Tommy was accustomed to order. He usually tried to put everything into its place. He made it a rule after an incident that had happened some time before. The small boy didnt want to annoy his parents who used to scold him for mess.
One day Tommy broke mothers favourite Chinese vase. He was playing absorbedly with some toy cars when he accidentally touched the vase. It rocked and fell down, shattered in small sparkling pieces with a loud crash. Tommy was standing still, not breathing in the dead silence, with his eyes full of fear.
Next moment mum, dressed in black silk, ran into the room, Lilly followed her. Saying no word, the boys mother looked at the broken vase, then she slowly turned her icy eyes to Tom. She kept staring at him, keeping silent. That reproachful glance followed him everywhere long afterwards. The boy broke eye contact and looked away in embarrassment.
Lilly tried to distract his mum, at the same time she made efforts to advocate and comfort Tommy.
It isnt Tommys fault, aunt Annie. He hasnt done it on purpose!
Tom, Ill help you to collect the fragments, be careful.
Ill ask my parents to bring you the same beautiful vase!
Mummy is going to give it to you as a present.
Oh, it will be even more gorgeous than the broken one! Youll see!..
Tom, Im taking your toy cars until you learn how to behave, his mum said with a calm, cold voice.
Since then Tommy had got his parents permission to play only in the game room or on the sports ground.
The boys mum and dad quite often discussed his future, appraised prospects of his success, and planned his life several years ahead. Everything was predetermined his future profession, mode of life, place to live and what people to communicate with. Each step was under control.
Tommy, have you completed all the Maths tasks? Where is your exercise book?
Not yet, mum, I am going to do sums a bit later.
Do it right now. And where is your essay?
Ill bring it.
Remember that you must study hard.
You are my pride, you will achieve the highest goals.
Will you do it for me, darling?
Ill try
You are the best. Youll be a great man!
Next year you are going to have more difficult tasks. Are you ready?
Yes, I think so.
Besides a course of geometry that is starting soon.
Ok, now Id like to draw, mum, Im going to the game room.
Wait, son. We havent finished yet.
Dont waste your time on insignificant matters!
You should be more serious.
I suppose it will be great for you to study Italian, wont it?
I dont know, mum May I go to the sports ground?
Not yet. Youll go there later, little boy.
Do you love your mummy?
I do, mum.
What a good boy! she said with a sweet voice and gave him a warm glance.
His parents were rather strict, but fair. They wanted for their son the best education, successful career and tried to bring him up as a gentleman. There were a lot of rules for him to follow. Tommy was an obedient child.
HELPFUL WORDS AND NOTES
crystal chandelier [krɪst(ə)l] [_ʃændəlɪə] хрустальная люстра
to reign [reɪn] царить, преобладать, править
to be accustomed to smth [əkʌstəmd] привыкнуть к чему-либо
absorbedly [əbzɔ bɪdlɪ] увлечённо
loud crash [laud] [kræʃ] громкий треск
in the dead silence [ɪn] [ðə] [ded] [saɪləns] в мёртвой тишине
reproachful glance [rɪprəuʧf(ə)l], [-ful] [glɑ n(t)s] укоризненный взгляд
eye contact [aɪ] [kɔntækt] зрительный контакт
in embarrassment [ɪn] [ɪmbærəsmənt] в смущении, растерянно
to make efforts [meɪk] [efəts] прилагать усилия, стараться
to comfort [kʌmfət] подбадривать, утешать, успокаивать
to do smth on purpose [du] [ɔn] [pɜ pəs] делать что-либо нарочно, с целью
permission [pəmɪʃ(ə)n] разрешение, позволение
to appraise prospects [əpreɪz] [prɔspekts] оценивать перспективы
predetermined [_pridɪtɜmɪnd] предопределённый, предрешённый
to do sums [du] [sʌmz] решать задачи, примеры
to achieve a goal [əʧi v] [ə] [gəul]
достигать цели
insignificant matters [_ɪnsɪgnɪfɪk(ə)nt] [mætəz] пустяки
VOCABULARY AND GRAMMAR TASKS
I Here are several words and expressions from the text. (A J) Match the definition of each of them from the list below (1 10).
A reproachful
B to reign
C predetermined
D to comfort
E chandelier
F to achieve a goal
G insignificant matters
H embarrassment
I eye contact
J on purpose
1. a large, decorative hanging light with branches for several light bulbs
2. to make someone feel less unhappy; to console
3. the act of looking directly into one anothers eyes
4. a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness
5. expressing disapproval or disappointment
6. intentionally, deliberately
7. decided by previous events or by people rather than by chance
8. something of little importance or value
9. to reach a desired objective or result by effort, skill, or courage
10. to prevail, predominate
II Replace the italicised words and word combinations with synonyms from the list below in the appropriate form.
to be accustomed to smth; permission; in embarrassment; to reign;
absorbedly; to make efforts; predetermined; to comfort; loud crash; reproachful glance; insignificant matters; on purpose
1. The guy makes no attempt to conceal his indifferent attitude to the critical situation at work. Has he found a new job? I will ask him about his intentions.