ENGLISH BOOK 1 FIRST YEAR

Lesson No. 1

                                           Button, Button

                                                                                                      (Richard Matheson)

The package was lying by the front door - a cube-shaped carton sealed with tape, their name and address printed by hand: Mr, and Mrs. Arthur Lewis, 217-E, Thirty-seventh Street, New York, New York 10016." Norma picked it up, unlocked the door, and went into the apartment. It was just getting dark.

      After she had put the lamb chops in the boiler, she sat down to open the package.

Inside the carton was a push button unit fastened to a small wooden box. A glass dome covered the button. Norma tried to lift  it off, but it was locked in place. She turned the unit over and saw a folded piece of paper scotch-taped to the bottom of the box. She pulled it off : "Mr. Steward will call on you at 8.00 P.M."

Norma put the button unit beside her on the couch. She reread the typed note, smiling.

A few moments later, she went back into the kitchen to make the salad.

The doorbell rang at eight o'clock. "I'II get it," Norma called from the kitchen.

Arthur was in the living room, reading.

There was a small man in the hallway. He removed his hat as Norma opened the door. "Mrs. Lewis?" he  inquired politely.

    "Yes?"

   "I'm Mr. Steward."

"Oh, Yes." Norma repressed a smile. She was sure now it was a sales pitch.

"May I come in ?" asked Mr. Steward.

"I'm rather busy,"Norma said.

"Don't you want to know what it is?"

Norma turned back. Mr. Steward's tone had been offensive. "No. I don't think so,"she replied.

"It could prove very valuable," he told her.

"Monetarily?" she challenged.

Mr. steward nodded,"Monetarily," he said.

Norma frowned. She didn't like his attitude. 'What are you trying to sell?"she asked.

"I'm not selling anything,"he answered.

Arthur came out of the living room. "Something wrong?'

Mr. Steward introduced himself.

"Oh,the- " Arthur pointed toward the living room and smiled.

"What is that gadget,anyway?"

"It won't take long to explain,"replied Mr.Steward."May I come in?"

"If you're selling something-,"Arthur said.

Mr. Steward shook his head."I'm not."

Arthur looked at Norma."Up to you," she said.

He hesitated. "Well,why not?"he said.

They went into the living room and Mr. Steward sat in Norma's chair. He reached into an inside coat pocket and withdrew a small sealed envelope."Inside here is a key to the bell unit dome,"he said. He set the envelope on the chair side table.

"The bell is connected to our office."

"What's it for?"asked Arthur.

"If you push the button,"Mr. Steward told him,"somewhere in the world someone you don't know will die.

In return for which you will receive a payment of $50,000."

Norma stared at the small man. He was smiling.

"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked him.

Mr. Steward looked surprised."But I've just explained,"he said.

"Is this a practical joke?"asked Arthur.

"Not at all. The offer is completely genuine."

"You aren't making sense,"Arthur said. "You expect us to believe-"

"Who do you represent?"demanded Norma.

Mr. Steward looked embarrassed."I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you that,"he said. "However, I assure you, the organization is of international scope".

"I think  you'd better leave,"Arthur said,standing.

Mr. Steward rose,"Of course."

"And take your button unit with you."

"Are you sure you wouldn't care to think about it for a day or so?"

Arthur picked up the button unit and the envelope and thrust them into Mr. Steward's hands.He walked into the hall and pulled open the door.

"I'II leave my card", said Mr. steward. He placed it on the table by the door.

When he was gone, Arthur tore it in half and tossed the pieces onto the table.

Norma was still sitting on the sofa. "What do you to think it was?",she asked.

"I don't care to know," he answered.

She tried to smile but couldn't."Aren't you curious at all?"

"No."He shook his head.

After Arthur had returned to his book, Norma went back to the kitchen and finished washing the dishes.

"Why won't you talk about it?"Norma asked.

Arthur's eyes shifted as he brushed his teeth. ,He looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

"Doesn't it intrigue you?"

"It offends me," Arthur said.

"I know, but"- Norma rolled another curler in her hair-" doesn't it intrigue you too?"

"You think it's a practical joke?" she asked as they went into the room.

"If it is, it's a sick one.

Norma sat on her chair and said after a moment.

"May be it's some kind of psychological research."

Arthur shrugged. "Could be."

"Maybe some eccentric millionaire is doing it."

"May be."

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Arthur shook his head.

"Why?"

"Because it's immoral," he told her.

Norma slid beneath the covers." Well, I think it's intriguing,"she said.

Arthur turned off the lamp."Good night,"he said.

Norma closed her eyes. Fifty thousand dollars, she thought.

In the morning, as she left the apartment, Norma saw the card halves on the table. Impulsively, she dropped them into her purse.She locked the front door and joined Arthur in the elevator.

While she was on her coffee break, she took the card halves from her purse and held the torn edges together. Only Mr. Steward's name and telephone number was printed on the card.

After lunch , she took the card halves from her purse again and scotch-taped the edges together."Why am I doing this?" she thought.

Just before five , she dialed the number.

"Good afternoon,"said Mt. Steward's voice.

Norma almost hung up but restrained herself. She cleared her throat.

"This is Mrs. Lewis," she said.

"Yes,Mrs. Lewis,"Mr.Steward sounded pleased.

"I'm curious."

"That's natural,"Mr.Steward said.

"Not that I believe a word of what you told us."

"Oh, it's quite authentic,"Mr.Steward answered.

"Well,whatever-"Norma swallowed."When you said someone in the world would die, What did you mean?" "Exactly that," he answered."  It could be anyone. All we guarantee is that you don't know them. And, of course, that you wouldn't have to watch them die."

"For $50,000." Norma said.

"That is correct."

She made a scoffing sound."That's crazy."

"Nonetheless, that is the proposition,"Mr. steward said."Would you like me to return the button unit?"

Norma stiffened.'Certainly not." She hung up angrily.

The package was lying by the front door; Norma saw it as she left the elevator.

Well,of all the nerve,she thought. She glared at the carton as she unlocked the door.

I just won't take it in, she thought. She went inside and started dinner.

Later, she went into the front hall. Opening the door, she picked up the package and carried it into the kitchen, leaving it on the table.

She sat in the living room, looking out the window. After a while, she went back into the kitchen to turn the cutlets in the broiler. She put the package in a bottom cabinet. She'd throw it out in the morning.

"May be some eccentric millionaire is plying games with people,"she said.

Arthur looked up from his dinner. "I don't understand you."

"What does that mean?"

"Let it go,"he told her.

Norma ate in silence. Suddenly, she put her fork down. "Suppose it's a genuine offer?" she said.

Arthur stared at her.

"Suppose it's a genuine offer?"

"All right, suppose it is?" He looked incredulous. "What would you like to do?

Get the button back and push it? Murder someone?"

Norma looked disgusted. "Murder."

"How would you define it?"

"If you don't even know the person?" Norma said.

Arthur looked astounded,"Are you saying what  I think you are?"

"If  it's some old Chinese peasant ten thousand miles away? Some diseased native in the Congo?"

"How about some baby boy in Pennsylvania?" Arthur countered. "Some beautiful little girl  on the next block?"

Now you're loading things."

"The point is, Norma," he continued. "what's the difference who you kill? It 's still murder."

"The point is,"Norma broke in, "if it's someone you've never seen in your life and never will see, someone whose death you don't even have to know about, you still wouldn't push the button?"

Arthur stared at her,appalled."You mean you would?"

"Fifty thousand dollars ,Arthur."

"What has the amount-"

"Fifty thousand dollars,Arthur,"Norma interrupted. "A chance to take that trip to Europe we've always talked about."

"Norma,no."

"A chance to buy that cottage on the island."

"Norma, no ." His face was white.

She shuddered. "All right, take it easy," she said. "Why are you getting so upset? It's only talk."

After dinner, Arthur went into the living room. Before he left the table, he said,"I'd rather not discuss it anymore, if you don't mind."

Norma shrugged,"Fine with me."

She got up earlier than usual to make pancakes, eggs, and tea for Arthur's breakfast.

"What's the occasion?" he asked with a smile.

"No occasion."Norma looked offended. "I wanted to do it , that's all."

"Good."He said."I'm glad you did."

She refilled his cup."Wanted to show you I'm not-" she shrugged.

"Not what?"

"Selfish."

"Did I say you were?"

"Well"- she gestured vaguely-"last night"......

Arthur didn't speak.

"All that talk about the button", Norma said . "I think you - well, misunderstood me."

"In what way?" His voice was guarded.

"I think you felt "- she gestured again- "that I was only thinking of myself."

"Oh."

"I wasn't."

"Norma -"

"Well, I wasn't. When I talked about Europe, a cottage on the Island -".

"Norma , why are we getting so involved in this?"

"I'm not involved at all."She drew in a shaking breath."I'm simply trying to indicate that -".

"What?"

"That I'd like for us to go to Europe. Like for us to have a cottage on the Island. Like for us to have a nicer apartment, nicer furniture, nicer clothes, a car."

"Norma, we will," he said.

"When?"

"Are you"- he seemed to draw back slightly-" are you really saying-"

"I'm saying that they're probably doing it for some research project!" she cut him off.

"That they want to know what average people would do under such a circumstances! That they're just saying someone would die, in order to study reactions,see if there would be guilt, anxiety, whatever! You don't really think they'd kill somebody, do you?!"

Arthur didn't answer. She saw his hands trembling. After a while, he got up and left.

When he'd gone to work, Norma remained at the table, staring into her coffee. I'm going to be late, she thought. She shrugged. What difference did it make?

While she was stacking dishes, she turned abruptly, dried her hands, and took the package from the bottom cabinet. Opening it, she set the button unit on the table. She stared at it for a long time before taking the key from its envelope and removing the glass dome. She stared at the button. How ridiculous, she thought. All this furore over a meaningless button.

Reaching out , she pressed it down.For us, she thought angrily.

She shuddered. Was it happening? A chill of horror swept across her.

In a moment, it had passed. She had a contemptuous noise. Ridiculous, she thought. To get so worked up over nothing.

She threw the button unit, dome, and key into the wastebasket and hurried to dress for work.

She had just turned over the supper steaks when the telephone rang. She picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Lewis?"

"Yes?"

"This is the Lenox Hill Hospital."

She felt unreal as the voice informed her of the subway accident - the shoving crowd, Arthur pushed from the platform in front of the train. She was conscious of shaking her head but couldn't stop.

As she hung up, she remembered Arthur's life insurance policy for $ 25,000 with double indemnity for -.

"No." "She couldn't seem to breathe. She struggled to her feet and walked into the kitchen numbly. Something cold pressed at her skull as she removed the button unit from the wastebasket. There were no nails or screws visible. She pulled the sides apart, cutting her fingers without noticing. There were no transistors in the box, no wires or tubes.

The box was empty.

She whirled with a gasp as the telephone rang. Stumbling into the living room, she picked up the receiver.

"Mrs. Lewis?" Mr. steward asked.

It wasn't her voice shrieking so; it couldn't be. "You said i wouldn't know the one that died!"

"My dear lady," Mr. Steward said. "Do you really think you knew your husband?"

                                                            EXERCISES

Q.1: Choose the correct answer.

1. Where did Norma put the lamb chops?

a) in the oven                  
b)in the broiler                
c)in the freezer                
d)in the basket

2.There was a small man

a)in the porch                
b)in the room                    
 c)in the door                      
d)in the hallway

3.Where was the key to  the bell -unit dome?

a)in the box                  
 b)in the drawer                
c)in the sealed envelope  
d)in the pocket

4.What was the reward for pushing the button

a)$25,000                      
b)$50,000                        
c)$5,000                          
 d)$2,500

5.What was the question of Norma that made Mr. Steward embarrassed?

a)Where do you live?      
b) How do you do?          
c)What do you sell?        
d)Who do you represent?

6.What could have happened by pushing the button?

a)somewhere in the world a bird would die.

b)someone would die in the neighbourhood .

c)some songs would be heard.

d)somewhere in the world some unknown person would die

7.Why didn't Arthur agree to the offer of Mr. Steward for pushing the button?

a)he considered it a practical joke

b)he didn't relay on him

c)he considered death of some unknown person a murder.

d)he didn't believe him.

8.Why was the offer of $50,000 attractive for Norma?

a)she had a plan to improve her life.

b)she felt no harm in helping someone to conduct a psychological research.

c)she wanted to purchase a set of jewellery.

d)she wanted to buy a new house.

9.Who in Norma's opinion, was the researcher?

a)a psychiatrist
b)a doctor                  
c)an eccentric millionaire        
d)a murderer      

10.Why didn't Norma take the consent of her husband to comply with the instructions of Mr. Steward?

a)because he couldn't understand the idea

b)because he would share the offer

c)he considered it a murder

d)he considered it immoral to kill some unknown person for the sake of money

Q .2: Make the statement true or false.

1.Norma found the carton in front of her door as she arrived home.                                  (True)

2.Norma believed that Mr. Steward was a guest.                                                            (False)

3.Mr. Steward took out a key and opened the box for Arthur.                                        (False)

4.Arthur and Norma have the same reaction to Mr. Steward's proposition.                     (False)

5.Norma could not resist calling Mr. Steward back.                                                       (True)

6.Norma did not agree with Mr. Steward to have the button unit brought back.              (True)

7.Arthur said he believed that Mr. Steward 's offer was a genuine one.                          (False)

8.Norma wants Arthur to understand that she is interested in the proposition

 because the money would help the two of them.                                                            (True)  

9.Arthur could accept participating along with Norma if they were part

 of a research project.                                                                                                   (False)

10.Norma called Mr. Steward after she learned of Arthur's death.                                (False)

Q.3: Answer the following questions.

1.Why did Norma consider the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive?

Ans.Norma considered the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive because she had already    Mr. Steward that she was rather busy but he insisted on talking to her.

2.Why did Arthur disagree with his wife?

Ans.Arthur disagreed with his wife because he considered it immoral to kill some unknown person just for the sake of money. He also called it a murder.

3.Why did Norma try to persuade her husband to agree with her?

Ans.Norma persuaded her husband because she wanted to get money to improve their life style. She wanted to get a nicer apartment, furniture, clothes and a car.

4.What were the reasons Norma gave her husband to accept the offer?

Ans.Norma told her husband that it might be a kind of a psychological research or some strange millionaire was doing it. She argued that it was not immoral to kill an unknown person by a strange method to get money and improve their lives.

5. Why did Mr. Steward continue persuading Norma?

Ans. Mr. Steward did so because Norma wanted to do the experiment. He had observed her interest in the conversation and observed that she could be tempted easily.

6.What was the message Norma received on pushing the button?

Ans.Norma received a message from Lenox Hill Hospital that her husband was pushed from the platform in front of the train by a shoving crowd.

7.What is the significance of Arthur's life-insurance policy?

Ans.Arthur had a life insurance policy for $25,000 with double indemnity in case of accidental death. it is quite significant, because the same money was promised by Mr. Steward as reward.

8.Did Norma remain normal on hearing the news of the accident of her husband?

Ans.No, Norma did not remain normal on hearing the news. She could neither seem to breath nor walk. She felt numb. She started smashing the button unit on the sink edge. Something cold pressed her skull.

Q.4:Write down the answer of the following questions in 100-150 words.

1.Write a note on the character of Arthur.

Ans.Mr Arthur has a literary taste. He is hospitable because he takes Mr. Steward into the living room.Arthur takes the offer as a practical joke and calls it a senseless thing. When he is not satisfied with the discussion, he asks Mr.Steward to leave. It shows his straightforwardness. Moreover he tears the card in half and tosses the pieces on to the table. He calls it a sick joke. He tries to convince Norma that it would be a murder because the deceased might be a baby boy or some beautiful little girl.He is not greedy because he is not enticed by the offer.He endeavors his best to stop his wife but with trembling hands he has to stop the discussion and leave the place.Arthur is calm and contented. He manages to overpower the luring offer of getting $50,000 by a mere push of a button.

2.Why did not Norma remain true to her husband?

Ans.In the beginning of the story Norma behaved like a traditional housewife. She did not want to know about the button unit.She did not like Steward's attitude.Norma did not offer Mr. Steward to sit in rather she left it up to her husband.It was Arthur not Norma who took Mr. Steward in. Even then she stared at Mr. Steward and asked him whom he represented. She did not want to get the unit back and strictly refused Mr. Steward. It was his cleverness that he sent it back to bait her. Actually she was beguiled by the statement, "Somewhere in the world someone you don't know will die." She misunderstood the statement. She was enticed by the wonderful offer of $50,000. She wanted to fulfill her hidden desires. Greed overpowered her. She agreed to press the button because she didn't think it a murder. She did not remain true to her husband because she ignored her husband's instructions. This was her only fault which proved fatal. She never thought that death could knock her own door. Ironically her husband remained unknown to her.

3.Do you agree with Norma's assertion that the death of someone you have never seen is not important?

Ans. This is a misconception that death of someone we don't know is not an important incident. Death of every person is important. Norma is deceived by a charming offer given by Mr. Steward. She thinks it s wonderful chance to get her dreams come true. Norma represents all those who become slaves of their desires. They are unable to differentiate between moral and immoral. They become avaricious. Greed puts a curtain before their eyes and they become seeing blind. Human life is sacred without considering the individual's worldly status. Whether a person is rich or poor, he is given complete privilege by God. Nobody has the right to harm any person to gain any benefit.

4.Write the story in your own words.

Ans.The story revolves around three characters. Mr. Steward is an agent of an international organization.
He sends a package with a written message to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Lewis. There is a push-button unit fastened to a small wooden box. Mr. Steward visits them and gives them a temptation of $50,000  if they push the button unit. Consequently it would kill some unknown person anywhere in the world.
Arthur dislikes and opposes this idea. He considers it an immoral act. He declares it a murder not justifiable in any situation. Mrs. Lewis cannot resist the temptation. She wants to improve their life style. She pushes the button in her husband's absence. She gets him killed in a train accident. Then she remembers Arthur's life- insurance policy for $25,000, with double indemnity. She has never wanted this.She gets the evil money but loses the most precious thing.

5.What moral lesson does the story teach?

Ans. The story teaches us that we should try to understand our fellow beings. Husband and wife relationship is one of the most intimate relationship of the world. It  does not mean that two persons are just living together under one roof. It demands complete  harmony between their souls. They  should know themselves thoroughly from inside. They should respect each other's priorities and desires. They should not be selfish and greedy for monetary benefits. The story also urges upon the need of being aware of morality and immorality. We should not in any case be ready to do immoral thing. We should sacrifice worldly gains for a noble cause. Human life is the most sacred thing in this world. The story also teaches us that impulsive nature always leads towards destruction. We should control our emotions to certain extent otherwise we may lose sight of morality and immorality.

Q.5:Connect part of Column 1 with the relevant part of Column 2 to make a complete sentence.

Answers:

1.She sat down to open the package.
2.She saw a folded piece of paper scotch-taped to the bottom of the box.
3.Arthur came out of the living room.
4.It won't take long to explain.
5.The offer is completely genuine.
6.The organization is of international scope.
7.Are you sure you wouldn't care to think about it for a day or so?
8.He placed it on the table by the door.
9.He looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
10.She took the card halves from her purse.

Q.6:Use the correct form of verb given in brackets.
 
1.Norma (unlock) the door, and (go) into the apartment.
Ans. Norma unlocked the door went into the apartment.

2.She (turn) the unit over.
Ans. She turned the unit over.

3.She (reread) the typed note smilingly.
Ans.She reread the typed note smilingly.

4.He (remove) his hat as Norma (open) the door.
Ans.He removed his hat as Norma opened the door.

5.Mr. Steward (look) surprised.
Ans. Mr. Steward looked surprised.

Q.7: Punctuate the following lines.
mr steward looked embarrassed I m afraid i m not at liberty to tell you that he said however i assure you the organization is of international scope.

Ans.Mr. Steward looked embarrassed . "I'm afraid  I'm not at liberty to tell you that,"he said."However, I assure you,  the organization is of international scope".

Q.8: Write down the following lines in indirect narration.

1."Don't you want to know about it?"The salesman asked the customer.
Ans. The salesman asked the customer if he didn't want to know about it.

2."I hope everything goes well with you,"said Asif to his friend.
Ans. Asif told his friend that he hoped everything went well with him.

3."Where shall we meet tomorrow, at my home or at yours? " The lawyer asked his client.
Ans.The lawyer asked his client where they would meet the next day, at his home or at the client's.

4."All is well that ends well!"said the father when he had finished the story.
Ans. When he had finished the story the father said that all is well that ends well!

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