Mr Bell：Oh，it must be most precious. Can I have a look？

A：Yes，sir. It is known to be“as white as jade¹ and as thinas paper”

Mr Bell：No wonder it's so expensive. I'll take it.

A：Shall I wrap them together or separately？

Mrs Bell：Separately，please. What do they come to in round figures？

A：Altogether 356 yuan.

Mrs Bell：Here is 360 yuan.

Shop Assistant：（Counting money）Sir，there are thirty notes of ten yuan and six notes of five yuan so it is 330 yuan in all. Would you please check it，sir？

Mr Bell：I'm awfully² sorry. I've made a mistake. I took five for ten. Here's another thirty yuan.

Dialogue B

（A：shop assistant B：Mr Jones C：Mrs Jones）

B：（to A）Where do these flower vases come from？What are they made of？

A：They come from Jiangxi Province. The flower vases are made of porcelain³ and covered with tiny bamboo sticks.

B：Are they breakable？

A：No，if you take some care when you use them.

B：Oh，I see. （to C）Do you like such animals woven with bamboo sticks？

C：Let me see. Lions，camels，elephants，deer…I like the camels best. （to A） Are they light in weight？

A：Yes，they are. They are not only ornamental，but also useful. You can put things inside. You see，you can takethe lid off.

C：Well，we'll buy a camel.

Words and Expressions　

porcelain    n. 瓷；[总称]瓷器

tiny    a. 极小的；微小的

camel    n. 骆驼

deer    n. 鹿

ornamental    a. 装饰的 n. 装饰品

lid    n. 盖子

china    n. 瓷器

egg－shell    n. 蛋壳（色）（～china）薄胎瓷器

tableware    n. 餐具