書蟲二級《阿利格拉之謎》：互不說話的兄弟

The Silent Brothers
互不說話的兄弟

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.

約翰·赫斯和羅伯特·赫斯兩兄弟都是單身漢。他們晚餐后一起坐在伯斯利古堡大街的房子里。兄弟倆都穿著黑衣，因為他們的姐姐三個月前剛剛?cè)ナ馈?/p>

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

女傭瑪吉進(jìn)來收拾餐桌。

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

“把咖啡留下，瑪吉，”哥哥約翰說道，“利弗西奇先生要來。”

Yes, Mr John,' said Maggie.

“是，約翰先生。”瑪吉說道。

Slate, Maggie,' said Robert.

“把寫字板拿過來，瑪吉。”羅伯特說。

Yes, Mr Robert,' said Maggie.

“是，羅伯特先生。”瑪吉說道。

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

寫字板放在壁爐旁的一張桌子上。瑪吉把寫字板和附帶的鉛筆遞給羅伯特。

Robert wrote: Why is Liversage coming?

羅伯特寫道：利弗西奇為什么要來？

And he pushed the slate across the table to John.

他把寫字板推到約翰面前。

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

約翰在上面寫：我不知道。他打電話說今晚想見我們。

And he pushed the slate back to Robert.

他把寫字板又推回到羅伯特面前。

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.

約翰42歲，羅伯特39歲。他們身材高大，有著深色的皮膚，身強(qiáng)體壯，聽力也沒有問題。

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，兩兄弟有過一場爭吵。這場爭吵像許多爭吵一樣愚蠢可笑。第二天早上，當(dāng)約翰對羅伯特說話的時候，羅伯特沒有回答。“好吧，”約翰自言自語說，“如果他不跟我說話，我也不理他。”后來羅伯特也這樣想了。

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.

瑪吉是第一個發(fā)現(xiàn)兄弟倆不說話的人。接著是他們最好的朋友，律師利弗西奇先生，還有其他一些朋友。但是沒人勸過他們。伯斯利鎮(zhèn)的人覺得這很好笑，想知道兄弟倆誰能贏得這場爭吵，所以鎮(zhèn)上的人靜觀其變，等著他們中的一個先開口。但是十年來雖然兄弟倆仍然住在同一屋檐下，但誰都沒和對方說過一個字。

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.

這樣的生活對兄弟倆來講可不好過，對他們的傭人來講也是如此。瑪吉給了他們一個寫字板，因為如果兄弟倆把事情寫下來，她做起事來就容易些。對朋友們來講，這種生活也挺麻煩的。在聚會上，赫斯兄弟和房間里的每個人都說話——唯獨不理會自己的兄弟，這個時候朋友們開始有點兒厭煩了。

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.

這場完美的爭吵只有一個缺憾。兄弟倆在同一家陶瓷廠上班，有時他們需要談公事。不過他們交談時非常冷漠，而且僅僅是在工廠里。每天晚上，伯斯利鎮(zhèn)的人都目送兄弟倆回家，一個在前，一個在后，相距有5米遠(yuǎn)。這多蠢??！但是伯斯利鎮(zhèn)的人什么也沒說。

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.

寫字板上的對話剛剛結(jié)束就傳來了敲門聲，鮑威爾·利弗西奇先生走了進(jìn)來。他和兄弟倆是從學(xué)生時代就認(rèn)識的老朋友了。他也是個單身漢，因此晚上有空閑時間。利弗西奇每星期六晚上來赫斯兄弟家串門，而羅伯特或約翰通常在星期三去看他?？山裉焓切瞧谒陌　?/p>

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

“你好嗎？”約翰點了一根香煙問道。

Well,' replied Liversage.

“不錯。”利弗西奇回答道。

How are you, Powell?' asked Robert.

“你好嗎，鮑威爾？”羅伯特問道。

Not too bad. And you?'

“還可以，你呢？”

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

利弗西奇坐了下來，羅伯特遞給他一杯咖啡。

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

“唔，”過了一會兒，利弗西奇說道，他聽起來有點兒不自在，“我們終于找到了你們姐姐的遺囑。”

You haven't! When?' asked John.

“真的！什么時候？”約翰問。

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。遺囑和其他一些舊文件存在銀行里。你們知道她的財產(chǎn)超過12,000英鎊嗎？”

No!' said Robert.

“不知道！”羅伯特回答。

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?

兄弟倆知道他們的姐姐，瑪麗·博特太太十分富有；他們知道她沒有子女；他們當(dāng)然也知道自己是她唯一的親人。她三個月前去世的時候，誰也找不到她的遺囑。現(xiàn)在找到了！兩個人分12,000英鎊，這對他們倆來說都是一大筆錢。但遺囑究竟寫了些什么？

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.

兩人都非常想知道，但是他們問了嗎？哦，沒有！他們都不愿意第一個說。于是他們沉默地坐在那里。

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

“想讓我讀遺囑給你們聽嗎？”利弗西奇最后問道。

Yes,' they both answered.

“是的。”他倆一同答道。

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.

利弗西奇從口袋里拿出了遺囑。“現(xiàn)在我想說，我并不是寫遺囑的人，”他說，“所以請別生我的氣。”下面是他宣讀的內(nèi)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.

約翰和羅伯特，你們兩個都很愚蠢，我從前也經(jīng)常這么說。真不明白你們?yōu)槭裁匆獮榘材?middot;埃默里吵成現(xiàn)在這個樣子。不單你們的生活不好過，你們也深深地傷害了安妮。她已經(jīng)等了十年。所以，約翰，如果你和安妮·埃默里結(jié)婚，我會把財產(chǎn)全部給你；羅伯特，如果你和她結(jié)婚，我就把財產(chǎn)都給你。你們必須在一年之內(nèi)結(jié)婚。如果你們兩個都沒和她結(jié)婚，那么我將把財產(chǎn)留給伯斯利鴨子岸的商人安妮·埃默里小姐。

Mary Ann Bott, widow

寡婦瑪麗·安·博特

There. That's all,' Liversage finished.

“好了，就是這些。”利弗西奇念完了遺囑。

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

“讓我看看。”約翰說。利弗西奇把遺囑遞給了他，約翰仔細(xì)地看著。

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

羅伯特繞過桌子，也去看約翰手中的遺囑。

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

三個人沉默了幾分鐘。誰都不愿說話，甚至不愿看別人一眼。

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

“好了，我必須走了。”利弗西奇說著站了起來。

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

“我說，”羅伯特說，“你不會對安妮說這件事，對吧？”

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

“我不會。”利弗西奇說。（但他根本不該這么回答，因為安妮已經(jīng)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.

兄弟倆坐在那里考慮了很久。十年之前，安妮還是個23歲的姑娘，沒有成家。她自己開了一家書店。約翰愛上了她，羅伯特也愛上了她，所以這兩個人吵了起來。他們都說了一些非常惡毒的、有悖兄弟之情的話，兩人都很生氣。因為這個（還因為他們都很愚蠢），他們都決定不和安妮結(jié)婚。兩人都想讓對方覺得自己是兄弟倆中更好、更善良、更和氣的一個。于是他們十年沒有說話?？蓱z的安妮·埃默里本來打算嫁給兩兄弟中的一個（但是無法決定是哪個），卻誰也沒有嫁。

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

深夜兩點鐘的時候，約翰從口袋里掏出了一枚一便士的硬幣。

Who shall go first?' he asked.

“誰先去？”他問。

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.

羅伯特感覺怪怪的。哥哥十年來第一次和他說話。他一時不知如何回答。約翰拋出硬幣，然后用手蓋住了它。

Heads or tails?' he asked.

“正面還是背面？”他問。

Tails,' said Robert.

“背面。”羅伯特回答。

But it was heads.

但結(jié)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，約翰敲響了安妮·埃默里書店的側(cè)門。他站在那里的時候，開始覺得有些膽怯。他仍然想娶安妮，這一點毫無疑問，但是他如何解釋過去十年的事呢？他開始希望安妮不在書店了。

But the door opened, and there she was.

然而門開了，安妮就站在他眼前。

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

“赫斯先生！”她大聲說道，露出了燦爛的笑容。

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

“我正好經(jīng)過鴨子岸，”他說，“我想……”

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

15秒鐘后，他已經(jīng)在屋子里面坐了下來。

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。”約翰說，他看到食物已經(jīng)擺上了餐桌。

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

“我還沒開始吃呢，”她回答，“你吃晚飯了嗎？”

No,' he said.

“沒有。”他說。

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

“那么如果你能幫我吃掉這頓晚餐就太好了。”她說。

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.

但她已經(jīng)從櫥柜里拿出了盤子和杯子——而他就坐在這里，坐在她的餐桌旁！他無法拒絕，這感覺棒極了。

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

“進(jìn)展順利，”他暗自想，“可憐的羅伯特！”

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.

他看著她在屋子里走動。他仍然不知道該如何解釋過去那沉默的十年，也許他什么也不必解釋。安妮很友好，笑盈盈的，而且很高興見到他，不是嗎？她仍然是個漂亮女人——還是個出色的女商人。

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.

他留下來和安妮一起吃了晚餐，他們攀談起來。他決定幾天之后向安妮求婚。15分鐘后，他想明天就向她求婚。而又過了5分鐘，他已經(jīng)向她求婚了。

She moved away from him quickly.

她很快從他面前退開。

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

“這太突然了。我必須考慮一下。”她答道。

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

約翰是多么開心??！安妮很快就會答應(yīng)他，這一點他確信無疑。

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

“星期天你會去教堂嗎？”安妮問道。

Yes.'

“會的。”

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.'

“如果我答應(yīng)你的話，就會在帽子上戴白色的花。與其用言語，我更愿意這樣回答你。如果我下星期沒去教堂，那我下下星期會去的。”

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

“我明白，”他說，“那么如果看到了那些花，我是不是可以來喝茶？”

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

“可以。不過我從教堂出來的時候，你不要和我說話。”

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

他順著古堡大街走回家。他很高興——他感覺自己年輕了不少，不像42歲。

*　　　*　　　*

*　　　*　　　*

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.

她星期日沒有來教堂。羅伯特這周的大部分時間都在外出差，只有約翰自己在家。他一連幾個小時地坐在家里，想著下個星期天的事情。星期五羅伯特回來了。

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，約翰就起床了。他穿上了新襯衫，這是從漢橋最好的店買來的。羅伯特起得也很早，也穿上了新的襯衫和西裝。兩人在早餐時沒有說話。

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，瑪吉，”羅伯特吃完了早餐，說道，“我的新鞋子在哪兒？”

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

這可異乎尋常，羅伯特不常去教堂。

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.

他們向教堂走去，約翰走在前面，離弟弟有50米遠(yuǎn)。他到教堂的時候，埃默里小姐還沒來。她來時，禮拜已經(jīng)開始了。她的帽子上戴著白色的花！大約有155朵白花——她的帽子就像個花園。

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.

約翰是多么激動??！他得到了安妮，也得到了姐姐的遺產(chǎn)。他非常開心，決定分給羅伯特5000英鎊，也許還會更多。

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.

禮拜過后，約翰沒和安妮說話，而是匆忙回家了。羅伯特也回了家，兩人一起吃了午餐。當(dāng)然，他們并沒有說話，他們在各自看報紙。

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.

午餐過后，他們出去散步，當(dāng)然不是一起。約翰散步是因為在4點半和安妮喝茶之前他必須做點兒什么。4點半的時候，他轉(zhuǎn)過街角來到了鴨子岸——看到羅伯特從鴨子岸的另一頭轉(zhuǎn)過來。他們在安妮家的門口碰面了。

What are you doing here?' asked Robert angrily.

“你來這里做什么？”羅伯特生氣地問。

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

“我來看安妮。”約翰也氣哼哼地答道。

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，你來晚了，”約翰說，“我已經(jīng)向她求婚了，而且她答應(yīng)了我。”

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

“別傻了，”羅伯特說，“她要嫁的人是我！”

When did you ask her?' asked John.

“你什么時候向她求婚的？”約翰問道。

On Friday.'

“星期五。”

And did she say yes?'

“她答應(yīng)了？”

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

“周五沒有答應(yīng)。不過今早她在教堂戴著白色的花，那就是答應(yīng)我了。”

That was for me!' said John.

“那是為我戴的！”約翰說。

The quarrel went on for some time.

爭吵持續(xù)了一段時間。

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

“好了，”約翰說，“我們回家吧。我們不能在街上說。安妮會從窗戶里看到我們的。”

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.

他們很快走回了家，又在家吵了整整一個下午。爭吵聲越來越大，越來越激烈。6點鐘的時候，瑪吉走進(jìn)了房間。她告訴兄弟倆他們必須馬上停止?fàn)幊常缓笳f她要永遠(yuǎn)地離開這里。

*　　　*　　　*

*　　　*　　　*

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

“你為什么這么做，我的寶貝？”鮑威爾·利弗西奇問道。

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

他和安妮·埃默里坐在特拉法爾加路自家的花園里。

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.'

“我為什么這么做？”安妮反問，“哦，他們都是傻瓜，鮑威爾。我知道他們是你的朋友，但事實如此！十年來，他們對我不聞不問，而現(xiàn)在為了他們姐姐的遺產(chǎn)，他們都來找我了。鮑威爾，他們真傻。他們真的以為我喜歡他們。我讓他們在我家碰面，是想告訴他們我對他們的看法。但是我從臥室的窗子里看見他們在街上碰到，而且又吵了起來，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...'

“恐怕他們要生我的氣了，”鮑威爾說，“他們?nèi)绻牢覀円Y(jié)婚，會說我娶你是為了……”

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

“我不想要那筆錢，親愛的，”安妮說，“他們可以留著那12,000英鎊。”

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

鮑威爾聽了這話有些許遺憾，不過他還是說：“好吧，當(dāng)然，最親愛的。”然后拉起了安妮的手。

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

這時鮑威爾的母親來到了花園，她和鮑威爾住在一起。

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

“鮑威爾，”她說，“約翰·赫斯來了，他要見你。”

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

“我得走了，”安妮說，“我從田野穿過去。晚安，利弗西奇夫人。晚安，鮑威爾。”

Liversage went into the house and found John.

利弗西奇進(jìn)屋見到了約翰。

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

“鮑威爾，”他說，“我和羅伯特吵架了，我不能待在家里了。我能在這兒的客房里睡一晚嗎？”

Of course, John, of course.'

“當(dāng)然，約翰，當(dāng)然。”

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

“我想我現(xiàn)在要睡了，如果可以的話。”

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

一個小時以后，又有人敲門，利弗西奇打開門發(fā)現(xiàn)是羅伯特·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，鮑威爾，”羅伯特說，“今晚能在你這兒睡嗎？我和約翰大吵了一架，瑪吉也走了。我不能和約翰待在一個房子里了。”

But what —'

“但什么——”

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

“看，我不能多說了。我上樓去你的客房。”

All right,' said Liversage.

“好吧。”利弗西奇說。

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

他把羅伯特帶上樓，打開客房的門，把他推了進(jìn)去，然后關(guān)上門。

What a night!

這是個怎樣的夜晚??！