IV. Dialogues

Mother:

Larry, lunch is ready.

Larry:

I don’t want to eat, Mummy.

Mother:

But you must, Larry.

Larry:

No.

Mother:

I insist on your eating, Larry. Just a little bit, my boy.

Larry:

No, Mom.

Mother:

Now, Larry, be a good boy. Just sit down here and have a little bit of fish.

Larry:

That’s too much.

Mother:

Will that do now, Larry? And stop trifling with the fish, will you?

Larry:

I’m picking out the bones, Mummy.

Mother:

O.K. and drink your coffee. It has already grown cold.

Fred:

Hello, old chap. So nice of you to have come. We are about to have dinner. Will you dine with us?

John:

With the greatest pleasure. I’m starving.

Fred:

That’s fine. Well, I’m off to lay the table. Say, John, how about a drink?

John:

Will a duck swim?

Fred:

To you, John. Let me help you to some salad.

John:

Please do. That’s quite enough, thank you.

Fred:

Some soup?

John:

Why, yes. I think I could manage a plateful.

Ann:

How do you like the soup?

John:

Awfully nice, really. Don’t you think so?

Ann:

Yes, it is indeed. Pass me the salt, please.

John:

Here you are. Some more bread?

Ann:

Yes, please.

John:

What comes next, Ann?

Ann:

Pork chops with roast potatoes.

John:

And what follows that?

Ann:

Wouldn’t you like to make a guess?

John:

Stewed apricots as usual, I suppose.

Ann:

There you are wrong, John. It’s apple pudding with whipped cream.

John:

Apple pudding and with whipped cream! My, isn’t it fine!

Ann:

I am happy that I’ve suited your taste.

A:

The table is laid. Come along and let’s start. It’s high time to have dinner.

B:

I’m ready. I feel quite hungry. I could eat a horse.

A:

So am I. I haven’t got a horse for you but your favorite dishes will be served today.

B:

What are they? I’ve got so many.

A:

For the first course we’ll have chicken soup and cutlets with mashed potatoes for the main.

B:

And for the dessert?

A:

I’ve made cherry pie and stewed fruits.

B:

Oh, that’s wonderful. Let’s sit at the table as soon as possible.

Jim:

Shall I help you dish up, Maggie?

Maggie:

Well, I’m afraid lunch isn’t ready yet. You see the meat hasn’t cooked properly. It’s been stewing for two hours but it’s still not quite tender. Perhaps another 10 minutes...?

Jim:

Of course, of course. We are not in a hurry. We’ll have a drop of sherry while we are waiting. Oh! It doesn’t seem to be here. Maggie! What have you done with it. I keep it in the sideboard.

Maggie:

I’ve been using it for cooking. It’s all gone.

Jim:

But that happened to be a very good sherry. I’ve been keeping it for special occasions. By the way, there is a rather funny smell coming from the kitchen.

Maggie:

Good heavens! While I’ve been chatting with you the meat must have burnt. Oh! it’s burnt to a cinder. I really don’t know what to do. Perhaps I might make an omelet.

Jim:

I’ve a much better idea. I’ll come into the kitchen and make omelet. I love cooking. And I’ll trust you to break the eggs, Maggie.