Pete and Nell go to the pictures (cont.)

Scene III

(The third day of the Vole trial. Mr. Myers, the Counsel for the prosecution is calling his surprise witness, Christine Helm. Christine Vole enters the courtroom. Looking straight in front of her she goes to the witness-box.)

Christine: (reading the oath): I swear by Almighty God1 that evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Sir Wilfred (addressing the judge): My Lord2, I have the most serious objection to this witness. The thing is that she is the wife of the prisoner Leonard Vole!

Myers: My Lord, I call my learned friend's attention to the fact that I summoned not Mrs Vole but Mrs Helm. (To Christine) Are you actually Mr. Vole's wife?

Christine: No, I went through a marriage ceremony with him in Hamburg, but I already had a husband. He is still alive.

Vole: Christine! That's not true! What she says is unbelievable!

Judge: I don't see any reason why this witness should not be qualified to give evidence.

Myers: Mrs. Helm, did Leonard Vole on the night of the murder return home at 25 past 9 as you had stated to the police?

Christine: No, he returned at ten past ten. This is when he returned? He was breathing hard, very excited. He threw off his coat and examined the sleeves. They had blood on them. He said: «I've killed her».

Vole: Christine! Why are you lying?

Judge: I must have silence!

Christine: I cannot go on lying to save him! I said to the police what he wanted me to say because I'm grateful to him. But I cannot come into the court and swear that he was with me. I don't want to be an accomplice to the murder!

Scene IV

(In Sir Wilfred's study. Sir Wilfred thinks that the evidence given by Christine Helm produced a great impression on the jurors. One question is still puzzling him — what made Christine testify against her husband? Suddenly his telephone rings. He hears a woman's voice. The woman offers to sell him Christine's letters to her lover. Sir Wilfried meets the woman, buys the letters and hurries to the Old Bailey. The courtroom of the Old Bailey.)

Judge: Since the defence has called but one witness, the prisoner, it has the right to be heard last.

Sir Wilfried: My Lord, I ask that the case for the Defence be reopened, and that a witness be recalled. I have the new important evidence — the letters of Christine Helm.

(Christine Helm is called and enters the witness-box.),

Judge: Sir Wilfried, will you read the tetter in question so that the jury may hear it.

Sir Wilfried: (reads) «My beloved Max, an extraor­dinary thing has happened. All our difficulties may soon be solved. Leonard is suspected of murdering the old lady I told you about. His only hope of an alibi depends on me alone. What I say is everything for him. If I testify that he was not at home with me at the time of the murder, that he came home with blood on his sleeves, they will take him away forever, and I shall be free, and yours, my beloved... Christine». And now I ask you Christine Helm, did you write this letter?

Christine: (with tears in her eyes) Yes, I did.

Sir Wilfried: (to the judge) Then that, My Lord, is the case for the defence3.

Scene V

(The jury brings in a verdict of not guilty. Leonard Vole is released. Everyone leaves the courtroom. Sir Wilfried is still sitting in his place. He is not satisfied. Christine enters.)

Christine: Well, let me tell you something, Sir Wilfried. It's not only you who saved Leonard's life. We did it.

Sir Wilfried: We?

Christine: I had the idea that I should be a witness not for my husband, but for the prosecution. The problem was whether you would believe me. It was I who sold these letters to you. There never was a Max. There's never been anyone but Leonard.

Sir Wilfried: And you know he was innocent?

Christine: No. I knew he was guilty. He did have blood on his sleeves. He did tell me he had killed the woman. Only I could save him...

Sir Wilfried: And you saved him. A murderer?

Christine: You don't understand. I love him.

(Vole comes in.)

Vole: (to Sir Wilfried) She fooled you completely, didn't she?

Sir Wilfried: It was you, Vole, who fooled me!

(Suddenly a girl runs up to Vole and they embrace.)

Christine: Leonard, who's this girl?

Girl: I'm not this girl, I am his girl! Tell her Len! We've been going together for months and we're going away.

Christine: You can't, Leonard! Not after what I've done! I won't let you.

Vole: Don't be silly. I saved your life getting you out of Germany, you saved me. So we're even. It's all over now.

Christine: Don't Leonard! Don't leave me! Don't!

Vole: Pull yourself together4. They'll only try you for perjury.

Christine: I don't care! Let them! Let them try me for perjury or... (on the table she sees the knife that was exhibited as evidence in the case)... or better yet... Let them try me for this! (Snatches the knife, runs up to Vole and thrusts it into his chest. Vole falls down.)

Voices: What's happened?

SirWilfried: She's killed him. Oh, no! She's executed him.

(Mrs. Vole is led by two policemen.)

And I'm appearing for the Defence in the trial of Christine Vole!

Notes:

1. I swear by Almighty God — Клянусь всемо­гущим Господом Богом

2. My Lord — милорд (обращение к судье Высо­кого суда во время судебного заседания)

3. This is the case for the defence — дело выиграно защитой

4. Pull yourself together — возьми себя в руки

18.3.4. В тексте есть 2 случая употребления прида­точных подлежащих и 3 случая придаточных сказуемых. Найдите их и переведите.

18.3.5. Ваш друг пригласил вас на концерт (в кино, и т.д.), но вы по какой-то причине не можете пойти с ним. Объясните ему это.

Model: S1 Will you go to the pictures with me to-night?

S2 I'm awfully sorry, but I can't. The thing/problem is that I have to finish my coursepaper to-night.

18.3.6. Преподаватель спрашивает у вас совета по поводу ваших друзей. Ответьте ему.

Model: I. Helen is so dull to-day. I don't know

how to cheer her up.

S. How to cheer her up is difficult to say.

1 John is inattentive. I don't know how to draw his attention to the subject.

2. I can't find out Mike's address. Can you help me?

3. Bob told so much about his adventures. Do you believe him?

4. They say Henry robbed the bank yesterday. Do you know how to prove his innocence?

5. Irene looks for a nurse for her children. She wants to place an advertisement. Do you know where to place it?

6. Tommy is so nervous to-day. What makes him so nervous?

18.3.7. Друзей Петра обвинили в неблаговидных по­ступках. Он пытается защитить их, но от волнения он он не заканчивает начатые фразы. Помогите ему (используйте придаточные под­лежащие и придаточные сказуемые.)

1. What they say...

2. Whatever happened... .

3. The thing is...

4. The matter is...

5. Whether they committed this act...

6. Whatever you say about them...

18.3.8. Скажите по-английски:

1. То, что говорит этот свидетель, невероятно! 2. Проблема в том, как разрешить это дело. 3. Будет ли сообщник освобожден, еще не ясно. 4. Что бы она ни сказала с места для свидетелей, я ей не поверю. 5. Как доказать, что он не соучастник, — проблема. 6. Дело в том, что он сейчас дает показания.

18.3.9. Приступаем к последнему конкурсу в нашем учебнике: «Кто лучше знает английскую грам­матику?»

а) в тексте этого урока есть 8 времен в Active Voice. Найдите их и разместите в следующей таблице:

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