I had something special to ask Biddy.Biddy,I said,when we were alone,don't you think you could teach Joe a bit?
我有些特殊的事情要问毕蒂。毕蒂,当只是我们俩时,我说,你想你不能教乔一点东西吗?
What do you mean,teach him?asked Biddy.
你什么意思,教他?毕蒂问。
Well,I love dear old Joe more than anyone else,but his education and manners could be improved.
对,我亲爱的老乔胜似其他人,不过,要改善他的教育和举止。
Biddy opened her eyes very wide.Oh?she said.So his manners aren't good enough,then?
毕蒂眼睛睁得很大,噢?她说,照这么说他的举止不够好,是吗?
Oh,they're all right for here,but when I receive my for-tune,I'll want him to meet important people,and behave ocrrectly.
噢,做得挺好。不过,当我接到钱财时,我打算让他去见重要人物,举止要规范。
Haven't you ever thought,asked Biddy,not looking at me,that he wouldn't want to meet important people,
你过去不这样想,毕蒂没有看我,问:他不想去见重要人物,
he wouldn't want to be taken away from this job that he does well,and the village where he's loved?
他不想从干得挺好的这项工作中离去,这个村庄非常需要他?
Now,Biddy,I said crossly,are you jealous of my good luck?I didn't expect this of you.This is a bad side of your character,Biddy.
喂,毕蒂,我不高兴地说,你嫉妒我的好运吗?我不期望你这样,这是你性格不好的一面,毕蒂。
Whether you scold me or thank me,I'll always do my best for the family at all times.
不管你责骂我还是感谢我,我都将每时每刻为这个家做出一流的奉献,
And I'll always remember you,whatever you think of me,said poor Biddy.
我将永远记着你,不管你想不想我。可怜的毕蒂说。
I was not pleased with this interview,and thought it was strange that the news of my expectations had not made me happier.
这次会面我不高兴,想想真奇怪,我的远大前程的消息没有让我更快乐一点儿。
When I went into town to order my new clothes, Mr Pumblechook was waiting for me at the door of his shop.
当我来到镇上定做新衣服时,潘波趣先生正在商店门口等着我。
My dear friend, if you will allow me to call you that, he cried,shaking both my hands,let me congratulate you on your fortune!
我亲爱的朋友,你是否允许我这样称呼你,他摇晃着我的双手喊着,让我为你的好运祝贺!
Nobody deserves it more than you!He seemed so much more sensible than before that I agreed to have lunch with him.
没有人比你得到的更多!他似乎比以前更通情达理得多,我同意和他吃午饭。
关于《远大前程》
小说的主人公皮普,幼年时就成了孤儿,依靠姐姐的抚养长大。但脾气粗暴的姐姐没有给他一点温暖,只有善良的姐夫乔既像父亲又似朋友一样照料着他。