大學(xué)英語綜合教程：Unit3 Human Weakness

BR-mainBeforeReading

2.BackgroundInformation3.Warm-upQuestions4.Discussion1.SpotDictation5.Topic-relatedPredictionFrancoisMilletHansAndersenMarkTwainRivieraMonteCarloMentoneNiceLyonsBR1-Warm-upQuestions1SpotDictationDirections:

Listentothepassageandfillintheblanks:Manyayoungpersontellsmehewantstobeawriter.Ialwayssuchpeople,butIalsoexplainthatthereisabigdifferencebetween“

”andwriting.Inmostcasesthesearedreamingofwealthandfame,notthelonghoursaloneata.“You’vegottowanttowrite,”Isaytothem,“notwanttobeawriter.”Therealityisthatwritingisalonely,privateandaffair.Foreverywriterkissedbyfortunetherearethousandsmore.WhenIlefta20-yearcareerintheU.S.CoastGuardtobecomeafreelancewriter,Ihadnoatall.WhatIdidhavewasafriendwhofoundmeinmyroominaNewYorkapartmentbuilding.Itdidnotevenmatterthatitwascoldandhadnobathroom.Iimmediatelyboughtausedtypewriterandfeltlikeawriter.encourage__________beingawriter____________individuals_________poor-paying__________typewriter_________genuine_______whoselongingisneverrewarded___________________________prospects_________BR1-Warm-upQuestions2SpotDictationDirections:

Afterayearorso,however,Istillhadn’tgottenabreakandbegantodoubtmyself.ItwassohardtosellastorythatImadeenoughmoneytoeat.ButIknewIwantedtowrite.Ihaddreamedaboutitforyears.Iwouldkeepputtingmydreamtothetest—eventhoughitmeantlivingwithandfearoffailure.Thisistheshadowlandofhope,andanyonewithadreammustlearntolivethere.barely_____uncertainty__________Listentothepassageandfillintheblanks:BR1-backgroud1.1.1MarkTwain1.ABriefIntroductiontoMarkTwainBR1-backgroud1.1.2SamuelLanghorneClemens,knownandcelebratedas“MarkTwain”,wasborninMissouriin1835.Thechildwaspuny.Hisschoolingwasbriefandofadesultorykind.Itendedin1847,shortlyafterhisfatherdied.SamClemensbeganwritinginhisteens—burlesque,asarule,oflocalcharactersandconditions.In1853,SamClemenslefthome,firsttoNewYork,thentoPhiladelphia,Washington,andtheWest.From1857,hespentalmostfouryearsworkingasapilotforthesteamersontheMississippiRiver,andwasregardedasoneofthebestandmostcarefulpilotsontheriver.DuringtheAmericanCivilWar,hebecameaprofessionalminer.In1862,hetookthejobasareporter,andthen,forthefirsttime,begansigninghisarticleswith“MarkTwain”,ariverterm,usedinmakingsoundings,recalledfromhispilotingdays.Hewaspresentlyrecognizedasoneoftheforemostwriters,andsoonacquiredworld-widefame.BR1-backgroud1.1.3MarkTwainwasaprolificwriter.Hewroteandpublishedanumberofnotablesketches,articles,storiesandbooks.Hisworkswerealwaysofakindtomakepeopletalk,alwaysimportantevenwhenitwasmerehumor.Yettherewasalwayswisdomunderit,andpurpose,andthesethingsgavethemadynamicforceandenduringlife.HewasoneoftheforemostAmericanphilosophersofhisdayandtheworld’smostfamoushumoristofanyday.HerankednotonlyasAmerica’schiefmanofletters,butlikewiseasoneofherbestknownandbestlovedcitizens.TheworldwilllongmissMarkTwain.Hisexampleandhisteachingswillbeneitherignorednorforgotten.BR1-backgroud1.2.12.MarkTwain’sChronologyandHisWorks

MarkTwain’sChronologyandHisWorksBorninMissouriandnamedSamuelLanghorneClemensBegansigninghispseudonym“MarkTwain”

TheCelebratingJumpingFrogofCalaverasCountyTheAdventuresofTomSawyerATrampAboardThePrinceandthePauperTheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinnReceivedfromYaleCollegethedegreeofMasterofArtsAConnecticutYankeeinKingArthur’sCourt;LifeontheMississippi183518631865187618801882188418881889BR1-backgroud1.2.2TheAmericanClaimantTomSawyerAbroadTheTragedyofPudd`nheadWilsonTomSawyer,DetectiveTheManThatCorruptedHadleyburgYaleCollege—DoctrineofLiteratureCamethecrowninghonor—Oxfordtenderedhimthedoctor’srobePassedAway18921894189418961899190119071910BR1-backgroud1.3.13.SomeQuotationsfromMarkTwain“Amancannotbecomfortablewithouthisownapproval.”“Courageisresistancetofear,masteryoffear—notabsenceoffear.”“Dosomethingeverydaythatyoudon’twanttodo;thisisthegoldenruleforacquiringthehabitofdoingyourdutywithoutpain.”“Don’tgoaroundsayingtheworldowesyoualiving.Theworldowesyounothing.Itwasherefirst.”“Don’tpartwithyourillusions.Whentheyaregoneyoumaystillexist,butyouhaveceasedtolive.”“Humoristhegreatthing,thesavingthing.Theminuteitcropsup,allourirritationsandresentmentsslipawayandasunnyspirittakestheirplace.”BR1-backgroud1.3.2“Itisbettertodeservehonorsandnothavethemthantohavethemandnottodeservethem.”

“Thebestwaytocheeryourselfistotrytocheersomeoneelseup.”“ManistheOnlyAnimalthatBlushes.Orneedsto.”“Thefactthatmanknowsrightfromwrongproveshisintellectualsuperioritytoothercreatures;butthefactthathecandowrongproveshismoralinferioritytoanycreaturethatcannot.”BR1-backgroud2.1.1FrancoisMillet(1814-1875)1.FrancoisMillet’slifeandartisticachievementBR1-backgroud2.1.6AsthesonofasmallpeasantfarmerinNormandy,Milletshowedaprecociousinterestindrawing.Hehadtofightagainstgreatodds,livingforlongalifeofextremepenury.HeexhibitedattheSalonforthefirsttimein1840.Atthistime,thetypeofworkheproducedconsistedpredominantlyofmythologicalsubjectsorportraiture,atwhichhewasespeciallyadept(PortraitofaNavalOfficer,1845).Hismemoriesofrurallife,andhisintermittentcontactswithNormandy,however,impelledhimtothatconcernwithpeasantlifethatwastobecharacteristicoftherestofhisartisticcareer.In1848heexhibitedTheWinnower(nowlost)attheSalon.In1849,whenacholeraepidemicbrokeoutinParis,MillettookahousenearthatofThéodoreRousseau.Hispaintingsonruralthemesattractedgrowingacclaimandbetween1858and1859heproducedthefamousAngélus,which40yearslaterwastobesoldforthesensationalpriceof553,000francs.BR1-backgroud2.1.7AlthoughFlemishartistsofthe17thcenturyhaddepictedpeasantsatwork,Milletwasthefirstpaintertoendowrurallifewithadignityandmonumentalitythattranscendrealism,makingthepeasantanalmostheroicfigure.Nevertheless,hebecamesomewhatasymboltoyoungerartists.Itwashewho,onavisittoLeHavretopaintportraits,encouragedBoudintobecomeanartist,andhisworkcertainlyinfluencedtheyoungMonet,andevenmoredecidedlyPissarro,whosharedsimilarpoliticalinclinations.Althoughtowardstheendofhislife,hisworkshowedsomeaffinitieswithImpressionists,heneverpaintedout-of-doors,andhehadonlyalimitedawarenessoftonalvalues.Hissubjectmatter—withitssocialimplications—appealedtoartistssuchasSeyretandvanGogh.BR1-backgroud2.22.FrancoisMillet’sChronologyFrancoisMillet’sChronologyBornon4thOctoberinNormandyWorkedwithalocalportraitpainter,BonDumouchelEnteredthestudioofLucien—TheophileLangloisEnroledattheEcoledesBeaux-ArtsFirstexhibitedattheSalonSettledinBarbizonMarriedCatherineLemaireAwardedafirstclassmedalforShepherdessGuardingHerFlockAwardedcrossoftheLegionofHonourDiedon20thJanuary1814183318351837184018491853186418681875BR1-backgroud2.3.13.Somequotations

fromFrancoisMillet“Onemustbeabletousethetrivialtoexpressthesublime—thatistruepower!”“IcouldlookatPoussin’spicturesforeverandeverandalwayslearnsomething.”

“Sometimes,inplaceswherethelandissterile,youseefigureshoeinganddigging.Fromtimetotimeoneraiseshimselfandstraightenshisback,wipinghisforeheadwiththebackofhishand.thoushalteatthybreadinthesweatofthybrow.Isthisthegay,jovialworksomepeoplewouldhaveusbelievein?Butnevertheless,tomeitistruehumanityandgreatpoetry.”

“Itisneverthecheerfulsideofthingsthatappearstome.”

BR1-backgroud2.3.2“AsIhaveneverseenanythingbutfieldssinceIwasborn,ItrytosayasbestIcanwhatIsawandfeltwhenIwasatwork.”

“Totellthetruth,thepeasantsubjectssuitmytemperamentbest;forImustconfess,evenifyouthinkmeasocialist,thatthehumansideofartiswhattouchesmemost.”

“Iattempttomakethingslooknotasiftheyhavebeenbroughttogetherbychance,butasiftherewereanecessitybondingthemtogether.”

“Everybodywantstobesomebody;nobodywantstogrow.”BR1-backgroud3.1HansAndersonBR1-backgroud3.2Denmarkisabeautifulanddreamlikecountry.Itsbeautyandserenityencouragepeopletocreatetheirownfairytales.Oneofthemostfamousauthorsoffairytalesintheworld,HansChristianAnderson,wasborninOdenseinthe19thcentury.ItisinthefamilyhomethatAndersonspenthischildhood.HisfatherwasamodestcobblerandHanshadtostruggletoattracttheworld’sattention.Todayheishighlyregardedasoneofthemostsensitivewritersofhistimeandwasthemostcapableoftouchingthechordsofthehumanspirit.Inthemuseumdedicatedtohim,whichwassetupinthehousewheretheauthorwasborn,wefindrareeditionsofhisstories,letters,notesandmanuscripts.Themostinterestingitemsinthemuseumarethewriter’spersonaleffects,enablingustopicturehimstillatworkintheserooms.Herewealsofindaseriesoforiginalillustrationsbyfamousartists,inspiredbyhisfairytalesandhislife.BR1-backgroud3.3Anderson’sworksarestagedinOdense,withchildrenandvisitorsactingouttheparts.Amonghismostfamousstoriesare“TheUglyDuckling”,“ThePrincessandthePea”,“TheLittleMermaid”.BR1-backgroud4.1MentoneBR1-backgroud4.2MentoneisaseaporttowninsoutheasternFrance.SituatedneartheItalianborder17miles(28km)northeastofNiceand6miles(10km)northeastofMonte-Carlobyroad,itisreputedlythewarmestwinterresortontheFrenchRiviera.Itisalsoapopularsummerresort.BR1-backgroud5.1RivieraRivieraisanarrowcoastalregionbetweentheAlpsandtheMediterraneanSeaextendingfromsoutheastFrancetonorthwestItaly.TheRivieraisapopularresortareathatisnotedforitsflowersgrownforexportandforuseinperfumery.MonteCarloisaresortinMonaco,formingoneofthefourcommunesoftheprincipality.ItisfamousasagamblingresortandastheterminusoftheannualMonteCarlorally.BR1-backgroud6.1MonteCarloNiceisacityofsoutheastFranceontheMediterraneanSeanortheastofCannes.Controlledbyvariousroyalhousesafterthe13thcentury,thecitywasfinallycededtoFrancein1860.ItistheleadingresortcityoftheFrenchRivieraandisknownforitsbeaches,casinos,andluxurioushotels.BR1-backgroud7.1NiceLyonsisanindustrialcityandriverportinsoutheastFrance,situatedattheconfluenceoftheRh?neandSa?neRivers.FoundedinAD43asaRomancolony,itwastheprincipalcityofGaulandanimportantreligiouscenteraftertheintroductionofChristianity.Itssilkindustrydatedbacktothe15thcentury.BR1-backgroud8.1LyonsBR1-warmupquestionsWarm-upQuestionsWhatdoyouthinkmakesapainterfamous?Doyoubelievethateachartistundergoesdifficultiesandhardshipsbeforehe/shebecomesfamous?BR1-discussionMarkTwain,asanovelistandhumorist,isverywellknowninChina,wherehisworksarewidelyread.DiscussingroupsMarkTwain’swritingstyleonthebasisofhisworksyouhavereadandtheinformationyouhavecollectedabouthislife.DiscussionBR1-topic-relatedpredictionTopic-relatedPrediction1. Howdoesthetitle“IsHeLivingOrIsHeDead?”impressyou?Whatmightthetextbeabout?2. Whomight“He”inthetitlereferto?Takeaguess.3. WhatmightMarkTwainconveyinthetext?GR-MAINGlobalReading2.FurtherUnderstanding1.PartDivisionoftheText3.TextAnalysisForPart2SubdivisionForPart3TrueorFalseForPart1QuestionandAnswerGR-PartDivisionoftheTextPartDivisionoftheTextPartsParagraphsMainIdeas1231~1314~8687~98Theintroductiontothestory:“my”encounterwithSmithThestoryaboutFrancoisMillettoldbySmithTheendingofthestory:FrancoisMilletovercamethefinancialdifficultyandbecamefamousGR-QANDAWhatdoesHansAndersen’stalementionedinthetextindicate?

QuestionandAnswerThestoryaboutthebirdindicatesthatpeopletendtoneglectthebeautifulthingsaroundthemtosuchanextentthattheartistswhocreategreatworksliveinpoverty.Thevalueoftheartistsisnotrecognizeduntilaftertheirdeath.ThestorycorrespondswiththelawCarlclaimedtohavediscovered.Itseemsthattheartistshavetodieinordertogetthemselvesoutofthepoverty.GR-subdivisionThispartisthemainbodyofthetext:thestoryaboutFrancoisMilletandhisthreefriendsinart.

SubdivisionPartsParagraphsMainIdeas12314~3738~6566~82ThefourartistsandtheirpoorlifeTheircleverschemetogetridofpovertyTheircampaigntoselltheirpaintingsandbuildupMillet’sfame483~86TheirsuccessingettingbothmoneyandfameCarl,Claude,SmithandadistantrelativeofMilletcarriedMillet’scoffinatthefuneral.AfterMillet’s“funeral”,thepriceofhispaintingsdeclined.

Accordingtothetext,afterhis“funeral”,Milletactedasanold,retired,andveryrichmanufacturerfromLyons,andadoptedthenameTheophileMagnan.4.Thankstotheirwell-designedscheme,Smith,Carl,Millet,andClaudemadeanastonishingamountofmoney.5.Milletdidnotdeservethefameandtherewardhegot.Butforthescheme,hewouldhavediedinpoverty.FFTTFGR-trueandfalse()Afterhis“funeral”,thepriceofMillet’spaintingswentup.()()Milletdeservedthefameandthefortune,becausehewasageniusinartandhispaintingswereofgreatvalue.Theschemehelpedtomaketheworldrecognizehistalentearlier.()()Milletactedasoneofhisdistantrelativesandcarriedhisowncoffinwiththethreeotherartists.GR-textanalysisTextAnalysisMarkTwain’sHumorMarkTwainisagreathumorist.Citefromthetextexamplesofhishumor.(Para.1)Mentoneisquiet,simple,restful,unpretentious;therichandthegaudydonotcomethere.Asarule,Imean,therichdonotcomethere.(Para.14)Wewereashappyaswewerepoor,oraspooraswewerehappy—phraseittosuityourself.(Para.37)“Acabbage!Oh,don’tnameit—itmakesmymouthwater.Talkofthingslesstrying.”(Para.61)Theremarkfellsocalmlyandsounexpectedlythatwealmostforgottojump.Thentherewasawildchorusofadviceagain—medicaladvice—forthehelpofCarl’sbrain;…(Para.62)…andwheneverythingishotandjustright,we’llspringthedeathonthemandhavethenotoriousfuneral.GR-textanalysis2TextAnalysis(Paras.67-76)…Iworkedswiftly,intendingtokeephiminterested.Occasionallyhefiredoffalittleejaculationofapprobation,andbyandbyhespokeupwithenthusiasm,andsaidIwasamaster!Iputdownmybrush,reachedintomysatchel,fetchedoutaMillet,andpointedtothecipherinthecorner.Isaid,proudly:

“Isupposeyourecognizethat?Well,hetaughtme!IshouldthinkIoughttoknowmytrade!”

Themanlookedguiltilyembarrassed,andwassilent.Isaidsorrowfully:

“Youdon’tmeantointimatethatyoudon’tknowthecipherofFrancoisMillet!”

Ofcoursehedidn’tknowthatcipher;buthewasthegratefulestmanyoueversaw,justthesame,forbeingletoutofanuncomfortableplaceonsucheasyterms.Hesaid: GR-textanalysis3TextAnalysis

“No!Why,itisMillet’s,sureenough!Idon’tknowwhatIcouldhavebeenthinkingof.OfcourseIrecognizeitnow.”

Next,hewantedtobuyit;butIsaidthatalthoughIwasn’trichIwasn’tthatpoor.However,atlast,Ilethimhaveitforeighthundredfrancs.Eighthundred!Yes.Milletwouldhavesolditforaporkchop.Yes,Igoteighthundredfrancsforthatlittlething.IwishIcouldgetitbackforeightythousand.Butthattime’sgoneby.Imadeaverynicepictureofthatman’shouseandIwantedtoofferittohimfortenfrancs,butthatwouldn’tanswer,seeingIwasthepupilofsuchamaster,soIsoldittohimforahundred.IsenttheeighthundredfrancsstraighttoMilletfromthattownandstruckoutagainnextday.TEXTItisalltoooftenthesadfateofartiststhattheyachievefame,iftheyachieveitatall,onlyafterdeath.Inlifetheirtalentmaywellpassunrecognized,leavingthemlivingontheedgeofpoverty.InthisamusingtalebyMarkTwain,abandofyoungartistscomeupwithaningenioussolutiontothisproblem.TEXT-S-1IwasspendingthemonthofMarch1892atMentone,intheRiviera.Atthisretiredspotonehasalltheadvantages,privately,whicharetobehadatMonteCarloandNice,afewmilesfartheralong,publicly.

Thatistosay,onehasthefloodingsunshine,thebalmyair,andthebrilliantbluesea,withoutthemarringadditionsofhumanpowwowandfussandfeathersanddisplay.Mentoneisquiet,simple,restful,unpretentious;therichandthegaudydonotcomethere.Asarule,Imean,therichdonotcomethere.Nowandthenarichmancomes,andIpresentlygotacquaintedwithoneofthese.PartiallytodisguisehimIwillcallhimSmith.Oneday,intheHoteldesAnglais,atthesecondbreakfast,heexclaimed:

“Quick!Castyoureyeonthemangoingoutatthedoor.Takeineverydetailofhim.”

“Why?”

“Doyouknowwhoheis?”IsHeLivingorIsHeDead?MarkTwainIwasspendingthemonthofMarch1892atMentone,intheRiviera.Atthisretiredspotonehasalltheadvantages,privately,whicharetobehadatMonteCarloandNice,afewmilesfartheralong,publicly.Thatistosay,onehasthefloodingsunshine,thebalmyair,andthebrilliantbluesea,withoutthemarringadditionsofhumanpowwowandfussandfeathersanddisplay.Mentoneisquiet,simple,restful,unpretentious;therichandthegaudydonotcomethere.Asarule,Imean,therichdonotcomethere.Nowandthenarichmancomes,andIpresentlygotacquaintedwithoneofthese.PartiallytodisguisehimIwillcallhimSmith.Oneday,intheHoteldesAnglais,atthesecondbreakfast,heexclaimed:

“Quick!Castyoureyeonthemangoingoutatthedoor.Takeineverydetailofhim.”

“Why?”

“Doyouknowwhoheis?”TEXT-W-1IsHeLivingorIsHeDead?MarkTwainTEXT-S-2“Yes.Hespentseveraldaysherebeforeyoucame.Heisanold,retired,andveryrichsilkmanufacturerfromLyons,theysay,andIguessheisaloneintheworld,forhealwayslookssadanddreamy,anddoesn’ttalkwithanybody.HisnameisTheophileMagnan.”

IsupposedthatSmithwouldnowproceedtojustifythelargeinterestwhichhehadshowninMonsieurMagnan,but,instead,hedroppedintoabrownstudy,andwasapparentlylosttomeandtotherestoftheworldduringsomeminutes.Nowandthenhepassedhisfingersthroughhisflossywhitehair,toassisthisthinking,andmeantimeheallowedhisbreakfasttogooncooling.Atlasthesaid:“No,it’sgone;Ican’tcallitback.”

“Can’tcallwhatback?”“It’soneofHansAndersen’sbeautifullittlestories.Butit’sgonefromme.Partofitislikethis:Achildhasacagedbird,whichitloves,butthoughtlesslyneglects.Thebirdpoursoutitssongunheardandunheeded;butintime,hungerandthirstassailthecreature,anditssonggrowsplaintiveandfeebleandfinallyceases—thebirddies.TEXT-W-2“Yes.Hespentseveraldaysherebeforeyoucame.Heisanold,retired,andveryrichsilkmanufacturerfromLyons,theysay,andIguessheisaloneintheworld,forhealwayslookssadanddreamy,anddoesn’ttalkwithanybody.HisnameisTheophileMagnan.”IsupposedthatSmithwouldnowproceedtojustifythelargeinterestwhichhehadshowninMonsieurMagnan,but,instead,hedroppedintoabrownstudy,andwasapparentlylosttomeandtotherestoftheworldduringsomeminutes.Nowandthenhepassedhisfingersthroughhisflossywhitehair,toassisthisthinking,andmeantimeheallowedhisbreakfasttogooncooling.Atlasthesaid:“No,it’sgone;Ican’tcallitback.”“Can’tcallwhatback?”“It’soneofHansAndersen’sbeautifullittlestories.Butit’sgonefromme.Partofitislikethis:Achildhasacagedbird,whichitloves,butthoughtlesslyneglects.Thebirdpoursoutitssongunheardandunheeded;butintime,hungerandthirstassailthecreature,anditssonggrowsplaintiveandfeebleandfinallyceases—thebirddies.TEXT-S-3Butherewewereinterrupted.AbouttenthateveningIranacrossSmith,andheaskedmeuptohisparlourtohelphimsmokeanddrinkhotScotch.Itwasacozyplace,withitscomfortablechairs,itscheerfullamps,anditsfriendlyopenfireofseasonedolive-wood.Tomakeeverythingperfect,therewasamuffledboomingofthesurfoutside.AfterthesecondScotchandmuchlazyandcontentedchat,Smithsaid:Thechildcomes,andissmittentotheheartwithremorse;then,withbittertearsandlamentations,itcallsitsmates,andtheyburythebirdwithelaboratepompandthetenderestgrief,withoutknowing,poorthings,thatitisn’tchildrenonlywhostarvepoetstodeathandthenspendenoughontheirfuneralsandmonumentstohavekeptthemaliveandmadethemeasyandcomfortable.Now—”TEXT-W-3Butherewewereinterrupted.AbouttenthateveningIranacrossSmith,andheaskedmeuptohisparlourtohelphimsmokeanddrinkhotScotch.Itwasacozyplace,withitscomfortablechairs,itscheerfullamps,anditsfriendlyopenfireofseasonedolive-wood.Tomakeeverythingperfect,therewasamuffledboomingofthesurfoutside.AfterthesecondScotchandmuchlazyandcontentedchat,Smithsaid:Thechildcomes,andissmittentotheheartwithremorse;then,withbittertearsandlamentations,itcallsitsmates,andtheyburythebirdwithelaboratepompandthetenderestgrief,withoutknowing,poorthings,thatitisn’tchildrenonlywhostarvepoetstodeathandthenspendenoughontheirfuneralsandmonumentstohavekeptthemaliveandmadethemeasyandcomfortable.Now—”TEXT-S-4

“Nowweareproperlyprimed—Itotellacurioushistory,andyoutolistentoit.Ithasbeenasecretformanyyears—asecretbetweenmeandthreeothers;butIamgoingtobreakthesealnow.Areyoucomfortable?”

“Perfectly.Goon.”Herefollowswhathetoldme:AlongtimeagoIwasayoungartist—averyyoungartist,infact—andIwanderedaboutthecountrypartsofFrance,sketchinghereandsketchingthere,andwaspresentlyjoinedbyacoupleofdarlingyoungFrenchmenwhowereatthesamekindofthingthatIwasdoing.Wewereashappyaswewerepoor,oraspooraswewerehappy—phraseittosuityourself.ClaudeFrereandCarlBoulanger—thesearethenamesofthoseboys;dear,dearfellows,andthesunniestspiritsthateverlaughedatpovertyandhadanoblegoodtimeinallweathers.TEXT-S-5AtlastweranhardagroundinaBretonvillage,andanartistaspoorasourselvestookusinandliterallysavedusfromstarving—FrancoisMillet—

“What!thegreatFrancoisMillet?”Great?Hewasn’tanygreaterthanwewere,then.Hehadn’tanyfame,eveninhisownvillage;andhewassopoorthathehadn’tanythingtofeedusonbutturnips,andeventheturnipsfailedussometimes.Wefourbecamefastfriends,dotingfriends,inseparables.Wepaintedawaytogetherwithallourmight,pilingupstock,pilingupstock,butveryseldomgettingridofanyofit.Wehadlovelytimestogether;but,Omysoul!Howwewerepinchednowandthen!Foralittleovertwoyearsthiswenton.Atlast,oneday,Claudesaid:TEXT-W-5AtlastweranhardagroundinaBretonvillage,andanartistaspoorasourselvestookusinandliterallysavedusfromstarving—FrancoisMillet—

“What!thegreatFrancoisMillet?”Great?Hewasn’tanygreaterthanwewere,then.Hehadn’tanyfame,eveninhisownvillage;andhewassopoorthathehadn’tanythingtofeedusonbutturnips,andeventheturnipsfailedussometimes.Wefourbecamefastfriends,dotingfriends,inseparables.Wepaintedawaytogetherwithallourmight,pilingupstock,pilingupstock,butveryseldomgettingridofanyofit.Wehadlovelytimestogether;but,Omysoul!Howwewerepinchednowandthen!Foralittleovertwoyearsthiswenton.Atlast,oneday,Claudesaid:

text-S-6“Boys,we’vecometotheend.Doyouunderstandthat?—absolutelytotheend.Everybodyhasstruck—there’saleagueformedagainstus.I’vebeenallaroundthevillageandit’sjustasItellyou.Theyrefusetocreditusforanothercentimeuntilalltheoddsandendsarepaidup.”Thisstruckuscold.Everyfacewasblankwithdismay.Werealizedthatourcircumstancesweredesperate,now.Therewasalongsilence.Finally,Milletsaidwithasigh:“Nothingoccurstome—nothing.Suggestsomething,lads.”Therewasnoresponse,unlessamournfulsilencemaybecalledaresponse.Carlgotup,andwalkednervouslyupanddownawhile,thensaid:“It’sashame!Lookatthesecanvases:stacksandstacksofasgoodpicturesasanybodyinEuropepaints—Idon’tcarewhoheis.Yes,andplentyoflounging