TOM. No, we won’t. We have half an hour yet. Ma! Where are my socks?
MOTHER (coming in). You should know better where your socks are.
T. I mean the new socks that you —. Now, where is that tie, I wonder?
MOTHER. Aren’t you going to put on your new suit, Tommy?
T. Too much trouble.
G. I say, Tom, you just look at your tie — it’s all on one side.
T. What a nuisance this tie is. I’ll have to pin it, otherwise it won’t stay.
MOTHER. Tuck in your shirt; it’s almost half out. This is what it comes to when you don’t do things in time.
T. Well, Mother, what’s the use of arguing now. Couldn’t you possibly get me a clean handkerchief?
G. I say, Tom, are you really going to put on this coat?
T. Yes. What’s wrong with it?
G. You just look at yourself in the mirror and see what a fright you are.
T. Yes, it doesn’t quite match these trousers, but no time to change. Thank you, Mother. Well, George?
MOTHER. Tom your bootlace —.
T. I’ll lace it downstairs, Mother. Goodbye.
3. AT THE TAILOR’S
T. What can I do for you, sir?
С. I want to order a suit at your tailor’s, please.
T. Would you like to have it made of your own material?
C. No, I should like to see what you have.
T. What colour, sir?
C. Something in blue with a narrow white stripe, please.
T. Here is a piece lust the kind you want. It is fine, uncreasable, and it never fades.
C. Yes, I like it. Now, what have you of the latest designs?
T. Here is the magazine, sir. You may choose any fashion you like. How do you like this two buttons model suit?
C. Yes, it looks fine. I think I’ll choose this fashion.
T. With a waistcoat, sir?
C. No, without. I would like to have it lined with silk, please.
T. Yes, sir. Would you like to have your measure taken now?
C. Yes. How long will it take to have it ready?
T. About a week, sir.
C. Good. And when must I come to try it on?
T. In four days’ time, sir.
C. Must I pay now?
T. Yes, sir. Here is the receipt.
X. Everyday Services
1. AT THE BARBER’S
CUSTOMER. Good morning. Oh, you are engaged, I see.
BARBER. You’ll be attended to in a moment, sir. Won’t you sit down? There’s the today’s paper on the table, sir. CUSTOMER. Which is it?
BARBER. “The Times,” sir. {After a short time.) Please, sir. A cut and a shave?
CUSTOMER. Only a shave, please.
BARBER. Your hair wants cutting, sir.
CUSTOMER. Does it? Well, let’s have a haircut as well.
BARBER. Is it to be cut short?
CUSTOMER. By no means, I’m not a boxer, you know.
BARBER. But it’s more refreshing in a hot weather like this, sir. CUSTOMER. No, you won’t talk me into a crop. Just trim it all round and that’ll be the end of it.
BARBER. Yes, sir. {Begins cutting the customer's hair.) CUSTOMER. Your hairclipper pinches.
BARBER. Yes? I’ll change it, sir.
CUSTOMER. Now, see that no hair gets under my collar.
BARBER. Yes, sir. {After some time.) Do you find your hair cut as you like?
CUSTOMER. Well, that’ll be all right, I suppose. Now for a shave.
Finish the dialogue.
2. AT THE SHOEMAKER’S
CUSTOMER. I’d like to have these two pairs of shoes mended, please.
SHOEMAKER. Let me see them, please. This pair can be mended, but this pair is beyond repair.
C. Really? Why?
S. They have to be soled, but the soles won’t hold.
C. No?
S. No. The inner soles are no good, you see. Besides, they are out of shape altogether.
C. It’s a great pity. And these?
S. The heels will have to be tipped — they are worn down a great deal.
C. And what about the soles?
S. They’ll stand a good deal of wear yet. Now, this seam will have to be stitched.
C. Then there’s a little hole in the left shoe.
S. Yes, here it is. Well, that seems to be all, doesn’t it?
C. Yes, but do patch the hole neatly, please. Can you manage to put the patch from the inside?
S. Why, yes! I’ll glue it on, so that it won’t hurt your toe.
C. Well, and what will it come to all in all?
S. We’ll reckon it up now. ... roubles, please.
C. Must I pay in advance?
S. According to our regulations you must.
C. Well, here you are. When will you have them mended?
S. In two days’ time. Here is the receipt. Goodbye.
C. Goodbye.
3. PHOTOGRAPHY
This art has of late years become exceedingly popular among amateurs of both sex, and it is remarkable how many possess cameras, and how soon they acquire the art of using them with success. The camera is a useful and pleasant companion in our rambles, and by its means we can record many pleasant incidents which have occurred during a holiday, many pieces of beautiful scenery, and more especially the features of our friends and relatives.
Beginners must not be discouraged by a few early failures. Of course, it is impossible, in the space of an article of this kind, to explain the process of taking and developing a picture, and the only thing is to refer the reader to some of the very cheap and useful handbooks on the subject.
GEORGE. Hello, Tom! I say, what’s that?
TOM. Why, don’t you see? It’s a camera.
GEORGE. Let me have a look at it, will you? I’m a bit of a photographer myself.
TOM. Certainly. Well, how do you like it?
GEORGE. Yes, it seems to be an excellent thing. The opening1 (aperture) is 3.5 (three point five), and the lens is a very good one, too.
TOM. Yes, you just see how easy it is to focus this camera. Fine, isn’t it? It’s one of the latest models and has all the gadgets1 2.
GEORGE. Oh, you’ve got a stand to it too, I see. A nice stand, indeed. I like these stands of the telescope type — they are very easy to unfold and fold (shut), you know.
TOM. Yes, and see what exposures you can give — up to 1/500 (one five hundredth) of a second.
GEORGE. What sort of films can be used?
TOM. With my old camera I used to use plates, but with this one you can use plates, filmpacks3 or roll-films4, whichever you like.
GEORGE. Which do you like best, roll-films or filmpacks?
TOM. Well, I use both kinds. Roll-films are, of course, much more convenient, especially when you are outing.
GEORGE. But you know what I do, Tom. I buy roll-films, cut them and fit them into the slides5, just like plates. It comes out a great deal cheaper, you know.
TOM. That sounds a good tip. I will try them once.
Vocabulary Notes
1 opening (aperture) — диафрагма
2 gadget — приспособление
3 filmpack — пленки в пачке
4 roll-film — катушечная пленка
5 slide — кассета
4. LAUNDRY
MAID. Did you send for me, sir?
MR. A. Yes. I would like to have my things washed. How can that be done?
MAID. I shall send the laundress, sir. Is there anything else you would like?