We learn foreign languages

LESSON ONE
WE LEARN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
My name is Petrov . I live in the centre of Moscow. I work at the Ministry of Foreign Trade . I’m an engineer and I’m also a student. Many engineers in our Ministry learn foreign languages . I learn English. We have our English in the morning .
We’re at a lesson now . Jane is standing at the blackboard . She’s writing an English sentence . We aren’t writing . We are looking at the blackboard .
We don’t often write in class . Sometimes we have dictations. During the lesson we read our text-book and do a lot of exercises. We don’t often speak Russian in class . We speak English to our teacher . We usually speak Russian after classes .
“What is your name ?” “My name is Smirnov .”
“Where do you work?” “I work at an office.”
“What do you do?” “I’m at an engineer.”
“ Do you learn French?” “ No, I don’t .”
“What language do you learn ?” “I learn English.”
“ When do you usually have your English ?” “ In the evening .”
“ Are you having a lesson now ?” “ No , I’m not.”

LESSON TWO

WE LEARN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
( Continued)
My wife is an economist . She works at the Ministry of Foreign Trade too. She goes to the office every day . My wife doesn’t learn English . She already knows English very well. She reads very many English books, magazines and newspapers. At the office she sometimes writes letters to foreign firms. She often translates telegrams from English into Russian and from Russian into English.
My wife’s also a student . She learns German and is doing very well. She usually gets good marks and is always in time for the lessons. She likes languages very much and is going to learn French next year.
My wife and usually go home together . We do our homework in the evening : we learn the new words , read texts and do exercises. We also revise grammar rules. We sometimes speak speak English at home. We speak about our work and our lessons.
“ Who’s an economist ?” “ My wife is.”
“ Who knows English ?” “ She does.”
“How well does she know English ? ” “ She knows it very well.”
“ Does she learn German or French ?” “ She is learning German now, but next year she’s going to learn French.”
“ What does she often speak about in class?” “ She often speaks about her work .”
“What is she going to have her German tomorrow morning ?”
“ No, she is going to have it in three days .”
“ Which of you likes to speak foreign languages?” “ My wife does .”

LESSON THREE

THE WORKING DAY OF AN ENGINEER
Comrade Petrov works at an office . He lives near the office . He usually walks there. He only works five days a week . He works on Monday, Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday and Friday. He doesn’t work at the week-end . His working day lasts eight hours . He receives very many letters and telegrams in the morning and always answers them. He sometimes translates articles from foreign newspapers and journals . He often receives engineers from factories in the afternoon . They discuss a lot of questions with him. He usually finishes work at six o’clock in the evening .
Comrade Petrov learns English . He works hard at his English . He sometimes stays in the office after work for his English lessons. After classes he returns home.
“Who works at this office ?” “ Comrade Petrov does .”
“Does he work very much?” “Yes, he works a lot .”
“ Whom does he often receive at the office ?” “He often receives engineers from factories .”
“Does Comrade Petrov live far from the office ?” “ No, he lives near it.”
“How long does his working day last ?” “It lasts eight hours.”
“What time does he stop work ?” “He stops work at six in the evening.”
LESSON FOUR
MY FRIEND IS A CHILDREN’S DOCTOR NOW
My friend‘s name is Peter. He and I are doctors now, but eleven years ago we were students at a Medical college in Moscow .
We lived a long way from the college
, but we liked to walk there in fine weather.
Our classes usually lasted till four o’clock in the afternoon, and then we worked hard at home . We sometimes stayed after classes to play volleyball , but on weekdays we were usually at home by 9 o’clock . We received a lot of medical journals and often discussed interesting articles in them.
In his third year Peter decided to be a children’s doctor , and now he works at a children’s hospital in Kiev. He loves his work and often writes to me about it .
“Whose name’s Peter?” “My friend’s “
“What does he do?” “He‘s a doctor .”
“Was he a doctor eleven years ago?” “No, he was a student then.”
“When did he decide to be a children’s doctor?” “ In his third year at the Medical college”
“Does he like his work?” “Yes, he loves it “
LESSON FIVE
MY LAST WEEK-END
A week ago my friend Boris Klimov came to Moscow from Saint Petersburg . On Saturday the came to see me and my family . We decided to spend the week-end together and Klimov stayed with us till Monday.
We woke up late on Sunday. We got up at nine o’clock ,washed and dressed. Then we had breakfast.
“What d’ you usually do on Sunday?” Boris asked us at table .
“We often go to the country”, my wife answered.” Sometimes we go to the theatre or the cinema.”
“Do you often go to Central Park?” he asked again.
“We went there last month. It is a vert nice park. We like it very much. D’ you want to go there , Boris ?”
“ Oh , yes . I’d love to. The weather ‘s very nice today.”
We went to the park with our children .We skated and skid and the children played with their little friends.
We came home at two o’clock. Boris and I played chess after dinner and we interesting and not very long .it began at seven o’clock and it was over by eight. We didn’t want to go home so early and went to see my parents. They were very glad to see us and we had supper together.
We got home late , but we didn’t go to bed at once . Boris wrote two letters to our friends in Saint Petersburg and read them to us .
We went to bed at twelve o’clock.
LESSON SIX
MY FRIEND’S FAMILY
My friend’s name is Lavrov . He lives in Moscow. His family is not very large . He has got a wife and two children.His wife’s name is Mary and his children’s name’s are Ann and Nick
Comrade Lavrov’s wife is a young woman. She’s twenty nine years old . She’s a lecturer .She teaches English at the Institute of Foreign Languages . She’s got very many students. She hasn’t got bad students. Her students do well as a rule. My friend’s daughter is a girl of ten. She goes to school . She does a lot of subjects at school. She also learns English . She works hard and knows the language well. She doesn’t make many mistakes in English. She’s a pioneer. She likes reading . she also helps her mother at home .
Comrade Lavrov’s son is a little boy . I think he was born five or six years a go. His father takes him to a nursery school every morning .
My friend’s got a sister .She’s going to be a doctor , and she’s leaving her Institute this year . She’s married. Her husband’s an engineer.
My friend hasn’t got any brothers.
My friend’s wife usually takes the children to the country in summer to stay with their grandfather and grandmother. They love their grandchildren very much. She’s going to take them to the country again this summer.
“Has Comrade Lavrov got any children?”
“Yes, he’s got two”
“Have his children got any toys?”, ” Yes , they’ve got some .”

LESSON NINE

A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
Ann: Hallo , is that you Mary? How are you? Why didn’t you go to classes yesterday?
Mary: Hallo, Ann I felt very ill yesterday .I couldn’t even get up .
Ann: what was the matter with you?
Mary: I don’t know .I haven’t seen the doctor yet . I had a high temperature.
Ann: Can you go to the Institute today?
Mary: No, I’m afraid I can’t. The doctor’s coming this morning .I feel I should stay in bed for a fewdays. I’m very sorry I have to miss several lectures.
Ann: That’s all right . You musn’t come if you are ill. You should certainly stay in bed . You can have my notes if you like . Can I come to see you today?
Mary: Certainly. Please come round after classes.
Ann: I’m sorry , but I have to go the library after classes to get some books for my talk.
Mary : Don’t go to the library .I have got a loot of interesting books at home . You can take any of them .
Ann: All right .Can I get to your place by the 41 tram ?
Mary: Yes, but don’t come by tram . There’s a new underground station near my house now .It takes me fifteen minutes to get to the Institute by underground.
Ann: Very good , and now I must hurry to the Institute . See you later.
Mary: Till this evening then. Don’t forget to bring me your notes. Ring me up if you can’t come.

LESSON TEN

A LETTER TO FRIEND
Dear Victor , 23 June 198….
I’m very sorry I couldn’t write to you last week , because I was very busy. At last I’ve taken my Literature examination and I’m quite free. When my wife takes her last exam next week , we’ll go to Yalta for a holiday . I hope we shall have a good time there. You know how we love the sea. We are going to swim , lie on the beach ,and sunbathe two or three hours a day . You write that you can’t forget the holiday which we spent there two years ago. I can’t forget it either . I’m awfully sorry you will not be able to go with us this year.
When are you going to have your holiday ? Is your wife’s health still poor ? I hope that she will soon be all right . How long do you in tend to stay in the country? Is there a river and a wood there?
I’ll be back early in August in order not to miss my mother’s birthday . She will be sixty on the tenth of August, you know .
I think I’ll be able to go to see you some time at the end of the month.
I shall be very glad to hear from you before we leave .
Love to you all,
Boris.

LESSON ELEVEN

A VISIT TO MOSCOW
Mr Smith is an old man. He’s recently retired and so he’s got a lot of time for travelling . He’s come to Moscow as a tourist.
Now he’s sitting in the hotel hall and talking to Leonid Petrov , his guide.
Petrov :Is this your first visit to Moscow, Mr Smith?
Smith : Yes . But I’ve heard a lot about Moscow from my father . He was there before the Revolution .Moscow wasn’t the capital then, was it?
Petrov : Quite right . It only became the capital in 1918.
Smith: The city has changed very much . You can hardly recognize many of the streets and squares. I don’t think young people like you remember the dirty , narrow streets my father saw in the suburbs, and in the centre , too, during his visit .
Petrov : I’m afraid I don’t , I wonder what you will say after you’ve seen our new district in the South-West.
Smith: Oh, I’ve heard about it from a friend . He told me it was a beautiful place with wide , straight streets and many gardens . We are going there , aren’t we?
Petrov : Yes, We’ll see it on the way to the new building of Moscow University.
Mr Smith also said that he had heard a lot about the Tretyakov Picture Gallery and would like to see it . Leonid told him that they were planning to see the Gallery in a few days . They were also going to see towns and villages , hospitals, collective farms ,museums, exhibitions and many other interesting things . Mr Smith hoped he would see several other important industrial and agricultural centres in the country, in addition to Moscow .

LESSON TWELVE

IN THE LUNCH HOUR (MEALS )
I usually have lunch at half past one, but yesterday I went to the office without breakfast (I only had a cup of tea ) and by twelve o’clock I was already hungry . I don’t like having lunch alone ,so I said to Nick : “Let’s have lunch together .”” All right ,” he answered, “I ‘ll join you in a few minutes “
When we went to the canteen, there weren’t many people there . We got tickets (cheks ) for lunch , sat down at a table near the window , and called the waitress .She brought knives , forks, spoons and plates and took our tickets (checks ).
“Will you have any soup today? “ I asked Nick .
“ No, I’m not very hungrey ,” he said . “ But I’ll have some mineral water , salad , meat and potatoes , and ice cream for the sweet.”
“ Oh, here’s the waitress”
(The waitress brings the dishes )
“ The salad’s very good , but there’s not enough salt in it . Will you pass me the salt , please ?
“ Certainly .Here it is “
“ Thank you “
“ Shall I pass you some rye bread ?”
“ No , thank you. I usually have it with the soup , and I like white bread for the meat course .”
The waitress came up to us in a few minutes and asked if we would have coffee , or tea.
“ Yes please . Tea for my friend , and coffee for me , “ I said.
“ Black or white ?”
“Black and some cake , please.”
“How do you like your tea? “ she asked my friend.
“ Not very strong ,”he answered , “and only two lumps of sugar, please .”
We talked a little , when lunch was over , and at twenty – five to one went back to the office . We had a little time before work to read the newspaper and have a smoke . We began work again half an our later .
LESSON THIRTEEN
THEY ARE LEAVING MOSCOW
If you look at the picture , you’ll see a man , a woman and a child in it . Would you like to know who they are and why there are shirts, trousers , dresses hats, suits , coats , shoes and other things all over the place ? The man’s a friend of mine . His name is Oleg . He just graduated and is now getting ready to go to his home town . He’s going to work as a doctor as a hospital which was built a few moths ago .
You can see his little son busy packing . Some of his toys have already been packed in a box and he’s putting the rest of them in it.Oleg’s wife , a young woman of about twenty – two , is busy packing things , too . What’s she doing now? She’s closing a suit –case.
She must also go and get some food , but she won’t go shopping until all the things have been packed.
Oleg’s writing his new address on the last box . As soon as he finishes writing it all the boxes will be taken to the railway station . The taxi’s already waiting at the door . So he’s hurrying .
You can’t see his mother in the picture . She’s making supper in the kitchen . In an hour and a half their friends will come to say good-bye to Oleg and his family and wish them a happy life in the new place.
LESSON FOURTEEN
A SEA STORY
( after W.W . Jacobs )
We asked our friend Captain Brown one evening to tell us something about his voyages, and he told us the following story:
“ It was fifteen years ago , when I was a mate on a ship which was going to New York . We were having a very good voyage. The captain came up to me one morning and said: “Last night I heard such a strange thing that I don’t know what to do about it . I couldn’t sleep and I heard a voice which said in my ear : Sail north- north- west . Sail north – north- west . We must sail in that direction and find out “
“ I’m very sorry , captain , “ I said , “but I think you had too much to eat last night and that’s why you couldn’t sleep “
The captain was very angry .
“ I didn’t eat much yesterday, “ he said , “ and I heard the strange voice three times , sir “
The captain told the men to sail north –west . One of the men saw something black in the sea the next day.
The captain looked through his glasses and said to me : “There’s small boat there with a man in it . It was right last night , wasn’t I ? We must save him”
Soon we reached the small boat and saw that the man in it was fast asleep . He went on sleeping while we took him into our boat and sailed towards the ship. When the man was abroad the ship , he suddenly opened his eyes and cried out loudly, “Where am I ? Where’s my boat ? “
“ Hullo !” said the captain . “ I’m very pleased that we have been able to save you”
“ Did you order your men to take me out of my boat while I was asleep ? “ the man asked .
“ Of course ,” answered the happy captain .”Did you want to be drowned in your little boat ?”
“ Look here,” said the man , “ My name’s Captain Wilson and I’m making a record voyage from New York to Liverpool in a small boat….”
LESSON FIFTEEN
SHOPPING
It’s eleven o’clock in the morning . Helen Petrova’s in one of the biggest department stores in the city which only opened a few weeks ago. Many things are bought and sold here every day. Through it’s still early and the store has just opened , there are a lot of customers near the counters: some are buying things, others are just looking round.
Helen: Excuse me . How do I get to the shoe department?
Shop assistant : It’s over there on the left , please.
( In the shoe department )
Helen :I want a pair of boots please .
Shop assistant :Oh yes , it’s terribly cold . Thirty four ….You have very small feet . It won’t be easy to find a suitable pair , I’m afraid .
( In a few minutes)

These are nice boots , don’t you think ?Will you try them on ? How do they feel ?

Helen: I think they ‘re a size too big .Perhaps you can find a different pair . Can you give me a size smaller ?
Shop assistant : Just a moment . I’ll have another look . You’re lucky . Here’s a lovely pair ;but it’s more expensive .
Helen : That doesn’t matter… It feels more comfortable . I think I’ll take it . How much is it ?
Shop assistant: Seventy – five roubles .
Helen : Where do I pay?
Shop assistant: Over there at the cash –desk.
Helen: Thank you .
( after paying the bill)
Shop assistant: Here are your boots . The check is inside .
Helen : Thank you . And where ‘s the glove department?
Another customer : Come along with me, and I’ll show you .
Helen buys some dark – brown gloves to match her new boots and looks at her watch . She sees that it is rather late , so she quickly leaves the store and hurries home.

LESSON SIXTEEN

FROM VERKHOYANSK TO SUKHUMI
I got up earlier than usual yesterday, as I had to go to the airport to meet my old friend Boris petrov . We went to school together ,then we went to the same college in Moscow , but now we live in different parts of the Russian Federation . Boris lives and works in the North of our country , in Verkhoyansk, and I live by the sea in Sukhumi . I wrote to him a few months ago to invite him to place for a holiday . Soon I got an answer . He thanked me heartily for the invitation and asked me to meet him at the airport on the of April.
“I hope you won’t mind if I bring my wife and my son with me, ”he wrote.
When I went out , it was early morning . The air was fresh, the sky was blue , and the sun was shining . In Sukhumi it’s usually very hot yet . I like Sukhumi at this time of year best of all.
I look a taxi and started for the airport .”I’m afraid I may be late ,” I said to the driver and asked him to go faster. We reached the airport in time : the plane was just landing . It was only half past six in the morning , but it was as warm as in the afternoon.
The passengers were getting out of the plane . I went up to the plane and saw a group of people who looked very funny in this warm weather : all of them had warm winter clothes on .
“Hallo , glad to see you , “ I said , when I recognized Boris in the group.
“ Hallo , old man , this is my wife and my son,” Boris said .
“ Pleased to meet you. I hope had a good journay,” I said. “ Aren’t you dressed a bit too warmly? It’s not so cold here as in Verkhoyansk , is it ?”
“I think it’s just a little warmer , “Boris agreed and laughed , “but when we left home , it was snowing hard and we weren’t at all hot . Do you know how cold it was there that day? You won’t believe it: almost 35* below zero ,let alone the biting winds .”
“Ah , well , take off your coats , and let’s hurry home . The taxi is waiting. It won’t take us long . I’m sure you’ll like it here.”

LESSON SEVENTEEN

THE UNITED KINGDOM
The UK (short for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northem Ireland )is situated in two large islands called the British Isles. The larger island Is Great Britain , which consists of three is Ireland . Southem Ireland , now called Eire or the Irish Republic ,is independent of the UK.
The country is washed by the Atlantic Ocean , the North Sea and the Irish Sea , which is between Great Britain and Ireland .
If you travel to England from the Russian Federation , it will take you two days to pass through several countries on the Continent by train , and six more hours to cross the English Channel by boat . You can also fly there, and then the journey will only take you three and a half hours .
There are mountain chains in Scotland , Wales and North- West England is also famous for its beautiful lakes .
The longest river in England is the Severn, and the deepest is the Thames , on which stands the capital of England , London .
The UK is a highly –developed industrial country . She exports machinery , vessels , motors and other goods . One of her main industries is the is the textile industry and a lot of British textiles are exported . The UK buys more goods than she sells because she has to import food products and raw materials from many countries of the world including the Russian Federation.

LESSON EIGHTEEN

THE CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH OF DICKENS
Charles dickens , one of the greatest and most popular English novelists , was born on the of February , 1812 , in a small English town . He was a weak child and did not like to take part in noisy and active games . The little boy was very clever and learnt to read at an early age. He read a lot of books in his childhood . When he was about six, someone took him to the theatre for the first time . He saw a play by Shakespeare and liked it so much that he decided to write a play of his own . When it was ready, he performed it with some of his friends.
Everybody enjoyed the performance , and the little writer felt very happy .

When dickens was nine years old , the family moved to London where they lived in an old house in the suburbs .

They had a very hard life . There were several younger children in the family besides Charles . The future writer could not even go to school , because at that time his father was in the Marshalsea Debtor’s Prison .There was nobody in London to whom Mr Dickens could go for money , and his wife with all the children except Charles went to join home in the prison . The family lived there until Mr Dickens could pay his debts . Those were the most unhappy days of all Chales life . the boy worked from early morning till late at night to help his family.
Charles was only able to start going to school when he was nearly twelve , and his father was out of prison . He very much wanted to study , but he did not finish his schooling. After two years of school he began working again . He had to work hard to earn his living , and tried very many trades , but he did not like any of them .His ambition was to study and become a well – educated man. At the age of fifteen he often went to the famous library reading – room . He read and studied there and in this way he got an education .
Later Dickens described his childhood and youth in some of his famous novels , among them “ Little Dorrit “ and “David Copperfield”.
The great writer died more than a hundred years ago( in 1870) , but everybody still enjoys reading his books.

LESSON NINETEEN

THE LAVROVS
It happened during the World War II , when the Russian people fought against the German fascists , defending the freedom and independence of the country. In 1943 ALEXEI LAVROV was on the front . One day, after a fierce battle , when the Russian Army had defeated the enemy unit and liberated a small village , he went into one of the village houses . He didn’t see anybody at first . Then he heard a weak voice . Turning round , he saw a thin , pale boy of about eight .
“What are you doing here? Is there anyone else in the houses ? where are your parents ?” Lavrov asked him .
“There’s nobody else here. My parents have been killed ,”the boy answered. “ Please don’t leave me here . I’m afraid to stay in this house.”
Alexei decided to take the boy with him though he didn’t know what he would do with him on the front . he couldn’t leave the child alone there, he just couldn’t ! All the soldiers and officers liked the boy . He stayed with them a month , but then Alexei realized he couldn’t keep the child on the front any longer .He didn’t know what to do . Luckily a delegation of workers, among whom there was a girl of about eighteen , came to the front from Moscow . Lavrov asked her to take the boy with , and she agreed gladly . Early next morning the unit was unexpectedly ordered to change its position and get ready for advance , and Alexei had no time to have a word with the girl or even ask her address.
….. One day in 1952 , Lavrov was going home after the May Day civil parade when suddenly somebody called out to him . Turning round, he saw an old friend named Pavlov .
“ Hallo ,” Pavlov said smiling . “Glad to see you I don’t think we’ve met since 1945” .
Alexei was also pleased to see him . They talked of old times and their friends
“ By the way ,” Pavlov said . “ Are you spending the evening with your family ?”
“I’m afraid I haven’t got a family yet, “ Lavrov answered, ” and I haven’t made up my mind yet where to go “ .
“ Then come to my place at eight o’clock this evening ,” Pavlov said . Alexei was delighted , and at exactly eight he was knocking at Pavlov’s door . He went into the room , and was introduced to the guests . Everybody was enjoying the party . Some of the guests were dancing , others were talking laughing and joking , when somebody began to play the piano and sing a beautiful song . Everybody stopped talking at once . At that moment two more guests appeared . They were a young woman and a boy of about sixteen. As soon as they came into the room , they , too, stopped near the piano , listening to the singer . When Alexei looked at the woman , he thought that he had met her somewhere before , but he couldn’t remember where it was …. He no longer listened to the song . he looked at the woman , trying to remember where he had seen her . The boy called her “Mother “, but she didn’t look more than twenty – fife . Alexei went up to Pavlov and asked him , “Don’t you think that mother is too young for her son ?”
“Well , he is not really her son ,” Pavlov answered. “ In 1943 an officer asked her to take a little boy from the front to Moscow ..”
Interrupting him Alexei cried out . “Of course, that’s who it is …”
And that is the end of the story . Now you understand why there’s a difference of years between the Lavrov ’s two sons , don’t you ?

LESSON TWENTY

AN INCIDENT FROM THE LIFE OF A RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONARY .
“ Every worker must understand that the only way to a happy future is through struggle and the struggle is growing harder and harder . On the one hand …”
A knock at the door interrupted Bauman . He stopped speaking and first looked at the people sitting round him, and then at the dentist, in whose waiting –room they were having their secret meeting .
“Are you expecting any patients ?” he asked .
Everybody understood what Bauman’s question meant . They didn’t even speak to each other , they didn’t have to be reminded what to do . One of them accompanied the dentist into the surgery , while the others sat down on the chairs standing along the wall and pretended to be patients waiting their turn . It didn’t take them long . When everything was ready , the dentist’s maid went to answer the knock and soon came back with an unexpected visitor, who tried to go straight into the surgery .
“ I say , it isn’t your turn ,” a patient sitting next to the door said to him.
I can’t wait . I’ve got a terrible toothache ,” the man answered hurriedly examining everybody’s face .
Bauman , who pretended that he was reading a newspaper , didn’t even turn his head to look at the strange visitor . He could , however , clearly see the man’s face , and recognized him at once . He was a spy , the same man he had often seen before .
“ Has he brought the police with him?”.. One thing was clear it was necessary to keep the spy in the flat as long as possible , so that he would believe that they were real patients. Bauman looked up at the newcomer , and for a moment it seemed to him that there was joy in the man’s eyes . Then Bauman said as politely as he could .
“ We don’t mind if the dentist sees him first, do we ,? “ and then , turning to the spy , “ Since you have a bad toothache, you can go next.”
The spy didn’t know what to say. At that moment the surgery door opened and the dentist asked the next patient in Bauman , who went on watching the spy , immediately said , “ Anyone with bad teeth should certainly have them out”
In a second the spy was sitting in the dentist’s chair . The dentist told him to open his mouth wide , examined his teeth with great care , and began working quickly . A quarter of an hour later he showed the patient two large yellow teeth and said :
“I did my best . To tell you the truth it was quite a serious operation . You should take better care of your teeth .Ten roubles , please .”
For a minute the spy stood there, not knowing what to do. “ Would you like me to do anything else for you ?” the dentist asked smiling . The spy answered nothing , paid the money, and hurried out the waiting – room .
He expected to find no one there , but to his great surprise everybody was in his place . The spy could do nothing but leave the dentist’s flat .
When the spy had left , someone said , “It’s good thing he had bad teeth “.
“ But he didn’t … He just has two good teeth less now than he did when he came ,”the dentist explained , and added ,” and it didn’t cost him much . So he should be grateful .”
Everybody laughed , and Bauman said , “ That was a good idea . Didn’t I say that they would break their teeth if they fought against us ? I wonder whether he will be able to make out anything he says . Well ,I think we can go on with our meeting now “.

LESSON TWENTY ONE

NOW HE BELONGS TO THE AGES
The of April , 1865 , was a tragic day in the history of the United States. For on the evening of that day , President Abraham Lincoln went to Ford’s Theatre in Washington to see a play which was popular at the time – and never returned .
The day had started for the President with the usual round of office duties . The city of Washington was still in a happy mood .. The weather was , the sky was cloudless, a fresh spring wind was blowing about flags hoisted from many private and government buildings . The war had only ended a few days before , and the whole country continued to celebrate.
The theatre party for that evening had been planned by Mrs Lincoln . The President usually enjoyed going to the theatre and went very often – but this evening he had no wish to go . He had felt very tired all day and looked upset .
He finally decided to go , however , because it had been announced in the newspapers that the President would be present at Fort’s Theatre .
The President and his party arrived at the theatre when the play had already begun . When he appeared in the box , the audience greeted him with a storm of applause and the performance was interrupted for a moment . Then the play went on, and the President enjoyed it . He didn’t know that his life was in danger..
At about ten o’clock an actor named John Booth came into the theatre and walked directly towards Lincoln’s box . He noiselessly opened the door , and approaching the President so that his gun was only a short distance from his head, calmly took aim and fired . The president fell forward in his chair . Booth immediately jumped from the box to the stage . He landed heavily and shouted something . He was about to rise to his feet when he gave a cry of pain and had to lie still for a moment . Then he got up with difficulty and slowly walked to the back of the stage . His leg was broken , but he was able to get outside where a horse was waiting for him. The audience saw him do all this , but they thought that it was all part of the play , when suddenly they heard a woman’s voice cry out .
“ The President has been killed .” It was Mrs Lincoln . Immediately a young doctor from the audience hurried to the President ‘s box . After he had examined Lincoln, he said that the President had only a few hours to live . Lincoln was lifted from his chair and carried to a house opposite the theatre , where he remained until his death the next morning . When he died , one of the people in the room at the time said :
“ Now he belongs to the ages “
These words have since become famous .

LESSON TWENTY – TWO

THE OPEN WINDOW
“My aunt will come down in a few minutes , Mr Nuttel ,” said a girl of fifteen , showing him into the sitting room . Mr Nuttel was a young painter who had recently had a nervous breakdown. The doctors had told him that he should go away for a holiday . They warned him , however , against crowded resorts and recommended a complete rest in a quiet country – place . So here he was , in a little village , with letters of introductions from his sister to some of the people she knew .
“ Some of the people there are quite nice ,” his sister had said to him. “ I advise you to call on Mrs Sappleton as soon as you arrive . I owe the wonderful holiday I had to her “.
“Do you know many of the people round here?” asked the girl when they were sitting comfortably on the sofa.
“ No , afraid I don’t “ , answered Mr Nuttel . “ I ‘ve never been here before. My sister stayed here four years ago , you know , and she gave me letters of introduction to some of the people here”
“ Then you know nothing about my aunt , do you ?” asked the girl .
“ Only her name and address ,” said the visitor .
“ Her great tragedy happened just three years ago ,” said the child .
“ Her tragedy ?” asked Mr Nuttel
“ You may wonder why we keep that window wide open on an October afternoon, “ went on the girl , pointing to a large French window.
“ It’s quite warm for this time of year ,” said Mr Nuttel . “ But has that window anything to do with the tragedy ?”
“Exactly three years ago my aunt’s husband and two young brothers walked out through that window . They went shooting and never came back . When they were crossing the river their boat probably turned over and they were all drowned . Their bodies were never found . That was the most horrible part of the tragedy .” . Here the girl stopped . There were tears in her eyes and she drew a handkerchief out of her pocket . “ Three years have passed but my poor aunt still thinks that they will come back some day , they and the little brown dog that was drowned with them , and walk in through that window just as they always did . That is why the window is kept open every evening till it’s quite dark. Poor dear aunt , she can’t understand that they’ve left for ever . She’s growing worse day by day , so let me give you some advice .Don’t be surprised at anything she says or does : she will start telling you all over again how they went out – her husband , with his coat over his arm , and her youngest brother , singing Bertie , why don’t you come ? ..” as she once told me . You know , sometimes , on quite evenings like this , I almost get a feeling that they will all walk in through that window , and the whole family will be gathered in here again .” the young girl finished her sad story . There was a long pause , and Mr Nuttel was glad when MRS SAPLETON at last entered the room
“ I’m sorry I’m late ,” she said , “ but I hope my niece has entertained you well”
“ yes , she’s been very amusing ,”said Mr Nuttel.

LESSON TWENTY –THREE

HER FIRST NIGHT
There are people who are neither actors , nor directors, yet they are so found of the theatre that they can’t live without it .
Nick Petrov , a friend of mine ,is like that . He’s not a Muscovite , but he comes to Moscow on business quite often , and never misses an opportunity of going to the best theatres in the capital .
He came to Moscow on business one day , and the following Saturday he invited me to the theatre. He said that “Pygmalion” was on , with a new actress in the leading part .
“I saw her name on the posters the other day,” he added . “ I wonder how she’ll manage that most difficult part”
We got to the theatre just before the curtain went up. The house was packed. Our seats were in the third row of the stalls, and we could see and hear everything very well. Soon after we took our seats, the lights went slowly down and the play began . The performance of the talented actress made a deep impression on everybody . The audience applauded her stormily after each act. The rest of the cast were wonderful , as usual. The best actors in the company were playing that night .
During the interval everybody talked about the new actress. We found out that she had come to Moscow from a small town , where she worked at the local theatre. Eliza Doolittle was her favourite part. The young actress’s ambition had been to play the part in the capital . So she had decided to go to Moscow .
She came to the theatre one winter day , and asked the leading actors to give her a chance to act a few scenes from “ Pygmalion” to them . Her performance was so good that she was immediately given the part of Eliza .During the rehearsals the best actors in the theatre did their best to help her .
At last the great day came when she appeared on the stage of one of the best Moscow theatres . The whole audience , from the gallery to the pit , appearance of the talented new actress.

LESSON TWENTY-FOUR

A PIECE OF SOAP
(after H. Munro )
Norman Gortsby was sitting on a bench hidden behind the bushes in Hyde Park. It was a warm May evening . The sun had already set and it was rather dark, but he could still make out the faces of the people who were walking past him and hear the sound of their voices. He was a philosopher , and liked sitting in the Park watching people whom he didn’t know . While he was wondering who they were and where they were going , a young man came up to the bench , gave a quick look at him and threw himself down by his side . The newcomer was well –dressed and looked like a gentleman . His face was sad and he sighed deeply .
“ You don’t seem to be in a very good mood ,” said Norman . The young man was silent . He only looked at Norman again and there was an expression in his eyes that Norman didn’t like .
“ I really don’t know how it all happened ,” he began at last ,” but I’ve done the silliest thing that I’ve ever done in my life .” He spoke in a low voice , almost in a whisper .
“ Yes ?” said Norman coldly.
“ I came to London this afternoon,” the young man went on. “ I had a meal at the hotel , sent a letter to my people , giving them the address and then went out to buy a piece of soap . They are supposed to give you soap at the hotel but it’s always so bad that I decided to buy some for my self . I bought it , had a drink at a bar , and looked at the shops . When I wanted to go back to the hotel ,I suddenly realized that I didn’t remember its name or even what street it was in . Of course I can write to my people for the address, but they won’t get my letter till tomorrow. The only shilling I had on me when I came out was spent on the soap and drink and here I am with twopence in my pocket and nowhere to go for the night “
There was a pause after he told the story.
“I’m afraid you don’t believe me ,’’ he added.
“ Why not ?” said Norman . “ I did the same thing once in a foreign capital. So I can understand you very well.”
“I’m glad you do” the young man said with a pleasant smile.” And now I must go. I hope by the time it gets quite dark I’ll have found a man who’ll believe me like you did , and will agree to lend me some money.”
“ Of course, “said Norman slowly . “The weak point of your story is that you can’t produce the soap”
The young man put his hand into his pocket and suddenly got up .
“I’ve lost it,” he said angrily .
“It’s too much to lose a hotel and a piece of soap on the same day, ”said Norman.
But the young man did not hear him . He was running away .
“It was a good idea to ask him about the soap , and so simple ,” Norman thought as he rose to go. But at that moment he notice a small packet lying by the side of the bench. It could be nothing but a piece of soap, and it had evidently fallen out of the young man’s coat pocket when he threw himself down in the bench. Turning red, Norman picked it up .
“ I just can’t allow him to go away like this ,” he thought , and started running after the young man.
“ Stop !’ cried Norman when he saw him at the Park gate . the young man obeyed .
“ Here’s your piece of soap ,” Norman said .”I found it under the bench . Don’t lose it again , it’s been a good friend to you . And here’s a pound , if it can help you “
“Thanks ,” said the young man , and quickly put the money into his pocket .
“ Here’s my card with my address,” continued Norman.
“you can return the money any day this week .”
The young man thanked him again and quickly went away .
“ It’s a good lesson to me ,” Norman thought , and went back to the Park . When he was passing the bench where the little drama had taken place , he saw an old gentleman looking for something .
“ Have you lost anything , sir?” Norman asked .
“Yes , sir , a piece of soap .”