Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Her novels offer a detailed portrait of the lives of many strata of Victorian society, including the very poor, and are of interest to social historians as well as lovers of literature. Collected Short Stories II introduces us to a set of characters who take turns to recount stories to one another during their weekly soiree. "The Half Brothers" is sad short story about brotherly love and a sheep-dog named Lassie.