Springtime A La Carte

O. Henry - Author

O Henry is the pen name of Sydney Porter (1862-1910). He was an American short story writer. His stories are known for their surprise endings. 

Springtime A La Carte

Q1. What does the author say about the opening of a story? Do you agree with him? Comment on the opening of this story?

A1. The author says that we should not begin our story with unimaginative sentences like, “It was a day in March”. Yes. I agree with him.

Though the author says us not to begin a story with unimaginative sentences, he just does just like that to create interest in the readers of his story.

Q2. What was the job assigned to Sarah in Schulenburg’s Restaurant?

A2. Sarah was assigned to type the menus in Schulenburg’s Restaurant. She had to provide typewritten menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Q3. What was Schulenburg’s agreement with Sarah?

A3. Sarah had to provide typewritten menus for the restaurant, as often as they were needed. In return she would get three means in her room.

Q4. Describe Sarah’s feelings as she thought of spring?

A4. Sarah was very unhappy at the thought of spring. It reminded her of her lover, Walter. Spring was the time of Dandelions. These flowers were made as a crown and presented to her by Walter. They decided to marry in spring. She lost touch with Walter. So, she was sad.

Q5. Who was Walter? Describe Sarah’s feelings on him?

A5. Walter was the son of an old farmer, Franklin. He lived in Sunnybrook Farm. He was a modern farmer. She had fallen in love with him. He made a crown of Dandelions and presented it to her. They decided to marry in spring.

Q6. How had Sarah and Walter lost touch with each other?

A6. Sarah had moved to a new room. She wrote the address of the new room to Walter. The letter did not reach him. He tried to reach her at her old address and she was not there. This is how they lost touch with each other.

Q7. What led Sarah and Walter to meet?

A7. Walter happened to look at the menu in Schulenburg’s Home Restaurant. He recognized the “W” key of her typewriter. Instead of typing ‘Dandelions with Hard-boiled Egg’, she mistakenly typed, “Dearest Walter, with Hard-boiled Egg’.

Q8. The story has a typical O’ Henry twist in the end. Explain.

A8. The last line of the story provides the twist. It solves the mystery of how the lovers found each other without help from police. With this last line, the author draws the reader’s attention to the typing mistake done by Sarah.