Jane and Michael had a good view of what was happening through a gap between a panther and a dingo (Джейн и Майкл имели хороший вид всего происходящего сквозь зазор между пантерой и динго). Bottles of milk were being thrown in to the babies (бутылки молока были бросаемы детям), who made soft little grabs with their hands (которые сделали небольшие мягкие захваты = хватательные движения своими ручками) and clutched them greedily (и стискивали их жадно;
Presently (через какое-то время), as the keepers passed down the line of cages (когда смотрители проходили вдоль клеток), a great commotion was heard (большое волнение/шум было слышно = послышалось).
“Blast my vitals (разрази меня гром: «разорви мои жизненно важные органы») — call that a meal (называете это едой)? A skimpy little round of beef (скудный крошечный кружок говядины) and a couple of cabbages (и пара капустных листьев)! What (что) — no Yorkshire pudding (без Йоркширского пудинга)? Outrageous (возмутительно;
“Listen to him (послушайте его)! He’s turned nasty (он разозлился;
Jane and Michael did not need to be told (Джейн и Майклу не надо было говорить) whom he meant (кого он имеет в виду;
doughnuts ['dqunAts] ravenous ['rxvqnqs] vitals ['vaItlz] anchor ['æŋkq]
Jane and Michael had a good view of what was happenings through a gap between a panther and a dingo. Bottles of milk were being thrown in to the babies, who made soft little grabs with their hands and clutched them greedily. The older children snatched sponge cakes and doughnuts from the forks and began to eat ravenously. Plates of thin bread-and-butter and wholemeal scones were provided for the ladies in galoshes, and the gentlemen in top hats had lamb cutlets and custard in glasses. These, as they received their food, took it away into a corner, spread handkerchiefs over their striped trousers and began to eat.
Presently, as the keepers passed down the line of cages, a great commotion was heard.
“Blast my vitals — call that a meal? A skimpy little round of beef and a couple of cabbages! What — no Yorkshire pudding? Outrageous! Up with the anchor! And where’s my port? Port, I say! Heave her over! Below there, where’s the Admiral’s port?”
“Listen to him! He’s turned nasty. I tell you, he’s not safe — that one,” said the Lion.
Jane and Michael did not need to be told whom he meant. They knew Admiral Boom’s language too well.