2.6.1 Vocabulary notes

boarding house – пансион, меблированные комнаты со столом

accommodation – жилье

2.7 Text 7

One afternoon Mr. Wallis who lived far from the centre of London was returning home. It had already got dark when he came to a quiet narrow street with no people or traffic in it. Suddenly a middle-aged man stopped him and asked if he would buy a cat from him. As Mr. Wallis refused to make the purchase the man aimed a gun at him.

“How much does it cost?” asked Mr. Wallis. “It’s not expensive. Five hundred pounds only”, was the reply. So Mr. Wallis had to sign a cheque for five hundred pounds and the man gave him the cat.

Several years had passed since that day. Mr. Wallis decided to go shopping and called at a small shop where he had never been before. He recognized in the shopassistant the man who had sold him the white cat several years before.

Mr. Wallis left the shop and returned a little later. “I’ve brought a white cat. Will you buy it?” smiled he, “It’s one of the lovely kittens of the white cat that you sold me several years ago, I recommend you to buy it”. The shop-assistant understood everything. He told Mr. Wallis that he would pay him for the cat if Mr. Wallis did not tell the police about it and if he never came to the shop again.

“How much does it cost now?” he asked.

“Seven hundred pounds”, was the answer, “because I want to get some interest on my money.”

2.7.1 Vocabulary notes

to make a purchase – делать покупку

to get some interest on (smth.) – получить проценты от (чего-л.)

2.8 Text 8

Last winter Eileen went to New York on business. Her husband went with her as he had never been to New York before. On the last day of their stay in New York they checked out of the hotel in the morning. Eileen’s husband decided to do some sightseeing while she was at her last business meeting.

They agreed to meet at the airport. The plane was leaving at a quarter past nine.

When after the meeting Eileen went out into the street there was much snow everywhere and it was still snowing heavily. She took a taxi but it was just before Christmas and there was a terrible traffic jam. Then the car broke down. Suddenly she remembered there was a subway close to that place – that’s what the Americans call their underground trains to the airport.

When she took a bus from the subway to the airport, it was almost 8.30. It wasn’t far to the airport but it was snowing still heavier and the bus went slowly. When at last she got to the airport she ran to the check-in-desk. There was a large crowd of people. One of them was her husband.

“There was no need to hurry,” he said, “The snow has delayed everything. The plane is late too.”

2.8.1 Vocabulary notes

to check out (ant. To check in – регистрироваться) – платить по счету в гостинице

to delay – откладывать, задерживать

2.9 Text 9

Bill Walker works for an import-export company. Last Wednesday morning Bill rang his office at 9 o’clock and spoke to his boss Mr. Thompson. Bill told his boss that he couldn’t come to the office that day, he had a very sore throat. He was going to stay in bed but the next morning he would be able to come to work.

Mr. Thompson recommended him to stay in bed until he felt well again. Mr. Thompson liked Bill very much. At 12.30 he got into his car, drove to a shop and bought some fruit for him. He went to Bill’s flat to visit him. “How is your throat?” he asked Bill.

“I’m sure, I’ll be able to come in tomorrow”, Bill answered.