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Книга для чтения для 8 класса общеобразовательных учреждений "Кентервильское привидение" является частью УМК "Английский в фокусе". Прекрасно иллюстрированное произведение О.Уайльда в пересказе коллектива британских и российских авторов дополнено различными упражнениями, словарем, а также пьесой для постановки учащимися.

Blood in the Library.
Mr Otis bought Canterville Chase, and a few weeks later, he moved into the house with his family. Mr Otis’ wife, Lucretia, was a handsome woman and was always in good health. Their eldest son, whose name was Washington, was a fair-haired, good-looking young man. His sister, Virginia, was fifteen. She was slim and beautiful, with large blue eyes. After Virginia came the twins, who were lovely little boys, but they liked to play tricks on people.

It was a lovely July evening. The family enjoyed the evening sun as they travelled towards the house. However, as they got near to Canterville Chase, the sky became dark and big drops of rain began to fall.

An old woman stood in front of the house. Her name was Mrs Umney, and she was the housekeeper at Canterville Chase.
“Welcome to Canterville Chase,” she said. “I have tea ready for you in the library.”

Content
The Author - Background Information - The Plot
The Characters
1 The Warning
2 Blood in the Library
3 The Ghost Appears
4 A Terrible Shock
5 A Plan Goes Wrong
6 The Otis Ghost
7 The Twins’ Tricks
8 Virginia and the Ghost
9 Sir Simon’s Secret
10 A Funeral and a Wedding
Activities
Irregular Verbs & Word List
Play.

Дата публикации: 08.08.2013 09:03 UTC

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Текущая страница: 1 (всего у книги 8 страниц) [доступный отрывок для чтения: 2 страниц]

Английский с Оскаром Уайльдом. Кентервильское привидение / Oscar Wilde. The Canterville Ghost

Пособие подготовила Светлана Татарченко

Издание третье

Illustrated by Wallace Goldsmith (1906)

© И. Франк, 2013

© ООО «Восточная книга», 2013

Как читать эту книгу

Уважаемые читатели!

Перед вами – НЕ очередное учебное пособие на основе исковерканного (сокращенного, упрощенного и т. п.) авторского текста.

Перед вами прежде всего – интересная книга на иностранном языке, причем настоящем, «живом» языке, в оригинальном, авторском варианте.

От вас вовсе не требуется «сесть за стол и приступить к занятиям». Эту книгу можно читать где угодно, например, в метро или лежа на диване, отдыхая после работы. Потому что уникальность метода как раз и заключается в том, что запоминание иностранных слов и выражений происходит подспудно, за счет их повторяемости, без СПЕЦИАЛЬНОГО заучивания и необходимости использовать словарь.

Существует множество предрассудков на тему изучения иностранных языков. Что их могут учить только люди с определенным складом ума (особенно второй, третий язык и т. д.), что делать это нужно чуть ли не с пеленок и, самое главное, что в целом это сложное и довольно-таки нудное занятие.

Но ведь это не так! И успешное применение Метода чтения Ильи Франка в течение многих лет доказывает: начать читать интересные книги на иностранном языке может каждый!

на любом языке,

в любом возрасте,

а также с любым уровнем подготовки (начиная с «нулевого»)!

Сегодня наш Метод обучающего чтения – это более двухсот книг на пятидесяти языках мира. И сотни тысяч читателей, поверивших в свои силы!

Итак, «как это работает»?

Откройте, пожалуйста, любую страницу этой книги. Вы видите, что текст разбит на отрывки. Сначала идет адаптированный отрывок – текст с вкрапленным в него дословным русским переводом и небольшим лексико-грамматическим комментарием. Затем следует тот же текст, но уже неадаптированный, без подсказок.

Сначала на вас хлынет поток неизвестных слов и форм. Не бойтесь: вас же никто по ним не экзаменует! По мере чтения (пусть это произойдет хоть в середине или даже в конце книги) все «утрясется», и вы будете, пожалуй, удивляться: «Ну зачем опять дается перевод, зачем опять приводится исходная форма слова, все ведь и так понятно!» Когда наступает такой момент, «когда и так понятно», вы можете поступить наоборот: сначала читать неадаптированную часть, а потом заглядывать в адаптированную . Этот же способ чтения можно рекомендовать и тем, кто осваивает язык не «с нуля».

Язык по своей природе – средство, а не цель, поэтому он лучше всего усваивается не тогда, когда его специально учат, а когда им естественно пользуются – либо в живом общении, либо погрузившись в занимательное чтение. Тогда он учится сам собой, подспудно.

Для запоминания нужны не сонная, механическая зубрежка или вырабатывание каких-то навыков, а новизна впечатлений. Чем несколько раз повторять слово, лучше повстречать его в разных сочетаниях и в разных смысловых контекстах. Основная масса общеупотребительной лексики при том чтении, которое вам предлагается, запоминается без зубрежки, естественно – за счет повторяемости слов. Поэтому, прочитав текст, не нужно стараться заучить слова из него. «Пока не усвою, не пойду дальше» – этот принцип здесь не подходит. Чем интенсивнее вы будете читать, чем быстрее бежать вперед, тем лучше для вас. В данном случае, как ни странно, чем поверхностнее, чем расслабленнее, тем лучше. И тогда объем материала сделает свое дело, количество перейдет в качество. Таким образом, все, что требуется от вас, – это просто почитывать, думая не об иностранном языке, который по каким-либо причинам приходится учить, а о содержании книги!

Главная беда всех изучающих долгие годы один какой-либо язык в том, что они занимаются им понемножку, а не погружаются с головой. Язык – не математика, его надо не учить, к нему надо привыкать. Здесь дело не в логике и не в памяти, а в навыке . Он скорее похож в этом смысле на спорт, которым нужно заниматься в определенном режиме, так как в противном случае не будет результата. Если сразу и много читать, то свободное чтение по-английски – вопрос трех-четырех месяцев (начиная «с нуля»). А если учить помаленьку, то это только себя мучить и буксовать на месте. Язык в этом смысле похож на ледяную горку – на нее надо быстро взбежать! Пока не взбежите – будете скатываться. Если вы достигли такого момента, когда свободно читаете, то вы уже не потеряете этот навык и не забудете лексику, даже если возобновите чтение на этом языке лишь через несколько лет. А если не доучили – тогда все выветрится.

А что делать с грамматикой? Собственно, для понимания текста, снабженного такими подсказками, знание грамматики уже не нужно – и так все будет понятно. А затем происходит привыкание к определенным формам – и грамматика усваивается тоже подспудно. Ведь осваивают же язык люди, которые никогда не учили его грамматику, а просто попали в соответствующую языковую среду. Это говорится не к тому, чтобы вы держались подальше от грамматики (грамматика – очень интересная вещь, занимайтесь ею тоже), а к тому, что приступать к чтению данной книги можно и без грамматических познаний.

Эта книга поможет вам преодолеть важный барьер: вы наберете лексику и привыкнете к логике языка, сэкономив много времени и сил. Но, прочитав ее, не нужно останавливаться, продолжайте читать на иностранном языке (теперь уже действительно просто поглядывая в словарь)!

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O. Wilde
The Canterville Ghost
An amusing chronicle of the tribulations of the Ghost of Canterville Chase when his ancestral halls became the home of the American Minister to the Court of St. James1
Забавная хроника невзгод привидения из Кентервиль Чейз, имевших место, когда особняк его предков стал домом американского посла ко двору Святого Джеймса.
The Court of St James – официальное название королевского двора в Англии.

I

When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister (когда мистер Хайрам Б. Отис, американский посол; Minister – министр; посол, посланник ), bought Canterville Chase 2
Canterville Chase – название имения/усадьбы Кентервилей; chase – охотничьи угодья ; в русских переводах говорится о замке, где обитало привидение, однако в оригинальном тексте нигде не встречается слово castle , обозначающее замок. Жилище, где обитало привидение, как правило, именуется с помощью слова house – дом . Судя по описанию, это и был старинный, добротный дом, срубленный из дерева дуба.

(купил /усадьбу/ Кентервиль Чейз; chase – охотничьи угодья; зд. часть названия усадьбы; to buy ), every one told him (все сказали ему; every one – каждый ) he was doing a very foolish thing (/что/ он делал очень глупую вещь) as there was no doubt at all (так как вовсе не было сомнения) that the place was haunted (что в /этом/ месте обитало привидение; to haunt – часто посещать какое-либо место; появляться, являться, обитать /как призрак/ ). Indeed, Lord Canterville himself (в самом деле, сам лорд Кентервиль), who was a man of the most punctilious honour (который был человеком исключительно честным; punctilious – педантичный, щепетильный до мелочей; honour – честь, слава; честность, благородство ), had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis (счел своей обязанностью упомянуть этот факт мистеру Отису; to feel – чувствовать ), when they came to discuss terms (когда они подошли к обсуждению условий).

When Mr. Hiram B. Otis, the American Minister, bought Canterville Chase, every one told him he was doing a very foolish thing, as there was no doubt at all that the place was haunted. Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis when they came to discuss terms.

“We have not cared to live in the place ourselves (нам не хотелось жить в этом месте самим),” said Lord Canterville (сказал лорд Кентервиль),” since my grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton (с тех пор, как моя двоюродная прабабушка, вдовствующая герцогиня Болтонская; dowager – вдова /высокопоставленного лица/ ), was frightened into a fit (была доведена до удара; to frighten – испугать, напугать; fit – припадок, пароксизм, приступ ), from which she never really recovered (от которого она так и не оправилась; never – никогда; really – на самом деле; to recover – выздоравливать; приходить в себя ), by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders (/когда/ две руки скелета опустились на ее плечи; to place – класть, помещать ) as she was dressing for dinner (в то время как она одевалась к обеду), and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis (и я чувствую /себя/ обязанным сказать Вам), that the ghost has been seen by several living members of my family (что привидение видели несколько других /ныне здравствующих/ членов моей семьи; living – живой; to see ), as well as by the rector of the parish (также как и приходский священник), the Rev. Augustus Dampier (преподобный Огастус Дампье; the Rev.= the Reverend – преподобный ), who is a Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge (который является членом совета Королевского колледжа в Кембридже).”

“We have not cared to live in the place ourselves,” said Lord Canterville, “since my grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev. Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge.”

“After the unfortunate accident to the Duchess (после несчастного случая с герцогиней), none of our younger servants would stay with us (никто из наших более молодых слуг не хотел оставаться с нами), and Lady Canterville often got very little sleep at night (и леди Кентервиль часто очень мало спала ночью) in consequence of the mysterious noises (вследствие таинственных звуков) that came from the corridor and the library (которые доносились из коридора и библиотеки; to come – приходить, приезжать; происходить, бывать /from/ ).”

“After the unfortunate accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that came from the corridor and the library.”

“My Lord,” answered the Minister («мой лорд», ответил посол), “I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation (я возьму и мебель, и привидение за /назначенную/ цену; valuation – оценка, определение ценности ). I have come from a modern country (я приехал из современной страны), where we have everything that money can buy (где у нас есть все, что можно купить за деньги); and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red (и со всеми нашими проворными молодыми парнями, /приезжающими/ развлекаться в Старый Свет; to paint red – посещать бары, клубы и т. д.; развлекаться; to paint – писать красками ) and carrying off your best actors and primadonnas (и увозящими ваших лучших актеров и примадонн), I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in Europe (я полагаю, что если бы такая вещь, как привидение, существовала в Европе), we’d have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums (мы бы очень скоро имели его дома = у нас в одном из наших публичных музеев; in a very short time – в очень короткое время ) or on the road as a show (или на дороге, как /разъездное/ шоу).”

“My Lord,” answered the Minister, “I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation. I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your best actors and primadonnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in Europe, we’d have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the road as a show.”

“I fear that the ghost exists (я боюсь, что привидение существует),” said Lord Canterville, smiling (улыбаясь), “though it may have resisted the overtures of your enterprising impresarios (хотя оно могло противостоять предложениям ваших предприимчивых импресарио; overture – попытка /примирения, завязывания знакомства/; инициатива /переговоров, заключения договоров и т. п./; формальное предложение; увертюра ). It has been well known for three centuries (оно было хорошо известно в течение трех веков; to know – знать ), since 1584 in fact (в действительности, с 1584 г.), and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of our family (и всегда появляется перед смертью кого-либо из членов нашей семьи; to make one’s appearance – появляться ).”

“I fear that the ghost exists,” said Lord Canterville, smiling, “though it may have resisted the overtures of your enterprising impresarios. It has been well known for three centuries, since 1584 in fact, and always makes its appearance before the death of any member of our family.”

“Well, so does the family doctor for that matter, Lord Canterville (ну, так же как и семейный доктор, коли на то пошло; matter – вещество; сущность; вопрос, тема ). But there is no such thing, sir, as a ghost (но не существует такой вещи, сэр, как привидение), and I guess the laws of Nature are not going to be suspended for the British aristocracy (и я думаю, что законы природы не будут изменены ради британской аристократии; to suspend – откладывать; приостанавливать ).”

“You are certainly very natural in America,” (вы в Америке, несомненно, очень близки к природе; to be very natural – быть очень естественным ),” answered Lord Canterville (ответил), who did not quite understand Mr. Otis’s last observation (который не совсем понял последнее замечание мистера Отиса),” and if you don’t mind a ghost in the house (и если вы не против привидения в доме; to mind – быть против ), it is all right (все в порядке). Only you must remember I warned you (только вы должны помнить, /что/ я предупредил вас).”

“You are certainly very natural in America,” answered Lord Canterville, who did not quite understand Mr. Otis’s last observation, “and if you don’t mind a ghost in the house, it is all right. Only you must remember I warned you.”

A few weeks after this (несколько недель спустя; after this – после этого ), the purchase was concluded (покупка была совершена; to conclude – заключать; заканчивать ), and at the close of the season (и в конце сезона) the Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase (посол и его семья переехали в Кентервиль Чейз; to go down – спускаться; уезжать на каникулы; переезжать ). Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia R. Tappan, of West 53d Street (которая / еще под именем / мисс Лукреции Р. Тэппан с Западной 53-й улицы), had been a celebrated New York belle (была известной нью-йоркской красавицей), was now a very handsome, middle-aged woman with fine eyes (/и/ теперь была очень интересной средних лет женщиной с прекрасными глазами), and a superb profile (и безукоризненным профилем).

A few weeks after this, the purchase was concluded, and at the close of the season the Minister and his family went down to Canterville Chase. Mrs. Otis, who, as Miss Lucretia R. Tappan, of West 53d Street, had been a celebrated New York belle, was now a very handsome, middle-aged woman, with fine eyes, and a superb profile.

Many American ladies (многие американские женщины) on leaving their native land (покинув свою родную землю; to leave – оставлять, покидать ) adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health (принимают вид хронических больных; ill-health – нездоровье ), under the impression that it is a form of European refinement (под впечатлением, что это и есть форма европейской утонченности), but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this error (никогда не впадала в это заблуждение; error – заблуждение, оплошность, ошибка; to fall ). She had a magnificent constitution (она обладала прекрасным телосложением), and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits (и действительно необыкновенным зарядом жизнерадостности; wonderful – удивительный, замечательный; amount – количество; animal spirits – жизнерадостность ).

Many American ladies on leaving their native land adopt an appearance of chronic ill-health, under the impression that it is a form of European refinement, but Mrs. Otis had never fallen into this error. She had a magnificent constitution, and a really wonderful amount of animal spirits.

Indeed, in many respects (на самом деле, во многих отношениях), she was quite English (она была совершенной англичанкой), and was an excellent example of the fact (и была отличным примером того факта), that we have really everything in common with America nowadays (что у нас действительно все общее с Америкой в наши дни), except, of course, language (кроме, конечно, языка).

Indeed, in many respects, she was quite English, and was an excellent example of the fact that we have really everything in common with America nowadays, except, of course, language.

Miss Virginia E. Otis

Her eldest son (ее старший сын), christened Washington 3
Washington, George – Джордж Вашингтон (1732–1799) государственный деятель, первый президент США (1789–1797).

by his parents in a moment of patriotism (названный своими родителями Вашингтоном в момент /проявления чувства/ патриотизма; to christen – совершать обряд крещения ), which he never ceased to regret (о чем он никогда не переставал сожалеть), was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man (был светловолосым, довольно-таки красивым юношей), who had qualified himself for American diplomacy (который готовился стать американским дипломатом: «готовил себя для американской дипломатии») by leading the German at the Newport 4
Newport – Ньюпорт, в конце XIX в. модный курорт на юго-востоке штата Род-Айленд.

Casino for three successive seasons (танцуя в первой паре котильон в казино в Ньюпорте три сезона подряд; the German = the German cotillion; to lead – вести; руководить; casino – увеселительное заведение; игорный дом ), and even in London was well known as an excellent dancer (и даже в Лондоне был хорошо известен как отличный танцор). Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses (гардении и /интерес к/ аристократии были его единственными слабостями; peerage – сословие пэров; знать, аристократия ). Otherwise he was extremely sensible (в остальных отношениях он был исключительно разумен).

“had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony”

Her eldest son, christened Washington by his parents in a moment of patriotism, which he never ceased to regret, was a fair-haired, rather good-looking young man, who had qualified himself for American diplomacy by leading the German at the Newport Casino for three successive seasons, and even in London was well known as an excellent dancer. Gardenias and the peerage were his only weaknesses. Otherwise he was extremely sensible.

Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen (мисс Вирджиния Отис была молодой девушкой пятнадцати лет), lithe and lovely as a fawn (привлекательной и грациозной как лань; fawn – молодой олень; lithe – грациозный ) and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes (и с чудесным /выражением чувства/ свободы в ее больших голубых глазах). She was a wonderful Amazon (она была прекрасной наездницей); and had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park (и однажды дважды проехала на своем пони по парку со старым лордом Билтоном; to race – состязаться в скачках ), winning by a length and a half (обойдя его на полтора корпуса; to win – выигрывать; побеждать ), just in front of the Achilles statue (прямо перед статуей Ахилла), to the huge delight of the young Duke of Cheshire (к огромному восхищению герцога Чеширского), who proposed for her on the spot (который тут же сделал ей предложение; on the spot – на месте; тотчас же ) and was sent back to Eton 5
Eton – имеется в виду Итонский колледж (старинный английский колледж, основанный в 1440 г.). Расположен в городе Итон, графство Бекингемшир, на р. Темзе, близ Лондона.

that very night by his guardians in floods of tears (и был отослан назад в Итон тем же вечером его опекунами, весь в слезах; to send – посылать ).

Miss Virginia E. Otis was a little girl of fifteen, lithe and lovely as a fawn, and with a fine freedom in her large blue eyes. She was a wonderful Amazon, and had once raced old Lord Bilton on her pony twice round the park, winning by a length and a half, just in front of the Achilles statue, to the huge delight of the young Duke of Cheshire, who proposed for her on the spot, and was sent back to Eton that very night by his guardians, in floods of tears.

After Virginia came the twins (после Вирджинии /в семье/ шли близнецы; to come – подходить, приходить; появляться ), who were usually called “The Star and Stripes (которых обычно называли «Звезда и полосы» /т. е. «американский флаг»/),” as they were always getting swished (так как их всегда секли розгой; to get – получать; доставать, добывать; становиться, делаться; to swish – рассекать воздух со свистом; сечь /розгой/ ). They were delightful boys (они были чудесные мальчики), and, with the exception of the worthy Minister (и, за исключением уважаемого посла) the only true republicans of the family (единственные республиканцы в семье).

After Virginia came the twins, who were usually called “The Star and Stripes,” as they were always getting swished. They were delightful boys, and, with the exception of the worthy Minister, the only true republicans of the family.

As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot 6
Ascot – Эскот, деревушка в графстве Беркшир, известная своим ипподромом; место ежегодных скачек близ Виндзора.

(так как Кентервиль Чейз находится в семи милях от Эскота), the nearest railway station (ближайшей железнодорожной станции), Mr. Otis had telegraphed for a waggonette to meet them (телеграфировал, чтобы /за ними/ прислали экипаж; to meet them – встретить их ), and they started on their drive in high spirits (и они отправились в поездку в хорошем настроении). It was a lovely July evening (был прекрасный июльский вечер), and the air was delicate with the scent of the pinewoods (и воздух был напоен запахом соснового леса; delicate – изысканный, утонченный; нежный ). Now and then they heard a wood-pigeon brooding over its own sweet voice (время от времени они слышали вяхиря, грустящего под свой собственный нежный голосок; over its own sweet voice – «под свой собственный нежный голос»; to brood – высиживать яйца; размышлять /особ. грустно; about, on, over, upon – над чем-либо/; вынашивать /в уме, в душе/ ), or saw, deep in the rustling fern (или видели в глубине шуршащего папоротника), the burnished breast of the pheasant (яркую грудь фазана; to burnish – чистить, полировать; покрывать глянцем, делать блестящим ).

As Canterville Chase is seven miles from Ascot, the nearest railway station, Mr. Otis had telegraphed for a waggonette to meet them, and they started on their drive in high spirits. It was a lovely July evening, and the air was delicate with the scent of the pinewoods. Now and then they heard a wood-pigeon brooding over its own sweet voice, or saw, deep in the rustling fern, the burnished breast of the pheasant.

Little squirrels peered at them from the beech-trees as they went by (маленькие белочки глядели на них с буковых деревьев в то время как они проезжали мимо; to peer – всматриваться, вглядываться ), and the rabbits scudded away through the brushwood and over the mossy knolls (и кролики мчались через заросли кустарника и поросшие мхом холмики), with their white tails in the air (и их белые хвостики /мелькали/ в воздухе). As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, however (однако, когда они въехали на дорогу, ведущую к Кентервиль Чейз), the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds (небо внезапно покрылось тучами; to become – становиться; overcast – покрывать мраком, закрывать; затемнять ), a curious stillness seemed to hold the atmosphere (странная тишина, казалось, воцарилась в атмосфере; to hold – держать; владеть ), a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads (большая стая грачей пролетела беззвучно над их головами), and, before they reached the house (и прежде чем они достигли дома), some big drops of rain had fallen (упало несколько больших капель дождя).

Little squirrels peered at them from the beech-trees as they went by, and the rabbits scudded away through the brushwood and over the mossy knolls, with their white tails in the air. As they entered the avenue of Canterville Chase, however, the sky became suddenly overcast with clouds, a curious stillness seemed to hold the atmosphere, a great flight of rooks passed silently over their heads, and, before they reached the house, some big drops of rain had fallen.

Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman (на ступеньках стояла, встречая их, старая женщина; to stand ), neatly dressed in black silk, with a white cap and apron (опрятно одетая в черное шелковое /платье/, в белом чепце и переднике; black silk – черный шелк ). This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper (это была миссис Амней, экономка), whom Mrs. Otis, at Lady Canterville’s earnest request (которую миссис Отис, по искренней просьбе леди Кентервиль), had consented to keep in her former position (согласилась оставить в ее прежней должности). She made them each a low curtsey as they alighted (она сделала каждому из них низкий реверанс, когда они выходили из экипажа; to alight – слезать; спешиваться, сходить ) and said in a quaint, old-fashioned manner (и сказала в странной, старомодной манере), “I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase (я приветствую вас /по поводу вашего прибытия/ в Кентервиль Чейз; to bid welcome – /уст./ приветствовать )”.

Standing on the steps to receive them was an old woman, neatly dressed in black silk, with a white cap and apron. This was Mrs. Umney, the housekeeper, whom Mrs. Otis, at Lady Canterville’s earnest request, had consented to keep in her former position. She made them each a low curtsey as they alighted, and said in a quaint, old-fashioned manner, “I bid you welcome to Canterville Chase.”

Following her (следуя за ней), they passed through the fine Tudor hall into the library (они прошли через прекрасный тюдорианский холл в библиотеку), a long, low room, panelled in black oak (длинную, /с низким потолком/ комнату, обитую панелью из черного дуба), at the end of which was a large stained glass window (в конце которой находилось широкое витражное окно; stained glass – цветное стекло; stain – пятно; to stain – пятнать; красить; набивать рисунок ). Here they found tea laid out for them (там они обнаружили чай, сервированный для них; to find – находить; обнаруживать; to lay out – выкладывать, выставлять ), and, after taking off their wraps (и, после того как они сняли накидки; to take off ), they sat down and began to look round (они уселись и начали осматриваться; to sit down; to begin ), while Mrs. Umney waited on them (в то время как миссис Амней прислуживала им).

Following her, they passed through the fine Tudor hall into the library, a long, low room, panelled in black oak, at the end of which was a large stained glass window. Here they found tea laid out for them, and, after taking off their wraps, they sat down and began to look round, while Mrs. Umney waited on them.

Suddenly Mrs. Otis caught sight of a dull red stain on the floor just by the fireplace (внезапно миссис Отис заметила темно-красное пятно на полу как раз возле камина; to catch sight – заметить: «поймать вид» ), and, quite unconscious of what it really signified (и, совсем не подозревая, чтό все это значит; unconscious – не осознающий /что-либо/ ), said to Mrs. Umney (сказала миссис Амней), “I am afraid something has been spilt there (я боюсь, там что-то пролили; to spill ).”

“Yes, madam,” replied the old housekeeper in a low voice («Да, мадам», тихо ответила старая экономка; in a low voice – тихим: «низким» голосом ), “blood has been spilt on that spot (кровь была пролита на этом месте).”

“blood has been spilt on that spot”

“Yes, madam,” replied the old housekeeper in a low voice, “blood has been spilt on that spot.”

“How horrid (как ужасно)!” cried Mrs. Otis (воскликнула); “I don’t at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room (я вовсе не люблю пятен крови в гостиной). It must be removed at once (оно должно быть удалено немедленно).”

“How horrid!” cried Mrs. Otis; “I don’t at all care for blood-stains in a sitting-room. It must be removed at once.”

The old woman smiled (старая женщина улыбнулась), and answered in the same low mysterious voice (и ответила тем же тихим, таинственным голосом), “It is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville (это кровь леди Элеоноры де Кентервиль), who was murdered on that very spot by her own husband (которая была убита на этом самом месте ее собственным мужем), Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575 (сэром Саймоном де Кентервиль в 1575 году). Sir Simon survived her nine years (сэр Саймон пережил ее на девять лет), and disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances (и исчез внезапно при очень странных обстоятельствах). His body has never been discovered (его тело /так и/ не было найдено; never – никогда; употр. для выражения эмоционального отрицания ), but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase (но его /отягощенный виной/ дух все еще бродит по усадьбе; guilty – виновный; guilt – вина ). The blood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed (пятном крови весьма восхищаются туристы и другие /посетители/ и его нельзя удалить: «не может быть удалено»).”

The old woman smiled, and answered in the same low, mysterious voice, “It is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville, who was murdered on that very spot by her own husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. Sir Simon survived her nine years, and disappeared suddenly under very mysterious circumstances. His body has never been discovered, but his guilty spirit still haunts the Chase. The blood-stain has been much admired by tourists and others, and cannot be removed.”

“That is all nonsense (это все чепуха),” cried Washington Otis; “Pinkerton’s Champion Stain Remover and Paragon Detergent will clean it up in no time (первоклассный пятновыводитель Пинкертона и моющее средство «Идеал» отчистят его тотчас же; paragon – образец, совершенство ),” and before the terrified housekeeper could interfere (и прежде чем ужаснувшаяся экономка смогла вмешаться), he had fallen upon his knees (он опустился на колени; to fall – падать, опускаться ), and was rapidly scouring the floor (и /начал/ быстро очищать пол) with a small stick of what looked like a black cosmetic (/чем-то/ похожим на маленький черный косметический карандаш; a small stick – маленькая палочка; to look like – выглядеть как /что-либо, кто-либо/ ). In a few moments no trace of the blood-stain could be seen (через несколько секунд от пятна не осталось и следа; could be seen – можно было видеть ).

Spotlight 8 (Английский в фокусе. 8 класс) Книга для чтения. The Canterville Ghost. Ваулина Ю.Е.

М.: 20 17 - 48 с.

Книга для чтения для 8 класса общеобразовательных учреждений «Кентервильское привидение» является частью УМК «Английский в фокусе». Прекрасно иллюстрированное произведение О.Уайльда в пересказе коллектива британских и российских авторов дополнено различными упражнениями, словарем, а также пьесой для постановки учащимися. Языковой материал соответствует уровню знаний учащихся по английскому языку в 8 классе.

Формат: pdf

Размер: 10,8 Мб

Смотреть, скачать: drive.google ; Rghost

Audio:

Формат: mp3 / zip

Размер: 83 Мб

Скачать: drive.google ; Rghost

Contents
The Author - Background Information - The Plot p. 4
The Characters p. 6
1 The Warning p. 8
2 Blood in the Library p. 10
3 The Ghost Appears p. 12
4 A Terrible Shock p. 14
5 A Plan Goes Wrong p. 16
6 The Otis Ghost p. 18
7 The Twins" Tricks p. 20
8 Virginia and the Ghost p. 22
9 Sir Simon"s Secret p. 24
10 A Funeral and a Wedding p. 26
Activities p. 29
Irregular Verbs & Word List p. 37
Play p. 40

The Canterville Ghost is set in the beautiful English countryside near an old town, Ascot, which is famous for its horse racing. Here, in Canterville Chase, a beautiful old country house, lives a 300-year-old ghost from an old English family. The ghost is famous in the area and has frightened many people for years. He is proud of being a very scary ghost. However, things soon change when an American family comes to live in his house, and problems arise for the ghost right from the start. The previous owner of Canterville Chase, Lord Canterville, warns the Otis family that an old ghost lives there, but they are not worried, as they don"t believe in ghosts. The Canterville ghost tries to frighten the family. However, they are not afraid at all. The young twin boys in the family play tricks on him and laugh at him. Mr and Mrs Otis even try to help the ghost. They give him oil for his noisy chains and medicine for his ghostly voice. The ghost is very upset and depressed and he tries to think of other ways to scare them, but everything he tries fails. The Canterville ghost is very sad but then one member of the Otis family helps him in a way he never imagined.

by Oscar Wilde

Mr Hiram B. Otis was a rich American from New York. He had come to live and work in England, but he did not want to live in London. He did not want to live in the city. He wanted to live in the countryside outside London.
Canterville Chase was a large and very old house near London. Lord Canterville, the owner, wanted to sell it. So Mr Hiram B. Otis visited Lord Canterville.
"I do not live in Canterville Chase," Lord Canterville said to Mr Otis. "I do not to live there. The house has a ghost - The Canterville Ghost".
"I come from America". said Mr Otis. "America is a modern country. I don"t believe in ghosts. Have you seen this Canterville Ghost?"
"No," said Lord Canterville, "but I have heard it at night".
"I don"t believe in ghosts", Mr Otis said again. "No one has found a ghost. No one has a ghost in a museum.
And you haven"t seen this ghost either".
"But several members of my family have seen it", said Lord Canterville. "My aunt saw the ghost. She was so frightened that she was ill for the rest of her life. Also, the servants have seen it so they will not stay in the house at night. Only the housekeeper, Mrs Umney, lives in Canterville Chase. Mrs Umney lives there alone",
"I want to buy the house", said Mr Otis. "I"ll buy the ghost as well. Will you sell Canterville Chase? Will you sell the ghost?"
"Yes, I will", said Lord Canterville. "But, please remember, I told you about the ghost before you bought the house".
* * *
Mr Hiram B. Otis bought Canterville Chase. Then his family came to England from America. He had a wife called Lucretia, three sons a daughter.
The eldest son, Washington, was almost twenty years old. He was good-looking and had fair hair. His two young brothers were twins. They were twelve years old. The daughter, Virginia, was fifteens years old. She had large blue eyes and lovely face.
Mr Otis took his family to live at Canterville Chase. The old house was in the countryside west of London. Mr Otis and his family travelled from London by train. Then they rode to the house in a wagon pulled by two horses.
Canterville Chase was a big and old. Trees grew all around the house. The Otis family wanted to stop and look at the outside of the house, but the sky darkened. A thunderstorm was coming. Rain started to fall, so the family went inside the house quickly.
Mrs Umney, the housekeeper, was waiting for them by the front door. She was an old woman and wore a black dress and white apron. She lived at Canterville Chase and looked after the house.
"Welcome to Canterville Chase", said Mrs Umney. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please", said Mrs Otis.
The Otis family followed Mrs Umney into the library. There was a big table in the center of the room and many chairs. Mrs Umney put teacups on the table, then she brought a pot of tea.
The Otises sat in the library and drank tea. They looked out of a large window at the rain. The rain was falling heavily and the sky was black. They heard thunder and they saw lightning.
Mrs Otis looked around the room. There were many books an bookshelves. There were paintings on the walls. There was also a red stain on the floor. The red stain was by the fireplace.
"What is this red stain?" Mrs Otis asked Mrs Umney.
"It is blood", answered the old housekeeper in a quiet voice.
"I don"t want a blood-stain in my library", said Mrs Otis. "Please remove the stain. Please clean the floor immediately".
The old woman smiled. "It is the blood of Lady Eleanore de Canterville. She was murdered by her husband, Sir Simon de Canterville, in 1575. The blood-stain has been here for over three hundred years. It cannot be removed".
"Nonsense", said Washington Otis. "I have some Pinkerton"s Stain Remover from America. It can remove any stain. Watch".
Washington Otis took the stain remover from a bag. Pinkerton"s Stain Remover looked like a small black stick. He rubbed the stick on the blood-stain. A minute later the floor was clean. The stick had removed the stain quickly and easily.
Mrs Umney looked at the floor. She was frightened. No one had removed the blood-stain for three hundred years. Mrs Umney was very frightened.
"Pinkerton"s can remove anything", said Washington Otis. "The blood-stain has gone".
Lightening flashed and lit the library. Thunder crashed over the house. Mrs Umney fainted.
Mr and Mrs Otis ran across the library. They helped the old housekeeper who lay on the floor. Mrs Umney"s eyes were closed and her face was pale.
"Mrs Umney! Mrs Umney!" cried Mrs Otis. "Can you speak?"
Mrs Umney opened her eyes, "Trouble will come to this house", she said. "I have seen the ghost. The ghosts will come to you".
All the Otises helped Mrs Umney to stand up. "The ghost will come", she said again. "You must not remove the blood-stain. You must not clean the library floor. The ghost will be angry".
Them Mrs Umney went upstairs to her room.
"Let"s look for the ghost," said the Otis boys. "Let"s look round the house".
The Otises looked round the house together. But they did not see the Canterville Ghost.
* * *
That night the family went to bed early. The storm continued all night. Next Morning they went into the library.
The blood-stain had reappeared on the floor.
"I"ll remove this blood-stain once more", said Washington Otis. "Mother doesn"t want a blood-stain in the library. I"ll clean the floor again".
He removed the blood-stain with Pinkerton"s Stain Remover. The library floor was clean. But the next morning the stain had come back again.
"This is very strange", said Mr Otis. "I"ll lock the library door at night. No one can come into the library. No one can put a stain on the floor".
"I don"t think Pinkerton"s Stain Remover is bad", said Washington Otis. "I think there really is a ghost. The ghost is making the blood-stain. The ghost puts the stain on the floor at night".
"We must find this ghost," said Mr Hiram B. Otis. "It must stop making these stains. Your mother does not like blood on the library floor".
That day the family went out. They walked around the countryside near Canterville Chase. They went to the nearby village. They looked at the old village houses. Then they walked back to Canterville Chase through the woods. It was a summer evening and the weather was fine.
It was late when they got back to the house. The Otises were hungry and tired. After eating supper they went to bed. The bedroom were upstairs. There was a long corridor upstairs. The bedroom doors were along this corridor.
Mrs Otis woke up after midnight. There was a strange noise outside his room. The sound was like metal chains. The chains were rubbing together.
Mr Otis got out of bed and opened the bedroom door. He looked into the corridor.
He saw the Canterville Ghost in the corridor. The ghost was an old man with burning red eyes. He had long gray hair and wore very old-fashioned clothes. There were chains on his hands and feet. He was rubbing the chains together so they made a noise.
"My dear sir, your chains make a terrible noise", Mr Otis said to the ghost. "You must put some oil on those chains. Here is some Tammany Rising Sun Oil from the United States. Please put the oil on your chains".
Mr Otis put a bottle of oil on the table in the corridor. Then he closed his bedroom door and went back to bed.
The Canterville Ghost was very surprised. He had lived in Canterville Chase for three hundred years. Everyone was frightened of him, because everyone was afraid of ghosts.
The Canterville Ghost decided to work harder. He wanted to frighten the American. He made a terrible noise and shone a horrible green light in the corridor.
Another door opened at the end of the corridor. Mr Otis"s youngest sons came out of their bedroom. The two young boys had the pillows from their beds in their hands. They threw the pillows at the ghost. They laughed at the ghost.
The ghost was amazed and upset. No one had laughed at him before. He was a ghost. Everyone is frightened of ghosts. No one had ever laughed at the Canterville Ghost before.
The Canterville Ghost did not know what to do. He disappeared through the wall and the house became quiet.
The ghost went to the secret room where he lived. He sat down on chair. He thought about what had happened.
He had frightened people for three hundred years. He had looked through windows and frightened the servants. He had knocked on bedroom doors. He had frightened people in their bed. He had blown out candles in the night. He had turned green and made noises with his chains. Everyone had always been frightened. No one had given him Rising Sun Oil to put on his chains. No one had thrown pillows at him. He was a very unhappy ghost.
* * *
Washington Otis removed the blood-stain in the library every day. Every morning the stain had reappeared. But the stain was no longer the colour of blood. One morning it was brown. Another morning it was purple.
Then it became bright green.
The Otises laughed at the blood-stain. They looked for it every morning before breakfast.
"What colour is tit today?" asked Washington Otis.
"It"s green!" shouted the twins. "It"s green blood today."
They laughed at the green blood-stain on the library floor.
Virginia Otis did not laugh. The young girl was silent at breakfast. The blood-stain made her feel sad and she almost cried she saw the bright green stain. She was sure that ghost put the stain on the floor. She felt sorry for the ghost.
"The stain has been here for three hundred years", said Virginia. "We have been here for three weeks. The poor ghost puts the stain on the floor every night. Can"t you leave the stain there?"
But the other did not listen to Virginia.
* * *
The second appearance of the ghost was on a Sunday night. The Otises had all gone to bed. Suddenly they wore woken up. They heard a terrible crashing noise downstairs.
The whole family ran out of their bedrooms. They ran downstairs. It was dark but Mr Otis and his eldest son carried candles. They heard another crashing noise in the hallway near the front door.
There was a suit of armour in the hallway. This suit of armour was more than three hundred years old. It had fallen over and made a loud noise. The Canterville Ghost was sitting on the floor next to the armour.
The ghost had tried to put on the suit of armour. He wanted to walk around the house and frighten the Otis family. But the metal suit was too heavy. The suit of armour had fallen onto the floor.
The Canterville Ghost was sitting beside the armour. He was rubbing his knee. He had hurt himself.
Mr Hiram B. Otis pointed a gun at the ghost. Washington Otis held his candle high in the air. The Otis twins laughed loudly. Virginia was afraid and stood beside her mother. They all looked at the Canterville Ghost.
The ghost was very angry. He stood up and gave a loud shout. He Blew out the candle in Washington Otis"s hand. There was no light in the hall. Then the ghost run up the stairs in the darkness.
He stopped at the top of stairs and laughed. He had a frightening laugh. Men"s hair had turned grey when they heard him laugh. But the Otises were not afraid.
"Are you in pain?" asked Mrs Otis. "I have a bottle of Dr Dobell"s medicine. It is good for stomach-aches and headaches. Please take the medicine".
The ghost looked at Mrs Otis angrily. Then he disappeared in a green cloud and went back to his secret room. He was very unhappy. He had tried to put on the suit of armour, but it was too heavy. The armour had fallen over and the ghost had hurt his leg.
* * *
The ghost stayed in his room during the day. He came out at night to visit the library. He repainted the blood-stain every night. And every morning, Washington Otis removed the blood-stain with Pinkerton"s Stain Remover.
But the ghost had a problem. He had quickly finished all his red paint. Now his brown and purple paints were finished as well. So, sometimes he painted the blood-stain green, sometimes blue.
The ghost made plans. He wanted to frighten the Otis twins. He planned to visit the twins in the night. He planned to visit the twins in their bedroom. He planned to touch them with his ice-cold hands in the dark.
He left his secret room at midnight. The house was dark. He climbed the stairs and walked along the corridor, the twins" bedroom was at the end of the corridor round a corner. He turned the corner. Suddenly he stopped.
In front of him was a round face with a terrible mouth and burning eyes. Fire shone out of the mouth and eyes of this horrible face. It was the face of a ghost!
The Canterville Ghost gave a shout and ran back to his secret room. He had never seen a ghost before and felt very frightened.
Before daylight came, The Canterville Ghost felt better. Were there two ghost in the house? He must find out. He must meet the second ghost.
He went back upstairs and walked along the corridor towards the twins" room. The second ghost was still there, but its eyes were no longer burning. He went up to it. He touched it. The head of the second ghost felt onto the floor. It was not a ghost at all. It was a head made from a large round vegetable called a pumpkin. The twins had put a candle inside it. There was a card on the floor.
THE OTIS GHOST
THE ONLY TRUE
CANTERVILLE GHOST
The twins had put the head in the corridor to frighten him. This made the Canterville Ghost very angry. What could he do? He could think of nothing at that moment, so he went back to his room.
* * *
The Ghost felt very weak and tired. He stayed in his room for five days. He did not repaint the blood-stain in the library. There had been a blood-stain on the library floor for three hundred years. Now the library floor was clean.
After a week the ghost felt better. He decided to try once more to frighten the Otis twins. He planned to make his face look as horrible as possible. He wanted until the middle of the night.
Slowly and silently he walked to the twins" bedroom. It was one o"clock in the morning. The house was quiet.
The door of the twins" room was slightly open.
The ghost took off his head and carried it under his arm. It is terrifying to see a headless ghost. He wanted to terrify the twins.
He pushed open the door of the twins" bedroom. The door banged against the wall.
He had planned to shout and hold his head in his hands. But a heavy jug of water fell from the top of door. The twins had played a trick on him. He was soaked with water. The twins shouted and laughed.
The ghost ran back down the corridor. He could not frighten the twins. He could not frighten anyone in the Otis family.
Washington Otis came out of his bedroom. The ghost stopped running. Behind him, the twins ran down the corridor. They shouted - "Boo!" - in his ears and waved their arms. Washington Otis laughed at him.
The ghost did not know what to do. He ran through the nearest door, went back to the secret room and lay down. He could not frighten anyone. He was a very unhappy ghost.
* * *
The Otises did not see the Canterville Ghost at night again. The twins waited for him when it was dark. They put a rope across the corridor. They tied metal tins to the rope. But the ghost did not walk into the tins. Only Mr Otis came along the corridor. He fell over the rope and was very angry.
Virginia Otis was also angry with the twins. "Can"t you leave the poor ghost alone?" she said. "Why do you wont to hurt him? Why do you want to play trick on him? He has lived here for a very long time. Leave him alone".
The twins did not listen, but the ghost heard Virginia"s words. The words gave him hope.
One afternoon, Virginia went to the library. The library door was slightly open. She pushed the door wide open and quietly walked into the room.
There was somebody sitting by the window. It was the Canterville Ghost!
He was looking at the library window which was made of coloured glass. There were words painted on the glass.
He was wearing his best clothes and had combed his long gray hair.
"I feel very sorry for you", said Virginia quietly. "I"m sorry that my brothers were not very kind to you. But you did not try to frighten them".
"Yes I did", said the ghost. "It is my job to frighten everyone who comes to Canterville Chase".
"You are very wicked, I know", said Virginia, "Mrs Umney, the housekeeper, told us that you killed your wife".
"Yes I did", replayed the ghost. "But she wasn"t very kind. And it wasn"t very kind of her brothers to starve me to death".
"Starve you to death?" said Virginia. "Oh, poor ghost, are you hungry? Would you like a sandwich?"
"No thank you", he replied. "I never eat anything. But you are very kind. You are much kind than the rest of your family. They are rude, nasty and unkind".
"Stop!" cried Virginia. "You are nasty and unkind too. You stole my paint box. You used my paints to make the blood-stain in the library. I never told anyone about it. But now I"m going to fetch my father".
She turned to go, but the ghost spoke again.
"Please do not go, Miss Virginia", said the ghost. "I am so lonely and so unhappy. I do not know what to do. I want to go sleep and I cannot".
"It"s easy to sleep," said Virginia. "You do to bed and close your eyes".
"I have not slept for three hundred years", said the ghost. "I have not slept since I was murdered by my wife"s brothers".
Virginia walked across the library and looked at the old face of ghost. It was a sad face.
"Poor ghost", said Virginia, "how can I help you to sleep?"
"Far away in the woods", said ghost, "there is a little garden. In the little garden the grass grows long and thick. There are many flowers and trees. A nightingale sings all night long. The bird"s sweet song is beautiful and sad. The white stars and the pale moon look down on this little garden. It is very peaceful".
Virginia"s eyes were full of tears. She put her hands over her face.
"You mean it is the Garden of Death", she said quietly.
"Yes, the Garden of Sleep", said the ghost. "It is very beautiful. There is peace and silence. There is no yesterday and tomorrow. But only Love can open the door to the garden. For Love is stronger then Death".
Virginia did not know to say. She listening as the ghost spoke again.
"Have you read the writing on the library window?"
"Yes", said Virginia, "but I do not understand it".
"Look", said the ghost. "Read the lines on the window".
Virginia looked on the window and read the lines of poetry:

When a golden girl shall weep
For the ghost that cannot sleep,
Then the dead at last shall die
And in restful earth may lie.
"The words mean you must weep for me", said the unhappy ghost. "Then the Angel of Death will let me rest. Will you help?"
"What do I have to do?" asked Virginia.
"You must come with me into the darkness. You will see strange things. You will hear strange voices, but nothing will hurt you. You are good and kind. The dark cannot hurt you".
Virginia did not answer and the ghost waited. He had waited for three hundred years. This was the longest minute of all that time.
"I am not afraid", said Virginia at last. "I will come with you into the dark".
The ghost kissed her hand. His lips were cold like ice, but they burned like fire. The ghost held her hand and they walked to the wall of the library. The wall opened. There was darkness beyond the wall and a cold wind.
Voices spoke out of wind. "Go back, Virginia. Go back before it is too late".
Virginia walked into the darkness with the ghost. Virginia and the ghost disappeared through the library wall.
* * *
Virginia did not come downstairs for dinner. Mr Otis sent one of the servants to her room. The servants could not find Virginia so everybody searched the house. They looked everywhere but could not find her. Mr and Mrs Otis were very worried.
It was a summer evening and the sun had not set, so the family and the servants searched the gardens before it was dark. In the garden there were many trees and deep pond. They looked in the pond. They looked in the trees. Then they asked people at the railway station. But no one had seen Virginia. Mr Otis went to tell the village policeman that Virginia had disappeared. But, by that time, it was dark and no one could search any more that night.
None of the family wanted to eat or sleep. They sat in the library and waited. They hoped Virginia would return safely.
It was midnight when the family decided to go to bed. They left the library and started to walk up the stairs together. Suddenly all the clocks in the house struck twelve and they heard a terrible noise. Thunder crashed outside the house and the Otises heard a dreadful cry. Strange music sounded inside the house and door opened at the top of stairs.
Virginia stood in the doorway. She looked down he stairs at them. Her face was very pale and she carried a small box in her hand.
"Where have you been?" Mr Otis asked angry. "Your mother has been very worried. You have frightened us all. You must never play a trick like this again".
"Except on the ghost", said twins. "You can play tricks on the ghost!"
"Father", Virginia said quietly, "I have been with the ghost. He is deed and now he can rest. He gave me this box of beautiful jewels before he died".
She showed her father the small box. Inside was a necklace made of the stones.
"Where did you get this?" asked her father. "Where have you been?"
Mr Otis forgot to be angry. He was so pleased to see that Virginia was safe.
"Come. I"ll show you", said Virginia.
She turned back to the door at the top of the stairs. All of the family followed her. Washington Otis carried a lighted candle.
Virginia led them along a secret corridor. They came to an old wooden door which was open. Beyond the door was a little room with a low ceiling. There was an iron ring in the wall and two chains. At the end of the chains was a body. Only bones remained. It was a skeleton.
"This is the body of Sir Simon de Canterville", said Virginia. "He murdered his wife in 1575. Then his wife"s brothers shut him in this room. He was given no food. Sir Simon starved to death. His ghost was in the house for three hundred years. But now he has found peace".
The Otis family looked around the little room and did not know what to say. Virginia knelt on the floor beside the skeleton and began to pray.
* * *
There was a funeral four nights later. The Otises buried the body of Sir Simon de Canterville in a grave among the trees.
The Otises, Mrs Umney the housekeeper, and all the servants from Canterville Chase stood near the grave. Behind them were people from the nearby village. Many people had come to the funeral.
Virginia carried white flowers. She looked up at the stars and the pale moon and the dark trees. She remembered what the ghost had said about the Garden of Death. A nightingale began to sing. The bird"s sweet song was beautiful and sad.
Virginia smiled. "God has forgiven him for murdering his wife", she said.

The Canterville Ghost
By
OSCAR WILDE

Оскар Уайльд.
Кентервильское привидение

I

1

Когда мистер Хайрам Б.
Отис, американский посол, решил купить Кентервильский замок, все уверяли его, что он делает ужасную глупость,- было достоверно известно, что в замке обитает привидение.

Indeed, Lord Canterville himself, who was a man of the most punctilious honour, had felt it his duty to mention the fact to Mr. Otis when they came to discuss terms.

Сам лорд Кентервиль, человек донельзя щепетильный, даже когда дело касалось сущих пустяков, не преминул при составлении купчей предупредить мистера Отиса.

"We have not cared to live in the place ourselves," said Lord Canterville, "since my grandaunt, the Dowager Duchess of Bolton, was frightened into a fit, from which she never really recovered, by two skeleton hands being placed on her shoulders as she was dressing for dinner, and I feel bound to tell you, Mr. Otis, that the ghost has been seen by several living members of my family, as well as by the rector of the parish, the Rev.
Augustus Dampier, who is a Fellow of King"s College, Cambridge.

Нас как-то не тянуло в этот замок,- сказал лорд Кентервиль,- с тех пор как с моей двоюродной бабкой, вдовствующей герцогиней Болтон, случился нервный припадок, от которого она так и не оправилась.
Она переодевалась к обеду, и вдруг ей на плечи опустились две костлявые руки.
Не скрою от вас, мистер Отис, что привидение это являлось также многим ныне здравствующим членам моего семейства.
Его видел и наш приходский священник, преподобный Огастес Дэмпир, магистр Королевского колледжа в Кембридже.

After the unfortunate accident to the Duchess, none of our younger servants would stay with us, and Lady Canterville often got very little sleep at night, in consequence of the mysterious noises that came from the corridor and the library."

После этой неприятности с герцогиней вся младшая прислуга ушла от нас, а леди Кен-тервиль совсем лишилась сна: каждую ночь ей слышались какие-то непонятные шорохи в коридоре и библиотеке.

"My Lord," answered the Minister,
"I will take the furniture and the ghost at a valuation.

Что ж, милорд,- ответил посол,- пусть привидение идет вместе с мебелью.

I have come from a modern country, where we have everything that money can buy; and with all our spry young fellows painting the Old World red, and carrying off your best actors and prima-donnas, I reckon that if there were such a thing as a ghost in Europe, we"d have it at home in a very short time in one of our public museums, or on the road as a show."

Я приехал из передовой страны, где есть все, что можно купить за деньги.
К тому же молодежь у нас бойкая, способная перевернуть весь ваш Старый Свет.
Наши молодые люди увозят от вас лучших актрис и оперных примадонн.
Так что, заведись в Европе хоть одно привидение, оно мигом очутилось бы у нас в каком-нибудь музее или в разъездном паноптикуме.