Текст книги "Английский с Шерлоком Холмсом. Человек с рассеченной губой / Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes"

Serpentine ['sɜ:pǝntǝɪn], Trafalgar Square [trǝ'fælɡǝ,skweǝ], fountain ['faʋntɪn]

“Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine.”

“In heaven's name, what for?”

“In search of the body of Lady St. Simon.”

Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily.

“Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?” he asked.

“Why? What do you mean?”

“Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the one as in the other.”

Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion.

“I suppose you know all about it,” he snarled.

“Well, I have only just heard the facts (ну, я лишь только что узнал факты = подробности), but my mind is made up (но уже пришел к выводу).”

“Oh, indeed (о, неужели)! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the matter (значит, вы считаете, что Серпантин тут ни при чем: «не играет никакой роли в этом деле»)?”

“I think it very unlikely (думаю, это маловероятно).”

“Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this in it (тогда будьте добры, объясните, каким образом мы могли найти в нем это)?”

He opened his bag as he spoke (при этих словах он открыл мешок), and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk (и вывалил на пол свадебное платье из муара), a pair of white satin shoes (пару белых атласных туфелек) and a bride's wreath and veil (и венок с вуалью), all discolored and soaked in water (все поблекшее и мокрое: «пропитавшееся водой»).

“There (вот, извольте),” said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile (сказал он, кладя новое обручальное кольцо на эту кучу). “There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes (раскусите-ка этот орешек, господин Холмс: «вот орешек для вас, чтобы раскусить»).”

shoe [ʃu:], wreath [ri:θ], discolored [dɪs'kʌlǝd]

“Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up.”

“Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the matter?”

“I think it very unlikely.”

“Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found this in it?”

He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discolored and soaked in water.

“There,” said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the top of the pile. “There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Holmes.”

“Oh, indeed (вот как)!” said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air (сказал мой друг, выпуская /в воздух/ голубые кольца /дыма/). “You dragged them from the Serpentine (вы вытащили эти вещи из Серпантина)?”

“No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper (они плавали у берега, их нашел сторож при парке). They have been identified as her clothes (они были опознаны как ее одежда), and it seemed to me that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off (и я думаю, раз там была одежда, то тело найдется недалеко).”

“By the same brilliant reasoning (исходя из этого блестящего рассуждения), every man's body is to be found in the neighborhood of his wardrobe (тело каждого человека должно быть найдено рядом с его одеждой; in the neighbourhood of – по соседству с, поблизости от; wardrobe – гардероб, одежда). And pray what did you hope to arrive at through this (и к чему же вы хотите прийти через это = чего надеетесь добиться с помощью этих вещей)?”

“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance (какой-нибудь улики, доказывающей /причастность/ Флоры Миллар к исчезновению /леди Сент-Саймон/; to implicate – заключать в себе, подразумевать; иметь следствием).”

“I am afraid that you will find it difficult (боюсь, вам это будет нелегко: «вы обнаружите, что это трудно»).”

margin ['mɑ:ʤɪn], wardrobe ['wɔ:drǝʋb], neighborhood ['neɪbǝhʋd]

“Oh, indeed!” said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. “You dragged them from the Serpentine?”

“No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off.”

“By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in the neighborhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope to arrive at through this?”

“At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance.”

“I am afraid that you will find it difficult.”

“Are you, indeed, now (боитесь)?” cried Lestrade with some bitterness (с горечью вскричал Лестрейд; bitter – горький). “I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deductions and your inferences (боюсь, Холмс, что вы не очень практичны = отстали от жизни с вашими выводами и умозаключениями). You have made two blunders in as many minutes (вы сделали две грубые ошибки за две минуты: «за столько же минут»). This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar (это платье действительно уличает мисс Флору Миллар).”

“And how (и каким образом)?”

“In the dress is a pocket (в платье есть карман). In the pocket is a card-case (в кармане коробочка для визитных карточек). In the card-case is a note (в коробочке – записка). And here is the very note (вот эта самая записка).” He slapped it down upon the table in front of him (он швырнул ее на стол перед собой; to slap down – с силой бросать, энергично швырять). “Listen to this (послушайте): 'You will see me when all is ready (увидите меня, когда все будет готово). Come at once. F.H.M (приходите немедленно. Ф. Х. М.).' Now my theory all along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar (итак, я с самого начала предполагал, что Флора Миллар выманила леди Сент-Саймон; all along – все время, с самого начала; всегда), and that she, with confederates, no doubt (и, несомненно, с сообщниками), was responsible for her disappearance (ответственна за ее исчезновение). Here, signed with her initials (вот, подписанная ее инициалами), is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped into her hand at the door (та самая записка, которую, без сомнения, она незаметно передала леди Сент-Саймон у двери; to slip – скользить; давать /что-либо/ скрытно, незаметно) and which lured her within their reach (и которая заманила ее в их сети; to lure – привлекать; завлекать, соблазнять; reach – протягивание /руки/; размах, предел досягаемости).”

inference ['ɪnf(ǝ)rǝns], confederate /сущ./ [kǝn'fedǝrǝt],initial [ɪ'nɪʃ(ǝ)l]

“Are you, indeed, now?” cried Lestrade with some bitterness. “I am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar.”

“And how?”

“In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the card-case is a note. And here is the very note.” He slapped it down upon the table in front of him. “Listen to this: 'You will see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped into her hand at the door and which lured her within their reach.”

“Very good, Lestrade (отлично, Лестрейд),” said Holmes, laughing (сказал Холмс, смеясь). “You really are very fine indeed (в самом деле, вы это славно /придумали/). Let me see it (позвольте взглянуть на записку).”

He took up the paper in a listless way (он безразлично взял бумажку), but his attention instantly became riveted (но тотчас сосредоточился /на ней/; to rivet – клепать; сосредоточивать /внимание/; устремлять, приковывать /взгляд/), and he gave a little cry of satisfaction (и радостно вскрикнул: «издал короткий крик удовлетворения/радости»).

“This is indeed important (это действительно важно),” said he.

“Ha! you find it so (ага! и вы так считаете)?”

“Extremely so (чрезвычайно важно). I congratulate you warmly (сердечно поздравляю вас).”

Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look (Лестрейд торжествующе поднялся и наклонился /над запиской/: «наклонил голову, чтобы посмотреть»; to bend).

“Why,” he shrieked (но ведь, – воскликнул он), “you're looking at the wrong side (вы смотрите не на ту сторону/на оборотную сторону)!”

“On the contrary, this is the right side (напротив, это лицевая: «правильная» сторона).”

“The right side (лицевая)? You're mad (вы с ума сошли)! Here is the note written in pencil over here (записка написана карандашом вот здесь).”

important [ɪm'pɔ:t(ǝ)nt], triumph ['traɪǝmf], written ['rɪt(ǝ)n]

“Very good, Lestrade,” said Holmes, laughing. “You really are very fine indeed. Let me see it.”

He took up the paper in a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he gave a little cry of satisfaction.

“This is indeed important,” said he.

“Ha! you find it so?”

“Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly.”

Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look.

“Why,” he shrieked, “you're looking at the wrong side!”

“On the contrary, this is the right side.”

“The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil over here.”

“And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill (а здесь, похоже, обрывок гостиничного счета), which interests me deeply (который меня чрезвычайно интересует).”

“There's nothing in it (в нем нет ничего особенного). I looked at it before (я видел его раньше),” said Lestrade. “'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s. (4 октября, комнаты – 8 шил.), breakfast 2s. 6d. (завтрак – 2 шил., 6 пенсов), cocktail 1s. (коктейль – 1 шил.), lunch 2s. 6d. (ленч – 2 шил., 6 пенсов), glass sherry, 8d (стакан хереса – 8 пенсов).' I see nothing in that (не вижу ничего /интересного/).”

“Very likely not (вполне вероятно, что не видите). It is most important, all the same (и все же счет очень важен). As to the note, it is important also (что касается записки, она тоже важна), or at least the initials are, so I congratulate you again (или, по крайней мере, инициалы; так что снова поздравляю вас).”

“I've wasted time enough (я потерял достаточно времени),” said Lestrade, rising. “I believe in hard work (я считаю, что надо много работать: «верю в интенсивную работу»; hard work – тяжелая работа) and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories (а не сидеть у камина, выдумывая всякие прекрасные теории; to spin – прясть; плести /паутину/; разрабатывать, придумывать: to spin stories – плести небылицы). Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see (до свидания, мистер Холмс, /еще/ увидим) which gets to the bottom of the matter first (кто первым доберется до сути этого дела).”

He gathered up the garments (он собрал одежду), thrust them into the bag (сунул ее в мешок), and made for the door (и направился к двери).

cocktail ['kɒkteɪl], garments ['ɡɑ:mǝnts], door [dɔ:]

“And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel bill, which interests me deeply.”

“There's nothing in it. I looked at it before,” said Lestrade. “'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that.”

“Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I congratulate you again.”

“I've wasted time enough,” said Lestrade, rising. “I believe in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of the matter first.”

He gathered up the garments, thrust them into the bag, and made for the door.

“Just one hint to you, Lestrade (/дам/ вам только одну подсказку, Лестрейд),” drawled Holmes before his rival vanished (медленно произнес Холмс прежде, чем его соперник исчез; to drawl – растягивать слова, произносить с подчеркнутой медлительностью); “I will tell you the true solution of the matter (я назову вам истинное решение этого дела). Lady St. Simon is a myth (леди Сент-Саймон – миф). There is not, and there never has been, any such person (нет и никогда не было такого человека).”

Lestrade looked sadly at my companion (Лестрейд грустно посмотрел на моего друга). Then he turned to me (потом повернулся ко мне), tapped his forehead three times (трижды постучал /пальцем/ по лбу), shook his head solemnly (серьезно покачал головой), and hurried away (и поспешно вышел).

He had hardly shut the door behind him (едва он закрыл за собой дверь) when Holmes rose to put on his overcoat (как Холмс встал и надел пальто).

“There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor work (в том, что говорит наш коллега о работе на открытом воздухе, есть доля истины),” he remarked (заметил он), “so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your papers for a little (поэтому, Ватсон, думаю, что должен оставить вас ненадолго с вашими газетами).”

drawled [drɔ:ld], solemnly ['sɒlǝmlɪ], remarked [rɪ'mɑ:kt]

“Just one hint to you, Lestrade,” drawled Holmes before his rival vanished; “I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any such person.”

Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hurried away.

He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on his overcoat.

“There is something in what the fellow says about outdoor work,” he remarked, “so I think, Watson, that I must leave you to your papers for a little.”

It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me (когда Шерлок Холмс покинул меня, было начало шестого), but I had no time to be lonely (но я недолго оставался в одиночестве: «у меня не было времени оставаться в одиночестве»), for within an hour there arrived a confectioner's man with a very large flat box (так как менее чем через час явился посыльный из гастрономической лавки с очень большой плоской коробкой; confectioner – кондитер). This he unpacked with the help of a youth (он распаковал ее с помощью юноши) whom he had brought with him (которого привел с собой), and presently, to my very great astonishment (и вскоре, к моему большому удивлению), a quite epicurean little cold supper (довольно роскошный холодный ужин; epicurean – эпикурейский, чувственный; роскошный, пышный) began to be laid out upon our humble lodging-house mahogany (начал появляться на скромном обеденном столе нашей меблированной квартиры; to lay out – вынимать, выкладывать; расставлять; lodging-house – меблированные комнаты; mahogany – красное дерево, сделанный из красного дерева; обеденный стол). There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock (здесь была пара холодных вальдшнепов), a pheasant (фазан), a pâté de foie gras pie (пирог с паштетом из гусиной печени) with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles (и несколько старых, покрытых паутиной бутылок; cobweb – паутина; нить паутины). Having laid out all these luxuries (расставив все эти лакомства; luxuries – предметы роскоши), my two visitors vanished away (оба посетителя исчезли), like the genii of the Arabian Nights (словно джинны из «Тысячи и одной ночи»: «арабских ночей»), with no explanation save that the things had been paid for (без каких-либо объяснений, сказав только, что за все заплачено) and were ordered to this address (и велено доставить по этому адресу; to order – заказывать; направлять, посылать).

confectioner [kǝn'fekʃ(ǝ)nǝ], epicurean [,epɪkjʋǝ'ri:ǝn], mahogany [mǝ'hɒɡǝnɪ]

It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid for and were ordered to this address.

Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room (около девяти часов Шерлок Холмс бодро вошел в комнату; just before – непосредственно перед). His features were gravely set (его лицо было серьезным), but there was a light in his eye which made me think (но в глазах блестел огонек, по которому я понял) that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions (что он не разочаровался в своих выводах).

“They have laid the supper, then (итак, ужин уже на столе: «они накрыли ужин»),” he said, rubbing his hands (сказал он, потирая руки).

“You seem to expect company (кажется, вы ждете гостей). They have laid for five (накрыли на пять персон).”

“Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in (да, думаю, к нам зайдут кое-какие гости; to drop in – заходить, заглядывать, забегать),” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived (я удивлен, что лорд Сент-Саймон еще не пришел). Ha! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs (ага! кажется, я слышу на лестнице его шаги).”

It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in (это действительно оказался наш дневной посетитель; он торопливо вошел), dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever (еще сильнее чем прежде раскачивая пенсне; vigorously – сильно, энергично), and with a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features (и его аристократические черты лица отражали сильное смятение; to perturb – смущать, тревожить; беспокоить, волновать).

conclusion [kǝn'klu:ʒ(ǝ)n], company ['kʌmpǝnɪ], bustling ['bʌslɪŋ]

Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his conclusions.

“They have laid the supper, then,” he said, rubbing his hands.

“You seem to expect company. They have laid for five.”

“Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in,” said he. “I am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs.”

It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features.

“My messenger reached you, then (значит, мой посыльный застал вас /дома/)?” asked Holmes.

“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure (да, и признаюсь, содержание /письма/ сильно поразило меня: «сверх всякой меры»). Have you good authority for what you say (у вас есть доказательства того, что вы говорите; authority – власть; авторитетный источник; основание; on good authority – из достоверных источников, по достоверным сведениям)?”

“The best possible (самые веские: «лучшие из возможных»).”

Lord St. Simon sank into a chair (лорд опустился в кресло) and passed his hand over his forehead (и провел рукой по лбу).

“What will the Duke say (что скажет герцог),” he murmured (прошептал он; to murmur – говорить тихо; шептать; бормотать), “when he hears that one of the family has been subjected to such humiliation (когда узнает, что один из /членов/ семьи подвергся такому унижению; to humiliate – унижать, оскорблять)?”

“It is the purest accident (это чистейшая случайность). I cannot allow that there is any humiliation (не могу согласиться, что здесь есть что-то унизительное; to allow – позволять; признавать /справедливым, правильным/; принимать; соглашаться).”

measure ['meʒǝ], authority [ɔ:'θɒrǝtɪ], murmured ['mɜ:mǝd]

“My messenger reached you, then?” asked Holmes.

“Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Have you good authority for what you say?”

“The best possible.”

Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his forehead.

“What will the Duke say,” he murmured, “when he hears that one of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?”

“It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any humiliation.“

“Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint (ах, вы смотрите на эти вещи с другой точки зрения).”

“I fail to see that anyone is to blame (я совершенно не вижу здесь виновных; to fail – потерпеть неудачу; to blame – винить, порицать). I can hardly see how the lady could have acted otherwise (я едва понимаю, как леди могла поступить иначе = думаю, леди не могла поступить иначе), though her abrupt method of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted (хотя, конечно, жаль, что она действовала столь резко; to regret – сожалеть). Having no mother, she had no one to advise her at such a crisis (так как у нее нет матери, ей не с кем было посоветоваться в такой критический момент).”

“It was a slight, sir, a public slight (это было оскорблением, сэр, публичным оскорблением; slight – пренебрежение, неуважение),” said Lord St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table (сказал лорд Сент-Саймон, стуча пальцами по столу).

“You must make allowance for this poor girl (вы должны сделать скидку для этой бедной девушки; allowance – денежное пособие; денежное содержание; скидка; допущение; принятие в расчет, во внимание), placed in so unprecedented a position (оказавшейся в таком исключительном положении; unprecedented – беспрецедентный, небывалый; to place – помещать).”

“I will make no allowance (не стану делать никакой скидки). I am very angry indeed, and I have been shamefully used (я очень зол, меня бесчестно использовали; shame – стыд, позор).”

crisis ['kraɪsɪs], unprecedented [ʌn'presɪdǝntɪd], allowance [ǝ'laʋǝns]

“Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint.”

“I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she had no one to advise her at such a crisis.”

“It was a slight, sir, a public slight,” said Lord St. Simon, tapping his fingers upon the table.

“You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so unprecedented a position.”

“I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have been shamefully used.”

“I think that I heard a ring (кажется, я слышал звонок),” said Holmes. “Yes, there are steps on the landing (да, на лестничной площадке шаги). If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon (если я не могу убедить вас отнестись к этому делу снисходительно, лорд Сент-Саймон), I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful (то, быть может, человек, которого я пригласил, окажется более успешным; advocate – адвокат; защитник, заступник; to advocate – защищать, поддерживать, пропагандировать /взгляды, позицию/).”

He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman (он открыл дверь и впустил даму и джентльмена; to usher – сопровождать; вводить; усаживать).

“Lord St. Simon,” said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton (позвольте представить вам мистера и миссис Фрэнсис Хей Моултон). The lady, I think, you have already met (с госпожой /Моултон/, полагаю, вы уже знакомы).”

At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seat (при виде этих гостей наш клиент вскочил с места; newcomer – новоприбывший, приезжий; to spring) and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down (и встал очень прямо = стоял выпрямившись, опустив глаза) and his hand thrust into the breast of his frock-coat (и заложив руку за борт сюртука), a picture of offended dignity (воплощение оскорбленного достоинства). The lady had taken a quick step forward (дама быстро шагнула вперед) and had held out her hand to him (и протянула к нему руку), but he still refused to raise his eyes (но он по-прежнему отказывался поднимать глаза). It was as well for his resolution, perhaps (возможно, это было сделано также для /сохранения/ решимости/твердости), for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist (поскольку перед ее умоляющим лицом было трудно устоять; to resist – сопротивляться, противиться; не поддаваться).

lenient ['li:nɪǝnt], picture ['pɪkʧǝ], resist [rɪ'zɪst]

“I think that I heard a ring,” said Holmes. “Yes, there are steps on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here who may be more successful.”

He opened the door and ushered in a lady and gentleman.

“Lord St. Simon,” said he “allow me to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I think, you have already met.”

At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thrust into the breast of his frock‑coat, a picture of offended dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was one which it was hard to resist.

“You're angry, Robert (вы сердитесь, Роберт),” said she. “Well, I guess you have every cause to be (что ж, думаю, у вас есть все основания для этого).”

“Pray make no apology to me (прошу вас, не извиняйтесь),” said Lord St. Simon bitterly (с горечью произнес лорд Сент-Саймон).

“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad (да, я знаю, я действительно обошлась с вами плохо) and that I should have spoken to you before I went (и мне следовало поговорить с вами перед тем, как уйти); but I was kind of rattled (но я словно обезумела; to rattle – греметь, трещать; волновать; смущать, приводить в замешательство), and from the time when I saw Frank here again (а с той минуты, как снова увидела Фрэнка здесь) I just didn't know what I was doing or saying (я просто не сознавала, что делаю и что говорю). I only wonder I didn't fall down and do a faint right there before the altar (удивляюсь, как это я не упала в обморок прямо там, перед алтарем).”

“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the room (быть может, миссис Моултон, вы хотите, чтобы мы с моим другом вышли из комнаты) while you explain this matter (пока вы объясняетесь)?”

apology [ǝ'pɒlǝʤɪ], wonder ['wʌndǝ], altar ['ɔ:ltǝ]

“You're angry, Robert,” said she. “Well, I guess you have every cause to be.”

“Pray make no apology to me,” said Lord St. Simon bitterly.

“Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't fall down and do a faint right there before the altar.”

“Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave the room while you explain this matter?”

“If I may give an opinion (если я могу выразить свое мнение),” remarked the strange gentleman (заметил незнакомец), “we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business already (/я скажу, что/ мы и так уже сделали слишком много тайны из этого дела). For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it (что касается меня, я бы хотел, чтобы вся Европа и вся Америка услышали правду; rights – права; верность, соответствие фактам; истинное положение вещей: I have never heard the rights of that story – я никогда не слышал правды об этой истории).”

He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man (это был низкий, жилистый, загорелый человек), clean-shaven (чисто выбритый), with a sharp face and alert manner (с резкими чертами лица и быстрыми движениями; alert – бдительный, настороже; живой, проворный; резвый).

“Then I'll tell our story right away (тогда я тотчас расскажу нашу историю),” said the lady. “Frank here and I met in '84 (мы с Фрэнком встретились в 1884 году; to meet – встречаться, знакомиться), in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies (на прииске Макквайра, близ Скалистых гор; Rockies = Rocky Mountains), where pa was working a claim (где папа разрабатывал участок; pa = papa). We were engaged to each other, Frank and I (мы с Фрэнком обручились); but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile (но затем однажды папа напал на богатую /золотоносную/ жилу и разбогател; pocket – карман; залежь; вкрапление /богатой руды/; pile – свая; столб; груда, кипа; состояние, куча денег), while poor Frank here had a claim (в то время как у бедного Фрэнка участок) that petered out and came to nothing (истощался и /затем/ совсем опустел: «сошел на нет»). The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank (чем богаче становился папа, тем беднее становился Фрэнк); so at last pa wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer (в конце концов папа и слышать /не хотел/ о нашей помолвке: «о том, чтобы наша помолвка продолжалась»), and he took me away to 'Frisco (и увез меня в Сан-Франциско; Фриско – разг. Сан-Франциско).

Europe ['jʋǝrǝp], alert [ǝ'lɜ:t], engagement [ɪn'ɡeɪʤmǝnt]

“If I may give an opinion,” remarked the strange gentleman, “we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hear the rights of it.”

He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clean‑shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner.

“Then I'll tell our story right away,” said the lady. “Frank here and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took me away to 'Frisco.

“Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though (однако Фрэнк не сдавался; to throw up one's arms – вскидывать руки, признавать свое поражение); so he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything about it (он поехал за мной, и мы продолжали видеться без ведома папы). It would only have made him mad to know (если бы он узнал об этом, он бы рассердился), so we just fixed it all up for ourselves (поэтому мы все решили сами; to fix up – устроить, обеспечить; привести в порядок, уладить). Frank said that he would go and make his pile, too (Фрэнк сказал, что тоже разбогатеет), and never come back to claim me until he had as much as pa (и не вернется и не попросит моей руки: «заявлять права на меня» до тех пор, пока не будет так же богат, как папа). So then I promised to wait for him to the end of time (я пообещала ждать его вечно: «до конца времени») and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived (и дала обет не выходить замуж за другого, пока он жив). 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then (в таком случае, почему бы нам не обвенчаться прямо сейчас),' said he, 'and then I will feel sure of you (тогда я буду уверен в тебе); and I won't claim to be your husband until I come back (и не стану твоим мужем, пока не вернусь)?' Well, we talked it over (мы обговорили этот вопрос), and he had fixed it all up so nicely (и Фрэнк так прекрасно все устроил), with a clergyman all ready in waiting (священник был полностью готов; all ready – полностью, совершенно готовый; in waiting – в ожидании), that we just did it right there (и тут же обвенчал нас); and then Frank went off to seek his fortune, and I went back to pa (и Фрэнк уехал искать счастье, а я вернулась к папе).