_Initial Impulse._ George Roberts, freight engineer, drinker and
fighter, on the way to ruin and discharge, falls in love.
_Steps toward the Dramatic Climax_: He passes every day the home of
his sweetheart and toots his whistle in a musical code fashion, “to
let her know he’s safe.” The whistle has a softening effect on a
crowd of woodsmen, engaged in restoring a Virginia manor house and
grounds. “The world seemed a bit better for it.” The signal ceases.
The cynics say the engineer is probably drunk again. But one of the
men, Gordon, makes a special trip to the village to find out.
_Dramatic Climax_: The engineer and the girl, he learns, are married;
they are away on their honeymoon.
_Steps to the Climax of Action_: The signal is resumed farther along
the line, where the engineer and his wife have set up a home of their
own. For three weeks the signal is faithful; then it ceases, again,
abruptly. After four days Gordon goes again to the village. Just as
he returns, the men hear the signal fainter and farther away.
_Climax of Action_: Gordon tells the men that the wife is dead and is
buried farther down the line; he whistles “to let her know he’s safe.”
PRESENTATION. “It made a neat little story,” Mr. Kline says of the
engineer’s reclamation and present custom of signaling. But without the
supporting band of workmen to throw it into relief it would hardly
stand alone. The group becomes, then, an integral part of the 1,500
word narrative which is given to the reader.
CHARACTERIZATION. The girl, whose name is not even mentioned, is the
most potent character--or, perhaps, love as expressed through her makes
her, symbolically, dominant. The engineer is the most important, by
virtue of his active rôle; the workmen are the background characters,
as they come under the influence of the simple demonstration of
affection; they are the foreground characters, as the story is
presented. What traits are manifest in various individuals of the
group? How do these traits sharpen the dénouement?
SETTING. Why is Virginia chosen?
DETAILS. What contribution is made by the choice of “Annie Laurie”? On
what thought does the final bar end? Did you, as you read, notice this
sinister clue? Why not?