LESSON 3 THE GENTLE HAND 温柔的手
Timothy S.Arthur (b.1809, d.1885) was born near Newburgh, N.Y., but passed most of his life at Baltimore and Philadelphia.His opportunities for good schooling were quite limited, and he may be considered a self-educated man.He was the author of more than a hundred volumes, principally novels of a domestic and moral tone, and of many shorter tales—magazine articles, etc.“Ten Nights in a Barroom,” and “Three Years in a Mantrap,” are among his best known works.
1.When and where it matters not now to relate—but once upon a time, as I was passing through a thinly peopled district of country, night came down upon me almost unawares.Being on foot, I could not hope to gain the village toward which my steps were directed, until a late hour; and I therefore preferred seeking shelter and a night’s lodging at the fi rst humble dwelling that presented itself.
2.Dusky twilight was giving place to deeper shadows, when I found myself in the vicinity[1] of a dwelling, from the small uncurtained windows of which the light shone with a pleasant promise of good cheer and comfort.The house stood within an inclosure, and a short distance from the road along which I was moving with wearied feet.
3.Turning aside, and passing through the ill-hung gate, I approached the dwelling.Slowly the gate swung on its wooden hinges, and the rattle of its latch, in closing, did not disturb the air until I had nearly reached the porch in front of the house, in which a slender girl, who had noticed my entrance, stood awaiting my arrival.
4.A deep, quick bark answered, almost like an echo, the sound of the shutting gate, and, sudden as an apparition, the form of an immense dog loomed in the doorway.At the instant when he was about to spring, a light hand was laid upon his shaggy neck, and a low word spoken.
5.“Go in, Tiger,”said the girl, not in a voice of authority, yet in her gentle tones was the consciousness that she would be obeyed; and, as she spoke, she lightly bore upon the animal with her hand, and he turned away and disappeared within the dwelling.
6.“Who’s that?”A rough voice asked the question; and now a heavy-looking man took the dog’s place in the door.
7.“How far is it to G—?”I asked, not deeming it best to say, in the beginning, that I sought a resting place for the night.
8.“To G—!”growled the man, but not so harshly as at first.“It’s good six miles from here.”
9.“A long distance; and I’m a stranger and on foot,” said I.“If you can make room for me until morning, I will be very thankful.”
10.I saw the girl’s hand move quickly up his arm, until it rested on his shoulder, and now she leaned to him still closer.
11.“Come in.We’ll try what can be done for you.” There was a change in the man’s voice that made me wonder.I entered a large room, in which blazed a brisk fi re.Before the fi re sat two stout lads, who turned upon me their heavy eyes, with no very welcome greeting.A middle-aged woman was standing at a table, and two children were amusing themselves with a kitten on the fl oor.
12.“A stranger, mother,” said the man who had given me so rude a greeting at the door; “and he wants us to let him stay all night.”
13.The woman looked at me doubtingly for a few moments, and then replied coldly, “We don’t keep a public house.”
14.“I’m aware of that, ma’am,” said I; “but night has overtaken me, and it’s a long way yet to G——.”
15.“Too far for a tired man to go on foot,” said the master of the house, kindly, “so it’s no use talking about it, mother; we must give him a bed.”
16.So unobtrusively[2] that I scarce noticed the movement, the girl had drawn to her mother’s side.What she said to her I did not hear, for the brief words were uttered in a low voice; but I noticed, as she spoke, one small, fair hand rested on the woman’s hand.
17.Was there magic in that touch? The woman’s repulsive[3] aspect changed into one of kindly welcome, and she said, “Yes, it’s a long way to G——.I guess we can fi nd a place for him.”
18.Many times more during that evening, did I observe the magic power of that hand and voice—the one gentle yet potent[4] as the other.On the next morning, breakfast being over, I was preparing to take my departure when my host[5] informed me that if I would wait for half an hour he would give me a ride in his wagon to G——, as business required him to go there.I was very well pleased to accept of the invitation.
19.In due time, the farmer’s wagon was driven into the road before the house, and I was invited to get in.I noticed the horse as a rough-looking Canadian pony, with a certain air of stubborn endurance.As the farmer took his seat by my side, the family came to the door to see us off .
20.“Dick!” said the farmer in a peremptory[6] voice, giving the rein a quick jerk as he spoke.But Dick moved not a step.“Dick! you vagabond! get up.” And the farmer’s whip cracked sharply by the pony’s ear.
21.It availed[7] not, however, this second appeal.Dick stood fi rmly disobedient.
Next the whip was brought down upon him with an impatient hand; but the pony only reared up a little.Fast and sharp the strokes were next dealt to the number of half a dozen.The man might as well have beaten the wagon, for all his end was gained.
22.A stout lad now came out into the road, and, catching Dick by the bridle, jerked him forward, using, at the same time, the customary language on such occasions, but Dick met this new ally[8] with increased stubbornness, planting his fore feet more fi rmly and at a sharper angle with the ground.
23.The impatient boy now struck the pony on the side of the head with his clinched hand, and jerked cruelly at his bridle.It availed nothing, however; Dick was not to be wrought upon by any such arguments.
24.“Don’t do so, John!” I turned my head as the maiden’s sweet voice reached my ear.She was passing through the gate into the road, and in the next moment had taken hold of the lad and drawn him away from the animal.No strength was exerted in this; she took hold of his arm, and he obeyed her wish as readily as if he had no thought beyond her gratifi cation.
25.And now that soft hand was laid gently on the pony’s neck, and a single low word spoken.How instantly were the tense[9] muscles relaxed[10]—how quickly the stubborn air vanished!
26.“Poor Dick!” said the maiden, as she stroked his neck lightly, or softly patted it with a childlike hand.“Now, go along, you provoking fellow!” she added, in a half-chiding[11], yet aff ectionate voice, as she drew up the bridle.
27.The pony turned toward her, and rubbed his head against her arm for an instant or two; then, pricking up his ears, he started off at a light, cheerful trot, and went on his way as freely as if no silly crotchet[12] had ever entered his stubborn brain.
28.“What a wonderful power that hand possesses!” said I, speaking to my companion, as we rode away.
29.He looked at me for a moment, as if my remark had occasioned surprise.Then a light came into his countenance, and he said briefly, “She’s good! Everybody and everything loves her.”
30.Was that, indeed, the secret of her power? Was the quality of her soul perceived in the impression of her hand, even by brute beasts! The father’s explanation was doubtless the true one.Yet have I ever since wondered, and still do wonder, at the potency which lay in that maiden’s magic touch.I have seen something of the same power, showing itself in the loving and the good, but never to the extent as instanced[13] in her, whom, for want of a better name, I must still call “Gentle Hand.”
【中文阅读】
蒂莫西·S·亚瑟（1809—1885）出生于美国纽约州纽堡市附近，但他在巴尔的摩和费城度过生命中的大部分时光。他所受的正规教育很有限，属于自学成才的类型。他的著述多达一百多部，其中主要是家庭和道德伦理方面的小说，以及
为期刊杂志撰写的大量篇幅更短的文章。在他的作品中，《酒吧里的十个夜晚》和《无间道·三年》都流传甚广。
1.这件事发生在何时、何地，现在看来并不重要——姑且叫它从前吧，当我正穿过一处人烟稀少的地方时，夜幕悄然降临了。由于是步行，如果我想到达原先想去的城镇，恐怕得走到深夜。于是我急切地想找个地方过夜，随便哪个先碰上的房舍都行，不管条件有多简陋，对付一晚足矣。
2.暗淡的暮色渐渐褪去，黑暗降临了。这时我发现附近有户人家，从几扇不挂窗帘的小窗户中透出的光，似乎正传递着温暖而愉悦的气氛。这栋屋子四周围着栅栏，离我所行走的路很近，而我正疲累不堪。
3.我离开小路，推开虚掩的栅栏门，走近这栋屋子。栅栏门上的木质铰链在慢慢晃动着，门关上时，门闩发出轻微的声响。这些声音都没有惊动屋内欢乐的气氛，一直等我快走到门廊了，才发现有位身材苗条的姑娘站在那里，显然，刚才她听到了我的脚步声。
4.门刚关上，像是回应这个声响似的，响起一声低沉而短促的狗吠；紧接着，一条体型硕大的狗幽灵般地出现在门廊上。眼看它快扑上来的时候，一只手轻轻搭在它毛发蓬松的脖颈上，一个温柔的声音低声响起。
5.“小虎，进去。”姑娘说道，声音并不威严，但她温柔的嗓音中带着一种不容置疑的清晰暗示。一边说着，她一边轻拍了几下大狗的脑袋，于是那狗转过身，进了屋。
6.“谁在那儿？”一个粗犷的声音传来，一个脸色阴沉的男人从狗的身后闪出。
7.“请问，这儿离G地还有多远？”我问道。一开始就告诉他我想找个今晚过夜的地方，大概不是个好主意，我想。
8.“G地！”男人大声地说着，言语间却少了最初的严厉，“离这儿还有足足六英里呢。”
9.“路可真够远的。我是步行来的，一个过路客，”我说，“如果你们能让我在这里歇上一晚，我真是感激不尽。”
10.我看到那姑娘的手沿着那男人的手臂上移，最后搭在他肩上，现在她离那男人更近了些。
11.“进来吧，看看我们能给你帮上什么忙。”男人的语气有所变化，让我颇觉意外。我进了屋，房间很宽敞，壁炉中的火苗轻快地跃动着。壁炉前，坐着两个身材结实的小伙子，他们满脸阴沉地抬眼看我，明显带着不快的神情。一位中年妇女站在桌子旁边，两个孩子在地板上自顾自地逗着小猫咪。
12.“孩子他妈，这个过路的，”刚才在门前粗鲁地与我打招呼的那个男人说道，“想在我们这儿过一夜。”
13.那妇人狐疑地打量我片刻，冷冷地说：“我们这儿没有客房。”
14.“我知道，夫人，”我说，“但是，天太晚了，去G地实在太远了。”
15.“让一个疲惫的人走这么长一段路，太荒唐了。”男主人和蔼地说，“不用再讨论了，孩子他妈，我们得为他匀出一张床。”
16.悄无声息地，那姑娘已经靠近她母亲，我几乎没注意到她是何时走过去的。她悄声对她母亲说了些什么，声音太轻，我听不见内容。但我注意到，当她说话时，她那娇小美丽的手已轻轻搭在她母亲的手上。
17.她的触摸有魔法吗？那妇人反感冷淡的态度瞬间变得亲切和善，她说：“说得对，到G地还远着呢。我想，我们是得帮他准备张床。”
18.就在那个晚上，我无数次地观察到那双手和那个声音——像她的手一般温柔而有力所具有的魔力。第二天早上，吃完早餐后，我正打算告辞，男主人告诉我，他要赶往G地办事，如果我愿意多等待半小时，他便可以用自己的马车送我一程，我自然非常高兴地接受了他的好意。
19.约定的时间到了，那农夫将马车停在屋前的马路上，招呼我上车。我注意到那匹驾辕的马，那马驹面部粗糙，属于加拿大品种，具有顽强忍耐的优良品性。农夫上了马车，坐在我身边，全家人走出门来为我们送行。
20.“狄克！”农民严厉地呵斥，一边猛地拉动缰绳，但狄克竟然一步都没挪动，“狄克，你这个懒鬼！快走啊。”农夫猛地一甩鞭，鞭子声在小马的耳边尖锐地乍响。
21.依然毫不奏效，狄克固执地站在那里，无动于衷。男主人急躁起来，第二鞭便甩到小马驹身上，但它只是暴跳了一下。接着几鞭又快又狠地甩在马驹背上，但全无效果，农夫如果早知道他最终束手无策，还不如起先就鞭打那马车罢。
22.一个身材粗壮的小伙子走到路中间，抓着狄克的缰绳猛地向前拽，边拽边骂骂咧咧。但狄克面对这个新来的敌人，报以更加倔强的姿态，将前蹄死死抵住地面，怎么都不肯动弹。
23.小伙子不耐烦起来，开始握紧拳头狠揍小马驹的脑袋，然后死命地猛拽缰绳。但这同样毫不奏效，狄克无论如何就是不肯迈开蹄子。
24.“别这么做，约翰！”少女甜美的声音传来。我循声扭头，她正穿过栅栏门，走到路上，接着她握住小伙子的手臂，将他轻轻从小马驹身边推开。在做这些事情的时候，她的动作很温柔。她抓住他的手臂，而他也毫不反抗地任她这么做，丝毫没有忤逆她的意思。
25.现在，她柔软的手正温柔抚摸着小马驹的脖颈，嘴里对它低低地说着些什么。一转眼间，小马驹身上那紧绷的肌肉便放松了——原本僵持的气氛一扫而空！
26.“可怜的狄克！”少女一边说着，一边抚摸着它的脖子，或者说，是用她娇小的手温柔地拍打了它几下，“现在，去吧，你这爱折腾人的孩子！”她提了提笼头，语气中略带责备，但仍然满怀爱意。
27.小马驹转向她，将脑袋靠在她臂弯间蹭了几下，接着，它竖起耳朵，开始轻快地跑起碎步来。它的步伐越来越矫健，就好像刚才不曾有任何怪异的念头盘踞在它那固执的小脑瓜里一样。
28.马车跑起来了。“那双手，拥有多么奇妙的力量啊！”我对身旁的农夫说道。
29.农夫注视了我片刻，似乎我的评论使他偶发惊奇，他的脸上闪过一丝喜悦，却只说了句：“她心地仁慈，这里的人和那些牲口都喜欢她。”
30.这便是她魅力的源泉吗？大家都从她的双手中感受到她灵魂的高贵，即使是那些不通人性的动物！她父亲的解释无疑道出了真相。但从那以后，我始终很好奇，直到今天也仍然想知道，那名少女充满魔力的抚摸中到底蕴藏了多少力量。我曾见过通过爱与善表达出来的类似力量，但从来没有一种力量能像我在她身上见到的那么强大。这种力量，在没有更好的名称之前，我愿称它为“温柔的手”。
【注释】
[1] Vicinity, neighborhood.
[2] Unobtrusively, not noticeably, modestly.
[3] Repulsive, repelling, forbidding.
[4] Potent, powerful, eff ective.
[5] Host, one from whom another receives food, lodging, or entertainment.
[6] Peremptory, commanding, decisive.
[7] Availed, was of use, had ef fect.
[8] Ally, a confederate, one who unites with another in some purpose.
[9] Tense, strained to stif fness, rigid.
[10] Relaxed, loosened.
[11] Chiding, scolding, rebuking.
[12] Crotchet, a perverse fancy, a whim.
[13] Instanced, mentioned as an example.