The Right Thing: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Right Thing: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Right Thing is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Cummings, Ray (1887–1957).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Right Thing" by Ray Cummings is a short story written in the early 20th century, likely reflecting the societal norms and values of the time. This narrative centers on themes of love, sacrifice, and moral complexity, exploring the idea of what constitutes the "right thing" in difficult circumstances, particularly in the context of personal relationships and familial loyalty. The story unfolds in a secluded cabin where a young girl named Beth is surprised by her injured lover, Tom. As they navigate their feelings for each other amidst the threat of her abusive stepfather, Beth reveals her strong belief in doing the right thing, a creed inherited from her deceased mother. However, when her stepfather is found dead and Tom becomes the prime suspect, Beth is faced with an ethical dilemma. Torn between her love for Tom and the obligation to uphold justice, she ultimately decides to protect him, emphasizing the complexities of morality and the meaning of love in crisis. The narrative concludes with Beth taking a stand for her beliefs, highlighting the challenges of choosing the right course of action in emotionally fraught situations.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Right Thing
- Author credits: Cummings, Ray (1887–1957)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
- Short stories
- Stepfathers -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Short Stories
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


