OLIVER’S DESTINY CONTINUING UNPROPITIOUS, BRINGS A GREAT MAN TO LONDON TO INJURE HIS REPUTATION
奥利弗的命运依然不顺，一位伟大人物来到伦敦却损害了他的声誉。

It is the custom on the stage, in all good murderous melodramas, to present the tragic and the comic scenes, in as regular alternation, as the layers of red and white in a side of streaky bacon. —
在舞台上的优秀悲剧和喜剧剧目中，习惯性地将悲剧和喜剧场景交替呈现，就像一块有红白相间条纹的培根一样。 —

The hero sinks upon his straw bed, weighed down by fetters and misfortunes; —
主人公沉沦于稻草床上，被铁链和不幸压倒； —

in the next scene, his faithful but unconscious squire regales the audience with a comic song. —
在下一场景中，他的忠实却不知情的侍从以滑稽的歌曲取悦观众。 —

We behold, with throbbing bosoms, the heroine in the grasp of a proud and ruthless baron: —
我们看到女主角被高傲残暴的男爵所控制： —

her virtue and her life alike in danger, drawing forth her dagger to preserve the one at the cost of the other; —
她的贞节和生命都处于危险之中，为了保护前者而牺牲后者拔出匕首； —

and just as our expectations are wrought up to the highest pitch, a whistle is heard, and we are straightway transported to the great hall of the castle; —
正当我们的期待被激发至最高潮时，一声口哨响起，我们立刻被传送到城堡的大厅； —

where a grey-headed seneschal sings a funny chorus with a funnier body of vassals, who are free of all sorts of places, from church vaults to palaces, and roam about in company, carolling perpetually.
那里，一个白发苍苍的总管和一群搞笑的诸侯一起唱着滑稽的合唱，自由自在地漫游各种地方，从教堂地下室到宫殿，不停地高歌。

Such changes appear absurd; but they are not so unnatural as they would seem at first sight. —
这样的转变似乎荒谬；但实际上并不像一开始看起来那么不自然。 —

The transitions in real life from well-spread boards to death-beds, and from mourning-weeds to holiday garments, are not a whit less startling; —
现实生活中从摆满酒席到临终床榻，从丧服到节日服装的突然转变，同样让人震惊； —

only, there, we are busy actors, instead of passive lookers-on, which makes a vast difference. —
只是，在那里，我们是忙碌的参与者，而不是被动的旁观者，这是一个巨大的不同。 —

The actors in the mimic life of the theatre, are blind to violent transitions and abrupt impulses of passion or feeling, which, presented before the eyes of mere spectators, are at once condemned as outrageous and preposterous.
戏剧舞台上的演员对于剧烈的情感冲动和突如其来的转变视而不见，而在观众眼中，这些便立刻被谴责为极端荒谬和荒唐。

As sudden shiftings of the scene, and rapid changes of time and place, are not only sanctioned in books by long usage, but are by many considered as the great art of authorship: —
突如其来的场景转换和快速的时间空间变化不仅在书中被长期使用所认可，而且被许多人视为作者的伟大技巧： —

an author’s skill in his craft being, by such critics, chiefly estimated with relation to the dilemmas in which he leaves his characters at the end of every chapter: —
这样的评论家主要将作者在每一章结尾留下角色处于困境的能力作为衡量作者技巧的标准： —

this brief introduction to the present one may perhaps be deemed unnecessary. —
或许，对于这篇简短的介绍可能会被视为不必要。 —

If so, let it be considered a delicate intimation on the part of the historian that he is going back to the town in which Oliver Twist was born; —
如果是这样，那么历史学家的一种微妙的暗示是他要回到奥利弗·特威斯特出生的城镇； —

the reader taking it for granted that there are good and substantial reasons for making the journey, or he would not be invited to proceed upon such an expedition.
读者认为之所以被邀请继续这样的探险旅程，一定是因为有充分而正当的理由；

Mr. Bumble emerged at early morning from the workhouse-gate, and walked with portly carriage and commanding steps, up the High Street. —
邦布尔先生清早从济贫院的大门里走了出来，昂首阔步地朝着大街走去； —

He was in the full bloom and pride of beadlehood; —
他正值领班的全盛和自豪时期； —

his cocked hat and coat were dazzling in the morning sun; —
他的三角帽和外套在晨光中熠熠生辉； —

he clutched his cane with the vigorous tenacity of health and power. —
他用充沛和强大的力量紧紧握住手杖； —

Mr. Bumble always carried his head high; but this morning it was higher than usual. —
邦布尔先生总是昂首挺胸，但今天早晨看上去又高了些。 —

There was an abstraction in his eye, an elevation in his air, which might have warned an observant stranger that thoughts were passing in the beadle’s mind, too great for utterance.
他眼中有一种抽象的表情，他的举止中流露着一种超凡脱俗的气质，这也许会提醒一个敏锐的陌生人，这位英国教区执法官的内心中正有着无法言喻的思虑。

Mr. Bumble stopped not to converse with the small shopkeepers and others who spoke to him, deferentially, as he passed along. —
在经过时，包括小商贩在内的人们都恭敬地跟他打招呼，但布兰堡先生没有停下来与他们交谈。 —

He merely returned their salutations with a wave of his hand, and relaxed not in his dignified pace, until he reached the farm where Mrs. Mann tended the infant paupers with parochial care.
他只是挥手回应他们的问候，一直保持着威严的步伐，直到到达曼太太照料贫民幼童的牧场。

‘Drat that beadle!’ said Mrs. Mann, hearing the well-known shaking at the garden-gate. —
‘可恶的教区执法官！’曼太太听到熟悉的院门摇晃声后说道。 —

‘If it isn’t him at this time in the morning! Lauk, Mr. Bumble, only think of its being you! —
‘真没想到这么早就来了！噢，布兰堡先生，想想看这是您！ —

Well, dear me, it IS a pleasure, this is! —
天哪，这真是一种愉悦！ —

Come into the parlour, sir, please.’
请进客厅，先生。’

The first sentence was addressed to Susan; —
第一句话是对苏珊说的； —

and the exclamations of delight were uttered to Mr. Bumble: —
而喜悦的感叹则是对布兰堡先生说的： —

as the good lady unlocked the garden-gate: —
好太太打开花园门： —

and showed him, with great attention and respect, into the house.
并极为殷勤地把他领进屋子。

‘Mrs. Mann,’ said Mr. Bumble; not sitting upon, or dropping himself into a seat, as any common jackanapes would: —
‘曼太太，’布兰堡先生说，它并没有坐到或者扔下自己坐在椅子上，像一般的乡巴佬会做的那样； —

but letting himself gradually and slowly down into a chair; ‘Mrs. Mann, ma’am, good morning.’
而是慢慢地、渐渐地坐在椅子上；’曼太太，女士，早上好。’

‘Well, and good morning to you, sir,’ replied Mrs. Mann, with many smiles; —
‘噢，早上好，先生，’曼太太回答，带着许多微笑； —

‘and hoping you find yourself well, sir!’
‘希望您身体健康，先生！’

‘So-so, Mrs. Mann,’ replied the beadle. ‘A porochial life is not a bed of roses, Mrs. Mann.’
‘那个，曼太太，’领导回答说。’一个教区的生活并不是床上的玫瑰，曼太太。’

‘Ah, that it isn’t indeed, Mr. Bumble,’ rejoined the lady. —
‘啊，确实是这样，包姆先生，’那位女士回答道。 —

And all the infant paupers might have chorussed the rejoinder with great propriety, if they had heard it.
如果他们听到的话，所有的幼童乞丐们都可能非常适当地合唱这句回答。

‘A porochial life, ma’am,’ continued Mr. Bumble, striking the table with his cane, ‘is a life of worrit, and vexation, and hardihood; —
‘一个教区的生活，夫人，’包姆先生继续说，用手杖敲着桌子，’是一种烦恼、烦闷和艰辛的生活; —

but all public characters, as I may say, must suffer prosecution.’
但所有的公共人物，我可以这么说，都必须承受起诉。

Mrs. Mann, not very well knowing what the beadle meant, raised her hands with a look of sympathy, and sighed.
曼太太不太明白领导的意思，举起手来表现出同情的样子，并叹了口气。

‘Ah! You may well sigh, Mrs. Mann!’ said the beadle.
‘啊！曼太太！’那位领导说。

Finding she had done right, Mrs. Mann sighed again: —
发现自己做对了，曼太太又叹了口气： —

evidently to the satisfaction of the public character: —
显然是给公共人物带来了满足： —

who, repressing a complacent smile by looking sternly at his cocked hat, said,
他摆出一副严厉的神色看着自己的三角帽，压下了一丝得意的微笑后说，

‘Mrs. Mann, I am going to London.’
‘曼太太，我要去伦敦了。

‘Lauk, Mr. Bumble!’ cried Mrs. Mann, starting back.
‘天啊，包姆先生！’曼太太叫了起来。

‘To London, ma’am,’ resumed the inflexible beadle, ‘by coach. I and two paupers, Mrs. Mann! —
‘到伦敦去，夫人，’那位坚定不移的领导继续说，’坐车去。我和两个乞丐，曼太太！ —

A legal action is a coming on, about a settlement; —
一个与住所有关的法律诉讼要进行； —

and the board has appointed me–me, Mrs. Mann–to dispose to the matter before the quarter-sessions at Clerkinwell.
董事会已经任命我–我，曼太太–在克拉金韦尔的季节审判之前处理这件事。

And I very much question,’ added Mr. Bumble, drawing himself up, ‘whether the Clerkinwell Sessions will not find themselves in the wrong box before they have done with me.’
“我非常怀疑，”邦布尔先生说道，昂首挺胸，”克勒肯韦尔法庭审判结束之前，他们会发现他们找错了人。“

‘Oh! you mustn’t be too hard upon them, sir,’ said Mrs. Mann, coaxingly.
“哦！不要对他们太苛刻，先生，”曼太太哄着说。

‘The Clerkinwell Sessions have brought it upon themselves, ma’am,’ replied Mr. Bumble; —
“克勒肯韦尔法庭自讨苦吃，夫人，”邦布尔回答说； —

‘and if the Clerkinwell Sessions find that they come off rather worse than they expected, the Clerkinwell Sessions have only themselves to thank.’
“如果克勒肯韦尔法庭发现自己比预期的更糟，那只能怪克勒肯韦尔法庭自找的麻烦。”

There was so much determination and depth of purpose about the menacing manner in which Mr. Bumble delivered himself of these words, that Mrs. Mann appeared quite awed by them. —
邦布尔说这些话时带着威胁的口气和深沉的决心，曼太太被吓到了。 —

At length she said,
最后她说，

‘You’re going by coach, sir? I thought it was always usual to send them paupers in carts.’
“您要坐车去，先生？我记得送那些乞丐通常用马车。”

‘That’s when they’re ill, Mrs. Mann,’ said the beadle. —
“那是当他们病了，曼太太，”邦布尔说。 —

‘We put the sick paupers into open carts in the rainy weather, to prevent their taking cold.’
“我们在下雨天会把病乞丐放在敞篷马车里，以防感冒。”

‘Oh!’ said Mrs. Mann.
“哦！”曼太太说。

‘The opposition coach contracts for these two; and takes them cheap,’ said Mr. Bumble. —
“对家贫人进行运输由对手马车公司承包；价格便宜，”邦布尔说。 —

‘They are both in a very low state, and we find it would come two pound cheaper to move ‘em than to bury ‘em–that is, if we can throw ‘em upon another parish, which I think we shall be able to do, if they don’t die upon the road to spite us. Ha! ha! ha!’
“他们两个健康状况很差，我们发现把他们送走比埋葬他们要便宜两镑——如果我们能把他们甩给其他教区，我认为我们能做到，如果他们不在路上故意死才糟。哈！哈！哈！”

When Mr. Bumble had laughed a little while, his eyes again encountered the cocked hat; —
当邦布尔笑了一会儿后，他的目光再次被那顶高顶礼帽吸引； —

and he became grave.
他变得严肃起来。

‘We are forgetting business, ma’am,’ said the beadle; —
“我们忘记了生意，夫人，”邦布尔说； —

‘here is your porochial stipend for the month.’
“这是你这个月的教区薪饷。”

Mr. Bumble produced some silver money rolled up in paper, from his pocket-book; —
邦布尔先生从口袋里拿出一些包着纸的银币； —

and requested a receipt: which Mrs. Mann wrote.
并要求曼太太写一张收据。

‘It’s very much blotted, sir,’ said the farmer of infants; ‘but it’s formal enough, I dare say. —
“这张写得很模糊，先生，”养婴农民说，“但应该够正式了，我敢说。” —

Thank you, Mr. Bumble, sir, I am very much obliged to you, I’m sure.’
“谢谢您，邦布尔先生，我真是非常感激您。”

Mr. Bumble nodded, blandly, in acknowledgment of Mrs. Mann’s curtsey; —
邦布尔先生微笑着点头，对曼太太的鞠躬表示感谢； —

and inquired how the children were.
并问起孩子们过得怎么样了。

‘Bless their dear little hearts!’ said Mrs. Mann with emotion, ‘they’re as well as can be, the dears! —
“‘上帝保佑他们这些可爱的小心肝儿！’Mrs. Mann情感激动地说道，‘他们都很好，这些宝贝们！’” —

Of course, except the two that died last week. And little Dick.’
“当然，除了上周死去的那两个。还有小狄克。”

‘Isn’t that boy no better?’ inquired Mr. Bumble.
“那个孩子还没有好转吗？”彭博先生询问道。

Mrs. Mann shook her head.
Mrs. Mann摇了摇头。

‘He’s a ill-conditioned, wicious, bad-disposed porochial child that,’ said Mr. Bumble angrily. ‘Where is he?’
“他是个受不良品性、恶毒、邪恶的教区孩子，”彭博生气地说，“他在哪儿？”

‘I’ll bring him to you in one minute, sir,’ replied Mrs. Mann. ‘Here, you Dick!’
“我马上把他带给您，先生，”Mrs. Mann回答道，“狄克，你过来！”

After some calling, Dick was discovered. Having had his face put under the pump, and dried upon Mrs. Mann’s gown, he was led into the awful presence of Mr. Bumble, the beadle.
经过一番呼唤，狄克被找到了。他的脸被扔到水泵下，然后在Mrs. Mann的长裙上擦干，然后被领到了宝莫尔先生，这位法警的可怕面前。

The child was pale and thin; his cheeks were sunken; and his eyes large and bright. —
孩子脸色苍白，又瘦又消瘦，两颊凹陷，大眼睛明亮。 —

The scanty parish dress, the livery of his misery, hung loosely on his feeble body; —
破旧的教区装束，困苦的标志，松松垮垮地挂在他虚弱的身体上； —

and his young limbs had wasted away, like those of an old man.
他幼小的四肢像老人一样消瘦下去。

Such was the little being who stood trembling beneath Mr. Bumble’s glance; —
站在彭博先生注视下的小家伙就是这个样子； —

not daring to lift his eyes from the floor; —
他不敢从地板上抬起眼睛； —

and dreading even to hear the beadle’s voice.
甚至害怕听见法警的声音。

‘Can’t you look at the gentleman, you obstinate boy?’ said Mrs. Mann.
“你这个顽固的孩子，难道就不能看着这位先生吗？”Mrs. Mann说道。

The child meekly raised his eyes, and encountered those of Mr. Bumble.
孩子顺从地抬起眼睛，与彭博先生的目光相遇。

‘What’s the matter with you, porochial Dick?’ inquired Mr. Bumble, with well-timed jocularity.
‘你这个顽皮的迪克，你怎么了？’ Bumble先生问道，幽默地问。

‘Nothing, sir,’ replied the child faintly.
‘没什么，先生，’孩子微弱地回答。

‘I should think not,’ said Mrs. Mann, who had of course laughed very much at Mr. Bumble’s humour.
‘我觉得没有，’Mann太太当然非常开怀地笑了。

‘You want for nothing, I’m sure.’
‘你什么都不缺，我肯定。’

‘I should like–’ faltered the child.
‘我想–’孩子支吾道。

‘Hey-day!’ interposed Mr. Mann, ‘I suppose you’re going to say that you DO want for something, now? —
‘哎呀！’Mann先生打断道，‘我猜你现在要说你确实希望有某些东西了吧？ —

Why, you little wretch–’
‘你这个小坏蛋–’

‘Stop, Mrs. Mann, stop!’ said the beadle, raising his hand with a show of authority. —
‘夫人，停下来！’道德巡视员举起手，显示出一丝权威。 —

‘Like what, sir, eh?’
‘像什么，先生，嗯？’

‘I should like,’ faltered the child, ‘if somebody that can write, would put a few words down for me on a piece of paper, and fold it up and seal it, and keep it for me, after I am laid in the ground.’
‘我想要，’孩子结巴地说，’如果有人会写字，能够给我在一张纸上写几句话，然后折叠起来，封好，放在我入土之后留着。

‘Why, what does the boy mean?’ exclaimed Mr. Bumble, on whom the earnest manner and wan aspect of the child had made some impression: —
‘噢，这孩子是什么意思？’巴姆布先生惊呼道，小孩认真的态度和憔悴的样子对他产生了一些影响， —

accustomed as he was to such things. ‘What do you mean, sir?’
尽管他对这些事情早已司空见惯。’你是什么意思，先生？’

‘I should like,’ said the child, ‘to leave my dear love to poor Oliver Twist; —
‘我想要，’孩子说，’告诉我亲爱的奥利弗·唐斯特， —

and to let him know how often I have sat by myself and cried to think of his wandering about in the dark nights with nobody to help him. —
告诉他我多么常常独自坐着哭，想到他在黑夜中孤苦无助地四处漫游。 —

And I should like to tell him,’ said the child pressing his small hands together, and speaking with great fervour, ‘that I was glad to die when I was very young; —
而且我想告诉他，’孩子双手紧握在一起，满怀热情地说，’我很高兴年纪轻轻就死去； —

for, perhaps, if I had lived to be a man, and had grown old, my little sister who is in Heaven, might forget me, or be unlike me; —
因为也许，如果我活到成年，变老，我的已经在天堂的小妹妹会忘记我，或者变得和我不同； —

and it would be so much happier if we were both children there together.’
如果我们一起在天上成为孩子，那将会更加幸福。’

Mr. Bumble surveyed the little speaker, from head to foot, with indescribable astonishment; —
巴姆布先生难以置信地打量着小说话者，从头到脚； —

and, turning to his companion, said, ‘They’re all in one story, Mrs. Mann. That out-dacious Oliver had demogalized them all!’
然后转向同伴说，’他们都是一家子，曼夫人。那个胆大包天的奥利弗已经搞乱了他们所有人！’

‘I couldn’t have believed it, sir’ said Mrs Mann, holding up her hands, and looking malignantly at Dick. ‘I never see such a hardened little wretch!’
‘我简直难以置信，先生’曼夫人说着，举起双手，恶狠狠地看着迪克。’我从未见过如此顽固的家伙！’

‘Take him away, ma’am!’ said Mr. Bumble imperiously. ‘This must be stated to the board, Mrs. Mann.
‘把他带走，夫人！’巴姆布先生威严地说。’这事必须向委员会报告，曼夫人。

‘I hope the gentleman will understand that it isn’t my fault, sir?’ —
‘希望这位先生明白这不是我的错，先生？’ —

said Mrs. Mann, whimpering pathetically.
玛丽斯·曼姨妈哽咽着说。

‘They shall understand that, ma’am; they shall be acquainted with the true state of the case,’ said Mr. Bumble. —
‘他们会明白的，夫人；他们会了解事实的真相，’邦布尔先生说。 —

‘There; take him away, I can’t bear the sight on him.’
‘把他带走，我看不惯他的样子了。’

Dick was immediately taken away, and locked up in the coal-cellar. —
迪克立刻被带走，锁进了煤窖。 —

Mr. Bumble shortly afterwards took himself off, to prepare for his journey.
不久之后，邦布尔先生离开，准备启程。

At six o’clock next morning, Mr. Bumble: having exchanged his cocked hat for a round one, and encased his person in a blue great-coat with a cape to it: —
第二天早上六点，邦布尔先生换上圆顶帽，身穿一件带斗篷的蓝色大衣： —

took his place on the outside of the coach, accompanied by the criminals whose settlement was disputed; —
坐上了马车车顶，与那些定居地被争议的罪犯一起； —

with whom, in due course of time, he arrived in London.
不久之后，他们到达了伦敦。

He experienced no other crosses on the way, than those which originated in the perverse behaviour of the two paupers, who persisted in shivering, and complaining of the cold, in a manner which, Mr. Bumble declared, caused his teeth to chatter in his head, and made him feel quite uncomfortable; —
在路上并没有遇到其他困难，除了那两个不甘心的穷人蛮横的行为导致的； —

although he had a great-coat on.
他们坚持发抖，抱怨寒冷，邦布尔先生宣称这让他牙齿打颤，并让他感到极为不舒服；

Having disposed of these evil-minded persons for the night, Mr. Bumble sat himself down in the house at which the coach stopped; —
把这两个心术不正的人安顿好之后，邦布尔先生坐在马车停靠的房子里； —

and took a temperate dinner of steaks, oyster sauce, and porter. —
吃了一顿温和的牛排、蚝油和黑啤酒晚餐。 —

Putting a glass of hot gin-and-water on the chimney-piece, he drew his chair to the fire; —
他把一杯热杜松子酒放在壁炉台上，拉起椅子坐到火边； —

and, with sundry moral reflections on the too-prevalent sin of discontent and complaining, composed himself to read the paper.
心中对太普遍的不满和抱怨罪产生了一些道德反思后，他开始看报纸。

The very first paragraph upon which Mr. Bumble’s eye rested, was the following advertisement.
邦布尔先生眼睛扫过的第一个段落是以下广告。

‘FIVE GUINEAS REWARD
‘五卢基亚奖励

‘Whereas a young boy, named Oliver Twist, absconded, or was enticed, on Thursday evening last, from his home, at Pentonville; —
‘鉴于一名名叫奥利弗·特威斯特的年轻男孩，上周四晚上从彭东维尔的家中消失或被诱走； —

and has not since been heard of. The above reward will be paid to any person who will give such information as will lead to the discovery of the said Oliver Twist, or tend to throw any light upon his previous history, in which the advertiser is, for many reasons, warmly interested.’
‘目前尚未有他的消息。上述奖励将支付给任何能提供寻找到奥利弗·特威斯特或提供任何有助于揭示其以前历史的信息的人，广告人出于多重原因对此深感兴趣。’

And then followed a full description of Oliver’s dress, person, appearance, and disappearance: —
‘随后是对奥利弗的服装、外貌、消失情况的详细描述： —

with the name and address of Mr. Brownlow at full length.
‘连同布朗罗先生的名字和详细地址。

Mr. Bumble opened his eyes; read the advertisement, slowly and carefully, three several times; —
‘邦布尔先生睁开眼睛，仔细缓慢地阅读了广告三遍； —

and in something more than five minutes was on his way to Pentonville: —
‘接着，他在不止五分钟的时间里向彭东维尔走去： —

having actually, in his excitement, left the glass of hot gin-and-water, untasted.
‘兴奋之下，他竟然连一杯热杜松子酒也没有喝。

‘Is Mr. Brownlow at home?’ inquired Mr. Bumble of the girl who opened the door.
‘“布朗罗先生在家吗？”邦布尔先生向开门的女孩询问。

To this inquiry the girl returned the not uncommon, but rather evasive reply of ‘I don’t know; —
‘这个问题的回答不是很明确，却也是很常见的：“不知道； —

where do you come from?’
‘你是哪里来的？”

Mr. Bumble no sooner uttered Oliver’s name, in explanation of his errand, than Mrs. Bedwin, who had been listening at the parlour door, hastened into the passage in a breathless state.
‘邦布尔先生一解释他的使命就说出奥利弗的名字，贝德温太太，听到了在客厅门口的声音，立即气喘吁吁地走进了过道。

‘Come in, come in,’ said the old lady: ‘I knew we should hear of him. Poor dear! —
‘“进来吧，进来吧，”老太太说：“我知道我们会听到他的消息。可怜的亲爱的！ —

I knew we should! I was certain of it. Bless his heart! —
‘我就知道我们会的！我是肯定的。真心祝福他！ —

I said so all along.’
‘我一直都这么说。”

Having heard this, the worthy old lady hurried back into the parlour again; —
老太太听到这个消息后，匆忙再次赶回客厅； —

and seating herself on a sofa, burst into tears. —
坐在沙发上，她突然泪流满面； —

The girl, who was not quite so susceptible, had run upstairs meanwhile; —
那女孩没那么容易感动，与此同时已经跑上楼去； —

and now returned with a request that Mr. Bumble would follow her immediately: which he did.
然后立刻回来请求巴姆布尔先生立即跟着她走：他照办了；

He was shown into the little back study, where sat Mr. Brownlow and his friend Mr. Grimwig, with decanters and glasses before them. —
他被领进了小后书房，那里坐着布朗洛先生和他的朋友格林威格先生，他们面前摆着酒瓶和玻璃杯； —

The latter gentleman at once burst into the exclamation:
格林威格先生立刻惊叹道：

‘A beadle. A parish beadle, or I’ll eat my head.’
‘一个税吏。一个教区税吏，否则我吃了我的头。’

‘Pray don’t interrupt just now,’ said Mr. Brownlow. ‘Take a seat, will you?’
‘请不要打断现在，’布朗洛先生说。’请坐，好吗？’

Mr. Bumble sat himself down; quite confounded by the oddity of Mr. Grimwig’s manner. —
巴姆布尔坐下，被格林威格先生的态度所迷惑。 —

Mr. Brownlow moved the lamp, so as to obtain an uninterrupted view of the beadle’s countenance; —
布朗洛先生移动灯，以便能够不受阻碍地看到税吏的面容； —

and said, with a little impatience,
并有点不耐烦地说：

‘Now, sir, you come in consequence of having seen the advertisement?’
‘现在，先生，你是来应征那则广告的？’

‘Yes, sir,’ said Mr. Bumble.
‘是的，先生，’巴姆布尔说。

‘And you ARE a beadle, are you not?’ inquired Mr. Grimwig.
‘你是一个税吏，对吗？’格林威格先生问道。

‘I am a porochial beadle, gentlemen,’ rejoined Mr. Bumble proudly.
‘我是一个教区税吏，先生们，’巴姆布尔自豪地回答。

‘Of course,’ observed Mr. Grimwig aside to his friend, ‘I knew he was. A beadle all over!’
“当然，”格林威先生对他的朋友说，“我就知道他是。充满了笨拙甚至令人讨厌！”

Mr. Brownlow gently shook his head to impose silence on his friend, and resumed:
布朗洛先生轻轻摇了摇头，示意他的朋友保持安静，然后继续说道：

‘Do you know where this poor boy is now?’
“你知道这个可怜孩子现在在哪吗？”

‘No more than nobody,’ replied Mr. Bumble.
邦布尔姆先生回答说：“我对他的情况一无所知。”

‘Well, what DO you know of him?’ inquired the old gentleman. —
老绅士问：“那么，你对他了解多少？” —

‘Speak out, my friend, if you have anything to say. What DO you know of him?’
“朋友，要是你有什么话要说就尽管说。你对他了解多少？”

‘You don’t happen to know any good of him, do you?’ —
“你难道没听说他有过任何好事吗？” —

said Mr. Grimwig, caustically; after an attentive perusal of Mr. Bumble’s features.
格林威格先生尖刻地说道，对着邦布尔先生的面容认真地审视了一番。

Mr. Bumble, catching at the inquiry very quickly, shook his head with portentous solemnity.
邦布尔先生迅速捕捉到问题，神色庄严地摇了摇头。

‘You see?’ said Mr. Grimwig, looking triumphantly at Mr. Brownlow.
格林威格先生得意地看着布朗洛先生说道：“你看到了吧？”

Mr. Brownlow looked apprehensively at Mr. Bumble’s pursed-up countenance; —
布朗洛先生忧虑地看着邦布尔先生皱着眉头的表情； —

and requested him to communicate what he knew regarding Oliver, in as few words as possible.
并要求邦布尔先生尽可能用简短的话语告知他对于奥利弗的了解。

Mr. Bumble put down his hat; unbuttoned his coat; folded his arms; —
邦布尔先生摘下了帽子，解开了外套，双臂交叉； —

inclined his head in a retrospective manner; —
倾身回顾地点了点头； —

and, after a few moments’ reflection, commenced his story.
几分钟思考后，开始讲述他的故事。

It would be tedious if given in the beadle’s words: —
如果用这位交椅哥的措辞来说的话，那将有些枯燥； —

occupying, as it did, some twenty minutes in the telling; —
因为他的讲述耗时大约二十分钟； —

but the sum and substance of it was, that Oliver was a foundling, born of low and vicious parents. —
但要点和实质就是，奥利弗是个遗弃婴儿，生于低劣邪恶的家庭。 —

That he had, from his birth, displayed no better qualities than treachery, ingratitude, and malice. —
他自出生起一直展现出诡诈、忘恩负义和恶意等品质。 —

That he had terminated his brief career in the place of his birth, by making a sanguinary and cowardly attack on an unoffending lad, and running away in the night-time from his master’s house. —
他在故乡终结了他短暂的生涯，向一个无辜少年发动血腥且懦弱的攻击，并在夜晚从主人的家中逃走。 —

In proof of his really being the person he represented himself, Mr. Bumble laid upon the table the papers he had brought to town. —
为了证明他确实是自己所说的那个人，邦布尔先生将带到城里的文件放在桌子上。 —

Folding his arms again, he then awaited Mr. Brownlow’s observations.
他再次双臂交叉，等待着布朗洛先生的观察。

‘I fear it is all too true,’ said the old gentleman sorrowfully, after looking over the papers. —
“我担心这一切都是真的，”老绅士悲伤地说着，看完文件后。 —

‘This is not much for your intelligence; —
“对于你来说这不算什么， —

but I would gladly have given you treble the money, if it had been favourable to the boy.’
但如果对那个男孩有利的话，我本愿意付三倍的钱。”

It is not improbable that if Mr. Bumble had been possessed of this information at an earlier period of the interview, he might have imparted a very different colouring to his little history. —
如果班布尔先生在谈话的早期就得知这些信息，很可能他会给自己的小历史涂上一种完全不同的色彩。 —

It was too late to do it now, however; so he shook his head gravely, and, pocketing the five guineas, withdrew.
然而现在已经为时过晚了，于是他沉重地摇了摇头，收起五个金圆币，然后离开了。

Mr. Brownlow paced the room to and fro for some minutes; —
布朗洛先生在房间里来回踱步了几分钟； —

evidently so much disturbed by the beadle’s tale, that even Mr. Grimwig forbore to vex him further.
显然被地方管理人的故事所困扰，以至于格林威格先生也不忍再惹他生气。

At length he stopped, and rang the bell violently.
最后他停下来，猛然按响了铃。

‘Mrs. Bedwin,’ said Mr. Brownlow, when the housekeeper appeared; —
“贝德温夫人，”布朗洛先生在管家出现时说； —

‘that boy, Oliver, is an imposter.’
“那个男孩奥利弗是个骗子。”

‘It can’t be, sir. It cannot be,’ said the old lady energetically.
“不可能，先生。不可能，”老夫人有力地回答道。

‘I tell you he is,’ retorted the old gentleman. ‘What do you mean by can’t be? —
“我告诉你他就是，”老绅士反驳道。“你说的不可能是什么意思呢？ —

We have just heard a full account of him from his birth; —
“我们刚刚听说了他从出生开始的全部经历； —

and he has been a thorough-paced little villain, all his life.’
“他一生都是个彻头彻尾的小恶棍。”

‘I never will believe it, sir,’ replied the old lady, firmly. ‘Never!’
“我绝对不会相信的，先生，”老夫人坚定地回答道。“绝对不会！”

‘You old women never believe anything but quack-doctors, and lying story-books,’ growled Mr. Grimwig. ‘I knew it all along. —
“你们这些老太婆从来不信什么庸医和谎话书。”格林威格先生咆哮道。“我一直都知道。 —

Why didn’t you take my advise in the beginning; you would if he hadn’t had a fever, I suppose, eh? —
“如果一开始你们听了我的劝告就好了；我想如果他没有发烧的话，你们会听的，是吧？ —

He was interesting, wasn’t he? Interesting! Bah!’ —
“他很有趣，不是吗？很有趣！呸！” —

And Mr. Grimwig poked the fire with a flourish.
格林威格先生舞着干枝子炉子。

‘He was a dear, grateful, gentle child, sir,’ retorted Mrs. Bedwin, indignantly. —
“他是一个亲爱、感恩、温和的孩子，先生，”贝德文夫人愤然回应。 —

‘I know what children are, sir; and have done these forty years; —
“我知道孩子们是什么样子的，先生；我知道了这四十年； —

and people who can’t say the same, shouldn’t say anything about them. —
不懂得这点的人，就不该对他们说什么。 —

That’s my opinion!’
这是我的观点！”

This was a hard hit at Mr. Grimwig, who was a bachelor. —
这话让格林威格先生感到受伤，因为他是个单身汉。 —

As it extorted nothing from that gentleman but a smile, the old lady tossed her head, and smoothed down her apron preparatory to another speech, when she was stopped by Mr. Brownlow.
由于这么说并没有什么效果，老太太只好笑了笑，摆弄一下围裙，准备再说话，就在这时布朗罗先生打断了她。

‘Silence!’ said the old gentleman, feigning an anger he was far from feeling. —
“别说话！”老绅士假装生气，尽管实际上并不生气。 —

‘Never let me hear the boy’s name again. I rang to tell you that. —
“以后再也不要让我听到那个男孩的名字。我打电话是为了告诉你这个。 —

Never. Never, on any pretence, mind! You may leave the room, Mrs. Bedwin. —
永远。任何理由都不行，记住了！你可以离开房间了，贝德文夫人。 —

Remember! I am in earnest.’
记住！我是认真的。”

There were sad hearts at Mr. Brownlow’s that night.
那天晚上布朗罗先生家里的人都很伤心。

Oliver’s heart sank within him, when he thought of his good friends; —
奥利弗心中一沉，当他想起他的好朋友们时； —

it was well for him that he could not know what they had heard, or it might have broken outright.
幸好他不知道他们听到了什么，否则他的心可能会彻底崩溃。