狄更斯雙語小說:《董貝父子》第17章Part 02
Captain Cuttle, however, becoming cognisant of what had happened, relinquished these attempts, as he perceived the slender chance that now existed of his being able to obtain a little easy chat with Mr Dombey before the period of Walter's departure. But in admitting to himself, with a disappointed and crestfallen countenance, that Sol Gills must be told, and that Walter must go—taking the case for the present as he found it, and not having it enlightened orimprovedbeforehand by the knowing management of a friend—the Captain still felt an unabated confidence that he, Ned Cuttle, was the man for Mr Dombey; and that, to set Walter's fortunes quite square, nothing was wanted but that they two should come together.
For the Captain never could forget how well he and Mr Dombey had got on at Brighton; with what nicety each of them had put in a word when it was wanted; how exactly they had taken one another's measure; nor how Ned Cuttle had pointed out that resources in the first extremity, and had brought the interview to the desired termination. On all these grounds the Captain soothed himself with thinking that though Ned Cuttle was forced by the pressure of events to 'stand by' almost useless for the present, Ned would fetch up with a wet sail in good time, and carry all before him.
因爲船長永遠不能忘記，他與董貝先生在布賴頓相處得很好，他們每人都在合適的時候恰如其分地說出了需要說的話；他們曾經準確地判斷了彼此的爲人；他也不會忘記他內德·卡特爾怎樣在陷於絕境時指出這條出路並使會晤導向合乎要求的結局。船長根據這些理由安慰自己：內德·卡特爾目前雖然由於情勢所逼，暫且只好無所事事地袖手旁觀，但有朝一日，時機一到，他內德總能揚起船帆，勝利地向前航行的。Under the influence of this good-natured delusion, Captain Cuttle even went so far as to revolve in his own bosom, while he sat looking at Walter and listening with a tear on his shirt-collar to what he related, whether it might not be at once genteel and politic to give Mr Dombey a verbal invitation, whenever they should meet, to come and cut his mutton in Brig Place on some day of his own naming, and enter on the question of his young friend's prospects over a social glass.
在這種出自善意的誤解的影響下，卡特爾船長坐在那裏，看着沃爾特，聽着他敘述，同時在襯衫領子上掉下一顆眼淚的時候，心中甚至在轉悠着這樣的念頭：不論哪一天他遇見董貝先生時，他就口頭邀請他，在他指定的任何一天，到布里格廣場來品嚐品嚐羊肉，然後在碰杯祝酒時再談談他年輕朋友的前途問題——這樣做是不是既符合禮儀而又富於策略？
But the uncertain temper of Mrs MacStinger, and the possibility of her setting up her rest in the passage during such an entertainment, and there delivering some homily of an uncomplimentary nature, operated as acheckon the Captain's hospitable thoughts, and rendered him timid of giving them encouragement.
但是麥克斯適傑太太的脾氣難以捉摸，在他舉行宴請時她可能伸開四肢，躺臥在走廊裏，含沙帶刺地說起教來；這些顧慮在船長好客的想法上潑上一瓢冷水，使他膽怯心灰。一ove:vt.改善, 改進, 提高 vi.變得更好, 改進
【語法用法】
improve跟improve upon的區別：前者指的的是“在好或不好的基礎上進行修改，改進”，而後者則是指“在好的基礎再更進一步”。
This poem cannot be improved.
這首詩太好或太壞，以致於不能修改了。
This poem cannot be improved upon.
這首詩好得不能再好了。
improve跟better的區別：前者指的是大方面的，或是人物內在的提高，以及比較抽象的事物的提高，如improve one's health。後者指的是人的地位，物質或經濟條件上的提高，如better the conditions of the workers（工人生活條件的提高）；
在使用improved同improving時要特別注意，避免誤用improved而形成被動語態。
【錯句舉例與錯句分析】
錯句: Do you think the situation is improved?
訂正: Do you think the situation is improving?
翻譯: 你認爲這個形勢得到改善了嗎？
分析: 句中的形勢改善應是一種主動語態，這不可用improved。
【詞義辨析】
improve, better, perfect, refine
這些動詞均有“改進、改善”之意。
improve最常用詞，多指狀態或性質上的深刻或重要改進，也可指自身能力的提高。
better多用於口語，指適當地改善原來並非很差的狀態或性質，也指社會地位、經濟狀況的改善。
perfect語義強，通常指使方法、技術等達到完善美好的境地。
refine側重指使語言、儀態等變得文雅、優美，也可指技藝等的提高。
【例句用法】
Wine improves with age.
酒存放得越久越醇。
I hope the weather will improve before Friday.
我希望星期五之前天氣會好轉。
二k:v.檢查, 阻止, 覈對 n.檢查, 阻礙, 支票, 賬單, 方格圖案, (國際象棋)將軍
【語法用法】
美國人常將check指“支票”，而英國人則常用cheque；
check作及物動詞時，詞組check up指“查覈”，而check作不及物動詞時，表示“查覈”用check up on；
check with指“跟……符合”，check up with指“和……符合”。
The reprint checks up with the original.
重印本和原版不符合。
examination of check up在美國指“全身檢查”，而英國人一般用physical overhaul。
【詞義辨析】
restrain, check, refrain, bridle, curb, inhibit
這些動詞均含“阻止、抑制、制止”之意。
restrain含義廣，指用強力或權力去阻止或限制某人做某事。
check多指阻止前進或繼續發展。
refrain常指暫時對某種行動或衝動的抑制。
bridle指抑制住強烈的感情或慾望。
curb可指急劇或果斷的制止，也可指用嚴格的方法加以控制。
inhibit主要指抑制願望、情緒或念頭，也指制止某物的蔓延。
【例句用法】
The plumber made a careful check of the pipes.
管子工對管道做了仔細的檢查。
They checked their steps.
他們突然停住腳步。
