Английский язык с П. Треверс. Мэри Поппинс / P. L. Travers: Mary Poppins

“Now we must go,” she went on, taking Michael’s arm. “We must all go home. It’s very late, and I heard your Mother telling you that you must be home in time for tea. Besides, I must get back, too. Come.” And drawing Michael and Jane and Mary Poppins after her, she led the way through the shop and out by the spinning door.

Outside the entrance Jane suddenly said:

“But there’s no present for her. She’s bought something for all the others and nothing for herself. Maia has no Christmas present.” And she began to search hurriedly through the parcels she was carrying, to see what she could spare for Maia.

Mary Poppins gave a quick glance into the window beside her. She saw herself shining back at her, very smart, very interesting, her hat on straight, her coat nicely pressed and her new gloves just completing the whole effect.

“You be quiet,” she said to Jane in her snappiest voice. At the same time she whipped off her new gloves and thrust one on to each of Maia’s hands.

“There!” she said gruffly. “It’s cold today.You’ll be glad of them.”

Maia looked at the gloves (Майя взглянула на перчатки), hanging very large and almost empty upon her hands (висящие очень большими и почти пустыми на руках). She said nothing (она ничего не сказала) but moving close to Mary Poppins (но, придвинувшись ближе к Мэри Поппинс) she reached up her spare arm and put it round Mary Poppins’ neck and kissed her (она вытянула вверх свою свободную/незанятую руку и положила ее вокруг шеи Мэри Поппинс и поцеловала ее). A long look passed between them (долгий взгляд прошел между ними), and they smiled as people smile (и они улыбнулись так, как улыбаются люди) who understand each other (которые понимают друг друга). Maia turned then (Майя повернулась затем), and with her hand lightly touched the cheeks of Jane and Michael (и своей рукой слегка коснулась щек Джейн и Майкла). And for a moment they all stood in a ring at the windy corner (и мгновенье они все стояли в кольце у обдуваемого ветром угла) gazing at each other (пристально смотря друг на друга) as though they were enchanted (как будто они были околдованы).

“I’ve been so happy (я была такой счастливой),” said Maia softly (произнесла Майя мягко), breaking the silence (нарушая тишину; to break — ломать). “Don’t forget me, will you (не забывайте меня, ладно)?”

They shook their heads (они замотали головами /в знак отрицания = что не забудут/; toshake — трясти).

“Goodbye (до свидания),” said Maia.

“Goodbye,” said the others (сказали остальные), though it was the last thing they wanted to say (хотя это было последним словом, которое они хотели сказать = вовсе не хотели этого говорить).

Then Maia (затем Майя), standing poised on tiptoe (стоя прямо/уравновешенно на носочках; poised — уравновешенный; poise — баланс, равновесие, устойчивость), lifted up her arms and sprang into the air (подняла руки вверх и прыгнула в воздух). She began to step (она начала делать шаги), climbing ever higher (поднимаясь все выше), as though there were invisible stairs cut into the grey sky (как если бы в сером небе были вырезаны невидимые ступеньки; tocut — резать). She waved to them as she went (она помахала им, когда шла), and the three of them waved back (и три из них помахали ей в ответ).

“What on earth is happening (что это все-таки происходит)?” somebody said close by (кто-то поблизости произнес).

“But it’s not possible (но это невозможно)!” said another voice (сказал другой голос).

“Preposterous (абсурдно/нелепо)!” cried a third (крикнул третий). For a crowd was gathering (потому что толпа собиралась) to witness the extraordinary sight of Maia returning home (чтобы увидеть необыкновенное зрелище возвращения Майи домой; to witness — быть свидетелем).

A Policeman pushed his way through the throng (Полицейский проталкивался сквозь толпу), scattering the people with his truncheon (разгоняя людей своей дубинкой; to scatter — разбрасывать, раскидывать, расшвыривать; рассыпать).

poised [pOIzd] preposterous [prI'pOst(q)res] truncheon ['trAnt∫(q)n]

Maia looked at the gloves, hanging very large and almost empty upon her hands. She said nothing, but moving close to Mary Poppins she reached up her spare arm and put it round Mary Poppins’ neck and kissed her. A long look passed between them, and they smiled as people smile who understand each other. Maia turned then, and with her hand lightly touched the cheeks of Jane and Michael. And for a moment they all stood in a ring at the windy corner gazing at each other as though they were enchanted.

“I’ve been so happy,” said Maia softly, breaking the silence. “Don’t forget me, will you?”

They shook their heads.

“Goodbye,” said Maia.

“Goodbye,” said the others, though it was the last thing they wanted to say.