“No,” I said. “It’s her mother’s. ‘He has sweet smiling eyes, but not like your beautiful English eyes (у него прелестные улыбчивые глаза, но не такие, как твои прекрасные английские…;
So I began – “’I have been thinking of you sometimes – have you been thinking of me?’”
“Of several others as well, beside her, I’ll wager,” said Mrs. Goyte.
“Probably not,” said I, and continued. “’A dear little baby was born here a week ago. Ah, can I tell you my feelings when I take my darling little brother into my arms —’”
“I’ll bet it’s his,” cried Mrs. Goyte.
“No,” I said. “It’s her mother’s.”
“Don’t you believe it,” she cried. “It’s a blind. You mark, it’s her own right enough – and his.”
“No,” I said. “It’s her mother’s. ’He has sweet smiling eyes, but not like your beautiful English eyes —’”
She suddenly struck her hand on her skirt with a wild motion (вдруг она хлопнула себя по юбке резким движением;
“I’m forced to laugh at the beautiful English eyes (не могу не смеяться над прекрасными английскими глазами;
“Aren’t his eyes beautiful?” I asked (разве его глаза не прекрасные? – спросил я).
“Oh yes – very (о да, очень)! Go on (продолжайте)! – Joey dear, dee-urr Joey!” – this to the peacock (Джоуи, милый, ми-и-илый Джоуи! – это /уже/ павлину).
“– Er – ‘We miss you very much (э-э… мы очень по тебе скучаем). We all miss you (мы все по тебе скучаем). We wish you were here to see the darling baby (нам хотелось бы, чтобы ты был здесь и видел чудного малыша). Ah, Alfred, how happy we were when you stayed with us (ах, Альфред, как счастливы мы были, когда ты гостил у нас;