Английский язык с Мюриэль Спарк (рассказы)

Trudy saw the photograph album, then she heard how Mrs. Seeton had met Richard's father in Switzerland, and what Mrs. Seeton had been wearing at the time.

At half past six the supper party arrived. These were three women, including Gwen. The one called Grace was quite pretty, with a bewildered air. The one called Iris was well over forty and rather loud in her manner.

"Where's Richard tonight, the old cad?" said Iris.

"How do I know?" said his mother "Who am I to ask?"

"Well, at least he's a hard worker during the week. A brilliant teacher," said doe-eyed Grace.

"Middling as a schoolmaster," Gwen said.

"Oh, Gwen! Look how long he's held down the job," his mother said.

"I should think," Grace said, "he's wonderful with the boys."

"Those Shakespearean productions at the end of the summer term are really magnificent," Iris bawled. "I’ll hand him that, the old devil."

"Magnificent," said his mother. "You must admit. Gwen —"

"Very middling performances," Gwen said.

"I suppose you are right, but, after all, they are only schoolboys. You can't do much with untrained actors, Gwen," said Mrs. Seeton very sadly.

"I adore Richard (я обожаю Ричарда)," Iris said, "when he's in his busy, occupied mood (/особенно/ когда он в своем занятом, озабоченном расположении духа). He's so (он такой) —"

"Oh, yes," Grace said, "Richard is wonderful (Ричард великолепен) when he's got a lot on his mind (когда он погружен в раздумья: «он имеет много в мыслях»; on one’s mind — науме, вмыслях)."

"I know (я знаю)," said his mother. "There was one time (было время) when Richard had just started teaching (когда Ричард только начал преподавать) — I must tell you this story (я должна рассказать вам эту историю) — he …"

Before they left Mrs. Seeton said to Trudy (перед уходом: «перед тем, как они ушли» миссис Ситон сказала Труди). "You will come with Gwen next week, won't you (ты же придешь с Гвен на следующей неделе, да)? I want you to regard yourself as one of us (я бы хотела, чтобы ты почувствовала себя одной из нас; toregard— рассматривать, считать). There are two other friends of Richard's (есть еще две другие подруги Ричарда) I do want you to meet (с которыми я бы хотела тебя познакомить). Old friends (старые подруги)."

On the way to the bus Trudy said to Gwen (по дороге к автобусу Труди спросила у Гвен), "Don't you find it dull going to Mrs. Seeton's every Sunday (тебе не скучно: «ты не находишь это скучным» ходить к миссис Ситон каждое воскресенье)?"

"Well, yes, my dear young thing, and no (ну, да, моя дорогая молодая подруга: «юное создание», и нет). From time to time one sees a fresh face (время от времени можно встретить новое: «свежее» лицо), and then it's quite amusing (и тогда это даже забавно)."

"Doesn’t Richard ever stay at home on a Sunday evening (неужели Ричард никогда не остается дома воскресным вечером; ever— когда бы то ни было, всегда)?"

"No, I can't say he does (нет, не могу сказать, что он /остается/: «делает это»). In fact, he's very often away for the whole week-end (на самом деле, он очень часто отсутствует все выходные). As you know (как ты /сама/ знаешь)."

"Who are these women (кто эти женщины)?" Trudy said, stopping in the street (спросила Труди, останавливаясь /посреди/ улицы).

"Oh, just old friends of Richard's (о, просто старые знакомые Ричарда)."

"Do they see him often (а они часто его видят)?"

"Not now (теперь нет). They've become members of the family (они стали членами семьи)."

regard [rI'gQ: d] fresh [freS] amusing [q'mju: zIN]

"I adore Richard," Iris said, "when he's in his busy, occupied mood. He's so —"

"Oh, yes," Grace said, "Richard is wonderful when he's got a lot on his mind."