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Too well

(after OHenry)

Miss Rouse Carrington was a famous actress. She began her life in a little villagenamed Cranberry. ut that was long ago. !ow she was at the height of her fame" and in

the coming season was to #erform the leading #art in a newly$written comedy. ut was to#erform the male character in the #lay%

One day a ca#able young actor by the name of Highsmith called on Mr. &imothy

'oldstein" the manager. Highsmith dreamed of being Miss Carringtons #artner in the new

#lay.

My boy" said the 'oldstein" ta*e the #art if you con get it. Miss Carrington does not

want to listen to any my suggestions. She says that all our best actors wont do. +ou

*now it is the #art of a young farmer. She wants something genuine" a real imitation ofcounty manners. ,f you want to #lay the #art" you must convince Miss Carrington. , wish

you luc*" my boy.!e-t day Highsmith too* the train for Cranberry. He remained there for three days. He

found Miss Carringtons family and collected many facts concerning life and #eo#le at

Cranberry. &hen he returned to the city.

&hat same night a small #arty was sitting at a table in one of the restaurants whereactors used to gather when #erformance was over. &he star of that small #arty was Miss

Carrington gay " ha##y" at the height of her fame.

/t half #ast twelve a #lain$dressed fla-en$haired youth entered the restaurant. He

seemed very shy and aw*ward. &he moment he entered he u#set a chair" and sat

aw*wardly in another one. He loo*ed shyly around" and then suddenly saw Miss

Carrington. He rose and went to her table with a shining smile on his face.

How are you" Miss Rose%" he said. 0ont you remember me1ill Summers1theSummers that lived near the blac*smiths sho#% , thin* , have grown a little since you left

Cranberry. 2li3a 4erry told me , might see you in the city while , was here" he went on"

+ou *now" 2li3a married enny" and she says5

+ou dont say so6 interru#ted Miss Carrington. 2li3a 4erry is married6

She married in 7une" 'rinned the young man" and the youngest of the 8alton girls

ran away with a music teacher last arch. Matilda Hoc*ins died from #ric*ing her fingerwith a needle" and &om is courting Sally.

+ou dont say so6" e-claimed Miss Carrington. 2-cuse me a while" gentlemen" this is

an old friend of mine. Come here" Mr.5 8hat is your name% Oh" yes" Mr. Summers1,

shall call you illy" may ,% Come here illy" and tell me some more.

She led him to an isolated table in a corner. She sat down in front of him and laid her

chin u#on her hands., dont recollect any ill Summers" she said thoughtfully" ga3ing straight into the

innocent blue eyes of the rustic young man.

Miss Rouse" said he , called on your family 9ust two or three days ago.

How is ma% as*ed Miss Carrington.

Highsmith understood that a bit of #athos was necessary.

She is older than she was" Miss Rouse. 8hen , saw her last she was sitting at the door

and loo*ing at the road.illy" she said" ,m waiting for Rosie. She went away down that road and something

tells me that she will come bac* that way again. 8hen , was leaving" the young man

:

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went on" , too* this rose from a bush by the front door" , thought , might see you in the

city and , *new that you would li*e to have something from Cranberry.

Miss Carrington too* the rose with a smile" and got u#. Come to the hotel and see me

before you leave city" she said. ,m awfully glad to see you. 8ell" good night. ,m a little

tired. ,ts tune to go to bed. 8hen she had left the restaurant" Highsmith a##roached

'oldstein" the manager.,t was a brilliant idea" said the smiling actor" ,m sure , shall get the #art in that #lay.

Miss Carrington will have to confess that my #erformance was genuine" and that , was agood actor.

, didnt hear your conversation" said 'oldstein" but your ma*e u# and acting were

O.;. Heres to your success6 Call on Miss Carrington early tomorrow" tell her all" and ,

ho#e that she will agree to ta*e you as her #artner in the #lay.!e-t morning Mr. Highsmith" handsome" dressed in the latest fashion" called on Miss

Carrington at the hotel. ,s Miss Carrington at home% he as*ed the maid.

Miss Carrington has left" the maid answered" and will not come bac*. She has

cancelled all her engagements on the stage" and has returned to live in that1what do you

call that village% Oh" yes"$$ Cranberry.

Highsmith understood that he had acted too well.

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Exercises

I. !"# $#! $% #&%

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KLTDG U>ID?BL[ UD @>?@[ >YAB ABA UBIA?\ID[ ?BADEF>> UDPIBLB?@>[P>I>N>?T@> B?>IJ[ DVJY?D DV@IB@[ UIDAD DP>AJG[ D? TB=BE =BA>?Y@NJ @

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II.*+&+, -( +#,!& # /&%!# +/. 0&!' $

+#&1!( && &% 2+ "+3&&% /!( 4 3!&5)

^. She began her life5

_. One day a ca#able young actor5

`. She wants something5. !e-t day Highsmith5

. &he same night a small #arty5

. &he moment he entered5

:. 2li3a 4erry told me5

. She led him to an isolated table5

. 8hen , saw her last she 5

^. 8hen , was leaving" ,5^ . Come to the hotel and5

^_. ,t was a brilliant idea5

III.*+1 ' ,/3( $ #& #&&&'!( ' #6'7)

^. a famous actress[ to #erform the leading #art[ dreamed of being Miss

Carrington #artner[ must convince[ collected many facts[ returned to the city.

_. sed to gather[ the star of that small #arty[ a #lain$dressed fla-en$hair youth[u#set a chair[ how are you%[ , have grown a little[ you dont say so[ an old

friend of mine[ an isolated table.

`. Recollect , called on your family[ ma[ was sitting at the door[ , am waiting for[

, too* this rose from a bush[ a little tired[ a brilliant idea[ she will have to

confess[ she didnt guess[ he called on Miss Carrington[ she will agree[

handsome[ cancelled all her engagements[ Highsmith understood.

IV. 8+/ &"# # !&"# & #369% 3+1!(%. *+

!&-7&%& +, !+! +!. :,/3 +1!()

Im afraid thats wrong. D]" YAD AD ?>N>I?D.

Thats not quite true to the fact. AD ?> DN> DDAN>AANK>A jBTAK.

Thats (quite) right. kDN>IQ>??D N>I?D.

According o the story kDB?D IBTB=K5

^. Miss Carrington lived in a small town named Cranberry._. She was a good actress" and she wanted to #lay a leading #art in a newly written

comedy.

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`. Highsmith" the young actor" was to #erform the male character in the #lay.

. Highsmith collected many facts concerning life and the #eo#le at the village where he lived.

. /t half #ast twelve a young handsome man entered the restaurant.

. ,m Mr. Highsmith"$ the #lain$dressed youth said to Miss Rosie.

:. 8hen , was leaving "$ the young man went on"$ your mother too* tills rose from a bush by

the front door.

. !e-t morning Mr. Highsmith called on Miss Carrington at her hotel.

V.;, ! &+&. ?@ BNADIB[

_. DA @>?@ BG@AB[

`. DA @>?@ DK=@ BII@?AD?" BTAI@J.