雙語小説連載:《董貝父子》第五章 Part 6

There was a toothache in everything. The wine was so bitter cold that it forced a little scream from Miss Tox, which she had great difficulty in turning into a 'Hem!' The veal had come from such an airy pantry, that the first taste of it had struck a sensation as of cold lead to Mr. Chick's extremities. Mr. Dombey alone remained unmoved. He might have been hung up for sale at a Russian fair as a specimen of a frozen gentleman.

The prevailing influence was too much even for his sister. She made no effort at flattery or small talk, and directed all her efforts to looking as warm as she could.

'Well, Sir,' said Mr. Chick, making a desperate plunge, after a long silence, and filling a glass of sherry; 'I shall drink this, if you'll allow me, Sir, to little Paul.'

'Bless him!' murmured Miss Tox, taking a sip of wine.

'Dear little Dombey!' murmured Mrs. Chick.

'Mr. John,' said Mr. Dombey, with severe gravity, 'my son would feel and express himself obliged to you, I have no doubt, if he could appreciate the favor you have done him. He will prove, in time to come, I trust, equal to any responsibility that the obliging disposition of his relations and friends, in private, or the onerous nature of our position, in public, may impose upon him.'

The tone in which this was said admitting of nothing more, Mr. Chick relapsed into low spirits and silence. Not so Miss Tox, who, having listened to Mr. Dombey with even a more emphatic attention than usual, and with a more expressive tendency of her head to one side, now leant across the table, and said to Mrs. Chick softly:
'Louisa!'

'My dear,' said Mrs. Chick.

註釋：disposition n. 處置；[心理] 性情；[軍] 部署；傾向
詞組：
disposition plan 配置平面圖
disposition effect 處置效應；處分效果
例句：
1. Hardship warped his disposition.
困苦使他的性情變得乖僻。
2. The choice is no longer in their disposition.
選擇權已不在他們手中了。

'Onerous nature of our position in public may - I have forgotten
the exact term.'

'Expose him to,' said Mrs. Chick.

'Pardon me, my dear,' returned Miss Tox, 'I think not. It was more rounded and flowing. Obliging disposition of relations and friends in private or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!'

'Impose upon him, to be sure,' said Mrs. Chick.

Miss Tox struck her delicate hands together lightly, in triumph; and added, casting up her eyes, 'eloquence indeed!'
Mr. Dombey, in the meanwhile, had issued orders for the attendance of Richards, who now entered curtseying, but without the baby; Paul being asleep after the fatigues of the morning. Mr Dombey, having delivered a glass of wine to this vassal, addressed her in the following words: Miss Tox previously settling her head on one side, and making other little arrangements for engraving them on her heart.

'During the six months or so, Richards, which have seen you an inmate of this house, you have done your duty. Desiring to connect some little service to you with this occasion, I considered how I could best effect that object, and I also advised with my sister, Mrs. - '

'Chick,' interposed the gentleman of that name.

'Oh, hush if you please!' said Miss Tox.

'I was about to say to you, Richards,' resumed Mr. Dombey, with an appalling glance at Mr. John, 'that I was further assisted in my decision, by the recollection of a conversation I held with your husband in this room, on the occasion of your being hired, when he disclosed to me the melancholy fact that your family, himself at the head, were sunk and steeped in ignorance.

註釋：fatigues v. 使……疲勞（fatigue的第三人稱單數）
n. 疲勞（fatigue的複數）；雜役
詞組：
fatigue life 疲勞壽命
fatigue strength 疲勞強度
muscle fatigue 肌肉疲勞；肌肉疲憊
fatigue limit 疲勞極限；疲勞限界
fatigue load 疲勞載荷；疲勞負荷
fatigue loading 疲勞載荷；疲勞荷載
mental fatigue 心理疲勞；精神疲勞
visual fatigue 視覺疲勞
例句：
1. It is a treat to have a drink after the fatigues of the day.
幹了一天的累活後喝杯酒其樂無窮。
2. The hustle and bustle of city life fatigues many people.
奔波的城市生活使很多 人精疲力竭.

Richards quailed under the magnificence of the reproof.

'I am far from being friendly,' pursued Mr. Dombey, 'to what is called by persons of leveling sentiments, general education. But it is necessary that the inferior classes should continue to be taught to know their position, and to conduct themselves properly. So far I approve of schools. Having the power of nominating a child on the foundation of an ancient establishment, called (from a worshipful company) the Charitable Grinders; where not only is a wholesome education bestowed upon the scholars, but where a dress and badge is likewise provided for them; I have (first communicating, through Mrs. Chick, with your family) nominated your eldest son to an existing vacancy; and he has this day, I am informed, assumed the habit. The number of her son, I believe,' said Mr. Dombey, turning to his sister and speaking of the child as if he were a hackney-coach, is one hundred and forty-seven. Louisa, you can tell her.'

'One hundred and forty-seven,' said Mrs. Chick 'The dress, Richards, is a nice, warm, blue baize tailed coat and cap, turned up with orange colored binding; red worsted stockings; and very strong leather small-clothes. One might wear the articles one's self,' said Mrs. Chick, with enthusiasm, 'and be grateful.'

'There, Richards!' said Miss Tox. 'Now, indeed, you may be proud. The Charitable Grinders!'
'I am sure I am very much obliged, Sir,' returned Richards faintly, 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones.' At the same time a vision of Biler as a Charitable Grinder, with his very small legs encased in the serviceable clothing described by Mrs. Chick, swam before Richards's eyes, and made them water.

'I am very glad to see you have so much feeling, Richards,' said Miss Tox.

'It makes one almost hope, it really does,' said Mrs. Chick, who prided herself on taking trustful views of human nature, 'that there may yet be some faint spark of gratitude and right feeling in the world.'

註釋：nominate vt. 推薦；提名；任命；指定
例句：
1. He was nominated one of the trustees.
他被指定為受託人之一。
2. The board nominated him as the new director.
董事會指定他為新董事。

(非常抱歉，暫無譯文)