secant S00 | ‘The Tell-Tale Heart ‘A young man lives in a room in an old man’s house. But there i something he does not like ‘about the old mar. “How did I first get the idea? Ido not know. But there it was, in my head. T loved the old man. He never hurt me. He was always kkind to me. I did not want his money. Tt was his eye! Yes, that was it The old man had one light ‘blue eye. But it wasnit clear blue. Itwas cloudy, like mill. When this eye looked at me, my blood ran cold. ‘Slowly, the idea grew inside me. 5Cee EE: ao “Lous lhe ld man: thought, and then that tere evil eee lok at eit Now you thnk Lam mad. Butmadien are sup. asnot sad [vas clever an cru made lan and fllowed "Twa ery kn tothe od ann the week before killed him, Every nigh, at about midnight caefily opened his det Soy very slowly «and quiet pat ny head into the room, When my head was in he rom, [opened the ite ovr of my lstern! The ight lon theo mar fe I ll on is ee But heey was alvays coed so could not il hm Td not el ck when the eye was closed. only sick when was open. The ei ee ‘And each morning {went into his room with a sme on nye ‘Did you deep wel” asked him cheerfully Heald not know tat visited him everynight Cn the eighth nigh | was more careful. opened the dor very hwy. Tat night et strong. The old man knew nothing ofmy plan [almost avghed. Suddenly he moved on the bed. Did sop! Di eave the rom? No 1 id. The oom was ack inthe dark. Tne that theo man could see nothing aii nt an aay pen ee srr en 3 alee gun. made ite "Whither he cred and satu in be Linn inating Foran hr ost or Je wating up in bed, ltening. He was growing, more sind Hahext wasbomgiagh> 7 v Then he made a sound: was the sound of error fom a mans heat was ory fo hi. ewan saying ohne was ony the wind. wa ‘a mouse under the bed. It was nothing” i Tevesonly 6 But he did not believe it. He knew that evil was in the room. He did not see my head in the room. But he fel it. T waited a long time. Then I decided to open my lantern. ‘Very, very slowly, Topened it litle. A thin Ine of ight fell on the mans evil eye. ‘The eye was open ~ round and open. I fel sick, I became angry. My blood ran cold through my body. My hands were hhot. My hair stood up on my skin. I did not see the man’ face only saw the eye. Then I heard a sound. I knew that sound: ‘well, Bang, bang, bang. It grew quicker and louder. It was the beating ofthe old maris heart. But I did not move. I kept the light on the eye. felt terror jn my heart at that dead hour of the night. The noise grew louder. BANG, BANG, BANG! “A neighbour will hear, I suddenly thought. ‘This was the time! With a loud shout, I jumped into the ‘room, He screamed, But he screamed only once. I pulled him to the floor. I pulled the bed on top of him. 1 pushed down hard on the bed. I smiled. My heart was happy. “Thave done it” I thought. “The heatt was beating but more quietly now. It beat more slowly. Finally it stopped. The old man was dead. I pulled the bed off him and looked at his body. Yes, he was dead. I placed my hand on his heart, I left it there for some minutes. The heart did not beat. “That eye will never look at me again! I thought. ‘Now you will see that I am not mad. I planned my next moves carefully. I worked quickly and quietly through the night. [pulled up part of the floor and put the body under the floor. I put the floor back and put everything back in its place| finished at about four o'clock. There was no sound. It ‘was as quiet asthe grave. Then someone knocked at the street door. I went to open it with an easy heart. I was not afraid. Three policemen came in, ‘Aneighbour heard a scream during the night; one of them said, ‘Wei like to look around the house! 1 smiled. I was not afraid. ‘Come in’ Lanswered cheerfully Tt was me who screamed, Thad a bad dream. The old man is away inthe country: 1 took my visitors all over the house. I was not worried, Leven took them into his bedroom. I showed them his money. Ik was all there, I brought chairs into the room. ‘Please! Isai. ‘Sit down. Perhaps you are tired: I placed my chair carefully - over the place where the body “The police were happy with my story. made some tea for them, We sat and talked, But then I began to get a headache. | wanted the police to eave. One was telling a story and the others were laughing. I elt ill and there was a noise in my ears, “The noise grew louder. It was a banging noise. I began to talk ‘more loudly. I wanted to hide the noise. And then suddenly [understood - the noise was not in my ears, it was in the ‘What could I do? It was beating noise. It was like a watch, ‘The policemen did not hear it.I talked more quickly. But the noise grew louder. I stood up and walked about. I moved my chair about, My voice got higher. Oh God! What could I do? But the men were still alking and smiling. Was t possible that they couldnt hear it? No, no! They could hear it! They were laughing at my terror! They were playing games with me. [felt that I must seream or die! The noise grew louder! - louder! ~ LOUDER! ‘You evil men; I screamed. ‘Stop this game! Yes, I did it! 1 did it! Pull up the floor. Here, here, ook! He is here! Listen! His horrible heart is beating!”ng edgar Allan Poe (1809-49) ne of Americas mos famcus wits He ted on urhppyfeche was often close to mane fen drunk and ‘lays poor. He worked on magazines and newspapers and wrote science fection bor and detect stores He mared in 183 but is Youn ‘nf deny eleven yeas ate became mad after that es tis own desth was a famaur mystery He was found dunn a bain alimoce in someone ese’ clothes He ced in hospital few dys ate. ACTIVITIES © Undetine the correct words in each sentence. 1 Thecldman / young man tls this story. 2 The young man plan to kil the olé man because he want hi money hates hisbad eye 13 The young man can kl the old man on the fist seven nights because the old man’s eye i closed / pen ‘The ald man thinks he ca hear the Young man /the win. ‘The young man fees happy / angry ater e hls the old man. “he young man puts the old man's body under the lor the bed. ‘The plice come tothe house because they/a neighbour heard a scream. ‘The old man’s money body is under the young men's chal Theyoung man and the police / Only the young man can hear the beating noise. @ Answer the questions. 1 Wy does the young man hate the old man's eye? Because he tires the ees ev 2 Wy can't the young man ki the od man when his eyes closed? 3 Why does the young man say he killed the old man when he doesn't need to? 4 Is the young man mad? Madam Crowl's Ghost A thirteen-yearold git goes away from home to work. Her job is to help her aunt with the ‘old lady who lives at Applewale House 1 was just thirteen years old when T went to work for Madam Crow! at Applewale House. My aunt was housekeeper there. Thad never left my mother or my home before. It was 1 Jong journey. I travelled by public coach to the town of Lexhoe. When it got dark and the moon came up, I began t0 feel nervous ‘Aman with a horse and carriage* met me at Lexhoe. His name was John Mulberry. He helped me into the carriage and he saw my worried face. “Theres cake and tea waiting for you at Applewale House; said Jobn kindly. ‘We soon turned off the main road and drove between two tines ofall, dark trees. And there was Applewale House. It was black and white and it was the biggest house | had ever seen. ter‘My heart was in my mouth, had never met my aunt or r Madan Grobe epn tae ‘aun Kised me when aed She ws al and thin witha te ce and das es Se woe black loves on he Tong hn Rane Nove tl fr your psd my aunt She did sl, ba she wast unin She took ie othe houtkepes oom, Thre wos» lovely fie and Comforts Toe was ea nthe able beter darn ame ee and she worked a Applovale Hee tS wa ey ge tne ended when sete ha ‘St here and hve you pti ee Madan Cow ‘Madan Crone dif ld luge Mrs Wer when my aunt ad gone You ave fo ath er al the tine She tits tofump ine he fio ut of thew And shes Sauces anything ow old & Madam Cow? ask nthe is Wer And bell rbsbly Inetoa handed Mod what ny ob Ms Wer? asked “outa to sit her bedroom an ath he Yn get he foodand ik when hea fort Andi che des anyhing Sty. yousng he bel oul inthis ate ‘Stecanherandsteayelayoussweed Mis Wyre ‘bt shes quite na and secant remember anything Now chil tne orb eee to Ny bedroom yas upti ext 10 the old dy Me Sie belo tn rate Gk Wa opie voter id my aunt. ‘'m going n 1 ‘he’ in a bad mood tonight said Mrs Wyvern. ‘She wont get ready for bed when she’ cross and dficlt ike this. She foing to sleepin her clothes, People say she was very beautiful when she was young. Her dresses are old-fashioned now, but you can see they were expensive! T went to bed. I lay awake and thought about my new life at Applewale House. I didnt like it much. “The next day I mended clothes in my room. I didnt hear 1 sound from Madam Crowls room, I wanted to see the old Jady, but my atin told me to stay in my room. went downstairs for dinner and then my aunt sent me ‘outside for a walk, The gardens around the house were dark and lonely. I thought of home and cried. ‘That evening I sat in my room again. The candles were it and {looked at the pictures in an old book. My door was open fand the door to Madam Crows room was open. And then I hheard her voice forthe frst time. It sounded lke a small bird for animal. I couldn't understand what she said. Then I heard my aunt's voice. “The devil eanit hurt you, madam! said my aunt. ‘God is ‘watching over us! "And then it was quiet again, My aunt came to my door. ‘Madam Crow’ aslep at lst} she said. ‘Dost make any noise untill get back. Im going downstairs for tea’ And she went. T was pretending to look at the pictures in the book, but really 1 was listening, I felt nervous. got up and started to walk around my room. “Then I found myself at Madam Crows door. !looked in and saw a very large bed with curtains all around it.The bed ‘curtains were closed. The room was full of light ~ I counted twenty-two candles, On one wall was the biggest mirror I had ‘ever seen, 8I wanted to see the old lady. I couldnt stop myself. I went ‘quietly up to the bed. I put my hand between the curtains. 1 waited a bit, but everything was as quiet a death. I opened the curtains. There was Madam Crow. She wore fine clothes of silver and red, with gold round her neck and on her fingers. She had a great white wig on her head and high silver shoes on her feet. There was thick make-up on her old lined face. Her Jong fingernails were cut into points. Thad never seen anything like her. I couldnt take my eyes off her. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and sat up. She tured to me and put her feet down on the floor. She was looking right at me, with her face elose up to mine. She had two great ‘glassy eyes, a horrible smile and long yellow teeth ‘She pointed her fingers at me. ‘Why did you say I killed the boy? she screamed at me. I walked backwards away from het. She came towards me, her fingers close to my throat, She was makinga strange sound with her tongue. Her fingers came closer. thought would dieifshe touched sme. I walked backwards into the corner, At that moment my sunt called out and the old lady turned to het. screamed in terror. [ran past the old woman, dovn the stairs and into the housekeeper’ room. Iran into Mrs Wyverns arms. When 1 had stopped crying, I told her my story. She laughed at first. But when I repeated the old ladys question, her fae changed After that, my aunt or Mrs Wyvern always stayed with me in Madam Crow! room. I could not stay there alone. ‘Some days later Mrs Wyvern told me about Madam Crows history ‘About seventy years ago said Mrs Wyvern, ‘Madam Crovl married Squire Crow. The Squire’ ist wife had died the year before and left him a son. This boy was about nine years olda and he could do what he liked. One day he went to the woods, ‘Another day he rode his horse across the country. “Well, one day, he went fishing on the lake. But he never came home. The Squire went out to look for him. He found his son’ hat by the ake, But no one ever saw the boy again. The Squite put up a notice, It said, “Lost boy. Information wanted about Master Crow, He is wearing a green jacket with black buttons. And he has green knife in his pocket.” Madam Crow has got the notice in one of her boxes upstairs I've seen it “Anyway, then Madam Crow! had a son’ Mrs Wyvern poured another cup of tea "Was the Squire sad? I asked, “Well, hei lost one son, but he had a new one. They say ‘Madam Crowl was always at hs side. She didi lt him think about the lost son. And many years later, her son became the new Squire. And then he died. And the present Squire, Squire CChevenix Crowl, is her grandson’ | worked at Applewale House for six months. Then the winter came and Madam Crov ell, She talked and shouted when she was awake, She talked and shouted when she was asleep. Nobody understood what she was saying, but we knew that her heart was not happy. She became very weak and finally she died. All of us at Applewale House went up to Lexhoe Church, where Madam CCrowl was put into her grave, Squire Chevenis, her grandson, was faraway in France and could not get home in time, ‘Afterwards we went back to Applewale House, We could not leave until the Squire came home and paid us. I moved intoa different bedroom. The only furniture wasa bed and a small chair and table. The room looked very empty. ‘The great mirror was brought in from Madam Crow! room and put against the wall, After a few days we heard that the Squire was arriving the next morning. I was not sorry. I ay in bed and thought about my mother, my sister and our cat. The clock sounded midnight. I was wide awake and the room was back. ay with my back to the door, looking at the wall opposite. ‘And then I saw alight onthe wall infront of me. The light made shadows of my bed and the chair. The shadows danced on the wall and the ceiling “The house ison fire!” I thought. I quickly looked over my shoulder. What was it? There was Madam Crowl. Her eyes were as wide as plates, and she looked like the devil. There was a red light all around her, as ifher dress was on fire. She came straight towards me with her pointed nails, I could not move. But she went straightthrough me, like cold air, tothe corner of the room. There she ‘opened a door in the wall. had never seen that door before. She was looking for something, Suddenly she flew round and looked at me with a horrible smile. And then the room went dark. I screamed loudly and ran to my aunt's room. I nearly pulled her door off “Dont be angry! I cried. ‘Tm sorry to wake you ... but Thave just seen Madam Crowl’... ghost!” ‘She took my hand and listened to my story. ‘Dont be afraid’ she said, ‘Did the ghost have a key in its hand?’ I thought for a moment. Yes, a big gold-coloured key? She opened a cupboard and took out a key. “Was it lke this? she asked, with a dark look on her face. “Yes! I said ‘that was it” “The Squire will be here at midday said my aunt. You must tell him about it After that you can go back to your mother! We packed my things in my suitcase. And then Squire CChevenix arrived. He wasa handsome man, about thirty years old. He gave me three pounds to take home. I had earned it. He went to the housekeeper's room with my aunt. Then they called me in. ‘What did you see, child?” he said, smiling. ‘Of course it asa dream. But tell me about it) Told him the story. Afterwards he spoke fo my aunt. “There was a door in the corner of that room, with a ‘cupboard behind it.I remember it. We kept silver in there ‘And this big gold-coloured key opens it. Where did you find this key?" he asked my aunt. ‘Itwas hidden in one of Madam Crowls boxes, under some old clothes; ssid my aunt. ee ‘Come with us, child’ the Squire said to me. ‘We may find some old silver spoons or gold earrings in there!” held my aunts hand very tightly. My heart was in my mouth as we went into that terrible room. The Squire found the shape of a door with a keyhole on the wall. He put the key in the keyhole and pulled the door open. “There was another door behind it. It had no locks and the . and walls. Squire opened it easily, Inside was a narrow floor and ‘We couldnt see anything because itwas so dark. Then my aunt lita candle, The Squire took itand jumped back. “Ha! What’ that? he shouted.looked under his arm. It looked like a monkey in the “Come out, si, cried my aunt. ‘Shut the doo!” "No, no he said, more calmly now. It did not move and he touched it. It fll nto a pile of bones? ‘A dead cat” laughed the Squire. ‘They were the bones at a child. He blew out the candle and pushed the door shut. "Wellcome back and look for gold later’ he said to my aunt. “First let’ give this girl another pound and send her home! Tleft for Lexhoe about an hour later and arrived home in the evening. Inever saw Madam Crow's ghost again. But some ‘yeas later my aunt visited me, She told me the rest ofthe story “The bones belonged to the old Squire’ frst son: she sai, “Madam Crow shut him in that cupboard to die in the dark. No one lived in that part ofthe house in those days. No one beard him shout and bang on the door. When the Squire and looked through the bones, we found some black buttons, ‘a green pocket knife and some pennies! ‘And that is all I have to say about Madam Crow, of Applewale House. 20 ¥ = eta ten ire set tataatcattss gta ceeiericrammicegaateteesnceas \CTIVITIES, @ Ave the sentences tre (7 or fase (F)? 41 The itis very relaxed when she atves at Aplewae Howse forthe fst time. 2 Mrs Wyvern is endl than the gets aut. C) 3 The git's aunt takes her into Madam Crow's bedroom fr the fist time. 4. Madam Crow was not the lost boys mother] 5 The gitisalone when Madam Crow's ghost appear ine cloud of ed ight. 2) e {6 Sauire Cheveni's very angry when he eas the gets story. 7 There ia dead ct inthe cupboard. @ Answer the questions. +1 Why isthe gi so nervous at the bghoing ofthe ston? 2. Why does Madem Crawl need thre people toleok after he? 13 Why does the ghost lead the people inthe house tothe capbowd? “4 How does the Squire know thatthe bones are those of Squire Crow's fst son? aThe Ash Tree This story takes place in a large house in small vilagein te eas of England It startin 1690 ad finishes ify years later Long ago in England people believed in witches." Tey were afraid of them and there were witch trials" across the country. In 1690 there was a witch trial in the small village of CCastringham, in the east of England. The woman on tral in CCastringham was quite rich and she had important friends. Her name was Mrs Mothersole. Her friends tried to save her. ‘They told the court that Mrs Mothersole was a good woman. But the court did not believe them. The court believed the story told by Sir Matthew Fell, who lived at Casringhar Hall. Castringham Hall was a large country house with big gardens and many old trees. One tree was very tll and very Elose to the house. In fact, its branches almost touched the ‘building, Itwasa very old ash tre. Here is what Si Matthew told the court: “On three different evenings I saw Mrs Mothersoe in my gardens. Each time the moon was full and she climbed the old ash tree near my house. She wore only her nightdess and she carried a small knife. She used this knife to cut smallbranches| from the tre. All the time she was talking to herself ‘Each time I tried to catch her. But each time she heard ‘me, By the time I reached the te, she had gone. AILT sae was ‘an animal running across the garden towards the vilage. “The third time I chased the animal tothe village. I went straight to Mrs Mothersole’s house and banged on the door ‘When Mrs Mothersole finally answered the door she was very sleepy and quite cross ‘Sir Matthew did not give ths information happily. He did notreallybelievein witchesandhedid not want Mis Mothersole to die. But he could not explain her strange actions. ‘The court decided that Mrs Mothersole was a witch. ‘A week later she was taken to the nearest town to be hanged by the neck Sir Mathew was there when Mrs Mothersole ded ona wet ‘March morning, Six criminals died with her - they ll looked at the ground and did not speak. Mrs Mothersole, however, ‘was very angry. She had a special message for Sir Matthew. “There will be guests at Castringham Hal! she sid to him ina low voice. aSir Mane hed no es what she meme He thnght he ‘A few days later Sir Matthew and his friend Mr Crome ‘were walking in the garden after a late supper at Castringham Hall, Mr Crome was about to go home, It was half past nine and the moon was full, Sir Matthew suddenly stopped and said, “What was that animal running up the ash tre? ‘tim not sure! said Mr Crome. ‘And I know this sounds silly, but [think it had more than four legs “The next morning Sir Matthew did not come down to breakfast at six o'clock as usual. At seven otlock the hhousekeeper knocked at his bedroom door. There was no answer, s0 she called for help. The gardeners came and pulled ‘open the door, and they found Sir Matthews. He ay on his bed, ‘dead and black. The window was open, but they could not find anything unusual in the room. ‘Mr Crome arrived as soon as he heard the terrible news. [Afterwards he wrote these notes: ‘The door was locked on the inside and the window was open. This was how my friend uswally sept. His evening drink was on a small table. The doctor studied the drink carefully, but he found nothing strange init ‘Because Sir Matthew’ body wasso black, everyone talked of poison, The body was not lying flat on the bed. My friend did not die quietly. The housekeeper tried to wash the body. As soon as she touched it with her hands, she felt a terrible pain in her arms. Her ‘arms hurt afierwards for many weeks and she could not work ‘The doctor and I looked very carefully at my {friends Body. We noted very small hoes in his skin. “That was all we could see. [My friend’: Bible ay on his bedside table. I was very worried and unhappy. I decided to ask the Bible Fyeee {for help. as my grandmother used to do. The answers it gave did not help me. But they may help people in the future to understand the terrible things that had happened. shut my eyes and opened the Bible. I placed my Jinger on the page and then read the words. It said, “Cut it down’ shut my eyes again and opened another page. I ‘put my finger on these words: ‘No one must live here? ‘The third time I found these words: ‘Her young ‘ones also drink blood? About fifty years later, Sir Matthew’ grandson, Sir Richard, came to live at Castringham Hall. He loved building and he decided to make the village church bigger. He wanted to build on some land next tothe church, But there were some graves there. They belonged to criminals and witches. The grave of Mrs Mothersole was there The villagers were very excited. They wanted to see the bonesof the famous witch and many came to watch Her cofin? ‘was brought out ofthe ground. The top was taken of Everyone was amazed when they looked inside It was completely empty. ‘One night soon after Sir Richard slept badly. The wind outside shook the windows noisy: He had a fire in his bedroom because it was co, but the fire smoked badly. ‘The next morning he decided to change rooms. “The room must face the west. It must not be near the servants’ rooms and it must be quiet) Sir Richard told his housekeeper, Mrs Chiddock. ‘There were only two rooms like this. he showed him the first room, “Wstoo small he said. “Well, Si Richard} answered the housekeeper. “There is only one other room I can show you. Its Sir Matthew's room: “Well, put me in there’ he said. "Which way sit?” “But, Sir Richard? cried the housekeeper. ‘Nobody has slept in there for more than fifty years ~ not since Sir Matthew died in there! “Let me look at it} he said. “But we must hurry. We have guests coming today. We have a lot to do! 'So the housekeeper opened the door. Sir Richard went straight to the window to let in some fresh air. And there was the great ash tree. ‘Leave the windows open all day, Mrs Chiddock? said Sir Richard. ‘Move my bedroom furniture in here this afternoon’ a——— — — ~ ‘As they went downstairs, they saw a gentleman atthe front door ~ a stranger. “How do you do, Sir Richard said the gentleman. ‘My name is William Crome. My grandfather was a friend of your ‘grandiathers? "You are very welcome here, Mr Crome! said Sir Richard “Please come and have some coffe’ “T cant stay long, Sir Richard? answered Mr Crome. ‘Tm {going to town this morning, But first I would like to show you these notes ~ I found them in my grandfather's desk? "Him said Sir Richard, after hehad read the notes. ‘like this idea of asking the Bible for advice. Lets ask it now, Mr Crome? He found Sir Matthew's Bible on the shelf and opened it. He placed his finger on the page and read the words: ‘You will look for me in the morning and I will not be there? ‘Oh dear!” laughed Sir Richard, ‘I hope that’s not true!” Later that day Sir Richard’ guests arrived. They had dinner and played cards and then went to bed. ‘The next morning Sir Richard walked in the garden with his guest “L would not like to sleep in that room: said one of the ‘guests, pointing at Sir Richards window. Itis unlucky to sleep near an ash tree, It must be very dark with that tree outside? “That is my room; answered Sir Richard. ‘And I must say | did not sleep well. We are cutting down the tree tomorrow. “What kept you awake?” the guest asked. “The noise of the branches on the window; answered Sir Richard, “There were black lines all over the outside of the ‘window this morning” “But look, Sir Richard; said another guest. “The branches dont reach the window? “What made the strange noises, then?” he sald. 28 | | | ! “Perhaps it was rats said the first guest. “They could easily ‘limb the plants on the outside ofthe house’ “This made Sir Richard feel better. “You must be right} he said. “That night there was no wind or rain, All was quiet ouside. But Imagine we are in Sir Richards bedroom. He is ying in bed with his window open. There is very litle light, but we cam just see him. Something strange is happening. There are round shapes on is bed. They fare moving around, near his head. There is one! It suddenly drops off the bed and quickly disappears through the window. And there is another. Thee are four more ..and then itis quiet again. ‘The next morning, the housekeeper found Sir Richard in his bed - dead and black. The guests and servants all stood together under the window. They looked up atthe old ash tee. [A white cat sat there, It was looking down into a large hole in the tree. It was watching something with great interest. It ‘moved nearer to the hole. Then it fll in. ‘What a terrible noise came out ofthe ash tree! Can a cat scream? This cat certainly screamed. And then came the sound of fighting. The housekeeper covered her ears. Some guests ran away in terror “We must look inside the tre} sald another gues. “The secret of Sir Richards death is inside the ash tree? ‘One of the gardeners climbed up witha lantern. He looked inside, His eyes grew wide with terror and he gave a terrible cry. He dropped the lantern and fell back from the tree. The servants caught him, but he could not speak a word. 2»30 ‘suddenly smoke came out of the tre and then it was on fire. The lantern had fallen inside, onto dead leaves. Everyone stood back. “The ire will drive the “thing” out} somebody sai. And that is what happened. First they saw a round body. It was on fire. It appeared suddenly and then fll onto the grass. It didrit move, One of the guests bravely went closer to it. It ‘was a spider! A spider as big as a maris head. This happened again, five or six more times. As the tree burned down, live spiders began to run out of it. They were all covered in grey hair, The gardeners killed them with their spades.* ‘hfter some time no more spiders came out. Carefully, the ‘men moved closer to the tree and looked inside. There was 4 large hole under the tee. There were more dead spiders in the hole. And there was a human body. The skin was dried on the bones, There was black hair on the head. It was a womans body. She had been dead about fifty years. aSS Montague Rhodes James (1862-1836) aught rms of i te e meeseige omen anthro of tenga Oe | One Summer Night Stan rs see Ghost ses ashy Sey yet ae ata pas ery tres timaren Case Siete eee bees onda eps \ 2Sedsae wen van dan stonay oo eg | Ths story begins among some gravestones in AcTIViTiES 4 eal own somewhere in North America @ Match the two parts ofthe sentences. | 1 Mes Mathersoe is hanged because [2] Sir Matthew does nat come down to breakfast because (1) ‘The vilagers ae amazed because (] Sir Richard doesnot sleep well because [] The gardene falls from the tree because (1) The spiders un out ofthe tree because [] Henry Armstrong lay in his grave, but he did not believe that he was dead. He lay om his back. It was very dark and it was very quiet. He had never seen darkness like this before. He hhad never known a night as quiet as this before. Yes, he was in his grave. No, he was not dead. He was however, very ill. Like many ill people, he was very tired. He | was too tired to worry In fact, he went to sleep. itis on fre. Mes Mothersle's body has gone. he bears strange noises he is dead, people think she is witch he ses someting terrible ea eieialede @ All these messages appear in the story. What do they mean? 1 "There wil be guests at Castingham Hall’ (page 23) 2 “Cutt dow: (page 26) 23. "Her young ones also drink blood! (page 26) 4. You wil ook forme in the morning an Iwill not be there.” (page 28) 3 2sss ae While Henry Armstrong was filling asleep under the ground, something was happening above the ground. It was & dark summer night, Suddenly lines of light jumped across the sky. The gravestones seemed to dance. There was no rain yet, bt a storm was coming. No honest man would walk among, the graves on a night ike this, So the three dishonest men who ‘were neat to Henry Armstrong’s grave felt safe. They each had 1 spade. They were digging up® Henry Armstrong. ‘Two of the men were studying medicine at a college in the town. They wanted a dead body for their studies. It had to be a fresh dead body. The third man was not a student. He was ‘very large and tall. His name was Jes. For many years Jess had worked among the graves. He dug the holes for the graves, cut the grass and watered the flowers. ‘Ahorse and carriage were waiting on the other side of the graveyard wall 1k was not difficult to dig up the grave. Jess had put the cearth in only a few hours before. It was easy to take it out again. They soon uncovered the wooden coffin. They pulled it ‘carefully from the ground, ess took the top off and put it on the ground next to the coffin. And there was the body, in black trousers and a white shirt. ‘At that moment light ran across the sky and thunder crashed above the menis heads, The world shook. And Henry Armstrong suddenly sat up. The three men cried out and ran, One ran north, one ran south and one ran west. Two of them ran as far as they could, They would not return to that ‘graveyard for anything. Jess, however, was a different kind of Later, in the grey morning light, the two students met at college. Their faces were white with terror "You saw it” cried one student. M “Yes. What are we going to do?’ cried the other student. 1t was time for their first lass. They went around to the back of the building. A horse and carriage waited there, “They went into the building. Jess was sitting there, in the dark, He stood up, smiling. “Ym waiting for my money’ he said. ‘There on the table was the dead body of Henry Armstrong, Hs head was covered in blood and earth. Somebody had hit bhim with a spade. 8Ambrose Bierce (1642-19147) was a iseabe man who hates the aoe es bom int a poo fariy- There were thirteen chien, nor names began vt X.Berce fought inthe American Civ Sr ahu srw some terble things-Latet he became a journalist. He wa ima tales of war, err and the Wid West. In 1912 Bee, We ip etic, He never etned, but is death was not recorded ei ody masrever found The ast news of him was alter he posted in Oniuahuan Mexico in 1913 ACTIVITIES. @ Putthe sentences in order. 1 Henry Armstrong sits up in his coffin. C] 2 Jess and the two young men runaway screaming] $3 Henry Armstrong goes to sleep in his grave (I) 4 Jesit wating there with the body of Henry Armstrong, CT 5 The older man Jess, takes the top off the coffin.) 6 The two young men go back to their college. (] 7 They take his coffin out ofthe ground. C {8 Three men start to dig him up. C] @ Answer the question. Fy dont Hey Amstong to get out oF NS Be? 2 Wiis it easy to dig up the body? ‘3 What do the young men want 2 body for? “4 What does Jess do after the young men runaway from the graveyard? 36