The Canterville Ghost
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In fact, he was dressed for the character of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn (на самом деле, он был одет для роли «Ионы Непогребенного, или Похитителя Трупов в Чертси Барн»)," one of his most remarkable impersonations (одного из его наиболее замечательных перевоплощений), and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to remember (и одного из тех, которые Кентервили имели все причины помнить), as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford (так как это было действительной причиной их ссоры с соседом, лордом Раффордом). It was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning (было около четверти третьего ночи), and, as far as he could ascertain, no one was stirring (и, насколько он мог судить, все спали; no one — никто; to stir — шевелиться, двигаться). As he was strolling towards the library, however (однако,
character [`kaerikt] quarrel [`kworl] neighbour [`neib]
In fact, he was dressed for the character of "Jonas the Graveless, or the Corpse-Snatcher of Chertsey Barn," one of his most remarkable impersonations, and one which the Cantervilles had every reason to remember, as it was the real origin of their quarrel with their neighbour, Lord Rufford. It was about a quarter-past two o'clock in the morning, and, as far as he could ascertain, no one was stirring. As he was strolling towards the library, however, to see if there were any traces left of the blood-stain, suddenly there leaped out on him from a dark corner two figures, who waved their arms wildly above their heads, and shrieked out "BOO!" in his ear.
Seized with a panic (охваченный паникой), which, under the circumstances, was only natural (которая, при данных обстоятельствах, была вполне естественной), he rushed for the staircase (он бросился к лестнице), but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden-syringe (но обнаружил Вашингтона Отиса, ожидающего его там с большим садовым опрыскивателем), and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side (и, будучи таким образом зажат врагами со всех сторон; on every side — с каждой стороны), and driven almost to bay (и доведенный почти до состояния загнанного зверя; to drive — гнать; bay — бухта, залив; тупик; положение загнанного в угол, безвыходное положение), he vanished into the great iron stove (он исчез в большой железной печи), which, fortunately for him, was not lit (которая, к счастью для него, не была затоплена; to light — зажигать) and had to make his way home through the flues and chimneys (и ему пришлось пробираться в свое убежище через дымоходы и печные трубы), arriving at his own room in a terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair (и он добрался до своей комнаты в ужасном состоянии, грязный, в расстройстве и отчаянии: «в состоянии грязи, расстройства и отчаяния»).
seize [si:z] circumstances [`s:kmstnsiz] syringe [`sirind]
Seized with a panic, which, under the circumstances, was only natural, he rushed for the staircase, but found Washington Otis waiting for him there with the big garden-syringe, and being thus hemmed in by his enemies on every side, and driven almost to bay, he vanished into the great iron stove, which, fortunately for him, was not lit, and had to make his way home through the flues and chimneys, arriving at his own room in a terrible state of dirt, disorder, and despair.
After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition (после этого его никогда больше не видели во время ночных прогулок: «в какой-нибудь ночной вылазке»; expedition — экспедиция; военная операция, военная вылазка, экспедиция). The twins lay in wait for him on several occasions (близнецы лежали в засаде, /поджидая его/ несколько раз: «в нескольких случаях»; to lie) and strewed the passages with nutshells every night (и посып'aли коридоры ореховой скорлупой каждую ночь) to the great annoyance of their parents and the servants (к большому неудовольствию их родителей и прислуги; annoyance — досада, раздражение, неприятность; to annoy — досаждать; докучать, донимать), but it was of no avail (но все было безрезультатно; avail — выгода, польза). It was quite evident (было совершенно очевидно), that his feelings were so wounded (что его чувства были настолько задеты; to wound — ранить; причинить боль, задеть) that he would not appear (что он /больше/ не появится).
nocturnal [nok`t:nl] expedition ["ekspi`din] occasion [`kein]
After this he was not seen again on any nocturnal expedition. The twins lay in wait for him on several occasions, and strewed the passages with nutshells every night to the great annoyance of their parents and the servants, but it was of no avail. It was quite evident that his feelings were so wounded that he would not appear.
Mr. Otis consequently resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party (поэтому
consequently [`konsikwntli] resume [ri`zju:m] euchre [`ju:k]
Mr. Otis consequently resumed his great work on the history of the Democratic Party, on which he had been engaged for some years; Mrs. Otis organized a wonderful clambake, which amazed the whole county; the boys took to lacrosse euchre, poker, and other American national games, and Virginia rode about the lanes on her pony, accompanied by the young Duke of Cheshire, who had come to spend the last week of his holidays at Canterville Chase.
It was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away (по всеобщему предположению, призрак исчез; to go away — уходить, уезжать) and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter to that effect to Lord Canterville (и, на самом деле, мистер Отис написал об этом письмо лорду Кентервилю = и мистер Отис написал даже…; to write), who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news (который в /своем/ ответе выразил большое удовольствие по поводу этой новости), and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife (и послал свои наилучшие поздравления досточтимой жене посла; to send).
assume [`sju:m] pleasure [`ple] news [nju:z]
It was generally assumed that the ghost had gone away, and, in fact, Mr. Otis wrote a letter to that effect to Lord Canterville, who, in reply, expressed his great pleasure at the news, and sent his best congratulations to the Minister's worthy wife.
The Otises, however, were deceived (однако Отисы были обмануты) for the ghost was still in the house (так как призрак все еще находился в доме), and though now almost an invalid (и хотя теперь он был почти инвалидом), was by no means ready to let matters rest (совсем не был готов оставить дело в покое; by no means — никоим образом не; ни в коем случае не), particularly as he heard that among the guests was the young Duke of Cheshire (тем более, что, как он слышал, среди гостей был герцог Чеширский) whose grand-uncle, Lord Francis Stilton (чей двоюродный прадед, лорд Френсис Стилтон), had once bet a hundred guineas with Colonel Carbury (однажды поспорил на сотню гиней с полковником Карбери), that he would play dice with the Canterville ghost (что он сыграет в кости с Кентервильским привидением), and was found the next morning lying on the floor of the card-room in such a helpless paralytic state (и был найден на следующее утро лежащим на полу комнаты для игры в карты в таком безнадежном парализованном состоянии) that, though he lived on to a great age (что, хотя он дожил до глубокой старости), he was never able to say anything again but "Double Sixes (он больше никогда не мог произнести ничего другого, кроме «шестерки-дубль»)."