Вокруг света за 80 дней / Around the World in Eighty Days

“You are a Frenchman, I think,” asked Phileas Fogg, “and your name is John?”

“Jean, if monsieur pleases,” replied the newcomer, “Jean Passepartout[11 - Jean Passepartout – Жан Паспарту]. I had several trades. I was an itinerant singer[12 - itinerant singer – бродячий певец], a circus-rider[13 - circus-rider – цирковой наездник], when I danced on a rope. Then I was a professor of gymnastics; and then I was a sergeant fireman[14 - sergeant fireman – старший пожарный] at Paris.

“Passepartout,” responded Mr. Fogg, “I heard a good report of you. You know my conditions?”

“Yes, monsieur.”

“Good! What time is it?”

“Twenty-two minutes after eleven,” returned Passepartout. He drew an enormous silver watch from the depths of his pocket.

“Your watch is too slow,” said Mr.

“Pardon me, monsieur, it is impossible.”

“Four minutes slow. No matter; it’s enough to mention the error. Now from this moment, twenty-nine minutes after eleven, a.m., this Wednesday, 2nd October, you are in my service.”

Phileas Fogg got up, took his hat in his left hand, put it on his head with an automatic motion, and went off without a word. Passepartout remained alone in the house in Saville Row.

Chapter II

“Oh,” muttered Passepartout, “I saw people at Madame Tussaud’s[15 - Madame Tussaud’s – музей мадам Тюссо (музей восковых фигур в Лондоне)] as lively as my new master!” (Madame Tussaud’s “people” are of wax).

Mr. Fogg was a perfect Englishman. He was so exact that he was never in a hurry, was always ready, and was economical. He always went to his destination by the short cut; he made no superfluous gestures, and was never moved or agitated.

As for Passepartout, he was a true Parisian of Paris[16 - true Parisian of Paris – простой парижанин]. He abandoned[17 - abandoned – покинул] his own country for England, took service as a valet. Passepartout was an honest fellow, with a pleasant face, soft-mannered and serviceable, with a good round head.