英語聽書《白鯨記》 第275期

　　"A clam for supper? a cold clam; is that what youmean, Mrs. Hussey?" says I, "but that's a rather coldand clammy reception in the winter time, ain't it,Mrs. Hussey?"

　　"一只蛤蜊當(dāng)晚飯吃嗎?一只冷蛤蜊;是這意思嗎?胡賽太太?"我說;"不過,這么寒冬臘月,這樣招待不是嫌太冷又太粘嗒嗒么,胡賽太太?"

　　But being in a great hurry to resume scolding theman in the purple shirt who was waiting for it in theentry, and seeming to hear nothing but the word"clam," Mrs. Hussey hurried towards an open doorleading to the kitchen, and bawling out "clam for two," disappeared.

　　可是,由于胡賽太太急急忙忙地要再去罵那個站在門口等她叫罵的。身穿紫毛襯衫的人,她似乎只聽到了一聲"蛤蜊",便匆匆地朝那扇通到廚房的敞開著的門大聲嚷起"兩個人一只蛤蜊"后,就此不見蹤影了。

　　"Queequeg," said I, "do you think that we can make out a supper for us both on one clam?"

　　"魁魁格,"我說,"你想我們兩個人吃一只蛤蜊頂?shù)昧送盹垎?"

　　However, a warm savory steam from the kitchen served to belie the apparently cheerlessprospect before us. But when that smoking chowder came in, the mystery was delightfullyexplained. Oh! sweet friends, hearken to me. It was made of small juicy clams, scarcely biggerthan hazel nuts, mixed with pounded ship biscuits, and salted pork cut up into little flakes! thewhole enriched with butter, and plentifully seasoned with pepper and salt. Our appetites beingsharpened by the frosty voyage, and in particular, Queequeg seeing his favourite fishing foodbefore him, and the chowder being surpassingly excellent, we despatched it with greatexpedition: when leaning back a moment and bethinking me of Mrs. Hussey's clam and codannouncement, I thought I would try a little experiment. Stepping to the kitchen door, Iuttered the word "cod" with great emphasis, and resumed my seat. In a few moments thesavoury steam came forth again, but with a different flavor, and in good time a fine cod-chowder was placed before us.

　　不過,廚房里傳來的那股又暖又香噴噴的蒸氣,顯然足以說明我們所認(rèn)為的那種不妙的前景是錯誤的。總之,等到熱氣騰騰的雜燴一送來,那個謎就獲得愉快的解答了。啊!親愛的朋友們,請容我細(xì)細(xì)道來。這是用水汪汪的小蛤蜊做起來的東西,蛤蜊比榛子大不了多少,攙和著一些搗碎的硬面包和切成細(xì)片的咸肉;又加足了牛油,撒足了胡椒和鹽。我們的胃本來已讓冰冷的航程給餓慌了,尤其是魁魁格一看到面前擺著他所愛吃的魚類食物,那雜燴本身又是如此精美絕倫,我們頓即把它打發(fā)了。我往后靠了一會兒,想到剛才胡賽太太的蛤蜊和鳘魚的叫法,心想我不妨也來如法小試一番。我走到廚房門口,聲氣著重地叫出一聲"鳘魚"后,就回到我的座位上來。幾分鐘后,又聞到那股香噴噴的蒸氣了,不過,香味跟剛才有點兒不同,這時,一份可口的鳘魚雜燴已放在我們面前了。