It may have been in consequence of Mrs. Crupp’s advice, and, perhaps, for no better reason than because there was a certain similarity in the sound of the word skittles and Traddles, that it came into my head, next day, to go and look after Traddles. —
可能是因为克拉普太太的建议，也许没有比较好的原因，只是因为skittles和Traddles这两个词在音韵上有某种相似性，第二天，我想起去找特拉德尔斯了。 —

The time he had mentioned was more than out, and he lived in a little street near the Veterinary College at Camden Town, which was principally tenanted, as one of our clerks who lived in that direction informed me, by gentlemen students, who bought live donkeys, and made experiments on those quadrupeds in their private apartments. —
他提到的时间已经过去很久了，他住在坎登镇的一条小街上，那里主要是供养着那些买活驴，在他们私人住所做实验的绅士学生。 —

Having obtained from this clerk a direction to the academic grove in question, I set out, the same afternoon, to visit my old schoolfellow.
从这位职员那里得到了去目的地学术林的指引后，当天下午我就动身去拜访我的老校友。

I found that the street was not as desirable a one as I could have wished it to be, for the sake of Traddles. —
我发现那条街并不是我为了特拉德尔斯的缘故所希望的那么理想。 —

The inhabitants appeared to have a propensity to throw any little trifles they were not in want of, into the road: —
居民们似乎有将一些小东西扔到路上的倾向，他们没用的东西扔到路上，这不仅使路面变得脏乱，而且因为卷心菜叶子的关系也显得不整洁。 —

which not only made it rank and sloppy, but untidy too, on account of the cabbage-leaves. —
那里的遗弃物并不完全是植物性的，我自己看到了一只鞋子、一个翻起来的煎锅、一顶黑色帽子和一把雨伞，它们处于不同程度的破损状态，正当我在找我想找的门牌号码时。 —

The refuse was not wholly vegetable either, for I myself saw a shoe, a doubled-up saucepan, a black bonnet, and an umbrella, in various stages of decomposition, as I was looking out for the number I wanted.
那里的整体氛围让我强烈想起了与密考伯夫妇一起生活的日子。

The general air of the place reminded me forcibly of the days when I lived with Mr. and Mrs. Micawber. —
我所寻找的房子拥有一种无法形容的褪色的优雅气质，这让它与街上的所有其他房子都不同，尽管它们都建在一种单调的模式上，看起来像是一个学习做房子的手忙脚乱的男孩的早期仿制品，还未摆脱他那受限制的砖石拙劣书法—这更让我想起了密考伯夫妇。 —

An indescribable character of faded gentility that attached to the house I sought, and made it unlike all the other houses in the street - though they were all built on one monotonous pattern, and looked like the early copies of a blundering boy who was learning to make houses, and had not yet got out of his cramped brick-and-mortar pothooks - reminded me still more of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber. —
我找到的这座房子的一种难以形容的褪色贵族气质，让它不同于街上的所有其他房子—尽管它们都建在一个单调的图案上，并看起来像是一个手忙脚乱的男孩学习制作房子时的早期副本—更让我想起了密考伯夫妇。 —

Happening to arrive at the door as it was opened to the afternoon milkman, I was reminded of Mr. and Mrs. Micawber more forcibly yet.
正好在楼门被下午送牛奶的人打开时，我更强烈地想起了密考伯夫妇。

‘Now,’ said the milkman to a very youthful servant girl. —
“现在，”送奶工对一位非常年轻的女仆说。 —

‘Has that there little bill of mine been heerd on?’
“我的那张小账单被催促了吗？”

‘Oh, master says he’ll attend to it immediate,’ was the reply.
“哦，主人说会立刻处理的，”女仆回答道。

‘Because,’ said the milkman, going on as if he had received no answer, and speaking, as I judged from his tone, rather for the edification of somebody within the house, than of the youthful servant - an impression which was strengthened by his manner of glaring down the passage - ‘because that there little bill has been running so long, that I begin to believe it’s run away altogether, and never won’t be heerd of. —
“因为，”送奶工继续说，好像他没听到回答一样，从他的语调来判断，他说的更多是为了房子里的某个人的启蒙教育，而不是为了那位年轻的女仆—这种印象是由于他通过怒视走廊而加强的—“因为这张小账单已经拖得太久了，我开始相信它已经彻底消失了，再也听不到任何消息了。 —

Now, I’m not a going to stand it, you know!’ —
现在，我可不会忍受这个，你知道的！” —

said the milkman, still throwing his voice into the house, and glaring down the passage.
奶人说着，仍然把声音传入房子里，瞪视着走廊。

As to his dealing in the mild article of milk, by the by, there never was a greater anomaly. —
至于他在牛奶这种温和物品上的交易，顺便说一句，从来没有比这更荒谬的了。 —

His deportment would have been fierce in a butcher or a brandy-merchant.
他的举止在屠夫或白兰地商人身上可能会更为凶猛。

The voice of the youthful servant became faint, but she seemed to me, from the action of her lips, again to murmur that it would be attended to immediate.
年轻仆人的声音变得微弱，但从她的嘴唇动作来看，她似乎又轻声地说会立即处理。

‘I tell you what,’ said the milkman, looking hard at her for the first time, and taking her by the chin, ‘are you fond of milk?’
“告诉你，”奶人看着她，第一次认真地看着她，抓住她的下巴说，“你喜欢牛奶吗？”

‘Yes, I likes it,’ she replied. ‘Good,’ said the milkman. —
“喜欢，”她回答说。“好，”奶人说。 —

‘Then you won’t have none tomorrow. D’ye hear? —
“那么你明天就别想得到了。听见了吗？明天一滴奶都别想喝。” —

Not a fragment of milk you won’t have tomorrow.’
我觉得她似乎总的来说，对今天有牛奶喝的前景感到轻松了。

I thought she seemed, upon the whole, relieved by the prospect of having any today. —
奶人在暗暗摇头责备她之后，放开她的下巴，一点也不友好地打开他的桶，把通常的数量倒进家里的壶里。 —

The milkman, after shaking his head at her darkly, released her chin, and with anything rather than good-will opened his can, and deposited the usual quantity in the family jug. —
这样做完之后，他满腹牢骚地离开，恶狠狠地在隔壁传唤他的行业口号。 —

This done, he went away, muttering, and uttered the cry of his trade next door, in a vindictive shriek.
“特拉德尔斯先生住在这里吗？”我接着问。

‘Does Mr. Traddles live here?’ I then inquired.
走廊尽头传来神秘声音回答：“是的。”随后年轻的女仆也回答：“是的。”

A mysterious voice from the end of the passage replied ‘Yes.’ Upon which the youthful servant replied ‘Yes.’
“他在家吗？”我说。

‘Is he at home?’ said I.
神秘的声音再次肯定回答，女仆也随声附和。

Again the mysterious voice replied in the affirmative, and again the servant echoed it. —
所以我后来问：“Does Mr. Traddles live here?” —

Upon this, I walked in, and in pursuance of the servant’s directions walked upstairs; —
我进去之后按照仆人的指示上了楼； —

conscious, as I passed the back parlour-door, that I was surveyed by a mysterious eye, probably belonging to the mysterious voice.
当我经过后面客厅的门时，意识到我被一个神秘的眼睛盯着，可能是属于那个神秘的声音；

When I got to the top of the stairs - the house was only a story high above the ground floor - Traddles was on the landing to meet me. —
当我到达楼梯上方时-房子只有一层高，地面上方- 特拉德尔斯在楼梯平台上迎接我； —

He was delighted to see me, and gave me welcome, with great heartiness, to his little room. —
他见到我很高兴，非常热情地欢迎我来到他的小房间； —

It was in the front of the house, and extremely neat, though sparely furnished. —
房间在房子前面，虽然家具很简单但极其整洁； —

It was his only room, I saw; for there was a sofa-bedstead in it, and his blacking-brushes and blacking were among his books - on the top shelf, behind a dictionary. —
我看到这是他唯一的房间；因为里面有一张沙发床，他的擦鞋刷和擦鞋膏都在书本中间- 放在顶层，字典后面； —

His table was covered with papers, and he was hard at work in an old coat. —
他的桌子上摆满了文件，他穿着一件旧外套专心工作； —

I looked at nothing, that I know of, but I saw everything, even to the prospect of a church upon his china inkstand, as I sat down - and this, too, was a faculty confirmed in me in the old Micawber times. —
我似乎什么都没看，但我看到了一切，甚至坐下时看见他的铁栅上有一间教堂 – 这种能力也是在以前麦考伯时期验证过的； —

Various ingenious arrangements he had made, for the disguise of his chest of drawers, and the accommodation of his boots, his shaving-glass, and so forth, particularly impressed themselves upon me, as evidences of the same Traddles who used to make models of elephants’ dens in writing-paper to put flies in; —
他做了各种巧妙的布置，遮盖了他的抽屉和靴子的位置，以及他的剃须镜等，这些让我深刻印象深刻，这正是以前常提到的特拉德尔斯，他在写纸上制作大象巢的模型来放苍蝇， —

and to comfort himself under ill usage, with the memorable works of art I have so often mentioned.
并在遭受不公平待遇时，用我经常提到的那些令人难忘的艺术作品来安慰自己；

In a corner of the room was something neatly covered up with a large white cloth. —
房间的一角有一样用一块大白布整齐覆盖着的东西； —

I could not make out what that was.
我没搞懂那是什么；

‘Traddles,’ said I, shaking hands with him again, after I had sat down, ‘I am delighted to see you.’
‘特拉德尔斯，’我说，再次和他握手后坐下，’见到你我感到非常高兴；’

‘I am delighted to see YOU, Copperfield,’ he returned. ‘I am very glad indeed to see you. —
‘见到你很高兴，科波菲尔德，’他回答道。’看到你我非常高兴。 —

It was because I was thoroughly glad to see you when we met in Ely Place, and was sure you were thoroughly glad to see me, that I gave you this address instead of my address at chambers.’ —
因为我们在伊里广场见面时我非常高兴见到你，并且确定你也非常高兴见到我，所以我给你这个地址而不是我在律师事务所的地址。’ —

‘Oh! You have chambers?’ said I.
‘哦！你有房间吗？’我说。

‘Why, I have the fourth of a room and a passage, and the fourth of a clerk,’ returned Traddles. —
‘为什么我有四分之一的房间和一条走廊，还有四分之一的助手，’特拉德尔斯回答道。 —

‘Three others and myself unite to have a set of chambers - to look business-like - and we quarter the clerk too. —
‘我和其他三个人合租一套房间-看起来像办公室-我们也分担了这个助手。 —

Half-a-crown a week he costs me.’
他每周要花我半个王冠。

His old simple character and good temper, and something of his old unlucky fortune also, I thought, smiled at me in the smile with which he made this explanation.
我觉得他这番解释中的老实川流不息的性格和好脾气，以及他以前的一些倒霉运气，都在他微笑的脸上向我笑着。

‘It’s not because I have the least pride, Copperfield, you understand,’ said Traddles, ‘that I don’t usually give my address here. —
‘不是因为我有丝毫自豪感，考珀菲尔德，你明白吧，’特拉德尔斯说，’我通常不在这里告诉我的地址。 —

It’s only on account of those who come to me, who might not like to come here. —
这只是因为来找我人可能不喜欢来这里。’ —

For myself, I am fighting my way on in the world against difficulties, and it would be ridiculous if I made a pretence of doing anything else.’
对我自己来说，我正在与困难作斗争，假装做其他事情是荒谬的。

‘You are reading for the bar, Mr. Waterbrook informed me?’ said I.
‘你在为律师资格考试学习吗，沃特布鲁克先生？’我说。

‘Why, yes,’ said Traddles, rubbing his hands slowly over one another. ‘I am reading for the bar. —
‘是啊，’特拉德尔斯慢慢地揉着手说。‘我正在为律师资格考试学习。 —

The fact is, I have just begun to keep my terms, after rather a long delay. —
事实上，我刚开始修完我的学期，虽然有些延迟。 —

It’s some time since I was articled, but the payment of that hundred pounds was a great pull. —
那一百英镑的支付真的对我很有帮助。 —

A great pull!’ said Traddles, with a wince, as if he had had a tooth out.
真的很有帮助！’特拉德尔斯说着，仿佛在拔牙一样蹙一下眉头。

‘Do you know what I can’t help thinking of, Traddles, as I sit here looking at you?’ I asked him.
‘特拉德尔斯，当我坐在这里看着你的时候，你知道我情不自禁地想到了什么吗？’我问他。

‘No,’ said he.
‘不知道，’他说。

‘That sky-blue suit you used to wear.’
‘你以前穿过的那套天蓝色的西装。

‘Lord, to be sure!’ cried Traddles, laughing. —
‘天哪，记得啦！’特拉德尔斯笑了起来。 —

‘Tight in the arms and legs, you know? Dear me! Well! —
‘袖子和裤腿紧紧的，你知道吗？天啊！ —

Those were happy times, weren’t they?’
那些时光多么快乐啊，不是吗？’

‘I think our schoolmaster might have made them happier, without doing any harm to any of us, I acknowledge,’ I returned.
‘我想我们的老师本来可以让那些时光过得更快乐，而不会对我们任何人造成伤害，我承认，’我回答道。

‘Perhaps he might,’ said Traddles. ‘But dear me, there was a good deal of fun going on. —
‘也许他可以，’特拉德尔斯说。‘但天啊，那时候真的很有趣。 —

Do you remember the nights in the bedroom? When we used to have the suppers? —
你还记得卧室里的夜晚吗？我们以前经常开宵夜的吧？ —

And when you used to tell the stories? Ha, ha, ha! —
当你以前讲故事的时候？哈哈哈！ —

And do you remember when I got caned for crying about Mr. Mell? —
还记得我因为为Mel先生哭泣而挨打的事吗？ —

Old Creakle! I should like to see him again, too!’
老Creakle！我也想再见到他！

‘He was a brute to you, Traddles,’ said I, indignantly; —
“他对你很野蛮，特拉德尔斯，”我愤愤地说； —

for his good humour made me feel as if I had seen him beaten but yesterday.
因为他的好情绪让我感觉好像昨天才见他挨打一样。

‘Do you think so?’ returned Traddles. ‘Really? Perhaps he was rather. —
“你这么想吗？”特拉德尔斯回答道。“真的吗？也许他有点。 —

But it’s all over, a long while. Old Creakle!’
但这都过去很久了。老Creakle！”

‘You were brought up by an uncle, then?’ said I.
“那么你是被叔叔养大的？”我问道。

‘Of course I was!’ said Traddles. ‘The one I was always going to write to. And always didn’t, eh! —
“当然了！”特拉德尔斯说。“我总是打算给他写信的。可总是没写，嗯！ —

Ha, ha, ha! Yes, I had an uncle then. He died soon after I left school.’
哈哈哈！是的，当时我有一个叔叔。我离开学校后没多久他就去世了。”

‘Indeed!’
“是吗？”

‘Yes. He was a retired - what do you call it! —
“是的。他是个退休 - 该怎么说！ —

• draper - cloth-merchant - and had made me his heir. —
  - 绢布商 - 面料商 - 并把我当作继承人。 —
  

But he didn’t like me when I grew up.’
但等我长大后他就不喜欢我了。”

‘Do you really mean that?’ said I. He was so composed, that I fancied he must have some other meaning.
“你真的这么说？”我问。他神色如常，让我觉得他一定有别的意思。

‘Oh dear, yes, Copperfield! I mean it,’ replied Traddles. —
“对不起，是的，考珀菲尔德！我是认真的，”特拉德尔斯回答道。 —

‘It was an unfortunate thing, but he didn’t like me at all. —
“这是一件不幸的事，但他根本不喜欢我。 —

He said I wasn’t at all what he expected, and so he married his housekeeper.’
他说我根本不是他期待的样子，所以他娶了他的女管家。”

‘And what did you do?’ I asked.
“那你做了什么？”我问道。

‘I didn’t do anything in particular,’ said Traddles. —
“我并没有特别做什么，”特拉德尔斯说。 —

‘I lived with them, waiting to be put out in the world, until his gout unfortunately flew to his stomach - and so he died, and so she married a young man, and so I wasn’t provided for.’
“我和他们住在一起，等着进入这个世界，直到他的痛风不幸飞到了胃里 - 于是他去世了，于是她嫁给了一个年轻人，我也就没被照顾了。”

‘Did you get nothing, Traddles, after all?’
“特拉德尔斯，最终你一无所获吗？”

‘Oh dear, yes!’ said Traddles. ‘I got fifty pounds. —
‘哦，是的！’特拉德尔斯说。’我拿到了五十镑。 —

I had never been brought up to any profession, and at first I was at a loss what to do for myself. —
我从未受过任何职业培训，一开始不知道该做些什么。 —

However, I began, with the assistance of the son of a professional man, who had been to Salem House - Yawler, with his nose on one side. —
不过，在一位曾进过塞勒姆学校的专业人士的儿子的帮助下，我开始复制法律文件。 —

Do you recollect him?’
你还记得他吗？

No. He had not been there with me; all the noses were straight in my day.
不，他没跟我一起在那里；在我那个时代，所有人的鼻子都是正的。

‘It don’t matter,’ said Traddles. ‘I began, by means of his assistance, to copy law writings. —
‘无所谓，’特拉德尔斯说。’借助他的帮助，我开始为他们陈述案情，制作摘要，以及其他类似的工作。 —

That didn’t answer very well; and then I began to state cases for them, and make abstracts, and that sort of work. —
那并不太顺利；然后我开始为他们陈述案情，制作摘要，以及其他类似的工作。 —

For I am a plodding kind of fellow, Copperfield, and had learnt the way of doing such things pithily. —
因为我是一个脚踏实地的人，柯波菲尔德，学会了以简洁的方式做这些事情。 —

Well! That put it in my head to enter myself as a law student; —
嗯！这让我萌生了以法学学生的身份注册自己的想法； —

and that ran away with all that was left of the fifty pounds. —
这便将我剩下的五十镑都用掉了。 —

Yawler recommended me to one or two other offices, however - Mr. Waterbrook’s for one - and I got a good many jobs. —
然而，Yawler向我推荐了另外一两个办公室 - 沃特布鲁克先生的其中一个 - 我接了很多活。 —

I was fortunate enough, too, to become acquainted with a person in the publishing way, who was getting up an Encyclopaedia, and he set me to work; —
我还幸运地结识了一个出版业的人，他正在编辑一本百科全书，于是他让我开始工作； —

and, indeed’ (glancing at his table), ‘I am at work for him at this minute. —
事实上’（瞥了一眼他的桌子），’我此刻正在为他工作。 —

I am not a bad compiler, Copperfield,’ said Traddles, preserving the same air of cheerful confidence in all he said, ‘but I have no invention at all; —
我不是一个坏的编纂人，柯波菲尔德，’特拉德尔斯说，保持着他所说的一切都充满愉快自信的态度，’但是我一点创造力也没有； —

not a particle. I suppose there never was a young man with less originality than I have.’
没有一点儿。我想我从来没有比我更缺乏独创性的年轻人了。

As Traddles seemed to expect that I should assent to this as a matter of course, I nodded; —
当特雷德尔斯似乎期待我应该默认这一点时，我点了点头； —

and he went on, with the same sprightly patience - I can find no better expression - as before.
他以同样活泼的耐心继续说道 - 我觉得“活泼的耐心”是最好的形容词；

‘So, by little and little, and not living high, I managed to scrape up the hundred pounds at last,’ said Traddles; —
‘所以，逐渐地，并没有过得太奢侈，我终于成功凑够了一百镑。’ 特雷德尔斯说； —

‘and thank Heaven that’s paid - though it was - though it certainly was,’ said Traddles, wincing again as if he had had another tooth out, ‘a pull. —
‘感谢上帝，那个已经付清了 - 虽然这确实让人费了一番力气。’ 特雷德尔斯再次略微躲闪，仿佛又拔了一颗牙，“ —

I am living by the sort of work I have mentioned, still, and I hope, one of these days, to get connected with some newspaper: —
我还是以我提到的方式谋生，希望，总有一天，能与某家报社联系起来； —

which would almost be the making of my fortune. —
那几乎会成就我的财富。 —

Now, Copperfield, you are so exactly what you used to be, with that agreeable face, and it’s so pleasant to see you, that I sha’n’t conceal anything. —
现在，柯波菲尔德，你仍然和以前一样，那张令人愉悦的面孔，看见你真是太令人愉悦了，所以我就不瞒你了。 —

Therefore you must know that I am engaged.’
所以你必须知道，我已订婚了。

Engaged! Oh, Dora!
订婚！哦，朵拉！

‘She is a curate’s daughter,’ said Traddles; ‘one of ten, down in Devonshire. Yes!’ —
‘她是一位牧师的女儿，’ 特雷德尔斯说；’在德文郡有十个女孩，对，’ —

For he saw me glance, involuntarily, at the prospect on the inkstand. ‘That’s the church! —
因为他看见我不经意地瞥了一眼墨水瓶上的风景。’那是教堂！ —

You come round here to the left, out of this gate,’ tracing his finger along the inkstand, ‘and exactly where I hold this pen, there stands the house - facing, you understand, towards the church.’
你沿着这个门向左拐过来，’ 他的手指沿着墨水瓶划过，’我拿这支笔的位置，那就是她的房子 - 你要明白，面向着教堂。

The delight with which he entered into these particulars, did not fully present itself to me until afterwards; —
他对这些细节的入神轻快直到后来我才完全意识到； —

for my selfish thoughts were making a ground-plan of Mr. Spenlow’s house and garden at the same moment.
因为我那时正以自私的思维绘制斯彭洛先生的房子和花园的地形图。

‘She is such a dear girl!’ said Traddles; ‘a little older than me, but the dearest girl! —
‘她是个多么可爱的女孩！’ 特雷德尔斯说；’比我大一点，但是最可爱的女孩！’ —

I told you I was going out of town? I have been down there. —
我告诉过你我要出城了？我在那里呆过。 —

I walked there, and I walked back, and I had the most delightful time! —
我走去那里，然后又走回来，度过了最愉快的时光！ —

I dare say ours is likely to be a rather long engagement, but our motto is “Wait and hope!” —
我敢说我们的订婚很可能会进行很长一段时间，但我们的座右铭是“等待并希望！” —

We always say that. “Wait and hope,” we always say. —
我们总是这么说。“等待并希望”，我们总是这么说。 —

And she would wait, Copperfield, till she was sixty - any age you can mention - for me!’
她会等待，科波菲尔德，直到她六十岁 - 无论你提的任何年龄 - 等我！

Traddles rose from his chair, and, with a triumphant smile, put his hand upon the white cloth I had observed.
特拉德尔斯从椅子上站起来，带着胜利的微笑，把手放在我注意到的白布上。

‘However,’ he said, ‘it’s not that we haven’t made a beginning towards housekeeping. No, no; —
“然而，”他说，“这不是说我们没有开始做家务。不，不； —

we have begun. We must get on by degrees, but we have begun. —
我们已经开始了。我们必须逐步前进，但我们已经开始了。 —

Here,’ drawing the cloth off with great pride and care, ‘are two pieces of furniture to commence with. —
这里，”他自豪和仔细地揭开白布，“是开始用的两件家具。 —

This flower-pot and stand, she bought herself. —
这花盆和支架，她自己买的。 —

You put that in a parlour window,’ said Traddles, falling a little back from it to survey it with the greater admiration, ‘with a plant in it, and - and there you are! —
你把它放在客厅的窗户，”特拉德尔斯退后一点，更仔细地审视它，更加钦佩地说，“里面放一株植物，然后…你就会发现！ —

This little round table with the marble top (it’s two feet ten in circumference), I bought. —
这张有大理石桌面的小圆桌（直径两尺十寸），我买的。 —

You want to lay a book down, you know, or somebody comes to see you or your wife, and wants a place to stand a cup of tea upon, and - and there you are again!’ —
你想放本书，你知道，或者有人来看你或者你的妻子，并需要一个地方放一杯茶，然后…你就又找到了一个地方！ —

said Traddles. ‘It’s an admirable piece of workmanship - firm as a rock!’ —
说特拉德尔斯。“这是一件出色的工艺品——坚固如磐石！” —

I praised them both, highly, and Traddles replaced the covering as carefully as he had removed it.
我高度赞扬了它们两个，特拉德尔斯把覆盖物像他取下来一样仔细地放回去。

‘It’s not a great deal towards the furnishing,’ said Traddles, ‘but it’s something. —
“这对家具来说不是个很好的交易，”特拉德尔斯说，“但是总比没有强。 —

The table-cloths, and pillow-cases, and articles of that kind, are what discourage me most, Copperfield. —
“桌布、枕套之类的东西，让我最泄气，考伯菲尔德。 —

So does the ironmongery - candle-boxes, and gridirons, and that sort of necessaries - because those things tell, and mount up. However, “wait
“铁器也是–烛盒、烤架，以及那种必需品–因为这些东西都显眼，而且价值不菲。不过，‘等待和希望！’我向你保证她是个可爱的女孩！”

and hope!” And I assure you she’s the dearest girl!’
“我对此深信不疑，”我说。

‘I am quite certain of it,’ said I.
“与此同时，”特拉德尔斯说着回到自己的椅子上，

‘In the meantime,’ said Traddles, coming back to his chair; —
“这就是我自吹自擂的结束，我尽我所能。 —

‘and this is the end of my prosing about myself, I get on as well as I can. —
“我现在过得还好。” —

I don’t make much, but I don’t spend much. —
我挣得不多，但也花不多。 —

In general, I board with the people downstairs, who are very agreeable people indeed. —
一般来说，我和楼下的人一起住，他们确实是非常好相处的人。 —

Both Mr. and Mrs. Micawber have seen a good deal of life, and are excellent company.’
密考伯夫妇两人都见多识广，是很好的伴侣。

‘My dear Traddles!’ I quickly exclaimed. ‘What are you talking about?’
“亲爱的特拉德尔斯！”我迅速地惊叫道。“你在说什么？”

Traddles looked at me, as if he wondered what I was talking about.
特拉德尔斯看着我，仿佛在想我在说什么。

‘Mr. and Mrs. Micawber!’ I repeated. ‘Why, I am intimately acquainted with them!’
“密考伯夫妇！”我重复。“哦，我是和他们很熟悉！”

An opportune double knock at the door, which I knew well from old experience in Windsor Terrace, and which nobody but Mr. Micawber could ever have knocked at that door, resolved any doubt in my mind as to their being my old friends. —
我对那双老旧的熟悉的双手 在温莎露台上旧日经验已经让我知道，除了密考伯外，没人会在那扇门上敲那种双敲声音，我的疑虑消失了。 —

I begged Traddles to ask his landlord to walk up. Traddles accordingly did so, over the banister; —
我请求特拉德尔斯让他的房东上来。于是特拉德尔斯照办了，越过扶手； —

and Mr. Micawber, not a bit changed - his tights, his stick, his shirt-collar, and his eye-glass, all the same as ever - came into the room with a genteel and youthful air.
密考伯先生并未有丝毫改变 —— 他那燕尾服，他的手杖，他的领带，还有他的眼镜，一如既往地与过去一样 —— 一副斯文而年轻的神情走进房间。

‘I beg your pardon, Mr. Traddles,’ said Mr. Micawber, with the old roll in his voice, as he checked himself in humming a soft tune. —
“请原谅，特拉德尔斯先生，”密考伯先生说，嗓音里带着那个古老的滚音，似乎在他自觉地停止哼唱柔和的调子。 —

‘I was not aware that there was any individual, alien to this tenement, in your sanctum.’
“我不知道，您的圣殿里有外人。”

Mr. Micawber slightly bowed to me, and pulled up his shirt-collar.
密考伯先生微微向我鞠躬，拉高他的领子。

‘How do you do, Mr. Micawber?’ said I.
“密考伯先生，你好。”我说。

‘Sir,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘you are exceedingly obliging. I am in statu quo.’
“先生，”密考伯先生说，“您非常体贴。我现状良好。”

‘And Mrs. Micawber?’ I pursued.
“那么密考伯夫人呢？”我接着问道。

‘Sir,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘she is also, thank God, in statu quo.’
“先生，”米卡伯先生说，“感谢上帝，她也是现状不变。”

‘And the children, Mr. Micawber?’
“孩子们呢，米卡伯先生？”

‘Sir,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘I rejoice to reply that they are, likewise, in the enjoyment of salubrity.’
“先生，”米卡伯先生说，“我很高兴地回答他们也同样健康。”

All this time, Mr. Micawber had not known me in the least, though he had stood face to face with me. —
米卡伯先生一直没有认出我来，尽管他跟我站在面对面。 —

But now, seeing me smile, he examined my features with more attention, fell back, cried, ‘Is it possible! —
但现在看到我微笑，他更仔细地观察我的面容，退后一步，喊道，“难道这是真的！我有幸再次见到柯波菲尔德！” —

Have I the pleasure of again beholding Copperfield!’ —
以最热情的态度一手抓住我的双手。 —

and shook me by both hands with the utmost fervour.
“天哪，特拉德尔斯先生！”米卡伯先生说，“我竟然发现您认识我年轻时的朋友，早年的同伴！”

‘Good Heaven, Mr. Traddles!’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘to think that I should find you acquainted with the friend of my youth, the companion of earlier days! —
对着楼梯扶手叫道，观看着我。 —

My dear!’ calling over the banisters to Mrs. Micawber, while Traddles looked (with reason) not a little amazed at this description of me. —
“这里有个先生在特拉德尔斯先生的房间，他希望有幸向您介绍，我的爱人！” —

‘Here is a gentleman in Mr. Traddles’s apartment, whom he wishes to have the pleasure of presenting to you, my love!’
米卡伯先生立刻重新出现，再次与我握手。

Mr. Micawber immediately reappeared, and shook hands with me again.
“我们的好朋友医生怎么样了，柯波菲尔德？”米卡伯先生说，“坎特伯雷的那一圈人呢？”

‘And how is our good friend the Doctor, Copperfield?’ —
“我只收到过他们的好消息，”我说。 —

said Mr. Micawber, ‘and all the circle at Canterbury?’
“听到这个消息我感到非常高兴，”米卡伯先生说。“我们上次在坎特伯雷见面。”

‘I have none but good accounts of them,’ said I.
“我也是，”我说。“坎特伯雷是我们最后一次见面的地方。”

‘I am most delighted to hear it,’ said Mr. Micawber. ‘It was at Canterbury where we last met. —
“我非常高兴听到这个消息，”米卡伯先生说。 —

Within the shadow, I may figuratively say, of that religious edifice immortalized by Chaucer, which was anciently the resort of Pilgrims from the remotest corners of - in short,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘in the immediate neighbourhood of the Cathedral.’
在这个阴影的范围内，我可以比喻地说，在那座被乔叟永垂不朽的宗教建筑物的阴影下，那座古老的天主教堂，昔日是朝圣者们聚集的地方，他们来自于最遥远的角落 - 简而言之，’米卡伯先生说，’就在大教堂的附近。’

I replied that it was. Mr. Micawber continued talking as volubly as he could; —
我回答说是的。米卡伯先生继续口若悬河地说着； —

but not, I thought, without showing, by some marks of concern in his countenance, that he was sensible of sounds in the next room, as of Mrs. Micawber washing her hands, and hurriedly opening and shutting drawers that were uneasy in their action.
但我觉得在他的脸上有一些忧虑的痕迹，似乎是因为他意识到旁边房间里的声音，好像是米卡伯夫人在洗手，匆匆忙忙地打开和关闭抽屉，而这些抽屉似乎动作不太顺畅。

‘You find us, Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, with one eye on Traddles, ‘at present established, on what may be designated as a small and unassuming scale; —
‘你发现我们，柯波菲尔德，’米卡伯先生一边看着特拉德尔斯，一边说，‘目前处于一个可以称之为小而不起眼的规模上； —

but, you are aware that I have, in the course of my career, surmounted difficulties, and conquered obstacles. —
但你知道，在我的职业生涯中，我曾克服困难，征服障碍。 —

You are no stranger to the fact, that there have been periods of my life, when it has been requisite that I should pause, until certain expected events should turn up; —
你不陌生于这个事实，我的生活中曾经有过一段段时期，必须等待某些预期的事件发生； —

when it has been necessary that I should fall back, before making what I trust I shall not be accused of presumption in terming - a spring. —
在这些时候，我需要暂停一下，然后才能采取我希望不会被指责为偏见的 - 跃动。 —

The present is one of those momentous stages in the life of man. —
现在是人生中那些重要阶段之一。 —

You find me, fallen back, FOR a spring; and I have every reason to believe that a vigorous leap will shortly be the result.’
你发现我，已准备好跳跃；我有充分理由相信，很快就会见到积极的结果。

I was expressing my satisfaction, when Mrs. Micawber came in; —
我正表达我的满意，这时米考伯太太进来了； —

a little more slatternly than she used to be, or so she seemed now, to my unaccustomed eyes, but still with some preparation of herself for company, and with a pair of brown gloves on.
她看起来比以前有点邋遢了，或者对我的眼光来说是这样，但仍然为了迎接客人作了一些准备，戴着一双棕色手套。

‘My dear,’ said Mr. Micawber, leading her towards me, ‘here is a gentleman of the name of Copperfield, who wishes to renew his acquaintance with you.’
“亲爱的，”米考伯先生说着，领着她走向我，“这位名叫考伯菲尔德的绅士想跟你重新见个面。”

It would have been better, as it turned out, to have led gently up to this announcement, for Mrs. Micawber, being in a delicate state of health, was overcome by it, and was taken so unwell, that Mr. Micawber was obliged, in great trepidation, to run down to the water-butt in the backyard, and draw a basinful to lave her brow with. —
事实证明，最好温和地引入这一消息，因为米考伯太太，处于体弱的状态，被吓坏了，脸色苍白，米考伯先生不得不战战兢兢地跑到后院的水池边，打了盆水洗她的额头。 —

She presently revived, however, and was really pleased to see me. —
她很快就恢复了，而且看到我真的很高兴。 —

We had half-an-hour’s talk, all together; —
我们一起聊了半个小时； —

and I asked her about the twins, who, she said, were ‘grown great creatures’; —
我问起他们的双胞胎，她说他们已经是“长得很大了”； —

and after Master and Miss Micawber, whom she described as ‘absolute giants’, but they were not produced on that occasion.
还问起了米考伯先生和夫人所描述的“绝对巨人”的米考伯小姐和少爷，但那天他们没有露面。

Mr. Micawber was very anxious that I should stay to dinner. —
米考伯先生非常希望我留下吃晚饭。 —

I should not have been averse to do so, but that I imagined I detected trouble, and calculation relative to the extent of the cold meat, in Mrs. Micawber’s eye. —
我本来不反对，但我发现米考伯太太眼中带着关于冷肉量的烦恼和考虑，于是推辞了。 —

I therefore pleaded another engagement; and observing that Mrs. Micawber’s spirits were immediately lightened, I resisted all persuasion to forego it.
所以我辩称有另一个约会；看到米考伯太太的情绪立刻好转，我坚决拒绝了任何劝说。

But I told Traddles, and Mr. and Mrs. Micawber, that before I could think of leaving, they must appoint a day when they would come and dine with me. —
但我告诉特拉德尔和米考伯夫妇，在我离开之前，他们必须约个日子来我家吃晚饭。 —

The occupations to which Traddles stood pledged, rendered it necessary to fix a somewhat distant one; —
特拉德尔因承诺的工作需要，必须定一个稍微远一些的日期； —

but an appointment was made for the purpose, that suited us all, and then I took my leave.
但是为了这个目的，我们安排了一个适合我们所有人的约会，然后我告辞了。

Mr. Micawber, under pretence of showing me a nearer way than that by which I had come, accompanied me to the corner of the street; —
麦考伯先生以领我走比我来时更近的路为借口，陪我走到了街角； —

being anxious (he explained to me) to say a few words to an old friend, in confidence.
他解释说，他急于与一个老朋友私下交谈。

‘My dear Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘I need hardly tell you that to have beneath our roof, under existing circumstances, a mind like that which gleams - if I may be allowed the expression - which gleams - in your friend Traddles, is an unspeakable comfort. —
麦考伯先生说道：“亲爱的柯波菲尔德，我几乎不用告诉你，在目前的情况下，在我们的屋檐下拥有像你的朋友特拉德尔所展示的那种才智，是一种无法言说的安慰。 —

With a washerwoman, who exposes hard-bake for sale in her parlour-window, dwelling next door, and a Bow-street officer residing over the way, you may imagine that his society is a source of consolation to myself and to Mrs. Micawber. —
在隔壁卖硬糖的洗衣妇人家里住着，对面住着一个伯瑟利街警官，你可以想象，他的社交对于我和麦考伯夫人来说是一种慰藉。 —

I am at present, my dear Copperfield, engaged in the sale of corn upon commission. —
亲爱的柯波菲尔德，我目前从事按照佣金销售玉米。 —

It is not an avocation of a remunerative description - in other words, it does not pay - and some temporary embarrassments of a pecuniary nature have been the consequence. —
这不是一个有利可图的职业——换句话说，这不划算——一些暂时的财务困扰已经是结果了。 —

I am, however, delighted to add that I have now an immediate prospect of something turning up (I am not at liberty to say in what direction), which I trust will enable me to provide, permanently, both for myself and for your friend Traddles, in whom I have an unaffected interest. —
然而，我高兴地补充说，我现在有一个即将出现的机会（我不能说方向），我相信这将使我永久地为自己和你的朋友特拉德尔提供。 —

You may, perhaps, be prepared to hear that Mrs. Micawber is in a state of health which renders it not wholly improbable that an addition may be ultimately made to those pledges of affection which - in short, to the infantine group. —
也许您已经做好准备听到，麦考伯夫人的健康状况使得最终可能会有一个新成员加入我们的爱情群——简而言之，婴儿。 —

Mrs. Micawber’s family have been so good as to express their dissatisfaction at this state of things. —
麦考伯夫人的家人已经表示对这种情况的不满。 —

I have merely to observe, that I am not aware that it is any business of theirs, and that I repel that exhibition of feeling with scorn, and with defiance!’
我只想说，我不知道这与他们有什么关系，我对这种感情的展示嗤之以鼻，并且表示蔑视和挑衅！

Mr. Micawber then shook hands with me again, and left me.
麦考伯先生又和我握手，然后离开了。