§ 5. Indirect orders and requests.

An order or a request in indirect speech is expressed by an infinitive:

She said to him, "Open the window (do not open the window)." She said to him, "Please, open the window (do not open the window)."

She told him to open the window (not to open the window). She asked him to open the window (not to open the window).

The choice of the verb is determined by the character of the order (request).

The verb most commonly used to introduce indirect orders is the verb to tell; the verb to order is frequently used, occasionally also the verb to command.

The verb to tell corresponds to the Russian сказать, чтобы and велеть; to order and to command correspond to приказать.

Mr. Bumble said to Oliver, "Bow to the board." The officer said to the soldiers, "Stop!"

Mr. Bumble ordered Oliver to bow to the board. The officer commanded the soldiers to stop.

The verb to request is used in official style, chiefly in the Pas­sive Voice. It is best rendered in Russian by предложить.

The verb to request introduces rather a veiled order than a request.

The ticket collector said to the passenger, "Produce your ticket."

The ticket collector requested the passenger (предло-жил) to produce his ticket. or: The passenger was requested to produce his ticket.

Unemotional requests are usually introduced by the verb to ask.

He said to a passer-by, 'Will you show me the way to the theatre?"

He asked a passer-by to show him the way to the theatre.

The verb to beg introduces a request somewhat more emotional.

The child said to his mother, «Do take me to the circus!"

The child begged his mother to take him to the circus.

Very often, however, it is used in the same meaning as the verb to ask, only it is more polite:

He said to the visitor, "Will you walk in?"

He begged the visitor to walk in.

Emotional (emphatic) requests are introduced by the verbs to implore, to entreat, to beseech (умолять).

Eliza said to the stranger, “Do save my child!"

Eliza implored the stranger to save her child.

The verb to urge introduces a request made with great insistence. It corresponds to the Russian настаивать, уговаривать.

The mother said to her son, "Do take care of yourself!"

The mother urged her son to take care of himself.

As is seen from the above examples, in converting requests beginning with the emphatic do, we use the verbs to implore, to entreat, to beseech, to urge.

Exercise 14. Convert into indirect speech.

1. I said to him, "Please open the door." 2. I said to her, "Copy out this exer­cise." 3. I said to him, "Please don't be angry." 4. He said to me, "Don't wait for me." 5. She said to me. "Don't be late." 6. He said to me, "Please send us the contract by return of mail." 7. I said to him, "Don't sell these goods before you receive my telegram." 8. He said to the secretary, "Bring me the letters we have f received this morning." 9. He said to me, "Please state in your letter how payment ' is to be made." 10. 1 said to him, "Send me a telegram when the steamer arrives in Leningrad." 11. I said to him, "Don't forget to state in the letter that the offer is without obligation." 12. I said to the secretary, "Write to them that we cannot offer the goods for Immediate shipment."

Exercise 15. Convert into indirect speech.

1."Get up, Jo-Lea," Mrs. Bingham said. (Warren) 2. "Daddy — oh, Daddy," the girl said, "oh, let me stay." (Warren) 3. "Martha!" he called in a loud, commanding voice that echoed up and dowi» the corridor. "Martha, come back here!" (Caldwelf) 4. "Gretta, please say something," he begged. "I've got to know if you are all right." (Caldwell) 5. "Both of you come with me," Conder said, "and have a drink at the Fitzroy." 6. "Now, Miss Dunbar," said Holmes, "I beg you to tell us exactly what occurred that evening." (Conan Doyle) 7. "Now you go and get me my hammer. Will," he would shout. "And don't you go, Maria." (Jerome K. Je­rome) 8. "Come here, Martha!" he called, at the same time beck­oning urgently. "What is it, Dr. Kenworthy?" she asked in her shy, breathless manner. "Let's have some coffee, Martha." (Caldwell) 9. She went to the window and looked out. "Do come and look, Arthur," she said. (Bennelt) 10. "And now, mamma," said Sylviane, "let us' hear this wonderful news." (Bennett) 11. "Come back," said the warning voice of Mrs. Hewitt, "don't let him see you." Arthur withdrew his head. -(Bennett) 12. "The lake is lovely," said Arthur. "Suppose we go for a sail," she [Sylviane] replied, taking his hand. (Bennett) 13. "What can I do?" he said, gruffly. "They wouldn't listen to me." "Try," said Jean. "Some men are always listened to." (Galsworthy) 14. He turned to her with a rough ges­ture. "Don't worry, Savina!" (Wilson) 15. "Lilly, Lilly," he said. "Don't go away!" (Wilson) 16. "Play one," he said to Monty softly, "play one of your brother's songs." (Warren) 17. "Then, dearest, look at me," said Stephen [to Maggie] in deepest, tenderest tones of entreaty. "Don't go away from me yet. Give me a moment's happiness — make me feel you've forgiven me." (Eliot) 18. "Do me a last favour, Betteredge," says Mr. Franklin, "get me away to the train as soon as you can!" (Collins) 19. "Now, Mr. Betteredge," he went on, "suppose we drop speculation, and get to business." (Collins)