East Wind (Восточный ветер / Ветер с Востока) 19 страница

“It’s no good asking her (нет смысла спрашивать ее). She knows everything (она знает все), but she never tells (но она никогда не говорит),” said Jane.

“What’s the good of knowing (какая польза от знания) if you don’t tell anyone (если ты не говоришь никому)?” grumbled Michael (ворчал Майкл), but he said it under his breath (но он сказал это «под своим дыханием» = еле слышно) so that Mary Poppins couldn’t hear (так, чтобы Мэри Поппинс не могла слышать)…

 

reproachfully [rI'prqut∫fulI] double [dAbl] whirlwind ['wq:lwInd]

 

“That’ll do nicely for the poor box,” said Mary Poppins, looking over the arm of the sofa and sniffing.

“Oh no,” said Michael reproachfully. “It’s for myself. I’m saving.”

“Huh — for one of those aeryplanes, I suppose!” said Mary Poppins scornfully.

“No, for an elephant — a private one for myself, like Lizzie at the Zoo. I could take you for rides then,” said Michael, half-looking and half-not-looking at her to see how she would take it.

“Humph,” said Mary Poppins, “what an idea!” But they could see she was not quite so cross as before.

“I wonder,” said Michael thoughtfully, “what happens in the Zoo at night, when everybody’s gone home?”

“Care killed a cat,” snapped Mary Poppins.

“I wasn’t caring, I was only wondering,” corrected Michael. “Do you know?” he enquired of Mary Poppins, who was whisking the crumbs off the table in double-quick time.

“One more question from you — and spit-spot, to bed you go!” she said, and began to tidy the Nursery so busily that she looked more like a whirlwind in a cap and apron than a human being.

“It’s no good asking her. She knows everything, but she never tells,” said Jane.

“What’s the good of knowing if you don’t tell anyone?” grumbled Michael, but he said it under his breath so that Mary Poppins couldn’t hear…

 

Jane and Michael could never remember having been put to bed so quickly (Джейн и Майкл не помнили, чтобы их укладывали в кровать так быстро) as they were that night (как в эту ночь). Mary Poppins blew out the light very early (Мэри Поппинс погасила свет очень рано), and went away as hurriedly (и ушла так быстро; to hurry — спешить) as though all the winds of the world were blowing behind her (как будто все ветра мира дули позади нее).

It seemed to them (им казалось) that they had been there no time (что они были здесь всего ничего: «никакое время»), however (тем не менее), when they heard a low voice whispering at the door (когда они услышали низкий = тихий голос, шепчущий у двери).

“Hurry, Jane and Michael (скорее, Джейн и Майкл)!” said the voice (сказал голос). “Get some things on and hurry (одевайте что-нибудь: «берите какие-нибудь вещи» и спешите)!”

They jumped out of their beds (они выпрыгнули из своих кроватей), surprised and startled (удивленные и пораженные; to startle — испугать; поразить, сильно удивить).

“Come on (давай),” said Jane. “Something’s happening (что-то происходит).” And she began to rummage for some clothes in the darkness (и она начала тщательно искать какую-нибудь одежду в темноте; rummage — хлам, дрянь; тщательный осмотр; поиски; таможенный досмотр судна; to rummage — тщательно осматривать, искать; обыскивать).

“Hurry (скорее)!” called the voice again (позвал голос снова).

“Oh dear (о, Господи), all I can find (все, что я могу найти) is my sailor hat and a pair of gloves (это матросская шляпа и пара перчаток)!” said Michael, running round the room (бегая по комнате) pulling at drawers (выдвигая ящики; to pull — тянуть) and feeling along shelves (и шаря по полкам).

“Those’ll do (это подойдет). Put them on (надевай их). It isn’t cold (не холодно). Come on (давай).”

Jane herself had only been able to find a little coat of John’s (сама Джейн смогла найти маленькое пальто Джона), but she squeezed her arms into it (но она втиснула руки в него) and opened the door (и открыла дверь). There was nobody there (здесь никого не было), but they seemed to hear something (но им показалось, что они услышали что-то) hurrying away down the stairs (спешащее прочь вниз по ступенькам). Jane and Michael followed (Джейн и Майкл побежали следом; to follow — следовать). Whatever it was (что бы это ни было), or whoever it was (или кто бы это ни был), kept continually in front of them (оно держалось все время впереди них).

They never saw it (они никогда = вовсе не видели это), but they had the distinct sensation (но они имели ясное ощущение) of being led on and on by something (что их увлекали и увлекали чем-то: «быть ведомыми чем-то»; to lead — вести) that constantly beckoned them to follow (что постоянно манило их следовать за ним; to beckon — манить, кивать; делать знак /рукой, пальцем/). Presently they were in the Lane (наконец они оказались на улице), their slippers making a soft hissing noise on the pavement (их тапочки производили мягкий шипящий/свистящий шум на тротуаре) as they scurried along (когда они бежали /по улице/; to scurry — бежать стремглав, нестись).

 

whoever [hu(:)'evq] sensation [sen'seI∫(q)n] scurried ['skArId]

 

Jane and Michael could never remember having been put to bed so quickly as they were that night. Mary Poppins blew out the light very early, and went away as hurriedly as though all the winds of the world were blowing behind her.

It seemed to them that they had been there no time, however, when they heard a low voice whispering at the door.

“Hurry, Jane and Michael!” said the voice. “Get some things on and hurry!”

They jumped out of their beds, surprised and startled.

“Come on,” said Jane. “Something’s happening.” And she began to rummage for some clothes in the darkness.

“Hurry!” called the voice again.

“Oh dear, all I can find is my sailor hat and a pair of gloves!” said Michael, running round the room pulling at drawers and feeling along shelves.

“Those’ll do. Put them on. It isn’t cold. Come on.”

Jane herself had only been able to find a little coat of John’s, but she squeezed her arms into it and opened the door. There was nobody there, but they seemed to hear something hurrying away down the stairs. Jane and Michael followed. Whatever it was, or whoever it was, kept continually in front of them.

They never saw it, but they had the distinct sensation of being led on and on by something that constantly beckoned them to follow. Presently they were in the Lane, their slippers making a soft hissing noise on the pavement as they scurried along.

 

“Hurry (скорей)!” urged the voice again from a nearby corner (подгонял голос снова из-за ближайшего угла), but when they turned it (но когда они повернули за него) they could still see nothing (они все еще ничего не могли видеть). They began to run (они начали бежать), hand in hand (держась за руки; «рука в руке»), following the voice down streets (следуя за голосом по улицам), through alleyways (через аллеи), under arches and across Parks (под арками и через парки) until (пока), panting and breathless (запыхавшиеся и тяжело дышащие), they were brought to a standstill (они «были приведены к остановке» = остановились) beside a large turnstile in a wall (рядом с большим турникетом в стене).

“Here you are (вот вы и здесь)!” said the voice (сказал голос).

“Where (где)?” called Michael to it (обратился Майкл к нему). But there was no reply (но ответа не было). Jane moved towards the turnstile (Джейн двинулась по направлению к турникету), dragging Michael by the hand (волоча Майкла за руку).

“Look (смотри)!” she said. “Don’t you see where we are (ты не видишь, где мы)? It’s the Zoo (это зоопарк)!”

A very bright full moon was shining in the sky (очень яркая полная луна светила в небе) and by its light Michael examined the iron grating (и в ее свете Майкл осмотрел железную решетку) and looked through the bars (и заглянул через прутья). Of course (конечно)! How silly of him not to have known (как глупо с его стороны не узнать) it was the Zoo (что это был зоопарк)!

“But how shall we get in (но как мы войдем)?” he said. “We’ve no money (у нас нет денег).”

“That’s all right (все в порядке)!” said a deep, gruff voice from within (произнес глубокий = низкий, грубый/хриплый голос изнутри; within — внутри). “Special Visitors allowed in free tonight (особенным посетителям позволено войти бесплатно сегодня; to allow — позволять). Push the wheel, please (толкните колесо, пожалуйста)!”

Jane and Michael pushed (Джейн и Майкл толкнули) and were through the turnstile in a second (и прошли: «были» через турникет через секунду).

“Here’s your ticket (вот ваш билет),” the gruff voice said (хриплый голос сказал), and, looking up (и, поглядев вверх), they found (они обнаружили; to find) that it came from a huge Brown Bear (что он исходит от огромного бурого медведя) who was wearing a coat with brass buttons (который был одет в пальто с медными пуговицами) and a peaked cap on his head (и в кепке: «заостренной шляпе» на голове). In his paw were two pink tickets (в его лапах были два розовых билета) which he held out to the children (которые он протянул детям; to hold out — протягивать, предлагать; to hold — держать).

 

nearby ['nIqbaI] arch [Q:t∫] special ['spq∫(q)l]

 

“Hurry!” urged the voice again from a nearby corner, but when they turned it they could still see nothing. They began to run, hand in hand, following the voice down streets, through alleyways, under arches and across Parks until, panting and breathless, they were brought to a standstill beside a large turnstile in a wall.

“Here you are!” said the voice.

“Where?” called Michael to it. But there was no reply. Jane moved towards the turnstile, dragging Michael by the hand.

“Look!” she said. “Don’t you see where we are? It’s the Zoo!”

A very bright full moon was shining in the sky and by its light Michael examined the iron grating and looked through the bars. Of course! How silly of him not to have known it was the Zoo!

“But how shall we get in?” he said. “We’ve no money.”

“That’s all right!” said a deep, gruff voice from within. “Special Visitors allowed in free tonight. Push the wheel, please!”

Jane and Michael pushed and were through the turnstile in a second.

“Here’s your ticket,” the gruff voice said, and, looking up, they found that it came from a huge Brown Bear who was wearing a coat with brass buttons and a peaked cap on his head. In his paw were two pink tickets which he held out to the children.

 

“But we usually give tickets (но мы обычно даем билеты),” said Jane.

“Usual is as usual does (не все обычное бывает обычно: «обычным является то, что обычно делается /а может делаться и что-либо другое/»).Tonight you receive them (сегодня вечером вы получаете их),” said the Bear, smiling (сказал медведь, улыбаясь; to smile).

Michael had been regarding him closely (Майкл изучал его близко/вплотную = внимательно).

“I remember you (я помню тебя),” he said to the Bear (он сказал медведю). “I once gave you a tin of golden syrup (я однажды дал тебе банку золотистого сиропа; tin — олово; жесть; жестяная консервная банка; жестянка = tin can).”

“You did (ты давал),” said the Bear. “And you forgot to take the lid off (и ты забыл снять крышку; to take off — снять). Do you know (знаешь ли ты), I was more than ten days working at that lid (что я больше чем десять дней работал над этой крышкой)? Be more careful in the future (будь более внимателен в будущем).”

“But why aren’t you in your cage (но почему ты не в клетке)? Are you always out at night (ты всегда выходишь наружу ночью)?” said Michael.

“No — only when the Birthday falls on a Full Moon (нет — только когда день рождения выпадает на полнолуние). But you must excuse me (но вы должны извинить меня). I must attend to the gate (я должен следить за воротами; to attend — уделять внимание; следить).” And the Bear turned away (и медведь развернулся) and began to spin the handle of the turnstile again (и начал вращать рукоятку турника снова).

Jane and Michael, holding their tickets (держа свои билеты), walked on into the Zoo grounds (прошли вперед на угодья зоопарка; ground — земля, грунт; grounds — сад, парк при доме; участок вокруг дома). In the light of the full moon every tree and flower and shrub was visible (в свете полной луны каждое дерево и цветок, и кустарник был виден: «был видимым»), and they could see the houses and cages quite clearly (и они видели дома и клетки довольно четко/ясно).

“There seems to be a lot going on (кажется, здесь много чего происходит),” observed Michael (отметил Майкл).

And indeed (и действительно), there was (происходило). Animals were running about on all the paths (животные бегали вокруг по всем тропинкам), sometimes accompanied by birds (иногда в сопровождении птиц: «сопровождаемые птицами») and sometimes alone (а иногда одни). Two wolves ran past the children (два волка пробежали мимо детей), talking eagerly to a very tall stork (говоря энергично с очень высокой цаплей) who was tiptoeing between them (которая шла на цыпочках между ними) with dainty, delicate movements (с изысканными, изящными движениями). Jane and Michael distinctly caught the words “Birthday” and “Full Moon” as they went by (Джейн и Майкл отчетливо поймали слова «День рождения» и «Полнолуние», когда они проходили мимо; to catch — ловить, поймать).

 

future ['fju:t∫q] excuse [Iks'kju:s] accompanied [q'kAmp(q)nId]

 

“But we usually give tickets,” said Jane.

“Usual is as usual does.Tonight you receive them,” said the Bear, smiling.

Michael had been regarding him closely.

“I remember you,” he said to the Bear. “I once gave you a tin of golden syrup.”

“You did,” said the Bear. “And you forgot to take the lid off. Do you know, I was more than ten days working at that lid? Be more careful in the future.”

“But why aren’t you in your cage? Are you always out at night?” said Michael.

“No — only when the Birthday falls on a Full Moon. But you must excuse me. I must attend to the gate.” And the Bear turned away and began to spin the handle of the turnstile again.

Jane and Michael, holding their tickets, walked on into the Zoo grounds. In the light of the full moon every tree and flower and shrub was visible, and they could see the houses and cages quite clearly.

“There seems to be a lot going on,” observed Michael.

And indeed, there was. Animals were running about on all the paths, sometimes accompanied by birds and sometimes alone. Two wolves ran past the children, talking eagerly to a very tall stork who was tiptoeing between them with dainty, delicate movements. Jane and Michael distinctly caught the words “Birthday” and “Full Moon” as they went by.

 

In the distance three camels were strolling along side by side (на расстоянии три верблюда прогуливались бок о бок), and not far away a beaver and an American vulture were deep in conversation (а недалеко бобер и Американский гриф были поглощены разговором: «были глубоко в разговоре»). And they all seemed to the children to be discussing the same subject (и они все казались детям обсуждающими одно и тоже: «одинаковый предмет /разговора/, ту же тему»).

“Whose Birthday is it (чей день рождения сегодня), I wonder (интересно)?” said Michael, but Jane was moving ahead (но Джейн двинулась/прошла вперед), gazing at a curious sight (уставившись на любопытное зрелище).

Just by the Elephant Stand (прямо у клетки/места слона) a very large, very fat old gentleman was walking up and down on all fours (очень большой, очень толстый пожилой джентельмен прогуливался туда-сюда: «вверх и вниз» на всех четырех /конечностях/), and on his back (а на его спине), on two small parallel seats (на двух маленьких параллельных сидениях), were eight monkeys going for a ride (находились восемь обезьянок, едущих на прогулку верхом).

“Why, it’s all upside down (да, все вверх дном/все наоборот)!” exclaimed Jane (воскликнула Джейн).

The old gentleman gave her an angry look (пожилой джентльмен кинул на нее рассерженный взгляд) as he went past (когда проходил мимо).

“Upside down (вверх дном)!” he snorted (он фыркнул). “Me (я)! Upside down (вверх дном)? Certainly not (определенно нет). Gross insult (вопиющее оскорбление; gross — большой, крупный; грубый; явный, бросающийся в глаза, вопиющий)!” The eight monkeys laughed rudely (восемь обезьян грубо рассмеялись).

“Oh, please (о, пожалуйста) — I didn’t mean you (я не имела в виду вас) — but the whole thing (но в целом: «целая /полностью/ вещь»),” explained Jane (объяснила Джейн), hurrying after him to apologize (спешащая за ним, чтобы извиниться). “On ordinary days the animals carry human beings (в обычные дни животные катают человеческих существ) and now there’s a human being carrying the animals (а сейчас человек катает животных).That’s what I meant (вот что я имела в виду; to mean — намереваться, иметь в виду; думать, подразумевать).”

But the old gentleman (но пожилой джентльмен), shuffling and panting (шаркая и тяжело дыша), insisted that he had been insulted (настаивал, что он был оскорблен), and hurried away with the monkeys (и заспешил прочь с обезьянами) screaming on his back (кричащими на его спине).

 

vulture ['vAlt∫q] insult [in'sAlt] being ['bi:Iŋ]

 

In the distance three camels were strolling along side by side, and not far away a beaver and an American vulture were deep in conversation. And they all seemed to the children to be discussing the same subject.

“Whose Birthday is it, I wonder?” said Michael, but Jane was moving ahead, gazing at a curious sight.

Just by the Elephant Stand a very large, very fat old gentleman was walking up and down on all fours, and on his back, on two small parallel seats, were eight monkeys going for a ride.

“Why, it’s all upside down!” exclaimed Jane.

The old gentleman gave her an angry look as he went past.

“Upside down!” he snorted. “Me! Upside down? Certainly not. Gross insult!” The eight monkeys laughed rudely.

“Oh, please — I didn’t mean you — but the whole thing,” explained Jane, hurrying after him to apologize. “On ordinary days the animals carry human beings and now there’s a human being carrying the animals.That’s what I meant.”

But the old gentleman, shuffling and panting, insisted that he had been insulted, and hurried away with the monkeys screaming on his back.

 

Jane saw (Джейн поняла: «видела») it was no good following him (что не было смысла следовать за ним), so she took Michael’s hand (поэтому она взяла Майкла за руку) and moved onwards (и двинулась дальше/вперед).They were startled (они были напуганы) when a voice, almost at their feet, hailed them (когда голос, почти у их ног, окликнул их).

“Come on, you two (давайте, вы двое)! In you come (входите, вы), Let’s see you dive for a bit of orange peel you don’t want (давайте посмотрим, как вы ныряете за кусочком апельсиновой шкурки, которая вам не нужна/которую не хотите).” It was a bitter, angry voice (это был резкий, злой голос; anger — гнев; раздражение), and looking down they saw (и посмотрев вниз, они увидели) that it came from a small black Seal (что он исходил от маленького черного тюленя) who was leering at them (который злобно смотрел на них; to leer — смотреть искоса, злобно) from a moonlit pool of water (из залитого лунным светом бассейна с водой).

“Come on, now (давайте уж) — and see how you like it (и посмотрим, как вам понравится это)!” he said.

“But — but we can’t swim (но — мы не умеем плавать)!” said Michael.

“Can’t help that (ничего не могу поделать)!” said the Seal. “You should have thought of that before (вы должны были подумать об этом раньше). Nobody ever bothers to find out (никому никогда и дела нет выяснить) whether I can swim or not (умею ли я плавать или нет). Eh, what (а, что)? What’s that (что это)?”

He spoke the last question to another Seal (он задал последний вопрос другому тюленю) who had emerged from the water (который всплыл из воды) and was whispering in his ear (и шептал в его ухо).

“Who (кто)?” said the first Seal (сказал первый тюлень). “Speak up (говори-ка; to speak up — говорить громко и отчетливо /Speak up, we can't hear you. — Пожалуйста, говорите громче, мы не слышим вас/; высказаться)!”

The second Seal whispered again (второй Тюлень прошептал снова). Jane caught the words (Джейн уловила слова) “Special Visitors (особенные посетители) — Friends of — (друзья…)” and then no more (а дальше — ничего более). The first Seal seemed disappointed (первый тюлень казался разочарованным), but he said politely enough to Jane and Michael (но он сказал достаточно вежливо Джейн и Майклу):

“Oh, beg pardon (о, прошу прощения). Pleased to meet you (рад с вами познакомиться: «встретить вас»). Beg pardon (прошу прощения).” And he held out his flipper (и он протянул свой плавник; to hold out — протягивать) and shook hands limply with them both (и мягко пожал руки им обоим; to shake — трясти; limp — мягкий, нежесткий).

 

onwards ['Onwqdz] down [daun] moonlit ['mu:nlIt]

 

Jane saw it was no good following him, so she took Michael’s hand and moved onwards.They were startled when a voice, almost at their feet, hailed them.

“Come on, you two! In you come, Let’s see you dive for a bit of orange peel you don’t want.” It was a bitter, angry voice, and looking down they saw that it came from a small black Seal who was leering at them from a moonlit pool of water.

“Come on, now — and see how you like it!” he said.

“But — but we can’t swim!” said Michael.

“Can’t help that!” said the Seal. “You should have thought of that before. Nobody ever bothers to find out whether I can swim or not. Eh, what? What’s that?”

He spoke the last question to another Seal who had emerged from the water and was whispering in his ear.

“Who?” said the first Seal. “Speak up!”

The second Seal whispered again. Jane caught the words “Special Visitors — Friends of — ” and then no more. The first Seal seemed disappointed, but he said politely enough to Jane and Michael:

“Oh, beg pardon. Pleased to meet you. Beg pardon.” And he held out his flipper and shook hands limply with them both.

 

“Look where you’re going (смотрите, куда идете), can’t you (не могли бы вы)?” he shouted (он прокричал), as something bumped into Jane (в то же время, как что-то ударилось о Джейн/стукнулось в Джейн). She turned quickly (она развернулась быстро) and gave a little frightened start (и испуганно вздрогнула: «дала = сделала маленькое испуганное вздрагивание»; start — вздрагивание; толчок) as she beheld an enormous Lion (как только она увидела/заметила огромного льва; to behold — видеть, замечать, узреть). The eyes of the Lion brightened (глаза льва наполнились радостью; bright — яркий; блестящий; светящийся; to brighten — прояснять(ся); наполнять радостью) as he saw her (когда он увидел ее).

“Oh, I say (о, «я говорю»; Oh, I say = Да что вы, надо же!) — ” he began (он начал). “I didn’t know it was you (я не знал, что это вы)! This place is so crowded tonight (это место такое «многолюдное» сегодня вечером; crowd — толпа) and I’m in such a hurry to see the humans fed (и я так спешу посмотреть, как будут кормить людей; to feed) I’m afraid I didn’t look where I was going (боюсь, что я не смотрел, куда шел). Coming along (идете /со мной/)? You oughtn’t to miss it (вы не должны пропустить это), you know — (вы знаете)”

“Perhaps (может быть),” said Jane politely (сказала Джейн вежливо), “you’d show us the way (вы бы показали нам дорогу).” She was a little uncertain of the Lion (она была немного неуверена в льве), but he seemed kindly enough (но он казался достаточно доброжелательным). “And after all (и в конце концов: «после всего»),” she thought (она подумала), “everything is topsyturvy tonight (все вверх тормашками сегодня вечером; topsyturvy — неразбериха, кутерьма; вверх дном, шиворот-навыворот).”

“Dee-lighted! (с удовольствием; delight — довольствие, наслаждение)” said the Lion in rather a mincing voice (сказал лев довольно жеманным голосом: ; to mince — крошить, рубить /мясо/; держаться жеманно), and he offered her his arm (и он предложил ей свою лапу). She took it (она взяла ее), but to be on the safe side (но чтобы быть спокойнее: «на безопасной стороне») she kept Michael beside her (она держала Майкла возле себя). He was such a round, fat little boy (он был такой круглый, толстый маленький мальчик), and after all (и в конце концов), she thought (она подумала), lions are lions (львы есть львы) —

“Does my mane look nice (моя грива выглядит красиво)?” asked the Lion (спросил лев) as they moved off (когда они отошли). “I had it curled for the occasion (я сделал завивку по случаю; curl — локон, завиток).”

Jane looked at it (Джейн посмотрела на нее). She could see (она увидела) that it had been carefully oiled (что она была заботливо промаслена) and combed into ringlets (и причесана в колечки/локоны).

“Very (очень),” she said. “But — isn’t it rather odd for a lion to care about such things (но — не странно ли это для льва — заботится о таких вещах)? I thought (я думала) — ”

 

Lion ['laIqn] topsyturvy ['tOpsI'tq:vI] tonight [tq'naIt]

 

“Look where you’re going, can’t you?” he shouted, as something bumped into Jane. She turned quickly and gave a little frightened start as she beheld an enormous Lion. The eyes of the Lion brightened as he saw her.

“Oh, I say — ” he began. “I didn’t know it was you! This place is so crowded tonight and I’m in such a hurry to see the humans fed I’m afraid I didn’t look where I was going. Coming along? You oughtn’t to miss it, you know — ”

“Perhaps,” said Jane politely, “you’d show us the way.” She was a little uncertain of the Lion, but he seemed kindly enough. “And after all,” she thought, “everything is topsyturvy tonight.”

“Dee-lighted!” said the Lion in rather a mincing voice, and he offered her his arm. She took it, but to be on the safe side she kept Michael beside her. He was such a round, fat little boy, and after all, she thought, lions are lions —

“Does my mane look nice?” asked the Lion as they moved off. “I had it curled for the occasion.”

Jane looked at it. She could see that it had been carefully oiled and combed into ringlets.

“Very,” she said. “But — isn’t it rather odd for a lion to care about such things? I thought — ”

 

“What (что)! My dear young lady (моя дорогая юная леди), the Lion, as you know (лев, как вы знаете), is the King of the Beasts (царь зверей). He has to remember his position (он должен помнить о своем положении). And I (а я), personally (лично), am not likely to forget it (конечно же, не забываю этого; likely — вероятный, возможный; not likely — конечно, нет /обычно в ответ на вопрос/). I believe a lion should always look his best (я полагаю, что лев должен всегда выглядеть наилучшим образом: «выглядеть свое лучшее») no matter where he is (не важно = независимо /от того/, где он находится). This way (вот сюда).”

And with a graceful wave of his forepaw he pointed towards the Big Cat House (и с грациозным взмахом своей передней лапы он указал в направлении дома большой кошки) and ushered them in at the entrance (и проводил их ко входу; usher — швейцар; консьерж; привратник; to usher — провожать, сопровождать; вводить /in/).

Jane and Michael caught their breaths at the sight that met their eyes (Джейн и Майкл затаили дыхание от зрелища, которое предстало перед их глазами: «встретило их глаза»). The great hall was thronged with animals (большой холл был переполнен животными; throng — толпа, толчея). Some were leaning over the long bar (некоторые склонились над длинным парапетом) that separated them from the cages (который отделял их от клеток), some were standing on the seats (некоторые стояли на сидениях) that rose in tiers opposite (которые поднимались рядами напротив; tier — ряд; ярус). There were panthers and leopards (здесь были пантеры и леопарды), wolves (волки), tigers and antelopes (тигры и антилопы); monkeys and hedgehogs (обезьяны и ежи; hedgehog — еж; /амер./ дикобраз), wombats (вомбаты), mountain goats and giraffes (горные козлы и жирафы); and an enormous group composed entirely of kittiwakes and vultures (и огромная группа, состоящая полностью из моевок и грифов).

“Splendid, isn’t it (великолепно, не правда ли)?” said the Lion proudly (сказал Лев гордо). “Just like the dear old jungle days (прямо как в старые добрые времена джунглей). But come along (но поторопимся) — we must get good places (мы должны занять хорошие места).”

And he pushed his way through the crowd crying (и он проталкивал себе дорогу сквозь толпу, крича), “Gangway (дорогу: «проход»), gangway (дорогу)!” and dragging Jane and Michael after him (и волоча Джейн и Майкла за собой). Presently (некоторое время спустя), through a little clearing in the middle of the hall (сквозь небольшое свободное место в середине холла), they were able to get a glimpse of the cages (они смогли уловить вид клеток: «получить проблеск клеток»).