All of this is in simple past - came, bought, went, etc

Old Sally Gibbs (be) _________________ a very strange woman.  The fine house in which she  (live) overlooked a lovely valley. But she hardly ever (go)_______________ out. Though a servant (look)___________________ after her, her only real companions (be)__________________  two cats. For years she (refuse) ____________________ to see any of her relations as she (feel) ___________________ that all they were interested in  (be) _________________ her money.

In this she (be) ___________________ right. After her death, the few relatives she (have) _____________________(gather)___________________ at the house to hear Sally's lawyer read her will.  They (be)_____________________ all sure that Sally (leave) ____________________ a great fortune and they each demanded a share.

BUT..  here we have different moments:


  • Short actions that happened in the moment of the story are past (example: came, bought, went,)
  • Longer actions that happened  in the moment of the story are past continuous(example: was coming, were going)
  • Everything that happened BEFORE in the moment of the story is past perfect (example: had been, had gone, had seen)

This (lead) _____________________ to violent arguments. In particular, they (quarrel) ____________________ about the house. Sally's nephew felt that it should go to him as he (be) __________________one of the few people who (use)________________ to visit  his old aunt before she cut herself off from her relatives. Sally's cousin  (object) ___________________ to this and there (be) _________________ an angry scene in the living -room while they (wait) __________________ for the lawyer to arrive. When the lawyer  (enter) ________________________, the nephew (say) ____________________ jokingly that his aunt probably (leave) _________________ hundreds of debts. The lawyer (not smile) ____________________ at this and  (ask)______________  them all to sit down.  He (begin) ______________________ to read the will in a  solemn voice.  Sally indeed  (be) ____________________ immensely rich but she (leave) ____________________ her  fortune to her Siamese cats!