Mr. and Mrs. Dove by Katherine Mansfield

A timid young man, Reginald, prepares to leave for South Africa and decides to confess his love to Anne, a practical and reserved woman. His awkward attempt—comparing themselves to a pair of doves—leads to a tender but ambiguous conversation about feelings and expectations. The plot is simple, built around a single emotional moment. Mansfield captures the fragility of love and communication with gentle irony. It’s a touching vignette of romantic misalignment and silent hope.