О мышах и людях (3).

Джон Стейнбек. (3 стр.книги)

"You seen a girl around here?" he demanded angrily.

George said coldly. "'Bout half an hour ago maybe."

"Well what the hell was she doin'?"

George stood still, watching the angry little man. He said insultingly, "She said — she was lookin' for you."

Curley seemed really to see George for the first time. His eyes flashed over George, took in his height, measured his reach, looked at his trim middle. "Well, which way'd she go?" he demanded at last.

"I dunno," said George. "I didn' watch her go."

Curley scowled at him, and turning, hurried out the door.

George said, "Ya know, Lennie (Джордж сказал: знаешь, Ленни), I'm scared I'm gonna tangle with that bastard myself (боюсь, мне придется самому разобраться с этим гадом; to tangle — запутывать/ся/; бороться/связываться). I hate his guts (ненавижу его; guts — кишки). Jesus Christ (Господи Иисусе)! Come on (пойдем). They won't be a damn thing left to eat (а то нам ничего не достанется: «поесть»)."

They went out the door (они вышли за дверь). The sunshine lay in a thin line under the window (солнечный свет тонкой линией лежал под окном). From a distance there could be heard a rattle of dishes (издалека был слышен стук тарелок).

After a moment the ancient dog (через мгновение старый пес) walked lamely in through the open door (хромая, вошел в открытую дверь). He gazed about with mild, half-blind eyes (он поглядел вокруг спокойными, наполовину слепыми глазами; mild — кроткий/спокойный). He sniffed (он принюхался), and then lay down (а потом улегся) and put his head between his paws (положив голову между лап). Curley popped into the doorway again (внезапно в дверях снова появился Кудряш; to pop — хлопать; неожиданно появляться) and stood looking into the room (и остановился, всматриваясь /вглубь/ комнаты). The dog raised his head (пес поднял голову), but when Curley jerked out (но когда Кудряш выскочил), the grizzled head sank to the floor again (поседелая голова снова опустилась на пол; to sink (sank; sunk)).

tangle [`txNglq], heard [hWd], mild [maIld]

George said, "Ya know, Lennie, I'm scared I'm gonna tangle with that bastard myself. I hate his guts. Jesus Christ! Come on. They won't be a damn thing left to eat."

They went out the door. The sunshine lay in a thin line under the window. From a distance there could be heard a rattle of dishes.

After a moment the ancient dog walked lamely in through the open door. He gazed about with mild, half-blind eyes. He sniffed, and then lay down and put his head between his paws. Curley popped into the doorway again and stood looking into the room. The dog raised his head, but when Curley jerked out, the grizzled head sank to the floor again.

THREE (глава третья)

Although there was evening brightness (хотя вечерний свет; brightness — яркость; блеск) showing through the windows of the bunkhouse (/еще/ попадал в барак сквозь окно; to show through — проступать, просвечивать), inside it was dusk (внутри /царил/ полумрак; dusk — сумерки). Through the open door came the thuds (через открытую дверь доносился стук) and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game (и случайные звенящие звуки, /сопровождающие/ игру в подкову), and now and then the sound of voices (и время от времени звук = шум голосов) raised in approval or derision (поднимаемый = звучащий /в знак/ одобрения или насмешки).

Slim and George came into the darkening bunkhouse together (Ловкий и Джордж вместе вошли в темный барак). Slim reached up over the card table (Ловкий через карточный стол потянулся) and turned on the tin-shaded electric light (и включил электрическую лампочку: «электричество», в абажуре, сделанном из жестянки; to turn on — включать; tin — олово; жестяная консервная банка; shade — тень; колпак, абажур). Instantly the table was brilliant with light (мгновенно стол залило светом: «стол стал сверкающим от света»), and the cone of the shade threw its brightness straight downward (и конус абажура отбрасывал /поток/ яркого света прямо вниз; to throw (threw; thrown) — бросать; отбрасывать), leaving the corners of the bunkhouse still in dusk (оставляя по углам барака полумрак). Slim sat down on a box (Ловкий сел на ящик) and George took his place opposite (а Джордж занял место напротив).

approval [q`prHv(q)l], derision [dI`rIZ(q)n], opposite [`OpqzIt]

Although there was evening brightness showing through the windows of the bunkhouse, inside it was dusk. Through the open door came the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game, and now and then the sound of voices raised in approval or derision.

Slim and George came into the darkening bunkhouse together. Slim reached up over the card table and turned on the tin-shaded electric light. Instantly the table was brilliant with light, and the cone of the shade threw its brightness straight downward, leaving the corners of the bunkhouse still in dusk. Slim sat down on a box and George took his place opposite.

"It wasn't nothing," said Slim (пустяки: «это было ничто», — сказал Ловкий). "I would of had to drowned most of 'em anyways (мне все равно пришлось бы большинство из них утопить). No need to thank me about that (не стоит меня благодарить за это)."

George said, "It wasn't much to you, maybe (Джордж сказал: возможно, для тебя это и не много /значит/), but it was a hell of a lot to him (но это чертовски важно: «много» для него). Jesus Christ, I don't know how we're gonna get him to sleep in here (Господи, я не знаю, как мы заставим его спать здесь). He'll want to sleep right out in the barn with 'em (он /ведь/ захочет спать прямо там, на конюшне, вместе с ними; barn — амбар, сарай; конюшня /амер./). We'll have trouble (нам придется поволноваться; trouble — беспокойство, тревога) keepin' him from getting right in the box with them pups (/чтоб/ удержать его от /попыток/ залезть прямо в ящик к щенкам; to keep from — удерживать)."

"It wasn't nothing," Slim repeated (пустяки, — повторил Ловкий). "Say, you sure was right about him (послушай, а ты был прав насчет него; say = I say — послушай). Maybe he ain't bright (может, умом он и не блещет), but I never seen such a worker (но я никогда не видал такого работника). He damn near killed his partner buckin' barley (черт, он чуть не уморил своего напарника при погрузке ячменя). There ain't nobody can keep up with him (никто не может поспеть за ним; to keep up — держаться бодро; продолжать). God awmighty (всесильный Боже; awmighty = almighty), I never seen such a strong guy (я никогда не видал такого сильного парня)."

about [q`baut], barn [bRn], worker [`wWkq]

"It wasn't nothing," said Slim. "I would of had to drowned most of 'em anyways. No need to thank me about that."

George said, "It wasn't much to you, maybe, but it was a hell of a lot to him. Jesus Christ, I don't know how we're gonna get him to sleep in here. He'll want to sleep right out in the barn with 'em. We'll have trouble keepin' him from getting right in the box with them pups."

"It wasn't nothing," Slim repeated. "Say, you sure was right about him. Maybe he ain't bright, but I never seen such a worker. He damn near killed his partner buckin' barley. There ain't nobody can keep up with him. God awmighty, I never seen such a strong guy."

George spoke proudly (Джордж заговорил с гордостью). "Jus' tell Lennie what to do (только скажи Ленни чего делать) an' he'll do it (и он это сделает) if it don't take no figuring (если не требуется соображать). He can't think of nothing to do himself (сам он ничего не придумает, что делать = инициативы от него не дождешься), but he sure can take orders (но приказы он выполняет беспрекословно: «но, конечно, он может брать приказы»)."

There was a clang of horseshoe on iron stake outside (снаружи послышался звон подковы /от удара/ о железную стойку) and a little cheer of voices (и негромкие одобрительные возгласы).

Slim moved back slightly (Ловкий слегка отодвинулся «назад») so the light was not on his face (так, что лицо его не было освещено). "Funny how you an' him string along together (странно, что вы с ним всегда вместе; funny — забавный, смешной; странный; to string along with — идти, ехать с кем-л.; быть преданным кому-л.)." It was Slim's calm invitation to confidence (этим Ловкий ненавязчиво приглашал к доверительной /беседе/; calm — спокойный, невозмутимый).

"What's funny about it (а что тут странного)?" George demanded defensively (спросил Джордж, /сразу/ насторожившись; defensive — оборона).

"Oh, I dunno (ну, я не знаю; I dunno = I don’t know). Hardly none of the guys ever travel together (почти никто и никогда не путешествует вместе; hardly — едва ли). I hardly never seen (я почти никогда не видал) two guys travel together (чтобы двое путешествовали вместе). You know how the hands are (сам знаешь, какие бывают работники; hand — рука; работник), they just come in (они просто приходят) and get their bunk (и получают койку) and work a month (и работают месяц), and then they quit (потом увольняются) and go out alone (и уходят поодиночке). Never seem to give a damn about nobody (им наплевать на кого-то другого; to give a damn — наплевать). It jus' seems kinda funny (и /поэтому/ кажется в некоторой степени странным) a cuckoo like him (/что такой/ чокнутый, как он; cuckoo — кукушка; сумасшедший, чокнутый /разг./) and a smart little guy like you (и умница, как ты; smart — сильный, резкий; сообразительный) travelin' together (путешествуют вместе)."

"He ain't no cuckoo (он не чокнутый)," said George. "He's dumb as hell (он глуп как пробка; dumb — немой; глупый, тупой), but he ain't crazy (но он не сумасшедший). An' I ain't so bright neither (да и я не такой умник), or I wouldn't be buckin' barley (иначе не грузил бы ячмень) for my fifty and found (за мои полсотни плюс харчи; found — снабженный всем необходимым). If I was bright (будь я умнее), if I was even a little bit smart (или даже просто немного сообразительнее), I'd have my own little place (у меня было бы собственное маленькое хозяйство), an' I'd be bringin' in my own crops (и я собирал бы собственный урожай; to bring in — вносить; собирать /урожай/; crops — зерновые), 'stead of doin' all the work (вместо того, чтоб делать всю работу; ‘stead = instead) and not getting what comes up outa the ground (и не пожинать плоды /своего труда/; to come up — подниматься; всходить, прорастать; ground — земля)." George fell silent (Джордж замолчал; to fall (fell; fallen) — падать; становиться, перейти в определенное состояние /употребляется как глагол-связка/). He wanted to talk (ему хотелось поговорить). Slim neither encouraged nor discouraged him (Ловкий и не поощрял, и не препятствовал этому). He just sat back (он просто сидел, /откинувшись/ назад) quiet and receptive (молчаливый и внимательный; reception — восприятие).

horseshoe [`hLsSH] или [`hLSSH], cuckoo [`kukH], quiet [`kwaIqt]

George spoke proudly. "Jus' tell Lennie what to do an' he'll do it if it don't take no figuring. He can't think of nothing to do himself, but he sure can take orders."

There was a clang of horseshoe on iron stake outside and a little cheer of voices.

Slim moved back slightly so the light was not on his face. "Funny how you an' him string along together." It was Slim's calm invitation to confidence.

"What's funny about it?" George demanded defensively.

"Oh, I dunno. Hardly none of the guys ever travel together. I hardly never seen two guys travel together. You know how the hands are, they just come in and get their bunk and work a month, and then they quit and go out alone. Never seem to give a damn about nobody. It jus' seems kinda funny a cuckoo like him and a smart little guy like you travelin' together."

"He ain't no cuckoo," said George. "He's dumb as hell, but he ain't crazy. An' I ain't so bright neither, or I wouldn't be buckin' barley for my fifty and found. If I was bright, if I was even a little bit smart, I'd have my own little place, an' I'd be bringin' in my own crops, 'stead of doin' all the work and not getting what comes up outa the ground." George fell silent. He wanted to talk. Slim neither encouraged nor discouraged him. He just sat back quiet and receptive.

"It ain't so funny (ничего тут странного нет), him an' me goin' aroun' together (что он и я везде вместе ходим)," George said at last (наконец сказал Джордж). "Him and me was both born in Auburn (и он и я, оба родились в Оберне). I knowed his Aunt Clara (я знал его тетку Клару; knowed = knew /неграм./). She took him when he was a baby (она взяла его еще младенцем) and raised him up (и воспитала его). When his Aunt Clara died (когда его тетка Клара померла), Lennie just come along with me out workin' (Ленни стал ходить со мной на работу; to come along — сопровождать). Got kinda used to each other after a little while (а потом мы привыкли друг к другу; to get used to — привыкать)."

"Umm," said Slim (угу, — сказал Ловкий).

George looked over at Slim (Джордж поглядел на Ловкого) and saw the calm Godlike eyes (и увидел спокойные, как у Бога, глаза), fastened on him (устремленные на него; to fasten — прикреплять; устремлять /взгляд/). "Funny," said George (странно, — сказал Джордж). "I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im (я над ним частенько издевался; to have fun — веселиться). Used to play jokes on 'im (не раз сыграл с ним /злые/ шутки; used to — вспомогательный глагол для обозначения регулярных действий в прошлом) 'cause he was too dumb (потому как он слишком глуп) to take care of 'imself (чтобы постоять за себя: «позаботиться о себе»). But he was too dumb even to know (но он слишком глуп даже для того, чтобы понять) he had a joke played on him (что над ним смеются). I had fun (/вот/ я и забавлялся). Made me seem God damn smart alongside of him (это позволяло мне казаться чертовски умным в сравнении: «рядом» с ним). Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him (а он все делал, что бы я ему ни говорил; tol’ = told; to tell (told)). If I tol' him to walk over a cliff (если бы сказал залезть на гору; cliff — обрыв; утес), over he'd go (он полез бы). That wasn't so damn much fun after a while (а потом это уже не казалось таким смешным). He never got mad about it, neither (он никогда не злился). I've beat the hell outa him (я лупасил его), and he coulda bust every bone in my body (и он мог бы переломать мне все кости: «любую косточку в моем теле»; to bust — сломать) jus' with his han's (просто /голыми/ руками), but he never lifted a finger against me (но он пальца никогда против меня не поднимал)." George's voice was taking on the tone of confession (в голосе Джорджа появились нотки: «голос Джорджа принял тон» раскаянья). "Tell you what made me stop that (знаешь, что меня заставило прекратить это = почему я перестал насмехаться). One day a bunch of guys was standin' around up on the Sacramento River (как-то раз компания парней стояла на берегу Сакраменто). I was feelin' pretty smart (я почувствовал себя шибко остроумным). I turns to Lennie and says (я поворачиваюсь к Ленни и говорю), 'Jump in (прыгай в /реку/).' An' he jumps (и он прыгает). Couldn't swim a stroke (а он и одного гребка не может /сделать/; stroke — удар; единичное действие, проявление какого-либо явления). He damn near drowned (он почти уж захлебнулся: «утонул») before we could get him (прежде чем мы смогли достать его). An' he was so damn nice to me (и он был чертовски признателен мне) for pullin' him out (за то, что его вытащили). Clean forgot (начисто забыл) I told him to jump in (/что это/ я сказал ему прыгать). Well, I ain't done nothing like that no more (и больше я ничего подобного не делаю)."

aunt [Rnt], dumb [dAm], more [mL]

"It ain't so funny, him an' me goin' aroun' together," George said at last. "Him and me was both born in Auburn. I knowed his Aunt Clara. She took him when he was a baby and raised him up. When his Aunt Clara died, Lennie just come along with me out workin'. Got kinda used to each other after a little while."

"Umm," said Slim.

George looked over at Slim and saw the calm, Godlike eyes fastened on him. "Funny," said George. "I used to have a hell of a lot of fun with 'im. Used to play jokes on 'im 'cause he was too dumb to take care of 'imself. But he was too dumb even to know he had a joke played on him. I had fun. Made me seem God damn smart alongside of him. Why he'd do any damn thing I tol' him. If I tol' him to walk over a cliff, over he'd go. That wasn't so damn much fun after a while. He never got mad about it, neither. I've beat the hell outa him, and he coulda bust every bone in my body jus' with his han's, but he never lifted a finger against me." George's voice was taking on the tone of confession. "Tell you what made me stop that. One day a bunch of guys was standin' around up on the Sacramento River. I was feelin' pretty smart. I turns to Lennie and says, 'Jump in.' An' he jumps. Couldn't swim a stroke. He damn near drowned before we could get him. An' he was so damn nice to me for pullin' him out. Clean forgot I told him to jump in. Well, I ain't done nothing like that no more."

"He's a nice fella (он хороший парень)," said Slim. "Guy don't need no sense to be a nice fella (чтобы быть добрым, не нужно иметь /много/ ума). Seems to me sometimes (иногда мне сдается) it jus' works the other way around (это срабатывает наоборот). Take a real smart guy (возьми действительно сообразительного парня) and he ain't hardly ever a nice fella (и он едва ли будет добрым человеком)."

George stacked the scattered cards (Джордж собрал в кучу разбросанные карты) and began to lay out his solitaire hand (и стал раскладывать свой пасьянс; to begin (began; begun)). The shoes thudded on the ground outside (снаружи «по земле» простучали каблуки; shoes — туфли; каблуки). At the windows the light of the evening (в окнах вечерний свет) still made the window squares bright (все еще делал квадраты окон светлыми = обозначил светлые квадраты окон).

"I ain't got no people (у меня нет родственников; people — народ; родственники)," George said. "I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone (видал я парней, что ходят с ранчо на ранчо в одиночку). That ain't no good (это нехорошо). They don't have no fun (у них нет радостей: «развлечений»). After a long time they get mean (спустя некоторое время они опускаются: «становятся жалкими»). They get wantin' to fight all the time (постоянно лезут в драку: «хотят драться»)."

"Yeah, they get mean," Slim agreed (да, они опускаются, — согласился Ловкий). "They get so (доходит до того: «они становятся такими») they don't want to talk to nobody (что не хотят ни с кем разговаривать)."

real [rIql], thud [TAd], agreed [q`grJ]

"He's a nice fella," said Slim. "Guy don't need no sense to be a nice fella. Seems to me sometimes it jus' works the other way around. Take a real smart guy and he ain't hardly ever a nice fella."

George stacked the scattered cards and began to lay out his solitaire hand. The shoes thudded on the ground outside. At the windows the light of the evening still made the window squares bright.

"I ain't got no people," George said. "I seen the guys that go around on the ranches alone. That ain't no good. They don't have no fun. After a long time they get mean. They get wantin' to fight all the time."

"Yeah, they get mean," Slim agreed. "They get so they don't want to talk to nobody."

"'Course Lennie's a God damn nuisance most of the time (конечно, Ленни — это чертовски большая неприятность в большинстве случаев)," said George. "But you get used to goin' around with a guy (но ты привыкаешь к парню) an' you can't get rid of him (и /уже/ не можешь без него: «от него избавиться»)."

"He ain't mean," said Slim (он не злой, — сказал Ловкий). "I can see Lennie ain't a bit mean (я вижу, что он совершенно не злой)."

"'Course he ain't mean (конечно, он не злой). But he gets in trouble alla time (но он всегда попадает в неприятности) because he's so God damn dumb (потому что чертовски глуп). Like what happened in Weed (как, /например/, было: «произошло» в Уиде) —" He stopped (он замолчал), stopped in the middle of turning over a card (и замер, наполовину перевернув карту). He looked alarmed (выглядел он встревоженным) and peered over at Slim (и /он/ пристально посмотрел на Ловкого; to peer — вглядываться). "You wouldn't tell nobody (ты никому не расскажешь)?"

"What'd he do in Weed (что он натворил: «сделал» в Уиде)?" Slim asked calmly (спокойно спросил Ловкий).

"You wouldn' tell (ты не расскажешь)?... No, 'course you wouldn' (нет, конечно, не /расскажешь/)."

"What'd he do in Weed (так что он сделал в Уиде)?" Slim asked again (снова спросил Ловкий).

nuisance [njHsns], alarmed [q`lRmd], nobody [`nqub(q)dI]

"'Course Lennie's a God damn nuisance most of the time," said George. "But you get used to goin' around with a guy an' you can't get rid of him."

"He ain't mean," said Slim. "I can see Lennie ain't a bit mean."

"'Course he ain't mean. But he gets in trouble alla time because he's so God damn dumb. Like what happened in Weed-" He stopped, stopped in the middle of turning over a card. He looked alarmed and peered over at Slim. "You wouldn't tell nobody?"

"What'd he do in Weed?" Slim asked calmly.

"You wouldn' tell?... No, 'course you wouldn'."

"What'd he do in Weed?" Slim asked again.

"Well, he seen this girl in a red dress (ну, увидал эту девчонку в красном платье). Dumb bastard like he is (такой идиот, как он), he wants to touch ever'thing he likes (хочет потрогать все, что ему понравится). Just wants to feel it (просто хочет попробовать на ощупь). So he reaches out to feel this red dress (и вот, он протянул руку пощупать красное платье) an' the girl lets out a squawk (а девчонка как завизжит; to let out — выпускать; издавать /звук/; squawk — крик, вопль; визг), and that gets Lennie all mixed up (и от этого Ленни перепугался; to mix up — перестать соображать /разг./), and he holds on (и он /ее/ схватил; to hold on — держать/ся/) 'cause that's the only thing (потому как это — единственная вещь) he can think to do (до которой он может додуматься). Well, this girl squawks and squawks (а девица все визжит и визжит). I was jus' a little bit off (я ненадолго отлучился), and I heard all the yellin' (и я слышал все эти вопли; to yell — вопить, кричать), so I comes running (и вот, я прибегаю), an' by that time Lennie's so scared (и к этому времени Ленни /уже/ так напуган) all he can think to do (что все, до чего он додумался) is jus' hold on (это держать /ее еще крепче/). I socked him over the head with a fence picket (я ударил его прямо по башке штакетиной от изгороди) to make him let go (чтоб заставить его отпустить /девчонку/). He was so scairt (он был так напуган; scairt = scared /простореч./) he couldn't let go of that dress (что не мог отпустить платье). And he's so God damn strong, you know (а насколько он силен, ты знаешь)."

Slim's eyes were level and unwinking (Ловкий смотрел спокойно, не моргая). He nodded very slowly (он очень медленно кивнул). "So what happens (и что произошло /потом/)?"

touch [tAC], fence [fens], unwinking [`An`wINkIN]

"Well, he seen this girl in a red dress. Dumb bastard like he is, he wants to touch ever'thing he likes. Just wants to feel it. So he reaches out to feel this red dress an' the girl lets out a squawk, and that gets Lennie all mixed up, and he holds on 'cause that's the only thing he can think to do. Well, this girl squawks and squawks. I was jus' a little bit off, and I heard all the yellin', so I comes running, an' by that time Lennie's so scared all he can think to do is jus' hold on. I socked him over the head with a fence picket to make him let go. He was so scairt he couldn't let go of that dress. And he's so God damn strong, you know."

Slim's eyes were level and unwinking. He nodded very slowly. "So what happens?"

George carefully built his line of solitaire cards (Джордж аккуратно выложил: «построил» карты пасьянса в линию). "Well, that girl rabbits in (ну, девчонка делает ноги; to rabbit — дать деру /разг./) an' tells the law she been raped (и рассказывает копам, что ее изнасиловали; law — закон; the law — полиция /разг./). The guys in Weed start a party out (ребята в Уиде собирают толпу; to start out — собираться сделать что-л.; взбудоражить; party — группа, компания) to lynch Lennie (чтобы линчевать Ленни). So we sit in a irrigation ditch under water (и вот, мы сидим в оросительной канаве) all the rest of that day (весь остаток дня). Got on'y our heads sticking outa water (только головы торчат из воды; on'y = only; to stick out — высовываться; торчать), an' up under the grass (и над травой) that sticks out from the side of the ditch (что растет: «торчит» по краю канавы). An' that night we scrammed outa there (и в ту ночь мы оттуда смылись; to scram — сматываться; проваливать)."

Slim sat in silence for a moment (мгновение Ловкий сидел молча). "Didn't hurt the girl none, huh (а он не причинил ей вреда = ничего ей не сделал, а; hurt — рана, травма)?" he asked finally (наконец спросил он).

"Hell, no (черт, нет). He just scared her (он ее просто напугал). I'd be scared too if he grabbed me (я бы тоже перепугался, схвати он меня). But he never hurt her (но он ничего ей не сделал). He jus' wanted to touch that red dress (он просто хотел потрогать красное платье), like he wants to pet them pups all the time (также, как все время хочет погладить щенков)."

"He ain't mean," said Slim (он не злой, — сказал Ловкий). "I can tell a mean guy a mile off (злого я могу вычислить за милю; to tell off — отбирать; отсчитывать)."

"'Course he ain't (конечно, он не /злой/), and he'll do any damn thing I (и он сделает любую ерунду, которую я…) —"

Lennie came in through the door (в дверь вошел Ленни). He wore his blue denim coat (он носил = на нем была его джинсовая куртка) over his shoulders like a cape (наброшенная на плечи, как накидка), and he walked hunched way over (и шел он выгнувшись /вперед/; to hunch — толкать; сгибаться).

"Hi, Lennie," said George (привет, Ленни, — сказал Джордж). "How you like the pup now (ну, нравится тебе щенок)?"

Lennie said breathlessly (Ленни ответил не дыша), "He's brown an' white (он коричневый с белым) jus' like I wanted (точно как я хотел)." He went directly to his bunk (он направился прямиком к своей койке) and lay down (лег /на нее/) and turned his face to the wall (повернулся лицом к стене) and drew up his knees (и подтянул колени; to draw (drew; drawn)).

carefully [`keqflI], lynch [lInC], hurt [hWt]

George carefully built his line of solitaire cards. "Well, that girl rabbits in an' tells the law she been raped. The guys in Weed start a party out to lynch Lennie. So we sit in a irrigation ditch under water all the rest of that day. Got on'y our heads sticking outa water, an' up under the grass that sticks out from the side of the ditch. An' that night we scrammed outa there."

Slim sat in silence for a moment. "Didn't hurt the girl none, huh?" he asked finally.

"Hell, no. He just scared her. I'd be scared too if he grabbed me. But he never hurt her. He jus' wanted to touch that red dress, like he wants to pet them pups all the time."

"He ain't mean," said Slim. "I can tell a mean guy a mile off."

"'Course he ain't, and he'll do any damn thing I —"

Lennie came in through the door. He wore his blue denim coat over his shoulders like a cape, and he walked hunched way over.

"Hi, Lennie," said George. "How you like the pup now?"

Lennie said breathlessly, "He's brown an' white jus' like I wanted." He went directly to his bunk and lay down and turned his face to the wall and drew up his knees.

George put down his cards very deliberately (Джордж положил карты на стол очень медленно). "Lennie," he said sharply (Ленни, — сказал он резко).

Lennie twisted his neck (Ленни изогнул шею) and looked over his shoulder (и посмотрел через плечо). "Huh? What you want, George (да, чего ты хочешь, Джордж)?"

"I tol' you (я говорил тебе) you couldn't bring that pup in here (ты не можешь приносить сюда щенка)."

"What pup, George (какого щенка, Джордж)? I ain't got no pup (нет у меня никакого щенка)."

George went quickly to him (Джордж быстро подошел к нему), grabbed him by the shoulder (схватил за плечо) and rolled him over (и перевернул). He reached down (протянул руку) and picked the tiny puppy (и достал крошечного щенка) from where Lennie had been concealing it against his stomach (которого Ленни спрятал возле живота).

Lennie sat up quickly (Ленни быстро сел). "Give 'um to me, George (отдай мне его, Джордж; ‘um = him)."

George said, "You get right up an' take this pup back to the nest (ступай и верни щенка на место; nest — гнездо). He's gotta sleep with his mother (он должен спать со своей матерью). You want to kill him (ты хочешь убить его)? Just born last night (/он/ только прошлой ночью родился) an' you take him out of the nest (а ты /уже/ забираешь его от матери: «из гнезда»). You take him back (/или/ ты положишь его назад) or I'll tell Slim not to let you have him (или я скажу Ловкому, чтоб забрал его назад: «не позволял тебе иметь его»)."

Lennie held out his hands pleadingly (Ленни умоляюще протянул руки; to plead — защищать подсудимого; умолять, просить). "Give 'um to me, George (дай мне его, Джордж; ‘um = him /диал./). I'll take 'um back (я отнесу его назад). I didn't mean no harm, George (я не думал причинить ему вреда, Джордж). Honest I didn't (честно, /не думал/). I jus' wanted to pet 'um a little (я просто хотел погладить его немного; jus’ = just /разг./)."

George handed the pup to him (Джордж протянул ему щенка). "Awright. You get him back there quick (ладно, быстро отнеси его назад), and don't you take him out no more (и не смей больше брать оттуда). You'll kill him, the first thing you know (ты убьешь его и не заметишь: «первая вещь, которую узнаешь»)." Lennie fairly scuttled out of the room (Ленни поспешно выскочил из комнаты; fairly — красиво; должным образом; to scuttle — разрушать; удирать).

deliberately [dI`lIb(q)rItlI], conceal [kqn`sJl], scuttle [skAtl]

George put down his cards very deliberately. "Lennie," he said sharply.

Lennie twisted his neck and looked over his shoulder. "Huh? What you want, George?"

"I tol' you you couldn't bring that pup in here."

"What pup, George? I ain't got no pup."

George went quickly to him, grabbed him by the shoulder and rolled him over. He reached down and picked the tiny puppy from where Lennie had been concealing it against his stomach.

Lennie sat up quickly. "Give 'um to me, George."

George said, "You get right up an' take this pup back to the nest. He's gotta sleep with his mother. You want to kill him? Just born last night an' you take him out of the nest. You take him back or I'll tell Slim not to let you have him."

Lennie held out his hands pleadingly. "Give 'um to me, George. I'll take 'um back. I didn't mean no harm, George. Honest I didn't. I jus' wanted to pet 'um a little."

George handed the pup to him. "Awright. You get him back there quick, and don't you take him out no more. You'll kill him, the first thing you know." Lennie fairly scuttled out of the room.

Slim had not moved (Ловкий не двинулся /с места/). His calm eyes followed Lennie out the door (он посмотрел Ленни вслед: «его взгляд последовал за Ленни за дверь»). "Jesus," he said (Боже, — сказал он). "He's jus' like a kid, ain't he (он совсем как ребенок, верно)?"

"Sure he's jes' like a kid (конечно, совсем как ребенок; jes’ = just /диал./). There ain't no more harm in him (вреда в нем не больше) than a kid neither (чем в ребенке), except he's so strong (за исключением того, что он так силен). I bet (бьюсь об заклад) he won't come in here to sleep tonight (сегодня ночью он спать сюда не придет). He'd sleep right alongside that box in the barn (он /уляжется/ спать прямо возле того ящика на конюшне). Well — let 'im (ну и ладно; 'im = him /разг./). He ain't doin' no harm out there (он не причинит никакого вреда там)."

It was almost dark outside now (снаружи почти стемнело). Old Candy, the swamper (старый Кэнди, уборщик), came in and went to his bunk (вошел и подошел к своей койке), and behind him struggled his old dog (а позади ковылял его старый пес). "Hello, Slim. Hello, George (привет, Ловкий, привет, Джордж). Didn't neither of you play horseshoes (никто из вас не играл в подкову)?"

"I don't like to play ever' night (мне не нравится играть каждый вечер)," said Slim.

Candy went on (Кэнди продолжал), "Either you guys got a slug of whisky (у вас ни у кого, ребята, нет = не найдется глотка виски; slug — бездельник; глоток спиртного /амер. сленг/)? I gotta gut ache (у меня /что-то/ живот болит)."

"I ain't," said Slim (у меня нет, — сказал Ловкий). "I'd drink it myself if I had (я бы и сам выпил, если бы было), an' I ain't got a gut ache neither (хотя у меня и не болит живот)."

"Gotta bad gut ache (живот сильно болит; bad — плохой; сильный /о боли, холоде и т.д./)," said Candy. "Them God damn turnips give it to me (всё из-за проклятой репы: «проклятая репа дала это мне»). I knowed they was going to (я знал = предчувствовал, что так будет; knowed = knew /неграм./) before I ever eat 'em (перед тем как есть ее)."

except [Ik`sept], almost [`Llmqust], turnip [`tWnIp]

Slim had not moved. His calm eyes followed Lennie out the door. "Jesus," he said. "He's jus' like a kid, ain't he?"

"Sure he's jes' like a kid. There ain't no more harm in him than a kid neither, except he's so strong. I bet he won't come in here to sleep tonight. He'd sleep right alongside that box in the barn. Well — let 'im. He ain't doin' no harm out there."

It was almost dark outside now. Old Candy, the swamper, came in and went to his bunk, and behind him struggled his old dog. "Hello, Slim. Hello, George. Didn't neither of you play horseshoes?"

"I don't like to play ever' night," said Slim.

Candy went on, "Either you guys got a slug of whisky? I gotta gut ache."

"I ain't," said Slim. "I'd drink it myself if I had, an' I ain't got a gut ache neither."

"Gotta bad gut ache," said Candy. "Them God damn turnips give it to me. I knowed they was going to before I ever eat 'em."

The thick-bodied Carlson came in (вошел коренастый Карлсон; thick — толстый; плотного телосложения; body — тело; туловище) out of the darkening yard (из темноты двора). He walked to the other end of the bunk house (он прошел к другому концу барака) and turned on the second shaded light (и включил вторую лампочку, затененную /абажуром/ = второй светильник). "Darker'n hell in here," he said (темнее, чем в аду, — сказал он; darker’n = darker than). "Jesus, how that nigger can pitch shoes (Господи, как же этот ниггер умеет бросать подкову; to pitch — смолить; бросать, кидать /спорт./)."

"He's plenty good," said Slim (/да/, он довольно хорош).

"Damn right he is (чертовски хорош)," said Carlson. "He don't give nobody else a chance to win (никому другому не оставляет шанса выиграть) —" He stopped and sniffed the air (он остановился и принюхался), and still sniffing (и все еще принюхиваясь), looked down at the old dog (посмотрел на старого пса). "God awmighty (Боже всемогущий), that dog stinks (эта псина воняет). Get him outa here, Candy (выгони его отсюда; outa = out of)! I don't know nothing (я не знаю ничего) that stinks as bad as an old dog (что воняло бы также сильно, как старая собака). You gotta get him out (тебе придется его выгнать)."

Candy rolled to the edge of his bunk (Кэнди перекатился на край койки). He reached over and patted the ancient dog (он протянул руку и потрепал: «постучал» старого пса), and he apologized (и сказал виновато; to apologize — извиняться), "I been around him so much (я так много = долго нахожусь с ним) I never notice how he stinks (и никогда не замечал, чтоб от него воняло)."

"Well, I can't stand him in here (ну, я не потерплю его здесь; can’t stand — не выносить /устойчивое словосочетание/)," said Carlson. "That stink hangs around (эта вонь стоит: «висит» повсюду) even after he's gone (даже после того, как он уходит)." He walked over with his heavy-legged stride (он подошел тяжелой походкой «тяжелыми ногами»; stride — большой шаг; походка) and looked down at the dog (и посмотрел «вниз» на пса). "Got no teeth," he said (зубов нет, — сказал он). "He's all stiff with rheumatism (весь одеревенел от ревматизма; stiff — тугой, негибкий, неэластичный, жесткий; окостеневший, одеревенелый). He ain't no good to you, Candy (на кой он тебе сдался: «он не хорош для тебя», Кэнди). An' he ain't no good to himself (и он уж сам себе не рад). Why'n't you shoot him, Candy (почему бы тебе не пристрелить его, Кэнди; why’n’t = why don’t)?"

The old man squirmed uncomfortably (старик беспокойно заерзал; to squirm — извиваться; ерзать; uncomfortably — неудобно; тревожно). "Well — hell (да черта с два)! I had him so long (он у меня очень давно). Had him since he was a pup (с тех пор, как был щенком). I herded sheep with him (я с ним овец пас)." He said proudly (он сказал гордо), "You wouldn't think it (вы бы никогда этого не подумали) to look at him now (поглядев на него сейчас), but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen (но это была лучшая овчарка, которую я когда-либо видал)."

George said, "I seen a guy in Weed (Джордж сказал: знавал: «видел» я парня в Уиде) that had an Airedale could herd sheep (у него был эрдельтерьер, который мог пасти овец). Learned it from the other dogs (научился от других собак)."

apologize [q`pOlq"GaIz], rheumatism [`rHmqtIzm], Airedale [`eqdeIl]

The thick-bodied Carlson came in out of the darkening yard. He walked to the other end of the bunk house and turned on the second shaded light. "Darker'n hell in here," he said. "Jesus, how that nigger can pitch shoes."

"He's plenty good," said Slim.

"Damn right he is," said Carlson. "He don't give nobody else a chance to win-" He stopped and sniffed the air, and still sniffing, looked down at the old dog. "God awmighty, that dog stinks. Get him outa here, Candy! I don't know nothing that stinks as bad as an old dog. You gotta get him out."

Candy rolled to the edge of his bunk. He reached over and patted the ancient dog, and he apologized, "I been around him so much I never notice how he stinks."

"Well, I can't stand him in here," said Carlson. "That stink hangs around even after he's gone." He walked over with his heavy-legged stride and looked down at the dog. "Got no teeth," he said. "He's all stiff with rheumatism. He ain't no good to you, Candy. An' he ain't no good to himself. Why'n't you shoot him, Candy?"

The old man squirmed uncomfortably. "Well — hell! I had him so long. Had him since he was a pup. I herded sheep with him." He said proudly, "You wouldn't think it to look at him now, but he was the best damn sheep dog I ever seen."

George said, "I seen a guy in Weed that had an Airedale could herd sheep. Learned it from the other dogs."

Carlson was not to be put off (но от Карлсона нелегко было отделаться; to put (put) off — выпускать; избавиться, отделаться). "Look, Candy (послушай, Кэнди). This ol' dog jus' suffers hisself all the time (этот пес сам все время мучается; ol' = old; hisself = himself /разг./). If you was to take him out (ты бы вывел его на двор) and shoot him right in the back of the head (и выстрелил бы ему прямо в затылок) —" he leaned over and pointed (он наклонился и ткнул пальцем), "— right there (прямо сюда), why he'd never know what hit him (да он бы никогда не узнал, что его укокошило; to hit — ударять; убивать)."

Candy looked about unhappily (Кэнди огляделся с несчастным видом). "No," he said softly (нет, — сказал он тихо). "No, I couldn't do that (нет, я не смог бы этого сделать). I had 'im too long (он у меня очень давно)."

"He don't have no fun (он сам себе не рад)," Carlson insisted (настаивал Карлсон). "And he stinks to beat hell (и от него воняет так, что черта колотит = можно ад на уши поставить). Tell you what (вот что скажу тебе = послушай). I'll shoot him for you (/давай-ка/ я застрелю его вместо тебя). Then it won't be you that does it (избавлю тебя: «это будешь не ты, кто сделает это»)."

Candy threw his legs off his bunk (Кэнди сбросил ноги с койки). He scratched the white stubble whiskers on his cheek nervously (он нервно поскреб седую щетину на щеках). "I'm so used to him," he said softly (я так к нему привык; to be used to — привыкнуть к кому-л./чему-л.). "I had him from a pup (он у меня /с тех пор как был/ щенком)."

"Well, you ain't bein' kind to him (ты же мучаешь его: «ты не добр к нему») keepin' him alive," said Carlson (оставляя его в живых, — сказал Карлсон). "Look, Slim's bitch got a litter right now (послушай, у собаки Ловкого сейчас щенки; litter — приплод, помет /животного/). I bet Slim would give you one of them pups to raise up, wouldn't you, Slim (уверен, Ловкий дал бы тебе одного из щенков на воспитание, верно, Ловкий)?"

lean [lJn], insist [In`sIst], stubble [stAbl]

Carlson was not to be put off. "Look, Candy. This ol' dog jus' suffers hisself all the time. If you was to take him out and shoot him right in the back of the head-" he leaned over and pointed, "-right there, why he'd never know what hit him."

Candy looked about unhappily. "No," he said softly. "No, I couldn't do that. I had 'im too long."

"He don't have no fun," Carlson insisted. "And he stinks to beat hell. Tell you what. I'll shoot him for you. Then it won't be you that does it."

Candy threw his legs off his bunk. He scratched the white stubble whiskers on his cheek nervously. "I'm so used to him," he said softly. "I had him from a pup."

"Well, you ain't bein' kind to him keepin' him alive," said Carlson. "Look, Slim's bitch got a litter right now. I bet Slim would give you one of them pups to raise up, wouldn't you, Slim?"

The skinner had been studying the old dog with his calm eyes (погонщик изучал собаку спокойным взглядом). "Yeah," he said (да, — сказал он). "You can have a pup if you want to (можешь взять щенка, если хочешь)." He seemed to shake himself free for speech (казалось, он все непринужденнее вел разговор: «встряхивался для разговора»; free — свободно; непринужденно). "Carl's right, Candy (Карлсон прав, Кэнди). That dog ain't no good to himself (пес сам себе в тягость). I wisht somebody'd shoot me (хотел бы я, чтоб кто-то меня пристрелил) if I get old an' a cripple (ежели стану старым да ущербным; cripple — калека)."

Candy looked helplessly at him (Кэнди беспомощно взглянул на него), for Slim's opinions were law (так как мнение =слово Ловкого — закон). "Maybe it'd hurt him (это, наверное, причинит ему боль)," he suggested (предположил он). "I don't mind takin' care of him (мне ничего не стоит /и дальше/ заботиться о нем; to mind — обращать внимание; возражать)."

Carlson said, "The way I'd shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing (Карлсон сказал: я его пристрелю так, что он ничего не почувствует). I'd put the gun right there (я бы приставил ствол прямо сюда; to put — класть; ставить)." He pointed with his toe (он указал большим пальцем ноги). "Right back of the head (прямо в затылок). He wouldn't even quiver (он даже не дернется; to quiver — дрожать мелкой дрожью; трястись; колыхаться; , трепетать)."

skinner [`skInq], calm [kRm], opinion [q`pInjqn]

The skinner had been studying the old dog with his calm eyes. "Yeah," he said. "You can have a pup if you want to." He seemed to shake himself free for speech. "Carl's right, Candy. That dog ain't no good to himself. I wisht somebody'd shoot me if I get old an' a cripple."

Candy looked helplessly at him, for Slim's opinions were law. "Maybe it'd hurt him," he suggested. "I don't mind takin' care of him."

Carlson said, "The way I'd shoot him, he wouldn't feel nothing. I'd put the gun right there." He pointed with his toe. "Right back of the head. He wouldn't even quiver."

Candy looked for help from face to face (Кэнди /переводил/ взгляд с /одного/ лица на другое, ища поддержки; to look for — искать). It was quite dark outside by now (снаружи уже совсем стемнело). A young laboring man came in (вошел молодой работник). His sloping shoulders were bent forward (его покатые плечи были наклонены вперед; slope — наклон; to bend (bent) — сгибать) and he walked heavily on his heels (и он тяжело ступал на пятки), as though he carried the invisible grain bag (как будто бы нес невидимый мешок с зерном). He went to his bunk (он подошел к своей койке) and put his hat on his shelf (и положил шляпу на полку). Then he picked a pulp magazine from his shelf (затем он взял с полки дешевый журнал; pulp — плоть; мякоть; pulp magazine — дешевый/низкопробный журнал) and brought it to the light over the table (и принес его /ближе/ к лампочке над столом; to bring (brought)). "Did I show you this, Slim?" he asked (Ловкий, я тебе это показывал, — спросил он).

"Show me what (что показывал)?"

The young man turned to the back of the magazine (паренек пролистал журнал до задней обложки), put it down on the table (положил его на стол) and pointed with his finger (и ткнул пальцем). "Right there, read that (вот здесь, прочитай это)." Slim bent over it (Ловкий нагнулся над /журналом/). "Go on," said the young man (давай, — сказал паренек). "Read it out loud (прочитай это вслух; loud — громко)."

quite [kwaIt], invisible [In`vIzqbl], pulp [pAlp]

Candy looked for help from face to face. It was quite dark outside by now. A young laboring man came in. His sloping shoulders were bent forward and he walked heavily on his heels, as though he carried the invisible grain bag. He went to his bunk and put his hat on his shelf. Then he picked a pulp magazine from his shelf and brought it to the light over the table. "Did I show you this, Slim?" he asked.

"Show me what?"

The young man turned to the back of the magazine, put it down on the table and pointed with his finger. "Right there, read that." Slim bent over it. "Go on," said the young man. "Read it out loud."

"'Dear Editor,'" Slim read slowly (дорогой редактор, — медленно прочитал Ловкий). "'I read your mag for six years (я читаю ваш журнал вот уже шесть лет; mag — болтовня, треп /разг./; mag /зд./ = magazine) and I think it is the best on the market (и считаю, что он — лучший /из всего/, что продается/; market — рынок; торговля). I like stories by Peter Rand (мне нравятся рассказы Питера Рэнда). I think he is a whing-ding (я думаю, он ловко заливает; ding — звон колокола; whing-ding — что-то шумное, экстраординарное /амер. сленг/). Give us more like the Dark Rider (давайте нам = печатайте побольше похожего на “Черного всадника”). I don't write many letters (я не пишу много писем = не мастер писать письма). Just thought I would tell you (просто подумал, что хотел сказать вам) I think your mag is the best dime's worth I ever spent (я думаю ваш журнал — это лучшее, на что я когда-либо тратил десять центов; dime — монета в 10 центов /в Америке и Канаде/; worth — цена, стоимость).'"

Slim looked up questioningly (Ловкий вопросительно поднял глаза; question — вопрос). "What you want me to read that for (для чего ты хочешь, чтоб я это читал)?"

Whit said, "Go on (продолжай, — сказал Уит). Read the name at the bottom (прочитай имя внизу; bottom — дно; низ, нижняя часть)."

Slim read (Ловкий прочитал; to read (read)), "'Yours for success, William Tenner (с пожеланиями успехов, ваш Уильям Теннер).'" He glanced up at Whit again (он еще раз взглянул на Уита). "What you want me to read that for (для чего ты хочешь, чтоб я это читал)?"

Whit closed the magazine impressively (Уит выразительно закрыл журнал). "Don't you remember Bill Tenner (/неужто/ не помнишь Билла Теннера)? Worked here about three months ago (работал здесь около трех месяцев назад)?"

dear [dIq], market [`mRkIt], impressively [Im`presIvlI]

"'Dear Editor,'" Slim read slowly. "'I read your mag for six years and I think it is the best on the market. I like stories by Peter Rand. I think he is a whing-ding. Give us more like the Dark Rider. I don't write many letters. Just thought I would tell you I think your mag is the best dime's worth I ever spent.'"

Slim looked up questioningly. "What you want me to read that for?"

Whit said, "Go on. Read the name at the bottom."

Slim read, "'Yours for success, William Tenner.'" He glanced up at Whit again. "What you want me to read that for?"

Whit closed the magazine impressively. "Don't you remember Bill Tenner? Worked here about three months ago?"

Slim thought (Ловкий задумался).... "Little guy?" he asked (маленький такой, — спросил он). "Drove a cultivator (управлял культиватором)?"

"That's him," Whit cried (это он, — воскликнул Уит). "That's the guy (он самый)!"

"You think he's the guy wrote this letter (ты думаешь, он тот парень, что написал письмо; to write (wrote; written))?"

"I know it (я это знаю). Bill and me was in here one day (как-то раз мы с Биллом сидели: «были» здесь). Bill had one of them books that just come (у Билла была одна из этих книженций, что только пришла = Билл как раз получил новый номер журнала). He was lookin' in (он просматривал его) it and he says (и говорит), 'I wrote a letter (я написал письмо). Wonder if they put it in the book (интересно, поместили «они» его в этом журнале)!' But it wasn't there (но /в том номере/ его не было). Bill says (Билл говорит), 'Maybe they're savin' it for later (может они отложили: «сохранили» его на потом).' An' that's just what they done (и точно, они так и сделали). There it is (вот оно)."

"Guess you're right," said Slim (полагаю, ты прав). "Got it right in the book (вот оно, прямо в журнале: «в книге»)."

George held out his hand for the magazine (Джордж протянул руку за журналом). "Let's look at it (позволишь взглянуть)?"

Whit found the place again (Уит опять нашел то место; to find (found)), but he did not surrender his hold on it (но журнала не отдал; to surrender — сдаваться; отказываться; hold — схватывание; удерживание). He pointed out the letter with his forefinger (он ткнул указательным пальцем в /то место, где было напечатано/ письмо). And then he went to his box shelf (а потом пошел к своей полке; box — коробка, ящик) and laid the magazine carefully in (и бережно положил туда письмо; to lay (laid)). "I wonder if Bill seen it (интересно, видел ли его Билл)," he said. "Bill and me worked in that patch of field peas (мы с Биллом работали на одном участке горохового поля; patch — лоскут; участок земли). Run cultivators, both of us (оба управляли культиваторами). Bill was a hell of a nice fella (Билл был чертовски хорошим парнем; fella = fellow)."

drove [drquv], guess [ges], patch [pxC]

Slim thought.... "Little guy?" he asked. "Drove a cultivator?"

"That's him," Whit cried. "That's the guy!"

"You think he's the guy wrote this letter?"

"I know it. Bill and me was in here one day. Bill had one of them books that just come. He was lookin' in it and he says, 'I wrote a letter. Wonder if they put it in the book!' But it wasn't there. Bill says, 'Maybe they're savin' it for later.' An' that's just what they done. There it is."

"Guess you're right," said Slim. "Got it right in the book."

George held out his hand for the magazine. "Let's look at it?"

Whit found the place again, but he did not surrender his hold on it. He pointed out the letter with his forefinger. And then he went to his box shelf and laid the magazine carefully in. "I wonder if Bill seen it," he said. "Bill and me worked in that patch of field peas. Run cultivators, both of us. Bill was a hell of a nice fella."

During the conversation Carlson had refused to be drawn in (Карлсон не принимал участия в разговоре: «во время разговора Карлсон отказался быть в него втянутым»). He continued to look down at the old dog (он продолжал смотреть на старую собаку). Candy watched him uneasily (Кэнди беспокойно следил за ним). At last Carlson said (наконец, Карлсон сказал), "If you want me to (если хочешь), I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now (я избавлю старого черта от страданий прямо сейчас; to put (put) out — выгонять; освобождать от) and get it over with (и покончим с этим; to be over — заканчиваться). Ain't nothing left for him (ничего /другого/ для него не остается). Can't eat, can't see (не может есть, не может видеть), can't even walk without hurtin' (без мучений не может даже ходить)."

Candy said hopefully (Кэнди с надеждой сказал), "You ain't got no gun (у тебя нет пистолета)."

"The hell I ain't (как же, нет). Got a Luger (/у меня/ есть “Люгер”). It won't hurt him none at all (ему вообще не будет больно)."

Candy said, "Maybe tomorra (Кэнди сказал: может, завтра). Le's wait till tomorra (давай подождем до завтра; tomorra = tomorrow)."

"I don't see no reason for it (не вижу никаких причин для этого)," said Carlson. He went to his bunk (он пошел к своей койке), pulled his bag from underneath it (вытащил из-под нее свой мешок) and took out a Luger pistol (и достал пистолет системы “Люгер”). "Le's get it over with (давай с этим покончим)," he said. "We can't sleep with him stinkin' around in here (мы не можем спать из-за его вонищи, которая здесь повсюду)." He put the pistol in his hip pocket (он положил пистолет в набедренный карман; hip — бедро).

devil [devl], misery [`mIzqrI], pistol [pIstl]

During the conversation Carlson had refused to be drawn in. He continued to look down at the old dog. Candy watched him uneasily. At last Carlson said, "If you want me to, I'll put the old devil out of his misery right now and get it over with. Ain't nothing left for him. Can't eat, can't see, can't even walk without hurtin'."

Candy said hopefully, "You ain't got no gun."

"The hell I ain't. Got a Luger. It won't hurt him none at all."

Candy said, "Maybe tomorra. Le's wait till tomorra."

"I don't see no reason for it," said Carlson. He went to his bunk, pulled his bag from underneath it and took out a Luger pistol. "Le's get it over with," he said. "We can't sleep with him stinkin' around in here." He put the pistol in his hip pocket.

Candy looked a long time at Slim (Кэнди долго смотрел на Ловкого) to try to find some reversal (пытаясь найти какую-то поддержку; reversal — полное изменение; отмена). And Slim gave him none (но Ловкий не поддержал: «не дал ему ничего»). At last Candy said softly and hopelessly (наконец, Кэнди сказал тихо и безнадежно), "Awright — take 'im (ладно, забирай его)." He did not look down at the dog at all (и на собаку вообще не взглянул). He lay back on his bunk (он откинулся на койке) and crossed his arms behind his head (скрестил руки за головой) and stared at the ceiling (и уставился в потолок).

From his pocket Carlson took a little leather thong (из кармана Карлсон вынул тонкий кожаный ремешок). He stooped over (он нагнулся) and tied it around the old dog's neck (и завязал его вокруг шеи старой собаки). All the men except Candy watched him (все, кроме Кэнди, наблюдали за ним). "Come boy. Come on, boy (пошли, парень, давай)," he said gently (сказал он мягко). And he said apologetically to Candy (и, извиняясь, сказал Кэнди), "He won't even feel it (он этого даже не почувствует)." Candy did not move nor answer him (Кэнди не пошевелился и не ответил ему). He twitched the thong (/Карлсон/ дернул за ремень). "Come on, boy (пойдем, парень)." The old dog got slowly and stiffly to his feet (старый пес медленно и с трудом встал «на лапы»; stiff — негибкий; изможденный) and followed the gently pulling leash (и последовал мягкому натяжению поводка; to pull — тянуть, тащить).

reversal [rq`vWs(q)l], thong [TON], leash [lJS]

Candy looked a long time at Slim to try to find some reversal. And Slim gave him none. At last Candy said softly and hopelessly, "Awright — take 'im." He did not look down at the dog at all. He lay back on his bunk and crossed his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling.

From his pocket Carlson took a little leather thong. He stooped over and tied it around the old dog's neck. All the men except Candy watched him. "Come boy. Come on, boy," he said gently. And he said apologetically to Candy, "He won't even feel it." Candy did not move nor answer him. He twitched the thong. "Come on, boy." The old dog got slowly and stiffly to his feet and followed the gently pulling leash.

Slim said, "Carlson (Карлсон, — окликнул Ловкий)."

"Yeah (чего)?"

"You know what to do (ты знаешь, что делать)."

"What ya mean, Slim (что ты имеешь ввиду, Ловкий)?"

"Take a shovel," said Slim shortly (возьми лопату, — коротко сказал Ловкий).

"Oh, sure! I get you (о да, конечно, я тебя понял)." He led the dog out into the darkness (он выпустил собаку наружу, в темноту; to let (let) out — выпускать).

George followed to the door (Джордж проследовал к двери) and shut the door (закрыл дверь) and set the latch gently in its place (и аккуратно вставил щеколду на место). Candy lay rigidly on his bed (Кэнди неподвижно лежал в кровати; rigid — жесткий, негнущийся; неподвижный) staring at the ceiling (уставившись в потолок).

Slim said loudly (Ловкий громко сказал), "One of my lead mules got a bad hoof (у одного из моих «коренных» мулов плохое = треснутое копыто; to lead — вести, направлять движение). Got to get some tar on it (нужно замазать смолой)." His voice trailed off (его голос умолк; to trail off — умолкать; замирать /о звуке/). It was silent outside (снаружи было тихо). Carlson's footsteps died away (шаги Карлсона замерли). The silence came into the room (в комнате стало тихо: «тишина вошла в комнату»). And the silence lasted (и тишина затягивалась; to last — длиться, продолжаться).

shovel [SAvl], rigidly [`rIGIdlI], tar [tR]

Slim said, "Carlson."

"Yeah?"

"You know what to do."

"What ya mean, Slim?"

"Take a shovel," said Slim shortly.

"Oh, sure! I get you." He led the dog out into the darkness.

George followed to the door and shut the door and set the latch gently in its place. Candy lay rigidly on his bed staring at the ceiling.

Slim said loudly, "One of my lead mules got a bad hoof. Got to get some tar on it." His voice trailed off. It was silent outside. Carlson's footsteps died away. The silence came into the room. And the silence lasted.

George chuckled (Джордж тихонько засмеялся; to chuckle — хихикать), "I bet Lennie's right out there in the barn with his pup (уверен, Ленни /сейчас/ прямо там, в конюшне, вместе со своим щенком). He won't want to come in here no more (он не захочет больше приходить сюда) now he's got a pup (теперь, /когда/ у него есть щенок)."

Slim said (Ловкий сказал), "Candy, you can have any one of them pups you want (Кэнди, ты можешь взять любого щенка, какого захочешь)."

Candy did not answer (Кэнди не ответил). The silence fell on the room again (в комнате снова наступила тишина; to fall (fell; fallen) — падать; наступать /о темноте, ночи и т.д./). It came out of the night (она /словно/ вышла из ночной /темноты/) and invaded the room (и заполонила комнату; to invade — вторгаться). George said (Джордж сказал), "Anybody like to play a little euchre (никто не хочет сыграть в юкер; euchre — юкер /род карточной игры/; to like — нравиться; хотеть, желать)?"

"I'll play out a few with you," said Whit (я немного поиграю с тобой, — сказал Уит).

They took places opposite each other (они сели друг напротив друга) at the table under the light (за стол под лампочкой), but George did not shuffle the cards (но Джордж не стасовал карты). He rippled the edge of the deck nervously (он нервно теребил край колоды; to ripple — покрываться рябью; колебаться; deck — палуба; колода карт /амер./), and the little snapping noise (и негромкий шум потрескивающей /колоды/) drew the eyes of all the men in the room (привлек внимание: «взгляды» всех, /кто находился/ в комнате; to draw (drew; drawn) — тащить; привлекать, притягивать), so that he stopped doing it (так что он прекратил «это делать»). The silence fell on the room again (в комнате снова стало тихо). A minute passed, and another minute (прошла минута, затем другая). Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling (Кэнди лежал недвижимо, смотря в потолок; to lie (lay; lain)). Slim gazed at him for a moment (Ловкий мгновенье пристально смотрел на него) and then looked down at his hands (затем /стал/ смотреть на свои руки); he subdued one hand with the other (одной ладонью он прикрыл другую; to subdue — подчинять, покорять), and held it down (и держал их под столом: «внизу»). There came a little gnawing sound (послышался негромкий скребущий звук; to gnaw — грызть, прогрызать) from under the floor (из-под пола) and all the men looked down toward it gratefully (и все посмотрели вниз, в направлении звука, с благодарностью). Only Candy continued to stare at the ceiling (только Кэнди продолжал смотреть в потолок).

invade [In`veId], euchre [`jHkq], nervously [`nWvqslI]

George chuckled, "I bet Lennie's right out there in the barn with his pup. He won't want to come in here no more now he's got a pup."

Slim said, "Candy, you can have any one of them pups you want."

Candy did not answer. The silence fell on the room again. It came out of the night and invaded the room. George said, "Anybody like to play a little euchre?"

"I'll play out a few with you," said Whit.

They took places opposite each other at the table under the light, but George did not shuffle the cards. He rippled the edge of the deck nervously, and the little snapping noise drew the eyes of all the men in the room, so that he stopped doing it. The silence fell on the room again. A minute passed, and another minute. Candy lay still, staring at the ceiling. Slim gazed at him for a moment and then looked down at his hands; he subdued one hand with the other, and held it down. There came a little gnawing sound from under the floor and all the men looked down toward it gratefully. Only Candy continued to stare at the ceiling.

"Sounds like there was a rat under there (такой звук, вроде как крыса там внизу)," said George. "We ought to get a trap down there (надо будет туда поставить ловушку)."

Whit broke out (Уит не выдержал; to break (broke; broken) out — вырываться; вспыхивать), "What the hell's takin' him so long (какого черта он так долго возится; to take — брать; занимать, требовать /времени/; so long — так долго)? Lay out some cards, why don't you (сдавай же карты, чего ты)? We ain't going to get no euchre played this way (этак мы не сыграем в юкер)."

George brought the cards together tightly (Джордж плотно = аккуратно сложил карты; to bring (brought) together — сводить вместе) and studied the backs of them (и стал изучать на них рубашку). The silence was in the room again (снова в комнате /стало/ тихо).

A shot sounded in the distance (вдали прозвучал выстрел). The men looked quickly at the old man (все быстро посмотрели на старика). Every head turned toward him (каждая голова повернулась в его сторону).

For a moment he continued to stare at the ceiling (мгновенье он продолжал смотреть в потолок). Then he rolled slowly over (затем медленно перекатился) and faced the wall and lay silent (повернулся лицом к стене и лежал молча).

George shuffled the cards noisily and dealt them (Джордж бесшумно стасовал карты и сдал; to deal (dealt) — давать, раздавать). Whit drew a scoring board to him (Уит пододвинул к нему доску для записи очков) and set the pegs to start (и расставил фишки для начала /игры/). Whit said (Уит сказал), "I guess you guys really come here to work (полагаю, вы, ребята, и вправду пришли сюда работать)."

"How do ya mean?" George asked (что ты имеешь в виду, — спросил Джордж).

Whit laughed (Уит рассмеялся). "Well, ya come on a Friday (ну, вы пришли в пятницу). You got two days to work till Sunday (до воскресенья у вас есть два дня, чтобы работать)."

"I don't see how you figure," said George (не понимаю, к чему ты клонишь: «о чем ты думаешь»).

Whit laughed again (Уит рассмеялся снова). "You do (а должен бы /понять/) if you been around these big ranches much (если ты часто: «много» бывал на этих больших ранчо). Guy that wants to look over a ranch (парень, что хочет присмотреться к ранчо) comes in Sat'day afternoon (приходит в субботу во второй половине). He gets Sat'day night supper (он получает ужин в субботу вечером) an' three meals on Sunday (и /еще ест/ в воскресенье три раза), and he can quit Monday mornin' after breakfast (и он может уйти в понедельник утром после завтрака) without turning his hand (палец о палец не ударив: «не повернув руки»). But you come to work Friday noon (но вы пришли работать в пятницу в полдень). You got to put in a day an' a half (и вам пришлось вкалывать полтора дня; to put (put) in — вставлять; напрягать силы, прилагать усилия) no matter how you figure (как ни крути: «не важно, как ты считаешь»)."

George looked at him levelly (Джордж спокойно взглянул на него). "We're gonna stick aroun' a while (мы планируем остаться на некоторое время; to stick around — слоняться поблизости, не уходить /разг./)," he said. "Me an' Lennie's gonna roll up a stake (мы с Ленни собираемся подкопить денег; to roll up — скатывать; накапливать)."

dealt [delt], board [bLd], breakfast [`brekfqst]

"Sounds like there was a rat under there," said George. "We ought to get a trap down there."

Whit broke out, "What the hell's takin' him so long? Lay out some cards, why don't you? We ain't going to get no euchre played this way."

George brought the cards together tightly and studied the backs of them. The silence was in the room again.

A shot sounded in the distance. The men looked quickly at the old man. Every head turned toward him.

For a moment he continued to stare at the ceiling. Then he rolled slowly over and faced the wall and lay silent.

George shuffled the cards noisily and dealt them. Whit drew a scoring board to him and set the pegs to start. Whit said, "I guess you guys really come here to work."

"How do ya mean?" George asked.

Whit laughed. "Well, ya come on a Friday. You got two days to work till Sunday."

"I don't see how you figure," said George.

Whit laughed again. "You do if you been around these big ranches much. Guy that wants to look over a ranch comes in Sat'day afternoon. He gets Sat'day night supper an' three meals on Sunday, and he can quit Monday mornin' after breakfast without turning his hand. But you come to work Friday noon. You got to put in a day an' a half no matter how you figure."

George looked at him levelly. "We're gonna stick aroun' a while," he said. "Me an' Lennie's gonna roll up a stake."

The door opened quietly (тихонько приоткрылась дверь) and the stable buck put in his head (и конюх просунул внутрь голову); a lean negro head (черную голову с осунувшимся /лицом/; lean — тощий, худощавый), lined with pain (покрытым морщинами от /перенесенных/ страданий; line — линия; морщина), the eyes patient (и терпеливыми глазами). "Mr. Slim (мистер Ловкий)."

Slim took his eyes from old Candy (Ловкий отвел взгляд от Кэнди). "Huh? Oh! Hello, Crooks (а, привет, Горбун; crook — крюк; загнутая часть чего-либо). What's'a matter (что случилось)?"

"You told me to warm up tar (вы велели мне нагреть = растопить смолу) for that mule's foot (для ноги того мула). I got it warm (я растопил)."

"Oh! Sure, Crooks (да, конечно, Горбун). I'll come right out an' put it on (сейчас пойду и все сделаю: «и наложу ее»)."

"I can do it if you want, Mr. Slim (я могу это сделать, если пожелаете, мистер Ловкий)."

"No. I'll come do it myself (нет, я пойду и сделаю это сам)." He stood up (он поднялся).

Crooks said, "Mr. Slim (Горбун сказал, мистер Ловкий)."

"Yeah (да)."

"That big new guy's messin' around your pups (этот новенький здоровяк возится с вашими щенками; to mess around — валять дурака; наносить вред неаккуратным использованием, вмешательством) out in the barn (там, на конюшне)."

"Well, he ain't doin' no harm (ничего, он им вреда не причинит). I give him one of them pups (я отдаю ему одного из щенков)."

"Just thought I'd tell ya (просто подумал, что должен вам сказать)," said Crooks. "He's takin' 'em outa the nest (он достает их из ящика: «гнезда») and handlin' them (и вертит в руках; to handle — трогать, брать; гладить, держать в руках). That won't do them no good (им от этого ничего хорошего не будет)."

"He won't hurt 'em," said Slim (он не причинит им вреда, — сказал Ловкий). "I'll come along with you now (я сейчас пойду с тобою)."

negro [`nJgrqu], mule [mjHl], warm [wLm]

The door opened quietly and the stable buck put in his head; a lean negro head, lined with pain, the eyes patient. "Mr. Slim."

Slim took his eyes from old Candy. "Huh? Oh! Hello, Crooks. What's'a matter?"

"You told me to warm up tar for that mule's foot. I got it warm."

"Oh! Sure, Crooks. I'll come right out an' put it on."

"I can do it if you want, Mr. Slim."

"No. I'll come do it myself." He stood up.

Crooks said, "Mr. Slim."

"Yeah."

"That big new guy's messin' around your pups out in the barn."

"Well, he ain't doin' no harm. I give him one of them pups."

"Just thought I'd tell ya," said Crooks. "He's takin' 'em outa the nest and handlin' them. That won't do them no good."

"He won't hurt 'em," said Slim. "I'll come along with you now."

George looked up (Джордж поднял глаза). "If that crazy bastard's foolin' around too much (если этот болван слишком там забавляется), jus' kick him out, Slim (просто вышвырни его вон, Ловкий)."

Slim followed the stable buck out of the room (Ловкий вышел из комнаты следом за конюхом).

George dealt (Джордж сдал) and Whit picked up his cards and examined them (Уит поднял карты и /принялся/ их изучать). "Seen the new kid yet?" he asked (видал новую козочку, — спросил он).

"What kid?" George asked (что за козочку, — спросил Джордж).

"Why, Curley's new wife (ну как же, жену Кудряша)."

"Yeah, I seen her (да, я видел ее)."

"Well, ain't she a looloo (ну, разве не куколка)?"

"I ain't seen that much of her (я в нее особенно не всматривался: «я не видел многого в ней»)," said George.

Whit laid down his cards impressively (Уит выразительно положил карты). "Well, stick around (ну, пока будешь тут околачиваться; to stick around — слоняться поблизости, не уходить) an' keep your eyes open (держи глаза открытыми). You'll see plenty (много чего увидишь). She ain't concealin' nothing (она ничего и не скрывает). I never seen nobody like her (такой, как она, я никогда не видал). She got the eye goin' all the time on everybody (каждому и все время глазки строит). I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye (уверен, она и с конюхом заигрывает). I don't know what the hell she wants (не знаю, какого черта она хочет)."

examine [Ig`zxmIn], looloo [`lHlH], even [`Jv(q)n]

George looked up. "If that crazy bastard's foolin' around too much, jus' kick him out, Slim."

Slim followed the stable buck out of the room.

George dealt and Whit picked up his cards and examined them. "Seen the new kid yet?" he asked.

"What kid?" George asked.

"Why, Curley's new wife."

"Yeah, I seen her."

"Well, ain't she a looloo?"

"I ain't seen that much of her," said George.

Whit laid down his cards impressively. "Well, stick around an' keep your eyes open. You'll see plenty. She ain't concealin' nothing. I never seen nobody like her. She got the eye goin' all the time on everybody. I bet she even gives the stable buck the eye. I don't know what the hell she wants."

George asked casually (Джордж спросил /как бы/ ненароком), "Been any trouble since she got here (были какие-то неприятности с тех пор, как она здесь)?"

It was obvious (было очевидно) that Whit was not interested in his cards (что Уита карты /не очень-то/ интересуют). He laid his hand down (он положил свои карты: «свой расклад» /на стол/) and George scooped it in (и Джордж сгреб их). George laid out his deliberate solitaire hand (Джордж разложил свой неизменный пасьянс; deliberate — хорошо обдуманный; размеренный, неторопливый) — seven cards, and six on top (семь карт и шесть наверх), and five on top of those (и /еще/ пять сверху них).

Whit said, "I see what you mean (Уит сказал: понимаю, что ты имеешь в виду). No, they ain't been nothing yet (нет, ничего еще не было). Curley's got yella-jackets in his drawers (Кудряш бесится: «у Кудряша осы в штанах»; yellow-jacket — оса; drawers — подштанники, трусы), but that's all so far (но все еще впереди; so far — до сих пор; пока). Ever' time the guys is around (каждый раз, когда кто-то из ребят /находится/ поблизости) she shows up (и она тут как тут; to show up — выявляться, обнаруживаться). She's lookin' for Curley (/то/ она ищет Кудряша), or she thought she lef' somethin' layin' around (то придумывает, что оставила = забыла что-то, «лежащее неподалеку»; to think (thought); to leave (left)) and she's lookin' for it (и ищет это). Seems like she can't keep away from guys (похоже, не может она держаться в стороне от парней). An' Curley's pants is just crawlin' with ants (а у Кудряша в штанах полно муравьев = а Кудряш бесится), but they ain't nothing come of it yet (но они пока оттуда не вылезают = но он покуда сдерживается)."

casually [`kxZ(j)HqlI] или [`kxzjHqlI], obvious [`ObvIqs], drawers [drLz]

George asked casually, "Been any trouble since she got here?"

It was obvious that Whit was not interested in his cards. He laid his hand down and George scooped it in. George laid out his deliberate solitaire hand — seven cards, and six on top, and five on top of those.

Whit said, "I see what you mean. No, they ain't been nothing yet. Curley's got yella-jackets in his drawers, but that's all so far. Ever' time the guys is around she shows up. She's lookin' for Curley, or she thought she lef' somethin' layin' around and she's lookin' for it. Seems like she can't keep away from guys. An' Curley's pants is just crawlin' with ants, but they ain't nothing come of it yet."

George said, "She's gonna make a mess (из-за нее будут неприятности). They's gonna be a bad mess about her (очень большие неприятности могут возникнуть из-за нее; they’s = there is). She's a jail bait all set on the trigger (она — это приманка во взведенной мышеловке; jail bait — то, из-за чего можно сесть в тюрьму /амер. сленг/; trigger — спусковой крючок). That Curley got his work cut out for him (за Кудряша кто-то другой сделает его работу = Кудряшу живо рога наставят; to cut out — вырезать; уводить, отбивать /жениха, невесту/). Ranch with a bunch of guys on it (на ранчо, где полно парней) ain't no place for a girl (нет места для девушки), specially like her (особенно такой, как она)."

Whit said, "If you got idears (Уит сказал: если нет /других/ планов), you oughtta come in town with us guys tomorra night (тебе стоит поехать с нами в город завтра вечером)."

"Why? What's doin' (с чего бы, что /там/ делать)?"

"Jus' the usual thing (все, как обычно). We go in to old Susy's place (зайдем в заведение старушки Сюзи). Hell of a nice place (чертовски милое местечко). Old Susy's a laugh (старая Сюзи такая потешная; laugh — смех; шутка, причина смеха) — always crackin' jokes (всегда отмочит какую-нибудь хохму; to crack — трещать; шутить /разг./). Like she says (как «она говорит» /в тот раз/) when we come up on the front porch (когда мы поднялись к парадному «входу»; porch — крыльцо, подъезд) las' Sat'day night (в прошлую субботу вечером; las' Sat'day = last Saturday). Susy opens the door (Сюзи открывает дверь) and then she yells over her shoulder (и вопит через плечо), 'Get yor coats on, girls (девочки, одевайтесь /скорее/; yor = your; to get on — делать успехи; надевать), here comes the sheriff (вот шериф идет).' She never talks dirty, neither (но неприличного слова она никогда не скажет; dirty — грязный; вульгарный, непристойный). Got five girls there (/у нее/ там пять девочек)."

specially [`speSqlI], usual [`jHZuql], porch [pLC]

George said, "She's gonna make a mess. They's gonna be a bad mess about her. She's a jail bait all set on the trigger. That Curley got his work cut out for him. Ranch with a bunch of guys on it ain't no place for a girl, specially like her."

Whit said, "If you got idears, you oughtta come in town with us guys tomorra night."

"Why? What's doin'?"

"Jus' the usual thing. We go in to old Susy's place. Hell of a nice place. Old Susy's a laugh — always crackin' jokes. Like she says when we come up on the front porch las' Sat'day night. Susy opens the door and then she yells over her shoulder, 'Get yor coats on, girls, here comes the sheriff.' She never talks dirty, neither. Got five girls there."

"What's it set you back?" George asked (и во сколько это обходится, — спросил Джордж; to set back — отодвигать; стоить /разг./).

"Two an' a half (два с половиной /доллара/). You can get a shot for two bits (ты можешь получить выпивку за двадцать пять центов; shot — выстрел; порция, глоток /спиртного/). Susy got nice chairs to set in, too (у Сюзи также удобные кресла, /в которых можно просто/ посидеть; to set — ставить, устанавливать; сидеть). If a guy don't want a flop (если кто не хочет девочку; flop — шлепанье; шлеп!; кровать, постель /сленг/), why he can just set in the chairs (он может просто посидеть в креслах) and have a couple or three shots (выпить пару-тройку стаканчиков) and pass the time of day (и скоротать время «дня»; to pass — проходить; проводить /время/) and Susy don't give a damn (и Сюзи слова не скажет; to give a damn — ни в грош не ставить; относиться наплевательски /разг./). She ain't rushin' guys through (она не бросается к парням) and kickin' 'em out (чтоб выгнать их) if they don't want a flop (если они не хотят девочку)."

"Might go in and look the joint over (мог бы = надо бы пойти с вами и взглянуть на заведение; joint — сустав; дом, заведение /амер. разг./)," said George.

"Sure. Come along (конечно, пойдем с нами). It's a hell of a lot of fun (чертовски весело: «много веселья») — her crackin' jokes all the time (она постоянно шуточки отмачивает). Like she says one time (например, говорит однажды), she says, 'I've knew people (есть некоторые: «я знавала людей»; to know (knew; known)) that if they got a rag rug on the floor (которые, если на полу у них ободранный ковер) an' a kewpie doll lamp on the phonograph (и лампа в виде купидончика на патефоне; kewpie — искаженное от Cupid — купидон) they think they're running a parlor house (думают, что они управляют салоном = держат салон).' That's Clara's house she's talkin' about (это она говорит о заведении Клары). An' Susy says (и Сюзи говорит), 'I know what you boys want (я знаю, что вам, ребята нужно: «чего вы хотите»),' she says. 'My girls is clean,' she says (мои девочки чистые, — говорит), 'an' there ain't no water in my whisky (и в моем виски нет воды),' she says. 'If any you guys wanta look at a kewpie doll lamp (если кто из вас, ребята, желает поглядеть на лампочку с купидоном) an' take your own chance gettin' burned (и воспользоваться возможностью подхватить заразу; to get burned — обжигаться; заражаться венерическими болезнями), why you know where to go (что ж, вы знаете, куда идти).' An' she says (и /еще/ говорит), 'There's guys around here walkin' bow-legged (есть тут ребятки, на согнутых ногах ходят) 'cause they like to look at a kewpie doll lamp (потому что им нравилось глядеть на лампу с купидончиком).'"

couple [kApl], kewpie [`kjHpI], chance [CRns]

"What's it set you back?" George asked.

"Two an' a half. You can get a shot for two bits. Susy got nice chairs to set in, too. If a guy don't want a flop, why he can just set in the chairs and have a couple or three shots and pass the time of day and Susy don't give a damn. She ain't rushin' guys through and kickin' 'em out if they don't want a flop."

"Might go in and look the joint over," said George.

"Sure. Come along. It's a hell of a lot of fun — her crackin' jokes all the time. Like she says one time, she says, 'I've knew people that if they got a rag rug on the floor an' a kewpie doll lamp on the phonograph they think they're running a parlor house.' That's Clara's house she's talkin' about. An' Susy says, 'I know what you boys want,' she says. 'My girls is clean,' she says, 'an' there ain't no water in my whisky,' she says. 'If any you guys wanta look at a kewpie doll lamp an' take your own chance gettin' burned, why you know where to go.' An' she says, 'There's guys around here walkin' bow-legged 'cause they like to look at a kewpie doll lamp.'"

George asked, "Clara runs the other house, huh (Клара хозяйка другого заведения, так, — спросил Джордж)?"

"Yeah," said Whit (да, — ответил Уит). "We don't never go there (мы никогда не ходим туда). Clara gets three bucks a crack (Клара берет три доллара за удовольствие; crack — треск; развлечение) and thirty-five cents a shot (и тридцать пять центов за выпивку), and she don't crack no jokes (и шутить она не умеет). But Susy's place is clean (а в заведении у Сюзи чисто) and she got nice chairs (и у нее удобные кресла). Don't let no goo-goos in, neither (и не пускает всяких проходимцев; goo — нечто липкое или вязкое)."

"Me an' Lennie's rollin' up a stake (мы с Ленни копим деньги)," said George. "I might go in an' set and have a shot (я мог бы пойти посидеть и пропустить стаканчик), but I ain't puttin' out no two and a half (но я не выложу два с полтиной; to put out — выгонять; расходовать, тратить)."

"Well, a guy got to have some fun sometime (ну, иногда необходимо как-то развлечься)," said Whit.

The door opened (дверь открылась) and Lennie and Carlson came in together (и вошли вместе Ленни с Карлсоном). Lennie crept to his bunk and sat down (Ленни прокрался к своей койке и сел /на нее/; to creep (crept) — ползать; красться), trying not to attract attention (пытаясь не привлекать внимания). Carlson reached under his bunk (Карлсон полез под койку; to reach — протягивать /руку/; проникать) and brought out his bag (и вытащил свой мешок; to bring (brought)). He didn't look at old Candy (он не смотрел на старого Кэнди), who still faced the wall (который все еще /лежал/ лицом к стенке). Carlson found a little cleaning rod in the bag (Карлсон нашел в мешке небольшой шомпол: «чистящий прут»; to find (found)) and a can of oil (и банку масла). He laid them on his bed (он положил все это на кровать) and then brought out the pistol (потом достал пистолет), took out the magazine (вынул обойму; magazine — склад боеприпасов; магазин, обойма) and snapped the loaded shell from the chamber (и щелкнул /затвором, чтоб выбросить/ гильзу из патронника; to snap — щелкать, лязгать; chamber — комната; патронник). Then he fell to cleaning the barrel (потом он начал энергично чистить ствол; to fall (fell; fallen) to — энергично приниматься за /что-л./) with the little rod (маленьким шомполом). When the ejector snapped (когда щелкнул затвор; ejector — эжектор /деталь механизма оружия, выбрасывающая отстрелянные гильзы/), Candy turned over and looked for a moment at the gun (Кэнди повернулся и мгновение смотрел на пистолет) before he turned back to the wall again (прежде чем снова повернуться к стене).

attract [q`trxkt], barrel [`bxr(q)l], chamber [`CeImbq]

George asked, "Clara runs the other house, huh?"

"Yeah," said Whit. "We don't never go there. Clara gets three bucks a crack and thirty-five cents a shot, and she don't crack no jokes. But Susy's place is clean and she got nice chairs. Don't let no goo-goos in, neither."

"Me an' Lennie's rollin' up a stake," said George. "I might go in an' set and have a shot, but I ain't puttin' out no two and a half."

"Well, a guy got to have some fun sometime," said Whit.

The door opened and Lennie and Carlson came in together. Lennie crept to his bunk and sat down, trying not to attract attention. Carlson reached under his bunk and brought out his bag. He didn't look at old Candy, who still faced the wall. Carlson found a little cleaning rod in the bag and a can of oil. He laid them on his bed and then brought out the pistol, took out the magazine and snapped the loaded shell from the chamber. Then he fell to cleaning the barrel with the little rod. When the ejector snapped, Candy turned over and looked for a moment at the gun before he turned back to the wall again.

Carlson said casually (Карлсон спросил невзначай), "Curley been in yet (Кудряш еще не заходил)?"

"No," said Whit (нет, — сказал Уит). "What's eatin' on Curley (а что мучает Кудряша; to eat on — глодать, не давать покоя)?"

Carlson squinted down the barrel of his gun (Карлсон посмотрел ствол /на свет/; squint — беглый взгляд). "Lookin' for his old lady (ищет свою подружку: «старушку»). I seen him going round and round outside (я видел, как он наворачивал круги на дворе; to go round — вертеться)."

Whit said sarcastically (Уит сказал с сарказмом = насмешкой), "He spends half his time lookin' for her (он тратит половину своего времени на ее поиски; to look for — искать), and the rest of the time (а все остальное время) she's lookin' for him (она его ищет)."

Curley burst into the room excitedly (Кудряш в возбуждении ворвался в комнату). "Any you guys seen my wife (кто-то из вас, парни, видел мою жену)?" he demanded (требовательно спросил он).

"She ain't been here, (ее здесь не было)" said Whit.

Curley looked threateningly about the room (Кудряш угрожающе оглядел комнату). "Where the hell's Slim (а где, черт возьми, Ловкий)?"

"Went out in the barn," said George (пошел на конюшню, — сказал Джордж). "He was gonna put some tar on a split hoof (он собирался положить смолу = замазать смолой треснутое копыто /у мула/)."

Curley's shoulders dropped and squared (Кудряш опустил плечи, затем распрямил; square — квадрат; to square — придавать квадратную форму; выпрямлять, распрямлять). "How long ago'd he go (как давно он пошел; ago — тому назад; long ago — давно)?"

"Five — ten minutes (минут пять-десять)."

Curley jumped out the door (Кудряш выпрыгнул = выскочил за дверь) and banged it after him (хлопнув ею за собой).

Whit stood up (Уит поднялся). "I guess maybe I'd like to see this (полагаю, мне надо пойти взглянуть на это)," he said. "Curley's just spoilin' (Кудряш нарывается на драку; to spoil — портить; наносить ущерб, урон) or he wouldn't start for Slim (иначе он не рванул бы за Ловким; to start — начинать; бросаться, кидаться). An' Curley's handy, God damn handy (а Кудряш умеет драться, и хорошо умеет; handy — умелый, искусный). Got in the finals for the Golden Gloves (дошел до финала в “Золотой перчатке”). He got newspaper clippings about it (у него есть вырезки из газет об этом; clip — скрепка; вырезанный кусок)." He considered (он подумал /немного/). "But jus' the same (но все равно), he better leave Slim alone (ему лучше не лезть к Ловкому: «оставить Ловкого в покое»). Nobody don't know what Slim can do (никто не знает, что Ловкий может сделать)."

"Thinks Slim's with his wife, don't he (думает, Ловкий с его женой, так что ли)?" said George.

"Looks like it," Whit said (похоже на то, — сказал Уит). "'Course Slim ain't (/хотя/, конечно, нет). Least I don't think Slim is (по крайней мере, я не думаю, чтоб Ловкий был /с ней/; least = at least — по крайней /меньшей/ мере). But I like to see the fuss (но я бы посмотрел на эту ссору) if it comes off (если она произойдет; to come off — покидать; происходить, случаться). Come on, le's go (давай, пойдем /посмотрим/)."

George said, "I'm stayin' right here (я останусь здесь). I don't want to get mixed up in nothing (не хочу ни во что вмешиваться; to be mixed up — быть замешанным /в историю/). Lennie and me got to make a stake (нам с Ленни нужно заработать денег)."

sarcastically [sR`kxstIklI], threateningly [`TretnIN], fuss [fAs]

Carlson said casually, "Curley been in yet?"

"No," said Whit. "What's eatin' on Curley?"

Carlson squinted down the barrel of his gun. "Lookin' for his old lady. I seen him going round and round outside."

Whit said sarcastically, "He spends half his time lookin' for her, and the rest of the time she's lookin' for him."

Curley burst into the room excitedly. "Any you guys seen my wife?" he demanded.

"She ain't been here," said Whit.

Curley looked threateningly about the room. "Where the hell's Slim?"

"Went out in the barn," said George. "He was gonna put some tar on a split hoof."

Curley's shoulders dropped and squared. "How long ago'd he go?"

"Five — ten minutes."

Curley jumped out the door and banged it after him.

Whit stood up. "I guess maybe I'd like to see this," he said. "Curley's just spoilin' or he wouldn't start for Slim. An' Curley's handy, God damn handy. Got in the finals for the Golden Gloves. He got newspaper clippings about it." He considered. "But jus' the same, he better leave Slim alone. Nobody don't know what Slim can do."

"Thinks Slim's with his wife, don't he?" said George.

"Looks like it," Whit said. "'Course Slim ain't. Least I don't think Slim is. But I like to see the fuss if it comes off. Come on, le's go."

George said, "I'm stayin' right here. I don't want to get mixed up in nothing. Lennie and me got to make a stake."

Carlson finished the cleaning of the gun (Карлсон закончил чистить пистолет) and put it in the bag (положил его в мешок) and pushed the bag under his bunk (и толкнул мешок под койку). "I guess I'll go out (думаю, надо выйти) and look her over (и взглянуть)," he said. Old Candy lay still (старый Кэнди лежал недвижимо), and Lennie, from his bunk (и Ленни, со своей койки), watched George cautiously (внимательно смотрел на Джорджа).

When Whit and Carlson were gone (когда Уит и Карлсон вышли) and the door closed after them (и дверь за ними закрылась), George turned to Lennie (Джордж повернулся к Ленни). "What you got on your mind (что у тебя на уме)?"

"I ain't done nothing, George (я ничего не сделал, Джордж). Slim says (Ловкий говорит) I better not pet them pups so much for a while (что лучше пока не гладить щенков так долго). Slim says it ain't good for them (Ловкий говорит, им это вредно); so I come right in (вот я сразу и пришел). I been good, George (я вел себя хорошо, Джордж)."

"I coulda told you that," said George (/да,/ я бы сказал так = что ж, пожалуй; coulda told = could have told).

"Well, I wasn't hurtin' 'em none (и я не одному из них не сделал больно). I jus' had mine in my lap (я просто держал своего на коленях) pettin' it (и гладил его)."

George asked (Джордж спросил), "Did you see Slim out in the barn (ты видел Ловкого там на конюшне)?"

"Sure I did (конечно, видел). He tol' me I better not pet that pup no more (он сказал мне, чтоб я больше не гладил того щенка)."

"Did you see that girl (а эту девчонку ты видел)?"

"You mean Curley's girl (ты имеешь в виду девчонку Кудряша)?"

"Yeah. Did she come in the barn (да, она приходила в конюшню)?"

"No. Anyways I never seen her (нет, во всяком случае, я ее не видал)."

"You never seen (а ты никогда не видел) Slim talkin' to her (чтоб Ловкий разговаривал с ней)?"

"Uh-uh. She ain't been in the barn (не-а, ее /ведь/ не было на конюшне)."

"O.K.," said George (хорошо, — сказал Джодж). "I guess them guys ain't gonna see no fight (полагаю, ребята не увидят драки). If there's any fightin', Lennie (/но вдруг/ будет драка, Ленни), you keep out of it (держись от этого подальше)."

"I don't want no fights," said Lennie (я не хочу никаких драк, — сказал Ленни). He got up from his bunk (он встал со своей койки) and sat down at the table (и сел за стол), across from George (напротив Джорджа). Almost automatically George shuffled the cards (почти машинально Джордж стасовал карты) and laid out his solitaire hand (и разложил свой пасьянс). He used a deliberate, thoughtful slowness (он делал это старательно, вдумчиво и неторопливо: «он использовал = пустил в ход старательную, вдумчивую медлительность»; to use — использовать; обращаться /с чем-л./; deliberate — хорошо обдуманный; thought — мысль; slow — медленный, тихий; неспешащий).

automatically ["Otq`mxtIk(q)lI], thoughtful [`TLtful], slowness [`slqunIs]

Carlson finished the cleaning of the gun and put it in the bag and pushed the bag under his bunk. "I guess I'll go out and look her over," he said. Old Candy lay still, and Lennie, from his bunk, watched George cautiously.

When Whit and Carlson were gone and the door closed after them, George turned to Lennie. "What you got on your mind?"

"I ain't done nothing, George. Slim says I better not pet them pups so much for a while. Slim says it ain't good for them; so I come right in. I been good, George."

"I coulda told you that," said George.

"Well, I wasn't hurtin' 'em none. I jus' had mine in my lap pettin' it."

George asked, "Did you see Slim out in the barn?"

"Sure I did. He tol' me I better not pet that pup no more."

"Did you see that girl?"

"You mean Curley's girl?"

"Yeah. Did she come in the barn?"

"No. Anyways I never seen her."

"You never seen Slim talkin' to her?"

"Uh-uh. She ain't been in the barn."

"O.K.," said George. "I guess them guys ain't gonna see no fight. If there's any fightin', Lennie, you keep out of it."

"I don't want no fights," said Lennie. He got up from his bunk and sat down at the table, across from George. Almost automatically George shuffled the cards and laid out his solitaire hand. He used a deliberate, thoughtful slowness.

Lennie reached for a face card (Ленни взял карту, лежащую лицевой стороной кверху; to reach for — доставать; дотягиваться до /чего-л./) and studied it (и /стал/ рассматривать ее), then turned it upside down (затем перевернул ее вверх ногами: «верхней стороной вниз») and studied it (и /снова стал/ рассматривать). "Both ends the same," he said (оба края/конца одинаковые). "George, why is it both ends the same (Джордж, почему оба края одинаковые)?"

"I don't know," said George (не знаю, — сказал Джордж). "That's jus' the way they make 'em (так уж: «таким способом» их делают). What was Slim doin' in the barn (что Ловкий делал на конюшне) when you seen him (когда ты видел его)?"

"Slim (Ловкий)?"

"Sure (ну, да). You seen him in the barn (ты видел его на конюшне), an' he tol' you not to pet the pups so much (и он велел тебе не гладить щенков так много)."

"Oh, yeah (а, да). He had a can a' tar (у него была жестянка со смолой; can a’ tar = can of tar) an' a paint brush (и кисточка «для рисования»). I don't know what for (я не знаю для чего)."

"You sure that girl didn't come in (ты уверен, что та девчонка не приходила /на конюшню/) like she come in here today (так, как приходила сегодня сюда)?"

"No. She never come (нет, вообще не приходила)."

George sighed (Джордж вздохнул). "You give me a good whore house every time (нет, уж лучше: «дайте мне» хороший бордель; whore — шлюха, проститутка)," he said. "A guy can go in (можно прийти /туда/) an' get drunk (и напиться; to drink (drank; drunk)) and get ever'thing outa his system all at once (и избавиться от всего: «выбросить все из своего организма» сразу же; system — целое, комплекс; организм; outa = out of), an' no messes (и никаких неприятностей). And he knows how much it's gonna set him back (и ты знаешь, во сколько тебе это влетит; to set back — передвигать назад; стоить). These here jail baits (а здесь с этой девкой; jail bait — приманка, наживка; jail bait — «тюремная приманка» /о девушке или женщине, с которой лучше не связываться, чтобы не попасть в тюрьму/) is just set on the trigger of the hoosegow (быстро за решеткой окажешься; to set/put on the trigger — взводить курок; hoosegow — тюрьма, кутузка)."

Lennie followed his words admiringly (Ленни восхищенно слушал его: «следил за его словами»), and moved his lips a little (и немного шевелил губами) to keep up (чтобы запомнить). George continued (Джордж продолжал), "You remember Andy Cushman, Lennie (помнишь Энди Кашмена, Ленни)? Went to grammar school (ходил с нами в школу; grammar school — средняя школа; to go (went; gone))?"

"The one that his old lady used to make (тот, чья мать всегда пекла; old lady — жена; мать /разг./) hot cakes for the kids (горячие лепешки для детей)?" Lennie asked (спросил Ленни).

"Yeah. That's the one (да, это он). You can remember anything (ты все запоминаешь) if there's anything to eat in it (если это /связано/ с едой)." George looked carefully at the solitaire hand (Джордж внимательно посмотрел на пасьянс).

both [bquT], sigh [saI], grammar [`grxmq]

Lennie reached for a face card and studied it, then turned it upside down and studied it. "Both ends the same," he said. "George, why is it both ends the same?"

"I don't know," said George. "That's jus' the way they make 'em. What was Slim doin' in the barn when you seen him?"

"Slim?"

"Sure. You seen him in the barn, an' he tol' you not to pet the pups so much."

"Oh, yeah. He had a can a' tar an' a paint brush. I don't know what for."

"You sure that girl didn't come in like she come in here today?"

"No. She never come."

George sighed. "You give me a good whore house every time," he said. "A guy can go in an' get drunk and get ever'thing outa his system all at once, an' no messes. And he knows how much it's gonna set him back. These here jail baits is just set on the trigger of the hoosegow."

Lennie followed his words admiringly, and moved his lips a little to keep up. George continued, "You remember Andy Cushman, Lennie? Went to grammar school?"

"The one that his old lady used to make hot cakes for the kids?" Lennie asked.

"Yeah. That's the one. You can remember anything if there's anything to eat in it." George looked carefully at the solitaire hand.

He put an ace up on his scoring rack (он положил на счетную доску туза; rack — вешалка; подставка) and piled a two, three and four of diamonds on it (а на него стопкой двойку, тройку и четверку бубен; pile — куча; стопка). "Andy's in San Quentin right now (Энди сейчас в Сан-Квентине; San Quentin — тюрьма штата Калифорния, известная своими строгими порядками) on account of a tart (из-за какой-то шлюхи)," said George.

Lennie drummed on the table with his fingers (Ленни барабанил пальцами по столу; drum — барабан). "George?"

"Huh?"

"George, how long's it gonna be (Джордж, а сколько пройдет времени) till we get that little place (до тех пор, когда у нас будет маленькая ферма) an' live on the fatta the lan' (и /мы будем/ жить, обрабатывая землю; fatta the lan’ = fate of the land) — an' rabbits (и /заведем/ кроликов)?"

"I don't know", said George (не знаю, — сказал Джордж). "We gotta get a big stake together (надо собрать «вместе» много денег). I know a little place (знаю я одно местечко) we can get cheap (которое мы можем дешево купить), but they ain't givin' it away (но даром /ведь/ его не отдадут; to give away — отдавать; дарить)."

Old Candy turned slowly over (старый Кэнди медленно повернулся). His eyes were wide open (его глаза были широко открыты). He watched George carefully (он внимательно смотрел на Джорджа).

Lennie said (Ленни сказал), "Tell about that place, George (расскажи о той ферме, Джордж)."

"I jus' tol' you, jus' las' night (я /буквально/ прошлой ночью рассказывал тебе; tol' = told; las' = last)."

"Go on — tell again, George (продолжай, расскажи еще раз: «снова», Джордж)."

"Well, it's ten acres (так вот, там десять акров)," said George. "Got a little win'mill (есть маленькая ветряная мельница; win’mill = windmill). Got a little shack on it (есть маленькая хибарка), an' a chicken run (и курятник). Got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, 'cots, nuts (есть кухня, сад: вишни, яблони, персики, абрикосы, орехи; ‘cots = apricots — абрикосы), got a few berries (и еще много /всякой/ ягоды). They's a place for alfalfa (место для люцерны) and plenty water to flood it (и полно воды для полива; to flood — заливать). They's a pig pen (еще есть свинарник: «загон для свиней») —"

"An' rabbits, George (и кролики, Джордж)."

"No place for rabbits now (крольчатника покуда нету: «для кроликов сейчас места нет»), but I could easy build a few hutches (но я смог бы легко построить = сделать несколько клеток) and you could feed alfalfa to the rabbits (и ты мог бы кормить кроликов люцерной)."

"Damn right, I could (чертовски верно, мог бы)," said Lennie. "You God damn right I could (ты прав, мог бы)."

George's hands stopped working with the cards (руки Джорджа перестали работать с картами = Джордж перестал раскладывать пасьянс). His voice was growing warmer (его голос становился теплее). "An' we could have a few pigs (и мы могли бы завести несколько свиней). I could build a smoke house (я мог бы построить коптильню) like the one gran'pa had (наподобие той, что была у /моего/ деда; gran'pa = grandpa — дедушка), an' when we kill a pig (и когда мы заколем: «убьем» свинью) we can smoke the bacon and the hams (сможем коптить сало и /делать/ ветчину; smoke — дым; to smoke — коптить), and make sausage an' all like that («делать» колбасу и все такое). An' when the salmon run up river (а когда /начнут/ подниматься по реке лососи; to run up — быстро расти; подниматься) we could catch a hundred of 'em (мы будем ловить их сотнями) an' salt 'em down (и засаливать; salt — соль) or smoke 'em (или коптить их). We could have them for breakfast (мы могли бы /есть/ их на завтрак). They ain't nothing so nice as smoked salmon (нет ничего лучше, чем копченая лососина; they ain’t = there is /разг./). When the fruit come in (когда придет /время поспеть/ фруктам) we could can it (мы будем их консервировать) — and tomatoes, they're easy to can (и помидоры, их легко консервировать). Ever' Sunday we'd kill a chicken or a rabbit (каждое воскресенье будем резать цыпленка или кролика). Maybe we'd have a cow or a goat (может, заведем корову или козу), and the cream is so God damn thick (и сливки будут такими густыми) you got to cut it with a knife (что придется резать их ножом) and take it out with a spoon (и доставать ложкой)."

diamond [`daIqmqnd], account [q`kaunt], cream [krJm]

He put an ace up on his scoring rack and piled a two, three and four of diamonds on it. "Andy's in San Quentin right now on account of a tart," said George.

Lennie drummed on the table with his fingers. "George?"

"Huh?"

"George, how long's it gonna be till we get that little place an' live on the fatta the lan' — an' rabbits?"

"I don't know", said George. "We gotta get a big stake together. I know a little place we can get cheap, but they ain't givin' it away."

Old Candy turned slowly over. His eyes were wide open. He watched George carefully.

Lennie said, "Tell about that place, George."

"I jus' tol' you, jus' las' night."

"Go on — tell again, George."

"Well, it's ten acres," said George. "Got a little win'mill. Got a little shack on it, an' a chicken run. Got a kitchen, orchard, cherries, apples, peaches, 'cots, nuts, got a few berries. They's a place for alfalfa and plenty water to flood it. They's a pig pen —"

"An' rabbits, George."

"No place for rabbits now, but I could easy build a few hutches and you could feed alfalfa to the rabbits."

"Damn right, I could," said Lennie. "You God damn right I could."

George's hands stopped working with the cards. His voice was growing warmer. "An' we could have a few pigs. I could build a smoke house like the one gran'pa had, an' when we kill a pig we can smoke the bacon and the hams, and make sausage an' all like that. An' when the salmon run up river we could catch a hundred of 'em an' salt 'em down or smoke 'em. We could have them for breakfast. They ain't nothing so nice as smoked salmon. When the fruit come in we could can it — and tomatoes, they're easy to can. Ever' Sunday we'd kill a chicken or a rabbit. Maybe we'd have a cow or a goat, and the cream is so God damn thick you got to cut it with a knife and take it out with a spoon."

Lennie watched him with wide eyes (Ленни смотрел на него широко открытыми глазами), and old Candy watched him too (и старый Кэнди тоже «смотрел на него»). Lennie said softly (Ленни сказал тихо), "We could live offa the fatta the lan' (мы могли бы жить, обрабатывая землю: «туком земли» /библ./; fat — жир, сало)."

"Sure," said George (конечно, — сказал Джордж). "All kin's a vegetables in the garden (все сорта овощей в огороде; kin’s = kinds — виды, сорта), and if we want a little whisky (и если захотим /выпить/ немного виски) we can sell a few eggs or something (мы продадим немного яиц или еще чего-нибудь), or some milk (или молока). We'd jus' live there (будем просто жить там). We'd belong there (нам бы там подошло; to belong — подходить, соответствовать, сочетаться; принадлежать, быть чьей-л. собственностью /to/; быть связанным /родством, зависимостью и другими отношениями; to, with, among/). There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country (не пришлось бы больше мотаться по стране) and gettin' fed by a Jap cook (и есть стряпню какого-нибудь япошки; to feed (fed) — кормить; питаться; Jap — сокращенно от Japanese /разг., оскорб./). No, sir, we'd have our own place (нет, сэр = господин хороший, у нас была бы своя ферма) where we belonged (где мы жили бы) and not sleep in no bunkhouse (и не спали бы по баракам)."

"Tell about the house, George (расскажи о доме, Джордж)," Lennie begged (взмолился Ленни).

"Sure, we'd have a little house (ну, само собой, у нас будет небольшой домик) an' a room to ourself (и /в нем/ комната для нас). Little fat iron stove (маленькая пузатая железная печка; fat — жирный; толстый, тучный), an' in the winter (а зимой) we'd keep a fire goin' in it (мы бы в ней поддерживали огонь). It ain't enough land (там недостаточно = не так уж много земли) so we'd have to work too hard (поэтому нам пришлось бы вкалывать; to work hard — много, тяжело работать). Maybe six, seven hours a day (может, шесть-семь часов в день). We wouldn't have to buck no barley (нам бы не пришлось грузить ячмень) eleven hours a day (по одиннадцать часов в день). An' when we put in a crop (и посадим /разные/ зерновые; to put in — вставлять; высаживать, сажать; crop — посев; урожай), why, we'd be there to take the crop up (да мы ведь /для того/ туда и едем, чтоб /свой/ урожай собирать; to take up — обсуждать; снимать). We'd know what come of our planting (и будем знать, что получится из того, что мы посеяли; plant — растение; to plant — сажать; сеять)."

belong [bI`lON], iron [`aIqn], hour [auq]

Lennie watched him with wide eyes, and old Candy watched him too. Lennie said softly, "We could live offa the fatta the lan'."

"Sure," said George. "All kin's a vegetables in the garden, and if we want a little whisky we can sell a few eggs or something, or some milk. We'd jus' live there. We'd belong there. There wouldn't be no more runnin' round the country and gettin' fed by a Jap cook. No, sir, we'd have our own place where we belonged and not sleep in no bunkhouse."

"Tell about the house, George," Lennie begged.

"Sure, we'd have a little house an' a room to ourself. Little fat iron stove, an' in the winter we'd keep a fire goin' in it. It ain't enough land so we'd have to work too hard. Maybe six, seven hours a day. We wouldn't have to buck no barley eleven hours a day. An' when we put in a crop, why, we'd be there to take the crop up. We'd know what come of our planting."

"An' rabbits," Lennie said eagerly (и кролики, — сказал Ленни нетерпеливо; eager — страстно желающий, жаждущий). "An' I'd take care of 'em (и я б за ними ухаживал). Tell how I'd do that, George (расскажи, как я бы это делал, Джордж)."

"Sure, you'd go out in the alfalfa patch (конечно, ты ходил бы на поле люцерны) an' you'd have a sack (и брал бы с собой мешок). You'd fill up the sack (ты бы набивал мешок) and bring it in (и приносил его) an' put it in the rabbit cages (и клал бы /люцерну/ кроликам в клетки)."

"They'd nibble an' they'd nibble (а они бы щипали /эту траву/; to nibble — грызть; щипать /траву/)," said Lennie, "the way they do (как обычно они это делают). I seen 'em (я видел /как они это делают/)."

"Ever' six weeks or so," George continued (каждые полтора месяца или где-то так, — продолжал Джордж), "them does would throw a litter (они бы приносили приплод; litter — приплод, помет) so we'd have plenty rabbits (и у нас было бы полно кроликов) to eat an' to sell (и для еды и на продажу). An' we'd keep a few pigeons (и мы бы завели голубей) to go flyin' around the win'mill (чтоб летали вокруг мельницы) like they done when I was a kid (как это было в моем детстве: «когда я был ребенком»)." He looked raptly at the wall over Lennie's head (он мечтательно поглядел на стену поверх головы Ленни; rapt look — восхищенный взгляд). "An' it'd be our own (и это было бы наше), an' nobody could can us (и никто не смог бы нас выгнать; to can — консервировать; увольнять). If we don't like a guy we can say (если нам кто не понравится, мы можем сказать), 'Get the hell out (вали ко всем чертям),' and by God he's got to do it (и, клянусь, ему придется отвалить: «это сделать»). An' if a fren' come along (а если кто из друзей бы пришел; fren' = friend), why we'd have an extra bunk (у нас бы /всегда нашлась/ свободная койка; extra — добавочный, дополнительный), an' we'd say (и мы б сказали), 'Why don't you spen' the night (отчего бы тебе не провести ночь /здесь/)?' an' by God he would (и, клянусь, он бы /остался/). We'd have a setter dog and a couple stripe cats (у нас был бы сеттер и пара полосатых кошек), but you gotta watch out them cats (но за ними, за кошками, пришлось бы присматривать) don't get the little rabbits (чтоб не таскали крольчат)."

alfalfa [xl`fxlfq], nibble [nIbl], pigeon [`pIGIn]

"An' rabbits," Lennie said eagerly. "An' I'd take care of 'em. Tell how I'd do that, George."

"Sure, you'd go out in the alfalfa patch an' you'd have a sack. You'd fill up the sack and bring it in an' put it in the rabbit cages."

"They'd nibble an' they'd nibble," said Lennie, "the way they do. I seen 'em."

"Ever' six weeks or so," George continued, "them does would throw a litter so we'd have plenty rabbits to eat an' to sell. An' we'd keep a few pigeons to go flyin' around the win'mill like they done when I was a kid." He looked raptly at the wall over Lennie's head. "An' it'd be our own, an' nobody could can us. If we don't like a guy we can say, 'Get the hell out,' and by God he's got to do it. An' if a fren' come along, why we'd have an extra bunk, an' we'd say, 'Why don't you spen' the night?' an' by God he would. We'd have a setter dog and a couple stripe cats, but you gotta watch out them cats don't get the little rabbits."

Lennie breathed hard (Ленни тяжело засопел; to breathe — дышать). "You jus' let 'em try to get the rabbits (пусть только попробуют таскать крольчат). I'll break their God damn necks (я им посворачиваю их проклятые шеи). I'll... I'll smash 'em with a stick (я, я изобью их палкой; to smash — разбивать; крушить, ломать)." He subsided, grumbling to himself (он притих, бормоча что-то под нос: «себе»), threatening the future cats (угрожая несуществующим: «будущим» кошкам) which might dare (которые могли осмелиться) to disturb the future rabbits (побеспокоить несуществующих кроликов).

George sat entranced with his own picture (Джордж сидел, завороженный своей собственной картиной; to entrance — приводить в восторг, очаровывать; trance — транс; состояние экстаза).

When Candy spoke (когда заговорил Кэнди; to speak (spoke; spoken)) they both jumped (оба подскочили: «подпрыгнули») as though they had been caught doing something reprehensible (как будто их застали: «поймали» за чем-то предосудительным; to catch (caught)). Candy said, "You know where's a place like that (ты /точно/ знаешь, «где есть» такое место)?"

George was on guard immediately (Джордж мгновенно насторожился; to be on guard — быть настороже). "S'pose I do," he said (положим, /знаю/, — сказал он). "What's that to you (а тебе что с этого)?"

"You don't need to tell me where it's at (можешь мне не рассказывать, где оно). Might be any place (это может быть где угодно)."

"Sure," said George. "That's right (конечно, — сказал Джордж, — это верно). You couldn't find it in a hundred years (ты не найдешь его и через сто лет)."

Candy went on excitedly (Кэнди продолжал возбужденно), "How much they want for a place like that (сколько они хотят за такую ферму)?"

George watched him suspiciously (Джордж смотрел на него с подозрением; suspicion — подозрение). "Well — I could get it for six hundred bucks (ну, я могу получить его за шесть сотен зеленых). The ol' people that owns it is flat bust (старики, которые им владеют, совсем на мели; flat — плоский; безденежный /амер. сленг/; bust — неудача, банкротство; to bust — сломать; сломаться, разрушиться) an' the ol' lady needs an operation (а старухе нужна операция). Say — what's it to you (послушай, что тебе до этого; say = I say — послушай)? You got nothing to do with us (тебе нечего делать с нами = не лезь в наши дела)."

disturb [dIs`tWb], reprehensible ["reprI`hensqbl], immediately [I`mJdjqtlI]

Lennie breathed hard. "You jus' let 'em try to get the rabbits. I'll break their God damn necks. I'll... I'll smash 'em with a stick." He subsided, grumbling to himself, threatening the future cats which might dare to disturb the future rabbits.

George sat entranced with his own picture.

When Candy spoke they both jumped as though they had been caught doing something reprehensible. Candy said, "You know where's a place like that?"

George was on guard immediately. "S'pose I do," he said. "What's that to you?"

"You don't need to tell me where it's at. Might be any place."

"Sure," said George. "That's right. You couldn't find it in a hundred years."

Candy went on excitedly, "How much they want for a place like that?"

George watched him suspiciously. "Well — I could get it for six hundred bucks. The ol' people that owns it is flat bust an' the ol' lady needs an operation. Say — what's it to you? You got nothing to do with us."

Candy said, "I ain't much good with on'y one hand (я не очень-то хорош с одной-то рукой). I lost my hand right here on this ranch (я потерял руку прямо здесь, на ранчо; to leave (left) — оставлять; терять). That's why they give me a job swampin' (вот почему «они» мне дали работу уборщика). An' they give me two hunderd an' fifty dollars (они заплатят мне две с половиной сотни) 'cause I los' my hand (потому что я потерял руку). An' I got fifty more saved up right in the bank, right now (и еще пятьдесят прямо сейчас у меня лежит: «накоплено» в банке). Tha's three hundred (это /уже/ три сотни), and I got fifty more comin' the end at the month (да еще пятьдесят я получу в конце месяца). Tell you what (я тебе вот что скажу) —" He leaned forward eagerly (он быстро наклонился вперед; eager — жаждущий; энергичный). "S'pose I went in with you guys (полагаю, я /мог бы/ войти с вами в долю; to go (went; gone) in — входить /т.ж. в переносном смысле/). Tha's three hunderd an' fifty bucks (эти триста пятьдесят зеленых) I'd put in (я бы вложил = моя доля). I ain't much good (я не очень-то хорош = пользы от меня немного), but I could cook (но я мог бы готовить) and tend the chickens (присматривать за курами) and hoe the garden some (да полоть сорняки в огороде; to hoe — разрыхлять; выпалывать /сорняки/; garden — сад; огород). How'd that be (как насчет этого)?"

George half-closed his eyes (Джордж полуприкрыл глаза). "I gotta think about that (мне нужно подумать «об этом»). We was always gonna do it by ourselves (мы всегда хотели/собирались делать это сами = без посторонних)."

Candy interrupted him (Кэнди его прервал), "I'd make a will (я составлю завещание; will — воля; завещание) an' leave my share to you guys (и оставлю свою часть вам, ребята) in case I kick off (на тот случай, ежели протяну ноги; to kick off — сбрасывать /туфли/; умереть /амер. сленг/), 'cause I ain't got no relatives nor nothing (потому как у меня никаких родственников нет). You guys got any money (а у вас, ребята, есть какие-то деньги)? Maybe we could do her right now (может, мы могли бы купить ее прямо сейчас)?"

George spat on the floor disgustedly (Джордж с отвращением сплюнул на пол; to spit (spat)). "We got ten bucks between us (у нас десять баксов на двоих)." Then he said thoughtfully (потом сказал задумчиво), "Look, if me an' Lennie work a month (слушай, если мы с Ленни проработаем месяц) an' don't spen' nothing (и ничего не потратим; spen’ = spend), we'll have a hunderd bucks (у нас будет сотня баксов). That'd be four fifty (всего выходит четыре с половиной /сотни/). I bet we could swing her for that (уверен, мы смогли бы качнуть = выторговать его за эти /деньги/). Then you an' Lennie could go get her started (тогда бы вы с Ленни поехали, чтоб начать /работы/) an' I'd get a job an' make up the res' (а я бы подыскал: «получил» работу и заработал остальное; to make up — возмещать, компенсировать; res’ = rest), an' you could sell eggs an' stuff like that (и вы могли бы продавать яйца и всякое такое)."

They fell into a silence (они замолчали; to fall (fell; fallen)). They looked at one another (они смотрели друг на друга), amazed (/как громом/ пораженные; to amaze — изумлять, поражать). This thing they had never really believed in (то, во что они по-настоящему никогда не верили) was coming true (становилось реальностью; true — верный, правильный; достоверный). George said reverently (Джордж сказал благоговейно; reverent — набожный, религиозный), "Jesus Christ (Господи Иисусе)! I bet we could swing her (уверен, мы сможем сторговаться)." His eyes were full of wonder (глаза его были полны удивления). "I bet we could swing her (уверен, мы сможем сторговаться)," he repeated softly (повторил он тихо).

leave [lJv], reverently [`rev(q)r(q)ntlI], Christ [kraIst]

Candy said, "I ain't much good with on'y one hand. I lost my hand right here on this ranch. That's why they give me a job swampin'. An' they give me two hunderd an' fifty dollars 'cause I los' my hand. An' I got fifty more saved up right in the bank, right now. Tha's three hunderd, and I got fifty more comin' the end a the month. Tell you what-" He leaned forward eagerly. "S'pose I went in with you guys. Tha's three hunderd an' fifty bucks I'd put in. I ain't much good, but I could cook and tend the chickens and hoe the garden some. How'd that be?"

George half-closed his eyes. "I gotta think about that. We was always gonna do it by ourselves."

Candy interrupted him, "I'd make a will an' leave my share to you guys in case I kick off, 'cause I ain't got no relatives nor nothing. You guys got any money? Maybe we could do her right now?"

George spat on the floor disgustedly. "We got ten bucks between us." Then he said thoughtfully, "Look, if me an' Lennie work a month an' don't spen' nothing, we'll have a hunderd bucks. That'd be four fifty. I bet we could swing her for that. Then you an' Lennie could go get her started an' I'd get a job an' make up the res', an' you could sell eggs an' stuff like that."

They fell into a silence. They looked at one another, amazed. This thing they had never really believed in was coming true. George said reverently, "Jesus Christ! I bet we could swing her." His eyes were full of wonder. "I bet we could swing her," he repeated softly.

Candy sat on the edge of his bunk (Кэнди сидел на краю койки; to sit (sat)). He scratched the stump of his wrist nervously (от волнения он скреб культю; stump — обрубок; культя; nervously — нервно). "I got hurt four year ago," he said (меня искалечило четыре года назад, — сказал он). "They'll can me purty soon (довольно скоро меня отсюда вышвырнут: «уволят»; purty = pretty). Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunkhouses (как только не смогу прибираться в бараке) they'll put me on the county (заставят меня /бродить/ по округу = они прогонят меня; to put — класть; заставлять /что-то делать/). Maybe if I give you guys my money (может, ребята, если я дам вам свои деньги), you'll let me hoe in the garden (вы позволите мне копаться в огороде) even after I ain't no good at it (даже если от меня не будет толку: «я не буду хорош для этого»). An' I'll wash dishes (и я буду мыть посуду) an' little chicken stuff like that (за курами присматривать и все такое; chicken — цыпленок, курица; stuff — материя /особ. шерстяная/, ткань; материал, вещество; дрянь, хлам, чепуха; штука, штуковина, вещи). But I'll be on our own place (но я буду /жить/ в нашем собственном доме), an' I'll be let to work on our own place (и мне будет позволено работать на нашей собственной ферме; to let (let))." He said miserably (он сказал печально/жалостно), "You seen (вы видели) what they done to my dog tonight (что они сделали с моей собакой сегодня вечером)? They says he wasn't no good to himself (говорят, что он был не в радость ни себе) nor nobody else (ни кому-то другому). When they can me here (когда меня уволят отсюда) I wisht somebody'd shoot me (пусть бы кто-то меня пристрелил). But they won't do nothing like that (но они ничего такого не сделают). I won't have no place to go (мне некуда будет идти), an' I can't get no more jobs (и я больше не получу работу). I'll have thirty dollars more comin' (я получу еще тридцать долларов), time you guys is ready to quit (к тому времени, когда вы будете готовы уйти /отсюда/)."

chicken [`CIkIn], thirty [`TWtI], quit [kwIt]

Candy sat on the edge of his bunk. He scratched the stump of his wrist nervously. "I got hurt four year ago," he said. "They'll can me purty soon. Jus' as soon as I can't swamp out no bunkhouses they'll put me on the county. Maybe if I give you guys my money, you'll let me hoe in the garden even after I ain't no good at it. An' I'll wash dishes an' little chicken stuff like that. But I'll be on our own place, an' I'll be let to work on our own place." He said miserably, "You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I can't get no more jobs. I'll have thirty dollars more comin', time you guys is ready to quit."

George stood up (Джордж встал). "We'll do her," he said (мы купим ее). "We'll fix up that little old place (мы приведем в порядок эту маленькую старую ферму) an' we'll go live there (и переберемся: «пойдем» туда жить)." He sat down again (он снова сел). They all sat still (/теперь/ все сидели неподвижно), all bemused by the beauty of the thing (ошеломленные прелестью /открывшихся/ обстоятельств; beauty — красота, прелесть; thing — вещь; обстоятельство, ситуация), each mind was popped into the future (каждый в мыслях заглядывал в будущее; to pop into — заскочить, заглянуть) when this lovely thing should come about (когда все эти чудеса станут реальностью; to come about — случаться, происходить).

George said wonderingly (Джордж сказал задумчиво; to wonder — удивляться; размышлять), "S'pose they was a carnival (полагаю, там был бы /какой-нибудь/ праздник; they was = there was) or a circus come to town (или цирк приехал), or a ball game (или бейсбольный матч; ball game = /здесь/ baseball game), or any damn thing (или еще какая ерунда)." Old Candy nodded in appreciation of the idea (старый Кэнди кивнул с одобрением: «оценив мысль»; appreciation — оценка; понимание). "We'd just go to her," George said (мы бы пошли туда). "We wouldn't ask nobody if we could (мы бы ни у кого не спрашивали разрешения). Jus' say (просто сказали бы), 'We'll go to her (мы пойдем),' an' we would (и /пошли/ бы). Jus' milk the cow (подоили бы корову; milk — молоко; to milk — доить /корову, козу/) and sling some grain to the chickens (бросили бы курам зерна) an' go to her (и пошли бы)."

bemuse [bI`mjHz], beauty [`bjHtI], circus [`sWkqs]

George stood up. "We'll do her," he said. "We'll fix up that little old place an' we'll go live there." He sat down again. They all sat still, all bemused by the beauty of the thing, each mind was popped into the future when this lovely thing should come about.

George said wonderingly, "S'pose they was a carnival or a circus come to town, or a ball game, or any damn thing." Old Candy nodded in appreciation of the idea. "We'd just go to her," George said. "We wouldn't ask nobody if we could. Jus' say, 'We'll go to her,' an' we would. Jus' milk the cow and sling some grain to the chickens an' go to her."

"An' put some grass to the rabbits (и дали бы кроликам травы)," Lennie broke in (вмешался Ленни; to break (broke; broken)). "I wouldn't never forget to feed them (я бы никогда не забывал покормить их). When we gon'ta do it, George (когда мы это сделаем, Джордж; gon’ta = going to do)?"

"In one month (через месяц). Right squack in one month (аж завизжишь /от радости/ через месяц; to squack = to squawk — вопить, пронзительно кричать). Know what I'm gon'ta do (знаешь, что я собираюсь сделать)? I'm gon'ta write to them old people (я собираюсь написать тем старикам) that owns the place (что владеют фермой) that we'll take it (что мы купим ее). An' Candy'll send a hunderd dollars (и Кэнди пошлет /им/ сотню долларов) to bind her (в качестве задатка: «чтобы привязать ее»)."

"Sure will," said Candy (конечно, пошлю). "They got a good stove there (а у них /там/ хорошая печка)?"

"Sure, got a nice stove (конечно, прекрасная печка), burns coal or wood (можно топить и углем и дровами: «сжигает и уголь и дрова»)."

"I'm gonna take my pup (я возьму своего щенка)," said Lennie. "I bet by Christ (клянусь Христом) he likes it there, by Jesus (ему там понравится, клянусь Иисусом)."

Voices were approaching from outside (снаружи донеслись: «приближались» голоса). George said quickly (Джордж быстро сказал), "Don't tell nobody about it (никому об этом не говорите). Jus' us three an' nobody else (только мы трое, никто больше). They li'ble to can us (а то нас могут выгнать; li'ble = will be able; to be able — мочь, быть в состоянии) so we can't make no stake (и мы не сможем заработать /денег/). Jus' go on like (просто продолжаем /делать вид/) we was gonna buck barley the rest of our lives (будто собираемся грузить ячмень до конца жизни), then all of a sudden some day (а потом в один /прекрасный/ день; all of a sudden — вдруг, неожиданно) we'll go get our pay (пойдем получим наши кровные: «нашу плату») an' scram outa here (и смотаемся отсюда; to scram — сматываться, проваливать /амер. сленг/)."

Lennie and Candy nodded (Ленни и Кэнди кивнули), and they were grinning with delight (и осклабились от удовольствия). "Don't tell nobody (никому не говорить)," Lennie said to himself (сказал сам себе Ленни).

Candy said, "George."

"Huh (чего)?"

"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George (я должен был бы сам пристрелить пса, Джордж). I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog (я не должен был позволить никому чужому пристрелить мою собаку; stranger — посторонний)."

squack [skwLk], approach [q`prquC], delight [dI`laIt]

"An' put some grass to the rabbits," Lennie broke in. "I wouldn't never forget to feed them. When we gon'ta do it, George?"

"In one month. Right squack in one month. Know what I'm gon'ta do? I'm gon'ta write to them old people that owns the place that we'll take it. An' Candy'll send a hunderd dollars to bind her."

"Sure will," said Candy. "They got a good stove there?"

"Sure, got a nice stove, burns coal or wood."

"I'm gonna take my pup," said Lennie. "I bet by Christ he likes it there, by Jesus."

Voices were approaching from outside. George said quickly, "Don't tell nobody about it. Jus' us three an' nobody else. They li'ble to can us so we can't make no stake. Jus' go on like we was gonna buck barley the rest of our lives, then all of a sudden some day we'll go get our pay an' scram outa here."

Lennie and Candy nodded, and they were grinning with delight. "Don't tell nobody," Lennie said to himself.

Candy said, "George."

"Huh?"

"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn't ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog."

The door opened (дверь отворилась). Slim came in (вошел Ловкий), followed by Curley and Carlson and Whit (за ним — Кудряш, Карлсон и Уит; to follow — следовать за). Slim's hands were black with tar (руки Ловкого были черны от смолы) and he was scowling (и он хмурился). Curley hung close to his elbow (Кудряш не отставал от него ни на шаг; to hang (hung) — висеть; ошиваться, слоняться /амер. сленг/; close — рядом, около; elbow — локоть).

Curley said, "Well, I didn't mean nothing, Slim (но я ничего не имел в виду, Ловкий). I just ast you (я просто тебя спросил; ast = ask /разг./)."

Slim said, "Well, you been askin' me too often (ты спрашиваешь меня слишком часто). I'm gettin' God damn sick of it (меня от этого уже, черт подери, тошнит; to be/get sick of smth — надоесть, достать; sick — больной; чувствующий тошноту). If you can't look after your own God damn wife (если ты /сам/ не можешь уследить за своей чертовой женой), what you expect me to do about it (чего ты ждешь от меня: «чтоб я делал по этому поводу»)? You lay offa me (держись от меня подальше: «располагайся в стороне от меня»; lay offa = lay off of)."

"I'm jus' tryin' to tell you (просто пытаюсь сказать тебе) I didn't mean nothing (что ничего такого не имел в виду)," said Curley. "I jus' thought you might of saw her (просто подумал, что мог ее видеть; to think (thought); to see (saw; seen))."

"Why'n't you tell her (велел бы ты ей: «почему бы тебе не сказать ей») to stay the hell home (сидеть: «оставаться» дома) where she belongs (где ей и положено: «где она и должна быть»; to belong — относиться; принадлежать)?" said Carlson. "You let her hang around bunkhouses (позволяешь ей шляться по баракам; to hang around — бродить вокруг; околачиваться) and pretty soon (и, эдак, вскоре: «довольно скоро») you're gonna have som'pin on your hands (она приподнесет тебе подарочек: «у тебя будет кое-что на руках»; som’pin = something /разг./) and you won't be able to do nothing about it (и ты ничего с этим не поделаешь)."

elbow [`elbqu], pretty [`prItI], able [eIbl]

The door opened. Slim came in, followed by Curley and Carlson and Whit. Slim's hands were black with tar and he was scowling. Curley hung close to his elbow.

Curley said, "Well, I didn't mean nothing, Slim. I just ast you."

Slim said, "Well, you been askin' me too often. I'm gettin' God damn sick of it. If you can't look after your own God damn wife, what you expect me to do about it? You lay offa me."

"I'm jus' tryin' to tell you I didn't mean nothing," said Curley. "I jus' thought you might of saw her."

"Why'n't you tell her to stay the hell home where she belongs?" said Carlson. "You let her hang around bunkhouses and pretty soon you're gonna have som'pin on your hands and you won't be able to do nothing about it."

Curley whirled on Carlson (Кудряш круто повернулся к Карлсону; whirl — вихрь; кружение). "You keep outa this (а ты держись подальше от этого = не лезь не в свое дело) les' you wanta step outside (пока с тобой не разобрались; les’ = unless; to step outside — вызвать для выяснения отношений /амер. сленг/)."

Carlson laughed (Карлсон рассмеялся). "You God damn punk (эх ты, молокосос несчастный; punk — гнилушка; начинающий преступник)," he said. "You tried to throw a scare into Slim (пытался напугать: «бросить испуг в» Ловкого), an' you couldn't make it stick (и у тебя ничего не вышло; to make it — добиться /чего-л./; stick — палка; туповатый человек, тупица). Slim throwed a scare into you (Ловкий напугал тебя). You're yella as a frog belly (ты такой же бледный: «желтый», как брюхо у лягушки; yella = yellow). I don't care (и плевать мне) if you're the best welter in the country (даже если ты — лучший боксер в стране; welter — боксер полусреднего веса). You come for me (полезь ко мне: «приди за мной»), an' I'll kick your God damn head off (и я отобью тебе твою чертову башку; to kick — ударять ногой, пинать)."

Candy joined the attack with joy (Кэнди с радостью присоединился «к нападению»). "Glove fulla vaseline (перчатка вазелиновая: «полная вазелина»; fulla = full of /разг./)," he said disgustedly (сказал он презрительно). Curley glared at him (Кудряш сверкнул на него глазами). His eyes slipped on past (его взгляд скользнул дальше) and lighted on Lennie (и упал на Ленни; to light on — неожиданно натолкнуться, случайно напасть); and Lennie was still smiling (а Ленни стоял все еще улыбаясь) with delight at the memory of the ranch (от удовольствия от воспоминания о ранчо).

Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier (Кудряш наскочил на Ленни, как терьер). "What the hell you laughin' at (а ты какого черта ржешь)?"

Lennie looked blankly at him (Ленни безучастно взглянул на него; blank — пустой; безразличный). "Huh?"

Then Curley's rage exploded (и тут Кудряш взорвался: «ярость Кудряша взорвалась»). "Come on, ya big bastard (давай, ты, здоровый ублюдок). Get up on your feet (встать «на ноги»). No big son-of-a-bitch (никакому здоровенному сукину сыну) is gonna laugh at me (не позволено на до мной смеяться). I'll show ya who's yella (я те покажу, кто /тут/ бледный)."

Lennie looked helplessly at George (Ленни беспомощно взглянул на Джорджа), and then he got up and tried to retreat (затем встал и попытался уйти/отступить). Curley was balanced (Кудряш встал в стойку; to balance — сохранять равновесие) and poised (и приготовился; to poise — удерживать равновесие; быть готовым к действию). He slashed at Lennie with his left (он врезал Ленни левой; slash — разрез; резкий удар), and then smashed down his nose with a right (а потом правой расквасил ему нос). Lennie gave a cry of terror (Ленни взвыл от страха: «издал крик ужаса»). Blood welled from his nose (кровь хлестала у него из носу; well — колодец; источник). "George," he cried (Джордж, — завопил Ленни). "Make 'um let me alone (заставь его оставить меня в покое), George." He backed (он отступал) until he was against the wall (пока /не наткнулся спиной/ на стену), and Curley followed (а Кудряш преследовал его), slugging him in the face (/продолжая/ бить в лицо; to slug — сильно ударять /кулаком/, бить). Lennie's hands remained at his sides (руки Ленни оставались /висеть/ по бокам); he was too frightened to defend himself (он был слишком испуган, чтоб защищаться).

whirl [wWl], terrier [`terIq], slug [slAg]

Curley whirled on Carlson. "You keep outa this les' you wanta step outside."

Carlson laughed. "You God damn punk," he said. "You tried to throw a scare into Slim, an' you couldn't make it stick. Slim throwed a scare into you. You're yella as a frog belly. I don't care if you're the best welter in the country. You come for me, an' I'll kick your God damn head off."

Candy joined the attack with joy. "Glove fulla vaseline," he said disgustedly. Curley glared at him. His eyes slipped on past and lighted on Lennie; and Lennie was still smiling with delight at the memory of the ranch.

Curley stepped over to Lennie like a terrier. "What the hell you laughin' at?"

Lennie looked blankly at him. "Huh?"

Then Curley's rage exploded. "Come on, ya big bastard. Get up on your feet. No big son-of-a-bitch is gonna laugh at me. I'll show ya who's yella."

Lennie looked helplessly at George, and then he got up and tried to retreat. Curley was balanced and poised. He slashed at Lennie with his left, and then smashed down his nose with a right. Lennie gave a cry of terror. Blood welled from his nose. "George," he cried. "Make 'um let me alone, George." He backed until he was against the wall, and Curley followed, slugging him in the face. Lennie's hands remained at his sides; he was too frightened to defend himself.

George was on his feet yelling (Джордж /вскочил/ на ноги, крича), "Get him, Lennie (врежь ему, Ленни). Don't let him do it (не позволяй ему делать это)."

Lennie covered his face with his huge paws (Ленни прикрыл лицо своими огромными ручищами) and bleated with terror (и скулил от страха; to bleat — блеять; ныть, скулить). He cried, "Make 'um stop, George (он закричал: заставь его остановиться/прекратить, Джордж; ‘um = him /разг./)." Then Curley attacked his stomach (тут Кудряш ударил: «атаковал» его в живот) and cut off his wind (сбив: «прервав» ему дыхание; wind — ветер; дыхание).

Slim jumped up (Ловкий вскочил: «подпрыгнул»). "The dirty little rat (грязный крысеныш)," he cried, "I'll get 'um myself (я врежу ему сам)."

George put out his hand (Джордж вытянул руки) and grabbed Slim (и схватил Ловкого). "Wait a minute," he shouted (подожди минутку, — вскрикнул он). He cupped his hands around his mouth (он сложил руки рупором «вокруг рта»; to cup — придавать чашевидную форму; складывать руки в виде чашки) and yelled, "Get 'im, Lennie (и закричал: дай ему, Ленни)!"

Lennie took his hands away from his face (Ленни отнял руки от лица; to take (took; taken)) and looked about for George (и поглядел на Джорджа), and Curley slashed at his eyes (а Кудряш ударил его в глаза). The big face was covered with blood (большое лицо /Ленни/ было залито: «покрыто» кровью). George yelled again (Джордж снова закричал), "I said get him (я сказал: врежь ему)."

paw [pL], bleat [blJt], mouth [`mauT]

George was on his feet yelling, "Get him, Lennie. Don't let him do it."

Lennie covered his face with his huge paws and bleated with terror. He cried, "Make 'um stop, George." Then Curley attacked his stomach and cut off his wind.

Slim jumped up. "The dirty little rat," he cried, "I'll get 'um myself."

George put out his hand and grabbed Slim. "Wait a minute," he shouted. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, "Get 'im, Lennie!"

Lennie took his hands away from his face and looked about for George, and Curley slashed at his eyes. The big face was covered with blood. George yelled again, "I said get him."

Curley's fist was swinging (Кудряш /вновь/ взмахнул кулаком; swing — качание; размах) when Lennie reached for it (когда Ленни поймал его). The next minute (в следующее мгновенье) Curley was flopping like a fish on a line (Кудряш болтался, как рыба на леске; to flop — шлепать; висеть, болтаться; line — линия; леса), and his closed fist was lost (и его сжатый кулак исчез: «потерялся») in Lennie's big hand (в огромной ручище Ленни). George ran down the room (Джордж помчался /к нему/ через барак). "Leggo of him, Lennie. Let go (/теперь/ отпусти его, Ленни, отпусти; leggo /разг./ = let go — отпустить)."

But Lennie watched in terror (но Ленни в ужасе смотрел) the flopping little man (на «болтающегося» человечка) whom he held (которого он держал; to hold (held)). Blood ran down Lennie's face (кровь струилась: «бежала» по лицу Ленни), one of his eyes was cut and closed (один его глаз был разбит: «порезан» и закрыт). George slapped him in the face again and again (Джордж шлепал = хлестал его по лицу снова и снова), and still Lennie held on to the closed fist (но Ленни все не разжимал руку: «держался за сжатый кулак»). Curley was white and shrunken by now (к тому времени Кудряш весь побелел и скрючился: «был/стал белым и сморщенным), and his struggling had become weak (и его борьба = сопротивление ослабело). He stood crying (он стоял, вопя), his fist lost in Lennie's paw (его кулак был погружен: «потерян» в лапище Ленни; to lose (lost)).

George shouted over and over (Джордж кричал снова и снова). "Leggo his hand, Lennie. Leggo (отпусти его руку, Ленни, отпусти). Slim, come help me (Ловкий, помоги мне) while the guy got any hand left (пока парень не остался без руки; to leave (left))."

Suddenly Lennie let go his hold (внезапно Ленни освободил захват). He crouched cowering against the wall (он присел, сжавшись, у стены). "You tol' me to, George (ты говорил это /сделать/)," he said miserably (сказал он с несчастным видом; tol’ = told; to tell (told)).

Curley sat down on the floor (Кудряш сел = опустился на пол), looking in wonder at his crushed hand (смотря с удивлением на свою раздробленную руку). Slim and Carlson bent over him (Ловкий и Карлсон склонились над ним; to bend (bent)). Then Slim straightened up (Ловкий распрямился) and regarded Lennie with horror (и со страхом посмотрел на Ленни; to regard — смотреть, разглядывать). "We got to get him in to a doctor (мы должны отвести его в врачу)," he said. "Looks to me like (сдается мне; to look like — быть похожим) ever' bone in his han' is bust (каждая кость в его руке сломана = все кости руки поломаны)."

"I didn't wanta," Lennie cried (я не хотел, — плакал Ленни). "I didn't wanta hurt him (я не хотел сделать ему больно)."

shrunken [`SrAnk(q)n], struggle [strAgl], crouch [krauC]

Curley's fist was swinging when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's big hand. George ran down the room. "Leggo of him, Lennie. Let go."

But Lennie watched in terror the flopping little man whom he held. Blood ran down Lennie's face, one of his eyes was cut and closed. George slapped him in the face again and again, and still Lennie held on to the closed fist. Curley was white and shrunken by now, and his struggling had become weak. He stood crying, his fist lost in Lennie's paw.

George shouted over and over. "Leggo his hand, Lennie. Leggo. Slim, come help me while the guy got any hand left."

Suddenly Lennie let go his hold. He crouched cowering against the wall. "You tol' me to, George," he said miserably.