Gender Readings. Top Ten. Ренц Т.Г - 76 стр.

  9          O’HENRY
             WHILE THE AUTO WAITS

       Promptly at the beginning of twilight, came again to that quiet
corner of that quiet, small park the girl in gray. She sat upon a bench
and read a book, for there was yet to come a half hour in which print
could be read.
       To repeat: Her dress was gray, and plain but perfect in style and
fit. A large-meshed veil imprisoned her hat and a face that shone
through it with a calm and unconscious beauty. She had come there at
the same hour on the previous day, and on the day before that; and
there was one who knew it.
       The young man who knew it was waiting near by. His patience
was rewarded, in turning a page, her book sli pped from her fingers
and bounded from the bench a full yard away.
       The young man seized it with great audacity, returning it to its
owner with a look of gallantry and hope. In a pleasant voice, be risked
a simple remark upon the weather — that introductory subject respon-
sible for so much of the world’s unhappiness — and stood by for a
moment, awaiting his fate.
       The girl looked at him over leisurely; at his ordinary neat dress
and his features that showed no particular expression.
       “You may sit down, if you like”, she said, in a full, slow
contralto. “Really, I would like to have you do so. The light is too bad
for reading. I would prefer to talk.”
       He slid upon the seat by her side with politeness.
       “Do you know,” he said, speaking the formula with which park
chairmen open their meetings, “that you are quite the most beautiful
girl I have seen in a long time? I had my eye on you yesterday. Didn’t
know somebody was knocked down by those pretty lamps of yours,
did you, honeysuckle?”
       “Whoever you are,” said the girl in icy tones, “you must re-
member that I am a lady. I will excuse the remark you have just made
because the mistake was, doubtless, not an unnatural one — in your
circle. I asked you to sit down; if the invitation must make me your
honeysuckle, consider it withdrawn”.


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