目 录 上一节 下一节 
礼拜日到来了，在这里过礼拜天和他以往的方式大不一样。在这一段最快乐的日子里，礼拜天也和另外几天一样快乐。清晨的小教堂，窗外的绿叶飒飒作响，小鸟在外边鸣啭歌唱，馥郁的空气钻进低矮的门廊，这座朴素的建筑充满芳香。穷人们也衣着整洁，跪下祈祷又是那样虔诚，人们似乎觉得聚集在这里是一大乐趣，而不是令人生厌的义务。尽管唱诗的声音可能粗糙一点，但很真诚，而且听上去（至少是就奥立弗的耳朵而言）比他从前在教堂里听到的都更加悦耳。然后，跟平时一样散散步，走访许多勤劳人家，看看他们整洁的住所。晚间，奥立弗诵读《圣经》中的一两个章节，这是他整个礼拜都在钻研的。在履行这些义务的时候，他似乎比自己当上了牧师还要自豪，还要高兴。 In the morning, Oliver would be a-foot by six o'clock, roaming the fields, and plundering the hedges, far and wide, for nosegays of wild flowers, with which he would return laden, home; and which it took great care and consideration to arrange, to the best advantage, for the embellishment of the breakfast-table. There was fresh groundsel, too, for Miss Maylie's birds, with which Oliver, who had been studying the subject under the able tuition of the village clerk, would decorate the cages, in the most approved taste. When the birds were made all spruce and smart for the day, there was usually some little commission of charity to execute in the village; or, failing that, there was rare cricket-playing, sometimes, on the green; or, failing that, there was always something to do in the garden, or about the plants, to which Oliver (who had studied this science also, under the same master, who was a gardener by trade,) applied himself with hearty good-will, until Miss Rose made her appearance: when there were a thousand commendations to be bestowed on all he had done. 早晨六点钟，奥立弗就起床了，在田野里漫游，从远远近近的篱笆上采来一簇簇野花，然后满载而归。他精心安排，多方设计，用花束将早餐饭桌装点得亮丽夺目。他还采来新鲜的千里光；作为梅莱小姐喂鸟的食物，还用来装饰鸟笼，雅致的式样大受赞许，他一直就在本村教会文书的着意教授下学习这门手艺。他把一只只鸟儿调弄得羽毛丰亮，伶俐活泼。余下的时间，村里常有一些小小的善事用得着他。要不然，在草地上打一场难得的板球。再不然，养花植树方面总是有事可干的，同一位师傅也教会了奥立弗伺弄花草（那可是一名专业园艺师），他干得十分投入，每每干到露丝小姐出现在面前才住手，她对奥立弗所做的一切总是赞不绝口。 So three months glided away; three months which, in the life of the most blessed and favoured of mortals, might have been unmingled happiness, and which, in Oliver's were true felicity. With the purest and most amiable generousity on one side; and the truest, warmest, soul-felt gratitude on the other; it is no wonder that, by the end of that short time, Oliver Twist had become completely domesticated with the old lady and her niece, and that the fervent attachment of his young and sensitive heart, was repaid by their pride in, and attachment to, himself. 三个月就这样不知不觉过去了。对于得天独厚的有福之人来说，这三个月也算得上是称心如意了，对于奥立弗就更是一大幸事。一方是纯洁无瑕而又和蔼可亲的慷慨给予，另一方是发自肺腑的最最真挚热切的感激之情，难怪在这一段短暂的时光告终的时候，奥立弗·退斯特跟那位老太太和她的侄女已经亲如一家，他那幼小而敏感的心灵产生了强烈的依恋，而她们也报以一片爱心，并为他感到骄傲。 Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came. If the village had been beautiful at first it was now in the full glow and luxuriance of its richness. The great trees, which had looked shrunken and bare in the earlier months, had now burst into strong life and health; and stretching forth their green arms over the thirsty ground, converted open and naked spots into choice nooks, where was a deep and pleasant shade from which to look upon the wide prospect, steeped in sunshine, which lay stretched beyond. The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green; and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It was the prime and vigour of the year; all things were glad and flourishing. 春天飘然逝去，夏天来临了。如果说村子当初一度很漂亮的话，那么现在则充分展示了它的风采与繁盛。早几个月里显得畏畏缩缩，赤身露体的高大树木现在进发出充沛的活力，张开绿色的手臂，遮盖住干渴的土地，把一处处无遮无掩的地点变成无可挑剔的幽静去处。在浓密舒适的树阴下，人们可以看到，阳光沐浴下的广阔空间向远方伸展开去。大地披上了翠绿色的罩衣，散发着醇厚的芳香。这是一年中的全盛时期，万物欣欣向荣，一派欢快气象。 Still, the same quiet life went on at the little cottage, and the same cheerful serenity prevailed among its inmates. Oliver had long since grown stout and healthy; but health or sickness made no difference in his warm feelings of a great many people. He was still the same gentle, attached, affectionate creature that he had been when pain and suffering had wasted his strength, and when he was dependent for every slight attention, and comfort on those who tended him. 小别墅里的恬静生活依然如故，别墅里的人照常过得愉快而安宁。奥立弗早已长得身强体壮。但不管是健康还是疾病，都没有改变他对身边的人的深厚感情，但也有许多人就不是这样了。他依然是当初那个被苦难榨干精力，处处要人照料的小不点儿，那个依头顺脑、满心感激的孩子。 
一个皎好的夜晚，他们散步时比平素多走了一程，白天特别热，人夜皓月当空，不时有一阵异常凉爽的微风掠过。露丝开始也兴致勃勃，她们一边走，一边有说有笑地聊着，远远走出了平时的范围。梅莱太太觉得有点累了，她们才慢悠悠地回到家里。露丝和往常一样，扔下轻便的软帽，坐到钢琴前边。她茫然若失地弹了几分钟，手指急促地从琴键上滑过，随后她开始弹奏一支低沉而又凝重的曲子。就在她弹琴的时候，大家听到了一种声音，她好像在哭泣。 'Rose, my dear!' said the elder lady. “露丝，我亲爱的。”老太太说道。 Rose made no reply, but played a little quicker, as though the words had roused her from some painful thoughts. 露丝没有回答，只是弹得略略快了一点，似乎这句话把她从痛苦的思考中唤醒了。 'Rose, my love!' cried Mrs. Maylie, rising hastily, and bending over her. 'What is this? In tears! My dear child, what distresses you?' “露丝，我的妞妞。”梅莱太太慌乱地站起来，俯下身去，喊道。“怎么回事？哭啦。我亲爱的孩子，是什么事情让你伤心？” 'Nothing, aunt; nothing,' replied the young lady. 'I don't know what it is; I can't describe it; but I feel--' “没什么，姑妈。没什么，”少女回答，“我不知道是怎么回事。我说不出来。可我觉得--” 
“该不是病了，妞妞？”梅莱太太插了一句。 'No, no! Oh, not ill!' replied Rose: shuddering as though some deadly chillness were passing over her, while she spoke; 'I shall be better presently. Close the window, pray!' “不，不。噢，我没病。”露丝打了个寒颤，似乎说话时有一股冷森森的寒意流遍全身。“我很快就会好起来的。把窗户关上吧。” Oliver hastened to comply with her request. The young lady, making an effort to recover her cheerfulness, strove to play some livelier tune; but her fingers dropped powerless over the keys. Covering her face with her hands, she sank upon a sofa, and gave vent to the tears which she was now unable to repress. 奥立弗赶紧上前，关上窗户。小姐很想恢复以往那种兴致，换了一支比较轻松的曲子，但她的指头软弱无力地在琴键上停下来。她双手捂住脸，瘫倒在沙发上，抑制不住的泪水夺眶而出。 'My child!' said the elderly lady, folding her arms about her, 'I never saw you so before.' “我的孩子，”老太太搂住她的肩膀，说道，“我以前从没见过你像这样。” 'I would not alarm you if I could avoid it,' rejoined Rose; 'but indeed I have tried very hard, and cannot help this. I fear I AM ill, aunt.' “能不惊动你，我也不想惊动你，”露丝回答，“我拼命忍住，可实在忍不住了。我恐怕真的病了，姑妈。” 
她确实病了，蜡烛拿过来以后，他们发现，就在回到家里这一段极短的时间里，她的脸色变得像大理石一样苍白。美丽的容颜丝毫没有改变，但表情变了。文静的脸上带着一种前所未见的焦急、疲惫的神色。过了一分钟，脸上腾起一片红晕，温柔的蓝眼睛里闪出狂乱的光芒。红晕又消失了，如同浮云掠过的影子，她再度显出死一般的苍白。 Oliver, who watched the old lady anxiously, observed that she was alarmed by these appearances; and so in truth, was he; but seeing that she affected to make light of them, he endeavoured to do the same, and they so far succeeded, that when Rose was persuaded by her aunt to retire for the night, she was in better spirits; and appeared even in better health: assuring them that she felt certain she should rise in the morning, quite well. 奥立弗眼巴巴看着老太太，不禁党察到她叫这些症状吓坏了，他自己其实也一样。可一看老太太装出不当一回事的样子，他也尽力那样做，果然有些作用。露丝在她姑妈劝说下进去休息了，她的精神略有好转，甚至气色也好一些了，还保证说，她明天早上起来肯定就没事了。 'I hope,' said Oliver, when Mrs. Maylie returned, 'that nothing is the matter? She don't look well to-night, but--' “没事吧？”梅莱太太回来了，奥立弗说道，“今天晚上她脸色不好，可--” The old lady motioned to him not to speak; and sitting herself down in a dark corner of the room, remained silent for some time. 老太太示意他别再说了，在一个昏暗的角落里坐下来，沉默了好一会儿。 At length, she said, in a trembling voice: 末了，她用颤抖的声音说道： 
“我相信不会，奥立弗。多少年来我跟她一块儿过得非常幸福--也许太幸福了。没准该是我遇上某种不幸的时候了。但我希望不是这样。”
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