Уильям Моэм - Мистер Всезнайка. Рассказы

anxious [`xNkSqs], happy-go-lucky [`hxpIgqu`lAkI], thoroughly [`TArqlI]

Frank was relieved when they could sit down to the bridge table. It was plain to her that Arrow and Beatrice were upset. She wanted them to like Lena and she was anxious that Lena should enjoy her fortnight with them. For the first rubber Arrow cut with the newcomer.

"Do you play Vanderbilt or Culbertson?" she asked her.

"I have no conventions," Lena answered in a happy-go-lucky way, "I play by the light of nature."

"I play strict Culbertson," said Arrow acidly.

The three fat women braced themselves to the fray. No conventions indeed! They'd learn her. When it came to bridge even Frank's family feeling was forgotten and she settled down with the same determination as the others to trim the stranger in their midst. But the light of nature served Lena very well. She had a natural gift for the game and great experience. She played with imagination, quickly, boldly, and with assurance. The other players were in too high a class not to realise very soon that Lena knew what she was about, and since they were all thoroughly good-natured, generous women, they were gradually mollified. This was real bridge. They all enjoyed themselves. Arrow and Beatrice began to feel more kindly towards Lena, and Frank, noticing this, heaved a fat sigh of relief. It was going to be a success.

After a couple of hours they parted (после нескольких: «пары» часов /игры/ они разошлись), Frank and Beatrice to have a round of golf (Фрэнк и Беатрис — сыграть: «иметь» один раунд в гольф), and Arrow to take a brisk walk with a young Prince Roccamare (а Эрроу — совершить энергичную прогулку с молодым принцем Роккамаре; to take a walk — прогуляться; brisk — живой, оживленный; проворный, скорый ) whose acquaintance she had lately made (с которым она недавно познакомилась: «чье знакомство она недавно сделала»). He was very sweet and young and good-looking (он был очень мил, молод и красив). Lena said she would rest (Лина сказала, что она будет отдыхать).

They met again just before dinner (они встретились снова как раз перед ужином; dinner— обед, ужин /главная трапеза дня, обыкновенно в 7–8 часов вечера/ ). "I hope you've been all right, Lena dear (я надеюсь, /у/ тебя /все/ было в порядке, дорогая Лина)," said Frank. "I was rather conscience-stricken (меня немного мучила совесть: «я была слегка испытывающей угрызения совести») at leaving you with nothing to do all this time (/что я/ оставила тебя скучать: «ни с чем, чтобы делать» все это время)."

"Oh, don't apologise (о, не извиняйся). I had a lovely sleep (я отлично поспала: «имела отличный сон») and then I went down to Juan and had a cocktail (а потом я отправилась в /город/ Хуан /JuanlesPin/ и выпила: «имела» коктейль). And d'you know what I discovered (и ты знаешь, что я обнаружила)? You'll be so pleased (ты будешь так довольна). I found a dear little tea-shop (я нашла небольшое прелестное кафе) where they've got the most beautiful thick fresh cream (где у них есть самые превосходные, густые /и/ свежие сливки; tohavegot/разг./ =tohave— иметь, обладать ). I've ordered half a pint to be sent every day (я заказала полпинты, чтобы присылали каждый день; pint— пинта /мера емкости; в Англии = 0,57 л; в США = 0,47 л для жидкостей/ ). I thought it would be my little contribution to the household (я подумала, /что/ это было бы моим небольшим вкладом в /общее/ хозяйство)."

Her eyes were shining (ее глаза сияли). She was evidently expecting them to be delighted (она явно ожидала, /что/ они будут рады; todelight— радоваться; доставлять удовольствие; получать удовольствие ).

"How very kind of you (как любезно с твоей /стороны/; very— очень )," said Frank, with a look that sought to quell the indignation (сказала Фрэнк с /таким/ взглядом, который пытался подавить то негодование; toseek— искать; стараться, пытаться ) that she saw on the faces of her two friends (которое она видела на лицах двух своих подруг). "But we never eat cream (но мы никогда не едим сливки). In this climate it makes one so bilious (в этом климате они делают человека таким раздражительным; one— один; также употребляется в неопределенно-личных предложениях )."

"I shall have to eat it all myself then (тогда мне придется съесть их все самой)," said Lena cheerfully (сказала Лина жизнерадостно).

acquaintance [q`kweInt(q)ns], conscience [`kOnS(q)ns], bilious [`bIljqs]

After a couple of hours they parted, Frank and Beatrice to have a round of golf, and Arrow to take a brisk walk with a young Prince Roccamare whose acquaintance she had lately made. He was very sweet and young and good-looking. Lena said she would rest.

They met again just before dinner. "I hope you've been all right, Lena dear," said Frank. "I was rather conscience-stricken at leaving you with nothing to do all this time."

"Oh, don't apologise. I had a lovely sleep and then I went down to Juan and had a cocktail. And d'you know what I discovered? You'll be so pleased. I found a dear little tea-shop where they've got the most beautiful thick fresh cream. I've ordered half a pint to be sent every day. I thought it would be my little contribution to the household."

Her eyes were shining. She was evidently expecting them to be delighted.

"How very kind of you," said Frank, with a look that sought to quell the indignation that she saw on the faces of her two friends. "But we never eat cream. In this climate it makes one so bilious."

"I shall have to eat it all myself then," said Lena cheerfully.

"Don't you ever think of your figure (/разве/ ты никогда не думаешь о своей фигуре; ever— всегда; когда-нибудь )?" Arrow asked with icy deliberation (спросила Эрроу, с холодной тщательностью подбирая /слова/; deliberation— обдумывание, взвешивание; медлительность, неторопливост ь).

"The doctor said I must eat (доктор сказал — я должна есть)."

"Did he say you must eat bread and butter (он сказал, /что/ ты должна есть хлеб и масло) and potatoes and cream (картофель и сливки)?"

"Yes. That's what I thought you meant (это, как я думала, вы /и/ имели в виду; what— что ) when you said you had simple food (когда говорили, /что/ едите простую пищу)."