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Pity he had to wear those modern clothes! If he'd been dressed like Francis I 40 страница
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" You weren't so bad yourself, dear. "
" That's the sort of part I can play on my head, " he answered carelessly, modest as
usual about his own acting. " Did you hear them during your long speech? That
ought to knock the critics. "
" Oh, you know what they are. They'll give all their attention to the blasted play and
then three lines at the end to me. "
" You're the greatest actress in the world, darling, but by God, you're a bitch. "
Julia opened her eyes very wide (Джулия распахнула: «открыла» /свои/ глаза
очень широко) in an expression of the most naive surprise (с выражением
самого наивного удивления).
" Michael, what do you mean (Майкл, что ты имеешь в виду)? "
" Don't look so innocent (не изображай невинность: «не выгляди такой
невинной»; to look — смотреть, глядеть, иметь вид). You know perfectly well
(ты знаешь очень хорошо). Do you think you can cod an old trooper like me
(неужели ты думаешь, что ты можешь одурачить такого старого вояку, как я;
trooper — танкист, кавалерист, солдат-десантник)? "
He was looking at her with twinkling eyes (он смотрел на нее /со/ сверкающими
глазами), and it was very difficult for her not to burst out laughing (и ей было
очень трудно не расхохотаться).
" I am as innocent as a babe unborn (я также невинна, как сущий младенец:
«еще не рожденный младенец»). "
" Come off it (да брось). If anyone ever deliberately killed a performance you
killed Avice's (если кто-нибудь когда-нибудь намеренно погубил чье-либо
выступление, как ты погубила /выступление/ Эвис; to kill — убить, погубить;
провалить, помешать успеху). I couldn't be angry with you (я не могу
сердиться на тебя), it was so beautifully done (это было так красиво сделано). "
naive [nQ: 'i: v] innocent ['Inqs(q)nt] unborn [" An'bO: n]
Julia opened her eyes very wide in an expression of the most naive surprise.
" Michael, what do you mean? "
" Don't look so innocent. You know perfectly well. Do you think you can cod an
old trooper like me? "
He was looking at her with twinkling eyes, and it was very difficult for her not to
burst out laughing. " I am as innocent as a babe unborn. "
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" Come off it. If anyone ever deliberately killed a performance you killed Avice's. I
couldn't be angry with you, it was so beautifully done. "
Now Julia simply could not conceal the little smile that curled her lips (теперь
Джулия просто не смогла скрыть легкой улыбки, что скривила ее губы).
Praise is always grateful to the artist (похвала всегда приятна артисту). Avice's
one big scene was in the second act (самая большая сцена Эвис была во втором
акте). It was with Julia (она /сцена/ была вместе с Джулией), and Michael had
rehearsed it so as to give it all to the girl (и Майкл репетировал ее так, что бы
отдать ее /сцену/ полностью девушке). This was indeed what the play demanded
(это было как раз то, что требовалось по пьесе) and Julia, as always, had in
rehearsals accepted his direction (и Джулия, как всегда, на репетициях
принимала /все/ его указания). To bring out the colour of her blue eyes (чтобы
подчеркнуть цвет ее голубых глаз; to bring out — зд. выявлять,
обнаруживать) and to emphasize her fair hair (и акцентировать:
«подчеркнуть» ее белокурые волосы) they had dressed Avice in pale blue (они
одели Эвис в бледно голубое /платье/). To contrast with this Julia had chosen a
dress of an agreeable yellow (для контраста /с этим/ Джулия выбрала платье
подходящего желтого /цвета/).
praise [preIz] emphasize ['emfqsaIz] agreeable [q'gri: qb(q)l]
Now Julia simply could not conceal the little smile that curled her lips. Praise is
always grateful to the artist. Avice's one big scene was in the second act. It was
with Julia, and Michael had rehearsed it so as to give it all to the girl. This was
indeed what the play demanded and Julia, as always, had in rehearsals accepted his
direction. To bring out the colour of her blue eyes and to emphasize her fair hair
they had dressed Avice in pale blue. To contrast with this Julia had chosen a dress
of an agreeable yellow.
This she had worn at the dress rehearsal (именно в этом платье она была: «это
платье она носила» на генеральной репетиции). But she had ordered another
dress at the same time (но она заказала другое платье, в то же самое время), of
sparkling silver (сверкающего серебряного цвета), and to the surprise of Michael
(и к удивлению Майкла) and the consternation of Avice (и к ужасу Эвис) it was
in this that she made her entrance in the second act (именно в этом /платье/ она
появилась: «осуществила свой выход» во втором акте). Its brilliance (его
блеск), the way it took the light (то, как свет играл на нем: «то, как оно
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светилось»), attracted the attention of the audience (привлекло внимание
публики). Avice's blue looked drab by comparison (голубое платье Эвис
выглядело грязно-серым по сравнению /с платьем Джулии/). When they
reached the important scene they were to have together (когда они дошли до
важной сцены, которую они играли вместе: «которая у них была вместе»)
Julia produced, as a conjurer produces a rabbit from his hat (Джулия извлекла,
как фокусник извлекает кролика из шляпы; to produce — предъявлять,
создавать, производить), a large handkerchief of scarlet chiffon (большой
/носовой/ платок из алого шифона) and with this she played (и с ним она
играла). She waved it (она помахивала им), she spread it out as though to look at
it (она расправляла его, как будто бы для того, чтобы взглянуть на него), she
screwed it up (она скручивала его), she wiped her brow with it (она
прикладывала его ко лбу: «вытирала свой лоб»; brow — бровь; лоб, чело), she
delicately blew her nose (она деликатно сморкалась; to blow (blew, blown) —
дуть, развевать, продувать, прочищать).
sparkling ['spQ: klIN] consternation [" kOnstq'neIS(q)n]
comparison [kqm'pxrIs(q)n] conjurer ['kAndZqrq]
This she had worn at the dress rehearsal. But she had ordered another dress at the
same time, of sparkling silver, and to the surprise of Michael and the consternation
of Avice it was in this that she made her entrance in the second act. Its brilliance,
the way it took the light, attracted the attention of the audience. Avice's blue
looked drab by comparison. When they reached the important scene they were to
have together Julia produced, as a conjurer produces a rabbit from his hat, a large
handkerchief of scarlet chiffon and with this she played. She waved it, she spread it
out as though to look at it, she screwed it up, she wiped her brow with it, she
delicately blew her nose.
The audience fascinated (плененная публика) could not take their eyes away from
the red rag (не могла отвести глаз от красного лоскута; rag — тряпка, отрез
ткани). And she moved up stage so (и она ушла в глубину сцены; to move up —
пододвинуться, продвинуться) that Avice to speak to her (так, что Эвис, чтобы
говорить с ней) had to turn her back on the audience (была вынуждена
повернуться спиной к публике), and when they were sitting on a sofa together
(и, когда они сидели на диване вместе) she took her hand (она взяла ее за
руку), in an impulsive way that seemed to the public exquisitely natural (так
импульсивно, что показалось публике изысканно естественным), and sitting
well back herself (и, сама сидя откинувшись назад) forced Avice to turn her
profile to the house (вынудила Эвис повернуться профилем ко зрителям). Julia
had noticed early in rehearsals (Джулия заметила еще раньше, на репетициях)
that in profile Avice had a sheep-like look (что в профиль Эвис напоминает
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овцу).
fascinate ['fxsIneIt] impulsive [Im'pAlsIv] exquisite [Ik'skwIzIt]
The audience fascinated could not take their eyes away from the red rag. And she
moved up stage so that Avice to speak to her had to turn her back on the audience,
and when they were sitting on a sofa together she took her hand, in an impulsive
way that seemed to the public exquisitely natural, and sitting well back herself
forced Avice to turn her profile to the house. Julia had noticed early in rehearsals
that in profile Avice had a sheep-like look.
The author had given Avice lines to say (автор дал /героине/ Эвис такие строки
/для произнесения/) that had so much amused the cast at the first rehearsal
(которые настолько сильно развеселили актерский состав на первых
репетициях) that they had all burst out laughing (что они все разражались
смехом). Before the audience had quite realized how funny they were (до того,
как публика вполне осознала, насколько забавны они были) Julia had cut in
with her reply (Джулия встряла со своим ответом; to cut in — вмешиваться в
разговор, прерывать, to cut — резать, разрезать), and the audience anxious to
hear it suppressed their laughter (и публика, страстно желая услышать ее ответ,
подавила /свой/ смех). The scene which was devised to be extremely amusing
(сцена, рассчитанная быть крайне смешной; to devise — придумывать,
изобретать) took on a sardonic colour (приобрела сардонический оттенок:
«цвет»), and the character Avice played acquired a certain odiousness (и героиня,
которую играла Эвис, приобрела определенную одиозность; odious —
гнусный, мерзкий, ненавистный). Avice in her inexperience, not getting the
laughs she had expected, was rattled (Эвис, в своей неопытности, не услышав
ожидаемого смеха: «не получив того смеха, который она ожидала»,
смутилась); her voice grew hard and her gestures awkward (ее голос стал
напряженным, а жесты неуклюжими).
suppress [sq'pres] sardonic [sQ: 'dOnIk] odious ['qVdIqs]
The author had given Avice lines to say that had so much amused the cast at the
first rehearsal that they had all burst out laughing. Before the audience had quite
realized how funny they were Julia had cut in with her reply, and the audience
anxious to hear it suppressed their laughter. The scene which was devised to be
extremely amusing took on a sardonic colour, and the character Avice played
acquired a certain odiousness. Avice in her inexperience, not getting the laughs she
had expected, was rattled; her voice grew hard and her gestures awkward.
Julia took the scene away from her (Джулия отобрала сцену у нее) and played it
with miraculous virtuosity (и сыграла ее с удивительной виртуозностью). But
her final stroke was accidental (но ее окончательный удар был неожиданным:
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«случайным»). Avice had a long speech to deliver (Эвис должна была
произнести длинную речь), and Julia nervously screwed her red handkerchief
into a ball (и Джулия нервно скомкала свой красный платок в шар); the action
almost automatically suggested an expression (это самое действие почти что
автоматически подсказало ей выражение /лица/); she looked at Avice with
troubled eyes (она смотрела на Эвис беспокойными глазами) and two heavy
tears rolled down her cheeks (и две тяжелые слезы скатились /вниз/ по ее
щекам). You felt the shame with which the girl's flippancy affected her (каждый
чувствовал ее стыд, который вызвало легкомыслие девушки; to affect —
воздействовать, волновать, вредить), and you saw her pain (и каждый видел
ее боль) because her poor little ideals of uprightness (из-за того, что ее скромные
идеалы справедливости), her hankering for goodness (ее страстное желание
доброты), were so brutally mocked (были так жестоко осмеяны). The episode
lasted no more than a minute (этот эпизод длился не более чем минуту), but in
that minute (но в эту самую минуту), by those tears and by the anguish of her
look (этими слезами и этими муками в ее взоре), Julia laid bare the sordid
misery of the woman's life (Джулия обнажила отвратительные/жалкие
страдания женской доли: «жизни женщины»; to lay bare — раскрывать,
разоблачать, bare — голый, разоблаченный, неприкрашенный). That was the
end of Avice (это было концом Эвис).
virtuosity [" vq: tSV'OsItI] accidental [" xksI'dentl] handkerchief ['hxNkqtSIf]
Julia took the scene away from her and played it with miraculous virtuosity. But
her final stroke was accidental. Avice had a long speech to deliver, and Julia
nervously screwed her red handkerchief into a ball; the action almost automatically
suggested an expression; she looked at Avice with troubled eyes and two heavy
tears rolled down her cheeks. You felt the shame with which the girl's flippancy
affected her, and you saw her pain because her poor little ideals of uprightness, her
hankering for goodness, were so brutally mocked. The episode lasted no more than
a minute, but in that minute, by those tears and by the anguish of her look, Julia
laid bare the sordid misery of the woman's life. That was the end of Avice.
" And I was such a damned fool (и я был таким чертовым дураком), I thought of
giving her a contract (я еще думал о том, чтобы дать ей контракт), " said
Michael.
" Why don't you (почему же тебе /не дать его сейчас/)? "
" When you've got your knife into her (после того: «когда» как ты вонзила в нее
нож)? Not on your life (ни в коем случае). You're a naughty little thing to be so
jealous (ты, гадкая малышка, /разве можно/ быть такой ревнивой). You don't
really think she means anything to me, do you (ты же не думаешь, что она что-
то для меня значит, так)? You ought to know by now (тебе бы уже пора знать:
«тебе следует знать к этому моменту») that you're the only woman in the world
for me (что ты единственная женщина в мире для меня). "
Michael thought that Julia had played this trick (Майкл думал, что Джулия
сыграла такую шутку) on account of the rather violent flirtation he had been
having with Avice (из-за довольно бурного романа, который у него был с
Эвис; flirtation — флирт, ухаживание), and though, of course, it was hard luck
on Avice (и хотя, конечно же, это было несчастьем для Эвис; hard luck —
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горькая судьба, неудачи) he could not help being a trifle flattered (он не мог не
чувствовать себя слегка польщенным).
damned [dxmd] violent ['vaIqlqnt] flirtation [flq: 'teIS(q)n]
" And I was such a damned fool, I thought of giving her a contract, " said Michael.
" Why don't you? "
" When you've got your knife into her? Not on your life. You're a naughty little
thing to be so jealous. You don't really think she means anything to me, do you?
You ought to know by now that you're the only woman in the world for me. "
Michael thought that Julia had played this trick on account of the rather violent
flirtation he had been having with Avice, and though, of course, it was hard luck
on Avice he could not help being a trifle flattered.
" You old donkey (ты, старый осел), " smiled Julia, knowing exactly what he was
thinking (улыбнулась Джулия, точно зная, о чем он думал) and tickled to death
at his mistake (и веселилась до упаду над его ошибкой; to tickle — щекотать,
развлекать, угождать; death — смерть).
" After all, you are the handsomest man in London (в конце концов, ты самый
красивый мужчина в Лондоне). "
" All that's as it may be (все это хорошо; be that as it may — будь что будет, как
бы то ни было). But I don't know what the author'll say (но я не знаю, что
скажет автор). He's a conceited little ape (он самодовольная обезьянка) and it's
not a bit the scene he wrote (и это совсем не та сцена была, что он написал). "
" Oh, leave him to me (о, оставь его мне). I'll fix him (я улажу с ним; to fix —
укреплять, определять). "
There was a knock at the door (раздался стук в дверь) and it was the author
himself who came in (и это был сам автор, который и вошел в /костюмерную
Джулии/). With a cry of delight (с возгласом: «криком» восторга), Julia went up
to him (Джулия подошла к нему), threw her arms round his neck (обвила
своими руками его шею) and kissed him on both cheeks (и расцеловала его в
обе щеки).
" Are you pleased (вы довольны)? "
" It looks like a success (все выглядит, как успех), " he answered, but a trifle
coldly (ответил он, но слегка холодновато).
ape [eIp] fix [fIks] success [sqk'ses]
" You old donkey, " smiled Julia, knowing exactly what he was thinking and tickled
to death at his mistake. " After all, you are the handsomest man in London. "
" All that's as it may be. But I don't know what the author'll say. He's a conceited
little ape and it's not a bit the scene he wrote. "
" Oh, leave him to me. I'll fix him. "
There was a knock at the door and it was the author himself who came in. With a
cry of delight, Julia went up to him, threw her arms round his neck and kissed him
on both cheeks.
" Are you pleased? "
" It looks like a success, " he answered, but a trifle coldly.
" My dear, it'll run for a year (дорогой мой, да она будет идти целый год). " She
placed her hands on his shoulders (она положила руки ему на плечи) and looked
him full in the face (и посмотрела прямо ему в лицо). " But you're a wicked,
wicked man (но вы гадкий, гадкий человек; wicked — злой, нехороший,
противный). "
" You almost ruined my performance (вы почти что разрушили мою игру). When
I came to that bit in the second act (когда я дошла до того места: «куска» во
втором акте) and suddenly saw what it meant (и внезапно увидела, что оно
действительно означает) I nearly broke down (я чуть не провалилась:
«потерпела неудачу»). You knew what was in that scene, you're the author (вы-
то знали, что /именно/ было в той сцене, вы же автор); why did you let us
rehearse it all the time (почему же вы позволили нам репетировать ее все это
время) as if there was no more in it than appeared on the surface (как если бы в
ней не было ничего больше, чем видно на поверхности; to appear —
появляться, показываться)? We're only actors (мы всего лишь актеры), how
can you expect us to — to fathom your subtlety (как вы можете ожидать от нас
/что мы/ сможем — сможем постичь всю вашу утонченность)? It's the best
scene in your play (эта самая лучшая сцена в вашей пьесе) and I almost bungled
it (и я чуть не испортила все дело: «ее»). No one in the world could have written
it but you (никто в мире не смог бы написать ее, кроме вас). Your play's
brilliant (ваша пьеса блестяща), but in that scene there's more than brilliance,
there's genius (но в этой сцене есть нечто большее, чем великолепие, в ней
гениальность). "
shoulder ['SqVldq] wicked ['wIkId] ruin ['ru: In] surface ['sq: fIs]
fathom ['fxD(q)m] subtlety ['sAt(q)ltI]
" My dear, it'll run for a year. " She placed her hands on his shoulders and looked
him full in the face. " But you're a wicked, wicked man. "
" You almost ruined my performance. When I came to that bit in the second act and
suddenly saw what it meant I nearly broke down. You knew what was in that
scene, you're the author; why did you let us rehearse it all the time as if there was
no more in it than appeared on the surface? We're only actors, how can you expect
us to — to fathom your subtlety? It's the best scene in your play and I almost
bungled it. No one in the world could have written it but you. Your play's brilliant,
but in that scene there's more than brilliance, there's genius. "
The author flushed (автор залился краской). Julia looked at him with veneration
(Джулия смотрела на него с благоговением). He felt shy and happy and proud
(он чувствовал себя смущенным, счастливым и гордым).
(" In twenty-four hours the mug'll think (через сутки: «двадцать четыре часа»
этот простофиля будет думать) he really meant the scene to go like that (что он
действительно задумывал, что бы эта сцена выглядела: «была сыграна»
именно так). " )
Michael beamed (Майкл сиял).
" Come along to my dressing-room and have a whisky and soda (пойдем в мою
грим-уборную и выпьем по виски с содовой). I'm sure you need a drink after all
that emotion (я уверен, что вам необходимо выпить после всех этих
переживаний; drink — питье, напиток, в т. ч. алкогольный). "
They went out as Tom came in (они вошли, когда вошел Том). Tom's face was
red with excitement (лицо Тома было красным от возбуждения).
" My dear, it was grand (дорогая моя, это было великолепно). You were simply
wonderful (ты была просто удивительна). Gosh, what a performance (Боже, что
за представление). "
" Did you like it (тебе понравилось)? Avice was good, wasn't she (Эвис была
хороша, не так ли)? "
" No, rotten (нет, отвратительна). "
" My dear, what do you mean (дорогой мой, что ты имеешь в виду)? I thought
she was charming (я думала, что она была очаровательной). "
" You simply wiped the floor with her (да ты просто разбила ее наголову:
«подтерла ею пол»). She didn't even look pretty in the second act (она даже не
выглядела хорошенькой во втором акте). "
Avice's career (Эвис и ее карьера)!
veneration [" venq'reIS(q)n] beam [bi: m] grand [grxnd]
The author flushed. Julia looked at him with veneration. He felt shy and happy and
proud.
(" In twenty-four hours the mug'll think he really meant the scene to go like that. " )
Michael beamed.
" Come along to my dressing-room and have a whisky and soda. I'm sure you need
a drink after all that emotion. "
They went out as Tom came in. Tom's face was red with excitement.
" My dear, it was grand. You were simply wonderful. Gosh, what a performance. "
" Did you like it? Avice was good, wasn't she? "
" No, rotten. "
" My dear, what do you mean? I thought she was charming. "
" You simply wiped the floor with her. She didn't even look pretty in the second
act. "
Avice's career!
" I say, what are you doing afterwards (слушай, что ты делаешь позже)? "
" Dolly's giving a party for us (Долли устраивает прием в нашу честь: «для
нас»). "
" Can't you cut it and come along to supper with me (ты не можешь удрать и
пойти поужинать со мной)? I’m madly in love with you (я безумно люблю
тебя). "
" Oh, what nonsense (о, какая ерунда). How can I let Dolly down (как я могу
подвести Долли)? "
" Oh, do (ну пожалуйста). "
His eyes were eager (его глаза /горели/ от нетерпения). She could see that he
desired her as he had never done before (она могла видеть, что он хотел ее
больше, чем когда-либо /хотел/ раньше), and she rejoiced in her triumph (и она
обрадовалась своей победе: «триумфу»). But she shook her head firmly (но она
твердо покачала головой). There was a sound in the corridor (в коридоре
раздался звук) of a crowd of people talking (толпы разговаривающих людей),
and they both knew (и они оба поняли) that a troop of friends were forcing their
way down the narrow passage to congratulate her (что целая группа ее друзей
прокладывала себе путь по узкому проходу, чтобы поздравить ее; to force —
заставлять, принуждать).
" Damn all these people (черт побери всех этих людей). God, how I want to kiss
you (Боже, как же я хочу поцеловать тебя). I'll ring you up in the morning (я
позвоню тебе утром). "
afterwards ['Q: ftqwqdz] rejoice [rI'dZOIs] congratulate [kqn'grxtjVleIt]
" I say, what are you doing afterwards? "
" Dolly's giving a party for us. "
" Can't you cut it and come along to supper with me? I’m madly in love with you. "
" Oh, what nonsense. How can I let Dolly down? "
" Oh, do. "
His eyes were eager. She could see that he desired her as he had never done before,
and she rejoiced in her triumph. But she shook her head firmly. There was a sound
in the corridor of a crowd of people talking, and they both knew that a troop of
friends were forcing their way down the narrow passage to congratulate her.
" Damn all these people. God, how I want to kiss you. I'll ring you up in the
morning. "
The door burst open (дверь с шумом распахнулась) and Dolly, fat, perspiring and
bubbling over with enthusiasm (и Долли, толстая, исходящая испариной:
«потеющая», кипящая от энтузиазма; to bubble — пузыриться, булькать,
бить ключом), swept in at the head of a throng that packed the dressing-room to
suffocation (ворвалась в комнату во главе целой толпы, которая набилась в
грим-уборной /Джулии/ так, что нечем стало дышать: «до удушения»; to pack
— упаковывать; заполнять, скучиваться). Julia submitted to being kissed by all
and sundry (Джулия позволяла себя целовать всем и каждому; all and sundry
— все вместе и каждый в отдельности). Among others were three or four well-
known actresses (среди других были три или четыре известные актрисы), and
they were prodigal of their praise (и они были щедры на свои похвалы). Julia
gave a beautiful performance of unaffected modesty (Джулия прекрасно
изобразила
неподдельную
скромность;
unaffected
—
простой,
непринужденный, искренний). The corridor was packed now with people
(коридор был теперь уже забит людьми) who wanted to get at least a glimpse of
her (которые хотели, по крайней мере, хоть мельком взглянуть на нее). Dolly
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