). For once the coupon was filled out and dropped into the postbox (ибо когда купон был заполнен и опущен в почтовый ящик) it represented untold wealth until the arrival of the newspapers with the results and disillusionment (он олицетворял несметные богатства — до тех пор, пока не приходили газеты с результатами и крушением иллюзий), but never really disappointment since they actually did not expect to win (но никогда с подлинным разочарованием, поскольку они, на самом деле, не рассчитывали выиграть;
to expect — ожидать).
fascinating ['fxsIneItIg], excitement [Ik'saItmqnt], disillusionment ["dIsI'lHZqnmqnt]
Ever since she could remember, it seemed that she and Mrs. Butterfield had been contributing their threepence a week to this fascinating national lottery. It was cheap at the price, the hope and excitement and the suspense that could be bought for no more than three pennies each. For once the coupon was filled out and dropped into the postbox it represented untold wealth until the arrival of the newspapers with the results and disillusionment, but never really disappointment since they actually did not expect to win.
Once Mrs. Harris had achieved a prize of thirty shillings (однажды миссис Харрис получила приз в тридцать шиллингов) and several times Mrs. Butterfield had got her money back (и несколько раз миссис Баттерфилд получила свои деньги обратно), or rather a free play for the following week (или бесплатную игру на следующую неделю), but, of course, that was all (но, конечно, это было все /что они выиграли/). The fantastic major prizes remained glamorous and ambition-inspiring (фантастические главные призы оставались чарующими и дразнящими желания; ambition — честолюбие; тщеславие; цель, предмет желаний; честолюбивый замысел; to inspire — вдохновлять), fairy tales that occasionally found their way into the newspapers (сказками, которые порой попадали в газеты: «находили свой путь в газеты»).
major ['meIGq], glamorous ['glxmqrqs], occasionally [q'keIZnqlI]
Once Mrs. Harris had achieved a prize of thirty shillings and several times Mrs. Butterfield had got her money back, or rather a free play for the following week, but, of course, that was all. The fantastic major prizes remained glamorous and ambition-inspiring, fairy tales that occasionally found their way into the newspapers.
Since Mrs. Harris was not sports-minded (поскольку миссис Харрис не была склонной к спорту), nor had the time to follow the fortunes of the football teams (и не имела времени, чтобы следить за успехами футбольных команд), and since as well the possible combinations and permutations ran into the millions (и поскольку вдобавок возможные комбинации и перестановки исчислялись миллионами:
