'Hobby-Horse' Summary

Mr. Spenser Jermyn, a man deeply enamored with horse racing, finds himself at odds with his wife, Mrs. Spenser Jermyn, who dedicates her time and resources to various philanthropic causes. Mrs. Jermyn, a woman of considerable wealth and social standing, considers her husband's interest in 'the Turf or the Stable' as distasteful and beneath her. Mr. Jermyn, unable to share his passion with his wife, seeks a way to bridge the gap between their contrasting worlds. He devises a plan to appeal to his wife's philanthropic spirit by suggesting she endow a Home for retired jockeys and stablemen. However, his underlying motivation is not solely charitable; he hopes that through this act, his wife will develop a fondness for the world of horse racing. The play follows the unfolding of Mr. Jermyn's scheme, the reactions of those around him, and the eventual realization of the complexity of his motivations and the true nature of his wife's feelings.