Тексты адаптированные по методу чтения Ильи Франка

Содержание

XVII.

This was Avice Crichton's best scene (это была самая лучшая сцена Эвис Крайтон), it lasted a full ten minutes (она длилась целых десять минут), and Michael had realized from the beginning that it was effective and important (и Майкл понял с самого начала, что она была очень действенной и важной). Avice's cold, matter-of-fact prettiness (холодная, прозаичная миловидность Эвис) had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling in the circumstances (была именно тем, что /как/ он думал, будет таким эффектным при данных обстоятельствах). But after half a dozen rehearsals (но, после с полдюжины репетиций) he began to think that that was all she had to give (он начал думать, что это /ее внешность/ было все, на что она была способна: «что она могла дать»). He talked it over with Julia (он обговорил это с Джулией). "How d'you think Avice is shaping (как тебе кажется, у Эвис получается; to shape — придавать/принимать форму, выходить, формироваться)?" "It's early days to tell yet (еще рано: «ранние дни» что-нибудь говорить)." "I'm not happy about her (я не очень ей доволен; happy — счастливый, благоприятный, веселый). You said she could act (ты сказала, что она может играть). I've seen no sign of it yet (я не видел еще ни единого признака этого)." "It's a cast-iron part (это готовая роль; cast-iron — чугунный, твердый, непоколебимый). She can't really go wrong in it (не может же она, на самом деле, испортить ее; to go wrong — сбиться с пути, не выйти, не получиться, разладиться)."

"You know just as well as I do (ты знаешь так же хорошо как и я) that there's no such thing as a cast-iron part (что нет такой вещи как готовая роль). However good a part is (насколько бы не была роль хороша), it has to be acted for all it's worth (ее надо сыграть, изо всех сил: «на все, чего она стоит»). I'm not sure if it wouldn't be better (я не уверен, не будет ли лучше) to kick her out and get somebody else (вышвырнуть ее и заполучить кого-нибудь еще; to kick — давать пинок, лягаться, выгнать, выставить)."

prettiness ['prɪtɪnɪs] matter-of-fact ["mætə(r)əv'fækt] shaping ['ʃeɪpɪŋ]

This was Avice Crichton's best scene, it lasted a full ten minutes, and Michael had realized from the beginning that it was effective and important. Avice's cold, matter-of-fact prettiness had been exactly what he had thought would be so telling in the circumstances. But after half a dozen rehearsals he began to think that that was all she had to give. He talked it over with Julia. "How d'you think Avice is shaping?" "It's early days to tell yet." "I'm not happy about her. You said she could act. I've seen no sign of it yet." "It's a cast-iron part. She can't really go wrong in it." "You know just as well as I do that there's no such thing as a cast-iron part. However good a part is, it has to be acted for all it's worth. I'm not sure if it wouldn't be better to kick her out and get somebody else."

"That wouldn't be so easy (это будет не так-то просто /сделать/). I think you ought to give her a chance (я думаю, что ты должен: «тебе следует» дать ей шанс)." "She's so awkward (она такая неуклюжая), her gestures are so meaningless (ее движения такие бессмысленные)." Julia reflected (Джулия размышляла). She had her reasons for wishing to keep Avice in the cast (у нее были собственные причины, чтобы желать оставить

Эвис в труппе). She knew her well enough to be sure (она знала ее достаточно хорошо, чтобы быть уверенной) that if she were dismissed (что, если бы ее уволили; to dismiss — распускать, освобождать от работы, отвергать) she would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her (он сказала бы Тому, что это из-за того, что Джулия ревновала к ней). He loved her and would believe anything she said (он любил ее и поверит во все, что она скажет). He might even think that Julia had put this affront on her (он может даже подумать, что Джулия нанесла ей такое оскорбление; affront — обида, унижение, публичное оскорбление) in revenge for his desertion (из мести за то что он ее бросил; desertion — дезертирство). No, no, she must stay (нет, нет, она должна остаться). She must play the part, and fail (она должна сыграть эту роль и провалиться); and Tom must see with his own eyes (и Том должен увидеть, своими собственными глазами) what a bad actress she was (какой плохой актрисой она была). They both of them thought the play would make her (они оба думали, что этот спектакль устроит ее /карьеру/). Fools (дураки). It would kill her (он похоронит: «убьет» ее).

meaningless ['mi:nɪŋlɪs] affront [ə'frʌnt] revenge [rɪ'vendʒ] desertion [dɪ'zə:ʃ(ə)n]

"That wouldn't be so easy. I think you ought to give her a chance." "She's so awkward, her gestures are so meaningless." Julia reflected. She had her reasons for wishing to keep Avice in the cast. She knew her well enough to be sure that if she were dismissed she would tell Tom that it was because Julia was jealous of her. He loved her and would believe anything she said. He might even think that Julia had put this affront on her in revenge for his desertion. No, no, she must stay. She must play the part, and fail; and Tom must see with his own eyes what a bad actress she was. They both of them thought the play would make her. Fools. It would kill her.

"You know how clever you are, Michael (ты же знаешь, как ты талантлив, Майкл), I'm sure you can train her (я уверена, что ты можешь научить ее) if you're willing to take a little trouble (если ты захочешь приложить усилия)." "But that's just it (но в этом-то и дело: «но это как раз это»), she doesn't seem able to take direction (она, кажется, неспособна следовать указаниям). I show her exactly how to say a line (я показываю ей, как точно произносить реплику) and then she goes and says it in her own way (и вот она идет и говорит ее совершенно по-своему). You wouldn't believe it (ты не поверишь в это), but sometimes I can hardly help thinking (но иногда я почти что уверен: «не могу не думать») she's under the delusion (что она пребывает в уверенности: «под заблуждением») that she knows better than I do (что она знает лучше, чем я)." "You make her nervous (ты нервируешь ее). When you tell her to do something (когда ты говоришь ей сделать что-то) she's in such a dither (она так дрожит; dither — смятение, дрожание) she doesn't know what she's up to (что забывает: «не знает», на что способна; to be up to — зд. быть способным)." "Good lord (Господи), no one could be more easy than I am (никто не может быть более снисходительным, чем я; easy — легкий, удобный, уживчивый). I've never even been sharp with her (я никогда даже не был резок с ней)." Julia gave him an affectionate smile (Джулия улыбнулась ему с нежностью). "Are you going to pretend (ты что, собираешься делать вид) that you really don't know (что ты действительно не знаешь) what's the matter with her (что с ней такое)?" "No, what (нет, а что)?"

delusion [dɪ'lu:ʒ(ə)n] dither ['dɪðə] sharp [ʃɑ:p]

"You know how clever you are, Michael, I'm sure you can train her if you're willing to take a little trouble." "But that's just it, she doesn't seem able to take direction. I show her exactly how to say a line and then she goes and says it in her own way. You wouldn't believe it, but sometimes I can hardly help thinking she's under the delusion that she knows better than I do." "You make her nervous. When you tell her to do something she's in such a dither she doesn't know what she's up to." "Good lord, no one could be more easy than I am. I've never even been sharp with her." Julia gave him an affectionate smile. "Are you going to pretend that you really don't know what's the matter with her?" "No, what?"

He looked at her with a blank face (он взглянул на нее с ничего не понимающим: «не выражающим» лицом). "Come off it, darling (да брось ты, дорогой). Haven't you noticed (неужели ты не заметил) that she's madly in love with you (что она безумно влюблена в тебя)?" "With me (в меня)? But I thought she was practically engaged to Tom (но я думала, что она практически помолвлена с Томом). Nonsense (чепуха). You're always fancying things like that (ты всегда выдумываешь подобные вещи)." "But it's quite obvious (но это же совершенно очевидно). After all she isn't the first who's fallen for your fatal beauty (в конце концов, она не первая, кто пал от твоей роковой красоты; to fall (fell, fallen) for smth. — попасться на удочку), and I don't suppose she'll be the last (и я так полагаю, что она и не последняя)." "Heaven knows (видит Бог), I don't want to queer poor Tom's pitch (я не хочу подложить бедняге Тому свинью; to queer smb.'s pitch — разрушить чьи-либо планы, надежды)." "It's not your fault, is it (это же не твоя вина, так)?" "What d'you want me to do about it then (и что ты хочешь чтобы я сделал /с этим/)?" "Well, I think you ought to be nice to her (ну, я думаю, что тебе следует быть милым с ней). She's very young, you know, poor thing (она очень молода, ты знаешь, бедняжка). What she wants is a helping hand (что ей нужно — так это рука помощи). If you took her alone a few times and went through the part with her (если бы ты пригласил ее одну пару раз и прошел бы с ней роль; to go through — зд. тщательно, пункт за пунктом разбирать что-либо) I believe you could do wonders (я верю, что вы могли бы творить чудеса). Why don't you take her out to lunch one day (почему бы тебе не пригласить ее к ланчу на днях) and have a talk to her (и не поговорить с ней)?" She saw the gleam in Michael's eyes (она увидела блеск в глазах Майкла) as he considered the proposition (когда он обдумывал это предложение) and the shadow of a smile that was outlined on his lips (и тень улыбки, что заиграла: «наметилась» на его губах; to outline — нарисовать контур, оттенить).

blank [blæŋk] fatal ['feɪtl] queer [kwɪə] pitch [pɪtʃ]

He looked at her with a blank face. "Come off it, darling. Haven't you noticed that she's madly in love with you?" "With me? But I thought she was practically engaged to Tom. Nonsense. You're always fancying things like that." "But it's quite obvious. After all she isn't the first who's fallen for your fatal beauty, and I don't suppose she'll be the last." "Heaven knows, I don't want to queer poor Tom's pitch." "It's not your fault, is it?" "What d'you want me to do about it then?" "Well, I think you ought to be nice to her. She's very young, you know, poor thing. What she wants is a helping hand. If you took her alone a few times and went through the part with her I believe you could do wonders. Why don't you take her out to lunch one day and have a talk to her?" She saw the gleam in Michael's eyes as he considered the proposition and the shadow of a smile that was outlined on his lips.

"Of course the great thing is (конечно же, самое главное: «большое дело») to get the play as well acted as we can (сыграть спектакль так хорошо, как только возможно: «как мы можем»; to get smth. done — сделать что-либо, о действии, совершаемым кем-то по приказу или указанию говорящего)." "I know it'll be a bore for you (я знаю, тебе будет ужасно скучно; bore — скука, зануда), but honestly, for the sake of the play (но честно, ради спектакля) I think it'll be worth while (я думаю, это того стоит)." "You know that I would never do anything to upset you, Julia (ты же знаешь, что я никогда не сделаю ничего, что может расстроить тебя, Джулия). I mean, I'd much sooner fire the girl (я имею в виду, что я бы скорее уволил девчонку) and get someone else in her place (и взял бы кого-то еще на ее место)." "I think that would be such a mistake (я думаю, что это будет /такой/ ошибкой). I'm convinced that if you'll only take enough trouble with her (я убеждена, что если бы ты только приложишь достаточно усилий, с ней /вместе/) she'll give a very good performance (она даст очень хорошее представление)." He walked up and down the room once or twice (он прошелся взад и вперед по комнате пару раз: «один или два раза»). He seemed to be considering the matter from every side (он, казалось, обдумывал эту проблему со всех сторон: «с каждой стороны»).

honestly ['ɔnɪstlɪ] enough [ɪ'nʌf] twice [twaɪs]

"Of course the great thing is to get the play as well acted as we can." "I know it'll be a bore for you, but honestly, for the sake of the play I think it'll be worth while." "You know that I would never do anything to upset you, Julia. I mean, I'd much sooner fire the girl and get someone else in her place." "I think that would be such a mistake. I'm convinced that if you'll only take enough trouble with her she'll give a very good performance." He walked up and down the room once or twice. He seemed to be considering the matter from every side.

"Well, I suppose it's my job (ну, я полагаю это моя работа) to get the best performance I can (добиться наилучшей игры, которой я только могу) out of every member of my cast (от каждого члена моей труппы). In every case you have to find out (в каждом случае приходится искать) which is the best method of approach (какой самый лучший метод /подхода/; approach — зд. подход к изучению, рассмотрению чего-либо)." He threw out his chin (он выдвинул вперед подбородок) and drew in his belly (и втянул живот). He straightened his back (он выпрямил спину). Julia knew that Avice Crichton would hold the part (Джулия поняла, что Эвис Крайтон останется: «удержится» в этой роли), and next day at rehearsal he took her aside (и на следующий день, на репетиции, он отвел ее в сторону) and had a long talk with her (и долго с ней беседовал). She knew by his manner exactly what he was saying (она знала, по его поведению, что именно он ей говорил) and, watching them out of the corner of her eye (и, наблюдая за ними краешком глаза: «из уголка своего глаза»), presently she saw Avice nod and smile (вскоре она увидела, что Эвис кивнула и улыбнулась). He had asked her to lunch with him (он пригласил ее к ланчу /с собой/). With a contented mind (с успокоенными: «довольными» мыслями) Julia went on studying her part (Джулия продолжила изучать свою роль).

approach [ə'prəutʃ] straighten ['streɪtn] exactly [ɪg'zæktlɪ]

"Well, I suppose it's my job to get the best performance I can out of every member of my cast. In every case you have to find out which is the best method of approach." He threw out his chin and drew in his belly. He straightened his back. Julia knew that Avice Crichton would hold the part, and next day at rehearsal he took her aside and had a long talk with her. She knew by his manner exactly what he was saying and, watching them out of the corner of her eye, presently she saw Avice nod and smile. He had asked her to lunch with him. With a contented mind Julia went on studying her part.

THEY had been rehearsing for a fortnight (они репетировали уже две недели) when Roger arrived from Austria (когда Роджер вернулся: «приехал» из Австрии). He had been spending a few weeks on a Carinthian lake (он провел несколько недель на Коринфском озере), and after a day or two in London (и, проведя пару дней: «после одного или двух дней» в Лондоне) was to go and stay with friends in Scotland (должен был поехать в гости к друзьям: «поехать и остановиться у друзей» в Шотландию). Since Michael had to dine early to go to the theatre (так как Майклу надо было пообедать пораньше, чтобы ехать в театр) Julia went to meet him by herself (Джулия поехала встречать его одна). When she was dressing, Evie, sniffing as usual told her (когда она одевалась, Эви, шмыгая, как обычно, носом, сказала ей), that she was taking as much pains to make herself look nice (что она прилагала также много усилий, что бы выглядеть красиво; pain — боль, страдание, pains — старания, труды) as if she were going to meet a young man (как если бы она собиралась встретиться с молодым человеком). She wanted Roger to be proud of her (она хотела, чтобы Роджер гордился ей), and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her summer frock (и, действительно, она выглядела очень молодой и хорошенькой в своем летнем платье) as she strolled up and down the platform (пока она прогуливалась взад и вперед по платформе). You would have thought (можно было подумать), but wrongly (но совершенно ошибочно), that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted (что она совершенно не осознавала, какое внимание она привлекала). Roger, after a month in the sun, was very brown (Роджер, после месяца /проведенного/ под солнцем, был очень загорелым), but he was still rather spotty (но он был все еще довольно прыщав) and he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year (и казался тоньше, чем когда он покидал Лондон на Новый Год). She hugged him with exuberant affection (она обняла его с преувеличенной нежностью). He smiled slightly (он слегка улыбнулся).

Scotland ['skɔtlənd] thinner ['θɪnə] exuberant [ɪg'zju:b(ə)rənt]

THEY had been rehearsing for a fortnight when Roger arrived from Austria. He had been spending a few weeks on a Carinthian lake, and after a day or two in London was to go and stay with friends in Scotland. Since Michael had to dine early to go to the theatre Julia went to meet him by herself. When she was dressing, Evie, sniffing as usual, told her that she was taking as much pains to make herself look nice as if she were going to meet a young man. She wanted Roger to be proud of her, and certainly she looked very young and pretty in her summer frock as she strolled up and down the platform. You would have thought, but wrongly, that she was perfectly unconscious of the attention she attracted. Roger, after a month in the sun, was very brown, but he was still rather spotty and he seemed thinner than when he had left London at the New Year. She hugged him with exuberant affection. He smiled slightly.

They were to dine by themselves (они должны были пообедать вдвоем). Julia asked him if he would like to go to a play afterwards or to the pictures (Джулия спросила его, не хочет ли он пойти на спектакль после этого или в кино), but he said he preferred to stay at home (но он сказал, что он предпочел бы остаться дома). "That'll be much nicer (так будет гораздо приятнее)," she answered (ответила она), "and we'll just talk (и мы просто поболтаем)." There was indeed a subject (был, на самом деле, некий предмет для разговора) that Michael had invited her to discuss with Roger (который Майкл просил ее обсудить с Роджером; to invite — приглашать, провоцировать, призывать) when the opportunity arose (когда появится такая возможность; to arise (arose, arisen) — возникать). Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon (теперь, когда он собирался в Кембридж так рано) he ought to make up his mind what he wanted to do (ему следовало бы решить, чем он хочет заниматься). Michael was afraid that he would drift through his time there (Майкл боялся, что он бездумно проведет там /свое/ время; to drift — дрейфовать, плыть по течению, бездействовать) and then go into a broker's office (и затем отправиться в брокерскую контору) or even on the stage (или даже в театр: «на сцену»). Thinking that Julia had more tact than he (думая, что Джулия обладает большим тактом, чем он сам), and more influence with the boy (и имеет на юношу больше влияния), he had urged her to put before him the advantages of the Foreign Office (он настаивал, чтобы она рассказала ему: «изложила, представила на рассмотрение» о преимуществах /работы в/ Министерстве иностранных дел) and the brilliant possibilities of the Bar (и о блестящих возможностях, что предлагает адвокатура). Julia thought it would be strange (Джулия подумала, что было бы странным) if in the course of two or three hours' conversation (если бы в течении двух или трехчасового разговора) she could not find a way to lead to this important topic (она не смогла бы найти возможность: «путь» подвести к этой важной теме). At dinner she tried to get him to talk about Vienna (во время обеда она пыталась разговорить о Вене). But he was reticent (но он был сдержан: «молчалив»).

prefer [prɪ'fə:] afraid [ə'freɪd] broker ['brəukə] influence ['ɪnfluəns] reticent ['retɪs(ə)nt]

They were to dine by themselves. Julia asked him if he would like to go to a play afterwards or to the pictures, but he said he preferred to stay at home. "That'll be much nicer," she answered, "and we'll just talk."

There was indeed a subject that Michael had invited her to discuss with Roger when the opportunity arose. Now that he was going to Cambridge so soon he ought to make up his mind what he wanted to do. Michael was afraid that he would drift through his time there and then go into a broker's office or even on the stage. Thinking that Julia had more tact than he, and more influence with the boy, he had urged her to put before him the advantages of the Foreign Office and the brilliant possibilities of the Bar. Julia thought it would be strange if in the course of two or three hours' conversation she could not find a way to lead to this important topic. At dinner she tried to get him to talk about Vienna. But he was reticent.

"Oh, I just did the usual things, you know (о, я просто делал обычные дела, знаешь ли). I saw the sights (я осматривал достопримечательности) and worked hard at my German (и упорно работал над /своим/ немецким). I knocked about in beer places (я шлялся по пивнушкам: «пивным местам»; to knock — стучать, ударять, to knock about — слоняться, вести беспутную жизнь). I went to the opera a good deal (я ходил в оперу очень часто)." She wondered if he had had any love affairs (ей было интересно, были ли у него еще любовные интрижки). "Anyhow, you haven't come back engaged to a Viennese maiden (в любом случае, ты не вернулся домой, помолвленный с какой-нибудь молодой венкой; maiden — /поэт./ девушка, девица)," she said, thinking to draw him out (сказала она, думая вытащить из него /информацию/; to draw out — зд. вызывать на разговор, откровенность). He gave her a reflective, but faintly amused look (он посмотрел на нее задумчивым, но слегка улыбающимся: «забавляющимся» взглядом). You might almost have thought (можно было почти подумать) that he had seen what she was driving at (что он догадался: «увидел», к чему она клонила). It was strange (это было странно); though he was her own son she did not feel quite at home with him (хотя он был ее собственным сыном, она не чувствовала себя с ним как дома).

"No (нет)," he answered (ответил он), "I was too busy to bother with that sort of thing (я был слишком занят, чтобы заниматься: «беспокоить /себя/» такой ерундой: «вещами такого рода»)." "I suppose you went to all the theatres (/я/ полагаю, что ты ходил во все театры)." "I went two or three times (я был два или три раза)."

usual ['ju:ʒuəl, 'ju:ʒ(ə)l] Viennese ["vɪə'ni:z] reflective [rɪ'flektɪv]

"Oh, I just did the usual things, you know. I saw the sights and worked hard at my German. I knocked about in beer places. I went to the opera a good deal." She wondered if he had had any love affairs. "Anyhow, you haven't come back engaged to a Viennese maiden," she said, thinking to draw him out. He gave her a reflective, but faintly amused look. You might almost have thought that he had seen what she was driving at. It was strange; though he was her own son she did not feel quite at home with him. "No," he answered, "I was too busy to bother with that sort of thing." "I suppose you went to all the theatres." "I went two or three times."

"Did you see anything that would be any use to me (ты видел что-нибудь, что могло бы быть мне полезно)?" "You know, I never thought about that (ты знаешь, я никогда не думал об этом)." His answer might have seemed a little ungracious (его ответ мог бы показаться немного невежливым) but that it was accompanied by a smile (но он сопровождался улыбкой), and his smile was very sweet (и его улыбка была очень милой). Julia wondered again (Джулия снова задумалась) how it was that he had inherited so little of Michael's beauty and of her charm (как такое случилось: «там было», что он унаследовал так мало от красоты Майкла и от ее очарования). His red hair was nice (ее рыжие волосы были красивыми), but his pale lashes gave his face a sort of empty look (но его бледные ресницы придавали его лицу почти пустое выражение; a sort of — нечто вроде). Heaven only knew (одним небесам было известно) where with such a father and such a mother (где, с таким отцом и такой матерью) he had got his rather lumpy figure (он заполучил такую довольно грузную фигуру; lumpy — комковатый, неуклюжий; lump — глыба, ком; крупный кусок).

ungracious [ʌn'greɪʃəs] inherited [ɪn'herɪtɪd] lumpy ['lʌmpɪ]

"Did you see anything that would be any use to me?" "You know, I never thought about that." His answer might have seemed a little ungracious but that it was accompanied by a smile, and his smile was very sweet. Julia wondered again how it was that he had -inherited so little of Michael's beauty and of her charm. His red hair was nice, but his pale lashes gave his face a sort of empty look. Heaven only knew where with such a father and such a mother he had got his rather lumpy figure.

He was eighteen now (сейчас ему было восемнадцать лет); it was time he fined down (/это было/ самое время ему стать стройнее; to fine — очищаться; становиться тоньше). He seemed a trifle apathetic (он казался немного апатичным); he had none of her sparkling vitality (у него не было ни капли ее искрящейся энергии); she could picture the vividness (она представляла: «могла описать» ту живость) with which she would have narrated her experiences (с которой она бы рассказывала о своих впечатлениях) if she had just spent six months in Vienna (если бы она только что провела шесть месяцев в Вене). Why, already she had made a story about her stay at St. Malo with Aunt Carrie and her mother (ба, ранее она выдумала историю о том, как она гостила: «о своем пребывании» в Сен-Мало с тетей Кэрри и своей матерью) that made people roar with laughter (которая заставляла людей хохотать во все горло; to roar — реветь, рычать, вопить, оглушительно хохотать). They all said it was as good as a play (все они говорили, что она /история/ была так же хороша, как спектакль), and her own impression was that it was much better than most (и ее собственное впечатление было такое, что ее /история/ была гораздо лучше, чем большинство /спектаклей/). She told it to Roger now (она рассказывала ее теперь Роджеру). He listened with his slow, quiet smile (он слушал со /своей/ вялой: «медленной», спокойной улыбкой); but she had an uneasy feeling (но у нее было такое беспокойное чувство) that he did not think it quite so funny as she did (что он не думал, что история была настолько забавной, как ей казалось: «как она делала»). She sighed in her heart (она вздохнула в душе). Poor lamb, he could have no sense of humour (бедный ягненочек, у него, должно быть, нет чувства юмора).

apathetic ["æpə'θetɪk] sparkling ['spɑ:klɪŋ] laughter ['lɑ:ftə]

He was eighteen now; it was time he fined down. He seemed a trifle apathetic; he had none of her sparkling vitality; she could picture the vividness with which she would have narrated her experiences if she had just spent six months in Vienna. Why, already she had made a story about her stay at St. Malo with Aunt Carrie and her mother that made people roar with laughter. They all said it was as good as a play, and her own impression was that it was much better than most. She told it to Roger now. He listened with his slow, quiet smile; but she had an uneasy feeling that he did not think it quite so funny as she did. She sighed in her heart. Poor lamb, he could have no sense of humour.

Then he made some remark (затем он сделал какое-то замечание) that led her to speak of Nowadays (которое заставило ее заговорить о /спектакле/ «В наши дни»; to lead — вести, подводить, быть причиной, повлиять). She told him its story (она рассказала ему его сюжет), and explained what she was doing with her part (и объяснила, как она работала над своей ролью); she talked to him of the cast (она поговорила с ним о составе актеров) and described the sets (и описала декорации). At the end of dinner it suddenly struck her (в конце обеда ей внезапно пришло в голову) that she had been talking entirely of herself and her own interests (что она проговорила исключительно о себе и своих собственных интересах). She did not know how she had been led to do this (она не знала, как так вышло: «как она была заставлена делать это»), and the suspicion flashed across her mind (и такое подозрение пронеслось /молнией/ в ее голове) that Roger had guided the conversation in that direction (что Роджер повел разговор в таком направлении; to guide — быть проводником, направлять, стимулировать) so that it should be diverted from him and his affairs (так, чтобы он /разговор/ был отвлечен от него и его дел; to divert — отклонять, направлять в другую сторону). But she put it aside (но она отбросила эту /мысль/; to put aside — откладывать в сторону, стараться не замечать). He really wasn't intelligent enough for that (он, действительно, не был достаточно умным для этого). It was later when they sat in the drawing- room (/это было/ позже, когда они сидели в гостиной) listening to the radio and smoking (слушали радио и курили), that Julia found the chance to slip in (Джулия нашла возможность: «удобный случай», чтобы вставить в разговор; to slip in — прокрасться, вкрасться, упоминать как бы к случаю), apparently in the most casual fashion (по внешнему виду в совершенно естественной манере), the question she had prepared (тот вопрос, который она заготовила).

suspicion [sə'spɪl(ə)n] divert [daɪ'və:t] intelligent [ɪn'telɪdʒ(ə)nt]

Then he made some remark that led her to speak of Nowadays. She told him its story, and explained what she was doing with her part; she talked to him of the cast and described the sets. At the end of dinner it suddenly struck her that she had been talking entirely of herself and her own interests. She did not know how she had been led to do this, and the suspicion flashed across her mind that Roger had guided the conversation in that direction so that it should be diverted from him and his affairs. But she put it aside. He really wasn't intelligent enough for that. It was later when they sat in the drawing-room listening to the radio and smoking, that Julia found the chance to slip in, apparently in the most casual fashion, the question she had prepared.

"Have you made up your mind (ты уже решил) what you're going to be yet (кем ты хочешь быть)?" "No (нет). Is there any hurry (а что, надо поторопиться: «есть какая-то спешка»; hurry — спешка, торопливость)?" "You know how ignorant I am about everything (ты же знаешь, какая я несведущая во всем; ignorant — невежественный, необразованный, не информированный). Your father says that if you're going to be a barrister (твой отец говорит, что если ты собираешься быть барристером /адвокатом/) you ought to work at law when you go to Cambridge (то тебе следует работать над правоведением, когда ты поступишь: «пойдешь» в Кембридж; law — закон, право, суд, профессия юриста). On the other hand (с другой стороны), if you fancy the Foreign Office (если тебе больше нравится работа дипломата: «министерство иностранных дел») you should take up modern languages (тебе следует приняться за изучение современных языков; to take up — зд. браться за что-либо, заниматься чем-либо)." He looked at her for so long (он смотрел на нее так долго), with that queer, reflective air of his (в этой его странной, раздумывающей манере), that Julia had some difficulty (что Джулии было достаточно трудно: «у Джулии были некоторые трудности») in holding her light, playful and yet affectionate expression (сохранить: «удержать» свое легкое, игривое и в тоже время нежное выражение /лица/). "If I believed in God (если бы я верил в Бога) I'd be a priest (я бы стал священником)," he said at last (сказал он, наконец). "A priest (священником)?"

ignorant ['ɪgnərənt] barrister ['bærɪstə] Foreign Office ['fɔrɪn"ɔfɪs] priest [pri:st]

"Have you made up your mind what you're going to be yet?" "No. Is there any hurry?" "You know how ignorant I am about everything. Your father says that if you're going to be a barrister you ought to work at law when you go to Cambridge. On the other hand, if you fancy the Foreign Office you should take up modern languages." He looked at her for so long, with that queer, reflective air of his, that Julia had some difficulty in holding her light, playful and yet affectionate expression. "If I believed in God I'd be a priest," he said at last. "A priest?"

Julia could hardly believe her ears (Джулия с трудом верила своим ушам). She had a feeling of acute discomfort (у нее возникло чувство крайней неловкости: «острого дискомфорта»). But his answer sank into her mind (но его ответ запал ей в душу; to sink (sank, sunk) into the mind — врезаться в память) and in a flash (и в то же мгновение; flash — вспышка; миг) she saw him as a cardinal (она увидела его в качестве кардинала), inhabiting a beautiful palazzo in Rome (обитающего в прекрасном дворце: «палаццо» в Риме), filled with wonderful pictures (наполненном прекрасными картинами), and surrounded by obsequious prelates (и окруженного подобострастными прелатами); and then again as a saint (а потом снова, уже в качестве святого), in a mitre (в митре: «епископском сане») and vestments heavily embroidered with gold (и облачении, богато расшитом золотом; heavily — тяжело, сильно, интенсивно), with benevolent gestures distributing bread to the poor (великодушными жестами раздающего хлеб бедным; to distribute — распределять, разносить). She saw herself in a brocaded dress and string of pearls (она увидела себя в парчовом платье и ниткой жемчуга). The mother of the Borgias (мать Борджиа). "That was all right in the sixteenth century (это было совершенно нормальным в шестнадцатом веке)," she said. "It's too late in the day for that (слишком поздно для этого в наши дни)." "Much (точно, /слишком поздно/; much — многое)."

acute [ə'kju:t] obsequious [əb'si:kwɪəs] embroider [ɪm'brɔɪdə]

Julia could hardly believe her ears. She had a feeling of acute discomfort. But his answer sank into her mind and in a flash she saw him as a cardinal, inhabiting a beautiful palazzo in Rome, filled with wonderful pictures, and surrounded by obsequious prelates; and then again as a saint, in a mitre and vestments heavily embroidered with gold, with benevolent gestures distributing bread to the poor. She saw herself in a brocaded dress and string of pearls. The mother of the Borgias. "That was all right in the sixteenth century," she said. "It's too late in the day for that." "Much."

"I can't think what put such an idea in your head (/я/ не могу подумать, как это пришло тебе в голову: «что вложило подобную идею в твою голову»)." He did not answer (он не ответил), so that she had to speak again (так что ей пришлось говорить снова /самой/). "Aren't you happy (разве ты не счастлив)?" "Quite (вполне), " he smiled (улыбнулся он). "What is it you want (что же ты тогда хочешь)?" Once again (опять: «еще раз») he gave her his disconcerting stare (он взглянул на нее своим приводящим в замешательство пристальным взглядом). It was hard to know if he was serious (трудно было понять, был ли он серьезен), for his eyes faintly shimmered with amusement (так как его глаза едва мерцали весело: «с радостным изумлением»). "Reality (реальности)." "What do you mean (что ты имеешь в виду)?" "You see (видишь ли), I've lived all my life in an atmosphere of make-believe (я прожил всю свою жизнь в атмосфере притворства; to believe — верить). I want to get down to brass tacks (я хочу реально смотреть на вещи; to get down to brass tacks — докопаться до сути дела, brass — латунный, медный, tack — гвоздь). You and father are all right breathing this air (ты и отец в полном порядке, когда дышите этим воздухом), it's the only air you know (это единственный воздух, который вы знаете) and you think it's the air of heaven (и вам кажется, что это воздух рая). It stifles me (он душит меня).

shimmer ['ʃɪmə] reality [rɪ'ælɪtɪ] atmosphere ['ætməsfɪə]

"I can't think what put such an idea in your head." He did not answer, so that she had to speak again. "Aren't you happy?" "Quite, "he smiled. "What is it you want?" Once again he gave her his disconcerting stare. It was hard to know if he was serious, for his eyes faintly shimmered with amusement. "Reality." "What do you mean?" "You see, I've lived all my life in an atmosphere of make-believe. I want to get down to brass tacks. You and father are all right breathing this air, it's the only air you know and you think it's the air of heaven. It stifles me.

Julia listened to him attentively (Джулия слушала его внимательно), trying to understand what he meant (пытаясь понять, что он имел в виду). "We're actors, and successful ones (мы актеры, и успешные /актеры/). That's why we've been able (именно поэтому: «вот почему» мы смогли) to surround you with every luxury since you were born (окружить тебя всеми предметами роскоши с того самого момента, как ты родился; luxury — роскошь). You could count on the fingers of one hand (ты можешь пересчитать на пальцах одной руки) the actors who've sent their son to Eton (тех актеров, что отправили своих сынов: «сына» в Итон)." "I'm very grateful for all you've done for me (я очень благодарен за все, что вы сделали для меня)." "Then what are you reproaching us for (тогда, за что же ты нас упрекаешь)?" "I'm not reproaching you (я не упрекаю вас). You've done everything you could for me (вы сделали для меня все, что могли). Unfortunately for me (к несчастью для меня) you've taken away my belief in everything (вы забрали у меня мою веру во все)." "We've never interfered with your beliefs (мы никогда не вмешивались в то, во что ты веришь: «в твои убеждения»; to interfere — вмешиваться, вторгаться в чьи-либо дела). I know we're not religious people (я знаю, что мы не религиозны: «не религиозные люди»), we're actors (мы актеры), and after eight performances a week (и, после восьми спектаклей в неделю) one wants one's Sundays to oneself (хочется /посвятить/ воскресенье себе). I naturally expected (естественно, что я ожидала) they'd see to all that at school (что об этом позаботятся в школе; to see to smth. — зд. проследить за тем, чтобы что- либо было сделано)."

religious [rɪ'lɪdʒəs] belief [bɪ'li:f] school [sku:l]

Julia listened to him attentively, trying to understand what he meant. "We're actors, and successful ones. That's why we've been able to surround you with every luxury since you were born. You could count on the fingers of one hand the actors who've sent their son to Eton." "I'm very grateful for all you've done for me." "Then what are you reproaching us for?" "I'm not reproaching you. You've done everything you could for me. Unfortunately for me you've taken away my belief in everything." "We've never interfered with your beliefs. I know we're not religious people, we're actors, and after eight performances a week one wants one's Sundays to oneself. I naturally expected they'd see to all that at school."

He hesitated a little before he spoke again (он немного замешкался, до того как заговорил снова). One might have thought (можно было подумать) that he had to make a slight effort over himself to continue (что ему необходимо было сделать некоторое усилие над собой, чтобы продолжить). "When I was just a kid (когда я был еще ребенком), I was fourteen (мне было четырнадцать), I was standing one night in the wings (я стоял однажды вечером в кулисах; wing — крыло, фланг; театр. кулиса, «карман») watching you act (наблюдал, как ты играла). It must have been a pretty good scene (это, должно быть, была очень хорошая сцена), you said the things you had to say so sincerely (и ты говорила то: «вещи», что ты должна была сказать так искренне), and what you were saying was so moving (и то, что ты говорила, было так трогательно), I couldn't help crying (я не мог сдержать слез; can not help doing smth. — быть не в состоянии удержаться от чего-либо). I was all worked up (я был весь возбужден; to work up — зд. разжигать чувства, провоцировать). I don't know how to say it quite (я не знаю, как сказать это точно: «на самом деле») I was uplifted (я был воодушевлен; to uplift — поднимать, вздымать); I felt terribly sorry for you (мне было ужасно жаль тебя), I felt a bloody little hero (я чувствовал себя чертовским героем); I felt I'd never do anything again (я чувствовал, что я никогда /больше/ не сделаю что-нибудь снова) that was beastly or underhand (что было непристойным или неискренним; underhand — тайный, секретный).

sincerely [sɪn'sɪəlɪ] hero ['hɪ(ə)rəu] beastly ['bi:stlɪ]

He hesitated a little before he spoke again. One might have thought that he had to make a slight effort over himself to continue. "When I was just a kid, I was fourteen, I was standing one night in the wings watching you act. It must have been a pretty good scene, you said the things you had to say so sincerely, and what you were saying was so moving, I couldn't help crying. I was all worked up. I don't know how to say it quite, I was uplifted; I felt terribly sorry for you, I felt a bloody little hero; I felt I'd never do anything again that was beastly or underhand.

And then you had to come to the back of the stage (и затем, тебе надо было подойти к дальней: «задней» части сцены; back — спина, задняя, отдаленная часть чего-либо, задний план), near where I was standing (близко /к тому месту/, где я стоял), the tears were streaming down your face (слезы лились потоками /вниз/ по твоему лицу); you stood with your back to the audience (ты стояла, твоя спина /обращена/ к публике: «со своей спиной к публике») and in your ordinary voice you said to the stage manager (и своим обычным голосом ты сказала помощнику режиссера): what the bloody hell is that electrician doing with the lights (что же, черт побери, этот электрик делает со светом; bloody hell — /прост./ проклятье)? I told him to leave out the blue (я сказала ему не включать синий; to leave out — пропускать, не учитывать). And then in the same breath (и затем, не переводя дыхания: «в том же самом дыхании») you turned round and faced the audience (ты повернулась лицом к публике: «повернулась и находилась лицом к публике») with a great cry of anguish (с ужасным плачем от боли) and went on with the scene (и продолжила /играть/ сцену)." "But, darling, that was acting (но, дорогой, это же была игра). If an actress felt the emotions she represented (если бы актриса чувствовала те самые эмоции, которые она изображает) she'd tear herself to pieces (она бы разорвала себя в клочья; piece — кусок, часть). I remember the scene well (я помню эту сцену /очень/ хорошо). It used to bring down the house (она обычно вызывала бурю аплодисментов; to be /to get/ used to smth — быть привыкшим к чему-либо; house — зд. публика, зрители). I've never heard such applause in my life (я никогда не слышала таких аплодисментов в своей жизни)."

audience ['ɔ:dɪəns] electrician [ɪ"lek'trɪʃ(ə)n, "elək'trɪʃ(ə)n] applause [ə'plɔ:z]

And then you had to come to the back of the stage, near where I was standing, the tears were streaming down your face; you stood with your back to the audience and in your ordinary voice you said to the stage manager: what the bloody hell is that electrician doing with the lights? I told him to leave out the blue. And then in the same breath you turned round and faced the audience with a great cry of anguish and went on with the scene." "But, darling, that was acting. If an actress felt the emotions she represented she'd tear herself to pieces. I remember the scene well. It used to bring down the house. I've never heard such applause in my life."

"I suppose I was a fool to be taken in by it (я полагаю, что был дураком, раз попался на эту удочку: «был обманутым этой /сценой/»). I believed you meant what you said (я верил, что ты чувствовала: «имела в виду» то, что ты говорила). When I saw that it was all pretence (когда я увидел, что это было все притворством) it smashed something (то оно сломало что-то; to smash — разбить вдребезги, уничтожить). I've never believed in you since (я больше никогда тебе не верил с тех пор). I'd been made a fool of once (я был одурачен один раз; to make a fool of smb. — провести кого-либо); I made up my mind (я твердо решил) that I wouldn't ever be made a fool of again (что меня больше никогда снова не одурачат: «сделают дурака»)." She gave him her delightful and disarming smile (она улыбнулась ему своей очаровательной и обезоруживающей улыбкой). "Darling, I think you're talking nonsense (дорогой, я думаю, ты говоришь глупости)." "Of course you do (конечно ты так думаешь). You don't know the difference (ты не знаешь разницы) between truth and make-believe (между правдой и притворством). You never stop acting (ты никогда не перестаешь играть; to stop — останавливать, задерживать). It's second nature to you (это для тебя вторая натура). You act when there's a party here (ты играешь, когда у нас: «здесь» прием /гостей/). You act to the servants (ты играешь перед слугами), you act to father (ты играешь перед отцом), you act to me (ты играешь передо мной). To me you act the part of the fond, indulgent, celebrated mother (передо мной ты играешь роль любящей, потакающей, знаменитой матери).

pretence [prɪ'tens] disarming [dɪs'ɑ:mɪŋ] indulgent [ɪn'dʌldʒ(ə)nt]

"I suppose I was a fool to be taken in by it. I believed you meant what you said. When I saw that it was all pretence it smashed something. I've never believed in you since. I'd been made a fool of once; I made up my mind that I wouldn't ever be made a fool of again." She gave him her delightful and disarming smile. "Darling, I think you're talking nonsense." "Of course you do. You don't know the difference between truth and make-believe. You never stop acting. It's second nature to you. You act when there's a party here. You act to the servants, you act to father, you act to me. To me you act the part of the fond, indulgent, celebrated mother.

You don't exist (ты не существуешь), you're only the innumerable parts you've played (ты — это только бесчисленные роли, которые ты сыграла). I've often wondered (я часто раздумывал) if there was ever a you (была ли когда-нибудь ты /сама/) or if you were never anything more than a vehicle (или была ли ты всегда не чем иным: «большим», как средством воплощения; vehicle — транспортное средство) for all these other people that you've pretended to be (для всех тех других людей, которыми ты притворялась /быть/). When I've seen you go into an empty room (когда я вижу, что ты заходишь в пустую комнату) I've sometimes wanted to open the door suddenly (мне иногда хочется открыть дверь внезапно), but I've been afraid to in case I found nobody there (но я боюсь, что в этом случае, я никого там не найду)." She looked up at him quickly (она быстро взглянула на него). She shivered (она поежилась; to shiver — дрожать, трястись), for what he said (из-за того, что то, что он сказал) gave her an eerie sensation (вызвало у нее жуткое чувство). She listened to him attentively (она слушала его внимательно), with a certain anxiety (с определенным беспокойством), for he was so serious (из-за того, что он был настолько серьезен) that she felt he was expressing something (что она чувствовала, что он выражал что-то) that had burdened him for years (что обременяло его долгие годы). She had never in his whole life (она никогда, за всю его жизнь) heard him talk so much (не слышала, чтобы он так много говорил).

innumerable [ɪ'nju:m(ə)rəb(ə)l] vehicle ['vi:ɪk(ə)l] burden ['bə:dn]

You don't exist, you're only the innumerable parts you've played. I've often wondered if there was ever a you or if you were never anything more than a vehicle for all these other people that you've pretended to be. When I've seen you go into an empty room I've sometimes wanted to open the door suddenly, but I've been afraid to in case I found nobody there." She looked up at him quickly. She shivered, for what he said gave her an eerie sensation. She listened to him attentively, with a certain anxiety, for he was so serious that she felt he was expressing something that had burdened him for years. She had never in his whole life heard him talk so much.

"D'you think I'm only sham (ты думаешь, что я всего лишь притворщица; sham — подделка, обман, притворство, мошенничество)?" "Not quite (не совсем). Because sham is all you are (потому, что притворщица — это вся ты). Sham is your truth (притворство — это твоя правда). Just as margarine is butter to people who don't know what butter is (также, как маргарин — это масло для тех людей, которые на знают, что такое масло)." She had a vague feeling of guilt (у нее было смутное чувство вины). The Queen in Hamlet (/как у/ Королева из «Гамлета»): "And let me wring your heart (и позволь растерзать твое сердце; to wring — скручивать, выжимать, мучить); for so I shall (ибо так я бы сделал), if be made of penetrable stuff (если бы сделано оно из доступного для проникновения материала)." Her thoughts wandered (ее мысли блуждали). ("I wonder if I'm too old to play Hamlet (интересно, не слишком ли я стара, чтобы сыграть Гамлета). Siddons and Sarah Bernhardt played him (Сиддонс и Сара Бернар сыграли его). I've got better legs than any of the men I've seen in the part (у меня лучшие ноги, чем у любого мужчины, которого я видела в этой роли). I'll ask Charles what he thinks (я спрошу у Чарльза, что он думает). Of course there's that bloody blank verse (конечно, надо учитывать: «там» этот чертов белый стих). Stupid of him not to write it in prose (глупо с его стороны не писать в прозе). Of course I might do it in French at the Franзaise (конечно, я могла бы сыграть /роль/ на французском в /Комеди/ Франсез). God, what a stunt that would be (Боже, какой бы эффектный был номер; stunt — эффектное выступление, фигура высшего пилотажа, трюк)")

sham [ʃæm] penetrable ['penɪtrəb(ə)l] prose [prəuz]

"D'you think I'm only sham?" "Not quite. Because sham is all you are. Sham is your truth. Just as margarine is butter to people who don't know what butter is." She had a vague feeling of guilt. The Queen in Hamlet: "And let me wring your heart; for so I shall, if be made of penetrable stuff." Her thoughts wandered. ("I wonder if I'm too old to play Hamlet. Siddons and Sarah Bernhardt played him. I've got better legs than any of the men I've seen in the part. I'll ask Charles what he thinks. Of course there's that bloody blank verse. Stupid of him not to write it in prose. Of course I might do it in French at the Franзaise. God, what a stunt that would be.")

She saw herself in a black doublet with long silk hose (она увидела себя в черном камзоле и лосинах: «длинных шелковых штанах в обтяжку»; doublet and hose — /ист./ мужской костюм). "Alas, poor Yorick (увы, бедный Йорик)." But she bethought herself (но она опомнилась; to bethink (bethought) — /уст./ призадуматься, /книжн./ вспоминать, припоминать). "You can hardly say (ты вряд ли можешь сказать) that your father doesn't exist (что твой отец не существует). Why, he's been playing himself for the last twenty years (ба, да он играет самого себя последние двадцать лет)." ("Michael could play the King (Майкл может играть Короля), not in French, of course (не на французском, конечно)," but if we decided to have a shot at it in London (но если мы решим попытаться в Лондоне; to have a shot at smth. — сделать попытку, попробовать свои силы).") "Poor father (бедный отец), I suppose he's good at his job (я полагаю, что он хорошо на /своей/ работе), but he's not very intelligent, is he (но он не очень-то умен, не так ли)? He's so busy being the handsomest man in England (он так занят тем, что бы быть самым красивым мужчиной Англии)." "I don't think it's very nice of you (я не думаю, что очень это мило с твоей стороны) to speak of your father like that (говорить о своем отце в таком тоне: «таким образом»)." "Have I told you anything you don't know (разве я сказал тебе что-то, чего ты не знаешь)?" he asked coolly (спросил он холодно). Julia wanted to smile (Джулии хотелось улыбнуться), but would not allow the look of somewhat pained dignity to leave her face (но /она/ не позволила выражению немного оскорбленного достоинства сойти: «покинуть» с ее лица; pained — страдальческий, обиженный).

doublet ['dʌblɪt] alas [ə'læs] bethought [bɪ'θɔ:t]

She saw herself in a black doublet, with long silk hose. "Alas, poor Yorick." But she bethought herself. "You can hardly say that your father doesn't exist. Why, he's been playing himself for the last twenty years." ("Michael could play the King, not in French, of course," but if we decided to have a shot at it in London.") "Poor father, I suppose he's good at his job, but he's not very intelligent, is he? He's so busy being the handsomest man in England." "I don't think it's very nice of you to speak of your father like that." "Have I told you anything you don't know?" he asked coolly. Julia wanted to smile, but would not allow the look of somewhat pained dignity to leave her face.

"It's our weakness, not our strength (наша слабости, а не наша сила), that endears us to those who love us (внушают любовь к нам тех, кто любит нас; to endear — заставить полюбить)," she replied (ответила она). "In what play did you say that (в каком спектакле ты говорила это)?" She repressed a gesture of annoyance (она удержалась от раздраженного жеста; to repress — подавлять, обуздывать). The words had come naturally to her lips (эти слова так естественно слетели с ее губ: «пришли к ее губам»), but as she said them (но когда она произнесла их) she remembered that they were out of a play (она вспомнила, что они были из какой-то пьесы). Little brute (маленький грубиян; brute — животное, тварь; жестокий, глупый человек)! But they came in very appositely (но они же были так уместны: «но они пришли очень подходяще»). "You're hard (ты жесток)," she said plaintively (сказала она жалобно). She was beginning to feel more and more like Hamlet's mother (она начинала чувствовать /себя/ все больше и больше матерью Гамлета). "Don't you love me (неужели ты не любишь меня)?" "I might if I could find you (я мог бы, если бы я мог найти тебя). But where are you (но где ты)? If one stripped you of your exhibitionism (если бы сорвать с тебя твой эксгибиционизм; to strip — раздевать, сдирать, лишать чего- либо), if one took your technique away from you (если бы забрать от тебя твое техническое мастерство), if one peeled you as one peels an onion (если бы очистить тебя, как очищают лук; to peel — снимать кожицу, чистить фрукты, облезать) of skin after skin of pretence and insincerity (кожицу, за кожицей от притворства и неискренности), of tags of old parts (от избитых цитат из старых ролей) and shreds of faked emotions (и обрывков фальшивых эмоций), would one come upon a soul at last (придем ли к душе в конечном итоге)?" He looked at her with his grave sad eyes (он смотрел на нее своими серьезными печальными глазами) and then he smiled a little (и затем слегка улыбнулся). "I like you all right (ты мне вполне нравишься)." "Do you believe I love you (ты веришь, что я люблю тебя)?" "In your way (в своем: «твоем» роде)."

weakness ['wi:knɪs] endear [ɪn'dɪə] apposite ['æpəzɪt] exhibitionism ["eksɪ'bɪʃ(ə)nɪz(ə)m]

"It's our weakness, not our strength, that endears us to those who love us," she replied. "In what play did you say that?" She repressed a gesture of annoyance. The words had come naturally to her lips, but as she said them she remembered that they were out of a play. Little brute! But they came in very appositely. "You're hard," she said plaintively. She was beginning to feel more and more like Hamlet's mother. "Don't you love me?" "I might if I could find you. But where are you? If one stripped you of your exhibitionism, if one took your technique away from you, if one peeled you as one peels an onion of skin after skin of pretence and insincerity, of tags of old parts and shreds of faked emotions, would one come upon a soul at last?" He looked at her with his grave sad eyes and then he smiled a little. "I like you all right." "Do you believe I love you?" "In your way."

Julia's face was suddenly discomposed (лицо Джулии внезапно исказилось). "If you only knew the agony I suffered (если бы ты только знал те муки, которые я выстрадала) when you were ill (когда ты болел)! I don't know what I should have done if you'd died (я не знаю, чтобы я делала, если бы ты умер)!" "You would have given a beautiful performance (ты бы дала очаровательный спектакль: «исполнение роли») of a bereaved mother at the bier of her only child (потерявшей ребенка матери у гроба ее единственного ребенка)." "Not nearly such a good performance (не такое уж и хорошее исполнение; not nearly — совсем не, далеко не) as if I'd had the opportunity (как /я бы дала/ если бы у меня была возможность) of rehearsing it a few times (прорепетировать его несколько раз)," Julia answered tartly (ответила Джулия колко). "You see (видишь ли), what you don't understand is that acting isn't nature (что ты не понимаешь, так это то, что актерская игра не природное явление); it's art, and art is something you create (это искусство, а искусство это что-то, что ты создаешь /сам/). Real grief is ugly (настоящее горе безобразно); the business of the actor is to represent it not only with truth but with beauty (работа актера заключается в том, что бы изобразить его не только с правдой, но и с красотой).

discomposedly ["dɪskəm'pəuzɪdlɪ] bier [bɪə] create [krɪ'eɪt] ugly ['ʌglɪ]

Julia's face was suddenly discomposed. "If you only knew the agony I suffered when you were ill! I don't know what I should have done if you'd died!" "You would have given a beautiful performance of a bereaved mother at the bier of her only child." "Not nearly such a good performance as if I'd had the opportunity of rehearsing it a few times," Julia answered tartly. "You see, what you don't understand is that acting isn't nature; it's art, and art is something you create. Real grief is ugly; the business of the actor is to represent it not only with truth but with beauty.

If I were really dying as I've died in half a dozen plays (если бы я умирала на самом деле, как я уже умирала в полдюжине спектаклей), d'you think I'd care whether my gestures were graceful (неужели ты думаешь, что я бы заботилась о том, будут ли мои жесты грациозны) and my faltering words distinct enough (и мои запинающиеся слова достаточно членораздельны) to carry to the last row of the gallery (чтобы донестись до последнего ряда галерки)? If it's a sham it's no more a sham than a sonata of Beethoven's (если это притворство, то не большее притворство, чем соната Бетховена), and I'm no more of a sham than the pianist who plays it (и не я большая обманщица, чем тот пианист, который играет ее). It's cruel to say that I'm not fond of you (это очень жестоко — говорить, что я не люблю тебя). I'm devoted to you (я нежно привязана к тебе; devoted — преданный, посвященный). You've been the only thing in my life (ты был «единственной вещью» = самым главным в моей жизни)."

dying ['daɪɪŋ] faltering ['fɔ:lt(ə)rɪŋ] pianist ['pɪə nɪst, 'pjɑ:-]|

If I were really dying as I've died in half a dozen plays, d'you think I'd care whether my gestures were graceful and my faltering words distinct enough to carry to the last row of the gallery? If it's a sham it's no more a sham than a sonata of Beethoven's, and I'm no more of a sham than the pianist who plays it. It's cruel to say that I'm not fond of you. I'm devoted to you. You've been the only thing in my life."

"No (нет). You were fond of me when I was a kid (ты любила меня, когда я был ребенком) and you could have me photographed with you (и ты могла фотографироваться со мной). It made a lovely picture (получалась прекрасная фотография) and it was fine publicity (и это была отличная реклама). But since then (но с тех пор) you haven't bothered much about me (ты не очень-то волновалась/заботилась обо мне). I've bored you rather than otherwise (я скорее надоедал тебе; otherwise — иначе, иным образом, в противном случае). You were always glad to see me (ты всегда была рада видеть меня), but you were thankful that I went my own way (но ты была благодарна, что я шел своей собственной дорогой; to go one's own way — действовать самостоятельно) and didn't want to take up your time (и тебе не хотелось занимать свое время). I don't blame you (я не виню тебя); you hadn't got time in your life for anyone but yourself (у тебя не было времени в твоей жизни ни на кого, кроме себя самой)." Julia was beginning to grow a trifle impatient (Джулия начинала проявлять некое нетерпение; to grow — зд. становиться, делаться: to grow impatient — становится нетерпеливым). He was getting too near the truth for her comfort (он подбирался слишком близко к правде, чтобы она могла сохранять покой: «успокоение»). "You forget that young things are rather boring (ты забываешь, что молодежь довольно занудна)." "Crashing, I should think (невыносимо, я так думаю; crashing — необыкновенный, невыносимый; a crashing bore — невыносимый зануда)," he smiled (улыбнулся он). "But then why do you pretend (тогда почему ты делаешь вид) that you can't bear to let me out of your sight (что ты не можешь вынести того, что я не рядом: «что я не у тебя на глазах»; out of sight — за пределами видимости)? That's just acting too (это же тоже только актерство)."

publicity [pʌ'blɪsɪtɪ] bother ['bɔðə] impatient [ɪm'peɪʃ(ə)nt]

"No. You were fond of me when I was a kid and you could have me photographed with you. It made a lovely picture and it was fine publicity. But since then you haven't bothered much about me. I've bored you rather than otherwise. You were always glad to see me, but you were thankful that I went my own way and didn't want to take up your time. I don't blame you; you hadn't got time in your life for anyone but yourself." Julia was beginning to grow a trifle impatient. He was getting too near the truth for her comfort. "You forget that young things are rather boring." "Crashing, I should think," he smiled. "But then why do you pretend that you can't bear to let me out of your sight? That's just acting too."

"You make me very unhappy (ты делаешь меня такой: «очень» несчастной). You make me feel as if I hadn't done my duty to you (ты заставляешь меня чувствовать, как будто я не выполнила своего долга перед тобой)." "But you have (но ты выполнила). You've been a very good mother (ты была очень хорошей матерью). You've done something (ты сделала нечто такое) for which I shall always be grateful to you (за что я всегда буду тебе благодарным), you've left me alone (ты оставила меня в покое)." "I don't understand what you want (я не понимаю, что же ты хочешь)." "I told you (я сказал тебе). Reality (реальности)." "But where are you going to find it (но где же ты собираешься найти ее)?" "I don't know (я не знаю). Perhaps it doesn't exist (возможно, она и не существует). I'm young still (я все еще молод); I'm ignorant (я невежественен). I thought perhaps that at Cambridge (я думал, что, возможно в Кембридже), meeting people and reading books (встречая людей и читая книги), I might discover where to look for it (я смог бы найти, где ее искать; to look for smth. — искать, подыскивать, присматривать). If they say it only exists in God (если скажут, что она единственно существует в Боге), I'm done (то я пропал; to be done — заканчивать, завершать, покончить, разделаться)."

perhaps [pə'hæps] Cambridge ['keɪmbrɪdʒ] exist [ɪg'zɪst]

"You make me very unhappy. You make me feel as if I hadn't done my duty to you." "But you have. You've been a very good mother. You've done something for which I shall always be grateful to you, you've left me alone." "I don't understand what you want." "I told you. Reality." "But where are you going to find it?" "I don't know. Perhaps it doesn't exist. I'm young still; I'm ignorant. I thought perhaps that at Cambridge, meeting people and reading books, I might discover where to look for it. If they say it only exists in God, I'm done."

Julia was disturbed (Джулия была встревожена). What he said had not really penetrated to her understanding (то, что он говорил, не достигло, в действительности, ее понимания; to penetrate — проникать внутрь, вторгаться, постигать), his words were lines (его слова были словами роли) and the important thing was not what they meant (и важным было не то, что они значили), but whether they "got over" (а то, «дошли» ли они /до слушателя/; to get over = зд. to get across — четко, убедительно объяснить, изложить), but she was sensitive to the emotion she felt in him (но она была восприимчива к тем эмоциям, которые она чувствовала в нем). Of course he was only eighteen (конечно же, ему было всего восемнадцать), and it would be silly to take him too seriously (и было бы глупым воспринимать его слишком серьезно), she couldn't help thinking (она не могла не подумать) he'd got all that from somebody else (что он набрался: «получил» всего этого от кого-то еще), and that there was a good deal of pose in it (и, что было достаточно много позерства в этом). Did anyone have ideas of his own (все ли имеют свои собственные идеи) and did anyone not pose just a wee, wee bit (и не все ли позерствуют хоть капельку, самую капельку; wee — /шотл./ небольшое количество)? But of course it might be (но конечно же, могло бы быть и так) that at the moment he felt everything he said (что в тот самый момент, он чувствовал все то, что он говорил), and it wouldn't be very nice of her to make light of it (и было бы не очень хорошо с ее стороны не воспринимать это серьезно; to make light of smth. — недооценивать что-либо, light — легкий, нетрудный, легкомысленный).

seriously ['sɪ(ə)rɪəslɪ] somebody ['sʌmbədɪ] sensitive ['sensɪtɪv]

Julia was disturbed. What he said had not really penetrated to her understanding, his words were lines and the important thing was not what they meant, but whether they "got over", but she was sensitive to the emotion she felt in him. Of course he was only eighteen, and it would be silly to take him too seriously, she couldn't help thinking he'd got all that from somebody else, and that there was a good deal of pose in it. Did anyone have ideas of his own and did anyone not pose just a wee, wee bit? But of course it might be that at the moment he felt everything he said, and it wouldn't be very nice of her to make light of it.

"Of course I see what you mean (конечно же я понимаю: «вижу», что ты имеешь в виду)," she said. "My greatest wish in the world (мое величайшее желание в этом мире) is that you should be happy (так это чтобы ты был счастлив). I'll manage your father (я справлюсь с твоим отцом; to manage smb — обращаться с кем-либо, иметь к кому-либо подход), and you can do as you like (а ты можешь поступать, как ты захочешь). You must seek your own salvation (ты должен искать своего собственного спасения /души/), I see that (я понимаю это). But I think you ought to make sure (но я думаю, что тебе следует убедиться) that all these ideas of yours aren't just morbid (что все эти твои мысли не вызваны просто меланхолией; morbid — нездоровый, болезненно впечатлительный). Perhaps you were too much alone in Vienna (возможно, ты был слишком долго один в Вене) and I dare say you read too much (и, позволь мне сказать, ты читаешь слишком много). Of course your father and I belong to a different generation (конечно же, твой отец и я принадлежим другому поколению) and I don't suppose we can help you (и я полагаю, что мы не сможем помочь тебе). Why don't you talk it over with someone more of your own age (почему бы тебе не обговорить все это с кем-то /более/ твоего /собственного/ возраста)? Tom, for instance (с Томом, например)." "Tom (с Томом)? A poor little snob (бедняжка, сноб). His only ambition in life is to be a gentleman (его единственная цель в жизни — быть джентльменом), and he hasn't the sense to see (и у него не хватает разума понять; sense — чувство, ощущение, рассудок) that the more he tries the more hopeless it is (что чем больше он пытается, тем это все безнадежнее)."

salvation [sæl'veɪʃ(ə)n] morbid ['mɔ:bɪd] instance ['ɪnstəns]

"Of course I see what you mean," she said. "My greatest wish in the world is that you should be happy. I'll manage your father, and you can do as you like. You must seek your own salvation, I see that. But I think you ought to make sure that all these ideas of yours aren't just morbid. Perhaps you were too much alone in Vienna and I dare say you read too much. Of course your father and I belong to a different generation and I don't suppose we can help you. Why don't you talk it over with someone more of your own age? Tom, for instance." "Tom? A poor little snob. His only ambition in life is to be a gentleman, and he hasn't the sense to see that the more he tries the more hopeless it is."

"I thought you liked him so much (я думала, что он тебе так нравится). Why, at Taplow last summer you just lived in his pocket (ба, да в Тэплоу, прошлым летом, вы просто не расставались: «ты просто жил в его кармане»; to live in someone's pocket — торчать друг у друга на глазах)." "I didn't dislike him (я не испытывал к нему неприязни). I made use of him (я использовал его). He could tell me a lot of things that I wanted to know (он мог рассказать мне кучу вещей, которые я хотел знать). But I thought him an insignificant, silly little thing (но я думал, что он просто ничтожный, глупый /паренек/)." Julia remembered how insanely jealous she had been of their friendship (Джулия вспомнила, как безумно ревнива была она из-за их дружбы). It made her angry to think (она даже рассердилась, подумав; to make smb angry — разгневать кого-либо) of all the agony she had wasted (о всех тех муках, которые она зря вынесла; to waste — расточать, растрачивать без пользы). "You've dropped him, haven't you (ты бросила его, не так ли)?" he asked suddenly (спросил он внезапно). She was startled (она вздрогнула испуганно). "I suppose I have more or less (полагаю что да, более или менее)." "I think it's very wise of you (я думаю, что это очень мудро с твоей стороны). He wasn't up to your mark (он не подходил тебе: «он был не на должной: «твоей» высоте»; mark — знак, отметка, зд. норма, стандарт, уровень)."

pocket ['pɔkɪt] insignificant ["ɪnsɪg'nɪfɪkənt] insanely [ɪn'seɪnlɪ]

"I thought you liked him so much. Why, at Taplow last summer you just lived in his pocket." "I didn't dislike him. I made use of him. He could tell me a lot of things that I wanted to know. But I thought him an insignificant, silly little thing." Julia remembered how insanely jealous she had been of their friendship. It made her angry to think of all the agony she had wasted. "You've dropped him, haven't you?" he asked suddenly. She was startled. "I suppose I have more or less." "I think it's very wise of you. He wasn't up to your mark."

He looked at her with his calm, reflective eyes (он посмотрел на нее своими спокойными, задумчивыми глазами), and on a sudden Julia had a sickening fear (и внезапно, Джулия испытала тошнотворный страх) that he knew that Tom had been her lover (что он знал, что Том был ее любовником). It was impossible, she told herself (это невозможно, говорила она себе), it was only her guilty conscience that made her think so (это /было/ только ее нечистая: «виноватая» совесть, что заставляла ее думать так); at Taplow there had been nothing (в Тэплоу ничего не было); it was incredible that any of the horrid gossip had reached his ears (это было невероятным, что какие-нибудь отвратительные слухи дошли до его ушей); and yet there was something in his expression (и все же, было нечто в его выражении /лица/) that made her certain that he knew (что убедило ее, что он знал /наверняка/; to make certain — удостовериться). She was ashamed (ей было стыдно). "I only asked him to come down to Taplow (я единственно пригласила его приехать в Тэплоу) because I thought it would be nice for you (из-за того, что я думала, что это было бы прятно для тебя) to have a boy of that age to play around with (иметь юношу твоего возраста, с котором можно было бы поразвлечься)." "It was (так и было)."

calm [kɑ:m] horrid ['hɔrɪd] ashamed [ə'ʃeɪmd]

He looked at her with his calm, reflective eyes, and on a sudden Julia had a sickening fear that he knew that Tom had been her lover. It was impossible, she told herself, it was only her guilty conscience that made her think so; at Taplow there had been nothing; it was incredible that any of the horrid gossip had reached his ears; and yet there was something in his expression that made her certain that he knew. She was ashamed. "I only asked him to come down to Taplow because I thought it would be nice for you to have a boy of that age to play around with." "It was."

There was in his eyes a faint twinkle of amusement (был в его глазах легкий веселый огонек; amusement — забава, развлечение; изумление). She felt desperate (она почувствовала отчаяние). She would have liked to ask him (ей очень бы хотелось спросить у него) what he was grinning at (над чем это он ухмылялся), but dared not (но не посмела); for she knew (так как она знала /над чем/); he was not angry with her (он не сердился на нее), she could have borne that (она могла бы это вынести), he was merely diverted (он просто забавлялся; to divert — отклонять, отводить, зд. развлекать, увеселять). She was bitterly hurt (она была горько обижена). She would have cried (она бы заплакала), but that he would only laugh (но он же просто засмеется). And what could she say to him (и что она могла бы сказать ему)? He believed nothing she said (он не верил ни во что, о чем она говорила). Acting (актерство)! For once she was at a loss (на этот раз она была в замешательстве; for once — в виде исключения; to be at a loss — растеряться, смешаться) how to cope with a situation (как же /ей/ справиться с этой ситуацией). She was up against something (она столкнулась с чем-то; to be up against smth. — встретить отпор) that she did not know (чего она не знала), something mysterious and rather frightening (чем- то непостижимым и довольно пугающим). Could that be reality (могла ли это быть реальность)?

twinkle ['twɪŋk(ə)l] merely ['mɪəlɪ] mysterious [mɪ'stɪ(ə)rɪəs]

There was in his eyes a faint twinkle of amusement. She felt desperate. She would have liked to ask him what he was grinning at, but dared not; for she knew; he was not angry with her, she could have borne that, he was merely diverted. She was bitterly hurt. She would have cried, but that he would only laugh. And what could she say to him? He believed nothing she said. Acting! For once she was at a loss how to cope with a situation. She was up against something that she did not know, something mysterious and rather frightening. Could that be reality?

At that moment they heard a car drive up (в этот момент они услышали, как подъехала машина). "There's your father (это твой отец)," she exclaimed (воскликнула она). What a relief (какое облегчение)! The scene was intolerable (сцена была невыносимой), and she was thankful that his arrival must end it (и она была благодарна, что его приезд должен положить ей конец). In a moment Michael, very hearty (через мгновение Майкл, очень радушный), with his chin thrust out and his belly pulled in (с выставленным вперед подбородком и втянутым животом), looking for all his fifty odd years incredibly handsome (выглядевший для своих пятидесяти с лишним лет невероятно красивым), burst into the room (ворвался в комнату) and, in his manly way (и, в своей мужественной манере), thrust out his hand (протянул свою руку) to greet (чтобы поприветствовать), after a six months' absence (после шестимесячного отсутствия), his only begotten son (своего единственного сына; begotten — рожденный; to beget — производить, рождать; быть отцом).

exclaim [ɪk'skleɪm] intolerable [ɪn'tɔl(ə)rəb(ə)l] absence ['æbs(ə)ns]

At that moment they heard a car drive up. "There's your father," she exclaimed. What a relief! The scene was intolerable, and she was thankful that his arrival must end it. In a moment Michael, very hearty, with his chin thrust out and his belly pulled in, looking for all his fifty odd years incredibly handsome, burst into the room and, in his manly way, thrust out his hand to greet, after a six months' absence, his only begotten son.

THREE days later Roger went up to Scotland (тремя днями позже Роджер уехал в Шотландию). By the exercise of some ingenuity (проявив некоторую изобретательность; exercise — упражнение, осуществление) Julia had managed (Джулия сделала так) that they should not again spend any length of time alone together (что они не смогли снова провести хоть какое-то время наедине /вместе/; length — длина, расстояние, протяженность). When they happened to be by themselves for a few minutes (когда они оказывались наедине на несколько минут) they talked of indifferent things (они говорили об отвлеченных вещах; indifferent — безразличный, нейтральный). Julia was not really sorry to see him go (Джулия не была на самом-то деле расстроена увидеть, что он уезжает). She could not dismiss from her mind (она не могла выбросить из головы; to dismiss — распускать, увольнять) the curious conversation she had had with him (тот странный: «любопытный» разговор, что у нее состоялся с ним). There was one point in particular (был один момент, в особенности) that unaccountably worried her (что непостижимо беспокоил ее; to account — отчитываться); this was his suggestion that if she went into an empty room (это было его предположение, что если он войдет в пустую комнату) and someone suddenly opened the door (и кто-нибудь внезапно откроет дверь) there would be nobody there (то там никого не окажется). It made her feel very uncomfortable (это заставляло ее чувствовать себя очень неуютно).

ingenuity ["ɪndʒɪ'nju:ɪtɪ] unaccountable ["ʌnə'kauntəb(ə)l]

THREE days later Roger went up to Scotland. By the exercise of some ingenuity Julia had managed that they should not again spend any length of time alone together. When they happened to be by themselves for a few minutes they talked of indifferent things. Julia was not really sorry to see him go. She could not dismiss from her mind the curious conversation she had had with him. There was one point in particular that unaccountably worried her; this was his suggestion that if she went into an empty room and someone suddenly opened the door there would be nobody there. It made her feel very uncomfortable.

"I never set out to be a raving beauty (я никогда не считала себя красавицей, способной свести с ума; to set out — /редк./ претендовать на что-либо; raving — бредовый, буйный, сногсшибательный), but the one thing no one has ever denied me is personality (но единственное, в чем мне никто никогда не отказывал, так это индивидуальность; to deny — отрицать, отвергать, не признавать существование). It's absurd to pretend (это нелепо — делать вид) that because I can play a hundred different parts in a hundred different ways (что из-за того, что я могу сыграть сотню различных ролей сотней различных способов) I haven't got an individuality of my own (что у меня нет своей собственной индивидуальности). I can do that because I'm a bloody good actress (я могу сыграть это потому, что я чертовски хорошая актриса)." She tried to think what happened to her (она попыталась представить, что случалось с ней) when she went alone into an empty room (когда она заходила одна в пустую комнату). "But I never am alone (но я никогда не бываю одна), even in an empty room (даже и в пустой комнате). There's always Michael, or Evie, or Charles, or the public (всегда есть Майкл, или Эви, или Чарльз, или публика); not in the flesh, of course (не в плоти, конечно), but in the spirit, as it were (но мысленно: «в душе», так сказать). I must speak to Charles about Roger (я должна поговорить с Чарльзом о Роджере)."

raving ['reɪvɪŋ] absurd [əb'sə:d] individuality ["ɪndɪ"vɪdʒu'ælɪtɪ]

"I never set out to be a raving beauty, but the one thing no one has ever denied me is personality. It's absurd to pretend that because I can play a hundred different parts in a hundred different ways I haven't got an individuality of my own. I can do that because I'm a bloody good actress." She tried to think what happened to her when she went alone into an empty room. "But I never am alone, even in an empty room. There's always Michael, or Evie, or Charles, or the public; not in the flesh, of course, but in the spirit, as it were. I must speak to Charles about Roger."

Unfortunately he was away (к сожалению, его не было на месте; to be away — отсутствовать). But he was coming back for the dress-rehearsal and the first night (но он должен был вернуться к генеральной репетиции: «репетиции в костюмах» и премьере); he had not missed these occasions for twenty years (он никогда не пропускал эти события за двадцать лет), and they had always had supper together after the dress-rehearsal (и они всегда ужинали вместе после генеральной репетиции). Michael would remain in the theatre (Майкл останется в театре), busy with the lights and so on (занятый освещением и все такое), so that they would be alone (так, что они останутся одни). They would be able to have a good talk (они смогут хорошенько поговорить). She studied her part (Джулия изучала свою роль). Julia did not deliberately create the character she was going to act by observation (Джулия не намерено создавала героиню, которую она собиралась играть, по наблюдениям); she had a knack of getting into the shoes of the woman she had to portray (она обладала особой способностью забраться в шкуру: «ботинки» той женщины, что она собиралась изображать) so that she thought with her mind and felt with her senses (так, что она думала ее мыслями и чувствовала ее чувствами). Her intuition suggested to her a hundred small touches (ее интуиция подсказывала ей сотни маленьких черточек: «характерных черт») that afterwards amazed people by their verisimilitude (что впоследствии поражали публику: «людей» своим правдоподобием); but when they asked her where she had got them she could not say (но когда ее спрашивали, где она взяла их, она не могла сказать).

deliberately [dɪ'lɪb(ə)rɪtlɪ] portray [pɔ:'treɪ] verisimilitude ["verɪsɪ'mɪlɪtju:d]

Unfortunately he was away. But he was coming back for the dress-rehearsal and the first night; he had not missed these occasions for twenty years, and they had always had supper together after the dress-rehearsal. Michael would remain in the theatre, busy with the lights and so on, so that they would be alone. They would be able to have a good talk. She studied her part. Julia did not deliberately create the character she was going to act by observation; she had a knack of getting into the shoes of the woman she had to portray so that she thought with her mind and felt with her senses. Her intuition suggested to her a hundred small touches that afterwards amazed people by their verisimilitude; but when they asked her where she had got them she could not say.

Now she wanted to show the courageous yet uneasy breeziness of the Mrs. Marten (теперь ей хотелось показать бесстрашную, но в тоже время тревожную беззаботность миссис Мартен) who played golf and could talk to a man like one good chap to another (которая играла в гольф и могла поговорить с мужчиной по-свойски: «как один хороший малый с другим») and yet, essentially a respectable, middle-class woman (и, в тоже время, /была/ по существу, почтенной женщиной среднего класса), hankered for the security of the marriage state (страстно жаждущей безопасности замужнего статуса: «состояния»). Michael never liked to have a crowd at a dress-rehearsal (Майклу никогда не нравилось когда собиралась толпа: «иметь толпу» на генеральной репетиции), and this time, anxious to keep the secret of the play till the first night (и на этот раз, стремясь сохранить спектакль в секрете до премьеры), he had admitted besides Charles only the people, photographers and dressmakers (он допустил, кроме Чарльза, только тех людей, фотографов и костюмеров: «портных»), whose presence was necessary (чье присутствие было необходимым). Julia spared herself (Джулия не сильно утруждалась; to spare oneself — жалеть силы, быть нетребовательным к себе; to spare — сберегать, экономить). She had no intention of giving all she had to give till the first night (у нее не было никакого желания: «намерения» дать все, что она должна дать, до премьеры).

courageous [kə'reɪdʒəs] essentially [ɪ'senʃ(ə)lɪ] hanker ['hæŋkə]

Now she wanted to show the courageous yet uneasy breeziness of the Mrs. Marten who played golf and could talk to a man like one good chap to another and yet, essentially a respectable, middle-class woman, hankered for the security of the marriage state. Michael never liked to have a crowd at a dress-rehearsal, and this time, anxious to keep the secret of the play till the first night, he had admitted besides Charles only the people, photographers and dressmakers, whose presence was necessary. Julia spared herself. She had no intention of giving all she had to give till the first night.

It was enough if her performance was adequate (было достаточным, если ее исполнение соответствовало требованиям: «было адекватным»). Under Michael's business-like direction (под деловым управлением Майкла) everything went off without a hitch (все прошло без сучка без задоринки; without a hitch — гладко, без задержки, hitch — зд. помеха, препятствие), and by ten o'clock Julia and Charles were sitting in the Grill Room of the Savoy (и уже к десяти часам Джулия и Чарльз сидели в гриль-баре «Савой»). The first thing she asked him was what he thought of Avice Crichton (первое, что она спросила у него /было/, что он думает об Эвис Крайтон). "Not at all bad and wonderfully pretty (совсем не плоха и удивительно хорошенькая). She really looked lovely in that second-act dress (она на самом деле выглядела миленько в том платье для второго акта)." "I'm not going to wear the dress I wore in the second act (я не буду в том же платье: «не буду носить то же платье», что было на мне во втором акте). Charley Deverill has made me another (Чарли Деверил сшил: «сделал» мне другое)."

adequate ['ædɪkwɪt] hitch [hɪtʃ] wonderful ['wʌndəf(ə)l]

It was enough if her performance was adequate. Under Michael's business-like direction everything went off without a hitch, and by ten o'clock Julia and Charles were sitting in the Grill Room of the Savoy. The first thing she asked him was what he thought of Avice Crichton. "Not at all bad and wonderfully pretty. She really looked lovely in that second-act dress." "I'm not going to wear the dress I wore in the second act. Charley Deverill has made me another."

He did not see the slightly humorous glance she gave him (он не заметил: «увидел» тот слегка веселый взгляд, которым она на него посмотрела), and if he had (и, если бы он заметил) would not have guessed what it meant (не догадался бы, что он означал). Michael, having taken Julia's advice (Майкл, последовав совету Джулии), had gone to a good deal of trouble with Avice (приложил огромное количество усилий с Эвис). He had rehearsed her by herself (он репетировал с ней одной) upstairs in his private room (наверху, в своем личном кабинете) and had given her every intonation and every gesture (и научил ее: «дал ей» каждой интонации и каждому жесту). He had also, Julia had good reason to believe (он так же, Джулия имела полное право верить в это), lunched with her several times and taken her out to supper (обедал с ней несколько раз и приглашал ее на ужин в ресторан). The result of all this was that she was playing the part uncommonly well (результатом этого было то, что она играла свою роль необычайно хорошо). Michael rubbed his hands (Майкл потирал /свои/ руки).

humorous ['hju:m(ə)rəs] intonation ["ɪntə'neɪʃ(ə)n] uncommonly [ʌn'kɔmənlɪ]

He did not see the slightly humorous glance she gave him, and if he had would not have guessed what it meant. Michael, having taken Julia's advice, had gone to a good deal of trouble with Avice. He had rehearsed her by herself upstairs in his private room and had given her every intonation and every gesture. He had also, Julia had good reason to believe, lunched with her several times and taken her out to supper. The result of all this was that she was playing the part uncommonly well. Michael rubbed his hands.

"I'm very pleased with her (я очень ею доволен). I think she'll make quite a hit (я думаю, что она будет настоящим успехом). I've half a mind to give her a contract (я уже почти решил подписать: «дать» с ней контракт; to have half a mind to do smth — быть не прочь сделать что-либо)." "I wouldn't (я бы не стала)," said Julia. "Not till after the first night (до тех пор, пока не пройдет премьера). You can never really tell (никогда нельзя на самом- то деле сказать) how a performance is going to pan out (как пройдет спектакль; to pan out — /зд. разг./ преуспевать, удаваться) till you've got an audience (пока не будет публики)." "She's a nice girl and a perfect lady (она милая девушка и истинная: «совершенная» леди)." "A nice girl, I suppose, because she's madly in love with you (милая девушка, я полагаю, из-за того, что она безумно влюблена в тебя), and a perfect lady because she's resisting your advances till she's got a contract (и истинная леди, из-за того, что сопротивляется твоим ухаживаниям до тех пор, пока у нее нет: «она не получила» контракта)." "Oh, my dear, don't be so silly (о, моя дорогая, не глупи). Why, I'm old enough to be her father (я достаточно стар, что мог бы быть ее отцом = я ей в отцы гожусь)."

audience ['ɔ:dɪəns] perfect ['pə:fɪkt] silly ['sɪlɪ]

"I'm very pleased with her. I think she'll make quite a hit. I've half a mind to give her a contract." "I wouldn't," said Julia. "Not till after the first night. You can never really tell how a performance is going to pan out till you've got an audience." "She's a nice girl and a perfect lady." "A nice girl, I suppose, because she's madly in love with you, and a perfect lady because she's resisting your advances till she's got a contract." "Oh, my dear, don't be so silly. Why, I'm old enough to be her father."

But he smiled complacently (но он улыбнулся самодовольно). She knew very well that his love-making went no farther than holding hands (она знала очень хорошо, что его ухаживания не шли дальше, чем держание за руки) and a kiss or two in a taxi (и пары: «одного или двух» поцелуев в такси), but she knew also that it flattered him to imagine (но она знала также, что это льстило ему, воображать) that she suspected him capable of infidelity (что она подозревала, что он способен на супружескую неверность). But now Julia, having satisfied her appetite with proper regard for her figure (но теперь Джулия, удовлетворив свой аппетит с надлежащим вниманием к своей фигуре), attacked the subject which was on her mind (приступила к теме, которая была у нее на уме; to attack — нападать, атаковать, энергично браться за работу). "Charles dear, I want to talk to you about Roger (Чарльз дорогой, я хочу поговорить с тобой о Роджере)." "Oh yes, he came back the other day, didn't he (о да, он вернулся на днях, не так ли)? How is he (как он)?" "My dear, a most terrible thing has happened (дорогой мой, случилась ужасная вещь). He's come back a fearful prig (он вернулся ужасным педантом) and I don't know what to do about it (и я не знаю, что с этим делать)."

complacent [kəm'pleɪs(ə)nt] infidelity ["ɪnfɪ'delɪtɪ] appetite ['æpɪtaɪt]

But he smiled complacently. She knew very well that his love-making went no farther than holding hands and a kiss or two in a taxi, but she knew also that it flattered him to imagine that she suspected him capable of infidelity. But now Julia, having satisfied her appetite with proper regard for her figure, attacked the subject which was on her mind. "Charles dear, I want to talk to you about Roger." "Oh yes, he came back the other day, didn't he? How is he?" "My dear, a most terrible thing has happened. He's come back a fearful prig and I don't know what to do about it."

She gave him her version of the conversation (она представила ему свою версию того разговора). She left out one or two things that it seemed inconvenient to mention (она опустила пару моментов, которые, как казалось, неудобно упоминать; to leave (left) out — пропускать, не включать, упускать), but what she told was on the whole accurate (но что она рассказала было, в целом, точным). "The tragic thing is that he has absolutely no sense of humour (самое трагическое — так это то, что у него абсолютно нет чувства юмора)," she finished (закончила она). "After all he's only eighteen (в конце концов, ему всего лишь восемнадцать)." "You could have knocked me down with a feather (я была настолько потрясена: «ты бы мог сбить меня с ног с помощью перышка») when he said all those things to me (когда он говорил все это мне). I felt just like Balaam (я чувствовала себя почти как Валаам) when his ass broke into light conversation (когда его ослица разразилась легким = напринужденным разговором)." She gave him a gay look (она весело взглянула на него), but he did not even smile (но он даже и не улыбнулся). He did not seem to think her remark as funny as she did (он, как оказалось, не думал, что ее замечание было таким уж забавным, как думала она). "I can't imagine where he got his ideas (не могу представить, где он набрался /своих/ мыслей). It's absurd to think (нелепо думать) that he could have thought out all that nonsense for himself (что он мог выдумать всю эту ерунду сам; to think out — продумать, додумать до конца)."

accurate ['ækjərət] remark [rɪ'mɑ:k] idea [aɪ'dɪə]

She gave him her version of the conversation. She left out one or two things that it seemed inconvenient to mention, but what she told was on the whole accurate. "The tragic thing is that he has absolutely no sense of humour," she finished. "After all he's only eighteen." "You could have knocked me down with a feather when he said all those things to me. I felt just like Balaam when his ass broke into light conversation." She gave him a gay look, but he did not even smile. He did not seem to think her remark as funny as she did. "I can't imagine where he got his ideas. It's absurd to think that he could have thought out all that nonsense for himself."

"Are you sure that boys of that age (а ты уверена, что юноши в этом возрасте) don't think more than we older people imagine (не размышляют больше, чем мы, старшее поколение: «люди» можем представить)? It's a sort of puberty of the spirit (своего рода взросление духа; puberty — возмужалость, половая зрелость) and its results are often strange (и его результаты часто странные)." "It seems so deceitful of Roger (это кажется таким вероломным со стороны Роджера) to have harboured thoughts like those all these years (вынашивать подобные мысли все эти годы; to harbour — становиться в гавань, приютить, затаить) and never breathed a word about them (и никогда и словом не обмолвиться о них; to breathe — дышать, жить). He might have been accusing me (он, может быть, обвиняет меня)." She gave a chuckle (она хмыкнула; chuckle — тихий смех; хихиканье). "To tell you the truth (сказать тебе по правде), when Roger was talking to me (когда Роджер говорил со мной) I felt just like Hamlet's mother (я чувствовала себя матерью Гамлета)." Then with hardly a break (и затем, без перерыва: «едва ли с перерывом»): "I wonder if I'm too old to play Hamlet (интересно, не слишком ли я стара, чтобы играть Гамлета)?" "Gertrude isn't a very good part, is it (Гертруда — не очень-то хорошая роль, так ведь)?" Julia broke into a laugh of frank amusement (Джулия залилась смехом искреннего изумления).

puberty ['pju:bətɪ] harbour ['hɑ:bə] chuckle ['tʃʌk(ə)l]

"Are you sure that boys of that age don't think more than we older people imagine? It's a sort of puberty of the spirit and its results are often strange." "It seems so deceitful of Roger to have harboured thoughts like those all these years and never breathed a word about them. He might have been accusing me." She gave a chuckle. "To tell you the truth, when Roger was talking to me I felt just like Hamlet's mother." Then with hardly a break: "I wonder if I'm too old to play Hamlet?" "Gertrude isn't a very good part, is it?" Julia broke into a laugh of frank amusement.

"Don't be idiotic, Charles (не будь глупцом, Чарльз). I wouldn't play the Queen (я не буду играть Королеву). I'd play Hamlet (я буду играть Гамлета)." "D'you think it's suited to a woman (ты думаешь, что эта /роль/ подходит женщине)?" "Mrs. Siddons played it and so did Sarah Bernhardt (миссис Сиддонс играла ее и Сара Бернар). It would set a seal on my career (это станет венцом: «поставит печать на » моей карьеры), if you know what I mean (если ты понимаешь, что я имею в виду). Of course there's the difficulty of the blank verse (конечно, существует сложность — белый стих)." "I have heard actors speak it so (я слышал как актеры произносят его, так) that it was indistinguishable from prose (что он неразличим от прозы)," he answered (ответил он). "Yes, but that's not quite the same, is it (да, но это же не одно и тоже, так ведь)?" "Were you nice to Roger (ты была мила с Роджером)?" She was surprised at his going back to that subject so suddenly (она была удивлена тем, что он вернулся к этой теме так внезапно), but she returned to it with a smile (но она вернулась к ней с улыбкой). "Oh, charming (о, очаровательна)."

idiotic ["ɪdɪ'ɔtɪk] verse [və:s] indistinguishable ["ɪndɪ'stɪŋgwɪʃəb(ə)l]

"Don't be idiotic, Charles. I wouldn't play the Queen. I'd play Hamlet." "D'you think it's suited to a woman?" "Mrs. Siddons played it and so did Sarah Bernhardt. It would set a seal on my career, if you know what I mean. Of course there's the difficulty of the blank verse." "I have heard actors speak it so that it was indistinguishable from prose," he answered. "Yes, but that's not quite the same, is it?" "Were you nice to Roger?" She was surprised at his going back to that subject so suddenly, but she returned to it with a smile. "Oh, charming."

"It's hard not to be impatient with the absurdity of the young (трудно не раздражаться: «не быть нетерпеливой» на нелепость молодых); they tell us that two and two make four as though it had never occurred to us (они говорят нам, что два плюс два равняется четыре так, как будто это никогда и не приходило нам в голову), and they're disappointed if we can't share their surprise (и они разочарованы, если мы не можем разделить с ними их удивления) when they have just discovered that a hen lays an egg (когда они только что открыли, что курица откладывает яйца: «яйцо»). There's a lot of nonsense in their ranting and raving (есть куча чепухи в их тирадах и несвязных речах: «бреде»), but it's not all nonsense (но в них не все чепуха). One ought to sympathize with them (следует сочувствовать им; one — в неопределенно- личных предложениях); one ought to do one's best to understand (следует стараться изо всех сил, чтобы понять их; to do one's best — сделать все возможное, не щадить усилий). One has to remember (надо помнить) how much has to be forgotten (как многое надо забыть) and how much has to be learnt (и как многое надо узнать) when for the first time one faces life (когда в первый раз встречаешься лицом к лицу с жизнью). It's not very easy to give up one's ideals (не так уж легко отказаться от идеалов), and the brute facts of every day are bitter pills to swallow (и жестокие факты каждого дня /жизни/ — это горькие пилюли /которые надо проглотить/). The spiritual conflicts of adolescence can be very severe (духовные конфликты юности: «отрочества» могут быть очень жестокими: «суровыми») and one can do so little to resolve them (и можно сделать так мало, чтобы разрешить их). It may be that in a year or two (может случиться так, что через год или два) he'll lose sight of the clouds of glory (он забудет об ореоле славы; cloud — облако, туча; to lose sight of — потерять, упустить из виду) and accept the chain (и примет оковы: «цепь»). It may be that he'll find what he's looking for (возможно, он найдет что он ищет), if not in God, then in art (если не в Боге, так в искусстве)."

absurdity [əb'sə:dɪtɪ, əb'zə:dɪtɪ] adolescence ["ædə'les(ə)ns] cloud [klaud]

"It's hard not to be impatient with the absurdity of the young; they tell us that two and two make four as though it had never occurred to us, and they're disappointed if we can't share their surprise when they have just discovered that a hen lays an egg. There's a lot of nonsense in their ranting and raving, but it's not all nonsense. One ought to sympathize with them; one ought to do one's best to understand. One has to remember how much has to be forgotten and how much has to be learnt when for the first time one faces life. It's not very easy to give up one's ideals, and the brute facts of every day are bitter pills to swallow. The spiritual conflicts of adolescence can be very severe and one can do so little to resolve them. It may be that in a year or two he'll lose sight of the clouds of glory and accept the chain. It may be that he'll find what he's looking for, if not in God, then in art."

"I should hate him to be an actor (я бы очень не хотела, чтобы он стал актером; to hate — ненавидеть, очень сожалеть) if that's what you mean (если ты это имеешь в виду)." "No, I don't think he'll fancy that (нет, я не думаю, что ему это понравится)." "And of course he can't be a playwright (и, конечно, он не может быть драматургом), he hasn't a sense of humour (у него нет чувства юмора)." "I dare say he'll be quite content to go into the Foreign Office (я полагаю, он был бы доволен, пойди он /на работу/ в министерство иностранных дел). It would be an asset to him there (это было бы его преимуществом там)." "What would you advise me to do (что ты посоветуешь мне сделать)?" "Nothing (ничего). Let him be (оставь его в покое). That's probably the greatest kindness you can do him (это, возможно, самая большая услуга: «доброта», которую ты можешь оказать: «сделать» ему)." "But I can't help being worried about him (но я же не могу не переживать из-за него)." "You needn't be (тебе /совершенно/ не надо /волноваться/). Be hopeful (надейся; hopeful — надеющийся, оптимистичный). You thought you'd only given birth to an ugly duckling (ты думала, что ты просто родила уродливого утенка; birth — рождение, роды, происхождение); perhaps he's going to turn into a white-winged swan (возможно, он превратиться в белокрылого лебедя; to turn — поворачивать, вращаться, to turn into smb. — превращаться в кого- либо, становиться кем-либо)." Charles was not giving Julia what she wanted (Чарльз не давал Джулии того, чего она хотела). She had expected him to be more sympathetic (она ожидала от него, что он будет более сочувственным).

duckling ['dʌklɪŋ] swan [swɔn] sympathetic ["sɪmpə'θetɪk]

"I should hate him to be an actor if that's what you mean." "No, I don't think he'll fancy that." "And of course he can't be a playwright, he hasn't a sense of humour." "I dare say he'll be quite content to go into the Foreign Office. It would be an asset to him there." "What would you advise me to do?" "Nothing. Let him be. That's probably the greatest kindness you can do him." "But I can't help being worried about him." "You needn't be. Be hopeful. You thought you'd only given birth to an ugly duckling; perhaps he's going to turn into a white-winged swan." Charles was not giving Julia what she wanted. She had expected him to be more sympathetic.

"I suppose he's getting old, poor dear (я полагаю, что он старее, бедняжка)," she reflected (размышляла она). "He's losing his grip of things (он утрачивает контроль над происходящим: «вещам»; grip — схватывание, цепкость, зд. власть, контроль). He must have been impotent for years (он, должно быть, был импотентом долгие годы); I wonder it never struck me before (интересно, что это никогда мне не пришло в голову раньше)." She asked what the time was (она спросила сколько времени).

"I think I ought to go (я думаю, мне надо идти). I must get a long night's rest (я должна хорошо отдохнуть: «получить долгий ночной отдых»)." Julia slept well (Джулия спала хорошо) and when she awoke had at once a feeling of exultation (и, когда она проснулась, почувствовала немедленно ликование). Tonight was the first night (сегодня вечером была премьера). It gave her a little thrill of pleasure to recollect (ей доставило некоторую нервную дрожь удовольствия — вспомнить) that people had already been assembling at the pit and gallery doors (что люди уже собирались у дверей партера и галерки; pit — яма, шахта; зд. партер, особ. задние ряды) when she left the theatre after the dress-rehearsal (когда она покидала театр после генеральной репетиции), and now at ten in the morning (и теперь, в десять часов утра) there was probably already a long queue (там была уже, возможно, длинная очередь). "Lucky it's a fine day for them (какое счастье: «удачно», сегодня хорошая погода /для них/), poor brutes (бедняжки)."

impotent ['ɪmpət(ə)nt] exultation ["egzʌl'teɪʃ(ə)n] queue [kju:]

"I suppose he's getting old, poor dear," she reflected. "He's losing his grip of things. He must have been impotent for years; I wonder it never struck me before." She asked what the time was. "I think I ought to go. I must get a long night's rest." Julia slept well and when she awoke had at once a feeling of exultation. Tonight was the first night. It gave her a little thrill of pleasure to recollect that people had already been assembling at the pit and gallery doors when she left the theatre after the dress-rehearsal, and now at ten in the morning there was probably already a long queue. "Lucky it's a fine day for them, poor brutes."

In bygone years (в прошедшие годы) she had been intolerably nervous (она бывала невыносимо нервной) before a first night (перед премьерой). She had felt slightly sick all day (она чувствовала легкую тошноту целый день) and as the hours passed (и, пока часы проходили) got into such a state (приходила в такое состояние) that she almost thought she would have to leave the stage (что она почти что думала, что ей придется оставить сцену). But by now (но к настоящему времени), after having passed through the ordeal so many times (после того, как /она/ прошла через эту пытку: «тяжелое испытание» так много раз), she had acquired a certain nonchalance (она приобрела определенную беззаботность). Throughout the early part of the day (в течение утра: «ранней части дня») she felt only happy and mildly excited (она чувствовала себя только счастливой и слегка: «мягко» возбужденной); it was not till late in the afternoon that she began to feel ill at ease (и только поздно днем: «это было не до того момента поздно днем» она начинала чувствовать себя обеспокоенной/ей становилось не по себе). She grew silent (она становилась молчаливой) and wanted to be left alone (и хотела остаться: «быть оставленной» одной). She also grew irritable (она так же становилась раздражительной), and Michael, having learnt from experience (и Майкл, наученный опытом), took care to keep out of her way (особо заботился о том, чтобы не путаться у нее под ногами: «держаться в стороне от ее дороги»). Her hands and feet got cold (ее руки и ноги становились холодными) and by the time she reached the theatre (и к тому времени, когда она приезжала в театр) they were like lumps of ice (они были уже как глыбы льда). But still the apprehension that filled her (но все же те предчувствия, что переполняли ее) was not unpleasant (не были неприятными).

acquire [ə'kwaɪə] nonchalance ['nɔnʃələns] apprehension ["æprɪ'henʃ(ə)n]

In bygone years she had been intolerably nervous before a first night. She had felt slightly sick all day and as the hours passed got into such a state that she almost thought she would have to leave the stage. But by now, after having passed through the ordeal so many times, she had acquired a certain nonchalance.

Throughout the early part of the day she felt only happy and mildly excited; it was not till late in the afternoon that she began to feel ill at ease. She grew silent and wanted to be left alone. She also grew irritable, and Michael, having learnt from experience, took care to keep out of her way. Her hands and feet got cold and by the time she reached the theatre they were like lumps of ice. But still the apprehension that filled her was not unpleasant.

Julia had nothing to do that morning (Джулии было нечего делать тем утром) but go down to the Siddons for a word-rehearsal at noon (кроме как поехать в «Сиддонс-театр» на читку: «словесную репетицию» в полдень), so she lay in bed till late (и поэтому она лежала в кровати допоздна). Michael did not come back to luncheon (Майкл не приехал назад к ланчу), having last things to do to the sets (так как ему надо было сделать последние изменения в декорациях), and she ate alone (и она покушала в одиночестве). Then she went to bed and for an hour slept soundly (потом она легла в постель и в течение часа проспала крепко). Her intention was to rest all the afternoon (она собиралась: «ее намерением было» отдохнуть до полудня); Miss Phillips was coming at six (мисс Филлипс должна была прийти в шесть) to give her a light massage (чтобы сделать ей легкий массаж), and by seven she wanted to be at the theatre (и к семи часам она хотела быть в театре). But when she awoke (но, когда она проснулась) she felt so much refreshed (она почувствовала себя настолько отдохнувшей: «посвежевшей») that it irked her to stay in bed (что ее раздражало оставаться в постели), so she made up her mind to get up and go for a walk (и тогда она решила встать и пойти на прогулку). It was a fine, sunny day (был прекрасный, солнечный день). Liking the town better than the country (/поскольку ей/ нравился город больше, чем деревня) and streets more than trees (и улицы больше, чем деревья), she did not go into the Park (она не пошла в Гайд-парк), but sauntered round the neighbouring squares (но неторопливо прогуливалась по близлежащим: «соседским» площадям), deserted at that time of year (безлюдным: «пустынным» в это время года), idly looking at the houses (лениво посматривая на дома), and thought how much she preferred her own to any of them (и думала, насколько она предпочитала свой собственный /дом/ любому из них).

massage ['mæsɑ:ʒ] irk [ə:k] neighbouring ['neɪb(ə)rɪŋ]

Julia had nothing to do that morning but go down to the Siddons for a word- rehearsal at noon, so she lay in bed till late. Michael did not come back to luncheon, having last things to do to the sets, and she ate alone. Then she went to bed and for an hour slept soundly. Her intention was to rest all the afternoon; Miss Phillips was coming at six to give her a light massage, and by seven she wanted to be at the theatre. But when she awoke she felt so much refreshed that it irked her to stay in bed, so she made up her mind to get up and go for a walk. It was a fine, sunny day. Liking the town better than the country and streets more than trees, she did not go into the Park, but sauntered round the neighbouring squares, deserted at that time of year, idly looking at the houses, and thought how much she preferred her own to any of them.