書蟲四級《華盛頓廣場》：4.莫里斯·湯森求職

4.Morris Townsend looks for a position

4．莫里斯·湯森求職

If it were true that Catherine was in love, she was certainly very quiet about it. She had told Morris Townsend that she would not mention him to her father, and so she said nothing about Morris's continued visits. It was only polite, of course, for Morris to visit after the dinner at Washington Square, and only natural for him to continue visiting.

如果凱瑟琳真的戀愛了的話，那么她對這件事確實很低調。她告訴過莫里斯·湯森她不會向父親提到他，所以對于莫里斯接下來的造訪她只字未提。當然，莫里斯在華盛頓廣場晚宴后來拜訪只是出于禮貌，而他繼續(xù)來訪也很自然。

These visits had quickly become the most important thing in Catherine's life. She was very happy. She did not yet know what the future would bring, and she was too modest to expect anything. She was just grateful for the present—the sound of his voice, the words he spoke to her, the expression of his face.

這些來訪很快就成為凱瑟琳生活中最重要的事情。她非常開心。她還不知道未來會怎樣，而且她太羞怯，也不敢奢望什么。她只是為現在的狀況而心懷感激——他的聲音，他對她說的話，他臉上的表情。

Doctor Sloper suspected Morris Townsend's visits, and noticed how quiet Catherine had become.

斯洛珀醫(yī)生對莫里斯·湯森的來訪有所察覺，也注意到凱瑟琳變得多么安靜。

What is going on in this house?' he asked his sister.

“這幢房子里發(fā)生了什么事？”他問他姐姐。

Going on, Austin?' said Mrs Penniman.

“發(fā)生了什么事，奧斯??？”彭尼曼夫人說。

Why haven't you told me that Mr Morris Townsend is coming to the house four or five times a week? I am away all day, and I see nothing.'

“你們?yōu)槭裁床桓嬖V我莫里斯·湯森先生一周要來這里四五次呢？我整天都不在家，什么也看不到。”

Mrs Penniman thought for a moment. 'Dear Austin,' she said at last, 'I cannot tell a secret.'

彭尼曼夫人想了想。“親愛的奧斯汀，”她最后說，“我不能把秘密說出來。”

Whose secret? Catherine's? Mr Townsend's? If it is his, I think it is extremely foolish of you to have secrets with young men. You don't know where they will lead you.'

“誰的秘密？凱瑟琳的嗎？還是湯森先生的？如果是他的，我想你和年輕男人有秘密實在是太愚蠢了。你不知道他們會把你引向哪里。”

I don't know what you mean,' said Mrs Penniman. 'I take a great interest in Mr Townsend; I don't hide that. But that is all.'

“我不明白你的意思，”彭尼曼夫人說，“我對湯森先生很感興趣；我并不否認。不過僅此而已。”

It is quite enough. And what do you find so interesting about Mr Townsend? His good looks?'

“這就夠了。你覺得湯森先生哪里有趣？他英俊的外貌嗎？”

His misfortunes, Austin. I cannot tell you his story, but he would tell it to you himself, if he thought you would listen to him kindly.'

“他的不幸遭遇，奧斯汀。我不能跟你講他的經歷，不過如果他認為你會友好地聽他說話的話，他自己會告訴你的。”

The Doctor gave a laugh. 'I shall ask him very kindly to leave Catherine alone.'

醫(yī)生笑了起來：“我會很友好地請他離開凱瑟琳。”

Catherine probably says kinder things to him than that!'

“凱瑟琳也許會對他說些比這好聽的話！”

Has she said that she loved him?—do you mean that?'

“她說過她愛他嗎？——你想說的是這個嗎？”

Mrs Penniman stared at the floor. 'She doesn't talk to me about him. I think she is very happy; that is all I can say.'

彭尼曼夫人盯著地板：“她沒和我談過他。我想她很開心；我只能說這么多。”

Townsend wants to marry her—is that what you mean?'

“湯森想和她結婚——你是這個意思嗎？”

He admires Catherine greatly,' said Mrs Penniman. 'And he says the most charming things about her.'

“他很喜歡凱瑟琳，”彭尼曼夫人說，“而且對她贊不絕口。”

And these misfortunes that you refuse to tell me about—did they make him poor?'

“你拒絕告訴我的這些不幸遭遇——他是因此才落魄的嗎？”

It is a long story,' said Mrs Penniman, 'and all I can say is that he has been wild in the past. But he has paid for it.'

“說來話長，”彭尼曼夫人說，“我能說的就是他過去曾經荒唐過一陣子。但他已經為這付出了代價。”

The Doctor smoked his cigar in silence, then said, 'I am told he lives with his sister, and does nothing for himself.'

醫(yī)生默默地抽著雪茄，然后說：“我聽說他和他姐姐住在一起，可自己卻游手好閑。”

He is looking very seriously for a position,' said Mrs Penniman. 'He hopes every day to find one.'

“他正在很認真地謀職，”彭尼曼夫人說，“他天天都盼著能找到個職位。”

Exactly. He is looking for it here, over there in the front parlour—the position of husband of a weak woman with a large fortune. That would suit him perfectly.'

“的確。他是在這里找他的位置，就在客廳的前廳——當一個性格懦弱、又頗有家產的女人的丈夫。那對于他來說絕對合適。”

Mrs Penniman got up and looked at her brother a little angrily. 'My dear Austin,' she said, 'you are making a great mistake if you think that Catherine is a weak woman!' And with this she walked away.

彭尼曼夫人站起身來，有點兒憤怒地看著她弟弟。“我親愛的奧斯汀，”她說，“如果你認為凱瑟琳是個懦弱的女人，那你就大錯特錯了！”說完，她就走了。

The family in Washington Square spent every Sunday evening at Mrs Almond's house. On the Sunday after his conversation with Mrs Penniman, Doctor Sloper went off to another room to talk to his brother-in-law about business. He came back later to find that Morris Townsend had arrived, and was sitting on a sofa beside Catherine. There were several friends of the family present. and it was easy for the two young people to sit and talk privately. The Doctor saw at once, however, that his daughter was pain fully conscious that he was watching her. She sat very still, with her eyes down, blushing deeply.

華盛頓廣場的這家人每個星期天的晚上都要到阿爾蒙德夫人家去。和彭尼曼夫人談過話之后的那個周日，斯洛珀醫(yī)生到另一間房間里和他妹夫談論生意上的事情。等他后來回來的時候，發(fā)現莫里斯·湯森已經來了，而且正和凱瑟琳一起坐在沙發(fā)上。到場的還有幾位家里的朋友，所以這兩個年輕人坐在一起說悄悄話很容易。不過，醫(yī)生立刻就發(fā)現他女兒已經痛苦地意識到他在觀察她。她一動不動地坐在那里，眼睛朝下望著，臉漲得通紅。

Doctor Sloper felt so sorry for her that he turned his eyes away. 'Poor Catherine,' he thought. 'It must be very nice for her to have a beautiful young man court her. Perhaps I should give him another chance.'

斯洛珀醫(yī)生真替她感到難過，所以就把眼光移開了。“可憐的凱瑟琳，”他想，“對于她來說，有個英俊的年輕人追求她一定很好。也許我應該再給他一次機會。”

A little later, when Morris Townsend was standing alone, the Doctor crossed the room towards him. The young man looked at him, with a little smile.

過了一會兒，當莫里斯·湯森一個人站著的時候，醫(yī)生穿過房間朝他走去。年輕人面帶微笑地看著他。

He's amazingly conceited!' thought the Doctor. Then he said, 'I am told you are looking for a position.'

“他可真夠虛偽的！”醫(yī)生想。然后他說：“我聽說你正在找工作。”

Yes, I should like some work,' Morris Townsend replied. 'But I fear that I have no special talents.'

“是的，我希望找點兒事做。”莫里斯·湯森回答道，“但我恐怕沒什么特殊才能。”

You are too modest,' said the Doctor. 'I know nothing of you except what I see; but I see by your face that you are extremely intelligent.'

“你太謙虛了，”醫(yī)生說，“我對你的了解就是我所看到的情況；不過從你的臉上我看得出你很聰明。”

Ah,' Townsend said, 'I don't know what to answer when you say that. You advise me, then, not to give up hope?'

“啊，”湯森說，“您這么說我真不知該怎么回答。那么，您是建議我不要放棄希望嘍？”

The question seemed to have a double meaning, and the Doctor looked at him for a moment before he answered. 'No young man should ever give up hope. If he does not succeed in one thing, he can try another.'

這個問題似乎有著雙重含義，醫(yī)生看了他一會兒才回答：“年輕人永遠也不應該放棄希望。如果他一件事做不成功還可以做另一件事。”

Morris Townsend stared down at his shoes. 'Were you kindly suggesting a position for me?' he then asked, looking up and smiling.

莫里斯·湯森低頭望著自己的鞋子。“您是在好意向我推薦一個職位嗎？”他接著抬起頭笑著問道。

This annoyed the Doctor, and he paused for a moment. Then he said, 'I sometimes hear of possibilities. How would you feel, for example, about leaving New York?'

這令醫(yī)生頗為惱怒，他停了半晌。然后他說道：“我有時能聽到一些機會。比如，你覺得離開紐約怎么樣？”

I am afraid I could not do that. I must find my fortune in this city. You see,' added Morris Townsend, 'I have responsibilities here. I have a sister who depends on me.'

“我恐怕不能那么做。我一定要在這個城市發(fā)家致富。您看，”莫里斯·湯森又加上一句，“我在這兒還有責任。我有個姐姐需要我養(yǎng)活。”

Family feeling is very important,' said Doctor Sloper. 'I often think there is not enough of it in our city. I think I have heard of your sister.'

“家庭感情是很重要，”斯洛珀醫(yī)生說，“我總覺得我們這個城市里這種感情并不多。我想我聽說過你姐姐。”

It is possible, but I doubt it. She lives so very quietly.'

“有可能，但我懷疑您是否真的聽說過她。她生活得這么安靜。”

As quietly, you mean,' the Doctor went on, with a short laugh, 'as a lady may do with several small children.'

“你的意思是，安靜得就好像，”醫(yī)生短促地笑了一聲，繼續(xù)說，“就好像一位帶著幾個年幼孩子的女士應該做的那樣。”

I help with my little nephews and nieces,' said Morris Townsend. 'I am their teacher.'

“我?guī)椭鴰⊥馍屯馍?rdquo;莫里斯·湯森說道，“我是他們的老師。”

That is very good, but it is not a career.'

“那很好，不過那不是個職業(yè)。”

It won't make my fortune,' agreed the young man.

“這不會讓我致富。”年輕人表示贊同。

Later in the evening the Doctor spoke to Mrs Almond. 'I should like to see his sister,' he said. 'Mrs Montgomery. Mr Townsend tells me he teaches her children.'

那天晚上晚些時候，醫(yī)生和阿爾蒙德夫人談了談。“我想見見他姐姐，”他說，“蒙哥馬利夫人。湯森先生告訴我說他教她的孩子們。”

I will try and arrange it for you,' said Mrs Almond. 'I must say, he doesn't look in the least like a schoolteacher.'

“我試著替你安排一下，”阿爾蒙德夫人說，“我得說，他看上去可一點兒也不像個老師。”

And when Morris Townsend spoke to Catherine again later, he did not sound like a schoolteacher either.

當莫里斯·湯森后來又和凱瑟琳說話的時候，他聽上去也不像個老師。

Will you meet me somewhere tomorrow?' he murmured. 'I have something particular to say to you—very particular.'

“明天你可以和我找個地方見面嗎？”他低聲說道，“我有些特別的事情要跟你說——很特別。”

Can't you come to the house? Can't you say it there?' Catherine asked, lifting her frightened eyes.

“你不能來家里嗎？你不能在那里說嗎？”凱瑟琳抬起驚恐的眼睛問道。

Townsend shook his head sadly. 'I cannot enter your doors again. Your father has insulted me.'

湯森難過地搖了搖頭：“我再也不能進你的家門了。你父親侮辱了我。”

Insulted you?'

“侮辱你？”

He dislikes me because I am poor.'

“他因為我窮就不喜歡我。”

Oh, you are wrong—you misunderstood him,' said Catherine, getting up from her chair.

“哦，你錯了——你誤會他了。”凱瑟琳從椅子上站起來說道。

He laughed at me for having no position. I took it quietly; but only because he belongs to you.'

“他嘲笑我沒有工作。我平靜地接受了；不過那只是因為他是你父親。”

I don't know what he thinks,' said Catherine. 'I am sure he means to be kind. You must not be too proud.'

“我不知道他是怎么想的，”凱瑟琳說，“我相信他的本意是好的。你不應該太驕傲。”

I will be proud only of you, my dearest,' said Morris, and Catherine blushed. 'Will you meet me tomorrow evening in the garden in the Square? It is very quiet there—no one will see us.'

“我只會因你而驕傲，我最親愛的。”莫里斯說，凱瑟琳臉紅了。“明天晚上你可以去廣場的花園里和我見面嗎？那里很安靜——不會有人看到我們的。”

Catherine hesitated. Young ladies did not go out alone in the evenings to meet young men in gardens. 'I am not—not very brave,' she said.

凱瑟琳猶豫了。年輕女士是不會在晚上獨自到花園里和年輕男子相會的。“我不——不是很勇敢。”她說。

Ah, then, if you are afraid, what shall we do?'

“啊，那么，如果你害怕，我們該怎么辦？”

She hesitated again; then at last said, 'You must come to the house. I am not afraid of that.'

她又猶豫起來；最后她說道：“你一定要到家里來。我不擔心那個。”

I would rather meet in the Square,' the young man said. 'You know how empty it is, often. No one will see us.'

“我寧愿在廣場見面，”那年輕人說，“你知道那里平常有多空。不會有人看到我們的。”

I don't care who sees us. But leave me now.'

“我不在乎誰看到我們。不過你現在就走吧。”

He left her. He had got what he wanted.

他離開了她。他已經得到了想要的東西。

Catherine met the young man next day in the place she had chosen—among the elegant furniture of a New York parlour. Mrs Penniman, as usual, left the two young people alone to enjoy their romantic meeting.

第二天，凱瑟琳和這個年輕人在她選的地方會面了——就在紐約的一間擺著高雅家具的客廳里。像平常一樣，彭尼曼夫人讓兩個年輕人獨自待在一起享受他們浪漫的約會。

We must decide what to do,' said Morris.

“我們必須決定該怎么辦。”莫里斯說。

He had already, on earlier visits, told Catherine that he loved her. He had put his arm around her and taken kisses, which had made her heart beat very fast. She felt deeply, wonderfully happy, but she was also confused and a little frightened. After Morris had kissed her, on his last visit, she had begged him to go away, to let her think. She felt his kisses on her lips for a long time afterwards, and she could not think clearly at all. What would she do if, as she feared, her father told her that he did not like Morris Townsend?

他已經在早先的訪問中，告訴過凱瑟琳他愛她了。他還曾經用胳膊摟著她，吻過她，那使她的心狂跳不已。她深深地體會到一種美妙的幸福感，但同時她又感到困惑并有點兒害怕。在莫里斯上一次來訪時吻過她之后，她請求他離開，讓她想一想。之后的很長時間，她都能感覺到他留在她唇上的吻，她已經完全不能清楚地想問題了。如果像她擔心的那樣，她父親對她說他不喜歡莫里斯·湯森，那她該怎么辦？

Today, however, when Morris spoke about deciding something, she felt that it was the truth, and said simply:

不過今天，當莫里斯說到要作決定的時候，她感到這種擔心是真的，所以輕描淡寫地說：

We must do our duty; we must speak to my father. I will do it tonight; you must do it tomorrow.'

“我們必須盡到責任；我們必須向我父親說明。我今晚就說；你明天必須說。”

It is very good of you to do it first,' Morris answered. 'The young man—the happy lover—usually does that.'

“你先說，這很好，”莫里斯回答道，“年輕男子——快樂的情人——通常都那么做。”

You must promise to be gentle with my father.'

“你必須答應我，要和善地對待我父親。”

I shall try,' Morris promised. 'But do you know what your father will say? He will tell you I want your money.'

“我會盡力的。”莫里斯答應道，“但是你知道你父親會說什么嗎？他會對你說我想要你的錢。”

Oh!' murmured Catherine, softly. 'How wrong he is!'

“哦！”凱瑟琳低聲道，聲音很輕，“他太不應該了！”

Morris gave her a fond little kiss.

莫里斯輕輕地給了她一個充滿愛意的吻。

I shall tell him that he is wrong,' said Catherine.

“我會告訴他，他錯了。”凱瑟琳說。

He will argue with you.'

“他會和你爭論的。”

Catherine looked at her lover for a minute, and then she said, 'I shall persuade him. But I am glad we shall be rich.'

凱瑟琳看了她的戀人一會兒，然后她說：“我會說服他的。不過我很高興我們會富有。”

Morris turned away. 'No, it's a misfortune,' he said. 'It is from that that our problems will come.'

莫里斯轉開身。“不，這是一種不幸，”他說，“這正是我們問題的根源。”

If it is the worst misfortune, we are not so unhappy. I will persuade him, and after that we shall be very glad we have money.'

“如果這就是最不幸的情況，那我們就并非那么不幸。我來說服他，之后我們就會很高興，因為我們有錢了。”

Morris listened to these sensible words in silence. 'You must speak for me on this; I cannot do it myself.'

莫里斯默默地聽著這些很實際的話。“你必須替我說這些話；我自己做不來。”

Catherine, too, was silent for a while. She looked at Morris, who was staring out of the window. 'Morris,' she said, suddenly, 'are you very sure you love me?'

凱瑟琳也沉默了一會兒。她看著莫里斯，他正凝視著窗外。“莫里斯，”她突然說，“你確實愛我嗎？”

He turned round, and came to her at once. 'My own dearest, can you doubt it?'

他轉過身來，立刻走到她跟前：“我最親愛的，你能懷疑這個嗎？”

I have only known it five days,' she said, 'but now it seems to me something I could not live without.'

“我知道這一點才五天，”她說，“但是現在我好像已經離不開它了。”

You will never need to try.' He gave a gentle laugh. Then he added, 'There is something you must tell me, too.' Catherine had closed her eyes, and kept them closed. 'You must tell me,' Morris went on, 'that if your father is against me, you will still be faithful.'

“你永遠也不需要嘗試。”他輕輕地笑了笑。然后加上一句，“你也得告訴我一件事。”凱瑟琳已經閉上了眼睛，而且一直閉著。“你必須告訴我，”莫里斯繼續(xù)說，“如果你父親反對我，你依然不會變心。”

Catherine opened her eyes and stared at him. She could give no better promise than what he read there.

凱瑟琳睜開眼睛望著他。他在那雙眼睛中讀到了她最堅定的承諾。