Pollyanna Crows up / Поллианна вырастает. Книга для чтения на английском языке

This time the tears quite overflowed, so that, lacking a handkerchief, she had to use the backs of both hands to wipe them away.

“Hullo, kid, why the weeps[36 - why the weeps – (разг.) почему плачем]?” queried a cheery voice. “What’s up?”

With a relieved little cry Pollyanna turned to confront a small boy carrying a bundle of newspapers under his arm.

“Oh, I’m so glad to see you!” she exclaimed. “I’ve so wanted to see some one who didn’t talk Dutch!”

The small boy grinned.

“Dutch nothin’!” he scoffed. “You mean Dago[37 - talk Dutch – игра слов: to talk Dutch = 1. Говорить по-голландски 2. нести чушь; to talk Dago = говорить по-итальянски (по-испански)], I bet ye.”

Pollyanna gave a slight frown.

“Well, anyway, it – it wasn’t English,” she said doubtfully; “and they couldn’t answer my questions. But maybe you can. Do you know where Mrs. Carew lives?”

“Nix! You can search me.

“Wha-at?” queried Pollyanna, still more doubtfully.

The boy grinned again.

“I say not in mine. I guess I ain’t acquainted with the lady.”

“But isn’t there anybody anywhere that is?” implored Pollyanna. “You see, I just went out for a walk and I got lost. I’ve been ever and ever so far, but I can’t find the house at all; and it’s supper – I mean dinner time and getting dark. I want to get back. I MUST get back.

“Gee! Well, I should worry!” sympathized the boy.

“Yes, and I’m afraid Mrs. Carew’ll worry, too,” sighed Pollyanna.

“Gorry! if you ain’t the limit[38 - if you ain’t the limit – (воскл.) дальше уже ехать некуда; это переходит все границы],” chuckled the youth, unexpectedly. “But, say, listen! Don’t ye know the name of the street ye want?”

“No – only that it’s some kind of an avenue,” desponded Pollyanna.

“A avenOO, is it? Sure, now, some class to that! We’re doin’ fine. What’s the number of the house? Can ye tell me that? Just scratch your head!”

“Scratch – my – head?” Pollyanna frowned questioningly, and raised a tentative hand to her hair.

The boy eyed her with disdain.

“Aw, come off yer perch[39 - come off yer perch – (разг.) спустись на землю]! Ye ain’t so dippy as all that.