The young stranger had made an impression on Tess．

陌生的年轻人给苔丝留下了印象。

But soon，worried by her father's strange appearance this afternoon，she decided to walk home．

但很快苔丝想起了父亲下午古怪的模样，有些担心，于是她决定走回家去。

After the excitement of the dance, her parents' small cottage was a depressing sight．

她刚刚走出舞会，有些兴奋，她们家的小屋便显得有些压抑。

It was dark inside，as they had only one candle．

因为只有一根蜡烛，屋子里很昏暗。

The furniture was old and worn．

家具都是又旧又破的，

There were six children crowded into the tiny space．

还有六个孩子挤在这么一个小地方。

Their mother was doing the washing at the same time as putting the baby to sleep．

苔丝的母亲一边在哄小宝宝入睡，一边洗着衣服。

Looking after so many children had aged Joan Durbeyfield，but she still showed some of her early prettiness，which Tess had inherited．

一个人要照料这么多孩子加速了琼·德北的衰老，但从她身上仍不难看出几分年轻时的姿色。苔丝承袭了母亲的美貌。

Let me help with the washing， mother，’said Tess gently．
“让我帮你洗吧，妈，”苔丝温柔地说。

‘Oh Tess，I'm glad you've come，’said her mother．‘There's something I must tell you．’

“哟，苔丝，你回来了我真高兴，”她母亲说，“我正有事儿要跟你说呢。”

‘Is it anything to do with father making such a fool of himself this afternoon？’asked Tess，frowning．

“是关于爸爸下午出丑的事儿吗？”苔丝皱着眉头问道。

That's all part of the excitement！

“就是那件让人激动的事儿！

They've discovered we're the oldest family in the whole county，going back a long way！And our real name is d’Urberville！

有人发现我们是整个郡里最古老的家族。有好长的历史哩！

Doesn't that make you proud！That's why your father rode home in the carriage，not because he'd been drinking， as people thought．’

我们的真实姓氏是德伯！这不让你觉得骄傲吗？你爸爸就是因为这个才乘着马车回家的，可不像人家想的那样，是因为喝醉了酒。”

‘I'm glad of that．Will it do us any good， mother？’

“我很高兴有这么回事儿。这对我们有什么好处吗，妈？”

‘Oh yes！Great things may come of it．No doubt our noble relations will be arriving in their carriages as soon as they find out．’

“哦，当然！没准儿能由此产生一些大好事儿呢！毫无疑问，我们那些高贵的亲戚一旦得知此事，就会乘坐马车来看望我们的。”