NCERT Book Class 12 English (Vistas) Chapter 5 On the face of it

5
On The Face Of It
Susan Hill

Before you read
This is a play featuring an old man and a small boy meeting in the
former’s garden. The old man strikes up a friendship with the boy
who is very withdrawn and defiant. What is the bond that unites
the two?
Scene One
Mr Lamb’s garden [There is the occasional sound of birdsong and of
tree leaves rustling. Derry’s footsteps are heard as he walks slowly and
tentatively through the long grass. He pauses, then walks on again.
He comes round a screen of bushes, so that when Mr Lamb speaks
to him he is close at hand and Derry is startled]

Mr La b: Mind the apples!
Derry: What? Who’s that? Who’s there?
Mr La b: Lamb’s my name. Mind the apples.
Crab apples those are. Windfalls in
the long grass. You could trip.
Who is Mr Lamb? Derry: I....there....I thought this was an
How does Derry empty place. I didn’t know there was
get into his anybody here....
garden? Mr La b: That’s all right. I’m here. What are
you afraid of, boy? That’s all right.

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