The devoted friend by oscar wilde (excerpt) “what disobedient children! ” cried the old water-rat; “they really deserve to be drowned.” “nothing of the kind,” answered the duck, “everyone must make a beginning, and parents cannot be too patient.” “ah! i know nothing about the feelings of parents,” said the water-rat; “i am not a family man. in fact, i have never been married, and i never intend to be. love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much higher. indeed, i know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship.” “and what, pray, is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend? ” asked a green linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and had overheard the conversation. “yes, that is just what i want to know,” said the duck; and she swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her children a good example. “what a silly question! ” cried the water-rat. “i should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course.” “and what would you do in return? ” said the little bird, swinging upon a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings. “i don’t understand you,” answered the water-rat. “let me tell you a story on the subject,” said the linnet. “is the story about me? ” asked the water-rat. “if so, i will listen to it, for i am extremely fond of fiction.” “it is applicable to you,” answered the linnet; and he flew down, and alighting upon the bank, he told the story of the devoted friend. 14 select the correct answer. based on the passage, which sentence best describes the water-rat? a. the water-rat is arrogant and self-involved. b. the water-rat is funny and wishes to entertain the birds. c. the water-rat is shy and scared of the birds. d. the water-rat thinks he is too good to talk to the birds.

Read the excerpt from act 2 of a doll's house. nora: [quickly] he mustn't get the letter. tear it up. i will find some means of getting money. krogstad: excuse me, mrs. helmer, but i think i told you just now— nora: i am not speaking of what i owe you. tell me what sum you are asking my husband for, and i will get the money. krogstad: i am not asking your husband for a penny. nora: what do you want, then? krogstad: i will tell you. i want to rehabilitate myself, mrs. helmer; i want to get on; and in that your husband must me. for the last year and a half i have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, amid all that time i have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. i was content to work my way up step by step. now i am turned out, and i am not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. i want to get on, i tell you. i want to get into the bank again, in a higher position. your husband must make a place for me— nora: that he will never do! krogstad: he will; i know him; he dare not protest. and as soon as i am in there again with him, then you will see! within a year i shall be the manager's right hand. it will be nils krogstad and not torvald helmer who manages the bank. nora: that's a thing you will never see! krogstad: do you mean that you will—? nora: i have courage enough for it now. krogstad: oh, you can't frighten me. a fine, spoilt lady like you— nora: you will see, you will see. krogstad: under the ice, perhaps? down into the cold, coal-black water? and then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognisable, with your hair fallen out— nora: you can't frighten me. krogstad: nor you me. people don't do such things, mrs. helmer. besides, what use would it be? i should have him completely in my power all the same. nora: afterwards? when i am no longer— krogstad: have you forgotten that it is i who have the keeping of your reputation? [nora stands speechlessly looking at him.] well, now, i have warned you. do not do anything foolish. when helmer has had my letter, i shall expect a message from him. and be sure you remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this again. i will never forgive him for that. goodbye, mrs. helmer. [exit through the hall.] what conflict does krogstad introduce? krogstad tells nora that he has written a letter telling helmer about her affair with the doctor. krogstad refuses to forgive helmer unless nora finds a way to come up with more money. krogstad tries to blackmail nora into getting helmer to keep him at the bank by exposing her forgery. krogstad plans to take helmer’s job managing the bank and ruin nora’s reputation while doing so.