But it was no laughing matter.
但这件事其实并不好笑。
They exchanged their observations on the black market of unofficial truth, Fred contributing comments on the customs prevailing in India, where he had done low-level Japanese code-breaking,
他们互相谈论了自己的看法,弗雷德讲述了印度的风俗,当时他在那里破解相对简单的日本密码。
and Alan speaking of the war as a sexual desert ('You didn't miss anything') except for the incident while in America.
图灵将战争比喻成性的沙漠("不来也没什么好遗憾的"),除了在美国的那段小插曲。
It then transpired that Alan had expected this holiday to hold something for him in that direction, which came as a shock to Fred, who explained that he was going to get married.
接着,图灵表露了他的想法,他希望这次度假能往这个方面发展一下,这令弗雷德很惊讶,他以为图灵就要结婚了。
It was an odd coincidence that one day, out on the water, Alan caught sight of a passing boat and said Oh, that's rather awkward, it's Martin Clarke's sister, we were engaged.'
这是因为一个奇怪的巧合。那天他们遇到了另一艘小船,这时候图灵说:"真是太巧了,那就是跟我订婚的琼。
Joan recognised Alan, and waved and smiled. But they did not meet.
"琼也认出了图灵,招手向他笑着,但他们谁都没有说话。
Alan told Fred of the broken engagement.
图灵告诉弗雷德,他们的婚约后来又解除了。
Fred was left confused by his rejection of Alan whom, however, he did not find at all attractive.
弗雷德对图灵解除婚约感到很困惑,他自己已经有了结婚的对象。
He and Alan talked about their respective decisions, 'freedom and consistency of mind' was not so easy for his friend, but Alan was now quite clear as to where he stood.
他与图灵讨论了各自的决定。"自由地追随内心",这对弗雷德来说很难,但对图灵来说,这是他坚定的立场。