2-79

 

79.

I went to Australia for a round of military exercises and while there I got word: Willy and Katehad welcomed their second child. Charlotte. I was an uncle again, and very happy about it.

But, predictably, during one interview that day or the next a journalist questioned me about itas though I’d received a terminal diagnosis¹.

No, mate. Thrilled to bits.

But you’re further down the line of succession.

Couldn’t be happier for Willy and Kate.

The journalist pressed: Fifth in line—hm. No longer even the Spare of the Spare.

I thought: First of all, it’s a good thing to be farther from the center of a volcano. Second, whatkind of monster would think of himself and his place in the line of succession at such a time,rather than welcoming a new life into the world?

I’d once heard a courtier say that when you were fifth or sixth in line you were “only a planecrash away.” I couldn’t imagine living that way.

The journalist persisted. Didn’t the birth make me question my choices?

Choices?

Isn’t it time you settled down?

Well, uh—

People are starting to compare you to Bridget Jones.

I thought: Are they really? Bridget Jones, ay?

The journalist waited.

It’ll happen, I assured him, or her, I can’t recall the face, only the preposterous² line ofquestioning. When, kind sir, do you plan to wive? It will happen when it happens, I said, the wayyou’d assure a naggy³ auntie.

The faceless journalist stared with abject…pity.

Will it, though?

 

1 diagnosis   

n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断

参考例句：

• His symptoms gave no obvious pointer to a possible diagnosis.他的症状无法作出明确的诊断。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做一次彻底的调查分析。

2 preposterous   

adj.荒谬的，可笑的

参考例句：

• The whole idea was preposterous.整个想法都荒唐透顶。
• It would be preposterous to shovel coal with a teaspoon.用茶匙铲煤是荒谬的。

3 naggy   

小马

参考例句：