The Old Curiosity Shop / Лавка древностей

The merry man was the first to greet the strangers with a nod. He observed that perhaps that was the first time the old man had ever seen a Punch off the stage [39] .

“Why did you come here?” said the old man, sitting down beside them, and looking at the figures with extreme delight.

“You see,” rejoined the little man, “we need to repair our puppets.”

“Good!” said the old man, touching one of the puppets, and drawing away his hand with a shrill laugh. “Are you going to show them tonight? Are you?”

39

off the stage – вне сцены

“That is the intention, sir,” replied the other, “and Tommy Codlin [40] is calculating at this minute how much we’re going to get tonight.”

The little man accompanied these latter words with a wink.

To this Mr. Codlin, who had a surly, grumbling manner, replied: “Look here; here’s all this Judy’s [41] clothes falling to pieces again. You haven’t got a needle and thread I suppose?”

40

Tommy Codlin – Томми Кодлин

41

Judy – Джуди (персонаж английского народного театра кукол, жена Панча)

The little man shook his head. Seeing that they were at a loss, the child said timidly: “I have a needle, sir, in my basket, and thread too. Will you let me try to mend it for you? I think I could do it neater than you could.”

Mr. Codlin had nothing to urge against this proposal. Nelly, kneeling down beside the box, was soon busily engaged in her task. The merry little man looked at her with an interest. When she had finished her work he thanked her, and inquired where they were travelling.

“No further tonight, I think,” said the child, looking towards her grandfather.

“If you’re looking for a place to stop at,” the man remarked, “I can advise you to take up [42] at the same house with us. That’s it. The long, low, white house there. It’s very cheap.”

They all rose and walked away together. The old man was keeping close to the box of puppets in which he was quite absorbed.

The public-house was kept by a fat old landlord and landlady who made no objection to receiving their new guests, but praised Nelly’s beauty. The landlady was very much astonished to learn that they had come all the way from London.

42

to take up – остановиться (в гостинице)

“These two gentlemen have ordered supper in an hour’s time,” she said, taking her into the bar; “and your best plan will be to sup with them.”

The Punch and Judy performance was applauded to the echo, and voluntary contributions showed the general delight. Among the laughter none was more loud and frequent than the old man’s. Nell’s was unheard, for she, poor child, with her head drooping on his shoulder, had fallen asleep.

The supper was very good, but she was too tired to eat, and yet did not want to leave the old man until she had kissed him in his bed. It was but a loft partitioned into two compartments, where they were to rest, but they were well pleased with their lodging and had hoped for none so good [43] . The old man was uneasy when he had lain down, and begged that Nell would come and sit at his bedside as she had done for so many nights. She hastened to him, and sat there till he slept.

43

and had hoped for none so good – на лучшее и не надеялись

She had a little money, but it was very little, and when that was gone, they must begin to beg. There was one piece of gold among it, and it would be best to hide this coin. She sewed the piece of gold into her dress [44] , and went to bed with a lighter heart.

16

Another bright day awoke her. The old man woke up and dressed. They all sat down to eat together.

“And where are you going today?” said the little man.

44

sewed the piece of gold into her dress – зашила золотой себе в платье

“Indeed I hardly know, we have not determined yet,” replied the child.

“We’re going on to the races,” said the little man. “If that’s your way and you like to have us for company, let us travel together.”

“We’ll go with you,” said the old man. “Nell, with them, with them.”

The real name of the little man was Harris [45] , but everybody called him Trotters [46] , which, with the prefatory adjective, Short, showed the small size of his legs. So Short Trotters [47] was used in formal conversations and on occasions of ceremony [48] .

45

Harris – Гаррис

46

Trotters – Коротыш

47

Short Trotters – Шиш-Коротыш

48

occasions of ceremony – торжественные случаи

The breakfast was over, and Mr. Codlin called the bill. They took farewell of the landlord and landlady and resumed their journey.

Mr. Codlin trudged heavily on [49] , exchanging a word or two at intervals with Short, and stopping to rest and growl occasionally. Short led the way; with the box, the private luggage tied up in a bundle, and a brazen trumpet. Nell and her grandfather walked next him, and Thomas Codlin brought up the rear.

49

trudged heavily on – медленно тащился по дороге

When they came to any town or village, or even to a house of good appearance, Short blew a blast upon the brazen trumpet. If people hurried to the windows, Mr. Codlin hastily unfurled the drapery and concealed Short therewith. Then the entertainment began as soon as might be. After that they resumed their load and on they went again. They were generally well received, and seldom left a town without a troop of children shouting at their heels [50] .

50

shouting at their heels – с криками бежавшими по пятам

17

The Jolly Sandboys [51] was a small roadside inn [52] of pretty ancient date. The travellers arrived, drenched with the rain and presenting a most miserable appearance. The landlord rushed into the kitchen and took the cover off [53] . The effect was magical. They all came in with smiling faces though the wet was dripping from their clothes upon the floor, and Short’s first remark was, “What a delicious smell!”

51

The Jolly Sandboys – «Три Весельчака»

52

roadside inn – придорожный трактир

53

took the cover off – снял крышку с котла

It is not very difficult to forget rain and mud by the side of a cheerful fire, and in a bright room. They were given slippers and dry garments. Nelly and the old man sat by the fire and fell asleep.

“Who are they?” whispered the landlord.

Short shook his head.

“Don’t you know?” asked the host, turning to Mr. Codlin.

“Not I,” he replied. “They’re no good, I suppose.”

“They’re no harm,” said Short. “And I tell you: the old man isn’t in his right mind [54] . They’re not used to this way of life. Don’t tell me that that handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about [55] .”

54

isn’t in his right mind – не в своём уме

55

in the habit of prowling about – привыкла бродить по дорогам