Short Fiction by O. Henry

A Pastel

Words you’ll meet in this part (11)
pastel
A soft, delicate shade of color.
pleads
To make an emotional or earnest appeal.
solemn
Serious and dignified in manner or behavior.
gazing
Looking steadily or intently at something with interest or wonder.
defiant
Showing resistance or bold disobedience to authority.
impulse
A sudden strong urge or desire to act.
rooster
A male chicken, known for crowing at dawn.
crows
Large black birds known for their intelligence and loud calls.
falter
To hesitate or waver in action, purpose, or decision.
loathing
Intense dislike or disgust.
flakes
Small, thin pieces of a substance, often broken off from a larger piece.

Short Fiction by O. Henry 11 new words

A

Above all hangs the dreadful night.

He with her.

His hand is on her arm.

They stand in the cold, night, into a brilliantly lighted room. His face is white and terror-stricken. Hers is willful, , and white with the surging of destiny.

Ten miles away on the Harrisburg road a draggle-tailed , but the woman does not .

He with her.

She shakes off his hand with a gesture of , and takes a step forward toward the lighted room.

He pleads with her.

Crystal of moonlight quiver on the trees above; star dust flecks the illimitable rim of the Ineligible. The whicheverness of the Absolute reigns preeminent.

Sin is below; peace above.

The whip of the north wind trails a keen lash upon them. Carriages sweep by. Frost creeps upon the stones, lies crustily along parapets, spangles and throws back in arctic scintillation the moon’s challenging rays.

He pleads with her.

At last she turns, conquered.

He has refused to treat to oysters.

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