I answered that I would meet my friend - by correspondence - at Foyot's on Thursday at half past twelve. She was not so young as I expected and in appearance imposing rather than attractive, she was, in fact, a woman of forty (a charming age, but not one that excites a sudden and devastating passion at first sight), and she gave me the impression of having more teeth, white and large and even, than were necessary for any practical purpose. She was talkative, but since she seemed inclined to talk about me I was prepared to be an attentive listener.
我回信说,我将于下星期四十二点半在福伊约餐厅会见我的朋友。她并不如我想象的那么年轻。她的外表与其说美貌动人,毋宁说丰腴魁伟,气概非凡。事实上,她已有40岁了(这是一个有魅力的年龄,但不是初次相见就能令你激情迸发、神魂颠倒的那种年纪),长着一口洁白整齐的大牙齿,给我的印象是,其数目之多已超过了实际需要。她很健谈,不过因为她想谈的话题似乎总是关于我的事,所以我便洗耳恭听。
I was startled when the bill of fare was brought, for the prices were a great deal higherthan I had anticipated. But she reassured me.
菜单拿来时,我大吃一惊。价格比我预料的要高出许多。但她的话使我宽了心。
"I never eat anything for luncheon," She said.
"我午餐从不吃什么东西,"她说。
"Oh, don't say that!" I answered generously.
"哦,可别这么说!"我慷慨地回答。
"I never eat more than one thing. I think people eat far too much nowadays. A little fish, perhaps. I wonder if they have any salmon."
"我从来只吃一道菜。我认为现在人们吃得太多。或许来点鱼还行。我不知道他们有鲑鱼没有。"
Well, it was early in the year for salmon and it was not on the bill of fare, but I asked the waiter if there was any. Yes, a beautiful salmon had just come in, it was the first they had had. I ordered it for my guest. The waiter asked her if she would have something while it was being cooked.
啊,吃鲑鱼的季节还没有到,菜单上也没有,但是我还是问了侍者。有,刚刚进了一条头等鲑鱼,这是他们今年第一次进这种货。我为客人叫了一份。侍者问她在鲑鱼烹制的当儿,要不要吃点别的。
"No," she answered, "I never eat more than one thing. Unless you have a little caviare. I never mind caviare."
"不要,"她回答说,"我向来只吃一道菜,除非你有鱼子酱。鱼子酱我是从不拒绝的。"