Question

Review the excerpt from "Lather and Nothing Else."

The lather was drying on his face. I must hurry. Through the mirror, I took a look at the street. It appeared about as usual; there was the grocery shop with two or three customers. Then I glanced at the clock, two-thirty.

Which phrases does the author use to quicken the pace and build suspense?

through the mirror; usual
hurry; glanced at the clock
appeared; grocery shop
took a look; three customers

Answer 1

"hurry; glanced at the clock."

"I must hurry" creates immediate urgency; "Then I glanced at the clock" focuses on time passing and raises suspense.