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Mr. Cust came quietly down the stairs (мистер Каст тихо спустился вниз по лестнице), a bag in his hand (/с/ сумкой в руке). His eyes rested a minute on the telephone (его глаза остановились на минуту на телефоне).

effectually ['fektl], bonafides ['bn'fadi:z], obstetric [b'sterk]

In some obscure way that she could not have explained, Mr. Cust's statement that his sister had had a baby had effectually removed any doubts Mrs. Marbury might have had of her lodger's bonafides.

"I hope she didn't have too bad a time of it, poor dear," thought Mrs. Marbury, testing an iron against her cheek before beginning to iron out Lily's silk slip.

Her mind ran comfortably on a well-worn obstetric track.

Mr. Cust came quietly down the stairs, a bag in his hand. His eyes rested a minute on the telephone.

That brief conversation re-echoed in his brain (тот краткий разговор эхом прозвучал в его голове: «мозгу»).

"Is that you, Mr. Cust (это вы, мистер Каст)? I thought (я подумала) you might like to know (вам, вероятно, захочется узнать) there's an inspector from Scotland Yard may be coming to see you (там инспектор из Скотланд-Ярда, может быть, придет повидаться с вами)."

What had he said (что он сказал)? He couldn't remember (он не мог вспомнить).

"Thank you (благодарю вас) — thank you, my dear (благодарю вас, моя дорогая) … very kind of you (очень мило с вашей /стороны/)."

Something like that (что-то похожее на это).

Why had she telephoned to him (почему она позвонила ему)? Could she possibly have guessed (могла ли она, вероятно, догадаться)? Or did she just want to make sure (или она просто хотела убедиться) he would stay in for the inspector's visit (что он останется /дома/ до визита инспектора)?

re-echoe [ri(:)'ek], kind [kand], possibly ['psbl]

That brief conversation re-echoed in his brain.

"Is that you, Mr. Cust? I thought you might like to know there's an inspector from Scotland Yard may be coming to see you."

What had he said? He couldn't remember.

"Thank you — thank you, my dear … very kind of you."

Something like that.

Why had she telephoned to him? Could she possibly have guessed? Or did she just want to make sure he would stay in for the inspector's visit?

But how did she know the inspector was coming (но как она узнала, что инспектор придет)? And her voice (а ее голос) — she'd disguised her voice from her mother (она замаскировала свой голос от матери) … It looked (это выглядело) — it looked (это выглядело) — as though she knew (как будто она знала) … But surely (но, конечно) if she knew (если бы она знала), she wouldn't (она бы не) …

She might, though (хотя, она могла). Women were very queer (женщины очень странные). Unexpectedly cruel (неожиданно жестокие) and unexpectedly kind (и неожиданно добрые). He'd seen Lily once letting a mouse out of a mousetrap (однажды он видел, как Лили выпустила мышь из мышеловки).

A kind girl (добрая девушка) …

A kind, pretty girl (добрая, симпатичная девушка) …

unexpectedly ['nks'pektdl], cruel ['krl], mousetrap ['mastraep]

But how did she know the inspector was coming? And her voice — she'd disguised her voice from her mother … It looked — it looked — as though she knew … But surely if she knew, she wouldn't …

She might, though. Women were very queer. Unexpectedly cruel and unexpectedly kind. He'd seen Lily once letting a mouse out of a mousetrap.

A kind girl …

A kind, pretty girl …

He paused by the hall stand (он остановился рядом с вешалкой в холле) with its load of umbrellas and coats (с ее грузом из зонтиков и пальто).

Should he (следует ли ему) — ?

A slight noise from the kitchen decided him (легкий шум из кухни /заставил/ его решиться) …

No, there wasn't time (не было времени) …

Mrs. Marbury might come out (миссис Марбери могла выйти) …

He opened the front door (он открыл парадную дверь), passed through (прошел сквозь) and closed it behind him … (и закрыл ее за собой) …

Where (куда) … ?