Buying Food at the Market

Shopping for Food

Mary: Isn’t it good that we have bought this refrigerator, Mama? Now we can buy in the things we need for the whole week.

Mother: Yes, it is very convenientindeed. Now, Mary dear, I’d like you to do some shopping as I am very busy now. I’ll send Tom along with you.

Mary: Yes, Mother dear. What do you want me to buy?

Mother: Make a shopping list, please. First, buy some beef.

Mary: How much beef, Mother?

Mother: Well, let it be 2 or 3 pounds, but see that it is fat. The last time I was there

he managed to wrap up a joint which happened to be very lean. If he plays such a trick on me again, I’ll never buy at his shop any more. That done, you buy 6 pounds of potatoes, I think six will do, and a good-sized cabbage.

Mary: Any beans, Mother dear? I like them very much.

Mother: Yes, buy 2 pounds of them. Now, we shall also need nuts and apples.

Mary: What sort, mom? Cooking apples or for eating?

Mother: Buy 2 pounds of each. Put down a pound of mixed nuts and a dozen

oranges as well. Then, buy one loaf of bread and …

Mary: White?

Mother: Yes, a dozen fancy cakes, and one pound of fruit cake. That’ll be all

there. Drop at the dairy section and buy a dozen eggs.

Mary: Aren’t we going to need some milk today, ma?

Mother: Yes, I think we shall. Don’t forget to take the milk-can. A pint and a half will do, I suppose. Oh, and don’t forget to buy a pound of fresh butter, a pound of bacon, but not too fat. You watch them closely or you will be cheated – they’ll give you it all fat. You might as well buy the sweets – a pound of caramels and a pound of chocolate with nut filling. Check up the expiration date.

Mary: What kind of caramels, mom?

Mother: At a shilling a pound. Well, get the shopping basket ready. Now where is that boy? You can never find him when he is wanted. Tom!

Mary: No need to call him, Mama. He’s out in the street. Give me the money, please and off I go.

Vera: Good morning, Nina!

Nina: Oh, that’s you, Vera! How nice that you have come.

Vera: I haven’t seen you of late so I thought I’d…

Nina: I say, Vera, have you timeto go with me to the market? Ma feels unwell and she wants me to do the shopping.

Vera: Why, yes! I am quite free.

Nina: Just wait a minute while I get the bag ready. Where can it be, I wonder? I’ll

go and ask…

Vera: It cannot be in the larder, Nina, can it?

Nina: Of course, it must be there. (Comes back with the bag.) Well, let’s go.

Vera: Have you taken the money?

Nina: Oh, how silly I am! Going to the market without a penny in my pocket.

Nice, indeed! (Goes out and shortly comes back.) Well, it seems to be all.

Come on.

(At the market.)

Vera: What do you want to buy?

Nina: Some meat, eggs, vegetables and some berries.

Vera: Are berries in season now?

Nina: They are. Now, what shall we buy first? Vege­tables?

Vera: I think so. Where do they deal in vegetables?

Nina: I don’t know. This is the first time I’m out marketing. It seems over there.

Vera: Say, Nina, let’s go over to that woman. See what a wealth of vegetables she

has.

Nina: (to the saleswoman). How do you sell the cabbage, by the head or by

weight?

Saleswoman: By the head. Here is a nice head, young lady.

Nina: Show me that nicely trimmed one over there, please.

Saleswoman: Here you are. See how firm it is.

Nina: Yes, I shall take it.

Saleswoman: What else would you like?

Nina: A bunch of carrots, please. No, those are over­grown. Give me the bunch

next to it. Yes, that one.

Saleswoman: Anything else, young lady?

Nina: Now pick out ten cucumbers, please.

Saleswoman: Here you are, please. Right from the garden. Some onions?

Nina: Yes. How do you sell them?

Saleswoman: These – by the ten, and these of thesmaller size – by weight.

Nina: I’ll take ten of these.

Saleswoman: Here’s a couple of small ones into the bargain. You are one of my

best customers. Vegetables sell badly today.

Nina: What does it come up to?

Saleswoman: Now, let me see. A cabbage, that’s a pound ten, a bunch of carrots –

£ 1.80, please.

Nina: Here you are. Thank you.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27