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On the previous night three Sabbath newspapers, distributed beneath his coat, about his ankles and over his lap,
昨天晚上，他用三张星期日的报纸分别垫在上衣里、包着脚踝、盖住大腿，
had failed to repulse the cold as he slept on his bench near the spurting fountain in the ancient square.
也没能抵挡住睡在古老广场上喷水池旁的长凳上严寒的袭击。
So the Island loomed big and timely in Soapy's mind.
因此，这个小岛在他的脑袋里显现的既庞大又及时。
He scorned the provisions made in the name of charity for the city's dependents.
他诅咒那些以慈善名义对城镇穷苦人所设的布施。
In Soapy's opinion the Law was more benign than Philanthropy.
在索比眼里，法律比救济更为宽厚。
There was an endless round of institutions, municipal and eleemosynary,
他可以去的机构不少，有市政机构、慈善机构，
on which he might set out and receive lodging and food accordant with the simple life.
他都可以去混吃、混住，勉强度日，
But to one of Soapy's proud spirit the gifts of charity are encumbered.
但对索比这样灵魂高傲的人来讲，接受施舍是一种不可忍受的折磨。
If not in coin you must pay in humiliation of spirit for every benefit received at the hands of philanthropy.
如果不是以金钱的形式，你必须以精神上的屈辱的方式为慈善事业所获得的每一项好处付出代价。
As Caesar had his Brutus, every bed of charity must have its toll of a bath,
正如恺撒对待布鲁图一样，要睡上慈善机构的床，先得让人押去洗个澡；
every loaf of bread its compensation of a private and personal inquisition.
要吃施舍的一片面包，得先交待清楚个人的来历和隐私。
Wherefore it is better to be a guest of the law, which though conducted by rules,
因此，倒不如当个法律的座上宾。虽然法律铁面无私、照章办事，
does not meddle unduly with a gentleman's private affairs.
但至少不会过分地干涉正人君子的私事。
Soapy, having decided to go to the Island, at once set about accomplishing his desire.
一旦决定了去岛上，索比便立即着手将它变为现实。
