Cynthia: Yes — and well, you know our flat; it really isn’t big enough. And we were wondering if there was just the smallest chance of having it at your place — just for the evening, you know.
Harry: Well — we’d love to let you, of course. But just now it would be a little difficult.
Cynthia: Oh, no. It wouldn’t be now. In about two week’s time.
Harry: Two weeks. Oh, I see. But — unfortunately — I think that would be even more difficult. You see, we’re haying part of the house redecorated, and in two weeks -
Cynthia: I suppose it wouldn’t be possible to use the rooms that aren’t being decorated?
Harry: Well, you know what it’s like, Cynthia, when you’ve got the decorators in; you don’t quite know where you are if you see what I mean -
Cynthia: Yes — yes, of course. It is a pity. I don’t know what we’ll do.
Harry: I’m sorry. We’d help if we could.
Cynthia: Well… Good-bye then, Harry.
Harry: Good-bye, Cynthia.
4. Two Sisters on the TelephoneJoyce: Well, what have you been up to[118] since I saw you first?
Kate: I haven’t been up to anything, I’m afraid[119]. Just the usual grind[120]. Have you been doing anything?
Joyce: No. James is off to Italy again tomorrow for his firm. He rings me every night from Turin, which is a comfort.
Kate: So you’ll be absolutely tied again with the children?
Joyce: Of course.
Kate: The firm would never pay for you to go to Italy as well, I suppose?
Joyce: As a matter of fact, that’s just come up[121] for the first time. There’s a big job of entertaining coming off[121] in about a fortnight — all the possible buyers and their wives are invited to Turin for a demonstration and a party afterwards, and they say they’d pay for me to go and play hostess[122]and look nice, but of course, with the children… And anyway, what have I got to look nice in?
Kate: I say, ducky, I’ve just got an idea. When is this do at Turin[123]? It wouldn’t be at a week-end by any chance?
Joyce: It’s to be a Saturday — best time for a party.
Kate: Well, look here[124], why don’t I come and look after[125] Michael and Jane for the week-end? They’re not such demons[126] as you seem to think, you know. We usually get on fine[127].
Joyce: Oh — it’s terribly sweet of you, but I couldn’t.
Kate: Yes, you could. Now sort it out with James[128] this evening before he goes. I’ll come over[129] on the Friday night, and I’ll stay over the Monday too — I’ll get the day off from the office — so you needn’t get back till late on Monday and you can see a bit of Italy as well.
Joyce: No, I can’t really… Really you shouldn’t.
Kate: Now shut up. No more nonsense. It’s settled. Just see the frig[130] is full of food. I’ll take them to the Zoo on Saturday. And what’s wrong with that trouser suit? You look splendid in it.
Joyce: Do you really think I could? I never thought of a trouser suit for the party…
5. Renting a House(Anglo-American Misunderstandings)The telephone rings in a house in the London suburb of Twickenham.
An American Voice: Good morning. Is this Mrs Jones?[131]
Mrs Jones (rather puzzled): I’m Mrs Jones.
American: Oh, fine. I’m Drusilla Applebee, and I’m calling[132] about your house you advertised to rent[133] for the summer months.
Mrs Jones (still rather puzzled): Why yes, when are you going to call?
Mrs Applebee: I mean I’m calling you about it right now[134]. We’re a large family and your house sounded the sort of place we need for July, August and September.
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, of course. How many are you in your family?
Mrs Applebee: Six, so we hope you have plenty of closets[135].
Mrs Jones: Er — oh, you mean what we call cupboards! Yes, we’ve got plenty of those. And lots of chests of drawers too.
Mrs Applebee: Chests of drawers…?
Mrs Jones: Oh, I should have remembered — the American term is “dresser”, isn’t it?
Switchboard operator (in strong American voice): Are you through?
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, I’m through.
Mrs Applebee (simultaneously): No, no, we’re not through yet. I’m speaking from my husband’s office and they’re all Americans here. Gosh[136], I’d no idea the British were so different about languages. What do you mean when you say you are through? We mean we’re finished with the call.
Mrs Jones: Oh dear, we mean we’ve been “put through”, we’re connected! Perhaps you’d like to come and see the house and then we needn’t misunderstand each other quite so much.
Mrs Applebee: I should love to see your house, but I’ve no car right now. Can I get to you easily some other way? I’m in Church Street.
