case that were in the rack to the carriage madame had just left. 32 страница

Street (которая смотрела в витрину магазина на Бонд-стрит), a hat shop

(шляпного магазина), and a man came up and asked her if she'd like a hat (и

мужчина подошел, и спросил у нее, не хочет ли она шляпку). I'd love one, she

said (мне бы хотелось одну, сказала она), and they went in and she chose one (и

они вошли и она выбрала одну) and gave her name and address (и дала свое

имя и адрес), he paid for it on the nail (он оплатил ее, тут же, немедленно; on

the nail — на месте, сразу же), and then she said, thank you so much, and

walked out while he was waiting for the change (и затем она сказала: «спасибо

вам большое», и вышла, пока он ожидал сдачи)."

extraordinary [Ik'strO:d(q)n(q)rI] policeman [pq'li:smqn] change [tSeIndZ]

"I don't know about that. It's rather flattering. You know, it's a most extraordinary

thing, no one ever follows me in the street. I don't remember a man ever having

tried to pick me up."

"Oh well, you walk along Edgware Road one evening. You'll get picked up all

right."

"I shouldn't know what to do if I was."

"Call a policeman," said Evie grimly.

"I know a girl who was looking in a shop window in Bond Street, a hat shop, and a

man came up and asked her if she'd like a hat. I'd love one, she said, and they went

in and she chose one and gave her name and address, he paid for it on the nail, and

then she said, thank you so much, and walked out while he was waiting for the

change."

"That's what she told you (это то, что она сказал вам)." Evie's sniff was sceptical

(Эви скептически шмыгнула носом: «шмыганье носом Эви было

скептическим»). She gave Julia a puzzled look (она взглянула на Джулию

озабоченно). "What's the idea (в чем дело-то)?"

"Oh, nothing (о, ни в чем). I was only wondering why in point of fact (я просто

размышляла, почему это, фактически) I never have been accosted by a man (ко

мне никогда не приставал никакой мужчина; to accost — заговаривать с кем-

либо, приставать /особ. к проституткам/). It's not as if I had no sex appeal (не

похоже, чтобы у меня не было сексуальной привлекательности)."

But had she (а была ли: «но имела ли»)? She made up her mind to put the matter

to the test (она твердо решила подвергнуть этот вопрос испытанию).

That afternoon, when she had had her sleep (тем же днем, когда она уже

поспала), she got up, made up a little more than usual (она поднялась,

подкрасилась немного больше, чем обычно), and without calling Evie put on a

dress (и, не позвав Эви, надела платье) that was neither plain nor obviously

expensive (которое не было ни слишком простым, ни явно дорогим) and a red

straw hat with a wide brim (и красную соломенную шляпку с широкими

полями).

"I don't want to look like a tart (я не хочу выглядеть как уличная девка)," she

said as she looked at herself in the glass (сказала она, когда /она/ глядела на себя

в зеркале). "On the other hand (с другой стороны) I don't want to look too

respectable (я не хочу выглядеть слишком приличной: «респектабельной»)."

sceptical ['skeptIk(q)l] accost [q'kOst] obviously ['ObvIqslI]

"That's what she told you." Evie's sniff was sceptical. She gave Julia a puzzled

look. "What's the idea?"

"Oh, nothing. I was only wondering why in point of fact I never have been

accosted by a man. It's not as if I had no sex appeal."

But had she? She made up her mind to put the matter to the test.

That afternoon, when she had had her sleep, she got up, made up a little more than

usual, and without calling Evie put on a dress that was neither plain nor obviously

expensive and a red straw hat with a wide brim.

"I don't want to look like a tart," she said as she looked at herself in the glass. "On

the other hand I don't want to look too respectable."

She tiptoed down the stairs (она спустилась на цыпочках вниз по ступенькам)

so that no one should hear her (так, чтобы никто не услышал ее) and closed the

door softly behind her (и закрыла дверь мягко за собой). She was a trifle nervous

(она немного нервничала), but pleasantly excited (но /была/ приятно

возбуждена); she felt that she was doing something rather shocking (она

чувствовала, что она делала нечто совершенно скандальное: «шокирующее»).

She walked through Connaught Square into the Edgware Road (она шла через

Коннаут-сквер на Эдвард-роуд). It was about five o'clock (было около пяти

часов). There was a dense line of buses, taxis and lorries (там была плотная

вереница из автобусов, такси и грузовиков); bicyclists dangerously threaded

their way through the traffic (велосипедисты опасно прокладывали себе дорогу

сквозь движение транспорта). The pavements were thronged (тротуары были

заполнены людьми). She sauntered slowly north (она неторопливо медленно

прогуливалась в северном направлении: «на север»). At first she walked with

her eyes straight in front of her (сперва она прогуливалась, смотря: «с ее

глазами» строго перед собой), looking neither to the right nor to the left (не

смотря ни направо, ни налево), but soon realized that this was useless (но вскоре

поняла, что это было бесполезно). She must look at people (она должна

смотреть на людей) if she wanted them to look at her (если она хотела, чтобы

они смотрели на нее).

bicyclist ['baIsIklIst] throng [TrON] neither ['naIDq]

She tiptoed down the stairs so that no one should hear her and closed the door

softly behind her. She was a trifle nervous, but pleasantly excited; she felt that she

was doing something rather shocking. She walked through Connaught Square into

the Edgware Road. It was about five o'clock. There was a dense line of buses, taxis

and lorries; bicyclists dangerously threaded their way through the traffic. The

pavements were thronged. She sauntered slowly north. At first she walked with her

eyes straight in front of her, looking neither to the right nor to the left, but soon

realized that this was useless. She must look at people if she wanted them to look

at her.

Two or three times when she saw half a dozen persons gazing at a shop window

(два или три раза, когда она видела, как с полдюжины людей уставились на

витрины) she paused and gazed too (она останавливалась и тоже пристально

вглядывалась), but none of them took any notice of her (но никто из них не

замечал ее). She strolled on (она прогуливалась дальше). People passed her in

one direction and another (люди проходили мимо нее в одном и другом

направлении). They seemed in a hurry (они, казалось, все спешили; in a hurry

— в спешке, второпях). No one paid any attention to her (никто не обращал на

нее никакого внимания). When she saw a man alone coming towards her (когда

она увидела мужчину, в одиночестве идущего по направлению к ней) she

gave him a bold stare (она нагло уставилась на него; bold — храбрый, дерзкий,

самоуверенный), but he passed on with a blank face (но он прошел дальше с

непроницаемым лицом; blank — чистый, невыразительный). It occurred to her

that her expression was too severe (ей пришло в голову, что выражение ее лица

было слишком суровым), and she let a slight smile hover on her lips (и она

позволила легкой улыбке блуждать: «парить» на /ее/ губах). Two or three men

thought she was smiling at them (двое или трое мужчин подумали, что она

улыбалась им) and quickly averted their gaze (и быстро отводили свои

взгляды). She looked back as one of them passed her (она оглянулась, когда

один из них прошел мимо ее) and he looked back too (и он оглянулся тоже),

but catching her eye he hurried on (но, поймав ее взгляд, он поспешил дальше).

direction [d(a)I'rekS(q)n] hover ['hOvq] avert [q'vq:t]

Two or three times when she saw half a dozen persons gazing at a shop window

she paused and gazed too, but none of them took any notice of her. She strolled on.

People passed her in one direction and another. They seemed in a hurry. No one

paid any attention to her. When she saw a man alone coming towards her she gave

him a bold stare, but he passed on with a blank face. It occurred to her that her

expression was too severe, and she let a slight smile hover on her lips. Two or

three men thought she was smiling at them and quickly averted their gaze. She

looked back as one of them passed her and he looked back too, but catching her

eye he hurried on.

She felt a trifle snubbed (она почувствовала себя слегка униженной; to snub —

относиться пренебрежительно, осадить) and decided not to look round again

(и решила больше не смотреть по сторонам: «снова»). She walked on and on

(она шла дальше и дальше; on — указывает на продолжение действия). She

had always heard that the London crowd was the best behaved in the world (она

часто: «всегда» слышала, что лондонская толпа была самой хорошо себя

ведущей /толпой/ в мире), but really its behaviour on this occasion was

unconscionable (но, на самом деле, ее поведение в этом случае было

чрезмерно /хорошим/; unconscionable — бессовестный; непомерный).

"This couldn't happen to one in the streets of Paris, Rome or Berlin (этого не

могло бы случиться /с человеком/ на улицах Парижа, Рима или Берлина)," she

reflected (размышляла она).

She decided to go as far as the Marylebone Road (она решила дойти до

Мэрилибоун-роуд; as far as — до кого-либо места: «так далеко как»), and

then turn back (и затем повернуть назад). It would be too humiliating to go home

(это было бы слишком унизительным, отправиться домой) without being once

accosted (без того, чтобы к ней ни разу не пристали). She was walking so

slowly (она шла так медленно) that passers-by sometimes jostled her (что

прохожие иногда толкали ее). This irritated her (это раздражало ее).

"I ought to have tried Oxford Street (мне следовало бы попробовать Оксфорд-

стрит)," she said. "That fool Evie (эта дура Эви). The Edgware Road's obviously

a wash-out (очевидно — что Эдвард-роуд — это провал)."

unconscionable [An'kOnS(q)nqb(q)l] jostle ['dZOs(q)l] obviously ['ObvIqslI]

She felt a trifle snubbed and decided not to look round again. She walked on and

on. She had always heard that the London crowd was the best behaved in the

world, but really its behaviour on this occasion was unconscionable.

"This couldn't happen to one in the streets of Paris, Rome or Berlin," she reflected.

She decided to go as far as the Marylebone Road, and then turn back. It would be

too humiliating to go home without being once accosted. She was walking so

slowly that passers-by sometimes jostled her. This irritated her.

"I ought to have tried Oxford Street," she said. "That fool Evie. The Edgware

Road's obviously a wash-out."

Suddenly her heart gave an exultant leap (внезапно ее сердце торжествующе

подпрыгнуло). She had caught a young man's eye (она уловила взгляд молодого

человека) and she was sure that there was a gleam in it (и она была уверена, что

/там/ был огонек: «слабый свет, свечение» в нем). He passed, and she had all

she could do not to turn round (он прошел мимо, и она сделала все, что она

могла сделать, чтобы не повернуться). She started, for in a moment he passed

her again (она вздрогнула, так как через мгновение он прошел мимо нее

снова), he had retraced his steps (он вернулся той же дорогой; to retrace —

возвращаться по пройденному пути, step — шаг, походка), and this time he

gave her a stare (и в этот раз он пристально посмотрел на нее). She shot him a

glance (она бросила на него быстрый взгляд; to shoot (shot) — стрелять,

вести огонь, кидать) and then modestly lowered her eyes (и затем скромно

опустила глаза). He fell back and she was conscious that he was following her (он

отстал, и она была уверена, что он следовал за ней; to fall (fell; fallen) back —

отступать назад, уступать дорогу). It was all right (все было в порядке). She

stopped to look into a shop window and he stopped too (она остановилась, чтобы

посмотреть на витрину магазина и он тоже остановился). She knew how to

behave now (она знала, как вести себя теперь). She pretended to be absorbed in

the goods that were displayed (она притворилась, что /она/ полностью

поглощена товарами, что были выставлены; to absorb — впитывать,

захватывать внимание), but just before she moved on (но как раз перед тем,

как она двинулась дальше) gave him a quick flash of her faintly smiling eyes

(быстро сверкнула на него слегка смеющимися глазами; flash — вспышка,

быстрый взгляд).

exultant [Ig'zAlt(q)nt] absorbed [qb'zO:bd, qb'sO:bd] faintly ['feIntlI]

Suddenly her heart gave an exultant leap. She had caught a young man's eye and

she was sure that there was a gleam in it. He passed, and she had all she could do

not to turn round. She started, for in a moment he passed her again, he had retraced

his steps, and this time he gave her a stare. She shot him a glance and then

modestly lowered her eyes. He fell back and she was conscious that he was

following her. It was all right. She stopped to look into a shop window and he

stopped too. She knew how to behave now. She pretended to be absorbed in the

goods that were displayed, but just before she moved on gave him a quick flash of

her faintly smiling eyes.

He was rather short (он был довольно невысок), he looked like a clerk or a shop-

walker (/он/ выглядел как конторский служащий или дежурный

администратор магазина; shop (магазин) + -walker (ходок, торговец вразнос),

he wore a grey suit (на нем был серый костюм) and a brown soft hat (и

коричневая мягкая шляпа). He was not the man she would have chosen to be

picked up by (он не был тем мужчиной, /которого/ она бы /сама/ выбрала для

того чтобы /он/ ее подцепил), but there it was (но так оно и было), he was

evidently trying to pick her up (он очевидно пытался подцепить ее). She forgot

that she was beginning to feel tired (она забыла, что /она уже/ начинала

чувствовать усталость: «усталой»). She did not know what would happen next

(она не знала, что случится дальше: «потом»). Of course she wasn't going to let

the thing go too far (конечно, она не собиралась позволить всему этому зайти

очень далеко), but she was curious to see what his next step would be (но ей

было любопытно увидеть, каким будет его следующий шаг). She wondered

what he would say to her (ей было интересно, что он ей скажет). She was

excited and pleased (она была возбуждена и довольна); it was a weight off her

mind (у нее камень с души свалился). She walked on slowly (она продолжала

идти медленно) and she knew he was close behind her (и она знала, что он был

близко позади нее). She stopped at another shop window (она остановилась у

следующей витрины), and this time when he stopped he was close beside her (и в

этот раз, когда он остановился, он был близко рядом с ней). Her heart began to

beat wildly (ее сердце начало колотиться бешено: «дико»). It was really

beginning to look like an adventure (это все действительно начинало выглядеть

как приключение).

shopwalker ['SOp"wO:kq] weight [weIt] excited [Ik'saItId]

He was rather short, he looked like a clerk or a shop-walker, he wore a grey suit

and a brown soft hat. He was not the man she would have chosen to be picked up

by, but there it was, he was evidently trying to pick her up. She forgot that she was

beginning to feel tired. She did not know what would happen next. Of course she

wasn't going to let the thing go too far, but she was curious to see what his next

step would be. She wondered what he would say to her. She was excited and

pleased; it was a weight off her mind. She walked on slowly and she knew he was

close behind her. She stopped at another shop window, and this time when he

stopped he was close beside her. Her heart began to beat wildly. It was really

beginning to look like an adventure.

"I wonder if he'll ask me to go to a hotel with him (интересно, пригласит ли он

меня пойти в гостиницу с ним). I don't suppose he could afford that (не думаю,

что он может позволить себе это). A cinema (в кинотеатр). That's it (вот куда).

It would be rather fun (это будет довольно забавно)."

She looked him full in the face now (она взглянула ему прямо в лицо в этот раз;

full — полный, целиком) and very nearly smiled (и почти улыбнулась). He took

off his hat (он снял шляпу).

"Miss Lambert, isn't it (мисс Лэмберт, не так ли)?"

She almost jumped out of her skin (она почти что подскочила от

неожиданности; to jump out of one's skin — быть вне себя, вздрогнуть:

«выпрыгнуть из своей кожи», skin — кожа, шкура). She was indeed so taken

aback (она на самом деле была захвачена врасплох; to take aback — поразить,

ошеломить) that she had not the presence of mind to deny it (что ей не хватило:

«у нее не было» присутствия духа отрицать это).

"I thought I recognized you the moment I saw you (я подумал, что узнал вас в

тот самый момент, когда я увидел вас), that's why I turned back, to make sure,

see (именно поэтому: «вот почему» я повернул назад, чтобы убедиться,

видите), and I said to meself, if that's not Julia Lambert I'm Ramsay Macdonald (и

я сказал себе, если это не Джулия Лэмберт, то я Рамзай Макдональд; meself =

myself). Then you stopped to look in that shop window (затем вы остановились,

чтобы посмотреть на ту витрину) and that give me the chance to 'ave a good

look at you (и это дало мне возможность хорошенько на вас поглядеть; 'ave =

to have). What made me 'esitate was seeing you in the Edgware Road (что

заставило меня сомневаться, так это увидеть вас на Эдвард-роуд; 'esitate = to

hesitate — колебаться, не решаться). It seems so funny, if you know what I

mean (это показалось таким смешным, если вы понимаете, о чем я: «если вы

знаете, что я имею в виду»)."

cinema ['sInImq] jump [dZAmp] presence ['prez(q)ns]

"I wonder if he'll ask me to go to a hotel with him. I don't suppose he could afford

that. A cinema. That's it. It would be rather fun."

She looked him full in the face now and very nearly smiled. He took off his hat.

"Miss Lambert, isn't it?"

She almost jumped out of her skin. She was indeed so taken aback that she had not

the presence of mind to deny it.

"I thought I recognized you the moment I saw you, that's why I turned back, to

make sure, see, and I said to meself, if that's not Julia Lambert I'm Ramsay

Macdonald. Then you stopped to look in that shop window and that give me the

chance to 'ave a good look at you. What made me 'esitate was seeing you in the

Edgware Road. It seems so funny, if you know what I mean."

It was much funnier than he imagined (это было гораздо смешнее, чем он мог

себе вообразить). Anyhow it didn't matter (в любом случае, это не имело

значения) if he knew who she was (раз: «если» уж он знал, кем она была). She

ought to have guessed (ей надо было догадаться) that she couldn't go far in

London without being recognized (что она не сможет уйти далеко в Лондоне,

без того, чтобы быть узнанной). He had a cockney accent and a pasty face (у

него был акцент кокни и бледное одутловатое лицо), but she gave him a jolly,

friendly smile (но она улыбнулась ему веселой, дружеской улыбкой). He

mustn't think she was putting on airs (он не должен думать, что она важничает;

to put on airs — зазнаваться, задирать нос).

"Excuse me talking to you (извините, что я заговорил с вами), not 'aving been

introduced and all that (не будучи представленным вам и все такое; 'aving =

having), but I couldn't miss the opportunity (но я не мог упустить такую

возможность). Will you oblige me with your autograph (не дадите ли вы мне

ваш автограф; to oblige — обязывать, делать одолжение, оказывать

услугу)?"

Julia caught her breath (у Джулии перехватило дыхание; to catch one's breath —

затаить дыхание, перевести дух). It couldn't be (не могло же быть так) that

this was why (что из-за этого: «что это было /тем/, почему») he had followed

her for ten minutes (он следовал за ней десять минут). He must have thought that

up (он должно быть выдумал это; to think up — продумывать, придумывать)

as an excuse for speaking to her (как повод: «отговорку», чтобы заговорить с

ней). Well, she would play up (ну, она подыграет).

"I shall be delighted (с удовольствием: «буду счастлива»). But I can't very well

give it you in the street (но не могу же я, /не удобно же/ давать вам его на

улице). People would stare so (люди будут так пялиться)."

London ['lAndqn] opportunity ["Opq'tju:nItI] excuse [Ik'skju:s]

It was much funnier than he imagined. Anyhow it didn't matter if he knew who she

was. She ought to have guessed that she couldn't go far in London without being

recognized. He had a cockney accent and a pasty face, but she gave him a jolly,

friendly smile. He mustn't think she was putting on airs.

"Excuse me talking to you, not 'aving been introduced and all that, but I couldn't

miss the opportunity. Will you oblige me with your autograph?"

Julia caught her breath. It couldn't be that this was why he had followed her for ten

minutes. He must have thought that up as an excuse for speaking to her. Well, she

would play up.

"I shall be delighted. But I can't very well give it you in the street. People would

stare so."

"That's right (это точно). Look here, I was just going along to 'ave my tea

(послушайте, я как раз собирался выпить чаю; 'ave = to have). There's a Lyons

at the next corner (здесь /кафе из сети/ «Лайонз» на следующем углу). Why

don't you come in and 'ave a cup too (почему бы вам не зайти и не выпить тоже

чашку)?"

She was getting on (она делала успехи; to get on — преуспевать,

продвигаться). When they'd had tea (когда они выпьют чай) he'd probably

suggest going to the pictures (он, возможно, предложит пойти в кино).

"All right (хорошо)," she said.

They walked along till they came to the shop (они шли до тех пор, пока не

дошли до закусочной) and took their places at a small table (и сели на места:

«заняли свои места» за маленьким столом).

"Two teas, please, miss (два чая пожалуйста, мисс)," he ordered (заказал он).

"Anything to eat (что-нибудь поесть)?" And when Julia declined (и когда

Джулия отказалась): "Scone and butter for one, miss (булочку и масло — для

одного, мисс)."

Julia was able now to have a good look at him (Джулия теперь смогла

хорошенько его рассмотреть). Though stocky and short (хотя коренастый и

невысокий) he had good features (у него были хорошие черты лица), his black

hair was plastered down on his head (его черные волосы были прилизаны по

/его/ голове) and he had fine eyes (и у него были красивые глаза), but his teeth

were poor (но его зубы были плохие) and his pale skin gave him an unhealthy

look (и его бледная кожа придавала ему нездоровый вид). There was a sort of

impudence in his manner (была некая дерзость в его манере поведения) that

Julia did not much like (которая Джулии не особо нравилась), but then, as she

sensibly reflected (но тогда, когда она благоразумно поразмыслила), you could

hardly expect the modesty of the violet in a young man (что нельзя: «вряд ли

можно» ожидать скромности фиалки от молодого человека; a blushing violet

— чрезвычайно застенчивый человек) who picked you up in the Edgware Road

(который подбирает девушек на Эдвард-роуд).

"Before we go any further (до того, как мы продолжим: «пойдем дальше») let's

'ave this autograph, eh (давайте сделаем этот автограф, да)? Do it now, that's my

motto (не откладывай: «делай это сейчас» — вот мой девиз)."

corner ['kO:nq] impudence ['ImpjVd(q)ns] autograph ['O:tqgrQ:f]

"That's right. Look here, I was just going along to 'ave my tea. There's a Lyons at

the next corner. Why don't you come in and 'ave a cup too?"

She was getting on. When they'd had tea he'd probably suggest going to the

pictures.

"All right," she said.

They walked along till they came to the shop and took their places at a small table.

"Two teas, please, miss," he ordered. "Anything to eat?" And when Julia declined:

"Scone and butter for one, miss."

Julia was able now to have a good look at him. Though stocky and short he had

good features, his black hair was plastered down on his head and he had fine eyes,

but his teeth were poor and his pale skin gave him an unhealthy look. There was a

sort of impudence in his manner that Julia did not much like, but then, as she

sensibly reflected, you could hardly expect the modesty of the violet in a young

man who picked you up in the Edgware Road.

"Before we go any further let's 'ave this autograph, eh? Do it now, that's my

motto."

He took a fountain pen from his pocket (он достал авторучку из своего кармана;

fountain — фонтан, ключ, источник, резервуар авторучки) and from a bulging

pocket-book a large card (и из разбухшей записной книжки: «бумажника» —