When two English people meet, their first words will be "How do you do?" or "How are you?" and after the reply "Very well, thank you, how are you?" the next remark is almost certain to be about the weather. "It's a lovely morning, isn't it?" or "Isn't it hot today?" and the other person will reply, "Yes, it's wonderful weather we are having. I hope it will keep fine; it seems almost too good to last".
Or perhaps the day is dull; it is raining a little, the sky is grey, and everyone is wearing a mackintosh or carrying an umbrella. As the cars and buses go along the street, they splash the water and mud on the passers-by. Gradually it gets darker; a thick fog is spreading over London. The lamps are lit in the streets and in the shops and offices; cars and buses put on their lights and can only crawl along. As one friend bumps into another, he says, "Isn't it a beastly day?" "Yes," replies the other, "you can hardly see a yard in front of you."
Then comes winter. There has been a good fall of snow and a hard frost. It is just the day for a good country walk; let us have a tramp down the country lanes. The ground is like iron and rings under our feet, the frost sparkles on the branches and icicles hang from the houses. It is still freezing hard and the ponds are frozen over. There are crowds of people on them sliding and skating, and here is a merry group of pupils having a fight with snowballs. It is very pleasant while the frost lasts; the unpleasant time comes when the thaw begins.
A few months have passed and it is a beautiful spring day. The rain fell heavily last night, but now the soft white clouds are floating across the blue sky, and the sun is shining brightly. Raindrops and dewdrops shine on every small green leaf and every blade of young grass. The farmer has ploughed his fields and the new corn is just beginning to appear above the ground. In a few months’ time autumn and harvest time will come. When the corn has turned ripe and golden and the farmer will reap it and put it in his barn.
Comments