'Very well, sir. If those are the orders, I must do my best, 'said Wickem. 'Shall I send the women from the village to prepare the body?'
“好吧,先生,如果您吩咐我做,我一定尽力去做,”威克姆说,“用不用我从村里找几个女人来把尸体弄好准备下葬呀?”
'No, Wickem. That was not mentioned,' said the priest. 'No doubt Mr Joseph will send for them if he wants them. You have enough work to do without that. Good night, Wick-em.' He paused. 'I was just writing out the year's burials in the church records. I didn't think that I'd have to add Squire Bowles'name to them.'
“不用,威克姆,这事儿他们没提,”牧师说,“如果需要,约瑟夫先生肯定会派人去找她们。你要做的事情已经不少了。晚安,威克姆。”停了一下,他接着说:“我刚刚在写教堂记录中关于今年葬礼那部分。我没料到还得把乡绅鲍尔斯的名字加进去。”
The Squire's burial took place as planned. All the villagers and a few neighbours were present, and the Squire's stepson Joseph walked behind the body as it was carried to the church-yard. In those days nobody expected the Squire's wife to come to the burial. The Squire had no family except his wife and stepson, and he had left everything to his wife.
乡绅的葬礼按计划进行了。全村的人和几个邻村的人都去了。尸体被抬到教堂墓地,乡绅的继子约瑟夫跟在后面。按当时风俗乡绅的妻子用不着来参加葬礼。除了妻子和继子,乡绅家中没有其他人,他把所有的东西都留给了妻子。
But what was everything? The land, house, furniture, pictures, and sliver were all there, but no money was found. This was very strange. Squire Bowles was quite a rich man; he received plenty of money from his land every year, his lawyers were honest, but still there was no money. The Squire had not been mean with his money. His wife had all she needed, he sent Joseph to school and university, and he lived well. But still he earned more money than he spent. Where was it?
这所有的东西是什么呢?地产、房子、家具、绘画作品和银器都有,可就是找不到钱。这就怪了。乡绅鲍尔斯是很富有的,每年从地产上能收入许多钱,他的律师们也很老实,可就是找不到钱。这位乡绅花钱并不吝啬。妻子需要什么就有什么,他供约瑟夫上学,后来又上大学,他自己日子过得也不错。可他挣的钱还是花不了,可钱在哪儿呢?