36 Lee rose and went out while the names were being called and the word present added its period to each name. Perhaps, Nancy Lee thought, the reporters from the papers had already come. Maybe they wanted to take her picture before assembly, which wasn’t until ten o’clock. (Last year they had had the photograph of the winner of the award in the morning papers as soon as the announcement had been made.) 37 Nancy Lee knocked at Miss O’Shay’s door. 38 in.” “Come 39 The vice-principal stood at her desk. There was no one else in the room. It was very quiet. 40 down, Nancy Lee,” she said. Miss O’Shay did not smile. There was a long pause. The “Sit seconds went by slowly. do not know how to tell you what I have to say,” the elderly “I woman began, her eyes on the papers on her desk. am indignant and ashamed for “I myself and for this city.” Then she lifted her eyes and looked at Nancy Lee in the neat blue dress sitting there before her. are not to receive the scholarship this “You morning.” 41 Outside in the hall the electric bells announcing the first period rang, loud and interminably long. Miss O’Shay remained silent. To the brown girl there in the chair, the room grew suddenly smaller, smaller, smaller, and there was no air. She could not speak. 42 Miss O’Shay said, the committee learned that you were colored, they changed “When their plans.” 43 Still Nancy Lee said nothing, for there was no air to give breath to her lungs. …. 46 Lee, I am very sorry to have to give you this message.” “Nancy my speech,” Nancy Lee said, about . . .” The words stuck in her throat. 47 “But “was . . about America.” “. 48 Miss O’Shay had she turned her back and stood looking out the window at the spring tulips in the school yard. 49 thought, since the award would be made at assembly right after our oath of “I allegiance,” the words tumbled almost hysterically from Nancy Lee’s throat now, “I
36 Lee rose and went out while the names were being called and the word present added its period to each name. Perhaps, Nancy Lee thought, the reporters from the papers had already come. Maybe they wanted to take her picture before assembly, which wasn’t until ten o’clock. (Last year they had had the photograph of the winner of the award in the morning papers as soon as the announcement had been made.) 37 Nancy Lee knocked at Miss O’Shay’s door. 38 “Come in.” 39 The vice-principal stood at her desk. There was no one else in the room. It was very quiet. 40 “Sit down, Nancy Lee,” she said. Miss O’Shay did not smile. There was a long pause. The seconds went by slowly. “I do not know how to tell you what I have to say,” the elderly woman began, her eyes on the papers on her desk. “I am indignant and ashamed for myself and for this city.” Then she lifted her eyes and looked at Nancy Lee in the neat blue dress sitting there before her. “You are not to receive the scholarship this morning.” 41 Outside in the hall the electric bells announcing the first period rang, loud and interminably long. Miss O’Shay remained silent. To the brown girl there in the chair, the room grew suddenly smaller, smaller, smaller, and there was no air. She could not speak. 42 Miss O’Shay said, “When the committee learned that you were colored, they changed their plans.” 43 Still Nancy Lee said nothing, for there was no air to give breath to her lungs. …. 46 “Nancy Lee, I am very sorry to have to give you this message.” 47 “But my speech,” Nancy Lee said, “was about . . .” The words stuck in her throat. “. . . about America.” 48 Miss O’Shay had she turned her back and stood looking out the window at the spring tulips in the school yard. 49 “I thought, since the award would be made at assembly right after our oath of allegiance,” the words tumbled almost hysterically from Nancy Lee’s throat now, “I
English%209%20Q2%20Practice%20Items%20_1_.docx