Vocabulary

 

hug	approach	been up to
finger	divorced	graduation
trim	diamond	oh my god
novel	publish	long time
rent	ring (2)	mansion
hedge	decorate	Victorian
silver	darling	furniture
saucer	antique	sculpture
tray	storey	ceramics
spoon	suppose	porcelain
pour	orphan	carefully
offer	strongly	object (2)
semi	casual	executive
pearl	necklace	Aston Martin
judge	earring	drive around
greet	bracelet	at that point
glance	run into	ambassador
attire	admiral	mahogany

 
 
 
 

 

At the Park

“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe it! it’s Veronica!” said Ann out loud.
The two women approached and embraced one another. It had been over twenty years since the former classmates had last seen each other. They then went for a stroll in a park.

 

Marriage

“So what have you been up to since graduation?” asked Veronica.
“Well, I majored in pedagogy at college, and have been teaching at our old elementary school ever since,” replied Ann. “What about you?”

She then showed Ann a gold ring with a diamond on her finger. “I had worked as a secretary for a long time . . . but now I write. I’ve published a couple of books — oh, excuse me for just a moment.”

Veronica then walked towards a man standing 100 meters away. Ann looked away.

After about five minutes, Ann glanced in their direction. She saw Veronica take something out of her purse and give it to the man.
 

Return

A couple minutes later, Veronica returned. “Sorry about that,” she explained. “That was an old friend. Say, why don’t we go to my place for some tea?”
 
 
 
 

The Detached Home

Veronica brought Ann over to a two-storied detached home. The front yard contained a variety of flowers and shrubs. A man was trimming the hedge.

The former classmates entered the living room, decorated with Victorian furniture and antiques, such as a mahogany bookshelf with old books. Ceramics and sculptures rested on 19th century tables and stands.
 

Tea

They sat down on an old, French sofa.
“Would you like black, green, grey, camellia, chamomile, or mint tea.”
“Oh, I’ll have chamomile,” answered Ann.
“Linda. Linda!” called Veronica. A young woman entered the living room.
“Two chamomiles, please.”

The young woman went into the kitchen, and later returned with a silver tray containing a white-blue porcelain teapot, sugar bowl, two teacups, saucers, with silver spoons. She carefully poured hot tea into both their cups.
 

At University

“Well, when I attended university there were these two boys who both said they loved me,” explained Veronica.

One was an art student. He was an orphan. He and Veronica would go for long walks in the park. Occasionally they went to a café or the cinema.

“Sometimes, I offered to pay,” said Veronica. “Then one day, he asked me to marry him; my parents strongly objected.”
 

The Second Lover

Veronica described her second lover. His father was the president of a national bank branch and his mother a judge. He would always take Veronica to French restaurants and drive her around in his Aston Martin.

He also bought her a ring, pearl necklace, bracelets and earrings. He spent hours talking about his travels to South America and the Himalayas . . .
 

Introduction

At that point a man wearing semi-formal attire came in through the front door.
“Oh, Ann this is my husband, Glen.”
They greeted each other.

“So how was your day, darling?” Glen asked Veronica.
“Oh, nothing special, honey. I did some writing and went for a walk in the park, where I ran into Ann,” replied Veronica. “And you?”
“Well, today I finished the portrait of Admiral Carlton Winchester; tomorrow I will begin one for the wife of the ambassador of Hungary.”

 

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Questions

 
Painting. Who are Veronica and Ann? What happened in the park? Did they ride on swings and a seesaw?

Drawing, Sketching. While they were walking and talking in the park, . . . . . .

Papier-mâché. Ann and Veronica then went to a café and had some hot cacao. Is this right or wrong?

Clay Sculpture. The man trimming the hedge and Linda, the young woman, were probably Veronica’s son and daughter respectively. What do you think?

Ceramics. Veronica and her husband are probably a working class or middle-class couple. True or false?

Wood Carving. What happened when Veronica was at university? Did she only study?

Marble Statue. Veronica must have married the son of the banker and judge. What do you think?

Bronze Statue. Who was the man in the park? What might be the explanation of their meeting?
 
 
 
Gold Ornaments. Do you know any similar stories (among your friends)?

Oriental Carpets, Rugs. Do you know any artists? What do they do?

Knitting, Crocheting. I know many success stories among different people. Yes or no?

Metalwork. What are some ways people can succeed (become wealthy)?

Stone Carving. Can rich people become poor?