The million pound banknote

She said 'You are a wicked flatterer! There isn't a word of truth in what you say. But still I'll go with you. Maybe then you will see that other people don't see things the way you do. That will teach you a lesson'

Was I less worried after that? Was my confidence back? You may judge by this fact: right then and there I decided that I would ask for a salary of twelve hundred pounds for the first year. But I didn't tell her; I saved it for a surprise. All the way home I was in the clouds. I heard Hastings talking, but did not hear a word. When he and I entered my parlor, he brought me down to earth. He was amazed by my many comforts and luxuries.

'Let me just stand here a little and look around until I am tired of it. Dear me! it's a palace - it's just a palace! And in it everything anybody could desire, including cosy coal fire and supper standing ready. Henry, it doesn't just make me realize how rich you are; it makes me realize, to completely understand, how poor I am - how poor, and how miserable, how defeated and annihilated!'

This language gave me the cold shudders. It scared me right out of my dreams. Again I comprehended that I was standing on a half-inch crust, with a volcano underneath.

Vocabulary:

Flatterer: Someone who says nice things about other people to get his way
Confidence: Feeling that things willgo as expected
In the clouds: Too happy to concentrate
Parlor: Room in the house for meeting guests
Cosy: Warm and comfortable
Annihilated: Wiped out, destroyed
Shudders: Shiver with the whole body
Comprehend: Understand
Crust: The hard, fragile layer on something soft