Page 52 - English Class 07

I

There was once a young man called Andy Rooney, who lived in a village in Ireland. He
was the servant of Mr Egan a landowner in the village. Andy was always eager to please his

master, but he was a simple fellow and made all kinds of funny mistakes.

One morning Mr Egan said to Andy, “Ride into the town and see if there is a letter for me.”
“Yes sir,” said Andy.

“Do you know where you have to go in the town?” asked Mr Egan.

“No sir,” replied Andy.
excuse : reason given to defend one’s bad behaviour
“Then why didn’t you gunpowder : explosive powder used in guns, firework, blasting etc.

ask me? said Mr Egan.

“I didn’t want to trouble you, sir,” replied Andy.
Mr Egan laughed at this funny excuse . “Well, go to the post office,” he said, “and ask the

postmaster for any letter he may have for me. Do you know the post office?”
“Yes, sir,” said Andy. “That’s the place where they sell gunpowder .”

Andy was not far wrong. In those days, gunpowder and a few other things as well were
sold at the post office.

“Now go along,” said Mr Egan. “Remember, you should ask for letters, not gunpowder.”

II

Andy rode off and soon reached the post office. he went to the counter where the
postmaster was sitting and said, “Please, I want a letter.”

English-7 52