Chapter10 The Happy Home快乐之家-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《彼得潘Peter Pan》

Chapter 10 The Happy Home One important result of the brush on the lagoon was that it made the redskins their friends.Peter had saved Tiger Lily from a dreadful fate,and now there was nothing she and her braves would not do for him.All night they sat above,keeping watch over the home under the ground and awaiting the big attack by the pirates which obviously could not be much longer delayed.Even by day they hung about,smoking the pipe of peace,and looking almost as if they wanted tit-bits to eat. They called Peter the Great White Father,prostrating themselves before him;and he liked this tremendously,so that it was not really good for him. "The great white father,"he would say to them in a very lordly manner,as they grovelled at his feet,"is glad to see the Piccaninny warriors protecting his wigwam from the pirates" "Me Tiger Lily,"that lovely creature would reply."Peter Pan save me,me his velly nice friend.Me no let pirates hurt him." She was far too pretty to cringe in this way,but Peter thought it his due, and he would answer condescendingly,"It is good.Peter Pan has spoken." Always when he said,"Peter Pan has spoken,"it meant that they must now shut up,and they accepted it humbly in that spirit;but they were by no means so respectful to the other boys,whom they looked upon as just ordinary braves. They said "How-do?"to them,and things like that;and what annoyed the boys was that Peter seemed to think this all right. ·162· 第十章 快乐之家 这次在潟湖交手的一个重大收获是，他们和印第安 人成了朋友，原因是彼得把莉莉公主从死亡的厄运中拯 救了出来。于是，她和她的勇士们都竭尽所能向彼得提 供帮助。印第安人彻夜守在地下之家上面，提防海盗的 大反攻，因为海盗的大反攻显然为期不远了。海盗们甚 至会在白天出现，慢悠悠地抽着烟斗四处闲逛，看上去 像是在等待什么人给他们送吃的。 ①t-bit['titbit].少量食物 印第安人称呼彼得“伟大的白人父亲”。彼得特别 ②prostrate[prostreit]v.拜 喜欢他们这么叫他，但实际这对他没什么好处。 倒 当印第安人跪拜在他的脚下时，彼得拿出一副主人 的样子，对他们说：“看到印第安战士保卫自己的小屋 ③grovel[grovol],谦卑地 不受海盗侵扰，你们伟大的白人父亲感到很高兴。” 跪拜 “我是勇敢的莉莉，”美丽的印第安公主回答道， “是彼得·潘救了我，我是他的好朋友。我绝不会让海 盗伤害他。” ④cringe[krinds]k卑躬屈 莉莉公主实在是太美丽了，她这样谦卑地对彼得说 膝 话实在有些自降身价。可是彼得认为自己当之无愧，他 G condescendingly [kondi 傲慢地说：“彼得·潘说了，他很满意。” 'sendinli的ad.高傲地 彼得每次说“彼得·潘说了”这句话，意思是让他 们闭嘴，印第安人自然明白他的意思，顺从地照做了。 不过，对其他男孩他们绝没这么恭敬，只把他们视为普 通的勇士，见到他们也只说声“你好！”之类的话。彼 得认为他们这么做也没什么不对，这让其他男孩感到很 不快。 ·163· Chapter 10 The Happy Home Secretly Wendy sympathised with them a little,but she was far too loyal a housewife to listen to any complaints against father."Father knows best,"she always said,whatever her private opinion must be.Her private opinion was that the redskins should not call her a squaw. We have now reached the evening that was to be known among them as the Night of Nights,because of its adventures and their upshot.The day,as if quietly gathering its forces,had been almost uneventful,and now the redskins in their blankets were at their posts above,while,below,the children were having their evening meal;all except Peter,who had gone out to get the time. The way you got the time on the island was to find the crocodile,and then stay near him till the clock struck. This meal happened to be a make-believe tea,and they sat round the board, guzzling in their greed;and really,what with their chatter and recriminations the noise,as Wendy said,was positively deafening.To be sure,she did not mind noise,but she simply would not have them grabbing things,and then excusing themselves by saying that Tootles had pushed their elbow.There was a fixed rule that they must never hit back at meals,but should refer the matter of dispute to Wendy by raising the right arm politely and saying,"I complain of so-and-so";but what usually happened was that they forgot to do this or did it too much. "Silence,"cried Wendy when for the twentieth time she had told them that they were not all to speak at once."Is your calabash empty,Slightly darling?" "Not quite empty,mummy,"Slightly said,after looking into an imaginary mug. "He hasn't even begun to drink his milk,"Nibs interposed. This was telling,and Slightly seized his chance. "I complain of Nibs,"he cried promptly. John,however,had held up his hand first. "Well,John?" "May I sit in Peter's chair,as he is not here?" "Sit in father's chair,John!"Wendy was scandalised."Certainly not." "He is not really our father,"John answered."He didn't even know how a father does till I showed him." This was grumbling."We complain of John,"cried the twins. ·164· 第十章 快乐之家 温迪私底下有点儿同情其他男孩，可她是一位非常 忠诚的家庭主妇，自然不喜欢听孩子们对父亲有什么不 满。因此，不管她个人是怎么想的，她总是会对男孩们 ①private[praivat]a.个人 的 说，“父亲的话总是对的”。她自己对印第安人也有不 ②squaw[skwo:]n北美印 满的地方，他们不该称她为老婆。 第安人的妻子 我们终于讲到那个被叫作“夜之夜”的夜晚了， 这一夜发生的事情及其后果都很重要。白天大家都很平 静，好像在静静地养精蓄锐。此刻，印第安人在地面上 裹着毯子坚守岗位，而孩子们正在地下之家吃晚餐。但 是彼得不在，他去打探时间了。在永无岛上，要是想知 道时间，就要去找那条鳄鱼，在她旁边待着，等着她肚 里的钟报时。 这个晚饭实际上是假想出来的。他们围坐在一起， ③guzzle[gAzk大吃大喝 貌似在狂饮大嚼，其实是在大声地聊天和斗嘴。用温迪 @recrimination [ri,krimi 的话来说，简直震耳欲聋。当然，温迪并不介意这些吵 'neifn]m.互相指责 ③deafening[defnin]a.极 闹声，不过，她不能容许他们抢东西吃，还找借口说图 其喧闹的 图撞了他们的胳膊。她规定，吃饭的时候不许还手。要 是有了争执，应该先举起右手说：“我要控诉某某。” 可实际上，他们经常是要么忘记这样做，要么就这样做 个没完。 “安静，”温迪喊道，这已经是她第二十次制止他 们同时讲话了，“你的葫芦杯子空了吗，斯莱特利，亲 爱的？” “还有呢，妈妈。”斯莱特利看了一眼假想的杯子 后说道。 “他的牛奶一点都没喝呢。”尼布斯插嘴说。 这算是在告状了，于是斯莱特利抓住了这个机会。 “我要控告尼布斯。”他立即喊道。 不过，约翰先举起了手。 “什么事，约翰？” “彼得不在，我可以坐他的椅子吗？” “约翰！你要坐父亲的椅子？”温迪觉得很不像 话，“当然不可以。” “他不是我们真正的父亲，”约翰回答，“如果我 grumbling ['grAmblin]n. 不教他，他都不知道该怎样当父亲。” 发牢骚 ·165· Chapter 10 The Happy Home Tootles held up his hand.He was so much the humblest of them,indeed he was the only humble one,that Wendy was specially gentle with him. Idon't suppose,.”Tootles said diffidently,“that I could be father.” No,Tootles.” Once Tootles began,which was not very often,he had a silly way of going on. “As I can't be father,”he said heavily,“Idon't suppose,Michael,you would let me be baby?" "No,I won't,"Michael rapped out.He was already in his basket. "As I can't be baby,"Tootles said,getting heavier and heavier,"do you think I could be a twin?" No,indeed,”replied the twins;“it's awfully difficult to be a twin.”“AsI can't be anything important,"said Tootles,"would any of you like to see me do a trick?" No,”they all replied.. Then at last he stopped."I hadn't really any hope,"he said. The hateful telling broke out again. “Slightly is coughing on the table..” “The twins began with mammeeapples..” “Curly is taking both tappa rolls and yams..” "Nibs is speaking with his mouth full." "I complain of the twins." I complain of Curly.” “I complain of Nibs..” "Oh dear,oh dear,"cried Wendy,"I'm sure I sometimes think that children are more trouble than they are worth." She told them to clear away,and sat down to her work-basket:a heavy load of stockings and every knee with a hole in it as usual. “Wendy,,”remonstrated Michael,.“T'm too big for a cradle②.” ·166· 第十章 快乐之家 他这是在抱怨。“我们要控告约翰。”双胞胎喊 道。 图图举起手。他是男孩中最谦逊的一个，说实在 的，也是唯一一个谦逊的孩子，所以温迪对他特别温 柔。 “我觉得，”图图怯怯地说，“我不会当父亲。” “不，图图真的当不了父亲。” 图图很少讲话，可他一旦开口，就会傻里傻气地讲 个没完。 “既然我当不了父亲，”他心情沉重地说，“那 么，迈克尔，你能让我做个小宝宝吗？” “不，不能。”迈克尔生气地回答。眨眼间，他已 经钻进了自己的摇篮。 “既然我做不了小宝宝，”图图说，他的心情越来 越沉重了，“你们能让我做双胞胎中的一个吗？” “不，不能，”双胞胎回答说，“当双胞胎是很难 的。” “既然我做不成大人物，”图图说，“有人想看我 演戏法儿吗？” “没兴趣。”所有孩子都这么回答他。 这下，他只得闭嘴了。“我真是什么希望都没有 了。”他说。 紧接着，烦人的各种小报告又开始了。 “斯莱特利对着饭桌咳嗽。” “双胞胎偷吃曼密果啦。” “卷毛儿没吃完塔帕卷，就去吃甜薯。” “尼布斯嘴里塞满了吃的还说话。” “我要控告双胞胎。” “我要控告卷毛儿。” “我要控告尼布斯。” “哦，天哪，天哪，”温迪喊道，“照我看，有时 ①remonstrate[remonstreit间 v抗议 候孩子们制造的麻烦比他们带来的乐趣还要多。” ②cradle[kreidl]n.摇篮 她吩附孩子们清理饭桌，自己坐下来做针线活儿。 她有满满一筐的长袜子要补，老样子，每只袜子的膝盖 上都有一个破洞。 “温迪，”迈克尔向她表示抗议，“我长大了，摇 ·167· Chapter 10 The Happy Home "I must have somebody in a cradle,"she said almost tartly,"and you are the littlest.A cradle is such a nice homely thing to have about a house." While she sewed they played around her;such a group of happy faces and dancing limbs lit up by that romantic fire.It had become a very familiar scene this in the home under the ground,but we are looking on it for the last time. There was a step above,and Wendy,you may be sure,was the first to recognise it. "Children,I hear your father's step.He likes you to meet him at the door." Above,the redskins crouched before Peter. “Watch well,braves..I have spoken.” And then,as so often before,the gay children dragged him from his tree. As so often before,but never again. He had brought nuts for the boys as well as the correct time for Wendy. "Peter,you just spoil them,you know,"Wendy simpered. “Ay,old lady,”said Peter,hanging up his gun.. "It was me told him mothers are called old lady,"Michael whispered to Curly. "I complain of Michael,"said Curly instantly. The first twin came to Peter."Father,we want to dance." "Dance away,my little man,"said Peter,who was in high good humour. “But we want you to dance.” Peter was really the best dancer among them,but he pretended to be scandalised. "Me!My old bones would rattle." “And mummy too.” “What,”cried Wendy,“the mother of such an armful,dance！" “But on a Saturday night,,”Slightly insinuated⑤， It was not really Saturday night,at least it may have been,for they had long lost count of the days;but always if they wanted to do anything special they said this was Saturday night,and then they did it. "Of course it is Saturday night,Peter,"Wendy said,relenting. "People of our figure,Wendy." ·168· 第十章 快乐之家 ⊙tartly['ta:tli的ad.毫不客 篮睡不下了。” 气地 “总得有人睡在摇篮里呀，”温迪用不容辩驳的 口吻说，“摇篮是最有家的味道的东西，而且你年龄最 小，只能你睡在里面。” 温迪做针线活儿的时候，孩子们就在她身边玩耍， 浪漫的炉火照亮了孩子们笑嘻嘻的小脸儿和舞动的四 肢。这个场景在地下之家经常可以见到；但是，这将是 我们最后一次看到这番景象了。 地面传来脚步声，第一个分辨出脚步声是谁的肯定 ②crouch [kraut切k屈膝 是温迪。 “孩子们，我听到你们父亲的脚步声。快去门口迎 接他，他会很开心的。” 地面上，印第安人正在向彼得鞠躬致意。 “勇士们，照我说的做，要好好把守！” ③simper['simp]v傻笑 随后孩子们像往常一样兴高采烈地把他拽进了树 洞。他们以前经常像这样迎接彼得回家，但是，以后不 会了。 他给孩子们带回来一些坚果，也给温迪带来了准确 的时间。 “彼得，你把他们宠坏了，你知道吗。”温迪呵呵 地笑着说。 “是吗，老太婆。”彼得一边说，一边把他的枪挂 了起来。 “这是我告诉他的，把母亲叫作老太婆。”迈克尔 悄悄地对卷毛儿说。 “我要控告迈克尔。”卷毛儿马上提出。 双胞胎中的老大走到彼得跟前说：“父亲，我们想 跳舞。” ④armful[a:mful]a.一抱之 量 “那就跳吧，小伙子。”彼得说，他这会儿心情不 ⑤insinuate[in'sinjueit]v.暗 错。 示 “可是我们想和你一起跳。” 实际上，彼得是孩子们中跳舞跳得最好的，但是， 他故意装出吃惊的样子说： “要我跳舞！我这把老骨头都要咯咯作响了。” “妈妈也要跳。” “什么，”温迪喊道，“我都已经是一群孩子的母 ·169· Chapter 10 The Happy Home “But it is only among our own progeny.” "True,.true.” So they were told they could dance,but they must put on their nighties first. "Ah,old lady,"Peter said aside to Wendy,warming himself by the fire and looking down at her as she sat turning a heel,"there is nothing more pleasant of an evening for you and me when the day's toil is over than to rest by the fire with the little ones near by." "It is sweet,Peter,isn't it?"Wendy said,frightfully gratified "Peter,I think Curly has your nose." “Michael takes after you.” She went to him and put her hand on his shoulder. “Dear Peter,”she said,“with such a large family,of course,,I have now passed my best,but you don't want to change me,do you?" No,Wendy.”" Certainly he did not want a change,but he looked at her uncomfortably; blinking,you know,like one not sure whether he was awake or asleep. “Peter,,what is it? "I was just thinking,"he said,a little scared."It is only make-believe,isn't it,that I am their father?" “Oh yes,”Wendy said primly. "You see,"he continued apologetically,"it would make me seem so old to be their real father..” "But they are ours,Peter,yours and mine." "But not really,Wendy?"he asked anxiously. "Not if you don't wish it,"she replied;and she distinctly heard his sigh of relief."Peter,"she asked,trying to speak firmly,"what are your exact feelings for me?” "Those of a devoted son,Wendy." "I thought so,"she said,and went and sat by herself at the extreme end of ·170· 第十章 快乐之家 progeny[prod3oni]n.子 亲了，还跳舞！” 女 “但是，今天是星期六啊！”斯莱特利巧妙地暗示 @nighty[nait句n.睡衣 她。 那天其实不是周六的晚上，只能说有可能是。因为 他们老早就忘记计算日期了，于是每当他们想做些特别 的事情，就会借口说今天是星期六晚上，然后他们就可 ③toil[oiln.长时间辛苦地 工作 以做了。 “是啊，这是星期六晚上，彼得。”温迪说，有点 ④gratified['gractifaid]a.高 动摇了。 兴的 “像我们这样的人…温迪。” “现在是跟自己的孩子一起啊。” “是啊，是啊。” 于是，他们同意孩子们可以跳舞了，不过他们要求 孩子们必须先穿上睡衣才能跳。 “是啊，老太婆。”彼得说着走到壁炉前取暖，他 低头看着正在补袜子的温迪，悄悄地对她说：“劳累一 天过后，你我一起坐在火炉旁，小孩子围绕在身边，再 没有比这样的夜晚更美好的事情了。” “真美好啊，是吧，彼得？”温迪说，她感到非常 满足，“彼得，我觉得卷毛儿的鼻子长得像你。” “迈克尔长得像你。” ⑤primly[primli)ad.一本 温迪走到彼得跟前，将两手搭在了他肩上。 正经地 “亲爱的彼得，”温迪说，“我们有了这么多 孩子，我已经不再年轻了，你不会抛弃我，再换一个 吧？” “不会的，温迪。” 彼得当然没想换，不过他看温迪的时候好像不是 很舒服的样子，眼睛一眨一眨地，你看不出他究竟是醒 着，还是已经睡着了。 ⑥devoted[di'vautid]a.奉 “彼得，怎么了？” 献于某种目的的，这里 “我在想，”彼得略带些恐慌地说，“我只是在假 指孝顺的 装他们的父亲，是不是？” “哦，你是他们的父亲啊。”温迪很肯定地说。 “你想啊，”彼得接着说，“如果我真的是他们的 父亲，那我应该很老了。” “可是，他们是咱们的孩子，彼得，你和我的孩 ·171·