The Greater Coney Page #2

"The Greater Coney" by O. Henry is a short story that captures the charm and excitement of Coney Island, a popular amusement destination in New York during the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around the lives of its visitors, exploring themes of love, chance, and the pursuit of happiness amid the vibrant backdrop of the amusement park. O. Henry's signature twist reveals the deeper meanings hidden within the seemingly carefree experiences of the characters, showcasing his talent for weaving humor and pathos into a compelling tale.

• Short story

								


“‘I’m glad you’ve enjoyed yerself,’ I says. ‘I suppose you’ve had a
roarin’ fine time seein’ the sights. And how did the incubators and the
helter-skelter and the midgets suit the taste of ye?’

“‘I—I wasn’t hungry,’ says Norah, faint. ‘But mother ate a quantity of
all of ’em. I’m that pleased with the fine things in the new Coney
Island,’ says she, ‘that it’s the happiest day I’ve seen in a long
time, at all.’

“‘Did you see Venice?’ says I.

“‘We did,’ says she. ‘She was a beauty. She was all dressed in red, she
was, with—’

“I listened no more to Norah Flynn. I stepped up and I gathered her in
my arms.

“‘’Tis a story-teller ye are, Norah Flynn’, says I. ‘Ye’ve seen no more
of the greater Coney Island than I have meself. Come, now, tell the
truth—ye came to sit by the old pavilion by the waves where you sat
last summer and made Dennis Carnahan a happy man. Speak up, and tell
the truth.’

“Norah stuck her nose against me vest.

“‘I despise it, Denny,’ she says, half cryin’. ‘Mother and Uncle Tim
went to see the shows, but I came down here to think of you. I couldn’t
bear the lights and the crowd. Are you forgivin’ me, Denny, for the
words we had?’

“‘’Twas me fault,’ says I. ‘I came here for the same reason meself.
Look at the lights, Norah,’ I says, turning my back to the sea—‘ain’t
they pretty?’

“‘They are,’ says Norah, with her eyes shinin’; ‘and do ye hear the
bands playin’? Oh, Denny, I think I’d like to see it all.’

“‘The old Coney is gone, darlin’,’ I says to her. ‘Everything moves.
When a man’s glad it’s not scenes of sadness he wants. ’Tis a greater
Coney we have here, but we couldn’t see it till we got in the humour
for it. Next Sunday, Norah darlin’, we’ll see the new place from end to
end.”
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes