ACT 1-2 “没有必要操之过急。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen回顾了自己同Phillip建设小家庭的历程。Ellen建议Marilyn先去房地产经纪人处看看再说。

Marilyn: When did you buy a house?
Ellen: After Richard was born. I was teaching music, and Philip was opening his first medical office.
Marilyn: Where was the house?
Ellen: Right here in Riverdale. Of course, it was a small house, but just right for us.
Marilyn: It's funny. History repeats itself. Now Richard and I are having a baby, and we probably won't be able to afford a house right
Ellen: Why don't you look at some houses, Marilyn?
Marilyn: Good idea.
Ellen: Look in the real-estate section of Sunday's Times. You'll learn a lot.
Marilyn: Maybe we should speak to a real-estate agent about a house.
Ellen: And a bank about a mortgage.
Marilyn: I'll talk to Richard about it. I think it's a good idea, Ellen. We can learn a lot by asking.
Ellen: And if I can be of any help, let me know. As a matter of fact, my friend Virginia Martinelli is a real-estate agent.
Marilyn: Good.
Ellen: You won't believe this, but she sold us our first house and this one.
Marilyn: Well, I'll tell Richard, and we'll go to see her. Do you think the skirt length is right, Ellen? Do you think it's too long?
Ellen: I think the skirt is just right. Are you planning to attach a train to it?
Marilyn: No. No train. Just the dress. But I am going to make a headpiece of lace.
Ellen: That dress is gorgeous.
Marilyn: Thanks, Ellen. And thanks for the advice about the house. I'll talk to Richard about it the minute he comes home.
Ellen: And remember, we love having you here. There's no need to rush.

【语言点精讲】

1. When did you buy a house?
你们什么时候买的房子？
Marilyn 把重音放在助动词did上了。如果句中的助动词重读了，表示急于知道更多的内容，否则句中助动词不重读。

2. History repeats itself.
历史在重复。意思是说今天发生在Richard 夫妇身上的情况与多年前他父母买房的情景相似。

3. Why don't you look at some houses?
你们为什么不先看看房子呢？
Why don’t you…? : 为什么不…呢？这是提建议的一种说法。

4. Look in the real-estate section of Sunday’s Times. You'll learn a lot.
看看星期天的《纽约时报》房地产广告部份，你会学到不少东西的。
real-estate section: 报纸上刊登出售房子消息的版面。
Times: 指《纽约时报》。这是New York Times的简称。

5. Maybe we should speak to a real-estate agent about a house. … And a bank about a mortgage.
也许我们该去找一位房地产经纪人，谈谈买房子的事。......还可以找一家银行谈谈买房抵押借款的问题。
speak to: 表示为某种目的而特为找某人谈话。
real-estate agent: 房地产经纪人。
And a bank about a mortgage．是“And you should speak to a bank about a mortgage.”的省略语。mortgage: 按揭，抵押贷款。通常是以房子作抵押向银行借款。大约用15到30年时间还清借款。

6. And if I can be of any help, let me know.
如果有我能帮忙的地方的话，就告诉我。用于向某人表示自己愿意提供帮助。
be of help: 是“能帮忙，有所帮助”的意思。

7. I'll talk to Richard about it the minute he comes home.
等Richard一回家，我就去和他谈这件事。
the minute: 在这里起一个连词的作用，相当于“as soon as”。

8. There's no need to rush.
没有必要操之过急。