Щенок Элли, или Долгая дорога домой / Ellie the Homesick Puppy

She eyed[81 - В английском языке короткие слова могут без каких-либо изменений превращаться в разные части речи. Здесь eye – не существительное «глаз», а глагол «внимательно разглядывать».] the hot water bottle worriedly. People didn’t like it when she chewed things. She looked up anxiously as the kitchen door opened, wondering if Gran would be very cross.

But she only laughed. ‘Oh dear, they did say[82 - В Past Simple глагол did в утвердительном предложении не требуется, он используется только для усиления и переводится «правда», «действительно»: мне и правда говорили…] you liked chewing things at the moment.

It’s all right, Ellie, I know you didn’t mean to be naughty. It was probably silly of me to let you have it. I just didn’t think. Don’t be sad, little one, you’ll see Megan again soon.’

Ellie stared up at Gran with mournful eyes, as she tidied up her damp things. Even though Gran was being friendly, she didn’t want to stay here. If only[83 - If only ставится перед пожеланием и переводится «если бы», «вот бы».

] she could go back home to Megan.

Ellie was good at[84 - Be good at something означает «добиваться успехов»: у неё отлично получалось находить.] finding things, and she was best at finding Megan. She smelled special, and Ellie could always find her. She knew when Megan was coming home from school – she could just feel it. She somehow knew when it was time to go and sit by the door, so she could be there to see Megan as soon as[85 - As soon as – устойчивое выражение, которое переводится «как только».

] she got inside.

So it would be no problem to find Megan, Ellie was sure. But finding her meant she had to get out first, and she wasn’t at all sure about that.

Gran fed Ellie, then let Sid into the kitchen to give him breakfast. After that, she left the door open so Ellie could get out of the kitchen too. Gran watched them anxiously, but this time the cat and the puppy stayed out of each other’s way.

After a while, Ellie crept out of the kitchen, watching carefully for Sid.

She was fairly sure he was in his favourite place – on the back of the sofa, so he could look out of the window and see exactly what was going on in the street[86 - Going on in the street – два предлога (on и in) стоят рядом потому, что первый входит в состав фразового глагола go (went, gone) on (происходить), а второй указывает на место действия: происходило на улице.].

The front door was very big and very solid.