書蟲四級《華盛頓廣場》：6.凱瑟琳努力做好

6.Catherine tries to be good

6．凱瑟琳努力做好

The Doctor was surprised, and even a little disappointed, to see that Catherine did not appear to be angry or upset about what had happened. He wanted to be kind to her, but she did not seem to want or need his kindness.

醫(yī)生感到驚訝，甚至有些失望地發(fā)現(xiàn)凱瑟琳對發(fā)生的事情沒有顯出生氣或煩惱的樣子。他想對她好點兒，但她似乎不想要或不需要他的好意。

I am glad I have such a good daughter,' he said, after several days had passed.

“我很高興有這樣一個好女兒。”過了幾天之后，他說。

I am trying to be good,' she answered, turning away.

“我正努力做好。”她回答，轉身走開了。

If you have anything to say about Mr Townsend, I shall be happy to listen.'

“關于湯森先生，你要是有什么話要說，我樂意傾聽。”

Thank you,' said Catherine. 'I have nothing to say at present.'

“謝謝，”凱瑟琳說，“目前我沒什么可說的。”

He never asked her whether she had seen Morris again. She had, in fact, not seen him; she had only written him a long letter. 'I am in great trouble,' she wrote. 'Do not doubt my love for you, but let me wait a little and think.' But her thoughts were not at all clear. She could not really believe that her father would change his mind about Morris; she just hoped that in some mysterious way the situation would get better. Meanwhile, she felt she must try to be a good daughter, to be patient, and to search for a peaceful way out of their difficulty.

他從沒問過她有沒有再見過莫里斯。實際上，她沒再見到他；只給他寫過一封長信。“我現(xiàn)在麻煩很大，”她寫道，“不要懷疑我對你的愛，但讓我等一等并想一下。”但她一點兒頭緒都沒有。她不能真的相信她父親會改變對莫里斯的看法；她只是希望這種局面會奇跡般地好轉。同時，她覺得自己必須努力做個好女兒，要有耐心，還要尋求一個和平擺脫困境的方法。

She received no help from her aunt in this search. Mrs Penniman was enjoying all the excitement of the romance and had no sensible advice to offer poor Catherine. 'You must act, my dear,' she said. 'The important thing is to act.'

她沒有從姑姑那里尋求到任何幫助。彭尼曼夫人喜歡浪漫故事中所有激動人心的事情，可是她卻不能給可憐的凱瑟琳提出任何明智的建議。“你必須采取行動，親愛的，”她說，“重要的是行動。”

Mrs Penniman had also written to Morris, and had arranged to meet him secretly in a café on the other side of the city. She had not told her niece about this meeting, and so was a little embarrassed when Morris arrived and asked if she had a message for him from Catherine.

彭尼曼夫人也給莫里斯寫了信，并且安排在城市另一頭的一家咖啡廳里和他秘密見面。她沒有告訴侄女這次會面的事情，所以當莫里斯到了之后問她有沒有凱瑟琳給他的口信時，她有些尷尬。

Not exactly a message,' she said. 'I didn't ask her for one. But she will be true to you—until death.'

“算不上口信，”她說，“我沒向她要口信。不過她對你是真心的——至死不變。”

Oh, I hope it won't come to that,' said Morris.

“哦，我希望不至于這樣。”莫里斯說。

My brother will not listen to argument.'

“我弟弟聽不進意見。”

Do you mean he won't change his mind?'

“您的意思是他不會改變主意嗎？”

Mrs Penniman was silent for a moment, then she smiled at Morris. 'Marry Catherine first, and tell him after wards!' she cried. 'That is the way I see it: a secret marriage.'

彭尼曼夫人沉默了一會兒，然后對莫里斯微微一笑。“先跟凱瑟琳結婚，然后再告訴他！”她大聲說道，“我就是這么想的：秘密結婚。”

The young man stared at her. 'Do you advise me to do that? To marry her without her father's consent?'

年輕人盯著她：“您建議我這么做嗎？不經她父親的同意就和她結婚？”

She was a little frightened, but went on, 'If you marry Catherine, you will show my brother that he has been wrong about you. He will see that it is not just because you like—you like the money.'

她有些吃驚，但還是繼續(xù)說：“如果你和凱瑟琳結婚，那就是向我弟弟表明他對你的看法是錯的。他會明白那不僅僅是因為你喜歡——你喜歡錢。”

Morris hesitated, then said, 'But I do like the money.'

莫里斯猶豫了一會兒，然后說：“不過我的確喜歡錢。”

But you don't like it more than Catherine. And when he realizes that, he will think it is his duty to help you.'

“可是你不會喜歡它甚于喜歡凱瑟琳。當他明白了這一點，他就會覺得有責任幫助你。”

Morris looked for some moments at the floor. At last he looked up and said, 'Do you think there is already a will leaving money to Catherine?'

莫里斯盯著地板看了一會兒。最后他抬起頭來說：“您認為他已經立了遺囑把錢留給凱瑟琳嗎？”

I suppose so—even doctors must die,' she replied.

“我想是的——就是醫(yī)生也會死的。”她回答道。

And you believe he would certainly change it—if I married Catherine?'

“那么您認為他一定會更改遺囑嗎——如果我和凱瑟琳結婚的話？”

Yes, but then he would change it back again.'

“是的，但以后他還會改回來。”

But I can't depend on that,' said Morris.

“可是我不能指望那個。”莫里斯說。

Do you want to depend on it?' Mrs Penniman asked.

“你想指望它嗎？”彭尼曼夫人問道。

He blushed a little. 'I do not want to injure Catherine.'

他有點兒臉紅：“我不想傷害凱瑟琳。”

You must not be afraid! Be afraid of nothing, and everything will go well.'

“你不必害怕！什么都別怕，一切都會好的。”

Mrs Penniman told Catherine that evening that she had had a meeting with Morris Townsend, and for almost the first time in her life Catherine felt angry.

那天晚上彭尼曼夫人跟凱瑟琳講了她和莫里斯·湯森會面的事情，幾乎是平生第一次，凱瑟琳感到生氣了。

Why did you see him? I don't think it was right.'

“您為什么要見他？我覺得這樣不對。”

I was so sorry for him—and you wouldn't see him, my dear,' said Aunt Lavinia.

“我真為他難過——而你又不愿見他，親愛的。”拉維尼婭姑姑說。

I have not seen him because my father has forbidden it,' Catherine said, very simply.

“我沒見他是因為父親不許我見他。”凱瑟琳說得很簡單。

This annoyed Mrs Penniman and she began to read the evening newspaper, so that Catherine would have to ask her about her meeting with Morris. But it was several minutes before Catherine finally spoke. 'What did he say?' she asked.

這令彭尼曼夫人頗為不快，所以她開始看晚報，這樣凱瑟琳就不得不問她和莫里斯見面的事情。但過了好幾分鐘，凱瑟琳才終于開口。“他說了些什么？”她問。

He said he is ready to marry you any day.'

“他說他隨時準備和你結婚。”

Catherine made no answer to this, and after a few minutes Mrs Penniman added that Morris looked very tired.

凱瑟琳對此沒有作答，過了幾分鐘，彭尼曼夫人補充說莫里斯看起來很疲倦。

Catherine got up from her seat and went to the fire.

凱瑟琳從座位上站了起來，走向壁爐。

Mrs Penniman hesitated for a moment. 'He said he was afraid of only one thing—that you would be afraid.'

彭尼曼夫人猶豫了一會兒：“他說他只擔心一件事——那就是你會害怕。”

The girl turned very quickly. 'Afraid of what?'

女孩兒很快轉過身來：“害怕什么？”

Afraid of your father.'

“害怕你父親。”

Catherine turned back to the fire again. After a pause, she said, 'I am afraid of my father.'

凱瑟琳又轉向壁爐。停了一會兒，她說：“我的確害怕我父親。”

Mrs Penniman got up quickly from her chair and went to her niece. 'Are you going to give him up, then?'

彭尼曼夫人很快地從椅子里站起來走向她的侄女：“那么你打算放棄他嗎？”

For some time Catherine stared at the fire and did not move. Then she lifted her head and looked at her aunt. 'Why do you make it so difficult for me?' she said. 'I don't think you understand or that you know me. You had better not have any more meetings with Mr Townsend. I don't think it is right. My father wouldn't like it, if he knew.'

有那么一會兒，凱瑟琳盯著爐火一動不動。然后她抬起頭看著姑姑。“為什么您把事情弄得這么令我為難？”她問道，“我覺得您并不理解我，也不了解我。您最好別再和湯森先生碰面了。我認為這樣不對。我父親要是知道了會不喜歡的。”

And you will inform him—is that what you mean? Well, I am not afraid of my brother. But I shall not try to help again—you are too ungrateful. I am disappointed, but your father will not be. Good night.' And with this Mrs Penniman went off to her room.

“而且你還會告訴他——你是這個意思嗎？好吧，我可不怕我弟弟。但我也不會再幫忙了——你太忘恩負義了。我很失望，但你父親不會。晚安。”說完，彭尼曼夫人就回自己的房間去了。

Catherine sat alone by the parlour fire, lost in her thoughts, for more than an hour. She felt that to displease her father was a terrible thing, but she had made a plan and must go on with it. Her father was in his study, and it was eleven o'clock when she finally knocked on his door. Even when he answered her, she was too afraid to go in. After a while he came and opened the door for her.

凱瑟琳一個人坐在客廳的壁爐邊，陷入了沉思，就這樣過了一個多小時。她覺得惹父親生氣是件可怕的事情，但她已經有了一個計劃，必須進行下去。她父親在書房里，她終于敲響他的門的時候，已經是11點了。甚至當他應聲的時候，她都害怕得不敢進去。過了一會兒他過來給她開門。

What's the matter?' asked the Doctor. 'You are standing there like a ghost!'

“怎么了？”醫(yī)生問道，“你站在那里像個幽靈！”

She went into the room, and her father looked at her for a few moments, waiting for her to speak. He then went back to his writing desk and sat down, turning his back on his daughter. At last she began:

她走進房間，她父親看了她一會兒，等著她開口。接著他回到寫字臺邊坐下來，轉過身背對著女兒。最后她終于開口了：

You told me that if I had something more to say about Mr Townsend, you would be glad to listen to it.'

“您說過如果我還想說說湯森先生，您會樂意傾聽。”

Exactly, my dear,' said the Doctor, not turning round.

“沒錯，親愛的。”醫(yī)生頭也沒回地說道。

I would like to see him again.'

“我想再見他一面。”

To say goodbye?' asked the Doctor.

“跟他道別？”醫(yī)生問。

No, father, not that; at least not for ever.'

“不，爸爸，不是那樣；至少不是永別。”

You have not finished with him, then?'

“那么你還沒和他了斷？”

No,' said Catherine. 'I have asked him to—to wait.'

“沒有，”凱瑟琳說，“我要他——等等。”

Her father, turning round in his chair, looked at her with his cold eyes, and she was afraid he was going to be angry.

他父親在椅子里轉過身，眼睛冷冷地望著她，她擔心他馬上就要發(fā)火了。

You are a dear, faithful child,' he said, at last. 'Come here to your father.' And he got up, holding his hands out towards her.

“你是一個可愛、忠實的孩子，”他最后說，“到爸爸這兒來。”然后他站起身，朝她伸出手。

The words were a surprise, and they gave her great happiness. She went to him, and he put his arm round her gently, and kissed her. After this he said, 'Do you wish to make me very happy?'

這些話出乎她的意料，令她感到很幸福。她走到他跟前，他輕輕地伸出胳膊摟住她，并吻了吻她。之后他說：“你希望我非常高興嗎？”

I would like to—but I am afraid I can't,' Catherine answered. 'Do you want me to give him up?'

“我愿意——但我恐怕不能。”凱瑟琳回答道，“您想讓我放棄他？”

Yes, I want you to give him up.'

“是的，我想讓你放棄他。”

He still held her, looking into her face. She looked away and they were both silent for a long time.

他繼續(xù)摟著她，看著她的臉。她把目光移開，兩人都沉默了很長時間。

You are happier than I am, father,' she said at last.

“您比我更快樂，爸爸。”她終于說。

I have no doubt that you are unhappy now. But it is better to be unhappy for three months, than miserable for the rest of your life.'

“你現(xiàn)在不快樂，這我毫不懷疑。但三個月的痛苦比起后半生的不幸要好。”

Yes, if that were true,' said Catherine.

“是的，如果真是那樣的話。”凱瑟琳說。

It is true, I am sure of that.' When she did not answer, he went on, 'Don't you believe that I want the best for your future? I know how bad men can be—how false.'

“是真的，我肯定。”趁她還沒回答，他繼續(xù)說，“難道你不相信我想讓你擁有一個最美好的將來嗎？我知道男人會有多壞——有多虛偽。”

She moved away from him. 'He is not false! What has he done—what do you know?'

她從他身邊走開。“他不虛偽！他做了什么——你知道什么？”

He has never done anything, that is the problem—he is lazy and selfish and thinks only of himself.'

“他什么事都沒做過，這就是問題所在了——他又懶惰又自私，而且只為自己著想。”

Oh, father, don't say bad things about him!' she cried.

“噢，爸爸，別說他的壞話！”她大聲說。

No, that would be a great mistake. You may do what you choose,' he added, turning away.

“不，那將是個極大的錯誤。你可以做你選擇的事情。”他添了一句，轉開身去。

If I see him again, will you forgive me?'

“如果我再見他，您會原諒我嗎？”

No, I will not.'

“不，我不會。”

I only want to see him once—to tell him to wait.'

“我只想再見他一面——讓他等等。”

To wait for what?'

“等什么？”

Until you know him better—until you consent.'

“直到您更了解他——直到您同意。”

I know him well enough, and I shall never consent.'

“我對他了解的夠多了，而且我永遠也不會答應。”

But we can wait a long time,' said poor Catherine.

“但我們可以等很長時間。”可憐的凱瑟琳說。

Of course, you can wait until I die, if you like,' said the Doctor, quietly. 'Your engagement will have one delightful effect upon you; it will make you extremely impatient for my death. And think how impatient he will be, too.'

“當然，如果你們愿意的話，你們可以一直等到我死。”醫(yī)生平靜地說，“你訂婚對你會有一種可喜的作用；它會使你急切地盼著我死。再想想他會有多著急。”

Catherine gave a cry of natural horror and stood staring. Her father's words had a terrible ugliness, and she did not know what to say. Suddenly, however, an idea came to her.

凱瑟琳不由得發(fā)出一聲驚恐的叫聲，站在那里目瞪口呆。父親的話里有一種可怕而丑陋的東西，她不知道該說什么好。不過，她突然有了個主意。

If I don't marry before your death, I will not after,' she said. 'But I think that one day Morris might persuade you.'

“如果您去世之前我沒嫁給他，之后我也不會了，”她說，“但我想總有一天莫里斯可能會說服您。”

I shall never speak to him again. I dislike him too much,' said the Doctor. 'And you can tell Mr Townsend when you see him again that if you marry without my consent, I will not leave you a penny of my money. That will interest him more than anything else you can tell him.'

“我不會再跟他說話了。我太不喜歡他了。”醫(yī)生說，“你要是再見到湯森先生，你可以告訴他如果你們未經我同意就結婚，我的錢一個子兒也不會留給你。你跟他講什么都不如這更讓他感興趣。”

She looked at her father, and her eyes filled with tears.

她看著父親，眼中噙滿淚水。

I think I will see him, then,' she murmured.

“那么我想我會見他的。”她低聲說道。

Exactly as you choose. But if you see him, you will be an ungrateful, cruel child; and you will give your old father the greatest pain of his life.'

“隨你的便。但如果你見他，你就是個忘恩負義、冷酷無情的孩子；你會給你的老父親帶來一生中最大的痛苦。”

The tears then ran down Catherine's face, and she moved towards her father with a little cry. But he only took her by the arm, went to the door, and opened it for her to go out.

淚水從凱瑟琳的臉上滑落，她輕輕地哭著走向父親。但他只是拉著她的胳膊，走到門口，把門打開讓她出去。

After she had left, he walked around his study for a while, a little annoyed but also amused. 'My word,' he said to himself. 'I believe she will go on with it.' He looked forward to seeing what would happen next.

她離開以后，他在書房里踱了一會兒，既有些生氣，又有些好笑。“依我看，”他自言自語道，“我相信她會繼續(xù)下去的。”他等著看接下來會發(fā)生什么事。