ESL Blogs

   Mark Tyler was grateful for the shelter of his nephew’s home, and he tried to show his gratitude. He liked to be outdoors, and so he kept the flower beds in meticulous order ,even though kneeling was difficult and getting up was even more so. And when Lucy ,his nephew’s wife came back home at late from her clubs or charity committee meetings ,Mark would have set the table and dinner half going. At such times Lucy would rush in breathlessly and say , "Uncle Mark ,you are a darling !" All evening the glow of her words would warm his heart.

   He was old and his hair was silver-gray, but his eyes were still an unfaded blue in his sun-bronzed face and his understanding was keen and intuitive. John and Lucy had no children , but they were constantly busy with business and social activities. He was well aware that their hearts were big , or they’d never have taken him into their home. So he was shyly eager to please ,humbly happy when they took note of him, careful not to intrude in their lives . And he was lonely.

   That was how he came to know the setter. It was white , its body flecked lightly with brown , and its legs and tail beautifully feathered. It belonged to the Wilsons ,who had recently moved into the colonial house across the street.In the daytime, the setter waited with brooding, forlorn patience , but when the two small Winlson children came home from school ,he burst into life with a frenzy of joyous activity. In the evenings , after the children had gone to bed , he lay quietly outside the door, lifting his head eagerly when someone came out ,lowering it dejectedly when the person paid him no heed. Old Mark observed all this as he took the walks or when he worked in the yard, "The dog’s lonesome , same as me , " he would say to himself, and each day he would pause in front of the Wilson house and speak softly to the dog. once when Mark stopped , the setter crept toward him, then suddenly turned and went back to the house.

   Mark learned that the children called the dog Ricky. And since he had never seen the setter enjoying a bone, he asked Mrs. Wilson whether she minded if he sometimes brought one to Ricky."Heavens ,no!" she said. " I’m afraid the children are the only ones who pay much attention to him .we wouldn’t bother with a dog if it weren’t for them." When she had gone ,Mark unwrapped the bone ." You ‘ll like this , fellow ," he said gently. The following day when Mark went over , the setter came closer. Then finally, the day arrived when he carefully took a bone from Mark’s hand. Still another day ,when there was no bone ,he let Mark to touch his head briefly. As time went by , the setter began watching for Mark , his tail wagging, his eyes expectant. Slowly and shyly ,they grew to know each other keeping a reserved distance as gentlemen should.