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imchongjun
03-05-2009, 04:46 PM
Hello, teachers.

I am puzzled by the last sentence of the next paragraph.

(The speaker is a German spy impersonating an English baron)
"I understand perfectly," Dominey replied. "The authorities have changed their first idea as to my presence here. They want to keep every shadow of suspicion away from me, so that in the event of war I shall have an absolutely unique position, an unsuspected yet fervently patriotic German, living hand in glove with the upper classes of English Society. One can well imagine that there would be work for me."
(The Great Impersonation from Project Gutenberg)

"...there would be work for me". Does this mean "there would be a lot of work for me and I would become busy if I would be placed in such a position"? I appreciate your help very much.

Marius Hancu
03-05-2009, 04:59 PM
there would be a lot of work for me (thus I would be busy), as upper classes would like to appear to cooperate with such a special German; there would be many offers of work for me

imchongjun
03-05-2009, 05:31 PM
Thank you, Marius. That is what I needed to know!!

Rusty
03-06-2009, 03:06 AM
Hello, teachers.

I am puzzled by the last sentence of the next paragraph.

(The speaker is a German spy impersonating an English baron)
"I understand perfectly," Dominey replied. "The authorities have changed their first idea as to my presence here. They want to keep every shadow of suspicion away from me, so that in the event of war I shall have an absolutely unique position, an unsuspected yet fervently patriotic German, living hand in glove with the upper classes of English Society. One can well imagine that there would be work for me."
(The Great Impersonation from Project Gutenberg)

"...there would be work for me". Does this mean "there would be a lot of work for me and I would become busy if I would be placed in such a position"? I appreciate your help very much.
Although I have read only excerpts and not the whole book, I get the idea that he means that he will have spy work to do for the Fatherland.

Bridget
03-06-2009, 03:16 AM
I agree with Rusty.