Dr. Sandford’s and Mr. Black’s Families

This dialogue is a conversation between two neighbours: Betty Smith and Nancy Black. They are both at the children’s playground in the park. Betty is sitting on a bench while her nephew, Benny, is playing with the other children. And Nancy is also looking after her niece, Mary. Nancy notices the young woman and decides to start a conversation. Listen to the dialogue.

• Oh, hi! How are you? You have moved into this district recently, haven’t you?

• Yes, we have. We live in a small house at the corner.

• I know. I think we’re neighbours. By the way, let me introduce myself. I’m Nancy, Nancy Black.

• Nice to meet you. My name is Betty Smith. That’s my nephew, Benny.

• I’m very glad to meet you, Betty. And how do you like our district?

• Oh, I think, it’s wonderful! Benny and I are very fond of the playground.

• So am I. You know, I’m from Edinburgh, but my brother, George Black, lives here. Now I’m on a visit to his family.

• Really? I’ve heard so much about your brother. He is a college teacher, isn’t he?

• He is. He is a teacher of French.

• Oh, tell me about him, please.

• Well, George has a wife, Lucy. She is 33. She is an artist. I must say, Lucy and George are very fond of their professions.

• And what about their children?

• Oh, they have two pretty children: a boy, John, and a girl, Mary. And do you have children?

• I don’t, but my sister does. I live with my sister’s family. There are five of us: Helen (my sister), her husband, Dr. Sandford (my brother-in-law). They are Benny’s parents. And the fifth member of our family is old Mrs. Sandford. She is Benny’s grandmother. Benny is an only child and he hasn’t got any boys or girls to play with.

• Neither has Mary.

• Why, you’ve said she has a brother.

• Yes, she has. But her brother, John, is four years older than Mary is. He is already 12. So he doesn’t like to play with her. The only thing he likes to do is to walk with his friends.

• Then how does she spend her free time?

• Well, Mary likes to read. She also likes to go out, to be in the fresh air. We often go to the park together. And every summer we go to my mother’s farm. My parents live in Scotland, in the Highlands. They keep a very busy farm. There they have many different animals and birds, such as hens, ducks, turkeys, goats, sheep and a cow. And they love them all.

• I see. And our Benny is fond of animals, too. We have white mice, a hedgehog and a parrot in the hose. Now he is eager to have a rabbit, but his mother is against it. She says that our house looks like old McDonald’s farm. Do you remember this song?

• Yes, I do. I have a cousin, her name is Kate. So she adores this song. And although she is only 2 years old she knows it by heart.

• What a clever girl! By the way, Benny has two cousins, too. They are: a five-year-old boy, Georgie, and a four-year-old girl, May. They are in Canada now with their parents.

• In Canada? Canada is such a faraway country!

• It is. That’s why we can’t see them very often.

• That’s a pity! But, of course, you can write to them.

• You are right… Look, it’s getting late! And we’ve got to go home! But I really hate to say good-bye!

• So do I!

• Oh, I have a nice idea! Would you like to join us and have a cup of tea with Benny and me?

• It sounds great! I’d love to. And I’m sure Mary won’t mind it either.

• Good. Come along, Nancy.

• Come along.