The Battle of Life / Битва жизни. Книга для чтения на английском языке

The other leaned against a tree hard by. The music, a wandering harp and fiddle, left off with a flourish, as if it boasted of its freshness; though the truth is, it had gone at such a pace, and worked itself to such a pitch of competition with the dancing, that it never could have held on, half a minute longer. The apple-pickers on the ladders raised a hum and murmur of applause, and then, in keeping with the sound, bestirred themselves to work again like bees.

The more actively, perhaps, because an elderly gentleman, who was no other than Doctor Jeddler himself – it was Doctor Jeddler’s house and orchard, you should know, and these were Doctor Jeddler’s daughters – came bustling out to see what was the matter, and who the deuce played music on his property, before breakfast. For he was a great philosopher, Doctor Jeddler, and not very musical.

�Music and dancing TO-DAY!’ said the Doctor, stopping short, and speaking to himself.

�I thought they dreaded to day. But it’s a world of contradictions. Why, Grace, why, Marion!’ he added, aloud, �is the world more mad than usual this morning?’

�Make some allowance for it[2 - Make some allowance for it – (разг.) Учтите; примите во внимание], father, if it be,’ replied his younger daughter, Marion, going close to him, and looking into his face, �for it’s somebody’s birthday.

’

�Somebody’s birthday, Puss!’ replied the Doctor. �Don’t you know it’s always somebody’s birth day? Did you never hear how many new performers enter on this – ha! ha! ha! – it’s impossible to speak gravely of it – on this preposterous and ridiculous business called Life, every minute?’

�No, father!’

�No, not you, of course; you’re a woman – almost,’ said the Doctor.

�By-the-by,’ and he looked into the pretty face, still close to his, �I suppose it’s YOUR birthday.’

�No! Do you really, father?’ cried his pet daughter, pursing up her red lips to be kissed.

�There! Take my love with it,’ said the Doctor, imprinting his upon them; �and many happy returns of the – the idea! – of the day.