Английский язык с У. С. Моэмом. Театр

that he was dazzled by the great (что он был ослеплен блеском сильных мира

сего), and she introduced him to eminent persons (и она представляла его

важным: «знатным» персонам). Fortunately Michael took a fancy to him (к

счастью, Майкл привязался к нему). Michael liked to talk (Майкл любил

поговорить), and Tom was a good listener (а Том был хорошим слушателем).

He was clever at his business (он был умен в своем деле). One day Michael said

to her (однажды Майкл сказал ей):

"Smart fellow, Tom (толковый парень, Том). He knows a lot about income-tax

(он знает многое о подоходном налоге; income — доход, поступление,

прибыль, tax — налог, сбор). I believe (полагаю: «я уверен») he's shown me a

way (он показал мне способ) of saving two or three hundred pounds (как

сэкономить: «сохранить» две или три сотни фунтов) on my next return (в моей

следующей /налоговой/ декларации; return — возвращение, отдача;

официальный отчет)."

conscious ['kOnSqs] eminent ['emInqnt] listener ['lIs(q)nq]

He was fond of dancing and she got him cards for balls. For his sake she would go

to them herself for an hour, and she was conscious of the satisfaction he got out of

seeing how much fuss people made of her. She knew that he was dazzled by the

great, and she introduced him to eminent persons. Fortunately Michael took a

fancy to him. Michael liked to talk, and Tom was a good listener. He was clever at

his business. One day Michael said to her:

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"Smart fellow, Tom. He knows a lot about income-tax. I believe he's shown me a

way of saving two or three hundred pounds on my next return."

Michael, looking for new talent (Майкл, в поиске новых талантов), often took

him to the play in the evenings (часто брал его /с собой/ на спектакли по

вечерам), either in London or the suburbs (как в Лондоне, так и в пригороде);

they would fetch Julia after the performance (они обычно забирали Джулию

после представления), and the three of them supped together (и все втроем

ужинали вместе). Now and then (время от времени) Michael asked Tom to play

golf with him on Sundays (Майкл приглашал Тома сыграть в гольф с ним по

воскресеньям) and then if there was no party (и после этого, если не было

приема) would bring him home to dinner (привозил его /к ним/ домой к обеду).

"Nice to have a young fellow like that around (приятно иметь такого молодого

человека под рукой; around — вокруг, повсюду, поблизости)," he said. "It

keeps one from growing rusty (не дает ржаветь; to keep smb. from smth. —

мешать, препятствовать кому-либо делать что-либо, rusty — покрытый

ржавчиной, запущенный)."

Tom was very pleasant about the house (Том был очень полезен: «Том был

очень приятен по дому»). He would play backgammon with Michael (он играл в

триктрак с Майклом), or patience with Julia (или /раскладывал/ пасьянс с

Джулией; patience — терпение, настойчивость; карт. пасьянс), and when

they turned on the gramophone (и когда они слушали: «включали» граммофон)

he was always there to change the records (он всегда был на месте, чтобы

сменить пластинки; record — запись, учет, рекорд, звукозапись).

suburb ['sAbq:b] performance [pq'fO:mqns] rusty ['rAstI] patience ['peIS(q)ns]

gramophone ['grxmqfqVn]

Michael, looking for new talent, often took him to the play in the evenings, either

in London or the suburbs; they would fetch Julia after the performance, and the

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371

three of them supped together. Now and then Michael asked Tom to play golf with

him on Sundays and then if there was no party would bring him home to dinner.

"Nice to have a young fellow like that around," he said. "It keeps one from

growing rusty."

Tom was very pleasant about the house. He would play backgammon with

Michael, or patience with Julia, and when they turned on the gramophone he was

always there to change the records.

"He'll be a nice friend for Roger (он будет хорошим другом Роджеру)," said

Michael. "Tom's got his head screwed on his shoulders the right way (у Тома есть

голова на плечах: «у Тома голова прикручена на плечах правильным

способом»; to screw — прикручивать, привинчивать), and he's a lot older than

Roger (и он гораздо старше Роджера). He ought to have a good influence on him

(он будет оказывать на него положительное влияние). Why don't you ask him

(почему ты не попросишь его) to come and spend his holiday with us (поехать с

нами и провести /его/ отпуск вместе)?"

("Lucky I'm a good actress (/какое/ счастье, что я хорошая актриса).") But it

wanted an effort (но /ей/ потребовалось усилие) to keep the joy out of her voice