Learn English through Listening to Stories

Added: 2026-05-25

[00:00:02]Reading.

[00:00:07]Listen and practice.

[00:00:13]"I've found where she lives." said the detective quietly. "Here is the address."

[00:00:19]Hartley took the piece of paper.

[00:00:21]On it were the words Vivian Arlington number 341 East 49th Street.

[00:00:28]"She moved there a week ago." said the detective. "I can follow her if you want. It will only cost you $7 a day and expenses." "No, thank you." interrupted Hartley.

[00:00:43]"I only wanted the address. How much is it?" "One day's work." said the detective. "Ten dollars."

[00:00:52]Hartley paid the man. Then he left the office and took a tram to Broadway.

[00:01:02]After walking a short distance, he arrived at the building that he was looking for.

[00:01:08]Hartley rang the bell.

[00:01:10]The door opened.

[00:01:13]He went in and began to climb the stairs.

[00:01:24]On the fourth floor, he saw her standing in an open door.

[00:01:28]Vivian was about 21.

[00:01:31]Her hair was red gold and her eyes were sea blue.

[00:01:35]She was wearing a white top and a dark skirt.

[00:01:39]"Vivian." said Hartley. "You didn't answer my last letter. It took me a week to find your new address.

[00:01:48]Why didn't you answer me?

[00:01:50]You knew I was waiting to see you and hear from you."

[00:01:57]The girl looked the window dreamily.

[00:02:00]Mr. Hartley, she said slowly, I don't know what to say to you.

[00:02:06]I understand all the advantages of your offer, and sometimes I feel sure that I could be happy with you.

[00:02:14]But then sometimes I am less sure.

[00:02:17]I was born a city girl, and I am not sure that I would enjoy living a quiet life in the suburbs.

[00:02:24]My dear girl, said Hartley, you will have everything that you want.

[00:02:36]You can come to the city for the theater, for shopping, and to visit your friends as often as you want.

[00:02:44]You can trust me, can't you?

[00:02:46]I can trust you completely, she said, smiling at him.

[00:02:51]I know you are the kindest of men, and that the girl who you get will be very lucky.

[00:02:58]I heard all about you when I was at the Montgomery's. Ah, exclaimed Hartley.

[00:03:03]I remember so well the evening I first saw you at the Montgomery's.

[00:03:11]I will never forget that dinner.

[00:03:14]Come on, Vivian, promise me.

[00:03:17]I want you.

[00:03:19]Nobody else will ever give you such a happy home.

[00:03:23]Vivian didn't answer.

[00:03:25]Suddenly Hartley was suspicious. Tell me, Vivian, he asked. Is there Is there someone else?

[00:03:33]You shouldn't ask that, Mr. Hartley. She said, but I will tell you, there is one other person, but I haven't promised him anything.

[00:03:43]Vivian, said Hartley masterfully, you must be mine.

[00:03:52]Vivian looked him the eye. Do you think for one moment she said calmly that I could come to your home while Eloise is there?

[00:04:02]Eloise will go, said Hartley angrily. I haven't had one day without problems since I met her.

[00:04:10]You are right, Vivian.

[00:04:12]Eloise must go before I can take you home, but she will go. I have decided.

[00:04:19]Then? said Vivian. My answer is yes. I will be yours.

[00:04:29]She looked into his eyes and Hartley could hardly believe his luck.

[00:04:33]Promise me, he said.

[00:04:36]I promise, repeated Vivian softly.

[00:04:41]At the door he turned and looked at her happily. I will come for you tomorrow, he said. Tomorrow, she repeated with a smile.

[00:04:51]An hour and 40 minutes later, Hartley stepped off the train when it stopped in the suburbs and walked to his house.

[00:05:03]As he walked towards the door, a woman ran to him.

[00:05:11]She had black hair and was wearing a long white dress.

[00:05:15]They kissed and walked into the house.

[00:05:21]My mother is here, the woman said. But she's leaving in half an hour. She came to have dinner, but there's nothing to eat. I have something to tell you, said Hartley.

[00:05:37]He whispered something in her ear.

[00:05:40]His wife screamed.

[00:05:43]Her mother came running into the hall.

[00:05:46]The woman screamed again, But it was a happy scream, the sound of a woman whose husband loved her.

[00:05:53]Oh, mother! She cried.

[00:05:56]What do you think? Vivian is coming to be our cook. She is the cook that was with the Montgomery's. She's going to be ours.

[00:06:06]And now, dear, she told her husband, you must go to the kitchen and tell Eloise to leave. She has been drunk again all day.