At that time there was no rigid sequestration on the islands, and lepers, if they chose, were allowed to go free.
当时在这些岛上还没有实行严格的隔离制度。害麻风病的人如果自己愿意,是可以留在家里的。
"I shall go up into the mountain," said Strickland.
“我要到山里去。”思特里克兰德说。
Then Ata stood up and faced him.
这时候爱塔站起身,看着他的脸说:
"Let the others go if they choose, but I will not leave thee. Thou art my man and I am thy woman. If thou leavest me I shall hang myself on the tree that is behind the house. I swear it by God."
“别人谁愿意走谁就走吧。我不离开你。你是我的男人,我是你的女人。要是你离开了我,我就在房子后面这棵树上上吊。我在上帝面前发誓。”
There was something immensely forcible in the way she spoke. She was no longer the meek, soft native girl, but a determined woman. She was extraordinarily transformed.
她说这番话时,神情非常坚决。她不再是一个温柔、驯顺的土人女孩子,而是一个意志坚定的妇人。她一下子变得谁也认不出来了。
"Why shouldst thou stay with me? Thou canst go back to Papeete, and thou wilt soon find another white man. The old woman can take care of thy children, and Tiare will be glad to have thee back."
“你为什么要同我在一起呢?你可以回到帕皮提去,而且很快地你还会找到另一个白人。这个老婆子可以给你看孩子,蒂阿瑞会很高兴地再让你重新给她干活儿的。”
"Thou art my man and I am thy woman. Whither thou goest I will go, too."
“你是我的男人,我是你的女人。你到哪儿去我也到哪儿去。”
For a moment Strickland's fortitude was shaken, and a tear filled each of his eyes and trickled slowly down his cheeks. Then he gave the sardonic smile which was usual with him.
有那么一瞬间,思特里克兰德的铁石心肠似乎被打动了,泪水涌上他的眼睛,一边一滴,慢慢地从脸颊上流下来。但是他的脸马上又重新浮现出平日惯有的那种讥嘲的笑容。
"Women are strange little beasts," he said to Dr. Coutras. "You can treat them like dogs, you can beat them till your arm aches, and still they love you." He shrugged his shoulders. "Of course, it is one of the most absurd illusions of Christianity that they have souls."
“女人真是奇怪的动物,”他对库特拉斯医生说,“你可以象狗一样地对待她们,你可以揍她们揍得你两臂酸痛,可是到头来她们还是爱你。”他耸了耸肩膀。“当然了,基督教认为女人也有灵魂,这实在是个最荒谬的幻觉。”
"What is it that thou art saying to the doctor?" asked Ata suspiciously. "Thou wilt not go?"
“你在同医生说什么?”爱塔有些怀疑地问他,“你不走吧?”
"If it please thee I will stay, poor child."
“如果你愿意的话,我就不走,可怜的孩子。”