prove [prHv], formidable ['fLmIdqbl], nevertheless ["nevqDq'les]

Mrs. Harris' spirits rose still further. None of her friend Mrs. Butterfield's gloomy prognostications that the thing would either blow up in the sky or plunge with her to the bottom of the sea had been born out. Paris perhaps might not prove so formidable after all. Nevertheless, from now on she was inclined to be suspicious and careful, a precaution not lessened by the long bus ride from Le Bourget through strange streets lined with strange houses and shops offering strange wares in a strange and unintelligible language.

inimitable [I'nImItqbl], saucy ['sLsI], heavens [hevnz]

The British European Airways man assigned to assist travelers confused by the hurly-burly of the Invalides Air Station in Paris took one look at the hat, the bag, the outsize shoes and, of course, the inimitable saucy little eyes, and recognized her immediately for what she was. "Good heavens," he said to himself under his breath, "a London char! What on earth is she doing here in Paris? The domestic help situation here can't be that bad."

He noted her uncertainty (он отметил ее нерешительность; certain — определенный; уверенный), quickly consulted his manifest (быстро справился по декларации груза и пассажиров), and guessed right again (и его догадка вновь подтвердилась: «правильно догадался снова»). Moving smoothly to her side, he touched his cap and asked (плавно двигаясь в ее сторону, он прикоснулся к своей фуражке и спросил: to touch — касаться, дотрагиваться): "Can I help you in any way (могу ли я вам чем-нибудь помочь), Mrs. Harris?"

The clever, roguish eyes inspected him carefully for any signs of moral depravity or a foreign monkey business (умные, озорные глаза тщательно осмотрели его, /с целью уловить/ признаки нравственной испорченности или иностранной шутливой выходки; rogue — негодяй, мошенник; плутишка, шалун; проказник, озорник; monkey — обезьяна). Somewhat to her disappointment, he seemed just like any Englishman (несколько к ее разочарованию, он выглядел как любой англичанин). Since his approach was polite and harmless (так как его обращение было вежливым и безобидным), she said cautiously: "Ow, so they can speak the Queen's English over 'ere (она осторожно сказала: «О, значит, здесь тоже говорят на королевском английском: over ‘ere = over here — здесь, тут /здесь и далее миссис Харрис «сглатывает» букву “h” в начале слов — особенность просторечного произношения/)."

uncertainty [An'sWtnlI], foreign ['fOrIn], cautiously ['kLSqslI]

He noted her uncertainty, quickly consulted his manifest, and guessed right again. Moving smoothly to her side, he touched his cap and asked: "Can I help you in any way, Mrs. Harris?"

The clever, roguish eyes inspected him carefully for any signs of moral depravity or a foreign monkey business. Somewhat to her disappointment, he seemed just like any Englishman. Since his approach was polite and harmless, she said cautiously: "Ow, so they can speak the Queen's English over 'ere."

The Airways man said (работник авиалиний сказал): "Well, ma'am, I ought to, I am British (ну, мадам, я должен /говорить по-английски/, я — англичанин). But I think you will find most people over here speak a little English (но, я думаю, вы увидите: «найдете», что большинство людей здесь немного говорит по-английски) and you can get along (и вы справитесь). I see you are returning with us on the eleven o'clock plane this evening (я вижу, вы возвращаетесь с нами одиннадцатичасовым самолетом сегодня вечером).