Mrs. L. Do just as you please, Mr. Thompson, my husband is just like you, he never eats his vegetables with the meat. May I help you to some more duck, you had so small a piece. Please, don't stand upon ceremony. - Mr. T. Thank you very much indeed, but I really had a very generous piece and do not care for any more. Mr. L. Is there anything I can help you to? Mr. T. I should thank you for the water. Oh, I beg your pardon; I do not drink any water during the meal; so I did not think of passing it to you. What dessert are we going to have, Carrie? Mrs. L. Just wait a moment and you will see. Mary! Fetch the dessert and the coffee. Mr. L. Well, well, well! That is a surprise. You know how very fond I am of chocolate ice. Do you like it too, Thompson? Mr. T. Yes indeed, I like it ever so much. Mrs. L. — I am exceedingly happy, gentlemen, that I have suited your taste so well. Do you take milk in your coffee, Mr. Thompson? Mr. T. No, Madam, after dinner I always take black coffee, but may I trouble you for the sugar? Mrs. L. Oh, I beg your pardon. Mr T. Thank you? Mr. L. Now, my dear fellow, let me offer you a cigar; you smoke, don't you? Mr. T. Not just now, thank you. Mr. L. Mr. T. Because it may be disagreeable to Mrs. Lewis. Not at all; please do not deprive yourself of this pleasure on my account; I have been accustomed to tobacco smoke for a long time; besides I am obliged to leave you now, as I have household matters to look after. Shall I see you this afternoon? Mr. L. Not before supper, my dear; for I intend to take a walk with my friend in order to show him the City. Mrs. L. Well then, gentlemen, good bye. I wish you a pleasant walk. Mr. T. Thank you very much. Good afternoon. EXERCISE. 1. On what topic is the preceding piece? 2. Had Mr. Lewis expected to see his friend? 3. What does he exclaim on seeing him? 4. What feeling does this exclamation express? 5. What is he surprised at? 6. Why is he surprised to see his friend? 7. What does he ask his friend? 8. What makes Mr. Thompson come to London? 9. What makes you come here? 10. Did Mr. Thompson only make a short trip? 11. Will he be transacting business during any part of the time? 12. What was his idea of London before he came? 13. Does Mr. Thompson share his friend's pleasure? 14. Has he arrived at a favourable moment? 15. What do we do on a friend's birthday? 16. How long does Mr. Thompson intend staying? 17. Will he not remain an entire week? 18. Will he perhaps remain longer? 19. How does Mr. Lewis like his friend's intention of remaining a week? 20. Where does he expect his friend to reside? 21. Does he give him to understand that he would like to have him stay at his house? 22. Is he convinced beforehand that his friend will accept this invitation? 23. By what word is that indicated? 24. On what condition will Mr. Thompson reside with his friend? 25. Is Mr. Lewis's residence large enough to receive visitors? 26. Will he be inconvenienced by this visit? 27. Who else may be inconvenienced? 28. Will she really be inconvenienced by this visit? 29. What does Mr. Lewis excuse himself for? 30. What is he going to do? 31. Why? 32. Does Mr. Thompson excuse him? 33. By what words? 34. Why does Mr. Lewis think that his friend is hungry? 38. Is that so, or is he mistaken? 39. Why does Mr. Thompson inquire about the dinner hour? 40. Does Mr. Lewis advise him to change his clothes? 41. With what words does he tell him not to do so? 42. Why is Mr. Thompson glad that he need not change his clothes? 43. How did he get so tired? 44. What does he want to do before dinner? 45. What does he need for that purpose? 46. What does Mr. Lewis do after arriving in the diningroom? 47. Whom does he introduce his friend to? 48. What does she answer? 49. To whom does she say it? 50. Had she ever heard him spoken of before? 51. By whom? 52. In what way had Mr. Lewis spoken of him? 53. What is Mr. Thompson's opinion with regard to Mr. and Mrs. Lewis? 54. What do they do when dinner is ready? 55. What do they eat first? 56. What does Mrs. Lewis ask her husband about the soup? 57. Is Mr. Lewis of his wife's opinion? 58. Does Mr. Lewis care much for highly-seasoned food? 59 Does Mr. Thompson wait on Mrs. Lewis? 60. What do they eat after the soup? 61. What is your favourite dish? 62. What does Mr. Thompson like just as well as beefsteak with mushrooms? 63. Why does Mrs. Lewis say that she has suited his taste? 64. Who is your favourite writer? 65. Do you stand upon ceremony when you have a high personage at dinner? 66. What are little girls extremely fond of? 67. Are you also fond of sweets? 68. What dessert do they take? 69. Did Mr. Lewis know that he was going to have chocolate ice? 70. What do they take after their ice? 71. Why does Mrs. Lewis beg pardon of Mr. Thompson? 72. What does Mr. Lewis offer his friend whilst taking coffee? 73. Why does the latter not accept? 74. Why may we assume that Mr. Lewis has frequently smoked in the presence of his wife? 75. What does Mrs. Lewis do whilst the gentlemen enjoy their cigars? 76. Where are they going, and how long will they remain away? Edward Illness. Well, well! Have you risen at last? William Have you been waiting for a long time? E. For at least an hour. W. I hope you will excuse me; I slept so badly last night, I do not feel very well. E. Indeed? Why, what is the matter with you? W. I really do not know myself. For several days past I have had frequent headaches and have been very feverish. E. But usually you are in very good health; have you any appetite? W. No, I have not; I eat, but I do not relish anything. E. You ought to consult a physician. W. I have already done so, but his prescription has not done me much good yet. E. What did he prescribe? W. At first he made me take some quinine pills, and a few days afterwards he wrote a prescription which I got made up at the chemist's, but so far I have not felt any improvement. What doctor did you consult? Our family doctor, Mr. Hewitt. He is the one who treated my mother? How is your mother at present; is she as ill now as she was? E. Oh, she is a great deal better, thank you. W. Is she still obliged to keep in bed? E. Oh no, she can get up and even take a little walk in the garden, provided it is not too cool. W. I am very glad, indeed, to hear that she has nearly recovered; but, by the way, have you heard how Mr. Dwight is getting on? E. Oh, he has not improved at all, there is no hope of his being cured. W. sight. E. Why, that is too bad; then he will lose his The doctor, who is treating him, fears he will become totally blind. W. How did his infirmity commence? W. Mr. Dwight has had sore eyes ever since he was Why does he not get Dr. Douglas to treat him? He is a specialist for eye diseases and has effected several wonderful cures. E. I don't know whether he has consulted him or not; I will ask him the next time I meet him. Do you feel well enough now to take a little walk? |