It was almost dark outside now. Old Candy, the swamper, came in and went to his bunk, and behind him struggled his old dog. "Hello, Slim. Hello, George. Didn't neither of you play horseshoes?"

"I don't like to play ever' night," said Slim.

Candy went on, "Either you guys got a slug of whisky? I gotta gut ache."

"I ain't," said Slim. "I'd drink it myself if I had, an' I ain't got a gut ache neither."

"Gotta bad gut ache," said Candy. "Them God damn turnips give it to me. I knowed they was going to before I ever eat 'em."

The thick-bodied Carlson came in (вошел коренастый Карлсон; thick — толстый; плотного телосложения; body — тело; туловище) out of the darkening yard (из темноты двора). He walked to the other end of the bunk house (он прошел к другому концу барака) and turned on the second shaded light (и включил вторую лампочку, затененную /абажуром/ = второй светильник). "Darker'n hell in here," he said (темнее, чем в аду, — сказал он; darker’n = darker than). "Jesus, how that nigger can pitch shoes (Господи, как же этот ниггер умеет бросать подкову; to pitch — смолить; бросать, кидать /спорт./)."

"He's plenty good," said Slim (/да/, он довольно хорош).

"Damn right he is (чертовски хорош)," said Carlson. "He don't give nobody else a chance to win (никому другому не оставляет шанса выиграть) —" He stopped and sniffed the air (он остановился и принюхался), and still sniffing (и все еще принюхиваясь), looked down at the old dog (посмотрел на старого пса). "God awmighty (Боже всемогущий), that dog stinks (эта псина воняет). Get him outa here, Candy (выгони его отсюда; outa = out of)! I don't know nothing (я не знаю ничего) that stinks as bad as an old dog (что воняло бы также сильно, как старая собака). You gotta get him out (тебе придется его выгнать)."

Candy rolled to the edge of his bunk (Кэнди перекатился на край койки). He reached over and patted the ancient dog (он протянул руку и потрепал: «постучал» старого пса), and he apologized (и сказал виновато; to apologize — извиняться), "I been around him so much (я так много = долго нахожусь с ним) I never notice how he stinks (и никогда не замечал, чтоб от него воняло)."

"Well, I can't stand him in here (ну, я не потерплю его здесь; can’t stand — не выносить /устойчивое словосочетание/)," said Carlson. "That stink hangs around (эта вонь стоит: «висит» повсюду) even after he's gone (даже после того, как он уходит)." He walked over with his heavy-legged stride (он подошел тяжелой походкой «тяжелыми ногами»; stride — большой шаг; походка) and looked down at the dog (и посмотрел «вниз» на пса). "Got no teeth," he said (зубов нет, — сказал он). "He's all stiff with rheumatism (весь одеревенел от ревматизма; stiff — тугой, негибкий, неэластичный, жесткий; окостеневший, одеревенелый). He ain't no good to you, Candy (на кой он тебе сдался: «он не хорош для тебя», Кэнди). An' he ain't no good to himself (и он уж сам себе не рад). Why'n't you shoot him, Candy (почему бы тебе не пристрелить его, Кэнди; why’n’t = why don’t)?"

The old man squirmed uncomfortably (старик беспокойно заерзал; to squirm — извиваться; ерзать; uncomfortably — неудобно; тревожно). "Well — hell (да черта с два)! I had him so long (он у меня очень давно). Had him since he was a pup (с тех пор, как был щенком). I herded sheep with him (я с ним овец пас)." He said proudly (он сказал гордо), "You wouldn't think it (вы бы никогда этого не подумали) to look at him now (поглядев на него сейчас), but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen (но это была лучшая овчарка, которую я когда-либо видал)."

George said, "I seen a guy in Weed (Джордж сказал: знавал: «видел» я парня в Уиде) that had an Airedale could herd sheep (у него был эрдельтерьер, который мог пасти овец). Learned it from the other dogs (научился от других собак)."

apologize [q`pOlq"GaIz], rheumatism [`rHmqtIzm], Airedale [`eqdeIl]

The thick-bodied Carlson came in out of the darkening yard. He walked to the other end of the bunk house and turned on the second shaded light. "Darker'n hell in here," he said. "Jesus, how that nigger can pitch shoes."

"He's plenty good," said Slim.

"Damn right he is," said Carlson. "He don't give nobody else a chance to win-" He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing, looked down at the old dog. "God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy! I don't know nothing that stinks as bad as an old dog. You gotta get him out."

Candy rolled to the edge of his bunk. He reached over and patted the ancient dog, and he apologized, "I been around him so much I never notice how he stinks."

"Well, I can't stand him in here," said Carlson. "That stink hangs around even after he's gone." He walked over with his heavy-legged stride and looked down at the dog. "Got no teeth," he said. "He's all stiff with rheumatism. He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why'n't you shoot him, Candy?"

The old man squirmed uncomfortably. "Well — hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him." He said proudly, "You wouldn't think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen."

George said, "I seen a guy in Weed that had an Airedale could herd sheep. Learned it from the other dogs."

Carlson was not to be put off (но от Карлсона нелегко было отделаться; to put (put) off — выпускать; избавиться, отделаться). "Look, Candy (послушай, Кэнди). This ol' dog jus' suffers hisself all the time (этот пес сам все время мучается; ol' = old; hisself = himself /разг./). If you was to take him out (ты бы вывел его на двор) and shoot him right in the back of the head (и выстрелил бы ему прямо в затылок) —" he leaned over and pointed (он наклонился и ткнул пальцем), "— right there (прямо сюда), why he'd never know what hit him (да он бы никогда не узнал, что его укокошило; to hit — ударять; убивать)."

Candy looked about unhappily (Кэнди огляделся с несчастным видом). "No," he said softly (нет, — сказал он тихо). "No, I couldn't do that (нет, я не смог бы этого сделать). I had 'im too long (он у меня очень давно)."

"He don't have no fun (он сам себе не рад)," Carlson insisted (настаивал Карлсон). "And he stinks to beat hell (и от него воняет так, что черта колотит = можно ад на уши поставить). Tell you what (вот что скажу тебе = послушай). I'll shoot him for you (/давай-ка/ я застрелю его вместо тебя). Then it won't be you that does it (избавлю тебя: «это будешь не ты, кто сделает это»)."

Candy threw his legs off his bunk (Кэнди сбросил ноги с койки). He scratched the white stubble whiskers on his cheek nervously (он нервно поскреб седую щетину на щеках). "I'm so used to him," he said softly (я так к нему привык; to be used to — привыкнуть к кому-л./чему-л.). "I had him from a pup (он у меня /с тех пор как был/ щенком)."

"Well, you ain't bein' kind to him (ты же мучаешь его: «ты не добр к нему») keepin' him alive," said Carlson (оставляя его в живых, — сказал Карлсон). "Look, Slim's bitch got a litter right now (послушай, у собаки Ловкого сейчас щенки; litter — приплод, помет /животного/). I bet Slim would give you one of them pups to raise up, wouldn't you, Slim (уверен, Ловкий дал бы тебе одного из щенков на воспитание, верно, Ловкий)?"

lean [lJn], insist [In`sIst], stubble [stAbl]

Carlson was not to be put off. "Look, Candy. This ol' dog jus' suffers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head-" he leaned over and pointed, "-right there, why he'd never know what hit him."

Candy looked about unhappily. "No," he said softly. "No, I couldn't do that. I had 'im too long."

"He don't have no fun," Carlson insisted. "And he stinks to beat hell. Tell you what. I'll shoot him for you. Then it won't be you that does it."

Candy threw his legs off his bunk. He scratched the white stubble whiskers on his cheek nervously. "I'm so used to him," he said softly. "I had him from a pup."

"Well, you ain't bein' kind to him keepin' him alive," said Carlson. "Look, Slim's bitch got a litter right now. I bet Slim would give you one of them pups to raise up, wouldn't you, Slim?"

The skinner had been studying the old dog with his calm eyes (погонщик изучал собаку спокойным взглядом). "Yeah," he said (да, — сказал он). "You can have a pup if you want to (можешь взять щенка, если хочешь)." He seemed to shake himself free for speech (казалось, он все непринужденнее вел разговор: «встряхивался для разговора»; free — свободно; непринужденно). "Carl's right, Candy (Карлсон прав, Кэнди). That dog ain't no good to himself (пес сам себе в тягость). I wisht somebody'd shoot me (хотел бы я, чтоб кто-то меня пристрелил) if I get old an' a cripple (ежели стану старым да ущербным; cripple — калека)."

Candy looked helplessly at him (Кэнди беспомощно взглянул на него), for Slim's opinions were law (так как мнение =слово Ловкого — закон). "Maybe it'd hurt him (это, наверное, причинит ему боль)," he suggested (предположил он). "I don't mind takin' care of him (мне ничего не стоит /и дальше/ заботиться о нем; to mind — обращать внимание; возражать)."

Carlson said, "The way I'd shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing (Карлсон сказал: я его пристрелю так, что он ничего не почувствует). I'd put the gun right there (я бы приставил ствол прямо сюда; to put — класть; ставить)." He pointed with his toe (он указал большим пальцем ноги). "Right back of the head (прямо в затылок). He wouldn't even quiver (он даже не дернется; to quiver — дрожать мелкой дрожью; трястись; колыхаться; , трепетать)."

skinner [`skInq], calm [kRm], opinion [q`pInjqn]

The skinner had been studying the old dog with his calm eyes. "Yeah," he said. "You can have a pup if you want to." He seemed to shake himself free for speech. "Carl's right, Candy. That dog ain't no good to himself. I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I get old an' a cripple."

Candy looked helplessly at him, for Slim's opinions were law. "Maybe it'd hurt him," he suggested. "I don't mind takin' care of him."

Carlson said, "The way I'd shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing. I'd put the gun right there." He pointed with his toe. "Right back of the head. He wouldn't even quiver."

Candy looked for help from face to face (Кэнди /переводил/ взгляд с /одного/ лица на другое, ища поддержки; to look for — искать). It was quite dark outside by now (снаружи уже совсем стемнело). A young laboring man came in (вошел молодой работник). His sloping shoulders were bent forward (его покатые плечи были наклонены вперед; slope — наклон; to bend (bent) — сгибать) and he walked heavily on his heels (и он тяжело ступал на пятки), as though he carried the invisible grain bag (как будто бы нес невидимый мешок с зерном). He went to his bunk (он подошел к своей койке) and put his hat on his shelf (и положил шляпу на полку). Then he picked a pulp magazine from his shelf (затем он взял с полки дешевый журнал; pulp — плоть; мякоть; pulp magazine — дешевый/низкопробный журнал) and brought it to the light over the table (и принес его /ближе/ к лампочке над столом; to bring (brought)). "Did I show you this, Slim?" he asked (Ловкий, я тебе это показывал, — спросил он).

"Show me what (что показывал)?"

The young man turned to the back of the magazine (паренек пролистал журнал до задней обложки), put it down on the table (положил его на стол) and pointed with his finger (и ткнул пальцем). "Right there, read that (вот здесь, прочитай это)." Slim bent over it (Ловкий нагнулся над /журналом/). "Go on," said the young man (давай, — сказал паренек). "Read it out loud (прочитай это вслух; loud — громко)."

quite [kwaIt], invisible [In`vIzqbl], pulp [pAlp]

Candy looked for help from face to face. It was quite dark outside by now. A young laboring man came in. His sloping shoulders were bent forward and he walked heavily on his heels, as though he carried the invisible grain bag. He went to his bunk and put his hat on his shelf. Then he picked a pulp magazine from his shelf and brought it to the light over the table. "Did I show you this, Slim?" he asked.

"Show me what?"

The young man turned to the back of the magazine, put it down on the table and pointed with his finger. "Right there, read that." Slim bent over it. "Go on," said the young man. "Read it out loud."

"'Dear Editor,'" Slim read slowly (дорогой редактор, — медленно прочитал Ловкий). "'I read your mag for six years (я читаю ваш журнал вот уже шесть лет; mag — болтовня, треп /разг./; mag /зд./ = magazine) and I think it is the best on the market (и считаю, что он — лучший /из всего/, что продается/; market — рынок; торговля). I like stories by Peter Rand (мне нравятся рассказы Питера Рэнда). I think he is a whing-ding (я думаю, он ловко заливает; ding — звон колокола; whing-ding — что-то шумное, экстраординарное /амер. сленг/). Give us more like the Dark Rider (давайте нам = печатайте побольше похожего на “Черного всадника”). I don't write many letters (я не пишу много писем = не мастер писать письма). Just thought I would tell you (просто подумал, что хотел сказать вам) I think your mag is the best dime's worth I ever spent (я думаю ваш журнал — это лучшее, на что я когда-либо тратил десять центов; dime — монета в 10 центов /в Америке и Канаде/; worth — цена, стоимость).'"

Slim looked up questioningly (Ловкий вопросительно поднял глаза; question — вопрос). "What you want me to read that for (для чего ты хочешь, чтоб я это читал)?"

Whit said, "Go on (продолжай, — сказал Уит). Read the name at the bottom (прочитай имя внизу; bottom — дно; низ, нижняя часть)."

Slim read (Ловкий прочитал; to read (read)), "'Yours for success, William Tenner (с пожеланиями успехов, ваш Уильям Теннер).'" He glanced up at Whit again (он еще раз взглянул на Уита). "What you want me to read that for (для чего ты хочешь, чтоб я это читал)?"

Whit closed the magazine impressively (Уит выразительно закрыл журнал). "Don't you remember Bill Tenner (/неужто/ не помнишь Билла Теннера)? Worked here about three months ago (работал здесь около трех месяцев назад)?"

dear [dIq], market [`mRkIt], impressively [Im`presIvlI]

"'Dear Editor,'" Slim read slowly. "'I read your mag for six years and I think it is the best on the market. I like stories by Peter Rand. I think he is a whing-ding. Give us more like the Dark Rider. I don't write many letters. Just thought I would tell you I think your mag is the best dime's worth I ever spent.'"

Slim looked up questioningly. "What you want me to read that for?"

Whit said, "Go on. Read the name at the bottom."

Slim read, "'Yours for success, William Tenner.'" He glanced up at Whit again. "What you want me to read that for?"

Whit closed the magazine impressively. "Don't you remember Bill Tenner? Worked here about three months ago?"

Slim thought (Ловкий задумался).... "Little guy?" he asked (маленький такой, — спросил он). "Drove a cultivator (управлял культиватором)?"

"That's him," Whit cried (это он, — воскликнул Уит). "That's the guy (он самый)!"

"You think he's the guy wrote this letter (ты думаешь, он тот парень, что написал письмо; to write (wrote; written))?"

"I know it (я это знаю). Bill and me was in here one day (как-то раз мы с Биллом сидели: «были» здесь). Bill had one of them books that just come (у Билла была одна из этих книженций, что только пришла = Билл как раз получил новый номер журнала). He was lookin' in (он просматривал его) it and he says (и говорит), 'I wrote a letter (я написал письмо). Wonder if they put it in the book (интересно, поместили «они» его в этом журнале)!' But it wasn't there (но /в том номере/ его не было). Bill says (Билл говорит), 'Maybe they're savin' it for later (может они отложили: «сохранили» его на потом).' An' that's just what they done (и точно, они так и сделали). There it is (вот оно)."

"Guess you're right," said Slim (полагаю, ты прав). "Got it right in the book (вот оно, прямо в журнале: «в книге»)."

George held out his hand for the magazine (Джордж протянул руку за журналом). "Let's look at it (позволишь взглянуть)?"

Whit found the place again (Уит опять нашел то место; to find (found)), but he did not surrender his hold on it (но журнала не отдал; to surrender — сдаваться; отказываться; hold — схватывание; удерживание). He pointed out the letter with his forefinger (он ткнул указательным пальцем в /то место, где было напечатано/ письмо). And then he went to his box shelf (а потом пошел к своей полке; box — коробка, ящик) and laid the magazine carefully in (и бережно положил туда письмо; to lay (laid)). "I wonder if Bill seen it (интересно, видел ли его Билл)," he said. "Bill and me worked in that patch of field peas (мы с Биллом работали на одном участке горохового поля; patch — лоскут; участок земли). Run cultivators, both of us (оба управляли культиваторами). Bill was a hell of a nice fella (Билл был чертовски хорошим парнем; fella = fellow)."

drove [drquv], guess [ges], patch [pxC]

Slim thought.... "Little guy?" he asked. "Drove a cultivator?"

"That's him," Whit cried. "That's the guy!"

"You think he's the guy wrote this letter?"

"I know it. Bill and me was in here one day. Bill had one of them books that just come. He was lookin' in it and he says, 'I wrote a letter. Wonder if they put it in the book!' But it wasn't there. Bill says, 'Maybe they're savin' it for later.' An' that's just what they done. There it is."

"Guess you're right," said Slim. "Got it right in the book."

George held out his hand for the magazine. "Let's look at it?"

Whit found the place again, but he did not surrender his hold on it. He pointed out the letter with his forefinger. And then he went to his box shelf and laid the magazine carefully in. "I wonder if Bill seen it," he said. "Bill and me worked in that patch of field peas. Run cultivators, both of us. Bill was a hell of a nice fella."

During the conversation Carlson had refused to be drawn in (Карлсон не принимал участия в разговоре: «во время разговора Карлсон отказался быть в него втянутым»). He continued to look down at the old dog (он продолжал смотреть на старую собаку). Candy watched him uneasily (Кэнди беспокойно следил за ним). At last Carlson said (наконец, Карлсон сказал), "If you want me to (если хочешь), I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now (я избавлю старого черта от страданий прямо сейчас; to put (put) out — выгонять; освобождать от) and get it over with (и покончим с этим; to be over — заканчиваться). Ain't nothing left for him (ничего /другого/ для него не остается). Can't eat, can't see (не может есть, не может видеть), can't even walk without hurtin' (без мучений не может даже ходить)."

Candy said hopefully (Кэнди с надеждой сказал), "You ain't got no gun (у тебя нет пистолета)."

"The hell I ain't (как же, нет). Got a Luger (/у меня/ есть “Люгер”). It won't hurt him none at all (ему вообще не будет больно)."

Candy said, "Maybe tomorra (Кэнди сказал: может, завтра). Le's wait till tomorra (давай подождем до завтра; tomorra = tomorrow)."

"I don't see no reason for it (не вижу никаких причин для этого)," said Carlson. He went to his bunk (он пошел к своей койке), pulled his bag from underneath it (вытащил из-под нее свой мешок) and took out a Luger pistol (и достал пистолет системы “Люгер”). "Le's get it over with (давай с этим покончим)," he said. "We can't sleep with him stinkin' around in here (мы не можем спать из-за его вонищи, которая здесь повсюду)." He put the pistol in his hip pocket (он положил пистолет в набедренный карман; hip — бедро).

devil [devl], misery [`mIzqrI], pistol [pIstl]

During the conversation Carlson had refused to be drawn in. He continued to look down at the old dog. Candy watched him uneasily. At last Carlson said, "If you want me to, I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with. Ain't nothing left for him. Can't eat, can't see, can't even walk without hurtin'."

Candy said hopefully, "You ain't got no gun."

"The hell I ain't. Got a Luger. It won't hurt him none at all."

Candy said, "Maybe tomorra. Le's wait till tomorra."

"I don't see no reason for it," said Carlson. He went to his bunk, pulled his bag from underneath it and took out a Luger pistol. "Le's get it over with," he said. "We can't sleep with him stinkin' around in here." He put the pistol in his hip pocket.

Candy looked a long time at Slim (Кэнди долго смотрел на Ловкого) to try to find some reversal (пытаясь найти какую-то поддержку; reversal — полное изменение; отмена). And Slim gave him none (но Ловкий не поддержал: «не дал ему ничего»). At last Candy said softly and hopelessly (наконец, Кэнди сказал тихо и безнадежно), "Awright — take 'im (ладно, забирай его)." He did not look down at the dog at all (и на собаку вообще не взглянул). He lay back on his bunk (он откинулся на койке) and crossed his arms behind his head (скрестил руки за головой) and stared at the ceiling (и уставился в потолок).

From his pocket Carlson took a little leather thong (из кармана Карлсон вынул тонкий кожаный ремешок). He stooped over (он нагнулся) and tied it around the old dog's neck (и завязал его вокруг шеи старой собаки). All the men except Candy watched him (все, кроме Кэнди, наблюдали за ним). "Come boy. Come on, boy (пошли, парень, давай)," he said gently (сказал он мягко). And he said apologetically to Candy (и, извиняясь, сказал Кэнди), "He won't even feel it (он этого даже не почувствует)." Candy did not move nor answer him (Кэнди не пошевелился и не ответил ему). He twitched the thong (/Карлсон/ дернул за ремень). "Come on, boy (пойдем, парень)." The old dog got slowly and stiffly to his feet (старый пес медленно и с трудом встал «на лапы»; stiff — негибкий; изможденный) and followed the gently pulling leash (и последовал мягкому натяжению поводка; to pull — тянуть, тащить).

reversal [rq`vWs(q)l], thong [TON], leash [lJS]

Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him none. At last Candy said softly and hopelessly, "Awright — take 'im." He did not look down at the dog at all. He lay back on his bunk and crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling.

From his pocket Carlson took a little leather thong. He stooped over and tied it around the old dog's neck. All the men except Candy watched him. "Come boy. Come on, boy," he said gently. And he said apologetically to Candy, "He won't even feel it." Candy did not move nor answer him. He twitched the thong. "Come on, boy." The old dog got slowly and stiffly to his feet and followed the gently pulling leash.

Slim said, "Carlson (Карлсон, — окликнул Ловкий)."

"Yeah (чего)?"

"You know what to do (ты знаешь, что делать)."

"What ya mean, Slim (что ты имеешь ввиду, Ловкий)?"

"Take a shovel," said Slim shortly (возьми лопату, — коротко сказал Ловкий).

"Oh, sure! I get you (о да, конечно, я тебя понял)." He led the dog out into the darkness (он выпустил собаку наружу, в темноту; to let (let) out — выпускать).

George followed to the door (Джордж проследовал к двери) and shut the door (закрыл дверь) and set the latch gently in its place (и аккуратно вставил щеколду на место). Candy lay rigidly on his bed (Кэнди неподвижно лежал в кровати; rigid — жесткий, негнущийся; неподвижный) staring at the ceiling (уставившись в потолок).

Slim said loudly (Ловкий громко сказал), "One of my lead mules got a bad hoof (у одного из моих «коренных» мулов плохое = треснутое копыто; to lead — вести, направлять движение). Got to get some tar on it (нужно замазать смолой)." His voice trailed off (его голос умолк; to trail off — умолкать; замирать /о звуке/). It was silent outside (снаружи было тихо). Carlson's footsteps died away (шаги Карлсона замерли). The silence came into the room (в комнате стало тихо: «тишина вошла в комнату»). And the silence lasted (и тишина затягивалась; to last — длиться, продолжаться).

shovel [SAvl], rigidly [`rIGIdlI], tar [tR]

Slim said, "Carlson."

"Yeah?"

"You know what to do."

"What ya mean, Slim?"

"Take a shovel," said Slim shortly.

"Oh, sure! I get you." He led the dog out into the darkness.

George followed to the door and shut the door and set the latch gently in its place. Candy lay rigidly on his bed staring at the ceiling.

Slim said loudly, "One of my lead mules got a bad hoof. Got to get some tar on it." His voice trailed off. It was silent outside. Carlson's footsteps died away. The silence came into the room. And the silence lasted.

George chuckled (Джордж тихонько засмеялся; to chuckle — хихикать), "I bet Lennie's right out there in the barn with his pup (уверен, Ленни /сейчас/ прямо там, в конюшне, вместе со своим щенком). He won't want to come in here no more (он не захочет больше приходить сюда) now he's got a pup (теперь, /когда/ у него есть щенок)."

Slim said (Ловкий сказал), "Candy, you can have any one of them pups you want (Кэнди, ты можешь взять любого щенка, какого захочешь)."

Candy did not answer (Кэнди не ответил). The silence fell on the room again (в комнате снова наступила тишина; to fall (fell; fallen) — падать; наступать /о темноте, ночи и т.д./). It came out of the night (она /словно/ вышла из ночной /темноты/) and invaded the room (и заполонила комнату; to invade — вторгаться). George said (Джордж сказал), "Anybody like to play a little euchre (никто не хочет сыграть в юкер; euchre — юкер /род карточной игры/; to like — нравиться; хотеть, желать)?"

"I'll play out a few with you," said Whit (я немного поиграю с тобой, — сказал Уит).

They took places opposite each other (они сели друг напротив друга) at the table under the light (за стол под лампочкой), but George did not shuffle the cards (но Джордж не стасовал карты). He rippled the edge of the deck nervously (он нервно теребил край колоды; to ripple — покрываться рябью; колебаться; deck — палуба; колода карт /амер./), and the little snapping noise (и негромкий шум потрескивающей /колоды/) drew the eyes of all the men in the room (привлек внимание: «взгляды» всех, /кто находился/ в комнате; to draw (drew; drawn) — тащить; привлекать, притягивать), so that he stopped doing it (так что он прекратил «это делать»). The silence fell on the room again (в комнате снова стало тихо). A minute passed, and another minute (прошла минута, затем другая). Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling (Кэнди лежал недвижимо, смотря в потолок; to lie (lay; lain)). Slim gazed at him for a moment (Ловкий мгновенье пристально смотрел на него) and then looked down at his hands (затем /стал/ смотреть на свои руки); he subdued one hand with the other (одной ладонью он прикрыл другую; to subdue — подчинять, покорять), and held it down (и держал их под столом: «внизу»). There came a little gnawing sound (послышался негромкий скребущий звук; to gnaw — грызть, прогрызать) from under the floor (из-под пола) and all the men looked down toward it gratefully (и все посмотрели вниз, в направлении звука, с благодарностью). Only Candy continued to stare at the ceiling (только Кэнди продолжал смотреть в потолок).