W.S. Maugham

“The Verger”

I. Answer the questions:

1. What was Albert Foreman’s position in the church?

2. What church did he serve in?

3. What were his duties at the church?

4. What was the dignified symbol of his office?

5. What problem did the vicar want to discuss with Albeit Foreman?

6. What was Albert Foreman’s attitude to the new vicar?

7. Why did Albert Foreman hand in his resignation?

8. How did Albert take his resignation?

9. What did Albert Foreman do before he was appointed to his ecclesi­astical office?

10. How did he get to the unknown street?

11. How did the idea to set up in business occur to him?

12. What kind of business did he start?

13. How did Albert Foreman develop his business?

14. Was Albert Foreman’s business successful?

II. Make up dialogues based on the following suggestions:

1. The vicar and the churchwardens are talking to Albert Foreman.

The vicar asks Foreman to go to the vestry with him; on their way Foreman compliments the vicar on his unusual gift. The vicar also informs Foreman that the two churchwardens are waiting for him in the vestry. He stresses the fact that the verger fulfills his duties to the satisfaction of every­body but he is greatly disappointed that Foreman can neither read nor write. The verger informs those present that the last vicar knew that and explains why he has never had the opportunity to learn. They give him three months to learn.

2. Albert Foreman speaks to his wife.

He tells her about his unpleasant talk with the vicar and the church­wardens. His wife admits that the last vicar knew about his illiteracy. Fore­man tells his wife about his decision to quit. The wife is very much upset. Albeit wants to cheer her up and tells her about his idea to set up a busi­ness. His wife remarks that it is a dreadful come down, but Albert replies that one should move with the times. His wife doesn’t approve of it. She doesn’t believe that her husband can manage a shop.

3. Albert Foreman speaks to the bank manager.

The manager speaks to him about the money he has got on deposit with the bank. He asks whether Mr. Foreman knows exactly how much he has got and informs him that Mr. Foreman has got about thirty thousand pounds. He proposes to invest the money. Albert Foreman answers that he doesn’t want to take any risk. The manager assures him that the gilt-edged securities will bring him in a better rate of interest than the interest on the loan. He asks him to sign some documents. Albert Foreman is in the situation when he has to confess that he doesn’t know how to read or write. The manager is shocked. He wonders what would happen to Mr. -Foreman if he knew how to read and write.

III. Topics for discussion:

1. What, in your opinion, was the vicar’s attitude toward Albeit Fore­man? Did he make him leave? Why?

2. Why couldn’t they afford a scandal in a church like St. Peter’s, Neville Square?

3. Should a vicar always fall in with the ways of his congregation?

4. What helped Albeit Foreman be efficient in every position he occupied

5. Does one need to be unimpeachable to fulfill his work well?

6. Use the story to prove the proverb “What is worth doing at all is worth doing well”.

TASK 9

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