10 Another Grandmother又一个婆婆-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《小海蒂Heidi》

X.Another Grandmother "Oh yes,I know,"replied Fraulein Rottenmeier,but there was no tone of relief in her voice as she thought of the coming help. Herr Sesemann was only home for a short time,he left for Paris again before the fortnight was over,comforting Clara,who could not bear that he should go from her again so soon,with the prospect of her grandmother's arrival,which was to take place in a few days'time.Herr Sesemann had indeed only just gone when a letter came from Frau Sesemann,announcing her arrival on the following day, and stating the hour when she might be expected,in order that a carriage should be sent to meet her at the station.Clara was overjoyed,and talked so much about her grandmother that evening,that Heidi began also to call her "grandmamma," which brought down on her a look of displeasure from Fraulein Rottenmeier;this, however,had no particular effect on Heidi,for she was accustomed now to being continually in that lady's black books.But as she was going to her room that night,Fraulein Rottenmeier waylaid her,and drawing her into her own,gave her strict injunctions as to how she was to address Frau Sesemann when she arrived, on no account was she to call her“grandmamma,.”but always to say"madam” to her."Do you understand?"said the lady,as she saw a perplexed expression on Heidi's face.The latter had not understood,but seeing the severe expression of the lady's face she did not ask for more explanation. X.Another Grandmother There was much expectation and preparation about the house on the following evening,and it was easy to see that the lady who was coming was one whose opinion was highly thought of,and for whom everybody had a great respect.Tinette had a new white cap on her head,and Sebastian collected all the footstools he could find and placed them in convenient spots,so that the lady might find one ready to her feet whenever she chose to sit.Fraulein Rottenmeier went about surveying everything,very upright and dignified,as if to show that though a rival power was expected,her own authority was not going to be extinguished. And now the carriage came driving up to the door,and Tinette and Sebastian ·162· 10.又-个婆婆 “是的，我知道。”罗顿迈尔小姐回答，但即使想 到要来的帮手，她的语气里也没有丝毫的轻松。 塞斯曼先生在家的时间很短，两周还不到，他就 ①fortnight ['fo:tnait间n.两 去巴黎了。他这么快就走，克莱拉觉得受不了，塞 星期 ②take place发生 斯曼先生安慰她说婆婆马上就要来了，还有几天时 ③Frau[frau]n.[德语] 间。其实，塞斯曼先生刚刚离开，家里就收到了塞斯 夫人，太太（德语中对 已婚妇女的称呼) 曼夫人的来信，信上说她第二天就到，并告诉了预计 到达的时间，让派车去车站接她。克莱拉兴高采烈， 那天晚上说了许多关于婆婆的事，弄得海蒂也开始称 她“奶奶”了，这招来了罗顿迈尔小姐的白眼，不过 海蒂倒没觉得什么，因为她己经习惯于上女管家的黑 名单了。但那天晚上她回自己房间的路上，罗顿迈尔 ④black book黑名册 ⑤waylay['weilei]伏击 小姐叫住了她，并把她拽到了自己的房间，严厉地命 6 injunction [in'd3ankfon] 令她在塞斯曼夫人到来的时候要按规矩称呼，不准叫 n.指令 “奶奶”，而要称她“太太”。“你明白了吗？”女管家 看到海蒂迷惘的神色，就问道。海蒂没听明白，但是 看到女管家表情严厉，也就不敢让她再解释解释了。 10.又一个婆婆 第二天晚上，克莱拉的家里到处是一片忙碌，大家 footstool ['fut.stu:I]n. (坐时搁脚的)脚凳 热切地盼望着什么。看得出来，快到达这里的老太太德 ⑧upright['Aprait]a.正直 高望重，很受众人尊敬。蒂耐特头上换了一顶崭新的白 9dignified ['dignifaid]a. 帽子，塞巴斯蒂安则在搜集所有能找到的脚凳，把它们 庄严的，高贵的，有尊 放在方便的地方，好让老太太想休息的时候能把双脚放 严的 ⑩rival[raival]n.对手，堪 在上面。罗顿迈尔小姐在到处视察，威风而严肃，像是 与匹敌者 在告诉人们说尽管就要有一个行使权力的竞争对手，但 ①.extinguished [ik'stingwi/间a.消失的， 她自己的权威是不会丧失的。 灭绝的 四轮马车停在了门口，蒂耐特和塞巴斯蒂安向楼下 ·163· X.Another Grandmother ran down the steps,followed with a slower and more stately step by the lady,who advanced to greet the guest.Heidi had been sent up to her room and ordered to remain there until called down,as the grandmother would certainly like to see Clara alone first.Heidi sat herself down in a corner and repeated her instructions over to herself.She had not to wait long before Tinette put her head in and said abruptly,“Go downstairs into the study.” Heidi had not dared to ask Fraulein Rottenmeier again how she was to address the grandmother:she thought the lady had perhaps made a mistake,for she had never heard any one called by other than their right name.As she opened the study door she heard a kind voice say,"Ah,here comes the child!Come along and let me have a good look at you." Heidi walked up to her and said very distinctly in her clear voice,"Good- evening,"and then wishing to follow her instructions called her what would be in English“Mrs.Madam.” "Well!"said the grandmother laughing,"is that how they address people in your home on the mountain?" "No,"replied Heidi gravely,"I never knew anyone with that name before." "Nor I either,"laughed the grandmother again as she patted Heidi's cheek. "Never mind!When I am with the children I am always grandmamma;you won't forget that name;will you?" "No,no,"Heidi assured her,"I often used to say it at home." "I understand,"said the grandmother,with a cheerful little nod of the head. Then she looked more closely at Heidi,giving another nod from time to time,and the child looked back at her with steady,serious eyes,for there was something kind and warm-hearted about this new-comer that pleased Heidi,and indeed everything to do with the grandmother attracted her,so that she could not turn her eyes away.She had such beautiful white hair,and two long lace ends hung down from the cap on her head and waved gently about her face every time she moved, as if a soft breeze were blowing round her,which gave Heidi a peculiar feeling of pleasure. "And what is your name,child?"the grandmother now asked. "I am always called Heidi;but as I am now to be called Adelaide,I will try and take care-"Heidi stopped short,for she felt a little guilty;she had not ·164· 10.又一个婆婆 跑去，女管家跟在后面，不紧不慢地迈着四方步，前去 向老太太问候。海蒂被打发到自己的房间里，没人招呼 就不准出来，老太太肯定要先单独见克莱拉。海蒂坐在 屋子的角落里，重复着那个命令。可坐了不大一会儿， 蒂耐特突然把头伸进来说：“下楼到书房去。” 海蒂没有敢再问罗顿迈尔小姐自己应该如何称呼老 太太：她想女管家或许弄错了，称呼别人从来都是直呼 其名的。她推开书房的门，听到一个和善的声音说：“啊， 这孩子来了！快过来让我看看。” 海蒂走上前去，清晰而响亮地问候她：“晚上好，” 然后就按立好的规矩叫她“太太夫人”。 “哈哈，”老太太笑起来说，“你在山上老家住的时 候，人们就这样称呼吗？” “不，”海蒂一本正经地回答，“我以前从没听过有 人叫这么个名字。” “我也没听过。”老太太一边拍着海蒂的脸蛋， 一 边笑着说，“没关系！在孩子们眼里我总是‘奶奶’，这 ①pat[pet轻拍 个名字你忘不了吧？” “忘不了的，”海蒂很肯定，“在家里我就是这么称 呼别人的。” “我明白了。”奶奶说，高兴地点点头。她仔细打 量了海蒂一会儿，又不时地点点头。海蒂也盯着她目 不转睛地看，这个新来的老太太身上有一种温柔善良 的东西很让海蒂高兴，也让她着迷，所以她就挪不开 自己的目光了。老太太有一头漂亮的银发，两根长长 的带子从头上的帽子垂下来，她一动，两根带子的头 儿就跟着摇摆，就像有一阵微风吹过，这让海蒂感到 特别高兴。 “你叫什么名字，孩子？”奶奶问。 “我一直都叫海蒂，但我现在叫阿得蕾德，我会 注意—，”海蒂突然打住了，因为她觉得有些歉疚， ·165· X.Another Grandmother yet grown accustomed to this name,she continued not to respond when Fraulein Rottenmeier suddenly addressed her by it,and the lady was at this moment entering the room. "Frau Sesemann will no doubt agree with me,"she interrupted,"that it was necessary to choose a name that could be pronounced easily,if only for the sake of the servants.” "My worthy Rottenmeier,"replied Frau Sesemann,"if a person is called 'Heidi'and has grown accustomed to that name,I call her by the same,and so let itbe.” Fraulein Rottenmeier was always very much annoyed that the old lady continually addressed her by her surname only;but it was no use minding,for the grandmother always went her own way,and so there was no help for it.Moreover the grandmother was a keen old lady,and had all her five wits about her,and she knew what was going on in the house as soon as she entered it. When on the following day Clara lay down as usual on her couch after dinner, the grandmother sat down beside her for a few minutes and closed her eyes,then she got up again as lively as ever,and trotted off into the dining-room.No one was there."She is asleep,I suppose,"she said to herself,and then going up to Fraulein Rottenmeier's room she gave a loud knock at the door.She waited a few minutes and then Fraulein Rottenmeier opened the door and drew back in surprise at this unexpected visit. "Where is the child,and what is she doing all this time?That is what I came to ask,"said Frau Sesemann. "She is sitting in her room,where she could well employ herself if she had the least idea of making herself useful;but you have no idea,Frau Sesemann,of the out-of-the-way things this child imagines and does,things which I could hardly repeat in good society." "I should do the same if I had to sit in there like that child,I can tell you;I doubt if you would then like to repeat what I did,in good society!Go and fetch the child and bring her to my room,I have some pretty books with me that I should like to give her." "That is just the misfortune,"said Fraulein Rottenmeier with a despairing gesture,"what use are books to her?She has not been able to learn her A B C ·166· 10.又-个婆婆 自己还没有习惯于这个称呼。有时罗顿迈尔小姐猛地 叫起这个名字，她还是没有反应。正在这时，女管家 走了进来。 “塞斯曼夫人肯定会同意我的意见，”她插话说，“即 使只为了仆人的缘故，我们也有必要选择一个容易叫的 名字。” ①worthy['wa:oi]a.可尊 “尊敬的罗顿迈尔，”塞斯曼夫人回答，“要是一个 敬的 人名字叫海蒂，而且她也已经习惯于这个称呼，那么我 就叫她海蒂，就这样吧。” 老太太总是直接称她的姓，罗顿迈尔小姐对此很恼 火，但是恼火也没用，因为老太太我行我素，别人无能 ②keen [ki:n]a.敏锐的 为力。更何况老太太聪颖敏锐，领悟力极强，她只要一 ③wit[wi可n,心智 走进屋就知道里面发生了什么事。 第二天午饭过后，克莱拉像往常一样在自己的轮椅 上躺下来，奶奶在旁边合着眼坐了一会儿，然后就很有 ④trot[rot]g小跑着走 精神地站起来，走进餐室。那儿没人，“我想她可能是 睡着了。”她这样想着就走到罗顿迈尔小姐的房间，大 声敲门。等了有几分钟，罗顿迈尔小姐开了门，一见是 老太太，她吃惊地向后缩了一下。 “那孩子在哪儿？在干什么？我就是为这事儿来 的。”塞斯曼夫人说。 “她在自己房间里坐着呢。在那儿，她总有办法使 ⑤employ [im'ploi]v.使忙 自己不闲着，可是塞斯曼夫人，你根本想象不出来她想 于 的和做的那种荒唐事，在文明社会里我都不好启口说出 来。” “跟你说吧，在她那个处境，我也会做同样的事： 不知道在文明社会里，你是否好意思把我做的事说出 来啊！去把那个孩子叫到我房间，我带来几本好书要 G misfortune [mis'fo:tfan] 送给她。” n,不幸 “那正是最令人遗憾的。”罗顿迈尔小姐做了一个 7 despairing [di'spearin]a. 表示失望的 无可奈何的手势，说，“给她书有什么用？自从她来了 ⑧gesture['d3 estfo]n.手势 ·167· X.Another Grandmother even,all the long time she has been here;it is quite impossible to get the least idea of it into her head,and that the tutor himself will tell you;if he had not the patience of an angel he would have given up teaching her long ago." "That is very strange,"said Frau Sesemann,"she does not look to me like a child who would be unable to learn her alphabet.However,bring her now to me, she can at least amuse herself with the pictures in the books." Fraulein Rottenmeier was prepared with some further remarks,but the grandmother had turned away and gone quickly towards her own room.She was surprised at what she had been told about Heidi's incapacity for learning, and determined to find out more concerning this matter,not by inquiries from the tutor,however,although she esteemed him highly for his uprightness of character;she had always a friendly greeting for him,but always avoided being drawn into conversation with him,for she found his style of talk somewhat wearisome. Heidi now appeared and gazed with open-eyed delight and wonder at the beautiful coloured pictures in the books which the grandmother gave her to look at.All of a sudden,as the latter turned over one of the pages to a fresh picture,the child gave a cry.For a moment or two she looked at it with brightening eyes,then the tears began to fall,and at last she burstinto sobs.The grandmother looked at the picture-it represented a green pasture,full of young animals,some grazing and others nibbling at the shrubs.In the middle was a shepherd leaning upon his staff and looking on at his happy flock.The whole scene was bathed in golden light,for the sun was just sinking below the horizon. The grandmother laid her hand kindly on Heidi's."Don't cry,dear child,don't cry,"she said,"the picture bas reminded you perhaps of something.But see,there is a beautiful tale to the picture which I will tell you this evening.And there are other nice tales of all kinds to read and to tell again.But now we must have a little talk together,so dry your tears and come and stand in front of me,so that I may see you well-一there,now we are happy again.” But it was some little time before Heidi could overcome her sobs.The grandmother gave her time to recover herself,saying cheering words to her now and then,"There,it's all right now,and we are quite happy again." When at last she saw that Heidi was growing calmer,she said,"Now I want ·168· 10.又-个婆婆 以后，这么长的时间里，她都没学会ABC,根本就没 办法让她入门儿，关于这一点，你可以去问老师。要 不是这位老师有天使般的耐心，他早就不教她了。” “这倒怪了，”塞斯曼夫人说，“我看那孩子不像是 连字母都学不会的那种人呀。不管怎么说，叫她来吧， 至少这些书里的图画会让她高兴的。” 罗顿迈尔小姐还想说什么，但是老太太已经转身快 步回自己房间去了。听说海蒂学不会字母，她感到很吃 惊，决心弄明白是怎么回事，但她不想去问老师，尽管 这位老师的正直非常令她尊敬。她总是十分友好地跟老 ①esteem[i'sti:m]v.尊散 师打招呼，却避免与他交谈，因为她觉得这位老师的谈 话方式有些令人厌烦。 海蒂来了，老太太把书拿给她看，她顿时眼睛睁得 大大的，高兴而惊奇地盯着这些漂亮的、五颜六色的图 画。当老太太翻到下一幅图画时，孩子尖叫了一声。她 先是兴奋地看了一会儿，然后就开始掉眼泪，最后干脆 抽泣起来。老太太看了看图画一那上面画的是个绿色 ②burst[bxst)g爆发 牧场，到处是可爱的小动物，有的在吃草，还有的在拧 ③graze[greiz](牲畜) 咬着树丛。中间是个牧羊人，拄着棍子，看着一群活蹦 啃食（牧草等） 乱跳的山羊。整个景色都沐浴在一片金色的余晖中，太 阳刚刚开始下山。 ④staft[stcf门n.棍，杖 ⑤horizon [h3'raizon]n.t地 老太太慈祥地握住海蒂的手说：“好孩子，别哭， 平线 这幅图画肯定是让你想起了什么。可是，你看，这幅图 画配着一个美丽的故事，今天晚上我就讲给你听。书里 还有很多动人的故事，值得一读再读，一讲再讲。现在 咱俩得先谈谈，快擦干眼泪，到我面前来，那样我能看 得清楚。好了，咱们又高兴起来了。” 但是，海蒂的伤心劲儿不会马上过去的，老太太给 她时间，让她慢慢平静下来，还不停地逗她高兴说：“行 ⑥recover[ri'kAva]使恢 复 了，这下好了，咱们又特别高兴了。” ⑦now and then不时地 看到海蒂终于平静下来，她就说：“来，告诉我你 ·169· X.Another Grandmother you to tell me something.How are you getting on in your school-time;do you like your lessons,and have you learnt a great deal?" "Oh no!"replied Heidi sighing,"but I knew beforehand that it was not possible to learn.” "What is it you think impossible to learn?" “Why,to read,.it is too difficult..” "You don't say so!And who told you that?" "Peter told me,and he knew all about it,for he had tried and tried and could not learn it..” "Peter must be a very odd boy then!But listen,Heidi,we must not always go by what Peter says,we must try for ourselves.I am certain that you did not give all your attention to the tutor when he was trying to teach you your letters." "It's of no use,"said Heidi in the tone of one who was ready to endure what could not be cured. "Listen to what I have to say,"continued the grandmother."You have not been able to learn your alphabet because you believed what Peter said;but now you must believe what I tell you-and I tell you that you can learn to read in a very little while,as many other children do,who are made like you and not like Peter. And now hear what comes after-you see that picture with the shepherd and the animals-well,as soon as you are able to read you shall have that book for your own,and then you will know all about the sheep and the goats,and what the shepherd did,and the wonderful things that happened to him,just as if some one were telling you the whole tale.You will like to hear about all that,won't you?" Heidi had listened with eager attention to the grandmother's words and now with a sigh exclaimed,"Oh,if only I could read now!" "It won't take you long now to learn,that I can see,and now we must go down to Clara;bring the books with you."And hand in hand the two returned to the study. Since the day when Heidi had so longed to go home,and Fraulein Rottenmeier had met her and scolded her on the steps,and told her how wicked and ungrateful she was to try and run away,and what a good thing it was that Herr Sesemann knew nothing about it,a change had come over the child.She had at last understood that day that she could not go home when she wished as Dete had told ·170· 10.又-个婆婆 上学上得怎么样了，喜欢那些课吗？学到的东西多吗？” “不怎么样。”海蒂叹了一口气说，“但我早就料到 D beforehand [bi'fo:hand] 了，根本学不会。” ad.预先地，提前地 “根本学不会什么呀？” “读书呗，太难了。” “别那么说！这是谁告诉你的？” “彼得告诉我的。他很清楚这事，因为他学了一遍 又一遍，但就是学不会。” “彼得肯定是个很怪的孩子！可是，你听着，海 蒂，我们不能总听彼得的，要自己去试试。我敢说在老 师教你字母的时候，你的心思就没在那儿。” “在那儿也没用。”海蒂说，那语气像是准备忍受 ②endure[in'djuo]忍受 ③cure [kjus]治愈 无可救药的痛苦。 “听我说，”老太太接着说，“你没学会字母是因为 你相信了彼得的话；可是现在你要相信我的话一我说 你跟别的孩子一样，用一小会儿就能学会，你们都不像 彼得。接着听我说一你看到了这幅图画，上面有牧羊 人和山羊。你一学会读书，这本书就是你的了，你就可 以知道那上面的羊群是怎么回事了，牧羊人都干了些什 么，他碰到了什么好事，就像是有人在给你讲故事一 样。你肯定想知道这些，是不是？” 海蒂带着渴望的神情听老太太说着，然后叹了口气 大声说：“现在我要是会读书，那该多好啊！” ④eager[iq3a.渴望的 “我看得出来，你很快就会学会的。咱们现在就去 找克莱拉，把书拿上。”于是，两个人手拉着手下楼回 到了书房。 自从海蒂特别想回家那天以来，这孩子就发生了 变化。那天，罗顿迈尔小姐在楼梯上截住了她，并且 ⑤scold[skould训斥， 责骂她，说这样跑回去是可恶的，忘恩负义的，还说 责骂 ⑥wicked[wikid]a.邪恶 幸好塞斯曼先生不知道这事儿。海蒂终于懂了，她不 的 能像笛蒂说的那样想什么时候回家，就什么时候回家， 她得在法兰克福住上好长一段时间，也许是一辈子。 ·171·