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Porter […] was up a step ladder behind the counter, re-lining the shelves with fresh paper.

‘Evening.’

‘I told you it wouldn’t take me long, didn’t I?’

‘What did you do, throw half of ’em over a hedge?’

‘No need. I know some short cuts coming back.’

‘I’ll bet you do, over people’s property, no doubt.’

‘No, across some fields. It cuts miles off.’

‘It’s a good job t’farmer didn’t see you, else you might have got a barrel of shotspred up your arse.’

‘What for? There was only grass in ’em.’

Billy folded the bag in half and placed it on the counter.

‘Not on there. You know where it goes.’

Billy walked round the counter and squeezed past the step ladder. Porter […] watched him open a drawer […] and stuff the bag inside.

‘You’ll be wanting me to take ’em round for your next.’

Explanation and Analysis:

When Billy finishes his paper route and returns to Mr. Porter’s store to drop off the newspaper bag, Mr. Porter has more sharp and critical words for his young employee. Readers should note the way in which Mr. Porter continually assumes that B...

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Original

Romeo

(aside) She speaks.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o’er my head,
As is a winged messenger of heaven
Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes
Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him
When he bestrides the lazy-puffing clouds
And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art though Romeo?
Deny they father and refuse they name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

Modern

Romeo

(to himself) She speaks. Speak again, bright angel! For tonight you are as glorious, there up above me, as a winged messenger of heaven who makes mortals fall onto their backs to gaze up with awestruck eyes as he strides across the lazy clouds and sails through the air.

Juliet

O Romeo, Romeo! Why must you be Romeo? Deny your father and give up your name. Or, if you won’t change your name, just swear your love to me and I’ll give up being a Capulet.

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