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可恶的面包

Daddy Taille had three daughters: Anna, the eldest, who was scarcely ever mentioned in the family; Rose, the second girl, who was eighteen, and Clara, the youngest, who was a girl of fifteen.

塔耶老爹有三个女儿:安娜,年纪最长,家里很少谈到她;罗丝,排行第二,已经十八岁了;克拉拉,年纪最小,是个十五岁的女孩。

Old Taille was a widower and a foreman in M. Lebrument's button manufactory. He was a very upright man, very well thought of, abstemious; in fact, a sort of model workman. He lived at Havre, in the Rue d 'Angouleme.

老塔耶是个鳏夫,是勒布吕蒙先生的纽扣制造厂的工头。他是一个非常正直的人,受人敬重,节俭朴素;事实上,他也是工人队伍里的模范。他住在哈佛尔的昂古莱姆街。

When Anna ran away from home the old man flew into a fearful rage. He threatened to kill the head clerk in a large draper's establishment in that town, whom he suspected. After a time, when he was told by various people that she was very steady and investing money in government securities, that she was no gadabout, but was a great friend of Monsieur Dubois, who was a judge of the Tribunal of Commerce, the father was appeased.

安娜离家出走的时候,这老翁火冒三丈。他怀疑引诱者是镇上大服装公司的那个首席办事员,扬言要去杀了他。不久,各方面有人告诉他说安娜很安定,正在投资政府有价证劵,不仅没有四处游荡,而且和在商业法院做审判官的迪布瓦先生结友,这样老爹才算罢休。

He even showed some anxiety as to how she was getting on, and asked some of her old friends who had been to see her, and when told that she had her own furniture, and that her mantelpiece was covered with vases and the walls with pictures, that there were clocks and carpets everywhere, he gave a broad contented smile. He had been working for thirty years to get together a wretched five or six thousand francs. This girl was evidently no fool.

但他还是惦记着她的生活,于是他向看见过她的几个老朋友询问她的生活状况,当有人说她拥有属于自己的家具,并且还在壁炉上摆了许多花瓶、在墙壁上挂了许多图画和钟、到处都铺着地毯时,他露出了十分满意的微笑。他做了三十年的工才赚了可怜的五六千法郎。这个女孩显然不傻。

One fine morning the son of Touchard, the cooper, at the other end of the street, came and asked him for the hand of Rose, the second girl. The old man's heart began to beat, for the Touchards were rich and in a good position. He was decidedly lucky with his girls.

一个晴朗的早晨,住在街道另一头的修桶匠图沙尔的儿子,来请求他把第二个女儿罗丝嫁给他。这老翁的心开始跳动,因为图沙尔家很富有,而且很有地位。他和他的女儿们真是幸运。

The marriage was agreed upon, and it was settled that it should be a grand affair, and the wedding dinner was to be held at Sainte—Adresse, at Mother Jusa's restaurant. It would cost a lot certainly, but never mind, it did not matter just for once in a way.

婚礼已经商量妥当,并且他们决定要办得热闹。婚宴定在圣阿德雷斯村庄的朱沙妈妈的饭店举行。这必将花费很大,但是仅此一次,也就无关紧要了。

But one morning, just as the old man was going home to luncheon with his two daughters, the door opened suddenly, and Anna appeared. She was well dressed and looked undeniably pretty and nice. She threw her arms round her father's neck before he could say a word, then fell into her sisters' arms with many tears and then asked for a plate, so that she might share the family soup. Taille was moved to tears in his turn and said several times:

但是一天上午,正当这老翁回家和他的两个女儿共进午餐时,门忽然开了,安娜出现了。她衣着光鲜,看起来相当漂亮可人。老爹还没来得及说一句话,她就猛地抱住他的脖子,然后又眼含着泪水跟她的妹妹们拥抱,之后又要了一只盘子,这样她就可以和家人一起喝汤了。这回轮到塔耶感动得流泪了,还说了好几遍:

"That is right, dear, that is right. "

“不错,孩子,不错。”

Then she told them about herself. She did not wish Rose's wedding to take place at Sainte—Adresse—certainly not. It should take place at her house and would cost her father nothing. She had settled everything and arranged everything, so it was "no good to say any more about it—there! "

于是她告诉他们关于她自己的事。她不希望罗丝的婚礼在圣阿德雷斯举行——当然很不希望。婚礼应该在安娜家里举行,这样她的父亲就不用花费什么了。她已经安排准备好了一切,所以 “没必要再讨论了——就在那里办!”

"Very well, my dear! very well! " the old man said; "we will leave it so. " But then he felt some doubt. Would the Touchards consent? But Rose, the bride—elect, was surprised and asked: "Why should they object, I should like to know? Just leave that to me; I will talk to Philip about it. "

“很好,孩子!很好!” 老翁说道, “我们就这么办。” 但他又有所顾虑。图沙尔家会赞成吗?但是作为准新娘的罗丝惊讶地问道: “他们为什么会反对呢?我想知道。这件事就交给我去办吧,我会和菲利普商量的。”

She mentioned it to her lover the very same day, and he declared it would suit him exactly. Father and Mother Touchard were naturally delighted at the idea of a good dinner which would cost them nothing and said:

当天她就把这事告诉了她的未婚夫,并且他说这很合他的心意。图沙尔夫妇想到分文不花就能办场好宴席,心中自然十分欢喜,说道:

"You may be quite sure that everything will be in first—rate style. "

“你必须保证一切都是最好的。”

They asked to be allowed to bring a friend, Madame Florence, the cook on the first floor, and Anna agreed to everything.

他们要求允许带一个朋友弗洛朗斯夫人来,她是住在一楼的厨娘,安娜全都答应了。

The wedding was fixed for the last Tuesday of the month.

婚礼定在本月的最后一个星期二。

After the civil formalities and the religious ceremony the wedding party went to Anna's house. Among those whom the Tailles had brought was a cousin of a certain age, a Monsieur Sauvetanin, a man given to philosophical reflections, serious, and always very self—possessed, and Madame Lamondois, an old aunt.

民事手续和宗教仪式结束后,参加婚宴的人们就向安娜家出发了。塔耶家邀来了时至中年的表兄索物达南先生,他是一个有哲学思想且严肃冷静的男人,还邀请了老姑妈拉蒙杜瓦太太。

Monsieur Sautevanin had been told off to give Anna his arm, as they were looked upon as the two most important persons in the company.

索物达南先生已被指定去挽着安娜进场,因为他们被视为这个团体里最重要的两个人物。

As soon as they had arrived at the door of Anna's house she let go her companion's arm, and ran on ahead, saying: "I will show you the way, " and ran upstairs while the invited guests followed more slowly; and, when they got upstairs, she stood on one side to let them pass, and they rolled their eyes and turned their heads in all directions to admire this mysterious and luxurious dwelling.

他们一群人一走到安娜家的大门外,她就立刻放开同伴的手,跑到前面,说道: “我来给大家引路。” 她跑着上了楼,而那些被邀请的客人则慢慢地跟在后面。等他们都走到楼上时,她就站在一边让客人们先通过。客人们转动着眼珠,扭着头四处看,羡慕这神秘华丽的住所。

The table was laid in the drawing—room, as the dining—room had been thought too small. Extra knives, forks and spoons had been hired from a neighboring restaurant, and decanters stood full of wine under the rays of the sun which shone in through the window.

因为餐厅实在太小,所以他们就将餐桌摆在了客厅里。额外的刀、叉、汤匙是从隔壁的饭馆租来的,阳光透过窗户,照在盛满了葡萄酒的酒壶上。

The ladies went into the bedroom to take off their shawls and bonnets, and Father Touchard, who was standing at the door, made funny and suggestive signs to the men, with many a wink and nod. Daddy Taille, who thought a great deal of himself, looked with fatherly pride at his child's well—furnished rooms and went from one to the other, holding his hat in his hand, making a mental inventory of everything, and walking like a verger in a church.

女客们走进卧室,摘掉围巾和帽子。站在卧室门口的图沙尔老爹,频繁地眨眼点头,向男客们发出滑稽的暗号。塔耶老爹想了很多关于自己的事情。他带着作为父亲的骄傲看着他女儿这些豪华的家具,从一个房间走到另一个房间,手里拿着帽子,脑子里盘点着那些物品,走起来像教堂的管理人员一样。

Anna went backward and forward, ran about giving orders and hurrying on the wedding feast. Soon she appeared at the door of the dining—room and cried: "Come here, all of you, for a moment, " and as the twelve guests entered the room they saw twelve glasses of Madeira on a small table.

安娜前前后后跑个不停,忙着嘱咐这吩咐那,催促婚宴抓紧开始。不一会儿,她出现在饭厅的门口,高声喊道: “请大家都到这里来一下。” 那十二位客人一进客厅,就看见十二杯马德拉白葡萄酒摆在一张小餐桌上。

Rose and her husband had their arms round each other's waists and were kissing each other in every corner. Monsieur Sauvetanin never took his eyes off Anna.

罗丝和她的丈夫互挽着腰,在每一个角落里亲吻。索物达南先生的目光从没有离开过安娜。

They sat down, and the wedding breakfast began, the relations sitting at one end of the table and the young people at the other. Madame Touchard, the mother, presided on the right and the bride on the left. Anna looked after everybody, saw that the glasses were kept filled and the plates well supplied. The guests evidently felt a certain respectful embarrassment at the sight of all the sumptuousness of the rooms and at the lavish manner in which they were treated. They all ate heartily of the good things provided, but there were no jokes such as are prevalent at wedding of that sort; it was all too grand, and it made them feel uncomfortable. Old Madame Touchard, who was fond of a bit of fun, tried to enliven matters a little, and at the beginning of the dessert she exclaimed: "I say, Philip, do sing us something. " The neighbors in their street considered that he had the finest voice in all Havre.

大家都入座了,婚宴开始了,亲戚们坐在餐桌的这一头,年轻人坐在另一头。图沙尔太太招待右边的客人,新娘招待左边的。安娜留心每一位客人,确保酒杯不空,盘里常满。客人们在看到这些华丽的房间和丰盛的美食时,明显地感觉到他们受到了尊敬,但又觉着拘束。这些美食大家都吃得很痛快,但却没有参加婚宴时普遍应有的嬉笑;而这次宴席太过盛大,让他们感到不舒服。平时很喜欢热闹嬉笑的老图沙尔太太试图活跃气氛。刚上甜点的时候,她喊道: “菲利普,给我们唱点儿什么吧。” 他们那条街上的邻居们都认为,在整个哈佛尔,菲利普的嗓音是最好的。

The bridegroom got up, smiled, and, turning to his sister—in—law, from politeness and gallantry, tried to think of something suitable for the occasion, something serious and correct, to harmonize with the seriousness of the repast.

新郎微笑着站起来,出于礼貌和殷勤,他把身子转向他的大姨子,试图想出一些和适宜、严肃得体的东西,来协调一下这宴席上的庄重气氛。

Anna had a satisfied look on her face, and leaned back in her chair to listen, and all assumed looks of attention, though prepared to smile should smiles he called for.

安娜露出了满意的表情,靠着椅背来听。所有的客人都假装很认真的样子,不过都准备好微笑,以备菲利普之需。

The singer announced "The Accursed Bread, " and, extending his right arm, which made his coat ruck up into his neck, he began.

唱歌的人说要唱 “可恶的面包” ,他伸了伸右手臂(这一动作使他的上衣皱到了他的颈部),开始唱了起来。

It was decidedly long, three verses of eight lines each, with the last line and the last but one repeated twice.

显然这首歌很长,共有三节,每节八行,最后一行和倒数第二行还会重复两遍。

All went well for the first two verses; they were the usual commonplaces about bread gained by honest labor and by dishonesty. The aunt and the bride wept outright. The cook, who was present, at the end of the first verse looked at a roll which she held in her hand, with streaming eyes, as if it applied to her, while all applauded vigorously. At the end of the second verse the two servants, who were standing with their backs to the wall, joined loudly in the chorus, and the aunt and the bride wept outright.

前两节都唱得很好,唱的都是平常的事:面包由诚实劳动获得,或是由欺骗所得。姑妈和新娘都哭成了泪人。第一节结束时,那个在场的厨娘双眼含泪地看着手里的面包圈,好像歌词是为她而作,而所有的客人都热烈地鼓掌。第二节结束时,两个背靠墙站的女仆也都齐声高和,姑妈和新娘都彻底地哭成了泪人。

Daddy Taille blew his nose with the noise of a trombone, and old Touchard brandished a whole loaf half over the table, and the cook shed silent tears on the crust which she was still holding.

塔耶老爹擤鼻涕的声音像吹长号,老图沙尔拿着一整条长面包挥舞,有一半都伸到餐桌上了,厨娘默默地流泪,泪珠滴落在她一直握着的面包皮上。

Amid the general emotion Monsieur Sauvetanin said:

当大家沉浸在这种情感中时,索物达南先生说道:

"That is the right sort of song; very different from the nasty, risky things one generally hears at weddings. "

“这真是一首好歌,与其他经常在婚礼上听到的污秽粗俗的歌很不一样。”

Anna, who was visibly affected, kissed her hand to her sister and pointed to her husband with an affectionate nod, as if to congratulate her.

安娜显然也受到了感染。她对妹妹飞吻,并指着新郎友爱地点头,好像在向妹妹道贺。

Intoxicated by his success, the young man continued, and unfortunately the last verse contained words about the "bread of dishonor" gained by young girls who had been led astray. No one took up the refrain about this bread, supposed to be eaten with tears, except old Touchard and the two servants. Anna had grown deadly pale and cast down her eyes, while the bridegroom looked from one to the other without understanding the reason for this sudden coldness, and the cook hastily dropped the crust as if it were poisoned.

这年轻人陶醉在他的成功演唱中,继续唱着。不幸的是,最后一节的歌词说的是 “不光彩的面包” ,它为一个走入歧途的年轻女孩所得。除了老图沙尔和两个仆人,没有人附和重复 的那部分,唱那应该被含泪吃掉的面包。安娜已经面无血色,低下了眼睛;而新郎看看这个看看那个,不明白突然沉静冷场的原因;厨娘倏地丢掉了面包皮,好像它有毒似的。

Monsieur Sauvetanin said solemnly, in order to save the situation: "That last couplet is not at all necessary"; and Daddy Taille, who had got red up to his ears, looked round the table fiercely.

为了缓和局面,索物达南先生严肃地说道: “最后一节没必要唱的。” 而塔耶老爹,脸都红到耳根了,用尖锐的眼神环顾餐桌的四周。

Then Anna, her eyes swimming in tears, told the servants in the faltering voice of a woman trying to stifle her sobs, to bring the champagne.

然后,满含眼泪的安娜,努力忍住自己的啜泣,用颤抖着的声音吩咐仆人去拿香槟酒。

All the guests were suddenly seized with exuberant joy, and all their faces became radiant again. And when old Touchard, who had seen, felt and understood nothing of what was going on, and pointing to the guests so as to emphasize his words, sang the last words of the refrain:

突然,全部的客人又喜笑颜开了,所有的面容又焕发了光彩。然而老图沙尔对看到的一切却是什么也没有感觉到,什么也没有搞明白。他手指着大家,以便强调要说的话,唱了最后重复的那句话:

"Children, I warn you all to eat not of that bread, " the whole company, when they saw the champagne bottles, with their necks covered with gold foil, appear, burst out singing, as if electrified by the sight:

“孩子们,我警告你们不要吃那样的面包。” 在座的人,当看到那些瓶颈裹着金箔的香槟酒被端上来时,像通了电似的突然齐声唱道:

"Children, I warn you all to eat not of that bread. "

“孩子们,我警告你们不要吃那样的面包。”

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