Teffi - 'Sobaka' - 'Vot tak Garri!'

[Hugh McLean]

Dear Robert,

I think you are right about the irony, but the phrase "going out of his 
way to display heroism" strikes me as bookish and artificial. . How 
about "always looking for a chance to play the hero"? Hugh
> Dear all,
>
> The narrator in this story is talking about a long-ago incident in her life,
> around 1919, when she was infatuated with a vile man called Harry.  It will
> eventually emerge that he has been working for the Cheka.
>
> But in these lines she is talking about a time before she learned this.
>
> Я была тронута Гарриной добротой.
> — Гарри, разве вам не было бы страшно прятать у себя белого офицера? Он
> чуть-чуть покраснел.
> — Пустяки! — пробормотал он. — Если встретите его снова, непременно —
> слышите? — непременно позовите к себе.
> Вот так Гарри! Способен на подвиг. Даже больше того — ищет подвига.
>
> Am I correct in hearing the whole of the last line as ironical in tone, i.e.
> imbued with an irony that springs from what she eventually learned about
> him?  Something like:
>
> Harry was a fine fellow.  Capable of heroism.  Even going out of his way to
> display heroism.
>
> Vsego dobrogo,
>
> Robert
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
>   options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
>                     http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>   

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Use your web browser to search the archives, control your subscription
  options, and more.  Visit and bookmark the SEELANGS Web Interface at:
                    http://seelangs.home.comcast.net/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------