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欧·亨利：麦琪的礼物 | 双语阅读｜有声书

独霸上海的妖怪 · 公众号 · · 2021-05-17 21:00

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写在前面

这周的短篇小说双语阅读专栏，我们一起来读美国作家欧·亨利（O. Henry）一篇著名的短篇小说《麦琪的礼物》。

欧·亨利是美国现代短篇小说家，也被称为“反转大师”，几乎每部小说都会有一个神转折。《麦琪的小说》的结尾也是峰回路转，异常打动人。

这部小说的生词比较多，难度稍高一些，但人物较少，情节吸引人，读起来并不十分困难。这部小说曾被收录到中学语文课本里，很多同学可能都读过中译版，难度又再低了一些。

大家不用畏惧，耐着性子慢慢读，这不是考试，不求快，不求多，能从原汁原味的英文中受到一点触动就足够了。

依然希望大家能找到一块完整的时间，安静地阅读下面这个故事。

The gift of the magi

麦琪的礼物

作者欧·亨利
译者崔爽

ONE DOLLAR AND EIGHTY-SEVEN CENTS. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheek burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.

一块八毛七分钱。全在这儿了。其中六毛钱还是铜子儿凑起来的。这些铜子儿是每次一个、两个向杂货铺、菜贩和肉店老板那儿死乞白赖地硬扣下来的；人家虽然没有明说，自己总觉得这种掂斤播两的交易未免太吝啬，当时脸都躁红了。黛拉足足数了三遍。数来数去还是一块八毛七分钱，明天就是圣诞节了。

bulldoze [ˈbʊl.dəʊz] v. to force sb to do sth 强迫
imputation n.Imputation is the attributing of actions to a source: often, imputation involves actions that are criminal.非难，毁谤，污名
impute sth to sb / sth (formal) to say, often unfairly, that sb is responsible for sth or has a particular quality （常指不公正地把责任等）归咎于
parsimony [ˈpɑːsɪməni] n. the fact of being extremely unwilling to spend money 吝啬；小气
parsimonious [ˌpɑːsɪˈməʊniəs] adj. extremely unwilling to spend money 吝啬的；小气的

There was clearly nothing left to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.

显然，这时一个人能做的也只剩下扑倒在简陋的小沙发上号哭一场了吧。黛拉就这么做了。这场景恰恰反映出，人世间所谓的生活是由大哭、抽泣、破涕为笑组合而成的，而在这之中抽泣占据了绝大部分。

flop [flɒp] v. to sit or lie down in a heavy and sudden way because you are very tired（因疲惫而）猛然坐下，沉重地躺下
shabby [ˈʃæb.i] adj. in poor condition because they have been used a lot 破旧的；破败的；破烂的
howl [haʊl] v. to make a loud cry when you are in pain, angry, amused, etc.嚎哭，咆哮，大声叫喊
instigate [ˈɪnstɪgeɪt] v.

1.to make a process start, especially one relating to law or politics 开始，发起

2.to persuade someone to do something bad or violent 唆使，煽动
sniffle [ˈsnɪfl] v. to sniff or keep sniffing , especially because you are crying or have a cold（尤指因哭泣或患感冒）抽鼻子
predominate [prɪˈdɒmɪneɪt] v.

1.if one type of person or thing predominates in a group or area, there are more of this type than any other （数量上）占优势，占大多数

2.to have the most importance or influence, or to be most easily noticed 占主导地位，占支配地位；最突出

While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the look-out for the mendicancy squad.

随着这位女主人的情绪渐渐从第一阶段平息至第二阶段，咱们来瞧一瞧这个小家庭吧。租金八块钱一周的带家具公寓。虽说这间屋子也不是完全没法用笔墨形容，但谁要是住在这里，可真得提防那些专抓乞丐的警察找上门来。

subside [səbˈsaɪd] v.to become calmer or quieter 趋于平静；平息；减弱；消退
furnish [ˈfɜː.nɪʃ] v. to put furniture in a house, room, etc 布置家具
beggar belief / description to be too extreme, shocking, etc. to believe / describe 难以相信；无法形容
mendicancy ['mendikənsi] n. the condition of being a beggar 行乞，乞讨 the practice of begging 行乞生涯
squad n. A squad of soldiers is a small group of them.班，小组
on the look-out for sth to watch carefully for sb / sth in order to avoid danger, etc. or in order to find sth you want 注意；警戒；留心

In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining there unto was a card bearing the name 'Mr. James Dillingham Young.’

楼下门廊里有个信箱，不过没一封信会进来；还有个电铃，只有鬼才能按得响。电铃上挂了块牌子，上头写着“詹姆斯·迪灵汉·杨先生”。

vestibule [ˈves.tɪ.bjuːl] n. a space inside the front door of a public building （公共建筑物前门内的）门厅，前厅
mortal n.(often humorous) a human, especially an ordinary person with little power or influence 人；凡人；普通人
coax [kəʊks] v. to make something such as a machine do something by dealing with it in a slow, patient, and careful way 耐心地摆弄（机器等）
coax sb into doing sth v. to persuade sb to do sth by talking to them in a kind and gentle way 哄劝；劝诱
appertain to sb / sth (formal) to belong or refer to sb / sth 属于；涉及；关系到　These figures appertain to last year's sales. 这些数字指的是去年的销售额。
unto to 对，向
bear v.to show sth; to carry sth so that it can be seen 显示；带有
possessor [pəˈzesər] n.(formal or humorous) a person who owns or has sth 持有人；所有者 ≈ owner

The 'Dillingham' had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, the letters of 'Dillingham' looked blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called 'Jim' and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.

这个“迪灵汉”是名字的主人在以前春风得意中一时兴起加上的一笔，那时候他拿着一周三十元的收入。现在，收入缩水到了二十元，“迪林汉”几个字看来就有些模糊，仿佛它们正在考虑，是不是缩成一个质朴而谦逊的“迪”字为好。但是每逢詹姆斯·迪林汉·扬先生回家上楼，走进房间的时候，詹姆斯·迪林汉·扬太太——就是刚才已经介绍给各位的黛拉——总是管他叫做“吉姆”，总是热烈地拥抱他。那当然是好的。

prosperity [prɒsˈperɪti] n.[U]the state of being successful, especially in making money 兴旺；繁荣；成功；昌盛
blurred [blɜːd] not clear; without a clear outline or shape 模糊不清的
contract v. to become less or smaller; to make sth become less or smaller（使）收缩，缩小
unassuming [ˌʌnəˈsjuː.mɪŋ] adj.(approving) not wanting to draw attention to yourself or to your abilities or status 不爱出风头的；不爱炫耀的；谦逊的

Delia finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a grey cat walking a grey fence in a grey backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling - something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honour of being owned by Jim.

黛拉哭了之后，在脸平面上扑了些粉。她站在窗子跟前，呆呆地瞅着外面灰蒙蒙的后院里，一只灰猫正在灰色的篱笆上行走。明天就是圣诞节了，可她手上能用来给吉姆买礼物的钱，仅有一块八毛七。这还是她花了好几个月辛辛苦苦省下来的。一周二十元的家用维持不了多久，开销总是远超预算，每天如此。区区一块八毛七，还想给吉姆买礼物。那可是她的吉姆啊。她花了那么多时间盘算着要送他什么好东西，就想找到个好看的、稀罕的、精美的礼物——一件稍稍能配得上吉姆的礼物。

attend to sb/sth to deal with sb / sth; to take care of sb / sth 处理；对付；照料；关怀
rag n.[C,U]a piece of old, often torn, cloth used especially for cleaning things 抹布；破布
dully adj. not interesting or exciting 无趣的，枯燥的，沉闷的，无聊的
walk sth 在...处行走，在...处散步
sterling [ˈstɜː.lɪŋ] adj. of excellent quality 优秀的；杰出的

There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art.

房里两扇窗子中间嵌着一面壁镜。也许你见过房租八块钱的公寓里的壁镜吧。一个相当纤瘦且身段灵活的人，从一连串纵的片段的映像里，也许可以对自己的容貌得到一个大致不差的概念。黛拉全凭身材苗条，才精通了那种技艺。

pier-glass n.a large high mirror; especially: one designed to occupy the wall space between windows — called also pier mirror 穿衣镜
agile [ˈædʒ.aɪl] adj.

1. able to move quickly and easily（动作）敏捷的，灵活的

2. able to think quickly and in an intelligent way （思维）机敏的，机灵的
longitudinal [ˌlɒndʒɪˈtjuːdɪnəl] adj. going downwards rather than across 纵的；纵向的
strip n. a long narrow piece of paper, metal, cloth, etc. 细长的一条
master v. to learn or understand sth completely 精通；掌握

Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its colour within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length.

她倏地离开了窗子，站定在壁镜前，双眼熠熠闪耀，但只持续了不到二十秒，脸上便失去了血色。她将自己盘好的头发一把解开，让它完全垂下，显出原本的长度。

whirl [wɜːl] v.to move, or make sb / sth move, around quickly in a circle or in a particular direction（使）旋转，回旋，打转

Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy.

詹姆斯·迪灵汉·杨家有两样令他们特别为之骄傲的东西。其中一样是吉姆的金表，由他祖父传给他父亲，再传到他手上。另一样就是黛拉的头发。假使示巴女王住在通风天井对面的另一间公寓里，只要某天黛拉将头发披散在窗外晾晒，就能将女王陛下的珠宝都比得黯然失色。若是所罗门王来做公寓的看门人，就算他将金银财宝堆满底层，吉姆每次经过时肯定会摸出自己的金表，好看看国王一脸嫉妒地拽着胡子。

mighty a dj. large and impressive 巨大的；非凡的 ≈ great
d epreciate [dɪˈpriːʃieɪt] v.to make sth seem unimportant or of no value 贬低；轻视
airshaft n.通风管道，通风井
His / Her / Your Majesty a title of respect used when speaking about or to a king or queen （对国王或女王的尊称）陛下
janitor [ˈdʒæ nɪtər] someone whose job is to look after a school or other large building 看门人，门房，管理员
pluck v. to pull out hairs with your fingers or with tweezers 摘；拔

So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her, rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.

黛拉美丽的秀发垂在身侧，波浪起伏，光泽动人，就像棕色的瀑布一般。长发垂过了膝盖，仿佛就是她的衣裳。接着，黛拉又紧张而迅速地把头发重新盘好。有那么一分钟，她的身子微微颤抖，但很快便又站直了，一两滴眼泪溅到了残破的红色地毯上。

ripple v. to move or to make sth move in very small waves 如波浪般起伏
cascade n. something that hangs down in large quantities 瀑布状物
garment [ˈgɑː.mənt] n. a piece of clothing（一件）衣服
do up If you do something up, you fasten it. 扣好；系好；捆好；扎好
splash v. to fall noisily onto a surface 泼洒；哗啦哗啦地溅；劈里啪啦地落
falter [ˈfɒltər] v.to walk or behave in a way that shows that you are not confident 蹒跚；摇晃；犹豫；畏缩
pluck at sth If you pluck at something, you take it between your fingers and pull it sharply but gently. 轻轻地拔，拉，拽
stand still 站着不动，停滞不前

On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out of the door and down the stairs to the street.

她穿上棕色外套，戴上棕色旧软帽，一转身，裙摆飞扬，眼中仍闪烁着点点泪光。她快步走到门外，迈下台阶，来到大街上。

whirl [wɜːl] n. a movement of sth spinning round and round 旋转；回旋；急转
flutter [ˈflʌtər] v.to make small gentle movements in the air （在空中）飘扬，飘动

Where she stopped the sign read: 'Mme. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds.' One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the 'Sofronie.’

她走到一块招牌前停住了，招牌上面写着：“莎弗朗妮夫人——经营各种头发用品。”黛拉跑上一段楼梯，气喘吁吁地让自己定下神来。那位夫人身材庞大，肤色白得过分，一副冷冰冰的模样，看着一点也不像叫“莎弗朗妮”的人。

read v.to have sth written on it; to be written in a particular way 写着；写成
flight n.[C] a series of steps between ten floors or levels 一段楼梯；一段阶梯
collect yourself / your thoughts to make an effort to remain calm and think clearly and carefully about something 使自己镇静/集中思想
pant [pænt] v. to breathe quickly with short noisy breaths, for example because you have been running or because it is very hot 气喘，喘息
chilly adj.not friendly 不友好的；冷淡的；冷漠的

'Will you buy my hair?' asked Della.

“你要买我的头发吗？”黛拉问道。

"I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it."

Down rippled the brown cascade.

"Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practised hand.

"Give it to me quick" said Della.

“头发我是要买，”夫人说，“把帽子摘了，先让我看看怎么样吧。”

棕色的瀑布喷涌而下。

“二十块。”夫人一边说着，一边老练地掂量着这一大团头发。

“我现在就要钱。” 黛拉说。

mass n.[C]a large amount of a substance that does not have a definite shape or form 团；块；堆
practised adj. good at doing sth because you have been doing it regularly 熟练的；老到的；内行的

Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present.

噢，接下来的两个小时就像长了玫瑰色翅膀，快乐地飞走了。这比喻不怎么恰当，但无须在意。为了给吉姆找礼物，黛拉在两个小时里可以说是“洗劫”了好几家店铺。

trip v.to walk, run or dance with quick light steps 脚步轻快地走（或跑、跳舞）
ransack [ˈrænsæk] v. to make a place untidy, causing damage, because you are looking for sth 洗劫；（为找东西）把…翻腾得乱七八糟

She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 78 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.

终于找到了！它简直是为吉姆量身打造的，这可是除他之外任何人都用不了的好东西。她几乎把所有店铺都翻了个底朝天，再没有第二家店有售呢。这是条铂金表链，设计简单朴素，没有华而不实的装饰，材质本身恰到好处地彰显出它的价值——真正的好物件就该这样。即使配上吉姆的金表，它也不会失色。黛拉第一眼看到时，就认定了它应该属于吉姆。他们俩一样，沉静而宝贵——表链和人都可以被这样恰如其分地描述。店家跟她开价二十一块，她揣着余下的八毛七飞奔回家。配上这条链子后，吉姆就能在任何人面前体面地掏出金表来看时间。要知道就算表是那么金贵，而表链却是一条旧皮绳，吉姆有时想看看时间，也只能间或偷瞥上一眼。

chaste [tʃeɪst] (formal) simple and plain in style; not decorated （风格）简朴的，朴实的；不修饰的
proclaim [prəʊ ˈkleɪm] (formal) to show sth clearly; to be a sign of sth 明确显示；成为标志；表明
meretricious [ˌmerɪˈtrɪʃəs] (formal) seeming attractive, but in fact having no real value 华而不实的；虚有其表的；金玉其外的
ornamentation [ˌɔːnəmenˈteɪʃən] the use of objects, designs, etc. to decorate sth 装饰；点缀
company n. [U] the fact of being with sb else and not alone 陪伴
on the sly secretly; not wanting other people to discover what you are doing 秘密地；偷偷地；背地里
on account of sb/sth because of sb / sth 由于；因为

When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task dear friends--a mammoth task.

回到家，黛拉才从陶醉中清醒了一点，一丝忧虑和理智袭上心头。她拿出卷发钳，点燃煤气，开始拯救那一头为爱慷慨奉献后残留的废墟。这可是一项宏大的工程，亲爱的朋友们——简直堪称艰巨。

intoxication [ɪnˌtɒk.sɪˈkeɪ.ʃ ə n] n.[U]the condition of being drunk 兴奋，陶醉
intoxicated [ɪnˌtɒksɪˈkeɪʃən] adj.

1.(formal) drunk 喝醉的 sober

2. happy, excited, and unable to think clearly, especially as a result of love, success, power etc （尤因爱情、成功、权力等而）极为兴奋的，陶醉的；得意忘形的
give way to sb / sth to be replaced by sth 被 … 代替
prudence [ˈpruː.dənce] n.a sensible and careful attitude that makes you avoid unnecessary risks 明智谨慎，慎重，审慎
generosity [ˌdʒenəˈrɒsɪti] n.a generous attitude, or generous behaviour 慷慨，大方
a mammoth task 巨大的任务

Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically.

四十分钟后，她顶着满头浓密的小卷毛，活像个逃学的坏小子。她站在镜子前面盯着自己的模样，久久地，认真地审视着。

curl n.[C] a piece of hair that hangs in a curved shape 卷发
truant [ˈtruː.ənt] a child who stays away from school without permission 旷课的小学生
re flection [rɪˈflekʃən] n.an image in a mirror, on a shiny surface, on water, etc. 映像；映照出的影像

"If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty-seven cents?"

“要是吉姆没杀了我，”她自言自语道，“没在看我第二眼之前......他肯定会说我活脱脱就是科尼岛合唱队的卖唱姑娘。可我又能怎么办啊——唉，我拿着一块八毛七还能干吗呢！”

chorus [ˈkɔː.rəs] a large group of singers 合唱团；歌咏队
frying-pan n.长柄平底煎锅

At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops.

七点钟，煮好咖啡，煎锅也已经在炉火上加热，就等着煎肉了。

chop n.[C]a thick slice of meat with a bone attached to it, especially from a pig or sheep 猪（或羊等）排

Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit of saying little silent prayers about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please, God, make him think I am still pretty."

吉姆从不晚归。黛拉把表链折了又折攥在手心里，坐在门边的小桌旁等着吉姆推门进来。不一会儿，她听到楼下传来吉姆的脚步声，脸色瞬间变白了。她有个习惯，对于平日里最寻常的琐事，也总要默默祈祷一番。正如此刻，她在轻声低喃着：“主啊，求求您，让我在他眼里仍然漂亮吧！”

double v. ~ sth (over) to bend or fold sth so that there are two layers 把…对折；折叠
fob [fɒb] n.a watch that is attached to a fob 带表链的怀表

The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two--and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves.

门开了，吉姆走进来，回手关上门。他身形瘦削，表情严肃。可怜的家伙，他也只有二十二岁，年纪轻轻就要扛起养家的重担。他亟需一件新外套，还应该添一双手套。

burden sb / yourself (with sth) to give sb a duty, responsibility, etc. that causes worry, difficulty or hard work（使）担负（沉重或艰难的任务、职责等）

Jim stepped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face.

吉姆背对着门，定定地站在那儿，像一只闻到了鹌鹑气味的猎犬。他的目光紧紧盯住了黛拉，眼里满是她读不懂的神情，让她心生惧怕。那里面没有气愤、惊讶，也没有不满、恐惧，那不是她鼓足勇气准备好面对的任何一种情绪。吉姆只是站在那儿，盯着她，满脸只有那种奇特的表情。

immovable adj.that cannot be move 不能移动的；固定的
scent [sent] n. the smell that a person or an animal leaves behind and that other animals such as dogs can follow（人的）气味，气息；(动物留下的)臭迹，遗臭
quail (at / before sb / sth) [kweɪl] (literary) to feel frightened or to show that you are frightened 感觉（或显出）恐惧；胆怯；畏缩
setter n.a long-haired dog often trained to help hunters find where animals or birds are 塞特猎犬，蹲伏猎狗〔一种长毛狗，常被训练帮助猎人寻找猎物〕
sentiment n.[C, U] (formal) a feeling or an opinion, especially one based on emotions （基于情感的）观点，看法；情绪
fix sth on sb / sth [often passive] if your eyes or your mind are fixed on sth, you are looking at or thinking about sth with great attention 集中（目光、注意力、思想等）于
read v.to understand sth in a particular way 懂得；理解
peculiar [pɪˈkjuːliər] adj.strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or worrying 怪异的；奇怪的；不寻常的

Della wriggled off the table and went for him.

黛拉轻盈地从桌边起身，蹭到他跟前。

wriggle [ˈrɪgl] v. to twist and turn your body or part of it with quick short movements 扭动身体；扭来扭去
go for sb 走向某人

介词 for 表示「去，往」。

"Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again--you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say `Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy. You don't know what a nice-- what a beautiful, nice gift I've got for you."

“吉姆！亲爱的，”她拔高了声调，“别这么看着我呀。我把头发剪掉卖了，要是不送你一样礼物，我实在没法过这个圣诞节！头发还能再长回来的，你不会介意吧，对不对？我实在是没办法呀。其实我头发长得特别快呢。快跟我说‘圣诞快乐’吧，吉姆！开心点儿。你都不知道我给你准备的礼物有多棒——太漂亮、太精致了！”

"You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor.

“你、把、头、发、剪、掉、了？”吉姆一字一句艰难地问道，似乎即便绞尽了脑汁也无法完全消化这个明摆着的事实。

laborious [ləˈbɔː.riəs] taking a lot of time and effort 费劲的，耗时费力的
patent adj.(formal) used to emphasize that sth bad is very clear and obvious明显的；赤裸裸的

"Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?"

“剪掉了，卖了，”黛拉说，“难道你不是无论如何都会一样爱我吗？就算剪了头发，我还是那个我呀，不是吗？”

Jim looked about the room curiously. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy. "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you--sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?"

吉姆古怪地扫视了一圈屋子。“你是说你的头发没了？”他问着，表情有些呆滞。 “不用找了，”黛拉说，“已经卖掉了。我说过了，卖了，没了。老天，这可是圣诞前夜，别对我那么严肃好吗？那可是为了你呀！也许我的头发可以数得清有多少，”说着说着，她忽然改用了甜甜的声调说，“可永远没人能说得清我对你的爱有多深。那我开始做菜了，吉姆？”

curious adj. strange and unusual 稀奇古怪；奇特；不寻常 curiously adv.
an air of sth the particular feeling or impression that is given by sb / sth; the way sb does sth
idiocy [ˈɪdiəsi] [U] very stupid behaviour; the state of being very stupid 愚蠢行为；愚昧 ≈ stupidity

Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on.

吉姆仿佛一下子从恍惚中醒来。他呼啦一把将黛拉紧紧拥入怀里。现在请大家别过脸专心往另外一个方向看，看什么都行，十秒钟左右吧。房租一周八块还是一年一百万，有区别吗？也许此时只有数学家或者自作聪明的人才会答错。麦琪带来了无价的礼物，但他们也没有答案。这句话说得有些莫名其妙，我们稍后再交待明白。

trance [trɑːns] n.[C] a state in which you are thinking so much about sth that you do not notice what is happening around you 出神；发呆
enfold [ɪnˈfəʊld] to hold sb in your arms in a way that shows affection 拥抱；搂抱
discreet [dɪˈskriːt] adj. careful in what you say or do, in order to keep sth secret or to avoid causing embarrassment or difficulty for sb（言行）谨慎的，慎重的，考虑周到的
scrutiny [ˈskruː.tɪ.ni] [U] (formal) careful and thorough examination 仔细检查；认真彻底的审查
inconsequential [ɪnˌkɒn t.sɪˈkwenʃəl] adj. not important or worth considering 不重要的；微不足道的；细琐的
mathematician [ˌmæθ.məˈtɪʃ. ə n] a person who is an expert in mathematics数学家
wit n.[C]a person who has the ability to say or write things that are both clever and amusing 才思敏捷说话诙谐的人；机智幽默的人
assertion [əˈsɜːʃən] n.[C]something that you say or write that you strongly believe 断言，声明，主张
later on at some time after the present time 后来；以后；其后；随后
illuminate [ɪˈluːmɪneɪt] v.(formal) to make sth clearer or easier to understand

Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table.

"Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first."

吉姆从大衣口袋里掏出一个包裹，随手放在小桌上。“黛儿，”他说，“别误会，我觉得任何东西——不论是发型、修面、洗发之类的都没法让我少爱我家姑娘一丁点儿。不过要是你拆开那个包裹，就能明白为什么刚一进门那会儿我会发懵。”

draw [drɔː] v.to take out a weapon, such as a gun or a sword , in order to attack sb 拔出；抽出；掏出
unwrap [ʌnˈræp] to take off the paper, etc. that covers or protects sth打开、拆开…的包装

White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat.

黛拉纤细白皙的手指灵巧地拆开了包装的绳子和纸。几秒钟后，一声充满狂喜的惊叫陡然响起！接踵而来的是只有女人才能瞬间爆发出的号啕大哭、泪流满面，非得这位男主人使出浑身解数才能安抚不可。

nimble [ˈnɪm.bl ̩] adj.able to move quickly and easily灵活的；敏捷的
tear at sth If a person or animal tears at something, they pull it violently and try to break it into pieces. （人、动物）撕扯，撕咬
ecstatic [ɪkˈstætɪk] adj.very happy, excited and enthusiastic; feeling or showing great enthusiasm 狂喜的；热情极高的
alas [əˈlæs] show you are sad or sorry （表示悲伤或遗憾）哎呀，唉
feminine adj.having the qualities or appearance considered to be typical of women; connected with women（指气质或外貌）女性特有的，女性的，妇女的
hysterical [hɪˈsterɪkəl] adj.unable to control your behaviour or emotions because you are very upset, afraid, excited etc 歇斯底里的，行为（情绪）失控的
wail [weɪl] a long loud high cry expressing pain or sadness; a sound similar to this（疼痛或悲伤时发出的）号啕，哀号
necessitate [nəˈses.ɪ.teɪt] (formal) to make sth necessary 使成为必要
employment n. [U] (formal) the use of sth 使用；利用
comforting [ˈkʌmfətɪŋ] making you feel calmer and less worried or unhappy令人安慰的

For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jewelled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone.

静静躺在盒子里的是一套梳子——一整套的，有梳理两鬓用的和背梳。这就是黛拉曾在百老汇的一个橱窗前久久驻足、向往流连的那一套。精美的梳齿，纯玳瑁的，边缘还镶嵌着珠宝——与那头已然消失了的秀发再般配不过。她知道，这套梳子十分昂贵，对它们，自己的心之前只是单纯的渴望，即便一丝一毫拥有的奢求都不曾有过。而现在，它们属于她了，当她终于可以用这件梦寐以求的礼物梳妆打

rim n.the edge of sth in the shape of a circle（圆形物体的）边沿
crave [kreɪv] v.to have an extremely strong desire for something 渴望，热望
yearn [jɜːn] v. to want sth very much, especially when it is very difficult to get渴望；渴求
possession [pəˈzeʃən] [U] (formal) the state of having or owning sth 具有；拥有
tresses n. A woman's tresses are her long flowing hair. （女子飘逸的）长发
adorn [əˈdɔːn] v.to make sth / sb look more attractive by decorating it or them with sth 装饰；装扮
covet [ˈkʌv.ɪt] v. (formal) to want sth very much, especially sth that belongs to sb else 渴望；贪求（尤指别人的东西）；觊觎
adornment [əˈdɔːn.mənt]

1. [C] something that you use to decorate something 装饰品

2. [U] the act of decorating something 装饰

But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!"

但她还是将梳子紧紧抱在胸前。许久，才抬起泪眼蒙眬的小脸，努力微笑着说：“我的头发长得可快了，吉姆！”

bosom [ˈbʊzəm] n.[C]the front part of a woman’s chest 〔女人的〕胸部
at length (literary) after a long time 经过一段长时间以后；最后
dim adj.(literary) dim eyes are weak and cannot see well （眼睛）昏花的

And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!"

接着，黛拉像被烧着了尾巴的小猫似地跳起来，大喊着：“噢！噢！”

leap up 突然站起来，猛然跳起来
singe [sɪndʒ] v.to burn the surface of sth slightly, usually by mistake; to be burnt in this way（尤指不小心）烤焦，烫煳

Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit.

吉姆还没看到他漂亮的礼物呢。她摊开一直紧紧攥着的手掌，急切地将表链送到他面前。在她明亮而火热的激情映照下，哑色的贵金属闪耀着光芒。

palm [pɑːm] n.the inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the fingers 手掌；手心
dull adj.not bright or shiny 暗淡的，不鲜明的
flash v.to shine very brightly for a short time; to make sth shine in this way （使）闪耀，闪光
reflection [rɪˈflekʃən] n.an image in a mirror, on a shiny surface, on water, etc. 映像；映照出的影像
ardent [ˈɑː.dənt] adj.very enthusiastic and showing strong feelings about sth / sb热烈的；激情的 ≈ passionate

"Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it."

“简直太华丽了是吧，吉姆？我把整座城翻了个遍才找到它的。现在，你每天得看一百次时间才行啦。把表给我，让我看看把它挂上去会是什么样。”

dandy [ˈdæn.di] adj.very good 非常好的；极佳的

Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled.

吉姆并没有照她说的做，而是一屁股跌坐在沙发里，双手放在脑后，脸上绽开了一个微笑。

tumble [ˈtʌm.bl] If someone or something tumbles somewhere, they fall there with a rolling or bouncing movement 滚下；摔倒；跌落；翻滚而下

"Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on."

“黛儿，”他说，“我们暂时先把圣诞礼物收起来吧。它们都很棒，但还不急着用。我把表卖了，用卖表的钱给你买了梳子。好了，现在你可以去做菜了。”

The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

我们知道，麦琪是三位智慧贤人——他们给那位马槽中降世的婴孩带来了礼物，他们发明了送圣诞礼物这档事儿。作为智者，他们的礼物无疑很明智，说不定经过复制量产之后还能流通交易。在这儿，我给大家讲了一个平凡的小故事，主人公是两个蜗居在小公寓里的傻孩子，特别不明智地为彼此牺牲掉了家里最宝贵的财产。可我最后要对现今的聪明人说，在所有送礼物的人之中，这两位是最为聪明的。在所有交换礼物的人之中，他们也是最聪明的。无论在何处，他们都是最聪明的。他们俩就是麦琪。

manger [ˈmeɪndʒər] n.a long open box that horses and cows can eat from马槽；牛槽；饲料槽
duplicate [ˈduː.plɪkeɪt] v. to copy something exactly 复制 duplication n.
lamely [ˈleɪmli] adv. in a way that does not sound very confident, or that does not persuade other people（听起来）信心不足地，不具说服力地，站不住脚地
uneventful [ˌʌnɪˈventfəl] in which nothing interesting, unusual or exciting happens 平淡无奇的；平凡的；缺乏刺激的
chronicle [ˈkrɒnɪkl] n.a written record of events in the order in which they happened 编年史；历史
Let it be said 老实说；说老实话

The End

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