The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield

On the day of an elegant garden party, young Laura Sheridan is caught between the carefree world of her privileged family and the harsh reality of a working-class neighbor’s death. As she helps prepare for the event, she briefly questions its appropriateness—but her doubts are gently dismissed. The story’s plot culminates in Laura’s visit to the grieving family after the party. Mansfield contrasts wealth, death, and youthful awakening with quiet tension. It’s a beautifully layered tale of innocence, class, and the fleeting touch of understanding.