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 cut 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."
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2 . The Choking Dog
Joanne beat impatiently on the steering wheel of her Mercedes sports car. Now she was stuck in a traffic jam in central Birmingham at 5:30 p.m., and at 6:30 she was expected to hold a meeting of the tennis club.
At last, the traffic was moving, and she switched quickly to the fast lane to get home.After she parked her car, she leapt out of the car and ran for the house. As she opened the door, she almost knocked down Sheba, her dog, who was standing behind it.
She bent down to stroke the large Alsatian dog’s head, “I have to go now.” Sheba was coughing or choking as if she was trying to vomit something. She was obviously in real discomfort, and her sad eyes gazed at Joanne helplessly. Joanne examined the dog closely, and Sheba did look very sick. Joanne realized that it is necessary to take her to the vet immediately. Fortunately, the vet’s surgery is not far. Joanne quickly loaded the coughing and choking dog and took her to the vet.
As soon as she arrived at Dr. Sterne’s place, he brought her immediately into his office.
“Something is stuck in her throat,” said Dr. Sterne.
“Doctor, I have to go back to get changed for an emergent meeting. I’ll be back in ten minutes to pick her up, OK?”
“Sure,” said the doctor.
Joanne hurriedly went back to her home. As she entered the door, the phone rang.
“This is Dr. Sterne. I'm coming with the police. Wait outside for us.” said the doctor with fear in his voice. Joanne was confused and also a little frightened.
When she ran into the street, two policemen were getting out of their car. After briefly checking that she was the owner of the house, they ran into the house, without explaining anything. Joanne was completely confused and very frightened. Then the doctor arrived.
“Where’s Sheba? Is she OK?’’ shouted Joanne.
“She’s fine, Joanne. I extracted the thing which was choking her.”
“Why are the police in my house?”
Just then, the two policemen reappeared from the house, half-carrying a white-faced man who could hardly walk and with blood all over him.
“How did he get in there?”
“I think he must be a burglar,” said the doctor. “I knew he was there because when I finally removed what was stuck in Sheba’s throat, it turned out to be three human fingers. I don’t think he’s a very happy burglar.”
Circle the correct letter of the answer.
1. Why was Joanne impatient at the beginning of the story？
| A．She was lost. |
| B．She had lost a client at work. |
| C．She was stuck in a traffic jam. |
| D．Her dog was sick. |
| A．It was time for Sheba’s checkup. |
| B．The dog couldn’t breathe properly. |
| C．She wanted to get her out of the house. |
| D．The doctor had asked to see her. |
| A．The police arrived. |
| B．The phone rang. |
| C．The dog died. |
| D．A burglar was just escaping. |
| A．stared | B．cried | C．barked | D．laughed |
Direct speech and reported speech
Change the following direct speech into reported speech.
5. “Something is stuck in her throat,” said Dr. Sterne.
Answer questions in complete sentences and in your own words.
6. Use two or three sentences to describe what happened between the dog and the burglar.
7. What are the consequences of burgling?
8. Why did the doctor ask Joanne to wait outside her house?
