).
heart [hRt] breath [breT] wretched [`reCId] indescribable [IndIs`kreIbqbl] ceased [sJst]
When we were about half-way through, I suddenly put my hand upon her arm; for I had heard in the silent, frosty air, a sound that brought my heart into my mouth — the tap-tapping of the blind man's stick upon the frozen road. It drew nearer and nearer, while we sat holding our breath. Then it struck sharp on the inn door, and then we could hear the handle being turned, and the bolt rattling as the wretched being tried to enter; and then there was a long time of silence both within and without. At last the tapping recommenced, and, to our indescribable joy and gratitude, died slowly away again until it ceased to be heard.
1. 'Mother, said I, 'take the whole and let's be going (бери все и бежим /отсюда/; to be going — собираться); for I was sure the bolted door must have seemed suspicious (так как я был уверен, что запертая на засов дверь должна была показаться подозрительной), and would bring the whole hornet's nest about our ears (и могла потревожить /все/ осиное гнездо: «привести все осиное гнездо вокруг наших ушей = на наши головы»; hornet — шершень, оса; nest — гнездо); though how thankful I was that I had bolted it (и все-таки, как хорошо: «каким благодарным я был», что я запер ее), none could tell who had never met that terrible blind man (никто не мог сказать = понять /этого/, кто никогда не встречал того ужасного слепого).
2. But my mother, frightened as she was (но моя мать, напуганная, как она была = несмотря на страх), would not consent to take a fraction more than was due to her (не соглашалась взять доли большей, чем принадлежало ей; fraction — часть, доля), and was obstinately unwilling to be content with less (и упрямо не желала взять меньше; to be content with — быть довольным /чем-то/). It was not yet seven (еще не было семи), she said, by a long way (она сказала, далеко /не семь/ = что у нас много времени); she knew her rights and she would have them (/что/ она знает свои права и получит их = никому не уступит); and she was still arguing with me (она все еще спорила со мной), when a little low whistle sounded a good way off upon the hill (когда короткий тихий свист донесся издалека с холма; to sound — звучать). That was enough, and more than enough, for both of us (этого было достаточно, и более, чем достаточно /чтобы перестать препираться/, для нас обоих).
suspicious [sq`spISqs] hornet [`hLnIt] obstinately [`ObstInItlI] arguing [`RgjHIN]
1. 'Mother, said I, 'take the whole and let's be going; for I was sure the bolted door must have seemed suspicious, and would bring the whole hornet's nest about our ears; though how thankful I was that I had bolted it, none could tell who had never met that terrible blind man.