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

) должен был восстать против его тирании] years ago.’

Alfred said sharply: �That will do[22 - That will do – (разг.) Хватит; достаточно], Lydia. Please don’t say any more.’

She sighed.�I’m sorry. Perhaps I was wrong… Let’s talk of our Christmas arrangements. Do you think your brother David will really come?’

�Why not?’

She shook her head doubtfully. �David is – queer. He’s not been inside the house for years, remember. He was so devoted to your mother – he’s got some feeling about this place.

’

�David always got on Father’s nerves,’ said Alfred, �with his music and his dreamy ways. Father was, perhaps, a bit hard on him sometimes. But I think David and Hilda will come all right. Christmas time, you know.’

�Peace and goodwill,’ said Lydia. Her delicate mouth curved ironically. �I wonder! George and Magdalene are coming. They said they would probably arrive tomorrow. I’m afraid Magdalene will be frightfully bored.

’

Alfred said with some slight annoyance: �Why my brother George ever married a girl twenty years younger than himself I can’t think! George was always a fool!’

�He’s very successful in his career,’ said Lydia. �His constituents like him. I believe Magdalene works quite hard politically for him[23 - works quite hard politically for him – (разг.) помогает ему делать политическую карьеру].’

Alfred said slowly: �I don’t think I like her very much.

She is very good-looking – but I sometimes think she is like one of those beautiful pears one gets – they have a rosy flush and a rather waxen appearance – ’ He shook his head.

�And they’re bad inside?’ said Lydia. �How funny you should say that, Alfred!’

�Why funny?’

She answered: �Because – usually – you are such a gentle soul. You hardly ever say an unkind thing about anyone. I get annoyed with you sometimes because you’re not sufficiently – oh, what shall I say? – sufficiently suspicious – not worldly enough!’

Her husband smiled.

�The world, I always think, is as you yourself make it.’

Lydia said sharply: �No! Evil is not only in one’s mind. Evil exists! You seem to have no consciousness of the evil in the world. I have. I can feel it. I’ve always felt it – here in this house – ’ She bit her lip and turned away.