《黑骏马》第12章 苦日子(2)（在线收听）

He can't use all his strength when his head is held back with that bearing rein，the woman went on.If you take it off，I'm sure he'll do better.

他的头被绳套向后拉得抬起来，这样他就使不上力气，妇女接下去说。如果你卸下绳套，我肯定他能干好。

Anything to please a lady，'said Jakes，smiling．

只要能让女士开心，我什么事都可以干！贾克笑着说。

The rein was taken off and I moved my head up and down several times to help my aching neck．

绳套拆了下来，我上下活动了几次酸疼的脖子。

Poor boy，is that what you wanted？'said the woman， pat-ting me．She turned to Jakes.If you speak to him kindly and lead him on，I believe he'll do better．

可怜的孩子，你就想这样吧？女人说着拍拍我。她转向贾克：只要对他说几句好话，并牵着它，我相信他会干得更好。

Jakes took the rein，and I put down my head and moved on．I pulled the cart up the hill， then stopped to take a breath．

贾克拾起缰绳，我低下头拉起来。我把车拉上了山顶，停下来喘着气。

Well，that helped，said Jakes，'but if I went without a bearing rein all the time，the other cart drivers would laugh at me．It's fashionable，you see．

咦，倒是管用，贾克说。可是如果我一直不用绳套，其他车夫会笑我的。这是潮流，你知道吧。

It's better to start a good fashion than to follow a bad one，said the woman．'Many gentlemen don't use bearing reins now．

开始一个好潮流比追随一个坏潮流强。妇女说，现在很多绅士已不再用绳套了。

She gave me another pat on the neck and walked on．

她又拍了拍我的脖子，然后走了。