56. Baby Trouble p.383

    Betty is talking to her husband Dan

    B： Don't you think it's time that we had a baby？

    D： We're much better off without children. Think of all the trouble raising them.

    B： But it's only natural that married couples have babies.

    D： I don't want any brats² who'll run around the house breaking things.

    B： Then I'll have a baby by myself.

    D： Don't be ridiculous. That's not possible.

    B： Yes, it is. I can adopt or go to the sperm³ bank or…

    D： Stop！ Are you crazy？ I forbid it.

    B： Then, can we have a baby together？

    D： Ok. You win.

    Baby is a term of endearment⁴.    The baby is so cute.

    It's （about,high） time that he went asleep. 从句用虚拟

    much better off 好多了   从well off引出,日子过的好

    grocery store 杂货店

    Many students have trouble/difficulty （in可省略） writing English.

    toad  癞蛤蟆

    brat¹ 顽皮的小孩   kid（口语）   naughty,mischievous⁵      Nobody likes mischievous children.

    ridiculous = nonsensical 无意义的，荒谬的

    ridicule⁶ = tease v.嘲笑，奚落    The scientists ridiculed⁷ the professor's theory.