Velvet [`velvIt], baby [`beIbI], coarse [kLs]

She was a little bit reassured. "Well, who don't?" she said. "Ever'body likes that. I like to feel silk an' velvet. Do you like to feel velvet?"

Lennie chuckled with pleasure. "You bet, by God," he cried happily. "An' I had some, too. A lady give me some, an' that lady was — my own Aunt Clara. She give it right to me — 'bout this big a piece. I wisht I had that velvet right now." A frown came over his face. "I lost it," he said. "I ain't seen it for a long time."

Curley's wife laughed at him. "You're nuts," she said. "But you're a kinda nice fella. Jus' like a big baby. But a person can see kinda what you mean. When I'm doin' my hair sometimes I jus' set an' stroke it 'cause it's so soft." To show how she did it, she ran her fingers over the top of her head. "Some people got kinda coarse hair," she said complacently. "Take Curley. His hair is jus' like wire. But mine is soft and fine. 'Course I brush it a lot. That makes it fine. Here — feel right here." She took Lennie's hand and put it on her head. "Feel right aroun' there an' see how soft it is."

Lennie's big fingers fell to stroking her hair.

"Don't you muss it up (только не спутай)," she said.

Lennie said, "Oh! That's nice (Ленни сказал: о, какие мягкие)," and he stroked harder (и /стал/ гладить сильнее). "Oh, that's nice (о, какие мягкие)."

"Look out, now, you'll muss it (осторожней, ты спутаешь их; look out — осторожно! берегись!)." And then she cried angrily (потом она сердито крикнула), "You stop it now (прекрати сейчас же), you'll mess it all up (ты их все спутаешь)." She jerked her head sideways (она дернула головой в сторону), and Lennie's fingers closed on her hair and hung on (и пальцы Ленни сомкнулись в ее волосах намертво; to hang (hung) on — прицепиться; крепко держаться). "Let go," she cried. "You let go (отпусти, — закричала она, слышишь, отпусти)!"

Lennie was in a panic (Ленни охватила паника). His face was contorted (лицо его исказилось). She screamed then (тут она завизжала), and Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose (и Ленни другой рукой зажал ей рот и нос). "Please don't," he begged (пожалуйста, не надо, взмолился он). "Oh! Please don't do that (пожалуйста, не делайте этого). George'll be mad (Джордж рассердится: «будет в ярости»)."

She struggled violently under his hands (она боролась изо всех сил; violent — неистовый, яростный). Her feet battered on the hay (ноги ее колотили по сену) and she writhed to be free (она извивалась /пытаясь/ освободиться; to writhe — скручивать; корчиться); and from under Lennie's hand came a muffled screaming (и из-под руки Ленни раздался сдавленный крик; to muffle — заглушать). Lennie began to cry with fright (Ленни начал плакать от испуга). "Oh! Please don't do none of that (о, пожалуйста, не делайте этого)," he begged (умолял он). "George gonna say I done a bad thing (Джордж скажет, что я сделал плохую вещь). He ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits (он не позволит мне ухаживать за кроликами)." He moved his hand a little (он немного передвинул руку) and her hoarse cry came out (и ее хриплый крик вырвался «наружу»). Then Lennie grew angry (тогда Ленни разозлился: «стал злым»; to grow (grew; grown)). "Now don't," he said (а ну, перестаньте, — сказал он). "I don't want you to yell (я не хочу, чтоб вы кричали). You gonna get me in trouble (вы вовлечете меня в беду) jus' like George says you will (точно как говорит Джордж, вы /это сделаете/). Now don't you do that (сейчас же прекратите «делать это»)." And she continued to struggle (а она продолжала бороться = вырываться), and her eyes were wild with terror (и ее глаза были дикими от ужаса). He shook her then (тогда он встряхнул ее; to shake (shook; shaken)), and he was angry with her (приходя в ярость: «и он рассердился на нее»).

muss [mAs], violent [`vaIqlqnt], writhe [raID]

"Don't you muss it up," she said.

Lennie said, "Oh! That's nice," and he stroked harder. "Oh, that's nice."

"Look out, now, you'll muss it." And then she cried angrily, "You stop it now, you'll mess it all up." She jerked her head sideways, and Lennie's fingers closed on her hair and hung on. "Let go," she cried. "You let go!"

Lennie was in a panic. His face was contorted. She screamed then, and Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose. "Please don't," he begged. "Oh! Please don't do that. George'll be mad."

She struggled violently under his hands. Her feet battered on the hay and she writhed to be free; and from under Lennie's hand came a muffled screaming. Lennie began to cry with fright. "Oh! Please don't do none of that," he begged. "George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain't gonna let me tend no rabbits." He moved his hand a little and her hoarse cry came out. Then Lennie grew angry. "Now don't," he said. "I don't want you to yell. You gonna get me in trouble jus' like George says you will. Now don't you do that." And she continued to struggle, and her eyes were wild with terror. He shook her then, and he was angry with her.

"Don't you go yellin' (перестаньте визжать)," he said, and he shook her (сказал он и тряхнул ее /снова/); and her body flopped like a fish (и ее тело шлепало, как рыба /по воде/). And then she was still (и тут она затихла), for Lennie had broken her neck (потому что Ленни сломал ей шею).

He looked down at her (он взглянул на нее), and carefully he removed his hand from over her mouth (и осторожно убрал ладонь с ее рта), and she lay still (а она лежала неподвижно; to lie (lay; lain); still — бесшумный; неподвижный). "I don't want to hurt you (я не хотел причинить вам боль)," he said, "but George'll be mad if you yell (но Джордж рассердится, если вы будете кричать)." When she didn't answer nor move (поскольку она не отвечала и не двигалась) he bent closely over her (он низко склонился над ней; to bend (bent)). He lifted her arm (он поднял ее руку) and let it drop (и позволил ей упасть = потом отпустил; to let (let)). For a moment he seemed bewildered (мгновение казалось, он ничего не понимал; to bewilder — смущать; сбивать с толку). And then he whispered in fright (а затем он прошептал в испуге), "I done a bad thing (я сделал плохую вещь). I done another bad thing (я сделал еще одну плохую вещь)."

He pawed up the hay (он стал хватать сено и /забрасывать труп/; to paw — хватать руками) until it partly covered her (до тех пор, пока оно наполовину: «частично» не прикрыло его).

From outside the barn came a cry of men (снаружи конюшни послышался крик мужчин) and the double clang of shoes on metal (и двойной удар подковы о металл). For the first time Lennie became conscious of the outside (впервые Ленни стал осознавать, /что делается/ снаружи; to become (became; become)). He crouched down in the hay (он присел «в сено») and listened (и прислушался). "I done a real bad thing (я сделал действительно плохую вещь)," he said. "I shouldn't of did that (я не должен был этого делать). George'll be mad (Джордж рассердится). An'... he said... an' hide in the brush (и он сказал, спрятаться в кустах) till he come (пока он не придет). He's gonna be mad (он рассердится). In the brush till he come (в кустах, пока он не придет). Tha's what he said (вот, что он сказал)." Lennie went back (Ленни вернулся) and looked at the dead girl (и взглянул на мертвую девушку).

bewilder [bI`wIldq], fright [fraIt], double [dAbl]

"Don't you go yellin'," he said, and he shook her; and her body flopped like a fish. And then she was still, for Lennie had broken her neck.

He looked down at her, and carefully he removed his hand from over her mouth, and she lay still. "I don't want to hurt you," he said, "but George'll be mad if you yell." When she didn't answer nor move he bent closely over her. He lifted her arm and let it drop. For a moment he seemed bewildered. And then he whispered in fright, "I done a bad thing. I done another bad thing."

He pawed up the hay until it partly covered her.

From outside the barn came a cry of men and the double clang of shoes on metal. For the first time Lennie became conscious of the outside. He crouched down in the hay and listened. "I done a real bad thing," he said. "I shouldn't of did that. George'll be mad. An'... he said... an' hide in the brush till he come. He's gonna be mad. In the brush till he come. Tha's what he said." Lennie went back and looked at the dead girl.

The puppy lay close to her (щенок лежал рядом с ней). Lennie picked it up (Ленни поднял его). "I'll throw him away (я выброшу его)," he said. "It's bad enough like it is (и так все плохо; enough — довольно, достаточно)." He put the pup under his coat (он положил = засунул щенка под куртку), and he crept to the barn wall (подкрался к стене конюшни; to creep (crept) — ползти; подкрадываться) and peered out between the cracks (и поглядел сквозь щели; to peer — вглядываться, вперять взгляд; заглянуть, посмотреть), toward the horseshoe game (туда, где играли в подкову). And then he crept around the end of the last manger (а потом, крадучись, он пробрался мимо края последней кормушки) and disappeared (и исчез).

The sun streaks were high on the wall by now (полосы света теперь уже лежали высоко на стене), and the light was growing soft in the barn (и свет в конюшне тускнел: «становился приглушенным»; soft — мягкий; приглушенный). Curley's wife lay on her back (жена Кудряша лежала на спине; to lie (lay; lain)), and she was half covered with hay (и была наполовину засыпана: «прикрыта» сеном).

It was very quiet in the barn (в конюшне было очень тихо), and the quiet of the afternoon was on the ranch (и послеполуденная тишина /стояла/ по всему ранчо). Even the clang of the pitched shoes (даже звук бросаемой подковы; to pitch — смолить; бросать, кидать), even the voices of the men in the game (даже голоса людей в игре = игроков), seemed to grow more quiet (казалось, стали намного тише). The air in the barn was dusky (в конюшне /уже/ царил полумрак: «воздух был сумеречный») in advance of the outside day (в отличие от /белого/ дня снаружи; in advance — перед; до; опережая). A pigeon flew in through the open hay door (голубь влетел через открытую дверь; to fly (flew; flown)) and circled and flew out again (/немного/ покружил и снова вылетел наружу). Around the last stall came a shepherd bitch (к крайнему стойлу подошла овчарка; shepherd — пастух; bitch — сука), lean and long (подтянутая и длинная; lean — тощий; обезжиренный), with heavy, hanging dugs (с тяжело висящими сосками). Halfway to the packing box (на полпути к «упаковочному» ящику) where the puppies were (где были щенки) she caught the dead scent of Curley's wife (она уловила/почуяла запах мертвечины; to catch (caught)), and the hair arose along her spine (и вдоль спины у нее поднялась шерсть; to arise (arose; arisen)). She whimpered and cringed to the packing box (она заскулила и, вся сжавшись, /поползла/ к ящику; to cringe — раболепствовать; съеживаться /от страха/), and jumped in among the puppies (и прыгнула к щенкам; among — между, посреди).

circle [sWkl], scent [sent], whimper [`wImpq]

The puppy lay close to her. Lennie picked it up. "I'll throw him away," he said. "It's bad enough like it is." He put the pup under his coat, and he crept to the barn wall and peered out between the cracks, toward the horseshoe game. And then he crept around the end of the last manger and disappeared.

The sun streaks were high on the wall by now, and the light was growing soft in the barn. Curley's wife lay on her back, and she was half covered with hay.

It was very quiet in the barn, and the quiet of the afternoon was on the ranch. Even the clang of the pitched shoes, even the voices of the men in the game, seemed to grow more quiet. The air in the barn was dusky in advance of the outside day. A pigeon flew in through the open hay door and circled and flew out again. Around the last stall came a shepherd bitch, lean and long, with heavy, hanging dugs. Halfway to the packing box where the puppies were she caught the dead scent of Curley's wife, and the hair arose along her spine. She whimpered and cringed to the packing box, and jumped in among the puppies.

Curley's wife lay with a half-covering of yellow hay (жена Кудряша лежала, наполовину прикрытая желтым сеном). And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention (вульгарность, /честолюбивые/ намерения, недовольство, жажда внимания; mean — убогий, жалкий; вульгарный; plan — план; замысел, намерение; ache — боль; жажда к чему-л., нехватка) were all gone from her face (все пропало с ее лица). She was very pretty and simple (она была милой и простой), and her face was sweet and young (и ее лицо было добрым и юным). Now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips (сейчас ее нарумяненные щеки и накрашенные губы; red — красный) made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly (делали ее живой, казалось, она просто дремлет; light sleep — дремота). The curls (кудряшки), tiny little sausages (маленькие колбаски; tiny — крошечный), were spread on the hay behind her head (разметались по сену «позади головы»), and her lips were parted (и ее губы приоткрылись: «разделились»).

As happens sometimes (как иногда случается), a moment settled and hovered (мгновение = время остановилось и зависло; to settle — поселиться; затвердевать; to hover — реять, парить; нависать) and remained for much more than a moment (и /длилось это/ намного дольше, чем одно мгновение; to remain — оставаться /в каком-л. состоянии/). And sound stopped and movement stopped for much (замолкли звуки, замерло движение), much more than a moment (гораздо дольше, чем на одно мгновение).

rouged [rHZd], tiny [`taInI], hover [`hOvq]

Curley's wife lay with a half-covering of yellow hay. And the meanness and the plannings and the discontent and the ache for attention were all gone from her face. She was very pretty and simple, and her face was sweet and young. Now her rouged cheeks and her reddened lips made her seem alive and sleeping very lightly. The curls, tiny little sausages, were spread on the hay behind her head, and her lips were parted.

As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment.

Then gradually time awakened again (потом постепенно время проснулось снова) and moved sluggishly on (и лениво двинулось дальше). The horses stamped on the other side of the feeding racks (лошади топтались с другой стороны кормушки) and the halter chains clinked (бряцая уздечками). Outside, the men's voices became louder and clearer (снаружи голоса «людей» стали громче и четче; clear — ясный, четкий).

From around the end of the last stall (из-за «края» последнего стойла) old Candy's voice came (послышался голос старика Кэнди). "Lennie," he called (Ленни, позвал он). "Oh, Lennie! You in here (эй, Ленни, ты здесь)? I been figuring some more (я /тут/ еще немного подумал/подсчитал). Tell you what we can do, Lennie (расскажу тебе, что мы можем сделать)." Old Candy appeared around the end of the last stall (старый Кэнди появился из-за края последнего стойла). "Oh, Lennie!" he called again (эй, Ленни, снова позвал он); and then he stopped (потом остановился), and his body stiffened (и его тело застыло). He rubbed his smooth wrist (он потер своей гладкой культей) on his white stubble whiskers (седую щетину на висках). "I di'n't know you was here (я не знал, что вы здесь)," he said to Curley's wife (сказал он жене Кудряша).

When she didn't answer (когда она не ответила), he stepped nearer (он шагнул ближе). "You oughten to sleep out here (вы не должны = не нужно здесь спать)," he said disapprovingly (сказал он неодобрительно; to disapprove — осуждать); and then he was beside her and (и вот он был рядом с ней и) — "Oh, Jesus Christ! (о, Господи Иисусе)" He looked about helplessly (он беспомощно огляделся), and he rubbed his beard (и потер бороду). And then he jumped up (потом он подпрыгнул) and went quickly out of the barn (и быстро вышел из конюшни).

But the barn was alive now (конюшня теперь уже ожила). The horses stamped and snorted (лошади били копытами и храпели), and they chewed the straw of their bedding (они жевали солому из своей подстилки; bedding — постельное белье; подстилка для скота) and they clashed the chains of their halters (и бряцали/звенели цепочками своих уздечек). In a moment Candy came back (через мгновенье Кэнди вернулся), and George was with him (с ним был Джордж).

sluggish [`slAgIS], stubble [stAbl], alive [q`laIv]

Then gradually time awakened again and moved sluggishly on. The horses stamped on the other side of the feeding racks and the halter chains clinked. Outside, the men's voices became louder and clearer.

From around the end of the last stall old Candy's voice came. "Lennie," he called. "Oh, Lennie! You in here? I been figuring some more. Tell you what we can do, Lennie." Old Candy appeared around the end of the last stall. "Oh, Lennie!" he called again; and then he stopped, and his body stiffened. He rubbed his smooth wrist on his white stubble whiskers. "I di'n't know you was here," he said to Curley's wife.

When she didn't answer, he stepped nearer. "You oughten to sleep out here," he said disapprovingly; and then he was beside her and — "Oh, Jesus Christ!" He looked about helplessly, and he rubbed his beard. And then he jumped up and went quickly out of the barn.

But the barn was alive now. The horses stamped and snorted, and they chewed the straw of their bedding and they clashed the chains of their halters. In a moment Candy came back, and George was with him.

George said (Джордж спросил), "What was it you wanted to see me about (что ты хотел, чтобы я увидел)?"

Candy pointed at Curley's wife (Кэнди ткнул пальцем /в сторону/ Кудряша жены; to point — заострять; указывать, показывать пальцем). George stared (Джордж всмотрелся). "What's the matter with her?" he asked (а что с ней такого). He stepped closer (он шагнул ближе), and then he echoed Candy's words (и тут, как эхо, повторил слова Кэнди). "Oh, Jesus Christ (о, Господи Иисусе)!" He was down on his knees beside her (он встал на колени возле нее). He put his hand over her heart (он положил ей руку на сердце). And finally, when he stood up (наконец, когда он встал), slowly and stiffly (медленно и с трудом; stiff — тугой, негибкий), his face was as hard and tight as wood (лицо его было непроницаемо как камень: «твердым и прочным, как дерево»), and his eyes were hard (а глаза жесткими = взгляд жестким).

Candy said, "What done it (Кэнди сказал: кто это сделал)?"

George looked coldly at him (Джордж холодно взглянул на него). "Ain't you got any idear (а ты не понял: «а у тебя нет никаких идей»; idear = idea)?" he asked (спросил он). And Candy was silent (и Кэнди замолчал). "I should of knew (я должен был знать = предвидеть)," George said hopelessly (сказал Джордж безнадежно). "I guess maybe way back in my head I did (думаю, где-то в глубине: «сзади в голове» я знал)."

Candy asked (Кэнди спросил), "What we gonna do now, George (что теперь будем делать, Джордж)? What we gonna do now (что теперь будем делать)?"

George was a long time in answering (Джордж долго не отвечал). "Guess (думаю)... we gotta tell the... guys (мы должны рассказать ребятам). I guess we gotta get 'im (думаю, надо поймать его) an' lock 'im up (и посадить под замок: «запереть его»). We can't let 'im get away (мыне можем позволить ему сбежать; to get away — уходить; удирать). Why, the poor bastard'd starve (ведь бедняга помрет с голоду; to starve — голодать, умереть от голода)." And he tried to reassure himself (и он попытался успокоить сам себя). "Maybe they'll lock 'im up (может, они запрут его /где-то/) an' be nice to 'im (и не тронут его: «и будут к нему хорошо относиться»)."

echo [`ekqu], matter [`mxtq], reassure ["rJq`Suq]

George said, "What was it you wanted to see me about?"

Candy pointed at Curley's wife. George stared. "What's the matter with her?" he asked. He stepped closer, and then he echoed Candy's words. "Oh, Jesus Christ!" He was down on his knees beside her. He put his hand over her heart. And finally, when he stood up, slowly and stiffly, his face was as hard and tight as wood, and his eyes were hard.

Candy said, "What done it?"

George looked coldly at him. "Ain't you got any idear?" he asked. And Candy was silent. "I should of knew," George said hopelessly. "I guess maybe way back in my head I did."

Candy asked, "What we gonna do now, George? What we gonna do now?"

George was a long time in answering. "Guess... we gotta tell the... guys. I guess we gotta get 'im an' lock 'im up. We can't let 'im get away. Why, the poor bastard'd starve." And he tried to reassure himself. "Maybe they'll lock 'im up an' be nice to 'im."

But Candy said excitedly (но Кэнди возбужденно сказал), "We oughta let 'im get away (мы должны дать ему удрать). You don't know that Curley (ты не знаешь этого Кудряша). Curley gon'ta wanta get 'im lynched (Кудряш захочет его линчевать; gon'ta wanta = going to want to). Curley'll get 'im killed (Кудряш настоит на том, чтоб его убили)."

George watched Candy's lips (Джордж смотрел на губы Кэнди). "Yeah," he said at last (да, — наконец сказал он), "that's right, Curley will (это правда, Кудряш /так и сделает/). An' the other guys will (и другие парни тоже)." And he looked back at Curley's wife (и он, обернувшись, посмотрел на Кудряша жену).

Now Candy spoke his greatest fear (теперь Кэнди высказал свое самое большое опасение). "You an' me can get that little place (мы с тобой сможем купить ту фермочку), can't we, George (сможем, Джордж)? You an' me can go there an' live nice (мы с тобой сможем поехать туда и прекрасно /там/ жить), can't we, George? Can't we (а, Джордж, сможем)?"

Before George answered (прежде чем Джордж ответил), Candy dropped his head (Кэнди уронил голову) and looked down at the hay (и смотрел вниз «на сено»). He knew (он /уже все/ понял; to know (knew; known) — знать; понимать, осознавать).

George said softly (Джордж сказал тихо), "— I think I knowed from the very first (мне кажется, я предвидел с самого начала; knowed = knew; to know (knew; known)). I think I know'd (мне кажется, я знал) we'd never do her (что мы никогда ее не купим; she — она; при персонификации о животных, а также о некоторых неодушевленных явлениях, предметах и абстрактных понятиях — о машинах, судах, о городах, о странах). He usta like to hear about it so much (он так часто любил слушать об этом; usta = used to /диал./) I got to thinking maybe we would (и я подумал, может у нас /все-таки/ получится)."

"Then — it's all off (итак, все кончено)?" Candy asked sulkily (мрачно спросил Кэнди; to sulk — быть угрюмым, мрачным).

George didn't answer his question (Джордж не ответил на вопрос). George said, "I'll work my month (я доработаю месяц) an' I'll take my fifty bucks (заберу свои пятьдесят зеленых) an' I'll stay all night in some lousy cat house (и всю ночь проведу в каком-нибудь грязном борделе; lousy — вшивый). Or I'll set in some poolroom (или засяду в бильярдной) till ever'body goes home (пока все не разойдутся по домам). An' then I'll come back (а потом вернусь) an' work another month (и проработаю еще один месяц) an' I'll have fifty bucks more (и получу еще пятьдесят зеленых)."

sulkily [`sAlkIlI], nice [naIs], poolroom [`pHlrum]

But Candy said excitedly, "We oughta let 'im get away. You don't know that Curley. Curley gon'ta wanta get 'im lynched. Curley'll get 'im killed."

George watched Candy's lips. "Yeah," he said at last, "that's right, Curley will. An' the other guys will." And he looked back at Curley's wife.

Now Candy spoke his greatest fear. "You an' me can get that little place, can't we, George? You an' me can go there an' live nice, can't we, George? Can't we?"

Before George answered, Candy dropped his head and looked down at the hay. He knew.

George said softly, "— I think I knowed from the very first. I think I know'd we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would."

"Then — it's all off?" Candy asked sulkily.

George didn't answer his question. George said, "I'll work my month an' I'll take my fifty bucks an' I'll stay all night in some lousy cat house. Or I'll set in some poolroom till ever'body goes home. An' then I'll come back an' work another month an' I'll have fifty bucks more."

Candy said (Кэнди сказал), "He's such a nice fella (он такой хороший парень). I didn' think he'd do nothing like this (не думал я, что он сделает что-то в этом роде)."

George still stared at Curley's wife (Джордж все еще смотрел на жену Кудряша). "Lennie never done it in meanness (Ленни никогда не сделал бы это по злобе)," he said. "All the time he done bad things (все время он что-нибудь да выкидывал: «делал что-то плохое»), but he never done one of 'em mean (но он никогда не делал это со зла; mean — жалкий; подлый)." He straightened up (он выпрямился) and looked back at Candy (и, /повернувшись/ взглянул на Кэнди). "Now listen (а теперь слушай). We gotta tell the guys (мы должны рассказать ребятам). They got to bring him in, I guess (им придется привести его сюда, я полагаю). They ain't no way out (другого выхода нет; they ain't = there isn’t; way out — выход из положения). Maybe they won't hurt 'im (может, они и не причинят ему зла)." He said sharply (он сказал резко), "I ain't gonna let 'em hurt Lennie (я не позволю им тронуть Ленни). Now you listen (а теперь слушай). The guys might think (ребята могут подумать) I was in on it (что я в этом замешан; to be in on — принимать участие). I'm gonna go in the bunkhouse (я пойду в барак). Then in a minute you come out (а через минуту выйдешь ты) and tell the guys about her (и скажешь всем про нее), and I'll come along (и я пойду с вами; to come along — сопровождать, идти за кем-л.) and make like I never seen her (и сделаю /вид/, будто «никогда» не видел ее). Will you do that (сделаешь это)? So the guys won't think I was in on it (таким образом ребята не подумают, что я в этом замешан)?"

meanness [`mJnnIs], straighten [streItn], minute [`mInIt]

Candy said, "He's such a nice fella. I didn' think he'd do nothing like this."

George still stared at Curley's wife. "Lennie never done it in meanness," he said. "All the time he done bad things, but he never done one of 'em mean." He straightened up and looked back at Candy. "Now listen. We gotta tell the guys. They got to bring him in, I guess. They ain't no way out. Maybe they won't hurt 'im." He said sharply, "I ain't gonna let 'em hurt Lennie. Now you listen. The guys might think I was in on it. I'm gonna go in the bunkhouse. Then in a minute you come out and tell the guys about her, and I'll come along and make like I never seen her. Will you do that? So the guys won't think I was in on it?"

Candy said, "Sure, George. Sure I'll do that (конечно, Джордж, конечно я это сделаю)."

"O.K. (хорошо). Give me a couple minutes then (тогда дай мне пару минут), and you come runnin' out (/потом/ бегом выходи) an' tell like you jus' found her (и рассказывай так, будто только что ее обнаружил). I'm going now (я пошел)." George turned and went quickly out of the barn (Джордж развернулся и быстро вышел из конюшни).

Old Candy watched him go (старик Кэнди смотрел, как он идет). He looked helplessly back at Curley's wife (он беспомощно оглянулся назад на жену Кудряша), and gradually his sorrow and his anger grew into words (и постепенно его сожаление и гнев вылились: «превратились» в слова; to grow into (grew; grown) — превращаться). "You God damn tramp (ты, проклятая шлюха)", he said viciously (сказал он злобно; vicious — порочный; злой). "You done it, di'n't you (ты все-таки добилась своего: «сделала это», не так ли)? I s'pose you're glad (полагаю, ты рада). Ever'body knowed (все знали) you'd mess things up (что ты все испортишь = что с тобой беды не миновать; to mess up — портить дело, нарушать планы; to mess — производить беспорядок). You wasn't no good (от тебя мало было пользы; good — хороший; толковый, полезный). You ain't no good now (и сейчас пользы никакой), you lousy tart (ты, шлюха несчастная; lousy — вшивый; несчастный)."

He sniveled (он всхлипнул), and his voice shook (и его голос задрожал). "I could of hoed in the garden (я мог бы сорняки полоть в огороде; garden — сад; огород) and washed dishes for them guys (и мыть посуду для ребят)." He paused (он остановился), and then went on in a singsong (потом монотонно продолжал; singsong — стихотворение; однообразный монотонный голос). And he repeated the old words (и он /стал/ повторять /заученные наизусть/ «старые» слова): "If they was a circus (если бы там был цирк) or a baseball game (или бейсбольный матч)... we would of went to her (мы пошли бы на игру)... jus' said 'ta hell with work (просто сказали бы, черт с ней, с работой),' an' went to her (и пошли бы на игру). Never ast nobody's say so (никого и не спрашивали бы). An' they'd of been a pig and chickens (и были бы куры и поросенок)... an' in the winter (а зимой)... the little fat stove (маленькая пузатая печурка)... an' the rain comin'... an' us jes' settin' there (а пошли бы дожди, /мы/ просто сидели бы /в доме/)." His eyes blinded with tears (глаза его наполнились слезами: «ослепли от слез») and he turned and went weakly out of the barn (он повернулся и пошел ослабевшими /ногами/ прочь из конюшни; weak — слабый), and he rubbed his bristly whiskers with his wrist stump (и тер щетину на висках своей культяшкой).