Too Well

Read “Too Well”  after O’Henry

O. Henry, was an American short story writer. His stories are known for their surprise endings.

Miss Carrington was a famous actress. She began her life in a small village named Cranberry. But that was long ago. Now she was to perform the leading part in a new comedy.

A capable young actor Highsmith by name dreamt of being Miss Carrington’s partner in the new play. He said it to the manager. The manager explained to the young actor that if he wanted to play the part he had to persuade Miss Carrington to accept him as her partner. The young actor knew very well that it was a part of a young farmer.

The next day he went to Cranberry where he stayed for three days and gathered much information about the life and the people of that small village. Then he returned and went to a restaurant where the actors usually gathered after the performance.

He saw a small party sitting at the table. The star of the party was Miss Carrington. She noticed a poorly dressed man enter the restaurant. He approached the famous actress, greeted her and told her a lot of interesting news about her relatives and friends from Cranberry.

The way he spoke made her believe every word he said. She was sure he was a farmer. In the end he told the famous actress, that her mother wanted to see her again before she died. Then he gave her a rose he picked up from a bush in front of her house in Cranberry.

Miss Carrington was so touched that she couldn’t help crying. She thanked the young man and invited him to see her again at the hotel before he left the city.

The next morning the young actor, dressed in the latest fashion, went to the hotel. He was sure Miss Carrington would agree him as her partner in the play if he told her everything. To his surprise he was told that Miss Carrington had left to her native village forever. Highsmith realized that he had acted too well.

Vocabulary

сapable – здібний

to persuade – переконувати, умовляти

to accept –  приймати

to approach – наближатися

fashion –  мода

Correct the statements according to the text.

  1. Miss Carington was a young famous actress.
  2. She usually performed small parts in new comedies.
  3. Highsmith refused to perform the leading male part in the comedy.
  4. Miss Carington had to persuade Highsmith to take part in the new comedy.
  5. Highsmith was the star of the actors’ party.
  6. He hesitated what to tell Miss Carington about her relatives and friends.
  7. Miss Carington didn’t believe any Highsmith’s word.
  8. She understood he was a bad actor.
  9. He presented Miss Carington with a bunch of roses.
  10. Highsmith went to the hotel casually dressed.