Maugham_Theatre_M

to have). What made me 'esitate was seeing you in the Edgware Road (что заставило меня сомневаться, так это увидеть вас на Эдвард-роуд; 'esitate = to hesitate — колебаться, не решаться). It seems so funny, if you know what I mean (это показалось таким смешным, если вы понимаете, о чем я: «если вы знаете, что я имею в виду»)."

cinema ['sInImq] jump [dZAmp] presence ['prez(q)ns]

"I wonder if he'll ask me to go to a hotel with him. I don't suppose he could afford that. A cinema. That's it. It would be rather fun."

She looked him full in the face now and very nearly smiled. He took off his hat. "Miss Lambert, isn't it?"

She almost jumped out of her skin. She was indeed so taken aback that she had not the presence of mind to deny it.

"I thought I recognized you the moment I saw you, that's why I turned back, to make sure, see, and I said to meself, if that's not Julia Lambert I'm Ramsay Macdonald. Then you stopped to look in that shop window and that give me the chance to 'ave a good look at you. What made me 'esitate was seeing you in the Edgware Road. It seems so funny, if you know what I mean."

It was much funnier than he imagined (это было гораздо смешнее, чем он мог себе вообразить). Anyhow it didn't matter (в любом случае, это не имело значения) if he knew who she was (раз: «если» уж он знал, кем она была). She ought to have guessed (ей надо было догадаться) that she couldn't go far in London without being recognized (что она не сможет уйти далеко в Лондоне,

без того, чтобы быть узнанной). He had a cockney accent and a pasty face (у

него был акцент кокни и бледное одутловатое лицо), but she gave him a jolly, friendly smile (но она улыбнулась ему веселой, дружеской улыбкой). He mustn't think she was putting on airs (он не должен думать, что она важничает; to put on airs — зазнаваться, задирать нос).

"Excuse me talking to you (извините, что я заговорил с вами), not 'aving been introduced and all that (не будучи представленным вам и все такое; 'aving = having), but I couldn't miss the opportunity (но я не мог упустить такую возможность). Will you oblige me with your autograph (не дадите ли вы мне ваш автограф; to oblige — обязывать, делать одолжение, оказывать услугу)?"

Julia caught her breath (у Джулии перехватило дыхание; to catch one's breath —

затаить дыхание, перевести дух). It couldn't be (не могло же быть так) that this was why (что из-за этого: «что это было /тем/, почему») he had followed her for ten minutes (он следовал за ней десять минут). He must have thought that up (он должно быть выдумал это; to think up — продумывать, придумывать) as an excuse for speaking to her (как повод: «отговорку», чтобы заговорить с ней). Well, she would play up (ну, она подыграет).

"I shall be delighted (с удовольствием: «буду счастлива»). But I can't very well give it you in the street (но не могу же я, /не удобно же/ давать вам его на улице). People would stare so (люди будут так пялиться)."

London ['lAndqn] opportunity ["Opq'tju:nItI] excuse [Ik'skju:s]

It was much funnier than he imagined. Anyhow it didn't matter if he knew who she was. She ought to have guessed that she couldn't go far in London without being recognized. He had a cockney accent and a pasty face, but she gave him a jolly, friendly smile. He mustn't think she was putting on airs.

"Excuse me talking to you, not 'aving been introduced and all that, but I couldn't miss the opportunity. Will you oblige me with your autograph?"

Julia caught her breath. It couldn't be that this was why he had followed her for ten minutes. He must have thought that up as an excuse for speaking to her. Well, she would play up.

"I shall be delighted. But I can't very well give it you in the street. People would stare so."

(который подбирает девушек на Эдвард-роуд).

"Before we go any further (до того, как мы продолжим: «пойдем дальше») let's 'ave this autograph, eh (давайте сделаем этот автограф, да)? Do it now, that's my motto (не откладывай: «делай это сейчас» — вот мой девиз)."

corner ['kO:nq] impudence ['ImpjVd(q)ns] autograph ['O:tqgrQ:f]

"That's right. Look here, I was just going along to 'ave my tea. There's a Lyons at the next corner. Why don't you come in and 'ave a cup too?"

She was getting on. When they'd had tea he'd probably suggest going to the pictures.

"All right," she said.

They walked along till they came to the shop and took their places at a small table. "Two teas, please, miss," he ordered. "Anything to eat?" And when Julia declined: "Scone and butter for one, miss."

Julia was able now to have a good look at him. Though stocky and short he had good features, his black hair was plastered down on his head and he had fine eyes, but his teeth were poor and his pale skin gave him an unhealthy look. There was a sort of impudence in his manner that Julia did not much like, but then, as she sensibly reflected, you could hardly expect the modesty of the violet in a young man who picked you up in the Edgware Road.

"Before we go any further let's 'ave this autograph, eh? Do it now, that's my motto."

He took a fountain pen from his pocket (он достал авторучку из своего кармана; fountain — фонтан, ключ, источник, резервуар авторучки) and from a bulging pocket-book a large card (и из разбухшей записной книжки: «бумажника» —

большую карточку; pocket — карман, сумка, деньги).

"One of our trade cards (одна из наших фирменных карточек; trade — ремесло,

торговля, клиентура)," he said. "That'll do O.K. (она подойдет отлично)."

Julia thought it silly to carry the subterfuge to this length (Джулия думала, что было глупым растягивать уловку /для знакомства с ней/ до такой длины; subterfuge — увертка, отговорка, to carry smth. to a certain condition —

доводить что-либо до какого-либо состояния), but she good-humouredly signed her name on the back of the card (но она добродушно написала свое имя на обороте карточки).

"Do you collect autographs (вы собираете автографы)?" she asked him with a subtle smile (спросила она его с нежной улыбкой).

"Me (я)? Noa (не-а). I think it's a lot of tommy rot (я думаю, что это просто чушь: «куча нелепостей»). My young lady does (моя девушка

/коллекционирует/; my young lady — моя барышня — о возлюбленной). She's got Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks and I don't know what all (у нее есть

/автографы/ Чарли Чаплина и Дугласа Фербенкса и я не знаю, кого еще: «каких всех»). Show you 'er photo if you like (покажу вам ее фото, если хотите;

'er = her)."

From his pocket-book (из своего бумажника) he extracted a snapshot of a rather pert-looking young woman (он извлек моментальный снимок довольно-таки развязно выглядевшей молодой женщины) showing all her teeth in a cinema smile (показывающей все свои зубы в киношной улыбке).

"Pretty (хорошенькая)," said Julia.

fountain ['faVntIn] bulging ['bAldZIN] snapshot ['snxpSOt]

He took a fountain pen from his pocket and from a bulging pocket-book a large card.

"One of our trade cards," he said. "That'll do O.K."

Julia thought it silly to carry the subterfuge to this length, but she goodhumouredly signed her name on the back of the card.

"Do you collect autographs?" she asked him with a subtle smile.

"Me? Noa. I think it's a lot of tommy rot. My young lady does. She's got Charlie

Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks and I don't know what all. Show you 'er photo if you like."

From his pocket-book he extracted a snapshot of a rather pert-looking young woman showing all her teeth in a cinema smile.

"Pretty," said Julia.

"And how (и какая). We're going to the pictures tonight (мы пойдем в кино сегодня вечером). She will be surprised when I give her your autograph (она будет так удивлена, когда я дам ей ваш автограф). The first thing I said to meself when I knew it was you was (первое, что я сказал себе, когда я понял,

что это были вы, так это то), I'll get Julia Lambert's autograph for Gwen or die in the attempt (что я заполучу автограф Джулии Лэмберт для Гвен или умру при попытке). We're going to get married in August (мы собираемся пожениться в августе), when I 'ave my 'oliday, you know (когда у меня будет отпуск, знаете ли; I 'ave my 'oliday = I have my holiday); we're going to the Isle of Wight for the 'oneymoon (мы собираемся на остров Уайт на медовый месяц; 'oneymoon = honeymoon). I shall 'ave a rare lot of fun with 'er over this (я хорошенько повеселюсь: «я буду иметь редкостное множество веселья» с ней по этому поводу; rare — редкий, исключительный, over — зд. указывает на предмет мысли, спора и т.д. — относительно, касательно). She won't believe me when I tell her you an' me 'ad tea together (она не поверит мне, когда я скажу ей, /что/ вы и я пили чай вместе; an' = and, 'ad = had), she'll think I'm kidding (она подумает, что я смеюсь над ней; to kid — разыгрывать, дурачить), and then I'll show 'er the autograph, see (и тогда я покажу ей автограф, понимаете)?"

Julia listened to him politely (Джулия слушала его вежливо), but the smile had left her face (но улыбка исчезла с ее лица: «покинула ее лицо»).

"I'm afraid I shall have to go in a minute (/я/ боюсь, что мне уже надо идти /через минутку/)," she said. "I'm late already (я и так уже задержалась)."

"I 'aven't got too much time meself (у меня самого тоже не много времени; 'aven't = haven't, meself = myself). You see, meeting my young lady, I want to get

away from the shop on the tick (видите ли, встречаюсь со своей /молодой/ девушкой, хочу удрать из магазина во время; tick — тиканье, удар, минута, on the tick — пунктуально, минута в минуту)."

married ['mxrId] politely [pq'laItlI] attempt [q'tempt]

"And how. We're going to the pictures tonight. She will be surprised when I give her your autograph. The first thing I said to meself when I knew it was you was, I'll get Julia Lambert's autograph for Gwen or die in the attempt. We're going to get married in August, when I 'ave my 'oliday, you know; we're going to the Isle of Wight for the 'oneymoon. I shall 'ave a rare lot of fun with 'er over this. She won't believe me when I tell her you an' me 'ad tea together, she'll think I'm kidding, and then I'll show 'er the autograph, see?"

Julia listened to him politely, but the smile had left her face.

"I'm afraid I shall have to go in a minute," she said. "I'm late already."

"I 'aven't got too much time meself. You see, meeting my young lady, I want to get away from the shop on the tick."

The check had been put on the table when the girl brought their tea (чек положили на стол, когда официантка: «девушка» принесла их чай), and when they got up Julia took a shilling out of her bag (и, когда они поднялись, Джулия достала из /своей/ сумочки шиллинг).

"What are you doing that for (за чем это вы делаете это)? You don't think I'm going to let you pay (не думаете же вы, что я собираюсь позволить вам заплатить). I invited you (я же пригласил вас)."

"That's very kind of you (очень мило с вашей стороны)."

"But I'll tell you what you can do (но я скажу вам, что вы можете сделать), let me bring my young lady to see you in your dressing-room one day (позвольте мне привести мою девушку повидаться с вами в вашей костюмерной, в ближайшие дни). Just shake 'ands with her, see (просто чтобы пожать руки,

понятно; to shake hands with smb. — здороваться или прощаться с кем-либо за руку)? It would mean a rare lot to her (это будет для нее так много значить). Why, she'd go on talking about it the rest of her life (ба, да она будет говорить об этом всю оставшуюся жизнь; the rest — остаток, остальное)."

Julia's manner had been for some minutes growing stiffer (манеры Джулии уже несколько минут становились все более чопорными; stiff — жесткий,

напряженный, холодный, церемонный) and now, though gracious still, it was almost haughty (и теперь, хотя все еще любезные, они были уже почти что высокомерными).

"I'm so sorry (мне очень жаль), but we never allow strangers behind (но мы никогда не позволяем посторонним людям /заходить/ за кулисы; behind = зд. behind the curtain)."

"Oh, sorry (о, извините). You don't mind my asking though, do you (вы же не против/не обижаетесь, что я спросил все же, так ведь)? I mean, it's not as if it was for meself (что я имею в виду, это же я не для себя)."

"Not at all (совсем нет). I quite understand (я вполне понимаю)."

shilling ['SIlIN] haughty ['hO:tI] stranger ['streIndZq]

The check had been put on the table when the girl brought their tea, and when they got up Julia took a shilling out of her bag.

"What are you doing that for? You don't think I'm going to let you pay. I invited you."

"That's very kind of you."

"But I'll tell you what you can do, let me bring my young lady to see you in your dressing-room one day. Just shake 'ands with her, see? It would mean a rare lot to her. Why, she'd go on talking about it the rest of her life."

Julia's manner had been for some minutes growing stiffer and now, though gracious still, it was almost haughty.

"I'm so sorry, but we never allow strangers behind."

"Oh, sorry. You don't mind my asking though, do you? I mean, it's not as if it was for meself."

"Not at all. I quite understand."

She signalled to a cab crawling along the kerb (она подала сигнал /рукой/ такси,

медленно двигавшемуся вдоль края тротуара; to crawl — ползти, тащиться) and gave her hand to the young man (и подала руку молодому человеку). "Good-bye, Miss Lambert (до свидания, мисс Лэмберт). So long, good luck and all that sort of thing (пока, удачи и все такое). And thanks for the autograph (и благодарю за автограф)." Julia sat in the corner of the taxi raging (Джулия сидела в углу такси в бешенстве).

"Vulgar little beast (развязная мелкая скотина). Him and his young lady (он и его молодая барышня). The nerve of asking if he could bring her to see ME (какая наглость — спрашивать не может ли он привести ее повидать МЕНЯ; nerve — нервы, нервность; присутствие духа, зд. разг. наглость, нахальство)."

When she got home she went upstairs to her room (когда она добралась до дома,

она отправилась наверх, в свою комнату). She snatched her hat off her head (она сорвала шляпку с головы; to snatch — хватать, вырывать) and flung it angrily on the bed (и швырнула ее сердито на кровать). She strode over to the looking-glass and stared at herself (она подошла к зеркалу и пристально посмотрела на себя; to stride (strode, stridden) — шагать большими шагами).

"Old, old, old (старая, старая, старая)," she muttered (пробормотала она). "There are no two ways about it (двух мнений быть не может; no two ways about it — это несомненно); I'm entirely devoid of sex appeal (у меня совершенно отсутствует сексуальная привлекательность; devoid — лишенный чего-либо,

свободный от чего-либо).

crawl [krO:l] kerb [kq:b] vulgar ['vAlgq] entirely [In'taIqlI]

She signalled to a cab crawling along the kerb and gave her hand to the young man.

"Good-bye, Miss Lambert. So long, good luck and all that sort of thing. And thanks for the autograph." Julia sat in the corner of the taxi raging.

"Vulgar little beast. Him and his young lady. The nerve of asking if he could bring her to see ME."

When she got home she went upstairs to her room. She snatched her hat off her head and flung it angrily on the bed. She strode over to the looking-glass and stared at herself.

"Old, old, old," she muttered. "There are no two ways about it; I'm entirely devoid of sex appeal.

You wouldn't believe it, would you (не поверишь в это, так)? You'd say it was preposterous (скажешь, что это бессмысленно). What other explanation is there (какое же еще тогда есть объяснение)? I walk from one end of the Edgware Road to the other (я прогуливаюсь от одного конца Эдвард-роуд до другого) and God knows I'd dressed the part perfectly (и, видит Бог, я вырядилась для этой роли идеально: «совершенно»), and not a man pays the smallest attention to me (и ни один мужчина не обращает на меня и малейшего внимания) except a bloody little shop-assistant (за исключением чертового никчемного: «мелкого» продавца) who wants my autograph for his young lady (которому нужен мой автограф для его девушки). It's absurd (это нелепо). A lot of sexless bastards (куча бесполых ублюдков). I don't know what's coming to the English (я не знаю, что будет с англичанами; to be coming to smb. — причитаться,

доставаться кому-либо). The British Empire (Британская империя)!"

The last words she said with a scorn (последние слова она произнесла с таким презрением) that would have withered a whole front bench of cabinet ministers (которое бы уничтожило целую переднюю скамью в кабинете министров; front bench — правительство, передняя скамья в палате общин, скамья

«теневого кабинета»). She began to gesticulate (она начала жестикулировать).