TREATS OF OLIVER TWIST’S GROWTH, EDUCATION, AND BOARD
旨在描述奥利弗·特威斯特的成长、教育和伙食安排。

For the next eight or ten months, Oliver was the victim of a systematic course of treachery and deception. —
在接下来的八到十个月里，奥利弗成为了一系列背叛和欺骗的受害者。 —

He was brought up by hand. The hungry and destitute situation of the infant orphan was duly reported by the workhouse authorities to the parish authorities. —
他是被人带大的。这个孤儿婴儿饥饿和贫困的状况被救济院的当局向教区管理者如实报告。 —

The parish authorities inquired with dignity of the workhouse authorities, whether there was no female then domiciled in ‘the house’ who was in a situation to impart to Oliver Twist, the consolation and nourishment of which he stood in need. —
教区管理者端庄地询问救济院的当局，在“教院”里是不是没有一个女性适合给奥利弗·特威斯特提供他所需要的安慰和营养。 —

The workhouse authorities replied with humility, that there was not. —
救济院的当局谦卑地回答说没有。 —

Upon this, the parish authorities magnanimously and humanely resolved, that Oliver should be ‘farmed,’ or, in other words, that he should be dispatched to a branch-workhouse some three miles off, where twenty or thirty other juvenile offenders against the poor-laws, rolled about the floor all day, without the inconvenience of too much food or too much clothing, under the parental superintendence of an elderly female, who received the culprits at and for the consideration of sevenpence-halfpenny per small head per week. —
于是，教区管理者慷慨地、人道主义地决定，奥利弗应该被“寄养”，换句话说，他应该被派往一家离此三英里的分管工院，那里有二三十个违背穷人法的其他青少年犯人，整天在地板上打滚，既没有太多食物，也没有太多衣服，由一个年迈的女性监护，收取每周每个小孩七便士半的费用。 —

Sevenpence-halfpenny’s worth per week is a good round diet for a child; —
每周七便士半的价值足够一个孩子的饮食； —

a great deal may be got for sevenpence-halfpenny, quite enough to overload its stomach, and make it uncomfortable. —
用七便士半可以得到很多东西，足够填饱孩子的胃，让他感到不舒服。 —

The elderly female was a woman of wisdom and experience; she knew what was good for children; —
这名年迈女性是一位智慧而经验丰富的女人；她知道对孩子有益； —

and she had a very accurate perception of what was good for herself. —
她非常清楚自己什么对孩子好。 —

So, she appropriated the greater part of the weekly stipend to her own use, and consigned the rising parochial generation to even a shorter allowance than was originally provided for them. —
因此，她将每周的大部分津贴用于自己，将正在成长的寄养一代交给比最初为他们提供的还要更少的补贴。 —

Thereby finding in the lowest depth a deeper still; —
在最低点找到更低的深度； —

and proving herself a very great experimental philosopher.
显出她是一位非常杰出的实验哲学家。

Everybody knows the story of another experimental philosopher who had a great theory about a horse being able to live without eating, and who demonstrated it so well, that he had got his own horse down to a straw a day, and would unquestionably have rendered him a very spirited and rampacious animal on nothing at all, if he had not died, four-and-twenty hours before he was to have had his first comfortable bait of air. —
每个人都知道另一位实验哲学家的故事，他提出了一个关于马可以不吃东西就能活的理论，而且证明得非常成功，他的马每天只吃一小撮干草，如果他不死的话，在他应该吃第一顿舒适的饭前的二十四小时之内，无疑会让他的马在什么都不吃的情况下，变得非常奋发有为。 —

Unfortunately for, the experimental philosophy of the female to whose protecting care Oliver Twist was delivered over, a similar result usually attended the operation of her system; —
不幸的是，对于奥利弗·特威斯特被交付给的女性的保护护理系统，通常也会产生类似的结果； —

for at the very moment when the child had contrived to exist upon the smallest possible portion of the weakest possible food, it did perversely happen in eight and a half cases out of ten, either that it sickened from want and cold, or fell into the fire from neglect, or got half-smothered by accident; —
就在孩子设法用最小的最弱的食物继续存在的那一刻，往往八成半的情况下，要么由于缺乏和寒冷而生病，要么由于疏忽不顾而落入火中，要么因为意外而半窒息； —

in any one of which cases, the miserable little being was usually summoned into another world, and there gathered to the fathers it had never known in this.
在这些情况中的任何一种，这个可怜的小生命通常会被召唤到另一个世界，并与在此世界上从未见过的父辈团聚；

Occasionally, when there was some more than usually interesting inquest upon a parish child who had been overlooked in turning up a bedstead, or inadvertently scalded to death when there happened to be a washing–though the latter accident was very scarce, anything approaching to a washing being of rare occurrence in the farm–the jury would take it into their heads to ask troublesome questions, or the parishioners would rebelliously affix their signatures to a remonstrance. —
偶尔，当对一个被忽视在翻床上时被发现的乡村孩子进行更有趣的审讯时，或者不慎被烫死时，虽然后一种事故非常罕见，因为农场里几乎不曾进行任何接近洗涤的活动，陪审团会产生麻烦的问题，或者教区居民会以签名表示反对； —

But these impertinences were speedily checked by the evidence of the surgeon, and the testimony of the beadle; —
但是这些冒犯还是很快被外科医生的证词和法警的证词所制止； —

the former of whom had always opened the body and found nothing inside (which was very probable indeed), and the latter of whom invariably swore whatever the parish wanted; —
前者总是剖开身体没有发现什么内部器官，这是非常有可能的；后者则总是发誓支持教区想要的一切； —

which was very self-devotional. Besides, the board made periodical pilgrimages to the farm, and always sent the beadle the day before, to say they were going. —
这是非常奉献的。此外，理事会定期前往农场，总是提前一天派法警去通知他们要去的事； —

The children were neat and clean to behold, when they went; —
孩子们当他们去的时候，看起来整洁而干净； —

and what more would the people have!
人们还想要什么！

It cannot be expected that this system of farming would produce any very extraordinary or luxuriant crop. —
不能指望这种农业系统产生非常特别或丰硕的作物； —

Oliver Twist’s ninth birthday found him a pale thin child, somewhat diminutive in stature, and decidedly small in circumference. —
奥利弗·特威斯特的第九个生日，他是一个苍白瘦弱的孩子，身材略小，外围明显倾向瘦小； —

But nature or inheritance had implanted a good sturdy spirit in Oliver’s breast. —
但是天性或遗传在奥利弗心中灌输了一个坚韧的精神； —

It had had plenty of room to expand, thanks to the spare diet of the establishment; —
由于住宿的稀缺饮食，这种精神有充分的空间扩展； —

and perhaps to this circumstance may be attributed his having any ninth birth-day at all. —
也许正是这种情况导致他有第九个生日； —

Be this as it may, however, it was his ninth birthday; —
不管怎样，事实确实如此，这是他的第九个生日； —

and he was keeping it in the coal-cellar with a select party of two other young gentleman, who, after participating with him in a sound thrashing, had been locked up for atrociously presuming to be hungry, when Mrs. Mann, the good lady of the house, was unexpectedly startled by the apparition of Mr. Bumble, the beadle, striving to undo the wicket of the garden-gate.
他正在煤气井里和其他两位年轻绅士一起庆祝，他们跟他一起受到了严厉的殴打后，因为居然饿了，被关在里面。当这房子的好夫人曼太太被意外惊动，看到教区法警邦布尔正试图打开花园大门的小门时。

‘Goodness gracious! Is that you, Mr. Bumble, sir?’ —
‘天哪！那是您吗，巴姆先生？’ —

said Mrs. Mann, thrusting her head out of the window in well-affected ecstasies of joy. —
梅恩太太高兴地伸出头，假装极度开心。 —

’(Susan, take Oliver and them two brats upstairs, and wash ‘em directly. —
’(苏珊，带奥利弗和那两个淘气鬼上楼，立刻给他们洗澡。) —

)–My heart alive! Mr. Bumble, how glad I am to see you, sure-ly!’
)–天哪！巴姆先生，见到您我多高兴啊！’

Now, Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a choleric; —
巴姆先生是个胖子，而且脾气暴躁； —

so, instead of responding to this open-hearted salutation in a kindred spirit, he gave the little wicket a tremendous shake, and then bestowed upon it a kick which could have emanated from no leg but a beadle’s.
所以，他没有以同样热情回应这个热情洋溢的问候，而是狠狠摇了一下小门闩，接着用着只有教区长才有的腿才能踢出的一脚。

‘Lor, only think,’ said Mrs. Mann, running out,–for the three boys had been removed by this time,–‘only think of that! —
‘唉，想一想！’梅恩太太跑了出来，那三个男孩此时已经被带走了。 —

That I should have forgotten that the gate was bolted on the inside, on account of them dear children! —
‘我怎么会忘记大门内侧上了闩，都是因为那些可爱的孩子！ —

Walk in sir; walk in, pray, Mr. Bumble, do, sir.’
请进，先生，请进，巴姆先生，拜托，进来吧！’

Although this invitation was accompanied with a curtsey that might have softened the heart of a church-warden, it by no means mollified the beadle.
尽管这邀请伴随着一个可能会让一个教堂执事的心软的屈膝礼，但绝对没有让这位教区长感到温和。

‘Do you think this respectful or proper conduct, Mrs. Mann,’ inquired Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane, ‘to keep the parish officers a waiting at your garden-gate, when they come here upon porochial business with the porochial orphans? —
‘曼太太，这样的行为尊重和得体吗？’巴姆先生握住手杖问道，‘让教区官员在你的花园门口等着，当他们来这里处理教区事务与教区孤儿的时候？ —

Are you aweer, Mrs. Mann, that you are, as I may say, a porochial delegate, and a stipendiary?’
你知道的，曼太太，你，可以说是一个教区代表，也是一名受薪人员？’

‘I’m sure Mr. Bumble, that I was only a telling one or two of the dear children as is so fond of you, that it was you a coming,’ replied Mrs. Mann with great humility.
‘我敢肯定巴姆先生，我只是在告诉几个很喜欢您的孩子，说您要来了。’曼太太谦卑地回答。

Mr. Bumble had a great idea of his oratorical powers and his importance. —
巴姆先生对自己的演讲能力和重要性非常自信。 —

He had displayed the one, and vindicated the other. He relaxed.
他展示了前者，证明了后者。他放松了。

‘Well, well, Mrs. Mann,’ he replied in a calmer tone; ‘it may be as you say; it may be. —
“那好吧，那好吧，曼夫人，”他以更平静的口吻回答道，“也许你说得对；也许是这样的。” —

Lead the way in, Mrs. Mann, for I come on business, and have something to say.’
“请领路，曼夫人，我是来办正事的，有些话要说。”

Mrs. Mann ushered the beadle into a small parlour with a brick floor; placed a seat for him; —
曼夫人引领着这位掌管教堂庙产的人进了一个铺着砖地的小客厅；为他安排了一个座位； —

and officiously deposited his cocked hat and cane on the table before him. —
并服从地将他的三角帽和手杖殷勤地放在桌子上。 —

Mr. Bumble wiped from his forehead the perspiration which his walk had engendered, glanced complacently at the cocked hat, and smiled. —
那个三角帽使得班波从额头上擦去散步中流下的汗水，满意地看了看，然后微笑。 —

Yes, he smiled. Beadles are but men: and Mr. Bumble smiled.
是的，他微笑了。管事的不过是人，班波也微笑了。

‘Now don’t you be offended at what I’m a going to say,’ observed Mrs. Mann, with captivating sweetness. —
“别因为我要讲的话而生气啊。”曼夫人带着迷人的甜蜜说道。 —

‘You’ve had a long walk, you know, or I wouldn’t mention it. —
“你知道你走了很远的路，不然我也不好意思提起。 —

Now, will you take a little drop of somethink, Mr. Bumble?’
那你要来点什么吗，班波先生？”

‘Not a drop. Nor a drop,’ said Mr. Bumble, waving his right hand in a dignified, but placid manner.
“一滴也不要。一滴都不要。”班波先生挥了挥右手，以庄重而平静的姿态说道。

‘I think you will,’ said Mrs. Mann, who had noticed the tone of the refusal, and the gesture that had accompanied it. —
“我觉得你会喜欢的。”曼夫人发现了拒绝的口气和伴随的手势，说道。 —

‘Just a leetle drop, with a little cold water, and a lump of sugar.’
“来一点点，加点冷水，再来块糖。”

Mr. Bumble coughed.
班波轻咳了一声。

‘Now, just a leetle drop,’ said Mrs. Mann persuasively.
“来，只来一点点。”曼夫人劝说道。

‘What is it?’ inquired the beadle.
“这是什么？”管事问道。

‘Why, it’s what I’m obliged to keep a little of in the house, to put into the blessed infants’ Daffy, when they ain’t well, Mr. Bumble,’ replied Mrs. Mann as she opened a corner cupboard, and took down a bottle and glass. —
“为什么，这是我有责任在家里存一点，当可怜的婴儿们病了的时候要放到他们的Daffy里，邦布尔先生，”曼太太回答道，她打开了一个角落的碗柜，取下了一个瓶子和一个玻璃杯。 —

‘It’s gin. I’ll not deceive you, Mr. B. It’s gin.’
“这是杜松子酒。我不会欺骗你，邦布尔先生。这是杜松子酒。”

‘Do you give the children Daffy, Mrs. Mann?’ —
邦布尔问道：”您给孩子们喝Daffy吗，曼太太？“ —

inquired Bumble, following with his eyes the interesting process of mixing.
他的目光追随着这个有趣的混合过程。

‘Ah, bless ‘em, that I do, dear as it is,’ replied the nurse. —
“啊，要是因为孩子病了，那我就得呀，虽然它很贵，”护士回答道。 —

‘I couldn’t see ‘em suffer before my very eyes, you know sir.’
”亲爱的，我看不得他们眼睛前受苦，你知道，先生。“

‘No’; said Mr. Bumble approvingly; ‘no, you could not. —
邦布尔认可地说：“不，你是做得对的，曼太太。” —

You are a humane woman, Mrs. Mann.’ (Here she set down the glass. —
他设置玻璃杯。”我会尽早告诉委员会的，曼太太。“他把玻璃杯拉到自己跟前。 —

) ‘I shall take a early opportunity of mentioning it to the board, Mrs. Mann.’ (He drew it towards him. —
“你有母性的感觉，曼太太。”他搅拌着杜松子酒。 —

) ‘You feel as a mother, Mrs. Mann.’ (He stirred the gin-and-water. —
”我——我很高兴为你干杯，曼太太，“他喝掉了一半。 —

) ‘I–I drink your health with cheerfulness, Mrs. Mann’; and he swallowed half of it.
“现在谈生意吧，”邦布尔说着，掏出一个皮夹子。

‘And now about business,’ said the beadle, taking out a leathern pocket-book. —
“那个因为只给奥利弗·特威斯特嘴角涂了一点圣水而没有完全受洗的孩子，今天九岁了。” —

‘The child that was half-baptized Oliver Twist, is nine year old to-day.’
“保佑他！”曼太太插话说，用围裙的角抚摸着她的左眼。

‘Bless him!’ interposed Mrs. Mann, inflaming her left eye with the corner of her apron.
“尽管有十英镑的悬赏，后来增加到二十英镑。”

‘And notwithstanding a offered reward of ten pound, which was afterwards increased to twenty pound. —
“弗萊契。”[编辑] —

Notwithstanding the most superlative, and, I may say, supernat’ral exertions on the part of this parish,’ said Bumble, ‘we have never been able to discover who is his father, or what was his mother’s settlement, name, or con–dition.’
尽管教区做出了最最尽职，我可以说是超自然的努力，我们从未能发现他的父亲是谁，他母亲的定居地、名字或状况是什么。’

Mrs. Mann raised her hands in astonishment; —
曼太太惊讶地举起双手； —

but added, after a moment’s reflection, ‘How comes he to have any name at all, then?’
但经过片刻的沉思后补充道，’那他怎么会有名字呢？

The beadle drew himself up with great pride, and said, ‘I inwented it.’
布兰搞出了胸膛，自豪地说道，’我想出了这个名字。’

‘You, Mr. Bumble!’
‘你？布兰先生！’

‘I, Mrs. Mann. We name our fondlings in alphabetical order. The last was a S,–Swubble, I named him. —
‘是的，曼太太，我们按字母顺序给我们的婴儿取名字。 —

This was a T,–Twist, I named him. The next one comes will be Unwin, and the next Vilkins. —
上一个是S——斯沃博尔，我给他起的名字。 —

I have got names ready made to the end of the alphabet, and all the way through it again, when we come to Z.’
这个是T——特维斯特，我给他起名字。下一个将是安温，再下一个将是维金斯。

‘Why, you’re quite a literary character, sir!’ said Mrs. Mann.
‘噢，你真是一个文学角色，先生！’曼太太说。

‘Well, well,’ said the beadle, evidently gratified with the compliment; ‘perhaps I may be. —
‘嗯，嗯，’看得出布兰先生颇感欣慰；’也许我是。 —

Perhaps I may be, Mrs. Mann.’ He finished the gin-and-water, and added, ‘Oliver being now too old to remain here, the board have determined to have him back into the house. —
也许我是，曼太太。’他喝完了杜松子酒，又说，’奥利弗现在太大了，不能留在这里，委员会已经决定把他送回去房子。 —

I have come out myself to take him there. —
我亲自出来接他去那里。 —

So let me see him at once.’
所以让我立刻见到他.’

‘I’ll fetch him directly,’ said Mrs. Mann, leaving the room for that purpose. —
‘我马上把他找来，’曼太太说着离开房间去办这件事。 —

Oliver, having had by this time as much of the outer coat of dirt which encrusted his face and hands, removed, as could be scrubbed off in one washing, was led into the room by his benevolent protectress.
经过这段时间，奥利弗被他的慈爱保护者领进房间，脸和手上的表层污垢被洗掉了一部分，只能在一次洗涤中擦掉。

‘Make a bow to the gentleman, Oliver,’ said Mrs. Mann.
“向这位先生鞠个躬，奥利弗，”曼太太说。

Oliver made a bow, which was divided between the beadle on the chair, and the cocked hat on the table.
奥利弗鞠了一个躬，一部分朝着坐在椅子上的执事，另一部分朝着桌子上的三角帽。

‘Will you go along with me, Oliver?’ said Mr. Bumble, in a majestic voice.
“你愿意跟我去吗，奥利弗？”邦布尔先生声音威严地问道。

Oliver was about to say that he would go along with anybody with great readiness, when, glancing upward, he caught sight of Mrs. Mann, who had got behind the beadle’s chair, and was shaking her fist at him with a furious countenance. —
奥利弗正要说他愿意随意一个人去，突然抬头看见曼太太已经站到执事椅子的后面，怒气冲冲地朝他挥舞拳头。 —

He took the hint at once, for the fist had been too often impressed upon his body not to be deeply impressed upon his recollection.
他立刻明白这是一个暗示，因为过去拳头曾经多次重重地打在他身上，已经深深地刻在他的记忆里。

‘Will she go with me?’ inquired poor Oliver.
“她也能跟我去吗？”可怜的奥利弗问。

‘No, she can’t,’ replied Mr. Bumble. ‘But she’ll come and see you sometimes.’
“不行，她不能，”邦布尔先生回答，“但她会有时来看你。”

This was no very great consolation to the child. —
这对孩子来说并没有多大安慰。 —

Young as he was, however, he had sense enough to make a feint of feeling great regret at going away. It was no very difficult matter for the boy to call tears into his eyes. —
尽管还很年幼，但他心里明白要假装很遗憾离开这里。让他哭起来却并不难。 —

Hunger and recent ill-usage are great assistants if you want to cry; —
饥饿和最近的虐待是很好的助手，用来哄哭人。 —

and Oliver cried very naturally indeed. Mrs. Mann gave him a thousand embraces, and what Oliver wanted a great deal more, a piece of bread and butter, less he should seem too hungry when he got to the workhouse. —
奥利弗哭得十分自然。曼太太搂着他，还给了他一块面包和黄油，免得他到了救济院看起来太饥饿了。 —

With the slice of bread in his hand, and the little brown-cloth parish cap on his head, Oliver was then led away by Mr. Bumble from the wretched home where one kind word or look had never lighted the gloom of his infant years. —
奥利弗手里拿着一块面包，头戴着小小的棕色教区帽，邦布尔先生便领着他走出了这个悲惨的家，这里从来没有出现过一字一言或关心的表情照亮他幼年时代的黑暗。 —

And yet he burst into an agony of childish grief, as the cottage-gate closed after him. —
然而，当小屋的门关上时，他却陷入了孩子般的哀伤之中。 —

Wretched as were the little companions in misery he was leaving behind, they were the only friends he had ever known; —
虽然他即将离开的这些悲惨的小伙伴也是他唯一认识的朋友； —

and a sense of his loneliness in the great wide world, sank into the child’s heart for the first time.
但这个感觉孤寂，身在辽阔世界的孩子心头第一次萌生。

Mr. Bumble walked on with long strides; little Oliver, firmly grasping his gold-laced cuff, trotted beside him, inquiring at the end of every quarter of a mile whether they were ‘nearly there.’ —
当布朗布到底 gave hardly time he；市可能变的mood 到这眼少记时长 temporarily 消逸，。。。 —

To these interrogations Mr. Bumble returned very brief and snappish replies; —
横跨了工house 没有– 不到15分钟，和扼死完成了位面包 以后，布朗布，击手他 交给保；严厲，返回； —

for the temporary blandness which gin-and-water awakens in some bosoms had by this time evaporated; —
对这些问布朗布回了很短很 厉,； —

and he was once again a beadle.
一旦鼓上激Gin-和–唤觉醒某 些心，以这方已模样蒸发；

Oliver had not been within the walls of the workhouse a quarter of an hour, and had scarcely completed the demolition of a second slice of bread, when Mr. Bumble, who had handed him over to the care of an old woman, returned; —
再次成为一位戒严， —

and, telling him it was a board night, informed him that the board had said he was to appear before it forthwith.
；，Mr 尚未决定一个清（板的概 Oliver 身等 一个院墙内，入在两切割完细二片，Oliver，Mr 给 其寄托给一个 老女子，返回；并 告诉他这是个 户夜，通知他板说一 他要立即出庭。一切这里的炜然莫明，为于Oliver 这个信息而–，他不知 自己应该笑还哭。,;

Not having a very clearly defined notion of what a live board was, Oliver was rather astounded by this intelligence, and was not quite certain whether he ought to laugh or cry. —
不过没有时间思考这事； —

He had no time to think about the matter, however; —
因为Mr.占经用手他头的棍，鞭它嗓； —

for Mr. Bumble gave him a tap on the head, with his cane, to wake him up: —
，又在背万鞭它昂 ；然后告诉他跟随，项 之入一得白洗大厅，那里有八–十个肥大 点的人坐在环绕桌子。 —

and another on the back to make him lively: —
“请向董事会鞠躬，”说布朗布。Oliver 擦去零或的眼泪， ； —

and bidding him to follow, conducted him into a large white-washed room, where eight or ten fat gentlemen were sitting round a table. —
；看到桌子只板，索好投 —

At the top of the table, seated in an arm-chair rather higher than the rest, was a particularly fat gentleman with a very round, red face.
那是门生位或者椅子 横跨了的 位上，高一点 那出然既头选面，一个特别肥厚 又的先生。

‘Bow to the board,’ said Bumble. Oliver brushed away two or three tears that were lingering in his eyes; —
””，“小子，你名唤什么？”说那破高椅。 —

and seeing no board but the table, fortunately bowed to that.
请向主管丢起挥，，说布朗布布安然的；给 Oliver 擦去两 三究竟里挂留泪点

‘What’s your name, boy?’ said the gentleman in the high chair.
，正 发现没有理发咱 与沿装阳周维下 头，黄没 .

Oliver was frightened at the sight of so many gentlemen, which made him tremble: —
奥利弗在看到这么多绅士们时感到害怕，让他颤抖： —

and the beadle gave him another tap behind, which made him cry. —
警员在他身后又叮了他一下，让他哭了。 —

These two causes made him answer in a very low and hesitating voice; —
这两个原因使他回答时声音非常低而犹豫不决； —

whereupon a gentleman in a white waistcoat said he was a fool. —
于是一个穿白色马甲的绅士说他是个傻瓜。 —

Which was a capital way of raising his spirits, and putting him quite at his ease.
这是提振他的精神，使他感到完全自在的一个好办法。

‘Boy,’ said the gentleman in the high chair, ‘listen to me. You know you’re an orphan, I suppose?’
“男孩，”高椅子上的绅士说，“听我说。你知道你是个孤儿，对吗？”

‘What’s that, sir?’ inquired poor Oliver.
“那是什么意思，先生？”可怜的奥利弗问道。

‘The boy is a fool–I thought he was,’ said the gentleman in the white waistcoat.
“这孩子真是个傻瓜——我就知道，”穿白色马甲的绅士说。

‘Hush!’ said the gentleman who had spoken first. —
“嘘！”第一个发言的绅士说道。 —

‘You know you’ve got no father or mother, and that you were brought up by the parish, don’t you?’
“你知道你没有爸爸妈妈，是被教会养大的，对吧？”

‘Yes, sir,’ replied Oliver, weeping bitterly.
“是的，先生，”奥利弗痛哭流涕地回答。

‘What are you crying for?’ inquired the gentleman in the white waistcoat. —
“你为什么哭？”白马甲的绅士问道。 —

And to be sure it was very extraordinary. —
的确非常奇怪。 —

What could the boy be crying for?
这个男孩为什么哭呢？

‘I hope you say your prayers every night,’ said another gentleman in a gruff voice; —
“我希望你每晚都会祷告，”另一个声音很沉的绅士说。 —

‘and pray for the people who feed you, and take care of you–like a Christian.’
“祈求那些养育你、照顾你的人，像一个基督徒一样。”

‘Yes, sir,’ stammered the boy. The gentleman who spoke last was unconsciously right. —
“是的，先生，”这个男孩结结巴巴地说道。最后发言的绅士不经意间说中了。 —

It would have been very like a Christian, and a marvellously good Christian too, if Oliver had prayed for the people who fed and took care of him. —
如果奥利弗为那些养育并照顾他的人祈祷，那就像一个基督徒，而且是一个非常好的基督徒。 —

But he hadn’t, because nobody had taught him.
但他没有，因为没有人教过他。

‘Well! You have come here to be educated, and taught a useful trade,’ said the red-faced gentleman in the high chair.
“好！你来这里是接受教育，学习一门有用的手艺，”坐在高椅子上的红脸绅士说。

‘So you’ll begin to pick oakum to-morrow morning at six o’clock,’ added the surly one in the white waistcoat.
“所以明天早上六点你就要开始拾拣麻榫，”穿着白马甲的脾气粗暴的人补充道。

For the combination of both these blessings in the one simple process of picking oakum, Oliver bowed low by the direction of the beadle, and was then hurried away to a large ward; —
在拾拣麻榫这一简单过程中同时获得这两种祝福，奥利弗顺从地鞠躬，然后被领班匆匆带到一个大病房里。 —

where, on a rough, hard bed, he sobbed himself to sleep. —
在一个粗糙、坚硬的床上，他哭泣着入睡了。 —

What a novel illustration of the tender laws of England! —
多么生动地说明了英格兰温柔的法律啊！ —

They let the paupers go to sleep!
他们让穷人们安睡了！

Poor Oliver! He little thought, as he lay sleeping in happy unconsciousness of all around him, that the board had that very day arrived at a decision which would exercise the most material influence over all his future fortunes. —
可怜的Oliver！他躺在睡梦中，对周围的一切都毫不知情，完全没有意识到这一天董事会做出了一项决定，将对他的一生产生最重要的影响。 —

But they had. And this was it:
然而他们确实做出了决定：

The members of this board were very sage, deep, philosophical men; —
这个董事会的成员都是很睿智、深沉、哲学的人； —

and when they came to turn their attention to the workhouse, they found out at once, what ordinary folks would never have discovered–the poor people liked it! —
当他们开始关注救济院时，他们立即发现了普通人永远不会发现的事实–穷人喜欢这里！ —

It was a regular place of public entertainment for the poorer classes; —
对于穷人来说，这是一个固定的大众娱乐场所； —

a tavern where there was nothing to pay; —
一个穷人不必付费的酒馆； —

a public breakfast, dinner, tea, and supper all the year round; —
全年无休的公共早餐、午餐、下午茶和晚餐； —

a brick and mortar elysium, where it was all play and no work. ‘Oho!’ —
一个砖瓦楼宇里的乐园，玩乐而无需劳作。’哦！’ —

said the board, looking very knowing; ‘we are the fellows to set this to rights; —
董事会说，看起来很精明；’我们是能够解决这问题的人； —

we’ll stop it all, in no time.’ So, they established the rule, that all poor people should have the alternative (for they would compel nobody, not they), of being starved by a gradual process in the house, or by a quick one out of it. —
我们会很快阻止这一切。’ 因此，他们制定了规定，即所有穷人都应该有选择（因为他们不会强迫任何人），要么在院子里逐渐被饿死，要么在外面迅速被饿死。 —

With this view, they contracted with the water-works to lay on an unlimited supply of water; —
基于这一观点，他们与自来水公司签订合同，提供无限量的水； —

and with a corn-factor to supply periodically small quantities of oatmeal; —
并与玉米经销商签约，定期供应少量燕麦粥， —

and issued three meals of thin gruel a day, with an onion twice a week, and half a roll of Sundays. —
每天发三顿稀粥，一周两次洋葱，周日还有半个小面包。 —

They made a great many other wise and humane regulations, having reference to the ladies, which it is not necessary to repeat; —
他们制定了许多其他明智而人道的规定，涉及到女士们，不必重复。 —

kindly undertook to divorce poor married people, in consequence of the great expense of a suit in Doctors’ Commons; —
慈祥地决定解救贫苦夫妇，因为在医生法庭起诉的费用太高; —

and, instead of compelling a man to support his family, as they had theretofore done, took his family away from him, and made him a bachelor! —
并且，他们不再强迫一个男人养活他的家庭，而是带走了他的家人，让他成为单身汉! —

There is no saying how many applicants for relief, under these last two heads, might have started up in all classes of society, if it had not been coupled with the workhouse; —
不知道在这两个头衔下有多少申请者会在社会各阶层中出现，如果没有与收容所紫禁城联系在一起。 —

but the board were long-headed men, and had provided for this difficulty. —
但董事会是精明的人，已经为这个困难做出了安排。 —

The relief was inseparable from the workhouse and the gruel; —
援助与救济院和稀粥是密不可分的; —

and that frightened people.
这吓坏了人们。

For the first six months after Oliver Twist was removed, the system was in full operation. —
在奥利弗·扭过头之后的头六个月，这个系统是完全有效的。 —

It was rather expensive at first, in consequence of the increase in the undertaker’s bill, and the necessity of taking in the clothes of all the paupers, which fluttered loosely on their wasted, shrunken forms, after a week or two’s gruel. —
首先是昂贵的，因为承办人的账单增加了，不得不接收所有乞丐的衣服，衣服在经过一两周的稀粥后在他们消瘦、萎缩的身形上松垮垮的。 —

But the number of workhouse inmates got thin as well as the paupers; —
但是，收容所中能住的人数也和乞丐一样减少了; —

and the board were in ecstasies.
董事会欣喜若狂。

The room in which the boys were fed, was a large stone hall, with a copper at one end: —
男孩们吃饭的房间是一个大石头大厅，一头有一个铜锅: —

out of which the master, dressed in an apron for the purpose, and assisted by one or two women, ladled the gruel at mealtimes. —
里面的主人，穿着围裙，辅助一两个女人，每次就餐时舀出稀粥。 —

Of this festive composition each boy had one porringer, and no more–except on occasions of great public rejoicing, when he had two ounces and a quarter of bread besides.
每个男孩都有一个饭碗，再没有其他的，除非是在重大的公共庆祝活动中，他可以额外得到两盎司零一个四分之一的面包。

The bowls never wanted washing. The boys polished them with their spoons till they shone again; —
碗从不需要洗涤。男孩们用汤匙擦拭它们，直到它们再次闪闪发光； —

and when they had performed this operation (which never took very long, the spoons being nearly as large as the bowls), they would sit staring at the copper, with such eager eyes, as if they could have devoured the very bricks of which it was composed; —
当他们完成这个操作时（通常不会花很长时间，因为汤匙几乎和碗一样大），他们会坐在铜锅前凝视着它，眼睛里闪烁着如此渴望的光芒，仿佛他们可以把它组成的砖块吞咽下去； —

employing themselves, meanwhile, in sucking their fingers most assiduously, with the view of catching up any stray splashes of gruel that might have been cast thereon. —
同时，他们专心致志地吸着自己的手指，目的是捕捉到可能溅在那上面的任何溅溅的粥点； —

Boys have generally excellent appetites. —
男孩们通常食欲极佳； —

Oliver Twist and his companions suffered the tortures of slow starvation for three months: —
奥利弗·特威斯特和他的同伴们经受了三个月的慢性饥饿之苦； —

at last they got so voracious and wild with hunger, that one boy, who was tall for his age, and hadn’t been used to that sort of thing (for his father had kept a small cook-shop), hinted darkly to his companions, that unless he had another basin of gruel per diem, he was afraid he might some night happen to eat the boy who slept next him, who happened to be a weakly youth of tender age. —
他们变得如此饥饿和狂野，以至于一个身材高大的孩子（他的年龄相对较大，并没有习惯于那种东西，因为他的父亲曾经经营一个小餐馆），暗示他的同伴们，除非他每天再来一碗粥，否则有一天晚上可能会吃掉睡在他旁边的男孩，那个男孩正好是个衰弱、幼稚的年轻人； —

He had a wild, hungry eye; and they implicitly believed him. A council was held; —
他的眼神野蛮而饥渴；他们对他深信不疑。 一场会议举行了； —

lots were cast who should walk up to the master after supper that evening, and ask for more; —
抽签决定了谁该在晚餐后走到主人面前要求更多； —

and it fell to Oliver Twist.
而抽到的是奥利弗·特威斯特。

The evening arrived; the boys took their places. —
晚上到了；男孩们就座； —

The master, in his cook’s uniform, stationed himself at the copper; —
主人穿着厨师的制服站在铜锅旁； —

his pauper assistants ranged themselves behind him; the gruel was served out; —
他的贫民助手们排列在他后面；粥被分发； —

and a long grace was said over the short commons. The gruel disappeared; —
然后念了长长的恩典祈祷短缺的食物。粥消失了； —

the boys whispered each other, and winked at Oliver; while his next neighbors nudged him. —
男孩们互相窃窃私语，向奥利弗眨眼；而他的邻座则用胳膊肘轻轻推了他一下。 —

Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table; —
虽然还只是个孩子，但他因饥饿绝望，因悲惨鲁莽。 他起身离开餐桌； —

and advancing to the master, basin and spoon in hand, said: —
当推到铜锅钥匙的老师跪在前面说： —

somewhat alarmed at his own temerity:
他自己的大胆吓了一跳：

‘Please, sir, I want some more.’
‘请，先生，我想再要一点。’

The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. —
老师是一个肥胖而健康的男人；但他变得非常苍白。 —

He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds, and then clung for support to the copper. —
他惊讶地盯着小叛乱者几秒钟，然后依靠着铜锅支持着自己。 —

The assistants were paralysed with wonder; —
助手们惊讶得目瞪口呆； —

the boys with fear.
男孩们吓得魂不附体。

‘What!’ said the master at length, in a faint voice.
‘什么！’老师最终用虚弱的声音说。

‘Please, sir,’ replied Oliver, ‘I want some more.’
‘请，先生，’奥利弗回答说，’我想再要一点。’

The master aimed a blow at Oliver’s head with the ladle; —
老师用铲子瞄准奥利弗的头部； —

pinioned him in his arm; and shrieked aloud for the beadle.
用胳膊钳住他；大声地呼喊起法警。

The board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said,
管理委员会正庄严地开会时，邦比先生兴奋地冲进房间，朝着高椅上的绅士说，

‘Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more!’
‘林金斯先生，请原谅，奥利弗·特威斯要求再要一点！’

There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.
所有人都吃了一惊，每个脸上都写满了恐惧。

‘For more!’ said Mr. Limbkins. ‘Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. —
‘再要一点！’林金斯先生说。’冷静下来，邦比，清楚地回答我。’ —

Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?’
请问他是吃完分配给他的晚餐后要求更多吗？

‘He did, sir,’ replied Bumble.
‘是的，先生，’班布尔回答道。

‘That boy will be hung,’ said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. ‘I know that boy will be hung.’
‘那个男孩将会被绞死，’那位穿白色马甲的绅士说道。’我知道那个男孩将会被绞死。’

Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman’s opinion. An animated discussion took place. —
没有人反驳那位预言的绅士的看法。一场激烈的讨论开始了。 —

Oliver was ordered into instant confinement; —
奥利弗被立即关押起来； —

and a bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the gate, offering a reward of five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the parish. —
第二天早上在大门外张贴了一张告示，悬赏五英镑给任何人带走奥利弗·特威斯特脱离教区的人。 —

In other words, five pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to any man or woman who wanted an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling.
换句话说，五英镑和奥利弗·特威斯特被提供给任何想要一个学徒从事任何行业，生意或职业的男人或女人。

‘I never was more convinced of anything in my life,’ said the gentleman in the white waistcoat, as he knocked at the gate and read the bill next morning: —
‘在我此生中，我从未如此确信过任何事情，’穿白色马甲的绅士第二天早上敲门看到告示后说道： —

‘I never was more convinced of anything in my life, than I am that that boy will come to be hung.’
‘在我此生中，我从未如此确信过任何事情，比我确信那个男孩最终会被绞死这点更加确信。’

As I purpose to show in the sequel whether the white waistcoated gentleman was right or not, I should perhaps mar the interest of this narrative (supposing it to possess any at all), if I ventured to hint just yet, whether the life of Oliver Twist had this violent termination or no.
正如我打算在接下来的情节中所展示的，穿白色马甲的绅士是否正确，我现在可能会破坏这个叙述的兴趣（假设它真的有兴趣的话）。