It was a cold autumn evening and it was raining. mary was driving home in her cadillac. it was saturday and almost all the shops were closed. suddenly she saw a bright shop window. she did not like window-shopping but she stopped the car and got out. she came up to the shop window and among other things she saw a beautiful chain of pearls (жемчужное ожерелье). they were shining in the bright light of the window. mary liked the pearls. she entered the shop. it was an expensive shop. there were no people inside. mary went up to the counter and saw the same chain of pearls there. soon the shop assistant came out to her. "can i help you, madam? " he asked while mary was looking at the pearls. "yes, sir. can i see that chain of pearls over there? " "certainly, madam. here you are." "how much is it? " "five hundred dollars." "only five hundred dollars," mary thought. "it's a pity i have no money about me." she gave the chain back to the shop assistant and said, "thank you. i think my husband and i will come and buy it tomorrow. are you open tomorrow? " "yes, madam, we work from 8 till 6. the lunch hour is from 12 to 1. you're welcome, madam." mary was about to leave the shop when somebody took her by the hand. she turned round and saw a small young girl, who looked very unhappy. she was wearing an old thin coat and old dirty shoes. she had no gloves or hat. "yes," said mary. "what can i do for you? " "excuse me, madam, but can you give me the price of a cup of tea? i'm very cold." "have you no money at all? " "no," said the girl. suddenly mary thought of a plan. "come and have tea with me at my place," she 1)finish the story and give it a title.
