Lesson 40

              Text A
Learn to Eat Like a Grown-up

MOTHER:   The table's laid. Come along, both of you, and let us begin.
FATHER:   I'm ready; I feel quite hungry.
CHRIS:   So am I; I could eat a horse.
MOTHER:   Well, we haven't got a horse for you , but what we have got is quite
   nice. Sit there and see how well you can behave. Remember, you're
   getting quite a big boy and must learn to eat like a grown-up.
CHRIS:   DOes that mean that I can eat more?
MOTHER:   We want you to make a good meal, though we don't want you to stuff
   yourself. Your place has been laid just like ours.
CHRIS:   What's this little plate for?
MOTHER:   That's for your bread. Most people eat a little bread with their meat
   and vegetables.
CHRIS:   Mother, aren't you going to cut my meat up for me any more?
MOTHER:   No, I'm not. We have put a knife and fork for you and you must learn .
   how to use them. Here is your meat; help yourself to vegetables from
   the dish Don't take more than you can eat.
CHRIS:   All right; Mother; may I take some mustard?
FATHER:   You may, but I don't think you'll like it. You'll find it hot. Now
   sit up properly; don't lean back and don't Iean too far forward.
MOTHER:   And take your elbows off the table-cloth.
FATHER:   And don't take too much on your fork. You shouldn't open your mouth
   wide at meals.
MOTHER:   And n't make a noise when you are eating.
CHRIS:   Good gracious!I think it would be better if I took my plate away to
   the nursery. I shan't be able to eat at, all if I try to remember
   all those things.
FATHER:   Stay where you are. You'll soon learn.(Chris begins to eat; he puts
   some vegetables into his mouth with his knife. )
MOTHER:   What are you doi ng? Don't you know that you must never put you knife 
   into your mouth?
CHRIS:   But why, Mummy? It's easier like that sometimes.
FATHER:   You .might cut your mouth. Do you want to make your mouth bigger than it k.
   is? Use your for
CHRIS:   No, I don't. But I might prick my tongue with the points of my fork.
FATHER:   Well, you must learn not to.
MOTHER:   There, leave the lad alone. He'll soon learn. Have you finished, dear?
   Lay your knife and fork on your plate. No, don't cross them. Put the
   handles towards you.
FATHER:   Now, here come the sweets. Here's your plate. Use that spoon and fork;
   use your fork more than your spoon.
CHRIS   But why? Isn't it polite to use the spoon?
MOTHER:   Of course it is, but most people use the fork more. than the spoon. Use
   the spoon when you have to.
CHRIS:   You mean for eating very soft stuff?
MOTHER:   That's right. Why, you haven't drunk any water! (Chris drinks some water
   and puts his glass down on the left of his plate. )
FATHER:   Not there. On your right.
CHRISL   But why?
FATHER:   Because it is nearer to your right hand. It's handier there.
CHRIS:   All right, Dad. There seems to be a great deal to learn. Give me some more
   pudding, Mother
MoTHER:   "Give me" doesn't get; say, "Please may I have?"
CHRIS:   Please may I have some more pudding?
MoTHER:   Here you are. What's that I see? Dirty hands? See that you don't come to
   table with dirty hands again.
FATHER:   And brush your hair next time you come.
CHRIS:   I'll try to remember. But you mustn't expect me to learn every't'hing at
   once. May I get down now?
MoTHER:   Very well. Run along.

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