French Conversation and Composition
114. Défi Entre Deux Peintres
Deux peintres en concurrence de talents, disputèrent un jour à qui
l'emporterait sur l'autre. L'un peignit un rideau sur le mur d'un
appartement, et ceux qui venaient pour le soulever afin d'examiner
le tableau qu'ils s'attendaient à voir dessous, étaient tout émerveillés
de ne toucher que la muraille. L'autre peignit une treille où pendait
des grappes si bien imitées que les oiseaux venaient les becqueter.
Plusieurs connaisseurs, ayant été requis de porter leur jugement sur
les deux tableaux, adjugèrent la palme au peintre de la treille. Leur
conclusion était basée sur ce qu'il est plus facile de tromper les
hommes que les oiseaux.
Racontez l'histoire des deux peintres.
GRAMMAR REVIEW.--LESSON XVIII
Use of prepositions with infinitives.
A. 1. I was on the point of greeting[1] him. 2. I have not had the
opportunity to see his play. 3. He cannot fail to be surprised. 4. I
asked him if he was in the habit of being so polite. 5. It was
necessary to stop[2] reading in bed for the doctor had forbidden him
to do it. 6. One loses nothing by being[3] polite. 7. He seems to be
unaware that it is hard to learn to speak French. 8. French is easier
to read than to speak. 9. It is easier to learn it in France than at
home. 10. It is hard to govern kingdoms, but they are easier to
govern than women. 11. They invited me to dine at their house, but I
am too ill to go. 12. He started reading the paper,[4] without
thinking[3] of[5] eating,[3] but he was not long[6] in getting[3] hungry,
and he finally[7] breakfasted. 13. I expected to see him in Paris, but
he had gone to see his father at Lyons. 14. I have just[8] given him
his money. 15. He had come to avenge himself, and he wasn't long
in doing it. 16. If he happens[9] to lose his saber, he will have to give
himself up. 17. I can't keep[10] from telling you that I have succeeded in avenging[3] myself. 18. Are you hard to fool?[11] 19.