Another two years went by before the next baby came, and this time it was a girl. «Good thing too, » said Mrs. Ruggles, «I’m tired of boys. And it’s my turn to choose a name, » she continued, looking hard at Old Jo as he sat smoking his after tea pipe. «Yes, it’s my turn, and I’m going to have my way this time. Margaret Rosie she’s going to be, after me and the little princess together, and if it’s too grand for a dustman’s child— well, you can always call her Peggy. — I don’t mind. » And when Mrs. Ruggles was tired of boys, four years later another one appeared. «And the last I hope, girl or boy, » said Rosie. There was no difficulty with the baby’s name, for Rosie had a bright idea. She thought it might be nice and delicate to call him after the Vicar who had always been so kind to them. «We must know first what his name is, » said Mr. Ruggles — he had fears of Roland or Nigel or something like them again. Mrs. Ruggles asked the Vicar if he would mind if she called her last baby after him.The Vicar said he would be very pleased, but his name was James, and surely, if he was not mistaken, that name had already been given to one of the twins. Would William, his second name, do? Mrs. Ruggles said, oh yes, it would do very well indeed, thank you. And then she saw a pound note ... a christening present for William. Mrs. Ruggles almost ran back to №1 One End Street with the good news. «Well?» said her husband as he met her at the door. «Well, whai have you done about it?» «А flowery’ name, » cried Rosie, lifting the sleeping baby in her arms and kissing him so that he woke and began to howl. «Another ‘flowery’ name!» «What? » cried Jo. «I won’t have flowery’ name in my family — and a boy too!» « He’s William! » shouted Rosie. "Sweet William, and he's given me a pound note for William for a christening present" Mrs. Ruggles breathed a sigh of relief. So the baby was William, and he was the last;.
1 have fears [fiez] — бояться,
2 turn — очередь
3 lift — поднимать
4 howl [haul] — плакать, хныкать
5 breathe a sigh of relief — вздохнуть с облегчением
2. Translate these sentences from the text.
a. Another two years went by before the next baby came
b. There was no difficulty with this baby’s name, for Rosie had a bright idea.
c. Mrs. Ruggles asked the Vicar if he would mind if she called her last baby after him.
d. Would William, his second name, do?
c. So the baby was William, and he was the last.
3. Write questions to these answers.
1. He’ll be called after me. (What...?)
2. For Rosie had a bright idea. (Why...?)
3. ... if he would mind if she called her last baby after him. (What...?)
4. That name had already been given to one of the twins, (Why...?)
5. Mrs. Ruggles almost ran back to №1 One End Street. (How...?)
4. Give extensive answers to these questions about the text.
1. Why did Mr. Ruggles have to become «Old Jo»?
2. Who was Margaret Rosie called after?
3. When did the last boy appear in the Ruggles family?
4. What present did the Vicar give Mrs. Ruggles for the baby?
5. Why did the baby begin to howl?
6. Why didn’t Mr. Ruggles object to the name of Williams?
5. Develop the following idea to sum up the contents of the text.
О It was not an easy task for Mr. and Mrs. Ruggles to choose a name for the little baby.