Сборник лучших английских сказок. Уровень 1

�You stupid,’ said his witty wife, �if you had told a tale you would have shortened the road! Now listen till I tell you a story, and then catch up with[87 - catch up with – догнать кого-либо] Gobborn Seer and begin it at once. He will like hearing it, and by the time you are done you will have reached the foundation-stone.’

So Jack catched up with his father. Gobborn Seer said never a word, but Jack began his story, and the road was shortened as his wife had said.

When they came to the end of their journey, they started building of this castle which was to outshine[88 - outshine – затмить] all others.

Now the wife had advised them to be intimate[89 - intimate – близкий друг] with the servants, and so they did as she said, and they said �Good morning’ and �Good day to you’ to everyone.

Now at the end of a year, Gobborn, the wise man, had built such a castle thousands were gathered[90 - gather – собраться] to admire it.

And the king said: �The castle is done. I shall return tomorrow and pay you all.’

�I have just a ceiling to finish in an upper lobby[91 - lobby – холл, вестибюль],’ said Gobborn.

But after the king was gone off, the housekeeper sent for Gobborn and Jack, and told them that she had watched for a chance to warn them, for the king was so afraid they should carry their art away and build some other king a castle, he meant to take their lives tomorrow.

Gobborn told Jack to keep a good heart, and they would come off[92 - come off – уходить] all right.

When the king had come back Gobborn told him he had been unable to complete the job for lack[93 - lack – отсутствие] of a tool left at home, and he should like to send Jack after it.

�No, no,’ said the king, �cannot one of the men do it?’

�No, they could not make themselves understood,’ said the Seer, �but Jack could bring it.’

�You and your son are to stay here.

But how will it do if I send my own son?’

�That will do.’

So Gobborn sent by him a message to Jack’s wife. �Give him Crooked and straight!’

Now there was a little hole in the wall rather high up, and Jack’s wife tried to reach up[94 - reach up – дотянуться] into a chest there after �crooked and straight’, but at last she asked the king’s son to help her, because his arms were longest.