A：Thanks for offering to give me a lift. I'm looking forward to this party, but I didn't want to go alone.謝謝你的好意送我一程。我盼著參加這個(gè)晚會(huì)，但是我不想一個(gè)人去。

B：Don't mention it. It's my pleasure. Have you been to one of these large, sit-down dinner parties since you got to New Haven?不用謝。是我的榮幸。自從你來紐黑文市，你有沒有去過這種大型的、坐下來吃飯的聚會(huì)?

A：No, this is my first. Last week I went to a cookout5 for new professors at Dean Barksdale's home. I took a taxi because I didn't want to be late. But I was the first one there.沒有，這是第一次。上周我去巴克斯德爾主任家參加了一個(gè)為新來的教授在戶外搞的一個(gè)野餐聚會(huì)。為了不遲到，我叫了一輛的士。我卻是第一個(gè)到那里的。

B：I'll bet you were a little embarrassed.我猜你有點(diǎn)尷尬。

A：You're right. The invitation said two to seven. I was there at two o'clock, but most people didn't arrive until three or four. They didn't start cooking until five o’clock.你說得對。邀請函上說兩點(diǎn)到七點(diǎn)。我兩點(diǎn)鐘到那里，但是大部分人直到三、四點(diǎn)才來。他們到五點(diǎn)鐘才開始做飯菜。

B：Cookouts often start slowly. A two o'clock start means you arrive any time after two.戶外野炊經(jīng)常開始得很慢。兩點(diǎn)鐘開始意思是說兩點(diǎn)鐘以后的任何時(shí)間你都可以到。

A：Thanks for telling me this.謝謝你告訴我這些。

B：I was late getting back from the mall, but I'm hurrying.我從購物中心回來晚了，但是我在加快動(dòng)作。

A：Why are you in such a hurry? They said, Dinner at eight, and it's only seven-fifteen. I don't want to be the first one there again.你為什么這么急?他們說，八點(diǎn)吃飯，現(xiàn)在才七點(diǎn)十五。我不想又是第一個(gè)到那里。

B：Don't worry. We won't be the first.不要擔(dān)心。我們不會(huì)是第一個(gè)的。