Like bees swarming after their queen, mother and daughters hovered about Mr. March the next day, neglecting everything to look at, wait upon, and listen to the new invalid, who was in a fair way to be killed by kindness. As he sat propped up in a big chair by Beth’s sofa, with the other three close by, and Hannah popping in her head now and then to "peek at the dear man", nothing seemed needed to complete their happiness. But something was needed, and the elder ones felt it, though none confessed the fact. Mr. and Mrs. March looked at one another with an anxious expression, as their eyes followed Meg. Jo had sudden fits of sobriety, and was seen to shake her fist at Mr. Brooke’s umbrella, which had been left in the hall; Meg was absent-minded, shy, and silent, started when the bell rang, and coloured when John’s name was mentioned; Amy said, `Everyone seemed waiting for something, and couldn’t settle down, which was queer, since Father was safe at home,’ and Beth innocently wondered why their neighbours didn’t run over as usual.
Laurie went by in the afternoon, and, seeing Meg at the window, seemed suddenly possessed with a melodramatic fit, for he fell down upon one knee in the snow, beat his breast, tore his hair, and clasped his hands imploringly, as if begging some boon; and when Meg told him to behave himself and go away, he wrung imaginary tears out of his handkerchief, and staggered round the corner as if in utter despair.
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“那傻子是什么意思?”梅格故作莫明其妙地笑着问。
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3
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What does the goose mean?’ said Meg, laughing, and trying to look unconscious.
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4
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“他在向你示范你的约翰日后会怎么做。感人吧,哼!”乔奚落道。
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4
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He’s showing you how your John will go on by and by. Touching, isn’t it?’ answered Jo, scornfully.
Don’t say my John, it isn’t proper or true’; but Meg’s voice lingered over the words as if they sounded pleasant to her. `Please don’t plague me, Jo; I’ve told you I don’t care much about him, and there isn’t to be anything said, but we are all to be friendly, and go on as before.’
We can’t, for something has been said, and Laurie’s mischief has spoilt you for me. I see it, and so does Mother; you are not like your old self a bit, and seem ever so far away from me. I don’t mean to plague you, and will bear it like a man, but I do wish it was all settled. I hate to wait; so if you mean ever to do it, make haste and have it over quickly,’ said Jo, pettishly.
I can’t say or do anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,’ began Meg, bending over her work, with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
I’m not so silly and weak as you think. I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares; there’s no knowing what may happen, and I wish to be prepared.’
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10
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看到梅格不知不觉摆出一副煞有介事的神气,脸颊上两朵美丽的红晕变幻不定,十分动人,乔禁不住微笑起来。
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Jo couldn’t help smiling at the important air which Meg had unconsciously assumed, and which was as becoming as the pretty colour varying in her cheeks.
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“能告诉我你会说什么吗?”乔问得尊重些了。
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Would you mind telling me what you’d say?’ asked Jo, more respectfully.
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12
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“当然能,你也十六岁了,足可成为我的知己,再说我的经验日后或许会对你在这种事情上有好处。”
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Not at all; you are sixteen now, quite old enough to be my confidante, and my experience will be useful to you by-and-by, perhaps, in your own affairs of this sort.’
Don’t mean to have any; it’s fun to watch other people philander, but I should feel like a fool doing it myself,’ said Jo, looking alarmed at the thought.
I think not, if you liked anyone very much, and he liked you.’ Meg spoke as if to herself, and glanced out at the lane, where she had often seen lovers walking together in the summer twilight.
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“我想你是准备把这番话告诉那个男人,”乔说,不客气地打断她姐姐的痴想。
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15
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I thought you were going to tell your speech to that man,’ said Jo, rudely shortening her sister’s little reverie.
Oh, I should merely say, quite calmly and decidedly, `Thank you, Mr. Brooke, you are very kind, but I agree with Father that I am too young to enter into any engagement at present; so please say no more, but let us be friends as we were."’
Hum! that’s stiff and cool enough. I don’t believe you’ll ever say it, and I know he won’t be satisfied if you do. If he goes on like the rejected lovers in books, you’ll give in, rather than hurt his feelings.’
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“不,我不会。我会告诉他我主意已定,然后很有尊严地走出房间。”
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No, I won’t. I shall tell him I’ve made up my mind, and shall walk out of the room with dignity.’
Meg rose as she spoke, and was just going to rehearse the dignified exit, when a step in the hall made her fly into her seat and begin to sew as if her life depended on finishing that particular seam in a given time. Jo smothered a laugh at the sudden change, and, when someone gave a modest tap, opened the door with a grim aspect, which was anything but hospitable.
Good afternoon. I came to get my umbrella - that is, to see how your father finds himself today,’ said Mr. Brooke, getting a trifle confused as his eye went from one tell-tale face to the other.
It’s very well, he’s in the rack, I’ll get him, and tell it you are here,’ and having jumbled her father and the umbrella well together in her reply, Jo slipped out of the room to give Meg a chance to make her speech and air her dignity. But the instant she vanished, Meg began to sidle towards the door, murmuring, `Mother will like to see you. Pray sit down, I’ll call her.’
Don’t go; are you afraid of me, Margaret?’ and Mr. Brooke looked so hurt that Meg thought she must have done something very rude. She blushed up to the little curls on her forehead, for he had never called her Margaret before, and she was surprised to find how natural and sweet it seemed to hear him say it. Anxious to appear friendly and at her ease, she put out her hand with a confiding gesture, and said gratefully: `How can I be afraid when you have been so kind to Father? I only wish I could thank you for it.’
Shall I tell you how?’ asked Mr. Brooke, holding the small hand fast in both his own, and looking down at Meg with so much love in the brown eyes, that her heart began to flutter, and she both longed to run away and to stop and listen.
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24
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“噢,不,请不要这样――还是别说好,”她边说边试图把手抽回,脸上忍不住流露出惊慌的神色。
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Oh no, please don’t - I’d rather not,’ she said, trying to withdraw her hand, and looking frightened in spite of her denial.
This was the moment for the calm, proper speech, but Meg didn’t make it; she forgot every word of it, hung her head, and answered, `I don’t know,’ so softly, that John had to stoop down to catch the foolish little reply.
He seemed to think it was worth the trouble, for he smiled to himself as if quite satisfied, pressed the plump hand gratefully, and said, in his most persuasive tone, `Will you try and find out? I want to know so much; for I can’t go to work with any heart until I learn whether I am to have my reward in the end or not.’
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28
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“我年龄尚小,”梅格颤抖着声音说,她不明白自己为何抖个不停,但心中颇感到高兴。
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I’m too young,’ faltered Meg, wondering why she was so fluttered, yet rather enjoying it.
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“我可以等,在此期间,你可以学着喜欢我。这门课是否太难,亲爱的?”
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I’ll wait; and in the meantime, you could be learning to like me. Would it be a very hard lesson, dear?’
Please choose to learn, Meg. I love to teach, and this is easier than German,’ broke in John, getting possession of the other hand, so that she had no way of hiding her face, as he bent to look into it.
His tone was properly beseeching; but, stealing a shy look at him, Meg saw that his eyes were merry as well as tender, and that he wore the satisfied smile of one who had no doubt of his success. This nettled her; Annie Moffat’s foolish lessons in coquetry came into her mind, and the love of power, which sleeps in the bosoms of the best of little women, woke up all of a sudden and took possession of her. She felt excited and strange, and, not knowing what to do, followed a capricious impulse, and, withdrawing her hands, said petulantly, `I don’t choose. Please go away and let me be!’
Poor Mr. Brooke looked as if his lovely castle in the air was tumbling about his ears, for he had never seen Meg in such a mood before, and it rather bewildered him.
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“你真的这样想?”他焦急地问,在后面跟着她走。
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Do you really mean that?’ he asked anxiously, following her as she walked away.
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“一点不假。我不想为这种事情烦恼。爸爸说我不必,这太早了,我也宁可不去想它。”
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Yes, I do; I don’t want to be worried about such things. Father says I needn’t; it’s too soon and I’d rather not.’
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“你可以慢慢改变主意吗?我愿意默默等待,直到你有更多的时间。不要捉弄我,梅格。我想你不是这种人。”
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Mayn’t I hope you’ll change your mind by-and-by? I’ll wait, and say nothing till you have had more time. Don’t play with me, Meg. I didn’t think that of you.’
He was grave and silent now; and looked decidedly more like the novel heroes whom she admired; but he neither slapped his forehead nor tramped about the room, as they did; he just stood looking at her so wistfully, so tenderly, that she found her heart relenting in spite of her. What would have happened next I cannot say, if Aunt March had not come hobbling in at this interesting minute.
The old lady couldn’t resist her longing to see her nephew; for she had met Laurie as she took her airing, and, hearing of Mr. March’s arrival, drove straight out to see him. The family were all busy in the back part of the house, and she had made her way quietly in, hoping to surprise them. She did surprise two of them so much that Meg started as if she had seen a ghost, and Mr. Brooke vanished into the study.
Brooke? That boy’s tutor? Ah! I understand now. I know all about it. Jo blundered into a wrong message in one of your father’s letters, and I made her tell me. You haven’t gone and accepted him, child?’ cried Aunt March, looking scandalized.
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45
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“嘘!他会听到的。我去叫妈妈吧?”梅格说,显得惊慌失措。
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45
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Hush! he’ll hear. Shan’t I call Mother?’ said Meg, much troubled.