英语小故事第321期：The New Clothes (1)

“What’s the name of that store again? It starts with an 'A,'” Lorraine asked. Quinn didn’t know, either. It was a four- or five-syllable word that didn’t have anything to do with clothes. Yet it was a well-known, upscale clothing chain for women.

“Why can’t they just name it something simple, like Ross Dress for Less?” Quinn said. “Everyone can remember that name!” He suggested a couple of names—Apostrophe, Apology. No, Lorraine told him, neither was right. “Well,” Quinn said, “let’s go to the ‘A-store,’ and then we’ll read the sign and remember the name again, at least until we leave the store.”

The name of the store was Anthropologie. It was on South Lake. Once inside, Lorraine started browsing through the clothes; Quinn headed straight toward one of various piles of books with catchy titles for sale. Lorraine called him over to look at a pair of slacks. “How much?” she asked. He guessed $55. She told him they were four times that much. He replied that he wouldn’t pay more than $25 for them. She laughed. “You’re so cheap,” she said.

He picked up a book called How to Act Like a Lady, and started reading it. It would be a good book for Lorraine to practice her English and also for her to learn how to act in America, her new country. Lorraine came over with three tops and asked him to accompany her to the dressing room area.