Chapter6 Mr Toad蜍先生-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《柳林风声The Wind in the Willows》

Chapter Six Mr Toad It was a bright morning in the early part of summer;the river had resumed its wonted banks and its accustomed pace,and a hot sun seemed to be pulling everything green and bushy and spiky up out of the earth towards him,as if by strings.The Mole and the Water Rat had been up since dawn,very busy on matters connected with boats and the opening of the boating season;painting and varnishing,mending paddles,repairing cushions,hunting for missing boat- hooks,and so on;and were finishing breakfast in their little parlour and eagerly discussing their plans for the day,when a heavy knock sounded at the door. Bother!'said the Rat,all over egg.'See who it is,Mole,like a good chap, since you've finished.' The Mole went to attend the summons,and the Rat heard him utter a cry of surprise.Then he flung the parlour door open,and announced with much importance,'Mr Badger!' This was a wonderful thing,indeed,that the Badger should pay a formal call on them,or indeed on anybody.He generally had to be caught,if you wanted him badly,as he slipped quietly along a hedgerow of an early morning or a late evening,or else hunted up in his own house in the middle of the wood,which was a serious undertaking. The Badger strode heavily into the room,and stood looking at the two ·134· 第六章 蟾蜍先生 这是初夏的一个明媚的早晨。河流刚刚回到它以往 ①wonted[wauntid]a.通 的水位，开始潺漏地流动起来。灼热的太阳让土壤中所 常的，惯常的 有绿油油的草丛和芽尖都郁郁葱葱地往上长，就像有绳 子拉着他们一样。鼹鼠和河鼠天蒙蒙亮就起床了，忙活 着船上的事，为即将到来的划船季节做着准备。他们给 小船涂漆上色，修理船桨，缝补座垫，找回船上丢了的 ②varnish['vani]k 钩子，等等。忙完这些，他们便坐在小客厅里，边吃早 在…上涂清漆 饭边热烈地讨论着他们这一天的计划。这时，突然传来 一阵重重的敲门声。 “真烦！”河鼠满嘴都是鸡蛋地说道，“鼹鼠好伙 计，反正你吃完了，去看看是谁敲门。” 鼹鼠于是走过去应门，河鼠听到他惊喜地叫了一 声。接着客厅的门被一把推开，鼹鼠郑重其事地宣布道： “獾先生来了！” 獾能主动造访他们，或者说主动登门造访任何人， 都是件非同一般的事情。一般来说，如果你急着找他， 要么在清晨或傍晚趁他沿着树篱悄悄行走的时候去速住 他，要么就去他那在原始森林深处的家中找他，这可不 是闹着玩儿的。 獾踱着大步走进房间，表情严肃地看着那两个动 ·135· Chapter Six Mr Toad animals with an expression full of seriousness.The Rat let his egg-spoon fall on the tablecloth,and sat open-mouthed. The hour has come!'said the Badger at last with great solemnity. 'What hour?'asked the Ratuneasily,glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece. 'Whose hour,you should rather say,'replied the Badger.'Why,Toad's hour! The hour of Toad!I said I would take him in hand as soon as the winter was well over,and I'm going to take him in hand today!' "Toad's hour,of course!'cried the Mole delightedly.'Hooray!I remember now!We'll teach him to be a sensible Toad!' 'This very morning,'continued the Badger,taking an armchair,'as Ilearnt last night from a trustworthy source,another new and exceptionally powerful motor car will arrive at Toad Hall on approval or return.At this very moment,perhaps, Toad is busily arraying himselfin those singularly hideous habiliments so dear to him,which transform him from a(comparatively)good-looking Toad into an object which throws any decent-minded animal that comes across it into a violent fit.We must be up and doing,ere it is too late.You two animals will accompany me instantly to Toad Hall,and the work of rescue shall be accomplished.' Right you are!'cried the Rat,starting up.'We'll rescue the poor unhappy animal!We'll convert him!He'll be the most converted Toad that ever was before we've done with him!' They set off up the road on their mission of mercy,Badger leading the way. Animals when in company walk in a proper and sensible manner,in single file, instead of sprawling all across the road and being of no use or support to each other in case of sudden trouble or danger. They reached the carriage-drive of Toad Hall to find,as the Badger had anticipated,a shiny new motor car,of great size,painted a bright red (Toad's favourite colour),standing in front of the house.As they neared the door it was flung open,and Mr Toad,arrayed in goggles,cap,gaiters,and enormous overcoat,came swaggering down the steps,drawing on his gauntleted gloves. 'Hullo!come on,you fellows!'he cried cheerfully on catching sight of ·136· 第六章蛇蜍先生 物。河鼠惊讶得目瞪口呆，把蛋勺都掉在了桌布上。 “是时候了！”最后獾庄重地说道， D solemnity [so'lemnoti]n. “什么时候？”河鼠不安地问道，瞥了警壁炉上的 严肃，庄重，郑重 2mantelpiece ['mantlpi:s] 时钟。 n壁炉台，壁炉的前饰 “你应该问是谁的时候。”獾回答道，“哎呀，是蟾 蜍的时候！是蟾蜍之时！我说过冬天一过，我就要管管 他。今天我就要好好管管他了！” “当然了，是蟾蜍之时！”鼹鼠开心地叫道，“万岁！ 我记起来了！我们要教他变成理智的蟾蜍！” “昨晚我得到可靠消息，”獾坐到一把扶手椅上， 继续说道，“说今天早上又有一辆超大马力的新车会送 到蟾蜍庄园，蟾蜍要不签约，要不退回。现在这时候， 他说不定正穿着那些他心爱的但无一例外都丑到家的衣 ③hideous[hidias)]a.极丑 服呢。蟾蜍本来是还挺（相对而言）相貌堂堂的，穿上 陋的，可怕的 那些衣服后，任何正派的动物见到他都会被吓坏的。趁 1habiliment [ho'bilimont] (某种职业等的)服 还来得及，我们得过去做点什么。你们俩立刻陪我去一 装，礼服 趟蟾蜍庄园，一起去拯救蟾蜍。” “说得对！”河鼠站起来叫道，“我们要去拯救那 个可怜的动物！我们要感化他！让他洗心革面！” 于是在獾的带领下，他们开始了善行之旅。当动 物们结伴而行时，得体的走法是排成一列纵队，规整 有序地向前走，而不是在路上七扭八歪地乱走，否则， 一旦遇到突如其来的状况或危险，他们就无法互相援 助了。 当他们走到蟾蜍庄园的车道上时，正如獾所料，一 辆簇新发光的大汽车停在屋前，车身漆成了亮红色（这 是蟾蜍最喜欢的颜色)。他们刚走到门口，门正好被推 开了，蟾蜍先生头带护目镜和帽子，脚蹬一双紧腿高筒 靴，身上罩着一件超大的外套，大摇大摆地走下台阶， ⑤gaiter['geita】n.绑腿，长 统橡胶靴 一边还往手上戴着防护手套。 6 gauntleted ['go:ntlitid]a. “嗨！快来，伙计们！”他一见他们就兴高采烈地 戴金属护手（或长手套） 的 ·137· Chapter Six Mr Toad them.'You're just in time to come with me for a jolly-to come for a jolly-for a-er-jolly-' His hearty accents faltered and fell away as he noticed the stern unbending look on the countenances ofhis silent friends,and his invitation remained unfinished. The Badger strode up the steps.Take him inside,'he said sternly to his companions.Then,as Toad was hustled through the door,struggling and protesting,he turned to the chauffeur in charge of the new motor car. 'I'm afraid you won't be wanted today,'he said.'Mr Toad has changed his mind.He will not require the car.Please understand that this is final.You needn't wait.'Then he followed the others inside and shut the door. 'Now,then!'he said to the Toad,when the four of them stood together in the hall,'first of all,take those ridiculous things oft.' 'Shan't!'replied Toad,with great spirit.'What is the meaning of this gross outrage?I demand an instant explanation.' "Take them off him,then,you two,'ordered the Badger briefly. They had to lay Toad out on the floor,kicking and calling all sorts of names, before they could get to work properly.Then the Rat sat on him,and the Mole got his motor-clothes off him bit by bit,and they stood him up on his legs again.A good deal of his blustering spirit seemed to have evaporated with the removal of his fine panoply.Now that he was merely Toad,and no longer the Terror of the Highway,he giggled feebly and looked from one to the other appealingly, seeming quite to understand the situation. "You knew it must come to this,sooner or later,Toad,'the Badger explained severely.'You've disregarded all the warnings we've given you,you've gone on squandering the money your father left you,and you're getting us animals a bad name in the district by your furious driving and your smashes and your rows with the police.Independence is all very well,but we animals never allow our friends to make fools of themselves beyond a certain limit;and that limit you've reached.Now,you're a good fellow in many respects,and I don't want to be too hard on you.I'll make one more effort to bring you to reason.You will ·138· 第六章 蛇蜍先生 叫道，“你们来得正巧，刚好和我一起去兜兜风…去 兜兜…嗯…兜风…” ①falter[fto],结巴地说 但当他注意到他的朋友们一个个板着脸，沉默不语 话，支吾，（声音）颤抖 2 unbending [.An'bendin]a. 的样子，他热情的语调低了下来，最后连邀请的话都没 坚定的，不易弯曲的，冷 说完。 漠的 ③countenance 獾踱步走上台阶，“带他进来。”他严肃地对伙伴们 [kaunton3ns]n.面容， (尤指)面部表情，脸 说道。蟾蜍挣扎着抵抗着，但还是被硬推进了门。獾转 ④chauffeur[fouf】n.(受 向送新车的司机。 雇于人的)汽车司机 “恐怕今天没你什么事儿了。蟾蜍先生改主意了。 他不需要这辆车了。请你理解，这是最后的决定，你不 需要再等在这儿了。”说完，他跟着他们进屋关上了门。 “好了！”当他们四个站在屋里时，獾说道，“首先， 把这些奇奇怪怪的东西都给我脱下来！” “我不！”蟾蜍情绪激动地回答道，“你们这专制 蛮横的暴行是什么意思？我要求你们立即回答。” “那你们俩，帮他把衣服脱下来。”獾简短地命令道。 蟾蜍又踢又踹，嘴里还骂骂咧咧的，他们不得不把 他按倒在地上，河鼠坐在蟾蜍身上，鼹鼠把他的机车衣 服一点点扒下来，然后他们把他拎起来站直。顿时，蟾 5 evaporate [i'vaeporeit]v. 蜍的狂暴劲儿似乎和他整副装备一起消失得没了踪影。 蒸发，挥发 ⑥panoply[panopli]n.华 现在他就只是蟾蜍，而不是那个马路恐怖分子。他讪讪 丽服饰，全套甲胄，全副 地笑着，求饶似的看看这个看看那个，似乎明白这一切 盔 是为了什么。 “蟾蜍，你知道这是迟早的事。”獾严厉地解释道。 “你对我们所有的警告都置之不理，肆意挥霍你 父亲留给你的财产，你疯狂超速驾驶、撞车，和警察 起冲突，败坏了我们这一片动物的名声。独立自主是 没错，但我们绝不会眼睁睁地看着自己的朋友自甘堕 落到无药可救的地步，你己经差不多快到那儿了。在 许多方面你还是个很不错的家伙，我也不想对你太严 ·139· Chapter Six Mr Toad come with me into the smoking-room,and there you will hear some facts about yourself;and we'll see whether you come out of that room the same Toad that you went in.' He took Toad firmly by the arm,led him into the smoking-room,and closed the door behind them. 'That's no good!'said the Rat contemptuously.'Talking to Toad'll never cure him.He'll say anything.' They made themselves comfortable in armchairs and waited patiently. Through the closed door they could just hear the long continuous drone of the Badger's voice,rising and falling in waves of oratoryD;and presently they noticed that the sermon began to be punctuated at intervals by long drawn sobs,evidently proceeding from the bosom of Toad,who was a soft-hearted and affectionate fellow,very easily converted-for the time being-to any point of view. After some three-quarters of an hour the door opened,and the Badger reappeared,solemnly leading by the paw a very limp and dejected Toad.His skin hung baggily about him,his legs wobbled and his cheeks were furrowed by the tears so plentifully called forth by the Badger's moving discourse. 'Sit down there,Toad,'said the Badger kindly,pointing to a chair.'My friends,'he went on,'I am pleased to inform you that Toad has at last seen the error of his ways.He is truly sorry for his misguided conduct in the past,and he has undertaken to give up motor cars entirely and for ever.I have his solemn promise to that effect.' "That is very good news,'said the Mole gravely. "Very good news indeed,'observed the Rat dubiously,'if only,ifonly-' He was looking very hard at Toad as he said this,and could not help thinking he perceived something vaguely resembling a twinkle in that animal's still sorrowful eye. 'There's only one thing more to be done,'continued the gratified Badger. "Toad,I want you solemnly to repeat,before your friends here,what you fully ·140· 第六章 挖蜍先生 厉，我会再帮你一把，把你拉回到正道上来。跟我来 吸烟室，我给你好好讲一讲。之后再看看你有没有改 过自新。” 他用力地抓住蟾蜍的胳膊，领着他进了吸烟室，然 后关上了门。 “那没用！”河鼠不屑地说道，“和蟾蜍用说的没 法儿治他的。他什么都会答应。” 河鼠和鼹鼠舒舒服服地坐在扶手椅上，耐心地等待 着。门紧闭着，他们只能听到獾低沉的说话声，语调时 高时低，但一直没断过。不一会儿，他们注意到冗长的 ①oratory[oratari]]n.慷慨 激昂的演说，辞藻华丽 说教声不时地被一声声拖长了的抽泣声打断，显然这发 的言辞 ②sermon['sa:man]n.布 自蟾蜍内心。他内心柔软感情细腻，无论是什么观点， 道，训诚，冗长的讲话 3 punctuate ['pAnktjueit]v. 他都很容易—暂时地—被感化。 不时打断 大概过了四十五分钟的样子，门打开了，獾神情 严肃地领着垂头丧气、连走路都拖拖沓沓的蟾蜍出来 了。蟾蜍的皮肤松垮地耷拉了下来，双脚走路都走不 稳，脸颊上布满了泪痕，那都是被獾一番动情的话感 ④wobble[wobl]v.颤动， 颤抖 动的。 ⑤furrow[farou叫，使（脸 上)起皱纹 “蟾蜍，坐那儿吧。”獾指了指一把椅子，和蔼地 说道，“我的朋友们，”他继续说道，“我要高兴地告诉 你们，蟾蜍终于知错了。他真诚地为之前错误的行为表 示抱歉，而且他保证以后再也不碰汽车了。他郑重地向 我承诺了。” “真是个好消息。”鼹鼠严肃地说道。 “的确是个好消息。”河鼠迟疑地说道，“要是… 要是…” 他边说边紧盯着蟾蜍，不禁觉得蟾蜍那双仍悲伤万 分的眼晴好像狡黠地眨了眨。 “现在还需要做一件事。”獾满意地继续道，“蟾蜍， 我希望你能郑重地在你朋友面前重复一遍你刚在吸烟室 ·141· Chapter Six Mr Toad admitted to me in the smoking-room just now.First,you are sorry for what you've done,and you see the folly of it all?' There was a long,long pause.Toad looked desperately this way and that, while the other animals waited in grave silence.At last he spoke. 'No!'he said a little sullenly,but stoutly;I'm not sorry.And it wasn't folly at all!It was simply glorious!' What?'cried the Badger,greatly scandalised 'You backsliding animal, didn't you tell me just now,in there-' O,yes,yes,in there,'said Toad impatiently.I'd have said anything in there. You're so eloquent,dear Badger,and so moving,and so convincing,and put all your points so frightfully well-you can do what you like with me in there,and you know it.But I've been searching my mind since,and going over things in it,and I find that I'm not a bit sorry or repentant really,so it's no earthly good saying I am;now is it?' "Then you don't promise,'said the Badger,'never to touch a motor car again?' 'Certainly not!'replied Toad emphatically.'On the contrary,I faithfully promise that the very first motor car I see,poop-poop!off I go in it!' Told you so,didn't I?'observed the Rat to the Mole. Very well,then,'said the Badger firmly,rising to his feet.'Since you won't yield to persuasion,we'll try what force can do.I feared it would come to this all along.You've often asked us three to come and stay with you,Toad,in this handsome house of yours;well,now we're going to.When we've converted you to a proper point of view we may quit,but not before.Take him upstairs, you two,and lock him up in his bedroom,while we arrange matters between ourselves.' 'It's for your own good,Toady,you know,'said the Rat kindly,as Toad, kicking and struggling,was hauled up the stairs by his two faithful friends. "Think what fun we shall all have together,just as we used to,when you've quite got over this-this painful attack of yours!' 'We'll take great care of everything for you till you're well,Toad,'said the ·142· 第六章蛇蜍先生 里对我的承诺。首先，你是否对你的行为深表款意，你 是否看到你的行为是多么愚蠢？” 蟾蜍绝望地东张西望，而其他几个动物严肃地等待 着他的回答。沉默了很久后，蟾蜍终于说话了。 “没有！”他低声又倔强地说道，“我没有感到抱 款，而且这一点儿都不愚蠢！这是件光荣无比的事情！” “什么？”獾愤慨地叫道，“你这个出尔反尔的家伙， D scandalize ['skandalaiz] 使震惊，诽谤，使愤慨 刚在吸烟室里你不是还说…” 2 backsliding [.baek'slaidin] a.故态复萌的，重犯错 “噢，是啊是啊，在吸烟室里。”蟾蜍很不耐烦地 误的 说道，“在那里我什么都会说。亲爱的獾，你的话都很 有道理，感人至深又让人信服，把所有观点都说得头头 是道—在那里你想我怎么样都行，你知道的。但是刚 才我一直在苦苦思考仔细掂量，我发现自己一点儿都不 3 repentant [ri'pentant]a. 觉得抱歉，也不后悔。所以我要是回答是的话那就是撒 悔恨的，后悔的 谎了，这也不好，是不是？” “那你不想承诺以后再也不碰汽车了？”獾说道。 “当然不！”蟾蜍斩钉截铁地说道，“恰恰相反， 我会虔诚地承诺，每当我看到一辆汽车时，噗噗！我就 要把它开走！” “我就说呢，是不是？”河鼠对鼹鼠说道。 “那好吧，”獾站起身，坚决地说道，“既然劝说这 一套对你没用，那我们只能来点狠办法了。其实我之前 就已经料到了。蟾蜍，以前你三番五次地邀请我们来你 这漂亮的庄园里住，那么现在我们就住下了。在你改邪 归正之前，我们是不会走的。你俩把他带上楼去，把他 锁进房间里，然后我们来商量商量对策。” 他那两个忠实的朋友架着蟾蜍的胳膊抬着他往楼上 走，蟾蜍挣扎着在空中一通乱踢。“这都是为你好啊蟾 蜍兄弟。”河鼠温和地说道，“等你熬过了这一这痛苦 的车瘾，我们还能一块儿出去玩，就像以前一样！” “蟾蜍，我们会替你照顾好一切，等你好起来 的。”鼹鼠说，“我们保证不会让你的钱像之前一样被 ·143·