Английский язык с Дж. Лондоном. Любовь к жизни (рассказы)

"That very finger," he managed to articulate, as though it somehow clinched the proof of ownership and the bond of affection.

He was still gazing at his extended finger when Madge began to speak.

"But the dog," she said. "You haven't considered the dog."

Skiff Miller looked puzzled.

"Have you thought about him?" she asked.

"Don't know what you're drivin' at," was the response.

"Maybe the dog has some choice in the matter (может, у собаки есть выбор в этом деле)," Madge went on (продолжала Мэдж). "Maybe he has his likes and desires (может быть, у него есть свои склонности и желания; likes — влечения, склонности; вкусы, пристрастия). You have not considered him (вы не приняли его во внимание). You give him no choice (вы не даете ему выбора). It has never entered your mind (вам никогда не приходило в голову) that possibly he might prefer California to Alaska (что он, возможно, предпочтет Калифорнию Аляске). You consider only what you like (вы считаетесь только с тем, что нравится вам). You do with him as you would with a sack of potatoes or a bale of hay (вы поступаете с ним, как вы поступили бы с мешком картошки или тюком сена)."

This was a new way of looking at it (это был новый взгляд на это; way — способ, метод), and Miller was visibly impressed as he debated it in his mind (и Миллер был явно впечатлен, пока он взвешивал это в уме; to debate smth. in one's mind — взвешивать, обдумывать что-либо). Madge took advantage of his indecision (Мэдж воспользовалась его нерешительностью; to take advantage of smth. — воспользоваться чем-либо, использовать что-либо в своих интересах

).

"If you really love him (если вы действительно любите его), what would be happiness to him would be your happiness also (то, что было бы счастьем для него, было бы счастьем и для вас = его счастье было бы и вашим)," she urged (убеждала она).

"Maybe the dog has some choice in the matter," Madge went on. "Maybe he has his likes and desires. You have not considered him. You give him no choice. It has never entered your mind that possibly he might prefer California to Alaska. You consider only what you like. You do with him as you would with a sack of potatoes or a bale of hay."

This was a new way of looking at it, and Miller was visibly impressed as he debated it in his mind. Madge took advantage of his indecision.

"If you really love him, what would be happiness to him would be your happiness also," she urged.

Skiff Miller continued to debate with himself (Скиф Миллер продолжал спорить с собой), and Madge stole a glance of exultation to her husband (а Мэдж тайком бросила торжествующий взгляд на мужа; to steal — делать что-либо незаметно, тайком или без разрешения), who looked back warm approval (который посмотрел в ответ с горячим одобрением).

"What do you think (что = как вы думаете)?" the Klondiker suddenly demanded (неожиданно спросил житель Клондайка).

It was her turn to be puzzled (настал ее черед недоумевать; to be puzzled — недоумевать). "What do you mean (что вы имеете в виду)?" she asked.

"D'ye think he'd sooner stay in California (вы считаете, что он предпочел бы остаться в Калифорнии; would sooner … — предпочел бы, предпочли бы)?"

She nodded her head with positiveness (она решительно/убежденно кивнула головой; positiveness — позитивность; решительность; убежденность

). "I am sure of it (я уверена в этом)."

Skiff Miller continued to debate with himself, and Madge stole a glance of exultation to her husband, who looked back warm approval.

"What do you think?" the Klondiker suddenly demanded.

It was her turn to be puzzled. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"D'ye think he'd sooner stay in California?"

She nodded her head with positiveness. "I am sure of it."