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152
3. Describe in detail an object that you always wanted as a child. Explain why you wanted it so badly,
whether you eventually got it and how, and what the significance of it is for you now.
Text 2
A Shopping Expedition
The man in the gentlemen's outfitting department at Barkridge's held Paddington's hat at arm's length
between thumb and forefinger. He looked at it distastefully.
'I take it young ... er, gentleman, will not be requiring this any more, Madam?' he said.
'Oh yes, I shall,' said Paddington, firmly. 'I've always had that hat — ever since I was small.'
'But wouldn't you like a nice new one, Paddington?' said Mrs. Brown, adding hastily, 'for best?'
Paddington thought for a moment. 'I'll have one for worst if you like,' he said. 'That's my best one!'
The salesman shuddered slightly and, averting his gaze, placed the offending article in the far end of the
counter.
'Albert!' He beckoned to a youth who was hovering in the background. 'See what we have in size 4 7/8.'
Albert began to rummage under the counter.
'And now, while we're about it,' said Mrs. Brown, 'we'd like a nice warm coat for the winter. Something
like a duffle coat with toggles so that he can do it up easily, I thought. And we'd also like a plastic raincoat
for the summer.'
The salesman looked at her haughtily. He wasn't very fond of bears and this one, especially, had been
giving him queer looks ever since he'd mentioned his wretched hat. 'Has Madam tried the bargain
basement?'* he began. 'Something in Government Surplus...'**
* A section of a shop set aside for special offeis, Li.e. goods at reduced prices. Not necessarily a basement.
** Government Surplus shops sprang up everywhere in England after the war. Originally they sold surplus military coats,
shirts, boots, etc. Now they sell tough outdoor clothing, camping equipment, working clothes, etc. Very little of their stock is
nowadays bought from the government.
'No, I haven't,' said Mrs. Brown, hotly. 'Government Surplus indeed! I've never heard of such a thing —
have you, Paddington?'
'No,' said Paddington, who had no idea what Government Surplus was. 'Never!' he stared hard at the man,
who looked away uneasily. Paddington had a very persistent stare when he cared to use it. It was a very
powerful stare. One which his Aunt Lucy had taught him and which he kept for special occasions.
Mrs. Brown pointed to a smart blue duffle coat with a red lining. 'That looks the very thing,' she said.
The assistant gulped. 'Yes, Madam. Certainly, Madam.' He beckoned to Paddington. 'Come this way, sir.'
Paddington followed the assistant, keeping about two feet behind him, and staring very hard. The back of
the man's neck seemed to go a dull red and he fingered his collar nervously. As they passed the hat counter,
Albert, who lived in constant fear of his superior, and who had been watching the events with an open
mouth, gave Paddington the thumbs-up sign.* Paddington waved a paw. He was beginning to enjoy himself.
* When a Roman gladiator had overcome another he was expected to ask the Emperor or senior person present at the games
whether he was to kill his opponent or not. If the Emperor held his thumb down it meant 'kill him'. If the thumb pointed upward it
meant 'spare him'. By extention, thumbs-up = life and hope.
He allowed the assistant to help him on with the coat and then stood admiring himself in the mirror. It
was the first coat he had ever possessed. In Peru it had been very hot, and though his Aunt Lucy had made
him wear a hat to prevent sunstroke, it had always been much too warm for a coat of any sort. He looked at
himself in the mirror and was surprised to see not one, but a long line of bears stretching away as far as the
eye could see. In fact, everywhere he looked there were bears, and they were all looking extremely smart.
'Isn't the hood a trifle large?' asked Mrs. Brown, anxiously.
'Hoods are being worn large this year. Madam,' said the assistant. 'It's the latest fashion.' He was about to
add that Paddington seemed to have rather a large head anyway but he changed his mind. Bears were rather
unpredictable. You never quite knew what they were thinking and this one in particular seemed to have a
mind of his own.
'Do you like it, Paddington?' asked Mrs. Brown.
Paddington gave up counting bears in the mirror and turned round to look at the back Vicw. 'I think it's
the nicest coat I've ever seen,' he said, after a moment's thought. Mrs. Brown and the assistant heaved a sigh
of relief.
'Good,' said Mrs. Brown. "That's settled, then. Now there's just the question of a hat and a plastic
mackintosh!'