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"And now have you just come from France? "
“那现在你是刚从法国回来吗？”
"Well-from Salonika really. "
“是啊，确切地说，是从萨洛尼卡回来的。”
There was a pause, nobody knowing quite what to say.
然后谈话就停顿了，大家都不知道说什么才好。
"So you 'venowhere to go now? " said Banford rather lamely.
“这么说，你现在没地方去了？” 班福德有些生硬地说道。
"Oh, I know some people in the village. Anyhow, I can go to the" Swan ". "
“哦，我认识村里的一些人。不管怎样，我还可以去住天鹅旅店。”
"You came on the train, I suppose. Would you like to sit down a bit? "
“我猜你是坐火车来的吧。你愿意坐一会儿吗？”
"Well-I don't mind. "
“嗯--那也好。”
He gave an odd little groan as he swung off his kit. Banford looked at March.
他卸下背包时，发出了一声轻轻的、古怪的呻吟。班福德看着马奇。
"Put the gun down, " she said. "We'll make a cup of tea. "
“把枪放下吧。” 她说， “我们冲杯茶喝。”
"Ay, " said the youth. "We 'veseen enough of rifles. "
“哎，” 小伙子说道， “我们见过的枪可够多的了。”
He sat down rather tired on the sofa, leaning forward.
他疲惫地坐在沙发上，身子前倾。
March recovered her presence of mind, and went into the kitchen. There she heard the soft young voice musing:
马奇恢复了常态，走进了厨房。在厨房里，她听见那年轻人用温柔的声音边思索边说：
"Well, to think I should come back and find it like this! " He did not seem sad, not at all-only rather interestedly surprised.
“嗯，没想到我回来后这里变成这样了！” 他看起来并不悲伤，一点也不--只是饶有兴趣，感到惊讶。
"And what a difference in the place, eh? " he continued, looking round the room.
“这里真的很不同了，嗯？” 他接着说道，同时打量着房间。
"You see a difference, do you? " said Banford.
“你看出不同了，是吧？” 班福德说道。
"Yes-don't I! "
“是的--怎么能看不出来呢！”
His eyes were unnaturally clear and bright, though it was the brightness of abundant health.
他的双眼清澈明亮，眼中焕发的光彩显示他体魄健康，可看上去很异常。
March was busy in the kitchen preparing another meal. It was about seven o'clock. All the time, while she was active, she was attending to the youth in the sitting-room, not so much listening to what he said as feeling the soft run of his voice. She primmed up her mouth tighter and tighter, puckering it as if it were sewed, in her effort to keep her will uppermost. Yet her large eyes dilated and glowed in spite of her; she lost herself. Rapidly and carelessly she prepared the meal, cutting large chunks of bread and margarine-for there was no butter. She racked her brain to think of something else to put on the tray-she had only bread, margarine, and jam, and the larder was bare. Unable to conjure anything up, she went into the sitting-room with her tray.
马奇在厨房里忙着准备另一顿饭。差不多快七点钟了。她一边忙碌着，一边一直注意客厅里的小伙子。与其说她是在聆听小伙子说话，还不如说是在感受他的声音轻柔地流动。她把嘴唇抿得越来越紧，像针缝过似的撅了起来。她试图用这种方法来使自己保持最强的意志力。但不管她怎么努力，她的眼睛都睁得大大的，闪着光芒。她完全迷失了自己。她快速、草草地准备着饭菜，切下大块的面包和人造黄油--因为没有黄油了。她绞尽脑汁想找点其他东西摆在盘子上--她只有面包、人造黄油和果酱，而食橱已经空了。实在找不到其它什么东西了，她便端着盘子走进起居室。
She did not want to be noticed. Above all, she did not want him to look at her. But when she came in, and was busy setting the table just behind him, he pulled himself up from his sprawling, and turned and looked over his shoulder. She became pale and wan.
她不想被人关注。尤其是，她不想让他看见。但当她进来，忙着在他身后摆饭桌时，原本四肢伸展躺着的他却直起身子，转过身看着她。她的脸变得苍白暗淡。
The youth watched her as she bent over the table, looked at her slim, well-shapen legs, at the belted coat dropping around her thighs, at the knot of dark hair, and his curiosity, vivid and widely alert, was again arrested by her.
她弯腰倾向饭桌时，那年轻小伙子看着她那苗条修美的双腿，看着她那束身大衣包裹着臀部，看着她那黑色的发结。他那活跃而敏锐的好奇感再次被她激起。
The lamp was shaded with a dark-green shade, so that the light was thrown downwards and the upper half of the room was dim. His face moved bright under the light, but March loomed shadowy in the distance.
油灯被深绿色的灯罩罩着，所以灯光都只向下射，房子的上半部则一片昏暗。他的脸在明亮的灯光下移动着，而马奇却在远处的阴影里，若隐若现。
She turned round, but kept her eyes sideways, dropping and lifting her dark lashes. Her mouth unpuckered as she said to Banford:
她转过身，眼睛却仍然看着旁边，黑色的眼睫毛一眨一眨的。她的嘴不再撅着，跟班福德说道：
"Will you pour out? "
“你来倒杯茶好吗？”
Then she went into the kitchen again.
然后她又走进厨房。
"Have your tea where you are, will you? " said Banford to the youth- "unless you'd rather come to the table. "
“就在你坐着的地方喝茶吧？” 班福德跟小伙子说道， “除非你更喜欢坐到桌子这边来。”
"Well, " said he, "I" m nice and comfortable here, aren't I? I will have it here, if you don't mind.
“哦，” 他说道， “我坐在这儿挺好挺舒服的。我就坐这儿吧，要是你不介意的话。”
"There's nothing but bread and jam, " she said. And she put his plate on a stool by him. She was very happy now, waiting on him. For she loved company. And now she was no more afraid of him than if he were her own younger brother. He was such a boy.
“除了面包和果酱，别的什么都没有。” 她说道。然后她便把他的盘子放到他身边的凳子上。她此时照顾着他，感到很开心。因为她喜欢有人作伴。而且，现在她也不害怕他了，觉得他就像自己的弟弟一样。他简直就是个男孩子。
"Nellie, " she called. "I 'vepoured you a cup out. "
“内利。” 她叫道， “我给你也倒了杯茶。”
March appeared in the doorway, took her cup, and sat down in a corner, as far from the light as possible. She was very sensitive in her knees. Having no skirts to cover them, and being forced to sit with them boldly exposed, she suffered. She shrank and shrank, trying not to be seen. And the youth sprawling low on the couch, glanced up at her, with long, steady, penetrating looks, till she was almost ready to disappear. Yet she held her cup balanced, she drank her tea, screwed up her mouth and held her head averted. Her desire to be invisible was so strong that it quite baffled the youth. He felt he could not see her distinctly. She seemed like a shadow within the shadow. And ever his eyes came back to her, searching, unremitting, with unconscious fixed attention.
马奇走到门口，拿起她的杯子，然后便坐到角落里，尽可能地远离灯光。她的膝盖非常敏感。因为没有裙子把它们遮住，她不得不任由膝盖暴露着坐在那里，她很难受。她不停地往后缩着，试图躲过别人的视线。而那个年轻人躺着，深陷入沙发中，他那沉着而犀利的眼神长久地盯着她，直到她几乎准备要走开了。然而她还是镇定地平端着杯子，喝着茶，撅着嘴，头偏向一边。她想要让自己隐形的想法是如此强烈，让那年轻人都感到困惑。他觉得自己没有办法把她看清楚。她好像是一个包裹在阴影中的阴影。他的目光又回到她身上，无意识地集中所有的注意力不懈地探寻着。
Meanwhile he was talking softly and smoothly to Banford, who loved nothing so much as gossip, and who was full of perky interest, like a bird. Also he ate largely and quickly and voraciously, so that March had to cut more chunks of bread and margarine, for the roughness of which Banford apologized.
同时，他又用轻柔而流畅的语调跟班福德聊着天。班福德除了闲聊外，再没有更喜爱的事情了。她神采飞扬，兴致勃勃，像只小鸟一样叽叽喳喳。而且，他还大口大口地飞快地吃着东西，狼吞虎咽地，马奇不得不切更多的面包和人造黄油。班福德跟他道歉说切得太粗糙了。
"Oh, well, " said March, suddenly speaking, "if there's no butter to put on it, it's no good trying to make dainty pieces. "
“哦，好啦，” 马奇突然说道， “如果没有黄油抹在上面，块儿切得再精致也没用。”
Again the youth watched her, and he laughed, with a sudden, quick laugh, showing his teeth and wrinkling his nose.
那年轻人再次看着她，忽然笑了，笑得牙齿也露了出来，鼻子也皱起来了。
"It isn't, is it, " he answered in his soft, near voice.
“是没用，不是吗？” 他用温柔又亲密的声音答道。
It appeared he was Cornish by birth and upbringing. When he was twelve years old he had come to Bailey Farm with his grandfather, with whom he had never agreed very well. So he had run away to Canada, and worked far away in the West. Now he was here-and that was the end of it.
原来他是在康沃尔郡出生长大的。他十二岁时，跟着爷爷来到贝利农场，但他跟爷爷相处得一直不和睦。所以后来他便跑到了加拿大，在遥远的西部工作。现在，他又到了这儿--这就是他的故事。
He was very curious about the girls, to find out exactly what they were doing. His questions were those of a farm youth; acute, practical, a little mocking. He was very much amused by their attitude to their losses: for they were amusing on the score of heifers and fowls.
他对两位姑娘非常好奇，想知道她们究竟在干些什么。他的问题都是一个在农场长大的年轻人问的问题：尖锐、实际、还带些嘲弄的意味。他被两位姑娘对待农场损失的态度给逗乐了，因为她们讲到那些小母牛和鸡鸭如何如何时，表现得十分有趣。
"Oh, well, " broke in March, "we don't believe in living for nothing but work. "
“哦，对了，” 马奇插嘴说道， “我们都不认为活着只是为了工作。”
"Don't you? " he answered. And again the quick young laugh came over his face. He kept his eyes steadily on the obscure woman in the corner.
“是吗？” 他答道。他脸上又露出生气勃勃的笑容。他一直注视着角落里那个身影模糊的女人。
"But what will you do when you 'veused up all your capital? " he said.
“但是所有的本钱花完以后你们怎么办呢？” 他说道。
"Oh, I don't know, " answered March laconically. "Hire ourselves out for land-workers, I suppose. "
“哦，我不知道。” 马奇简洁地回答， “大概会出去给别人当雇工做农活吧。”
"Yes, but there won't be any demand for women land-workers now the war's over, " said the youth.
“不错，可是战争已经结束了，不再需要女工了啊。” 年轻人说道。
"Oh, we'll see. We shall hold on a bit longer yet, " said March, with a plangent, half-sad, half-ironical indifference.
“哦，那再说吧。我们还可以坚持一段时间的。” 马奇答道。她语气漠然，半带忧伤半带嘲讽。
"There wants a man about the place, " said the youth softly.
“这儿需要一个男人。” 年轻人轻声说道。
Banford burst out laughing.
班福德突然大笑起来。
"Take care what you say, " she interrupted. "We consider ourselves quite efficient. "
“注意你说的话。” 她打断他， “我们认为自己干起活来还是挺有效率的。”
"Oh, " came March's slow plangent voice, "it isn't a case of efficiency, I" m afraid. If you're going to do farming you must be at it from morning till night, and you might as well be a beast yourself.
“噢，” 马奇慢悠悠而又惨淡地说道， “恐怕这不是效率的问题。要打理农场，就必须从早到晚一心扑在上面，你最好把自己当成牲口。”
"Yes, that's it, " said the youth. "You aren't willing to put yourselves into it. "
“是啊，这就是问题。” 年轻人说道， “你们不愿把全部心思都投入进去。”
"We aren't, " said March, "and we know it. "
“我们是不愿意，” 马奇说道， “我们自己也清楚这一点。”
"We want some of our time for ourselves, " said Banford.
“我们想留点属于自己的时间。” 班福德说。
The youth threw himself back on the sofa, his face tight with laughter, and laughed silently but thoroughly. The calm scorn of the girls tickled him tremendously.
年轻人仰倒在沙发上，笑得脸都绷紧了。他无声地笑着，可是笑得很开怀。两位女孩沉着的不屑让他乐坏了。
"Yes, " he said, "but why did you begin then? "
“很好，” 他说道， “但是你们当初为什么要开这个农场呢？”
"Oh, " said March, "we had a better opinion of the nature of fowls then than we have now. "
“哦，” 马奇说道， “我们当时对鸡鸭们的禀性的评价比现在要高啊。”
"Of Nature altogether, I" m afraid, "said Banford. " Don't talk to me about Nature. "
“恐怕还包括对整个大自然的评价吧。” 班福德说， “别再跟我说什么大自然了。”
Again the face of the youth tightened with delighted laughter.
年轻人的脸再一次由于尽情大笑而绷紧了。
"You haven't a very high opinion of fowls and cattle, have you? " he said.
“你们现在对那些鸡鸭和牛并没有什么好感，是吧？” 他说道。
"Oh no-quite a low one, " said March.
“噢，没有--感觉很糟。” 马奇说。
He laughed out.
他大笑起来。
"Neither fowls nor heifers, " said Banford, "nor goats nor the weather. "
“不管是鸡鸭或者小母牛，” 班福德说， “还是山羊或者天气，我们都没好感。”
The youth broke into a sharp yap of laughter, delighted. The girls began to laugh too, March turning aside her face and wrinkling her mouth in amusement.
年轻人放声大笑起来，他开心极了。两位姑娘也开始笑。马奇把脸别过一边，抿着嘴唇笑得很开心。
"Oh, well, " said Banford, "we don't mind, do we, Nellie? "
“噢，其实，” 班福德说， “我们并不介意，对吧，内利？”
"No, " said March, "we don't mind. "
“是的，” 马奇说， “我们不介意。”
The youth was very pleased. He had eaten and drunk his fill. Banford began to question him. His name was Henry Grenfel-no, he was not called Harry, always Henry. He continued to answer with courteous simplicity, grave and charming. March, who was not included, cast long, slow glances at him from her recess, as he sat there on the sofa, his hands clasping his knees, his face under the lamp bright and alert, turned to Banford. She became almost peaceful at last. He was identified with the fox-and he was here in full presence. She need not go after him any more. There in the shadow of her corner she gave herself up to a warm, relaxed peace, almost like sleep, accepting the spell that was on her. But she wished to remain hidden. She was only fully at peace whilst he forgot her, talking to Banford. Hidden in the shadow of the corner, she need not any more be divided in herself, trying to keep up two planes of consciousness. She could at last lapse into the odour of the fox.
年轻人非常高兴。他已经吃饱喝足了。班福德开始问他一些问题。他的名字是亨利·格伦费尔。哦，不，大家都不叫他哈里，而总是叫他亨利。他接着简洁而又彬彬有礼地回答问题，显得严肃又迷人。马奇没有参与他们的谈话，她从自己所处的角落里慢慢而长久地注视着他。而他则坐在沙发上，手抱着膝盖，面向班福德，灯光下的脸孔显得活泼又机敏。最后，她终于差不多平静下来了。她认定他就是那只狐狸--而他就在眼前。她不用再追寻他了。在角落的阴影里，她完全沉浸于那温暖、舒适的宁静中，几乎就像是睡眠，她接受了那符咒的魔力。但她还是希望把自己隐藏起来。只有在他遗忘了她，一直跟班福德谈话的时候，她才能完全平静下来。躲在角落的阴影里，她就不用再把自己一分为二，不用再努力维持两个不同层面的意识。她终于可以沉浸入狐狸的气味中了。
For the youth, sitting before the fire in his uniform, sent a faint but distinct odour into the room, indefinable, but something like a wild creature. March no longer tried to reserve herself from it. She was still and soft in her corner like a passive creature in its cave.
因为那年轻人穿着军装坐在火炉前，浑身散发出一种微弱但清晰的气味，弥漫在屋里，难以描述，但是很像某种野生动物的气味。马奇不想再逃避了。她安静而轻松地躲在角落里，像一只温顺的动物躲在自己的洞中。
At last the talk dwindled. The youth relaxed his clasp of his knees, pulled himself together a little, and looked round. Again he became aware of the silent, half-invisible woman in the corner.
最后谈话渐渐停住了。年轻人松开了抱紧膝盖的手，坐直了身子，向四处看了看。他再次注意到角落里那个沉默不语、几乎隐形的女人。
"Well, " he said unwillingly, "I suppose I'd better be going, or they'll be in bed at the" Swan ". "
“好了，” 他不怎么情愿地说道， “我想我也该走了，不然天鹅旅店里的人都已经睡觉了。”
"I" m afraid they're in bed, anyhow, "said Banford. " They 'veall got this influenza.
“我想他们一定已经睡了。” 班福德说道， “他们都得了流感。”
"Have they! " he exclaimed. And he pondered. "Well, " he continued, "I shall find a place somewhere. "
“他们得了流感！” 他惊叫道。然后他思索了一会。 “嗯，” 他接着说， “那我就去找其他地方住。”
"I'd say you could stay here, only-" Banford began.
“我想你可以留在这里，不过……” 班福德开了口。
He turned and watched her, holding his head forward.
他转身看着她，头往前探着。
"What? " he asked.
“不过什么？” 他问道。
"Oh, well, " she said, "propriety, I suppose. " She was rather confused.
“哦，是这样，” 她说道， “我想是合不合适的问题。” 她显得很苦恼。
"It wouldn't be improper, would it? " he said, gently surprised.
“不会不合适吧？” 他说道，感到有点惊讶。
"Not as far as we're concerned, " said Banford.
“我们自己并不觉得有什么不合适的。” 班福德说道。
"And not as far as I" m concerned, "he said, with grave naivete. " After all, it's my own home, in a way. "
“我也不觉得有什么不合适的啊。” 他说道，样子严肃又天真。 “毕竟，这儿也算是我自己的家啊。”
Banford smiled at this.
听他这么说，班福德笑了。
"It's what the village will have to say, " she said.
“问题是村里的人会怎么说。” 她说道。
There was a moment's blank pause.
然后大家都沉默了一阵。
"What do you say, Nellie? " asked Banford.
“你觉得怎样，内利？” 班福德问道。
"I don't mind, " said March, in her distinct tone. "The village doesn't matter to me, anyhow. "
“我不介意。” 马奇清清楚楚地说， “反正对我来说，村里人说什么并不重要。”
"No, " said the youth, quick and soft. "Why should it? I mean, what should they say? "
“不重要。” 年轻人立刻轻声接了一句， “为什么要理会呢？我是说，他们又能说些什么啊？”
"Oh, well, " came March's plangent, laconic voice, 't hey'll easily find something to say. But it makes no difference what they say. We can look after ourselves. "
“噢，这个嘛，” 马奇简洁地大声说道， “他们总能轻易地找到点什么来议论的。但不管他们说什么都没用。我们能照顾好自己的。”
"Of course you can, " said the youth.
“你们当然可以。” 年轻人说道。
"Well then, stop if you like, " said Banford. "The spare room is quite ready. "
“那么，如果你愿意的话就留下来吧。” 班福德说道， “有间空房是现成的。”
His face shone with pleasure.
他高兴得脸上焕发出光彩。
"If you're quite sure it isn't troubling you too much, " he said, with that soft courtesy which distinguished him.
“你们确定这不会太麻烦你们吗？” 他用他那特有的温柔而又彬彬有礼的态度说道。
"Oh, it's no trouble, " they both said.
“哦，不会麻烦的。” 她们俩异口同声地说。
He looked, smiling with delight, from one to another.
他愉快地笑着，看看这位姑娘，又看看那位姑娘。
"It's awfully nice not to have to turn out again, isn't it? " he said gratefully.
“真是太好了，不用再出去找地方了，是吧？” 他感激地说道。
"I suppose it is, " said Banford.
“我想是的。” 班福德说。
March disappeared to attend the room. Banford was as pleased and thoughtful as if she had her own young brother home from France. It gave her just the same kind of gratification to attend on him, to get out the bath for him, and everything. Her natural warmth and kindliness had now an outlet. And the youth luxuriated in her sisterly attention. But it puzzled him slightly to know that March was silently working for him too. She was so curiously silent and obliterated. It seemed to him he had not really seen her. He felt he should not know her if he met her in the road.
马奇离开了，她去收拾房间。班福德很高兴，对他细心又周到，就像是自己的亲弟弟从法国回家了一样。她照料着他，帮他准备沐浴的东西，什么都为他做，这同样让她觉得满足。她天生的热情和慈爱现在找到了表现的机会。那年轻人也尽情地享受着她那姐姐般的照料。但是当他知道马奇也在默默地照顾他时，他觉得有点困惑。她总是很奇怪地沉默着，被人遗忘在角落里。对他来说，好像并没怎么见到过她。他觉得如果自己在路上见到她，也不会认出她。
That night March dreamed vividly. She dreamed she heard a singing outside which she could not understand, a singing that roamed round the house, in the fields, and in the darkness. It moved her so that she felt she must weep. She went out, and suddenly she knew it was the fox singing. He was very yellow and bright, like corn. She went nearer to him, but he ran away and ceased singing. He seemed near, and she wanted to touch him. She stretched out her hand, but suddenly he bit her wrist, and at the same instant, as she drew back, the fox, turning round to bound away, whisked his brush across her face, and it seemed his brush was on fire, for it seared and burned her mouth with a great pain. She awoke with the pain of it, and lay trembling as if she were really seared.
那一晚，马奇做了一个清晰的梦。她梦见自己听到了屋外有一种歌声，她听不懂的歌声，它萦绕着屋子，飘荡在田野和暗夜中。那歌声是如此感人，她觉得自己都要掉泪了。她走了出去，突然，她明白了，是那只狐狸在唱歌。它皮毛的颜色是那么黄，明亮耀眼，就像玉米一样。她向它靠近，可它却跑开了，并停止了歌唱。它似乎就近在眼前，她想摸一摸它。她伸出手，可它却突然咬了一下她的手腕，她又缩回手，几乎同时，狐狸转身跳走，尾巴拂过她的脸颊。那尾巴似乎着了火一般，烧得她的嘴唇疼痛难忍。她疼醒了，躺在床上颤抖着，好像真的被灼伤了似的。
In the morning, however, she only remembered it as a distant memory. She arose and was busy preparing the house and attending to the fowls. Banford flew into the village on her bicycle to try and buy food. She was a hospitable soul. But alas, in the year 1918there was not much food to buy. The youth came downstairs in his shirt-sleeves. He was young and fresh, but he walked with his head thrust forward, so that his shoulders seemed raised and rounded, as if he had a slight curvature of the spine. It must have been only a manner of bearing himself, for he was young and vigorous. He washed himself and went outside, whilst the women were preparing breakfast.
然而到了清晨，她便只剩下一些模糊的记忆了。她起了床，然后忙着收拾屋子，照料那些鸡鸭。班福德飞快地骑着自行车到村里去，想看看能不能买点食物。她是个热情好客的姑娘。但是，在1918年，人们能买到的食物并不多。年轻人穿了件衬衫下楼了。他很年轻，生气勃勃，但是走路时头却向前探着，这样肩膀就耸了起来，显得圆滚滚的，好像他有点驼背似的。那应该只是他的习惯动作，因为他还很年轻，充满了活力。他洗漱完便走到外面去，而两个女人正在准备早餐。
He saw everything, and examined everything. His curiosity was quick and insatiable. He compared the state of things with that which he remembered before, and cast over in his mind the effect of the changes. He watched the fowls and the ducks, to see their condition; he noticed the flight of wood-pigeons overhead: they were very numerous; he saw the few apples high up, which March had not been able to reach; he remarked that they had borrowed a draw-pump, presumably to empty the big soft-water cistern which was on the north side of the house.
他四处都去看了，各个角落都检查了。他的好奇心来得快，而且不容易满足。他把农场目前的情况跟他记忆中的情况作了比较，然后便思考着变化带来的影响。他仔细观察了鸡鸭们的状况，注意到了那些在头顶飞来飞去的斑鸠，数量真是惊人。他还看见几个苹果高高地挂在树上，看来是马奇够不着。他还发现她们借来了一部抽水机，估计她们是要把屋子北面那个大大的软水槽给抽干。
"It's a funny, dilapidated old place, " he said to the girls, as he sat at breakfast.
“这个又破又旧的地方真有趣啊。” 他坐在那儿吃早餐时跟两位姑娘说道。
His eyes were wise and childish, with thinking about things. He did not say much, but ate largely. March kept her face averted. She, too, in the early morning could not be aware of him, though something about the glint of his khaki reminded her of the brilliance of her dream-fox.
他思考着什么，眼神中透出聪慧和稚气。他不怎么说话，不过却吃了不少东西。马奇一直侧着脸。即使是在清晨，她也不去留意他。尽管他卡其衣服的光泽让她想起了梦中那狐狸身上的光芒。
During the day the girls went about their business. In the morning he attended to the guns, shot a rabbit and a wild duck that was flying high towards the wood. That was a great addition to the empty larder. The girls felt that already he had earned his keep. He said nothing about leaving, however. In the afternoon he went to the village. He came back at tea-time. He had the same alert, forward-reaching look on his roundish face. He hung his hat on a peg with a little swinging gesture. He was thinking about something.
白天，姑娘们都去忙自己的事了。早上，他清洗了枪支，还打了一只兔子和一只高飞着冲向林子的野鸭。那空空的橱柜便充实了许多。姑娘们都觉得他已经赚够在这里的生活费了。不过，他从来没有提过要离开的事情。下午，他去了一趟村子里。喝茶时他回来了。他那圆圆的脸上带着同样警惕的、向前伸探的表情。他潇洒地把帽子挂到衣夹上。他正在考虑着什么。
"Well, " he said to the girls, as he sat at table. "What am I going to do? "
“哎，” 他在桌子边坐了下来，对姑娘们说道， “我应该怎么办呢？”
"How do you mean-what are you going to do? " said Banford.
“你是什么意思--你应该怎么办？” 班福德说。
"Where am I going to find a place in the village to stay? " he said.
“我能在村里找个什么地方住下来呢？” 他说道。
"I don't know, " said Banford. "Where do you think of staying? "
“我不知道。” 班福德说道， “你想住在哪里？”
"Well" -he hesitated- ‘at the "Swan" they 'vegot this flu, and at thePlough and Harrowthey' vegot the soldiers who are collecting the hay for the army: besides, in the private houses, there's ten men and a corporal altogether billeted in the village, they tell me. I "m not sure where I could get a bed. "
“哦，” 他犹豫地说道， “天鹅旅店里的人得了流感，而犁与耙旅店里面又住着为军队征收干草的士兵。而且听说，几处私人住房也提供给了驻扎在村里的十个士兵和一个下士。我不知道能在哪里找到住的地方。”
He left the matter to them. He was rather calm about it. March sat with her elbows on the table, her two hands supporting her chin, looking at him unconsciously. Suddenly he lifted his clouded blue eyes, and unthinking looked straight into March's eyes. He was startled as well as she. He, too, recoiled a little. March felt the same sly, taunting, knowing spark leap out of his eyes, as he turned his head aside, and fall into her soul, as it had fallen from the dark eyes of the fox. She pursed her mouth as if in pain, as if asleep too.
他把问题丢给了她们。他自己对此倒是很平静。马奇坐在那里，胳膊肘撑在桌上，两手托着下巴，无意识地瞧着他。突然，他抬起微带愠怒的蓝眼睛，不假思索地直接迎上了马奇的目光。他和她一样感到吃惊。他也稍微往后缩了缩。他把头转向一边，马奇感觉到他眼里又迸射出狡猾、嘲弄、心照不宣的火花，直直落入她的灵魂，就跟当初她看到狐狸的黑眼睛时的情形一样。她撅起嘴唇，仿佛在遭受痛苦，也仿佛进入了梦乡。
"Well, I don't know, " Banford was saying. She seemed reluctant, as if she were afraid of being imposed upon. She looked at March. But, with her weak, troubled sight, she only saw the usual semi-abstraction on her friend's face. "Why don't you speak, Nellie? " she said.
“哦，我不知道。” 班福德说道。她看上去不太情愿，似乎担心迫不得已要收留他。她看着马奇。但是她眼睛有问题，视力很差，只能从她朋友的脸上看到平时惯有的走神的表情。 “你怎么不说句话啊，内利？” 她说道。
But March was wide-eyed and silent, and the youth, as if fascinated, was watching her without moving his eyes.
但是马奇的眼睛瞪得大大的，继续沉默着。而那年轻人则入迷般地注视着她，眼珠动也不动一下。
"Go on-answer something, " said Banford. And March turned her head slightly aside, as if coming to consciousness, or trying to come to consciousness.
“拜托，回答一下我的问题吧。” 班福德说。马奇把头微微偏向一边，仿佛正逐渐恢复意识，或者说是在努力尝试恢复意识。
"What do you expect me to say? " she asked automatically.
“你希望我说些什么呢？” 她习惯性地说道。
"Say what you think, " said Banford.
“就说说你的想法啊。” 班福德说。
"It's all the same to me, " said March.
“我无所谓的。” 马奇说。
And again there was silence. A pointed light seemed to be on the boy's eyes, penetrating like a needle.
大家又都沉默了。那男孩的眼中似乎有一道尖锐的光，像针一样有穿透力。
"So it is to me, " said Banford. "You can stop on here if you like. "
“我也这么想。” 班福德说， “如果你愿意，就继续留在这里吧。”
A smile like a cunning little flame came over his face, suddenly and involuntarily. He dropped his head quickly to hide it, and remained with his head dropped, his face hidden.
微笑像一道狡猾的小火焰从他的脸上划过，那么突然，那么情不自禁。他迅速地把头低下，隐藏这微笑。他就一直低着头，把脸藏起来。
"You can stop on here if you like. You can please yourself, Henry, " Banford concluded.
“你如果愿意的话就留在这里吧。你爱怎样就怎样，亨利。” 班福德总结道。
Still he did not reply, but remained with his head dropped. Then he lifted his face. It was bright with a curious light, as if exultant, and his eyes were strangely clear as he watched March. She turned her face aside, her mouth suffering as if wounded, and her consciousness dim.
他还是没有回答，仍然垂着头。然后他把脸抬了起来。他的脸上泛着一种奇怪的、似乎是狂喜的光芒。当他注视着马奇的时候，那双眼显得异常明亮。她把脸转到一边去，嘴唇像受伤了似地感到灼痛，意识也开始模糊了。
Banford became a little puzzled. She watched the steady, pellucid gaze of the youth's eyes as he looked at March, with the invisible smile gleaming on his face. She did not know how he was smiling, for no feature moved. It seemed only in the gleam, almost the glitter of the fine hairs on his cheeks. Then he looked with quite a changed look at Banford.
班福德有些疑惑。她注意到年轻人看着马奇时，眼神沉着清澈，脸上还带着难以觉察的笑容。她不明白他是怎么笑的，因为他脸上没有任何动作。似乎只有当他脸颊上那些纤细的汗毛上闪着微光或者几乎是亮光时，才看出他在笑。然后，他又用一种完全不同的眼神看了看班福德。
"I" m sure, "he said in his soft, courteous voice, " you're awfully good. You're too good. You don't want to be bothered with me, I "m sure. "
“我觉得，” 他用那种轻柔有礼的声音说道， “你们真是太好了。你们心肠真好。我保证，我不会给你们添麻烦的。”
"Cut a bit of bread, Nellie, " said Banford uneasily, adding: "It's no bother, if you like to stay. It's like having my own brother here for a few days. He's a boy like you are. "
“切一些面包吧，内利，” 班福德有些不安地说道，又加上一句， “没有关系，如果你愿意留下的话。这就像是让我弟弟在这住几天一样。他跟你一样是个大男孩。”
"That's awfully kind of you, " the lad repeated. "I should like to stay ever so much, if you're sure I" m not a trouble to you. "
“你真是太好了。” 年轻人重复道， “我真的很高兴能住下来，只要你们确定我不会给你们带来麻烦。”
"No, of course you're no trouble. I tell you, it's a pleasure to have somebody in the house beside ourselves, " said warmhearted Banford.
“不会的，你当然不会带来麻烦。告诉你吧，其实能有除了我俩以外的人跟我们一起呆在这屋子里，是一件挺让人开心的事情。” 班福德热心地说道。
"But Miss March? " he said in his soft voice, looking at her.
“那么马奇小姐觉得呢？” 他轻声说道，又把目光投向了她。
"Oh, it's quite all right as far as I" m concerned, "said March vaguely.
“哦，我觉得没有什么问题啊。” 马奇模糊地答道。
His face beamed, and he almost rubbed his hands with pleasure.
他面露喜色，几乎要开心地搓搓手了。
"Well then, " he said, "I should love it, if you'd let me pay my board and help with the work. "
“那么，” 他说道， “如果你们让我付住宿费、帮忙干活的话，我会很乐意的。”
"You 'veno need to talk about board, " said Banford.
“你不用提住宿费。” 班福德说。
One or two days went by, and the youth stayed on at the farm. Banford was quite charmed by him. He was so soft and courteous in speech, not wanting to say much himself, preferring to hear what she had to say, and to laugh in his quick, half-mocking way. He helped readily with the work-but not too much. He loved to be out alone with the gun in his hands, to watch, to see. For his sharp-eyed, impersonal curiosity was insatiable, and he was most free when he was quite alone, half-hidden, watching.
一两天就这样过去了，年轻人继续留在了农场里。班福德简直被他迷住了。他说话总是那么温和有礼，谈话中很少提起自己，而是更乐意听她说话，并且伶俐地、带着嘲弄味道地笑着。他很愿意帮忙干活--不过干得不多。他喜欢把枪拿在手中，独自出门，去观察，去发现。因为他那敏锐、不带个人感情的好奇心永远得不到满足，只有当他独自一人、把自己半隐藏起来时，才感到最自由。
Particularly he watched March. She was a strange character to him. Her figure, like a graceful young man's, piqued him. Her dark eyes made something rise in his soul, with a curious elate excitement, when he looked into them, an excitement he was afraid to let be seen, it was so keen and secret. And then her odd, shrewd speech made him laugh outright. He felt he must go further, he was inevitably impelled. But he put away the thought of her and went off towards the wood's edge with the gun.
他尤其喜欢观察马奇。他觉得马奇是个奇怪的人。她的外形像个优雅得体的年轻男人，这让他很感兴趣。他注视着她的黑眼睛时，就会有灵魂飘飞的感觉，而且莫名地感到兴奋--一种强烈的、隐秘的、担心被人识破的兴奋。而她那古怪机灵的谈吐也常常让他大笑起来。他觉得他有必要再跨出一步。他已经不可避免地被迷倒了。但是眼下，他收起了对她的这些想法，拿起枪向林子边缘走去。
The dusk was falling as he came home, and with the dusk, a fine, late November rain. He saw the fire-light leaping in the window of the sitting-room, a leaping light in the little cluster of the dark buildings. And he thought to himself it would be a good thing to have this place for his own. And then the thought entered him shrewdly: Why not marry March? He stood still in the middle of the field for some moments, the dead rabbit hanging still in his hand, arrested by this thought. His mind waited in amazement-it seemed to calculate-and then he smiled curiously to himself in acquiescence. Why not? Why not indeed? It was a good idea. What if it was rather ridiculous? What did it matter? What if she was older than he? It didn't matter. When he thought of her dark, startled, vulnerable eyes he smiled subtly to himself. He was older than she, really. He was master of her.
他回到家时，天色已经暗了。黄昏中，十一月底的绵绵细雨飘落下来。他看见客厅的窗户里透出火炉里跳跃的火光，在一片漆黑的房屋中间闪耀着。他暗自想，要是这个地方属于自己，那可真是件好事。突然间，一个精明的主意闯进他的脑海：为什么不干脆娶了马奇呢？他在田野中央一动不动地站了好一会儿，手里提着那只硬邦邦的死兔子。他完全被这想法吸引住了。他的大脑惊异地等待着--它似乎在计算着什么--然后他便很奇怪地微笑了，暗自下了决心。为什么不呢？到底为什么不呢？这可是个好主意。要是这想法很滑稽呢？这又有什么关系？要是她比他大呢？这不是问题。他想起她那乌黑的、惊慌的、脆弱的眼睛，暗自狡猾地笑了。事实上，他是比她大的。他是她的主宰。