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狗的自述 A Dog's Tale(1)
添加时间:2014-11-23 17:19:11 浏览次数: 作者:未知
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  • My father was a St. Bernard, my mother was a collie, but I am a Presbyterian. This is what my mother told me, I do not know these nice distinctions myself. To me they are only fine large words meaning nothing. My mother had a fondness for such; she liked to say them, and see other dogs look surprised and envious1, as wondering how she got so much education. But, indeed, it was not real education; it was only show: she got the words by listening in the dining-room and drawing-room when there was company, and by going with the children to Sunday-school and listening there; and whenever she heard a large word she said it over to herself many times, and so was able to keep it until there was a dogmatic gathering2 in the neighborhood, then she would get it off, and surprise and distress3 them all, from pocket-pup to mastiff, which rewarded her for all her trouble. If there was a stranger he was nearly sure to be suspicious, and when he got his breath again he would ask her what it meant. And she always told him. He was never expecting this but thought he would catch her; so when she told him, he was the one that looked ashamed, whereas he had thought it was going to be she. The others were always waiting for this, and glad of it and proud of her, for they knew what was going to happen, because they had had experience. When she told the meaning of a big word they were all so taken up with admiration4 that it never occurred to any dog to doubt if it was the right one; and that was natural, because, for one thing, she answered up so promptly5 that it seemed like a dictionary speaking, and for another thing, where could they find out whether it was right or not? for she was the only cultivated dog there was. By and by, when I was older, she brought home the word Unintellectual, one time, and worked it pretty hard all the week at different gatherings6, making much unhappiness and despondency; and it was at this time that I noticed that during that week she was asked for the meaning at eight different assemblages, and flashed out a fresh definition every time, which showed me that she had more presence of mind than culture, though I said nothing, of course. She had one word which she always kept on hand, and ready, like a life-preserver, a kind of emergency word to strap7 on when she was likely to get washed overboard in a sudden way -- that was the word Synonymous. When she happened to fetch out a long word which had had its day weeks before and its prepared meanings gone to her dump-pile, if there was a stranger there of course it knocked him groggy8 for a couple of minutes, then he would come to, and by that time she would be away down wind on another tack9, and not expecting anything; so when he'd hail and ask her to cash in, I (the only dog on the inside of her game) could see her canvas flicker10 a moment -- but only just a moment -- then it would belly11 out taut12 and full, and she would say, as calm as a summer's day, "It's synonymous with supererogation," or some godless long reptile13 of a word like that, and go placidly14 about and skim away on the next tack, perfectly15 comfortable, you know, and leave that stranger looking profane16 and embarrassed, and the initiated17 slatting the floor with their tails in unison18 and their faces transfigured with a holy joy.

    And it was the same with phrases. She would drag home a whole phrase, if it had a grand sound, and play it six nights and two matinees, and explain it a new way every time -- which she had to, for all she cared for was the phrase; she wasn't interested in what it meant, and knew those dogs hadn't wit enough to catch her, anyway. Yes, she was a daisy! She got so she wasn't afraid of anything, she had such confidence in the ignorance of those creatures. She even brought anecdotes19 that she had heard the family and the dinner-guests laugh and shout over; and as a rule she got the nub of one chestnut20 hitched21 onto another chestnut, where, of course, it didn't fit and hadn't any point; and when she delivered the nub she fell over and rolled on the floor and laughed and barked in the most insane way, while I could see that she was wondering to herself why it didn't seem as funny as it did when she first heard it. But no harm was done; the others rolled and barked too, privately22 ashamed of themselves for not seeing the point, and never suspecting that the fault was not with them and there wasn't any to see.

    You can see by these things that she was of a rather vain and frivolous23 character; still, she had virtues24, and enough to make up, I think. She had a kind heart and gentle ways, and never harbored resentments25 for injuries done her, but put them easily out of her mind and forgot them; and she taught her children her kindly26 way, and from her we learned also to be brave and prompt in time of danger, and not to run away, but face the peril27 that threatened friend or stranger, and help him the best we could without stopping to think what the cost might be to us. And she taught us not by words only, but by example, and that is the best way and the surest and the most lasting28. Why, the brave things she did, the splendid things! she was just a soldier; and so modest about it -- well, you couldn't help admiring her, and you couldn't help imitating her; not even a King Charles spaniel could remain entirely29 despicable in her society. So, as you see, there was more to her than her education.

    我的父亲是个“圣伯尔纳种”,我的母亲是个“柯利种”,可是我是个“长老会教友”。我母亲是这样给我说的。这些微妙的区别我自己并不知道。在我看起来,这些名称都不过是些派头十足可是毫无意义的字眼。我母亲很爱这一套。她喜欢说这些,还喜欢看看别的狗显出惊讶和忌妒的神气,好像在惊讶她为什么受过这么多教育似的。可是这其实并不是什么真正的教育,不过是故意卖弄罢了:她是在吃饭的屋子里和会客室里有人谈话的时候在旁边听,又和孩子们到主日学校去,在那儿听,才把这些名词学会的。每逢她听到了一些深奥的字眼,她就翻来覆去地背好几遍,所以她能把它们记住,等后来在附近一带开起讲学间的会来,她就把它们搬出来唬人,叫别的狗通通吃一惊,而且不好受,从小狗儿一直到猛狗都让她唬住了,这就使她没有枉费那一番心血。要是有外人,他差不多一定要怀疑起来,他在大吃一惊、喘过气来之后,就要问她那是什么意思。她每次都答复人家。这是他决没有料得到的,原来他以为可以把她难住;所以她给他解释之后,他反而显得很难为情,虽然他原来还以为难为情的会是她。其他的狗都等着这个结局,而且很高兴,很替她得意,因为他们都有过经验,早知道结局会是怎样。她把一串深奥字眼的意思告诉人家的时候,大家都羡慕得要命,随便哪只狗也不会想到怀疑这个解释究竟对不对。这也是很自然的,因为第一呢,她回答得非常快,就好像是字典说起话来了似地,还有呢,他们上哪儿去弄得清楚这究竟对不对呀?因为有教养的狗就只有她一个,后来我长大一些的时候,有一次她把“缺乏智力”这几个字记熟了,并且在整整一个星期里的各种集会上拼命地卖弄,使人很难受、很丧气。就是那一次,我发现在那一个星期之内,她在八个不同的集会上被人问到这几个字的意思,每次她都冲口而出地说了一个新的解释,这就使我看出了她与其说是有学问,还不如说是沉得住气,不过我当然并没有说什么。她有一个名词经常现成地挂在嘴上,像个救命圈似的,用来应付紧急关头,有时候猛不提防她有了被冲下船去的危险,她就把它套在身上——那就是“同义词”这个名词。当她碰巧搬出几个星期以前卖弄过的一串深奥的字眼来,可是她把原来准备的解释忘到九霄云外去了的时候,要是有个生客在场,那当然就要被她弄得头昏眼花,过一两分钟之后才清醒过来,这时候她可是调转了方向,又顺着风往另外一段路程上飘出去了,料不到会有什么问题,所以客人忽然招呼她,请她解释解释的时候,我就看得出她的帆篷松了一会儿劲(我是惟一明白她那套把戏的底细的狗)——可是那也只耽搁了一会儿——然后马上就鼓起了风,鼓得满满的,她就像夏天那样平静地说道,“那是‘额外工作’的同义词”,或是说出与此类似的吓坏人的一长串字,说罢就逍遥自在地走开,轻飘飘地又赶另一段路程去了。她简直是非常称心如意,你知道吧,她把那位生客摔在那儿,显得土头土脑、狼狈不堪,那些内行就一致把尾巴在地板上敲,他们脸上也改变了神气,显出一副欢天喜地的样子。

    关于成语也是一样。要是有什么特别好听的成语,她就带回一整句来,卖弄六个晚上、两个白天,每次都用一种新的说法解释它——她也不得不这么办,因为她所注意的只是那句成语;至于那是什么意思,她可不大在乎,而且她也知道那些狗反正没有什么脑筋,抓不着她的错。咳,她才真是个了不起的角色哩!她这一套弄得非常拿手,所以她一点也不担心,她对于那些糊涂虫的无知无识,是有十分把握的。她甚至还把她听到这家人和吃饭的客人说得哈哈大笑的小故事也记住一些;可是照例她老是把一个笑话里面的精彩地方胡凑到另外一个里面去,而且当然是凑得并不合适,简直莫明其妙;她说到这种地方的时候,就倒在地板上打滚,大笑大叫,就像发了疯似的,可是我看得出她自己也不明白为什么她说的并不像她当初听见人家说的时候那么有趣。不过这并不要紧;别的狗也都打起滚来,并且汪汪大叫,个个心里都暗自为了没有听懂而害臊,根本就不会猜想到过错不在他们,而是谁也看不出这里面的毛病。

    从这些事情,你可以知道她是个相当受面子和不老实的角色;可是她还是有些长处,我觉得那是足以与她的缺点相抵的。她的心眼儿很好,态度也很文雅,人家有什么对不住她的事,她从来就不记恨,老是随随便便不把它放在心上,一下子就忘了;她还教她的孩子们学她那种好脾气,我们还从她那儿学会了在危急的时候表现得勇敢和敏捷,决不逃跑,无论是朋友或是生人遭到了危险,我们都要大胆地承当下来,尽力帮助人家,根本不考虑自己要付出多大的代价。而且她教我们还不是光凭嘴说,而是自己做出榜样来,这是最好的办法,最有把握,最经得久。啊,她干的那些勇敢的事和漂亮的事可真了不起!她真能算是一个勇士;而且她还非常谦虚——总而言之,你不能不佩服她,你也不能不学她的榜样;哪怕是一只“查理士王种”的长耳狗和她在一起,也不能老是完全瞧不起她。所以,您也知道,她除了有教养而外,还是有些别的长处哩。

     12级    英语小说 


    点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

    1 envious [ˈenviəs] n8SyX   第8级
    adj.嫉妒的,羡慕的
    参考例句:
    • I don't think I'm envious of your success. 我想我并不嫉妒你的成功。
    • She is envious of Jane's good looks and covetous of her car. 她既忌妒简的美貌又垂涎她的汽车。
    2 gathering [ˈgæðərɪŋ] ChmxZ   第8级
    n.集会,聚会,聚集
    参考例句:
    • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering. 他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
    • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels. 他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
    3 distress [dɪˈstres] 3llzX   第7级
    n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛
    参考例句:
    • Nothing could alleviate his distress. 什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
    • Please don't distress yourself. 请你不要忧愁了。
    4 admiration [ˌædməˈreɪʃn] afpyA   第8级
    n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
    参考例句:
    • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene. 他对风景之美赞不绝口。
    • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists. 我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
    5 promptly [ˈprɒmptli] LRMxm   第8级
    adv.及时地,敏捷地
    参考例句:
    • He paid the money back promptly. 他立即还了钱。
    • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her. 她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
    6 gatherings ['ɡæðərɪŋz] 400b026348cc2270e0046708acff2352   第8级
    聚集( gathering的名词复数 ); 收集; 采集; 搜集
    参考例句:
    • His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
    • During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次,其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。
    7 strap [stræp] 5GhzK   第7级
    n.皮带,带子;vt.用带扣住,束牢;用绷带包扎;vi.精力旺盛地工作;受束缚
    参考例句:
    • She held onto a strap to steady herself. 她抓住拉手吊带以便站稳。
    • The nurse will strap up your wound. 护士会绑扎你的伤口。
    8 groggy [ˈgrɒgi] YeMzB   第11级
    adj.体弱的;不稳的;酒醉的
    参考例句:
    • The attack of flu left her feeling very groggy. 她患流感后非常虚弱。
    • She was groggy from surgery. 她手术后的的情况依然很不稳定。
    9 tack [tæk] Jq1yb   第9级
    n.大头钉;假缝,粗缝
    参考例句:
    • He is hammering a tack into the wall to hang a picture. 他正往墙上钉一枚平头钉用来挂画。
    • We are going to tack the map on the wall. 我们打算把这张地图钉在墙上。
    10 flicker [ˈflɪkə(r)] Gjxxb   第9级
    vi./n.闪烁,摇曳,闪现
    参考例句:
    • There was a flicker of lights coming from the abandoned house. 这所废弃的房屋中有灯光闪烁。
    • At first, the flame may be a small flicker, barely shining. 开始时,光辉可能是微弱地忽隐忽现, 几乎并不灿烂。
    11 belly [ˈbeli] QyKzLi   第7级
    n.肚子,腹部;(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分,膛
    参考例句:
    • The boss has a large belly. 老板大腹便便。
    • His eyes are bigger than his belly. 他眼馋肚饱。
    12 taut [tɔ:t] iUazb   第10级
    adj.拉紧的,绷紧的,紧张的
    参考例句:
    • The bowstring is stretched taut. 弓弦绷得很紧。
    • Scarlett's taut nerves almost cracked as a sudden noise sounded in the underbrush near them. 思嘉紧张的神经几乎一下绷裂了,因为她听见附近灌木丛中突然冒出的一个声音。
    13 reptile [ˈreptaɪl] xBiz7   第7级
    n.爬行动物;两栖动物
    参考例句:
    • The frog is not a true reptile. 青蛙并非真正的爬行动物。
    • So you should not be surprised to see someone keep a reptile as a pet. 所以,你不必惊奇有人养了一只爬行动物作为宠物。
    14 placidly ['plæsɪdlɪ] c0c28951cb36e0d70b9b64b1d177906e   第9级
    adv.平稳地,平静地
    参考例句:
    • Hurstwood stood placidly by, while the car rolled back into the yard. 当车子开回场地时,赫斯渥沉着地站在一边。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
    • The water chestnut floated placidly there, where it would grow. 那棵菱角就又安安稳稳浮在水面上生长去了。 来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
    15 perfectly [ˈpɜ:fɪktli] 8Mzxb   第8级
    adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
    参考例句:
    • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said. 证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
    • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board. 我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
    16 profane [prəˈfeɪn] l1NzQ   第10级
    adj.亵神的,亵渎的;vt.亵渎,玷污
    参考例句:
    • He doesn't dare to profane the name of God. 他不敢亵渎上帝之名。
    • His profane language annoyed us. 他亵渎的言语激怒了我们。
    17 initiated [iˈniʃieitid] 9cd5622f36ab9090359c3cf3ca4ddda3   第7级
    n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始,创始,启蒙,介绍加入
    参考例句:
    • He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
    • The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。
    18 unison [ˈju:nɪsn] gKCzB   第9级
    n.步调一致,行动一致
    参考例句:
    • The governments acted in unison to combat terrorism. 这些国家的政府一致行动对付恐怖主义。
    • My feelings are in unison with yours. 我的感情与你的感情是一致的。
    19 anecdotes ['ænɪkdəʊts] anecdotes   第7级
    n.掌故,趣闻,轶事( anecdote的名词复数 )
    参考例句:
    • amusing anecdotes about his brief career as an actor 关于他短暂演员生涯的趣闻逸事
    • He related several anecdotes about his first years as a congressman. 他讲述自己初任议员那几年的几则轶事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
    20 chestnut [ˈtʃesnʌt] XnJy8   第9级
    n.栗树,栗子
    参考例句:
    • We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden. 我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树。
    • In summer we had tea outdoors, under the chestnut tree. 夏天我们在室外栗树下喝茶。
    21 hitched [hitʃt] fc65ed4d8ef2e272cfe190bf8919d2d2   第10级
    (免费)搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 ); 搭便车; 攀上; 跃上
    参考例句:
    • They hitched a ride in a truck. 他们搭乘了一辆路过的货车。
    • We hitched a ride in a truck yesterday. 我们昨天顺便搭乘了一辆卡车。
    22 privately ['praɪvətlɪ] IkpzwT   第8级
    adv.以私人的身份,悄悄地,私下地
    参考例句:
    • Some ministers admit privately that unemployment could continue to rise. 一些部长私下承认失业率可能继续升高。
    • The man privately admits that his motive is profits. 那人私下承认他的动机是为了牟利。
    23 frivolous [ˈfrɪvələs] YfWzi   第9级
    adj.轻薄的;轻率的;无聊的
    参考例句:
    • This is a frivolous way of attacking the problem. 这是一种轻率敷衍的处理问题的方式。
    • He spent a lot of his money on frivolous things. 他在一些无聊的事上花了好多钱。
    24 virtues ['vɜ:tʃu:z] cd5228c842b227ac02d36dd986c5cd53   第7级
    美德( virtue的名词复数 ); 德行; 优点; 长处
    参考例句:
    • Doctors often extol the virtues of eating less fat. 医生常常宣扬少吃脂肪的好处。
    • She delivered a homily on the virtues of family life. 她进行了一场家庭生活美德方面的说教。
    25 resentments [rɪˈzentmənts] 4e6d4b541f5fd83064d41eea9a6dec89   第8级
    (因受虐待而)愤恨,不满,怨恨( resentment的名词复数 )
    参考例句:
    • He could never transcend his resentments and his complexes. 他从来不能把他的怨恨和感情上的症结置之度外。
    • These local resentments burst into open revolt. 地方性反感变成公开暴动。
    26 kindly [ˈkaɪndli] tpUzhQ   第8级
    adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
    参考例句:
    • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable. 她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
    • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman. 一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
    27 peril [ˈperəl] l3Dz6   第9级
    n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物;vt.危及;置…于险境
    参考例句:
    • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger. 难民有饿死的危险。
    • The embankment is in great peril. 河堤岌岌可危。
    28 lasting [ˈlɑ:stɪŋ] IpCz02   第7级
    adj.永久的,永恒的;vbl.持续,维持
    参考例句:
    • The lasting war debased the value of the dollar. 持久的战争使美元贬值。
    • We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles. 我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。
    29 entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli] entirely   第9级
    ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
    参考例句:
    • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
    • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

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