IX. Three students carry on a conversation on the suggested topic using the word combinations studied.

1. A test at the doctor's (a doctor, a patient and a nurse).

2. You meet your friends at the chemist's and tell them your mother is laid up.

3. Speak on the system of medical service in our country.

4. Speak on the system of medical service in England (recall the contents of The Citadel by A. Cronin).

§6

Read the dialogue noting the word combinations:

A. You look seedy to-day, Vera. What's up?

V. Oh, nothing much. Only I have a slight cold in my head.

A. It is not only that. I can see through¹ you, Vera, you know that quite well. And as soon as you try to con­ceal something from me you're sure to be in trouble. Let's have it out. ²

V. I can't keep it back any longer. You would get wind of it in the long run so I might as well tell you. The thing is I have to have an operation.

A. But what's up?

V. I've got appendicitis.

A. I saw at once that you were in low spirits. But why make a fuss about such a trifling operation?

V. You call it trifling, but if the worst comes to the worst³ and I have to go to the hospital, what then?

д. If it comes to that, you'll have to put up with it.

V. But I am beside myself with fear.

A. Why should you be, Vera, pull yourself together.

V. I haven't a glimmer of hope⁴ that the operation will be successful.

A. Nonsense! The operation is quite simple and it is all to the good that you can be operated on in spring when it is not so hot.

V. It is only at odd moments⁵ that I think of my studies these three days, because I can't get this operation out of my head.

A. When are you going to the hospital?

V. The day after tomorrow.

A. That's good. The sooner you get rid of your appendix the better it will be for you. I'm taking it for grant­ed⁶ that everything will be all right. No need to worry!

V. How long will I have to stay at the hospital?

A. Well, for a week or so, I expect.

V. And the exams are round the corner!

A. It is no use crying over spilt milk, Vera. We shall help you with your studies as soon as you come home again. We'll see you through, ⁷ so don't worry.

V. I feel relieved now. Thank you, dear. I see I shall have to give in⁸ and go to the hospital.

A. There's a dear! What can't be cured must be endured. There is a lot of sense in this proverb, isn't there?

VOCABULARY NOTES

(1) to see through a person (thing) — to understand the real nature of; not to be deceived by

1. We belong, of course, to a generation that's seen through things, seen how futile everything is, and had the courage to accept futility, and say to ourselves: " There is nothing for it but to enjoy ourselves as best we can." (J. Galsworthy)

2. 1 saw through Anna very rapidly. (I. Murdoch)

3. " Anybody will be able to see through it, " said John gloomily. (J. Galsworthy)

4. Oliver Haddo looked at him with the blue eyes that seemed to see right through people. (W. S. Maugham)

(2) to have a question (matter) out with someone -

to talk about it and insist on an explanation

1. He decided suddenly to call upon this officious Miss Barlow and have the matter out with her. (A. Cronin)

2. Often the impetus to go and have it out with him surged up and was beaten back. (J. Galsworthy)

3. They had just discovered his complex, and he was going to have it out. (J. Galsworthy)

(3) if the worst comes to the worst — if things are as bad as they can possibly be

1. " If the worst comes to the worst, " Becky thought, " my retreat is secure." (W. Thackeray)

2. I want her to know that if the worst comes to the worst she can count on me. (W. S. Maugham)

3. " Imagine! " he thought, " if the worst came to the worst and he was sent out to be tried, that 1 shouldn't be going too." (J. Galsworthy)

(4) a glimmer of hope (suspicion, sense, etc.) — weak, faint hope

1. Already he had a glimmer of suspicion as to how matters stood and of how he would be made use of by Blodwen Page to run the practice for his disabled principal. (A. Cronin)

2. If you had a glimmer of sense you'd see it if he had have done. (J. Priestley)

(5) at odd moments — occasionally; not regularly, now and then

1. With complete fatalism he had even faced, at odd moments, the possibility of being murdered. (J. Wain)

2. But it was at odd moments that Martin was able to think. (J. London)