美国语文第六册 第95期:教师和生病的学者(5)

 　　"I think, boys," said the schoolmaster, when the clock struck twelve, "that I shall give you an extra half holiday this afternoon." “我想，孩子们，”教师说，这时钟敲了十二下，“今天下午我要额外放半天假。”

　　At this intelligence, the boys, led on and headed by the tall boy, raised a great shout, 听了这个消息，以高个子学生为首的男孩子们，大声喊叫起来，

　　in the midst¹ of which the master was seen to speak, but could not be heard. 教师似乎在说些什么，可是听不清。

　　As he held up his hand, however, in token² of his wish that they should be silent, 然而，在他举起手示意大家保持安静的时候，

　　they were considerate enough to leave off, as soon as the longest-winded among them were quite out of breath. 他们都很配合，待那些气最长的没声音了，教室里便安静下来。

　　"You must promise me, first," said the schoolmaster, “你们首先得答应我”教师说道，

　　"that you'll not be noisy, or at least, if you are, that you'll go away first, out of the village, I mean. “不要再吵闹，就是要吵闹的话，至少得到远远的地方去玩耍，我的意思是你们要到村子外面去。

　　I'm sure you wouldn't disturb your old playmate and companion." 我相信你们不会去惊扰那个和你们在一起玩的伙伴吧。”

　　There was a general murmur³ (and perhaps a very sincere⁴ one, for they were but boys) in the negative; 大家小声说着（也许是很诚恳的，因为他们毕竟还是孩子）；

　　and the tall boy, perhaps as sincerely as any of them, called those about him to witness, that he had only shouted in a whisper. 那个高个子学生，大概也和别的学生一样诚恳，叫那些环绕在他身边的孩子们替他作证，他只不过小声喊来着。

　　"Then pray do n't forget, there's my dear scholars," said the schoolmaster, "what I have asked you, and do it as a favor to me. “那么就请不要忘记，那才是我喜欢的好学生呢，”他们的先生教师说道，“我对你们说的话，希望你们能做到。

　　Be as happy as you can, and don't be unmindful that you are blessed with health. 你们尽情地玩去吧，但是不要忘记，只有身体健康才最重要，上帝保佑你们平安。

　　Good-by, all." "Thank 'ee, sir," and "Good-by, sir," 同学们，再见！”“谢谢您，先生”和“再会，先生”，

　　were said a great many times in a great variety of voices, and the boys went out very slowly and softly⁵. 这两句话用不同的声音说了许多遍，然后孩子们轻手轻脚地慢慢走出教室。

1 midst   

n.中部，中间，当中

参考例句：

• The hut is in the midst of the forest.小屋在森林深处。
• There is a thief in our midst.我们当中有小偷。

2 token   

n.筹码，信物，纪念品，礼券；adj.象征性的

参考例句：

• This little gift is a token of our regard.这点礼物是我们大家的一点心意。
• Black is a token of mourning.黑色是沮丧的象征。

3 murmur   

n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言

参考例句：

• They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
• There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。

4 sincere   

adj.真诚的，诚挚的，诚恳的

参考例句：

• He is sincere and easy to get along with.他为人诚恳，很好相处。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

5 softly   

adv.柔和地，静静地，温柔地

参考例句：

• He speaks too softly for her to hear.他讲话声音太轻，她听不见。
• She breathed her advice softly.她低声劝告。