名著精讀:《小婦人》第二章:聖誕快樂 第9節
這部小說以家庭生活爲描寫對象，以家庭成員的感情糾葛爲線索，描寫了馬奇一家的天倫之愛。馬奇家的四姐妹中，無論是爲了愛情甘於貧困的海格，還是通過自己奮鬥成爲作家的喬，以及坦然面對死亡的貝思和以扶弱爲己任的艾米，雖然她們的理想和命運都不盡相同，但是她們都具有自強自立的共同特點。描寫了她們對家庭的眷戀；對愛的忠誠以及對親情的渴望。
No gentleman were admitted, so Jo played male parts to her heart's content and took immense satisfaction in a pair of russet leather boots given her by a friend, who knew a lady who knew an actor. These boots, an old foil, and a slashed doublet once used by an artist for some picture, were Jo's chief treasures and appeared on all occasions. The smallness of the company made it necessary for the two principal actors to take several parts apiece, and they certainly deserved some credit for the hard work they did in learning three or four different parts, whisking in and out of various costumes, and managing the stage besides. It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society.
由於不收男士，喬便盡情地扮演男角。她對一雙黃褐色的長統皮靴尤爲滿意。因爲靴子是她的一個朋友贈送的，這位朋友認識一位女士，女士又認識一位演員。這雙靴子、一把舊鈍頭劍，還有某個藝術家用來畫過幾幅畫的開衩背心，這些便是喬的主要寶藏，任何場合都得登臺亮相。因爲劇團小，兩個主要演員必須分別扮演幾個角色。她們同時學習三四個不同角色的表演，飛快地輪番換上各式各樣的戲服，同時還要兼顧幕後工作，其努力精神值得稱道。這種有益的娛樂活動可以很好地鍛鍊她們的記憶力，並可以打發閒暇，排遣寂寞，減少無聊的社交。
On christmas night, a dozen girls piled onto the bed which was the dress circle, and sat before the blue and yellow chintz curtains in a most flattering state of expectancy. There was a good deal of rustling and whispering behind the curtain, a trifle of lamp smoke, and an occasional giggle from Amy, who was apt to get hysterical in the excitement of the moment. Presently a bell sounded, the curtains flew apart, and the _operatic tragedy_ began.
聖誕之夜，十二個女孩子擠在花樓--一張牀—-的上頭，坐在黃藍二色混合的磨光印花簾幕前面，翹首以盼，焦急地等着看戲。幕後燈光朦朧，不時傳來沙沙的響聲和悄悄的話語聲，偶爾還傳來容易激動的艾美在興奮之中發出的咯咯笑聲。不一會鈴聲響起，簾幕拉開，《歌劇式的悲劇》開始了。
nse [i'mens] adj. 巨大的,廣大的,非常好的
It's almost impossible to find him in the immense ocean.
在無邊無際的海洋中要找到他幾乎是不可能的。
et adj. 枯葉色的, 紅褐色的 n. 紅褐色, 粗皮蘋果
I like to collect russet autumn leaves.
我喜歡收集秋天赤褐色的葉子。
ce adv. 每人, 每個, 各
The apples are five cents apiece.
這些蘋果5美分一個。
k [wisk] n. 拂，掃帚, 毛撣子, 攪拌器 v. 拂, 迅速移動, 攪拌
Whisk the egg and then add the flour.
打好雞蛋以後再加麪粉.
tz n. 擦光印花布
le ['gigl] v. 吃吃地笑, 格格地笑
Stop giggling, children; this is a serious matter.
孩子們, 別傻笑了, 這是嚴肅的事情.
erical adj. 歇斯底里的, 異常興奮的
