Page 53 - English Class 07

“Who do you want it for?” asked the postmaster.

Andy thought that the postmaster was asking an unnecessary question, but said once
again, ‘I want a letter.’

The postmaster thought that Andy didn’t understand his question. So he said once
again, ‘Who do you want the letter for?’

“Why do you want to know that?” asked Andy.

The postmaster laughed at this funny question and said, “You must tell me who the
letter is for or I won’t know which letter I should give you.”

“I am sure you know it,” said Andy. “You are asking unnecessary questions.”
“Who sent you here?” asked the postmaster.

“My master,” replied Andy.

“And who is he?” the postmaster asked.
Andy refused to tell him who his master was. The postmaster became impatient and

said, “Go away! You are a fool and the man who sent you here is a fool, too.”
“Are you calling Mr Egan a fool, sir?” asked Andy in an angry voice.

III

The postmaster now knew whose servant Andy was. He then told Andy, “I will see if
there is a letter for Mr Egan.” He soon found one in the heap of letters on the counter. But,
before he gave it to Andy, he said, “Is there anyone in the town who knows you?”

Andy said there were many people who knew him. Just then one, Mr Durfy came into
the postmaster office. He knew Andy and he told the postmaster that he could hand over
Mr Egan’s letter to him. Mr Durfy then asked if there was a letter for himself. The

postmaster said there was. He picked up a letter, paid four pence postage and went out.

“Here is a letter for Mr Egan,” said the postmaster, turning to Andy. “Eleven pence.”
“Why do you want eleven pence from me?” said Andy. “Didn’t you give Mr Durfy a letter

for four pence a minute ago?”
The postmaster said the postage for Mr Egan’s letter was eleven pence, not four pence.

Andy thought the postmaster was trying to cheat him, so refused to pay the eleven pence.
The postmaster grew impatient and turned away to attend to the others standing at the

counter. Andy waited for some time and then put his head in between the other persons
and said, “Will you give me the letter, please? Here is four pence.” But, the postmaster did
not turn to him.
impatient : showing a lack of patience.

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