"It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months ago."
"這是一八九零年四月二十七日的《紀事年報》,正好是兩個月以前的。"
"Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?"
"很好。好了,威爾遜先生,請講。"
"Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead;
"唔,歇洛克·福爾摩斯先生,就是我剛才對你說的,"杰貝茲一面用手拭他的前額一面說,
"I have a small pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City.
"我在市區(qū)附近的薩克斯·科伯格廣場開了個小當鋪。
It's not a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than just give me a living.
那個買賣不大,近年來我只勉強靠它維持生活。
I used to be able to keep two assistants, but now I only keep one;
過去還有能力雇用兩個伙計,但是,現(xiàn)在只雇一個。
and I would have a job to pay him but that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the business."
就這一伙計我也雇不起啊,如果不是他為學會做這個買賣自愿只拿一半工資的話。"
"What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes.
歇洛克·福爾摩斯問道:"這位樂于助人的青年叫什么名字?"
"His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, either. It's hard to say his age.
"他名叫文森特·斯波爾丁。其實他的年紀也不小了,只是到底多大我說不上。
I should not wish a smarter assistant, Mr. Holmes;
福爾摩斯先生,我這個伙計真精明強干。
and I know very well that he could better himself and earn twice what I am able to give him.
我很清楚,他本來可以生活得更好些,賺比我付給他多一倍的工資。
But, after all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?"
可是,不管怎么講,既然他很滿意,我又何必要勸他多長幾個心眼呢?"
"Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employee who comes under the full market price.
"噢,真的?你能以低于市價的工錢雇到伙計,好象是最幸運不過的了。
It is not a common experience among employers in this age.
這在象你這樣年紀的雇主當中,可不是平常的事啊。
I don't know that your assistant is not as remarkable as your advertisement."
我不知道你的伙計是不是和你的廣告一樣很不一般。"
"Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a fellow for photography.
威爾遜先生說:"啊,他也有他的毛病。他比誰都愛照相。
Snapping away with a camera when he ought to be improving his mind,
他拿著照相機到處照,就是沒有上進心。
and then diving down into the cellar like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures.
他一照完相就急急忙忙地跑到地下室去沖洗,快得象兔子鉆洞一樣。
That is his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice in him."
這是他最大的毛病,但是,總的說來,他是個好工人,他沒有壞心眼。"