There were about 20 people there. – Там было около 20 человек.
(11) Asking for it. His supper, that is. Здесь столкнулись два значения глагола ask, а именно, его прямое значение «просить что-либо» и значение, привязанное к идиоме ask for it, в которой под местоимением it подразумевается слово trouble («проблемы, неприятности»), и которая означает «напрашиваться на неприятности». Поняв, что выдал себя, дворецкий сделал вид, что нечаянно оговорился и под it подразумевал не неприятности, а ужин: «Напрашивался на неприятности. То есть, я хотел сказать, на ужин». (Или, более буквально: «Напрашивался на неприятности. То есть, я хотел сказать, просил свой ужин».)
Вот еще несколько примеров, демонстрирующих употребление идиомы ask for it в разговорной речи:
Hey, buddy! You’re really asking for it! – Эй, приятель! Ты напрашиваешься на неприятности. Или: «Послушай, приятель! Не лезь на рожон!»
Whatever she did, he must have asked for it. – Что бы она ни сделала, он это заслужил.
You asked for it, you got it! – Сам напросился, вот и получил.
Anyone who invites a complete stranger into their house is asking for it. – Любой, кто приглашает совершенно незнакомого человека в свой дом, напрашивается на неприятности.
(12) That is, I meant to say, Mr. Stanton. Здесь слова that is представляют собой небольшую идиому, цель которой – уточнить или внести поправку в смысл предшествующего высказывания. На русский язык такое уточняющее that is переводятся как «то есть», «иначе говоря», «иными словами», «вернее», «точнее»: «Я хочу, чтобы он познакомился с Альбертом. То есть, я хотела сказать, с мистером Стэнтоном».
Это же значение слова that is имели в предыдущей реплике дворецкого: “Asking for it. His supper, that is.” – «Напрашивался на неприятности. То есть, я хотел сказать, на ужин».
3.
The butler went to look for Bijou, leaving Madame alone with her friend.
Madame: Oh, Albert! It is so good to see you!
Stanton: Madeleine, my dear! (Kissing her hand:) Still the softest hands in all of New York!
Madame: You’re a shameless flatterer, Albert.
Stanton: You know how much I admire you, dear Madeleine. I always have, and I always will. Oh, I see, you’ve got a new poster.
Madame: Yes. I received it the other day. (13) The queen of thieves in The Hopeless. It was my favorite role. Do you remember?
Stanton: How could I forget?
Madame: I was so beautiful.
Stanton: To me, you’re still the most beautiful woman in the world.
Bijou (running into the room): Bow-wow!
Madame: Bijou! My precious! Where have you been? Come to your granny! Let me kiss you. (Turning to Stanton:) He is cute, isn’t he?
Stanton: He certainly is.
Madame: Bijou, say hello to Albert.
Bijou: Bow-wow!
Madame: That’s my boy! (14) (To Stanton:) You see? He understands every word. He is quite an intelligent little dog. (15) He is also the reason I asked you to come, Albert. I would like to make my will. (16) As you know, I have no living relatives. I want to leave everything I have to Bijou. I’m very worried for him. He is an orphan, and I’m afraid that when I die, he may land in a dog shelter. (17)
Stanton: My dear Madeleine…
Madame: Please, don’t interrupt me, Albert. I know what you’re going to say. You will say that it is too early for me to think about death, that I will live to be a hundred. (18) But let me tell you something, my dear old friend. There are a few things in life that can’t be changed. People are mortal, Albert, whether they like it or not. And when they reach a certain age, they start thinking about death. I think about it sometimes. Don’t you? I also think about this little creature who has no one but me in this world. In this cruel world. I just want to make sure (19) that he is taken good care of after I’m gone. (20) Do you understand me?
Stanton: I do.
Madame: Very well. Then all you have to do is to draw up my last will for me. (21)
Stanton: I will do that tonight. Do you want to make Bijou your sole beneficiary? (22)
Madame: I want him to be the first beneficiary.
Stanton: So, there will be a second one, also?
Madame: Dogs don’t live very long. At least, not as long as humans. (23) Should something happen to Bijou or should he die childless (24), I want the estate to pass to George. (25)
Stanton: Who the hell is George? (26) Please pardon my French. (27)
Madame: It is my butler’s first name.
Stanton: Do you mean to say that you’re going to leave your estate to the butler?
Madame: I do indeed.
Stanton: But, Madeleine, you hardly know him! How long has he been with you? Five months? Six?
Madame: Four.
Stanton: