Английский язык с Марком Твеном. Принц и нищий / Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper

'There (вот) — have I set it forth correctly (изложил ли я это правильно; to set forth — изложить: «установить вперед»)? Should not I be able to set it forth correctly before the judge (не должен ли я быть способным изложить это правильно перед судьей), if occasion required (если бы случай потребовал)?'

The man was dumb with fear and distress (человек был нем = онемел от страха и горя) for a moment (на секунду); then he rallied (затем он собрался) and said with forced lightness (и сказал с принужденной = напускной легкостью):

''Tis making a mighty matter indeed, out of a jest (это делает могущественное = большое событие действительно из шутки); I but plagued the woman for mine amusement (я только помучил эту женщину для моего = собственного развлечения).'

'Kept you the woman's pig for amusement (оставил ли ты /у себя/ поросенка той женщины для развлечения; to keep — держать, хранить)?'

The man answered sharply (человек ответил резко):

'Naught else, good sir (ничего другого, добрый сэр) — I tell thee (я говорю тебе) 'twas but a jest (это была только шутка; ‘twas = it was).'

'I do begin to believe thee (я действительно начинаю верить тебе: «делаю начинать…»),' said Hendon (сказал Хендон), with a perplexing mixture of mockery and half-conviction (с озадачивающей смесью насмешливости и полу-убежденности) in his tone (в его тоне = голосе); 'tarry thou here a moment (подожди здесь секунду) whilst I run and ask his worship (пока я сбегаю и спрошу его честь) — for nathless (ибо, однако же), he being a man experienced in law (он, будучи человеком опытным в законах), in jests (в шутках), in (в) —'

twilight [`twaılaıt], square [skweə], constable [`kAnstəbl]

THE short winter day was nearly ended. The streets were deserted, save for a few random stragglers, and these hurried straight along, with the intent look of people who were only anxious to accomplish their errands as quickly as possible and then snugly house themselves from the rising wind and the gathering twilight. They looked neither to the right nor to the left; they paid no attention to our party, they did not even seem to see them. Edward the Sixth wondered if the spectacle of a king on his way to jail had ever encountered such marvelous indifference before. By and by the constable arrived at a deserted market-square and proceeded to cross it. When he had reached the middle of it, Hendon laid his hand upon his arm, and said in a low voice:

'Bide a moment, good sir, there is none in hearing, and I would say a word to thee.'

'My duty forbids it, sir; prithee, hinder me not, the night comes on.'

'Stay, nevertheless, for the matter concerns thee nearly. Turn thy back moment and seem not to see: let this poor lad escape.'

'This to me, sir! I arrest thee in —'

'Nay, be not too hasty. See thou be careful and commit no foolish error' — then he shut his voice down to a whisper, and said in the man's ear — 'the pig thou hast purchased for eightpence may cost thee thy neck, man!'

The poor constable, taken by surprise, was speechless at first, then found his tongue and fell to blustering and threatening; but Hendon was tranquil, and waited with patience till his breath was spent; then said: