| He lost two of his small nibs quickly, and Singer was jubilant, but the third time by some chance the Jumbo slipped round and Philip was able to push his J across it. | Он быстро потерял два своих перышка, и Певун уже ликовал, но в третий раз Слон каким-то образом промазал, и Филип сумел прикрыть его своим рондо. |
| He crowed with triumph. | Он даже застонал от торжества. |
| At that moment Mr. Watson came in. | В этот миг в комнату вошел мистер Уотсон. |
| "What are you doing?" he asked. He looked from Singer to Philip, but neither answered. | - Что вы тут делаете? - спросил он, переводя взгляд с Филипа на Певуна, но оба молчали. |
| "Don't you know that I've forbidden you to play that idiotic game?" | - Разве вы не знаете, что я запретил эту идиотскую игру? |
| Philip's heart beat fast. | Сердце у Филипа отчаянно билось. |
| He knew what was coming and was dreadfully frightened, but in his fright there was a certain exultation. | Он знал, что им грозит, и был страшно испуган, но к страху у него примешивалось какое-то приятное волнение. |
| He had never been swished. | Филипа никогда еще не пороли. |
| Of course it would hurt, but it was something to boast about afterwards. | Конечно, это больно, зато будет чем похвастаться потом! |
| "Come into my study." | - Ступайте ко мне в кабинет. |
| The headmaster turned, and they followed him side by side Singer whispered to Philip: | Директор повернулся, и они пошли за ним. Певун прошептал Филипу: |
| "We're in for it." | - Ну, влетит! |
| Mr. Watson pointed to Singer. | Мистер Уотсон показал пальцем на Певуна: |
| "Bend over," he said. | - Нагнись. |
| Philip, very white, saw the boy quiver at each stroke, and after the third he heard him cry out. | Белый как мел Филип смотрел, как мальчик вздрагивает от каждого удара; после третьего он вскрикнул. |
| Three more followed. | За этим ударом последовало еще три. |
| "That'll do. | - Хватит. |
| Get up." | Поднимайся. |
| Singer stood up. | Певун выпрямился. |
| The tears were streaming down his face. | По его лицу катились слезы. |
| Philip stepped forward. | Филип сделал шаг вперед. |
| Mr. Watson looked at him for a moment. | Мистер Уотсон посмотрел на него. |
| "I'm not going to cane you. | - Тебя я пороть не буду. |
| You're a new boy. | Ты - новенький. |
| And I can't hit a cripple. | И не могу я бить калеку. |
| Go away, both of you, and don't be naughty again." | Ступайте оба и в следующий раз извольте слушаться. |
| When they got back into the school-room a group of boys, who had learned in some mysterious way what was happening, were waiting for them. | Когда они вернулись в класс, их окружила толпа ребят, откуда-то пронюхавших о том, что с ними стряслось. |
| They set upon Singer at once with eager questions. | Мальчишки жадно накинулись на Певуна с расспросами. |
| Singer faced them, his face red with the pain and marks of tears still on his cheeks. | Лицо у Певуна покраснело от боли, на щеках еще были следы слез. |
| He pointed with his head at Philip, who was standing a little behind him. | Он мотнул головой на Филипа, стоявшего позади. |
| "He got off because he's a cripple," he said angrily. | - Ему сошло с рук, потому что он калека,- сказал он зло. |
| Philip stood silent and flushed. | Филип сжал зубы, сгорая от стыда. |
| He felt that they looked at him with contempt. | Он чувствовал, что мальчики смотрят на него с презрением. |
| "How many did you get?" one boy asked Singer. | - Сколько тебе дали? - спросил один из них Певуна. |
| But he did not answer. | Но тот не ответил. |
| He was angry because he had been hurt | Он был зол: ведь ему сделали больно. |
| "Don't ask me to play Nibs with you again," he said to Philip. | - Ты меня больше не проси с тобой играть, слышишь? |
| "It's jolly nice for you. | Тебе-то что! |
| You don't risk anything." | Ты ничем не рискуешь. |
| "I didn't ask you." | - Я тебя и не просил! |
| "Didn't you!" | - Врешь! |
| He quickly put out his foot and tripped Philip up. | Он быстро дал ему подножку. |
| Philip was always rather unsteady on his feet, and he fell heavily to the ground. | Филип всегда неустойчиво держался на ногах, он больно грохнулся об пол. |
| "Cripple," said Singer. | - Калека! - крикнул Певун. |
| For the rest of the term he tormented Philip cruelly, and, though Philip tried to keep out of his way, the school was so small that it was impossible; he tried being friendly and jolly with him; he abased himself, so far as to buy him a knife; but though Singer took the knife he was not placated. |