IV. The use of the Subjunctive Mood

in a Subject Clause after "it is high time"

Ex. 28. Study the following chart, translate the sentences into Rus­sian.

It

's (is) was

(high/about) time

the children were in bed. they knew how to behave.

Ex. 29. Open the brackets using the correct form of the verb.

1. It's time you (to take) better care of your health. 2. She said it was time you (to get) rid of this bad habit. 3. It's high time something (to be done) about your discipline. 4. It's about time she (to learn) to do without your help. 5. They said it was time he (to tell) us what he was after. 6. It is time you (to stop) wasting your efforts and (to get) down to real work. 7. I call it a waste of time. It's time somebody (to put an end to it). 8. It's high time you (to learn) to be more particular about how you speak to people. 9. Isn't it time you (to leave) him alone?

Ex. 30. Paraphrase the following sentences using the Subjunctive Mood.

1. He looked at the clock on the station building and understood that it was time for him to get on the train. 2. It's time for you to stop fussing. You make everybody nervous. 3. He was so much in the book that he didn't notice it was high time for him to leave. 4. You are no longer a young man. It's time for you to settle down. 5. I think it's time for us to get down to business. 6. It's high time for the new method to be introduced into our work. 7. Isn't it time for you to be more sen­sible?

Ex. 31. Translate the following sentences using "it's time" with the Subjunctive Mood.

1. Пора бы организовать выставку его картин. :2. Пора бы при­знать его метод как самый эффективный. 3. Пора бы прекратить этот бесполезный спор. 4. Тебе давно пора бы представить мне своих дру­зей. 5. Вам бы давно пора извиниться. 6. Ему пора бы высказать свою точку зрения. 7. Не пора ли обсудить его предложение? 8. Препода­ватель сказал, что всем давно пора начать подготовку к экзаменам. 9. Вам пора иметь чувство ответственности. 10. Ему пора зарабаты­вать на жизнь. 11. Пора нам включить его в нашу институтскую спортивную команду.

Ex. 32. Open the brackets using the correct form of the Subjunctive Mood. Retell the passage.

On Thursday morning at breakfast Steven said: "It's high time you (to make up) your mind about that visit to "Four Winds" this week­end. We ought to go, you know. We haven't been at the Marshalls' for ages, we just can't put them off."

"But, Steven," said Ruth ill-temperedly, "I can't go. If my grey dress (not to send) to the cleaner's I (can) wear it. But I can't wear my new suit, it's not hot enough for it yet."

Steven finished his food and was looking through his mail.

"Why treat it as if it (to be) a serious problem? Why make such a "fuss about nothing? At "Four Winds" everyone wears just anything."

Opening a, letter he added: "Really, you're a most annoying person, Ruth. What I want to know is, can you go or can't you?"

"I can if you can. You know that."

"I'm not sure yet how busy I'll be tomorrow. I suggest that you (to go down) tomorrow afternoon. George (to pick) you up and (to drive) you down if you (to agree) to go tomorrow. And I'll turn up in the evening, if I can get away, or on Saturday morning at the latest."

"Oh, no," Ruth laid down her knife and fork. "I wish we (to go) together."

"I wish you (to go) ahead."

"I'm not going without you," Ruth said firmly. "But for you they (not to ask) me to come, anyway. They only ask me because I'm your wife. And it looks as if Marion (to hate) me. I wish you (to ring) them up yesterday and told them that I'm coming with you."

(after "Thursday Afternoons" by M. Dickens)

Ex. 33. Test translation.

1. С вашим другом приятно поговорить, он очень умный человек. К тому же он знает пять иностранных языков. Самое удивительное то, что он одинаково хорошо говорит на всех этих языках. 2. Для своих десяти лет ребенок был очень смышленый. 3. У этой актрисы очень заурядная внешность. Я никогда не подозревал, что она может быть так привлекательна на экране. 4. Ему нечего бояться операции. Все будет хорошо. 5. Они говорили шепотом, боясь разбудить спящего ребенка. 6. Вам нечего опасаться за его здоровье, для этого нет ни­каких причин. 7. Жаль, что у нее такой неуравновешенный характер. 8. Он сожалел, что вышел из себя и накричал на них. Ему не надо было так поступать. 9. Жаль, что я не занял тогда денег и не купил словарь. Теперь его нет в продаже. 10. Напрасно вы суетитесь из-за пустяков. 11. Боюсь, что места в машине всем не хваїит. Придется взять еще и такси. 12. Ему и в голову никогда не приходит, что его шутки могут раздражать. 13. Им давно пора перестать обращаться с сыном как с ребенком. В конце концов он уже взрослый и сам может позаботиться о себе. 14. Он был рад, что ошибся в своих подозрениях. 15. Не кажется ли вам, что ей бы следовало проявлять побольше здравого смысла при решении таких важных вопросов? 16. Он на­конец понял, что такое чувство долга. 17. Пожалуй, стоит прислушать­ся к его совету. На мой взгляд у него очень разумный подход к реше­нию проблемы. 18. Недельная поездка в горы никак не входила в ее планы. 19. Не стоит вдаваться в подробности, и так все ясно.

SPEECH EXERCISES

Ex. 34. Retell in narrative form.

AN INVITATION

As Dr. Sheppard drew up at the kerb*, his new assistant, young Potter, who looked nervous ever since they turned into Blenheim Ave­nue, now managed to come out with: "Do come in, won't you ... for a drink, sir?"

"I won't, old boy, thanks all the same. It's time I were at home."

"Oh, but sir, do. I wish you would meet my people."

"No, really, I ..." began Steven, but as he caught the disappoint­ment in Potter's face, sighed and said: "All right, then. Thanks. But I mustn't stay more than a minute."

The door was opened by Mrs. Potter, who said looking at her son:

"Well, Boy, this is a surprise! We didn't expect you so early."

This nickname, which had been used ever since he could remem­ber, had never struck him as unpleasant until now. He wished his mother hadn't called him Boy in front of Dr. Sheppard.

"Dr. Sheppard very kindly gave me a lift. Er — this is Mother, sir. Mother, this is Dr. Sheppard."

"Oh, how do you do? This is a pleasure. We've heard so much about you, Doctor." She held out her fat little hand. Thank goodness she was wearing her blue silk as if she had been expecting company. And to think she had taken off her apron only five minutes ago. What a bit of luck!

"Very glad to meet you, Mrs. Potter," said Steven. "I can't stay more than a minute, I'm afraid."

"Where's Dad?" asked young Potter.

"In the sitting-room, dear. Come along in, Dr. Sheppard. What luck that we are both at home when you call," she exclaimed although she and her husband seldom went out in the evening.

(after "Thursday Afternoons" by M. Dickens)

Ex. 35. Answer the following questions. Sum up your answers.

Making an Invitation

1. When do you invite people to your house? 2. Whom do you invite to your parties? 3. What are the different forms of invitation: to a party, a birthday, a house-warming party; when asking a person for a tea, for a weekend? 4. What form would you choose for a close friend, a dis­tant relative, a colleague? 5. How do you deliver your invitations?

Your Taste in Literature

1. What are the books everybody should read as a child? 2. What were the books that helped you to form your taste in books? 3. Do you like to read science-fiction*? 4. Why did science-fiction appear only in the 20th century? Would you call books by Alexander Beliaev, Jules Verne, Herbert Wells science-fiction? 5. What are Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, George Simenon famous for? 6. What is your favour­ite reading? 7. What authors would you read for pleasure? for infor­mation?

Ex. 36. Answer the questions and retell the passage in narrative form, using the vocabulary of the lesson.

'Me — I am not an Englishman,' said Hercule Poirot. 'In my coun­try Christmas, it is for the children. The New Year, that is what we celebrate.'

'Ah,' said Mr. Jesmond, 'but Christmas in England is a great event, not an ordinary holiday. At Kings Lacey you would see it at its best, and it occurred to me that you might be interested. It's a wonderful old house, you know. Why, it dates from the fourteenth century.'

The very thought of a fourteenth century English house filled Poi­rot with fear. He looked round at his comfortable modern flat with its radiators.

'It's the cold. In the winter,' he said firmly, 'I do not leave the city.'

But it was a matter of state importance and Mr. Jesmond wasn't to be put off so easily. He badly needed practical help from the famous detective and so he began once more to talk about the delights of an English Christmas.

'It's up to you, of course,' he went on, 'but the real old-fashioned Christmas is dying out, you know. People spend it at hotels nowadays. But an English Christmas with all the family at home, the children and their stockings, the Christmas tree, the turkey and plum pudding, the snowman outside the window ...' He suddenly broke off. 'You will go to Kings Lacey, M. Poirot? Can I take it that is settled?'

'And how do I explain myself there? I can't just turn up,' said Her­cule Poirot.

'That, I think, can be arranged very easily. I have friends,' Mr. Jesmond said. 'It will all seem quite natural. You will find the Laceys most charming. Delightful company.'

'And you spoke the truth about the central heating?'

'Of course, I did,' Mr. Jesmond sounded hurt. 'You will find every comfort there.'

(After "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding" by Agatha Christie)

Questions

1. What is Christmas for the English? the French? 2. Why did it occur to Mr. Jesmond that Poirot might be interested in an English Christmas? 3. Where did he suggest Poirot should go for Christmas? 4. Why did the very thought of an old English house fill him with fear? 5. Why was he suspicious of old English houses? 6. What was the obvi­ous reason for Poirot's refusal to leave the city in the middle of win­ter? 7. Why wasn't Mr. Jesmond to be put off so easily? 8. Why couldn't the matter be treated lightly? 9. Why did Mr. Jesmond go into such details describing the delights of the English Christmas? 10. Christmas in England is usually a family affair, isn't it? 11. Why would it seem strange if Poirot just turned up for Christmas at Kings Lacey? 12.What solution did Mr. Jesmond have to the problem? 13. How could an invi­tation be arranged for Hercule Poirot? 14. Why did the matter of the heating arrangements in the house worry Poirot so much?

Ex. 37. Read the following, answer the questions, retell the text in English.

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ПРАВИЛА ХОРОШЕГО ТОНА

Первое и основное правило: не ходите в гости без приглашения. Не надо приходить даже «на минутку» в те часы, когда, как вам из­вестно, хозяева обедают дома или ужинают.

Не надо опаздывать, если вы договорились на определенный час: «опаздывающий гость хуже непрошенного», как сказал известный сатирик Эмиль Кроткий. Еще хуже, если вы вообще не пришли, когда вас ждали. Поэтому следует взять за правило: если вы опаз­дываете или не можете придти, то заранее сообщите об этом хозя­евам.

Первые ваши приветствия — хозяйке дома. Может статься, что раньше вас в переднюю вошло несколько гостей и вы еще застаете их там. Не выражайте бурного восторга от встречи с ними, прежде чем не поприветствуете хозяйку или хозяина.

Если же в передней незнакомые вам гости, то не представляй­тесь им. Хозяйка или хозяин сами найдут момент, чтобы предста­вить вас.

Не следует первым садиться за стол — подождите приглашения. Запомните: первой садится хозяйка.

Не надо засиживаться в гостях.

Если вас что-то расстроило (разговор с кем-либо, услышанная новость), то не показывайте вида: нельзя портить настроение другим гостям.

О своих вкусах говорите только тогда, когда вас спросят, и не спорьте, если ваши вкусы не сходятся со вкусами хозяев. Ваше мне­ние будет уместно лишь тогда, когда гости собрались для того, чтобы поговорить об искусстве, поспорить о литературном произведении и т.д. Старайтесь высказать свое мнение по существу, но не исполь­зуйте спор для демонстрации своих знаний.

В домах, где вы бываете часто и уже давно, вы чувствуете себя свободнее. Но старайтесь и там придерживаться всех известных вам правил поведения — пусть они станут привычкой.

Questions

1. What is one of the main rules of polite behaviour? 2. Why must you try not to "drop in" on people at mealtimes? 3. Why must you take care not to be late if you are expected at a certain hour? 4. What does the well-known satirist Emil Krotki have to say about the guest who turns up late? 5. Why will your hosts be even more annoyed if you don't turn up at all? 6. Why must you let them know beforehand that you will be late or not coming at all? 7. Who should you greet first on your arrival? 8. Who is supposed to introduce you to the guests? 9. Who is first to take his seat at table? 10. What is the sensible thing to do if for some reason or other you happen to be upset? 11. Why had you bet­ter hide your disappointment, ill temper, etc.? 12. Why must you be­have as if nothing has happened? 13. Why is it important to keep cheer­ful? 14. Why mustn't you make a fuss if the tastes of your hosts happen to be different from yours? 15. Why is it annoying if a guest starts an ar­gument? 16. Why had you better speak to the point when talking art, discussing a literary work, etc.? 17. Why is it unadvisable to make use of this chance to demonstrate one's knowledge of a subject? 18. Why is it necessary to keep one's temper when arguing a point?

Ex. 38. Read and discuss the text.

TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING

after Ring Lardner

My husband has to spend almost all his time in the theater and that leaves me alone in a hotel, if his musical is running out-of-town, and pretty soon people find out whose wife I am and introduce themselves, and the next thing you know they are inviting us for a week or a week­end. Then it's up to me to think of some reason why we can't come. Ben absolutely hates visiting and thinks there ought to be a law against invitations. After a couple of visits Ben thought of a method of putting off people. He would write himself a telegram and sign it with the name of one of the famous producers, and leave the telegram with his secretary with the instructions to send it to us twenty-four hours later. When it arrived at whatever place we were, we would put on long faces and say how sorry we were, but of course business was business, so good­bye. There was never any suspicion even when the telegrams were ridic­ulous, like this one:

Both the leading actors have laryngitis Stop Score* must be rewritten half a tone lower Stop Come at once Stop

C. B. Dillingham

However, if we happened to be enjoying ourselves, then Ben would say to our hosts that he wasn't going to let any theatrical producer spoil his fun.

Last September we were invited to come and spend a week with a nice, intelligent couple, the Thavers. "I promise you," Mrs. Thayer said, "that you won't be disturbed at all; we won't invite people in. I won't allow Mr. Drake to even touch the piano. All day he can do nothing or anything, just as he pleases."

We accepted the invitation. "If they stick to their promise, it may be a lot better than staying in New York where my producer won't give me a minute's peace," said Ben. "And if things aren't as good as they look, we always have that telegram."

The Thayers met us at the station in an expensive-looking limousine.

"Ralph," said Mrs. Thayer to her husband, "you sit in one of the little seats and Mr. and Mrs. Drake will sit back here with me."

"I'd rather have one of the little seats myself," said Ben and he meant it.

"No, sir!" said Mrs. Thayer. "You came to us for a rest, and we're not going to start you off uncomfortable." It was no use arguing.

All through the drive Ben was unable to think of anything but how terrible his coat would look when he got out.

After luncheon we had coffee.

"Don't you take cream, Mr. Drake?" Mrs. Thayer asked.

"No. Never."

"But that's because you don't get good cream in New York."

"No. It's because I don't like cream in coffee."

"You would like our cream. We have our own cows. Won't you try just a little?"

"No, thanks."

"But just a little, to see how rich it is." She poured some cream into Ben's coffee-cup and for a second I held my breath and closed my eyes for fear of seeing Ben throwing the cup in her face.

After luncheon we were sitting in the living-room when Ben rose and went straight to the piano.

"None of that!" said Mrs. Thayer. "I haven't forgotten my promise."

"But there is a melody in my head that I'd like to try."

"Oh, yes, I know all about that. You just think that you MUST play to us! We invited you here for yourself, not to enjoy your talent."

Ben walked over to the book-case and took a book out.

"What book is that?" asked Mrs. Thayer.

"The Great Gatsby*," said Ben. "I've always wanted to read it."

"Heavens!" said Mrs. Thayer as she took it away from him. "That's old! You'll find the newest ones there on the table. We keep pretty well up to date. Ralph and I are both great readers. Just try one of those books in that pile. They're all good."

Ben took a book, sat down and opened it.

"Man! Man!" exclaimed Mrs. Thayer. "You've picked the most uncomfortable chair in the house."

"He likes straight chairs," I said.

"It makes me uncomfortable just to look at you. You'd better take this chair here. It's the softest, nicest chair you've ever sat on."

"I like hard straight chairs," said Ben, fighting down his annoyance but he sank into the soft, nice one and again opened the book.

"Oh, you never can see there!" said the fussy Mrs. Thayer. "You'll ruin your eyes. Get up just a minute and let Ralph move vour chair to that lamp."

"I don't believe I want to read just now," said Ben.

And so it went on all through the afternoon and evening.

Just as we were getting to sleep, Mrs. Thayer knocked on our door.

"I'm afraid you haven't covers enough," she called.

"Thanks," I said. "We're quite warm."

"I'm afraid you aren't," continued Mrs. Thayer to whom it never occurred how annoying she was.

"Lock the door," said Ben ill-temperedly, "before she comes in and feels our feet."

All through breakfast next morning we waited for the telephone call about the telegram. The phone did ring once and Mrs. Thayer an­swered, but we couldn't hear what she said.

After breakfast Ben told Mrs. Thayer that he had a feeling that he must be back in New York.

"That's very strange," said Mrs. Thayer, "because a telegram came to you at breakfast time. I wasn't going to tell you about it because I had promised that you wouldn't be disturbed. I remember the tele­gram by heart. It ran:

Bass drum part* all wrong. Would like you to come to the theater tonight.

Gene Buck

Just as the trainmen were shouting "Board!" Mrs. Thayer said: "Please forgive me if I have done something terrible, but I answered Mr. Buck's telegram. I wired: 'Mr. Ben Drake resting at my home. Must not be bothered. Suggest that you keep bass drums still for a week.' And I signed my name."

Ex. 39. Use the following words and phrases in situations-

On Books

to be fond of reading; can't do without smth; to borrow books from the library; a regular reader; to offer a wide choice of books; to every taste; piles of books to choose from; to consult a catalogue; to pick up a lot of useful information; to obey the rules of the library; to be care­ful with books; not to make any marks in a book; not to spoil; to change books every other fortnight; to arrange literary disputes; to broaden one's mind

A Dilemma

to receive a telegram; to run (of a telegram); to be coming (arriving) on a short visit; to be caught by surprise; to find oneself unprepared; to think of a sensible solution; to reserve a room at a hotel; to tele­phone; to find out; packed full; a rush of visitors; rather annoying; to occur (to); to come to think of it; after all; not to make a fuss about smth; not to treat smth as if it were a catastrophe; to solve the problem; a helpful and sensible saying: "The more, the merrier."

3. Never Put Off Till Tomorrow...

to have a job to do; to think smth can wait; to treat smth lightly; to be too sure of oneself; would rather; put off till a later date; not to be sensible on smb's part; to fail to realize; time is short; to spoil smth; rather annoying; to lose one's temper; to occur (to); nobody's fault but one's own; to be taught a good lesson; to know better next time; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today; ought to make smth a habit.