I. Translate into Russian. A. Try to guess what it is

1. )

A. Try to guess what it is.

T. Don't speak so loud, Alla, we'll disturb others.

A. Sorry! But I can't help letting the cat out of the bag:³ this summer our group is going on a trip to the Cau­casus. Will you join us, Tanya?

T. I'm all for it, but I have been too busy up until now with my course-paper to think of anything else.

A. As a matter of fact, I knew all along that you would join us. It'll be such fun! But let's get down to busi­ness now. Have you done much, Tanya?

T. Not very much as a matter of fact. I'm in a bit of a predicament about my course-paper. I lack some ma­terial. I've looked through the catalogue here, but so far I have not found the book I need.

A. Oh, it is of no consequence. We shall go to the local library, they're sure to have it there. Did you sit up late ⁴ last night?

T. Yes, I did. But for ⁵ my sister I could never have done so much. She helped me a lot writing out the examples I found in books. What about you, Alla?

A. The first part of my paper is nearly done, but I wish I had done more in winter.

T. It's no use crying over spilt milk, ⁶ Alla, but I think it serves you right ⁷ for being lazy during the term. I knew all along that it would come to this, but the first of April seemed such a long way off, didn't it?

A. You are right. I don't think it is worth while making a fuss over. We shall make it in the long run.

T. I was going to say so myself but you got there first. So let's get down to work. Fetch Webster's dictionary, will you?

A. Oh, dear, I've left my reader's card at home!

T. You can fill in a new slip, so what's the odds? ⁸

A. No, I'd better run home for my reader's card. It won't take more than ten minutes.

VOCABULARY NOTES

(1) what's up? — what is going on? what's the matter?

1. "What's up?" said Adrian to a policeman. (J. Galsworthy)

2. "What's up, lad?" — "You made me think of my mother." (J. Braine)

3. You'd better wait here, and I'll go in first and pretend I haven't seen you, otherwise she'll guess there's something up. (D. Cusack)

(2) in high (great, good) spirits — cheerful

1. The young woman wore a bunch of violets and seemed in high spirits. (Th. Dreiser)

2. Carrie reached home in high good spirits, which she could scarcely conceal. (Th. Dreiser)

3. He was pleased to see the architect in such high spirits and left him to spend the afternoon with Irene, while he stole off to his pictures, after his Sunday habit. (J. Galsworthy)

(3) to let the cat out of the bag — to disclose a secret

1. From the warmth of her embrace he probably divined that he had let the cat out of the bag, for he rode off at once on irony. (J. Galsworthy)

2. I shouldn't have let the cat out. But there it is — it's a lucky start for you, my dear fellow. (A. Cronin)

(4) to sit up late (to keep late hours) — not to go to bed

at the usual hours

1. Alf and Morris swore they could not sleep. They wanted to sit up all night in order to get down to the wagon on time. (K. Prichard)

2. Bless you! Don't sit up too late. Anne's rather in the dumps. (J. Galsworthy)

(5) but for (except for) — if it had not been for (if it was

not for)

1. But for that your uncle would have been dead long ago. (J. Galsworthy)

2. It was curious to reflect that, but for his meeting with these down-and-outs, he would never have been able to continue in his new life. (J. Wain)

3. But for the war it might never have developed in Ferse, but you can't tell. (J. Galsworthy)

(6) it is no use crying over spilt milk (to cry over spilt milk) — to spend time uselessly regretting unfortunate events

1. "Well, I judge there's no use crying over spilt milk. Com­mand me in any way. 1 am your very faithful servant." And turning round, he went out. (J. Galsworthy)

2. "Oh, dear me!" exclaimed Carrie. Then she settled back with a sigh. "There is no use crying over spilt milk," she said. "It's too late!" (Th. Dreiser)

3. And the grass — those great places had no grass, he believed! The blossom, too, was late this year — no blossom before they left! Well, the milk was spilled! (J. Galsworthy)

(7) it serves you right — you have got just about what you deserve for your behaviour or actions

1. You took money that ought to have fed starving children. Serve you right! If I had been the father of one of those children, I'd have given you something worse than the sack. (B. Shaw)

1. "Served him right," said Drouet afterward, even in view of her keen expiation of her error. "I haven't any pity for a man who would be such a chump as that." (Th. Dreiser)

3. And as to confiscation of war profits, he was entirely in favour of it, for he had none, and "serve the beggars right!" (J. Gals­worthy)

(8) what's the odds? — is it of any consequence? what difference does it make?

1. 1 reckon Morrey's right. Lost faith in Hannans myself. But what's the odds? (K. Prichard)

2. "You mean the gold stealing and illicit buying?" — "You know what I mean. And if you're not in on it, they'll think you are. So what's the odds?" (K. Prichard)

3. Later Alice challenged him. "I can't say I like him," he an­swered. "But what's the odds?" (J. Lindsay)

Exercises

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