《黑骏马》第5章暴风雨(5)

No，sir，said John．And if anybody has said that about James，I dont believe it．I never had a pleasanter，more honest young man in this stable．

不，先生，约翰说，如果有人这么说詹姆斯，我可不信。我在马厩还没碰到过他这么令人愉快、诚实可靠的小伙子呢！

The master smiled and looked across at James，who was standing¹ by the door．James，I'm glad Johns opinion of you agrees with my own，he said．

主人微笑着看着正站在门边的詹姆斯。詹姆斯，我很高兴约翰对你的看法和我的一致，他说，

I've had a letter from my wifes brother，Sir Clifford Williams．

我太太的哥哥，柯立福德·威廉爵士来了封信，

He wants me to find him an honest young groom² who knows what hes doing．

要我帮他找一名诚实可信的马夫。

The man who drives his carriage is getting old and needs a young man who will work with him and be able to do his job one day．How old are you？

他现在的马夫年纪大了，需要找一个年轻人和他一道干，而且得准备有一天接他的班。你多大了？

Nineteen next May，sir，said James．

19岁，先生，詹姆斯说。

Thats young． What do you think，John？

真年轻。你说呢，约翰？

It is young，sir，said John，but hes tall and strong． He doesnt have much experience of driving，but he has a light touch and a quick eye．

是啊，先生，约翰说，可是他又高又壮。虽然还没有多少赶车的经验，但是他动作轻，眼神好。

Well，James，said the master，talk to your mother at din-ner-time and let me know what you want to do．

好吧，詹姆斯，主人说，晚饭的时候和你妈妈谈谈，然后告诉我你的想法。

A few days later it was agreed that James would go to Clif-ford Hall in a month or six weeks，and for the next few weeks he drove the carriage．

几天后商定詹姆斯在1个月或6个星期后去柯立福德府，所以接下来的几周由他赶车。

We went in and out of town，through busy streets，and to the railway station，

我们进城出城，穿过拥挤的街道，去道路狭窄的火车站，

where the road was narrow and there were lots of other carriages hurrying to and from the station．

那条路上还有很多别的马车匆匆忙忙地进站出站。

Then my master and mistress³ decided⁴ to visit some friends who lived about seventy-five kilometres from our home．You can drive us，James，said my master．

然后主人和太太决定去拜访住在距家大概75公里的一些朋友。主人说：你可以为我们赶车，詹姆斯。

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 groom   

vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁

参考例句：

• His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
• George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。

3 mistress   

n.（文学用语）使男子为之倾倒的女人，女主人

参考例句：

• Does his wife know he has a mistress?他的妻子知道他有一个情妇吗？
• Is your mistress at home?你家女主人在家吗？

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。