The Girl in the Lavender Dress

It all happened about 1942 or 1943 (Grandma said). We lived in Vermont in those days. This time I'm thinking of, Her­bert had some business in Claremont and I went along with him. Claremont is in new Hampshire, just across the river. We were approaching the town. It was a misty, cold night. It was after dusk when we first saw her. Neither Herbert nor I spoke. He slowed down, and the girl stopped walking. She just stood there on our side of the road. Not hitch - ­hiking exactly. But she sure looked like she wanted a ride. It was a lonely road, and there weren't many cars.

We stopped and I rolled down my window. She was a pretty lit­tle thing, about eighteen or twen­ty. A round face, and big eyes. Brown hair, cut straight. But the funny thing was that she was wearing. Only a thin lavender party dress. In that weather! Nobody said anything. I just opened the door. She climbed into the back seat. Herbert started up again. Finally I asked her where she was going. «Claremont». That was all she said at first. She had a light, breathless voice. Like it took a whole lung full of air to say that one word.

«You are lucky», Herbert said. «We're going all the way». The girl didn't reply. We rode on for a while. I turned around once or twice, but the girl just smiled. Sort of sadly. Anyhow, I didn't want to stare at her. But who was she? Why was she walking on a lonely road at night? I've never been the kind to pry into other people's business. But I did offer my sweater to her, and she put it on. The mist turned to light rain. Just before we got to the river, Herbert broke the silence. «Where are you going in Claremont, Miss?» There was no reply. «It's starting to rain», Herbert said. «And we've got time to deliver you».

«Oh», the girl breathed. «Could you really? That would be... That would be nice. To my parents house. Corner of Bond and Mason». «Claremont must be a nice place to grow up», I said. But again, there was no sound from the back of the car. We crossed the bridge and headed into town. Then Herbert turned right onto Bond Street. We rode along, look­ing at the street signs. Mason was way out. There was only one house on the corner, on the opposite side, Herbert made a U-turn and stopped the car.

There was no one in the rear seat!

approach - наближатися; hitch-hike - мандрувати автостопом; pry - втру­чатися; breath-зітхнути; street signs - знаки дорожньо­го руху; U-turn - розворот у формі букви U

Додаток № 13

Ukrainian-British Relationship

Not so long ago Ukraine had very poor connections with other countries, including Great Britain. But nowadays its connections are getting more and more extensive; the peoples tend to cooperation and mutual understanding.

Today Ukrainian cities have friendly relations with many cities in other countries. Kyiv has many twin-cities abroad: Kyoto (Japan), Cracov (Poland), Edinburgh (Great Britain), Florence (Italy) and some others. Donetsk has friendly relations with British Sheffield, German Magdeburg; Barnley, a coal-mining-town in Great Britain, is a twin-city of Gorlovka. These two towns are very much alike in many respects.

The twin-cities develop their relations in different spheres of life. There is a regular exchange of actors, singers, musicians, students and teachers. Scientific contacts are also important.

Ukrainian culture enjoys world recognition. The Ukrainian chamber choir is an example of it. It was invited to Great Britain to be registrated in the British Book of Guinness Records.

The feature characterizing the development of modern industry in Ukraine is an establishment of joint-ventures in the leading industries: chemical, coal mining and steel making. Our big plants, for example, "Azof" Cherkassy joint stock company, "Stirol" Gorlovka chemical plant sell their products at the international markets.

Nowadays more than 2,5 million Ukrainians live outside Ukraine. But they take great interest in the state of affairs in Ukraine. They are passionately welcomed the help a sovereign Ukrainian State.

Додаток № 14