Tom: John Blake and his friend, Mary Green, were trying to find out more about a pendant. The pendant had been stolen from a museum. First, they visited Mr. Forset, a collector of old things. Then they went to see Miss Haverel. Her brother had once owned the pendant. Finally, they went to the shop of the bookseller, Mr. Egg. At first, they couldn’t see anyone in the shop. Then Mr. Egg’s assistant appeared from behind a door. “What sort of book do you want, sir?” he asked.
Woman1: Good afternoon, Madam.
Woman2: Good afternoon. Oh, have you any birds?
Woman1: Oh, we have a lot of birds, madam. We sell birds. This is a bird shop.
Woman2: Well, yes, of course.
Woman1: What sort of bird do you want?
Woman2: What sort of birds have you got?
Woman1: We have all sorts of birds. Oh, yes, we have birds of all sorts.
Woman2: Then I’d like a green parrot with red stripes and yellow spots.
Woman1: A green parrot with red stripes and yellow spots? I’m afraid we’ve got nothing of that sort.
Woman2: You said you had all sorts of birds. This is a bird shop, isn’t it?
Woman1: Yes, it is, but—
Woman2: That is the kind of bird I want. I’ll complain to the manager.
Woman1: I am the manager, Madam.
Woman2: Well, I am complaining.
Tom: So, John and Mary went to Mr. Egg’s bookshop. At first, they couldn’t see anyone. Then Mr. Egg’s assistant appeared from behind a door.
Assistant: What do you want?
John: Oh—have you any books?
Assistant: We have a lot of books, sir. We sell books. This is a bookshop.
John: Yes, of course. I’ve been looking at your books.
Assistant: Have you been waiting long, sir?
John: No, we haven’t been waiting here long.
Assistant: What sort of book do you want, sir?
John: Have you any books about museums?
Assistant: About museums, sir?
Mary: Or jewellery. Have you any books about jewellery?
Assistant: How to make it?
John: How to steal it.
Assistant: Steal it?
Mary: He means how to value it.
John: Yes, I mean how to value it. Have you any books on how to value old jewellery?
Assistant: How to value old jewellery? Hm, I’m not sure.
Tom: The assistant in Mr. Egg’s bookshop asked what sort of book John and Mary wanted. Mary asked, “Have you any books about jewellery?”
Man1: Good afternoon. Have you any books about animals?
Assistant: You mean on how to keep animals? I’ll have a look.
Woman: Have you any books about furniture?
Assistant: You mean on how to make furniture? I’ll have a look.
Man2: Have you any books about basketball?
Assistant: You mean on how to play it? I’ll have a look.
Tom: Have you any books about missing jewels?
Assistant: You mean on how to find them? No, I’m afraid we haven’t.
Tom: Then listen to the next episode of “The Missing Jewel”.
Cathy: Tom, do you mean that this is the end of the lesson already?
Tom: Of course not.
Cathy: Do you mean we still haven’t finished with “mean”?
Tom: Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Listen.
Man: And do you know what you are? You are a silly old lemon.
Mother-in-law: Oh!
Woman: Don’t be hurt, mummy. He doesn’t mean it.
Man: I mean every word of it.
Woman: No, mummy, he doesn’t mean it. What he really means is that you are the nicest mother-in-law in the world. (whispering) You were very rude to mummy, you must apologise.
Man: No, I won’t.
Woman: You do you mean you won’t apologise?
Man: Yes, I do. When I say “no”, I mean “no”.
Man: Good afternoon, Mabel, dear.
Mother-in-law: Hm, Jack! Are you here? What does this mean?
Man: Well, I’ve just come to see you.
Mother-in-law: What nice flowers you’re holding.
Man: I meant these flowers for you. I’m sorry I was so rude. I’m sorry I was so rude.
Woman: Well, did you apologise?
Man: Me? Never. I told you when I say “no”, I mean “no”.
Tom: Hey, Cathy! Cathy!
Cathy: Do you mean me?
Tom: Who else could I mean? There aren’t any other Cathys here, are they?
Cathy: All right, all right. Only, don’t be rude!
Tom: Am I being rude?
Cathy: Oh, no, you’re being nice, kind, polite, the most wonderful—
Tom: Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude to you.
Cathy: Not at all.
Tom: Cathy, I think we ought to stop our explanation of—
Cathy: Do you mean it’s high time we went on with our story?
Tom: That’s exactly what I mean.
Cathy: Good.
Tom: Well, the assistant asked, what sort of book John and Mary wanted.
Cathy: That’s the third time…
Tom: What do you mean by that?
Cathy: Don’t you know?
Tom: I have no idea.
Cathy: I mean that’s the third time you’ve said that sentence.
Tom: Hah, terrible! But you are right. I promise I won’t say it again. Well, the assistant asked—
Cathy: So, your promises don’t mean anything.
Tom: I mean the assistant didn’t ask anything, Mary asked, “What is behind that door?”
Cathy: Ho-ho, that was a smart answer. And what was behind the door?
Tom: The stairs to Mr. Egg’s private rooms. Suddenly the door opened, and in came a man. He started to talk to the assistant. “Herbert, are you sure?” he began. Then he noticed there were customers in the shop.
Cathy: Customers, that means people who want to buy something, doesn’t it?
Tom: That’s right.
Cathy: And who was the man? Mr. Egg?
Tom: Oh, no. Listen.
Mary: What’s behind that door?
Assistant: Which door?
Mary: The door over there. What’s behind it?
Assistant: There’s nothing behind it.
Mary: But you came through that door.
Assistant: The stairs are behind that door.
John: The stairs?
Assistant: The stairs to Mr. Egg’s rooms.
John: Oh, Mr. Egg lives here, does he?
Assistant: You are asking for a book, sir?
John: Mr. Egg’s rooms are upstairs and that door leads to them.
Mary: They’re Mr. Egg’s private rooms, are they?
Assistant: Yes, they’re Mr. Egg’s private rooms.
Forset: Herbert, are you sure that— (mysterious music) oh, you have customers.
Assistant: Yes, customers, Mr. Forset.
John: Good morning, Mr. Forset.
Forset: What are you doing here?
Mary: We—we’ve been asking about a book. A book about old jewellery.
Forset: Oh, you’ve been buying books.
John: What are you doing?
Forset: I’ve been talking about books.
Mary: Upstairs?
Forset: Yes, upstairs. I’ve been visiting Mr. Egg.
John: Are you sure?
Forset: Of course. Egg is a friend of mine.
John: Ho-ho, I’m sure he’s a friend of yours. He’s a friend of your nephew, too. But he isn’t upstairs.
Forset: You think he’s not here?
John: I know he’s not here.
Forset: Perhaps you think I’m not telling the truth?
Tom: Mr. Forset was a collector of old things. John and Mary had already been to see him to ask about the pendant.
Cathy: Didn’t they ask for the pendant?
Tom: Of course not. They asked him about it.
Woman1: But what is the pendant like? Tell me something about it at least. Is it big? Is it small? Has it got precious stones in it? Is it heavy? Is it beautiful? Is it old? Is it valuable?
Woman2: Hello, Caroline, what are you doing here?
Woman1: I’ve been asking about the pendant.
Man: What can I do for you, Madam?
Woman: I’d like a pendant, please.
Man: What sort of pendant, Madam?
Woman: A gold one with precious stones in it, please.
Woman2: Hello, Caroline. What are you buying?
Woman: I’ve been asking for a pendant. I want to buy something beautiful for Margaret’s wedding.
Tom: Mary and John didn’t ask Mr. Forset for the pendant. They couldn’t have asked him for it. The pendant was stolen. They asked him about it. Mr. Forset had a nephew with a scar on his face. John saw a man with a scar in the museum, when the pendant was stolen. When Mr. Forset said, “Egg is a friend of mine,” John replied, “He is a friend of your nephew, too. But he isn’t upstairs.” Forset seemed to be upset. “Perhaps you think I’m not telling the truth,” or in other words, what he was saying wasn’t true, or he was lying. If you don’t tell the truth, you lie. If you lie, you’re a liar. John knew that Forset wasn’t telling the truth.
Forset: Of course. Egg is a friend of mine.
John: Ho-ho, I’m sure he’s a friend of yours. He’s a friend of your nephew, too. But he isn’t upstairs.
Forset: You think he’s not here?
John: I know he’s not here.
Forset: Perhaps you think I’m not telling the truth?
Mary: Mr. Egg has gone to see Miss Haverel.
Forset: Nonsense.
John: It’s true. Mr. Egg is at Miss Haverel’s.
Forset: Are you saying I’m a liar?
Mary: Oh, no, but we just left Mr. Egg at Miss Haverel’s.
Forset: Then you are saying I’m a liar. Herbert!
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
Forset: Didn’t I come to see Mr. Egg?
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
John: Perhaps you came to see him, but you didn’t see him.
Forset: Herbert! Haven’t I been visiting Mr. Egg? Haven’t I been talking to him? Haven’t I? Herbert! Haven’t I been talking to Mr. Egg?
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
John: Then we’ll go upstairs, too. We’ll talk to Mr. Egg.
Assistant: No, sir.
Mary: Why not?
Assistant: Because I said no. You can’t go upstairs.
Mary: Then we’ll leave a message for Mr. Egg.
Assistant: Very well.
Tom: Well, there’ll be more of the story later on. But now,
EXERCISE YOUR ENGLISH.
Exercise 1
Listen to the example:
A: What sort of book do you want, Madam?
B: (old jewellery)
C: Have you any books about old jewellery?
Listen, speak, listen.
A: What sort of book do you want, Madam?
B: (old jewellery)
[Your response]
C: Have you any books about old jewellery?
B: (museums)
[Your response]
C: Have you any books about museums?
B: (ancient monuments)
[Your response]
C: Have you any books about ancient monuments?
B: (modern architecture)
[Your response]
C: Have you any books about modern architecture?
B: (English grammar)
[Your response]
C: Have you any books about English grammar?
Exercise 2
Listen to the example:
A: I have lots of books about jewellery.
B: You mean you’re interested in jewellery?
Listen, speak, listen.
A: I have lots of books about jewellery.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in jewellery?
A: I have lots of books about museums.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in museums?
A: I have lots of books about ancient monuments.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in ancient monuments?
A: I have lots of books about fishing.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in fishing?
A: I have lots of books about modern architecture.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in modern architecture?
A: I have lots of books about English grammar.
[Your response]
B: You mean you’re interested in English grammar?
Exercise 3
Listen to the example:
A: What’s behind the door?
B: Which door?
A: The door over there. What’s behind it?
Listen, speak, listen.
A: What’s behind the door?
B: Which door?
[Your response]
A: The door over there. What’s behind it?
A: What’s under that car?
B: Which car?
[Your response]
A: The car over there. What’s under it?
A: What’s beneath the curtain?
B: Which curtain?
[Your response]
A: The curtain over there. What’s beneath it?
A: What’s on that chair?
B: Which chair?
[Your response]
A: The chair over there. What’s on it?
Tom: And now, let’s go back to our story. John and Mary went to Mr. Egg’s bookshop. They couldn’t see his assistant at first, but suddenly he had appeared from behind a door.
Assistant: What do you want?
John: Oh—have you any books?
Assistant: We have a lot of books, sir. We sell books. This is a bookshop.
John: Yes, of course. I’ve been looking at your books.
Assistant: Have you been waiting long, sir?
John: No, we haven’t been waiting here long.
Assistant: What sort of book do you want, sir?
John: Have you any books about museums?
Assistant: About museums, sir?
Mary: Or jewellery. Have you any books about jewellery?
Assistant: How to make it?
John: How to steal it.
Assistant: Steal it?
Mary: He means how to value it.
John: Yes, I mean how to value it. Have you any books on how to value old jewellery?
Assistant: How to value old jewellery? Hm, I’m not sure.
Mary: What’s behind that door?
Assistant: Which door?
Mary: The door over there. What’s behind it?
Assistant: There’s nothing behind it.
Mary: But you came through that door.
Assistant: The stairs are behind that door.
John: The stairs?
Assistant: The stairs to Mr. Egg’s rooms.
John: Oh, Mr. Egg lives here, does he?
Assistant: You are asking for a book, sir?
John: Mr. Egg’s rooms are upstairs and that door leads to them.
Mary: They’re Mr. Egg’s private rooms, are they?
Assistant: Yes, they’re Mr. Egg’s private rooms.
Forset: Herbert, are you sure that— (mysterious music) oh, you have customers.
Assistant: Yes, customers, Mr. Forset.
John: Good morning, Mr. Forset.
Forset: What are you doing here?
Mary: We—we’ve been asking about a book. A book about old jewellery.
Forset: Oh, you’ve been buying books.
John: What are you doing?
Forset: I’ve been talking about books.
Mary: Upstairs?
Forset: Yes, upstairs. I’ve been visiting Mr. Egg.
John: Are you sure?
Forset: Of course. Egg is a friend of mine.
John: Ho-ho, I’m sure he’s a friend of yours. He’s a friend of your nephew, too. But he isn’t upstairs.
Forset: You think he’s not here?
John: I know he’s not here.
Forset: Perhaps you think I’m not telling the truth?
Mary: Mr. Egg has gone to see Miss Haverel.
Forset: Nonsense.
John: It’s true. Mr. Egg is at Miss Haverel’s.
Forset: Are you saying I’m a liar?
Mary: Oh, no, but we just left Mr. Egg at Miss Haverel’s.
Forset: Then you are saying I’m a liar. Herbert!
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
Forset: Didn’t I come to see Mr. Egg?
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
John: Perhaps you came to see him, but you didn’t see him.
Forset: Herbert! Haven’t I been visiting Mr. Egg? Haven’t I been talking to him? Haven’t I? Herbert! Haven’t I been talking to Mr. Egg?
Assistant: Yes, Mr. Forset.
John: Then we’ll go upstairs, too. We’ll talk to Mr. Egg.
Assistant: No, sir.
Mary: Why not?
Assistant: Because I said no. You can’t go upstairs.
Mary: Then we’ll leave a message for Mr. Egg.
Assistant: Very well.
Mary: Tell him we were sorry he was out. We’ll see him at seven o’clock tonight. Tell him we’ll be here at seven.
(theme music)