Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates / Серебряные коньки. Книга для чтения на английском языке

“Yes, child, often. But the father only laughs, or he stares at me so strange that I am glad to ask no more. When you and Gretel had the fever last winter, and our bread was nearly gone, and I could earn nothing, for fear you would die while my face was turned[60 - while my face was turned – (разг.) стоит мне только отвернуться], oh! I tried then! I smoothed his hair and whispered to him soft as a kitten, about the money – where it was, who had it? Alack! He would pick at my sleeve and whisper gibberish till my blood ran cold.

At last, while Gretel lay whiter than snow, and you were raving on the bed, I screamed to him – it seemed as if he MUST hear me – �Raff, where is our money? Do you know aught of the money, Raff? The money in the pouch and the stocking, in the big chest?’ But I might as well have talked to a stone. I might as – ”

The mother’s voice sounded so strange, and her eye was so bright, that Hans, with a new anxiety, laid his hand upon her shoulder.

“Come, Mother,” he said, “let us try to forget this money. I am big and strong. Gretel, too, is very quick and willing. Soon all will be prosperous with us again.[61 - Soon all will be prosperous with us again. – (уст.) Скоро мы снова разбогатеем.] Why, Mother, Gretel and I would rather see thee bright and happy than to have all the silver in the world, wouldn’t we, Gretel?”

“The mother knows it,” said Gretel, sobbing.

Sunbeams

Dame Brinker was startled at her children’s emotion; glad, too, for it proved how loving and true they were.

Beautiful ladies in princely homes often smile suddenly and sweetly, gladdening the very air around them, but I doubt if their smile be more welcome in God’s sight than that which sprang forth to cheer the roughly clad boy and girl in the humble cottage. Dame Brinker felt that she had been selfish. Blushing and brightening, she hastily wiped her eyes and looked upon them as only a mother can.

“Hoity! Toity! Pretty talk we’re having, and Saint Nicholas’s Eve almost here! What wonder the yarn pricks my fingers! Come, Gretel, take this cent[62 - cent – голландский цент стоит меньше половины американского цента (примеч. авт.)], and while Hans is trading for the skates you can buy a wafle in the marketplace.