Chapter 25

Terrence was a good athlete but a bad sport.

Rondi and Allison were playing two-square with a red ball.

"Can I play?" asked Terrence.

"No," Allison replied.

"You have to let me play," Terrence said. "Louis says we have to share the balls."

"Well, we're not sharing with you," said Allison.

"Oh, let him play," said Rondi.

"All right," said Allison. "We'll play three-square. You better play right."
99"I will," said Terrence.
Allison bounced the ball to Rondi. Rondi bounced it over to Terrence. Terrence caught it and kicked it over the fence.

"You have to go get it," said Allison.

"Shut up, Dixie cup," Terrence answered.

Rondi ran and told Louis.

D.J. and Dameon were playing basketball. "Uh-oh, here comes Terrence," said Dameon.

"Hey, let me play," said Terrence.

"Get lost, Terrence," said Dameon.

"You have to share the balls. Louis says so," said Terrence.

"Okay, but just throw it in the basket. Don't kick it," said Dameon.

"I won't," said Terrence.

First Dameon took a shot. It bounced off the backboard and through the hoop¹.

Next D.J. took a shot. He threw it underhand, way up in the air. It came down through the hoop without touching² the rim³.

Then Terrence took a shot. He kicked it over the fence.

"You idiot," said Dameon.

"Take a train, peanut brain," Terrence answered.

D.J. went and told Louis.

Stephen, Calvin, Joe, John, and Leslie were playing spud. Stephen was IT. Everyone else had a number. Stephen had to throw the ball up in the air and call out a number. The person who had that number had to try to catch it.

"Can I play?" asked Terrence.
100"No," said Calvin. "You'll just kick the ball over the fence."
"No," said Joe.

"No way," said John.

"No," said Leslie.

"Sure," said Stephen. "Newcomers are IT." He gave the ball to Terrence. "Just throw the ball up in the air and call out a number between one and five."

"Okay," said Terrence.

The children formed a circle around Terrence.

"A million," yelled Terrence as he kicked the ball over the fence.

"What did you do that for?" asked Stephen.

"Eat a frog, warthog," said Terrence.

Stephen ran and told Louis.

Terrence looked around. There was nothing to do. There were no balls left.

Louis walked up to him. He was followed by Allison, Rondi, Dameon, D.J., Stephen, Calvin, Joe, John, and Leslie.

"What's the matter, Terrence?" asked Louis.

"There are no balls," said Terrence. "Do you have a green ball?"

"No," said Louis. "All of my balls have mysteriously disappeared."

"Darn it," said Terrence. "There is nothing left to kick."

"Nothing left to kick?" asked Louis. "Oh, I don't know about that. What do you think, Rondi? Is there anything left to kick?"

Rondi thought a minute. Then she smiled.
101She was missing her two front teeth. "Yes, there is something left to kick," she said.
"Well, where is it?" asked Terrence.

"Let me check with Allison," said Louis. "Allison, is there anything left to kick?" He winked⁴ at her.

"There sure is," said Allison.

"What, what?" asked Terrence.

"How about you, Dameon?" asked Louis. "Can you think of anything?"

Dameon nodded his head yes.

"Well, what is it?" asked Terrence. He couldn't wait.

"D.J., we got anything around here to kick?" asked Louis.

D.J. smiled. "Yes, we do," he said.

"Give it to me. Give it to me," Terrence demanded.

"I don't know if I should," said Louis. "What do you think, Calvin? Should I give it to him?"

"I think you should," said Calvin.

"You heard Calvin," said Terrence. "Give it to me.

"Not so fast," said Louis. "Leslie, should I give it to him?"

"Oh, yes, I think he deserves it," said Leslie.

"Give it to me. Give it to me," Terrence repeated.

"Do you also think he deserves it, Joe?" asked Louis.

"Yes, I think so," said Joe.

"What about you, John?" asked Louis.

"Definitely give it to him," John answered.

"Come on. Come on," said Terrence. "Recess⁵ is almost over."
102"We'll leave it up to Stephen," said Louis. "Whatever he says goes."
"Let him have it," said Stephen.

"You heard him, Louis," said Terrence. "Let me have it."

"Okay," said Louis.

He picked Terrence up and kicked him over the fence.

1 hoop   

n.（篮球）篮圈，篮

参考例句：

• The child was rolling a hoop.那个孩子在滚铁环。
• The wooden tub is fitted with the iron hoop.木盆都用铁箍箍紧。

2 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

3 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。

4 winked   

v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮

参考例句：

• He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼，她便知道他的想法和她一样。
• He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。