Short Fiction by O. Henry

Just a Little Damp

Words you’ll meet in this part (10)
damp
Slightly wet or moist.
buoy
A floating device anchored in water to mark locations or hazards.
contemptuously
In a scornful or disrespectful manner.
spurned
Rejected or dismissed with contempt.
spat
A past tense of "spit," meaning to eject saliva from the mouth.
pint
A unit of liquid capacity equal to 16 fluid ounces (US) or 20 fluid ounces (UK).
barber
A person who cuts, styles, and grooms hair, especially for men.
exhibited
Showed or displayed something publicly.
scorn
A feeling of contempt or disdain for someone or something.
contempt
Disregard for something considered unworthy or beneath notice.

Short Fiction by O. Henry 10 new words

Just a Little

As the steamer reached Aransas Pass a Galveston man fell overboard. A life was thrown him, but he thrust it aside . A boat was hurriedly lowered, and reached him just as he came to the surface for the second time. Helping hands were stretched forth to rescue him, but he their aid. He out about a of sea water and shouted:

“Go away and leave me alone. I’m walking on the bottom. You’ll run your boat aground in a minute. I’ll wade out when I get ready and go up to a shop and get dusted off. The ground’s damp a little, but I ain’t afraid of catching cold.”

He went under for the last time, and the boat pulled back for the ship. The Galveston man had to the last his and for any other port that claimed deep water.

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