目 录 上一节 下一节 
我努力改了四十年，现在才刚刚控制祝我过去几乎每天都生气，乔，但我学会了不把它表露出来；我还希望学会不把它感觉出来，虽然可能又得花上四十年的功夫。" The patience and the humility of the face she loved so well was a better lesson to Jo than the wisest lecture, the sharpest reproof. She felt comforted at once by the sympathy and confidence given her; the knowledge that her mother had a fault like hers, and tried to mend it, made her own easier to bear and strengthened her resolution to care it; though forty years seemed rather a long time to watch and pray, to a girl of fifteen. 她深爱的母亲的脸孔流露出一种忍耐和谦卑，乔觉得这比最振振有词的训导和最严厉的斥责都更有说服力。母亲的安慰和信任使她心里好受多了；知道自己的母亲也有照自己一样的缺点，并且努力改正，她觉得自己更要下决心改正过来，虽然四十年对于一个十五岁的少女来说似乎相当漫长。 'Mother, are you angry when you fold your lips tight together, and go out of the room sometimes, when Aunt March scolds, or people worry you?' asked Jo, feeling nearer and dearer to her mother than ever before. " 妈妈，当马奇婶婶责骂您或有人烦扰您时，您有时紧闭双唇走出屋外，那是不是在生气？"乔问道，觉得自己跟妈妈比以往更加亲近了。 'Yes, I've learned to check the hasty words that rise to my lips; and when I feel that they mean to break out against my will, I just go away a minute, and give myself a little shake for being so weak and wicked,' answered Mrs. March, with a sigh and a smile, as she smoothed and fastened up Jo's dishevelled hair. " 是的，我学会了收住冲到嘴边的气话，每当我觉得这些话要违背意志冲口而出时，我就走开一会，为自己的暴躁作反省，让心情平伏下来，"马奇太太叹口气，笑了笑，边说边把乔散乱的头发理扎好。 'How did you learn to keep still? That is what troubles me - for the sharp words fly out before I know what I'm about; and the more I say the worse I get, till it's a pleasure to hurt people's feelings, and say dreadful things. 'Tell me how you do it, Marmee dear.' 'My good mother used to help me--' 'As you do us--' interrupted Jo, with a grateful kiss. " 您是怎样学会保持冷静的？我正是为此饱受折磨--刻薄话总是趁我还没反应过来就飞出嘴巴，说得越多，就越是口不择言，最后终于恶语伤人，方觉痛快。告诉我您是怎样做的，亲爱的妈咪。"“我的好妈妈过去总是帮我--"“就像您帮我们一样--"乔插嘴说道，感激地献上一吻。 
但我在比你稍大一点的时候便失去了她。我自尊心极强，不愿在别人面前暴露弱点，因此多年来只能独自挣扎。我失败过许多次，乔，并为此洒下无数痛苦的泪水，因为尽管我非常努力，但似乎总是毫无进展。后来你父亲出现了，我沉浸在幸福之中，发现做好并非难事。但后来，当我膝下有了四个小女儿，家道中落时，老毛病又犯了，因为我天生缺乏耐性，看到自己的孩子缺衣少食，心里便煎熬得厉害。" 'Poor Mother! What helped you then?' 'Your father, Jo. He never loses patience - never doubts or complains - but always hopes and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him. He helped and comforted me, and showed me that I must try to practise all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes than for my own; a startled or surprised look from one of you, when I spoke sharply, rebuked me more than any words could have done; and the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy. 'Oh Mother, if I'm ever half as good as you, I shall be satisfied,' cried Jo, much touched. “可怜的妈妈！那么是什么帮助了您？"“你父亲，乔。他从不失去耐心--从不怀疑，从不怨天尤人--而是乐观地企盼、工作和等待，我只有向他学习，才不至自惭形秽。他帮助我，安慰我，让我知道如果我想自己的小姑娘拥有高尚的道德，自己就要言传身教，因为我就是她们的榜样。想到为你们努力，而不是为自己，事情就变得简单了；每当我言语粗暴，你们向我投来又惊又骇的目光时，我便感到羞愧难当；我努力以身作则，赢得了自己孩子的爱、尊敬和信任，这就是最美好的报偿。"“呵，妈妈，如果我及得上您一半，就心满意足了，"乔深受感动地说道。 'I hope you will be a great deal better, dear; but you must keep watch over your "bosom enemy" as Father calls it, or it may sadden, if not spoil your life. You have had a warning; remember it, and try with heart and soul to master this quick temper, before it brings you greater sorrow and regret than you have known today.' " 我希望你会做得比我更好，亲爱的，但你得时时提防你'藏在心中的敌人'，正如你爸爸所说，不然，即使它没有毁掉你一生，也会使你终身痛苦。你已经得到了教训；要把它牢记在心头，竭尽全力控制自己的暴躁脾气，以免酿成更大的悲剧，令自己抱憾终身。" 'I will try, Mother: I truly will. But you must help me, remind me, and keep me from flying out. I used to see Father sometimes put his finger on his lips, and look at you with a very kind but sober face, and you always folded your lips tight or went away: was he reminding you then?' asked Jo, softly. “我一定努力，妈妈，真的。但您得帮助我，提醒我，防止我乱发脾气。我以前看见爸爸有时用手指按住双唇，用异常亲切而严肃的眼光望着您，您便紧咬嘴唇，或是走出门去：他这样是不是在提醒您？"乔轻轻问道。 'Yes; I asked him to help me so, and he never forgot it, but saved me from many a sharp word by that little gesture and kind look.' Jo saw that her mother's eyes filled and her lips trembled as she spoke; and, fearing that she had said too much, she whispered, anxiously, 'Was it wrong to watch you, and to speak of it! I didn't mean to be rude, but it's so comfortable to say all I think if you, and feel so safe and happy here.' " 是的。我叫他这样帮助我，他也从来没有忘记。看到那个小小的手势和亲切的目光，我的脾气便发不出来了。"乔看到母亲一双眼睛泪水晶莹，讲话时嘴唇轻轻颤动，担心自己说得太多了，便赶紧轻声问道："我这样望着您，跟您谈这个问题合适吗？我并非有意冒犯您，可是跟您诉说心事我就觉得非常畅快，坐在这里我就感到又安全又幸福。" 
“我的乔，你可以向母亲倾诉衷肠。我的女儿向我诉说心里话，并明白我是多么爱她们，这对我是最可喜最可骄傲的事情。"“我以为自己使您伤心了呢？"“不，亲爱的；只是谈起父亲，我便想到自己多么想念他，多么感激他，多么应该忠实地为他照看他的四个小女儿，使她们生活得平安幸福。"“但是您却叫他上前线去，妈妈，他走时您没掉眼泪，现在也从不埋怨，似乎您从不需要帮助，"乔不解地说。 'I gave my best to the country I love, and kept my tears till he was gone. Why should I complain, when we both have merely done our duty, and will surely be the happier for it in the end? " 我把自己最美好的东西献给我心爱的祖国，一直到他走后才让眼泪流出来。我为何要埋怨呢？我们两人只是为祖国尽了自己应尽的责任而已，而且最终一定会因此而更加幸福。 If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend even than Father to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.' 我似乎不需要帮助，那是因为我有一个比父亲更好的朋友在安慰我，支持我。孩子，你生活中的烦恼和诱惑正开始露头，而且可能还会有许多，但只要你感受到天父的力量和仁爱，正如你感受到你平凡的父爱一样，你就能战胜它们，超越它们。你对天父之爱越深，信任越大，你就觉得与他越接近，受世俗的束缚就越校天父的慈爱和关怀旷日持久，永远与你同在，它是人生和平、幸福和力量的源泉。坚守这个信念，向上帝尽情倾诉自己的种种苦恼、希望、悲伤和罪过吧，就像你向妈妈倾诉一样。" Jo's only answer was to hold her mother close, and, in the silence which followed, the sincerest prayer she had ever prayed left her heart without words; for in that sad yet happy hour she had learned not only the bitterness of remorse and despair, but the sweetness of self-denial and self-control; and, led by her mother's hand, she had drawn nearer to the friend who welcomes every child with a love stronger than that of any father, tenderer than that of any mother. 乔紧紧拥抱着母亲，无限热诚地默默祈祷，此后心中一片宁静；在那既悲又喜的时刻，她不但咀嚼到悔恨绝望的痛苦滋味，也尝到了自我否认和自我控制的甜蜜感受；天父对儿童的爱胜似天底下任何父母，在母亲的带领下，她与这位"朋友"靠得更近了。 Amy stirred, and sighed in her sleep; and, as if eager to begin at once to mend her fault, Jo looked up with an expression on her face which it had never worn before. 艾美在睡梦中动了动身子，叹了一口气，乔旋即抬头望去，脸上露出一种从未有过的表情，似乎恨不得马上弥补过错。 
我在气头上让乌云遮住了太阳，不愿原谅她，今天，如果不是劳里，一切都会太迟了！我怎么可以这样邪恶？"乔说出声来，俯身看着妹妹，轻轻抚摸着披散在枕上的湿发。 As if she heard, Amy opened her eyes, and held out her arms, with a smile that went straight to Jo's heart. Neither said a word, but they hugged one another close, in spite of the blankets, and everything was forgiven and forgotten in one hearty kiss. 艾美好像听到了话声，她睁开眼睛，伸出双臂，向乔一笑，令乔铭心刻骨。两人一言不发，只是隔着毯子紧紧拥抱在一起。在衷心一吻之下，所有恩怨全都烟消云散。 'I do think it was the most fortunate thing in the world that those children should have the measles just now,' said Meg, one April day, as she stood packing the "go abroady" trunk in her room, surrounded by her sisters. 'And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise. A whole fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid,' replied Jo, looking like a windmill, as she folded skirts, with her long arms. " 那班孩子刚好出麻疹，真是最幸运不过了，"梅格说。时值四月，她站在自己房间里往大皮箱装行李，姐妹们围绕在她身边。"安妮·莫法特没有忘记自己的诺言，这实在太棒了。足足两个星期让你尽情快活，那有多么痛快，"乔一面搭过话儿，一面用长胳膊把几件裙子折起来，形象颇像个风车。 'And such lovely weather; I'm so glad of that,' added Beth, tidily sorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great occasion. " 而且天气晴朗，我真高兴这样，"贝思边说边利索地从自己的宝贝箱子里挑出几条围巾和丝带，供姐姐出席盛会。 'I wish I was going to have a fine time, and wear all these nice things,' said Amy, with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically replenished her sister's cushion. " 但愿我也能去好好玩玩，把这些漂亮东西全穿戴上，"艾美说。她嘴里衔了满满一口的针，巧妙地插进姐姐的针垫里。 
我真希望大家都能去，既然不能，那就等我回来再跟你们讲遇到的奇闻趣事。你们对我这么好，把东西借给我，帮我收拾行装，我一定尽此绵力，"梅格说着环视房间，眼光落在行装上面。这套行装虽然十分简单，但在她们眼中却几乎十全十美。
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