Good News

The secretary told me that Mr Harms worth would see me. I felt very nervous when I went into his office. He did not lok up from his desk when I entered. After I had sat down, he said that business was very bad. He told me that the firm could not afford to pay such large salaries. Twenty people had already left. I knew that my turn had come.
      'Mr Harmsworth,' I said in a weak voice.
      'Don't interrupt,'he said.
      Then he smiled and told me I would receive an extra 100 dollars a year!

Do You Speak English

I had an amusing experience last year. After I had left a small village in the south of France, I drove on to the next town. On the way, a young man waved to me. I stopped and he asked me for a lift. As soon as he had got into the car, I said good morning to him in French and he replied in the same language. Apart from a few words, I do not know any French at all. Neither of us spoke during the journey. I had early reached the town, when the young man suddenly said, very slowly, 'do you speak English?' as I soon learnt, he was English himself!

The Green Wood Boys

The Green Wood Boys are a group of popular singers. At present, they are visiting all parts of the country. They will be arriving here tomorrow. They will be coming by train and most of the young people in the town will be meeting them at the station. Tomorrow evening they will be singing at the Workers' Club. The greenwood Boys will be staying for five days. During this time, they will give five performances. As usual, the police will  have a difficult time. They will be trying to keep order. It is always the same on these occasions.

Goodbye and Good Luck

Our neighbour, Captain Charles Alison, will sail from Portsmouth tomorrow. We shall meet him at be in his small boat, Topsail. Topsail is a famous little boat. It has sailed across the Atlantic many times. Captain Alison will set out at eight o'clock, so we shall have plenty of time. We shall see his boat and then we shall say goodbye to him. He will be away for two months. We are very proud of him. He will take a part in an important race across the Atlantic.

1. Whom shall we meet at Portsmouth Harbour early tomorrow morning?
2. Where will he be?
3. At what time will he leave?
4. Shall we say goodbye to him, or shall we travel with him
5. What will he take part in?

One Good Turn Deserves Another

I was having dinner at restaurant when Harry Steele came in. Harry worked in a lawyer's office years ago, but he is now working at a bank. He gets a good salary, but he always borrows money from his friends and never pays it back. Harry saw me and came and sat at the same table. He has never borrowed money from me. While he was eating, I asked him to lend me 2 dollars. To my surprise, he gave me the money immediately. 'I have never borrowed any money from you,' Harry said, 'so now you can pay for my dinner!'

1. Where were you having dinner?
2. Did you see Harry Steele after a while or not?
3. What does he always borrow from his friends?
4. Did Harry sit a your table, or did he sit somewhere else?
5. How much did you ask him to lend you?
6. Did he give you the money at once or not?
7. What did he want you to do?