Class 11 English 2024 Edition www.tntextbooks.in · Section 113

Meanwhile the sale came to an end and I stood on the outskirts of the little knot of buyers round the desk who were writing cheques and giving instructions. Naturally I preferred to be the last. It was there that I was joined by my friend; but only for a moment, for on a look at my face he rammed his handkerchief in his mouth and again disappeared. Alone I was to *dree this awful weird. I have never felt such a fool or had colder feet in all my life. I believe I should have welcomed a firing party. j) Why did the friend desert the narrator, a second time? And then the unexpected happened, and I realized that a career of rectitude sometimes has rewards beyond the mere consciousness of virtue. A voice at my ear suddenly said, ‘Beg pardon. Sir, but was you the gent that bought the big Daubigny?” I admitted it. “Well, the gent who offered four thousand guineas wants to know if you’ll take fifty guineas for your bid.” If ever a messenger of the high gods wore a green baize apron and spoke in husky Cockney tones this was he. I could have embraced him and wept for joy. Would I take fifty guineas. Why, I would have taken fifty farthings. k) How does the narrator describe the man who approached him? But how near the surface and ready, even in the best of us, is worldly guile! “Is that the most he would offer?” I had the presence of mind to ask. “It’s not for me to say,” he replied. “No ‘arm in trying for a bit more, is there?” “Tell him I’ll take a hundred,” I said. And I got it. l) How does the Narrator show presence of mind in the sudden turn of events? When I found my friend I was laughing too, but he became grave at once on seeing the cheque. “Well, I’m hanged!” he said. “Of all the luck! Well, I’m hanged!” Then he said, “Don’t forget that if it hadn’t been for me, you wouldn’t have come into Christie’s at all.” “I shall never forget it,” I said. “It is indelibly branded in letters of fire on my heart. My hair hasn’t gone white, has it?” m) The narrator would not forget two things about his friend. What are they? The British farthing ( / d) coin, from four thing was a unit of currency of one quarter of a penny. It was minted in bronze which replaced the earlier copper coins. It was used during the reign of six monarchs: Victoria, Edward VII & VIII, George V & VI and Elizabeth II, ceased to be legal tender in . -A-Prose-Tight - - :