"Three and – an Extra" is the earliest appearance in Kipling's books of the character Mrs. Hauksbee.
It was first published in the Civil and Military Gazette on November 17, 1886,[1] and first in book form in Plain Tales from the Hills, in 1888.
Three years after the Cusack-Bremmils' marriage, Mrs. Bremmil is grieving for the death of their baby.
The Bremmils are invited to a Ball given by Lord Lytton, the Viceroy: she says she will stay at home, and he takes Mrs. Hauksbee.
However Mrs. Bremmil goes on her own, with a magnificent gown, and reawakens his affection: they leave together, early.