Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Hello, teachers!!
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Dear Mary,
I go into hospital this afternoon. Think any sudden change in my state is very improbable. Last time, the repeated blood-transfusions got me past the danger point, though they took much longer to do it than the doctors expected. This time they will either take even longer, or else they will fail to do it at all. I�m so sleepy and tired that I feel very little concerned. The loss of all mental concentration is what I dislike most. I fell asleep 3 times during your letter and found it very hard to understand! Don�t expect to hear much from me. You might as well expect a Lecture on Hegel from a drunk man.
Yours,
Jack

(Letters to an American Lady)

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I was not understand the sentences below.

(*) though (1)they took much longer to do (2)it than the doctors expected. This time (3)they will either take even longer, or else they will fail to do (4)it at all.

(1) they
(2) it
(3) they
(4) it

What do (1), (2), (3), and (4) indicate? In my opinion, (1)=they indicate "blood-transfusion," but if I guess like this, I cannot understand what (2)=it indicate...

Thank you in advance.

[Bob S.]

[learner12]

Dear Bob S.:

Thank you so much for your quick replies.

Take care and have a nice day!!