黑布林英语阅读《小妇人》-中英伴读

LittleWomen小妇人Page6AbouttheAuthor关于作者LouisaMayAlcottwasborninGermantown,Pennsylvaniain1832.Shewasthesecondoffourdaughters.Herfatherwasateacherandhegaveherlessonsathome.路易莎·梅·奥尔科特于1832年出生于宾夕法尼亚州的日耳曼敦。她是四个女儿中的老二。她的父亲是一名教师，他在家给她上课。TheAlcottfamilyoftenmovedhousewhenLouisawasgrowingup,butAlcott'shappiestyearswereinthesmalltownofConcord,Massachusetts.LittleWomenissetintheAlcottfamilyhomethere.路易莎成长过程中，奥尔科特一家经常搬家，但奥尔科特最快乐的时光是在马萨诸塞州的小镇康科德度过的。《小妇人》的故事发生在奥尔科特一家的家中。Alcottstartedworkwhenshewasstillyoungbecausethefamilywasn'trich.Shedidmanyjobsincludingteachinganddressmaking,butshewantedtobeawriter.Herfirstpublishedworkwasapoemin1852.Thiswasthebeginningofherwritingcareer.奥尔科特很小的时候就开始工作，因为家里并不富裕。她做过很多工作，包括教学和服装制作，但她想成为一名作家。她在1852年发表的第一部作品是一首诗。这是她写作生涯的开始。In1861theAmericanCivilWarstarted.AlcottwantedtohelpsoshewenttoWashingtontoworkasanurse.1861年，美国内战爆发。Alcott想要帮忙，所以她去了华盛顿当护士。AfterthewarAlcottspentayearinEuropeasthecompanionofaninvalid.WhiletheywereinSwitzerland,shehadashortloveaffairwithaPolishsoldier,LadislasWisniewski.ShelaterusedhimasthemodelforLaurieinLittleWomen,whichwaspublishedin1868.Thebookwasaninstantsuccesssoshewroteasequel.ShethenwrotetwomorebooksabouttheMarchfamily:LittleMen(1871)andJo'sBoys(1886).战争结束后，奥尔科特作为一个病人的伴侣在欧洲呆了一年。他们在瑞士的时候，她和一个名叫拉迪斯拉斯·维希涅夫斯基的波兰士兵有过一段短暂的恋情。后来，她以他为原型，在1868年出版的《小妇人》中扮演劳里。这本书一出版就大获成功，所以她又写了续集。之后，她又写了两本关于马奇一家的书:《小男人》(1871)和《乔的男孩》(1886)。Alcottnevermarriedandshediedattheageof56inBoston.奥尔科特从未结婚，56岁时在波士顿去世。Page7AbouttheBook关于这本书LittleWomenissetinNewEnglandduringtheAmericanCivilWar(1861-65).ThenovelfollowsthelivesofthefourMarchsisters-Meg,Jo,Beth,andAmy-andisbasedontheauthor'sownexperiencesofgrowingupwithherthreesisters.《小妇人》以美国内战(1861-65)期间的新英格兰为背景。这部小说讲述了马奇家的四姐妹——梅格、乔、贝丝和艾米的生活，并根据作者自己和她的三姐妹一起成长的经历写成。Themainthemeinthestoryistheimportanceoffamily.Otherthemesincludetheneedtoworkandself-improvement.这个故事的主题是家庭的重要性。其他主题包括工作和自我提高的需要。Whenthestorybeginsthesistersarecomplainingbecausetheyarepoorandhavetowork.Theirmothersaysthattheymustn'tspendmoneyonpleasurebecausethereisawarandeverybodymusthelp.Theirfatherisinthearmy.Intheletterstheirfathersendshomehetellshisdaughterstoworkhardandnottowastetheirtime.Theymusttrytoacceptthebadthingsintheirlivesandstaycheerful.Hewantstobeproudofthemwhenhecomeshome.Thegirlsdecidetomakeanefforttoimprovethemselvesbecausetheyloveandmisstheirfatherverymuch.故事开始时，姐妹们在抱怨，因为她们很穷，必须工作。他们的母亲说他们不应该把钱花在享乐上，因为有一场战争，每个人都必须帮忙。他们的父亲在军队里。在父亲寄回家的信中，他告诉女儿们要努力工作，不要浪费时间。他们必须努力接受生活中不好的事情，并保持乐观。当他回家的时候，他想以他们为荣。女孩们决定努力提高自己，因为她们非常爱和想念她们的父亲。Alcottwasinterestedinwomen'srightsand,throughthefourMarchsisters,sheexploresfourdifferentwaysofbeingawomaninthosedays.Megleavesthefamilytogetmarriedandhaveanewfamily.Bethdevotesherselftolookingafterherownfamily.Amyfocusesonherselfandherownpleasure.AndJo,likeAlcottherself,triestohaveacareerinwritingandcareforherfamilyatthesametime.奥尔科特对妇女权利很感兴趣，通过马奇四姐妹，她探索了当时作为一个女人的四种不同方式。梅格离开家去结婚，有了一个新的家庭。贝丝致力于照顾自己的家庭。艾米只关注她自己和她自己的快乐。和奥尔科特一样，乔也在努力从事写作工作，同时照顾家人。Page131THEMARCHSISTERS1马奇姐妹ItwasDecemberandthesnowwasfallingquietlyoutside.ThefourMarchsistersweresittingaroundthefireintheparlor.Theywereknittingsocksforsoldiers.Therewasawarandeveryonehadtohelp.12月，外面正下着雪。马奇四姐妹围坐在客厅的火炉旁。他们在为士兵织袜子。有一场战争，每个人都得帮忙。Megwastheoldestofthefoursisters.Shewassixteen.Shewasveryprettyandshelovedprettyclothes.Jowasfifteen.Shewasverytallandthin.ShewasdifferentfromMeg.Shedidn'tcareaboutdressesorhairstyles.Shewasatomboy.Bethwasthirteen.Shewasveryshyandquietandsheseemedtoliveinahappyworldofherown.Theyoungest,Amy,lookedlikeasnowprincesswithherblueeyesandblondehair.Shelovedbeautifulthingsandshewasalittlevain.Shealsothoughtthatshewasaveryimportantperson.梅格是四姐妹中最大的。她十六岁。她很漂亮，她喜欢漂亮的衣服。乔是十五岁。她又高又瘦。她和梅格不一样。她不在乎衣服和发型。她是个假小子。贝丝13岁。她很害羞，很安静，似乎生活在自己的幸福世界里。最小的艾米长着一双蓝眼睛和一头金发，看上去就像一位白雪公主。她喜欢美丽的东西，有点爱慕虚荣。她还认为自己是一个非常重要的人。'Christmasisn'tChristmaswithoutanypresents,'Josaidsadly.“没有礼物圣诞节就不是圣诞节，”乔忧伤地说。'Ihatebeingpoor!'Megsaid,lookingatherolddress.“我讨厌贫穷!”梅格看着她的旧衣服说。'Somegirlshavelotsofnicethings,andothergirlshavenothingatall,'saidAmy.'Idon'tthinkit'sfair.'“有些女孩有很多好东西，有些女孩什么都没有，”艾米说。“我认为这不公平。”'Butwe'vegotFatherandMother,andeachother,'saidBeth.Thefoursisterslookedhappyforamomentwhentheyrememberedthis.“但是我们有爸爸妈妈，还有彼此，”贝丝说。四姐妹想起了这一点，一时显得很高兴。ThenJosaid,'Butwehaven'tgotFather.'然后乔说:“可我们没有爸爸呀。”Theirsmilessuddenlydisappeared.MrMarchwasfarawaywiththesoldiers.他们的笑容突然消失了。马奇先生和士兵们在很远的地方。'Mothersaysourmenaresufferingandwemustn'tspendmoneyforpleasure,'Megsaid.'That'swhywecan'thavepresentsthisyear.'“妈妈说我们的男人在受苦，我们不能花钱寻欢作乐，”梅格说。“这就是我们今年不能收到礼物的原因。”Page14'Well,eachofushasadollartospend,'saidJo.'Whatcanthearmydowithfourdollars?Nothing!Idon'texpectanythingfromMotherbutI'dliketobuyabookformyself.'Jolovedreadingandshehadapassionforbooks.“好吧，我们每人有一美元，”乔说。“军队用四块钱能做什么?没有什么!我不指望从妈妈那里得到什么，但我想给自己买本书。”乔喜欢读书，她酷爱读书。'Iwanttospendmineonsomenewmusic,'saidBeth.Sheplayedthepianoandshelovedsinging.“我想把我的钱花在买些新音乐上，”贝丝说。她弹钢琴，她喜欢唱歌。I'mgoingtobuyaboxofdrawingpencils.Ireallyneedthem,'saidAmy.Shewantedtobeanartist.我打算买一盒绘画铅笔。“我真的需要它们，”艾米说。她想成为一名艺术家。'Motherdidn'tsayanythingaboutspendingourownmoney,'criedJo.'Weworkhardforitsolet'sbuywhatwewantandhavealittlefun.'“妈妈没说过要花我们自己的钱，”乔嚷道。“我们努力工作，所以让我们买我们想要的东西，找点乐子。”Itwastrue.Thetwooldersistershadjobs.MegworkedasateacherfortheKingfamilyandJolookedafterAuntMarch,theirfather'srich,bad-temperedoldaunt.BethandAmyhelpedwiththehousework.这是真的。两个姐姐都有工作。梅格在金家当教师，乔照顾马奇阿姨，他们父亲富有的、坏脾气的老姑妈。贝丝和艾米帮着做家务。Justthentheclockstrucksix.Bethgotupandputhermother'sslippersnearthefiretowarm.就在这时，钟敲了六下。贝丝站起来，把妈妈的拖鞋放在火边取暖。'Thoseslippersareveryold,'saidJo.'Motherneedssomenewones.'“那些拖鞋很旧了，”乔说。“妈妈需要一些新的。”'Icanbuyapairforherwithmydollar,'saidBeth.“我可以用我的钱给她买一双，”贝丝说。'No,I'mtheoldest,'Megsaid.'Iwanttobuytheslippersforher.'“不，我最大，”梅格说。“我想给她买拖鞋。”'No,it'smyjob,'saidJo.'FathertoldmetotakecareofMotherwhilehewasaway.'“不，这是我的工作，”乔说。“爸爸要我在他不在的时候照顾妈妈。”'Ihaveanidea,'saidBeth.'Let'snotspendourmoneyonourselves.Let'sgetsomepresentsforMother.'“我有个主意，”贝丝说。“我们不要把钱花在自己身上。我们给妈妈买些礼物吧。”Hersistersthoughtthatthiswasaverygoodidea.她的姐妹们认为这是一个非常好的主意。Page15'I'mgoingtogiveherapairofgloves,'saidMeglookingatherownprettyhands.Theyweresmallandwhite.'Andyou,Jo?'“我打算给她一副手套，”梅格看着自己漂亮的手说。它们又小又白。“而你,乔?”'Somenewslippers!'criedJo.“一些新拖鞋!”乔喊道。'I'mgoingtomakehersomehandkerchiefs,'saidBethquietly.“我想给她做一些手帕，”贝丝平静地说。'AndI'mgoingtogiveherabottleofperfume,'saidAmy.“我还要给她买瓶香水，”艾米说。Theyallagreedtogoshoppingforthepresentsthenextday.他们都同意第二天去买礼物。Whatdoes"Butwehaven'tgotFather"mean?Howmuchmoneydotheyhaveforpresents?Whatdoes"shehadapassionforbooks"mean?Whatpresentswilleachofthembuyfortheirmom?Atthatmomentahappyvoicecalled,'Hello,mydears!'ItwasMrsMarch.Thegirlsjumpedupandrantothefrontdoor.这时一个幸福的声音喊道:“你们好，亲爱的!是马奇太太。女孩们跳起来跑到前门。Whileshewastakingoffherwetcloakandshoesandputtingonthewarmslippers,MrsMarchtalkedtoherdaughtersabouttheirday.马奇太太一边脱下湿斗篷和鞋子，换上暖和的拖鞋，一边和她的女儿们谈论这一天的事情。'Howisyourcold,Meg?Jo,youlooktired.Didanyonecalltoday,Beth?Amy,baby,comeandgivemeakiss.'“你感冒怎么样了，梅格?”乔，你看起来很累。今天有人打电话来吗，贝丝?艾米，宝贝，过来吻我一下。”Thenthegirlsquicklypreparedthetablefortheeveningmealandtheyallsatdowntoeat.TherewasahappysmileonMrsMarch'sface.然后，女孩们很快地准备好了桌子，大家都坐下来吃晚饭。马奇太太的脸上露出了幸福的微笑。'I'vegotasurpriseforyouaftersupper,'shesaid.“晚饭后我有个惊喜要给你，”她说。'Hooray!'shoutedBeth.'AletterfromFather!'“万岁!”“贝丝喊道。“父亲的来信!”'Yes!'saidMrsMarch.'Anicelongletter.'“是的!马奇太太说。“一封漂亮的长信。”Page16Theletterwasverycheerfulandfullofinterestingdescriptionsoflifeinthearmy.Attheendofthelettertherewasaspecialmessageforthegirls.Hetoldthemtobegoodtotheirmotherandtoworkhard.Hewantedtobeproudofthemwhenhecameback.Thegirlscriedwhentheirmotherreadthelastpartbecausetheylovedandmissedtheirfatheralot.Theywantedtomakehimhappysoeachonemadeapromisetobeabetterpersoninthefuture.信中内容很愉快，而且充满了关于军队生活的有趣描述。在信的结尾有一封特别写给女孩们的信。他告诉他们要对妈妈好，要努力工作。当他回来的时候，他想以他们为荣。当她们的母亲读到最后一部分时，女孩们哭了，因为她们非常爱和想念她们的父亲。她们想让他开心，所以每个人都承诺将来会成为一个更好的人。Beforetheywenttobed,Bethplayedsomesongsontheoldpianointheparlorandtheyallsang.睡觉前，贝丝在客厅的那架旧钢琴上弹了几首歌，大家都唱了起来。Page172AMERRYCHRISTMAS2圣诞快乐JowasthefirsttowakeuponChristmasmorning.Whenhersisterswereawaketoo,theyallwentdowntothekitchen.Theirmotherwasn'ttherebutHannah,theirservant,was.圣诞节早晨，乔是第一个醒来的。姐妹们也醒了，她们都下楼到厨房去了。他们的母亲不在，但他们的仆人汉娜在。'Yourmotherwentoutearly,'shesaid.'Apoorboycametothedooraskingforfood.Shewassorryforhimandshewantedtohelphim.Shewenttoseehisfamily.'“你妈妈很早就出去了，”她说。“一个穷孩子到门口讨吃的。她为他感到难过，想帮助他。她去看他的家人了。”Whiletheywerewaitingfortheirmothertocomeback,thegirlsputtheirpresentsforherinabasket.Soontheyheardthesoundofakeyinthefrontdoor.在等妈妈回来的时候，女孩们把送给她的礼物放在一个篮子里。不久，他们听到了用钥匙打开前门的声音。'Mother'shere!'criedJo.'Hidethebasketbehindthesofa!Quick!"“母亲在这里!”乔喊道。“把篮子藏在沙发后面！快!”Thentheyallrushedintothehalltogreettheirmother.然后他们都冲进大厅去迎接他们的母亲。'MerryChristmas,Mother!'theycried.“妈妈,圣诞快乐!”他们嚷道。'MerryChristmas,littledaughters!'MrsMarchsaidinherhappyvoice.Shehuggedthemallandkissedthem.Thenshesuddenlybecameveryserious.“圣诞快乐，孩子们!”马奇太太用快乐的声音说。她拥抱他们，亲吻他们。然后她突然严肃起来。'Comeandsitdown,girls.Iwanttosaysomethingbeforewestartbreakfast.'“姑娘们，过来坐下。吃早饭前我有话要说。”TheyallsatdownatthebreakfasttableandMrsMarchcontinued.他们都坐在早餐桌旁，马奇太太继续说。'Iwenttoseeapoorwomanthismorning.HernameisMrsHummel.Shelivesnearhereinoneroomwithhersevenchildren.Oneofthemisonlyababy.Theyarecoldandhungrybecausetheydon'thaveafireoranyfood.Theoldestboycametoaskmeforhelp.Girls,canwegivethemourbreakfastasaChristmaspresent?'“今天早晨我去看了一个可怜的女人。她的名字是哈梅尔夫人。她和七个孩子住在附近的一个房间里。其中一个还只是个婴儿。他们又冷又饿，因为他们没有火，也没有任何食物。最大的男孩来找我帮忙。孩子们，我们能把我们的早餐送给他们做圣诞礼物吗?”Page18Thesisterslookedatthegoodfoodonthetable.Theywereallhungry.Foraminutenobodyspoke.ThenJosaid,'I'msogladyoucamebackbeforewestartedeating,Mother!'姐妹俩看着桌上丰盛的食物。他们都饿了。有一分钟没有人说话。然后乔说:我很高兴你在我们开始吃饭之前回来，妈妈!”Megputthebreadonabigplatewithoutsayinganything.梅格什么也没说就把面包放在一个大盘子里。'CanIhelpcarrythethingstothepoorchildren?'askedBeth.“我能帮着把东西拿给那些可怜的孩子们吗?””贝思问。'Iwanttotakethecreamandthemuffins,'saidAmy.Theywereherfavoritethings.“我想带上奶油和松饼，”艾米说。那是她最喜欢的东西。MrsMarchsmiled.马奇夫人笑了。'Let'sallgotogether,'shesaid.“我们一起走吧，”她说。ThegirlsandHannahputontheirhatsandcloaksandtheywentoutintothesnowystreet.姑娘们和汉娜戴上帽子，穿上斗篷，走到白雪覆盖的街道上。TheywereshockedwhentheysawtheHummels'room.Thewindowwasbrokenandtherewasnofire.Itwasverycold.MrsHummel,thebabyandagroupofpalechildrenweretryingtokeepwarmunderoneoldblanket.Thechildren'seyesopenedwideandtheirbluelipssmiledwhentheysawthegirls.MrsHummelcriedwithjoy.当他们看到哈梅尔家的房间时，都惊呆了。窗户被打破了，也没有生火。天气很冷。哈梅尔太太、婴儿和一群脸色苍白的孩子在一条旧毯子下面取暖。当孩子们看到女孩们时，他们的眼睛睁得大大的，蓝色的嘴唇露出了微笑。哈梅尔太太高兴得叫了起来。Hannahmadeafireandputherowncloakoverthebrokenwindow.Thegirlsputthefoodonthetableandsoonthechildrenwereeatingithungrily.MrsMarchgavethemothersomehotsoupanddressedthelittlebaby.汉娜生了火，把自己的斗篷罩在破窗户上。女孩们把食物放在桌子上，很快孩子们就狼吞虎咽地吃了起来。马奇太太给了母亲一些热汤，并给婴儿穿好衣服。'Angels!You'reangels!'MrsHummelcalledtothemastheyleft.ThatChristmasmorningthegirlshadbreadandmilkforbreakfastbuttheyweren'tsad.“天使!”你是天使!他们离开时，哈梅尔太太对他们喊道。那个圣诞节的早晨，女孩们早餐吃的是面包和牛奶，但她们并不悲伤。'I'mgladthatwehelpedthosepoorpeople,'saidMeg.'Itwastherightthingtodo.'“我很高兴我们帮助了那些穷人，”梅格说。“这么做是正确的。”Page20AfterbreakfastthegirlsgavetheirmotherherChristmaspresents.Theyexplainedthereasonforeachoneandtherewasalotoflaughingandkissing.MrsMarchimmediatelyputsomeperfumeononeofthehandkerchiefsandputitintoherpocket.Thensheputontheslippersandthegloves.早饭后，姑娘们把圣诞礼物送给了母亲。他们解释了每一个原因，大家笑了起来，亲吻了起来。马奇太太立即在一块手帕上涂了些香水，放进了口袋。然后她穿上拖鞋和手套。'Perfect!'shesaid.“完美!”她说。Thegirlsspenttherestofthedaypreparingaplay.Thesistersoftenperformedplaysfortheirfriendsandtheywereverygoodatmakingcostumesandprops.女孩们用那天剩下的时间准备一出戏。这对姐妹经常为她们的朋友表演戏剧，她们非常擅长制作服装和道具。Adozengirlsarrivedaboutsixo'clockandtooktheirplacesonthebedinthebigbedroom.Theplaywasagreatsuccess.Everybodyenjoyeditverymuch.ThegirlswerestilllaughingandclappingwhenHannahcameinandsaid,'Supperisready.'大约六点钟，十几个姑娘到了，她们在大卧室的床上就座。这出戏非常成功。每个人都很喜欢。姑娘们还在鼓掌大笑，这时汉娜走了进来，说:“晚饭准备好了。”Asurprisewaswaitingforthemonthediningroomtable-dishesoficecream,pinkandwhite,freshfruit,cakesandrealFrenchchocolates.Andinthemiddleofallthisdeliciousfoodtherewerefourvasesofbeautifulflowers.Thegirlscouldn'tbelievetheireyes.一个惊喜在餐厅里等着他们，盘子里有冰激凌，粉色和白色的，新鲜的水果，蛋糕和真正的法国巧克力。在所有这些美味的食物中间有四瓶美丽的花。女孩们简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。'Didthefairiesbringthesupper?'askedAmy.“仙女们带来晚餐了吗?”艾米问。'No!SantaClausbroughtit,'saidBeth.“不!是圣诞老人带来的，”贝丝说。'Motherdidit,'Megsaid.“是妈妈做的，”梅格说。'No!AuntMarchsentit!'criedJo.“不!马奇太太送来的!”乔喊道。'Youareallwrong,'saidMrsMarch.'OldMrLaurencesentit.'“你们都错了，”马奇太太说。“是老劳伦斯先生送来的。”Writeashortdescriptionofaspecialmealthatyouandyourfamilyhave.Saywhenandwhyyouhaveitandwhatyoueatanddrink.Page21'TheLaurenceboy'sgrandfather!'exclaimedMeg.'Whydidhedothat?Wedon'tknowhim!'“劳伦斯男孩的爷爷!”梅格喊道。“他为什么要那样做?”我们不认识他!”'HannahtoldoneofhisservantsthestoryoftheHummels.MrLaurencewassorrytohearaboutyourpoorChristmasbreakfastsohedecidedtogiveyouasurprise.'汉娜把哈梅尔一家的故事告诉了他的一个仆人。劳伦斯先生听说你可怜的圣诞早餐很难过，所以他决定给你一个惊喜。”'Mymothersayshe'sveryproud,'saidoneofthegirlsatthetable.'Shesaysthathedoesn'tlikemixingwithhisneighbors.Hisgrandsonhastostayinthehouseandstudyallday.Weinvitedhimtoapartyonce,buthedidn'tcome.He'sveryshy.'“我妈妈说他很骄傲，”餐桌上的一个女孩说。她说他不喜欢和邻居们混在一起。他的孙子不得不整天呆在家里学习。我们曾邀请他参加一次聚会，但他没来。他很害羞。”'I'mgoingtotalktohimoneday,'saidJo.'Heneedstohavesomefun.I'mgoingtoinvitehimtoournextplay!'“有一天我会跟他说的，”乔说。他需要找点乐子。我还要邀请他来看我们下一场戏!”Page223THELAURENCEBOY3劳伦斯家的男孩'Jo!Jo!Whereareyou?'Megshoutedfromthebottomofthestairs.“乔!乔!你在哪里?”梅格在楼梯底下喊道。'I'mintheattic!'answeredJo.Shewassittingonanoldsofanexttoasmallwindow.Thiswasherfavoriteplaceinthehouse.Shewenttheretobealoneandtoread.WhenMegappeared,sheclosedherbookandlookedup.“我在阁楼上!”乔回答说。她坐在一扇小窗旁的一张旧沙发上。这是她最喜欢的地方。她去那里是为了独处和读书。梅格出现时，合上书抬起头来。'WehaveaninvitationfromMrsGardinertoadanceonNewYear'sEve!'criedMegexcitedly.'Ohdear!WhatamIgoingtowear?'“加德纳太太请我们参加新年夜的舞会!”梅格兴奋地叫道。“哦,亲爱的!我穿什么好呢?”'Youroldcottondressisalright,'repliedJo.'Youcanwearthat.'“你的旧棉连衣裙挺好的，”乔回答。“你可以穿着它。”'I'dlovetohaveasilkdress,'saidMegsadly.'MothersaysIcanhaveonewhenI'meighteen.Butit'saverylongtimetowait.'“我很想有一件丝绸连衣裙，”梅格悲哀地说。“妈妈说我十八岁时可以有一个。但要等很长时间。”OnNewYear'sEve,BethandAmyhelpedtheiroldersistersgetreadyfortheparty.Thegirlslookedveryniceintheirsimpledresses.Meg'swasasilvercolorandJo'swasdarkred.Megborrowedhermother'spearlpintodecorateherdress.Joputafloweronhers.新年前夜，贝丝和艾米帮助她们的姐姐为晚会做准备。女孩们穿着简单的连衣裙看起来很漂亮。梅格的连衣裙是银色的，而乔的则是深红色。梅格借了她母亲的珍珠别针来装饰她的连衣裙。乔在她的连衣裙上放了一朵花。'Haveagoodtime,mydears!'saidMrsMarch.'Don'teattoomuch,andcomehomeateleven.'“玩得开心点，亲爱的!”马奇太太说。“别吃太多，11点回家。”Theywereclosingthegardengatewhentheirmothercriedfromawindow,'Girls!Haveyoubothgotcleanhandkerchiefs?'他们正关着花园的门，母亲从窗口叫道:“姑娘们!你们俩都有干净手帕吗?”'Yes,yes.AndMegputsomeperfumeonhers,'criedJo,andsheandMeglaughedallthewaytotheGardiners'house.“是的,是的。梅格还在她的手帕上抹了些香水，”乔叫道，她和梅格在去加德纳家的路上一路笑着。Page23Whentheyarrivedtheywerefeelingabitshybecausetheydidn'toftengotoparties.ButsoonsomegirlsstartedtalkingtoMeg,andthensomeboysaskedhertodance.Jostoodonherownatoneendoftheroom.Shedidn'tliketalkingtogirls.Agroupofboysnearherwastalkingaboutice-skating.Shewantedtojointhembutitwasn'tpoliteforagirltotalkaboutsportwithboys.Shebegantofeelbored.Thenaboywithredhairstartedtowalktowardsher.Suddenlyshefeltveryshy.当他们到达时，他们感到有点害羞，因为他们不经常参加聚会。但很快一些女孩开始和梅格说话，然后一些男孩请她跳舞。乔独自站在房间的一头。她不喜欢和女孩子说话。她身边的一群男孩正在谈论滑冰。她想加入他们，但一个女孩和男孩谈论运动是不礼貌的。她开始感到无聊。然后一个红头发的男孩开始向她走来。她突然感到很害羞。'Oh,no!'shethought.'He'sgoingtoaskmetodance.'“哦,不!”她想。“他要请我跳舞了。”Whatkindofpartiesdoyougoto?Areyourpartiesdifferentfromthisone?Why?Shelookedaroundforahidingplace.Therewasalargeheavycurtainbehindher.Shelifteditquicklyandslippedbehindit.Whenthecurtaindropped,shefoundherselffacetofacewiththe'Laurenceboy'!她四处寻找藏身之处。她身后有一个又大又沉的帷幕。她迅速提起它，溜到它后面。帷幕落下后，她发现自己正面对着“劳伦斯家的男孩”!Sheturnedredwithembarrassment.她窘得满脸通红。'Sorry!'shesaid.'Ididn'tknowthatyouwerehere.'“对不起!”她说。“我不知道你在这儿。”Shestartedtoleavebuttheboylaughedandsaidinapleasantvoice,'Stayifyoulike.Don'tworryaboutme.IonlycameherebecauseIdon'tknowmanypeople.Iwasbored.'她准备离开，但男孩笑了，并用愉快的声音说:“你愿意就留下吧。”别为我担心。我来这里只是因为我认识的人不多。我是无聊。”'Iwas,too.'“我也是。”Jotriedtobepoliteandrelaxed.乔尽量表现得礼貌而轻松。Page24'Youlivenearus,don'tyou?'shesaid.'Isawyoutheotherday.'“你住在我们附近，是不是?”她说。“前几天我还看见你的。”'Yes.Nextdoor.'“是的。隔壁。”Andthentheybothlaughed.然后他们都笑了。'WehadagoodtimeatChristmas.ThankyouforyourniceChristmaspresent.'“圣诞节我们玩得很开心。谢谢你漂亮的圣诞礼物。”'Grandfathersentit.'“爷爷寄的。”'Butyougavehimtheidea,didn'tyou,MrLaurence?'“可那是你给他出的主意，是吗，劳伦斯先生?”'I'mnotMrLaurence,MissMarch.I'monlyLaurie.'“我不是劳伦斯先生，马奇小姐。我叫劳里。”'AndIamnotMissMarch.I'monlyJo,'shereplied.“我也不是马奇小姐。我叫乔，”她回答。SoontheyforgottheirshynessandwerechattinghappilyaboutLaurie'stravelstoforeigncountries.Theybegantofeellikeoldfriends.很快他们就忘记了羞涩，愉快地聊着劳里的国外之行。他们开始觉得像老朋友了。ThenLaurieaskedJotodance.HetaughtheranewGermandanceandtheyhadalotoffun.Lauriewasagooddancer.LauriewastellingJoaboutastudents'festivalinHeidelbergwhenshesuddenlysawMeg.Hersisterwassittingonasofaandholdingherfoot.Shelookedpale.Joimmediatelywenttoseewhatwaswrong.然后劳里请乔跳舞。他教她一种新的德国舞蹈，他们玩得很开心。劳里舞跳得很好。劳里正在给乔讲在海德堡举行的学生节，这时她突然看见了梅格。她姐姐坐在沙发上，抱着她的脚。她看起来苍白。乔马上去看是怎么回事。'It'smyankle,'saidMeg.'Thatstupidhighheelonmyshoebroke.Ican'tstandorwalkverywell.HowamIgoingtogethome?'“我的脚踝受伤了，”梅格说。“我鞋上那愚蠢的高后跟坏了。我不能很好地站立或行走。我怎么回家啊?”Jowentoutsideandlookedforacarriagebutthereweren'tany.乔出去找马车，可是找不到。'Youcanhavemygrandfather'scarriage,'saidLaurie.“你可以用我爷爷的马车，”劳里说。'Butit'sstillearly!'saidJo.'Doyoureallywanttogohomenow?'“可现在时间还早!””乔说。“你真想现在回家吗?”'Oh,yes,'repliedLaurie.'Ialwaysleavepartiesearly.'“哦，是的，”劳里回答。“我总是早早地离开派对。”SoJoacceptedhiskindofferbecauseitwasanemergency.ThentheywenttofindMeg.所以乔接受了他的好意因为情况紧急。然后他们去找梅格。Page25WhentheyarrivedattheMarches'house,JoandMegthankedLaurieandsaidgoodnight.TheyopenedthefrontdoorveryquietlybutBethandAmywerestillawake.他们来到马奇家时，乔和梅格向劳里道谢并道了晚安。他们轻轻地打开前门，但贝丝和艾米还没睡。'Tellusabouttheparty!'theycriedfromthetopofthestairs.“给我们讲讲舞会的事!”他们在楼梯顶上叫道。JoandMegdescribedthemostexcitingmomentsoftheeveningandthenthetwoyoungersisterswenttobedhappily.乔和梅格描述了当晚最激动人心的时刻，然后两个妹妹高高兴兴地去睡觉了。LaterJoputabandageonMeg'sfootandbrushedhersister'shair.'Thankyou,Jo,'Megsaid.'Ifeellikeareallady.'后来乔给梅格的脚缠上绷带，又给她姐姐梳头。“谢谢你，乔，”梅格说。“我觉得自己像个真正的淑女。”'Wedon'thavesilkdressesandbeautifulshoes,'saidJo.'ButI'msurethatweenjoyourselvesasmuchasrealladiesdo.'“我们没有丝绸裙子和漂亮的鞋子，”乔说。“不过我敢肯定，我们像真正的贵妇人一样玩得很开心。”Page264GOODNEIGHBORS4好邻居TheMarches'housewasbetweentwolargehouses.Ononesidetherewasanoldbrownhouse.Ontheothersidetherewasalargestonemansion.ThiswasthehomeofoldMrLaurenceandhisgrandson,Laurie.Itwasaverygrandhouseandtheroomslookedverycomfortablebehindtheheavysilkcurtainsatthewindows.Butitwasahousewithoutlife.TheMarches'housewasdifferent.Itwasalwaysbusyandfullofnoiseandpeople.马奇家的房子在两幢大房子之间。一边是一座棕色的老房子。对面是一座巨大的石头豪宅。这是老劳伦斯先生和他孙子劳里的家。这是一所非常豪华的房子，窗户上厚重的丝绸窗帘后面的房间看上去非常舒适。但这是一座没有生命的房子。马奇家的房子就不同了。它总是很繁忙，充满了噪音和人群。AfewdaysafterthepartyJosawLaurieagain.Hewasstandingatanupstairswindowinthemansionandlookingdownattheirgarden.BethandAmywereplayinginthesnow.Theywerethrowingsnowballsandhavingalotoffun.Laurie'sfacewasverysad.聚会后的几天，乔又见到了劳里。他站在豪宅楼上的一个窗口，俯视着他们的花园。贝丝和艾米在雪里玩。他们在扔雪球，玩得很开心。劳里的脸很悲伤。'Poorboy!'shethought.'He'sallalone.It'sashame!Heneedssomefriends.'Shecouldn'tstopthinkingabouthim.Shewantedtogoandseehimbuthowcouldshegotohishousewithoutaninvitation?“可怜的孩子!”她想。“他是独自一人。这是一件遗憾的事!他需要一些朋友。”她情不自禁想起了他。她很想去看看他，可是没有得到邀请，她怎么能去他家呢?Thenonesnowyafternoon,whileshewaslookingoutofthewindow,shesawMrLaurence.Hewasgettingintohiscarriage.Hewasgoingout.Thisgaveheranidea.然后在一个下雪的下午，她往窗外看时，看到了劳伦斯先生。他正在上他的马车。他要出去。这给了她一个主意。'Laurieisaloneinthehouse,'shethought.'Perhapshe'slookingoutofhiswindow.'“劳里一个人在房子里，”她想。“也许他正往窗外看呢。”Sheputonherhatandanoldcoatandtookabroomandashovelfromthekitchen.她戴上帽子，穿上一件旧外套，从厨房里拿出一把扫帚和一把铁锹。Page27'Whatareyougoingtodo,Jo?'askedMegwhenshesawhersisterinthehall.“你打算干什么，乔?”梅格在大厅看见她妹妹时问道。'Iwanttogetsomeexercise,'answeredJowithasmile.'I'mgoingtoclearthegardenpath.'“我想锻炼身体，”乔笑着回答。“我要清扫花园小路。”Lauriewasstandingatthewindowagain.Hewasn'tlookingathersoshethrewasnowballtogethisattention.Whenthesnowhittheglass,heturnedhisheadimmediatelyandabigsmilechangedhispale,sadface.劳里又站在窗前。他没有看她，所以她扔雪球来引起他的注意。当雪打在玻璃上时，他立刻转过头来，一个大大的微笑改变了他苍白、悲伤的脸。Jolaughedandshouted,'Howareyou?Areyouill?'乔笑着嚷道:“你怎么样?你生病了吗?”Laurieopenedthewindowandsaid,'I'mbetternow,thankyou.IhadabadcoldandIhadtostayinsideforaweek.'劳里打开窗户说:“我现在好多了，谢谢你。”我得了重感冒，不得不在屋里呆了一个星期。”Page28'I'msorry,'saidJo.'Areyoubored?'“对不起，”乔说。“你很无聊吗?”'Yes,very,'hereplied.“是的，非常，”他回答。'Don'tyourfriendscometovisityou?'“你的朋友们不来看你吗?”'No.ButIdon'twanttoseeanybody.Boysarenoisyandtheygivemeaheadache.'“没有。但我谁也不想见。男孩子们太吵了，他们让我头疼。”'Girlsarequiet.'“女孩安静。”'Idon'tknowanygirls.'“我不认识女孩子。”'Youknowus.'“你知道我们。”'That'strue!Canyoucomeandvisitme?'criedLaurie.'Please!'“这是真的!你能来看我吗?”劳里喊道。“请!”I'mnotquietbutI'dliketocome,'repliedJo.'ButImustaskMotherfirst.'“我不安静，可我愿意来，”乔回答。“但我得先问问妈妈。”Shepickedupherbroomandranintothehouse.她拿起扫帚跑进了房子。WhichofthefollowingwordscanbeusedtodescribeJo?□shy□lonely□lovely□talkativeWhyshouldLauriestayinsideforaweek?HowdidJogetLaurie'sattentionwhenshewantedtohelphim?Afewminuteslatershereturnedandrangthebellonthedoorofthemansion.Aservantanswereditandtookherupstairs.几分钟后，她回来了，按了按豪宅的门铃。一个仆人接了，把她带到楼上。'HereIam!'shesaidbrightly.'MothersendsherloveandMeggavemethisblancmangeforyou.'“我在这里!”她欢快地说。“妈妈给了她的爱，梅格给了我这个牛奶冻，都给你。”'Thatlooksdelicious,'Lauriesaid.HewasveryhappytoseeJo.“看起来很好吃，”劳里说。他很高兴看到乔。Page29'Pleasesitdown,'Lauriesaidandpointedtoacomfortablearmchair.“请坐，”劳里说，指着一张舒服的扶手椅。Jolookedaround.Therewerelotsofbooksontheshelves.乔看了看四周。书架上有很多书。'Whatacozyroom!'shesaid.'Icanreadtoyouifyoulike.'“多舒服的房间啊!””她说。“如果你愿意，我可以读给你听。”'No,let'stalk,'repliedLaurie.“不，让我们谈谈，”劳里回答。'Alright,'saidJo.'Icantalkforhours.BethsaysIneverknowwhentostop.'“好吧,”乔说。“我能讲上几个小时。贝丝说我总是不知道什么时候该停下来。”'WhichsisterisBeth?Doesshesometimescarryabrownbasketwhenshegoesout?'askedLaurie.“哪个妹妹是贝丝?”她出去的时候有时会提一个棕色的篮子吗?”劳里问。'Yes.She'sveryshy.Shedoesn'tgooutmuch.Shelovesbeingathome.'“是的。她很害羞。她不常出去。她喜欢待在家里。”'AndMegisveryprettyandAmyhaslovelyblondehair,'Lauriecontinued.“梅格很漂亮，艾米有可爱的金发，”劳里接着说。'Yes!'saidJoinasurprisedvoice.'Howdoyouknowthat?'“是的!”乔惊讶地说道。“你怎么知道的?”'Youcalleachother'snameswhenyouareinthegarden.Icanhearyoufrommyroom.SometimesyouforgettoclosethecurtainsandIcanseeyouallaroundthetablewithyourmother.Shehasaverykindface.Ilikelookingather.Ihaven'tgotamother,youknow.'“你们在花园里互相称呼对方的名字。我在房间里就能听到你的声音。有时你忘了拉上窗帘，我能看到你和你妈妈坐在桌子周围。她有一张非常和善的脸。我喜欢看她。你知道，我没有妈妈。”Jofeltsadwhensheheardthis.乔听了这些话感到很难过。'Whydon'tyoucomeandvisitus?'shesaidsuddenly.'Itisn'tgoodforyoutostayinthishouseallthetime.'“你为什么不来看看我们呢?”她突然说。“你老是呆在这个房子里对你不好。”'Thankyou.I'dliketocomeverymuch,'saidLaurie.'Weknowallourneighborsexceptyou,'Josaid.'I'mgladwe'refriendsnow.'“谢谢你。“我很想来，”劳里说。“除了你，我们都认识我们的邻居，”乔说。“我很高兴我们现在是朋友。”Shetoldhimaboutalltheinterestingthingsinherlife-herplays,herplansandherpassionforbooks.Laurielovedbookstoo,andofferedtoshowherthelibraryinthehouse.她告诉他她生活中所有有趣的事情—她的戏剧，她的计划和她对书籍的热爱。劳里也喜欢书，主动向她展示家里的图书馆。Page30Thelibrarywasawonderfulroom.Jolovedit.图书馆是一个漂亮的房间。乔爱它。'Howmarvelous!'shesighed.'Allthosebooks!'“真了不起!”她叹了口气。“所有这些书!”'Apersonneedsmorethanbooks,'saidLaurie.“一个人需要的不只是书，”劳里说。Justthenthebellrangandamaidcamein.正在这时铃响了，一个女仆走了进来。'Thedoctorisheretoseeyou,sir,'shesaid.“医生来看您了，先生，”她说。'I'msorry,Jo,butImustseehim,'saidLaurie.'Waitformehere,please.'“对不起，乔，我必须见他，”劳里说。“请在这儿等我。”Page31HewentawayandJowalkedaroundtheroom.ShewasstandinginfrontofaportraitofoldMrLaurencewhensheheardasoundbehindher.ShethoughtitwasLauriesoshesaid,'Ilikehim.He'sgotkindeyes,butheisn'tashandsomeasmygrandfather.'他走了，乔在房间里踱来踱去。她正站在老劳伦斯先生的画像前，突然听到身后有声音。她以为是劳里，就说:“我喜欢他。他有一双和善的眼睛，但他没有我爷爷英俊。”'Thankyou,ma'am,'saidadeepvoice.Sheturnedroundquickly.OldMrLaurencewasstand