Vacant ['veIkqnt], invitation ["InvI'teISqn], afterwards ['q:ftqwqdz]

She towed Mrs. Harris across the floor and seated her on a vacant chair in the front row. "There," said Mme. Colbert. "You will be able to see everything from here. Have you your invitation? Here is a little pencil. When the models enter, the girl at the door will call out the name and number of the dress — in English. Write down the numbers of the ones you like the best, and I will see you afterwards."

Mrs. Harris settled herself noisily and comfortably (миссис Харрис уселась с шумом и удобно; noise — шум) on the gray and gold chair (на серый с золотым стул). The awful handbag she parked on the vacant seat at her left (ужасную сумку она расположила на свободное место слева от себя), the card and pencil she prepared for action (карточку и карандаш она приготовила к действию). Then with a pleased and happy smile (затем с довольной и счастливой улыбкой) she began taking stock of her neighbors (она начала рассматривать своих соседей; stock — запас; инвентарь; ассортимент /товаров/; to take stock — инвентаризировать; делать переучет товара; критически оценивать, рассматривать /of — что-л./; приглядываться /of — к чему-л./).

awful ['O:ful], neighbors ['neIbqz]

Mrs. Harris settled herself noisily and comfortably on the gray and gold chair. The awful handbag she parked on the vacant seat at her left, the card and pencil she prepared for action. Then with a pleased and happy smile she began taking stock of her neighbors.

Although she had no means of identifying them (хотя у нее не было способов идентифицировать их), the main salon contained a cross section (главный салон вмещал поперечное сечение = представительный подбор) of the haut monde of the world (высшего света со всего мира), including a scattering of the nobility (в том числе небольшое количество дворянства), ladies and honorables from England (леди и знать из Англии), marquises and countesses from France (маркизы и графини из Франции), baronesses from Germany (баронессы из Германии), principessas from Italy (княгини из Италии), new-rich wives of French industrialists (новые богатые = недавно разбогатевшие жены французских промышленников), veteran-rich wives of South American millionaires (старые богатые = давно богатые жены южноамериканских миллионеров), buyers from New York (покупатели из Нью-Йорка), Los Angeles and Dallas (Лос-Анджелеса и Далласа), stage actresses (актрисы), film stars (кинозвезды), playwrights (драматурги), playboys (повесы), diplomats (дипломаты), etc. (и т.д.).

although [O:l'Dqu], nobility [nqu'bIlItI], honorable ['Onqrqbl]

Although she had no means of identifying them, the main salon contained a cross section of the haut monde of the world, including a scattering of the nobility, ladies and honorables from England, marquises and countesses from France, baronesses from Germany, principessas from Italy, new-rich wives of French industrialists, veteran-rich wives of South American millionaires, buyers from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, stage actresses, film stars, playwrights, playboys, diplomats, etc.

The seat to Mrs. Harris' right (место справа от миссис Харрис) was occupied by a fierce-looking old gentleman (было занято энергичным на вид пожилым джентльменом) with snow-white hair and mustaches (с белоснежными волосами и усами), tufted eyebrows that stood out like feathers from his face (с хохлатыми бровями, которые выступали, как перья, на его лице; tuft — пучок) and dark pouches under his eyes (и темными мешками под глазами; pouch — сумка; мешочек; анат. мешок: pouches under the eyes — мешки под глазами) which were, however, of a penetrating blue and astonishingly alert and young-looking (которые были, однако, пронзительно голубого цвета и удивительно живыми и молодыми: «молодо выглядящими»; alert — тревога, сигнал тревоги; бдительный, внимательный; живой, проворный). His hair was combed down over his brow (его волосы были зачесаны на лоб) in a sort of fringe (вроде челки); his boots were magnificently polished (его ботинки были великолепно отполированы); his vest was edged with white (его жилет был окантован белым), and in the lapel of his dark jacket (и на лацкане его темного жакета) was fastened what seemed to Mrs. Harris to be a small rosebud (было прикреплено /то/, что, как показалось миссис Харрис, было маленьким бутоном розы) which both fascinated and startled her (который не только очаровал, но и поразил ее), since she had never seen a gentleman wearing such before (потому что она никогда не видела, чтобы джентльмен носил такое прежде), and so she was caught by him staring at it (и так она была поймана им /так он заметил, что она его разглядывает/ — уставившейся на него /бутон/).

fierce [fIqs], mustache [mqs'tQ:S], lapel [lq'pel]

The seat to Mrs. Harris' right was occupied by a fierce-looking old gentleman with snow-white hair and mustaches, tufted eyebrows that stood out like feathers from his face and dark pouches under his eyes which were, however, of a penetrating blue and astonishingly alert and young-looking. His hair was combed down over his brow in a sort of fringe; his boots were magnificently polished; his vest was edged with white, and in the lapel of his dark jacket was fastened what seemed to Mrs. Harris to be a small rosebud which both fascinated and startled her, since she had never seen a gentleman wearing such before, and so she was caught by him staring at it.

The thin beak nose aimed itself at her (тонкий клювовидный нос нацелился на нее; beak — клюв); the keen blue eyes scrutinized her (проницательные голубые глаза /пристально/ рассматривали ее), but the voice that addressed her in perfect English (но голос, который обратился к ней на безупречном английском) was sere and tired (был сухим и уставшим; sere — засохший, сухой, увядший). "Is there something wrong, madame (что-нибудь не так, мадам)?"

It was not in the nature of Mrs. Harris (миссис Харрис было несвойственно) to be abashed or put out of countenance by anyone (быть смущенной или приведенной в замешательство: «выведенной из спокойствия» кем бы то ни было; countenance — сдержанность; хладнокровие, спокойствие), but the thought that she might have been rude (но мысль, что она, должно быть, была невежлива) stirred her to contrition (подвигла ее к раскаянию) and she favored the old gentleman with a self-deprecating smile (и она наградила пожилого джентльмена самоосуждающей улыбкой).

abash [q'bxS], countenance ['kauntInqns], rude [ru:d]

The thin beak nose aimed itself at her; the keen blue eyes scrutinized her, but the voice that addressed her in perfect English was sere and tired. "Is there something wrong, madame?"

It was not in the nature of Mrs. Harris to be abashed or put out of countenance by anyone, but the thought that she might have been rude stirred her to contrition and she favored the old gentleman with a self-deprecating smile.

"Fancy me gawking at you like you was a waxworks (кажется, я таращу на вас глаза, как будто вы восковая фигура)," she apologized (извинилась она). "Where's me manners (где мои манеры)? I thought that was a rose in yer button 'ole (я думала, это роза в вашей петлице; 'ole = hole — отверстие, дыра; button — пуговица). Jolly good idea, too (очень хорошая идея, кстати; jolly — веселый, радостный; приятный; чудный, замечательный)." Then in explanation she added (затем в оправдание: «в объяснение» она добавила): "I'm very fond of flowers (я очень люблю цветы)."

gawk [gO:k], apologize [q'pOlqdZaIz], explanation ["eksplq'neISqn]

"Fancy me gawking at you like you was a waxworks," she apologized. "Where's me manners? I thought that was a rose in yer button 'ole. Jolly good idea, too." Then in explanation she added: "I'm very fond of flowers."

"Are you (в самом деле)," said the gentleman (сказал джентльмен). "That is good (это хорошо)." Whatever hostility had been engendered by her stare (всякая враждебность, порожденная ее пристальным взглядом) was dispelled by the engaging innocence of her reply (была рассеяна обаятельной простотой ее ответа; innocence — невинность). He looked upon his neighbor with a new interest (он посмотрел на свою соседку с новым интересом) and saw now that she was a most extraordinary creature (и увидел теперь, что она была самым необычным/экстраординарным созданием) and one he could not immediately place (и тем, кого он не мог сразу узнать/вспомнить: «разместить = определить ее место в уме, памяти»). "Perhaps (возможно)," he added (он добавил), "it would be better (было бы лучше) if this were indeed a rose instead of a — rosette (если бы это была действительно роза, а не розетка/орденская ленточка)."

engender [In'dZendq], innocence ['Inqsqns], extraordinary [Iks'trO:dnrI]

"Are you," said the gentleman. "That is good." Whatever hostility had been engendered by her stare was dispelled by the engaging innocence of her reply. He looked upon his neighbor with a new interest and saw now that she was a most extraordinary creature and one he could not immediately place. "Perhaps," he added, "it would be better if this were indeed a rose instead of a — rosette."

Mrs. Harris did not understand this remark at all (миссис Харрис не поняла его замечания вовсе), but the pleasant manner in which it had been delivered (но приятная манера, в которой оно было высказано; to deliver — освобождать, доставлять; высказывать) showed her that she had been forgiven for her rudeness (показала, что она была прощена за свою невежливость) and the tiny shadow that had fallen across her mood was dispelled (и крохотная тень, которая упала на ее настроение, была рассеяна). "Ain't it loverly 'ere (разве здесь не прекрасно; loverly = lovely)?" she said by way of keeping the conversation going (спросила она, чтобы продолжить разговор; to keep — держать; поддерживать).

pleasant [pleznt], dispel [dIs'pel], rudeness ['ru:dnIs]

Mrs. Harris did not understand this remark at all, but the pleasant manner in which it had been delivered showed her that she had been forgiven for her rudeness and the tiny shadow that had fallen across her mood was dispelled. "Ain't it loverly 'ere?" she said by way of keeping the conversation going.

"Ah, you feel the atmosphere too (ах, вы тоже чувствуете атмосферу)". Puzzled, the old gentleman was racking his brain (озадаченный пожилой джентльмен напрягал мозги), trying to catch or connect with something that was stirring there (пытаясь уловить или связать с чем-то, что делалось = происходило там), something that seemed to be connected vaguely with his youth and his education (чем-то, казалось, связанным неопределенно с его молодостью и его образованием), which had been rounded out by two years at a British university (которое было дополнено: «округлено» двумя годами в Британском университете). He was remembering a dark and dingy closet (он вспоминал темную и грязную клетушку; closet — чулан; келья; уст. кабинет), dark-paneled (обшитую темными панелями), that had been his bedroom and study (которая была его спальней и кабинетом), cold and austere (холодную и аскетическую), opening off a dark hallway (открывавшуюся в темный коридор), and incongruously (и неуместно = почему-то), as the picture formed in his mind (как картина, возникшая в его сознании), there was a slop pail standing in the hall (там было помойное ведро, стоящее в коридоре) at the head of the stairs (на верхней площадке лестницы).

dingy ['dIndZI], closet ['klOzIt], austere [Os'tIq]

"Ah, you feel the atmosphere too". Puzzled, the old gentleman was racking his brain, trying to catch or connect with something that was stirring there, something that seemed to be connected vaguely with his youth and his education, which had been rounded out by two years at a British university. He was remembering a dark and dingy closet, dark-paneled, that had been his bedroom and study, cold and austere, opening off a dark hallway, and incongruously, as the picture formed in his mind, there was a slop pail standing in the hall at the head of the stairs.

Mrs. Harris' alert little eyes (живые маленькие глаза миссис Харрис) now dared to engage those of the old gentleman (теперь посмели встретиться с теми = с глазами пожилого джентльмена; to engage — вовлекать). They penetrated the fierceness of his exterior (они проникли сквозь свирепость его наружности), peering through the fringe of white hair and menacing eyebrows (всматриваясь сквозь челку белых волос и грозные брови; to menace — угрожать) and the immaculate front of his clothing (и безукоризненную манишку его одежды; front — передняя сторона чего-л.; манишка; часть сорочки, которая не закрыта пиджаком, фраком и т. п.) to a warmth that she felt within (в сердечность, которую она чувствовала внутри). She wondered what he was doing there (она удивлялась, что он делал здесь), for his attitude of hands folded over a gold-headed cane was of one who was unaccompanied (потому что положение его рук, сложенных на трости с золотым набалдашником, было руками человека без сопровождения: «кто был несопровождаем»). Probably looking for a dress for his granddaughter (возможно, в поисках платья для своей внучки), she thought (подумала она), and, as always (и, как всегда), with her kind (со своим характером; kind — вид; характер/сущность), resorted to the direct question to satisfy her curiosity (прибегла к прямому вопросу, чтобы удовлетворить свое любопытство). She did, however, as a gesture of benevolence advance the prospective recipient a generation (она продвинула /вперед/, тем не менее, в качестве жеста доброжелательности, поколение будущего получателя).

menace ['menqs], immaculate [I'mxkjulIt], benevolence [bI'nevqlqns]

Mrs. Harris' alert little eyes now dared to engage those of the old gentleman. They penetrated the fierceness of his exterior, peering through the fringe of white hair and menacing eyebrows and the immaculate front of his clothing to a warmth that she felt within. She wondered what he was doing there, for his attitude of hands folded over a gold-headed cane was of one who was unaccompanied. Probably looking for a dress for his granddaughter, she thought, and, as always, with her kind, resorted to the direct question to satisfy her curiosity. She did, however, as a gesture of benevolence advance the prospective recipient a generation.

"Are you looking for a dress for your daughter (вы ищете платье для своей дочери)?" Mrs. Harris inquired (спросила миссис Харрис).

The old man shook his head (пожилой джентльмен покачал головой), for his children were scattered and far removed (потому что его дети жили отдельно и далеко: «были разбросаны и удалены на большое расстояние»). "No," he replied (он ответил), "I come here from time to time (я прихожу сюда время от времени) because I like to see beautiful clothes and beautiful women (потому что мне нравится видеть красивую одежду и красивых женщин). It refreshes me and makes me feel young again (это освежает меня и позволяет чувствовать себя молодым снова)".

daughter ['dO:tq], scattered ['skxtqd], young [jAN]

"Are you looking for a dress for your daughter?" Mrs. Harris inquired.

The old man shook his head, for his children were scattered and far removed. "No," he replied, "I come here from time to time because I like to see beautiful clothes and beautiful women. It refreshes me and makes me feel young again."

Mrs. Harris nodded assent (миссис Харрис кивнула в знак согласия: «кивнула согласие») so that the pink rose affixed to her hat jiggled vigorously (так что роза, прикрепленная к ее шляпе, сильно качнулась; vigorous — сильный, энергичный; vigor — сила, энергия). "Ain't it the truth (разве это не правда = вот как)!" she agreed (она согласилась). Then with the pleasant feeling (затем, с приятным чувством) that she had found someone else in whom she might confide (что она нашла = встретила кого-то, кому она могла поверять /свои мысли тайны/; to confide — верить, доверять; полагаться; поверять, сообщать в тайне, по секрету) she leaned towards him and whispered (она наклонилась к нему и прошептала): "I've come all the way from London to buy me a Dior dress (я проделала весь путь из Лондона, чтобы купить себе платье от Диора)".