She was pregnant at the time. Michael had judged it imprudent to have a

Baby just then, but she was nearly thirty and thought that if they were going

To have one at all they ought to delay no longer; she was so well established on

The stage that she could afford not to appear for a few months, and with the

Possibility that Michael might be killed at any moment — it was true he said

He was as safe as a house, he only said that to reassure her, and even generals

Were killed sometimes — if she was to go on living she must have a child by

Him.

The baby was expected (ребенок должен был родиться: «ожидался») at the end

of the year (в конце года). She looked forward to Michael's next leave (она с

нетерпением ожидала следующего увольнительного Майкла; to look forward

to — предвкушать, ожидать с удовольствием) as she had never done before

(как никогда раньше: «как она никогда не ожидала/делала/ раньше»). She was

feeling very well (она себя очень хорошо чувствовала), but she had a great

yearning (но она испытывала страстное желание) to feel his arms around her

(почувствовать объятия его рук: «его руки вокруг нее»), she felt a little lost

(она ощущала себя чуть-чуть потерянной), a little helpless (немного

беспомощной), and she wanted his protective strength (и она хотела

/почувствовать/ его защищающую силу). He came (он вернулся), looking

wonderfully handsome (/выглядел он/ удивительно красивым) in his well-cut

uniform (в своей хорошо скроенной униформе), with the red tabs (с петлицами

штабного офицера на воротнике; red tab — штабист, штабной офицер,

«красные петлицы») and the crown on his shoulder-straps (и коронами на

погонах; shoulder-strap — воен. погон, shoulder — плечо, strap — ремень,

полоска). He had filled out a good deal (он довольно поправился; to fill out —

расширяться, толстеть; to fill — наполнять, заполнять) as the result of the

hardships of G.H.Q. (в результате трудностей /которые он испытывал/ в

ставке) and his skin was tanned (и загорел: «его кожа была загорелой»). With

his close-cropped hair (с его коротко стриженными волосами), breezy manner

(беззаботными манерами) and military carriage (и военной выправкой) he

looked every inch a soldier (он выглядел настоящим военным; every inch —

весь, с головы до пят, настоящий, истинный, inch — дюйм).

expect [Ik'spekt] yearning ['jq:nIN] strength [streNT, strenT]

The baby was expected at the end of the year. She looked forward to

Michael's next leave as she had never done before. She was feeling very well,

But she had a great yearning to feel his arms around her, she felt a little lost, a

Little helpless, and she wanted his protective strength. He came, looking