牛津书虫系列《雾都孤儿》Chapter8 附中英双语文本

8 After the robbery
8 盗窃案之后
The night was bitterly cold. A sharp wind whipped the fallen snow up into the air and blew it into every hole and corner. It was a night for the homeless to lie down and die; and for luckier people to sit close to their fires and thank God They were at home.
那是个极其寒冷的夜晚。凛冽的寒风将落在地面上的雪卷向空中，又吹进每一个洞穴和角落。这是个让流浪街头无家可归的人躺下来死亡的夜晚。而那些能偎坐在火炉旁的人则感谢上帝让他们有家可待，他们是更幸运的人。
In the workhouse where Oliver was born, Mrs Corney -the widow in charge- was making tea by her fire. When she heard a knock at her door, she frowned and called out sharply, 'Come in. ' The frown, however, was quickly changed to a sweet smile when she saw Mr Bumble enter.
在奥利弗出生的济贫院里，科尼太太——一个负责管事的寡妇——在炉火旁煮着茶，忽听有人敲门。她皱起了眉头并大声喊着：“进来。”她看见走进来的人是班布尔先生，紧皱的眉头顿时变成了甜甜的微笑。
'Hard weather, Mr Bumble, 'said the widow.
“这鬼天气，班布尔先生。”寡妇说。
'Yes, indeed, ma'am, ' replied the beadle. 'We've had to give out to the poor people in this town great quantities of bread and cheese today, and They' re still complaining. Why, one man even came back and demanded some free fire-wood! What does he want that for? People are never satisfied. Give the m one thing today, and tomorrow They'll ask for something else! '
“一点不假，太太。”执事应着，“我们今天不得不把大量的面包和奶酪发放给镇子上的穷人，可他们仍在抱怨。哼，竟然有一个人回来，要一些免费的木柴！他要这个干什么？人们从来没有满足的时候，今天给了这个，明天他们还会要那个！”
Mrs Corney agreed that it was very shocking. They discussed some workhouse business togethe r, and the n Mr Bumble looked hopefully at the teapot. Mrs Corney offered him some tea. Instantly, Mr Bumble sat down by the fire and gave the widow such a warm smile that her face turned a delicate pink. She passed Mr Bumble the tea－cup, and as he took it, he managed to give her hand a little stroke. 'You're a kind－hearted woman, Mrs Corney, 'said the beadle.
科尼太太点着头，说这是叫人很吃惊的。他们一起商量了一些济贫院的事，然后班布尔先生满怀希望地看着茶壶。科尼太太请他喝茶，立刻，班布尔先生在靠近炉火的地方坐了下来，并热情地向她笑了一笑。这使她的脸微微发红，娇艳无比。她把茶杯递给班布尔先生时，他接过茶杯，顺势抚摸了一下她的手。“你真是个好心的女人，科尼太太。”执事说。
'Oh, Mr Bumble! 'said the widow, smiling shyly. For a while the re was a friendly silence between the m, the n Mr Bumble moved his chair closer to the widow's. Mrs Corney, of course, did not notice this, but when the beadle's arm began to slide around her waist, she felt she must make a small protest.
“噢，班布尔先生！”这寡妇含着害羞的微笑说。他们友好地默默相对了一会儿，班布尔先生将他的椅子挪了挪，更靠近科尼太太了。她当然没注意到这一行动。但是，在执事轻轻地将胳膊搂在了她的腰上时，她觉得她必须稍加抗议了。
Encouraged by this response, Mr Bumble immediately gave her a kiss, but at this interesting moment the re was a sudden knock at the door. Mr Bumble jumped to his feet and went to the other end of the room.
这一反应使班布尔先生胆子更大了，他马上亲了她一下，但就在这有趣的一刹那，响起了一阵敲门声。班布尔先生立即跳起身来，走到了屋子的另一头。
'Please, Mrs Corney, ' said a voice outside. 'Old Sally is going fast. '
“科尼太太，快，”门外有人喊着，“老萨莉快要死了。”
'Well, what can I do to help her? 'asked Mrs Corney angrily.
“那么，我能帮她什么忙呢？”科尼太太生气地说。
'Nothing, ma'am, replied the old woman outside. But she says she has something to tell you, which you must hear. She won't die quietly till you come. '
“什么忙也帮不了，太太。”外面的老妇说，“可她说，她有话要跟你说，你非得听不可，在你去之前她是不会安安静静死去的。”
Complaining loudly, Mrs Corney asked Mr Bumble to wait until she came back. The n she followed the old woman up the stairs.
科尼太太大声地抱怨着，请班布尔先生在她回来之前先别离开。随后，她跟着老妇上楼去了。
Old Sally lay in bed in a freezing cold room. The fire was so small and mean that it gave no warmth at all.