第370期:At the Gallery

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Ruth: Oh, hello there. Can I help you?

Akane: Hi, I'm just looking at some of your paintings here. You have a really nice store here.

Ruth: Yes that's right, we do don't we? We have some really nice paintings in here.

Akane: I think I really like this one. Can you tell me a bit about it?

Ruth: Certainly, yes. Now that one's actually by a local painter. His name's John Mansfield and he's been painting since he was 14 actually, although he died in 1999 so he painted for about 53 years in total. I really like that one myself actually.

Akane: So he died? That means that there aren't many of his paintings left.

Ruth: That's right, yes. I mean most of his paintings are one-offs and this one is a one-off.

Akane: Oh, OK. Well, I especially like the colors of this one. I like how it's bright and it looks really nice and I like how it depicts the local landscape.

Ruth: Yes, that's true. It is really nice, isn't it? Actually, this is a picture of a local walking route which is quite famous and quite popular with hikers. A lot of people go there on walks, particularly at the weekend. And if you look on the left-hand side there, that tree is the oldest tree in the area.

Akane: Oh, is that right? Have you ever been to this place?

Ruth: Yes I've been there quite often actually and it looks very much like this in the spring.

Akane: Well if John Mansfield is a local painter, have you ever met him when he was alive?

Ruth: Yes, he often used to come into this shop. He was a very devoted painter and he really enjoyed buying paintings by different painters in the area.

Akane: Really? Well, that sounds really interesting. How much is this painting?

Ruth: That one's actually a hundred and eighty pounds.

Akane: Wow! 180 pounds!

Ruth: Yes I'm afraid so.

Akane: Well that's a bit beyond my budget. Would you be able to give it to me for 100 pounds?

Ruth: Mm, I think a hundred is too cheap.

Akane: Well let's see. This other painting looks quite nice too. How about if I buy both of them? Would you be able to give it to me for maybe 250 pounds?

Ruth: Why don't we say three hundred and you've got yourself a deal.

Akane: Three hundred? That sounds good. Thanks a lot. I'll take it.

Ruth: OK then.

Akane: Great!