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The man nodded.
“And if I find out later on that you’ve sold me a brum I’ll come
back and break your neck, see?”
“I see.” His eyes creased in the flabby face. “On the mountains,
you said? Ah! Then we must see she gets something specially nice. Not
that one.” He took it from Bart’s hand. “You can’t afford it at that price,
and I can’t afford to sell it for less. But now this one…” He opened a
drawer under the counter and brought out three rings in a small box.
“This one.” He held it up for Bart to see. “It’s marked thirty-five pounds.
You can take a look at the ticket yourself. It’s quite a nice stone, and a
nice setting. Just the one stone, you’ll notice, so that’s all you’re paying
for. It’s a nice little ring. Good taste, and your girl won’t be ashamed to
have anyone look at it. You can have it for thirty pounds.”
Bart picked it up dubiously. The single stone flashed brightly
under the light. He supposed it was in good taste, but it looked bloody
little for thirty smackers.
“I’ll take it, and don’t forget what I said.”
The man chuckled. “I won’t forget. If it doesn’t fit or if she
doesn’t like it bring it back and we’ll think about getting something to
replace it. Take this finger card as well, just in case.”
“Thanks.” Bart hesitated and looked at the kindly, large face. His
own face creased into a painful grin. “Thanks,” he repeated and,
pocketing the ring, went out into the darkening street.
***

Text 3
CORDUROY PANTS

7
By W. Saroyan

Most people hardly ever, if ever at all, stop to consider how
important pants are, and the average man, getting in and out of pants
every morning and night, never pauses while doing so, or at any other
time, even for the amusement in the speculation, to wonder how
unfortunate it would be if he didn't have pants, how miserable he would
be if he had to appear in the world without them, and how awkward his
manners would become, how foolish his conversation, how utterly
joyless his attitude toward life.

7
Друкується за виданням У. Сароян. Избранные рассказы. – М: Прогресс,
1975. С.100 -106.

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