名著精讀:《小婦人》第四章:負擔 第11節
When they had laughed at Beth's story, they asked their mother for one, and after a moments thought, she said soberly, "As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be, if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do, but I kept on worrying till an old man came in with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him, for he looked poor and tired and anxious.
大家聽到貝思的故事全笑起來，又請母親也來一個。母親略想一想，嚴肅地說：“今天我在工作間裏裁剪藍色天鵝絨大衣時，非常掛念父親，我想如果萬一他遇到什麼不測的話，我們將多麼孤獨無援。這樣想很傻，但我不能自已。這時一個老人走進來交給我一張衣服訂單。他在我旁邊坐下，我看他模樣像個窮苦人家，顯得既疲倦又焦慮，便和他攀談起來。
"'Have you sons in the army?' I asked, for the note he brought was not to me."
“'你有兒子在部隊嗎？'我問，因爲他帶來的條子不是給我的。
"Yes, ma'am. I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and I'm going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital.' he answered quietly."
“'有，夫人。有四個，但兩個死了，還有一個在監獄，我現在去看另一個，他住在華盛頓醫院，病得十分厲害，'他平靜地說。
"'You have done a great deal for your country, sir,' I said, feeling respect now, instead of pity."
“'你爲國家作出了巨大貢獻，先生，'我說，這時我對他不再感到憐憫，而是油然起敬。
"'Not a mite more than I ought, ma'am. I'd go myself, if I was any use. As I ain't, I give my boys, and give 'em free.'"
“'理應如此，夫人。如果用得上我的話，我也會去的；既然用不上，我就獻上我的孩子，無償地獻上。'”
"He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself. I'd given one man and thought it too much, while he gave four without grudging them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home, and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say good-by to him, perhaps! I felt so rich, so happy thinking of my blessings, that I made him a nice bundle, gave him some money, and thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me."
“他聲調愉快，神情懇切，似乎奉獻自己的一切是一大樂事，我不禁暗自慚愧。我獻出一個人便思前想後，他獻出了四個卻毫無怨言。我在家裏有四個好女兒來安慰我，他唯一能見到的兒子卻遠在數英
裏之外，可能等着跟他道永別！想到上帝賜給我的恩典，我覺得自己已經很富足，也很幸福。我於是給他打了個漂亮的包裹，給他一些錢，並由衷地感謝他給我上了一課。”
"Tell another story, Mother, one with a moral to it, like this. I like to think about them afterward, if they are real and not too preachy," said Jo, after a minute's silence.
“再講一個，媽媽--講個帶哲理的，就像這個一樣。我喜歡聽完後再回味一遍，如果故事真實可信，說教味道又不濃的話，”喬沉默了一會後說。
Mrs. March smiled and began at once, for she had told stories to this little audience for many years, and knew how to please them.
馬奇太太笑笑，馬上又講開了。她跟這班小聽衆講了多年故事，知道怎樣迎合她們。
rly adv. 清醒地，嚴肅地，素淨地
nel n. 法蘭絨 (複數）flannel：法蘭絨衣服
The girl looked happy in her new flannel.
女孩穿着新的法蘭絨衣服，看上去很高興。
[mait] n. 小蟲，微小的東西，極少量
He is a mite taller than I.
他比我高一點點。
ge n. 怨恨，惡意 vt. 懷恨，嫉妒，吝惜
He grudges you your reward.
他很吝嗇，不願給你報酬。
tily['hɑ:tili] adv. 衷心地，熱心地，徹底地
I am heartily grateful to your help.
我衷心地感激你的幫助。
chy adj. 說教的
