The Canterville Ghost

Lord Canterville did not really understand what Mr Otis was saying, so he replied "Well I thought that I should tell you about the ghost, but if you want to have the house even with the ghost in it, then that is quite alright."

A few weeks later the house was sold to Mr Otis. At the end of the social season the Ambassador and his family went to live at Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis had once been Miss Lucretia R. Tappen, of West 53rd Street. She had been one of the most beautiful girls in New York, and she was now a very good-looking, middle-aged woman. She had lovely eyes, and was not too fat or too thin. Many American ladies who go to Europe act as though they are always unwell, because they think it is sophisticated to do this. Mrs. Otis had never made this mistake. She was magnificently healthy and she had lots of energy, and always enjoyed life.

Indeed, in many ways she was English. This is an excellent example of the fact that the English have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language. Mrs Otis' eldest son was named Washington by his parents, who had been feeling patriotic at the time; though Washington did not really like his name. He was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who would be a good American diplomat because everyone knew he was an excellent dancer. Gardenias and aristocrats were the only things he could be foolish about. Otherwise he was extremely sensible.

Vocabulary:

The season: When the aristocracy spend time in London at dances and parties.
Unwell: Sick, unhealthy.
Sophisticated: Respected by people who know how to behave properly.
In common: Shared.
Nowadays: These days, in these times.
Patriotic: Loving your country.
Animal spirits: Natural energy and enthusiasm.
Respects: Here it means 'ways'.
Gardenias: A kind of flower.