第65章 衬衫领子 The Shirt－Collar (第1/5页)

《衬衫领子》，1848 年

the Shirt-collar, 1848

从前有一位讲究的绅士，他除了别的东西之外，还有一个脱靴器和一把梳子；但他还有世上最精致的衬衫领子，关于这个领子，我们马上就要听一个故事了。

there was once a fine gentleman who possessed among other things a boot-jack and a hair-brush; but he had also the finest shirt-collar in the world, and of this collar we are about to hear a story.

这个领子已经很旧了，以至于他开始考虑结婚的事；有一天，他碰巧和一条袜带在同一个洗衣盆里。

the collar had bee so old that he began to think about getting married; and one day he happened to find himself in the same washing-tub as a garter.

“说真的，” 衬衫领子说，“我以前从没见过这么纤细、这么精致、这么整洁、这么柔软的东西。我可以冒昧地问一下你的名字吗？”

“Upon my word,” said the shirt-collar, “I have never seen anything so slim and delicate, so neat and soft before. may I venture to ask your name?”

“我不会告诉你的。” 袜带回答道。

“I shall not tell you,” replied the garter.

“你在家的时候住在哪儿呢？” 衬衫领子问道。但袜带生性害羞，不知道该怎么回答这样的问题。

“where do you reside when you are at home?” asked the shirt-collar. but the garter was naturally shy, and did not know how to answer such a question.

“我猜你是一条腰带，” 衬衫领子说，“一种衬腰带。我看出来了，我的小女士，你既实用又美观。”

“I presume you are a girdle,” said the shirt-collar, “a sort of under girdle. I see that you are useful, as well as ornamental, my little lady.”

“你别和我说话，” 袜带说，“我觉得我可没给过你这样做的任何鼓励。”

“You must not speak to me,” said the garter; “I do not think I have been given you any encouragement to do so.”

“哦，当一个人长得像你这么漂亮的时候，” 衬衫领子说，“这难道还不够鼓励吗？”

“oh, when any one is as beautiful