How we kept mother s day summary

How we kept mother s day summary

Read the word combinations and translate them:
a special celebration;
to heighten the enjoyment;
a lovely restful day;

Read the story How We Kept Mother’s Day and say whether the family did their best to make Mother’s Day enjoyable for Mother.

How We Kept Mother’s Day
Of all the different ideas that have been started lately, I think that the very best is the notion (1) of celebrating once a year «Mother’s Day.» I don’t wonder that May the eleventh is becoming such a popular date all over America and I am sure the idea will spread to England too.
It is especially in a big family like ours that such an idea takes hold. So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day. We thought it a fine idea. It made us all realize how much Mother had done for us for years, and all the efforts and sacrifices that she had made for our sake.

Discussing the Theme of the Story
1. Explain why the family thought it a grand idea to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day.

2. Say what Father and the children did for themselves and what they did for Mother.
Explain:
— why a new hat for Mother wasn’t bought;
— why it was decided to change the plan a little and go fishing instead of going for a motor drive away into the country;
— why Mother had to stay at home;
— why Mother said it had been the most wonderful day in her life.

3. Say whether you could recognize the selfishness of Father and the children at once.

4. Describe:
— how Mother spent Mother’s Day
— how Father and the children spent Mother’s Day.

5. The family had grand plans for keeping Mother’s Day. Say which of their plans were realised and which were not.

6. What do you think Mother felt and thought when the children kissed her good-night? Why were there tears in her eyes? Give reasons for your answer.

7. Give your opinion about the members of the family: Mother, Father and the children. Explain your attitude towards them.

8. Say what the story makes you think about.

9. The story seems funny when you are reading it. Is it really so humorous? Why or why not? Can you feel any sad note in it? Explain your answer.

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TEXT. HOW WE KEPT MOTHER’S DAY by Stephen Leacock
Leacock, Stephen (1869-1944) — a famous Canadian writer of the 20th century. His stories, full of humour and sarcasm, expose the contradictions of life in modem bourgeois society.
Leacock says that the basis of humour lies in the contrasts offered by life itself, but «the deep background that lies behind and beyond what we call humour is revealed only to the few who. by instinct or by effort have given thought to it.»
So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day. We thought it a fine idea. It made us all realize how much Mother had done for us for years, and all the efforts and sacrifice that she had made for our sake.
We decided that we’d make it a great day, a holiday for all the family, and do everything we could to make Mother happy. Father decided to take a holiday from his office, so as to help in celebrating the day, and my sister Anne and I stayed home from college classes, and Mary and my brother Will stayed home from High School.
It was our plan to make it a day just like Xmas or any big holiday, and so we decided to decorate the house with flowers and with mottoes over the mantelpieces, and all that kind of thing. We got Mother to make mottoes and arrange the decorations, because she always does it at Xmas.
The two girls thought it would be a nice thing to dress in our very best for such a big occasion and so they both got new hats. Mother trimmed both the hats, and they looked fine, and Father had bought silk ties for himself and us boys as a souvenir of the day to remember Mother by. We were going to get Mother a new hat too, but it turned out that she seemed to really like her old grey bonnet better than a new one, and both the girls said that it was awfully becoming to her.
Well, after breakfast we had it arranged as a surprise for Mother that we would hire a motor car and take her for a beautiful drive away into the country. Mother is hardly ever able to have a treat like that, because we can only afford to keep one maid, and so Mother is busy in the house nearly all the time.
But on the very morning of the day we changed the plan a little bit, because it occurred to Father that a thing it would be better to do even than to take Mother for a motor drive would be to take her fishing; if you are going to fish, there is a definite purpose in front of you to heighten the enjoyment.
So we all felt that it would be nicer for Mother to have a definite purpose; and anyway, it turned out that Father had just got a new rod the day before.
So we got everything arranged for the trip, and we got Mother to cut up some sandwiches and make up a sort of lunch in case we got hungry, though of course we were to come back home again to a big dinner in the middle of the day, just like Xmas or New Year’s Day. Mother packed it all up in a basket for us ready to go in the motor.
Well, when the car came to the door, it turned out that there hardly seemed as much room in it as we had supposed.
Father said not to mind him, he said that he could just as well stay home; and that he was sure that he could put in the time working in the garden; he said that we were not to let the fact of his not having had a real holiday for three years stand in our way; he wanted us to go right ahead and be happy and have a big day.
But of course we all felt that it would never do to let Father stay home, especially as we knew he would make trouble if he did. The two girls, Anne and Mary, would gladly have stayed and helped the maid get dinner, only it seemed such a pity to, on a lovely day like this, having their new hats. But they both said that Mother had only to say the word, and they’d gladly stay home and work. Will and I would have dropped out, hut unfortunately we wouldn’t have been any use in getting the dinner.
So in the end it was decided that Mother would stay home and just have a lovely restful day round the house, and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that Mother doesn’t care for fishing, and also it was just a little bit cold and fresh out of doors, though it was lovely and sunny, and Father was rather afraid that Mother might take cold if she came.
So we all drove away with three cheers for Mother, and Father waved his hand back to her every few minutes till he hit his hand on the back edge of the car, and then said that he didn’t think that Mother could see us any longer.
Well, — we had the loveliest day up among the hills that you could possibly imagine.
It was quite late when we got back, nearly seven o’clock in the evening, but Mother had guessed that we would be late, so she had kept back the dinner so as to have it just nicely ready and hot for us. Only first she had to get towels and soap for Father and clean things for him to put on, because he always gets so messed up with fishing, and that kept Mother busy for a little while, that and helping the girls get ready.
But at last everything was ready, and we sat down to the grandest kind of dinner — roast turkey and all sorts of things like on Xmas Day. Mother had to get up and down a good bit during the meal fetching things back and forward.
The dinner lasted a long while, and was great fun, and when it was over all of us wanted to help clear the things up and wash the dishes, only Mother said that she would really much rather do it, and so we let her, because we wanted just for once to humour her.
It was quite late, when it was all over, and when we all kissed Mother before going to bed, she said it had been the most wonderful day in her life, and I think there were tears in her eyes. So we all felt awfully repaid for all that we had done.

Если это какой-то рассказ и уже переведён, вставьте сюда отрывок, пожалуйста. Поскольку найти трудно, из-за того, что переводы ЛИТЕРАТУРНЫЕ, а не прямо буквально дословные.

So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day. We thought it a fine idea. It made us all realize how much Mother had done for us for years, and all the efforts and sacrifice that she had made for our sake.
We decided that we’d make it a great day, a holiday for all the family, and do everything we could to make Mother happy. Father decided to take a holiday from his office, so as to help in celebrating the day, and my sister Anne and I stayed home from college classes, and Mary and my brother Will stayed home from High School.

Такой большой семье, как наша, она особенно понравилась, и мы тут же решили отпраздновать мамин день Ведь только теперь мы вдруг поняли, как много мама делала для нас все эти годы и как она, не щадя сил и здоровья, трудилась ради нашего блага.

Поэтому мы решили устроить в честь мамы настоящий семейный праздник и сделать так, чтобы она почувствовала себя счастливой. Чтобы все было как следует, папа решил не идти на службу, мы с Энн не пошли в колледж, а Мэри и Уилл – в школу.

The two girls thought it would be a nice thing to dress in our very best for such a big occasion and so they both got new hats. Mother trimmed both the hats, and they looked fine, and Father had bought silk ties for himself and us boys as a souvenir of the day to remember Mother by. We were going to get Mother a new hat too, but it turned out that she seemed to really like her old grey bonnet better than a new one, and both the girls said that it was awfully becoming to her.

Сестры сказали, что по случаю такого события всем нам нужно одеться как можно красивее, и отправились в магазин купить новые шляпки. Мама сменила на них отделку, и шляпки стали просто прелестны. Папа же купил себе и нам, мальчикам, сувениры в память об этом дне – шелковые галстуки. Маме мы тоже хотели купить шляпку, но оказалось, что она очень любит свой старый серый капор, да и девочки нашли, что он маме страшно идет.

Well, after breakfast we had it arranged as a surprise for Mother that we would hire a motor car and take her for a beautiful drive away into the country. Mother is hardly ever able to have a treat like that, because we can only afford to keep one maid, and so Mother is busy in the house nearly all the time.
But on the very morning of the day we changed the plan a little bit, because it occurred to Father that a thing it would be better to do even than to take Mother for a motor drive would be to take her fishing; if you are going to fish, there is a definite purpose in front of you to heighten the enjoyment.
So we all felt that it would be nicer for Mother to have a definite purpose; and anyway, it turned out that Father had just got a new rod the day before.

После завтрака маму ждал сюрприз – мы заказали такси и решили устроить ей великолепную поездку за город. Ведь она редко когда выбирается из дому: нам не по средствам держать больше одной прислуги, и мама с утра до вечера занята по хозяйству. А за городом сейчас чудесно, и будет просто замечательно, если мама целое утро проведет на свежем воздухе, наслаждаясь быстрой ездой.

Однако утром знаменательного дня мы немножко изменили наши планы: папе вдруг пришло в голову, что будет куда лучше поехать с мамой на рыбалку. Папа сказал, что раз машина заказана и за нее уже заплачено, мы можем с таким же успехом отправиться на ней в горы, где есть богатые рыбой речки. Папа вообще считает, что стоит отправиться в путь без определенной цели, как у вас тотчас появится гнетущее ощущение собственной ненужности; а вот если вы едете ловить рыбу, перед вами стоит определенная задача, и это удваивает удовольствие.
Поэтому мы все согласились, что для мамы будет гораздо лучше, если перед нею встанет определенная задача. Кроме того, оказалось, что как раз накануне папа купил новую удочку.

So we got everything arranged for the trip, and we got Mother to cut up some sandwiches and make up a sort of lunch in case we got hungry, though of course we were to come back home again to a big dinner in the middle of the day, just like Xmas or New Year’s Day. Mother packed it all up in a basket for us ready to go in the motor.
Well, when the car came to the door, it turned out that there hardly seemed as much room in it as we had supposed.

Итак, все было готово. Мы попросили маму приготовить в дорогу сандвичей и еще что-нибудь закусить на случай, если мы проголодаемся, хотя дома нас, разумеется, будет ждать великолепный ранний обед – как на рождество или на Новый год. Мама уложила еду в корзину, и все было готово к поездке.

Ну, а потом, когда пришла машина, оказалось, что в ней гораздо меньше места, чем мы предполагали,

Father said not to mind him, he said that he could just as well stay home; and that he was sure that he could put in the time working in the garden; he said that we were not to let the fact of his not having had a real holiday for three years stand in our way; he wanted us to go right ahead and be happy and have a big day.
But of course we all felt that it would never do to let Father stay home, especially as we knew he would make trouble if he did. The two girls, Anne and Mary, would gladly have stayed and helped the maid get dinner, only it seemed such a pity to, on a lovely day like this, having their new hats. But they both said that Mother had only to say the word, and they’d gladly stay home and work. Will and I would have dropped out, hut unfortunately we wouldn’t have been any use in getting the dinner.
Когда стало ясно, что всем нам в автомобиль не влезть, папа сказал, чтобы мы ехали без него. Он сказал, что преспокойно может остаться дома и потрудиться в саду, где всегда по горло всякой грязной работы: Словом, он твердо решил остаться дома и попросил нас не считаться с такой мелочью, как то, что за последние три года ему еще ни разу не пришлось по-настоящему отдохнуть.

Конечно, мы все почувствовали, что ни в коем случае нельзя допустить, чтобы отец остался дома, тем более что от этого потом не оберешься неприятностей. Девочки – Энн и Мэри – охотно бы остались дома и помогли прислуге с обедом, но как назло день был такой чудесный и новые шляпки им удивительно шли. Тем не менее они заявили, что, стоит только маме слово сказать, и они без всяких разговоров останутся. Мы с Уиллом тоже готовы были отказаться от поездки, но, к сожалению, дома от нас все равно не было бы никакого проку.

So in the end it was decided that Mother would stay home and just have a lovely restful day round the house, and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that Mother doesn’t care for fishing, and also it was just a little bit cold and fresh out of doors, though it was lovely and sunny, and Father was rather afraid that Mother might take cold if she came.

В конце концов было решено, что останется мама. Она чудесно отдохнет в пустом доме и заодно приготовит обед, тем более что рыбная ловля едва ли доставит ей такое уж большое удовольствие. Кроме того, папа высказал опасение как бы мама не простудилась в горах: несмотря на солнечный день, воздух был, пожалуй, слишком прохладен и свеж.
So we all drove away with three cheers for Mother, and Father waved his hand back to her every few minutes till he hit his hand on the back edge of the car, and then said that he didn’t think that Mother could see us any long

И вот, трижды прокричав в честь мамы «ура», мы отправились в путь, а она стояла на веранде и смотрела нам вслед, пока машина не скрылась из виду. Сначала папа махал ей рукой, но потом ушиб палец о задник машины и сказал, что мы уже далеко отъехали и маме нас, наверное, больше не видно.

Well, — we had the loveliest day up among the hills that you could possibly imagine.

It was quite late when we got back, nearly seven o’clock in the evening, but Mother had guessed that we would be late, so she had kept back the dinner so as to have it just nicely ready and hot for us. Only first she had to get towels and soap for Father and clean things for him to put on, because he always gets so messed up with fishing, and that kept Mother busy for a little while, that and helping the girls get ready.
But at last everything was ready, and we sat down to the grandest kind of dinner — roast turkey and all sorts of things like on Xmas Day. Mother had to get up and down a good bit during the meal fetching things back and forward.
The dinner lasted a long while, and was great fun, and when it was over all of us wanted to help clear the things up and wash the dishes, only Mother said that she would really much rather do it, and so we let her, because we wanted just for once to humour her.

Мы провели в горах чудеснейший день.

Когда мы вернулись, было уже довольно поздно, почти семь часов, но мама догадалась, что мы запоздаем, и сготовила обед точно к нашему приезду; аппетитный и горячий, он очутился на столе, как раз когда мы вошли в дом. Правда, сначала ей пришлось подать папе мыло и полотенце и вычистить ему костюм, потому что папа на рыбалке всегда умудряется бог знает как перепачкаться. Это, да еще туалет девочек, немного задержало маму.

Но вот наконец все было готово, и мы сели за стол. Обед был великолепный – жареная индейка и всякие вкусные блюда, какие бывают только на рождество. Мама поминутно вскакивала, чтобы принести то одно, то другое;. Обед тянулся долго, и всем было очень весело. А после мы решили помочь маме убрать со стола и вымыть посуду. Но мама сказала, что предпочитает все сделать сама, и мы не стали с ней спорить: ведь это был ее день, и нам хотелось хоть раз сделать маме приятное.

It was quite late, when it was all over, and when we all kissed Mother before going to bed, she said it had been the most wonderful day in her life, and I think there were tears in her eyes. So we all felt awfully repaid for all that we had done.

Когда мама управилась со всеми делами, было уже очень поздно. Мы подошли к ней, чтобы поцеловать ее перед сном, и она сказала, что это был самый замечательный день в ее жизни. Как мне показалось, на глазах у нее при этом навернулись слезы. Тут мы почувствовали, что полностью вознаграждены за все наши труды.

How We Kept Mother’s Day

Autor: Eastdance • March 16, 2013 • Essay • 858 Words (4 Pages) • 14,062 Views

The title of the story in hand is «How we kept Mother’s Day» by Stephen Leacock. He was a famous Canadian writer of the 20th century. His stories, full of humour and sarcasm, expose the contradictions of life in modern bourgeois society. The plot of this story is built round all the members of the family. The events of the story take place at their home. In the story describes a scene of having a special celebration of Mother’s Day.

Four children and their father decided to make a great day, a holiday for all the family and to do everything they could to make the mother happy. It must have made them all realize how much their mother had done for them and all the efforts and sacrifice that she had made for their sake. So, they decided to stay home to decorate the house with flowers. It should be noted that they got their mother to make mottoes and arrange the decorations, because she always did it at Xmas. They thought it would be a nice thing to dress in their very best, so the two girls got new hats and the father had bought silk ties for himself and the boys. They were going to get the mother a new hat too, but it turned out that she seemed to really like her old grey bonnet. Well, after breakfast they were to have taken her for a beautiful drive away into the country, but on the very morning of the day they changed the plan a little bit. As a matter of fact, they felt it would be nicer for the mother to have a definite purpose, so to take her fishing was a good idea. The mother cut up some sandwiches and made up a sort of lunch and they were ready to go in the motor. As it appeared, there hardly seemed as much room in the car as they had supposed. One of them must stay at home. After a long argument it was decided that the mother would stay home and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that she didn’t care for fishing. Moreover it was just a little bit cold and fresh out-of-doors and she might take cold. Anyway, they drove away and had the loveliest day. It was quite late when they got back. The mother had to get towels, soap and clean things to put on for everybody. When everything was ready and they sat down to the grandest kind of dinner, the mother couldn’t help getting up and down fetching the things back and forward. As soon as

Текст №1. How We Kept Mother’s Day

Texts for Reading and Discussion

How We Kept Mother’s Day

by Stephen Leacock

So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day. We thought it a fine idea. It made us realize how much Mother had done for us for years, and all the efforts and sacrifice that she had made for our sake.

It was our plan to make it a day just like Xmas or any big holiday, and so we decided to decorate the house with flowers and mottoes over the mantelpieces, and all that kind of thing. We got Mother to make mottoes and arrange the decorations, because she always does it at Xmas.

The two girls thought it would be a nice thing to dress in our very best for such a big occasion and so they both got new hats. Mother trimmed both the hats, and they looked fine, and Father had bought silk ties for himself and us boys as a souvenir of the day to remember Mother by. We were going to get Mother a new hat too, but it turned out that she seemed to really like her old grey bonnet better than a new one, and both the girls said that it was awfully becoming to her.

Well, after breakfast we had it arranged as a surprise for Mother that we would hire a motor car and take her for a beautiful drive away into the country. Mother is hardly ever able to have a treat like that, because we can only afford to keep one maid, and so Mother is busy in the house nearly all the time.

But on the very morning of the day we changed the plan a little bit, because it occurred to Father that a thing it would b better to do even than to take Mother for a motor drive would be to take her fishing.

Father said not to mind him, he said that he could just as well stay home, and that he was sure that he could put in time working in the garden; he said that we were not to let the fact of his not having had a real holiday for three years stand in our way; he wanted us to go right ahead and be happy and have a big day.

But of course we all felt that it would never do to let Father stay home, especially as we knew he would make trouble if he did. The two girls, Anne and Mary, would gladly have stayed and helped the maid get dinner, only it seemed such a pity to, on a lovely day like-this, having their new hats. But they both said that Mother had only to say the word, and they’d gladly stay home and work. Will and I would have dropped out, Ш unfortunately we wouldn’t have been any use in getting the] dinner.

So in the end it was decided that Mother would stay home and just have a lovely restful day round the house, and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that Mother doesn’t care for fishing, and also it was just a little bit cold and fresh out of doors, though it was lovely and sunny, and Father was rather afraid that Mother might take cold if she came.

2 Comprehension questions.

1) Why did they think it a fine idea to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day?

2) How did they decide to decorate the. house?

3) How did they dress for such a big occasion?

4) What had been arranged as a surprise for Mother?

5) Why did they change the plan a little bit on the very
morning?

6) Why did Father say not to mind him and that-he could stay
home?

7) How many children were there in the family?

8) Who stayed home in the end? Why?

The Creative Impulse

[. ] When Mrs Forrester’s first detective story ‘The Achilles Statue’ was published, she had reached the respectable age of fifty-seven, and the number of her works was considerable. Her great talent, however, remained undiscovered by ordinary readers and this was the reason her books did not sell, though they were highly praised by the critics. [. ]

A lot of people very much wanted to be invited to the parties she gave every Saturday, but only a few were among her guests.

The only person who spoiled these parties was Mr Albert Forrester, her husband. All her friends considered him a bore and often asked one another how she had ever married him. ;He was known among them as the Philatelist because a young writer had once said that he was collecting stamps.

Albert, I should explain, was an ordinary businessman and not a very rich one. Mrs Forrester, however, was kind to him and always knew how to put to shame anyone who tried to make fun of him in her presence. [. ]

The event that had such a great influence on Mrs Forrest­er’s literary activities happened towards the end of one of her most successful parties. [. ] The guests sat in a circle of which Mrs Forrester was the centre. She was talking and the rest of the company were listening with great attention, only inter­rupting her from time to time to ask a question. Suddenly there came a noise as if something heavy had fallen, and then came the sound of voices.

‘Well, Carter, what is it?’ Mrs Forrester asked the maid.

The porter dropped it as he was bringing it in and the new cook got all upset about it.’

‘What do you mean by ‘the new cook’?’

‘Mrs Bullfinch went away this afternoon, ma’am,’ said the maid.

‘Does Mr Forrester know about it?’ Mrs Forrester asked, for matters like that were his responsibility. ‘The moment Mr Forrester comes in, tell him that I want to speak to, him.’

‘Mr Forrester’s gone, ma’am,’ answered the maid. ‘He said I was to give you this letter when you asked for him,1

The maid left the room, and Mrs Forrester opened the letter.

‘Oh, how unfair! how terrible!’ she cried out.

‘What is it, Mrs Forrester?’ asked Mr Simmons, her agent.

‘Read it,’ she said. ‘Just read it.’

The short-sighted Mr Simmons put on his glasses, and holding the letter very close to his eyes read this:

Mrs Bullfinch needs a change and has decided to leave, and as I do not wish to stay on without her I’m going, too, I have had all the literature I can stand and I am sick and tired of art. Mrs Bullfinch does not care about marriage but if you wish to divorce me, she’s willing to marry me.

I’ve hired a new cook instead of Mrs Bullfinch and I hope you will be pleased with her. Mrs Bullfinch and I are living at 411, Kennington Road, S. E.

The silence that followed was broken by Mr Simmons, who said: ‘You must get him back.’

‘I will never see him again as long as I live!’ Mrs Forrester cried out. But Mr Simmons continued calmly: ‘I’ve been your ; agent for twenty years, [. ] if you think you can make your living by writing the sort of books you do, 1 must tell you that you haven’t a chance.’

‘But I can’t fight with my cook for him!’ Mrs Forrester cried out. ‘I was just coming to that,’ said Mr Simmons coldly, ‘A dancer or a lady of title wouldn’t do you any harm, but a cook would finish you.’

‘He’s quite right,’ said one of her guests. ‘The Philatelist must come back’.

‘You will go and see him tomorrow, won’t you?’ asked Mr [Simmons. Mrs Forrester didn’t answer for some time and finally said:

‘For my art’s sake, not for mine!’

It was rather late in the afternoon of the next day when Mrs Forrester set out on her journey to Kennington Road. [. ]

1) How old was Mrs Forrester when her first detective story was published?

2) What was the reason her books did not sell?

3) What kind of a man was her husband, Mr Albert?

4) What was Mr Albert’s nickname? Why?

5) What was Mrs Forrester’s attitude to her husband?

6) What event had a great influence on Mrs Forrester’s liter­ary activities?

7) What was Mr Forrester responsible for in the house?

8) Why was Mr Forrester sick and tired of art?

9) Why did all guests think that the Philatelist must come back?

10) What arguments did Mr Simmons give?

[. ] When Julia was sixteen and went to the Royal Acad­emy of Dramatic Art in Gower Street she knew already much that they could teach her there. She had to get rid of a certain number of tricks that were out of date and she had to acquire a more conversational style. But she won every prize that was open to her, and when she was finished with the school her good French got her almost immediately a small part in Lon­don as a French maid. [. ]

It was two years later that Jimmie Langton discovered her. She was on tour in a melodrama that had been successful in London. [. ] Jimmie was taking a short holiday which he spent in going every night to the theatre in one town after another. At the end of the piece he went round to see Julia, He was well enough known in the theatrical world for her to be flattered by the compliments he paid her, and when he asked her to lunch with him next day she accepted.

They had no sooner sat down to table than he went straight to the point.

‘I never slept a wink all night for thinking of you,’ he said.

‘This is very sudden. Is your proposal honourable or dis­honourable?’

He took no notice of the words.

‘I’ve been at this game for twenty-five years. I’ve been a call-boy, a stage-hand, a stage-manager, an actor, a publicity man, damn it, I’ve been a critic. I’ve lived in the theatre since I was a kid just out of a board school, and what I don’t know about acting isn’t worth knowing. I think you’re a genius.’

‘It’s sweet of you to say so.’

‘Shut up. Leave me to do the talking. You’ve got every­thing. You’re the right height, you’ve got a good figure.’

‘Flattering, aren’t you’?’

‘That’s just what I am. That’s the face an actress wants. The face that can look anything, even beautiful, the face that can show every thought that passes through the mind. [. ] Last night the words you were saying wrote themselves on your face.’

‘It’s such a rotten part. How could I give it my attention? Did you hear the things I had to say?’

‘Actors are rotten, not parts. You’ve got a wonderful voice, the voice that can wring an audience’s heart. [. ] It appears you speak French like a Frenchwoman and so they give you broken English parts. That’s not going to lead you anywhere, you know.’

‘I’ve always thought that some day or other I should get a chance of a straight part.’

‘When? You may have to wait ten years. How old are you cow?’

‘What are you getting?’

‘Fifteen pounds a week.

‘That’s a He. You’re getting twelve, and it’s a damned sight more than you’re worth. [. ] Wouldn’t you like to be a star?’

‘Come to me and I’ll make you the greatest actress in England.’

‘I know I want experience, I’d have to think it over of course. I wouldn’t mind coming to you for a season.’

‘Go to hell. Do you think I can make an actress of you in a season? What sort of a bloody fool do you take me for? I’ll give a three years’ contract, I’ll give you eight pounds a week and you’ll have to work like a horse.’

‘Eight pounds a week’s absurd. I couldn’t possibly take that.’

‘Oh yes, you could. It’s all you’re worth and it’s all you’re going to get.’

Julia had been on the stage for three years and had learnt a good deal. Besides, Jane Taitbout, no strict moralist, had given her a lot of useful information.

1) What age did Julia go to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art?

2) What got Julia almost immediately a small part in London as a French maid?

3) How did Jimmie Langton discover Julia?

4) Who was well known in the theatrical world, Julia or Jimmie?

5) How could Jimmie see that Julia was a genius?

6) Did Julia believe his words?

7) What did Jimmie offer to Julia?

8> How much did Jimmie give her a week? Why did she say that it was absurd?

A Farewell to Arms

By Ernest Hemingway

The room I shared with the lieutenant Rinaldi looked out on the courtyard. The window was open, my bed was made up with blankets and my things hung on the wall [. ]. The lieu­tenant, Rinaldi, lay asleep on the other bed. He woke when he heard me in the room and sat up.

‘Hello!’ he said. ‘What kind of time did you have?’

We shook hands and he put his arm around my neck and kissed me.

‘You are dirty,’ he said. ‘You ought to wash. Where did you go and what did you do? Tell me everything at once.’

‘I went everywhere. Milan, Florence, Rome, Naples, ; Villa San Giovanni, Messina, Taormina –‘

‘You talk like a time-table. Did you have any beautiful adventures?’

‘That’s enough. Tell me really what was the best.’

‘That was because it was first. Where did you meet her? I Tell me everything at once. Did you stay all night?’

‘That’s nothing. Here now we have beautiful girls.’

‘You don’t believe me? We will go now this afternoon and ее. And in town we have beautiful English girls. I am now in I love with Miss Barkley. I will take you to call. I will probably I marry Miss Barkley. [. ] To-night you will tell me everything,’ said Rinaldi. ‘Now I must go back to sleep to be fresh and I beautiful for Miss Barkley.’

I took off my tunic and shirt and washed in the cold water in the basin. While I rubbed myself with a towel I looked

around the room and out the window and at Rinaldi lying with his eyes closed on the bed. He was good-looking, was my age, and he came from Amalfi. He loved being a surgeon and we were great friends. While I was looking at him he opened his eyes.

‘Have you any money?’

‘Loan me fifty lire.’

I dried my hands and took out pocket-book from the inside of my tunic hanging on the wall. Rinaldi smiled, ‘I must make on’Miss Barkley the impression of a man of sufficient wealth. You are my great and good friend and financial protector.’

That night at the mess I sat next to the priest and he was disappointed and suddenly hurt that I had not gone to the Abruzzi. He had written to his father that I was coming and they had made preparations. I myself felt as badly as he did and could not understand why I had not gone.

We two were talking while the others argued. [. ] I had really wanted to go to the Abruzzi but had not gone and we were still friends, with many tastes alike, but with the difference between us. He had always known what I did not know and what, when I learned it, I was always able to forget. But I did not know that then, although I learned it later. [. ] We stopped talking and the captain shouted, ‘Priest not happy. Priest wants Austrians to win the war.’ The priest shook his head.

‘Priest wants us never to attack. Don’t you want us never to attack?’

‘No. If there is a war I suppose we must attack.’

‘Must attack. Shall attack!’

The priest nodded. [. ] We all got up and left the table.

1) Who did the main character share room with?

2) Where did the main character go?

3) Did he go there for business or for pleasure?

4) Who was in love with Miss Barkley?

5) Where did Rinaldi come from?

6) What was Rinaldi?

7) Why did Rinaldi ask the main character to loan him money?

8) Why was the priest disappointed?

9) What did the main character learn later?

The Rathskeller and the Rose

Miss Posie Carrington had begun life in the small village of Cranberry Corners. Then her name had been Posie Boggs. At the age of eighteen she had left the place and become an actress at a small theatre in a large city, and here she took the name of Carrington. Now Miss Carrington was at the height of her fame, the critics praised her, and in the next season she was going to star in a new play about country life. Many young actors were eager to partner Miss Posie Carrington in the play, and among them was a clever young actor called Highsmith.

‘My boy’, said Mr Goldstein, the manager of the theatre, when the young man went to him for advice, ‘take the part if you can get it. The trouble is Miss Carrington won’t listen to any of my suggestions. As a matter of fact she has turned down a lot of the best imitators of a country fellow already, and she says she won’t set foot on the stage unless her partner is the best that can be found. [„.] So, young man, if you want to play the part, you’ll have to convince Miss Carrington. Would you like to try?’ Т would with your permission,’ answered the young man. ‘But I would prefer to keep my plans secret for a while.’

Next day Highsmith took the train for Cranberry Corners. He stayed three days in that small and distant village. Having found out all he could about the Boggs and their neighbours, Highsmith returned to the city.

One night when Miss Posie was enjoying a late supper in the company of her fellow-actors, a shy, awkward young man entered the restaurant. [. ]

‘How’re you, Miss Posie?’ he said. ‘Don’t you remember me — Bill Summers — the Summerses that used to live next door to you? I’ve grown up since you left Cranberry Corners. [..-]

She took him to a vacant table in a corner.

‘ I don’t seem to remember any Bill Summers,’ she said. ‘Birt I know the Summerses all right. [. ] There aren’t many changes in the old village, are there? Have you seen any of my people?’

And then Highsmitb decided to show Miss Posie his abilities as a tragic actor.

‘Miss Posie,’ said Bill Summers, ‘I was at your people’s house just two or three days ago. No, there aren’t many changes to speak of.’

‘How’s Ma?’ asked Miss Carrington.

‘She’s older than she was, Miss Posie. [. ] ‘William,’ said she. ‘Posie went away down that road and something tells me she’ll come back that way again when she gets tired of the world and begins to think about her old mother. She’s always been a sensible girl.’

Miss Carrington looked uncomfortable.

‘Well,’ she said, ‘I am really very glad to have seen you, e round and see me at the hotel before you leave the city.’

After she had left, Highsmith, still in his make-up, went up to Goldstein.

‘An excellent idea, wasn’t it?’ said the smiling actor. ‘The. part is mine, don’t you think?’

‘ I didn’t hear your conversation,’ said Goldstein, ‘but your make-up and acting were perfect. Here’s to your success.’

At 11.45 the next morning Highsmith, handsome and dressed in the latest fashion, sent up his card to Miss Carrington at her hotel.

He was shown up and received by the actress’s French maid.

‘ I am sorry,’ said the maid, ‘but I am to say this to every­body. Miss Carrington has cancelled all engagements on the stage and has returned to live in that — what do you call that place?— Cranberry Corners!’

The Rathskeller and the Rose — Погребок и роза make-up — грим

1) Why did Miss Posie Boggs change her surname?

2) Was Miss Posie Carrington at the height of her farne? Prove it.

3) What advice did Mr Goldstein give to a young actor?

4) How did Highsmith introduce himself to Miss Carrington?

5) What did Highsmith tell about Miss Carrington’s mother?

6) Did Miss Carrington believe him?

7) Was Highsmith a talented actor? Prove it.

8> Why did Miss Carrington cancel all engagements on the stage?

9) Did Highsmith get much benefit from his acting?

‘George Elephant!’ called the Clerk in Court Number One; and a small man with glasses was brought.

‘Are you George Elephant?’ asked the Clerk. ‘I am.’

‘You are charged with murder; that you at Golders Green on the 19th day of January 1948, murdered Jane Elephant. How say you, George Elephant, are you guilty or not guilty?

‘Very well,’ said the Judge. ‘You may sit down.’

Except for a few remarks on the curious name of the pris­oner, few people were interested in the case. The facts as state were very simple. On the 20th January the prisoner had walked

into a police station. ‘I have cut my wife’s throat,’ he said. ’She’s quite dead.’

It seemed true enough. Her throat seemed to have been cut with a razor which was near her body. [. ]

Usually, however, the owners of unfortunate names just bear them. George had certainly suffered a great deal. When he first went to school and was asked his name in front of the other boys, he replied, ‘George Elephant.’

‘Olliphant?’ said the master.

‘No, sir, Elephant.»

‘What, Elephant? Like the animals?’

‘Yes, sir, like the animals.’

After that at school he was called by the names of all known, and some unknown, animals. George was modest, and boys at school are merciless. He was not happy there and was thankful when he left. But his troubles did not end when he left school.

When he married Jane he had hoped she would make his difficulties lighter. But Jane did not mind being called Ele­phant; in fact she told everyone her new name. Even when she was being loving she used to call him ‘my elephant boy’, and so he was not allowed to forget.

When Sir Gordon Macintosh had discovered these facts, he had no doubt at all of the proper defence to raise in the court. He immediately had George examined by famous doctors. [. ]

The doctors said that the accused was not mad, but that his mind was very much affected by jokes about his name. The doctors for the defence said that the prisoner might have been Made so angry by his wife’s jokes that he could not control himself.

George was not found guilty of murder, but he was sent prison with hard labour for seven years. That, however, was not the end of the matter, because the case by this time caused great public interest.

In the end, so much sympathy was shown for George and so much pressure was put on the Government, that George’s time in prison was reduced from seven years to three.

Two years later, just before he was let out, a priest arrived at the prison where George was. He had a talk with George

‘Before you leave,’ said the visitor, ‘would you like to say anything to me in secret [. ]. Tell me, for example, what was it that actually led you to kill your wife?’

‘Well, as a matter of fact,’ said George, ‘I was fond of another woman.’

1) What family did George come from?

2) What, did Jane take a good deal of pleasure in?

3) Why did George suffer a great deal because of his last name?

4) Was George happy at school? Why?

5) Was George found guilty of murder?

6) Why was George’s time in prison reduced to three years?

7) What had been George’s true motive in committing the crime?

I celebrated my fortieth birthday by putting on one of the amateur theatrical performances for which my house at Beckenham is famous.

The play, written by myself, was in three acts, and an important feature was the sound of a horn in the second act.

I had engaged a horn player to blow the horn. He was to place himself, not on the stage, but downstairs in the hall so as to make it sound distant.

The best seat was occupied by the beautiful Linda Fitznightingale. The next chair, which I had intended for my­self, had been taken by Mr Porcharlester, a young man of some musical talent.

After I had seen that everything was all right for the per­formance, I hurried to Linda’s side with an apology for my long absence. As I approached, Porcharlester rose, saying, ‘I’m going behind the stage if you don’t mind.’

‘Boys will be boys,’ I said when he had gone. ‘But how are your musical studies progressing?’

‘I’m full of Schubert now. Oh, Colonel Green, do you know Schubert’s serenade?’

‘Oh, a lovely thing. It’s something like this, I think. ‘

‘Yes, it is little like that. Does Mr Porcharlester sing it?’

I hated to hear her mention the name, so I said, ‘He tries to sing it.’

‘But do you like it?’ she asked.

I tried to avoid a straight answer. ‘Do you like it?’

‘I love it. I dream of it. I’ve lived on it for the last three days. [. ] Ah, here is Mr Porcharlester, I’ll make him promise to sing it to us.’

‘Green,’ said Porcharlester, ‘I don’t wish to bother you but the man who is to play the horn hasn’t turned up.’

I excused myself to Linda, and hurried to the hall. The horn was there, on the table. But the man was nowhere to be seen. [. ]

I waited for him, but he did not come. Had he mixed up the time? I hurried to the dining-room. There at the table he sat, fast asleep. Before him were five bottles, empty. Г shook him, but could not wake him up.

I ran back to the hall promising myself to have him shot for not obeying my orders. The signal came again. They were waiting. I saw but one way to save the play from failure.

I took up the instrument, put the smaller end into my mouth and blew. Not a sound came from the thing.

Then I took the horn again, put it to my lips and blew as hard as I could.

The result was terrible. My ears were deafened, the win­dows shook, the hats of my visitors rained from their pegs [. ].

For the next three months I studied horn-blowing. [. ] 1 worked hard without a word of complaint. At last I asked him if he thought I could play something in private to a friend.

‘Well, Colonel,’ he said, ‘I’ll tell you the truth: it would be beyond your ability. You haven’t the lip for it. You blow hard, and it spoils the impression. What were you thinking of playing to your friend?’

‘Something that you must teach me, Schubert’s serenade.’

He stared at me, and shook his head. ‘It isn’t written for the instrument, sir,’ he said, ‘you’ll never play it.’ But I insist­ed. ‘The first time I play it through without a mistake, I’ll give you five pounds,’ I said.

n What, was the house at Beckenham famous for?

2) What was an important feature in the second act?

3) Why was a horn player to place himself downstairs in the hall?

4) What gave Porcharlester an advantage over older and clev­erer men in Linda’s eyes?

5) What song would Linda want to ask Mr Porcharlester to sing?

6) Why was Colonel Green afraid that the play would be spoilt?

7) What was one way to save the play from failure?

8) Why did Green study horn-blowing?

9) Was Green a talented horn-player? Why?

10) Why did Green insist on being taught to play the serenade?

The Final Diagnosis

[.-.] ‘Oh, Dr Coleman! Do come in. Sit down, won’t O’Donnell held out an engraved gold case. ‘Cigarette?’

‘Thank you’ Coleman took a cigarette and accepted light O’Donnell offered.

‘I imagine you’ve heard,’ he said, ‘that Dr Pearson has resigned.’

‘Yes, I’ve heard.’ Coleman answered quietly, then to his own surprise he heard himself saying, ‘You know, of course these past few days he hasn’t spared himself. He’s been here day’ and night.’

‘Yes, I know. But it doesn’t change anything. You realize that?’

‘No,’ he said, ‘I don’t suppose’ it does.’

‘Joe has expressed a wish to leave at once,’ O’Donnell continued. ‘It means there be an immediate vacancy here for a director of pathology. Shall you accept?’

For a second David Coleman hesitated. This was the thing he has coveted — a department of his own; freedom to reorganize to mobilize the new aids of science, to practise good medicine, and to make pathology count as he knew it truly could. [. ]

Then fear struck him. It occurred to him there would be no one senior to relieve him of decisions; the ultimate choice — the final diagnosis — would be his alone. Could he face it? He was still young; if he chose, he could continue as a second-in-command for several years more. After that there would be other openings — plenty of time to move ahead.

‘Yes,’ he said. (If it’s offered to me, I shall accept.’

‘I can tell you that it will be offered.’ O’Donnell smiled. He asked, ‘Would you tell me something?’

The chief of surgery paused. [. ] Finally he asked, ‘Will you tell me what your attitude is — to medicine and to this hospital?’

‘It’s hard to put into words,’ Coleman said.

‘I suppose the real thing,’ he said slowly, ‘is that all of us — physicians, the hospital, medical technology — exist only for one thing: for patients, for healing of the sick. I believe forget this sometimes. [. ] He stopped. ‘I’ve put it clumsily.’

‘No,’ O’Donnell said, ‘you’ve put it very well.’ He had a sense of triumph and of hope. Instinct had not belied him; he had chosen well.

A thought occurred to him. He asked, ‘One more thing. do you feel about Joe Pearson and the way he’s leaving?’

I’m not sure,’ David Coleman said. ‘I’ve been wishing I knew.’

‘It’s not such a bad thing to be unsure sometimes,’ O’Donnell. There are some things I think you should know though.

‘I didn’t know,’ Coleman said. Thank you for telling me.’

Both men had risen and moved to the door. As they went out O’Donnell said softly, ‘It’s a good thing for all of us to

have compassion. You see, you never know whether some day you’ll need it yourself.’

pathology [ps’ODladsi] — патология

to covet f’kAvit] — жаждать

ultimate [ Altimit] — последний

clumsily [‘kUmziIi] — неуклюже, топорно

to belie [bi’lai] — подводить

thyroid [‘0airoidj— щитовидная железа

1> Why was there an immediate vacancy for a director pathology?

2) What thing did David Coleman covet?

3) Why did fear strike David Coleman?

4) What could be if Coleman chose the offer?

5) What was hard for Coleman to put into words?

6) What did all doctors forget sometimes as Coleman thought?

7) Why did O’Donnell have a sense of triumph and of hope?

8) What things came from Joe Pearson?

9) Why should people remember those things that came from Joe?

10) What was a good thing for everybody to have as O’Donnell thought?

Flight into Danger

by A. Hailey and G. Castle

[. ] The captain had moved on. While he had been speak­ing his eyes had been fixed on the stewardess, who was bending over a woman, the palm of her hand on the passenger’s fore­head. The captain touched the stewardess lightly on the arm-

‘Anything wrong, Miss Benson?’ he asked.

‘The lady is feeling a little under the weather, Captain, she said very quietly. ‘I’ll get her some aspirin. Be back in moment.’

Dun took her place and leaned over the woman and the man beside her.

‘Sorry to hear that,’ he said sympathetically. ‘What seems be the trouble?’

The woman stared at him. ‘I — I don’t know,’ she said in a small voice. It seemed to hit me all of a sudden. Just awful pain… down here.’ She indicated her stomach. [. ]

‘Now here we are,’ said the stewardess, handing down the pills. ‘Try these.’

‘Thank you, miss, said the husband. ‘I’m sure we’ll be okay in just a little while.’ He looked at his wife with a smile. ‘Try to rest, dear. It’ll past over.’

Т hope so,’ said Dun. He passed back down the aisle and waited for Janet in the gallery. ‘Who are they?’ he asked when the stewardess returned.

‘Mr and Mrs Childer— John Childer. She was all right fifteen minutes ago.’

‘H’m. Well, you’d better let me know if she gets any worse and I’ll radio ahead.’

Jane looked at him quickly. ‘Why? What are you think­ing?’

‘I don’t know. I don’t like the look of her.’ The captain looked worried. ‘Have we a doctor on the passenger list?’

‘No one who’s entered as a doctor/ replied Janet, ‘but 1 could ask around.’

Dun shook his head. ‘Don’t disturb them now. Most of them are getting down to sleep. The trouble is,’ he added, ‘’we’ve got over four hours flying before we reach the coast.’

Neither of the pilots heard stewardess enter. She touch the captain on the shoulder.

‘Captain,’ she said, ‘That woman. She’s worse already. And I have another passenger sick now — one of the men ‘

‘I can’t come right now, Janet,’ he replied as he worked ‘You’d better do as we said and see if you can find a doctor, I’ll come as soon as I can.’ [. ]

She hurried along the aisle to where the sick Mrs Childer lay half-cradled in her husband’s arms, moaning with eyes closed. Childer stared at her, his face creased with anxiety

‘What can we do, miss?’ he asked her. ‘What d’ you think it is?’

‘Keep her warm,’ said Janet. ‘I’m going to see if there’s a doctor on board.’

‘A doctor? I just hope there is. What do we do if there isn’t?’

‘Don’t worry, sir. I’ll be back straight away.’ [. ]

‘Are you a doctor, sir?’ asked Janet anxiously.

‘Yes. Yes. I’m Dr Baird. Why, what’s wrong?’

‘We have two passengers who are quite sick. Would you take a look at them, please?’

‘Sick? Yes, certainly.’ [. ]

Mrs Childer was now as prostrate as the seat allowed. Shivers of pain racked her body. She breathed heavily,
with long gasps. Her hair was wet.

‘This gentleman is a doctor,’ said Janet.

‘Just relax,’ said Baird, his eyes on his watch. He released her wrist, felt in his jacket and took out a pocket flashlight. ‘Open your eyes wide,’ he ordered gently and examined each eye in turn in the bright pencil of light. [. ]

‘I think you’d better go to the captain,’ said Baird. ‘Please tell him we should land at once. This woman has to be gotten to a hospital. Ask to have an ambulance waiting.’ [. ]

to slide (slid) — скользить

to moan— стонать

prostrate [‘prostreit] — распростертый

1) Why was the stewardess bending over a woman?

2) Was there a doctor on the passenger list?

3) What was the trouble the captain explained?

4) How many passengers were sick on board?

5) What were symptoms of Mrs Childer’s illness?

6) How did Baird examine Mrs Childer?

7) Why did Baird say that they should land at once?

8) Was it a serious illness you think?

9) Could Baird help Mrs Childer on board?

[…] I was driving up to London by myself. It was a lovely June day. [. ] Ahead of me I saw a man thumbing a lift. I the footbrake and brought the car to a stop beside him. I always stopped for hitch-hikers. I knew just how it to feel to be standing on the side of a country road watching the cars go by. [. ] c

‘Going to London, guv’nor?’

‘Yes,’ I said, ‘Jump in.’

He got in and I drove on.

He was a small ratty-faced man with grey teeth. His eyes were dark and quick and clever, like a rat’s eyes. And his ears were slightly pointed at the top.

‘What part of London are you headed for?’ I asked him

‘I’m going to Epsom, for the races. It’s Derby Day today.’

‘So it is,’ I said. ‘I wish I were going with you. I love betting on horses,’

‘I never bet on horses.’ he said. ‘That’s a stupid silly business.’

‘Then why do you go?’ I asked.

He didn’t seem to like that question. [. ] I decided not to question him any more.

Tm sorry.’ I said, ‘It’s none of my business what you do. The trouble is, I’m a writer, and most writers are terrible nosey parkers.’

‘You write books?’

‘Writing books is OK,’ he said. ‘It’s what I call a skilled trade. I’m in a skilled trade too. [. ] The secret of life,’ he said, ‘is to become very very good at something that’s very very hard to do.’

‘Like you,’ I said.

‘Exactly. You and me both.’

‘What makes you think that I’m any good at my job?’ I asked.

‘You wouldn’t be driving about in a car like this if you were not good at it,’ he answered. ‘It must have cost a tidy packet, this little job,’

‘What can she do flat out?’ he asked.

‘One hundred and twenty-nine miles an hour,’ I told him.

‘I’ll bet she won’t do it.’

‘I’ll bet she will.’

At that moment, I heard the scream of a police siren.

‘Oh, my sainted aunt!’ I said. ‘That’s torn it!’ [. ]

The policeman got off his motor-cycle, took off his gloves and placed them carefully on the seat. Like an executioner

approaching his victim, the policeman came slowly towards us.

‘What’s the hurry?’ he said.

‘No hurry, officer,’ I answered.

‘Perhaps there’s a woman in the back having a baby and you’re rushing her to hospital? Is that it?’

‘Or perhaps your house is on fire and you’re dashing home to rescue the family from upstairs?’

‘My house isn’t on fire, officer.’

‘In that case,’ he said, ‘you’ve got yourself into a nasty mess, haven’t you?’

‘You won’t be driving this fancy car of yours again for a very long time, not after we’ve finished with you. [. ] I hope they lock you up for some time into the bargain.’

‘You mean prison?’

‘Absolutely,’ he said. ‘In the prison. Along with all the other criminals who break the law. I’ll see you in court, both of you.’

He turned away and walked over to his motor-cycle. Then he kicked the starter and roared off up the road out of sight. ‘

bitch-hiker— человек, путешествующий автостопом

to thumb — «голосовать» на дороге, подняв большой палец

guv’nor — сленг «командир» (обращение к водителю)

nosey parker— любопытствующий, вечно сующий нос не в своё дело

That’s torn it! = It ruins everything!

\) Why did the main character always stop for hitch-hikers?

2> How did the hitch-hiker look like?

3) Why was the hitch-hiker going to Epsom?

4) What did the hitch-hiker call a ‘skilled trade1?

5) What was the secret of life for the hitch-hiker?

6) What made the hitch-hiker think that the main character was good at his job?

7) Why did the policeman stop the car?

8) Did they get into a nasty mess? Why?

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

by Thornton Wilder

On Friday noon, July the twentieth, 1714, the finest bridge in all Peru broke and precipitated five travellers into the gulf below. This bridge was on the high road between Lima and Cuzco, and hundreds of persons passed over it every day. The moment a Peruvian heard of the accident he signed and made a mental calculation as to how recently he had crossed by it and how soon he had intended crossing by it again. [. ]

Everyone was very deeply impressed, but only one person did anything about it, and that was Brother Juniper.

It was a very hot noon, that fatal noon, and coming around the shoulder of a hill Brother Juniper stopped to wipe his forehead and to gaze upon the screen of snowy peaks in the distance [. ]. Joy was in him; things were not going badly. He had opened several little churches [. ]. Perhaps it was the pure air from the snows before him; perhaps it was the memory that brushed him for a moment of the poem that made him raise his eyes to the helpful hills. At all events he felt at peace. Then his glance fell upon the bridge [. ].

Anyone else would have said to himself with secret joy: ‘Within ten minutes myself. ‘ But it was another thought that visited Brother Juniper: ‘Why did this happen to those five?’ Either we live by accident and die by accident, or we live by plan and die by plan. [. ]

It seemed to Brother Juniper that it was high time for theology to take its place among the exact sciences, and he had long intended putting it there. [. ] The accident had been dependent upon human error, for example, or had contained elements of probability. But this collapse of the bridge of San-Luis Rey was a sheer Act of God.

Thus it was that the determination rose within him at the moment of the accident. It prompted him to busy himself for six years, knocking at all the doors in Lima, asking thousands of questions, filling scores of notebooks. Everyone knew that he was working on some sort of memorials of the accident, and everyone was very helpful and misleading. A few even knew the principal aim of his activity, and there were patrons in high places.

The result of all this diligence was an enormous book. which, as we shall see later, was publicly burned on a beautiful spring morning in the great square. But there was a secret copy and after a great many years and without much notice it found its way to the library of the University of San Martin. There it lies between two great wooden covers collecting dust in a cupboard. It deals with one after another of the victims of the accident, cataloguing thousands of little facts and anecdotes and testimonies, and concluding with a dignified passage de­scribing why God had settled upon that person and upon that day for his demonstration of wisdom.

Some say that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer day, and some say, on the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey — Мост короля Людовика Святого

to precipitate— низвергать

to prompt — побуждать

testimony— показание свидетеля

1) What happened on Friday noon, July the twentieth, 1714?

2) What did a Peruvian do the moment he heard of the acci­dent?

3) Who did anything about the accident?
4) Why did Brother Juniper feel at peace?
5) What thought visited Brother Juniper?

6) What did Brother Juniper think about that accident, the collapse of the bridge?

8) What was the result of all his diligence?

9) What can one find in the library of the University of San Martin?

10) What does this book deal with?

11) Do you agree that for the gods we are like flies that the boys kill on a summer day? What’s your opinion?

by Kathenne Mansfield

Rosemary Fell was not exactly beautiful. She was young, brilliant, extremely modern, well dressed and amazingly well read in the newest of the new books. Rosemary had been mar­ried two years, and her husband was very fond of her. They were rich, really rich, not just comfortably well-off, so if Rose­mary wanted to shop, she would go to Paris as you and I would go to Bond Street.

One winter afternoon she went into a small shop to look at a little box which the shopman had been keeping for her. He had shown it to nobody as yet so that she might be the first to see it

‘Charming!’ Rosemary admired the box. ‘Well, keep ‘ for me, will you?’ The shopman bowed.

Outside rain was falling, there was a cold, bitter taste in the air. At that very moment a young girl, thin, dark

appeared at Rosemary’s elbow and a voice, like a sigh, breathes: ‘Madam, may I speak to you a moment?’

‘Speak to me?’ Rosemary turned. She saw a creature, no older than herself who shivered as though she had just come out of the water.

‘Madam,’ came the voice, ‘would you let me have the price of a cup of tea?’

‘A cup of tea? Then have you no money at all?’ asked Rosemary.

‘None, madam,’ came the answer.

‘Come home to tea with me,’ said Rosemary.

The girl gave a start. ‘You’re — you’re not taking me to the police station?’ There was pain in her voice.

‘The police station!’ Rosemary laughed out. ‘Why should I be so cruel? No, I only want, to make you warm and to hear — anything you care to tell e along.’

The footman held the door of the car open, and a mo­ment later they were riding through the dusk. [. ]

‘I’m very sorry, madam, but I’m going to faint. I shall fall, madam, if I don’t have something.’

‘Good heavens, how thoughtless I am!’ Rosemary rushed to the bell.

‘Tea! Tea at once! And some brandy immediately.’

When the tea-table was carried away, a new girl, a light creature with dark lips and deep eyes lay back in the big chair.

At that moment the door-handle turned.

‘Rosemary, can I come in?’ It was Philip, her husband.

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ he said, as if apologizing, and stopped and stared.

‘It’s quite all right,’ said Rosemary, smiling. This is my friend, Miss –‘

‘Smith, madam,’ said the figure in the chair.

‘As a matter of fact, I wanted you to come into the library for a moment. Will Miss Smith excuse us?’ [. ]

‘I say,’ said Philip, when they were alone. ‘Explain, who is she? What does it all mean?’

‘Congratulations!’ Philip sounded as though he were jok­ing. ‘But what on earth are you going to do with her?’ ‘Be nice to her,’ said Rosemary quickly. ‘But,’ said Philip slowly, ‘she’s so extremely pretty.’

‘Pretty?’ Rosemary was so surprised that she blushed. ‘Do you think so? I — I hadn’t thought about it.’

‘She’s absolutely lovely. Look again, my child. But let me know if Miss Smith is going to dine with us!’

Rosemary went to her writing-room and sat down at her desk. Pretty! Absolutely lovely! Her heart beat like a heavy bell.

Half an hour later Philip was still in the library, when Rosemary came in.

‘I only wanted to tell you,’ said she, ‘Miss Smith won’t dine with us tonight. She insisted on going, so I gave the poor little thing a present of money. I couldn’t keep her against her will, could I?’

Then Rosemary said dreamily: ‘I saw a wonderful little box today. It cost twenty-eight guineas. Can I have it?’

But that was not really what Rosemary wanted to say.

‘Philip,’ she whispered, ‘am I pretty?’

1) How can you prove that Rosemary was rather rich?

3) Who suddenly appeared at Rosemary’s elbow?

4> Why did Rosemary invite the girl to tea?

5) Why was the girl nearly going to faint?

6) Was Rosemary kind to the poor girl?

7) How did Rosemary’s husband react when he saw the girl?

8) Why did Rosemary’s husband ask to let him know if the girl was going to dine with them?

9) Why did Rosemary’s heart beat like a heavy bell?

10) What was the real reason why the poor girl didn’t stay to dine with them?

11) Why did Rosemary ask her husband if she was pretty?

by Theodore Dreiser

[. ] The Cowperwoods, father and mother, were happy with their children.

Young Cowperwood took an interest in his father’s progress. He was quite often allowed to come to the bank on Saturdays, when he would watch with great interest the quick exchange of bills. He wanted to know where all the different kinds of money came from, and what the men did with all the money they re­ceived. His father, pleased at his interest, was glad to explain, so that even at this early age — from ten to fifteen — the boy gained a wide knowledge of the condition of the country financially.

Frank realized that his father was too honest, too careful. He often told himself that when he grew up, he was going to be a broker, or a financier, or a banker.

Just at this time there came to the Cowperwoods an uncle, Seneca Davis, who had not appeared in the life of the family before.

Henry Cowperwood was pleased at the arrival of this rather rich relative, for before that Seneca Davis had not taken much notice of Henry Cowperwood and his family.

This time, however, he showed much more interest in the Cowperwoods, particularly in Frank.

‘How would you like to come down to Cuba and be planter, my boy?’ he asked him once.

‘I am not sure that I’d like to,’ replied the boy.

‘Well, that’s frank enough. What have you against it?’

‘Nothing, except that I don’t know anything about it.’

‘Well, what are you interested in?’

‘A smart boy!’ he said to Henry.

Uncle Seneca became a frequent visitor to the house and took an increasing interest in Frank.

‘Keep in touch with me,’ he said to his sister one day. ‘When that boy gets enough to find out what he wants to do, I think I’ll help him to do it.’ [. ] He talked to Frank about his studies, and found that the boy took little interest in books or most of the subjects he had to take at school.

‘I like book-keeping and mathematics,’ he said. ‘I want to get out and get to work, though. That’s what I want to do.’

‘You’re very young, my son,’ his uncle said. ‘You’re only how old now? Fourteen?’

‘Well, you can’t leave school much before sixteen. You’ll do better if you stay until seventeen or eighteen. It can’t do you any harm. You won’t be a boy again.’

‘I don’t want to be a boy. I want to get to work.’

‘Don’t go too fast, son. You want to be a banker, don’t you?’

‘Well, when the time comes, I’ll help you get a start in business: [. ] And, meanwhile, keep your health and learn all you can.’

And with these words he gave the boy a ten-dollar piece with which to start a bank-account.

1) Where was Cowperwood often allowed to come?

2) What did Cowperwood want to know?

3) How did the boy gain a wide knowledge of the condition of the country financially?

4) What was the boy going to be?

5) Who had not appeared in the life of the family before?

6) Why did Seneca Davis show much more interest in the Cowperwoods that time?

7) Did the boy have anything against being a planter? Why?

8) What was the boy interested in?

9) Who did Uncle Seneca take an increasing interest in?

10) What did Uncle Seneca find talking to Frank about his studies?

11) What did Uncle Seneca advise Frank to do?

12) What did Uncle Seneca give the boy to start a bank-account with?

The Human Comedy

by William Saroyan

[. ] The ancient history classroom was swiftly filling as the teacher, old Miss Hicks, waited for the final bell [. ].

‘Now,’ she said, ‘we will take up the Assyrians where we left off yesterday. First we will read from our ancient history text-book. Then we will have an oral discussion of what we have read.’ [. ]

‘Now,’ she said, ‘turn to page 117, paragraph two.’ Every­one turned to the page and found the place.

‘Ancient history,’ the teacher continued, ‘may seem to be a dull and unnecessary study. [. ] Such a notion, however, is incorrect. It is very important for us to know of other times, other cultures, other peoples, and other worlds. Who’ll vol­unteer to come to the head of the class and read?’

Of the two girls who had volunteered the teacher selected Helen Eliot, the beautiful and snobbish.

‘The Assyrians,’ Helen Eliot read, ‘long of nose, hair and beard, developed Nineveh in the North to a position of great power. ‘ [. ]

Helen stopped reading and turned to the ancient history teacher. That’s the end of the chapter, Miss Hicks,’ she said.

‘Very well, Helen,’ Miss Hicks said, Thank you for an excellent reading. You may be seated.’

Miss Hicks waited for Helen to take her seat and then looked over the faces of her pupils. ‘Now,’ she said, ‘What have we learned?’

That people all over the world have noses,’ Homer said. Miss Hicks was not upset by this reply and took it for what it was worth.

That noses,’ Homer said, ‘are not only for blowing or to have colds in but to keep the record of ancient history straight.’

Miss Hicks turned away from Homer and said, ‘Someone else, please. Homer seems to have been carried away by the noses.’

‘Perhaps,’ Miss Hicks said, ‘you would like to make an extemporaneous speech on the nose, Mr Macauley.’

‘Well,’ Homer said, ‘maybe not exactly a speech— but ancient history tells us one thing. People have always had noses. To prove it all you have to do is to look around at everybody in this classroom. [. ] The nose,’ he decided to say, ‘is perhaps the most ridiculous part of the human face. [. ] The important thing is, who’s got the noses?’

Joe the comedian listened with profound interest and admiration. Homer continued.

‘Some people,’ he said, ‘talk through their noses. A great many people snore through their noses, and a handful of peo­ple whistle or sing through them. Some people are led around by their noses, others use the nose for prying. [. ] The purpose of the nose is to smell what’s in the air, but some people sniff with the nose at other people’s ideas, manners, or appearanc­es.’ [. ] Homer Macauley took a deep breath and decided to conclude his speech. The most important thing about the nose,’ he said, ‘is that it makes trouble, causes wars, breaks up old friendships, and wrecks happy homes. Now can I go to the track meet, Miss Hicks?’

The ancient history teacher, although pleased with his imaginative discourse on a trivial theme, would not allow its success to interfere with the need for her to maintain order in her classroom.

‘You will stay in after school, Mr Macauley,’ she said, ‘and You, Mr Ackley. Now that we have disposed of the matter of noses, someone else please comment on what we have read.’

There were no comments.

Human Comedy — Человеческая комедия

ridiculous— смешной, нелепый

to pry— любопытствовать, совать нос в чужие дела

1) What may seem to be a dull and unnecessary study?

2) Do you think it’s important to know of other times?

3) What had Homer learned from Helen’s reading?

4) Was Miss Hicks upset by Homer’s reply about noses?

5) Did Miss Hicks ask Homer to make an extemporaneous speech about noses?

6) Do you agree that the important thing is ‘Who’s got the noses’, as Homer thought?

7) How did Homer think people used their noses?

8) What is the purpose of the nose? Do you agree with Homer?

9) Was Miss Hicks pleased with Homer’s imaginative discourse on a trivial theme?

10) Why were there no comments when Miss Hicks asked some­one else to comment on what they had read?

The Picture of Dorian Gray

(At the beginning of the story, Basil Hallward, an artist, has just finished the portrait of Dorian Gray.>

[. ] ‘How sad it is! I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that — for that — I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!’

[ (A little later, Dorian fell in love with an actress and prom­ised to marry her, but then he suddenly deserted her. She commit­ted suicide.> [. ] As he was turning the handle of the door, his eyes fell upon the portrait Basil Hallward had painted of him. He started back as if in surprise. The face in the picture ap­peared to him to be a little changed. The expression looked different. One would have said that there was a touch of cru­elty in the mouth. It was certainly strange.

Suddenly there flashed across his mind what he had said in Basil Hallward’s studio the day the picture had been-finished. Yes, he remembered it perfectly. He had uttered a mad wish that he himself might remain young, and the portrait grow old. Surely his wish had not been fulfilled? Such things were impossible. It seemed monstrous even to think of them. And, yet, there was the picture before him, with the touch of cruelty in the mouth.

(Dorian decided to show his old friend Basil the portrait, then killed him as Basil was looking at it. The years went by, and Dorian became more suffered by the sins of his past.)

But this murder — was it to dog him all his life? Was he really to confess? Never. There was only one bit of evidence left against him. The picture itself— that was evidence. He would destroy it. Why had he kept it so long? It had been like conscience to him. He would destroy it.

He looked round, and saw the knife that had killed Basil Hallward. As it had killed the painter, so it would kill the painter’s work. It would kill the past, and when that was dead he would be free. He seized the thing, and stabbed the picture with it.

There was a cry heard, and a crash. Two gentlemen who were passing in the Square below, stopped, and looked up at the great house. They walked on till they met a policeman and brought him back. The man rang the bell several times’ but there was no answer. [. ]

Inside, in the servants’ part ‘of the house, the domestics were talking in low whispers to each other. Old Mrs Leaf was crying. Francis was as pale as death.

After about a quarter of an hour, he got the coachman and one of the footmen and crept upstairs. They knocked, but there was no reply. They called out. Everything was still. Finally, after trying to force the door, they got on the roof and dropped down on to the balcony.

When they entered they found, hanging upon the wall, a splendid portrait of their master as they had last seen him, in all the wonder of his youth and beauty. Lying on the floor was a dead man, in evening dress, with a knife in his heart. He was withered, wrinkled.

to utter— произносить

to confess— сознаваться

to stab — пронзать

1) What would Dorian give everything for?

2) Why did Dorian start back as if in surprise when his eyes fell upon his portrait?

3) What flashed suddenly across Dorian’s mind?

4) What mad wish did Dorian utter in Basil Hallward’s studio the day the picture had been finished?

5) Why do you think Dorian killed his old friend?

6) Why did Dorian decide to destroy his portrait?

7) What evidence was like conscience to Dorian?

8) When would Dorian be free as he thought?

9) Why did two men stop and look up at Dorian’s house?

10) Why were the domestics talking in low whispers to each other?

How we kept mother s day summary

HOW WE KEPT MOTHER’S DAY

How we kept Mother’s Day

As Related by a Member of the Family

Of all the different ideas that have been started lately, I think that the very best is the notion of celebrating once a year «Mother’s Day.» I don’t wonder that May the eleventh is becoming such a popular date all over America and I am sure the idea will spread to England too.

It is specially in a big family like ours that such an idea takes hold. So we decided to have a special celebration of Mother’s Day. We thought it a fine idea. It made us all realize how much Mother had done for us for years, and all the efforts and sacrifice that she had made for our sake.

So we decided that we’d make it a great day, a holiday for all the family, and do everything we could to make Mother happy. Father decided to take a holiday from his office, so as to help in celebrating the day, and my sister Anne and I stayed home from college classes, and Mary and my brother Will stayed home from High School.

It was our plan to make it a day just like Xmas or any big holiday, and so we decided to decorate the house with flowers and with mottoes over the mantelpieces, and all that kind of thing. We got Mother to make mottoes and arrange the decoration, because she always does it at Xmas.

The two girls thought it would be a nice thing to dress in our very best for such a big occasion, and so they both got new hats. Mother trimmed both the hats, and they looked fine, and Father had bought four-in-hand silk ties for himself and us boys as a souvenir of the day to remember Mother by. We were going to get Mother a new hat too, but it turned out that she seemed to really like her old grey bonnet better than a new one, and both the girls said that it was awfully becoming to her.

Well, after breakfast we had it arranged as a surprise for Mother that we would hire a motor car and take her for a beautiful drive away into the country. Mother is hardly ever able to have a treat like that, because we can only afford to keep one maid, and so Mother is busy in the house nearly all the time. And of course the country is so lovely now that it would be just grand for her to have a lovely morning, driving for miles and miles.

But on the very morning of the day we changed the plan a little bit, because it occurred to Father that a thing it would be better to do even than to take Mother for a motor drive would be to take her fishing. Father said that as the car was hired and paid for, we might just as well use it for a drive up into the hills where the streams are. As Father said, if you just go out driving without any object, you have a sense of aimlessness, but if you are going to fish, there is a definite purpose in front of you to heighten the enjoyment.

So we all felt that it would be nicer for Mother to have a definite purpose; and anyway, it turned out that Father had just got a new rod the day before, which made the idea of fishing all the more appropriate, and he said that Mother could use it if she wanted to; in fact, he said it was practically for her, only Mother said she would much rather watch him fish and not try to fish herself.

So we got everything arranged for the trip, and we got Mother to cut up some sandwiches and make up a sort of lunch in case we got hungry, though of course we were to come back home again to a big dinner in the middle of the day, just like Xmas or New Year’s Day. Mother packed it all up in a basket for us ready to go in the motor.

Well, when the car came to the door, it turned out that there hardly seemed as much room in it as we had supposed, because we hadn’t reckoned on Father’s fishing basket and the rods and the lunch, and it was plain enough that we couldn’t all get in.

Father said not to mind him, he said that he could just as well stay home, and that he was sure that he could put in the time working in the garden; he said that there was a lot of rough dirty work that he could do, like digging a trench for the garbage, that would save hiring a man, and so he said that he’d stay home; he said that we were not to let the fact of his not having had a real holiday for three years stand in our way; he wanted us to go right ahead and be happy and have a big day, and not to mind him. He said that he could plug away all day, and in fact he said he’d been a fool to think there’d be any holiday for him.

But of course we all felt that it would never do to let Father stay home, especially as we knew he would make trouble if he did. The two girls, Anne and Mary, would gladly have stayed and helped the maid get dinner, only it seemed such a pity to, on a lovely day like this, having their new hats. But they both said that Mother had only to say the word, and they’d gladly stay home and work. Will and I would have dropped out, but unfortunately we wouldn’t have been any use in getting the dinner.

So in the end it was decided that Mother would stay home and just have a lovely restful day round the house, and get the dinner. It turned out anyway that Mother doesn’t care for fishing, and also it was just a little bit cold and fresh out of doors, though it was lovely and sunny, and Father was rather afraid that Mother might take cold if she came.

He said he would never forgive himself if he dragged Mother round the country and let her take a severe cold at a time when she might be having a beautiful rest. He said it was our duty to try and let Mother get all the rest and quiet that she could, after all that she had done for all of us, and he said that that was principally why he had fallen in with this idea of a fishing trip, so as to give Mother a little quiet. He said that young people seldom realize how much quiet means to people who are getting old. As to himself, he could still stand the racket, but he was glad to shelter Mother from it.

So we all drove away with three cheers for Mother, and Mother stood and watched us from the verandah for as long as she could see us, and Father waved his hand back to her every few minutes till he hit his hand on the back edge of the car, and then said that he didn’t think that Mother could see us any longer.

Well, we had the loveliest day up among the hills that you could possibly imagine, and Father caught such big specimens that he felt sure that Mother couldn’t have landed them anyway, if she had been fishing for them, and Will and I fished too, though we didn’t get so many as Father, and the two girls met quite a lot of people that they knew as we drove along, and there were some young men friends of theirs that they met along the stream and talked to, and so we all had a splendid time.

It was quite late when we got back, nearly seven o’clock in the evening, but Mother had guessed that we would be late, so she had kept back the dinner so as to have it just nicely ready and hot for us. Only first she had to get towels and soap for Father and clean things for him to put on, because he always gets so messed up with fishing, and that kept Mother busy for a little while, that and helping the girls get ready.

But at last everything was ready, and we sat down to the grandest kind of dinner — roast turkey and all sorts of things like on Xmas Day. Mother had to get up and down a good bit during the meal fetching things back and forward, but at the end Father noticed it and said she simply mustn’t do it, that he wanted her to spare herself, and he got up and fetched the walnuts over from the sideboard himself.

The dinner lasted a long while, and was great fun, and when it was over all of us wanted to help clear the things up and wash the dishes, only Mother said that she would really much rather do it, and so we let her, because we wanted just for once to humour her.

It was quite late when it was all over, and when we all kissed Mother before going to bed, she said it had been the most wonderful day in her life, and I think there were tears in her eyes. So we all felt awfully repaid for all that we had done.

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