Англиискии для вас Новый курс XXI века

Exercise 16. Insert articles where necessary. Give a summary of the text and discuss it.

“Could I have ... word with you,” Clay heard ... easy voice. Clay turned and recognized ... Congressman representing some western constituency.

“I’m for Burden,” said ... Congressman. ... statement did not sound true.

Clay knew that... Congressman’s constituency was in favour of... Secretary of State who was also running for... Presidency.

... Congressman went on, “... lot of fellows in this room might support Burden if he’d make ... little effort to woo¹²⁸ them.”

Clay was silent waiting. No politician ever spoke for another politician. “They” usually meant “I.”

“For instance, there’s been some concern about Burden’s dealings with ... certain Ed Nillson.”

“What about them?” asked Clay.

“ What about them?"... red face was suddenly near his.

“Nothing much to tell,” Clay said. “Ed came to ... Senator, oh,... couple of years ago. He wanted to help out. And he’s helped us ... lot.”

“You know I got some Indians in my district. They are ... salt of the earth, those fellows. In fact I’m one-eighth Indian myself.” Clay knew it was fashion­able for ... Westerners to claim ... drop or two of Indian blood. Then they could consider themselves ... original Americans. “Well, I am aware of... fact that... certain sub-committec allowed some rich Indian lands to be sold to one Edgar Nillson who then became ... treasurer¹²⁹ of... James Burden Day for President Committee,” said ... Congressman.

Clay said, “I’m not sure I understand you.”

... Congressman replied, “Our friend Burden was ... chairman of that Senate sub-committee.”

“As far as I remember he was out of ... country at that time. He was in Canada if I’m not mistaken.”

“That’s right. But just before he went to Canada, he phoned one of ... Senators on ... sub-committee and told him how important it was that Mr Nillson be allowed to buy that Indian land. By the way, there was a record­ing device attached to ... Senator’s private telephone and their conversation was recorded. That Senator’s secretary has got the tape.”

Clay’s hands went cold. His career in ... politics was ended before it ever began.

“Now,” said ... Congressman. “I might help you obtain the tape. I think we could come to ... agreement. Now I happen to have a friend who has ... interest in ... few acres of land next to Ed Nillson’s. He’d like to sell it to him at... rea­sonable price.”

“Okay,” said Clay, “I’ll talk to Ed tomorrow.”

“Tell him to call me at home. I’ll be waiting for Ed’s call.”

(From “Washington, D. C.” by Gore Vidal)