Чтение онлайн

frightened [fraItnd], dishonest [dIs'OnIst], listen [lIsn]

Mrs. Harris removed her hands to reveal the face of an old and frightened Capuchin monkey. "I won't do nuffink dishonest — or tell no lies."

"No, no. Trust me. You shall say nothing but the absolute truth. But you must do exactly how and what I say for, my dear, we ALL wish you to have your beautiful dress to take home. Now listen." And Mme. Colbert, placing her lips close to Mrs. Harris' little monkey ear so that no one else might hear, whispered her instructions.

As she stood in the customs hall of London Airport (когда она стояла в холле таможни Лондонского аэропорта), Mrs. Harris felt sure that her thumping heart must be audible to all (миссис Харрис чувствовала с уверенностью, что ее колотящееся сердце, должно быть, слышно всем), yet by the time the pleasant-looking young customs officer reached her (однако когда приятного вида молодой таможенный инспектор добрался до нее), her native-born courage and cheerfulness buoyed her up (ее прирожденное мужество и жизнерадостность поддержали ее), and her naughty little eyes (а ее озорные маленькие глазки) were even twinkling with an odd kind of anticipatory pleasure (даже мерцали каким-то странным предвкушаемым удовольствием).

thumping ['TAmpIN], audible ['O:dqbl], buoy [bOI]

As she stood in the customs hall of London Airport, Mrs. Harris felt sure that her thumping heart must be audible to all, yet by the time the pleasant-looking young customs officer reached her, her native-born courage and cheerfulness buoyed her up, and her naughty little eyes were even twinkling with an odd kind of anticipatory pleasure.

On the counter before her rested not the glamorous Dior box (на стойке перед ней покоилась не очаровательная коробка Диора), but a large and well-worn plastic suitcase (а большой и изрядно потертый пластмассовый чемодан) of the cheapest kind (самого дешевого вида). The officer handed her a card (офицер дал ей карточку) on which was printed the list of dutiable articles purchased abroad (на которой был напечатан список товаров, приобретенных за границей, облагаемых пошлиной).

"You read it to me, duckie (вы прочтете это для меня, милый)", Mrs. Harris grinned impudently (миссис Харрис усмехнулась дерзко; impudent — бесстыдный; нахальный, дерзкий), "I left me specs at 'ome (я оставила мои очки дома)".

dutiable ['dju:tjqbl], purchase ['pq:tSqs], impudently ['ImpjudqntlI]

On the counter before her rested not the glamorous Dior box, but a large and well-worn plastic suitcase of the cheapest kind. The officer handed her a card on which was printed the list of dutiable articles purchased abroad.

"You read it to me, duckie," Mrs. Harris grinned impudently, "I left me specs at 'ome."

The inspector glanced at her sharply once (инспектор мельком взглянул на нее остро один раз = пронзил ее один раз взглядом) to see whether he was being had (чтобы посмотреть, не смеются ли над ним; to have — иметь; поставить в невыгодное, проигрышное положение; обмануть, надуть); the pink rose on the green hat bobbed at him (розовая роза на зеленой шляпе качнулась к нему); he recognized the breed at once (он узнал эту породу сразу). "Hullo (здравствуйте)," he smiled (он улыбнулся). "What have you been doing over in Paris (что вы делали в Париже)?"

" 'Aving a bit of a 'oliday on me own (имела немножечко отпуска = небольшой отпуск сама по себе; on one’s own — самостоятельно)".

The customs man grinned (таможенник усмехнулся). This was a new one on him (это было для него чем-то новеньким). The British char abroad (английская уборщица за границей). The mop-and-broom business must be good (бизнес швабры и метлы, должно быть, хорош), he reflected (он подумал), then inquired routinely (затем спросил как положено: «рутинно»): "Bring anything back with you (везете что-нибудь обратно с собой)?"

whether ['weDq], inquired [In'kwaIqd], routinely [ru:'ti:nlI]

The inspector glanced at her sharply once to see whether he was being had; the pink rose on the green hat bobbed at him; he recognized the breed at once. "Hullo," he smiled. "What have you been doing over in Paris?"

" 'Aving a bit of a 'oliday on me own."

The customs man grinned. This was a new one on him. The British char abroad. The mop-and-broom business must be good, he reflected, then inquired routinely: "Bring anything back with you?"

Mrs. Harris grinned at him (миссис Харрис усмехнулась ему). " 'Aven't I just (а как же)? A genuine Dior dress called "Temptytion" in me bag 'ere (настоящее платье от Диора, называемое «Искушение» вот в этой моей сумке). Five 'undred quid it cost (пятьсот фунтов оно стоило). 'Ow's that (как /вам/ это)?"

The inspector laughed (инспектор рассмеялся). It was not the first time he had encountered the London char's sense of humor (это не был первый раз, /когда/ он столкнулся с чувством юмора лондонской уборщицы). "You'll be the belle of the ball with it (вы будете королевой бала с ним = в нем), I'll wager (держу пари)", he said (сказал он), and made a mark with a piece of chalk on the side of the case (и сделал отметку кусочком мела на стенке чемодана). Then he sauntered off and presented his card to the next passenger (затем он /неспешно/ ушел и предъявил свою карточку следующему пассажиру; to saunter — идти медленной походкой; гулять, прогуливаться, прохаживаться) whose luggage was ready (чей багаж был готов).

laughed [lAft], encounter [In'kauntq], luggage ['lAgIdZ]

Mrs. Harris grinned at him. " 'Aven't I just? A genuine Dior dress called "Temptytion" in me bag 'ere. Five 'undred quid it cost. 'Ow's that?"

The inspector laughed. It was not the first time he had encountered the London char's sense of humor. "You'll be the belle of the ball with it, I'll wager," he said, and made a mark with a piece of chalk on the side of the case. Then he sauntered off and presented his card to the next passenger whose luggage was ready.

Mrs. Harris picked up her bag and walked (миссис Харрис подняла свою сумку и пошла) — not ran, though it was a great effort not to bolt (не побежала, хотя было трудно сдержаться и не рвануть; bolt — стрела, особенно арбалетная стрела; to bolt — быстро двигаться; нестись стрелой, убегать; удирать, давать деру, рвать когти) — to the exit and down the escalator to freedom (к выходу и вниз по эскалатору на свободу). She was filled not only with a sense of relief (она была переполнена не только чувством облегчения), but righteousness as well (но так же и правоты/справедливости). She had told the truth (она сказала правду). If, as Mme. Colbert had said (если, как сказала мадам Кольбер), the customs officer chose not to believe her (таможенный инспектор предпочел не поверить ей; to choose — выбрать; предпочесть), that was not her fault (это не было ее виной).

escalator ['eskqleItq], relief [rI'li:f], righteousness ['raItSqsnIs]

Mrs. Harris picked up her bag and walked — not ran, though it was a great effort not to bolt — to the exit and down the escalator to freedom. She was filled not only with a sense of relief, but righteousness as well. She had told the truth. If, as Mme. Colbert had said, the customs officer chose not to believe her, that was not her fault.

THIRTEEN (13)