Английский язык с Агатой Кристи. Убийства по алфавиту

Франк Илья Михайлович

Her conscience gave her a sudden twinge (у нее неожиданно начались угрызения совести: «ее совесть неожиданно причинила ей боль»; twinge — приступ боли; моральная мука).

Last night (прошлой ночью) Tom and Lily (Том и Лили) and all the hunting back over dates (и все прослеживание прошлых дат)! Trying to make out (попытка выяснить) that Mr. Cust was that dreadful monster (что мистер Каст был тот отвратительный монстр), A.B.C. (Эй-би-си). Just because of his initials (просто

из-за его инициалов) and because of a few coincidences (и из-за нескольких совпадений).

"I don't suppose they meant it seriously," she thought comfortably (я не считаю, что они серьезно имели это в виду, — спокойно подумала она; comfortable — расслабленный, спокойный). "And now I hope (и теперь я надеюсь) they'll be ashamed of themselves (им будет стыдно за самих себя)."

mite [mat], twinge [twn], comfortably ['kmftbl]

He disappeared into his bedroom. Mrs. Marbury retired into the kitchen, thinking sentimentally of "the dear little mite."

Her conscience gave her a sudden twinge.

Last night Tom and Lily and all the hunting back over dates! Trying to make out that Mr. Cust was that dreadful monster, A.B.C.. Just because of his initials and because of a few coincidences.

"I don't suppose they meant it seriously," she thought comfortably. "And now I hope they'll be ashamed of themselves."

In some obscure way (каким-то неясным образом; obscure — темный, слабо освещенный, тусклый; невразумительный, неясный; неразборчивый) that she could not have explained (который она не могла объяснить), Mr. Cust's statement (заявление мистера Каста) that his sister had had a baby (что его сестра только что родила ребенка) had effectually removed any doubts (эффективно удалило любые сомнения) Mrs. Marbury might have had of her lodger's bonafides (/которые/ миссис Марбери могла иметь о благонадежности своего жильца; bonafides — честное намерение; добросовестность).

"I hope (я надеюсь) she didn't have too bad a time of it, poor dear," thought Mrs. Marbury (ей не было очень плохо из-за родов, бедняжке: «она не имела плохое время из этого, бедняжка», — думала миссис Марбери), testing an iron against her cheek (проверяя утюг /поднеся его к/ своей щеке) before beginning to iron out Lily's silk slip (прежде чем начать гладить шелковую комбинацию Лили).

Her mind ran comfortably on a well-worn obstetric track (ее мысли спокойно обдумавали акушерские вопросы: «ее мысли спокойно бежали по хорошо проезженной акушерской дорожке»).

Mr. Cust came quietly down the stairs (мистер Каст тихо спустился вниз по лестнице), a bag in his hand (/с/ сумкой в руке). His eyes rested a minute on the telephone (его глаза остановились на минуту на телефоне).

effectually ['fektl], bonafides ['bn'fadi:z], obstetric [b'sterk]

In some obscure way that she could not have explained, Mr. Cust's statement that his sister had had a baby had effectually removed any doubts Mrs. Marbury might have had of her lodger's bonafides.

"I hope she didn't have too bad a time of it, poor dear," thought Mrs. Marbury, testing an iron against her cheek before beginning to iron out Lily's silk slip.

Her mind ran comfortably on a well-worn obstetric track.

Mr. Cust came quietly down the stairs, a bag in his hand. His eyes rested a minute on the telephone.

That brief conversation re-echoed in his brain (тот

краткий разговор эхом прозвучал в его голове: «мозгу»).

"Is that you, Mr. Cust (это вы, мистер Каст)? I thought (я подумала) you might like to know (вам, вероятно, захочется узнать) there's an inspector from Scotland Yard may be coming to see you (там инспектор из Скотланд-Ярда, может быть, придет повидаться с вами)."

What had he said (что он сказал)? He couldn't remember (он не мог вспомнить).

"Thank you (благодарю вас) — thank you, my dear (благодарю вас, моя дорогая) … very kind of you (очень мило с вашей /стороны/)."

Something like that (что-то похожее на это).

Why had she telephoned to him (почему она позвонила ему)? Could she possibly have guessed (могла ли она, вероятно, догадаться)? Or did she just want to make sure (или она просто хотела убедиться) he would stay in for the inspector's visit (что он останется /дома/ до визита инспектора)?

re-echoe [ri(:)'ek], kind [kand], possibly ['psbl]

That brief conversation re-echoed in his brain.

"Is that you, Mr. Cust? I thought you might like to know there's an inspector from Scotland Yard may be coming to see you."

What had he said? He couldn't remember.

"Thank you — thank you, my dear … very kind of you."

Something like that.

Why had she telephoned to him? Could she possibly have guessed? Or did she just want to make sure he would stay in for the inspector's visit?

But how did she know the inspector was coming (но как она узнала, что инспектор придет)? And her voice (а ее голос) — she'd disguised her voice from her mother (она замаскировала свой голос от матери) … It looked (это выглядело) — it looked (это выглядело) — as though she knew (как будто она знала) … But surely (но, конечно) if she knew (если бы она знала), she wouldn't (она бы не) …

She might, though (хотя, она могла). Women were very queer (женщины очень странные). Unexpectedly cruel (неожиданно жестокие) and unexpectedly kind (и неожиданно добрые). He'd seen Lily once letting a mouse out of a mousetrap (однажды он видел, как Лили выпустила мышь из мышеловки).

A kind girl (добрая девушка) …

A kind, pretty girl (добрая, симпатичная девушка) …