Английский язык с Э. Р. Берроузом. Принцесса Марса

One curious fact I discovered as I watched his thoughts was that the outer doors are manipulated by telepathic means. The locks are so finely adjusted that the doors are released by the action of a certain combination of thought waves. To experiment with my new-found toy I thought to surprise him into revealing this combination and so I asked him in a casual manner how he had managed to unlock the massive doors for me from the inner chambers of the building. As quick as a flash there leaped to his mind nine Martian sounds, but as quickly faded as he answered that this was a secret he must not divulge.

From then on his manner toward me changed (с этого момента его отношение ко мне изменилось) as though he feared that he had been surprised into divulging his great secret (как будто он опасался, что его вынудили раскрыть его большой секрет, застав врасплох) and I read suspicion and fear in his looks and thoughts (и я читал подозрение и страх в его взглядах и мыслях), though his words were still fair (хотя слова его были все еще доброжелательны; fair — вежливый, учтивый; мирный, спокойный).

Before I retired for the night (прежде, чем я отправился спать) he promised to give me a letter to a nearby agricultural officer (он пообещал вручить мне письмо к живущему поблизости чиновнику земледелия; nearby — близкий, соседний; officer — сотрудник, чиновник) who would help me on my way to Zodanga (который поможет мне на моем пути в Зодангу), which he said, was the nearest Martian city (который, как он сказал мне, был ближайшим марсианским городом).

suspicion [sq'spIS(q)n], retire [rI'taIq], agricultural ["xgrI'kAltSqrql]

From then on his manner toward me changed as though he feared that he had been surprised into divulging his great secret, and I read suspicion and fear in his looks and thoughts, though his words were still fair.

Before I retired for the night he promised to give me a letter to a nearby agricultural officer who would help me on my way to Zodanga, which he said, was the nearest Martian city.

"But be sure that you do not let them know you are bound for Helium (но ни в коем случае не дай им знать, что ты направляешься в Гелиум; to be sure to do — непременно сделать; bound — обязанный; направляющийся; to be bound for — направляться) as they are at war with that country (так как они воюют с этой страной). My assistant and I are of no country (мой помощник и я не принадлежим ни одной стране), we belong to all Barsoom (мы принадлежим всему Барсуму) and this talisman which we wear protects us in all lands (и этот талисман, который мы носим, защищает нас во всех землях), even among the green men (даже у: «среди» зеленых людей) — though we do not trust ourselves to their hands if we can avoid it," he added (хотя мы и не и не вверяем себя в их руки, если можем избежать этого, — добавил он; to trust — доверять, вверять).

assistant [q'sIst(q)nt], talisman ['txlIzmqn], avoid [q'vOId]

"But be sure that you do not let them know you are bound for Helium as they are at war with that country. My assistant and I are of no country, we belong to all Barsoom and this talisman which we wear protects us in all lands, even among the green men — though we do not trust ourselves to their hands if we can avoid it," he added.