"Ethel & Ernest" [.]

[fiefoe]

A random web search yielded the fact that this book is the centerpiece of "A Programme of Study for Year 9 History".

<1950-60>
"Why don't you wash in the BATHROOM?"
"Blimey son! Not likely! I'm filthy, look."
"But this is the KITCHEN! All the FOOD is HERE! Mum is trying to COOK!"
"No. I couldn't, son. Not in the BATHROOM."

(Ethel rubbing Ernest's nose in the fact that meat ration was cut to the lowest level SIX YEARS after the end of the war:)
"You can't blame Hitler now." "NO!" "Just your Labour Government."
(Later,)
"HA! Cheese ration CUT to ONE OUNCE! SEVEN YEARS after the war!"
"THERE's your TORY GOVERNMENT for you!"

(Ernest thrown into a tizzy over a 26 year-old would-be woman MP:)
"AND she's a TORY!"

"Blimey! Even MORE television now! They're going to start an hour EARLIER - at SIX! Just when everybody's having their tea." "Well, you can't put it on until you've finished eating, so it will come to the same thing in the end."

<1960-70>
(Ethel hesitating outside her husband's latest surprise, a new car:)
"Ooh-er.. I don't like to... I've still got my pinny on. I haven't done my hair."

(Her son bringing his fiance home:)
"Hullo, Mum! Dad! This is Jean -" "Hullo dear here's a comb."

(Man on the moon. Ethel sitting in bed with eyes closed:)
"Perhaps they'll have a picnic. That would be nice."
"I think the tea would blow away when it came out of the thermos."
"Why? Is it windy up there?"

Near the end, in charity ward Ethel confused her husband with Victor McGleglan, star of the movie he took her to see on their first date in 1928.

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