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UNIT 39 STORY Lesson 77 Dinner For David ( Ⅰ )

UNIT 39 STORY

Lesson  77 Dinner For David (Ⅰ)

Purpose:

Listening for pleasure

Ex.

Directions: Complete the sentences with what you hear on the tape.

Key:

(see tapescript)

Tapescript:

Dinner For David (Ⅰ)  (4′34″)

Although he was born in Portsea, Kent, and spent his early childhood in Chatham, Charles Dickens lived most of his life in London. He was raised in poverty and had very little education. He began work at the age of 12. Later he became a law clerk. Dickens taught himself shorthand and got a job as a court reporter in the House of Commons. It was here that he began writing short, humorous articles which were warmly received by the reading public. With the publication of his first book Pickwick Papers Dickens met with great success and from then on devoted himself to literature. He was a prolific novelist and his books have been read all over the world. He created more popular fictional characters than any writer in the English language since Shakespeare. When he died in 1870, at the age of 62, Dickens was buried in Westminster Abbey.

We present Dinner for David taken from Charles Dickens's novel David Copperfield.

In David Copperfield Charles Dickens tells us about the many adventures of a young Englishman, first as a boy and then as a man. David's life was not an easy one. Still he survived many difficult experiences and in the end found happiness.

When David was quite young, his mother married for the second time. Her new husband, Mr. Murdstone, did not like David and made life difficult for him. After a while he sent David off to London. The boy traveled by coach. Mr. Barkis, the coachman, kept up a lively conversation all the way. “Is this your first time in London, David?”

“Yes, sir. It's my first journey anywhere.”

“Ah, London is a big, wicked city. You have to watch your step there all the time.”“Do you know London very well, Mr. Barkis?”

“Of course. I live there. I wouldn't live anywhere else.”

“But you said it was a wicked city?”

“And it is. But that doesn't prevent it being wonderful too, does it?”

“Wicked and wonderful at the same time?”

“Why not?”

“I, I don't know.”

“Ah, here is the inn. Oh, … ha, time to stop for something to eat. Are you hungry?” “Indeed I am.”

“We don't have much time and there won't be another stop till London. So eat as much as you can.” “Don't worry about that. I could eat a horse.”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Bulard. Here is my passenger and he wants some dinner.” “Good afternoon, Ma'am. I believe you have a reservation for me.”

“What's your name?”

“David Copperfield.”

“Copperfield? … There is no one by that name on my reservation list.”

“How strange! Well, is there the name Murdstone?”

“Murdstone? Ah, yes. Here it is. If that's your name, why did you say Copperfield?”“My name is Copperfield. Mr. Murdstone is my stepfather. He made the reservation.”

“Well, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that your dinner is paid for.”

“William, William.”

“Yes, Mrs. Bulard.”

“Give Mr. Murdstone or Copperfield or whatever his name is a table and bring him some dinner. He looks starved. So be quick about it.”“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Mr. Barkis, come with me.”

“Right.”

“We'll go to the kitchen and see what the cook has for you.”

“I'll be back in half an hour, David. Enjoy your dinner.”

“Thank you, Mr. Barkis.”

“Right this way, sir. This is your table. Lovely view from here. Just sit down and I'll go and get your dinner.” “Thank you. Lovely view? All I can see is the kitchen. Oh, well, just so long as he brings me plenty to eat. Mrs. Bulard was right. I'm starved.”