Английский язык с Марком Твеном. Принц и нищий / Mark Twain. The Prince and the Pauper

CHAPTER XIX (Глава девятнадцатая)

WHEN the king awoke in the early morning (когда король проснулся ранним утром; to awake — просыпаться), he found that a wet but thoughtful rat (он обнаружил, что одна мокрая, но сообразительная крыса) had crept into the place during the night (забралась в помещение в течение ночи; to creep — ползти) and made a cozy bed for itself in his bosom (и устроила уютную постельку для себя у него на груди). Being disturbed now (будучи потревоженной теперь), it scampered away (она улизнула). The boy smiled, and said (мальчик улыбнулся и сказал), 'Poor fool, why so fearful (бедная глупышка, почему такая боязливая)? I am as forlorn as thou (я так же несчастен, как ты). 'Twould be a shame in me (было бы стыдно мне) to hurt the helpless (обижать беззащитную), who am myself so helpless (кто сам так беззащитен). Moreover (более того), I owe you thanks for a good omen (я обязан тебе благодарностью за хорошее предзнаменование); for when a king has fallen so low (ибо когда король пал так низко; to fall — падать) that the very rats do make a bed of him (что даже крысы делают постель из него; very — (тот) сам(ый)), it surely meaneth (это точно означает) that his fortunes be upon the turn (что его судьба на повороте = должна скоро перемениться), since it is plain he can no lower go (так как ясно, что он не может пасть ниже).'

He got up (он встал; to get up — вставать) and stepped out of the stall (и вышел из стойла; to step — ступать), and just then (и прямо тогда) he heard the sound of children's voices (он услышал звук детских голосов; to hear — слышать). The barn door opened (дверь сарая открылась) and a couple of little girls came in (и пара маленьких девочек вошла внутрь). As soon as they saw him (как только они увидели его) their talking and laughing ceased (их разговор и смех прекратились), and they stopped and stood still (и они остановились и встали неподвижно), gazing at him with strong curiosity (уставившись на него с сильным любопытством); they presently began to whisper together (они вскоре начали шептать вместе = перешептываться,) then they approached nearer (затем они подошли ближе), and stopped again to gaze and whisper (и остановились снова, чтобы глазеть и шептаться). By and by they gathered courage (постепенно они набрались смелости) and began to discuss him aloud (и начали обсуждать его вслух). One said (одна сказала):

'He hath a comely face (у него привлекательное лицо).'

The other added (вторая добавила):

'And pretty hair (и прелестные волосы).'

'But is ill clothed enow (но плохо одет достаточно).'

'And how starved he looketh (а каким голодным он выглядит).'

They came still nearer (они подошли еще ближе), sidling shyly around and about him (топчась застенчиво вокруг него), examining him minutely (изучая его подробно) from all points (со всех точек), as if he were some strange new kind of animal (как если бы он был каким-нибудь странным новым видом животного; to be — быть); but warily and watchfully the while (но опасливо и зорко в то же время), as if they half feared (как если бы они наполовину боялись) he might be a sort of animal (что он мог бы быть неким видом животного) that would bite (которое может укусить), upon occasion (при случае). Finally they halted before him (наконец они остановились перед ним), holding each other's hands for protection (держа друг друга за руки для защиты; each other — друг друга), and took a good satisfying stare (и взяли хороший удовлетворяющий взгляд) with their innocent eyes (своими невинными глазами); then one of them plucked up all her courage (затем одна из них собрала всю свою смелость) and inquired with honest directness (и спросила с честной прямотой):

'Who art thou, boy (кто ты, мальчик)?'

'I am the king (я король),' was the grave answer (был важный ответ).

The children gave a little start (дети слегка вздрогнули; start — вздрагивание, рывок), and their eyes spread themselves wide open (и их глаза раскрылись сами широко) and remained so (и оставались такими) during a speechless half-minute (в течение безмолвной полминуты). Then curiosity broke the silence (затем любопытство нарушило тишину; to break — ломать):

'The king (король)? What king (какой король)?'

'The king of England (король Англии).'

The children looked at each other (дети посмотрели друг на друга) — then at him (затем на него) — then at each other again (затем друг на друга снова) — wonderingly, perplexedly (недоумевающе, озадаченно) — then one said (затем одна сказала):

'Didst hear him, Margery (ты слышала его, Марджери)? — he saith he is the king (он говорит, что он король). Can that be true (может ли это быть правдой; true — истинный)?'

'How can it be else but true, Prissy (как может это быть иным, нежели правдой, Присси)? Would he say a lie (сказал ли бы он ложь)? For look you, Prissy (потому что смотри, Присси), an it were not true (если бы это не было правдой), it would be a lie (это была бы ложь). It surely would be (это точно была бы /ложь/). Now think on't (теперь поразмысли над этим; on’t = on it). For all things that be not true, be lies (ибо все вещи, которые не правдивы, суть ложь) — thou canst make naught else out of it (ты не можешь сделать ничего другого из этого = с этим уж ничего не поделаешь).'

It was a good, tight argument (это был хороший, непроницаемый = неоспоримый довод), without a leak in it anywhere (без единой протечки в нем где-либо = без единого слабого места); and it left Prissy's half-doubts not a leg to stand on (и он не оставил полусомнениям Присси ни одной ноги, чтобы стоять на /ней/ = разнес их в пух и прах). She considered a moment (она поразмышляла минутку), then put the king upon his honor (затем положилась на честность короля: «поставила королю на его честь») with the simple remark (простым замечанием):

'If thou art truly the king (если ты воистину король), then I believe thee (тогда я верю тебе).'

'I am truly the king (я воистину король).'

bosom [`buzəm], minutely [maı`nju:tlı], spread [spred]

WHEN the king awoke in the early morning, he found that a wet but thoughtful rat had crept into the place during the night and made a cozy bed for itself in his bosom. Being disturbed now, it scampered away. The boy smiled, and said, 'Poor fool, why so fearful? I am as forlorn as thou. 'Twould be a shame in me to hurt the helpless, who am myself so helpless. Moreover, I owe you thanks for a good omen; for when a king has fallen so low that the very rats do make a bed of him, it surely meaneth that his fortunes be upon the turn, since it is plain he can no lower go.'

He got up and stepped out of the stall, and just then he heard the sound of children's voices. The barn door opened and a couple of little girls came in. As soon as they saw him their talking and laughing ceased, and they stopped and stood still, gazing at him with strong curiosity; they presently began to whisper together, then they approached nearer, and stopped again to gaze and whisper. By and by they gathered courage and began to discuss him aloud. One said:

'He hath a comely face.'

The other added:

'And pretty hair.'

'But is ill clothed enow.'

'And how starved he looketh.'

They came still nearer, sidling shyly around and about him, examining him minutely from all points, as if he were some strange new kind of animal; but warily and watchfully the while, as if they half feared he might be a sort of animal that would bite, upon occasion. Finally they halted before him, holding each other's hands for protection, and took a good satisfying stare with their innocent eyes; then one of them plucked up all her courage and inquired with honest directness:

'Who art thou, boy?'

'I am the king,' was the grave answer.

The children gave a little start, and their eyes spread themselves wide open and remained so during a speechless half-minute. Then curiosity broke the silence:

'The king? What king?'

'The king of England.'

The children looked at each other — then at him — then at each other again — wonderingly, perplexedly — then one said:

'Didst hear him, Margery? — he saith he is the king. Can that be true?'

'How can it be else but true, Prissy? Would he say a lie? For look you, Prissy, an it were not true, it would be a lie. It surely would be. Now think on't. For all things that be not true, be lies — thou canst make naught else out of it.'

It was a good, tight argument, without a leak in it anywhere; and it left Prissy's half-doubts not a leg to stand on. She considered a moment, then put the king upon his honor with the simple remark:

'If thou art truly the king, then I believe thee.'

'I am truly the king.'

This settled the matter (это уладило вопрос). His majesty's royalty was accepted (королевский статус его величества был принят) without further question or discussion (без дальнейших расспросов и обсуждения), and the two little girls began at once to inquire (и две маленькие девочки начали сразу же выспрашивать) into how he came to be where he was (о том, как он дошел до того, чтобы оказаться там, где он был), and how he came to be so unroyally clad (и как он дошел до того, чтобы быть так не по-королевски одетым), and whither he was bound (и куда он собирался; bound — намеревающийся), and all about his affairs (и все о его делах). It was a mighty relief to him (это было великим облегчением для него) to pour out his troubles (излить свои несчастья) where they would not be scoffed at or doubted (где они не были бы высмеяны или подвергнуты сомнениям; to scoff at — смеяться над; to doubt — сомневаться); so he told his tale with feeling (так что он рассказал свою историю с чувством; to tell — рассказывать), forgetting even his hunger for the time (забыв даже свой голод на время); and it was received with the deepest and tenderest sympathy (и она была принята с глубочайшим и нежнейшим сочувствием) by the gentle little maids (кроткими маленькими девами). But when he got down to his latest experiences (но когда он принялся за свои последние переживания; to get down — засесть за что-то) and they learned how long he had been without food (и они узнали, как долго он был без еды; to be — быть), they cut him short (они прервали его; to cut — резать; short — короткий) and hurried him away to the farmhouse (и поторопили его прочь к фермерскому дому) to find a breakfast for him (чтобы найти завтрак для него).

The king was cheerful and happy now (король был бодрый и веселый теперь), and said to himself (и сказал себе), 'When I am come to mine own again (когда я приду к своему собственному снова = вернусь к своему положению), I will always honor little children (я всегда буду чтить маленьких детей), remembering how that these trusted me (помня, как вот эти доверились мне) and believed in me in my time of trouble (и поверили в меня в мое время бед); whilst they that were older (в то время как те, кто были старше), and thought themselves wiser (и полагали себя мудрее), mocked at me (смеялись надо мной) and held me for a liar (и держали меня за лгуна = считали меня лгуном; to hold).'

The children's mother received the king kindly (мать детей приняла короля доброжелательно), and was full of pity (и была полна жалости); for his forlorn condition (так как его жалкое состояние) and apparently crazed intellect (и очевидно поврежденный ум) touched her womanly heart (тронули ее женское сердце). She was a widow (она была вдовой), and rather poor (и весьма бедной); consequently she had seen trouble enough to enable her (следовательно, она видала бед достаточно, чтобы сделать ее способной) to feel for the unfortunate (сочувствовать злосчастным). She imagined (она вообразила) that the demented boy (что помешавшийся мальчик) had wandered away from his friends or keepers (отбился от своих друзей и опекунов); so she tried to find out (так что она попыталась выяснить) whence he had come (откуда он пришел), in order that she might take measures to return him (с целью, чтобы она могла принять меры, чтобы вернуть его); but all her references to neighbouring towns and villages (но все ее упоминания соседних городов и деревень), and all her inquiries in the same line (и все ее расспросы в этом же направлении), went for nothing (ушли ни за что = пропали впустую) — the boy's face (лицо мальчика), and his answers, too (и его ответы тоже), showed that the things she was talking of (показывали, что вещи, о которых она говорила) were not familiar to him (не были знакомы ему). He spoke earnestly and simply (он говорил серьезно и просто; to speak — говорить) about court matters (о придворных делах); and broke down (и всплакнул; to break down — ломать(ся), терять самообладание), more than once (больше чем раз), when speaking of the late king 'his father' (говоря о покойном короле «своем отце»); but whenever the conversation changed to baser topics (но когда бы разговор ни менялся = переходил на более простые темы), he lost interest and became silent (он терял интерес и становился молчаливым; to lose — терять; to become — становиться).

The woman was mightily puzzled (женщина была весьма озадачена); but she did not give up (но она не сдалась). As she proceeded with her cooking (пока она продолжала со своей готовкой), she set herself to contriving devices (она пускалась на придумывание трюков; to set to — приниматься за что-то; to contrive — изобретать) to surprise the boy into betraying his real secret (чтобы застать мальчика врасплох в то, чтобы выдать свою настоящую тайну = чтобы хитростью заставить мальчика выдать свою настоящую тайну; to surprise — удивить, взять врасплох; to betray — выдать, предать). She talked about cattle (она говорила о скоте) — he showed no concern (он не выказывал никакого интереса); then about sheep (затем об овцах) — the same result (тот же результат) — so her guess that he had been a shepherd boy (так что ее догадка, что он раньше был пастушком) was an error (была ошибкой); she talked about mills (она говорила о мельницах); and about weavers (и о ткачах), tinkers (лудильщиках), smiths (кузнецах), trades and tradesmen (торговле и купцах) of all sorts (всех сортов); and about Bedlam (и о Бедламе /сумасшедшем доме/), and jails (и тюрьмах), and charitable retreats (и благотворительных приютах); but no matter (но независимо от этого), she was baffled (она была сбита с толку) at all points (по всем пунктам). Not altogether, either (не совсем, все же); for she argued (ибо она утверждала) that she had narrowed the thing down (что она сузила вещь = поиски; to narrow down — сузить) to domestic service (до домашней службы). Yes, she was sure (да, она была уверена) she was on the right track now (что она была на правильном пути теперь) — he must have been a house-servant (он, должно быть, раньше был домашней прислугой). So she led up to that (так что она повела к этому; to lead up — вести к чему-то). But the result was discouraging (но результат был разочаровывающий). The subject of sweeping appeared to weary him (вопрос подметания, казалось, утомляет его); fire-building failed to stir him (разжигание огня не смогло расшевелить его; to fail — не смочь); scrubbing and scouring (оттирание и чистка) awoke no enthusiasm (не пробудила никакого энтузиазма; to awake — будить, просыпаться). Then the goodwife touched (затем хозяйка коснулась), with a perishing hope (с умирающей надеждой), and rather as a matter of form (и скорее для формы), upon the subject of cooking (вопроса готовки). To her surprise (к ее удивлению), and her vast delight (и ее вящей радости), the king's face lighted at once (лицо короля осветилось сразу же)! Ah, she had hunted him down at last (ах, она поймала его наконец; to hunt down — затравить; to hunt — охотиться), she thought (она подумала); and she was right proud, too (и она была очень горда тоже), of the devious shrewdness (той хитроумной проницательностью) and tact (и тактом) which had accomplished it (которые совершили это).

relief [rı`li:f], imagine [ı`mæGın], enthusiasm [ın`θju:zıæz(ə)m]

This settled the matter. His majesty's royalty was accepted without further question or discussion, and the two little girls began at once to inquire into how he came to be where he was, and how he came to be so unroyally clad, and whither he was bound, and all about his affairs. It was a mighty relief to him to pour out his troubles where they would not be scoffed at or doubted; so he told his tale with feeling, forgetting even his hunger for the time; and it was received with the deepest and tenderest sympathy by the gentle little maids. But when he got down to his latest experiences and they learned how long he had been without food, they cut him short and hurried him away to the farmhouse to find a breakfast for him.

The king was cheerful and happy now, and said to himself, 'When I am come to mine own again, I will always honor little children, remembering how that these trusted me and believed in me in my time of trouble; whilst they that were older, and thought themselves wiser, mocked at me and held me for a liar.'

The children's mother received the king kindly, and was full of pity; for his forlorn condition and apparently crazed intellect touched her womanly heart. She was a widow, and rather poor; consequently she had seen trouble enough to enable her to feel for the unfortunate. She imagined that the demented boy had wandered away from his friends or keepers; so she tried to find out whence he had come, in order that she might take measures to return him; but all her references to neighbouring towns and villages, and all her inquiries in the same line, went for nothing — the boy's face, and his answers, too, showed that the things she was talking of were not familiar to him. He spoke earnestly and simply about court matters; and broke down, more than once, when speaking of the late king 'his father'; but whenever the conversation changed to baser topics, he lost interest and became silent.

The woman was mightily puzzled; but she did not give up. As she proceeded with her cooking, she set herself to contriving devices to surprise the boy into betraying his real secret. She talked about cattle — he showed no concern; then about sheep — the same result — so her guess that he had been a shepherd boy was an error; she talked about mills; and about weavers, tinkers, smiths, trades and tradesmen of all sorts; and about Bedlam, and jails, and charitable retreats; but no matter, she was baffled at all points. Not altogether, either; for she argued that she had narrowed the thing down to domestic service. Yes, she was sure she was on the right track now — he must have been a house-servant. So she led up to that. But the result was discouraging. The subject of sweeping appeared to weary him; fire-building failed to stir him; scrubbing and scouring awoke no enthusiasm. Then the goodwife touched, with a perishing hope, and rather as a matter of form, upon the subject of cooking. To her surprise, and her vast delight, the king's face lighted at once! Ah, she had hunted him down at last, she thought; and she was right proud, too, of the devious shrewdness and tact which had accomplished it.

Her tired tongue (ее уставший язык) got a chance to rest now (получил шанс = возможность отдохнуть теперь; to get — получать); for the king's (ибо /язык/ короля), inspired by gnawing hunger (вдохновленный грызущим голодом) and the fragrant smells (и душистыми запахами) that came from the sputtering pots and pans (которые исходили от бурлящих горшков и сковород), turned itself loose (развязался: «обратил = сделал себя свободным»; loose — развязанный) and delivered itself up (и сдался = и расщедрился) to such an eloquent dissertation (на столь красноречивое рассуждение) upon certain toothsome dishes (о некоторых лакомых блюдах), that within three minutes the woman said to herself (что в три минуты женщина сказала себе), 'Of a truth I was right (поистине я была права) — he hath holpen in a kitchen (он помогал на кухне; holpen — устар. форма от to help — помогать)!' Then he broadened his bill of fare (затем он расширил свое меню: «список кушаний»), and discussed it with such appreciation and animation (и обсуждал его с таким пониманием и воодушевлением), that the goodwife said to herself (что хозяйка сказала себе), 'Good lack (Боже мой — устар.)! how can he know so many dishes (как может он знать так много блюд), and so fine ones withal (да таких утонченных к тому же)? For these belong only upon the tables of the rich and great (ведь им место только на столах богатых и великих; to belong — принадлежать, быть «своим»). Ah, now I see (ах, теперь я вижу = понимаю)! ragged outcast as he is (оборванный изгой как он есть = хоть он и оборванный изгой), he must have served in the palace (он, должно быть, служил во дворце) before his reason went astray (прежде чем его ум сбился с пути; astray — заблудившись); yes, he must have helped in the very kitchen of the king himself (да, он, должно быть, помогал аж в кухне самого короля; very — сам)! I will test him (я испытаю его).'

Full of eagerness to prove her sagacity (полная рвения доказать свою проницательность), she told the king to mind the cooking a moment (она сказала королю присмотреть за готовкой; to tell — сказать) — hinting that he might manufacture and add a dish or two (намекая, что он мог бы изготовить и добавить блюдо-другое: «блюдо или два»), if he chose (если бы он выбрал = захотел; to choose — выбирать) — then she went out of the room (затем она вышла вон из кухни) and gave her children a sign to follow after (и подала своим детям знак следовать за /ней/). The king muttered (король пробормотал):

'Another English king had a commission like to this (другой английский король получил поручение, схожее с этим), in a bygone time (в былые времена) — it is nothing against my dignity (это ничто против моего достоинства = не вредит моему достоинству) to undertake an office (предпринять службу) which the great Alfred stooped to assume (до которой великий Альфред снизошел, чтобы принять). But I will try to better serve my trust (но я постараюсь лучше обслужить = исполнить мое обязательство) than he (чем он); for he let the cakes burn (так как он позволил пирогам сгореть; to let — позволять).'

The intent was good (это намерение было добрым), but the performance was not answerable to it (но исполнение не было соответственно ему); for this king, like the other one (ибо этот король, как и другой), soon fell into deep thinkings (скоро упал = погрузился в глубокие размышления; to fall — падать) concerning his vast affairs (касательно его значительных дел), and the same calamity resulted (и то же бедствие приключилось) — the cookery got burned (стряпня подгорела: «сделалась подгоревшей»). The woman returned in time to save the breakfast from entire destruction (женщина вернулась вовремя, чтобы спасти завтрак от полного уничтожения); and she promptly brought the king out of his dreams (и она живо вывела короля из мечтаний; to bring — приносить) with a brisk and cordial tongue-lashing (резким и сердечным ругательством; tongue — язык; to lash — хлестать). Then (затем), seeing how troubled he was over his violated trust (видя, как расстроен он был из-за своего нарушенного долга), she softened at once (он смягчилась сразу) and was all goodness and gentleness toward him (и была вся доброта и мягкость к нему).

The boy made a hearty and satisfying meal (мальчик сделал = съел добрую и удовлетворяющую еду), and was greatly refreshed (и был сильно освежен) and gladdened by it (и обрадован ею). It was a meal which was distinguished by this curious feature (это была трапеза, которая была замечательна такой любопытной чертой = особенностью; to distinguish — различать), that rank was waived on both sides (что звания были отвергнуты с обеих сторон); yet neither recipient of the favor was aware that it had been extended (при этом никакой получатель этой милости не осознавал, что она была оказана). The goodwife had intended to feed this young tramp (хозяйка сперва намеревалась накормить этого маленького бродягу) with broken victuals in a corner (испорченной едой = объедками в углу), like any other tramp (как любого другого бродягу), or like a dog (или как собаку); but she was so remorseful (но она была так полна раскаяния; remorse — раскаяние) for the scolding (за нагоняй) she had given him (который она дала = устроила ему), that she did what she could to atone for it (что она сделала что могла, чтобы загладить это) by allowing him to sit at the family table (позволив ему сесть за семейный стол) and eat with his betters (и есть с вышестоящими; better — более хороший), on ostensible terms of equality with them (на мнимых условиях равенства с ними; ostensible — показной; мнимый); and the king (а король), on his side (со своей стороны), was so remorseful (был так полон раскаяния) for having broken his trust (за то, что нарушил свой долг = не оправдал доверия), after the family had been so kind to him (после того как эта семья была так добра к нему), that he forced himself (что он заставил себя) to atone for it (загладить это) by humbling himself to the family level (принизив себя = снизойдя до уровня семьи), instead of requiring (вместо того чтобы требовать; to require — требовать) the woman and her children to stand (чтобы женщина и ее дети стояли) and wait upon him (и прислуживали ему) while he occupied their table (пока он занимал их стол) in the solitary state (в уединении: «обособленном состоянии») due his birth and dignity (подобаемом его рождению = ему по рождению и достоинству). It does us all good (это делает нам всем добро = хорошо) to unbend sometimes (расслабиться = отбросить чопорность иногда). This good woman was made happy all the day long (эта добрая женщина была сделана счастлива на весь день) by the applauses she got out of herself (одобрением, которое она получила из = от себя) for her magnanimous condescension to a tramp (за свое великодушное снисхождение к маленькому бродяге); and the king was just as self-complacent (а король был точно так же доволен собой) over his gracious humility toward a humble peasant woman (из-за своего милостивого смирения перед простой крестьянкой; toward — к).

gnaw [nO:], performance [pə`fO:məns], recipient [ri`sıpıənt]

Her tired tongue got a chance to rest now; for the king's, inspired by gnawing hunger and the fragrant smells that came from the sputtering pots and pans, turned itself loose and delivered itself up to such an eloquent dissertation upon certain toothsome dishes, that within three minutes the woman said to herself, 'Of a truth I was right- he hath holpen in a kitchen!' Then he broadened his bill of fare, and discussed it with such appreciation and animation, that the goodwife said to herself, 'Good lack! how can he know so many dishes, and so fine ones withal? For these belong only upon the tables of the rich and great. Ah, now I see! ragged outcast as he is, he must have served in the palace before his reason went astray; yes, he must have helped in the very kitchen of the king himself! I will test him.'

Full of eagerness to prove her sagacity, she told the king to mind the cooking a moment — hinting that he might manufacture and add a dish or two, if he chose — then she went out of the room and gave her children a sign to follow after. The king muttered:

'Another English king had a commission like to this, in a bygone time — it is nothing against my dignity to undertake an office which the great Alfred stooped to assume. But I will try to better serve my trust than he; for he let the cakes burn.'

The intent was good, but the performance was not answerable to it; for this king, like the other one, soon fell into deep thinkings concerning his vast affairs, and the same calamity resulted — the cookery got burned. The woman returned in time to save the breakfast from entire destruction; and she promptly brought the king out of his dreams with a brisk and cordial tongue-lashing. Then, seeing how troubled he was over his violated trust, she softened at once and was all goodness and gentleness toward him.

The boy made a hearty and satisfying meal, and was greatly refreshed and gladdened by it. It was a meal which was distinguished by this curious feature, that rank was waived on both sides; yet neither recipient of the favor was aware that it had been extended. The goodwife had intended to feed this young tramp with broken victuals in a corner, like any other tramp, or like a dog; but she was so remorseful for the scolding she had given him, that she did what she could to atone for it by allowing him to sit at the family table and eat with his betters, on ostensible terms of equality with them; and the king, on his side, was so remorseful for having broken his trust, after the family had been so kind to him, that he forced himself to atone for it by humbling himself to the family level, instead of requiring the woman and her children to stand and wait upon him while he occupied their table in the solitary state due his birth and dignity. It does us all good to unbend sometimes. This good woman was made happy all the day long by the applauses she got out of herself for her magnanimous condescension to a tramp; and the king was just as self-complacent over his gracious humility toward a humble peasant woman.

When breakfast was over (когда завтрак был закончен), the housewife told the king to wash up the dishes (хозяйка сказала королю помыть блюда = посуду; to tell — сказать). This command was a staggerer (это распоряжение было сильным ударом) for a moment (на минуту), and the king came near rebelling (и король был готов взбунтоваться; to come near — подойти близко; to rebel — бунтовать); but then he said to himself (но затем он сказал себе), 'Alfred the Great watched the cakes (Альфред Великий присматривал за пирогами); doubtless he would have washed the dishes, too (без сомнения, он бы помыл посуду тоже) — therefore will I essay it (следовательно, я попробую это).'

He made a sufficiently poor job of it (он сделал достаточно плохую работу из этого); and to his surprise, too (и к своему удивлению к тому же), for the cleaning of wooden spoons and trenchers (ибо очистка деревянных ложек и подносов) had seemed an easy thing to do (казалась легким делом: «легкой вещью чтобы сделать»). It was a tedious and troublesome piece of work (это была нудная и трудная работа), but he finished it at last (но он закончил ее наконец). He was becoming impatient (он становился нетерпеливым = ему не терпелось) to get away on his journey now (отправиться в свое путешествие сейчас; to get away — удрать, уйти, отправиться); however he was not to lose (однако ему не было суждено лишиться; to lose — терять) this thrifty dame's society (общества этой хозяйственной дамы) so easily (так легко). She furnished him some little odds and ends of employment (она снабжала его всякой мелкой работой; odds and ends — всякая всячина), which he got through with (через которые он продирался) after a fair fashion (на добросовестный манер) and with some credit (и с некоторой честью = успехом). Then she set him and the little girls to paring some winter apples (затем она приставила его и маленьких девочек к очищению каких-то зимних яблок); but he was so awkward at this service (но он был так неловок на этой службе) that she retired him from it (что она уволила его от нее) and gave him a butcher-knife to grind (и дала ему мясницкий нож — наточить). Afterward she kept him (после она удерживала его = поручила ему; to keep — хранить) carding wool (чесать шерсть) until he began to think (пока он не начал думать) he had laid the good King Alfred about far enough in the shade (что положил = оставил Короля Альфреда достаточно далеко в тени) for the present (пока что: «для настоящего времени»), in the matter of showy menial heroisms (в деле показного лакейского героизма = подвигов) that would read picturesquely in story-books and histories (которые будут читаться колоритно в книгах сказок и исторических трудах), and so he was half minded to resign (и поэтому он был наполовину настроен уйти в отставку). And when, just after the noonday dinner (и когда сразу после полуденного обеда), the goodwife gave him a basket of kittens to drown (хозяйка дала ему корзинку котят — утопить), he did resign (он действительно уволился: «сделал уволиться»). At least he was just going to resign (по крайней мере, он как раз собирался удалиться; to be going to — собираться сделать что-то) — for he felt that he must draw the line somewhere (ибо он чувствовал, что должен провести черту = положить предел где-то; to feel — чувствовать), and it seemed to him (и казалось ему) that to draw it at kitten-drowning (что провести ее = черту на затоплении котят) was about the right thing (было примерно то что надо: «правильная вещь») — when there was an interruption (когда появилось препятствие). The interruption was John Canty (препятствием был Джон Кэнти) — with a peddler's pack on his back (с коробом разносчика на спине) — and Hugo (и Хьюго)!

The king discovered these rascals (король обнаружил этих негодяев) approaching the front gate (приближающимися к передним воротам) before they had had a chance to see him (прежде чем они имели шанс увидеть его); so he said nothing about drawing the line (так что он не сказал ничего о том, чтобы провести черту), but took up his basket of kittens (но подхватил свою корзинку с котятами) and stepped quietly out the back way (и вышел тихо наружу через заднюю дверь), without a word (без единого слова). He left the creatures in an outhouse (он оставил этих созданий = котят в сарае; to leave — оставлять, покидать), and hurried on (и поспешил дальше) into a narrow lane at the rear (по узкому переулку сзади).

tedious [`tı:dıəs], grind [graınd], picturesque [pıktʃə`resk]

When breakfast was over, the housewife told the king to wash up the dishes. This command was a staggerer for a moment, and the king came near rebelling; but then he said to himself, 'Alfred the Great watched the cakes; doubtless he would have washed the dishes, too — therefore will I essay it.'

He made a sufficiently poor job of it; and to his surprise, too, for the cleaning of wooden spoons and trenchers had seemed an easy thing to do. It was a tedious and troublesome piece of work, but he finished it at last. He was becoming impatient to get away on his journey now; however he was not to lose this thrifty dame's society so easily. She furnished him some little odds and ends of employment, which he got through with after a fair fashion and with some credit. Then she set him and the little girls to paring some winter apples; but he was so awkward at this service that she retired him from it and gave him a butcher-knife to grind. Afterward she kept him carding wool until he began to think he had laid the good King Alfred about far enough in the shade for the present, in the matter of showy menial heroisms that would read picturesquely in story-books and histories, and so he was half minded to resign. And when, just after the noonday dinner, the goodwife gave him a basket of kittens to drown, he did resign. At least he was just going to resign — for he felt that he must draw the line somewhere, and it seemed to him that to draw it at kitten-drowning was about the right thing — when there was an interruption. The interruption was John Canty- with a peddler's pack on his back — and Hugo!

The king discovered these rascals approaching the front gate before they had had a chance to see him; so he said nothing about drawing the line, but took up his basket of kittens and stepped quietly out the back way, without a word. He left the creatures in an outhouse, and hurried on into a narrow lane at the rear.