
THE INDISCREET LETTER - BY - ELEANOR HALLOWELL ABBOTT
THE INDISCREET LETTER
A slow, rattling train ride across the Canadian wilderness becomes a stage for an eclectic cast of travelers, each rendered with vivid, almost comic detail. A fast‑talking, impeccably dressed traveling salesman fusses over ladies’ undergarments, while a lanky young electrician, with his noisy coil‑boxes and strikingly magnetic face, drifts through the carriage like a modern‑aged Viking. Their banter—peppered with philosophical musings about “indiscreet letters” and the hidden motives behind simple gestures—creates a lively, slightly absurd commentary on the hidden currents of everyday life.
When a curious young girl asks to eavesdrop, the salesman obliges, setting off a series of confessional exchanges that reveal the characters’ private quirks and hopes. The narrative balances witty observation with a gentle, almost nostalgic affection for the fleeting connections made in transit. Listeners are drawn into a world where a single train car holds the promise of revelation, intrigue, and the inevitable hum of human misunderstanding.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (62K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-04-29
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1872–1958
Raised in a family of writers and editors, this American novelist became a favorite magazine contributor and the author of popular early-20th-century fiction, including Molly Make-Believe. Her work often centers on lively young women, romance, and a playful sense of imagination.
View all books
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott

by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott