書蟲四級《華盛頓廣場》：3.莫里斯·湯森是誰？

3.Who is Morris Townsend?

3．莫里斯·湯森是誰？

Half an hour after the two young men had left, Doctor Sloper came into the parlour.

兩個年輕人走后半個小時，斯洛珀醫(yī)生進(jìn)了客廳。

Mr Morris Townsend has just been here, Austin,' Mrs Penniman told her brother. 'What a pity you missed him.'

“莫里斯·湯森先生剛來過，奧斯汀，”彭尼曼夫人對弟弟說，“可惜你沒見到。”

Who in the world is Mr Morris Townsend?'

“莫里斯·湯森先生到底是誰？”

The gentleman at Elizabeth's party who liked Catherine so much,' said Mrs Penniman.

“伊麗莎白晚會上的那個年輕人，他很喜歡凱瑟琳。”彭尼曼夫人說。

Oh, his name is Morris Townsend, is it?' the Doctor said. He looked at Catherine. 'And did he come here to ask you to marry him?'

“哦，他叫莫里斯·湯森，對吧？”醫(yī)生說。他看著凱瑟琳，“他來這里是向你求婚嗎？”

Oh, father!' murmured Catherine, turning away.

“哦，爸爸！”凱瑟琳低聲埋怨著，轉(zhuǎn)身走開了。

I hope he won't do that without your permission,' said Mrs Penniman.

“我希望沒有你的同意他不會那么做。”彭尼曼夫人說。

My dear, he seems to have yours,' her brother answered. 'The next time he comes, you should call me. He might like to see me.'

“親愛的，他好像已經(jīng)得到你的同意了。”她弟弟回答道，“下次他來的時候，你應(yīng)該叫上我。他也許樂意見我。”

Morris Townsend came again five days later, but Doctor Sloper was not at home at the time. Catherine was with her aunt when a servant announced the young man's name. Mrs Penniman sent her niece into the parlour alone.

五天后莫里斯·湯森再次來訪，不過當(dāng)時斯洛珀醫(yī)生剛好不在家。仆人通報來客姓名的時候，凱瑟琳正和她姑姑在一起。彭尼曼夫人讓侄女獨(dú)自到客廳里去。

This time it's for you—for you only,' she said.

“這次是為你而來——只為你一個人。”她說。

So Catherine saw Mr Townsend alone, sitting with him in the front parlour, for more than an hour. He seemed more at home this time—making himself very comfortable and looking around with interest at the room and the furniture. His talk was light, easy and friendly. 'Tell me about yourself,' he said to her, with his charming smile.

所以凱瑟琳獨(dú)自一人和湯森先生相見，他們在前廳坐了一個多小時。他這次似乎更隨意——他很放松，饒有興致地打量著房間和家具。他的談話也輕松、隨意而且友好。“跟我說說你自己吧。”他對她說，露出了迷人的笑容。

Catherine had very little to tell, but she told him of her love of music and the theatre, and how she did not really enjoy reading. Morris Townsend agreed with her that books were boring—he had been to places that people had written about, and they were not at all as they had been described. He had also seen all the famous actors in London and Paris, but the actors were always like the writers they were never true to real life. He liked everything to be natural. Suddenly he stopped, looking at Catherine with his smile.

凱瑟琳沒多少可說的，不過她還是告訴他自己對音樂和戲劇的熱愛，以及她不那么喜歡讀書。莫里斯·湯森同意她的看法，認(rèn)為書很枯燥——他去過書里提到的那些地方，跟書中描寫的一點(diǎn)兒都不一樣。倫敦和巴黎所有的著名演員他也都見過，這些演員和那些作家都一個樣——都不忠實(shí)于真實(shí)的生活。他喜歡一切自然的東西。突然，他停了下來，面帶微笑地看著凱瑟琳。

That's what I like you for; you are so natural,' he said. 'You see I am natural myself.'

“這就是我喜歡你的地方；你這么淳樸。”他說，“你看，我本人并不矯揉造作。”

He went on to talk about his great love of music and singing. 'I sing a little myself,' he added; 'some day I will show you. Not today, but some other time.'

他繼續(xù)講他有多么喜愛音樂和歌唱。“我自己也唱唱歌，”他加了一句，“改天我唱給你聽。今天不行了，改天。”

And then he got up to go. He had perhaps talked more about himself than about Catherine, but the truth was that Catherine had not noticed. She was thinking only that 'some other time' had a delightful sound. It seemed to suggest many more meetings in the future.

然后他就站起來走了。也許他談?wù)撟约罕日務(wù)搫P瑟琳還多，不過實(shí)際上凱瑟琳根本沒注意到。她只是在想“改天”會聽到令人愉快的歌聲。這似乎意味著以后他們還會見很多次。

Catherine felt it was her duty to tell her father that Mr Morris Townsend had called again—though it made her feel ashamed and uncomfortable. She announced the fact very suddenly, as soon as the Doctor came into the house, and then immediately tried to leave the room. Her father stopped her just as she reached the door.

凱瑟琳覺得自己有責(zé)任把莫里斯·湯森先生再次造訪的事情告訴父親——盡管這使她感到害臊和不安。醫(yī)生一進(jìn)屋，她就突然宣布了這件事，然后就想立刻離開房間。她剛走到門口就被她父親攔住了。

Well, my dear, did he ask you to marry him today?' the Doctor said.

“嗯，親愛的，他今天向你求婚了嗎？”醫(yī)生說。

Catherine had no answer ready. She wanted to be amused, as her father was amused, but she also wanted to be a little sharp, so that he would not ask the question again. She did not like it—it made her unhappy.

凱瑟琳對這個問題毫無準(zhǔn)備。她想愉快點(diǎn)兒，像她父親那樣，但她還想尖刻點(diǎn)兒，這樣他就不會再問這個問題了。她不喜歡這個問題——這令她不愉快。

Perhaps he will do it next time,' she said, with a little laugh; and she quickly got out of the room.

“也許下次他會這么做。”她輕輕一笑，說道；然后迅速離開了房間。

The Doctor stood staring. He wondered whether his daughter was serious, and decided to find out more about this handsome young man. The next time he saw his sister Elizabeth, he asked her about Morris Townsend.

醫(yī)生站在那里愣了半天。他不知道女兒是不是認(rèn)真的，后來他決定去了解更多有關(guān)這個英俊青年的情況。他再次看到妹妹伊麗莎白的時候，就向她問起了莫里斯·湯森。

Lavinia has already been to ask me about him,' Mrs Almond said.

“拉維尼婭已經(jīng)向我問過他的情況了。”阿爾蒙德夫人說道。

What did you tell her?' the Doctor asked.

“你告訴她什么了？”醫(yī)生問。

What I tell you—that I know very little of him.'

“就是我跟你說的——我對他不太了解。”

How disappointing for Lavinia,' said the Doctor. 'She would like him to have some romantic secret in his past. I hear that he is a distant cousin of Arthur Townsend.'

“拉維尼婭該有多失望啊，”醫(yī)生說，“她希望他過去的人生經(jīng)歷中會有一些浪漫的秘密。我聽說他是阿瑟·湯森的遠(yuǎn)房表兄。”

Yes, though it seems that there are Townsends and Townsends—some rather better than others. Arthur's mother knows very little about him; only some story that he has been 'wild' in the past. I know his sister a little. Her name is Mrs Montgomery; she is a widow, with five children and not much money.'

“是啊，不過好像到處都是姓湯森的人——有一些比另一些要好多了。阿瑟的母親對他也不太了解；只有一些傳聞?wù)f他以前曾經(jīng)‘野’過一陣。他姐姐的情況我也知道一點(diǎn)兒。她叫蒙哥馬利夫人；是個寡婦，帶著五個孩子，沒什么錢。”

What is his profession?' asked the Doctor.

“他是干什么的？”醫(yī)生問道。

He hasn't got any; he is looking for something. I believe he was once in the Navy.'

“他沒工作；正在找事做。我想他以前在海軍服過役。”

Once? What is his age?'

“以前？他多大了？”

More than thirty, I think. Arthur told me that he inherited a little money—which is perhaps why he left the Navy—and that he spent it all in a few years. He travelled all over the world, lived in foreign countries, amused himself. He has recently come back to America, and he told Arthur that he now wants to start his life seriously.'

“30多歲吧，我想。阿瑟告訴我他繼承了一點(diǎn)兒錢——也許就是因?yàn)檫@個他才離開海軍的——沒出幾年他就把這筆錢花光了。他周游世界，住在國外，活得挺快活。他最近才回美國，他告訴阿瑟現(xiàn)在他想認(rèn)認(rèn)真真地過日子了。”

Is he serious about Catherine, then?'

“那么他對凱瑟琳是認(rèn)真的嘍？”

I don't see why you are surprised,' said Mrs Almond. 'It seems to me that you have never been fair to Catherine. You must remember that she will one day have thirty thousand dollars a year.'

“我不明白你為什么感到驚訝，”阿爾蒙德夫人說，“我覺得你從來沒有公平地對待過凱瑟琳。你應(yīng)該記住將來有一天凱瑟琳會有一年3萬美元的進(jìn)項(xiàng)。”

The Doctor looked at his sister for a moment. 'I see that you remember it.'

醫(yī)生看了他妹妹一會兒：“我知道你是記得的。”

Mrs Almond blushed. 'I don't mean that is the only good thing about her; I simply mean that it is important. You seem to think that nobody will ever want to marry her.'

阿爾蒙德夫人的臉一下子紅了：“我不是說她只有那一樣好處；我只是想說那很重要。你好像覺得沒人愿意娶她似的。”

Why should I think differently, Elizabeth?' the Doctor said. 'How many young men have come courting Catherine, even with her expected fortune? None—which is why Lavinia is so charmed that there is now a lover in the house. It is the first time.'

“為什么我會和你想的不同呢，伊麗莎白？”醫(yī)生說，“就算凱瑟琳將來會有這么一筆財富，又有多少年輕人來追求她呢？一個也沒有——所以拉維尼婭才會這么熱衷，家里現(xiàn)在來了個情人。這可是頭一次。”

I think young men are rather afraid of Catherine,' said the Doctor's wiser sister. 'She seems older than they are—she is so large, and she dresses so richly. An older, more experienced man would recognize all the good things in her character, and would find her delightful.'

“我覺得小伙子們都很害怕凱瑟琳，”醫(yī)生的這位更聰明的妹妹說，“她看起來比他們大——她個頭這么大，穿得又華麗。只有年齡大一點(diǎn)兒、經(jīng)驗(yàn)更豐富的男人才會發(fā)現(xiàn)她性格中所有那些美好的東西，也才會發(fā)現(xiàn)她是個惹人喜愛的姑娘。”

And Mr Townsend? What are his reasons for courting Catherine? Is he sincere in liking her?'

“那么湯森先生呢？他為什么會追求凱瑟琳？他真的喜歡她嗎？”

It is very possible that he is sincere. Lavinia is sure of it.'

“他很有可能是認(rèn)真的。拉維尼婭確信是這樣的。”

Doctor Sloper thought for a moment. 'If he does not work, what are his means?'

斯洛珀醫(yī)生想了一會兒：“他要是不工作，靠什么生活？”

I have no idea. He lives with his sister and her children on Second Avenue.'

“我不知道。他和他姐姐還有她的孩子們一起住在第二大道。”

A widow, with five children? Do you mean he lives upon her?'

“一個寡婦，帶著五個孩子？你的意思是他靠她養(yǎng)活？”

Mrs Almond looked at her brother a little impatiently. 'Why not ask Mrs Montgomery yourself?' she said.

阿爾蒙德夫人有點(diǎn)兒不耐煩地看著她哥哥。“你為什么不自己去問問蒙哥馬利夫人呢？”她說。

Perhaps I will,' said the Doctor.

“也許我會去的。”醫(yī)生說。

Doctor Sloper was more amused than annoyed by the idea of Mr Townsend courting his daughter. He was quite willing to believe the best of the young man. And if he was a sincere, honest man, it did not matter if he was poor, since Catherine had no need of a rich husband.

想到湯森先生追求他的女兒，斯洛珀醫(yī)生與其說是生氣倒不如說是感到有趣。他很愿意往最好的地方去想這個年輕人。如果他真心實(shí)意，為人又誠實(shí)，那么他窮點(diǎn)兒也沒關(guān)系，反正凱瑟琳并不需要一個有錢的丈夫。

The next time he comes,' he told Mrs Penniman, 'you must invite him to dinner.'

“下次他來，”他告訴彭尼曼夫人，“你一定要請他來吃晚飯。”

Mrs Penniman was happy to pass on her brother's invitation, which Morris Townsend accepted, and the dinner was arranged. Two or three other people were invited as well, and although Doctor Sloper talked very little to the young man during the meal, he watched him carefully. At the end of the meal, when the ladies had gone up to the parlour, leaving the men to their drinking, the Doctor gave him some wine and asked him several questions. Morris Townsend was happy to talk, and the Doctor sat quietly, watching his bright, handsome face.

彭尼曼夫人很高興地轉(zhuǎn)達(dá)了弟弟的邀請，莫里斯·湯森接受了邀請，晚宴也安排下了。還邀請了兩三個其他的人，雖然斯洛珀醫(yī)生在進(jìn)餐時沒跟這個年輕人說什么話，他還是仔細(xì)地觀察了他。晚餐到了最后，女士們都到客廳里去了，留下男人們繼續(xù)喝酒，醫(yī)生給他倒了一些葡萄酒，又問了他幾個問題。莫里斯·湯森喜歡說話，醫(yī)生靜靜地坐在那里，看著他那快樂英俊的臉。

He is clever, a good talker, and very self-confident,' Catherine's father thought. 'And he dresses very well. But I don't think I like him.'

“他是個聰明人，會說話，也很自信。”凱瑟琳的父親想，“他穿得也很好?？墒俏蚁胛也幌矚g他。”

The Doctor, however, kept his thoughts to himself.

不過，醫(yī)生只是心里這么想而已。

Later, when the men joined the ladies in the parlour, Morris Townsend went over to Catherine, who was standing before the fire in her red evening dress.

后來，當(dāng)男人們加入到客廳的女士們中時，莫里斯·湯森走到身穿紅色晚裝、站在壁爐前的凱瑟琳那里。

Your father doesn't like me,' said the young man.

“你父親不喜歡我。”年輕人說。

I don't see how you know,' said Catherine, blushing.

“我不明白你是怎么知道的。”凱瑟琳漲紅了臉說。

I can feel these things. You ask him and you will see.'

“我可以感覺到。你問問他就知道了。”

I would rather not ask him, if there is any danger of his saying what you think.'

“要是他說的真的和你想的一樣，我寧愿不去問他。”

Morris gave her a sad little smile. 'So you will allow him to say things against me, and not tell him he is wrong?'

莫里斯有些悲傷地朝她笑了笑：“那你就聽?wèi){他說不利于我的話，而不指出他的錯誤嗎？”

I never argue with him,' said Catherine. 'And he won't say anything against you. He doesn't know you enough.'

“我從不和他爭論，”凱瑟琳說，“他不會說不利于你的話。他對你還不夠了解。”

Morris Townsend gave a loud laugh, and Catherine began to blush again.

莫里斯·湯森大笑了起來，凱瑟琳的臉又紅了。

I shall never talk about you,' she said.

“我不會談?wù)撃愕摹?rdquo;她說。

That is very well; but I would prefer you to say that it doesn't matter what your father thinks.'

“那很好，不過我更愿意你說你父親怎么想都沒關(guān)系。”

But it would matter! I couldn't say that!' the girl cried.

“當(dāng)然有關(guān)系！我不能那么說！”女孩兒叫道。

He stared at her, smiling a little, and just for a moment there was an impatient look in those fine eyes. But he spoke softly and sadly. 'Then I must try to make him like me.'

他凝視著她，微微一笑，那雙好看的眼睛里閃過一絲不耐煩的神情。不過他說話時聲音溫柔而悲傷：“那我只好想法讓他喜歡我了。”

The next time the Doctor visited Mrs Almond, he told her that he had now met Morris Townsend.

醫(yī)生再次拜訪阿爾蒙德夫人的時候，他告訴她說他已經(jīng)見過莫里斯·湯森了。

He is certainly a fine-looking young man,' he said.

“他的確是個相貌堂堂的年輕人。”他說。

But what do you think of him, as a father?' Mrs Almond asked. 'Lavinia tells me that Catherine is in love.'

“但作為父親，你覺得他怎么樣？”阿爾蒙德夫人問道，“拉維尼婭告訴我凱瑟琳墜入情網(wǎng)了。”

Well, she must stop being in love. He is not a gentleman. He is extremely charming, and completely insincere.'

“嗯，她必須結(jié)束這場戀愛。他不是個紳士。他很有吸引力，但一點(diǎn)兒也不真誠。”

You have decided very quickly,' said Mrs Almond.

“你的決定作得太快了。”阿爾蒙德夫人說。

Not at all. I have been studying people for a lifetime, and am now quite able to make a judgement in a single evening.'

“一點(diǎn)兒也不快。我一生都在研究人，現(xiàn)在只要一個晚上我就能作出判斷。”

Very possibly you are right. But the thing is for Catherine to see it.'

“很有可能你是正確的。但這樣的事情得由凱瑟琳自己去看明白。”

I will give her a pair of glasses!' said the Doctor.

“我會給她一副眼鏡的！”醫(yī)生說。