Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 100, February 28, 1891

In a cosy Victorian drawing‑room, an unsuspecting elderly lady is interrupted by a peculiar visitor—an odd fellow with a respirator, blue spectacles and a red nose. He presents a bundle of autographed letters from well‑known authors, all pleading for money, and claims his own imagination is the hidden engine behind their celebrated works. As he flirts with the lady’s cat and flatters her literary judgment, he begins to unveil his secret role as the “literary ghost” who supplied plots, characters and even whole chapters to famous writers in exchange for modest fees.

The humor unfolds as the gentleman describes his behind‑the‑scenes contributions to best‑selling titles, exposing the absurdity of credit and influence in the publishing world. Listeners are treated to a witty, sharply observed satire that lampoons the pretensions of literary fame while delighting in the quirky dialogue and vivid period details.