TASKS for Chapters 19-21

I. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases:

an understudy – дублер

perfidy – измена

wanton temperament – своенравный темперамент

to cut the date – отменить встречу

an American conjurer –американский иллюзионист

to make a stab at acting in America –попытаться сделать актерскую карьеру в Америке

off the nail – быть навеселе

the R.A.D.A. – Королевская академия драмы

in point of fact – в действительности

insipid- безвкусный

hard as nails – в форме

for toffee – ни за что

be a sport – будь человеком

to beat about the bush – ходить вокруг да около

to feel all in – чувствовать себя в порядке

to give the air – не принять во внимание

to put one's foot down – занять твердую позицию

IV. Answer the questions:

1. Under what circumstances did Roger get acquainted with Joan Denver? What kind of favour did he ask of Julie?

Joan and Jill were acquaintances of Tom, who offered Roger to meet them and spend a good time. Joan wanted to work as an actress with Julia and Roger asked his mother to agree on it.

2. Why did Julie feel she had lost Roger? 

Her life had always been so full and so exciting that she had never had the time to busy herself much with Roger. She got in a state, of course, when he had whooping-cough or measles, but he was for the most part in robust health, and then he occupied a pleasant place in the background of her consciousness. But she had always felt that he was there to be attended to when she was inclined and she had often thought it would be nice when he was old enough really to share her interests. It came to her as a shock now to realize that, without ever having really possessed him, she had lost him.

3. How did Tom react to Julie's plans to take her play to New York?

He thought it would be a marvelous chance for her to make a stab in America.

4. What kind of new acquaintances and connections did Tom make through Julie?

There were many people from high society and he helped them with their income-tax records.

5. How did Julie receive Joan Denver?

She received Joan Denver the moment she had taken her last call. Julia could in the twinkling of an eye leap from her part into private life, but now without an effort she continued to play the imperious, aloof, stately and well-bred woman of the play.

6. How did Michael hear about Avice Crichton?

Michael hear about Avice Crichton through Tom.

7. Why does Maugham describe Julie's appearance at the Sunday night show as "beautifully timed?"

He wanted to show how famous Julia was.

 8. What impression did Avice Crichton and her acting produce on Julie?

Avice made an impression of a small-part actress who didn’t even begin to know how to act. It was grotesque. She couldn’t use her hands; why she didn’t even know how to walk across the stage.

9. Why did it irk Tom to have to come back with Julie after the Sunday night show?

He did not want to leave Avice and preferred to come with her at the party.

10. What kind of relationship did Tom and Avice have?

Tom really loved her, but she used him to promote as an actress.