Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. На окраине империи. Рассказы / W. S. Maugham: Stories

Bateman did not know whether to say yes or no (Бейтман не знал, что ему сказать — да или нет), and what made it more awkward was that both Jackson and Edward seemed to be amused (и, что делало /ситуацию/ еще более неловкой, так это то, что обоим — и Джексону, и Эдварду, — казалось, было забавно; amused— довольный; веселый, радостный, забавный). It was bad enough to have forced on him the acquaintance (весьма скверным было навязать ему знакомство) of the one man on the island he would rather have avoided (с единственным человеком на острове, которого бы он скорее предпочел избежать), but worse to discern that he was being made a fool of (но еще хуже было понять, что из него сделали дурака; to discern— различить, разглядеть). Perhaps, however, he had reached this conclusion too quickly (однако, возможно, что он слишком поспешно пришел к такому заключению), for Jackson, without a pause, added (так как Джексон, тут же: «без паузы» добавил):

"I understand you're very friendly with the Longstaffes (насколько я знаю, вы очень дружны с Лонгстафами). Mary Longstaffe is my sister (Мэри Лонгстаф — моя сестра)."

conceal [kqn'si: l], confusion [kqn'fju: Z(q)n], awkward ['O: kwqd], discern [dI'sWn]

Bateman turned white and he felt his hands grow cold. This was the forger, the convict, this was Isabel's uncle. He did not know what to say. He tried to conceal his confusion. Arnold Jackson looked at him with twinkling eyes.

"I daresay my name is familiar to you."

Bateman did not know whether to say yes or no, and what made it more awkward was that both Jackson and Edward seemed to be amused. It was bad enough to have forced on him the acquaintance of the one man on the island he would rather have avoided, but worse to discern that he was being made a fool of. Perhaps, however, he had reached this conclusion too quickly, for Jackson, without a pause, added:

"I understand you're very friendly with the Longstaffes. Mary Longstaffe is my sister."

Now Bateman asked himself if Arnold Jackson could think him ignorant (теперь Бейтман задался вопросом, уж не считает ли Арнольд Джексон, что он не знает; ignorant — невежественный; незнающий, не информированный о чем-либо) of the most terrible scandal that Chicago had ever known (о самом ужасном скандале в истории Чикаго: «который когда-либо знал Чикаго»). But Jackson put his hand on Edward's shoulder (Джексон положил свою руку Эдварду на плечо).

"I can't sit down, Teddie (я не могу к вам присоединиться: «сесть», Тедди; Teddy=Teddie— уменьш. — ласк. от Эдвард)," he said. "I'm busy (я занят). But you two boys had better come up and dine to-night (лучше уж вы, ребята: «двое ребят», приходите, поужинаем сегодня вечером)."

"That'll be fine (прекрасно)," said Edward.

"It's very kind of you, Mr. Jackson (очень любезно с вашей стороны, мистер Джексон)," said Bateman, frigidly (холодно сказал Бейтман), "but I'm here for so short a time (но я здесь не очень надолго); my boat sails to-morrow, you know (знаете ли, мой корабль отплывает завтра); I think if you'll forgive me, I won't come (я думаю, если вы не против: «если вы простите меня», я не приду)."

ignorant ['Ignqrqnt], shoulder ['Squldq], frigidly ['frIdZIdlI]

Now Bateman asked himself if Arnold Jackson could think him ignorant of the most terrible scandal that Chicago had ever known. But Jackson put his hand on Edward's shoulder.

"I can't sit down, Teddie," he said. "I'm busy. But you two boys had better come up and dine to-night."

"That'll be fine," said Edward.