1
The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge,about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river.They had a big,old house with a beautiful garden,a lot of flowers and many old.trees.
克拉克森家住在劍橋附近的鄉(xiāng)下,離最近的村莊約有半英里路,距離河有1英里左右。他們有幢大而古老帶有美麗花園的房子,花園里有許多花和許多古樹(shù)。
One Thursday morning in July,Jackie came in from the garden.She was a tall,fat woman,thirty years old.It was the hottest day of the year,but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt.She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water.Just then the phone rang.
7月的一個(gè)星期四早上,杰基從花園進(jìn)了屋。她是個(gè)高大,肥胖,30來(lái)歲的女人。這是一年中最熱的日子,而她卻穿著暖色調(diào)的黃色襯衫和棕色裙子。她走進(jìn)廚房去喝水,這時(shí)電話響了。
'Cambridge 1379,'Jackie said.
“劍橋1379號(hào),”杰基說(shuō)。
'Hello.This is Diane.I want to talk to Mother.'
“你好!我是黛安娜。我想和媽媽說(shuō)話。”
'Mother isn't here,'Jackie said.'She's at the doctor's.'
“媽媽不在家,”杰基說(shuō)。“她看醫(yī)生去了。”
'Why?What's Wrong?'
“怎么了?出了什么事?”
'Nothing's wrong,'Jackie said.'Why are you telephoning? You are going to come this weekend? Mother wants everyone to be here.'
“沒(méi)什么,”杰基說(shuō)。“你打電話干嘛?這個(gè)周末你回來(lái)嗎?媽媽希望每個(gè)人都在。”
'Yes,I want to come,'Diane said.'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket.'
“是啊,我想回來(lái),”黛安娜說(shuō)。“我正因?yàn)闆](méi)錢買火車票,才打電話。”
'No money!Mother is always giving you money!'
“沒(méi)錢!媽媽總是給你錢!”
'This phone call is very expensive,'Diane said coldly.'Tell Mother please.I need the money.'
“電話費(fèi)很貴,”黛安娜冷冷說(shuō)道。“請(qǐng)告訴媽媽,我需要錢。”
Jackie put the phone down.She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke.She felt angry because her sister al-ways asked for money.Diane was twenty years old, the youngest in the family.She lived in London,in one room of a big house.She wanted to be a singer.She sang very well but she could never get work.
杰基放下電話,她從包里拿了枝煙抽起來(lái)。她因她的妹妹總是要錢感到生氣。黛安娜20歲了,在家里最校她住在倫敦,在一所大房子里有間屋子。她想成為一個(gè)歌唱家,她唱得很棒可是她卻從來(lái)不愿找工作。
Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches.Just then the back door opened,and her mother came in.
杰基走回廚房動(dòng)手做一些三明治。這時(shí)后門開(kāi)了,她的母親走了進(jìn)來(lái)。
'It's very hot!'Molly said.She took off her hat and put it down on the table.She was a tall,dark woman with beautiful eyes.
“天太熱了!”莫利說(shuō)道,她脫下帽子放在桌上。她是位高個(gè)子、皮膚淺黑,有雙美麗眼睛的女人。
Two big,black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her.She sat down and put her hands on their heads.
兩條大黑狗跟著她進(jìn)了廚房圍著她轉(zhuǎn),她坐下來(lái)把手放在它們的頭上。
Jackie put the sandwiches on the table.'Mother,'she said,'Diane phoned.She wants money for her train ticket.'
杰基把三明治放在桌上。“媽媽,”她說(shuō)道,“黛安娜打來(lái)電話,她想要錢買火車票。”
Molly closed her eyes for a minute.Then she stood up.'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend,'she said.'Oh,and please go to the village later and get my tablets.'
莫利閉上眼一會(huì),然后站起來(lái)。“下午我希望你收拾一下房子為周末做準(zhǔn)備,”她說(shuō)。“哦,隨后請(qǐng)去村里給我買些藥片。”
'Yes,Mother,'Jackie said.
“好的,媽媽,”杰基說(shuō)。
Molly went to the door.
莫利向門口走去。
'Mother,please wait a minute,'Jackie said.'Peter Hobbs came here this morning.He's very angry with you about that letter.He lost his job,you know.Why did you write to his office?He wants to talk to you about it.'
“媽媽,請(qǐng)等一會(huì)。”杰基說(shuō)。“彼得·霍布斯今早來(lái)了,他對(duì)你的那封信很生氣。你知道,他丟了工作。你為什么寫(xiě)信給他的辦公室?他想和你談?wù)勥@事。”
'Well,I don't want to talk to him,'Molly said.She opened the door.
“好啦,我不想和他談,”莫利說(shuō),她打開(kāi)門。
'But Mother,you don't understand.He's seventeen,and it was his first job.He's very,very angry.He says… he says he's going to kill you!'
“可是媽媽,你不明白。他17歲了,那是他第一份工作,他非常非常生氣。他說(shuō)……他說(shuō)他會(huì)殺了你!”
Molly did not answer.She went out of the room and closed the door.
莫利沒(méi)答話,她走出房間關(guān)上了門。