自译 契诃夫短篇小说 歌女
原作契诃夫 Translated by Constance Garnett 1886
ONE day when she was younger and better-looking, and when her voice was stronger, Nikolay Petrovitch Kolpakov, her adorer, was sitting in the outer room in her summer villa. It was intolerably hot and stifling. Kolpakov, who had just dined and drunk a whole bottle of inferior port, felt ill-humoured and out of sorts. Both were bored and waiting for the heat of the day to be over in order to go for a walk.
早在小菊更年轻,更漂亮,嗓子更好的时候,有位叫程世美的先生看上了她,这天他来到乡下找小菊,在房子外间坐着。天热极了,热得人喘不上气。程先生刚吃完饭,还喝了瓶劣酒,不由得心火旺盛,烦躁难平。两人闲得无聊,都等着热劲儿过去,好出去走走。
All at once there was a sudden ring at the door. Kolpakov, who was sitting with his coat off, in his slippers, jumped up and looked inquiringly at Pasha.
冷不丁传来一声门响。程先生没穿外套,脚踩着一双拖鞋,一听见动静吓得跳了起来,直瞅着小菊。
“It must be the postman or one of the girls,” said the singer.
“可能是团里的姐妹,要不就是送信的。”歌女说道。
Kolpakov did not mind being found by the postman or Pasha’s lady friends, but by way of precaution gathered up his clothes and went into the next room, while Pasha ran to open the door. To her great surprise in the doorway stood, not the postman and not a girl friend, but an unknown woman, young and beautiful, who was dressed like a lady, and from all outward signs was one.