VOA Special English -  听写作业：American Stories - July 12, 2008

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看了VOA推荐给我们的逆向英语学习法，感觉很不错！打算每天下班后花2小时结合每天网站上的文章加强英语的学习。真的非常感谢这里毫无保留地向我们传授学习方法和提供学习资源，更希望得到这里各位老师和同学的指教。

本人刚进入这个网站学英语，请问听写的文章在哪能找到原文答案？谢谢！

Our story today is called "Marshall in Rome". It was written by M.B., Here is K. Grant with our story.Often when he stood next his wife, Marshall reminded me of an unhappy dog, his eyes looked if he wanted to please her,but he was afraid he will not. His wife was about 35 years old,and very pretty.Her name was Margie, but Marshall called her Ario. No one know why he did this. I wanted to ask him, my husband Robert told me not to, he said Margin Marshall talk too much already. That summer, we were travling throught Italy with group of other American tourists. Mershall and his wife were the only people our age in the group. Marshall was 42 years old, he had a weak heart.I did not understand why he always carried Margie's heavy suitcases, and or her packages, but Robert would not let me ask him. Robert did not like Margie, because she wanted to buy everything she saw. And he did not like Marshall,because he was rich enough to buy much whatever she wanted.
The day we arrived in Rome, Robert made me promise not to talk to Marshall and Margie. That was our last day of the trip. Robert said, if Marshall and Margie toured Rome with us, it was a wrong day for him. I said, OK! we left hotel early in the morning before Marshall and Margie woke up. We were out all day visiting museums, muniments and churchs.
When we returned to our hotel that evening, we met Marshell and Margie. Margie was trying to open the door to their room. Marshell could not help her, he was carrting about 8 bags of clothing that Margie just bought. Robert stood there with his hands in his pockets,"Did you empty another store, Margie?" he said. Marshall laught, Margie did not, "What did you buy Bonnie today, Robert?" she asked. I took the key from her hand "Here," I said "let me help you!" Marshall looked over top of the package, "Bonnie, where are you and Robert going for dinner?" I turned the key in the lock " We, we heard about there is a wonderful little Sicilian restaurant." I said as I opened the door. "Would you like come with us?" I wanted to punish Robert why not helping Maegie of the door. Marshall smiled "I have never eaten Sisilian food. Shall we go, Ario?". But Robert wanted his freedom,"Margie would not like this restaurant." he said,"It's not elegant." "No!" I was angry, "But the food is very tasty!" I said. Marshall looked at Margie,"Please, honney." Margie looked at Robert and then Marshall,"OK, OK! We will go with you. But I will need at least one hour to get dressed." she said. 2 houes later, she was finally ready to leave. By the time we reach the restaurant, we all were very hungry. Margie pointed to something on her menu, "What is this dish?" she asked our waiter, the waiter just shook his head and smiled to her. "He does not speak English, Margie!" Robert said. Margie left the napkin, "Uhm",she said. We followed her eyes and discovered the small hole in the table cloth. "Someone has the hole very nicely by hand, Magie" I said "This table cloth is white, it is clean. I has even been ironed!" Margie was not listening to me, she continued to read the menu, "What is Cuponata?" she asked. I said "It is eggplant, olives and tomatoes." "I hate eggplant" said Margie. Robert moved closer to her, "Why not ask for a hamburger and cocoala, Margie", Margie touched her arm,"Ario, honney, what done of the manu?" "OK! let Bonnie order for all of us." I did not speak Italian, but I took the menu and began pointing into it. The waiter smiled as he wrote down our order."You see, there would be planty of food you will like.", and of cause there was, we ate Pasta, Cuponata, View and salad, we drank wine, we order dessert and coffee, Margie loved everything. After we payed the bill, she said "You know, that was very good!" As we walk towards the door took Robert's arm, she turned to Marshall "Where is that store?" she asked. "Ario," he said genterly "no!" "Marshall," she said genterly "yes!" Robert became very intered in this conversation, Margie wanted to buy something and for first time during this trip, Marshell said no. Margie walked out of the restaurant still holding Robert's arm. "Let's go this way." she said and cross the street."Robert, you must see this beautiful ring, I know Bonnie will love it,and it does not cost very much."



This is my dictation \ there must be many mistakes \ I hope can read other's solution!

It's too long! I prefer a short one. because I don't think I can get more than 2 hours to do this stuff every day! But anyway, thank WebMaster for his kindness!

Mine:


Now, the weekly special English program, American Stories. Our story today is called "Marshall in Rome". It was written by May Brisgen. Here is Kay Gallant with our story.
Often when he stood next to his wife, Marshall reminded me of an unhappy dog, his eyes looked her face wanted to please her, but he was fraid he would not. His wife was about 35 years old, and very pretty. Her name was March, but Marshal called her Arial. No one knew why he did this. I wanted to ask him, my husband Robert told me not to, he said March and Marshall told to Marshall already. That summer we were travelling to Italy with a group of American tourists. Marshall and his wife were the only people of our age in the group. Marshall was 42 years old, he had a weak heart. I did not understand why he always carried March's heavy suitcases, and all her packages, but Robert would not let me ask him. Robert did not like March, because she want to buy everything she saw. And he did not like Marshall, because he was rich enough to buy March whatever she wanted. The day we arrived in Rome, Robert made me promise not to talk to Marshall and March, it was our last day of the trip. Robert said if Marshall and March toured Rome with us, it would ruin the day for him. I said: "OK!" We left the hotel early in the morning before March and Marshall woke up. We were out all day visiting museums, monuments and churches. When we returned to our hotel that evening, we met Marshall and March. March was trying to open the door to their room, Marshall could not help her, he was carring about 8 bags of clothing that March just bought. Robert stood there with his hands in his pockets. "Did you empty another store, March?" he said. Marshall laught, March did not. "What did you buy Bony today, Robert?" she asked. I took the key from her hand. "Here", I said, "let me help you." Marshall looked over the top of the packages, "Bony, where are you and Robert going for dinner?" I turned the key in the lock, "We...we heard about this wonderful little Sisilian restaurant." I said as I opened the door, "would you like come with us?" I wanted to punish Robert for not helping March with the door. Marshall smiled, "I have never eaten Sisilian food. Shall we go, Arial?" But Robert wanted his freedom, "March would not like this restaurant," he said, "it is not elegant." Now I was angry, "But the food is very tasty." I said. Marshall looked March, "Please, honey", March looked Robert and then Marshall, "OK, OK. We will go with you, but I will need at least one hour to get dressed." she said. Two hours later, she was finally ready to leave. By the time we reached the restaurant, we all were very hungry. March pointed to something on the menu, "What is this dish?" she asked the waiter. The waiter just shook his head and smiled to her. "He does not speak English, March." Robert said. March lift the napkin, "Uhh", she said. We followed her eyes, and discovered a small hole in the tablecloth. Someone had sewed the hole very nicely by hand. "March," I said, "This tablecloth is white, it is clean, it has even been ironed." March did not listen to me, she continued to read the menu. "What is copo nata?" she asked. I said: "It is eggplant, olives and tomatoes." "I hate eggplant." said March. Robert moved close to her, "Why not ask for a hamburger and coca cola, March?" Marshall touched to her arm, "Arial, honey, put down the menu. OK? Let Bony order for all of us." I did not speak Italian, but I took the menu and began pointing to it. The waiter smiled and he wrote down our order. "You will see," I told March, "there will be plenty of food you will like." And of course there was, we ate pasta, copo nata, meal and salad, we drank wine. We ordered dessert and coffee. March loved everything. After we paid the bill, she said, "You know, that was really good." As we walked to the doors, she took Robert's arm, then she turn to Marshall, "Where is that door?" she asked. "Arial" he said gently, "No." "Marshall!" she said gently, "Yes." Robert became very interested in this conversation. March wanted to buy something, and for the first time during this trip, Marshall said no. March walked out of the restaurant, still holding Robert's arm. "Let's go this way," she said and across the street, "Robert, you must see this beautiful ring. I know Bony will love it, and it does not cost very much." Robert suddenly stop walking, March stood in front of him, I was embarassed I did not know what to do. So I put my head down and kept on walking. Marshall walked next to me. I could not look at him. Now I understood why he said no to March a few minutes earlier. He knew about her plan to get Robert to the store, he was tring to protect Robert from March. But now, I was angry at him for not being able to stop her. I also was sorry for him, because he loved her too much. I began to feel unhappy, as I walked alone with my head down. Suddenly I saw a gold chain lie on the side walk in front of me. I stopped to get it. But Marshall was quicker, "This is valuable", March and Robert walked to us, "Look what I found" he said, holding up the gold chain. "Let me see it" March demanded, "It is unbelievably beautiful." she said as her hand close over the chain. "Wait a minute," Robert said, "Bony was with Marshall, maybe Bony saw it first." I shifted my head, "Robert, we both saw it, I do not know who saw it first, but Marshall picked it up." "OK, we can find how much this is worth and Marshall will give you half of the money." "No," Robert said, "I want the chain for Bony, I will pay you half of what the chain was worth." Suddenly, Marshall said, "Arial, honey, you will share you did not see it. I did not find it, Bony did. She stopped to look, what I did is pick it up." Even I did not know if Marshall was telling the truth. Who knows who saw it first? But March quickly give me the chain, "I am sorry", she said and a little embarassed, "I was not thinking." A moment later, she turned to her husband. "Marshy? I want to buy a chain just like that." "Sure", Marshall said. "Hey, Robert and Bony, would you too like have another cup of coffee?" We found cafe and sat down. After we finished a coffee, March went over to the owner of the cafe. "Do you speak English?" she asked loudly. The owner noded, "Yes". "Well, will you sell me the cups we just used for our coffee?" she asked. The owner looked a little surprised, put he washed cups and covered them with a newpaper. March paid him, and come back to our table with a package of cups. "I will keep them forever, so I can remember our two good friends." she said to Robert and me. Then she handed the package to Marshall. "I will never forget this evening, were you?" A minute later, March stood up to go to the lady's room, "I will be right back." she promised. Marshall turned to watch her as she walked through the cafe, then he turned to us. First he looked to Robert and then me, "Look," he said quietly, "You two do not know her the way I do, you really do not."
You have been listening to the story "Marshall in Rome", it was written by May Brisgen, and adapted into special English by Dona Desentas, your narrator was Kay Gallant. This is Shep O'neal.

050730-15

（ the whole text)
Our story today is called "Marshall in Rome". It was written by M.B., Here is K. Gland with our story.

Often when he stood next to his wife, Marshall reminded me of an unhappy dog, his eyes looked as if he wanted to please her, but he was afraid he would not. His wife was about 35 years old, and very pretty. Her name was Margie, but Marshall called her Aero. No one knew why he did this. I wanted to ask him, my husband Robert told me not to, he said Margin and Marshall talked too much already.

That summer, we were traveling through Italy with a group of other American tourists. Marshall and his wife were the only people our age in the group. Marshall was 42 years old. He had a weak heart. I did not understand why he always carried Margie's heavy suitcases, and all her packages, but Robert would not let me ask him. Robert did not like Margie, because she wanted to buy everything she saw. And he did not like Marshall, because he was rich enough to buy Margie whatever she wanted.

The day we arrived in Rome, Robert made me promise not to talk to Marshall and Margie. It was our last day of the trip. Robert said, if Marshall and Margie toured Rome with us, it would ruin the day for him. I said, OK. We left the hotel early in the morning before Marshall and Margie woke up. We were out all day visiting museums, monuments and churches.

When we returned to our hotel that evening, we met Marshall and Margie. Margie was trying to open the door to their room. Marshall could not help her, he was carrying about 8 bags of clothing that Margie has just bought. Robert stood there with his hands in his pockets, "Did you empty another store, Margie?" He said. Marshall laughed, Margie did not, "What did you buy Bonnie today, Robert?" She asked. I took the key from her hand "Here," I said "let me help you!"

Marshall looked over the top of the packages, "Bonnie, where are you and Robert going for dinner?" I turned the key in the lock," We, we heard about there is a wonderful little Sicilian restaurant." I said as I opened the door. "Would you like to come with us?" I wanted to punish Robert for not helping Margie for the door. Marshall smiled, "I have never eaten Sicilian food. Shall we go, Aero?" But Robert wanted his freedom, "Margie would not like this restaurant," he said, "It is not elegant." "No!" I was angry, "But the food is very tasty!" I said.
Marshall looked at Margie, "Please, honey. " Margie looked at Robert and then at Marshall, "OK, OK! We will go with you. But I will need at least one hour to get dressed. "She said. Two hours later, she was finally ready to leave.

By the time we reached the restaurant, we all were very hungry. Margie pointed to something on her menu, "What is this dish?" she asked our waiter, the waiter just shook his head and smiled at her. "He does not speak English, Margie!" Robert said. Margie lifted the napkin, "Um… ", she said. We followed her eyes and discovered the small hole in the table cloth, someone had sewed very nicely by hand, “Margie," I said, "This table cloth is white. It is clean. It has even been ironed!"

Margie was not listening to me, she continued to read the menu, "What is Cuponata?" she asked. I said, "It is eggplant, olives and tomatoes." "I hate eggplant," said Margie. Robert moved closer to her, "Why not ask for a hamburger and Coca cola, Margie", Marshall touched her arm," Aero, honey, put down the menu." "OK!Let Bonnie order for all of us." I did not speak Italian, but I took the menu and began pointing to it. The waiter smiled as he wrote down our order. "You will see, " I told Margie, " There would be plenty of food you will like."

And of course there was, we ate Pasta, Cuponata, Yield and salad, we drank wine, we ordered dessert and coffee, Margie loved everything. After we paid the bill, she said, "You know, that was really good!" As we walked towards the door she took Robert's arm, then she turned to Marshall, "Where is that store?" she asked. "Aero," he said gently ,"No!" "Mar-shall," she said gently, "Yes!" Robert became very interested in this conversation, Margie wanted to buy something and for the first time during this trip, Marshall said “no”.

Margie walked out of the restaurant, still holding Robert's arm. "Let's go this way." she said and cross the street. "Robert, you must see this beautiful ring, I know Bonnie will love it, and it does not cost very much." Robert suddenly stopped walking. Margie stood in front of him. I was embarrassed. I did not know what to do. So I put my head down and kept on walking. Marshall walked next to me. I could not look at him .Now I understood why he said “no” to Margie a few minutes earlier. He knew about her plan to get Robert into the store. He was trying to protect Robert from Margie, but now I was angry at him for not being able to stop her. I also was sorry for him, because he loved her too much.

I began to feel unhappy as I walked alone with my head down. Suddenly I saw a gold chain lying on the sidewalk in front of me. I stopped to get it, but Marshall was quicker, “This is very valuable.” Margie and Robert walked to us, “Look what I’ve found.” he said, holding up the gold chain. “Let me see it.” Margie demanded. “It is unbelievably beautiful.” she said as her hand closed over the chain. “ Wait a minute.” Robert said. “Bonnie was with Marshall, maybe Bonnie saw it first.” I shook my head, “Robert, we both saw it. I do not know who saw it first, but Marshall picked it up.”

“OK,” Margie said, “We can find out how much it is worth, then Marshall will give you half the money.” “No,” said Robert. “I want the chain for Bonnie, I will pay you half of what the chain is worth.” Suddenly Marshall said, “Aero, honey, you were not here and you did not see it. I did not find it, Bonnie did, she stopped to look, all I did was pick it up.” Even I do not know if Marshall was telling the truth. Who knows who saw it first. But Margie quickly gave me the chain.

“I am sorry,” she said, a little embarrassed. “ I was not thinking.” A moment later, she turned to her husband, “ Marshi,” she said, “I want you to buy me a chain just like that.” “Sure.” Marshall said. “ Hey, Robert and Bonnie, would you two like to have another cup of coffee?”

We found the café and sat down. After we finished our coffee, Margie went over to the owner of the café, “Do you speak English?” She asked loudly. The owner nodded “yes”. “Well, will you sell me the cups we just used for our coffee?” She asked. The owner looked a little surprised, but he washed the cups and covered them with a newspaper. Margie paid him and came back to the table with a package of cups.

“I will keep them forever, so I can green them for our two good friends.” She said to Robert and me then she handed the package to Marshall. “I will never forget this evening, will you? ” A minute later, Margie stood up to go to the ladies room. “I will be right back.” She promised. Marshall turned to watch her as she walk through the café then he turned to us. First, he looked to Robert and then at me, “Look,” he said quietly, “You two do not know her the way I do, you really do not.”


　　

from PUTCLUB.com

And now the weekly Special English program "American Stories".

Our story today is called “Marshall in Rome", it was written by May Brisken. Here is Keg Lant with our story.

Often when he stood next to his wife, Marshall reminded me of an unhappy dog. His eyes looked as if he wanted to please her, but he was afraid he would not. His wife was about 35 years old and very pretty. Her name was March, but Marshall called her Ariel. No one knew why he did this. I wanted to ask him. My husband Robert told me not to. He said March and Marshall talked too much already.

That summer we were traveling through Italy with a group of other American tourists. Marshall and his wife were the only people our age in the group. Marshall was 42 years old. He had a weak heart. I did not understand why he always carried March's heavy suitcases and all her packages, but Robert would not let me ask him. Robert did not like March, because she wanted to buy everything she saw, and he did not like Marshall, because he was rich enough to buy March whatever she wanted.

The day we arrived in Rome, Robert made me promise not to talk to Marshall and March. It was our last day of the trip. Robert said if Marshall and March toured Rome with us, it would ruin a day for him. I said "okay."

We left the hotel early in the morning before Marshall and March woke up. We were out all day visiting museums, monuments and churches. When we returned to our hotel that evening, we met Marshall and March. March was trying to open the door to their room. Marshall could not help her. He was carrying about 8 bags of clothing that March had just bought. Robert stood there with his hands in his pockets.

"Did you empty another store, March?” he said.

Marshall laughed, March did not.

"What did you buy Bunny today, Robert?" she asked.

I took the key from her hand. "Here," I said, “let me help you."

Marshall looked over the top of the packages.

“Bunny, where are you and Robert going for dinner?"

I turned the key in the lock.

“We, we heard about this wonderful little Sicilian restaurant." I said as I opened the door. "Would you like to come with us?" I wanted to punish Robert for not helping March with the door.

Marshall smiled, "I have never eaten Sicilian food, shall we go, Ariel?”

But Robert wanted his freedom. "March would not like this restaurant," he said, "it is not elegant."

Now I was angry, "but the food is very tasty." I said.

Marshall looked at March. "Please, honey."

March looked at Robert and then at Marshall. "Okay, okay, we will go with you, but I will need at least one hour to get dressed," she said.

Two hours later, she was finally ready to leave. By the time we reached the restaurant, we all were very hungry. March pointed to something on her menu.

"What is this dish?" she asked a waiter. The waiter just shook his head and smiled at her.

"He does not speak English, March." Robert said.

March lifted the napkin. "Eh...", she said.

We followed her eyes and discovered a small hole in the tablecloth. Someone had sewed the hole very nicely by hand. "March," I said, "this tablecloth is white, it is clean. It has even been ironed."

March was not listening to me; she continued to read the menu. “What is caponata?” she asked.

I said, "It is eggplant, olives and tomatoes.”

"I hate eggplant," said March.

Robert moved closer to her, "why not ask for a hamburger and a Coke-Cola, March?" Marshall touched her arm.

“Ariel, honey, put down the menu."

"Ok, let Bunny order for all of us.”

I did not speak Italian, but I took the menu and began pointing to it. The waiter smiled as he wrote down our order.

"You will see," I told March, "there will be plenty of food you will like."

And of course, there was. We ate pasta, caponata, veal and salad. We drank wine, we ordered dessert and coffee. March loved everything.

After we paid the bill, she said, "You know that was really good."

As we walked toward the door, she took Robert’s arm, then she turned to Marshall. "Where is that store?" she asked,

"Ariel," he said gently, "no."

"Marshall,” she said gently, "yes."

Robert became very interested in this conversation. March wanted to buy something and for the first time during this trip, Marshall said no. March walked out of the restaurant, still holding Robert’s arm, “Let’s go this way," she said and cross the street.

"Robert, you must see this beautiful ring. I know Bunny will love it and it does not cost very much."

Robert suddenly stopped walking. March stood in front of him. I was embarrassed and did not know what to do. So I put my head down and kept on walking. Marshall walked next to me. I could not look at him. Now, I understood why he said no to March a few minutes earlier. He knew about her plan to get Robert into the store. He was trying to protect Robert from March, but now I was angry at him for not being able to stop her. I also was sorry for him, because he loved her too much. I began to feel unhappy as I walked alone with my head down.

Suddenly, I saw a gold chain lying on the sidewalk in front of me. I stopped to get it, but Marshall was quicker. "This is very valuable.” March and Robert walked to us.

"Look what I found," he said, holding up the gold chain.

"Let me see it." March demanded, "It is unbelievably beautiful." She said as her hand closed over the chain.

"Wait a minute, "Robert said, "Bunny was with Marshall, maybe Bunny saw it first.”

I shook my head, "Robert, we both saw it. I do not know who saw it first, but Marshall picked it up."

"Ok," March said," we can find out how much it is worth, then Marshall will give you half the money."

"No," said Robert, "I want the chain for Bunny; I will pay you half of what the chain is worth."

Suddenly, Marshall said, "Ariel, honey, you were not here and you did not see it. I did not find it. Bunny did. She stopped to look, all I did was picked it up."

Even I do not know if Marshall was telling the truth. Who knows who saw it first? But, March quickly gave me the chain,

"I am sorry," she said, a little embarrassed," I was not thinking."

A moment later, she turned to her husband, "Marsh," she said, “I want you to buy me a chain just like that."

"Sure," Marshall said, "hey! Robert and Bunny, would you two like to have another cup of coffee?"

We found a cafe and sat down.

After we finished our coffee, March went over to the owner of the cafe. "Do you speak English?" she asked loudly.

The owner nodded, "yes."

"Well, will you sell me the cups we just used for our coffee,” she asked.

The owner looked a little surprised, but he washed the cups and covered them with some newspaper. March paid him and came back to our table with the package of cups.

"I will keep them forever, so I can remember our 2 good friends." She said to Robert and me. Then she handed the package to Marshall.

"I will never forget this evening, will you?" A minute later, March stood up to go to the lady's room.

"I will be right back." She promised.

Marshall turned to watch her as she walked through the cafe, then he turned to us. First, he looked at Robert and then at me,

"Look", he said quietly, "you two do not know her the way I do. You really do not."

You have been listening to the story "Marshall in Rome". It was written by May Brisken and adapted into Special English by Donald Disenctes. Your narrator was Keg Lant .This is Shep O'Neal.

Now, the weekly special English program, American Stories. Our story today is called "Marshall in Rome". It was written by May Brisgen. Here is Kay Gallant with our story.
Often when he stood next to his wife, Marshall reminded me of an unhappy dog, his eyes looked as if he wanted to please her, but he was afraid he would not. His wife was about 35 years old and very pretty. Her name was March, but Marshal called her Arial. No one knew why he did this. I wanted to ask him, my husband Robert told me not to, he said March and Marshall talked too much already. That summer we were travelling to Italy with a group of other American tourists. Marshall and his wife were the only people of our age in the group. Marshall was 42 years old. He had a weak heart. I did not understand why he always carried March's heavy suitcases and all her packages, but Robert would not let me ask him. Robert did not like March because she wanted to buy everything she saw. And he did not like Marshall because he was rich enough to buy March whatever she wanted. The day we arrived in Rome, Robert made me promise not to talk to Marshall and March, it was our last day of the trip. Robert said if Marshall and March toured Rome with us, it would ruin the day for him. I said: "OK!" We left the hotel early in the morning before March and Marshall woke up. We were out all day visiting museums, monuments and churches. When we returned to our hotel that evening, we met Marshall and March. March was trying to open the door to their room, Marshall could not help, he was caring about 8 bags of clothing that March just bought. Robert stood there with his hands in his pockets. "Did you empty another store, March?" he said. Marshall laught, March did not. "What did you buy Bony today, Robert?" she asked. I took the key from her hand. "Here", I said, "let me help you." Marshall looked over the top of the packages, "Bony, where are you and Robert going for dinner?" I turned the key in the lock, "We...we heard about this wonderful little Sisilian restaurant." I said as I opened the door, "would you like come with us?" I wanted to punish Robert for not helping March with the door. Marshall smiled, "I have never eaten Sisilian food. Shall we go, Arial?" But Robert wanted his freedom, "March would not like this restaurant," he said, "it is not elegant." Now I was angry, "But the food is very tasty." I said. Marshall looked March, "Please, honey", March looked Robert and then Marshall, "OK, OK. We will go with you, but I will need at least one hour to get dressed." she said. Two hours later, she was finally ready to leave. By the time we reached the restaurant, we all were very hungry. March pointed to something on her menu, "What is this dish?" she asked the waiter. The waiter just shook his head and smiled to her. "He does not speak English, March." Robert said. March lift the napkin, "Uhh", she said. We followed her eyes, and discovered a small hole in the tablecloth. Someone had sewed the hole very nicely by hand. "March," I said, "This tablecloth is white, it is clean, it has even been ironed." March was not listening to me, she continued to read the menu. "What is copo nata?" she asked. I said: "It is eggplant, olives and tomatoes." "I hate eggplant." said March. Robert moved close to her, "Why not ask for a hamburger and coca cola, March?" Marshall touched eher arm, "Arial, honey, put down the menu. OK? Let Bony order for all of us." I did not speak Italian, but I took the menu and began pointing to it. The waiter smiled and he wrote down our order. "You will see," I told March, "there will be plenty of food you will like." And of course there was, we ate pasta, copo nata, meal and salad, we drank wine. We ordered dessert and coffee. March loved everything. After we paid the bill, she said, "You know, that was really good." As we walked to the doors, she took Robert's arm, then she turn to Marshall, "Where is that door?" she asked. "Arial" he said gently, "No." "Marshall!" she said gently, "Yes." Robert became very interested in this conversation. March wanted to buy something, and for the first time during this trip, Marshall said no. March walked out of the restaurant, still holding Robert's arm. "Let's go this way," she said and acrossed the street, "Robert, you must see this beautiful ring. I know Bony will love it, and it does not cost very much." Robert suddenly stop walking, March stood in front of him, I was embarrassed I did not know what to do. So I put my head down and kept on walking. Marshall walked next to me. I could not look at him. Now I understood why he said no to March a few minutes earlier. He knew about her plan to get Robert to the store, he was trying to protect Robert from March. But now, I was angry at him for not being able to stop her. I also was sorry for him, because he loved her too much. I began to feel unhappy, as I walked alone with my head down. Suddenly I saw a gold chain lie on the sidewalk in front of me. I stopped to get it. But Marshall was quicker, "This is valuable", March and Robert walked to us, "Look what I found" he said, holding up the gold chain. "Let me see it" March demanded, "It is unbelievably beautiful." she said as her hand close over the chain. "Wait a minute," Robert said, "Bony was with Marshall, maybe Bony saw it first." I shook my head, "Robert, we both saw it, I do not know who saw it first, but Marshall picked it up." "OK, we can find out how much this is worth and Marshall will give you half of the money." "No," Robert said, "I want the chain for Bony, I will pay you half of what the chain was worth." Suddenly, Marshall said, "Arial, honey, you will not here and you did not see it. I did not find it, Bony did. She stopped to look, what I did is pick it up." Even I did not know if Marshall was telling the truth. Who knows who saw it first? But March quickly give me the chain, "I am sorry", she said and a little embarassed, "I was not thinking." A moment later, she turned to her husband. "Marshy? I want to buy a chain just like that." "Sure", Marshall said. "Hey, Robert and Bony, would you too like have another cup of coffee?" We found cafe and sat down. After we finished a coffee, March went over to the owner of the cafe. "Do you speak English?" she asked loudly. The owner nodded, "Yes". "Well, will you sell me the cups we just used for our coffee?" she asked. The owner looked a little surprised, put he washed cups and covered them with a newspaper. March paid him, and come back to our table with a package of cups. "I will keep them forever, so I can remember our two good friends." she said to Robert and me. Then she handed the package to Marshall. "I will never forget this evening, were you?" A minute later, March stood up to go to the lady's room, "I will be right back." she promised. Marshall turned to watch her as she walked through the cafe, then he turned to us. First he looked to Robert and then me, "Look," he said quietly, "You two do not know her the way I do, you really do not."
You have been listening to the story "Marshall in Rome", it was written by May Brisgen, and adapted into special English by Dona Desentas, your narrator was Kay Gallant. This is Shep O'neal.