Since I got promoted from exam student to student-examiner... here I am with newfound vigour 😆
A test for your (our) Quick wittedness:
1.Point Counter Point by Aldous Huxley.
'I had to fix the bridge... and you were in the way... that's all...'
'Anyway, I came by because I wanted your permission... I'd need to use a patch of your garden... to plant a few herbs of mine... before they die out. And if you let me know where I can plant them... I'll bear in mind to stick to the boundaries...' a formal pause followed 'So, I don't inconvenience you, by coming in your way!' she ended her request calmly, with not a trace of annoyance in her voice - making it difficult for anyone to figure out if there was a 'wry remark' hidden in that request at all.
2.The Case of the Substitute Face by Earl Stanley Gardner.
Heera looked up from her spot too with a sigh 'And there goes your promise, Bindiya!' Ever since the heiress had set out on this perilous journey, she'd been travelling, disguised as a commoner - a practise generally used amongst aristocrats to protect the identity of the master, in case of an attack. And Bindiya was playing the 'heiress' - only because the eager maid had promised to keep a check on her emotions throughout the journey. Yet, at the first signs of a problem, the lady couldn't seem to stop speaking her mind!
3. As I lay Dying by William Faulkner.
'I will NOT give you the Farmaan, even if you take my life!' the breathless warrior challenged him as she lay bleeding on the floor, the faces of her loved ones flashing before her eyes
4. All the Kings Men by Robert Penn Warren.
the dark gloomy shadows that were bearing down upon his features turned darker. Much darker 'But first, I will avenge Durga's death! I will ruin that beast Khalil... and his soldiers... and his followers... and his Ustaad... and all other generals who threaten Rajput honour! I will restore Hindu pride!'
5. The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder.
Traipsing up to the wooden footbridge, she placed a cautious step on each plank - one after another. However, three footsteps in and she recognised how unstable the structure was beginning to feel.
6. Cocktail Time by P.G. Woodhouse.
'If this is how you men behave after a few sips of Sherbet' Akbar remarked flatly 'I must consider it fortunate that none of you touch alcohol...'
7. On the Road by Jack Kerouac.
Like the hooves of the horses that tirelessly clanked for the past 5 days...
People who'd tirelessly walked by her palanquin for the past 5 days.
8. Behind the Mask by E.S. Gardner.
Memories so evasive that they'd somehow found their way through all his walls and masks he'd kept intact for so long. Subtle memories, which had stubbornly lodged in a far corner of his mind - that try as he might, he couldn't oust them.
Why was his mind not as steady lately? Didn't it realise that the life he'd chosen was too ominous and the paths he took too dark, to afford him the luxury of such mistakes?
9. Trader by Charles de Lint.
'Pardon me' Heera stopped in front of the perplexed trader 'I couldn't help but notice your accent... you must originally be from some place North of the capital...'
'W...wh...' his head jerked back in bafflement. For a moment, he wondered if he'd heard her question right, his mind very sceptical about this young lady's intentions 'Yes I am...' his reply came out as a grunt 'So?'
'Your accent is so refined... I have been trying to learn Urdu myself...'
10. Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson MacCullers.
So, what in God's name had she been thinking? Why had she lost her sense of judgement and acted that way? Was it because her mind was eager for some distraction to escape the anguish it was suffering? Or, was life so lonely that she'd become desperate for some intelligent company after the demise of her jiji?
Edited by lashy - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
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