Isaac Newton was so much (1 — interest) interested in
different problems that he (2 — became) quite absent-minded. One day a
gentleman (3 — came) to see him, but he (4 —was told) that Sir Isaac Newton
(5 — was busy) in his study and that nobody (6 —was allowed) to disturb him.
As it (7 — was) dinner time, the visitor
(8 — sat) down in the dinning room (9 — waiting) for the scientist. The
servant (10 — came) in and (11 — placed) on the table a (12 — boiled)
chicken under a cover. An hour (13 — passed) but Newton did not (14 — appear).
The gentleman (15 — felt) hungry, (16 — ate) the chicken, and (17 —
covered) up the skeleton. He (18 — asked) the servant to prepare another one for his master. Before the second chicken (19 — was cooked),
however, the scientist (20 — entered) the room and (21 — apologized) for
his delay. Then he (22 - added), "As I (23 - feel) rather tired and
hungry, I (24 -hope) you (25 —will excuse) me a little longer, while I (26 —
take) my dinner, and then I'll be (27 — be) at your service." With these words he (28 — lifted) the cover, and without emotion (29 — turned) round to the gentleman and (30 — said), "See how strange scientists (31 — are). I quite (32 — forgot) that I (33 — had already dined)."
At this moment the servant (34 — brought) in the other chicken. The visitor (35 — explained) how matters (36 — stood). After he (37 — laughed) heartily, the hungry scientist (38 — sat down) and had his dinner.