Английский язык с миссис Харрис, или платье от Диора
Шрифт:
exterior [eks'tIqrIq], intrepid [In'trepId], ceaseless ['si:slIs], minor ['maInq]
He remembered too that beneath the brash and comic exterior he had recognized the intrepid bravery of women who lived out lives of hardship and ceaseless toil to render their simple duties to their own, leavened with no more than the sprinkling of the salt of minor grumbling and acid commentary upon the scoundrels and scallywags who ran things. He could see her again now, the reddish-gray hair down about her eyes, a cigarette tucked behind one ear, her head bobbing with concentrated energy as she charred the premises. He could almost hear her speak again. And then he realized that he had.
For seated next him (потому
True (правда), there was no physical resemblance (не было физического сходства), for his neighbor was slight (потому что его соседка была худощавой) and worn thin by work (и потерявшей обаяние от работы; to wear thin — слабеть; терять привлекательность, обаяние: «износить до тонкого /состояния/») — the old gentleman's eyes dropping to her hands confirmed the guess (глаза пожилого джентльмена, взглянув: «упав» на ее руки, подтвердили это предположение) — but that was not how he recognized her (но он узнал ее не по этому: «но это не было как он узнал ее»); it was by the bearing (это было = он узнал ее по манере вести себя), the speech, of course (по речи, конечно), and the naughty little eyes (и озорным маленьким глазкам), but above all by the aura of indomitable courage (но более всего — по ауре неукротимого мужества) and independence (и независимости) and impudence (и дерзости) that surrounded her (которая окружала ее).
sophisticated [sq'fIstIkeItId], guess [ges], impudence ['Impjudqns]
For seated next him in the most exclusive and sophisticated dress salon in Paris was the reincarnation of his Madame Mops of half a century ago.
True, there was no physical resemblance, for his neighbor was slight and worn thin by work — the old gentleman's eyes dropping to her hands confirmed the guess — but that was not how he recognized her; it was by the bearing, the speech, of course, and the naughty little eyes, but above all by the aura of indomitable courage and independence and impudence that surrounded her.
"A Dior dress," he echoed her (повторил он /ее слова/)," a splendid idea (великолепная мысль). Let us hope (будем надеяться) that you will find here this afternoon what you desire (что вы найдете здесь сегодня вечером то, что вы желаете)."
There was no need in him to question her (не было нужды = ему не требовалось спрашивать ее) as to how it was possible for her to fulfill such a wish (относительно того, как было возможным для нее исполнить такое желание). He knew from his own experience (он знал по собственному опыту) something of the nature of these special Englishwomen (кое-что о характере этих особенных англичанок) and simply assumed (и просто предположил) that she had been left a legacy (что ей было оставлено наследство), or had suddenly acquired a large sum of money (или неожиданно получила крупную сумму денег) through one of those massive and extraordinary football lotteries (в одну из тех крупных и удивительных футбольных лотерей) he was always reading about in the papers (о которых он всегда = постоянно читал в газетах) as conferring untold wealth upon British railroad porters (как о дарующих несметные богатства проводникам Британской железной дороги; to confer — жаловать /кому-л. что-л./, даровать; дарить), coal miners (шахтерам: «углекопам») or grocery clerks (или клеркам бакалейной лавки). But had he known (но если бы он знал) just how Mrs. Harris had come by the entire sum (как именно миссис Харрис получила полную сумму; to come by — доставать, достигать, приобретать, находить) needed to satisfy her ambition (необходимую, чтобы удовлетворить ее стремление) he would not have been surprised either (он не был бы удивлен также).
echo ['ekqu], acquire [q'kwaIq], entire [In'taIq]
"A Dior dress," he echoed her, "a splendid idea. Let us hope that you will find here this afternoon what you desire."
There was no need in him to question her as to how it was possible for her to fulfill such a wish. He knew from his own experience something of the nature of these special Englishwomen and simply assumed that she had been left a legacy, or had suddenly acquired a large sum of money through one of those massive and extraordinary football lotteries he was always reading about in the papers as conferring untold wealth upon British railroad porters, coal miners or grocery clerks. But had he known just how Mrs. Harris had come by the entire sum needed to satisfy her ambition he would not have been surprised either.
They now understood one another (они
"I wouldn't let on to anyone else (я не сказала бы никому другому; to let on — выдавать секрет)," Mrs. Harris confessed from the comfort of her new-found friendship (миссис Харрис призналась от ободрения = приободрившись, благодаря вновь обретенной дружбе), "but I was frightened to death to come 'ere (но я была напугана = боялась до смерти приехать сюда)."
The old man looked at her in astonishment (пожилой джентльмен посмотрел на нее с удивлением). "You? Frightened? (Вы? Напуганы?)"
"Well (ну)," Mrs. Harris confided (сказала по секрету/доверилась), "you know, the French (вы знаете, французы) ..."
frightened [fraItnd], death [deT], confide [kqn'faId]
They now understood one another as did old friends who had much in life behind them.
"I wouldn't let on to anyone else," Mrs. Harris confessed from the comfort of her new-found friendship, "but I was frightened to death to come 'ere."
The old man looked at her in astonishment. "You? Frightened?"
"Well," Mrs. Harris confided, "you know, the French ..."
The gentleman emitted a sigh (джентльмен вздохнул: «испустил вздох»). "Ah yes (о, да). I know them very well (я знаю их очень хорошо). Still, there is nothing now but for you to choose the gown (однако, теперь вам ничего не остается, кроме как выбрать платье) that you like the best (которое вам понравится больше всего). It is said (говорят) the collection this spring is superb (что коллекция этой весной превосходна)."
There was a stir and a rustle (там были = послышались движение и шорох; stir — шевеление; движение). A chic (элегантная), expensively dressed woman (дорого одетая = одетая в дорогую одежду женщина) came in acolyted by two salesladies (вошла, сопровождаемая двумя продавщицами; to acolyte — помогать, ассистировать; acolyte — прислужник в церкви; псаломщик) and made for the seat beside Mrs. Harris (и направилась к месту рядом с миссис Харрис; to make for — направиться) where the shabby handbag containing the latter's fortune (где потертая сумка, содержащая богатство последней; latter — последний /из двух названных/) reposed momentarily (лежала временно; momentarily — на мгновение, на минуту).
superb [sju:'pq:b], rustle [rAsl], chic [Si:k]
The gentleman emitted a sigh. "Ah yes. I know them very well. Still, there is nothing now but for you to choose the gown that you like the best. It is said the collection this spring is superb."
There was a stir and a rustle. A chic, expensively dressed woman came in acolyted by two salesladies and made for the seat beside Mrs. Harris where the shabby handbag containing the latter's fortune reposed momentarily.