THE+PICTURE+OF+DORIAN+GRAY

'The old schoolroom, Mr Dorian?' she cried.'But it is full ofdust! I must clean it first.''I dont want it cleaned, Mrs Leaf.I only want the key.'''Well, sir, you'll be covered with dust if you go into it. Ithasn't been open for nearly five years, not since your grandfatherdied.'He frowned at this reminder of his grandfather. He hadbad memories of all his family. 'That does not mater,' heanswered.'I just wanr to see the place - that is all. Give me thekey.''Here is the key, sir,'said the old lady.'But you are not going tolive up there, are you, sir?''No, no,' he cried.'Thank you, Mrs Leaf. you can go.'An hour later two men arrived to move the portrait.'It's very heavy', sir,' said one of the men, as they climbed thestairs.'I am afraid it is rather heary,'said Dorian, as he opened the doorof the oid schoolroom where he was going to hide rhe secret of hiscorrupted soul.He had rlot entered the room since he was a child. It was a largeroom built by his grandfather to keep him at a distance. Everymoment of his lonely childhood came back to him as he lookedround.It was a room full of terrible memories, but it was safe. Hehad the key, and no other person could enter it. The face in theportrait could grow old and ugly. Whar did it matter? No one couldsee it. He himself would nor see it. He did not have to watch theterrible corruption of his soul. He would stay vouns - that wasenough.'When the men had gone, Dorian locked the door, andput the k.y in his pocket. He felt safe now. No one wouldever look at that horrible thing. only he would ever see hisshame.40