Английский язык с миссис Харрис, или платье от Диора

The story of the dilemma (история этого затруднительного положения) ran like wildfire through the building (распространилась как пожар = со сверхъестественной быстротой по всему зданию; to run like wildfire — распространяться со сверхъестественной быстротой). Experts appeared from all sides to give advice (знатоки появлялись со всех сторон, чтобы дать совет), including that there be a petition directed to the British Ambassador (включая совет: «такой», о прошении английскому послу), until it was pointed out (пока не было отмечено) that so stern was the British regard for the law (что таким строгим было отношение британцев к закону) that not even the Ambassador or the Queen herself (что ни посол, ни даже сама королева) could intervene to have it set aside (не могли вмешаться и попросить проигнорировать его; to set aside — отложить; игнорировать), even in so worthy a cause (даже в таком достойном деле)…

ambassador [xm'bxsqdq], law [lO:], intervene ["Intq'vi:n]

The story of the dilemma ran like wildfire through the building. Experts appeared from all sides to give advice, including that there be a petition directed to the British Ambassador, until it was pointed out that so stern was the British regard for the law that not even the Ambassador or the Queen herself could intervene to have it set aside, even in so worthy a cause…

It was the Patron himself (это был шеф лично), familiar with Mrs. Harris' story (знакомый с историей миссис Харрис), who solved the dilemma (кто разрешил дилемму), severing the Gordian knot with one swift (разрубая Гордиев узел одним быстрым; to sever — отделять, разделять; отрезать; разрубать), generous stroke (великодушным ударом) — or thought he had (или /по крайней мере/ ему так думалось). "Reduce the price of the dress to this good woman (снизьте цену платья для этой хорошей женщины)", he ordered auditor Fauvel (велел он аудитору Фовелю), "and give her the balance in cash to pay the duty (и выдайте ей разницу наличными, чтобы заплатить пошлину).

"But, sir (но, сэр)", protested the horrified Fauvel (запротестовал в ужасе Фовель), who now for the first time himself saw the trap (который теперь впервые сам увидел западню) into which his benefactress had fallen (в которую его благодетельница попала), "it is impossible (это невозможно)!"

familiar [fq'mIljq], generous ['dZenqrqs], benefactress ['benIfxktrIs]

It was the Patron himself, familiar with Mrs. Harris' story, who solved the dilemma, severing the Gordian knot with one swift, generous stroke — or thought he had. "Reduce the price of the dress to this good woman," he ordered auditor Fauvel, "and give her the balance in cash to pay the duty.

"But, sir," protested the horrified Fauvel, who now for the first time himself saw the trap into which his benefactress had fallen, "it is impossible!"

They all stared at him (все уставились на него) as though he were a poisonous reptile (как будто он был ядовитой змеей: «рептилией»; poison — яд). "Do you not see (разве вы не понимаете)? Madame has already unwittingly broken British law (мадам уже непреднамеренно нарушила британский закон) by exporting the one thousand four hundred dollars (вывезя тысячу четыреста долларов), illegally exchanged by her American friend in the United Kingdom (незаконно обмененных ее американской подругой в Соединенном Королевстве). If now she, poor woman, appears at British customs at the airport (если теперь она, бедная женщина, появится на британской таможне в аэропорту) declaring a dress worth five hundred pounds (декларируя платье стоимостью пятьсот фунтов) and offers a further hundred and fifty pounds in cash to pay the duty (и предложит еще сто пятьдесят фунтов наличными, чтобы уплатить пошлину), there would be inquiries how she (будут вопросы, как она), a British subject (британская подданная), had come by these monies (получила эти деньги; to come by — получить); there would be a scandal (будет скандал)…"

poisonous ['pOIznqs], unwittingly [An'wItINlI], inquiry [In'kwaIqrI]

They all stared at him as though he were a poisonous reptile. "Do you not see? Madame has already unwittingly broken British law by exporting the one thousand four hundred dollars, illegally exchanged by her American friend in the United Kingdom. If now she, poor woman, appears at British customs at the airport declaring a dress worth five hundred pounds and offers a further hundred and fifty pounds in cash to pay the duty, there would be inquiries how she, a British subject, had come by these monies; there would be a scandal…"