III. Topics for discussion

1. Walter and Kitty have a talk. Comment on the motives of Kitty's refusal to go to Mei-tan-fu. Account for Walter's mocking manner throughout the talk.

2. Walter brings up the subject of divorce. Kitty discusses the details of the divorce suit.

3. Kitty comes to Townsend's office. Account for his reac­tion to her coming, his manner and all the changes of his mind.

4. Townsend's readiness to bring pressure against Walter. Find proof of his misjudging Walter.

5. Kitty comes to see her position in true light. Compare Townsend's reaction to Mei-tan-fu at the first mention and on second thought.

6. Discuss the drama Kitty had to live through within one day.

IV. Questions

1. Why did Walter bring the subject of Mei-tan-fu before his mention of their divorce?

2. Had Walter any right to send his wife to certain death?

3. Why did Kitty insist on her bringing an action for divorce?

4. Had Walter any illusions about his wife? Was his love creative?

5. What shows that the mess Townsend got into was not'' the first in his life?

6. What do you think of people who are keen on their ca­reers?

7. What made it possible for Walter to judge Townsend ac­curately?

8. What price was Kitty to pay for her illusions?

Assignment 4 Chapters XXVIII-XXXVIII

I. Active vocabulary

to turn smth over in one’s mind

to get on well

disdain

to take precautions against smth

to be panic-stricken

to put on (no) frills

cunning

to cause smb inconvenience (trouble, pain, etc.)

complacency

to hold smb in contempt

shrewd

to take a risk

to swear by smb

II. Exercises

1. Give definitions relying on an English-English dictionary; give the derivatives of the words in bold type:

to swear by smb; to hold smb in contempt; to take precau­tions against smth; disdain; to put on frills; cunning; compla­cency; shrewd

2. Study the use of the active vocabulary in these word combinations and sentences; translate them into Russian:

1. a shrewd look (face, observer); a cunning smile (hunter, politician); a disdainful word (phrase, look, manner, grin); a complacent smile (air, philistine, snob)

2. 1. The father's prestige stood high in the family, and the children swore by him. 2. The hotel faced a busy street, and the (faille noise caused a lot of inconvenience to the guests. 3. In autumn and spring you should take precautions against catching a cold. Don't go bareheaded in cold weather, you needn't take risks. 4. After that incident the class thought the boy a coward and held him in contempt. 5. Being a shrewd man, the till her saw at a glance that something had happened. 6. When the fire broke out, all the neighbourhood was panic-stricken. 7. I have been turning your advice over and over in my mind and I have come to like it. 8. The newcomer was an easy-going man, he put on no frills, and the staff got on well with him.

3, Make up situations of your own based on your personal experience. Use the phrases given below:

1. I hate to cause you any inconvenience.

2. He was complacency itself, and we could not get on well.

3. Come, come, there's nothing to be panic-stricken about.

4. You needn't take unnecessary risks.

5. If you don't take all precautions...

6. His shrewd eyes rested on me for a moment.

7. Why should I hold you in contempt? Who am I to put on frills?

8. We had turned the matter over in our minds before we came to t hat conclusion.