新概念一 101 课 He doesn't say very much,does he?为什么要用现在时,怎么不用过去时?

新概念一 101 课 He doesn't say very much,does he?为什么要用现在时,怎么不用过去时?
课文：
GRANDMOTHER:Read Jimmy's card to me
please,penny.
PENNY:'I have just arrive in
Scotland and I'm staying
at a Youth Hostel.'
GRANDMOTHER:Eh?
PENNY:He say he's just arrived
in Scotland.He says he's
staying at a Youth Hostel.
You know he's a member
of the Y.H.A.
GRANDMOTHER:The what?
PENNY:The Y.H.A.,Mum.
The Youth Hostels
Association.
GRANDMOTHER:What else does he say?
PENNY:'I'll write a letter soon.
I hope you all well.'
GRANDMOTHER:What?
Speak up.Penny.
I'm afraid I can't
hear you
PENNY:He say he'll write a letter
soon.He hopes we are all
well.'Love,Jimmy.'
GRANDMOTHER:Is that all?
He doesn't say very much,
does he?
PENNY:He can't write very much
on a card,Mum.