9. This story is taken from the book called _Roast Beef, Medium_. Other good books of short stories by this author are _Personality Plus_, and _Cheerful--by Request_. BITTER-SWEET 1. Note the introduction, a characteristic of all of Fannie Hurst's stories. What purpose does it serve here? What trait of Gertie's is brought out? Is this important to the story? 2. From the paragraph on page 139 beginning "It was into the trickle of the last----" select examples that show the author's skill in the use of words. What other instances of this do you note in the story? 3. Read the sketch of the author. What episode in her life gave her material for parts of this story? 4. Notice how skillfully the conversation is handled. The opening situation developes itself entirely through dialogue, yet in a perfectly natural way. It is almost like a play rather than a story. If it were dramatized, how many scenes would it make? 5. What does the title mean? Does the author give us the key to its meaning? 6. What do you think of Gertie as you read the first part of the conversation in the restaurant? Does your opinion of her change at the end of the story? Has her character changed? 7. Is the ending of the story artistic? Why mention the time-clock? What had Gertie said about it? 8. State in three or four words the central idea of the story. Is it true to life? 9. What is the meaning of these words: atavism; penumbra; semaphore; astigmatic; insouciance; mise-en-scene; kinetic? 10. Other books of stories dealing with life in New York City are _The Four Million_, and _The Voice of the City_, by O. Henry; _Van Bibber and Others_, by Richard Harding Davis; _Every Soul Hath Its Song_, by Fannie Hurst; _Doctor Rast_, by James Oppenheim. THE RIVERMAN 1. In how many scenes is this story told? What is the connection between them? 2. Is there anything in the first description of Dicky Darrell that gives you a slight prejudice against him? 3. Why was the sympathy of the crowd with Jimmy Powers in the birling match? 4. Comment on Jimmy's remark at the end of the story. Did he mean it, or is he just trying to turn away the praise? 5. What are the characteristics of a lumberman, as seen in Jimmy Powers? 6. Read the sketch of Stewart Edward White, and decide which one of his books you would like to read. FLINT AND FIRE 1. What does the title mean? 2. How does the author strike the keynote of the story in the opening paragraph? 3. Where is the first hint of the real theme of the story? 4. Point out some of the dialect expressions. Why is dialect used? 5. What turn of surprise comes at the end of the story? Is it probable?