It seemed to take George some time to free his words. "He — would of went south," he said. "We come from north so he would of went south."

"I guess we gotta get 'im," Slim repeated.

George stepped close. "Couldn' we maybe bring him in an' they'll lock him up? He's nuts, Slim. He never done this to be mean."

Slim nodded. "We might," he said. "If we could keep Curley in, we might. But Curley's gonna want to shoot 'im. Curley's still mad about his hand. An' s'pose they lock him up an' strap him down and put him in a cage. That ain't no good, George."

"I know," said George, "I know."

Carlson came running in (вбежал Карлсон). "The bastard's stole my Luger (этот ублюдок украл мой пистолет)," he shouted (заорал он). "It ain't in my bag (его нет в мешке)." Curley followed him (Кудряш вошел следом за ним; to follow — следовать), and Curley carried a shotgun in his good hand (и Кудряш нес дробовик в здоровой руке). Curley was cold now (теперь Кудряш был спокоен: «холоден»).

"All right, you guys," he said (все в порядке, ребята, — сказал он). "The nigger's got a shotgun (у черномазого есть дробовик). You take it, Carlson (возьми его, Карлсон). When you see 'um (если увидишь его), don't give 'im no chance (не дай ему шанса). Shoot for his guts (стреляй в живот). That'll double 'im over (это свалит его; double — удваивать; сгибать/ся/; складывать/ся/)."

Whit said excitedly (Уит сказал возбужденно), "I ain't got a gun (а у меня нет ружья)."

Curley said, "You go in Soledad an' get a cop (а ты езжай в Соледад и вызови полицию: «возьми полицейского»). Get Al Wilts (найди Эла Уилтса), he's deputy sheriff (он заместитель шерифа). Le's go now (ну, пошли)." He turned suspiciously on George (он подозрительно повернулся к Джорджу). "You're comin' with us, fella (ты идешь с нами, парень)."

"Yeah," said George (да, — сказал Джордж). "I'll come. But listen, Curley (я иду, но послушай, Кудряш). The poor bastard's nuts (бедняга полоумный). Don't shoot 'im (не стреляйте в него). He di'n't know what he was doin' (он не знал, что делал)."

deputy [`depjutI], suspicious [sqs`pISqs], poor [puq]

Carlson came running in. "The bastard's stole my Luger," he shouted. "It ain't in my bag." Curley followed him, and Curley carried a shotgun in his good hand. Curley was cold now.

"All right, you guys," he said. "The nigger's got a shotgun. You take it, Carlson. When you see 'um, don't give 'im no chance. Shoot for his guts. That'll double 'im over."

Whit said excitedly, "I ain't got a gun."

Curley said, "You go in Soledad an' get a cop. Get Al Wilts, he's deputy sheriff. Le's go now." He turned suspiciously on George. "You're comin' with us, fella."

"Yeah," said George. "I'll come. But listen, Curley. The poor bastard's nuts. Don't shoot 'im. He di'n't know what he was doin'."

"Don't shoot 'im?" Curley cried (не стрелять в него? — воскликнул Кудряш). "He got Carlson's Luger (у него пистолет Карлсона). 'Course we'll shoot 'im (само собой, мы будем в него стрелять)."

George said weakly (Джордж слабо возразил: «сказал»), "Maybe Carlson lost his gun (может, Карлсон потерял свой пистолет)."

"I seen it this morning (я видел его этим утром)," said Carlson. "No, it's been took (нет, его взяли)."

Slim stood looking down at Curley's wife (Ловкий стоял и смотрел на жену Кудряша). He said, "Curley — maybe you better stay here with your wife (Кудряш, может, тебе лучше остаться здесь с женой)."

Curley's face reddened (лицо Кудряша покраснело). "I'm goin' (я иду)," he said. "I'm gonna shoot the guts outa that big bastard myself (я сам выпущу: «выбью выстрелом» этому ублюдку кишки; to shoot — стрелять), even if I only got one hand (даже если у меня только одна рука). I'm gonna get 'im (я поймаю его/доберусь до него)."

Slim turned to Candy (Ловкий повернулся к Кэнди). "You stay here with her then, Candy (тогда с ней останешься ты, Кэнди). The rest of us better get goin' (остальным лучше пойти)."

They moved away (они ушли). George stopped a moment beside Candy (Джордж на мгновенье остановился возле Кэнди) and they both looked down at the dead girl (и они оба смотрели на мертвую девушку) until Curley called (пока Кудряш не позвал), "You George! You stick with us (эй, Джордж, не отставай; to stick — липнуть; приклеиваться; to stick with — держаться кого-л., не отходить от кого-л.) so we don't think you had nothin' to do with this (чтоб мы не подумали, что ты в этом замешан)."

George moved slowly after them (Джордж медленно пошел за ними), and his feet dragged heavily (с трудом: «тяжело» волоча ноги).

And when they were gone (и когда они ушли), Candy squatted down in the hay (Кэнди сел на корточки в сено) and watched the face of Curley's wife (и всмотрелся в лицо жены Кудряша). "Poor bastard," he said softly (бедняжка, — сказал он мягко).

The sound of the men grew fainter (звук шагов: «людей» становился слабее). The barn was darkening gradually (в конюшне постепенно темнело = становилось все темнее) and, in their stalls, the horses shifted their feet (и в своих стойлах лошади переступали ногами; to shift — перемещать) and rattled the halter chains (и дребезжали цепочками на уздечках). Old Candy lay down in the hay (старый Кэнди лег в сено) and covered his eyes with his arm (и прикрыл глаза рукой).

shoot [SHt], cover [`kAvq], squat [skwOt]

"Don't shoot 'im?" Curley cried. "He got Carlson's Luger. 'Course we'll shoot 'im."

George said weakly, "Maybe Carlson lost his gun."

"I seen it this morning," said Carlson. "No, it's been took."

Slim stood looking down at Curley's wife. He said, "Curley — maybe you better stay here with your wife."

Curley's face reddened. "I'm goin'," he said. "I'm gonna shoot the guts outa that big bastard myself, even if I only got one hand. I'm gonna get 'im."

Slim turned to Candy. "You stay here with her then, Candy. The rest of us better get goin'."

They moved away. George stopped a moment beside Candy and they both looked down at the dead girl until Curley called, "You George! You stick with us so we don't think you had nothin' to do with this."

George moved slowly after them, and his feet dragged heavily.

And when they were gone, Candy squatted down in the hay and watched the face of Curley's wife. "Poor bastard," he said softly.

The sound of the men grew fainter. The barn was darkening gradually and, in their stalls, the horses shifted their feet and rattled the halter chains. Old Candy lay down in the hay and covered his eyes with his arm.

SIX (глава шестая)

The deep green pool of the Salinas River was still in the late afternoon (на глубокую зеленую заводь реки Салинас ночь еще не опустилась; late — поздний; afternoon — вторая половина дня). Already the sun had left the valley (солнце уже покинуло долину; to leave (left)) to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains (чтобы вскарабкаться по склонам гор Габилана), and the hilltops were rosy in the sun (и горные вершины розовели в /лучах/ солнца). But by the pool (но у /самой/ заводи) among the mottled sycamores (среди пятнистых сикаморов), a pleasant shade had fallen (уже лежала: «упала» приятная тень; to fall (fell; fallen)).

A water snake glided smoothly up the pool (водяная змея плавно скользнула по заводи), twisting its periscope head from side to side (вращая своей похожей на перископ головой из стороны в сторону); and it swam the length of the pool (она проплыла всю длину = через всю заводь; to swim (swam; swum)) and came to the legs of a motionless heron (и подплыла к ногам неподвижной цапли) that stood in the shallows (что стояла на мелководье). A silent head and beak lanced down (бесшумно голова с клювом метнулась вниз; to lance — бросать, метать) and plucked it out by the head (и выхватила ее /из воды/ за голову), and the beak swallowed the little snake (и клюв глотал змейку) while its tail waved frantically (в то время как хвост ее отчаянно извивался; wave — волна; взмах).

A far rush of wind sounded (где-то вдалеке поднялся ветер; rush — бросок; стремительное движение; sound — звук; to sound — звучать) and a gust drove through the tops of the trees like a wave (и волной прокатился по вершинам деревьев; gust — порыв ветра; to drive (drove; driven) — гнать; мчаться, нестись). The sycamore leaves turned up their silver sides (листья сикоморов перевернулись своей серебристой стороной), the brown, dry leaves on the ground (бурые, сухие листья на земле) scudded a few feet (отлетели на несколько футов; to scud — мчаться; лететь). And row on row of tiny wind waves (и ряд за рядом маленькие волны, поднятые ветром) flowed up the pool's green surface (покрыли зеленую поверхность водоема; to flow — струиться).

mottle [mOtl], periscope [`perIskqup], frantically [`frxntIk(q)lI]

The deep green pool of the Salinas River was still in the late afternoon. Already the sun had left the valley to go climbing up the slopes of the Gabilan Mountains, and the hilltops were rosy in the sun. But by the pool among the mottled sycamores, a pleasant shade had fallen.

A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically.

A far rush of wind sounded and a gust drove through the tops of the trees like a wave. The sycamore leaves turned up their silver sides, the brown, dry leaves on the ground scudded a few feet. And row on row of tiny wind waves flowed up the pool's green surface.

As quickly as it had come (также быстро, как и поднялся), the wind died (ветер стих; to die — умирать; затихать /о ветре, звуке/), and the clearing was quiet again (и на поляне снова стало тихо). The heron stood in the shallows (цапля стояла на мелководье), motionless and waiting (без движения, ожидая). Another little water snake swam up the pool (другая водяная змейка переплыла заводь), turning its periscope head from side to side (поворачивая из стороны в сторону свою голову-перископ).

Suddenly Lennie appeared out of the brush (внезапно из кустов появился Ленни), and he came as silently (он двигался так же тихо) as a creeping bear moves (как движется крадущийся медведь). The heron pounded the air with its wings (цапля захлопала крыльями по воздуху), jacked itself clear of the water (тяжело поднялась над водой; to jack — поднимать домкратом; clear — светлый, ясный; звонкий, отчетливый /о звуке/) and flew off down river (и полетела вниз по реке; to fly (flew; flown)). The little snake slid in (змейка ускользнула; to slide (slid)) among the reeds at the pool's side (в камыш на берегу водоема = в прибрежный камыш).

Lennie came quietly to the pool's edge (Ленни тихо подошел к кромке берега: «к краю заводи»). He knelt down and drank (он опустился на колени и напился), barely touching his lips to the water (едва касаясь губами воды). When a little bird skittered over (когда какая-то маленькая птичка прошелестела; to skitter — легко и быстро нестись) the dry leaves behind him (в сухих листьях позади него), his head jerked up (его голова дернулась) and he strained toward the sound with eyes and ears (он напряг глаза и уши = зрение и слух, /повернувшись/ в сторону звука) until he saw the bird (пока не увидел птичку), and then he dropped his head (потом опустил голову) and drank again (и снова /стал/ пить).

When he was finished (когда он закончил), he sat down on the bank (он сел на берегу), with his side to the pool (боком к воде), so that he could watch the trail's entrance (так, чтобы можно было следить за входом на тропу). He embraced his knees (он обнял колени) and laid his chin down on his knees (и положил на колени подбородок; to lay (laid)).

The light climbed on out of the valley (/солнечный/ свет покидал долину: «выкарабкивался из долины»), and as it went (и по мере того, как он уходил), the tops of the mountains seemed to blaze with increasing brightness (вершины гор, казалось, засверкали ярче: «с возрастающей яркостью»).

skitter [`skItq], jerk [GWk], increase [In`krJs]

As quickly as it had come, the wind died, and the clearing was quiet again. The heron stood in the shallows, motionless and waiting. Another little water snake swam up the pool, turning its periscope head from side to side.

Suddenly Lennie appeared out of the brush, and he came as silently as a creeping bear moves. The heron pounded the air with its wings, jacked itself clear of the water and flew off down river. The little snake slid in among the reeds at the pool's side.

Lennie came quietly to the pool's edge. He knelt down and drank, barely touching his lips to the water. When a little bird skittered over the dry leaves behind him, his head jerked up and he strained toward the sound with eyes and ears until he saw the bird, and then he dropped his head and drank again.

When he was finished, he sat down on the bank, with his side to the pool, so that he could watch the trail's entrance. He embraced his knees and laid his chin down on his knees.

The light climbed on out of the valley, and as it went, the tops of the mountains seemed to blaze with increasing brightness.

Lennie said softly (Ленни тихо сказал), "I di'n't forget, you bet, God damn (я не забыл, уж поверьте, черт побери). Hide in the brush (спрятаться в зарослях) an' wait for George (и ждать Джорджа)." He pulled his hat down low over his eyes (он натянул шляпу низко, на /самые/ глаза). "George gonna give me hell (Джордж даст мне чертей = задаст мне жару)," he said. "George gonna wish he was alone (Джордж захочет быть один) an' not have me botherin' him (и чтоб я ему не докучал; to bother — надоедать; беспокоить)." He turned his head (он повернул голову) and looked at the bright mountain tops (и взглянул на светлые вершины гор). "I can go right off there (я прямо сейчас могу уйти туда) an' find a cave (и найти пещеру)," he said. And he continued sadly (и он печально продолжал), "— an' never have no ketchup (и никогда не иметь = не есть кетчупа) — but I won't care (но мне все равно). If George don't want me (если я Джорджу не нужен)... I'll go away (я уйду). I'll go away."

And then from out of Lennie's head (и тут из головы Ленни) there came a little fat old woman (вышла маленькая пухленькая старушка; fat — толстый, тучный). She wore thick bull's-eye glasses (она носила толстые, выпуклые: «похожие на глаза быка», очки; bull's-eye — что-л. стеклянное, круглое и выгнутое: стеклянный шар /образуется при выдувании стекла/; увеличительное стекло /полусферическое или плоско-выпуклое/; иллюминатор и т.п.) and she wore a huge gingham apron with pockets (и «она носила» огромный = широкий клетчатый передник с карманами; gingham — полосатая или клетчатая хлопчатобумажная или льняная ткань), and she was starched and clean (и она вся была накрахмаленной и чистенькой). She stood in front of Lennie (она встала перед Ленни) and put her hands on her hips (руки в боки: «положила руки на бедра»), and she frowned disapprovingly at him (и нахмурившись, неодобрительно взглянула на него).

And when she spoke (и когда она говорила), it was in Lennie's voice (это был голос Ленни). "I tol' you an' tol' you (я тебе сотни раз говорила)," she said. "I tol' you (я тебе говорила), 'Min' George (слушайся Джорджа; min’ = mind; to mind — обращать внимание; слушаться) because he's such a nice fella (потому что он такой хороший парень) an' good to you (и к тебе хорошо относится).' But you don't never take no care (но ты никогда не обращал внимания). You do bad things (тебе бы только плохие вещи делать)."

And Lennie answered her (а Ленни ей отвечал), "I tried, Aunt Clara, ma'am (я пытался, тетя Клара, госпожа). I tried and tried (пытался снова и снова). I couldn't help it (но ничего не могу поделать)."

"You never give a thought to George (ты никогда не думал о Джордже)," she went on in Lennie's voice (продолжала она голосом Ленни). "He been doin' nice things for you alla time (он постоянно делал для тебя хорошее). When he got a piece of pie (если у него есть кусок пирога) you always got half or more'n half (ты всегда получаешь половину или больше; more’n = more than). An' if they was any ketchup (и если бы был кетчуп), why he'd give it all to you (он отдал бы тебе его весь)."

"I know," said Lennie miserably (я знаю, — сказал Ленни с несчастным видом). "I tried, Aunt Clara, ma'am (я пытался, тетя Клара, госпожа). I tried and tried (все время пытался)."

bull [bul], gingham [`gINqm], apron [`eIpr(q)n]

Lennie said softly, "I di'n't forget, you bet, God damn. Hide in the brush an' wait for George." He pulled his hat down low over his eyes. "George gonna give me hell," he said. "George gonna wish he was alone an' not have me botherin' him." He turned his head and looked at the bright mountain tops. "I can go right off there an' find a cave," he said. And he continued sadly, " — an' never have no ketchup — but I won't care. If George don't want me... I'll go away. I'll go away."

And then from out of Lennie's head there came a little fat old woman. She wore thick bull's-eye glasses and she wore a huge gingham apron with pockets, and she was starched and clean. She stood in front of Lennie and put her hands on her hips, and she frowned disapprovingly at him.

And when she spoke, it was in Lennie's voice. "I tol' you an' tol' you," she said. "I tol' you, 'Min' George because he's such a nice fella an' good to you.' But you don't never take no care. You do bad things."

And Lennie answered her, "I tried, Aunt Clara, ma'am. I tried and tried. I couldn't help it."

"You never give a thought to George," she went on in Lennie's voice. "He been doin' nice things for you alla time. When he got a piece of pie you always got half or more'n half. An' if they was any ketchup, why he'd give it all to you."

"I know," said Lennie miserably. "I tried, Aunt Clara, ma'am. I tried and tried."

She interrupted him (она прервала его). "All the time he coulda had such a good time (он мог бы всегда хорошо проводить время) if it wasn't for you (если б не ты). He woulda took his pay (он получил бы свою плату = свои деньги) an' raised hell in a whore house (и загудел бы в публичном доме: «поднял бы ад»), and he coulda set in a pool room (а мог бы засесть в бильярдной) an' played snooker (и играть в снукер; snooker — вид игры на бильярде). But he got to take care of you (но ему приходится о тебе заботиться)."

Lennie moaned with grief (Ленни застонал от огорчения). "I know, Aunt Clara, ma'am (я знаю, тетя Клара, госпожа). I'll go right off in the hills (я пойду в горы) an' I'll fin' a cave (найду там пещеру) an' I'll live there (и буду жить там) so I won't be no more trouble to George (и я больше не буду проблемой для Джорджа)."

"You jus' say that (ты так только говоришь)," she said sharply (сказала она резко). "You're always sayin' that (ты всегда это говоришь), an' you know sonofabitching well (а сам чертовски хорошо знаешь; sonofabitch = son of a bitch — сукин сын) you ain't never gonna do it (ты никогда этого не сделаешь). You'll jus' stick around (ты будешь рядом ошиваться; to stick around — не уходить; слоняться поблизости) an' stew the b'Jesus outa George all the time (и все время мучить Джорджа; to stew — тушить, варить; мучить /разг./)."

grief [grJf], moan [mqun], stew [stjH]

She interrupted him. "All the time he coulda had such a good time if it wasn't for you. He woulda took his pay an' raised hell in a whore house, and he coulda set in a pool room an' played snooker. But he got to take care of you."

Lennie moaned with grief. "I know, Aunt Clara, ma'am. I'll go right off in the hills an' I'll fin' a cave an' I'll live there so I won't be no more trouble to George."

"You jus' say that," she said sharply. "You're always sayin' that, an' you know sonofabitching well you ain't never gonna do it. You'll jus' stick around an' stew the b'Jesus outa George all the time."

Lennie said, "I might jus' as well go away (я мог бы прямо сейчас уйти). George ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits now (теперь Джордж не позволит мне ухаживать за кроликами)."

Aunt Clara was gone (тетка Клара исчезла: «ушла»), and from out of Lennie's head there came a gigantic rabbit (а из головы Ленни выпрыгнул гигантский кролик). It sat on its haunches in front of him (он сел на задние лапы перед ним; haunch — бедро; задняя часть), and it waggled its ears (пошевелил: «покачал» ушами) and crinkled its nose at him (и сморщил нос «на него»). And it spoke in Lennie's voice too (и тоже заговорил голосом Ленни).

"Tend rabbits (присматривать за кроликами)," it said scornfully (сказал он насмешливо; scorn — презрение; насмешка). "You crazy bastard (ты, дурак полоумный). You ain't fit to lick the boots of no rabbit (ты не годишься, чтобы кроликам ботинки лизать; fit — подходящий, годный). You'd forget 'em (ты забудешь о них) and let 'em go hungry (и они будут ходить голодными). That's what you'd do (вот что ты сделаешь). An' then what would George think (и тогда, что подумает Джордж)?"

"I would not forget (я не забуду)," Lennie said loudly (сказал Ленни громко).

"The hell you wouldn' (черта с два не забудешь)," said the rabbit (сказал кролик). "You ain't worth a greased jack-pin (ты не стоишь грязного гвоздя; to grease — пачкать, загрязнять; pin — булавка; /редк./ гвоздь) to ram you into hell (которыми тебя будут прибивать в аду; to ram — трамбовать; вбивать, вколачивать). Christ knows (видит Бог: «Христос знает») George done ever'thing he could (Джордж сделал все) to jack you outa the sewer (чтобы вытащить тебя из грязи: «сточной трубы»; to jack — поднимать домкратом), but it don't do no good (но из этого не вышло: «не сделалось» ничего хорошего). If you think George gonna let you tend rabbits (если ты думаешь, что Джордж позволит тебе присматривать за кроликами), you're even crazier'n usual (ты даже больше сумасшедший, чем обычно; crazier'n = crazier than). He ain't (он не /позволит/). He's gonna beat hell outa you with a stick (он выбьет из тебя дурь палкой), that's what he's gonna do (вот что он сделает)."

Now Lennie retorted belligerently (Ленни агрессивно возразил; belligerent — агрессивный, воинственный), "He ain't neither (не сделает он /этого/). George won't do nothing like that (Джордж ничего такого не сделает). I've knew George since (я знаю Джорджа с тех пор) — I forget when (я забыл, с каких) — and he ain't never raised his han' to me with a stick (и он никогда не поднимал на меня руку с палкой). He's nice to me (он хорошо ко мне относится). He ain't gonna be mean (он не будет злиться)."

"Well, he's sick of you (ну да, он устал от тебя; sick — больной; уставший)," said the rabbit. "He's gonna beat hell outa you (он выбьет из тебя чертей) an' then go away an' leave you (а потом уйдет и бросит тебя; to leave — оставлять, покидать)."

gigantic [GaI`gxntIk], crinkle [krINkl], belligerent [bI`lIGqr(q)nt]

Lennie said, "I might jus' as well go away. George ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits now."

Aunt Clara was gone, and from out of Lennie's head there came a gigantic rabbit. It sat on its haunches in front of him, and it waggled its ears and crinkled its nose at him. And it spoke in Lennie's voice too.

"Tend rabbits," it said scornfully. "You crazy bastard. You ain't fit to lick the boots of no rabbit. You'd forget 'em and let 'em go hungry. That's what you'd do. An' then what would George think?"

"I would not forget," Lennie said loudly.

"The hell you wouldn'," said the rabbit. "You ain't worth a greased jack-pin to ram you into hell. Christ knows George done ever'thing he could to jack you outa the sewer, but it don't do no good. If you think George gonna let you tend rabbits, you're even crazier'n usual. He ain't. He's gonna beat hell outa you with a stick, that's what he's gonna do."

Now Lennie retorted belligerently, "He ain't neither. George won't do nothing like that. I've knew George since — I forget when — and he ain't never raised his han' to me with a stick. He's nice to me. He ain't gonna be mean."

"Well, he's sick of you," said the rabbit. "He's gonna beat hell outa you an' then go away an' leave you."

"He won't," Lennie cried frantically (он не /будет этого делать/, — заорал Ленни яростно). "He won't do nothing like that (он не сделает ничего такого). I know George (я знаю Джорджа). Me an' him travels together (мы с ним всегда вместе; to travel — путешествовать, странствовать)."

But the rabbit repeated softly over and over (но кролик спокойно повторял снова и снова), "He gonna leave you (он бросит тебя), ya crazy bastard (дурень ты проклятый). He gonna leave ya all alone (он оставит тебя совершенно одного). He gonna leave ya, crazy bastard (он бросит тебя, дурень полоумный)."

Lennie put his hands over his ears (Ленни закрыл на уши ладонями). "He ain't (не бросит), I tell ya he ain't (говорю тебе, не бросит)." And he cried, "Oh! George — George — George (и он закричал: о, Джордж)!"

George came quietly out of the brush (Джордж тихо вышел из зарослей) and the rabbit scuttled (и кролик поспешно убрался; scuttle — стремительное бегство) back into Lennie's brain (назад в мозг Ленни).

George said quietly (Джордж тихо спросил), "What the hell you yellin' about (какого черта ты кричишь)?"

Lennie got up on his knees (Ленни приподнялся «на колени»). "You ain't gonna leave me (ты не бросишь меня), are ya, George (верно, Джордж)? I know you ain't (я знаю, ты не /бросишь/)."

George came stiffly near (Джордж подошел ближе на негнущихся /ногах/; stiff — тугой, негибкий) and sat down beside him (и сел рядом с ним). "No (нет)."

"I knowed it," Lennie cried (я знал это, — воскликнул Ленни). "You ain't that kind (ты не такой: «не такого сорта»)."

George was silent (Джордж молчал).

Lennie said, "George (Ленни сказал, Джордж)."

"Yeah (да)?"

"I done another bad thing (я сделал еще одну плохую вещь)."

"It don't make no difference (это не важно)," George said (сказал Джордж), and he fell silent again (и замолчал снова; to fall (fell; fallen) — падать; употребляется как глагол-связка: становиться, перейти в определенное состояние; silent — безмолвный).

Only the topmost ridges were in the sun now (только самые вершины горного хребта были сейчас /освещены/ солнцем). The shadow in the valley was blue and soft (полумрак в долине был голубоватый и мягкий; shadow — тень; полумрак). From the distance came the sound of men (издалека донесся звук людей = донеслись голоса) shouting to one another (перекликающиеся между собой: «кричащие друг другу»). George turned his head (Джордж повернул голову) and listened to the shouts (и прислушался к крикам).

scuttle [skAtl], ridge [rIG], shout [Saut]

"He won't," Lennie cried frantically. "He won't do nothing like that. I know George. Me an' him travels together."

But the rabbit repeated softly over and over, "He gonna leave you, ya crazy bastard. He gonna leave ya all alone. He gonna leave ya, crazy bastard."

Lennie put his hands over his ears. "He ain't, I tell ya he ain't." And he cried, "Oh! George — George — George!"

George came quietly out of the brush and the rabbit scuttled back into Lennie's brain.

George said quietly, "What the hell you yellin' about?"

Lennie got up on his knees. "You ain't gonna leave me, are ya, George? I know you ain't."

George came stiffly near and sat down beside him. "No."

"I knowed it," Lennie cried. "You ain't that kind."

George was silent.

Lennie said, "George."

"Yeah?"

"I done another bad thing."

"It don't make no difference," George said, and he fell silent again.

Only the topmost ridges were in the sun now. The shadow in the valley was blue and soft. From the distance came the sound of men shouting to one another. George turned his head and listened to the shouts.

Lennie said, "George."

"Yeah?"

"Ain't you gonna give me hell (ты собираешься дать мне чертей: «ад» = собираешься показать мне, где раки зимуют, отругать меня)?"

"Give ya hell (дать тебе чертей)?"

"Sure, like you always done before (конечно, как ты раньше всегда делал). Like (что-то вроде), 'If I di'n't have you (если б у меня не было тебя) I'd take my fifty bucks (я бы взял свои пятьдесят зеленых) —'"

"Jesus Christ, Lennie (Господи, Ленни)! You can't remember nothing that happens (ты не можешь запомнить ничего, что происходит), but you remember ever' word I say (зато ты помнишь каждое слово, что я говорю)."

"Well, ain't you gonna say it (ну и ты не собираешься это сказать)?"

George shook himself (Джордж встряхнулся; to shake (shook; shaken) — трясти). He said woodenly (он сказал безжизненным /голосом/; wooden — деревянный), "If I was alone (если бы я был один) I could live so easy (мне бы так легко жилось)." His voice was monotonous (его голос был монотонным), had no emphasis (без выразительности). "I could get a job (я мог бы получить работу) an' not have no mess (и не имел бы неприятностей)." He stopped (он замолчал).

"Go on," said Lennie (продолжай, — сказал Ленни). "An' when the enda the month come (а когда пришел бы конец месяца; enda = end of) —"

"An' when the end of the month came (а когда пришел бы конец месяца) I could take my fifty bucks (я мог бы взять свои пятьдесят зеленых) an' go to a... cat house (и пойти в бордель)..." He stopped again (он снова умолк).

Lennie looked eagerly at him (Ленни нетерпеливо посмотрел на него). "Go on, George (продолжай, Джордж). Ain't you gonna give me no more hell (разве ты не дашь мне еще чертей)?"

"No," said George.

"Well, I can go away (что ж, я могу уйти)," said Lennie. "I'll go right off in the hills (я пойду прямо в горы) an' find a cave (и найду пещеру) if you don' want me (если я тебе не нужен)."

George shook himself again (Джордж снова встряхнулся). "No," he said. "I want you to stay with me here (я хочу, чтоб ты остался со мной здесь)."

Lennie said craftily (Ленни сказал хитро; craft — ремесло; ловкость, умение, искусство; сноровка; хитрость) — "Tell me like you done before (скажи, как говорил раньше)."

"Tell you what (что сказать)?"

"'Bout the other guys an' about us (о других и о нас)."

monotonous [mq`nOtnqs], emphasis [`emfqsIs], craftily [`krRftIlI]

Lennie said, "George."

"Yeah?"

"Ain't you gonna give me hell?"

"Give ya hell?"

"Sure, like you always done before. Like, 'If I di'n't have you I'd take my fifty bucks-'"

"Jesus Christ, Lennie! You can't remember nothing that happens, but you remember ever' word I say."

"Well, ain't you gonna say it?"

George shook himself. He said woodenly, "If I was alone I could live so easy." His voice was monotonous, had no emphasis. "I could get a job an' not have no mess." He stopped.

"Go on," said Lennie. "An' when the enda the month come-"

"An' when the end of the month came I could take my fifty bucks an' go to a... cat house..." He stopped again.

Lennie looked eagerly at him. "Go on, George. Ain't you gonna give me no more hell?"

"No," said George.

"Well, I can go away," said Lennie. "I'll go right off in the hills an' find a cave if you don' want me."

George shook himself again. "No," he said. "I want you to stay with me here."

Lennie said craftily — "Tell me like you done before."

"Tell you what?"

"'Bout the other guys an' about us."

George said, "Guys like us got no fambly (парни, такие, как мы, не имеют семьи). They make a little stake (заработают немного денег) an' then they blow it in (а потом все продувают). They ain't got nobody in the worl' (у них нет никого в целом мире) that gives a hoot in hell about 'em (кто их хоть немножко любит: «кому они хоть чуточку небезразличны»; hoot — малая толика, малое количество; about — /значение темы разговора, предмета забот и т. п./ о, насчет, на тему, касательно) —"

"But not us," Lennie cried happily (мы — другое дело: «но не мы», — счастливо воскликнул Ленни). "Tell about us now (расскажи-ка про нас)."

George was quiet for a moment (Джордж мгновенье помолчал). "But not us (мы — другое дело)," he said.

"Because (потому что) —"

"Because I got you an' (потому что у меня есть ты, а) —"

"An' I got you (а у меня есть ты). We got each other (мы есть друг у друга), that's what, that gives a hoot in hell about us (это дает нам чертовски много; to pay/give a hoot — придавать значение/смысл)," Lennie cried in triumph (воскликнул Ленни с торжеством; triumph — триумф; торжество).

The little evening breeze (легкий вечерний ветерок: «бриз») blew over the clearing (пронесся по поляне; to blow (blew; blown) — дуть) and the leaves rustled (зашелестели листья) and the wind waves flowed up the green pool (и волны, /поднятые ветром/ прокатились по зеленой заводи). And the shouts of men sounded again (снова раздались: «прозвучали» крики «мужчин»), this time much closer than before (в это раз намного ближе, чем раньше).

George took off his hat (Джордж снял шляпу). He said shakily (он сказал дрожащим голосом; shaky — трясущийся; дрожащий), "Take off your hat, Lennie (сними шляпу, Ленни). The air feels fine (почувствуй, какой чудесный воздух: «воздух ощущается прекрасным»)."

Lennie removed his hat dutifully (Ленни послушно снял шляпу; dutiful — исполнительный, покорный; duty — долг) and laid it on the ground in front of him (и положил ее перед собой на землю). The shadow in the valley was bluer (тени в долине сгустились: «стали более синими»), and the evening came fast (и быстро наступил вечер). On the wind the sound of crashing in the brush came to them (ветер донес до них треск кустов: «по ветру до них донесся звук ломаемых кустов»).

Lennie said, "Tell how it's gonna be (расскажи, как это будет)."

George had been listening to the distant sounds (Джордж прислушивался к звукам вдалеке: «к дальним звукам»). For a moment he was businesslike (на мгновение он сосредоточился; businesslike — деловитый; исполнительный). "Look acrost the river, Lennie (смотри на ту сторону реки = на тот берег, Ленни; acrost = across), an' I'll tell you (а я буду рассказывать) so you can almost see it (и ты почти увидишь это /своими глазами/)."

triumph [`traIqmf], dutiful [`djHtIful], distant [`dIst(q)nt]

George said, "Guys like us got no fambly. They make a little stake an' then they blow it in. They ain't got nobody in the worl' that gives a hoot in hell about 'em-"

"But not us," Lennie cried happily. "Tell about us now."

George was quiet for a moment. "But not us," he said.

"Because —"

"Because I got you an' —"

"An' I got you. We got each other, that's what, that gives a hoot in hell about us," Lennie cried in triumph.

The little evening breeze blew over the clearing and the leaves rustled and the wind waves flowed up the green pool. And the shouts of men sounded again, this time much closer than before.

George took off his hat. He said shakily, "Take off your hat, Lennie. The air feels fine."

Lennie removed his hat dutifully and laid it on the ground in front of him. The shadow in the valley was bluer, and the evening came fast. On the wind the sound of crashing in the brush came to them.

Lennie said, "Tell how it's gonna be."

George had been listening to the distant sounds. For a moment he was businesslike. "Look acrost the river, Lennie, an' I'll tell you so you can almost see it."

Lennie turned his head (Ленни повернул голову) and looked off across the pool (и /стал/ смотреть через заводь) and up the darkening slopes of the Gabilans (на темнеющие склоны /гор/ Габилана). "We gonna get a little place (у нас будет маленькая ферма)," George began (начал Джордж). He reached in his side pocket (он полез в свой боковой карман) and brought out Carlson's Luger (и достал "Люгер" Карлсона); he snapped off the safety (он щелкнул предохранителем; safety — безопасность; сохранность), and the hand and gun lay (а рука с пистолетом /уже/ лежали) on the ground behind Lennie's back (на земле позади «спины» Ленни). He looked at the back of Lennie's head (он взглянул на затылок Ленни), at the place where the spine and skull were joined (на то место, где соединяются позвоночник с черепом).

A man's voice called from up the river (со стороны реки донесся мужской голос), and another man answered (и другой «мужчина» отозвался).

"Go on," said Lennie (продолжай, — сказал Ленни).

George raised the gun (Джордж поднял пистолет) and his hand shook (его рука задрожала; to shake (shook; shaken)), and he dropped his hand to the ground again (и он снова уронил руку на землю).

"Go on," said Lennie (продолжай, — сказал Ленни). "How's it gonna be (как это будет). We gonna get a little place (у нас будет маленькая ферма)."

"We'll have a cow (у нас будет корова)," said George. "An' we'll have maybe a pig (и, может быть, поросенок) an' chickens (и куры)... an' down the flat (а внизу на равнине = на лугу) we'll have a... little piece alfalfa (у нас будет маленький участок с люцерной) —"

"For the rabbits," Lennie shouted (для кроликов, — закричал Ленни).

"For the rabbits," George repeated (для кроликов, — повторил Джордж).

"And I get to tend the rabbits (и мне придется за ними ухаживать)."

"An' you get to tend the rabbits (и тебе придется за ними ухаживать)."

safety [`seIftI], spine [spaIn], ground [graund]

Lennie turned his head and looked off across the pool and up the darkening slopes of the Gabilans. "We gonna get a little place," George began. He reached in his side pocket and brought out Carlson's Luger; he snapped off the safety, and the hand and gun lay on the ground behind Lennie's back. He looked at the back of Lennie's head, at the place where the spine and skull were joined.

A man's voice called from up the river, and another man answered.

"Go on," said Lennie.

George raised the gun and his hand shook, and he dropped his hand to the ground again.

"Go on," said Lennie. "How's it gonna be. We gonna get a little place."

"We'll have a cow," said George. "An' we'll have maybe a pig an' chickens... an' down the flat we'll have a... little piece alfalfa —"

"For the rabbits," Lennie shouted.

"For the rabbits," George repeated.

"And I get to tend the rabbits."

"An' you get to tend the rabbits."

Lennie giggled with happiness (Ленни счастливо захихикал). "An' live on the fatta the lan' (и жить плодами своего труда)."

"Yes."

Lennie turned his head (Ленни повернул голову).

"No, Lennie (нет, Ленни). Look down there acrost the river (смотри туда через реку), like you can almost see the place (так ты почти сможешь увидеть ту ферму)."

Lennie obeyed him (Ленни повиновался). George looked down at the gun (Джордж посмотрел на пистолет).

There were crashing footsteps in the brush now (в кустах послышался треск, затем шаги). George turned and looked toward them (Джордж обернулся и посмотрел в ту сторону).

"Go on, George (продолжай, Джордж). When we gonna do It (когда мы это сделаем)?"

"Gonna do it soon (скоро сделаем)."

"Me an' you (я и ты)."

"You... an' me (ты и я). Ever'body gonna be nice to you (каждый к тебе будет хорошо относиться). Ain't gonna be no more trouble (не будет никаких неприятностей). Nobody gonna hurt nobody (никто не причинит зла другому) nor steal from 'em (и ничего у него не украдет)."

Lennie said, "I thought you was mad at me, George (я думал, ты злишься на меня, Джордж; to think (thought))."

"No," said George (нет, — сказал Джордж). "No, Lennie. I ain't mad (нет, Ленни, я не злюсь). I never been mad (никогда не злился), an' I ain't now (и сейчас не злюсь). That's a thing I want ya to know (я хочу, чтоб ты это знал)."

The voices came close now (голоса теперь были совсем близко). George raised the gun (Джордж поднял пистолет) and listened to the voices (и прислушался к голосам).

Lennie begged (Ленни взмолился), "Le's do it now (давай сделаем это сейчас). Le's get that place now (давай сейчас купим ферму)."

"Sure, right now (конечно, прямо сейчас). I gotta. We gotta (я, мы…)."

obey [q`beI], giggle [gIgl], raise [reIz]

Lennie giggled with happiness. "An' live on the fatta the lan'."

"Yes."

Lennie turned his head.

"No, Lennie. Look down there acrost the river, like you can almost see the place."

Lennie obeyed him. George looked down at the gun.

There were crashing footsteps in the brush now. George turned and looked toward them.

"Go on, George. When we gonna do it?"

"Gonna do it soon."

"Me an' you."

"You... an' me. Ever'body gonna be nice to you. Ain't gonna be no more trouble. Nobody gonna hurt nobody nor steal from 'em."

Lennie said, "I thought you was mad at me, George."

"No," said George. "No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know."

The voices came close now. George raised the gun and listened to the voices.

Lennie begged, "Le's do it now. Le's get that place now."

"Sure, right now. I gotta. We gotta."

And George raised the gun and steadied it (Джордж поднял пистолет, и придал ему устойчивое положение; steady — устойчивый), and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head (и наставил ствол совсем близко к затылку Ленни). The hand shook violently (рука сильно тряслась), but his face set (но лицо было решительным) and his hand steadied (и он совладал с дрожью). He pulled the trigger (он нажал на курок). The crash of the shot rolled up the hills (треск выстрела прокатился по горам) and rolled down again (затем снова скатился назад). Lennie jarred (Ленни дернулся; to jar — вызывать дрожание; сотрясать), and then settled slowly forward to the sand (затем медленно повалился вперед: «осел вперед» на песок), and he lay without quivering (и лежал не двигаясь; to quiver — дрожать; трястись).

George shivered and looked at the gun (Джордж вздрогнул и посмотрел на пистолет), and then he threw it from him (потом отбросил его от себя), back up on the bank, near the pile of old ashes (на берег рядом с кучей старой золы).

The brush seemed filled with cries (казалось, заросли наполнились криками) and with the sound of running feet (и звуком = топотом бегущих ног). Slim's voice shouted (раздался голос Ловкого; to shout — кричать). "George. Where you at, George (Джордж, ты где, Джордж)?"

But George sat stiffly on the bank (но Джордж сидел без движения на берегу) and looked at his right hand (и смотрел на свою правую руку) that had thrown the gun away (что отшвырнула пистолет). The group burst into the clearing (внезапно на поляне появились люди; group — группа; to burst — лопаться; внезапно появляться), and Curley was ahead (впереди был Кудряш). He saw Lennie lying on the sand (он увидел Ленни, лежащего на песке). "Got him, by God (попал, ей-богу)." He went over and looked down at Lennie (он, наклонившись, взглянул на Ленни), and then he looked back at George (потом снова посмотрел на Джорджа). "Right in the back of the head (прямо в затылок)," he said softly (сказал он тихо).

Slim came directly to George (тут и Ловкий подошел к Джорджу; directly — прямо; скоро, вскоре) and sat down beside him (и сел рядом с ним), sat very close to him (сел очень близко к нему). "Never you mind," said Slim (не бери в голову). "A guy got to sometimes (иногда приходится /так поступать/)."

muzzle [mAzl], trigger [`trIgq], quiver [`kwIvq]

And George raised the gun and steadied it, and he brought the muzzle of it close to the back of Lennie's head. The hand shook violently, but his face set and his hand steadied. He pulled the trigger. The crash of the shot rolled up the hills and rolled down again. Lennie jarred, and then settled slowly forward to the sand, and he lay without quivering.

George shivered and looked at the gun, and then he threw it from him, back up on the bank, near the pile of old ashes.

The brush seemed filled with cries and with the sound of running feet. Slim's voice shouted. "George. Where you at, George?"

But George sat stiffly on the bank and looked at his right hand that had thrown the gun away. The group burst into the clearing, and Curley was ahead. He saw Lennie lying on the sand. "Got him, by God." He went over and looked down at Lennie, and then he looked back at George. "Right in the back of the head," he said softly.

Slim came directly to George and sat down beside him, sat very close to him. "Never you mind," said Slim. "A guy got to sometimes."

But Carlson was standing over George (но Карлсон стоял над Джорджем). "How'd you do it?" he asked (как ты это сделал, — спросил он).

"I just done it (просто сделал, /и все/)," George said tiredly (сказал Джордж устало).

"Did he have my gun (у него был мой пистолет)?"

"Yeah. He had your gun (да, у него был твой пистолет)."

"An' you got it away from him (а ты отнял его у него) and you took it an' you killed him (взял да убил его)?"

"Yeah. Tha's how (да, вот так)." George's voice was almost a whisper (голос Джорджа почти перешел в шепот). He looked steadily at his right hand (он стоял и смотрел на свою правую руку) that had held the gun (которая перед этим держала пистолет).

Slim twitched George's elbow (Ловкий потянул: «дернул» Джорджа за локоть). "Come on, George (пойдем, Джордж). Me an' you'll go in an' get a drink (мы с тобой пойдем выпьем)."

George let himself be helped to his feet (Джордж позволил, чтобы его подняли на ноги). "Yeah, a drink (да, выпьем)."

Slim said, "You hadda, George (ты был вынужден /это сделать/, Джордж; hadda = had to). I swear you hadda (клянусь, был вынужден). Come on with me (пойдем со мной)." He led George into the entrance of the trail (он повел Джорджа к выходу на тропу; to lead (led); entrance — вход) and up toward the highway (и /дальше/ по направлению к шоссе).

Curley and Carlson looked after them (Кудряш и Карлсон смотрели им вслед). And Carlson said (и Карлсон сказал), "Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin' them two guys (чего это они сами не свои: «что за чертовщина гложет этих двух парней»)?"

twitch [twIC], swear [sweq], entrance [`entr(q)ns]

But Carlson was standing over George. "How'd you do it?" he asked.

"I just done it," George said tiredly.

"Did he have my gun?"

"Yeah. He had your gun."

"An' you got it away from him and you took it an' you killed him?"

"Yeah. Tha's how." George's voice was almost a whisper. He looked steadily at his right hand that had held the gun.

Slim twitched George's elbow. "Come on, George. Me an' you'll go in an' get a drink."

George let himself be helped to his feet. "Yeah, a drink."

Slim said, "You hadda, George. I swear you hadda. Come on with me." He led George into the entrance of the trail and up toward the highway.

Curley and Carlson looked after them. And Carlson said, "Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin' them two guys?"

THE END (конец)