Even his childish agitation could not master the sly and quaint yet touching look, with which he accompanied the reply. 即使是他那孩子的激动也不能控制他回答时伴随着的顽皮的、奇妙的但却令人感动的眼光。 It brought a vague expression of dissatisfaction into Mr Dombey's face; but the door being opened, it was quickly gone. 它使董贝先生脸上露出了隐约的、不满的表情;但这时门开了,它很快就消失了。 'Doctor Blimber is at home, I believe?' said Mr Dombey. “我想布林伯博士在家吧?”董贝先生说道。 The man said yes; and as they passed in, looked at Paul as if he were a little mouse, and the house were a trap. He was a weak-eyed young man, with the first faint streaks or early dawn of a grin on his countenance. It was mere imbecility; but Mrs Pipchin took it into her head that it was impudence, and made a snap at him directly. 那仆人说是的;当他们走进去的时候,他看着保罗,仿佛他是只小耗子,而那座房屋则仿佛是只捕鼠笼似的。他是一位弱视的青年,脸上露出一丝难以觉察的龇牙咧嘴的笑容或它最初闪出的一道微光。这仅仅是低能的表现而已;但皮普钦太太却凭空地认为这是无礼,所以就立刻恶狠狠地抓住了他。 'How dare you laugh behind the gentleman's back?' said Mrs Pipchin. 'And what do you take me for?' “你怎么敢在有身份的先生背后发笑?”皮普钦太太说道。 'I ain't a laughing at nobody, and I'm sure I don't take you for nothing, Ma'am,' returned the young man, in consternation. “你又把我当作什么人?”“我没有笑任何人;我还可以肯定,我没有把您小看了,夫人,”那位年轻人惊慌地回答道。 'A pack of idle dogs!' said Mrs Pipchin, 'only fit to be turnspits. Go and tell your master that Mr Dombey's here, or it'll be worse for you!' “一群吊儿郎当的懒狗!”皮普钦太太说,“只配去转动烤肉叉①!去告诉你的主人,董贝先生来了,要不你的结果就更糟!” The weak-eyed young man went, very meekly, to discharge himself of this commission; and soon came back to invite them to the Doctor's study. 那位弱视的年轻人十分温顺地离开去执行任务;不久就回来请他们到博士的书房里去。 'You're laughing again, Sir,' said Mrs Pipchin, when it came to her turn, bringing up the rear, to pass him in the hall. “你又笑了,先生,”皮普钦太太笑道;她走在后面,这时从他身边穿过前厅。 'I ain't,' returned the young man, grievously oppressed. 'I never see such a thing as this!' “我没有笑,”被欺压得很痛苦的年轻人回答道。“我从来没有见到这样的事情!” 'What is the matter, Mrs Pipchin?' said Mr Dombey, looking round. 'Softly! Pray!' “怎么回事,皮普钦太太?”董贝先生回过头来看了一下,说道。“请轻一些!” -------- ①英国旧时社会中训练狗用踏车来转动烤肉叉。 |