评论
打印
Mariette had left the house the next morning.
马里耶特第二天早晨就走了。
The glimpse Sara caught of her sitting room, as she passed its open door, showed her that everything had been changed.
萨拉经过自己的起坐间时，门敞开着，她向室内瞥了一眼，发现一切都改变了。
Her ornaments and luxuries had been removed, and a bed had been placed in a corner to transform it into a new pupil's bedroom.
她的那些装饰品和豪华的衣物都被拿走了，室内一角安了一张床，这房间已经变成一个新学生的卧室了。
When she went down to breakfast she saw that her seat at Miss Minchin's side was occupied by Lavinia,
她下楼来吃饭，看到她在铭钦女士身边的座位已被拉维尼娅占了去，
and Miss Minchin spoke to her coldly.
而铭钦女士对自己说话很冷淡。
"You will begin your new duties, Sara," she said, "by taking your seat with the younger children at a smaller table.
“你就要开始你的新职责，萨拉，”她说，“你的座位在小桌子那儿，和较小的儿童们在一起。
You must keep them quiet, and see that they behave well and do not waste their food.
你必须使她们保持安静，并且务必使她们守规矩，并不浪费食物。
You ought to have been down earlier. Lottie has already upset her tea."
你应当早点儿下楼来。洛蒂已经打翻了她的茶水。
That was the beginning, and from day to day the duties given to her were added to.
这是个开头，从此给她的职责一天天增加。
She taught the younger children French and heard their other lessons, and these were the least of her labors.
她教幼小儿童法语，辅导她们的其他功课，这些还是她至少要做的事儿。
It was found that she could be made use of in numberless directions. She could be sent on errands at any time and in all weathers.
铭钦女士发现在很多方面可以使用她。不论什么时候，什么样的天气，都可以打发她去跑腿干杂务。
She could be told to do things other people neglected. The cook and the housemaids took their tone from Miss Minchin,
可以叫她去做其他人由于疏忽而没有做的事儿。厨子和女仆们都学铭钦女士的腔调，
and rather enjoyed ordering about the "young one" who had been made so much fuss over for so long.
很喜欢支使这个曾长期被大肆奉承的“小家伙”。
They were not servants of the best class, and had neither good manners nor good tempers,
她们不是那类最上等的仆人，既不懂礼貌，也没有好脾气，
and it was frequently convenient to have at hand someone on whom blame could be laid.
再说，如果出了错儿，可以经常把责任推卸给手边的什么人，那才方便呢。
During the first month or two, Sara thought that her willingness to do things as well as she could,
头一两个月中，萨拉心想，自己这样愿意尽力把事情做好，
and her silence under reproof, might soften those who drove her so hard.
受到责备也不吭声，大概可以软化那些狠狠驱使她的人吧。
In her proud little heart she wanted them to see that she was trying to earn her living and not accepting charity.
在她高傲的幼小心灵中，她立意要让他们明白她是在努力挣饭吃，而不是靠别人的施舍。
But the time came when she saw that no one was softened at all; and the more willing she was to do as she was told,
但终于有一天她明白了，根本一个人也软化不了；她越是诚心诚意做好吩咐她做的事情，
the more domineering and exacting careless housemaids became, and the more ready a scolding cook was to blame her.
那些粗鲁的女仆就变得越盛气凌人，要求也越苛刻，而爱骂人的厨子就越随便地责备她。
