On our way from Springfield to Boston, a stout, black-whiskered man sat immediately in front of me, in the drawing-room car,
我們坐在一輛從斯普林菲爾德開往波士頓火車的臥鋪車廂里,一位壯碩結(jié)實(shí)、長有黑色胡須的男子恰好坐在我前面,
whose maneuvers were a source of constant amusement.
他的搞笑動(dòng)作成為車廂笑料不斷的來源。
He would get up every five minutes, hurry away to the narrow passage leading to the door of the car, and commence laughing in the most violent manner,
他總會(huì)每隔五分鐘站起,匆忙離開座位,跑向通向車廂門邊的過道,然后,肆無忌憚地開懷大笑,
continuing that healthful exercise until he observed that some one was watching him, when he would return to his seat.
直到覺察有人關(guān)注他,才會(huì)結(jié)束這種健康練習(xí),返回他的座位。
As we neared Boston these demonstrations increased in frequency and violence, but the stranger kept his seat and chuckled to himself.
當(dāng)火車接近波士頓,男人表演的頻率增加,甚至舉止更為瘋狂;一旦坐下,那男人兀自咯咯地笑著,
He shifted the position of his two portmanteaus, or placed them on the seat as if he was getting ready to leave.
不停挪動(dòng)自己兩只旅行箱的位置,或干脆將其放在座位上,似乎馬上他就會(huì)離開。
As we were at least twenty-five miles from Boston, such early preparations seemed extremely ridiculous.
當(dāng)時(shí),我們離波士頓最少還有二十五英里,如此早就做下車準(zhǔn)備,看來太滑稽好笑。
He became so excited at last that he could not keep his secret.
最后他愈加激動(dòng),好像非得找人聊天一吐為快。
Some one must be made a confidant; and as I happened to be the nearest to him, he selected me.
我碰巧坐得離他最近,亦就理所當(dāng)然地成為他情感宣泄的知己。
Turning around suddenly, and rocking himself to and fro in his chair, he said,
他突然轉(zhuǎn)過身來,在座椅里前后搖晃地開口對(duì)我說,
I have been away from home three years. Have been in Europe.
我離家已經(jīng)三年,一直待在歐洲。
My folks don't expect me for three months yet, but I got through and started.
我的老鄉(xiāng)們?nèi)聝?nèi)別指望見到我了,不過,我與他們已打過招呼了。
I telegraphed them at the last station—they've got the dispatch by this time.
我在最后離開的站臺(tái)上與他們通過話,現(xiàn)在,他們想必接到我的快件了。
As he said this he rubbed his hands, and changed the portmanteau on his left to the right, and then the one on the right to the left.
他一邊說,一邊搓著手,然后將左手的旅行箱放到右邊,右邊的換到左邊。