Brain Storming nyelvtanulási segédletei

The first man who came was obviously not from the television repair company; he was a confidence trickster. Mrs Harrison had said goodbye to her television set for ever.

She immediately telephoned the police. A very polite and friendly detective, the one who had questioned Mr Smithers about the bank robbery, came round in about a quarter of an hour. He wanted to know what time the first man had come, what he looked like and whether Arthur had noticed the number of his van. The detective said that the man had done this trick many times recently. he was well-known in Middleford. he often came to houses where there were lodgers after the landlady had gone shopping on a Saturday morning. Mrs Harrison told him that she'd only been out for about half an hour when he came. She'd just gone to the local shops to get her coat cleaned and have her shoes repaired and to do a little bit of household shopping.

Mrs Harison was very glad that her television was rented and not her own property. She was going to ask to have a colour set installed soon anyway. When the detective had gone Mrs Harrison went out to the television shop to explain what had happened and to order a new colour set.

After Mrs Harrison had gone out again, Arthur made a cup of coffee for himself and Mr Smithers and brought them into the living-room with some rock cakes that Mrs Harrison had made the day before. Mr Smithers remarked that the cakes looked rather hard. Arthur agreed. Mr Smithers bit his cake, and suddenly let out a shout - he had broken one of his front teeth.

Mr Smithers immediately telephoned the dentist and explained to him what had happened. The dentist agreed to see him ammediately, so Arthur volunteered to drive Mr Smithers round to the dentist's straight away.

***

- Where do I go now, Mr Smithers, right or left?

- Straight on actually, Arthur. Ooh, this tooth hurts. I hope I don't have to have it taken out. It's the next turning on the left - the one-way street. Here it is - the big house on the corner. Oh dear, I hate having my teeth done.

***

- Ah, good morning. It's Mr Smithers, isn't it? Mr McKenzie's just gone out for a moment. He won't be long. Would you like to go into the waiting-room?

- Thank you very much. Ooh, ah.

- Never mind, Mr Smithers. It'll soon be over.

- Mr McKenzie'll see you now. Would you like to come this way? … Ah, Mr Fanshawe, Mr McKenzie's got an emergency so I'm afraid you'll have to wait a bit.

- Never mind. I'll go and sit in the waiting-room. … Well, if it isn't Arthur! I thought I recognized your car outside. Still going all right, is it?

- Yes, just about.

- Ha-ha. Going to have your teeth done, are you?

- No, actually. I'm just waiting for a friend.

- Your girlfriend, Sheila, eh?

- Very funny.

- Now now, Arthur. Don't get annoyed. I was only joking. Have you been to this chap before?

- No, I have my teeth done by old Pearson.

- I expect McKenzie's too expensive for you, anyway.

- Perhaps. Especially when I have to get my car repaired every week.

- No need to be offensive, Arthur. Anyway, the way you drive I'm not surprised.

- Oh shut up.

- Ha-ha.

- Now don't forget. It's only a temporary filling, Mr Smithers. Try not to bite on it if you can. We'll get a permanent filling done next week some time. Let's see. Susan, am I free next saturday at all?

- Yes, I'll make an appointment for Mr Smithers. Right, Mr Fanshawe, you're next. Would you like to go in now?

- Right you are. Cheerio, Arthur.

- Who's that, Arthur? I'm sure I've seen him somewhere before.

Mrs Harrison and Mr Smithers were very disappointed that the television had broken down just when Arthur was about to answer his questions. Worst of all they did not know whether Arthur had won a prize or not, because they were not able to see the programme.

So they waited for Arthur to arrive but he did not come home until 12.30 a.m. When he finally got home he was able to tell them what had happened in the quiz. First of all the quizmaste had asked him what the longest river in the world was. Arthur had told him that it was the Nile, and this, of course, was the right answer. Then he was asked what language they spoke in Brazil, and Arthur said that it was Portuguese. Before the quizmaster asked Arthur the last question he talked to him about his job. He asked Arthur if he was married or if he had a girlfriend. At this question Arthur wasn't able to say anything. He blushed and become embarrassed. So the quizmaster quickly asked the final question, which was: 'Which English kind had six wives?' Of course, Arthur was able to answer this question - he told the quizmaster and the audience that it was Henry VIII.

Then the quizmaster told Arthur to choose an envelope. He chose number eight. At this point both Arthur and the audience were very nervous. The quizmaster opened the envelope and read the piece of paper inside. It said that Arthur had won the holiday for two on the Costra Brava. The audience clapped and cheered. After this the television company gave Arthur and the other contestants a dinner and then Arthur said goodbye, and left for home.

Arthur drove down the motorway and was home fairly soon. Mrs Harrison asked him who he was going to take on the free holiday with him. Arthur said that he didn't know.

The following morning was Saturday and Mrs Harrison rang up the TV repair company and asked them to send a repair man to the house. Arthur told Mrs Harrison that he would be in. He and Mr Smithers were having their breakfast when the front doorbell rang.

***

- There's the bell. Will you go or shall I?

- I'll do it, Mr Smithers. I wonder who it is.

- I've come for the television, sir.

- Ah, yes. It's in here. When do you think we'll have it back? I want to watch the sport this afternoon.

- Yes. So do I.

- Well, I can't say really. We'll be as quick as we can. Cheerio.

- Goodbye. Well, I must say they've been very quick. I didn't expect him round so early.

- Neither did I. Mrs Harrison only phoned half an hour ago. Well, I hope they do send it back today.

- Yes, otherwise we'll be without the telly for the whole weekend and I don't want to miss the midnight movie tonight.

- Neither do I and nor does Mrs Harrison. Do you want another cup of tea, Arthur?

- No, thanks. I must tidy up my bedroom before Mrs Harrison gets back.

- Ah, yes, so must I. She doesn't like it if you leave your room in a mess.

***

- Oh, my feet do hurt. Oh, hallo, Arthur. I see the television man's been.

- Yes, he came very quickly, actually.

- That's good. Have you tidied your room?

- Yes, I have, and so has Mr Smithers,

- I've got some chops for your lunch. I like chops.

- So do I, if they're not burnt.

- Ah, there's the doorbell. I expect it's the milkman. Can you pay him, Arthur? My purse is over there.

- Yes, I've got it. … Yes?

- Good morning, sir. Does Mrs harrison live here?

- Yes, that's right.

- I'm from the Middleford Television Service Company. I've come to repair the TV set. … Am I too early?

One evening, Arthur was sitting in Mrs harrison's sitting-room, watching a quiz programme on the television. In a quiz programme members of the public are invited to answer questions on various subjects. In this particular programme, the quizmaster asks three questions. If the contestants answer the three questions correctly, then the contestant chooses a number between one and ten. For each number there is a different prize. Sometimes the prizes are worth a lot of money and sometimes they are something worthless like an empty matchbox or an old shoe.

Arthur, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Smithers were watching a young man answer some questions. First of all he was asked what the capital of Scotland was. This was a very easy question, of course, and the contestant answered that it was Edinburgh. Next, the quizmaster asked him where Mt Everest was and the young man answered this question correctly too. Finally he was asked which was heavier - a pound of lead or a pound of feathers and again he gave the correct answer that they were both the same. Then the quizmaster asked the contestant which number he wanted. He chose number seven, saying that this was his lucky number. the quizmaster opened the envelope marked No. 7, and told him that he had won the Treasure Chest, which contained two hundred pounds.

Mrs Harrison asked Arthur why he didn't go in for one of these quizzes. Arthur thought it was a good idea, so when he the address for applications for entry to the quiz was put on the screen, Arthur wrote it down on a piece of paper. Then he got out his writing-pad and wrote the followig letter.

21 Gladstone Avenue, Middleford, BERKS, 2nd April

'Your Choice', Midland Weekend Television, P.O. Box 472 AI, birmingham, 13

Dear Sir, I am very interested in taking part in your programme, which I have always watched with great interest. I should very much like to be a contestatnt on 'Your Choice' or, if that is not possible, to be a member of the studio audience. Yours faithfully, Arthur Newton

A week or two later a letter with a Birmingham postmark arrived at 21 Gladstone Avenue. Mrs Harrison asked Arthur what it was. Arthur opened it and told her that he'd been invited to take part in the quiz the following Friday. Mrs Harison asked him if he could go and he told her that he certainly could.

*** *** *** ***

- Mr Smithers! It's three minutes to nine. Artur'll be on in a minute. You'll miss him if you don't come now

- All right, Mrs H. I'm coming.

- If you sit on that chair, Mr Smithers, you'll see the screen better. You've got your glasses, haven't you?

- Yes, thank you. Now which channel is it on? It's ITV, isn't it?

- Yes, that's right.

- When you wash your husband's shirts in Sparkol, you'll really see the difference. Sparkol washes whiter and brighter.

- Good evening, everybody. When you hear the signature tune, it'll be time for Your Choice.

- Good evening, friends. Welcome to another edition of Your Choice. We've got some more wonderful contestants here tonight and some fantastic prizes. Don't forget, ladies and gentlemen, that I don't know what's in the envelopes. Now here's Jimmy Green to tell you what the prizes are. Carry on, Jimmy.

- First of all we've got this fully automatic wahing-machine. Then we've got a fortnight's holiday for two in sunny Spain. Then tonight's Treasure Chest containing 300 pounds, an old sock, a cracked plate and tonight's Star prize - this wonderful family saloon car.

- Ooh, there are some lovely prizes, aren't there?

- Yes, indeed.

- Now let's meet the first contestant who wants to play Your Choice. Good evening, madam. Would you like to tell us what your name is?

- Mrs Jenkins.

- Mrs Jenkins. If you stand a little nearer to the microphone, the viewers'll hear you a little bit better. Now your first question is: can you tell me how many days there are in March?

- Oh, now let me see. Thirts days hath September … so, er, 31?

- That is the correct answer, Mrs Jenkins. That wasn't difficult, was it? Now your second question is: can you tell me where the last olympic Games were held? Take your time; there'S no hurry.

- Oh dear, er, er … It was, er, Tokyo, wasn't it?

- I'm sorry, Mrs Jenkins. I'm afraid that's the wrong answer. Never mind. Here's a five-pound consolation prize. Better luck next time. Now let's bring on the next contestant. Your name, sir?

- Newton, Arthur Newton.

- Now, can you tell me, for your first question, what …?

- Oh no! The telly's gone wrong again. Oh what a pity! Now we shan't know what he's won until he comes home.

The following Tuesday Arthur went for his first evening class in A-level English. Mr Morgan's secretary had said that he should buy a copy of Shakespeare's Julius Cesar, Chaucer's Prologue to the Canterbury tales and Dickens' but he had not read the other two. his lecturer, Mr Greenslade, told him that the classes in English were once a week on Tuesdays and the Economics classes were on Thursdays.

At eight there was a quarter of an hour's break and they all went for a drink in the college canteen. Arthur was very surprised to find Mary and Shila sitting in the canteen. Neither of the two girls had told him that they were attending evening classes. he asked the girls if they would like another cup of coffee. Mary said that she didn't want anything but Sheila said she would have another cup of coffee and a cream doughnut. Arthur went and got them and came back to their table.

Sheila told him that she was on a keep-fit course and Mary said she was studying cookery. Arthur wanted to know whether her course was interesting. Mary said that she had to learn to cook now because she was getting married soon. Sheila said she was trying to lose weight. Arthur wondered whether she was serious when he saw her eating the cream doughnut but he didn't say anything.

Neither of the girls was looking very happy and Arthur wondered why. His last meeting with Sheila had been a little bit embarrassing so he was not surprised about that. But Mary had just got engaged and yet she was looking miserable. So he asked them if they wantd to meet him at the college entrance hall and have a drink with him after the class.

*** *** *** *** ***

- What do you want to drink then?

- I'll have a tomato juice, please.

- Yes, I'll have one too.

- Any Wocester sauce?

- Yes, please.

- What did he say?

- He wants to know if you want any Wocester sauce in your tomato juice.

- No, thanks.

- There are a lot of people waiting to served. I'll try to be as quick as possible.

- Well, how's Bruce then?

- Oh, we've just had a bit of a row actually.

- Oh, really? Nothing serious, I hope.

- Well, I don't know whether I've told you this before but Mum and Dad don't like him very much. Dad said that he wasn't a very nice type of man.

- Oh dear, that isn't going to halp much is it?

- No, and he told me he was working late the other night when we should have gone to the cinema.

- Wasn't he working late then?

- Well, I used to think he always told me the truth but now I'm not so sure. I really can't be sure whether he was working late or not but somebody told me that saw his car parked outside the Station Hotel. And that's another thing. We both said we were going to save as much money as possible to buy a house … and what's he doing? He's spending it like water.

- I eexpect it'll be all right later on. I thought you looked a bit miserable this evening and I wondered whether there was anything the matter between you two.

- Oh, and there's something else; he gets angry for no reason at all. The other day, for example, I told him that my engagement ring was a little too large and that I'd taken it to the jeweller's to be altered and he was absolutely furious. I don't know why.

- Yes, I noticed you hadn't got it on. I was going to ask you if you'd lost it or anything.

- Anyway, he was very sweet afterwards. He said he was sorry and bought me some lovely roses.

- Here you are. Sorry I was so long. Where's Bruce tonight, Mary?

Arthur did not enjoy the dance very much. All his friends seemed to be much more successful in life than he was. Jennifer, on the other hand, had a very good time there. She must have danced with almost all of Arthur's old friends. Arthur couldn't dance very well. besides, he was too shy to invite anyone to dance with with him so he sat and thought about his future. What could he do? He couldn't go to university because he didn't have enough qualifications. Besides, where could he get the money? He did not want to stay at the library. The money was not good enough for him and he couldn'T get promotion without more qualifications. He didn'T like Mr Steele and Mr Steele didn't like him. Anyway the work was not interesting enough. The work in the library was much too boring for him. Until recently he could bear the job because Mary was there. But he couldn't go out with her again as she was engaged to Bruce.

At work the following Monday he couldn't do anything right. First of all he was twenty minutes late for work because he could not start his car. His battery must have been flat again. Then he was rather rude to an old lady who came to borrow a book. His remarks were heard by Mr Steele, who told him off. Then Arthur said something nasty about Bruce and Mary got very annoyed with him. Finally, he dropped a pile of books on the floor as Mr Steele was walking out of his office.

As he was going home that evening he passed Middleford Technical College. He thought to himself: 'There must be something I could study at evening classes here and get enough qualifications to find another job.' So he parked his car in the college car park and went through the revolving doors into the entrance hall. He asked the girl at the enquiry about evening courses and she gave him a prospectus and arranged an appointment for him.

***

- Good evening. Could you please tell me the way to the General Department?

- Yes, certainly. Take the lift to the second floor, go right to the end of the corridor and it's the last door on your left. You can't miss it.

- Thank you very much.

***

- Ah, this must be it. Excuse me, is this the General Department Office?

- Yes, that's right. What can I do for you?

- Well, I've got an appointment with Mr Morgan, actually.

- Oh, you must be Mr Newton. I'll just see if Mr Morgan's free … Oh well, he must have popped out for a few minutes. Would you like to sit down? Ah, this must be him coming now. Oh, Mr Morgan, this is Mr Newton.

- Good evening, Mr Newton. Come in and sit down. Now what's the problem?

- Well, it's like this. I really want to take a course in management but I don't think I've got enough qualifications.

- You've got O-levels, including English and Maths, I suppose?

- Yes. I passed those and three others.

- I see. What about your A-levels?

- I'm afraid I failed all of them. I must have been very lazy in my last two years at school.

- Oh well. That's not so good but you could take your A-levels again here. There's enough time to take a couple of A-levels in the summer. We've still got some places left. After all, you have tried before. Why not take English and Economics?

- Yes, I did both of them at school.

- Good, that's settled then. You could start the management Course in September. See my secretary and she'll giv you the enrolment form.

- Well, thank you very much, Mr Morgan. Good night.

After breakfast Mrs Newton said to Arthur, 'You really ought to tidy your room. I should have cleaned it weeks ago but it's been impossible because of all your things all over the place'.

So Arthur went upstairs and began to sort out al his belongings. There were a lot of things that ought to have been thrown out ags ago. Among the things he found were some old school reports from St Mark's Grammar School where he was educated. They had been put into the drawers years ago and hadn't been taken out for ages. Arthur looked through these and thought about some of the boys and masters he used to know. Most of the boys had done much better than he had; they had all either got good jobs or were studying at university.

Arthur hadn't worked very hard, especially in his last two years at school. Instead he used to waste his time and everybody said he ought to have worked much harder. Unfortunately, he failed his A-level examinations and his parents were very diasppointed. In their opinion he should have become a doctor like his father.

When he left school, he found it very difficult to get a decent job. First of all, he became a clerk in an insurance company. This was a very boring job. He used to sit at a desk all day and copy figures from one piece of paper to another. He then got his job in the library.

'But I don't really like it there,' he thought. 'I oughtn't to stay there all my life. i should try and study  again and get something good like some of the boys I shall see at the dance tonight. Now I ought to get on and tidy my room, I suppose.'

*** *** *** ***

- Well, here we are at last. Now where ought I to park, I wonder?

- Look, there'S a notice over there.

- Ok, that'll do.

- Hallo, Arthur! Haven't seen you for ages. How are you these days?

- Oh, all right, I suppose. One double ticket, please, Bill.

- Here you are, Arthur. That'll be 2 pounds. You know the way, I imagine.

- Who was that? Why didn't you introduce me?

- Oh, that's Bill Skeffington. He used to be captain of the First Fifteen in my last year. He always used to make fun of me, actually.

- Well, in any case you should have introduced me to him.

- Are you coming in then?

- Hang on a minute. I'm just going to the ladies. My hair's in a bit of a mess.

- Hallo, Arthur. I haven't seen you since the last term we were at school together. What are you doing these days?

- I'm working in a library, actually. What about you, Peter?

- Well, I finished at oxford last term and now I'm doing a postgraduate course in management.

- I see. What are you going to do after that?

- Well, I may go into one of the big firms like ICI.

- You're jolly lucky. I ought to have gone to university really. I should have done more work here, I suppose.

- Well, it's never too late, you know, Arthur. You shouldn't give up. How old are you now?

- I shall be 22 next birthday, actually. I wonder. Ah, there you are, Jennifer. This is Peter Knight.

Everybody discussed the robbery at the bank for two or three days but after a few weeks it was more or less forgotten, except that Arthur did not forget Mr Smither's description of one of the bank robbers.

The winter is a time when a lot of books are borrowed from a library and so in the last few weeks of January Arthur was kept very busy. A record number of books were taken out in the first week of February and the staff of Middleford Library did a lot of overtime.

At the beginning of February the weather suddenly got very cold; the temperature dropped to ten degrees below zero and snow fell every day. Conditions at 21 Gladstone Avenue were pretty miserable. Mrs Harrison had arranged for central heating to be installed but it had not yet been put in. Arthur's room was heated by a gas-fire which had to be fed with coins every couple of hours or so.

One Friday night Arthur came home at 8.30. The pipes were frozen and he had no 50p pieces for the gas meter. 'This is the last straw.' he thought. 'I'm going home.' He telephoned his parents, wrote a note for Mrs Harrison, got in his car and started off for Applefield. He arrived home at about midnight and went straight to bed.

In the morning he was woken up by his mother with a nice hot cup of tea and then he went downstairs for a late breakfast in front of a blazing fire. His father was already out visiting patients so he had his breakfast with his mother and Jennifer.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

- Oh, there you are, dear. I'll just go and get your breakfast from the kitchen.

- Oh, thanks.

- I see your car hasn't been cleaned for ages, Arthur.

- What's the point, in weather like this when the roads are covered in snow?

- Here's your bacon and eggs, dear. Oh, by the way, the letter came for you about a fortnight ago. It was put into the hall table drawer accidentally.

*** *** *** ***

The old boys' association

St Mark's Grammar School Wallingford, Berks.

A Newton Esq., Pear Tree Cottage, The Green, Applefield, BERKS.

Dear Mr Newton, As you probably know, the school sports pavilion is being rebuilt after the fire last summer in which the changing-rooms were completely destroyed. This is going to cost over 6,000 pound so the Old Boys' Association is holding an informal dance on Saturday 18th February in the school hall. Tickets can be bought at the door. The price of a double ticket is 2 pounds. Refreshments are included.

We hope that this occasion will be supported by as many old boys as possible.

Yours sincerely, George Webster - Hon. Sec. Old Boys's Assn.

*** *** *** *** ***

- Oh, it's only from the Old Boys' Association. 'Dear Mr Newton … sports pavilion … 6,000 pounds … informal dance … Saturday, 18th February … Yors sincerely, George Webster, Hon. Sec.' Ha-ha, old George. I remeber he and I were smoking once behind the gym and were seen by the headmaster.

- Typical!

- Saturday the eighteenth - that's today.

- What’s today?

- This dance. It's being held in the school hall this evening. Oh, I don't think I go.

- Oh, why not, dear? Don't you want to see your old friends?

- Oh, yes, Arthur. Do let's go. I haven't been taken to a dance for ages.

- Hm, I can't dance, at least not very well. Besides the roads may be frozen and what's more I'm a bit broke at the moment.

- Oh, go on, Arthur. Be a sport. I'll treat you. Please, Arthur.

- Oh, yes, do go, Arthur. Jennifer's got a lovely new dress that hasn't been worn yet. She got it in the January sales in town.

- It's 2 pounds a ticket. You do realize that, don't you?

- That's all right. I can afford it.

-Oh, all right then. We'll go.

Arthur did not feel like going home, and of course he didn't really have any letters to write. After he had taken Sheila home, he drove back into the centre of Middleford and wandered about on foot for a while along the street where all the best shops were. The things he looked at in the windows were much too expensive for him to buy - hi-fi sets, cameras, tape recorders and watches. He stopped at a photographer's shop and looked at the wedding photographs in the window; there was a girl in one of the photos whose smiling face reminded him of Mary. Arthur felt even more unhappy.

Then he walked past the resaturant where he had once seen Mary and Bruce together. Bruce had ordered a very expensive meal with a lot of wine. Arthur hadn't even had enough money to pay for his omlette. Bruce had lent him a pound and laughed at him.

After that Arthur walked down to the boathouse where he and Mary with Sheila and her brother had once hired a boat. There were no boats there now because it was the middle of winter. After he had looked at the river for a while, he began to feel cold. So he looked for a place where he could have a cup of coffee but every café in Middleford was closed. He made his way back to the place where he had parked his car, got in and drove back to 21 Gladstone Avenue. When he had put his car away, he went into the house and heard Mr Smithers and Mrs Harrison talking excitedly.

Daring bank raid in Middleford

*** *** *** ***

- Good evening. Sorry I'm late, Mrs Harrison.

- Hallo, Arthur. That's all right. Your supper's in the oven. Do you know - Mr Smithers had a very nasty experience today, didn't you, Mr Smithers?

- Yes, indeed!

- Well, go on. Tell Arthur all about it.

- About what?

- Well, I'd been at the bank for about an hour when it happened. One of our customes - a lady whose rings we keep in the safe - had just left. I shall never forget it if I live to be a hundred.

- Forget what?

- Well, there were these five men; they had stockings over their heads …

- Do you mean there was a robbery?

- Yes, it was terrible. We'd just received 50.000 pounds for one of the firm whose wages we do …

- Isn't it shocking, Arthur? Poor Mr Smithers. He had to lie on the floor. He had his new suit on too.

- Oh dear! What happened then, Mr Smithers?

- Well, as I was saying, we'd just received this money when some men, five I think there were, rushed in and pointed their guns at us.

- What did they do then?

- They made us lie donw on the floor and took the box the lady's rings were in, and then they took the keys from the manager and opebned the safe.

- Didn't anybody sound the alarm?

- No, it all happened so quickly.

- Did you get a good look at any of the robbers?

- Well, I only saw one of them. As I said he had stocking over his head - but he was tall. He had a moustache and a really expensive gold watch on his wrist. He was the one who took the box the rings were in.

The news was a surprise to everybody at the party. The only person who wasn't pleased about it was Arthur, of course. Everybody admired the ring that Bruce gave mary. It was a large diamond in a platinum setting - the kind you don't often see these days. Arthur was one of the few people who did not congratulate Bruce.

Bruce and Mary left quite early and by ten o'clock the only people who were left were Scheila, Arthur and Mr and Mrs Steele. Mrs Steele asked Arthur to help her collect all the dirty glasses and plates. Sheila then helped Mrs Steele to do the washing up but first she ate a few of the sandwiches that were left. She offered some to Arthur but he was not hungry. Arthur helped Mr Steele to move the chairs and tables.

They were all working very hard and Mr Steele was surprised to see Arthur so busy. Normally Arthur is a young man who doesn't like hard work - or at least that is what Mr Steele thinks.

By half past ten everything was tidy again and Mr Steele thanked Sheila and Arthur for their help and left with his wife. Arthur put the lights out and locked up. Then he helped Sheila put her coat on. 'What shall we do now, Arthur?' she said. Arthur wanted to be alone, so he made an excuse and said, 'There are some letters I have to go write, actually. I'm terribly sorry but I really have to do them tonight. I'll drive you home if you like.' So they walked to the car park at the back of the library and got into Arthur's car.

***

- Now where do you live, Sheila? I've forgotten.

- It's quite near you, actually. It's just off the road that goes to the football ground. I'll tell you when we get there.

- It it near those new blocks of flats they're building?

- Yes, that's right. It's just past them on the right. … I am looking forward to Mary's wedding, aren't you?

- Not particularly.

- What's the matter? You aren't very cheerful this evening. Didn't you enjoy the party? I thought it was fun.

- It was all right, I suppose.

- I didn't know about Bruce and Mary before - their engagement, I mean. Did you see her ring?

- No, I didn't look.

- It was one of the nicest rings I've ever seen - a lovely big diamond. Does Bruce make a lot of money, do you think?

- Probably. If all the cars he sells are like the one he sold me, I'm not surprised.

- I think your car's very nice, Arthur.

- Well, the money I've spent on it! I'm completely broke this month. I had to see the bank manager the other day.

- Well, money isn't everything. And Bruce isn't my type anyway. You're more my type - honest and serious - only you look so sad. Do cheer up! What's the matter with you tonight?

- Well, if you must know, Sheila, I'm rather keen on Mary myself and I know she won't be happy with that Bruce… Is this your turning, Sheila? Sheila? Why are you crying?

- Stop the car, Arthur! I want to get out.

- But …

- Good night, Arthur!

- Well, what's the matter with her?

Charles Dickens was a famous English novelist of the late nineteenth century. he created a character called Mr Micawber. Mr Micawber got into a lot of trouble because he spent more than he earned and had to go to prison because of it. But he realized his problem and gave people this piece of advice: 'Annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 19 pounds 19 shillings and 6 pence, result happiness; annual income 20 pounds, annual expenditure 20 pounds 0 shillinds and 6 pence, result misery'. This of course means that you mustn't spend more than you earn.

Arthur did not follow this advice. He had to see the bank manager because there was not only no money in his account but he was also overdrawn. There was less than nothing in it. Arthur did not have to go to prison, of course, but all the same the manager was not very pleased. He let Arthur have another fifty pounds, but Arthur had to promise to keep his account in credit in future.

So the following weekend Arthur had to stay at home. If you stay at home you don't have to spend any money. He spent the whole time in the company of Mrs harrison and Mr Smithers. He also stayed in on Monday evening but on Tuesday he went to the party. Mrs Harrison pressed his only suit for him. 'You'll have to buy another one soon,' she said. 'I'll have to have some money first,' replied Arthur.

At the party everybody seemed very cheerful. Mary was wearing her new dress and she looked very beautiful. But she was with Bruce and, as you know, Arthur didn't like Bruce.

***

- Hallo, Arthur. How's the car.

- Well, I've had to buy five new tyres, a new battery ans a new exhaust. Yes, it still goes - just. And I haven't had to replace the engine - yet.

- You got a bargain there - ha-ha.

- This is a very nice party, isn't it?

- Yes, I suppose so.

- You mustn't look so sad, Arthur. What's the matter? Anyway I'm so glad you asked Mary to invite me.

- That's all right. I'm glad you're here.

- Get Sheila a drink, Arthur. Her glass is empty.

- Yes, of course. There's still some of that punch left.

- Look, here comes Mrs Steele. We'll have to say hello to her. Good evening, Mrs Steele. Are you enjoying yourself?

- Yes, thank you, Miss stephens. It is Miss Stephens, isn't it? have you seen my husband?

- Yes, he's just coming in now.

- Good evening everybody. Now you won't have to listen to a lond speech from me but I must tell you a couple of things. First of all, I want to thank you all for your hard work and co-operation over the past year and I don't have to say how pleased I am that our library has now completed 75 very successful years. now there are one or two pieces of information for you. First we are going to have a new and bigger building sometime later this year. We shall then have better conditions to work in and more staff. Secondly it's my pleasant duty to tell you something about Miss Stephens, Miss Mary Stephens. She has just announced her engagement to Mr Bruce Fanshaw. We all hope they will be very happy together.

- I don't know that, did you, Arthur?

- No, I didn't.

- Mary, what a lovely surprise!

- Raise your glasses, please, and drink to the happy couple.

- Mary and Bruce.

- Why did she have to get engaged to him?