《风语河岸柳》第5章 给癞蛤蟆先生的教训(3)

He took Toad¹ into a room off the hall and closed the door. The Rat shook his head.

他带癞蛤蟆离开大厅走进一个房间关上了门。水鼠摇着头，

'We won't save Toad by just talking to him, ' he said.

仅仅跟他谈谈是救不了他的，他

'He'll say anything—and then just go and do what he likes. '

将会作一些许诺—然后又去干他喜欢干的事。

After about an hour the door opened, and a very sad and sorry Toad came out, followed by the Badger².

大约过了一小时，门开了，一只很伤心、很愧疚的癞蛤蟆走了出来，獾跟在他的后面。

' My friends, ' said the Badger, looking pleased, ' I' am happy to tell you that Toad now realizes how silly he has been.

朋友们，獾看起来很开心，我高兴地告诉你们癞蛤蟆现在已认识到他曾经有多愚蠢。

He has promised never to get into a motor-car again. '

他已发誓再也不走进汽车。

'That is very good news, ' said the Mole³ seriously.

这倒是非常不错的消息，鼹鼠一本正经地说。

'Very good indeed, 'the Rat said, watching Toad's face carefully.

的确不赖，水鼠边说边审视着癞蛤蟆脸上的表情。

'Now, Toad, ' continued the Badger, 'I'd like you to repeat your promise in front of your friends. '

好了，蛤蟆，獾接着说，我要你在你朋友面前重复你的诺言。

There was a long, long silence.

接下来是一段长长的沉默。

' No! ' said Toad suddenly. ' No, I won't. I'm not sorry, and I haven't been silly at all. It was all wonderful! And I won't promise anything! '

不！癞蛤蟆突然说。不，我不。我不感到愧疚，我一点儿也不愚蠢。那整个太精彩了！我才不发什么誓呢！

'What?' cried the Badger. 'But in there you told me—'

什么？獾叫道。但是在那儿你告诉我——

'Yes, yes, I know, 'said Toad quickly. ' You argue so beautifully, dear Badger, and I can't stop myself agreeing with you.

是的，是的，我知道，癞蛤蟆赶快说，你说得那么至情至理，亲爱的獾，我就忍不住答应你了。

But I' ve been thinking about it. I love driving, I' m a wonderful driver, and I promise you I' ll go on driving for ever! Poop-poop! '

但是我一直在想这个问题。我喜欢开车，我是了不起的驾车手，我发誓我将继续永远开车！扑扑-扑扑！

' I told you so, didn' t I? ' the Rat said to the Mole.

我告诉过你吧，是不是？水鼠对鼹鼠说。

' Very well, ' said the Badger . ' If you won't listen to reason, we' ll have to try another way.

很好，獾说，如果你不听忠告，我们将不得不采取另一种方法。

We're going to stay with you in your house until you become sensible⁴.

我们打算和你呆在你的屋里直到你清醒过来。

Take him upstairs, you two, and lock him in his bedroom, '

带他上楼去，你们俩，把他锁在卧室里。

1 toad   

n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆

参考例句：

• Both the toad and frog are amphibian.蟾蜍和青蛙都是两栖动物。
• Many kinds of toad hibernate in winter.许多种蟾蜍在冬天都会冬眠。

2 badger   

v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠

参考例句：

• Now that our debts are squared.Don't badger me with them any more.我们的债务两清了。从此以后不要再纠缠我了。
• If you badger him long enough,I'm sure he'll agree.只要你天天纠缠他，我相信他会同意。

3 mole   

n.胎块；痣；克分子

参考例句：

• She had a tiny mole on her cheek.她的面颊上有一颗小黑痣。
• The young girl felt very self- conscious about the large mole on her chin.那位年轻姑娘对自己下巴上的一颗大痣感到很不自在。

4 sensible   

adj.可察觉的，意识到的，实用的；n.可感知物

参考例句：

• Are you sensible of the dangers of your position? 你觉察到你处境中的危险了吗？
• He was sensible enough to mind his own business.他颇有见识，不去管闲事。