At last he took her in his arms, to soothe her (наконец он обнял ее: «взял ее в свои руки», чтобы успокоить). She sobbed by herself, almost unaware of him (она всхлипывала, словно была одна, почти не замечая его;
“Tell me what’s a-matter, Elsie (скажи мне, в чем дело, Элси),” he said. “Tell me what’s a-matter – my dear – tell me, then (скажи мне, что случилось… милая… ну скажи же…;
He kissed her wet face, and caressed her (он целовал ее мокрое лицо и ласкал ее). She made no response (она никак не отвечала;
“What’s a-matter?” he asked at length, puzzled.
She began to cry again.
At last he took her in his arms, to soothe her. She sobbed by herself, almost unaware of him.
“Tell me what’s a-matter, Elsie,” he said. “Tell me what’s a-matter – my dear – tell me, then —”
He kissed her wet face, and caressed her. She made no response. He was puzzled and tender and miserable.
At length she became quiet (наконец она утихла). Then he kissed her, and she put her arms round him (тогда он поцеловал ее, и она обхватила его), and clung to him very tight, as if for fear and anguish (и прижалась к нему очень крепко, будто от страха и страданий). He held her in his arms, wondering (он держал ее в руках =
“Ted!” she whispered, frantic (Тед! – жарко прошептала она;
“What, my love?” he answered, becoming also afraid (что, любовь моя/любимая? – спросил он, тоже начиная бояться;
“Be good to me,” she cried (будь добр ко мне! – воскликнула она). “Don’t be cruel to me (не будь жесток ко мне).”
“No, my pet,” he said, amazed and grieved (конечно, лапочка, – сказал он, изумленный и опечаленный;
“Oh, be good to me,” she sobbed (о, будь добр ко мне, – всхлипывала она).
And he held her very safe, and his heart was white-hot with love for her (и он обнимал ее очень бережно, и сердце его раскалилось добела от любви к ней;