While the Auto Waits by : O Henry

In a quiet corner of the city park, a girl sits alone on a bench reading her book.
When she turns the page , the book slips from her hand, and the young man has been
hovering nearby pounces upon it. He returns it to her with a gallant and hopeful air. The girl
told him to sit but the young man refused because she might be disturbed from her reading.
The girl thanks the young man. The young man sits near the girl as she said . The young
man said the girl that she had an eye on her before the day. The young man’s name is
Parkenstacker and the girl did not tell her name cause she said that her name is on the
paper that would recognize immediately. She said that Parkenstacker should have seen the
chauffer staring at them. They talk about about a wealthy life. The young man said that he
works in the restaurant not as a waiter but as a cashier. The girl was confused and
immediately consults her watch set in a bracelet of rich design. She tells Parkenstacker that
she was late for an important engagement . Parkenstacker wants to walk with her because
its getting dark but the girl insists. Suddenly a waitress approaches and said to the girl that
she is 15 minutes late for her work but the girl pretended that she doesn’t know the waitress.
Let the young man feel that the waitress is wrong. She excused them for her chauffer is
waiting but the waitress reacts that she doesn’t even have an automobile.The waitress
apologizes to Parkenstacker who is on the social pages and a very rich man. The girl rushes
off close to the waitress and her book drop again. The young man picks it up and return it to
the girl , but they are gone . The chauffer approaches Parkenstacker and said that he had a
dinner reservation.

1. Which descriptions can you give to Mary Jane Parker in the play?
a. simple and honest b. proud and dishonest c. cheerful and humorous d. liar and good natured
2. What is your general impression of the play?
a. Funny b. Dramatic c. Shameful d. Sad
3. How will you describe the young man in the play?
a. Down to earth b. Domineering c. Cool d. Blunt
4. What do you think was the feeling of Mary Jane when she saw the waitress?
a. Afraid b. Happy c. Sad d. Excited
5. How did the characters react on their first meeting?
a. Full of amusement b. Full of pretensions c. Full of admiration d. Full of excitement

DIRECTIONS: Read an excerpt of the play entitled “ While the Auto Waits” by O. Henry,
then answer the questions that follow.
1. What is the climax of the play?
a. When Mary Jane met Parkenstacker at the park.
b. When the waitress approached Mary Jane and told her that she was late in her
work for 15 minutes in the presence of the young man.
c. When Mary Jane found out that the person she is conversing with is a very rich
and noble man and owned a company.
d. When Mary Jane immediately walk out and told them that her chauffeur is
waiting.
2. What is the theme of the play?
a. Person’s appearance is sometimes deceiving.
b. Respect to someone is not measured by status alone.
c. Respect each other’s uniqueness.
d. Be contented of what you have achieved in life.
3. How did the waitress feel to the responses of Mary Jane when she approached her?
a. She was confused and shocked.
b. She was happy because she met the rich man.
c. She was in doubt if Mary Jane was still in her senses.
d. She admired Mary Jane because of her beautiful hat.
4. What is the message of the play that the author wants to imply to the readers?
a. Be proud of what you have achieved to yourself. b. Be confident to yourself.
c. Be true to yourself. d. Be good to yourself.
5. Why was the girl pretending herself not to recognize the waitress?
a. Because she was afraid that her true identity will be revealed.
b. Because she did not want to be recognized by anybody else.
c. Because she wanted to have a good relationship with the rich man.
d. Because she needed the rich man to improve herself to become rich.