Chapter 32

The Farm at Lane's End -  Chapter 32

The Farm at Lane's End is the ongoing story of a typical English farming family. The Bartons.  Farmer Ken, his wife Jean, and their son Dave.  In chapter 32, Ken and Jean are talking about uncle Ron. 

Vocabulary 

A penny for your thoughts - A penny for your thoughts means please tell me what you are thinking.

Warm hearted means kind and loving.  He was such a warm hearted man.

For the life of me - For the life of me is a phrase that means however hard I try.  However hard I try, I can't remember his name. For the life of me, I can't remember his name.

A chip off the old block means being the same - usually in character - as one's father. This phrase  normally speaks about boys.  Girls are "just like their mothers". 

Words you might like to check - loft - keen -

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And now to our story - The Farm at Lane's End, chapter 32

A penny for your thoughts, Ken!

Oh, hello Jean, I didn't hear you come in.

I'm not surprised, Ken.  You were far away. Lost in your thoughts.

I was thinking about my old uncle Ron.  He was such a warm hearted man.  Always doing good for others.  He was such a nice  person. 

Jean has a question

Didn't your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila help your mum at one of your birthday parties?

You've got a very good memory, Jean.

Was it your ninth or tenth birthday, Ken?

For the life of me, I can't remember, Jean.

I bet you can't remember the present  your uncle Ron and aunty Sheila gave you!

You're wrong, Jean.  I remember  it well.  They gave me a steam engine for my model railway.  And, further more, I still have it. The engine they gave me is in a box in the loft. And, another thing, Jean.  I can still remeber the present you gave me.

I don't believe you!  

You gave me a book about postage stamps.  Stamp collecting was one of my hobbies at the time. I used to be a very keen collector. Oh, and by the way, Jean, how did you know I collected stamps?

Your cousin Billy told me.  Billy and I used to sit next to each other at primary school.  I liked him very much.

You're right, Jean.  Billy was very nice, He was not only a very kind boy. he was a great friend as well. He was just like his dad.  A chip off the old block.   And  Jean,  You can do something that aunty Sheila could do, too. Your cherry cakes are fantastic, 

Thanks, Ken. That's nice of you.    Shall we have a   cup of tea?

That's a good idea, Jean. There's nothing nicer than a nice cup of tea.  I'll put on the kettle immediately.

Questions

Why didn't Ken hear Jean coming in?   Who was Ken thinking about?  How would you describe uncle Ron?  How do you understand "for the life of me"  What did uncle Ron and aunty Sheila give Ken for his birthday?  Why were uncle Ron and aunty Sheila at Ken's birthday party?  How did Jean know that Ken collected stamps?  How do you understand the meaning of "a chip off the old block?"  Why was Billy just like his father?  What has Jean in common with aunty Sheila?  How do you understand "a penny for your thoughts?"