i m BOOK STORE J24 Stockton St. Sm Frincisct, CtJif. ■Bjcatb'e flDobern TLatiouage Scries CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CONVERSATION BOOK WITH GRAMMATICAL NOTES BY E. E. PATTOU D. C. HEATH & CO., PUBLISHERS BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO Copyright, 1914, Bv D. C. Heath & Ca 2 B 9 Printed in U. S. A. 'PC PREFACE It is still a comparatively rare thing for a Frenchman to be able to converse in any language save his own. Accordingly, the historic question, ^'Parlez-vous franqais?" is heard to-day in France quite as frequently as it was a quarter of a century ago. What is more curious, how- ever, is that from ninety-nine out of every one hundred English or Americans thus interrogated, one hears the equally historic reply, "/ read French, hut I speak it very little.'' Many persons who have studied French for some years, and even those who are thoroughly familiar with the gram- mar and who translate readily, have had the experience of finding themselves, on arrival in France, totally incapable of carrying on a conversation in the language. This embar- rassment arises in the majority of cases from a lack of an adequate working vocabulary, notwithstanding the many excellent textbooks now in use. In preparing the present volume, in which a total of more than 4000 words is introduced, I have aimed to equip stu- dents with the vocabulary of the modern educated French- man, thus preparing them for profitable and pleasurable so- journings in France and for a better appreciation of their readings in modern French. The phraseology of everyday life in its various relations is illustrated in typical conversa- tions. Each noun or idiom is employed — unobtrusively and in diverse connections — not less than three separate iii IV PREFACE times, a repetition which, as psychologists tell us, "makes it our own." As will be remarked, the notes, among other things, include a brief resume of the more confusing points of French gram- mar as illustrated in the text and by cross references whicl? give further aid to the memory. While the Causeries are intended to appear quite natural (being in part conversations which have actually taken place), special efifort has been made to introduce all words which might be needed in discussing the subject in hand. In such Conversations as "Books, magazines and newspapers" and "The Salons", no attempt has been made at literary or ar- tistic comment, the design of the method being (as above stated) to bring to the notice of the pupil those words and phrases suitable for intelligent conversation on the topics named. Also, while the Causeries will in general be found suitable for students of either sex, a few may be omitted, if desired. In the same way, for girls' schools, Causerie 20 might be considered inappropriate, although the text will be found illuminative of certain useful grammatical points. When employed weekly in connection with grammar and reading, the lessons form one school-year course. Better progress is made, however, if — with shorter tasks — the lessons occur twice a week. A basis of not less than two years' previous grammar study is pre-supposed in order that the best results be achieved. The home preparation of the Conversations should be per- formed viva voce, each phrase being repeated until it runs with a fair degree of smoothness. If possible, no English should be spoken by the teacher during the recitation of a Causerie. With the lesson properly prepared (and guided by the Eng- PREFACE lish version), students should be able to give the sentences without hesitation. — As the class advances, a fairly rapid recitation should be urged, as tending to develop fluency and to aid pupils to think in French. In employing the method, each teacher will naturally be guided by size of class, conditions of work, and other con- siderations. While Causeries en France is, of course, intended as a com- panion to my An American in Germany (D. C. Heath & Co.), the present volume embodies certain improvements suggested by experience with the German text. The newer book has, also, the very great advantage of having been written and edited in France within the current year. I acknowledge gratefully the assistance of A. Berillon, Professeur agrcge des lettres de VUniversite de France, also of Mile. Lucie Berillon, a member of the faculty of the Lycee Moliere. E. E. PATTOU. Paris, France, 1914. CONTENTS. PAGE PART I. 1. Une presentation, An introduction (social) .... 2 2. Le petit dejeuner a I'hotel, Morning coffee at the hotel . 4 3. Le nouvel an, The New Year 6 4. En sortant, G^ing out 10 5. Dans les magasins (a), Shopping (a) 14 6. Dans les magasins (b), Shopping (b) 18 7. La fenune de chambre. The chambermaid .... 20 8. En classe (au lycee). In school (at the lycee) .... 24 9. Apres la leg on. After the lesson 28 10. L'arrivee a la gare et a I'hotel (a), Arrival at the station and at the hot.^1 (a) 3° 11. L'arrivee a la gare et a I'hotel (b), Arrival at the station and at the hotel (b) 32 12. Diner au Cafe Marguery (a), Dinner at the Cafe Mar- gucry (a) 36 13. Diner au Cafe Marguery (b), Dinner at the Cafe Mar- guery (b) 38 14. La concierge. The janitress 42 15. Une invitation a prendre le the au Bois, An invitation to take tea in the Eois 44 16. En voyage (a), Traveling (a) 48 17. En voyage (b), Traveling (b) 50 18. L'etude du frangais en Amerique (a), Learning French in America (a) 54 19. L'etude du frangais en Amerique (b), Learning French in America (b) 56 20. Chez le tailleur. At the tailor's 58 21. En automobile en France (a), Automobiling in France (a) . 62 22. En automobile en France (b) , Automobiling in France (b) . 64 23. Les livres, les revues, les journaux. Books, magazines, and newspapers 68 24. Chez le medecin (a), At the doctor's (a) 70 25. Chez le medecin (b). At the doctor's (b) 74 vii Vlll CONTENTS PAGE PART II. 26. Un homme d'affaires a Paris (a), A business man in Paris (a) 78 27. Un homme d'affaires a Paris (b), A business man in Paris (b) , . . . 8i 28. Les sports (a), Sport (a) 86 29. Les sports (b), Sport (b) 88 30. Dans une pension franf aise (a), In a French pcnsioti (a) . 92 31. Dans une pension frangaise (b), In a French pension (b) . 96 32. Chez la couturiere. Une commande, At the dressmaker's. An order 98 $5. A la recherche d'un domicile (a). Looking for a dwelling (a) 104 34. A la recherche d'un domicile (b) , Looking for a dwelling (b) 106 35. Un professeur a la Sorbonne, A professor at the Sorbonne . 108 36. Dans le monde. Entre femmes (a), In society. Among women (a) 114 37. Dans le monde. Entre femmes (b), In society. Among women (b) [18 38. Dans le monde. Entre jeunes filles, In society. Among young girls 122 39. Un voyage en Suisse, A journey to Switzerland . . . 126 40. Ala Comedie Franfaise (a), At the Comedie Frangaise (a). 130 41. A la Comedie Franfaise (b), At the Comedie Franfaise (b) . 136 42. La douane, The customhouse 138 43. A la poste, At the post office 140 44. Une visite (a), A call (a) 144 45. Une visite (b), A call (b) 150 46. Les Salons, The Salons 154 47. Une etudiante en musique a Paris, A music student in Paris 158 48. Une excursion a Saint-Cloud, A trip to Saint-Cloud . . 162 49. Une promenade dans le Jardin du Luxembourg, A walk in the Luxembourg Garden .- 166 50. Les lettres. Letters 172 51. Sur le transatlantique (or, le paquebot), On the steamer . 180 PART I 2 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE I. Une presentation. {Une amie.) 1. Mademoiselle Brown, permettez-moi de vous presenter monsieur Bonneau. {Monsieur Bonneau.) 2. Je suis enchante de faire votre connaissance, mademoi- selle.' Depuis combien de temps etes-vous- a Paris? 3. Depuis peu de temps; je suis arrivee hier d'Amerique.^ 4. Ah! vous etes Americaine,'' mais vous avez I'accent anglais. 5. Je suis nee^ en Angleterre, mais depuis quinze ans, j'habite New- York. 6. Est-ce la premiere fois que vous visitez Paris, mademoi- selle? ' » 7. Oui, monsieur, C'est pour cela que je parle si mal le franjais. 8. Au contraire, mademoiselle, vous faites tres peu de fautes. 9. Vous me flattez, monsieur. A vrai dire, j'ai parfois beaucoup de mal'' a me faire comprendre. 10. Mais vous aviez etudie le frangais en Amerique,^ n'est-ce pas? 11. Oui, monsieur, etant enfant; mais il y a longtemps que je n'ai^ entendu un mot de franjais. 12. Avez-vous I'intention de passer I'hiver a Paris? 13. Je compte rester ici jusqu'au mois d'avril. I . When addressing an acquaintance in French, one often uses merely the words monsieur, madame, mademoiselle (Mr., Mrs., Miss), instead of the entire name as in English. When addressing a stranger, the same form is observed. In restaurants the waiter is spoken to as garqan, but CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 3 CONVERSATION i. An introduction (social). {A friend, fern.) 1. Miss Brown, permit me to present [to you] Mr. Bon° neau. (Mr. Bonneaii) 2. I am delighted to make your acquaintance, [Miss]. How long have you been [are you] in Paris? 3. Not very long; I arrived from America yesterday. 4. Ah, you are an American {fern.), but you have an Eng- lish accent. 5. I was born in England, but for fifteen years I have been [am] living in New York. 6. Is this your first visit to Paris, [Miss]? 7. Yes, [sir]. It is for that reason [for that] that I speak French so badly. 8. On the contrary. Miss [Brown], you make very few mis- takes. 9. You flatter me, sir. To tell the truth, I sometimes have a great deal of trouble to make myself understood. 10. But you had studied French in America, had you not? 11. Yes, [sir], as a child; but it is a long time since I have heard a word of French. 12. Do you intend to spend the winter in Paris? 13. I expect to remain here until [the month of] April. the waitress is called mademoiselle. Employees in shops and elsewhere are addressed as monsieur and mademoiselle. 2. In French (as in German) one says. 'How long are you here'? Never, 'How long have you been here'? as in English. 4 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE iVoTE. — Besides its regular use, as in English, the pres. indie, is em- ployed idiomatically to denote what has been and still continues to be. Ex. Je suis ici depiiis deux jours, 'I have been here for two days'. 3. The English expression 'to have just' (done a thing) is usually translated by the verb venir (de) with infin. Ex. Je viens de le voir, 'I have just seen him'; Je viens de debarquer, '1 have just landed'. See Causerie 15, I. One does not, however, say Je viens d^arrivcr. 4. The indefinite article is usually omitted before a predicate noun denoting a person's nationality, profession, etc. Ex. Je suis Atiglais, 'I am an Englishman'; // est avocat, 'he is a lawyer'. Also, there is no arti- cle in such phrases as bcaucoup dWmcricains, 'many Americans'. The article is not omitted when the predicate noun has a dlf:tinctive CAUSERIE 2. Le petit dejeuner a I'hotel. {On frappe a la parte.) 1. Entrez! 2. Avez-vous Sonne, monsieur? 3. Mais Gui, plusieurs fois. 4. Mille pardons, monsieur. La sonnette est derangee (or, ne marche pas bien). Que desirez-vous? 5. Je voudrais commanderMe petit dejeuner. Voulez-vous bien le monter^ tout de suite.^ Je suis un peu presse. 6. Monsieur prend-il du cafe ou du chocolat? 7. Apportez-moi du cafe au lait avec des petits^ pains, du beurre et deux oeufs^ a la coque. 8. C'est entendu, monsieur. 9. Avez-vous de la marmelade? 10. Nous avons une tres bonne marmelade d'orange. En voulez-vous, monsieur? 11. Apportez-m'en^ un peu, s'il vous plait. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 5 adjunct. Ex. C'est iin general distingue, 'he is a distinguished general'; // est un peinlre de merite, 'he is a painter of merit'. 5. See Causerie 3, note 4. 6. Avoir de la peine (or, dii mal), 'to have trouble or difficulty'. 7. En, 'in' or 'to' (a country which is fem.); au, 'in' or 'to' (a country jvhich is masc); a, 'in' or 'to' (a town); aiix, 'in', or 'to' (a country which is masc. plu.). Ex. Je vais en France, 'I am going to France'; je reste en Espagne, 'I am remaining in Spain'; en Allemagne, 'in Germany'; aux Etats-Unis, 'in the United States'; au Mcxique, 'in Mexico'; ai7. Twenty-five francs, madam. l6 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 1 8. Donnez-moi un echantillon (ay-skan-iee-yon) et puis montrez-moi quelque chose de meilleure qualite. ■ 19. En voici, madame, a quarante francs. — Une vraie oc- casion.^ C'est tres avantageux. 20. C'est exactement ce qu'il me faut. J'en prends^ cinq metres, monsieur. (A la caisse.) 21. Voulez-vous payer a la livraison/" madame? 22. J'aime mieux payer maintenant. Pouvez-vous me donner la monnaie^^ de cinquante francs? 1. See Causerie 7, note 15. 2. cher, 'expensive', 'dear'; phis cher, 'dearer'; mains cJier, 'less expen- sive'. 3. meillcur marche, 'cheaper'; bon marche, 'cheap'; chez Marily, 'at Marily's (shop)'. Ex. Je Vai achete tres bon marche, 'I bought it very cheaply'; Jc Vai achete aux Grands Magasins du Louvre, 'I bought it at the Louvre Department Store'. 4. emballer, 'to wrap up' (as a package); un cheval emballe, 'a runaway horse'. See Causerie 20, 9. 5. unc epinglc, 'a pin'; une aiguille, 'a needle'; les ciseaux, 'scissors'. 6. par ici, 'about (around) here'. See Causerie 24, 3. 7. A meter equals one yard and an eighth. 8. une occasion, 'an opportunity', 'a bargain'. 9. Note use of present tense for English future. See Causerie 6, 12; also Causerie 8, 14. ID. Mettez-le a man compte, 'put it on my bill'; un conipte, 'an account'; une note, 'a bill'; V addition, 'bill' (in restaurant, etc.); une quittance, 'receipt'; un timbre a quittance, 'a stamp affixed to bill when it is paid by payee', i. e. a governmental tax. II. de Vargent, 'money', 'silver'; de la monnaie, 'change'; de la petite motinaie, 'small change'. N. B. The use of a, de, and pour (to) before the infinitive presents one of the initial difficulties to the foreigner desirous of speaking correct French. There being no general rules, it is only by cai'^'ully noticing CAUSERIES EN FRANCE I? 1 8. Give me a sample and then show me something of a better quality. 19. Here is one, madam, at forty francs ; a genuine bar- gain. It is very good value. 20. It is exactly what I want [is necessary to me]. I will take [am taking] five yards, [sir], (-1/ the cas/iier's desk.j 21. Do you wish to pay on delivery, madam? 22. I prefer to pay now. Can you give me the change for fifty francs? those phrases in which such prepositions occur that their proper employ- ment will become habitual. Note the following: de (with the infinitive) is used: (a) After different forms of the verb etre with past participle. Ex. Je suis etotme, enniiye, etc. de remarquer, voir, etc.; Je suis charme, enchante, ravi, de faire sa connaissance, 'I am charmed to make her ac- quaintance', {h) After different forms of etre with adjective. Ex. II est difficile, dangereux, risque, etc., de le faire, 'it is diflicult, dangerous, etc., to do it'; Le jeiine homme est amhitieux de Vessayer, 'the young man is ambitious to try it'; Vous etes aimahle de me recevoir, 'you are kind to receive me'; C eta it stupide de V avoir fait, 'it was stupid to have done it', (c) In the idiom venir {de), 'to have just'. Ex. Je viens de le voir, 'I have just seen him'. a (with the infinitive) commonly denotes what is proper to be done. Ex. J^ai beancoup de peine (or, mal) a apprendre les verbes, 'I have much trouble in learning the verbs'; Je tiens a le faire, 'I am anxious to do it'; un homme d recompenser, 'a man who deserves recompense'; utt avis d siilvre, 'an opinion worth following'. pour (with the infinitive) is easier to employ correctly. It can nearly always be translated in order to. Ex. Je suis alle a Londres pour apprendre V anglais, 'I went to London (in order) to learn English'; // est venu a la ?are pour acheler les billets, 'he came to the station (in order) to buy tickets'; pour employer ce mot correctement, '(in order) to employ this word correctly'. 1 8 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE 6. Dans les magasins (b). 1. Allons-nous choisir nos chapeaux ici ou dans les petits magasins de I'Avenue de I'Opera? 2. Le prix est fixe dans les grands magasins, mais dans les petites boutiques' il faut marchander un peu. L'accent ame- ricain (anglais) coute cher a Paris. 3. Je n'aime pas marchander. Cherchons ici d'abord. {A la modiste. y 4. Mademoiselle, j'ai remarque dans la vitrine un chapeau de paille^ (pye) noire'' avec des plumes d'autruche. Avez- vous quelque chose de semblable en bleu fonce? 5. Je n'ai pas de chapeau exactement pareil^ en bleu, ma- dame, mais voici quelque chose de bien gentil. 6. II ne me plait pas beaucoup ; la forme me semble demo- dee. Montrez-moi quelque chose de plus nouveau.^ 7. Celui-ci, en paille grise, est tres elegant.^ Voulez-vous I'essayer? 8. Je trouve la garniture trop lourde* pour un chapeau de printemps.9 9. Madame aimerait-elle un chapeau garni de fleurs? Re- gardez ceci. Excusez-moi un moment. Ah! c'est parfait! II vous va'" a merveille. Tres seyant. 10. En effet, c'est un chapeau ravissant. Quel en est le prix {or, combien coute-t-il)? 11. Cent-soixante francs, madame. 12. Je le prends. Envoyez-le moi a I'hotel aussitot que possible. Je dois I'avoir avant quatre heures. 13. Madame peut y compter. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 1 9 CONVERSATION 6. Shopping (b). 1. Are we going to look for our hats here or in the small shops on [of] the Avenue de I'Opera? 2. The price is faxed in the large shops, but in the small shops it is necessary to bargain a bit. An American (English) accent costs one dear in Paris. 3. I do not like to bargain. Let us look here first. {To the milliner) 4. [Miss], I noticed in the show window a black straw hat with ostrich plumes. Have you something similar in dark blue? 5. I have no hat exactly like it in blue, madam, but here is something very nice. 6. I do not care for it very much [it does not please me very much]. The shape seems old-fashioned to me. Show me something newer. 7. This one in grey straw is very stylish. Will you try it on? 8. I find the trimming too heavy for a spring hat. 9. Would madam Hke a hat trimmed with flowers? Look at this. — Pardon me a moment. Ah, it is perfect. It suits you extremely well. Very becoming. 10. It is certainly an exquisite hat. What is the price of it (how much does it cost)? 11. One hundred and sixty francs, madam. 12. I will take [am taking] it. Send it to the hotel [for mej as soon as possible. I must have it before four o'clock. 13. Madam may depend upon it. 20 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 14. On vous paiera a la livraison. Ou est I'entree la plus proche du metropolitain? 15. Elle se trouve justement en face du Louvre. Bon- jour, mesdames. 1. im boiiliquler, un commerqanl, 'a shopkeeper'; tm grand magasin, 'department store'; nnc boutique, a shop where a certain kind of article is kept, e. g. 'a stocking shop', 'shoe shop', etc.; une succursale, 'a branch store'; "Prix-fixe'\ 'no bargaining', 'one price', 2. une modiste (from mode, 'style'), 'milliner'; une coutiiriere, 'dress- maker'; un couturier, 'man dressmaker'. 3. un chapeau de feutre, 'felt hat'. 4. rouge, 'red'; rose, 'pink'; hrun{e) 'brown', blanc{hc), 'white'. 5. pareilQe), 'alike', 'the same'; semhlable, 'similar'; le (or, la) meme, 'the same'. Ex. 7/5 sont pareils (or, semblables) , 'they are alike, similar'; C'erf la meme chose, 'it is the same thing'. 6. neuf (neuvc), 'new' (opposed to old); nouveaii, nouvel, nouvelle (after noun), 'recent', 'new fashioned'; nouveau, etc. (before noun), 'another'. Ex. Vous avez un chapeau neuf, 'you have a new hat'; Vous CAUSERIE 7. La femme de chambre. 1. Vous etes la femme de chambre;^ comment vous appe- lez-vous? 2. Je m'appelle Marie. Est-ce que monsieur cherche quelque chose? 3. J 'ai egare^ mon pince-nez. Je ne peux pas m'en passer,^ je suis tellement myope."* 4. Peut-etre est-il sur le bureau- ou sur la commode. 5. Oh, non, j'ai beau chercher^ partout; je ne le trouve nulle part. C'est par trop vexant. 6. Le voici sous la chaise a bascule.^ 7. Merci bien, Marie; vous avez de bons yeux. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 21 14. I will pay for it on delivery. Where is the nearest en- trance to the subway [tube]? 15. It is [finds itself] just opposite the Louvre. — Good day, ladies. avez iin chapeaji nouveatt, 'you have a hat in the new style'; Vous avez un nouveau chapeau, 'you have another hat'. 7. See Causerie 32, note 6. 8. leger (legere), 'h'ght in weight'; in figurative sense; clair{&), 'light in color'. See Causerie 5, sentence 3. 9. iin chapeau d'hiver, 'a winter hat'; un chapeau d'ele, 'a su mm er hat'; un chapeau de demi saison, 'an autumn hat'. 10. Various significations of alter (to go), when used idiomatically: (i) As auxiliary verb expressing futurity or intention. Ex. Je vais le faire, 'I am going to do it'. (2) 'to feel well' (ill). Ex. Vous allez bien aujourd'hui? 'are you feeling well to-day'.? Mon frere va niieux, 'my brother is better'. (3) allcr a (or with dat.) 'to be becoming', 'to suit one'. Ex. Celle robe lui va Ires mat, 'this gown is very unbecoming to her'; also 'to fit well' (badly). Ex. Cet habit vous va tres bien derriere, 'this coat fits you well behind'. CONVERSATION 7. The chambermaid. 1. Are you the chambermaid; what is your name [do you call yourself]? 2. My name is [I call myself] Marie. Are you [is 7non- sieur] looking for something? 3. I have mislaid my eyeglasses {sing.). I cannot dc without them ; I am so nearsighted. 4. Perhaps they are [it is] on the desk or the dresser. 5. Oh no, I have been looking everywhere for them in vain, but I do not find them anywhere. It is too vexing ! 6. Here they are [it is] under the rocking-chair. 7. Thank you very much, Marie. You have good eyes. 22 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 8. Voulez-vous que je fasse votre chambre a coucher tout de suite, monsieur? g. Attendez dix minutes. Je sortirai tout a I'heure. Je rentrerai vers midi. Mettez un peu d'ordre^ dans mon salon avant cette heure-la. 10. C'est entendu, monsieur. Je vais nettoyer^ les deux chambres. 11. Faites monter du charbon ; le seau' est vide. J'aime- rais mieux des boulets que des briquettes.'" 12. C'est comme vous voudrez, monsieur. 13. Fait-il tres froid dehors ce matin? 14. Non, monsieur, il fait plutot un temps convert et humide. 15. Oh! (La! la! colloq.) il commence a pleuvoir. Quel temps ! 16. C'est ennuyeux d'etre oblige de sortir par ce vilain temps. 17. II le faut. Oil sont mes chaussures?^^ 18. Henri a oublie de les monter. II n'est pas serieux. Le patron" sera bien fache contre lui. 19. Demandez aussi les bottines de ma soeur. 20. Je les monterai tout de suite, monsieur. 21. Attendez! le facteur'^ est-il deja venu? J 'attends des lettres de I'etranger.^'' 22. Le facteur n'avait rien pour vous ce matin. Avez- vous fini votre lettre? Voulez-vous que je la descende? 23. S'il vous plait. Tenez! J'y mettrai un timbre-poste. Veuillez'5 la porter a la boite aux lettres. Elle est fort pressee. I. une femme d'inlerieur, 'housekeeper', 'head of household'. Ex. CAU SERIES EN FRANCE 23 8. Do you ^vish me to do your bedroom right away, sir? 9. Wait ten minutes. I am going out very soon. I shall return (home) about noon. , Put my sitting room in order before that time. 10. Very well, sir. I will clean the two rooms. 1 1 . Have some coal brought up ; the scuttle is empty. I should prefer hoidets to briquettes. 12. As you wish, sir. 13. Is it very cold out of doors this morning? 14. No sir, it is [instead] cloudy and damp. 15. Oh! Oh! It is beginning to rain. WTiat weather! 16. It is annoying to be obliged to go out in such bad weather. 17. It is necessary. Where are my boots? 18. Henry forgot to bring them upstairs. He does not attend to his work properly. The master will be very angry with him. 19. Ask for my sister's shoes also. 20. I will bring them up right away, sir. 2 1 . Wait ! Has the postman come yet? I am expecting some foreign letters. 22. The postman had nothing for you this morning. — Have you finished your letter? Do you wish me to take it downstairs? 23. If you please. — Wait [hold] ! I will put a stamp on it. Will you be so kind as to carry it to the letter box. It is very urgent. Ma femmeest une Ires bonne femme d'interieur, 'my wife is a very good 24 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE housekeeper'; uue fcmme de menage, 'charwoman', woman who comes in by the hour to do housework. 2. egarer, 'mislay'; elre egare, 'to get lost', 'go astray'. Ex. Un Arabe, egare dans le desert, 'an Arab, lost in the desert'. 3. se passer (dc), 'to do without'. Ex. Je ne pettx pas me passer de viande, 'I cannot do without meat'; II s'en passe, 'he does without it'. 4. presbyte, 'far-sighted'. 5. One of the most interesting idioms in French is the use of beati with an infinitive, to be translated 'in vain'. Ex. J'ai beau attendre, 'It is useless for me to wait.' 6. les mciibles, 'furniture'; un meiible, 'a piece of furniture'; le lit, 'bed'; une chaise-longue, 'couch', 'lounging chair'. 7. epousseler, 'to dust'; la poussiere, 'dust'; secouez le tapis, 'shake the rug'. 8. frolter, 'to rub', 'polish', 'wax', or 'dry-rub'; se frotter, 'to rub' CAUSERIE 8. En classe (au lycee),* (Ueleve^ au matlre) 1. Est-ce que je suis tres en retard,^ monsieur? On m'a retenu au dernier moment. 2. II n'est pas tard, monsieur Brown; il est neuf hcures juste. Eh bien, nous voila tous arrives. Veuillez comrnen- cer, monsieur Charles. Ouvrez votre Hvre. A quelle page en sommes-nous? 3. Nous sommes restes hier a la page 88. Faut-il lirC le poeme a haute voix, monsieur? 4. Oui, lisez-le d'abord, et puis vous traduirez. 5. "Helas, de tels soupfons sont. . . ." 6. II ne faut^ pas lire comme fa. II vaut mieux^ lire plus lentement et plus distinctement. Continuez ! — Vous avez passe un mot. AUons, recommencez ! 7. "Nos coeurs se forment mille soins." CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 25 oneself. Ex. Je me siiis frotte les yeux, 'I rubbed my eyes'. 9. un scan, 'pail', 'bucket', 'scuttle'. Ex. II pleut a seatix, 'it is raining in bucketsful'. 10. tme bfiqueite, 'brick' (of manufactured fuel — used all over Europe) ; un boulet, the same in shape of small rounded pieces. 11. Les bottes, 'men's high shoes'; les boUines, 'women's high shoes'; les soldiers, 'low shoes'; les pantoujles, 'slippers'; les chaussures, 'foot wear' (in general). Cirez mes botiines, 'polish my shoes'. 12. le patron, 'master of an establishment'; owner, boss; le proprietaire, 'proprietor'. 13. le Jacteur, 'postman', 'porter' at railroad station. See Causerie 10, I. 14. See Causerie 9, note 6. 15. Veuillez and vonlez-vous bien, with an infinitive, are often used as equivalents of s'il vous platl. Ex. Voulez-vous bien (or, Veuillez) me passer le pain? 'will you please pass me the bread'? CONVERSATION 8. In school (at the lycee). {The pupil to the master.) 1. Am I very late, sir? I was detained at the last moment. 2. It is not late, Master Brown. It is just nine o'clock. Well, here we are all arrived. Will you please begin, Master Charles. Open your book. At what page are we? 3. We stopped yesterday on page eighty-eight. Shall 1 [is it necessary to] read the poem aloud, sir? 4. Yes, read it first and then translate. 5. "Alas! Such suspicions are. . . ." 6. You must not read like that. It is better to read more slowly and distinctly. Continue ! — You omitted one word. Now begin again. 2. "Our hearts, make for themselves a thousand cares." 20 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 8. Le dernier mot n'etait pas correctement prononce. — Cela va mieux. Maintenant, traduisez. — Comment?^ Je ne vous comprends pas. 9. Je veux dire^ . . . 10. Ce n'est pas le mot le plus usite' (usuel, employe). Le mot suivant est-il masculin ou feminin? 11. La terminaison est feminine. 12. Bien. De quelle langue ce mot derive-t-il? 13. De la langue grecque, monsieur. Non, je me trompe, II derive du latin. 14. C'est exact. Continuez. — Bon; je vous donne une heure d'exemption.'" Avez-vous beaucoup de mal avec les terminaisons? 15. Plus maintenant. C'est )e subjonctif" qui est la pierre d'achoppement pour les etrangers. 1. les l.ycees, large boys' schools subsidized by the French Govern- ment. Lycecs for girls are separately maintained. Pupils receive diplo- mas and prizes in the amphitheatre of the University of France; un college, 'boys' school'; H7i camaradc de college, 'a school friend'. 2. an eleve, 'a pupil'; tm interne, 'boarding pupil'; un externe, 'day pupil'; un garqon, 'boy', 'bachelor', 'waiter'; un garqonnet, 'little boy'; les jeimes gens, 'lads', 'young fellows', lit. 'young people' (in which sense it is sometimes used); une jeune fille {never fillc alone), 'girl', 'young, unmarried woman'; une demoiselle, 'young lady'. 3. A person is late {en retard); 'the hour is late' {tard). 4. la lecture, 'reading'. Ex. Aimez-vous la lecture? 'are you fond of reading'? la prose, 'prose'; la poesie, 'poetry'. 5. il faut, 'it is necessary', 'you (anyone) must'; // ne faut pas, 'you must not'. Ex. // ne faut pas salir vos hotlines, 'you must not soil your boots'. 6. il vaut mieux (never, il est mieux), 'it is better', etc. 7. Comment? V ous dites {coVLoq.)? 'What did you say'? Pariow, 'I beg pardon', 'I did not imderstand what you said' (more polite form). 8. Je veux dire, 'I mean'; il vent dire, 'he means'; Qii'esl-ce que ^ela veut dire? 'what does that mean'? CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 27 8. The last word was not correctly pronounced. — That is better. Now translate. — What is it? I do not under- stand you. 9. I mean. . . . 10. It is not the most commonly employed word. Is the next word masculine or feminine? 11. The termination is feminine. 12. Good. From what language is this word derived? 13. From the Greek language, sir. No, I am mistaken, it is derived from the Latin. 14. That is right. Continue. Good, I shall give you one hour's exemption (i. e. merit mark). Have you much trouble with the terminations? 15. Not now. It is the subjunctive which is the great stumbling block for foreigners. 9. usite{e), 'used', 'employed'; employe{e), 'employed'; tise{e), 'worp out', 'ihreadbare', 'trite', 'hackneyed'; usuel{lc), 'usual'. 10. tme keure de consigne, 'one hour's detention after school'; une heiire d' exemption, 'one hour's exemption', i. e. reward for good lesson or behavior to be checked off as offset of an hour of consigne. (French system of merits and demerits.) 11. Commonest uses of subjunctive in French. (a) After il faut and other impersonal verbs not expressing complete certainty. Ex. Esl-il vrai quil vienne? 'is it true he is coming'? Cest vrai qii'il vient, 'it is true that he is coming'. {b) Verbs or expressions denoting will, desire, etc. (followed by que). Ex. Je veux qii'il vienne, 'I want him to come'. (c) After certain conjunctions, the commonest of which are pour que, afin que, 'in order that'; quoique. Men que, 'though'; avant que, 'before'; sans que, 'without'; soil que, 'whether'; d moins que, 'unless'; qui que, 'whoever'; quoi que, 'whatever'. Ex. sans qu'il vienne, 'without hi? coming'. {d) In relative sentences when qui, que, etc., refer to an antecedent qualified by a superlative, or by seul, premier, etc. (all with superlative force). Ex. Cest la plus belle femme que je connaisse, 'she is the moet beautiful woman that I know'. 28 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE 9. Apres la lefon. {Le maitre.y 1. Un moment, mademoiselle Brown; voici votre theme, [ui est reellement bien. Vous faites des progres sensibles jn franjais. 2. Vous trouvez, monsieur? Cela me fait plaisir. 3. Ce mot-ci s'ecrit avec une lettre' majuscule. — Dans ce mot-la, il faut rayer Vs. 4. Est-ce que j'ai ecrit {or, epele) correctement ce mot-ci, monsieur? 5. II est sans faute, mademoiselle, mais votre ecriture n'est pas tres lisible. 6. J'ai oublie aussi une virgule et un point.^ 7. De plus {or, en outre) il faudra a I'avenir'' faire plus attention a votre orthographe. 8. Helas, chez nous autres^ ces choses-la ne sautent pas aux yeux. Un etranger^ ne remarque pas des erreurs de ce genre comme un Frangais de naissance.'' 9. C'est force {or, evidemment). N'oubliez pas de faire attention aux genres.* 10. Apres-demain aura lieu I'examen de calcul.' En verite, je le redoute. Le calcul n'est pas mon fort. 11. Ne vous decouragez pas; vous allez bien passer votre examen, j'en suis sur. 12. Vous me donnez du courage, monsieur. — II faut que je me sauve ; ma tante m'attend dans le corridor au rez-de- chaussee. A demain! 13. Demain, il y aura conge,'" mademoiselle. • 14. Comme je suis sotte de I'avoir oublie. Nous avons 1 'intention de faire une excursion a Fontainebleau. -CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 29 CONVERSATION 9. After the lesson. {The master) 1. One moment, Miss Brown; here is your exercise which is really very good. You are making good progress in French. 2. Do you think so, sir? I am very glad. 3. This word is written with a capital letter. — In that word you must cross out the 5. 4. Have I written (spelt) this word correctly, sir? 5. It is correct, [Miss], but your writing is not very legible. 6. I have also forgotten a comma and a period. 7. Besides, you must pay more attention in the future to your spelling. 8. Alas, with us these things do not strike [leap to] the eye. A foreigner does not notice such mistakes as a native Frenchman does. 9. That is quite evident. Do not forget to pay attention to the genders. 10. Day after to-morrow the arithmetic examination takes place. Indeed, I am dreading it. Arithmetic is not my strong point. 1 1 . Do not be discouraged, you will pass your examination, I am sure [of it]. 12. You give me courage, sir. — I must hurry [away]; my aunt is waiting for me in the corridor down stairs [on the ground floor]. — Goodbye until to-morrow. 13. To-morrow is a holiday, [Miss.] 14. How stupid I am to have forgotten it. We intend to make an excursion to Fontainebleau. 30 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 15. Je vous souhaite beaucoup de plaisir, mademoiselle. 16. Merci, monsieur. Adieu. 1. un niaitre, un repetiteur, 'a master', 'male teacher'; un mattre d'alle- mand, 'a German teacher' (masc); une tnailresse d'espagnol, 'a Spanish teacher' (fem.). 2. une letlrc, 'letter' (of the alphabet), 'epistle'; lettre{c), 'educated' (through books). Ex. une personne lettree, 'a highly educated person'; une personne illettree, 'an illiterate person'. 3. la ponctnation, 'punctuation'; point el virgiile, 'semi-colon'; un boint d' exclamation, 'an exclamation-point'; en italiqnes, 'in italics'; mdtre entre guillemets, 'to put in quotation-marks'. A. dans le passe, 'in the past'; a present, 'at the present time'. 5. Where two groups of individuals are compared, antres gives em- phasis. 6. Vetranger, 'foreigner'; etranger{e), Sid]., ' foreign'; a I'etr anger, 'abroad'; efrange, 'strange'. Ex. Un accent etranger, 'a foreign accent'; une chose CAUSERIE 10. L'arrivee a la gare et a I'hotel (a). (On descend d la gare. Au fadeiir.) 1. Voulez-vous chercher" mes bagages, facteur. Void mon bulletin de bagages. 2. Combien de colis avez-vous, monsieur? 3. J'en ai trois, deux malles et un sac de voyage. — Depe- chez-vous, nous sommes tres presses. — Faites venir un fiacre.^ {Au cocker) 4. Cocher, attendez un moment; le facteur va monter ma malle sur I'imperiale.^ Quel est le tarif pour les bagages? 5. Vingt-cinq centimes pour chaque colis, monsieur. 6. Bien, conduisez-nous a I'Hotel Crillon. — Cast CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 3I 15. I wish you much pleasure, [Miss], 16. Thank you, sir. Good-bye. strange, 'a strange thing'. // reste toujoiirs a Vetranger,' he is still abroad'. 7. un Allemand de naissance, 'a. native-born German'; iin naturel, 'a native', i. e. savage. Ex. Vn soiilevement des naturels, 'a rising of the natives'. 8. un genre, 'species', 'sort', 'fashion', 'gender' (grammar). Ex. le genre humain, 'mankind'; le genre masculin; 'the masculine gender'. 9. le calcul, Varithmetique, 'arithmetic'; les mathematiques (rarely used in sing.), 'higher mathematics'. 10. le conge, 'leave of absence', 'school holiday'; 'dismissal or notice to quit service'; les vacances, 'holidays', 'vacation'; les grandes vacances, 'summer holidays'; line vacation, 'an auction'. Ex. // est en conge, 'he is on furlough', 'leave of absence'; J^ai pris conge, 'I took leave'; Tai donne conge a ma bonne, 'I have given notice to my maid'. Thursday is the French weekly school holiday instead of Saturday as with us. CONVERSATION 10. The arrival at the station and at the hotel (a). {One gets out at the station. To porter.) 1. Will you fetch my luggage, porter. Here is my check. 2. How many pieces of luggage have you, sir? 3. I have three [of them] ; two trunks and a bag. — Hurry, we are in great haste. — Call a cab. {To cabby) 4. Cabby, wait a moment ; the porter is going to put my trunk up on the top of the cab. What is your rate for luggage? 5. Twenty-five centimes for each piece of luggage, sir. 6. Good. Drive us to the Hotel Crillon. — It is on 32 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE sur ia rive droite.'' (Conduisez-nous a I'Hotel Lutetia. C'est sur la rive gauche.) (.1 V hotel. Le portier.y 7. Desirez-vous une chambre ou deux, monsieur? 8. Nous desirous une chambre a deux Hts, s. v. p. 9. A quel etage, desirez-vous etre, monsieur? J'ai une belle chambre au premier,^ mais elle donne sur la cour. 10. J'aimerais mieux une chambre sur le devant. 11. J'ai une chambre au deuxieme qui donne sur la rue (or, le devant) mais elle n'est pas tres grande. 12. Cela ferait peut-etre mon affaire pour le moment. Quel en est le prix?'' 1. chercher, 'to look for', 'to fetch' (colloquial). 2. Y a-t-il des voitures de places? 'is there a cab stand'? 3. Vimperiale, 'top of cab', 'seats on top of omnibus'. 4. The river Seine divides Paris into two fairly equal parts. These are always referred to in conversation as the "right bank" and the "left bank" On the former are the newer and more fashionable avenues, the greater number of the shops and theatres, the Louvre, the Opera, the Bois, etc. On the left bank are the Luxembourg Garden, the once ultra- aristocratic Faubourg St. Germain, the Pantheon, the Sorbonne, the Beaux Arts, the Cluny Museum, and most of the older architectural treasures of the city. The He de la Cite is an island in the Seine upon which ancient Paris was built, and where is found the cathedral of Notre Dame, the Sainte Chapelle, etc. 5. le portier (in Southern France and Italy, concierge), 'head porter'; a hotel ofhcial. This functionary (upon whose cap the word portier CAUSERIE II. L 'arrive e a la gate et a I'hotel (b). I. Vingt francs par jour la chambre; ou soixante francs y compris^ la pension. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 33 the right bank, (Drive us to the Hotel Lutetia. It is on the left bank.) (At the hotel. The head porter.) 7. Do you wish one room or two, sir? 8. We should like a double room [room with two beds], please. 9. On what floor do you wish to be, sir? I have a fine room on the second floor, but it is in the rear [gives on the courtyard]. 10. I should prefer a room in front. 11. I have a room on the third floor which overlooks the street (is in front), but it is not very large. 12. That will suit me [do my affair] for the present, per- haps. What do you ask for it [what is the price of it]? appears in gold lettering) must not be confused with fadeiir (porter). Failes nous reveiller a sept heures, 'have me called at seven o'clock'; Veuillez preparer ma note (or, man comple), 'make out my bill'; Prenez- lous les Express-Cheques americains? 'do you take American Express Checks'? Old, les cheques internalionaux sont acceples partoul en France, 'yes, international checks are accepted everywhere in France'; Veuillez acquitler ma note, 'kindly receipt my bill'. 6. au rez-de-chaussee, 'on the ground floor'; aw premier, 'on the second floor', i. e. first floor above the ground floor; au iroisicme would correspond to fourth floor in America, etc. 7. Quel est le tarif de voire hotel par semaine (mois)? 'what is the rate of your hotel by the week' (month)? Notts ne faisons pas de reductions, ■'we make no reduction'; A quel hotel etes-vous descendu? 'at what hotel did you stop'? CONVERSATION ii. The arrival at the station and at the hotel (b). 1. Twenty francs a day for the room, or sixty francs in- cluding board. 34 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 2. Est-ce soixante francs tout compris? 3. Non, monsieur, il y a le service- en plus, dix pour cent, et puis cinquante centimes {or, dix sous) pour I'eclai- rage.^ 4. Quel est le supplement pour le feu? 5. Rien du tout. Nous venons d'installer le chauffage central. 4 6. Combien prenez-vous pour le petit dejeuner? 7. Un franc cinquante (or, trente sous).^ 8. Eh bien, nous prenons la chambre au premier. Faites- nous servir le petit dejeuner tous les matins. Nous pren- drons les autres repas ou nous nous trouverons. 9. C'est entendu. Naturellement, vous avez I'intention de visiter les curiosites de Paris. 10. Vcuillez nous montrer notre chambre. Oli est I'as- censeur (rescalier)? (En haul) 11. Faites monter nos malles tout de suite, s. v. p. Je veux sonner la femme de chambre ; ou est la sonnette? 12. La voila, monsieur, derriere la porte. (A la femme de chambre.) 13. Veuillez me donner des serviettes. . . . J'ai du linge a faire blanchir. Je voudrais I'avoir le plus vite (or, tot) possible. Connaissez-vous une bonne blanchisseuse^ dans le voisinage? 14. Mais oui, monsieur. Donnez-moi votre linge, je me chargerai de 1 'affaire. 1. y compris (included) is indeclinable when it precedes the noun, but must agree in gender and number when it follows noun. Ex. y com- pris la faQon, 'making included'; but, la faQon comprise. The phrase CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 35 2. Does sixty francs include everything? 3. No, sir, service is ten per cent extra, and then fifty cen- times for light. 4. What is the charge for fire? 5. Nothing. We have just put in central heating. 6. How much do you ask [take] for morning coffee? 7. One franc fifty. 8. Well, we will take [are taking] the room on the second floor. Have coffee served us every morning. We shall take our other meals wherever we chance to be [shall find our- selves]. 9. Very well. Of course, you intend to visit the sights of Paris. 10. Will you kindly show us our room. Where is the lift (staircase)? {Upstairs) 11. Have our trunks brought up right away, please. I wish to ring for the chambermaid ; where is the bell? 12. There it is, sir, behind the door. {To the chambermaid.) 13. Will you please give me some towels. — I have some things [linen] to have washed. I should like to have them as quickly as possible. Do you know a good laundry [laun- dress] in the neighborhood? 14. Oh yes, sir. Give me your linen. I will attend to the matter. nnn compris^e) (not included) usually follows substantive and must there- fore be made to agree with it. See Causerie 32, 14, 15. 2. Allumez le Jen, 'light the fire'; Je vondrais une autre couverturc, 36 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE *I should like another bed cover'; Ou est le coifeur? 'where is the barber' (i. e. shop)? Je desire iin bain chaiid, ou est la salle de bains'? 'I wish a warm bath, where is the bath-room'? Je desire parler an directeur (or, gerant), 'I should like to speak to the manager'. 3. Electricity is used in public buildings and modern houses on both banks of the Seine. In older Paris, however, though gas stoves are in every kitchen, lamps and candles are often the preferred way of lighting; line lampc, 'a lamp'; une bougie, 'a candle'. 4. le chauffage central, 'steam heat', or 'furnace heat'. In large hotels and apparicmcnls de luxe on the right bank of the Seine one finds central heating, but in other parts of Paris and in almost all other French cities CAUSERIE 12. Diner au cafe Marguery (a). 1. Nous void au Cafe Marguery. Eh bien, dinons-nous dans la salle, ou dehors sur la terrasse? 2. Sur la terrasse, je vous en prie. J'aimerais regarder le boulevard illumine et cette foule si parisienne qui passe dans la rue. 3. Comme vous voudrez, roon cher. Prenons cette table- la, entre les deux petits arbies. (Au garqon) 4. Garfon, prenez nos pardessus, nos chapeaux et nos parapluies, s. v. p. et enlevez cette troisieme chaise. Elle me gene.^ 5. Certainement, monsieur. — Desirez-vous diner a la carte^ ou a table d'hote, messieurs? 6. A la carte, je pense. 7. Void la carte, monsieur. Voulez-vous des huitres? 8. Non, apportez-nous des hors-d'oeuvre. J'aimerais des anchois avec un morceau de citron. Mon ami desire du melon s'il y en a de bien froid.^ 9. Monsieur peut y compter. Le patron en garde tou- CAUSERTES EN FRANCE 37 the open fire or poile (stove) is still customary. Unjagol de hois, 'package of kindling wood'; Un sac de boulets coute onze francs cinquante, 'a bag of coal costs II fr. 50'. 5. jm sou, 'one sou' (or, five centimes) equals one American penny, or halfpenny in English money. In small shops or at the flower and other street markets the tradespeople frequently give the price of an article as 'twenty sous', instead of saying 'one franc', or as 'thirty sous', instead of 'one franc fifty'. See Appendix, "French money". 6. !a hlanchissense, 'washerwoman', 'laundress'; blanchir, 'to laun- der', 'wash'; re passer, 'to iron'; dotincr un coup defer, 'to press'. Note. — Parisian laundries are conducted exclusively by women. CONVERSATION 12. Dinner at Cafe Marguery (a). 1. Here we are at the Cafe Marguery. — Well, shall [do} we dine in the dining hall or outside on the terrasse? 2. On the terrasse, I beg. I should like to look at the illuminated boulevard and this Parisian crowd which is pass- ing in the street. 3. As you wish [will wish], my dear fellow. Let us take that table between the two little trees. {To the waiter.) 4. Waiter, take our overcoats, our hats, and our umbrellas, and please, remove this third chair. It is in my way. 5. Certainly, sir. — Do you wish to dine a la carte or table d'hote, gentlemen? 6. A la carte, 1 think. 7. Here is the bill of fare, sir. Do you want oysters? 8. No, bring us some relishes. I should like some ancho- vies with a bit of lemon. My friend wishes a melon, if there is any really cold. 9. Monsieur can depend upon it. The proprietor keeps 38 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE jours quelques-uns dans la glaciere pour sa clientele ameri- caine. 10. Un moment, garjon. II me manque une serviette.'' 11. Pardon, monsieur I'a laissee tomber sur le parquet, Je vous la ramasserai. 12. Merci bien. Apportez-nous de I'eau glacee. (JJn peu phis tard.) 13. Monsieur veut-il commander le diner maintenant? Quel potage desirez-vous? 14. Du consomme Julienne. Quant au poisson, qu'est-ce qu'il y a de bon? 15. Une sole frite, monsieur. C'est le chef^ {shay) d'oeuvre de notre chef {shef) ; le plat^ tout particulier qui a rendu celebre le Cafe Marguery. 16. Dans ce cas-la, il nous le faudra. — Et apres cela apportez-nous deux portions de gigot de mouton (bifteck assez maigre) avec des pommes de terre au gratin et des hari- cots verts. 1. See Causerie 48, note 2. 2. tin menu, 'bill of fare' for table d'hote meal (one served with fixed price for entire meal); une carte, 'bill of fare' for meal served d la carte (separate charge for each item). 3. chaud (sJiow), chaiide {showed), fem. 'hot', 'warm'; du the chaiid 'some hot tea'; de la viande chaude (froide), 'some hot (cold) meat'. CAUSERIE 13. Diner au Cafe Marguery (b). 1. Vous voulez le legume^ seul, servi a la frangaise, n'est-ce pas, monsieur? 2. Non, je le prefere servi avec la viande,^ a I'americaine, (A rami.) Et ensuite, Henri, desirez-vous du gibier (de ia CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 39 seme always in the ice chest for his American customersc 10. One moment, waiter ; I have no napkin [there is lacking to me a napkin]. 11. Beg pardon, monsieur ha.s let it drop on the floor. I will pick it up for you. 12. Thank you. Bring us some ice water, (.4 little later.) 13. Does monsieur wish to order dinner now? What soup do you wish? 14. Some consomme Julienne. As for fish, what is there that is good? 15. A fried sole, sir. It is the greatest achievement of our chef, the particular dish which has made the Cafe Mar- guery famous. 16. In that case, we must have it. — And after that bring us two portions of leg of mutton (beefsteak quite rare) with potatoes cooked wdth cheese and some string beans. 4. line assielte, 'plate'. Ex. Ma serviette n'est pas propre, donnez-m'en une autre, 'my napkin is soiled; give me another'; ma/^ro^re, 'soiled' (not quite clean) ; sate, 'dirty', 'filthy'. 5. ttn chef, (professional) 'man cook'; chef, adj., 'chief, 'principal', 'head'. Note difference in pronoimciation in sentence 15. 6. un plat, 'dish' (of food), 'course' (of a meal). CONVERSATION 13. Dinner at Cafe Marguery (b). 1. You wish the vegetable served alone, French style, do you not, sir? 2. No, I prefer it served with the meat, American style. {To friend.) And then, Henry, do you wish some game 40 CAUSERIES' EN FRANCE volaille)^ et une salade? On les sert ensemble en Europe, vous savez. 3. Pas de salade ce soir, merci. J'aimerais mieux un artichaut cuit. 4. C'est bon ga; j'en conviens. Cependant {or, tout de meme) je ne peux pas me passer de ma salade et de mon gibier. C'est mon plat favori. — Garjon, une portion de canard roti avec une salade. 5. Quelle espece {or, sorte) de salade, monsieur desire-t-il? Nous avons de la laitue, de la tomate, de I'escarole et de la romaine. 6. Eh bien, je prends une salade de laitue, servie avec une sauce Roquefort. Je veux qu'on me la prepare {or, I'assai- sonne'') s. v. p. N'y mettez pas trop de vinaigre. 7. C'est entendu, monsieur. Et quant au dessert, mon- sieur veut-il une glace? 8. J'aimerais mieux du fromage; un morceau de Camem- bert, si vous en avez. 9. Quant a moi, je prends un petit pot de Creme d'Isigny avec des fraises des bois. 10. Voici la carte des vins.^ Quel vin desirez-vous, mes- sieurs? Un Bordeaux rouge ou un Bourgogne blanc, par exemple, va tres bien avec le mouton. 1 1 . Pas de vin ce soir, merci. Nous prenons deux canettes de biere. — Garfon, I'addition et deux cafes noirs^ tout de suite. Nous voulons partir de bonne heure pour le theatre, 1. des choux-flcurs, 'some cauliflower'; des pelils pais, 'peas'; des ponimes de lerre saulees, 'stewed potatoes'; des ponimes de terref rites, 'fried pota- toes'; des pommes de terre en robe de chambre, 'potatoes baked in the jacket'. 2. la viande rolie, 'roast meat'; Ic bifteck garni, or, le bifleck d la jar- diniere, 'beefsteak garnished with several kinds of vegetables'j du veau, CAUSERIES EN EKAMCE 41 (poultry) and a salad? They serve them together in Europe, you know. 3. No salad this evening, thanks. I should like a boiled artichoke better. 4. That is good, I admit. All the same, I cannot do with- out my salad and my game. It is my favorite course [dish]. — Waiter, one portion of roast duck with salad. 5. What kind of salad do you wish, sir? We have some lettuce, tomato, endive, and romaine. 6. Well, I will take a lettuce salad with Roquefort sauce. I wish it seasoned for me [I want that one should prepare it for me], please. Do not put too much vinegar in it. 7. Very well, sir. And as to the dessert, do you wish an ice? 8. No, I prefer some cheese; a piece of Camembert, if you have any. 9. As for me, I will take a little pot of Isigny Cream with wild strawberries. 10. Here is the wine card. What wine do you wish, gentlemen? A red Bordeaux, or a white Burgundy, for example, goes very well with the mutton. 11. No wine this evening, thank you. We will take two small bottles of beer. — Waiter, the bill and two after-dinner coffees right away. We wish to start in good time for the theatre. 'veal'; le ris de veau, 'sweetbread'; le riz, 'rice'; une coielette, 'a chop'; Faites-moi ciiire un bifteck assez maigre, 'have a steak cooked rather rare for me'. 3. le poulet, 'chicken'; la volatile, 'fowl', 'poultry'; dn gibier a plume, 'feathered game'. 4. du sel, 'salt'; du poivre, 'pepper'; du vinaigre, 'vinegar'. 42 CAUSERIE:; EN FRANCE 5. U7ie bouteille de vin, 'a bottle of wine'; U7ie demi-hovdeille, 'a small sized bottle', lit. 'half bottle'; dehouchez la boiiieiUe, 'uncork the bottle'; line canelte de hierc, 'a measure (small bottle) of beer'; im bock, a small high glass of beer. 6. dti cafe aii lait, coffee served with cream; du cafe noir, a small cup of after-dinner coffee, served without cream. CAUSERIE 14. La concierge. {Dans la loge^ de la concierge.) 1. Bonjour, madame Coppet. Le facteur a-t-il laisse des lettres pour moi? 2. Oui, mademoiselle. Le courrier vient d'arriver. Void vos lettres. Je ferai monter celles de madame votre soeur. 3. Ce n'est pas la peine {or, ga ne vaut pas la peine). Madame Brown va descendre tout a I'heure. 4. 'Dans ce cas-la, je les lui^ donnerai id. — Quelle belle journee ! Vous allez dans les magasins, mademoiselle? 5. Pas aujourd'hui. Je vais faire un petit tour au Pare Monceau. — J'ai une petite priere a vous faire. Si la coif- feuse arrive avant que je ne sois^ rentree, dites-lui de m'at- tendre, je vous prie. 6. A quelle heure serez-vous rentree, mademoiselle? 7. Je rentrerai {or, je serai de retour) a onze heures sans faute. J'attends aussi des paquets du Louvre. — Si cela ne vous derange pas trop, ayez la bonte de les garder chez vous. 8. Cela ne me derange pas du tout, mademoiselle. Je me chargerai'' volontiers de tout cela. 9. Y a-t-il une boite aux lettres dans le voisinage? CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 43 Useful Words. unefourchelie, 'a fork'; un couteau, 'a table knife'; une cuiller, 'a spoon'; tfw pain, 'some bread'- un petit pain, 'a roll'; nn aitf siir le plat, 'a poached egg'; encore de feaii, 'some more water'; Apportez-moi encore dii the, 'bring me some more tea'; du fruit, 'some fruit'; ime poire, 'a pear'; une pomme, 'an apple'; du raisin, 'some grapes'; des pccltes, 'some peaches.' CONVERSATION 14. The janitress. {At janitress'or house-porter^ s lodge) 1. Good morning [good day], Mrs. Coppet. Has the postman left any letters for me? 2. Yes, Miss. The post has just come. Here are your letters. I will have your sister's [those of madam your sis- ter] sent up. 3. It is not worth the trouble. Mrs. Brown is coming downstairs very soon. 4. In that case, I will give them to her here. — What a beautiful day ! Are you going shopping, [Miss] ? 5. Not to-day. I am going for a short walk in the Mon- ceau Park. I have a small favor to ask of you. If the hair- dresser arrives before I return, tell her to wait for me, please [I beg of you]. 6. At what time will you return, [Miss]? 7. I shall return (be back) at eleven o'clock without fail. I also expect some packages from the Louvre. — If it would not be too much trouble, will you have the goodness to keep them for me (i. e. in your lodge)? 8. That is no trouble at all for me, [Miss]. ... I will at- tend willingly to all that. 9. Is there a letter box in the neighborhood? 44 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 10. Oui, mademoiselle, justement en face (a cote) de cette maison. 11. J'ai ete bien stupide de ne pas I'avoir remarciuee, 12. Mais non, mademoiselle, les etrangers^ ont toujours du mal a trouver les boites a Paris. 13. Quel singulier usage de les cacher dans les murs. Mais void enfin mon amie. Au revoir, Madame Coppet. 1. une loge, 'box' at opera or theatre; 'lodge,' or ofl&ce ot janitor just inside entrance to European apartment houses. — In Paris no stranger enters without stating to the concierge the name of the person whom he wishes to see. 2. The placing of direct and indirect objects (pronouns) with verb of the indicative mood, is often a serious difficulty for foreigners. Instead of the more or less complicated table, sometimes given in grammars, the following simple and invariable rule may be of help: Indirect object (person) precedes direct object (thing) when the person in question {me, te, nous, vans) is present. Indirect object follows direct object when CAUSERIE 15. Une invitation a prendre le the au Bois. 1. Je viens de recevoir un "petit bleu"^ {or, pneumatique) de madame de Savan. Je vais vous le lire.^ Elle dit : "Pou- vez-vous nous rejoindre^ chez Rumpelmayer, rue de Rivoli, a cinq heures cet apres-midi. Repondez, s. v. p." 2. Charmant! Nous pouvons accepter cette invitation a moins que vous ne^ soyez prise. s Cela depend de vous. 3. Je suis libre, mais il ne s'agit pas"^ de moi. Vous cu- bliez que vous avez donne rendez-vous a vos amis anglais s Armenonville. 4. Comme je suis etourdie ! J'avais completement oublie ce rendez-vous. 5. J'ai souvent entendu parler d'Armenonville depuis que CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 45 lo. Yes, Miss, just opposite (beside) this house. II I was very stupid not to have noticed it ! 12. Oh no, Miss. Strangers always have trouble finding the letter boxes in Paris. 13. What a singular custom to hide them in the walls. But here is my friend at last. Good-bye, Mrs. Coppet. person in question Qtii, 'him or her'; leur, 'them') is absent. Ex. Je wus le donne, 'I give it to you'; Je le lui donne, 'I give it to him'. In imperative mood sentences the rule is simple: Direct object always pre- cedes the indirect. Ex. Donnez-lc moi, 'give it to me'; Donnez-le leur, 'give it to them'. 3. Suh']. aitev avant que. See Causerie 8, note 11. 4. se charger de, 'to charge oneself with'; 'to see to'; 'to attend to'. Ex. II se charge de Vafaire, 'he is attending to the matter'. 5. See Causerie 9, note 6. CONVERSATION 15. An invitation to take tea in the Bois. 1. I have just received a "little blue" (pneumatique) from Mrs. de Savan. I will read it to you. She says, "Can you join us at Rumpelmayer's, rue de RivoH, at five o'clock this afternoon? Answer, please." 2. Delightful! We can accept this invitation unless you are engaged. It [that] depends on you. 3. I am free, but it is not a question of me. You are for- getting that you have arranged to meet your English friends at Armenonville. 4. How stupid I am. I had completely forgotten this appointment. 5. I have often heard Armenonville spoken of since I 46 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE je suis arrivee a Paris. Dans quelle partie de la villa se trouve ce cafe si renomme? 6. Armenonville, n'est pas en ville. C'est un restaurant tres en vogue, mais situe au milieu du Bois de Boulogne^ et ce pare, comme vous le savez, est tres grand. II faut aller a Armenonville en voiture ou en automobile. 7. Jeudi dernier, j'ai ete invitee a^ prendre le the au Pa- vilion C . 8. La situation du Pavilion C est tres commode, tout pres de la Porte Dauphine. De la Place de I'Etoile on pent y aller a pied. 9. Le monde {or, la societe) la-bas est fort cosmopolite. ^ On y remarque des etrangers de tous les pays'" du monde< lis se prennent sans doute pour de vrais Parisiens. 10. A Armenonville {or, au Pre-Catelan) c'est toute autre chose. On y trouve la vraie vie mondaine de Paris. 11. J'aimerais bien voir cela avant de quitter la capitale. 12. Eh bien, ne voulez-vous pas etre des no tres" cet apres-midi? 13. Cela me ferait plaisir, si je ne suis pas de trop. 14. Pas le moins du monde. II ne faut pas'^ manquer une telle occasion. En pleine saison^^ le Bois est tres diver- tissant. 15. Donnez-moi dix minutes et je suis a vous. 16. Sonnez le valet de chambre, je vous prie. II faut envoyer une reponse a madame de Savan, 1. For 30 centimes (six cents) a thin letter may be sent (through pneu- matic tubes) and delivered within two hours' time in any part of Paris. rhey were once printed only on blue paper, hence the name, "petit bleu". 2. See Causerie 14, note 2. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 47 arrived in Paris. In what part of the city is [finds itself] this celebrated cafe? 6. Armenonville is not in the town. It is a very popular restaurant, but situated in the middle of the Bois de Bou- logne and this park, as you know, is very large. It is neces- sary to go to Armenonville in a carriage or automobile. 7. Last Thursday I was invited to the C Pavilion to take tea. 8. The situation of the C Pavilion is very convenient, right near the Porte Dauphine. From the Place de VEtoile one can go there on foot. 9. The people [world] there are extremely cosmopolitan. One notices [there] foreigners from all the countries of the world. They take one another for real Parisians, no doubt. 10. At Armenonville {or, at Pre Catelan) it is quite another matter. One finds there the genuinely fashionable life of Paris. 11. I should like very much to see that before leaving the capital. 12. Well, will you not be one of us this afternoon? 13. That will give me pleasure if I am not intruding. 14. Not the least in the world. You should not miss such an opportunity. At the height of the season the Bois is very entertaining. 15. Give me ten minutes and I am ready [at your service]. 16. Ring for the valet de chambre, please. It is necessary to send an answer to Mrs. de Savan. 3. rencontrer, 'to meet' (by chance); rejoindre, 'to meet', 'to join (not rejoin) a friend, or acquaintance'. Ex. J'ai rejoint mon pere d Vholel, 'I met my father (by appointment) at the hotel'; J'ai rencontre mon pere dans la rue, 'I met my father (by chance) in the street'; une rencontre. 4S CAUSERIES EN FRANCE *a chance meeting'; une reunion, 'a public or private meeting', function where one or more speakers address an audience. 4. pleonastic ne. See Causerie 35, note i. 5. etrc pr'is {prise, fem.), 'to be previously engaged'; i. e. socially or in a business way; elrc librc, 'to be free of engagements'. Ex. Eies-vous prise, madam? Non jc suis libre cet apres-midi? 'Have you an engage- ment, madame? No, I am free this afternoon'. 6. agir, 'to act', 'to conduct oneself; s'agir (impers. verb), 'to be 3 question of, 'to concern or afTect'. Ex. II a bien agi, 'he conducted himself well'; Elle a agi en amie, 'she has acted as a real friend'; II s'agit du point de vue, 'it is a question of the point of view'. 7. The Bois de Boulogne is the largest city park in the world. CAUSERIE 16. En voyage (a). {Monsieur Brown au cocher.) 1. A la gare de Lyon, cocher, aussi vite que possible. {Au facteur a la gare.) 2. Gardez mes bagages pendant que je me procure (or, je cherche) des billets. {Dans la salle d'attente. Au guichel.) 3. Deux premieres' (secondes), pour Geneve, s. v. p. 4. Aller et retour, monsieur? 5. Non, des billets simples. Quel en est le prix? 6. Quatre-vingt-quinze francs par personne. {Au bureau des renseignements) 7. A quelle heure part le rapide pour Geneve? Je n'ai pas pu me procurer I'indicateur des trains a I'hotel. 8. Le rapide part a onze heures et demie, monsieur. 9. Le train est-il omnibus? 10. Non, il n'y a que des voitures de premiere et de deuxieme classe dans les rapides. De plus, il y a un wagon- restaurant^ (un wagon-lit). CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 49 8. J'etais invite a dejci'mer (J diner, a prendre le the), 'I was invited to luncheon' (dinner, to take tea). 9. un cosmopolite, 'a cosmopolitan'; person equally at home in many countries. ID. le pays, 'country', 'nation'; la patrie, 'one's native country', 'fatherland'; la campagne, 'country' (in opposition to city). 11. Ure des notres (des votres), 'to be with us' (you), 'to be one of us' (you). Ex. Quel dam mage que vous ne fussiez pas des notres, "'what a pity you were not with us'. 12. See Causerie 8, note, 5. 13. La morte saison, 'out of season'. CONVERSATION i6. I Traveling (a). {Mr. Brown to cabman.) 1. To the Lyon station, cabby, as quickly as possible. {To porter at the station.) 2. Take care of my luggage while I procure the tickets. {In the waiting room. At the hooking office.) 3. Two tickets, first class (second class) for Geneva, please. 4. Round trip, sir? 5. No, straight (single) tickets. How much are they? 6. Ninety-five francs for each person. {At the bureau of information.) 7. At what hour does the express leave for Geneva? I was not able to procure a time-table at the hotel. 8. The express leaves at half after eleven o'clock, sir. 9. Has the train first, second, and third class coaches? • 10. No, there are only first and second class coaches in the express trains. Then, there is a dining car (sleeping car). 50 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 11. Avons-nous a changer pour la Suisse? 12. Non, le train est direct. — Pardon, je me trompe.-' II faudra changer a Lyon. 13. Y a-t-il correspondance?4 14. Qui, monsieur, on n'attend que quinze minutes. {All fadeur.) 15. Venez, Je desire faire enregistrer mes bagages. 1. trois billets, deuxieme classe, or trols secondes, 'three tickets, second class'. Note. — There being no fourth class coaches in France, third class in that country may be said to correspond to fourth class in Ger- many. See page 187, lines 16-20. 2. A quelle heure est le dcjeiiner {diner) dans le wagon-restaurant? 'at what hour is luncheon (dinner) in the dining car'? Avons-nous le temps de prendre un bouillon aii bujjel avanl de repartir? 'have we time to take a cup of bouillon at the lunch counter before leaving (again')? Y a-t-il CAUSERIE 17. En voyage (b). {A Vinspedeur) 1. Veuillez etiqueter^ nos malles.^ Je veux enregistrer^ celle-ci pour Geneve. 2. Voici votre bulletin de bagages, monsieur. 3. Combien de temps faudrait-il pour envoyer I'autre malle par petite vitesse (grande vites3e)?4 4. Cinq jours (deux jours) a peu pres, monsieur. — Voici votre refu.^ {U employe a la sortie.^) 5. Montrez vos billets, mesdames et messieurs. 6. Voici mon billet de quai, monsieur. Je vais accom- pagner mes amis au train. (Dans le corridor du train. Monsieur Brown a un monsieur.) CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 5 1 11. Does one change cars for Switzerland? 12. No, the tram goes through. — I beg pardon, I am mistaken. It will be necessary to change cars at Lyon. 13. Is there a good connection? 14. Yes, sir, one waits only fifteen minutes. {To the porter) 15. Come, I wish to have my luggage checked (labelled). un wagon-lU? 'is there a sleeping car'? Quel est le prix d'une couchelte? 'what is the price of a berth'? 3. tromper, 'to deceive'; se trompcr, 'to be mistaken'. Ex. // faut mollis d'adresse pour tromper que pour ne pas se laisser tromper, 'it requires less skill to deceive than not to allow oneself to be deceived'; Vans vous trompez, 'you are mistaken'. 4. line correspondancc, 'connection' of trains at railway junction; also, 'a transfer' on street cars, omnibuses, etc. CONVERSATION 17. Traveling (b). {To baggage official) 1. Will you kindly label our trunks. I wish to check [register] this one (i. e. take it with me on same train) to Geneva. 2. Here is your check, sir. 3. How long would it take to send the other trunk by freight (express)? 4. About five (two) days, sir. — Here is your receipt. {Official at exit) 5. Show your tickets, ladies and gentlemen. 6. Here is my platform ticket, sir. I am going to accom- pany my friends to the train. {In corridor of train. Mr, Brown to gentleman) 52 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 7. Pardon, monsieur, y a-t-il encore deux places dans ce compartiment? 8. Nous sommes au complet, mais celui-ci est un wagon pour fumeurs. {Le fadeur aux Americains.) 9. Tenez, monsieur, ce compartiment-ci est tout a fait vide. {Mme. Brown.) 10. Nous y voici enfin! Nous nous sommes leves de si bonne heure ce matin. Je suis tout a fait extenuee. Alors, asseyons-nous de ce c6te-ci. Je ne peux pas voyager a recu- lons sans etre indisposee. {A u factenr.) 11. Mettez le grand sac sous la banquette et les autres choses la-haut. — Merci bien. {On donne un pourboire au fadeur.) {Uami aux voyageurs.) 12. Le train part. Bon voyage! Mes amities a tout le monde chez vous. 13. Au re voir ! — A bien tot ! 14. Adieu. ^ 1. une liiquette, 'a label' on bottle, box, trunk, package, etc. 2. Jaire une nialle, 'to pack a trunk'; dcfaire une malle, 'to unpack a trunk'; /erwer a clef, 'to lock'; ouvrir, 'to open'. 3. enrcgistrer, 'to check or register' (luggage) ; recommender, 'to register' (a letter). Note. — As only 30 kilos of luggage go free on one passenger's ticket in France, even a small trunk may easily be found to be over- weight [supplement de hagage). Hence it is a common method of sending trunks by petite vitesse. 4. grande vitesse, 'express'; system comparable to American baggage- express. When traveling from one country to another in Europe, one is notified of arrival of trunk and must go to the local customhouse in order to claim it, and to pay duty if necessary. See Causerie 42. 5. un reqii, tine quittance, 'receipt' for money paid. Note difference in usage: un re^u is usually a receipt for a cash payment or more often CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 53 7. Pardon me, sir, are there two places remaining in this compartment? 8. We are full here, but this is a smoker. {Porter to Americans.) g. Here, sir, this compartment is quite empty, (Mrs. Brown.) 10. Here we are at last. We got up so early this morning. I am completely exhausted. Well, let us sit on this side. I cannot ride backwards without being ill. (To porter.) 11. Put the large bag under the seat and the other things up there. — Thanks. (Gives tip to porter.) (Friend to travelers.) 12. The train is starting. A pleasant journey! My kind regards to every one at home. 13. Au re voir. — Hope to see you again soon. 14. Good-bye. pre-payment; tine quittance, receipt for bill presented for board, rental, or itemized shop-bill; acquitler, 'to receipt' (a bill). Attachez un timbre d, quittance, s. v. p. 'Please put on a stamp', to show bill has been paid. See Causerie 5, note 10. 6. Ventree, 'entrance'. Useful Phrases. Vi^igt minutes d^ arret, 'twenty minutes' stop'; Appelezun facteur, 'call a porter'; Quel ajjreux courant d'air, permettez-moi dc lever la glace, 'what a frightful draught, permit me to close the window'; Descendez, mon- sieur, ilfaut passer a la douane, 'step out, sir, you must pass the customs'; La salle d'attente est a gauche, 'the waiting room is on the left'; Facteur, retirez man sac et nies parapluies de la consigne, 'porter, fetch m^y bag and my umbrellas from the package room'; E71 voiture, mesdames et messieurs 'All aboard' (lad'cs and gentlemen); voild le sijjlel, 'there is the whistle'. 54 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE i8. L'etude du frangais en Amerique (a). 1. Avez-vous ete en France, mademoiselle? 2. Pas encore, monsieur, mais j'espere y aller Tannee* prochaine. C'est pour cela cjue je desire apprendre le frangais. J. Mais vous le parlez tres bien a present, je trouve. 4. Vous me flattez, monsieur. Je sais assez bien la grani- maire et j'ai lu les oeuvres^ principales des plus grands auteurs franfais. La conversation est une toute autre affaire. Je peux me tirer d'affaire,-' mais c'est tout. 5. Puis-je vous demander, mademoiselle, comment vous avez etudie le frangais? 6. Pendant plusieurs annees, j'ai eu des legons de gram- maire. A present, je prends des legons de conversation avec une dame qui a longtemps habite Paris. 7. Vous trouvez cela plus interessant, n'est-ce pas? 8. Oui, monsieur. J'aime surtout les idiotismes. Quand je serai a Paris, je tiens a apprendre le langage"* courant^ et meme un peu I'argot parisien. 9. A vrai dire, mademoiselle, c'est toujours un peu risque^ pour un etranger d'employer I'argot. ^ Comme en anglais, il y a I'argot de salon et I'argot vulgaire. Aussi, on pent tres facilement faire un faux pas, ou — pour employer de I'argot — une "gaffe". 10. Une gaffe. Quelle drole d'expression ! Qu'est-ce que cela veut dire? iio Une gaffe veut dire une expression employee mal a propos, qui embarrasse quelqu'un. 12. Le tutoiement en frangais me plait beaucoup. Quel dommage qu'on ne I'emploie pas en anglais ! CAUSERIES EN FRANCE " 55 CONVERSATION i8. Learning French in America (a), 1. Have you been in France, [Miss]. . . . ? 2. Not yet, sir, but I hope to go there next year. On this account, I wish to learn French. 3. But you speak it very well now, I find. 4. You flatter me, sir. I know the grammar quite well and I have read the principal works of the greatest French authors. Conversation is quite another matter. I manage to get on, that is all. 5. May I ask you, [Miss], in what manner you have studied French? 6. For several years I have had lessons in grammar. At present I am taking conversation lessons with a lady who lived in Paris for a long time. 7. You find that more interesting, do you not? 8. Yes, sir. Above all I like the idioms. When I am [shall be] in Paris I want to learn the present day manner of speaking and even a little Parisian slang. 9. To tell the truth, [Miss], it is always a bit dangerous for a foreigner to use slang. As in English, there is refined slang [of the drawing-room] and vulgar slang. Also, one may very easily make a social blunder, or — to employ a slang phrase — a "gaffe". 10. A gaffe. What a droll expression! What does that mean? 11. A gaffe means an expression that is out of place which may embarrass some one. 12. The use of "thou" and "thee" in French pleases me very much. What a pity that it is not employed in English ! 156 ■ CAUSERIES EN FRANCE T. tin an, une annee, 'a year', 'one year'; les ans, les annecs, 'years'. Note. — The correct use of these synonyms forms one of the so-called finesses of the French language. Using the singular, one usually says 'unc annee, rather than un an. Ex. J\u passe une annee a Berlin, 'I spent one year in Berlin'; Bonne annee! 'A Happy New Year'! One says, however, le jour dc Van, 'New Year's Day'. In the plural the correct distinction is more difficult. Annees expresses usually the idea of dura- tion of time. Ex. Pendant trois annees, 'for three years'; Ce sent ses belles annees, 'he (or she) is in the prime of life'; tous les ans, 'every year', 'yearly'; Elle a dix ans, 'she is ten years old'. 2. une ceuvre, 'piece of work', 'work of author'; tin (Buvre, 'work of a musician', 'something accomplished or performed'. Ex. les ceuvres (fcm.) de charilc, 'works of charity'; les ceuvres posthumes {inedites), 'post- humous (unpublished) works'; un hors-d ceuvre, 'a side dish, relish'; un chef-d'muvre, 'a masterpiece'. 3. Je pciix me f aire com prendre, 'I can make myself understood'; Je pr.ux m'exprimer, 'I can express myself. 4. la langue, 'tongue'; 'language', le langage, 'speech', 'manner of CAUSERIE 19. L'etude du franfais en Amerique (b). 1. Je suis tres content de voir que vous vous interessez' serieusement au frangais, mademoiselle. 2. C'est vrai, monsieur. Toute ma famille aime beau- coup les langues modernes. 3. Mademoiselle votre soeur parle couramment I'allemand et I'italien, n'est-ce-pas? 4. En effet, Mathilde a une grande facilite pour les lan- gues. C'est son fort. 5. Elle a ete elevee en Europe, m'a-t-on dit. 6. Pas tout a fait. Elle a passe cinq ans la-bas. Elle est de retour depuis trois ans. 7. Connaissez-vous la methode S. . . . ? CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 57 speech'; 'expressions'. Ex. la langue allemande, 'the German lai^uage'; le langage dii pen pie (or, populaire), 'expressions used by ihe common people'. 5. courant (adj.), 'current', 'present-day', 'colloquial'; le couranl, 'stream', 'course', 'present month', etc.; fin courant, 'at the end of the present month'; Je vous tiendrai an courant de Vafaire, 'I will keep you informed of how the matter is going'; couramment, 'fluently'. 6. risque, ose, 'daring', 'dangerous', 'bold', 'improper'; tin tour d'a- dresse Men risque, 'a very dangerous feat'; nn livre risque, 'an improper book'. 7. V argot, 'slang'; expressions used by certain professions or classes of persons; Vargot de salon, 'expressions used in polite society'. Note. — - The following expressions (though not found in the French dictionar}-) are nevertheless used by well-bred persons all over Europe: chic, 'smart', "'stylish', 'in good form'; epatant{e), 'stunning', 'splendid'. Ex. Uactrice est epatante dans ce role-Id, 'the actress is splendid in that role'; embe- tant{e), 'maddening'; un tiiyau, 'a tip' (advice); une hande, 'set' (so- ciety); deborde{e), ' too busy'; se ballader, ' to take a stroll'; cale{e), ' pro- ficient' (in one's profession, etcl. CONVERSATION 19. Learning French in America (b). 1 . I am much pleased to see that you are seriously inter- ested in French, [Miss] . 2. It is true, sir. All my family are very fond of modern languages. 3. Your sister speaks German and Italian fluently, does she not? 4. Indeed, Matilda has a great talent for languages. It is her strong point. 5. She was brought up in Europe, I have been told. 6. Not entirely. She spent five years there. She has been home for three years now. 7. Do you know the S. . . . method? 58 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 8. Oui, mais je I'ai trouvee tres peu pratique. Ce fut pour moi une reelle perte de temps. 9. C'est bien difificile d'apprendre le fran^ais sans etre entoure de Franfais. On ne pent pas se fier^ au dictionnaire. A ce propos, mademoiselle, puis-je vous donner un petit conseil? 10. Je vous en serai bien reconnaissante {or, je vous en saurai gre), monsieur. 11. Eh bien, une methode pratique pour acquerir une langue a I'etranger, c'est celle-ci. Apprenez par coeur tous les jours une douzaine^ de phrases. Je ne veux pas parler de la poesie qui vient plus tard, mais des expressions qu'on emploie dans la vie quotidienne (or, courante, or, ordinaire). 12. Je comprends bien que cela augmente le vocabulaire. 13. De plus, il faut lire des livres modernes et profiter de toutes les occasions de parler franfais. 14. Je vous remercie de votre conseil, monsieur. Je ferai de mon mieux pour le suivre. I. s^inieresser a, 'to be interested in'; se passionner pour, 'lo be deeply interested in', 'to rave over'. Ex. Je m'inleressc a la peinture, 'I am interested in painting'; Je vie passionne pour la musique, 'I am wild over music' CAUSERIE 20. Chez le tailleur. 1. L 'habit' me semble un peu trop court par derriere (devant) . 2. C'est vrai. A partir d'ici^ il faudra le faire un peu plus long. J'y mettrai une epingle^ pour me guider. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 59 8. Yes, but I did not find it very practical. It was a pure waste of time for me. 9. It is very difficult to learn French without being sur- rounded by French people. One cannot depend on the dic- tionary. In this connection, [Miss], may I give you a bit of advice? 10. I shall be very grateful to you [for it], sir. 11. Well, a practical method of acquiring a language when not in the country is this : learn by heart every day a dozen phrases. I do not mean poetry, which comes later, but the expressions which one employs in daily {or, ordinary) life. 12. I can understand very well how that enlarges the vocabulary. 13. Besides, it is necessary to read modern books and to profit by all opportunities to speak French. 14. I thank you for your advice, sir. I shall do my best to follow it. 2. se fier a, 'to depend upon'; se defier de, 'to distrust'. Ex. Je me fie a vous, 'I depend upon you'; Je me dcfie de eel homme, 'I distrust this man'. 3. une dizaine, 'ten' (of a kind); une centaine, 'a hundred' (of a kind). CONVERSATION 20. At the tailor's. 1. The coat seems to me a little short behind (in front), 2. It is true. From here around it will be necessary tc make it a bit longer. I will put in a pin here to guide me. 6o CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 3. Avez-vous bien decati le drap avant de tailler le cos- tume? 4. Certainement {or, bien sur, colloquial), monsieur. Regardez done I'envers de I'etoffe. 5. Le gilet est un peu serre, je trouve. N'y a-t-il pas un pli a I'epaule? 60 Qa. n'est rien. Quand je le repasserai'' cela disparaitra. Le gilet vous va comme un gant, monsieur. 7. Le costume entier me plait beaucoup. Et main tenant i regardez ce pardessus. 8. Quelle dechirure aff reuse ! Comment une telle chose est-eile arrivee? 9. Hier, dans I'Avenue de I'Opera un cheval emballe est monte sur le refuge^ tout pres de moi. En m'elanfant^ vers le trottoir, j'ai failli^ etre ecrase par une automobile.* 10. Vous I'avez echappe belle, monsieur. 11. De cette fafon j'ai dechire mon pardessus. Est-il possible de le raccomoder? 12. Je peux vous le raccommoder tres facilement, mon- sieur. La dechirure ne sera pas visible. Et ensuite nous pourrons le nettoyer. 13. Vous sera-t-il possible de me I'envoyer demain matin? 14. Impossible, monsieur, mais apres-demain' je vous I'enverrai sans faute. II me manc|ue quelques ouvriers en ce moment. 15. J'ai lu dans le journal que les ouvriers se mettent en greve. 16. Vous demeurez tou jours dans la meme maison (or, vous habitez toujours la meme maison), monsieur.? 17. Non, nous venons de demenager. II y a cinq jours que nous sommes installes dans la Rue de la Pompe, numero cent-quatre-vingt-deux, deuxieme etaee. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 6l 3. Did you shrink the cloth thoroughly before cutting the suit? 4. Certainly (surely) sir. Look at the wrong side of the material. 5. The vest is a bit tight, I find. Is there not a wrinkle at the shoulder? 6. That is nothing. When I press it that Vvdll disappear. The vest fits you like a glove, sir. 7. I am pleased with the entire suit. — And now, look at this overcoat. 8. What a frightful tear ! How did such a thing happen? 9. Yesterday in the Avenue de I'Opera a runaway horse got up on the isle of safety right near me. In rushing to the sidewalk I came near being run over by an automobile. 10. You had a narrow escape, sir. 11. In this way, I tore my overcoat. Is it possible to mend it? 12. I can mend it [for you] very easily, sir. The tear will not show at all. And afterwards we can clean it. 13. Will it be possible for you to send it to me to-morrow morning? 14. It is not possible, sir, but the day following I will send it without fail. I lack [there is lacking to me] several work- men just now [at this moment]. 15. I read in the paper that the workmen are on strike. 16. Are you still living in the same house, sir? 17. No, we have just moved. Five days ago we moved into [settled ourselves] in the Rue de la Pompe, number 182, third floor. 62 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 1. etre en habit, 'to be in evening dress'; etre en smoking, 'to have on a dinner coat'; le pantalon (sing.), la ciiloUe (sing.), 'trousers'; line redingote, 'frock coat'. 2. a partir de detnain, 'from to-morrow on'; A partir de la semaine prochaine,je serai chez nioi, 'from next week on I shall be at home.' 3. attacher avec tine epingle, 'to fasten with a pin'. 4. repasser, donner nn coup defer, 'to press, or iron a garment'; faire repasser, 'to have ironed, or pressed'; faire decatir, 'to have sponged or shrunk'. Ex. Je desire faire donner tin coup de fer a ce pantalon, 'I wish to have these trousers pressed'; defraichi{e) , 'mussed', 'wrinkled'; use{e), mur{c), 'shabby'. CAUSERIE 21. En automobile' (a). 1. Nous approchons de la frontiere. II faudra passer a la douane.^ {Le douanier.) 2. Ouvrez vos sacs de voyage, s. v. p. monsieur. Avez- vous des dentelles, du tabac, des cigares ou des allumettes? Tout cela paie des droits. 3. Je n'ai rien a declarer. Nous n'avons que des effets pour notre usage personnel. 4. C'est bien, monsieur. Quant a I'automobile, a-t-elle servie {or, est-elle usagee)? 5. Mon automobile n'est pas neuve. Je vais m'en servir pour voyager {or, excursionner). 6. Dans ce cas-la, il n'y a pas de droits d'entree, mais il faut verser une caution dont le montant est de six cents francs. 7. J'ai deja paye cette caution. II y a quinze jours, j'ai ecrit au Touring Club de France pour me faire preparer un triptique.^ Le voici. 8. C'est tout ce qu'il vous faut, monsieur; la description de I'automobile, la photographic, etcastera. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 63 5. les refuges, elevated stone islands, placed at intervals down the centre of broad Parisian streets for the convenience of pedestrians who wish to cross these crowded thoroughfares. 6. lancer, 'to throw' (a stone, etc.); se lancer vers, 'to rush or hasten toward'. 7. faillir, 'to come near being', 'to just escape from'. Ex. II a failli niourir, 'he came near dying'. 8. See Causerie 21, note i. 9. apres-demain, 'the day after to-morrow'; le lendemain, 'the following day'. Ex. // est mart le lendemain, 'he died on the following day'; "ce lendemain severe," "this inevitable morrow". (Sainte-Beuve.) CONVERSATION 21. Automobiling (a). 1. We are approaching the frontier. It will be necessary to go through the customs. • {The customs official.) 2. Open your bags, please, sir. Have you any laces, tobacco, cigars, or matches? All such things are dutiable. 3. I have nothing to declare. We have only things for our personal use. 4. Good, sir. About the automobile, has it been used? 5. My motor is not new. I am going to use it for touring. 6. In that case, there is no entry to pay, but it is necessary to make a deposit of [which the amount is] six hundred francs. 7. I "have already made this deposit. A fortnight ago I wrote to the Touring Club of France to have a triptyque made out for me. Here it is. 8. That is all that you require, sir; the description of the automobile, the photograph, etc. 64 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 9. Cette piece justificative {or, ce talon) est a vous. Je vais garder le complement sur moi, comme regu pour me faire rembourser mes six cents francs a la sortie du pays. 10. Bien entendu. — Monsieur a-t-il la plaque numerotee qui est obligatoire en France? De plus {or, du reste), chaque vehicule doit etre muni d'un permis de circulation. 11. J'ai deja la plaque numerotee. Veuillez me delivrer le permis de circulation aussi vite que possible. II commence a se faire tard. {Sur la route.) 12. Quelle chaussee magnifique ! 13. Pas si vite, chauffeur. Je n'aimerais pas payer une amende. On est tres severe dans cette region-ci, 14. Comment s'appelle ce village? 15. Je n'en ai aucune idee ; mais void la carte de la region. 16. Ce n'est pas la peine de faire un detour pour visiter la grotte. Pour voir le chateau, il faudra aller a gauche, je crois. 17. Vous vous trompez. Vous voulez dire a droite. 1. When the word automobile was first coined, people said un auto- mobile. Some years later when the word was put into the French dic- tionaries, the Academic declared the word to be feminine. Thus, at present one says une automobile; un pneu (abbreviation for pneumatique) ^ 'a tire'. Ex. Je desire acheter des pneus, 'I wish to buy some tires'. 2. See Causerie 42. CAUSERIE 22. En automobile (b). I. II vaudrait mieux nous renseigner a ce sujet chez ce fermier. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 65 9. This voucher is for you. I shall keep the rest on me as a receipt in order to have myself reimbursed [my six hundred francs] on leaving the country, 10. Of course. Have you the numbered plate which is obligatory in France? Moreover, each vehicle should be furnished with a permit to go about. IT. T have already the numbered plate. Kindly give me the permit as quickly as possible. It is beginning to grow late. {On the road.) 12. What a magnificent highway ! 13. Not so fast, chauffeur. I should not like to pay a fine. They are very strict in this part of the country. 14. What is this village called? 15. I have no idea; but here is the map of the region. 16. It is not worth the trouble to make a detour in order to visit the cave. To see the castle it will be necessary to go to the left, I think. 17. You are mistaken. To the right, you mean. 3. un triplique, a printed document consisting of three vouchers; hence the name. This paper when properly filled out must contain a full description of the car with number of extra tires, etc.; it must also include a photograph of the automobile. One voucher is filed at the customhouse while the others are retained by the owner. U71 triptiqiie (in sense used by artists) , a picture painted in three panels, two outside ones, like wings or leaves of a door, framing the larger central picture. CONVERSATION 22. Automobiling (b). I. It would be better [worth more] to inform ourselves on the matter at this farmer's. 66 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE (Au paysan.) 2. Bonjour, mon ami, quel est le meilleur chemin pour aller au chateau? 3. Le chemin de droite est le plus court, monsieur. 4. La route est-elle accidentee? 5. Au contraire, elle est tres unie. 6. Quelles sont les curiosites qui meritent d'etre vues? 7. II y a le chateau et les mines d'un ancien couvent (monastere) bati au moyen-age. Tous les deux sont bien pittoresques. 8. Merci bien de vos renseignements, mon ami. (// donne un pourboire au paysan.) 9. II n'y a pas de quoi, monsieur. Je vous souhaite bon voyage. (Dans les environs de la ville.) 10. Pourquoi nous arretons-nous? Sommes nous en panne? — Descendez, Joseph, il faudra examiner le moteur, je crois. 11. Quelle malchance (or, quelle deveine) ! Nous avons une perforation (un eclatement). Du reste, le carburateur ne marche pas bien. 12. Pouvez-vous faire une reparation provisoire? 13. Je ne peux pas la faire seul. II faudra faire venir un mecanicien de la ville. (Un agent de police.) 14. Vous etes en panne, monsieur? 15. Oui, y a-t-il un garage dans le voisinage? 16. Monsieur Ganot, dans la rue Bonaparte, est un tres bon mecanicien, dit-on. 17. Y a-t-il un telephone' public par ici? 18. Oui, monsieur, il y en a un chez le pharmacien Ia« bas. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 67 {To peasant) 2. Good day, my friend, what is the best road [in order to go] to the castle? 3. The road to the right is the shortest, sir. 4. Is the way hilly? 5. On the contrary, it is very level. 6. What are the sights worth seeing? 7. There are the castle and the ruins of an old convent (monastery), built in the Middle Ages. Both are very pic- turesque. 8. Thank you for your information (plii.), my friend. (Gives tip to peasant.) 9. You are quite welcome, sir. I wish you a pleasant trip. (In the outskirts of the city.) 10. Why are we stopping? Have we broken down? — Get out, Joseph ; it will be necessary to examine the engine, I think. 11. What bad luck! We have a puncture (blow out). Besides, the carburator does not work well. 12. Can you make a temporary repair? 13. I cannot do it alone. It will be necessary to get [have come] a mechanic from town. {A police officer.) 14. Have you broken down, sir? 15. Yes, is there a garage in this neighborhood? 16. Ganot on Bonaparte Street is a very good mechanic, they say. 17. Is there a public telephone near here? 18. Yes, sir, there is one at the pharmacist's over there. 68 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE (Au telephone.) 19. Alio! Vous etes monsieur Ganot? — Mon automo- bile est en panne sur la route de Dieppe. — Comment? Oui, tout pres de I'Eglise Saint Denis. 20. Je pourrai le faire remorquer chez moi dans una demi- heure. 21. Bien! Mon chauffeur va rester avec la machine. Nous voulons nous rendre tout de suite a I'Hotel Bellevueo 22. C'est entendu, monsieur. I . Telephonez-moi, or, donnez-moi un coup de telephone, 'call me up on the telephone'. Useful Sentences. Avez-vous de Vessence? 'have you any gasoline'? Combien la vendez- vous? 'how much do you charge for it'? Rcmplissez le reservoir, 'fill th? CAUSERIE 23. Les livres, les revues, les journaux. 1. Vous aimez la lecture.' Lisez-vous le frangais? 2. Oui, monsieur, j'aime surtout les romans de Victor Hugo, de Balzac et de Flaubert. 3. Flaubert a un style merveilleux. Ses descriptions sont tres realistes, et, comme psychologue, il est hors de pair. 4. C'est son fort, je trouve. Lequel de ses livres {or, laquelle de ses oeuvres) aimez-vous le mieux {or, preferes- vous) ? 5. "Madame Bovary", je crois. 6. Je ne le connais pas. La scene du roman se passe a Paris, n'est-ce pas? 7. Non, il s'agit d'une femme de province {or, d'une provinciale). 8. Je viens de lire un roman dont on park beaucoup en ce moment. II est intitule' "Le Geant". CAUSERIES EN FK.\NCE 69 {On ihe telephone.) 19. Hello! You are Mr. Ganot? — My automobile has broken down on the road from Dieppe. — What do you say? Yes, right near the church of Saint Denis. 20. I can have it towed to my place in half an hour. 21. Good. My chauffeur will remain with the machine. We wish to go immediately to the Hotel Bellevue. 22. Very well, sir. tank'; Me reprendra-t-on les bidons ailleurs? 'shall I receive a rebate elsewhere on the cans'? Combien de temps faut-il pour reparer ma ma- chine? 'how long will it take to repair my machine'? J^ai des velements mouilles a fair e seeker, "I have some wet clothing to have dried'; J'ai du iinge a faire blanchir, 'I have some laundry to be done'. CONVERSATION 23. Books, magazines, and newspapers. 1. You are fond of reading; do you read French? 2. Yes, sir, I like above all the novels of Victor Hugo, of Balzac, and of Flaubert. 3. Flaubert has a marvellous style. His descriptions are very striking and as a psychologist, he is unrivalled. 4. It is his strongest point, I find. Which of his books :works) do you like the best? 5. "Madame Bovary", I think. 6. I do not know it. The scene is laid in Paris, is it not? 7. No, it has to do with a woman of the provinces. 8. I have just read a novel of which people are talking a great deal just now. It is entitled "The Giant". 70 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 9. De quel auteur (or, quel en est I'auteur)? 10. L'auteur desire garder I'anonyme. Son nom de plume (or, de guerre) est "Due". 11. Quel nom extraordinaire! Possedez-vous un exem- plaire du livre? J'aimerais bien a I'emprunter. 12. Le livre n'est pas a moi. Un ami me I'a prete.^ (Je I'ai eu en location.) 13. Avez-vous lu les contes'' de Jean d'Arblay dans les revues mensuelles? 14. J'ai parcouru son roman "Henri". C'est une his- toire a dormir debout.^ 15. D 'accord, mais l'auteur est jeune. Kipling pretend qu'aucun ecrivain* n'est vraiment capable d'ecrire un roman avant quarante ans. 16. Lisez-vous les revues franjaises? 17. Je suis abonne a une revue hebdomadaire, et je lis quelques journaux^ quotidiens. 1. im lecteur, une lectrice, 'a reader'. Ex. le ledeur benevole, 'the Gentle Reader'. 2. // intitule son roman, 'he entitles his novel'; un livre par Balzac, 'a book by Balzac'. 3. Pretez-le-moi; je vouj le renverrai demain, 'lend it to me; I will send it back to you to-morrow'. 4. un conle de fees, 'a I'airy tale'. 5. Ca voxis endort (assomme); 'that puts one to sleep', i. e. bores one badly. CAUSERIE 24. Chez le medecin (a). {Dans la rue.) 1. Pardon, monsieur, pouvez-vous m'indiquer une phar- macie dans le voisinage (or, le quartier)? 2. Oui, monsieur, a dix minutes d'ici sur' le Boulevaid St. Michel (dans la rue Notre Dame des Champs). CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 7 1 9. Who is the author of it? 10. The author wishes to remain [keep] anonymous. His pen name {or war name) is "Duke". 11. What an extraordinary name! Do you own a copy of the book? I should like very much to borrow it. 12. The book is not mine. A friend lent it to me (I took it from a circulating library). 13. Have you read the short stories of John d'Arblay in the monthly magazines? 14. I glanced through his novel "Henry". It is a very tedious book. 15. I agree with you, but the author is young. Kipling says [asserts] that no writer is really capable of writing a novel before he is forty years old. 16. Do you read the French magazines [reviews]? 17. I subscribe to a weekly magazine, and I read several daily papers. 6. iin ecrivain, 'writer'; une Jcmme-auteiir , 'woman writer'; h plus grand auleitr actiiel, "the greatest living author'. Zola a tie, couronne par r Academic, 'Zola was crowned by the French Academy'. 7. une manchette de journal, 'a headline'; Qu'est-ce qii'il y a (or, Qu'y a-l-il) de nouveau ce matin? 'what news this morning'? une annonce, 'an advertisement'; une reclame, 'a newspaper puff'; une coupure, 'a newspaper clipping'. CONVERSATION 24. At the doctor's (a). {In the street.) 1. Pardon me, sir, can you direct me to a pharmacy (chemist's) in this neighborhood? 2. Yes, sir, ten minutes' walk from here on Boulevard St. Michel (on Our Lady of the Fields Street). 72 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 3. C'est un peu trop loin. Vous connaissez peut-etre un bon medecin par ici? 4. Oui, monsieur. Le Docteur Blanc habite cette maison- la, qui fait le coin de la rue. (Au concierge.) 5. Le docteur Blanc habite-t-il ici? 6. Oui, monsieur, il habite {or, il demeure) au premier. 7. Savez-vous s'il est chez lui? Peut-on lui parler?^ 8. Oui, certainement. C'est justement son heure de consultation. (Au medecin.) 9. Bonjour, monsieur le docteur. Vous parlez I'anglais, j'espere. 10. Malheureusement non, monsieur. Mais parlez done en franjais. Vous vous en tirerez tres bien. Voyons! Qu'avez-vous donc?^ Oil souffrez-vous? 11. Monsieur le docteur, vous me voyez bien souffranf (or, malade). II y a deux jours, j'etais dans un courant d'air au theatre et je me suis fort enrhume. 12. II n'y a rien de pis que de se mettre dans un courant d'air a cette epoque de I'annee. 1. siir le boulevard, 'on (along) the boulevard'; dans la cinquieme Avenue, 'on Fifth Avenue'; dans la quinzieme Rue, 'on Fifteenth Street', 2. parler (with dative of pronouns, or a with name of person, or sub- stantive descriptive of person's occupation, relationship to speaker, etc.), 'to speak to'. Ex. Je veitx vous (dat.) parler, 'I wish to speak to you': // m'a parle, 'he spoke to me'; Je lui parlerai a ce stijet', 'I shall speak to him (her), on the subject'; Je parlerai a mon pere Id-dessus, 'I shall speak to my father about it'; II a parle au medecin de sa sante, 'he spoke to the physician about his health'. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 73 3. It is a bit too far. You are acquainted, perhaps, with a good physician near here? 4. Yes, sir. Dr. White Uves in that house on the cornero {To the janitor?) 5. Does Dr. WTiite live here? 6. Yes sir, he Hves on the first floor (i. e. above the ground floor). 7. Do you know if he is at home? Can one see [speak to] him? 8. Yes, certainly. It is his office-hour just now. {To the physician) 9. Good day, doctor. You speak English, I hope. 10. Unfortunately I don 't. But just speak French. You will get on very well. Let us see ! What is the matter with you? Wliere are you suffering? 11. Doctor, you see me really indisposed (ill). Two days ago, I was in a draught at the theatre and I caught a very bad cold. 12. There is nothing worse than to sit [put oneself] in a draught at this season of the year. 3. Qic'a-i-elle? 'what is the matter with her'? Qu'a-t-il? 'what is the matter with him'? De quelle maladie esl-elle morle (or, est-il tnort)? 'what disease did she (he) die of? II est mart de la ficvre typhoide, 'he died of typhoid fever'. 4. Ure souffrant{e), 'to feel indisposed' (not necessarily suffering pain as the word would seem to im.ply); indispose{c), 'indisposed', 'ill' (a stronger word than soufranl); fatiguc{e), 'tired', 'fatigued'; extenue{e), 'exhausted', 'extremely tired'; la phlisie, 'tuberculosis'; la pneumonie pneumonia'; une rechtite, 'a relapse'. 74 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE 25. Chez le medecin (b). 1. Rentre chez moi. j'ai eu des frissons, et ensuite mal a ia gorge' et des douleurs^ partout. 2. Vous etes tres enroue; est-ce que vous toussez, mon- sieur? 3. Oui, je tousse d'une fagon terrible. Depuis trois nuits ie n'ai point dormi. ,Aussi, je me sens fort abattu.^ 4. Probablement, vous avez la grippe {or, vous etes grippe) . 5. Faut-il que je me couche? J'espere que non. 6. Oui, monsieur, il faudra vous coucher et vous soigner, serieusement. 7. C'est fort ennuyeux, je suis si occupe tous ces jours-ci. II faudra absolument que je sois retabli^ {or, remis) avant jeudi. 8. II n'y a pas moyen. II faudra garder le lit pendant quelques jours. De plus, vous devez abandonner le cafe pour le moment et boire du lait chaud. 9. Ne dites pas cela, monsieur le docteur. Je ne peux pas me passer de mon cafe le matin. 10. II le faut, monsieur. Vous avez I'air nerveux et anemique.^ Voici une ordonnance.* Prenez deux pilules apres chaque repas et vous serez bientot debarrasse^ de votre rhume. 11. Serait-il utile de me frotter la poitrine d'huile cam- phree? 12. Non, monsieur, cela vous rendrait trop sensible et vous vous enrhumeriez* de nouveau. Pour le moment, sui- vez mes conseils {or, prescriptions). Faites-moi savoir' demain si vous n'allez'" pas mieux. 13. Certainement, si je ne me trouve pas mieux, je vous le ferai savoir. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 75 CONVERSATION 25. At the doctor's (b). 1. On reaching home, I had a chill and then a sore throat, and pains everywhere. 2. You are very hoarse; do you cough, sir? 3. Yes, I cough terribly. For three nights I have not slept at all. Also, I feel much depressed. 4. Probably you have the influenza. 5. Is it necessary for me to go to bed? I hope not. 6. Yes, sir, you must go to bed and take very good care of yourself. 7. It is extremely annoying; I am so busy just now. It will be absolutely necessary for me to be well again before Thursday. 8. Impossible. It will be necessary to remain in bed for several days. Furthermore, you should give up coffee for the present and drink warm milk. 9. Do not say that, doctor, I cannot do without miy morning coffee. 10. It is necessary, [sir]. You look nervous and anaemic. Here is a prescription. Take two pills after each meal and you will soon be rid of your cold. 11. Would it be good [useful] to rub my chest with cam- phorated oil? 12. No, [sir], that would make you too susceptible and you would catch a fresh cold. For the moment follow my directions. Let me know to-morrow if you are not better. 13. Certainly, if I do not find myself better 1 will let you know. 76 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 1. mal a la tete, 'head-ache'; mat de mer, 'seasickness'; 7nal au cosur, 'nausea'; 7tial mix dents, 'toothache'. 2. line crise aigue, 'a sharp attack' (of illness). 3. aballrc, 'to hurl', pull, or throw down; 'to throw down one's cards at play'. 4. se remellre, 'to recover' (health); remettrc, 'to postpone'; 'to hand or give over'. Ex. II est remis d'une crise d'appendicite, 'he has recov- ered from an attack of appendicitis'; La representation est remise, 'the performance is postponed'; J^ai remis la lettre au Jacteur, 'I gave the letter to the postman'. 5. Elle est neurasiheniqiie, 'she is in a state of nervous prostration' C'est une personne tres nerveuse, 'he (she) is a very nervous person'. 6. un remede centre, 'a medecine or remedy for'. 7. Jc voudrais Men me debarrasser de cet homme, 'I should like to be rid of this man'. 8. nn rhume de cerveau, 'a cold in the head'. 9. faire savoir, faire part, prevenir, 'to notify', 'to let (some one) know'. 10. Vous allez hien? or. Comment voiis portez-vous? (rather stilted), 'how do you do'? Oh, pas mal, 'Oh, pretty well'; Comment va madante voire mere? 'how is your mother'? Elle se parte a merveille, 'she is ex- tremely well'; se porter, 'to feel well' (or ill), is formal and much less fre- quently used than alter. See Causerie 6, note 10. PART II 78 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE 26. Un homme d'affaires' a Paris (a). (L'Americain au gerant.) 1. Monsieur le directeur de la fabrique^ est-il ici? 2. Oui, monsieur, il est dans son bureau, mais il est occupe^ en ce moment. 3. Quand croyez-vous qu'il sera {or, soit) libre? 4. Pouvez-vous revenir dans une demi-heure? 5. Je vais attendre. Faites prevenir monsieur Baligant de mon arrivee. Je suis monsieur Brown de New- York, Tassocie" principal (en second) de la maison Brown Freres. Voici ma carte de visite. {Le gerant au chasseur ) 6. Donnez cette carte a monsieur le directeur. {A rAmS- ricain.) Asseyez-vous, monsieur. Voulez-vous le journal d'aujourd'hui? 7. Non, merci, mais si vous avez un moment, j'aimerais bien vous demander des renseignements a propos d'une ancienne connaissance. II etait exportateur et s'appelait Paul Thebaut. Qu'est-ce qu'il est devenu? 8. Je ne connais pas ce nom. 9. J'ai beau consulter le Bottin et I'annuaire commercial, je ne le trouve pas. 10. Comment s'appelle sa maison (de commerce)? 11. C 'etait Audoux, Thebaut et Cie. 12. Ah! je me les rappelle. La Compagnie a fait de mauvaises affaires. ^ Je crois qu'elle a fait faillite derniere- ment. 13. Elle n'existe plus? 14. A vrai dire, je n'en sais rien. Je ne suis pas au cou- rant de leurs affaires depuis mon voyage en AUemagne. CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 79 CONVERSATION 26. A business man in Paris (a). (American to manager.) I, Is the superintendant of the factory here? 2o Yes, sir, he is in his office, but he is busy just now. 3. When do you think he will be free? 4. Can you return in half an hour? 5. I will wait. Have Mr. Baligant notified of my arrival. I am Mr. Brown of New York, senior (junior) partner of the firm of Brown Brothers. Here is my card. (Manager to messenger.) 6. Give tnis card to the director. (To American.) Be seated, sir. Would you like to-day's paper? 7. No, thank you, but if you have a moment to spare, I should like very much to ask you about an old acquaintance. He was an exporter and was called Paul Thebaut. What has become of him? 8. I do not know the name. 9. I have consulted the City directory and the commer- cial almanac in vain, but I do not find it. 10. What is the name of his business house? II. It was Audoux, Thebaut & Co. 12. Ah, I remember them. The Company was in business difficulties. I believe they [it] failed recently. 13. It no longer exists? 14. To tell the truth, I know nothing about it. I am not in touch with their affairs since my trip to Germany. 80 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 15. Je voudrais savoir si monsieur Thebaut est toujours^ a Paris. 16. Un moment, je vais demander des renseignements a mon confrere la-bas. 17. Vous etes tres aimable, monsieur. Je vous demande pardon de vous deranger ainsi. 18. II n'y a pas de quoi, monsieur. Je reviendrai tout a I'heure.^ ^ Me void. Eh bien, il est vrai que la Compagnie dont nous parlions a fait faillite. II parait qu'un commis malhonnete a file^ a I'anglaise avec douze cents mille francs, 19. Monsieur Thebaut, a-t-il perdu sa fortune? 20. Non, monsieur. II s'etait retire des affaires avant le krach. II avail fait des economies et, sans etre fortune, il est tres a I'aise. 21. Est-ce qu'il habite Paris? 22. II habite Versailles, dit mon confrere. Vous trou- verez I'adresse dans I'annuaire telephonique. Comme beau- coup de rentiers, il prefere une villa a un appartement en ville. 1. le commerce, 'trade'; les affaires, 'business', 'business matters', r affaire, 'matter', 'affair' (see sentences 14 and 20); le metier, la profes- sion, 'trade', 'occupation', 'profession in life'. Ex. le commerce des colo- nies, 'colonial trade'; chacun son melier, 'everyone to his trade'; Ce n^est pas mon metier, 'it is not the thing I am best suited for'; la bourse, 'purse'j la Bourse, 'Stock Exchange'; les fotids, 'stocks'; placer de l' argent, 'to invest money'. 2. le fabricant, 'manufacturer', 'owner of a factory'; le directeur, superintendent or working head of a business or establishment ; le geranl, manager of a department or departments, of a business ; le commis, 'clerk'; un employe{e), 'an employee'; un ouvrier, 'a workman', 'laborer'; CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 8 1 15. 1 should like to know if Mr. Thebaut is still in Paris. 16. One moment, I will ask for information from my col- league over there. 17. You are very kind, sir. I ask your pardon for causing you so much trouble. 18. Do not mention it, sir. I will be back very soon. — . . . Here I am. Well, it is true that the Company of which we were speaking failed. It appears that a dishonest clerk took French [English] leave with twelve hundred thousand francs. 19. Did Mr. Thebaut lose his fortune? 20. No, sir. He had retired from business before the disaster. He had saved money [made some savings] and, without being wealthy, he is in very comfortable circum- stances. 21. Does he live in Paris? 22. He lives in Versailles, my colleague says. You will 5md the address in the telephone book. Like many persons who live on their incomes, he prefers a villa (i. e. detached house) to an apartment in town. line dadylographe, 'a typist'; utie machine a ecrire, 'a typewriter'. 3. etre affaire, 'to be full of business'; 'to have much business to attend to'; occnpe, 'occupied', 'busy'; nnjour charge, 'a full, or busy day'. 4. I'associe, 'partner'; le confrere, 'colleague'; one who follows the same occupation. 5. faire de bonnes affaires, 'to be doing a thriving business'. 6. See Causerie 45, note 12. 7. loul a Vlieure, see Causerie 2, note 3. 8. se sativer, 'to run', Jiurry oS'; filer, 'to take oneself ofl, 'to shoot' (as a star). Ex. // faut filer, or, // faul queje me sauve, 'I must be off'. 82 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE CAUSERIE 27. Un homme d'affaires a Paris (b). 1. Je suis tres content d'avoir de ses nouvelles. Con- naissez-vous son frere, Tavocat?' Son nom de bapteme m'echappe en ce moment. 2. Comment est-il au physique?^ 3. C'etait un petit homme au visage rase (or, imberbe). Au moral c'etait un opportuniste ; je ne doute guere qu'il soit arrive.^ 4. Je connais le maitre Thebaut de vue. II habite mon quartier. Helas, il est loin d'etre arrive. II est travailleur et intelligent, mais il lui manque des relations inliuentes.'' 5. A-t-il des enfants? 6. II en a plusieurs. II a beaucoup de peine a entretenir^ sa famille, je crois. 7. La vie est-elle aussi chere a Paris que chez nous? 8. Elle est plus chere qu'avant la guerre. Heureusement le gouvernement fran^-ais ne met pas de droits'' d'entree trop eleves sur les aliments'' de premiere necessite. 9. Comme vos hommes d'Etat sont sages ! 10. Voila monsieur le directeur qui desire vous recevoir. (Plus tard. Le directeur a M. Brown.) 11. Puis-je vous offrir un cigare, monsieur, ou peut-etre ne fumez-vous pas? 12. Si, si. J'aime beaucoup fumer. Puis-je vous deman- der une allumette? 13. Certainement, monsieur. — Mon associe sera content de recevoir votre commande d'aujourd'hui. 14. II est en Angleterre, n'est-ce pas? 15. Oui, il sera de retour apres-demain. A propos, notre CAUSERIES EX FRANCE 83 CONVERSATION 27. A business man in Paris (b). 1. I am very much pleased to hear about him. Are you acquainted with his brother, the lawyer? I can't remember his first name at this moment. 2. What sort of looking man is he? 3. He was a small man with a clean shaven face. In character he was a man to seize all opportunities ; I have no doubt that he has succeeded in life. 4. I know Mr. [the barrister] Thebaut by sight. He lives in my quarter. Alas, he is far from being successful in life [having arrived]. He is industrious and intelligent, but he lacks influential connections. 5. Has he children? 6. He has several. 1 fancy he has much trouble to sup- port his family. 7. Is living as dear in Paris as with us? 8. It is more expensive than before the war. Luckily, the French Government does not put too high duties on food stuffs which are necessities. 9. How wise your statesmen are! ID. There is the director who wishes to receive you. {Later. Tht director to Mr. Brown.) 11. May I offer you a cigar, sir; or perhaps you do not smoke? 12. Oh, yes indeed. I am very fond of smoking. May I ask you for a match? 13. Certainly, sir. — My partner will be glad to receive your order of to-day. 14. He is in England, is he not? 15. Yes, he will be back on the day after to-morrow. 84 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE maison offre un diner jeudi soir a nos clienis etrangers qui sont momentanement a Paris. Etes-vous libre ce soir-la, monsieur? 1 6. Je crois que oui. 17. Dans ce cas-la, nous serons charmes de vous avoir parmi nous, monsieur Brown. 18. Vous etes trop aimable, monsieur. J'accepte avec plaisir {or, je serai des votres). Les messieurs se mettent en habit ; cela va sans dire. II faudra faire venir ma malle qui est restee en douane. 19. Nous dinerons a huit heures au Cafe Riche, mon- sieur. 20. Je ne manquerai pas de venir. — II faut que je me sauve. Je dois aller au Credit Lyonnais pour chercher deux cents francs de monnaie.* 21. Cela n'est pas la peine d'aller a la banque. Je peux vous donner de la monnaie. 22. Mille remerciements de votre obligeance. Cela m'e- pargne beaucoup de derangement. II est plus tard que je ne pensais.9 1. Vavocal, 'lawyer', 'barrister'; Mailre, title given to French barris- ters; II a Jail son droit, 'he has been admitted to the bar'; II fait partie dii barreau de Londrcs, 'he is a member of the London bar'. 2. physiquemcnt, 'physically', 'externally', 'pertaining to the body'; moralement, 'spiritually', having to do with the mental faculties, or spirit- ual nature (in opposition to the physical nature); le moral, 'mental faculties', 'spirits' (of a man, of troops, etc.); la morale, 'morals', 'ethics', 'lecture' improving to the morals. Ex. Le moral des soldats est bon, 'the spirits of the soldiers are good'; II faut liii faire ime bonne morale, 'you must give him a good lecture'. 3. arriver, 'to arrive at one's destination'; fig. 'to succeed in one's pro- fession, or aim' (see Causerie 46, sentence 6); un arriviste (political, CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 85- That reminds me [apropos of this], our house is giving [offering] a dinner on Thursday evening to our foreign cus-' tomers who are just now in Paris. Are you free that even- ing, [sir]? 16. I think so. 17. In that case, we shall be charmed to have you with [among] us, Mr. Brown. iS. You are too kind, sir. I accept with pleasure. The gentlemen will be in evening clothes; that goes without saying. I must [it will be necessary to] have my trunk, which has remained in the custom house, fetched. 19. We shall dine at eight o'clock at the Cafe Riche, sir. 20. I shall not fail to come. — I must hurry off. I am obliged to go to the Credit Lyonnais in order to have two hundred francs changed. 21. It is not worth while to go to the bank; I can give you some change. 22. A thousand thanks for your kindness. That saves me much trouble. It is later than I thought. etc.), 'a climber', one who rides over everything and every one in order to reach his goal, or personal triumph. 4. des relations sociales {commercialcs), 'social (business) connections'. 5. entrelcnir, 'to maintain', 'support', 'keep in repait', 'to talk with, or entertain'. Ex. Nous nous sommes entretenus de VEspagne, 'we talked together about Spain'; gagner sa vie, 'to earn one's living'; joindre les deux bouts, 'to make both ends meet'; Mes moyens ne me le permeltent pas, 'I cannot afford it'; clever {des enfanls), 'to bring up (chil- dren'), 'rear', 'educate' (children). 6. le droit, 'right', 'ecjuity', 'law'- les droits, 'tax', 'duty*. See Cau serie 42. 86 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 7. Ics aliments, 'food stuffs' j les mets, 'food' (cooked). See Causerle 12, note 6. CAUSERIE 28. Les sports (a). 1. Aimez-vous les sports? 2. A cet egard' je suis absolument Americaine, J'aime beaucoup jouer^ au tennis, nager et conduire un bateau a voiles. Mon sport favori, c'est de monter a cheval. 3. Je ne sais pas monter a cheval, mais j'aime enorme- ment a conduire des chevaux. Aimez-vous aussi les sports d'hiver? Savez-vous patiner?^ 4. Naturellement. J'ai appris a patiner etant enfant. 5. Votre mari aime-t-il aussi les exercices en plein air? 6. Oh, c'est un sportman infatigable {or, enrage). Dans le tournoi de tennis^ de Cannes, il a battu tous ses adver- saires. II a remporte le prix, une belle coupe en ar- gent. s 7. II se passionne toujours pour les automobiles, sans doute? 8. "Tout passe, tout lasse." On ne parle plus d'automo- biles chez nous. L'aviation est le dada actuel d'Henri. II en est fou {or, toque). 9. C'est un sport assez risque. 10. C'est force. Vous pouvez vous figurer que je ne pense a rien d'autre. ^ 11. J'ai bien pitie de vous, ma chere enfant. A la longue, de telles inquietudes donnent sur les nerfs. Mais Henri n'est pas un risque-tout. II a beaucoup de presence d'esprit. 12. II est trop temeraire {or, hardi) pour l'aviation. II n'apprendra que par experience.* , J CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 87 8 See Causerie 5, note ir. 9. See Causerie 35, note i. CONVERSATION 28. ^ ^ Sport (a). 1. Do you like sport? 2. In this respect I am quite American. I am very fond uf playing tennis, swimming, and sailing a boat. My fa- vorite sport is riding [on horseback]. 3. I do not know how to ride, but I am enormously fond of driving [horses]. Do you also like winter sports? Do you know how to skate? 4. Indeed yes'. I learned to skate as a child. 5. Does your husband also like out of door exercise? 6. Oh, he is an indefatigable (or, enthusiastic) sportsman. In the tennis tournament at Cannes, he defeated all his opponents. He carried off the prize, a beautiful silver cup, 7. He is doubtless still wild over automobiles? 8. "Everything has its day." We talk no more of auto- mobiles at our house. Aviation is Henry's present hobby [fad]. He is quite mad about it. 9. It is a rather dangerous sport. 10. It is indeed. You can imagine that I think of nothing else. 11. I pity you, my dear child. After a time, such anxieties get on one's nerves. But Henry is not a dare-devil. He has much presence of mind. 12. He is too daring for aviation. He will only learn by experience. 88 CAUSERIES EN FRANCE 13. L'aviation est un sport bien enivrantJ Neanmoins, il ne faut pas vous tourmenter a cause d'Henri. II est trop bon mecanicien pour faire des sottises, et trop sense* pour faire des coups de theatre. 1. d tons egards, 'in every respect'; par egard pour moi, 'for my sake'. See Causerie 29, sentence 5. 2. jouer, 'to play', 'to gamble'; jo7