Mary Harter

In the short story Wireless, Mary Harter is a wealthy elderly old woman who has a weak heart. Her physician Dr Meynell advises her to lead a very quiet life with no exertion or fatigue but at the same time to keep herself cheerful and well distracted. To this end, he recommends installing a lift in her house. Her nephew Charles Ridgeway, who lives with her, also suggests installing a wireless set. Despite her suspicion of all things modern, she agrees to these proposals and soon learns to enjoy listening to the radio. What happens as a result forms the main plot of the story.