mathematical [mæθi'mætik(ə)l] swallow ['swoləυ] moth [moθ]

`Ah! but we have, in our dreams,' answered the children; and the Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming.

One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the spring as he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had been so attracted by her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her.

`Shall I love you (могу ли я полюбить тебя; shall — выражает желательность или обязательность действия)?' said the Swallow (сказал Ласточка), who liked to come to the point at once (которому /всегда/ нравилось сразу же переходить к сути дела; point — точка, вопрос, главное), and the Reed made him a low bow (и Камышинка отвесила ему низкий поклон = низко поклонилась; to make (made)). So he flew round and round her (тогда он стал кружить: «летать по кругу» вокруг нее; to fly (flew, flown)), touching the water with his wings (касаясь воды /своими/ крыльями), and making silver ripples (и оставляя /на воде/ серебряную/серебристую рябь; to make — делать, создавать). This was his courtship (так он выражал ей свою любовь: «это было ее ухаживание»), and it lasted all through the summer (и так продолжалось все лето; to last — продолжаться, длиться; all through — в течение, в продолжение).