THE DAUGHTER OF THE 11th Earl of Wemyss, Cynthia Mary Evelyn Charteris (1887–1960) was born in Wiltshire, England, and married Herbert Asquith in 1910. Herbert served in World War I and, when he returned, was too ill for regular employment so she took a job as secretary to James M. Barrie, handling his professional and personal responsibilities until his death in 1937. In gratitude for her proficiency and two decades of friendship, he left his entire estate (with the exception of Peter Pan) to her. In addition to Barrie, she had become friends with many important literary figures, including D. H. Lawrence, Hugh Walpole, Algernon Blackwood, and Arthur Machen.
Although Lady Asquith wrote novels, memoirs, essays, children’s books, biographies, and excellent short stories, her major contribution to the genre of supernatural literature was as an anthologist. She called on her literary friends and acquaintances to write stories for her, notably for the seminal anthology The Ghost Book (1926), the first collection of 20th century ghost stories that offered readers nonsensational works by members of the literary establishment. Generally regarded as the most influential ghost story anthology of the century, it was followed by such outstanding collections as The Black Cap (1928), Shudders (1929), and When Churchyards Yawn (1931). Some years later, she compiled sequels to her first book with The Second Ghost Book (1952) and The Third Ghost Book (1955). The series was continued for many years after her death, edited by James Turner, Rosemary Timperley, James Hale, and others.
“The Corner Shop” was originally published in The Ghost Book (London, Hutchinson, 1926). “The Follower” was originally published in My Grimmest Nightmare (London, G. Allen & Unwin, 1935; the editorship of this anonymous anthology has frequently been attributed to Asquith but, in fact, the editor was Cecil Madden). Both stories were collected in Asquith’s deservedly acclaimed collection, This Mortal Coil (Sauk City, WI, Arkham House, 1947).