Page 189 - 9th-language-english-2
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gasping by this time. He took a rest and then began to groan
even louder. But Sid snored on. Tom was furious. He called out,
“Sid! Sid!” and shook him. This plan worked well, and Tom began
to groan again. Sid yawned, stretched, then brought himself up
Not to be republished
on his elbow and began to stare at Tom. Tom kept on groaning.
“Tom! Say, Tom”, said Sid. There was no response from Tom.
“Here, Tom! Tom! What’s the matter, Tom?” Sid asked and
he shook him and looked in his face anxiously. Tom moaned
©KTBS
out, “Oh, don’t, Sid. Don’t shake me like that.”
“Why, what’s the matter, Tom? I must call Auntie”.
“No-never mind. It may be all over by and by. Don’t call
anybody.”
“But I must! Don’t groan so, Tom. It’s awful. How long have
you been like this?”
“Hours! Ouch! Oh, don’t stir so, Sid, you’ll kill me”.
“Tom, why didn’t you wake me sooner? Oh, Tom, don’t!
I am scared Tom, what is the matter?”
“I forgive you everything, Sid. (groan) Everything you’ve done
to me. When I’m gone ......
“Oh, Tom, you aren’t dying, are you? Don’t Tom-oh, don’t.
May be .......
“I forgive everybody, Sid. (groan) Tell them so, Sid”.
But Sid had got out of bed, snatched his clothes and was on
his feet. Tom was suffering in reality now, so handsomely was his
imagination working, that his groans had become quite genuine.
Sid flew downstairs and said, “Oh, Aunt Polly, come! Tom’s
dying!”
“Dying!”
“Yes. Don’t wait. Come quick!”
“Rubbish! I don’t believe it!”
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