"But it's not your own compartment you're giving up to me (
: ,
)?" cried Julia ( ).
"It's the only one on the train ( )."
"Oh, but I won't hear of it (, :
)."
"Allez (/./ )," the Spaniard said to the conductor (
).
"No, no (, )."
The conductor, on a nod from the stranger (, //
), took the luggage away ( ; to take away ,
).
"I don't matter ( : ). I can sleep
anywhere ( ), but I shouldn't sleep a wink (
; a wink , , not to sleep a wink )
if I thought ( : ) that such a great artist was obliged to
spend the night ( ; to
oblige , , ) in a stuffy carriage with
three other people ( )."
luggage ['lAgIdZ] artist ['Q:tIst] obliged [q'blaIdZd]
"But it's not your own compartment you're giving up to me?" cried Julia.
"It's the only one on the train."
"Oh, but I won't hear of it."
323
"Allez," the Spaniard said to the conductor.
"No, no."
The conductor, on a nod from the stranger, took the luggage away.
"I don't matter. I can sleep anywhere, but I shouldn't sleep a wink if I thought that
such a great artist was obliged to spend the night in a stuffy carriage with three
other people."
Julia continued to protest ( :
), but not too much ( ). It was terribly sweet of him
( ). She didn't know how to thank him (
, ). He would not even let her pay for the sleeper (
). He begged her (
), almost with tears in his eyes ( ), to let him
have the great privilege ( ) of making
her that trifling present ( ). She had with her
only a dressing-bag ( ), in which
were her face creams ( ), her night-dress (
: ) and her toilet things (
), and this he put on the table for her ( //
). All he asked (, ) was that he
might be allowed to sit with her ( //,
) and smoke a cigarette or two (
|
|
|
) till she wanted to go to bed ( ,
: ). She could hardly refuse him that (
).
privilege ['prIvIlIdZ] trifling ['traIflIN] refuse [rI'fju:z]
Julia continued to protest, but not too much. It was terribly sweet of him. She didn't
know how to thank him. He would not even let her pay for the sleeper. He begged
324
her, almost with tears in his eyes, to let him have the great privilege of making her
that trifling present. She had with her only a dressing-bag, in which were her face
creams, her night-dress and her toilet things, and this he put on the table for her.
All he asked was that he might be allowed to sit with her and smoke a cigarette or
two till she wanted to go to bed. She could hardly refuse him that.
The bed was already made up ( ) and they sat down
on it ( ). In a few minutes ( ) the
conductor came back with a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses
( ). It was an
odd little adventure ( ; odd
; , ) and Julia was enjoying it (蠠
/ /). It was wonderfully polite of him, all that (
, ), ah, those foreigners (,
), they knew how to treat a great actress ( ,
; to treat smb , ). Of course that
was the sort of thing ( , : , )
that happened to Bernhardt every day ( //
). And Siddons ( ), when she went into a drawing-room (
) everyone stood up as though she were royalty (
, ). He complimented
her on her beautiful French (
). Born in Jersey and educated in France (
; to educate ,
, )? Ah, that explained it (, :
). But why hadn't she chosen to act in French (
:
) rather than in English ( : )? She
would have as great a reputation as Duse (
, ) if she had ( / /). She
325
reminded him of Duse ( ), the same magnificent eyes
and the pale skin ( ), and in her
acting ( ) the same emotion ( )
and the wonderful naturalness ( ).
champagne [Sxm'peIn] adventure [qd'ventSq] royalty['rOIqltI]
naturalness ['nxtS(q)rqlnIs]
The bed was already made up and they sat down on it. In a few minutes the
conductor came back with a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses. It was an
|
|
|
odd little adventure and Julia was enjoying it. It was wonderfully polite of him, all
that, ah, those foreigners, they knew how to treat a great actress. Of course that was
the sort of thing that happened to Bernhardt every day. And Siddons, when she
went into a drawing-room everyone stood up as though she were royalty. He
complimented her on her beautiful French. Born in Jersey and educated in France?
Ah, that explained it. But why hadn't she chosen to act in French rather than in
English? She would have as great a reputation as Duse if she had. She reminded
him of Duse, the same magnificent eyes and the pale skin, and in her acting the
same emotion and the wonderful naturalness.
They half finished the bottle of champagne ( :
) and Julia realized that it was
very late ( , ).
"I really think I ought to go to bed now ( ,
)."
"I'll leave you ( //)."
He got up and kissed her hand ( ). When he was
gone ( ) Julia bolted the door (
) and undressed ( ). Putting out all the lights (
) except the one just behind her head ( ,
326
; behind , ) she began to read ( ).
Presently there was a knock at the door ( ).
"Yes ()?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you (, ; to disturb
, , ). I left my toothbrush in
the lavabo ( : ). May I
get it ( )?"
"I'm in bed ( )."
"I can't go to sleep unless I brush my teeth ( ,
; to brush , )."
"Oh well, he's clean anyway ( , , , ;
clean , )."
behind [bI'haInd] disturb [dIs'tq:b] tooth brush ['tu:TbrAS]
They half finished the bottle of champagne and Julia realized that it was very late.
"I really think I ought to go to bed now."
"I'll leave you."
He got up and kissed her hand. When he was gone Julia bolted the door and
undressed. Putting out all the lights except the one just behind her head she began
to read. Presently there was a knock at the door.
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you. I left my toothbrush in the lavabo. May I get it?"
"I'm in bed."
"I can't go to sleep unless I brush my teeth."
"Oh well, he's clean anyway."
With a little shrug of her shoulders ( ) Julia slipped her hand
to the door ( ) and drew back the bolt (
// ). It would be stupid ( ) in the
327
circumstances ( ) to be prudish (
). He came in ( ), went into the lavatory (
) and in a moment came out ( ), brandishing a
toothbrush (: ). She had noticed
it ( ) when she brushed her own teeth ( /
/ ), but thought it belonged to the person ( ,
) who had the compartment next door (
: ). At that period ( )
|
|
|
adjoining compartments ( ) shared a lavatory (
: ). The Spaniard seemed to catch sight of
the bottle (, , ; to catch sight -
, to catch , , ; sight ).
"I'm so thirsty ( : ), do you mind (
) if I have a glass of champagne (
)?"
shoulder ['SqVldq] adjoining [q'dZOInIN] lavatory ['lxvqt(q)rI]
With a little shrug of her shoulders Julia slipped her hand to the door and drew
back the bolt. It would be stupid in the circumstances to be prudish. He came in,
went into the lavatory and in a moment came out, brandishing a toothbrush. She
had noticed it when she brushed her own teeth, but thought it belonged to the
person who had the compartment next door. At that period adjoining compartments
shared a lavatory. The Spaniard seemed to catch sight of the bottle.
"I'm so thirsty, do you mind if I have a glass of champagne?"
Julia was silent for a fraction of a second ( -
; silent , , ). It was his
champagne ( ) and his compartment ( ). Oh,
well, in for a penny, in for a pound ( , , ,
328
: , ; penny , pound
).
"Of course not ( )."
He poured himself out a glass ( ), lit a cigarette (:
) and sat down on the edge of her bed (
). She moved a little ( ) to give him more room
( ; room , , ,
). He accepted the situation as perfectly natural (
).
"You couldn't possibly have slept in that carriage (
)," he said. "There's a man there ( : )
who's a heavy breather ( ; breather , ;
to breathe ). I'd almost rather he snored ( ,
). If he snored one could wake him ( ,
)."
"I'm so sorry ( )."
"Oh, it doesn't matter (, : ). If the worst comes
to the worst ( ; worst , ) I'll
curl up in the corridor ( ) outside your door (
; outside -, )."
penny ['penI] pound [paVnd] breather ['bri:Dq]
Julia was silent for a fraction of a second. It was his champagne and his
compartment. Oh, well, in for a penny, in for a pound.
"Of course not."
He poured himself out a glass, lit a cigarette and sat down on the edge of her bed.
She moved a little to give him more room. He accepted the situation as perfectly
natural.
"You couldn't possibly have slept in that carriage," he said. "There's a man there
329
who's a heavy breather. I'd almost rather he snored. If he snored one could wake
him."
"I'm so sorry."
"Oh, it doesn't matter. If the worst comes to the worst I'll curl up in the corridor
outside your door."
|
|
|
"He can hardly expect ( : ) me to
ask him to come and sleep in here ( ),"
Julia said to herself ( ). "I'm beginning to think (
) this was all a put-up job ( :
; put-up ,
). Nothing doing ( ), my lad ( ; lad
. , )." And then aloud ( :
). "Romantic, of course, but uncomfortable (, ,
)."
"You're a terribly attractive woman (
)."
She was just as glad ( ) that her nightdress was pretty (
:
) and that she had put no cream on her face (
). She had in point of fact not troubled (, ,
) to take off her make-up (: ). Her lips were
brightly scarlet ( ), and with the reading light behind
her (, : )
she well knew ( ) that she did not look her worst (
: ). But she
answered ironically ( : ).
uncomfortable [An'kAmf(q)tqb(q)l] attractive [q'trxktIv] nightdress ['naItdres]
ironically [aI'rOnIk(q)lI]
330
"He can hardly expect me to ask him to come and sleep in here," Julia said to
herself. "I'm beginning to think this was all a put-up job. Nothing doing, my lad."
And then aloud. "Romantic, of course, but uncomfortable."
"You're a terribly attractive woman."
She was just as glad that her nightdress was pretty and that she had put no cream
on her face. She had in point of fact not troubled to take off her make-up. Her lips
were brightly scarlet, and with the reading light behind her she well knew that she
did not look her worst. But she answered ironically.
"If you think ( ) that because you've given up your compartment
to me ( - , ; to give up
-, , ) I'm going to let you sleep with me (
), you're mistaken ( )."
"Just as you say, of course ( , ). But why not (
)?"
"I'm not that sort of terribly attractive woman (
; sort , , , ,
, )."
"What sort of woman are you then ( :
)?"
"A faithful wife and a devoted mother ( )."
He gave a little sigh ( ).
"Very well ( ). Then I'll say good night to you (
)."
faithful ['feITf(q)l] devoted [dI'vqVtId] sigh [saI]
"If you think that because you've given up your compartment to me I'm going to let
you sleep with me, you're mistaken."
331
"Just as you say, of course. But why not?"
"I'm not that sort of terribly attractive woman."
"What sort of woman are you then?"
"A faithful wife and a devoted mother."
He gave a little sigh.
"Very well. Then I'll say good night to you."
He crushed the stub of his cigarette on the ashtray (
; to crush , ) and took her hand and kissed it (
). He slowly ran his lips up her arm (
; to run , , ,
, ). It gave Julia a funny little sensation (
). The beard slightly tickled her skin (
). Then he leant over ( ) and kissed her lips (
// ). His beard had a somewhat musty smell (
- ; musty , ), which
she found peculiar ( : ); she
was not sure if it revolted (蠠 ,
|
|
|
) or thrilled her ( // ). It was odd when she came to
think of it ( , ), she had never
been kissed by a man with a beard before (//
: ). It seemed strangely
indecent ( ). He snapped out the light
( / /; to snap ,
, , ).
He did not leave her ( : ) till a chink of light
through the drawn blind warned them ( , :
) that day had broken (
: ; the day broke ). Julia was
shattered morally and physically ( :
332
).
ashtray ['xStreI] peculiar [pI'kju:lIq] indecent [In'di:s(q)nt]
He crushed the stub of his cigarette on the ashtray and took her hand and kissed it.
He slowly ran his lips up her arm. It gave Julia a funny little sensation. The beard
slightly tickled her skin. Then he leant over and kissed her lips. His beard had a
somewhat musty smell, which she found peculiar; she was not sure if it revolted or
thrilled her. It was odd when she came to think of it, she had never been kissed by
a man with a beard before. It seemed strangely indecent. He snapped out the light.
He did not leave her till a chink of light through the drawn blind warned them that
day had broken. Julia was shattered morally and physically.
"I shall look a perfect wreck ( ; wreck
; ) when we get to Cannes ( )."
And what a risk to take ( ; to take a risk )! He might have
murdered her ( ) or stolen her pearl necklace (
). She went hot and cold all over ( ,
; to go hot and cold ) as she pictured to herself
( : ) the danger she had incurred (
, ). He was going to Cannes too (
: ). Supposing he claimed acquaintance with
her there (, ;
to claim , , ), how on earth
( ) was she going to explain him to her friends (
: )? She felt sure (
, ) Dolly wouldn't like him (
). He might try to blackmail her (
). And what should she do ( :
) if he wanted to repeat the experience (
333
: )?
danger ['deIndZq] acquaintance [q'kweIntqns] experience [Ik'spI(q)rIqns]
"I shall look a perfect wreck when we get to Cannes."
And what a risk to take! He might have murdered her or stolen her pearl necklace.
She went hot and cold all over as she pictured to herself the danger she had
incurred. He was going to Cannes too. Supposing he claimed acquaintance with
her there, how on earth was she going to explain him to her friends? She felt sure
Dolly wouldn't like him. He might try to blackmail her. And what should she do if
he wanted to repeat the experience?
He was passionate ( ), there was no doubt about that (
), he had asked her where she was staying (
//, ), and though she had not told him (, ,
), he could certainly find out if he tried (
, : ); in a place like Cannes (
, ), it would be almost impossible not to run across him (
; to run across smb.
-, -). He might pester her (
). If he loved her as much as he said (
, ) it was inconceivable (
: ) that he should let her alone (
; to let smb., smth. alone - ), and
foreigners were so unreliable ( :
), he might make frightful scenes (,
, ). The only comfort was (
) that he was only staying over Easter (
: ; to stay over
), she would pretend she was tired ( ,
334
) and tell Dolly that she preferred to stay quietly at the villa (
, ).
impossible [Im'pOsqb(q)l] inconceivable ["Inkqn'si:vqb(q)l]
unreliable ["AnrI'laIqb(q)l]
He was passionate, there was no doubt about that, he had asked her where she was
staying, and though she had not told him, he could certainly find out if he tried; in
a place like Cannes, it would be almost impossible not to run across him. He might
pester her. If he loved her as much as he said it was inconceivable that he should
let her alone, and foreigners were so unreliable, he might make frightful scenes.
The only comfort was that he was only staying over Easter, she would pretend she
was tired and tell Dolly that she preferred to stay quietly at the villa.
"How could I have been such a fool ( )?" she cried
angrily ( ).
Dolly would be there ( ) to meet her at the station (
, ), and if he was tactless enough (
) to come up and say good-bye to her (
; to say good-bye , ) she
would tell Dolly ( ) that he had given up his compartment to
her ( ). There was no harm in that (
). It was always best ( ) to tell as much of the
truth ( ) as you could ( :
). But there was quite a crowd of passengers ( :
) getting out at Cannes ( ), and Julia
got out of the station ( ) and into Dolly's car (/
/ ) without catching a glimpse of him (
; to catch a glimpse of smb. - , glimpse
, , ).
335
"I've arranged nothing for today ( )," said
Dolly. "I. thought you'd be tired ( , ) and I wanted to
have you all to myself ( :
) just for twenty-four hours ( )."
passenger ['px| sIndZq, -s(q)ndZq] station ['steIS(q)n] glimpse [glImps]
"How could I have been such a fool?" she cried angrily.
Dolly would be there to meet her at the station, and if he was tactless enough to
come up and say good-bye to her she would tell Dolly that he had given up his
compartment to her. There was no harm in that. It was always best to tell as much
of the truth as you could. But there was quite a crowd of passengers getting out at
Cannes, and Julia got out of the station and into Dolly's car without catching a
glimpse of him.
"I've arranged nothing for today," said Dolly. "I thought you'd be tired and I
wanted to have you all to myself just for twenty-four hours."
Julia gave her arm an affectionate squeeze (
: ; to give smb.'s hand a squeeze
- ).
"That'll be too wonderful ( ). We'll just sit about
the villa ( ) and grease our faces (
//; to grease , ) and have a good old gossip
( : ; good old
)."
But next day ( ) Dolly had arranged that they should go out
to luncheon ( / /:
; to go out . , ),
and they were to meet their hosts (
: ; host / /,
336
) at one of the bars on the Croisette (
) to have cocktails ( : ). It was a
beautiful day ( ), clear, warm and sunny (,
). When they got out of the car (
) Dolly stopped to give the chauffeur instructions ( :
) about fetching them ( ,
; to fetch , , ) and Julia
waited for her ( ). Suddenly her heart gave a great jump
( / /: ; jump
, , ), for there was the Spaniard walking towards her
( / / // :
), with a woman on one side of him clinging to his arm ( ,
, : )
and on the other a little girl whose hand he held ( ,
, ). She had not time to turn away (
, ).
squeeze [skwi:z] grease [gri:s, gri:z] chauffeur ['SqVfq, SqV'fq:]
Julia gave her arm an affectionate squeeze.
"That'll be too wonderful. We'll just sit about the villa and grease our faces and
have a good old gossip."
But next day Dolly had arranged that they should go out to luncheon, and they
were to meet their hosts at one of the bars on the Croisette to have cocktails. It was
a beautiful day, clear, warm and sunny. When they got out of the car Dolly stopped
to give the chauffeur instructions about fetching them and Julia waited for her.
Suddenly her heart gave a great jump, for there was the Spaniard walking towards
her, with a woman on one side of him clinging to his arm and on the other a little
girl whose hand he held. She had not time to turn away.
337
At that moment ( ) Dolly joined her to walk across the
pavement ( ,
: ). The Spaniard came ( ),
gave her a glance in which there was no sign of recognition (
, : ), he was in animated
conversation with the woman on his arm (
/ / ), and walked on ( ). In a flash Julia
understood ( ; in a flash , a flash
, , ) that he was just as little anxious to see her (
; to be anxious ,
-) as she was to see him (
// ). The woman and the child were obviously his wife and daughter
( ) whom he had come
down to Cannes to spend Easter with ( ,
). What a relief ( )! Now she could enjoy
herself without fear ( ). But as she
accompanied Dolly to the bar (, / /
), Julia thought how disgusting men were ( ,
). You simply couldn't trust them for a minute (
). It was really disgraceful (
: ) that a man with a charming wife and
such a sweet little girl (
: ) should be willing to pick up a woman
in the train ( ; to pick up /. ./
, -). You would think (/ /
) they'd have some sense of decency ( -
).
join [dZOIn] recognition ["ri:ekqg'nIS(q)n] anxious ['xNkSqs]
338
At that moment Dolly joined her to walk across the pavement. The Spaniard came,
gave her a glance in which there was no sign of recognition, he was in animated
conversation with the woman on his arm, and walked on. In a flash Julia
understood that he was just as little anxious to see her as she was to see him. The
woman and the child were obviously his wife and daughter whom he had come
down to Cannes to spend Easter with. What a relief! Now she could enjoy herself
without fear. But as she accompanied Dolly to the bar, Julia thought how
disgusting men were. You simply couldn't trust them for a minute. It was really
disgraceful that a man with a charming wife and such a sweet little girl should be
willing to pick up a woman in the train. You would think they'd have some sense
of decency.
But as time passed (, : ) Julia's
indignation was mitigated ( : ), and
she had often thought of the adventure since (
) with a good deal of pleasure (
). After all it had been fun ( ,
). Sometimes she allowed her reveries to run away with her (
; to let reveries run away with smb.
; to run away / /) and she went
over in her fancy ( ; to go over .
, ) the incidents of that singular night
( ). He had been a most agreeable lover (
). It would be something to look back on
( ; to look back ,
) when she was an old woman ( :
). It was the beard (/ / ) that had made such an
impression on her ( ), the odd feeling of
it on her face ( // ) and that slightly
musty smell ( ) which was repulsive (
339
: ) and yet strangely exciting (
: ).
indignation ["IndIg'neIS(q)n] mitigate ['mItIgeIt] incident ['InsId(q)nt]
But as time passed Julia's indignation was mitigated, and she had often thought of
the adventure since with a good deal of pleasure. After all it had been fun.
Sometimes she allowed her reveries to run away with her and she went over in her
fancy the incidents of that singular night. He had been a most agreeable lover. It
would be something to look back on when she was an old woman. It was the beard
that had made such an impression on her, the odd feeling of it on her face and that
slightly musty smell which was repulsive and yet strangely exciting.
For years she looked out for men with beards (
: ), and she had a feeling (
) that if one of them made proposals to her (
// ) she simply wouldn't be
able to resist him (ࠠ :
). But few men wore beards any more (
), luckily for her ( ) because the sight
made her go a little weak at the knees ( //
), and none of those that did (
// : ) ever made any advance to her (
: ). She would have liked to know (
) who the Spaniard was ( ). She saw
him a day or two later ( :
) playing chemin de fer at the Casino ( --
; chemin de fer /./ ;
) and asked two or three people if they knew him (
: , ). Nobody
340
did ( //), and he remained in her recollection (
), and in her bones ( : ), without a
name (: ).
proposal [prq'pqVz(q)l] resist [rI'zIst] knee [ni:]
For years she looked out for men with beards, and she had a feeling that if one of
them made proposals to her she simply wouldn't be able to resist him. But few men
wore beards any more, luckily for her because the sight made her go a little weak
at the knees, and none of those that did ever made any advance to her. She would
have liked to know who the Spaniard was. She saw him a day or two later playing
chemin de fer at the Casino and asked two or three people if they knew him.
Nobody did, and he remained in her recollection, and in her bones, without a name.
It was an odd coincidence ( - :
, ) that she didn't know the name either of the young
man ( ; either .
, / /) who had that afternoon
behaved in so unexpected a manner (
). It struck her as rather comic (
).
"If I only knew beforehand ( ) that they were
going to take liberties with me (
/ /; to take liberties with smb.
- , liberty ) I'd at least ask for their cards (
, // )."
With this thought ( ) she fell happily asleep (
; to fall asleep , ).
coincidence [kqV'InsId(q)ns] beforehand [bI'fO:hxnd] liberty ['lIbqtI]
341
It was an odd coincidence that she didn't know the name either of the young man
who had that afternoon behaved in so unexpected a manner. It struck her as rather
comic.
"If I only knew beforehand that they were going to take liberties with me I'd at
least ask for their cards."
With this thought she fell happily asleep.
13
SOME days passed ( ), and one morning (
), while Julia was lying in bed reading a play (
), they rang through from the basement ( :
) to ask if she would speak to Mr. Fennell
( , 젠 ). The
name meant nothing to her ( :
) and she was about to refuse (
) when it occurred to her ( ) that it might be
the young man of her adventure (
). Her curiosity induced her ( ) to tell
them to connect him ( //, ). She recognized his
voice ( ).
"You promised to ring me up ( )," he said. "I got tired
of waiting ( ), so I've rung you up instead (
, )."
"I've been terribly busy the last few days (
)."
"When am I going to see you ( )?"
342
"As soon as I have a moment to spare (
; to spare . - -)."
"What about this afternoon ( )?"
"I've got a matinee today ( )."
"Come to tea after the matinee ( )."
basement ['beIsmqnt] refuse [rI'fju:z] curiosity ["kjV(q)rI'OsItI]
matinee ['mxtIneI]
SOME days passed, and one morning, while Julia was lying in bed reading a play,
they rang through from the basement to ask if she would speak to Mr. Fennell. The
name meant nothing to her and she was about to refuse when it occurred to her that
it might be the young man of her adventure. Her curiosity induced her to tell them
to connect him. She recognized his voice.
"You promised to ring me up," he said. "I got tired of waiting, so I've rung you up
instead."
"I've been terribly busy the last few days."
"When am I going to see you?"
"As soon as I have a moment to spare."
"What about this afternoon?"
"I've got a matinee today."
"Come to tea after the matinee."
She smiled ( ). ("No, young feller-me-lad (, ;
feller-me-lad = fellow my lad ), you don't catch me a second
time like that ( , :
).")
"I can't possibly ( )," she answered ( ). "I
always stay in my dressing-room ( ) and rest till
the evening performance ( )."
343
"Can't I come and see you while you're resting (
, )?"
She hesitated for an instant ( ). Perhaps the best
thing would be to get him come (, ,
); with Evie popping in and out ( , ; to pop
in/out . / , ) and Miss
Phillips due at seven ( , ), there
would be no chance of any nonsense (
), and it would be a good opportunity to tell him (
), amiably, because he was really a sweet little thing
(-: ,
), but firmly ( ), that the incident of the other afternoon (
: ) was to have no sequel (
). With a few well-chosen words (
: ) she would explain to him
( ) that it was quite unreasonable (
) and that he must oblige her ( ; to oblige . .
) by erasing the episode from his memory (
).
performance [pq'fO:mqns] nonsense ['nOns(q)ns]
unreasonable [An'ri:z(q)nqb(q)l] oblige [q'blaIdZ] erase [I'reIz]
She smiled. ("No, young feller-me-lad, you don't catch me a second time like
that.")
"I can't possibly," she answered. "I always stay in my dressing-room and rest till
the evening performance."
"Can't I come and see you while you're resting?"
She hesitated for an instant. Perhaps the best thing would be to get him come; with
Evie popping in and out and Miss Phillips due at seven, there would be no chance
344
of any nonsense, and it would be a good opportunity to tell him, amiably, because
he was really a sweet little thing, but firmly, that the incident of the other afternoon
was to have no sequel. With a few well-chosen words she would explain to him
that it was quite unreasonable and that he must oblige her by erasing the episode
from his memory.
"All right (). Come at half-past five ( ) and
I'll give you a cup of tea ( : )."
There was no part of her busy life ( // :
) that she enjoyed more ( ) than
those three hours that she spent in her dressing-room ( ,
-) between the afternoon and the evening
performances ( ). The other
members of the cast ( ) had gone away (); and
Evie was there to attend to her wants ( : ,
; to attend to smth. , ,
) and the doorkeeper to guard her privacy ( ,
; privacy
,
,
). Her dressing-room was like the cabin of a ship (
). The world seemed a long way off
(, ; a long way off ), and she relished her
seclusion ( ; seclusion ,
). She felt an enchanting freedom ( ).
doorkeeper ['dO:"ki:pq] guard [gQ:d] seclusion [sI'klu:Z(q)n]
enchanting [In'tSQ:ntIN]
"All right. Come at half-past five and I'll give you a cup of tea."
There was no part of her busy life that she enjoyed more than those three hours that
she spent in her dressing-room between the afternoon and the evening
345
performances. The other members of the cast had gone away; and Evie was there
to attend to her wants and the doorkeeper to guard her privacy. Her dressing-room
was like the cabin of a ship. The world seemed a long way off, and she relished her
seclusion. She felt an enchanting freedom.
She dozed a little ( ), she read a little ( ), or
lying on the comfortable sofa (, ) she let her thoughts
wander ( //). She reflected on the part she
was playing ( , / /;
to reflect , to reflect on , ) and the
favourite parts she had played in the past ( // ,
). She thought of Roger her son ( ,
). Pleasant reveries sauntered through her mind (
; to saunter ,
, , ) like lovers wandering in a green
wood ( , ; wood ,
, , ). She was fond of French poetry (
), and sometimes she repeated to herself verses of Verlaine
( : ).
doze [dqVz] wander ['wOndq] reverie ['revqrI] saunter ['sO:ntq]
She dozed a little, she read a little, or lying on the comfortable sofa she let her
thoughts wander. She reflected on the part she was playing and the favourite parts
she had played in the past. She thought of Roger her son. Pleasant reveries
sauntered through her mind like lovers wandering in a green wood. She was fond
of French poetry, and sometimes she repeated to herself verses of Verlaine.
Punctually at half-past five ( ) Evie brought her in a
card ( ). "Mr. Thomas Fennell (
346
)", she read ( ; to read , , ).
"Send him in ( ) and bring some tea ( )."
She had decided ( ) how she was going to treat him (
). She would be amiable, but distant ( ,
: ; distant ,
). She would take a friendly interest in his work (ࠠ -
; to take interest ) and ask
him about his examination ( ). Then she would talk to
him about Roger ( ).
Roger was seventeen now ( ) and in a year
would be going to Cambridge ( ). She
would insinuate the fact ( // ; to
insinuate / -./, /
- /) that she was old enough to be his mother (
, ). She would act as
if there had never been anything between them ( ,
) and he would go away (
), never to see her again ( ) except
across the footlights ( : ; footlights
. , foot , light ), half convinced (
) that the whole thing had been a figment of his fancy (
: ; figment ,
, , ).
punctually ['pANktSVqlI] amiable ['eImIqb(q)l] insinuate [In'sInjVeIt]
Punctually at half-past five Evie brought her in a card. "Mr. Thomas Fennell", she
read.
"Send him in and bring some tea."
She had decided how she was going to treat him. She would be amiable, but
347
distant. She would take a friendly interest in his work and ask him about his
examination. Then she would talk to him about Roger.
Roger was seventeen now and in a year would be going to Cambridge. She would
insinuate the fact that she was old enough to be his mother. She would act as if
there had never been anything between them and he would go away, never to see
her again except across the footlights, half convinced that the whole thing had been
a figment of his fancy.
But when she saw him ( ), so slight ( ),
with his hectic flush ( ) and his blue eyes (
), so charmingly boyish (
), she felt a sudden pang ( ).
Evie closed the door behind him ( ). She was lying on
the sofa ( ) and she stretched out her arm (
; arm ) to give him her hand (
; hand ), the gracious smile of Madame Recamier
on her lips ( - ), but he flung
himself on his knees ( ) and passionately kissed her
mouth ( : ). She could not help herself (
; cannot help oneself
), she put her arms round his neck ( :
), and kissed him as passionately (
).
("Oh, my good resolutions (, : ). My God
( ), I can't have fallen in love with him (
).")
"For goodness' sake, sit down ( , ). Evie's coming in
with the tea ( )."
"Tell her not to disturb us ( , )."
348
hectic ['hektIk] boyish ['bOIIS] mouth [maVT]
But when she saw him, so slight, with his hectic flush and his blue eyes, so
charmingly boyish, she felt a sudden pang. Evie closed the door behind him. She
was lying on the sofa and she stretched out her arm to give him her hand, the
gracious smile of Madame Recamier on her lips, but he flung himself on his knees
and passionately kissed her mouth. She could not help herself, she put her arms
round his neck, and kissed him as passionately.
("Oh, my good resolutions. My God, I can't have fallen in love with him.")
"For goodness' sake, sit down. Evie's coming in with the tea."
"Tell her not to disturb us."
"What do you mean ( )?" But what he meant was obvious
( , , ). Her heart began to beat quickly
( : ).
"It's ridiculous ( ). I can't ( ). Michael might come in (
)."
"I want you ( )."
"What d'you suppose Evie would think (, , )?
It'd be idiotic ( : -) to take such a risk (
). No, no, no (, , )."
There was a knock at the door ( ) and Evie came in with the tea
( ). Julia gave her instructions ( :
) to put the table by the side of her sofa (
; by the side - , ) and a chair for the young man (
) on the other side of the table (
). She kept Evie with unnecessary conversation (
). She felt him looking at her ( ,
). His eyes moved quickly ( ),
following her gestures ( ) and the expression of her face
349
( // ); she avoided them ( /
/), but she felt their anxiety ( //
) and the eagerness of his desire ( ). She was
troubled ( ). It seemed to her ( ) that her voice
did not sound quite natural ( ).
obvious ['ObvIqs] ridiculous [rI'dIkjVlqs] expression [Ik'spreS(q)n]
"What do you mean?" But what he meant was obvious. Her heart began to beat
quickly.
"It's ridiculous. I can't. Michael might come in."
"I want you."
"What d'you suppose Evie would think? It'd be idiotic to take such a risk. No, no,
no."
There was a knock at the door and Evie came in with the tea. Julia gave her
instructions to put the table by the side of her sofa and a chair for the young man
on the other side of the table. She kept Evie with unnecessary conve
