L.M. Montgomery’s Short Story ‘An Invitation Given on Impulse’

A schoolgirl invites a schoolmate home for the holidays and receives much in return.

An invitation turns into a happy occasion for all, in L.M. Montgomery's short story. Jack Frog/Shutterstock

Giving gifts, especially of one’s time and self, may be challenge which can be exceedingly difficult to overcome. Why give time and oneself when one can bask in personal enjoyments and preferences?

L.M. Montgomery seeks to answer this question in her short story “An Invitation Given on Impulse.” In this story, Montgomery follows a young girl as she struggles between doing something kind for another and choosing the path of enjoyment.

A Holiday

The holidays are approaching and all the girls at Oaklawn school wait in anticipation of a holiday break. On this particular Saturday, they wait for the mail to arrive. When it does, the girls scatter, excited over their packages or a little dejected when they receive no letters.