Your task is confined to that (ваша задача сводится к этому: «приурочена к этому»). When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people (ваш крик будет подхвачен довольно многими людьми = множеством людей). You may then walk to the end of the street (вы можете затем дойти до конца улицы), and I will rejoin you in ten minutes (и я присоединюсь к вам через десять минут). I hope that I have made myself clear (я надеюсь, что вы поняли: «что я сделал себя ясным»)?"
 
      formidable [?f?:m?d?bl], either [?a???], rejoin [r?????nt]
 
      "And when I raise my hand — so — you will throw into the room what I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of fire. You quite follow me?"
      "Entirely."
      "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke rocket, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?"
 
      "I am to remain neutral (должен оставаться нейтральным), to get near the window (стать рядом с окном), to watch you (наблюдать за вами), and at the signal (по сигналу)to throw in this object (забросить эту вещь), then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street (ждать вас на углу улицы)."
      "Precisely (совершенно верно)."
      "Then you may entirely rely on me (тогда вы можете полностью положиться на меня)."
      "That is excellent (/это/ отлично). I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role (я думаю, пожалуй, это почти то время, когда я должен подготовиться = пора подготовиться к новой роли)I have to play (которую я вынужден играть)."
 
      excellent [?eks?l?nt], prepare [pri?pe?]
 
      "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street."
      "Precisely."
      "Then you may entirely rely on me."
      "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I prepare for the new role I have to play."
 
      He disappeared into his bedroom (он исчез в своей спальне)and returned in a few minutes (и вернулся через несколько минут)in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman (в виде любезного и простодушного нонкомформистского священника; simple-minded: simple — простой, mind — ум). His broad black hat (его широкая черная шляпа), his baggy trousers (мешковатые брюки; bag — мешок), his white tie (белый галстук), his sympathetic smile (привлекательная улыбка), and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity (и общее выражение благожелательного любопытства; to peer — всматриваться)were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled (были бесподобны: «были сравнимы лишь с мистером Джоном Хэром»). It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume (/дело/ было не только лишь в том, что Холмс сменил костюм). His expression, his manner, his very soul (выражение его /лица/, его манеры, самая душа его)seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed (казалось, изменялись с каждой новой: «свежей» ролью, которую он играл: «напускал на себя»). The stage lost a fine actor (сцена потеряла прекрасного актера), even as science lost an acute reasoner (равно как наука потеряла тонкого мыслителя), when he became a specialist in crime (когда он стал специалистом по /расследованию/ преступлений).
 
      disappeared [d?s??p??d], amiable [?e?m??bl], trousers [?trauz?z], science [?sa??ns]
 
      He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.
 
      It was a quarter past six (было четверть седьмого: «четверть после шести»)when we left Baker Street (когда мы покинули Бэйкер-стрит = вышли из дома), and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour (и это требовало еще десять минут до того часа = до назначенного часа оставалось еще десять минут)when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue (когда мы оказались: «нашли себя» на Серпентайн-авеню). It was already dusk (уже смеркалось; dusk — сумерки), and the lamps were just being lighted (и фонари только что зажглись: «были зажжены»)as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge (когда мы расхаживали мимо Брайони-лодж), waiting for the coming of its occupant (ожидая прибытия его жильца). The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's succinct description (дом был точно такой, как я себе представлял по краткому/сжатому описанию Шерлока Холмса), but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected (но окрестность оказалась не такой безлюдной: «менее закрытой для публики», чем я ожидал). On the contrary (напротив), for a small street in a quiet neighborhood (для маленькой улицы в тихом районе), it was remarkably animated (она была необыкновенно оживленной). There was a group of shabbily dressed men (там была группа убого одетых людей = оборванцев)smoking and laughing in a corner (курящих и смеющихся на углу), a scissors-grinder with his wheel (точильщик /ножниц/ со своим колесом; scissors — ножницы), two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl (два гвардейца, которые флиртовали с нянькой), and several well-dressed young men (и несколько хорошо одетых молодых людей)who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths (которые слонялись туда-сюда с сигарами во рту: «в их ртах»).
 
      quarter [?kw?:t?], occupant [??kjup?nt], succinct [s?k?s??kt], scissors [?s?z?z]
 
      It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes's succinct description, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighborhood, it was remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with cigars in their mouths.
 
      "You see (видите ли)," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house (заметил Холмс, когда мы бродили туда-сюда перед домом), "this marriage rather simplifies matters (эта свадьба значительно упрощает дело). The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now (фотография стала теперь обоюдоострым оружием; edge — кромка, край). The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton (шансы таковы = возможно, что она так же не хочет, чтобы фотографию увидел Годфри Нортон; averse — неохотный, нерасположенный), as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess (как не хочется нашему клиенту, чтобы она попалась на глаза его принцессе). Now the question is (теперь вопрос такой = в том)— Where are we to find the photograph (где мы найдем фотографию)?"
      "Where, indeed (действительно, где)?"
 
      weapon [?wep?n], averse [?v?:s], client [?kla??nt]
 
      "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his princess. Now the question is — Where are we to find the photograph?"
      "Where, indeed?"
 
      "It is most unlikely (наиболее = совершенно невероятно)that she carries it about with her (что она носит ее с собой). It is cabinet size (/фотография/ кабинетного размера). Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress (слишком большая для легкого утаивания под женским платьем). She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched (она знает, что король способен ее куда-нибудь заманить и обыскать). Two attempts of the sort have already been made (две попытки такого рода уже были сделаны). We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her (мы можем принять это = заключить, что она не носит это с собой)."
      "Where, then (где тогда)?"
 
      size [sa?z], concealment [k?n?s?lm?nt], capable [?ke?p?bl]
 
      "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her."
      "Where, then?"
 
      "Her banker or her lawyer (ее банкир или ее адвокат = у банкира или адвоката). There is that double possibility (возможно, и то, и другое = двойная возможность). But I am inclined to think neither (но я склонен думать, /что/ ни то, ни другое). Women are naturally secretive (женщины по природе своей скрытны), and they like to do their own secreting (и они любят окружать себя секретами). Why should she hand it over to anyone else (почему она должна передавать это кому-то еще = делиться тайной с кем-то еще)? She could trust her own guardianship (она могла положиться на собственное умение хранить вещи: «довериться своему собственному попечительству»; guardian — опекун), but she could not tell (но она не могла сказать = не была уверена)what indirect or political influence (какое непрямое или политическое влияние)might be brought to bear upon a businessman (может быть оказано: «принесено» в отношении делового человека; to bear upon — касаться, относиться к). Besides (кроме того), remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days (вспомните, что она решила использовать фотографию в ближайшие дни). It must be where she can lay her hands upon it (это должно быть /там/, где она может положить руки на нее = снимок должен быть под рукой). It must be in her own house (он должен быть в ее собственном доме)."
      "But it has twice been burgled (но он был дважды подвергнут работе взломщиков)."
      "Pshaw (подумаешь!)! They did not know how to look (они не знали, как надо искать)."
 
      possibility [?p?s??b?l?t?], secretive [s??kr?t?v], guardianship [???:d??n??p]
 
      "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be brought to bear upon a businessman. Besides, remember that she had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house."
      "But it has twice been burgled."
      "Pshaw! They did not know how to look."
 
      "But how will you look (а как вы будете искать)?"
      "I will not look."
      "What then?"
      "I will get her to show me (я сделаю так, что она сама покажет мне: «заставлю ее показать мне»)."
      "But she will refuse (но она откажется)."
      "She will not be able to (ей это не удастся). But I hear the rumble of wheels (но я слышу грохот колес). It is her carriage (это ее карета). Now carry out my orders to the letter (теперь в точности: «буква в букву» выполняйте мои указания)."
 
      rumble [?r?mbl], carriage [?k?r??]
 
      "But how will you look?"
      "I will not look."
      "What then?"
      "I will get her to show me."
      "But she will refuse."
      "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter."
 
      As he spoke, the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage (когда он говорил, отблеск боковых фонарей кареты)came round the curve of the avenue (показался на повороте авеню). It was a smart little landau (это было модное маленькое ландо)which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge (которое подкатило к двери Брайони-лодж; to rattle — трещать, грохотать, греметь). As it pulled up (когда оно остановилось), one of the loafing men at the corner (один из бездельников, /стоявших/ на углу; to loaf — бездельничать)dashed forward to open the door (бросился вперед открывать дверь)in the hope of earning a copper (в надежде заработать медяк), but was elbowed away by another loafer (но его оттолкнул локтем другой лентяй), who had rushed up with the same intention (который бросился с тем же намерением). A fierce quarrel broke out (вспыхнула яростная перебранка), which was increased by the two guardsmen (которая была усилена = распалена двумя гвардейцами), who took sides with one of the loungers (принявшими сторону одного из бездельников), and by the scissors-grinder (и точильщиком), who was equally hot upon the other side (который так же горячо встал на другую сторону). A blow was struck (удар был нанесен = завязалась драка), and in an instant the lady (и в одно мгновение леди), who had stepped from her carriage (вышедшая из экипажа), was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men (была = стала центром небольшой кучки возбужденных и дерущихся людей), who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks (которые свирепо били друг друга кулаками и палками). Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady (Холмс бросился в толпу, чтобы защитить леди); but just as he reached her (но как только он достиг ее)he gave a cry and dropped to the ground (он издал крик = вскрикнул и упал на землю), with the blood running freely down his face (с кровью, бегущей свободно вниз по его лицу = с залитым кровью лицом). At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction (после его падения гвардейцы бросились бежать: «взяли свои пятки» в одну сторону)and the loungers in the other (а бездельники — в другую), while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it (в то время как несколько лучше одетых = более приличного вида людей, которые наблюдали потасовку без принятия участия в ней)crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man (скучились = подбежали, чтобы помочь леди и позаботиться о раненом). Irene Adler, as I will still call her (Ирэн Адлер, как я буду по-прежнему называть ее), had hurried up the steps (взбежала быстро по ступеням); but she stood at the top (но она остановилась наверху)with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall (и ее: «с ее» великолепная фигура выделялась на фоне огней гостиной), looking back into the street (оглядываясь на улицу).
 
      curve [k?:v], quarrel [?kw?r?l], crowd [kraud], injured [??n??d]
 
      As he spoke, the gleam of the sidelights of a carriage came round the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking back into the street.
 
      "Is the poor gentleman much hurt (бедный джентльмен сильно ранен)?" she asked.
      "He is dead (он мертв)," cried several voices (прокричало несколько голосов).
      "No, no, there's life in him (нет, нет, он еще жив: «есть жизнь в нем»)!" shouted another (крикнул кто-то: «еще один»). "But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital (но он умрет: «уйдет» раньше, чем вы сможете доставить его в больницу)."
      "He's a brave fellow (он смелый парень)," said a woman. "They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him (они отобрали бы у леди кошелек и часы, если бы не он). They were a gang, and a rough one, too (это была банда = шайка, и притом очень опасная; rough — грубый, жесткий). Ah, he's breathing now (а, он дышит теперь = начал дышать)."
 
      brave [bre?v], purse [p?:s], breathing [?bri:???]
 
      "He can't lie in the street (он не может лежать на улице). May we bring him in, marm (можно нам внести его внутрь /дома/, мадам)?"
      "Surely (конечно). Bring him into the sitting-room (перенесите его в гостиную). There is a comfortable sofa (там удобный диван). This way, please (сюда: «этот путь», пожалуйста!"
 
       "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked.
       "He is dead," cried several voices.
       "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be gone before you can get him to hospital."
       "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now."
       "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?"
       "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable sofa. This way, please!"
 
      Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge (медленно и торжественно он был внесен в Брайони-лодж)and laid out in the principal room (уложен в гостиной: «основной комнате»), while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window (в то время, как я все еще наблюдал за происходившим со своего поста у окна; proceeding — акт, действие). The lamps had been lit (лампы были зажжены), but the blinds had not been drawn (но шторы не были опущены), so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch (так что я мог видеть Холмса, лежащего на кушетке). I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing (я не знаю, был ли он захвачен угрызениями совести = упрекала ли его совесть в тот момент за то, что он играл такую роль), but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life (но я знаю, что никогда не испытывал более глубокого стыда в моей жизни)than when I saw the beautiful creature (чем когда я увидел прекрасное существо)against whom I was conspiring (против которого я участвовал в заговоре), or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man (или любезность и доброту, с которыми она ухаживала за раненым /человеком/; to wait upon — прислуживать). And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes (но, тем не менее, это было бы чернейшей изменой = предательством по отношению к Холмсу)to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me (выйти сейчас из роли, которую он мне доверил = не выполнить его поручения). I hardened my heart (я сделал твердым свое сердце = с тяжелым сердцем), and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster (и достал дымовую ракету из-под пальто). After all, I thought (в конечном итоге, подумал я), we are not injuring her (мы не причиняем ей вреда). We are but preventing her from injuring another (мы /только/ мешаем ей: «предохраняем ее от того, чтобы» повредить другому /человеку/).
 
      solemnly [?s?l?ml?], seized [si:zd], ulster [??lst?]
 
      Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had entrusted to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are but preventing her from injuring another.
 
      Holmes had sat up upon the couch (Холмс сел прямо = приподнялся на кушетке), and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air (и я увидел, как он делает движение, как задыхающийся человек: «нуждающийся в воздухе»). A maid rushed across and threw open the window (служанка бросилась вперед и распахнула окно). At the same instant I saw him raise his hand (в тот же миг я увидел, как он поднял руку)and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" (и по этому сигналу я бросил свою ракету в комнату с криком: «Пожар!»)The word was no sooner out of my mouth (едва это слово слетело с моих губ: «из моего рта»)than the whole crowd of spectators (как вся толпа наблюдателей), well dressed and ill (хорошо и плохо одетые)— gentlemen, ostlers, and servant-maids (джентльмены, конюхи и горничные)— joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" (подхватили общий крик: «Пожар!»)Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window (густые: «толстые» облака дыма клубились в комнате и вырывались наружу из открытого окна). I caught a glimpse of rushing figures (я видел мелькание мечущихся людей), and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within (и мгновение позже /я услышал/ голос Холмса изнутри)assuring them that it was a false alarm (уверяющего их, что это ложная тревога). Slipping through the shouting crowd (проскальзывая через кричащую толпу)I made my way to the corner of the street (я направился: «сделал свой путь» к углу улицы), and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine (и через десять минут был обрадован найти руку моего друга в моей), and to get away from the scene of uproar (и уйти с места беспорядков). He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes (он шел быстро и молча: «в тишине» несколько минут)until we had turned down one of the quiet streets (пока мы не свернули на одну из тихих улиц)which lead towards the Edgeware Road (которые ведут на Эджвер-роуд).
 
      couch [kaut?], spectator [spek?te?t?], silence [?sa?l?ns]
 
      Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of spectators, well dressed and ill — gentlemen, ostlers, and servant-maids — joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Edgeware Road.
 
      "You did it very nicely, Doctor (вы сделали это очень хорошо, доктор)," he remarked (заметил он). "Nothing could have been better (ничего не могло бы быть лучше = как нельзя лучше). It is all right (все в порядке)."
      "You have the photograph (у вас есть фотография)?"
      "I know where it is (я знаю, где она)."
      "And how did you find out (и как /же/ вы выяснили /это/)?"
      "She showed me, as I told you she would (она показала мне /фотографию/, как я вам говорил, что она это сделает)."
      "I am still in the dark (я все еще ничего не понимаю: «все еще в неведении»; dark — тьма, незнание)."
 
      "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could have been better. It is all right."
      "You have the photograph?"
      "I know where it is."
      "And how did you find out?"
      "She showed me, as I told you she would."
      "I am still in the dark."
 
      "I do not wish to make a mystery (я не хочу делать тайну /из этого/)," said he, laughing (сказал он, смеясь). "The matter was perfectly simple (дело было совершенно простым). You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice (вы, конечно, видели = догадались, что каждый на улице был /моим/ сообщником). They were all engaged for the evening (они все были наняты на тот вечер)."
      "I guessed as much (я догадался об этом; as much — именно это, так)."
      "Then, when the row broke out (ну, когда ссора вспыхнула), I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand (у меня было немного влажной красной краски в ладони /руки/). I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face (я ринулся вперед, упал, хлопнул рукой по своему лицу), and became a piteous spectacle (и стал жалким зрелищем). It is an old trick (это старый фокус)."
 
      accomplice [??k?mpl?s], engaged [?n??e??d], palm [p?:m], piteous [p?t??s], spectacle [?spekt?kl]
 
      "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening."
      "I guessed as much."
      "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick."
 
      "That also I could fathom (это я тоже мог постигнуть = об этом я тоже догадался)."
      "Then they carried me in (затем они внесли меня внутрь). She was bound to have me in (она была вынуждена принять меня; to be bound /to do something/ — быть обязанным /сделать что-то/). What else could she do (что еще могла она сделать = что ей оставалось)? And into her sitting-room which was the very room which I suspected (и в ее гостиной, которая была именно той комнатой, которую я подозревал). It lay between that and her bedroom (это /фотография/ лежит либо там, либо в ее спальне), and I was determined to see which (и я решил выяснить = увидеть, где). They laid me on a couch (они уложили меня на кушетку), I motioned for air (я двинулся за воздухом = притворился, что задыхаюсь), they were compelled to open the window (они вынуждены были открыть окно)and you had your chance (и вы получили возможность /сделать свое дело/)."
      "How did that help you (как это вам помогло)?"
 
      bound [baund], determined [d??t?:mind], chance [t??:ns]
 
      "That also I could fathom."
      "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else could she do? And into her sitting-room which was the very room which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for air, they were compelled to open the window and you had your chance."
      "How did that help you?"
 
      "It was all-important (это было крайне важным). When a woman thinks that her house is on fire (когда женщина думает, что ее дом горит: «в огне»), her instinct is at once to rush to the thing (ее инстинкт — моментально броситься к вещи)which she values most (которую она ценит больше всего).