‘A Christmas Song by HE Bates About the author Herbere Ems Bites was bor in 195 in Rushden, Norhamenshi, inthe Midlands of England. Known ar" F fom a young ag, Bates wns educated at Kettering Grammar School and ater leaving. be ‘worked asa journals anda clk on local newsppes. From an ery age, Baer knew that he wanted tobe weiter He tublshed his fit hock, The Too Ser, when fe was 20. fa che next 15 year, he acquired grt popular with his stores shout English county ie. He loved herr eas he Milan ard wen frleng wl het, fen at igh I 1931, Bates marred Madge Co, whom he hal owe since he nas bo. They moved to Kent where they mised thei for chiles. “Thor se, where Bes vel i fe, had an ate of eden which he tok erst plessre, and he ao wrote honk about plants and flower. During World War I, Bots was Squadron Leaders the Royal [Air Force. He xs commissioned by the RAF to write stores about the war Some of his stores of vice lif, sich a Hoe Sex she Brae (143), were wnsen under the peadony of ing Ofer They ‘wee fire publlhed inthe News Chronicle ana ltr apres book {oem at The reset Pen he Word and How Sethe Brae Bates was then peste to the For Eat. He wrote two els abou Bars, “The Purple Plan ard The Js Ths, dl another we Indi, The Sea Sud ‘Aer the war, Bates continu to wits, and priced, on avers, ‘ne novel ana colton of shore stories every yar. In 1958, Tae ‘aring Bes of Moy was pushed the frst in aseriesof poplar novels ‘bout acouney fly called the Larkins After Bates died his book wasmadeinto a TV seresbyhisson, Richa. Man ther stories were “Alpe for TV and oer fr lms. The mo mousse, perhaps, The Pale lan stating Gregory Pech and The Tile Eck, 122 | AChriemas Sone HLE Bats died in 1974, having writen more thar 100 novels snd collections of shor ries He alo wrote esas, plays and aso for shila, Te White Adil (1968). Described by Graham Greene "Briain suceesor to Chethov' he was succanfl an rept in is Iiftime. However, eta his grestese succes came afer his death with che TV adopation of The Dain Buds of May ants seqel, My ‘Unde Ss His works have been tansatd inzo many lngings About the story A Clrizmar Song war ft published in 1950 in Woman’: Ox ‘agacne In 1951 it winched nthe collection Calne lon and (Other Sue under the cle Sgt Renker. ‘Background information Evensford “The tow where the tory takes place i based on Bates home town ‘of Rasen Te hiss use of che name which appezes agin sm ome ‘fis ter Bion, Evensfor i an industrial Milands town with many ily lade set abo herr, and gasworks! There must aio he a lather factory asthe Willamson fay In the story ate auecesil leather manufrs Music ‘At the time the story was writen, susie shops sol sheet musi and gramophone recone In the shop where Clare mors, tte ate ieamiphose culcks, where castomer can Isten to seco belore ‘ying them. Clara lls jaz she mus tothe factory workers, andthe author mentions Danny Kaye, an American comedy actor who ha several hits in the 1950 with light ear songs for clifen. These ‘wold have Boe parcel popular at Chie, Schubert, Frans Schubere (1792-1828) was an Austian composer He wrote oper, symphonies, ltugel susie and over 600 ler A lt i 8 European romantic song jpcllyaranged fo a single singer and plano. The song which fests in the sory i Schubert Sandehen. ACen Song | 128Summary Temay lp you to know somhing stout what happen inthe story before you reat Das wor, hr summary dos no el yon bow the tory endl Clara i enc young mustache no wos na mee shop ina gall Midlands twa. Evry Chests, se bes ha wl sow o thatthe tom wilok peti. She basa ste Ele who ‘soto alee ar & much wore popula wth he youn men of theron ery Christmas the Willamson aly feces eather mmanutctre, bald a bg party to which Clr, Ee, and ther ets ae lens nied: Casa dads hath yea he wl ot 2 de ocver enjoys Ee ls hse mt go ad es ‘Gast the Willsmsons wil fice bert th end Onshe night te pra young nan comes othe muieshop- ewan april sng tut he cna ener ee nee she compo Clara sings sever sonp, butane athe core one Sheeri isa love rng and the un ays Chr encourages ‘he man tore the shop he remember the tne "At nine oelek, Cla sting at the pro i he desing ow whee one ofthe Willan ss, Fy aves and es {eng tin Clr es im a ik od bee trad touch er Clara ally ages to ofthe pany with hm. hey tc avin the young an ho ha Be lok fr the ne) seas ain a the doo He has renee sme of the moh tothesng Cla es tthe plano an plas heen, bch by Schur Fey angry and goes ut ost in the ot Clr ds the record for he young ma, who very otal Wil Claro tomherary Pre-reading exercises Key vocabulary “This section wll ou fiise youl with ome ofthe more ‘pete vocabuley el inthe ory Yu may oe elo {you before you sar reading ora eis exerci afer you have oh the sty 2 ete esta i ho ply aoe dig 124 | A Givens Sng ‘Vocabulary connected with music (Clara works ia. a msi shop in England around the mid- 20th centuy Here & some ofthe vocabulary from the sory which 4 telated 0 1 Match dhe words in the box below tothe core dinitions. 1 voice trsining 0) to make musical sounds with yur lip cowed (2 sheetamasic 6) ld fashionod) a machine fr paying recor 3 tohum ——c) oncofthe sections naling of musics each ‘contains several tes 4 carl 4) a eres of msical notes ina ioe from the lowest othe highest othe hese othe lowest 5 ter «) lsming howto sing 6 record) a eraditonal song sung at Css 7 gramophone) ange round Mack pec of plane contining ‘une or ther uns 8 scale 1h) music pinced on pages tha do ot fom part of bok 2 Complete this paragraph with an appropiate word fom the bor above. ‘At Christmas, che mos: papular songs are of ours, | Whes was child in the 50s, emeber my mother ‘Silene Nigh a she moved sbour the kitchen. She bad had a profesional an Bat sbe wa an excellent singer snd plans Every aye practised hee saying rom ow [ots thigh and Back aguin. On Chrismas Dy, she would eae 8 the ns Rm the amet down a the piano and | ply che fe ‘of cr favourite songs The who my | would then bre ito song. When mother was tr, she would Stop playing ad we would open up the ed put on the we had bought each oer Kr Chie AChrisoas Song | 125Winter weather 1s Christmastime in the ory and Claris hoping fr stow. The vocabulary helow describes diferent aspects of the weather ted the Winter lndicae. 3 Lookat the definitions in thehox blow then answer the questions that fallow. oe sii lis etl ode inp Theite nee rye on min {Sohne forse his cme nce hl ts mer Sirs fonpn ako | sparide to shine with snall points cf reflected light | create wiccmimienssntietetanfvoatniey | ‘Look atthe verbs which mean to shine? Which ofthe verbs would you use ro describe the flowing: 8) piece of broken lain che sulght someone’ skin alter they hve ben ning fast, €) the nose offs under your ee Verbs describing actions “The fctry cme son, Fredy Williamson is pontayed ar. clumsy fou and vulgar young man. Look at thee verbs which ae wed Asche his acon stamp toot ar ft dn nado och rep tos all shing cree i mack token hye eee 1 sum tock ig pend ae hp ye po see ‘woene scales ny ctng elle fou 4 see to ey wn iy held ning te Gn the Tech edating ! 4 "Now find the vers in the story and write an example of how cach i used blow. awl Fredy Wilson had buted ou ‘Gon toxamp 3) oes nash nc gi md ak hight ime 126 | A Chea Sone 5 Wate your own sentences, using the verbs above CColfoguial expressions and ‘lang! “The author ss ot of colli exresons and ‘slang in this sory ‘Slang’ descebes won or excionn that are very informal and are not considered suitable for mere formal stuntions. Some slang Wed only by particular group of people In hist te author hat wt slang expressions so thatthe character! speech sounds colli an therefore more authentic and el Man of there express ae till wed in every English, Seme examples ae lated below Some have ‘atlas meaning soe ae rl. You my have head then before seneal conversation orn ne {ir oneugh cnt to ry sa han ed ae bby er can, leans o ing sin ely oe Nv. Th clue ang sl ed mon Enh Foreample =m che” te dee san thas oa unckcrdimaecdi~ han gh wow Fed at ang a led canine yon pe “Ee sep etre eb od et the binds upd sus way of cling tee to he thee Leen eng ay pal a dg ae cit | step oat of rg, cota me a fs 10 in rh rth cd Soret ana egal nw a) (eed ota et nay lee he man ee shin ardvey er earn renet eww aid or clonal cay sit meen in he pt eh meting hath en awd to seat» nn tn lr phason AChismasSong | 127Lee ————EEs 6 Choose one of the expressions above to complete the following Bill ws dayteaing gin sarin nt the dance. He was obviously ‘wort abt something "said Laue. Ball had had shower and was stl weasing is we towel around his wast. “And foe odes sake, Billo Were going tobe ate” Bar Bil id ‘ot want tour and be wick of tengo are complaining he mumbled. “AI righ, all ght” id. Lauie You've been so tne ately You need to relax leet 10 ths parry and you can "You know you need i Bll, [new she was hte shoul ex an ave some, . ‘oer’ e sad. And he went upetaisto get dresed c Bl sid Laue, always ges eady eventual?” Main themes Before yu read the sory, you my want to think about Some of is tain themes. The questions wl ep ou chk abo the sry a you ane reading it forthe fist ne. There = more dscusion of che main themes inthe Lewy anal Secton afer the ry. Life in a smal, industrial town ates pies sabi hut consincing poral fife in Evenson and st clas structure. The factory worker ate desctbed lng eins of working elas mackimoshes the gendemen ofthe town ply bills and cand ames in the clubs the factory owner, in this exe the Wiliamsons are prosperous and dominate the sci ene with tele ses Chem pot 7 As you ead the storys ask yourells 1) How does a young woman like Clr fi int the saci stractre of Evensfor? 1b) Wouli Clara be happening somewhere ie? 128 | A Chrismas Song ‘Cla longs fr a change rom the monotony of life in Evens She Isa tained musician ha there se not many oppor or he Share ber uncres ln general she cantmers the so ae noe very unaventurous, and always ak fo the nme type of music. Het ss fare not uly apprectted or understood. She espe inher mind by Imagining Evenstord as a Alpe! tw covered ins ond herself asa singe of Mozit wan appreciative sain 8 As you rad the story, ak yoursel 1) Is Bates portrayal of he linitations of smalLtown culture convincing? 1b) What does he suet about the cultural aprtions of mot of the people in Evenson? Romance ‘When a young man apps nthe muse shop aking for love songs Clara makesever efoto help hin He sb and aires her talent He nic, the complete epposite of Fray Willams, the ftir cwmers son who resto seduce Clad in a clamsy aed insensitive fecion. Clara doesnot enjoy Fey attentions, but she dows not completely reject them ether She lives ina world of heron in hich everthing sore reed and rari. 9 As you read the story; ask youre 4) What kind of person does Clara want fal in ave with? 1) Inthe young man who comes tthe shop attracted to Clan Christmas “The story takes place at Chis tine, x fet fill rations — religions, cultual and farlyoeetated, Ie atime aces wich ‘good wll peace, and hope. Ie alt awocated with bene kind others Chistes celebrates the th of Jens ard many people 01 ‘hurch an sing cal to mk che cation Tatonally, Christos isan occasion for fui wo share fod ana pts and spend tne ‘wgethe [risa a tine of pric an fenvites. Some familie enor a quiet Christmas, and prefer to spend time together at home others Prefer to go eu and celebrate with fens and neighbour Inthe US 4 ng inh munis ply ase oh apn As Chrismas Song | 129an the UK, a white Chris is # wadtsonal image, and people ‘jy the anticipation of waiting tose these wll le snow ort "The story describes various features and syls of Christma and we see fom arta pint view ~ Cla wonders ab stom, aad forbes, ia time of longing and wondering about he Gator. Fedy sees if a ah excuse to havea prey. Efe ca get atention for het singing. As yo eal che story, chink about dhe differnt ates and aunphere of Christmas that Bates destes 150 | ACtrismas Song o A Christmas Song by HE Bates She gave lessons inthe long room above the music shop, Her pupils won many examinations? and were afterwards very succesful at local concerts and sometines in giving lesions In voice-training to other pupils. She herself had won many examinations and everybody sad how bilan she was Every Christmas, as this year, she longed for snow: Ie gave 2 transfiguring gay’ distinction ta a coun that otherwise had none. I lifed up the squat” lice shops, built of rel brick with upper storeys of tera-cota it made the roofs down the hill ike slistening cakes ic even gave importance to the stuffy gauze- ‘windowed club where local gentlemen played billiards and solo whist” aver meagre portions of watered whisky. One eval imagine, withthe snow, that one was in Bavaria or Vienna ot the Oberland, and that horse-drawn sighs of which she read in tavel guides, would glide gracefully dow the uly hill from. the gasworks. One could imagine Evensfor, with ts any billy ltele streets above the river, alittle Alpine town. One could imagine anything. Instead there was almost alvays rain and long columns of dreary working-lass mackinteshes floating down a tret chat was like a dreary black canal. Instead of singing ‘Mozart tothe snow she spent long hours selling az sheet-msic to factory workers and eamed her rewied, at lst, on Christmas Eve by hing bored at the Williamsons' party. Lae yea she had sung several songs tthe Williamsons party. Some ofthe men, who were getting heaety on mixtures of gin 5 scm yf ng san amas Ram sag ha Chea 6 lan hp sexed 4 Salman verre rc Theneol cy uel ei ie 5 tel ome 10 dt acon th ping nein Atrios Sone [131gate TEE eee and port wine, had applauded inthe wrong places, and Feedly ‘Williamson had bawled out Good old Car ‘She knew the men prefered Efe. Her sister wis a very say person although she did not sing: she had never pesed an ‘examination in her life, but chere was, ina strange way, aly anything you felt she could not do. She had a chatacter like & chameleon" she had all the love afar. She laughed great, lal in rippling infectious scales, 0 that she made other peuple begin laughing, and she had lage wilet-bluc eyes, Sometimes she leughed so much that Casa herself would begin weeping” This year Clara was nor going to the Williamson’ party, she hhad made up her mind. The Williston were in leather" they ‘were very succesful and had a large carly Edin house with bay-windows and comer cupolas and bathroom wiows of stained glass overlooking the tver, ‘They were fond of giving patie several times a year. Men who moved only in Rotarian" or golf cicles turned up with wives whose corset suspenders" could be seen like bulging pimples under sleck dresses. About midnight Mrs Williamson srew rowdy and began rushing fom room to room making lave!” to other men. The two Willianson boys, Geonge and Freddy, became rowdy to, and cook off their jackets and did miscular and noisy symanastics withthe furniture. ‘At four olclock she wenr upstairs ta close the windows of the musie-room and pull the curtains and make up the St. Te vas raining in misty delicate drops and the air was not like CCorisemas. In the ganten there were lime trees and their dark red branches, washed with rin, were lke glowing veins in the dep blue ai 1 ses he Ces thr pac sh ‘ln vo hin chung or mth hee ey 12 neeleemne yout hay arene nator 14 sa ofa tne ie al all sn coed sy mae ‘mene se bse people al pple 16 theharns onsets 17 eiflime acme nom wet somane 132 | AChsomas Song As she was coming out of che room her sister cae "Oh! There you are, There’ a young man dowast ‘wants song and doesn't know the name” “Its probably a Danny Kaye Ie always is “No ic isn. He says isa Chrismas song” 1 come, she sid. Then half-way downstairs she stopped she remembered what i was she was going to 59 to Efe. "By the way, I'm not coming to the party she said “Oh! Clare you promised. You always come,” ‘Tkow; bue Tm eed, and I don’ fel like coming ad there eis! ‘The Willtamsons wil never let you get away with it’ her sister said. "They'll deag you by force” "Vl ee abou this song’ she said. ‘What cide say it was? "He says ita Christmas song. Youll never getaway with it ‘They'll never le you." ‘She went down into the shop. Every day people came into the shop for songs whose names they didnot know. "It goes like this? they would sy, ‘or it goes like that." They would try humming few notes and she would take it up from them fe was always something popular, and in the end, with practic, it was never very dficule ‘A young man in a brown overcoat with a brown fel hat and an umbrella stood by the sheet-music counter, He took off his That when she came up to him. "There wasa song I wanted “A carol” shes. No, a song’ e said. ‘A Christmas song! He was very nervous and kept rolling the ferrule” of the umbrella om the floor linoleum, He wetted his lips and would ‘not look at her. "Ifyou could remember the words? “Tm afaid t cane “How doo it go? Would you know that? He opened his mouth ether aso begin singing afew notes 19 heed meen coc ash oe hha ged AChrimas Song | 139,LLL ‘orto say something. Bu nothing happened and he began biting his ip snstead. "Ifyou could remember a word or two, she ssid ‘sf a new song" “You see think its German,’ he sid “Oh she said. Peehaps i by Schubert? ‘Te sounds awflly sil, but I simply don't know. We only bead it once, he said re seemed about to put on his hat. He grou the ferule of the umbrella into the linoleum”. Sometimes ie happened that people were too shy even to hum the notes of the song they wanted, and suddenly she side “Would you care to come upstairs? We might find it chete. Upstairs inthe music room she sang the frst Fars of one or two songs by Schubert. She sat atthe piano and he stood respectully ata distance, leaning on the umbrella, too shy to interrupt het She sang song by Brahms an he listened hopekully She asked hum i these were ehe songs, but he shook his head, ad finally, afer she had sung another song by Schubert, he blrted out "You see it isn’ aewally a Christmas song. I is and it in, es more that it makes you think of Chirstmas — “Isita love sang? ‘Yes. She sang another sony by Schubert but i was not the one hhe wanted and at last she stood up. You se, there are so many love songs “Yes, know, but this one is rather diferent somehow. ‘Couln’ you bring her in? she said, “Perhaps she would remember?" “Oh! No, he said. T wanted to find i without that.” ‘They went downstairs and several times on the way down he thanked her for singing. "You sing beau he nail "You ‘would have liked this sng.” “Come in again if you think of it! she sid. ‘I you ean only think of tw or three bars Nervously he fumbled with che umbrella and then quickly 2 shaadi cin fs 14 | AChimas Sone ppt on his hat and then as quickly took eff again, He thanked het for being so kind raising is hata second time. Outside the shop he put up the umbrella coo sharply, and a breeze, catching it ewisted him on the bright pavement and hore him out of sight Rain el gently all evening and customers came in and shook wet hats on bright pianos: She walked about trying to think cf the song the young man wanted. Songs by Schubert went through ber head and became mixed with the sound of carols from cubicles and she was glad when the shop had clesed Efe gan racing about inher underclothes, geting ready for the pany. Clar, you can't mean it that you're not coming” “Ido mean it Tm alvays hored and they really don’t want “They love you. "cart help it. mae up yan lst year, [never enjy its and they be better without me. “They wont le you getaway with i Efe said. T warn you theyll come and fetch you.” ‘Ateight oclock her father and mother deove off with Ete in the Fond. She went down through the shop and unbolted the font door and lecthem our into the steet. The stare ae shining” her mother said ‘es getting colder? She stood for a second or ‘wo in the doorway, looking up at the stars and chinking tht peshaps, afterall there was 2 touch of frost ithe ai. read” Efe called from the car. ‘You know what the ‘Walliamsons are and laughed with high infectious sales so that hee mother and father began laughing too. After the car had driven away she bolted che door and switched ofthe font shop bell. She went upstairs and put on her dressing-gown and tried t think nce agin ofthe sone the young man had wanted, She played over several songs on the piano, singing them sofly cine o'clock something was thrown agninst the slestret A Chrismas Sing | 135window and she heard Freddy Williamson being "Who isn coming to she party? Open the window. ‘She went w the window andpulled hick the curain andstood looking down. Freddy Willamson stod inthe street bslow and ‘thee his driving gloves a he. "Get dresed! Come on!" She opened the window. "Freddy, be quiet. People can heat” "Lan them to heat. Who is’t coming to whose pary? wane them w hear He threw the detving gloves up at the window again, ‘Everybody is insulted!” he said. Come on.” “Pleas, she said. “Let me in then!" he bawled. ‘Lec me come up and tall 2 you “All ight she sid. She went downsears and lt hin in through the shop and he ‘ane up to the music room shivering, stamping enormous fet, "Getting colder he kept saying. Getting elder” “You should put on an overcoat she sai. “Never wear one, he sid. Cant hear toe stuffed up”? “Then dont grumble because you're starved to death.” He stamped up and down the room, a ssuare-boned young man with enormous ips and pink flesh and small poodleike ‘eyes, pausing now and then to rub his hands before the fre “The Mater sends orders you're to come hack with me, he said ‘and she absolutely woa't ake no foram answer. “Tin not coming. she said “Of coune rte coming havea eink while you gt ready "VI pour you a drink,’ she sa, “but 'm noe coming. What will you haver 2B pp me youn ee 24 tro kay 2 Aen eh 136 | A Chron Sone ‘Gin! he said. ‘Clara, sometimes you're the most awful bind” ‘She poured che drink, not answering, Freddy Williamson lifted the glas and si: “Sorry didn't mean that. Happy Christmas, Good old Clara? ‘Happy Chaistmas ‘Good old Clara, Come on, les have one for Christmas? Freddy Williamson put clumsy hand across her shoulders, kissing her wich lips rather like those of «heavy wet dog. “Good old Clara he said again, ‘Goel a ge” Songs Kept crossing and recrossng her min, bewildering her into moments of dreamy distrection. She had the feeling of ‘ying to grasp something chat was floating aay. “Don't stand there like adream, Freddy Williamson, sid "Pur some clothes on. Come on" “Tm going to tie up Christmas presents and then goto bed? “Oh! Come on, Clara, come on. Millions of chaps are there, waiting?” ‘She stood dreamy inthe centre ofthe room, thinking ofthe ardent” shy Young man who could not remember the son. "You'e sucha dream,’ Freday Williamson sid. You ust stand there. You've got to snap out of yourselE” Suddenly he pressed himself against her in aides of ‘muscular, heavier love, grasping ler about the waist, partly king her fom the foo, his lps we om her face. ‘Come on, Clara,’ he kept saying, ‘let the blinds up®, Can't ‘keep the blinds down for ever" "Ista big party? "Come on, ler the Blinds up? "How can {come to the party i you keep holiing me here” “Let the blinds up and come tothe party t00, he sad. ER? Nor “Well ene mote kiss’ he said, He emacked at her lips with Hetckeenie 2 Bh fain aman cnecily oe re 2 lina sweet cf nc nace 40 cing lingsomesne echt AChriemas Song | 137 TNSee his heavy doge-like mouth, pressing her body backwards. Good ‘old Clara, All you got todo is et yourself go. Come om ~let the blinds up. Good old Clara.” “All right, Lec me get my things on, she std ‘Get yourself another drink while you're waiting “Fair enough. Good old Clara" While she went away co dres he drank gin and. stumped about the room. She came hack in her black eoat with a black and crimson scarf on her head and Freddy Williamson sai ‘'Whiswo” That’ bette: Good old Clary and kised her agai, running clinsy ruffling hands over her face and neck and halt ‘When they went downstairs somesne was tapping lightly on the glass ofthe street door. “Police forthe can’ Fely Willson ssid No lights or some damn’ thing, but when she opened the door ie was the young man who couldnt remember the sng Hestood there already rising his hoe “Tim erly sorry. Oh! You've going out. Excuse me "Did you remember i” she sai ‘Some of i he suk. The words? “Come ina moment, she sid ‘He came in from the street and she shut the door It was dark inthe shop, and he did not seem so nervous, He began to sys It vesrather like this—Lcan'eremembert al: Bat something like this Les fehen maine Lieder Lictchen, kam tu nit" "Teisby Schubery’ she sad ‘She went actoss the shop and st down atone ofthe pianos anal began to sing ifr him, She heard him ay,“That it Thats theone, anc Fredy Williamson fdgeted with the latch* ofthe shop door ashe kep one hand om it, impatient t go “Tes very beau’ the young man sad. Tes not a Chests song, but somehow =! Fredy Williamson stamped noisily into the steet, and a second or two later she heard him start up the car The doce. catch rattled where he had let it open and a cutentof col ait blew into dhe dat shop, 1 afte an eres 4 igbe ed cp, epee a medbt smehing 53 sae dhs bering de! on 138 | A Chrismas Sing She had broken off her singing because after dhe fst verse, she could not remember the words. Sof fiy my song ~ Loved (one, come to me ~she was not sure how ie wet afer chat. ‘fm sony can't remember the rest she sid. ‘Tes very kind af you, he sa. The door iritated her by banging on its catch. She went over an shut and out inthe street Fredy Williamson blew impatiently on the hom ofthe “Was ithe record you wanted” she sid. There isa very goad “If not coo much tcuble. “Tehink I can find it’ she said." pr on the Hie." As she looked for che record and found it she sang the fst, few bars of again. There i great tenderness ini she bess to say. Such a wonderful tenderness, but exdenly seed | if the young man yas embarassed. He began fumbling in his pocket-book' for his money, hut she sid, Oh! No. Pay after Christmas. Pay any cme,’ and at the same moment Fredy Williamson opened che dos of the shop and said “What goes on? After hours, after hours. Come on.” 'm just coming’ she sid ‘say good night’ the young man said m very gatful sri ou apy Chime "Happy Chaistas; she si Outside the stars were green and sharp in a sky without wind the steer had dried except for dark prints of fost on pavements, Freddy Williamson kept saying ‘Daman cool” He drove raher fast, sil and a little sulky, ou towards the high ground overlooking the river. Rain had been falling where hrough al the fist weeks of December and now ame oat on the valley ee she could sce below her a reat pattern of winter Loodvate, the hedgerows cutting tito 36 ecg resin wheal che 1 how wel amen mete chy A Chizmas Song | 139rectangular lakes glittering with green and yellow lights from towns on the far side “Td have told him to go to hell’ Freddy Willamson sai. ‘1 calle damn cool Daman esol © the floods she sid. "Theze'l be skating ‘The damn cheek people have,’ Freddy Williamson said “Damn check. He drove the car with sulky abandon into the gravel deve of "he big Edwardian house, Dead chestnut leaves swished away on allsdes, harsh and brittle, and she could see fost white ot the ‘edges ofthe big lan. “One before we goin, Freddy Willison said. She tured sway her mouth bur he Caught i with clumsy haste, ikea dog seizing a bird. Good old Clara. Let the blinds up. Its Cismas Eve" "Pur che caraway and I'l wait for you, she sid ‘Fair enough, he said. ‘Anything you say- Good old Clara Dama glad you come.” ‘She got out of the car and stood for a few moments looking down the valley. She bent down and put her hanson the grass Frost was ep and hard alread, and she could see it sparkling brightly on tee branches and on rain-soaked stems” of dead flowers. It made her breath glisten in the house-lights coming across the lawn. It seemed coe giteringeven onthe long wide floodwaters, 0 tha she almost persuaded herself che valley was ine great river of ie already, wonderfully transformed Standing there she thought of the youre man, with his shy ardent manner, his umbrella and hie rased hat. The song he had not been able to remember began to go through her head again ~ Softy fl my songs ~ Loved one, cime o me ~ ut at that ‘moment Freddy Williamson came blundering® up the deve and seized her once agin ikea hungry dog. 38 they mnie ng saa 19 te gn cna pt of a fe hh Bee lave er 40 lfc, cava cased 140 | A Chosen Song “One before we goin, he said. ‘Come on. Good old Clara. ‘One before we goin. Good show!” Shrieks of laughter came suddenly from the house as if someone, perhaps he sister, hd ignited litle fires of merriment that were cackling at che windows ‘Getting worked up! Freddy Williamson sai ood” She fle the fost erackling under her feet. She grasped at something that was floating aay. Les fehen mene Lieder — Oh ‘my loved one how di t go? “Going to be 4 finde wy wl A Chrismas Song | 4Post-reading exercises Understanding the story 1 Use these questions to el you check tht yo ave undestod the nore 1 What Clan job Where dos she work? 2 What tie ar? 3. Whar doe Clas want happen? What ince wl it make the tom? 4 ‘Whar dl Clr do ie Chas! 5 Whose Bie and how ise dient o Chat (6 Who ae the Wllamone! Wha sla cil in onnction wrth? 1 Wha doe fe mean when he ys Yee gay th? What doesthe young min inthe own overcn wa 9 Why des Cla gosta? Dre che find whe the yung man 10 When do Efe ander poe ave fre party? 1 Whydees Frey Willson coe so Chest hose! What his axa wna Clas! 12 Whoarrver when Clr and Fey ae ving forthe party? Whedon? meres 15. Why rely nmap 14 Whac does Fey do when they ave at he pry? 15, Wht doe lar do whe Hy puting tect owas What dhesshe hk sho? Language study Panctuaton: the use ofthe semi-calon Senco ain ed nm allay nce here ‘suncer regal epee whe he meng Seater 1 Look at dhe second paragraph of the story ee 13] an anewer he questions | jd poe sue hops, buf ad ik wich pr se of tera itmaeh os dus le glenn aes een ae inpranc the sy uue-undoued cb fel geno Ply birds ae slo wht wer erento sted wh, 2 | AChicnas Song 2) How many sentences ae there! 1) What dosierfer to athe binning ofeach sentence? «) How athe sentences connected? they ave sinlar heme "Now look atthe fourth paragraph [page 132 <2) Where des the auto use semicoke? ) Hows dhe meaning othe sentences connect? Phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions Bats fn es phe vers, which end to make a text scund ne infra. These ves soneites for prt ofan emai expression. Look at thee examples onthe or "This year Clira was not going to he Wlhamsons parry: she ad made mp erin. ‘Men armed wh es we core apener con be en le ‘ung ples wer lc dese “Th Wiesner et yo ge any wth "her sier eid omae upane's mind mens to decide something. Whar the meaning sem up and eo kt someone ge 4ay wth smeting! 2 White a suitable frm of one ofthe verbs or expressions in the sentence belo. allteck seaport Leywurelio Beak off fn owiy Pot may eet oto Herald hertoreloe and hen Tia aco ute that te dna neo the ‘When had looked athe photograph the sam ina drawer 4 eal vey dri the om aoe, the suncbine ‘The ed wor drm aa cau no ‘ “They had been laughing but they Slant when he came into dro ‘When Fredy ried to ks ht Clara hee face the ins to et ACIvismas Sone | 143Literary analysis Plot 1 What hind pace i Evens? Why do you think Bates writes 50 uch shout what coal lok ike in the son! 22 When do we fs lear the name of the main character inthe story Wh do you think Eats wats ang ell her nae? 3. Does Behave Higpre in the sory? Why do you thin she ‘included? 4 Whar impresion ofthe Williamson does Bates ve us prog Inge (32) 5 How docs Bites dsshe she young man who lacking ora song? Whats your impression of hin? 6 Wh do you think Caretaker rouble to help she yung man? 7 Look agin athe paragraph where Bats desis he Younes erate fom che pages 14-3). What imps dors this gvel {Hw does Frey Willamaon ave st Clan house? Wht at his motives for coming othe hows! 9 How would you dscebe she cnvesstion between Char and Frey? How isiceliferent wo Cars convesicin withthe our tan in he shop? 10 Why do you think Cla changes her mind and eventually aces toes the pty? 11 What fect does the eur of the young an have on Fe? ‘Aad on ln? 42 Why do you think Car sys Pay ary cine when the young en rs to pay fr the eel? 15, Whats Fels convention many about inthe ca? Hove doe Clara epond| 14 How do you think Clara feels but going othe pry? What do on think the spieance ofthe al gran Character 15, Hw would you describe Clr? Do you think the wl ver he bape? 16, How Efe diferent Clara? What do yo think he ie wl fa 17 Describe the yung man whe comes tothe shop. Do you think tat (Clara isanrctd thin! What shite to Cha? 144 | A Chimes Song compare him 19 Is Freddy belevable pa characte How do you fel akout he contrat Bares makes beeen hin an eh young man? 20 Vow do you chink Carafes aut Fede How woud you desert header hi? Narration 21, Whatdo you think Bats ated towards las Do think fess pmpothy twas he? 22 Isher aga talance fhe stony herwen thi ton naive tna dizer peech Which do you think pecdiates? 23. Baz e mote for is attest dialogs Hi does he convey the you ane synes and Clans rsp oi! 24 Think aboot de onvenation beeen Fede aed Cla Is cher veal communication Fetween them? Hw would yo deste. Fred's way of alin? 25. Bas tte weiter bot people tapped by cisumatances Do ‘ink he pctays Clara aa iri” ‘Atmosphere 26, Thestory takes place at Chrismas time, How do you think the people in he sry wast el hist? Think about Clas, Ee, Freie and the young mn. Dy they want diferent thing? 27 How does Bates communicate the reritons of salle Ui! “Think aout Clr reflection the town adherens ‘he Willamsons pate. 28. How would yu deere the smcebere of Cans ersountrs vith che young ant Are they erent othe tog of her smesting with Freie? 29 Fin places athe story where Bate describes the indice sound the own. How des he convey Beary? Are thee other ‘momenes of Peat ia the ar? Style 30 Look a theft wo pangs of he soy. Nose the epestion fle we musing, wen many carina, mel mae “rony What oct dos this repens! ACs Song | 148 18 How would you desribe Fredy! Which ain does Bates41 Froky ofen compared ds al pees sae rs eat dt Fd me mana Wh ‘ec do they ve 3 ofa he vescmren [toes toy quinn Jer Care? What # he fect of thi eT smvnaton bereen Cama Ply 136-11 Lak yap! Ho os Bars aS 34 Lookat the psa eat rey ves Clara the pw aS La er den he ye a ee ents Wha des hishow ato Cle Find? nal eerie ot se Tam be futon(hi at cd mae oe “snc am eet eng is wall oak (0) tng et “obepmaing a ik teen tpt pbs = esha all eme Sodvetine tay ina Sycamore ‘rh ie ater a cere renin sasioe gral ced soy ih someting rant tomas (oeting a ob ihe evra ee tiring) hs inne eh Seca bere ‘oper smn dow mee Muri tors el oe Trowel ng nore tale ou ty a ity aca le ‘nate chan in ‘eee sete (ty and ml “Seno nape body rie et sgh babe ‘ene sie ar sey lincanay creo mowing ann eestor rear eth ‘Spey iow fe me tho poseheect} ‘The SensibleThing samen ii zorpan Prout fy toede ne bo ‘rena ae todo Seat ts rl preva i youre vedere ‘hem ine cua (i lass. heer oi ingot nes compa (bre some Sowing onaatnt (i) chaning "havi ate nna in Hid whens he (Siete (romleonetee ‘palin tater ech enching s scintemansnon aby tna os nel med, terol : me et mars teeny (at sosmehineweh stom ona a Macnian Line Coles: Glosory | 185