8
Almost Sure

William White was a verybad-tempered m a n. H e was always shouting at people. He worked in an office and his staff hated him.

His secretary, Rachel, had the worst time. She had to work with him all day, and he was often very rude to her.

“I don't know how you put up with him all day, ”one of her friends in the office said. “He's so impolite to you.”

“One day I'll teach him a lesson, ” Rachel said. “I'll make him look foolish in front of everyone.”

A few weeks later, Rachel spoke to her friend again. “I've got an idea, ” she said, “but I need your help.” She told her friend her idea.

“That's a great idea, ” her friend said. “We'll do it tomorrow between eleven and twelve o'clock. I'll wait until the office is quiet, so everybody will hear you speak to him.”

The next morning William White's telephone rang at 11:15. As usual, Rachel answered it for him.

“Mr White's secretary speaking, ” she said.

Everyone in the office stopped work and looked at her. There was total silence in the room.

“Just a minute please, ” Rachel said.

She turned to William White.

“Excuse me Mr White, but I think there's a call for you, ” she said.

“Think? ” William White shouted. “Think? Think? You're not paid to think! Why don't you know, you stupid woman? ”

“Well sir, ” Rachel said, “the caller did not ask for you by name. He just said, ‘Is that bad-tempered old fool in the office? '”