《圣诞颂歌》 第三章 三幽灵中的第二位(4)

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'If his life does not change soon, he will die before next Christmas. What does that matter?

“如果他的生活近期内不能改变的话，他在明年的圣诞前就会死去。这又有什么关系呢？

There are too many people in the world, so it's a good thing if some of them die.'

世界上的人太多了，所以若有一部分死了的话，岂不是件好事吗？”

Scrooge was ashamed¹ and sad to hear his own words spoken by the spirit.

斯克罗吉听到幽灵重复着他曾说过的话感到羞愧悲伤。

But he lifted his head when he heard his name.

但听见自己名字的时候，他抬起了头。

'Mr Scrooge!' said Bob. 'Let's drink to Mr Scrooge, whose money has paid for this meal!'

“斯克罗吉先生！”鲍勃说，“让我们为斯克罗吉先生干杯，是他付的钱使我们才能吃上今天的这顿饭。”

'His money!' said Mrs Cratchit angrily. 'What can we buy with his fifteen shillings² a week?

“他的钱？”克拉奇蒂太太生气地说。“他一星期给的15先令够我们买什么的？

Why should we drink to the health of a hateful, hard, unfeeling, mean old man like Scrooge?'

我们干嘛要祝一个像斯克罗吉那样可恨、刻薄、没有感情、吝啬的老头健康？”

'My dear,' said Bob gently, 'remember it's Christmas.'

“我亲爱的，”鲍勃温柔地说，“记住今天是圣诞节。”

'Well, Bob, I'll drink to his health only because of you and because it's Christmas.

“好吧，鲍勃，我祝他健康只是看在你的面子上，况且今天还是圣诞节。

Long life to Mr Scrooge! A merry Christmas and a happy new year to him!

祝斯克罗吉先生长寿。祝他圣诞、新年快乐！

He'll be very merry and very happy, I'm sure!'

我肯定他会很快乐和幸福的！”

When the children heard Scrooge's name, a dark shadow came over their happiness for a while, and they were quiet and a little sad.

当孩子们听到斯克罗吉的名字时，不悦笼罩了他们原本高兴的笑脸，他们都不出声了，并且有些沮丧。

But five minutes later they were talking, and laughing, and telling stories, ten times merrier than before.

但10分钟后他们又开始有说有笑，讲故事，比先前要高兴十倍。

They were not a good-looking or a well-dressed family, but they were happy and grateful³ and loved each other.

他们一家人长相平平，穿着一般，但他们幸福，对彼此充满感激之情并且互爱。

As they disappeared in the light of the spirit's torch⁴, Scrooge could not take his eyes off them, especially Tiny Tim.

当他们在幽灵的火把的光下消失的时候，斯克罗吉的目光无法从他们的身上移开，尤其是小蒂姆。

By this time it was getting dark, and snowing heavily.

这时天渐渐黑了，雪下得很大。

The spirit took Scrooge into many houses, where fires were burning cheerfully⁵, and food was cooking, and people were merrily welcoming their friends and families into their homes.

幽灵带着斯克罗吉去了很多家，每家都燃烧着欢乐的火焰，烧着吃的，人们都兴高采烈地欢迎着他们的朋友和家人的到来。

The ghost was delighted to see all this excitement, and made sure that he lifted his torch over every poor family, to give them more fun, and better food, and greater happiness.

鬼魂看见这兴奋的场面很是高兴，凡是在穷人家它都把火把高高举起，目的是给他们带来更多的欢乐、更好的食品和更多的幸福。

Then the spirit took Scrooge away from the busy capital, to a wild, lonely place in the country, where no trees grew.

然后幽灵带着斯克罗吉离开了繁忙的都市，来到了乡下一个荒凉、偏僻的地方，这里连一棵树都不长。

Here they visited a small stone house, a long way from any town or village, where an old man and woman were singing Christmas carols, with their children and grandchildren⁶.

在这里他们去了一所石头房子，它离所有的小镇和村庄都很远。房子里一个老头和一个老太太同他们的孩子们一起正唱着圣诞颂歌。

1 ashamed   

adj.感到惭愧，感到害臊，因为羞耻或勉强作某事

参考例句：

• He is ashamed to show his face at the club.他不好意思在俱乐部露脸。
• You ought to be ashamed of your foolish behaviour.你应当为自己的愚蠢行为而感到羞耻。

2 shillings   

n.先令（英国1971年以前的货币单位，为一镑的二十分之一）( shilling的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The charge for labor works out at almost ten shillings an hour. 付给工人的费用算下来每小时差不多十先令。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I will venture five shillings on it. 我愿为它赌五先令。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 grateful   

adj.感谢的，感激的，受欢迎的，表示谢意的

参考例句：

• If you will help us, we shall be very grateful.如果你愿意帮助我们，我们会很感激你。
• He closed his letter with expression of grateful thanks.他在那封信的结尾表达了自己的感激之情。

4 torch   

n.火炬

参考例句：

• They are looking for volunteers to carry the torch.他们正在寻找火炬传递的志愿者。
• A famous athlete held a torch and ran to the stadium.一个著名的运动员举着火炬跑到运动场。

5 cheerfully   

adv.高兴地，愉快地

参考例句：

• The train rolled cheerfully into the station.火车欢呼着驶进车站。
• He takes our advice quite cheerfully.他欣然接受我们的劝告。

6 grandchildren   

n.孙子；孙（女），外孙（女）( grandchild的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He left a bequest to each of his grandchildren. 他给他的孙辈每人留下一笔遗产。
• His grandchildren afforded him his greatest pleasure in his old age. 他的孙子和孙女们在晚年的时候给了他最大的欢乐。 来自《简明英汉词典》