Page 3 - Book III Unit 5

Reading and Thinking

Read about a bet between two wealthy men

1 What would you do if you had a million-pound bank note? Discuss the question
in pairs.

2 Read the scene and answer the questions.

THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE ACT 1, SCENE 3

Narrator: Two rich brothers, Roderick and Oliver, Henry: I’m afraid I don’t quite follow you, sir.
have made a bet. Oliver believes that Roderick: Tell us, what sort of work did you do in
with a million-pound bank note a man America?
could live a month in London. His
brother Roderick doubts it. They see a Henry: I worked for a mining company. Could you
poor young man walking outside their offer me work here?
house. It is Henry Adams.
Roderick: Patience. If you don’t mind, may I ask you
Roderick: Young man, would you step inside a how much money you have?
moment, please?
Henry: Well, to be honest, I have none.
Henry: Who? Me, sir?
Oliver: (happily) What luck! Brother, what luck!
Roderick: Yes, you.
Henry: Well, it may seem lucky to you but not
Servant: (opening a door) Good morning, sir. to me! If this is your idea of some kind
Would you please come in? of joke, I don’t think it’s very funny. Now

(Henry enters the house.) if you’ll excuse me, I ought to be on my
way.
Roderick: How do you do, Mr ... er ...?
Roderick: Please don’t go. You mustn’t think we
Henry: Adams. Henry Adams. don’t care about you. Oliver, give him the
Oliver: Come and sit down, Mr Adams. letter.
Henry: Thank you. Oliver: Yes, I was about to go get the letter. Wait!
(getting it from a desk and giving it to
Roderick: You’re an American?
Henry) The letter.
Henry: That’s right, from San Francisco. Henry: (taking it carefully) For me?
Roderick: May we ask what you’re doing in this Roderick: For you. (Henry starts to open it.) Oh, no,
country and what your plans are?
you’d better not open it. You can’t open it
Henry: Well, I can’t say that I have any plans. until two o’clock.
As a matter of fact, I landed in Britain by Henry: Oh, this is silly.
accident.
Oliver: How is that possible? Roderick: Not silly. There’s money in it.
Henry: Oh, no. I don’t want your charity. I just
Henry: Well, I had my own boat. About a month
ago, I was sailing, and towards night want a job that earns an honest income.
I found myself carried out to sea by a Roderick: We know you’re hard-working. That’s why
strong wind. The next morning I was we’ve given you the letter. (to the servant)
spotted by a ship. Show Mr Adams out.
Oliver: And it was the ship that brought you to Henry: Well, why don’t you explain what this is all
England. about?
Henry: Yes. I went to the American consulate to Roderick: You’ll soon know. In exactly an hour and a
seek help, but ... Anyway, I didn’t dare half.
to try again. (The brothers smile at each
other.) Servant: This way, sir.
Roderick: Not until 2 o’clock. Promise?
Roderick: Well, you mustn’t worry about that. It’s
an advantage. Henry: Promise. Goodbye.

52 UNIT 5 THE VALUE OF MONEY