美国语文第五册 第8期:温柔的手(3)

 　　So unobtrusively that I scarce noticed the movement, the girl had drawn¹ to her mother's side. 起初，我还真没注意到，悄无声息地，那姑娘仄到她妈妈身边，

　　What she said to her I did not hear, for the brief words were uttered in a low voice; 那些话语很轻，我听不见她对母亲说了什么，

　　but I noticed, as she spoke², one small, fair hand rested on the woman's hand. 不过，我留意到，那姑娘说话的当口，她那小巧美丽的手已搭在那妇人的手上。

　　Was there magic in that touch? 这就是触摸的神奇？

　　The woman's repulsive³ aspect changed into one of kindly⁴ welcome, 那妇人反感冷淡的口吻转瞬变得柔和亲近，

　　and she said, "Yes, it's a long way to G—. I guess we can find a place for him." “是的，去G地的路还远着呢，我想，我们是得给他安排住下。”

　　Many times more during that evening, did I observe the magic power of that hand and voice—the one gentle yet potent⁵ as the other. 就在那个晚上，我确实留心到那双手、那个声音的神奇——温柔中透出强势力量。

　　On the next morning, breakfast being over, 次日清早，早饭后，

　　I was preparing to take my departure when my host informed me that if I would wait for half an hour  我打算告辞，男主人突然告诉我，如果我可以等半个小时的话，

　　he would give me a ride in his wagon⁶ to G—, as business required him to go there. 他可以捎带我去G地，他要赶着马车去G地办事。

　　I was very well pleased to accept of the invitation. 我自然非常高兴地接受了他的好意。

　　In due time, the farmer's wagon was driven into the road before the house, and I was invited to get in. 约定的时间到了，那农夫的马车来到屋前路上，我受邀上车后，

　　I noticed the horse as a rough-looking Canadian pony⁷, with a certain air of stubborn endurance. 这才看见那匹驾辕的马驹，那马驹面部粗糙，属于加拿大品种，具有顽强忍耐的优良品性。

　　As the farmer took his seat by my side, the family came to the door to see us off. 农夫上了车，坐在我身边，全家人走出门来给我们送行。

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

3 repulsive   

adj.排斥的，使人反感的

参考例句：

• She found the idea deeply repulsive.她发现这个想法很恶心。
• The repulsive force within the nucleus is enormous.核子内部的斥力是巨大的。

4 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

5 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

6 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

7 pony   

adj.小型的；n.小马

参考例句：

• His father gave him a pony as a Christmas present.他父亲给了他一匹小马驹作为圣诞礼物。
• They made him pony up the money he owed.他们逼他还债。