FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 The romance ro insincerities of summer, a trustful season when one buys bulbs and sees to the registration of one's vote, believing perpetually in spring and a change of Government lorton Crosby sat on a bench in a secluded corner of Hyde Park, lazily cigarette and watching the slow grazing promenade* of a pair of snow-geese, the male looking rather like an albino edition of the russet-hued female Out of the corner of his eye crosby also noted with some interest the hesitating hovering of a human figure, which had passed and repassed his seat two or three times at shortening intervals, like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel. Inevitably the figure came to an anchorage on the bench, within easy talking distance of its original occupant. The uncared-for clothes, the aggressive, grizzled beard, and the furtive, evasive eye of the new-comer bespoke the professional cadger, the man who would undergo hours of humiliating tale-spinning and rebuff rather than adventure on half a day's decent work For a while the new-comer fixed his eyes straight in front of him in a strenuous, unseeing gaze; then his voice broke out with the insinuating inflection of one who has a story to retail well worth any loiterer's while to listen to It's a strange world. " he said As the statement met with no response he altered it to the form of a question aresay you've found it to be a strange world, mister? As far as I am concerned, "said Crosby, the strangeness has worn off in the course of "Ah, "said the greybeard, "I could tell you things that you'd hardly believe. Marvellous things that have really happened to me insincerities of summer不诚实的夏季,此处为作者的幽默,与后文 trustful season相对应 a secluded corner僻静的角落 3 Hyde park海德公园,位于伦敦 4 slow grazing promenade(雪雁)慢悠悠地踱着步子啄食青草 5 like an albino edition of the russet-hued female(雄雁)看上去很像是那只赤褐色雌雁的白化变种。 6 like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel(那人)像是一只警惕的乌鸦,即将落在- 小块可以用以充饥的东西旁边 7 came to an anchorage on the bench(那人)在长凳上坐了下来 within easy talking distance of its original occupant与先坐在那里的人不远,可以毫不费力地进行交谈 uncared-for无人注意的 tale-spinning and rebuff编造故事并被人戳穿
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 1 The Romancers By Hector Hugh Munro It was autumn in London, that blessed season between the harshness of winter and the insincerities of summer1 ; a trustful season when one buys bulbs and sees to the registration of one's vote, believing perpetually in spring and a change of Government. Morton Crosby sat on a bench in a secluded corner2 of Hyde Park3 , lazily enjoying a cigarette and watching the slow grazing promenade4 of a pair of snow-geese, the male looking rather like an albino edition of the russet-hued female5 . Out of the corner of his eye Crosby also noted with some interest the hesitating hoverings of a human figure, which had passed and repassed his seat two or three times at shortening intervals, like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel6 . Inevitably the figure came to an anchorage on the bench7 , within easy talking distance of its original occupant8 . The uncared-for9 clothes, the aggressive, grizzled beard, and the furtive, evasive eye of the new-comer bespoke the professional cadger, the man who would undergo hours of humiliating tale-spinning and rebuff10 rather than adventure on half a day's decent work. For a while the new-comer fixed his eyes straight in front of him in a strenuous, unseeing gaze; then his voice broke out with the insinuating inflection of one who has a story to retail well worth any loiterer's while to listen to. "It's a strange world," he said. As the statement met with no response he altered it to the form of a question. "I daresay you've found it to be a strange world, mister?" "As far as I am concerned," said Crosby, "the strangeness has worn off in the course of thirty-six years." "Ah," said the greybeard, "I could tell you things that you'd hardly believe. Marvellous things that have really happened to me." 1 insincerities of summer 不诚实的夏季，此处为作者的幽默，与后文 trustful season 相对应。 2 a secluded corner 僻静的角落 3 Hyde Park 海德公园，位于伦敦 4 slow grazing promenade （雪雁）慢悠悠地踱着步子啄食青草 5 like an albino edition of the russet-hued female （雄雁）看上去很像是那只赤褐色雌雁的白化变种。 6 like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel （那人）像是一只警惕的乌鸦，即将落在一 小块可以用以充饥的东西旁边 7 came to an anchorage on the bench （那人）在长凳上坐了下来 8 within easy talking distance of its original occupant 与先坐在那里的人不远，可以毫不费力地进行交谈。 9 uncared-for 无人注意的 10 tale-spinning and rebuff 编造故事并被人戳穿
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 Nowadays there is no demand for marvellous things that have really happened, "said Crosby discouragingly; the professional writers of fiction turn these things out so much better. For instance, my neighbours tell me wonderful, incredible things that their Aberdeens and chows and borzois have done, I never listen to them. On the other hand, I have read The Hound of the Baskervilles three times The greybeard moved uneasily in his seat; then he opened up new country "I take it that you are a professing Christian 4, "he observed am a prominent and I think say an influential member of the Mussulman community>of Eastern Persia, "said Crosby, making an excursion himself into the realms of fiction The greybeard was obviously disconcerted at this new check to introductory conversation, but the defeat was only momentary Persia. I should never have taken you for a Persian, "he remarked, with a somewhat I am not, "said Crosby; "my father was an Afghan "An Afghan! "said the other. smitten into bewildered silence for a moment. Then he recovered himself and renewed his attack Afghanistan. Ah! We've had some wars with that country; now, I daresay, instead of fighting it we might have learned something from it. A very wealthy country, I believe. No real poverty He raised his voice on the word"poverty" with a suggestion of intense feeling. Crosby saw the opening and avoided it. 20 I1 Aberdeens and chows and borzois阿伯丁犬、松狮犬和俄罗斯狼犬 12 The hound of the baskervilles英国侦探小说家亚瑟·柯南·道尔的名作之一,描写一只猎犬如何为主人作 案的故事。 13 opened up new country开辟了新的领域,此处指开始的新的话题。 a professing Christian公开宣称信教的基督徒,即指虔诚的基督徒 Mussulman community穆斯林教派 16 making an excursion himself into the realms of fiction他本人也进入了虚构的世界去旅游了。此处指克罗斯 比也开始信口开河,虚构故事 18 with a somewhat aggrieved air语气里多少有些愤愤不平 19 smitten into bewildered silence for a moment(他)一下子乱了方寸,沉默了一阵子 20 Crosby saw the opening and avoided it.此处指克罗斯比看出了这是乞丐话匣子的开头,于是避开了它
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 2 "Nowadays there is no demand for marvellous things that have really happened," said Crosby discouragingly; "the professional writers of fiction turn these things out so much better. For instance, my neighbours tell me wonderful, incredible things that their Aberdeens and chows and borzois11 have done; I never listen to them. On the other hand, I have read 'The Hound of the Baskervilles12' three times." The greybeard moved uneasily in his seat; then he opened up new country13 . "I take it that you are a professing Christian14," he observed. "I am a prominent and I think I may say an influential member of the Mussulman community15 of Eastern Persia," said Crosby, making an excursion himself into the realms of fiction16 . The greybeard was obviously disconcerted at this new check17 to introductory conversation, but the defeat was only momentary. "Persia. I should never have taken you for a Persian," he remarked, with a somewhat aggrieved air18 . "I am not," said Crosby; "my father was an Afghan." "An Afghan!" said the other, smitten into bewildered silence for a moment19. Then he recovered himself and renewed his attack. "Afghanistan. Ah! We've had some wars with that country; now, I daresay, instead of fighting it we might have learned something from it. A very wealthy country, I believe. No real poverty there." He raised his voice on the word "poverty" with a suggestion of intense feeling. Crosby saw the opening and avoided it.20 11 Aberdeens and chows and borzois 阿伯丁犬、松狮犬和俄罗斯狼犬 12 The Hound of the Baskervilles 英国侦探小说家亚瑟•柯南•道尔的名作之一，描写一只猎犬如何为主人作 案的故事。 13 opened up new country 开辟了新的领域，此处指开始的新的话题。 14 a professing Christian 公开宣称信教的基督徒，即指虔诚的基督徒 15 Mussulman community 穆斯林教派 16 making an excursion himself into the realms of fiction 他本人也进入了虚构的世界去旅游了。此处指克罗斯 比也开始信口开河，虚构故事。 17 new check 新的障碍 18 with a somewhat aggrieved air 语气里多少有些愤愤不平 19 smitten into bewildered silence for a moment （他）一下子乱了方寸，沉默了一阵子。 20 Crosby saw the opening and avoided it. 此处指克罗斯比看出了这是乞丐话匣子的开头，于是避开了它
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 It possesses, nevertheless, a number of highly talented and ingenious beggars, " he said; if I had not spoken so disparagingly of marvellous things that have really happened I would tell you the story of Ibrahim and the eleven camel-loads of blotting-paper. Also I have forg ow it ended My own life-story is a curious one, "said the stranger, apparently stifling all desire to hear the history of Ibrahim, "I was not always as you see me now We are supposed to undergo complete change in the course of every seven years, " said Crosby, as an explanation of the foregoing announcement I mean I was not always in such distressing circumstances as I am at present, "pursued the That sounds rather rude said Crosby stiffly, "considering that you are at present talking to a man reputed to be one of the most gifted conversationalists of the Afghan border. I don't mean in that way, "said the greybeard hastily; "I've been very much interested in your conversation. I was alluding to my unfortunate financial situation. You mayn't hardly believe it, but at the present moment I am absolutely without a farthing. Don't see any prospect of getting any money, either, for the next few days. I dont suppose you've ever found yourself in such a position, "he added "In the town of Yom27, "said Crosby, which is in Southern Afghanistan, and which ppens to be my birthplace, there was a Chinese philosopher who used to say that one of the three chiefest human blessings was to be absolutely without money. I forget what the other two were memory28, "and did he practise what he preached? Thats the test 29m asm for the philosopher's Ah, I daresay, said the stranger, in a tone that betrayed no enthu He lived happily with very little money or resources, "said Crosby if I had not spoken so disparagingly of marvellous things that have really happened I would tell you the story of Ibrahim and the eleven camel-loads of blotting-paper..要是刚才我没把不同寻常的真实事件贬损一通的话,我 就会把易卜拉欣和11匹骆驼运载的吸墨纸的故事说给你听了。 2 stifling all desire to hear the history of Ibrahim(那人)压抑着自己想听易卜拉欣故事的欲望 23 as an explanation of the foregoing announcement为对方的上述声明加以解释 24 pursued the stranger doggedly那陌生人固执地接着说下去 25 stiffly指克罗斯比的口气强硬了起来 26 farthing法辛(1961年以前的英国铜币,等于四分之一便士) 27Yom约姆市,此处应为克罗斯比虚构出的地名 a tone that betrayed no enthusiasm for the philosophers memory他说话的腔调表明他对回忆那位哲人的 话毫无兴趣 29 That's the test.那是检验他的主张是否合理的关键所在
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 3 "It possesses, nevertheless, a number of highly talented and ingenious beggars," he said; "if I had not spoken so disparagingly of marvellous things that have really happened I would tell you the story of Ibrahim and the eleven camel-loads of blotting-paper.21 Also I have forgotten exactly how it ended." "My own life-story is a curious one," said the stranger, apparently stifling all desire to hear the history of Ibrahim22; "I was not always as you see me now." "We are supposed to undergo complete change in the course of every seven years," said Crosby, as an explanation of the foregoing announcement23 . "I mean I was not always in such distressing circumstances as I am at present," pursued the stranger doggedly24 . "That sounds rather rude," said Crosby stiffly25, "considering that you are at present talking to a man reputed to be one of the most gifted conversationalists of the Afghan border." "I don't mean in that way," said the greybeard hastily; "I've been very much interested in your conversation. I was alluding to my unfortunate financial situation. You mayn't hardly believe it, but at the present moment I am absolutely without a farthing26. Don't see any prospect of getting any money, either, for the next few days. I don't suppose you've ever found yourself in such a position," he added. "In the town of Yom27," said Crosby, "which is in Southern Afghanistan, and which also happens to be my birthplace, there was a Chinese philosopher who used to say that one of the three chiefest human blessings was to be absolutely without money. I forget what the other two were." "Ah, I daresay," said the stranger, in a tone that betrayed no enthusiasm for the philosopher's memory28; "and did he practise what he preached? That's the test.29 " "He lived happily with very little money or resources," said Crosby. 21 if I had not spoken so disparagingly of marvellous things that have really happened I would tell you the story of Ibrahim and the eleven camel-loads of blotting-paper. 要是刚才我没把不同寻常的真实事件贬损一通的话，我 就会把易卜拉欣和 11 匹骆驼运载的吸墨纸的故事说给你听了。 22 stifling all desire to hear the history of Ibrahim （那人）压抑着自己想听易卜拉欣故事的欲望 23 as an explanation of the foregoing announcement 为对方的上述声明加以解释 24 pursued the stranger doggedly 那陌生人固执地接着说下去 25 stiffly 指克罗斯比的口气强硬了起来 26 farthing 法辛（1961 年以前的英国铜币， 等于四分之一便士） 27 Yom 约姆市，此处应为克罗斯比虚构出的地名 28 in a tone that betrayed no enthusiasm for the philosopher's memory 他说话的腔调表明他对回忆那位哲人的 话毫无兴趣。 29 That's the test. 那是检验他的主张是否合理的关键所在
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 Then I expect he had friends who would help him liberally whenever he was in difficulties, uch as I am in at present In Yom, "said Crosby, "it is not necessary to have friends in order to obtain help. Any citizen of Yom would help a stranger as a matter of course The greybeard was now genuinely interested The conversation had at last taken a favourable turn 30 "If someone, like me, for instance, who was in undeserved difficulties, asked a citizen of that town you speak of for a small loan to tide over a few days impecuniosity'2-five shillings, ar perhaps a rather larger sum- would it be given to him as a matter of course? There would be a certain preliminary, said Crosby, " one would take him to a wine-shop and treat him to a measure of wine, and then, after a little high-flown conversation 4, one would put the desired sum in his hand and wish him good-day. It is a roundabout way of performing a simple transaction, but in the East all ways are roundabout. 35 The listeners eyes were glittering "Ah, "he exclaimed, with a thin sneer ringing meaningly through his words, "I suppose you've given up all those generous customs since you left your town. Dont practise them now, I No one who has lived in Yom, "said Crosby fervently, "and remembers its green hills covered with apricot and almond trees, and the cold water that rushes down like a caress from the upland snows and dashes under the little wooden bridges, no one who remembers these things and treasures the memory of them would ever give up a single one of its unwritten laws and customs.To me they are as binding as though I still lived in that hallowed home of my youth "Then if I was to ask you for a small loan-"began the greybeard fawningly, edging nearer 30 The conversation had at last taken a favourable turm.此处指这场谈话终于有了转机,开始朝着对乞丐有利的 方向展开了。 I tide over度过困难时期 32 Impecuniosity身无分文 3 There would be a certain preliminary但要先做一件事 after a little high- flown conversation在天南海北地聊上一阵子后 35 It is a roundabout way of performing a simple transaction, but in the east all ways are roundabout. **k/E 简单的事情,但做起来要兜个大圈子。不过,在东方做什么事都要兜圈子 36 with a thin sneer ringing meaningly through his words话里有意带着一丝嘲讽 3 Don't practise them now, I expect.你已不再遵从这些风俗了,我想 38 fervently热烈地,此处指克罗斯比带着强烈的感情说 apricot and almond trees杏树和扁桃树 40 unwritten laws and customs成文的法律和不成文的惯例 tingly讨好地
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 4 "Then I expect he had friends who would help him liberally whenever he was in difficulties, such as I am in at present." "In Yom," said Crosby, "it is not necessary to have friends in order to obtain help. Any citizen of Yom would help a stranger as a matter of course." The greybeard was now genuinely interested. The conversation had at last taken a favourable turn.30 "If someone, like me, for instance, who was in undeserved difficulties, asked a citizen of that town you speak of for a small loan to tide over31 a few days' impecuniosity32 - five shillings, or perhaps a rather larger sum - would it be given to him as a matter of course?" "There would be a certain preliminary,33" said Crosby; "one would take him to a wine-shop and treat him to a measure of wine, and then, after a little high-flown conversation34, one would put the desired sum in his hand and wish him good-day. It is a roundabout way of performing a simple transaction, but in the East all ways are roundabout.35 " The listener's eyes were glittering. "Ah," he exclaimed, with a thin sneer ringing meaningly through his words36, "I suppose you've given up all those generous customs since you left your town. Don't practise them now, I expect.37 " "No one who has lived in Yom," said Crosby fervently38, "and remembers its green hills covered with apricot and almond trees39, and the cold water that rushes down like a caress from the upland snows and dashes under the little wooden bridges, no one who remembers these things and treasures the memory of them would ever give up a single one of its unwritten laws and customs40. To me they are as binding as though I still lived in that hallowed home of my youth." "Then if I was to ask you for a small loan - " began the greybeard fawningly41, edging nearer 30 The conversation had at last taken a favourable turn. 此处指这场谈话终于有了转机，开始朝着对乞丐有利的 方向展开了。 31 tide over 度过困难时期 32 impecuniosity 身无分文 33 There would be a certain preliminary 但要先做一件事 34 after a little high-flown conversation 在天南海北地聊上一阵子后 35 It is a roundabout way of performing a simple transaction, but in the East all ways are roundabout. 本来是一桩 简单的事情，但做起来要兜个大圈子。不过，在东方做什么事都要兜圈子。 36 with a thin sneer ringing meaningly through his words 话里有意带着一丝嘲讽 37 Don't practise them now, I expect. 你已不再遵从这些风俗了，我想。 38 fervently 热烈地，此处指克罗斯比带着强烈的感情说。 39 apricot and almond trees 杏树和扁桃树 40 unwritten laws and customs 成文的法律和不成文的惯例 41 fawningly 讨好地
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 on the seat and hurriedly wondering how large he might safely make his request#, "if I was to ask you ior, say At any other certainly, "said Crosby; "in the months of November and December, owever,it is absolutely forbidden for anyone of our race to give or receive loans or gifts; in fact one does not willingly speak of them. It is considered unlucky. We will therefore close this discussion. But it is still October! "exclaimed the adventurer with an eager, angry whine, as Crosby rose from his seat: "wants eight days to the end of the month! 44 The Afghan November began yesterday, " said Crosby severely, and in another moment he was striding across the Park, leaving his recent companion scowling and muttering furiously on the seat I don,t believe a word of his story, " he chattered to himself; "pack of nasty lies from eginning to end. 4> Wish I'd told him so to his face. Calling himself an Afghan support the truth of the old saying that two of a trade never agree arter of an hour went far to The snorts and snarls that escaped from him for the next 42 hurriedly wondering how large he might safely make his request心里忙着盘算要多大一笔钱而不致遭到对 方的拒绝 angry whine带着急切和愤怒的哭腔 4 wants eight days to the end of the month!离月底还有8天呢! 4 pack of nasty lies from beginning to end.彻头彻尾地一派胡言 46 two of a trade never agree同行是冤家
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 5 on the seat and hurriedly wondering how large he might safely make his request42, "if I was to ask you for, say - " "At any other time, certainly," said Crosby; "in the months of November and December, however, it is absolutely forbidden for anyone of our race to give or receive loans or gifts; in fact, one does not willingly speak of them. It is considered unlucky. We will therefore close this discussion." "But it is still October!" exclaimed the adventurer with an eager, angry whine43, as Crosby rose from his seat; "wants eight days to the end of the month!44 " "The Afghan November began yesterday," said Crosby severely, and in another moment he was striding across the Park, leaving his recent companion scowling and muttering furiously on the seat. "I don't believe a word of his story," he chattered to himself; "pack of nasty lies from beginning to end.45 Wish I'd told him so to his face. Calling himself an Afghan!" The snorts and snarls that escaped from him for the next quarter of an hour went far to support the truth of the old saying that two of a trade never agree.46 42 hurriedly wondering how large he might safely make his request 心里忙着盘算要多大一笔钱而不致遭到对 方的拒绝 43 with an eager, angry whine 带着急切和愤怒的哭腔 44 wants eight days to the end of the month! 离月底还有 8 天呢！ 45 pack of nasty lies from beginning to end. 彻头彻尾地一派胡言 46 two of a trade never agree 同行是冤家
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 《信口开河的人》赏析 故事发生在10月的伦敦。克罗斯比正坐在公园僻静角落的长凳上,抽着烟欣赏着周围 的美景时,突然发现了一个奇怪的人。他行迹诡异,好几次从他座位前面经过,而每次间隔 的时间又越来越短。最终,他势所必然地在克罗斯比身边坐了下来,然而克罗斯比一眼就从 他邋遢的衣着和躲闪的眼神中看出了他职业乞丐的身份。于是,一场奇怪的对话便这样开始 职业乞丐准备将自己虚构出的“悲惨遭遇”向克罗维斯倾诉,以期引起后者的同情,并 进而得到施舍。但出乎所有人意料的是,这名乞丐遇上了一个真正的克星。克罗斯比信口开 河,杜撰了一套比他更为荒诞无稽的故事。乞丐反而被克罗斯比看似随意的回答勾起了好奇, 开始压抑自己想追问克罗斯比话中细节的欲望。当意识到自己不再是话题的主导者时,乞丐 尝试着开辟新的领域,但在克罗斯比的步步紧逼之下,还是不免乱了分寸。尽管他在对话中 抬高声调以强调“贫困”一词,仍被克罗斯比时而迁回时而强硬的回答引了开去。最终,谈 话终于有了转机,克罗斯比表示自己属于一个民风淳朴的民族。乞丐顺着克罗斯比故意甩给 他的话题提出了自己的要求,即向他“借”一笔钱,满心以为自己这回准能成功讹上一笔 谁知克罗斯比故技重施,信口开河地编造着子虚乌有的民族习俗,巧妙地拒绝了乞丐借钱的 要求,让乞丐的希望落了空。最后乞丐又气又恨,只得感叹自己选错了行骗的对象,找着了 个比他更能信口开河的人。 本文的情节在大量的对话中展开,仅在开头以简略的几笔外貌描写交代了乞丐的身份 而幽默、诙谐、讽喻的手法却在对话中随处可见。比如,在故事的开头,萨基在描写了一对 雪雁悠闲地吃草后,又把那个在克罗斯比周围鬼祟徘徊的乞丐讽喻成看中猎物的警惕的乌鸦 ( like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel),两相对比之下乞丐的猥琐形 象似乎跃然纸上,让读者不禁佩服萨基这种短小而精悍的白描功力。而当克罗斯比识破乞丐 的身份后,知道这种人宁可花几个小时编造故事,冒着被揭穿的风险来博取同情,也不愿意 尝试着去做半日体面的工作( the man who would undergo hours of humiliating tale- -spinning and rebuff rather than adventure on half a day's decent work)。这种丝毫不留情面的讽刺不禁让读者 也对乞丐的无耻行径产生了由衷的厌恶之情。故事的高潮处,乞丐因为克罗斯比话中有意的 暗示沾沾自喜,以为自己终于看到了希望,眼睛都开始闪光( glittering),语气也开始讨好 ( fawningly),不自觉地坐得离克罗斯比越来越近( edging nearer on the seat),甚至还激将似地 说了一句:“你已不再遵从这些风俗了,我想。”( Don't practise them now, I expect.)一副小人 6
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 6 《信口开河的人》赏析 故事发生在 10 月的伦敦。克罗斯比正坐在公园僻静角落的长凳上，抽着烟欣赏着周围 的美景时，突然发现了一个奇怪的人。他行迹诡异，好几次从他座位前面经过，而每次间隔 的时间又越来越短。最终，他势所必然地在克罗斯比身边坐了下来，然而克罗斯比一眼就从 他邋遢的衣着和躲闪的眼神中看出了他职业乞丐的身份。于是，一场奇怪的对话便这样开始 了。 职业乞丐准备将自己虚构出的“悲惨遭遇”向克罗维斯倾诉，以期引起后者的同情，并 进而得到施舍。但出乎所有人意料的是，这名乞丐遇上了一个真正的克星。克罗斯比信口开 河，杜撰了一套比他更为荒诞无稽的故事。乞丐反而被克罗斯比看似随意的回答勾起了好奇， 开始压抑自己想追问克罗斯比话中细节的欲望。当意识到自己不再是话题的主导者时，乞丐 尝试着开辟新的领域，但在克罗斯比的步步紧逼之下，还是不免乱了分寸。尽管他在对话中 抬高声调以强调“贫困”一词，仍被克罗斯比时而迂回时而强硬的回答引了开去。最终，谈 话终于有了转机，克罗斯比表示自己属于一个民风淳朴的民族。乞丐顺着克罗斯比故意甩给 他的话题提出了自己的要求，即向他“借”一笔钱，满心以为自己这回准能成功讹上一笔。 谁知克罗斯比故技重施，信口开河地编造着子虚乌有的民族习俗，巧妙地拒绝了乞丐借钱的 要求，让乞丐的希望落了空。最后乞丐又气又恨，只得感叹自己选错了行骗的对象，找着了 一个比他更能信口开河的人。 本文的情节在大量的对话中展开，仅在开头以简略的几笔外貌描写交代了乞丐的身份。 而幽默、诙谐、讽喻的手法却在对话中随处可见。比如，在故事的开头，萨基在描写了一对 雪雁悠闲地吃草后，又把那个在克罗斯比周围鬼祟徘徊的乞丐讽喻成看中猎物的警惕的乌鸦 (like a wary crow about to alight near some possibly edible morsel)，两相对比之下乞丐的猥琐形 象似乎跃然纸上，让读者不禁佩服萨基这种短小而精悍的白描功力。而当克罗斯比识破乞丐 的身份后，知道这种人宁可花几个小时编造故事，冒着被揭穿的风险来博取同情，也不愿意 尝试着去做半日体面的工作(the man who would undergo hours of humiliating tale-spinning and rebuff rather than adventure on half a day's decent work)。这种丝毫不留情面的讽刺不禁让读者 也对乞丐的无耻行径产生了由衷的厌恶之情。故事的高潮处，乞丐因为克罗斯比话中有意的 暗示沾沾自喜，以为自己终于看到了希望，眼睛都开始闪光(glittering)，语气也开始讨好 (fawningly)，不自觉地坐得离克罗斯比越来越近(edging nearer on the seat)，甚至还激将似地 说了一句：“你已不再遵从这些风俗了，我想。”(Don't practise them now, I expect.)一副小人
FORE3020501英美短篇小说10300120197顾妍 得志的嘴脸自然而然地展现在读者面前。而当克罗斯比说出“阿富汗的11月是从昨天开始 的!”(" The Afghan November began yesterday.")一句时,读者不禁要会心一笑,感叹乞丐有 眼无珠,同时也为克罗斯比的机智拍案叫绝。 这是一个以其人之道还治其人之身的最好范例。可以说这是一个单纯的戏弄陌生人的恶 作剧。而在这样一个恶作剧里,萨基疯狂的想象力以及玩世不恭的浪漫主义却体现得淋漓尽 致。他就是能把街头诈骗这种令人生厌的题材写得别出新意,使人兴味盎然。同时,他在文 中把世道人心百般嘲弄,越是会算计的人,越使你万般机关算尽,仍然自己害了自己。在这 篇创意奇绝的小品中,萨基将典型的英式幽默体现得淋漓尽致
FORE130205.01 英美短篇小说 10300120197 顾妍 7 得志的嘴脸自然而然地展现在读者面前。而当克罗斯比说出“阿富汗的 11 月是从昨天开始 的！”("The Afghan November began yesterday.")一句时，读者不禁要会心一笑，感叹乞丐有 眼无珠，同时也为克罗斯比的机智拍案叫绝。 这是一个以其人之道还治其人之身的最好范例。可以说这是一个单纯的戏弄陌生人的恶 作剧。而在这样一个恶作剧里，萨基疯狂的想象力以及玩世不恭的浪漫主义却体现得淋漓尽 致。他就是能把街头诈骗这种令人生厌的题材写得别出新意，使人兴味盎然。同时，他在文 中把世道人心百般嘲弄，越是会算计的人，越使你万般机关算尽，仍然自己害了自己。在这 篇创意奇绝的小品中，萨基将典型的英式幽默体现得淋漓尽致
