When Michael went away to the war Dolly pressed her to come and live in her

House in Montagu Square, but Julia, with protestations of extravagant

Gratitude, refused in such a way that Dolly, with a sigh and a tear, could only

Admire her the more. When Roger was born Julia asked her to be his

Godmother.

For some time Michael had been turning over in his mind the possibility that

Dolly de Vries might put up the money they needed, but he was shrewd

Enough to know that while she might do it for Julia she would not do it for

Him. Julia refused to approach her.

"She's already been so kind to us I really couldn't ask her, and it would be so

humiliating if she refused."

"It's a good gamble (это хорошая авантюра: «азартная игра»), and even if she

lost the money (и даже если она потеряет деньги) she wouldn't feel it (она этого

не почувствует). I'm quite sure (я полностью уверен) you could get round her

(ты смогла бы обвести ее /вокруг пальца/) if you tried (если бы ты захотела =

попыталась)."

Julia was pretty sure she could too (Джулия тоже была совершенно уверена, что

она смогла бы). Michael was very simple-minded in some ways (Майкл был

очень глуповатым: «бесхитростным» в некоторых отношениях); she did not

feel called upon (она не сочла необходимым; to feel called upon —

чувствовать призвание, потребность, быть призванным) to point out to him

the obvious facts (указать ему на очевидные факты).

But he was not a man who let a thing drop (но он не был человеком, который /с

легкостью/ бросал /идею/; to let drop smth. — выпустить, выронить,

обронить) when he had set his mind to it (когда он сосредоточился на ней).

They were going to Guildford to spend the week-end with Dolly (они ехали в

Гилфорд, чтобы провести выходные: «уик-энд» с Долли), and were driving

down after the Saturday night's performance (и выезжали /за город/ после

субботнего вечернего представления) in the new car (в новой машине) that

Julia had given Michael for his birthday (которую Джулия подарила Майклу на

его день рождения).

gamble ['gxmb(q)l] simple-minded ["sImp(q)l'maIndId] Saturday ['sxtqdI]

"It's a good gamble, and even if she lost the money she wouldn't feel it. I'm

quite sure you could get round her if you tried."

Julia was pretty sure she could too. Michael was very simple-minded in some

Ways; she did not feel called upon to point out to him the obvious facts.

But he was not a man who let a thing drop when he had set his mind to it.

They were going to Guildford to spend the week-end with Dolly, and were

Driving down after the Saturday night's performance in the new car that Julia

Had given Michael for his birthday.

It was a warm beautiful night (ночь была теплая и красивая). Michael had

bought options (Майкл купил опционы: «преимущественные права покупки»),

though it wrung his heart to write the cheques (хотя это и разрывало его сердце

— выписывать чеки), on three plays that they both liked (на три пьесы, которые

им обоим понравились), and he had heard of a theatre (и он слышал о театре)

that they could get on reasonable terms (который они могли бы получить на

разумных условиях). Everything was ready for the venture (все было готово для

открытия /нового предприятия/) except the capital (за исключением капитала).

He urged Julia (он убеждал Джулию) to seize the opportunity (воспользоваться

удачным случаем; to seize — хватать, схватить, завладеть) that the week-

end presented (который предлагал этот уик-энд).

"Ask her yourself then (проси ее сам в таком случае: «тогда»)," said Julia

impatiently (сказала Джулия с раздражением: «нетерпеливо»). "I tell you, I'm

not going to (/я/ говорю тебе, я не собираюсь /просить/)."

"She wouldn't do it for me (она не сделает этого для меня). You can twist her

round your little finger (ты же можешь окрутить ее: «обернуть ее вокруг твоего

маленького пальца = мизинца»)."

venture ['ventSq] impatient [Im'peIS(q)nt] twist [twIst]

It was a warm beautiful night. Michael had bought options, though it wrung

His heart to write the cheques, on three plays that they both liked, and he had

Heard of a theatre that they could get on reasonable terms. Everything was

Ready for the venture except the capital. He urged Julia to seize the