by Alan Townendhold with this newfangled technology In his younger days he ... » —
but we were spared another history lesson when a voice was heard
crackling through the speaker grill telling us that it was aware of our
situation. At this we all laughed including the old man. It broke the
ice. Feelings were not being held in any longer. Comments were
exchanged as to how long we would be held up in the lift. One man
dressed appropriately in black looked mournful not holding out much
hope for a speedy repair. He had experienced problems with this lift
on another occasion.
Meantime I was actively holding back my feelings of stress and
anxiety as everyone else was being so calm. I tried to think of other
things and wondered whether my appointment could be held over for
another day, promising next time to hold to my plan of using stairs.
Fortunately our spirits held up very well. We all seemed to hold
ourselves up to each other as models of calmness and patience so
that nobody dared show any weakness. This certainly helped me.
Every ten minutes or so the disembodied voice consoled us inviting
us to hold on for just a bit longer. As time ticked by the voice told us
its name was Eric. We got to know Eric quite well that morning as he
held out promises of an early release. He made us laugh, too. His
last pronouncement telling us to hold on yet again was followed by
the reassuring:
«Now, don't go away, will you?» We did of course — two hours later.
Vocabulary Explanations
I have to hold myself together
I have to compose myself
I do hold off doing things
I delay doing things
hold on to
cling to
held up
stuck in
held them back
stopped them
holding to the old-fashioned belief
maintaining the old-fashioned belief
hold forth
speak out
hold down their jobs
continue to keep their jobs
held on to a job
retain/keep a job