【课本原文】THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE
ACT 2, SCENE 1
Narrator: Henry is walking along the street holding the bank note in his hand. His coat is worn in several places. He sees a sign for a tailor’s shop.
Henry: (
entering the shop) I’d like to have a suit coat.
1st Clerk: (
in a rude manner) See him there.(
pointing to another clerk)
2nd Clerk: Readymade suits? Downstairs.
Henry: (
after going down some stairs) Can you show me a suit, please?
3rd Clerk: Yes, I can, sir. This way, please. Ah, here we are, the very thing you need.
1st Clerk: (
pulling the 3
rd clerk aside and whispering) Mr Reid says you’d better serve him quick and get him out quick!
3rd Clerk: I know what I’m doing. I’ve got eyes, haven’t I?
Henry: It’s a little too bright, isn’t it?
3rd Clerk: (
looking at him with a frown)
It’
s all we have in your size.
Henry: Well, I suppose it ought to do for now. I’ll take it.
3rd Clerk: Good. Shall I put it in a box?
Henry: No. I’ll wear it. Oh, I’d rather not pay you now. I’d like to pay in a month. You see, I don’t have any small change.
3rd Clerk: (
trying not to show he’
s angry) I suppose a gentleman like you only carries very large bills.
Henry: Now, you shouldn’t judge people by their clothes. I just don’t want to cause you trouble with a large note.
3rd Clerk: It’s no trouble at all.
Henry: In that case, there’s no problem. (
He gives the clerk the bank note.
The clerk drops Henry’s coat. Then he folds the bill and slowly unfolds it again, as if looking at something he can’t believe is there.)
Owner: Well, what seems to be the trouble?
Henry: I’m just waiting for my change.
Owner: Give him his change, Todd. Get going...(
after getting the bank note from Todd) Would it...could it be the one I saw in the papers last week? I remember thinking that never would I hold such a note as this...(
to Henry) Oh, take off this coat, sir.(
to Todd) Go get(=Go and get) the others, Todd! (
to Henry again) Allow me, sir! This way, sir.
(
in another part of the shop, where there is a wide range of
options for Henry to choose from)
Henry: This is nice, but I really don’t need it.
Owner: Never mind.(
with a broad smile) Oh, it’s perfect! It was made for some king but he’ll just have to wait. You’ll need many suits for many occasions. Yes, indeed you will.
Henry: Wait a minute. I only came here to get a suit coat to wear today. I dare not buy all these things. You would have to wait a long time to get paid.
Owner: A long time, sir? Why, you don’t have to worry about that!
3rd Clerk: Yes, we can wait forever!
Henry: Well, all right. I’ll take the suit coat for now and get the others later.
Owner: Fine, fine. Your address, sir?
Henry: I don’t have one. Er...I’m moving.
Owner: Of course you are! That’s very normal! A busy man, I’m sure.
28. Why do the owner and the clerks serve Henry so rudely?
_______________________________________________________________________________29. True or False.
①. The 2nd Clerk is ready to show Henry the readymade suits for he thinks Henry can’t afford a better one.
________②. Looking at Henry with a frown shows the 3rd Clerk’s impatience.
________③. The owner is shocked at the million pound bank note.
________④. Henry is meant to get the clerks into trouble.
________30. How did the clerks treat Henry at the beginning?
A.They treated Henry as politely as he treated others. |
B.They looked down upon Henry when they noticed his appearance. |
C.They decided to made a suit to his measure. |
D.They wanted to serve Henry to earn a lot of money. |
31. When did the clerks and the owner change their attitude to Henry?
A.At the beginning of the story. |
B.Before they saw the bank note. |
C.At the end of the story. |
D.After they saw the bank note. |
32. At the sight of the bank note, the owner and the clerks got very
.
A.frightened | B.angry |
C.worried | D.shocked |
33. Analyse the sentence.
I remember thinking that never would I hold such a note as this...
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