1. “Sonata for Harp and Bicycle”
Short Story
Author: Joan Aiken

2. Characters Jason Ashgrove Miss Berenice Golden New copywriter
Curious, wants to know why no one is allowed in the building after 5 PM
Miss Berenice Golden
Secretary
Knows reason, but won’t tell
Loves Jason

3. William Heron- “The Wailing Watchman”
Night watchman (security) (rode a bicycle at work)
Fell in love
Jumped from the fire escape on Halloween over 50 years ago
Thought his girlfriend did not want to marry him
Miss Daisy Bell
William Heron’s girlfriend
Taught the harp
Rented a room in the building (now Jason’s office)

4. Setting London, England Halloween (around 1950)
Moreton Wold and Company advertising agency in the Grimes Buildings
Mood: mysterious
Theme: love

5. Plot Exposition: a normal business day Rising Action:
no one is allowed in the building after 5 PM
Jason is determined to find out why
He sneaks into the building
He hears a telephone ring and a bicycle bell
He meets William Heron’s ghost (almost forced off fire escape)

6. The Curse: Berenice tells Jason he is doomed:
“Anyone who meets the ghost of William Heron will himself, within five days, leap down from the same fatal fire escape.”

7. Jason’s Plan Berenice stays after work and waits for Jason
She calls their office phone and Miss Bell’s ghost answers
Berenice announces over the intercom for the night watchman to go to that room
Berenice and Jason run to the room with flowers and wine

8. Climax: Falling Action:
They see figures of a bicycle and a harp with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of roses. (Their ghosts are finally together.)
Falling Action:
Jason and Berenice jump off fire escape with a parachute

9. Resolution: Denouement: Jason and Berenice get away safely
The curse is broken and the ghosts are together.