Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell was an English novelist, biographer, and short story writer. Round the Sofa is a collection of short stories, which introduces us to a set of characters who take turns to recount stories during their weekly soiree. It contains several tales, including "An Accursed Race", an essay about a persecuted minority group of Cagots in Western France, and "The Half Brothers" - touching and sad story about brotherly love and a sheep-dog named Lassie.