from Alexander's Bridge
by Willa Cather
1 When the servant admitted him, Mrs. Alexander was still standing in the hallway. She heard him give his name, and came forward holding out her hand.
2 "Is it you, indeed, Professor Wilson? I was afraid that you might get here before I did. I was detained at a concert, and Bartley telephoned that he would be late. Thomas will show you your room. Had you rather have your tea brought to you there, or will you have it down here with me, while we wait for Bartley?"
3 Wilson was pleased to find that he had been the cause of her rapid walk, and with her he was even more vastly pleased than before. He followed her through the drawing-room into the library, where the wide back windows looked out upon the garden and the sunset and a fine stretch of silver-colored river. A harp-shaped elm stood stripped against the pale-colored evening sky, with ragged last year's birds' nests in its forks, and through the bare branches the evening star quivered in the misty air. The long brown room breathed the peace of a rich and amply guarded quiet. Tea was brought in immediately and placed in front of the wood fire. Mrs. Alexander sat down in a high-backed chair and began to pour it, while Wilson sank into a low seat opposite her and took his cup with a great sense of ease and harmony and comfort.
4 "You have had a long journey, haven’t you?" Mrs. Alexander asked, after showing gracious concern about his tea. "And I am so sorry Bartley is late. He's often tired when he's late. He flatters himself that it is a little on his account that you have come to this Congress of Psychologists."
5 "It is," Wilson assented, selecting his muffin carefully; "and I hope he won't be tired tonight. But, on my own account, I'm glad to have a few moments alone with you, before Bartley comes. I was somehow afraid that my knowing him so well would not put me in the way of getting to know you.”
6 "That's very nice of you." She nodded at him above her cup and smiled, but there was a little formal tightness in her tone which had not been there when she greeted him in the hall.
7 Wilson leaned forward. "Have I said something awkward? I live very far out of the world, you know. But I didn't mean that you would exactly fade dim, even if Bartley were here."
8 Mrs. Alexander laughed relentingly. "Oh, I'm not so vain! How terribly discerning you are."
9 She looked straight at Wilson, and he felt that this quick, frank glance brought about an understanding between them.
10 He liked everything about her, he told himself, but he particularly liked her eyes; when she looked at one directly for a moment they were like a glimpse of fine windy sky that may bring all sorts of weather.
11 "Since you noticed something," Mrs. Alexander went on, "it must have been a flash of the distrust I have come to feel whenever I meet any of the people who knew Bartley when he was a boy. It is always as if they were talking of someone I had never met. Really, Professor Wilson, it would seem that he grew up among the strangest people. They usually say that he has turned out very well, or remark that he always was a fine fellow. I never know what reply to make."
12 Wilson chuckled and leaned back in his chair, shaking his left foot gently. "I expect the fact is that we none of us knew him very well, Mrs. Alexander. Though I will say for myself that I was always confident he'd do something extraordinary."
13 Mrs. Alexander's shoulders gave a slight movement, suggestive of impatience. "Oh, I should think that might have been a safe prediction. Another cup, please?"
14 "Yes, thank you. But predicting, in the case of boys, is not so easy as you might imagine, Mrs. Alexander. Some get a bad hurt early and lose their courage; and some never get a fair wind. Bartley”—he dropped his chin on the back of his long hand and looked at her admiringly—“Bartley caught the wind early, and it has sung in his sails ever since."
From Alexander's Bridge, by Willa Cather. Public Domain.
Question
Which set of sentences summarizes the passage?
Responses
Mrs. Alexander is uncertain that she wants Professor Wilson to stay in her house, so she comes home late the night he arrives. Since Wilson is an old friend of her husband's, she is civil to him.
Mrs. Alexander is uncertain that she wants Professor Wilson to stay in her house, so she comes home late the night he arrives. Since Wilson is an old friend of her husband's, she is civil to him.
Professor Wilson knew Bartley Alexander as a boy and now has come to stay in his home for a long visit. Mrs. Alexander greets him in a formal and distant way, so Wilson wonders if he has offended her.
Professor Wilson knew Bartley Alexander as a boy and now has come to stay in his home for a long visit. Mrs. Alexander greets him in a formal and distant way, so Wilson wonders if he has offended her.
Bartley Alexander is a successful person whose old friend, Professor Wilson, comes to visit him. However, he is away from home when his friend arrives, which makes Mrs. Alexander feel uncomfortable being alone with him.
Bartley Alexander is a successful person whose old friend, Professor Wilson, comes to visit him. However, he is away from home when his friend arrives, which makes Mrs. Alexander feel uncomfortable being alone with him.
Professor Wilson is staying at the home of Bartley Alexander, who is running late. Mrs. Alexander serves him tea, and they become acquainted while waiting for Bartley to arrive. Wilson expresses pleasure to get to know Mrs. Alexander before Bartley returns.
1 answer
The best summary of the passage is:
Professor Wilson is staying at the home of Bartley Alexander, who is running late. Mrs. Alexander serves him tea, and they become acquainted while waiting for Bartley to arrive. Wilson expresses pleasure to get to know Mrs. Alexander before Bartley returns.
