Chapter 13 An unexpected refusal第13章 突遭拒絕

Mary Shelley

滿心渴望得到別人的接納，重重的棍子卻無情地打碎了怪物的幻想。

One day,the three young people went for a walk while the old man rested.When they had gone,I went to the door of the house and knocked on it.

The old man told me to enter and to sit down.

“Thank you,” I said.“I am a traveller,and I'm tired and sad.I have no family or friends.The people that I want to have as my friends have never seen me.If they don't take me into their home,I shall be alone in the world.”

“Don't be so sad,” the old man said. “You will find that the hearts of men are full of love.If these friends are good people,they will welcome you.”

“They are kind and they're the best people in the world,” I said.“But when they meet me,they may not see a kind creature who has helped them.Instead,they may see a monster,and they will hate me.”

“That mustn't happen,” the old man said.“My family and I have had our difficult times,and we'll help you.”

“You are a very good man,” I said,“and if you help me,I shall be able to live with my friends and enjoy their love.”

At that moment,I heard the young people returning from their walk.I caught the old man's hand and cried,“Now is the time！Save me and help me！You and your family are the friends that I am talking about.”

Then the door opened,and in came Felix,Sophie,and Agatha.Their faces were filled with horror and fear when they saw me.Agatha fainted,and Sophie ran out of the house.Felix ran forward and pulled me away from his father.He threw me onto the ground and hit me again and again with his heavy stick.I did not lift a hand against him.I did not want to hurt him—or any of them.My heart was heavy,and all hope left me.I ran out of the house and later returned silently to my hut.Nobody saw me.

Reading Check

Why did the young people refuse to take the monster as their friend?

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