N o r a : I think you're being very silly. You'll only make your temperature go up again.

H a r r y : It's no use talking, Nora — being ill doesn't suit me.

N o r a: No — and trying to nurse you doesn't suit me!

H a r r y : Now don't be bitter about it. You know I'm grateful to you for looking after me. But you mustn't try to keep me in bed like a

naughty boy.

N o r a : Well, you began it by behaving like a naughty boy!

H a r r y : I'm all against this staying in bed for no reason.

N o r a : Harry, being ill is a reason... Now don't stand by that window and catch another cold... Let me see, half past eleven.

H a r r y : Why do you keep looking at the clock?

N o r a : I'm expecting Mother — she's coming over for the day.

H a r r y : Good heavens! I didn't know that.

N o r a : Yes, I think she has something she wants to talk to you about.

H a r r y : Oh heavens! Has she (groans)... You know, Nora, I do feel a bit ill; perhaps I had better get back to bed.

N o r a (disingenuously): Oh, what a pity! I thought perhaps you might stay up to see her.

H a r r y (to himself): That's the very reason I'm getting back into bed!

N o r a : What did you say?

H a r r y : Oh, er — nothing.

(From "Meet the Parkers", Tartu, 1961)

SECTION FOUR

Ex. 12.

H a r r y : We shall be awfully late home if that No. 12 bus doesn't come soon... Let's stand in this doorway out of the wind.

N o r a : All right, but we must be careful not to miss the bus... How did you enjoy the film?

H a r r y: I'd never have gone if I had known it was going to be so silly.

N o r a : Why, what was silly about it?

H a r r y : Well, no sane man would have married that other girl so soon after he had murdered his wife. It was sure to make

people suspicious,

N o r a : If he had been sane he wouldn't have murdered her! Besides the girl wouldn't have waited for him if he hadn't asked her

immediately.

H a r r y: All the better for him if she hadn't! N o r a : Yes, but then he wouldn't have paid for his crime. Anyhow, I'd have enjoyed

the film much more if Elsa Hollywood had been in it instead of Linda Spangle.

H a r r y : And I'd have enjoyed it more, if we hadn't gone at all.

N o r a [sharply): And I'd have enjoyed it more, if you hadn't been so rude to that woman in front.

H a r r y : Well, I shouldn't have been rude to her if she had stopped chattering when I asked her.

N o r a : I wish you'd behave better in public places.

H a r r y : I behave better! I like that! Why, if that woman had... (Sound of bus starting up.) But look, isn't that a No. 12 bus just

going?

N o r a : Yes, it is, and we've missed it after all. We should have seen that bus, Harry, if you hadn't been so busy quarrelling.

H a r r y (in injured tones): Really, Nora, I think it would have been much better if I had stayed at home tonight and let you go to

the cinema alone.

(From "Meet the Parkers", Tartu, 1961)

Ex. 14.

You see, it was in this way: we were sitting in a meadow, about ten yards from the water's edge, and we had just settled down