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

 Mr and Mrs Anstruther had been for a week or more recruiting at Brighton before they received a circular from the Essex Archaeological Society, and a query as to whether they possessed certain historical portraits which it was desired to include in the forthcoming work on Essex Portraits, to be published under the Society’s auspices. There was an accompanying letter from the Secretary which contained the following passage: ‘We are specially anxious to know whether you possess the original of the engraving of which I enclose a photograph. It represents Si-, Lord Chief justice under Charles II., who, as you doubtless know, retired after his disgrace to Westfield, and is supposed to have died there of remorse. It may interest you to hear that a curious entry has recently been found in the registers, not of Westfield but of Priors Roothing, to the effect that the parish was so much troubled after his death that the rector of Westfield summoned the parsons of all the Roothings to come and lay him; which they did. The entry ends by saying: “The stake is in a field adjoining to the churchyard of Westfield, on the west side.” Perhaps you can let us know if any tradition to this effect is current in your parish.’

The incidents which the ‘enclosed photograph’ recalled were productive of a severe shock to Mrs Anstruther (те события, что «прилагавшаяся фотография» напомнила миссис Анструтер, вызвали у нее тяжелый шок; to recall – вспоминать; воскрешать /в памяти/; напоминать /кого-либо, что-либо/; productive – причиняющий, влекущий за собой). It was decided that she must spend the winter abroad (было решено, что она проведет зиму за границей; to spend – тратить; проводить /время/).

Mr Anstruther, when he went down to Westfield to make the necessary arrangements (мистер Анструтер, когда он отправился в Вестфилд с тем, чтобы сделать необходимые приготовления; arrangements – приведение в порядок; расположение; меры, мероприятия, приготовления; to make arrangements – принимать меры; делать приготовления), not unnaturally told his story to the rector (an old gentleman), who showed little surprise (рассказал, вполне естественно: «не противоестественно», свою историю пастору, пожилому джентльмену, который не выказал большого удивления: «показал мало удивления»; rector – ректор /университета/; приходский священник; пастор).