They Meet Again

(abridged from "Morning, Noon and Night" by Sidney Sheldon)

As they approached the front door it opened, and Clark, the butler, stood there. He was in his seventies, a dignified, capable servant who had worked at Rose Hill for more than thirty years. He had watched the children grow up, and had lived through all the scandals.

Clark’s face lit up as he saw the group. "Good afternoon!"

Kendall gave him a warm hug. "Clark, it’s so good to see you again."

"It’s been a long time. Miss Kendall".

"It’s Mrs Renaud now. This is my husband, Marc."

"How do you do, sir?"

"My wife has told me a great deal about you."

"Nothing too terrible I hope, sir.

"On the contrary. She has only fond memories of you."

"Thank you, sir." Clark turned to Tyler. "Good afternoon, Judge Stanford."

"Hello, Clark."

"It’s a pleasure to see you, sir."

"Thank you. You’re looking very well."

"So are you, sir. I’m so sorry about what has happened."

"Thank you. Are you set up here to take care of all of us?"

"Oh, yes. I think we can make everyone comfortable."

"Am I in my old room?"

Clark smiled. "That’s right." He turned to Woody. "I'm pleased to see you, Mr. Woodrow. I want to … "

Woody grabbed Peggy’s arm. "Come on," he said curtly. "I want to get freshened up."

The others watched as Woody pushed past them and took Peggy upstairs.

1. Comprehension questions:

1). Who are talking?

2). How are they related to each other?

3). Why did Kendall want to be called Mrs. Renaud?

4). What is Clark?

5). What is Tyler?

6). Why does Clark address Tyler "Sir"?

2. How would you address the following people?

1). your aunt Mary Smith

2). a friend of your own age (Sandra Robinson)

3). Sandra’s father/mother

4). a university professor (Richard Hage, 1st meeting)

5). a girl of 17 not married (Sandy Abbot)

6). a stranger of 27/70

7). your English teacher

8). your doctor (George West)

9). director of the Company you work for

10). an older colleague (Paul Franklin)

11). an elderly woman in the street

12). a married woman of 35 (Judy Forsyte)

3. Insert a suitable form of address:

1). "... could you tell me the quickest way to the railway station?" (to a

stranger).

2). "... it hurts here...." (to your doctor Alan Price during the examination)

3). "How nice to see you again,..." (to an old friend of yours)

4). "Will you come in and sit down,.... Mr. Green will be with you in 5 minutes." (a visitor, Michael Black)

5). "...I wonder if you could find time to read my paper" (to a university professor, William Greenpiece)

6). "I’ll call you back as soon as I find the book,..." (to your older colleague, Alice Blackboot)

7). The chairman introduces the lecturer to the audience "..., I have great pleasure in introducing Professor Robinson from Chicago University" (to an audience).

4. Make up sentences using one item from each column. Make sure that all the items are of the same degree of formality. Being introduced start a conversation.

Ladies and Gentlemen; Father; Mr.Brown; Mrs. Miller; Peter

May I introduce Let me introduce I’d like you to meet Let me introduce myself.

a friend of mine, Tom Sweet; your guide; our new personnel manager; my brother, John; our managing director, Mr. Roberts; our new colleague, Jane Small

5. Fill in prepositions or adverbs where necessary:

1). I am not acquainted... Mr. Jones, could you introduce me... him. I would like to make his acquaintance.....

2). He greeted... me... a smile.

3). The chairman introduced the lecturer... the audience.

4). It was necessary to make introductions... all round. There were many people present at the party.

5).... further acquaintance 1 found out that he is a very difficult person to deal....

6). Remember me... your mother. She is such a nice person.

7). Give my kind regards... your sister. I haven’t seen her... ages.

8). How are you getting...? — Not too bad, thank you.

9). Fine, thanks. What... you? — Oh, more or... the same... usual. And how are things... you?

10). Hallo, Mary. How’s life? — A bit hectic... the moment. I’am very busy... work now and... I’ve got my cousin staying... me.

11). Your name has slipped... my mind.

12). You take me... somebody else.