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

Cleaned him right out![91 - Cleaned him right out! – (разг.) Обчистил его до нитки!]’

He laughed softly.

Pilar said: �That was in South Africa?’

�Yes. A grand country.’

�You have been back there, yes?’

�I went back last five years after I married. That was the last time.’

�But before that? You were there for many years?’

�Yes.’

�Tell me about it.’

He began to talk. Pilar, shielding her face, listened.

His voice slowed, wearied. He said: �Wait, I’ll show you something.’

He pulled himself carefully to his feet. Then, with his stick, he limped slowly across the room. He opened the big safe. Turning, he beckoned her to him.

�There, look at these. Feel them, let them run through your fingers.’

He looked into her wondering face and laughed.

�Do you know what they are? Diamonds, child, diamonds.’

Pilar’s eyes opened.

Simeon laughed. �They are uncut diamonds[92 - uncut diamonds – (разг.) необработанные алмазы]. That is how they are found – like this.’

Pilar asked incredulously: �And if they were cut they would be real diamonds?’

�Certainly.’

�They would flash and sparkle?’

�Flash and sparkle.’

Pilar said childishly: �O-o-o, I cannot believe it!’

He was amused.

�They are valuable?’

�Fairly valuable. Difficult to say before they are cut[93 - before they are cut – (разг.) до огранки]. Anyway, this little lot is worth several thousands of pounds.’

Pilar said with a space between each word: �Several – thousands – of – pounds?’

�Say nine or ten thousands – they’re biggish stones, you see.

Pilar asked, her eyes opening: �But why do you not sell them, then?’

�Because I like to have them here.’

�But all that money?’

�I don’t need the money.’

�Oh – I see,’ Pilar looked impressed. She said: �But why do you not have them cut and made beautiful?’

�Because I prefer them like this.’ His face was set in a grim line. He turned away and began speaking to himself.