Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. Театр

"He says he can get you to do anything he wants. He says you just eat out of his

hand."

It was lucky for Julia that she was a good actress. For a second her heart stood still.

How could he say a thing like that? The fool. The blasted fool. But recovering

herself at once she laughed lightly.

"What nonsense! I don't believe a word of it."

"He's a very commonplace, rather vulgar man. It's not surprising if all the fuss

you've made of him has turned his head."

Julia, smiling good-naturedly, looked at her with ingenuous eyes.

"But, darling, you don't think he's my lover, do you?"

"If I don't, I'm the only person who doesn't (если и нет: «я так не /думаю/», то я

единственная, кто так не /думает/)."

"And do you (а ты думаешь)?"

For a minute Dolly did not answer (с минуту Долли не отвечала). They looked at

one another steadily (они смотрели друг на друга спокойно; steady — прочный,

устойчивый,непоколебимый), their hearts were black with hatred (их сердца

были черты от ненависти); but Julia still smiled (но Джулия все еще

улыбалась).

"If you give me your solemn word of honour that he isn't (если ты мне

торжественно поклянешься, что он не твой любовник: «дашь мне твое

торжественное честное слово»; solemn — серьезный, официальный), of course

I'll believe you (конечно, я поверю тебе)."

Julia dropped her voice to a low, grave note (Джулия понизила голос до тихой,

печальной ноты: «тона»; to drop — капать, падать, ронять). It had a true ring

of sincerity (в нем звучала настоящая искренность; ring — зд. звон, звяканье,

звучание).

"I've never told you a lie yet, Dolly (я никогда не лгала тебе до сих пор, Долли:

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«не говорила тебе лжи»), and I'm too old to begin now (я и уже очень стара,

чтобы начинать сейчас). I give you my solemn word of honour (я торжественно

даю тебе мое честное слово) that Tom has never been anything more to me than

just a friend (что Том никогда не был для меня кем-то большим, чем просто

друг)."

"You take a great weight off my mind (у меня камень с души свалился: «ты

сняла тяжелый груз с моего ума»; weight — вес, тяжесть, груз

)."

solemn ['sOlqm] honour ['Onq] sincerity [sIn'serItI]

"If I don't, I'm the only person who doesn't."

"And do you?"

For a minute Dolly did not answer. They looked at one another steadily, their

hearts were black with hatred; but Julia still smiled.

"If you give me your solemn word of honour that he isn't, of course I'll believe

you."

Julia dropped her voice to a low, grave note. It had a true ring of sincerity:

"I've never told you a lie yet, Dolly, and I'm too old to begin now. I give you my

solemn word of honour that Tom has never been anything more to me than just a

friend."

"You take a great weight off my mind."

Julia knew that Dolly did not believe her (Джулия знала, что Долли ей не

поверила) and Dolly was aware that Julia knew it (и Долли осознавала, что

Джулия знала это). She went on (она продолжала).

"But in that case (но, в таком случае), for your own sake, Julia dear (ради себя

самой, Джулия, дорогая), do be sensible (будь благоразумна). Don't go about

with this young man any more (не шатайся с этим молодым человеком

больше). Drop him (оставь: «брось» его)."

"Oh, I couldn't do that (о, я не могу так поступить). That would be an admission

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that people were right in what they thought (тогда это будет признанием того,

что люди были правы в том, что они думали). After all, my conscience is clear

(в конце концов, моя совесть чиста). I can afford to hold my head high (я могу

себе позволить держать голову высоко поднятой). I should despise myself (я

буду презирать себя) if I allowed my behaviour to be influenced by malicious

gossip (если я позволю, чтобы на мое поведение оказывали влияние злобные

слухи)."

aware [q'weq] sensible ['sensqb(q)l] behaviour [bI'heIvIq]

Julia knew that Dolly did not believe her and Dolly was aware that Julia knew it.

She went on.

"But in that case, for your own sake, Julia dear, do be sensible. Don't go about with

this young man any more. Drop him."

"Oh, I couldn't do that. That would be an admission that people were right in what

they thought. After all, my conscience is clear. I can afford to hold my head high. I

should despise myself if I allowed my behaviour to be influenced by malicious

gossip."

Dolly slipped her feet back into her shoes (Долли всунула свои ноги назад в

туфли) and getting her lipstick out of her bag did her lips (и, достав помаду из

своей сумочки, подкрасила губы).

"Well, dear, you're old enough to know your own mind (ну, дорогая, ты

достаточно взрослая, чтобы знать, что ты делаешь: «чего ты сама хочешь»; to

know one's own mind — не колебаться)."

They parted coldly (они расстались холодно).