II. Answer the questions:

1. Why did Julia want to look her best that day?

2. What did she think of her son?

3. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Roger.

4. Why do you think Julia felt guilty?

5. Comment: “He was getting too near the truth for her comfort”.

6. Why did Julia feel relieved when she heard Michael’s car drive up?

Chapter 28

I. Present the situations where the following is used:

- to dismiss from one’s mind

- to have a knack of doing sth

- to go off without a hitch

- to make a hit

- to keep out of sb’s way

- not to care two straws for sb

II. Answer the questions:

1. Give a summary of the chapter.

2. Comment: “But I never am alone even in an empty room”. “Love isn’t worth all the fuss they make about it”.

Chapter 29

I. Reproduce a talk between Julia and Michael.

2. Retell the chapter using the following word-combinations

- to bring out (the colour of)…

- to contrast with

- to spread out

- to screw up

- in profile

- to play a scene with virtuosity

- on account of

- to look sb full in the face

- to let sb down

- to be kissed by all and sundry

- to get a glimpse of

- to take one’s breath away

Topics for discussion

1. Speak of W. S. Maugham and his novel “Theatre”. What message does the novel convey?

2. Dwell upon the episode that appeals to you most.

3. Give character-sketches of: Julia; Michael; Tom and Roger; Dolly; Charles Tamerley