《远大前程》第6章 远大前程(1)

Chapter 6 Great expectations

第6章 远大前程

One Saturday evening，when I had been apprenticed¹ to Joe for four years，he and I were sitting in the pub，with some of the villagers, listening to Mr Wopsle．

我作为乔的徒弟已经干了4年。有一个星期六的晚上，他和我还有一些村民正坐在小酒店里，聆听伍甫赛先生读报，

He was giving a dramatic reading of a newspaper report of a murder trial, and we all enjoyed watching him act the main characters.

他正在大声朗读报纸上的谋杀案审判报告，我们都欣赏地看着他扮演主要角色。

His witnesses were old and feeble，his lawyers were clever and sharp-eyed，and his accused was a violent，wicked murderer.

他的证据是陈旧无力的，他的律师们聪明机灵有锐利的眼光，他的指控是猛烈的，老奸巨猾的谋杀者。

Suddenly we became aware of a strange gentleman who had also been listening，and was now looking coldly at us.

突然，我们注意到一位陌生人也在听讲。现在，正冷眼看着我们。

Well！he said to us，biting the side of his finger.So you've decided² the accused was the murderer，have you？'

喂！他边咬着手指边对我们说，这样你们就决定指控他是谋杀者，对吗？

Sir，'answered Mr Wopsle firmly，yes，I do think he is guilty.We all nodded our heads in agreement.

先生，伍甫赛先生紧接着回答，是的，我想他是有罪的。我们都点点头表示同意。

But，said the stranger，do you or do you not know that the law of England supposes every man to be innocent until he is proved-proved-to be guilty？

但是，陌生人说，你们知不知道英国的法律，推测每个人是无罪的，直到他被证实—证实—是无罪的？

Sir，began Mr Wopsle，as an Englishman myself，I-

先生，伍甫赛先生开始说，我自己作为一个英国人，我—

Come！said the stranger，don't avoid the question．Either you know it，or you don't know it．Which is it？

得啦！陌生人说，不要回避这个问题，你知道，还是不知道，那一条？

Of course I know it，answered poor Mr Wopsle.

我当然知道，可怜的伍甫赛先生回答。

Then why didn't you say so at first？Another question. Do you know that this trial isn't finished yet？

那你为什么开始不这样讲？还有一个问题，你还知道这不是最终判决吧？

1 apprenticed   

学徒，徒弟( apprentice的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I was apprenticed to a builder when I was fourteen. 14岁时，我拜一个建筑工人为师当学徒。
• Lucius got apprenticed to a stonemason. 卢修斯成了石匠的学徒。

2 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。