Mrs. Tower went quite pale under her make-up

"We’re going to Italy for our honeymoon. Gilbert has never had a chance of studying Renaissance architecture, and of course it’s important for an architect to see things for himself. And we shall stop in Paris on the way and get my clothes there."

"Do you expect to be away long?"

"Gilbert has arranged with his office to stay away for six months. It will be such a treat for him, won’t it? You see, he’s never had more than a fortnight’s holiday before."

"Why not?" asked Mrs. Tower in a tone that no effort of will could prevent from being icy.

"He’s never been able to afford it, poor dear."

"Ah!" said Mrs. Tower, and into the exclamation put volumes.

Coffee was served and the ladies went upstairs (был подан кофе = подаликофе, и дамы поднялись наверх). Gilbert and I began to talk in the desultory way (мы с Гилбертом начали беседовать в той бессвязной манере) in which men talk who have nothing whatever to say to one another (в которой говорят мужчины, которым нечего сказать друг другу); but in two minutes a note was brought in to me by the butler (но через две минуты дворецкий принес мне записку; to bring — приносить). It was from Mrs. Tower and ran as follows (она была от миссис Тауэр и гласила следующее; torun— бегать; гласить /о письме, документе/):

Come upstairs quickly and then go as soon as you can (быстро поднимайтесь наверх, а потом уходите, как только сможете). Take him with you (возьмите его с собой). Unless I have it out with Jane at once I shall have a fit (если я не выясню все с Джейн сейчас же, то меня хватит удар; tohaveout— выяснить, обсудить;tohaveafit— страдать от приступа).

I told a facile lie (я легко солгал: «сказал легкую ложь»).

"Mrs. Tower has a headache and wants to go to bed (у миссис Тауэр болит голова, и она хочет прилечь). I think if you don’t mind we’d better clear out (я думаю, если вы не возражаете, нам лучше уйти: «внезапно уйти»; to clear out — внезапноуходить, уезжать)."

"Certainly (конечно)," he answered.

We went upstairs and five minutes later were on the doorstep (мы поднялись наверх и через пять минут были уже на улице: «у порога»). I called a taxi and offered the young man a lift (я вызвал такси и предложил молодому человеку подвезти его; lift — поднятие, подъем; to give a lift — подбросить, подвезти).

"No, thanks (нет, спасибо)," he answered." I’ll just walk to the corner and jump on a bus (я просто пройдусь до угла и заскочу = сяду на автобус; to jump on — вскочить)."

desultory ['desqltqrI], facile ['fxsaIl], headache ['hedeIk]

Coffee was served and the ladies went upstairs. Gilbert and I began to talk in the desultory way in which men talk who have nothing whatever to say to one another; but in two minutes a note was brought in to me by the butler. It was from Mrs. Tower and ran as follows: