Album 20：Quality Time - ACT3

Ellen: Good morning. What a wonderful morning! Don't the flowers smell wonderful?

Philip: Good morning, Ellen. Yes, they do. That's why I'm reading my paper and having my coffee on the patio this morning. Ah, it does smell sweet. How was your school- board meeting last night? You must've come home very late.

Ellen: Did you find the sandwich I made for you?

Philip: Thanks, dear. I was so tired I didn't even finish it.

Ellen: Philip, I've been working on this special project with the school board, and I'd like your opinion about it.

Philip: What is it?Ellen: I've been trying to find a way to encourage reading.

Philip: Good luck!

Ellen: Well, I think I may have found a way to do it.

Philip: Tell me about it. I work with families every day, Ellen. I see how people spend their leisure time-young and old.

Ellen: Mostly watching television. Well, that would be OK if , and I repeat, if people took the time to read.

Philip: I couldn't agree with you more.

Ellen: The question is, how do we get them to read more?

Philip: I think you're going to give me the answer to tha question. You have that looking your eye.

Ellen: I do have an answer, Philip. Or at least I think I do.

Philip: Well, tell me about it.

Ellen: The plan is a simple one. Involve the entire family in a reading project.

Philip: In the home?

Ellen: Yes, in the home. But first in the school-rooms.

Philip: Hmm, interesting. But how do you plan to do that?

Ellen: By arranging with the public schools to schedule one hour a week-to start with. During that time parents are invited to attend-and to read along with the children- their children.

Philip: It can go beyond the school system, Ellen.

Ellen: Really?

Philip: I guarantee you it would go very in the hospitals. My patients-mostly kids-would love to read and be read to.

Ellen: You think so?

Philip: I know so.

Ellen: May be we can experiment with your patients and see how the plan works.

Philip: I love the idea. Would you work with me?

Ellen: I would love to, Philip.

Philip: And that way, we'll spend more time together, Ellen. We just don't see each other anymore.

Ellen: You and I are very busy these days. This is true. We need to find time to be together more, to do things together more-you and I. This would be a wonderful way to accomplish that.

Philip: I have a question.

Ellen: Yes?

Philip: What do we read?

Ellen: To the patients in the ward?

Philip: Yes.

Ellen: Well, let you and I talk about it. What would you like to read to them?

Philip: Mrs. Stewart and I will read a poem by Robert Frost.

Ellen: It's called "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

Philip: Would you begin, Ellen?

Ellen: All right. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"by Robert Frost.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Philip: My little horse must think it queer.

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake.

The darkest evening of the year.

Ellen: He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

Ellen%26amp;Philip: The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Grandpa: You two belong on stage! That was wonderful!

Ellen: Grandpa!

Philip: Dad...Robbie. When did you come?

Grandpa: We've been listening to you both. These are lucky kids.

Robbie: Do you enjoy reading together?

Philip: Well, we may read together aloud at home.

Grandpa: You were right, Robbie.

Robbie: I know.