‘I do think it was the most fortunate thing in the world that those children should have the measles just now,’ said Meg, one April day, as she stood packing the “go abroady” trunk in her room, surrounded by her sisters.
“我真的认为现在孩子们得了麻疹是世界上最幸运的事情，”梅格在四月的一天说道，她站在房间里整理着“出国旅行”箱子，周围是她的姐妹们。

‘And so nice of Annie Moffat not to forget her promise. —
“而且安妮·莫菲特能记住她的承诺真是太好了。 —

A whole fortnight of fun will be regularly splendid,’ replied Jo, looking like a windmill, as she folded skirts, with her long arms.
整整两个星期的乐趣一定会非常棒，”乔回答道，她像个风车一样摺叠着裙子，用她的长臂。

‘And such lovely weather; I’m so glad of that,’ added Beth, tidily sorting neck and hair ribbons in her best box, lent for the great occasion.
“而且天气这么好，我真的很高兴，”贝丝补充道，整洁地将领带和头发带整理在她借来的精美盒子中，为这个重大的场合准备着。

‘I wish I was going to have a fine time, and wear all these nice things,’ said Amy, with her mouth full of pins, as she artistically replenished her sister’s cushion.
“我希望我能度过愉快的时光，穿着所有这些漂亮的东西，”艾米说道，她嘴里满满当当地塞着针，巧妙地给她姐姐的靠垫添加了一些。

‘I wish you were all going; but as you can’t, I shall keep my adventures to tell you when I come back. —
“我希望你们都能去，但既然你们不能，我将保留我的冒险故事，在回来时告诉你们。” —

I’m sure it’s the least I can do, when you have been so kind, lending me things, and helping me get ready,’ said Meg, glancing round the room at the very simple outfit, which seemed nearly perfect in their eyes.
“当你对我如此亲切，借给我物品，帮我准备的时候，我肯定要做最少的回报，”梅格说着，环顾房间里那些简单的装备，她们的眼中似乎几乎是完美的。

‘What did Mother give you out of the treasure-box?’ asked Amy, who had not been present at the opening of a certain cedar chest, in which Mrs. March kept a few relics of past splendour as gifts for her girls when the proper time came.
“妈妈从宝匣里给你什么礼物？”艾米问道，她没有在妈妈展示某个雪松木箱子里的东西时在场，那个箱子是玛奇夫人留下过去辉煌时光的几个纪念品，打算在适当的时候送给女儿们。

‘A pair of silk stockings, that pretty carved fan, and a lovely blue sash. I wanted the violet silk; —
“一个丝绸袜子，一个漂亮的雕刻扇子，还有一个可爱的蓝色腰带。我本想要紫色的丝绸， —

but there isn’t time to make it over, so I must be contented with my old tarlatan.’
但没时间改了，所以我只能满足于我的旧塔尔塔恩。”

‘It will look nicely over my new muslin skirt, and the sash will set it off beautifully. —
“它会很好地搭配我的新穆斯林裙子，腰带会把它衬托得很漂亮。” —

I wish I hadn’t smashed my coral bracelet, for you might have had it,’ said Jo, who loved to give and lend, but whose possessions were usually too dilapidated to be of much use. —
“我真希望我没把珊瑚手镯弄碎，不然你本可以得到它的，”乔说。她喜欢给别人借用和借给别人东西，但她的东西通常太破旧了没什么用处。 —

‘There is a lovely old-fashioned pearl set in the treasure-box; —
“宝匣里有一串古老的珍珠； —

but Mother said real flowers were the prettiest ornament for a young girl, and Laurie promised to send me all I want,’ replied Meg. ‘Now, let me see; —
但是妈妈说对一个小女孩来说，真正的花比任何装饰品都漂亮，劳瑞答应要给我寄我想要的一切，‘梅格回答道。‘现在，让我看看； —

there’s my new grey walking-suit - just curl up the feather in my hat, Beth - then my poplin, for Sunday, and the small party - it looks heavy for spring, doesn’t it? —
这是我新买的灰色行走套装-贝丝，把帽子上的羽毛拧卷一下-然后还有我的斜纹棉布裙，星期天穿的，还有小聚会-看起来有点厚重了，不是吗？ —

The violet silk would be so nice; oh dear.’
紫色的丝绸会很漂亮的；哦，天哪。

‘Never mind; you’ve got the tarlatan for the big party, and you always look like an angel in white,’ said Amy, brooding over the little store of finery in which her soul delighted.
没关系；你有塔拉丹参加大型聚会，你总是看起来像一个天使，’艾米说道，对着她灵魂中喜欢的一点点小饰品思考着。

‘It isn’t low-necked, and it doesn’t sweep enough, but it will have to do. —
虽然它不是低领的，也不够拖地长，但它只能凑合了。 —

My blue house-dress looks so well, turned and freshly trimmed, that I feel as if I’d got a new one. —
我的蓝色家居服翻过来，新装饰了一下，看起来很不错，感觉就像是新的。 —

My silk sacque isn’t a bit the fashion, and my bonnet doesn’t look like Sallie’s; —
我的丝绸上衣丝毫不合时宜，我的帽子看起来也不像莎莉的； —

I didn’t like to say anything, but I was sadly disappointed in my umbrella. —
我不想说什么，但是对我的雨伞感到非常失望。 —

I told Mother black, with a white handle, but she forgot and bought a green one, with a yellowish handle. —
我告诉妈妈要黑色的，带白色的手柄，但她忘了，买了一个绿色的，带有微黄色手柄的。 —

It’s strong and neat, so I ought not to complain, but I know I shall feel ashamed of it beside Annie’s silk one with a gold top,’ sighed Meg, surveying the little umbrella with great disfavour.
“虽然它强壮而整洁，所以我不应该抱怨，但我知道和安妮的带金顶的丝伞相比，我会感到羞愧。”梅格叹息着，审视着这个小伞，心中充满了不满。

‘Change it,’ advised Jo.
“换一个吧，”乔建议道。

‘I won’t be so silly, or hurt Marmee’s feelings, when she took so much pains to get my things. —
“我不会傻傻地这么做，或者让马米感到伤心，毕竟她费了那么多心思给我准备这些东西。” —

It’s a nonsensical notion of mine, and I’m not going to give up to it. —
“这是我一时的荒谬想法，我不会屈服于它。 —

My silk stockings and two pairs of new gloves are my comfort. —
我的丝袜和两双新手套是我的安慰。” —

You are a dear, to lend me yours, Jo. I feel so rich, and sort of elegant, with two new pairs, and the old ones cleaned up for common’; —
“乔，你真是个好人，借给我你的。我感觉好富有，而且有点优雅，有了两双新的，旧的又洗干净了，可以作为平时的穿着。” —

and Meg took a refreshing peep at her glove box.
梅格翻开手套盒，心情舒畅。

‘Annie Moffat has blue and pink bows on her night-caps; —
“安妮·莫法特的夜帽上有蓝色和粉色的蝴蝶结；你会给我的加上吗？”她问道， —

would you put some on mine?’ she asked, as Beth brought up a pile of snowy muslins, fresh from Hannah’s hands.
同时贝丝拿着一堆刚从汉娜手中拿来的洁白纱布走了过来。“不会的，因为华丽的夜帽和没有任何装饰的朴素长袍不搭配。穷人不应该过于打扮，”乔断然说道。

‘No, I wouldn’t; for the smart caps won’t match the plain gowns, without any trimming on them. —

Poor folks shouldn’t rig,’ said Jo, decidedly.

‘I wonder if I shall ever be happy enough to have real lace on my clothes, and bows on my caps?’ said Meg, impatiently.
“我想知道我是否会有足够的幸福，能够在我的衣服上穿真正的花边，头巾上系上蝴蝶结？”梅格不耐烦地说道。

‘You said the other day that you’d be perfectly happy if you could only go to Annie Moffat’s,’ observed Beth, in her quiet way.
“你前几天说过，如果你能去安妮·莫法特那里，你就会完全幸福了。”贝丝以她平静的方式观察到。

‘So I did! Well, I am happy and I won’t fret; —
“是的，我是这么说的！好吧，我很幸福， —

but it does seem as if the more one gets the more one wants, doesn’t it? —
我不会烦恼；但是看起来好像人越是得到，就越想要更多，对吧？” —

There now, the trays are ready, and everything in but my party-dress, which I shall leave for Mother to pack,’ said Meg, cheering up, as she glanced from the half-filled trunk to the many-times pressed and mended white tarlatan, which she called her “party-dress”, with an important air.
“好了，托盘都准备好了，除了我留给妈妈打包的派对服装。”梅格兴高采烈地说道，她的目光从半空的旅行箱转向那件经过多次熨烫和修补的白色亚麻布料装饰的派对服装，“派对服装”是她的一个重要宣言。

The next day was fine, and Meg departed in style, for a fortnight of novelty and pleasure. —
第二天天气晴朗，梅格以一副时髦姿态出发，享受为期两周的新奇与快乐。 —

Mrs. March had consented to the visit rather reluctantly, fearing that Margaret would come back more discontented than she went. —
玛琪特的妈妈同意了这次旅行，但有些勉强，担心玛琪特回来时比去的时候更不满足。 —

But she had begged so hard, and Sallie had promised to take good care of her, and a little pleasure seemed so delightful after a winter of irksome work, that the mother yielded, and the daughter went to take her first taste of fashionable life.
但是她哀求了这么久，莎莉也答应好好照顾她，而且在一个充满厌恶工作的冬天之后，稍微享受一些快乐似乎是如此令人愉快，母亲便屈服了，女儿去品尝她的第一次时尚生活。

The Moffats were very fashionable, and simple Meg was rather daunted, at first, by the splendour of the house and the elegance of its occupants. —
摩法特一家非常时尚，初来乍到的梅格对于这座房子的豪华和它的住客们的优雅感到有些胆怯。 —

But they were kindly people in spite of the frivolous life they led, and soon put their guest at her ease. —
但是尽管他们过着轻浮的生活，他们确是善良的人，很快就让他们的客人感到舒适。 —

Perhaps Meg felt, without understanding why, that they were not particularly cultivated or intelligent people and that all their gilding could not quite conceal the ordinary material of which they were made. —
或许梅格感觉到了，尽管不明白为什么，他们并不是特别有教养或聪明的人，而他们的一切华丽也无法完全掩盖他们所代表的普通物质。 —

It certainly was agreeable to fare sumptuously, drive in a fine carriage, wear her best frock every day, and do nothing but enjoy herself. —
这确实很愉快，可以丰盛享受，坐在好车里，每天穿着最好的裙子，什么事情都不做，只享受自己。 —

It suited her exactly; and soon she began to imitate the manners and conversation of those about her; —
这正适合她，很快她开始模仿周围人的举止和谈话方式。 —

to put on little airs and graces, use French phrases, crimp her hair, take in her dresses, and talk about the fashions as well as she could. —
表现出点儿虚情假意，使用法语短语，夹发卷儿，缩小裙子，尽可能地谈论时尚。 —

The more she saw of Annie Moffat’s pretty things, the more she envied her, and sighed to be rich. —
她越看到安妮·莫法特的漂亮东西，就越羡慕她，叹着要是自己有钱就好了。 —

Home now looked bare and dismal as she thought of it, work grew harder than ever, and she felt that she was a very destitute and much-injured girl, in spite of the new gloves and silk stockings.
现在家看起来又空又阴暗，她想到这个就觉得凄凉无助，尽管有新手套和丝袜，她觉得自己是一个非常贫穷和被委屈的姑娘。

She had not much time for repining, however, for the three young girls were busily employed in “having a good time”. —
然而，她没有太多时间埋怨，因为三个年轻姑娘正忙着“玩得开心”。 —

They shopped, walked, rode, and called all day; —
她们整日逛街、散步、骑马、拜访， —

went to theatres and operas, or frolicked at home in the evening; —
去看戏剧和歌剧，或者在家里玩耍； —

for Annie had many friends and knew how to entertain them. —
因为安妮有很多朋友，知道如何招待他们。 —

Her older sisters were very fine young ladies, and one was engaged, which was extremely interesting and romantic, Meg thought. —
她的姐姐们都是非常优雅的小姐，其中一个已经订婚了，这让梅格觉得非常有趣和浪漫。 —

Mr. Moffat was a fat, jolly old gentleman, who knew her father; —
莫法特先生是一个胖乎乎、开心的老绅士，认识她的父亲。 —

and Mrs. Moffat a fat, jolly old lady, who took as great a fancy to Meg as her daughter had done. —
并且莫法特夫人是一个又胖又开朗的老太太，对梅格产生了同样的喜爱，就像她的女儿一样。 —

Everyone petted her; and ‘Daisy’, as they called her, was in a fair way to have her head turned.
大家都宠爱着她，她被称为“黛西”，似乎要被宠坏了。

When the evening for the ‘small party’ came, she found that the poplin wouldn’t do at all, for the other girls were putting on thin dresses, and making themselves very fine indeed; —
当举行“小型聚会”的晚上来临时，她发现那件羊皮纸裙子完全行不通了，因为其他女孩们都穿着薄薄的裙子，打扮得非常漂亮； —

so out came the tarlatan, looking older, limper, and shabbier than ever, beside Sallie’s crisp new one. —
所以她拿出了比萨莉的崭新洁净的裙子来，自己的洋纱看起来比以往更旧、更松、更破。 —

Meg saw the girls glance at it and then at one another, and her cheeks began to burn, for, with all her gentleness, she was very proud. —
梅格看到女孩们看了看她的裙子，然后相互看了看，她的脸颊开始发烫，因为虽然她性格温柔，但她非常自豪。 —

No one said a word about it, but Sallie offered to dress her hair, and Annie to tie her sash, and Belle, the engaged sister, praised her white arms; —
没有人说什么，但是萨利主动帮她梳头，安妮把腰带给她系上，已经订婚的贝鲁姐姐夸奖她的白皙胳膊； —

but in their kindness Meg saw only pity for her poverty, and her heart felt very heavy as she stood by herself, while the others laughed, chattered, and flew about like gauzy butterflies. —
但在她们的好意里，梅格只看到了对她贫困的怜悯，她的心感到很沉重，她站在一旁，而其他人欢笑、叽叽喳喳，像飞舞的蝴蝶一样忙碌着。 —

The hard, bitter feeling was getting pretty bad, when the maid brought in a box of flowers. —
当女仆送来一盒花时，那种又难受又痛苦的感觉变得非常严重。 —

Before she could speak, Annie had the cover off, and all were exclaiming at the lovely roses, heath, and fern within.
安妮还没来得及说话，安妮已经把盖子打开了，大家都对里面的美丽的玫瑰花、石南和蕨叶惊叫不已。

‘It’s for Belle, of course; George always sends her some, but these are altogether ravishing,’ cried Annie, with a great sniff.
“这当然是给贝尔的；乔治总是送她些花，但这些花真是太美了，” 安妮大喊着，鼻子擤得响。

‘They are for Miss March, the man said. —
“是送给玛奇小姐的，那人说的。 —

And here’s a note,’ put in the maid, holding it to Meg.
这是封便条，” 女仆提醒起来给梅格。

‘What fun! Who are they from? Didn’t know you had a lover,’ cried the girls, fluttering about Meg in a high state of curiosity and surprise.
“真有意思！是谁送的？没想到你有个情人，” 女孩们充满好奇和惊讶地围着梅格骚动起来。

‘The note is from Mother, and the flowers from Laurie,’ said Meg, simply, yet much gratified that he had not forgotten her.
“便条是妈妈写的，花是劳里送的，” 梅格说着，简单地又感到满足于他没有忘记她。

‘Oh, indeed!’ said Annie, with a funny look, as Meg slipped the note in her pocket, as a sort of talisman against envy, vanity, and false pride; —
“哦，确实是妈妈写的！”安妮带着滑稽的表情说道，当梅格把便条放进口袋时，作为对抗嫉妒、虚荣和虚伪的护身符。 —

for the few loving words had done her, good, and the flowers cheered her up by their beauty.
因为这几句爱的话给了她力量，而这些花因其美丽而使她感到愉悦。

Feeling almost happy again, she laid by a few ferns and roses for herself, and quickly made up the rest in dainty bouquets for the breasts, hair, or skirts of her friends, offering them so prettily that Clara, the elder sister, told her she was ‘the sweetest little thing she ever saw’; —
她感觉几乎又快乐起来，她躺在几丛蕨和玫瑰旁边，除了给自己编制了一束小巧玲珑的花束之外，还迅速编制了一些供给朋友的胸前、头发或裙摆上，她如此漂亮地呈递给她们，以至于乔拉，她的姐姐，告诉她她是“她见过的最可爱的小东西”； —

and they looked quite charmed with her small attention. —
他们似乎对她这个小小的关心感到很受宠若惊。 —

Somehow the kind act finished her despondency, and when all the rest went to show themselves to Mrs. Moffat, she saw a happy, bright-eyed face in the mirror, as she laid her ferns against her rippling hair, and fastened the roses in the dress that didn’t strike her as so very shabby now. —
不知怎么的，这种友善的行为使她的沮丧感消失了，当所有其他人都去向莫法特夫人展示自己时，她在镜子里看到了一张快乐、明亮的脸，她将蕨叶放在轻柔的发丝上，用玫瑰花装饰那件她现在觉得并不那么破旧的衣服上。 —

She enjoyed herself very much that evening; —
那个晚上，她玩得非常开心； —

everyone was very kind, and she had three compliments. —
每个人都非常友善，而且她受到了三次夸奖。 —

Annie made her sing, and someone said she had a remarkably fine voice; —
安妮让她唱歌，有人说她的声音非常好听； —

Major Lincoln asked who the “fresh little girl, with the beautiful eyes” was; —
林肯少校问是谁那个“有美丽眼睛的新鲜小姑娘”； —

and Mr. Moffat insisted on paying special attention to her during the evening. —
而莫法特先生坚持晚上特别照顾她。 —

So, altogether, she had a very nice time, till she overheard a bit of a conversation, which disturbed her extremely. —
所以，总的来说，她玩得很开心，直到她无意中听到了一段对话，让她感到非常不安。 —

She was sitting just inside the conservatory, waiting for someone to bring her an ice, when she heard a voice ask, on the other side of the flowery wall: —
她正坐在温室里，等人给她带来一杯冰水，突然听到墙壁另一边一个声音问道：“他多大了？ —

‘How old is he?’
”

‘Sixteen or seventeen, I should say,’ replied another voice.
“我觉得应该是十六岁或十七岁了吧。” 另一个声音回答说。

‘It would be a grand thing for one of those girls, wouldn’t it? Sallie says they are very intimate now, and the old man quite dotes on them.’
“对那些女孩来说，这将是一件了不起的事情，对吧？莎莉说他们现在关系很亲密，而那个老人对她们真是倾心呢。”

‘Mrs. M. has made her plans, I dare say, and will play her cards well, early as it is. —
“莫非梅太太已经制定好计划了，现在就开始耍花招了。 —

The girl evidently doesn’t think of it yet,’ said Mrs. Moffat.
这个女孩显然还没有想到。” 莫费特太太说。

‘She told that fib about her mamma as if she did know, and coloured up when the flowers came quite prettily. —
“她对她的妈妈那样说谎，好像她真的知道一样，当鲜花送来时她脸红得很可爱。可怜的孩子！ —

Poor thing! —
—

she’d be so nice if she was only got up in style. —
“如果我们提议借给她一件礼服来穿上星期四， —

Do you think she’d be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday?’ asked another voice.
她会不会生气呢？” 另一个声音问道。

‘She’s proud, but I don’t believe she’d mind, for that dowdy tarlatan is all she has got. —
她很自豪，但我不认为她会介意，因为那件陈旧的塔拉丹是她唯一的衣服。 —

She may tear it tonight, and that will be a good excuse for offering a decent one.’
她今晚可能会把它撕破，那将是给她买一件好看衣服的好借口。

‘We’ll see. I shall ask young Laurence, as a compliment to her, and we’ll have fun about it afterwards.’
我们会看的。我会恳求劳伦斯先生为她挑选一件衣服，以示对她的尊重，然后我们会开开心心地取笑她。

Here Meg’s friend appeared, to find her looking much flushed and rather agitated. —
就在这时，梅格的朋友出现了，看到她脸色发红，有些焦躁不安。 —

She was proud, and her pride was useful just then, for it helped her hide her mortification, anger, and disgust at what she had just heard; —
她自豪而且这种自豪感在那时来说很有用，因为它帮助她隐藏了她刚刚听到的令她难堪、生气和厌恶的事情。 —

for innocent and unsuspicious as she was, she could not help understanding the gossip of her friends. —
尽管她纯真无猜，但她无法不理解她朋友们之间的闲聊八卦。 —

She tried to forget it, but could not, and kept repeating to herself, ‘Mrs. M. has made her plans’, ‘that fib about her mamma’, and ‘dowdy tarlatan’, till she was ready to cry, and rush home to tell her troubles and ask for advice. —
她试图忘记它，但无法做到，一遍又一遍地对自己说着：“M太太已经计划好了”，“她妈妈的谎言”，“陈旧的塔拉丹”，直到她准备哭着回家，向家人倾诉烦恼并寻求建议。 —

As that was impossible, she did her best to seem gay, and, being rather excited, she succeeded so well that no one dreamed what an effort she was making. —
由于这是不可能的，她尽力表现得很快乐，因为她感到非常兴奋，所以她成功地让所有人都没有想到她正在努力。 —

She was very glad when it was all over, and she was quiet in her bed, where she could think and wonder and fume till her head ached, and her hot cheeks were cooled by a few natural tears. —
当一切都结束了，她非常高兴，躺在床上静静地思考和猜想，让头痛的同时，几滴自然的眼泪冷却了她发热的面颊。 —

Those foolish, yet well-meant words had opened a new world to Meg, and much disturbed the peace of the old one, in which, till now, she had lived as happily as a child. —
那些愚蠢而善意的话让梅格打开了一个新的世界，大大打破了她过去的平静生活，她一直像个孩子一样快乐地生活着。 —

Her innocent friendship with Laurie was spoilt by the silly speeches she had overheard; —
她与劳里之间的纯洁友谊被她无意听到的那些愚蠢的话破坏了； —

her faith in her mother was a little shaken by the worldly plans attributed to her by Mrs. Moffat, who judged others by herself; —
她对母亲的信任受到了一些动摇，因为她被莫法特太太归咎于自己，并认为自己的计划也是如此； —

and the sensible resolution to be contented with the simple wardrobe which suited a poor man’s daughter was weakened by the unnecessary pity of girls who thought a shabby dress one of the greatest calamities under heaven.
而对于穿着与一个穷人的女儿相称的简朴衣橱，梅格的明智决心被那些认为破烂的衣服是天下最大的灾难之一的女孩们所削弱。

Poor Meg had a restless night, and got up heavy-eyed, unhappy, half resentful towards her friends, and half ashamed of herself for not speaking out frankly and setting everything right. —
可怜的梅格昨晚无眠，起床时眼睛肿胀，心情糟糕，对朋友们半生气半为自己不坦率地说清事情感到羞愧。 —

Everybody dawdled that morning, and it was noon before the girls found energy enough even to take up their worsted work. —
这天早上所有人都拖拖拉拉，直到中午女孩们才找到足够的精力继续他们的毛线工作。 —

Something in the manner of her friends struck Meg at once; —
梅格立刻注意到她朋友们的举止有些不同， —

they treated her with more respect, she thought, took quite a tender interest in what she said, and looked at her with eyes that plainly betrayed curiosity. —
她觉得她们对她更尊重了，对她说的话更加关心，眼神中也透露出明显的好奇。 —

All this surprised and flattered her, though she did not understand it till Miss Belle looked up from her writing and said, with a sentimental air:
所有这些让她感到惊讶和受宠若惊，虽然她不明白原因，直到贝尔小姐从写字中抬起头来，并带着多愁善感的口吻说道：

‘Daisy, dear, I’ve sent an invitation to your friend, Mr. Laurence, for Thursday. —
“亲爱的黛西，我已经给你的朋友劳伦斯先生发了一份邀请函，邀请他星期四来我们家。” —

We should like to know him, and it’s only a proper compliment to you.’
“我们很想认识他，这也是对你的恰当的恭维。”

Meg coloured, but a mischievous fancy to tease the girls made her reply, demurely:
梅格涨红了脸，但她调皮地回答说：”你们太好了，但我怕他不会来。”

‘You are very kind, but I’m afraid he won’t come.’
“那只是为了逗逗你们这些女孩子，”她心想。

‘Why not, cherie?’ asked Miss Belle.
“为什么不呢，亲爱的？”贝尔小姐问道。

‘He’s too old.’
“他太老了。”

‘My child, what do you mean? What is his age, I beg to know!’ cried Miss Clara.
“孩子，你是什么意思？请告诉我他多大了！” 克拉拉小姐大声询问。

‘Nearly seventy, I believe,’ answered Meg, counting stitches to hide the merriment in her eyes.
“我相信他快七十岁了，”梅格回答道，数着针脚，以掩饰她眼中的笑意。

‘You sly creature! Of course we meant the young man,’ exclaimed Miss Belle, laughing.
“你这个狡猾的家伙！我们当然是指那个年轻人，” 贝尔小姐笑着说。

‘There isn’t any, Laurie is only a little boy,’ and Meg laughed also at the queer look which the sisters exchanged as she thus described her supposed lover.
“没有任何年轻人，劳里只是个小男孩，” 梅格这样描述她所谓的恋人时，三个姐妹交换了怪异的表情，梅格也笑了起来。

‘About your age,’ Nan said.
“差不多你的年龄，”南回答道。

‘Nearer my sister Jo’s; I am seventeen in August,’ returned Meg, tossing her head.
“比我姐姐乔接近些，我八月份就要十七岁了，” 梅格耸了耸肩。

‘It’s very nice of him to send you flowers, isn’t it?’ said Annie looking wise about nothing.
“他给你送花很不错，对吧？” 安妮装作什么都懂的样子说。

‘Yes, he often does to all of us, for their house is full and we are so fond of them. —
“是的，他经常给我们每一个人送花，因为他们家住满了人，我们也很喜欢他们。我妈妈和老劳伦斯先生是朋友，你们知道的，所以我们孩子们自然会一起玩耍”; —

My mother and old Mr. Laurence are friends, you know, so it is quite natural that we children should play together’; —
梅格希望她们别再多说了。 —

and Meg hoped they would say no more.
“很显然，黛西还没有出来呢，”克拉拉小姐向贝尔小姐点了点头。

‘It’s evident Daisy isn’t out yet,’ said Miss Clara to Belle, with a nod.

‘Quite a pastoral state of innocence all round,’ returned Miss Belle, with a shrug.
“周围都是一片宁静纯朴的田园状态，” 贝尔小姐耸了耸肩回答道。

‘I’m going out to get some little matters for my girls; —
“我要出去给我的女孩们买一些小东西，你们需要我帮忙做什么吗，小姐们？” —

can I do anything for you, young ladies?’ asked Mrs. Moffat, lumbering in, like an elephant, in silk and lace.
莫法特夫人问道，像头大象一样笨重地穿着丝绸和蕾丝。”不，谢谢，夫人，”莎莉回答道，” 我星期四要穿我的新粉红丝绸服装，什么都不需要了。”

‘No, thank you, ma’am,’ replied Sallie. —
“我也不——”梅格刚要说话，但停住了， —

‘I’ve got my new pink silk for Thursday, and don’t want a thing.’
因为她意识到自己确实需要几样东西，但却买不到。

‘Nor I——’ began Meg, but stopped, because it occurred to her that she did want several things, and could not have them.
“你打算穿什么？” 莎莉问道。

‘What shall you wear?’ asked Sallie.
“我打算再穿一次我那件旧的白色礼服，如果我能修好的话，昨晚它被撕的厉害，”梅格试图表现得轻松自如，但内心却很不舒服。

‘My old white one again, if I can mend it fit to be seen; —
“你为什么不寄回家要一件新的？” —

it got sadly torn last night,’ said Meg, trying to speak quite easily, but feeling very uncomfortable.
莎莉说，她并不是一个观察力很强的年轻女士。

‘Why don’t you send home for another?’ said Sallie, who was not an observing young lady.
“我没有其他的了。”梅格费了一番劲才说出这句话，但莎莉没有注意到，友好地惊呼道：

‘I haven’t got any other.’ It cost Meg an effort to say that, but Sallie did not see it, and exclaimed, in amiable surprise:
“哦，我还真没想到。”

‘Only that? How funny——’ She did not finish her speech, for Belle shook her head at her, and broke in, saying kindly:
“仅仅这样吗？太有趣了——”她没有完成她的发言，因为贝尔摇了摇头，温和地打断她说道：

‘Not at all; where is the use of having a lot of dresses when she isn’t out? —
“一点都不行；她不出去的话，拥有很多礼服有什么用呢？ —

There’s no need of sending home, Daisy, even if you had a dozen, for I’ve got a sweet blue silk laid away, which I’ve outgrown, and you shall wear it to please me, won’t you, dear?’
“不用寄回家，黛西，即使你有一打，我有一件漂亮的蓝色丝绸藏在一边，我已经穿不了了，你愿意为了让我高兴而穿上吗，亲爱的？

‘You are very kind, but I don’t mind my old dress, if you don’t; it does well enough for a little girl like me,’ said Meg.
“你很好心，但是如果你不介意的话，我不介意我的旧衣服，对于像我这样的小女孩来说，它足够好了，”梅格说。

‘Now do let me please myself by dressing you up in style. —
“现在让我按照自己的喜好装扮你吧。 —

I admire to do it, and you’d be a regular little beauty with a touch here and there. —
我很喜欢这样做，加上一些修饰，你会成为一个真正的小美人的。 —

I shan’t let anyone see you till you are done, and then we’ll burst upon them like Cinderella and her godmother going to the ball,’ said Belle, in her persuasive tone. —
“在你完成后我不会让任何人看到你，然后我们就会像灰姑娘和她的教母一样突然出现在他们面前去参加舞会，”贝尔用劝说的口吻说道。 —

Meg couldn’t refuse the offer so kindly made, for a desire to see if she would be ‘a little beauty’ after touching up, caused her to accept, and forget all her former uncomfortable feelings towards the Moffats.
梅格无法拒绝如此亲切的邀请，因为她想看看自己经过修饰后是否“好看极了”。这使她接受了邀请，也忘记了她以前对莫法特家族的不舒服感觉。

‘Mademoiselle is charmante, tres jolie, is she not?’ cried Hortense, clasping her hands in an affected rapture.
“小姐可爱极了，非常漂亮，不是吗？”霍腾丝兴奋地双手合十。

‘Come and show yourself,’ said Miss Belle, leading the way to the room where the others were waiting.
“快来给大家看看你自己吧。”贝尔小姐带路来到其他人等待的房间。

As Meg went rustling after her, with her long skirts trailing, her earrings tling, her curls waving, and her heart beating, she felt as if her “fun” had really begun at last, for the mirror had plainly told her that she was “a little beauty”. —
当梅格跟在她身后，裙摆沙沙作响，耳环叮铃作响，卷发飘逸，心跳加速时，她觉得她的“乐趣”终于开始了，因为镜子明确告诉她，她是“一个小美人儿”。 —

Her friends repeated the pleasing phrase enthusiastically; —
她的朋友们热情地重复着这句令人愉悦的赞美话语； —

and for several minutes she stood, like the jackdaw in the fable, enjoying her borrowed plumes, while the rest chattered like a party of magpies. —
几分钟内，她站在那里，像寓言故事中的寒鸦一样欣赏着借来的华服，而其他人则像一群喜欢啁啾的喜鹊。 —

‘While I dress, do you drill her, Nan, in the management of her skirt, and those French heels, or she will trip herself up. —
‘当我穿衣服的时候，你会教她，南，如何管理她的裙子和那些法式高跟鞋，否则她会摔倒自己。 —

Take your silver butterfly, and catch up that long curl on the left side of her head, Clara, and don’t any of you disturb the charming work of my hands,’ said Belle, as she hurried away, looking well pleased with her success.
‘拿起你的银蝴蝶结，抓住克拉拉头上左边的那缕长发，不要干扰我手中迷人的工作，’ 贝尔急忙走开，一脸满意地望着自己的成功。

‘I’m afraid to go down, I feel so queer and stiff and half-dressed,’ said Meg to Sallie, as the bell rang, and Mrs. Moffat sent to ask the young ladies to appear at once.
‘我不敢下去，我感觉很奇怪、僵硬，还没穿好呢，’ 梅格对萨利说道，就在这时，门铃响了，莫法特夫人派人来请两位小姐立刻现身。

‘You don’t look a bit like yourself, but you are very nice. —
‘你看起来一点也不像自己，但你很漂亮。与贝尔相比， —

I’m nowhere beside you, for Belle has heaps of taste, and you’re quite French, I assure you. —
我完全不如你，因为贝尔有很多品味，而你则很法式，我向你保证。 —

Let your flowers hang; don’t be so careful of them, and be sure you don’t trip,’ returned Sallie; —
‘让你的花束挂着，不要那么小心翼翼地保护它们，还要确保你不会绊倒，’ 萨利回答道。 —

trying not to care that Meg was prettier than herself. —
尽量不去在意梅格比她自己更漂亮的事实。 —

Keeping that warning carefully in mind, Margaret got safely downstairs, and sailed into the drawing rooms, where the Moffats and a few early guests were assembled. —
心里谨记着这个警告，玛格丽特安全地走下楼，走进了客厅，那里聚集了莫法特一家和一些早来的客人。 —

She very soon discovered that there is a charm about fine clothes which attracts a certain class of people, and secures their respect. —
她很快发现高贵的服装具有一种魅力，它能吸引一定阶层的人并赢得他们的尊重。 —

Several young ladies who had taken no notice of her before, were very affectionate all of a sudden; —
之前对她毫不关注的几位年轻女士一下子变得非常亲热； —

several young gentlemen, who had only stared at her at the other party, now not only stared, but asked to be introduced, and said all manner of foolish but agreeable things to her; —
之前虽然只是盯着她看的几位年轻绅士，现在不仅盯着她看，还请求介绍，并对她说了各种愚蠢但令人愉快的话； —

and several old ladies, who sat on sofas and criticized the rest of the party, inquired who she was, with an air of interest. —
几位坐在沙发上批评其他聚会的老太太，询问她是谁，并带着兴趣的口气。 —

She heard Mrs. Moffat reply to one of them: —
她听到莫法特太太对其中一位老太太回答道： —

‘Daisy March - father a colonel in the army - one of our first families, but reverses of fortune, you know; —
“黛西·马奇——父亲是陆军上校——是我们第一阶层的人，但是有过经济逆境，你知道的；亲近劳伦斯一家；绝妙的人，我向你保证；” —

intimate friends of the Laurences; —
她的身世被公开， —

sweet creature, I assure you; —
让她感到有些不安。 —

my Ned is quite wild about her.’
我家的尼德对她很感兴趣。

‘Dear me!’ said the old lady, putting up her glass for another observation of Meg, who tried to look as if she had not heard, and been rather shocked at Mrs. Moffat’s fibs.
“喔！”老太太说着，拿起她的眼镜再次观察着梅格，梅格尽量装作没听到，但对莫法特夫人的谎言感到有点震惊。

The “queer feeling” did not pass away, but she imagined herself acting the new part of a fine lady, and so got on pretty well, though the tight dress gave her a side-ache, the train kept getting under her feet, and she was in constant fear lest her earrings should fly off, and get lost or broken. —
“奇怪的感觉”并没有消失，但她想象自己扮演一个时髦女士的新角色，所以还算过得去，尽管紧身的衣服让她腰酸背痛，裙摆总是绊到她的脚下，她不停地担心耳环会掉下来，丢失或者摔坏。 —

She was flirting her fan, and laughing at the feeble jokes of a young gentleman who tried to be witty, when she suddenly stopped laughing, and looked confused; —
她正在招摇自己的扇子，对着一个试图风趣的年轻绅士的无聊笑话笑着，突然，她停下了笑声，看起来有些困惑； —

for, just opposite, she saw Laurie. —
因为，就在对面，她看到了劳瑞。 —

He was staring at her with undisguised surprise, and disapproval also, she thought, for, though he bowed and smiled, yet something in his honest eyes made her blush, and wish she had her old dress on. —
他用毫不掩饰的惊讶和不满地盯着她，她觉得，虽然他鞠躬微笑，但他诚实的眼神里某种东西让她脸红，她希望自己还穿着旧衣服。 —

To complete her confusion, she saw Belle nudge Annie, and both glance from her to Laurie, who, she was happy to see, looked unusually boyish and shy.
为了增加她的困惑，她看到贝尔推了一下安妮，两个人都看着她，然后她高兴地看到劳里看起来异常男孩子气和害羞。

‘Silly creatures, to put such thoughts into my head! —
‘傻瓜们，为什么让我头脑中产生这样的想法！ —

I won’t care for it, or let it change me a bit,’ thought Meg, and rustled across the room to shake hands with her friend.
我不会在意，也不会改变一点，’梅格想道，然后在房间里咯咯地走到朋友面前与她握手。

‘I’m glad you’ve come, I was afraid you wouldn’t,’ she said, with her most grown-up air.
‘你来了，我还担心你不会来呢，’她以她最像大人的口吻说到。

‘Jo wanted me to come, and tell her how you looked, so I did,’ answered Laurie, without turning his eyes upon her, though he half smiled at her maternal tone.
‘乔要我来告诉她你的模样，所以我来了，’劳里回答道，没有看她，尽管他对她的母性语气半笑着。

‘What shall you tell her?’ asked Meg, full of curiosity to know his opinion of her, yet feeling ill at ease with him, for the first time.
‘你打算告诉她什么？’梅格怀着好奇心问道，想要知道他对她的看法，但同时也感到与他有些不自在，这是第一次。

‘I shall say I didn’t know you; for you look so grown-up, and unlike yourself, I’m quite afraid of you,’ he said, fumbling at his glove-button.
‘我会说我不认识你，因为你看上去像个大人了，和你本来的样子不像，我有些怕你，’他说着，捏着手套扣子。

‘How absurd of you! The girls dressed me up for fun, and I rather like it. Wouldn’t Jo stare if she saw me?’ said Meg, bent on making him say whether he thought her improved or not.
‘你太荒唐了！是姐妹们给我打扮好玩的，我还挺喜欢这样。如果乔看到了会多吃惊啊！’梅格说道，决意让他说出他是否认为她变得更好了。

‘Yes, I think she would,’ returned Laurie, gravely.
‘是的，我觉得她会，’劳瑞郑重其事地回答道。

‘Don’t you like me so?’ asked Meg.
‘你不喜欢我吗？’梅格问道。

‘No, I don’t,’ was the blunt reply.
‘不，我不喜欢，’直截了当地回答道。

‘Why not?’ in an anxious tone.
‘为什么不喜欢？’她焦虑地问道。

He glanced at her frizzled head, bare shoulders, and fantastically trimmed dress, with an expression that abashed her more than his answer, which had not a particle of his usual politeness about it.
他用一种让她感到难堪的表情看着她卷曲的头发、光着的肩膀和奇装异服，尽管他的回答没有他通常的彬彬有礼，但那令她更为尴尬。

‘I don’t like fuss and feathers.’
‘我不喜欢炫耀和华丽装饰。

That was altogether too much from a lad younger than herself, and Meg walked away, saying petulantly: ‘You are the rudest boy I ever saw.’
这对于一个比她年轻的男孩来说太过分了，梅格生气地走开，不满地说：’你是我见过的最粗鲁的男孩。

Feeling very much ruffled, she went and stood at a quiet window to cool her cheeks, for the tight dress gave her an uncomfortably brilliant colour. —
她感到非常恼火，走到一个安静的窗户前冷却她的脸颊，因为紧身的衣服给她带来了一种令人不舒服的鲜艳色彩。 —

As she stood there, Major Lincoln passed by, and, a minute after, she heard him saying to his mother: —
就在她站在那里的时候，林肯少校走过，一分钟后，她听见他对他的母亲说： —

‘They are making a fool of that little girl; —
‘他们在拿那个小女孩开玩笑； —

I wanted you to see her, but they have spoilt her entirely; —
我本来想让你见见她，但他们完全把她弄坏了； —

she’s nothing but a doll tonight.’
今晚她只是个洋娃娃而已。

‘Oh dear!’ sighed Meg; ‘I wish I’d been sensible, and worn my own things; —
“哎呀！”梅格叹了口气，“我真希望我能聪明点，穿上自己的衣服； —

then I should not have disgusted other people or felt so uncomfortable and ashamed of myself.’
这样我就不会让别人反感，也不会感到如此不舒服和羞愧了。”

She leaned her forehead on the cool pane, and stood half hidden by the curtains, never minding that her favourite song had begun, till someone touched her; —
她把额头靠在凉爽的窗户上，站在窗帘后半边隐藏着，完全不在乎她最喜欢的歌已经开始了，直到有人触摸她； —

and, turning, she saw Laurie, looking penitent, as he said, with his very best bow, and his hand out:
她转过身，看到劳里，他看起来很后悔，然后他非常客气地说道，并伸出手：

‘Please forgive my rudeness, and come and have an ice with me.’
“请原谅我的粗鲁，跟我一起吃个冰淇淋吧。”

‘I’m afraid it will be too disagreeable to you,’ said Meg, trying to look offended, and failing entirely.
“我怕这会让你感到不愉快，”梅格试图表现出生气，但完全失败了。

‘Not a bit of it. Come, I’ll be good; —
“一点也不。来吧，我会乖乖的； —

I don’t like your gown, but I do think you are - just splendid’; —
虽然我不喜欢你的服装，但我真的认为你——简直太棒了”； —

and he waved his hands, as if words failed to express his admiration.
他挥舞着手，好像词语无法表达他的钦佩之情。

Meg smiled and relented, and whispered, as they stood waiting: —
梅格微笑着软化了心，低声说道，他们站在等待着： —

‘Take care my skirt don’t trip you up; —
“小心不要被我裙子绊倒； —

it’s the plague of my life, and I was a goose to wear it.’
它是我生活中的烦恼，我真是个傻瓜穿上它。”

‘Pin it round your neck, and then it will be useful’, said Laurie, looking down at the little blue boots, which he evidently approved of.
“把它戴在你脖子上，这样它会很有用的，” 劳里说着，低头看着那双他显然赞赏的小蓝靴子。

‘Laurie, I want you to do me a favour; will you?’ said Meg.
“劳里，我想让你帮个忙，可以吗？”梅格说道。

‘Won’t I!’ said Laurie, with alacrity.
“当然可以！”劳里爽快地答道。

‘Please don’t tell them at home about my dress tonight. —
“请不要告诉家里人今晚关于我的服装。 —

They won’t understand the joke, and it will worry Mother.’
他们不会理解这个笑话，而且会让妈妈担心。”

‘Then why did you do it?’ said Laurie’s eyes, so plainly that Meg hastily added: —
劳里的眼神非常明显地问道：”那你为什么要这么做？” 于是梅格赶紧补充道： —

‘I shall tell them myself all about it and “‘fess” to Mother how silly I’ve been. —
“我会亲自告诉他们我都干了些什么，向妈妈坦白我有多傻。 —

But I’d rather do it myself; so you’ll not tell, will you?’
但我宁愿自己说，你不会告诉别人，对吧？”

‘I give you my word I won’t; —
“我发誓不会； —

only what shall I say when they ask me?’
只是当他们问我的时候，我该怎么办？”

‘Just say I looked pretty well, and was having a good time.’
“你可以说我看起来还不错，并且玩得很开心。”

‘I’ll say the first with all my heart; —
“第一个我全心全意可以说； —

but how about the other? —
但第二个呢？ —

You don’t look as if you were having a good time; —
你看起来不像是玩得很开心； —

are you?’ and Laurie looked at her with an expression which made her answer, in a whisper: ‘No, not just now. —
是吗？” 劳里看着她，表情让她低声回答：”不，现在并不开心。 —

Don’t think I’m horrid; —
不要觉得我很可恶； —

I only wanted a little fun, but this sort doesn’t pay, I find, and I’m getting tired of it.’
我只是想找点乐子，但这种方式不给我报酬，我发现自己也厌倦了。

‘Here comes Ned Moffat; what does he want?’ said Laurie, knitting his black brows as if he did not regard his young host in the light of a pleasant addition to the party.
“尼德·莫费特来了，他想要什么？”劳里说道，眉毛紧锁，好像对他的年轻主人并不抱以愉快的态度。

‘What a bore!’ said Meg, assuming a languid air, which amused Laurie immensely.
“真无聊！”梅格装出一副倦怠的样子，搞得劳里很开心。

He did not speak to her again till supper-time, when he saw her drinking champagne with Ned and his friend Fisher, who were behaving ‘like a pair of fools’, as Laurie said to himself, for he felt a brotherly sort of right to watch over the Marches, and fight their battles whenever a defender was needed.
他直到晚餐时才再次与她说话，他看到她和尼德及他的朋友费舍尔喝香槟，他们的举止“就像一对傻瓜”，劳里自言自语道，因为他觉得对于玛奇一家他有一种兄弟般的责任，需要在他们需要保护者的时候为他们战斗。

‘You’ll have a splitting headache tomorrow, if you drink that stuff. —
“你如果喝那东西的话，明天会头痛得要命。我可不会喝， —

I wouldn’t, Meg; —
梅格； —

your mother doesn’t like it, you know,’ he whispered, leaning over her chair, as Ned turned to refill her glass, and Fisher stooped to pick up her fan.
你知道，你妈妈不喜欢这个。”他低声对她说，正当尼德转身给她重新倒酒时，费舍尔弯下身子捡起她的扇子。

‘I’m not Meg tonight; I’m a “doll”, who does all sorts of crazy things. —
“今晚我不是梅格，我是个‘洋娃娃’，会做各种疯狂的事情。” —

Tomorrow I shall put away my “fuss and feathers”, and be desperately good again,’ she answered, with an affected little laugh.
明天我将收起我的“麻烦和装饰”，再次勉力表现好，’ 她假装地笑着回答道。

‘Wish tomorrow was here, then,’ muttered Laurie, walking off, ill-pleased at the change he saw in her.
‘但愿明天快点到来，’劳里嘟囔着走开，对她的变化感到不悦。

Meg danced and flirted, chattered and giggled, as the other girls did; —
梅格像其他女孩一样跳舞、调情、叽叽喳喳地说个不停； —

after supper she undertook the German polka, and blundered through it, nearly upsetting her partner with her long skirt, and romping in a way that scandalized Laurie, who looked on, and meditated a lecture. —
晚饭后，她接受了德国波尔卡舞的邀请，却笨手笨脚地跳着，差点把她的舞伴连同她的长裙一起弄倒，这种淘气的举止让劳里看着气愤不已，他一直观察着，并在考虑着该给她讲个道理。 —

But he got no chance to deliver it, for Meg kept away from him till he came to say good night.
但他没有机会发表讲话，因为梅格一直躲着他，直到他来道别。

‘Remember!’ she said, trying to smile, for the splitting headache had already begun.
‘记住！’她试图微笑着说道，因为她的头痛已经开始了。

‘Silence * la mort,’ relied Laurie, with a melodramatic flourish, as he went away.
‘沉默如死，’劳里戏剧性地挥舞着手，离开时回答道。

This little bit of byplay excited Annie’s curiosity; —
这段插曲引起了安妮的好奇心， —

but Meg was too tired for gossip, and went to bed feeling as if she had been to a masquerade, and hadn’t enjoyed herself as much as she expected. —
但梅格太累了，不想八卦，去睡觉的时候感觉好像参加了一个化装舞会，却没有像她期望的那么开心。 —

She was sick all the next day, and on Saturday went home, quite used up with her fortnight’s fun, and feeling that she had ‘sat in the lap of luxury’ long enough.
她整整生病了一天，星期六回家时已经玩得筋疲力尽了，感觉已经享受了足够长的奢侈生活。

‘It does seem pleasant to be quiet, and not have company manners on all the time. —
“静静地待着，不用一直保持应酬的样子，真的很愉快呢。” —

Home is a nice place, though it isn’t splendid,’ said Meg, looking about her with a restful expression as she sat with her mother and Jo on the Sunday evening.
“家是一个美好的地方，虽然不豪华，” 星期日晚上，坐在母亲和乔旁边，梅格心满意足地环顾四周说道。

‘I’m glad to hear you say so, dear, for I was afraid home would seem dull and poor to you after your fine quarters,’ replied her mother, who had given her many anxious looks that day; —
“我很高兴你这样说，亲爱的，因为我担心你在住过那么好的地方之后会觉得家里乏味和贫穷。” 她的母亲回答道，这一天她一直担心地看着梅格。 —

for motherly eyes are quick to see any change in children’s faces. —
因为母亲的眼睛总是能迅速地察觉到孩子们脸上的任何变化。 —

Meg had told her adventures gaily, and said over and over what a charming time she had had; —
梅格愉快地讲述了她的冒险经历，一遍又一遍地说着她有多么愉快的时光。 —

but something still seemed to weigh upon her spirits, and, when the younger girls were gone to bed, she sat thoughtfully staring at the fire, saying little, and looking worried.
但似乎仍然有些事情压在她的心头，当妹妹们都上床睡觉后，她沉思地盯着火焰，说着寥寥几句，看起来很烦恼。

As the clock struck nine, and Jo proposed bed, Meg suddenly left her chair, and taking Beth’s stool, leaned her elbows on her mother’s knee, saying bravely:
当钟声敲响九点时，乔向床里提议，梅格突然离开椅子，拿起贝丝的凳子，用肘部倚在母亲的膝盖上，勇敢地说道：

‘Marmee, I want to “‘fess”.’
“妈咪，我想‘坦白’。”

‘I thought so; what is it, dear?’
“我就知道，亲爱的，你想说什么？”

‘Shall I go away?’ asked Jo, discreetly.
“我要离开吗？”乔谨慎地询问道。

‘Of course not; don’t I always tell you everything? —
“当然不用，我不总是告诉你一切吗？ —

I was ashamed to speak of it before the children, but I want you to know all the dreadful things I did at the Moffats’.’
在孩子们面前我有点难以启齿，但我希望你知道我在莫法特家里做了些可怕的事情。”

‘We are prepared,’ said Mrs. March, smiling, but looking a little anxious.
“我们已经做好准备了，”玛琳·马奇笑着说，但表情有点担忧。

‘I told you they dressed me up, but I didn’t tell you that they powdered and squeezed and frizzled, and made me look like a fashion-plate. —
“我告诉你们他们给我打扮的事情，但我没有告诉你们他们还给我搽粉、挤压和梳妆打扮，让我看起来像时尚模特。” —

Laurie thought I wasn’t proper; I know he did, though he didn’t say so, and one man called me “a doll”. —
“劳里觉得我不合适；虽然他没有明说，但我知道他这样认为，还有一个人称我为‘玩偶’。” —

I knew it was silly, but they flattered me, and said I was a beauty, and quantities of nonsense, so I let them make a fool of me.’
“我知道这很傻，但他们夸奖我，说我很漂亮，又说了一大堆废话，所以我任由他们戏弄我。”

‘Is that all?’ asked Jo, as Mrs. March looked silently at the downcast face of her pretty daughter, and could not find it in her heart to blame her little follies.
“那就是全部了吗？”乔问道，当玛奇夫人默默地看着自己漂亮女儿的低头时，她心中无法责怪她的小错误。

‘No; I drank champagne, and romped, and tried to flirt and was altogether abominable,’ said Meg, self-reproachfully.
“不，我喝了香槟，疯玩，努力勾引人，总之非常可恶。”梅格自责地说。

‘There is something more, I think,’ and Mrs. March smoothed the soft cheek, which suddenly grew rosy, as Meg answered slowly:
“还有其他的事情，我想。”玛奇夫人轻轻地抚摸着那张突然变得红润的柔软脸颊，梅格缓慢地回答道。

‘Yes; it’s very silly, but I want to tell it, because I hate to have people say and think such things about us and Laurie.’
“是的，这很愚蠢，但我想告诉你们，因为我讨厌别人这样说我们和劳里。”梅格说。

Then she told the various bits of gossip she had heard at the Moffats’; —
然后她讲述了她在莫菲斯家听到的各种八卦。 —

and, as she spoke, Jo saw her mother fold her lips tightly, as if ill pleased that such ideas should be put into Meg’s innocent mind.
当她说的时候，乔看到她的妈妈嘴唇紧紧地抿在一起，好像对将这样的想法灌输到梅格天真的脑海中感到不悦。

‘Well, if that isn’t the greatest rubbish I ever heard,’ cried Jo, indignantly. ‘Why didn’t you pop out and tell them so, on the spot?’
“哎呀，这是我听过的最胡闹荒谬的事情。”乔愤慨地说。“你为什么不当时就出去告诉他们，让他们闭嘴？”

‘I couldn’t, it was so embarrassing for me. —
“我不能，那真让我太尴尬了。 —

I couldn’t help hearing at first, and then I was so angry and ashamed, I didn’t remember that I ought to go away.’
刚开始我听到了，我感到很生气和羞愧，都忘了我应该离开。”

‘Just wait till I see Annie Moffat, and I’ll show you how to settle such ridiculous stuff. —
“等我见到安妮·莫费特，我会告诉你怎么解决这种荒谬的事情。” —

The idea of having “plans”, and being kind to Laurie because he’s rich, and may marry us by and by! —
“怎么会有‘计划’，还要对劳瑞好，因为他有钱，以后可能会娶我们！” —

Won’t he shout when I tell him what those silly things say about us poor children?’ and Jo laughed, as if, on second thoughts, the thing struck her as a good joke.
“当我告诉他这些傻事说我们这些可怜的孩子时，他肯定会大喊大叫！”然后乔笑了，好像在重新考虑之后，这件事对她来说是个好笑的玩笑。

‘If you tell Laurie, I’ll never forgive you! She mustn’t, must she, Mother?’ said Meg, looking distressed.
“如果你告诉劳瑞，我永远不会原谅你！她不可以，对吗，妈妈？”梅格看起来很困扰地说。

‘No; never repeat that foolish gossip, and forget it as soon as you can,’ said Mrs. March, gravely. —
“不要再重复那种愚蠢的流言蜚语，尽快忘记它，”玛丽安·马奇严肃地说。 —

‘I was very unwise to let you go among people of whom I know so little - kind, I dare say, but worldly, ill-bred, and full of these vulgar ideas about young people. —
“让你去一个我几乎不了解的人群中真是太不明智了——他们可能友善，但俗气、没教养，对年轻人有这种庸俗的观念。” —

I am more sorry than I can express for the mischief this visit may have done you, Meg.’
“我对你这次拜访可能给你带来的麻烦感到非常遗憾，梅格。”

‘Don’t be sorry, I won’t let it hurt me; —
‘别难过，我不会让它伤害我； —

I’ll forget all the bad, and remember only the good; —
我会忘记所有不好的事情，只记住好的； —

for I did enjoy a great deal, and thank you very much for letting me go. —
因为我真的很享受，非常感谢你让我离开。母亲， —

I’ll not be sentimental or dissatisfied, Mother; —
我不会感情用事或不满； —

I know I’m a silly little girl, and I’ll stay with you till I’m fit to take care of myself. —
我知道我是个傻小姑娘，我会待在你身边，直到我能照顾好自己。 —

But it is nice to be praised and admired, and I can’t help saying I like it,’ said Meg, looking half ashamed of the confession. —
但是受到赞扬和赞美是很好的，我不能不承认我喜欢。’梅格说着，面露半羞。 —

‘That is perfectly natural, and quite harmless, if the liking does not become a passion, and lead one to do foolish or unmaidenly things. —
‘如果这种喜欢不变成热情，不让人做傻事或不符合女子身份的事情，那是完全正常和无害的。 —

Learn to know and value the praise which is worth having, and to excite the admiration of excellent people by being modest as well as pretty, Meg.’
学会认识和珍惜值得获得的赞扬，通过自身的谦逊和美貌引起优秀人士的赞赏，梅格。’

Margaret sat thinking a moment, while Jo stood with her hands behind her, looking both interested and a little perplexed; —
玛格丽特思考了片刻，而乔则双手放在后面，既感兴趣又有些困惑地站着。 —

for it was a new thing to see Meg blushing and talking about admiration, lovers, and things of that sort; —
因为看到梅格脸红并谈论着崇拜、恋人之类的事情对她来说是一件新鲜事； —

and Jo felt as if, during that fortnight, her sister had grown up amazingly, and was drifting away from her into a world where she could not follow.
乔觉得在那两周中，她的妹妹变得惊人地成熟了，正在漂流到一个她无法跟随的世界里。

‘Mother, do you have “plans”, as Mrs. Moffat said?’ asked Meg, bashfully.
“妈妈，你有‘计划’吗，像莫法特夫人说的那样？”梅格害羞地问道。

‘Yes, my dear, I have a great many; all mothers do, but mine differ somewhat from Mrs. Moffat’s, I suspect. —
“是的，亲爱的，我有很多；所有的母亲都有，但我猜我的计划与莫法特夫人的不太一样。 —

I will tell you some of them, for the time has come when a word may set this romantic little head and heart of yours right on a very serious subject. —
我会告诉你一些，因为现在是时候让你这个浪漫的小脑袋和心灵对一个非常严肃的问题有所了解了。 —

You are young, Meg, but not too young to understand me; —
你还年轻，梅格，但并不太年轻不能明白我说的话； —

and mother’s lips are the fittest to speak of such things to girls like you. —
而母亲的嘴唇是最适合对这样的事情和你这样的姑娘说话的。 —

Jo, your turn will come in time, perhaps, so listen to my “plans”, and help me carry them out if they are good.’
乔，你的机会会来的，也许，所以听听我的“计划”，如果它们是好的，帮助我执行它们。

Jo went and sat on one arm of the chair, looking as if she thought they were about to join in some very solemn affair. —
乔走过去坐在椅子的扶手上，看起来好像他们即将参加一些非常庄严的事务。 —

Holding a hand of each, and watching the two young faces wistfully, Mrs. March said, in her serious yet cheery way:
紧握着两个年轻面庞的手，夫人马奇以她严肃却愉快的方式说道：

‘I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good; to be admired, loved, and respected; —
“我希望我的女儿们能够美丽、有才华，并且正直；受人羡慕、被爱戴与受尊敬； —

to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. —
度过快乐的青春时光，幸福而明智地嫁人，过上有用而愉快的生活，承受上帝随意派遣的尽量少的忧愁和痛苦。” —

To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman; —
被一个好人所爱和选择是对女人来说最美好而甜蜜的事情； —

and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. —
我真心希望我的女儿们能够体验到这种美好的经历。 —

It is natural to think of it, Meg; —
梅格，这是很自然的想法； —

right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it; —
希望并等待着它是正当的，而为它做好准备则是明智的。 —

so that, when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. —
这样，当幸福来临时，你们就会觉得自己为责任而准备好，并值得拥有这份喜悦； —

My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world - marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. —
亲爱的女儿们，我对你们有抱负，但并不希望你们只是出人头地——仅仅是为了嫁给富人或者住进雄伟的房子，因为这些房子缺乏爱； —

Money is a needful and precious thing - and, when well used, a noble thing - but I never want you to think of it as the first or only prize to strive for. —
金钱是必需的，珍贵的东西——当善用时，是高尚的东西——但我从不希望你们将它视为首要或唯一的追求目标； —

I’d rather see you poor men’s wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace.’
如果你们过得快乐、被爱、心满意足，我更愿意看到你们成为穷人的妻子，而不是坐在宝座上的皇后们，没有自尊和平静；

‘Poor girls don’t stand any chance, Belle says, unless they put themselves forward,’ sighed Meg.
“穷女孩没有机会，贝尔说，除非她们自己展露出来”，梅格叹息道；

‘Then we’ll be old maids,’ said Jo, stoutly.
“那我们就做老姑娘好了”，乔坚决地说道。

‘Right, Jo; better be happy old maids than unhappy wives or unmaidenly girls, running about to find husbands,’ said Mrs. March, decidedly. —
“对，乔，宁愿做快乐的老处女也不愿做不幸的妻子或挑逗的姑娘，到处找老公。”夫人马奇坚定地说道。 —

‘Don’t be troubled, Meg; poverty seldom daunts a sincere lover. —
“别担心，梅格，贫穷很少能让一个真诚的恋人退缩。 —

Some of the best and most honoured women I know were poor girls, but so love-worthy that they were not allowed to be old maids. —
我认识一些最好的、最受尊敬的女人都是贫穷的姑娘，但是她们是如此值得被爱，以至于不被允许成为老处女。 —

Leave these things to time. Make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own if they are offered you, and contented here if they are not. —
请将这些事情交给时间。让这个家庭快乐，这样如果有人提供给你们婚姻，你们才能适应，如果没有，也会在这里满足。 —

One thing remember, my girls; —
记住一件事，我的女儿们： —

Mother is always ready to be your confidante, Father to be your friend; —
母亲总是愿意成为你们的知己，父亲总是愿意成为你们的朋友； —

and both of us trust and hope that our daughters, whether married or single, will be the pride and comfort of our lives.’
而我们两个都相信并希望我们的女儿们，无论是已婚还是未婚，都能成为我们生活的骄傲和安慰。

‘We will, Marmee, we will!’ cried both, with all their hearts, as she bade them good night.
“我们会的，妈咪，我们会！”她们全心全意地答道，和她们道晚安的时候。