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. |