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   prospects look promising enough; but you know how hard it is to meet with the right man, and one must look sharp before binding one's self, especially nowadays.
   I. P.  Well, what would you say of my applying for the situation?
   M. Do you speak in earnest?
   I. P.  In downright earnest, to be sure. I feel so tired already with doing nothing the whole day long, that I had almost made up my mind to start on some kind of business on my own hook (i), but the choice was rather hard; when, as my good luck would have it, yesterday I was acquainted with your intention, and here I am, as it were .(2), to pop the que-tion {3), for 1 am a sworn enemy to procrastination.
   (1) Tradotta letteralmente la locuzione «on my own hook» dice « sul mio proprio gancio », ma il suo significato idiomatico corrisponde all'italiana «per conto mio ».
   (2) As it were  Forma avverbiale corrispondente all'italiana «per cosi dire ».
   (3) To pop the question è modo di dire che significa «/ar domanda di matrimonio », usato qui scherzosamente nel senso di « tradurre in atto un proposito » o come comu lemente si dice « « dar fuoco alla bomba ».
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   M.  To say that I am pleased would be short of truth, for. I am delighted with your offer, which, on the whole, I a,ccept of course ; but the thing cannot be^ settled on the spot, you know ; we must talkmV matter over with calm, to see whether we agree on all points ; besides I must have a regular balance-sheet drawn up,:to show you what my assets and liabilities are up to date (1), or at least what they were at the end of last year.
   I. P.  You speak like a lawyer, no doubt of that, so let iis appoint a day for a meeting to the purpose, it is for you to propose.
   M.  What would you think of to-morrow week ? (2).
   I.P.  I think it would do very well, so let it be arranged for to-morrow week.
   M.  All right (3). Oh ! (looking at the clock) I see it is nearly dinner time, I may as well walk out wit/jyou. Come along. x
   (1) Up to date Fino a data, cioè fino a questa data.
   (2) Apponendo il nome week a settimana » ad altro indicativo di un dato giorno, si forma una locuzione indicante il giorno seguente ad una settimana di distanza - To-morrow week equivale a « da domani a otto ».
   (3) All right  Letteralmente tradotta questa espressione significa a tutto giusto ». È però comunemente usata per esprimere approvazione, ed equivale a « Va bene - Sta bene »
   K. Gambaro  Dialoghi commerciali inglesi, 9