目 录 上一节 
我早就知道布鲁克一定马到功成，他一向如此；只要他下了决心要做一件事，即使天塌下来也能做好，"劳里把花献上，又祝贺道。 'Much obliged for that recommendation. I take it as a good omen for the future, and invite you to my wedding on the spot,' answered Mr. Brooke, who felt at peace with all mankind, even his mischievous pupil. " 承蒙夸奖，不胜感激。我把这话当作一个好兆头，这就邀请你参加我的婚礼，"布鲁克先生答。他待人一向平和，即使对自己淘气捣蛋的学生也不例外。 'I'll come if I'm at the ends of the earth; for the sight of Jo's face alone on that occasion would be worth a long journey. You don't look festive, ma'am; what's the matter?' asked Laurie, following her into a corner of the parlour, whither all had adjourned to greet Mr. Laurence. “我即使远在天边也要赶回来参加，单单乔那天的脸色就值得我回来一看了。你好像不大高兴呢，小姐。怎么回事？"劳里问，一面跟乔随众人一起来到客厅一角，迎接刚刚进来的劳伦斯先生。 'I don't approve of the match, but I've made up my mind to bear it, and shall not say a word against it,' said Jo, solemnly. 'You can't know how hard it is for me to give up Meg,' she continued, with a little quiver in her voice. " 我不赞成这头姻缘，但我已决定把它忍下来，一句坏话也不说，"乔严肃地说。"你不会明白我失去梅格有多么难受，"她接着说，声音微微颤抖。 'You don't give her up. You only go halves,' said Laurie, consolingly. " 你并不是失去她，只是与人平分而已，"劳里安慰道。 
再也不会一样。我失去了至亲至爱的朋友，"乔叹息道。 'You've got me, anyhow. I'm not good for much, I know; but I'll stand by you, Jo, all the days of my life; upon my word I will!' and Laurie meant what he said. " 但你有我呢。我虽不配，但我一定会和你站在一起的，我知道，乔，一生一世。一定！我发誓！"劳里此话绝非戏言。 'I know you will, and I'm ever so much obliged; you are always a great comfort to me, Teddy,' returned Jo, gratefully shaking hands. " 我知道你一定会的，你待我真好。你总是给我带来莫大的安慰，特迪，"乔答道，感激地握着劳里的手。 'Well, now, don't be dismal, there's a good fellow. It's all right, you see. Meg is happy; Brooke will fly round and get settled immediately; grandpa will attend to him, and it will be very jolly to see Meg in her own little house. We'll have capital times after she is gone, for I shall be through college before long, and then we'll go abroad, or some nice trip or other. Wouldn't that console you?' " 嗳，好了，别愁眉苦脸啦，这就对了。这事并没有什么不好，你瞧。梅格感到幸福，布鲁克很快就能成家立业。爷爷会帮助他。看到梅格在自己的小屋里该是多么令人羡慕。她走后我们会过得十分开心，因为我很快就读完大学，那时我们便结伴到国外好好游览一下。这样你心里好受了吧？" 'I rather think it would; but there's no knowing what may happen in three years,' said Jo, thoughtfully. “但愿能够如此。但谁知道这三年里会发生什么事情，"乔心事重重地说。 
那倒是事实。但难道你不愿意向前看，想象一下我们将来怎么样吗？我可愿意，"劳里回答。 'I think not, for I might see something sad; and everyone looks so happy now, I don't believe they could be much improved'; and Jo's eyes went slowly round the room, brightening as they looked, for the prospect was a pleasant one. " 不看也罢，因为我会看到一些伤心事。现在大家都这么高兴，我想他们将来也不会再高兴到哪里去，"乔说着把房间慢慢扫视一遍，眼睛随之一亮，因为她看到了一个令人愉快 的景象。 Father and Mother sat together, quietly re-living the first chapter of the romance which for them began some twenty years ago. Amy was drawing the lovers, who sat apart in a beautiful world of their own, the light of which touched their faces with a grace the little artist could not copy. Beth lay on her sofa, talking cheerily with her old friend, who held her little hand as if he felt that it possessed the power to lead him along the peaceful way she walked. Jo lounged in her favourite low seat, with the grave, quiet look which best became her; and Laurie, leaning on the back of her chair, his chin on a level with her curly head, smiled with his friendliest aspect, and nodded at her in the long glass which reflected them both. 父亲和母亲坐在一起，悄悄重温着他们约二十年前的初恋情节。艾美正把一对恋人画下来，他们独自坐在一边，如痴如醉，爱情在他们的验庞上轻轻抹上了一层光辉，给他们蒙上一种描画不出来的美。贝思躺在沙发上，和她的老朋友劳伦斯先生愉快地交谈，老人执着她的手，仿佛觉得它有一种力量，可以领着他走过她所走的宁静的道路。乔靠在自己最喜欢的低椅上，沉静深思，别具一种风韵，劳里倚在她的椅背，下巴贴在她的鬈发上面，在映着两人形容的穿衣镜里头向她点头由衷而笑。 So grouped, the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Whether it ever rises again, depends upon the reception given to the first act of the domestic drama called "Little Women" 写到此处，帘幕落下，有关梅格、乔、贝思和艾美的故事暂告一个段落。是否再次起幕全看读者们是否接受这部家庭故事剧《小妇人》的第一部。 | 
