Cornelia's Jewels, by James Baldwin It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful
garden, two boys were standing. They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were walking among the flowers and
trees.
"Did you ever see so pretty a lady as our mother's friend?" asked the younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand. "She looks
like a queen.
"Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother," said the elder boy. "She has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and
kind. It is our mother who is like a queen."
*That is true,' said the other. There is no woman in Rome so much like a queen as our own dear mother."
Soon Cornelia, their loving and proud mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She was simply dressed in a plain
white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, as was the custom in those days, and no rings nor chains glittered about her hands
and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair were coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble
face as she looked into her sons' proud eyes.
"Boys," she said, "I have something to tell you."
They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said, "What is it, mother?'
"You are to dine with us today, here in the garden; and then our friend is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of
which you have heard so much."
The brothers looked shyly at their mother's friend. Was it possible that she had still other rings besides those on her fingers?
Could she have other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck? When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those
jewels dazzled the eyes of the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and smooth as satin; heaps of
shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day, and diamonds that flashed and
sparkled like the sunlight.
The brothers looked long at the gems. "Ah!" whispered the younger, "if our mother could only have such beautiful things!"
At last, how-ever, the casket was closed and carried carefully away.
"Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?" asked her friend. "Is it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?"
This short story is missing its conclusion. Considering the details readers have of Cornelia, which conclusion is MOST LIKELY?
A)
B)
"No, I am not poor," answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two
boys to her side; "for here are my jewels. They are worth more than all your
gems."
"No, I am not poor,"answered Cornelia, 'I simply refrain from wearing my
jewels and finery during the days when I am tending to my young sons. I
have great wealth
C) Yes, I am poor. And while I resent your question, I understand that
someone without my grace might not realize it is obvious your inquiry is a
rude, social blunder
D) Yes, I am poor. Perhaps you would consider giving me a few of your many
gems and jewels. Perhaps through your generosity, my sons and I could
enjoy the pleasures of a rich life.