英语听力 学英语,练听力,上听力课堂! 注册 登录
> 在线听力 > 有声读物 > 世界名著 > 译林版·一个陌生女人的来信:茨威格中短篇小说选 >  第3篇

双语·灼人的秘密 三重唱

所属教程:译林版·一个陌生女人的来信:茨威格中短篇小说选

浏览:

2022年04月22日

手机版
扫描二维码方便学习和分享

As was clearly demonstrated a few hours later, the baron’s plan proved highly successful. Intentionally he came rather late to luncheon;and the boy, who was already seated at table, sprang up to greet his new friend with enthusiasm. He plucked his mother’s sleeve, whispered a few words in her ear, and drew her attention to the baron with hands and eyes. The lady reproved him for his unseemly behaviour, blushing the while and evidently put out of countenance. Yet she could not help glancing in the young gentleman’s direction, and this gave her suitor an opportunity. He bowed respectfully—henceforward they “knew” one another, the necessary introduction had been made. She, in her turn, felt obliged to recognize his civility with a gracious nod, but for the remainder of the meal she kept her eyes glued to her plate. With Edgar it was otherwise. He was constantly spying in the baron’s direction, and once even went so far as to address his newly-found friend—for which piece of effrontery his mother reproved him smartly. So soon as luncheon was over, he was ordered to go upstairs and lie down. Edgar begged and prayed to be let off. In the end his mother permitted him to take leave of the baron. The latter spoke a few pleasant words to the lad, and Edgar’s eyes glistened with joy. Then, with a nonchalant air, the young man stood up, turned towards the neighbouring table, and, addressing the lady, complimented her upon having so intelligent and jolly a little chap as son, and referred to the pleasant morning he and Edgar had passed in one another’s company. Meanwhile the boy stood by, blushing with delight. The baron plied the lady with questions concerning Edgar’s health, so that in the end she was compelled to reply. Gradually, as the barriers were broken down, the two elders engaged in a lengthy conversation to which the boy listened entranced. Then Sternfeldt introduced himself formally, mentioning his name and title—to which, it would seem, the lady was not wholly indifferent. Take it all in all, she was most gracious in her manner towards her new acquaintance. Nevertheless, she soon moved to withdraw, excusing herself from further conversation because of her son’s delicate health.

The boy entered a lively protest, saying that he was not in the least tired, and was quite prepared to sit up throughout the afternoon and far into the night. But his mother had already proffered her hand to the baron who deferentially bent his head over it and kissed it gallantly.

That night Edgar slept badly. His brain was in a whirl of ecstasy and despair. Something new had suddenly entered his life. For the first time in his experience he had participated in the destinies of fully grown persons. As he swayed between sleep and waking he forgot his own childhood and deemed himself an adult. So far, his existence had not been a particularly happy one, since he was an only child and his health was constantly giving trouble. His parents had been the only target for his affections, and they paid little heed to him. The boy’s other companions were the household servants. Thus his feelings had been pent up to bursting point, and at the first chance were likely to overwhelm the object which seemed worthy of a great love. Edgar lay in the dark, happy but puzzled, wishing to laugh aloud and finding the tears streaming down his face. He loved his new friend more deeply than father, mother, or even God Almighty. An intense and passionate longing went up from his heart, and wove a glamour around the image of this fascinating companion.

“I’m certainly not worthy of his friendship,” he thought. “A kid like me, barely twelve, all my schooldays before me, sent off to bed long before anyone else thinks of going...What can I ever be to him? What have I to offer him?...”

This torturing sense of inability to show his friend what he felt made Edgar miserable. Before, when he had chummed up with a schoolfellow, he had always been able to show his liking by the gift of a stamp from his album, or some other object dear to a youthful heart. But now things of the sort seemed idiotic, utterly valueless. How could he present such paltry tokens of affections to his new friend? What means could he employ to show his regard? He was tormented by the recognition of his immaturity. How rotten to be nothing more than a kid of twelve! Never had he so yearned to be grown up, to be big and strong, to be a real man.

These uneasy musings were interwoven with premonitions of an awakening manhood, rosy dreams which passed gradually into the realm of sleep. But even as he slept, a contented smile played about his lips....Tomorrow he would see his friend again....Had they not fixed it up for a walk together?...

At seven he awoke with a start. Had he overslept himself? Quickly he got into his clothes, and ran to bid his mother the customary good morning. She was amazed to find him up so early. Usually it was all she could do to drag him out of his bed and get him washed and dressed in time for breakfast.

Before she could question him as to his unwonted behaviour, he had already bolted from the room. Forgetting all about breakfast, Edgar prowled up and down the lounge till nine eagerly watching the lift, determined not to miss his friend and the promised walk....

At last, a little before ten, Baron Otto von Sternfeldt strolled unconcernedly into the hall. The tryst had long since escaped his memory. But when the boy rushed up to him and passionately recalled the previous day’s promise, the baron proved affable, and cordially entered into Edgar’s plan, smiling the while at so excessive a demonstration of friendliness. Linking his arm in that of his companion, he sauntered to and fro, quietly but firmly refusing to quit the hall immediately. He seemed to be waiting for someone, and scanned both lift and doors attentively. Of a sudden he stiffened. Edgar’s mother sailed towards the twain with a smile of greeting. She fell in with the idea of a walk, and the three set out together.

This was far from being the treat Edgar had expected. He had reckoned upon a tete-a-tete, and was sorely disappointed. Biting his lips, the boy slouched sulkily in their wake. The promised walk, he thought, was his own special privilege. It had only been out of kindness that he had introduced his mother to this wonderful friend, but he could not conceive why he should share the baron’s friendship with anyone. A dash of jealousy intermingled with his loving adoration. He could not help noticing how attentive and considerate the man was towards this interloper....

As the trio made tracks for the woods, the talk was almost wholly directed towards Edgar. His frail health, his paleness, were commented upon by the woman with loving anxiety, while the baron insisted upon the sprightly wit and pleasant ways of his “Friend”, as it pleased him to call the lad. This created an idea of his own importance in Edgar’s mind, contributing to his sense of self-esteem—a dangerous feeling to arouse in a child’s heart. Thus flattered, he regained his good humour. Never before had people conceded him any rights. Now he felt he had been given his due. He was allowed to enter into the conversation on equal terms, instead of being told that little boys were to be seen but not heard. Moreover, he spoke of certain wishes he had long been forced to repress, and they were now given serious consideration. What was there to be surprised at that such treatment should make him feel grown up? Childhood with its artless dreams lay behind him, a relic of the past, discarded like a worn-out garment.

The lady invited Sternfeldt to share her table at luncheon. A casual acquaintanceship had ripened into friendship. Our trio was now in full swing, the voices of woman, man, and child mingling harmoniously together.

几小时以后证实,这个计划是非常出色的,每个细节都获得了成功。当年轻的男爵故意稍稍晚些进入餐厅的时候,埃德加从椅子上一跃而起,急忙向他致意,面带幸福的微笑,向他招手。同时拉着他母亲的袖子,慌张而激动地在劝说她,一面以引人注目的手势指着男爵。他母亲不好意思地红着脸斥责孩子这些任性的举止,可是终究还是不能不往那边瞧瞧,以照顾孩子的意愿。男爵立即抓住这个机会恭恭敬敬地鞠了一躬。这样彼此就算认识了。她不得不回礼。但此后就把头埋得更低,只顾吃她的东西,整个用餐时间都小心翼翼地避免再往那边看。埃德加可不是这样,他不住地望着那边,有一次他甚至想和那边说话,这种放肆的行为立即遭到了他母亲的严厉责备。吃过晚饭以后他就该去睡觉了,这时他和妈妈悄悄说了好一阵子话,结果他的热切请求得到允许,于是就走到另一张桌子去向他朋友道别。男爵对他说了几句亲切的话,这又使这孩子的眼睛里露出了光辉,他和他聊了几分钟。突然男爵巧妙地把话一转,站起来向另一张桌子转过身去,祝贺邻座那位有点不知所措的女士有这么个聪明伶俐的儿子,说他上午跟她儿子在一起十分愉快——埃德加站在旁边,快乐和骄傲使他的脸都红了——又问起孩子健康,问得十分详细,提了许多具体问题,迫使母亲只好一一作答。这样他们就不可遏止地进行了一次较长的谈话,男孩对此感到非常幸福,并以一种敬畏的心情倾听着。男爵做了自我介绍,并相信觉察到他那响亮的名字对这位爱慕虚荣的女人产生了某种印象。总之,她对他非常彬彬有礼,尽管她丝毫未失自己的尊严,甚至还先向他提出告别,她抱歉地说,这是因为孩子的缘故。

孩子激烈反对,说他不困,愿意通宵不睡。可是他母亲已经向男爵伸出了手,他尊敬地吻了它。

这一夜埃德加睡得很不好。他心里一团乱麻,既有极度的幸福,又有稚气的绝望。因为在他的生活里,今天发生了新的事情。他第一次进入了大人的行列之中。他半睡半醒,忘掉了自己的童年,似乎自己一下子长大了。直到现在,他一直孤单地受着教育,常常生病,没有几个朋友。他需要温暖爱抚,但是除了父母和仆人之外,别无一人,而父母亲也很少照看他。对于爱的威力,如果只是根据其起因,而不是根据它产生之前的张力,不是根据那空虚而黑暗的空间——这空间在心灵发生重大事件之前充满了失望和孤寂——来判断,就必定会判断错的。一种超重的、没有使用过的感情已在这里期待着,现在它伸开双臂向第一个似乎赢得它的人扑过去。埃德加在黑暗中躺着,心里快乐异常,思绪万千。他又想笑,又想哭。因为他喜欢这个人,他还从未爱过一个朋友,没有爱过父亲和母亲,就连上帝也没有爱过哩。他少年时代全部幼稚的热情,现在紧紧地拥抱着这个人的形象。两小时前他连他的名字还不知道呢。

他很聪明,不会为这突如其来的、独特的新友谊而发窘。但使他感到十分惶惑不安的却是觉得自己微不足道,无足轻重。“我配得上做他的朋友吗?我,一个十二岁的孩子,还在上学,晚上总要比别人更早地被打发去睡觉。”这些想法在折磨着他。“我能为他做些什么呢?我能对他有些什么帮助呢?”他想以什么东西来表达自己的心意,却痛苦地感到力不从心。这使他很不愉快。往常,每当他喜欢某个同学,第一件事就是把他书桌里宝贵的小玩意儿,像邮票、石头之类童年的财产分几样给这位同学,这些东西,他昨天还觉得非常了不起,魅力非凡,现在一下子就变得一钱不值、微不足道和不屑一顾了。那么他怎样才能给这位他连“你”字都不敢称呼的新朋友一些宝贵的东西呢?用什么办法才能表达自己的感情呢?他越来越因为自己的矮小,自己的半大不小、不成熟,为自己还是个十二岁的孩子而苦恼,他从来还从来没有因为自己是孩子而如此痛恨地诅咒过自己呢,也从来没有如此殷切地渴望长成他梦想的那样:高大、强壮,长成一个男子汉,一个像别人一样的大人!

这些惶惑不安的念头,很快就编织成了这个崭新的成人世界的色彩缤纷的美梦。埃德加终于带着微笑入睡,但他老想着明天的约会,这破坏了他的酣睡。他怕去晚了,所以第二天七点钟就惊醒了。他急急忙忙穿上衣服,到母亲房里去问了早安。这使他母亲十分惊讶,过去她总要费好大的气力才能把他从床上叫起来。还没等她发问,他就跑下楼去了。他一直焦急地晃荡到九点,连早饭都忘了,一心想着别让他的朋友为这次散步等得太久。

九点半,男爵终于潇洒地走了过来,他当然早就把这次约会忘在九霄云外。但是现在因为孩子热切地向他跑来,他也不得不对这股激情报以微笑,并表示准备遵守他的诺言。他又挎着孩子的胳膊,带着这个神采奕奕的孩子走上走下,只是委婉地、但是坚决地拒绝现在就一起去散步。他好像在等待什么,至少他那心神不定的、扫视着大门的目光说明了这点。突然他全身一振,埃德加的妈妈走进了前厅,一边回答他的问候,一边亲切地朝他俩走来。当她得知埃德加当作什么了不起的秘密瞒着她想和男爵一起散步的计划时,就微笑着同意了,并爽快地接受了男爵要她同去散步的邀请。

埃德加立即露出一副愁眉苦脸的样子,咬着嘴唇。多恼人,她偏偏现在走来了!这次散步本该只属于他一个人的,即使是他自己把他的朋友介绍给妈妈的,但这只不过是表示他的一种盛情而已,这并不表明他愿意和她共有这位朋友。当他看到男爵对母亲那股殷勤劲儿时,他心里就激起了某种妒意。

他们三人一起散步,由于他们两人都对他表示了出奇的关心,因而在孩子的心里更滋长了一种觉得自己很了不起的、突然身价百倍的危险感觉。埃德加几乎成了谈话的中心。母亲有点假惺惺地对他苍白的脸色和他的神经质表示忧虑,而男爵却又笑嘻嘻地反对这种看法,并赞许他的“朋友”——他是这么称呼他的——的可爱。这是埃德加的最美好的时刻。他获得了他整个童年时期所没有得到的权利。他可以同大人一起说话而不立即受到申斥,要他住嘴,他甚至可以表示各种各样的冒失的要求,而这些他若在这以前提出来就准会挨上好一顿臭骂。他认为自己业已长大成人了,当这种自欺欺人的感情在他的心里越来越自信地滋生起来时,孩子的这种情绪是毫不奇怪的。在他光明的梦境里,童年已经被远远地甩在了身后,就像抛掉一件不合身的衣服那样。

中午,男爵应越来越友好的埃德加的母亲之邀,坐在她的桌上。由vis-à-vis到一起并坐,由认识变成了友谊。三重唱正在进行,女声、男声、童声这三种声音配合得十分协调。

用户搜索

疯狂英语 英语语法 新概念英语 走遍美国 四级听力 英语音标 英语入门 发音 美语 四级 新东方 七年级 赖世雄 zero是什么意思太原市牡丹苑壹号院英语学习交流群

  • 频道推荐
  • |
  • 全站推荐
  • 推荐下载
  • 网站推荐