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书虫二级《阿利格拉之谜》:互不说话的兄弟

所属教程:书虫2级 五镇故事

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2019年07月03日

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The Silent Brothers
互不说话的兄弟

John and Robert Hessian, brothers and bachelors, sat together after supper in their house in Oldcastle Street, Bursley. Both brothers were wearing black, because of the death of their older sister three months ago.

约翰·赫斯和罗伯特·赫斯两兄弟都是单身汉。他们晚餐后一起坐在伯斯利古堡大街的房子里。兄弟俩都穿着黑衣,因为他们的姐姐三个月前刚刚去世。

Maggie, the servant, came in to take the supper things off the table.

女佣玛吉进来收拾餐桌。

Leave the coffee, Maggie,' said John, the elder brother, 'Mr Liversage is coming to visit.'

“把咖啡留下,玛吉,”哥哥约翰说道,“利弗西奇先生要来。”

Yes, Mr John,' said Maggie.

“是,约翰先生。”玛吉说道。

Slate, Maggie,' said Robert.

“把写字板拿过来,玛吉。”罗伯特说。

Yes, Mr Robert,' said Maggie.

“是,罗伯特先生。”玛吉说道。

The slate was on a table near the fire. Maggie gave it, and its pencil, to Robert.

写字板放在壁炉旁的一张桌子上。玛吉把写字板和附带的铅笔递给罗伯特。

Robert wrote: Why is Liversage coming?

罗伯特写道:利弗西奇为什么要来?

And he pushed the slate across the table to John.

他把写字板推到约翰面前。

John wrote on the slate: I don't know. He telephoned. He said he wanted to see us tonight.

约翰在上面写:我不知道。他打电话说今晚想见我们。

And he pushed the slate back to Robert.

他把写字板又推回到罗伯特面前。

John was forty-two years old, and Robert thirty-nine. They were tall, dark men, and both were well and strong. And there was nothing wrong with their hearing.

约翰42岁,罗伯特39岁。他们身材高大,有着深色的皮肤,身强体壮,听力也没有问题。

Ten years before, the brothers had a quarrel. The quarrel was a stupid one, like many quarrels. The morning after, Robert did not answer when John said something to him. 'Well,' said John to himself. 'If he doesn't speak, I won't speak.' And then Robert thought the same thing.

十年前,两兄弟有过一场争吵。这场争吵像许多争吵一样愚蠢可笑。第二天早上,当约翰对罗伯特说话的时候,罗伯特没有回答。“好吧,”约翰自言自语说,“如果他不跟我说话,我也不理他。”后来罗伯特也这样想了。

Maggie was the first to see that the brothers were not speaking. Then it was their best friend, Mr Liversage, the solicitor, and some of their other friends. But nobody said anything to them. The people of Bursley thought it was funny, and wanted to know which brother would win the quarrel. So Bursley watched the two men carefully, waiting for one of them to speak. But for ten years the brothers went on living together in the same house, and neither man spoke a single word to the other.

玛吉是第一个发现兄弟俩不说话的人。接着是他们最好的朋友,律师利弗西奇先生,还有其他一些朋友。但是没人劝过他们。伯斯利镇的人觉得这很好笑,想知道兄弟俩谁能赢得这场争吵,所以镇上的人静观其变,等着他们中的一个先开口。但是十年来虽然兄弟俩仍然住在同一屋檐下,但谁都没和对方说过一个字。

Life without words was very difficult for the brothers, but it was also difficult for their servant. Maggie gave them the slate, because it was easier for her when the brothers wrote things down. It was difficult for their friends too. They began to be a little bored when, at parties, each Hessian talked to everybody in the room — but not to his brother.

这样的生活对兄弟俩来讲可不好过,对他们的佣人来讲也是如此。玛吉给了他们一个写字板,因为如果兄弟俩把事情写下来,她做起事来就容易些。对朋友们来讲,这种生活也挺麻烦的。在聚会上,赫斯兄弟和房间里的每个人都说话——唯独不理会自己的兄弟,这个时候朋友们开始有点儿厌烦了。

There was just one thing wrong with this beautiful quarrel. The brothers worked together in the same pottery factory, and sometimes they needed to speak on business. But they spoke very coldly, and only inside the factory walls. And every evening Bursley watched the two brothers while they walked home, one man five metres behind the other. How stupid it was! But Bursley said nothing.

这场完美的争吵只有一个缺憾。兄弟俩在同一家陶瓷厂上班,有时他们需要谈公事。不过他们交谈时非常冷漠,而且仅仅是在工厂里。每天晚上,伯斯利镇的人都目送兄弟俩回家,一个在前,一个在后,相距有5米远。这多蠢啊!但是伯斯利镇的人什么也没说。

The conversation by slate that evening was just finishing, when there was a knock at the door, and Mr Powell Liversage came in. He was an old friend of the two from their schooldays. He was also a bachelor, so his evenings were free. He came to see the Hessians every Saturday night, and usually John or Robert went to see him on Wednesdays. But today was Thursday.

写字板上的对话刚刚结束就传来了敲门声,鲍威尔·利弗西奇先生走了进来。他和兄弟俩是从学生时代就认识的老朋友了。他也是个单身汉,因此晚上有空闲时间。利弗西奇每星期六晚上来赫斯兄弟家串门,而罗伯特或约翰通常在星期三去看他。可今天是星期四啊。

How are you?' asked John, lighting a cigarette.

“你好吗?”约翰点了一根香烟问道。

Well,' replied Liversage.

“不错。”利弗西奇回答道。

How are you, Powell?' asked Robert.

“你好吗,鲍威尔?”罗伯特问道。

Not too bad. And you?'

“还可以,你呢?”

He sat down and Robert gave him a cup of coffee.

利弗西奇坐了下来,罗伯特递给他一杯咖啡。

Well,' said Liversage, after a minute. He sounded a little uncomfortable. 'We've found your sister's will at last.'

“唔,”过了一会儿,利弗西奇说道,他听起来有点儿不自在,“我们终于找到了你们姐姐的遗嘱。”

You haven't! When?' asked John.

“真的!什么时候?”约翰问。

This afternoon. It was with some old papers in the bank. Did you know that she had more than twelve thousand pounds?'

“今天下午。遗嘱和其他一些旧文件存在银行里。你们知道她的财产超过12,000英镑吗?”

No!' said Robert.

“不知道!”罗伯特回答。

The brothers knew that their sister, Mrs Mary Bott, was rich. They knew that she had no children, and they knew, of course, that they were her only brothers. When she died three months ago, nobody could find her will. And now here it was! Twelve thousand pounds between two people was a lot of money for each of them. But what did the will say?

兄弟俩知道他们的姐姐,玛丽·博特太太十分富有;他们知道她没有子女;他们当然也知道自己是她唯一的亲人。她三个月前去世的时候,谁也找不到她的遗嘱。现在找到了!两个人分12,000英镑,这对他们俩来说都是一大笔钱。但遗嘱究竟写了些什么?

The two men wanted to know very much, but did they ask the question? Oh no! Neither man wanted to be the first to speak. And so they sat in silence.

两人都非常想知道,但是他们问了吗?哦,没有!他们都不愿意第一个说。于是他们沉默地坐在那里。

Do you want me to read the will to you?' asked Liversage at last.

“想让我读遗嘱给你们听吗?”利弗西奇最后问道。

Yes,' they both answered.

“是的。”他俩一同答道。

Liversage took the will out of his pocket. 'Now, I didn't make this will,' he said, 'so please don't get angry with me.' This is what he read.

利弗西奇从口袋里拿出了遗嘱。“现在我想说,我并不是写遗嘱的人,”他说,“所以请别生我的气。”下面是他宣读的内容。

You are both very stupid, John and Robert, and I've often said so. Nobody understands why you quarrelled like that about Annie Emery. Your life is difficult, but you've also been very unkind to Annie. She's waited ten years already. So, John, if you marry Annie Emery, I shall give all my money to you. And Robert, if you marry her, I shall give it all to you. And you must be married in twelve months' time. And if neither of you marry her, then I give all my money to Miss Annie Emery, businesswoman, of Duck Bank, Bursley.

约翰和罗伯特,你们两个都很愚蠢,我从前也经常这么说。真不明白你们为什么要为安妮·埃默里吵成现在这个样子。不单你们的生活不好过,你们也深深地伤害了安妮。她已经等了十年。所以,约翰,如果你和安妮·埃默里结婚,我会把财产全部给你;罗伯特,如果你和她结婚,我就把财产都给你。你们必须在一年之内结婚。如果你们两个都没和她结婚,那么我将把财产留给伯斯利鸭子岸的商人安妮·埃默里小姐。

Mary Ann Bott, widow

寡妇玛丽·安·博特

There. That's all,' Liversage finished.

“好了,就是这些。”利弗西奇念完了遗嘱。

Let me see,' said John. Liversage gave him the will and he looked at it carefully.

“让我看看。”约翰说。利弗西奇把遗嘱递给了他,约翰仔细地看着。

Robert walked around the table and looked at the paper in his brother's hand.

罗伯特绕过桌子,也去看约翰手中的遗嘱。

All three men were silent for a few minutes. Each was afraid to speak, and even afraid to look at the others.

三个人沉默了几分钟。谁都不愿说话,甚至不愿看别人一眼。

Well, I must go,' said Liversage, standing up.

“好了,我必须走了。”利弗西奇说着站了起来。

I say,' said Robert. 'You won't say anything about this to Annie, will you?'

“我说,”罗伯特说,“你不会对安妮说这件事,对吧?”

I will say nothing,' agreed Liversage. (But it was wrong of him to say this, because Annie already knew.)

“我不会。”利弗西奇说。(但他根本不该这么回答,因为安妮已经知道了。)

The two brothers sat and thought for a long time. Ten years before, when Annie was a woman of twenty-three, without family, she started a business for herself, which was a bookshop. John was in love with her, but so was Robert. And the two men quarrelled. They said very unkind, very unbrotherly things, and they were both very angry. Because of this (and because they were stupid), they each decided not to marry Annie. Each man wanted to show the other that he was the better, kinder, nicer brother. And so they did not speak for ten years. And poor Annie Emery, who wanted to marry one of the two (but could not decide which), did not marry anyone.

兄弟俩坐在那里考虑了很久。十年之前,安妮还是个23岁的姑娘,没有成家。她自己开了一家书店。约翰爱上了她,罗伯特也爱上了她,所以这两个人吵了起来。他们都说了一些非常恶毒的、有悖兄弟之情的话,两人都很生气。因为这个(还因为他们都很愚蠢),他们都决定不和安妮结婚。两人都想让对方觉得自己是兄弟俩中更好、更善良、更和气的一个。于是他们十年没有说话。可怜的安妮·埃默里本来打算嫁给两兄弟中的一个(但是无法决定是哪个),却谁也没有嫁。

At two o'clock in the morning, John took a penny out of his pocket.

深夜两点钟的时候,约翰从口袋里掏出了一枚一便士的硬币。

Who shall go first?' he asked.

“谁先去?”他问。

Robert felt very strange. His elder brother was speaking to him for the first time for ten years. For a minute he couldn't speak. John tossed the penny and put his hand over it.

罗伯特感觉怪怪的。哥哥十年来第一次和他说话。他一时不知如何回答。约翰抛出硬币,然后用手盖住了它。

Heads or tails?' he asked.

“正面还是背面?”他问。

Tails,' said Robert.

“背面。”罗伯特回答。

But it was heads.

但结果是正面。

On Friday evening John knocked on the side door of Annie Emery's shop. While he stood there, he began to feel afraid. He still wanted to marry Annie, that was true. But how could he explain the last ten years? He began to hope that Annie was not there.

星期五晚上,约翰敲响了安妮·埃默里书店的侧门。他站在那里的时候,开始觉得有些胆怯。他仍然想娶安妮,这一点毫无疑问,但是他如何解释过去十年的事呢?他开始希望安妮不在书店了。

But the door opened, and there she was.

然而门开了,安妮就站在他眼前。

Mr Hessian!' she cried, with a bright smile.

“赫斯先生!”她大声说道,露出了灿烂的笑容。

I was just walking down Duck Bank,' he said. 'And I thought...'

“我正好经过鸭子岸,”他说,“我想……”

And in fifteen seconds he was inside the house, sitting down.

15秒钟后,他已经在屋子里面坐了下来。

But you're in the middle of eating your supper,' he said. He could see the food ready on the table.

“可你正在吃晚餐呢。”约翰说,他看到食物已经摆上了餐桌。

I haven't started,' she replied. 'Have you had your supper?'

“我还没开始吃呢,”她回答,“你吃晚饭了吗?”

No,' he said.

“没有。”他说。

It will be nice of you to help me eat my supper, then,' said she.

“那么如果你能帮我吃掉这顿晚餐就太好了。”她说。

Oh! No...'

“哦!不……”

But she got plates and glasses out of the cupboard — and there he was, sitting at her table! He could not say no. It was wonderful.

但她已经从橱柜里拿出了盘子和杯子——而他就坐在这里,坐在她的餐桌旁!他无法拒绝,这感觉棒极了。

I'm doing well,' he thought. 'Poor Robert!'

“进展顺利,”他暗自想,“可怜的罗伯特!”

He watched her while she moved about the room. He still did not know how to explain the ten silent years, but perhaps he didn't have to say anything. She was friendly, smiling, and pleased to see him, wasn't she? And she was still a beautiful woman — and also a good businesswoman.

他看着她在屋子里走动。他仍然不知道该如何解释过去那沉默的十年,也许他什么也不必解释。安妮很友好,笑盈盈的,而且很高兴见到他,不是吗?她仍然是个漂亮女人——还是个出色的女商人。

He stayed, and they talked. He decided to ask her to marry him in a few days. Fifteen minutes later he thought about asking her the next day. And in another five minutes he was asking her to marry him, then and there.

他留下来和安妮一起吃了晚餐,他们攀谈起来。他决定几天之后向安妮求婚。15分钟后,他想明天就向她求婚。而又过了5分钟,他已经向她求婚了。

She moved away from him quickly.

她很快从他面前退开。

It's very sudden. I must think about it,' she answered.

“这太突然了。我必须考虑一下。”她答道。

How happy he was! Her answer would soon be yes, he was sure.

约翰是多么开心啊!安妮很快就会答应他,这一点他确信无疑。

Will you be at church on Sunday?' she asked.

“星期天你会去教堂吗?”安妮问道。

Yes.'

“会的。”

If my answer is yes, I shall wear white flowers in my hat. I prefer to give you my answer like that, without words. And if I am not at church next week, I will be the week after.'

“如果我答应你的话,就会在帽子上戴白色的花。与其用言语,我更愿意这样回答你。如果我下星期没去教堂,那我下下星期会去的。”

I understand,' he said. 'And if I do see those flowers, perhaps I can come to tea?'

“我明白,”他说,“那么如果看到了那些花,我是不是可以来喝茶?”

Yes. But you mustn't speak to me when I come out of church.'

“可以。不过我从教堂出来的时候,你不要和我说话。”

He walked home down Oldcastle Street. He was a happy man — and he felt much younger than his forty-two years.

他顺着古堡大街走回家。他很高兴——他感觉自己年轻了不少,不像42岁。

*   *   *

*   *   *

She was not at church on Sunday. Robert was away on business most of the week, and John was alone in the house. For many hours he sat at home, thinking about the next Sunday. Robert returned home on Friday.

她星期日没有来教堂。罗伯特这周的大部分时间都在外出差,只有约翰自己在家。他一连几个小时地坐在家里,想着下个星期天的事情。星期五罗伯特回来了。

On Sunday morning, John was up early. He put on his new shirt, which came from the best shop in Hanbridge. Robert was also out of bed early, and he was wearing a new shirt and a new suit. They had a silent breakfast.

星期日一大早,约翰就起床了。他穿上了新衬衫,这是从汉桥最好的店买来的。罗伯特起得也很早,也穿上了新的衬衫和西装。两人在早餐时没有说话。

I'm going to church this morning, Maggie,' said Robert, finishing his breakfast. 'Where are my new shoes?'

“我今天早上要去教堂,玛吉,”罗伯特吃完了早餐,说道,“我的新鞋子在哪儿?”

This was a surprise. Robert did not usually go to church.

这可异乎寻常,罗伯特不常去教堂。

They walked to church, with John fifty metres in front of his brother. When he came into the church, Miss Emery was not there. The service was beginning when she walked in. She was wearing white flowers on her hat! There were about a hundred and fifty-five white flowers—her hat was like a garden.

他们向教堂走去,约翰走在前面,离弟弟有50米远。他到教堂的时候,埃默里小姐还没来。她来时,礼拜已经开始了。她的帽子上戴着白色的花!大约有155朵白花——她的帽子就像个花园。

How excited John was! He had Annie, and he had his sister's money. He felt very happy, and he decided to give five thousand pounds to Robert. Perhaps even a little more.

约翰是多么激动啊!他得到了安妮,也得到了姐姐的遗产。他非常开心,决定分给罗伯特5000英镑,也许还会更多。

After the service John did not speak to Annie, but hurried home. Robert also went home, and then the two had their lunch. They didn't speak, of course; they read their newspapers.

礼拜过后,约翰没和安妮说话,而是匆忙回家了。罗伯特也回了家,两人一起吃了午餐。当然,他们并没有说话,他们在各自看报纸。

After lunch they went out for a walk; not together, of course. John walked because he had to do something until his tea with Annie at half past four. And at half past four he turned the corner into Duck Bank — and saw Robert, who was coming round the corner at the other end of Duck Bank. They met outside Annie's door.

午餐过后,他们出去散步,当然不是一起。约翰散步是因为在4点半和安妮喝茶之前他必须做点儿什么。4点半的时候,他转过街角来到了鸭子岸——看到罗伯特从鸭子岸的另一头转过来。他们在安妮家的门口碰面了。

What are you doing here?' asked Robert angrily.

“你来这里做什么?”罗伯特生气地问。

I'm coming to see Annie,' replied John, also very angry.

“我来看安妮。”约翰也气哼哼地答道。

So am I!'

“我也是!”

Well, you're too late,' said John. 'I've asked her to marry me. And she has said yes.'

“哦,你来晚了,”约翰说,“我已经向她求婚了,而且她答应了我。”

Don't be stupid,' replied Robert. 'She's marrying me!'

“别傻了,”罗伯特说,“她要嫁的人是我!”

When did you ask her?' asked John.

“你什么时候向她求婚的?”约翰问道。

On Friday.'

“星期五。”

And did she say yes?'

“她答应了?”

Not on Friday. But her answer was to wear white flowers at church this morning.'

“周五没有答应。不过今早她在教堂戴着白色的花,那就是答应我了。”

That was for me!' said John.

“那是为我戴的!”约翰说。

The quarrel went on for some time.

争吵持续了一段时间。

Come on,' said John. 'Let's go home. We can't talk in the street. Annie will see us from her window.'

“好了,”约翰说,“我们回家吧。我们不能在街上说。安妮会从窗户里看到我们的。”

They walked home quickly. And the quarrel went on at home all afternoon. It got noisier and angrier, and at six o'clock Maggie came into the room. She told the brothers that they must stop fighting at once. She then told them that she was leaving their house for ever.

他们很快走回了家,又在家吵了整整一个下午。争吵声越来越大,越来越激烈。6点钟的时候,玛吉走进了房间。她告诉兄弟俩他们必须马上停止争吵,然后说她要永远地离开这里。

*   *   *

*   *   *

Why did you do it, my pet?' asked Powell Liversage.

“你为什么这么做,我的宝贝?”鲍威尔·利弗西奇问道。

He and Annie Emery were sitting in the garden of his house in Trafalgar Road.

他和安妮·埃默里坐在特拉法尔加路自家的花园里。

Why did I do it?' asked Annie. 'Oh, they were so stupid, Powell. I know they're your friends, but really! For ten years they said nothing to me, and then, because of their sister's money, they come to see me. And Powell, they were so stupid. They really thought that I liked them. I wanted them to meet at my house because I wanted to tell them what I thought of them. But I was watching from my bedroom window when they met in the street. They started to quarrel again, and then they went away.'

“我为什么这么做?”安妮反问,“哦,他们都是傻瓜,鲍威尔。我知道他们是你的朋友,但事实如此!十年来,他们对我不闻不问,而现在为了他们姐姐的遗产,他们都来找我了。鲍威尔,他们真傻。他们真的以为我喜欢他们。我让他们在我家碰面,是想告诉他们我对他们的看法。但是我从卧室的窗子里看见他们在街上碰到,而且又吵了起来,然后就走了。”

They'll be angry with me, I'm afraid,' said Powell. 'When they find out that we're going to get married. They'll say I want to marry you for the...'

“恐怕他们要生我的气了,”鲍威尔说,“他们如果知道我们要结婚,会说我娶你是为了……”

I don't want the money, dear,' said Annie. 'They can keep their twelve thousand pounds.'

“我不想要那笔钱,亲爱的,”安妮说,“他们可以留着那12,000英镑。”

Powell was a little sorry to hear this, but he said, 'Yes, of course, dearest,' and took Annie's hand.

鲍威尔听了这话有些许遗憾,不过他还是说:“好吧,当然,最亲爱的。”然后拉起了安妮的手。

Just then Powell's mother, who lived with him, came down the garden.

这时鲍威尔的母亲来到了花园,她和鲍威尔住在一起。

Powell,' she said. 'John Hessian's here. He wants to see you.'

“鲍威尔,”她说,“约翰·赫斯来了,他要见你。”

I must go,' said Annie. 'I'll go across the fields. Good night, Mrs Liversage. Good night, Powell.'

“我得走了,”安妮说,“我从田野穿过去。晚安,利弗西奇夫人。晚安,鲍威尔。”

Liversage went into the house and found John.

利弗西奇进屋见到了约翰。

Powell,' he said. 'I've quarrelled with Robert. I can't stay at home. Can I sleep in your spare room?'

“鲍威尔,”他说,“我和罗伯特吵架了,我不能待在家里了。我能在这儿的客房里睡一晚吗?”

Of course, John, of course.'

“当然,约翰,当然。”

I think I'll go to bed now, if that's all right.'

“我想我现在要睡了,如果可以的话。”

An hour later there was another knock at the door, and Liversage opened the door to Robert Hessian.

一个小时以后,又有人敲门,利弗西奇打开门发现是罗伯特·赫斯。

Hallo, Powell,' said Robert. 'Can I sleep here tonight? I've had a terrible quarrel with John, and Maggie's gone, and I can't stay in the same house as John.'

“你好,鲍威尔,”罗伯特说,“今晚能在你这儿睡吗?我和约翰大吵了一架,玛吉也走了。我不能和约翰待在一个房子里了。”

But what —'

“但什么——”

Look, I can't talk. I'll go up to your spare room.'

“看,我不能多说了。我上楼去你的客房。”

All right,' said Liversage.

“好吧。”利弗西奇说。

He took Robert up the stairs, opened the door to the spare room, pushed him in, and closed the door.

他把罗伯特带上楼,打开客房的门,把他推了进去,然后关上门。

What a night!

这是个怎样的夜晚啊!

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