Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. Театр

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франкаwww.franklang.ru

731

"Excuse me talking to you (извините, что я заговорил с вами), not 'aving been

introduced and all that (не будучи представленным вам и все такое; 'aving =

having), but I couldn't miss the opportunity (но я не мог упустить такую

возможность). Will you oblige me with your autograph (не дадите ли вы мне

ваш автограф; to oblige — обязывать, делать одолжение, оказывать

услугу)?"

Julia caught her breath (у Джулии перехватило дыхание; to catch one's breath —

затаить дыхание, перевести дух). It couldn't be (не могло же быть так) that

this was why (что из-за этого: «что это было /тем/, почему») he had followed

her for ten minutes (он следовал за ней десять минут). He must have thought that

up (он должно быть выдумал это; to think up — продумывать, придумывать)

as an excuse for speaking to her (как повод: «отговорку», чтобы заговорить с

ней). Well, she would play up (ну, она подыграет).

"I shall be delighted (с удовольствием: «буду счастлива»). But I can't very well

give it you in the street (но не могу же я, /не удобно же/ давать вам его на

улице). People would stare so (люди будут так пялиться)."

London ['lAndqn] opportunity ["Opq'tju:nItI] excuse [Ik'skju:s]

It was much funnier than he imagined. Anyhow it didn't matter if he knew who she

was. She ought to have guessed that she couldn't go far in London without being

recognized. He had a cockney accent and a pasty face, but she gave him a jolly,

friendly smile. He mustn't think she was putting on airs.

"Excuse me talking to you, not 'aving been introduced and all that, but I couldn't

miss the opportunity. Will you oblige me with your autograph?"

Julia caught her breath. It couldn't be that this was why he had followed her for ten

minutes. He must have thought that up as an excuse for speaking to her. Well, she

would play up.

"I shall be delighted. But I can't very well give it you in the street. People would

stare so."

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франкаwww.franklang.ru

732

"That's right (это точно). Look here, I was just going along to 'ave my tea

(послушайте, я как раз собирался выпить чаю; 'ave = to have). There's a Lyons

at the next corner (здесь /кафе из сети/ «Лайонз» на следующем углу). Why

don't you come in and 'ave a cup too (почему бы вам не зайти и не выпить тоже

чашку)?"

She was getting on (она делала успехи; to get on — преуспевать,

продвигаться). When they'd had tea (когда они выпьют чай) he'd probably

suggest going to the pictures (он, возможно, предложит пойти в кино).

"All right (хорошо)," she said.

They walked along till they came to the shop (они шли до тех пор, пока не

дошли до закусочной) and took their places at a small table (и сели на места:

«заняли свои места» за маленьким столом).

"Two teas, please, miss (два чая пожалуйста, мисс)," he ordered (заказал он).

"Anything to eat (что-нибудь поесть)?" And when Julia declined (и когда

Джулия отказалась): "Scone and butter for one, miss (булочку и масло — для

одного, мисс)."

Julia was able now to have a good look at him (Джулия теперь смогла

хорошенько его рассмотреть). Though stocky and short (хотя коренастый и

невысокий) he had good features (у него были хорошие черты лица), his black

hair was plastered down on his head (его черные волосы были прилизаны по

/его/ голове) and he had fine eyes (и у него были красивые глаза), but his teeth

were poor (но его зубы были плохие) and his pale skin gave him an unhealthy

look (и его бледная кожа придавала ему нездоровый вид). There was a sort of

impudence in his manner (была некая дерзость в его манере поведения) that

Julia did not much like (которая Джулии не особо нравилась), but then, as she

sensibly reflected (но тогда, когда она благоразумно поразмыслила), you could

hardly expect the modesty of the violet in a young man (что нельзя: «вряд ли

можно» ожидать скромности фиалки от молодого человека; a blushing violet

— чрезвычайно застенчивый человек) who picked you up in the Edgware Road

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франкаwww.franklang.ru

733

(который подбирает девушек на Эдвард-роуд).

"Before we go any further (до того, как мы продолжим: «пойдем дальше») let's

'ave this autograph, eh (давайте сделаем этот автограф, да)? Do it now, that's my

motto (не откладывай: «делай это сейчас» — вот мой девиз)."

corner ['kO:nq] impudence ['ImpjVd(q)ns] autograph ['O:tqgrQ:f]

"That's right. Look here, I was just going along to 'ave my tea. There's a Lyons at

the next corner. Why don't you come in and 'ave a cup too?"

She was getting on. When they'd had tea he'd probably suggest going to the

pictures.

"All right," she said.

They walked along till they came to the shop and took their places at a small table.