William Sydney Porter, popularly known as O.Henry, the master of American short stories, has a peculiar skill in bringing characters from all the realms of the society into his works. His richly applied wit, well arranged wordplay and vivacious characterization are the major characteristics of O.Henry stories. The surprising climax of his short stories even formed a phrase regarding short stories called ‘O. Henry Twist’. Each character is clearly illustrated in his stories, given attention to the minutest details of the character and as a result there is a photo reality portrayal of fictional persona. Unlike the European ancestors of short story writing, O.Henry chooses his characters from a variety of social classes, ranging from rich ladies to poor maids, from policemen to vagabonds. The Gift of the Magi and The Cop and the Anthem are perfect examples for this.
Schools and Schools is about a naïve rich class girl who, unlike the custom of those days, cannot really fit into the ‘fashion’ of upper class lifestyle. Nevada Warren couldn’t get a school education or training in a finishing school because of her irresponsible father. Dealing with the challenges of a modern city like New York is a Herculean task for her. Warren is sent to her rich uncle Jerome by her father who couldn’t support her, from some undeveloped Latin American town. As soon as she steps into the modern New York life, she realizes that, to win the game of life in the city, she needs to know the art of pretension and lying in addition to her innocent charm and beauty. She tries hard to hide the fact that she can’t read or write in front of her uncle, Barbara- uncle’s step niece and Gilbert-his adopted son with whom later she would develop an affection. For this, Nevada has to pretend that she is not at all interested in the letters sent by Gilbert and allows the curios and jealous Barbara who had a liking towards Gilbert to open them and read aloud. To this Nevada gives a very convincing excuse that “Nobody writes me anything that everybody mightn’t read”.
The title of the story ‘Schools and Schools’ clearly indicate the lack of schooling of which Nevada is most ashamed. She is afraid of her uncle, Barbara and more than anyone, Gilbert finding out of her lack of education, something all young girls of her age were supposed to have.

Barbara is Nevada’s rival in everything- in education, accomplishments, wealth and, most of all, being a potential bride to Gilbert. Hence Nevada has no choice than acting as a well-schooled lady in order to keep up with the Joneses. That is why she pretends to enjoy the theatre, automobile ride, acts like a connoisseur of leather gloves and doing other typical upper class activities. But deep down she is a sensible and honest woman with her natural charm and childish innocence.
The title ‘Schools and Schools’ can also mean the two different schools of lives where Nevada and Barbara are trained. In ‘Schools and Schools’, the first school could be the the way of life of simple, innocent and honest people from the rural- the natural school of life, of country sides. It may mean working class values where money and prestige aren’t deciding factors for one’s love for another. The second school is where the ‘civilized and educated’ upper class people get trained for life. In their urbanised way of life young women in society have to get educated in order to become suitable candidates for marriage. This includes training in a finishing school for embroidery or piano lessons, learning multiple languages and etiquette which are necessary to have a social standing for a young woman in society. These accomplishments will eventually help these young women to hunt down a rich man to marry them. Marrying a man of means was crucial for a young woman those days since women didn’t have the right for property unless they were married. Barbara is trained in this school- the establishment which prepares young women to be the ideal wife material for rich men.

However Barbara’s expensive education doesn’t reflect in her character. She shows her unrefined persona when she decides to plot against Nevada. Barbara can read from Nevada’s face that she cannot read or write. So, she finds this as an opportunity to create a dispute between Gilbert and Nevada by smearing on Gilbert’s character. The spontaneous lie she could produce after reading Gilbert’s letter is a proof to Barbara’s evil character. Her school education and extra reading in Jerome’s library do not make her a compassionate woman of elegance and class. By this the author points out that character formation has to be attained by the company of good people and careful rearing. This lack of character is the one which makes Barbara a hypotenuse of the love triangle of she herself, Nevada and Gilbert. Believing what Barbara said about the letter, Nevada runs to Gilbert’s studio in the middle of the night, in a terrible snow storm in order to help him, thinking that he might be ill and needed her help. This shows the commitment of Nevada to Gilbert and her boldness to leave the house in a wrong time, risking her image in the society. A young woman of her class seen in the street at night could easily ruin her reputation in society in those days. Her unconditional love towards Gilbert wins his heart and at that very moment he decides to marry her.
The ending of the story, with the famous ‘O.Henry Twist’ is also a lesson to the readers. It shows how wise Gilbert is in his decision to marry such an innocent girl to treasure her for the rest of his life. Even when Gilbert knows that Nevada could be easily taken advantage of due to her innocence, he remains a gentleman and asks her to marry him. The story can be an indirect way of critiquing a society which was plagued by the loveless marriages rooted in money and class in the then American society.
Schools and Schools begins with a detailed sketch of old Jerome, misleading the readers to think that he might be the central character. This is another specialty of O.Henry stories. Nevada becomes the protagonist of the story sooner and the story moves around her. Manipulating the readers with such a clever shifting of focal points is a part of the art of short story writing. Conjuring up other characters along with the major characters and portraying them with utmost care is also one of O.Henry’s many skills. There is a universality in his stories, teaching the readers the importance of genuine relationships and unconditional love between men and women. That is why every story written by O.Henry is still read and praised by millions even today.

УДК 811.111(075) ББК 81.2Англ-93 Г34

Серия «Английский клуб» включает книги и учебные посо­бия, рассчитанные на пять этапов изучения английского языка: Elementary (для начинающих), Pre-Intermediate (для продолжающих первого уровня), Intermediate (для продолжающих второго уровня), Upper Intermediate (для продолжающих третьего уровня) и Advanced (для совер­шенствующихся) .

Серийное оформление А. М. Драгового

Г34 Рассказы [= Stories] / О. Генри; адаптация текста, коммент. Г. К. Магидсон-Степановой; упражнения А. Е. Хабенской. - М.: Айрис-пресс, 2012. - 160 с.: ил. - (Английский клуб). - (До­машнее чтение).

ISBN 978-5-8112-4664-9

Настоящий сборник состоит из адаптированных рассказов американ­ского писателя О. Генри. Текст рассказов несколько сокращен, а трудные слова и выражения заменены на общеупотребительные. Каждый рассказ сборника снабжен постраничным комментарием, а также упражнениями, направленными на проверку понимания текста, отработку лексики и грам­матических правил, развитие устной речи.

Книга предназначена для учащихся 10 классов средних школ, гимназий, лицеев.

ББК 81.2Англ-93 УДК811.111(075)

© ООО «Издательство «АЙРИС- пресс», оформление, адаптация, комментарий, упражнения, 2003

Isbn 978-5-8112-4664-9 the count and the wedding guest

Andy Donovan was a boarder at Mrs. Scott’s board­ing-house.

One evening he came to dinner and Mrs. Scott intro­duced him to a new boarder, a young girl, Miss Conway.

Miss Conway was small and quite simple. She wore a plain brown dress. After the introduction she did not speak to Andy Donovan. She sat looking at her plate and he forgot Miss Conway almost at once.

Two weeks later Andy was sitting on the front steps of the boarding-house, smoking a cigar. Suddenly somebody came out. He turned his head ... and his head turned. 1

Miss Conway was coming out of the door. She wore a beautiful black dress and a beautiful black hat. Her shoes and her gloves were black too. Her rich golden hair, and her large grey eyes made her almost beautiful. She stood looking above the houses across the street up into the sky. Her eyes were sad. All in black, and that sad far-away look 2 and the golden hair shining under the black veil...

Mr. Donovan threw away his unfinished cigar.

“It’s a fine, clear evening, Miss Conway,” he said. “Yes, it is,” answered Miss Conway, “but not for me, Mr. Donovan.”

“I hope none of your family is 1 ...” said Andy.

Miss Conway was silent. At last she said:

“Not my family. Death has taken from me somebody who was very, very dear to me... Now I am alone in the world. And I have no friends in this city.”

Andy Donovan did not ask any more questions 1 and their conversation came to an end.

The more Andy thought of Miss Conway the more he was sorry for her. 2 Once he said to her at table:

“It’s hard to be alone in New York. You should go out 1 sometimes to forget your trouble. Do you wish

to take a walk in the park, Miss Conway? If you allow me...”

“Thank you, Mr. Donovan,” said Miss Conway. “I shall be very glad to have your company. You are very kind.”

While walking 2 in the park Miss Conway told Andy her sad story.

“His name was Fernando Mazzini and he was an Ital­ian Count. He had a lot of land and a villa in Italy. We were going to get married 1 next spring. Fernando went to Italy to make his villa ready for us. After he left I came to New York to get a job. Three days ago I re­ceived a letter from Italy. It says that Fernando is dead. He was killed in a gondola accident.

“That is why I am wearing black. That is why I am always sad. I cannot take an interest in anybody. 1 If you wish to walk back to the house, Mr.Donovan, let’s go.” Andy Donovan did not wish to walk back to the house.

“I’m very sorry 2 ,” he said softly. “No, we won’t 3 go back to the house, not yet 1 . And don’t say that you have no friends in this city, Miss Conway. I’m very, very sor­ry for you. And you must believe that I’m your friend.”

“I have a small photograph of him with me,” said Miss Conway. “I have never shown it to anybody. But I will show it to you, Mr. Donovan, because I believe that you are my friend.”

Mr. Donovan looked at the photograph with much in­terest and for a long time. The face of Count Mazzini was an interesting one 1 . It was a clever face of a strong man.

“I have a larger photo of him in my room,” said Miss Conway. “When we get back to the house I’ll show it to you. I look at it many times a day 2 . He will always be present in my heart. 3 ”

When they came into the hall of the boarding-house she ran up to her room and brought down a big photo­graph of the dead man.

“A fine-looking man,” said Donovan. “I like his face very much. Miss Conway, may I ask you to come to the theatre with me next Sunday?”

A month later they told Mrs.Scott that they were going to get married. But in spite of 4 this Miss Conway continued to wear black.

One evening Mr. Donovan and Miss Conway were sit­ting in the park. It was a fine clear night. The moon shone brightly on the green leaves. Everything around them was very beautiful. But Donovan was silent. He had been so silent all day that Miss Conway at last de­cided to ask him a question.

“What is the matter 1 , Andy?”

“Nothing, Maggie.”

“But you never looked so unhappy before. What is it?” “It’s nothing much 2 , Maggie.”

“I want to know, Andy. I am sure you are thinking about some other girl. Well, why don’t you go to her if you love her? Take your arm away 3 , please!”

“All right, I’ll tell you,” said Andy. “I have a friend. His name is Mike Sullivan. Do you know him?” “No, I don’t,” said Maggie. “And I don’t want to know him if you are so unhappy because of 4 him.”

“He is a good friend, Maggie,” continued Andy. “I saw him yesterday and I told him I was going to get married in two weeks 5 . ‘Andy,’ says he, ‘I want to be present at your wedding. Send me an invitation and I’ll come.’”

“Well, why don’t you invite him then if he wants so much to come?” said Maggie.

“There is a reason why I can’t invite him,” said Andy sadly. “There is a reason why he must not be present at our wedding. Don’t ask me any more ques­tions now, because I can’t answer them.”

“You must! You must tell me everything,” said Maggie. “All right,” answered Andy. “Maggie, do you love me as much as you loved your ... your Count Mazzini?”

He waited a long time, but Maggie did not answer. Suddenly she turned to him and began to cry.

“There, there, there! 1 ” repeated Andy. “What is the matter now?”

“Andy,” said Maggie at last, “I have lied to you, and you will never marry me. You will never love me any more. But I feel that I must tell you everything. Andy, there was no count in my life. There was nobody who loved me in all my life. All the other girls always talked about love and marriage. But nobody loved me. Nobody wanted to marry me. So at last I thought of a plan.

went to a photographer and bought that big photo which I showed you. He also made a small one for me. Then I invented that story about the Count and about the gondola accident so that 2 I could wear black. I look well in black, and you know it. But nobody can love a liar. And you will now leave me, Andy, and I shall die for shame 3 . You are the only man I loved 4 in my life. That’s all.”

But instead of leaving her 5 , Andy put his arms about her 6 and looked into her face. She looked up and saw how happy he was.

“Can you ... can you forget it, Andy?” she asked.

“Of course, I can,” said Andy. “I’m glad you have told me everything, Maggie.”

They were silent for some time. Then Maggie said: “Andy, did you believe all that story about the Count?” “Well, not all of it 1 ,” said Andy, “because the pho­tograph you have shown me is the photograph of my friend, Mike Sullivan.”

? Checking Comprehension

1 Make the right choice.

Say whether the statement is true or false. Correct

The story took place in one of the boarding ­houses of Italy.

Fernando Mazzini owned this boarding-house.

Miss Conway was wearing black clothes because she looked very attractive in black.

When Andy Donovan was introduced to Miss Conway, his head turned.

Miss Conway and Andy spent time together walk­ing in the park.

When they decided to get married, Miss Conway told Andy her sad story.

Andy recognized his friend in the photograph and got upset.

Miss Conway turned out to be a liar.

Andy forgave Miss Conway because he loved her.

Andy and Miss Conway invited Fernando Mazzini to their wedding.

Put the sentences in the right order.

She told him her sad story.

Two weeks later Andy noticed how beautiful Miss Conway looked.

Andy Donovan stayed at Mrs. Scott’s boarding­ house.

He was very sorry for her and invited her for a walk with him.

Once he was introduced to a new boarder, Miss Conway.

A month later Andy and Miss Conway decided to get married.

Miss Conway began crying and confessed that she had invented the story about Count Mazzini.

She was all in black and he thought somebody in her family might have died.

Andy told Miss Conway that his friend wanted to be present at their wedding.

When they got back to the house, Miss Conway showed Andy a photograph of a fine-looking man.

Andy told Miss Conway that the photograph she had shown him was a photograph of his friend.

But Andy could not invite his friend to their wedding.

Andy assured her that he was her friend.

Answer the following questions.

How many persons are mentioned in this story? Who are they?

In what kind of a place are they staying?

Where does the introduction take place?

What time of day is it?

How is the girl dressed all the time?

What covers her head?

What does she tell Andy while walking in the park?

In what way does she look beautiful?

Who comes out when Andy is sitting on the front steps of the boarding-house?

What effect does this have on Andy?

What colour is the girl’s hair?

How does Andy feel about what he has been told?

How much do they talk on the first day?

What takes place in the end?

What did Miss Conway badly need?

What did she do to draw Andy’s attention to herself?

What does Andy do instead of leaving her?

What tells you that Miss Conway isn’t a liar?

Working with Vocabulary and Grammar

Say what the italicized words mean.

Andy and Miss Conway were boarders at Mrs. Scott’sboarding-house.

She was wearing a black hat with a black veil.

It was a photograph of a fine-looking man.

She said that she had lied to him.

Nobody can love a liar.

Miss Conway said that she would be glad to have his company.

Say which noun goes with which adjective in this story. Use them in the situations from the story.

Fill in the gaps with prepositions.

Mrs. Scott introduced Andy Donovan ___ a young girl.

Seeing Miss Conway coming ____ the house Andy Donovan threw ___ his unfinished cigar.

Andy was sorry ___ the girl.

Miss Conway was standing the steps look­ing ___ the houses ____ the sky.

She thought she was alone ____the world.

Their conversation came _____ an end.

Andy invited Miss Conway to go ____ to forget her trouble.

Miss Conway said Fernando had been killed a gondola accident.

Miss Conway said she could not take an interest ______anybody.

They came ____the hall, she ran ____her room and brought ____a photograph ____ the dead man.

She thought he would leave her, and she would die __shame.

But instead ___leaving her, Andy put his arms___her and looked___ her face.

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense form.

The new boarder (to be) a small and simple girl, and he (to forget) her at once. But once he (to see) her (to dress) in a beautiful black clothes with her golden hair under a black veil, and his head (to turn). He (to be) sorry to know about her trouble. To forget it he (to invite) her for a walk in the park. She (to say) she (to be going) to get married soon, but her beloved (to be killed) in an accident, and she (to be) quite alone in the world. Andy (to assure) her that she (not to be) alone, he (to be) her friend. Miss Conway (to invent) this story so that she (can) wear black. Black (to be) a good colour for her. She (to say) nobody (to love) her, nobody (to want) to marry her. But she (to want) to be loved and get married. She (to say) he (to be) the only man she (to love). But now she (to be afraid) that he (to leave) her and she (to die) for shame.

Discussing the Story

Andy Donovan forgot Miss Conway immediately after the introduction.

his head turned when he saw Miss Conway com­ing out of the door.

Andy Donovan was sorry for Miss Conway.

Andy invited her to take a walk in the park.

Miss Conway showed Andy the photograph.

Andy looked at the photograph with much inter­est and for a long time.

Miss Conway continued to wear black after she and Andy had decided to get married.

Andy could not invite his friend for the wedding.

Miss Conway began to cry.

Miss Conway invented that story.

Miss Conway was lonely.

Andy Donovan was a kind-hearted man.

Andy and Miss Conway loved each other.

Add more information to these:

He turned his head ... and his head turned.

Once he invited her to take a walk in the park.

She told Andy her sad story.

He looked at the photograph.

He was so silent all day that she decided to ask him a question.

He asked her if she loved him as much as she had loved Count Mazzini.

There was nobody who loved her in all her life.

Make up and act out the talk between:

Andy and Miss Conway (on the steps of the boarding-house).

Andy and Miss Conway (after she told him her story).

Andy and Miss Conway (a month later sitting in the park).

Imagine that you are:

Introduce Andy to a new boarder.

Say what you think of a young girl.

Say what you think of Andy Donovan.

Say how you took the news of their wedding.

Miss Conway. Say why:

you had come to New York;

you didn’t talk to Andy after the introduction;

you invented your sad story.

Andy Donovan. Say why:

you didn’t pay any attention to Miss Conway first;

your head turned when you saw her all in black;

you invited her for a walk;

you were happy with her.

What do you think?

Do you think Miss Conway invented her story be­cause she wanted to draw Andy’s attention to her­self or because she had loved him already, or do you have your own idea about it? Give reasons.

Do you think Andy knew the truth from the very beginning or it came out later? Give rea­sons for your answer.

Where do you think they had their wedding: at the boarding-house, at a fine restaurant, or some other place? Give reasons for your choice.

What kind of wedding do you think this one to have been?

What do you know about boarding-houses (meals, rooms, space, accommodation, and kind of people staying there)?

How do you think Miss Conway and Andy earn their living?

On the glass door of the office were the words: “Robbins & Hartley, Brokers”. It was past five, and the clerks had already gone. The two partners - Robbins and Hartley - were going to leave the office too 1 . Rob­bins was fifty; Hartley - twenty-nine, serious, good- looking and nervous.

A man came in and went up to Hartley.

“I have found out where she lives,” he said in a half-whisper. Hartley made a sign of silence to him 2 .

When Robbins had put on his coat and hat and left the office, the detective said:

“Here is the address,” and gave Hartley a piece of paper. There were only a few words on it.

Hartley took the paper and read: “Vivienne Arling­ton, No.341, East Tenth Street.”

“She moved there a week ago,” said the detective. “Now, if you want to know more about her, Mr. Hartley, I can try to find out. It will cost you only seven dollars a day. I can send you a report every day.”

“Thank you,” said the broker. “It is not neces­sary. I only wanted the address. How much shall I pay you? 3 ”

“One day’s work,” said the sleuth. “Ten dollars will be enough.”

Hartley paid the man, sent him away and left the of­fice. He went to find the address written on the paper the sleuth had given him. It took him about an hour to get to the place. 4 It was a new building of cheap flats. Hartley began to climb the stairs. On the fourth floor he saw Vivienne standing in an open door. She invited him inside with a bright smile. She put a chair for him near the window, and waited.

Hartley gave her a friendly look 1 . He said to himself that she was a nice girl and dressed in good taste.

Vivienne was about twenty-one. She was of the Saxon type. Her hair was golden. Her eyes were sea-blue. 2 She

wore a white blouse and a dark skirt - a costume that looks well on any girl, rich or poor 1 .

“Vivienne”, said Hartley, “you didn’t answer my last letter. It took me over a week to find your new address. Why did you take no notice of my letter? 2 You knew very well that I wanted very much to see you and talk to you!”

The girl looked out of the window, thoughtfully.

“Mr. Hartley,” she said at last, “I don’t know what to say to you. The more I think of your offer - the less

I know 3 what to answer you. I understand you are do­ing it for my happiness. Sometimes I feel that I should sау 4 yes. But at the same time 5 I don’t want to make a mistake. I was born in the city and I am afraid I shall not be happy in the country 3 .”

“My dear girl,” answered Hartley, “I have told you many times that my house is situated only a little way from 4 the city. I have also promised to give you every­thing that you want. You will be able to come to the city, to go to the theatres and to visit your friends as often as you wish. Do you believe that?”

“Yes, of course I believe you,” she said, turning her beautiful eyes on him with a smile. “I know you are a very kind man. The girl that you will get - will be

a lucky one 1 . I found out all about you when I was at the Montgomerys’ 2 .”

“Ah,” cried Hartley, “I remember well the evening I first saw you at the Montgomerys’. Mrs.Montgomery told me so much about you that evening. And she made no mistake. I shall never forget that supper. Come with me, Vivienne! Promise me! I need you so much. You will never be sorry for coming to me. 3 No one will give you a home as good as mine.”

The girl said nothing.

Suddenly an idea came into his head.

“Tell me, Vivienne,” he asked, looking at her, “is there another - is there someone else 4 ?”

The girl blushed and answered very quickly:

“You shouldn’t ask that, Mr. Hartley. But I will tell you. There is another - but he has no right - I have promised him nothing.”

“His name?” demanded Hartley.

“Rafford Townsend!” exclaimed Hartley angrily. “Where did you meet that man? I have done so much for him! How could he!”

“His car has just stopped at the house,” said Vivi­enne, looking out of the window. “He is coming for his answer. Oh, I don’t know what to do!” The bell rang. Vivienne hurried to open the door. “Stay here,” said Hartley. “I will open the door myself.” Townsend was surprised to see Hartley.

“Go back,” said Hartley.

“Hullo!” said Townsend. “What’s up? 1 What are you doing here, old man?”

“Go back,” repeated Hartley. “The Law of the Jun­gle. 2 She is mine.”

“I came here to see her on business 3 ,” said Townsend bravely.

“Don’t tell me any lies 4 ,” said Hartley, “go back!” Townsend left very angry. Hartley returned to the girl.

“Vivienne,” he said, “I need you very much. Stop playing with me!”

“When do you need me?” she asked.

“Now. As soon as you are ready to go.”

She stood quietly and thought for a short time.

“Do you think for one moment,” she said, “that

shall enter your house while Helen is there?”

Hartley did not expect that. At first 5 he did not know what to say.

Then he said bravely: “She will have to go. 6 She is making my life miserable. I have never had a peaceful day since she came to my house. But this is the end. You are right, Vivienne, Helen must be sent away before

can take you home. She must go. I have decided. I will turn her out.”

“When will you do this?” asked the girl.

“To-night,” said Hartley. “I will send her away to­night.”

“Then,” said Vivienne, “my answer is ‘yes’. Come for me when you wish.”

She looked into his eyes and smiled. Hartley was happy, but he was afraid to believe her.

“Promise me,” he said, “on your word of honor 1 .”

“On my word of honor,” repeated Vivienne softly.

At the door he turned and looked at her happily. “Tomorrow,” he said.

“Tomorrow,” she repeated with a smile.

It took Hartley an hour and forty minutes to get to his home in the country.

The door was opened by a young woman who kissed him as he came in.

“Mother is here,” she said. “She came to dinner, but there is no dinner.”

“I’ve 2 something to tell you,” said Hartley, “some news.”

“What kind of news 3 ,” asked the woman, “good or bad news?” He whispered something in her ear. Hart­ley’s wife screamed. Her mother came running into the hall. His wife screamed again - it was a happy scream, very happy.

“Oh, Mother,” she cried, “what do you think? Vivi­enne has agreed to come and cook for us! She is the

cook that worked for the Montgomerys a whole year. I am so happy! And now, Bill, dear, you must go to the kitchen and send Helen away. She is drunk again.”

Exercises ? Checking Comprehension

Answer the following questions.

How many persons are mentioned in this story?(9)

What are their names and occupation?

Where do the events take place? What tells you about it?

How old are the main characters?

What is Vivienne like?

Who is looking for her and what for?

How does he find Vivienne?

How long does it take him to find her?

How does she receive him?

What does Hartley ask Vivienne to do?

Is she happy about his offer?

Who interrupts their conversation?

What does Hartley do about that?

What does Vivienne promise Hartley?

What does Hartley promise Vivienne?

Where is Hartley’s home?

How long does it take to get there?

Who meets Hartley at home and how?

O. Henry is known for entertaining and clever short stories. Here is a list of some of his famous stories with a short summary for each.

This page contains some of O. Henry’s best and well known stories as well as lesser known works. A link is provided where possible for easy online reading.

Stories are listed in alphabetical order of the first word in the title, excluding “A”, “An” and “The”.

I’ve included an approximate word count where possible.

O. Henry Short Stories

After Twenty Years | 1,260 words

A policeman makes his rounds, checking that the shop doors are secured for the night, when he sees a man waiting in an entrance way. The man explains that he and a friend made arrangements twenty years ago to meet there that night.

Brickdust Row | 2,900 words

Blinker is a wealthy landowner and landlord. He decides to go to Coney Island. On the ferry ride, he meets Florence, a young working-class woman.

By Courier | 1,420 words

A man and woman who aren’t on speaking terms use a young boy to run messages to each other in a park.

The Caballero’s Way | 4,650 words

A ranger, Lieutenant Sandridge, searches for the Cisco Kid, a murderer with a quick temper and quick draw.

The Cactus | 1,270 words

A man returns home after attending the wedding of his ex. He thinks about their courtship, and how much she adored him; he wonders why things went wrong.

The Caliph, Cupid and the Clock | 2,250 words

A very wealthy man poses as homeless and looks for opportunities to help people.

Calloway’s Code | 2,600 words

Calloway is on assignment as a war correspondent for the New York Enterprise. He manages to inform his paper of the details of the decisive battle on the day it occurs, even though outgoing communication is censored. The paper received a cablegram of perplexing nonsense from Calloway. His coworkers searched without success for some meaning, until it was shown to Vesey, a young reporter.

The Coming-Out of Maggie | 2,500 words

Maggie, a wallflower, is escorted to a dance by a man who attracts a lot of attention.

A Cosmopolite in a Café | 2,160 words

The narrator is sitting in a crowded café when he is joined by a true citizen of the world. E. Rushmore Coglan talks about his travels and his familiarity with the globe. He proclaims his impartiality and decries any attachment to a particular place.

The Count and the Wedding Guest | 2,370 words

Mr. Donovan comforts a fellow boarder, Miss Conway, who is mourning the death of her fiancé.

The Defeat of the City | 2,330 words

Robert Walmsley, a former country boy, is a successful Manhattan lawyer and respected city gentleman. He married a high-status, inaccessible woman, Alicia Van Der Pool. One day she finds a letter from Robert’s mother, inviting them to visit the farm.

The Dream | 1,200 words

Murray is in a cell on death row. The time for his execution is almost here. He talks to his friend Bonifacio in a nearby cell. He is also visited by a reverend.

This is O. Henry’s last story and is incomplete. An editor fills in some information at the end.

From Each According to His Ability | 2,340 words

Vuyning is bored with the company at his club-the members always say the same things. He is also preoccupied with Miss Allison, who has refused his proposals five times. While out walking, he meets Schrumm, a con-man and thief. Vuyning is pleased that something is changing his usual routine.

The Furnished Room | 2,480 words

A young man searches boarding houses looking for the woman he loves, a small-town girl trying to break in to show business.

The Gift of the Magi | 2,080 words

A poor, married couple tries to figure out how to get each other a nice Christmas present.

The Green Door | 2,750 words

A man is handed a card on the street for “The Green Door”. He locates the door and knocks.

Hearts and Hands | 870 words

A marshal boards a train handcuffed to a prisoner. They sit opposite a beautiful woman who recognizes the marshal.

The Hiding of Black Bill | 4,460 words

A traveler is hired to herd sheep on a ranch. He and the owner talk about a robber, Black Bill, who’s being tracked in the area.

The Higher Pragmatism | 2,700 words

Jack is in love with Mildred, a woman above him socially and financially. He explains his situation to a vagrant. The vagrant, an ex-boxer, tells Jack the story of his career, which he believes serves as a parallel to Jack’s situation-he couldn’t stand up to the professionals.

Jeff Peters as a Personal Magnet

Jeff Peters relates a scheme he was involved in while posing as a medicine man. After being shut down by the constable, he meets Andy, a man with a similar trade. They want to go in on something together. Jeff gets an emergency summons from the mayor; he is sick and the local doctor is out of town.

The Last Leaf | 2,375 words

A few tenants in an apartment building are painters/artists. One of the tenants gets pneumonia, and she can see a vine from her deathbed window. She says she’s going to die when the vine loses its last leaf.

A Lickpenny Lover | 2,160 words

A wealthy aristocrat tries to woo a ditzy salesgirl.

A Little Talk About Mobs | 1,140 words

A tall man and a New Yorker talk about mob action in New York. The tall man explains that New York mobs are harmless, and don’t really have bad intentions.

Lost on Dress Parade | 2,350 words

Mr. Chandler, a man of modest means, saves his money for an occasional night out. On one such excursion, he helps a young woman who has fallen, and asks her to dine with him.

This is also the plot for O. Henry’s play, “A Night Out”.

The Love-Philtre of Ikey Schoenstein | 1,750 words

To ensure his planned elopement goes smoothly, a man goes to a druggist for a love potion. The druggist also loves the woman in question, so he tries to derail the man’s plan.

Mammon and the Archer | 2,300 words

The son of a millionaire is distressed because the young woman he loves is leaving the country in two days. She’s an aristocrat with a full social calendar, so he can’t even see her and doesn’t think his father’s money can help. His father disagrees.

The Memento | 3,400 words

Tired of the men she has to deal with as a vaudeville performer, Rosalie Ray retires to a small town.

A Municipal Report | 6,150 words

The narrator goes to Tennessee for a meeting with Azalea Adair. He represents a literary magazine that is interested in publishing Adair’s work. During his stay he meets Major Caswell, a widely disliked man considered a nuisance and loafer. The narrator remarks that if he had been able to avoid associating with Caswell a murder wouldn’t have occurred.

A Newspaper Story | 1,300 words

The movement of a daily newspaper is tracked, along with the uses it is put to.

The Plutonian Fire | 2,350 words

A short story writer who had some fiction published in the South struggles to get an editor’s approval in New York.

The Princess and the Puma | 2,325 words

Josepha, princess of a large ranch, and Ripley, a ranch foreman, have an encounter with a Mexican lion.

A Retrieved Reformation | 2,800 words

A safe cracker who’s going straight is faced with a dilemma that could expose his culpability in several unsolved crimes.

The Romance of a Busy Broker | 1,380 words

Amid the rush of a workday, Harvey Maxwell, a broker, is overcome with feeling for a stenographer, Miss Leslie.

Schools and Schools | 3,730 words

A young woman goes to live with her uncle, forming a love-triangle with his adopted son and step-niece.

The Skylight Room | 2,300 words

A young woman stays in the cheapest room at a boarding house. She’s very popular with her fellow guests.

The Social Triangle | 1,900 words

Three men get to shake hands with people they really wanted to meet.

Springtime à la Carte | 2,200 words

A young woman has an arrangement to type the daily menu of a restaurant; one day the menu makes her cry.

A Strange Story | 360 words

When the little Smother’s girl gets sick her father goes out for medicine. He doesn’t come back.

Telemachus, Friend | 2,900 words

Telemachus Hicks tells the story of his mutilated left ear, which he claims is a relic of true friendship. He spent all his time with his best friend Paisley Fish. When they meet the Widow Jessup they are both attracted to her. The make a pact that they will court her fairly and equally, and that it won’t interfere with their friendship.

Transients in Arcadia | 2,050 words

A young woman and young man get acquainted at an expensive, but little-known, summer resort.

Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen | 2,000 words

An older, upper-class man has a tradition of treating a local destitute man to a hearty Thanksgiving meal. One year, the poor man arrives at their meeting place in a state that puts their tradition in jeopardy.

While the Auto Waits | 1,930 words

A young man strikes up a conversation with a young woman on a park bench. She complains about her life of wealth and luxury.

Witches’ Loaves | 1,265 words

Miss Martha is a forty-year-old woman who owns a small bakery. She has a regular customer, a middle-aged man who always buys two loaves of stale bread, never anything else. She takes an interest in him, and tries to find a way to get to know him.

The World and the Door | 4,865 words

Mr. Hedges goes out drinking with two younger friends, Merriam and Wade. Hedges gets quarrelsome and swings a chair at Merriam. He ducks and shoots Hedges.

As I come across more O. Henry short stories they will be added to this page.

I

Old Jerome Warren lived in a hundred-thousand dollar house in East Fifteenth Street. He was so rich that he could allow himself to walk to his office for his health.

His wife was dead and he had no children. But his wife`s niece Barbara lived in his house. He also had an adopted son, - the son of old friend – named Gilbert. Gilbert was an artist and had a studio a little way from old Jerome`s house.

Thirty years ago when old Jerome was young, he had a brother named Dick. Dick went West hoping to find gold. Nothing was heard of him for many years. Then one day old Jerome got a letter from his brother. It was clear that the man who wrote it was very ill. In fact Dick wrote that he was dying and was writing with great difficulty. In his letter he asked his brother to take care of Nevada, his nineteen-year old daughter, the only child he had. He was going to send her to Jerome at once. Old Jerome could not say “no” to his dying brother. So he said “yes”.

Old Jerome, Barbara and Gilbert met Nevada Warren at the station.

She was not a very big girl, but strong and good-looking.

“I`m sure we shall be the best of friends,” said Barbara, kissing Nevada.

“I hope so,” said Nevada.

II

When we hear about any difficulties between one man and two women, or one woman and two men, - we call such situations – triangles. Very soon Nevada, Barbara and Gilbert formed such a triangle. And Barbara formed the hypotenuse of this triangle.

One morning old Jerome sat a long time after breakfast, reading his newspaper. A servant brought in a note for Miss Nevada.

“A messenger has brought it,” she said. “He is waiting for the answer”.

Nevada took the letter. She knew it was from Gilbert before she opened it because of the little gold palette in the left-hand corner of the envelope. All of Gilbert`s envelopes had such palettes. Nevada opened the envelope and looked at the note attentively. She looked at it for some time and then went up to her uncle.

“Uncle Jerome,” she said. “Is Gilbert a nice boy?”

“Oh, yes, of cause, he is,” said old Jerome, who was very fond of both Gilbert and Nevada . “He is a very nice boy. I raised him myself. Why do you ask?”

“Of cause I am, my dear,” said old Jerome. “I am sure that Gilbert cannot write anything that is not nice. But I don`t understand why you ask me that.”

“Read this note and see for yourself,” said Nevada. “Do you think that everything in it is all right? I don`t know much about city people and their manners. That`s why I am asking you.”

Old Jerome took Gilbert`s note and looked at it attentively. He read it twice, and then a third time.

“Why, child,” he said at last, “I was sure of the boy and I have not made mistake. There is nothing bad in the note. He only asks you and Barbara to be ready at four o`clock this afternoon for an automobile drive. I don`t see anything bad in it. I hope you will have a good time.”

“Yes, yes, yes, child, of cause. Why not? Go and have a good time!”

“Will you come with us, uncle?” said Nevada.

“I? No, no, no! I`ve gone once in a car that Gilbert was driving. Never again! But never mind me! You and Barbara go. Yes, yes. But I will not. No, no, no, no!”

Nevada run to the door and said to the servant:

“Of cause, we`ll go! I`m sure Miss Barbara will be glad to go too. Tell the messenger-boy to tell Mr. Warren that we will go.”

“I`m sorry, Nevada my dear,” said the old man, “but are you not going to send Gilbert a note? Only line or two.”

“No,” said Nevada, “it will take me too much time to write a note, and the boy is waiting for an answer. Gilbert will understand, I`m sure. I have never ridden in automobile in my life, but, uncle, I used to paddle a canoe down Little Devil River and it was not easy!”

III

Two months passed.

Barbara was sitting in the study of her uncle`s house.

She was alone. Uncle Jerome and Nevada had gone to the theatre. Barbara had not wanted to go. She wanted to stay at home. I`ve told you before that Barbara was the hypotenuse of the triangle. It usually takes a hypotenuse a long time to discover that it is the longest side of the triangle. But at last Barbara began to understand that the beautiful Western Witch was getting a lasso on the young man she herself wanted.

Barbara set at the writing table holding a letter in her hand. The letter was not addressed to her. It was addressed to Nevada Warren. In the left-hand corner of the envelope was Gilbert`s gold palette. The letter had been brought at nine o`clock, after Nevada had left. What was in the letter? Barbara could not guess. But, oh, how she wanted to know!

She could not open the envelope by means of stream, or by any other method. She was a lady and ladies do not do such things. We all know that. She had held the envelope up to strong light in order to read the lines. But no – she could not read a word.

At eleven-thirty old Jerome and Nevada returned from the theatre. Old Jerome was tired and went to bed at once. Nevada came into the study where Barbara was still sitting. She sat down in an armchair trying to unbutton her long gloves. She began telling Barbara about the play she had just seen.

“I don`t know,” said Barbara with a smile. “I think it is from Gilbert because the envelope has a little gold palette in the corner. You can see it for yourself.”

“What he can write to me about?” said Nevada.

“We are all alike,” said Barbara. “All women try to guess what is in a letter before they open it. So they study the envelope. And it is not of great help. Open it and read it, dear. Here it is!” She was going to throw the letter to Nevada but the girl said: “I can`t take this gloves off. It is always so difficult. Oh, Barbara, open the envelope and read the letter, please!”

“Why, dear, the letter is for you! How can you ask other people to read Gilbert`s letters?”

Nevada raised her beautiful blue eyes from her gloves and said:

“Nobody writes me anything that everybody can`t read. Read it, Barbara! Maybe Gilbert wants to take us for a drive again tomorrow.”

“All right, dear,” said Barbara, “I`ll read it if you like!”

She opened the envelope and quickly read the letter. Then she read it again and looked at Nevada who was still looking at her gloves.

Suddenly she smiled. “Nevada,” she said, “Why did you ask me to read this letter? I am sure it was written for your eyes only, and not for mine!”

Nevada forgot her gloves for a moment.

“Read it aloud,” she said, “you have already read it, so you can read it again. If Mr. Warren has written something bad to me, - everybody should know it.”

“Well,” said Barbara, “this is what the letter says: ‘Dearest Nevada, come to my studio at twelve o’clock to-night. Do not be late. I shall be waiting for you!’”

Barbara rose and gave the letter to Nevada.

IV

Nevada looked at her watch. It said a quarter to twelve. She went out of the room and run quietly to the front door. She went out into the snowstorm. Gilbert Warren`s studio was only a little way from old Jerome`s house. The snow lay a foot deep in the street and she walked with difficulty.

“Hello, little girl,” a policeman called to her, “it`s too late for such a little girl to be out.”

Nevada took no notice of him and went on.

On the eighth floor she found room 89 and knocked at the door. Gilbert opened the door. He had a pencil in his hand and a pipe in his mouth. The pipe fell to the floor.

Gilbert was standing in the door with his mouth open.

“You asked me to come,” said Nevada simply, “and I came. You said so in your latter. Why did you send for me?”

“Did you read my letter?” asked Gilbert.

“No, I didn`t,” said Nevada. “Barbara read it to me. Your letter said: ‘Come to my studio at twelve o`clock to-night. Do not be late. I shall be waiting for you.’ I thought you were ill. But you look quite well.”

“Aha,” cried Gilbert. “I`ll tell you why I asked you to come, Nevada. I wanted to ask you to marry me… at once… to-night! That is why I asked you come. Will you?”

“Of cause I will,” answered Nevada. “You knew long ago that I would marry you! I am sure, you knew it. And it will be nice to be married in a snowstorm at night. In fact I don`t like rich wedding ceremonies in a church full of guests.”

“Wait a minute,” said Gilbert, “I want to do a little `phoning.” He went to his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Then he began to telephone.

“Is that you, Jack? Wake up, I need you at once. I am going to be married right away! So I want two witnesses. Wake up and bring your sister too. You must! Nevada is here waiting. We are both waiting for you! What? You will? Good, old boy!

Разные школы

Разные школы

Старый Джером Уоррен жил в стотысячедолларовом доме? 35 по Восточной Пятьдесят и так далее улице. Он был маклером в деловой части города и так богат, что каждое утро мог позволить себе - для укрепления здоровья - пройти пешком несколько кварталов по направлению к своей конторе, а затем уже взять извозчика.

У него был приемный сын, сын его старого друга, по имени Гилберт - отличный типаж для Сирилла Скотта(1). Гилберт был художником и завоевывал успех с такой быстротой, с какой успевал выдавливать краски из тюбиков. Другим членом семейства старого Джерома была Барбара Росс, племянница его покойной жены. Человек рожден для забот; поскольку у старого Джерома не было своей семьи, он взвалил на свои плечи чужое бремя.

Гилберт и Барбара жили в полном согласии. Все окружающие молчаливо порешили, что недалек тот счастливый день, когда эта пара станет перед аналоем и пообещает священнику порастрясти денежки старого Джерома. Но в этом месте в ход событий следует внести некоторые осложнения.

Тридцать лет назад, когда старый Джером был молодым Джеромом, у него был брат, которого звали Диком. Дик отправился на Запад искать богатства - своего или чужого. О нем долго ничего не было слышно, но, наконец, старый Джером получил от него письмо. Написано оно было коряво, на линованной бумаге, от которой пахло солониной и кофейной гущей. Почерк страдал астмой, а орфография - пляской святого Вита.

Оказалось, что Дику не удалось подстеречь Фортуну на большой дороге и заставить ее раскошелиться, - его самого обобрали дочиста. Судя по письму, песенка его была спета: здоровье у него пришло в такое расстройство, что даже виски не помогало. Тридцать лет он искал золота, но единственным результатом его трудов была дочка девятнадцати лет, как и значилось в накладной, каковую дочку он, оплатив все дорожные издержки, отправлял теперь на Восток в адрес старого Джерома, чтобы тот кормил ее, одевал, воспитывал, утешал и холил, пока смерть или брак не разлучат их.

Старый Джером был человек-помост. Всякий знает, что мир держится на плечах Атласа, что Атлас стоит на железной решетке, а железная решетка установлена на спине черепахи. Черепахе тоже надо стоять на чем-нибудь - она и стоит на помосте, сколоченном из таких людей, как старый Джером.

Я не знаю, ожидает ли человека бессмертие. Но если нет, я хотел бы знать, когда люди, подобные старому Джерому, получают то, что им причитается?

Они встретили Неваду Уоррен на вокзале. Она была небольшого роста, сильно загоревшая и так и сияла здоровьем и красотой; она вела себя совершенно непринужденно, но даже коммивояжер сигарной фабрики подумал бы, прежде чем подмигнуть ей. Глядя на нее, вы невольно представляли ее себе в короткой юбке и кожаных гетрах, стреляющей по стеклянным шарам или укрощающей мустангов. Но она была в простой белой блузке и черной юбке, и вы не знали, что и подумать. Она без малейшего усилия несла тяжелый саквояж, который носильщики тщетно пытались вырвать у нее.

Мы будем с вами дружить, это непременно, - сказала Барбара, клюнув Неваду в крепкую загорелую щеку.

Надеюсь, - сказала Невада.

Милая племянница, малютка моя! - сказал старый Джером. - Добро пожаловать в мой дом, живи у меня, как у родного отца.

Спасибо, - сказала Невада.

Вы мне позволите называть вас кузиной? - обратился к ней Гилберт со своей очаровательной улыбкой.

Возьмите, пожалуйста, саквояж, - сказала Невада. - Он весит миллион фунтов. В нем, - пояснила она Барбаре, образцы из шести папиных рудников. По моим подсчетам, они стоят около девяти центов за тысячу тонн, но я обещала ему захватить их с собой.

Обычное осложнение между одним мужчиной и двумя женщинами, или одной женщиной и двумя мужчинами, или женщиной, мужчиной и аристократом - словом, любую из этих проблем - принято называть треугольником. Но эти треугольники следует определить точнее. Они всегда равнобедренные и никогда не бывают равносторонними. И вот, по приезде Невады Уоррен, она, Гилберт и Барбара Росс образовали такой фигуральный треугольник, причем Барбара заняла в нем место гипотенузы.

Однажды утром, перед тем как отправиться в свою мухоловку в деловой части города, старый Джером долго сидел после завтрака над скучнейшей из всех утренних газет Нью-Йорка. Он душевно полюбил Неваду, обнаружив в ней и независимость характера и доверчивую искренность, отличавшие его покойного брата.

Горничная принесла для мисс Невады Уоррен письмо.

Вот, пожалуйста, его доставил мальчик-посыльный, сказала она. - Он ждет ответа.

Невада насвистывала сквозь зубы испанский вальс и наблюдала за проезжающими по улице экипажами и автомобилями. Она взяла конверт и, еще не распечатав его, догадалась по маленькой золотой палитре в его левом верхнем углу, что письмо от Гилберта.

Разорвав конверт, она некоторое время внимательно изучала его содержимое; затем с серьезным видом подошла к дяде и стала возле него.

Дядя Джером, Гилберт хороший человек, правда?

Почему ты спрашиваешь, дитя мое? - сказал старый Джером, громко шелестя газетой. - Конечно, хороший. Я сам его воспитал.

Он ведь никому не станет писать ничего такого, что было бы не совсем... я хочу сказать, чего нельзя было бы знать и прочесть каждому?

Попробовал бы он только, - сказал дядя и оторвал от своей газеты порядочный кусок. - Но почему ты об этом...

Прочитайте, дядя, эту записку - он только что прислал мне ее - и скажите, как, по-вашему, все ли в ней в порядке и как полагается? Я ведь плохо знаю, как и что принято у вас в городе.

Старый Джером швырнул газету на пол и наступил на нее обеими ногами. Он схватил записку Гилберта, внимательно прочитал ее дважды, а потом и в третий раз.

Ах, детка, - проговорил он, - ты чуть было не расстроила меня, хоть я и был уверен в моем мальчике. Он точная копия своего отца, а его отец был чистый брильянт в золотой оправе. Он спрашивает только, можете ли вы с Барбарой сегодня в четыре часа дня поехать с ним в автомобиле на Лонг-Айленд? Я не нахожу в записке ничего предосудительного, за исключением бумаги. Терпеть не могу этот голубой оттенок.

Удобно будет, если я поеду?

Да, да, дитя мое, конечно. Почему нет? Право, мне очень приятны твоя осторожность и чистосердечие. Поезжай, непременно поезжай.

Я не знала, как мне поступить, - застенчиво проговорила Невада, - и подумала: спрошу-ка я лучше у дяди. А вы, дядя, не можете поехать с нами?

Я? Нет, нет, нет! Я разок прокатился в машине, которой правил этот мальчишка. С меня довольно! Но ты и Барбара можете ехать, это вполне прилично. Да, да. А я не поеду. Нет, нет и нет!

Невада порхнула к двери и сказала горничной:

Поедем, будьте уверены. За мисс Барбару я отвечаю. Скажите посыльному, чтобы он так и передал мистеру Уоррену: "Поедем, будьте уверены".

Невада! - позвал старый Джером. - Извини меня, моя милая, но не лучше ли ответить запиской? Черкни ему несколько слов.

Не стану я разводить эту канитель, - весело сказала Невада. - Гилберт поймет и так - он все понимает. Ни разу в жизни я не ездила в автомобиле; но я проплыла в каноэ по ущелью Пропавшей Лошади на Чертовой речке. Еще посмотрим, где больше риска!

Предполагается, что прошло два месяца.

Барбара сидела в кабинете стотысячедолларового дома. Для нее это было самое подходящее место. На свете много уготовано мест, куда мужчины и женщины могут удалиться с намерением избавить себя от разных хлопот. Для этой цели имеются монастыри, кладбища, курорты, исповедальни, кельи отшельников, конторы адвокатов, салоны красоты, дирижабли и кабинеты; лучше всего кабинеты.

Обычно проходит много времени, прежде чем гипотенуза начнет понимать, что она самая длинная сторона треугольника. Но нет того положения, которое может длиться вечно.

Барбара была одна. Дядя Джером и Невада уехали в театр. Барбара ехать отказалась. Ей хотелось остаться дома и заняться чем-нибудь в уединенной комнате для занятий. Если бы вы, мисс, были блестящей нью-йоркской барышней и каждый день видели, как смуглая, ловкая чародейка с Запада накидывает лассо на молодого человека, которого вы держали на примете для себя, вы тоже потеряли бы вкус к дешевому блеску музыкальной комедии.

Барбара сидела за дубовым письменным столом. Ее правая рука покоилась на столе, а пальцы этой руки беспокойно теребили запечатанное письмо. Письмо было адресовано Неваде Уоррен; в левом верхнем углу конверта помещалась маленькая золотая палитра Гилберта. Письмо доставили в девять часов, когда Невада уже уехала.

Барбара отдала бы свое жемчужное колье, только бы знать, что в нем написано. Но вскрыть конверт с помощью пара, ручки, шпильки или каким-нибудь иным из общепринятых способов она не решалась - не позволяло ее положение в обществе. Она смотрела письмо на свет и изо всех сил сжимала конверт, пытаясь прочесть хотя бы несколько строк, но ничего у нее не вышло - Гилберт знал толк в канцелярских принадлежностях.