1. “Now, let’s talk.” “Yes,” she said very quietly… “It’s time we did, Arnie. There’s been something on my mind for a long, long time.” (m. Wilson)

2. His voice became gentle, but still insistent. “What’s on your mind, Gorin?” (M. Wilson)

3. There was something on Savina’s mind, and Erik could almost sense it growing. (M. Wilson)

to get wind of – to hear a rumour about; to begin to suspect

1. There was no escaping it. Operation successful. Local newspapers got wind of it. (J. London)

2. Bellew has either got wind of our watching him, or someone must have put him up to it. (J. Galsworthy)

3. Yes, people had got wind of it! He knew they would. (j. Galsworthy) Dialogue

A: Margaret, stop crying and tell me what’s the matter. Nothing serious, I hope.

B: Oh, Jane, everything has gone wrong. I’d been trying to do my best but yesterday the manager told me that if they had to fire somebody it would be me. But I’m still hoping against hope that everything will be fixed up somehow or rather.

A: Why is the manager so hard on you? I suppose as far as the interests of the business are concerned you are putting them above all. And you are very experienced. I just can’t put two and two together.

B: Jane, take my word for it, the main problem is not me. At the moment our firm has got some problems. So they can’t pay enough money to all of us. And if they fire somebody they’ll get out of this topsy-turvy situation.

A: How did you manage to learn it?

B: I’ve just got wind of it. I know that at heart the manager doesn’t like the idea of getting rid of me. In a way he does it in spite of himself. But sometimes we can’t cope with the circumstances. As I’ve got the largest salary and for a long period after leaving the job I’ll be able to live without trying to make both ends meet I’m the best person for it.

A: You’re talking nonsence! Where will they get such a brilliant specialist then?

B: Oh, as far as this is concerned, it’s not a problem at all. They’ll find a young person with the same knowledge, but without any experience of work. In this case her salary will be much less. And the problem is solved. It seems to me that the manager is having this idea on his mind.

A: May be you are right. It’s a pretty kettle of fish. But take it easy. I’ve just come across some advertisements in the column “Wanted”. I`m sure some of them will make your mouth water. Let me bring the newspaper.

B: OK. I`ll wait for you.

I. Translate into Russian

1. I find this, in a way, hard to understand. (I. Murdoch)

2. There was real passion in his voice, and in spite of myself I was impressed. (W.S. Maugham)

3. He was hard on himself, hard on Haviland, and his preoccupation made him hard on Savina too. (M. Wilson)

4. What I need, you know, above all things, is criticism. (J. London)

5. But Nan could be relied upon to turn the place topsy-turvy before a holiday. (I. Murdoch)

6. I had hoped against hope that he would have gone before she returned. (Gr. Greene)

7. “Now, just look at those black grapes!” she said. “They make your mouth water.” (D. Lawrence)

8. Henry sensed at once that she had something on her mind. (A. Cronin)

9. It seemed they had got wind at last of where I was hiding. (R. Fox)