).
gainsay [geIn'seI], figure ['fIgq], perhaps [pq'hxps]
Still, it did seem to happen to people from time to time. One kept reading of such events in the newspapers every other day. Well, there was nothing to do but wait until Wednesday. But there was no gainsaying the facts and figures, or that she was a winner, for she had checked them over time and time again. The Dior dress would be hers, and perhaps much, much more, even when she split with Mrs. Butterfield. A top pool had been known to yield as much as a hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
Thus she dithered for three days until Wednesday morning (так она волновалась в течение трех дней до утра среды), when the fateful telegram from the pool headquarters arrived (когда судьбоносная телеграмма от руководства лотереи прибыла; headquarters — главный орган управления какими-л. структурами; штаб; штаб-квартира). It was the measure of her affection for her friend (мерой ее привязанности к своей подруге было то) that she did not tear it open at once to learn its contents (что она не распечатала ее сразу, чтобы узнать ее содержание), but held back until she was fully dressed and could run over to Mrs. Butterfield (но сдержалась, пока не полностью оделась и смогла подбежать к миссис Баттерфилд), who sat herself braced in a chair for the big moment (которая села в напряженном ожидании на стул, приготовившись к такому важному моменту; to brace — охватывать, окружать, опоясывать; собирать себя в кулак, концентрироваться), fanning herself with her apron (обмахивая себя своим фартуком; fan — веер, опахало), crying (крича): "For the Lor's sake, love, open it (ради Бога, дорогая, открывай ее /телеграмму/; /our/ Lord — Господь). I'm like to die of excitement (я /сейчас/ умру от волнения; excitement — возбуждение, волнение)."
measure ['meZq], learn [lWn], apron ['eIprqn]
Thus she dithered for three days until Wednesday morning, when the fateful telegram from the pool headquarters arrived. It was the measure of her affection for her friend that she did not tear it open at once to learn its contents, but held back until she was fully dressed and could run over to Mrs. Butterfield, who sat herself braced in a chair for the big moment, fanning herself with her apron, crying: "For the Lor's sake, love, open it. I'm like to die of excitement."
At last, with trembling fingers (наконец, дрожащими пальцами; to tremble — дрожать), Mrs. Harris breached the seal and unfolded the message (сломала печать и развернула сообщение;
