Поворот винта. Уровень 1 / The Turn of the Screw
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The moment this happened was one afternoon when I was alone in the garden with the younger child. We had left Miles inside reading a book. His sister, on the other hand, had wanted to come outside. We walked together for about half an hour. I noticed how both children were able to be independent yet still be with me. They never asked for attention but also never seemed bored. I enjoyed watching them have fun without needing me. It was like being a special person or thing in their game, and I was happy to play that role. I can’t remember what role I played that day, but I know I felt important and Flora was playing happily. We were near the lake, which we called the Sea of Azov because we were learning about geography.
Suddenly, I realized that there was someone watching us from the other side of the Sea of Azov. I was sitting on an old stone bench near the lake when I felt, without actually seeing, the presence of another person in the distance. I was sure that if I looked across the lake, I would see that person. I was busy stitching and tried not to look. I thought that it could be one of the men from the area or even a messenger, a postman, or a tradesman’s boy, from the village. But my thoughts didn’t seem right to me.
I looked straight at little Flora, who was about ten yards away. I was worried if she would also see the strange visitor. I held my breath, hoping for a cry or some sign from her. But nothing happened. Two things shocked me even more. First, I felt that all sounds from her had stopped in a minute. Second, she turned her back to the water while playing. When I finally looked at her, I was sure that we were still being watched by someone. With my newfound bravery, I was ready to face whatever came next.
VII
I found Mrs. Grose as soon as I could. I remember crying out as I hugged her tightly, saying, “They know, it’s too scary. They know, they know!”
Mrs. Grose looked at me with disbelief [40] as she held me. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“Well, everything we know, and who knows what else!” I tried to explain after she let go of me. “Two hours ago, in the garden… Flora saw!”
“She told you?”
“Not a word—that’s the horror. She kept it to herself! The child of eight, that child!” I was completely shocked by it.
40
disbelief – неверие, недоверие
Mrs. Grose, of course, was surprised too. “Then how did you find out?”
“I was there, I saw it with my own eyes. I saw that she knew.”
“Do you mean she sees him?”
“No—her.” I knew I must have looked really shocked because I could see it on Mrs. Grose’s face. “Another person, but just as terrifying and evil. A woman dressed in black, pale and scary, with a strange face. She was on the other side of the lake. I was there with the child—quiet for the hour; and then she came.”
“Came how—from where?”
“From where they come from! She just appeared and stood there—but not so near.”
“And without coming nearer?”
“Oh, for the effect and the feeling, she might have been as close as you!”
“Was she someone you’ve never seen?”
“Yes. But someone the child has. Someone you have.” Then, to show how I had thought it all out: “My predecessor [41] —the one who died.”
“Miss Jessel?”
“Miss Jessel. You don’t believe me?”
41
predecessor – предшественник
She turned right and left “How can you be sure?”
“Then ask Flora—she’s sure!” But before I could finish speaking, I stopped myself. “No, for God’s sake, don’t! She’ll say she isn’t—she’ll lie!”
“Oh, how could you?”
“Because I’m sure. Flora doesn’t want me to know.”
“Then, it’s only to protect you.”
“No, no, there’s more to it! The more I think about it, the more I understand, and the more I understand, the more I’m afraid. I don’t know what I don’t see, what I don’t fear!”
Mrs. Grose tried to keep up with me. “Do you mean you’re afraid of seeing her again?”
“Oh, no, that’s not the problem now!” Then I explained. “I’m afraid of not seeing her.”
But my companion just looked pale. “I don’t understand you.”
“Well, it’s that the child may continue to do it, and she will, without me knowing.”
“Oh dear, we must stay calm! And, you know, if she doesn’t mind it…!” She even said a dark joke. “Maybe she enjoys it!”
“Enjoys such things, a little child!”
“Isn’t it just a sign of her pure innocence?” my friend bravely asked.
“Oh, we must believe it! If it’s not proof of what you say, it’s proof of… who knows what! This woman is really horrifying.”
“Tell me how you know,” she said.
“Then you agree it’s what she was?” I cried.
“Tell me how you know,” my friend simply repeated.
“Know? By seeing her! By the way she looked.”
“At you, do you mean—?”
“Dear me, no— She never looked at me. She only looked at the child.”
Mrs. Grose tried to understand. “Looked at her?”
“Ah, with such awful eyes!”
“Do you mean with dislike?”
“God help us, no. With something much worse.”
“Worse than dislike?”
“With great determination [42] . With a kind of evil intent [43] .”
Her face turned pale. “Intent?”
“To take possession of Flora.” Mrs. Grose walked towards the window. As she looked outside, I finished, “That’s what Flora knows.”
42
determination – решимость
43
intent – умысел, намерение