血字的研究 60和先知的会谈(4)（在线收听）

"There are stories of her which I would fain disbelieve-stories that she is sealed to some Gentile.

"外面有许多传说，都说她已经和某个异教徒订婚了。我倒是不愿听信这些说法的。

This must be the gossip of idle tongues. What is the thirteenth rule in the code of the sainted Joseph Smith?

这一定是那些无聊的人嚼舌。圣约瑟·史密斯经典中第十三条说些什么？

'Let every maiden of the true faith marry one of the elect; for if she wed a Gentile, she commits a grievous sin.'

'让摩门教中每个少女都嫁给一个上帝的选民；如果她嫁给了一个异教徒，她就犯下了弥天大罪。'

This being so, it is impossible that you, who profess the holy creed, should suffer your daughter to violate it."

经典上就是这样说的。你既然信奉了神圣的教义，你就不该纵容你的女儿破坏它。"

John Ferrier made no answer, but he played nervously with his riding- whip.

约翰·费瑞厄没有回答，他不停地玩弄着他的马鞭子。

"Upon this one point your whole faith shall be tested–so it has been decided in the Sacred Council of Four.

"在这个问题上就可以考验你的全部诚意了，四圣会已经这样决定了。

The girl is young, and we would not have her wed gray hairs, neither would we deprive her of all choice.

这个女孩子还年轻，我们不会让她嫁给一个老头子的，我们也不会完全不让她挑选。

We Elders have many heifers, but our children must also be provided.

我们这些作长老的，已经有了许多'小母牛'了，可是我们的孩子们却还有需要。

Stangerson has a son, and Drebber has a son, and either of them would gladly welcome your daughter to his house.

斯坦节逊有一个儿子，锥伯也有一个，他们都非常高兴把你的女儿娶到他们家里去。

Let her choose between them. They are young and rich, and of the true faith. What say you to that?"

叫她在他们两个人中间选择一个罢。他们既年轻又有钱，并且都是信奉正教的。你对这件事有什么要说的？"

Ferrier remained silent for some little time with his brows knitted.

费瑞厄一声不响，双眉紧皱着，沉默了一会儿。

"You will give us time," he said at last. "My daughter is very young–she is scarce of an age to marry."

最后他说道："您总得给我们一些时间啊。我的女儿还很年轻，她还不到结婚的年岁呢。"

"She shall have a month to choose," said Young, rising from his seat.

"给她一个月的时间来选择，"扬说着就站了起来，

"At the end of that time she shall give her answer."

"一个月完了，她就要给我答复。"

He was passing through the door, when he turned with flushed face and flashing eyes.

他走过门口时，突然回过头来，脸涨得红红的，眼露凶光地厉声喝道：

"It were better for you, John Ferrier," he thundered,

"约翰·费瑞厄，你要是想拿鸡蛋往石头上碰，

"that you and she were now lying blanched skeletons upon the Sierra Blanco, than that you should put your weak wills against the orders of the Holy Four!"

胆敢违抗四圣的命令，倒不如当年你们父女俩都给我死在布兰卡山上的好！"

With a threatening gesture of his hand, he turned from the door, and Ferrier heard his heavy steps scrunching along the shingly path.

他威胁地挥了一下拳头，掉头不顾而去。费瑞厄听得见他的沉重的脚步踏在门前砂石小径上发出沙沙的声音。