case that were in the rack to the carriage madame had just left. 19 страница

She talked with vivacity all through supper (она разговаривала с оживлением

весь ужин; all through — зд. протекание действия в течение целого периода

времени — в течение, в продолжение). She told him about the various parties

she had been to (она рассказала ему о различных приемах, на которых она

побывала), and the theatrical functions she had not been able to get out of (и о

театральных вечеринках, которых она не имела возможности избежать;

function — функция, торжественный прием, разг. вечеринка, to get out of

smth. /doing smth./ — избавиться, уклониться от чего-либо), so that it seemed

only on account of her engagements (и таким образом оказалось, что только по

причине ее занятости: «договоренностей») that they had not met (они не

встречались). It disconcerted her to perceive that he took it as perfectly natural (ее

обескураживало это — осознавать, что он воспринимал это как совершенно

естественное /объяснение/). He was glad to see her, that was plain (он был рад

видеть ее, это было очевидно), he was interested in what she had been doing and

in the people she had seen (ему было интересно, что она делала и /был

заинтересован/ в людях, которых она видела), but it was plain also that he had

not missed her (но так же было ясно, что он не скучал по ней).

conjurer ['kAndZqrq] vivacity [vI'vxsItI] perceive [pq'si:v]

But she looked at him with a gay smile in her lovely eyes.

"Where are we going?"

"I've got a table at Quag's. They've got a new turn there, an American conjurer,

who's grand."

She talked with vivacity all through supper. She told him about the various parties

she had been to, and the theatrical functions she had not been able to get out of, so

that it seemed only on account of her engagements that they had not met. It

disconcerted her to perceive that he took it as perfectly natural. He was glad to see

her, that was plain, he was interested in what she had been doing and in the people

she had seen, but it was plain also that he had not missed her.

To see what he would say (чтобы увидеть, что он скажет) she told him that she

had had an offer (она сказала ему, что ей поступало предложение: «она имела

предложение») to take the play in which she was acting to New York

(отправиться со спектаклем: «взять спектакль», в котором она играла в Нью-

Йорке). She told him the terms that had been suggested (она назвала: «сказала»

ему условия, которые были предложены; terms — условия, тж. условия

оплаты).

"They're marvellous (они изумительные)," he said, his eyes glittering (сказал он,

глаза его /при этом/ сверкали). "What a snip (это же верный шанс). You can't

lose (ты не можешь провалиться: «проиграть») and you may make a packet (и

ты сможешь сорвать куш)."

"The only thing is, I don't much care for leaving London (единственное, я не

очень-то хочу покидать Лондон: «меня не интересует это — оставить

Лондон»)."

"Why on earth not (это почему же нет)? I should have thought you'd jump at it (я

был почти уверен: «я бы подумал», что ты ухватишься за это /предложение/;

to jump — прыгать, скакать, to jump at smth. — охотно приняться за что-

либо). The play's had a good long run (спектакль идет уже достаточно долго; to

have a long run — долго идти на сцене), for all you know (кто его знает, может

быть) it'll be pretty well through by Easter (он совершенно /надоест/ и будет

снят к Пасхе; to be through — закончить, завершить, /разг./ уставать от

чего-либо), and if you want to make a stab at America (и, если ты хочешь

попытать счастья в Америке; make a stab at smth — попытаться сделать

что-либо, stab — удар, приступ, /разг./ попытка) you couldn't have a better

vehicle (тебе не найти лучшего средства: «у тебя не сможет быть лучшего

средства»; vehicle — транспортное средство)."

offer ['Ofq] marvel(l)ous ['mQ:v(q)lqs] glittering ['glIt(q)rIN] jump [dZAmp]

To see what he would say she told him that she had had an offer to take the play in

which she was acting to New York. She told him the terms that had been

suggested.

"They're marvellous," he said, his eyes glittering. "What a snip. You can't lose and

you may make a packet."

"The only thing is, I don't much care for leaving London."

"Why on earth not? I should have thought you'd jump at it. The play's had a good

long run, for all you know it'll be pretty well through by Easter, and if you want to

make a stab at America you couldn't have a better vehicle."

"I don't see why it shouldn't run through the summer (не вижу причин, почему

бы ей и не идти все лето: «в течение всего лета»). Besides, I don't like strangers

very much (кроме того, я не очень-то люблю незнакомцев). I'm fond of my

friends (я люблю своих друзей)."

"I think that's silly (я думаю, это глупо). Your friends’ll get along without you all

right (твои друзья проживут без тебя совершенно спокойно; to get along —

жить, прожить, обходиться). And you'll have a grand time in New York (и ты

проведешь замечательное время в Нью-Иорке)."

Her gay laugh was very convincing (ее веселый смех звучал очень

убедительно).

"One would think (можно подумать) you were terribly anxious (что тебе ужасно

не терпится: «ты ужасно стремишься») to get rid of me (избавиться от меня)."

"Of course I should miss you like hell (конечно же, я буду отчаянно скучать по

тебе; like hell — чертовски). But it would only be for a few months (но это же

все будет на несколько месяцев). If I had a chance like that I'd jump at it (если

бы мне выдался такой шанс: «у меня был бы», я бы схватился за него)."

through [Tru:] convincing [kqn'vInsIN] terribly ['terqblI]

"I don't see why it shouldn't run through the summer. Besides, I don't like strangers

very much. I'm fond of my friends."

"I think that's silly. Your friends'll get along without you all right. And you'll have

a grand time in New York."

Her gay laugh was very convincing.

"One would think you were terribly anxious to get rid of me."

"Of course I should miss you like hell. But it would only be for a few months. If I

had a chance like that I'd jump at it."

But when they had finished supper (но, когда они закончили ужин) and the

commissionaire had called up a taxi for them (и швейцар вызвал такси для них)

he gave the address of the flat (он дал адрес /его/ квартиры) as if it were an

understood thing (как если бы это было решенным делом: «понятной вещью»)

that they should go back to it (что они должны вернуться /именно/ туда). In the

taxi he put his arm round her waist and kissed her (в такси он положил свою

руку на ее талию и поцеловал ее), and later, when she lay in his arms, in the little

single bed (и позже, когда она лежала в его объятиях, в небольшой

односпальной кровати), she felt that all the pain she had suffered during that last

fortnight (она чувствовала, что вся боль, которую она выстрадала в течение

последних двух недель) was not too great a price to pay (была не такой уж

высокой ценой, которую она заплатила) for the happy peace that filled her heart

(за то счастливое спокойствие, которое наполнило ее сердце).

commissionaire [kq"mISq'neq] pain [peIn] fortnight ['fO:tnaIt]

But when they had finished supper and the commissionaire had called up a taxi for

them he gave the address of the flat as if it were an understood thing that they

should go back to it. In the taxi he put his arm round her waist and kissed her, and

later, when she lay in his arms, in the little single bed, she felt that all the she

had suffered during that last fortnight was not too great a price to pay for the happy

peace that filled her heart.

Julia continued to go to the smart supper places (Джулия продолжала ходить в

модные рестораны: «места, чтобы поужинать») and to night clubs with Tom (и

в ночные клубы с Томом). If people wanted to think he was her lover, let them

(если люди хотели думать, что он был ее любовником, пусть); she was past

caring (она уже не волновалась /об этом/; past — зд. указывает на выход за

рамки, пределы, нормы — сверх, свыше, вне). But it happened more than once

(но так уж выходило несколько раз = но случалось больше чем один раз) that

he was engaged (что он был занят) when she wanted him to go somewhere with

her (когда она хотела, чтобы он пошел с ней куда-нибудь). It had spread

around among Julia's grander friends (в кругу: «среди» знатных друзей Джулии

распространилась /уверенность/) that Tom was very clever at helping one with

one's income-tax returns (что Том был очень умен и мог помочь с возвратом

подоходного налога; return — возращение, отдача). The Dennorants had asked

him down to the country for a week-end (Денноранты пригласили его в

загородный дом: «в деревню» на уик-энд), and here he had met a number of

persons (и там: «здесь» он встретился с некоторым количеством людей) who

were glad to take advantage of his technical knowledge (которые были рады

воспользоваться его техническими знаниями; advantage — преимущество,

выгода).

continue [kqn'tInju:] clever ['klevq] return [rI'tq:n]

Julia continued to go to the smart supper places and to night clubs with Tom. If

people wanted to think he was her lover, let them; she was past caring. But it

happened more than once that he was engaged when she wanted him to go

somewhere with her. It had spread around among Julia's grander friends that Tom

was very clever at helping one with one's income-tax returns. The Dennorants had

asked him down to the country for a week-end, and here he had met a number of

persons who were glad to take advantage of his technical knowledge.

He began to get invitations from people whom Julia did not know (он начал

получать приглашения от людей, которых Джулия и не знала). Acquaintances

would mention him to her (знакомые /бывало/ упоминали о нем ей /Джулии/).

"You know Tom Fennell, don't you (ты же знаешь Тома Феннелла, так ведь)?

He's very clever, isn't he (он очень умен, не правда ли)? I hear he's saved the

Gillians hundreds of pounds on their income-tax (я слышал, что он сэкономил

Джиллианам сотни фунтов стерлингов на их подоходном налоге)."

Julia was none too pleased (Джулии это вовсе не нравилось; none — совсем не,

вовсе не, ничуть не). It was through her (именно благодаря ей: «через нее = с

ее помощью») that he had got asked to parties that he wanted to go to (его

раньше приглашали на приемы, на которые он хотел пойти). It began to look

as if in this respect he could do without her (начинало казаться: «это начинало

выглядеть как будто», что в этом отношении он мог обходиться без нее;

respect — уважение, внимание; отношение, касательство). He was pleasant

and unassuming (он был приятным и непритязательным), very well-dressed

now (очень хорошо одетый — сейчас), and with a fresh, clean look that was

engaging (и со свежим, чистым видом, что был очень располагающим:

«привлекательным»); he was able to save people money (он мог экономить

людям деньги); Julia knew the world which he was so anxious to get into well

enough (Джулия знала тот мир, в который он так страстно стремился попасть,

достаточно хорошо) to realize that he would soon establish himself in it (чтобы

понять, что он вскоре устроится в нем).

acquaintance [q'kweIntqns] unassuming ["Anq's(j)u:mIN] establish [I'stxblIS]

He began to get invitations from people whom Julia did not know. Acquaintances

would mention him to her.

"You know Tom Fennell, don't you? He's very clever, isn't he? I hear he's saved

the Gillians hundreds of pounds on their income-tax."

Julia was none too pleased. It was through her that he had got asked to parties that

he wanted to go to. It began to look as if in this respect he could do without her. He

was pleasant and unassuming, very well-dressed now, and with a fresh, clean look

that was engaging; he was able to save people money; Julia knew the world which

he was so anxious to get into well enough to realize that he would soon establish

himself in it.

She had no very high opinion (у нее было не очень-то хорошее: «высокое»

мнение) of the morals of the women he would meet there (о морали тех женщин,

с которыми он встретится там) and she could name more than one person of title

(и она могла бы назвать более чем одну титулованную особу; to name —

называть, давать имя, перечислять поименно) who would be glad to snap him

up (которая бы с радостью набросилась: «схватила бы» на него). Julia's

comfort was (Джулию утешало то; comfort — утешение, поддержка,

успокоение) that they were all as mean as cat's meat (что все они были скупыми,

какой-нибудь ерунды и то не допросишься: «скупые, как мясные обрезки»;

cat's-meat — мясные обрезки для кошек). Dolly had said he was only earning

four hundred a year (Долли сказала как-то, что он получал всего лишь четыре

сотни в год); he certainly couldn't live in those circles on that (он безусловно не

сможет жить в тех кругах на такие /деньги/).

morals ['mOrqlz] comfort ['kAmfqt] circle ['sq:k(q)l]

She had no very high opinion of the morals of the women he would meet there and

she could name more than one person of title who would be glad to snap him up.

Julia's comfort was that they were all as mean as cat's meat. Dolly had said he was

only earning four hundred a year; he certainly couldn't live in those circles on that.

Julia had with decision turned down the American offer (Джулия решительно

отклонила американское предложение; decision — решение, решительность,

твердость) before ever she mentioned it to Tom (до того даже, как она

упомянула об этом Тому); their play was playing to very good business (их

спектакль делал очень хорошие сборы: «спектакль играли с очень хорошими

деловыми /показателями/»). But one of those inexplicable slumps (но, один из

тех необъяснимых внезапных спадов /деловой активности/) that occasionally

affect the theatre (что время от времени вредили театру; to affect —

воздействовать, наносить ущерб, задевать) now swept over London (тем

временем охватил Лондон; to sweep (swept) — мести, сметать, зд. обуять,

охватывать) and the takings suddenly dropped (и выручка внезапно упала). It

looked as though they would not be able to carry on long after Easter (было

похоже на то: «выглядело так», что они не смогут протянуть долго после

Пасхи /с этим же спектаклем/; to carry on — продолжать заниматься чем-

либо). They had a new play (у них была новая пьеса) on which they set great

hopes (на которую они возлагали большие надежды). It was called Nowadays

(она называлась «В наши дни»), and the intention had been (и они

намеревались: «и намерение было») to produce it early in the autumn

(поставить ее ранней осенью).

inexplicable ["InIk'splIkqb(q)l] suddenly ['sAd(q)nlI] intention [In'tenS(q)n]

Julia had with decision turned down the American offer before ever she mentioned

it to Tom; their play was playing to very good business. But one of those

inexplicable slumps that occasionally affect the theatre now swept over London

and the takings suddenly dropped. It looked as though they would not be able to

carry on long after Easter. They had a new play on which they set great hopes. It

was called Nowadays, and the intention had been to produce it early in the autumn.

It had a great part for Julia (в ней была великолепная роль для Джулии) and the

advantage of one that well suited Michael (и, ее преимуществом было и то, что в

ней была роль, которая хорошо подходила Майклу). It was the sort of play that

might easily run a year (это была пьеса такого рода, что могла с легкостью

идти целый год). Michael did not much like the idea of producing it in May

(Майклу не очень-то нравилась идея ставить ее в мае), with the summer

coming on (когда приближалось лето; to come on — наступать,

приближаться), but there seemed no help for it (но, казалось, у них не было

другого выхода; there's no help for it — тут ничего не поделаешь, help —

помощь, помощник, средство, спасение) and he began looking about for a cast

(и он начал вести поиски состава исполнителей; to look about —

оглядываться вокруг, подыскивать).

One afternoon (как-то днем), during the interval at a matinee (во время антракта

в дневном спектакле; interval — промежуток, интервал, перерыв), Evie

brought a note in to Julia (Эви принесла записку для Джулии). She was

surprised to see Roger's handwriting (она была удивлена увидеть почерк

Роджера).

advantage [qd'vQ:ntIdZ] interval ['Intqv(q)l] handwriting ['hxnd"raItIN]

It had a great part for Julia and the advantage of one that well suited Michael. It

was the sort of play that might easily run a year. Michael did not much like the

idea of producing it in May, with the summer coming on, but there

seemed no help for it and he began looking about for a cast.

One afternoon, during the interval at a matinee, Evie brought a note in to Julia. She

was surprised to see Roger's handwriting.

DEAR MOTHER (дорогая Мама),

This is to introduce to you Miss Joan Denver (этой /запиской разреши/

представить тебе мисс Джоан Денвер) who I talked to you about (о которой я

тебе говорил). She's awfully keen on getting in the Siddons Theatre (она ужасно

хочет поступить /на работу/ в «Сиддонс-театр»; to get in — зд. пройти,

поступить, попасть) and would be quite satisfied with an understudy however

small (и будет совершенно удовлетворена если будет дублершей, неважно в

какой маленькой роли).

Your affectionate son, ROGER (твой любящий сын, Роджер).

introduce ["Intrq'dju:s] understudy ['Andq"stAdI] however [haV'evq]

DEAR MOTHER,

This is to introduce to you Miss Joan Denver who I talked to you about. She's

awfully keen on getting in the Siddons Theatre and would be quite satisfied with

an understudy however small.

Your affectionate son, ROGER.

Julia smiled at the formal way in which he wrote (Джулия улыбнулась тому

официальному тону, в котором он писал; formal — надлежаще оформленный,

формальный); she was tickled (ее позабавило) because he was so grown up

(потому, что он был уже настолько взрослым) as to try to get jobs for his girl

friends (чтобы пытаться заполучить работу для своей подружки). Then she

suddenly remembered who Joan Denver was (затем она внезапно вспомнила,

кто такая была Джоан Денвер). Joan and Jill (Джоан и Джилл). She was the girl

who had seduced poor Roger (она была той самой девушкой, что соблазнила

бедного Роджера). Her face went grim (ее лицо стало суровым:

«беспощадным»). But she was curious to see her (но ей было любопытно

взглянуть на нее).

"Is George there (Джордж там)?" George was the doorkeeper (Джордж был

привратником; doorkeeper = door (дверь)+keeper (хранитель, смотритель)).

Evie nodded and opened the door (Эви кивнула /головой/ и открыла дверь).

"George."

He came in (он вошел).

"Is the lady who brought this letter here now (дама, которая принесла это

письмо, сейчас здесь)?"

"Yes, miss (да, мисс)."

"Tell her I'll see her after the play (скажите ей, что я приму ее после

спектакля)."

tickle ['tIk(q)l] seduce [sI'dju:s] doorkeeper ['dO:"ki:pq]

Julia smiled at the formal way in which he wrote; she was tickled because he was

so grown up as to try to get jobs for his girl friends. Then she suddenly

remembered who Joan Denver was. Joan and Jill. She was the girl who had

seduced poor Roger. Her face went grim. But she was curious to see her.

"Is George there?" George was the doorkeeper. Evie nodded and opened the door.

"George."

He came in.

"Is the lady who brought this letter here now?"

"Yes, miss."

"Tell her I'll see her after the play."

She wore in the last act an evening dress with a train (на ней было, в последнем

действии, вечернее платье со шлейфом); it was a very grand dress (это было

очень роскошное платье) and showed her beautiful figure to advantage (и

представляло ее прекрасную фигуру в выгодном свете). She wore diamonds in

her dark hair (она носила бриллианты в темных волосах) and diamond bracelets

on her arms (и бриллиантовые браслеты на руках). She looked, as indeed the

part required, majestic (она выглядела, как того на самом деле и требовала

роль, величественно). She received Joan Denver the moment she had taken her

last call (она приняла Джоан Денвер, в тот самый момент, когда она в

последний раз поклонилась публике; to take a call — выходить на

аплодисменты, раскланиваться). Julia could in the twinkling of an eye (Джулия

умела в мгновение ока) leap from her part into private life (перейти:

«прыгнуть» от своей роли в частную жизнь), but now without an effort (но

сейчас, без всякого усилия) she continued to play the imperious, aloof, stately

and well-bred woman of the play (она продолжала играть властную, холодную,

величественную и хорошо воспитанную женщину, /какой она была/ в

спектакле).

diamond ['daIqmqnd] majestic [mq'dZestIk] imperious [Im'pI(q)rIqs]

She wore in the last act an evening dress with a train; it was a very grand dress and

showed her beautiful figure to advantage. She wore diamonds in her dark hair and

diamond bracelets on her arms. She looked, as indeed the part required, majestic.

She received Joan Denver the moment she had taken her last call. Julia could in the

twinkling of an eye leap from her part into private life, but now without an effort

she continued to play the imperious, aloof, stately and well-bred woman of the

play.

"I've kept you waiting so long (я заставила вас так долго ждать) I thought (что я

подумала) I wouldn't keep you till I'd got changed (что я не буду вас

задерживать до того момента, когда я переоденусь)."

Her cordial smile was the smile of a queen (ее приветливая: «сердечная» улыбка

была улыбкой королевы); her graciousness kept you at a respectful distance (а ее

грациозность удерживала на почтительном: «уважительном» расстоянии). In

a glance (ей было достаточно одного взгляда) she had taken in the young girl

who entered her dressing-room (чтобы понять, что это была за молодая

девушка, что вошла сейчас в ее грим-уборную). She was young, with a pretty

little face and a snub nose (она была молода, с хорошеньким личиком и

курносым носом), a good deal made-up and not very well made-up (с большим

количеством макияжа, не очень хорошо наложенного).

"Her legs are too short (ее ноги слишком коротки)," thought Julia (подумала

Джулия). "Very second-rate (очень посредственная: «второсортная»)."

cordial ['kO:dIql] distance ['dIst(q)ns] second-rate ["sekqnd'reIt]

"I've kept you waiting so long I thought I wouldn't keep you till I'd got changed."

Her cordial smile was the smile of a queen; her graciousness kept you at a

respectful distance. In a glance she had taken in the young girl who entered her

dressing-room. She was young, with a pretty little face and a snub nose, a good

deal made-up and not very well made-up.

"Her legs are too short," thought Julia. "Very second-rate."

She had evidently put on her best clothes (она, очевидно, надела свою самую

лучшую одежду) and the same glance had told Julia all about them (и, тот же

самый взгляд сказал Джулии все о ней /одежде/).

("Shaftesbury Avenue (Шафтсбери-авеню). Off the nail (распродажа по

сниженным ценам; nail — ноготь; гвоздь).")

The poor thing was at the moment frightfully nervous (бедняжка в это самое

время ужасно нервничала). Julia made her sit down and offered her a cigarette

(Джулия заставила ее/предложила ей присесть и предложила ей сигарету).

"There are matches by your side (там спички, с вашей стороны: «рядом с

вами»)."

She saw her hands tremble (она увидела, что ее руки дрожат) when she tried to

strike one (когда она попыталась зажечь спичку; to strike — ударять, зд.

зажигать). It broke (она сломалась) and she rubbed a second three times against

the box (и она чиркнула: «потерла» второй /спичкой/ раза три о коробок)

before she could get it to light (до того, как она смогла таки зажечь ее).

("If Roger could only see her now (если бы только Роджер мог видеть ее

сейчас)! Cheap rouge (дешевые румяна), cheap lipstick (дешевая помада), and

scared out of her wits (потеряла голову от страха; scared — напуганный,

испуганный, wits — ум, разум). Gay little thing, he thought she was (веселая

малышка — так он думал о ней).")

frightfully ['fraItf(q)lI] cigarette ["sIgq'ret] cheap [tSi:p]

She had evidently put on her best clothes and the same glance had told Julia all