“He’ll be knocked on the head, brother (его прикончат, братец;
“You won’t play with him any more?” urged Flavia (вы не будете с ним больше играть? – допытывалась Флавия;
“Perhaps I shall (может быть, буду).”
“He might bite again (он может укусить снова).”
“Doubtless he’ll try,” said I, smiling (вероятно, попытается, – сказал я, улыбаясь;
“Your hand is hurt, sire,” he observed, with concern.
“Yes, I was playing a game with a mongrel dog” (I meant to stir him), “and you know, brother, such have uncertain tempers.”
He smiled sourly, and his dark eyes rested on me for a moment.
“But is there no danger from the bite?” cried Flavia anxiously.
“None from this,” said I. “If I gave him a chance to bite deeper, it would be different, cousin.”
“But surely he has been destroyed?” said she.
“Not yet. We’re waiting to see if his bite is harmful.”
“And if it is?” asked Michael, with his sour smile.
“He’ll be knocked on the head, brother,” said I.
“You won’t play with him any more?” urged Flavia.
“Perhaps I shall.”
“He might bite again.”
“Doubtless he’ll try,” said I, smiling.
Then, fearing Michael would say something which I must appear to resent (тут, опасаясь, что Михаэль скажет такое, от чего я должен буду выглядеть возмущенным;
“Three friends of mine are very anxious to have the honour of being presented to you, sire (трое моих друзей мечтают о чести быть представленными вам;
I joined him directly, passing my arm through his (я тут же присоединился к нему, взяв его под руку: «пропустив свою руку сквозь его»;
Then, fearing Michael would say something which I must appear to resent (for, though I might show him my hate, I must seem to be full of favour), I began to compliment him on the magnificent condition of his regiment, and of their loyal greeting to me on the day of my coronation. Thence I passed to a rapturous description of the hunting-lodge which he had lent me. But he rose suddenly to his feet. His temper was failing him, and, with an excuse, he said farewell. However, as he reached the door he stopped, saying:
“Three friends of mine are very anxious to have the honour of being presented to you, sire. They are here in the ante-chamber.”