🔊 November was a dismally wet month that year, and the days seemed to creep slowly. Mr. March wrote seldom, and not very cheerfully, for the hardships of a soldier's life were beginning to tell upon him, and the dread of sickness was added to the weariness of waiting and the anxiety for those at home. The girls felt this, and each tried to bear her own burden bravely, and to lighten that of the others as much as possible.

那年十一月是个阴郁多雨的月份,日子仿佛在缓缓爬行。马奇先生很少来信,即便来信,语气也并不欢快,因为军旅生活的艰辛开始侵蚀他的身体,在等待的疲惫和对家中亲人的忧虑之外,又平添了对病痛的恐惧。女孩们察觉到了这一点,每个人都努力勇敢地承担自己的重负,并尽可能地为彼此分担。

🔊

dismally /ˈdɪzməli/

adv. 沉闷地；阴郁地➕

🔊

creep /kriːp/

v. 缓慢移动；悄悄靠近➕

🔊

hardships /ˈhɑːdʃɪps/

n. 艰难困苦➕

🔊

dread /dred/

n. 恐惧,畏惧➕

🔊

weariness /ˈwɪərinəs/

n. 疲倦；厌倦➕

🔊

anxiety /æŋˈzaɪəti/

n. 焦虑；忧虑➕

🔊 Every day they trudged through the mud to their distant schools, and every day brought its little trials and duties. But they worked with a will, for each remembered that Father was doing his part, and they must do theirs. So the weeks passed, and Christmas drew near.

每天,她们都要踏着泥泞,长途跋涉去远处的学校,每一天都有琐碎的考验和应尽的职责。但她们满怀热忱地工作着,因为每个人都记得父亲在尽他的本分,她们也必须恪尽己责。就这样,几周过去了,圣诞节也日渐临近。

🔊

trudged /trʌdʒd/

v. 步履艰难地走,跋涉➕

🔊

trials /ˈtraɪəlz/

n. 考验；磨难➕

🔊 One afternoon, as they sat together in the garret, Jo broke a long silence by saying, in a tone of great satisfaction, "I'm glad that Mother gave us a holiday. It's just what we wanted. We'll finish up that old quilt, and have it ready to send to the hospital when Mother goes to Washington."

一天下午,她们一起坐在阁楼上,乔打破了长久的沉默,用极为满意的语气说道:“我真高兴妈妈给了我们假期。这正合我们的心意。我们可以把那床旧被子缝完,等妈妈去华盛顿的时候,就能准备好送到医院去了。”

🔊

garret /ˈɡærət/

n. 阁楼；顶楼小房间➕

🔊 "I'm glad, too," said Beth, "but I'm dreadfully afraid something will happen to prevent Mother's going. We haven't heard from Father for a week, and I'm so worried about him."

“我也很高兴,”贝丝说,“但我怕得要命,总担心会有什么事妨碍妈妈成行。我们已经一周没收到父亲的来信了,我真为他担心。”

🔊

dreadfully /ˈdredfəli/

adv. 可怕地；极其➕

🔊 "Oh, don't cross bridges before you come to them, Bethy," said Jo, cheerfully. "Father is all right, you may be sure. He's a regular old soldier, and knows how to take care of himself. We'll have a letter soon, I know."

“哎呀,别杞人忧天啦,贝茜,”乔欢快地说,“父亲肯定没事的。他是个地地道道的老兵,知道怎么照顾自己。很快就会有信来的,我敢肯定。”

🔊

cross bridges /krɒs ˈbrɪdʒɪz/

phrase. 为尚未发生的事情担忧（习语 "cross bridges before you come to them" 的一部分）➕

🔊 But the letter did not come, and the next day brought anxiety instead of relief. In the morning, while the girls were at breakfast, a telegram was brought in. Mrs. March opened it, read it, and dropped into her chair as white as if the little paper had sent a bullet to her heart. The girls sprang to her side, and Hannah came running in from the kitchen.

但信终究没有来,第二天带来的不是宽慰,而是焦虑。早晨,女孩们正吃着早餐,一封电报送了进来。马奇太太拆开电报,读罢,便跌坐到椅子里,面如死灰,仿佛那张小纸片如同子弹射穿了她的心脏。女孩们立刻冲到她身边,汉娜也从厨房跑了过来。

🔊

relief /rɪˈliːf/

n. 宽慰；缓解➕

🔊

telegram /ˈtelɪɡræm/

n. 电报➕

🔊 "Oh, girls, your father! He is very ill. I must go to him at once," cried their mother, with a sob that made their hearts stand still.

“哦,孩子们,你们的父亲！他病得很重。我必须立刻赶到他身边去,”母亲哭着说道,那一声哽咽让她们的心都停止了跳动。

🔊

sob /sɒb/

n. 啜泣（声）➕

🔊 For a moment there was silence, broken only by the sound of the rain against the windows. Then Jo said, in a tone that tried to be steady, "I'll go and tell Laurie. He will know what to do."

一时间,房间里一片寂静,只有雨点敲打窗户的声音。接着乔开口说道,竭力让声音保持平稳:“我去告诉劳里。他会知道该怎么办。”

🔊

broken /ˈbrəʊkən/

adj. 破碎的；被打断的；不连续的➕

🔊

steady /ˈstedi/

adj. 稳定的；持续的；沉稳的➕

🔊 And without waiting for a reply, she ran out of the house, and across the garden, her face white with fear. Laurie was just starting for school, but turned back when he saw her coming, and asked, in alarm, "What's the matter, Jo?"

不等回答,她便跑出屋子,穿过花园,脸上吓得没了血色。劳里正要去上学,但看到她跑来,立刻转身折返,惊慌地问道:“出什么事了,乔？”

🔊

alarm /əˈlɑːm/

n. 惊慌,惊恐➕

🔊 "Father is very ill. Mother must go to him. What shall we do?" she gasped, clinging to the gatepost for support.

“父亲病得很重。妈妈必须去他那里。我们该怎么办？”她气喘吁吁地说,紧紧抓住门柱支撑着身体。

🔊

gasped /ɡɑːspt/

v. 喘着气说；倒抽一口气➕

🔊 Laurie's face grew grave at once. "Don't be frightened," he said, kindly. "I'll see to everything. Come into the house and tell your mother not to worry. I'll be back in five minutes."

劳里的脸色顿时严肃起来。“别害怕,”他和善地说,“一切交给我来安排。进屋去,告诉你妈妈别担心。我五分钟内就回来。”

🔊

grave /ɡreɪv/

adj. 严肃的；重大的➕

🔊 He was as good as his word, and soon returned with his grandfather and Mr. Brooke, who had just come from the post office. Mr. Laurence had heard the news from Laurie, and came at once to offer his help.

他言出必行,很快就带着他的祖父和刚从邮局来的布鲁克先生回来了。劳伦斯先生已经从劳里那里听到了消息,立刻赶来帮忙。

🔊

post office /ˈpəʊst ˌɒfɪs/

n. 邮局➕

🔊 "I have made arrangements for you to take the early train tomorrow morning, Mrs. March," he said, in his kind, decided way. "Mr. Brooke will go with you, and see that you have every comfort. I have telegraphed to Dr. Bangs, an old friend of mine in Washington, and he will meet you at the station, and take you to the hospital. Laurie and I will look after the girls, so you need have no anxiety on their account."

“我已经为您安排好了,明早乘头班火车出发,马奇太太,”他和善而果断地说道,“布鲁克先生会陪您一同前往,确保您一路舒适。我已经给我在华盛顿的老朋友班斯医生发了电报,他会到车站接您,并带您去医院。劳里和我会照看姑娘们,所以您无需为她们担心。”

🔊

arrangements /əˈreɪndʒmənts/

n. 安排；准备工作➕

🔊

telegraphed /ˈtelɪɡræft/

v. 发电报➕

🔊 Mrs. March tried to thank him, but could only press his hand, while the tears streamed down her cheeks. The thought of leaving her children was almost more than she could bear, but the thought of her husband suffering and alone was stronger still.

马奇太太想要道谢,却只能紧握他的手,泪水止不住地顺着脸颊流下。一想到要离开孩子们,她几乎无法承受,但想到丈夫正在独自忍受病痛,这念头却更为强烈。

🔊

streamed /striːmd/

v. 流淌；涌出➕

🔊 "You are very kind, sir," she said, at last. "I will go, and trust my darlings to you and Hannah."

“您真是太好了,先生,”她终于说道,“我会去的,就把我的宝贝们托付给您和汉娜了。”

🔊

darlings /ˈdɑːlɪŋz/

n. 亲爱的；心爱的人（复数）➕

🔊 "They shall be well cared for, I promise you," replied the old gentleman, with a fatherly look at the four anxious faces gathered round their mother. "Now, my dears, don't cry. Your mother will bring your father back safe and well, you'll see. Be brave, and help her all you can."

“我保证她们会得到妥善的照顾,”老先生回答道,慈父般地望着围在母亲身旁那四张焦虑的小脸。“好了,我亲爱的孩子们,别哭了。你们的妈妈会把你们的父亲平安健康地带回来的,你们等着瞧吧。勇敢些,尽你们所能帮助她。”

🔊

anxious /ˈæŋkʃəs/

adj. 焦虑的,担忧的➕

🔊 Then he and Mr. Brooke went away to finish the necessary arrangements, and the girls were left alone with their mother. For a little while they clung together, weeping and comforting one another. Then Mrs. March dried her eyes, and said, with a determined air, "We must be calm and sensible, my children. There is a great deal to do, and we have no time to lose. I must pack my bag, and write some letters. Hannah will help me, and you must all go about your work as usual."

随后,他和布鲁克先生便离开去完成必要的安排,留下女孩们独自和母亲在一起。有好一会儿,她们紧紧依偎着,哭泣着,互相安慰。接着马奇太太擦干眼泪,用坚定的语气说:“我们必须保持冷静和理智,我的孩子们。有太多事情要做,我们一刻也不能耽误。我得收拾行李,还得写几封信。汉娜会帮我,你们都要像往常一样,该做什么就做什么。”

🔊

determined /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/

adj. 坚决的,下定决心的➕

🔊

sensible /ˈsensəbl/

adj. 明智的,合理的➕

🔊

go about /ɡoʊ əˈbaʊt/

phr.v. 着手做,处理➕

🔊 But it was hard to work that day. The house seemed so still and sad, and every little while one of the girls would break down, and have to be comforted. Jo was the bravest, and went about with a set face, trying to be a comfort to them all. Meg tried to help her mother, but her hands trembled so that she could do little. Beth crept away to her piano, and played softly till she was called to help. Amy, feeling that she was of no use, sat down and cried quietly, till Jo told her to go and pack some things for her mother.

但那天想要专心做事可不容易。屋子里一片沉寂,弥漫着悲伤,每隔一小会儿,总有个女孩会忍不住崩溃,需要别人安慰。乔最为坚强,她板着脸忙来忙去,竭力想做大家的依靠。梅格试着去帮母亲,但她的手抖得厉害,几乎什么也做不了。贝丝悄悄溜到她的钢琴旁,轻柔地弹奏着,直到被叫去帮忙。艾米觉得自己毫无用处,便坐下来默默垂泪,直到乔吩咐她去给妈妈收拾些东西。

🔊

break down /breɪk daʊn/

phr.v. 崩溃,瓦解➕

🔊

set face /set feɪs/

n. phrase. 坚定的表情,板着脸➕

🔊

crept /krept/

v. 爬行,悄悄地移动（creep的过去式）➕

🔊 In the afternoon, Laurie came over with a basket of fruit and other comforts from his grandfather, and a kind note, offering to do anything in his power. He was very gentle and quiet, and his cheerful face did them all good. He sat with them an hour, telling them funny stories, and trying to make them laugh. When he went away, he whispered to Jo, "If there's anything I can do, send for me, day or night. Don't forget."

下午,劳里过来了,带来了他祖父送的一篮子水果和其他慰藉品,还有一封亲切的便笺,表示愿意尽力提供任何帮助。他态度非常温和沉静,那张愉快的脸庞让大家都感觉好受了些。他和她们坐了一个小时,讲着有趣的故事,试图逗她们发笑。临走时,他低声对乔说:“无论有什么事我能帮上忙,随时叫我,白天黑夜都行。别忘了。”

🔊

comforts /ˈkʌmfərts/

n. 安慰品,舒适物➕

🔊

gentle /ˈdʒentl/

adj. 温和的,温柔的➕

🔊

cheerful /ˈtʃɪrfl/

adj. 愉快的,开朗的➕

🔊

whispered /ˈwɪspərd/

v. 低语,耳语（whisper的过去式）➕

🔊

send for /send fɔːr/

phr.v. 召唤,派人去叫➕

🔊 "I won't," said Jo, gratefully, and she felt that she had a true friend in Laurie.

“我不会忘的,”乔感激地说,她感到劳里是她真正的朋友。

🔊

gratefully /ˈɡreɪtfəli/

adv. 感激地,感谢地➕

🔊

true friend /truː frend/

n. phrase. 真正的朋友➕

🔊 That night, when the girls went to bed, they kissed their mother tenderly, and clung to her as if they could not let her go. She held them close, and whispered words of love and hope, till at last they fell asleep, comforted and resigned.

那天晚上,当女孩们上床睡觉时,她们温柔地亲吻母亲,紧紧依偎着她,仿佛不忍让她离去。她把她们搂在怀里,低声诉说着爱与希望的话语,直到最后她们在慰藉与顺从中心安地睡去。

🔊

tenderly /ˈtendərli/

adv. 温柔地,体贴地➕

🔊

resigned /rɪˈzaɪnd/

adj. 顺从的,认命的➕

🔊 But Mrs. March did not sleep. She sat by the fire, thinking and praying, till the dawn began to break. Then she roused Hannah, and the two worked together, preparing for the journey.

但马奇太太没有睡。她坐在炉火边,思索着,祈祷着,直到天光破晓。然后她唤醒了汉娜,两人一起为旅程做准备。

🔊

praying /ˈpreɪɪŋ/

v. 祈祷,祷告（pray的现在分词）➕

🔊

roused /raʊzd/

v. 唤醒,激起（rouse的过去式）➕

🔊

dawn /dɔːn/

n. 黎明,拂晓➕

🔊

journey /ˈdʒɜːrni/

n. 旅程,旅行➕

🔊 When the girls came down, they found their mother pale, but calm and cheerful. Breakfast was on the table, and everything was ready for her departure. Mr. Brooke came early, and said that all was arranged. The carriage would be at the door in half an hour.

女孩们下楼时,发现母亲脸色苍白,却平静而坚定。早餐已经摆在桌上,为她出行准备的一切都已就绪。布鲁克先生早早便来了,说所有事情都已安排妥当。半小时后,马车就会到门口。

🔊

departure /dɪˈpɑːrtʃər/

n. 离开,出发➕

🔊

carriage /ˈkærɪdʒ/

n. 马车,车厢➕

🔊 The last moments were very trying. The girls tried to be brave, but when the good-byes had to be said, they broke down, and clung to their mother, weeping and sobbing.

最后的时刻极其难熬。女孩们竭力想表现得勇敢些,但当不得不道别时,她们还是崩溃了,紧紧抱住母亲,泣不成声。

🔊

trying /ˈtraɪɪŋ/

adj. 艰难的,令人难受的➕

🔊

good-byes /ˌɡʊdˈbaɪz/

n. 告别,再见➕

🔊

sobbing /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/

v. 抽泣,啜泣（sob的现在分词）➕

🔊 "Don't cry, my darlings," she said, kissing them again and again. "Remember your promise to be good, and help one another. Write to me often, and trust in God. He will take care of us all."

“别哭了,我的宝贝们,”她一遍遍地亲吻着她们说,“记住你们的承诺,要乖,要互相帮助。常给我写信,相信上帝。他会眷顾我们所有人的。”

🔊

promise /ˈprɑːmɪs/

n. 承诺,诺言➕

🔊

trust /trʌst/

v. 信任,信赖➕

🔊

take care of /teɪk ker əv/

phr.v. 照顾,照料➕

🔊 Then she got into the carriage, Mr. Brooke followed, and they drove away, leaving the girls and Hannah standing at the gate, waving their handkerchiefs till the carriage was out of sight.

随后她上了马车,布鲁克先生跟了上去,马车驶远了,留下女孩们和汉娜站在门口,挥舞着手帕,直到马车消失在视野尽头。

🔊

handkerchiefs /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪfs/

n. 手帕（handkerchief的复数）➕

🔊

out of sight /aʊt əv saɪt/

phr. 看不见,在视线之外➕

🔊 When they turned back to the empty house, the silence seemed dreadful. For a minute they stood in the hall, looking at one another with desolate faces. Then Jo said, in a husky voice, "We must keep busy. That's the best thing. Let's all go and work in the garden."

当她们转身回到空荡荡的屋子时,那寂静简直令人窒息。有那么一分钟,她们只是站在门厅里,凄凉地面面相觑。接着乔用沙哑的声音说道:“我们得让自己忙起来。这才是最好的办法。我们都去花园里干活吧。”

🔊

dreadful /ˈdredfl/

adj. 可怕的,糟糕的➕

🔊

desolate /ˈdesələt/

adj. 荒凉的,凄凉的➕

🔊

husky /ˈhʌski/

adj. 嘶哑的,沙哑的➕

🔊 And they went out into the damp, gray morning, trying to forget their sorrow in hard work.

于是她们走入潮湿阴沉的晨光中,试图用辛勤的劳作来忘却悲伤。

🔊

damp /dæmp/

adj. 潮湿的➕

🔊

sorrow /ˈsɑːroʊ/

n. 悲伤,悲哀➕

Chapter fifteen: A Telegram (第十五章:一封电报)

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