Убийства по алфавиту Кристи Агата

mum [mVm], upset [Vp'set], neat [ni:t]

She gave a short laugh as she spoke and regarded me challengingly. "That's the correct phrase, I believe?" she said.

"I'm not a reporter, if that's what you're getting at."

"Well, what are you?" She looked round. "Where's mum and dad?"

"Your father is showing the police your sister's bedroom. Your mother's in there. She's very upset."

The girl seemed to make a decision.

"Come in here," she said.

She pulled open a door and passed through. I followed her and found myself in a small, neat kitchen.

I was about to shut the door behind me (я собирался закрыть дверь за собой) — but found an unexpected resistance (но обнаружил неожиданное сопротивление; to resist — сопротивляться). The next moment Poirot had slipped quietly into the room (в следующую минуту Пуаро тихо проскользнул в комнату) and shut the door behind him (и закрыл дверь за собой; to shut — закрывать; захлопывать).

"Mademoiselle Barnard?" he said with a quick bow (мадемуазель Барнард? — сказал он, быстро поклонившись: «с быстрым поклоном»).

"This is M. Hercule Poirot," I said (это мсье Эркюль Пуаро).

Megan Barnard gave him a quick (Меган Барнард бросила на него быстрый), appraising glance (оценивающий взгляд; to appraise — оценивать, расценивать).

"I've heard of you," she said (я слышала о вас). "You're the fashionable private sleuth, aren't you (вы модная частная ищейка, не так ли; sleuth —ищейка, сыщик, шпион)?"

"Not a pretty description (не /особенно/ приятное описание) — but it suffices," said Poirot (но достаточное: «оно удовлетворительное»; to suffice — быть достаточным, хватать; удовлетворять).

mademoiselle [,m&d@m(w)@'zel], sleuth [slu:T], suffice [s@'faIs]

I was about to shut the door behind me — but found an unexpected resistance. The next moment Poirot had slipped quietly into the room and shut the door behind him.

"Mademoiselle Barnard?" he said with a quick bow.

"This is M. Hercule Poirot," I said.

Megan Barnard gave him a quick, appraising glance.

"I've heard of you," she said. "You're the fashionable private sleuth, aren't you?"

"Not a pretty description — but it suffices," said Poirot.

The girl sat down on the edge of the kitchen table (девушка присела на край кухонного стола; to sit down). She felt in her bag for a cigarette (она нащупала в сумке сигарету). She placed it between her lips (она расположила ее между губ), lighted it (зажгла ее; to light), and then said in between two puffs of smoke (и затем проговорила между двум клубами дыма): "Somehow (как-то), I don't see (я не понимаю) what M. Hercule Poirot is doing in our humble little crime (что мсье Эркюль Пуаро делает в нашем скромном маленьком преступлении; humble — смиренный; скромный, непритязательный)."

"Mademoiselle," said Poirot (мадемуазель), "what you do not see (/то/, чего не понимаете вы) and what I do not see would probably fill a volume (и чего не понимаю я, вероятно, заполнит том; volume — объем; том, книга). But all that is of no practical importance (но все это не имеет практического значения; important — важный, значимый). What is of practical importance is something (а /вот/ что имеет практическое значение, это /как раз/ нечто) that will not be easy to find (что будет нелегко найти)."

"What's that (что это)?"

humble [hVmbl], volume ['vOljum], puff [pVf]

The girl sat down on the edge of the kitchen table. She felt in her bag for a cigarette. She placed it between her lips, lighted it, and then said in between two puffs of smoke: "Somehow, I don't see what M. Hercule Poirot is doing in our humble little crime."

"Mademoiselle," said Poirot, "what you do not see and what I do not see would probably fill a volume. But all that is of no practical importance. What is of practical importance is something that will not be easy to find."

"What's that?"

"Death, mademoiselle (смерть, мадемуазель), unfortunately creates a prejudice (к сожалению, создает предубеждение). A prejudice in favour of the deceased (предубеждение в пользу покойного). I heard what you said just now to my friend Hastings (я слышал, что вы сказали прямо сейчас моему другу Гастингсу). 'A nice bright girl with no men friends (милая, умная девушка без друзей-мужчин).' You said that in mockery of the newspapers (вы сказали это в насмешку газетам; to mock — насмехаться; издеваться), And it is very true (и это настоящая правда) — when a young girl is dead (когда молодая девушка мертва), that is the kind of thing that is said (это то, что обычно говорят: «это тип вещи, который говорят»). She was bright (она была умной). She was happy (она была счастливой). She was sweet-tempered (у нее был славный характер). She had not a care in the world (у нее не было никаких забот: «забот в мире»). She had no undesirable acquaintances (у нее не было нежелательных знакомств; to desire — желать).

There is a great charity always to the dead (это всегда большая милость к умершим; charity — милость; благотворительность). Do you know what I should like this minute (вы знаете, чего бы мне хотелась в данную минуту)? I should like to find someone who knew Elizabeth Barnard (я хотел бы найти кого-нибудь, кто знал Элизабет Барнард) and who does not know she is dead (и кто не знает, что она мертва). Then, perhaps (тогда, возможно), I should hear what is useful to me (я услышу /то/, что полезно для меня) — the truth (правду)."

Megan Barnard looked at him for a few minutes in silence (Меган Барнард смотрела на него несколько минут в молчании) whilst she smoked (пока она курила). Then, at last, she spoke (затем, в конце концов, она заговорила). Her words made me jump (ее слова заставили меня подскочить).

"Betty," she said, "was an unmitigated little ass (была полной дурой: «была абсолютным маленьким ослом»; unmitigated — несмягченный; абсолютный, явный; to mitigate — уменьшать, ослабевать)!"

charity ['tS&rItI], prejudice ['predZUdIs], unmitigated [Vn'mItIgeItId]

"Death, mademoiselle, unfortunately creates a prejudice. A prejudice in favour of the deceased. I heard what you said just now to my friend Hastings. 'A nice bright girl with no men friends.' You said that in mockery of the newspapers, And it is very true — when a young girl is dead, that is the kind of thing that is said. She was bright. She was happy. She was sweet-tempered. She had not a care in the world. She had no undesirable acquaintances.

There is a great charity always to the dead. Do you know what I should like this minute? I should like to find someone who knew Elizabeth Barnard and who does not know she is dead. Then, perhaps, I should hear what is useful to me — the truth."

Megan Barnard looked at him for a few minutes in silence whilst she smoked. Then, at last, she spoke. Her words made me jump.

"Betty," she said, "was an unmitigated little ass!"

XI. Megan Barnard

As I said (как я сказал), Megan Barnard's words (слова Меган Барнард), and still more the crisp businesslike tone (и более того, твердый деловой тон; crisp — завитой; жесткий; резкий) in which they were uttered (которым они были произнесены), made me jump (заставили меня подскочить).

Poirot, however (Пуаро, однако), merely bowed his head gravely (просто серьезно склонил голову). "A la bonne heure," he said (фр. вот и прекрасно: «в добрый час»). "You are intelligent, mademoiselle (вы умны, мадемуазель)."

Megan Barnard said, still in the same detached tone (все еще тем же отстраненным тоном): "I was extremely fond of Betty (я чрезвычайно любила Бетти). But my fondness didn't blind me (но моя любовь не ослепляла меня) from seeing exactly the kind of silly little fool she was (от того, чтобы отлично видеть, какой глупой маленькой дурочкой она была: «от отличного видения, /какого/ типа глупой маленькой дурочкой она была») — and even telling her so upon occasion (и даже говорила ей это по случаю)! Sisters are like that (сестры таковы)."

intelligent [In'telIdZ@nt], detached [dI't&tSt], fondness ['fOndn@s]

As I said, Megan Barnard's words, and still more the crisp businesslike tone in which they were uttered, made me jump.

Poirot, however, merely bowed his head gravely. "A la bonne heure," he said. "You are intelligent, mademoiselle."

Megan Barnard said, still in the same detached tone: "I was extremely fond of Betty. But my fondness didn't blind me from seeing exactly the kind of silly little fool she was — and even telling her so upon occasion! Sisters are like that."

"And did she pay any attention to your advice (а она обращала какое-нибудь внимание на ваши советы)?"

"Probably not," said Megan cynically (вероятно, нет, — сказала Меган цинично).

"Will you, mademoiselle, be precise (вы, мадемуазель, /не/ будете ли /более/ точны)."

The girl hesitated for a minute or two (девушка колебалась минуту или две).

advice [@d'vaIs], cynically ['sInIk@lI], hesitate ['hezIteIt]

"And did she pay any attention to your advice?"

"Probably not," said Megan cynically.

"Will you, mademoiselle, be precise."

The girl hesitated for a minute or two.

Poirot said with a slight smile (Пуаро сказал с легкой улыбкой): "I will help you (я помогу вам). I heard what you said to Hastings (я слышал, что вы сказали Гастингсу). That your sister was a bright, happy girl with no men friends (что ваша сестра была умной, счастливой девушкой без друзей-мужчин). It was (это было) — un peu (фр. немного) — the opposite that was true (противоположным тому, что было правдой), was it not, (разве нет)?"

Megan said slowly (Меган медленно сказала): "There wasn't any harm in Betty (Бетти была безвредна: «в Бетти не было вреда»). I want you to understand that (я хочу, чтобы вы это поняли). She'd always go straight (она всегда шла прямо). She's not the week-ending kind (она не была /девушкой/ на выходные). Nothing of that sort (ничего подобного). But she liked being taken out and dancing and (она любила, когда ее выводили и /с ней/ танцевали, и) — oh, cheap flattery (о, дешевую лесть; to flatter — льстить) and compliments (и комплименты) and all that sort of thing (и все такое)."

"And she was pretty (а она была хорошенькой) — yes?"

This question (этот вопрос), the third time I had heard it (в третий раз я слышал его), met this time with a practical response (в этот раз получил конкретный ответ: «встретил в этот раз практический ответ»).

harm [hA:m], straight [streIt], response [rIs'pOns]

Poirot said with a slight smile: "I will help you. I heard what you said to Hastings. That your sister was a bright, happy girl with no men friends. It was — un peu — the opposite that was true, was it not?"

Megan said slowly: "There wasn't any harm in Betty. I want you to understand that. She'd always go straight. She's not the week-ending kind. Nothing of that sort. But she liked being taken out and dancing and — oh, cheap flattery and compliments and all that sort of thing."

"And she was pretty — yes?"

This question, the third time I had heard it, met this time with a practical response.

Megan slipped off the table (Меган соскользнула со стола), went to her suitcase (подошла к чемодану), snapped it open (щелчком открыла его; to snap — щелкать, лязгать, хлопать) and extracted something (и вытянула нечто) which she handed to Poirot (что она протянула Пуаро).

In a leather frame was a head and shoulders of a fair-haired (в кожаной рамке был бюст светловолосой: «были голова и плечи светловолосой»), smiling girl (улыбающейся девушки). Her hair had evidently recently been permed (ее волосы явно были недавно завиты; perm — химическая завивка); it stood out from her head in mass of rather frizzy curls (они поднимались на ее голове массой вьющихся завитков). The smile was arch and artificial (улыбка была игривая и искусственная; arch — дуга; свод; arch — игривый, лукавый).

It was certainly not a face (это, конечно, не было лицо) that you could call beautiful (которое вы могли бы назвать красивым), but it had an obvious and cheap prettiness (но оно имело явную и дешевую привлекательность).

Poirot handed it back (Пуаро протянул его назад), saying (говоря): "You and she do not resemble each other, mademoiselle (вы и она не похожи друг на друга, мадемуазель)."

perm [p@:m], frizzy ['frIzI], resemble [rI'zembl]

Megan slipped off the table, went to her suitcase, snapped it open and extracted something which she handed to Poirot.

In a leather frame was a head and shoulders of a fair-haired, smiling girl. Her hair had evidently recently been permed; it stood out from her head in mass of rather frizzy curls. The smile was arch and artificial.

It was certainly not a face that you could call beautiful, but it had an obvious and cheap prettiness.

Poirot handed it back, saying: "You and she do not resemble each other, mademoiselle."

"Oh, I'm the plain one of the family (о, я в семье дурнушка: «я некрасивая из семьи»). I've always known that (я всегда знала это)." She seemed to brush aside the fact as unimportant (она, казалось, отмела этот факт, как незначительный; important — важный).

"So, in what way exactly do you consider (так, каким точно образом вы считаете) your sister was behaving foolishly (что ваша сестра вела себя глупо)? Do you mean, perhaps (вы, вероятно, имеете в виду), in relation to Mr. Donald Fraser (в отношениях с мистером Дональдом Фрейзером)?"

"That's it (именно так), exactly (точно). Don's a very quiet sort of person (Дон очень тихий человек: «Дон очень тихий тип человека») — but he (но он) — well, naturally he'd resent certain things (ну, он, естественно, возмущается некоторым вещам) — and then (и потом) —"

"And then what, mademoiselle (и что потом, мадемуазель)?"

His eyes were on her very steadily (его глаза неотрывно смотрели на нее: «его глаза были на ней твердо»; steady — устойчивый; твердый).

plain [pleIn], resent [rI'zent], steadily ['stedIlI]

"Oh, I'm the plain one of the family. I've always known that." She seemed to brush aside the fact as unimportant.

"So, in what way exactly do you consider your sister was behaving foolishly? Do you mean, perhaps, in relation to Mr. Donald Fraser?"

"That's it, exactly. Don's a very quiet sort of person — but he — well, naturally he'd resent certain things — and then —"

"And then what, mademoiselle?"

His eyes were on her very steadily.

It may have been my fancy (это, возможно, было мое воображение) but it seemed to me (но мне показалось) that she hesitated a second before answering (что она колебалась секунду перед /тем, как/ ответить).

"I afraid that he might (я боялась, что он, вероятно) — chuck her altogether (бросит ее совсем; to chuck — бросить; кинуть; швырнуть). And that would have been a pity (и это была бы жалость). He's a very steady (он очень надежный) and hard-working man (и трудолюбивый мужчина) and would have made her a good husband (и мог бы сделаться ей хорошим мужем)."

Poirot continued to gaze at her (Пуаро продолжал /пристально/ смотреть на нее). She did not flush under his glance (она не вспыхнула под его взглядом) but returned it with one of her own equally steady (но вернула его с собственным равным упорством) and with something else in it (и с чем-то еще в нем), something that reminded me of her first defiant (что напомнило мне о ее изначальной непокорной; to defy — бросать вызов), disdainful manner (высокомерной манере; disdain — презрение, пренебрежение).

"So it is like that," he said at last (вот оно как, — сказал он наконец). "We do not speak the truth any longer (мы больше не говорим правду)."

fancy ['f&nsI], defiant [dI'faI@nt], disdainful [dIs'deInfUl]

It may have been my fancy but it seemed to me that she hesitated a second before answering.

"I afraid that he might — chuck her altogether. And that would have been a pity. He's a very steady and hard-working man and would have made her a good husband."

Poirot continued to gaze at her. She did not flush under his glance but returned it with one of her own equally steady and with something else in it, something that reminded me of her first defiant, disdainful manner.

"So it is like that," he said at last. "We do not speak the truth any longer."

She shrugged her shoulders (она пожала плечами) and turned towards the door (и повернулась к двери). "Well," she said, "I've done what I could to help you (я сделала /все/, что я могла, чтобы помочь вам)."

Poirot's voice arrested her (голос Пуаро задержал ее). "Wait, mademoiselle (подождите, мадемуазель). I have something to tell you (у меня есть, что вам сказать). Come back (вернитесь)."

Rather, unwillingly (несколько неохотно; will — воля; желание), I thought (/как/ я подумал), she obeyed (она послушалась; to obey — подчиняться).

Somewhat to my surprise (отчасти к моему удивлению) Poirot plunged into the whole story of the matters (Пуаро погрузился в целую историю дел), the murder at Andover (убийство в Эндовере), and the railway guide found by the bodies (и железнодорожный справочник, найденный у тел).

He had no reason to complain of any lack of interest on her part (у него не было оснований жаловаться на отсутствие интереса с ее стороны). Her lips parted (ее губы раздвинулись), her eyes gleaming (ее глаза горели), she hung on his words (она жадно ловила его слова; to hang — висеть; to hang on — жадно ловить).

unwillingly [Vn'wIlINlI], plunge [plVndZ], hung [hVN]

She shrugged her shoulders and turned towards the door. "Well," she said, "I've done what I could to help you."

Poirot's voice arrested her. "Wait, mademoiselle. I have something to tell you. Come back."

Rather, unwillingly, I thought, she obeyed.

Somewhat to my surprise Poirot plunged into the whole story of the matters, the murder at Andover, and the railway guide found by the bodies.

He had no reason to complain of any lack of interest on her part. Her lips parted, her eyes gleaming, she hung on his words.

"Is this all true, M. Poirot (это все правда, мсье Пуаро)?"

"Yes, it is true (это правда)."

"You really mean (вы действительно имеете в виду) my sister was killed by some horrible homicidal maniac (что моя сестра была убита каким-то ужасным маньяком-убийцей)?"

"Precisely (именно; precise — точный)."

She drew a deep breath (она глубоко вздохнула: «втянула глубокий вздох»). "Oh! Betty (Бетти) — Betty — How (как) — how ghastly (как ужасно)!"

"You see, mademoiselle (вы понимаете, мадемуазель), that the information (что информацию) for which I ask you (которую я прошу) you can give freely (вы можете дать свободно) without wondering whether or not it will hurt anyone (не опасаясь, повредит она кому или нет)."

"Yes, I see that now (да, теперь я это понимаю)."

ghastly ['gA:stlI], precisely [prI'saIslI], hurt [h@:t]

"Is this all true, M. Poirot?"

"Yes, it is true."

"You really mean my sister was killed by some horrible homicidal maniac?"

"Precisely."

She drew a deep breath. "Oh! Betty — Betty — How — how ghastly!"

"You see, mademoiselle, that the information for which I ask you you can give freely without wondering whether or not it will hurt anyone."

"Yes, I see that now."

"Then let us continue our conversation (тогда давайте продолжим наш разговор). I have formed the idea (у меня сложилось представление) that this Donald Fraser has (что этот Дональд Фрейзер имел), perhaps (возможно), a violent and jealous temper (жестокий и ревнивый нрав), is that right (это верно)?"

Megan Barnard said quietly (Меган Барнард тихо сказала): "I'm trusting you now, M. Poirot (теперь я вам доверяю, мсье Пуаро). I'm going to give you the absolute truth (я собираюсь дать вам абсолютную правду). Don is (Дон это), as I say (как я сказала), a very quiet person (очень тихий человек), a bottled-up person (замкнутый человек; bottle — бутылка) if you know what I mean (если вы знаете: «понимаете», что я имею в виду). He can't always express what he feels in words (он не всегда может выразить, что он чувствует, словами). But underneath it all (но под этим всем) he minds things terribly (он все ужасно переживает; to mind — следить, обращать внимание; слушаться /кого-л./, беспокоиться, тревожиться). And he's got a jealous nature (у него ревнивая натура). He was always jealous of Betty (он всегда ревновал Бетти). He was devoted to her (он был предан ей) — and of course she was very fond of him (и, конечно, она тоже очень любила его), but it wasn't in Betty to be fond of one person (но было не в /духе/ Бетти увлечься одним человеком) and not notice anybody else (и не замечать никого другого). She wasn't made that way (она была не такой: «она не была сделана таким образом»)."

violent ['vaI@l@nt], underneath [,Vnd@'ni:T], bottle [bOtl]

"Then let us continue our conversation. I have formed the idea that this Donald Fraser has, perhaps, a violent and jealous temper, is that right?"

Megan Barnard said quietly: "I'm trusting you now, M. Poirot. I'm going to give you the absolute truth. Don is, as I say, a very quiet person, a bottled-up person if you know what I mean. He can't always express what he feels in words. But underneath it all he minds things terribly. And he's got a jealous nature. He was always jealous of Betty. He was devoted to her — and of course she was very fond of him, but it wasn't in Betty to be fond of one person and not notice anybody else. She wasn't made that way."

"She'd got a — well, an eye for any nice-looking man (она /могла/ — ну, /положить/ глаз на любого симпатичного мужчину: «у нее был глаз для…») who'd pass the time of day with her (который мог бы провести с нею день). And of course (и, конечно), working in the Ginger Cat (работая в «Рыжем коте»), she was always running up against men (она всегда наталкивалась мужчин; to run up against — наталкиваться) — especially in the summer holidays (особенно в летние каникулы/отпуска)."

"She was always very pat with her tongue (она всегда была остра на язык; to pat — похлопывать; бить, ударять /плоским или тупым предметом/; pat — надлежащим образом; умело, легко; кстати, "в точку", своевременно, удачно; подходящий; уместный; удачный; годный, соответствующий) and if they chaffed her (и если они подшучивали над ней; to chaff — разг. подшучивать, подтрунивать) she'd chaff back again (она всегда умела отшутиться: «всегда отшучвалась»). And then perhaps (а затем, возможно) she'd meet them (она встречалась с ними) and go to the pictures (и ходила в кино) or something like that (или что-нибудь в этом роде). Nothing serious (ничего серьезного) — never anything of that kind (никогда /не было/ ничего подобного) — but she just liked her fun (но она просто любила веселье). She used to say (она, бывало, говорила) that as she'd got to settle down with Don one day (что, так как она устроится/остепенится с Доном однажды = выйдет замуж за Дона) she might as well have her fun now (она могла бы все же повеселиться сейчас; as well — с таким же успехом, все равно) while she could (пока она могла)."

Megan paused (Меган прервалась) and Poirot said: "I understand (я понимаю). Continue (продолжайте)."

chaff [tS&f] [tSA:f], serious ['sI@rI@s], pause [pO:z]

"She'd got a — well, an eye for any nice-looking man who'd pass the time of day with her. And of course, working in the Ginger Cat, she was always running up against men — especially in the summer holidays."

"She was always very pat with her tongue and if they chaffed her she'd chaff back again. And then perhaps she'd meet them and go to the pictures or something like that. Nothing serious — never anything of that kind — but she just liked her fun. She used to say that as she'd got to settle down with Don one day she might as well have her fun now while she could."

Megan paused and Poirot said: "I understand. Continue."

"It was just that attitude of mind of hers (это было просто установкой ее ума; attitude — отношение; положение) that Don couldn't understand (которую Дон не мог понять). If she was really keen on him (если он ей действительно нравился; to be keen on — увлекаться, нравиться) he couldn't see (он не мог понять) why she wanted to go out with other people (почему она хотела гулять с другими). And once or twice they had flaming big rows about it (и раз или два они сильно ссорились по этому поводу: «они имели жаркие большие ссоры об этом»; flame — огонь; пыл, страсть; row — ряд; ссора; драка)."

"M. Don, he was no longer quiet (мсье Дон, он не был более спокойным)?"

"It's like all those quiet people (это как все эти тихие люди), when they do lose their tempers (когда они действительно теряют самообладание) they lose them with a vengeance (они теряют в полном смысле слова/по-настоящему; to venge — мстить; with a vengeance — здорово; вовсю; чрезвычайно; в полном смысле слова). Don was so violent (Дон был такой яростный) that Betty was frightened (что Бетти испугалась).''

"When was this (когда это было)?"

attitude ['&tItju:d], row [r@U], [raU], vengeance ['vendZ@ns]

"It was just that attitude of mind of hers that Don couldn't understand. If she was really keen on him he couldn't see why she wanted to go out with other people. And once or twice they had flaming big rows about it."

"M. Don, he was no longer quiet?"

"It's like all those quiet people, when they do lose their tempers they lose them with a vengeance. Don was so violent that Betty was frightened.''

"When was this?"

"There was one row nearly a year ago (была одна ссора примерно год назад) and another (а другая) — a worse one (еще хуже: «/более/ худшая»; bad — плохой) — just over a month ago (примерно месяц назад). I was home for the weekend (я была дома на выходных) — and I got them to patch it up again (и я заставила их помириться: «я заставила залатать это снова»), and it was then (и тогда) that I tried to knock a little sense into Betty (когда я пыталась вколотить немного /здравого/ смысла в Бетти; to knock — стучать) — told her (сказала ей) she was a little fool (что она была маленькой дурочкой). All she would say was (все, что она говорила, было /то/), that there hadn't been any harm in it (что в этом не было никакого вреда). Well, that was true enough (это было достаточно истинным = в общем-то, правдой), but all the same (но все равно) she was riding for a fall (она сама себе рыла яму: «она скакала для падения»). You see (вы понимаете), after the row a year ago (после той ссоры год назад), she'd got into the habit of telling a few useful lies (у нее появилась привычка иногда врать: «говорить полезную ложь») on the principle (исходя из того принципа: «на том принципе») that what the mind doesn't know (что, чего ум не знает) the heart doesn't grieve over (/от того/ сердце не страдает).

This last flare-up came (эта последняя ссора вышла: «последняя вспышка /гнева/ вышла»; flare — сверкание; вспышка) because she'd told Don (потому что она сказала Дону) she was going to Hastings to see a girl pal (что поехала в Гастингс навестить подружку) and he found out (а он выяснил) that she'd really been over to Eastbourne with some man (что она на самом деле была в Истборне с каким-то мужчиной). He was a married man (он был женатым человеком), as it happened (как выяснилось: «случилось»), and he'd been a bit secretive about the business anyway (и хотел скрыть это дело: «и он был скрытен немного в этом деле в любом случае»; to secrete — выделять; прятать, скрывать, укрывать) — and so that made it worse (и так это сделало все еще хуже). They had an awful scene (у них была ужасная сцена) — Betty saying that she wasn't married to him yet (Бетти говорила, что она еще не была за ним замужем) and she had a right to go about with whom she pleased (и имела право ходить/гулять, с кем она хотела; to go about — передвигаться) and Don all white (а Дон /был/ весь белый) and shaking (и трясущийся) and saying (и говорил) that one day (что однажды) — one day — "

heart [hA:t], flare-up ['flE@rVp], secretive [sI'kri:tIv]

"There was one row nearly a year ago and another — a worse one — just over a month ago. I was home for the weekend — and I got them to patch it up again, and it was then that I tried to knock a little sense into Betty — told her she was a little fool. All she would say was that there hadn't been any harm in it. Well, that was true enough, but all the same she was riding for a fall. You see, after the row a year ago, she'd got into the habit of telling a few useful lies on the principle that what the mind doesn't know the heart doesn't grieve over.

This last flare-up came because she'd told Don she was going to Hastings to see a girl pal and he found out that she'd really been over to Eastbourne with some man. He was a married man, as it happened, and he'd been a bit secretive about the business anyway — and so that made it worse. They had an awful scene — Betty saying that she wasn't married to him yet and she had a right to go about with whom she pleased and Don all white and shaking and saying that one day — one day — "

"Yes?"

"He'd commit murder (он совершит убийство) —" said Megan in a lowered voice (сказала Меган пониженным голосом = понизив голос; to lower — опускать, понижать).

She stopped and stared at Poirot (она остановилась и уставилась на Пуаро).

He nodded his head gravely several times (он кивнул головой серьезно несколько раз). "And so (и так), naturally (естественно), you were afraid (вы боялись) …"

"I didn't think (я не думала) he'd actually done it (что он действительно сделал это) — not for a minute (ни на минуту)! But I was afraid (но боялась), it might be brought up (что это могло всплыть; to bring up — приносить наверх; делать известным) — the quarrel (эта ссора) and all that he'd said (и все то, что он сказал) — several people knew about it (несколько человек знали об этом)."

commit [k@'mIt], lowered ['l@Ued], quarrel ['kwOr@l]

"Yes?"

"He'd commit murder — " said Megan in a lowered voice.

She stopped and stared at Poirot.

He nodded his head gravely several times. "And so, naturally, you were afraid ."

"I didn't think he'd actually done it — not for a minute! But I was afraid it might be brought up — the quarrel and all that he'd said — several people knew about it."

Again Poirot nodded his head gravely (снова Пуаро серьезно кивнул головой). "Just so (именно так). And I may say, mademoiselle (и я могу сказать, мадемуазель), that but for the egoistical vanity of a killer (что если бы не эгоцентрическое тщеславие убийцы), that is just what would have happened, (это как раз то, что могло бы произойти). If Donald Fraser escapes suspicion (если Дональд Фрейзер избежит подозрения), it will be thanks to A.B.C.'s maniacal boasting (это будет благодаря маниакальному хвастовству убийцы Эй-би-си; to boast — хвастать/ся/)"

He was silent for a minute or two (он молчал минуту или две), then he said (затем он сказал): "Do you know (вы /не/ знаете) if your sister met this married man (встречалась ли ваша сестра с этим женатым мужчиной), or any other man, lately (или любым другим мужчиной недавно)?"

Megan shook her head (Меган покачала головой). "I don't know (я не знаю). I've been away (меня не было: «я была далеко»), you see."

egoistical [,i:g@U'IstIk(@)l], escape [Is'keIp], boasting ['b@UstIN]

Again Poirot nodded his head gravely. "Just so. And I may say, mademoiselle, that but for the egoistical vanity of a killer, that is just what would have happened. If Donald Fraser escapes suspicion, it will be thanks to A.B.C.'s maniacal boasting."

He was silent for a minute or two, then he said: "Do you know if your sister met this married man, or any other man, lately?"

Megan shook her head. "I don't know. I've been away, you see."

"But what do you think (но что вы думаете)?"

"She mayn't have met that particular man again (она, вероятно, не встречалась именно с этим человеком снова; particular — индивидуальный, отдельный, одиночный). He'd probably sheer off (он бы, вероятно, сбежал; to sheer off — уклоняться от курса; исчезать) if he thought (если он бы подумал) there was a chance of a row (что есть вероятность ссоры), but it wouldn't surprise me (но это бы не удивило меня) if Betty had (если Бетти) — well (ну), been telling Don a few lies again (опять наврала Дону: «опять наговорила Дону немного лжи»). You see (вы понимаете), she did so enjoy dancing (ей действительно нравилось танцевать) and the pictures (и /ходить/ в кино), and of course (и, конечно), Don couldn't afford to take her all the time (Дон не мог себе позволить все время ее водить)."

"If so (если так), is she likely to have confided in anyone (она бы наверняка доверилась кому-нибудь)? The girl at the caf, for instance (той девушке из кафе, например)?"

"I don't think that's likely (я не думаю, что это возможно/правдоподобно). Betty couldn't bear the Higley girl (Бетти не выносила эту девочку, Хигли). She thought her common (она считала ее простой/вульгарной; common — общий, всеобщий; обыкновенный, простой; банальный, вульгарный; грубый, хамский). And the others would be new (а другие были новенькие). Betty wasn't the confiding sort anyway (Бетти в любом случае была не из тех, кто доверяется: «Бетти не была доверяющимся типом»)."

sheer [SI@], surprise [s@'praIz], for instance [f@r'Inst@ns]

"But what do you think?"

"She mayn't have met that particular man again. He'd probably sheer off if he thought there was a chance of a row, but it wouldn't surprise me if Betty had — well, been telling Don a few lies again. You see, she did so enjoy dancing and the pictures, and of course, Don couldn't afford to take her all the time."

"If so, is she likely to have confided in anyone? The girl at the caf, for instance?"

"I don't think that's likely. Betty couldn't bear the Higley girl. She thought her common. And the others would be new. Betty wasn't the confiding sort anyway."

An electric bell trilled sharply above the girl's head (электрический звонок резко звякнул над головой девушки). She went to the window and leaned out (она подошла к окну и выглянула; to lean — наклоняться, нагибаться). She drew back her head sharply (она резко отдернула голову).

"It's Don (это Дон)."

"Bring him in here," said Poirot quickly (приведите его сюда, — быстро сказал Пуаро). "I would like a word with him (я хотел бы поговорить с ни) before our good inspector takes him in hand (прежде чем наш добрый инспектор получит его в руки)."

Like a flash Megan Barnard was out of the kitchen (как молния Меган Барнард выбежала из кухни: «была вне кухни»), and a couple of seconds later she was back again (и пару секунд спустя она снова вернулась) leading Donald Fraser by the hand (ведя Дональда Фрейзера за руку).

trill [trIl], lean [li:n], flash [fl&S]

An electric bell trilled sharply above, the girl's head. She went to the window and leaned out. She drew back her head sharply.

"It's Don."

"Bring him in here," said Poirot quickly. "I would like a word with him before our good inspector takes him in hand."

Like a flash Megan Barnard was out of the kitchen, and a couple of seconds later she was back again leading Donald Fraser by the hand.

XII. Donald Fraser

I felt sorry at once for the young man (я сразу почувствовал жалость к молодому человеку). His white haggard face (его белое измученное лицо) and bewildered eyes showed (и ошеломленные глаза показывали) how great a shock he had had (какое большое потрясение он пережил).

He was a well-made (он был хорошо сложенным), fine-looking young fellow (утонченным молодым человеком), standing close on six foot^[21] (достигающим примерно шести футов /ростом/: «стоявшим ближе к шести футам»), not good-looking (не привлекательным), but with a pleasant (но с приятным), freckled face (веснушчатым лицом; freckle — веснушка), high cheekbones (высокими скулами) and flaming red hair (и пылающими = огненными рыжими волосами).

"What's this, Megan?" he said (что такое, Меган?). "Why in here (почему сюда)? For God's sake (ради Бога), tell me (скажи мне) — I've only just heard (я только что услышал) — Betty."

His voice trailed away (его голос затих; to trail — протаптывать (тропинку), прокладывать путь; волочить/ся/, тащить/ся/).

Poirot pushed forward a chair (Пуаро выдвинул стул) and he sank down on it (и он опустился на него).

freckle [frekl], sake [seIk], trail [treIl]

I felt sorry at once for the young man. His white haggard face and bewildered eyes showed how great a shock he had had.

He was a well-made, fine-looking young fellow, standing close on six foot, not good-looking, but with a pleasant, freckled face, high cheekbones and flaming red hair.

"What's this, Megan?" he said. "Why in here? For God's sake, tell me — I've only just heard — Betty."

His voice trailed away.

Poirot pushed forward a chair and he sank down on it.

My friend then extracted a small flask from his pocket (мой друг тогда вынул маленькую фляжку из кармана), poured some of its contents into a convenient cup (налил некоторое количество ее содержимого в подходящий стакан; convenient — удобный, подходящий, пригодный; cup — чашка; бокал, кубок) which was hanging on the dresser (стоявший на буфете; to hang — висеть; болтаться; стоять на выставке; dresser — буфет; комод с зеркалом) and said: "Drink some of this, Mr. Fraser (выпейте немного этого, мистер Фрейзер). It will do you good (это пойдет вам на пользу)."

The young man obeyed (молодой человек повиновался). The brandy brought a little colour back into his face (бренди вернул немного румянца: «цвета» на его лицо). He sat up straighter (он сел прямее) and turned once more to the girl (и еще раз повернулся к девушке). His manner was quite quiet and self-controlled (он вел себя достаточно тихо и владел собой: «его поведение было достаточно тихо и /было/ под его контролем»).

"It's true, I suppose (это правда, я полагаю)?" he said. "Betty is — dead (мертва) — killed (убита)?"

"It's true, Don."

He said as though mechanically (он сказал как будто машинально): "Have you just come down from London (ты только что приехала из Лондона)?"

"Yes. Dad phoned me (папа позвонил мне)."

"By the 9:20, I suppose?" said Donald Fraser (/поездом/ на девять двадцать, я полагаю).

convenient [k@n'vi:nI@nt], obey [@'beI], colour ['kVl@]

My friend then extracted a small flask from his pocket, poured some of its contents into a convenient cup which was hanging on the dresser and said: "Drink some of this, Mr. Fraser. It will do you good."

The young man obeyed. The brandy brought a little colour back into his face. He sat up straighter and turned once more to the girl. His manner was quite quiet and self-controlled.