11Th February

Dear D.-L.-L.,

Don't be insulted because this is so short. It isn't a letter; it's just a LINE to say that I'm going to write a letter pretty soon when examinations are over. It is not only necessary that I pass, but pass WELL. I have a scholarship to live up to.

Yours, studying hard,

J. A.

5Th March

Dear Daddy-Long-Legs,

President Cuyler made a speech this evening about the modern generation being flippant and superficial. He says that we are losing the old ideals of earnest endeavour and true scholarship; and particularly is this falling-off noticeable in our disrespectful attitude towards organized authority. We no longer pay a seemly deference to our superiors.

I came away from chapel very sober.

Am I too familiar, Daddy? Ought I to treat you with more dignity and aloofness? – Yes, I'm sure I ought. I'll begin again…

My Dear Mr. Smith,

You will be pleased to hear that I passed successfully my mid-year examinations, and am now commencing work in the new semester. I am leaving chemistry – having completed the course in qualitative analysis – and am entering upon the study of biology. I approach this subject with some hesitation, as I understand that we dissect angleworms and frogs.

An extremely interesting and valuable lecture was given in the chapel last week upon Roman Remains in Southern France. I have never listened to a more illuminating exposition of the subject.

We are reading Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey in connection with our course in English Literature. What an exquisite work it is, and how adequately it embodies his conceptions of Pantheism! The Romantic movement of the early part of the last century, exemplified in the works of such poets as Shelley, Byron, Keats, and Wordsworth, appeals to me very much more than the Classical period that preceded it. Speaking of poetry, have you ever read that charming little thing of Tennyson's called Locksley Hall?

I am attending gymnasium very regularly of late. A proctor system has been devised, and failure to comply with the rules causes a great deal of inconvenience. The gymnasium is equipped with a very beautiful swimming tank of cement and marble, the gift of a former graduate. My room-mate, Miss McBride, has given me her bathing-suit (it shrank so that she can no longer wear it) and I am about to begin swimming lessons.

We had delicious pink ice-cream for dessert last night. Only vegetable dyes are used in colouring the food. The college is very much opposed, both from aesthetic and hygienic motives, to the use of aniline dyes.

The weather of late has been ideal – bright sunshine and clouds interspersed with a few welcome snow-storms. I and my companions have enjoyed our walks to and from classes – particularly from.

Trusting, my dear Mr. Smith, that this will find you in your usual good health,

I remain,

Most cordially yours,

Jerusha Abbott

TASKS

1. Read the text and find in it the words and word combinations from the list, supply them with Russian equivalents.

down town

How does that strike you?

to get attached to sb

silence means consent

to make the whole world kin

vain

a token

a background

drawbacks

pressing world problems

to reach the goal

to rain cats and dogs

to treat sb

2. Learn these words and expression by heart and be ready for the oral translation of sentences with them.

3. Translate the underlined passages.

4. Paraphrase the following using the words above.

- to the city centre

- How do you feel about it?

- an object which is a sign of respect

- an inconvenient thing or an obstacle

- very proud of your appearance

5. Make up micro-stories with these:

1. to rain cats and dogs; to get/be accustomed to; to get caught in a storm/rain; to reach one’s goal.

2. to be (heavily) indebted; to pay one’s debts; to pay taxes; dutiful; to make the whole world kin.

3. a spoiled child; to give in to sb’s whims; down town; to treat sb; to deprive sb of sth.

4. to pick put; to show sth/sb off; to be eccentric; vain; to strike sb as unusual (strange);

5. a token; silence means consent; to be/get accustomed to sth; to get some beauty sleep.

6. a background; pressing problems; drawbacks; to award sb a scholarship; to be a burden to sb.