It was eight o'clock in
the morning and time for me to go to work. I (looked) out of the window. It (was
raining) hard. «You (will get) wet through if you (go) out now,» said my
mother. «No, I...,» I answered, «I (will take) an umbrella.» We (had) five
umbrellas in the house, but when I (wanted) to take one, I (found) that there (was)
not one that I could use: they all (were) torn or broken. So I (took) them all
and (carried) them to the umbrella-maker, saying that I would call for the
umbrellas on my way home in the evening. When I (went) to have lunch in the
afternoon, it still (was raining) very hard. I (went) to the nearest cafe, and
(sat) down at a table. A few minutes later a young woman (came) in and (sat)
down at the same table with me. When I (finished) my lunch and (was) ready to
leave, I absent-mindedly (took) her umbrella and (started) for the exit. She (stopped)
me saying that I (had taken) her umbrella. I (returned) the umbrella with many
apologies. In the evening I (went) to the umbrella-maker, (took) my five
umbrellas and (got) on the tram to go home. It so happened that the woman I (had
met) at the cafe (was riding) in the same tram. When she (saw) me with my five
umbrellas, she (said): «You (have had) a successful day today, (haven't) you?»