6 A New Chapter about New Things新生活的新篇章-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《小海蒂Heidi》

VI.A New Chapter about New Things The old man took no notice of anybody as he strode through the village on his way to the valley below,where he sold his cheeses and bought what bread and meat he wanted for himself.After he had passed the villagers all crowded together looking after him,and each had something to say about him;how much wilder he looked than usual,how now he would not even respond to anybody's greeting, while they all agreed that it was a great mercy the child had got away from him, and had they not all noticed how the child had hurried along as if afraid that her grandfather might be following to take her back.Only the blind grandmother would have nothing to say against him,and told those who came to her to bring her work,or take away what she had spun,how kind and thoughtful he had been with the child,how good to her and her daughter,and how many afternoons he had spent mending the house which,but for his help,would certainly by this time have fallen down over their heads.And all this was repeated down in Dorfli;but most of the people who heard it said that grandmother was too old to understand, and very likely had not heard rightly what was said;as she was blind she was probably also deaf. Alm-Uncle went no more now to the grandmother's house,and it was well that he had made it so safe,for it was not touched again for a long time.The days were sad again now for the old blind woman,and not one passed but what she would murmur complainingly,"Alas!All our happiness and pleasure have gone with the child,and now the days are so long and dreary!Pray God,I see Heidi again once more before I die!" VI.A New Chapter about New Things In her home at Frankfurt,Clara,the little daughter of Herr Sesemann,was lying on the invalid couch on which she spent her whole day,being wheeled in it from room to room.Just now she was in what was known as the study,where, to judge by the various things standing and lying about,which added to the cosy appearance of the room,the family was fond of sitting.A handsome bookcase with glass doors explained why it was called the study,and here evidently the little girl ·098· 6.新生活的新篇章【 老人谁都不理会，自顾自地穿过村庄，向山下的 谷地走去，在那儿，他卖掉奶酪，买些自己需要的面 包和肉。他离开村子时，人们会聚在后面看他，每个 人都数落着：他如何变得更野蛮啦，如何凡人不理啦， 等等。总之，他们都一致认为孩子离开他是天大的幸事， 当时大家也都看到孩子是如何急急忙忙地跑的，就像 是害怕爷爷会追上来把她带回去。只有盲眼的老太太 不说他坏，还告诉那些给她送活儿来或是取走纺好的 线的人们，他对这孩子是如何慈善，如何体贴入微， 对她和她女儿是多么好，用了多少个下午为她们修理 房子一要不是他，这房子或许早就把她们一家埋在 ①but for要不是 下面了。这些话在德夫里流传，但大多数人却说婆婆 老糊涂了，很可能她没听清别人说的话，她既然眼晴 瞎了，耳朵也许也聋了呢。 阿尔姆大叔不再去看老太太的房子了，实际上，他 己经修得非常结实，好长时间不用管了。日子对盲眼的 老太太来说又变得难过起来，每当有人路过的时候，她 都抱怨地嘟囔：“天啊！我们的欢乐和幸福都跟着孩子 走了，现在的日子长得让人难熬！上帝呀，让我在死以 ②dreary[driari].沉闷的 前再见孩子一面吧！” 6.新生活的新篇章 ③Her[hean.[德语]先 在法兰克福的家里，克莱拉一塞斯曼先生的小女 生 ④study[sAdi]n.书房 儿，正躺在残疾人的轮椅里。她一整天都是在那上面度 ⑤cosy[kauzi]a.舒适的 过的，被人推着从一个房间到另一个房间。这会儿，她 正在书房里，那儿有很多立着或平放着的东西，透出一 种浓浓的舒适的氛围，一看便知这是一家人常坐的地 方。一个漂亮的带玻璃门的书柜使人明白为什么把这里 ·099· VI.A New Chapter about New Things was accustomed to have her lessons. Clara's little face was thin and pale,and at this moment her two soft blue eyes were fixed on the clock,which seemed to her to go very slowly this day,and with a slight accent of impatience,which was very rare with her,she asked,"Isn't it time yet,FrauleinRottenmeier?" This lady was sitting very upright at a small work-table,busy with her embroidery.She had on a mysterious-looking loose garment,a large collar or shoulder-cape that gave a certain solemnity to her appearance,which was enhanced by a very lofty dome-shaped head dress.For many years past,since the mistress of the house had died,the housekeeping and the superintendence of the servants had been entrusted by Herr Sesemann to Fraulein Rottenmeier. He himself was often away from home,and he left her in sole charge,with the condition only that his little daughter should have a voice in all matters,and that nothing should be done against her wish. As Clara was putting her impatient question for the second time,Dete and Heidi arrived at the front door,and the former inquired of the coachman,who had just got down from his box,if it was too late to see Fraulein Rottenmeier. "That's not my business,"grumbled the coachman;"ring the bell in the hall for Sebastian.” Dete did so,and Sebastian came downstairs;he looked astonished when he saw her,opening his eyes till they were nearly as big as the large round buttons on his coat. "Is it too late for me to see Fraulein Rottenmeier?"Dete asked again. "That's not my business,"answered the man;"ring that other bell for the maid Tinette,"and without troubling himself any farther Sebastian disappeared. Dete rang again.This time Tinette appeared with a spotless white cap perched on the top of her head and a mocking expression of face. "What is it?"she called from the top of the stairs.Dete repeated her question. Tinette disappeared,but soon came back and called down again to Dete,"Come up,she is expecting you." Dete and Heidi went upstairs and into the study,Tinette following.Dete remained standing politely near the door,still holding Heidi tightly by the hand, for she did not know what the child might take it into her head to do amid these ·100· 6.新生活的新篇章 叫作书房，很显然，孩子常在这儿上课。 克莱拉的小脸儿瘦削而苍白，两只无神的蓝眼睛盯 着钟表，觉得它今天走得太慢。她不耐烦起来，加重了 ①accent[aeksont)n.口音 说话的语气：“罗顿迈尔小姐，还不到时候吗？” ②Fraulein['froilain]n.[德 语]小姐（对未婚女性 这位小姐正端坐在小工作台旁忙着绣花，她穿一件 的称呼) 样式古怪的肥大长袍，大领子或说是披肩使她看上去很 3 embroidery [im'broidari] n.刺绣 肃穆庄重，一个高高的圆顶头饰更增添了这种色彩。在 ④garment[ga:mont]n.衣 过去的许多年里，由于女主人早亡，塞斯曼先生就一直 服 ③shoulder-cape 委托她照管家里，监督仆人。他自己经常不在家，一切 [fauldakeip]n.披肩 都由罗顿迈尔小姐全权处理，但只有一个条件，那就是 6 solemnity [sa'lemnati]n. 严肃，庄重 要让他的女儿有充分的发言权，什么事都不能违背她的 ⑦dome-shaped 意愿。 doumfeipt]a.圆顶形的 ⑧superintendence 就在克莱拉不耐烦地第二次发问的时候，笛蒂和海 ['sju:parin'tendans】.管 蒂到了前厅。笛蒂问刚从车厢里跳下来的车夫，她们现 理，指挥 ⑨have a voice in sth 在去见罗顿迈尔小姐是不是太晚了。 对…有权发言 “我可不管这事。”车夫嘟喷着说，“按门铃，找塞 10 coachman ['kautfman]n. 马车夫 巴斯蒂安。” 笛蒂按了门铃，塞巴斯蒂安下楼来了。他看见笛蒂 ①grumble['grambl嘟 囔着说 后显得非常吃惊，眼晴瞪得像他衣服上的钮扣那么大。 “我现在见罗顿迈尔小姐是不是太晚了？”笛蒂又 问了一遍。 “那不关我的事。”他说，“按另一个铃，找女仆蒂 耐特。”说完马上就离开了。 笛蒂又按一次铃。这次蒂耐特露面了，头上戴着一 顶洁白无瑕的帽子，面带嘲弄。 ⑧perch[pat栖息：位 “什么事儿呀？”她站在最高的台阶上问。笛蒂又 于高处 把问题重复了一遍。蒂耐特不见了，很快就又回来朝下 ⑧mocking[mokin]a.嘲 弄的 面喊：“上来吧，她正等你们呢。” 笛蒂和海蒂上楼走进书房，蒂耐特跟在后面。笛 蒂彬彬有礼地站在门口，紧握着海蒂的手，因为她说 不清在这全新的环境中，海蒂会产生什么想法，做出 ④amid[a'mid]prep 在…之中 什么事来。 ·101· VI.A New Chapter about New Things new surroundings. Fraulein Rottenmeier rose slowly and went up to the little new companion for the daughter of the house,to see what she was like.She did not seem very pleased with her appearance.Heidi was dressed in her plain little woollen frock,and her hat was an old straw one bent out of shape.The child looked innocently out from beneath it, gazing with unconcealed astonishment at the lady's towering head dress. "What is your name?"asked Fraulein Rottenmeier,after scrutinisingly examining the child for some minutes,while Heidi in return kept her eyes steadily fixed upon the lady. "Heidi,"she answered in a clear,ringing voice. "What?What?That's no Christian name for a child;you were not christened that.What name did they give you when you were baptised?"continued Fraulein Rottenmeier. "I do not remember,"replied Heidi. "What a way to answer!"said the lady,shaking her head."Dete,is the child a simpleton or only saucy?" "If the lady will allow me,I will speak for the child,for she is very unaccustomed to strangers,"said Dete,who had given Heidi a silent poke for making such an unsuitable answer."She is certainly not stupid nor yet saucy,she does not know what it means even;she speaks exactly as she thinks.To-day she is for the first time in a gentleman's house and she does not know good manners;but she is docile and very willing to learn,if the lady will kindly make excuses for her.She was christened Adelaide,after her mother,my sister,who is now dead." "Well,that's a name that one can pronounce,"remarked Fraulein Rottenmeier. "But I must tell you,Dete,that I am astonished to see so young a child.I told you that I wanted a companion of the same age as the young lady of the house,one who could share her lessons,and all her other occupations.Fraulein Clara is now over twelve;what age is this child?" "If the lady will allow me,"began Dete again,in her usual fluent manner, "I myself had lost count of her exact age;she is certainly a little younger,but not much;I cannot say precisely,but I think she is ten,or thereabouts" "Grandfather told me I was eight,"put in Heidi.Dete gave her another poke,but as the child had not the least idea why she did so she was not at all ·102· 6.新生活的新篇章【 罗顿迈尔小姐慢慢地站起身，走到孩子跟前，她要 看看为主人的女儿物色的伙伴是个什么样子，她好像不 大喜欢孩子的样貌。海蒂穿着她那件普通的小羊毛裙， 帽子很旧，折得失了形，天真无邪的眼睛正从帽子下面 ①out of shape走样，不成 盯着这位夫人高高的头饰，毫不掩饰吃惊的神色。 形 ②unconcealed “你叫什么名字？”罗顿迈尔小姐问。她已经仔细把 【nkan''si:ld]a.不加隐 这孩子打量了好几分钟，而海蒂也一直在盯着她看。 藏的 “海蒂。”她的声音铜铃般清晰响亮。 “什么？那可不是一个孩子的教名。你洗礼时肯定 ③christen[krisan]y洗礼 不是取的这个名字，他们给你洗礼时叫你什么？”罗顿 时命名 迈尔小姐继续发问。 ④baptise[bep'laiz]施洗 礼 “我不记得了。”海蒂回答。 “这是什么话！”女管家摇着头说，“笛蒂，她是傻 呀，还是粗鲁无礼？” 5 simpleton ['simpltan]n. 傻子 “要是您允许的话，让我来替孩子说吧。她对陌生 ⑥saucy'3sia.无礼的 人很不习惯。”笛蒂说，她用手轻轻捅了海蒂一下，嫌 ⑦poke [pauk]n.藏 她回答问题不得体。“她既不傻，也不是粗鲁无礼，她 甚至还不知道这些是什么意思。她怎么想就怎么说。今 天她是第一次站在一位绅士的家里，不知道如何表现得 体：然而她很温顺，也愿意学，只是您得先原凉她。洗 ⑧docile[dausail].易管 礼时，给她取的名字叫阿得蕾德，随她妈妈的名，也就 教的 是我姐姐，她已经去世了。” “噢，那倒是个别人可以称呼的名字。”罗顿迈尔 小姐说，“不过，我可告诉你，笛蒂，这孩子太小了， 真让我吃惊。我跟你说过要找一个和主人女儿岁数差不 9 occupation [okju'peifan] 多的伙伴，能跟她一块儿上课什么的。克莱拉小姐今年 m.日常活动，消造 ⑩fuent[nue)anla.流利 己经十二岁了，这孩子呢？” 的 “要是您不介意的话，”笛蒂又开始流利地说上了， 1thereabouts ['ocara-bauts] 大约，左右 “我都记不清她的确切岁数了，她肯定是小了点，但小不 了多少，我说不准，可我想她有十岁了，或十岁左右。” ②put in插话 “爷爷说过，我今年八岁。”海蒂插嘴道。笛蒂又 用手捅了她一下，但是海蒂完全不明白笛蒂为什么这么 ·103· VI.A New Chapter about New Things confused. “What一only eight!!”cried Fraulein Rottenmeier angrily.“Four years too young!Of what use is such a child!And what have you learnt?What books did you have to learn from?” “None,”said Heidi.. "How?What?How then did you learn to read?"continued the lady. "I have never learnt to read,or Peter either,"Heidi informed her. "Mercy upon us!You do not know how to read!Is it really so?"exclaimed Fraulein Rottenmeier,greatly horrified."Is it possible not able to read?What have you learnt then?" "Nothing,"said Heidi with unflinching truthfulness. "Young woman,"said the lady to Dete,after having paused for a minute or two to recover from her shock,"this is not at all the sort of companion you led me to suppose;how could you think of bringing me a child like this?" But Dete was not to be put down so easily,and answered warmly,"If the lady will allow me,the child is exactly what I thought she required;the lady described what she wished for,a child unlike all other children,and I could find no other to suit,for the greater number I know are not peculiar,but one very much the same as the other,and I thought this child seemed as if made for the place.But I must go now,for my mistress will be waiting for me;if the lady will permit I will come again soon and see how she is getting on."And with a bow Dete quickly left the room and ran downstairs.Fraulein Rottenmeier stood for a moment taken aback and then ran after Dete.If the child was to stop she had many things yet to say and ask about her,and there the child was,and what was more,Dete,as she plainly saw,meant to leave her there. Heidi remained by the door where she had been standing since she first came in.Clara had looked on during the interview without speaking;now she beckoned to Heidi and said,"Come here!" Heidi went up to her. "Would you rather be called Heidi or Adelaide?"asked Clara. "I am never called anything but Heidi,"was the child's prompt answer. "Then I shall always call you by that name,"said Clara,"it suits you.I have ·104· 6.新生活的新篇章 做，因此对自己的年龄清楚得很。 “什么——才八岁!”罗顿迈尔小姐生气地说，“小 了整整四岁!这么个小孩子会干什么!你学了哪些东 西?读过几本书?” “一本也没读过。”海蒂说。 “啊?!你说什么?那你怎么念的书?”夫人接着说。 “我从没读过书，彼得也没有。”海蒂告诉她。 “天啊!你不会读书!真的吗?”罗顿迈尔小姐惊 叫起来，觉得很可怕，“这可能吗——不会读书?那你 都学过些什么呀?” “什么都没学过。”海蒂实话实说，毫不畏缩。 “姑娘，”过了一会儿，女管家从震惊中回过神来， 对笛蒂说，“这根本不是你误导我以为的小家伙，你究 竟是怎么想的，带来这么个孩子?” ①put down制止； 驳倒 笛蒂可不轻易善罢干休，她温和地回答：“请原谅， 小姐，我想这孩子正是您所需要的，当时您跟我们说要 物色一个与众不同的人选，可我找不到其他合适的孩 子，我认识的许多孩子都非常类似，没什么特别的，倒 是这个孩子符合条件，好像是专为这个角色而生下来 的。现在我得走了，女主人在等我呢。要是您允许的话， 我不久会再来的，看看她在这儿行不行。”说完，笛蒂 躬身一礼，快步出门跑下楼梯。罗顿迈尔小姐站着愣了 一会儿神，就去追笛蒂。如果孩子留下来，她还得有许 多事情要交待，还要问问她。现在孩子就在那儿，而且 女管家看得很清楚，笛蒂就是要把她留下。 海蒂还像刚进来时一样，站在门旁边。克莱拉刚才 ②beckon ['be kan] v(以招 一直看着她们谈话，一言不发。这时，她招手让海蒂过 手、点头)表示招呼(或 召唤) 去：“到这儿来!” 海蒂走到她面前。 “你愿意别人叫你海蒂还是阿得蕾德?”克莱拉问。 “我从没叫过别的，只叫海蒂。”孩子回答得很迅速。 “那我就永远那么称呼你。”克莱拉说，“这名字很 $$1 0 5 ^ { \circ }$$ VI.A New Chapter about New Things never heard it before,but neither have I ever seen a child like you before.Have you always had that short curly hair?" “Yes,I think so,”said Heidi "Are you pleased to come to Frankfurt?"went on Clara. "No,but I shall go home again to-morrow and take grandmother a white loaf," explained Heidi. "Well,you are a funny child!"exclaimed Clara."You were expressly sent for to come here and to remain with me and share my lessons;there will be some fun about them now as you cannot read,something new to do,for often they are dreadfully dull,and I think the morning will never pass away.You know my tutor comes every morning at about ten o'clock,and then we go on with lessons till two,and it does seem such a long time.Sometimes he takes up the book and holds it close up to his face,as if he was very short-sighted,but I know it's only because he wants so dreadfully to gape,and Fraulein Rottenmeier takes her large handkerchief out also now and then and covers her face with it,as if she was moved by what we had been reading,but that is only because she is longing to gape too.And I myself often want to gape,but I am obliged to stop myself,for if Fraulein Rottenmeier sees me gaping she runs off at once and fetches the cod liver oil and says I must have a dose,as I am getting weak again,and the cod liver oil is horrible,so I do my best not to gape.But now it will be much more amusing, for I shall be able to lie and listen while you learn to read." Heidi shook her head doubtfully when she heard of learning to read. "Oh,nonsense,Heidi,of course you must learn to read,everybody must,and my tutor is very kind,and never cross,and he will explain everything to you.But mind,when he explains anything to you,you won't be able to understand;but don't ask any questions,or else he will go on explaining and you will understand less than ever.Later when you have learnt more and know about things yourself, then you will begin to understand what he meant." Fraulein Rottenmeier now came back into the room;she had not been able to overtake Dete,and was evidently very much put out;for she had wanted to go into more details concerning the child,and to convince Dete how misleading she had been,and how unfit Heidi was as a companion for Clara;she really did not know what to be about,or how to undo the mischief,and it made her all the more angry ·106· 6.新生活的新篇章 合适你，我以前从没听说过这个名字，也从没见过你这 样的孩子。你一直留那种卷曲的短发吗？” “嗯，我想是的。”海蒂说。 “你愿意来法兰克福吗？”克莱拉接着问 “不愿意。但是明天我就回家了，还要给婆婆带一 卷白面包。”海蒂解释说。 D expressly [ik'spresli]ad. “你真有意思。”克莱拉叫道，“你是被专门送来陪 专门地 我学功课的：这下他们可热闹了，因为你不会读书，可 以干些新鲜事了。他们都太让人乏味了，我总觉得上午 像是老也过不完。你知道吗，我的老师每天上午十点钟 就来，一直上课到两点，时间太长了。有时，他拿起 书，几乎贴到脸上，像是很近视，其实我知道他是想打 哈欠，实在忍不住了。罗顿迈尔小姐也时常掏出大手绢 捂住脸，好像对我们正读的东西很感动，其实她也是憋 不住哈欠了。我也经常想打哈欠，但得使劲忍住，因为 罗顿迈尔小姐一看见我打哈欠，就跑去拿来鱼肝油，说 我得吃点儿了，身体又变得虚弱了。那鱼肝油太难吃了， ②cod [kad]n.鳕鱼 所以我就尽力克制自己，不打哈欠。不过，这下可好了， 我可以躺着听你念书了。” 听说要念书，海蒂疑惑地摇摇头。 “哦，别说傻话了，海蒂！你当然得念书啊！每个 人都得念。我的老师非常和善，从不发脾气，他会给你 解释遇到的每一个问题。但是你得注意，不管他讲解什 么，你都会听不懂：可你千万别问问题，否则，他就会 讲起来没完没了，你就更听不懂了。等以后你学的多了， 自己知道的事情多了，就会开始明白他当时讲的是什么 意思了。” 这时，罗顿迈尔小姐回来了，她没有赶上笛蒂， ③put out使发怒，使不高 显得很生气。她本来还要了解更多关于孩子的事，要 兴 笛蒂承认她使人上了大当，海蒂根本不适合做克莱拉 ④mischief['mistfif]n.(人 为的)损害，伤害 的陪伴：她真不知道该如何处理这件棘手的事，一想起 ⑤all the more更加 她自己应对这一切负责，气就更大了，因为当初是她 ·107·