| MOTHER: |
The table's laid. Come along, both of you, and let us begin. |
| FATHER: |
I'm ready; I feel quite hungry. |
| CHRIS: |
So am I; I could eat a horse. |
| MOTHER: |
Well, we haven't got a horse for you , but what we have got
is quite |
|
nice. Sit there and see how well you can behave. Remember, you're |
|
getting quite a big boy and must learn to eat like a grown-up. |
| CHRIS: |
DOes that mean that I can eat more? |
| MOTHER: |
We want you to make a good meal, though we don't want you to
stuff |
|
yourself. Your place has been laid just like ours. |
| CHRIS: |
What's this little plate for? |
| MOTHER: |
That's for your bread. Most people eat a little bread with their
meat |
|
and vegetables. |
| CHRIS: |
Mother, aren't you going to cut my meat up for me any more? |
| MOTHER: |
No, I'm not. We have put a knife and fork for you and you must
learn . |
|
how to use them. Here is your meat; help yourself to vegetables
from |
|
the dish Don't take more than you can eat. |
| CHRIS: |
All right; Mother; may I take some mustard? |
| FATHER: |
You may, but I don't think you'll like it. You'll find it hot.
Now |
|
sit up properly; don't lean back and don't Iean too far forward. |
| MOTHER: |
And take your elbows off the table-cloth. |
| FATHER: |
And don't take too much on your fork. You shouldn't open your
mouth |
|
wide at meals. |
| MOTHER: |
And n't make a noise when you are eating. |
| CHRIS: |
Good gracious!I think it would be better if I took my plate
away to |
|
the nursery. I shan't be able to eat at, all if I try to remember |
|
all those things. |
| FATHER: |
Stay where you are. You'll soon learn.(Chris begins to eat;
he puts |
|
some vegetables into his mouth with his knife. ) |
| MOTHER: |
What are you doi ng? Don't you know that you must never put
you knife |
|
|
into your mouth? |
| CHRIS: |
But why, Mummy? It's easier like that sometimes. |
| FATHER: |
You .might cut your mouth. Do you want to make your mouth bigger
than it k. |
|
is? Use your for |
| CHRIS: |
No, I don't. But I might prick my tongue with the points of
my fork. |
| FATHER: |
Well, you must learn not to. |
| MOTHER: |
There, leave the lad alone. He'll soon learn. Have you finished,
dear? |
|
Lay your knife and fork on your plate. No, don't cross them.
Put the |
|
handles towards you. |
| FATHER: |
Now, here come the sweets. Here's your plate. Use that spoon
and fork; |
|
use your fork more than your spoon. |
| CHRIS |
But why? Isn't it polite to use the spoon? |
| MOTHER: |
Of course it is, but most people use the fork more. than the
spoon. Use |
|
the spoon when you have to. |
| CHRIS: |
You mean for eating very soft stuff? |
| MOTHER: |
That's right. Why, you haven't drunk any water! (Chris drinks
some water |
|
and puts his glass down on the left of his plate. ) |
| FATHER: |
Not there. On your right. |
| CHRISL |
But why? |
| FATHER: |
Because it is nearer to your right hand. It's handier there. |
| CHRIS: |
All right, Dad. There seems to be a great deal to learn. Give
me some more |
|
pudding, Mother |
| MoTHER: |
"Give me" doesn't get; say, "Please may I have?" |
| CHRIS: |
Please may I have some more pudding? |
| MoTHER: |
Here you are. What's that I see? Dirty hands? See that you don't
come to |
|
table with dirty hands again. |
| FATHER: |
And brush your hair next time you come. |
| CHRIS: |
I'll try to remember. But you mustn't expect me to learn every't'hing
at |
|
once. May I get down now? |
| MoTHER: |
Very well. Run along. |