福爾摩斯探案集·銅山毛櫸案 第9期:當事人到訪(6)

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"Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found little enough in the cupboard,

"唔，福爾摩斯先生，我回到寓所，打開食櫥，見里面已經(jīng)沒有隔宿之糧了，

and two or three bills upon the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very foolish thing.

桌子上又放著兩三張索款單，這時我開始自問是不是做了一件很愚蠢的事。

After all, if these people had strange fads and expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters,

畢竟，如果這些人有奇怪的癖好而又希望別人順從他們這種最異乎尋常的要求，

they were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity.

那么，他們至少是準備為他們的怪癖付出代價的。

Very few governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year.

在英國家庭女教師能夠得到一年一百鎊的薪水是罕見的。

Besides, what use was my hair to me?

再說，我的頭發(fā)對我有什么用？

Many people are improved by wearing it short, and perhaps I should be among the number.

好多人把頭發(fā)剪短以后都顯得更精神了，也許我也應把頭發(fā)剪短。

Next day I was inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after I was sure of it.

第二天，我想我大概是錯了，再過一天我肯定自己是錯了。

I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open

在我?guī)缀跻朔业陌翚?、重新前往介紹所詢問那個位置是否依然空著的時候，

when I received this letter from the gentleman himself.

我接到那位先生寫來的親筆信。

I have it here, and I will read it to you.

我把它帶來了，我這就念給你聽。

The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Dear Miss Hunter:

溫切斯特附近，銅山毛櫸。親愛的亨特小姐：

Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have reconsidered your decision.

承蒙斯托珀小姐的好意將你的地址告訴了我，所以我從這里寫信問你是否重新考慮過你的決定。

My wife is very anxious that you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of you.

我的妻子急切盼望你能來臨，因為我對你的描述對她產(chǎn)生了很大的吸引力。

We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a year,

我們情愿每季度給你三十英鎊，也就是一年一百二十英鎊，

so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which our fads may cause you.

用以補償因為我們的癖好可能給你帶來的小小不便。

They are not very exacting, after all.

畢竟這些要求對你并非過于苛刻。

My wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue, and would like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning.

我的妻子偏愛特別深的鐵藍色，并希望你在早晨于室內(nèi)穿著這種顏色的服裝。

You need not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one,

然而你并不需要自己花錢購置，

as we have one belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would, I should think, fit you very well.

因為我們有一件原為我們親愛的女兒艾麗絲（現(xiàn)在美國費城）所有的衣服，據(jù)我看這件衣服對你是很合身的。

Then, as to sitting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that need cause you no inconvenience.

其次，至于坐在這里或那里，或者按照指定的方式來消遣，這將不致于使你感到有何不便。

As regards your hair, it is no doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty during our short interview,

關(guān)于你的頭發(fā)，這無疑是令人可惜的，特別是在和你短暫的會見時我就不禁為它的如此美麗而大為贊賞，

but I am afraid that I must remain firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary may recompense you for the loss.

但是我恐怕必須堅持這一點，唯一希望增加的薪水也許足以補償你的損失。

Your duties, as far as the child is concerned, are very light.

至于照管孩子方面的職責，那是很輕松的。

Now do try to come, and I shall meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train.

望你務必前來，我將乘馬車到溫切斯特來接你。請通知我你乘坐的火車班次。

Yours faithfully, Jephro Rucastle."

你的忠實的杰夫羅·魯卡斯爾。