那天晚飯時,布里克先生讓路易斯坐到他右邊的榮譽席上。
When the meal was over, he rose and made aspeech.
吃完飯后,他站起來發(fā)表了一個演說。
"We all saw what happened on the lake today.
“我們?nèi)伎匆娏私裉煸诤习l(fā)生的事情。
Applegate Skinner broke a camp rule, took a canoeout alone, and upset.
阿普爾蓋特·斯金納違犯了一條營規(guī),擅自劃獨木舟外出,還翻了船。
He was drowning when Louis the Swan, rapidly outdistancing all other campers,
就在他即將被淹死之際,天鵝路易斯飛速地趕超了其他的營員,
reached his side, held him up, and saved his life.
來到他身邊,把他托起來,救了他的命。
Let us all give Louis a standing ovation!"
讓我們?nèi)w起立,為路易斯鼓掌歡呼!”
The boys and the counselors stood up. They cheered and clapped and beat on tin plates withspoons.
男孩子和輔導(dǎo)員們站了起來。他們鼓掌歡呼著,還用勺子敲打著盤子。
Then they sat down.
然后他們才又坐下來。
Louis looked embarrassed.
路易斯顯得有些不知所措了。
"And now, Applegate," said Mr.Brickle,
“現(xiàn)在,阿普爾蓋特,”布里克先生說,
"I hope the rescue has caused you to change your opinion of birds.
“我希望這場援救已經(jīng)改變了你對鳥類的看法。
The first day you were here in camp, you told us you didn't care for birds.
來到夏令營的第一天,你曾告訴我們說你不喜歡鳥兒。
How do you feel now?"
你現(xiàn)在的感覺如何?”
"I feel sick at my stomach," replied Applegate.
“我感覺我的肚子還是不舒服。” 阿普爾蓋特回答。
"It makes you sick at your stomach to almost drown.
“當(dāng)你幾乎被淹死時你的肚子會感到很不好受的。
My stomach still has a lot of lake water in it."
我肚子里還存著很多湖水呢。”
"Yes, but what about birds?" asked Mr. Brickle.
“是的,可你現(xiàn)在對鳥類怎么看呢?”布里克先生問。
Applegate thought hard for a moment.
阿普爾蓋特使勁想了一會兒。
"Well," he said, "I'm grateful to Louis for saving my life.
“嗯,”他說,“路易斯救了我的命,我很感激他。
But I still don't like birds."
可我還是不喜歡鳥類。”
"Really?" said Mr. Brickle. "That's quite remarkable.
“真的嗎?”布里克先生說。“這有點太奇怪了。
Even though a bird saved you from drowning, you don't care for birds?
即使一只鳥兒在你快淹死的時候救了你,你還是不喜歡鳥類?
What have you got against birds?"
你為什么要反對鳥類呢?”
"Nothing," replied Applegate. "I have nothing against them. I just don't care for them."
“沒什么,”阿普爾蓋特回答,“我沒什么反對他們的理由。我僅僅是不喜歡他們而已。”
"O.k.," said Mr. Brickle. "I guess we'll just have to leave it at that.
“OK,”布里克先生說,“我想我們只好談到這里為止了。
But the camp is proud of Louis.
但夏令營卻為路易斯而驕傲。
He is our most distinguished counselor--a great trumpet player, a great bird, a powerfulswimmer, and a fine friend.
他是我們最杰出的輔導(dǎo)員——一個偉大的號手,一只偉大的鳥,一個強健的游泳家,還是一個極好的朋友。
He deserves a medal.
他應(yīng)該得到一枚獎?wù)隆?/p>
In fact, I intend to write a letter recommending that he be given the Lifesaving Medal."
實際上,我正打算寫一封信,推舉他為救生獎?wù)碌墨@得者。”