Английский язык с П. Треверс. Мэри Поппинс / P. L. Travers: Mary Poppins

“It is usual, I think, to begin with bread-and-butter (принято: «обычно», я думаю, начинать с хлеба с маслом),” he said to Jane and Michael (он сказал Джейн и Майклу), “but as it’s my birthday (но так как это мой день рождения) we will begin the wrong way (мы начнем неправильным способом = не с того конца) — which I always think is the right way — with the Cake (который, я всегда думал, есть правильный способ — с пирога)!”

And he cut a large slice for everybody (и он отрезал по большому куску для каждого).

wriggle [rIgl] dangerously [׳deInGqrqslI] guests [gests]

To this day Jane and Michael cannot be sure of what happened then. All they know for certain is that, as soon as Mr Wigg had appealed to Mary Poppins, the table below began to wriggle on its legs. Presently it was swaying dangerously, and then with a rattle of china and with cakes lurching off their plates on to the cloth, the table came soaring through the room, gave one graceful turn, and landed beside them so that Mr Wigg was at its head.

“Good girl!” said Mr Wigg, smiling proudly upon her. “I knew you’d fix something. Now, will you take the foot of the table and pour out, Mary? And the guests on either side of me. That’s the idea,” he said, as Michael ran bobbing through the air and sat down on Mr Wigg’s right. Jane was at his left hand. There they were, all together, up in the air and the table between them. Not a single piece of bread-and-butter or a lump of sugar had been left behind.

Mr Wigg smiled contentedly.

“It is usual, I think, to begin with bread-and-butter,” he said to Jane and Michael, “but as it’s my birthday we will begin the wrong way — which I always think is the right way — with the Cake!”

And he cut a large slice for everybody.

“More tea (еще чаю: «больше чая»)?” he said to Jane (он сказал Джейн). But before she had time to reply (но перед тем, как у нее было время ответить) there was a quick, sharp knock at the door (был быстрый, резкий стук в дверь).

“Come in (заходите)!” called Mr Wigg (позвал мистер Вигг).

The door opened (дверь открылась), and there stood Miss Persimmon with a jug of hot water on a tray (и там стояла мисс Персиммон с кувшином горячей воды на подносе).

“I thought, Mr Wigg (я подумала, мистер Вигг),” she began (она начала), looking searchingly round the room (оглядывая испытующе комнату), “you’d be wanting some more hot (вам понадобится: «вы захотите» немного больше горячей) — Well, I never (ну, я никогда)! I simply never (япростоникогда)!” she said, as she caught sight of them all (когда она заметила их всех; to catch a sight — заметить: «пойматьвид») seated on the air round the table (сидящих на воздухе вокруг стола). “Such goings on I never did see (такое происходящее я никогда действительно не видела; togoon — происходить; продолжаться)! In all my born days I never saw such (за всю свою жизнь: «во все мои рожденные дни» я никогда не видела такое). I’m sure, Mr Wigg (я уверена, мистер Вигг), I always knew you were a bit odd (я всегда знала, что вы немного странный). But I’ve closed my eyes to it (но я закрывала глаза на это) — being as how you paid your rent regular (раз уж вы платили вашу арендную плату вовремя/регулярно). But such behaviour as this (но такое поведение, как это) — having tea in the air with your guests (пить чай в воздухе со своими гостями) — Mr Wigg, sir, I’m astonished at you (мистер Вигг, сэр, я поражаюсь вам: «поражена»)! It’s that undignified (это так недостойно), and for a gentleman of your age (и для джентльмена вашего возраста) — I never did (я никогда действительно) —”

caught [kO:t] air [εq] regular ['regjulq]

“More tea?” he said to Jane. But before she had time to reply there was a quick, sharp knock at the door.

“Come in!” called Mr Wigg.

The door opened, and there stood Miss Persimmon with a jug of hot water on a tray.

“I thought, Mr Wigg,” she began, looking searchingly round the room, “you’d be wanting some more hot — Well, I never! I simply never!” she said, as she caught sight of them all seated on the air round the table. “Such goings on I never did see! In all my born days I never saw such. I’m sure, Mr Wigg, I always knew you were a bit odd. But I’ve closed my eyes to it — being as how you paid your rent regular. But such behaviour as this — having tea in the air with your guests — Mr Wigg, sir, I’m astonished at you! It’s that undignified, and for a gentleman of your age — I never did — ”

“But perhaps you will, Miss Persimmon (но возможно вы будете, мисс Персиммон)!” said Michael.

“Will what (буду что)?” said Miss Persimmon haughtily (сказала мисс Персиммон высокомерно).

“Catch the Laughing Gas, as we did (заражаться газом, вызывающим смех, как мы заразились: «поймали»),” said Michael.

Miss Persimmon flung back her head scornfully (мисс Персиммон откинула свою голову назад презрительно; scorn — презрение, пренебрежение).