Simple guide
The Romance of a Busy Broker Summary
The Romance of a Busy Broker is a short public-domain classic by O. Henry. This guide gives the original text, what happens, why it matters, and who appears.
Main idea
The Romance of a Busy Broker follows Harvey Maxwell, a broker so consumed by work that he seems to have no room for feeling. In the middle of a rushed business day, he suddenly proposes to Miss Leslie. The twist reveals how work, memory, and love have collided in one comic moment.
- A frantic broker suddenly proposes to his stenographer in the middle of a busy workday.
- This story matters because it compresses romance, work pressure, and O. Henry’s twist style into a very short office comedy.
- Read the original after the What happens here section so the older wording is easier to follow.
How to read it
Start with the What happens here section, then compare it with the original text. Focus on the conflict, the turning point, and what the ending changes.
Best section to start with
This work is short enough to read as one section, so begin with the main story page and use the full-original toggle when ready.
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FAQ
What is The Romance of a Busy Broker about?
A frantic broker suddenly proposes to his stenographer in the middle of a busy workday.
Is The Romance of a Busy Broker hard to read?
The original may use older prose, but the Simple Classics page gives a plain-English bridge before the full original text.