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

�I’m stirring up rather a hornet’s nest[101 - I’m stirring up rather a hornet’s nest – (разг.) Я разворошу это осиное гнездо], you know.’

�What do you mean?’ asked Simeon sharply.

�Brother Alfred,’ said Harry. �Good brother Alfred! He, if I may say so, resents my presence here.’

�The devil he does!’ snapped Simeon. �I’m master in this house.’

�All the same, sir, I expect you’re pretty dependent on Alfred. I don’t want to upset – ’

�You’ll do as I tell you,’ snapped his father.

Harry yawned. �Don’t know that I shall be able to stick a stay-at-home life. Pretty stifling to a fellow who’s knocked about the world[102 - who’s knocked about the world – (разг.) который привык шататься по свету].’

His father said: �You’d better marry and settle down.’

Harry said: �Who shall I marry? Pity one can’t marry one’s niece. Young Pilar is devilish attractive.

�You’ve noticed that?’

�Talking of settling down, fat George has done well for himself as far as looks go[103 - has done well for himself as far as looks go – (разг.) подобрал себе неплохую пару, если уж говорить о внешности]. Who was she?’

Simeon shrugged his shoulders. �How should I know? George picked her up at a mannequin parade, I believe. She says her father was a retired naval officer.’

Harry said: �Probably a second mate of a coasting steamer.

�George,’ said Simeon Lee, �is a fool.’

Harry said: �What did she marry him for – his money?’

Simeon shrugged his shoulders.

Harry said: �Well, you think that you can square Alfred all right?’

�We’ll soon settle that,’ said Simeon grimly. He touched a bell that stood on a table near him. Horbury appeared promptly. Simeon said:

�Ask Mr Alfred to come here.

Horbury went out and Harry drawled: �That fellow listens at doors!’

Simeon shrugged his shoulders. �Probably.’

Alfred hurried in. His face twitched when he saw his brother. Ignoring Harry, he said pointedly: �You wanted me, Father?’

�Yes, sit down. I was just thinking we must reorganize things a bit now that we have two more people living in the house.’

�Two?’

�Pilar will make her home here, naturally.