East Wind (Восточный ветер / Ветер с Востока) 16 страница

other ['ADq] сontemptuously [kq'ntemptjuqslI] inquisitive [in'kwIzItIv]

“How very extraordinary,” said Jane.

“Not at all, my dear,” said Mrs Corry, chuckling. “Or rather, not so extraordinary as other things I could mention.” And she winked largely at Mary Poppins.

“I’m afraid we must be off now, Mrs Corry” said Mary Poppins. “There is Baked Custard for lunch, and I must be home in time to make it. That Mrs Brill — ”

“A poor cook?” enquired Mrs Corry, interrupting.

“Poor!” said Mary Poppins contemptuously. “That’s not the word.”

“Ah!” Mrs Corry put her finger alongside her nose and looked very wise. Then she said:

“Well, my dear Miss Poppins, it has been a very pleasant visit and I am sure my girls have enjoyed it as much as I have.” She nodded in the direction of her two large, mournful daughters. “And you’ll come again soon, won’t you, with Jane and Michael and the Babies? Now, are you sure you can carry the Gingerbread?” she continued, turning to Michael and Jane.

They nodded. Mrs Corry drew closer to them, with a curious, important, inquisitive look on her face.

“I wonder (интересно),” she said dreamily (сказала она мечтательно; dream — сновидение; мечта), “what you will do with the paper stars (что вы будете делать с бумажными звездами)?”

“Oh, we’ll keep them (о, мы сохраним их),” said Jane. “We always do (мы всегда храним).”

“Ah — you keep them (ах — вы храните их)! And I wonder (а мне интересно) where you keep them (где вы храните их)?” Mrs Corry’s eyes were half closed (глаза миссис Корри были наполовину закрыты) and she looked more inquisitive than ever (и она посмотрела более пытливо, чем когда-либо).

“Well (ну),” Jane began (Джейн начала). “Mine are all under my handkerchiefs in the top left-hand drawer (мои — все под моими носовыми платками в верхнем левом ящике комода) and (а) — ”

“Mine are in a shoe box on the bottom shelf of the wardrobe (мои — в обувной коробке на нижней полке гардеробной/шкафа),” said Michael.

“Top left-hand drawer (верхний левый ящик комода) and shoe box in the wardrobe (и обувная коробка в гардеробной),” said Mrs Corry thoughtfully (сказала миссис Корри задумчиво), as though she were committing the words to memory (как будто она заучивала слова: «вверяла слова памяти»). Then she gave Mary Poppins a long look (затем она дала Мэри Поппинс долгий взгляд = посмотрела на Мэри Поппинс долгим взглядом) and nodded her head slightly (и кивнула головой слегка). Mary Poppins nodded slightly in return (Мэри Поппинс кивнула слегка в свою очередь: «в возвращение = в ответ»). It seemed (казалось) as if some secret had passed between them (как если бы какая-то тайна прошла между ними).

“Well (что ж),” said Mrs Corry brightly (сказала миссис Корри весело: «ярко, блестяще»), “that is very interesting (это очень интересно). You don’t know (вы не знаете) how glad I am to know (как я рада узнать) you keep your stars (что вы храните звезды). I shall remember that (я запомню это). You see (вы понимаете), I remember everything (я помню все) — even what Guy Fawkes had for dinner every second Sunday (даже что Гай Фокс имел на обед каждое второе воскресенье). And now, goodbye (а сейчас до свиданья). Come again soon (заходите снова скоро). Come again so-o-o-o-n (заходите снова ско-о-о-о-ро)!”

Mrs Corry’s voice seemed to be growing fainter and fading away (голос миссис Корри казалось, становился слабее и угасал; to fade — вянуть, увядать; постепенно исчезать, расплываться, растворяться), and presently (и некоторое время спустя), without being quite aware of what had happened (без того, чтобы быть вполне осознающими того, что произошло; aware — знающий, осведомленный, сведущий, сознающий), Jane and Michael found themselves on the pavement (Джейн и Майкл обнаружили себя = оказались на тротуаре), walking behind Mary Poppins (идущими за Мэри Поппинс) who was again examining her list (которая снова изучала свой список).

wardrobe ['wO:drqub] Fawkes [fO:ks] aware [q'wεq]

“I wonder,” she said dreamily, “what you will do with the paper stars?”

“Oh, we’ll keep them,” said Jane. “We always do.”

“Ah — you keep them! And I wonder where you keep them?” Mrs Corry’s eyes were half closed and she looked more inquisitive than ever.

“Well,” Jane began. “Mine are all under my handkerchiefs in the top left-hand drawer and — ”

“Mine are in a shoe box on the bottom shelf of the wardrobe,” said Michael.

“Top left-hand drawer and shoe box in the wardrobe,” said Mrs Corry thoughtfully, as though she were committing the words to memory. Then she gave Mary Poppins a long look and nodded her head slightly. Mary Poppins nodded slightly in return. It seemed as if some secret had passed between them.

“Well,” said Mrs Corry brightly, “that is very interesting. You don’t know how glad I am to know you keep your stars. I shall remember that. You see, I remember everything — even what Guy Fawkes had for dinner every second Sunday. And now, goodbye. Come again soon. Come again so-o-o-o-n!”

Mrs Corry’s voice seemed to be growing fainter and fading away, and presently, without being quite aware of what had happened, Jane and Michael found themselves on the pavement, walking behind Mary Poppins who was again examining her list.

They turned and looked behind them (они повернулись и посмотрели позади себя).

“Why, Jane (ну, Джейн),” said Michael with surprise (сказал Майкл с удивлением), “it’s not there (здесь его нет)!”

“So I see (да я вижу),” said Jane, staring and staring (сказала Джейн, всматриваясь и всматриваясь; to stare — пристально смотреть).

And they were right (и они были правы). The shop was not there (магазина не было здесь). It had entirely disappeared (он полностью исчез).

“How odd (как странно)!” said Jane.

“Isn’t it (не правда ли)?” said Michael. “But the Gingerbread is very good (но Пряник очень хороший).”

And they were so busy (и они были настолько заняты) biting their Gingerbread into different shapes (откусывая свои пряники в разные формы = чтобы получались разные формы) — a man (человечек), a flower (цветок), a teapot (чайник) — that they quite forgot (что они совсем забыли) how very odd it was (как очень странно это было).

They turned and looked behind them.

“Why, Jane,” said Michael with surprise, “it’s not there!”

“So I see,” said Jane, staring and staring.

And they were right. The shop was not there. It had entirely disappeared.

“How odd!” said Jane.

“Isn’t it?” said Michael. “But the Gingerbread is very good.”

And they were so busy biting their Gingerbread into different shapes — a man, a flower, a teapot — that they quite forgot how very odd it was.

surprise [sq'praIz] disappear [dIsq'pIq] flower ['flauq]

They remembered it again that night, however (они вспомнили это снова той же ночью, тем не менее), when the lights were out (когда свет был выключен) and they were both supposed to be sound asleep (и они оба должны были: «предполагались» спать глубоко; sound — здоровый; крепкий, глубокий /о сне/).

“Jane, Jane!” whispered Michael (прошептал Майкл). “I hear someone tiptoeing on the stairs — listen (я слышу, что кто-то ходит на цыпочках на лестнице — послушай; tip — кончик; toe — палец ноги; to tiptoe — ходить на цыпочках)!”

“Sssh (ш-ш-ш)!” hissed Jane from her bed (прошипела Джейн из своей кровати), for she, too, had heard the footsteps (так как она тоже слышала шаги).

Presently the door opened with a little click (через некоторое время дверь открылась с небольшим щелчком) and somebody came into the room (и кто-то вошел в комнату). It was Mary Poppins (это была Мэри Поппинс), dressed in hat and coat (одетая в шляпу и пальто) all ready to go out (полностью готовая выйти).

She moved about the room softly (она двигалась по комнате мягко) with quick, secret movements (с быстрыми, загадочными движениями). Jane and Michael watched her through half-closed eyes without stirring (Джейн и Майкл смотрели за ней сквозь полузакрытые глаза, не двигаясь: «без того, чтобы двигаться»; to stir — шевелиться; двигаться).

sound [saund] tiptoe ['tIptqu] ready [redI]

They remembered it again that night, however, when the lights were out and they were both supposed to be sound asleep.

“Jane, Jane!” whispered Michael. “I hear someone tiptoeing on the stairs — listen!”

“Sssh!” hissed Jane from her bed, for she, too, had heard the footsteps.

Presently the door opened with a little click and somebody came into the room. It was Mary Poppins, dressed in hat and coat all ready to go out.

She moved about the room softly with quick, secret movements. Jane and Michael watched her through half-closed eyes without stirring.

First she went to the chest of drawers (сначала она подошла к комоду), opened a drawer and shut it again after a moment (открыла ящик и закрыла его вновь через мгновенье). Then, on tiptoe (затем, на цыпочках), she went to the wardrobe (она подошла к гардеробной), opened it (открыла ее), bent down (наклонилась) and put something in or took something out (и положила что-то в /нее/ и вытащила что-то из /нее/) (they couldn’t tell which) (они не могли сказать, что именно). Snap (щелк)! The wardrobe door shut quickly (дверь гардеробной захлопнулась быстро) and Mary Poppins hurried from the room (и Мэри Поппинс поспешила из комнаты).

Michael sat up in bed (Майкл сел в кровати).

“What was she doing (что она делала)?” he said to Jane in a loud whisper (он сказал Джейн громким шепотом).

“I don’t know (я не знаю). Perhaps she’s forgotten her gloves or her shoes or (возможно, она забыла свои перчатки или свои туфли или) — ”Jane broke off suddenly (Джейн замолчала внезапно; to break off — внезапно прекращать, обрывать). “Michael, listen (Майкл, послушай)!”

He listened (он слушал). From down below (снизу; below — внизу, ниже) — in the garden (в саду), it seemed (казалось) — they could hear several voices whispering together (они могли слышать несколько голосов, шепчущихся вместе), very earnestly and excitedly (очень серьезно и возбужденно; to excite — возбуждать).

With a quick movement Jane got out of bed (быстрым движением Джейн встала из кровати) and beckoned Michael (и сделала знак Майклу). They crept on bare feet to the window (они прокрались босиком: «на голых ступнях»; to creep — ползать; красться; подкрадываться) and looked down (и посмотрели вниз).

There (там), outside in the Lane (снаружи на улице), stood a tiny form and two gigantic figures (стояли крошечная фигура и две гигантские).

“Mrs Corry and Miss Fannie and Miss Annie (миссис Корри и мисс Фанни, и мисс Анни),” said Jane in a whisper (сказала Джейн шепотом).

And so indeed it was (и в действительности так было). It was a curious group (это была любопытная группа). Mrs Corry was looking through the bars of the gate of Number Seventeen (миссис Корри смотрела через решетку ворот дома номер Семнадцать), Miss Fannie had two long ladders balanced on one huge shoulder (мисс Фанни имела две длинные лестницы, качавшихся на одном огромном плече), while Miss Annie appeared to be carrying in one hand a large pail of something (в то время как мисс Анни несла: «имела вид быть несущей» в одной руке большое ведро чего-то) that looked like glue (что выглядело, как клей) and in the other an enormous paintbrush (а в другой руке огромную кисть; to paint — красить; brush — щетка; кисть).

From where they stood (из того места, где они стояли; to stand), hidden by the curtain (спрятанные шторой; to hide), Jane and Michael could distinctly hear their voices (Джейн и Майкл могли отчетливо слышать их голоса).

loud [laud] gloves [glAvz] earnestly ['q:nIstlI]

First she went to the chest of drawers, opened a drawer and shut it again after a moment. Then, on tiptoe, she went to the wardrobe, opened it, bent down and put something in or took something out (they couldn’t tell which). Snap! The wardrobe door shut quickly and Mary Poppins hurried from the room.

Michael sat up in bed.

“What was she doing?” he said to Jane in a loud whisper.

“I don’t know. Perhaps she’s forgotten her gloves or her shoes or — ” Jane broke off suddenly. “Michael, listen!”

He listened. From down below — in the garden, it seemed — they could hear several voices whispering together, very earnestly and excitedly.

With a quick movement Jane got out of bed and beckoned Michael. They crept on bare feet to the window and looked down.

There, outside in the Lane, stood a tiny form and two gigantic figures.

“Mrs Corry and Miss Fannie and Miss Annie,” said Jane in a whisper.

And so indeed it was. It was a curious group. Mrs Corry was looking through the bars of the gate of Number Seventeen, Miss Fannie had two long ladders balanced on one huge shoulder, while Miss Annie appeared to be carrying in one hand a large pail of something that looked like glue and in the other an enormous paintbrush.

From where they stood, hidden by the curtain, Jane and Michael could distinctly hear their voices.

“She’s late (она опаздывает)!” Mrs Corry was saying crossly and anxiously (миссис Корри говорила сердито и тревожно).

“Perhaps (возможно),” Miss Fannie began timidly (мисс Фанни начала робко; to begin), settling the ladders more firmly on her shoulder (устраивая лестницы более крепко на своем плече), “one of the children is ill (один из детей болеет) and she couldn’t (и она не могла) — ”

“Get away in time (уйти вовремя),” said Miss Annie, nervously completing her sisters sentence (нервно заканчивая предложение своей сестры).

“Silence (тишина = тихо)!” said Mrs Corry fiercely (сказала миссис Корри свирепо), and Jane and Michael distinctly heard her whisper something about (и Джейн и Майкл отчетливо услышали, как она шепчет что-то о) “great galumphing giraffes,” (здоровые скачущие жирафах; to galumph — идти неровным прерывистым шагом) and they knew (и они знали = поняли; to know) she was referring to her unfortunate daughters (она имела в виду/намекала на своих несчастных дочерей; to refer — ссылаться, опираться /на кого-либо, на что-либо/; намекать /на что-либо/).

“Hist (тсс)!” said Mrs Corry suddenly (сказала миссис Корри внезапно), listening with her head on one side, like a small bird (слушая, склонив свою голову на один бок, как маленькая птичка).

There was the sound of the front door being quietly opened and shut again (послышался звук парадной двери, которую бесшумно открыли и закрыли снова), and the creak of footsteps on the path (и скрип шагов по тропинке). Mrs Corry smiled and waved her hand (миссис Корри улыбнулась и помахала рукой) as Mary Poppins came to meet them (как только Мэри Поппинс подошла встретить их = подошла к ним), carrying a market basket on her arm (неся рыночную корзину на своей руке), and in the basket was something (и в корзине было что-то) that seemed to give out a faint, mysterious light (что, казалось, издавало слабый, таинственный свет).

“Come along, come along, we must hurry (поторапливайтесь, поторапливайтесь, мы должны спешить)! We haven’t much time (мы не имеем много времени),” said Mrs Corry, taking Mary Poppins by the arm (беря Мэри Поппинс за руку). “Look lively, you two (взбодритесь: «посмотрите оживленно», вы, двое)!” And she moved off (и она двинулась в путь; to move — двигаться), followed by Miss Fannie and Miss Annie (сопровождаемая мисс Фанни и мисс Анни), who were obviously trying to look as lively as possible (которые очевидно старались выглядеть так энергично, как это было возможно) but not succeeding very well (но не преуспевая в этом достаточно хорошо; to succeed — преуспевать, добиваться успеха). They tramped heavily after their Mother and Mary Poppins (они тяжело ступали за своей матерью и Мэри Поппинс), bending under their loads (сгибаясь под своими ношами/грузами).

galumphing [gq'lAmfIŋ] lively ['laIvlI] succeeding[sqk'si:dIŋ]

“She’s late!” Mrs Corry was saying crossly and anxiously.

“Perhaps,” Miss Fannie began timidly, settling the ladders more firmly on her shoulder, “one of the children is ill and she couldn’t — ”

“Get away in time,” said Miss Annie, nervously completing her sisters sentence.

“Silence!” said Mrs Corry fiercely, and Jane and Michael distinctly heard her whisper something about “great galumphing giraffes,” and they knew she was referring to her unfortunate daughters.

“Hist!” said Mrs Corry suddenly, listening with her head on one side, like a small bird.

There was the sound of the front door being quietly opened and shut again, and the creak of footsteps on the path. Mrs Corry smiled and waved her hand as Mary Poppins came to meet them, carrying a market basket on her arm, and in the basket was something that seemed to give out a faint, mysterious light.

“Come along, come along, we must hurry! We haven’t much time,” said Mrs Corry, taking Mary Poppins by the arm. “Look lively, you two!” And she moved off, followed by Miss Fannie and Miss Annie, who were obviously trying to look as lively as possible but not succeeding very well. They tramped heavily after their Mother and Mary Poppins, bending under their loads.

Jane and Michael saw all four of them go down Cherry Tree Lane (Джейн и Майкл видели их всех четверых, идущих по Вишневой улице), and then they turned a little to the left and went up the hill (а затем они повернули немного налево и пошли вверх на холм). When they got to the top of the hill (когда они дошли до вершины холма), where there were no houses but only grass and clover (где не было ни домов, а только трава и клевер), they stopped (они остановились).

Miss Annie put down her pail of glue (мисс Анни опустила свое ведро клея), and Miss Fannie swung the ladders from her shoulder (мисс Фанни перенесла лестницы со своего плеча; to swing — качать, колебать; переносить, транспортировать /например, при помощи подъемного крана/) and steadied them until both stood in an upright position (и поддержала = установила их, пока обе не стояли в вертикальном положении; to steady — делать прочным; придавать устойчивость). Then she held one and Miss Annie the other (потом она держала одну, а мисс Анни другую; to hold).

“What on earth are they going to do (что же они делают: «что же на Земле /усилительный оборот = черт возьми/ они делают»)?” said Michael, gaping (разинув рот; to gape — широко открывать рот; зевать). But there was no need for Jane to reply (но не было необходимости Джейн отвечать), for he could see for himself (так как он смог увидеть сам) what was happening (что происходило).

As soon as Miss Fannie and Miss Annie had so fixed the ladders (как скоро мисс Фанни и мисс Анни так установили лестницы) that they seemed to be standing with one end on the earth (что они казались стоящими одним концом на земле) and the other leaning on the sky (а другим прислоненным к небу), Mrs Corry picked up her skirts and the paintbrush in one hand (миссис Корри подобрала свои юбки и кисть в одну руку) and the pail of glue in the other (а ведро клея в другую). Then she set her foot on the lowest rung of one of the ladders (затем она поставила свою ногу на самую низкую ступень лестниц) and began to climb it (и начала подниматься по ней). Mary Poppins, carrying her basket (неся свою корзину), climbed the other (поднималась по другой).

clover ['klquvq] glue [glu:] basket ['bQ:skIt] climb [klaIm]

Jane and Michael saw all four of them go down Cherry Tree Lane, and then they turned a little to the left and went up the hill. When they got to the top of the hill, where there were no houses but only grass and clover, they stopped.

Miss Annie put down her pail of glue, and Miss Fannie swung the ladders from her shoulder and steadied them until both stood in an upright position.Then she held one and Miss Annie the other.

“What on earth are they going to do?” said Michael, gaping. But there was no need for Jane to reply, for he could see for himself what was happening.

As soon as Miss Fannie and Miss Annie had so fixed the ladders that they seemed to be standing with one end on the earth and the other leaning on the sky, Mrs Corry picked up her skirts and the paintbrush in one hand and the pail of glue in the other. Then she set her foot on the lowest rung of one of the ladders and began to climb it. Mary Poppins, carrying her basket, climbed the other.

Then Jane and Michael saw a most amazing sight (затем Джейн и Майкл увидели самое удивительное зрелище; to amaze — изумлять, поражать, удивлять). As soon as she arrived at the top of her ladder (как только она прибыла на верхушку лестницы = добралась до верхушки лестницы), Mrs Corry dipped her brush into the glue (миссис Корри окунула кисть в клей) and began slapping the sticky substance against the sky (и начала шлепать липкое вещество о небо). And Mary Poppins, when this had been done (когда это было сделано), took something shiny from her basket (достала что-то сияющее из своей корзины) and fixed it to the glue (и прикрепила это на клей). When she took her hand away (когда она убрала руку) they saw (они увидели) that she was sticking the Gingerbread Stars to the sky (что она приклеивает Пряничные Звезды к небу). As each one was placed in position (как только каждая была помещена на место = размещена) it began to twinkle furiously (она начинала блестеть/сверкать неистово), sending out rays of sparkling golden light (испуская лучи сверкающего золотого света; to send — посылать; to sparkle — искриться; сверкать).

“They’re ours (они — наши)!” said Michael breathlessly (сказал Майкл, затаив дыхание: «бездыханно»). “They’re our stars (они — наши звезды). She thought we were asleep (она подумала, что мы спим) and came in and took them (и вошла и взяла их)!”

But Jane was silent (но Джейн молчала: «была безмолвной»). She was watching (она наблюдала) Mrs Corry splashing the glue on the sky (как миссис Корри размазывала клей по небу) and Mary Poppins sticking on the stars (а Мэри Поппинс наклеивала звезды) and Miss Fannie and Miss Annie moving the ladders to a new position (а мисс Фанни и мисс Анни двигали лестницу в новое положение) as the spaces in the sky became filled up (как только пространства/промежутки в небе становились заполненными; to become — становиться).

sight [saIt] substance ['sAbst(q)ns] twinkle [twIŋkl]

Then Jane and Michael saw a most amazing sight. As soon as she arrived at the top of her ladder, Mrs Corry dipped her brush into the glue and began slapping the sticky substance against the sky. And Mary Poppins, when this had been done, took something shiny from her basket and fixed it to the glue. When she took her hand away they saw that she was sticking the Gingerbread Stars to the sky. As each one was placed in position it began to twinkle furiously, sending out rays of sparkling golden light.

“They’re ours!” said Michael breathlessly. “They’re our stars. She thought we were asleep and came in and took them!”

But Jane was silent. She was watching Mrs Corry splashing the glue on the sky and Mary Poppins sticking on the stars and Miss Fannie and Miss Annie moving the ladders to a new position as the spaces in the sky became filled up.

At last it was over (наконец все: «это» было закончено). Mary Poppins shook out her basket (Мэри Поппинс вытряхнула свою корзину) and showed Mrs Corry (и показала миссис Корри) that there was nothing left in it (что ничего не осталось в ней: «ничего не было оставлено в ней»; to leave — оставлять). Then they came down from the ladders (потом они спустились с лестниц) and the procession started down the hill again (и процессия начала спускаться по холму снова), Miss Fannie shouldering the ladders (мисс Фанни, взвалив на плечо лестницы), Miss Annie jangling her empty glue pail (мисс Анни, бряцая своим пустым ведром для клея; to jangle — издавать резкие, нестройные звуки; нестройно звучать; звенеть, бряцать). At the corner they stood talking for a moment (на углу они остановились, поговорив минуту); then Mary Poppins shook hands with them all (затем Мэри Поппинс пожала руки им всем) and hurried up the Lane again (и заспешила по Улице снова). Mrs Corry, dancing lightly in her elastic-sided boots (миссис Корри, танцуя легко = весело/беспечно в своих туфлях с эластичными боками = в штиблетах с резинкой) and holding her skirts daintily with her hands (и придерживая свои юбки элегантно руками), disappeared in the other direction (исчезла в другом направлении) with her huge daughters stumping noisily behind her (со своими огромными дочерями, ковыляющими шумно позади нее; noise — шум).

The garden gate clicked (ворота сада щелкнули). Footsteps creaked on the path (шаги заскрипели по дорожке). The front door opened and shut with a soft clanging sound (парадная дверь открылась и закрылась с мягким, лязгающим звуком). Presently they heard Mary Poppins come quietly up the stairs (некоторое время спустя они услышали, как Мэри Поппинс идет тихо вверх по лестнице), tiptoe past the nursery (проходит на цыпочках мимо детской) and go on into the room (и заходит в комнату) where she slept with John and Barbara (где она спала с Джоном и Барбарой; to sleep).

As the sound of her footsteps died away (когда звук ее шагов замер), Jane and Michael looked at each other (Джейн и Майкл посмотрели друг на друга). Then without a word they went together to the top left-hand drawer and looked (затем без единого слова они пошли вместе к верхнему левому ящику и посмотрели).

There was nothing there but a pile of Jane’s handkerchiefs (здесь не было ничего, кроме стопки носовых платков Джейн).

clanging ['klæŋIŋ] procession [prq'se∫(q)n] stairs[stεqz]

At last it was over. Mary Poppins shook out her basket and showed Mrs Corry that there was nothing left in it.Then they came down from the ladders and the procession started down the hill again, Miss Fannie shouldering the ladders, Miss Annie jangling her empty glue pail. At the corner they stood talking for a moment; then Mary Poppins shook hands with them all and hurried up the Lane again. Mrs Corry, dancing lightly in her elastic-sided boots and holding her skirts daintily with her hands, disappeared in the other direction with her huge daughters stumping noisily behind her.

The garden gate clicked. Footsteps creaked on the path. The front door opened and shut with a soft clanging sound. Presently they heard Mary Poppins come quietly up the stairs, tiptoe past the nursery and go on into the room where she slept with John and Barbara.

As the sound of her footsteps died away, Jane and Michael looked at each other.Then without a word they went together to the top left-hand drawer and looked.

There was nothing there but a pile of Jane’s handkerchiefs.

“I told you so (я же тебе говорил),” said Michael.

Next they went to the wardrobe and looked into the shoe box (затем они пошли к гардеробной и заглянули в обувную коробку). It was empty (она была пуста).

“But how (но как)? But why (но почему)?” said Michael, sitting down on the edge of his bed and staring at Jane (садясь на край своей кровати и пристально глядя на Джейн).

Jane said nothing (Джейн ничего не сказала). She just sat beside him with her arms round her knees (она просто сидела рядом с ним, с руками вокруг своих колен) and thought and thought and thought (и думала, и думала, и думала). At last she shook back her hair (наконец она откинула волосы назад; to shake — трясти; встряхивать) and stretched herself (и потянулась) and stood up (и встала; to stand up).

“What I want to know (что я хочу знать),” she said,“ is this (это вот что): Are the stars gold paper (звезды — это золотая бумага) or is the gold paper stars (или золотая бумага — звезды)?”

There was no reply to her question (не было ответа на ее вопрос) and she did not expect one (да она и не ожидала его). She knew (она знала) that only somebody very much wiser than Michael could give her the right answer (что только кто-то намного мудрее, чем Майкл, может дать ей верный ответ)…

hair [hεq] paper ['peIpq] reply [rI'plaI]

“I told you so,” said Michael.

Next they went to the wardrobe and looked into the shoe box. It was empty.

“But how? But why?” said Michael, sitting down on the edge of his bed and staring at Jane.

Jane said nothing. She just sat beside him with her arms round her knees and thought and thought and thought. At last she shook back her hair and stretched herself and stood up.

“What I want to know,” she said,“is this: Are the stars gold paper or is the gold paper stars?”

There was no reply to her question and she did not expect one. She knew that only somebody very much wiser than Michael could give her the right answer…