Everyday English полностью

Victor, who was sixteen, was small, almost birdlike, and in this he resembled his father to some extent. He had his mother’s straight shiny black hair, but otherwise he did not appear to physically favour³ either of them. His large eyes were soft and hazel in colour and his face was smooth and bland⁴ without any emphatic features, but he was pleasent-looking. His sober face mirrored his character, for Victor Kallinski was a gentle and reflective boy; and in one way his temperament was similar to his father’s, he had a great forbearance and a deep understanding of human frailties, an understanding that was mature and remarkable in one so young. He was a thinker and a dreamer, and he had the soul of a poet. Victor was happiest when he was alone reading, or gazing at great paintings in the museum, of listening to the music of Mahler⁵ and Beethoven⁶. He was reserved of nature to a point of shyness and not given to conversing easily with anyone, especially strangers. Victor was looking at Emma from under his long dark lashes, a quiet smile playing around his mouth, thinking what a compassionate girl she must be, and how her actions today only reinforced his inherent belief that essentially mankind was good. Like his father, Victor was utterly without bitterness.

¹ be blessed with - be fortunate in having

² demeanour - [di'mrna] - way of behaving

³ favour (v) - resemble in features

⁴ bland - gentle and polite in manner

⁵ Mahler [modal

_{B D} .. ¹ _r,Z -1 composers

⁶ Beethoven [ beithouvn]

Ex. 21. Comprehension questions.

1. Whom did Mrs Kallinski introduce her sons to?

2. Why were they glad to meet Emma Harte?

3. Were the brothers alike?

4. How old were David and Victor?

5. Whom did David take after?

6. Whose manner did David inherit?

7. Towards what goal was David motivated?

8. How did he act to achieve his goal?

9. Did Victor in any way resemble his brother?

10. What was Victor’s most outstanding trait?

11. What did he think of Emma Harte?

Ex. 22. Pick out from the text words and phrases used to characterize the brothers. Fill in the table below; compare the brothers.