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The Monkey's Paw - 2
W. W. Jacobs
20 "Monkey's paw?" said Mrs. White curiously.
21"Well, it's just a bit of what you might call magic, perhaps," said the sergeant-major off-handedly.
22 His three listeners leaned forward eagerly. The visitor absent-mindedly put his empty glass to his lips and then set it down again. His host filled it for him again.
23 "To look at," said the sergeant-major, fumbling in his pocket, "it's just an ordinary little paw, dried to a mummy."
24 He took something out of his pocket and proffered it. Mrs. White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously.
25 "And what is there special about it?" inquired Mr. White as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table.
26 "It had a spell put on it by an old Fakir," said the sergeant-major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it."
27 His manners were so impressive that his hearers were conscious that their light laughter had jarred somewhat.
28 "Well, why don't you have three, sir?" said Herbert White cleverly.
29 The soldier regarded him the way that middle age is wont to regard presumptuous youth. "I have," he said quietly, and his blotchy face whitened.
30 "And did you really have the three wishes granted?" asked Mrs. White.
31 "I did," said the sergeant-major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth.
32 "And has anybody else wished?" persisted the old lady.
33 "The first man had his three wishes. Yes," was the reply, "I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw.”
34 His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.
35 "If you've had your three wishes it's no good to you now, then, Morris," said the old man at last. "What do you keep it for?"
36 The soldier shook his head. "Fancy, I suppose," he said slowly. "I did have some idea of selling it, but I don't think I will. It has caused me enough mischief already. Besides, people won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale, some of them; and those who do think anything of it want to try it first and pay me afterward."
37 "If you could have another three wishes," said the old man, eyeing him keenly, "would you have them?"
38 "I don't know," said the other. "I don't know.”
39 He took the paw, and dangling it between his forefinger and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off.
40 "Better let it burn," said the soldier solemnly.
41 "If you don't want it, Morris," said the other, "give it to me."
42 "I won't," said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens. Pitch it on the fire like a sensible man."
43 The other shook his head and examined his possession closely. "How do you do it?" he inquired.
44 "Hold it up in your right hand, and wish aloud," said the sergeant-major, "But I warn you of the consequences."
45 "Sounds like the Arabian Nights," said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the supper. "Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me."
46 Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the sergeant-major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm.
47 "If you must wish," he said gruffly, "Wish for something sensible"
Question
The MAIN internal conflict Mr. White experiences in the passage is with
Responses
A Herbert, as they play an aggressive chess match.Herbert, as they play an aggressive chess match.
B himself, as he decides whether to discard the paw or accept it.himself, as he decides whether to discard the paw or accept it.
C Mrs. White, as they debate with each other as to what to do with the paw.Mrs. White, as they debate with each other as to what to do with the paw.
D Sergeant Major Morris, as he argues with him over leaving the paw in the fire.Sergeant Major Morris, as he argues with him over leaving the paw in the fire.
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