書蟲二級(jí)《新森林的孩子們》：4、赫瑟斯頓先生的秘書
4．Secretary to Mr Hetherstone
4．赫瑟斯頓先生的秘書
When Edward arrived back at the cottage, Humphrey came out to meet him, and his face was unhappy.
當(dāng)愛德華回到農(nóng)舍時(shí)，漢弗萊出來迎接他，他一臉憂傷。
Oh Edward, Jacob is very ill. The girls are with him now. We think he's dying.'
“唉，愛德華，雅各布病得很厲害。女孩們現(xiàn)在正陪著他。我們覺得他快要死了。”
Edward hurried inside, and the four children stayed by Jacob's bedside all that day. In the evening Jacob spoke to them all very lovingly, one by one. Those were his last words, and a little later, he died.
愛德華匆忙走進(jìn)屋里，四個(gè)孩子那天一整天都陪在雅各布的床邊。晚上，雅各布對(duì)他們每個(gè)人都疼愛地一一作了囑咐。那些是他最后的話，沒過多久，他就死了。
The children cried for a long time because they dearly loved the good old man. The next morning they buried him under an oak tree behind the cottage, and they planted wild flowers above his body.
孩子們哭了很長(zhǎng)時(shí)間，因?yàn)樗麄兩钌畹貝壑@位好心的老人。第二天早上，他們把雅各布埋到了農(nóng)舍后面的一棵橡樹下面，并且在他的墳上種上了野花。
We have lost a good friend,' said Edward. 'He saved us from the flames of Arnwood and he has looked after us since then, in his cottage. We must now look after ourselves, and try to be happy together.'
“我們失去了一位好朋友，”愛德華說，“他使我們免遭安伍德那場(chǎng)大火，從那以后他讓我們住在他的農(nóng)舍里，一直照顧我們?，F(xiàn)在我們必須自己照顧自己了，而且要盡量高興地在一起。”
Six weeks went by, and then Oswald Partridge came to visit them. 'How is the old man?' was his first question.
六個(gè)星期過去了，這時(shí)奧斯瓦爾德·帕特里奇來拜訪他們了。“那位老伙計(jì)怎么樣了？”他一來就問道。
We buried him six weeks ago,' replied Edward.
“我們六個(gè)星期前埋葬了他。”愛德華回答。
I'm sorry to hear it, ' said the forester. 'He was a good man. And how is your arm?'
“這讓我很難過，”這個(gè)護(hù)林人說，“他是個(gè)好人。那你的胳膊怎么樣了？”
Nearly well,' said Edward. 'Now, sit down, Oswald. Tell me, why didn't you visit us sooner?'
“差不多好了，”愛德華說，“現(xiàn)在，坐下吧，奧斯瓦爾德。告訴我，你為什么沒有更早一點(diǎn)兒來看我們？”
In a word — murder. These terrible Roundheads have killed the King. A few days after the fire, Mr Hetherstone went to London. He told me to stay near his cottage to look after his daughter. In London he tried to stop the murder, but Cromwell and his men didn't listen to him. He came home yesterday, and told us all about it.'
“一句話——謀殺。這些可怕的圓顱黨人殺害了國(guó)王。大火之后過了幾天，赫瑟斯頓先生去了倫敦。他要我待在他的農(nóng)舍附近，照顧他女兒。在倫敦，他試圖阻止謀殺，但是克倫威爾和他的手下不聽他的。他昨天回到家給我們講了這一切。”
The King murdered !' cried Edward. 'How can they murder a King? Well, the time will come. If I cannot fight for the King, one day I shall fight against his murderers.'
“國(guó)王被殺害了！”愛德華大叫，“他們?cè)趺茨苤\殺一個(gè)國(guó)王呢？好吧，時(shí)機(jī)會(huì)到來的。如果我不能為國(guó)王而戰(zhàn)，總有一天我會(huì)找那些謀殺國(guó)王的兇手算賬的。”
Oswald stayed to eat dinner at the cottage, and was very friendly with them all. He stayed the night and the next day Edward decided to tell him their secret.
奧斯瓦爾德留在農(nóng)舍里吃了晚餐，他對(duì)他們?nèi)挤浅Ｓ押谩Ｋ谀莾哼^了夜，第二天愛德華決定把他們的秘密告訴他。
Colonel Beverley's children?' said Oswald. 'Well, this is happy news! And it's true, Edward, that you don't look like a forester's son. Mr Hetherstone thinks that too. He has asked me lots of questions about you, and he says that he will visit you himself to thank you for saving his daughter's life. But I'll keep your secret, and I shall be happy to help the Colonel's children.'
“貝弗利上校的孩子？”奧斯瓦爾德說，“啊，這是個(gè)好消息！而且，愛德華，你看起來確實(shí)不像一個(gè)護(hù)林人的兒子，赫瑟斯頓先生也這么認(rèn)為。他問了我很多關(guān)于你的問題，他還說他會(huì)親自來拜訪你，感謝你救了他女兒。但是我會(huì)為你們保守秘密的，我很高興能幫助上校的孩子們。”
Then can you tell me how much to pay for oatmeal and salt?' said Edward. 'And who will buy deer meat and pay well for it? You see,' he went on, 'now that Jacob is dead, I must go to Lymington myself to do these things.'
“那你能告訴我買燕麥片和鹽需要多少錢嗎？”愛德華問。“另外，有誰會(huì)買鹿肉，而且能出個(gè)好價(jià)錢呢？你知道，”他繼續(xù)道，“現(xiàn)在雅各布去世了，我必須自己去利明頓做這些事情。”
Oswald told him the names of men who would buy deer meat — and ask no questions. 'But be careful, Edward. Mr Hetherstone would like to help you because you saved his daughter's life, but he cannot save you from the soldiers if they catch you killing the forest deer.'
奧斯瓦爾德告訴了他幾個(gè)會(huì)買鹿肉的人的名字——什么問題都沒問。“但是要小心，愛德華。赫瑟斯頓先生會(huì)愿意幫助你的，因?yàn)槟憔攘怂畠?，但是如果你殺森林里的鹿被士兵們抓住，他就救不了你了?rdquo;
During that summer Edward and Humphrey went hunting together when they needed meat. They kept a careful watch for strangers, but they knew the forest well now and could move as silently and as cleverly as the deer. Humphrey's farm was getting bigger all the time. With the vegetable gardens, and the chickens and cows and pigs, it was hard work for them all, but the children never went hungry — thanks to Jacob Armitage's teaching.
那個(gè)夏天，當(dāng)他們需要肉的時(shí)候，愛德華和漢弗萊就一起去打獵。他們很警惕陌生人，但是他們現(xiàn)在對(duì)森林很熟悉了，行動(dòng)起來能像鹿一樣悄無聲息而且靈敏。漢弗萊的農(nóng)場(chǎng)一直在擴(kuò)大。他們要照看菜園、雞、牛和豬，這對(duì)于他們所有人來說都是很辛苦的工作，可孩子們從來沒挨過餓——多虧了雅各布·阿米蒂奇的教導(dǎo)。
One day Humphrey was out in the forest, getting food for the pigs, and he found a Spanish gipsy boy lying on the ground. The boy was nearly dead from hunger and thirst, and Humphrey carried him back to the cottage. Alice and Edith looked after him, and when he was well again, they asked him to stay and work on the farm.
有一天，漢弗萊在森林里找豬食時(shí)，發(fā)現(xiàn)一個(gè)西班牙吉普賽男孩躺在地上。男孩又餓又渴，快要死了，漢弗萊把他帶回了農(nóng)舍。艾麗斯和伊迪絲照顧他，當(dāng)他身體恢復(fù)后，他們要他留下來，在農(nóng)場(chǎng)上干活。
The boy's name was Pablo and he was about fifteen years old. His English was not very good, and he had no friends, no family. He was happy to stay at the cottage.
男孩叫帕布洛，大概15歲了。他的英語(yǔ)不太好，沒有朋友，也沒有家人。他很高興能留在農(nóng)舍。
Lost in the forest. No food, no water. Nearly dead,' he explained. 'You save my life. Happy to work for you. Happy to have food and bed. Happy to have new friends.'
“在森林里迷了路。沒有食物，沒有水。就快死了，”他解釋說，“你們救了我的命。很高興為你們工作。很高興有食物和床。很高興有新朋友。”
* * *
* * *
It was nearly winter when Mr Hetherstone, with his daughter Patience, came to the cottage. At first Alice and Edith were afraid when they saw his tall hat, but he spoke kindly to them all. And Patience took Edward's hand and thanked him again and again for saving her life.
赫瑟斯頓先生和他女兒佩興斯來農(nóng)舍的時(shí)候已經(jīng)快到冬天了。一開始，艾麗斯和伊迪絲看到他的高帽子時(shí)還有些害怕，但是他對(duì)他們所有人說話都很和善。佩興斯拉著愛德華的手，一遍又一遍地感謝他救了自己。
Then Mr Hetherstone spoke to Edward. 'You saved my only child from the fire, Edward Armitage, and I thank you.'
然后赫瑟斯頓先生對(duì)愛德華說：“你從火中救了我唯一的孩子，愛德華·阿米蒂奇，我感謝你。”
Mr Hetherstone, I cannot understand you,' Edward said. 'You are a good man — but you are a friend of Cromwell, who has murdered the King!'
“赫瑟斯頓先生，我不理解您，”愛德華說，“您是個(gè)好人——但您卻是克倫威爾一邊的，是他殺害了國(guó)王！”
Edward, you are young and you can't remember the troubles in England because of King Charles. He never listened to Parliament, he did only what he wanted, and the people were very angry. They fought because they wanted to be free. But now Cromwell and his friends will listen to nobody. They have murdered the King, and they are worse than he ever was. One day the people of England will be free again. But for now we can't speak of these things openly — it's too dangerous.'
“愛德華，你年紀(jì)小，不記得國(guó)王查理給英國(guó)造成的問題。他從來不聽議會(huì)的意見，只做自己想做的事，人民都很憤怒。人們作戰(zhàn)是因?yàn)樗麄兿胍杂?。但是現(xiàn)在克倫威爾和支持他的那幫人誰的話也不聽，他們殺害了國(guó)王，他們比國(guó)王以前還壞?？傆幸惶煊?guó)人民會(huì)再次自由的。但是現(xiàn)在我們不能公開說這些事——這太危險(xiǎn)了。”
Thank you, sir,' said Edward quietly. 'I understand you better now. I'll try to be careful, because I want to fight against Cromwell when the time is right.'
“謝謝您，先生，”愛德華輕輕地說，“現(xiàn)在我能理解您多一點(diǎn)兒了。我會(huì)盡量小心的，因?yàn)槲蚁氲葧r(shí)機(jī)適當(dāng)?shù)臅r(shí)候反擊克倫威爾。”
Mr Hetherstone looked kindly at Edward. 'Now, I want to help you. You know that you were born for better things than a forester's life. I would like you to be my secretary and live at my house. I will pay you and you can help your family. Don't answer me now. Talk to your brother about it first.'
赫瑟斯頓先生親切地看著愛德華。“現(xiàn)在，我想幫助你。你知道，你生來就該擁有比護(hù)林人更好的生活。我希望你可以做我的秘書，住在我家。我會(huì)付給你酬勞，你可以幫助你的家人?，F(xiàn)在別答復(fù)我，先和你弟弟商量一下。”
Alice and Edith made dinner, and they all ate together. Patience enjoyed the farm very much, and she liked Alice and Edith. 'We shall all be firends,' she said when they said goodbye. And she smiled her beautiful smile.
艾麗斯和伊迪絲做了晚飯，他們都在一起吃了飯。佩興斯非常喜歡農(nóng)場(chǎng)，也喜歡艾麗斯和伊迪絲。“我們大家都會(huì)成為朋友的。”他們道別時(shí)她說道，并且露出甜美的微笑。
Later, Edward talked to Humphrey. 'What shall I do? I want to be a soldier, not a secretary,' he said.
隨后，愛德華和漢弗萊談了這件事。“我該怎么辦呢？我想成為一名士兵，而不是秘書。”他說。
You're too young,' said Humphrey. 'I like working on the farm, and now I have Pablo to help me. I know that you want to get out into the world, but for now you must take this job. Mr Hetherstone will be a good friend to us all.'
“你太年輕了，”漢弗萊說，“我喜歡在農(nóng)場(chǎng)干活，而且現(xiàn)在我有帕布洛幫忙。我知道你想到外面的世界去，但是目前你必須接受這份工作。赫瑟斯頓先生會(huì)和我們都成為好朋友的。”
So Edward bought a black suit and a tall hat, kissed his sisters goodbye, and went to live in Mr Hetherstone's cottage. Every morning he wrote letters for Mr Hetherstone, and every afternoon he spent time with his daughter. He began to like Patience very much. Every week he rode across the forest to see his family. Sometimes Patience went with him, to visit Alice and Edith.
于是愛德華買了一套黑色禮服和一頂高帽子，與他的妹妹們吻別后，就搬到赫瑟斯頓先生家里去了。每天早上他替赫瑟斯頓先生草擬信件，下午就和他女兒待在一起。他開始非常喜歡佩興斯了。他每周都騎馬穿過森林回去看望他的家人，有時(shí)候佩興斯和他一起去看望艾麗斯和伊迪絲。
And so a year and more went by. The next winter there was a lot of snow and travelling was difficult. But in the world outside, things were happening, and news came to Mr Hetherstone in the spring.
就這樣一年多過去了。第二年冬天經(jīng)常下雪，出行很困難。但是在外面的世界，發(fā)生了一些事情，消息是在春天傳到赫瑟斯頓先生這里的。
The King's son has arrived in Scotland and is now King Charles Ⅱ,' he told Edward. 'He's coming south with his army to England, and I think the time is right for you to ride north and meet him. I'll give you letters to some friends who will help you.'
“國(guó)王的兒子已經(jīng)到了蘇格蘭，現(xiàn)在是國(guó)王查理二世，”他告訴愛德華，“他正和他的軍隊(duì)往南向英格蘭這邊來，我想這是你騎馬北上與他會(huì)合的適當(dāng)時(shí)機(jī)了。我會(huì)為你寫幾封信給一些朋友，他們會(huì)幫你的。”
And so the next morning Edward said goodbye to Patience and kissed her hand. She cried to see him go. Then, with his father's sword by his side, Edward rode away on Mr Hetherstone's black horse, to fight for the King at last.
于是，第二天早上愛德華向佩興斯告別，吻了她的手。她哭著目送他離開。就這樣，愛德華把他父親的劍帶在身邊，騎著赫瑟斯頓先生的黑馬出發(fā)了，他終于能夠去為國(guó)王而戰(zhàn)了。
