Continue reading with a SparkNotes PLUS trial
Original Text | Modern Text |
|
“Who’s there?” called out Gervase. “It’s me, Absalom,” he replied. “Absalom! What the devil are you doing up so early?” asked the blacksmith. “What’s the matter? You’re after a taste of some girl, now aren’t you? Yeah, you know what I mean!” |
|
Absalom didn’t say anything but let the joke slide. Mr. Gervase was more right than he could’ve possibly known. Instead, he said, “My friend, would you lend me that red hot iron poker in the fireplace over there? There’s something I need to use it for, but I’ll bring it back to you right away.” |
|
“Go right ahead,” Mr. Gervase answered. “I’d give you a bag full of money if you needed it, Absalom. I trust you. What in the world do you need a hot poker for, though?” |
|
“I’d rather not go into it right now,” Absalom said. “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow.” And with that he took the iron poker by its cool handle, left the blacksmith’s shop, and walked back across the street to the carpenter’s house. He cleared his throat, then knocked on the bedroom window, just as he’d done earlier. |