Infinite ['InfInIt], acquaint [q'kweInt], intuitively [In'tju:ItIvlI]

"And so, with infinite good sense, you acquaint yourself with the genuine attractions of our city."

"And you…" Mrs. Harris began, and broke off in the middle of her sentence, for intuitively she knew the answer to the question she had been about to ask.

But the Marquis de Chassagne was not at all put out, and only remarked gravely: "You have guessed it. There is so little time left for me to enjoy the beauties of the earth. Come, let us sit on this seat in the sun a little, you and I, and talk."

They sat then (они сели затем), side by side on the green wooden bench (бок о бок на зеленую деревянную скамейку), in the midst of the sensuous colors and ravishing perfumes (в центре чувственных цветов /оттенков/ и восхитительных ароматов), the aristocrat and the charwoman (аристократ и уборщица), and conversed (и разговаривали). They were worlds apart in everything but the simplicity of their humanity (они были очень далеки во всем, кроме простоты своей человечности; worlds apart — очень далеко: «миры врозь»), and so they were really not apart at all (и поэтому они в действительности не были далеки вовсе). For all of his title and eminent position (при всем его титуле и высоком/знатном положении), the marquis was a lonely widower (маркиз был одиноким вдовцом), his children married and scattered (его дети женились и разъехались). And what was Mrs. Harris but an equally lonely widow (а кем была миссис Харрис, если не такой же одинокой вдовой), but with the courage to embark upon one great adventure (но со смелостью отправиться в большое приключение) to satisfy her own craving for beauty and elegance (чтобы удовлетворить свое собственное страстное стремление к красоте и элегантности). They had much in common (у них было много общего), these two (у этих двух).

sensuous ['sensjuqs], simplicity [sIm'plIsItI], equally ['i:kwqlI]

They sat then, side by side on the green wooden bench, in the midst of the sensuous colors and ravishing perfumes, the aristocrat and the charwoman, and conversed. They were worlds apart in everything but the simplicity of their humanity, and so they were really not apart at all. For all of his title and eminent position, the marquis was a lonely widower, his children married and scattered. And what was Mrs. Harris but an equally lonely widow, but with the courage to embark upon one great adventure to satisfy her own craving for beauty and elegance. They had much in common, these two.

Besides her geraniums (кроме ее герани), Mrs. Harris remarked (заметила миссис Харрис), she also received cut flowers (она также получала срезанные цветы) from time to time (время от времени) with which to brighten her little basement flat (чтобы ими украсить свою маленькую квартиру на цокольном этаже) from clients about to leave for a week-end in the country (/получала их она/ от клиентов, собирающихся уехать на уикенд = выходные за город: «в деревню»), or who received presents of fresh flowers (или кто получал подарки = в подарок свежесрезанные цветы) and would make it a point to present Mrs. Harris (и имел за правило дарить миссис Харрис; to make a point — иметь за правило) with their old and half-wilted blooms (их старые и наполовину увядшие цветки). "I get them 'ome as fast as ever I can (я приношу их домой как можно скорее)", she explained (объяснила она), "cut off their stems (подрезаю их стебли) and put them in a fresh jug of water (и ставлю их в свежий кувшин воды) with a penny at the bottom (с пенни на дне)".

brighten [braItn], wilt [wIlt], bottom ['bOtqm]

Besides her geraniums, Mrs. Harris remarked, she also received cut flowers from time to time with which to brighten her little basement flat from clients about to leave for a week-end in the country, or who received presents of fresh flowers and would make it a point to present Mrs. Harris with their old and half-wilted blooms. "I get them 'ome as fast as ever I can," she explained, "cut off their stems and put them in a fresh jug of water with a penny at the bottom."

The marquis looked astounded at this piece of intelligence (маркиз выглядел изумленным услышав про эту уловку: «эту часть рассудительности»).

"Ow, didn't you know (о, разве вы не знали)?" Mrs. Harris said. "If you put a copper in the water with wilted flowers (если вы положите медную монетку в воду с увядшими цветами) it brings them right back (это воскрешает их; to bring back — восстанавливать, воскрешать)".

The marquis (маркиз), full of interest (полный заинтересованности), said (сказал): "Well now, it is indeed true that one is never too old to learn (ну вот, действительно верно, век живи — век учись: «что человек никогда не бывает слишком стар, чтобы учиться»)". He went on to another subject (он перешел к другой теме; subject — предмет; тема разговора) that had interested him (которая интересовала его). "And you say that Mademoiselle Natasha has become your friend (и вы говорите, что мадмуазель Наташа стала вашей подругой)?"

astounded [qs'taundId], true [tru:], mademoiselle ["mxdqm'zel]

The marquis looked astounded at this piece of intelligence.

"Ow, didn't you know?" Mrs. Harris said. "If you put a copper in the water with wilted flowers it brings them right back."

The marquis, full of interest, said: "Well now, it is indeed true that one is never too old to learn." He went on to another subject that had interested him. "And you say that Mademoiselle Natasha has become your friend?"

"She's a dear (она душка)," said Mrs. Harris, "not at all like you might expect (совсем не такая, как вы могли бы ожидать), high and mighty with all the fuss (/можно ожидать, что она была бы/ высокая = недоступная и могучая = использующая свое влияние из-за всей этой суеты) that's made over her (которая делается = происходит над ней/по поводу ее). She's as unspoiled as your own daughter would be (она такая же неиспорченная, как была бы ваша собственная дочь). They're all me friends (они все мои друзья), I do believe (я действительно верю) — that nice young Monsieur Fauvel (этот добрый молодой мсье Фовель), the cashier (кассир) — it's his 'ouse I am stopping at (это в его доме я остановилась) — and that poor Madame Colbert (и эта бедная мадам Кольбер)…"

"Eh," said the marquis (сказал маркиз), "and who is Madame Colbert (а кто это — мадам Кольбер)?"

mighty ['maItI], daughter ['dO:tq], cashier [kx'SIq]

"She's a dear," said Mrs. Harris, "not at all like you might expect, high and mighty with all the fuss that's made over her. She's as unspoiled as your own daughter would be. They're all me friends, I do believe — that nice young Monsieur Fauvel, the cashier — it's his 'ouse I am stopping at — and that poor Madame Colbert…"

"Eh," said the marquis, "and who is Madame Colbert?"

It was Mrs. Harris' turn to look surprised (теперь была очередь миссис Харрис смотреть удивленно). "Ow, surely you know Madame Colbert (ах, конечно, вы знаете мадам Кольбер) — the manageress (управляющую) — the one who tells you whether you can come in or not (ту, которая говорит вам, можете ли вы прийти или нет). She's a real love (она настоящая прелесть). Imagine putting Ada 'Arris right in with all the toffs (представьте — посадить Аду Харрис прямо со всеми сливками общества; to put — поместить)".

"Ah yes (ах, да)," said the marquis with renewed interest (сказал маркиз с возобновленным интересом), "that one (эта). A rare person (редкая особа), a woman of courage and integrity (женщина мужества и честности = обладающая мужеством и честностью). But why poor (но почему бедная)?"

surprised [sq'praIzd], surely ['SuqlI], manageress [mxnIdZq'res]

It was Mrs. Harris' turn to look surprised. "Ow, surely you know Madame Colbert — the manageress — the one who tells you whether you can come in or not. She's a real love. Imagine putting Ada 'Arris right in with all the toffs."

"Ah yes," said the marquis with renewed interest, "that one. A rare person, a woman of courage and integrity. But why poor?"

Mrs. Harris waggled her rear end more comfortably into the bench (миссис Харрис уселась поудобнее на скамейке; to waggle — покачивать; rear end — задняя часть) to enjoy a jolly good gossip (чтобы насладиться этой хорошей сплетней). Why (а что), this French gentleman was just like anybody (этот французский джентльмен был как любой другой) when it came to interest in tidbits (когда доводилось интересоваться пикантными новостями) about other people's trouble and miseries (о неприятностях и бедствиях других людей). Her voice became happily confidential (ее голос стал счастливо доверительным) as she tapped him on the arm and answered (когда она похлопала его по руке и ответила): "Ow, but of course you wouldn't know about her poor 'usband (о, конечно, вы не знаете о ее бедном муже; husband — супруг)".

"Oh," said the marquis (сказал маркиз), "she has a husband then (так у нее есть муж)? What is the difficulty, is he ill (а в чем трудность, он болен)?"

waggle [wxgl], confidential ["kOnfI'denSql], trouble [trAbl]

Mrs. Harris waggled her rear end more comfortably into the bench to enjoy a jolly good gossip. Why, this French gentleman was just like anybody when it came to interest in tidbits about other people's trouble and miseries. Her voice became happily confidential as she tapped him on the arm and answered: "Ow, but of course you wouldn't know about her poor 'usband."

"Oh," said the marquis, "she has a husband then? What is the difficulty, is he ill?"

"Not exactly (не совсем; exactly — точно)," replied Mrs. Harris (ответила миссис Харрис). "Madame Colbert wouldn't dream of telling anybody about it (мадам Кольбер и не помышляла рассказать кому-нибудь об этом; to dream — видеть во сне; мечтать; помышлять /в отрицательном предложении/) but, of course, she's told me (но, конечно, она рассказала мне). A woman who's buried a husband as I 'ave (женщина, которая похоронила мужа, как я) can understand things (может понимать вещи = кое-что понимает). Twenty-five years in the same office 'e was (двадцать пять лет в одной должности он был; office — офис; должность)…"

"Your husband (ваш муж)?" asked the marquis (спросил маркиз).

"No, no, Madame Colbert's (нет, нет, /муж/мадам Кольбер), the brains of his office he is (он — мозги своего офиса). But every time he comes up for a big job (но каждый раз, когда он = его кандидатура рассматривается на важную должность; to come up for — становится предметом /рассмотрения/; выставляться) they give it to some count or some rich man's son (ее отдают какому-нибудь графу или сыну какого-нибудь богача) until his 'eart is near broken (до тех пор, пока его сердце едва не разбивается), and Madame Colbert's, too (и сердце мадам Кольбер тоже)."

exactly [Ig'zxktlI], of course [kO:s], count [kaunt]

"Not exactly," replied Mrs. Harris. "Madame Colbert wouldn't dream of telling anybody about it but, of course, she's told me. A woman who's buried a husband as I 'ave can understand things. Twenty-five years in the same office 'e was…"

"Your husband?" asked the marquis.

"No, no, Madame Colbert's, the brains of his office he is. But every time he comes up for a big job they give it to some count or some rich man's son until his 'eart is near broken, and Madame Colbert's, too."

The marquis felt a curious tingling at the base of his scalp (маркиз почувствовал необычное покалывание на голове: «у основания кожи черепа») as a faint glimmer of light began to dawn (когда слабый проблеск истины начал проясняться; light — свет; истина). Mrs. Harris' voice for a moment mimiced some of the bitterness contained in that of Mme. Colbert's (голос мадам Кольбер на мгновение изобразил некоторую горечь, что /была/ в голосе мадам Кольбер) as she said (когда она сказала): "There's another chance for him now (есть еще один шанс для него сейчас) and no one to speak up for him (и никого, чтобы высказаться за него = замолвить за него словечко) or give him a 'and (или помочь: «дать ему руку»). Madame Colbert's crying her poor dear eyes out (мадам Кольбер выплакала, бедняжка, все глаза; to cry out — рыдать; poor dear — бедняжка)".

A little smile (легкая улыбка) that was almost boyish (которая была почти ребяческой) illuminated the stern mouth of the old marquis (осветила суровый рот пожилого маркиза). "Would Madame Colbert's husband by any chance have the name of Jules (мужа мадам Кольбер, случайно, зовут не Жюль)?"

curious ['kjuqrIqs], dawn [dO:n], bitterness ['bItqnIs]

The marquis felt a curious tingling at the base of his scalp as a faint glimmer of light began to dawn. Mrs. Harris' voice for a moment mimiced some of the bitterness contained in that of Mme. Colbert's as she said: "There's another chance for him now and no one to speak up for him or give him a 'and. Madame Colbert's crying her poor dear eyes out."

A little smile that was almost boyish illuminated the stern mouth of the old marquis. "Would Madame Colbert's husband by any chance have the name of Jules?"

Mrs. Harris stared at him in blank amazement (миссис Харрис уставилась на него в неописуемом изумлении; blank — белый; незаполненный; полный/абсолютный), as though he were a magician (как будто он был волшебником). "Go on (продолжайте)!" she cried (воскликнула она). " 'Ow did you know (как вы узнали)? That's 'is name, Jules (что его имя Жюль). Do you know him (вы его знаете)? Madame Colbert says 'e's got more brains in his little finger (мадам Кольбер говорит, что у него больше мозгов в его мизинце) than all the rest of them in their striped pants (чем во всех остальных, /носящих/ брюки в полоску)".

amazement [q'meIzmqnt], magician [mq'dZISqn], striped [straIpt]

Mrs. Harris stared at him in blank amazement, as though he were a magician. "Go on!" she cried. " 'Ow did you know? That's 'is name, Jules. Do you know him? Madame Colbert says 'e's got more brains in his little finger than all the rest of them in their striped pants."

The marquis suppressed a chuckle and said (маркиз подавил смешок и сказал): "Madame Colbert may be right (мадам Кольбер, возможно, права). There can be no question as to the intelligence of a man (не может быть вопросов об умственных способностях мужчины) who has the good sense (который имеет здравый смысл: «хороший ум») to marry such a woman (чтобы жениться на такой женщине)". He sat in silent thought for a moment (он сидел, молча думая минуту: «в безмолвной мысли») and then, fishing into an inside pocket, produced a card case (а затем, поискав во внутреннем кармане, достал футляр для визитных карточек; to fish — ловить рыбу; искать что-л. в воде и т.д.) from which he extracted a finely engraved card (из которого он извлек изящно гравированную карточку), upon the back of which he wrote a brief message (на обратной стороне которой он написал короткое послание) with an old-fashioned fountain pen (старомодной перьевой ручкой). He waved the card dry (он помахал карточкой, чтобы чернила высохли; dry — сухой) and then presented it to Mrs. Harris (и затем вручил ее миссис Харрис). "Will you remember to give this to Madame Colbert (вы будете помнить = не забудете передать это мадам Кольбер) the next time you see her (в следующий раз, когда увидите ее)".

chuckle [tSAkl], message ['mesIdZ], fountain ['fauntIn]

The marquis suppressed a chuckle and said: "Madame Colbert may be right. There can be no question as to the intelligence of a man who has the good sense to marry such a woman." He sat in silent thought for a moment and then, fishing into an inside pocket, produced a card case from which he extracted a finely engraved card, upon the back of which he wrote a brief message with an old-fashioned fountain pen. He waved the card dry and then presented it to Mrs. Harris. "Will you remember to give this to Madame Colbert the next time you see her."

Mrs. Harris inspected the card with frank and unabashed interest (миссис Харрис осмотрела карточку с искренним и нескрываемым интересом; unabashed — нерастерявшийся, несмутившийся; беззастенчивый). The engraved portion read (выгравированная часть гласила): "Le Marquis Hypolite de Chassagne (маркиз Ипполит де Шассань), Chef des Affaires Etrangères (глава министерства иностранных дел), Quai d'Orsay (набережная д’Орсэ = министерство иностранных дел)," which meant nothing to her (что ничего не значило для нее) except that her friend was a nob with a title (кроме того, что ее знакомый был высокопоставленным лицом с титулом; nob — разг. башка, голова; высокопоставленное лицо, шишка). She turned it over (она перевернула ее), but the message thereon was scribbled in French (но сообщение там было написано неразборчиво по-французски; scribble — небрежный, неразборчивый почерк; каракули; to scribble — писать быстро и небрежно) and she did not understand that either (и она также не поняла его). "Right-o (порядок!)," she said, "I've got a 'ead like a sieve (у меня голова — как решето), but I won't forget (но я не забуду)".

unabashed ['Anq'bxSt], scribble [skrIbl], sieve [sIv]

Mrs. Harris inspected the card with frank and unabashed interest. The engraved portion read: "Le Marquis Hypolite de Chassagne, Chef des Affaires Etrangères, Quai d'Orsay," which meant nothing to her except that her friend was a nob with a title. She turned it over, but the message thereon was scribbled in French and she did not understand that either. "Right-o," she said, "I've got a 'ead like a sieve, but I won't forget."

A church clock struck eleven (часы церкви пробили одиннадцать). "Lor' (Боже)!" she exclaimed (она воскликнула). "I 'aven't been watching the time (я не следила за временем). I'll be lyte for me fitting (я опоздаю на свою примерку; lyte = late — поздний; запоздалый)". She leaped up from the bench (она вскочила со скамьи), cried (крикнула): "So long (ну, увидимся), ducks (голубчик), don't forget to put the penny in the jug for the flowers (не забывайте класть пенни в кувшин для цветов)", and was off (и ушла). The marquis remained sitting on the bench in the sun (маркиз остался сидеть на скамье на солнце) looking after her (глядя ей вслед), an expression of rapt and total admiration on his countenance (/с/ выражением восторженного и полного восхищения на лице).

leaped [lIpt], admiration ["xdmq'reISqn], countenance ['kauntqnqns]

A church clock struck eleven. "Lor'!" she exclaimed. "I 'aven't been watching the time. I'll be lyte for me fitting." She leaped up from the bench, cried: "So long, ducks, don't forget to put the penny in the jug for the flowers," and was off. The marquis remained sitting on the bench in the sun looking after her, an expression of rapt and total admiration on his countenance.

During Mrs. Harris' fitting that morning (во время примерки миссис Харрис тем утром) Mme. Colbert dropped into the cubicle (мадам Кольбер заглянула в кабинку; to drop — капать; to drop in/into — зайти, заскочить) to see how things were going (посмотреть, как шли дела) and assisted the seamstress with a hint here and a suggestion there (и помогала портнихам советом здесь и предложением там = то советом, то предложением; suggestion — предложение, совет) when Mrs. Harris suddenly gave a little shriek (когда миссис Харрис вдруг издала небольшой крик = вскрикнула). "Lumme (Боже)! I almost forgot (я почти = чуть не забыла). 'Ere, 'e said I was to give you this (вот, он сказал, я должна была отдать вам это)". She secured her ancient handbag (она достала свою сумку; to secure — охранять; завладеть), rummaged in it (порылась в ней) and finally produced the card and handed it to Mme. Colbert (и в конце концов достала карточку и вручила ее мадам Кольбер).

suggestion [sq'dZestSqn], secure [sI'kjuq], ancient ['eInSqnt]

During Mrs. Harris' fitting that morning Mme. Colbert dropped into the cubicle to see how things were going and assisted the seamstress with a hint here and a suggestion there when Mrs. Harris suddenly gave a little shriek. "Lumme! I almost forgot. 'Ere, 'e said I was to give you this." She secured her ancient handbag, rummaged in it and finally produced the card and handed it to Mme. Colbert.

The manageress turned first red (управляющая стала сначала красной = покраснела; to turn — поворачивать; становиться) and then deathly pale (а затем мертвенно-бледной) as she examined the pasteboard and the message on the reverse (когда она осмотрела визитную карточку и сообщение на обороте). The fingers holding the card began to shake (пальцы, держащие карточку, начали трястись). "Where did you get this (где вы взяли это)?" she whispered (прошептала она). "Who gave it to you (кто дал ее вам)?"

Mrs. Harris looked concerned (миссис Харрис выглядела озабоченной = забеспокоилась). "The old gent (пожилой джентльмен). The one that was sitting next to me (человек, который сидел рядом со мной) with the red thing in 'is button'ole (с красной штуковиной в его петлице) that day at the collection (в тот день на /показе/ коллекции). I met 'im in the Flower Market (я встретила его на Цветочном базаре) and 'ad a bit of a chat with 'im (и немного поболтала с ним; to have a chat — поболтать, иметь дружеский разговор). It ain't bad news, is it (это не плохие новости, не так ли; ain't = is not /разг./)?"

pasteboard ['peIstbO:d], reverse [rI'vq:s], concerned [kqn'sq:nd]

The manageress turned first red and then deathly pale as she examined the pasteboard and the message on the reverse. The fingers holding the card began to shake. "Where did you get this?" she whispered. "Who gave it to you?"

Mrs. Harris looked concerned. "The old gent. The one that was sitting next to me with the red thing in 'is button'ole that day at the collection. I met 'im in the Flower Market and 'ad a bit of a chat with 'im. It ain't bad news, is it?"

"Oh, no, no (о, нет, нет)," murmured Mme. Colbert (прошептала мадам Кольбер), her voice trembling with emotion (с дрожащим от волнения голосом) and hardly able to hold back the tears (и едва способная сдерживать слезы; hardly — едва). Suddenly and inexplicably (внезапно и необъяснимо) she went to Mrs. Harris (она подошла к миссис Харрис), took her in her arms (обняла ее: to take in arms — схватить руками/обнять: «взять в руки») and held her tightly for a moment (и держала ее крепко минуту). "Oh, you wonderful, wonderful woman (о вы, удивительная, удивительная женщина)," she cried (воскликнула она), and then turned and fled from the cubicle (а потом повернулась и убежала из кабинки; to flee — убегать, спасаться бегством). She went into another booth (она зашла в другую палатку), an empty one (пустую), where she could be alone (где она могла быть одна) to put her head down upon her arms (чтобы положить свою голову на руки) and cry unashamedly (и плакать без стыда = не стесняясь) with the joy of the message which had read (от радости /по поводу/ записки, которая гласила): "Please ask your husband (пожалуйста, попросите вашего мужа) to come to see me tomorrow (зайти ко мне завтра). I may be able to help him — Chassagne (я, может быть, смогу ему помочь — Шассань; able — способный)."