美国小学英语教材5:第9课 神奇的牛奶罐(7)

 　　Before Philemon could ask any questions, the elder stranger inquired in a deep voice, 菲利蒙还没来得及问问题，那个年长的陌生人用低沉的嗓音问道，

　　"Was there not, in very old times, a lake covering the spot where now stands yonder village?" 在很早的时候，那边不是有一个湖位于现在那个村庄所在的地方吗？

　　"Not in my day, friend," answered Philemon, "and yet I am an old man, as you see. 在我的有生之年不是那样的，我的朋友。菲利蒙回答说，正如你所见，我已经很老了。

　　There were always the fields and meadows, just as now, and doubtless it will be the same when old Philemon shall be gone and forgotten." 那里一直都是田野和草地，像现在一样。而且毫无疑问，即使老菲利蒙不在了，被遗忘了时，它还将会是这样的。

　　"That is more than can be safely told," said the stranger; and there was something very stern in his deep voice. 那可不好说，那个陌生人说道，他低沉的嗓音带着一些严厉。

　　He shook his head, too, so that his dark and heavy curls were shaken with the movement. 他还摇了摇头，他乌黑而浓密的卷发也随着摆动。

　　"Since the people of the village are so unkind, it would be better if the lake should ripple¹ over their dwellings² again!" 既然那个村里的人如此不友善，那么如果湖水再次淹没他们的住处会更好一些！

　　The traveler looked so stern that Philemon was almost frightened. 那个旅行者看起来如此严厉，以至于菲利蒙有点害怕。

　　But, in a moment, his face became so kindly³ that the old man quite forgot his terror. 但是一会儿他的脸变得非常和善，使那位老人完全忘记了他的恐惧。

　　Still, he could not help feeling that this elder traveler was not an ordinary person, although he happened to be dressed so humbly⁴. 尽管如此，菲利蒙还是禁不住感到这个年龄大一点儿的旅行者不是一个普通人，虽然凑巧他的穿着看起来如此卑贱。

　　While Baucis was getting the supper, the travelers both began to talk with Philemon. 当柏西斯在准备晚饭时，两个旅行者开始跟菲利蒙交谈。

1 ripple   

n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进

参考例句：

• The pebble made a ripple on the surface of the lake.石子在湖面上激起一个涟漪。
• The small ripple split upon the beach.小小的涟漪卷来，碎在沙滩上。

2 dwellings   

n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The development will consist of 66 dwellings and a number of offices. 新建楼区将由66栋住房和一些办公用房组成。
• The hovels which passed for dwellings are being pulled down. 过去用作住室的陋屋正在被拆除。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 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。

4 humbly   

adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地

参考例句：

• We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy. 我们恳请陛下发发慈悲。
• "You must be right, Sir,'said John humbly. “你一定是对的，先生，”约翰恭顺地说道。