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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
125 views91 pages

Greek Phrase Book and Dictionary Philippa Goodrich PDF Download

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Uploaded by

ansleymanzur
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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GREEK
Phrase Book
&Dictionary
Philippa Goodrich
Language consultant: Maria Dikeakou Gaffney
Greek Phrase Book and Dictionary

Published by Educational Publishers LLP trading as BBC Active


Edinburgh Gate, Harlow, Essex CM20 2JE

Published 2005
Sixth impression 2011

copyright © Philippa Goodrich and BBC Worldwide Ltd 2005


Illustrations copyright © Joanna Kerr @ New Division 2005
BBC logo © BBC 1996. BBC and BBC ACTIVE are trademarks of the British
Broadcasting Corporation

The right of Philippa Goodrich to be identified as author of this Work has


been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act, 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored


in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without either the prior
written permission of the publishers and copyright owners or a licence
permitting restricted copying in the United Kingdom issued by the Copyright
Licensing Agency Ltd., 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 4LP.

ISBN 978-0-563-51922-5

Managing Editor: Joanna Kirby


Project Editor: Josie Frame
Index Editor: Paula Peebles
Designer: Elizabeth Burns
Concept design: Pentacor Book Design
Cover design: Two Associates
Cover photo: copyright © nimu1956/GETTYIMAGES
Senior Production Controller: Man Fai Lau

Printed and bound in China. CTPSC/06

The Publisher’s policy is to use paper manufactured from sustainable forests.


how to use this book
This book is divided into colour-coded sections to help you
find the language you need as quickly as possible. You can
also refer to the contents on pages iv–v or the contents lists
at the start of each section.
Along with travel and language tips, each section contains:
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY…
language you’ll need for every situation
YOU MAY SEE…
words and phrases you’ll see on signs or in print
YOU MAY HEAR… questions, instructions or
information people may ask or give you
On page 2 you’ll find essentials, a list of basic, all-purpose
phrases to help you start communicating straight away.
Many of the phrases can be adapted by simply using
another word from the dictionary. For instance, take the
question Πού είναι το κέντρο της πόλης; (Where is the
town centre?). If you want to know where the station is,
just substitute ο σταθμός (the station) for το κέντρο της
πόλης (the town centre) to give Πού είναι ο σταθμός;.
The pronunciation guide is based on English sounds, and
is explained on page vi. If you want some guidance on how
the Greek language works, see basic grammar on page 135.
The dictionary is separated into two sections: English–Greek
(page 143) and Greek–English (page 183).
We welcome any comments or suggestions about this book,
but in the meantime, have a good trip - Καλό ταξίδι!
contents
pronunciation guide vi directions 28
information and tickets 30
the basics 1 trains 32
buses and coaches 34
essentials 2 underground 35
numbers 4 boats and ferries 36
ordinal numbers 5 air travel 38
fractions 6 taxis 39
days, months 6 hiring cars and
seasons, dates 7 bicycles 41
telling the time 7 driving 43
time phrases 8 mechanical problems 45
measurements 10 car parts 47
clothes and shoe sizes 11 bicycle parts 48
national holidays and
festivals 12 accommodation 49
general booking in advance 51
conversation 13 checking in 54
hotels, B&Bs and
greetings 14
hostels 55
introductions 15
camping and caravanning 57
talking about yourself 15
requests and queries 58
asking about
problems and complaints 60
other people 17
checking out 62
chatting 18
self-catering/
the weather 19
second homes 63
likes and dislikes 20
feelings and opinions 21
making arrangements 23 food&drink 65
useful expressions 24 making bookings 67
at the restaurant 68
travel&transport 25 ordering your food 69
arriving in the country 26 ordering your drinks 71

iv
bars and cafés 72 bargaining 109
comments and requests 74 photography 109
special requirements 74 at the off-licence 111
problems and complaints 76 at the post office 112
paying the bill 76 at the bank 113
buying food 77 changing money 115
menu reader: telephones 116
– drinks 79 mobiles 118
– food 80 the internet 119
sightseeing faxes 120
&activities 85
health&safety 121
at the tourist office 86
at the chemist’s 122
opening times 87
at the doctor’s 123
visiting places 88
describing your
going on tours
symptoms 124
and trips 90
medical complaints
tourist glossary 92
and conditions 125
entertainment 92
parts of the body 127
booking tickets 95
at the dentist’s 129
at the show 96
emergencies 130
sports and activities 97
police 132
at the beach, river
reporting crime 133
or pool 100
basic grammar 135
shops
&services 101 English – Greek
shopping 102 dictionary 143
paying 105
buying clothes Greek – English
dictionary 183
and shoes 106
changing rooms 107
exchanges and refunds 108

v
pronunciation guide
The Greek alphabet consists of 24 letters, most of which will
look or sound familiar as they also exist in English. If you
follow the guide, pronunciation shouldn’t be a problem as
almost all of the sounds already exist in English.
All Greek words of more than one syllable are written
with a stress mark, e.g. Καλημέρα, which indicates where
you should put the emphasis. In this book the stressed
syllable appears in bold type, e.g. kaleemera.

* vowels

letter name and
pronunciation
approx english
equivalent
shown in
book as

Α, α άλφα (alfa) a as in ‘cat’ a


Ε, ε έψιλον (epseelon) e as in ‘pen’ e
Η, η ήτα (eeta) ee as in ‘keen’,
but clipped short ee
pronunciation guide

Ι, ι γιώτα (yota) ee as in ‘keen’,


but clipped short ee/i
Ο, ο όμικρον (omeekron) o as in ‘lot’ o
Υ, υ ύψιλον (eepseelon) ee as in ‘keen’,
but clipped short ee
Ω, ω ωμέγα (omega) o as in ‘olive’ o

* consonants
letter name and approx english shown in
pronunciation equivalent book as

Β, β βήτα (veeta) v as in ‘van’ v


Γ, γ γάμμα (gama) g as in ‘sugar’; g or y
or y as in ‘yet’
before the sounds
vi ‘e’ and ‘ee’
Δ, δ δέλτα (dhelta) th as in ‘this’ dh
Ζ, ζ ζήτα (zeeta) z as in ‘zero’ z
Θ, θ θήτα (theeta) th as in ‘think’ th
Κ, κ κάπα (kapa) k as in ‘key’ k
Λ, λ λάμδα (lamdha) l as in ‘lemon’ l
Μ, μ μι (mee) m as in ‘museum’ m
Ν, ν νι (nee) n as in ‘net’ n
Ξ, ξ ξι (ksee) ks as in ‘taxi’ ks
Π, π πι (pee) p as in ‘pen’ p
Ρ, ρ ρω (ro) r as in ‘red’ (but a
bit more emphatic) r
Σ, σ or ς* σίγμα (seegma) s as in ‘sun’ s
Τ, τ ταυ (taf) t as in ‘table’ t
Φ, φ φι (fee) f as in ‘fire’ f
Χ, χ χι (hee) ch as in ‘loch’ h
Ψ, ψ ψι (psee) ps as in ‘cups’ ps

*Note: The letter ‘σ’ is used at the beginning and in the middle of the word

pronunciation guide
whereas the ‘ς’ is used only at the end, e.g. Κώστας, ίσως.

* vowel combinations
letter approx english for
equivalent example

αι e as in ‘pen’ ναι (ne)


ει, οι, υι ee as in ‘keen’ είμαι (eeme); πλοίο (pleeo)
ου oo as in ‘root’ ουρανός (ooranos)
αυ, ευ af as in ‘afar’ or ef as αυτός (aftos); ευχαριστώ
in ‘referee’ (when the (efhareesto)
letters immediately
following are γκ, κ, ξ,
π, σ, τ, φ and χ);
av as in ‘avocado’ or αύριο (avreeo); Εύβοια (Eveea)
vii
ev as in ‘level’ (when
immediately followed
by a vowel (α, ε, αι, ι,
η, υ, ει, οι, ο, ω, ου)
or the consonants β,
γ, δ, λ, μ, ν or ρ)

Note: As in English, double letters, e.g. ‘ll’, ‘rr’ etc., are pronounced as one, e.g.
θάλασσα (thalassa), αλλά (alla).

* consonant combinations
letter approx english shown in
equivalent book as

μπ b as in ‘bed’ when it is at the beginning b


of a word, comes after a consonant or it
occurs twice in a word, e.g. μπορώ (boro),
μπαρμπούνι (barboonee);
mb as in ‘number’ when it is in the mb
middle of a word, e.g. λάμπα (lamba).
ντ d as in ‘door’ when it is at the beginning d
of a word, comes after a consonant or it
pronunciation guide

occurs twice in a word, e.g. ντομάτα


(domata), καλντερίμι (kaldereemee),
νταντεύω (dadevo);
nd as in ‘land’ when it is in the middle nd
of a word, e.g. παντελόνι (pandelonee).
γκ g as in ‘gone’ when it is at the beginning of g
a word or when it comes after a consonant,
e.g. γκαράζ (garage), αργκό (argo).
γκ/γγ ng as in ‘English’ when it is in the middle ng
of a word, e.g. Άγγλος (Anglos).
τσ ts as in ‘cats’ e.g. τσατσάρα (tsatsara). ts
τζ ds as in ‘seeds’ for example, τζάμι (dsamee). ds

The combination ‘γχ’ is pronounced like the ‘gh’ in ‘Nottingham’. For example,
παιγχνίδι (peghneedhee).
viii
the basics
essentials 2
numbers 4
ordinal numbers 5
fractions 6
days, months 6
seasons, dates 7
telling the time 7
time phrases 8
measurements 10
clothes and shoe sizes 11
national holidays and festivals 12
*essentials
Hello. Γεια σας. yasas
Goodbye. Αντίο. andeeo
Good morning. Καλημέρα. kaleemera
Good evening. Καλησπέρα. kaleespera
Good night. Καληνύχτα. kaleeneehta
Yes. Ναι. ne
No. Όχι. ohee
Please. Παρακαλώ. parakalo
Thank you Ευχαριστώ efhareesto
(very much). (πολύ). (polee)
You’re welcome./ Παρακαλώ. parakalo
Don’t mention it.
I don’t know. Δεν ξέρω. dhen ksero
I don’t understand. Δεν καταλαβαίνω. dhen katalaveno
I don’t speak Δεν μιλάω πολλά dhen meelao pola
much Greek. Ελληνικά. eleeneeka
Do you speak Μιλάτε Αγγλικά; meelate angleeka
the basics

English?
Pardon? Συγνώμη; seegnomee
Could you repeat Μπορείτε να το boreete na to
that please? επαναλάβετε epanalavete
παρακαλώ; parakalo
More slowly, please. Πιο αργά, pio arga
παρακαλώ. parakalo
2
How do you say Πώς το λέτε στα pos to lete sta
it in Greek? Ελληνικά; eleeneeka
Excuse me. Με συγχωρείτε. me seenhoreete
Sorry! Συγνώμη! seegnomee
OK, fine./That’s Εντάξει. entaksee
all right.
Cheers! Στην υγειά σας! steen eeyiasas
I’d like… Θα ήθελα... tha eethela…
Is there (any)...? Υπάρχει...; eeparhee…
Are there (any)...? Υπάρχουν...; eeparhoon…
Do you have…? Έχετε...; ehete…
What’s this? Τι είναι αυτό; tee eene afto
How much is it? Πόσο κάνει αυτό; poso kanee afto
Can I....? Μπορώ...; boro...
Can we…? Μπορούμε...; boroome…
Where is/are…? Πού είναι...; poo eene…
the basics

How do I/we get Πώς πάω/πάμε...; pos pao/pame…


to...?
Can you show Μπορείτε να boreete na moo
me on the map? μου δείξετε στο theeksete sto
χάρτη; hartee
Help! Βοήθεια! voeetheea
3
numbers

* numbers
1 ένα ena
2 δύο dheeo
3 τρία treea
4 τέσσερα tesera
5 πέντε pende
6 έξι eksee
7 εφτά (επτά) efta (epta)
8 οχτώ (οκτώ) ohto (okto)
9 εννέα (εννιά) ennea (ennia)
10 δέκα dheka
11 έντεκα endeka
12 δώδεκα dhodheka
13 δεκατρία dhekatreea
14 δεκατέσσερα dhekatessera
15 δεκαπέντε dhekapende
16 δεκαέξι dhekaeksee
17 δεκαεφτά (δεκαεπτά) dhekaefta (dhekaepta)
18 δεκαοχτώ (δεκαοκτώ) dhekaohto (dhekaokto)
19 δεκαεννέα dhekaennea
(δεκαεννιά) (dhekaennia)
20 είκοσι eekosee
21 είκοσι ένα eekosee ena
22... είκοσι δύο... eekosee dheeo…
the basics

30 τριάντα treeanda
31 τριάντα ένα treeanda ena
40 σαράντα saranda
50 πενήντα peneenda
60 εξήντα ekseenda
70 εβδομήντα evdhomeenda
80 ογδόντα ogdhonda
90 ενενήντα eneneenda
100 εκατό ekato
4
ordinal numbers

101 εκατόν ένα ekaton ena


102... εκατόν δύο... ekaton dheeo…
200 διακόσια dheeakosia
250 διακόσια πενήντα dheeakosia peneenda
300 τριακόσια treeakosia
400 τετρακόσια tetrakosia
500 πεντακόσια pendakosia
600 εξακόσια eksakosia
700 εφτακόσια (επτακόσια) eftakosia (eptakosia)
800 οχτακόσια (οκτακόσια) ohtakosia (oktakosia)
900 εννιακόσια enniakosia
1,000 χίλια heelia
2,000 δύο χιλιάδες dheeo heeliadhes
3,000 τρεις χιλιάδες trees heeliadhes
4,000 τέσσερις χιλιάδες teserees heeliadhes
5,000 πέντε χιλιάδες pende heeliadhes
100,000 εκατό χιλιάδες ekato heeliadhes
one million ένα εκατομμύριο ena ekatomeereeo

* ordinal numbers
first πρώτος-η-ο (m-f-n) protos-ee-o
second δεύτερος-η-ο defteros-ee-o
third τρίτος-η-ο treetos-ee-o
the basics

fourth τέταρτος-η-ο tetartos-ee-o


fifth πέμπτος-η-ο pemptos-ee-o
sixth έκτος-η-ο ektos-ee-o
seventh έβδομος-η-ο evdhomos-ee-o
eighth όγδοος-η-ο ogdhoos-ee-o
ninth ένατος-η-ο enatos-ee-o
tenth δέκατος-η-ο dhekatos-ee-o
5
fractions, days, months

* fractions
a quarter τέταρτο tetarto
a half μισό meeso
three-quarters τρία τέταρτα treea tetarta
a third ένα τρίτο ena treeto
two-thirds δύο τρίτα dheeo treeta

* days
Monday Δευτέρα dheftera
Tuesday Τρίτη treetee
Wednesday Τετάρτη tetartee
Thursday Πέμπτη pemptee
Friday Παρασκευή paraskevee
Saturday Σάββατο savato
Sunday Κυριακή keeriakee

* months
January Ιανουάριος eeanooareeos
February Φεβρουάριος fevrooareeos
March Μάρτιος marteeos
April Απρίλιος apreeleeos
the basics

May Μάιος maeeos


June Ιούνιος eeooneeos
July Ιούλιος eeooleeos
August Αύγουστος avgoostos
September Σεπτέμβριος septemvreeos
October Οκτώβριος oktovreeos
November Νοέμβριος noemvreeos
December Δεκέμβριος dhekemvreeos
6
seasons, dates, time

* seasons
spring άνοιξη aneexee
summer καλοκαίρι kalokeree
autumn φθινόπωρο ftheenoporo
winter χειμώνας heemonas

* dates
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● What day is it Τι μέρα είναι σήμερα; tee mera eene
today? seemera
● What date is it Τι ημερομηνία έχουμε tee eemeromeeneea
today? σήμερα; ehoome seemera
● When is... Πότε είναι... pote eene...
your birthday? τα γενέθλιά σου; ta yenethleea soo
Easter? το Πάσχα; to pasha
● (It’s) the fifteenth (Είναι) δεκαπέντε (eene) dhekapende
of April. Απριλίου. apreeleeoo
● On the fifteenth Στις δεκαπέντε stees dhekapende
of April. Απριλίου. apreeleeoo

* telling the time


the basics

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● What time is it? Τι ώρα είναι; tee ora eene
● What time does Τι ώρα... tee ora...
it…
open?/close? ανοίγει;/κλείνει; aneeyee/kleenee
start?/finish? αρχίζει;/τελειώνει; arheezee/teleeonee
7
time phrases

● It’s... Είναι... eene...


10 o’clock δέκα η ώρα dheka ee ora
midday μεσημέρι meseemeree
midnight μεσάνυχτα mesaneehta
● At... Στις... stees...
half past nine εννέα και μισή ennea ke meesee
half past ten δέκα και μισή dheka ke meesee
quarter past εννέα και τέταρτο ennea ke tetarto
nine
quarter to ten δέκα παρά τέταρτο dheka para tetarto
twenty past ten δέκα και είκοσι dheka ke eekosee
twenty-five to δέκα παρά είκοσι dheka para eekosee
ten πέντε pende
ten on the dot δέκα ακριβώς dheka akreevos
● In... Σε... se...
15 minutes ένα τέταρτο ena tetarto
half an hour μισή ώρα meesee ora
ten minutes δέκα λεπτά dheka lepta
an hour μία ώρα meea ora

* time phrases
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
the basics

● today σήμερα seemera


● tomorrow αύριο avreeo
● the day after μεθαύριο methavreeo
tomorrow
● yesterday χτες/χθες htes/hthes

8
time phrases

● the day before προχτές/προχθές prohtes/prohthes


yesterday
● this morning σήμερα το πρωί seemera to proee
this afternoon σήμερα το απόγευμα seemera to apoyevma
this evening απόψε apopse
tonight απόψε apopse
● on Friday την Παρασκευή teen paraskevee
on Fridays τις Παρασκευές tees paraskeves
● every... κάθε... kathe...
Friday Παρασκευή paraskevee
week εβδομάδα evdhomadha
● for... Για... ya...
a week μία εβδομάδα meea evdhomadha
two weeks δύο εβδομάδες dheeo evdhomadhes
two years δύο χρόνια dheeo hronia
a month ένα μήνα ena meena
● I’m here for two Είμαι εδώ για δύο eeme edho ya dheeo
weeks. εβδομάδες. evdhomadhes
● next week Την επόμενη εβδομάδα teen epomenee
evdhomatha
next month Τον επόμενο μήνα ton epomeno meena
next year Του χρόνου too hronoo
the basics

● last night Χτες το βράδυ htes to vradhee


last week Την περασμένη teen perasmenee
εβδομάδα evdhomadha
● a week ago Πριν μία εβδομάδα preen meea
evdhomadha
a year ago Πριν ένα χρόνο preen ena hrono

9
measurements

● since... Από... apo...


last week την περασμένη teen perasmenee
εβδομάδα evdhomadha
last month τον περασμένο ton perasmeno
μήνα meena
last year πέρυσι pereesee
● I’ve been here Είμαι εδώ ένα μήνα. eeme edho ena
for a month. meena
● I’ve been Μαθαίνω Ελληνικά matheno eleeneeka
learning Greek εδώ και δύο χρόνια. edho ke dheeo
for two years. hronia
● It’s early/late. Είναι νωρίς/αργά. eene norees/arga

* measurements
MEASUREMENTS
centimetres εκατοστά ekatosta
metres μέτρα metra
kilometres χιλιόμετρα heeliometra
miles μίλια meeleea

a litre ένα λίτρο ena leetro


the basics

25 litres 25 λίτρα 25 leetra

gramme γραμμάριο gramareeo


100 grammes 100 γραμμάρια 100 gramareea
200 grammes 200 γραμμάρια 200 gramareea
kilos κιλά keela

10
clothes and shoe sizes

CONVERSIONS
1km = 0.62 miles 200g = 7oz
1 mile = 1.61km ¼lb = 113g
1 litre = 1.8 pints ½ kilo = 1.1lb
100g = 3.5oz ½lb = 225g
1oz = 28g 1 kilo = 2.2lb
To convert multiply by To convert multiply by
centimetres to inches 0.3937 inches to centimetres 2.54
kilometres to miles 0.6214 miles to kilometres 1.6090
grammes to ounces 0.0353 ounces to grammes 28.35
kilogrammes to pounds 2.2050 pounds to kilogrammes 0.4536

* clothes and shoe sizes


women’s clothes
UK 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Continent 34 36 38 40 42 44 46

men’s clothes
UK 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
Continent 46 48 50 52 54 56 58

men’s shirts
UK 14 14½ 15 15½ 16 16½ 17
the basics

Continent 36 37 38 39 41 42 43

shoes
UK 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Continent 35 36 37 38 39 41 42
UK 9 10 11 12
Continent 43 44 45 46/47
11
national holidays

* national holidays and festivals


Πρωτοχρονιά New Year’s Day 1 January
Θεοφάνεια Epiphany 6 January
Τυρινής Shrove Tuesday
Καθαρά Δευτέρα Shrove Monday First day of Lent
25η Μαρτίου Independence Day 25 March
Μεγάλη Παρασκευή Good Friday
Πάσχα Easter
Δευτέρα του Πάσχα Easter Monday
Πρωτομαγιά May Day 1 May
Της Αναλήψεως Ascension Day
Του Αγίου Whit Monday
Πνεύματος

Κοίμηση της Assumption 15 August


Θεοτόκου

28η Οκτωβρίου/ ‘No’ day – when 28 October


Ημέρα του ΟΧI Greece resisted
the invasion of the
the basics

Italians in 1941
Παραμονή Christmas Eve 24 December
Χριστουγέννων

Χριστούγεννα Christmas Day 25 December


Παραμονή New Year’s Eve 31 December
Πρωτοχρονιάς

12
greetings 14
introductions 15
talking about yourself 15
asking about other people 17
chatting 18
the weather 19
likes and dislikes 20
feelings and opinions 21
making arrangements 23
useful expressions 24

general
conversation
greetings
● The most common greeting, Γεια σας
(yasas), means ‘Hello’ and also ‘Goodbye’.
Καλημέρα (Good morning) is used till 4pm,
Καλησπέρα (Good evening) until nightfall,
and Καληνύχτα (Goodnight) after dark.
Greeks often kiss both cheeks on meeting.

* greetings
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Hello/Goodbye.
(to one person, Γεια σου. yasoo
(informally)
(formal/to more Γεια σας. yasas
(than one person)
● Good morning. Καλημέρα. kaleemera
● Good afternoon. Χαίρετε herete
general conversation

● Good evening. Καλησπέρα. kaleespera


● Good night. Καληνύχτα. kaleeneehta
● Goodbye. Αντίο. andeeo
● See you later.
(informal) Θα σε δω αργότερα. tha se dho argotera
(formal) Θα σας δω αργότερα. tha sas dho argotera
● How are you?
(informal) Τι κάνεις; tee kanees
(formal) Τι κάνετε; tee kanete
● Fine, thanks. Καλά, ευχαριστώ. kala, efhareesto
● And you?
(informal) Κι εσύ; kesee
(formal) Κι εσείς; kesees
14
introductions, talking about yourself

* introductions
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● My name is… Με λένε... me lene…
● This is… Αυτός είναι... aftos eene…
David Brown ο David Brown o david brown
my husband ο άντρας μου o andras moo
my partner (m) ο σύντροφός μου o seendrofos moo
● This is… Αυτή είναι... aftee eene…
Jane Clark η Jane Clark ee jane clark
my wife η γυναίκα μου ee yeeneka moo
my partner (f) η σύντροφός μου ee seendrofos moo
● Pleased to meet Χαίρω πολύ. hero polee
you.

* talking about yourself


general conversation
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● I’m… Είμαι... eeme…
English (m/f) Άγγλος/Αγγλίδα anglos/angleedha
Irish (m/f) Ιρλανδός/Ιρλανδή eerlandhos/
eerlandhee
Scottish (m/f) Σκωτσέζος/Σκωτσέζα skotsezos/skotseza
Welsh (m/f) Ουαλλός/Ουαλλή ooalos/ooalee
● I come from… Είμαι από... eeme apo…
England την Αγγλία teen angleea
Ireland την Ιρλανδία teen eerlandheea
Scotland τη Σκωτία tee skoteea
Wales την Ουαλία teen ooaleea
● I/We live in… Μένω/Μένουμε στο... meno/menoome sto…
Newcastle Newcastle newcastle
15
talking about yourself

● I’m 25 years old. Είμαι εικοσιπέντε eeme eekoseepende


χρονών. hronon
● He/She’s five Είναι πέντε χρονών. eene pende hronon
years old.
● I’m a… Είμαι... eeme…
nurse (m/f) νοσοκόμος/ nosokomos/
νοσοκόμα nosokoma
student (m/f) φοιτητής/ feeteetees/
φοιτήτρια feeteetreea
● I work in/for… Δουλεύω σε/για... dhoolevo se/ya…
a bank μία τράπεζα meea trapeza
a computer firm μία εταιρεία meea etereea
κομπιούτερ computer
● I’m… Είμαι... eeme…
unemployed (m/f) άνεργος/άνεργη anergos/aneryee
self-employed ελεύθερος eleftheros
general conversation

επαγγελματίας epaggelmateeas
● I‘m… Είμαι... eeme…
married (m/f) παντρεμένος/ pandremenos/
παντρεμένη pandremenee
divorced (m/f) διαζευγμένος/ dheeazevgmenos/
διαζευγμένη dheeazevgmenee
separated (m/f) χωρισμένος/ horeesmenos/
χωρισμένη horeesmenee
single (m/f) ελεύθερος/ eleftheros/
ελεύθερη eleftheree
● I have… Έχω... eho…
three children τρία παιδιά treea pedhia
one sister μία αδελφή meea adhelfee

16
asking about other people

● I don’t have… Δεν έχω... dhen eho…


any children παιδιά pedhia
a partner σύντροφο seendrofo
● I’m on holiday Είμαι εδώ για διακοπές eeme etho ya
here. dhiakopes
● I’m here on Είμαι εδώ για δουλειά eeme edho ya
business. dhoolia
● I’m with my… Είμαι με ... μου. eeme me … moo
wife τη γυναίκα tee yeeneka
family την οικογένειά teen eekoyeneea
colleague (m/f) το/τη συνάδελφό to/tee seenathelfo
● My husband is... Ο άντρας μου είναι... o andras moo eene...
My wife is... η γυναίκα μου είναι... ee yeeneka moo eene...
a software σχεδιαστής/ shedheeastees/
designer (m/f) σχεδιάστρια shedheeastreea
ιστοσελίδων eestoseleedhon

general conversation
an estate agent μεσίτης/ meseetees/
(m/f) μεσίτρια meseetreea

* asking about other people


YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Where do you Από πού είστε; apo poo eeste
come from?
● What’s your Πώς σας λένε; pos sas lene
name?
● Are you married? Είστε παντρεμένος/ eeste
(m/f) παντρεμένη; pandremenos/
pandremenee
17
chatting

● Do you have… Έχετε... ehete…


any children? παιδιά; pedhia
any brothers αδελφούς και adhelfoos ke
and sisters? αδελφές; adhelfes
a girlfriend? φίλη; feelee
a boyfriend? φίλο; feelo
● How old are Πόσο χρονών poso hronon
they/you? είναι/είστε; eene/eeste
● Is this your… Αυτός είναι ο... aftos eene o…
husband? άντρας σου; andras soo
partner? σύντροφός σου; seendrofos soo
(boy)friend? φίλος σου; feelos soo
● Is this your… Αυτή είναι η... aftee eene ee…
wife? γυναίκα σου; yeeneka soo
partner? σύντροφός σου; seendrofos soo
(girl)friend? φίλη σου; feelee soo
general conversation

● Where... Πού... poo...


are you going? πάτε; pate
are you staying? μένετε; menete
do you live? ζείτε; zeete

* chatting
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Greece is very Η Ελλάδα είναι πολύ ee elladha eene
beautiful. όμορφη. polee omorfee
● It’s the first time Πρώτη φορά έρχομαι protee fora erhome
I’ve been to στην Ελλάδα. steen elladha
Greece.
18
the weather

● I come to Greece Έρχομαι στην erhome steen


often. Ελλάδα συχνά. elladha seehna
● Do you live here? Μένετε εδώ; menete edho
● Have you been Έχετε πάει ποτέ ehete paee pote
to… στο... sto…
London? Λονδίνο; londheeno
Edinburgh? Εδιμβούργο; edheemvoorgo
● Did you like it? Σας άρεσε; sas arese

YOU MAY HEAR…


● Σας αρέσει η sas aresee ee Do you like
Ελλάδα; elladha Greece?
● Έχετε ξανάρθει στην ehete ksanarthee Have you been to

general conversation
Ελλάδα; steen elladha Greece before?
● Πόσο θα μείνετε; poso tha meenete How long are you
here for?
● Μιλάτε ελληνικά meelate elleeneeka Your Greek is very
πολύ καλά. polee kala good.

* the weather
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● It’s a beautiful Είναι ωραία μέρα! eene orea mera
day/morning!
● What fantastic Τι φανταστικός καιρός! tee fandasteekos
weather! keros
19
likes and dislikes

● It’s (very)… Έχει (πολύ)... ehee (polee)…


hot ζέστη zestee
cold κρύο kreeo
humid υγρασία eegraseea
cloudy συννεφιά seenefia
windy αέρα aera
● What’s the Ποια είναι η pia eene ee
forecast? πρόγνωση για τον prognosee ya ton
καιρό; kero
● It’s pouring! Βρέχει vrehee
καταρρακτωδώς! kataraktodhos

* likes and dislikes


YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
I like… (sing.) Μ’ αρέσει... maresee…
general conversation


beer η μπύρα ee beera
● I like… (plural) Μ’ αρέσουν... maresoon...
strawberries οι φράουλες ee fraooles
● I quite like… Μ’ αρέσει αρκετά... maresei arketa...
● I really like… Μ’ αρέσει πολύ... maresei polee...
● I love… Αγαπώ... agapo...
sailing την ιστιοπλοΐα teen
eesteeoploeea
● I don’t like… Δεν μ’ αρέσει... dhen maresee...
her αυτή aftee
● I don’t like… Δεν μ’ αρέσουν... dhen maresoon...
tomatoes οι ντομάτες ee domates
20
feelings and opinions

● I can’t stand… Απεχθάνομαι... apehthanome...


Tom τον Τom ton tom
swimming το κολύμπι to koleembee
● Do you like… Σας αρέσει... sas aresee...
ice-cream? το παγωτό; to pagoto
him? αυτός; aftos
walking? το περπάτημα; to perpateema
climbing? η ορειβασία; ee oreevaseea

* feelings and opinions


YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Are you… Είστε... eeste…
all right? καλά; kala
happy? (m/f) ευτυχισμένος/ efteeheesmenos/
ευτυχισμένη; efteeheesmenee

general conversation
upset? (m/f) στεναχωρημένος/ stenahoreemenos/
στεναχωρημένη stenahoreemenee
● Are you (too)…
cold? Κρυώνετε (πολύ); kreeonete (polee)
hot? Ζεσταίνεστε (πολύ); zesteneste (polee)
● I’m ( just)… Είμαι (απλώς)... eeme (aplos)...
tired (m/f) κουρασμένος/ koorasmenos/
κουρασμένη koorasmenee
sad (m/f) λυπημένος/ leepeemenos/
λυπημένη leepeemenee
embarrassed σε αμηχανία se ameehaneea
● I’m a bit Είμαι λίγο eeme leego
annoyed. (m/f) ενοχλημένος/ enohleemenos/
ενοχλημένη. enohleemenee
21
feelings and opinions

● What do you Τι νομίζετε για...; tee nomeezete ya...


think of…?
● I think it’s… Νομίζω ότι είναι... nomeezo otee eene...
great καταπληκτικό katapleekteeko
pathetic οικτρό eektro
● Did you like it? Σας άρεσε; sas arese
● I thought/We Νομίζω/Νομίζουμε nomeezo/
thought it was… ότι ήταν... nomeezoome otee
eetan...
beautiful ωραίο oreo
fantastic φανταστικό fandasteeko
rubbish χάλια halia
● Don’t you like it? Δεν σ’ αρέσει αυτό; dhen saresee afto
● Don’t you like us? Δεν μας συμπαθείτε; dhen mas
seembatheete
general conversation

● Don’t you like me? Δεν με συμπαθείς; dhen me


seembathees
● Do you fancy Σ’ αρέσει αυτός/αυτή; saresee aftos/aftee
him/her?
● Do you fancy me? Σ’ αρέσω; sareso
● No way! Καθόλου! katholoo
● What’s your Ποια είναι η pia eene ee
favourite (film)? αγαπημένη σου agapeemenee soo
(ταινία); (teneea)
● My favourite Το αγαπημένο μου to agapeemeno
(music) is… είδος (μουσικής) moo eedhos
είναι... (mooseekees)
eene...
22
making arrangements

● How do people Πώς νιώθουν οι pos niothoon ee


feel about… Έλληνες για... eleenes ya...
the government? την κυβέρνηση; teen keeverneesee
the Brits? τους Βρετανούς; toos vretanoos
drugs? τα ναρκωτικά; ta narkoteeka

* making arrangements
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● What are you Τι κάνεις απόψε; tee kaneis apopse
doing tonight?
● Would you like… Θέλεις... theleis...
a drink? ένα ποτό; ena poto
something to κάτι να φας; katee na fas
eat?
to come with να έρθεις μαζί μας; na ertheis mazee

general conversation
us? mas
● Yes, please. Ναι, ευχαριστώ. ne efhareesto
● No, thank you. Όχι, ευχαριστώ. ohee efhareesto
● That’d be great. Θαύμα. thavma
● What time shall Τι ώρα να tee ora na
we meet? συναντηθούμε; seenanteethoome
● Where shall we Πού να poo na
meet? συναντηθούμε; seenanteethoome
● See you… Θα σε δω... tha se dho...
later αργότερα argotera
at seven στις εφτά stees efta

23
useful expressions

● We’re looking Ανυπομονούμε να τα aneepomonoume na


forward to it. ξαναπούμε. ta ksanapoome
● I already have Έχω σχεδιάσει κάτι eho shedheeasee
plans this evening. άλλο για απόψε. katee alo ya apopse
● Please go away. Παρακαλώ φύγετε. parakalo feeyete
● Leave us alone! Αφήστε μας afeeste mas
(f/f+m) ήσυχες/ήσυχους! eeseehes/eeseehoos

*(seeuseful expressions
essentials, page 2)
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Congratulations! Συγχαρητήρια! seenhareeteereea
● Happy birthday! Χρόνια Πολλά! hronia pola
general conversation

● Happy Christmas! Καλά Χριστούγεννα! kala hreestooyena


● Happy New Year! Καλή χρονιά! kalee hronia
● That’s… Αυτό είναι... afto eene...
fantastic! φανταστικό! fandasteeko
terrible! τρομερό! tromero
● What a pity! Τι κρίμα! tee kreema
● Have a good Καλό απόγευμα. kalo apoyevma
evening.
● Have a good day. Να έχετε καλή μέρα. na ehete kalee mera
● Safe journey! Καλό ταξίδι! kalo taxeedhee
● Cheers! Στην υγειά σας! steen eeyiasas

24
travel&transport
arriving in the country 26
directions 28
information and tickets 30
trains 32
buses and coaches 34
underground 35
boats and ferries 36
air travel 38
taxis 39
hiring cars and bicycles 41
driving 43
mechanical problems 45
car parts 47
bicycle parts 48
arriving in the country

* arriving in the country


● EU residents need a valid passport in
order to enter Greece. If you’re planning
to stay more than 90 days, you’ll need a
residence permit, which is obtainable from
police stations. For advice or help in Greece,
contact the British consulate in Athens
on 210 7272600 (www.ukingreece.fco.gov.uk). The Greek
consulate in London is also a good source of information:
contact on (020) 7313 5600 (www.greekembassy.org.uk).

YOU MAY SEE...


ΕΛΕΓΧΟΣ ΔΙΑΒΑΤΗΡΙΩΝ Passport control
Έλεγχος Διαβατηρίων
ΕΙΔΗ ΠΡΟΣ ΔΗΛΩΣΗ Goods to declare
Είδη προς Δήλωση
travel and transport

ΕΞΟΔΟΣ Exit/Way out


Έξοδος
ΤΕΛΩΝΕΙΟ Customs
Τελωνείο
ΠΑΡΑΛΑΒΗ ΑΠΟΣΚΕΥΩΝ Baggage reclaim
Παραλαβή Αποσκευών

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● I am here… Είμαι εδώ... eeme edho…
on holiday για διακοπές ya dhiakopes
on business για δουλειές ya dhooleees
26
arriving in the country

● I have… Έχω... eho…


this αυτό afto
two bottles δύο μπουκάλια dheeo bookalia
of whisky ουίσκυ ooeeskee
two cartons δύο κούτες τσιγάρα dheeo kootes
of cigarettes tseegara
a receipt for this απόδειξη γι’ αυτό apodheexee yafto
● It’s for my own Είναι για ιδιοχρησία. eene ya
personal use. eedheeohreeseea

YOU MAY HEAR…


● Το διαβατήριό σας, to dheeavateereeo Your passport,
παρακαλώ. sas parakalo please.
● Τα χαρτιά σας, ta hartia sas Your documents,
παρακαλώ. parakalo please.

travel and transport


● Ποιος είναι ο pios eene o What is the
σκοπός του skopos too purpose of your
ταξιδιού σας; taksidhioo sas visit?
● Πόσο καιρό θα poso kero tha How long are
μείνετε εδώ; meenete edho you going to
stay here?
● Πού πηγαίνετε; poo peeyenete Where are you
going?
● Παρακαλώ ανοίξτε... parakalo aneexte… Please open…
αυτή την τσάντα/ aftee teen tsanda/ this bag/
βαλίτσα valeetsa suitcase
το πορτ-μπαγκάζ to port-baggaz the boot

27
directions

* directions
YOU MAY SEE...
Αγορά market place
Γκαλερί art gallery
Διάβαση πεζών pedestrian crossing
Δρόμος street
Εκκλησία (Ναός) church
Η Βουλή the parliament
Ιδιωτικός-ή-ό private
Κάστρο castle
Κεντρικός σταθμός main station
Μετρό underground
Μητρόπολη cathedral
Μουσείο museum
Οδός street (followed by its name)
travel and transport

Οι παραβάτες τιμωρούνται trespassers will be prosecuted


Πεζόδρομος pedestrian precinct
Πεζοί pedestrians
Πλατεία square
Στάση λεωφορείου bus stop
Στάση τραμ tram stop
Σταθμός station
Φρούριο fortress

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● Excuse me, Συγνώμη, παρακαλώ. seegnomee
please. parakalo
28
directions

● Where is… Πού είναι... poo eene…


the town το κέντρο της to kendro tees
centre? πόλης; polees
the station? ο σταθμός; o stathmos
the road to ο δρόμος για τον o thromos ya ton
Piraeus? Πειραιά; peerea
a cashpoint? ΑΤΜ (Μηχάνημα ATM (meehaneema
Αυτόματων aftomaton
Συναλλαγών); seenalagon)
● Where are… Πού είναι... poo eene…
the toilets? οι τουαλέτες; ee tooaletes
● How do we get Πώς πάμε... pos pame…
to…
the airport? στο αεροδρόμιο; sto aerodhromeeo
the beach? στην παραλία; steen paraleea
● I’m/We’re lost. Έχω/Έχουμε χαθεί. eho/ehoome hathee
● Is this the right Αυτός είναι ο aftos eene o

travel and transport


way to… δρόμος για... dhromos ya…
● Can you show Μπορείτε να μου το boreete na moo to
me on the map, δείξετε στο χάρτη, dheeksete sto hartee,
please? παρακαλώ; parakalo
● Is it far? Είναι μακριά; eene makreea
● Is there … near Υπάρχει ... εδώ κοντά; eeparhee … edho
here? konda
a bank τράπεζα trapeza
an internet cafe ίντερνετ καφέ internet cafay
● Where is the Πού είναι το poo eene to
nearest… κοντινότερο... kondeenotero…
restaurant? εστιατόριο; esteeatoreeo
bar? μπαρ; bar

29
information and tickets

*(seeinformation and tickets


telling the time, page 7)
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Is there a ... to Υπάρχει ... για τον eeparhee ... ya ton
Piraeus (today)? Πειραιά (σήμερα); peerea (seemera)
train τρένο treno
bus λεωφορείο leoforeeo
boat καράβι karavee
● What time is… Τι ώρα είναι... tee ora eene…
the next train to το επόμενο τρένο to epomeno treno
Patra? για την Πάτρα; ya teen patra
the last train to το τελευταίο τρένο to telefteo treno
Patra? για την Πάτρα; ya teen patra
● Do they go often? Φεύγουν συχνά; fevgoon seehna
● What time does it Τι ώρα φτάνει στην tee ora ftanee steen
arrive in Patra? Πάτρα; patra
travel and transport

● Do I have to Πρέπει ν’ αλλάξω; prepee nallakso


change?
● Which platform Ποια είναι η αποβάθρα pia eene ee apovathra
for Patra? για την Πάτρα; ya teen patra
● Which bus stop Ποια είναι η στάση για pia eene ee stasee
for Piraeus? Πειραιά; ya peerea
● Can I get a ticket Μπορώ να βγάλω boro na vgalo
on the... εισιτήριο στο... eeseeteereeo sto...
bus? λεωφορείο; leoforeeo
train? τρένο; treno
boat? καράβι; karavee
● Where can I buy… Πού μπορώ να βγάλω... poo boro na vgalo…
a ticket? εισιτήριο; eeseeteereeo

30
information and tickets

● One ticket to... Ένα εισιτήριο για... ena eeseeteereeo ya...


Two tickets to... Δύο εισιτήρια για... dheeo eeseeteereea
ya…
● Single. Απλό. aplo
● Return. Με επιστροφή. me epeestrofee
● For… Για... ya…
two adults δύο ενήλικες dheeo eneeleekes
two children δύο παιδιά dheeo pedhia
and a car κι ένα αυτοκίνητο kee ena
aftokeeneeto
● I want to reserve… Θέλω να κλείσω... thelo na kleeso...
a seat μία θέση meea thesee
two couchettes δύο κουκέτες dheeo kooketes
a cabin μία καμπίνα meea kambeena
● Is there a Υπάρχει μειωμένο eeparhee meeomeno
reduction for... για... ya…

travel and transport


students? φοιτητές; feeteetes
senior citizens? υπερήλικες; eepereeleekes

YOU MAY HEAR…


● Φεύγει στις δέκα και fevgee stees dheka ke It leaves at half
μισή. meesee past ten.
● Φτάνει στις τέσσερις ftanee stees teserees It arrives at ten
και δέκα. ke dheka past four.
● Φεύγουν κάθε δέκα fevgoon kathe dheka They go every ten
λεπτά. lepta minutes.
● Πρέπει ν’ αλλάξετε prepee nalaksete You must change
στην Αθήνα. steen atheena in Athens.
31
trains

● Αποβάθρα τέσσερα apovathra tesera platform/pier 4


● Μπορείτε ν’ boreete nagorasete You can buy a
αγοράσετε εισιτήριο eeseeteereeo sto... ticket on the…
στο...
λεωφορείο leoforeeo bus
τρένο treno train
● Απλό ή με aplo ee me Single or return?
επιστροφή; epeestrofee
● Καπνιστές ή μη kapneestes ee mee Smoking or
καπνιστές; kapneestes non-smoking?

*(seetrains
information and tickets, page 30)
● You can get information, and buy
and book tickets at train stations, travel
travel and transport

agencies and tourist offices. The website


of the Greek state-run rail company, O.S.E.,
has information in English (www.ose.gr).
First and second-class fares are available.

YOU MAY SEE...


Αίθουσα Αναμονής waiting room
Αναχώρηση departure
Αποβάθρα platform
Ράγες tracks
Άφιξη arrival
Βαγόνι ύπνου sleeper-carriage
Γραφείο απολεσθέντων lost property office
Δρομολόγια τρένων timetable
32
trains

Εισιτήρια tickets
Είσοδος entrance
Εκδοτήριο εισιτηρίων ticket office
Εκτός Κυριακής except Sunday
Έξοδος exit
Καθημερινά daily
Κουκέτες couchettes
Κρατήσεις θέσεων reservations
Ντουλαπάκια για τις αποσκευές luggage lockers
Μη σκύβετε έξω do not lean out
Πληροφορίες information
Πληροφορίες για διαμονή accommodation
information
Προορισμός destination
Προς αποβάθρες to the platforms

travel and transport


YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Are there lifts to Υπάρχει ασανσέρ για eeparhee asanser
the platform? την αποβάθρα; ya teen apovathra
● Can I take my Μπορώ να πάρω το boro na paro to
bicycle on the ποδήλατό μου στο podheelato moo sto
train? τρένο; treno
● Does this train go Αυτό το τρένο πηγαίνει afto to treno
to Corinth? Κόρινθο; peeyenee koreentho
● Excuse me, I’ve Συγνώμη, έχω seegnomee, eho
reserved… κρατήσει... krateesee…
that seat αυτή τη θέση aftee tee thesee
a couchette μία κουκέτα meea kooketa
33
buses and coaches

● Is this seat free? Αυτή η θέση είναι aftee ee thesee eene


πιασμένη; piasmenee
● May I… Μπορώ... boro…
open the ν’ ανοίξω το naneekso to
window? παράθυρο; paratheero
smoke? να καπνίσω; na kapneeso
● Where are we? Πού είμαστε; poo eemaste
● How long does the Πόση ώρα σταματάει posee ora stamataee
train stop here? το τρένο εδώ; to treno edho
● Can you tell me Μπορείτε να μου πείτε boreete na moo
when we get to όταν θα φτάσουμε peete otan tha
Corinth? στην Κόρινθο; ftasoome steen
koreentho

*(seebuses and coaches


information and tickets, page 30)
travel and transport

YOU MAY SEE...


Απαγορεύεται η είσοδος no entry
Απαγορεύεται η έξοδος no exit
Είσοδος entrance
Είσοδος από την πίσω πόρτα enter by the back door
Έξοδος από τη μπροστινή exit by the front door
πόρτα
Έξοδος κινδύνου emergency exit
Μην ομιλείτε στον οδηγό do not talk to the driver
Σταθμός λεωφορείων bus station
Στάση λεωφορείου bus stop

34
underground

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● Where does the Από πού φεύγει το apo poo fevgee
bus to the town λεωφορείο για το to leoforeeo ya to
centre leave from? κέντρο της πόλης; kendro tees polees
● Does the bus to Το λεωφορείο για το to leoforeeo ya to
the airport leave αεροδρόμιο φεύγει aerodhromeeo fevgee
from here? από δω; apo dho
● What number is it? Τι αριθμός είναι; tee areethmos eene
● Does this bus go Το λεωφορείο αυτό to leoforeeo afto
to… πάει... paee…
the beach? στην παραλία; steen paraleea
the station? στο σταθμό; sto stathmo
● Can you tell me Μπορείτε να μου boreete na moo
where to get off, πείτε πού να κατέβω, peete poo na katevo
please? παρακαλώ; parakalo
● The next stop, Θέλω την επόμενη thelo teen epomenee
please. στάση, παρακαλώ. stasee parakalo

travel and transport


● Can you open the Ανοίξτε παρακαλώ! aneekste parakalo
doors please!

*(seeunderground
information and tickets, page 30)
YOU MAY SEE...
Απαγορεύεται το Κάπνισμα no smoking
Είσοδος entrance
Έξοδος exit
Μετρό underground
Πληροφορίες information
35
boats and ferries

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● Do you have Έχετε χάρτη του ehete hartee too
a map of the μετρό; metro
underground?
● Which line is it Ποια γραμμή πηγαίνει pia gramee peegenee
for Syntagma? στο Σύνταγμα; sto seendagma
● Which stop is it Ποια είναι η στάση για pia eene ee stasee
for Syntagma? το Σύνταγμα; ya to seendagma
● Is this the Είναι αυτή η σωστή eene aftee ee
right stop for στάση για το sostee stasee ya to
Syntagma? Σύνταγμα; seendagma
● Does this train go Το τρένο αυτό πηγαίνει to treno afto
to Syntagma? στο Σύνταγμα; peegenee sto
seendagma

*(seeboats and ferries


travel and transport

information and tickets, page 30)


YOU MAY SEE...
Αποβάθρα pier
Δελφίνι hydrofoil
Καμπίνες cabins
Κατάστρωμα Αυτοκινήτων car deck
Κρουαζιέρες cruises
Λιμάνι port, harbour
Μικρή Κρουαζιέρα round trip
Σημείο Επιβίβασης embarkation point
Σωσίβιο lifebelt

36
boats and ferries

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


● Is there a car Υπάρχει ένα eeparhee ena
ferry to Evia οχηματαγωγό για την oheematagogo ya
(today)? Εύβοια (σήμερα); teen eveea (seemera)
● Are there any Έχει μικρές ehee meekres
boat trips? κρουαζιέρες σήμερα; krooazieres seemera
● How long is the Πόσο διαρκεί η poso dheearkee ee
cruise? κρουαζιέρα; krooaziera
● Is there Yπάρχει πρόσβαση για eeparhee prosvasee
wheelchair άτομα με αναπηρίες; ya atoma me
access? anapeerees
● What is the sea Σε τι κατάσταση είναι se tee katastasee
like today? η θάλασσα σήμερα; eene ee thalasa
seemera
● Is it possible to go Μπορώ να βγω στο boro na vgo sto
out on deck? κατάστρωμα; katastroma

YOU MAY HEAR… travel and transport


● Έχει καράβι... ehee karavee… Boats go…
Τρίτη και Τετάρτη treetee ke tetartee on Tuesdays and
Wednesdays
κάθε άλλη μέρα kathe alee mera every other day
● Η θάλασσα είναι ee thalasa eene The sea is calm.
ήρεμη. eeremee
● Η θάλασσα έχει ee thalasa ehee The sea is choppy.
κυματάκι. keematakee

37
air travel

*(seeairinformation
travel
and tickets, page 30)
YOU MAY SEE...
Αίθουσα Αναχωρήσεων departure lounge
Αναχωρήσεις departures
Αναχωρήσεις Εξωτερικού international departures
Αναχωρήσεις Εσωτερικού domestic departures
Ασφάλεια security
Αφίξεις arrivals
Ενοικιάσεις Αυτοκινήτων car hire
Παραλαβή Αποσκευών luggage reclaim
Προσδεθείτε fasten seatbelts

YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...


travel and transport

● I want to ... my Θέλω να ... το thelo na ... to


ticket. εισιτήριό μου. eeseeteereeo moo
change αλλάξω allakso
cancel ακυρώσω akeeroso
● What time do I Τι ώρα πρέπει να tee ora prepee na
have to check in? έρθω για τον έλεγχο ertho ya ton elengho
εισιτηρίων; eeseeteereeon
● Is there a delay? Υπάρχει καθυστέρηση; eeparhee
katheestereesee
● Which gate is it? Τι έξοδος είναι; tee eksodhos eene
● Have you got a Έχετε αναπηρική ehete anapeereekee
wheelchair? καρέκλα; karekla

38
taxis

● I don’t want to Δεν θέλω να περάσω dhen thelo na peraso


put my camera τη μηχανή μου από το tee meehanee moo
through the μηχάνημα. apo to meehaneema
machine.
● You can hand Μπορείτε να την boreete na teen
search it. ψάξετε. psaksete
● My luggage hasn’t Οι αποσκευές μου δεν ee aposkeves moo
arrived. ήρθαν. dhen eerthan
● Is there a ... to the Υπάρχει … για το eeparhee … ya to
centre of town? κέντρο της πόλης; kendro tees polees
bus λεωφορείο leoforeeo
train τρένο treno

WORDS TO LISTEN OUT FOR…


Αναγγελία anangeleea call

travel and transport


Πτήση pteesee flight
Έξοδος eksodhos gate
Τελευταία αναγγελία teleftea anangeleea last call
Καθυστέρηση katheestereesee delay
Ματαιώθηκε/ mateotheeke/ cancelled
Ακυρώθηκε akeerotheeke

*(seetaxis
directions, page 28)
YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● Is there a taxi Υπάρχει πιάτσα ταξί eeparhee piatsa
rank round here? εδώ γύρω; taksee edho yeero
39
taxis

● Can you order Μπορείτε να μου boreete na moo


me a taxi… καλέσετε ένα ταξί... kalesete ena taksee…
immediately? αμέσως; amesos
for tomorrow για αύριο στις ya avreeo stees
at 9 o’clock? εννιά; ennia
● To this address, Στη διεύθυνση αυτή, stee dheeftheensee
please. παρακαλώ. aftee parakalo
● How much will it Πόσο θα στοιχίσει; poso tha steeheesee
cost?
● Can you put it Μπορείτε να βάλετε boreete na valete
on the meter, το ταξίμετρο, to takseemetro
please? παρακαλώ; parakalo
● I’m in a hurry. Βιάζομαι. viazome
● Stop here, please. Σταματήστε εδώ, stamateeste edho
παρακαλώ. parakalo
● Can you wait for Μπορείτε να με boreete na me
travel and transport

me, please? περιμένετε, παρακαλώ; pereemenete


parakalo
● I think there’s a Νομίζω ότι έχει γίνει nomeezo otee ehee
mistake. λάθος. yeenee lathos
● On the meter it’s Το ταξίμετρο δείχνει to takseemetro
fifteen euros. δεκαπέντε ευρώ. dheehnee
dhekapende evro
● Can you give me Μπορείτε να μου boreete na moo
a receipt… δώσετε μία απόδειξη... dhosete meea
apotheeksee…
for ten euros? για δέκα ευρώ; ya dheka evro

40
hiring cars and bicycles

YOU MAY HEAR…


● Απέχει δέκα apehee dheka It’s ten kilometres
χιλιόμετρα. heeliometra away.
● Θα σας κοστίσει tha sas kosteesee It’ll cost about fifty
γύρω στα πενήντα yeero sta peneenda euros.
ευρώ. evro
● Υπάρχει eeparhee There’s a
επιβάρυνση... epeevareensee… supplement…
για τις αποσκευές ya tees aposkeves for the luggage

* hiring cars and bicycles


YOU MAY WANT TO SAY...
● I’d like to hire… Θέλω να νοικιάσω... thelo na neekiaso…
two bicycles δύο ποδήλατα theeo podheelata
a small car ένα μικρό ena meekro

travel and transport


αυτοκίνητο aftokeeneeto
an automatic ένα αυτόματο ena aftomato
car αυτοκίνητο aftokeeneeto
● For… Για... ya…
the day μία μέρα meea mera
a week μία εβδομάδα meea evdhomadha
two weeks δύο εβδομάδες dheeo
evdhomadhes
● Until... Μέχρι... mehree…
Friday την Παρασκευή teen paraskevee
the 17th August τις δεκαεφτά tees dhekaefta
Αυγούστου avgoostoo

41
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“Let’s go in this way,” said Dolly; “it’s nearer, and I can skin up to
my room and brush my hair. I don’t want Auntie Rachel to think I’m
always messy.”
In at the back door they went, and as the kitchen was deserted,
they looked around in some surprise.
“Might as well catch a bun,” said Dick, seeing a panful of rolls in
the warming oven.
The hungry children each took a roll, and then sped on up to
their rooms, intent on tidying themselves for breakfast.
“For goodness’ sake, Dolly!” exclaimed Dick’s voice through the
door, “it’s after nine o’clock! Do you s’pose they’ve had breakfast,
and where is everybody?”
“After nine o’clock!” said Dolly, opening the door, to make sure
she had heard aright. “Well, if this isn’t the queerest house! Hurry
up, Dick, and brush your hair, and we’ll go down and see what’s the
matter. I know they haven’t had breakfast, for the kitchen range was
all full of cereals and things.”
A few moments later, two neat and well-brushed children tripped
gaily downstairs. They went into the library, where their two aunts,
nearly in a state of collapse, were reposing in armchairs.
“Good-morning, aunties,” said the twins, blithely. “Are we late?”
Miss Abbie gasped and closed her eyes, at the astonishing sight,
but Miss Rachel, who was of a different nature, felt all her anxiety
turn to exasperation, and she said, sternly:
“You naughty children! Where have you been?”
“Why, we just got up early, and went to look around the place,”
volunteered Dolly, “and we didn’t know it got late so soon.”
“But where were you? We’ve searched the place over.”
“We went to the woods,” said Dick. “You see, Aunt Abbie, I felt
as if I must screech a little, and we thought if we stayed too near
the house, we might wake you up. It was awful early then. I don’t
see how nine o’clock came so soon! Did we keep breakfast back? I’m
sorry.”
“Why did you want to screech?” said Miss Abbie, quickly. “Are you
homesick?”
“Oh, no! I mean screech for joy. Just shout, you know, for fun,
and jump around, and turn somersaults. I always do those things
when I’m glad. But as it turned out, we couldn’t, very much, for we
were watching for fairies, and then for squirrels, so we had to be
quiet after all.”
“And so you wanted to shout for joy, did you?” asked Aunt
Rachel, much mollified at the compliments they paid so
unconsciously.
“Oh, yes’m! Everything is so beautiful, and so—so sort of
enchanted.”
“Enchanted?”
“Yes; full of fairies, and sprites. The woods, you know, and the
pond, and the fountain,—oh, Dana Dene is the finest place I ever
saw!”
Dick’s enthusiasm was so unfeigned, and his little face shone
with such intense happiness, that Miss Rachel hadn’t the heart to
scold him after all. So, resolving to tell the twins later of the trouble
they had caused, she went away to tell Delia to send in breakfast,
and to tell Michael to go and find Patrick, for the twins had returned.
“Oh, how good the cool ripply water did feel!” (Page 10)

“You see,” explained Dolly, as they sat at breakfast, “we went out
of the house at half-past seven, by the big, hall clock. And I thought
then we’d stay an hour, and get back in time to fix up before we saw
you. We’re not very good at keeping clean.”
“So I see,” said Aunt Abbie, glancing at several grass stains and a
zigzag tear that disfigured Dolly’s frock.
“Yes’m; so we ’most always try to get in to meals ahead of time,
and that ’lows us to spruce up some.”
“We try to,” said Dick, honestly, “but we don’t always do it.”
“No,” returned Dolly, calmly; “’most never. But isn’t it ’stonishing
how fast the time goes when you think there’s plenty?”
“It is,” said Aunt Rachel, a little grimly. “And now that you’re to
live here, you’ll have to mend your ways, about being late, for I
won’t have tardiness in my house.”
“All right,” said Dolly, cheerfully; “I’ll hunt up my watch. It doesn’t
go very well, except when it lies on its face; but if I put it in my
pocket upside down, maybe it’ll go.”
“It must be a valuable watch,” remarked Aunt Abbie.
“Yes’m, it is. Auntie Helen gave it to me for a good-by gift, but I
looked at it so often, that I thought it would be handier to wear it
hanging outside, like a locket, you know. Well, I did, and then it
banged into everything I met. And the chain caught on everything,
and the watch got dented, and the crystal broke, and one hand
came off. But it was the long hand, so as long as the hour hand goes
all right, I can guess at the time pretty good. If I’d just had it with
me this morning, we’d been all right. I’m real sorry we were late.”
Aunt Rachel smiled, but it was rather a grim smile.
“I don’t set much store by people who are sorry,” she said; “what
I like, are people who don’t do wrong things the second time. If you
are never late to breakfast again, that will please me more than
being sorry for this morning’s escapade.”
“I’ll do both,” said Dolly, generously, and indeed, the twins soon
learned to be prompt at meals, which is a habit easily acquired, if
one wishes to acquire it.
CHAPTER IV
GARDENS

“N ow, children,” said Aunt Rachel, as they all went into the library,
after breakfast, “you may play around as you choose, but I
don’t want you to go off the premises without permission. No more
wading in the brook, and coming home looking disreputable. You
may go to our wood, or anywhere on the place, and stay as long as
you like, provided you are here and properly tidy at meal-times But
outside the gates, without permission, you must not go: Can I trust
you?”
“Yes, indeed, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick; “I’m sure we don’t want to
go anywhere else, with all this beautiful place to play in. Why, we
haven’t half explored it yet. Pat says there are thirty acres! Think of
that!”
“Yes, it’s a fine old place,” said Miss Rachel, with justifiable pride
in her ancestral home. “And I’m glad to have you young people in it,
if you’ll only behave yourselves, and not keep us everlastingly in hot
water.”
“We do want to be good, Auntie,” said Dolly, in her sweet way;
“and if we’re bad a few times, just till we learn your ways, you know,
you’ll forgive us, won’t you?”
Pretty little Dolly had a wheedlesome voice, and a winning smile,
and Miss Rachel found it difficult to speak sternly, when the big, dark
eyes looked into her face so lovingly.
“Yes, I’m sure you want to be good, my dears, and also, we want
to do the right thing by you. So we’ll learn each other’s ways, and
I’m sure we’ll get along beautifully.”
Miss Rachel was not used to children, and she talked to them as
if they were as grown-up as herself, but Dick and Dolly understood,
and sat patiently while she talked, though, in truth, they were
impatient to get away, and run outdoors again.
“I shall send you to school,” went on Miss Rachel, “but not for a
week or two yet. I want to learn you myself a little better first.”
“Yes’m,” said Dolly, who was equally well pleased to go to school
or to stay at home. But Dick wanted to go.
“Let us go pretty soon, won’t you, Auntie?” he said; “for I want
to get acquainted with the Heatherton fellows.”
“Boys, Dick,” corrected Aunt Abbie, who was beginning to think
the twins rather careless of their diction.
“Yes’m, I mean boys. Are there any who live near here?”
Miss Rachel pursed her lips together.
“The Middletons live in the place next to this,” she began, and
Dolly broke in:
“Oh, that pretty place, with the stone pillars at the gate?”
“Yes,” went on her aunt. “But Mrs. Middleton and we are not—
that is—”
“Oh, you’re not good friends, is that it?” volunteered Dick.
“Well, yes; I suppose that is it. You children are too young to
understand, but let it be enough for you that I prefer you should not
play with the little Middletons. There are other neighbours equally
pleasant for your acquaintance.”
“All right, Auntie,” agreed Dick. “Cut out the Middletons. And now
mayn’t we run out to play?”
“First, I’ll take you up and show you your playroom. It’s more for
rainy days, as you seem to like to be out of doors in fine weather.
But come and see it, anyway.”
The two aunts led the way, and the children followed to a large,
delightful room in the third story.
There was a big table in the middle, and smaller tables and
chairs about. There was a pleasant little writing-desk for each, well
furnished with pretty writing materials. Low bookshelves ran round
two sides of the room, and the other side showed a jolly big
fireplace, and pleasant windows with deep seats.
A roomy, comfortable old sofa and a chest of drawers completed
the furnishing.
“It isn’t finished,” said Miss Abbie, “because we don’t yet know
your tastes.”
“It’s lovely, Aunties!” cried Dolly, flinging her arms round the neck
of one after the other, and finally embracing Dick in her enthusiasm.
“Oh, it’s just gay!” Dick cried. “I’ve always wanted a big
playroom, and now we’ve got one. Can I whittle and jigsaw up
here?”
“Yes, you may do just exactly as you please. You may bring your
young friends up here, and entertain them whenever you choose.”
“That is, after we get the friends,” supplemented Dolly.
“Yes, but you’ll soon get acquainted. There are many nice
children in Heatherton. Do you play dolls, Dolly?”
“Yes, I do, when I have any little girls to play with. But, you see,
I play with Dick so much, I get out of the habit of dolls. But I do love
’em. When our big box of things comes, I’ve lots of dolls in it, and
Dick’s tool-chest and jigsaw—oh, it will be splendid to fix them all up
here!”
“Yes, Michael will help you. He’ll fix a good workbench, for you,
Dick, if you’re fond of fussing with tools. Do you cut your fingers
much?”
“Sometimes, Aunt Rachel, but not always. Say, you’re awful good
to us. We’re ever so much obliged.”
Dick was more awkward at expressing his appreciation than
Dolly, but the honest joy on the boy’s face showed his admiration of
the room, and Aunt Rachel’s heart warmed toward him, for she too
was sometimes unable to express herself aptly.
“Now we’ll skiddoo,” said Dolly, as she patted Miss Abbie’s hand
by way of farewell. “We want to see Pat feed the chickens.”
“Yes, dearie, run along, but,—would you mind if I ask you not to
use those—those unusual words?”
“Skiddoo? Oh, that’s an awful useful word, Aunt Abbie. I don’t
see how I could get along without it, but I’ll try if you say so.”
“Yes, do try, Dolly; I want my niece to be a refined, ladylike little
girl, not a slangy one.”
“Yes’m.” Dolly drew a little sigh. “I want to do what you want me
to do. But I’m pretty forgetful, Aunt Abbie, so don’t be ’scouraged,
will you, if I don’t get good all at once?”
Dolly had a childish trick of omitting the first syllable of a word,
but Aunt Abbie kissed the earnest little face, and assured her that
she wouldn’t get ’scouraged.
So away the twins scampered, down the stairs, and out into the
sweet, clear morning air.
Dana Dene stood high on an elevation that looked down on the
small town of Heatherton. The view from the terrace in front of the
house was beautiful, and as Dick and Dolly looked down at the
clustered buildings they tried to guess what they were.
“That’s the church,” said Dick, triumphantly pointing to an
unmistakable spire.
“One of ’em,” corrected Dolly; “there’s another, and I wonder
what that big stone building is; prob’ly the school where we’ll go.”
“P’raps. Is it, Patrick?”
“Well, no, Master Dick; that isn’t exactly the school fer ye
children. That’s the jail,—the county jail, so it is.”
“Oh,” cried Dolly, in dismay; “I don’t want to go to school to a
jail! Where is the school-house, Patrick?”
“There’s three of ’em, Miss Dolly. But the grandest is that white
house ferninst, an’ I’m thinkin’ ye’ll go there.”
“Are my aunts very grand, Patrick?”
“Oh, yes, miss. We’re the quality of the hull place. There’s
nobody like the Danas.”
“That’s nice,” said Dolly, with a little air of satisfaction.
“Huh,” said Dick; “what sort of a country do you think this is,
Dolly? Everybody is as good as everybody else. Why do you talk that
way, Pat?”
“Well, sor, it may be. But everybody in Heatherton, they thinks
Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie is top o’ the heap, you see.”
“All right,” returned Dick. “I don’t mind if we are. But what about
the Middletons? Aren’t they nice people?”
Pat’s face clouded. “Don’t be askin’ me about the Middletons,” he
said; “I’ve nothin’ to say for or agin ’em. Now, if so be’s you want to
see them chickens, come ahead.”
They went ahead or, rather, they followed Pat to the chicken
yard, and spent a blissful half-hour among the feathered wonders.
They learned the names of the various kinds of chickens, and
Dolly declared she should never tire of watching the little yellow
fledglings patter around and peep.
“They’re not still a minute,” she said. “Can I try to catch one?”
Pat showed her how to lift one gently, without hurting the little
soft ball of down, and as it was such a pretty little yellow one, Dolly
named it Buttercup, and Pat said it should always be her own
chicken.
Then Dick picked one out for his very own, and he chose a black
one, and called it Cherry, because, he said, some cherries are black.
This made Pat laugh, and then he told the twins to run away and
play by themselves, as he had to go to work in earnest.
“What’s your work, Pat?” asked Dolly, who liked to stay with the
good-natured Irishman.
“I have to do the gardens, Miss Dolly. An’ it’s rale work, it is, not
play. So do ye run away, now.”
“Oh, Pat, let us see you garden,” begged Dolly.
“Please do,” said Dick. “We never saw anybody garden in our
life.”
“Ye didn’t! Fer the love of green corn, where was ye brung up?”
“In the city; and summers we had to go to hotels, and we never
even saw a garden dug.”
“Come on, then; but ye mustn’t bother.”
“No, we won’t bother,” and with a hop, skip, and jump, they
followed Pat to the toolhouse. There was such an array of spades,
hoes, rakes, and other implements, that Dick cried out: “Oh, let us
garden, too! Pat, can’t we each have a little garden,—just a square
patch, you know, and plant things in it?”
“Arrah, a garden, is it? An’ who’d be afther weedin’ it, an’ keepin’
it in order fer ye?”
“Why, we’d do it ourselves,” declared Dolly, fixing her eyes on Pat
with her most coaxing smile. “Do let us, Pat, dear.”
“Well, ye must ask yer aunties. I cudden’t give no such
permission of myself.”
Away flew the twins to the house, in search of the aunties, and
when the twins ran, it was a swift performance indeed. They held
hands, and their feet flew up and down so fast that they looked like
some queer sort of windmill rolling along.
Bang! in at the front door they went, and almost upset Miss
Rachel, who was serenely crossing the hall.
“Oh, Auntie, may we have a garden?” shouted Dick, seizing his
aunt’s hand, and leaning up against her to steady himself after his
exhausting run.
“Oh, Auntie, may we? Do say yes,” cried Dolly, who had flung her
arms round Miss Rachel’s waist, and who was dancing up and down
to the imminent danger of the good lady’s toes.
“What? Oh, my, how you do fluster me! What is it?”
Miss Rachel shook off the two, and seated herself in a hall chair,
to regain her equilibrium, both physical and mental, but the twins
made another wild dash at her. “Please,” they coaxed, patting her
arm and her face and occasionally each other’s hands in their
excitement. “Please, Auntie, a garden for our very own.”
“Two,—one for each of us. May we? Oh, please say yes! Do,
Auntie, do, say yes.”
Miss Rachel found her voice at last.
“If you want anything,” she said, “stop jumping around like a pair
of wild savages. Sit down on that settee, and tell me quietly, and
one at a time, what it’s all about.”
“Let me tell, Dick,” said Dolly, and knowing his sister’s talent for
persuasion, Dick willingly kept quiet while Dolly told.
They sat side by side on the hall settee, opposite their aunt, and
scarcely dared move, while Dolly made her plea.
“You see, Auntie,” she began, “we’ve never had a garden; never
even seen one made. And so, we thought, perhaps, maybe, as
there’s so much spare ground lying around, we hoped maybe you’d
let us each have a little garden of our own. Just a little tiny one, you
know.”
“For pity’s sake,” exclaimed Miss Rachel, “is all this fuss about a
garden? Why, you can have a dozen, if you like.”
“Oh, thank you, Auntie,” cried Dolly, repressing her inclination to
fly over and hug her aunt, lest it be considered a “fuss.” “One’s
enough,—one apiece, I mean. And what can we plant?”
“Why, plant anything you choose. Pat will give you seeds, and if
he hasn’t what you want, we’ll buy some when we go driving this
afternoon.”
Dick was overcome by his aunt’s kindness and whole-souled
generosity. But he had no intention of making a fuss,—not he. He
rose and quietly crossed the hall, and bowing low in front of the
lady, said:
“Aunt Rachel, I do think you’re the very best person in the whole
world!”
“So do I!” said Dolly. “Seems ’s if I must squeeze you!”
“Not now,” said Miss Rachel, smiling; “you nearly squeezed the
breath out of me a few moments ago. I’ll take your enthusiasm for
granted. Now, run out, and make your gardens. Tell Pat I said you’re
to have whatever you want for them.”
“Hurray! Hooroo!” cried Dick, unable to repress himself longer,
and throwing his cap up in the air, without having had the least
intention of doing so.
It landed on the high chandelier, and Hannah had to bring the
long-handled feather duster to get it down.
“Please ’scuse Dick, Aunt Rachel,” said loyal little Dolly, seeing her
brother’s regretful look. “He didn’t mean to fling that cap till he got
outdoors, but somehow——”
“Somehow, it flung itself,” cried Dick; “’cause I’m so glad about
the garden!”
Away they went, banging the door behind them, and Miss Rachel
sat a few minutes, seriously considering whether or not she could
keep such little cyclones in her hitherto quiet and well-ordered
home.
“It isn’t so much what they’ve done,” she said, as she went and
talked it over with Miss Abbie, “as what they may do. They’re liable
to fling caps anywhere, and break all the bric-à-brac, and bang all
the furniture—well, if there were any place to send them, they
should go to-day.”
“You don’t mean that, Rachel,” said Miss Abbie. “They are noisy, I
know, but I think we can train them to better manners; and they
have dear, loving little hearts.”
“Too loving,” said the elder sister, ruefully. “They nearly felled me
to the floor, the way they rushed at me. I’m not over the shock yet!”
“Well,” sighed Miss Abbie, “I suppose it’s because we’re not used
to children; but they do seem especially sudden in their ways.”
CHAPTER V
A PLAYGROUND

“S udden in their ways,” just described Dick and Dolly. After getting
their aunt’s sanction, they flew back to the toolhouse, and
tumbling in at the door, nearly upset Pat by their sudden dash for
spades and hoes.
“She says we can!” cried Dolly; “how do you begin, Pat? What do
we do first?”
“Dig, of course,” declared Dick, seizing the biggest spade he
could find.
“All right; where shall we dig?”
Dolly grabbed another spade, and skipping out of the toolhouse,
began to dig frantically in the path that led from the doorstep.
“Whisht! now! Miss Dolly, don’t be fer sp’ilin’ me good path!”
Pat was amiable, but the vigorous enthusiasm of these children
began to appal him. He was always deferential to his employers, and
he looked upon the twins as members of his employers’ family, and
so he considered himself under their orders. But he also began to
see that he must direct matters himself, if these impetuous
youngsters were to have a real garden.
“Well,” he said, “if so be’s yer aunts has give permission, we must
make the gardens fer ye. But we must do ’t dacint an’ proper. Don’t
begin by diggin’ up me tidy paths.”
“I won’t, Pat; I’m sorry!” and Dolly carefully smoothed away the
clefts she had dug with her spade.
“Now, we’ll consider,” said Pat, greatly interested in the plan.
“First of all, where will ye be selectin’ the place?”
The twins gazed around, at the various gardens, terrace,
woodland, and water, and then Dolly said, decidedly:
“In the woods; that’s the prettiest place.”
“Oh, ho!” laughed Pat. “Why, little miss, ye can’t grow things in
the woods! Leastwise, only ferns an’ moss! Don’t ye want flowers,
now?”
“Oh, yes; of course we do! And I forgot they have to have
sunshine.”
“Goosie!” cried Dick. “Now, I think a place near the pond would
be nice, and then we can fetch water easily,—for I s’pose we have to
water our flowers every day, don’t we, Pat?”
“Yes; onless it rains fer ye, which it sometimes do. Now, s’pose
ye let me s’lect yer place, an’ then do ye pick out yer own choice o’
flowers.”
“Do,” cried Dolly. “You know so much better than we do where a
garden ought to be.”
Pat considered carefully for a few moments, casting his eye
thoughtfully toward various parts of the estate.
“Come on,” he said, at last, and the children followed him, as he
strode off.
Just beyond the beautifully kept terrace was a stretch of lawn,
entirely open to the sunlight, save for a big horse-chestnut tree in
one corner.
Here Pat paused, and indicating by a sweep of his arm a section
about seventy-five feet square, he said:
“I’m thinkin’, instead of only a garden, by itself, it’d be foine for
ye to make yersilves a rale playground.”
Dolly’s quick mind jumped to the possibilities.
“Oh, Pat, a playground, all for ourselves, with our two gardens in
it!”
“Yes, miss; and an arbour, and seats, an’ a table, an’——”
But he got no further, for Dick and Dolly seized him by either
hand, and jumped up and down, fairly shouting with delight.
“Oh, Pat, Pat, I never heard of anything so lovely!”
“How could you think of it? Let’s begin at once!”
“But ye must behave!” cried Pat, shaking his hands loose from
their grasp, and waiting for them to stop their antics.
“Yes, yes; we’ll behave!” said Dolly, suddenly standing stock-still,
and looking very; demure. “What do we do first, dig?”
“I’m thinkin’ yez better dig a whole acre,—an’ see if ye can’t work
off some of yer animile sperrits! Such rampageous bein’s I niver
saw!”
“We’ll be quiet, Pat,” said Dick, earnestly; “now let’s begin.”
“Well, thin,—first, we must plan it, sure. Suppose we drive a
shtake here fer wan corner; and thin the big tree will be the
opposite corner. Now ye see the size av it.”
“Yes,” agreed Dolly, “it’s a lovely size.”
“Thin, supposin’ we plan to set out a little low hedge all around
the four sides, wid an openin’ or two——”
“And an arched gateway!” cried Dolly, with sparkling eyes.
“Yes, miss, say an arched gateway or two. An’ then, inside ye can
have three or four garden-beds,—fer sep’rate plants, ye know,—an’
yer arbour, an’ whativer else ye like.”
“Oh!” said Dolly, sitting plump down on the ground from sheer
inability to bear up under these wonderful anticipations.
“Now, what’s to do first?” said Dick, eager to get to work.
“Well, first we’ll lay out our flower beds. Now I don’t s’pose ye
know the difference between seeds an’ plants, do ye?”
“Oh, yes! Plants grow from seeds.”
“Well, av coorse they do. But I don’t mean that. Ye see, some
flowers ye set out as plants; an’ some ye raise from seeds.”
“Oh, I think seeds will be most fun,” said Dolly: “You just stuff
’em in the ground and then they grow, don’t they, Pat?”
“Well, yes, miss; if yer seeds is right, an’ yer ground’s right, an’ if
ye stuff ’em in right, an’ take care of ’em right, afterward.”
“Oh, we can do all that,” Dick assured him, grandly, and Pat’s
eyes twinkled, as he replied:
“Av coorse ye can!”
Then Pat called Michael to help him, and they drove stakes and
tied twine to them, until they had the playground distinctly marked
out.
“Now, we’ll consider yer flower-beds, an’ lave the other
considerations till later,” announced Pat. “Ye see, yer seed-beds must
be in the mornin’ sun, an’ have the shade of an afthernoon. So, wid
the big tree ferninst, we can aisy manage that.”
“Seeds seem to be pretty particular,” observed Dolly.
“They be that, Miss; but so likewise is the plants. Some wants
sun an’ some wants shade, an’ if they don’t get what they wants,
they jist lies down an’ dies!”
Then Pat and Michael selected the best spots, and marked out
two oval flower-beds of goodly size, and two straight, narrow seed-
beds somewhat smaller.
“Miss Dolly’s, we’ll say, will be on this side, an’ Master Dick’s on
that. Now, if so be’s ye childhern wants to dig, fer mercy’s sake dig!
Ye can’t hurt the ground.”
Pat well knew that his own strong arms would spade up the beds
later, and he would fill them with the right sort of soil, and get them
in perfect order for planting; but the twins were delighted at the
idea of doing their own digging, and went to work with their usual
enthusiasm.
It was hard work, but they enjoyed it, and though not very
scientifically done, they did manage to dislodge the soft turf, and
riddle up the dirt beneath.
“I s’pose it won’t be such hard work after the digging is dug,”
said Dolly, looking at her blistered little palms.
“Why, Dolly Dana!” exclaimed Aunt Abbie, who came out just
then, to see how the gardens progressed; “don’t you dig another bit!
You poor, dear child, your hands are in a dreadful state! Go in and
ask Aunt Rachel for some salve.”
“No, indeedy!” declared the valiant Dolly. “I’m going to plant my
seeds now!”
“Oh, no, miss,” said Pat. “Them beds isn’t ready yet. Nor ye
haven’t got yer seeds.”
“Don’t be too impetuous, Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie. “This afternoon,
we’ll plan out what is best to plant and then by to-morrow, if Patrick
has the beds ready, you can do your planting.”
Dick was still digging away, manfully, quite unwilling to admit
there were blisters on his own hands.
But Aunt Abbie made him stop, for though the digging was good
fun, there was no use in causing himself needless pain, and Patrick
would do the beds all over, anyway. So Aunt Abbie persuaded the
children to turn their attention to planning their playground.
She quite approved of Pat’s suggestions, and sent for Miss Rachel
to come out and assist with the plans.
Both ladies were very fond of gardening, and entered
enthusiastically into the idea of the pretty playground. Miss Rachel
instructed Pat to buy and set out a low hedge of privet all round the
inclosure; and they decided on two entrances, front and back, each
to be adorned by an arch covered with a flowering vine.
An arbour was planned for the centre, but Dolly chose to call it a
playhouse. For it was to be big enough to have seats and a table
inside.
It was to be built tent-shape; that is, very long, slender poles
would be set up in pairs, meeting at the top, like the letter A. There
would be about a dozen pairs of these poles, each pair about two
feet apart, and thus they would have a long arbour on which to train
vines and flowers.
A ridge-pole along the top would keep it all firm and steady, and
quickly growing vines should be chosen, which would soon cover the
whole frame.
Michael, who was clever at carpenter work, volunteered to make
a table and benches, and Dick, who was also fond of tools, felt sure
he could help.
Aunt Abbie said she would give a garden swing as her
contribution to the playground, and Aunt Rachel said she, too, would
give something nice, but what it would be, was a secret as yet.
Then it was nearly dinner-time, so they went back to the house,
and the four sorry-looking little hands were carefully washed and
anointed with a soothing lotion.
Heatherton people approved of midday dinners, and so the
hungry children sat down to an ample and satisfying meal, to which
they were fully prepared to do justice.
“You know,” said Aunt Rachel, as they chatted at table, “you are
to take care of these gardens yourselves. Pat and Michael have all
they can do, already; and though they have helpers in the busy
seasons, I expect you two to weed and water your own flower-
beds.”
“Of course, Auntie,” said Dolly; “that’s what we want to do.”
“Else they wouldn’t be ours,” chimed in Dick. “There are lots of
flower-beds around the place, but these are to be our very own. And
how can they be, if we don’t do all the work on ’em?”
“That’s right,” said Aunt Rachel, approvingly. “Patrick will
superintend your work, and he or Michael will keep the grass and
the paths in order, but the rest is for you to do. Do you know
anything about flowers?”
“Not a thing!” declared Dolly. “But I want to raise violets and
carnation pinks.”
“That proves you don’t know much,” said Aunt Abbie, laughing.
“Why, those are the very things you couldn’t possibly raise!”
“Why?” said Dolly, looking surprised.
“Because they are too difficult. They require hothouses, or, at
least cold frames. You must content yourself with simpler blossoms;
nasturtiums, phlox, asters, peonies——”
“Oh, those are just as good,” said Dolly. “I don’t care much what
flowers they are, if they’ll grow.”
“I like big plants,” said Dick. “Could I have sunflowers and
hollyhocks, Aunt Rachel?”
“Yes, my boy; I’m sure you can manage those. Have a hedge at
the back of your playground of those flowers, and also cosmos and
goldenglow.”
After dinner they went to the library, and made lists of the
flowers they would have. Aunt Abbie drew diagrams of their
gardens, and advised the right kinds of flowers to grow together.
“I want you to grow up to love gardening,” said Miss Rachel, “but
as you are now quite young, and very ignorant on the subject, you
must begin with the simplest and easiest sorts of plants.”
Then the aunts explained how the children must plant seeds in
their seed-beds, and after the tiny shoots sprang up, how they must
be separated and thinned out.
“And throw away some of them!” exclaimed Dolly in dismay.
“Yes; that’s to make the others stronger and healthier plants.”
“What do we plant in our big gardens?” asked Dick.
“Well, there you can have such plants as you want. Roses,
geraniums, and Canterbury Bells are good ones. And then, you
transplant to those beds your seedlings that you have already
started yourselves.”
“And can’t we plant any seeds in the flower beds?”
“Oh, yes; such as do not need transplanting. You can have
borders of portulacca, candytuft, sweet alyssum, and such things.”
“My! it sounds grand!” said Dolly, to whom nearly all these names
were new.
“Now suppose we go out there again,” said Aunt Rachel, “and
see what seeds Pat has on hand. Then we’ll know what to buy for
you.”
So back went the quartette, and found the playground had
assumed quite a definite air.
A narrow strip of upturned earth showed the line of the hedge
that was to be set out. The flower-beds and seed-beds were neatly
cut in shape and properly spaded. Little stakes marked the places for
the arbor poles, and white cords outlined paths that were yet to be
cut.
“It doesn’t seem possible it’s ours!” said Dolly, drawing a blissful
sigh of contentment.
“Now here’s some seeds as I already have,” said Pat, offering a
box of packets to the children.
“Oh, can we plant some now,—right away?” asked Dick.
“Yes; let us do so,” said Aunt Abbie, who was nearly as eager as
the children to get the garden started.
So they selected nasturtiums, poppies, marigolds, and morning
glories from Pat’s box, and all went to work at the planting.
The aunts showed Dick and Dolly how to poke a little hole in the
ground, about three inches deep, and then drop in a nasturtium
seed. Then they covered it over with dirt, pressed it down lightly,
and watered it.
This was an enthralling occupation, and the children worked
carefully and did just as they were told. Poppies came next, and
these seeds were planted quite differently. The ground was made
quite smooth, and then slightly watered. Then Pat showed them how
to sprinkle the fine seed scantily over the top of the ground, and not
put any dirt over it at all. A thin layer of cut grass was scattered over
them to keep the seeds from too much sunlight.
“How do you know that some seeds must be planted one way
and some another?” asked Dick, looking at Patrick with a new
interest.
“That’s me business, Masther Dick. We all has to know our
business av coorse.”
The morning-glory seeds could not be planted just then, as they
had to soak in water for two hours, so next they set out some pansy
plants. These Pat had expected to use elsewhere, but at Miss
Rachel’s direction, he handed them over to the twins.
This was a new sort of work, and even more fascinating than
seed-planting. The tiny plants were fragile and had to be handled
very carefully. Then a hole must be dug with a trowel, the plant set
in, and the soil gently filled in about it.
The twins each had a half-dozen pansy plants, and Dick set his in
a group, but Dolly arranged hers in a border. Then Miss Rachel said
they had done enough for one day, and she marched them off to the
house to get rested.
But did Dick and Dolly rest? Not they! They didn’t seem to know
what the word meant. They went up to their playroom, and sitting
together at the table, they drew diagrams and plans for their
playground until the aunties called them downstairs again.
CHAPTER VI
A SOCIAL CALL

T he twins gladly obeyed their aunts’ summons, for it meant to get


ready to go to town to buy their flower seeds. Long before the
ladies were ready, Dick and Dolly, in trim attire, and with pretty
spring coats and hats, sat in the library waiting.
“I like this home a lot, don’t you, Dollums?” said Dick, as he
thoughtfully looked about him.
“Love it!” responded his twin promptly. “Chicago was nice, too,
and Auntie Helen was gay and pretty, but this is so country and all.
And oh, Dick, won’t our playground be splendiferous! Do you s’pose
the arbor will ever get built and grown over with flowers and
things?”
“’Course it will! And, Dolly, I’m going to make some rustic seats
and things myself. It tells how in my ‘Handy Book,’ and I’m sure I
can do it.”
“I’m sure you can too. And can’t you make some little seats for
my dolls?”
Dick had just agreed to do this when the two aunties came
downstairs, and they all went out to the carriage. Somehow it
seemed very formal. Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie, all dressed up in
calling costume, with gloves and parasols, didn’t seem so chummy
as when they were all out planting seeds together. And Michael, in
his coachman’s livery, looked so straight and unintelligent that it was
hard to believe he was the same man.
They all got into the big, open carriage, and the twins sat
backward, facing their aunts.
“First,” said Miss Rachel, who sat up very stiff and prim, “we will
go and buy the seeds and plants, and then we will pay some calls.”
This seemed very strange to Dick and Dolly, for they had never
been taken calling with Auntie Helen in Chicago; but they made no
comment, as none seemed to be expected.
The carriage stopped at a small shop, and the proprietor hurried
out to greet the ladies. He bowed with great deference, and asked
what he might show them.
Miss Rachel had a list of the seeds and plants they had decided
on for the children’s gardens, and the shopman said he would send
them all the next day.
“And have you some small garden implements?” asked Miss
Abbie. “Some little rakes and hoes, suitable for children’s use.”
The shopman said he would bring some out to show them.
“Oh, Auntie,” cried Dolly, impulsively, “can’t we go in the shop
and look at them?”
“No, indeed,” said Miss Rachel, as if Dolly had asked something
highly improper. “Stay where you are and make your selections.”
Dolly wondered why they couldn’t hop out, but it didn’t much
matter, as the man returned, followed by a youth who brought a lot
of spades and rakes and garden tools of many sorts.
The children were allowed to select all they wanted, and, guided
by Aunt Rachel’s advice, they chose quite a great many.
“You’re awful good to us,” exclaimed Dick as, after giving the
order, they drove away.
“Then you must be good to us,” said Aunt Rachel, smiling. “Now
we are going to call at Mrs. Fuller’s. She has a son Jack, about ten
years old, and I hope you will be good friends with him. There are
no little girls here, but, Dolly, we will find some girl friends for you
later on.”
“Oh, I like boys,” said Dolly, agreeably. “I like Dick better than
any girl, so, of course, I like other boys too.”
At Mrs. Fuller’s they were ushered into a stiff, formal-looking
parlour, which had the effect of being rarely used. The half-drawn
blinds gave but a dim light, and the four guests took their seats in
silence.
Dick and Dolly felt depressed without knowing just why. They
secretly wished they could clasp hands and make a dash for the
door and run away, but Aunt Rachel had asked them to be good, so
they sat still, wondering what would be expected of them.
After what seemed a long time, Mrs. Fuller came into the room.
She was a lady of very precise manners, and wore a rustling silk
gown.
The ladies all shook hands quite stiffly, and inquired for each
other’s health, and then Miss Rachel presented the twins to Mrs.
Fuller.
“How do you do, my dears?” said the lady, offering her finger-tips
to each in turn.
“I’m very well, thank you; how are you?” said Dolly, heartily, as
she cordially gave her hostess’s hand a vigorous shake. But the
chagrin on the Dana ladies’ faces, and the surprised glance of Mrs.
Fuller, proved at once that this wasn’t the right thing to do.
Quick to catch the hint, Dick offered his hand hesitatingly,—so
much so indeed, that it lay in Mrs. Fuller’s like a little limp fish, and
as she finally dropped it, it fell loosely to Dick’s side.
“How d’ do?” he murmured, uncertain what to say, and then,
feeling very uncomfortable, the two children sat down again.
For a time no attention was paid to them, and the ladies
conversed in short, elegant sentences, and high-pitched voices.
Then Mrs. Fuller turned again to the twins:
“How do you like Heatherton?” she asked.
The suddenness of the question took Dick unawares, and he said
enthusiastically:
“Out o’ sight!”
Immediately he realised that he should have expressed himself
more formally, and the look of annoyance on Aunt Rachel’s face
made him red and embarrassed.
Loyal little Dolly tried, as always, to come to his rescue, and she
said politely:
“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Fuller; we like it awfully well so far, but of
course we haven’t been here very long yet.”
“And you think you won’t like it when you’ve been here longer! Is
that it?”
Mrs. Fuller meant only to be jocose, but Dolly didn’t understand,
and tried hard to explain.
“No ’m; I don’t mean that. I mean I think we’ll like it better after
we live here a while.”
“I trust you will,” said Mrs. Fuller. “You must be hard to please if
you don’t.”
Poor Dolly felt herself misunderstood, but she could think of
nothing to say, so she sat silent, but, it seemed, this was not the
right thing to do either.
“Speak up, child,” said Aunt Rachel, half playfully and half
sharply; “didn’t you hear Mrs. Fuller’s remark?”
“Yes ’m,” said Dolly, “but,—but I don’t know what to answer.”
“Strange child,” murmured Mrs. Fuller. “Is the boy any more
civil?”
Dick, though embarrassed himself, was still more annoyed at
Dolly’s discomfiture, and spoke up decidedly:
“We don’t mean to be uncivil, Mrs. Fuller. But we’ve never made
fashionable calls before, and we don’t know quite how to talk. It’s so
different in Chicago.”
“Different in Chicago! I should hope so. My dear Miss Dana and
Miss Abbie, you’ll have your hands full with these little ones, won’t
you?”
“At first,” said Miss Rachel with dignity. “But we hope to teach
them.”
“And we want to learn,” put in Dolly, with an instinctive desire to
stand by her aunt against this disagreeable lady.
“Then there’ll be no trouble, I’m sure,” said Mrs. Fuller, but
though her words were all right, her tone was a little bit sarcastic,
and the twins were conscious of a feeling of defeat, which was far
from comfortable.
Then Jack Fuller came into the room.
He was a boy of ten, with fair hair, and a pale, girlish face. He,
apparently, had irreproachable manners, and gave his hand to the
Dana ladies with just the right degree of cordiality. Then, being
introduced to Dick and Dolly, he came and sat on the sofa between
them.
Instinctively, Dick felt that he never could like that boy. Jack had
scarcely opened his mouth before Dick had dubbed him a “Miss
Nancy.” He didn’t believe Jack could run or jump, or do anything that
a boy ought to do.
“Do you like to live here?” said Jack at last, by way of opening
conversation.
“Yes, we do,” said Dolly; “we’re going to have splendid gardens,
—we’ve been digging all day. Don’t you love to do that?”
Jack looked at her with apparent surprise that a girl should care
for such vigorous pursuits.
“I never dig,” he answered. “Mamma thinks it isn’t good for me.”
“How funny!” said Dolly. “I should think it would do you good.”
“Do you like to run and jump?” asked Dick, for there had been a
pause, and he considered it his turn to “make talk.”
“Oh, not very much. I like quiet games. I play mostly by myself.
Mamma won’t let me associate with many children. But I’m to be
allowed to play with you. I know that, because you’re Danas.”
This was gratifying in a way, but somehow Dick wasn’t over-
enchanted at the prospect.
“I hope you will,” he said; “but I’m afraid,—when we’re playing,
we’re rather,—rather rampageous.”
“Rough, do you mean?” asked Jack, looking horrified.
“Well, we don’t mean to be rough exactly; but we’re sort of noisy
and lively.”
“Well, I shall visit you all the same,” said Jack, with a resigned air,
“for mamma said I should. I think I’m to go see you to-morrow
afternoon at four.”
This specified date amused the Dana children, but Dolly said
politely:
“That will be very nice, and I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”
And then the aunties rose to take leave, and they all went home
again.
“You children must learn better manners,” said Aunt Rachel, as
they drove homeward. “You horrified me to-day by your manner of
speaking.”
“I saw we did,” said Dolly, humbly, “but I don’t see what we did
that was wrong. I’m sure we didn’t mean to be bad.”
“You weren’t bad,” said Abbie, smiling at them, “but we want you
to acquire a little more grace and elegance. You spoke, in Mrs.
Fuller’s parlour, just as you would at home.”
“Oh,” said Dick, “I begin to see; you want us to put on society
airs.”
Aunt Rachel considered a moment.
“While I shouldn’t express it in just that way,” she said, “that is
about what I mean.”
“Well,” said Dick pleasantly, “we’ll try. But Aunty Helen always
taught us to be just as polite when alone at home as when we were
visiting or had company.”
“Auntie Helen isn’t teaching you now,” said Miss Rachel, grimly;
“and I trust you’ll consider my wishes in the matter.”
“We will, Aunt Rachel, we truly will,” broke in Dolly, whose rôle
was often that of pacificator. “You’re terribly good to us, and we
want to do ’zackly as you want us to, but, you see, fashionable calls
are new to us. We’ll do better next time.”
Dolly’s cheerful smile was infectious, and Aunt Rachel smiled
back, and dropped the subject of manners for the present.
The next afternoon, promptly at four o’clock, Jack Fuller came to
see Dick and Dolly. The twins had been grubbing in their gardens all
day, and had been radiantly happy.
They loved flowers and learned quickly the elements of
gardening that Pat taught them. And with their new garden tools of
suitable size, they did real work after the most approved fashion. But
at three o’clock they were called in to get ready for the expected
guest. Dick grumbled a little, for it seemed hard to leave the gardens
to get all dressed up just because a boy was coming!
“But you want to make friends in Heatherton, don’t you?” asked
Aunt Rachel.
“Yes ’m; but I like boys who come over and play in every-day
clothes; not rig up like a party.”
As for Dolly, she didn’t see why she had to leave the garden at
all. Jack Fuller wasn’t her company.
But the aunts decreed that both twins should receive the guest
properly, and so at quarter to four, two spick and span, but not very
merry children sat in the library, waiting.
Jack came in, at last, and greeted the twins with the same
formality he had shown in his own home. He responded politely to
the elder ladies’ remarks and Dick and Dolly tried to be polite and do
exactly as the others did.
After nearly half an hour of this stiff and uncomfortable
conversation, Miss Rachel proposed that the twins take Jack out and
show him their gardens. Glad to get out of doors, Dick and Dolly ran
for their hats and the three children started out.
To the twins’ astonishment, as soon as he was out of the
presence of the elder ladies, Jack turned into quite a different boy.
His formal manner fell away, and he was chummy and full of fun.
“Let’s throw stones,” he cried. “See me hit that stone bird on the
fountain.”
He flung a pebble with such true aim that it hit the stone bird on
the wing, and roused Dick’s exceeding admiration, for he was not
himself a superior marksman.
“Want to play knife?” asked Jack, pulling a new knife from his
pocket; “or no, let’s go see your gardens first. Must be gay ones,
from the fuss you make over ’em.”
But when he saw the playground that was planned, he was
appreciative enough to satisfy the twins’ love of enthusiasm.
“It’s great!” he cried; “that’s what it is, great! I wish I had one
like it.”
“Yes, won’t it be fine!” agreed Dick; “there’ll be a table in the
arbour, and chairs, or benches, and we can have tea-parties, and
everything.”
“Plant gourds on your arbour,” advised Jack. “All kinds are good,
but the dipper and cucumber gourd grow the fastest. They’ll cover
your arbour in a few weeks, I guess. Hercules club is a good fellow
for that, too. Pat’ll know about ’em.”
Dick and Dolly felt their admiration rising for this boy, who knew
so much about climbing gourds and flowers of all sorts. It was
strange that he could throw stones so straight, and also have such
fine parlour manners. So very strange indeed that Dick felt he must
inquire into it.
“Say,” he began; “you’re awful different out here from what you
are in the parlour.”
“Sure,” returned Jack. “In parlours, with ladies, a fellow has to be
polite and proper. You don’t want me to be like that out here with
you, do you?”
Jack’s face expressed such a willingness to do what was required
of him that Dick exclaimed hastily:
“Not on your life! But I don’t see how you manage those fine airs
when you have to.”
“Pooh, it’s dead easy. Anyway, I’ve always done it. Mamma
wouldn’t like it if I didn’t.”
“I s’pose we’ll have to learn,” said Dolly, sighing a little; “but
don’t let’s bother about it now.”
As the afternoon wore on, and they became better acquainted,
they both began to like Jack very much. He was not a strong boy,
and couldn’t run or jump as they could, but he was clever at games,
and could beat them easily at “knife,” or “hop-scotch,” or almost any
game of muscular skill that did not call for violent exercise.
“He’s all right,” said Dick to Dolly as they sat on the veranda
steps a few minutes after Jack went home. “But I hope we won’t
always have to dress up, and sit in the parlour at first every time he
comes.”
“Let’s ask Aunt Rachel,” said Dolly.
“Why, no,” said Miss Rachel in surprise. “Of course you won’t. To-
day was his first visit, as you called on him yesterday. After this, you
can go to play with each other in your every-day clothes, whenever
you like.”
Dick and Dolly were satisfied with this, and gave up trying to
fathom the strange requirements of etiquette at Heatherton.
CHAPTER VII
PINKIE

T he days passed happily at Dana Dene.


There was so much to do, with the gardens and the chickens,
and going for afternoon drives that, except on rainy days, the
children were out of doors nearly all the time.
Their big boxes had arrived, and Dolly’s dolls, and Dick’s more
boyish treasures, were up in the playroom, but were often neglected
for open-air fun.
It had been decided by the aunties that the twins should not go
to school until Fall, for the term was within a few weeks of closing,
and it didn’t seem worth while to start. But they were required to
practise on the piano an hour each day, and a teacher came once a
week to give them lessons. The Misses Dana were fond of music,
and as they thought the twins showed some talent, they insisted on
its cultivation, though Dick and Dolly looked upon their practice hour
as drudgery.
They always practised at the same time, if possible, in order to
have their play hours together. If they had been practising duets,
this plan might have been fairly agreeable to the other members of
the household. But the nine-year-old twins had not yet arrived at the
dignity of “pieces,” and were confined to scales and five-finger
exercises.
Their scales usually started on harmonious notes, but Dolly’s little
fingers flew along the keyboard so much faster than Dick’s that she
usually finished her scale on the highest notes, and drummed away
there until his chubby hands came up and caught her.
This, though a satisfactory plan to the performers, was far from
pleasant to the sensitive ears of the Dana aunties.
Again, in case of five-finger exercises, they divided the piano
fairly, and then diligently pursued their “one-and, two-and, three-
and” quite irrespective of each other.
As they were careful not to infringe on one another’s territory,
they saw no objection to this arrangement, and quite in despair, the
aunts would close the doors of the drawing-room, where the
musicians were, and retire to the farthest corners of the house.
There was, of course, great temptation for the twins to neglect
their task, and chatter, but they were too conscientious for this.
Neither would have considered it honourable to remove their
hands from the keys during practice hour. So the little fingers
diligently worked up and down, but the counting often gave way to
conversation. Instead of “one-and,” Dolly might say, in time with her
counting, “Don’t you,—think the,—poles will,—come to-,—day,
Dick?” And Dick would pound away, as he replied, “Yes, Pat,—said
they,—sure would,—come to,—day-ay.”
Thus a staccato conversation could be kept up while the twenty
stiff little fingers were acquiring proper limberness and skill.
“It’s enough to drive anybody frantic! I can’t stand it!” said Aunt
Abbie, as one day she listened to the measured chatter, and its
accompaniment of pounded keys that didn’t chord.
“I can’t either!” declared Aunt Rachel, “and I’ve made up my
mind, Abbie, what to do. We’ll get another piano,—a second-hand
one will do,—and put it up in the playroom. Then they can practise
separately.”
“Ye-es,” said Miss Abbie, doubtfully; “but they wouldn’t like that.
They always want to be together.”
“Well, they’ll have to stand it. It’s enough to ruin their musical
ear, to hear those discords themselves.”
“That’s true. I suppose your plan is a good one.”
So a second piano was bought, and put up in the playroom, and
the twins had to do their practising separately, except for a few little
duet exercises, which their teacher kindly gave them. And it must be
confessed they made better progress than when they combined
practising and social conversation.
In addition to the hour for music, Dolly was required to spend an
hour every day, sewing.
The Misses Dana believed in that old-fashioned accomplishment,
and put the child through a regular course of overhanding, felling,
and hemming, insisting on great neatness and accuracy of stitches.
This hour caused Dolly a great many sighs, and even a few tears.
She didn’t like needlework, and it was so hard to keep her stitches
even and true.
But the real hardship was that Dick didn’t have to sew also. It
didn’t seem fair that she should work so hard for an hour, while he
was free to play or do what he chose.
She remarked this to Aunt Rachel, who saw the justice of the
argument, and thought it over.
“That’s true, in a way,” she responded. “There isn’t any
occupation so necessary for a boy to learn, as for a girl to learn
sewing, but I think that Dick should have a corresponding task.”
So it was arranged that for an hour every day, Dick must do work
in the garden. Real work, not just fun. He was to weed both his own
and Dolly’s flower-beds, and mow the grass and trim the hedges in
their playground, and water the plants, if necessary; in short, do the
drudgery work of the garden, while Dolly plodded along at her
sewing.
This plan worked finely, and sometimes Dick had the playground
in such perfect order that he could put in his hour weeding or
mowing the other parts of the lawn. Aunt Rachel bought a small
lawn-mower for his use, and under Pat’s instructions his hour’s hard
work each day taught him much of the real science of gardening.
When the twins had been at Dana Dene a week, they had as yet
made no acquaintances beside Jack Fuller. This had happened only
because the ladies had not found it convenient to take the children
to call elsewhere, and Dick and Dolly themselves had been so
wrapped up in their gardens and other joys that they had not cared
for outside companionship.
Pat had sent for extra long poles, that their playhouse might be
of goodly size. When these came, and were put in place, the tent-
shaped arbour was about ten feet by twenty, which was amply large
for their purpose. Vines were planted at once, both seeds and
cuttings, but of course it would be several weeks before the leaves
would form a green roof for them.
However, the sun was not unpleasantly warm in May, and by
June or July the leafy roof would be a protection.
In the meantime, Aunt Abbie, who was most ingenious, planned
a cosy arrangement for them. In one corner of their playground,
Michael built them a table. This had a section of a felled tree trunk
for an upright, on which was placed a round top.
From the centre of the table top rose a stout, straight stick, with
leather loops nailed on it at intervals. Into these loops could be
thrust the handle of a very large Japanese umbrella, which, opened,
made a gay and festive-looking roof, and which could be taken into
the house in case of rain.
Benches and rustic chairs Michael made for them, too, and Dick
helped, being allowed to use his “work-hour” for this.
As the playground achieved all these comforts, it became a most
delightful place, and the children spent whole days there.
Sometimes, good-natured Hannah would bring their dinner out
there, and let them eat it under the gay umbrella.
Aunt Abbie gave them a fine garden swing, as she had promised.
This was one of those wooden affairs that will hold four
comfortably, but except for Jack Fuller, none but the twins had yet
used it.
Aunt Rachel’s gift proved to be a fountain.
This was quite elaborate, and had to be set up by workmen who
came from town for the purpose. It was very beautiful, and added
greatly to the effect of the playground. When the weather grew
warmer they were to have goldfish in it, but at present there were
aquatic plants and pretty shells and stones.
It was small wonder that the children didn’t feel need of other
companionship, and had it not been for Jack Fuller, Dolly would
never have thought of being lonely.
She and Dick were such good chums that their company was
quite sufficient for each other; but when Jack came over to play, he
and Dick were quite apt to play boyish games that Dolly didn’t care
for.
On such occasions she usually brought out her doll-carriage and
one or two of her favourite dolls, and played by herself.
And so, it happened, that one afternoon when Dick and Jack
were playing leap-frog, Dolly wandered off to the wood with Arabella
and Araminta in the perambulator. She never felt lonely in the wood,
for there were always the squirrels and birds, and always a chance
that she might see a fairy.
So, with her dolls, she had company enough, and sitting down by
a big flat rock, she set out a table with acorn cups and leaves for
plates, and tiny pebbles for cakes and fruit.
Arabella and Araminta had already been seated at the table, and
Dolly was talking for them and for herself, as she arranged the feast.
“No, Arabella,” she said; “you can’t have any jelly pudding to-day,
dear, for you are not very well. You must eat bread and milk, and
here it is.”
She set an acorn cup in front of the doll, and then turned to
prepare Araminta’s food, when she saw a little girl coming eagerly
toward her.
It was a pretty little girl, about her own age, with dark curls, and
a pink linen frock.
“Hello,” she said, softly, “I want to play with you.”
“Come on,” said Dolly, more than pleased to have company. “Sit
right down at the table. There’s a place. I fixed it for Mr. Grey
Squirrel, but he didn’t come.”
“I didn’t bring my doll,” said the little girl in pink, “I—I came away
in a hurry.”
“I’ll lend you one of mine,” said Dolly. “They’re Arabella and
Araminta; take your choice.”
“What’s your own name?” said the visitor, as she picked up
Araminta.
“Dolly,—Dolly Dana. What’s yours?”
“I don’t want to tell you,” said the little girl, looking confused.
“Never mind,” said Dolly, sorry for her guest’s evident
embarrassment, but thinking her a very strange person. “I’ll call you
Pinkie, ’cause your dress is such a pretty pink.”
“All right,” said Pinkie, evidently much relieved.
“You’re not—you’re not a fairy, are you?” said Dolly, hopefully, yet
sure she wasn’t one.
“Oh, no,” said Pinkie, laughing. “I’m just a little girl, but I—I ran
away, and so I don’t want to tell you my name.”
“Oh, I don’t care,” said Dolly, who was always willing to accept a
situation. “Never mind about that. Let’s play house.”
“Yes; let’s. You keep this place, ’cause you’ve fixed your table so
nice, and I’ll live over here.”
Pinkie selected another choice spot for her home, and soon the
two families were on visiting terms.
Dolly and her daughter, Arabella, went to call on Pinkie and her
daughter, Araminta, and as they had already selected the names of
Mrs. Vandeleur and Mrs. Constantine, their own names didn’t matter
anyway.
Dolly was Mrs. Vandeleur, because she thought that title had a
very grand sound, and Pinkie chose Mrs. Constantine because she
had just come to that name in her “Outlines of the World’s History,”
and thought it was beautiful.
So Mrs. Vandeleur rang the bell at Mrs. Constantine’s mansion,
and sent in two green leaves, which were supposed to be the
visiting cards of herself and her daughter.
“Come in, come in,” said Mrs. Constantine, in a high-pitched
voice. “I’m so glad to see you. Won’t you sit down?”
Dolly sat down very elegantly on the root of a tree, and propped
Arabella against another.
“I’m just going to have supper,” said the hostess, “and I hope you
and your daughter will give me the pleasure of your company.”
“Thank you. I will stay, but I must go ’way right after dessert. I
have an engagement with—with the fairies.”
“Oh, how lovely! Are you going to see them dance?”
“Yes,” said Dolly, greatly pleased to learn that Pinkie believed in
fairies; “they sent me a special invitation.”
“I’ll go with you,” said Mrs. Constantine, promptly. “I’m always
invited to their dances.”
So again the acorn cups and leaves came into use, and the four
drank unlimited cups of tea, and ate all sorts of things, Arabella
having apparently recovered from her indisposition.
“Now, we’ll go to the fairies’ ball,” said Pinkie, as with a sweep of
her hand she cleared the table of dishes and viands and all. “What
shall we wear?”
“I’ll wear red velvet,” said Dolly, whose tastes were gay, “and a
wide light-blue sash, and gold slippers.”
“You’ll look lovely,” declared Mrs. Constantine. “I’ll wear spangled
blue satin, and a diamond crown.”
“Then I’ll have a diamond crown, too,” said Dolly.
“No; you have a ruby one. We don’t want to be just alike.”
“Yes, I’ll have a ruby one, and my daughter can have a diamond
one, and your daughter a ruby one,—then we’ll be fair all around.”
“Yes, that’s fair,” agreed Pinkie; “now let’s start.”
They carried the dolls with them, and going a little farther into
the wood, they selected a smooth, mossy place where fairies might
easily dance if they chose.
“We must fix it up for them,” said Pinkie; “so they’ll want to
come.”
Eagerly the two girls went to work. They picked up any bits of
stick or stone that disfigured the moss, and then, at Pinkie’s
direction, they made a circular border of green leaves, and what few
wild flowers they could find.
A row of stones was laid as an outside border, and a branch of
green was stuck upright in the centre.
“Now it looks pretty,” said Pinkie, with a nod of satisfaction. “Let’s
sit down and wait.”
“Will they really come?” asked Dolly, as with Araminta and
Arabella they seated themselves near by.
“Oh, no, I s’pose not,” said Pinkie, with a little sigh. “I’ve done
this thing so many times, and they never have come. But it’s fun to
do it, and then I always think perhaps they may.”
But they waited what seemed a long time, and as no fairies came
to dance, and the shadows began to grow deeper, Dolly said she
must go home.
“Yes, I must too,” said Pinkie, looking troubled.
“See here, Dolly,” she said, as they walked along; “don’t you
want to come here and play with me again?”
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