Dialogue 16
FINDING A BABY-SITTER

laurance--Can you get a baby-sitter for tonight?
soony--I don't know.Why?
laurance--Well,I thought we could go out for dinner and then go to a movie afterward.
soony--I can call Debbie and see if she's available.She usually doesn't like to sit during the week,but she might make an exception.
laurance--Well,do that,and then call me at the office if you have any luck.
soony--Okay,but don't get your hopes too high.It's hard to find a good baby-sitter these days.

注解：
1）baby-sitter：指临时为人照看孩子的人。美国很多女中学生、大学生课余替人看孩子，挣些零花钱。
2）sit during the week = baby-sit on weekdays
3）make an exception：做例外处理。make no exception：概部例外。
4）if you have any luck = if you are successful;也可直译为“如果你有运气能办成的话”

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Dialogue 17
DON'T GET YOUR HOPES TOO HIGH

laurance--They'll never help us.You know that old saying,"You can't get blood out of a turnip."
soony--I know,I know.But that's no reason not to ask them.
laurance--We asked them last year and what did they say?
soony--actually,they didn't say anything.
laurance--Yeah.They didn't say anything and they didn't do anything.
soony--I think they might do something this year.I was talking to Gail last week and I thought I detected a more friendly attitude.
laurance--There you go with your optimism!Don't get your hopes too high!
soony--I won't,but it doesn't hurt to expect the best.Sometimes you get it!

注解：
1）turnip：萝卜。
2）Gail：人名。
3）detect：察觉。
4）attitude：态度。
5）optimism：乐观主义（态度、情绪）
6）Don't get your hopes too high.=Don't expect too much.
high是宾语补足语。high hope是“奢望”。
7）It doesn't hurt to expect for the best：it是形式主语，
不定式短语to expect for the best是真正的主语。