《远大前程》第3章 给匹普的一次机会(4)

Joe，I asked，why don't you ever rebel¹？

乔，我问道，你为什么不反抗呢？

Well，said Joe， to start with，your sister's clever．

唉，乔说，首先，你姐姐聪明，

And I'm not．And another thing，and this is serious，old boy，when I think of my poor mother's hard life，I'm afraid of not behaving right to a woman．

而我不行。另一方面，这一点是重要的，老伙计，每当想起我可怜的妈妈苦难的生活，我害怕对女人采取不良的行为。

So I'd much rather seem a bit weak with Mrs Joe than shout at her，or hurt her，or hit her．

因为，我必须对乔太太软弱一点儿，不能高声呼喊她、伤害她和打她。

I'm just sorry she scolds you as well，Pip，and hits you with the stick．

我很抱歉，她也责骂你，匹普，用棍子打你，

I wish I could take all the scolding myself．

我希望全部的责骂由我一人承担。

But there it is，Pip．

可是，不现实，匹普。

Just then we heard the sound of a horse on the road．

正在这时，我们听到路上的马蹄声，

Mrs Joe and Uncle Pumblechook were returning from market．

乔夫人和潘波趣舅舅赶集回来了。

The carriage arrived，and in a rush of cold air，they were in the kitchen．

马车一到，冲进一股冷风，他们进了厨房。

Now，said Mrs Joe，excitedly throwing off her cloak，if this boy isn't grateful tonight，he never will be！

嘿，乔夫人说，激动地脱掉她的斗篷，如果这孩子今晚不感恩的话，那他就是一个忘恩负义的家伙！

She's offering the boy a great opportunity，agreed Pumblechook．

她给这孩子提供了一个很好的机会，潘波趣应和着说。

Trying to look grateful，I looked at Joe，making the wordShe？with my lips．

我尽力表现出一副感恩的样子看着乔，随口吐出个字她？

He clearly did not know either．

他也不明白什么意思。

You were speaking of a she？he said Politely to them．

你们正在谈论她？他有礼貌地对他们说。

She is a she，I suppose，Mrs Joe replied crossly．

我想像的，她就是她呗，乔夫人不高兴地回答，你总不能把郝薇香小姐叫他吧，

Unless you call Miss Havisham a he．And even you wouldn't do that．

即使你也不会这样叫吧。

1 rebel   

n.叛徒，起义者；vi.造反，反抗，反感；adj.造反的，反抗的，反叛者的

参考例句：

• The rebel army is attempting to subvert the government.反叛军队企图颠覆政府统治。
• The rebel army has readjusted its strategy.叛军已经重新调整了策略。