The Bartons Chapter 22

 

Welcome Home - Ken and Jean have just arrived home from Spain.  They are happy to be back.

Idioms

To fall for someone means to fall in love with them.

A little bit nuts means you are a little bit crazy (in a nice way).

The patter of tiny feet - The sound of little children's feet as they run around.  

The proof of the pudding is in the eating - The true value or success of something can only be judged after testing or eating it -  Den wahren Wert oder Erfolg von etwas kann man erst beurteilen, nachdem man es ausprobiert oder gegessen hat. 

If you're a chip of the old block means you're just like your father - you take after him.

And now to our story.

Hello everyone.  We're back

Hello, Mum and Dad. Welcome home. It's nice to have you back.

Hello Dave and  Jane.  How are you both?  

We're fine, thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Barton. How was your trip?

Come, come Jane.  From now on, please call us  Jean and Ken.  You're one of the family now.

So, Dad, how was Spain

It was brilliant, Dave.  The only thing was that it was full of funny foreigners drinking red wine and speaking a funny foreign language.  

They were not foreigners, Ken.  They were Spaniards speaking Spanish.  We were the foreigners.  Well, anyway, Dave.  I can see Jane hasn't killed you. You must have done something right.  

We had a wonderful time. Dave was really nice.  Now I know what farming life is all about.  It's no picnic; it's very hard work, and I really love the animals.

Yes, Mum and Dad, Jane really fell for the pigs. In fact, she even gave them names.  She christened the black and pink pig Agnes. 

I think you're a little bit nuts, Jane. Poor Agnes. With a name like Agnes, she probably thinks she's a sheep.  Agnes Day and all that!

You mean Agnus Dei, Ken.  Not Agnes Day.

Well, I was never good in French at school.

Agnus Dei is Latin, Ken.  And, now, please stop being silly, Ken.  And, Jane and Dave, I can see you're going to be the perfect farming couple. I'm so happy for you both.  And, hopefully, in a year or two we'll be looking forward to the patter of tiny little feet running happily around the farm. 

Maybe a little bit sooner, Mum and Dad.

Well, life is full of surprises.

It certainly is, mum.  And Jane has a very big surprise for you.  Close your eyes and don't open them 'til I say so.   OK, you can open them.

A Cake!  A wonderful cake. Did you buy it?

No, Jean, I made it myself.  Mum's been giving me baking lessons.  I hope you like it.

It looks like a Schwarzwaldtorte.

Actually, it's a chocolate cake. 

Well, I'm sure it'll be delicious, thanks, Jane.

And, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

And, where is the tea, Jane?

Oh no!  I completely forgot.   Dave, please put the kettle on. 

No stress, my future wife.  Rome wasn't built in a month, either!

You mean in a day, Dave?  You really are a chip off the old block, Dave.

  

The Bartons Chapter 21

Chapter 21  - A Short Break

Idioms 

To get back to someone means to talk to them later. 

To get the hang of something means to learn how to understand or do something.

To be pushed in at the deep end means to start at a hard/difficult point with no training.

Under the thumb - if you are under the thumb means you are in his/her control.

To jump at the chance - to quickly take the offer/oppurtunity.

- - - - -

Ken and Jean are enjoying a nice cup of tea.  Dave has gone out.

I bumped into Andy in the village this morning, and you'll never guess what he told me!

He told you he was taking Sarah to Spain for a long weekend. 

How did you know, Jean?  Andy told me to keep it under my hat. It was a secret.

So much for Andy's secrets.  Sarah phoned me about an hour ago.  She told me all about Andy's big secret.  And, furthermore, she asked me if we'd like to join them. 

Andy asked me the same.  I said I would talk to you and get back to him.

No need, Ken.  I've already decided. I said we'd love to go.

Well, Jean, you could have asked me. But, nevertheless, you did the right thing.  A few days away would be great.  And, who's going to look after the farm while we're gone?

Dave and Jane, of course.  I think it's high time Jane got a taste of real farm life and all the work that goes with it. 

Well, it'll be a bit like being pushed in at the deep end.  But, I'm sure Jane will soon get the hang of misting out pigsties and milking the cows.  I'm certain she'll take to it all like a duck takes to water.

And, I'M sure the pigs and cows will quickly take to Jane, too.  

You're right, Ken.  Jane does seem to have a special way with animals.

And, she has a very special way with men, too.

Don't be horrible, Ken.

You should take what I say with a pinch of salt, Jean.  But, while we're on the subject, Jean.  Baking doesn't seem to be one of Jane's strong points.  Maybe you could teach her how to bake a cherry cake before we go, Jean. 

No time, Ken.  We're leaving at first light tomorrow. 

So soon, Jean.  Andy never told me that.  And, Jean, next time, please ask me what I think of the whole thing!

No need, Ken, you always agree with everything I want.  I've got you well trained.

More like under the thumb.  And, what about Jane?

All taken care of.   Everything's arranged.  Jane'll be here in about an hour. She jumped at the chance of being a farmer's wife.

So, is there anything else left for me to do?

Yes, Ken. Just sit down and have a slice of cherry cake.

Questions. Can women keep secrets?  Was Ken surprised that Jean knew about Spain?  How is Jane going to get a taste of farm life?  Does Jane need baking lessons?   Is Ken under Jean's thumb?  What chance did Jane jump at?  What is left for Ken to do?