美国语文第四册 第22期:真正的男子汉(2)

　　He had been in the habit of going early to school, and staying to play after it was dismissed. 过去，他总是习惯于早早到学校，下课后留在学校玩耍。

　　The boys missed him, and their curiosity was excited when he would give no other reason for not coming to school earlier, 他的伙伴们都很想念他。当他对于没法早到学校，

　　or staying after school, than that he was "wanted at home." 给出原因仅仅是“家里需要他”时，伙伴们的好奇心被激发了起来。

　　"I'll tell you," said Tom Barton, "I'll find him out, boys—see if I don't!" “我会告诉你们的，”汤姆?巴顿说，“我会找到答案的，孩子们——看我会不会！”

　　So he called for Fred to go to school, and on his way to the side door walked lightly and somewhat nearer the kitchen window than was absolutely needful. 于是他打电话约弗雷德一起上学。在往旁门走时，他轻手轻脚地接近厨房的窗户，这一动作绝对是有意为之而非出于需要。

　　Looking in, he saw Fred standing¹ at the table with a dishcloth in his hand. 向屋内看去，他看见弗雷德站在餐桌边，手里拿着一块抹布。

　　Of course he reported this at school, and various were the greetings poor Fred received at recess². 当然，他到学校公布了看到的一切。课间时，可怜的弗雷德收到了各种各样的问候。

　　Well, you're a brave one to stay at home washing dishes. 嗨，你真有勇气，能待在家刷盘子。

　　Girl boy! Pretty Bessie! Lost your apron³, have n't you, Polly! 娘娘腔！漂亮的小贝西！是不是围裙找不到啦，珀莉！

　　Fred was not wanting either in spirit or courage, and he was strongly tempted⁴ to resent these insults and to fight some of his tormentors. 弗雷德并不是缺乏志气或勇气，而且他对于这些侮辱性的话语表示出强烈的不满，也很有冲动和刺头们打上一架。

　　But his consciousness of right and his love for his mother helped him. 但正是他的正义感和对母亲的爱帮了他。

　　While he was struggling for self mastery, his teacher appeared at the door of the schoolhouse. 正当他挣扎着控制自己的情绪时，老师出现在了教室门口。

　　Fred caught his eye, and it seemed to look, if it did not say, "Don't give up! Be really brave!" 弗雷德与老师目光相对，虽然他的眼神没有说，但至少看起来是要说“不要放弃！要做到真正的坚强！”

　　He knew the teacher had heard the insulting taunts⁵ of his thoughtless schoolmates. 他知道老师已经听到了那些没头脑的同学们对他的侮辱和嘲笑了。

　　The boys received notice during the day that Fred must not be taunted⁶ or teased in any manner. 那天，男孩子们被告知，不许以任何方式嘲笑或取笑弗雷德。

　　They knew that the teacher meant what he said; and so the brave little boy had no farther trouble. 他们知道老师会说到做到的，所以勇敢的小男孩弗雷德没再遇到任何麻烦。 

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 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

3 apron   

n.围裙；工作裙

参考例句：

• We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
• She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。

4 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

5 taunts   

嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He had to endure the racist taunts of the crowd. 他不得不忍受那群人种族歧视的奚落。
• He had to endure the taunts of his successful rival. 他不得不忍受成功了的对手的讥笑。

6 taunted   

嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落

参考例句：

• The other kids continually taunted him about his size. 其他孩子不断地耻笑他的个头儿。
• Some of the girls taunted her about her weight. 有些女孩子笑她胖。