now, food so scarce and dear, we could not keep going unless we charged a fee. But every week, Lucia’s brothers have made their payment.” She added simply, “I don’t know what they do, I do not ask. Work is scarce in Verona. But whatever it is, I know they do it well.” “Yes,” I agreed.
“They couldn’t do it better.” I waited outside until the boys rejoined me, and then drove them back to the city. They sat beside me, not speaking. For my part, I did not say a word–I knew they would prefer to feel that they had safely kept their secret. Yet their devotion had touched me deeply.
War had not broken their spirit. Their selfless action brought a new nobility to human life, gave promise of a greater hope for human society. Archibald Joseph Cronin ( – ) was a Scottish novelist, dramatist and physician. A doctor by training, Cronin was one of the most renowned storytellers of the twentieth century.
Many of his stories have emerged from his medical career and are noted for their narrative skill, deep social conscience and finely drawn characters. Cronin’s books were not only bestsellers but some of them (such as The Citadel and The Keys of the Kingdom ) were made into successful films and were adapted for radio and television. His novella Country Doctor was adapted for a long running BBC radio and TV series. About The Author 12th - - Two Gentlemen of Verona Page shrug - raise one’s shoulders slightly and momentarily tunic - a loose outer garment without sleeves slackened - reduced demeanour - appearance and behaviour artless - innocent, guileless hawk - sell things crying out loudly, going from place to place deserted - uninhabited, unoccupied emigrate - take up citizenship of another country vexation - annoyance vestibule - lobby chatter - a series of short, quick high-pitched sounds intrude - enter without permission rubble - debris, broken bricks .
Answer the following questions in one or two sentences each based on your understanding of the story. a) Who did the narrator