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The Piece of String
BY GUY DE MAUPASSANT
ALONG ALL THE ROADS around Goderville the peasants and their wives were coming toward the burgh because it was market day. ...
Maître Hauchecome of Breaute had just arrived at Goderville, and he was directing his steps toward the public square when he perceived upon the ground a little piece of string. ... two arms and string out of the dirt. ...
"Ah, he saw me, the clodhopper, he saw me pick up this string here, Msieu the Mayor." And rummaging in his pocket, he drew out the little piece of string. ... "
The mayor resumed:
"After picking up the object you stood like a stilt, looking a long while in the mud to see if any piece of money had fallen out. ... He began to tell the story of the string. ... He started on his way with three neighbors to whom he pointed out the place where he had picked up the bit of string, and all along the road he spoke of his adventure. ... "
A horse dealer from Monvilliers called to him:
"Come, come, old sharper, thats an old trick; I know all about your piece of string! ...
Then he began to recount the adventures again, prolonging his history every day, adding each time new reasons, more energetic protestations, more solemn oaths which he imagined and prepared in his hours of solitude, his whole mind given up to the story of the string. ...
The wags now made him tell about the string to amuse them, as they make a soldier who has been on a campaign tell about his battles. ...
He died in the first days of January, and in the delirium of his death struggles he kept claiming his innocence, reiterating:
"A piece of string, a piece of string--look--here it is, Msieu the Mayor
Approximate Word count = 2349
Approximate Pages = 9.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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