A trip of Mrs taylor

Lesson 1: A Trip for Mrs. Taylor Useful Words & Expressions: p.1-p.3 Ahead of usual time for getting up Move around her attic room with the stealth of a burglar Dress her tiny self carefully A slice of thinly margarined toast Wash her cup and saucer Tiptoe down the steep stairs A lick and a spit --- a lick and a promise Comb her thinning grey hair and do it up with pins into an unsevere bun Extract from its depths two pieces of jewellery wrapped in tissue paper A faded photograph of her dead husband and an old-fashioned gold chain bangle Take hurried glances at the alarm clock She couldn’t afford to be late on this day of days. Unclasped her cardboard suitcase and carefully checked its contents once again There was a clean change of underwear The dress didn’t fit her, but she liked its rich colour and the feeling of opulence it gave, just to possess it. I really should take it along. It will weigh me down, but I couldn’t go anywhere without it. Make up one’s mind Let the wonderful coming events of the day take over her thoughts. The idea struck her. Prompt her to go in and inquire about train times Bring back the nostalgic memories of those happier times These trips were filled with all the hustle and bustle of getting ready, … There was the warm picnicky feeling… She wiped away a vagrant tear at the memory The awareness that she belonged to the crowds around her. That was the thing she had missed most during the past few years. The knowledge that she was old and ignored by younger people sometims caused her to wish she were dead. Appalled by the irreverence of such thoughts she would take refuge in her Bible, which was now her only solace. p.4-p.5: Striving to live on her old-age pension made mere existence a hardship. She had no conception of what it was like to be cooped up month after month in a dreary little room , without even a radio to keep you company. She could have gone to live with Johnnie and Ruth, but she had seen too much of that sort of thing in the past. She felt a sinking in the stomach at the thought that he too was leaving her. She sensed the reluctance behind his words. I’m not going to be a built-in baby sitter for my grandchildren. Try to cover her sense of loss and disappointment under her bantering words. Run her own home for years and bring up her two boys on the skimpy and unreliable wages. But sometimes her independence melted under her silent tears. Glance at… She hurried down the street… as fast as the heavy bag would allow her. Search in the purse for a car ticket There was very little money left. but by doing without a few things to eat… Manage to save the expenses for the trip Climbed aboard (the streetcar) and sat down She was aware of the stares from the men and girls She felt important for the first time. There was something friendly in the glances they gave her. Look forward to another stifling day in their offices and factories At this hour of the day… There was a tired camaraderie among the people getting on and off the car. She felt almost young again Trip over her suitcase Several people carrying pieces of luggage boarded the car. Smile at them as if they were partners in a conspiracy She felt that the anticipation and preparation for a journey was only exceeded by it actual beginning p.6-p,7: alight from the streetcar lead her across the street in a conversational tone get a seat on the northbound train That’s a shame. Keep up with the soldier’s long strides On leave Get into trouble Make him feel bad Her voice cracks with emotion. feel a nameless dread for what might be before him what’ s more, a queue of people lined up make her way towards it take stock of the other travellers toss and turn in anticipation of the morning sense of immediacy in fact p.8-p,9: being caught playing hookey smile at one another look hot and cool at the same time It was just as she had expected it to be. She didn’t care if … Try vainly to do sth. Tug (at) … Try desperately to break away Stop struggling and look at her in surprise He’s been a little devil all morning. You just stand still. Let him go and smile at the young woman Override her authority At home he will do anything for his grandma. I’ve got the baby to look after. He takes advantage of it. He’s a big boy for four months. in turn live alone live with his wife In answer to the other’s question, The pension wasn’t enough in these days of high prices. A friend of her mother’s She was starved for conversation. She was so grateful for having met the young woman with the children. p.10-p,11: pretty soon The train is due to leave in 20 minutes. From the loudspeaker came the voice of the stationmaster. The young soldier who had overstayed his pass. Garry indicated that he wanted to go to the toilet. Plead desperately Gee, that’s swell. She handed the baby over, and Mrs. Taylor cradled him in her arms. Hurry away He was awake. She placed her finger on his chin and smiled at him, and he smiled back at him. The moment took her back more years than she cared to remember, back to a time when young Bert was the same age. She was filled with the remembered happiness of those days. I’d give up every minute more I have to live just to be young again and have my boys as babies for one more day. Hide the quick tears Begin talking to the baby in her arms, rocking back and forth on her heels in a gesture not practiced for years Give up the baby reluctantly Stand talking together like old friends Discuss teething troubles, the housing shortage, and how hard it was to raise a family these days. They were so engrossed in their new-found friendship that failed to notice when the man opened the gates. Pick up her suitcase in one hand and grasp Garry’s harness with the other Her feet were aching after the long wait at the gates, but her face shone with happiness. Draw up to her A trainman waited to help them aboard You’ve got your hands full. She was pleased that he mistook her for the children’s grandmother. She beamed at him, not attempting to correct his mistake. She led the way to a pair of seats that faced each other at the end of the car. She dropped into one seat with a tired sigh. p.12-p,13: I’d been dreading the wait at the station. Now I’ve only got to change trains in Montreal and I’ll be all set. It’s quite a job travelling/to travel with children. I’ve done enough of it in my day. She said with slight exaggeration. Lay the baby on the seat beside her Sit back and relax against the cushions The coach soon filled up, and several people eyed their double seat enviously. She was glad she had been able to get well up in the queue at the gates. It was remarkable that … They were strangers to her now, as if there was no connection between them and the people on the train. They were a race apart, an earthbound race separated from herself by movement and time, and (by) the sense of adventure of her and her fellows. She picked out landmarks as the train gathered speed. The streets she had lived on as a girl, now turned into industrial sites We won’t be getting into Montreal until supper time. She said from the opposite seat, intruding upon her memories. I’ll bet you’ll be glad to get there. She shook her head. I can’t afford to go that far. She had to protect Johnnie, who wasn’t really mean, just forgetful. “I’ve never really cared to go that far,” she lied. She asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. Not very far. Just up the line a piece. Soon the industrial areas were left behind, and they began rushing through the residential districts. She was enthralled with the sight of the rows of houses as seen from the rear. Every house has an individuality of its own. The houses looked so different when seen from her hurtling point of vantage. The train began to slow down for an outlying station. The conductor came along the car collecting tickets. p.14-p,15: Are you getting off here? She replied, coloring with embarrassment. She pointed to the suitcase at her feet, ashamed to face the stares of those who were watching her. Old ladies took ten-cent train rides every day of the week. Tousled head She warned him to be a good boy and do what mother has told him. You must think I’m crazy just coming this far. I wish you were coming all the way. I don’t know what I’d have ever done without you to help me with Garry. It was nice being able to help. You’ll never know how much I enjoyed it. She answered, her face breaking into a shy smile. Have a nice journey. She stood on the station platform and waved at the young woman and her soon. You look happy. You must have had a swell vacation. I had a wonderful trip. While all the others in the train would get bored and tired after a few hours of travel, she could go back to her room and lie down on the bed, remembering only the excitement and thrill of going away, and the new friends she had made. If she could afford it, she would take a trip to the suburbs on the Winnipeg train!