Tony gave Claire a new hairstyle and improved her makeup. As he was not
After Twenty Years
The short story “After Twenty Years” is set in New York on a cold, dark night. Most people have left work to go home, and this part of the city is now quiet. A policeman who is checking the area sees a man outside a shop. He goes up to the man and finds he has a scar on his face. They have a chat and the man starts to tell his story.
“Twenty years ago tonight,” said the man, “I dined here at ‘Big Joe’ Brady’s with Jimmy Wells, my best chum, and the finest chap in the world. He and I were raised here in New York, just like two brothers, together. I was eighteen and Jimmy was twenty. The next morning I was to start for the West to make my fortune. You couldn’t have dragged Jimmy out of New York; he thought it was the only place on earth. Well, we agreed that night that we would meet here again exactly twenty years from that date and time, no matter what our conditions might be or from what distance we might have to come. We figured that in twenty years each of us ought to have our destiny worked out and our fortunes made, whatever they were going to be.”
“It sounds pretty interesting,” said the policeman. “Rather a long time between meets, though, it seems to me. Haven’t you heard from your friend since you left？”
“Well, yes, for a time we corresponded,” said the other. “But after a year or two we lost track of each other. You see, the West is a pretty big proposition, and I kept hustling around over it pretty lively. But I know Jimmy will meet me here if he’s alive, for he always was the truest, staunchest old chap in the world. He’ll never forget. I came a thousand miles to stand in this door tonight, and it’s worth it if my old partner turns up.”
(Excerpts from “After Twenty Years” by O. Henry)
1. What was the man doing when the police found him?| A．He was waiting to dine. |
| B．He was wandering aimlessly. |
| C．He was waiting for a person. |
| D．He was going shopping nearby. |
| A．To see the world. |
| B．To make money. |
| C．To avoid a debt. |
| D．To hide himself. |
| A．Their friendship broke up. |
| B．Jimmy didn't want to leave. |
| C．He had a lot to do in New York. |
| D．He wanted to wait for his friend. |
| A．They kept in touch for at least 20 years. |
| B．They met now and then after saying bye. |
| C．Their friendship came to an end after that. |
| D．They had been out of touch for many years. |
