The Necklace

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  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

The Boar-Pig

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“Is there any way out of this garden except through the paddock where the pig is?” 

“I always go over the wall, by way of the plum tree,” said Matilda. 

“Dressed as we are we could hardly do that,” said Mrs. Stossen; it was difficult to imagine her doing it in any costume. “Do you think you could go and get someone who would drive the pig away?” asked Miss Stossen. 

“I promised my aunt I would stay here till five o’clock; it’s not four yet.” 

“I am sure, under the circumstances, your aunt would permit—” 

“My conscience would not permit,” said Matilda with cold dignity. 

“We can’t stay here till five o’clock,” exclaimed Mrs. Stossen with growing exasperation.


The Boar-Pig By Saki (H. H. Munro) (1870–1916) Art by Copilot

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