Page 115 - Real English 2024 Book 8

THE PIPE-LIGHTER

are beginning to understand your duty. Here’s half a crown for
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you, and don’t spend it wastefully.

ERNEST: Thank you, Dad.

[Takes coin just as the door opens to admit Uncle Tom.]
UNCLE: Good evening. I hope I’m not too early.

FATHER: You’re just in time to see Ernest’s report. Sit down and take
a look at that. I bet you never got one like it.
Seems to me, young
UNCLE: I wondered why you were throwing half-crowns about.
man, you’ve turned
[Takes report, sits in armchair, puts on his spectacles, and looks quickly down into a bookworm.
the paper.]
What’s happened to
FATHER: Well? you?
UNCLE: You’re right, by Jove! I never did. [To Ernest] Seems to me,
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young man, you’ve turned into a bookworm. What’s happened to

you?
ERNEST [uncomfortably]: Don’t know, I’m sure, Uncle.

FATHER: He’s begun to realize the value of work, I hope. [Looks at the
watch.] Look here, you must excuse us a few minutes, Thomas.
I want Ernest to help me get some letters off, and the post goes
6.
at seven-fifteen. a unit of money in some
European countries
UNCLE: That’s all right. Don’t mind me.
7.
an expression showing
FATHER: Help yourself to cigarettes. [Points to box on table.] Come on, surprise
my boy. We must hurry. leading someone in
8.
[Goes out followed by Ernest. Uncle takes a cigarette,
lights it, and then examines report again, whistling

from time to time in surprise. Enter Mary, showing
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in a schoolboy who wears glasses. He’s about
Ernest’s age.]
MARY: I’m sorry, sir. I thought the master was

here.
UNCLE: He’s very busy just now, Mary.
Anything I can do?

MARY: I don’t know, sir. This young gentleman
said he wanted to see Mr Ryland-Smith or
Master Ernest.

UNCLE: All right, Mary. If I can’t help him I’ll
keep him company till your master returns.

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