As this complete collection of her short stories demonstrates, Parker's talents extended far beyond brash one-liners and clever rhymes. Her stories not only bring to life the urban milieu that was her bailiwick but lay bare the uncertainties and disappointments of ordinary people living ordinary lives.

Such a pretty little picture --Too bad -- Mr. Durant -- A certain lady -- The wonderful old gentleman -- Dialogue at three in the morning -- The last tea -- Oh! He's charming! -- Travelogue -- Little Curtis -- The sexes -- Arrangement in black and white -- A telephone call -- A terrible day tomorrow -- Just a little one -- The mantle of Whistler -- The garter -- New York to Detroit -- Big blonde -- You were perfectly fine -- The cradle of civilization -- But the one on the right -- Here we are -- Lady with a lamp -- Dusk before fireworks -- A young woman in green lace -- Horsie -- Advice to the little Peyton girl -- From the diary of a New York lady -- Sentiment -- Mrs. Carrington and Mrs. Crane -- The little hours -- The Waltz -- The road home -- Glory in the daytime -- Cousin Larry -- Mrs. Hofstadter on Josephine Street -- Clothe the naked -- Soldiers of the republic -- The custard heart -- Song of the shirt, 1941 -- The standard of living -- The lovely leave -- The game -- I live on your visits -- Lolita -- the banquet of crow -- The bolt behind the blue -- Our Tuesday Club -- As the spirit moves -- A dinner party anthology -- A summer hotel anthology -- An apartment house anthology -- Men I'm not married to -- Welcome home -- Our own crowd -- Professional youth.