The Oblong Box
by Edgar Allan Poe (excerpt)
In this excerpt from his short story "The Oblong Box," Poe tells the story of a sea voyage and a mysterious box. The narrator learns that an old college friend
named Wyatt is traveling aboard the same ship. His friend has brought a box onto the ship, but he will
not reveal its contents. Here, the narrator describes the
early days of the sea journey.
(1) The box in question was, as I say,,oblong. It was about six feet in length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like to be precise. Now this
shape was PECULIAR; and no sooner had I seen it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing
. I had reached the conclusion, it will be
remembered, that the extra baggage of my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or
at least a picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in
conference with Nicolino-and now here was a box, which, from its shape, COULD possibly contain nothing in the
world but a copy of Leonardo's "Last
Supper, and a copy of this very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger, at Florence, I had
known, for some time, to be in the possession of Nicolino.
This
point, therefore, I considered as sufficiently settled. I'chuckled excessively when I thought
of my acumen. It was the first time I had ever known Wyatt to keep
from me any of his artistical secrets; but here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle
a fine picture to New York, under my very nose;
expecting me to know nothing of the matter. I resolved to quiz him WELL, now and hereafter.
(2) One thing, however, annoyed me not a little. The box did NOT go into the extra stateroom. It was deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it remained,
occupying very nearly the whole of the floor-no doubt to the exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;-this the
more especially as the tar or paint
with
Read the excerpt from "The Oblong Box."
"He had married," he said, "for love, and for love only; and his bride was far more than worthy of his love." When I thought of these expressions, on the
part of my friend, I confess that I felt indescribably puzzled.
What is the meaning of the word expressions as it is used in the text?
OA. specific words or phrases
OB. looks on people's faces that convey feelings
OC. pronouncements about thoughts or feelings
D. combinations of mathematical symbols