Pringles 2 - PDF

## Fourteen - II ### Objectives - Continue to read the second part of the satirical play. - Learn to use expressions with **make** and study confusing words. - Study reported speech in detail. - Listen to a dialogue and answer the questions, and practise persuasive speech. - Write a summary of the...

## Fourteen - II ### Objectives - Continue to read the second part of the satirical play. - Learn to use expressions with **make** and study confusing words. - Study reported speech in detail. - Listen to a dialogue and answer the questions, and practise persuasive speech. - Write a summary of the play. ### Reading With Jessica dropping out, Mrs Pringle is glad to regain the guest list of fourteen. However, only six are coming from the original guest list. Mrs Pringle is left with the task of making another seating diagram and fresh place-cards. Read on to know what happens next. Mrs Pringle: I spent hours over that diagram! So much depends upon having guests seated harmoniously! There's the front door bell, Dunham - I told Annie to answer it - but peek into the drawing-room and tell me who it is. [The telephone rings again. Mrs Pringle eyes it suspiciously.] You murderous instrument! Now what have you to say? Hello! Oliver Farnsworth's secretary? He's had to leave for Boston at once on very important business? [She hangs up the receiver without completing the conversation and hits the telephone in a temper, then paces back and forth in a rage.] How dare he! At the last moment like this! No regard for the efforts the hostess makes to provide an evening's enjoyment! And such a good dinner I planned - and he promised he would come - I don't believe he had business. He just didn't want to exert himself and was afraid of freezing in the blizzard - as if he didn't have half a dozen limousines to carry him to the door. It's downright rude - and worth millions - just a match for you, Elaine [she tears up his card], and now I don't know when I can give you a chance like that again! I'm perfectly furious - I'll never speak to him! Elaine: [Timidly.] Perhaps he really did have business and was called away. Mrs Pringle: Going on. / And I one of the most important hostesses in this city - people clamouring to receive my invitations. He was my most important guest - every other man considers it an honour to meet him - and now not coming! It's all this damnable blizzard! Elaine: Now I will have to stay away from the table. His not coming makes us thirteen again. Mrs Pringle: [In a temper.] Go to bed, then! I'll send you milk and crackers! Elaine: But, mother, it's not my fault that he had business out of town. Mrs Pringle: Yes, it is! If you'd perk up a bit and not be so timid and make something of yourself, he would hear about you from other men and be curious to meet you himself. Oh, what a family I have! No one to help me with my ambitions! [Dunham enters from the left.] Dunham: It was Mr Morgan, madam. He couldn't have received the second message, for I heard him explaining to Mr Pringle how happy he was to receive your telephone invitation. Mrs Pringle: We're back to fourteen, then, Dunham. Dunham: Yes, madam. Annie told me there were several motors making their way through the snow. It's late now and Cook's swearing about the dinner getting too dry. [The telephone rings. Elaine jumps.] Elaine: I won't answer it. Mrs Pringle: I should say not - hello! [Sharply.] Yes, Mrs Tupper! But now you must come. We're prepared for you. Yes, for eight of you! Your daughter told my daughter about your house guests and we are delighted to have them, every plate is set. Your daughter was quite right - it wasn't an imposition at all - of course my daughter had authority to invite the guests - eight isn't at all a big number - Oh, but how foolish of you to take that stand! Why, my dear - [She hangs up the receiver.] Now Mrs Tupper is furious at Ella for telling you about the house guests; that nothing would make her bring eight when we invited six. So she's leaving Ella and Henry at home. Remove two plates, Dunham, we're twelve after all. Elaine: But if you leave it twelve, Father can't sit at the end - Mrs Pringle: [Exhausted and angry] I shall go mad! People ought to know whether they're coming or not - but they accept and regret and regret and accept. [Dunham goes out.] A haphazard crowd - hurried together, when I had planned everything so beautifully. Now how shall I seat them? If I put Mr Tupper here then Mrs Tupper has to sit next to her husband and I want Mr Morgan there - Oh! It's impossible. I might as well put their names in a hat and draw them out at random! I'm through! Through with men like Oliver Farnsworth. I don't care off on train - nonsense - didn't want to come and meet a sweet, pretty girl - well, he's not good enough for you! Don't you dare marry him, Elaine! [Dunham enters with a note on a silver plate.] Dunham: A note from Mr Farnsworth, madam. There are two strange gentlemen in the lower hall. They presented this letter. He said he was the secretary. All the other guests are upstairs in the drawing-room. But the two gentlemen downstairs are waiting for your answer. One gentleman's face looked very familiar, madam, but I just can't place him. Although I'm sure I've seen his face somewhere. Ms Pringle: [She has been reading the note and is overcome with surprise and joy.] My goodness, it's the Prince of Wales! Dunham: The secretary said you cut off the telephone or Central disconnected you. He was about to tell you that Mr Farnsworth knew that the blizzard had prevented His Highness from taking up an invitation way up town - Mrs Pringle: The Prince of Wales is in my lower hall, waiting for me to ask him to dinner! Elaine: Then we'll be thirteen again. Dunham: There's the secretary, Miss, he is his bodyguard. We shall be fourteen at dinner. Serve the drinks. [Dunham to the guests.] May sit anywhere they choose. I shall bring the Prince in with me. Mrs Pringle: Rising to the occasion. Certainly, the secretary. Elaine: Mother, wasn't it nice of Oliver Farnsworth to send a Prince in his place? Mrs Pringle: Didn't I always say that Oliver Farnsworth was the most considerate of men? Elaine: I think I shall like Mr Farnsworth. Mrs Pringle: Silly child! It is too late to like Mr Farnsworth. It's time now to like the Prince. [Starting out.] I always manage somehow to be the most successful of hostesses! Thank God for the blizzard! ### Summary Mrs Pringle is frustrated due to alternations in the guest list. She thinks that her dining table looks best with fourteen seats as it allows her husband to sit at the head of the table, which she thinks is the most honourable place. She is also concerned with the aesthetic value of the party as she wants to impress Oliver Farnsworth, the guest of honour, who she hopes will marry her daughter Elaine. By a stroke of luck, the Prince of Wales appears unexpectedly as a guest at her dinner. ### About the Author Alice Erya Gerstenberg (1885 - 1972) was an American playwright who was best known for her experimental and feminist drama. She was also involved with the Little Theatre Movement in Chicago, and maintained the role of an activist in bringing non-commercial theatre to new playwrights. The author also played an important part in the foundation and success of other theatre companies such as Junior League Children's Theater in Chicago and Playwrights Theater. ### Comprehension **Write T for True and F for False.** - Mr Oliver Farnsworth had to leave for Boston on very important business. (**T**) - Mrs Pringle was glad to know Mr Farnsworth was unable to attend the dinner party. (**F**) - Mrs Pringle wished Elaine to be more lively and confident. (**T**) - Mrs Pringle honestly wanted Mrs Tupper to bring along her house guests. (**F**) - Mrs Pringle advised Elaine to take a liking to the Prince of Wales. (**T**)