Chapter12 “Might I Have a Bit of Earth”“我可以要一小块土地吗”-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《秘密花园The Secret Garden》

ChapterXII "Might I Have a Bit of Earth?" Mary ran so fast that she was rather out of breath when she reached her room Her hair was ruffled^{①} on her forehead and her cheeks were bright pink. Her dinner was waiting on the table, and Martha was waiting near it "Tha's a bit late."she said. "Where has tha'been?" "I'ye seen Dickon!"said Mary. "I've seen Dickon!" "I knew he'd come." said Martha exultantly. "How does tha' like him?" "I think- I think he's beautiful!" said Mary in a determined yoice Martha looked rather taken aback but she looked pleased, too. “Well." she said. "he's th'best lad as ever was born, but us never thought he was handsome. His nose turns up too much." "I like it to turn up,"said Mary. “An'his eyes is so round," said Martha, a trifle doubtful. "Though they're a nice color.""I like them round," said Mary. "And they are exactly the color of the sky over the moor." Martha beamed^{②}with satisfaction "Mother says he made 'em that color with always lookin' up at th' birds an' .192. 第十二章 “我可以要一小块 士地吗? ① ruffe I'raflv. 弄乱(头 玛丽跑得很快,等她到了房间的时候,已经上气 发等) 不接下气了。她前额的头发乱糟糟的,两颊也是粉喝 哪的。进门时,午餐已经摆在桌上,玛莎则站在一旁 等她。 “你来得可有点儿晚了,”她说,“你跑哪儿去了?” “我见到迪康了!”玛丽回答,“我见到迪康了!” “我知道他会过来的,”玛莎很是开心,“你还喜欢 他不?” “我觉得--我觉得他很美!”玛丽坚定地评价道。 玛莎似乎吃了一惊,但是她看上去还是很高兴的。 “怎么说呢,”她开口道,“他是这个世界上最好的 小伙儿了,可我们从来都不觉得他长得帅。他那鼻子都 快翘到天上去了。” “我喜欢上翘的鼻子。”玛丽说。 “他的眼睛也太圆了,”玛莎微微不确定地说道 ②beam bi:mlv.眉开眼笑 (面)露喜气 “尽管它们的颜色还挺好看的。” “我喜欢圆圆的眼睛,”玛丽说,“而且它们的颜色 和旷野上的天空一模一样。” 玛莎笑容满面,一副十分满意的样子。 “我娘说,他是因为整天抬头看着小鸟儿和云朵 ·193· ChapterXrI “Miqft I Hfave a it ofEarth?" th' clouds. But he has got a big mouth, hasn't he, now?" “I love his big mouth."said Mary obstinately. "I wish mine were just like it.” Martha chuckled delightedly. "It'd look rare an' funny in thy bit of a face," she said. "But I knowed it would be that way when tha' saw him. How did tha' like th' seeds an' th' garder tools?" "How did you know he brought them?" asked Mary "Eh! I never thought of him not bringin''em. He'd be sure to bring 'em if they was in Yorkshire. He's such a trusty lad." Mary was afraid that she might begin to ask difficult questions, but she did not. She was very much interested in the seeds and gardening tools, and there was only one moment when Mary was frightened. This was when she began tc ask where the flowers were to be planted “Who did tha' ask about it?"she inauired "I haven't asked anybody yet," said Mary, hesitating. "Well. I wouldn't ask th' head gardener. He's too grand^{①}, Mr. Roach is." "I've never seen him," said Mary. "I've only seen undergardeners and Ber Weatherstaff." “If I was you. I'd ask Ben Weatherstaff." advised Martha. "He's not half as bad as he looks, for all he's so crabbed^{②. Mr. Craven lets him do what he likes because he was here when Mrs. Craven was alive, an' he used to make her laugh. She liked him. Perhaps he'd find you a corner somewhere out o' the way." "If it was out of the way and no one wanted it, no one could mind my having it, could they?"Mary said anxiously "There wouldn't be no reason." answered Martha. "You wouldn't do nc harm." ·194· 第十一章 “我可以要一小块土地吗?” 眼睛才会变成那个颜色的。但是吧,他那张嘴也着实不 小,你不这么觉得吗?” “我喜欢他的那张大嘴,”玛丽固执地肯定道。“要 是我的嘴巴也能长成那个样子就好了。” 玛莎欣喜地笑了起来。 “你那小脸儿要是长了那么大张嘴肯定又奇怪,又 好笑,”她说,“但我就知道你会喜欢他的。那你觉得那 些种子和园艺工具怎么样?” “你怎么知道他把那些东西带过来了?”玛丽问道 “哎呀!我就没想过他带不来。但凡约克郡有这些 东西的话,他就肯定能把它们带过来。他可是个让人放 心的家伙。” 玛丽生怕她会问一些难以回答的问题,但是她没 有。她对那些种子和园艺工具很感兴趣,而玛丽仅仅在 一个瞬间感到了紧张,那便是玛莎开始询问他们打算把 花儿种在哪儿的时候。 “你有跟谁问过这件事儿吗?”她问道。 ① grand [araendla. 傲慢的 “还没有。”玛丽犹犹豫豫地答道 “嗯,要是我的话,我不会去问那个园丁头头儿的 罗彻先生吧,他太傲气了。” “我从来都没见过他,”玛丽回答,“我只见过在他 ② crabbed ['kraebidl a. 脾气 手底下工作的人,还有本·韦泽斯塔夫。” 坏的,易怒的,暴躁的 “如果我是你的话,我就会去问本·韦泽斯塔夫。” 玛莎建议道,“他虽然看着很坏,但是人还是挺好的,尽 管有时有点儿暴躁。柯菜文先生放手让他做点儿自已想 做的事情,因为他自打柯菜文夫人还活着的时候就在这 儿干活儿了,他能让夫人笑。夫人很喜欢他。没准儿啊 他能在哪个边边角角、不碍事儿的地方给你找块儿地呢。” “如果是一块不碍事的地方,而且也没人想要的 话,那么,没人会介意的,对吗?”玛丽焦虑地问道。 “他们没理由介意,”玛莎回答,“你又不会做什么 坏事。” ·195· ChapterXrI "Miqft I Hfave a it ofEarth?" Mary ate her dinner as quickly as she could and when she rose from the table she was going to run to her room to put on her hat again, but Martha stopped her. "I've got somethin' to tell you," she said. "I thought I'd let you eat your dinner first. Mr. Craven came back this mornin' and I think he wants to see you." Mary turned quite pale. “Oh!" she said. "Why!Why! He didn't want to see me when I came. I heard Pitcher say he didn't.""Well."explained Martha, "Mrs. Medlock says it's because o'mother. She was walkin'to Thwaite village an' she met him. She'd never spoke to him before, but Mrs. Craven had been to our cottage two or three times. He'd forgot, but mother hadn't an' she made bold to stop him. I don't know what she said to him about you but she said somethin' as put him in th mind to see you before he goes away again, tomorrow." "Oh!" cried Mary, "is he going away tomorrow? I am so glad!" "He's goin' for a long time. He mayn't come back till autumn or winter He's goin' to travel in foreign places. He's always doin'it." "Oh! I'm so glad -so glad!" said Mary thankfully. If he did not come back until winter, or even autumn, there would be time to watch the secret garden come alive. Even if he found out then and took it away from her she would have had that much at least "When do you think he will want to see -" She did not finish the sentence, because the door opened, and Mrs. Medlock walked in. She had on her best black dress and cap, and her collar was fastened with a large brooch{ with a picture of a man's face on it. It was a colored .196. 第十一章 “我可以要一小块土地吗?” 玛丽用最快的速度吃完了午餐,而当她从桌子旁边 站起来的时候,她本想跑回房间重新戴上帽子的,但玛 莎却拦住了她。 “我有点儿事情要跟你说,”她开口道,“但我想着 应该先让你把饭吃完。柯菜文先生今天早上回来了,我 觉得他想见见你。” 玛丽的脸色瞬间变得苍白。 “哦!”她说,“为什么!为什么啊!我刚来的时 候他还不想见我。皮彻是这么跟我说的。” “怎么说,”玛莎解释道,“听麦德洛克夫人说 他是因为我娘才要见你的。我娘当时正要去新开地,半 路上遇见他了。我娘以前从来没跟他搭过话儿,但是柯 莱文先生上我家来过那么两三次。他可能已经忘了,但 是我娘还记着,就大着胆子把他拦住了。我不晓得她 说了你什么,但是肯定是她说的话让先生决定在他明天 再次离开这地方之前见见你。” “哎呀!”玛丽惊呼了一声,“他明天就要走了吗? 那可真是太好了!” “他得离开好久,搞不好秋天甚至冬天都回不 来。他要去国外旅行。他经常这样。” “哦!我真是太开心了--太开心了!”玛丽满心 庆幸地感叹着。 假若他在冬天回来的话,甚至说秋天就回来了,她 也有足够的时间看着那座秘密花园重新焕发生机。就算 到时候被他发现,还从自已这里把秘密花园收回去了 至少,她也还能拥有一段时间。 ① brooch [broutfln. 饰针. “你觉得,他想什么时候见-” 胸针,领针 她没能够把这句话说完,因为门突然开了,麦德洛 克夫人走了进来。她穿着自已最精美的那条黑裙子,带 着自己最精美的黑帽子,领子上还别着一枚巨大的领 针,上面绘着一张男人的脸。那是一张彩色照片,是早 已过世的麦德洛克先生,每当麦德洛克夫人盛装打扮的 ·197· ChapterXrI "Miqft I Hfave a it ofEarth?" photograph of Mr. Medlock who had died years ago, and she always wore it when she was dressed up. She looked nervous and excited “Your hair's rough."she said quickly. "Go and brush it. Martha, help her to slip on her best dress. Mr. Craven sent me to bring her to him in his study." All the pink left Mary's cheeks. Her heart began to thump and she fel herself changing into a stiff, plain, silent child again. She did not even answer Mrs. Medlock, but turned and walked into her bedroom, followed by Martha She said nothing while her dress was changed, and her hair brushed. and after she was quite tidy she followed Mrs. Medlock down the corridors, in silence What was there for her to say? She was obliged to go and see Mr. Craven and he would not like her, and she would not like him. She knew what he would think ofher. She was taken to a part of the house she had not been into before. At last Mrs, Medlock knocked at a door, and when some one said, "Come in." they entered the room together. A man was sitting in an armchair before the fire, and Mrs. Medlock spoke to him "This is Miss Mary, sir." she said "You can go and leave her here. I will ring for you when I want you to take her away,"said Mr. Craven When she went out and closed the door, Mary could only stand waiting, a plain little thing, twisting her thin hands together. She could see that the man in the chair was not so much a hunchback as a man with high, rather crooked shoulders, and he had black hair streaked^{} with white. He turned his head over his high shoulders and spoke to her "Come here!"he said. Mary went to him. He was not ugly. His face would have been handsome if it had not been so miserable. He looked as if the sight of her worried and fretted him and as if he did not know what in the world to do with her .198. 第十一章 “我可以要一小块土地吗?” 时候,她总会别上那枚领针。此时此刻,她看上去既紧 张,又兴奋。 “你的头发乱了,”她的语速很快,“快去梳理一下。 玛莎,帮她套上最好的那件连衣裙。柯菜文先生叫我把 她带到书房里去。” 玛丽脸上的粉红色渐渐褪了下去。她的心跳越来越 快,觉得自己就要变回那个身体僵硬、面貌平凡、不爱 言语的小女孩了。她甚至没有回答麦德洛克夫人的问题 反而转身走进了卧室,玛莎则跟在了她的身后。在她为 她换衣服、梳头发的时候,玛丽一句话都没有说,而当 她打理好一切之后,便一言不发地跟着麦德洛克夫人进 了走廊。她还有什么可说的呢?她不得不去见一见柯菜 文先生,他不会喜欢她的,而她也同样不会喜欢他的。 她知道他会怎样看她。 麦德洛克夫人领着她走进了一片她以前从未进入过 的领域。最后,她敲了敲门,里面有人说了一声“请进” 二人便一同走了进去。一个男人正坐在炉火前的扶手椅 上。麦德洛克夫人开口了。 “先生,这位便是玛丽小姐。”她说。 “你可以离开了,把她留在这里。如果我需要你过 来把她带走的话,我会按叫你的。”柯菜文先生说 当她离开并关上门后,玛丽只好站在那干等着。这 个平凡的小东西,一双瘦弱的手紧紧纹在一起。她能看 出,面前这个坐在椅子中的男人驼背得并不厉害,只 ①streak [stritk]v. 形成条纹 是那高耸着的肩膀有些弯曲,满头黑发中夹杂着几缕 白发。他从那双高高的肩膀上转过头来,向着她说起 了话。 “过来!”他说。 玛丽走了过去。 他长得并不丑陋。假如面上的表情不是这么愁 苦,他也称得上是有几分帅气的。然而现在,他却似乎 因为看到她而感到烦恼和不安,仿佛不知该拿她如何 是好。 ·199· Chapter XII "Might I Have a it of Earth?" "Are you well?" he asked. "Yes," answered Mary. "Do they take good care of you?" "Yes." He rubbed his forehead fretfully as he looked her over "You are very thin."he said. "I am getting fatter," Mary answered in what she knew was her stiffest way What an unhappy face he had! His black eyes seemed as if they scarcely saw her, as if they were seeing something else, and he could hardly keep his thoughts upon her "I forgot you," he said. "How could I remember you? I intended to send you a governess or a nurse, or some one of that sort, but I forgot." "Please," began Mary. "Please -" and then the lump in her throat choked^{} her. "What do you want to say?"he inauired "I am- I am too big for a nurse," said Mary. "And please - please don't make me have a governess yet." He rubbed his forehead again and stared at her "That was what the Sowerby woman said." he muttered absentmindedly Then Mary gathered a scrap of courage "Is she - is she Martha's mother?"she stammered "Yes, I think so."he replied "She knows about children." said Mary, "She has twelve. She knows." He seemed to rouse himself{②}. "What do you want to do?" "I want to play out of doors," Mary answered, hoping that her voice did no tremble. "I never liked it in India. It makes me hungry here, and I am getting fatter." He was watching her .200. 第十二章 “我可以要一小块土地吗?” “你还好吗?”他问道 “挺好的。”玛丽回答。 “他们有好好照顾你吗?” “嗯。” 他看着她,烦躁地揉搓了一下前额。 “你很瘦。”他说。 “我正在长胖。”玛丽用自已最生硬的语气回答 他的脸上真是写满了不幸福啊!一双黑洞洞的眼睛 仿佛根本就没有看到她,好像在看着别的什么东西,似 乎无法将注意力集中在她的身上。 “我记不得你了,”他说,“我又怎么会记得你?我 本打算为你请一位家庭教师或是看护的,或者是别的什 么人,但我把这件事忘记了。” ① choke [tfouk]v. 使不能呼 “求你,”玛丽乞求着,“求你了-”但这时,她 吸 的喉咙仿佛被一团东西便住了。 “你想说什么?”他问道。 “我.....我已经长大了,不需要看护了,”玛丽回 答,“求你了--求你暂时不要为我找家庭教师好吗?” 他又开始揉起了自已的前额,就那样盯着她 “那位名叫索尔比的妇人就是这么说的。”他失神 般地嘲嘲自语着。 于是,玛丽又重拾了一点点勇气。 “她是.....她是玛莎的母亲吗?”她结结巴巴地问 道。 “是,我想是的。”他回答。 ② rouse oneself 振作精神 “她很了解小孩子,”玛丽说,“她有十二个孩子。 她什么都懂。” 他看上去清醒了几分。 “你有什么想做的吗?” “我想在室外玩要,”玛丽希望自已说这话的时候 声音并不是颤抖的,“我一直都不喜欢在印度时的生活。 在这里,我会感到饥饿,也慢慢长肉了。” 他一直看着她。 .201·