狄更斯雙語小說:《董貝父子》第31章Part 3

'Major,' says Mr Dombey, 'how are You?'
'By Jove, Sir,' says the Major, 'Joey B. is in such case this morning, Sir,' - and here he hits himself hard upon the breast - 'In such case this morning, Sir, that, damme, Dombey, he has half a mind to make a double marriage of it, Sir, and take the mother.'
Mr Dombey smiles; but faintly, even for him; for Mr Dombey feels that he is going to be related to the mother, and that, under those circumstances, she is not to be joked about.
'Dombey,' says the Major, seeing this, 'I give you joy. I congratulate you, Dombey. By the Lord, Sir,' says the Major, 'you are more to be envied, this day, than any man in England!'
Here again Mr Dombey's assent is qualified; because he is going to confer a great distinction on a lady; and, no doubt, she is to be envied most.
'As to Edith Granger, Sir,' pursues the Major, 'there is not a woman in all Europe but might - and would, Sir, you will allow Bagstock to add - and would- give her ears, and her earrings, too, to be in Edith Granger's place.'
'You are good enough to say so, Major,' says Mr Dombey.
'Dombey,' returns the Major, 'you know it. Let us have no false delicacy. You know it. Do you know it, or do you not, Dombey?' says the Major, almost in a passion.
'Oh, really, Major - '
'Damme, Sir,' retorts the Major, 'do you know that fact, or do you not? Dombey! Is old Joe your friend? Are we on that footing of unreserved intimacy, Dombey, that may justify a man - a blunt old Joseph B., Sir - in speaking out; or am I to take open order, Dombey, and to keep my distance, and to stand on forms?'
'My dear Major Bagstock,' says Mr Dombey, with a gratified air, 'you are quite warm.'

“少校，”董貝先生說道，”您好！”
“真的，先生，”少校說道，”喬埃?白今天早上有這樣心情，”這時他用力地敲打着胸脯，”今天早上他有這樣的心情，先生，他媽的，董貝，他真有點想來個雙婚，把那母親娶過來。”
董貝先生微笑了一下，但即使對他來說，這微笑也是微弱的；因爲董貝先生覺得他將跟那母親結爲親戚，在這種情況下不應當拿她來開玩笑。
“董貝，”少校注意到這一點，說道，”我祝您幸福。我祝賀您，董貝。說實話，先生，今天您是全英國最使人妒嫉的人了。”
董貝先生又有限制地表示同意；因爲他將把極大的榮譽授予一位女士；毫無疑問，她纔是最使人妒嫉的人。
“至於伊迪絲?格蘭傑，先生，”少校繼續說道，”全歐洲的女人要是能佔有伊迪絲?格蘭傑的地位，沒有一個不會不惜犧牲一切的--先生，您允許白格斯托克少校補充一句，沒有一個不願意不惜犧牲一切的--不僅不惜犧牲她的耳朵，而且也不惜犧牲她的耳環。”
“謝謝您的一片好意，少校，”董貝先生說道。
“董貝，”少校回答道，”您知道這一點！讓我們別來假正經。您知道這一點。您知道還是不知道，董貝？”少校幾乎生氣地說道。
“哦，真的，少校--”
“他媽的，先生，”少校緊緊追問道，”您知道這個事實還是不知道？董貝！老喬是不是您的朋友？我們相互之間的關係是不是親密無間到可以允許一個人--一個直腸直肚的老約瑟夫?白，先生--痛痛快快地說出來；還是我要遵循常規舊矩，董貝，保持一定的距離，來一番虛禮客套？”
“我親愛的白格斯托克少校，”董貝先生露出滿意的神態，說道，”您很熱情。”