The History of Mr. Polly
by H. G. Wells
Mr. Polly is an ordinary middle-aged man who is tired of his wife's nagging and his dreary work as the owner of regional gentleman's equipment. When faced with the threat of bankruptcy, he concludes that the only way to avoid his annoying presence is to burn down his shop and kill himself. But unexpected events conspire at the last moment to take the bewildered Mr. Polly to a bright new future — after saving his life, distorting his death, and escaping to a life full of heroism, hope, and the greatest happiness.
