Page 111 - Real English 2024 Book 8

DIGITAL RESOURCES

The Pipe-Lighter 11

Read the dialogue between a father and a son.
Father : Son, did you get your report card?
Son : Yes, Dad, I’ve got it.

Father : You’ve got it? When? Why didn’t you show it to me?
Son : Yesterday. I forgot to show it to you.
Father: You forgot?
Son : Well, I was going to . . . er . . . but . . . I thought . . .
Does this dialogue ring a bell at least in some of you? Well, it’s a universal problem faced by all those who fare
badly in their exams. How do they deal with it? Let’s read the play and find out how Ernest’s uncle solved the
problem for him. But was it the right thing to do?

Characters

ERNEST RYLAND-SMITH MR RYLAND-SMITH UNCLE TOM A BOY MARY
a schoolboy of fourteen his father, a self- also named Smith a servant
important businessman

The sitting room of the Ryland-Smiths. It is just before
7 p.m. a few days before Christmas. Ernest is bending down
over the radio, turning controls, and the set is making a

terrible noise, as his father enters.
FATHER: For goodness’ sake, leave that thing alone
and let’s have some peace and quiet. Any letters
for me?

ERNEST: I don’t think so, Dad, but the evening post
hasn’t come in yet.

FATHER [consulting his watch]: Late again. It’s just the
same as the rest of the public services. Nothing

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