Оскар Уайльд - Английский с Оскаром Уайльдом. Кентервильское привидение / Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost

In fact, he was dressed for the character of “Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn,” one of his most remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It was about a quarter-past two o’clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out “BOO!” in his ear.

Seized with a panic(охваченный паникой) , which, under the circumstances, was only natural(которая, при данных обстоятельствах, была вполне естественной) , he rushed for the staircase(он бросился к лестнице) , but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden-syringe(но обнаружил Вашингтона Отиса, ожидающего его там с большим садовым опрыскивателем) , and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side(и, будучи таким образом зажат врагами со всех сторон; on every side – с каждой стороны ) , and driven almost to bay(и доведенный почти до состояния загнанного зверя; to drive – гнать; bay – бухта, залив; тупик; положение загнанного в угол, безвыходное положение ) , he vanished into the great iron stove(он исчез в большой железной печи) , which, fortunately for him, was not lit(которая, к счастью для него, не была затоплена; to light – зажигать ) and had to make his way home through the flues and chimneys(и ему пришлось пробираться в свое убежище через дымоходы и печные трубы) , arriving at his own room in a terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair(и он добрался до своей комнаты в ужасном состоянии, грязный, в расстройстве и отчаянии: «в состоянии грязи, расстройства и отчаяния»).

Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden-syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair.

After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition(после этого его никогда больше не видели во время ночных прогулок: «в какой-нибудь ночной вылазке»; expedition – экспедиция; военная операция, военная вылазка, экспедиция ) . The twins lay in wait for him on several occasions(близнецы лежали в засаде, /поджидая его/ несколько раз: «в нескольких случаях»; to lie ) and strewed the passages with nutshells every night(и посыпáли коридоры ореховой скорлупой каждую ночь) to the great annoyance of their parents and the servants(к большому неудовольствию их родителей и прислуги; annoyance – досада, раздражение, неприятность; to annoy – досаждать; докучать, донимать ) , but it was of no avail(но все было безрезультатно; avail – выгода, польза ) . It was quite evident(было совершенно очевидно) , that his feelings were so wounded(что его чувства были настолько задеты; to wound – ранить; причинить боль, задеть ) that he would not appear(что он /больше/ не появится).

After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear.

Mr. Otis consequently resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party [22](поэтому мистер Отис возобновил свой большой труд по истории демократической партии) , on which he had been engaged for some years(над которым он работал несколько лет; to be engaged on smth. – быть занятым чем-либо ) ; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clambake(организовала чудесный пикник на морском берегу; clambake – печеные на горячих камнях морские моллюски /блюдо индийской кухни; одно из самых любимых американцами блюд на пикниках/; пикник /особ. на морском берегу/, выезд за город ) , which amazed the whole county(который поразил все графство) ; the boys took to lacrosse, euchre, poker, and other American national games(мальчики занялись лакроссом, юкером, покером, и другими американскими национальными играми) , and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony(а Вирджиния каталась по тропинкам на своем пони; to ride ) , accompanied by the young Duke of Cheshire(в сопровождении молодого герцога Чеширского) , who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase(который приехал, чтобы провести последнюю неделю своих каникул в Кентервильском замке).

Mr. Otis consequently resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clambake, which amazed the whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase.