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A Lesson in Manners One morning there was a loud knock at Dean Swift’s door. The servant opened it. A man who was outside handed her a fine duck that was plucked and ready to be cooked. He said, “Here’s a present for the Dean. It’s from Mr. Boyle.” Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. A few days afterward the man came again. This time he brought a chicken. "Here’s another bird from Mr. Boyle." Mr. Boyle was a hunter who spent a good deal of time looking for food. He was a great admirer of Dean Swift, and took pleasure in sending him these presents. The third time, the man brought a quail. "Here is something else for the Dean," he said before tossing it into the arms of the servant. The servant complained to her master. "That fellow has no manners," she said. Let me know the next time he comes," said the Dean. "I will go to the door." The man came with another present a few days later. The Dean went to the door. "Here’s a rabbit from Mr. Boyle," said the man. "See here," said the Dean in a stern voice. "That is not the way to deliver a message. Just step inside and make believe that you are Dean Swift. I will go outside and pretend that I am the one bringing him a present. I will show you how a messenger ought to behave." "I will agree to that," said the man. He stepped inside as the Dean took the rabbit and went out of the house. Dean Swift walked up the street to the next block. Then he came back and knocked gently at the door. The door was opened by the man from Mr. Boyle’s. The Dean bowed gracefully and said, “If you please, sir, Mr. Boyle wishes you to accept this fine rabbit as a gift.” "Thank you," said the man very politely. Then, he took out his wallet and offered the Dean five dollars. "And here is something for your trouble." Source: "A Lesson in Manners", from A Book of Short Stories by James Baldwin (adapted by Freckle), Public Domain