06-04-苔丝 [8]
．’
‘We have several proofs that we are d’Urbervilles．We have an old silver spoon and a seal at home．But mother uses the spoon to stir the soup．Mother said we ought to tell you，as we are the oldest branch of the family and we've lost our horse in an accident．’
‘Very kind of your mother，’said Alec d’Urberville，‘and I certainly don't regret it．’He looked admiringly at Tess，whose face blushed a deep pink．‘And so you've come on a friendly visit？’
‘I suppose I have，’murmured Tess， looking uncomfortable．
‘Let us walk round the gardens until you have to go home，my pretty cousin．’Tess wanted to leave as soon as possible，but the young man insisted．He took her to the greenhouses．
‘Do you like strawberries？’he asked．
‘Yes，’said Tess，‘when they are ready．’
‘These are ready now，’and so saying，d’Urberville picked one and held it to her mouth．
‘No no！’she said．‘I'd rather take it myself．’
But Alec put it into her mouth．He put roses into her hair and filled her basket with strawberries and flowers． He gave her food to eat，and watched her，while he quietly smoked a cigarette． She looked more adult and womanly than she really was．Alec could not take his eyes off her．She did not know as she smiled innocently at the flowers that behind the cigarette smoke was the cause of future sorrow in her life．
‘What is your name？’asked Alec．
‘Tess Durbeyfield．We live at Marlott．’
‘I must see if my mother can find a place for you．’They said goodbye and she set off home carrying her strawberries and flowers．
This then was the beginning． Why did she have to meet the wrong man， and one who was so strongly attracted to her？Yet to the right man， she was only a half-forgotten impression from an evening's dancing in a country field．In life， the right man to love hardly ever comes at the right time for loving．Nature does not often answer a call for love， until the caller is tired of calling．In this case，as in millions，it was not the two halves of a perfect whole who met．A missing half wandered somewhere else，arriving much later．This delay was to have tragic results．
■ 3
德北一家的生活陷入了困境。没有“王子”运货，约翰·德北就不能像过去那样做买卖了。他从来没有坚持卖力地干过活儿，现在也就偶尔才会想找点活儿干。苔丝琢磨着怎样才能帮上父母的忙。一天，她母亲提出了一个建议。
“苔丝，得知你有高贵的血统是件幸运的事。你知道在林子那头儿有位非常有钱的德伯太太吗？她准是我们的亲戚。你应当上她那儿去，说明和她的亲戚关系。就说我们处境困难，请求她帮帮忙。”
“我不愿做这种事，”苔丝说，“如果真有这么一位太太，只要她对我们友善，就足够了。我们不能指望从她那儿得到帮助。”
“你能打动任何人，亲爱的。而且，也许会有别的什么你意想不到的事儿发生呢。”她母亲自作聪明地点着头。
“我宁愿去找工作。”苔丝伤心地说。
“你认为怎样，德北？”妻子转向丈夫，问道。
“我不愿意我的孩子去求别人帮助。”他骄傲地说，“我是这个家族里最古老的一房的家长，像我们这样高贵的家庭是不应该求助于人的。”他的这些不让去的理由让苔丝无法接受。
“好吧，妈，是我害死了马，我想我该去一趟。不过别指望她会替我找个丈夫。”
“谁说我这么想啦？”琼显得很无辜地问道。
“我知道你怎么想，妈。不过，我会去的。”
第二天早晨，苔丝步行到夏斯顿，一个她很陌生的城镇，然后搭上一辆马车前往纯瑞脊。黑荒野山谷是苔丝生活的整个世界，她从来没有远离过那个山谷。
‘We have several proofs that we are d’Urbervilles．We have an old silver spoon and a seal at home．But mother uses the spoon to stir the soup．Mother said we ought to tell you，as we are the oldest branch of the family and we've lost our horse in an accident．’
‘Very kind of your mother，’said Alec d’Urberville，‘and I certainly don't regret it．’He looked admiringly at Tess，whose face blushed a deep pink．‘And so you've come on a friendly visit？’
‘I suppose I have，’murmured Tess， looking uncomfortable．
‘Let us walk round the gardens until you have to go home，my pretty cousin．’Tess wanted to leave as soon as possible，but the young man insisted．He took her to the greenhouses．
‘Do you like strawberries？’he asked．
‘Yes，’said Tess，‘when they are ready．’
‘These are ready now，’and so saying，d’Urberville picked one and held it to her mouth．
‘No no！’she said．‘I'd rather take it myself．’
But Alec put it into her mouth．He put roses into her hair and filled her basket with strawberries and flowers． He gave her food to eat，and watched her，while he quietly smoked a cigarette． She looked more adult and womanly than she really was．Alec could not take his eyes off her．She did not know as she smiled innocently at the flowers that behind the cigarette smoke was the cause of future sorrow in her life．
‘What is your name？’asked Alec．
‘Tess Durbeyfield．We live at Marlott．’
‘I must see if my mother can find a place for you．’They said goodbye and she set off home carrying her strawberries and flowers．
This then was the beginning． Why did she have to meet the wrong man， and one who was so strongly attracted to her？Yet to the right man， she was only a half-forgotten impression from an evening's dancing in a country field．In life， the right man to love hardly ever comes at the right time for loving．Nature does not often answer a call for love， until the caller is tired of calling．In this case，as in millions，it was not the two halves of a perfect whole who met．A missing half wandered somewhere else，arriving much later．This delay was to have tragic results．
■ 3
德北一家的生活陷入了困境。没有“王子”运货，约翰·德北就不能像过去那样做买卖了。他从来没有坚持卖力地干过活儿，现在也就偶尔才会想找点活儿干。苔丝琢磨着怎样才能帮上父母的忙。一天，她母亲提出了一个建议。
“苔丝，得知你有高贵的血统是件幸运的事。你知道在林子那头儿有位非常有钱的德伯太太吗？她准是我们的亲戚。你应当上她那儿去，说明和她的亲戚关系。就说我们处境困难，请求她帮帮忙。”
“我不愿做这种事，”苔丝说，“如果真有这么一位太太，只要她对我们友善，就足够了。我们不能指望从她那儿得到帮助。”
“你能打动任何人，亲爱的。而且，也许会有别的什么你意想不到的事儿发生呢。”她母亲自作聪明地点着头。
“我宁愿去找工作。”苔丝伤心地说。
“你认为怎样，德北？”妻子转向丈夫，问道。
“我不愿意我的孩子去求别人帮助。”他骄傲地说，“我是这个家族里最古老的一房的家长，像我们这样高贵的家庭是不应该求助于人的。”他的这些不让去的理由让苔丝无法接受。
“好吧，妈，是我害死了马，我想我该去一趟。不过别指望她会替我找个丈夫。”
“谁说我这么想啦？”琼显得很无辜地问道。
“我知道你怎么想，妈。不过，我会去的。”
第二天早晨，苔丝步行到夏斯顿，一个她很陌生的城镇，然后搭上一辆马车前往纯瑞脊。黑荒野山谷是苔丝生活的整个世界，她从来没有远离过那个山谷。