《黑骏马》第8章 沙尔伯爵庄园(2)

Mr York was a good－looking man of about forty，with a voice that expected to be obeyed．

约克先生约四十岁，长相英俊，语气中含有权威感。

He called a groom¹ to take us to our boxes，then invited John to have a drink with him．

他叫一个马夫带我们去马厩，然后请约翰去喝一杯。

We were taken to a pleasant stable and put in boxes next to one another，then we were groomed² and fed．Half an hour later，John and Mr York came to see us．

我们被带到一个漂亮的马厩，栏厢互相挨着，然后洗了澡，吃了饭。半小时以后，约翰和约克先生来看我们。

Mr York looked at us carefully．Is there anything you want to mention about them，Mr Manly³？he said．

约克先生仔细地看着我们。曼利先生，关于他们您还有什么要交待的吗？

I dont believe theres a better pair of horses in the coun－try，said John，but theyre not alike．

在这一带您找不到比他们更棒的两匹马了，约翰说，但是他们并不相同。

The black one has the most perfect temper Ive ever known．

黑色的这匹是我所见过的马中脾气最好的。

The other was badly treated before she came to us，but has grown better－tempered in the last three years．Weve never used a bearing rein⁴ with either of them．

另一匹来我们这儿以前，曾受过虐待，但是这3年脾气也变好了。我对他们从不用绳套。

Theyll wear one here，said York．Lady Gray follows the fashion，and if her horses are not reined⁵ up tight，she doesnt like it．

在这儿他们得戴上，约克说，格雷夫人紧跟潮流，如果她的马不被紧紧地勒住，她会不喜欢的。

Im sorry to hear that，said John．He came to pat each of us for the last time．

真遗憾，约翰说。他走上前来最后一次挨个拍了拍我们。

I held my face close to him，which was all I could do to say goodbye．And then he was gone，and I have never seen him since．

我把脸凑近他，我只能这样道再见了。然后他走了，从那以后我再也没见过他。

1 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。

2 groomed   

v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗

参考例句：

• She is always perfectly groomed. 她总是打扮得干净利落。
• Duff is being groomed for the job of manager. 达夫正接受训练，准备当经理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 manly   

adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地

参考例句：

• The boy walked with a confident manly stride.这男孩以自信的男人步伐行走。
• He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.他给自己定下了男子汉的任务，并希望别人效之。

4 rein   

n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治

参考例句：

• The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
• He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。

5 reined   

勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理

参考例句：

• Then, all of a sudden, he reined up his tired horse. 这时，他突然把疲倦的马勒住了。
• The officer reined in his horse at a crossroads. 军官在十字路口勒住了马。