CORRIE by Alice Munro

　　This is an interesting story. The story develops rapidly after Haward tells Corrie about the blackmail, which makes the reader want to turn pages. Corrie, the protagonist, was having an affair with Haward. Corrie’s maid, Sadie, happens to “witness” the couple at a restaurant. She blackmails Haward. He consults Corrie over it. She agrees to pay money to her by his delivering the money to Sadie’s postal box.
　　Many years later Sadie dies. Corrie attends the after-the-service refreshments, where she hears that Sadie was a good, blessed, rare person. After coming back home, Corrie wonders whether the money actually went to Sadie. She suspects that Haward was spending the money. But she realizes another possibility: to continue giving the money to Haward to keep the relationship.
　　Very nice development. The characters of both Corrie and Haward are depicted well. This story is accessible when I think of Corrie’s lavish life and her lame leg. Haward kept man’s pride by not asking Corrie for money. The conversation at the refreshments is effective. Everything converges well at the end of the story.
　　The last paragraph is also well written: “…she goes gingerly, making everything fit into its proper place.” She has calmly put the affair into a well considered transaction.