Maugham_Theatre_M

"It's awfully nice of you to come round I'm afraid it's not much of a play, but when one's starting like I am one has to put up with what one can get. I was rather doubtful about it when they sent it me to read, but I took a fancy to the part."

"You play it charmingly," said Julia.

"It's awfully nice of you to say so (ужасно мило с вашей стороны говорить так). I wish we could have had a few more rehearsals (мне бы хотелось, чтобы у нас было побольше репетиций). I particularly wanted to show you what I could do (я

очень: «особенно» хотела показать вам, что я могу)."

"Well, you know, I've been connected with the profession a good many years (ну,

вы знаете, я связана с этой профессией уже многие годы). I always think (я

всегда уверена: «думаю»), if one has talent one can't help showing it (если у тебя есть талант, то ты не можешь не показать его). Don't you (вы так не /думаете/)?"

"I know what you mean (я понимаю, что вы имеете в виду). Of course I want a lot more experience, I know that (конечно, мне необходимо гораздо больше опыта, я знаю это), but it's only a chance I want really (но, только шанс, вот чего мне действительно нужно). I know I can act (я знаю, что могу играть). If I could only get a part that I could really get my teeth into (если бы я смогла только получить роль, которая бы действительно была стоящая; to get one's teeth into smth — горячо взяться за какое-либо дело, teeth — pl. от tooth —

зуб)."

She waited a little (она подождала чуть-чуть) in order to let Julia say (для того,

чтобы дать Джулии возможность сказать) that she had in her new play just the part that would suit her (что та как раз имеет в своем новом спектакле именно такую роль, которая подойдет ей), but Julia continued to look at her smilingly (но Джулия продолжала смотреть на нее, улыбаясь). Julia was grimly amused (Джулию определенно забавляло; grimly — жестоко, сурово, решительно) to find herself treated (обнаружить, что с ней обращаются) like a curate's wife (как с женой викария; curate — младший приходской священник) to whom the

squire's lady was being very kind (с которой жена влиятельного помещика была очень добра; squire — сквайр, самый влиятельный землевладелец в округе). "Have you been on the stage long (вы давно уже на сцене)?" she said at last (спросила она наконец). "It seems funny I should never have heard of you (кажется странным, что я никогда не слышала о вас)."

profession [prq'feS(q)n] experience [Ik'spI(q)rIqns] squire ['skwaIq]

"It's awfully nice of you to say so. I wish we could have had a few more rehearsals. I particularly wanted to show you what I could do."

"Well, you know, I've been connected with the profession a good many years. I always think, if one has talent one can't help showing it. Don't you?"

"I know what you mean. Of course I want a lot more experience, I know that, but it's only a chance I want really. I know I can act. If I could only get a part that I could really get my teeth into."

She waited a little in order to let Julia say that she had in her new play just the part that would suit her, but Julia continued to look at her smilingly. Julia was grimly amused to find herself treated like a curate's wife to whom the squire's lady was being very kind.

"Have you been on the stage long?" she said at last. "It seems funny I should never have heard of you."

"Well, I was in revue for a while (ну, я выступала: «была» в ревю, некоторое время), but I felt I was just wasting my time (но я почувствовала, что я просто впустую растрачиваю свое время). I was out on tour all last season (я была в турне /по стране/ весь прошлый сезон). I don't want to leave London again (я не хотела бы покидать Лондон снова) if I can help it (если у меня будет такая возможность)."

"The theatrical profession's terribly overcrowded (актеров чрезвычайно много = «театральная профессия ужасно переполнена»)," said Julia.

"Oh, I know (о, я знаю). It seems almost hopeless (/ситуация/ кажется почти что безнадежной) unless you've got influence or something (если только у тебя нет влияния, или что-нибудь такого). I hear you're putting a new play on soon (я

слышала, что вы собираетесь скоро ставить новый спектакль)." "Yes."

Julia continued to smile with an almost intolerable sweetness (Джулия продолжала улыбаться бесконечно милой улыбкой: «с почти что невыносимой сладостью»).

"If there's a part for me in it (если бы нашлась: «была» роль для меня в нем), I'd most awfully like to play with you (я бы ужасно рада была: «хотела» сыграть с вами). I'm so sorry Mr. Gosselyn couldn't come tonight (мне так жаль, что мистер Госселин не смог прийти сегодня вечером)."

"I'll tell him about you (я расскажу ему о вас)."

revue [rI'vju:] overcrowded ["qVvq'kraVdId] influence ['InflVqns]

"Well, I was in revue for a while, but I felt I was just wasting my time. I was out on tour all last season. I don't want to leave London again if I can help it."

"The theatrical profession's terribly overcrowded," said Julia.

"Oh, I know. It seems almost hopeless unless you've got influence or something. I hear you're putting a new play on soon."

"Yes."

Julia continued to smile with an almost intolerable sweetness.

"If there's a part for me in it, I'd most awfully like to play with you. I'm so sorry Mr. Gosselyn couldn't come tonight."

"I'll tell him about you."

"D'you really think there's a chance for me (вы действительно считаете, что у меня есть шанс: «есть шанс для меня»)?" Through her self-assurance (сквозь ее самоуверенность), through the country-house manner (сквозь ее манеру

/владелицы/ загородного дома) she assumed in order to impress Julia (которую она напустила на себя для того, чтобы произвести впечатление на Джулию; to assume — принимать, брать на себя), there pierced an anxious eagerness (пробилось тревожное напряжение; to pierce — пронзать, протыкать,

пронизывать). "If you'd put in a word for me (если бы вы замолвили за меня словечко) it would help so much (это так бы помогло)."

Julia gave her a reflective look (Джулия задумчиво взглянула на нее).

"I take my husband's advice more often (я следую советам моего мужа чаще) than he takes mine (чем он следует моим)," she smiled (улыбнулась она).

When they left the dressing-room (когда они вышли из грим-уборной) so that Avice Crichton might change for the third act (для того, чтобы Эвис Крайтон смогла переодеться для третьего действия), Julia caught the questioning glance she gave Tom (Джулия уловила вопрошающий взгляд, который она бросила: «дала» на Тома; to catch (caught) — поймать, схватить) as she said good-bye to him (когда она прощалась с ним). Julia was conscious (Джулия почувствовала: «ощутила, осознала»), though she saw no movement (хотя она и не увидела никакого движения), that he slightly shook his head (что он слегка покачал головой; to shake (shook, shaken) — трясти, дрожать, качать). Her sensibility at that moment was extraordinarily acute (ее чувствительность в тот момент была чрезвычайно тонкой; acute — острый, проницательный,

сильный) and she translated the mute dialogue into words (и она перевела безмолвный: «немой» разговор в слова).

"Coming to supper afterwards (придешь на ужин после /спектакля/)?"

"No, damn it, I can't, I've got to see her home (нет, черт возьми, я не могу, я

должен проводить ее домой)."

impress [Im'pres] pierce [pIqs] questioning ['kwestS(q)nIN]

"D'you really think there's a chance for me?" Through her self-assurance, through the country-house manner she assumed in order to impress Julia, there pierced an

anxious eagerness. "If you'd put in a word for me it would help so much." Julia gave her a reflective look.

"I take my husband's advice more often than he takes mine," she smiled.

When they left the dressing-room so that Avice Crichton might change for the third act, Julia caught the questioning glance she gave Tom as she said good-bye to him. Julia was conscious, though she saw no movement, that he slightly shook his head. Her sensibility at that moment was extraordinarily acute and she translated the mute dialogue into words.

"Coming to supper afterwards?"

"No, damn it, I can't, I've got to see her home."

Julia listened to the third act grimly (Джулия слушала третий акт мрачно). That was in order (это выглядело естественно; in order — зд. уместный,

естественный, логичный) since the play was serious (так как пьеса была серьезная; since — зд. поскольку, раз уж). When it was over (когда она закончилась) and a pale shattered author had made a halting speech (и бледный потрясенный автор произнес, запинаясь, речь: «речь бесконечными заминками и паузами»; to shatter — разбивать, разрушать, расшатывать), Tom asked her where she would like to go for supper (Том спросил у нее, куда она хотела бы пойти поужинать).

"Let's go home and talk (давай поедем домой, и поговорим)," she said. "If you're hungry I'm sure we can find you something to eat in the kitchen (если ты голоден,

я уверена, мы сможем найти тебе что-нибудь съедобное: «поесть» на кухне)." "D'you mean to Stanhope Place (ты имеешь в виду Стэнхоуп-плейс»)?"

"Yes."

"All right (хорошо)."

She felt his relief (она почувствовала его облегчение) that she did not want to go back to the flat (от того, что она не выразила желание: «не захотела» поехать назад в /его/ квартиру). He was silent in the car (он был молчалив в машине) and she knew that it irked him to have to come back with her (и она знала, что его

это раздражало, что /он/ вынужден возвращаться назад с ней; to irk —

утомлять, докучать, надоедать). She guessed that someone was giving a supper party (она предположила, что кто-то устраивал званный ужин) to which Avice Crichton was going (на который собиралась Эвис Крайтон) and he wanted to be there (и он хотел быть там). The house was dark and empty when they reached it (дом был темным и пустым, когда они приехали: «добрались» в него). The servants were in bed (слуги уже легли спать: «были в постели»). Julia suggested that they should go down to the basement and forage (Джулия предположила, что им следует отправиться вниз, в цокольный этаж, и найти что-нибудь из еды; to forage — фуражировать, разыскивать продовольствие, рыться).

author ['O:Tq] speech [spi:tS] forage ['fOrIdZ]

Julia listened to the third act grimly. That was in order since the play was serious. When it was over and a pale shattered author had made a halting speech, Tom asked her where she would like to go for supper.

"Let's go home and talk," she said. "If you're hungry I'm sure we can find you something to eat in the kitchen."

"D'you mean to Stanhope Place?" "Yes."

"All right."

She felt his relief that she did not want to go back to the flat. He was silent in the car and she knew that it irked him to have to come back with her. She guessed that someone was giving a supper party to which Avice Crichton was going and he wanted to be there. The house was dark and empty when they reached it. The servants were in bed. Julia suggested that they should go down to the basement and forage.

"I don't want anything to eat unless you do (я не хочу ничего есть, если только

ты хочешь)," he said. "I'll just have a whisky and soda and go to bed (я буду только виски с содовой и отправлюсь спать). I've got a very heavy day tomorrow at the office (у меня завтра очень тяжелый день в конторе)."

"All right (хорошо). Bring it up to the drawing-room (приноси его /виски/ в гостиную). I'll go and turn on the lights (я пойду и включу свет)."

When he came up (когда он вошел) she was doing her face in front of a mirror (она приводила в порядок лицо перед зеркалом; to do one’s face —

попудрится, накраситься, сделать макияж) and she continued (и она продолжила /делать это/) till he had poured out the whisky and sat down (до тех самых пор, когда он налил виски и присел). Then she turned round (тогда она повернулась). He looked very young (он выглядел очень молодым), and incredibly charming (и невероятно обаятельным), in his beautiful clothes (в своей красивой одежде), sitting there in the big armchair (сидящий /там/, в большом кресле), and all the bitterness she had felt that evening (и вся та горечь, которую она испытала в тот вечер), all the devouring jealousy of the last few days (вся та пожирающая ревность последних нескольких дней; to devour —

пожирать, поглощать, уничтожать), were dissipated on a sudden by the intensity of her passion (растворились внезапно от силы: «интенсивности» ее страсти; to dissipate — рассеивать, разгонять, разлагать). She sat down on the arm of his chair (она присела на подлокотник его кресла) and caressingly passed her hand over his hair (и ласково провела рукой по его волосам). He drew back with an angry gesture (он сердито дернулся: «отодвинулся с сердитым жестом»).

mirror ['mIrq] devouring [dI'vaVqrIN] dissipate ['dIsIpeIt] caressingly [kq'resINlI]

"I don't want anything to eat unless you do," he said. "I'll just have a whisky and soda and go to bed. I've got a very heavy day tomorrow at the office."

"All right. Bring it up to the drawing-room. I'll go and turn on the lights."

When he came up she was doing her face in front of a mirror and she continued till he had poured out the whisky and sat down. Then she turned round. He looked very young, and incredibly charming, in his beautiful clothes, sitting there in the big armchair, and all the bitterness she had felt that evening, all the devouring jealousy of the last few days, were dissipated on a sudden by the intensity of her passion. She sat down on the arm of his chair and caressingly passed her hand over his hair. He drew back with an angry gesture.

"Don't do that (не делай этого)," he said. "I do hate having my hair mussed about (я просто ненавижу, когда мои волосы треплют; to muss — приводить в беспорядок, пачкать)."

It was like a knife in her heart (слова были: «это было» как нож в /ее/ сердце). He had never spoken to her in that tone before (он никогда раньше не говорил с ней в подобном тоне). But she laughed lightly (но она беспечно рассмеялась) and getting up took the whisky he had poured out for her (и поднявшись, взяла виски, который он налил ей: «для нее») and sat down in a chair opposite him (и

опустилась: «села» в кресло напротив него). The movement he had made (движение, которое он сделал), the words he had spoken (слова, которые он произнес: «говорил»), were instinctive (были безотчетными: «инстинктивными») and he was a trifle abashed (и он /сам/ был слегка сконфужен). He avoided her glance (он избегал ее взгляда) and his face once more bore a sulky look (и снова на его лице было надутое угрюмое выражение; to bear (bore, born) — переносить, иметь, выдерживать; to bear look —

выглядеть). The moment was decisive (момент был решающим; decisive —

окончательный, решительный, бесспорный). For a while they were silent (какое-то мгновение, они молчали). Julia's heart beat painfully (сердце Джулии болезненно колотилось; to beat — бить, ударять, избивать), but at last she forced herself to speak (но, наконец, она заставила себя заговорить).

"Tell me (скажи мне)," she said, smiling (сказала она, улыбаясь), "have you been to bed with Avice Crichton (ты спал: «был в постели» с Эвис Крайтон)?"

"Of course not (конечно же, нет)," he cried (вскричал он). "Why not (почему же нет)? She's pretty (она миленькая)."

"She's not that sort of girl (она не такая девушка). I respect her (я уважаю ее)."

muss [mAs] pour [pO:] abashed [q'bxSt] decisive [dI'saIsIv]

"Don't do that," he said. "I do hate having my hair mussed about."

It was like a knife in her heart. He had never spoken to her in that tone before. But she laughed lightly and getting up took the whisky he had poured out for her and sat down in a chair opposite him. The movement he had made, the words he had spoken, were instinctive and he was a trifle abashed. He avoided her glance and his face once more bore a sulky look. The moment was decisive. For a while they were silent. Julia's heart beat painfully, but at last she forced herself to speak.

"Tell me," she said, smiling, "have you been to bed with Avice Crichton?" "Of course not," he cried.

"Why not? She's pretty."

"She's not that sort of girl. I respect her."

Julia let none of her feelings appear on her face (Джулия не позволила ни одному из /ее/ чувств отразится: «появиться» на /ее/ лице). Her manner was wonderfully casual (ее манера осталась: «была» удивительно небрежной); she might have been talking of the fall of empires or the death of kings (/так/ она могла бы говорить о падении империй или гибели: «смерти» королей).

"D'you know what I should have said (знаешь ли ты, что я бы сказала)? I should have said you were madly in love with her (я бы сказала, что ты безумно влюблен в нее)." He still avoided her eyes (он все еще избегал ее глаз). "Are you engaged to her by any chance (ты случайно не помолвлен ли с ней; by any chance — случайно)?"

"No."

He looked at her now (теперь он смотрел на нее), but the eyes that met Julia's

were hostile (но глаза, которые смотрели в глаза Джулии: «встретили глаза Джулии», были враждебны).

"Have you asked her to marry you (ты просил ее выйти за тебя замуж)?"

"How could I (как я могу)? A damned rotter like me (такой чертов подлец, как я)."

He spoke so passionately that Julia was astonished (он говорил с такой страстью,

что Джулия была поражена; to astonish — удивлять, изумлять). "What are you talking about (о чем это ты говоришь)?"

"Oh what's the good of beating about the bush (о, что проку в том, что ходить вокруг да около; to beat about the bush — вилять, подходить к делу издалека, bush — куст, кустарник)? How could I ask a decent girl to marry me (как я могу просить у порядочной девушки выйти за меня замуж)? I'm nothing but a kept boy (я не кто иной, как юнец на содержании) and, God knows (и, видит Бог), you have good reason to know it (у тебя все основания знать это)."

casual ['kxZVql] empire ['empaIq] hostile ['hOstaIl]

Julia let none of her feelings appear on her face. Her manner was wonderfully casual; she might have been talking of the fall of empires or the death of kings. "D'you know what I should have said? I should have said you were madly in love with her." He still avoided her eyes.

"Are you engaged to her by any chance?" "No."

He looked at her now, but the eyes that met Julia's were hostile. "Have you asked her to marry you?"

"How could I? A damned rotter like me."

He spoke so passionately that Julia was astonished. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh what's the good of beating about the bush? How could I ask a decent girl to marry me? I'm nothing but a kept boy and, God knows, you have good reason to