Interrupt ["Intq`rApt], brutally [`brutlI], Jesus [`gJzqs]

Crooks interrupted brutally. "You guys is just kiddin' yourself. You'll talk about it a hell of a lot, but you won't get no land. You'll be a swamper here till they take you out in a box. Hell, I seen too many guys. Lennie here'll quit an' be on the road in two, three weeks. Seems like ever' guy got land in his head."

Candy rubbed his cheek angrily. "You God damn right we're gonna do it. George says we are. We got the money right now."

"Yeah?" said Crooks. "An' where's George now? In town in a whore house. That's where your money's goin'. Jesus, I seen it happen too many times. I seen too many guys with land in their head. They never get none under their hand."

Candy cried (Кэнди воскликнул), "Sure they all want it (конечно, они все этого хотят). Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much (каждый хочет /хоть/ маленький клочок земли, не /обязательно/ большой). Jus' som'thin' that was his (просто что-то, чтоб было его). Som'thin' he could live on (что-то, где он мог бы жить) and there couldn't nobody throw him off of it (и чтоб никто не мог вышвырнуть его оттуда). I never had none (у меня никогда ничего не было). I planted crops for damn near ever'body in this state (я сеял зерно почти для каждого в этом штате), but they wasn't my crops (но это было не мое зерно), and when I harvested 'em (и когда я его жал), it wasn't none of my harvest (в этом урожае моего ничего не было). But we gonna do it now (но мы собираемся сделать это сейчас), and don't you make no mistake about that (и не делай ошибки насчет этого = не сомневайся). George ain't got the money in town (Джордж не брал денег в город). That money's in the bank (все те деньги в банке). Me an' Lennie an' George (мои, и Ленни, и Джорджа). We gonna have a room to ourself (мы для себя хотим участок земли; room — комната; участок земли, ферма /редк./). We're gonna have a dog an' rabbits an' chickens (у нас будет собака, и кролики, и цыплята). We're gonna have green corn (у нас будет зреть кукуруза; corn — зерно; green corn — незрелая кукуруза) an' maybe a cow or a goat (и, может быть, /заведем/ корову или козу)." He stopped (он остановился), overwhelmed with his picture (очарованный этой своей картиной; to overwhelmed — подавлять; ошеломлять).

Crooks asked (Горбун спросил), "You say you got the money (вы говорите, у вас есть деньги)?"

"Damn right (чертовски верно). We got most of it (у нас есть уже большая часть). Just a little bit more to get (еще совсем немного осталось добрать). Have it all in one month (вся сумма наберется через месяц). George got the land all picked out, too (к тому же, Джордж уже выбрал землю)."

Crooks reached around (Горбун потянулся) and explored his spine with his hand (и ощупал свой хребет рукой; to explore — исследовать). "I never seen a guy really do it (никогда не встречал того, кто действительно бы это сделал)," he said. "I seen guys nearly crazy (я видал парней, которые чуть с ума не сошли) with loneliness for land (от тоски по земле; loneliness — одиночество; lonely — одинокий), but ever' time a whore house (но каждый раз или бордель) or a blackjack game (или игра в "Блэк Джек") took what it takes (забирали свое)." He hesitated. "...If you... guys would want a hand (если бы вам, ребята, понадобился помощник; hand — рука; помощник, подмастерье) to work for nothing — just his keep (работать ни за что, просто за харчи: «просто его содержать»), why I'd come an' lend a hand (я бы пошел и работал бы; to lend a hand — помочь; протянуть руку помощи; to lend — одалживать, давать взаймы). I ain't so crippled (я не такой уж и калека) I can't work like a son-of-a-bitch (я могу работать, как черт знает кто) if I want to (если захочу)."

harvest [`hRvIst], overwhelm ["quvq`welm], cripple [krIpl]

Candy cried, "Sure they all want it. Everybody wants a little bit of land, not much. Jus' som'thin' that was his. Som'thin' he could live on and there couldn't nobody throw him off of it. I never had none. I planted crops for damn near ever'body in this state, but they wasn't my crops, and when I harvested 'em, it wasn't none of my harvest. But we gonna do it now, and don't you make no mistake about that. George ain't got the money in town. That money's in the bank. Me an' Lennie an' George. We gonna have a room to ourself. We're gonna have a dog an' rabbits an' chickens. We're gonna have green corn an' maybe a cow or a goat." He stopped, overwhelmed with his picture.

Crooks asked, "You say you got the money?"

"Damn right. We got most of it. Just a little bit more to get. Have it all in one month. George got the land all picked out, too."

Crooks reached around and explored his spine with his hand. "I never seen a guy really do it," he said. "I seen guys nearly crazy with loneliness for land, but ever' time a whore house or a blackjack game took what it takes." He hesitated. "...If you... guys would want a hand to work for nothing — just his keep, why I'd come an' lend a hand. I ain't so crippled I can't work like a son-of-a-bitch if I want to."

"Any you boys seen Curley (кто из вас, ребята, видел Кудряша)?"

They swung their heads toward the door (они повернули головы в сторону двери). Looking in was Curley's wife (/в дверь/ заглядывала жена Кудряша). Her face was heavily made up (ее лицо было сильно накрашено; heavily — тяжелый; обильный; make-up — макияж). Her lips were slightly parted (ее губы были слегка приоткрыты = ее рот был слегка приоткрыт; to part — разделять/ся/). She breathed strongly (она тяжело дышала), as though she had been running (как будто /перед этим/ бежала).

"Curley ain't been here (Кудряша нет здесь)," Candy said sourly (кисло сказал Кэнди; sour — кислый).

She stood still in the doorway (она все еще стояла в дверях), smiling a little at them (слегка улыбаясь им), rubbing the nails of one hand (потирая ногти одной руки) with the thumb and forefinger of the other (большим и указательным пальцами другой). And her eyes traveled from one face to another (ее взгляд переходил: «путешествовал» с одного лица на другое). "They left all the weak ones here (они здесь оставили всех слабаков)," she said finally (наконец сказала она). "Think I don't know (думаете, я не знаю) where they all went (куда они все поехали)? Even Curley (даже Кудряш). I know where they all went (знаю я, куда они все поехали)."

Lennie watched her, fascinated (Ленни смотрел на нее зачарованно); but Candy and Crooks were scowling down away from her eyes (но Кэнди и Горбун, хмурясь, смотрели вниз, /чтоб не смотреть/ ей в глаза). Candy said (Кэнди сказал), "Then if you know (тогда если вы знаете), why you want to ast us (зачем вы спрашиваете нас: «зачем хотите спросить у нас»; ast = ask) where Curley is at (где Кудряш)?"

She regarded them amusedly (она, забавляясь: «позабавленно», рассматривала их; to regard — расценивать; рассматривать; to amuse — забавлять, развлекать). "Funny thing (веселая штука)," she said. "If I catch any one man (если я застаю какого-нибудь мужчину; to catch — ловить, поймать; застать), and he's alone (и он один), I get along fine with him (я прекрасно нахожу с ним общий язык; to get along — жить, обходиться; ладить). But just let two of the guys get together (но дайте двум парням собраться вместе; to get together — собирать/ся/; встречать/ся/) an' you won't talk (и /с ними/ не поговоришь: «и вы не хотите разговаривать»). Jus' nothing but mad (только озлобляются, больше ничего; mad — сумасшедший; бешеный, взбешенный)." She dropped her fingers (она перестала тереть ногти; to drop — капать; прекращать) and put her hands on her hips (и положила руки на бедра). "You're all scared of each other (вы все друг друга боитесь), that's what (вот что). Ever' one of you's scared (каждый из вас боится) the rest is goin' to get something on you (что остальные что-то сделают против него; to get smth. on smb. — замышлять недоброе /разг./)."

sour [sauq], finally [`faInqlI], fascinated [`fxsIneItId]

"Any you boys seen Curley?"

They swung their heads toward the door. Looking in was Curley's wife. Her face was heavily made up. Her lips were slightly parted. She breathed strongly, as though she had been running.

"Curley ain't been here," Candy said sourly.

She stood still in the doorway, smiling a little at them, rubbing the nails of one hand with the thumb and forefinger of the other. And her eyes traveled from one face to another. "They left all the weak ones here," she said finally. "Think I don't know where they all went? Even Curley. I know where they all went."

Lennie watched her, fascinated; but Candy and Crooks were scowling down away from her eyes. Candy said, "Then if you know, why you want to ast us where Curley is at?"

She regarded them amusedly. "Funny thing," she said. "If I catch any one man, and he's alone, I get along fine with him. But just let two of the guys get together an' you won't talk. Jus' nothing but mad." She dropped her fingers and put her hands on her hips. "You're all scared of each other, that's what. Ever' one of you's scared the rest is goin' to get something on you."

After a pause Crooks said (после паузы = помолчав, Горбун сказал), "Maybe you better go along to your own house now (может, вам сейчас лучше пойти домой: «в ваш собственный дом»; to go along — двигать вперед; уходить /разг./). We don't want no trouble (мы не хотим неприятностей)."

"Well, I ain't giving you no trouble (ну, я не причиню вам неприятностей). Think I don't like to talk to somebody (думаете, мне не хочется поболтать с кем-нибудь) ever' once in a while (хоть иногда)? Think I like to stick in that house alla time (думаете, мне нравится торчать все время в доме; alla = all of)?"

Candy laid the stump of his wrist on his knee (Кэнди положил культяшку на колено; to lay (laid)) and rubbed it gently with his hand (и слегка потер ее рукой). He said accusingly (он сказал осуждающе; to accuse — обвинять; осуждать), "You gotta husban' (у вас есть муж; husband — муж, супруг). You got no call foolin' aroun' with other guys (вас не зовут проводить время с другими парнями; to fool around — забавляться; болтаться без дела), causin' trouble (создавая проблемы; to cause — служить причиной)."

The girl flared up (девушка взбеленилась; to flare up — вспыхнуть; разразиться гневом). "Sure I gotta husban' (конечно, у меня есть муж). You all seen him (все вы видели = знаете его). Swell guy, ain't he (отличный парень, не так ли)? Spends all his time (все время проводит; to spend — тратить) sayin' what he's gonna do to guys (рассказывая, что он сделает с теми «парнями») he don't like (кого он не любит), and he don't like nobody (а он никого не любит). Think I'm gonna stay in that two-by-four house (думаете, я останусь в том тесном домишке; two-by-four — размером два на четыре; небольшой) and listen (и буду слушать) how Curley's gonna lead with his left twicet (как Кудряш проведет комбинацию из двух ударов левой), and then bring in the ol' right cross (и затем бьет правой; ol’ = old; right cross — удар правой с поворотом корпуса)? 'One-two,' he says (раз-два, — говорит он). 'Jus' the ol' one-two (просто, по-старинке, раз-два) an' he'll go down (и он вырубается: «падает»).'" She paused (он /ненадолго/ замолчала) and her face lost its sullenness (и лицо ее утратило злость; sullen — замкнутый; сердитый; to lose (lost)) and grew interested (и стало заинтересованным; to grow (grew; grown)). "Say — what happened to Curley's han' (скажите-ка, что случилось с Кудряша рукой)?"

while [waIl], flare [fleq], sullenness [`sAlqnIs]

After a pause Crooks said, "Maybe you better go along to your own house now. We don't want no trouble."

"Well, I ain't giving you no trouble. Think I don't like to talk to somebody ever' once in a while? Think I like to stick in that house alla time?"

Candy laid the stump of his wrist on his knee and rubbed it gently with his hand. He said accusingly, "You gotta husban'. You got no call foolin' aroun' with other guys, causin' trouble."

The girl flared up. "Sure I gotta husban'. You all seen him. Swell guy, ain't he? Spends all his time sayin' what he's gonna do to guys he don't like, and he don't like nobody. Think I'm gonna stay in that two-by-four house and listen how Curley's gonna lead with his left twicet, and then bring in the ol' right cross? 'One-two,' he says. 'Jus' the ol' one-two an' he'll go down.'" She paused and her face lost its sullenness and grew interested. "Say — what happened to Curley's han'?"

There was an embarrassed silence (возникло смущенное молчание). Candy stole a look at Lennie (Кэнди украдкой взглянул на Ленни; to steal (stole; stolen) — воровать, красть). Then he coughed (затем кашлянул). "Why... Curley (ну, Кудряш)... he got his han' caught in a machine, ma'am (его рука попала в машину, госпожа; to catch (caught); ma'am сокр. от madam — госпожа, сударыня). Bust his han' (раздробило ему руку)."

She watched for a moment (минуту она пристально смотрела), and then she laughed (а затем рассмеялась). "Baloney (вздор; baloney — болонская колбаса; ерунда, чепуха /сленг/)! What you think you're sellin' me (что вы думаете мне продаете = впариваете)? Curley started som'pin' (Кудряш что-то начал; som'pin' = something) he didn' finish (что /не смог/ закончить). Caught in a machine (попала в машину) — baloney (ерунда)! Why, he ain't give nobody the good ol' one-two (ну, а чего же он не дал = не врезал кому-то свои старые "раз-два") since he got his han' bust (после того, как рука попала в машину; since — с тех пор; впоследствии, позже). Who bust him (кто его покалечил)?"

Candy repeated sullenly (Кэнди повторил угрюмо), "Got it caught in a machine (она попала в машину)."

"Awright," she said contemptuously (ладно, — сказала она с презрением; contemptuous — презрительный; contempt — презрение). "Awright, cover 'im up (ладно, прикрывайте его; ‘im = him) if ya wanta (ежели вам охота; ya wanta = you want to /разг./). Whatta I care (мне все равно; whatta = what do; to care — заботиться; беспокоиться)? You bindle bums think (вы, бродяги, думаете; bum — бездельник, лентяй) you're so damn good (/что/ вы такие молодцы). Whatta ya think I am, a kid (что вы думаете, я ребенок)? I tell ya (я скажу вам) I could of went with shows (что могла уехать отсюда и играть на сцене; show — показ; спектакль, шоу). Not jus' one, neither (и не раз /была возможность/). An' a guy tol' me (а один парень сказал мне) he could put me in pitchers... (что мог бы снимать меня в кино; pitcher /зд./ = picture — картина; кинофильм)." She was breathless with indignation (у нее перехватило дыхание: «она была бездыханной» от возмущения). "— Sat'iday night (субботний вечер; Sat'iday = Saturday). Ever'body out doin' som'pin' (каждый что-то делает). Ever'body (каждый)! An' what am I doin' (а что делаю я)? Standin' here talkin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs (стою здесь и болтаю с компанией тупых бродяг; stiff — негибкий; тугой) — a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep (с негром, дебилом и вшивым старым козлом; dum = dumb — немой; глупый тупой; louse — вошь; sheep — овца, баран) — an' likin' it (и мне нравится это; likin’ = liking) because they ain't nobody else (потому что нет никого другого)."

cough [kOf], ma'am [mxm], indignation ["IndIg`neIS(q)n]

There was an embarrassed silence. Candy stole a look at Lennie. Then he coughed. "Why... Curley... he got his han' caught in a machine, ma'am. Bust his han'."

She watched for a moment, and then she laughed. "Baloney! What you think you're sellin' me? Curley started som'pin' he didn' finish. Caught in a machine — baloney! Why, he ain't give nobody the good ol' one-two since he got his han' bust. Who bust him?"

Candy repeated sullenly, "Got it caught in a machine."

"Awright," she said contemptuously. "Awright, cover 'im up if ya wanta. Whatta I care? You bindle bums think you're so damn good. Whatta ya think I am, a kid? I tell ya I could of went with shows. Not jus' one, neither. An' a guy tol' me he could put me in pitchers...." She was breathless with indignation. "— Sat'iday night. Ever'body out doin' som'pin'. Ever'body! An' what am I doin'? Standin' here talkin' to a bunch of bindle stiffs — a nigger an' a dum-dum and a lousy ol' sheep — an' likin' it because they ain't nobody else."

Lennie watched her, his mouth half open (Ленни смотрел на нее с наполовину раскрытым ртом). Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the Negro (Горбун спрятался под своей ужасной защитной /маской/ достоинства; to retire — отступать). But a change came over old Candy (но со старым Кэнди произошла перемена). He stood up suddenly (внезапно он встал) and knocked his nail keg over backward (и ударил /ногой/ назад по бочонку с гвоздями). "I had enough," he said angrily (мне достаточно = с меня хватит, — сказал он зло). "You ain't wanted here (вас сюда никто не звал: «вас здесь не хотят»). We told you you ain't (мы вам это сказали). An' I tell ya (и я говорю вам), you got floozy idears about what us guys amounts to (у вас представления шлюхи о том, что мы /из себя/ представляем; floozy — шлюха; idears — ideas — мысли; представления; to amount — равняться /чему-л./; означать). You ain't got sense enough in that chicken head (в вашей куриной голове недостаточно ума) to even see (даже /настолько/, чтобы понять) that we ain't stiffs (что мы не тупые). S'pose you get us canned (положим, вы нас уволите). S'pose you do (положим, вы так и сделаете). You think we'll hit the highway (вы думаете, мы будем бродить по дорогам; highway — столбовая дорога; шоссе) an' look for another lousy two-bit job like this (и будем искать другую паршивую и дешевую работенку, как здесь; lousy — вшивый; никудышный; two-bit — стоящий 25 центов, дешевый). You don't know (вы не знаете) that we got our own ranch to go to (что у нас есть свое ранчо, куда мы /можем/ поехать), an' our own house (и наш собственный дом). We ain't got to stay here (нам необязательно оставаться здесь). We gotta house and chickens an' fruit trees (у нас есть дом, и куры, и фруктовые деревья) an' a place a hunderd time prettier than this (и место в сотню раз красивее, чем здесь). An' we got fren's (и у нас есть друзья), that's what we got (вот что у нас есть). Maybe there was a time (может, и было время) when we was scared of gettin' canned (когда мы боялись, что нас уволят), but we ain't no more (но больше /мы не боимся/). We got our own lan' (у нас есть наша собственная земля), and it's ours (и она наша), an' we c'n go to it (и мы можем пойти туда; c'n = can)."

retire [rI`taIq], terrible [`terqbl], floozy [`flHzI]

Lennie watched her, his mouth half open. Crooks had retired into the terrible protective dignity of the Negro. But a change came over old Candy. He stood up suddenly and knocked his nail keg over backward. "I had enough," he said angrily. "You ain't wanted here. We told you you ain't. An' I tell ya, you got floozy idears about what us guys amounts to. You ain't got sense enough in that chicken head to even see that we ain't stiffs. S'pose you get us canned. S'pose you do. You think we'll hit the highway an' look for another lousy two-bit job like this. You don't know that we got our own ranch to go to, an' our own house. We ain't got to stay here. We gotta house and chickens an' fruit trees an' a place a hunderd time prettier than this. An' we got fren's, that's what we got. Maybe there was a time when we was scared of gettin' canned, but we ain't no more. We got our own lan', and it's ours, an' we c'n go to it."

Curley's wife laughed at him (жена Кудряша посмеялась над ним). "Baloney," she said (чушь, — сказала она). "I seen too many you guys (я видела очень многих парней, /как вы/). If you had two bits in the worl' (если бы у вас было двадцать пять центов; in the worl’ = in the world — служит как усиление сказанного), why you'd be in (вы бы сидели в /бараке/) gettin' two shots of corn with it (купив на них «два глотка» виски; shot — выстрел; глоток спиртного /разг./; corn — зерно; виски из кукурузы) and suckin' the bottom of the glass (и обсасывали бы стаканы; bottom — дно). I know you guys (я вас, ребята, знаю)."

Candy's face had grown redder and redder (лицо Кэнди становилось краснее и краснее; to grow (grew; grown)), but before she was done speaking (но прежде чем она закончила говорить), he had control of himself (он взял себя в руки). He was the master of the situation (он был хозяином положения). "I might of knew," he said gently (я так и думал: «должен был знать», — сказал он спокойно). "Maybe you just better go along (может, вам просто лучше убраться) an' roll your hoop (и покрутить ваш обруч). We ain't got nothing to say to you at all (нам больше нечего вам сказать). We know what we got (мы знаем, что у нас есть), and we don't care (и нам безразлично) whether you know it or not (знаете ли вы об этом или нет). So maybe you better jus' scatter along now (поэтому, может, вам лучше просто уйти /отсюда/; to scatter — разбрасывать; бросаться врассыпную), 'cause Curley maybe ain't gonna like (потому как Кудряшу, возможно, не понравится) his wife out in the barn with us 'bindle stiffs' (что его жена на конюшне с нами, "бродячими тупицами")."

baloney [bq`lqunI], situation ["sItju`eIS(q)n], whether [`weDq]

Curley's wife laughed at him. "Baloney," she said. "I seen too many you guys. If you had two bits in the worl', why you'd be in gettin' two shots of corn with it and suckin' the bottom of the glass. I know you guys."

Candy's face had grown redder and redder, but before she was done speaking, he had control of himself. He was the master of the situation. "I might of knew," he said gently. "Maybe you just better go along an' roll your hoop. We ain't got nothing to say to you at all. We know what we got, and we don't care whether you know it or not. So maybe you better jus' scatter along now, 'cause Curley maybe ain't gonna like his wife out in the barn with us 'bindle stiffs.'"

She looked from one face to another (она смотрела то одно лицо, то на другое), and they were all closed against her (и все они были замкнуты: «закрыты для нее»). And she looked longest at Lennie (дольше всего она смотрела на Ленни), until he dropped his eyes in embarrassment (пока он в смущении не опустил глаза). Suddenly she said (внезапно она сказала), "Where'd you get them bruises on your face (откуда у тебя эти синяки на лице)?"

Lennie looked up guiltily (Ленни виновато посмотрел /на нее/). "Who — me (кто, я)?"

"Yeah, you (да, ты)."

Lennie looked to Candy for help (Ленни взглянул на Кэнди, /ища/ помощи), and then he looked at his lap again (потом снова посмотрел на свои колени). "He got his han' caught in a machine (его рука попала в машину; to catch (caught))," he said.

Curley's wife laughed (жена Кудряша рассмеялась). "O.K., Machine (хорошо, Машина). I'll talk to you later (я поговорю с тобой позже). I like machines (мне нравятся машины)."

Candy broke in (вмешался Кэнди). "You let this guy alone (оставьте этого парня в покое). Don't you do no messing aroun' with him (не создавайте ему неприятностей; to mess around with — наносить вред кому-л./чему-л.). I'm gonna tell George what you says (я расскажу Джорджу /все/, о чем вы говорите). George won't have you messin' with Lennie (Джордж не позволит вам впутать Ленни в историю)."

"Who's George?" she asked (кто /такой Джордж? — спросила она/). "The little guy you come with (тот мелкий, с которым ты пришел)?"

against [q`genst], machine [mq`SJn], caught [kLt]

She looked from one face to another, and they were all closed against her. And she looked longest at Lennie, until he dropped his eyes in embarrassment. Suddenly she said, "Where'd you get them bruises on your face?"

Lennie looked up guiltily. "Who — me?"

"Yeah, you."

Lennie looked to Candy for help, and then he looked at his lap again. "He got his han' caught in a machine," he said.

Curley's wife laughed. "O.K., Machine. I'll talk to you later. I like machines."

Candy broke in. "You let this guy alone. Don't you do no messing aroun' with him. I'm gonna tell George what you says. George won't have you messin' with Lennie."

"Who's George?" she asked. "The little guy you come with?"

Lennie smiled happily (Ленни счастливо улыбнулся). "That's him," he said (это он). "That's the guy (он этот парень), an' he's gonna let me tend the rabbits (и он разрешит мне кормить кроликов)."

"Well, if that's all you want (ну, если это все, что ты хочешь), I might get a couple rabbits myself (я могла бы принести /тебе/ пару кроликов сама)."

Crooks stood up from his bunk (Горбун поднялся с койки) and faced her (и встал к ней лицом; face — лицо). "I had enough," he said coldly (довольно, — сказал он холодно). "You got no rights (вы не имеете права) comin' in a colored man's room (входить в комнату к цветному). You got no rights (вы не имеете права) messing around in here at all (вообще тут шататься; to mess around — слоняться /без дела/). Now you jus' get out (а сейчас уходите), an' get out quick (и уходите быстро = побыстрее). If you don't (если нет), I'm gonna ast the boss (я попрошу босса) not to ever let you come in the barn no more (никогда не позволять вам приходить на конюшню)."

She turned on him in scorn (она повернулась к нему с насмешкой). "Listen, Nigger (послушай, ниггер)," she said. "You know what I can do to you (знаешь, что я могу тебе сделать) if you open your trap (если ты пасть раскроешь; trap — капкан; рот /сленг/)?"

Crooks stared hopelessly at her (Горбун беспомощно взглянул на нее), and then he sat down on his bunk (потом сел на свою койку) and drew into himself (и погрузился в себя; to draw into — вовлекать кого-л. во что-л.).

She closed on him (она вплотную подошла к нему; to close on — закрывать; подходить близко; сближаться вплотную). "You know what I could do (знаешь, что я могу тебе сделать)?"

Crooks seemed to grow smaller (казалось, Горбун стал меньше), and he pressed himself against the wall (и он прижался к стене). "Yes, ma'am (да, госпожа)."

"Well, you keep your place then, Nigger (хорошо, а теперь знай: «держи» свое место, черномазый). I could get you strung up on a tree so easy (я могу /сделать так/, что тебя вздернут на дереве так быстро; to string (strung) up — повесить, вздернуть /разг./) it ain't even funny (что это даже весело не будет)."

Crooks had reduced himself to nothing (Горбун сник: «довел себя до ничто»; to reduce — ослаблять; доводить до; nothing — ничто; ноль). There was no personality (не было личности), no ego (не было самолюбия; ego — мыслящая личность, собственное "я"; самолюбие) — nothing to arouse either like or dislike (ничего, что вызывает любовь или неприязнь; to arouse — будить, пробуждать). He said, "Yes, ma'am," (он сказал: да, госпожа) and his voice was toneless (и голос его был тусклым; tone — звук, тон; интонация).

For a moment she stood over him (мгновение она стояла над ним) as though waiting for him to move (как будто ждала, что он шевельнется) so that she could whip at him again (чтобы она смогла напуститься на него снова; to whip — хлестать; ругать); but Crooks sat perfectly still (но Горбун сидел совершенно неподвижно), his eyes averted (отведя глаза), everything that might be hurt drawn in (все, что можно ранить /он/ спрятал: «втянул» в себя). She turned at last to the other two (наконец, она повернулась к двум другим).

Old Candy was watching her, fascinated (старый Кэнди зачарованно = не отрываясь смотрел на нее). "If you was to do that (если вы собираетесь сделать это), we'd tell (мы расскажем)," he said quietly (сказал он тихо). "We'd tell about you framin' Crooks (мы расскажем, что вы оклеветали Горбуна; to frame — вставлять в рамку; оклеветывать, ложно обвинять)."

reduce [rI`djHs], personality ["pWsq`nxlItI], avert [q`vWt]

Lennie smiled happily. "That's him," he said. "That's the guy, an' he's gonna let me tend the rabbits."

"Well, if that's all you want, I might get a couple rabbits myself."

Crooks stood up from his bunk and faced her. "I had enough," he said coldly. "You got no rights comin' in a colored man's room. You got no rights messing around in here at all. Now you jus' get out, an' get out quick. If you don't, I'm gonna ast the boss not to ever let you come in the barn no more."

She turned on him in scorn. "Listen, Nigger," she said. "You know what I can do to you if you open your trap?"

Crooks stared hopelessly at her, and then he sat down on his bunk and drew into himself.

She closed on him. "You know what I could do?"

Crooks seemed to grow smaller, and he pressed himself against the wall. "Yes, ma'am."

"Well, you keep your place then, Nigger. I could get you strung up on a tree so easy it ain't even funny."

Crooks had reduced himself to nothing. There was no personality, no ego — nothing to arouse either like or dislike. He said, "Yes, ma'am," and his voice was toneless.

For a moment she stood over him as though waiting for him to move so that she could whip at him again; but Crooks sat perfectly still, his eyes averted, everything that might be hurt drawn in. She turned at last to the other two.

Old Candy was watching her, fascinated. "If you was to do that, we'd tell," he said quietly. "We'd tell about you framin' Crooks."

"Tell an' be damned," she cried (рассказывай и будь проклят = ну, и черт с тобой). "Nobody'd listen to you (никто не станет тебя слушать), an' you know it (и ты это знаешь). Nobody'd listen to you (никто не станет тебя слушать)."

Candy subsided (Кэнди затих; to subside — опускаться; умолкать, затихать). "No...." he agreed (нет, согласился он). "Nobody'd listen to us (никто не станет нас слушать)."

Lennie whined (Ленни захныкал), "I wisht George was here (хочу, чтоб Джордж был здесь). I wisht George was here (хочу, чтоб Джордж был здесь)."

Candy stepped over to him (Кэнди шагнул к нему). "Don't you worry none (не волнуйся)," he said. "I jus' heard (я только что услышал) the guys comin' in (ребята возвращаются). George'll be in the bunkhouse right now, I bet (Джордж будет в бараке прямо сейчас, я уверен)." He turned to Curley's wife (он повернулся к жене Кудряша). "You better go home now (сейчас вам бы лучше пойти домой)," he said quietly (сказал он тихо). "If you go right now (если вы уйдете прямо сейчас), we won't tell Curley you was here (мы не скажем Кудряшу, что вы были здесь)."

She appraised him coolly (она холодно смерила его взглядом; to appraise — оценивать). "I ain't sure you heard nothing (я не уверена, что ты что-то слышал)."

"Better not take no chances," he said (лучше не рисковать; to take a chance — попробовать, рискнуть). "If you ain't sure (если вы не уверены), you better take the safe way (лучше выберите: «возьмите» безопасный путь)."

She turned to Lennie (она повернулась к Ленни). "I'm glad you bust up Curley a little bit (я рада, что ты немного побил Кудряша). He got it comin' to him (он сам напрашивался: «хотел, чтоб это пришло к нему»). Sometimes I'd like to bust him myself (иногда мне хочется избить его самой)." She slipped out the door (она выскользнула за дверь) and disappeared into the dark barn (и исчезла в темной конюшне). And while she went through the barn (и когда она проходила через конюшню), the halter chains rattled (звякнула уздечка), and some horses snorted (некоторые лошади всхрапнули) and some stamped their feet (некоторые ударили копытами; to stamp — штамповать; топнуть ногой).

Crooks seemed to come slowly out of the layers of protection (казалось, Горбун медленно выходил = выбирался из-под защитных оболочек; layer — слой, оболочка) he had put on (которые он на себя надел). "Was that the truth (это правда) what you said about the guys come back (ты сказал, что ребята возвращаются)?" he asked (спросил он).

"Sure. I heard 'em (конечно, я слышал их)."

"Well, I didn't hear nothing (а я ничего не слышал)."

"The gate banged," Candy said (ворота стукнули, — сказал Кэнди; bang — громкий удар; хлопок), and he went on (и он продолжал), "Jesus Christ (Господи Иисусе), Curley's wife can move quiet (/уж/ жена Кудряша умеет двигаться тихо). I guess she had a lot of practice, though (полагаю, впрочем, у нее было много практики; though — хотя; все-таки)."

appraise [q`preIz], snort [snLt], layer [`leIq]

"Tell an' be damned," she cried. "Nobody'd listen to you, an' you know it. Nobody'd listen to you."

Candy subsided. "No...." he agreed. "Nobody'd listen to us."

Lennie whined, "I wisht George was here. I wisht George was here."

Candy stepped over to him. "Don't you worry none," he said. "I jus' heard the guys comin' in. George'll be in the bunkhouse right now, I bet." He turned to Curley's wife. "You better go home now," he said quietly. "If you go right now, we won't tell Curley you was here."

She appraised him coolly. "I ain't sure you heard nothing."

"Better not take no chances," he said. "If you ain't sure, you better take the safe way."

She turned to Lennie. "I'm glad you bust up Curley a little bit. He got it comin' to him. Sometimes I'd like to bust him myself." She slipped out the door and disappeared into the dark barn. And while she went through the barn, the halter chains rattled, and some horses snorted and some stamped their feet.

Crooks seemed to come slowly out of the layers of protection he had put on. "Was that the truth what you said about the guys come back?" he asked.

"Sure. I heard 'em."

"Well, I didn't hear nothing."

"The gate banged," Candy said, and he went on, "Jesus Christ, Curley's wife can move quiet. I guess she had a lot of practice, though."

Crooks avoided the whole subject now (Горбун избегал теперь /обсуждения/ темы; whole — весь, целый; полный). "Maybe you guys better go (может вам, ребята, лучше уйти)," he said. "I ain't sure (я не уверен) I want you in here no more (что хочу, чтоб вы оставались: «чтоб были здесь еще»). A colored man got to have some rights (цветной должен иметь какие-то права) even if he don't like 'em (даже если они ему не нравятся)."

Candy said (Кэнди сказал), "That bitch didn't ought to of said that to you (та сука не должна была так говорить с тобой)."

"It wasn't nothing (ничего)," Crooks said dully (сказал Горбун вяло; dull — тупой; медлительный, инертный). "You guys comin' in (вы, ребята, пришли) an' settin' made me forget (и /с вами/ я забыл, /кто я есть/; to set — сажать, усаживать; приводить в какое-л. состояние; setting — окружающая обстановка, окружение; to make (made) — делать; заставлять). What she says is true (что она сказала — правда)."

The horses snorted out in the barn (лошади зафыркали в конюшне) and the chains rang (зазвенели цепочки; to ring (rang; rung)) and a voice called (и голос позвал), "Lennie. Oh, Lennie. You in the barn (Ленни, эй, Ленни, ты в конюшне)?"

"It's George," Lennie cried (это Джордж, — закричал Ленни). And he answered (и он ответил), "Here, George. I'm right in here (здесь, Джордж, прямо = как раз здесь)."

In a second George stood framed in the door (через секунду Джордж стоял в дверях; to frame — вставлять в рамку), and he looked disapprovingly about (и недовольно: «осуждающе» осматривался). "What you doin' in Crooks' room (что ты делаешь в комнате Горбуна)? You hadn't ought to be here (ты не должен быть здесь = заходить сюда)."

Crooks nodded (Горбун кивнул). "I tol' 'em (я им говорил), but they come in anyways (но они все равно вошли)."

"Well, why'n't you kick 'em out (ну, а чего ж ты их не выгнал; why'n't = why didn’t; to kick out — выгнать, вышвырнуть; to kick — лягать; пинать)?"

"I di'n't care much," said Crooks (я особо не переживал /насчет этого/). "Lennie's a nice fella (Ленни — хороший парень)."

Now Candy aroused himself (тут проснулся = встрепенулся Кэнди). "Oh, George! I been figurin' and figurin' (о, Джордж, я все считал и размышлял). I got it doped out (я рассчитал; to dope out — вычислить, высчитать /разг./) how we can even make some money on them rabbits (как мы даже на кроликах можем сделать деньги)."

George scowled (Джордж нахмурился). "I thought I tol' you (я думал, что говорил вам) not to tell nobody about that (никому не рассказывать об этом)."

Candy was crestfallen (Кэнди помрачнел; crestfallen — мрачный, подавленный; crest — гребешок, хохолок, плюмаж /у птиц/). "Didn't tell nobody but Crooks (никому и не говорили, только Горбуну)."

George said, "Well you guys get outa here (а теперь, ребята, валите отсюда). Jesus, seems like I can't go away for a minute (Боже, кажется, я и на минуту не могу отлучиться)."

dully [`dAlI], dope [dqup], crestfallen [`krest"fLl(q)n]

Crooks avoided the whole subject now. "Maybe you guys better go," he said. "I ain't sure I want you in here no more. A colored man got to have some rights even if he don't like 'em."

Candy said, "That bitch didn't ought to of said that to you."

"It wasn't nothing," Crooks said dully. "You guys comin' in an' settin' made me forget. What she says is true."

The horses snorted out in the barn and the chains rang and a voice called, "Lennie. Oh, Lennie. You in the barn?"

"It's George," Lennie cried. And he answered, "Here, George. I'm right in here."