of Corneville, office manager Ivan Dmitrich Cherviakov happens to sneeze quite forcefully. Unfortunately, he sprays the man in front of him, who is General Brizzhalov, an important official with the government. Cherviakov sees the General take his handkerchief and wipe his bald head off. Cherviakov rushes over to apologize to the important gentleman. However, the general repeatedly tells him "never mind" or "I've already forgotten." But nothing seems to satisfy Cherviakov. He feels so guilty and embarrassed that the next day he goes to see the General to apologize in person. However, the General replies that Cherviakov "must be joking." Again, Cherviakov feels slighted and returns the next day. Finally, the General gets angry and tells Cherviakov to get out. Cherviakov is so disappointed and still so guilty that...