Agatha Christie. The Lamp (in English, for intermediate)

Продолжаем чтение английской классики, на этот раз мы подготовили для вас адаптированный короткий рассказ на английском языке «Лампа» (уровень средний — pre-intermediate), автором которого является Агата Кристи. (Все книги и рассказы Агаты Кристи — полный список). Сюжет рассказа повествует о семье, которая арендовала за подозрительно низкую плату старинный мрачный особняк. Радость от выгодной сделки постепенно сменяется чувством недоумения, а потом и страхом… Как вы уже заметили рассказ в стиле Агаты Кристи. Мы же совмещаем приятное с полезным и читаем это захватывающее и будоражащее кровь произведение на английском языке, учим и запоминаем новые слова. Напоминаем, что все сложные выражения вы найдете в списке слов для понимания. А список слов для изучения советуем выучить до того, как приступите к чтению.

Short Stories by Agatha Christie

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Содержание (the Contents):

1. Part One
2. Part Two
3. Part Three
4. Part Four

Agatha Christie. The Lamp (part 1)

Слова и выражения для понимания:

1. a haunted house  — дом с привидениями
2. «To Be Let or Sold” — «Сдается или продается»
3. house agent — агент по продаже недвижимости
4. I suppose the house is haunted? — Я полагаю, этот дом с привидениями?
5. unfortunately — к сожалению
6. starved to death — умер от голода
7. get nothing as good for the price — ничего не найду лучше за эту цену

The house No. 19 was very old. People said that there lived ghosts but nobody had ever seen them. However, it wasn’t called a «haunted» house; year after year it remained:»To Be Let or Sold.”

The house agent Mr. Raddish was glad to see that Mrs. Lancaster was interested in this house. But her question: «How long was it empty?» made him a little worried: «Er—er—some time,» he answered.

«I thought so,» said Mrs. Lancaster.

There was something unpleasant in the air, it felt cold in the hall. Mrs Lancaster went over the house and asked questions from time to time. After that she asked: «What is the matter with the house?»
It seemed that Mr. Raddish didn’t know what to say. «Of course, a house without furniture is always a little gloomy,» he answered.

«Nonsense,» said Mrs. Lancaster. «The rent is very low for such a house. I want to know why. I suppose the house is haunted?»

Mr. Raddish said nothing.

After some time Mrs. Lancaster spoke again: «Of course, that is all nonsense. I don’t believe in ghosts or anything of that sort, and I don’t see the reason why I shouldn’t buy this house; but servants… They are easily frightened. Tell me exactly what—what thing haunts this place.»

«I—er—really don’t know,» said the house agent.

«You must,» said the lady quietly. «I cannot take the house without knowing. What was it? A murder?»

«Oh, no», cried Mr. Raddish. «It’s—it’s— only a child.»
«A child?»
«Yes.»

«I don’t know the story exactly,» he continued. «Of course, there are different versions of it, but I know that about thirty years ago a man, whose name was Williams, took No. 19. Nobody knew anything about him; he kept no servants; he had no friends; he seldom went out in the daytime. He had one child, a little boy. After he had been here about two months, he went to London and never came back. People said that he was wanted by the police. The child lived on here, alone in the house. He had food for a little time, and he waited day after day for his father’s return. Unfortunately, his father had told him not to go out of the house or to speak to anyone. He was a weak, little creature and did not want to disobey this command. In the night the neighbors often heard him sobbing.»
Mr. Raddish paused.

«And—er—the child starved to death,» he said.

«And it is the child’s ghost that haunts the place?» asked Mrs. Lancaster.

«There’s nothing seen only people say, ridiculous, of course, but they say they hear — the child — crying, you know.»

Mrs. Lancaster moved towards the front door.

«I like the house very much,» she said. «I think I will get nothing as good for the price. I will let you know.»

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Agatha Christie. The Lamp (part 2)

Слова и выражения для понимания:

1. Don’t talk nonsense. — Не говори чепухи.
2. consisted of – состоять из
3. It’s more like rain. — Похоже на дождь.
4. pitter-patter – “топ-топ-топ, тук-тук-тук”,
5. downstairs – вниз
6. on the stairs – на лестнице
7. no doubt – без сомнения