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his wife down to his home in the country (когда Роберт Хамфри привозит свою
жену в свой загородный дом: «свой дом за городом») and this fact was
discovered (и этот факт раскрывается), they decided that Honor must be
informed (они решают, что надо сообщить /об этом/ Онор). To their
consternation Honor did not turn a hair (к их ужасу, Онор и глазом не моргнула;
not to turn a hair — не выказывать тревоги, hair — волос, волосинка). She
knew already (она уже знает).
" I was as pleased as Punch when I found out (я была рада-радешенька, когда
обнаружила это; as pleased as Punch — очень довольный, Punch — Панч,
Петрушка — балаганный персонаж), " she told her stepmother (говорит она
своей мачехе). " You see, darling, you can tell me if he's all right in bed (видите
ли, дорогая, вы сможете сказать мне, хорош ли он в постели). "
numerous ['nju: m(q)rqs] consternation [" kOnstq'neIS(q)n]
stepmother ['step" mADq]
" Oh, don't talk such rot, " she answered. " It's grand work if you can get it. "
Ellean's son had been one of Mrs. Marten's numerous lovers just as Ellean's
husband had been one of Paula Tanqueray's. When Robert Humphreys brought his
wife down to his home in the country and this fact was discovered, they decided
that Honor must be informed. To their consternation Honor did not turn a hair. She
knew already.
" I was as pleased as Punch when I found out, " she told her stepmother. " You see,
darling, you can tell me if he's all right in bed. "
This was Avice Crichton's best scene (это была самая лучшая сцена Эвис
Крайтон), it lasted a full ten minutes (она длилась целых десять минут), and
Michael had realized from the beginning that it was effective and important (и
Майкл понял с самого начала, что она была очень действенной и важной).
Avice's cold, matter-of-fact prettiness (холодная, прозаичная миловидность
Эвис) had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling in the
circumstances (была именно тем, что /как/ он думал, будет таким эффектным
при данных обстоятельствах). But after half a dozen rehearsals (но, после с
полдюжины репетиций) he began to think that that was all she had to give (он
начал думать, что это /ее внешность/ было все, на что она была способна:
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«что она могла дать»). He talked it over with Julia (он обговорил это с
Джулией).
" How d'you think Avice is shaping (как тебе кажется, у Эвис получается; to
shape — придавать/принимать форму, выходить, формироваться)? "
" It's early days to tell yet (еще рано: «ранние дни» что-нибудь говорить). "
" I'm not happy about her (я не очень ей доволен; happy — счастливый,
благоприятный, веселый). You said she could act (ты сказала, что она может
играть). I've seen no sign of it yet (я не видел еще ни единого признака этого). "
" It's a cast-iron part (это готовая роль; cast-iron — чугунный, твердый,
непоколебимый). She can't really go wrong in it (не может же она, на самом
деле, испортить ее; to go wrong — сбиться с пути, не выйти, не получиться,
разладиться). "
" You know just as well as I do (ты знаешь так же хорошо как и я) that there's no
such thing as a cast-iron part (что нет такой вещи как готовая роль). However
good a part is (насколько бы не была роль хороша), it has to be acted for all it's
worth (ее надо сыграть, изо всех сил: «на все, чего она стоит»). I'm not sure if
it wouldn't be better (я не уверен, не будет ли лучше) to kick her out and get
somebody else (вышвырнуть ее и заполучить кого-нибудь еще; to kick —
давать пинок, лягаться, выгнать, выставить). "
prettiness ['prItInIs] matter-of-fact [" mxtq(r)qv'fxkt] shaping ['SeIpIN]
This was Avice Crichton's best scene, it lasted a full ten minutes, and Michael had
realized from the beginning that it was effective and important. Avice's cold,
matter-of-fact prettiness had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling
in the circumstances. But after half a dozen rehearsals he began to think that that
was all she had to give. He talked it over with Julia.
" How d'you think Avice is shaping? "
" It's early days to tell yet. "
" I'm not happy about her. You said she could act. I've seen no sign of it yet. "
" It's a cast-iron part. She can't really go wrong in it. "
" You know just as well as I do that there's no such thing as a cast-iron part.
However good a part is, it has to be acted for all it's worth. I'm not sure if it
wouldn't be better to kick her out and get somebody else. "
" That wouldn't be so easy (это будет не так-то просто /сделать/). I think you
ought to give her a chance (я думаю, что ты должен: «тебе следует» дать ей
шанс). "
" She's so awkward (она такая неуклюжая), her gestures are so meaningless (ее
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движения такие бессмысленные). "
Julia reflected (Джулия размышляла). She had her reasons for wishing to keep
Avice in the cast (у нее были собственные причины, чтобы желать оставить
Эвис в труппе). She knew her well enough to be sure (она знала ее достаточно
хорошо, чтобы быть уверенной) that if she were dismissed (что, если бы ее
уволили; to dismiss — распускать, освобождать от работы, отвергать) she
would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her (он сказала бы Тому,
что это из-за того, что Джулия ревновала к ней). He loved her and would
believe anything she said (он любил ее и поверит во все, что она скажет). He
might even think that Julia had put this affront on her (он может даже подумать,
что Джулия нанесла ей такое оскорбление; affront — обида, унижение,
публичное оскорбление) in revenge for his desertion (из мести за то что он ее
бросил; desertion — дезертирство). No, no, she must stay (нет, нет, она
должна остаться). She must play the part, and fail (она должна сыграть эту роль
и провалиться); and Tom must see with his own eyes (и Том должен увидеть,
своими собственными глазами) what a bad actress she was (какой плохой
актрисой она была). They both of them thought the play would make her (они
оба думали, что этот спектакль устроит ее /карьеру/). Fools (дураки). It would
kill her (он похоронит: «убьет» ее).
meaningless ['mi: nINlIs] affront [q'frAnt] revenge [rI'vendZ]
desertion [dI'zq: S(q)n]
" That wouldn't be so easy. I think you ought to give her a chance. "
" She's so awkward, her gestures are so meaningless. "
Julia reflected. She had her reasons for wishing to keep Avice in the cast. She
knew her well enough to be sure that if she were dismissed she would tell Tom that
it was because Julia was jealous of her. He loved her and would believe anything
she said. He might even think that Julia had put this affront on her in revenge for
his desertion. No, no, she must stay. She must play the part, and fail; and Tom
must see with his own eyes what a bad actress she was. They both of them thought
the play would make her. Fools. It would kill her.
" You know how clever you are, Michael (ты же знаешь, как ты талантлив,
Майкл), I'm sure you can train her (я уверена, что ты можешь научить ее) if
you're willing to take a little trouble (если ты захочешь приложить усилия). "
" But that's just it (но в этом-то и дело: «но это как раз это»), she doesn't seem
able to take direction (она, кажется, неспособна следовать указаниям). I show
her exactly how to say a line (я показываю ей, как точно произносить реплику)
and then she goes and says it in her own way (и вот она идет и говорит ее
совершенно по-своему). You wouldn't believe it (ты не поверишь в это), but
sometimes I can hardly help thinking (но иногда я почти что уверен: «не могу
не думать») she's under the delusion (что она пребывает в уверенности: «под
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заблуждением») that she knows better than I do (что она знает лучше, чем я). "
" You make her nervous (ты нервируешь ее). When you tell her to do something
(когда ты говоришь ей сделать что-то) she's in such a dither (она так дрожит;
dither — смятение, дрожание) she doesn't know what she's up to (что забывает:
«не знает», на что способна; to be up to — зд. быть способным). "
" Good lord (Господи), no one could be more easy than I am (никто не может
быть более снисходительным, чем я; easy — легкий, удобный, уживчивый).
I've never even been sharp with her (я никогда даже не был резок с ней). "
Julia gave him an affectionate smile (Джулия улыбнулась ему с нежностью).
" Are you going to pretend (ты что, собираешься делать вид) that you really don't
know (что ты действительно не знаешь) what's the matter with her (что с ней
такое)? "
" No, what (нет, а что)? "
delusion [dI'lu: Z(q)n] dither ['dIDq] sharp [SQ: p]
" You know how clever you are, Michael, I'm sure you can train her if you're
willing to take a little trouble. "
" But that's just it, she doesn't seem able to take direction. I show her exactly how to
say a line and then she goes and says it in her own way. You wouldn't believe it,
but sometimes I can hardly help thinking she's under the delusion that she knows
better than I do. "
" You make her nervous. When you tell her to do something she's in such a dither
she doesn't know what she's up to. "
" Good lord, no one could be more easy than I am. I've never even been sharp with
her. "
Julia gave him an affectionate smile.
" Are you going to pretend that you really don't know what's the matter with her? "
" No, what? "
He looked at her with a blank face (он взглянул на нее с ничего не
понимающим: «не выражающим» лицом).
" Come off it, darling (да брось ты, дорогой). Haven't you noticed (неужели ты
не заметил) that she's madly in love with you (что она безумно влюблена в
тебя)? "
" With me (в меня)? But I thought she was practically engaged to Tom (но я
думала, что она практически помолвлена с Томом). Nonsense (чепуха). You're
always fancying things like that (ты всегда выдумываешь подобные вещи). "
" But it's quite obvious (но это же совершенно очевидно). After all she isn't the
first who's fallen for your fatal beauty (в конце концов, она не первая, кто пал от
твоей роковой красоты; to fall (fell, fallen) for smth. — попасться на удочку),
and I don't suppose she'll be the last (и я так полагаю, что она и не последняя). "
" Heaven knows (видит Бог), I don't want to queer poor Tom's pitch (я не хочу
подложить бедняге Тому свинью; to queer smb. 's pitch — разрушить чьи-либо
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планы, надежды). "
" It's not your fault, is it (это же не твоя вина, так)? "
" What d'you want me to do about it then (и что ты хочешь чтобы я сделал /с
этим/)? "
" Well, I think you ought to be nice to her (ну, я думаю, что тебе следует быть
милым с ней). She's very young, you know, poor thing (она очень молода, ты
знаешь, бедняжка). What she wants is a helping hand (что ей нужно — так это
рука помощи). If you took her alone a few times and went through the part with
her (если бы ты пригласил ее одну пару раз и прошел бы с ней роль; to go
through — зд. тщательно, пункт за пунктом разбирать что-либо) I believe
you could do wonders (я верю, что вы могли бы творить чудеса). Why don't you
take her out to lunch one day (почему бы тебе не пригласить ее к ланчу на
днях) and have a talk to her (и не поговорить с ней)? "
She saw the gleam in Michael's eyes (она увидела блеск в глазах Майкла) as he
considered the proposition (когда он обдумывал это предложение) and the
shadow of a smile that was outlined on his lips (и тень улыбки, что заиграла:
«наметилась» на его губах; to outline — нарисовать контур, оттенить).
blank [blxNk] fatal ['feItl] queer [kwIq] pitch [pItS]
He looked at her with a blank face.
" Come off it, darling. Haven't you noticed that she's madly in love with you? "
" With me? But I thought she was practically engaged to Tom. Nonsense. You're
always fancying things like that. "
" But it's quite obvious. After all she isn't the first who's fallen for your fatal beauty,
and I don't suppose she'll be the last. "
" Heaven knows, I don't want to queer poor Tom's pitch. "
" It's not your fault, is it? "
" What d'you want me to do about it then? "
" Well, I think you ought to be nice to her. She's very young, you know, poor thing.
What she wants is a helping hand. If you took her alone a few times and went
through the part with her I believe you could do wonders. Why don't you take her
out to lunch one day and have a talk to her? "
She saw the gleam in Michael's eyes as he considered the proposition and the
shadow of a smile that was outlined on his lips.
" Of course the great thing is (конечно же, самое главное: «большое дело») to
get the play as well acted as we can (сыграть спектакль так хорошо, как только
возможно: «как мы можем»; to get smth. done — сделать что-либо, о
действии, совершаемым кем-то по приказу или указанию говорящего). "
" I know it'll be a bore for you (я знаю, тебе будет ужасно скучно; bore — скука,
зануда), but honestly, for the sake of the play (но честно, ради спектакля) I think
it'll be worth while (я думаю, это того стоит). "
" You know that I would never do anything to upset you, Julia (ты же знаешь, что
я никогда не сделаю ничего, что может расстроить тебя, Джулия). I mean, I'd
much sooner fire the girl (я имею в виду, что я бы скорее уволил девчонку) and
get someone else in her place (и взял бы кого-то еще на ее место). "
" I think that would be such a mistake (я думаю, что это будет /такой/ ошибкой).
I'm convinced that if you'll only take enough trouble with her (я убеждена, что
если бы ты только приложишь достаточно усилий, с ней /вместе/) she'll give a
very good performance (она даст очень хорошее представление). "
He walked up and down the room once or twice (он прошелся взад и вперед по
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комнате пару раз: «один или два раза»). He seemed to be considering the matter
from every side (он, казалось, обдумывал эту проблему со всех сторон: «с
каждой стороны»).
honestly ['OnIstlI] enough [I'nAf] twice [twaIs]
" Of course the great thing is to get the play as well acted as we can. "
" I know it'll be a bore for you, but honestly, for the sake of the play I think it'll be
worth while. "
" You know that I would never do anything to upset you, Julia. I mean, I'd much
sooner fire the girl and get someone else in her place. "
" I think that would be such a mistake. I'm convinced that if you'll only take enough
trouble with her she'll give a very good performance. "
He walked up and down the room once or twice. He seemed to be considering the
matter from every side.
" Well, I suppose it's my job (ну, я полагаю это моя работа) to get the best
performance I can (добиться наилучшей игры, которой я только могу) out of
every member of my cast (от каждого члена моей труппы). In every case you
have to find out (в каждом случае приходится искать) which is the best method
of approach (какой самый лучший метод /подхода/; approach — зд. подход к
изучению, рассмотрению чего-либо). "
He threw out his chin (он выдвинул вперед подбородок) and drew in his belly (и
втянул живот). He straightened his back (он выпрямил спину). Julia knew that
Avice Crichton would hold the part (Джулия поняла, что Эвис Крайтон
останется: «удержится» в этой роли), and next day at rehearsal he took her aside
(и на следующий день, на репетиции, он отвел ее в сторону) and had a long
talk with her (и долго с ней беседовал). She knew by his manner exactly what he
was saying (она знала, по его поведению, что именно он ей говорил) and,
watching them out of the corner of her eye (и, наблюдая за ними краешком
глаза: «из уголка своего глаза»), presently she saw Avice nod and smile (вскоре
она увидела, что Эвис кивнула и улыбнулась). He had asked her to lunch with
him (он пригласил ее к ланчу /с собой/). With a contented mind (с
успокоенными: «довольными» мыслями) Julia went on studying her part
(Джулия продолжила изучать свою роль).
approach [q'prqVtS] straighten ['streItn] exactly [Ig'zxktlI]
" Well, I suppose it's my job to get the best performance I can out of every member
of my cast. In every case you have to find out which is the best method of
approach. "
He threw out his chin and drew in his belly. He straightened his back. Julia knew
that Avice Crichton would hold the part, and next day at rehearsal he took her
aside and had a long talk with her. She knew by his manner exactly what he was
saying and, watching them out of the corner of her eye, presently she saw Avice
nod and smile. He had asked her to lunch with him. With a contented mind Julia
went on studying her part.
THEY had been rehearsing for a fortnight (они репетировали уже две недели)
when Roger arrived from Austria (когда Роджер вернулся: «приехал» из
Австрии). He had been spending a few weeks on a Carinthian lake (он провел
несколько недель на Коринфском озере), and after a day or two in London (и,
проведя пару дней: «после одного или двух дней» в Лондоне) was to go and
stay with friends in Scotland (должен был поехать в гости к друзьям: «поехать
и остановиться у друзей» в Шотландию). Since Michael had to dine early to go
to the theatre (так как Майклу надо было пообедать пораньше, чтобы ехать в
театр) Julia went to meet him by herself (Джулия поехала встречать его одна).
When she was dressing, Evie, sniffing as usual told her (когда она одевалась,
Эви, шмыгая, как обычно, носом, сказала ей), that she was taking as much pains
to make herself look nice (что она прилагала также много усилий, что бы
выглядеть красиво; pain — боль, страдание, pains — старания, труды) as if
she were going to meet a young man (как если бы она собиралась встретиться с
молодым человеком). She wanted Roger to be proud of her (она хотела, чтобы
Роджер гордился ей), and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her
summer frock (и, действительно, она выглядела очень молодой и
хорошенькой в своем летнем платье) as she strolled up and down the platform
(пока она прогуливалась взад и вперед по платформе). You would have
thought (можно было подумать), but wrongly (но совершенно ошибочно), that
she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted (что она совершенно
не осознавала, какое внимание она привлекала). Roger, after a month in the
sun, was very brown (Роджер, после месяца /проведенного/ под солнцем, был
очень загорелым), but he was still rather spotty (но он был все еще довольно
прыщав) and he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year (и
казался тоньше, чем когда он покидал Лондон на Новый Год). She hugged him
with exuberant affection (она обняла его с преувеличенной нежностью). He
smiled slightly (он слегка улыбнулся).
Scotland ['skOtlqnd] thinner ['TInq] exuberant [Ig'zju: b(q)rqnt]
THEY had been rehearsing for a fortnight when Roger arrived from Austria. He
had been spending a few weeks on a Carinthian lake, and after a day or two in
London was to go and stay with friends in Scotland. Since Michael had to dine
early to go to the theatre Julia went to meet him by herself. When she was
dressing, Evie, sniffing as usual, told her that she was taking as much pains to
make herself look nice as if she were going to meet a young man. She wanted
Roger to be proud of her, and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her
summer frock as she strolled up and down the platform. You would have thought,
but wrongly, that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted.
Roger, after a month in the sun, was very brown, but he was still rather spotty and
he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year. She hugged him
with exuberant affection. He smiled slightly.
They were to dine by themselves (они должны были пообедать вдвоем). Julia
asked him if he would like to go to a play afterwards or to the pictures (Джулия
спросила его, не хочет ли он пойти на спектакль после этого или в кино), but
he said he preferred to stay at home (но он сказал, что он предпочел бы остаться
дома).
" That'll be much nicer (так будет гораздо приятнее), " she answered (ответила
она), " and we'll just talk (и мы просто поболтаем). "
There was indeed a subject (был, на самом деле, некий предмет для разговора)
that Michael had invited her to discuss with Roger (который Майкл просил ее
обсудить с Роджером; to invite — приглашать, провоцировать, призывать)
when the opportunity arose (когда появится такая возможность; to arise (arose,
arisen) — возникать). Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon (теперь,
когда он собирался в Кембридж так рано) he ought to make up his mind what he
wanted to do (ему следовало бы решить, чем он хочет заниматься). Michael
was afraid that he would drift through his time there (Майкл боялся, что он
бездумно проведет там /свое/ время; to drift — дрейфовать, плыть по
течению, бездействовать) and then go into a broker's office (и затем
отправиться в брокерскую контору) or even on the stage (или даже в театр: «на
сцену»). Thinking that Julia had more tact than he (думая, что Джулия обладает
большим тактом, чем он сам), and more influence with the boy (и имеет на
юношу больше влияния), he had urged her to put before him the advantages of
the Foreign Office (он настаивал, чтобы она рассказала ему: «изложила,
представила на рассмотрение» о преимуществах /работы в/ Министерстве
иностранных дел) and the brilliant possibilities of the Bar (и о блестящих
возможностях, что предлагает адвокатура). Julia thought it would be strange
(Джулия подумала, что было бы странным) if in the course of two or three
hours' conversation (если бы в течении двух или трехчасового разговора) she
could not find a way to lead to this important topic (она не смогла бы найти
возможность: «путь» подвести к этой важной теме). At dinner she tried to get
him to talk about Vienna (во время обеда она пыталась разговорить о Вене).
But he was reticent (но он был сдержан: «молчалив»).
prefer [prI'fq: ] afraid [q'freId] broker ['brqVkq] influence ['InflVqns]
reticent ['retIs(q)nt]
They were to dine by themselves. Julia asked him if he would like to go to a play
afterwards or to the pictures, but he said he preferred to stay at home.
" That'll be much nicer, " she answered, " and we'll just talk. "
There was indeed a subject that Michael had invited her to discuss with Roger
when the opportunity arose. Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon he ought
to make up his mind what he wanted to do. Michael was afraid that he would drift
through his time there and then go into a broker's office or even on the stage.
Thinking that Julia had more tact than he, and more influence with the boy, he had
urged her to put before him the advantages of the Foreign Office and the brilliant
possibilities of the Bar. Julia thought it would be strange if in the course of two or
three hours' conversation she could not find a way to lead to this important topic.
At dinner she tried to get him to talk about Vienna. But he was reticent.
" Oh, I just did the usual things, you know (о, я просто делал обычные дела,
знаешь ли). I saw the sights (я осматривал достопримечательности) and worked
hard at my German (и упорно работал над /своим/ немецким). I knocked about
in beer places (я шлялся по пивнушкам: «пивным местам»; to knock —
стучать, ударять, to knock about — слоняться, вести беспутную жизнь). I
went to the opera a good deal (я ходил в оперу очень часто). "
She wondered if he had had any love affairs (ей было интересно, были ли у него
еще любовные интрижки).
" Anyhow, you haven't come back engaged to a Viennese maiden (в любом
случае, ты не вернулся домой, помолвленный с какой-нибудь молодой
венкой; maiden — /поэт. / девушка, девица), " she said, thinking to draw him out
(сказала она, думая вытащить из него /информацию/; to draw out — зд.
вызывать на разговор, откровенность).
He gave her a reflective, but faintly amused look (он посмотрел на нее
задумчивым, но слегка улыбающимся: «забавляющимся» взглядом). You
might almost have thought (можно было почти подумать) that he had seen what
she was driving at (что он догадался: «увидел», к чему она клонила). It was
strange (это было странно); though he was her own son she did not feel quite at
home with him (хотя он был ее собственным сыном, она не чувствовала себя с
ним как дома).
" No (нет), " he answered (ответил он), " I was too busy to bother with that sort of
thing (я был слишком занят, чтобы заниматься: «беспокоить /себя/» такой
ерундой: «вещами такого рода»). "
" I suppose you went to all the theatres (/я/ полагаю, что ты ходил во все
театры). "
" I went two or three times (я был два или три раза). "
usual ['ju: ZVql, 'ju: Z(q)l] Viennese [" vIq'ni: z] reflective [rI'flektIv]
" Oh, I just did the usual things, you know. I saw the sights and worked hard at my
German. I knocked about in beer places. I went to the opera a good deal. "
She wondered if he had had any love affairs.
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