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书虫四级《华盛顿广场》:4.莫里斯·汤森求职

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2020年01月20日

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4.Morris Townsend looks for a position

4.莫里斯·汤森求职

If it were true that Catherine was in love, she was certainly very quiet about it. She had told Morris Townsend that she would not mention him to her father, and so she said nothing about Morris's continued visits. It was only polite, of course, for Morris to visit after the dinner at Washington Square, and only natural for him to continue visiting.

如果凯瑟琳真的恋爱了的话,那么她对这件事确实很低调。她告诉过莫里斯·汤森她不会向父亲提到他,所以对于莫里斯接下来的造访她只字未提。当然,莫里斯在华盛顿广场晚宴后来拜访只是出于礼貌,而他继续来访也很自然。

These visits had quickly become the most important thing in Catherine's life. She was very happy. She did not yet know what the future would bring, and she was too modest to expect anything. She was just grateful for the present—the sound of his voice, the words he spoke to her, the expression of his face.

这些来访很快就成为凯瑟琳生活中最重要的事情。她非常开心。她还不知道未来会怎样,而且她太羞怯,也不敢奢望什么。她只是为现在的状况而心怀感激——他的声音,他对她说的话,他脸上的表情。

Doctor Sloper suspected Morris Townsend's visits, and noticed how quiet Catherine had become.

斯洛珀医生对莫里斯·汤森的来访有所察觉,也注意到凯瑟琳变得多么安静。

What is going on in this house?' he asked his sister.

“这幢房子里发生了什么事?”他问他姐姐。

Going on, Austin?' said Mrs Penniman.

“发生了什么事,奥斯汀?”彭尼曼夫人说。

Why haven't you told me that Mr Morris Townsend is coming to the house four or five times a week? I am away all day, and I see nothing.'

“你们为什么不告诉我莫里斯·汤森先生一周要来这里四五次呢?我整天都不在家,什么也看不到。”

Mrs Penniman thought for a moment. 'Dear Austin,' she said at last, 'I cannot tell a secret.'

彭尼曼夫人想了想。“亲爱的奥斯汀,”她最后说,“我不能把秘密说出来。”

Whose secret? Catherine's? Mr Townsend's? If it is his, I think it is extremely foolish of you to have secrets with young men. You don't know where they will lead you.'

“谁的秘密?凯瑟琳的吗?还是汤森先生的?如果是他的,我想你和年轻男人有秘密实在是太愚蠢了。你不知道他们会把你引向哪里。”

I don't know what you mean,' said Mrs Penniman. 'I take a great interest in Mr Townsend; I don't hide that. But that is all.'

“我不明白你的意思,”彭尼曼夫人说,“我对汤森先生很感兴趣;我并不否认。不过仅此而已。”

It is quite enough. And what do you find so interesting about Mr Townsend? His good looks?'

“这就够了。你觉得汤森先生哪里有趣?他英俊的外貌吗?”

His misfortunes, Austin. I cannot tell you his story, but he would tell it to you himself, if he thought you would listen to him kindly.'

“他的不幸遭遇,奥斯汀。我不能跟你讲他的经历,不过如果他认为你会友好地听他说话的话,他自己会告诉你的。”

The Doctor gave a laugh. 'I shall ask him very kindly to leave Catherine alone.'

医生笑了起来:“我会很友好地请他离开凯瑟琳。”

Catherine probably says kinder things to him than that!'

“凯瑟琳也许会对他说些比这好听的话!”

Has she said that she loved him?—do you mean that?'

“她说过她爱他吗?——你想说的是这个吗?”

Mrs Penniman stared at the floor. 'She doesn't talk to me about him. I think she is very happy; that is all I can say.'

彭尼曼夫人盯着地板:“她没和我谈过他。我想她很开心;我只能说这么多。”

Townsend wants to marry her—is that what you mean?'

“汤森想和她结婚——你是这个意思吗?”

He admires Catherine greatly,' said Mrs Penniman. 'And he says the most charming things about her.'

“他很喜欢凯瑟琳,”彭尼曼夫人说,“而且对她赞不绝口。”

And these misfortunes that you refuse to tell me about—did they make him poor?'

“你拒绝告诉我的这些不幸遭遇——他是因此才落魄的吗?”

It is a long story,' said Mrs Penniman, 'and all I can say is that he has been wild in the past. But he has paid for it.'

“说来话长,”彭尼曼夫人说,“我能说的就是他过去曾经荒唐过一阵子。但他已经为这付出了代价。”

The Doctor smoked his cigar in silence, then said, 'I am told he lives with his sister, and does nothing for himself.'

医生默默地抽着雪茄,然后说:“我听说他和他姐姐住在一起,可自己却游手好闲。”

He is looking very seriously for a position,' said Mrs Penniman. 'He hopes every day to find one.'

“他正在很认真地谋职,”彭尼曼夫人说,“他天天都盼着能找到个职位。”

Exactly. He is looking for it here, over there in the front parlour—the position of husband of a weak woman with a large fortune. That would suit him perfectly.'

“的确。他是在这里找他的位置,就在客厅的前厅——当一个性格懦弱、又颇有家产的女人的丈夫。那对于他来说绝对合适。”

Mrs Penniman got up and looked at her brother a little angrily. 'My dear Austin,' she said, 'you are making a great mistake if you think that Catherine is a weak woman!' And with this she walked away.

彭尼曼夫人站起身来,有点儿愤怒地看着她弟弟。“我亲爱的奥斯汀,”她说,“如果你认为凯瑟琳是个懦弱的女人,那你就大错特错了!”说完,她就走了。

The family in Washington Square spent every Sunday evening at Mrs Almond's house. On the Sunday after his conversation with Mrs Penniman, Doctor Sloper went off to another room to talk to his brother-in-law about business. He came back later to find that Morris Townsend had arrived, and was sitting on a sofa beside Catherine. There were several friends of the family present. and it was easy for the two young people to sit and talk privately. The Doctor saw at once, however, that his daughter was pain fully conscious that he was watching her. She sat very still, with her eyes down, blushing deeply.

华盛顿广场的这家人每个星期天的晚上都要到阿尔蒙德夫人家去。和彭尼曼夫人谈过话之后的那个周日,斯洛珀医生到另一间房间里和他妹夫谈论生意上的事情。等他后来回来的时候,发现莫里斯·汤森已经来了,而且正和凯瑟琳一起坐在沙发上。到场的还有几位家里的朋友,所以这两个年轻人坐在一起说悄悄话很容易。不过,医生立刻就发现他女儿已经痛苦地意识到他在观察她。她一动不动地坐在那里,眼睛朝下望着,脸涨得通红。

Doctor Sloper felt so sorry for her that he turned his eyes away. 'Poor Catherine,' he thought. 'It must be very nice for her to have a beautiful young man court her. Perhaps I should give him another chance.'

斯洛珀医生真替她感到难过,所以就把眼光移开了。“可怜的凯瑟琳,”他想,“对于她来说,有个英俊的年轻人追求她一定很好。也许我应该再给他一次机会。”

A little later, when Morris Townsend was standing alone, the Doctor crossed the room towards him. The young man looked at him, with a little smile.

过了一会儿,当莫里斯·汤森一个人站着的时候,医生穿过房间朝他走去。年轻人面带微笑地看着他。

He's amazingly conceited!' thought the Doctor. Then he said, 'I am told you are looking for a position.'

“他可真够虚伪的!”医生想。然后他说:“我听说你正在找工作。”

Yes, I should like some work,' Morris Townsend replied. 'But I fear that I have no special talents.'

“是的,我希望找点儿事做。”莫里斯·汤森回答道,“但我恐怕没什么特殊才能。”

You are too modest,' said the Doctor. 'I know nothing of you except what I see; but I see by your face that you are extremely intelligent.'

“你太谦虚了,”医生说,“我对你的了解就是我所看到的情况;不过从你的脸上我看得出你很聪明。”

Ah,' Townsend said, 'I don't know what to answer when you say that. You advise me, then, not to give up hope?'

“啊,”汤森说,“您这么说我真不知该怎么回答。那么,您是建议我不要放弃希望喽?”

The question seemed to have a double meaning, and the Doctor looked at him for a moment before he answered. 'No young man should ever give up hope. If he does not succeed in one thing, he can try another.'

这个问题似乎有着双重含义,医生看了他一会儿才回答:“年轻人永远也不应该放弃希望。如果他一件事做不成功还可以做另一件事。”

Morris Townsend stared down at his shoes. 'Were you kindly suggesting a position for me?' he then asked, looking up and smiling.

莫里斯·汤森低头望着自己的鞋子。“您是在好意向我推荐一个职位吗?”他接着抬起头笑着问道。

This annoyed the Doctor, and he paused for a moment. Then he said, 'I sometimes hear of possibilities. How would you feel, for example, about leaving New York?'

这令医生颇为恼怒,他停了半晌。然后他说道:“我有时能听到一些机会。比如,你觉得离开纽约怎么样?”

I am afraid I could not do that. I must find my fortune in this city. You see,' added Morris Townsend, 'I have responsibilities here. I have a sister who depends on me.'

“我恐怕不能那么做。我一定要在这个城市发家致富。您看,”莫里斯·汤森又加上一句,“我在这儿还有责任。我有个姐姐需要我养活。”

Family feeling is very important,' said Doctor Sloper. 'I often think there is not enough of it in our city. I think I have heard of your sister.'

“家庭感情是很重要,”斯洛珀医生说,“我总觉得我们这个城市里这种感情并不多。我想我听说过你姐姐。”

It is possible, but I doubt it. She lives so very quietly.'

“有可能,但我怀疑您是否真的听说过她。她生活得这么安静。”

As quietly, you mean,' the Doctor went on, with a short laugh, 'as a lady may do with several small children.'

“你的意思是,安静得就好像,”医生短促地笑了一声,继续说,“就好像一位带着几个年幼孩子的女士应该做的那样。”

I help with my little nephews and nieces,' said Morris Townsend. 'I am their teacher.'

“我帮着带小外甥和外甥女。”莫里斯·汤森说道,“我是他们的老师。”

That is very good, but it is not a career.'

“那很好,不过那不是个职业。”

It won't make my fortune,' agreed the young man.

“这不会让我致富。”年轻人表示赞同。

Later in the evening the Doctor spoke to Mrs Almond. 'I should like to see his sister,' he said. 'Mrs Montgomery. Mr Townsend tells me he teaches her children.'

那天晚上晚些时候,医生和阿尔蒙德夫人谈了谈。“我想见见他姐姐,”他说,“蒙哥马利夫人。汤森先生告诉我说他教她的孩子们。”

I will try and arrange it for you,' said Mrs Almond. 'I must say, he doesn't look in the least like a schoolteacher.'

“我试着替你安排一下,”阿尔蒙德夫人说,“我得说,他看上去可一点儿也不像个老师。”

And when Morris Townsend spoke to Catherine again later, he did not sound like a schoolteacher either.

当莫里斯·汤森后来又和凯瑟琳说话的时候,他听上去也不像个老师。

Will you meet me somewhere tomorrow?' he murmured. 'I have something particular to say to you—very particular.'

“明天你可以和我找个地方见面吗?”他低声说道,“我有些特别的事情要跟你说——很特别。”

Can't you come to the house? Can't you say it there?' Catherine asked, lifting her frightened eyes.

“你不能来家里吗?你不能在那里说吗?”凯瑟琳抬起惊恐的眼睛问道。

Townsend shook his head sadly. 'I cannot enter your doors again. Your father has insulted me.'

汤森难过地摇了摇头:“我再也不能进你的家门了。你父亲侮辱了我。”

Insulted you?'

“侮辱你?”

He dislikes me because I am poor.'

“他因为我穷就不喜欢我。”

Oh, you are wrong—you misunderstood him,' said Catherine, getting up from her chair.

“哦,你错了——你误会他了。”凯瑟琳从椅子上站起来说道。

He laughed at me for having no position. I took it quietly; but only because he belongs to you.'

“他嘲笑我没有工作。我平静地接受了;不过那只是因为他是你父亲。”

I don't know what he thinks,' said Catherine. 'I am sure he means to be kind. You must not be too proud.'

“我不知道他是怎么想的,”凯瑟琳说,“我相信他的本意是好的。你不应该太骄傲。”

I will be proud only of you, my dearest,' said Morris, and Catherine blushed. 'Will you meet me tomorrow evening in the garden in the Square? It is very quiet there—no one will see us.'

“我只会因你而骄傲,我最亲爱的。”莫里斯说,凯瑟琳脸红了。“明天晚上你可以去广场的花园里和我见面吗?那里很安静——不会有人看到我们的。”

Catherine hesitated. Young ladies did not go out alone in the evenings to meet young men in gardens. 'I am not—not very brave,' she said.

凯瑟琳犹豫了。年轻女士是不会在晚上独自到花园里和年轻男子相会的。“我不——不是很勇敢。”她说。

Ah, then, if you are afraid, what shall we do?'

“啊,那么,如果你害怕,我们该怎么办?”

She hesitated again; then at last said, 'You must come to the house. I am not afraid of that.'

她又犹豫起来;最后她说道:“你一定要到家里来。我不担心那个。”

I would rather meet in the Square,' the young man said. 'You know how empty it is, often. No one will see us.'

“我宁愿在广场见面,”那年轻人说,“你知道那里平常有多空。不会有人看到我们的。”

I don't care who sees us. But leave me now.'

“我不在乎谁看到我们。不过你现在就走吧。”

He left her. He had got what he wanted.

他离开了她。他已经得到了想要的东西。

Catherine met the young man next day in the place she had chosen—among the elegant furniture of a New York parlour. Mrs Penniman, as usual, left the two young people alone to enjoy their romantic meeting.

第二天,凯瑟琳和这个年轻人在她选的地方会面了——就在纽约的一间摆着高雅家具的客厅里。像平常一样,彭尼曼夫人让两个年轻人独自待在一起享受他们浪漫的约会。

We must decide what to do,' said Morris.

“我们必须决定该怎么办。”莫里斯说。

He had already, on earlier visits, told Catherine that he loved her. He had put his arm around her and taken kisses, which had made her heart beat very fast. She felt deeply, wonderfully happy, but she was also confused and a little frightened. After Morris had kissed her, on his last visit, she had begged him to go away, to let her think. She felt his kisses on her lips for a long time afterwards, and she could not think clearly at all. What would she do if, as she feared, her father told her that he did not like Morris Townsend?

他已经在早先的访问中,告诉过凯瑟琳他爱她了。他还曾经用胳膊搂着她,吻过她,那使她的心狂跳不已。她深深地体会到一种美妙的幸福感,但同时她又感到困惑并有点儿害怕。在莫里斯上一次来访时吻过她之后,她请求他离开,让她想一想。之后的很长时间,她都能感觉到他留在她唇上的吻,她已经完全不能清楚地想问题了。如果像她担心的那样,她父亲对她说他不喜欢莫里斯·汤森,那她该怎么办?

Today, however, when Morris spoke about deciding something, she felt that it was the truth, and said simply:

不过今天,当莫里斯说到要作决定的时候,她感到这种担心是真的,所以轻描淡写地说:

We must do our duty; we must speak to my father. I will do it tonight; you must do it tomorrow.'

“我们必须尽到责任;我们必须向我父亲说明。我今晚就说;你明天必须说。”

It is very good of you to do it first,' Morris answered. 'The young man—the happy lover—usually does that.'

“你先说,这很好,”莫里斯回答道,“年轻男子——快乐的情人——通常都那么做。”

You must promise to be gentle with my father.'

“你必须答应我,要和善地对待我父亲。”

I shall try,' Morris promised. 'But do you know what your father will say? He will tell you I want your money.'

“我会尽力的。”莫里斯答应道,“但是你知道你父亲会说什么吗?他会对你说我想要你的钱。”

Oh!' murmured Catherine, softly. 'How wrong he is!'

“哦!”凯瑟琳低声道,声音很轻,“他太不应该了!”

Morris gave her a fond little kiss.

莫里斯轻轻地给了她一个充满爱意的吻。

I shall tell him that he is wrong,' said Catherine.

“我会告诉他,他错了。”凯瑟琳说。

He will argue with you.'

“他会和你争论的。”

Catherine looked at her lover for a minute, and then she said, 'I shall persuade him. But I am glad we shall be rich.'

凯瑟琳看了她的恋人一会儿,然后她说:“我会说服他的。不过我很高兴我们会富有。”

Morris turned away. 'No, it's a misfortune,' he said. 'It is from that that our problems will come.'

莫里斯转开身。“不,这是一种不幸,”他说,“这正是我们问题的根源。”

If it is the worst misfortune, we are not so unhappy. I will persuade him, and after that we shall be very glad we have money.'

“如果这就是最不幸的情况,那我们就并非那么不幸。我来说服他,之后我们就会很高兴,因为我们有钱了。”

Morris listened to these sensible words in silence. 'You must speak for me on this; I cannot do it myself.'

莫里斯默默地听着这些很实际的话。“你必须替我说这些话;我自己做不来。”

Catherine, too, was silent for a while. She looked at Morris, who was staring out of the window. 'Morris,' she said, suddenly, 'are you very sure you love me?'

凯瑟琳也沉默了一会儿。她看着莫里斯,他正凝视着窗外。“莫里斯,”她突然说,“你确实爱我吗?”

He turned round, and came to her at once. 'My own dearest, can you doubt it?'

他转过身来,立刻走到她跟前:“我最亲爱的,你能怀疑这个吗?”

I have only known it five days,' she said, 'but now it seems to me something I could not live without.'

“我知道这一点才五天,”她说,“但是现在我好像已经离不开它了。”

You will never need to try.' He gave a gentle laugh. Then he added, 'There is something you must tell me, too.' Catherine had closed her eyes, and kept them closed. 'You must tell me,' Morris went on, 'that if your father is against me, you will still be faithful.'

“你永远也不需要尝试。”他轻轻地笑了笑。然后加上一句,“你也得告诉我一件事。”凯瑟琳已经闭上了眼睛,而且一直闭着。“你必须告诉我,”莫里斯继续说,“如果你父亲反对我,你依然不会变心。”

Catherine opened her eyes and stared at him. She could give no better promise than what he read there.

凯瑟琳睁开眼睛望着他。他在那双眼睛中读到了她最坚定的承诺。

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