My old friend, Harrison, had lived in the Mediterranean for many years before he returned to England. He had often dreamed of retiring in England and had planned to settle down in the country. He had no sooner returned than he bought a fine house and went to live there. Almost immediately he began to complain about the weather, for even though it was still summer, it rained continually and it was often bitterly cold. After so many years of sunshine, Harrison got a shock. He acted as if he had never lived in England before. In the end, it was more than he could bear. He had hardly had time to settle down when he sold the house and left the country. The dream he had had for so many years ended there. Harrison had thought of everything except the weather.
Herbert's Homecoming
Herbert Marshall was a student at Cambridge, but his hometown was St Albans. It was August and the family had gone to the seaside. Herbert went to France for his holiday, but he ran out of money, and came home a week earlier than he had expected to.
His train didn't get into St Albans until just before midnight. The last bus had gone, so he had to walk home. He let himself into the kitchen, and as he was feeling hot and sticky, he took off his shirt to have a wash.
Suddenly he heard heavy footsteps running up the path. The back door burst open, and he found himself surrounded by policemen. They pushed him into the living-room next door, made him sit down, and began asking him questions.
"What's your name?"
"Where do you live?"
"What's in that case?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I live here", said Herbert. "I've been on holiday". But nobody listened to him. They just went on asking questions. Then suddenly one of the policemen said: "Watch him Frank we'll go and search the house". They left one tall, very young policeman, to guard him.
"Can I put my shirt on?" asked Herbeit
"No", said the policeman, "stay where you are".
Then the others came back with an older man, a sergeant. He asked the same questions, but he listened to Herbert's answers.
"I live here", said Herbert, "and I want to put my shirt on". The sergeant looked at him thoughtfully. "We'll soon settle this", he said.
He went out and came back with a small, sandy-haired man wearing a shabby, brown dressing-gown. It was Herbert's next-door neighbour. He looked at Herbert intently through thick spectacles.
"Oh yes, Sergeant", he said, "That is Mr Marshall". Then he disappeared very quickly. The policemen all looked dreadfully disappointed. They were convinced that they had caught a burglar.
"Did he ring you up?" asked Herbert. The police sergeant nodded. "He saw a light and understood your family had all gone away to the seaside."
When they'd all gone, Herbert made himself a cup of tea.
What's Up?
Do you like stories? I want to tell you a true story. It happened to a friend of mine a year ago.
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While my friend, George, was reading in bed, two thieves climbed into his kitchen. After they had entered the house, they went into the dining-room. It was very dark, so they turned on a torch. Suddenly they heard a voice behind them. "What's up? What's up?" someone called. The thieves dropped the torch and ran away as quickly as they could. George heard the noise and came downstairs quickly. He turned on the light, but he couldn't see anyone. The thievs had already gone. But George's parrot, Henry, was still there. "What's up, George?" he called. "Nothing, Henry," George said and smiled. "Go back to sleep."
Self check
Use the proper tense forms:
1. Deborah woke up with a terrible headache because she and Arthur (hold) a party the night before. 2 When Peter (go) along the street he (see) a friend of his whom he (not, meet) for a long time. 3. I (not, fall asleep) yet when I (hear) the sound of the bell. 4. I (speak) to the woman because I (think) I (meet) her somewhere before. 5. When we (get) to the station, we (find) that the 8 o'clock train already (leave) and we had to wait until the next train came in. While I (wait) I (read) a newspaper. 6. As soon
as they (go), 1 (go) straight to bed. 7. When I (get) back to the shop, they (sell) the book I wanted. 8. He (be) tired because he (work) in the garden all day. 9. First she (open) the parcel, and then she (read) the letter. 10. They (sit) there for more than an hour when the taxi finally (arrive). 11. They (leave) the room as soon as he (finish) speaking. 12. He quickly (forget) all he (learn) at school. 13. When we (come) to Harpole, the Smiths already (live) there for ten years. 14. He (tell) me that he (fish) in the river every weekend for the last two years but he never (catch) anything. 15. As soon as she (hear) the news, she (phone) her mother. 16. When he (look) around he (understand) that he (get off) at the wrong station. 17. Jack (do) his work by 8 o'clock. He (go) out into the street. The weather (be) fine. It (stop) snowing and the moon (shine) high in the sky. 18. Errol and his girlfriend, Judy, were very excited because Judy's father (manage) to get them two tickets for the football Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. They (catch) an early train to London and (spend) the morning looking round the shops. They (arrive) at Wembley at two o'clock and (join) the queue to get in. Imagine their horror at the turnstile when they (realise) they (leave) the tickets at home.
//. Translate into English:
1. , . . 2. , , , . 3. , , . 4. . 12. 6 . 5. . 6. . . 7. , , 2 . 8. , . 9. , . 10. , . , 9 . 11. , . 12. , .
