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

Wonderfully handsome in his well-cut uniform, with the red tabs and the

Crown on his shoulder-straps. He had filled out a good deal as the result of the

Hardships of G.H.Q. and his skin was tanned. With his close-cropped hair,

Breezy manner and military carriage he looked every inch a soldier.

He was in great spirits (он пребывал в великолепном расположении духа), not

only because he was home for a few days (не только потому, что он был дома на

несколько дней), but because the end of the war was in sight (но /и/ потому, что

конец войны был близок; to be in sight — быть поблизости, под рукой). He

meant to get out of the army (он собирался уйти из армии) as quickly as possible

(как можно скорее). What was the good of having a bit of influence (какой прок

в том, что имеешь чуть влияния) if you didn't use it (и не пользуешься им)? So

many young men had left the stage (так много молодых актеров: «людей»

оставили сцену), either from patriotism (или из-за патриотизма) or because life

was made intolerable for them (или из-за того, что жизнь сделалась

невыносимой для них) by the patriotic who stayed at home (из-за тех патриотов,

что остались дома), and finally owing to conscription (и, в конце концов,

благодаря воинскому призыву), that leading parts had been in the hands (что все

главные роли оказались в руках) either of people who were inapt for military

service (либо актеров: «людей» которые были непригодны для военной

службы) or those who had been so badly wounded (или тех, кто был настолько

тяжело ранен) that they had got their discharge (что они были демобилизованы:

«получили увольнение из армии»).

influence ['InflVqns] patriotism ['px trIqtIz(q)m, "peI| -]

conscription [kqn'skrIpS(q)n] wounded ['wu:ndId]

He was in great spirits, not only because he was home for a few days, but

Because the end of the war was in sight. He meant to get out of the army as

Quickly as possible. What was the good of having a bit of influence if you

Didn't use it? So many young men had left the stage, either from patriotism or

Because life was made intolerable for them by the patriotic who stayed at

Home, and finally owing to conscription, that leading parts had been in the

Hands either of people who were inapt for military service or those who had