I met Richards ten years or more ago when I first went down to Cuba. He was a short, sharp-faced, agreeable chap, then about twenty-two. He introduced himself to me on the boat and I was surprised

Success story

James Gould Cozzens

I met Richards ten years or more ago when I first went down to Cuba. He was a short, sharp-faced, agreeable chap, then about twenty-two. He introduced himself to me on the boat and I was surprised to find that Panamerica Steel and Structure ^l was sending us both to the same job.

Richards was from some not very good state university engineering school.² Being the same age myself, and just out of tech, ³ I was prepared to patronize him if I needed to; but I soon saw I didn't need to. There was really not the faintest possibility of anyone supposing that Richards was as smart as I was. In fact, I couldn't then imagine how he had managed to get his job. I have an idea now. It came to me when I hap­pened to read a few weeks ago that Richards had been made a vice-president and director of Panamerica Steel when the Prossert interests ⁴ bought the old firm.

Richards was naturally likable⁵ and I liked him a lot, once I was sure that he wasn't going to outshine me. The firm had a contract for the construction of a private railroad, about seventeen miles of it, to give United Sugar⁶ a sea terminal at a small deep-water Caribbean port. For Richards and me it was mostly an easy job of inspections and routine paper work.⁷ At least it was easy for me. It was harder for Richards, because he didn't appear ever to have mastered the use of a slide rule. When he asked me to check his figures I found it was no mere formality. "Boy," I was at last obliged to say, "you are undoubtedly the dumbest white man in this province. If you don't buck up,⁸ Farrell will see you never get another job down here."

Richards grinned and said, "I never want another one. Not a job like this, anyway. I'm the executive type." ⁹

"Oh, you are!"

"Sure, I am. And what do I care what Farrell thinks? What can he do for me?"

"Plenty. If he thinks you're any good, he can see you get something ¹⁰ that pays money."'

"He doesn't know anything that pays money, my son."

“He knows things that would pay enough for me," I an­swered, annoyed.

"Oh," said Richards, "if that's all you want, when Farrell’s working for me I’ll make him give you a job. A good one."

“Go to the devil” I said- I was still checking his trial figures. “Look, stupid,” I said, "didn't You ever take arithmetic? How much are seven times thirteen?”

"Work that out," ¹¹ Richards said, "and let me have a report tomorrow.”

When I hat time, I continued to check his figures for him, and Farrell only caught him in a bad mistake about twice; but Farrell was the best man Panamerica Steel had. He'd been managing construction jobs both in Cuba and Mexico for twenty years. After the first month or so he simply let Richards alone and devoted himself to giving me the whole benefit of his usually sharp and scornful criticism. He was at me every minute he could spare, telling me to forget this or that and use my head, showing me little tricks of figuring and method. He said it would be a good plan to take some Spanish lessons from a clerk he named in the sugar company's office.

“Spanish?” said Richards, when I told him he'd better join the class. "Not for me! Say, it took me twenty-two years to learn English. People who want to talk to me have to know it, or they'd, better bring an interpreter with them.”

“All right," I said'. "I don't mind telling you ¹² the idea­ is Farrell's. He spoke to me about it."

"Well, he didn't speak to me," said Richards. "I guess he thinks I'm perfect the way I am. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a beer bottle."

I could easily see that he was coming to no good end. In January several directors of the United Sugar Company came down on their annual jaunt - nominally business but mostly pleasure; a good excuse to get south on a vacation. They came on a yacht.

The yacht belonged to Mr. Joseph Prossert, who was, I think, chairman of United Sugar's board then. It was the first time I'd ever seen at close quarters¹³ one of these really rich and powerful financial figures whose name everyone knows. He was an inconspicuous, rather stout man, with little hair on his head and a fussy, ponderous way of speaking He was dressed in some dark thin cloth that looked like alpaca.¹⁴ His interest in sugar was purely financial- he didn’t know any­thing about it from the practical standpoint. I really saw him at close quarters, too, for he was delayed on his boat when the directors went on a tour of inspection and Farrell left Richards and me and two or three armed guards to come up that afternoon.

Mr. Prossert was very affable. He asked me a number of questions. I knew the job well enough and could have answered almost any intelligent question¹⁵ — I mean, the sort that a trained engineer would be likely to ask. As it was, ¹⁶ I suppose I'd said for perhaps the third time, "I'm afraid I wouldn't know, sir. We haven't any calculations on that," getting a glance of mildly surprised disbelief, when Richards suddenly spoke up. ¹⁷ "I think, about nine million cubic feet, sir," he said. He looked boyishly embarrassed. "I just happened to be working it out last night. Just for my own interest, that is. Not officially." He blushed.

"Oh," said Mr. Prossert, turning in his seat and giving him a sharp look. "That's very interesting, Mr.—er—Richards, isn't it? Well, now, maybe you could tell me about—"

Richards could. He knew everything. He knew to the last car' the capacity of every switch and yard;¹⁸ he knew the load limits of every bridge and culvert; he knew the average rain-fall for the last twenty years; he knew the population of the various straggling villages¹⁹ we passed through; he knew the heights of the distant blue peaks to the west. He had made himself familiar with local labor costs and wage scales. He had the statistics on accidents and unavoidable delays. All the way up Mr. Prossert fired questions at him and he fired answers right back.

When we reached the rail head, a motor was waiting to take Mr. Prossert on. Getting out of the gas car, he nodded absent-mindedly to me, shook hands with Richards. "Very interesting, indeed," he said "Very interesting indeed, Mr. Richards. Good-by and thank you."

"Not at all, sir," Richards said. "Glad if I could be of service to you."

As soon as the motor moved off, I exploded. "Of all the asinine tricks!²⁰ A little honest bluff doesn't hurt; but some of your figures—"

. "I aim to please," Richards said, grinning. "If a man like Prossert wants to know something, who am I to hold out on him?”²¹

"I suppose you think you're smart," I told him. "What's he going to think when he looks up the figures or asks somebody who does know?"

"Listen, my son," said Richards kindly. "He wasn't asking for any information he was going to use. He doesn't want to know those figures. If he ever does, he has plenty of people to get him the right ones. He won't remember these. I don't even remember them myself. What he is going to remember is you and me."

“Oh, yes,” said Richards firmly. "He's going to remember that Panamerica Steel and Structure has a bright young man named Richards who could tell him everything he wanted to know when he wanted to know it - just the sort of chap he can use; not like that other fellow who took no interest in his job, couldn't answer the simplest question and who's going to be doing small-time contracting all his life.”

"Oh, yes? I said. But it is true that I am still working for the Company still doing a little work in the construction line.

NOTES

¹Panamerica Steel and Structure — a US corporation that owns all the big steelworks in the country, and contracts to build dams, bridges, railways, etc. in the States and abroad

²state university engineering school — a school that offers training in building roads, bridges, viaducts, etc. (Russ. строительный техникум). The word "university" is not infrequently used in the US for almost any type of educational institution, which offers instruction beyond the level of the secondary school.

³ tech (abbrev.) —- Institute of Technology, a degree granting institution that specializes in science and technology.

⁴ the Prossert interests—here the dominating group of share-owners effectively controlling the activity of the corporation.

⁵ was naturally likeable—had natural charm, was attractive.

⁶ United Sugar — United Sugar Company.

⁷ routine paper work — the usual kind of office work, comprising calculations, accounts and the like.

⁸ to buck up {colloq.) — to take greater pains, to become quicker (Russ. «пошевеливаться»).

⁹ the executive type — the type of man who is not intend­ed for a petty job, who is skilful at directing, managing, etc.

¹⁰ he can see you get something == he can see to it that you get

¹¹ Work that out — make the necessary calculations.

¹² I don't mind telling you — Russ. изволь знать.

¹³ at close quarters — near by.

¹⁴ alpaca — a South-American domesticated sheeplike animal, having long wool, soft and silky. Hence a fabric made of this wool.

¹⁵ intelligent question — clever, question (Don't confuse the adjectives "intelligent" and "well-educated", intelligent — bright, clever)

¹⁶ As it was — but under the circumstances

¹⁷to speak up — to join in the conversation all of a sudden

¹⁸the capacity of every switch and yard — Russ. пропуск­ная способность каждой стрелки и сортировочной станции.

¹⁹straggling villages — scattered villages, situated at a distance from one another; struggle also means to wander away from a group (said of people, sheep, etc.)

²⁰ Of all the asinine tricks! — a construction used to express surprise, indignation, etc.; соmp. Of all things!

²¹ who am I to hold out on him? — Why shouldn't I let him have all the information he wants?; to hold out on smb. - to withhold (information, etc.) from smb.

EXERCISES

I. Practise the pronunciation of the following words and. phrases:

a) agreeable, patronize, routine, undoubtedly, dumb, executive, devil, arithmetic, clerk, nominally, yacht, inconspicuous, aipaca, purely financial, at close quarters, affable, culvert, asinine, Spanish

II. Drills:

A

Use the following patterns in translating the sentences»:

1. What do I care... (see Text p. 295 "And what do I care; what Farrell thinks?") Какое мне дело, с кем он дружит? Не все ли нам равно, что он говорит о своей работе? Мне совершенно безразлично, кто у него бывает. Какое ему дело, что она говорит за его спиной (behind his. back). Ее не трогает, что он думает о ее планах.

2. to be any good (no-good) (see Text p. 295 "If he thinks you are any good...")

He will be given \ test. Если он годится, ему, дадут работу.

Я сомневаюсь, чтобы он на что-нибудь годился. Если да (it he is), тем лучше.

Пилюли, которые вы мне дали, никуда не годятся.

Бесполезно спорить с упрямым человеком.

Если окажется, что вы годитесь (подходите), он вам поможет.

Боюсь, что этот" парень ни на что не годен.

3. to be a good plan (see Text p. 296 "He said it would be. a good plan to take Spanish lessons...").

Это не плохая мысль посоветоваться.со специалистом.

Он сказал, что неплохо еще раз проверить контрольные цифры.

Она считает, что не худо бы научиться водить машину. Неплохо было бы провести уикенд за городом. I'm hard up. Я думаю целесообразно поработать сверх­урочно (to work overtime).

4. I don't mind telling you (see Text p. 296 "I don't mind telling you the idea's Farrell's")

Должен вам сказать, что не худо бы изменить расписание.

Позвольте вам заявить, что это самый тупой парень в нашем отделе.

Извольте знать, что его цифры требуют проверки.

Извольте знать, что начальник недоволен, вашей работой.

5. to see (to it) that... (see Text p. 295 "He can see you get something', that pays money...")

Он позаботится о том, чтобы вас повысили в должности.

Я прослежу, чтобы письмо отправили с первой почтой.

Она распорядится, чтобы вы получили необходимые сведения.

Мы позаботимся о том, чтобы он уехал вовремя.

В

а) Read and practise the model dialogue.

A.: ban mustn't sit up so late.

В.: No, he mustn't.

A.: Then we should tell him not to, shouldn’t we?

В.: Perhaps we should. '

b) Fill in the gap in the dialogue frame with words and phrases from column (1).

A.: X. mustn't... (1).

B.: No, he (she) mustn't.

A.: Then we should tell him (her) not to, shouldn't we?

B.: Perhaps we should.

(1)

Smoke work carelessly

drink make himself conspicuous

dance so much neglect her (his) duties (family)

flirt put on airs

work

III Replace the italicized parts of the sentences with equivalents from the text.

1. He was a pleasant fellow but it was next to impossible that any one should consider him anything but stupid. 2. He was busy criticizing and instructing me whenever he had time to do so. 3. It wouldn't be a bad idea to be taught English by a native. 4. He probably believed that I can hardly be improved on. 5. I was worried about him, wishing I could prevent the chap from coming to a bad end. 6. We were warned about the members of the board corning on their yearly pleasure trip disguised as a business trip. 7. I welcomed the chance of getting close to one of the big shots, (having a good look at. 8. Under the circumstances I was unable to satisfy his curiosity. 9. To my great surprise he suddenly joined in the conversation. 10. He said he had acquainted himself with the statistics on accidents. 11. He gave prompt answers to all the questions addressed to him. 12. When they remained alone he gave way to his Indigna­tion.

IV. Find in the text English, equivalents.

приятный парень; относиться покровительственно к ко­му-либо; малейшая возможность; обладать природным обая­нием; затмить кого-либо; обычная канцелярская работа; уметь пользоваться логарифмической линейкой; не пустая формальность; какое мне дело (что); позаботиться, чтобы...; проверять цифры; учить арифметику; сколько будет 7 на 15; вычислить (подсчитать); каждая свободная минута; я и так хорош; ежегодная увеселительная поездка; увидеть на близком расстоянии; не примечательный (незаметный); задержаться; любезный; умный вопрос; квалифицированный инженер; недоверчивый взгляд; среднее количество осад­ков; засыпать вопросами кого-либо; умный (способный) молодой человек; (не) интересоваться работой.

V. Fill in the blanks with prepositions.

1. It is necessary... him to take lessons... a teacher... mathematics,... least... a couple... months. 2. All the passengers... board stared... Elisabeth Taylor; they had never, seen a Hollywood star... close quarters. 3. "You mustn't think I'm going to hold …… you. As a matter... fact I've got some interesting information... my disposal which I'm willing to share... you." 4. "Look... some figures... the reference book... me, will you? I've got to present a report... my Chief and I'm terribly short... time. I've still got to work... a thing or two and there is practically no time left. 5. Last summer the Wilsons went …… the South... their usual annual jaunt. There they joined their friends who had come... a yacht... Naples; The young people went...... all kind... water (aqua­tic) sports and had a time...their life.

VI. Retell the passage from "Boy," I was at last obliged to say..," (p. 295) to "... and let me have a report tomorrow" (p.296) changing direct speech into indirect..

VII. Change the following sentences using "likely".

Model: He'll probably work it out himself.

He is likely to work it out himself.-

1. She'll probably be glad to be of service to them 2.He'll probably succeed in managing construction jobs. 3. She probably thinks she is perfect the way she is. 4. He has' probably mastered the use of the computer. (Use the Perfect Infinitive) 5. The examination of the papers won't probably be a mere formality. 6. The. manager will probably tell him to use his head. 7. The clerk has probably studied the statistics on accidents. 8. The Boss will probably need, the trial figures. 9. It will probably be an easy job of routine work.

VIII. Answer the following questions:

1.What sort of young man was Richards? (age, looks, education) 2. Why was the author prepared to patronize Richards and what made him see he didn’t need to? 3. How soon did the author have an idea how Richards had managed to get the same job he had been sent to? 4. What sort of work were the young men supposed to do? 5. How did they cope with it? 6. Why did Richards take little trouble to do his job properly? 7. Why was the author annoyed with Richards and what made him tell the latter to go to the devil? 8. Why did Richards believe he was right in neglecting his job and what was his ambition? 9. What was Farrell? Why did he ignore Richards? What made him give the other young man “the whole benefit of his criticism”? 10. What was Farrell’s purpose in devoting so much of his time to the young man? 11. How did Richards account for his unwillingness to take Spanish lessons? 12.What brought Mr Joseph Prossert to Cuba? 13. What did Wr. Prossert look like? 14. What gave the young man a chance to see him at close quarters? 15. Why did he prove unable to answer Wr. Prossert’s questions? 16. What did Richards look like when he suddenly spoke up? 17.What made Mr. Prossert give him a sharp look? 18. How did Richards manage to be equal to the occation? 19. What opinion had Mr Prossert obviously formed of two young men judging by the way he said good-bye to them? 20. Why did the author explode? 21. What was Richards’ theory? 22. Which of them proved to be right in the long run?

IX. Retell the text according to the given plan using the following words and phrases:

1. I meet Richards and like him a lot.

to go down to, short, agreeable, to be surprised to find, the same job, engineering school, just out of tech, to patronize, to need to, not the faintest possibility; as smart as, to manage, to have an idea, to happen to read, to be made a vice president, naturally likeable, to outshine, contract (for), construction, sea terminal, easy job, routine paper work, at least, to nave mastered, slide rule, to check figures, no mere formality, obliged to say, undoubtedly, dumb, to buck up, to grin, the executive type, what do I care, to be any good, something that pays money, annoyed, to work for, to make somebody do, go to the devil, stupid, to take arithmetic; how much are…, work out, let me have

2. Farrell is quick to see the difference between me and Richards.

to catch somebody in a mistake, the best man, to manage construction jobs, both... and, the first month or so, to let alone, to devote oneself to, sharp criticism, every minute he could spare, to use one's head, little tricks of

3. Richards refuses to learn Spanish.

join, not for me, it took me, had better, to bring, don't mind telling you, lo guess, the way one is, to have a date, to come to no good end.

4. Enter Mr. Joseph Prossert.

to come down, annual jaunt, nominally, mostly, good ex­cuse, on a yacht, chairman, board,' to see at close quarters, powerful financial figure, inconspicuous, stout, fussy, ponder­ous, purely, financial, from the practical standpoint, to be delayed, affable, a number of, to know the job well, intelli­gent.question, trained engineer, to be likely to, as it was, I'm afraid I wouldn't know, calculations (on), mildly sur­prised, disbelief

5, Richards speaks up.

boyishly embarrassed, to happen to, to work something out, just for one's own. interest, to give a sharp look, to know to the last car, load limits, average rainfall, population, straggling, height, distant, to make oneself familiar with, labour costs' wage scales, statistics, to fire questions (answers), to get out, to nod absent-mindedly, to shake hands with, not at all, to be of service (to)

6. Richards' philosophy.

of all the... tricks, bluff, to aim to please, to hold out on, to look up, to ask for information, plenty of, firmly, bright young man, not like..., to take no interest in, to do contrac­ting, still

X. Quote the story to show that:

1 the young man just out of tech was a) painstaking and diligent, b) friendly to Richards, c) vain and envious, d) devoid of a sense of humour, e) felt superior to his friend, f) was some­times annoyed by him

2. Richards: a) had charm, b) took things easy, c) had a sense of humour, d) was a good^: actor, e) was a psychologist, e) knew which side the bread was buttered on

XI. Topics for discussion

1. Give a character sketch of: a) Richards, b) the other young, man, c) Prossert, the financier.

2. Discuss the accepted formula that knowledge plus hard work equals success. Why did Richards win the top job when his friend seemed to have all the advantages?

3. Richards said he was the executive type. Could you find any personality traits typical of the executive type in a) Rich­ards, b) Prossert..

4. Speak on Farrell, the marker, and analyse the way he treated Richards and the other young engineer.

5. Speak on the author's attitude to the characters in the story.

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