Robbie： Hi, Mom.

    Ellen： Hi, Robbie You're home from school early.

    Robbie： Yeah, they're getting the assembly hall ready for the graduation ceremony, so we all got to go home early. Too noisy to study.

    Ellen： Well, now that you're here, you can help me with dinner. I need those potatoes peeled and sliced.

    Robbie： Mom, give me a break Alexandra's coming over to help me study for my math final.

    Ellen： Well, in that case, you can wash the dishes and clean up after dinner.

    Robbie： Can I invite Alexandra to stay for dinner？

    Ellen： Of course.

    Robbie： Thanks, Mom.

    Ellen： You an Alexandra have become good friends, haven't you？

    Robbie： Yes. I like her.She's a terrific person. I'm going to miss her when she goes back to Greece.

    Ellen： Would you like to give her a little farewell party？

    Robbie： Mom, that would be terrific！ Maybe we could make it a surprise.

    Ellen： Oh, I don't know. Surprise parties don't always work out.

    Robbie： Well, we could tell her it's a graduation party for me. When Alexandra arrives, we'll surprise her.

    Ellen： Well, I suppose that might work.

    Robbie： I'd like to give her a nice going-away present.

    Ellen： Fine.

    Robbie： There's only one problem.

    Ellen： What's that？

    Robbie： I'm broke. I should have saved some money.

    Ellen： I'm sure Alexandra would be happy with something simple, Robbie.

    Robbie： I know. But, well, I'd like to give her something nice to remember me by. Maybe I could borrow some money from you and Dad.

    Ellen： It's all right with me if it's all right with your dad.

    Robbie： Thanks, Mom. I'll talk to him. Is he still in his office？

    Ellen： I think so.

    Robbie： Thanks, Mom.

    Ellen： Robbie！ Good luck！

    Molly： Here are the X-rays you wanted , Dr. Stewart.

    Philip： Oh. Thank you, Molly. Now, let me check them.

    Molly： What do you think？

    Philip： I don't see any breaks or fractures. Well, well. Thank you, Molly.

    Molly： Thank you.

    Philip： Come in！ Hi, Son.

    Robbie： Hi, Dad. Am I interrupting you？

    Philip： No, no, no, no,. What's up？

    Robbie： Can we talk？

    Philip： Sure.

    Robbie： I need some help.

    Philip： Well, that's what fathers are for.

    Robbie： Well, before I go to college, I have the whole summer……

    Philip： Yes……

    Robbie： And I'm planning to get a job for the summer.

    Philip： And What sort of job？

    Robbie： I applied for a job as a lifeguard at the community pool.

    Philip： Sounds pretty good.

    Robbie： Yes. I'll be earning pretty good money if I get it. But right now, I'm kind of short of cash.

    Philip： Who isn't？

    Robbie： And my friend Alexandra is going to Greece……

    Philip： Nice girl. We'll all miss her.

    Robbie： Mom says we can her a going-away surprise party.

    Philip： Good idea.

    Robbie： And I'd like to get her a nice gift……

    Philip： What'd you have in mind？

    Robbie： Well, a wristwatch, so she'll think of me when she looks at the time. Nothing flashy or expensive. Something simple-but a good one.

    Philip： Sounds fine, Robbie.

    Robbie： Well, I saw a nice watch. But I'll need a loan. If you could lend me the money, I could pay you back out of my lifeguard salary.

    Philip： Well, I guess your mother and I can manage it. When do you need the money？

    Robbie： Would tomorrow be OK？

    Philip： You've got it.

    Robbie： Thanks, Dad.

    Philip： My pleasure, Son. Oh, and, Robbie……

    Robbie： Yes？

    Philip： You'll probably want the family car so you can drive her home after the party.

    Robbie： Could I？

    Philip： If you drive carefully.

    Robbie： I will. Thanks, Dad.

    Philip： My pleasure.

    Robbie： You're OK, Dad.

    Philip： You're not so bad yourself, Son.