Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. Мистер Всезнайка. Рассказы / W. S. Maugham. Mr. Know-All. Stories

"When he’s been a month in London (когда он пробудет в Лондоне с месяц) he’ll know that he can have nothing better to do (он узнает, что лучшего и не придумаешь: «не сделаешь»)," said the admiral.

peculiar [pI'kjHljq], savour ['seIvq], buoyant ['bOIqnt]

We began to chat. It was the same Jane as I had known before, perfectly simple, homely and unaffected, but her fantastic appearance certainly gave a peculiar savour to what she said. Suddenly I found myself shaking with laughter. She had made a remark, sensible and to the point, but not in the least witty, which her manner of saying and the blind look she gave me through her eyeglass made perfectly irresistible. I felt light-hearted and buoyant. When I left her she said to me:

"If you’ve got nothing better to do, come and see us on Tuesday evening. Gilbert will be so glad to see you."

"When he’s been a month in London he’ll know that he can have nothing better to do," said the admiral.

So (итак), on Tuesday but rather late (во вторник, но довольно поздно), I went to Jane’s (я приехал к Джейн). I confess I was a little surprised at the company (признаюсь, я был слегка удивлен обществом: «компанией»; surprise — удивление). It was quite a remarkable collection of writers (это было довольно примечательное скопление писателей), painters (художников) and politicians (и политиков), actors (актеров), great ladies (знатных дам) and great beauties (и светских красавиц); Mrs. Tower was right (миссис Тауэр была права), it was a grand party (это был грандиозный прием); I had seen nothing like it in London since Stafford House was sold (я не видел в Лондоне ничего подобного с тех пор, как был продан дом Стаффорда). No particular entertainment was provided (никаких особых развлечений не давали; to provide — обеспечивать; давать). The refreshments were adequate without being luxurious (закуски были соответствующие, но без роскоши: «не будучи роскошными»; to refresh — освежать, подкреплять;luxury — роскошь). Jane in her quiet way seemed to be enjoying herself (Джейн в своей спокойной манере, казалось, была /всем/ довольна; to enjoy — получатьудовольствие); I could not see that she took a great deal of trouble with her guests (я не видел, чтобы она много хлопотала о своих гостях; to take trouble — хлопотать, стараться; trouble — беспокойство), but they seemed to like being there (но им, по всей видимости, нравилось находится там), and the gay (и веселый), pleasant party did not break up till two in the morning (приятный вечер не прекращался до двух часов ночи; to break up — прекращаться).

politician [pOlI'tISn], adequate ['xdIkwIt], luxurious [lAg'ZuqrIqs], enjoy [In'GOI]

So, on Tuesday but rather late, I went to Jane’s. I confess I was a little surprised at the company. It was quite a remarkable collection of writers, painters and politicians, actors, great ladies and great beauties; Mrs. Tower was right, it was a grand party; I had seen nothing like it in London since Stafford House was sold. No particular entertainment was provided. The refreshments were adequate without being luxurious. Jane in her quiet way seemed to be enjoying herself; I could not see that she took a great deal of trouble with her guests, but they seemed to like being there, and the gay, pleasant party did not break up till two in the morning.