If he is well enough to paint, he is well enough to have come down to Taravao and save me this confounded walk. 要是他还画得了画儿，就能到塔拉窝走一趟。叫我走这么该死的远路来看他，

I presume my time is no less valuable than his." 是不是我的时间不如他的值钱？”

Ata did not speak, but with the boy followed him to the house. 爱塔没有说话，她同那个男孩子一起跟着走进屋子。

The girl who had brought him was by this time sitting on the verandah, 把医生找来的那个女孩儿这时在阳台上坐下来；

and here was lying an old woman, with her back to the wall, making native cigarettes. 阳台上还躺着一个老太婆，背对着墙，正在卷当地人吸的一种纸烟。

Ata pointed to the door. 爱塔指着门。

The doctor, wondering irritably why they behaved so strangely, entered, and there found Strickland cleaning his palette. 医生感到这些人的举止都有些奇怪，心里有些气恼。走进屋子以后，他发现思特里克兰德正在清洗自己的调色板。

There was a picture on the easel. Strickland, clad only in a pareo, was standing with his back to the door, but he turned round when he heard the sound of boots. 画架上摆着一幅画。思特里克兰德扎着一件帕利欧，站在画架后面，背对着门。听到有脚步声，他转过身来。

He gave the doctor a look of vexation. 他很不高兴地看了医生一眼。

He was surprised to see him, and resented the intrusion. 他有些吃惊；他讨厌有人来打搅他。

But the doctor gave a gasp, he was rooted to the floor, and he stared with all his eyes. 但是真正感到吃惊的是医生；库特拉斯一下子僵立在那里，脚下好象生了根，眼睛瞪得滚圆。

This was not what he expected. 他看到的是他事前绝没有料到的。

He was seized with horror. 他吓得胆战心惊。

"You enter without ceremony," said Strickland. "What can I do for you?" “你怎么连门也不敲就进来了，”思特里克兰德说，“有什么事儿？”