Английский язык с Мюриэль Спарк (рассказы)

He came at once by plane a few weeks ago. He'smade a settlement on her, providing she keeps hermouth shut about her association with me."

"Will she do that?"

"Oh. yes, or she won't get the money."

"But as your wife (но как твоя жена) she has a claim on you (она имеет права на тебя; claim — претензии, права), in any case (в любом случае)."

"If she claimed as my wife (если она заявит свои права как моя жена; to claim — требовать, претендовать) she'd get far less (она получит гораздо меньше; little-less-the least). Matilda knows (Матильда знает) what she's doing (что она делает), greedy bitch she is (жадная сука — вот кто она; greed — жадность; bitch — сука). She'll keep her mouth shut (она будет держать рот закрытым)."

"Only (только), you won't be able to marry again (ты не сможешь жениться снова), will you (не так ли)?"

"Not unless she dies (да, пока она жива: «нет до тех пор, пока она умрет»; to die — умирать)," he said. "And she's as strong as a trek ox (а она сильна, как бык; trek ox — вол, запряженный в повозку)."

claim [kleIm] greedy ['gri: dI] mouth [maVT]

"But as your wife she has a claim on you, in any case."

"If she claimed as my wife she'd get far less.Matilda knows what she's doing, greedy bitch she is.She'll keep her mouth shut."

"Only, you won't be able to marry again, willyou?"

"Not unless she dies," he said. "And she's asstrong as a trek ox."

"Well, I'm sorry, George (что ж, мне очень жаль, Джордж)," I said.

"Good of you to say so (мило с твоей стороны говорить так; good — добрый, хороший)," he said. "But I can see by your chin (но я вижу: «могу видеть» по твоему подбородку) that you disapprove of me (что ты меня не одобряешь; (dis)approve — (не) одобрять). Even my old uncle understood (даже мой старый дядя понял /меня/)."

"Oh, George, I quite understand (о, Джордж, я тоже поняла; quite — вполне). You were lonely (ты был одинок). I suppose (я полагаю)."

'You didn't even ask me to your twenty-first (ты даже не позвала меня на свой двадцать первый день рождения). If you and Skinny had been nicer to me (если бы ты и Скинни были добрее ко мне; nice — хороший, приятный), I would never have lost my head (я бы никогда не потерял головы; to loose — терять) and married the woman (и не женился бы на той женщине), never (никогда)."

"You didn't ask me to your wedding (ты не позвал меня на свою свадьбу; wedding — свадьба)," I said.

disapprove [dIsq'pru: v] lonely ['lqVnlI] wedding ['wedIN]

"Well, I'm sorry, George," I said.

"Good of you to say so," he said. "But I can seeby your chin that you disapprove of me. Even my olduncle understood."

"Oh, George, I quite understand. You were lonely. I suppose."

'You didn't even ask me to your twenty-first. Ifyou and Skinny had been nicer to me, I would neverhave lost my head and married the woman, never."

"You didn't ask me to your wedding," I said.

"You're a catty bissom (ну ты и язва). Needle, not like what you were (Игла, совсем не такая ты была) in the old times (в старые времена) when you used to tell us (когда ты рассказывала нам) your wee stories (свои историйки: «крошечные истории»)."

"I'll have to be getting along (я должна уже идти)," I said.

"Mind you keep the secret (запомни «ты хранишь» = это секрет)," George said.

"Can't I tell Skinny (могу ли я: «не могу» сказать Скинни)? He would be very sorry for you (он искренне посочувствует тебе), George."

"You mustn't tell anyone (ты не должна говорить никому). Keep it a secret (сохрани это в секрете). Promise (обещай)."

wee [wi: ] secret ['si: krIt] promise ['prOmIs]

"You're a catty bissom. Needle, not like what youwere in the old times when you used to tell us your wee stories."

"I'll have to be getting along,"Isaid.