whether ['weDq], inquired [In'kwaIqd], routinely [ru:'ti:nlI]

The inspector glanced at her sharply once to see whether he was being had; the pink rose on the green hat bobbed at him; he recognized the breed at once. "Hullo," he smiled. "What have you been doing over in Paris?"

" 'Aving a bit of a 'oliday on me own."

The customs man grinned. This was a new one on him. The British char abroad. The mop-and-broom business must be good, he reflected, then inquired routinely: "Bring anything back with you?"

Mrs. Harris grinned at him (миссис Харрис усмехнулась ему). " 'Aven't I just (а как же)? A genuine Dior dress called "Temptytion" in me bag 'ere (настоящее платье от Диора, называемое «Искушение» вот в этой моей сумке). Five 'undred quid it cost (пятьсот фунтов оно стоило). 'Ow's that (как /вам/ это)?"

The inspector laughed (инспектор рассмеялся). It was not the first time he had encountered the London char's sense of humor (это не был первый раз, /когда/ он столкнулся с чувством юмора лондонской уборщицы). "You'll be the belle of the ball with it (вы будете королевой бала с ним = в нем), I'll wager (держу пари)", he said (сказал он), and made a mark with a piece of chalk on the side of the case (и сделал отметку кусочком мела на стенке чемодана). Then he sauntered off and presented his card to the next passenger (затем он /неспешно/ ушел и предъявил свою карточку следующему пассажиру; to saunter — идти медленной походкой; гулять, прогуливаться, прохаживаться) whose luggage was ready (чей багаж был готов).

laughed [lAft], encounter [In'kauntq], luggage ['lAgIdZ]

Mrs. Harris grinned at him. " 'Aven't I just? A genuine Dior dress called "Temptytion" in me bag 'ere. Five 'undred quid it cost. 'Ow's that?"

The inspector laughed. It was not the first time he had encountered the London char's sense of humor. "You'll be the belle of the ball with it, I'll wager," he said, and made a mark with a piece of chalk on the side of the case. Then he sauntered off and presented his card to the next passenger whose luggage was ready.

Mrs. Harris picked up her bag and walked (миссис Харрис подняла свою сумку и пошла) — not ran, though it was a great effort not to bolt (не побежала, хотя было трудно сдержаться и не рвануть; bolt — стрела, особенно арбалетная стрела; to bolt — быстро двигаться; нестись стрелой, убегать; удирать, давать деру, рвать когти) — to the exit and down the escalator to freedom (к выходу и вниз по эскалатору на свободу). She was filled not only with a sense of relief (она была переполнена не только чувством облегчения), but righteousness as well (но так же и правоты/справедливости). She had told the truth (она сказала правду). If, as Mme. Colbert had said (если, как сказала мадам Кольбер), the customs officer chose not to believe her (таможенный инспектор предпочел не поверить ей; to choose — выбрать; предпочесть), that was not her fault (это не было ее виной).

escalator ['eskqleItq], relief [rI'li:f], righteousness ['raItSqsnIs]

Mrs. Harris picked up her bag and walked — not ran, though it was a great effort not to bolt — to the exit and down the escalator to freedom. She was filled not only with a sense of relief, but righteousness as well.