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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
187 views47 pagesPromising Pleaders
Uploaded by
Yuvraj GargCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulg q,
her hair and let it fall tits fll Iength. "
Now, there were two possessions ofthe James Ditling.
Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was gn
gold watch hatha beni aber’ and his grandfather,
other was Dell's hat. Had the queen of Sheba lived in yy
flat across the airshaf, Della would have let her hair hang ouy
the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty,
jewels and gifs. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with
his treasures pled up inthe basement, Jim would have pulley
ut his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at hi
beard from envy.
‘So now Dell's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and
shining like cascade of brown waters. It reached below her
knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she
did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for:
‘minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the wom
red carpe
‘On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat
With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in ber
‘eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street.
Where she stopped the sign read: “Mme. Softonie. Hair
Goods of All Kinds.” One flight up Della ran, and collected
herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly
looked the “Sofronie.”
“Will you buy my hair?” asked Della.
“L buy hit,” said Madame, “Take yer hat off and let®
have a sight atthe looks of it.”
Down rippled the brown cascade.
“Twenty dollars,” said Madame, lifting the mass wilh# |
practised hand,
“Give it to me quick,” said Della
Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings.
Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for
Jim's present.
She found tat last t surely had been made for Jim and no
one else. There was no other lke it in any ofthe stores, and she
had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain
simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by
substance alone and not by meretricious omamentation—as
all good things should do, It was even worthy of The Watcb.
[As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was
like him. Quietness and value—the description applied to both.
‘Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried
home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might
be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as
the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account
ofthe old leather strap that he used in place of chain.
‘When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a
fittle to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and
lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by
‘generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task,
dear friends—a mammoth task.
Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny,
close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant
Schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long,
carefully, and critically °
“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he
takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island
‘horus girl. But what could I do—oh! what could I do with a
dollar and eighty-seven cents?”
em nen 2'cock the coffee was made and the iying-pan was
nthe back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops
Scanned with CamScanner Jim was never late, Della doubled the fob chai;
hhand and sat on the commer of the table near the door
always entered. Then she heard his sep on the stair ay irs
‘on the first light, and she turned white for just a momen,
had habit of saying a litle silent prayer about the sine
everyday things, and now she whispered: “Please God
him think Tam still pretty.” 1 mat,
‘The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed jx
looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only, meat
two-and to be burdened with a family! He needed a g,
‘overcoat and he was without gloves. x
‘im stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter ai
scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there wasa,
expression in them that she could not read, andi tif
Teas not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, x
any ofthe sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simp
stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face
Della wriggled off the table and went for him.
“Jim, darling,” she cried, “don’t look at me that way. [bai
my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived throug)
‘Christmas without giving you a present. It'll row out gait
Sou won't mind, will you? I just had to doit. My air ew
awfully fast. Say Merry Christmas!” Jim, and let's be ‘ary.
‘You don’t know what a nice—what a beautiful, nice gift I
got for you.
“You've cut off your hai
he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even a
‘mental labor.
ir?” asked Jim, laboriously. 35!
fier the bards
“Cut it off and sold it,” said Della. “Don't you like me
as well, anyhow? I'm me without my bait, ain't?”
Jim looked about the room curiously.
pee
sryou say your hai is gone?” he sad, with almost
ofidiory
vveanedr'look fort sid Del “W's sol 116 YOU
old and gon, too 1's Christmas Eve, boy. BE good to me, for
sr gent fr you. Maybe te airs of my heal Were number
i wer ton wth suden serious sweetest “but noPon) could
er count my lve for you. Shall put the CHOPS on» sim?"
quickly to wake. Heenfolded
ig Della. For ten seconds let us regard wit discreet somTOY
his Deipeomsequental object in the oer diction, BghY
sera week ora milion a year—wbat isthe diference” ®
dolprrmatcan ora vit woud give you the wrong answer, The
mag ought valable gis, bu thal was not among them. TS
dark assertion will be illuminated later on
sim drew a package from his overcos
itupon te table.
“Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, “about me. 1
don't think there's anything in the way ofa haircut ora shave
tra shampoo that could make me like my girl any less, Bu i
don'llunsrap tat package you may see why you bad me going
awhile at first.”
White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper:
And then an eestaiie steam of joy; and then, alas! a quick
feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating
the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the
lord ofthe fiat
For there lay The Combs—the set of combs, side and
back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window.
Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shel, wth jewelled rims—just
the shade to wearin the beautiful vanished hair. They were
expensive combs, she knew, and her heart bad simply craved
and yearned over them without the least ope of possession
Outofhis trance Jim seemed:
at pocket and threw
a
Scanned with CamScanner al
hers, but the fes565 that should hoy,
Sn were
‘And now, they ants were gone.
adorned the coveted adore
‘at he hugged them to Ne bosoms and at Length she ya,
abe tatoo up with im eyes and STE ANd FAY: “My gy
grows 0 fast, Jim!”
‘An then ata epedup cea File singed cat and eg
“Oh, ob!”
Fan had nt yet seen bis Beauifil present. She bed it gy
to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious met
weg in fash with reflection of her bright and arden pi,
sgt ita dandy, Jim? 1 bunted all over town to find i
You'llhave to look a the time a hundred times a day now. Give
tne your watch. I want to see how it looks on i.”
Tastead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and
puthis hands under the back of bis head and smiled.
“Delt, said he, “let's put our Christmas presents away
and keep ’em.a while, They're too nice fo use just at present.
sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now
suppose you put the chops on.”
‘The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfily
“vise men—who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. The)
invented the ar of giving Christmas presents. Being wis, he
eis were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the prvikaes
exchange in case of duplication, And here I have lamely elated
to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish chile tt
fiat who mast unwisely sacrificed for each other the BH!
treasures oftheir house. But in a last word to the wise of BEE
days let it be said that ofall who give gifts these 10 We
the wisest Of al who give and receive gif, such #8 8°)
‘wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the ‘magi.
0. He
- Glossary
[An act of demolishing witha bulldozer
__|To shoot an idea forcefully (here)
[charge o attibution of evil
Pusimony [Great reliance fo spend money
Flop. To fail heavily due to lack of ener
Howl [Mournfal ery of a dog ora wolf —|
Jenifies 7 [To make a whimpering or sniffing sound when
es breathing because of running nose _|
IMendicancy | The actor state of being a mendicant
Nesibule | passage, hall or room such as a lobby, between
the outer door and the interior of building
tapperlaining —|To belong asa part right, possession attribute ec.
(Coax. [Persuade somebody genily or graduall
cr glass [A ull narrow miror, usually set between Wo
windows
[anitor ‘Someone who looks afler the maintenance and|
cleaning of a public building
'A waterfall o series of small waterfall
[ished | Food, especially meat and potatoes chopped and
mixed together
Fob ‘A litle pocket near the waisline of @ pair of
|rrousers
IMeceisious —]Supercaly anactve but having in reality no
vale o substance
Ravage | To wreak destuction
{Mammoth | Something very large of ts Kind
[Qua A gaming bird
Wznled ost nes yo and io with short moan
ae A dazed of unconscious condition
[Bice ]carei in wat you sy odo
se braid, kno, or end of ir
FAdommesis TA decoration
‘A man very concemed about his clothes and]
lsppearance _
1S gouat for anim eat om —
The wise en that met ave eis the baby Jess]
at the Epiphan ee
Transeri
inscribe the above words phonetically.
Scanned with CamScanner >
(Workin wi treo
‘Comprehension check:
1. Why was Della upset?
2. How did the flat look like?
3, What did she think of buying for Jim?
“4, What two possessions were Youngs’ famous for? yp
were they precious? ,
What gift did Della buy for Jim? How did she man
to collect the money for the same? )
‘What was a mammoth task for Della?
How did she look in her new hair style?
How did Jim look to Della? What made him look sy
What did Della tell Jim about her looks? What wasti:
reaction?
10, Why didn’t Jim notice Della’s new hairstyle?
11, What was Jim’s answer to Della’s selling of her bit
12, What gift had Jim bought for Della?
13. How did Jim get enough money to buy a preset fo
Della?
14, Who are the mas
Detailed Questions:
1. Comment on the relationship be
Give reasons for your answer.
2. Do you agree with the prevale
exchange of gifts on Christmas? How ¢:
tradition affect human relationship?
3. Justify the title of the story.
4. What is the message of this sto
‘your answer.
5. ‘What does the story teach us about true Tove?
tween Della and Jin.
nce of tradition
san such #
ry? Give reasors |
{Whats the theme ofthe story?
Whats the irony inthe story?
Comment on te use of syenbosra in the St
F Symo do you thinks te protagonist oF story?
speaking Activity:
1. a small groups discuss whether gift
foved ones is better than gifting t
Your views in font of the lass
2, What kindof present do you like and why? WM!
Wreihings you Keepin mind when you buy presents FOr
bihers? Discuss with your partner.
writing tasks:
1. You are Clara and you wish to send a present (0 Your
grandfather on his birthday. Write a letter to him asking
forthe preferable gift which he would like to have from
you.
2, Write a response to the above said letter.
ing watch to your
ime. Then present
Scanned with CamScanner >=
make an inguiry or two about the private
Tanering, if she sll Keeps the namie
renin to my sorow and ruin 1
ise o private inquiry agent OF 2
‘enough to show you
Id be to
and then that you
B.24 Character of this “lady” Ma
that she bad three years a80
army story isthe true one
yo to have all the papers sayin that there would have been
P rocking miscariage of justice if it had not been for your
perseverance and intelligence! That ‘must be your reward, since
pet poor man and can offer you nothing: But if you don't
ido it, may you never lie easy in your bed ‘again! May no night
pass that you are not haunted By the thought of the man who
sin gaol because you have not done the duty ‘which you arc
elivelioog | paid to do! But you will doit sir, I know. Just make one or tWO
eae athe) inguiis, ‘and you will soon find which way the wind blows.
at 5 lpi | Reroember, also, thatthe only person who profited by the crime
? ‘ a herself sibeeitchanged her from an unhappy wife toa rich
young widow. There's the end ofthe string in your hand, and
J told my story when I was taken, and no one woil you anly have to follow it uP and see where it leads f0,
tisten to me, Then T told it again atthe trial—the whole i Mind you, sit, ake no complaint as fr as the burglary
vate ety a it happened, without so much 358 vedic! 2° {don't whine about what I have deserved, and so far I
Setital out trly, so help me God, al that Lady Mannerings pay emo than I have deserved. Burglary it was, right
and di, and then all that I had said and done, just cece! Seale t hed had have gone to pay forit. twas shown
‘And what did I get for it? “The prisoner put forwardaremtlf and dida: ed had a hand in the Merton Cross business,
and inconsequential statement, ineredible in is dela eccice a a so my story had the less attention on that
unsupported by any shred of corroborative evidene Tit? irra Lown tothe fe iataatte never gets a really
Vhat one ofthe London papers said, and oters Itt ps! which brought me alifer—any jud en itcomes to the murder
Tad made no defence at all And yet with my Ov” Tei given me tee gallowe an tel but Sir James might have
ye ot tot yvs—then [tell you that I had
rn gs guiltless of 1859" do witht, and that Tam an i nothing to
‘am an innocent man. And now I'll take
Lord Mannering murdered, and I
‘man on the jury that tried me. | oan 13th of September, 1894, and I'll give you just
[Nov sit, you are thereto receive the petitions oF 188 onein at cecaed, and may Go's hand strike me down if
{tall lies with you. All I ask is that you read it—just over the truth.
Se
__ ames
Scanned with CamScanner had been at Bristol in the summer looking for wor,
then I had a notion that 1 might get something at Portsngs
for 1 was trained as a skilled mechanic, so T came ‘ramp
my way across the south of England, and doing odd joy,”
went, was trying all [knew to keep off the cross, for 1,
done a eatin Exeter Gaol, and Thad had enovgh of visi
Queen Vietoria. But i's eruel hard to get work when once
Dlack mark is against your name, and it Was all | could gy ,
ep soul and body topeter. At Tat after ten days of wong
ating and stone-breaking on starvation pay found mye
sear Salisbury witha couple of shillings in my pocket, and
foots and my patience clean wore out. There's an ales,
‘called “The Willing Mind,” which stands on the road betien
Blandford and Salisbury and it was there that night 1 engage
a bed. Iwas sitting alone in the tap-room just about cosy
time, when the innkeeper—Allen his name was—came bei,
neand began yarning about the neighbours. He was a man ty
Tiked to talk and to have someone to listen to his talk, so x
there smoking and drinking a mug of ale which he had sted
sme; and took no great interest in what he said until he began
talk (asthe devil would have i) about the riches of Mannerig
Hall
“Meaning the large house on the right before I care oti
village?” said I, “The one that stands in its own park?”
“Exactly,” sei be—and Iam giving all our tlk otal ye
ray know that Iam telling you the trth and hiding patie
"The long whitehouse with the pillars,” said he. “Atte sed
the Blandford Road.”
[Now I had looked at its T passed, and it had crossed
mind, as such thoughts will, that it was a very ¢98Y house (05*
into with that great row of ground windows and glass Let
had put the thought away from me, and now here was ts
1
landlord bringing it back with his alk about the ches wii
— — |
seid nothing, but I istened, and as lek wuld have Ie he would
aways come back to this one subject.
fe was a miser young, so you can think what he is now I?)
sages" stid he. "Well he's had some good out of his money.”
ssWhat good can he have had if he does not spend it?”
sid.
“ell it bought him the prettiest wife in England, and that
‘yas some good that he got out of it. She thought she would
Juve the spending oft but she knows the difference now.”
«-who was she then?” asked, jst forthe sake of something
tossy.
“she was nobody at all until the old Lord made her his
Lady," sid he. "She came from up London way, and some said
that she had been on the stage there, but nobody knew. The old
Tord was away fora year, and when he came home he brought
a young wife back with him, and there she has been ever since.
Stephens, the butler, did tell me once that she was the ight of
the house when fust she came, but what with her husbands
mean and aggravatin’ way, and what with her loneliness—for
he hates to see a visitor within his doors; and what with bis
bitter words—for be has a tongue like a homet’s sting, her life
all went out of her, and she became a white, silent creature,
tmoping about the country lanes. Some say that she loved
another man, and that it was just the riches of the old Lord
hich tempted her tobe false to her lover, and that now she is
eating her heart out because she bas lost the one without being
any nearer tothe other, for she might be the poorest woman in
the parish for all the money that she has the handling of”
‘Well, sr, you can imagine that it didnot interest me very
‘uch to hear about the quarels between a Lord and a Lady.
‘What did it matter to me if'she bated the sound of his voiee, or
‘the put every indignity upon her in the hope of breaking her
_
Scanned with CamScanner spirit, and spoke to her as he would never have dared to gp,
to one of his servants? The landlord told me of these things,
‘of many more like them, but they passed out of my mind ne
they were no concem of mine. But what! did want to hear yt
Me ee ag annering ept Bis bes. Tie deg
‘and stock certificates are but paper, and more danger than prog,
vo the man wvho rakes tern But metal and stONES OTE wor,
risk, And then, as ifhe were answering my Very thoughts, he
Tanlord told me of Lord Mannering’s eat collection of gly
medals, that it was the most valuable in the world, and tha
ree ed that ithey were putin sck the tongs g
eae emsh would nt be able to rise ther. Then his wie
called him, and he and I went fo our beds.
‘Tam not arguing to make out a case for myself, but I beg
su, earl he fats in your mind and 1 ak Youn
soe pea man could be nore sorely tempted than 12s, mae
told to say that there are few who could have held out agsing
je There lay on my bed that night © desperate map ‘without
hhope or work, and with my last shilling in my pocket, I bat
tried o be honest, and honest folk bad tumed their backs upon
‘me, They taunted me for theft; and yet they ‘pushed me towards
jt Twas caught inthe stream and could not get ot. ‘And then
it was such a chance: the great house all ined ‘with windows,
the golden medals which could so easily be melted down. It
vas like putting a loaf before a starving man ‘and expectine
him not to eat it {fought against it for a time, but it was 0
tse At last sat up on the side of my bed, and T swore that bil
right I should either be a rich man and able to give UP crime
for ever, or that the irons should be on my wrists once mort
‘Then I slipped on my clothes, and, having put & shilling on
table forthe landlord had treated me well, and I didnot wit
to cheat him—I passed out through the window into the
of the inn.
)
>
“There was high wall round this garden, and 1 had 8 job
satonce on the other side it was al plain sailing.
road, and the iron gate of the
‘oving at the lodge. The moon
toget overt b
id not mest a soul upon the
avenue was open, No one was 1
reining, and I ould see the great house glimmering white
ves an archway of trees. Lvalked up it for 8 guare ofa
was atthe edge of the drive, where it ended in
cad raved space before the main door. Tere | sod in
seshadow and looked atthe fong building, with a fll moot
seep in every window and silvering the high stone fron. f
shed therefor some time, and { wondered where [should
fate easiest entrance. The comer window of the sige seemed
is the one which was least overlooked, and a soreen of 37¥
tng heavy over it. My best chance was evidently there ¥
rented my way under the tees to the back ofthe house, and
Theo crept along in the black shadow of the building, A dos
parked and rattled his chain, but I stood waiting until he was
{i [came to the window
mile oF 0, until
quiet, and then [stole on once more unt
which I had chosen.
It is astonishing how careless they are in the country, in
places far removed fiom large towns, where the thought of
burglars never enters their heads. I calli setting temptation ina
poor man’s way when he puts his hand, meaning no harm, upon
a door, and finds it swing open before bir. In this ease it was
not so bad as that, but the window was merely fastened with
the ordinary catch, which T opened with a push from the blade
‘of my knife. [pulled up the window as quickly as possible, and
then I thrust the knife through the slit in the shutter and prized
itopen. They were folding shutters, and I shoved them before
‘me and walked into the room.
“Good evening, st! You are very welcome!” said a voice.
fe git ind sme ses in yt ‘but never one to come up
one. There, in the opening of the shutters, within reach
Scanned with CamScanner >
of my arm, was standing a woman with a small gp
taperburinginber hand. She was all and straigh oq ot
svith beautiful white face that might have been ext gy,
trrbl, but her har and eyes were as black as nigh, gh
dressed in some sort of white dressing-gown which
down tober fect, and what with this robe and what wig
face, it seemed as if spit from above was standing nf
of me. My knees knocked together, and I held on to the
‘with one hand fo give me support. I should have ture
away if Thad had the strength, but I could only just
stare at ber.
She soon brought me back to myself once more,
“Don’t be frightened!” said she, and they were stasp
‘words for the mistress of @ house to have to use toa bugs
“Issaw you out of my bedroom window when you wer bili
under those trees, s0 I slipped downstairs, and then I bx!
you at the window. I should have opened it for you if you
‘waited, but you managed it yourself just as I came up.”
[stil held in my hand the long clasp-knife wit wit
Thad opened the shutter. 1 was unshaven and grimed fen!
week onthe roads. Altogether, there are few people wher
have cared to face me alone at one in the morning:
‘woman, if Thad been her lover meeting her by appari
could not have looked upon me with a more weleonitt rt
She lid her hand upon my sleeve and drew me into
“What's the meaning of this, ma'am? Don’t ent |
little games upon me,” said I, in my roughest W9Y
potion rough when I like. “Il be the worse for
play me any trick," I added, showing her my Knil®
on the cont
andes
stand:
“Lwill play you no trick,” said she
Your friend, and I wish to help you:
“Excuse me, ma‘am, but [find ithard
1. “Why should you wish to help me?”
tobeliereb#
‘and then suddenly, with
“have my own reasons,” said she;
‘ re ite face: “It’s because I
ose Bao ees lazing oto ei
te htim, ath! Now you understand.”
Tremenbeed what the Landlord bad old me, and 1 id
understand. I looked at her Ladyship’s face, and J knew that I
va jnuthr She wanted toovengeherslrupon her husband
Sette ihm where would ut hi most—upon the
Seer Sheba him sth she would even lower ber pid to
Metochaima 5 mein her confidence ihe coud gai her
‘aby dong so Te ned sone folk in my ine, but don't
Sik [er undo what hate was ntl stat woman’
twin ight he per
“Yow st me a0" aid she, with another coaxing
touch upon ny eve
“Ye your Ladi
eu know me, hen”
“Lean guess who you are.”
“Tdaresay my wrongs are the talk of th
a. 1e ie county. But what
‘oss he care for that? He only cares for one thing in the whole
‘World, and that you can take
= ‘you can take from him this night. Have you a
you where all
them all, so we must
eri we must pick the best.”
snap?! in Which 1 found my
"You cannot carry
'Y rugs and
Small
iy 280
fed eis
yee a long an tow
‘tn seated abot ona poised soe pet
od Toor
Scanned with CamScanner >
wught from sava .
too, which had been brovel 2 count
Monk down a lage leather sack-bag from among pet
Sani .
wthisseeping-sck will do.” said she. “Noy egy
se an ill show you where the medals are."
twas like a dear t0 me to think that this tp
woman was te lady of te house, and that she was jeng St
at rob her own home. U could have bust gut ace
athe thought of i, and yet there Was something in yee et
face of hers which stopped my laughter and tured me a
rerious, She swept on in front ofme LiKe a spirit, withthe go
‘came toa doorat the en ofthis muscum. TL was locked burg,
fey was in it and she led me through.
lady
ome wi,
‘Te room beyond was a small one, hung all round wy
curtains which had pictures on them. Itwas the hunting er,
dee iat was painted on it, a ¥ remember, and inthe Hicker
that Light you'd have sworn that the dogs and the horses wev
steaming round he walls. The only other thing in the rooms
a row ofeases made of walnut, with brass omaments. They bt
iss ops, and beneath this glass I saw dhe Tong lines ofthe
fold medals, some of them as big as a plate and half en int
thik al esting upon red velvet and glowing and gleamig®
the dakness. My fingers were just itching to be atthe, sl
slipped my knife under the lock of one ofthe cases 1 wen!
itopen,
“Woita moment,” said she, laying her hand upon my
“You might do better than this."
“1am very well satisfied, mata,” seid “and
obliged to your Ladyship for kind assistance.” i
“You can do beter” she repeated. “Would 10! £!
sovereigns be worth more to you than these things”
soqhy, yes,” said I. “That's best ofall”
“yell” said she, “He sleeps just above our head. 1t is but
ane short stairease. There isatin box with money enough to fill
this bag under his bed.”
“How can I get it without waking him?”
“hat matter if he does wake?” She looked very hard at
meas she spoke. "You could keep him from calling out.”
“No, no, ma'am, ' have none of that.”
“just as you like,” said she, “I thought that you were a
sout-hearted sort of man by your appearance, but I see that I
nade mistake. Ifyou are afraid to run the risk of one old ma
then of course you cannot have the gold which is under his
bed. You are the best judge of your own business, but I should
think that you would do better at some other trade.”
“LIL not have murder on my conscience.”
“You could overpower him without harming him. { never
said anything of murder. The money lies under the bed. But if
youre fant-hearted, itis better that you should not attempt it
‘She worked upon me so, partly with her scom and partly
with this money that she held before my eyes, that I believe T
should have yielded and taken my chances upstairs, had it not
been that I saw her eyes following the struggle within me in
such a crafty, malignant fashion, that it was evident she was
bent upon making me the tool of her revenge, and that she
{ral ave me no choice but todo the old man an injury or
RL ante by him, She fle suddenly that she was giving
‘crcl ava, and she changed her face to a kindly, friendly
at it was too late, for I had had my warning,
‘Iwill not go upstairs,” said I. “I have all I want here.”
ig toked her contempt at me, and there never was a face
*hich could look it plainer.
a
Scanned with CamScanner >
“very good. You ean take these Medals. T should by
{you would begin at his end. 1 Suppose they witl a pot
same value when melted down, but these are the ones me ‘
ik Jgoking at his wife with a ques
se thesarst, and therefor, the MOst PFEciOUs to him,
‘preak the locks. If you press that brass aap. only needed that one look tot
r
hidden away under his long, masterful
1g the candle in front of him, and
eyes. It
shimand small and prim,
nove, He stood there, holdin
er, malicious gleam
J me that he was as fond of her
necessary to break t ° :
wil nd tha the sere rng So! Take that smaiye ashe was of hi sanrut What do
first—it isthe very apple of his eye.” ean’ this?” e asked, “Some new tantrum? Wha
She had opened one ofthe cases, and the Beautiflthig, 28m wandering about the house? Why don"t you £0
ae
ai fay exposed before me. Thad my hand upon the one whi youd not sleep.” she answered. She spoke languly
she fad oie ca ee arily. If she was an actress once, she had not forgotten
foce, and she held up one finger as a warning, “His %4™
whispered. “What is th her calling.
“Might I suggest,” said he, in the same mocking kind of
|" Farey in he lines ofthe Rose we etd sg apd ences ie a xin 97
rogting, sufing sound, and the distant tread of feet se eam ane
closed and fastened the case in an instant Tints be ashe answered for you sleep very
“y's my husband!" she whispered. “All right. Don't te 4 Son fi i
# aan es “have only one thing in my life to be ashamed of,” said
alarmed. I'l arange it. Here! Quick, behind the tapesty he, and his hair bristled up with anger until he looked like an
She pushed me behind the painted curtains upon the wal oldcocate, “You know best what hats tisamistake which
any empty lather bag stil in my hand. Then she took hee has brought its own punishment with i.”
and walked quickly into the room from which we had cone wo me as well as to you. Remember that!”
From where I stood I could see her through the open door “You have very litle to whine about. It was I who stooped
“Is that you, Robert?” she cried. ‘and you who rose.”
The light of a candle shone through the door of “Rose!”
earer andes Ys ros. suppose you oot deny tha itis promotion
ties toexchange he musical for Mannering Hall Fool that twas
1d gS _everto take you out of your te sphere!”
‘museum, andthe shuffling steps came
T saw a face in the doorway, a great, heavy face, al
creases, with a huge curving nose, and a pai of golé Fr
fixed aross it. He had to throw his head back to se¢ Si oir tc, 60 you co sepornat™
him i
the glasses, and that great nose thrust out im front of “Because private misery is better than public humi
‘ cal]
Pee eee arto, He was a big man. ¥e7 "| Because itis easier to suffer for a mistake than fo ovn
buy, so that in his loose dressing-gown his figure secre fo kao tad
filup the whole doorway. He had pile of caring Bee | ke foe eu ny gan oko a
1¢ whole doorway. He peo ’ ‘cannot go back to him.”
round his head, but his face was clean-shaven. His mouth
mes
Scanned with CamScanner E>
You villain! You cowardly villain!”
“jes, yes, my lady. Lkn0W YOUF Sete ambition,
shall never be while Live, nd if it happens after my , bu,
vill at Teast take care that you go t0 im as 0 ese
sr Edward wil never have the satisfaction of sqpang,
vey savnge and you sy makeup YOU mind thal, tin
‘Why are those ster andthe window open?” my ay
‘found the night very cl0se.”
satis not sae, How do you know that some tram
ot be ouside? Are you are that iy collection of me
a ore than any similar colfetion inthe work? outa
Trine door open also. What is there to prevent any one fa
sifing the 808?” he
“twas here.”
+y know you were. heard you moving about in the mali
oom, and that was why Tame down. What were you doing”
“Looking a the medals. What else should I be doing?”
«This curiosity is something new.” He looked suspciewsy
at her and moved on towards the inner room, she walt
beside him
IL vas at this moment that I saw something which sat
mn. Tad hid my clasp-kife open up the top of OF
cases, and there it lay in full view. She saw it before he did oo
‘with a women’s cunning she held her taper out $0 that the leh
Fic beeen Lord Mannering’s eyes and te tile Tt
She tok itn her left hand and hel it against bet 62% oF
ofhis sigh, He looked about from case to case} could
put my hand at one time upon his Jong nose—but the? mm
atting to show thatthe medals had been tampered vi
so, sll snarling and grumbling, he shusited off i? the oft
room once more.
™ _
cof what I heard rather than of
ud now I have to speak
‘ ° shall stand some day beFore
phat sve, but {sear 10,700
wake, hat what ay ise truth
‘When they passed into the outer 109m? 1 saw him lay his
ie tables, and he sat hosel
candle apon the comer af one o
sown but in such a position that He wt just out of my sight
She moved behind him, as T could tell from the fact that the
Tah of her taper threw bis longs INP shadow upon the floor
ion of he. Then he began king 3% this man whom be
mes award, and every word that he said was like a blistering,
dfop of vitriol. He spoke Tow, so that f could not hear it all,
oF [heard L should guess that she would as S09?
but from whi
pave ben lashed witha whip. At ist she said some hot words
reply, but then she was silent, and Be Went OP and on in
ents, mocking voice of his, nagging and insulting and
va ering, unl | wondered that she could bear 1 sand there
terjlence and listen cit. Then suddenly {heard him say 1
ap voce, “Come fiom behind me! Leave go of my collar!
Wnt would you dare to strike me?” There was a sound Tike 2
ton, jsta soft sort of thud, and then T heard im ery out, “My
God, i's blood!” He shuffled with his feet as if he was getting
pad then bs another blow, and he cried out, “Oh, you
devil!” and was quiet, except for a dripping and splashit
ito 9 pt for a dripping and splashing
Tran out from behind my curtain at that, and rushed into
the other room, shaking all over with the horror of it, The old
‘man bad slipped down ia the chair, and his dressing-gown had
rcesup tenders ap
tek Hed withthe old ls stil fixed on his nose, was
ting ve wpon one ie ‘and his litle mouth was open just
Te db oni ot ‘where the blood was coming
fom bat cold til ear it ming wo the floor. She
behind him withthe candle shining ull upon her face. Her
rs |
Scanned with CamScanner SE
i and ber eyes shining, ang
lips were pressed together ing, nd ay
colour bad come into each of Her cheeks. It just wanted ya!
tne br te ost beaut woman Thad OVE seen in gy
‘You've done it now!" said I.
«yes ssid she, in her quiet way, “I've done it now»
svat are you going 19 d0?” I asked. “They hay yy,
for murder as sure as fate.”
“Never fear about me, [have nothing t0 live for, and
doesnot matter, Give mea hand to set him straight in the hay
tis horrible to see him like this!”
I did so, though it tumed me cold all over to touch bin,
‘Some of his blood came on my hand and sickened me
“Now,” said she, “You may as well have the medals sy
one else. Take them and go.”
“J don't want them, 1 only want to get away. I was neve
mixed up with a businesslike this before.”
“Nonsense!” said she. “You came for the medals, and ee
they are at your mercy, Why should you not have them? The
isno one to prevent you.”
Theld the bag still in my hand. She opened the cast at
between us we threw a hundred or so of the medals inle i
‘They were all from the one case, but I could not bring myst
to wait forany more. Then I made for the window, for: the ve
of this house seemed to poison me after what 1 had
and heard, As I looked back, I saw her standing there il
‘graceful, with the light in her hand, just as | had seem her
Ske waved good-bye, and I waved back at her and SPM
into the gravel drive, ia
thank God that can lay my hand upon my HEA og
that havenever done amurder, but perhaps it would
‘fT had been able to read that woman's mind and tt
Mm
“There might have been two bodies in the room instead of one if
{could have seen behind that last smile of hers. But I thought,
of nothing but of getting safely away, and it never entered my
tea how she might be fixing the rope round my neck. Thad not
fnken five steps ou fom the window skirting down the shadow
ofthe house in the way that Ihad come, when I heard a scream
tat might have raised the parish, and then another and another.
“Murder!” she eried. “Murder! Murder! Help!” and her
voice rang out in the quiet ofthe night-time and sounded over
the whole country-sid. It went through my head, that dreadful
cy. Inn instant lights began to move and windows to fly up,
not only in the house behind me, but atthe lodge and in the
stables in front. Like a frightened rabbit I bolted down the
dive, but I heard the clang ofthe gate being shut before I could
reach i Then I hid my bag of medals under some dry fagots,
an tried to get away across the park, but some one saw me
inthe moonlight, and presently I had halfa dozen of them with
dogs ypon my heels. Lerouched down among the brambles, but
these dogs were too many for me, and I was glad enough when
themen came up and prevented me from being tom ino pieces
Tey sled me, and ragged me back to the room fom which
1d come,
“Ye this the man, your Ladyship?” asked the oldest of
theme same wiom {ound out afterwards tobe the butler
soncbhabeenbending overt body. wth erRandkerciet
yes, and now she tured upon me with the Faceoff
f, what an actress that woman was! =
“Yes, yes, itis the very man,” she cried, “Oh,
i ‘man,” she ctied. “Oh, you villain,
Seu crue villain, to treat an old man so!”
‘There was a man there who seemed t
A ‘man there who seemed to be a village
‘onstable, He laid his hand upon my shoulder. 7
“What do you say to that?” said he.
ee
Scanned with CamScanner YP p==——_——
sq was she who did it,” I cried, pointing
sie uel er nnched before mine, et PE Wang,
Come! come! Try another!” said the constable,
of the men-servants struck at me with his fist, Ad
“tll you that I saw her doit She stabbed him iyi,
a knife. She first helped me to rob him, and then she mag
him,
The footan tied to strike me again, but she held,
hand.
“Do not hurt him,” said she. “I think that his punisie,
may safely be left to the law.”
{1 see to that, your Ladyship,” said the constable. "ja,
Ladyship actually saw the crime committed, did you not?
Yes, yes, I saw it with my own eyes. It was horrible
heard the noise and we came down. My poor husband wut
front. The man had one of the cases open, and was filling abt
Jeather bag which he held in his hand, He rushed past usa!
my husband seized him. There was a struggle, and best
him twice, There you can see the blood upon his bands. f=
not mistaken, his knife is still in Lord Mannering’s body’
“Look at the blood upon her hands!” I cried
“She has been holding up his Lordship’s head, yo
rascal,” said the butler.
“And here's the very sack her Ladyship oie
the constable, as a groom came in with the one wi “t
dropped in my fight, “And here are the medals ine
200d enough for me. We will keep him safe here 6°»
to-morrow the inspector and I can take him into Sal
yw PH
“Poor ereature,” said the woman. “For ust
forgive him any injury which he has done me
‘emptation may have driven him to erime? Hi
the vw will give him punishment enough without any reproach
fof mine rendering it more bitter.”
1 could not answer—I tell you, sir, I could not answer,
so taken aback was I by the assurance of the woman. And so,
Seeming by my silence to agree to all that she had said, 1 was
dragged away by the butler and the constable into the cellar, in
which they locked me for the night.
‘There, sir, [have told you the whole story of the events
which led up to the murder of Lord Mannering by his wife
pon the night of September the 14th, in the year 1894, Perhaps
you will put my statement on one side as the constable did
at Mannering Towers, or the judge afterwards at the county
assizes. Or perhaps you will see that there isthe ring of truth in
What I say, and you will follow it up, and so make your name
for ever as a man who does not grudge personal trouble where
justice is to be done, I have only you to look to, sir, and if
you will clear my name of this false accusation, then 1 will
‘worship you as one man never yet worshipped another. But
ityou fal me, then I give you my solemn promise that I will
‘ope myself up, this day month, to the bar of my window, and
fate sean sil core Plague you in Your dreams i
‘one man was able to come back and to haunt another,
‘What ask you to do is very siople, Make inquires about this
ee ar beep ‘history, find out what use she
tree ihe money which as come to he, nd whether
eam sangan Bada have sated om al his you
teen nn whch shows you her eal character, or which
"0 corroborate the story which I have told you,
the mse tat
hat can ely upon sour goodness of
‘Some to the rescue of an ‘innocent man, ~_
Arthur Conan Doyle
Scanned with CamScanner Ce ene (conor of aa ins me
leu cass @
[aera |Coniming ina conse oT acon
iscouragement ox previous faire fe
Siem Wn ner or Wi pa
|death by hanging
Efanping” |The to sound of on who wal any —~
Lee aiocmca aa al =
oe
Boo [etna ager
[Archway A passageway covered by an arch
Seca
Dirt or grease that & ingrained and dat
= remove
"JA two handed, single bladed oar wed to pap
canoe or asm boat
Wil, not cultivated i
The act of motion oF one whe Shu, ma
with a dragging seraping step
[Causing blisters
‘Causing persistent mild pain, ot annoyance _
Involving or easing foment
pi sewed afraid ___
~\A person hired to take the place of anote#
|musterofacompany a,
Marked with, bearing or wearing the ae
—F
Saya
‘mild rebuke or
ba
Working with the toxt
com
18,
'9. How did Lady Man
20.
21, Why did the
prehension check:
|. Do you hold the prisoner guilty? Give reasons for your
answer
Why according to the prisoner is he non-gt
What reward does the prisoner promise?
What glory isthe prisoner talking about?
Who gained the most from the crime?
Why did the prisoner come to the South of England?
Why did bis patience wear out?
‘What happened in “The Willing Mind"?
‘What di Allen tel the prisoner about Mannering Hall?
What did the old Lord bring back after a year of
absence?
- Why did the lady become a silent creature?
‘Why was she the poorest woman in the parish?
. What did the landlord tell the prisoner about Lord
‘Mannering’s bounty?
Why was the prisoner sharin
Judge?
‘Why did the prisoner surrender before his greed?
. How did the prisoner
- How was the
Halt?
Why would the peop
atone in the momin
ty?
gall these facts with the
Bet into the Mannering hall?
Prisoner welcomed in the Mannering
le be reluctant to face
i?
wnering convince the
Fevenge for the Lord?
St id the prisoner observe in the room of
Prisoner turn cold and serious?
‘the prisoner
Prisoner about
f the lady?
LS —— il
Scanned with CamScanner 2.
23,
24.
26.
26.
21.
28,
29.
30,
31
32,
33
34,
35,
36.
SE
What advice did the Indy give tothe prisoneyy
Who intruded when the lady and the prison
alone? i
How did Lord Mannering look like?
‘What conversation took place between
Nes Pl Cen tHe onan
‘Why did the lord andthe Indy continue olive to
‘What kind of relationship is shared by the lo
lady?
‘Why was the lord suspicious?
Recount the conversation between the lord an
Jady. ‘
‘Why was the lord bleedit
‘What was the reaction of the lady after the lord dst
‘What did the lady tell the prisoner to do after the det
of the lord?
‘What did the lady do when the prisoner went outotie
parish?
‘Who captured the prisoner?
‘Why does the prisoner call the lady an ‘actress?
‘What is the prayer of the prisoner before the jude!”
at
rd andi
Detailed Questions
1
Recount in your own words the night of 15° Sepen*
1894 as described by the prisoner of the story
‘Asa student of law, critically examine the saat
the prisoner of the story.
‘What impression do you form about
story?
Describe the character of Lady Mannering: yj
What happened on the night of 14% Septem
the story? att
What is the importance of motive in 8
|
the prisoner of
ri
think the story offers enough of the motive? Explain.
4, Can you predict the verdict that the judge would have
passed? Reason out your answer.
‘speaking Activities
1. Divide the class into small groups and tell them to
discuss the dangers of talking to the strangers. Telk
them to present these views before the class.
2, Divide the class into wo groups and ask them to
present the arguments about whether they believe or
do not believe the story ofthe prisoner.
Writing tasks,
‘Wiite short paragraphs onthe following topics:
+ Disadvantages of tuisting a stranger
+ Advantages of love marriage
4+ Importance of loyalty in relationships
Scanned with CamScanner
oH! yr
a
When wasa very young wif, gave birth toa deste
‘nd camenear to death myself. I recovered strength Ve
‘and my eyesight became weaker and weaker. My bone
‘this time was studying medicine. He was not altogether
tohave achance of testing his medical knowledge 0” m=
began to teat my eyes himself ak
‘My elder brother was reading for his law ol m
One day he came to see me, and was alarmed at my
Sean
re you doing” he said to my husband. “You are
ns ce Yaron cna» gl oa a
nw sh said ily “Why! what can gp door
more than Iam doing? The case is quite a simple one,
theremedies are all well known. / /
Dada answered with scorn: “I suppose you think there is
andiference between you anda Professor in your own Medical
College”
‘My husband replied angrily: Ifyou ever get maried, and
there isa dispute about your wife's property you won't take my
advice about Law. Why, then, do you now come advising me
about Medicine?”
‘While they were quarrelling, I was saying to myself that it
‘as always the poor grass that suffered most when two kings
vent to war. Here was a dispute going on between these two,
and [had to bear the brunt of it
also seemed to me very unfair that, when my family had
given me in marrage, they should interfere afterwards, After
al, my pleasure and pain ate my husband's concern, not theirs.
From that day forward, merely over this trifling matter of
yee the bond between my husband and Dada was strained.
‘To my surprise one afternoon, while my husband was
‘way, Dada brought a doctor in to see ‘me. He examined my
‘368 very carefully, and looked grave. He said that further
‘elect would be dangerous. He wrote out a prescription, and
for the medicine at once. When the strange doctor had
eargynpered my Dada nt to itrtr. Las sure tha oly
‘Would come from the stealthy visits of a doctor.
as surprised at ‘myself for plucking up courage: to
naemlted tha. had always hitherto been aad or na I
* Dada was surprised at my boldness. He kept
|
Scanned with CamScanner silence fora while and then sti 10 me: “Very wey,
Treat call in the doctor any tore, But when the Kt
comes you must take it” ig
Dada then went avay. The medicine came fom
took it bots, powders, prescriptions and allan oe
down the well wi
My husband had been irritated by Dada’s interfere
be began to wet my eyes with greater diligence thane
sie all sorts of remedies. I bandaged my eyes ashe to”
wore his coloured glasses, I putin his drops, I took ag,
powders 1 even dank the eod-iver ol he gave me, hough
gorge rose against it.
Each time he came back from the hospital, he would xg
me anxiously how I felt; and I would answer: “Oh! mm
better” Indeed I became an expert in self-delusion. Wha
found that the water in my eyes was still increasing, 1 woil
console myself with the thought that it was a good thing tot
rid of so much bad fluid; and, when the flow of water iam
eyes decreased, I was elated at my busband’s skill
Butaftera while the agony became unbearable, My esi
faded away, and I had continual headaches day and nigh. 1s
how much alarmed my husband was getting. 1 gathered ine
‘his manner that he was casting about for a pretext to calli!
‘doctor. o I hinted that it might be as well to call one in
That he was greatly relieved, I could see. He calles
English doctor that very day. I do not know what tlk heh
together, but T gathered thatthe Sahib had spoken Very
‘omy husband.
x
He remaine Lome time after the doc”
remained silent for some time ooo
fone. ook hishands in mine, and said: “What 0-7 a
brute that wast Why didn’t you call in an Indian doo
‘ould have been much better. Do you think that
‘etter than you do about my eyes?”
‘My husband was very silent for a moment, and then said
with a broken voice: “Kumo, your eyes must be operated on.”
| pretended to be vexed with him for concealing the fact
fiom me so long. “Here you have known this al the time,” said
{and yet you have said nothing about it! Do you think I am
such a baby as to be afraid of an operation?
[At that he regained his good spirits: “There are very few
men,” said be, “who are heroic enough to look forward to an
operation without shrinking.”
| laughed at him: “Yes, that is so. Men are heroic only
before their wives”
He looked at me gravely, and said: “You are perfectly
right. We men are dreadfully vain.”
J laughed away his seriousness: “Are you sure you can
beatus women even in vanity?”
‘When Dada came, I took him aside: “Dada, that treatment
Your doctor recommended would have done me a world of
‘004; only unfortunately. 1 mistook the mixture for the lotion,
And since the day 1 made the mistake, my eyes have grown
Steally worse; and now an operation is needed.”
Dada said to me: “You were unde band
ie: “You were under your husband's
“ssimen and that is why T gave up coming to visit you,"
"No;"I answered, “In realty,
cordance with your doctor’
poi’ Wt ies we women have to tell! When we are
want's: We (elles to pacify our ehildren;
Tench tel esto pacify the fathers of
ce from this necess
. was secretly treating myself
directions.”
and when we are
ur children, We are
= ,
"deception had the effect of bringing about @ better
=
_Bmesime!
Scanned with CamScanner feting beeen my husband and Dad. Dada bamneg
for asking me to Keep & secret ffOM my hushang. Ct
rregond regretted that he had no ken my brothers
the first. abc
[At st, with the consent of both, an English doct
and operated on my left eye. Tht eye, however, wes
to bear the stain; and the last flickering glimmer of jen
cut. Then the other eye gradually lost itself in dare
Oneday my husband came to my bedside. “cannot
‘tout before you any longer,” said he, “Kumo, itis Tweet
‘ined your eyes.” me
1 felt that his voice was choking with tears, and so i
up his right hand in both of mine and said: “Why! you gj
exactly what was right. You have dealt only with that wish
‘was your very own, Just imagine, if some strange doc bt
come and taken away my eyesight. What consolation soa
have had then’? But now I can feel that all has happened ferte
‘best, and my great comfort is to know that itis at yourhanist
‘have lost my eyes. When Ramchandra found one lotus too fer
swith which to worship God, he offered both his eyes in places!
the lotus. And [hate dedicated my eyes to my God. From non
whenever you see something that is a joy to you, then you! us
deseribe it to me; and I will feed upon your words asa socet
gift left over from your vision.” |
1 do not mean, of course, that I sid allthis he |
then, for itis impossible to speak these things atthe
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