The Wonderful Wizard of Oz / Волшебник из страны Оз. Книга для чтения на английском языке

It makes one’s cheeks burn afterwards.’

Alfred said: �How are you, Father, did you have a good rest this afternoon?’

�First rate – first rate. Dreamt about the old days! That was before I settled down and became a pillar of society[61 - became a pillar of society – (ирон.) стал столпом общества].’

He cackled with sudden laughter.

His daughter-in-law sat silently smiling with polite attention.

Alfred said: �What’s this, Father, about two extra being expected for Christmas?’

�Ah, that! Yes, I must tell you about that.

Lydia said: �Yes, they are arriving tomorrow by the five-twenty.’

Old Simeon said: �Poor stick, George! Nothing but a gasbag! Still, he is my son.’

Alfred said: �His constituents like him.’

Simeon cackled again. �They probably think he’s honest. Honest! There never was a Lee who was honest yet.

�Oh, come now[62 - Oh, come now – (разг.) Да бросьте], Father.’

�I except you, my boy. I except you.’

�And David?’ asked Lydia.

�David now. I’m curious to see the boy after all these years. He was a namby-pamby youngster. Wonder what his wife is like? At any rate he hasn’t married a girl twenty years younger than himself, like that fool George!’

�Hilda wrote a very nice letter,’ said Lydia. �I’ve just had a wire from her confirming it and saying they are definitely arriving tomorrow.

Her father-in-law looked at her, a keen, penetrating glance. He laughed. �I never get any change out of Lydia,’ he said. �I’ll say this for you, Lydia, you’re a well-bred woman. Breeding tells.[63 - Breeding tells. – (разг.) Чувствуется порода.] I know that well enough. A funny thing, though, heredity. There’s only one of you that’s taken after me – only one out of all the litter.

His eyes danced. �Now guess who’s coming for Christmas. I’ll give you three guesses and I’ll bet you a fiver[64 - I’ll bet you a fiver – (разг.) ставлю пятерку (пять фунтов)] you won’t get the answer.’

He looked from one face to the other.

Alfred said frowning: �Horbury said you expected a young lady.’

�That intrigued you – yes, I dare say it did. Pilar will be arriving any minute now.