Jerome K. Jerome 
John Ingerfield and Other Stories 

(Excerpt): "Once upon a time, I wrote a little story of a woman who was crushed to death by a python. A day or two after its publication, a friend stopped me in the street. "Charming little story of yours, " he said, "that about the woman and the snake; but it’s not as funny as some of your things!" The next week, a newspaper, referring to the tale, remarked, "We have heard the incident related before with infinitely greater humour. With this-and many similar experiences-in mind, I wish distinctly to state that "John Ingerfield, " "The Woman of the Saeter, " and "Silhouettes, " are not intended to be amusing. The two other items-"Variety Patter, " and "The Lease of the Cross Keys"-I give over to the critics of the new humour to rend as they will; but "John Ingerfield, " "The Woman of the Saeter, " and "Silhouettes, " I repeat, I should be glad if they would judge from some other standpoint than that of humour, new or old."