quickly as possible. What was the good of having a bit of influence if you
didn't use it? So many young men had left the stage, either from patriotism or
because life was made intolerable for them by the patriotic who stayed at
home, and finally owing to conscription, that leading parts had been in the
hands either of people who were inapt for military service or those who had
been so badly wounded that they had got their discharge.
There was a wonderful opening (это была удивительно благоприятная
возможность;
saw (и Майкл видел) that if he were available quickly (что если он сможет
быстро предложить себя /импресарио/: «он будет доступным в ближайшее
время») he could get his choice of parts (он сможет получить на выбор много
ролей). When he had recalled himself to the recollection of the public (когда он
напомнит публике о себе: «когда он напомнит о себе в воспоминаниях
публики») they could look about for a theatre (они смогут начать подыскивать
театр), and with the reputation Julia had now acquired (и с той репутацией,
которую теперь приобрела Джулия) it would be safe to start in management
(будет безопасно начинать собственное дело).
They talked late into the night (они проговорили до поздней ночи) and then they
went to bed (и затем отправились спать;
cuddled up to him voluptuously (она прижалась к нему сладострастно) and he
put his arms round her (и он обнял ее: «положил свои руки вокруг нее»). After
three months of abstinence (после трех месяцев воздержания) he was amorous
(он был настроен на любовный лад;
"You're the most wonderful little wife (ты /моя самая/ удивительная женушка),"
he whispered (прошептал он).
185
available [q'veIlqb(q)l] acquire [q'kwaIq] abstinence ['xbstInqns]
There was a wonderful opening, and Michael saw that if he were available
quickly he could get his choice of parts. When he had recalled himself to the
recollection of the public they could look about for a theatre, and with the
reputation Julia had now acquired it would be safe to start in management.
They talked late into the night and then they went to bed. She cuddled up to
him voluptuously and he put his arms round her. After three months of
abstinence he was amorous.
"You're the most wonderful little wife," he whispered.
He pressed his mouth to hers (он прижался своими губами к ее: «своим ртом к
ее»). She was filled (она испытала: «ее переполнило»;
(внезапно) with a faint disgust (неясное отвращение). She had to resist an
inclination (ей пришлось сопротивляться желанию) to push him away
(оттолкнуть его). Before (раньше), to her passionate nostrils (для ее
чувственных ноздрей) his body, his young beautiful body (его тело, его
молодое красивое тело), had seemed to have a perfume of flowers and honey
(казалось пахло: «имело запах» цветами и медом), and this had been one of the
things (и это был один из тех элементов: «вещей») that had most enchained her
to him (что сильнее приковывали ее к нему;
way (но теперь, каким-то странным образом) it had left him (он /запах/
оставил его). She realized (она осознала) that he no longer smelt like a youth
(что он больше не пахнет, как юноша), he smelt like a man (он пахнет, как
мужчина). She felt a little sick (она почувствовала легкую тошноту). She could
not respond to his ardour (она не могла отвечать на его страсть), she was eager
(она с нетерпением ждала) that he should get his desire satisfied quickly (чтобы