Modal verbs in indirect speech

Exercise 1

Comment on the use of the modal verb MUST and other modal verbs expressing obligation.

1. They said they were to have met at five o'clock sharp, but their partners didn't show tip.

2. He supposed that they must have missed the train.

3. He thought that the accident was the kind of thing which must never occur again.

4. The old lady said with a sigh that she must be getting old to be talking like that.

5. At half past eight came Lucy, wet to the skin. She had had to wait for Ted since the rain had started.

6. Ned shared my point of view and thought I must be right in that.

7. Nancy exclaimed that it was wonderful to have Sam home and that they had to organize a party to celebrate his arrival.

8. I was thinking how greatly Lucy had changed. She must have led a very difficult life to look like that.

9. She warned me angrilу that someone of us two had to go away to prevent a disaster.

10. Don't help Bob. He asked me not to interfere and said that he had to manage it himself.

11. The teacher said we were to finish that exercise at home.

Exercise 2

Convert into indirect speech paying special attention to the verb MUST.

1. Dorian shook his head, 'You must not ask me about that, Basil'. (O. Wilde)

2. 'Since I haven't seen anything, the vision you had must have been unreal.'

3.'I must part with you for my whole life and I must begin a new existence amongst strange faces and strange Scenes'.

4. 'No, Basil, you must tell me', insisted Dorian Gray,

‘I think I have a right to know'. (O.Wilde)

5. ‘I haven't seen her for ages. She must have changed since then. I am sure I won't recognize her.'

6. 'Pull yourself together,' I said. 'You must be imagining all this'.

7. 'When must Mr. Johnson return?'

'Next month.'

'You must be missing him terribly then.'

8. I always have a warm corner for Roberta. I must try and find her before I go abroad.'

9. 'That man must have been professor Drake.’

10. 'It must have been the golden hair that penetrated her with a sort of glowing and made her look like a fairy.'

11. 'Once a professional, one always must be a professional.'

12. 'This house must have been very pretty once as well as its only inhabitant: an old lady who must have been about eighty.'

13. 'You must be in London at nine o'clock and not later so that you should take a 10.30 supershuttle to Manchester.'

Exercise 3

Convert into indirect speech. Try to use phrases like TO BE LIKELY, TO BE SURE, TO BE CERTAIN, EVIDENTLY, etc. instead of the verb MUST.

1. He said: 'They must have missed the train'.

2. He said: 'He must have passed unnoticed'.

3. He said: 'He must be playing darts right now: it is his usual time for that'.

4. He said: 'She must have been unaware of being awkward'.

5. He said: 'I must have failed to recognize you. I am so very sorry'.

6. He said: 'You must not be very upset about it. You've always disliked this vase and now it's broken so what to worry about?'

7. He said: 'She must be an inexperienced swimmer though she said the reverse.'

8. He said: 'I am sorry. I must have been unconscious of having said the wrong thing. I did not mean to hurt you.'

9. He said: 'She must have every chance to win.'

10. He said: 'He must be telling the truth. I am absolutely sure he is.'

Exercise 4

Translate into Russian and comment on different ways of rendering the modal verb CAN in indirect speech.

1. She was worrying about something terrible that was in store for her and would say that she had a premonition but could not say of what kind.

2. She wondered if it was possible that Jonathan had betrayed her feelings, her devotion, her affection towards the best in his nature.

3. He was sorry he could not let Dorian look at the picture.

But it could not be helped.

4. Living with the grannies was like a fairy tale. I was able to do many things I was not allowed at home. I even could watch TV after midnight: such were my thoughts.

5. They most solemnly assured me that nothing of the sort would ever happen, and they could not have forgotten about it.

6. He said that she was not capable of having done such an unladylike thing as breaking in without being invited.

7. I thought I could believe he was lying. But I wished with all my heart it was not true.

8. The duchess said that she could not have misplaced the jewels and that it was simply impossible.

9. Agnes said that she had left a couple of minutes earlier and if you had come in time you could have caught her.

10. I said that I did not believe all they had said about Moira and that if we had asked her about it she could have given an explanation herself.

Exercise 5

Convert into indirect speech.

1. She said: 'How can you trust this man who has already caused you so much trouble?'

2. Monica said: Tour answering machine has spoilt the last recording. I cannot recognize the voice though it seems fairly familiar.'

3. Old Mr. Winkle exclaimed: 'Can she be already studying at the University? I remember her at the age of five. She was a marvellous child.'

4. 'Can it be true that no one knew about the mine there? How can it be?' exclaimed the chairman.

5. 'Why did not you ask me to assist with your business?

I could have done everything possible to save your money,' said the father to his young son.

6. 'You can't possibly leave without seeing your sister,' said Holly, 'In spite of all the misunderstanding reigning between you two'.

7. Aunt Maud whispered to Aunt Polly: There is little wonder that he has been imprisoned. I have always suspected that he could do anything, even murder someone.

8. Ted heard the cheerful voice of Margaret: 'Can I talk to your sister, Ted? We have a lot of things to discuss. By the way, are you coming too? You are welcome to come to our party.'

9. Professor Drake wanted me to inform you: he can't attend the conference. He hopes Mr. Collins will be able to make a report himself.

10. 'Can I ask you to do me a favour? If you see Martin tell him I need to talk to him, please,' said Dr. Pambrook.

Exercise 6

Comment on different ways of expressing reported permission and prohibition. Convert into direct speech.

A

1. Georgiana said that I might use the guest rooms in her village cottage as well.

2. I asked if I might bring my wife down next Saturday.

3. John said that I might take his car whenever I needed it.

4. It was not fair, I thought as a child, that my elder sister could watch TV till twelve, whereas I had to go to bed at eight o'clock.

5. The grey-headed gentleman asked if he was allowed to smoke there, and no one minded.

6. The guide said that we could take our cameras along as photography was allowed in the museum.

7. I told Mr. Daring that he might have a look around the place but at seven he was expected at dinner so he should not be late.

8. He asked if anyone minded his using the telephone, and after hearing that he might do as he liked, dialled a number.

9. I wondered if I was permitted to use the specific catalogues
of the National Library.

10. I never knew if 1 might talk to you like that. It seemed incredible.

В

1. Joseph cried angrily at Thomas that he might not do it. I have never heard him yell like that in my life.

2. Monica tried to console Jane saying that she should not have got offended with Michael's words. He obviously did not mean to hurt her.

3. A young and sonorous voice announced that we could not smoke or use our mobile phones until the plane had landed.

4. Taking pictures is not allowed here since it is a temporary exhibition, but a large selection of postcards is available in the museum shop.

5. Mother would always say that 1 was not to do this and I was prohibited to do that whereas Jane could do whatever she pleased.

6. Mom, today we had a class on traffic regulations at school. We were told that we must not cross the street unless the light is green.

7. I knew perfectly well that after our quarrel I might not see Rebecca again but I could not possibly go to Egypt without seeing her.

8. I was told that I could not park here. Is it so? There was no sign that it was private.

9. You know perfectly well what Aunt Augusta said. She let me know that I was not a mongrel and since I had breeding I ought not to escape my duties as the master of the estate.

Dad said we might not take his car, so I think we must borrow someone else's car since we have to impress the girls.

Exercise 7

Translate into English.

A

1. Алиса была уверена, что он вполне мог уйти на работу рано утром и не предупредить её. В этом случае он должен был вернуться к обеду.

2. Она была уверена, что этот камень не мог быть бриллиантом. Слишком низка была на него цена.

3. Не злитесь на них. Я думаю, они могли и забыть о том, что им надо быть чистыми и опрятными к вечеру: дети, когда увлекутся игрой, не думают о таких вещах.

4. Я был уверен, что они не могли бы все его оставить в таком нелепом положении, но я ошибался.

5. Не верилось мне, что она могла действительно иметь в виду то, что сказала.

6. Я сомневалась, сумеем ли он отстоять своё мнение на заседании организационного комитета.

7. Он сказал, что этого не может быть, так как никто не в состоянии ответить на его вопросы.

8. Мыслители всего мира долго думали, что не может быть, чтобы Солнце было центром, вокруг которого вращались Земля и планеты.

9. Я ответил, что мог бы посидеть с ребенком, пока его родители работают, но только три раза в неделю.

10. Я долго была уверена, что невозможно увидеть НЛО, пока не поняла, что они действительно могут существовать.

B

1. Скажите, пожалуйста, могу ли я поговорить с Джеком, а если нет, то с его сестрой?

2. Папа сказал, что мне ни в коем случае нельзя пойти в ваш клуб: там собираются противники его политической программы.

3. Один из студентов спросил, можно ли задать вопрос и открыть дискуссию по этой животрепещущей проблеме.

4. Ко мне подошла маленькая девочка и спросила, можно ли погладить собаку. Я сказал, что она добрая, не кусается, и дети могут с нею играть.

5. Он поинтересовался, мог ли он получить право не называть свое имя и выступить инкогнито.

6. Зашел странного вида долговязый юноша и спросил, может ли он позвонить из нашего офиса. Над дверью висела надпись, что входить в помещение нельзя, так как это опасно для жизни.

8. Приходила студентка и спрашивала, можно ли воспользоваться вашей библиотекой. Я ей разрешила, и она, должно быть, всё еще там.

9. У нас сегодня был первый урок в школе, и учительница сказала, что нельзя ходить по классу, разговаривать громко и играть во время занятий, а на перемене — можно.

10.Звонил Виктор и спрашивал, можно ли поговорить с тобой. Ты просил тебя не беспокоить, и я ответила, что этого сделать нельзя, так как тебя нет.

С

1. Преподаватель сказал Алану, что он должен много читать вслух, чтобы улучшить свое произношение.

2. Преподаватель сказал Алану, что он, должно быть, много читает, так как у него хороший запас слов.

3. Валентин говорил, что ты, должно быть, станешь историком, притом знаменитым. Что ты думаешь по этому поводу?

4. Я была уверена, что, должно быть, он не пожалеет сил, чтобы узнать всё о своем прошлом.

5. Нам сказали, что мы должны исполнить только то, что нам под силу.

6. Томас был уверен, что нужно проверить его слова. Он, может быть, прав, а, может, и нет.

7. Алиса сказала не без горечи, что уже поздно и пора расходиться, что, вероятнее всего, его уже не будет.

8. Я рассказал Тому, что видел его вчера, и что, вероятнее всего, он встретился с Сарой: таким радостным он был. Том сказал, что я был прав.

9. Полли пыталась утешить меня, говоря, что, должно быть, он просто чёрствый человек. Иначе как он мог так меня обидеть?

10. Я сказал, что мы должны непременно помириться. Иначе мы никогда уже не будем друзьями.

11. Маргарет сказала, что я должна обязательно навестить её в Кенте, иначе она обидится. Я приняла её приглашение.

12. Вам говорили, что вы не должны принимать незаверенные документы? Теперь это уже ваши проблемы.

Exercise 8

Convert into Indirect speech supplying reporting verbs.

A

1. 'Every educated man must visit Paris at least once in his life.'

2. ‘I’ve had to give a lot of thought recently to my feelings toward you.'

3. 'I am to have a board meeting on Tuesday but I might be summoned to New York.'

4. 'I looked around for my car but it was nowhere to be seen.'

5. if you don't pay for the parcel you arc sending the recipient will have to pay for it'

6. 'You are not to utter a word until I allow you to. Make sure you remember it well.'

7. 'I found myself in an unknown town and had to have someone to show me the way from the station.'

8. This medicine is to be taken two times a day between meals.'

9. The conference proceeds like this: in an hour we are to be at the exhibition, then a private meeting and finally we are to have a gala-dinner.'

10. 'You don't have to copy this article. I have a spare copy; I can share it with you.'

В

1. 'I think you ought to let your parents know that you are here.'

2. 'Nancy is so graceful. You should have seen her dance. She looks like a born queen.'

3. 'Anything we can do to clear up this miserable affair ought to be done.'

4. Tea is between half past five and six and it should be ready now, I suppose.'

5. 'Your parents ought to know about your misfortune. They can give you enormous support in everything, don't forget about it.'

6. 'How should I know when he is coming? I can't be his personal secretary.'

7. 'You should not have done it yourself. All you had to do was to ask me.'

8. 'I am sorry! I should not have said that to you! It has upset you so much.'

9. 'If one is in love it is only natural that he should look happy and radiant.'

10. 'Children, you ought to say good-bye to your grannie and then we must go.'

Exercise 9

Translate into English.

A

1. Он сказал, что должен позвонить своему научному руководителю и спросить совета.

2. Он сказал, что его матери приходилось работать день и ночь, чтобы свести концы с концами.

3. Ужасная погода. Но доктор сказал, что мне надо гулять каждый день, чтобы избежать обострения моей старой болезни.

4. Мы осмотрели новый дом Мейбл. Она сказала, что нужно только добавить последние штрихи, и она переедет в этот дом очень скоро.

5. Я сказала, что моей сестре должно быть стыдно за то, что она разговаривала таким тоном со мной в присутствии постороннего человека.

6. Хозяйка постоянно настаивала на том, чтобы я избавился от собаки, повторяя, что она её терпеть не может. Мне пришлось переехать.

7. Он объяснил, что его машина в ремонте, и ему пришлось добираться пешком. Поэтому он опоздал.

8. По радио объявили, что вечером того же дня должен выступать президент.

9. Он объяснил свое отсутствие тем, что ему нужно было всё хорошенько обдумать, и вот он здесь и ждет распоряжений.

10. Он не знал, что труду, на который он потратил всю свою жизнь, не суждено было быть признанным.

11. Он сказал, что был расстроен, так как должен был встретиться с Филом в девять, а тот не явился.

В

1. Врач сказал, что ей не следовало вставать: она ещё не оправилась после болезни и должна оставаться в постели.

2. Он сожалел, что был со мною более откровенен, чем следовало.

3. Я подозревал, что сказал что-нибудь, чего не нужно было говорить.

4. Я резко возразила, что такие вещи ему бы уже пора знать, и не делать того, чего не следует, тем более в обществе людей старше его по возрасту и положению.

5. Я недоумевал, как он мог с нею так поступить. Я сказал, что ему следовало бы попросить у неё прощения.

6. Руководитель сказал, что я плохо выгляжу и мне не надо было приходить на работу. Поэтому я сегодня так рано дома.

7. Маленькая Нелли рассказала родителям, что девочки тайком убежали на танцы, в то время как они должны были учить уроки.

8. Я ждал Маргарет. Я знал, что, если она обещала что-нибудь, то обязательно сделает. Я был уверен, что с минуты на минуту она должна прийти.

9. Я возразила, сказав, что с какой это стати мне выполнять его работу? И ушла с видом триумфатора.

10. Я сказал, что об этом нужно спросить доктора Николса, так как он специалист и должен знать.

Exercise 10

Make up dialogues. Work in groups. Imagine you retell someone your talk with someone else. Use modal verbs and phrases.

1. Imagine: two girls tell each other how they started a dialogue with their boy-friends.

2. Imagine: not a very good pupil tells his father/mother about his/her talk with the teacher.

3. Imagine: you tell someone about your quarrel with someone else.

4. Imagine: you tell someone about your visit to a doctor.

PASSIVE VOICE IN INDIRECT SPEECH

Exercise 1

Use the suitable tense form, active or passive, instead of the infinitives in brackets.

Dear Vince,

How are you? We've been having a wonderful time. We (to look after) by our hosts. They (to take) us sightseeing and (to make) us feel very welcome. Two days ago we (to show) round a castle. The keeper told us that the castle (to but d) in the 12th century and (to rebuild) in the 17th. We asked him if the cast e (to suffer) any damage during the war. He told us the bombs (to miss) it, but then it (to catch) fire. When they (to restore).the building, central heating and things like that (to add). The castle was quite impressive outside, but the inside was a little disappointing. The keeper explained it (to redecorated) in the 19th century and not quite successfully. He also said that there (tо be) some plans about future redecorating. We asked what it (to be) like and he told us how the rooms (to refurnish) and perhaps (to replan), if the owner (to manage) to collect the money. Then the keeper told us a lot of funny stories. He said in some rooms of the castle a ghost (to see) some years ago. A lot of visitors (to be) frightened.

I'll tell you more when we get back. Take care,

See you soon,

Olwen.

Exercise 2

Render the following dialogues in indirect speech.

A

'When America was discovered,' said the Radical member, and he began to give some wearisome facts.

‘…Perhaps, after all, America never has been discovered, said Mr. Erskine; 'I myself would say that it had merely been detected.'

(O. Wilde)

B

The Ambassador came in, a tall cold man in a Guards tie.

‘... I don't know whether you've heard — it's been kept out of the papers — but an Englishman was shot the night before last. Captain Segura hinted that he was not unconnected with you.'

'I met him once at lunch, sir.'

‘You had better go home, Wormold, on the first plane you can manage.'

(G. Green)

C

'I owe a great deal to Harry, Basil,' he [Dorian] said, at last — 'more than I owe to you. You only thought me to be vain.'

'Well, I am punished for that, Dorian — or shall be some day.’ (O. Wilde)

D

Dorian... asked for the key of the schoolroom. 'Well, sir, you'll be covered with cobwebs if you go into it. Why, it hasn't been opened for nearly five years,'... the old lady said.

(O. Wilde)

E

Dorian... said 'Налу, did it ever occur to you that Basil was murdered?... Don't people say he was murdered?'

‘Oh, some of the papers do. It doesn't seem to me to be at all probable.’

(O. Wilde)

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES IN INDIRECT SPEECH

Exercise 1

Convert into indirect speech.

1. The flower girl: I want to be a lady in the flower shop... But they won't take me unless I can talk more genteel.

2. Mrs. Peаrсe:... Nobody is going to touch your money. Huggins: Somebody is going to touch you, with a broomstick, if you don't stop snivelling... If I decide to teach you, I'll be worse than two fathers to you.

3. Higgins: Yes, in six months — in three if she has a good ear and a quick tongue — I'll take her anywhere and pass her off as anything.

4. Higgins: We must help her to prepare and fit herself for her new station in life. If I did not express myself clearly it was because I did not want to hurt her delicacy.

5. Higgins: What on earth will she want with money? She'll have her food and her clothes. She'll only drink if you give her money.

6. Higgins: What's to become of her if I leave her in the gutter?

7. Piсkering: If this girl is to put herself in your hands for six months for an experiment in teaching, she must understand thoroughly what she's doing.

Higgings: How can she? She's incapable of understanding anything. Besides, do any of us understand what we are doing? If we did, would we ever do it?

8. Higgins: Eliza,... if you're good and do whatever you're told, you shall sleep in a proper bedroom, and have lots to eat, and money to buy chocolates and have rides in taxis. If you're naughty and idle you will sleep in the back kitchen among the black beetles, and be walloped by Mrs. Pearce with a broomstick. At the end of six months you shall go to Buckingham Palate in a carriage, beautifully dressed. If the King finds out you're not a lady, you will be taken by the police to the Tower of London where your head will be cut off as a warning to other presumptuous flower girls. If you are not found out you shall have a present of seven-and-sixpence to start life with as a lady in a shop. If you refuse this offer you will be a most ungrateful wicked girl; and the angels will weep for you.

9. Mrs. Higgins: Do you know what you would do if you really loved me, Henry?

Higgins: Oh bother! What? Marry, I suppose.

Mrs. Higgins: No. Stop fidgeting and take your hands out of your pockets.

10.Pickering: Is this fellow really an expert? Can he find

out Eliza and blackmail her?

Higgins: We shall see. If he finds her out I lose my bet.

11. Pickering: Mrs. Pearce will row if we leave these things lying about in the drawing room.

12. Mrs. Higgins: The girl has a perfect right to leave if she chooses.

13. Mrs. Higgins: If you want to know where Eliza is, she is upstairs... If you promise to behave yourself, Henry, I'll ask her to come down.

14. Liza: I have learnt my lesson. I don't believe I could utter any of the old sounds if I tried.

15. Higgins: If you come back I shall treat you just as I have always treated you.

16. Higgins: If you come back, come back for the sake of fellowship; for you'll get nothing else.

17. Liza: What did you do it for if you didn't care for me?

18. Liza: I wouldn't marry you if you asked me.

(B. Show)

Exercise 2

Render the following quotations in indirect speech.

'Never speak loudly to one another, unless the house is on fire/

(H.W. Thompson)

'And here is the lesson I learned in the army. If you want to do a thing badly you have to work at it as though you want to do it well.’

(Peter Ustinov)

'If you can count your money, then you are not a really rich man.

(PaulGetty)

‘If you steal from one book, it's plagiarism. If you steal from many, it is scientific research.'

(Wilzon)

'Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.... Every lot is happy if you are content with it.'

(Boethius)

RECAPITULATION OF INDIRECT SPEECH

Exercise 1

Use the correct verb form instead of the infinitives in brackets.

A

Wormold believed that in the rich families the custom of keeping a duenna (to linger) still, and sometimes it seemed to him that Milly too (to carry) a duenna about her, invisible to all eyes but her own.... It (to be) long before that Wormold realized that the duenna (not to be) always by her side. Milly (to be) meticulous in her behaviour at meals and never (to neglect) her night-prayers… One day however, when Milly (to be) thirteen, he (to summon) to the convent school of the American Sisters of Clare in the white rich suburbs of Vedado. There he (to learn) for the first time how the duenna (to leave) Milly... by the grilled gateway of the school. The complaint (to be) of a serious nature: she (to set) fire to a small boy called Thomas Earl Park-man, junior. It was true, the Reverend Mother (to admit), that Earl, as he (to know) in the school, (to pull) her hair first, but this she (to consider) in no way justified Milly's action...

(G. Green)

В

It was Wormold's day-dream that he (to wake) some day and find that he (to have) amassed sowings, bearer-bonds and share-certificates, that he (to receive) a steady flow of dividends like the rich inhabitants of the Vedado suburb; then he (to retire) with Milly to England... But the dream (to fade) whenever he (to enter) the big American bank... Passing through the great stone portals, which (to decorate) with four-leafed clover, he (to become) again the small dealer he really (to be), whose pension never (to be) sufficient to take Milly to the region of safety.

(G. Green)

C

'The story is simply this,' said the painter after some time. Two months ago I (to go) to a crush at Lady Brandon's....Well, after I (to be) in the room about ten minutes,... I suddenly (to

become) conscious that someone (to look) at me. I (to turn) half-way round, and (to see) Dorian Gray for the first time. When our eyes (to meet), I (to feel) that I (to grow) pale. A curious sensation of terror (to come) over me. I (to know) that I (to come) face to face with someone whose mere personality (to be) so fascinating that, if I (to allow) it to do so, it (to absorb) my whole nature, my whole soul, my very whole art itself... I (to grow) afraid, and (to turn) to quit the room... There, of course, I (to stumble) against Lady Brandon... I could not get rid of her... She (to speak) of me as her dearest friend. I only (to meet) her once before, but she (to take) it into her head to lionize me. I believe some picture of mine (to make) a great success at the time, at least (to chatter) about in the penny newspaper, which (to be) the nineteenth century standard of immortality. Suddenly I (to find) myself face to face with the young man whose personality so strangely (to stir) me... It (to be) simply inevitable... Dorian (to tell) me so afterwards. He too, (to feel) that we (to be) destined to know each other.'

(0. Wilde)

Exercise 2

Render the following dialogues in indirect speech.

A

Robert: Martin didn't take that cheque.

Gordon: What? Is that true? Are you sure?

Freda: Yes.

Gordon: You know, I never could understand that. It wasn't like Martin.

Stanton: Do you really believe that Martin didn't get that money? If he didn't, who did? And if he didn't, why did he shoot himself?

Robert: Stanton, we don't know; But we're hewing you'll tell us

Stanton: Being funny, Robert?

Robert: Not a bit. I wouldn't have dragged you back here to be funny. You told me didn’t you – that you were practically certain that Martin took that cheque?

Stanton: Certainly I did. And I told you why I thought so. All the evidence pointed that way. And what happened afterwards proved that I was right.

Robert: Did it?

Stanton: Well, didn’t it?

Freda: If it did, then why did you tell Martin that you thought Robert had done it?

Stanton: But of course I didn't.

Olwen: Yes, you did.

(J.B. Priestly)

B

At last... we hauled him [Larry] up the bank... As he entered the house,... Mother uttered a gasp of horror.

'What have you been doing, dear?' she asked.

'Doing? What do you think I've been doing? I've been shooting.’

But how did you get like that, dear? You're sopping. Did you fall in?’

‘...Well, of course I fell in; what did you think I had been doing?’

‘You must change, dear, or you'll catch cold.’

'I can manage,' said Larry with dignity; I’ve had quite enough attempts on my life for one day.'

C

Margo... burst into Mother's room.

‘The house is on fire... Get out... get out...' she yelled dramatically.

Mother leapt out of bed with alacrity.

‘Wake up Gerry... wake Gerry,’ she shouted...

‘Wake up... wake up Fire...fire! screamed Margo at the top of her voice.

Leslie and I tumbled out on the landing.

'What's going on?' demanded Leslie.

'Fire!' screamed Margo in his ear. 'Larry is on fire!

Mother appeared.

‘Larry’s on fire? Quick, save him,’ she screamed, and rushed upstairs to the attic, closely followed by the rest of us. Larry’s room was full of acrid smoke.... Larry himself lay sleeping

peacefully. Mother dashed over to the bed and shook him vigorously.

'Wake up, Larry; for heaven's sake wake up.'

'What's the matter?' he asked, sitting up sleepily.

The room's on fire.'

'I'm not surprised,' he said, lying down again. 'Ask Les to put it out.'

... Les... hauled the bedclothes off the recumbent Larry and used them to smother the flames. Larry sat up indignantly.

'What the hell's going on?' he demanded.

'The room's on fire, dear.'

'Well, I don't see why I should freeze to death... why tear all the bedclothes off? Really, the fuss you all make. It's quite simple to put out a fire.'

'Oh, shut up,' snapped Leslie, jumping up and down on the bedclothes.

'I've never known people for panicking as you do,' said Larry, 'it's simply a matter of keeping your head. Les has the worst of it under control; now if Gerry fetches the hatchet, and you, Mother, and Margo fetch some water, we'll soon have it out.'

(G. Durrell)

D

Considered as a group my family was not a very prepossessing sight that afternoon, for the weather had brought with it the usual selection of ills to which we were prone... Only my eldest brother, Larry, was Untouched.

... It was Larry, of course, who started it.

'Why do we stand the bloody climate?' he asked suddenly, making a gesture towards the rain-distorted window. 'Look at it!... And look at you: you're looking more decrepit and hagridden every day.'

Mother peered over the top of a large volume...

'Indeed Fm not,' she said indignantly.

'You are,' Larry insisted; 'you're beginning to look like an Irish washerwoman... and your family looks like a series of illustrations from a medical encyclopedia.'

'Yes, dear,' said Mother vaguely.

'What we all need,' said Larry, 'is sunshine... I had a letter from George this morning — he says Corfu's wonderful. Why don't we pack up and go to Greece?'

'Very well, dear, if you like,' said Mother unguardedly... 'When?' asked Larry, rather surprised at this co-operation...

'Well, I think it would be a sensible idea if you were to go on ahead, dear, and arrange things. Then you can write and tell me if it's nice, and we all can follow,' she said cleverly. Larry gave her a withering look.

'You said that when I suggested going to Spain,' he reminded her, 'and I sat for two interminable months in Seville, waiting for you to come out... No, if we're going to Greece, let's all go together.'

'...I can't go just like that. I have to arrange something about this house.' 'Sell it.' 'I can't do that, dear,' said Mother, shocked. '... I've only just bought it.'

'Sell it while it's still untarnished, then.'

'Don't be ridiculous, dear,' said Mother firmly; 'that's quite out of the question...'

So we sold the house and fled from the gloom of the English summer, like a flock of migrating swallows.

(G. Durrell)

E

Gordon [beginning to fiddle about with wireless]: What's disturbing the ether to-night?..

Freda: Oh, Gordon, don’t start bit again. We’ve only just turned it off. Gordon: What did you hear?

Freda: The last half of a play.

Olwen: It was called The Sleeping Dog.

Stanton: Why?

Olwen: You know, I believe I understand that play now. The sleeping dog was the truth, do you see and that man – the husband – insisted upon disturbing it.

Robert: He was quite right to disturb it.

Stantоn: Was he? I wonder. I think it a very sound idea — the truth as a sleeping dog... I think telling the truth is about as healthy as skidding round a corner at sixty.

Freda: And life's got a lot of dangerous corner — hasn't it, Charles?

Stanton: It can have — if you don't choose your route well.

(J.B. Priestly)

F

F Betty:

Betty: You're talking about me, all of you. I know you are. I wanted to go to bed. I started to go. And then I couldn't. I knew you were all talking about me. I couldn't stand it. I had to come back.

Freda: Well, you were wrong. As a matter of fact, you're the only person we haven't been talking about.

Betty: Is that true?

Robert: Yes, of course... Not a word's been said about you. In fact, we all wanted to keep you out of this.

(J.B. Priestly)

G

The King and the Queen were talking together in a frightened whisper.

The King was saying, ‘I assure you, my dear, I turned cold to the very end of my whiskers!'

To which the Queen replied, 'You haven't got any whiskers.'

The horror of that moment,' the King went on, ‘I shall never forget!'

'You will, though,' the Queen said, 'if you don't make a memorandum of it.'

(L. Carroll)

H

I suppose the small greenish statue of man in a wig on a horse is one of the famous statues of the world. I said to Cary,

‘Do you see how shiny the right knee is? It’s been touched so often for luck, like St. Peter’s foot in Rome.’

She rubbed the knee carefully and tenderly, as though she were polishing it.’ Are you superstitious?’ I said.

‘Yes.

‘I’m not.’

‘I’m so superstitious I never walk under ladders.... I try not to tread on cracks in pavements. Darling, you’re marrying the most superstitious woman in the world. Lots of people aren’t happy. We care. I’m not going to risk a thing.’

‘You’ve rubbed that knee so much, we ought to have plenty of luck at the tables.’

‘I wasn’t asking for luck at the tables,’ she said

I

‘[I] don’t have a mother,’ he said...

‘Oh, Peter, no wonder you were crying.’ She said, and got out of bed and ran to him.

‘I wasn’t crying about mother,’ he said rather indignantly.

‘I was crying because I can’t get my shadow to stick on. Besides, I wasn’t crying.’

(J.M. Barrie)

Exercise 3

Translate into English.

A

Когда он назвал своё имя, на него посмотрели с любопытством, а потом посадили в лифт и повезли, к его удивлению, не наверх, а вниз. Теперь он сидел в длинном подземном коридоре (basement corridor) и смотрел на красную лампочку, горевшую над дверью; ему сказали, что он может войти, когда загорится зеленый свет, но не раньше. Люди, не обращавшие внимание на лампочку, входили и выходили… Никто не смотрел на него; он чувствовал, что стесняет их. (to embarrass)

...По коридору лифта прошел Гордон (Hawthorne)... Он тоже не взглянул бы на Уормолда (Wormold), если бы тот его не окликнул.

– Привет, Готорн.

– Ах, это вы, Уормолд.

–…Что здесь происходит? Можно подумать, это военно-полевой суд.

— А это и в самом деле военно-полевой суд,— сказал Готорн ледяным тоном (frostily) и прошёл в дверь, над которой горела лампочка. Часы показывали 11.25. Его вызывали на одиннадцать. Он раздумывал, могут ли они что-нибудь с ним сделать, кроме того, что выгонят (to sack smb.), впрочем, они уже и так его выгнали. Сейчас они, вероятно, решают его судьбу.

(Г. Грин)

B

Увидев Милли, он сразу всё понял. За ней шёл молодой приказчик (shop assistant) и нёс такой огромный пакет, что не было видно его лица. Уормолд подумал с тоской (sadly): опять что-то купила. Он поднялся наверх... и услышал, как в соседней комнате Милли говорит приказчику, куда положить пакеты.

— Милли, что ты купила?

— Пойдем покажу.

Они пошли в спальню. На кровати лежало седло... Уормолд спросил упавшим голосом (hopelessly):

— А где лошадь?

Он так и ждал, что лошадь появится из ванной.

(Г. Грин)

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