Grade 7 Reading List: "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe

You should have seen how wisely I proceeded — with what caution — with what foresight — with what dissimulation I went to work!

And this I did for seven long nights — every night just at midnight — but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the work; for it was not the old man who vexed me, but his Evil Eye.

So you see he would have been a very profound old man, indeed, to suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.

Never before that night had I felt the extent of my own powers — of my sagacity.

So I opened it—you cannot imagine how stealthily, stealthily — until, at length a simple dim ray, like the thread of the spider, shot from out the crevice and fell full upon the vulture eye.

And have I not told you that what you mistake for madness is but over-acuteness of the sense? — now, I say, there came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.

It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my fury, as the beating of a drum stimulates the soldier into courage.

There entered three men, who introduced themselves, with perfect suavity, as officers of the police.

In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and desired them here to rest from their fatigues, while I myself, in the wild audacity of my perfect triumph, placed my own seat upon the very spot beneath which reposed the corpse of the victim.

I talked more quickly — more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased.

I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased.

I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased.

Anything was more tolerable than this derision!

I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer!

I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! — tear up the planks! here, here! — It is the beating of his hideous heart!"