Chapter 4 A meeting with Mr Badger
第4章 與獾先生相遇
They waited patiently for a very long time, jumping up and down in the snow to keep warm.
他們耐心地等了很長時間,在雪地里又蹦又跳以保持身體的暖和。
At last they heard feet coming slowly towards the door.
最后他們終于聽到了腳步慢騰騰地向門口走來。
Then the door opened, just enough to show a long nose and pair of sleepy eyes.
然后門開了,僅僅夠露出一只長鼻子和一對困倦的眼睛。
'And who, 'said a deep, angry voice, 'is making visits at this time of night?'
是誰,一個低沉、慍怒的聲音問道,這么晚還來串門?
'Oh, Badger, 'cried the Rat, 'let us in, please.
噢,獾,水鼠叫道,請讓我們進去。
It's me, Rat, and my friend Mole, and we're lost in the snow. '
是我,水鼠,還有我的朋友鼴鼠,我們在雪地里迷路了。
'What?'said the Badger, in a very different voice.
什么?獾用完全不同的語調說,
'My dear Ratty! Lost in the snow, and in the Wild Wood! Come in at once, both of you, and get yourselves warm. '
親愛的阿鼠!在雪地里迷路,在野樹林!趕快進來,你們倆,先暖和暖和。
That was a wonderful moment for the Mole and the Rat, when they heard the door close behind them, shutting out the Wild Wood.
聽到門在他們身后關起來,把野樹林隔離在外,
They followed the Badger down long dark tunnels until they came into a large kitchen.
對鼴鼠和水鼠來說,這真是美妙的時刻。他們跟著獾向下走過長長的黑通道,來到一個大大的廚房。
There was a bright fire, with comfortable armchairs round it, and a great wooden table with long seats.
那兒有明亮的爐火,四周擺放著舒服的扶手椅,一張特大的木桌和長椅。
'This is not the kind of night for small animals to be out, 'the Badger said, in a fatherly way. 'Sit yourselves down by the fire, while I get you some supper. '
這種夜晚小動物們是不應該出來的,獾慈父般地說,坐在火邊,我給你們取點晚餐。
Soon the Mole and the Rat were warm and dry, and the dangers of the Wild Wood seemed a long way away, like a bad dream.
很快他們就烤干了衣服,也感覺暖和了,野樹林的危險像一場惡夢顯得已很遙遠。
Then supper arrived.
晚餐準備好了。
It was enough for ten small hungry animals, and the Rat and the Mole realized just how hungry they were.
它夠十只饑餓的小動物吃個飽,水鼠和鼴鼠也才意識到他們已饑腸轆轆了。
When at last they could eat no more, they sat with the Badger round the fire, and told him the story of their adventures.
他們吃飽了以后,便與獾圍坐在火爐邊,說著他們的危險經歷。

關于《風雨河岸柳》
這種表現方式,更加深入人心,也更容易被讀者接受。