This handsome speech

Status
Not open for further replies.

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
Does this "handsome" refer to "awesome or great" or "generous"?

mo26)John Boyle O’Reilly, poet, was one day walking along Boylston street in Boston. A stranger who was approaching ① him from behind mistook him for a friend whom he had not seen for a long time. He slapped O’Reilly on the shoulder and greeted ② him heartily. Many men in O’Reilly’s place would have been annoyed and shown it, but not so the poet. Turning about, ③ he stretched out his hand. “I am not
Jack,” said ④ he, “but I am glad to shake hands with any man who is as glad to see an old friend as you seem to be.” This handsome speech was a great relief to the stranger, who had been much embarrassed upon seeing an unknown face turned toward ⑤ him.
 

5jj

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
British English
Home Country
Czech Republic
Current Location
Czech Republic
Keanu, the writer chose the word handsome. Why are you trying to straitjacket his thoughts into a different word?
 

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top