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When they had laughed at Beth's story, they asked their mother for one, and after a moments thought, she said soberly, "As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today at the rooms, I felt very anxious about Father, and thought how lonely and helpless we should be, if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do, but I kept on worrying till an old man came in with an order for some clothes. He sat down near me, and I began to talk to him, for he looked poor and tired and anxious.

大家听到贝思的故事全笑起来，又请母亲也来一个。母亲略想一想，严肃地说：“今天我在工作间里裁剪蓝色天鹅绒大衣时，非常挂念父亲，我想如果万一他遇到什么不测的话，我们将多么孤独无援。这样想很傻，但我不能自已。这时一个老人走进来交给我一张衣服订单。他在我旁边坐下，我看他模样像个穷苦人家，显得既疲倦又焦虑，便和他攀谈起来。

"'Have you sons in the army?' I asked, for the note he brought was not to me."

“'你有儿子在部队吗？'我问，因为他带来的条子不是给我的。

"Yes, ma'am. I had four, but two were killed, one is a prisoner, and I'm going to the other, who is very sick in a Washington hospital.' he answered quietly."

“'有，夫人。有四个，但两个死了，还有一个在监狱，我现在去看另一个，他住在华盛顿医院，病得十分厉害，'他平静地说。

"'You have done a great deal for your country, sir,' I said, feeling respect now, instead of pity."

“'你为国家作出了巨大贡献，先生，'我说，这时我对他不再感到怜悯，而是油然起敬。

"'Not a mite more than I ought, ma'am. I'd go myself, if I was any use. As I ain't, I give my boys, and give 'em free.'"

“'理应如此，夫人。如果用得上我的话，我也会去的；既然用不上，我就献上我的孩子，无偿地献上。'”

"He spoke so cheerfully, looked so sincere, and seemed so glad to give his all, that I was ashamed of myself. I'd given one man and thought it too much, while he gave four without grudging them. I had all my girls to comfort me at home, and his last son was waiting, miles away, to say good-by to him, perhaps! I felt so rich, so happy thinking of my blessings, that I made him a nice bundle, gave him some money, and thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me."

“他声调愉快，神情恳切，似乎奉献自己的一切是一大乐事，我不禁暗自惭愧。我献出一个人便思前想后，他献出了四个却毫无怨言。我在家里有四个好女儿来安慰我，他唯一能见到的儿子却远在数英

里之外，可能等着跟他道永别！想到上帝赐给我的恩典，我觉得自己已经很富足，也很幸福。我于是给他打了个漂亮的包裹，给他一些钱，并由衷地感谢他给我上了一课。”

"Tell another story, Mother, one with a moral to it, like this. I like to think about them afterward, if they are real and not too preachy," said Jo, after a minute's silence.

“再讲一个，妈妈--讲个带哲理的，就像这个一样。我喜欢听完后再回味一遍，如果故事真实可信，说教味道又不浓的话，”乔沉默了一会后说。

Mrs. March smiled and began at once, for she had told stories to this little audience for many years, and knew how to please them.
　
马奇太太笑笑，马上又讲开了。她跟这班小听众讲了多年故事，知道怎样迎合她们。

词汇释义

1.soberly adv. 清醒地，严肃地，素净地

2.flannel n. 法兰绒 (复数）flannel：法兰绒衣服

The girl looked happy in her new flannel.
女孩穿着新的法兰绒衣服，看上去很高兴。

3.mite[mait] n. 小虫，微小的东西，极少量

He is a mite taller than I.
他比我高一点点。

4.grudge n. 怨恨，恶意 vt. 怀恨，嫉妒，吝惜

He grudges you your reward.
他很吝啬，不愿给你报酬。

5.heartily['hɑ:tili] adv. 衷心地，热心地，彻底地

I am heartily grateful to your help.
我衷心地感激你的帮助。

6.preachy adj. 说教的