'John Carker,' said the Manager, when this was done, turning suddenly upon his brother, with his two rows of teeth bristling as if he would have bitten him, 'what is the league between you and this young man, in virtue of which I am haunted and hunted by the mention of your name? Is it not enough for you, John Carker, that I am your near relation, and can't detach myself from that - '
“约翰·卡克,”门关上以后,经理突然转向他的哥哥,露出两排牙齿,仿佛想要咬他似的。“您跟这位年轻人之间订立了什么同盟,凭着它,把我的名字挂在嘴上,来跟我纠缠不休?约翰·卡克,难道你觉得还不够吗?我是你的近亲,不能摆脱掉那份——”
'Say disgrace, James,' interposed the other in a low voice, finding that he stammered for a word.'You mean it, and have reason, say disgrace.'
“说耻辱吧,詹姆斯,”另一位看到他在整个词上结巴住了,就低声插嘴道。“你是想这样说,也有理由这样说的,就说耻辱吧。”
'From that disgrace,' assented his brother with keen emphasis, 'but is the fact to be blurted out and trumpeted, and proclaimed continually in the presence of the very House! In moments of confidence too? Do you think your name is calculated to harmonise in this place with trust and confidence, John Carker?'
“那份耻辱,”他的弟弟同意,并强烈地加重了语气,“可是难道有必要把这事实在公司的老板面前不断地吆喝、张扬和通告吗?甚至在我受到信任的时候也要这样做吗?你以为提到你的名字跟在这里博得信赖与重用是协调的吗,约翰·卡克?”
'No,' returned the other. 'No, James. God knows I have no such thought.'
“不是,”那一位回答道。“不是,詹姆斯。上帝知道,我没有这样的想法。”
'What is your thought, then?' said his brother, 'and why do you thrust yourself in my way? Haven't you injured me enough already?'
“那么,你的想法是什么呢?”他的弟弟说道,“你又为什么硬要挡住我的道路?难道你还嫌伤害我不够吗?”
'I have never injured you, James, wilfully.'
“我从来没有故意伤害过你,詹姆斯。”
'You are my brother,' said the Manager. 'That's injury enough.'
“你是我的哥哥,”经理说道,“这伤害就足够了。”
'I wish I could undo it, James.'
“我但愿我能消除这个伤害,詹姆斯。”
'I wish you could and would.'
“我但愿你能消除它,而且将消除它。”
During this conversation, Walter had looked from one brother to the other, with pain and amazement. He who was the Senior in years, and Junior in the House, stood, with his eyes cast upon the ground, and his head bowed, humbly listening to the reproaches of the other. Though these were rendered very bitter by the tone and look with which they were accompanied, and by the presence of Walter whom they so much surprised and shocked, he entered no other protestagainst them than by slightly raising his right hand in a deprecatory manner, as if he would have said, 'Spare me!' So, had they been blows, and he a brave man, under strong constraint, and weakened by bodily suffering, he might have stood before the executioner.
在这谈话中间,沃尔特怀着痛苦与惊奇的心情,望望这一位,又望望那一位弟兄。那 位年龄较大、但在公司里职务很低的人的眼睛向地面低垂着,脑袋搭拉着,站在那里,恭顺地听着另一位的谴责。虽然谴责的语气很尖刻,神色很严厉,而且当着震惊的沃尔特的面,但他却没有表示什么抗议,而只是用哀求的态度,稍稍抬起右手,仿佛想说:“饶恕我吧!”如果这些谴责是打击,而他是一位体力衰弱的勇士,那么他也会在刽子手面前站着。
Generous and quick in all his emotions, and regarding himself as the innocent occasion of these taunts, Walter now struck in, with all the earnestness he felt.
沃尔特在感情上是一位宽厚与急躁的人,他认为他本人是无意间引起这些辱骂的原因,所以这时怀着诚挚的心情插进来说话。