Liang: Suppose we get down no business now?
Smith: Yes, that would be fine. To begin with, are you ready to make us an offer?
Liang: Absolutely. We have here an offer for you. It’s something like this: 500 cases of black tea at the price of US $6 per kilogram: CIF New York. Shipment will be effected in July. This offer holds good for two days.
Smith: But your 500 cases is not enough, I’m afraid.
Liang: To be best of my memory, you booked only 500 cases last year, didn’t you?
Smith: That’s true. But the whole thing was rapidly sold out in less than two months. As I’m sure I can do better this year, I hope you will increase your supply at least by 300 cases.
Liang: I’m afraid I can’t meet your needs to the full. Owing to the drought this year’s tea crop has sharply decreased while demand both at home and abroad has tremendously increased. As a result 500 cases is the most I can grant you at present.
Smith: But if I don’t see to my market, my customers will turn to other suppliers for their present.
Liang: I think I have made my position quite clear to you. The fact is that we’ve employed all possible means to get even these 500 cases for you.
Smith: I feel very much disappointed, Mr. Liang …All right ,since nothing can be done, I’ll take only 500 cases this time. But I hope you could supply more next year.
Liang: If supply position improves, we’ll doubtlessly satisfy your requirement of all things. We can’t afford to lose such an old customer as you.
NEW WORDS
suppose 假设 decrease 减少
absolutely 绝对地 abroad 国外
case 箱 tremendously 巨大地
black tea 红茶 grant 恩赐，给予
US$ (U.S. dollar) 美元 present 现在
kilogram 千克，公斤 supplier 供应商
effect 实现，生效 position 位置，状况
enough 足够 means 手段，财产
book 记忆 even 甚至
less 订购 disappoint 失望
need 较少的，少于 improve 改善，改进
increase 需要 doubtlessly 毫无疑问
drought 干旱 satisfy 满足
crop 作物 afford 提供，能堪
sharply 剧烈地 lose 推动，输
