Paul ends his relationship with 2e as Holly prepares to marry Jose.

Each one of these little drawers is stuffed with little cards.

If a drawer is “stuffed” with something, it is completely

filled, so that there is no room left inside.

He’s Varjak, Paul, in person.

To meet somebody “in person” is to see them directly, as opposed to seeing them on TV or in the newspapers. Holly is noting that author’s cards are arranged by last name (and thus, “Varjak, Paul”).

Don’t be so stuck up! Autograph it!

If a person is “stuck up,” they are snobby or arrogant, and thus look down on others. Famous people “autograph” their books, which simply means to sign it.

What should I say? :: Something sentimental, I think.

“Sentimental” means emotional, or perhaps overly romantic.

Stop that! You’re defacing public property!

“To deface” something is to destroy it by writing on it, and here the public property is the book Paul wrote, which is owned by the library.

Did you ever steal something from a 5 & 10 when you

were a kid? :: No, I’m the sensitive, bookish type.

5&10 was the name of a popular store that went out of business in

the 1970s. A “bookish” person likes to pass time reading books.

I still do, now and then, to keep my hand in. Come on, don’t be chicken!

If you “keep your hand in” an activity, such as playing poker, you do it occasionally so that you don’t forget how to do it. If a person is “chicken,” they are scared to do something.

Boo!

The word to use when you want to sneak up and scare somebody.

Hi, cat. Lady of the house at home?

The “lady of the house” is the woman who runs the house (It’s usually the mother of the family, just as a dad is usually the man of the house).

Trick or treat! :: You’re crazy, you know that, don’t you.

The words that children say when they go door to door asking for candy on Halloween (A treat is an unexpected gift, such as candy).

2E, you’re a very stylish girl. Can’t we end this stylishly?

A person who is “stylish” is fashionable in clothes

and behavior, or perhaps elegant and graceful.

Curiously enough, she’s a girl who can’t help anyone, not even herself.

One way of saying strangely.

Don’t look so bewildered. Surely, you’ve noticed me writing checks before.

A person who is “bewildered” is confused, often

by conflicting information, or a disorienting situation.

Pay to the order of Paul Varjak. $1,000.

The exact words found on every check.

You’re entitled to a vacation with pay. It’s simply

a matter of fair labor practices, darling.

To be “entitled” to something is to deserve it, often in a legal sense.

“Fair labor practices” refers to the way that employers are legally expected to deal with their workers (such as paying a minimum wage).

If you were really smart, you’d organize a union. That way

you’d get all the fringe benefits. Hospitalization, a pension plan.

“Fringe benefits” are things that an employer gives their workers beyond a salary, such as health insurance (which used to be referred to as hospitalization, as above). A “pension plan” is pay that is set aside for a worker’s retirement.

Let’s get something straight. My name is Paul Varjak.

“Let’s make this very clear, so there is no misunderstanding.”

What’s all this jazz about South America?

One way of referring to excited talk or interest in a topic.

Who the hell is Jose?

A common addition to Wh questions in

order to show emotion such as anger or frustration.

He’s not only handsome and wildly rich, he’s absolutely cookoo for me.

To be “cookoo” about a person is to be infatuated with them,

or like them very much. It’s also a slangy word for crazy.

The place is such a mess, I couldn’t bear to face it alone.

In this case, to be able “to bear” something is to

support or accept it without too much suffering.

The telegram, and now this. Crashing everything…it’s appalling.

A “telegram” is a written message sent over long distance by wire.

If something is “appalling,” it is shockingly bad or horrible.

I can’t have a public scandal. It’s too delicate.

A “scandal” is a situation in which a well known person is caught doing something illegal or immoral. If something is “delicate,” it is fragile. This is Jose’s way of saying he can’t be seen with Holly.

There’s no law against busting up your own apartment.

“To bust up” something is to destroy it, or break it into pieces.

“Received notice. Young Fred killed in jeep accident. Your

husband and children join in the sorrow of our mutual loss.”

A “jeep” is a type of small car that is used widely in the army.

“Sorrow” is great grief or emotional suffering caused by a tragedy.

You got a ranch or something in Brazil, don’t you?

A “ranch” is a type of large farm, often with lots of horses and cows.