Proverbs

Appearances are deceptive. — Внешность обманчива.

The face is the index of the mind. — Лицо — зеркало души.

A fair face may hide a foul heart. — За красивой внешностью часто скрывается низкая душа.

Besides this, here are some phraseological units which may prove useful when making a comparison:

As tall as a maypole. — Высокий как каланча.

As thin as a lath. — Худой как щепка.

As stiff as a poker. — Как аршин проглотил.

As like as two peas. — Похожи как две капли воды.

CONVERSATIONS

I.

ALICE: I say Mike, I've just had a wire from Mary. She's coming with the 5.30 train. And I have a meeting at 5. Will you do me a favour and meet her at the station?

MIKE: I've never seen her, how could I possibly recognize her?

ALICE: Oh, it's quite easy, she's just like her mother.

MIKE: Most helpful I'm sure, but the trouble is I've never seen her mother either.

ALICE: I'm sorry, I forgot. And I'm afraid I haven't any photos of her.

MIKE: Try to describe her. What does she look like?

ALICE: A tall slender girl of 18 with an oval face.

MIKE: Complexion?

ALICE: Rather pale.

MIKE: Hair?

ALICE: Fair and bobbed. Light grey eyes, deep-set, a small straight nose, a big mouth with white, even teeth and a pleasant smile.

MIKE: I'm sure there'll be at least a dozen girls like that at the station.

ALICE: Oh, I'd clean forgotten! There's a mole as big as a pea on her left cheek!

MIKE: That'll help me for sure. Go to your meeting, I promise to be on the platform at б sharp in search of a slender girl with a mole on her left cheek.

 

II.

CUSTOMER: I want a shave, please.

ASSISTANT: Yes, sir.

CUSTOMER: And a haircut, please, but don't cut my hair too close.

ASSISTANT: Just as you like, sir. Your hair is getting rather thin, sir, may I advise you to change your part­ing? Would you like it on the right side, sir?

CUSTOMER: Good. And you can trim my moustache too.

ASSISTANT: Very good, sir.

CUSTOMER: I want my hair shampooed and set.

ASSISTANT: Very well, madam.

CUSTOMER: And have you any pictures of new hairstyles? I'd like to try something new.

ASSISTANT: Yes, madam. Here are the latest styles. Look at that one. It's very much in vogue now. Your hair is long and such a lovely auburn that it'll look per­fect in a knot at the back.

CUSTOMER: But won't it make" my face look too round?

ASSISTANT: Oh, no, I'm sure it'll look quite nice on you, madam.

CUSTOMER: All right, do my hair like that, and if it doesn't suit me you'll simply have to restyle it.

ASSISTANT: Very well, madam.

III.

GRACE: Why don't you dance with Henry?

BEATRICE: Because we make such a funny pair: he's short and broad and strong, and I'm tall, thin and pale.

GRACE: Nonsense, my dear. He isn't short, only medium, height, and you are just a trifle above the middle size. And he dances perfectly, I can tell you.

BEATRICE: I know he does. But I prefer dancing with Billy. For all his long legs and lean figure Billy's a very good dancer, isn't he?

GRACE: Yes, he is, and I like his face. It may be ugly, but there's something awfully nice about it. BEATRICE: But he isn't ugly at all, especially when he smiles and shows those perfect teeth of his. GRACE: Still, Henry's decidedly handsome, which Bill is not.

BEATRICE: But there's something unkind in the look of his grey eyes. I always feel uncomfortable when he looks at me.

IV.

GALYA: Inna is a regular beauty!

VERA: And she knows it well, does Inna.

GALYA: She's got such a superb figure and such regular features!

VERA: and her hair's so thick.and looks quite golden in the sunshine!

GALYA: Isn't it strange that her twin sister is quite a plain girl?

VERA: Yes, it is. To have such good-looking parents, and be so different!

GALYA: They say Olga takes after their grandfather and Inna has inherited her good looks from her parents.

VERA: Olga's certainly plain, but when she sings you for­get her common face.

GALYA: You are right, Vera.