'My parents died when I was a baby, you know, and for the last three years I've had to work for my food.
“爸爸妈妈在我还很小的时候就去世了。您知道吗,过去这3年我不得不自己挣钱养活自己。
I've lived with three different families and looked after their children.
我曾在3个家庭里照看过孩子。
So I've always been poor, and I haven't got any nice dresses! But I just imagine that I'm wearing the most beautiful blue dress,
我总是很穷,一件漂亮衣服也没有。我总是想像自己正穿着最漂亮的蓝衣服,
and a big hat with flowers on, and blue shoes, and then I'm happy! Do you imagine things sometimes? '
戴一顶插满花的大帽子,还有蓝色的鞋子,这时我多高兴啊!您也经常幻想吗?”
'Well, I… I…not often, 'said Matthew.
“这,我……我……偶尔,”马修答道。
They were now driving past some very old apple trees next to the road. The trees were full of sweet-smelling, snowy- white flowers.
这时马车经过路边的一排老苹果树。树上开满了雪白而芬芳的花朵。
The little girl looked at them.
小女孩欣赏着。
'Aren't the trees beautiful? 'she said happily. 'But am I talking too much? Please tell me. I can stop if necessary, you know. '
“这些树多美呀!”她感叹道。“可我是不是说得太多了?如果是,请您告诉我。您知道,我会停止的。”
Matthew smiled at her. 'You go on talking, 'he answered. 'I like listening to you. '
马修冲她笑笑答道:“你继续说吧,我喜欢听。”
When they arrived at Green Gables, Marilla came to the door to meet them. But when she saw the little girl,
当他们到格林·盖布尔斯的时候,玛丽拉到门口迎接他们。但当她看见小女孩时,
she cried in surprise, 'Matthew, who's that? Where's the boy? '
她惊讶地叫道:“马修,她是谁?男孩在哪儿?”
'The children's home has made a mistake, 'he said unhappily, 'and sent a girl, not a boy. '
“孤儿院弄错了,送来一个女孩,不是男孩。”他不高兴地说。
The child was listening carefully. Suddenly she put her head in her hands and began to cry.
孩子先是仔细地听着,突然双手捂住脸哭了起来。
'You—you don't want me! 'she sobbed. 'Oh—oh! You don't want me because I'm not a boy! '
“你们——你们不要我!”她哭泣着。“噢——噢!因为我不是男孩你们不要我了!”
'Now, now, don't cry, 'said Marilla kindly.
“哦,别哭,”玛丽拉和蔼地说。
'Don't you understand? Oh! This is the worst thing that's happened to me in all my life! '
“您不理解吗?这是我一辈子遇到的最糟糕的事情!”
'Well, you can stay here, just for tonight, 'said Marilla. 'Now, what's your name? '
“那好吧,你可以呆在这里,但只能呆一个晚上,”玛丽拉说。“你叫什么名字?”
The child stopped crying. 'Will you please call me Cordelia? ' she asked.
孩子停止哭泣。“您能叫我科黛拉吗?”她问道。