b) Edyth asked Ronald to prepare a beauty bath for her while she was working in the garden.
c) Ronald prepared a beauty bath for Edyth because he wanted to kill her.
5. Edyth kept all her private papers …
a) in the leather writing-case
b) in her wardrobe
c) in her leather bag
6. In Edyth’s leather box Ronald found …
a) a golden ring
b) a lot of money
c) a letter addressed to himself
7. The people who had moved into the house next door …
a) were from police
b) were a just married couple
c) tried to make friends with Ronald.
2. Answer the following questions:
1. Who is the main hero of the story? What do we know about his profession?
2. At the beginning of the story what was Ronald making preparations for? Why was he very wary?
3. Who were those three homely middle-aged women? Why did he marry them?
4. Why did he hate Edyth being out of doors alone?
5. What kind of women did Ronald consider to be the right type?
6. Where did his first wife meet her fatal accident?
7. Why did Dorothy’s death bring a little bother to Ronald?
8. How did he get acquainted with Edyth? How did he get married?
9. What were the two things that signed her death warrant earlier then it had been planned?
10. Describe their bathroom? Why do you think Ronald repainted the bath?
11. How did Ronald plan to murder Edyth?
12. What was Edyth’s reaction when Ronald told her that he had prepared a beauty bath for her?
13. Could Ronald imagine that his wife suspected anything? Did she agree to take a bath?
14. How did Ronald try to check whether Edyth was dead?
15. What did he do when he was sure that Edyth was dead?
16. What did he find in Edyth’s writing case?
Discussion:
1. Do you think the title of the story is an appropriate one? Was three, in fact, a lucky number for Ronald? What other titles can you think of to suit the story?
2. Imagine that Ronald does succeed in murdering Edyth. What might be the continuation of the story? Do you think he would continue to marry and kill other women? Try to think of another ending of the story?
3. Is Edyth a clever and brave woman? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
The Adventure of the Retired Colourman
Pre-reading task:
Before reading the story look at the title and try to foresee what the story might be about.
Reading:
Read the story carefully and try to understand it in detail. Mind the notes to the text.
Vocabulary focus:
1. Look up and learn the following words. Be ready to give the definitions of these words.
colourman shutter
microcosm securities
quack fugitives
crawls wizard
deedbox accomplice
spouse to confirm
to understudy wire
haven vicarage
lounger pellet
grievances rival
sanctum mania
humble odour
2. Find the English equivalents of the following expressions. Make your own sentences using these expressions.
Сколотить небольшое состояние; отдохнуть после непрерывной однообразной работы; вероломный друг; внешняя привлекательность; обедневший аристократ; распознать что-то ; рассказывать взахлёб историю; он был здесь как у себя дома; мысль застряла в моей голове; иметь хорошую память на лица; в местных кругах иметь репутацию скряги; поиграл в любовь с его женой; быть поблизости; закрывать дело; что фактически и есть признание; это навело меня на верный след.
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