The Monkey's Paw——Chapter 3

It was nearly midnight.In their warm living-room,the two old peopel and their son sat and talked about the solider's stories.
'India is a wonderful country,'Mr White said.'What exciting stories!It was a good evening.'
Mrs White stood up to take some things into the kitchen,but she stopped and listened to Herbert and his father.
'Yes,'Herbert said.'Morris told some interesting stories,but,of course,some of them weren't true.'
'Oh Herbert!'Mrs White said.
'Well,Mother,that story about the monkey's paw wasn't true.A dirty little monkey's paw isn't magic!But it was a good story.'And Herbert smiled.
'I don't know,'Mr White said quietly.'Perhaps the story was true.Strange things can happen sometimes.'
Mrs White looked at her husband.'Did you give some money to Tom Morris for that monkey's paw?'she asked.'We don't have money to give away for nothing!'Mrs White was angry now.
'Well,yes,'her husband answered.'I did,but not much,and at first he didn't want to take it.He wanted the monkey's paw.'
'Well,he can't have it,'Herbert laughed.'It's our paw now and we're going to be rich and happy.Come on,Father.Make a wish!'
Old Mr White took the paw from his pocket.'Ok,Herbert,but what am I going to ask for?I have everything-you,your mother.What do I need?'
'Money,of course,'Herbert answered quickly.'We need money!You're always thinkinga about money.That's because we haven't got very much of it.With money we can pay for this house.It can be your house!Go on,Father,wish for thirty thousand pounds!'
Herbert stopped talking and his old father thought for a minute.The room was quiet and they could hear the rain on the windows.
The Mr White took the monkey's paw in his right hand.He was afraid,but he looked at his wife and she smiled at him.
'Go on,'she said.
Slowly and carefully Mr White said,'I wish for thirty thousand pounds.' 
Suddenly he gave a cry and Mrs White and Herbert ran to him. 
'What's the matter,Father?'Herbert asked.
'It moved!'Mr White cried.'The monkey's paw-it moved!'
They looked at the paw.It was now on the floor and not in the old man's hand.The family watched it,and they waited-but it did not move again.
So the little family sat down again and they waited.Nothing happened.The noise of the rain on the windows was worse now and their little living-room did not feel nice and warm.
Mrs White said.'It's cold.Let's go to bed.'
Mr White did not answer and in the end Herbert said,'Well,there's no money,Father.Your friend's story wasn't true.'But Mr White did not answer.He sat quietly and said nothing.
After some time Mrs White said to her husband,'Are you OK?'
'Yes,yes,'the old man answered,'but for a minute or two I was afraid.'
'Well,we needed that money,'Mrs White said,'but we aren't going to get it.I'm tired.I'm going to bed.'
After Mrs White went to bed,the two men sat and smoked for some time.
Then Herbert said,'Well,Father,I'm going to bed too.Perhaps the money is in a bag under your bed!Good night,Father.'And Herbert laughed and went out of the living-room.
Old Mr White sat in the cold living-room for a long time.The candle died and it was dark suddenly,the old man saw a face at the window.Quickly,he looked again,but there was nothing there.He felt afraid.Slowly he stood up and left the cold,dark room.
评论
添加红包

请填写红包祝福语或标题

红包个数最小为10个

红包金额最低5元

当前余额3.43前往充值 >
需支付:10.00
成就一亿技术人!
领取后你会自动成为博主和红包主的粉丝 规则
hope_wisdom
发出的红包
实付
使用余额支付
点击重新获取
扫码支付
钱包余额 0

抵扣说明:

1.余额是钱包充值的虚拟货币,按照1:1的比例进行支付金额的抵扣。
2.余额无法直接购买下载,可以购买VIP、付费专栏及课程。

余额充值