Beth was postmistress, for, being most at home, she could attend to it regularly, and dearly liked the daily task of unlocking the little door and distributing the mail. —
贝丝是邮局女管理员，因为她最常在家，可以定期处理邮件，并非常喜欢每天解锁小门并分发邮件的任务。 —

One July day she came in with her hands full, and went about the house leaving letters and parcels like the penny post.
一个七月的日子，她满手东西进来，像邮政一样把信件和包裹放在房子里。

‘Here’s your posy, Mother! Laurie never forgets that,’ she said, putting the fresh nosegay in the vase which stood in ‘Marmee’s corner’, and was kept supplied by the affectionate boy.
“这是你的花束，妈妈！劳瑞从来不会忘记这个”，她说着，把新鲜的花束放在放在“妈妈的角落”的花瓶里，这个角落总是被这位亲爱的男孩供应着。

‘Miss Meg March, one letter and a glove,’ continued Beth, delivering the article to her sister, who sat near her mother, stitching wristbands.
“梅格·马奇小姐，一封信和一个手套”，贝丝继续递送物品给坐在母亲旁边的姐姐，姐姐正在给袖口缝纫。

‘Why, I left a pair over there, and here is only one,’ said Meg looking at the grey cotton glove. —
“为什么我在那边留下了一双手套，这里只有一个，”梅格看着灰色棉手套说。 —

‘Didn’t you drop the other in the garden?’
“你没有把另一个丢在花园里吧？”

‘No, I’m sure I didn’t; for there was only one in the office.’
“不，我确定没有；因为办公室里只有一个。”

‘I hate to have odd gloves! Never mind, the other may be found. —
“我讨厌孤零零的手套！没关系，也许另一个会找到。” —

My letter is only a translation of the German song I wanted; —
我的信只是我想要的那首德语歌的翻译； —

I think Mr. Brooke did it, for this isn’t Laurie’s writing.’
我认为是布鲁克先生做的，因为这不是劳瑞的字迹。

Mrs. March glanced at Meg, who was looking very pretty in her gingham morning gown, with the little curls blowing about her forehead, and very womanly, as she sat sewing at her little work-table, full of tiny white rolls; —
玛奇夫人看了一眼梅格，她穿着蓝白方格绸的晨礼服，额前的卷发在风中飞舞，她坐在小小的工作台前缝纫，上面堆满了白色的小卷子； —

so unconscious of the thought in her mother’s mind as she sewed and sung, while her fingers flew, and her thoughts were busied with girlish fancies as innocent and fresh as the pansies in her belt, that Mrs. March smiled, and was satisfied.
她母亲只是望着她，看着她如此美丽动人，既像个女人又像个女孩，一边缝纫一边唱歌，手指灵活地穿梭，心里却满是天真无邪、清新无瑕的少女幻想，使得玛奇夫人微笑着，感到满意。

‘Two letters for Doctor Jo, a book, and a funny old hat, which covered the whole post-office, stuck outside,’ said Beth, laughing, as she went into the study, where Jo sat writing.
贝丝进入书房，看见乔坐在那里写字，她笑着说：“给了乔医生两封信、一本书和一顶有趣的旧帽子，整个邮局的门外都被它遮住了。”

‘What a sly fellow Laurie is! —
“劳瑞真是一个狡猾的家伙！我说我希望大帽子成为时尚， —

I said I wished bigger hats were the fashion, because I burn my face every hot day. —
因为每个炎热的天气我都会晒伤脸。他说，‘干吗在乎时尚呢？戴顶大帽子，舒服点！’我说我要是有一顶就好了， —

He said, ‘Why mind the fashion? —
结果他给我送来这个，想考验我。” —

Wear a big hat and be comfortable!’ I said I would if I had one, and he has sent me this to try me. —
“劳瑞这家伙真狡猾！我说我希望大帽子成为时尚，因为每个炎热的天气我都会晒伤脸。他说，‘干吗在乎时尚呢？戴顶大帽子，舒服点！’我说我要是有一顶就好了，结果他给我送来这个，想考验我。” —

I’ll wear it, for fun, and show him I don’t care for the fashion’; —
我会穿这件衣服，只是为了好玩，向他展示我对时尚不在乎。 —

and hanging the antique broad-brim on a bust of Plato, Jo read her letters.
在柏拉图的半身像上挂着古董宽檐帽的同时，乔阅读了她的信件。

One from her mother made her cheeks glow and her eyes fill, for it said to her:
其中一封来自她母亲的信让她的脸颊泛起红晕，眼睛湿润，因为信上写着：

My Dear - I write a little word to tell you with how much satisfaction I watch your efforts to control your temper. —
“亲爱的——我写下这句简短的话，向你表达我对你努力控制脾气的满意。 —

You say nothing about your trials, failures, or successes, and think, perhaps, that no one sees them but the friend whose help you daily ask, if I may trust the well-worn cover of your guide book. —
你没有提到你的挫败、失败或成功，或许你认为只有向那位每天都寻求帮助的朋友才能看到它们，如果我可以相信你用旧了的指南书封面。 —

I, too, have seen them all, and heartily believe in the sincerity of your resolution, since it begins to bear fruit. —
我也看到了一切，并且真诚地相信你的决心，因为它开始产生了果实。 —

Go on, dear, patiently and bravely, and always believe that no one sympathises more tenderly with you than your loving
亲爱的，继续坚持，勇敢地前行，永远相信没有人比你的爱人更为温柔地同情你。”

MOTHER
母亲

‘That does me good! that’s worth millions of money and pecks of praise. —
“这让我感到很好！这价值连城，价值亿万金币和无数的赞美。哦，妈咪， —

Oh, Marmee, I do try! —
我真的努力了！ —

I will keep on trying, and not get tired, since I have you to help me.’
我会继续努力，并且不会厌倦，因为有你来帮助我。”

Laying her head on her arm, Jo wet her little romance with a few happy tears, for she had thought no one saw and appreciated her efforts to do good; —
脸上靠在手臂上，乔用几滴幸福的泪水来湿润她的小浪漫，因为她原以为没有人会看到和欣赏她为了行善而付出的努力。 —

and this assurance was doubly precious, doubly encouraging, because unexpected, and from the person whose commendation she most valued. —
这个保证是珍贵的、鼓舞人心的，因为出乎意料，而且是来自她最重视的人的赞扬之词。 —

Feeling stronger than ever to meet and subdue her Apollyon, she pinned the note inside her frock, as a shield and a reminder, lest she be taken unawares, and proceeded to open her other letter, quite ready for either good or bad news. —
感觉比以往任何时候都更强大，去迎接并征服她的阿波利昂，她把纸条别在衣服里，当作一面盾牌和提醒，以防被攻击时措手不及，然后继续打开她的另一封信，对好消息或坏消息都做好了准备。 —

In a big, dashing hand, Laurie wrote:
劳里用大而豪放的字迹写道：

Dear Jo,
亲爱的乔，

What ho!
你好！

Some English girls and boys are coming to see me tomorrow, and I want to have a jolly time. —
明天有一些英国的男孩和女孩要来看我，我想要度过一个快乐的时光。 —

If it’s fine, I’m going to pitch my tent in Longmeadow, and row up the whole crew to lunch and croquet - have a fire, make messes, gipsy fashion, and all sorts of larks. —
如果天气好的话，我打算在长草地上扎个帐篷，大家一起划船去吃午餐和玩croquet - 生火、准备餐食，像吉普赛人一样玩乐，等等。 —

They are nice people, and like such things. Brooke will go, to keep us boys steady, and Kate Vaughn will play propriety for the girls. —
他们是很好的人，喜欢这样的活动。布鲁克会去，以保持我们男孩子的稳重，凯特·沃恩会为女孩们打理好一切。 —

I want you all to come; can’t let Beth off at any price, and nobody shall worry her. —
我希望你们都来；无论如何都不能放过贝丝，谁也不要让她烦心。 —

Don’t bother about rations - I’ll see to that, and everything else - only do come, there’s a good fellow!
不要担心口粮 - 这个我会处理的，还有其他一切 - 只是来吧，好兄弟！

In a tearing hurry,
非常着急，

Yours ever, LAURIE
永远是你的，劳里

‘Here’s richness!’ cried Jo, flying in to tell the news to Meg. ‘Of course we can go, Mother? —
‘好丰富啊！’ 乔飞进来告诉梅格这个消息。’当然我们可以去，妈妈？ —

it will be such a help to Laurie, for I can row, and Meg see to the lunch, and the children be useful in some way.’
这对劳里来说会非常有帮助，因为我可以划船，梅格负责午餐，孩子们以某种方式会有用。

‘I hope the Vaughns are not fine, grown-up people. —
‘我希望沃恩家人不是很讲究、成年人。 —

Do you know anything about them, Jo?’ asked Meg.
你对他们了解吗，乔？’ 梅格问道。

‘Only that there are four of them. Kate is older than you, Fred and Frank (twins) about my age, and a little girl (Grace), who is nine or ten. —
‘只知道他们一家有四个人。凯特比你大，弗雷德和弗兰克（双胞胎）和我差不多岁数，还有一个小女孩（格蕾丝），九或十岁。 —

Laurie knew them abroad, and liked the boys; I fancied, from the way he primmed up his mouth in speaking of her, that he didn’t admire Kate much.’
劳里在国外认识他们，喜欢那两个男孩；从他说起她时嘴巴总是一撅，我猜他对凯特并不是很看中。

‘I’m so glad my French print is clean; it’s just the thing, and so becoming!’ observed Meg complacently. —
‘我很高兴我的法式印花布干净；正合适，而且很好看！’梅格自满地说道。’乔， —

‘Have you anything decent, Jo?’
你有什么体面的衣服吗？’

‘Scarlet and grey boating suit, good enough for me. —
‘绯红和灰色的划船服对我来说足够好。 —

I shall row and tramp about, so I don’t want any starch to think of. —
我将划船和远足，所以不想要任何弄得很硬的东西来考虑。你会一起来吗， —

You’ll come, Betty?’
贝蒂？’

‘If you won’t let any of the boys talk to me.’
‘如果你不让任何男孩和我说话的话。’

‘Not a boy!’
‘不是男孩！’

‘I like to please Laurie; —
‘我喜欢取悦劳里， —

and I’m not afraid of Mr. Brooke, he is so kind; —
而且我不怕布鲁克先生，他很友善； —

but I don’t want to play, or sing, or say anything. —
但我不想玩耍，也不想唱歌或说什么。 —

I’ll work hard and not trouble anyone; —
我会努力工作，不给任何人添麻烦； —

and you’ll take care of me, Jo, so I’ll go.’
你会照顾我，乔，所以我要去。’

‘That’s my good girl; you do try to fight off your shyness, and I love you for it. Fighting faults isn’t easy, as I know; —
‘乖孩子，你努力战胜害羞，我为此爱你。战胜缺点并不容易，我知道； —

and a cheery word kind of gives a lift. Thank you, Mother,’ and Jo gave the thin cheek a grateful kiss, more precious to Mrs. March than if it had given back the rosy roundness of her youth.
而愉快的话语会让人感到振奋。谢谢你，母亲，乔亲切地吻了一下那细细的脸颊，对于玛奇夫人来说，这比回报她青春时期的红润面庞更宝贵。

‘I had a box of chocolate drops, and the picture I wanted to copy,’ said Amy, showing her mail.
“我有一盒巧克力豆，还有我想复制的图片，”艾米说着，展示着她的信件。

‘And I got a note from Mr. Laurence asking me to come over and play to him tonight before the lamps are lighted, and I shall go,’ added Beth, whose friendship with the old gentleman prospered finely.
“而且劳伦斯先生给我写了一封信，邀请我在灯光亮起前到他那里弹琴，我会去的，”贝丝补充道，她与这位老绅士的友谊发展得很好。

‘Now let’s fly round and do double duty today, so that we can play tomorrow with free minds,’ said Jo, preparing to replace her pen with a broom.
“现在让我们快点忙活起来，今天双倍努力，这样明天我们就可以安心地玩了，”乔说着，准备将笔换成扫帚。

Sunshine and laughter were good omens for a pleasure party, and soon a lively bustle began in both houses. —
阳光和笑声是愉快聚会的好兆头，很快两个家庭都开始忙碌起来。 —

Beth, who was ready first, kept reporting what went on next door, and enlivened her sisters’ toilets by frequent telegrams from the window.
贝丝第一个准备好了，她一直在向姐妹们报告隔壁发生的事情，并通过窗户频繁发送电文，为她们的打扮增添了乐趣。

‘There goes the man with the tent! —
“那个人拿着帐篷走了！ —

I see Mrs. Barker doing up the lunch in a hamper and a great basket. —
我看到巴克夫人正在把午餐放进一个篮子和一个大篮子里。” —

Now Mr. Laurence is looking up at the sky and the weathercock; —
现在劳伦斯先生正在抬头看着天空和风向标； —

I wish he would go too. There’s Laurie, looking like a sailor - nice boy! —
我希望他也能走掉。看到劳里了，他看起来像个水手 - 好孩子！ —

Oh, mercy me! here’s a carriage full of people - a tall lady, a little girl, and two dreadful boys. One is lame; —
哦，天啊！这里来了一辆满载着人的马车 - 一个高个子的女士，一个小女孩，还有两个可怕的男孩。其中一个跛脚了； —

poor thing, he’s got a crutch. —
可怜的孩子，他有根拐杖。 —

Laurie didn’t tell us that. Be quick, girls! —
劳里没有告诉我们。快点，姑娘们！ —

it’s getting late. Why, there is Ned Moffat, I do declare. —
时间已经晚了。天啊，那是内德·莫凡特，我发誓。 —

Look, Meg, isn’t that the man who bowed to you one day when we were shopping?’
看，梅格，那个曾经对你鞠躬的人不是吗？那天我们在购物的时候他向你鞠躬过。

‘So it is. How queer that he should come. —
没错。他怎么会突然出现呢。我还以为他在山上呢。 —

I thought he was at the Mountains. —
这是莎莉； —

There is Sallie; —
我很高兴她及时回来了。 —

I’m glad she’s got back in time. —
我很担心。乔， —

Am I all right, Jo?’ cried Meg, in a flutter.
我这样穿好吗？梅格紧张地问道。

‘A regular daisy. Hold up your dress and put your hat straight; —
完美极了。拎起你的裙子，把帽子扶正；它这样歪着看起来太浪漫了，到一点风就会飞走。好了，走吧！ —

it looks sentimental tipped that way, and will fly off at the first puff. Now then, come on!’
哦，乔，你不会要戴那顶可怕的帽子吧？太荒谬了！

‘Oh, Jo, you are not going to wear that awful hat? —
请把这个可笑的帽子摘下来， —

It’s too absurd! —
好吗？ —

You shall not make a guy of yourself,’ remonstrated Meg, as Jo tied down, with a red ribbon, the broad-brimmed old-fashioned Leghorn Laurie had sent for a joke.
“你不要把自己搞成个傻瓜，” 梅格抗议道，当乔用一根红缎带把劳里开玩笑地送来的宽檐老式草帽束起来。

‘I just will, though, for it’s capital - so shady, light, and big. It will make fun; —
“尽管这样做吧，反正它很棒——那么有遮荫、轻盈又宽大。这样会很好玩， —

and I don’t mind being a guy if I’m comfortable.’ With that Jo marched straight away, and the rest followed - a bright little band of sisters, all looking their best, in summer suits, with happy faces under the jaunty hat-brims.
如果我感到舒服，我不介意成为一个傻瓜。于是乔径直走上前，其他人紧随其后——一个小小的姐妹们的欢乐队伍，在夏天的装束下尽显风采，带着愉快的笑容，从俏皮的帽檐下看出来。

Laurie ran to meet and present them to his friends in the most cordial manner. —
劳里跑过去迎接他们，并用最热情的方式把他们介绍给他的朋友们。 —

The lawn was the reception room, and for several minutes a lively scene was enacted there. —
草坪成了接待室，几分钟里面上演了一幕活泼的场景。 —

Meg was grateful to see that Miss Kate, though twenty, was dressed with a simplicity that American girls would do well to imitate; —
梅格很感激看到凯特小姐虽然已经二十岁了，但穿着朴素，这正是美国女孩们应该效仿的； —

and she was much flattered by Mr. Ned’s assurances that he came especially to see her. —
她因为奈德先生特地来见她的保证而感到非常荣幸。 —

Jo understood why Laurie ‘primmed up his mouth’ when speaking of Kate, for that young lady had a stand-off-don’t-touch-me air, which contrasted strongly with the free and easy demeanour of the other girls. —
乔明白为什么劳里在提到凯特时会“收拾嘴巴”，因为那位年轻女士散发着一种拒人于千里之外的气场，与其他女孩子的自由随意形成鲜明对比。 —

Beth took an observation of the new boys, and decided that the lame one was not ‘dreadful’, but gentle and feeble, and she would be kind to him on that account. —
贝丝观察了一下新来的男孩们，她决定那个跛足的孩子并不是“可怕”的，而是温和而脆弱的，她会因此对他友善。 —

Amy found Grace a well-mannered, merry little person; —
艾米发现格雷斯是一个有礼貌， —

and after staring dumbly at one another for a few minutes, they suddenly became very good friends.
快乐的小人物；在彼此愣住几分钟后，他们突然成了非常好的朋友。

Tents, lunch, and croquet utensils had been sent on beforehand, the party was soon embarked, and the two boats pushed off together, leaving Mr. Laurence waving his hat on the shore. —
帐篷、午餐和croquet工具都事先发送了，乐队很快登船，两艘船一起驶离，而劳伦斯先生在岸上挥舞着帽子。 —

Laurie and Jo rowed one boat; Mr. Brooke and Ned the other; —
劳里和乔划一艘船； —

while Fred Vaughn, the riotous twin, did his best to upset both by paddling about in a wherry like a disturbed water-bug. —
布鲁克先生和尼德划另一艘船；而疯狂的双胞胎弗雷德沃恩则尽力在一个像被惊扰的水虫一样的小船上划来划去，试图把两艘船都弄翻。 —

Jo’s funny hat deserved a word of thanks, for it was of general utility; —
乔的滑稽帽子值得感谢，因为它具有一般效用； —

it broke the ice in the beginning, by producing a laugh; —
它在开始时打破了尴尬，引发了笑声； —

it created quite a refreshing breeze, flapping to and fro as she rowed, and would make an excellent umbrella for the whole party if a shower came up, she said. —
她说，它在她划船时来回摇晃，产生了一阵清爽的微风，如果下雨的话，它将成为整个队伍的优秀雨伞。 —

Kate looked rather amazed at Jo’s proceedings, especially as she exclaimed ‘Christopher Columbus!’ when she lost her oar; —
凯特对乔的行为感到很惊讶，特别是当她丢了桨时，乔还大叫“哥伦布！”； —

and Laurie said, ‘My dear fellow, did I hurt you?’ when he tripped over her feet in taking his place. —
而劳里在走向座位时绊到了她的脚，他说，“亲爱的朋友，我伤到你了吗？” —

But after putting up her glass to examine the queer girl several times, Miss Kate decided that she was ‘odd, but rather clever’, and smiled upon her from afar.
但是在多次举起眼镜仔细观察这个奇怪的女孩后，凯特认为她“古怪但相当聪明”，并远远地对她微笑。

Meg, in the other boat, was delightfully situated, face to face with the rowers, who both admired the prospect, and feathered their oars with uncommon ‘skill and dexterity’. —
在另一艘船上，梅格的位置安排得很好，面对着划船的人，他们都欣赏这美景，并用非凡的“技巧和敏捷”划着桨。 —

Mr. Brooke was a grave, silent young man, with handsome brown eyes and a pleasant voice. —
布鲁克先生是个认真而沉默的年轻人，他有着漂亮的棕色眼睛和愉快的声音。 —

Meg liked his quiet manners, and considered him a walking encyclopedia of useful knowledge. —
梅格喜欢他的沉静礼貌，并认为他是一个有用知识的活百科全书。 —

He never talked to her much, but he looked at her a good deal, and she felt sure that he did not regard her with aversion. —
他从没和她多说话，但他经常注视着她，她确信他并不厌恶她。 —

Ned, being in college, of course put on all the airs which freshmen think it their bounden duty to assume; —
纳德在上大学，当然要摆出所有新生认为自己必须假装的姿态； —

he was not very wise, but very good-natured, and altogether an excellent person to carry on a picnic. —
他并不聪明，但非常友善，总体上是一个进行野餐的极好人选。 —

Sallie Gardiner was absorbed in keeping her white piqu* dress clean, and chattering with the ubiquitous Fred, who kept Beth in constant terror by his pranks.
莎莉·加德纳一心保持她的白色雅致连衣裙的清洁，并且与无所不在的弗雷德聊个不停，他通过恶作剧让贝丝始终处于恐惧中。

It was not far to Longmeadow; —
长草坪不远了； —

but the tent was pitched and the wickets down by the time they arrived. —
但帐篷已经搭起来了，标杆也插下了，就在他们到达的时候。 —

A pleasant green field, with three wide-spreading oaks in the middle, and a smooth strip of turf for the croquet.
一个宜人的绿野，中间有三棵枝繁叶茂的橡树，以及一条平滑的草坪供槌球比赛。

‘Welcome to Camp Laurence!’ said the young host, as they landed, with exclamations of delight.
“欢迎来到劳伦斯营地！”年轻的主人说着，他们登陆时兴奋地惊叹着。

‘Brooke is commander-in-chief; I am commissary-general; —
‘布鲁克是总指挥；我是军需总监； —

the other fellows are staff-officers; —
其他的家伙是参谋官员；而你们，女士们， —

and you, ladies, are company. —
就是我们的队伍。’ —

The tent is for your especial benefit, and that oak is your drawing room; —
‘这个帐篷是为了专门为你们设的，那棵橡树是你们的客厅；’ —

this is the messroom, and the third is the camp-kitchen. —
‘这是食堂，第三个是战地厨房。现在， —

Now, let’s have a game before it gets hot, and then we’ll see about dinner.’
让我们在天气变热之前玩一局，然后再考虑晚饭。’

Frank, Beth, Amy, and Grace sat down to watch the game played by the other eight. —
弗兰克、贝丝、艾米和格蕾丝坐下来观看其他八个人玩游戏。 —

Mr. Brooke chose Meg, Kate, and Fred; —
布鲁克先选了梅格、凯特和弗雷德； —

Laurie took Sallie, Jo, and Ned. The Englishers played well; —
劳里选了莎莉、乔和内德。英国人表现得很好； —

but the Americans played better, and contested every inch of the ground as strongly as if the spirit of ‘76 inspired them. —
但是美国人表现得更好，并且像第76号精神一样坚决地争夺每一寸地面。 —

Jo and Fred had several skirmishes, and once narrowly escaped high words. —
乔和弗雷德经历了几次冲突，一度险些闹得不愉快。 —

Jo was through the last wicket, and had missed the stroke, which failure ruffled her a good deal. —
乔刚刚通过了最后的球门，并且错过了一杆，这个失败让她很不高兴。 —

Fred was close behind her, and his turn came before hers; —
弗雷德紧随其后，轮到他了； —

he gave a stroke, his ball hit the wicket, and stopped an inch on the wrong side. —
他一杆过去，球碰到了球门，却停在了错误的一侧。 —

No one was very near; and running up to examine, he gave it a sly nudge with his toe, which put it just an inch on the right side.
没有人站得很近；他小跑过去仔细检视，然后用脚趾狡猾地轻轻推了一下，使它偏右了一英寸。

‘I’m through! Now, Miss Jo, I’ll settle you, and get in first,’ cried the young gentleman, swinging his mallet for another blow.
“我完成了！现在，乔小姐，我要解决你并先进去，”那个年轻绅士大喊着，挥动球槌准备再来一击。

‘You pushed it! I saw you; —
“你推了它！我看见了； —

it’s my turn now,’ said Jo, sharply.
现在轮到我了，”乔尖刻地说道。

‘Upon my word, I didn’t move it; it rolled a bit, perhaps, but that is allowed; so stand off, please, and let me have a go at the stake.’
“我保证，我没碰它；它或许滚动了一点，但那是允许的；所以请站开，让我上一棒。”

‘We don’t cheat in America, but you can, if you choose, said Jo, angrily.
“在美国我们不作弊，但你可以选择这样做，”乔生气地说道。

‘Yankees are a deal the most tricky, everybody knows. —
“大家都知道，洋基人最爱耍花样。看你那个！ —

There you go!’ returned Fred, croqueting her ball far away.
”弗雷德回敬道，把她的球打得远远地。

Jo opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in time, coloured up to her forehead, and stood a minute hammering down a wicket with all her might, while Fred hit the stake, and declared himself out with much exultation. —
乔张开嘴要说些粗鲁的话，但赶在最后一刻停住了，脸颊红得发紫，站了一会儿用力锤打一个击球杆，而弗雷德则击中了目标，得意洋洋地宣布自己出局。 —

She went off to get her ball, and was a long time finding it among the bushes; —
她离开去找球，在灌木丛中找了很长时间； —

but she came back, looking cool and quiet, and waited her turn patiently. —
但她回来了，看上去很酷静，耐心地等待着她的轮次。 —

It took several strokes to regain the place she had lost; —
她用几次击球恢复了自己失去的地位； —

and, when she got there, the other side had nearly won, for Kate’s ball was the last but one, and lay near the stake.
当她到达时，另一方几乎赢了，因为凯特的球是倒数第二个，靠近标杆；

‘By George, it’s all up with us! Good-bye, Kate. Miss Jo owes me one, so you are finished,’ cried Fred, excitedly, as they all drew near to see the finish.
“天哪，我们完蛋了！再见，凯特。乔小姐欠我一个人情，所以你输了，”弗雷德兴奋地喊道，当他们都走近一起观看比赛结果时；

‘Yankees have a trick of being generous to their enemies,’ said Jo, with a look that made the lad redden, ‘especially when they beat them,’ she added, as, leaving Kate’s ball untouched, she won the game by a clever stroke.
乔带着一种让男孩脸红的眼神说：“洋基人有一种慷慨地对待敌人的伎俩，”“特别是当他们打败他们时，”她补充道，一举赢得了比赛；

Laurie threw up his hat; then remembering that it wouldn’t do to exult over the defeat of his guests, he stopped in the middle of a cheer to whisper to his friend: —
劳里抛起了帽子；然后想起来在客人失败时炫耀并不合适，他停下来在欢呼声中对他的朋友耳语道：“乔，你干得好！他作弊，我看见了；我们不能告诉他，但他不会再这样做了，请相信我的话。”； —

‘Good for you, Jo! He did cheat, I saw him; —
梅格借口整理松散的辫子将她拉到一边， —

we can’t tell him so, but he won’t do it again, take my word for it.’
称赞地说：“好样的，乔！”；

Meg drew her aside, under pretence of pinning up a loose braid, and said approvingly: —
梅格一边拉她到一边，一边借口别插上一个松散的辫子，赞许地说： —

‘It was dreadfully provoking; —
“真是让人无比气愤； —

but you kept your temper, and I’m so glad, Jo.’
不过你能保持冷静，我真为你高兴，乔。”

‘Don’t praise me, Meg, for I could box his ears this minute. —
“别夸我，梅格，我此刻只想给他一巴掌。 —

I should certainly have boiled over if I hadn’t stayed among the nettles till I got my rage under enough to hold my tongue. —
如果我不在荨麻丛中宽心一下，我肯定会发火。” —

It’s simmering now, so I hope he’ll keep out of my way,’ returned Jo, biting her lips, as she glowered at Fred from under her big hat.
乔回答说：“我现在只是憋着怒火，希望他能绕道而行。”她攥紧嘴唇，透过大草帽怒视着弗雷德。

‘Time for lunch,’ said Mr. Brooke, looking at his watch. —
“午餐时间到了”，布鲁克先生看着手表说道， —

‘Commissary-general, will you make the fire and get water, while Miss March, Miss Sallie and I spread the table? —
“军需官，你去生火和取水，马奇小姐、莎莉小姐和我来摆桌子。 —

Who can make good coffee? ‘
谁会煮好咖啡？”

‘Jo can!’ said Meg, glad to recommend her sister. So Jo, feeling that her late lessons in cookery were to do her honour, went to preside over the coffee-pot, while the children collected dry sticks, and the boys made a fire, and got water from a spring near by. —
“乔会！”梅格高兴地推荐她的姐姐。于是乔觉得自己最近在烹饪方面的学习会给她带来荣誉，于是她去主持咖啡壶，而孩子们则收集干枝条，男孩们生火和取水。 —

Miss Kate sketched, and Frank talked to Beth, who was making little mats of braided rushes to serve as plates. —
凯特小姐在画画，弗兰克则与贝丝交谈，贝丝正在编织草席，用作盘子。 —

The commander-in-chief and his aides soon spread the tablecloth with an inviting array of eatables and drinkables, prettily decorated with green leaves. —
总司令和他的助手们很快将桌布铺满了各种美食和饮品，用绿叶装饰得很漂亮。 —

Jo announced that the coffee was ready, and everyone settled themselves to a hearty meal; —
乔宣布咖啡已经准备好了，每个人都准备好了一顿丰盛的饭菜; —

for youth is seldom dyspeptic, and exercise develops wholesome appetites. —
因为年轻的人很少会消化不良，而且运动会培养健康的胃口。 —

A very merry lunch it was; —
这是一顿非常欢乐的午餐; —

for everything seemed fresh and funny, and frequent peals of laughter startled a venerable horse who fed near by. —
因为一切都显得新鲜有趣，频繁的笑声吓到了附近的一匹庄重的马。 —

There was a pleasing inequality in the table, which produced many mishaps to cups and plates; —
桌上有一种令人愉悦的不均匀性，导致杯子和盘子不断出现意外; —

acorns dropped into the milk, little black ants partook of the refreshments without being invited, and fuzzy caterpillars swung down from the tree to see what was going on. —
橡子掉进了牛奶里，一些小黑蚂蚁悄悄品尝了这些点心，而毛茸茸的毛毛虫则从树上荡下来看发生了什么事。 —

Three white-headed children peeped over the fence, and an objectionable dog barked at them from the other side of the river with all his might and main.
三个留着白发的孩子从围栏上窥视过来，而一只讨厌的狗在河的另一边大声吠叫。

‘There’s salt here, if you prefer it,’ said Laurie, as he handed Jo a saucer of berries.
“如果你喜欢，这里有盐，”劳里说着，递给乔一碟浆果。

‘Thank you, I prefer spiders,’ she replied, fishing up two unwary little ones who had gone to a creamy death. —
“谢谢，我更喜欢蜘蛛，”她回答道，捕捉了两只不警惕的小家伙，它们已经命丧奶油之下。 —

‘How dare you remind me of that horrid dinner-party, when yours is so nice in every way?’ added Jo, as they both laughed, and ate out of one plate, the china having run short.
“你怎么敢提醒我那个可怕的晚宴，当你的晚宴在各个方面都那么好呢？”乔补充道，他们两个人同时笑了起来，一起从一个盘子里吃，因为瓷器不够了。

‘I had an uncommonly good time that day, and haven’t got over it yet. —
“那一天我玩得非常开心，至今还没有缓过神来。 —

This is no credit to me, you know; —
你得知道这不是我的功劳， —

I don’t do anything; —
我什么都没做； —

it’s you and Meg and Brooke who make it go, and I’m no end obliged to you. —
是你、梅格和布鲁克让它变得好，我非常感谢你们。 —

What shall we do when we can’t eat any more?’ asked Laurie, feeling that his trump card had been played when lunch was over.
我们再不能吃了该做什么呢？”劳里问道，感觉自己在午餐结束后已经打出了绝妙的牌。

‘Have games till it’s cooler. I brought “Authors”, and I dare say Miss Kate knows something new and nice. —
“玩游戏直到天凉些。我带了《作家》游戏，我猜凯特小姐知道一些新鲜有趣的东西。 —

Go and ask her; —
去问问她吧； —

she’s company, and you ought to stay with her more.
她是客人，你应该多陪陪她。

‘Aren’t you company, too? I thought she’d suit Brooke; —
“你难道不是客人吗？我以为她会配得上布鲁克； —

but he keeps talking to Meg, and Kate just stares at them through that ridiculous glass of hers. —
但他一直在和梅格说话，凯特只是透过她那个可笑的眼镜盯着他们看。” —

I’m going, so you needn’t try to preach propriety, for you can’t do it, Jo.’
我要走了，所以你不必试图讲述得体的道理，因为你做不到，乔。

Miss Kate did know several new games; —
凯特小姐确实知道几个新游戏； —

and as the girls would not, and the boys could not, eat any more, they all adjourned to the drawing room to play ‘Rigmarole’.
因为女孩们不想吃了，男孩们也吃不下了，所以他们都转到客厅里去玩“晦涩难懂”。

‘One person begins a story, any nonsense you like, and tells as long as he pleases, only taking care to stop short at some exciting point, when the next takes it up and does the same. —
有一个人开始讲一个故事，可以是任何你喜欢的胡言乱语，讲多久都可以，只要在某个激动人心的时刻停下来，接下来的人就接续讲故事，也是一样。 —

It’s very funny when well done, and makes a perfect jumble of tragical comical stuff to laugh over. —
如果做得好，这非常有趣，会把悲剧和喜剧搞得一团糟，让人捧腹大笑。 —

Please start it, Mr. Brooke,’ said Kate with a commanding air, which surprised Meg, who treated the tutor with as much respect as any other gentleman.
请开始吧，布鲁克先生，’ 凯特以一种命令的态度说道，这使得对待家庭教师的麦格感到惊讶，她对待家庭教师和其他绅士一样尊重。

Lying on the grass at the feet of the two young ladies, Mr. Brooke obediently began the story, with the handsome brown eyes steadily fixed upon the sunshiny river.
布鲁克先生顺从地躺在两位年轻女士的脚边，目光专注地盯着阳光明媚的河流，开始讲故事。

‘Once upon a time a knight went out into the world to seek his fortune, for he had nothing but his sword and his shield. —
‘从前有一个骑士，他出去闯荡世界，因为除了剑和盾牌，他一无所有。 —

He travelled a long while, nearly eight-and-twenty years, and had a hard time of it, till he came to the palace of a good old king, who had offered a reward to any who would tame and train a fine but unbroken colt of which he was very fond. —
他旅行了很久，将近28年，经历了很多艰辛，直到来到一位好心的老国王的宫殿，这位国王悬赏任何人能够驯服和训练一匹漂亮但未被驯服的小马。 —

The knight agreed to try, and got on slowly but surely; —
骑士同意尝试，并且进展虽慢但稳定， —

for the colt was a gallant fellow, and soon learned to love his new master, though he was freakish and wild. —
因为这匹小马是一匹勇敢的家伙，很快就学会了热爱他的新主人，尽管它行为古怪且狂野。 —

Everyday, when he gave his lessons to this pet of the king’s, the knight rode him through the city; —
每天，当他给国王的宠物上课时，骑士带着它穿过城市。 —

and, as he rode, he looked everywhere for a certain beautiful face, which he had seen many times in his dreams, but never found. —
当他骑行的时候，他四处寻找一个他在梦中多次见过但从未找到过的美丽面孔。 —

One day, as he went prancing down a quiet street, he saw at the window of a ruinous castle the lovely face. —
有一天，当他在一个安静的街道上飞驰时，他在一个破败的城堡窗户上看到了一个可爱的面孔。 —

He was delighted, inquired who lived in this old castle, and was told that several captive princesses were kept there by a spell, and spun all day to lay up money to buy their liberty. —
他非常高兴，询问谁住在这座老城堡中，得知几位被囚禁的公主被一种咒语困住了，并且整天纺织以赚钱来购买自由。 —

The knight wished intensely that he could free them; —
骑士极其渴望能够解救她们，但他很穷， —

but he was poor, and could only go by each day, watching for the sweet face, and longing to see it out in the sunshine. —
每天只能在城堡附近守候，盼望能见到她们的甜美面容在阳光下闪耀。 —

At last he resolved to get into the castle and ask how he could help them. —
最后，他决定进入城堡并询问如何帮助她们。 —

He went and knocked; the great door flew open, and he beheld——’
他敲了敲门，大门飞快地打开，他看到——

‘A ravishingly lovely lady, who exclaimed, with a cry of rapture, “At last! —
一个令人陶醉的美丽女子，她喜悦地呼喊道：“终于！终于！” —

at last”’, continued Kate, who had read French novels, and admired the style. ‘“‘Tis she!” cried Count Gustave, and fell at her feet in an ecstasy of joy. —
“终于！”凯特继续说道，她读过法国小说，喜欢那种风格。“是她！”古斯塔夫伯爵叫道，并欣喜若狂地跪在她的脚边。“噢，请起来！”她伸出一只雪白的手说。 —

“Oh, rise!” she said, extending a hand of marble fairness. —
“直到你告诉我如何解救你们，我才会起来。”骑士满怀诚意地说道， —

“Never! —
仍然跪在地上。 —

till you tell me how I may rescue you,” swore the knight, still kneeling. —
“再见时，请务必带上一枝玫瑰。”她低声说道，笑容灿烂。 —

“Alas, my cruel fate condemns me to remain here till my tyrant is destroyed.” “Where is the villain!” “In the mauve salon. —
“唉，我的残酷命运使我被困在这里，直到我的暴君被摧毁。” “那个恶棍在哪里？” “在紫红色的客厅里。” —

Go, brave heart, and save me from despair.” ‘I obey, and return victorious or dead!” With these thrilling words he rushed away, and flinging open the door of the mauve salon, was about to enter, when he received——’
“去吧，勇敢的心，拯救我脱离绝望。” “我遵命，要么返回战胜的，要么死而归！”他说着这些令人激动的话，冲出去了。他推开了紫红色客厅的门，正准备进去，却——

‘A stunning blow from the big Greek lexicon, which an old fellow in a black gown fired at him,’ said Ned. ‘Instantly Sir What’s his-name recovered himself, pitched the tyrant out of the window, and turned to join the lady victorious, but with a bump on his brow; —
“一个老头穿着黑袍，用一本厚厚的希腊语词典打中了他。” 娜德说，“立刻，那个什么名字的爵士恢复了自己，把暴君从窗外扔了出去，然后转身准备和那位女士一起胜利归来，但是额头上撞出了一个包“ —

found the door locked, tore up the curtains, made a rope ladder, got half way down when the ladder broke, and he went head first into the moat, sixty feet below. —
“然后，他发现门锁着，撕下了窗帘，做了一个绳梯，快要下到一半的时候，绳梯断了，他头朝下掉进了六十英尺深的护城河里。” —

Could swim like a duck, paddled round the castle till he came to a little door guarded by two stout fellows; —
“他像鸭子一样游泳，绕着城堡划来，直到来到一个由两个强壮家伙守卫的小门”。 —

knocked their heads together till they cracked like a couple of nuts, then, by a trilling exertion of his prodigious strength, he smashed in the door, went up a pair of stone steps covered with dust a foot thick, toads as big as your fist, and spiders that would frighten you into hysterics, Miss March. At the top of these steps he came plump upon a sight that took his breath away and chilled his blood——’
他们的头被敲在一起，直到像一对坚果一样裂开，然后，通过他惊人的力量，他把门砸开，走上一对厚厚的尘土覆盖的石阶，蟾蜍大得像你的拳头，蜘蛛足以把你吓得歇斯底里，March小姐。在这些阶梯的顶部，他突然看到了一幅景象，让他喘不过气来，冷得浑身发抖——

‘A tall figure, all in white, with a veil over its face, and a lamp in its wasted hand,’ went on Meg. ‘It beckoned, gliding noiselessly before him down a corridor as dark and cold as any tomb. —
一个身穿白色长袍的高个子身影，脸上罩着一层面纱，手中拿着一盏快要熄灭的灯笼，悄无声息地向前滑动，走在一条黑暗而寒冷如坟墓的走廊上。 —

Shadowy effigies in armour stood on either side, a dead silence reigned, the lamp burned blue, and the ghostly figure ever and anon turned its face towards him showing the glitter of awful eyes through its white veil. —
装甲中的模糊雕像站在两侧，死一般的寂静笼罩着，灯笼发出蓝色的光芒，鬼魅般的身影时不时转过脸，透过白纱露出那惊人眼睛的闪烁光芒。 —

They reached a curtained door, behind which sounded lovely music; —
他们来到帷幕后的一扇门前，门后传来美妙的音乐声。 —

he sprang forward to enter, but the spectre plucked him back, and waved threateningly before him a——’
他向前扑去，要进入，但鬼魂把他拽了回来，并威胁性地在他面前挥舞着一——

‘Snuff-box,’ said Jo, in a sepulchral tone, which convulsed the audience. —
“鼻烟盒，”乔用一个阴森的声音说道，引得观众们哄堂大笑。 —

’“Thankee,” said the knight, politely, as he took a pinch, and sneezed seven times so violently that his head fell off. —
“谢谢,“骑士客气地说着，掏出一点烟，打了七个剧烈的喷嚏，以致头掉了下来。”哈！ —

“Ha! ha!” laughed the ghost; —
哈！”鬼魂大笑道； —

and having peeped through the keyhole at the princesses spinning away for dear life, the evil spirit picked up her victim and put him in a large tin box, where there were eleven other knights packed together without their heads, like sardines, who all rose and began to——’
经过钥孔看了看为了生死努力纺织的公主们，邪恶的精灵把她的受害者拾起来放进一个大锡盒子里，里面还有十一个没有头像沙丁鱼一样拥挤在一起的骑士，他们都站了起来开始——

‘Dance a hornpipe,’ cut in Fred, as Jo paused for breath; —
“跳霍恕舞，”弗雷德插嘴道，乔停下呼吸；” —

‘and, as they danced, the rubbishy old castle turned to a man-of-war in full sail. —
当他们跳舞时，那个破破烂烂的旧城堡变成了一艘风帆齐备的军舰。 —

“Up with the jib, reef the tops’l halliards, helm hard a-lee, and man the guns!” roared the captain, as a Portuguese pirate hove in sight, with a flag black as ink flying from her foremast. —
“提起狂风，收起拴索，舵向右，准备舰炮！” 船长大喊一声，葡萄牙的海盗出现在视野中，舷前飞起了一面黑得入骨的旗帜。 —

“Go in and win my hearties!” says the captain; —
“诸位，闯进去并征服我的心啊！”船长说道， —

and a tremendous fight began. —
于是一场激烈的战斗开始了。 —

Of course the British beat; they always do.’
当然英国人获胜了，他们总是这样。

‘No, they don’t,’ cried Jo, aside.
“不，他们不是这样。”乔在一旁大声说。

‘Having taken the pirate captain prisoner, sailed slap over the schooner, whose decks were piled with dead, and whose leescuppers ran blood, for the order had been “Cutlasses, and die hard!” “Bosun’s mate, take a bright of the flying jib sheet, and start this villain if he don’t confess his sins double quick,” said the British captain. —
“夺得海盗船长，随即穿过了堆满了尸体、甲板上流淌着血的船身，因为指令是’做好刀剑准备并顽强战斗！’ ” “大副，掌舵索一亮，如果这个恶棍不立即招供他的罪孽，就把他丢进水里吧。” 英国船长说。 —

The Portuguese held his tongue like a brick, and walked the plank, while the jolly tars cheered like mad. —
这名葡萄牙人像砖头一样闭口不言，然后走上了行刑木板，而快活的水手们欢呼雀跃。 —

But the sly dog dived, came up under the man-of-war, scuttled her, and down she went, with all sail set, “To the bottom of the sea, sea, sea,” where——’
但这只狡猾的狗从海底潜出来，钻进了军舰底部，把船腹掏空，然后她带着张开的帆沉入了”海海海的深处”，那里——

‘Oh, gracious! what shall I say?’ cried Sallie, as Fred ended his rigmarole, in which he had jumbled together, pell-mell, nautical phrases and facts out of one of his favourite books. —
“啊，天哪！我该说什么呢？”莎莉叫道，弗雷德结束了他混乱的述说，将他最喜欢的一本书中的航海术语和事实纷纷混在了一起。 —

‘Well, they went to the bottom, and a nice mermaid welcomed them, but was much grieved on finding the box of headless knights, and kindly pickled them in brine, hoping to discover the mystery about them, for, being a woman, she was curious. —
“嗯，他们下到了水底，被一位漂亮的美人鱼欢迎，但她在发现了那些没有头的骑士之后感到非常难过，于是她友善地把他们都腌制在盐水中，希望能解开他们的秘密，因为作为一个女人，她很好奇。” —

By and by, a diver came down, and the mermaid said, “I’ll give you this box of pearls if you can take it up”; —
不久，一个潜水员下到了水底，美人鱼说：“如果你能把这个盒子拿上来，我会给你这些珍珠。” —

for she wanted to restore the poor things to life, and couldn’t raise the heavy load herself. —
因为她希望能把这些可怜的生物复活过来，但自己无法提起这个沉重的负载。 —

So the diver hoisted it up, and was much disappointed to find no pearls. —
于是潜水员把盒子打捞上来，但他非常失望地发现里面没有珍珠。 —

He left it in a great lonely field, where it was found by a——’
他把盒子留在了一个荒凉的大田野里，后来被一个——’

‘Little goosegirl, who kept a hundred fat geese in the field,’ said Amy, when Sallies invention gave out. —
‘小鹅女孩找到了，她在那片地里养了一百只肥胖的鹅，’Sally一句接不上去的时候，Amy说道。 —

‘The little girl was sorry for them, and asked an old woman what she should do to help them. —
‘小女孩为这些鹅感到难过，并问一位老太婆该怎么办才能帮助它们。 —

“Your geese will tell you, they know everything,” said the old woman. —
“你的鹅会告诉你的，它们什么都知道，”老太婆说。 —

So she asked what she should use for new heads, since the old ones were lost, and all the geese opened their hundred mouths and screamed——’
所以她问应该用什么来做新的头，因为旧的头丢了，所有的鹅都张开了它们的百个嘴巴，尖叫起来——’

’“Cabbages!”’ continued Laurie, promptly. ‘“Just the thing,” said the girl, and ran to get twelve fine ones from her garden. —
“卷心菜！”劳里即刻回答道。”正好合适，” 那个女孩说着，就跑去她的花园里拿了十二个好的。 —

She put them on, the knights revived at once, thanked her, and went on their way rejoicing, never knowing the difference, for there were so many other heads like them in the world that no one thought anything of it. —
她戴上它们，骑士们立刻苏醒过来，感谢她，然后高高兴兴地继续走了，谁也没有注意到它们与其他世界上的许多相似的头之间的区别。 —

The knight in whom I’m interested went back to find the pretty face, and learned that the princesses had spun themselves free, and all gone to be married but one. —
我感兴趣的骑士回去找那个漂亮的脸孔，了解到公主们已经自己纺线脱困了，所有人都已经结婚了，只剩下一个。 —

He was in a great state of mind at that; —
对此，他感到非常不安， —

and mounting the colt, who stood by him through thick and thin, rushed to the castle to see which was left. —
骑上了一只从未离开过他的小马，冲向城堡，想看看剩下的是谁。 —

Peeping over the hedge, he saw the queen of his affections picking flowers in her garden. —
从篱笆上探头，他看到了他心爱的女王在花园里采花。” —

“Will you give me a rose?” said he. —
你能给我一朵玫瑰花吗？”他问道。 —

“You must come and get it. I can’t come to you; —
她甜蜜地说：“你必须来取。 —

it isn’t proper,” said she, as sweet as honey. —
我不能去找你；那样不合适。” —

He tried to climb over the hedge, but it seemed to grow higher and higher; —
他试图爬过树篱，但是它似乎变得越来越高； —

then he tried to push through, but it grew thicker and thicker and he was in despair. —
然后他试图推过去，但它变得越来越密，他感到绝望。 —

So he patiently broke twig after twig till he had made a little hole, through which he peeped, saying imploringly, “Let me in! let me in.” But the pretty princess did not seem to understand, for she picked her roses quietly, and left him to fight his way in. —
所以他耐心地一根一根地折断树枝，直到他做了一个小的洞，透过这个洞他凝视着，恳求地说：“让我进来！让我进来。”但是美丽的公主似乎不明白，因为她静静地采摘着玫瑰，把他留在那里自己去解脱困境。 —

Whether he did or not, Frank will tell you.’
弗兰克会告诉你他是否这样做。

‘I can’t; I’m not playing, I never do,’ said Frank, dismayed at the sentimental predicament out of which he was to rescue the absurd couple. —
‘我不能；我没在玩，我从来不玩，’ 弗兰克沮丧地说道，他对要解救这对荒谬的夫妻从这种感情困境中感到惶恐。 —

Beth had disappeared behind Jo, and Grace was asleep.
贝丝已经消失在乔后面，格蕾丝正在睡觉。

‘So the poor knight is to be left sticking in the hedge, is he?’ asked Mr. Brooke, still watching the river and playing with the wild rose in his buttonhole.
‘那么可怜的骑士就被留在树篱里了，对吧？’ 布鲁克先生问道，他依然注视着河流，玩弄着衣襟上的一朵野玫瑰。

‘I guess the princess gave him a posy, and opened the gate after a while,’ said Laurie, smiling to himself, as he threw acorns at his tutor.
“我猜公主给了他一束花，然后过了一会开了门，”劳瑞笑着对自己说道，同时他朝着导师扔橡子。

‘What a piece of nonsense we have made! —
“我们玩的这个简直是胡闹的！如果有练习的话， —

With practice we might do something quite clever. —
我们也许能做出些很聪明的东西。” —

Do you know “Truth”?’ asked Sallie, after they had laughed over their story.
他们讲笑完后，莎莉问道，“你知道《真相》吗？”

‘I hope so,’ said Meg, soberly.
“希望如此，”梅格严肃地说道。

‘The game, I mean?’
“游戏，我是说？”

‘What is it?’ said Fred.
“是什么？”弗雷德问道。

‘Why, you pile up your hands, choose a number, and draw out in turn, and the person who draws at the number has to answer truly any questions put by the rest. —
“哦，你们叠起你们的手掌，选一个数字，然后轮流抽取，抽到数字的人必须真实回答其他人提出的问题。 —

It’s great fun.’
这很有趣。”

‘Let’s try it,’ said Jo, who liked new experiments.
“我们试试吧，”乔说道，她喜欢尝试新的实验。

Miss Kate and Mr. Brooke, Meg, and Ned declined, but Fred, Sallie, Jo, and Laurie piled and drew; —
凯特小姐和布鲁克先生、梅格和内德都不参加，但弗雷德、莎莉、乔和劳瑞堆起手掌并抽取， —

and the lot fell to Laurie.
结果抽到了劳瑞。

‘Who are your heroes?’ asked Jo.
“你的英雄是谁？”乔问道。

‘Grandfather and Napoleon.’
“爷爷和拿破仑。”

‘Which lady here do you think prettiest?’ said Sallie.
“这里的哪位女士你觉得最漂亮？”莎莉问道。

‘Margaret.’
“玛格丽特。”

‘Which do you like best?’ from Fred.
“你最喜欢谁？”弗雷德问道。

‘Jo, of course.’
“当然是乔。”

‘What silly questions you ask!’ and Jo gave a disdainful shrug, as the rest laughed at Laurie’s matter-of-fact tone.
“你问的是什么傻问题！”乔不屑地耸了耸肩膀，其他人都笑了，笑声中带着劳里那一贯的态度。

‘Try again; Truth isn’t a bad game,’ said Fred.
“再试试，‘真心话大冒险’不是个坏游戏。”弗雷德说道。

‘It’s, a very good one for you,’ retorted Jo, in a low voice.
“对你来说，确实是个很好的游戏。”乔低声反驳道。

Her turn came next.
接下来轮到她了。

‘What is your greatest fault?’ asked Fred, by way of testing in her the virtue he lacked himself.
“你最大的缺点是什么？”弗雷德问道，试图从她身上找出他自己所缺乏的优点。

‘A quick temper.’
“脾气暴躁。”

‘What do you most wish for?’ said Laurie.
“你最希望得到什么？”劳里问道。

‘A pair of boot-lacings,’ returned Jo, guessing and defeating his purpose.
“一双鞋带，”乔猜到了他的目的，并以此击败了他。

‘Not a true answer; you must say what you really do want most.’
“不是真实的回答；你必须说出你真正最想要的东西。”

‘Genius; don’t you wish you could give it to me, Laurie?’ and she slyly smiled in his disappointed face.
“天赋；劳里，难道你不希望能把天赋给我吗？”她在他失望的脸上偷偷地笑了。

‘What virtues do you most admire in a man?’ asked Sallie.
“你最欣赏男人身上的哪些品质？”莎莉问道。

‘Courage and honesty.’
“勇气和诚实。”

‘Now my turn,’ said Fred, as his hand came last.
“现在轮到我了，”弗雷德说着，手最后被传递到了他。

‘Let’s give it to him,’ whispered Laurie to Jo, who nodded, and asked at once: ‘Didn’t you cheat at croquet?’
“我们来问他吧，”劳里悄悄对乔说道，乔点点头，立刻问道：“你在槌球比赛中作弊了吗？”

‘Well, yes, a little bit.’
“嗯，是的，有一点。”

‘Good! Didn’t you take your story out of The Sea-Lion?’ said Laurie.
“太好了！你把你的故事从《海狮》中摘出来了吗？”劳瑞问道。

‘Rather.’
“是的。”

‘Don’t you think the English nation perfect in every respect?’ asked Sallie.
“你不觉得英国是个完美无缺的国家吗？”莎莉问道。

‘I should be ashamed of myself if I didn’t.’
“如果我觉得不是，我会对自己感到羞愧。”

‘He’s a true John Bull. Now, Miss Sallie, You shall have a chance without waiting to draw. —
“他是个地道的英国人。莎莉小姐，现在轮到你了，不用等着抽签。” —

I’ll harrow up your feelings first by asking if you don’t think you are something of a flirt,’ said Laurie, as Jo nodded to Fred, as a sign that peace was declared.
劳瑞说：“我会先刺激你的感情，问一下你是否认为自己有点花心。”乔点点头示意与弗雷德和解。

‘You impertinent boy! of course I’m not,’ exclaimed Sallie, with an air that proved the contrary.
“你这个无礼的男孩！当然不是！”莎莉生气地说道，她的表情证明了相反的事实。

‘What do you hate most?’ asked Fred.
“你最讨厌什么？”弗雷德问。

‘Spiders and rice-pudding.’
“蜘蛛和米饭布丁。”

‘What do you like best?’ asked Jo.
“你最喜欢什么？”乔问道。

‘Dancing and French gloves.’
“跳舞和法国手套。”

‘Well, I think Truth is a very silly play; —
“嗯，我觉得《真实的游戏》是个很傻的戏剧， —

let’s have a sensible game of Authors, to refresh our minds,’ proposed Jo.
让我们来玩一个有意义的《作者》游戏，来让我们的思维清晰一下。”乔提议道。

Ned, Frank, and the little girls joined in this, and while it went on the three elder sat apart talking. —
“尼德、弗兰克和小女孩们也参加了，而三个年长者则坐在一旁交谈着。” —

Miss Kate took out her sketch again, and Margaret watched her, while Mr. Brooke lay on the grass, with a book which he did not read.
凯特小姐又拿出她的素描本，玛格丽特则注视着她，而布鲁克先生则躺在草地上，手里拿着一本他没有看的书。

‘How beautifully you do it! I wish I could draw,’ said Meg, with mingled admiration and regret in her voice.
“你画得真漂亮！我真希望我也会画画。”梅格用羡慕和遗憾交织的声音说道。

‘Why don’t you learn? I should think you had taste and talent for it,’ replied Miss Kate, graciously.
“你为什么不学呢？我觉得你有兴趣和天赋。” 凯特小姐和蔼地回答道。

‘I haven’t time.’
“我没有时间。”

‘Your mamma prefers other accomplishments, I fancy. —
“我猜你妈妈更喜欢其他的才艺。我的妈妈也是如此。 —

So did mine; —
” —

but I proved to her that I had talent by taking a few lessons privately, and then she was quite willing I should go on. —
“但我通过私下请了几堂课来证明我有天赋，然后她就非常愿意让我继续学习了。” —

Can’t you do the same with your governess?’
“你不能和你的家庭教师学习吗？”

‘I have none.’
“我没有家庭教师。”

‘I forgot; young ladies in America go to school more than with us. —
“我忘了，美国的年轻女孩比我们更多地去学校。 —

Very fine schools they are, too, papa says. —
爸爸说那些学校很好。 —

You go to a private one, I suppose?’
你上的是私立学校吗？”

‘I don’t go at all; I am a governess myself.’
“我根本不去学校；我自己是一位家庭教师。”

‘Oh, indeed!’ said Miss Kate; —
“哦，真的吗！”凯特小姐说道，但她其实可以说： —

but she might as well have said, ‘Dear me, how dreadful!’ for her tone implied it, and something in her face made Meg colour, and wish she had not been so frank.
“天啊，这真糟糕！”因为她的语气暗示着这样的意思。对此，梅格感到尴尬，希望自己没有那么坦率。 —

Mr. Brooke looked up, and said quickly, ‘Young ladies in America love independence as much as their ancestors did, and are admired and respected for supporting themselves.’
布鲁克先生抬头看着，迅速说道：“美国的年轻女士们与他们的祖先一样热爱独立，并因自己的支持而受人钦佩和尊重。”

‘Oh, yes; of course it’s very nice and proper in them to do so. —
“哦，是的；当然，她们这样做非常好和得体。” —

We have many most respectable and worthy young women who do the same, and are employed by the nobility, because, being the daughters of gentlemen, they are both well-bred and accomplished, you know,’ said Miss Kate in a patronising tone, that hurt Meg’s pride, and made her work seem not only more distasteful, but degrading.
凯特小姐以一种傲慢的口吻说道：“我们有很多非常体面和可敬的年轻女子也是这样做的，并为贵族所雇佣，因为她们既有良好的教养又有才华，你知道的。”这种态度伤害了梅格的自尊心，使她的工作不仅更加讨厌，而且令人感到有辱人格。

‘Did the German song suit, Miss March?’ inquired Mr. Brooke, breaking an awkward pause.
“德国歌曲是否适合马琳小姐？” 布鲁克先生问道，打破了尴尬的停顿。

‘Oh yes; it was very sweet, and I’m much obliged to whoever translated it for me’; —
‘是的，非常感谢为我翻译的人’; 麦格说着， —

and Meg’s downcast face brightened as she spoke.
她的脸色变得开朗起来。

‘Don’t you read German?’ asked Miss Kate, with a look of surprise.
“你不懂德语吗？”凯特小姐惊讶地问道。

‘Not very well. My father, who taught me, is away, and I don’t get on very fast alone, for I’ve no one to correct my pronunciation.’
“不太好。教我的父亲不在家，我自己进展得很慢，因为没有人能纠正我的发音。”

‘Try a little now; here is Schiller’s Mary Stuart, an a tutor who loves to teach,’ and Mr. Brooke laid his book on her lap, with an inviting smile.
“试一试吧；这是席勒的《玛丽·斯图亚特》，还有一个喜欢教导的导师。”布鲁克先生笑着把书放在她膝盖上。

‘It’s so hard, I’m afraid to try,’ said Meg, grateful, but bashful in the presence of the accomplished young lady beside her.
“太难了，我害怕尝试，”梅格说着，感激却在那位精通德语的年轻女士面前感到害羞。

‘I’ll read a bit to encourage you’; —
“我读一点给你听，鼓励一下你。 —

and Miss Kate read one of the most beautiful passages in a perfectly correct but perfectly expressionless manner.
”凯特小姐用完全正确但完全没有表情的方式读了一段最美的诗句。

Mr. Brooke made no comment as she returned the book to Meg, who said innocently:
布鲁克先生没有评论，他把书还给梅格，梅格天真地说道：“我以为是诗。”

‘I thought it was poetry.’
“有一部分是诗。试试这一段。”

‘Some of it is. Try this passage.’
当布鲁克先生打开玛丽可怜的哀悼时，他嘴角露出一丝古怪的微笑。

There was a queer smile about Mr. Brooke’s mouth as he opened at poor Mary’s lament.

Meg, obediently following the long grass blade which her new tutor used to point with, read slowly and timidly, unconsciously making poetry of the hard words by the soft intonation of her musical voice. —
梅格顺从地跟着她的新导师用来指着的长草叶子，慢慢而胆怯地阅读，不自觉地用她音乐般的声音的柔和语调使这些生字词成为了诗歌。 —

Down the page went the green guide, and presently forgetting her listener in the beauty of the sad scene Meg read as if alone, giving a little touch of tragedy to the words of the unhappy queen. —
绿色指南书在页面上滑动着，很快梅格便忘却了她的听众，沉醉在这悲伤场景的美中，她像独自一人那样朗读，将这个不开心的王后的词语融入一点点悲剧的情绪。 —

If she had seen the brown eyes then, she would have stopped short; —
如果她那时看到那双棕色的眼睛，她就会突然停下来； —

but she never looked up, and the lesson was not spoiled for her.
但她从未抬头，课程对她来说并没有因此而毁了。

‘Very well indeed!’ said Mr. Brooke, as she paused, quite ignoring her many mistakes, and looking as if he did, indeed, ‘love to teach’.
“非常好!“布鲁克先生说道，她停了下来，他完全忽略了她的许多错误，看起来他确实是”喜欢教书”的。

Miss Kate put up her glass, and having taken a survey of the little tableau before her, shut her sketch-book, saying, with condescension:
凯特小姐抬起眼镜，审视了她面前的小场景一番，合上了她的素描本，带着居高临下的口吻说道：

‘You’ve a nice accent, and in time will be a clever reader. —
“你的口音很好，时间久了会成为一个聪明的朗读者。 —

I advise you to learn, for German is a valuable accomplishment to teachers. —
我建议你学习，因为对于教师来说，懂德语是一项有价值的技能。” —

I must look after Grace, she is romping’; —
我必须照看格蕾丝，她正在嬉戏； —

and Miss Kate strolled away adding to herself, with a shrug, ‘I didn’t come to chaperone a governess, though she is young and pretty. —
凯特小姐边走边自语道，耸了耸肩膀说：“我可不是来陪伴一个家庭教师的，尽管她年轻漂亮。 —

What odd people these Yankees are; —
这些洋人可真是奇怪的人； —

I’m afraid Laurie will be quite spoilt among them.’
我怕劳里在他们中间会被宠坏的。

‘I forgot that English people rather turn up their noses at governesses, and don’t treat them as we do,’ said Meg, looking after the retreating figure with an annoyed expression.
“我忘了英国人对家庭教师比较嗤之以鼻，不像我们这样对待他们。”梅格看着那个离开的身影，愠怒地说道。

‘Tutors, also, have rather a hard time of it there, as I know to my sorrow. —
“在那里，家教也相当不容易，我深有感触。” —

There’s no place like America for us workers, Miss Margaret’, and Mr. Brooke looked so contented and cheerful, that Meg was ashamed to lament her hard lot. —
“对我们这些工人来说，美国是没有比它更好的地方了，梅格小姐。”布鲁克先生看起来很满足和愉快，让梅格感到羞愧，她不该抱怨自己的艰辛命运。 —

‘I’m glad I live in it, then. I don’t like my work, but I get a good deal of satisfaction out of it after all, so I won’t complain; —
“那我就高兴住在这里了。虽然我不喜欢我的工作，但终究能从中得到很多满足，所以我不会抱怨； —

I only wish I liked teaching as you do.’
我只是希望我像你一样喜欢教书。”

‘I think you would if you had Laurie for a pupil. —
“如果你有劳瑞这个学生的话， —

I shall be very sorry to lose him next year,’ said Mr. Brooke, busily punching holes in the turf.
我想你会的。明年失去他我会很难过。”布鲁克先生忙着在草地上打孔。

‘Going to college, I suppose?’ Meg’s lips asked that question, but her eyes added, ‘And what becomes of you?’
梅格的嘴唇问道：“去上大学吧？”但她的眼睛又补充着：“你会怎样呢？”

‘Yes; it’s high time he went, for he is ready; —
“是的，他该去了，他已经准备好了。 —

and as soon as he is off I shall turn soldier. —
他一走，我就要当兵。我是被需要的。 —

I am needed.’
”

‘I am glad of that!’ exclaimed Meg. ‘I should think every young man would want to go; —
“我很高兴！”梅格惊喜地说。“我想每个年轻人都想去；尽管这对待在家的母亲和姐妹们来说很辛苦。”她悲伤地补充道。 —

though it is hard for the mothers and sisters who stay at home,’ she added, sorrowfully.
“我没有家人，也没有几个朋友在乎我活着还是死了。”布鲁克先生有点苦涩地说着，不经意间把枯萎的玫瑰放进他挖的坑里，像一个小墓。

‘I have neither, and very few friends, to care whether I live or die,’ said Mr. Brooke, rather bitterly, as he absently put the dead rose in the hole he had made and covered it up, like a little grave.
“劳瑞和他的祖父会非常在乎的，我们都会很难过如果你发生任何不幸的事情。”梅格热情地说。

‘Laurie and his grandfather would care a great deal, and we should all be very sorry to have any harm happen to you,’ said Meg, heartily.
“谢谢你，那听起来很愉快。”布鲁克先生开始愉快地说着，他又看起来欢快了。

‘Thank you; that sounds pleasant,’ began Mr. Brooke, looking cheerful again; —
“如果去战争对我来说意味着不能再见到你们，那我宁愿留在这里。” —

but before he could finish his speech, Ned, mounted on the old horse, came lumbering up to display his equestrian skill before the young ladies, and there was no more quiet that day.
但他还没来得及完成讲话，尼德骑在那匹老马上就上前向年轻女孩展示他的马术技巧，那天再也没有安静下来。

‘Don’t you love to ride?’ asked Grace of Amy, as they stood resting, after a race round the field with the others, led by Ned.
“你喜欢骑马吗？”格雷斯问艾米，她们正站在一边休息，与其他人一起绕着场地比赛。

‘I dote upon it; my sister Meg used to ride when papa was rich but we don’t keep any horses now, except Ellen Tree,’ added Amy, laughing.
“我痴迷于骑马；我姐姐梅格在爸爸有钱的时候常骑马，但现在我们只有一匹叫埃伦树的驴子。”艾米笑着补充道。

‘Tell me about Ellen Tree; —
“告诉我关于埃伦树的事情； —

is it a donkey?’ asked Grace, curiously.
它是一匹驴子吗？”格雷斯好奇地问道。

‘Why, you see, Jo is crazy about horses, and so am I, but we’ve only got an old side-saddle, and no horse. —
“你看，乔痴迷于马，我也一样，但我们只有一副旧马鞍，没有马。 —

But in our garden is an apple-tree, that has a nice low branch; —
“但我们花园里有一棵苹果树，有一根低矮的树枝； —

so Jo put the saddle on it, fixed some reins on the part that turns up, and we bounce away on Ellen Tree whenever we like.’
乔把马鞍放在上面，在能够转动的部分上面绑上了一些缰绳，我们想骑的时候就跳上埃伦树，跳一跳。”

‘How funny!’ laughed Grace. ‘I have a pony at home, and ride nearly every day in the park, with Fred and Kate; —
“真有趣！”格雷斯笑了。“我家有一匹小马，我几乎每天都和弗雷德和凯特一起去公园骑马。” —

it’s very nice, for my friends go too, and the Row is full of ladies and gentlemen.’
这真是太好了，让我的朋友也来吧，游览大道上满是绅士和淑女。

‘Dear, how charming! I hope I shall go abroad some day; —
“亲爱的，太迷人了！我希望将来有一天能出国旅游； —

but I’d rather go to Rome than the Row,’ said Amy, who had not the remotest idea what the Row was, and wouldn’t have asked for the world.
不过我宁愿去罗马而不是大道，”艾米说，她对大道一无所知，也不愿意问。

Frank, sitting just behind the little girls, heard what they were saying, and pushed his crutch away from him with an impatient gesture, as he watched the active lads going through all sorts of comical gymnastics. —
坐在小女孩身后的弗兰克听到他们在说什么，不耐烦地把拐杖推开，看着活泼的男孩们做各种滑稽的体操动作。 —

Beth, who was collecting the scattered Author-cards, looked up, and said, in her shy yet friendly way:
正在收集散落的作者卡片的贝丝抬起头，用她害羞而友善的方式说道：

‘I’m afraid you are tired; can I do anything for you?’
“我怕你累了，我能帮忙做点什么吗？”

‘Talk to me, please; it’s dull, sitting by myself,’ answered Frank, who had evidently been used to being made much of at home.
弗兰克显然习惯在家里备受宠爱，回答道：“请跟我说话，我一个人坐着很无聊。”

If he had asked her to deliver a Latin oration, it would not have seemed a more impossible task to bashful Beth; —
如果他要她做一场拉丁演讲，对于害羞的贝丝来说，这似乎是完全不可能的任务。 —

but there was no place to run to, no Jo to hide behind now, and the poor boy looked so wistfully at her, that she bravely resolved to try.
但是现在没有地方可逃，没有Jo可以躲在身后了，这个可怜的男孩看着她，她勇敢地决定尝试一下。

‘What do you like to talk about?’ she asked, fumbling over the cards, and dropping half as she tried to tie them up.
“你喜欢谈什么？”她问道，拿着纸牌纷乱地慌乱着，试图绑起一半纸牌。

‘Well, I like to hear about cricket and boating and hunting,’ said Frank, who had not yet learnt to suit his amusements to his strength.
“嗯，我喜欢听关于板球、划船和打猎的事情，”Frank说道，他还没有学会根据自己的能力选择娱乐方式。

‘My heart! what shall I do? —
‘天啊！我该怎么办？ —

I don’t know anything about them,’ thought Beth; —
我对这些一无所知，’Beth想着。 —

and, forgetting the boy’s misfortune in her flurry, she said, hoping to make him talk, ‘I never saw any hunting, but I suppose you know all about it.’
忘记了男孩的不幸，她希望能让他开口，说道，“我从来没见过打猎，但我想你对这方面肯定很了解。”

‘I did once; but I can never hunt again, for I got hurt leaping a confounded five-barred gate; —
“我曾经知道，但我再也不能打猎了，因为我跳过了一个该死的五道栅栏而受伤，”Frank叹了口气，让Beth为她天真的错误感到自责。 —

so there are no more horses and hounds for me,’ said Frank, with a sigh that made Beth hate herself for her innocent blunder.
所以对我来说再也没有马和猎犬了，”Frank说道。

‘Your deer are much prettier than our ugly buffaloes,’ she said, turning to the prairies for help, and feeling glad that she had read one of the boy’s books in which Jo delighted.
她说：“你们的鹿比我们丑陋的水牛漂亮多了。”她转向草原寻求帮助，并为自己曾经读过男孩喜欢的一本书而感到高兴。

Buffaloes proved soothing and satisfactory; and, in her eagerness to amuse another, Beth forgot herself, and was quite unconscious of her sisters’ surprise and delight at the unusual spectacle of Beth talking away to one of the dreadful boys, against whom she had begged protection.
水牛令人感到宁静和满足；为了取悦另一个人，贝丝忘记了自己，并对贝丝向她乞求保护的可怕男孩们的惊讶和喜悦毫不知情。

‘Bless her heart! She pities him, so she is good to him,’ said Jo, beaming at her from the croquet ground.
“天哪！她可怜他，所以对他很好，”乔从槌球场上兴高采烈地望着她说。

‘I always said she was a little saint,’ added Meg, as if there could be no further doubt about it.
“我一直说她是个小圣人，”梅格补充说，好像对此再没有疑问。

‘I haven’t heard Frank laugh so much for ever so long,’ said Grace to Amy, as they sat discussing dolls, and making tea-sets out of the acorn-cups.
“我好久没听到弗兰克笑得这么开心了，”格蕾斯跟艾米一起坐着讨论玩偶，把橡子杯做成茶具。

‘My sister Beth is a very fastidious girl when she likes to be,’ said Amy, well pleased at Beth’s success. —
“我妹妹贝丝在她愿意的时候是个非常挑剔的女孩，”艾米很高兴地说道，对贝丝的成功感到满意。 —

She meant ‘fascinating’, but as Grace didn’t know the exact meaning of either word ‘fastidious’ sounded well, and made a good impression. —
她本来想说是“迷人的”，但是格蕾丝对这两个词的确切含义不清楚，所以“苛求苛责的”听起来不错，给人留下了好印象。 —

An impromptu circus, fox and geese, and an amicable game of croquet finished the afternoon. —
一个即兴的马戏团，跳房子游戏和友好的槌球比赛结束了下午。 —

At sunset the tent was struck, hampers packed, wickets pulled up, boats loaded, and the whole party floated down the river, singing at the tops of their voices. —
日落时，帐篷被拆起，篮子被打包，竹柱被拔起，船只被装载，整个队伍漂流下河，高声地唱歌。 —

Ned, getting sentimental, warbled a serenade with the pensive refrain:
尼德变得多愁善感，唱出一个带有忧伤反复的小夜曲：

‘Alone, alone, ah! woe, alone,’
“独自一人，独自一人，啊！独自一人。”

and at the lines:
并且在以下这句歌词中：

‘We each are young, we each have a heart, Oh, why should we thus stand coldly apart,’
“我们都年轻，我们都有一颗心，哦，为什么我们要如此冷漠地站在一旁”。

he looked at Meg with such a lackadaisical expression that she laughed outright and spoilt his song.
他望着梅格，带着一种愁思的表情看着她，她直接笑了出来，破坏了他的歌曲。

‘How can you be so cruel to me?’ he whispered, under cover of a lively chorus. —
“你为什么对我这么残忍？”他在欢快的合唱声中低声说道。 —

‘You’ve kept close to that starched-up English woman all day, and now you snub me.’
“你整天都黏在那个一本正经的英国女人背后，现在又对我冷嘲热讽。”

‘I didn’t mean to; but you looked so funny I really couldn’t help it,’ replied Meg, passing over the first part of his reproach; —
“我不是故意这样的；但是你看起来太好笑了，我实在忍不住。”梅格回答道，略过了他的责备的前半部分。 —

for it was quite true that she had shunned him, remembering the Moffat party and the talk after it.
因为她忍住了他，还记得莫法特派对和之后的谈话。

Ned was off ended, and turned to Sallie for consolation, saying to her, rather pettishly, ‘There isn’t a bit of flirt in that girl, is there?’
尼德感到被冒犯了，转而向莎莉寻求安慰，有点发脾气地对她说：“那个女孩一点朋友都没有吗？”

‘Not a particle; but she’s a dear,’ returned Sallie, def ending her friend, even while confessing her shortcomings.
“一点都没有；但她很亲爱，”莎莉回答。她在承认她的缺点的同时也为她的朋友辩护。

‘She’s not a stricken deer, anyway,’ said Ned, trying to be witty, and succeeding as well as very young gentlemen usually do. —
“她毕竟不是一只受伤的鹿，”尼德试图机智地说，结果和年轻的绅士通常有的成功一样。 —

On the lawn, where it had gathered, the little party separated, with cordial good nights and good-byes, for the Vaughns were going to Canada. —
在草坪上聚集的小团体分开了，亲切地道别，因为沃恩一家要去加拿大。 —

As the four sisters went home through the garden, Miss Kate looked after them, saying, without the patronising tone in her voice, ‘In spite of their demonstrative manners, American girls are very nice when one knows them.’
当四姐妹们穿过花园回家时，凯特小姐望着她们，没有带着傲慢的语气说：“尽管美国女孩的行为很热情，但一旦了解她们，她们很好相处。”

‘I quite agree with you,’ said Mr. Brooke.
“我完全同意你的观点，”布鲁克先生说道。