b. "Keep back; wait till I see if the coast is clear."
c. "Ask the man next to you if he'll let me see his programme."
d. "Hark! What was that?"
e. "It's too steep—he'll never make it—oh, this is terrible!"
For the cheery evening's reading, if you happen to be feeling low in your mind, let me recommend that section of "The Effective Speaking Voice" which deals with "the Subdued Range." The selections for the practice-reading include the following well-known nuggets in lighter vein:
"The Wounded Soldier," "The Death of Molly Cass," "The Little Cripple's Garden," "The Burial [pg 290]of Little Nell," "The Light of Other Days," "The Baby is Dead," "King David Mourns for Absalom," and "The Days That Are No More."
After all, a good laugh never does anyone any harm.[pg 291]