Разговорный английский

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 gadgets^{1 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?

MR. A. A bath, please. Is it free of charge?

MAID. No, sir. You have to pay extra for the bath. Shall I make it ready now?

MR. A. No. In an hour’s time, please. And now send the laundress.

MAID. Directly, sir.

LAUNDRESS. What can I do for you, sir?

MR. A. Have these things washed, please.

LAUNDRESS. Have you made a list, sir?

MR. A. Yes, here it is. Check it, please.

LAUNDRESS. Yes, sir.

MR. A. This suit has to be dry-cleaned. Mind there is a spot on the trousers. Have it removed, please.

LAUNDRESS. Yes, sir.

MR. A. Have you got an express service here? LAUNDRESS. Yes, sir, but you will be charged extra in that case.

MR. A. It doesn’t matter. I should like to have them ready by tomorrow.

LAUNDRESS. Yes, sir. Is that all?

MR. A. Yes. Don’t disappoint me. LAUNDRESS. Rest assured, sir. Goodbye.

XL Rest and Recreation

1. THEATRE

After a Visit to the Theatre

MOTHER. Did you enjoy yourself, Ann?

ANN. Oh, yes, mama. The opera was splendid, especially the music. I was so deeply impressed by it that I can hardly put into words what I think of it.

MOTHER. And who’s the composer, I can’t quite recollect?

ANN. Verdi, Guiseppe Verdi, mama. His music expresses such deep humanity that it simply carries one away.

MOTHER. If I am not mistaken, the music for “Aida” was also written by him?

ANN. Yes, but in “Othello” the music is much richer. There is power and delicacy and marvellous beauty in it. The voice parts are essentially melodious. Indeed this work is a monument of genius.

MOTHER. And was the rendering good?

ANN. Oh, yes, the cast was excellent except —.

MOTHER. Except whom?

ANN. Well, I didn’t altogether like — now, what’s her name I can’t remember. Oh, yes, Vera M.

MOTHER. Vera M.? I’ve never heard of her before. What was her part?

ANN. She played Desdemona. I think she falls short in her Desdemona.

MOTHER. What makes you think so?

ANN. Well, there was a sort of lack of feeling in her acting; she had such a feeble voice that she was hardly heard.

MOTHER. Who performed the role of Othello?

ANN. Victor N. He gives a very convincing and moving performance as Othello, I should say.