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adham
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Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2005 2:50 pm |
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The following excerpt is from Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written by Robert Louis Stevenson. My insertions are within brackets and in blue colour.
--- BEGIN EXCERPT ---
"This is a sad business about Sir Danvers," he [Mr Utterson, the lawyer] said.
[Mr Hyde has killed Sir Danvers recently]
"Yes, sir, indeed. It has elicited a great deal of public feeling," returned Guest [the clerk]. "The man [Mr Hyde], of course, was mad."
"I should like to hear your views on that," replied Utterson. "I have a document here in his handwriting; it is between ourselves, for I scarce know what to do about it; it is an ugly business at the best. But there it is; quite in your way a murderer's autograph."
Guest's eyes brightened, and he sat down at once and studied it with passion. "No, sir," he said: "not mad; but it is an odd hand."
"And by all accounts a very odd writer," added the lawyer.
Just then the servant entered with a note.
"Is that from Dr. Jekyll, sir?" inquired the clerk. "I thought I knew the writing. Anything private, Mr. Utterson?"
"Only an invitation to dinner. Why? Do you want to see it?"
"One moment. I thank you, sir"; and the clerk laid the two sheets of paper alongside and sedulously compared their contents. "Thank you, sir," he said at last, returning both; "it's a very interesting autograph."
There was a pause, during which Mr. Utterson struggled with himself. "Why did you compare them, Guest?" he inquired suddenly.
"Well, sir," returned the clerk, "there's a rather singular resemblance; the two hands are in many points identical: only differently sloped."
"Rather quaint," said Utterson.
"It is, as you say, rather quaint," returned Guest.
--- END EXCERPT ---
Though Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde possessed completely different personalities, they were basically the same man, hence their handwritings had a resemblance and possessed the basic characteristics.
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