[originaltext]M: Hi, Jane. How is your vacation?W: Terrific! I went to Washing

M: Hi, Jane. How is your vacation?
W: Terrific! I went to Washington D. C. to visit my cousin. I saw the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, and the White House.
M: I’ve never been to Washington. What did you like best?
W: Oh, the White House.  Do you know that it’s been the official home of the presidents since 1800? And every president except George Washington has lived in it.
M: I didn’t know it was that old. Is it really as nice as everyone says?
W: It’s only a two-storied building of stone. But its dignity impressed me. It used to be called the president’s house. But it was named the White House after the British burned it in the war of 1812. It had to be repainted, of course.
M: I remember now. The president then was James Madison. And his wife Dolly ran out of the burning building carrying the portrait of Washington.
W: Yes, that’s right. It’s hanging in the East Room now.
M: How big is the White House?
W: It’s big--32 rooms inside the White House and 8 acres outside. It has to be painted every four years.
M: How much were you allowed to see?
W: Not very much. Only 6 of the rooms are open to the public. It’s a popular tour, and there is always a line of people waiting. They want to look at their property, I guess.
M: Their property?
W: Sure. The White House is owned by the people of the United States. We elect the leaders who live in R.
M: But can just anyone go inside?
W: Of course.Anyone can see our president’s home.