Once an English man arrived in America for his
first short stay. A New York publisher, who (1) (was bursting) with local
pride, (2) (took) the visitor uptown in an open car. When they (3)
(were passing) magnificent halls and bridges, the New Yorker boasted of the time
that (4) (had been spent) on their construction. And the Englishman always (5)
(won) in the competition of architectural triumphs of the two capitals.
They (6) (had been driving) in the city for quite a long time and the Londoner (7)
(made) his host angry with his snobbish remarks. “If I (8) (show)
something absolutely extraordinary to him, he (9) (will forget) his London
sights,” the publisher thought. They stopped (10) (to consult) the map very
near the Empire State Building. The New Yorker (11) (heard) the Londoner
(12) (gasp) in surprise. When the visitor asked, what the name of the
building was, the publisher (13) (saw) his chance. He (14) (shrugged) his
shoulders and said that he didn’t know the name. “It (15) (had not been built)
yet when I came downtown this morning.” The Londoner (16) (shook) his
head in utter surprise.