名著精讀:《小婦人》第四章:負擔 第4節

Jo gave her sister an encouraging pat on the shoulder as they parted for the day, each going a different way, each hugging her little warm turnover, and each trying to be cheerful in spite of wintry weather, hard work, and the unsatisfied desires of pleasure-loving youth.

分手時，喬鼓勵地拍拍姐姐的肩膀。兩人分頭而去，各自揣着自己暖烘烘的小卷餅，都想盡量讓心情愉快起來，儘管寒風刺骨、工作辛勞，儘管一顆年輕、熱愛幸福的心沒有得到滿足。

When Mr. March lost his property in trying to help an unfortunate friend, the two oldest girls begged to be allowed to do something toward their own support, at least. Believing that they could not begin too early to cultivate energy, industry, and independence, their parents consented, and both fell to work with the hearty good will which in spite of all obstacles is sure to succeed at last.

當馬奇先生爲幫助一位不幸的朋友而失去財產時，他的兩個大女兒請求讓她們出去乾點活，這樣她們至少可以負擔自己的生活。考慮到應該早點培養她們的進取精神和自立能力，父母便同意了。姐妹帶着美好的心願投入工作，相信儘管困難重重，最後一定會取得成功。

Margaret found a place as nursery governess and felt rich with her small salary. As she said, she was 'fond of luxury', and her chief trouble was poverty. She found it harder to bear than the others because she could remember a time when home was beautiful, life full of ease and pleasure, and want of any kind unknown. She tried not to be envious or discontented, but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life. At the Kings' she daily saw all she wanted, for the children's older sisters were just out, and Meg caught frequent glimpses of dainty ball dresses and bouquets, heard lively gossip about theaters, concerts, sleighing parties, and merrymakings of all kinds, and saw money lavished on trifles which would have been so precious to her. Poor Meg seldom complained, but a sense of injustice made her feel bitter toward everyone sometimes, for she had not yet learned to know how rich she was in the blessings which alone can make life happy.

瑪格麗特找到的職業是幼兒家庭教師，薪酬雖少，對她來說卻是一筆大數目。正如她自己所說，她"嚮往奢華"，她的主要煩惱便是貧窮。由於她還記得華屋美服、輕鬆快樂、無憂無慮的好時光，她比起他姐妹更難接受現實。她也試圖知足、試圖不嫉妒別人，但年青姑娘愛美、愛交朋友、希望成功和過幸福生活卻是天性使然。在金斯家裏，她天天都看到她想要的東西，因爲孩子們的幾個姐姐剛開始參加社交活動。梅格不時看到精緻的舞會禮服和漂亮的花束，聽到她們熱烈地談論戲劇、音樂會、雪橇比賽等各種娛樂活動，看到她們花錢如流水，隨意揮霍。可憐的梅格雖然極少抱怨，但一股不平之氣卻令她有時對每個人都懷有恨意。她還不明白她其實是多麼富有，因爲祝福本身就能令人過上幸福的生活。

ry['wintri] adj. 冬天的，荒涼的，冷漠的

He drew a picture of wintry scene.
他畫了一幅冬天景色的畫。

ivate vt. 培養，耕作，栽培，結交(朋友), 促進增長，教養

The school cultivate excellent students.
那所學校培養優秀的學生

acle n. 障礙，絆腳石

Her father's opposition remained only their obstacle.
她父親的反對是他們唯一的障礙。

ery governess n. 保育員

ontented adj. 不滿意的

He was discontented with his salary.
他對自己的薪水感到不滿。

ty['deinti] n. 適口的食物 adj. 優美的，講究的，適口的

It is really a dainty food.
這真是美味的食品。

ghing n. 乘橇，橇運

ymaking n. 盡情歡樂，尋歡作樂