Английский для смелых. Истории о духах и привидениях / Great Ghost Stories

 ‘I wish to hear what it was, George. I will tell you when I have had enough.’

‘All right. I must tell you that it wasn’t like other nightmares in one way, because I didn’t really see any one who spoke to me or touched me, and yet I was most fearfully impressed with the reality of it all. First I was sitting, no, moving about, in an old-fashioned sort of panelled room. I remember there was a fireplace and a lot of burnt papers in it, and I was in a great state of anxiety about something. There was some one else – a servant, I suppose, because I remember saying to him, “Horses, as quick as you can,” and then waiting a bit; and next I heard several people coming upstairs and a noise like spurs on a boarded floor, and then the door opened and whatever it was that I was expecting happened.’

‘Yes, but what was that?’

‘You see, I couldn’t tell (видишь ли, я не могу сказать): it was the sort of shock that upsets you in a dream (это был такой шок, что случается во сне; to upset – расстраивать, огорчать). You either wake up or else everything goes black (ты либо просыпаешься, либо этот сон заканчивается: «или все чернеет»). That was what happened to me (это со мною и случилось). Then I was in a big dark-walled room, panelled, I think, like the other (затем я оказался в большой комнате с темными стенами, обшитой деревом, я думаю, как и та), and a number of people, and I was evidently (там тоже было множество народа, и меня, видимо) —’

‘Standing your trial, I suppose, George (судили, я полагаю, Джордж; to stand – стоять; trial – суд; to stand one’s trial – быть под судом).’

‘Goodness! yes, Mary, I was (Боже, да, Мэри, так и было); but did you dream that too (тебе что, тоже приснился этот сон)? How very odd (как странно)!’

‘No, no; I didn’t get enough sleep for that (нет, нет; мне не удалось поспать достаточно: «я не получила достаточно сна» для этого). Go on, George, and I will tell you afterwards (продолжай, Джордж, я тебе потом расскажу).’