以下僅供英語學習用途，不可做於營利使用。
資料來源：
1.英文朗讀： https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3fN_-rupwo&t=1723s
2.英語原文：http://www.stormfax.com/1dickens.htm
3.中文翻譯：https://www.daocaorenshuwu.com/book/shengdansongge
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens
第一節歌[1]馬利的鬼魂
[1] 英國舊時風俗，每逢聖誕節，民間歌手挨家挨戶去唱聖誕頌歌，以歡頌基督的誕生或有關聖誕的事件。狄更斯把這篇小說稱作“散文體的聖誕頌歌”，所以不稱“章”而稱“節”。
Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.
話說馬利死了。這是毫無疑問的事。
The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner.
在他安葬的登記簿上有牧師、辦事員、殯儀承辦人和主要送喪人的簽字。
Scrooge signed it: and Scrooge's name was good upon 'Change, for anything he chose to put his hand to.
斯克擄奇在上面簽了字。而斯克擄奇的這姓氏在交易所裏是很吃得開的，不管他高興著手幹什麼事情都行。
Old Marley was as dead as a door-nail.
老馬利已經像一隻門釘似的死絕了[2]。
[2] 英國諺語。古老的大門上往往鑲有一隻大釘，門環叩在上面作響，把它敲得命都沒有了。一般都指物，這裏指人，是要造成一種虛幻的氣氛。
Mind! I don't mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a door-nail.
請注意！我的意思並不是說，我憑自己的知識，知道一隻門釘會死絕到什麼程度。
I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade.
我自己倒還是想把一隻棺材釘當作五金業買賣中最死絕的東西。
But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for.
但是門釘這個比喻表現了我們祖先的智慧，我不應該用我這雙不敬神明的手來竄改它，否則我們的祖國就要完蛋了。
You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a door-nail.
因此，請諸位準許我再強調地說一次：馬利已經像一隻門釘似的死絕了。
Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners for I don't know how many years.
斯克擄奇是否知道馬利死了呢？他當然是知道的。他怎麼會不知道呢？斯克擄奇同他合夥做生意已不知道有多少年了。
Scrooge was his sole executor, his sole administrator, his sole assign, his sole residuary legatee, his sole friend and sole mourner.
斯克擄奇是他唯一的遺囑執行人，唯一的財產管理人，唯一的財產受讓人，唯一的剩餘財產受贈人，唯一的朋友和唯一的送葬人。
And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully cut up by the sad event, but that he was an excellent man of business on the very day of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain.
斯克擄奇並不因為這喪事而感到極度悲傷，竟然在老馬利落葬那一天仍然是一位出色的生意人，做了一筆挺上算的交易來舉行這次葬禮。
The mention of Marley's funeral brings me back to the point I started from.
談到馬利的落葬，我又得從頭說起。
There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate.
毫無疑問，馬利已經死了。這件事情一定要領會得一清二楚，否則，我下面要講的故事就一點也不稀奇了。
If we were not perfectly convinced that Hamlet's Father died before the play began,
正好像我們若不是深信哈姆雷特的父親是在戲開場以前就死掉的，
there would be nothing more remarkable in his taking a stroll at night, in an easterly wind, upon his own ramparts,
那末，他夜裏冒著東風漫步在自己的城堞上，
than there would be in any other middle-aged gentleman rashly turning out after dark in a breezy spot -- say Saint Paul's Churchyard for instance -- literally to astonish his son's weak mind.
也就同任何別的中年紳士在天黑以後魯莽地出現在一個風颼颼的地方——比方說聖保羅大教堂的墳場吧——來嚇唬嚇唬他那個懦怯的兒子，一樣地不足為奇了。
Scrooge never painted out Old Marley's name. There it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse door: Scrooge and Marley.
斯克擄奇始終沒有把老馬利的姓氏塗掉。好些年以後，貨棧的大門頂上還是這幾個字：“斯克擄奇與馬利”。
The firm was known as Scrooge and Marley.
這家商行就叫做“斯克擄奇與馬利”。
Sometimes people new to the business called Scrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to both names: it was all the same to him.
剛做這行買賣的人，有時候把斯克擄奇叫做斯克擄奇，有時候把他叫做馬利，但不管叫哪個姓氏他都答應。對於他，這反正都是一樣。
Oh! But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind- stone, Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!
咳，斯克擄奇這人才真是一個死不鬆手的吝嗇鬼！一個巧取豪奪、能搜善刮、貪得無饜的老黑心！
Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.
又硬又厲害，像一塊打火石，隨便哪種鋼從它上面都打不出什麼火星來；行跡隱秘，沉默寡言，孤單單的，像一隻牡蠣。
The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait;
他心中的冷酷，使得他那蒼老的五官凍結了起來，尖鼻子凍壞了，臉頰幹癟了，步子也僵硬了；
made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice.
使得他的眼睛發紅，薄薄的嘴唇發青；說話精明刻薄，聲音尖銳刺耳。
A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin.
他頭發已經白得像霜一樣，一雙眉毛和瘦削結實的下頦也都是這樣。
He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dogdays; and didn't thaw it one degree at Christmas.
他總是帶著自己一身的冷氣，人走到哪兒，就帶到哪兒；在大熱天裏，他使自己的辦公室冰凍起來；即使到了聖誕節，還是不讓氣溫上升一度來解凍。
External heat and cold had little influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm, no wintry weather chill him.
外界的轉冷變熱，對於斯克擄奇絲毫不起作用。無論怎樣炎熱都不能夠使他溫暖，無論怎樣酷寒也不能夠使他發冷。
No wind that blew was bitterer than he, no falling snow was more intent upon its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty.
風隨便刮得怎樣凶，也比不上他的心那樣狠；雪隨便下得怎樣猛，也比不上他求財之心那樣迫切；雨下得再大，也比不上他那樣從來不聽人懇求。
Foul weather didn't know where to have him. The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail, and sleet, could boast of the advantage over him in only one respect.
惡劣的氣候簡直不知道怎樣才能製服他。即使頂猛烈的雨、雪、冰雹和雨夾雪也隻有一點可以自誇勝過他。
They often "came down" handsomely, and Scrooge never did.
它們常常“出手”很大方，而斯克擄奇卻是從來不會這樣的。
Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome looks, "My dear Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?"
在街上，從來沒有人迎上他，用一種高興的神情對他說：“親愛的斯克擄奇，你好嗎？你什麼時候來看看我？”
No beggars implored him to bestow a trifle, no children asked him what it was o'clock, no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired the way to such and such a place, of Scrooge. 沒有哪一個乞丐會請求他施舍一個小錢，沒有哪一個兒童會問他現在是幾點鍾。在斯克擄奇的一生中，從來沒有一個男人或女人向他問過去某個地方的路。
Even the blind men's dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on, would tug their owners into doorways and up courts; and then would wag their tails as though they said, "No eye at all is better than an evil eye, dark master!"
連瞎子養的狗似乎都認得他，一看見他走過來，就趕快拖著它們的主人躲到門洞子裏，或者跑進院子裏去；接著它們還會搖搖尾巴，仿佛在說：“失明的主人啊，生著一雙凶惡的眼睛，還不如沒有眼睛的好！”
But what did Scrooge care? It was the very thing he liked.
但是斯克擄奇才不在乎這一切呢！這種情形正是他所歡迎的。
To edge his way along the crowded paths of life, warning all human sympathy to keep its distance, was what the knowing ones call "nuts" to Scrooge.
對斯克擄奇來說，在擁擠不堪的人生道路上，側著身子一路擠過去，同時叫人世間的同情心都對他遠而避之，這正是那些明眼人所說的“正中下懷”之事。
Once upon a time -- of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve -- old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house.
話說從前有一次——偏偏是在一年之中的這個最好的節日，聖誕節的前夜——老斯克擄奇坐在他的賬房裏忙著。
It was cold, bleak, biting weather: foggy withal: and he could hear the people in the court outside go wheezing up and down, beating their hands upon their breasts, and stamping their feet upon the pavement stones to warm them.
天氣陰寒砭骨，而且有霧；他聽得見外面院子裏人們喘著氣在走來走去，用手拍著胸部，用腳在石板地上跺著取暖。
The city clocks had only just gone three, but it was quite dark already -- it had not been light all day -- and candles were flaring in the windows of the neighbouring offices, like ruddy smears upon the palpable brown air.
城[3]裏鍾樓上的大鍾剛剛敲過三點，但是天色已經很黑了。——這一整天就沒有怎麼亮過——附近那些辦公室的窗子裏，蠟燭光都已經在閃耀著，仿佛給這觸摸得著的棕色空氣[4]抹上了一些紅顏色。
[3] 這“城”不是指整個倫敦城，而隻是指城中部舊城區一帶，那裏是倫敦的金融貿易中心，大銀行、公司等集中於此；還有倫敦塔、聖保羅大教堂等。
[4] 觸摸得著的棕色空氣：這是說空氣中的霧太濃了，仿佛已經凝固，可以用手觸摸得著。
The fog came pouring in at every chink and keyhole, and was so dense without, that although the court was of the narrowest, the houses opposite were mere phantoms.
霧從每一道隙縫和每一個鑰匙孔裏湧進來；在戶外，霧濃得連對面的屋子（雖然隻隔著一個極其狹小的院子）看上去也好像幻影一樣了。
To see the dingy cloud come drooping down, obscuring everything, one might have thought that Nature lived hard by, and was brewing on a large scale.
看見這片陰暗的雲霧低垂下來，遮蔽住一切東西，人們不禁要以為大自然就住在附近，正在那裏大規模地醞釀著氣候的劇變。
The door of Scrooge's counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters.
斯克擄奇賬房間的門是開著的，因為這樣他才可以時刻注意他的辦事員，那人坐在外面那間像一隻水槽似的陰森的鬥室裏，正在抄寫信件。
Scrooge had a very small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal.
斯克擄奇屋子裏生著一爐很小的火，可是辦事員的那爐火比他的還要小得多，看起來就像是隻燒著一塊煤。
But he couldn't replenish it, for Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as the clerk came in with the shovel, the master predicted that it would be necessary for them to part.
他可沒法加點煤上去，因為斯克擄奇把煤箱放在他自己的房間裏；隻要這辦事員拿了煤鍬進去，老板就準要預告說，他們看來非分手不可了。
Wherefore the clerk put on his white comforter, and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed.
於是辦事員隻得披上了白圍巾，嚐試著好歹就在蠟燭上面取點暖；可惜他並不是一個想象力很強的人，他這番努力失敗了。
"A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!" cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge's nephew, who came upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he had of his approach.
“祝聖誕快樂，舅舅！上帝保佑你！”一個快活的聲音說。說話的人是斯克擄奇的外甥，因為他來得這麼突然，斯克擄奇直到聽見他的聲音，才知道他來了。
"Bah!" said Scrooge, "Humbug!"
“呸！”斯克擄奇說。“胡鬧！
He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge's, that he was all in a glow; his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked again.
斯克擄奇的這位外甥，因為是冒著迷霧和濃霜匆匆趕來，走得很熱，所以滿面紅光，臉兒又紅潤又漂亮；他的眼睛閃閃發亮，他的呼吸又冒起熱氣來了。
"Christmas a humbug, uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew. "You don't mean that, I am sure."
“聖誕節是胡鬧，舅舅！”斯克擄奇的外甥說。“你的意思不會真是這樣吧，我相信！”
"I do," said Scrooge. "Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough."
“我的意思就是這樣，”斯克擄奇說。“快樂的聖誕節！你有什麼權利可以快活？你有什麼理由可以快樂？你是夠窮的啦。”
"Come, then," returned the nephew gaily. "What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose? You're rich enough."
“得了，”他的外甥快活地回答說。“你有什麼權利可以不快活？你有什麼理由可以悶悶不樂？你是夠富的啦。”
Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment, said "Bah!" again; and followed it up with "Humbug."
斯克擄奇一時想不出什麼好的答語來，就又說了聲“呸！”接著又是一聲“胡鬧！”
"Don't be cross, uncle!" said the nephew.
“不要慪氣嘛，舅舅！”外甥說。
"What else can I be," returned the uncle, "when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon merry Christmas!
“我不慪氣怎麼辦，”舅舅回答說，“我就生活在這麼一個滿是傻瓜的世界裏！快樂的聖誕節！滾它的快樂聖誕節！
What's Christmas time to you but a time for paying bills without money; a time for finding yourself a year older, but not an hour richer;
對你說來，聖誕節不過是一個沒有錢還賬的時節；一個發現自己大了一歲，可是隨著時光流逝並不多一點錢的時節；
a time for balancing your books and having every item in 'em through a round dozen of months presented dead against you?
一個年底結賬[5]，結果發現整整十二個月裏筆筆賬都鬧虧空的時節；除此以外，還有什麼意義？
[5] 年底結賬：英國習俗，到了聖誕節，要結算賬目，看看收支是否相抵。如有欠債，即應歸還，頗似我國農曆除夕。
If I could work my will," said Scrooge indignantly, "every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!"
如果我的願望能夠實現的話，”斯克擄奇憤怒地說，“凡是跑來跑去把‘快樂的聖誕節’掛在嘴上的癡子，都應該把他跟自己的布丁一起煮熟了，再給他當胸插上一根冬青樹枝[6]，埋掉拉倒。他活該！
[6] 冬青樹枝：冬青是一種常綠樹，冬季結紅色果實，是聖誕節的象征，多用來作室內裝飾。在聖誕前夕的宴會中，最後上有幹果的布丁時，就把一根冬青枝插在布丁上，這是傳統的風俗，所以斯克擄奇這樣講。
"Uncle!" pleaded the nephew.
“舅舅！”外甥懇求道。
"Nephew!" returned the uncle, sternly, "keep Christmas in your own way, and let me keep it in mine."
“甥兒！”舅舅嚴厲地回答，“你照你自己的方式去過聖誕節，讓我照我自己的方式來過聖誕節吧。”
"Keep it!" repeated Scrooge's nephew. "But you don't keep it."
“過節！”斯克擄奇的外甥重複了一遍。“但是你並不過節呀。”
"Let me leave it alone, then," said Scrooge. "Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you!"
“那末，就讓我不過節吧，”斯克擄奇說。“但願這個節日會給你許多好處！它到底給過你多少好處呀！”
"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say," returned the nephew.
“有許多事情，我本來可以從中得到好處，可是我並沒有去撈好處，我敢說，”他外甥回答。
"Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round –
“聖誕節就是其中的一樁。但是我確信，我每逢這個節日到來的時候——
apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that –
且不說它那神聖的名字和起源所引起的崇敬，如果任何屬於聖誕節的事情可以撇開這種崇敬不談的話——
as a good time: a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year,
我總是把它當作一個好日子，一個友好、寬恕、慈善、快樂的日子；據我所知，在漫長的一年之中，只有在這時節，
when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.
男男女女才似乎不約而同地把他們那緊閉的心房敞開，把那些比他們卑微的人真的看作是走向墳墓的旅伴，而不是走向其他路程的另一種生物。
And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!"
因此，舅舅，聖誕節雖則從來沒把絲毫金銀放進我的口袋，我還是相信它的確給了我好處，而且以後還會給我好處；所以我說，上帝保佑它！”
The clerk in the tank involuntarily applauded: becoming immediately sensible of the impropriety, he poked the fire, and extinguished the last frail spark for ever.
待在“水槽”裏的那個辦事員禁不住喝起彩來。他立刻感覺到這是越軌的舉動，就去撥弄那爐火，卻把最後一顆微弱的火星都就此弄熄了。
"Let me hear another sound from you," said Scrooge, "and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation. You're quite a powerful speaker, sir," he added, turning to his nephew. "I wonder you don't go into Parliament."
“我如果聽見你再哼一聲，”斯克擄奇說，“那你就丟了你的飯碗，去過你的聖誕節吧！你真是一位蠻有力的演說家，閣下[7]，”他接著轉身向著他的外甥說。“我奇怪的是，你怎麼不進國會去。”
[7] 閣下：這是長輩責備晚輩時的反稱。
"Don't be angry, uncle. Come! Dine with us tomorrow."
“不要生氣，舅舅。來吧！明天來跟我們一塊兒吃飯。”
Scrooge said that he would see him -- yes, indeed he did. He went the whole length of the expression, and said that he would see him in that extremity first.
斯克擄奇說他寧願先看見他外甥……[8]是的，他的確是這樣說的。他把這句咒人的話全講了出來，說是他寧願先看見他外甥死難臨頭。
[8] “看見他外甥……”：原文這句話作者沒有完全寫出來，下文應該是：“go to the devil first”（“先見魔鬼去”），是罵人“該死”的粗話，一般人都說不出口的，但斯克擄奇卻全講了出來。
"But why?" cried Scrooge's nephew. "Why?"
“這是為什麼呢？”斯克擄奇的外甥叫道。“為什麼呢？”
"Why did you get married?" said Scrooge.
“你為什麼結了婚？”斯克擄奇說。
"Because I fell in love."
“因為我當初發生戀愛了。”
"Because you fell in love!" growled Scrooge, as if that were the only one thing in the world more ridiculous than a merry Christmas. "Good afternoon!"
“因為你當初發生戀愛了！”斯克擄奇咆哮著說，仿佛這是世界上唯一比快樂的聖誕節更荒唐可笑的事情。“再見！”
"Nay, uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give it as a reason for not coming now?"
“不，舅舅，即使在我結婚以前，你也從沒有來看過我呀，幹嘛現在要把這件事作為不來的理由呢？”
"Good afternoon," said Scrooge.
“再見，”斯克擄奇說。
"I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?"
“我不需要你給我任何東西；我不向你要求任何東西；我們為什麼不能友好相處呢？”
"Good afternoon," said Scrooge.
“再見，”斯克擄奇說。
"I am sorry, with all my heart, to find you so resolute. We have never had any quarrel, to which I have been a party.
“看見你這樣堅決，我心裏實在覺得難過。在我們兩人的爭吵裏，我從來不是一個參與者。
But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humour to the last. So A Merry Christmas, uncle!"
我如今作這次嘗試，是為了向聖誕節表示敬意，所以我一定要把我的聖誕節歡樂心情保持到底。我還是要祝你聖誕快樂，舅舅！”
"Good afternoon," said Scrooge.
“再見！”斯克擄奇說。
"And A Happy New Year!"
“並祝新年快樂！”
"Good afternoon!" said Scrooge.
“再見！”斯克擄奇說。
His nephew left the room without an angry word, notwithstanding.
然而他外甥還是不說一句生氣的話，就離開了這房間。
He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings of the season on the clerk, who cold as he was, was warmer than Scrooge; for he returned them cordially.
他在外面門口停了一下，向那辦事員致以節日的祝賀，而那人雖則身上寒冷，心裏卻比斯克擄奇溫暖得多，因為他滿腔熱誠地回答他的祝賀。
"There's another fellow," muttered Scrooge; who overheard him: "my clerk, with fifteen shillings a week, and a wife and family, talking about a merry Christmas. I'll retire to Bedlam."
“又是一個這號人，”斯克擄奇偷聽到他的答話，嘀咕道，“我這個辦事員，一個禮拜賺十五個先令，有老婆和一家子人，卻還在說什麼聖誕快樂。我真要躲進瘋人院[9]去啦。”
[9] 瘋人院：原文為Bedlam，即倫敦著名的伯利恒聖瑪利亞醫院的簡稱，本是一所修道院，後成為專門收治瘋子的精神病院。這裏是說他們全瘋了。
This lunatic, in letting Scrooge's nephew out, had let two other people in.
這個瘋子放斯克擄奇的外甥出去時，同時放了另外兩個人進來。
They were portly gentlemen, pleasant to behold, and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge's office.
他們都是肥頭胖耳的紳士，看起來很夠味兒；這時都脫下了帽子，站在斯克擄奇的辦公室裏。
They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed to him.
他們手裏拿著簿冊和一些紙張，向他鞠躬致意。
"Scrooge and Marley's, I believe," said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. "Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?"
“是斯克擄奇與馬利商行吧，我相信，”紳士中的一個說，參看著他手中的那張表。“請問閣下是斯克擄奇先生，還是馬利先生？”
"Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years," Scrooge replied. "He died seven years ago, this very night."
“馬利先生已經死了七年啦，”斯克擄奇回答。“他是七年前去世的，就在今天這樣的聖誕夜。”
"We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner," said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.
“我們深信，這位健在的合夥老板的慷慨之心一定不下於他的，”這位紳士說，一面拿出證明文件來。
It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word "liberality," Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.這倒確實如此；因為他們一直就是兩個性格相同的人。一聽見“慷慨”這個不祥的字眼，斯克擄奇就眉頭一皺，搖搖頭，把證明書還給了他。
"At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen,
“逢到一年之中的這個節日，斯克擄奇先生，”這紳士說，拿起一枝筆來，
"it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time.
“我們就格外需要替那些窮苦人，稍微提供一點補助物品，因為他們目前受苦受得很厲害。
Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir."
成千上萬的人缺乏日用必需品；幾十萬人缺乏生活福利上所需要的東西，先生。”
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.
“難道沒有監獄麼？”斯克擄奇問。
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
“監獄多得很，”那紳士說，又把筆放下來。
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
“還有恤貧局辦的貧民習藝所[10]呢？”斯克擄奇問。“現在還辦不辦？”
[10] 恤貧局：由兩個以上的教區聯合設立，是辦理救濟貧民事務的機構。習藝所裏的工作和生活都有意搞得非常艱苦，貧民寧願幹什麼都可以，卻不願進習藝所。狄更斯在他的名著《奧立佛·退斯特》中有詳細的描寫。
"They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not."
“都辦的。可是，”這紳士回答，“我但願能夠說一聲，它們都不辦了。”
"The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge.
“那末，踏車[11]和濟貧法[12]現在還都在發揮充分的威力囉？”斯克擄奇說。
[11] 踏車：一種梯級形、圓桶形或長帶形的木輪踏車，設在監獄內，令犯人終日踐踏，旋轉不停，作為刑罰。後來不用，改為教犯人習手藝做工。
[12] 濟貧法：英國救濟貧民的法律，其經費來自納稅人所繳濟貧稅。斯克擄奇這裏的意思是說，既然已經交過稅，還要再拿出什麼錢呢？狄更斯對於濟貧法的改革曾起過很大作用。
"Both very busy, sir."
“兩者都忙個不停，先生。”
"Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it."
“哦！我起先聽了你的話，還生怕發生了什麼事情，使它們不能夠進行這種有益的工作，”斯克擄奇說。“現在聽你這樣講，我就放心了。”
"Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman,
“我們因為認識到，它們對於大眾幾乎無法提供什麼基督教式的、精神上和肉體上的愉快，”那紳士答道，
"a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.
“我們這幾個人才正在努力想籌集一筆錢來給窮人們買一點肉、酒以及禦寒的東西。
We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?"
我們選擇這個時節，是因為這時節窮人們最感到困苦拮據，而有錢人最興高采烈。我給您寫上多少？”
"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.
“什麼也不要寫！”斯克擄奇回答。
"You wish to be anonymous?"
“您是想要匿名？”
"I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer.
“我想要不受打攪，”斯克擄奇說。“既然你問我想要什麼，先生們，這就是我的答複。
I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry.
我自己在聖誕節不尋歡作樂，我也沒那麼多錢來讓懶漢們尋歡作樂。
I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there."
我幫著維持剛才我提到過的那幾個機構，它們要的錢已經夠多的了；那些景況不好的人都應該到那裏去。”
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
“有許多人不能到那裏去；還有許多人寧死也不肯去。”
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that."
“如果他們寧願死的話，”斯克擄奇說。“他們還是死掉的好，同時還可以減少過剩的人口。況且——對不起——我不了解這種事情。”
"But you might know it," observed the gentleman.
“但你也許是了解的，”那位紳士說。
"It's not my business," Scrooge returned. "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's.
“那不關我的事，”斯克擄奇回答。“一個人管好他自己的事情，別去幹涉別人的事情，也就足夠了。
Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!"
我自己的事情一直使我夠忙的。再見，先生們！”
Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew.
這兩個紳士清清楚楚地看出，再說下去也還是沒有結果的，就告辭了。
Scrooge returned his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.
斯克擄奇繼續做他的事情，對於自己更加滿意了，而且情緒也比往常輕鬆了。
Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened so, that people ran about with flaring links, proffering their services to go before horses in carriages, and conduct them on their way.
這時候，霧更濃了，夜色也更黑了，有些人拿著耀眼的火把[13]跑來跑去，為人們照明。他們走在馬車的馬匹前面，給這些馬車帶路。
[13] 當時倫敦街上，霧大時有許多小孩，手持火把，為馬車及行人引路，以博取微酬，稱為“火把小子”。
The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff old bell was always peeping slyly down at Scrooge out of a Gothic window in the wall,
禮拜堂的古老的鍾樓，裏面有一口聲音粗糲的老鍾，老是從牆上一個哥特式[14]的窗子裏偷偷地向下看著斯克擄奇
[14] 哥特式：西歐十二世紀至十六世紀常見的建築樣式，有尖頂拱門，多用於教堂。
became invisible, and struck the hours and quarters in the clouds, with tremulous vibrations afterwards as if its teeth were chattering in its frozen head up there.已經看不見了，它在雲端裏報時和報刻，敲過以後發出一陣顫抖的尾音，仿佛它的頭伸在高空裏，給凍壞了，牙齒在打戰。
The cold became intense. In the main street at the corner of the court, some labourers were repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted a great fire in a brazier, round which a party of ragged men and boys were gathered: warming their hands and winking their eyes before the blaze in rapture.
寒氣更酷烈了。在大街上，院子的轉角處，有幾個工人正在修理煤氣管，在火盆裏生起了熊熊的一大堆火，一群衣衫襤褸的大人和小孩圍在這火盆的周圍，暖和暖和他們的手，興高采烈地衝著火光眨眼。
The water-plug being left in solitude, its overflowing sullenly congealed, and turned to misanthropic ice.
水龍頭呢，因為這時沒人去睬它了，它那溢出的水憤懣地凍結起來，變成厭恨人類的冰塊。
The brightness of the shops where holly springs and berries crackled in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy as they passed.
店鋪裏燈火明亮，人們經過時，蒼白的臉給照得紅彤彤的。冬青樹的枝條和紅果，給櫥窗裏的燈光烘得嗶剝作響。
Poulterers' and grocers' trades became a splendid joke;
家禽鋪和雜貨店裏的生意成為一種絕妙的賞心樂事，
a glorious pageant, with which it was next to impossible to believe that such dull principles as bargain and sale had anything to do.
一種壯麗的慶祝大典，人們簡直無法相信，那種乏味的討價還價和廉價出售的原則會跟它有什麼相幹。
The Lord Mayor, in the stronghold of the mighty Mansion House, gave orders to his fifty cooks and butlers to keep Christmas as a Lord Mayor's household should; 市長[15]大人在他那高大府邸的壁壘裏，命令他的五十名廚子和管家把聖誕節過得像市長府邸應當過的那樣。
[15] 市長：當時倫敦市長是市議會的主席，由議會中的長老議員選出，長老議員則由議員們選出。市長人選總是城裏殷富的商人。其官邸坐落於城中心，面對英格蘭銀行。
and even the little tailor, whom he had fined five shillings on the previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty in the streets, stirred up tomorrow's pudding in his garret, while his lean wife and the baby sallied out to buy the beef.
連那小裁縫，上星期一因為喝醉了酒在街上打架，被市長罰款五先令，這時也在他的閣樓裏攪著明天要吃的布丁；他那瘦小的老婆呢，帶著娃娃上街去買牛肉了。
Foggier yet, and colder! Piercing, searching, biting cold.
霧更加濃了，天更加冷了，冷得徹骨切膚，無孔不入。
If the good Saint Dunstan had but nipped the Evil Spirit's nose with a touch of such weather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons, then indeed he would have roared to lusty purpose.
如果仁慈的聖鄧斯丹[16]不用他那使慣的武器，而用一點兒這樣的寒氣來鉗住惡魔的鼻子，這惡魔也一定會有強烈的理由大聲叫嚷！
[16] 聖鄧斯丹：英國傳說中十世紀的一名修道士，後任坎特伯雷大主教。據說魔鬼曾親自去引誘他，他不但不受誘惑，反而用一把燒得通紅的火鉗鉗住魔鬼的鼻子，使它號叫著討饒。這裏說的“武器”就是指火鉗。
The owner of one scant young nose, gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold as bones are gnawed by dogs,
有個小孩子，瘦削的鼻子給這餓慌了的寒風咬住了咀嚼著，像狗啃骨頭似的，
stooped down at Scrooge's keyhole to regale him with a Christmas carol: but at the first sound of --
這時正蹲下身來，湊著斯克擄奇門上的鑰匙孔，獻唱一支聖誕歡歌；但是斯克擄奇一聽見歌兒的開端：
"God bless you, merry gentleman! May nothing you dismay!"
上帝保佑你，快樂的先生！願你一切如意，無憂無慮！[17]
[17] 當時每逢聖誕節，常有小孩們串街走巷，唱著聖誕歡歌，討取幾個銅子兒。有些歌流傳久遠，這一首即其中之一，歌的下文是：“……因為耶穌基督，我們的救世主，就降生在這一天，使我們免受魔鬼的引誘，迷途知返，擺脫魔法。喜訊帶來安逸與歡欣，因為我們的救世主，耶穌基督，降生在聖誕日。”
Scrooge seized the ruler with such energy of action, that the singer fled in terror, leaving the keyhole to the fog and even more congenial frost.
他就馬上抓起戒尺，動作極其迅猛，嚇得那唱歌的人慌忙逃走，讓迷霧以及與之臭味相投的寒氣鑽進鑰匙孔去。
At length the hour of shutting up the counting house arrived.
最後，賬房間關門的時候到了。
With an ill-will Scrooge dismounted from his stool, and tacitly admitted the fact to the expectant clerk in the Tank, who instantly snuffed his candle out, and put on his hat.
斯克擄奇才不樂意地從圓凳上爬下來，對那在“水槽”裏等待下班的辦事員默認時間已經到了，那辦事員便立刻剪熄了蠟燭，戴上了帽子。
"You'll want all day tomorrow, I suppose?" said Scrooge.
“我看你明天想歇一整天吧？”斯克擄奇說。
"If quite convenient, sir."
“如果方便的話，先生。”
"It's not convenient," said Scrooge, "and it's not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it, you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll be bound?"
“不方便，”斯克擄奇說，“而且也不公平。如果我因為這個緣故，扣掉你半個克朗[18]，你不就要以為自己吃虧了麼？這我可以保證。”
[18] 克朗：英國硬幣名，意即皇冠，因幣上印有皇冠或戴皇冠的頭像，故名。值五先令，現已不用。
The clerk smiled faintly.
辦事員勉強地笑笑。
"And yet," said Scrooge, "you don't think me ill-used, when I pay a day's wages for no work."
“然而，”斯克擄奇說，“我付了一天的工資，沒有人替我工作，你倒不認為我吃虧了。”
The clerk observed that it was only once a year.
辦事員說，這隻不過是一年一次嘛。
"A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December!" said Scrooge, buttoning his great-coat to the chin.
“每逢十二月廿五，就要扒掉人家一筆錢，這實在不成其為借口！”斯克擄奇說著，把大衣直扣到下頜邊。
"But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning."
“但是我看你是非要一整天不可的囉。後天早晨可要來得更早些！”
The clerk promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl.
辦事員答應他一定來得更早些，斯克擄奇就抱怨一聲，走了出去。
The office was closed in a twinkling, and the clerk, with the long ends of his white comforter dangling below his waist (for he boasted no great-coat),
一眨眼工夫，賬房間的門關上了，辦事員便圍上白圍巾，圍巾兩頭一直掛到腰下面（因為他沒有大衣可以誇耀），
went down a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys, twenty times, in honour of its being Christmas Eve, and then ran home to Camden Town as hard as he could pelt, to play at blindman's-buff.
他跑到康希爾街結了冰發滑的人行道上，跟在一長行小孩的末尾，溜了二十遍，用以慶祝這個聖誕節前夜，然後用最快的速度，跑回到堪姆登鎮[19]自己家裏，好去玩捉迷藏遊戲。
[19] 堪姆登鎮為倫敦當時的一個郊區，大部分居民是貧苦勞動人民。
Scrooge took his melancholy dinner in his usual melancholy tavern; and having read all the newspapers, and beguiled the rest of the evening with his banker's-book, went home to bed.
斯克擄奇呢，在他去慣的那家淒涼的小客店裏，吃了他那頓淒涼的晚餐；他把所有的報紙全讀過了，並且把晚上其餘的時間消磨在他的銀行賬目上之後，才回家去睡覺。
He lived in chambers which had once belonged to his deceased partner.
他所住的這幾個房間，從前是屬於他那已故的合夥人的。
They were a gloomy suite of rooms, in a lowering pile of building up a yard,
這是一套陰暗的房間，在院子後面一幢陰鬱的建築內。
where it had so little business to be, that one could scarcely help fancying it must have run there when it was a young house, playing at hide-and-seek with other houses, and forgotten the way out again.
這幢房子跟這個院子毫不相幹，人們不禁會想象：它一定是在它還是新房子的時候，跟別的房子玩捉迷藏，跑到那兒去了，就此忘掉出來的路徑。
It was old enough now, and dreary enough, for nobody lived in it but Scrooge, the other rooms being all let out as offices.
它現在已經老得很了，而且淒慘得很，除了斯克擄奇之外，沒有別人住在裏頭，別的房間都租出去作為辦公室了。
The yard was so dark that even Scrooge, who knew its every stone, was fain to grope with his hands.
院子裏黑得很，斯克擄奇雖然連那裏的每一塊石頭都很熟悉，也不得不用手摸索著走。
The fog and frost so hung about the black old gateway of the house, that it seemed as if the Genius of the Weather sat in mournful meditation on the threshold. 在那漆黑古老的大門上，霜厚霧濃，看起來好像氣候之神就坐在門檻上靜默誌哀。
Now, it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular about the knocker on the door, except that it was very large.
事實上，說起門上的那個門環，它除了很大之外，並沒有什麼特別的地方。
It is also a fact, that Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence in that place;
而且，這也是事實，在斯克擄奇居住在這地方的整個時期裏，他每天早晚都看見這個門環；
also that Scrooge had as little of what is called fancy about him as any man in the city of London, even including -- which is a bold word -- the corporation, aldermen, and livery. 何況他也像倫敦城裏的任何人一樣——說句大膽的話，甚至連市府當局、長老議員[20]和那些穿製服的人[21]在內——是一個很少有所謂幻想的人。
[20] 長老議員為英格蘭及愛爾蘭的市議會中由議員們選出來的高年資議員，其地位僅次於市長。
[21] 穿製服的人：十九世紀時倫敦七十六家公司和同業公會的榮譽市民、會員等，都穿特製的製服，故有此稱。
Let it also be borne in mind that Scrooge had not bestowed one thought on Marley, since his last mention of his seven years' dead partner that afternoon.
此外我們還得記住，斯克擄奇自從那天下午提到他那死去了七年的合夥人以來，還沒有再想到過馬利。
And then let any man explain to me, if he can, how it happened that Scrooge, having his key in the lock of the door, saw in the knocker, without its undergoing any intermediate process of change -- not a knocker, but Marley's face.
那末，如果有哪一位能夠解釋個中道理的，就請他來解釋給我聽吧：怎麼搞的，當斯克擄奇把他的鑰匙插入門上的鎖孔時，這期間那門環本身一點兒也沒有發生過變化，然而斯克擄奇看見的卻不是一個門環，而竟是馬利的臉兒。
Marley's face. It was not in impenetrable shadow as the other objects in the yard were, but had a dismal light about it, like a bad lobster in a dark cellar.
馬利的臉。它不像院子裏其他的東西那樣，籠罩在深不可測的陰影裏頭，而是帶著一種慘淡的亮光，好像黑暗地窖裏的一隻腐爛的龍蝦。
It was not angry or ferocious, but looked at Scrooge as Marley used to look: with ghostly spectacles turned up on its ghostly forehead.
那張臉既不在生氣，也並不猙獰可怕，隻是對斯克擄奇看著，像馬利生前看他那樣，一副鬼相的眼鏡架在他鬼相的額角上。
The hair was curiously stirred, as if by breath or hot air; and, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless.
頭發在古怪地飄動著，仿佛是被呼吸或熱氣吹拂著；而且，兩隻眼睛雖然是大張著的，卻一動也不動。
That, and its livid colour, made it horrible;
這種神情，再加上它那青灰的膚色，使得它猙獰可怕；
but its horror seemed to be in spite of the face and beyond its control, rather than a part of its own expression.
但它的可怕，與其說是它自身表情的一部分，還不如說是它自己無法控製的臉相。
As Scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon, it was a knocker again.
當斯克擄奇緊盯著這怪現象看時，它又變成一個門環了。
To say that he was not startled, or that his blood was not conscious of a terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy, would be untrue.
如果說斯克擄奇並不驚駭，或者說他的血脈裏並沒有產生自出娘胎以來從未有過的恐怖之感，那未免不符事實。
(His blood was not conscious of a terrible sensation, and his blood had been a stranger to the terrible sensation from infancy.)
But he put his hand upon the key he had relinquished, turned it sturdily, walked in, and lighted his candle.
可是他把手又擱在他剛才放開的鑰匙上，用力把它轉了一下，就開門進去，把蠟燭點起來。
He did pause, with a moment's irresolution, before he shut the door;
他的確站住了，躊躇了片刻，才關上大門。
and he did look cautiously behind it first, as if he half-expected to be terrified with the sight of Marley's pigtail sticking out into the hall.
他也的確先小心地對門背後望望，仿佛他多少在期待會看見馬利的辮子[22]伸進穿堂，使他自己大吃一驚。
[22] 當時英、法等國的男子，流行在腦後紮一根辮子，英國俗稱“豬尾巴”。
But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws and nuts that held the knocker on, so he said "Pooh, pooh!" and closed it with a bang.
但是門背後什麼東西都沒有，隻有那釘住門環的螺釘和螺帽，因此他說了兩聲“呸，呸！”就嘭的一聲把門關上了。
The sound resounded through the house like thunder.
關門聲像打雷似的在全屋裏產生了回響。
Every room above, and every cask in the wine-merchant's cellars below, appeared to have a separate peal of echoes of its own.
樓上的每一個房間和下面酒商地窖裏的每一個酒桶，都似乎各自發出一陣轟隆隆的回聲。
Scrooge was not a man to be frightened by echoes.
斯克擄奇並不是一個會被回聲嚇住的人。
He fastened the door, and walked across the hall, and up the stairs; slowly too: trimming his candle as he went.
他閂上了門，走過穿堂，走上樓去，還是慢吞吞地邊走邊修剪著燭芯。
You may talk vaguely about driving a coach-and-six up a good old flight of stairs, or through a bad young Act of Parliament;
你也許會含混地談到：駕一部六匹馬的大馬車，駛上一道古老的樓梯，或者衝破國會裏新通過的一道壞法案[23]；
[23] “駕一部六匹馬（或四匹馬）的大馬車衝破新法案”是一句英國諺語，意思是像駕著一部大馬車似的橫衝直撞，把國會剛通過的法案加以破壞。意指新法案往往不夠完善，有很大空子可鑽。
but I mean to say you might have got a hearse up that staircase, and taken it broadwise, with the splinter-bar towards the wall and the door towards the balustrades: and done it easy. 但是我的意思是說，你大可以把一輛柩車駛上這道樓梯，而且是橫著上去，車輛的橫木對著牆壁，車後的門對著欄杆，而且可以輕易地做到這一點。
There was plenty of width for that, and room to spare; which is perhaps the reason why Scrooge thought he saw a locomotive hearse going on before him in the gloom.
那樓梯的寬度足夠讓人這樣做，而且地位還有多餘；也許就是因為這個緣故，斯克擄奇才自以為看見一輛機動柩車，在幽暗中在他面前行駛著。
Half a dozen gas-lamps out of the street wouldn't have lighted the entry too well, so you may suppose that it was pretty dark with Scrooge's dip.
外邊街上的六七盞煤氣燈都不會把這條過道照得很亮，因此你可想而知，單靠斯克擄奇的一支小蠟燭頭，這裏當然是很暗的。
Up Scrooge went, not caring a button for that. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it.
斯克擄奇還是往上走，絲毫不理會這一點。黑暗不用費錢，所以斯克擄奇喜歡黑暗。
But before he shut his heavy door, he walked through his rooms to see that all was right. He had just enough recollection of the face to desire to do that.
但是他在把他那扇沉重的房門關上以前，先在幾個房間裏走了一遍，看看一切是否都對頭。他還相當記得那張臉兒，所以要這樣做一下。
Sitting-room, bedroom, lumber-room. All as they should be.
起居室、臥室、雜物室，都依然如故。
Nobody under the table, nobody under the sofa; a small fire in the grate; spoon and basin ready; and the little saucepan of gruel (Scrooge had a cold in his head) upon the hob. 台子底下沒有人；沙發底下沒有人；壁爐裏生著一堆小火；湯瓢和餐盆都已準備好；一小鍋燕麥粥（斯克擄奇的腦袋著了點涼）擱在爐邊的保溫鐵架上。
Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet; nobody in his dressing-gown, which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude against the wall.
床鋪底下沒有人；壁櫥裏沒有人；他的晨衣掛在牆上，模樣頗為可疑，但是裏面也沒有人。
Lumber-room as usual. Old fire-guards, old shoes, two fish-baskets, washing-stand on three legs, and a poker.
雜物室跟平時一樣。一塊舊爐柵、幾雙舊鞋子、兩隻魚簍子、一個三隻腳的臉盆架以及一根撥火棒。
Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked himself in, which was not his custom.
對一切都覺得放心之後，他便關上房門，把自己反鎖在裏面；用雙重鎖把自己反鎖在裏面，這可是一反他向來的習慣的。
Thus secured against surprise, he took off his cravat; put on his dressing-gown and slippers, and his nightcap; and sat down before the fire to take his gruel.
這樣部署妥當，不會有遭受突然襲擊的危險了，他才解下領巾，穿上晨衣和拖鞋，戴上睡帽，在壁爐前坐下來，吃他的燕麥粥。
It was a very low fire indeed; nothing on such a bitter night.
壁爐裏的火確實非常微弱；在這麼一個寒冷的夜間，這點火起不了什麼作用。
He was obliged to sit close to it, and brood over it, before he could extract the least sensation of warmth from such a handful of fuel.
他隻得靠近壁爐坐著，並且俯身在爐火上，才能從這一點點燃料上得到極細微的溫暖。
The fireplace was an old one, built by some Dutch merchant long ago, and paved all round with quaint Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate the Scriptures.
這壁爐是個古老的東西，是很久以前一個荷蘭商人造的，周圍砌著古色古香的荷蘭瓷磚，上面的圖畫描繪了《聖經》中的一些故事。
There were Cains and Abels, Pharaohs' daughters; Queens of Sheba, Angelic messengers descending through the air on clouds like feather-beds, Abrahams, Belshazzars, Apostles putting off to sea in butter-boats, hundreds of figures to attract his thoughts –
磚上有該隱和亞伯、法老的女兒們、希巴女王、駕著鴨絨墊般的雲朵從空中下降的天使們、亞伯拉罕、伯沙撒[24]、乘著黃油碟子般的船隻出海的使徒們，一共有幾百個人物來吸引他的注意力；
and yet that face of Marley, seven years dead, came like the ancient Prophet's rod, and swallowed up the whole.
然而死了七年的馬利的臉兒，卻像古先知的杖[25]似地出現，把其他人物全都吞沒了。
If each smooth tile had been a blank at first, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the disjointed fragments of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of old Marley's head on every one. 如果每一塊光滑的瓷磚起先都是空白的，卻有法力把他思想中雜亂無章的片段拚成一幅圖畫的話，那末，每一塊磚上都會有一幅老馬利的腦袋的複本。
"Humbug!" said Scrooge; and walked across the room.
“胡鬧！”斯克擄奇說，一面朝房間的另一頭走去。
After several turns, he sat down again.
兜了幾圈之後，他又坐下來。
As he threw his head back in the chair, his glance happened to rest upon a bell, a disused bell, that hung in the room, and communicated for some purpose now forgotten with a chamber in the highest story of the building.
當他把頭朝後靠在椅背上時，他的目光湊巧落到一隻鈴上，這隻鈴掛在房間裏，已經不用了，它是同屋子裏最高一層樓上的一個房間連接著的，至於當初裝著作什麼用，如今已被人忘記了。
It was with great astonishment, and with a strange, inexplicable dread, that as he looked, he saw this bell begin to swing.
看著看著，他看見這隻鈴搖擺起來，不禁大為驚詫，並產生了一種奇異的、莫名其妙的恐懼。
It swung so softly in the outset that it scarcely made a sound; but soon it rang out loudly, and so did every bell in the house.
起初，這鈴搖擺得非常輕微，簡直一點聲音也沒有；但是不久響聲就大起來了，屋子裏的每一隻鈴也都響了起來。
This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an hour. The bells ceased as they had begun, together.
這樣大約響了有半分鍾，或者一分鍾，但是好像有一個小時之久。鈴聲一齊停止了，正像剛才一齊響起來一樣。
They were succeeded by a clanking noise, deep down below; as if some person were dragging a heavy chain over the casks in the wine merchant's cellar.
接著是一陣從下面深處發出的鐺鋃鋃的聲音，仿佛有人在酒商的地窖裏把一根沉重的鏈條從一隻隻酒桶上面拖過去。
Scrooge then remembered to have heard that ghosts in haunted houses were described as dragging chains.
斯克擄奇這時候才想起聽人說過，在凶宅裏的鬼是拖著鏈條的。
The cellar-door flew open with a booming sound, and then he heard the noise much louder, on the floors below;
地窖的門嘭的一聲打開了，於是他聽見下面地板上的聲音更加響了；
then coming up the stairs; then coming straight towards his door.
接著響到樓梯上來了；接著一直響到他房門口來了。
"It's humbug still!" said Scrooge. "I won't believe it."
“這還是胡鬧！”斯克擄奇說。“我不相信。”
His colour changed though, when, without a pause, it came on through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes.
然而，它片刻不停地穿過那道厚重的門，一直跑到房間裏來了，斯克擄奇親眼目睹之下，臉色都變白了。
Upon its coming in, the dying flame leaped up, as though it cried, "I know him; Marley's Ghost!" and fell again.
它一進來，那快要熄滅的火焰就躥了起來，好像在叫道，“我認識他，那是馬利的鬼魂！”說完火光又低落下去。
The same face: the very same.
還是這張臉兒，一模一樣。
Marley in his pigtail, usual waistcoat, tights and boots; the tassels on the latter bristling, like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts, and the hair upon his head.
馬利拖著辮子，穿著平時常穿的背心、緊身衣褲和皮靴；靴上的流蘇倒豎著，像他的辮子、他的上裝下擺以及他的頭發一樣。
The chain he drew was clasped about his middle. It was long, and wound about him like a tail; and it was made (for Scrooge observed it closely) of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, and heavy purses wrought in steel. 他拖著的那根鏈條繞在他的腰際。鏈條很長，像一條尾巴似地纏在他身上；它是由（因為斯克擄奇看得很仔細）一些銀箱、鑰匙、掛鎖、賬簿、契據和鋼製的錢袋等組成的。
His body was transparent, so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking through his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat behind.
他的身體是透明的，因此斯克擄奇在注視他時，能夠透過他的背心，看見他上裝背後的兩顆紐扣。
Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels, but he had never believed it until now. No, nor did he believe it even now.
斯克擄奇常常聽到人家說，馬利是沒有肚腸心肺的，他以前一直不相信，但是現在親眼看見了。不，即使到現在，他還是不相信。
Though he looked the phantom through and through, and saw it standing before him;
他雖然對著這幻象看了又看，而且眼見它站在自己面前；
though he felt the chilling influence of its death-cold eyes; and marked the very texture of the folded kerchief bound about its head and chin, which wrapper he had not observed before:
雖然感到它那死亡般冰冷的眼睛陰氣襲人，而且注意到那條圍住他腦袋和下頜的圍巾是什麼質料（這條圍巾他以前從沒看見過），
he was still incredulous, and fought against his senses.
他還是不相信，還是疑心自己看錯了。
"How now!" said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever. "What do you want with me?"
“怎麼啦！”斯克擄奇說，仍然是又尖刻又冷酷。“你找我有什麼事？”
"Much!" -- Marley's voice, no doubt about it.
“事情多著呢！”——毫無疑問，這是馬利的聲音。
"Who are you?" "Ask me who I was."
“你是誰？”“你該問我從前是誰。”
"Who were you then?" said Scrooge, raising his voice. "You're particular, for a shade."
“那末，你從前是誰？”斯克擄奇提高嗓子問。“你真愛挑剔，鬼透啦。”
He was going to say "to a shade," but substituted this, as more appropriate.
他本來想說“陰透啦”[26]的，但是改用前面的說法，以為似乎更確切些。
[26] “鬼透啦，陰透啦”：原文為for a shade（鬼，就鬼而言）及to a shade（陰，疙瘩到了極點）。同一個字（shade）因介詞的不同（for、to）而意義有異。這是狄更斯在玩弄文字遊戲。
"In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley." "Can you -- can you sit down?" asked Scrooge, looking doubtfully at him.
“我生前是你的合夥人，雅各·馬利。”“你能不能夠——能不能夠坐下來？”斯克擄奇問，滿腹狐疑地看著他。
"I can." "Do it then."
“我能夠。”“那末，坐下來吧。”
Scrooge asked the question, because he didn't know whether a ghost so transparent might find himself in a condition to take a chair;
斯克擄奇問這句話，是因為他不知道像這樣一個通體透明的鬼能不能坐到椅子上去；
and felt that in the event of its being impossible, it might involve the necessity of an embarrassing explanation.
他以為，這鬼如果不可能坐下的話，那就免不了要作一番尷尬的解釋。
But the ghost sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace, as if he were quite used to it.
但是這個鬼已經在壁爐的對面那邊坐下了，仿佛它慣常都是這樣做的。
"You don't believe in me," observed the Ghost.
“你不相信我，”鬼說。
"I don't." said Scrooge.
“我不相信，”斯克擄奇說。
"What evidence would you have of my reality, beyond that of your senses?"
“除了你自己的感覺之外，你要有什麼證據才能相信我真的在這兒呢？”
"I don't know," said Scrooge.
“我不知道，”斯克擄奇說。
"Why do you doubt your senses?"
“你為什麼懷疑你自己的感覺？”
"Because," said Scrooge, "a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats.
“因為，”斯克擄奇說，“隻要有一點兒地方不對頭，感覺就會失常的。譬如說胃裏稍微有點不舒服，感覺就會靠不住。
You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato.
你也許是一小塊未消化的牛肉、一攤芥末、一片幹奶酪的碎皮、一塊沒有煮熟的馬鈴薯。
There's more of gravy than of grave about you, whatever you are!"
不管你是什麼東西，你身上的油分總比土分來得多！”
Scrooge was not much in the habit of cracking jokes, nor did he feel, in his heart, by any means waggish then.
斯克擄奇是不太習慣於講笑話的，而且那時候他也一點兒沒有想開玩笑的心思。
The truth is, that he tried to be smart, as a means of distracting his own attention, and keeping down his terror;
其實，他是想裝得精明些，以便轉移他自己的注意力，同時抑製他的恐懼心理，
for the spectre's voice disturbed the very marrow in his bones.
因為那個鬼的聲音使他從骨髓裏感到惶恐不安。
To sit, staring at those fixed glazed eyes, in silence for a moment, would play, Scrooge felt, the very deuce with him.
斯克擄奇覺得，這樣一直默不作聲地坐著注視這雙呆滯而無神的眼睛，實在是叫他受不了。
[註]play the deuce with=play the devil with=to cause great trouble or distress to.
1937, Rupert Penny, The Talkative Policeman (page 166)
There's a silly young fool; but perhaps it's not entirely his fault. The last six months of the war played the devil with many an unformed character.
There was something very awful, too, in the spectre's being provided with an infernal atmosphere of its own.
何況，非常可怕的是，這幽靈本身就帶著一種地獄般的氣氛。
Scrooge could not feel it himself, but this was clearly the case;
斯克擄奇自己感覺不到這股氣氛，但情況明擺著是這樣；
for though the Ghost sat perfectly motionless, its hair, and skirts, and tassels, were still agitated as by the hot vapour from an oven.
因為那個鬼雖然坐在那裏一動不動，可是他的頭發、衣擺和流蘇，都照樣在飄動著，好像被爐灶裏的熱氣激蕩著似的。
"You see this toothpick?" said Scrooge, returning quickly to the charge, for the reason just assigned; and wishing, though it were only for a second, to divert the vision's stony gaze from himself. “你看見這根牙簽沒有？”斯克擄奇說；他為了剛才提到的那個原因，很快地又來發動攻勢了，隻希望能把這幽靈的鐵石般的凝視轉移到他自身以外的東西上去，即使是一秒鍾也好。
"I do," replied the Ghost. "You are not looking at it," said Scrooge.
“我看得見，”鬼回答說。 “你並沒有對它看嘛，”斯克擄奇說。
"But I see it," said the Ghost, "notwithstanding."
“可是，”這鬼說，“我還是看見它的。”
"Well!" returned Scrooge, "I have but to swallow this, and be for the rest of my days persecuted by a legion of goblins, all of my own creation.
“好吧！”斯克擄奇回答說。“我隻要把這根牙簽吞下肚去，我這後半世就會一直受到我自己想象中的一大批精靈所迫害。
Humbug, I tell you! humbug!"
胡鬧，我告訴你！胡鬧！”
At this the spirit raised a frightful cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal and appalling noise, that Scrooge held on tight to his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon.
那鬼聽到這裏，發出一聲可怕的叫喊，並且搖動他的鏈條，發出一陣那麼淒涼可怕的聲音，嚇得斯克擄奇緊緊抓住了椅子，以免暈倒。
But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage round its head, as if it were too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its breast!
但是更使他驚駭的是，隻見這幽靈把頭上的圍巾解了下來（好像在室內圍著太熱似的），它的下頜竟一直垂到了胸前！
Scrooge fell upon his knees, and clasped his hands before his face.
斯克擄奇雙膝跪下，緊握雙手遮住了臉。
"Mercy!" he said. "Dreadful apparition, why do you trouble me?"
“饒了我吧！”他說。“可怕的陰魂，你為什麼要來纏我？”
"Man of the worldly mind!" replied the Ghost, "do you believe in me or not?"
“凡夫俗子啊！”鬼回答說，“你現在相信不相信我？”
"I do," said Scrooge. "I must. But why do spirits walk the earth, and why do they come to me?"
“我相信啦，”斯克擄奇說。“我不能不相信。但是幽靈們為什麼要到人間來走動，而且為什麼要來找我呢？”
"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide;
“每個人，”那鬼回答說，“都應當使自己內在的心靈到人們之間去活動，到四面八方去旅行；
and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death.
如果在世的時候他的心靈不到外面去，那末死後就要罰它這樣做。
It is doomed to wander through the world -- oh, woe is me! -- and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"
它將注定要到全世界去流浪咳，好苦！而且要親眼看到許多他在世時本來可以分享得到、並且從中得到幸福的事物，現在他卻沒有資格分享了。”
Again the spectre raised a cry, and shook its chain and wrung its shadowy hands.
這鬼魂又發出一聲號叫，搖動它的鏈條，搓著一雙鬼手。
"You are fettered," said Scrooge, trembling. "Tell me why?"
“你給上了鎖鏈，”斯克擄奇發著抖說。“告訴我這是為了什麼？”
"I wear the chain I forged in life," replied the Ghost.
“我身上纏著的鎖鏈是我在世時自己鍛造的，”鬼回答說。
"I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you?"
“我一環一環，一碼一碼地把它打成；我自願把它繞在身上，自願佩戴著它。你是不是覺得它的式樣從未見到過？”
Scrooge trembled more and more.
斯克擄奇抖得更厲害了。
"Or would you know," pursued the Ghost, "the weight and length of the strong coil you bear yourself?
“或者，你是想知道，”這鬼接下去說，“你自己身上纏著的那條結實的鎖鏈有多少重多少長吧？
It was full as heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves ago. You have laboured on it, since. It is a ponderous chain!"
在七個聖誕夜以前，它就已經足足有這樣重這樣長了。從那時候起，你還在辛辛苦苦地製造它。現在它是一條奇重無比的鎖鏈啦！”
Scrooge glanced about him on the floor, in the expectation of finding himself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms of iron cable: but he could see nothing. 斯克擄奇看看周圍的地板，以為會發現自己被五六十英尋[27]長的鐵索包圍著；但是他什麼也沒有看見。
"Jacob," he said, imploringly. "Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me, Jacob!"
“雅各，”他懇求著，“老雅各·馬利啊，你再多講點給我聽聽。講點安慰的話給我聽聽，雅各！”
"I have none to give," the Ghost replied. "It comes from other regions, Ebenezer Scrooge, and is conveyed by other ministers, to other kinds of men.
“我沒有什麼安慰的話可以講給你聽，”這鬼回答說。“這種話是從別的地域來的，埃伯尼澤·斯克擄奇，這是要由別的使者們帶來，傳達給另外幾種人聽的。
Nor can I tell you what I would. A very little more, is all permitted to me. I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger anywhere.
我也不能把我想講的話告訴你。準許我講給你聽的隻有很短的幾句話了。我不能休息，不能停住，不能在任何地方逗留。
My spirit never walked beyond our counting-house -- mark me! -- in life my spirit never roved beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole; and weary journeys lie before me!"
我的靈魂從來沒有走到我們賬房的外面去過——注意聽我的話！——我在世時，我的心靈從來沒有漫遊到我們那狹窄的兌換處窗口的外面去過；如今疲勞的旅程正展開在我面前！”
It was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful, to put his hands in his breeches pockets.
斯克擄奇有這樣一個習慣：每逢想心事的時候，總要把雙手插進褲袋裏。
Pondering on what the Ghost had said, he did so now, but without lifting up his eyes, or getting off his knees.
他現在思量著那鬼所講的話，手也就這樣做了，不過他的眼睛並不向上看，人也並不站起來。
"You must have been very slow about it, Jacob," Scrooge observed, in a business-like manner, though with humility and deference.
“你一定是走得很慢的，雅各，”斯克擄奇一本正經地說，然而是帶著謙卑和恭敬的樣子的。
"Slow!" the Ghost repeated. "Seven years dead," mused Scrooge. "And travelling all the time!"
“慢！”鬼重複說了這個字。“死了已經七年啦，”斯克擄奇思量著說。“這時期中一直在旅行嗎？”
"The whole time," said the Ghost. "No rest, no peace. Incessant torture of remorse."
“整整七年啦，”那鬼說。“沒有休息，沒有安寧。在不斷的悔恨中受盡苦楚。”
"You travel fast?" said Scrooge. "On the wings of the wind," replied the Ghost.
“你走得快嗎？”斯克擄奇說。“禦風而行嘛，”鬼回答說。
"You might have got over a great quantity of ground in seven years," said Scrooge.
“這七年裏，你是原可以走過許多地方的啊，”斯克擄奇說。
The Ghost, on hearing this, set up another cry, and clanked its chain so hideously in the dead silence of the night,
那鬼聽了這句話，又發出了一聲號叫，鐺鋃鋃地揮動著它的鏈條，在萬籟俱寂的夜間，聲音怪可怕的，
that the Ward would have been justified in indicting it for a nuisance.
如果治安監護人要控告它擾亂安寧，是很有理由的。
"Oh! captive, bound, and double-ironed," cried the phantom, "not to know, that ages of incessant labour, by immortal creatures, for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed.
“咳！被綁住手腳並上著雙重桎梏的囚徒啊，”這幽靈叫道，“竟不知道，自古以來有多少不朽的人物為了人間長期不斷地努力，可是在其可感知的好處尚未完全顯露以前，這些努力就得成為泡影！
Not to know that any Christian spirit working kindly in its little sphere, whatever it may be, will find its mortal life too short for its vast means of usefulness.
竟不知道，任何具有基督教精神的人，在他那小天地裏善良地工作著，不論這小天地是什麼，他都會感到，行善之道廣闊無涯，但人生如朝露，無能為力。
Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused! Yet such was I! Oh! such was I!"
竟不知道，人生的機緣一旦貽誤，就將從此追悔莫及！然而我正是如此！唉，我正是如此啊！”
"But you were always a good man of business, Jacob," faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself.
“但你向來是一位業務能手嘛，雅各，”斯克擄奇結結巴巴地說，他現在開始把這話應用到他自己身上了。
"Business!" cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business.
“業務！”那鬼搓搓手，叫道。“人類才是我的業務！
The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business.
大眾的福利才是我的業務；慈悲、仁愛、寬容與和善，這一切才都是我的業務。
The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
至於我那一行買賣，在我這浩瀚似海的業務中，隻不過是一滴水罷了！”
It held up its chain at arm's length, as if that were the cause of all its unavailing grief, and flung it heavily upon the ground again.
他伸直手臂，舉起鏈條，仿佛他所有那些徒然的悲傷，都來自這唯一的根源；然後把這根鏈條又重重地摔在地上。
"At this time of the rolling year," the spectre said "I suffer most.
“在這歲月流逝、一年將盡的時候，”這鬼魂說，“我受苦受得最厲害。
Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings with my eyes turned down, and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode! 當我在人群中穿行時，我為什麼把眼睛向下看，卻從來不朝上望望那顆指引三博士到一個窮人住處去的神佑的星[28]呢？
[28] 據《聖經·馬太福音》第2章第1節，東方有三位博士觀星象而發現耶穌基督降生，這顆星在他們前面引路，使他們尋到伯利恒，在約瑟的貧苦的家裏，拜見新生的嬰兒。
Were there no poor homes to which its light would have conducted me!"
難道已經沒有窮人的家庭可以讓這顆星的光束給我領路嗎？”
Scrooge was very much dismayed to hear the spectre going on at this rate, and began to quake exceedingly.
斯克擄奇聽著鬼魂這樣說下去，覺得驚慌失措，不禁渾身發起抖來，抖得非常厲害。
"Hear me!" cried the Ghost. "My time is nearly gone."
“聽我說呀！”鬼叫道。“我的時間快要完了。”
"I will," said Scrooge. "But don't be hard upon me! Don't be flowery, Jacob! Pray!"
“我聽著，”斯克擄奇說。“不過可別對我太嚴厲！別咬文嚼字，雅各！懇求你！”
"How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may not tell. I have sat invisible beside you many and many a day."
“我怎樣會在你面前，以一種看得見的形態出現，這是我不便告訴你的。我坐在你身邊，而你看不見，這樣已經有好多天了。”
It was not an agreeable idea. Scrooge shivered, and wiped the perspiration from his brow.
這回事叫人聽了可不好受。斯克擄奇打了一個寒噤，抹去額上的汗。
"That is no light part of my penance," pursued the Ghost. "I am here tonight to warn you, that you have yet a chance and hope of escaping my fate.
“在我贖罪的苦行中，這是並不輕鬆的一部分，”這鬼接下去說。“我今夜到這裏來，是要警告你：你還有逃脫我這種命運的一線機會和希望。
A chance and hope of my procuring, Ebenezer."
這是我替你求來的一線機會和希望，埃伯尼澤。”
"You were always a good friend to me," said Scrooge. "Thank’ee!"
“你向來是我的好朋友，”斯克擄奇說。“謝謝你！”
"You will be haunted," resumed the Ghost, "by Three Spirits."
“有三個幽靈，”那鬼接下去說，“將要來纏著你。”
Scrooge's countenance fell almost as low as the Ghost's had done.
斯克擄奇的臉色立刻沉下來，跟那個鬼剛才的臉色差不多。
"Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering voice.
“這就是你剛才提到的機會和希望麼，雅各？”他聲音顫抖地問。
"It is." "I -- I think I'd rather not," said Scrooge.
“正是。”“我——我想我寧願不要，”斯克擄奇說。
"Without their visits," said the Ghost, "you cannot hope to shun the path I tread. Expect the first tomorrow, when the bell tolls one."
“如果沒有他們來找你，”那鬼說，“你就別想能逃避我所走的道路。明天敲一點鍾的時候，你等著第一位到來吧。”
"Couldn't I take’em all at once, and have it over, Jacob?" hinted Scrooge.
“我能不能讓他們一起來，幹脆了結掉這件事呢，雅各？”斯克擄奇透露這個想法說。
"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour.
“在第二夜的同一個時間，你等著第二位到來吧。
The third upon the next night when the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate.
第三位，在下一夜剛敲完十二點鍾的時候來。
Look to see me no more; and look that, for your own sake, you remember what has passed between us!"
你不必指望再看見我；而且，為了你自己的好處，你必須記住我們之間的這次交談！”
When it had said these words, the spectre took its wrapper from the table, and bound it round its head, as before.
那鬼說完這幾句話之後，就把圍巾從桌上拿過來，像先前一樣包在頭上。
Scrooge knew this, by the smart sound its teeth made, when the jaws were brought together by the bandage.
斯克擄奇知道這一點，是因為聽到它的上下顎被圍巾包攏在一起時，牙齒發出清脆的響聲。
He ventured to raise his eyes again, and found his supernatural visitor confronting him in an erect attitude, with its chain wound over and about its arm.
他壯著膽子，舉目又看了一下，隻見他這位鬼客筆直地站在他面前，鏈條在手臂上緊繞密纏著。
The apparition walked backward from him; and at every step it took, the window raised itself a little, so that when the spectre reached it, it was wide open.
這幽靈從他身邊倒退著走去；它每向後退一步，窗框就自動向上升高一點。等到它退到窗邊時，窗戶已經敞開了。
It beckoned Scrooge to approach, which he did.
它招呼斯克擄奇走過去，斯克擄奇聽從了。
When they were within two paces of each other, Marley's Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come no nearer. Scrooge stopped.
等他們彼此距離隻有兩步路了，馬利的鬼魂舉起手來，警告他不要再走近去。斯克擄奇就站住了。
Not so much in obedience, as in surprise and fear:
這與其說是服從，不如說是由於驚異和恐懼；
for on the raising of the hand, he became sensible of confused noises in the air; incoherent sounds of lamentation and regret; wailings inexpressibly sorrowful and self-accusatory.
因為，當那鬼舉起手來的時候，斯克擄奇就聽見空中有一陣嘈雜的聲響：斷斷續續的悲歎聲和悔恨聲；難以形容的悲戚和自我譴責的哭聲。
The spectre, after listening for a moment, joined in the mournful dirge; and floated out upon the bleak, dark night.
那鬼聽了一會兒之後，也加入了這悲傷的挽歌聲，並且飄浮到淒冷的黑夜裏去了。
Scrooge followed to the window: desperate in his curiosity. He looked out.
斯克擄奇跟到窗戶邊；他出於好奇心，拚命向窗外望去。
The air was filled with phantoms, wandering hither and thither in restless haste, and moaning as they went.
空中充滿了幻影，倉皇不安地東飄西蕩，一面走一面嗚咽著。
Every one of them wore chains like Marley's Ghost; some few (they might be guilty governments) were linked together; none were free.
他們個個都像馬利的鬼魂那樣，鏈條纏身；有幾個（它們也許是有罪孽的官僚吧）還給綁在一起；卻沒有一個是自由的。
Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives.
內中有許多在世時是斯克擄奇認識的。
He had been quite familiar with one old ghost, in a white waistcoat, with a monstrous iron safe attached to its ankle,
他很熟悉其中一個年老的鬼，它穿著一件白色的背心，腳踝上掛著一隻巨大無比的鐵保險箱，
who cried piteously at being unable to assist a wretched woman with an infant, whom it saw below, upon a door-step.
它看見下面一家門口有一個抱著嬰孩的可憐巴巴的女人，因為自己不能夠去幫助她而傷心地哭著。
The misery with them all was, clearly, that they sought to interfere, for good, in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.
它們大家的苦惱是很明顯的：為了要行善，都試圖過問人間的事情，隻可惜已經永遠無能為力了。
Whether these creatures faded into mist, or mist enshrouded them, he could not tell.
這些鬼魂究竟是漸漸消失在霧裏，還是被霧籠罩了，他可說不準了。
But they and their spirit voices faded together; and the night became as it had been when he walked home.
但是它們和它們的幽靈之聲一起消失了；於是黑夜又變得同他走回家時一樣了。
Scrooge closed the window, and examined the door by which the Ghost had entered.
斯克擄奇關上窗子，去檢查那鬼從那兒進來的那道門。
It was double-locked, as he had locked it with his own hands, and the bolts were undisturbed.
門還是雙重鎖著，跟他自己親手鎖上的時候一樣，門閂也沒有被人動過。
He tried to say "Humbug!" but stopped at the first syllable.
他想說一聲“胡鬧！”但是說出頭一個字就住口不說了。
And being, from the emotion he had undergone, or the fatigues of the day, or his glimpse of the Invisible World, or the dull conversation of the Ghost, or the lateness of the hour, much in need of repose; went straight to bed, without undressing, and fell asleep upon the instant.
而且，因為剛才情緒激動了一陣子，或是因為白天工作得疲乏了，或是因為瞥見了陰間世界，聽到了那鬼的枯燥乏味的談話，以及時間已經很晚了，使他非常需要休息，因此就衣服也不脫，一直走到床邊，倒在床上，立刻睡著了。
Stave 2: The First of The Three Spirits
When Scrooge awoke, it was so dark, that looking out of bed, he could scarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his chamber.
斯克擄奇醒來的時候，天還是很黑，他從床上望出去，簡直無法把那扇透明的窗子同他房裏的不透明的牆壁分辨出來。
He was endeavouring to pierce the darkness with his ferret eyes, when the chimes of a neighbouring church struck the four quarters.
他竭力想用他那雙雪貂[1]般銳利的眼睛望穿黑暗，這時，附近一座教堂連敲了報四刻的鍾聲。
[1] 雪貂：一種似黃鼠狼的食肉動物，多為白毛，眼睛紅而銳利，善於捕食兔、鼠等。英國人有帶雪貂行獵者。
So he listened for the hour. 他便靜聽接著敲幾點鍾。
To his great astonishment the heavy bell went on from six to seven, and from seven to eight, and regularly up to twelve; then stopped.
叫他大為驚駭的是，這沉重的鍾聲敲了六下再敲第七下、第八下，這樣有規則地直敲了十二下才停止。
Twelve! It was past two when he went to bed. The clock was wrong. An icicle must have got into the works. Twelve!
十二點啦！他上床的時候已經是兩點多。這隻鍾一定是出毛病了。一定有一根冰柱攪進它的齒輪之間去了。十二點！
He touched the spring of his repeater, to correct this most preposterous clock. Its rapid little pulse beat twelve: and stopped.
他撳撳打簧表[2]的彈簧，來校正一下這隻豈有此理的鍾。表的小脈搏快速地打了十二下，就停止了。
[2] 打簧表為十八、十九世紀歐洲流行的一種表，內裝小鈴，撳動彈簧即能報時刻。
“Why, it isn’t possible,” said Scrooge, “that I can have slept through a whole day and far into another night.
“我竟會睡了整整一個白天，再一直睡到半夜，”斯克擄奇說，
It isn’t possible that anything has happened to the sun, and this is twelve at noon!”
“這怎麼可能呢！這也不可能是太陽出了什麼毛病，而現在是中午十二點吧！”
The idea being an alarming one, he scrambled out of bed, and groped his way to the window.
因為這個想法太嚇人了，他就趕快爬下床來，摸索著走到窗邊去。
He was obliged to rub the frost off with the sleeve of his dressing-gown before he could see anything; and could see very little then.
他非得用晨衣的袖子擦掉窗上的霜，才能夠看見東西；可是即使這樣仍然看不大到什麼。
All he could make out was, that it was still very foggy and extremely cold, and that there was no noise of people running to and fro, and making a great stir, as there unquestionably would have been if night had beaten off bright day, and taken possession of the world.
他所能看出的隻是：霧還很大，天還非常冷，沒有人跑來跑去的聲音，也沒引起很大的騷動；假如黑夜當真已經趕走了白晝而占有了世界的話，那就毫無疑問會引起騷動的。
This was a great relief, because “three days after sight of this First of Exchange pay to Mr. Ebenezer Scrooge or his order,” and so forth, would have become a mere United States’ security if there were no days to count by.
這倒是一個莫大的安慰，因為，如果無法計算日子的話，那末“見此第一聯彙票三日後請付埃伯尼澤·斯克擄奇先生或其授權人”等等，就會變得像一張美國的債券[3]一樣不值錢了。
[3] 美國的債券：在本故事發生的這個時期，美國正發生經濟大恐慌，使美國債券成為很不值錢的東西。
Scrooge went to bed again, and thought, and thought, and thought it over and over and over, and could make nothing of it.
斯克擄奇回到床上去，想啊想的，想了又想，還是想不出一個名堂來。
The more he thought, the more perplexed he was; and the more he endeavoured not to think, the more he thought.
而且他越想就越糊塗，他越是竭力不去想它呢，反而越是想得多。
Marley’s Ghost bothered him exceedingly.
馬利的鬼魂使他煩惱得不得了。
Every time he resolved within himself, after mature inquiry, that it was all a dream,
每當他經過充分思考，斷定這全是一場夢之後，
his mind flew back again, like a strong spring released, to its first position, and presented the same problem to be worked all through,
他的心卻老是像一個放鬆了的強力彈簧似的，又彈回到原來的地方去，結果又得從頭研究這同樣的問題：
“Was it a dream or not?”
“這到底是不是一場夢？”
Scrooge lay in this state until the chime had gone three quarters more, when he remembered, on a sudden, that the Ghost had warned him of a visitation when the bell tolled one. 斯克擄奇懷著這種心情躺著，直躺到鍾聲報了三刻，這時候他忽然想起，那鬼警告過他，當鍾報一點時就會有客來找他。
He resolved to lie awake until the hour was passed; and, considering that he could no more go to sleep than go to Heaven, this was perhaps the wisest resolution in his power. 他決定醒著躺在床上，等候這個時辰過去；而這個主意，由於他那時的不能入睡正如他不能入天堂一樣，也許可以說是他所能作出的最聰明的決定了。
The quarter was so long, that he was more than once convinced he must have sunk into a doze unconsciously, and missed the clock.
這一刻鍾時間真長，以致他不隻一次地認為自己一定不知不覺地打起瞌睡，錯過鍾點了。
At length it broke upon his listening ear.
最後，鍾聲傳入他那靜聽著的耳中來了。
“Ding, dong!” “A quarter past,” said Scrooge, counting. “Ding, dong!” “Half-past!” said Scrooge. “Ding, dong!”“A quarter to it,” said Scrooge.
“叮，！”“十二點一刻，”斯克擄奇數著說。“叮，！”“十二點半，”斯克擄奇說。“叮，！”“一點差一刻，”斯克擄奇說。
“Ding, dong!” “The hour itself,” said Scrooge, triumphantly, “and nothing else!”
“叮，！”“到點了，”斯克擄奇得意地說，“一點事情也沒有！”
He spoke before the hour bell sounded, which it now did with a deep, dull, hollow, melancholy one.
他說話時，報點的那一下還沒有敲響，現在可來了：深沉、滯重、空洞而陰鬱的的一聲。
Light flashed up in the room upon the instant, and the curtains of his bed were drawn.
房間裏立刻閃起一道亮光，他床上的帳子被掀開了。
The curtains of his bed were drawn aside, I tell you, by a hand.
他床上的帳子，我告訴你，是被一隻手掀開的。
Not the curtains at his feet, nor the curtains at his back, but those to which his face was addressed.
不是掀他腳邊的帳子，也不是他背後的帳子，而是他面前的帳子。
The curtains of his bed were drawn aside; and Scrooge, starting up into a half-recumbent attitude, found himself face to face with the unearthly visitor
他床上的帳子被掀開到一邊去，於是斯克擄奇驚跳起來，成了一個半躺半靠的姿勢，發現自己正面對著陰間來客：
who drew them: as close to it as I am now to you, and I am standing in the spirit at your elbow.
那掀開帳子的，跟它靠攏得就像我現在靠攏你一樣，而我的心神現在正在你的身旁。
It was a strange figure—like a child: yet not so like a child as like an old man, viewed through some supernatural medium, which gave him the appearance of having receded from the view, and being diminished to a child’s proportions.
那是一個稀奇古怪的形象[4]——像一個小孩子；可是，如果說它像一個小孩子，倒不如說更像一個老頭子，因為通過某種幽幻的介質看來，它顯得漸漸遠離視線，而縮成一個孩子的大小。
[4] 稀奇古怪的形象：這個幽靈是斯克擄奇在老年時對自己幼年時的回憶所得的形象，所以似少又老。
Its hair, which hung about its neck and down its back, was white as if with age; and yet the face had not a wrinkle in it, and the tenderest bloom was on the skin. 它的頭發披在頸邊，並且下垂到背上，仿佛因為年紀老而變白了；可是臉上卻一絲皺紋也沒有，皮膚上還顯出最嬌嫩的紅色。
The arms were very long and muscular; the hands the same, as if its hold were of uncommon strength.
胳膊很長，筋肉發達；一雙手也是這樣，仿佛緊握起來是力大非凡的。
Its legs and feet, most delicately formed, were, like those upper members, bare.
它的腿和腳形狀都非常嬌柔，像它的手臂一樣裸露著。
It wore a tunic of the purest white; and round its waist was bound a lustrous belt, the sheen of which was beautiful.
它穿著一件最潔白的束腰短袍，腰間紮著一條亮晶晶的帶子，光彩奪目。
It held a branch of fresh green holly in its hand; and, in singular contradiction of that wintry emblem, had its dress trimmed with summer flowers.
它手裏拿著一根新鮮的冬青樹枝；可是，跟這冬天的標誌特別顯得不調和的是，它的衣服上都綴滿著夏季的鮮花。
But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible;
但是最最奇怪的事情是，從它的天靈蓋上射出一道燦爛的光芒，把這一切都照得清清楚楚的；
and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.
這無疑就是它逢到要使這光較暗些的時候，用一頂挺大的熄燈帽[5]來當作睡帽的原因，現在這帽子正挾在它腋下。
[5] 熄燈帽為一種熄滅燈火用的鉛質錐形筒。
Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.
這情形雖然奇怪，可是斯克擄奇越是向它盯著看，就越覺得這還不是它最奇怪的地方。
For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness:
因為，當它那條腰帶一會兒在這部分，一會兒在那部分閃爍發光、忽明忽暗的時候，它的形體本身也就一會兒清晰，一會兒模糊；
being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body:
有時是一個隻有一條臂膊的東西，有時卻是隻有一條腿；有時有二十條腿，有時有兩條腿而沒有頭，有時是有頭而沒有身體。
of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.
那些消失了的肢體都融入了濃黑的夜色裏，一點兒輪廓也看不出來。
And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.
接著，就在這樣的奇跡中，它又會重新恢複原狀，依舊是一清二楚的。
“Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?” asked Scrooge.
“閣下，您就是有人事先通知我要光臨的那位神靈嗎？”斯克擄奇問。
“I am!” The voice was soft and gentle. Singularly low, as if instead of being so close beside him, it were at a distance.
“我就是！”說話的聲音是輕柔而溫和的。聲音特別低，仿佛不是從他近旁，而是從很遠的地方傳來的。
“Who, and what are you?” Scrooge demanded.
“你是誰，是幹什麼的？”斯克擄奇追問道。
“I am the Ghost of Christmas Past.”
“我是‘過去聖誕節之靈’。”
“Long Past?” inquired Scrooge: observant of its dwarfish stature.
“過去很久麼？”斯克擄奇注意到它那侏儒般的身材，這樣問道。
“No. Your past.”
“不。是你的過去。”
Perhaps, Scrooge could not have told anybody why, if anybody could have asked him; but he had a special desire to see the Spirit in his cap; and begged him to be covered.
如果有誰來問斯克擄奇，斯克擄奇也許答不出個道理來，但他懷著一種特別的願望，想看看這幽靈戴上帽子的樣子，於是他便請求它把帽子戴上。
“What!” exclaimed the Ghost, “would you so soon put out, with worldly hands, the light I give?
“怎麼！”這幽靈叫道，“難道你迫不及待地要用你這雙世俗的手來把我發出的光明撲滅麼？
Is it not enough that you are one of those whose passions made this cap, and force me through whole trains of years to wear it low upon my brow!”
有些人把他們的欲望製成了這頂帽子，逼我把它低低地戴在額角上，一直戴了這許多年，而你就是他們中間的一個，難道這還不夠麼？”
Scrooge reverently disclaimed all intention to offend or any knowledge of having wilfully “bonneted” the Spirit at any period of his life.
斯克擄奇畢恭畢敬地否認他有絲毫冒犯它的意思，也想不起自己一生中的任何時候曾經故意硬給它“戴上帽子”[6]過。
[6] 這裏有玩弄別人，把別人戴的帽子硬撳到眼睛邊的意思。
He then made bold to inquire what business brought him there.
接著他便大膽地請問它到這兒來有什麼貴幹。
“Your welfare!” said the Ghost.
“為了你的福利！”幽靈說。
Scrooge expressed himself much obliged, but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest would have been more conducive to that end.
斯克擄奇表示十分感激，但是心裏不禁想：沒有人來打擾，讓他安睡一夜，恐怕對於他的福利更有幫助。
The Spirit must have heard him thinking, for it said immediately:“Your reclamation, then. Take heed!”
這幽靈一定是猜到他的心思了，因為它立刻就說道：“那末，就說為了你的改過自新吧。注意！”
It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.“Rise! and walk with me!”
它一邊說，一邊伸出它那隻強壯的手，輕輕地勾住他的胳膊。“起來！跟我一起走吧！”
It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes;
斯克擄奇即使懇求它，說氣候和時間都不適宜於出去散步；
that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap;
說床上暖和，寒暑表卻降到了零下好幾度；說他隻穿著拖鞋和晨衣，戴著睡帽，身上是單薄的；
and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
還說他這時正在傷風——即使這樣懇求它，也都是沒有用的。
The grasp, though gentle as a woman’s hand, was not to be resisted.
那隻抓住他的手，雖則輕柔得像一隻女人的手，卻是無法抗拒的。
He rose: but finding that the Spirit made towards the window, clasped his robe in supplication.
他站起身來，但是發現那幽靈正向窗口走去，就抓住它的袍子，懇求憐憫。
“I am a mortal,” Scrooge remonstrated, “and liable to fall.”
“我是一個凡人，”斯克擄奇抗議說，“會摔下去的。”
“Bear but a touch of my hand there,” said the Spirit, laying it upon his heart, “and you shall be upheld in more than this!”
“只要你經得起我用手在那裏點一下，”這幽靈說，把手放在他的心口上，“你就會被舉起來，比這還要高！”
As the words were spoken, they passed through the wall, and stood upon an open country road, with fields on either hand.
話剛說完，他們就穿過了牆壁，站在一條寬闊的鄉村道路上，兩旁都是田野。
The city had entirely vanished. Not a vestige of it was to be seen.
城市已經完全消失了，連一點影子都看不見了。
The darkness and the mist had vanished with it, for it was a clear, cold, winter day, with snow upon the ground.
黑暗和迷霧也跟它一起消失，變成了一個晴朗、寒冷的冬天的日子，地上鋪滿著雪。
“Good Heaven!” said Scrooge, clasping his hands together, as he looked about him. “I was bred in this place. I was a boy here!”
“天啊！”斯克擄奇向四周看了看，把雙手勾在一起。“我就是在這個地方生長的。我從小就在這兒的！”
The Spirit gazed upon him mildly. Its gentle touch, though it had been light and instantaneous, appeared still present to the old man’s sense of feeling.
那幽靈溫和地盯著他。雖然它那手剛才隻是輕微而短促地點了他一下，可是這老頭子似乎到現在還帶著這種感覺。
He was conscious of a thousand odours floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares long, long, forgotten!
他覺得空氣中飄浮著千百種氣味，每一種氣味都使人聯想起很久很久以前就已淡忘的千百種思慮、希望、歡樂和憂愁！
“Your lip is trembling,” said the Ghost. “And what is that upon your cheek?”
“你的嘴唇在打哆嗦，”那幽靈說。“還有，你臉上的那一點是什麼？”
Scrooge muttered, with an unusual catching in his voice, that it was a pimple; and begged the Ghost to lead him where he would.
斯克擄奇聲音裏帶點不尋常的哽咽，咕了一聲說那是一個粉刺，就懇求這幽靈帶領他到他願去的地方。
“You recollect the way?” inquired the Spirit.
“你還記得路徑嗎？”幽靈問。
“Remember it!” cried Scrooge with fervour; “I could walk it blindfold.”
“記得路徑！”斯克擄奇熱情洋溢地叫道，“我蒙住眼睛也能走到那兒去哩！”
“Strange to have forgotten it for so many years!” observed the Ghost. “Let us go on.”
“奇怪的是，你竟把它忘掉那麼多年了，”幽靈說。“我們繼續走吧。”
They walked along the road, Scrooge recognising every gate, and post, and tree; until a little market-town appeared in the distance, with its bridge, its church, and winding river. 他們沿著這條路走去，斯克擄奇認出了每一道院門，每一根柱子和每一株樹，最後看到遠處出現了一個小小的市鎮，那兒有橋、禮拜堂和一條曲折的河。
Some shaggy ponies now were seen trotting towards them with boys upon their backs, who called to other boys in country gigs and carts, driven by farmers.
有幾匹蓬鬆著鬃毛的小馬在向他們快步跑來，馬背上騎著小孩子，他們招呼著坐在農民們駕駛的雙輪單馬車和大車裏的其他孩子們。
All these boys were in great spirits, and shouted to each other, until the broad fields were so full of merry music, that the crisp air laughed to hear it!
這些孩子都是興高采烈的，彼此大喊大叫，鬧得這廣闊的田野裏充滿了一片愉快的音樂聲，連那清新的空氣聽了都笑起來！
“These are but shadows of the things that have been,” said the Ghost. “They have no consciousness of us.”
“這些只是過去事物的影子罷了，”幽靈說。“它們意識不到我們在這兒。”
The jocund travellers came on; and as they came, Scrooge knew and named them every one. Why was he rejoiced beyond all bounds to see them!
那些高高興興的旅客走過來了；當他們走來時，斯克擄奇認出他們每一個人，並且叫得出每一個人的名字。他為什麼看見他們就歡喜得不得了呢？
Why did his cold eye glisten, and his heart leap up as they went past!
為什麼等他們走過身邊時，他那冷酷的眼睛會發出光亮，他的心會怦怦地跳呢？
Why was he filled with gladness when he heard them give each other Merry Christmas, as they parted at cross-roads and bye-ways, for their several homes!
當他們在十字路口或岔路上分手，各自回家時，他們彼此祝頌著聖誕快樂，為什麼他聽見了這種聲音就心中充滿了喜悅呢？
What was merry Christmas to Scrooge? Out upon merry Christmas! What good had it ever done to him?
聖誕快樂對於斯克擄奇算得上什麼呢？去它的聖誕快樂！它對他哪有過什麼好處呢？
“The school is not quite deserted,” said the Ghost. “A solitary child, neglected by his friends, is left there still.”
“學堂裏的人還沒有全走掉，”幽靈說。“有一個孤單單的孩子，朋友們都不理睬他，還留在那兒。”
Scrooge said he knew it. And he sobbed.
斯克擄奇說他知道這回事。接著他就啜泣起來。
They left the high-road, by a well-remembered lane, and soon approached a mansion of dull red brick,
他們離開大路，拐上一條很熟悉的小路，不久就走到一座暗紅色的磚砌大廈跟前。
with a little weathercock-surmounted cupola, on the roof, and a bell hanging in it.
大廈屋頂上有個鍾形小閣，上面安著一隻小風信雞，裏面掛著一口鐘。
It was a large house, but one of broken fortunes; for the spacious offices were little used, their walls were damp and mossy, their windows broken, and their gates decayed. 這是一幢大房子，不過是破房子；因為那些寬敞的下房沒人使用，牆壁都是潮濕的，生滿著苔蘚，窗戶都破碎了，院門已經腐爛。
Fowls clucked and strutted in the stables; and the coach-houses and sheds were over-run with grass.
家禽在馬廄裏咯咯叫，昂首闊步地走著；馬車房和棚子裏都長滿了草。
Nor was it more retentive of its ancient state, within; for entering the dreary hall, and glancing through the open doors of many rooms, they found them poorly furnished, cold, and vast.
即使屋子裏面也並不更多地保持著舊觀；因他們一進那淒涼的門廳，從開著的房門望到那許多房間裏，就發現這些房間陳設簡陋，寒冷空曠。
There was an earthy savour in the air, a chilly bareness in the place, which associated itself somehow with too much getting up by candle-light, and not too much to eat. 空氣有股泥土氣息，屋子裏有種陰森的荒涼氣象，這多少使人想到是由於常常天不亮就點上蠟燭起床[7]，同時吃的東西又不充足。
[7] 這裏是說斯克擄奇回憶起他做孩子時待的住讀學校裏的生活是多麼艱苦。這種學校狄更斯在他的好幾部小說中都描述過，特別是《大衛·考坡菲》和《尼古拉斯·尼克爾貝》。
They went, the Ghost and Scrooge, across the hall, to a door at the back of the house.
他們，這幽靈和斯克擄奇，穿過門廳，走到屋子後部的一扇門前。
It opened before them, and disclosed a long, bare, melancholy room, made barer still by lines of plain deal forms and desks.
門在他們面前開了，展現出一間簡陋淒涼的長形房間，裏面擺著幾排未油漆的鬆木長凳和書桌，使這間房間顯得更加簡陋了。
At one of these a lonely boy was reading near a feeble fire; and Scrooge sat down upon a form, and wept to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be.
在一張書桌前，有個孤寂的孩子在暗淡的爐火旁讀書；斯克擄奇看見自己那被遺忘的、可憐巴巴的小時候的形象，不禁在一張板凳上坐下，哭了。
Not a latent echo in the house, not a squeak and scuffle from the mice behind the panelling,
屋子裏潛藏著的回聲，板壁後面老鼠的尖叫和打架聲，
not a drip from the half-thawed water-spout in the dull yard behind,
蕭條的後院裏水落管開始解凍的滴滴嗒嗒聲，
not a sigh among the leafless boughs of one despondent poplar,
一株垂頭喪氣的白楊樹從光禿禿的枝條間發出的歎息聲，
not the idle swinging of an empty store-house door, no, not a clicking in the fire,
一間空儲藏室的門百無聊賴的搖晃聲，甚至連火爐裏畢畢剝剝的響聲，
but fell upon the heart of Scrooge with a softening influence, and gave a freer passage to his tears.
這種種聲音，沒有一種不落在斯克擄奇的心上，起到軟化的作用，使他的眼淚更流個不住。
The Spirit touched him on the arm, and pointed to his younger self, intent upon his reading.
那幽靈碰碰他的胳膊，指指他小時候正在專心讀書的那個形象[8]。
[8] 這裏是說斯克擄奇在孤單單地讀書，正幻想著有書中的英雄人物來同他做伴。這也正是狄更斯在描述他自己兒時的經曆，他在《大衛·考坡菲》中就有過同樣的敘述。
Suddenly a man, in foreign garments: wonderfully real and distinct to look at: stood outside the window, with an axe stuck in his belt, and leading by the bridle an ass laden with wood.
忽然有一個穿外國服裝的人，看起來活靈活現、清清楚楚的，正站在窗戶外面，腰帶裏插著一把斧頭，一手抓住籠頭，牽著一匹馱著木柴的驢子。
“Why, it’s Ali Baba!” Scrooge exclaimed in ecstasy. “It’s dear old honest Ali Baba! Yes, yes, I know!
“唷，那是阿裏巴巴[9]呀！”斯克擄奇狂喜地叫道。“那是親愛的、誠實的好阿裏巴巴！是的，是的，我想起來了！
[9] 阿裏巴巴：《一千零一夜》中的人物之一。他本是個以砍柴為生的窮樵夫，後因發現四十大盜的寶窟，並設計盡殲群盜，終於成為一個富人。
One Christmas time, when yonder solitary child was left here all alone, he did come, for the first time, just like that.
有一年聖誕節，當這個寂寞的孩子孤零零地被撇下在這裏的時候，他真的來了，那是頭一次，就像現在一樣。
Poor boy! And Valentine,” said Scrooge, “and his wild brother, Orson; there they go!
可憐的孩子！還有伐蘭坦，”斯克擄奇說，“和他那野生的兄弟奧遜[10]；他們從那邊走過去了！
[10] 伐蘭坦和奧遜是法國中世紀騎士故事中的主人公，他們是一對孿生兄弟。
And what’s his name, who was put down in his drawers, asleep, at the Gate of Damascus; don’t you see him!
還有，那個穿著襯褲睡著了被人放在大馬士革城門口的，他的名字叫什麼？你看見他沒有？
And the Sultan’s Groom turned upside down by the Genii; there he is upon his head! Serve him right.
還有那蘇丹的馬夫，妖魔使他倒立，他還在頭朝下地倒立著！他這是活該！
I’m glad of it. What business had he to be married to the Princess!”
我很高興。他有什麼資格去跟公主結婚啊？”
To hear Scrooge expending all the earnestness of his nature on such subjects, in a most extraordinary voice between laughing and crying;
假使斯克擄奇那些在城裏做生意的朋友聽見他把他天性中的滿腔熱誠都發泄在這些事情上，而聲音又像哭又像笑，非常特別；
and to see his heightened and excited face; would have been a surprise to his business friends in the city, indeed.
並且看見他那張又興奮又激動的臉兒，他們準會大大吃驚的。
“There’s the Parrot!” cried Scrooge. “Green body and yellow tail, with a thing like a lettuce growing out of the top of his head; there he is!
“看那隻鸚哥！”斯克擄奇叫道。“綠身體，黃尾巴，頭頂上長著一件像根萵苣似的東西；它就在那兒！
Poor Robin Crusoe, he called him, when he came home again after sailing round the island. ‘Poor Robin Crusoe, where have you been, Robin Crusoe?’
當可憐的魯濱孫[11]環繞全島航行後回家時，鸚哥就叫他可憐的魯濱孫。‘可憐的魯濱孫，你剛才到哪兒去了，魯濱孫？’
The man thought he was dreaming, but he wasn’t. It was the Parrot, you know. There goes Friday, running for his life to the little creek! Halloa! Hoop! Halloo!”
那人還以為他在做夢呢，其實他並沒有。是那鸚哥在叫他，你知道。禮拜五跑過去了，他是在往小溪逃命！嗨呀！嗬！嗨呀！”
Then, with a rapidity of transition very foreign to his usual character, he said, in pity for his former self, “Poor boy!” and cried again.
於是，在一種跟他平時的性格完全不符的迅速轉變下，他痛惜過去的自己，不禁說了聲：“可憐的孩子！”就又哭了起來。
“I wish,” Scrooge muttered, putting his hand in his pocket, and looking about him, after drying his eyes with his cuff: “but it’s too late now.”
“我希望，”斯克擄奇把手伸到口袋裏，嘀咕著說，並且先用袖口擦幹了眼淚，再向周圍看看，“可是如今太遲了！”
“What is the matter?” asked the Spirit.
“怎麼回事？”這幽靈問。
“Nothing,” said Scrooge. “Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something: that’s all.”
“沒有什麼，”斯克擄奇說。“沒有什麼。昨天夜裏，有個小孩在我門口唱了一支聖誕頌歌。我當時真該給他一點什麼。就是這麼一回事。”
The Ghost smiled thoughtfully, and waved its hand: saying as it did so, “Let us see another Christmas!”
那幽靈若有所思地微笑了，一邊擺擺手，一邊說道：“讓我們來看看另外一個聖誕節的情形吧！”
Scrooge’s former self grew larger at the words, and the room became a little darker and more dirty.
話剛說完，斯克擄奇自己小時候的形象馬上變得大起來，那個房間也變得更暗更髒了。
The panels shrunk, the windows cracked; fragments of plaster fell out of the ceiling, and the naked laths were shown instead;
牆上的鑲板蜷縮起來，窗戶都裂縫了；天花板上的灰泥一片片地剝落下來，露出了裏面的光板條；
but how all this was brought about, Scrooge knew no more than you do.
但是怎麼會弄成這樣，斯克擄奇所知道的也並不比你我多。
He only knew that it was quite correct; that everything had happened so; that there he was, alone again, when all the other boys had gone home for the jolly holidays. 他隻知道這情況是確實的；這一切當初確實是發生過的；他還是獨自一人待在那兒，別的孩子們都已經回家去歡度節日了。
He was not reading now, but walking up and down despairingly.
他這時不在讀書了，而是在絕望地走來走去。
Scrooge looked at the Ghost, and with a mournful shaking of his head, glanced anxiously towards the door.
斯克擄奇對幽靈看看，傷心地搖搖頭，帶著焦急的心情望著門口。
It opened; and a little girl, much younger than the boy, came darting in, and putting her arms about his neck, and often kissing him, addressed him as her “Dear, dear brother.”
門打開了；一個小女孩，年紀比這男孩子小得多，飛也似地奔進來，用手臂摟住他的脖子，連連地吻著他，稱呼他“親愛的、親愛的哥哥”。
“I have come to bring you home, dear brother!” said the child, clapping her tiny hands, and bending down to laugh. “To bring you home, home, home!”
“我是來接你回家去的，親愛的哥哥！”女孩說，拍著她的一雙小手，彎下身體笑著。“來接你回家，回家，回家！”
“Home, little Fan?” returned the boy. “Yes!” said the child, brimful of glee.
“回家，小芳？”這男孩應道。“是的！”女孩子說，充滿了歡喜。
“Home, for good and all. Home, for ever and ever. Father is so much kinder than he used to be, that home’s like Heaven!
“回家去，永遠不再來啦。回家去，從此不離開了。父親比從前仁慈得多了，所以家裏就像天堂一樣啦！
He spoke so gently to me one dear night when I was going to bed, that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home;
有一個值得紀念的晚上，在我上床睡覺的時候，他對我講話特別溫和，因此我就壯起膽子再問他能不能準許你回家來；
and he said Yes, you should; and sent me in a coach to bring you. And you’re to be a man!”
他就說，好，你可以回家；還派我坐了馬車來接你。而且你快要成為大人啦！”
said the child, opening her eyes, “and are never to come back here; but first, we’re to be together all the Christmas long, and have the merriest time in all the world.” 女孩子張大了眼睛說。“再也不必回到這裏來了；不過首先，我們要一起過完這個聖誕節期[12]，享受世界上最愉快的時光。”
[12] 聖誕節期：從十二月廿四日聖誕節前夕一直到翌年一月六日主顯節。
“You are quite a woman, little Fan!” exclaimed the boy.
“你真像個長大了的女人了，小芳！”這男孩叫道。
She clapped her hands and laughed, and tried to touch his head; but being too little, laughed again, and stood on tiptoe to embrace him.
她拍著手笑，想去摸他的頭；可是因為個兒太小了，就又笑起來，踮起腳尖來摟抱他。
Then she began to drag him, in her childish eagerness, towards the door; and he, nothing loth to go, accompanied her.
接著她帶著她那孩子氣的迫不及待的神情，拉著他向門口走去；而他呢，本來很樂意去，就跟著她走了。
A terrible voice in the hall cried, “Bring down Master Scrooge’s box, there!” and in the hall appeared the schoolmaster himself,
門廳裏一個可怕的聲音喊道：“嗨，把斯克擄奇少爺的箱子搬下來！”於是校長本人在門廳裏出現了，
who glared on Master Scrooge with a ferocious condescension, and threw him into a dreadful state of mind by shaking hands with him.
他帶著一種惡狠狠的、自以為了不起的樣子盯著斯克擄奇少爺，並且跟他握握手，這使他慌張得不得了。
He then conveyed him and his sister into the veriest old well of a shivering best-parlour that ever was seen,
校長接著便把他和他妹妹帶到那最好的客廳裏去，那地方簡直像一口從未見過的冷得叫人發抖的古井，
where the maps upon the wall, and the celestial and terrestrial globes in the windows, were waxy with cold.
在那裏，牆壁上的地圖、窗台上的天體儀和地球儀，都給凍得像蠟一般蒼白了。
Here he produced a decanter of curiously light wine, and a block of curiously heavy cake, and administered instalments of those dainties to the young people:
在這裏，他拿出一醒酒瓶淡得出奇的酒和一大塊重得出奇的餅，並把這些精美的東西分了點給這兩個孩子吃；
at the same time, sending out a meagre servant to offer a glass of “something” to the postboy,
同時他打發一個挺瘦的仆人送一杯“什麼東西”去給那車夫喝，
who answered that he thanked the gentleman, but if it was the same tap as he had tasted before, he had rather not.
車夫回答說，謝謝這位老爺，但是如果這東西就是他上次嚐過的那種桶裝老酒，那末他情願不要喝。
Master Scrooge’s trunk being by this time tied on to the top of the chaise, the children bade the schoolmaster good-bye right willingly;
斯克擄奇少爺的衣箱這時候已經捆好被放在馬車頂上了，兩個孩子就滿心情願地向校長告別；
and getting into it, drove gaily down the garden-sweep: the quick wheels dashing the hoar-frost and snow from off the dark leaves of the evergreens like spray. 接著跨上馬車，歡快地沿著花園裏的曲徑駛去；急轉的車輪把常青樹深綠色葉子上的白霜和積雪都震落下來，像水花飛濺一般。
“Always a delicate creature, whom a breath might have withered,” said the Ghost. “But she had a large heart!”
“一向是個體質嬌嫩的人兒，仿佛一口氣就可以把她吹得枯萎的，”那幽靈說。“但是她具有偉大的心胸！”
“So she had,” cried Scrooge. “You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!”
“她是這樣的一個人，”斯克擄奇叫道。“你說得對。我不會否定你這句話，幽靈。上帝也不容許！”
“She died a woman,” said the Ghost, “and had, as I think, children.”
“她死時已經是個婦人了，”幽靈說，“而且，我想，她還生有子女。”
“One child,” Scrooge returned.
“一個孩子，”斯克擄奇回答道。
“True,” said the Ghost. “Your nephew!” Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind; and answered briefly, “Yes.”
“不錯，”幽靈說。“就是你的外甥！”斯克擄奇似乎問心有愧，隻簡單地回答了一聲“是的”。
Although they had but that moment left the school behind them,
他們雖則還是剛剛離開那學堂，
they were now in the busy thoroughfares of a city, where shadowy passengers passed and repassed;
可是眼前已經到了一個城市的熱鬧的大街上，隻見有隱隱綽綽的行人在來來往往，
where shadowy carts and coaches battled for the way, and all the strife and tumult of a real city were.
還有隱隱綽綽的運貨車和馬車在爭奪著路走，凡是一個真正的城市所有的爭吵和喧囂，這裏都有。
It was made plain enough, by the dressing of the shops, that here too it was Christmas time again; but it was evening, and the streets were lighted up.
從店鋪的裝潢上清清楚楚看得出，這兒也正好又逢著聖誕節來臨了；但時候是在晚上，街上都已燈火輝煌了。
The Ghost stopped at a certain warehouse door, and asked Scrooge if he knew it.
幽靈在某一所倉庫的門口停下了步，問斯克擄奇知道不知道這地方。
“Know it!” said Scrooge. “Was I apprenticed here!”
“知道！”斯克擄奇說。“我不就是在這兒當過學徒的嗎？”
They went in. At sight of an old gentleman in a Welsh wig, sitting behind such a high desk,
他們走進去。一位戴著威爾士假髮[13]的老先生，坐在一張高得可以的寫字台後面，
[13] 威爾士假發：十七、十八世紀時，英國上流社會及法官、律師、演員等，以戴假發（原產於威爾士）為時髦。指的是一種白色小卷假髮。
that if he had been two inches taller he must have knocked his head against the ceiling, Scrooge cried in great excitement:
如果他的身高再多兩英寸的話，他的頭就要碰到天花板了；斯克擄奇一看見他，就激動萬分地叫起來：
“Why, it’s old Fezziwig! Bless his heart; it’s Fezziwig alive again!”
“哎呀，原來是老費昔威！上天保佑他，費昔威複活啦！”
Old Fezziwig laid down his pen, and looked up at the clock, which pointed to the hour of seven.
老費昔威放下了筆，抬頭看看鍾，時針正指著七點。
He rubbed his hands; adjusted his capacious waistcoat;
他搓搓手，整整他那件寬大的背心，
laughed all over himself, from his shoes to his organ of benevolence; and called out in a comfortable, oily, rich, fat, jovial voice:
笑得前俯後仰，從他的皮鞋到他那樂善好施的腦袋，都在笑，並且用一種舒暢、圓滑、豐潤、飽滿和喜悅的聲音叫道：
“Yo ho, there! Ebenezer! Dick!” Scrooge’s former self, now grown a young man, came briskly in, accompanied by his fellow-’prentice.
“ 唷嗬，嗨！埃伯尼澤！迪克！”斯克擄奇從前的自己，這時已經成長為一個青年了，輕快地走進來，他的師兄弟跟他一起進來。
“Dick Wilkins, to be sure!” said Scrooge to the Ghost. “Bless me, yes. There he is. He was very much attached to me, was Dick. Poor Dick! Dear, dear!”
“迪克·威爾金斯，一點不錯！”斯克擄奇對幽靈說。“天啊，是他。正是他。他跟我很要好的，這個迪克。可憐的迪克！唉，唉！”
“Yo ho, my boys!” said Fezziwig. “No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer!
“唷嗬，我的孩子們！”費昔威說。“今兒晚上不要再工作了。聖誕節前夜嘛，迪克。聖誕節嘛，埃伯尼澤！
Let’s have the shutters up,” cried old Fezziwig, with a sharp clap of his hands, “before a man can say Jack Robinson!”
咱們來把護窗板都上起來，”老費昔威叫道，響亮地拍了一下手，“說幹就幹吧！”
You wouldn’t believe how those two fellows went at it!
你簡直不會相信這兩個家夥怎麼幹得這麼快！
They charged into the street with the shutters—one, two, three—had ’em up in their places—four, five, six—barred ’em and pinned ’em—seven, eight, nine—and came back before you could have got to twelve, panting like race-horses.
他們掮起護窗板就衝到街上，一、二、三把板都上好了，四、五、六插上窗閂把板扣住了，七、八、九你還沒有數到十二，他們已經跑了回來，像賽跑的馬那樣直喘氣。
“Hilli-ho!” cried old Fezziwig, skipping down from the high desk, with wonderful agility.
老費昔威異常靈活地從他那張高寫字台上跳了下來，嘴裏叫道，“唏哩—嗬！
“Clear away, my lads, and let’s have lots of room here! Hilli-ho, Dick! Chirrup, Ebenezer!”
把東西搬開，孩子們，讓我們這兒多空出些地方！唏哩—嗬，迪克！唧、唧、唧，埃伯尼澤！”
Clear away! There was nothing they wouldn’t have cleared away, or couldn’t have cleared away, with old Fezziwig looking on.
把東西全搬開！有老費昔威在旁邊看著，他們還有什麼東西不高興搬開，或是搬不開的！
It was done in a minute. Every movable was packed off, as if it were dismissed from public life for evermore;
一眨眼工夫就都做好了。每一件可以移動的東西都搬開了，仿佛要把它們永遠摒棄不用似的；
the floor was swept and watered, the lamps were trimmed, fuel was heaped upon the fire;
地板打掃過了並灑上了水，燈芯都剪好了，木柴都堆在爐火上了；
and the warehouse was as snug, and warm, and dry, and bright a ball-room, as you would desire to see upon a winter’s night.
於是這倉庫就變成一個你巴不得在冬天夜裏看見的挺舒服、暖和、幹燥而光明的舞會大廳了。
In came a fiddler with a music-book, and went up to the lofty desk, and made an orchestra of it, and tuned like fifty stomach-aches.
一位小提琴手夾著樂譜走了進來，跑到那高大的寫字台上，把它變成一個奏樂台，就調起音來，像胃病患者在一疊連聲地哼叫。
In came Mrs. Fezziwig, one vast substantial smile.
費昔威太太走了進來，完全是一副笑逐顏開的樣子。
In came the three Miss Fezziwigs, beaming and lovable. In came the six young followers whose hearts they broke.
三位費昔威小姐走了進來，笑容可掬，而且令人生愛。六個年輕的追隨者走了進來，他們的心都被她們攪碎了。
In came all the young men and women employed in the business.
這個商行所雇用的男女青年們都走了進來。
In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker. In came the cook, with her brother’s particular friend, the milkman.
使女走了進來，帶著她的表兄，一個麵包師。廚娘走了進來，帶著她哥哥的好朋友，送牛奶人。
In came the boy from over the way, who was suspected of not having board enough from his master; trying to hide himself behind the girl from next door but one, who was proved to have had her ears pulled by her mistress.
街對面的小廝走了進來，人們懷疑他在他主人家裏是吃不飽的；他想躲在隔壁第二家的使女的背後，而她是已經證明被她女主人扯過耳朵的。
In they all came, one after another; some shyly, some boldly, some gracefully, some awkwardly, some pushing, some pulling; in they all came, anyhow and everyhow.
他們都來了，一個接著一個；有的害臊，有的大膽，有的優雅，有的笨拙，有的推著，有的拉著；反正以各種各樣的方式，他們大家都走了進來。
Away they all went, twenty couple at once; hands half round and back again the other way; down the middle and up again;
他們立刻組成了二十對，下去跳舞：手搭著手轉了半圈，然後再從另一方向轉過來；隊伍穿過場子中間跳到一端，再回過來；
round and round in various stages of affectionate grouping; old top couple always turning up in the wrong place;
在各個不同的階段中，結成了親密的集體，回旋再回旋；原來領頭的那一對總是走錯了地方，
new top couple starting off again, as soon as they got there; all top couples at last, and not a bottom one to help them!
後來的第一對跳到領頭的地方就立刻重新開始；最後大家都排成一行，無所謂頭一對了，所以也沒什麼後面的一對來襯托他們了！
When this result was brought about, old Fezziwig, clapping his hands to stop the dance, cried out,
等到產生了這樣的結果時，老費昔威就拍拍手叫大家停止了跳舞，大叫一聲“
“Well done!” and the fiddler plunged his hot face into a pot of porter, especially provided for that purpose.
跳得好！”於是那小提琴手把他那張發熱的臉浸到一大罐黑啤酒裏，這罐酒就是特地為他準備的。
But scorning rest, upon his reappearance, he instantly began again, though there were no dancers yet, as if the other fiddler had been carried home, exhausted, on a shutter, and he were a bran-new man resolved to beat him out of sight, or perish.
但是他把頭抬起來之後，雖則這時候還沒有人跳舞，他卻不願意休息，立刻又演奏起來，仿佛先前那個提琴手已經筋疲力盡，被人擱在護窗板上，抬回家去了，而他已成為一個嶄新的人物，決心完全勝過過去的他，寧死也要做到。
There were more dances, and there were forfeits, and more dances, and there was cake, and there was negus, and there was a great piece of Cold Roast, and there was a great piece of Cold Boiled, and there were mince-pies, and plenty of beer.
接著又跳了幾次舞，並玩了幾次罰物遊戲[14]，然後又跳了幾次舞，還有蛋糕，有尼格斯酒[15]，並且有一大塊冷烤牛肉，一大塊冷燉豬肉，還有明治攀[16]以及許許多多啤酒。
[14] 玩這種遊戲時，犯規者須交出身上的一件東西，等經過某種開玩笑的處罰後，才能發還。
[15] 尼格斯酒為用葡萄酒、糖、檸檬汁和豆蔻混合製成的熱飲料。
[16] 明治攀是碎肉或百果做的餡餅。
But the great effect of the evening came after the Roast and Boiled, when the fiddler (an artful dog, mind! The sort of man who knew his business better than you or I could have told it him!) struck up “Sir Roger de Coverley.” 但是這一晚的大軸戲是在上了烤肉和燉肉以後，那時候琴師（是個狡猾的家夥，注意！他對於業務，比你我所能指點他的要熟悉得多）奏起《羅傑·德·科弗萊爵士》舞曲[17]來。
[17] 一種蘇格蘭鄉村舞蹈及樂曲。
Then old Fezziwig stood out to dance with Mrs. Fezziwig.
於是老費昔威站出來和費昔威太太跳舞，
Top couple, too; with a good stiff piece of work cut out for them; three or four and twenty pair of partners;
而且是帶頭的一對；這對於他們實在是一件需要有硬功夫的事情，因為舞侶有二十三四對，
people who were not to be trifled with; people who would dance, and had no notion of walking.
都是些不可輕視的人，都是些寧願跳舞而絕對不打算散步的人。
But if they had been twice as many—ah, four times—old Fezziwig would have been a match for them, and so would Mrs. Fezziwig.
但是即使人數增加一倍——哦，甚至四倍於原來的數目吧——老費昔威還是比得過他們的，而費昔威太太也是如此。
As to her, she was worthy to be his partner in every sense of the term. If that’s not high praise, tell me higher, and I’ll use it.
說到她，她是無論哪一方面都配得上做他的伴侶的。如果這句話還不算是最高的讚美，那末請你告訴我一句更好的，我就來用這句話。
A positive light appeared to issue from Fezziwig’s calves. They shone in every part of the dance like moons.
費昔威的兩條小腿似乎當真發出光芒[18]來。它們像月亮般在每一個舞步中照耀著。
[18] 這句話指費昔威舞步輕快。作者在這裏玩弄了一次文字遊戲，因為原文“light”一詞在英語中既可作“輕快”解，又可作“光明”解。
You couldn’t have predicted, at any given time, what would have become of them next.
在任何時刻，你都無法預言它們在下一秒鍾內將會怎麼樣。
And when old Fezziwig and Mrs. Fezziwig had gone all through the dance;
老費昔威和費昔威太太從頭到尾跳著這支舞；
advance and retire, both hands to your partner, bow and curtsey, corkscrew, thread-the-needle, and back again to your place;
你進我退，雙手拉著舞伴，鞠躬和屈膝[19]，來一個螺旋鑽孔，來一個線穿針眼，然後回到原來的位置上，
[19] 男子行鞠躬禮，婦女行屈膝禮。
Fezziwig “cut”—cut so deftly, that he appeared to wink with his legs, and came upon his feet again without a stagger.
費昔威就來一個“剪式動作”[20]，幹得那麼靈活，他似乎把兩條腿像眼睛般眨了眨，就雙腳落地，穩健地站住了。
[20] 舞蹈中的一種老式舞步，舞者躍起，雙足騰空踢動，然後落地。
When the clock struck eleven, this domestic ball broke up.
鐘敲十一下的時候，這個家庭舞會散場了。
Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig took their stations, one on either side of the door, and shaking hands with every person individually as he or she went out, wished him or her a Merry Christmas. 費昔威先生和太太各就各位，一人站在門口的一邊，等每個人走出去時，和他或她一一握手，並且祝他或她聖誕快樂。
When everybody had retired but the two aprentices, they did the same to them;
等所有的人都走了，只剩下這兩個學徒的時候，他們也同樣跟他們握手祝賀。
and thus the cheerful voices died away, and the lads were left to their beds; which were under a counter in the back-shop.
歡樂的人聲就這樣消散了，這兩個小子留在那兒，回自己床上去睡覺，床鋪就在店堂後面的一個櫃台下面。
During the whole of this time, Scrooge had acted like a man out of his wits. His heart and soul were in the scene, and with his former self.
在整個這段時間中，斯克擄奇的行動像一個神誌失常的人一樣。他全副精神貫注在這一場景中，貫注在他自己從前的形象中。
He corroborated everything, remembered everything, enjoyed everything, and underwent the strangest agitation.
他確證了每一件事，記起了每一件事，享受著每一件事，而且感受到無比奇特的激動。
It was not until now, when the bright faces of his former self and Dick were turned from them, that he remembered the Ghost, and became conscious that it was looking full upon him, while the light upon its head burnt very clear.
直到從前的自己和迪克兩人的快樂臉轉去時，他才記起那幽靈來，並且意識到它正在緊盯著他看，它腦袋上的光芒照耀得非常清楚。
“A small matter,” said the Ghost, “to make these silly folks so full of gratitude.” “Small!” echoed Scrooge.
“只不過一件小小的事情，”幽靈說道，“就使得那些傻瓜這樣地感激。” “小小的事情！”斯克擄奇附和著說。
The Spirit signed to him to listen to the two apprentices, who were pouring out their hearts in praise of Fezziwig: and when he had done so, said,
幽靈向他做了個手勢要他聽那兩個學徒在說的話，他們這時正在竭力稱讚費昔威；等他聽過了，它就說道：
“Why! Is it not? He has spent but a few pounds of your mortal money: three or four perhaps. Is that so much that he deserves this praise?”
“喏！不是嗎？他不過花了你們人世間的幾鎊錢，也許不過三四鎊吧。難道這筆錢就那麼了不起，使他這樣值得稱讚？”
“It isn’t that,” said Scrooge, heated by the remark, and speaking unconsciously like his former, not his latter, self.
“話不是這樣講的，”斯克擄奇被這話激惱了，講起話來就不知不覺地像他從前的自己而不像後來的自己了。
“It isn’t that, Spirit. He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil.
“話不是這樣講的，幽靈。他有這種權力來使我們快活或不快活，使我們的工作變成輕鬆或是繁重，變成娛樂或是苦工。
Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then?
如果說，他的權力存在於語言和神色之中，存在於一些微不足道得無法彙集起來也無法計算的事情之中，那又怎麼樣呢？
The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.” He felt the Spirit’s glance, and stopped.
他給人的幸福是那樣大，就同花了極大一筆錢才換來的一樣。” 他覺得幽靈的眼光在看著他，就住口不說了。
“What is the matter?” asked the Ghost. “Nothing particular,” said Scrooge. “Something, I think?” the Ghost insisted.
“什麼事不對頭啊？”幽靈問。“沒有什麼特別的事，”斯克擄奇說。“總有點什麼事吧，我想？”幽靈追問著。
“No,” said Scrooge, “No. I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. That’s all.”
“沒有，”斯克擄奇說，“沒有。我真想現在就對我的夥伴說一兩句話！就是這麼點事。”
His former self turned down the lamps as he gave utterance to the wish; and Scrooge and the Ghost again stood side by side in the open air.
當他說出這個願望時，他從前的自己正在把燈芯撚小；於是斯克擄奇和那幽靈又肩並肩地站在戶外了。
“My time grows short,” observed the Spirit. “Quick!”
“我沒有多少時間可以耽擱了，”幽靈說。“快點！”
This was not addressed to Scrooge, or to any one whom he could see, but it produced an immediate effect. For again Scrooge saw himself.
這句話不是對斯克擄奇說的，也不是對他能看見的任何人說的，但是這話立刻產生了效果。因為斯克擄奇又看見他自己了。
He was older now; a man in the prime of life. His face had not the harsh and rigid lines of later years; but it had begun to wear the signs of care and avarice.
他現在老些了，是個年富力強的男子。他臉上還沒有後來歲月中出現的些嚴峻而刻板的紋路，不過已經開始表現出患得患失和貪得無厭的跡象了。
There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye, which showed the passion that had taken root, and where the shadow of the growing tree would fall.
那浮躁地轉動著的眼睛裏流露出一種急切的貪婪神氣來，顯示出貪欲已在那兒生了根，在日長夜大地成為一棵大樹，它的陰影將落到什麼地方。
He was not alone, but sat by the side of a fair young girl in a mourning-dress: in whose eyes there were tears, which sparkled in the light that shone out of the Ghost of Christmas Past.
他不是一個人在那兒，而是坐在位穿孝服[21]的美少女旁，她那眼睛裏含著的盈盈淚水，被那“過去聖誕節之靈”所發出的光芒照得亮晶晶的。
[21] 孝服：表示哀悼的黑色衣服。
“It matters little,” she said, softly. “To you, very little. Another idol has displaced me; and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come, as I would have tried to do, I have no just cause to grieve.” “這無關緊要，”她輕柔地說。“對你來說，很無關緊要。另外一個偶像已經代替了我；如果它在將來能夠像我所想做的那樣，使你得到快樂和安慰，那我就沒有可悲傷的正當理由了。”
“What Idol has displaced you?” he rejoined. “A golden one.” “This is the even-handed dealing of the world!” he said.
“什麼偶像代替了你啊？”他接口問。“一尊黃金偶像。”“難道這就是世上公平合理的待遇！”他說。
“There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty; and there is nothing it professes to condemn with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!”
“世上沒有比貧窮更苦惱的了；但是世上公然加以譴責的也沒有比對追求財富更嚴厲的了！”
“You fear the world too much,” she answered, gently. “All your other hopes have merged into the hope of being beyond the chance of its sordid reproach.
“你太害怕世人了，”她溫和地回答說。“你所有的其他希望都彙合成了一個希望，那就是：不至於遭受到世人的苛刻指責。
I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one, until the master-passion, Gain, engrosses you. Have I not?”
我看見你那些更崇高的志願都一一消失掉了，直到那主要的欲望，貪欲，占有了你。難道我沒有看到嗎？”
“What then?” he retorted. “Even if I have grown so much wiser, what then? I am not changed towards you.” She shook her head. “Am I?”
“那又怎麼樣呢？”他反駁道。“即使我變得比從前聰明多了，又怎麼樣呢？我對你一點也沒有變心啊。”她搖搖頭。“我沒變心吧？”
“Our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so, until, in good season, we could improve our worldly fortune by our patient industry. You are changed. When it was made, you were another man.”
“我們的婚約是早就訂下的。訂約的時候我們雙方都是貧窮的，而且是安於貧窮，情願等到適當的時候，能靠著我們堅韌不拔的辛勤勞動，來改善我們在世上的處境。可你現在變了。我們當初訂婚的時候，你可不是這樣一個人啊。”
“I was a boy,” he said impatiently. “Your own feeling tells you that you were not what you are,” she returned.
“我當時還是個毛孩子，”他不耐煩地說。“你自己的感覺會告訴你，你從前跟現在是大不相同的，”她回答說。
“I am. That which promised happiness when we were one in heart, is fraught with misery now that we are two.
“我卻還是老樣子。在我們兩人一條心的時候，本來可以得到幸福，現在我們既然變成了兩條心，自然是充滿著痛苦的。
How often and how keenly I have thought of this, I will not say. It is enough that I have thought of it, and can release you.”
我考慮過這問題多少次，感到怎樣的難過，我都不必說了。我只要對你說這一點就夠了：我已經考慮好這件事情，現在可以跟你解約了。”
“Have I ever sought release?” “In words. No. Never.” “In what, then?”
“我曾經要求過解約嗎？”“在言語中，沒有。從來沒有過。”“那末，是在什麼方面呢？”
“In a changed nature; in an altered spirit; in another atmosphere of life; another Hope as its great end.
“是在性情的改變上；在精神的轉移上；在另一種生活氣氛中；你把另外一種希望當作了人生的偉大目標。
In everything that made my love of any worth or value in your sight.
凡是從前使我的愛情在你眼裏有點身價和價值的一切，現在都改變了。
If this had never been between us,” said the girl, looking mildly, but with steadiness, upon him; “tell me, would you seek me out and try to win me now? Ah, no!” 假使我們之間從來沒有過的話，”這姑娘溫和而堅定地看著他說“告訴我，你現在會來追求我，並且想得到我？唉，不會的！”
He seemed to yield to the justice of this supposition, in spite of himself. But he said with a struggle, “You think not.”
他似乎要不由自主地承認這個假設是公正的。但是他勉強地回答道：“這是你以為不會。”
“I would gladly think otherwise if I could,” she answered, “Heaven knows! When I have learned a Truth like this, I know how strong and irresistible it must be.
“我但願能夠不這樣想，”她回答說，“天知道！等我懂得了這樣一條道理，我知道它必定是非常強有力和不可抗拒的。
But if you were free to-day, to-morrow, yesterday, can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless girl—
但是如果你今天、明天或昨天解除了婚約的話，難道我能相信你會選一個沒有嫁妝[22]的女子嗎——
[22] 英國當時的風俗是，女兒將出嫁時，父母要給她一筆錢或財產，稱作嫁資或嫁妝。沒有嫁妝的姑娘是不受歡迎的。
you who, in your very confidence with her, weigh everything by Gain:
你這個人，在你同她親密無間的時候，也是以財富來衡量一切的；
or, choosing her, if for a moment you were false enough to your one guiding principle to do so,
再說，即使你暫時違反了你生平唯一的主導原則而選中了她，
do I not know that your repentance and regret would surely follow? I do; and I release you. With a full heart, for the love of him you once were.”
難道我不知道你事後一定會後悔莫及的嗎？我知道的，所以我要跟你解約。為了對他——那個從前的你——的愛，我誠心誠意這樣做。”
He was about to speak; but with her head turned from him, she resumed.
他正想說話，但是她把頭轉過去不看他，接下去說道：
“You may—the memory of what is past half makes me hope you will—have pain in this.
這件事也許會使你感到痛苦的——回想起過去的情分，我不免有半點這樣的希望。
A very, very brief time, and you will dismiss the recollection of it, gladly, as an unprofitable dream, from which it happened well that you awoke.
“只要經過一段極短的時間，你就會很高興地把對這件事情的回憶，當作一場無利可圖的夢而撇開，以為你能從這場夢醒來正是再好也沒有的事。
May you be happy in the life you have chosen!”
願你在你所選擇的生活裏能夠快樂！”
She left him, and they parted. “Spirit!” said Scrooge, “show me no more! Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?”
她離開了他，他們就此分手了。“幽靈！”斯克擄奇叫道，“別再顯現給我看了！領我回家去吧。你為什麼喜歡折磨我啊？”
“One shadow more!” exclaimed the Ghost.
“再看一個過去的形象！”幽靈叫道。
“No more!” cried Scrooge. “No more. I don’t wish to see it. Show me no more!”
“不要再看啦！”斯克擄奇喊道。“不要再看啦！我不願意看。不要再顯現什麼給我看啦！”
But the relentless Ghost pinioned him in both his arms, and forced him to observe what happened next.
但是這狠心的幽靈用兩臂把他挾住，強迫他再看接著出現的事情。
They were in another scene and place; a room, not very large or handsome, but full of comfort.
他們這時到了另外一個場景中，那是一間不很大也不華麗的房間，但是充滿了舒適的陳設。
Near to the winter fire sat a beautiful young girl, so like that last that Scrooge believed it was the same, until he saw her, now a comely matron, sitting opposite her daughter. 靠近那過冬用的爐火旁，坐著一位美麗的少女，和剛才的那一位非常相像，斯克擄奇起先還以為就是同一個人，直到後來才看清她現在已是一位秀麗的主婦了，正坐在她女兒的對面。
The noise in this room was perfectly tumultuous, for there were more children there, than Scrooge in his agitated state of mind could count;
這房間裏真是聲音嘈雜極了，因為小孩實在太多，斯克擄奇在心神不寧中，簡直數也數不清；
and, unlike the celebrated herd in the poem, they were not forty children conducting themselves like one, but every child was conducting itself like forty.
而且，不像那首詩[23]中的著名的牛群，他們不是四十個孩子行動起來如同一個，卻是每一個孩子行動起來像四十個。
[23] 指英國詩人威廉·華茲華斯（1770—1850）的《寫於三月》，其中有名句雲：“四十頭牛食草，靜如一頭。”
The consequences were uproarious beyond belief; but no one seemed to care;
結果是吵鬧得令人難以置信，可是似乎沒有一個人覺得討厭；
on the contrary, the mother and daughter laughed heartily, and enjoyed it very much;
恰恰相反，她們母女倆暢快地大笑著，感到十分有趣；
and the latter, soon beginning to mingle in the sports, got pillaged by the young brigands most ruthlessly.
而女兒不久就參加到這些遊戲裏去，受到這幫小強盜毫不留情的騷擾。
What would I not have given to be one of them! Though I never could have been so rude, no, no!
假使我能夠成為他們中間的一個，要我付出任何代價我都肯！不過我決不會那麼粗魯，決不，決不！
I wouldn’t for the wealth of all the world have crushed that braided hair, and torn it down;
不管出我多大代價，我也不願把那結成辮子的頭發弄散，把它扯下來；
and for the precious little shoe, I wouldn’t have plucked it off, God bless my soul! to save my life.
還有那隻珍貴的小靴子，上帝保佑我，我是無論如何不肯把它脫下來的。
As to measuring her waist in sport, as they did, bold young brood, I couldn’t have done it;
至於像他們這一群大膽的小把戲那樣，量她的腰身鬧著玩兒，這種事情我也決計做不出來；
I should have expected my arm to have grown round it for a punishment, and never come straight again.
我該料想自己的手臂會遭到天罰，圍著她的腰就此永遠伸不直。
And yet I should have dearly liked, I own, to have touched her lips; to have questioned her, that she might have opened them;
然而我承認，我實在巴不得親一親她的嘴唇；想問她一句話，使她張開她的嘴來；
to have looked upon the lashes of her downcast eyes, and never raised a blush;
想注視她那目光下垂的眼睛上的睫毛，而不致使她臉紅；
to have let loose waves of hair, an inch of which would be a keepsake beyond price:
想解開她那波浪般卷曲的頭發——這頭髮，即使得到一英寸，也是無價之寶的紀念品。
in short, I should have liked, I do confess, to have had the lightest licence of a child, and yet to have been man enough to know its value.
總而言之，我極願意享受到孩子們的最輕微的放縱自由，同時又像大人似的懂得這種自由的可貴。
But now a knocking at the door was heard, and such a rush immediately ensued
但是這時候聽見有人在敲門了，大家立刻都奔過去，
that she with laughing face and plundered dress was borne towards it the centre of a flushed and boisterous group,
她帶著笑臉，穿著被扯亂的衣服，給擁在這一群臉兒通紅的、吵吵嚷嚷的孩子中間，
just in time to greet the father, who came home attended by a man laden with Christmas toys and presents.
一直被推到門口去，剛好及時地迎接回家來的父親。父親背後跟隨著一個捧著不少聖誕節玩具和禮物的人。
Then the shouting and the struggling, and the onslaught that was made on the defenceless porter!
接著是一片大嚷大鬧，爭先恐後地對這毫無防備的門房展開猛烈的攻擊！
The scaling him with chairs for ladders to dive into his pockets, despoil him of brown-paper parcels, hold on tight by his cravat, hug him round his neck, pommel his back, and kick his legs in irrepressible affection!
拿椅子當作梯子，爬到他身上去，伸手到他口袋裏去挖，把那些牛皮紙包從他手裏搶奪過來，緊緊地抓住他的領結，摟住他的脖子，用拳頭捶著他的背脊，以樂不可支的親熱勁兒踢他的腿！
The shouts of wonder and delight with which the development of every package was received!
每個包裹打開時引起了一大陣驚奇和欣喜的喊叫聲！
The terrible announcement that the baby had been taken in the act of putting a doll’s frying-pan into his mouth, and was more than suspected of having swallowed a fictitious turkey, glued on a wooden platter!
接著有人駭人聽聞地聲稱：那嬰孩正要把一個玩具煎鍋塞進嘴去，而且好像已經把一隻膠在木頭碟子上的假火雞吞到肚裏去了！
The immense relief of finding this a false alarm! The joy, and gratitude, and ecstasy! They are all indescribable alike.
後來發現這是一場虛驚，大家又是多麼的快慰啊！那份歡欣、感激和狂喜呀！他們的行動都是言語所無法形容地相似。
It is enough that by degrees the children and their emotions got out of the parlour, and by one stair at a time, up to the top of the house; where they went to bed, and so subsided.
只要說這一句就夠了：這些孩子們帶著他們的歡樂情緒逐漸地離開了客廳，一步跨一級樓梯，一直走到屋子的最高層，上床去睡覺了，這一場喧鬧才平靜下來。
And now Scrooge looked on more attentively than ever,
這時斯克擄奇比以前更用心地瞧著了，
when the master of the house, having his daughter leaning fondly on him, sat down with her and her mother at his own fireside;
只見這一家的主人，把女兒拉過來親熱地偎在身上，然後跟她和她的母親在自己的爐旁一起坐下來；
and when he thought that such another creature, quite as graceful and as full of promise, might have called him father, and been a spring-time in the haggard winter of his life, his sight grew very dim indeed.
斯克擄奇想到另一個這樣的孩子，同樣的俊秀和富有前途，滿可能稱他為父親，並且成為他蕭瑟的暮年中的一段春日的，這時候，他的眼睛不禁被淚水沾得十分模糊了。
“Belle,” said the husband, turning to his wife with a smile, “I saw an old friend of yours this afternoon.”
“貝兒，”那丈夫回過頭來，笑著對他的妻子說，“今天下午我看見了你的一個老朋友。”
“Who was it?” “Guess!” “How can I? Tut, don’t I know?” she added in the same breath, laughing as he laughed. “Mr. Scrooge.”
“誰啊？”“猜猜看！”“我怎麼猜得著？得了，我還會不知道？”她一口氣接下去說，同他一樣地笑著，“斯克擄奇先生。”
“Mr. Scrooge it was. I passed his office window; and as it was not shut up, and he had a candle inside, I could scarcely help seeing him.
“正是斯克擄奇先生。我經過他辦公室的窗外，因為窗子沒有關上，而且裏面又點著蠟燭，我不免看見了他。
His partner lies upon the point of death, I hear; and there he sat alone. Quite alone in the world, I do believe.”
他的合夥人躺在床上快死了，我聽人說；他獨個兒坐在那裏。孤零零地一個人在世上，我相信正是這樣。”
“Spirit!” said Scrooge in a broken voice, “remove me from this place.”
“幽靈！”斯克擄奇聲音哽咽地說，“把我從這地方帶走吧。”
“I told you these were shadows of the things that have been,” said the Ghost. “That they are what they are, do not blame me!”
“我對你講過，這些都是往事的影子，”幽靈說。“至於它們今天是這副本來麵目，那你別責怪我！”
“Remove me!” Scrooge exclaimed, “I cannot bear it!” “把我帶走吧！”斯克擄奇叫道，“我實在受不了啦！”
He turned upon the Ghost, and seeing that it looked upon him with a face, in which in some strange way there were fragments of all the faces it had shown him, wrestled with it.
他轉身面對著幽靈，只見它正在瞧著他，而它的那張臉，說也奇怪，竟是它剛才指點給他看的那些臉的片段拚湊起來的，他就跟它揪打起來。
“Leave me! Take me back. Haunt me no longer!”
“放開我！帶我回去。不要再跟我作祟了！”
In the struggle, if that can be called a struggle in which the Ghost with no visible resistance on its own part was undisturbed by any effort of its adversary,
如果這能算是搏鬥的話，那麼，在這場搏鬥中，他用足了氣力，但那幽靈卻顯然一點都不抵抗，也絲毫不感到驚慌；
Scrooge observed that its light was burning high and bright; and dimly connecting that with its influence over him, he seized the extinguisher-cap, and by a sudden action pressed it down upon its head.
斯克擄奇在搏鬥中看見，那幽靈頭上的光照得又高又亮；他迷迷糊糊地認為這幽靈對他的作祟是跟它的光有關係的，就抓住了那頂熄燈帽，出其不意地往下撳在它頭上。
The Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher covered its whole form;
那幽靈在帽子下面癱倒下去，這樣，這頂熄燈帽就蓋住了它的整個身體；
but though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, he could not hide the light: which streamed from under it, in an unbroken flood upon the ground.
但是盡管斯克擄奇用盡平生之力把帽子往下撳，卻仍舊遮不住那道光[24]，它從帽子下面放射出來，毫不間斷地瀉照在地上。
[24] 這光就是記憶之光，盡管斯克擄奇不願回憶自己的過去，但往事既已勾起，就再也無法把它完全撲滅了。
He was conscious of being exhausted, and overcome by an irresistible drowsiness; and, further, of being in his own bedroom.
他感到筋疲力盡，瞌睡難當；而且還發現正在自己的臥室裏。
He gave the cap a parting squeeze, in which his hand relaxed; and had barely time to reel to bed, before he sank into a heavy sleep.
他把那頂帽子最後捏了一把，就鬆了手；人剛剛搖搖晃晃地倒在床上，就立刻陷入酣睡之中。
Stave 3: The Second of The Three Spirits
Awaking in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore, and sitting up in bed to get his thoughts together,
斯克擄奇從鼾聲大作中醒過來，在床上坐起定了定神，
Scrooge had no occasion to be told that the bell was again upon the stroke of One.
根本用不著人家來告訴他，就知道鐘又將敲一點了。
He felt that he was restored to consciousness in the right nick of time,
他覺得自己正好在這緊要關頭醒過來，
for the especial purpose of holding a conference with the second messenger despatched to him through Jacob Marley’s intervention.
就是特地為了要和那第二個使者來一次會晤，而這個使者正是由於雅各·馬利的干預，才到他這裏來的。
But finding that he turned uncomfortably cold when he began to wonder which of his curtains this new spectre would draw back, he put them every one aside with his own hands; and lying down again, established a sharp look-out all round the bed.
但是當他開始猜想這個新幽靈會把他帳子的哪一邊拉開時，他覺得自己很不舒服地發起冷來，便索性用自己的手把每一邊的帳子都拉開來，然後再在床上躺下，對床的四周保持嚴密的警戒，
For he wished to challenge the Spirit on the moment of its appearance, and did not wish to be taken by surprise, and made nervous.
因為他打算在這幽靈一出現時，就向它挑戰，而不願意突然遭到襲擊，弄得驚惶失措。
Gentlemen of the free-and-easy sort, who plume themselves on being acquainted with a move or two, and being usually equal to the time-of-day,
那些悠閑自在、不拘形跡的先生們，自負有那麼兩下子，而且是分外通曉世事，善於審時應變的，
express the wide range of their capacity for adventure by observing that they are good for anything from pitch-and-toss to manslaughter;
為了要表示他們在冒險應變方面神通廣大，就說他們從擲錢遊戲到殺人勾當，任何事情都是擅長的；
between which opposite extremes, no doubt, there lies a tolerably wide and comprehensive range of subjects.
而在這兩個相反的極端之間，無疑地還有著範圍相當廣泛的許多事情。
Without venturing for Scrooge quite as hardily as this, I don’t mind calling on you to believe that he was ready for a good broad field of strange appearances, and that nothing between a baby and rhinoceros would have astonished him very much.
我固然不敢把斯克擄奇說得這麼有能耐，可是我願意請你們相信，他是準備看到範圍相當廣泛的各種稀奇古怪的東西出現的，從一個小娃娃直到一頭大犀牛之間，無論什麼東西出現都不會使他太驚駭。
Now, being prepared for almost anything, he was not by any means prepared for nothing;
如今，正因為他準備看見差不多任何東西，他才毫無準備會一無所見；
and, consequently, when the Bell struck One, and no shape appeared, he was taken with a violent fit of trembling.
因此，當鐘鳴一下，而並無鬼影出現時，他禁不住劇烈地發起抖來。
Five minutes, ten minutes, a quarter of an hour went by, yet nothing came.
五分鐘，十分鐘，一刻鐘過去了，可是什麼都沒有出現。
All this time, he lay upon his bed, the very core and centre of a blaze of ruddy light,
在這一段時間裏，他一直躺在床上，處於一道紅光的核心和中央，
which streamed upon it when the clock proclaimed the hour;
這道光是在鐘敲一點時就照射在他身上的；
and by which, being only light, was more alarming than a dozen ghosts, as he was powerless to make out what it meant, or would be at;
而且，由於只是一道光，竟比一二十個鬼更驚人，因為他既無法了解它的用意是什麼，也不知道它打算怎麼樣；
and was sometimes apprehensive that he might be at that very moment an interesting case of spontaneous combustion, without having the consolation of knowing it. 有些時候他更深怕自己當時會自燃[1]起來，成為一個有趣的事例，事先卻一點也沒有思想準備。
[1] 自燃：物質在並無直接加熱的情況下，通過緩慢的氧化過程，溫度逐漸升高，終於達到著火點，自發地引起燃燒。這裏是說斯克擄奇唯恐這道光發自他自己的身上，以致自己燃燒起來。
At last, however, he began to think—as you or I would have thought at first;
然而，到了最後，他開始想到——至於你我，是一開頭就會想到的，
for it is always the person not in the predicament who knows what ought to have been done in it, and would unquestionably have done it too—
因為旁觀者清，只有不置身在困境中的人才知道應該怎樣去應付這種境遇，並且毫無疑問地會這樣去做——
at last, I say, he began to think that the source and secret of this ghostly light might be in the adjoining room, from whence, on further tracing it, it seemed to shine. 到了最後，我剛才說，他才開始想到，這道鬼光的來源和奧秘，可能就在隔壁的那個房間裏，因為他再把這道光的蹤跡追尋了一下，發現它似乎就是從那個房間裏照射出來的。
This idea taking full possession of his mind, he got up softly and shuffled in his slippers to the door.
他心裏既然完全存了這個想法，就輕輕地從床上起來，趿著拖鞋走到房門口去。
The moment Scrooge’s hand was on the lock, a strange voice called him by his name, and bade him enter. He obeyed.
斯克擄奇的手剛碰到鎖上，一個陌生的口音就叫了一聲他的名字，而且吩咐他進去。他遵命做了。
It was his own room. There was no doubt about that. But it had undergone a surprising transformation.
那是他自己的房間。這一點是毫無疑問的。但是這個房間已經起了驚人的變化。
The walls and ceiling were so hung with living green, that it looked a perfect grove; from every part of which, bright gleaming berries glistened.
四壁和天花板上都掛滿了活的綠色植物，看起來完全像是一座小叢林，亮晶晶的漿果在叢林裏的每一個地方閃耀著。
The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there;
冬青、檞寄生和常青藤[2]的鮮嫩的葉子把這些亮光反射出來，好像有許多小鏡子散布在那兒似的；
[2] 這三者是英國人在聖誕節時做裝飾品用的。
and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge’s time, or Marley’s, or for many and many a winter season gone. 熊熊的火焰直向煙囪裏轟轟地上躥，無論是在斯克擄奇的時期、馬利的時期，還是過去許許多多的冬季裏，這個陰沉的化石般的壁爐裏都從未有過這樣猛烈的火焰。
Heaped up on the floor, to form a kind of throne, were turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, great joints of meat, sucking-pigs, long wreaths of sausages, mince-pies, plum-puddings, barrels of oysters, red-hot chestnuts, cherry-cheeked apples, juicy oranges, luscious pears, immense twelfth-cakes, and seething bowls of punch, that made the chamber dim with their delicious steam.
堆在地板上，形成一個寶座似的，是火雞、鵝、野味、家禽、醃肉、大塊的腿肉、乳豬、一長串一長串的香腸、明治攀、葡萄幹布丁、一桶桶的牡蠣、火熱的栗子、像孩兒臉般紅彤彤的蘋果、多汁的橘子、甘美的生梨、龐大的主顯節[3]餅，以及煮沸的一碗碗五味酒[4]，它們冒出來的芬芳的熱氣，把這個房間都熏得模糊了。
[3] 主顯節在聖誕節後第十二天（即一月六日）。
[4] 五味酒原出印度，有酒、茶、檸檬汁、糖和水等五種成分，後泛指摻水加糖和香料的混合酒。
In easy state upon this couch, there sat a jolly Giant, glorious to see;
在這裏的榻上坐著一個興高采烈的巨人，氣派堂皇，
who bore a glowing torch, in shape not unlike Plenty’s horn, and held it up, high up, to shed its light on Scrooge, as he came peeping round the door.
手裏拿著一根通紅的火把，形狀同象征豐饒的羊角[5]，他把它高高地舉起，等斯克擄奇走到房門口來張望的時候，火把的光正好照在他身上。
[5] 豐饒的羊角：據希臘神話，大神宙斯長大後，取一羊角贈克裏特王之女，以報其撫育之恩，說有了這東西，能隨心所欲，無不如意。因此這羊角被稱為“豐饒之角”，是和平與繁榮的象征。
“Come in!” exclaimed the Ghost. “Come in! and know me better, man!” Scrooge entered timidly, and hung his head before this Spirit.
“進來！”這幽靈叫道。“進來！同我多熟悉熟悉，朋友！” 斯克擄奇畏畏縮縮地走了進去，在這幽靈面前低頭站著。
He was not the dogged Scrooge he had been; and though the Spirit’s eyes were clear and kind, he did not like to meet them.
他已經不是從前那個冥頑不靈的斯克擄奇了；雖則那幽靈的眼光是明朗和善的，他卻不願意和它接觸。
“I am the Ghost of Christmas Present,” said the Spirit. “Look upon me!”
“我是‘現在聖誕節之靈’，”這幽靈說，“對我看！”
Scrooge reverently did so. It was clothed in one simple green robe, or mantle, bordered with white fur.
斯克擄奇就恭而敬之地照辦了。只見它穿著一件樸素的綠色長袍，或是斗篷，周圍用白的毛皮鑲邊。
This garment hung so loosely on the figure, that its capacious breast was bare, as if disdaining to be warded or concealed by any artifice.
這件衣服寬鬆地披在它身上，它那寬闊的胸部都露了出來，仿佛不屑被人為的衣飾所衛護或遮掩。
Its feet, observable beneath the ample folds of the garment, were also bare;
從衣服的寬大的褶襇下面，看得見它的一雙腳也是赤露著的；
and on its head it wore no other covering than a holly wreath, set here and there with shining icicles.
它的頭上不戴別的東西，只戴著一個冬青編的花冠，上面到處點綴著閃閃發光的冰柱。
Its dark brown curls were long and free; free as its genial face, its sparkling eye, its open hand, its cheery voice, its unconstrained demeanour, and its joyful air.
它那深褐色的鬈發很長，隨便地披著，就像它那和藹的臉兒、閃光的眼睛、張開的手掌、愉快的聲音、自在的舉止和快樂的氣氛那樣地隨便不羈。
Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard; but no sword was in it, and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust.
它的腰間佩著一把古老的劍鞘，可是裏面沒有劍，而且這古老的劍鞘已經長滿了鏽。
“You have never seen the like of me before!” exclaimed the Spirit. “Never,” Scrooge made answer to it.
“你從來沒有見過像我這樣的吧！”幽靈叫道。“從來沒有，”斯克擄奇回答它。
“Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family; meaning (for I am very young) my elder brothers born in these later years?” pursued the Phantom. “從來沒有同我家裏比較年輕的成員們一起走動過吧？我的意思是說，在最近幾年裏誕生的我的哥哥們，因為我的年紀是很小的，”幽靈不放鬆地說。
“I don’t think I have,” said Scrooge. “I am afraid I have not. Have you had many brothers, Spirit?”
“我想我是沒有這樣做過，”斯克擄奇說。“我恐怕是沒有這樣做過。你有許多兄弟麼，幽靈？”
“More than eighteen hundred,” said the Ghost. “A tremendous family to provide for!” muttered Scrooge.
“有一千八百多個[6]，”這鬼說。“這可是一個很不容易贍養的大家庭啊！”斯克擄奇嘀咕著說。
[6] 狄更斯的這篇小說寫於1843年，聖誕節每年一次，所以他說有一千八百多個聖誕節的幽靈。
The Ghost of Christmas Present rose. “Spirit,” said Scrooge submissively, “conduct me where you will.
“現在聖誕節之靈”站起身來。“幽靈嗬，”斯克擄奇恭順地說，“帶我到你要帶我去的地方吧。
I went forth last night on compulsion, and I learnt a lesson which is working now. To-night, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.”
昨天夜裏我是被逼出去的，但我已得到了一種教訓，這教訓現在正在起作用了。今天夜裏，如果你有什麼要教導我的話，那就讓我得到教益吧。”
“Touch my robe!” Scrooge did as he was told, and held it fast.
“輕輕地抓住我的袍子！”斯克擄奇遵照他的吩咐做了，把袍子緊緊抓住。
Holly, mistletoe, red berries, ivy, turkeys, geese, game, poultry, brawn, meat, pigs, sausages, oysters, pies, puddings, fruit, and punch, all vanished instantly.
冬青、檞寄生、紅漿果、常青藤、火雞、鵝、野味、家禽、醃肉、鮮肉、豬、香腸、牡蠣、餡餅、布丁、水果和五味酒，立刻全都消失了。
So did the room, the fire, the ruddy glow, the hour of night, and they stood in the city streets on Christmas morning,
那個房間、壁爐、通紅的火光、夜間的鍾點，也全都消失了，他們已經站在聖誕節早晨的城裏的街道上。
where (for the weather was severe) the people made a rough, but brisk and not unpleasant kind of music, in scraping the snow from the pavement in front of their dwellings, and from the tops of their houses, whence it was mad delight to the boys to see it come plumping down into the road below, and splitting into artificial little snow-storms. 因為天氣寒冷得很，人們在把住宅前面人行道上和屋頂上的雪都鏟掉，發出了一種聒噪、輕快但並不難聽的樂聲，而最使孩子們欣喜若狂的是看見雪從屋頂上沉重地落到下面路上，碎裂成人造的小暴風雪。
The house fronts looked black enough, and the windows blacker, contrasting with the smooth white sheet of snow upon the roofs,
同屋頂上那一片平滑潔白的積雪以及地面上稍微肮髒些的雪對照之下，房屋的正面就顯得相當黝黑，而窗戶也顯得更黑了。
and with the dirtier snow upon the ground; which last deposit had been ploughed up in deep furrows by the heavy wheels of carts and waggons;
街上的積雪都已經被那些大車和貨車的沉重的車輪犁成深深的溝畦；
furrows that crossed and re-crossed each other hundreds of times where the great streets branched off; and made intricate channels, hard to trace in the thick yellow mud and icy water. 在那幾條大街分岔出去的地方，這些溝畦重複交叉了不知有幾百次，造成了許多縱橫交錯的水渠，在那很稠的黃泥漿和冰冷的水裏，簡直找不出它們的途徑來。
The sky was gloomy, and the shortest streets were choked up with a dingy mist, half thawed, half frozen, whose heavier particles descended in a shower of sooty atoms, 天空是陰鬱的，最短的街道上都充塞著一片半融解半凍潔的汙穢的霧氣，其中較重的微粒就成為一種煤灰[7]，像陣雨般落下來，
[7] 倫敦城內當時有無數煙囪，濃煙滾滾，雪和霧落下後，就變成又髒又黑了。
as if all the chimneys in Great Britain had, by one consent, caught fire, and were blazing away to their dear hearts’ content.
仿佛大不列顛所有的煙囪都一起著起火來，正在稱心如意地燃燒著。
There was nothing very cheerful in the climate or the town, and yet was there an air of cheerfulness abroad that the clearest summer air and brightest summer sun might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain. 拿氣候或是這城市來說，這兒並沒有什麼令人感到十分快樂的地方，然而卻布滿著一種快樂的氣氛，即使最清淨的夏季空氣和最晴朗的夏季太陽，也決計散發不出來。
For, the people who were shovelling away on the housetops were jovial and full of glee;
因為，那些在屋頂上鏟雪的人，都是興高采烈，滿懷快樂的；
calling out to one another from the parapets, and now and then exchanging a facetious snowball—better-natured missile far than many a wordy jest—
他們從胸牆邊大著嗓子你叫我喚，有時候還尋開心地把雪球拋來拋去——這是一種比口頭的玩笑更富有友好意味的飛彈——
laughing heartily if it went right and not less heartily if it went wrong.
如果打中了的話就哈哈大笑，如果打偏了的話也笑得少一點地起勁。
The poulterers’ shops were still half open, and the fruiterers’ were radiant in their glory.
家禽鋪子的門剛開了一半，水果鋪則是五光十色。
There were great, round, pot-bellied baskets of chestnuts, shaped like the waistcoats of jolly old gentlemen,
又大又圓、肚皮鼓出的栗子籃——模樣兒就像快活的老先生們所穿的背心——
lolling at the doors, and tumbling out into the street in their apoplectic opulence.
在門口斜靠著，它們身體肥胖，易患中風，就這麼摔倒在街上。
There were ruddy, brown-faced, broad-girthed Spanish Onions, shining in the fatness of their growth like Spanish Friars,
褐色的臉色泛著紅的、腰圍很寬的西班牙球蔥，像西班牙修道士般長得肥肥胖胖，油光鋥亮；
and winking from their shelves in wanton slyness at the girls as they went by, and glanced demurely at the hung-up mistletoe.
當姑娘們走過去時，它們就從架子上對她們擠眉弄眼，一派調皮放肆的樣子，在掛在上面的檞寄生[8]下乍看是一點正經。
[8] 按照英國古老的風俗，男子可以吻凡是站在一串懸著的檞寄生下面的女子。
There were pears and apples, clustered high in blooming pyramids;
梨啊，蘋果啊，都疊得高高的，堆成了壯麗的金字塔；
there were bunches of grapes, made, in the shopkeepers’ benevolence to dangle from conspicuous hooks,
一串串的葡萄，由於水果鋪老板的好心腸，懸掛在特別觸目的鉤子上，
that people’s mouths might water gratis as they passed;
使得人們在經過的時候嘴裏禁不住會流出口水來，而不費分文；
there were piles of filberts, mossy and brown, recalling, in their fragrance, ancient walks among the woods, and pleasant shufflings ankle deep through withered leaves;
一堆堆帶著苔蘚的褐色榛子，它們所發出的香氣，使人回憶起森林中的古老道路，以及在深可沒踝的枯葉堆裏，愉快地蹣跚行走的情景；
there were Norfolk Biffins, squat and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the oranges and lemons,
還有烹調用的諾福克蘋果，矮胖胖、黑黝黝的，把橘子和檸檬的黃顏色襯托得格外鮮明，
and, in the great compactness of their juicy persons, urgently entreating and beseeching to be carried home in paper bags and eaten after dinner.
而且因為它們那多汁水的身體長得非常結實，它們迫切地懇求人們把它們裝在紙袋裏帶回家去，在飯後把它們吃掉。
The very gold and silver fish, set forth among these choice fruits in a bowl,
那些金色和銀色的魚，盛在一隻缸裏，安置在這些精美的水果中間，
though members of a dull and stagnant-blooded race, appeared to know that there was something going on;
它們雖然屬於一個呆笨遲鈍的族類，似乎也知道現今正有什麼事情在發生著；
and, to a fish, went gasping round and round their little world in slow and passionless excitement.
而且，所有的魚都一樣，全在它們那小小的天地裏，帶著缺乏熱情的興奮，喘著氣大兜其圈子。
The Grocers’! oh, the Grocers’! nearly closed, with perhaps two shutters down, or one; but through those gaps such glimpses!
雜貨鋪呢——哦，雜貨鋪呀！——差不多已經打烊了，大概已經上了兩扇或者一扇護窗板，但是從那些窗縫裏可真有看頭呢！
It was not alone that the scales descending on the counter made a merry sound,
不僅僅是磅秤落到櫃台上發出的悅耳聲音，
or that the twine and roller parted company so briskly, or that the canisters were rattled up and down like juggling tricks,
或者麻線與滾軸很爽快地分了手，或者罐子[9]給拿上拿下，砰砰作響，像變戲法似的，
[9] 一種有蓋的金屬小罐，裝茶葉、咖啡或香料。
or even that the blended scents of tea and coffee were so grateful to the nose,
或者甚至茶葉和咖啡的混合香氣聞在鼻子裏是那麼舒服，
or even that the raisins were so plentiful and rare, the almonds so extremely white, the sticks of cinnamon so long and straight, the other spices so delicious, the candied fruits so caked and spotted with molten sugar as to make the coldest lookers-on feel faint and subsequently bilious.
或者甚至葡萄幹是那麼豐富和珍貴，杏仁又是那麼潔白異常，肉桂枝那麼長而且直，其餘的那些香料那麼味美，蜜餞糖果做成圓餅，沾上了糖漿，使得最冷淡的旁觀者看了都要覺得頭暈嘴饞，而且事後大發胃氣痛。
Nor was it that the figs were moist and pulpy, or that the French plums blushed in modest tartness from their highly-decorated boxes,
也不僅僅是因為無花果都是濕潤而柔軟的；法蘭西李子帶著些微的酸澀，在它們那些裝潢得很漂亮的盒子裏，紅著臉兒害臊，
or that everything was good to eat and in its Christmas dress; but the customers were all so hurried and so eager in the hopeful promise of the day,
或是，一切的東西都是好吃的，並且都穿著它們的聖誕節盛裝；實在是因為顧客們在這充滿希望的大好日子裏，大家都是那麼匆忙和那麼急切，
that they tumbled up against each other at the door, crashing their wicker baskets wildly,
以致在門口彼此碰撞，魯莽地撞壞了他們的柳條籃，
and left their purchases upon the counter, and came running back to fetch them, and committed hundreds of the like mistakes, in the best humour possible;
把他們買的東西遺忘在櫃台上，再奔回來拿，此外，還懷著好得不能再好的心情，犯下了許多諸如此類的錯誤；
while the Grocer and his people were so frank and fresh that the polished hearts with which they fastened their aprons behind might have been their own, worn outside for general inspection, and for Christmas daws to peck at if they chose.
而雜貨鋪老板和他的店員們，又都是那麼真誠坦白和精神抖擻，使得他們用來把圍裙紮在背後的那些閃閃發亮的心形東西[10]，就像是他們自己的心，露出在外面讓大家來檢查，並且讓聖誕節的穴鳥[11]高興來啄的時候就可以來啄。
[11] 一種小烏鴉，看見發亮的東西喜歡飛來銜去。
But soon the steeples called good people all, to church and chapel, and away they came, flocking through the streets in their best clothes, and with their gayest faces. 但是不久，禮拜堂屋頂尖塔上的鍾聲召喚善良的人們都到禮拜堂和小教堂去，他們便都去了，穿著他們最好的衣服，帶著最愉快的面容，成群結隊從街上走過去。
And at the same time there emerged from scores of bye-streets, lanes, and nameless turnings, innumerable people, carrying their dinners to the bakers’ shops. 同時，從幾十條小街、狹巷和無名的角落裏，湧出了無數的人，把他們的膳食帶到麵包房去[12]。
[12] 十九世紀時，英國平民家中有爐灶的很少，通常都是架火烹飪，在去教堂或節日時，就把夥食送到麵包房去燒煮。
The sight of these poor revellers appeared to interest the Spirit very much,
幽靈看到這些尋歡作樂的貧苦人，似乎非常感興趣，
for he stood with Scrooge beside him in a baker’s doorway, and taking off the covers as their bearers passed, sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch.
因為它站在一家麵包房的門口（斯克擄奇就站在它身旁），等他們經過時，把那些飯盒的蓋子揭開，從它的火把裏灑下一點香料到他們的膳食裏。
And it was a very uncommon kind of torch, for once or twice when there were angry words between some dinner-carriers who had jostled each other, he shed a few drops of water on them from it, and their good humour was restored directly. 而這火把又是一個極不平凡的火把，因為有一兩次，幾個帶膳食的人由於互相碰撞而發生口角的時候，它從火把裏灑了幾點水在他們身上，他們那愉快的心情就立刻恢複了。
For they said, it was a shame to quarrel upon Christmas Day. And so it was! God love it, so it was!
因為他們說，在聖誕節爭吵是一件可恥的事情！這的確是一件可恥的事情！上帝保佑，的確是這樣的！
In time the bells ceased, and the bakers were shut up;
後來鍾聲停止了，麵包房關上了門；
and yet there was a genial shadowing forth of all these dinners and the progress of their cooking, in the thawed blotch of wet above each baker’s oven;
可是在每個麵包房爐灶上面那一片融解了的潮濕斑跡上，親切地隱約顯示出所有這些膳食，和它們進行燒煮的過程，
where the pavement smoked as if its stones were cooking too.
連灶面上鋪著的石頭也冒著煙，仿佛它們也在燒煮著。
“Is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle from your torch?” asked Scrooge.
“你從你火把上灑出來的東西可有一種特別味道嗎？”斯克擄奇問。
“There is. My own.” “Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?” asked Scrooge. “To any kindly given. To a poor one most.”
“有啊。我自己的味道。”“是不是今天隨便哪種飯食上都灑上它呢？”斯克擄奇問。“友好地灑給每一種飯食。大都是給窮苦的人。”
“Why to a poor one most?” asked Scrooge. “Because it needs it most.” “Spirit,” said Scrooge, after a moment’s thought,
“為什麼大都是給窮苦的飯食呢？”“因為窮苦的飯食最需要它。” “幽靈啊，”斯克擄奇想了想後說，
“I wonder you, of all the beings in the many worlds about us, should desire to cramp these people’s opportunities of innocent enjoyment.”
“我覺得奇怪的是：在我們周圍這大千世界的芸芸眾生中，對這些人的清白無辜的享受機會橫加阻礙的，偏偏是你。”
“I!” cried the Spirit.
“我！”幽靈叫起來。
“You would deprive them of their means of dining every seventh day, often the only day on which they can be said to dine at all,” said Scrooge.
“他們每逢第七天[13]進正餐一次，而這一天往往就是它們能夠稱為進正餐的唯一日子，你卻要把他們這點點機會都剝奪掉，”斯克擄奇說。
[13] 猶太人把星期日作為一周的第一天，第七天即星期六，作為安息日。基督教新教的教友派則稱星期六為第七天
“Wouldn’t you?” “I!” cried the Spirit.
“你不就是這樣嗎？”“我！”幽靈叫道。
“You seek to close these places on the Seventh Day?” said Scrooge. “And it comes to the same thing.” “I seek!” exclaimed the Spirit.
“你要在第七天把這些地方都關掉，”斯克擄奇說。“這事實上還不是一樣。”“我要這樣！”幽靈驚叫道。
“Forgive me if I am wrong. It has been done in your name, or at least in that of your family,” said Scrooge.
“如果我講錯了，那就請你寬恕我。這事情是利用你的名義來做的，或者至少是利用你家族的名義的，”斯克擄奇說。
“There are some upon this earth of yours,” returned the Spirit, “who lay claim to know us, and who do their deeds of passion, pride, ill-will, hatred, envy, bigotry, and selfishness in our name, who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin, as if they had never lived.
“在你們這塵世上，”幽靈說，“是有這樣的一批人，他們自稱認識我們，他們利用了我們的名義，來幹他們那些縱欲、驕傲、惡意、憎恨、嫉妒、頑固和自私的勾當。他們跟我們，以及我們所有的親戚朋友們，都是素不相識的，就好像他們從來沒有在這世上生活過一樣。
Remember that, and charge their doings on themselves, not us.”
記住這一點，並且叫他們幹下的勾當由他們自己來負責，不要由我們來負責吧。”
Scrooge promised that he would; and they went on, invisible, as they had been before, into the suburbs of the town.
斯克擄奇答應一定記住；於是他們繼續向前走，而人們看不見他們，就像先前那樣，一直走到了城市的郊區。
It was a remarkable quality of the Ghost (which Scrooge had observed at the baker’s), that notwithstanding his gigantic size, he could accommodate himself to any place with ease; 幽靈有種特長（這是斯克擄奇在麵包房裏就看出來的），那就是：他的身材雖則龐大無比，但能輕鬆自如地適應任何場所；
and that he stood beneath a low roof quite as gracefully and like a supernatural creature, as it was possible he could have done in any lofty hall.
他站在一個低矮屋簷下的優雅氣度，正如一位超自然的人物，就同他站在任何一座高大的廳堂裏一樣。
And perhaps it was the pleasure the good Spirit had in showing off this power of his,
也許是由於這位善良的幽靈樂於施展自己的這種法力，
or else it was his own kind, generous, hearty nature, and his sympathy with all poor men, that led him straight to Scrooge’s clerk’s;
或是出於他自己那仁慈、慷慨、熱誠的性格，以及他對於所有窮苦人的同情，才使他一直走到斯克擄奇的雇員家裏去；
for there he went, and took Scrooge with him, holding to his robe;
因為他正在往那裏走，而且帶了斯克擄奇一同去，斯克擄奇拉著他的袍子；
and on the threshold of the door the Spirit smiled, and stopped to bless Bob Cratchit’s dwelling with the sprinkling of his torch.
到了大門的門檻前，幽靈笑了，就停下來拿火把灑一灑法水，祝福鮑勃·克拉吉的這所住宅。
Think of that! Bob had but fifteen “Bob” a-week himself; he pocketed on Saturdays but fifteen copies of his Christian name;
你想想看！鮑勃自己一個禮拜隻掙十五個“鮑勃”[14]；他每逢禮拜六裝進口袋的隻有十五個和他大名相同的東西；
[14] “鮑勃”：英國俚語，意為一先令。克拉吉的名字叫羅伯特，簡稱鮑勃，所以說“和他大名相同”。
and yet the Ghost of Christmas Present blessed his four-roomed house!
可是這“現在聖誕節之靈”卻祝福了他這四間房的屋子！
Then up rose Mrs. Cratchit, Cratchit’s wife, dressed out but poorly in a twice-turned gown, but brave in ribbons, which are cheap and make a goodly show for sixpence; 那時只見克拉吉夫人，克拉吉的妻子，站起身來，她穿著一件翻製過兩次的長大衣，樣子很寒傖，但是結著色彩鮮豔的緞帶，帶子價錢便宜，花六個便士就打扮得蠻好看了；
and she laid the cloth, assisted by Belinda Cratchit, second of her daughters, also brave in ribbons;
她在鋪著桌布。她的第二個女兒，貝琳達·克拉吉也紮著很鮮豔的緞帶，正在幫她的忙；
while Master Peter Cratchit plunged a fork into the saucepan of potatoes, and getting the corners of his monstrous shirt collar (Bob’s private property, conferred upon his son and heir in honour of the day) into his mouth, rejoiced to find himself so gallantly attired, and yearned to show his linen in the fashionable Parks. 同時彼得·克拉吉少爺正把一把叉插進一鍋馬鈴薯，並且把他那其大無比的襯衫領頭（這是鮑勃的私人財產，為了慶祝節日特地授給他的兒子和繼承人的）的尖角弄到自己的嘴巴裏去，他發現自己穿著得這麼華麗，感到十分快活，便急於要到那些時髦的公園裏去把這件亞麻布襯衫出出風頭。
And now two smaller Cratchits, boy and girl, came tearing in, screaming that outside the baker’s they had smelt the goose, and known it for their own;
這時，那兩個年紀最小的克拉吉，一男一女，飛快地奔進來，一邊尖聲叫著，說他們在麵包房外面聞到了鵝的香氣，就知道這是為他們家烤的；
and basking in luxurious thoughts of sage and onion, these young Cratchits danced about the table, and exalted Master Peter Cratchit to the skies,
這兩個小克拉吉，把洋蘇葉和球蔥[15]想得其味無窮，就繞著桌子跳起舞來，並且把那位彼得·克拉吉少爺吹捧得上了天，
while he (not proud, although his collars nearly choked him) blew the fire, until the slow potatoes bubbling up, knocked loudly at the saucepan-lid to be let out and peeled. 而他（雖然領頭幾乎叫他透不過氣來，卻並不驕傲）卻在吹著火，直到那些煮起來很慢的馬鈴薯都沸騰起來，響亮地撞著鍋子的蓋，要求把它們放出來剝皮。
“What has ever got your precious father then?” said Mrs. Cratchit.
“怎麼，你們那寶貝的父親碰上什麼了，”克拉吉夫人說，
“And your brother, Tiny Tim! And Martha wasn’t as late last Christmas Day by half-an-hour?”
“還有你們的哥哥小丁姆？還有瑪莎，上次聖誕日她半個鍾頭都沒有遲到呢！”
“Here’s Martha, mother!” said a girl, appearing as she spoke. “Here’s Martha, mother!” cried the two young Cratchits.
“瑪莎來啦，媽媽！”一位姑娘邊說邊走進來。“瑪莎來啦，媽媽！”那兩個小克拉吉叫道。
“Hurrah! There’s such a goose, Martha!” “Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!”
“好哇！有這麼大的一隻鵝呢，瑪莎。” “哎，主保佑你，親愛的，你來得多麼晚啊！”
said Mrs. Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her with officious zeal.
克拉吉夫人說，吻了她一二十遍，格外殷勤地替她把圍巾、帽子都拿下來。
“We’d a deal of work to finish up last night,” replied the girl, “and had to clear away this morning, mother!”
“昨天夜裏我們有許多事情要幹完，”這姑娘回答說，“今天早晨又必須收拾幹淨，媽媽！”
“Well! Never mind so long as you are come,” said Mrs. Cratchit. “Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye!”
“好吧！你已經來啦，咱們就不談這些吧，”克拉吉夫人說。“親愛的，你在火爐前麵坐下來取取暖吧，主保佑你！”
“No, no! There’s father coming,” cried the two young Cratchits, who were everywhere at once. “Hide, Martha, hide!”
“不，不！父親就要來了，”這兩個小克拉吉叫道，他們到處蹦跳著。“躲起來，瑪莎，躲起來！”
So Martha hid herself, and in came little Bob, the father, with at least three feet of comforter exclusive of the fringe, hanging down before him;
瑪莎就躲了起來，果然那矮小的父親鮑勃走進來了，他胸前掛著一條圍巾，至少有三英尺長，流蘇還不算在內；
and his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed, to look seasonable; and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder.
他那舊得露出底板的衣服，已經打好補釘，刷個幹淨，以便像個過節的樣子；肩頭上還馱著一個小丁姆。
Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore a little crutch, and had his limbs supported by an iron frame!
可憐的小丁姆啊，他拿著一根小拐杖，他的四肢都用鐵架子撐著！
“Why, where’s our Martha?” cried Bob Cratchit, looking round.
“怎麼，我們的瑪莎在哪兒？”鮑勃·克拉吉看看周圍，叫道。
“Not coming,” said Mrs. Cratchit. “Not coming!” said Bob, with a sudden declension in his high spirits;
“沒有來，”克拉吉夫人說。“沒有來！”鮑勃說，他的一團高興立刻低落下來；
for he had been Tim’s blood horse all the way from church, and had come home rampant. “Not coming upon Christmas Day!”
因為他從禮拜堂一路給丁姆當駿馬，馱著他跳跳蹦蹦地奔回來。“聖誕節的時候不來！”
Martha didn’t like to see him disappointed, if it were only in joke;
瑪莎不願意看見他失望，即使隻是鬧著玩；
so she came out prematurely from behind the closet door, and ran into his arms,
因此時機雖然還沒到，她已經從壁櫥門的背後走了出來，撲到他懷裏；
while the two young Cratchits hustled Tiny Tim, and bore him off into the wash-house, that he might hear the pudding singing in the copper.
另外那兩個小克拉吉卻擁住了小丁姆，把他帶到洗衣間去，讓他可以聽聽布丁在銅鍋[16]裏唱歌的聲音。
[16] 以銅等金屬製成的大鍋或罐，供燒水或煮衣服用。“唱歌”是說蒸布丁的水在鍋裏燒滾了。
“And how did little Tim behave?” asked Mrs. Cratchit, when she had rallied Bob on his credulity, and Bob had hugged his daughter to his heart’s content.
“還有，小丁姆乖麼？”克拉吉夫人問，這時候她已經把鮑勃的上當取笑了一番，而鮑勃也已經把他女兒稱心如意地摟抱了一番。
“As good as gold,” said Bob, “and better. Somehow he gets thoughtful, sitting by himself so much, and thinks the strangest things you ever heard.
“乖得很呢，”鮑勃說，“簡直十二萬分地乖。不知怎的，他獨個兒坐得太久了，就想起心事來，他想的才是你聽都沒有聽見過的怪事兒呢。
He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church,
在我們回家來的時候，他告訴我說，因為他是一個跛子，他希望大家在禮拜堂裏都看見他，
because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.”
這樣就會使他們想起，在聖誕節這一天，是誰[17]使蹺腳的乞丐能走路，瞎眼的盲人能看見的，從而感到愉快。”
[17] 這裏指的是耶穌。耶穌使瘸子走路、瞎子複明的故事分別見《聖經》中《約翰福音》第5章和《馬可福音》第8章。
Bob’s voice was tremulous when he told them this, and trembled more when he said that Tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty.
當鮑勃把這話告訴大家的時候，他的聲音激動得都發抖了，而當他說到小丁姆已經長得越來越壯健的時候，他的聲音激動得更厲害了。
His active little crutch was heard upon the floor, and back came Tiny Tim before another word was spoken,
還沒來得及再說一句話，已經聽得見小丁姆那活躍的拐杖在地板上篤篤地響著回來了，
escorted by his brother and sister to his stool before the fire;
他的哥哥姐姐都護衛著他，把他送到壁爐邊的小凳上；
and while Bob, turning up his cuffs—as if, poor fellow, they were capable of being made more shabby—
同時鮑勃呢，翻起了袖口——這可憐的人，仿佛生怕袖口還會給弄得更破舊似的——
compounded some hot mixture in a jug with gin and lemons, and stirred it round and round and put it on the hob to simmer;
在一隻大口杯裏，把杜松子燒酒和檸檬摻合成一種熱的混合飲料，攪了又攪，然後放在爐旁的保溫鐵架上去慢慢地燉著；
Master Peter, and the two ubiquitous young Cratchits went to fetch the goose, with which they soon returned in high procession.
彼得少爺和那兩位滿天飛的小克拉吉出去取鵝，一會兒就聲勢浩大地列隊回來了。
Such a bustle ensued that you might have thought a goose the rarest of all birds;
接下來的那一陣忙亂，使你也許會以為一隻鵝是一切鳥類中最珍貴的，
a feathered phenomenon, to which a black swan was a matter of course—and in truth it was something very like it in that house.
是一種長著羽毛的奇物，即使黑天鵝[18]跟它比起來，也不過是件很平常的東西罷了——而事實上，它在這家人家的確很像這樣的一件珍品。
[18] 天鵝多為白色，黑天鵝則很少見，故被視為珍禽。這裏是說克拉吉家因為貧窮，把普通的鵝看得比黑天鵝還珍貴。
Mrs. Cratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing hot; Master Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour;
克拉吉太太把肉汁（已經預先在一隻小鍋子裏燒好）燉得滾燙，嘶嘶地在響著；彼得少爺把馬鈴薯搗碎，那股勁兒真大得令人難以相信；
Miss Belinda sweetened up the apple-sauce; Martha dusted the hot plates; Bob took Tiny Tim beside him in a tiny corner at the table;
貝琳達小姐在蘋果沙司裏加上糖；瑪莎把熱的盤子都擦幹淨；鮑勃把小丁姆帶在身邊，坐在桌旁一個小角落裏；
the two young Cratchits set chairs for everybody, not forgetting themselves, and mounting guard upon their posts, crammed spoons into their mouths, lest they should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped. 還有那兩個小克拉吉在給大家擺著座椅，也不忘記給他們自己擺好，然後坐在他們的崗位上守望著，一邊用湯匙塞住嘴巴，生怕分菜還沒有輪到他們的時候，就叫著要吃鵝。
At last the dishes were set on, and grace was said.
最後，盤子都擺好了，餐前的謝恩禱告也做過了。
It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, looking slowly all along the carving-knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast;
接著便是一陣屏氣凝神的停頓，這時候克拉吉太太對那把切肉刀從頭至尾慢慢地端詳了一會，準備把它插進鵝的胸部去；
but when she did, and when the long expected gush of stuffing issued forth,
等她把刀子插進去，大家盼望已久的鵝肚子裏塞的東西都湧出來時，
one murmur of delight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by the two young Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife, and feebly cried Hurrah!
桌子四周就一齊發出了喜悅的聲音，甚至小丁姆，被這兩個小克拉吉弄得激動起來，也用餐刀的柄在桌子上敲著，有氣無力地喊著“好哇！”
There never was such a goose. Bob said he didn’t believe there ever was such a goose cooked.
從來還不曾有過這樣的一隻鵝。鮑勃說他不相信有人燒出過這樣好的鵝來。
Its tenderness and flavour, size and cheapness, were the themes of universal admiration.
它又嫩又鮮，肥大而便宜，成為大家一致讚美的話題。
Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family;
加上蘋果沙司和馬鈴薯泥，它足夠讓全家飽餐一頓；
indeed, as Mrs. Cratchit said with great delight (surveying one small atom of a bone upon the dish), they hadn’t ate it all at last!
的確，正像克拉吉太太興高采烈地說的（眼睛衡量著菜盆子裏的一小粒骨頭），他們到底沒有把它全吃掉呢！
Yet every one had had enough, and the youngest Cratchits in particular, were steeped in sage and onion to the eyebrows!
可是每一個人都已經吃得很夠了，尤其是那兩個頂小的克拉吉，簡直都沉浸在洋蘇葉和球蔥裏，一直浸到眉毛邊！
But now, the plates being changed by Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the room alone—too nervous to bear witnesses—to take the pudding up and bring it in.
可是這時貝琳達小姐已經換過盆子，克拉吉太太就獨自一個人離開這房間——她實在太緊張了，不願讓旁人看到——去拿起布丁，送進房來
Suppose it should not be done enough! Suppose it should break in turning out!
萬一它還沒有煮透了呢！萬一在翻出來時它裂開來呢！
Suppose somebody should have got over the wall of the back-yard, and stolen it, while they were merry with the goose—
萬一他們在前麵吃鵝吃得很開心的時候，有什麼人翻過後院的牆頭把它偷走了呢——
a supposition at which the two young Cratchits became livid! All sorts of horrors were supposed.
想到這裏，那兩個小克拉吉急得臉兒都發青了！總之，各式各樣可怕的事情都擔心到了。
Hallo! A great deal of steam! The pudding was out of the copper. A smell like a washing-day! That was the cloth.
嗬！那麼多的熱氣！布丁已經從銅鍋裏拿出來了。一股像洗衣日[19]的氣味！就是那塊布嘛！
[19] 指英國人每星期在家洗衣服的日子。布丁是用布包著煮的，而且又是放在煮衣服的鍋裏煮，所以有一股洗衣的味兒。
A smell like an eating-house and a pastrycook’s next door to each other, with a laundress’s next door to that! That was the pudding!
就像吃食店的隔壁開了一家糕點鋪，糕點鋪隔壁開了一家洗衣作坊，才有這麼一股味兒！這就是那個布丁！
In half a minute Mrs. Cratchit entered—flushed, but smiling proudly—with the pudding,
半分鍾之後，克拉吉太太進來了，臉兒漲得通紅，可是得意地笑著，手上捧著那隻布丁，
like a speckled cannon-ball, so hard and firm, blazing in half of half-a-quartern of ignited brandy, and bedight with Christmas holly stuck into the top.
像一顆顏色斑駁的炮彈似的，又堅硬又結實，周圍燃燒著四分之一品脫[20]的一半的一半的白蘭地[21]，頂上裝飾著一根聖誕節的冬青樹枝。
[20] 品脫為英國液量單位，等於0.568公升。
[21] 英國習俗，聖誕節吃布丁時，要在布丁周圍澆上白蘭地，並點火燃著。
Oh, a wonderful pudding! Bob Cratchit said, and calmly too, that he regarded it as the greatest success achieved by Mrs. Cratchit since their marriage.
啊，一隻多了不起的布丁！鮑勃·克拉吉說（而且是平心靜氣地說的）他認為這是他們結婚以來克拉吉太太所獲得的最偉大的成功。
Mrs. Cratchit said that now the weight was off her mind, she would confess she had had her doubts about the quantity of flour.
克拉吉太太就說，既然她心裏的一塊石頭現在總算放下了，她要承認，這次做布丁所用的麵粉數量，她有點不放心。
Everybody had something to say about it, but nobody said or thought it was at all a small pudding for a large family.
大家對這個問題都發表了一點意見，但是沒有一個人說到或是想到，對一個大家庭來說，這隻布丁未免太小了。
It would have been flat heresy to do so. Any Cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a thing.
如果這樣說或這樣想的話，那簡直是離經叛道之談了。克拉吉家裏的任何一個人，哪怕露出一點點這種意思，也會羞得面紅耳赤的。
At last the dinner was all done, the cloth was cleared, the hearth swept, and the fire made up.
最後，飯吃完了，台布收拾清爽了，壁爐打掃幹淨了，爐火也添旺了。
The compound in the jug being tasted, and considered perfect, apples and oranges were put upon the table, and a shovel-full of chestnuts on the fire.
壺裏的五味酒已經嚐過了，被認為盡善盡美，蘋果和橘子都放到了桌子上，一滿鏟的栗子放到了爐火上。
Then all the Cratchit family drew round the hearth, in what Bob Cratchit called a circle, meaning half a one;
於是克拉吉全家的人都圍著火爐坐下，成為鮑勃·克拉吉所說的團團一圈，意思其實是指的半個圈兒；
and at Bob Cratchit’s elbow stood the family display of glass. Two tumblers, and a custard-cup without a handle.
在鮑勃·克拉吉的手肘邊陳列著他那套家藏的玻璃器皿，兩隻大口酒杯和一隻沒有柄的牛奶蛋糕杯。
These held the hot stuff from the jug, however, as well as golden goblets would have done;
然而，這幾隻杯子裏卻盛著壺裏的熱酒，真不亞於黃金鑄成的酒盅。
and Bob served it out with beaming looks, while the chestnuts on the fire sputtered and cracked noisily. Then Bob proposed:
鮑勃笑容滿面地把酒一杯一杯斟出來，火上的栗子正在畢畢剝剝地響著，爆裂著。於是鮑勃舉杯祝頌道：
“A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” which all the family re-echoed. “God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.
“我的親人們，祝我們大家聖誕快樂。上帝保佑我們！”全家都重複說了這句話。“上帝保佑我們每一個人！”小丁姆最後一個說。
He sat very close to his father’s side upon his little stool.
他坐在他父親身邊的小凳上，靠得很近。
Bob held his withered little hand in his, as if he loved the child, and wished to keep him by his side, and dreaded that he might be taken from him.
鮑勃把他那隻枯萎的小手握在自己手裏，仿佛他疼愛這個孩子，隻想把他留在自己身邊，而唯恐被人從他那裏奪走。
“Spirit,” said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, “tell me if Tiny Tim will live.”
“幽靈啊，”斯克擄奇帶著一種他以前從未有過的關懷說，“告訴我，小丁姆將來能不能活下去？”
“I see a vacant seat,” replied the Ghost, “in the poor chimney-corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved.
“我看見一個空的座位，”幽靈回答說，“放在那可憐的煙囪角落裏，還有一根沒有了主兒的拐杖，鄭重地被保存著。
If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die.”
如果‘將來’不把這些陰暗的東西加以改變的話，這孩子是要死的。”
“No, no,” said Scrooge. “Oh, no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared.”
“不，不，”斯克擄奇說。“哦，仁慈的幽靈啊，不要這樣！說他會得到幸免吧。”
“If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race,” returned the Ghost, “will find him here.
“如果‘將來’不把這些陰暗的東西加以改變的話，我這一族裏沒有一個人會在那裏找到他，”幽靈說道。
What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population.”
“那又怎麼樣呢？如果他寧願死的話，他還是死掉的好，而且也可以減少過剩的人口。”
Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.
斯克擄奇聽見幽靈所引用的正是他自己從前講過的話，不禁低下了頭，不勝其愧悔和傷心。
“Man,” said the Ghost, “if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is.
“人啊，”幽靈說，“如果你心腸裏有的是人性，而不是頑石，你應偋棄那惡毒的高調，先弄清楚，過剩的人口是什麼人，在什麼地方？
Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die?
什麼樣的人該活，什麼樣的人該死，是不是都要由你來決定呢？
It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man’s child.
也許，在上帝的眼裏看來，你比千百萬個像這窮人的孩子那樣的人更沒有價值，更不配活下去呢。
Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust!”
上帝啊！聽聽看：一隻在樹葉上飽餐的蟲子竟然宣稱，他那些在塵埃裏挨餓的同胞們不如多死掉幾個來得好哪！”
Scrooge bent before the Ghost’s rebuke, and trembling cast his eyes upon the ground. But he raised them speedily, on hearing his own name.
斯克擄奇挨到幽靈的責備，低下了頭，一邊發著抖，一邊把眼睛望著地面。但是他聽見有人在叫他的姓氏，就趕緊把眼睛往上看。
“Mr. Scrooge!” said Bob; “I’ll give you Mr. Scrooge, the Founder of the Feast!” “The Founder of the Feast indeed!” cried Mrs. Cratchit, reddening.
“斯克擄奇先生！”鮑勃說。“我向你們提出斯克擄奇先生，這宴會的創辦人！” “宴會的創辦人，真是！”克拉吉太太叫道，臉兒都氣紅了。
“I wish I had him here. I’d give him a piece of my mind to feast upon, and I hope he’d have a good appetite for it.”
“我但願他本人在這兒。那時我倒要教訓教訓他，讓他好好聽一頓，希望他有這種好胃口。
“My dear,” said Bob, “the children! Christmas Day.”
“親愛的，”鮑勃說。“孩子們在聽著！今天是聖誕節啊。”
“It should be Christmas Day, I am sure,” said she, “on which one drinks the health of such an odious, stingy, hard, unfeeling man as Mr. Scrooge.
“只有在聖誕節這一天，我相信，”她說，“人家才會為一個像斯克擄奇先生那樣叫人討厭、小氣刻薄、無情無義的人舉杯祝他健康。
You know he is, Robert! Nobody knows it better than you do, poor fellow!” “My dear,” was Bob’s mild answer, “Christmas Day.”
你知道他就是這樣的人，羅伯特！沒有人比你知道得更清楚的了，可憐的人兒！”“親愛的！”鮑勃還是溫和地回答說，“這是聖誕節啊。”
“I’ll drink his health for your sake and the Day’s,” said Mrs. Cratchit, “not for his. Long life to him! A merry Christmas and a happy new year!
“我要為了你和這個節日的緣故來為他祝酒，”克拉吉太太說，“但不是為了他本人的緣故！祝他長壽！聖誕愉快，新年歡樂！
He’ll be very merry and very happy, I have no doubt!” The children drank the toast after her. It was the first of their proceedings which had no heartiness.
他一定會很愉快很歡樂的，我相信！” 孩子們跟著她舉杯祝酒。今晚這還是第一次，他們對所做的事情毫不起勁。
Tiny Tim drank it last of all, but he didn’t care two pence for it. Scrooge was the Ogre of the family.
小丁姆最後一個舉杯，可是他才不高興做這種事情哩。斯克擄奇是他們這一家子的厲鬼克星。
The mention of his name cast a dark shadow on the party, which was not dispelled for full five minutes.
只要一提到他的名字，就會使這個宴會蒙上一層陰影，足足有五分鍾還消除不掉。
After it had passed away, they were ten times merrier than before, from the mere relief of Scrooge the Baleful being done with.
等這樁事過去後，他們比原來快活十倍了，僅僅是因為跟那不吉利的斯克擄奇已經打完交道，大家才都輕鬆起來，
Bob Cratchit told them how he had a situation in his eye for Master Peter, which would bring in, if obtained, full five-and-sixpence weekly.
鮑勃·克拉吉告訴他們，說他怎樣已經替彼得少爺物色了一個職位，這個職位如果能弄到的話，每個星期就會有足足五先令半的收入。
The two young Cratchits laughed tremendously at the idea of Peter’s being a man of business;
那兩個小克拉吉一聽到彼得要做生意人了，就笑得不可開交；
and Peter himself looked thoughtfully at the fire from between his collars, as if he were deliberating what particular investments he should favour when he came into the receipt of that bewildering income.
彼得自己呢，從他那領子中間沉思地看著爐火，仿佛正在深思熟慮，一旦收到那一筆令人張皇失措的進款時，他該向什麼地方去投資。
Martha, who was a poor apprentice at a milliner’s, then told them what kind of work she had to do, and how many hours she worked at a stretch, and how she meant to lie abed to-morrow morning for a good long rest; to-morrow being a holiday she passed at home. 接著，瑪莎，一家女帽鋪的可憐學徒，告訴他們，她必須做怎樣的工作，她一口氣要工作多少鐘點，以及她怎樣打算明天早晨在床上睡個夠，因為明天是她可以在家裏度過的一個例假日。
Also how she had seen a countess and a lord some days before, and how the lord “was much about as tall as Peter;”
她還說她怎樣在幾天前看見一位伯爵夫人和一位爵爺，那位爵爺“跟彼得差不多高”；
at which Peter pulled up his collars so high that you couldn’t have seen his head if you had been there.
彼得一聽見這話，便把領子拉拉高，高得你都看不見他的腦袋了，如果你在那兒的話。
All this time the chestnuts and the jug went round and round; and by-and-by they had a song, about a lost child travelling in the snow, from Tiny Tim, who had a plaintive little voice, and sang it very well indeed. 在這整段時間裏，栗子和酒壺都不斷地遞來遞去。一會兒，他們就聽見小丁姆唱起歌來，這歌唱的是一個迷路的小孩怎樣在雪地裏跋涉；小丁姆的嗓音淒涼而輕微，確實唱得極好。
There was nothing of high mark in this. They were not a handsome family;
這兒並沒有什麼高水平的地方。他們不是一個小康之家；
they were not well dressed; their shoes were far from being water-proof;
他們穿著得並不講究；他們的皮鞋都遠不是不漏水的；
their clothes were scanty; and Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker’s.
他們的衣服都很單薄；而且彼得可能知道——很可能知道——當鋪的裏邊是什麼樣子的。
But, they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time;
但是他們全都快樂、感激，彼此很親切，並且對目前的景況心滿意足。
and when they faded, and looked happier yet in the bright sprinklings of the Spirit’s torch at parting,
當他們在那幽靈臨別所灑的明亮的法水中逐漸消逝時，他們顯得更快樂了；
Scrooge had his eye upon them, and especially on Tiny Tim, until the last.
斯克擄奇把眼睛一直看著他們，尤其是看著小丁姆，一直看到最後。
By this time it was getting dark, and snowing pretty heavily;
這時候天色已經暗起來了，雪下得很大；
and as Scrooge and the Spirit went along the streets, the brightness of the roaring fires in kitchens, parlours, and all sorts of rooms, was wonderful.
斯克擄奇和幽靈沿著街上走過去時，家家的廚房、客廳以及各種各樣的房間裏，都是爐火熊熊，亮得不得了。
Here, the flickering of the blaze showed preparations for a cosy dinner, with hot plates baking through and through before the fire,
這兒，火光的閃耀中顯出一家人家正在準備一頓舒適的晚餐，熱的盤子在火爐前麵烘了又烘；
and deep red curtains, ready to be drawn to shut out cold and darkness.
還有深紅色的窗帷，隨時可以拉攏，把寒冷和黑暗擋在外面。
There all the children of the house were running out into the snow to meet their married sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts, and be the first to greet them. 在那邊，這戶人家所有的孩子都跑到雪地裏去迎接他們那些已經結婚的姐姐、哥哥、堂兄、叔伯和嬸嬸，搶著要做頭一個迎接他們的人。
Here, again, were shadows on the window-blind of guests assembling;
在這兒，還有客人們歡聚的影子照在窗簾上；
and there a group of handsome girls, all hooded and fur-booted, and all chattering at once, tripped lightly off to some near neighbour’s house;
在那兒，有一群漂亮的姑娘，都包著頭巾，穿著毛皮的靴子，大家嘁嘁喳喳地同時在講話，輕盈地走到附近某一個鄰人的家裏去，
where, woe upon the single man who saw them enter—artful witches, well they knew it—in a glow!
而在那裏，苦惱的是那個獨身漢子，眼看她們容光煥發地走進去——這些機靈的女子，她們很明白自己的魅力！
But, if you had judged from the numbers of people on their way to friendly gatherings,
但是，出去參加友好集會的人是那麼多，你如果從人數上來判斷，
you might have thought that no one was at home to give them welcome when they got there,
那你就會認為：等他們到了親友們家裏，不會有人在家歡迎他們，
instead of every house expecting company, and piling up its fires half-chimney high. Blessings on it, how the Ghost exulted!
除了每一戶人家都期待著接待賓客，並且把壁爐裏的火添得旺旺的，有煙囪的一半那麼高。祝福這一切，那幽靈是多麼的欣喜若狂啊！
How it bared its breadth of breast, and opened its capacious palm, and floated on, outpouring, with a generous hand, its bright and harmless mirth on everything within its reach!
它裸露出它那寬闊的胸部，張開它那闊大的手掌，向前飄蕩而去，用它慷慨的手把它那歡快而無害的喜悅，傾瀉給它所接觸到的一切東西！
The very lamplighter, who ran on before, dotting the dusky street with specks of light, and who was dressed to spend the evening somewhere,
那個點路燈的人，跑在前面，把那些幽暗的街道點綴上星星點點的燈光，他身上已穿著好，準備到什麼地方去消磨這個晚上。
laughed out loudly as the Spirit passed, though little kenned the lamplighter that he had any company but Christmas!
當幽靈經過他身邊的時候，這點燈夫高聲大笑起來，一點也不知道他自己除了聖誕節之外，一個伴侶也沒有。
And now, without a word of warning from the Ghost, they stood upon a bleak and desert moor,
這時候，那幽靈事先毫不關照，他們倆已經站在一片陰暗荒涼的原野上了，
where monstrous masses of rude stone were cast about, as though it were the burial-place of giants;
在那兒，奇形怪狀的粗石塊到處亂丟著，仿佛這地方就是巨人們的葬身之處；
and water spread itself wheresoever it listed, or would have done so, but for the frost that held it prisoner;
水喜歡往哪兒流就往哪兒流去；或者本來想流過去，可是被凍住了，流不動了；
and nothing grew but moss and furze, and coarse rank grass.
那兒長著的全是苔蘚和金雀花，以及龐雜叢生的草。
Down in the west the setting sun had left a streak of fiery red,
在西方落山的太陽留下了一道火辣辣的紅光，
which glared upon the desolation for an instant, like a sullen eye, and frowning lower, lower, lower yet, was lost in the thick gloom of darkest night.
這紅光對那片荒地耀眼地照了一會兒，就像一隻陰沉的眼睛似的，皺緊了眉頭，越沉越下，越沉越下，終於消失在黑夜的濃影中。
“What place is this?” asked Scrooge. “A place where Miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth,” returned the Spirit. “But they know me. See!”
“這是什麼地方？”斯克擄奇問。“這是礦工們居住的地方，他們在地下深處勞動著，”幽靈回答說。“可是他們都認得我。瞧！”
A light shone from the window of a hut, and swiftly they advanced towards it.
一間茅屋的窗裏射出一道亮光，他們就趕快向那裏跑去。
Passing through the wall of mud and stone, they found a cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire.
經過了一座泥土和石頭所築的牆，他們發現有一群興高采烈的人圍著一爐很旺的火坐著。
An old, old man and woman, with their children and their children’s children, and another generation beyond that, all decked out gaily in their holiday attire.
一對很老很老的男女，同他們的兒女，以及兒女的兒女，和再下面的一代，都快樂地穿著他們的節日盛裝。
The old man, in a voice that seldom rose above the howling of the wind upon the barren waste, was singing them a Christmas song—
風在這貧瘠的荒原上怒號著，那老人家正在給他們大家唱一支聖誕節的歌，聲音難得高過風聲；
it had been a very old song when he was a boy—and from time to time they all joined in the chorus.
這是一支他孩提時唱慣的很老的歌；他們時常大家加入合唱。
So surely as they raised their voices, the old man got quite blithe and loud; and so surely as they stopped, his vigour sank again.
一到他們提高了嗓門的時候，這老人家就唱得相當輕快而響亮；一到他們停下來時，他的精力便又衰退了。
The Spirit did not tarry here, but bade Scrooge hold his robe, and passing on above the moor, sped—whither? Not to sea? To sea.
幽靈並不在這兒耽擱，卻吩咐斯克擄奇抓緊他的袍子，在荒原上空繼續前進，趕到哪兒去呢？不是到海裏去吧？正是到海裏去。
To Scrooge’s horror, looking back, he saw the last of the land, a frightful range of rocks, behind them;
使斯克擄奇大為恐慌的是，他回頭一望，隻見那最後一部分陸地，一道可怕的山嶺，已經被撇下在後面了；
and his ears were deafened by the thundering of water, as it rolled and roared, and raged among the dreadful caverns it had worn, and fiercely tried to undermine the earth. 海浪洶湧怒號，他的耳朵都被雷鳴般的水聲震聾了；海水在那些久被衝蝕的可怕洞窟裏激蕩個不住，凶猛地想把陸地衝坍。
Built upon a dismal reef of sunken rocks, some league or so from shore, on which the waters chafed and dashed, the wild year through, there stood a solitary lighthouse. 在一個陷入水中的岩石形成的陰森森的暗礁上，離海岸大約三海裏，屹立著一座孤零零的燈塔，海水一年到頭擦洗衝擊著它。
Great heaps of sea-weed clung to its base, and storm-birds—born of the wind one might suppose, as sea-weed of the water—rose and fell about it, like the waves they skimmed. 一大堆一大堆的海藻盤結在暗礁的底部，那些風暴鳥[22]——人們可以猜想，它是在風中誕生的，正如海藻是在水中誕生的一樣——在礁上飛起飛落，像它們飛掠過的海浪那樣。[22] 即海燕。
But even here, two men who watched the light had made a fire, that through the loophole in the thick stone wall shed out a ray of brightness on the awful sea. 可是，即使在這樣一個地方，兩個看守這燈塔的人也生了一爐火，因此從那厚石牆的窗眼裏，有一道明亮的光線射出來，照在這可怕的海上。
Joining their horny hands over the rough table at which they sat, they wished each other Merry Christmas in their can of grog;
他們坐在一張粗糙的桌子邊，伸出了他們長滿老繭的手，彼此緊握著，舉起罐頭裏的摻水燒酒，互相祝賀聖誕快樂；
and one of them: the elder, too, with his face all damaged and scarred with hard weather, as the figure-head of an old ship might be: struck up a sturdy song that was like a Gale in itself. 而且其中的一個——年紀大些的那一個，臉上布滿了種種飽經風霜的創傷，正像一條舊船的船頭雕像似的——唱起一支雄壯的歌曲，這歌聲就像是刮起了一陣大風。
Again the Ghost sped on, above the black and heaving sea—on, on—until, being far away, as he told Scrooge, from any shore, they lighted on a ship.
這幽靈又奔向前去，在那漆黑、洶湧起伏的海面上奔啊奔，直到它告訴斯克擄奇說，離隨便哪個地方的海岸都很遠了，他們才在一條船上停下來。
They stood beside the helmsman at the wheel, the look-out in the bow, the officers who had the watch; dark, ghostly figures in their several stations;
他們站在操縱著舵輪的舵手旁邊，站在船頭守望者的旁邊，站在值班的高級船員們旁邊；黑黝黝的幽靈般的身影站在他們各自的崗位上；
but every man among them hummed a Christmas tune, or had a Christmas thought, or spoke below his breath to his companion of some bygone Christmas Day, with homeward hopes belonging to it. 但是他們中間的每一個人都在哼著一支聖誕節的曲子，或者懷著一個聖誕節的思念，或者低聲地對他的夥伴談到某一個過去了的聖誕節，言談之中帶著重返家園的希望。
And every man on board, waking or sleeping, good or bad, had had a kinder word for another on that day than on any day in the year;
船上的每一個人，不管是醒著還是睡著，是好人還是壞人，在這一天的互相交談中，都比一年之中的任何一天更友好；
and had shared to some extent in its festivities; and had remembered those he cared for at a distance, and had known that they delighted to remember him.
在某種程度上，共同分享著這個節日的歡樂，同時記起了他所懷念的在遠方的人們，並且知道他們也是樂於記得他的。
It was a great surprise to Scrooge, while listening to the moaning of the wind, and thinking what a solemn thing it was to move on through the lonely darkness over an unknown abyss, whose depths were secrets as profound as Death: 斯克擄奇靜聽著風的呻吟聲，想到要在那寂寞的黑暗中，越過一道陌生的深淵（它的深處藏著一些機密，正如死亡那麼深不可測）向前行進，真是一件多麼嚴峻的事情啊。
it was a great surprise to Scrooge, while thus engaged, to hear a hearty laugh.
使斯克擄奇大吃一驚的是，當他正在這樣想著的時候，忽然聽見一陣哈哈大笑的聲音。
It was a much greater surprise to Scrooge to recognise it as his own nephew’s and to find himself in a bright, dry, gleaming room, with the Spirit standing smiling by his side, and looking at that same nephew with approving affability! 使他格外吃驚的是，他聽出這笑聲竟是他自己的外甥的聲音，並且發現他現在正在一間明亮、幹燥、閃光的房間裏，而那幽靈正微笑地站在他的身旁，帶著一種表示讚許的親切神情對這位外甥看著！
“Ha, ha!” laughed Scrooge’s nephew. “Ha, ha, ha!”
“哈哈！”斯克擄奇的外甥笑道，“哈哈哈！”
If you should happen, by any unlikely chance, to know a man more blest in a laugh than Scrooge’s nephew, all I can say is, I should like to know him too.
如果你碰巧(這種機會的可能性是很少的)知道有人笑得比斯克擄奇的外甥更愉快，那我只想說，我也很願意認識認識他。
Introduce him to me, and I’ll cultivate his acquaintance.
把他介紹給我，我要想法跟他交個朋友。
It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things,
世事的安排，真可以算是公正、不偏和高尚的了：
that ｛while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour. ｝
疾病和憂愁固然是要傳染人的，可是世界上再也沒有比歡笑和快樂更能傳染、更無法抗拒的了。
When Scrooge’s nephew laughed in this way: holding his sides, rolling his head, and twisting his face into the most extravagant contortions:
當斯克擄奇的外甥笑成這個樣子——捧著他的肚皮，轉動著他的腦袋，扭曲著他的臉兒，做出許多最古怪的模樣時——
Scrooge’s niece, by marriage, laughed as heartily as he. And their assembled friends being not a bit behindhand, roared out lustily.
斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦也笑得跟他一樣起勁。而他們那批聚會在一起的朋友們，也都不甘落後，使勁地笑著。
“Ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha, ha!” “He said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live!” cried Scrooge’s nephew. “He believed it too!”
“哈哈！哈哈，哈哈！”“他說聖誕節是胡鬧，真的！”斯克擄奇的外甥叫道。“而且他的確這樣相信。”
“More shame for him, Fred!” said Scrooge’s niece, indignantly. Bless those women; they never do anything by halves. They are always in earnest.
“那他更該害臊了，弗雷德！”斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦怒氣衝衝地叫道。祝福這些娘兒們吧！她們做起事來從來不會不徹底的。她們總是很認真的。
She was very pretty: exceedingly pretty.
她長得非常漂亮，出奇的漂亮。
With a dimpled, surprised-looking, capital face; a ripe little mouth, that seemed made to be kissed—as no doubt it was;
一張有酒窩的、帶著驚詫神情的絕妙的臉兒；一張圓熟的小嘴，似乎生來是給人親吻的——它無疑正是如此；
all kinds of good little dots about her chin, that melted into one another when she laughed;
她下頜上有各種各樣好看的小酒窩兒，當她笑的時候就互相融合起來，
and the sunniest pair of eyes you ever saw in any little creature’s head.
而那一雙眼睛是你在任何小家夥的臉上都從未看見過的，是最最令人愉快的。
Altogether she was what you would have called provoking, you know; but satisfactory, too. Oh, perfectly satisfactory.
總而言之，她是一個你會稱之為逗引人的女性，你知道；但也是一個令人滿意的女性。哦，十十足足地令人滿意！
“He’s a comical old fellow,” said Scrooge’s nephew, “that’s the truth: and not so pleasant as he might be.
“他真是一個滑稽的老頭子，”斯克擄奇的外甥說，“這是千真萬確的；他本來是可以更友好些的嘛。
However, his offences carry their own punishment, and I have nothing to say against him.”
不過，他已經是自作自受的了，所以我也不想說什麼話來指責他。
‘I’m sure he is very rich, Fred,” hinted Scrooge’s niece. “At least you always tell me so.”
“我相信他是很有錢的，弗雷德，”斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦說。“至少，你常常對我這樣說的。”
“What of that, my dear!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “His wealth is of no use to him. He don’t do any good with it. He don’t make himself comfortable with it.
“那又怎樣，親愛的！”斯克擄奇的外甥說。“財富對他一無好處。他並不拿自己的錢財來做一點好事。他沒有用它來使自己生活得更舒服些。
He hasn’t the satisfaction of thinking—ha, ha, ha!—that he is ever going to benefit US with it.”
他本來可以想到——哈哈哈！——他將來或許能用自己的錢財來使我們得到好處，但是他連這樣想一下的樂趣都沒有。”
“I have no patience with him,” observed Scrooge’s niece. Scrooge’s niece’s sisters, and all the other ladies, expressed the same opinion.
“我容忍不了他，”斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦說。她的姐妹，以及所有其餘的女士們，都表示同樣的意見。
“Oh, I have!” said Scrooge’s nephew. “I am sorry for him; I couldn’t be angry with him if I tried. Who suffers by his ill whims! Himself, always.
“嘿，能容忍他！”斯克擄奇的外甥說。“我替他難過；我即使想對他生氣，也生不起來。他這種惡劣的脾氣究竟使誰吃虧呢？總還是他自己吧。
Here, he takes it into his head to dislike us, and he won’t come and dine with us. What’s the consequence? He don’t lose much of a dinner.”
現在他忽然想到不喜歡我們，不肯來跟我們一起吃飯了。後果是什麼呢？他不吃這頓飯也不見得有多大損失。”
“Indeed, I think he loses a very good dinner,” interrupted Scrooge’s niece.
“其實，我想他是損失了一頓很好的飯，”斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦插嘴說。
Everybody else said the same, and they must be allowed to have been competent judges, because they had just had dinner;
其他的人都這麼說，我們必須承認他們是有資格的裁判員，因為他們剛剛吃過這頓飯。
and, with the dessert upon the table, were clustered round the fire, by lamplight.
這時，飯後的點心放在桌子上，他們都在燈光下圍爐而坐。
“Well! I’m very glad to hear it,” said Scrooge’s nephew, “because I haven’t great faith in these young housekeepers. What do you say, Topper?”
“喏！我聽見這句話很高興，”斯克擄奇的外甥說。“因為我對這些年輕的主婦們是不大有信心的。你怎麼看，陶泊爾？”
Topper had clearly got his eye upon one of Scrooge’s niece’s sisters, for he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast, who had no right to express an opinion on the subject.
陶泊爾顯然正緊盯著斯克擄奇外甥媳婦的一個妹妹，因為他回答說，一個獨身的男人是一個可憐的化外之民，無權對這種話題發表意見。
Whereat Scrooge’s niece’s sister—the plump one with the lace tucker: not the one with the roses—blushed.
於是斯克擄奇外甥媳婦的妹妹——圍著花邊領紗[23]的胖胖的那一個，不是戴玫瑰花的那一個——臉兒就紅起來了。
[23] 這是英國十七、十八世紀時，婦女圍在頸部及肩上的花邊或麻紗。
“Do go on, Fred,” said Scrooge’s niece, clapping her hands. “He never finishes what he begins to say! He is such a ridiculous fellow!”
“再說下去喲，弗雷德，”斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦拍拍手說。“他向來是把話開了頭不說完的！他這人真太可笑！”
Scrooge’s nephew revelled in another laugh, and as it was impossible to keep the infection off;
斯克擄奇的外甥又發出一陣哈哈大笑，而且因為沒有法子可以製住這笑的影響
though the plump sister tried hard to do it with aromatic vinegar; his example was unanimously followed.
（雖然那位胖妹妹竭力在聞著香醋[24]，想忍住笑），大家也就一起跟著大笑了。
[24] 這是一種含有醋酸和各種香精的香油，歐洲婦女用來防治暈眩和醒腦避穢。
“I was only going to say,” said Scrooge’s nephew, “that the consequence of his taking a dislike to us, and not making merry with us, is, as I think, that he loses some pleasant moments, which could do him no harm. “我隻是想說，”斯克擄奇的外甥說道，“他不喜歡我們，不肯跟我們一起尋歡作樂，其結果是，照我看來，隻有使他自己喪失了一些愉快的時刻，而這種時刻對他是不會有害處的。
I am sure he loses pleasanter companions than he can find in his own thoughts, either in his mouldy old office, or his dusty chambers.
我相信，他喪失了能使他更加愉快的同伴們，比他在自己的冥想中——不管他待在他那發黴的老寫字間裏，還是他那滿是灰塵的房間裏——
I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him.
所能找到的，都要愉快得多。我正是因為可憐他，才特意每年給他這樣一個機會，不管他喜歡不喜歡。
He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can’t help thinking better of it—I defy him—if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying Uncle Scrooge, how are you? 他可以辱罵聖誕節，一直罵到他死為止，但是，如果他發現我高高興興的，一年又一年地到他那兒去，對他說，‘斯克擄奇舅舅，您好哇？’——我敢向他挑戰——他總有一天會禁不住覺得聖誕節還不錯的。
If it only puts him in the vein to leave his poor clerk fifty pounds, that’s something; and I think I shook him yesterday.”
只要這一來能夠使他心情愉快地留下五十鎊給他那個窮夥計，那就很了不起了；我覺得我昨天是觸動了他的。”
It was their turn to laugh now at the notion of his shaking Scrooge.
現在輪到他們笑了，想到他竟然能觸動斯克擄奇。
But being thoroughly good-natured, and not much caring what they laughed at,
但因為他是一個脾氣好透的人，而且不大在乎別人在取笑什麼人，
so that they laughed at any rate, he encouraged them in their merriment, and passed the bottle joyously. After tea, they had some music.
所以不管大家怎樣在笑，他還是鼓勵他們笑個暢，並且很快活地把酒瓶遞過去。喝過茶以後，他們聽了些樂曲。
For they were a musical family, and knew what they were about, when they sung a Glee or Catch, I can assure you:
因為他們是一個愛好音樂的家庭，而且他們自己也知道，當他們唱一支無伴奏的三重唱、四重唱或是一首輪唱曲[25]時，我可以向你保證，
[25] 這是一人唱完一節，由第二人趕緊接上唱的短歌，第一人唱到第二節時，第二人即唱第一節。可數人或是數組合唱。
especially Topper, who could growl away in the bass like a good one, and never swell the large veins in his forehead, or get red in the face over it.
特別是陶泊爾，他能夠深沉地唱著低音，像一個好歌手似的，而且從來不會唱得額角上青筋暴起，或者為之臉兒漲得通紅。
Scrooge’s niece played well upon the harp; and played among other tunes a simple little air (a mere nothing: you might learn to whistle it in two minutes),
斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦豎琴彈得很好，除奏其他各種曲調外，還彈了支簡單的小曲（不算什麼的曲子，你能在兩分內就學會用口哨把它吹出來），
which had been familiar to the child who fetched Scrooge from the boarding-school, as he had been reminded by the Ghost of Christmas Past.
而這曲子正是一個女孩所熟悉的，她就是“過去聖誕節之靈”曾經使斯克擄奇回憶起來的那個把他從住讀學校裏接回去的女孩子。
When this strain of music sounded, all the things that Ghost had shown him, came upon his mind; he softened more and more;
當這一節樂曲響起來時，那幽靈顯示給他看過的所有事情，都一齊湧上了他的心頭；他的心腸越變越軟了；
and thought that if he could have listened to it often, years ago, he might have cultivated the kindnesses of life for his own happiness with his own hands,
他想到：如果他在許多年以前就能夠常常聽到這樣的曲子，那他也許已經用自己的手培養起有利於自己幸福的人生的仁愛，
without resorting to the sexton’s spade that buried Jacob Marley.
而不必去請教那位教堂司事[26]埋葬過雅各·馬利的鐵鍬了[27]
[26] 教堂司事：教堂中擔任管理教堂房屋、挖掘墳穴、打鍾等任務的人員。
[27] 這句話的意思是說：馬利的屍體就不會被挖掘出來，而“聖誕節之靈”也不會來找他了。
But they didn’t devote the whole evening to music. After a while they played at forfeits;
但他們並不把整個夜晚都花在音樂上。過了一會兒，他們玩起罰物遊戲來，
for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.
因為有時候再做做小孩子是很有意思的，而且在聖誕節這樣做是再好也沒有了，因為在那一天，它的偉大的創始者本身就是一個小孩子。
Stop! There was first a game at blind-man’s buff. Of course there was. And I no more believe Topper was really blind than I believe he had eyes in his boots.
且慢！他們先玩起捉迷藏來了。自然是要玩這個的囉。可是我不相信陶泊爾真正是蒙著眼睛裝瞎子，正如我不相信他腳上長著眼睛一樣。
My opinion is, that it was a done thing between him and Scrooge’s nephew; and that the Ghost of Christmas Present knew it.
我的看法是，這是他跟斯克擄奇的外甥預先串通的一出把戲；而且“現在聖誕節之靈”也曉得的。
The way he went after that plump sister in the lace tucker, was an outrage on the credulity of human nature.
他追著披花邊領紗的胖妹妹時的那副樣子，簡直是對人性易於輕信的莫大侮辱。
Knocking down the fire-irons, tumbling over the chairs, bumping against the piano, smothering himself among the curtains, wherever she went, there went he! 他打落了火鉗，絆倒了椅子，撞著了鋼琴，給卷住在窗簾裏，不管她走到哪兒，他就跟到哪兒！
He always knew where the plump sister was. He wouldn’t catch anybody else.
他始終知道胖妹妹正在哪兒。他硬是不捉旁人。
If you had fallen up against him (as some of them did), on purpose, he would have made a feint of endeavouring to seize you,
如果你故意向他身上倒去（他們中有些人就這樣試過），而且站著擋住，他就會假裝竭力要來抓住你——
which would have been an affront to your understanding, and would instantly have sidled off in the direction of the plump sister.
這簡直是對你的理解力的公然侮辱——然後立刻側過身來，向胖妹妹那邊走去。
She often cried out that it wasn’t fair; and it really was not.
她常常嚷著說，這樣太不公平了；這也確實是不公平。
But when at last, he caught her; when, in spite of all her silken rustlings, and her rapid flutterings past him, he got her into a corner whence there was no escape; then his conduct was the most execrable. 但是最後他終於捉住她了；她雖則渾身穿著綢，窸窣作響，拍著翅膀似的急忙飛過他身旁，他還是把她逼到一個走投無路的角落裏，到了這時候，他的舉動真是惡劣到極點了。
For his pretending not to know her; his pretending that it was necessary to touch her head-dress, and further to assure himself of her identity by pressing a certain ring upon her finger, and a certain chain about her neck; was vile, monstrous! 因為他假裝不知道就是她；假裝必須摸一摸她的頭飾，並且為了要證明確實是她，還要把一隻什麼戒指硬戴在她手指上，一根什麼項鏈硬套在她頭頸上；這種種行徑真是下流可恥、荒唐透頂！
No doubt she told him her opinion of it, when, another blind-man being in office, they were so very confidential together, behind the curtains.
難怪等到另外一個蒙眼人上場的時候，他們走到窗簾後面很隱秘地躲在一起之後，她就把她對這件事的意見向他提出。
Scrooge’s niece was not one of the blind-man’s buff party, but was made comfortable with a large chair and a footstool, in a snug corner, where the Ghost and Scrooge were close behind her. 斯克擄奇的外甥媳婦並沒有參加這個捉迷藏遊戲，卻在一個溫暖舒適的角落裏，舒舒服服地坐在一張大椅子上，踏著一張腳凳，幽靈和斯克擄奇就近在她的背後。
But she joined in the forfeits, and loved her love to admiration with all the letters of the alphabet.
但是她參加了罰物遊戲，而且愛她的愛人到了十足崇拜的程度，每個字母為首的字都用上了[28]。
[28] 這裏指的是罰物遊戲中的一種，名叫“我愛我愛人有個A字”，由參加的人輪流說出自己所愛的人是怎樣的，要求在這句話的末尾用一個以A或B、C等字母開頭的詞。說不出者受罰。
Likewise at the game of How, When, and Where, she was very great, and to the secret joy of Scrooge’s nephew, beat her sisters hollow: though they were sharp girls too, as Topper could have told you. 在玩“何故、何時、何地”的問答遊戲時，她也是個了不起的好手，她的妹妹們雖然也都是些精明的姑娘（陶泊爾會這樣告訴你），可是都被她徹底擊敗了，這使斯克擄奇的外甥心裏暗暗高興。
There might have been twenty people there, young and old, but they all played, and so did Scrooge;
那兒也許有二十個人吧，老的少的都有，但是他們都在玩，斯克擄奇也參加在內了；
for wholly forgetting in the interest he had in what was going on, that his voice made no sound in their ears,
因為他對於眼前所發生的事情太感興趣了，他竟然完全忘掉他的聲音是他們的耳朵聽不見的，
he sometimes came out with his guess quite loud, and very often guessed quite right, too;
有時候也把他自己的猜想相當響亮地喊出來，而且他常常猜中；
for the sharpest needle, best Whitechapel, warranted not to cut in the eye, was not sharper than Scrooge; blunt as he took it in his head to be.
這就是說，即使是最尖銳的縫衣針，針眼保證不壞的那種最好的“白教堂牌”針，也不會比斯克擄奇更銳利，可是他還以為自己是遲鈍的呢。
The Ghost was greatly pleased to find him in this mood, and looked upon him with such favour, that he begged like a boy to be allowed to stay until the guests departed. 幽靈發現他興致這樣好，覺得很高興，就對他表現出寵愛的態度，以致斯克擄奇居然像個孩子似的懇求它，許他逗留到客人散去以後。
But this the Spirit said could not be done. “Here is a new game,” said Scrooge. “One half hour, Spirit, only one!”
但幽靈說，這是辦不到的。“這兒又有一種新的遊戲，”斯克擄奇說。“再待半個鍾頭吧，幽靈，隻要半個鍾頭！”
It was a Game called Yes and No, where Scrooge’s nephew had to think of something, and the rest must find out what;
這是一種叫做“是與否”的遊戲，斯克擄奇的外甥要在心裏想好一樣東西，讓其餘的人把它猜出來，
he only answering to their questions yes or no, as the case was.
而他對於他們提出的問題隻是看情況回答一聲是或否。
The brisk fire of questioning to which he was exposed, elicited from him that he was thinking of an animal,
他暴露在像迅猛的炮火般的盤問下，結果吐露出他所想到的東西是一種動物，
a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, a savage animal, an animal that growled and grunted sometimes, and talked sometimes,
一種活的動物，而且是一種討厭的動物，野蠻的動物；這種動物有時候咆哮，有時候嘀咕，有時候講話，
and lived in London, and walked about the streets, and wasn’t made a show of, and wasn’t led by anybody, and didn’t live in a menagerie,
就住在倫敦，在街道上走來走去，沒有被人拿去展覽，也沒有被人牽著，而且不住在一個動物園裏，
and was never killed in a market, and was not a horse, or an ass, or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear.
也從來沒有在市場上被屠宰；它既不是馬，也不是驢，既不是母牛，也不是公牛，也不是老虎、狗、豬、貓、熊。
At every fresh question that was put to him, this nephew burst into a fresh roar of laughter;
當每一個新的問題向他提出時，這位外甥總要重新哈哈大笑一番，
and was so inexpressibly tickled, that he was obliged to get up off the sofa and stamp.
他被逗得那麼樂不可支，只好從沙發上跳起來，在地上跺著腳。
At last the plump sister, falling into a similar state, cried out: “I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!” “What is it?” cried Fred.
最後那個胖妹妹，也笑成同一個樣兒，叫起來道：“我猜著啦！我知道它是什麼，弗雷德！我知道它是什麼！” “是什麼啊？”弗雷德問。
“It’s your Uncle Scro-o-o-o-oge!” Which it certainly was.
“就是你的舅舅斯克擄—擄—擄—擄—擄奇。”
Admiration was the universal sentiment, though some objected that the reply to “Is it a bear?” ought to have been “Yes;”
的確就是他。大家都表示佩服，不過有人抗議說，弗雷德對“是不是狗熊呢？”這句問話，應當回答“是”；
inasmuch as an answer in the negative was sufficient to have diverted their thoughts from Mr. Scrooge, supposing they had ever had any tendency that way.
因為如果是個否定的回答，那末假如他們曾經想到這方面去的話，這個回答就足以使他們聯想不到斯克擄奇先生身上去了[29]。
[29] 原文bear一詞亦可指卑鄙粗野之人，故云。
“He has given us plenty of merriment, I am sure,” said Fred,
“說真的，他給了我們許多樂趣，”弗雷德說，“
“and it would be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is a glass of mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment; and I say, ‘Uncle Scrooge!’ ”
我們如果不喝酒祝他健康，那就未免太忘恩負義了。這兒有一杯燙熱的酒[30]，就在我們手邊；因此我說，‘為斯克擄奇舅舅幹杯！’”
[30] 指一種加糖和香料後燙熱的葡萄酒或啤酒。
“Well! Uncle Scrooge!” they cried. “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to the old man, whatever he is!” said Scrooge’s nephew.
“好啊！為斯克擄奇舅舅幹杯！”他們叫道。“祝他老人家聖誕快樂，新年愉快，不管他是什麼樣的人！”斯克擄奇的外甥說。
“He wouldn’t take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!”
“他不肯接受我的祝頌，然而我還是希望他能夠得到快樂。為斯克擄奇舅舅幹杯！”
Uncle Scrooge had imperceptibly become so gay and light of heart, that he wo uld have pledged the unconscious company in return,
斯克擄奇舅舅心裏已經不知不覺地變得那麼高興和輕鬆，因此他一定會對這一群毫未覺察他在旁的人舉杯祝賀作答，
and thanked them in an inaudible speech, if the Ghost had given him time.
而且用他們聽不見的說話來感謝他們，如果那幽靈給他充分時間的話。
But the whole scene passed off in the breath of the last word spoken by his nephew; and he and the Spirit were again upon their travels.
但是他外甥那句話的最後一個字剛剛說出口，這幕景象就全部消逝了；他與那幽靈又開始他們的旅行了。
Much they saw, and far they went, and many homes they visited, but always with a happy end.
他們看見了許多，他們跑得很遠，而且訪問了許多人家；但結果都是快樂的。
The Spirit stood beside sick beds, and they were cheerful; on foreign lands, and they were close at home;
那幽靈在一張張病人的床邊站一下，他們就都快活起來了；它一到他鄉異地，人們就覺得家鄉近在咫尺了；
by struggling men, and they were patient in their greater hope; by poverty, and it was rich.
一靠近掙扎著的人，他們便懷有更大的希望而變得忍耐起來了；一站在貧窮的旁邊，富有就跟著來了。
In almshouse, hospital, and jail, in misery’s every refuge,
在濟貧院、醫院和監獄裏，在貧困所寄身的每一個地方，
where vain man in his little brief authority had not made fast the door, and barred the Spirit out, he left his blessing, and taught Scrooge his precepts.
只要那些自命不凡的人，在他渺小短促的掌權期，並沒有把門關緊，並把這幽靈閂在門外，那它總是留下祝福，並把它的箴言教導給斯克擄奇。
It was a long night, if it were only a night;
如果這隻是一個夜晚的話，那麼這該是很長的一夜；
but Scrooge had his doubts of this, because the Christmas Holidays appeared to be condensed into the space of time they passed together.
但是斯克擄奇對這是有他的懷疑的，因為似乎聖誕節假期中的那些日子，都壓縮到他們一起度過的這段時間裏了。
It was strange, too, that while Scrooge remained unaltered in his outward form, the Ghost grew older, clearly older.
而且，奇怪的是，斯克擄奇在外形上固然絲毫沒有改變，那幽靈卻變得老起來了，清清楚楚地老起來了。
Scrooge had observed this change, but never spoke of it, until they left a children’s Twelfth Night party,
斯克擄奇已經看出這種改變，但對此卻一句也不提，直到他們離開了一個兒童們參加的第十二夜[31]聯歡會之後，
[31] 第十二夜指主顯節前夕，一月五日的晚上。主顯節為聖誕節假期的最後一天，所以“現在聖誕節之靈”的生命即將結束。
when, looking at the Spirit as they stood together in an open place, he noticed that its hair was grey.
兩人一起站在一個空曠的地方，斯克擄奇對這幽靈看看，他才看出它的頭髮都變白了。
“Are spirits’ lives so short?” asked Scrooge. “My life upon this globe, is very brief,” replied the Ghost. “It ends to-night.”
“幽靈們的生命難道這樣短促麼？”斯克擄奇問。“我在這地球上的生命是很短暫的，”幽靈回答說。“今天夜裏就要完結了。”
“To-night!” cried Scrooge. “To-night at midnight. Hark! The time is drawing near.”
“今天夜裏！”斯克擄奇叫道。“今天夜裏，在半夜的時候。聽！辰光快到了。”
The chimes were ringing the three quarters past eleven at that moment.
這時節，鍾聲正在敲著十一點三刻。
“Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask,” said Scrooge, looking intently at the Spirit’s robe,
斯克擄奇全神貫注地看著幽靈的那件袍子，說道：“如果我要問的話是不應該問的，那末請你原諒我。
“but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself, protruding from your skirts. Is it a foot or a claw?”
這是因為我看見有一件奇怪的東西，不是屬於你身上的東西，從你袍子的下擺裏伸出到外面來。這是一隻腳還是一個腳爪？”
“It might be a claw, for the flesh there is upon it,” was the Spirit’s sorrowful reply. “Look here.”
“這也許是一個腳爪吧，因為它上面還有皮肉在那裏，”幽靈哀傷地回答說。“你瞧！”
From the foldings of its robe, it brought two children; wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable.
它從袍子的褶襇裏拎出兩個可憐、卑賤、醜惡、可厭、悲慘的小孩來。
They knelt down at its feet, and clung upon the outside of its garment.
他們跪在它的腳下，緊緊地抓住它衣服的外面。
“Oh, Man! look here. Look, look, down here!” exclaimed the Ghost. They were a boy and girl.
“喏，夥計！你瞧這兒！瞧瞧這下面！”幽靈叫道。他們是一個男孩和一個女孩。
Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility.
面黃肌瘦，衣衫襤褸，怒容滿面，形如惡狼，可又是卑躬屈膝，俯首帖耳。
Where graceful youth should have filled their features out, and touched them with its freshest tints,
優美的青春本來應當使他們的形體豐滿，而且給他們以最鮮豔的面色的，
a stale and shrivelled hand, like that of age, had pinched, and twisted them, and pulled them into shreds.
如今卻好像有一隻陳腐和幹癟的手，像老年人的手似的，在擰他們、扭他們，並且把他們撕成碎片。
Where angels might have sat enthroned, devils lurked, and glared out menacingly.
本來是天使們在寶座上受人膜拜的地方，如今卻潛伏著魔鬼們，他們正用威脅的眼光在瞪人。
No change, no degradation, no perversion of humanity, in any grade,
不論人類如何變化、墮落或反常到什麼程度，
through all the mysteries of wonderful creation, has monsters half so horrible and dread.
自從神奇的開天辟地創造萬物以來，不知有過多少不可思議的事情，但都從來不曾有過任何怪物，有一半這樣恐怖可怕。
Scrooge started back, appalled.
斯克擄奇嚇得直向後倒退。
Having them shown to him in this way, he tried to say they were fine children, but the words choked themselves, rather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude. 見他們這樣顯露在他眼前，嘴裏想說他們都是蠻好的孩子，但這話卡在他的喉嚨裏，也不願做這樣一個彌天大謊的參與者。
“Spirit! are they yours?” Scrooge could say no more. “They are Man’s,” said the Spirit, looking down upon them.
“幽靈！他們是你的兒女嗎？”斯克擄奇再也沒有別的話可說了。“他們是人類的兒女，”這幽靈說，低下頭看著他們。
“And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want.
“可是他們纏住了我，從他們的父親那兒前來申訴。這個男孩名叫‘愚昧’。這個女孩名叫‘慾望’。
Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased.
你要謹防他們倆，以及所有他們的同類，但頂要緊的是謹防這個男孩，因為他的額角上我看見寫著‘毀滅’這個詞兒，除非寫下的字跡被擦掉了。
Deny it!” cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city.
拒絕承認這個！”幽靈叫道，把他的手伸出來指著城市的方向。
“Slander those who tell it ye! Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And bide the end!”
“誰把它講給你聽，你就痛罵他！如果你為了黨同伐異的目的而承認它，那就會使得事情更糟！你等著將來的後果吧！”
“Have they no refuge or resource?” cried Scrooge.
“他們難道沒有避難的地方或者辦法嗎？”斯克擄奇叫道。
“Are there no prisons?” said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. “Are there no workhouses?”
“難道沒有監獄嗎？”幽靈說，最後一次用斯克擄奇自己的話來回答他。“難道沒有貧民習藝所嗎？”
The bell struck twelve. Scrooge looked about him for the Ghost, and saw it not.
鍾敲了十二下。斯克擄奇向周圍看看，要找那幽靈，可是它已經不見了。
As the last stroke ceased to vibrate, he remembered the prediction of old Jacob Marley, and lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn Phantom, draped and hooded, coming, like a mist along the ground, towards him.
當最後一下鍾聲停止顫動時，他想起了老雅各·馬利的預告，於是舉目一望，就看見一個莊重嚴肅的幻象，披著衣服，戴著頭巾，像一陣霧似的沿著地面，向他過來。
Stave 4: The Last of The Spirits
The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached.
那幻象緩慢、莊重而沉默地走近來。
When it came near him, Scrooge bent down upon his knee; for in the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery.
當它走近他身邊的時候，斯克擄奇就雙膝跪下了，因為這幽靈穿過空氣而來，似乎一路在散布陰鬱和神秘的氣氛。
It was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand.
它全身都裹在一件深黑色的衣服裏，把頭、臉和身體都包住了，什麼都看不見，露出的隻有一隻伸出來的手。
But for this it would have been difficult to detach its figure from the night, and separate it from the darkness by which it was surrounded.
要不是有這隻伸在外面的手那就難以把它的形體跟黑夜分開，並且使它脫離那包圍著它的黑暗了。
He felt that it was tall and stately when it came beside him, and that its mysterious presence filled him with a solemn dread.
等它走到了他的身旁，他發覺它是高大而威嚴的，並且它那神秘的出現，使他充滿了一種嚴肅的畏懼。
He knew no more, for the Spirit neither spoke nor moved.
除此之外，他便什麼也不知道了，因為這幽靈既不講話也不動彈。
“I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come?” said Scrooge.
“光臨的是‘未來聖誕節之靈’嗎？”斯克擄奇說。
The Spirit answered not, but pointed onward with its hand.
幽靈並不回答，隻把它的手向前指著。
“You are about to show me shadows of the things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us,” Scrooge pursued. “Is that so, Spirit?”
“你是將要把那些還沒有發生、但是在不久的將來就要發生的事情的影像給我看的吧，”斯克擄奇接下去說。“是不是這樣，幽靈？”
The upper portion of the garment was contracted for an instant in its folds, as if the Spirit had inclined its head. That was the only answer he received.
那衣服上部的皺褶收縮了一下，仿佛這幽靈把頭低了一下。這便是斯克擄奇得到的唯一答複。
Although well used to ghostly company by this time, Scrooge feared the silent shape so much that his legs trembled beneath him,
斯克擄奇雖則到這時跟鬼打交道已經習以為常了，可是對於這個沉默的形象卻是害怕得不得了，他下邊的兩條腿發著抖，
and he found that he could hardly stand when he prepared to follow it.
等到發現自己正準備跟它走時，人幾乎站立不住了。
The Spirit paused a moment, as observing his condition, and giving him time to recover. But Scrooge was all the worse for this.
那幽靈看見他這種情況，便停頓了片刻，給他時間來定一下神。但是這樣一來，斯克擄奇反而更糟糕了。
It thrilled him with a vague uncertain horror, to know that behind the dusky shroud, there were ghostly eyes intently fixed upon him,
他產生了一種不可名狀的恐怖感，覺得在那陰森森的屍衣後面正有一對鬼眼全神貫注地盯著他，
while he, though he stretched his own to the utmost, could see nothing but a spectral hand and one great heap of black.
而他自己雖然把眼睛睜開到最大的限度，卻是除了一隻鬼手和一大堆漆黑的東西之外，什麼都看不見。
“Ghost of the Future!” he exclaimed, “I fear you more than any spectre I have seen.
“未來之靈啊！”他叫道，“我見了你，比過去見過的隨便什麼鬼都更加害怕。
But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was,
但是因為現在我知道你來的目的是為了讓我得到好處，同時因為我希望今後痛改前非，重新做人，
I am prepared to bear you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?”
我準備同你做伴，並懷著感激的心情這樣做。你不願跟我講講話麼？”
It gave him no reply. The hand was pointed straight before them.
它並不給他答複。那隻手一直指向前面。
“Lead on!” said Scrooge. “Lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!”
“引路吧！”斯克擄奇說。“引路吧！夜晚消逝得很快，時間對於我正是最寶貴的，我知道。引路吧，幽靈！”
The Phantom moved away as it had come towards him. Scrooge followed in the shadow of its dress, which bore him up, he thought, and carried him along.
這幻象像先前向他走過來時那樣，現在向前行動了。斯克擄奇就跟隨著它衣服的影子，他覺得這影子把他托起來，一路帶往前去。
They scarcely seemed to enter the city; for the city rather seemed to spring up about them, and encompass them of its own act.
他們似乎並沒有進城去，倒好像是這城市在他們四周湧現出來，主動地把他們包圍在裏面。
But there they were, in the heart of it; on ’Change, amongst the merchants;
總之，他們這時已到了城中心；到了交易所裏，在商人們中間，
who hurried up and down, and chinked the money in their pockets, and conversed in groups, and looked at their watches, and trifled thoughtfully with their great gold seals; and so forth, as Scrooge had seen them often. 那些商人都在匆忙地跑來跑去，把口袋裏的錢弄得叮當作響，聚成一群群在談著話，看看他們的表，或者若有所思地撥弄著他們的金質大圖章[1]，以及諸如此類的事情，而這種情形正是斯克擄奇看慣了的。
[1] 當時英國富商或貴族常用的一種圖章，有金質或石質，上刻姓名縮寫或圖案。多嵌在戒指或掛在錶鏈上，在信件或其他文件上封蠟時應用。
The Spirit stopped beside one little knot of business men. Observing that the hand was pointed to them, Scrooge advanced to listen to their talk.
這幽靈在一小撮生意人的旁邊停了步。斯克擄奇看見它的手指點著他們，他便走上前去聽他們在說些什麼。
“No,” said a great fat man with a monstrous chin, “I don’t know much about it, either way. I only know he’s dead.”
“不，”一個下頜碩大無比的大胖子說道，“這件事我也知道得不多。我只知道他已經死了。”
“When did he die?” inquired another. “Last night, I believe.”
“他是什麼時候死的？”另外一個問。“昨天夜裏吧，我相信。”
“Why, what was the matter with him?” asked a third, taking a vast quantity of snuff out of a very large snuff-box. “I thought he’d never die.”
“喲，出了什麼毛病啦？”第三個人問，從一隻很大的鼻煙盒裏拿出一大撮鼻煙。“我還以為他永遠不會死的哩。”
“God knows,” said the first, with a yawn.
“那隻有天曉得，”頭一個說，打了個哈欠。
“What has he done with his money?” asked a red-faced gentleman with a pendulous excrescence on the end of his nose, that shook like the gills of a turkey-cock. “他把他的錢怎樣安排來著？”一個紅面孔的紳士問，他鼻尖上掛著一個瘤，搖動起來像是雄火雞下頜邊的垂肉。
“I haven’t heard,” said the man with the large chin, yawning again. “Left it to his company, perhaps. He hasn’t left it to me. That’s all I know.”
“我還沒聽人說起過，”大下頜的人說，又打了一個嗬欠。“把它留下給他的公司吧，也許。他並沒有把它留下來給我。這是我所知道的一切。”
This pleasantry was received with a general laugh. “It’s likely to be a very cheap funeral,” said the same speaker;
這句逗人的話引起了大家的笑聲。“這次喪事大概會是便宜得很的，”同一個講話的人說，
“for upon my life I don’t know of anybody to go to it. Suppose we make up a party and volunteer?”
“因為，我可以打賭，我不知道有誰會去送葬。我們大家來湊幾個人，自告奮勇地去一下怎麼樣？”
“I don’t mind going if a lunch is provided,” observed the gentleman with the excrescence on his nose. “But I must be fed, if I make one.” Another laugh.
“如果供給一頓午飯的話，我去一趟也無所謂，”鼻子上掛著瘤的那位先生說。“如果要我湊數的話，那就得請我吃一頓。” 又是一陣笑聲。
“Well, I am the most disinterested among you, after all,” said the first speaker, “for I never wear black gloves, and I never eat lunch.
“話可得這麼講，在你們這些人裏頭，我是最不感興趣的一個，”頭一個講話的人說，“因為我向來不戴黑手套，我也向來不吃午餐。
But I’ll offer to go, if anybody else will.
但是如果別人願意去的話，我也願意去。
When I come to think of it, I’m not at all sure that I wasn’t his most particular friend; for we used to stop and speak whenever we met. Bye, bye!”
說到這裏我卻想起來了：我恐怕不能說，我不是他唯一的朋友吧；因為我們每次碰見的時候，總要站住了攀談一兩句的。再見，再見！”
Speakers and listeners strolled away, and mixed with other groups. Scrooge knew the men, and looked towards the Spirit for an explanation.
那些講話的人和聽的人都走開去，混到別的人堆裏去了。斯克擄奇是認識這些人的，就對那幽靈看看，希望它作一個解釋。
The Phantom glided on into a street. Its finger pointed to two persons meeting. Scrooge listened again, thinking that the explanation might lie here.
這幻象卻溜到一條街上去。它的手指點著兩個在碰頭的人。斯克擄奇就又聽著他們講話，心想解釋也許就在這裏。
He knew these men, also, perfectly. They were men of business: very wealthy, and of great importance.
這兩個人他也是十分熟悉的。他們都是生意人：很有錢，而且地位很重要。
He had made a point always of standing well in their esteem: in a business point of view, that is; strictly in a business point of view.
他一直有意去贏得他們的尊重，那就是說，從生意經出發，完全是從生意經出發。
“How are you?” said one. “How are you?” returned the other. “Well!” said the first. “Old Scratch has got his own at last, hey?”
“你好哇？”一個說。“你好？”另一個應道。“嗯，”頭一個說，“‘老刮皮’[2]到底也壽終正寢了，是不是？”
[2] 這是他們給斯克擄奇取的綽號。“老刮皮”（Old Scratch）的讀音與“老斯克擄奇”（Old Scrooge）相近，也是“魔鬼”的綽號。
“So I am told,” returned the second. “Cold, isn’t it?” “Seasonable for Christmas time. You’re not a skater, I suppose?”
“我聽人這樣說過，”第二個回答。“冷吧，是不是？”“正合聖誕節的時令。我看你不是個愛溜冰的人吧？”
“No. No. Something else to think of. Good morning!” Not another word. That was their meeting, their conversation, and their parting.
“不是。不是。我還有別的事情要考慮呢。早安！” 再沒有別的話了。他們的會面、他們的交談和他們的分手就是這樣。
Scrooge was at first inclined to be surprised that the Spirit should attach importance to conversations apparently so trivial;
斯克擄奇先是感到有些驚奇，怎麼這幽靈居然會對這樣顯然很瑣碎的交談加以重視；
but feeling assured that they must have some hidden purpose, he set himself to consider what it was likely to be.
但是覺得這裏頭一定隱藏著什麼用意，他便開始思量這用意可能是什麼。
They could scarcely be supposed to have any bearing on the death of Jacob, his old partner, for that was Past, and this Ghost’s province was the Future.
這些話不可能與他的老合夥人雅各·馬利之死有關，因為那已經是過去的事情，而這個鬼的活動範圍卻是未來。
Nor could he think of any one immediately connected with himself, to whom he could apply them.
他也想不出有哪一個跟他自己有直接關係的人，可以用得上這些話。
But nothing doubting that to whomsoever they applied they had some latent moral for his own improvement,
但是他絕不懷疑，不管這些話是關於誰的，他相信對於自己的改過自新都包含著某種教訓，
he resolved to treasure up every word he heard, and everything he saw; and especially to observe the shadow of himself when it appeared.
因此他決計把他所聽見的每一句話，所看見的每一件事情，都牢牢記在心裏；特別是等到自己的陰魂出現的時候，要看個清楚。
For he had an expectation that the conduct of his future self would give him the clue he missed, and would render the solution of these riddles easy.
因為他有一種期望，他未來的自己的行為會把他現在所沒有找到的線索提供給他，這樣他要解答這些啞謎就容易得多了。
He looked about in that very place for his own image; but another man stood in his accustomed corner,
他就在那個地方找他自己的形象，但是在那個他慣常待的角落裏，現在站著的卻是另外一個人了；
and though the clock pointed to his usual time of day for being there, he saw no likeness of himself among the multitudes that poured in through the Porch.
盡管鐘上所指的時間已經是他通常到那裏的時間，可是他在那許多從門廊裏湧進來的人群中，卻看不見一個像他自己的人。然
It gave him little surprise, however; for he had been revolving in his mind a change of life,
而，這種情形也不大使他驚異；因為他在心裏已經反複思考過，要重新做人了，
and thought and hoped he saw his new-born resolutions carried out in this.
他正料想並希望能夠看見他這新誕生的決心在這裏成為事實。
Quiet and dark, beside him stood the Phantom, with its outstretched hand.
那幻象站在他身旁，靜默而且陰暗，伸出了一隻手。
When he roused himself from his thoughtful quest, he fancied from the turn of the hand, and its situation in reference to himself,
當他從深思的探索中驚醒過來的時候，他從那隻手的轉動，以及它站在自己身旁的位置，似乎感覺到
that the Unseen Eyes were looking at him keenly. It made him shudder, and feel very cold.
那雙看不見的眼睛正在銳利地望著他。這情況使他發起抖來，而且覺得渾身發冷。
They left the busy scene, and went into an obscure part of the town, where Scrooge had never penetrated before, although he recognised its situation, and its bad repute. 他們離開了那個熙攘的場所，來到這城市中一個偏僻的地段，那裏是斯克擄奇以前從沒到過的，不過他認識這個去處和它的壞名聲。
The ways were foul and narrow; the shops and houses wretched; the people half-naked, drunken, slipshod, ugly.
道路全是汙穢而狹隘的，店鋪和住宅都很破敗；人們衣衫不全，嗜飲酗酒，邋裏邋遢，面目可憎。
Alleys and archways, like so many cesspools, disgorged their offences of smell, and dirt, and life, upon the straggling streets;
一些小胡同和拱門，像不計其數的汙水坑那樣把惡臭、垃圾和生活中的種種氣味，都傾吐到這些蔓延曲折的街道上；
and the whole quarter reeked with crime, with filth, and misery.
這整個地區散發著罪惡、汙穢和窮困的臭味。
Far in this den of infamous resort, there was a low-browed, beetling shop, below a pent-house roof, where iron, old rags, bottles, bones, and greasy offal, were bought. 在這個藏垢納汙之所的巢穴深處，在一個屋簷斜伸出去的屋頂下面，有一家低矮的、門面凸出的鋪子，那兒收購廢鐵、破布、瓶子、骨頭和油膩的下腳。
Upon the floor within, were piled up heaps of rusty keys, nails, chains, hinges, files, scales, weights, and refuse iron of all kinds.
裏面的地板上放著一堆堆的鏽鑰匙、釘子、鏈條、鉸鏈、銼刀、磅秤、砝碼以及各種各樣的廢鐵。
Secrets that few would like to scrutinise were bred and hidden in mountains of unseemly rags, masses of corrupted fat, and sepulchres of bones.
一座座像山一樣的不成體統的破布、一團團發臭的油脂以及那些骨頭疊成的墳墩頭，不知孕育並藏匿著多少很少有人高興去仔細探究的秘密。
Sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a charcoal stove, made of old bricks, was a grey-haired rascal, nearly seventy years of age;
他買賣的貨色中間，靠近一個用舊磚頭砌成的炭爐；坐著有一個頭髮花白的年紀近七十歲的壞角子，
who had screened himself from the cold air without, by a frowsty curtaining of miscellaneous tatters, hung upon a line;
他把許多雜七雜八的破布掛在一條繩子上，做成一個又臭又髒的門簾，來給自己擋住外面的冷空氣，
and smoked his pipe in all the luxury of calm retirement.
他在這安靜的隱居地，其樂無窮地抽著板煙。
Scrooge and the Phantom came into the presence of this man, just as a woman with a heavy bundle slunk into the shop.
斯克擄奇同那幻象來到這人面前的時候，恰巧有個女人夾著一個沉重的包裹，偷偷地走進鋪子。
But she had scarcely entered, when another woman, similarly laden, came in too;
但是她人剛到，就有另外一個女人，同樣地帶著東西，也走了進來；
and she was closely followed by a man in faded black, who was no less startled by the sight of them, than they had been upon the recognition of each other.
而她後面緊跟著一個穿褪色黑衣服的男子，他看見她們時吃驚的程度，正和她們認出了她們彼此時一樣。
After a short period of blank astonishment, in which the old man with the pipe had joined them, they all three burst into a laugh.
經過了一個短暫的目瞪口呆的時期（那吸板煙的老頭子也和他們一樣）之後，他們三人都禁不住大笑起來。
“Let the charwoman alone to be the first!” cried she who had entered first.
“讓那打雜女工做頭一個吧！”第一個進來的那女人叫嚷道。
“Let the laundress alone to be the second; and let the undertaker’s man alone to be the third. Look here, old Joe, here’s a chance!
“讓那洗衣婆做第二個吧；讓那殯儀館的夥計做第三個吧。你瞧這兒，老喬，這可真是碰得巧啊！
If we haven’t all three met here without meaning it!”
咱們三個人，本來不打算在這兒碰頭的，竟都來啦！”
“You couldn’t have met in a better place,” said old Joe, removing his pipe from his mouth.
“你們再也找不到比這兒更好的碰頭地方了，”老喬說，把他的煙斗從嘴裏拿出來。
“Come into the parlour. You were made free of it long ago, you know; and the other two an’t strangers. Stop till I shut the door of the shop.
“到客廳裏來吧。你在這兒早就是熟門熟路的了，你知道；至於另外那兩個，也都不是陌生人。等一會兒，讓我把鋪子的門關上。
Ah! How it skreeks! There an’t such a rusty bit of metal in the place as its own hinges, I believe; and I’m sure there’s no such old bones here, as mine.
哎喲，這門兒吱吱地叫得多響啊！這屋裏沒有比它自己的鉸鏈鏽得更厲害的鐵器了，我相信；我還肯定這屋裏的骨頭沒有比我這副骨頭更老的了。
Ha, ha! We’re all suitable to our calling, we’re well matched. Come into the parlour. Come into the parlour.”
哈哈！咱們都是頂配幹咱們這一行的，咱們都是棋逢敵手。到客廳裏來吧。到客廳裏來吧。”
The parlour was the space behind the screen of rags.
這所謂客廳，就是破布門簾後面的那塊地方。
The old man raked the fire together with an old stair-rod, and having trimmed his smoky lamp (for it was night), with the stem of his pipe, put it in his mouth again. 老頭子用一根舊的梯毯夾條[3]把爐裏的火撥撥攏，用他的煙斗柄把冒煙的燈剔剔亮（因為這時候已經是夜裏了），然後又把煙斗塞進嘴去。
[3] 一種細銅棒，用來夾住每級樓梯上鋪的地毯。
While he did this, the woman who had already spoken threw her bundle on the floor, and sat down in a flaunting manner on a stool; crossing her elbows on her knees, and looking with a bold defiance at the other two. 在他忙著這些的時候，那個已經講過話的女人把她那包東西丟在地板上，大模大樣地在一張凳子上坐了下來，兩臂交叉，胳膊肘擱在膝頭上，用一種大膽的挑釁姿態，對另外那兩個人瞧著。
“What odds then! What odds, Mrs. Dilber?” said the woman. “Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did.”
“這又有什麼關係呢？狄爾伯太太，這有什麼關係呢？”那女人說。“每個人都有權利照料他自己。他向來就是這樣的！”
“That’s true, indeed!” said the laundress. “No man more so.”
“真的，這話挺對！”那洗衣婦說。“沒有人比他更會照料自己的了。”
“Why then, don’t stand staring as if you was afraid, woman; who’s the wiser? We’re not going to pick holes in each other’s coats, I suppose?”
“那末，女人，別站在那兒呆瞪著，好像害怕似的！誰會知曉呢？我想咱們總不會彼此找岔子吧？”
“No, indeed!” said Mrs. Dilber and the man together. “We should hope not.”
“不，那才不會呢！”狄爾伯太太和那男子齊聲說。“咱們希望不至於。”
“Very well, then!” cried the woman. “That’s enough. Who’s the worse for the loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man, I suppose.”
“這就很好！”這女人叫道。“這樣就夠了。少了幾件像這樣的東西，誰會受損失呢？一個死人是不會的，我猜想？”
“No, indeed,” said Mrs. Dilber, laughing.
“當然不會，”狄爾伯太太說，大笑起來。
“If he wanted to keep ’em after he was dead, a wicked old screw,” pursued the woman, “why wasn’t he natural in his lifetime?
“如果他死了以後，還想保留這些東西，這個刻薄的老死刮皮，”那女人接下去說，“那末他在世的時候，為什麼那樣不近人情呢？
If he had been, he’d have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with Death, instead of lying gasping out his last there, alone by himself.”
如果他做人合情合理一些的話，那末在死神來打擊他的時候，總會有人來照顧他，不會一個人孤零零地躺在床上，喘氣直喘到斷氣。”
“It’s the truest word that ever was spoke,” said Mrs. Dilber. “It’s a judgment on him.”
“這句話真是說得再確切也沒有了，”狄爾伯太太說。“這就是老天對他的報應。”
“I wish it was a little heavier judgment,” replied the woman; “and it should have been, you may depend upon it, if I could have laid my hands on anything else.
“我但願這報應能夠更重一點，”這女人回答說。“你可以完全相信，如果我的手能夠搞到任何別的什麼的話，那末這種報應一定會更重一點的。
Open that bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value of it. Speak out plain. I’m not afraid to be the first, nor afraid for them to see it.
把那個包裹打開來，老喬，讓我知道它能值多少錢。爽爽快快地講。我不怕做頭一個，也不怕給他們看見這件事情。
We know pretty well that we were helping ourselves, before we met here, I believe. It’s no sin. Open the bundle, Joe.”
我相信，在我們在這兒碰頭之前，我們大家就已經很明白各人是在自己動手了。這不是什麼犯罪。把包裹打開來，喬。”
But the gallantry of her friends would not allow of this; and the man in faded black, mounting the breach first, produced his plunder.
但是她的朋友們都很講義氣，不肯讓她先打開包裹；於是那個穿著褪色黑衣服的男子一馬當先，拿出了他的掠獲物。
It was not extensive. A seal or two, a pencil-case, a pair of sleeve-buttons, and a brooch of no great value, were all.
東西並不豐富。一兩個圖章、一隻鉛筆盒、一副袖扣以及一支不值什麼錢的別針，就這些而已。
They were severally examined and appraised by old Joe, who chalked the sums he was disposed to give for each, upon the wall,
老喬把它們一件件的仔細檢驗過，估一估價錢，然後把他對每件東西打算付的數目，用粉筆寫在牆壁上，
and added them up into a total when he found there was nothing more to come.
等到他發現已經沒有東西再拿出來時，就加成一個總數。
“That’s your account,” said Joe, “and I wouldn’t give another sixpence, if I was to be boiled for not doing it. Who’s next?”
“這是你的賬，”喬說，“我不能再多給六個便士，哪怕你要把我活活煮死也辦不到。第二個是誰？”
Mrs. Dilber was next. Sheets and towels, a little wearing apparel, two old-fashioned silver teaspoons, a pair of sugar-tongs, and a few boots.
狄爾伯太太是第二名。幾條被單和毛巾、幾件破舊的衣服、兩把老式的銀茶匙、一副方糖夾子以及幾隻靴子。
Her account was stated on the wall in the same manner.
她的賬也同樣地寫在牆壁上。
“I always give too much to ladies. It’s a weakness of mine, and that’s the way I ruin myself,” said old Joe.
“我向來對女士們出手太鬆。這是我的一個弱點，也是我毀掉自己的原因，”老喬說。
“That’s your account. If you asked me for another penny, and made it an open question, I’d repent of being so liberal and knock off half-a-crown.”
“那是你的賬。如果你再向我多要一個便士，而且公開提出來，那我就要懊悔自己太慷慨，非削減你半個克朗不可。”
“And now undo my bundle, Joe,” said the first woman.
“現在把我的包裹打開來吧，喬，”頭一個女人說。
Joe went down on his knees for the greater convenience of opening it, and having unfastened a great many knots, dragged out a large and heavy roll of some dark stuff. 喬為了打開包裹更方便起見，就跪在地上；他解開了許許多多的繩結，才拉出一大卷挺重的深顏色的東西。
“What do you call this?” said Joe. “Bed-curtains!” “Ah!” returned the woman, laughing and leaning forward on her crossed arms. “Bed-curtains!”
“你把這東西叫做什麼啊？”喬問。“床上的帳子麼？” “啊！”女人回答說，哈哈大笑，叉著兩臂，身子朝前傾。“帳子嘛！”
“You don’t mean to say you took ’em down, rings and all, with him lying there?” said Joe. “Yes I do,” replied the woman. “Why not?”
“難道說，他人還躺在床上，你就把這些東西，連同銅圈等等，一起都拿了下來？”喬問。“不錯，正是這樣，”女人回答說。“為何不？”
“You were born to make your fortune,” said Joe, “and you’ll certainly do it.”
“你真是生來要發財的，”喬說，“你將來一定會發財。”
“I certainly shan’t hold my hand, when I can get anything in it by reaching it out, for the sake of such a man as He was, I promise you, Joe,” returned the woman coolly. “Don’t drop that oil upon the blankets, now.”
“我向你保證，喬，對像他這樣的人，凡是只要我伸手可得的東西，我決不把手縮回來，”女人冷冷地回答。“喏，你不要把油滴在那毯子上。
“His blankets?” asked Joe. “Whose else’s do you think?” replied the woman. “He isn’t likely to take cold without ’em, I dare say.”
“他的毯子嗎？”喬問。“你以為不是他的，倒是誰的？”女人回答說。“沒有了這兩條毯子，他總不至於傷風感冒吧，我敢說。”
“I hope he didn’t die of anything catching? Eh?” said old Joe, stopping in his work, and looking up.
“我希望他不是生了什麼傳染病死的吧？呃？”老喬停了一下他的工作，朝上面望望，這樣說。
“Don’t you be afraid of that,” returned the woman. “I an’t so fond of his company that I’d loiter about him for such things, if he did.
“你不用害怕這個，”那女人應道。“如果他有什麼傳染病的話，我決不會那麼喜歡跟他做伴，為了這點東西在他身邊多逗留的。
Ah! you may look through that shirt till your eyes ache; but you won’t find a hole in it, nor a threadbare place.
啊！你盡管看那件襯衫，把你的眼睛都看痛了，你也不會在上面找到一個破洞，或是一攤磨爛的地方的。
It’s the best he had, and a fine one too. They’d have wasted it, if it hadn’t been for me.” “What do you call wasting of it?” asked old Joe.
這是他襯衫中頂好的一件，也的確是件好襯衫。要不是有我在，人家早就把它糟蹋掉了。”“你說糟蹋掉是什麼意思？”老喬問。
“Putting it on him to be buried in, to be sure,” replied the woman with a laugh. “Somebody was fool enough to do it, but I took it off again.
“當然啦，這是說把它穿在他身上葬掉，”女人笑了一聲，回答說。“有人就蠢得這麼做了，可是我把它又脫了下來。
If calico an’t good enough for such a purpose, it isn’t good enough for anything. It’s quite as becoming to the body.
如果白棉布[4]派這種用場不夠好的話，那它還能派什麼用場呢？蓋在他的身上，還是一樣很得體。
[4] 這裏指的是斯克擄奇床上鋪的白布被單。這是說她把斯克擄奇的屍身剝光了，隻用一條白被單蓋著。
He can’t look uglier than he did in that one.” Scrooge listened to this dialogue in horror.
他不會比穿上這一件顯得更難看了。”斯克擄奇驚心動魄地聽著這一段話。
As they sat grouped about their spoil, in the scanty light afforded by the old man’s lamp,
當他們圍著贓物，在老頭子那盞燈的黯淡光線之下，坐在一起的時候，
he viewed them with a detestation and disgust, which could hardly have been greater, though they had been obscene demons, marketing the corpse itself.
他用一種無以複加的厭惡和痛恨看著他們，即使他們是出賣死人屍體的下流惡魔，也不過如此了。
“Ha, ha!” laughed the same woman, when old Joe, producing a flannel bag with money in it, told out their several gains upon the ground.
當老喬拿出一隻裝著錢的法蘭絨袋子來，把給他們的那幾筆錢數了出來擺在地上時，又是那個女人笑道，“哈哈！”
“This is the end of it, you see! He frightened every one away from him when he was alive, to profit us when he was dead! Ha, ha, ha!”
“你們瞧，今兒這個就是他的下場！他活著的時候，把每個人都嚇得從他身邊跑開，他死掉之後，倒使我們得到了好處！哈哈哈！”
“Spirit!” said Scrooge, shuddering from head to foot. “I see, I see. The case of this unhappy man might be my own. My life tends that way, now.
“幽靈呀，”斯克擄奇從頭到腳發著抖說。“我明白了，我明白了。這個不幸的人的遭遇，可能就是我自己的。我的生活現在正向這個方向走去。
Merciful Heaven, what is this!” He recoiled in terror, for the scene had changed, and now he almost touched a bed:
慈悲的上帝嗬，這是什麼啊？” 他懷著恐懼直向後退，因為眼前的場景又變了，這時他的身子差不多碰到了一張床，
a bare, uncurtained bed: on which, beneath a ragged sheet, there lay a something covered up, which, though it was dumb, announced itself in awful language. 一張光溜溜、沒有帳子的床，在這床上，一條破被單之下，躺了個被蓋住的東西。這東西雖不會開口，卻用可怕的語言宣布它是什麼。
The room was very dark, too dark to be observed with any accuracy,
這個房間很黑暗，黑暗得無法看得真切；
though Scrooge glanced round it in obedience to a secret impulse, anxious to know what kind of room it was.
可是斯克擄奇因為私下裏懷著一種衝動，就向房間裏四處張望，急於想知道它究竟是怎樣的一種房間。
A pale light, rising in the outer air, fell straight upon the bed; and on it, plundered and bereft, unwatched, unwept, uncared for, was the body of this man.
從外面的空中升起一道黯淡的光線，直照到床上；而躺在這張床上的正是這個被人洗劫、被人遺棄、沒人守靈、沒人哭泣、沒人照料的人的屍體。
Scrooge glanced towards the Phantom. Its steady hand was pointed to the head.
斯克擄奇朝那幽靈望望。它那堅定的手，正指著那人的頭。
The cover was so carelessly adjusted that the slightest raising of it, the motion of a finger upon Scrooge’s part, would have disclosed the face.
那條遮體的布是那麼隨隨便便地蓋在上面，斯克擄奇隻消動一動一個手指頭，稍微把它掀起一點點，就可以使那張臉兒露出來。
He thought of it, felt how easy it would be to do, and longed to do it; but had no more power to withdraw the veil than to dismiss the spectre at his side.
他想到這一層，覺得這件事很容易做，且巴不得做；只可惜他沒有力量來把這蒙在臉上的布揭開，正如他沒有力量使他身旁這幽靈走開一樣。
Oh cold, cold, rigid, dreadful Death, set up thine altar here, and dress it with such terrors as thou hast at thy command: for this is thy dominion!
如此無情、嚴酷而可畏的死神啊，您在這兒築起了您的神壇，並且調動了那麼多的恐怖手段來把它裝潢起來，因為這兒本來是您的領域啊！
But of the loved, revered, and honoured head, thou canst not turn one hair to thy dread purposes, or make one feature odious.
但是對於那被人尊敬、受人愛戴並博得榮譽的人頭，您卻是既無法碰他一根毫髮來達到您那可怕的目的，也無法使他五官中的哪一處變得可憎。
It is not that the hand is heavy and will fall down when released; it is not that the heart and pulse are still;
這並不是因為他那隻手現在是沉重的，一放鬆就會垂落下去；也不是因為他的心髒和脈搏已經停止了；
but that the hand was open, generous, and true; the heart brave, warm, and tender; and the pulse a man’s.
恰恰是因為那隻手從前是光明正大、慷慨而忠實的；那顆心是勇敢、熱烈和溫柔的；那脈搏是一個大丈夫的。
Strike, Shadow, strike! And see his good deeds springing from the wound, to sow the world with life immortal!
打擊吧，陰靈，打擊吧！您就會看見他的那些善行從創口裏湧出來，把不朽的生命散播到全世界！
No voice pronounced these words in Scrooge’s ears, and yet he heard them when he looked upon the bed.
並沒有人在斯克擄奇耳邊講這些話，然而當他望著床上時，他聽到了這些話。
He thought, if this man could be raised up now, what would be his foremost thoughts? Avarice, hard-dealing, griping cares?
他想，如果這個人現在能夠起死回生的話，他最先想到的將會是什麼呢？難填的欲壑，苛刻的交易，還是貪婪的操心呢？
They have brought him to a rich end, truly!
說實話，它們不是已經使他落到一個富有成果的下場了嗎？
He lay, in the dark empty house, with not a man, a woman, or a child, to say that 〔he was kind to me in this or that, and for the memory of one kind word I will be kind to him.〕
他躺在黑暗的空房子裏，沒有一個男人，女人或小孩會說：他曾經在這件事或那件事上待我很好，為了紀念他的一句好心話，我要好好地對待他。
A cat was tearing at the door, and there was a sound of gnawing rats beneath the hearth-stone.
一隻貓正在門上抓著，爐邊石頭下面有老鼠在啃咬的聲音。
What they wanted in the room of death, and why they were so restless and disturbed, Scrooge did not dare to think.
它們在這個死人的房間裏究竟想要得到什麼，它們為什麼那麼不安靜而蠢蠢欲動，斯克擄奇簡直想都不敢想。
“Spirit!” he said, “this is a fearful place. In leaving it, I shall not leave its lesson, trust me. Let us go!”
“幽靈啊！”他說，“這是一個可怕的地方。在離開這個房間的時候，我決不會把它的教訓丟開的，請相信我。我們走吧！”
Still the Ghost pointed with an unmoved finger to the head. “I understand you,” Scrooge returned,
然而這幽靈還是用一個毫不移動的手指，指著那死人的頭。“我懂得你的意思，”斯克擄奇回答說，
“and I would do it, if I could. But I have not the power, Spirit. I have not the power.” Again it seemed to look upon him.
“假如我做得到的話，我一定會這樣做的。但是我沒有這個能力，幽靈。我沒有這個能力。” 幽靈似乎又在望著他。
“If there is any person in the town, who feels emotion caused by this man’s death,” said Scrooge quite agonised, “show that person to me, Spirit, I beseech you!” “幽靈嗬，我求求你，”斯克擄奇說，感到很痛苦，“如果這城裏有哪一個人，因為這個人的死而心情激動，請你把那個人指給我看看！”
The Phantom spread its dark robe before him for a moment, like a wing; and withdrawing it, revealed a room by daylight, where a mother and her children were. 幽靈把他的黑袍在他面前張開一會，好像一隻翅膀似的；等到收攏的時候，顯出了一個陽光照耀下的房間，裏面有一位母親和她的孩子們。
She was expecting some one, and with anxious eagerness; for she walked up and down the room; started at every sound; looked out from the window; glanced at the clock; tried, but in vain, to work with her needle; and could hardly bear the voices of the children in their play.
她正在等著什麼人來，而且是帶著焦急迫切的心情；因為她在房間裏走來走去，聽見每一個聲音就要驚跳起來；一忽兒從窗口向外張望，一忽兒又看看鍾；她想做一點針線活，可是總做不成；甚至她孩子在玩耍時的聲音她都簡直受不了。
At length the long-expected knock was heard.
最後，響起了那期待已久的敲門聲。
She hurried to the door, and met her husband; a man whose face was careworn and depressed, though he was young.
她急忙跑到門口，迎著了她的丈夫；他雖然還年輕，可是他的臉兒已經是飽經憂患，愁苦不堪的了。
There was a remarkable expression in it now; a kind of serious delight of which he felt ashamed, and which he struggled to repress.
這時他臉上帶有一種特殊的表情，一種自己覺得不好意思而竭力想抑制的認真的喜悅。
He sat down to the dinner that had been hoarding for him by the fire;
他坐下來吃飯，那是早已給他留在爐邊熱著的；
and when she asked him faintly what news (which was not until after a long silence), he appeared embarrassed how to answer.
而當她（經過了一段長時間的沉默之後）膽怯地問他有什麼消息時，他似乎窘得不知道該怎樣回答才好。
“Is it good?” she said, “or bad?”—to help him. “Bad,” he answered. “We are quite ruined?” “No. There is hope yet, Caroline.”
“是好消息呢，還是壞消息？”她問，幫助他講出來。“壞消息，”他回答說。“那末我們全毀了麼？”“不。還有點希望，卡洛琳。”
“If he relents,” she said, amazed, “there is! Nothing is past hope, if such a miracle has happened.”
“如果他肯發發善心的話，”她驚異地說，“那就有希望了！如果這樣的奇跡已經出現了的話，那就隨便什麼都還是有希望的。”
“He is past relenting,” said her husband. “He is dead.”
“他已經沒法發善心了，”她丈夫說，“他已經死啦。”
She was a mild and patient creature if her face spoke truth; but she was thankful in her soul to hear it, and she said so, with clasped hands.
如果她臉上的表情並不騙人的話，她是一個溫和而富有耐心的人；但是她聽見了這句話，心裏實在覺得欣慰，就緊握著雙手，說出了這個意思。
She prayed forgiveness the next moment, and was sorry; but the first was the emotion of her heart.
她接著就禱告上帝請求恕罪，而且覺得難過；但是她那頭一個舉動是表現她內心的情緒的。
“What the half-drunken woman whom I told you of last night, said to me, when I tried to see him and obtain a week’s delay;
“我想去見他要他答應寬限一星期，那個昨天夜裏我對你提起過的酒喝得半醉的女人跟我說了，
and what I thought was a mere excuse to avoid me; turns out to have been quite true. He was not only very ill, but dying, then.”
我起先還以為隻是避不見我的一種借口，但結果卻的確是如此。那時候，他不僅是病得很厲害，而且是就要死了。”
“To whom will our debt be transferred?” “I don’t know. But before that time we shall be ready with the money;
“我們欠的債將來轉交給誰呢？” “我不知道。不過，不消等到那時候，我們的錢就可以準備好了；
and even though we were not, it would be a bad fortune indeed to find so merciless a creditor in his successor.
而且，即使我們還沒有準備好，卻碰到了他的繼承人偏偏也是一個這樣狠心的債主，那也就只好說是命該如此了。
We may sleep to-night with light hearts, Caroline!” Yes. Soften it as they would, their hearts were lighter.
今天我們總可以心情輕鬆地睡一夜啦，卡洛琳。”的確。他們雖然竭力想使心腸軟一些，但他們的心情到底是輕鬆些了。
The children’s faces, hushed and clustered round to hear what they so little understood, were brighter;
孩子們都默不作聲，圍繞在他們父母身邊，聽著那些他們很難聽懂的話，他們現在也都變得更容光煥發了。
and it was a happier house for this man’s death!
這個人一死，這間屋子就變成快樂得多了！
The only emotion that the Ghost could show him, caused by the event, was one of pleasure.
這個鬼所能顯現給他看的由此人之死所引起的唯一情感，是一種快樂的情感。
“Let me see some tenderness connected with a death,” said Scrooge; “or that dark chamber, Spirit, which we left just now, will be for ever present to me.”
“讓我看到一點對一個人死亡的惻隱之情吧，”斯克擄奇說，“不然幽靈啊，我們方才離開的那個黑暗的房間，就會永遠顯現在我眼前了。”
The Ghost conducted him through several streets familiar to his feet;
那幽靈帶領他穿過幾條他的腳步所熟悉的街道；
and as they went along, Scrooge looked here and there to find himself, but nowhere was he to be seen.
他們一路走去時，斯克擄奇東張西望，想找到他自己，但是隨便在哪兒都看不到自己。
They entered poor Bob Cratchit’s house; the dwelling he had visited before; and found the mother and the children seated round the fire.
他們走進可憐的鮑勃·克拉吉的家裏；這個住處是他以前去過的；他們看到那做母親的和她的兒女們都圍爐而坐。
Quiet. Very quiet. The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues in one corner, and sat looking up at Peter, who had a book before him.
沉靜。非常沉靜。那些愛吵鬧的小克拉吉，都在一個角落裏沉靜得像是雕像似的；他們坐在那裏望著彼得，彼得面前放著一本書。
The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing. But surely they were very quiet!
母親和她的女兒們正在做著針線。但是他們的確都靜默得很！
“ ‘And He took a child, and set him in the midst of them.’ ” Where had Scrooge heard those words? He had not dreamed them.
“‘他便叫一個小孩子來，使他站在他們當中。’[5]” 斯克擄奇是在什麼地方聽見過這句話的呢？他並不是在夢裏聽見的。
[5]當耶穌的門徒問他：“天國裏誰是最大的？”他就叫孩子來，說凡是謙卑得像這孩子的，在天國裏就是最大的。
The boy must have read them out, as he and the Spirit crossed the threshold. Why did he not go on?
當他和幽靈跨進門檻的時候，彼得一定是在高聲讀著這句話。他為什麼不讀下去呢？
The mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up to her face. “The colour hurts my eyes,” she said.
母親把她所做的活放在桌上，伸手掩住臉兒。“這種顏色[6]傷我的眼睛，”她說。
[6] 指她正在做的喪服的黑色。
The colour? Ah, poor Tiny Tim! “They’re better now again,” said Cratchit’s wife.
這種顏色？唉，可憐的小丁姆呀！“眼睛現在好點了，”克拉吉的妻子說。
“It makes them weak by candle-light; and I wouldn’t show weak eyes to your father when he comes home, for the world. It must be near his time.”
“在蠟燭光底下把眼睛都弄模糊了；等你們父親回來了，我隨便怎樣也不能讓他看見我這雙模糊的眼睛。現在一定是快要到他回家的時候了。”
“Past it rather,” Peter answered, shutting up his book. “But I think he has walked a little slower than he used, these few last evenings, mother.”
“其實是已經過了時候啦，”彼得合攏書說。“但是我想，母親，在最近這幾個晚上，他總是走得比平時稍微慢一點吧。”
They were very quiet again. At last she said, and in a steady, cheerful voice, that only faltered once:
他們又變得非常沉靜了。臨了，她用一種穩定而愉快的聲音說，只有一次頓了一下：
“I have known him walk with—I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder, very fast indeed.”
“我知道他曾把——我知道他曾把小丁姆背在背上走的，還走得很快哩。”
“And so have I,” cried Peter. “Often.” “And so have I,” exclaimed another. So had all.
“我也知道是這樣，”彼得叫道。“常常這樣。” “我也知道是這樣，”另外一個叫道。大家都知道。
“But he was very light to carry,” she resumed, intent upon her work, “and his father loved him so, that it was no trouble: no trouble.
“但他背起來是很輕的，”她接下去說，用心做著活，“他的父親又是那樣愛他，所以更覺得不費事，不費事了。
And there is your father at the door!” She hurried out to meet him; and little Bob in his comforter—he had need of it, poor fellow—came in.
現在你們父親到了門口啦！”她趕快出去迎接他；於是鮑勃披著他的圍巾——他實在需要這東西，可憐的人兒——走進來了。
His tea was ready for him on the hob, and they all tried who should help him to it most.
他的茶已經給他準備好了，擱在爐旁的保溫架上，他們都想比比看誰對他侍候得最好。
Then the two young Cratchits got upon his knees and laid, each child a little cheek, against his face, as if they said, “Don’t mind it, father. Don’t be grieved!”
接著兩個小克拉吉爬到他的膝頭上，每個孩子都把自己的一片小臉頰兒貼在他的臉上，仿佛在說，“父親，不要把這事情掛在心上。不要傷心！”
Bob was very cheerful with them, and spoke pleasantly to all the family.
鮑勃跟他們玩得很快活，並且高高興興地和全家的人講話。
He looked at the work upon the table, and praised the industry and speed of Mrs. Cratchit and the girls.
他看看桌子上面的活計，就稱讚克拉吉太太和姑娘們做事辛勤迅速。
They would be done long before Sunday, he said. “Sunday! You went to-day, then, Robert?” said his wife.
不消到禮拜天，這些活早就能做好，他說。“禮拜天！那你今天去過啦，羅伯特？”他妻子問道。
“Yes, my dear,” returned Bob. “I wish you could have gone. It would have done you good to see how green a place it is.
“是的，親愛的，”鮑勃回答說。“我真希望你也能夠去就好了。你如果能夠看見那兒是個多麼蒼翠的地方[7]，對你一定有好處的。
[7] 這裏是說小丁姆已經死了，鮑勃曾經去看過丁姆將被安葬的地方。
But you’ll see it often. I promised him that I would walk there on a Sunday. My little, little child!” cried Bob. “My little child!”
但你今後會常看見那地方的。我已經答應他，每逢到了禮拜天，我一定要上那兒去走走。我的小小孩兒啊！”鮑勃哭了起來。“我的小孩兒啊！”
He broke down all at once. He couldn’t help it. If he could have helped it, he and his child would have been farther apart perhaps than they were.
他禁不住一下子痛哭起來。他實在忍不住了。他要是忍得住的話，他和他的孩子恐怕就會比過去離得更遠了。
He left the room, and went up-stairs into the room above, which was lighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas.
他離開了這個房間，跑上樓去，走進上麵的那個房間，那裏燈火照耀得很歡樂，掛著聖誕節的裝飾。
There was a chair set close beside the child, and there were signs of some one having been there, lately.
靠近那孩子的身旁，擺著一張椅子，還留著不久前曾有人在那兒坐過的痕跡。
Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a little and composed himself, he kissed the little face.
可憐的鮑勃就在這張椅子裏坐下了，他想了一會兒，使自己鎮靜下來之後，吻吻那張小臉兒。
He was reconciled to what had happened, and went down again quite happy.
他如今已接受了那已經發生的事實，便又相當高興地走下樓來。
They drew about the fire, and talked; the girls and mother working still.
他們圍爐坐著，談著，姑娘們跟母親都在幹活。
Bob told them of the extraordinary kindness of Mr. Scrooge’s nephew, whom he had scarcely seen but once,
鮑勃講給他們聽，斯克擄奇先生的外甥真是特別厚道，他只不過跟他見過一次面，
and who, meeting him in the street that day, and seeing that he looked a little—“just a little down you know,” said Bob, inquired what had happened to distress him.
可是那天斯克擄奇的外甥在街上碰見他，看見他的神氣有一點“只不過有一點不開心，你知道，”鮑勃說，他便問發生了什麼事情使他這樣苦惱。
“On which,” said Bob, “for he is the pleasantest-spoken gentleman you ever heard, I told him.
“聽見了這句話，”鮑勃說，“因為他是你所能碰到的講話最親切動聽的人，我便告訴了他。
‘I am heartily sorry for it, Mr. Cratchit,’ he said, ‘and heartily sorry for your good wife.’ By the bye, how he ever knew that, I don’t know.”
他就說，‘克拉吉先生，我對此事感到十分難過；而且是替你的好太太十分難過。’順便提一句，我真不懂，他怎麼會知道這個的。”
“Knew what, my dear?” “Why, that you were a good wife,” replied Bob. “Everybody knows that!” said Peter.
“知道什麼呀，親愛的？”“喏，知道你是一位好太太唄，”鮑勃說。“哪個不知道呀！”彼得說。
“Very well observed, my boy!” cried Bob. “I hope they do. ‘Heartily sorry,’ he said, ‘for your good wife.
“這話說得好，我的孩子！”鮑勃叫道。“我希望他們都知道。他說，‘我真替你的好太太十分難過。
If I can be of service to you in any way,’ he said, giving me his card, ‘that’s where I live. Pray come to me.’
假如我有任何地方可以為您效勞的話，’他說，把他的名片遞給我，‘這上面就是我的住址。請來找我吧。’
Now, it wasn’t,” cried Bob, “for the sake of anything he might be able to do for us, so much as for his kind way, that this was quite delightful.
啊，這件事情使人覺得很高興，倒不是因為他可能對我們有什麼幫助，而是因為他那種仁愛的態度。
It really seemed as if he had known our Tiny Tim, and felt with us.”
看起來真好像他老早就認識我們的小丁姆，而且很同情我們。”
“I’m sure he’s a good soul!” said Mrs. Cratchit. “You would be surer of it, my dear,” returned Bob,
“我深信他是一個好心腸的人！”克拉吉夫人說。“那你就會更相信他是這樣的了，親愛的”鮑勃回答說，
“if you saw and spoke to him. I shouldn’t be at all surprised—mark what I say!—if he got Peter a better situation.”
“如果你看見過他，跟他講過話。如果他能給彼得搞到一個更好的職位——你們注意我講的話！——我一點不會覺得驚奇。”
“Only hear that, Peter,” said Mrs. Cratchit. “And then,” cried one of the girls, “Peter will be keeping company with some one, and setting up for himself.”
“你聽聽這句話，彼得，”克拉吉夫人說。“到了那時候，”姑娘們中間的一個叫道，“彼得就會跟什麼人軋朋友[8]，並且自立門戶了。”
[8]“軋朋友”：英國貧民階級的習慣用語，意思是同一個姑娘訂婚。
“Get along with you!” retorted Peter, grinning.
“去你的！”彼得回答說，咧嘴笑著。
“It’s just as likely as not,” said Bob, “one of these days; though there’s plenty of time for that, my dear.
“這倒多半是可能的，”鮑勃說，“反正總有這麼一天吧；好在往後的日子長得很，來得及，親愛的。
But however and whenever we part from one another, I am sure we shall none of us forget poor Tiny Tim—shall we—or this first parting that there was among us?” 但是，不管我們大家將來怎樣分手，在什麼時候分手，我相信我們沒有一個人會忘掉可憐的小丁姆的——我們總不會吧——也不會忘掉我們中間這頭一次的分手吧？”
“Never, father!” cried they all.
“絕不會的，父親！”他們大家都叫道。
“And I know,” said Bob, “I know, my dears, that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was;
“我就知道，”鮑勃說，“我就知道，我的親人們，我們只要一回憶到他是多麼有耐性、多麼溫和，
although he was a little, little child; we shall not quarrel easily among ourselves, and forget poor Tiny Tim in doing it.”
雖然他還是一個小小的、小小的孩子，我們自己中間決不會輕易爭吵起來，吵得忘掉了可憐的小丁姆的。”
“No, never, father!” they all cried again. “I am very happy,” said little Bob, “I am very happy!”
“對，決不會的，父親！”他們大家又都叫道。“我高興極了，”鮑勃說，“我高興極了！”
Mrs. Cratchit kissed him, his daughters kissed him, the two young Cratchits kissed him, and Peter and himself shook hands.
克拉吉夫人吻他，他的女兒們吻他，那兩個小克拉吉吻他，彼得和他握握手。
Spirit of Tiny Tim, thy childish essence was from God!
小丁姆的英靈嗬，你那童稚的善良本質就是來自上帝的！
“Spectre,” said Scrooge, “something informs me that our parting moment is at hand. I know it, but I know not how.
“幽靈啊，”斯克擄奇說，“有什麼東西在通知我，我們分手的時候就要到了。我知道這個，但是我不知道究竟要怎樣分手。
Tell me what man that was whom we saw lying dead?”
告訴我，我們看見的那個死去了躺在床上的人到底是什麼人？”
The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come conveyed him, as before—though at a different time, he thought: indeed, there seemed no order in these latter visions, save that they were in the Future—into the resorts of business men, but showed him not himself.
那“未來聖誕節之靈”跟先前一樣——然而斯克擄奇認為是在不同的時候；的確，在最後的那些幻景中，時間上的次序似乎是混亂的，只知道這些都是將來的事情——把他運送到一個生意人聚集的地方，但是始終沒有把斯克擄奇自己顯現給他看。
Indeed, the Spirit did not stay for anything, but went straight on, as to the end just now desired, until besought by Scrooge to tarry for a moment.
實在是，這幽靈一點也沒有停留，隻顧一直往前去，彷彿正向剛才心目中想去的那個目的地奔去，直到斯克擄奇懇求它停留片刻才止。
“This court,” said Scrooge, “through which we hurry now, is where my place of occupation is, and has been for a length of time.
“我們現在急急忙忙穿過的這個院子，”斯克擄奇說，“就是我辦公的地方，而且幹了很長一個時期。
I see the house. Let me behold what I shall be, in days to come!” The Spirit stopped; the hand was pointed elsewhere.
我看見那幢房子了。讓我看看我在將來的日子裏究竟是個什麼樣兒！” 那幽靈停下來，可是手卻指著別處。
“The house is yonder,” Scrooge exclaimed. “Why do you point away?” The inexorable finger underwent no change.
“屋子就在那邊，”斯克擄奇叫道。“你為什麼指著別處呢？” 那隻無情的手指一點也不挪動。
Scrooge hastened to the window of his office, and looked in. It was an office still, but not his.
斯克擄奇趕快跑到他辦公室的窗子邊，向裏面望去。這兒還是一間辦公室，但已經不是他的了。
The furniture was not the same, and the figure in the chair was not himself. The Phantom pointed as before.
家具已經不是原來的了，坐在椅子裏的人也不是他自己。那幻象還是跟先前一樣地在指著。
He joined it once again, and wondering why and whither he had gone, accompanied it until they reached an iron gate.
他回到它的身邊，一邊納悶自己為什麼要這樣和要到哪兒去，一邊跟隨著它，直至他們到達一座鐵門邊。
He paused to look round before entering. A churchyard. Here, then; the wretched man whose name he had now to learn, lay underneath the ground.
他在進去之前，先停下來向四周看看。一片教堂的墳場。這麼說，這兒就是那個倒楣的人的葬身之地，這個人的姓名他眼看就要知道了。
It was a worthy place. Walled in by houses; overrun by grass and weeds, the growth of vegetation’s death, not life; choked up with too much burying; fat with repleted appetite. A worthy place!
這是一個令人肅然起敬的地方。四周被房屋包圍住；遍地的良草和雜草，而植物是正在不斷枯死，卻不是正在生長；埋葬了太多的人，塞得滿滿的；由於它的胃口得到滿足，顯出很發福的樣子。好一個令人肅然起敬的地方！
The Spirit stood among the graves, and pointed down to One. He advanced towards it trembling.
幽靈站在那些墳墓中間，朝下指著其中的一座。斯克擄奇哆嗦著向那座墳走過去。
The Phantom was exactly as it had been, but he dreaded that he saw new meaning in its solemn shape.
那幻象還是完全跟先前一個樣兒，可是他生怕從它那嚴肅的形體上看出新的含意來。
“Before I draw nearer to that stone to which you point,” said Scrooge, “answer me one question.
“在我更走近你指點著的那塊石碑之前，”斯克擄奇說，“請你回答我一個問題。
Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only?”
這些究竟是將要發生的事情的影像呢，還是隻不過是或許會發生的事情的影像？”
Still the Ghost pointed downward to the grave by which it stood.
那鬼依然手指向下，指著它身旁的那個墳。
“Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge.
“人們所走的道路會預示某種結局，這就是說，如果他們堅持走他們的道路，他們就一定會達到那種結局，”斯克擄奇說。
“But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!”
“但是，假如他們離開了這種道路，那末結局也會改變的。你說，你顯現給我看的那些事物就是這樣的吧！”
The Spirit was immovable as ever.
那幽靈還是跟以前一樣地絲毫不動。
Scrooge crept towards it, trembling as he went; and following the finger, read upon the stone of the neglected grave his own name, Ebenezer Scrooge.
斯克擄奇向這座墳走去，邊走邊發著抖；於是，隨著那個指頭，他在這荒墳的石碑上讀到他自己的姓名：埃伯尼澤·斯克擄奇。
“Am I that man who lay upon the bed?” he cried, upon his knees. The finger pointed from the grave to him, and back again.
“難道我就是躺在床上的那個人麼？”他叫道，雙膝跪下。那隻手指從墳指向他，再從他指向墳。
“No, Spirit! Oh no, no!” The finger still was there. “Spirit!” he cried, tight clutching at its robe, “hear me! I am not the man I was.
“不，幽靈！啊，不，不！”那隻手指仍然伸出著。“好幽靈啊！”他叫道，緊緊地抓住它的袍子。“聽我講！我現在已經不是從前那樣的人了。
I will not be the man I must have been but for this intercourse. Why show me this, if I am past all hope!” For the first time the hand appeared to shake.
若非這次經歷，我不會變成我應該變成的人。假如我已經是毫無希望的話，那又為什麼把這個顯現給我看呢？”那隻手似乎頭一次在顫動起來。
“Good Spirit,” he pursued, as down upon the ground he fell before it:
“好幽靈啊，”他接下去說，一邊跪倒在它面前的地上，
“Your nature intercedes for me, and pities me. Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!”
“你的天性在代我說情，並且可憐我。請你使我相信：如果我今後重新做人，我還能把你顯現給我看的那些影像改變過來！”
The kind hand trembled. “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.
那隻仁慈的手抖動起來。“我以後一定從心底裏尊重聖誕節，並且要一年到頭努力過著節。我以後要生活在‘過去’、‘現在’和‘將來’之中。
The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach. Oh, tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!”
這三位幽靈以後永遠都要在我心裏激勵著我。我決不把它們啟導我的教訓置之腦後。啊，告訴我，我還有可能擦掉這塊石頭上的字跡！”
In his agony, he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it. The Spirit, stronger yet, repulsed him.
他在痛苦中抓住了那幽靈的手。它想把手掙脫出來，但是他苦苦祈求著，用力抓住這隻手不放。然而那幽靈比他更強有力，終於擺脫了他。
Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed, he saw an alteration in the Phantom’s hood and dress.
他舉起手來作一次最後的禱告，祈求他的命運轉變過來，這時候他看見幽靈的帽兜和衣服都發生了變化。
It shrunk, collapsed, and dwindled down into a bedpost.
它縮攏來，塌下去，逐漸收縮成一根床柱子。
Stave 5: The End of It
Yes! and the bedpost was his own. The bed was his own, the room was his own.
對啊！這床柱是他自己的。床是他自己的，房間是他自己的。
Best and happiest of all, the Time before him was his own, to make amends in!
而一切之中最最好和最最幸福的是：他將來的時間是屬於他自己的，使他可以改過自新！
“I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!” Scrooge repeated, as he scrambled out of bed.
“我以後要生活在‘過去’、‘現在’和‘將來’之中！”斯克擄奇從床上爬下來，又這樣說了一句。
“The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. Oh Jacob Marley! Heaven, and the Christmas Time be praised for this! I say it on my knees, old Jacob; on my knees!” “這三位幽靈以後都要在我心裏激勵著我。雅各·馬利啊！為此，讚美上天和聖誕節吧！我現在跪著說這話，老馬利啊，我正跪著！”
He was so fluttered and so glowing with his good intentions, that his broken voice would scarcely answer to his call.
他心裏充滿了善良的心願，變得那麼激動和熱誠，使他那哽咽的聲音幾乎難以表達他的呼喚。
He had been sobbing violently in his conflict with the Spirit, and his face was wet with tears.
他剛才同幽靈爭執的時候，曾經痛哭過，因此臉上還沾著淚痕。
“They are not torn down,” cried Scrooge, folding one of his bed-curtains in his arms,
斯克擄奇把帳子的一邊拉攏來抱在自己懷裏，叫道，“它並沒有被人扯下來，
“they are not torn down, rings and all. They are here—I am here—the shadows of the things that would have been, may be dispelled.
它並沒有被人扯下來，連銅圈等等。它們現在都在這兒——我現在也在這兒——那些本來要實現的事情的影像，還有被驅散的可能。
They will be. I know they will!”
它們一定的。我知道一定會的！”
His hands were busy with his garments all this time; turning them inside out, putting them on upside down, tearing them, mislaying them, making them parties to every kind of extravagance. 在這段時間裏，他的一雙手一直忙著擺弄自己的衣服：把衣夾裏翻到外面，把它們顛倒了穿上身，或者把它們扯來扯去，把它們放錯了位置，以及對它們加以各種各樣的蹂躪。
“I don’t know what to do!” cried Scrooge, laughing and crying in the same breath; and making a perfect Laocoön of himself with his stockings.
“我不知道該怎樣做才好！”斯克擄奇叫道，又是笑又是哭，而且把他的長筒襪子纏在自己身上，弄得活像拉奧孔[1]似的。
[1] 拉奧孔為希臘神話中特洛伊城的一個祭司，因在特洛伊之戰中，勸市民不要把敵人留下的木馬拉進城而招女神雅典娜之怒，使他們父子三人被海中的兩條大蛇纏繞而死。
“I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I am as merry as a schoolboy. I am as giddy as a drunken man. A merry Christmas to everybody!
“我現在是輕鬆得像一根羽毛，快活得像一個天使，高興得像一個小學生，頭暈得像一個醉漢。祝大家聖誕快樂！
A happy New Year to all the world. Hallo here! Whoop! Hallo!” He had frisked into the sitting-room, and was now standing there: perfectly winded.
祝全世界的人新年愉快！喂喂！嗬嗬！喂！” 他已經跳跳蹦蹦進入了起居室，這時正站在那兒，簡直喘不過氣來。
“There’s the saucepan that the gruel was in!” cried Scrooge, starting off again, and going round the fireplace.
“那兒是盛著粥的鍋子！”斯克擄奇叫道，又走動起來，在壁爐前跳來蹦去。“
“There’s the door, by which the Ghost of Jacob Marley entered! There’s the corner where the Ghost of Christmas Present, sat!
那兒是雅各·馬利的鬼魂進來時所走的門！那兒是‘現在聖誕節之靈’坐過的角落！
There’s the window where I saw the wandering Spirits! It’s all right, it’s all true, it all happened. Ha ha ha!”
那兒是我看見那些遊魂的窗子！一切都是不錯的，一切都是真實的，一切都是發生過的。哈哈哈！”
Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh.
真的，對於一個許多年來在這方面荒疏已久的人，這真是一陣奇妙無比的大笑，一陣精彩萬分的大笑。
The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs! “I don’t know what day of the month it is!” said Scrooge.
這是長長一連串的出色笑聲之父！“我不知道今天是這個月的幾號，”斯克擄奇說。
“I don’t know how long I’ve been among the Spirits. I don’t know anything. I’m quite a baby. Never mind. I don’t care.
“我不知道我在幽靈們中間度過了多久時光。我什麼事情都不知道。我完全是個小娃娃。這沒關係。我不管這些。
I’d rather be a baby. Hallo! Whoop! Hallo here!”
我寧願做個小娃娃！喂！嗬嗬！喂喂！”
He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard. Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell.
他正手舞足蹈地欣喜若狂，被禮拜堂的鐘聲止住了：那樣歡樂的鐘聲是他生平從來沒有聽見過的。鏜，鋃，鐘錘敲著；
Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash! Oh, glorious, glorious! Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head.
叮，當，大鐘響著。鐘聲，當，叮；鐘錘，鋃，鏜！哦，真堂皇啊，真堂皇啊！他跑到窗戶邊，打開了窗，把頭伸出去。
No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells.
沒有濃霧，沒有煙靄；晴朗、明亮、歡欣、活躍、寒冷；寒冷，號召血液去跟著跳舞；金色陽光；天堂的天空；新鮮清香的空氣；歡樂的鐘聲。
Oh, glorious! Glorious! “What’s to-day!” cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.
哦，真堂皇啊，真堂皇啊！“今天是什麼日子啊？”斯克擄奇叫道，向樓下叫一個穿著禮拜天衣服[2]的孩子，這孩子大概是溜進來看看情況的。
[2] 禮拜天衣服為英國老百姓在星期日才穿的最好的衣服，不同於平時勞動所穿的服裝。
“Eh?” returned the boy, with all his might of wonder. “What’s to-day, my fine fellow?” said Scrooge.
“什麼？”那孩子問，驚奇得不得了。“今天是什麼日子，我的好人兒？”斯克擄奇說。
“To-day!” replied the boy. “Why, Christmas Day.” “It’s Christmas Day!” said Scrooge to himself. “I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night.
“今天！”孩子回答說。“喏，聖誕節唄！”“是聖誕節！”斯克擄奇自言自語道，“我尚未錯過節日。幽靈們把所有的事情在一夜裏都做完了。
They can do anything they like. Of course they can. Of course they can. Hallo, my fine fellow!” “Hallo!” returned the boy.
他們能做他們喜歡做的任何事情。他們當然能夠的。他們當然能夠的。喂，我的好人兒！”“喂！”那孩子回答說。
“Do you know the Poulterer’s, in the next street but one, at the corner?” Scrooge inquired. “I should hope I did,” replied the lad.
“你認得過去第二條街上的那家雞鴨鋪嗎，在轉角上的？”斯克擄奇問。“我想我應該是認得的吧，”這小子回答說。
“An intelligent boy!” said Scrooge. “A remarkable boy! Do you know whether they’ve sold the prize Turkey that was hanging up there?—
“真是個聰明的孩子！”斯克擄奇說。“真是個了不起的孩子！你知不知道他們有沒有賣掉那隻掛在那兒的特號火雞，
Not the little prize Turkey: the big one?” “What, the one as big as me?” returned the boy. “What a delightful boy!” said Scrooge.
不是那隻小的特號火雞，是那隻大的？”“什麼，那隻像我這樣大的嗎？”孩子回答說。“真是個討人喜歡的孩子！”斯克擄奇說，
“It’s a pleasure to talk to him. Yes, my buck!” “It’s hanging there now,” replied the boy. “Is it?” said Scrooge. “Go and buy it.” “Walk-er!” exclaimed the boy.
“跟他講話真有趣。是，我的花花公子！”“它還掛在那，”孩子說。“是嗎？”斯克擄奇說，“去把它買來。”“滑克爾[3]！”孩子驚叫道。
[3] 據傳說，約翰·滑克爾是倫敦的一個小職員，生著鷹爪鼻，專門喜歡把同事們的過失向上級報告，大家恨透了他，就竭力證明他所報不實。因此俗話說“鷹爪鼻滑克爾”，等於說“這是一個捏造的故事”。此處即“別胡扯”、“騙人”之意。
“No, no,” said Scrooge, “I am in earnest. Go and buy it, and tell ’em to bring it here, that I may give them the direction where to take it.
“不，不，”斯克擄奇說，“我這話是當真的。你去把它買下了，叫他們送到這兒來，讓我好吩咐他們把這東西送到哪兒去。
Come back with the man, and I’ll give you a shilling. Come back with him in less than five minutes and I’ll give you half-a-crown!”
你跟鋪子裏的人一起回來，我給你一個先令。如果不到五分鍾就跟他一起回來，我給你半個克朗！”
The boy was off like a shot. He must have had a steady hand at a trigger who could have got a shot off half so fast.
那孩子像一發子彈似的飛奔而去了。如果有人放槍能放得一半這麼快，那他已經可以算是一位射擊能手了。
“I’ll send it to Bob Cratchit’s!” whispered Scrooge, rubbing his hands, and splitting with a laugh.
“我要把它送到鮑勃·克拉吉家去，”斯克擄奇小聲說，搓搓雙手，笑得捧著肚子。“
“He sha’n’t know who sends it. It’s twice the size of Tiny Tim. Joe Miller never made such a joke as sending it to Bob’s will be!”
不讓他知道是誰送給他的。這隻火雞有兩個小丁姆那麼大。把它送給鮑勃真是開一個大玩笑，連喬·密勒[4]也要自愧不如呢。”
[4] 喬·密勒為英國民間傳說中的笑話作者，有本《喬·密勒笑話集》的古老的書，內容主要是十六、十七世紀時的笑話，據說收集的就是他講過的笑話。喬·密勒實有其人（1684—1738），是當時的一位喜劇演員。而最大的笑話是，據說他雖然以演喜劇為職業，但他生平卻從未講過一個笑話。
The hand in which he wrote the address was not a steady one, but write it he did, somehow,
他寫地址時，手都有點抖了；但是不管怎樣，他到底把它寫出來了，
and went down-stairs to open the street door, ready for the coming of the poulterer’s man.
而且走到樓下去把臨街的大門打開，等候那雞鴨鋪的人來。
As he stood there, waiting his arrival, the knocker caught his eye. “I shall love it, as long as I live!” cried Scrooge, patting it with his hand.
當他站在那兒等著的時候，他的眼睛忽然看到了那個門環。“我活一天就要愛它一天，”斯克擄奇說，用手拍拍它。
“I scarcely ever looked at it before. What an honest expression it has in its face! It’s a wonderful knocker!—
“我以前簡直從來不看它一眼。它那臉兒上的表情是多麼誠實啊！這真是個奇妙的門環！——
Here’s the Turkey! Hallo! Whoop! How are you! Merry Christmas!” It was a Turkey!
火雞來啦。喂！嗬嗬！你好哇！聖誕快樂！” 這才真是一隻火雞哪！
He never could have stood upon his legs, that bird. He would have snapped ’em short off in a minute, like sticks of sealing-wax.
它絕對不可能靠著自己的腿站立起來，這隻火雞。它會在一分鍾裏就把它的腿都折斷，像兩根封口的火漆棒似的。
“Why, it’s impossible to carry that to Camden Town,” said Scrooge. “You must have a cab.”
“嗐，要把它拎到堪姆登鎮去是辦不到的，”斯克擄奇說。“你得雇一輛馬車去才行。”
The chuckle with which he said this, and the chuckle with which he paid for the Turkey, and the chuckle with which he paid for the cab, and the chuckle with which he recompensed the boy, were only to be exceeded by the chuckle with which he sat down breathless in his chair again, and chuckled till he cried.
他說這句話時的格格笑聲，和他付火雞錢時的格格笑聲，付馬車費時的格格笑聲，以及他酬謝那小孩時的格格笑聲，都及不上他氣喘咻咻地重新在他椅子裏坐下時的那一陣格格笑聲，而且直笑得淌出眼淚來。
Shaving was not an easy task, for his hand continued to shake very much; and shaving requires attention, even when you don’t dance while you are at it.
修面不是一件容易的事情，這是因為他的手還繼續抖得很厲害；而且修面是需要一些專注力的，就算已經你不在修面時跳舞。
But if he had cut the end of his nose off, he would have put a piece of sticking-plaster over it, and been quite satisfied.
但是如果他把鼻子尖剃掉了的話，他會貼一塊橡皮膠布在上面，而仍舊感到心滿意足的。
He dressed himself “all in his best,” and at last got out into the streets.
他穿上了一身“最好的衣服”，終於走到了街上。
The people were by this time pouring forth, as he had seen them with the Ghost of Christmas Present; and walking with his hands behind him, Scrooge regarded every one with a delighted smile.
這時候人們都在湧出來了，這情景正同他跟著“現在聖誕節之靈”時看見的一樣。於是，斯克擄奇反背著雙手，面帶快活的笑容，看看每一個人。
He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humoured fellows said, “Good morning, sir! A merry Christmas to you!”
總之，他的神氣看起來是那麼樂不可支，因此有三四個心情愉快的人對他說道，“早安，先生！祝你聖誕快樂！”
And Scrooge said often afterwards, that of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard, those were the blithest in his ears.
後來斯克擄奇常常說，在他生平所聽到的愉快的聲音中，這幾個字聽在耳朵裏要算是最愉快的了。
He had not gone far, when coming on towards him he beheld the portly gentleman, who had walked into his counting-house the day before, and said, “Scrooge and Marley’s, I believe?”
他還沒有走多遠，就看見那位胖胖的紳士迎面走來——就是昨天走進他的賬房間的那個人。，對他說“斯克擄奇與馬利商行，是不是？”
It sent a pang across his heart to think how this old gentleman would look upon him when they met; but he knew what path lay straight before him, and he took it.
他一想到這位老先生遇到他時會怎樣看待他，心裏就貫穿著一陣痛楚之感；但是他知道擺在他面前的康莊大道是哪一條，他就選擇了這條路。
“My dear sir,” said Scrooge, quickening his pace, and taking the old gentleman by both his hands. “How do you do? I hope you succeeded yesterday. It was very kind of you. A merry Christmas to you, sir!” “親愛的先生，”斯克擄奇說，一面加快步伐，抓住了這位老先生的一雙手，“您好嗎？我希望您昨天獲得成功。您真是仁慈得很。祝您聖誕快樂，先生！”
“Mr. Scrooge?” “Yes,” said Scrooge. “That is my name, and I fear it may not be pleasant to you.
“斯克擄奇先生麼？”正是，”斯克擄奇說。“這就是在下的姓氏，我怕這名字您聽起來不大愉快吧。
Allow me to ask your pardon. And will you have the goodness”—here Scrooge whispered in his ear.
“請準許我懇求您的寬恕。而且還要請求您——”說到這兒，斯克擄奇便湊在他的耳邊輕輕地講了幾句話。
“Lord bless me!” cried the gentleman, as if his breath were taken away. “My dear Mr. Scrooge, are you serious?”
“上帝保佑我！”這位紳士說，簡直氣都喘不過來了。“我親愛的斯克擄奇先生，您這話當真嗎？”
“If you please,” said Scrooge. “Not a farthing less. A great many back-payments are included in it, I assure you. Will you do me that favour?”
“別見笑，”斯克擄奇說，“一個銅子兒都不會少。老實說，這裏頭還包括了許多過期未付的在內。您肯幫我這個忙嗎？”
“My dear sir,” said the other, shaking hands with him. “I don’t know what to say to such munifi—”
“我親愛的先生，”對方說，跟他握握手。“我簡直不知道該怎麼說才好，對於您這種慷——”
“Don’t say anything, please,” retorted Scrooge. “Come and see me. Will you come and see me?”
“請您甭提啦，”斯克擄奇回答說。“請光臨敝舍。您肯光臨敝舍嗎？”
“I will!” cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he meant to do it.
“我一定來！”那位老先生叫道。很明顯，他是決心要去的。
“Thank’ee,” said Scrooge. “I am much obliged to you. I thank you fifty times. Bless you!”
“謝謝您啦，”斯克擄奇說。“我真感激您。我對您無限感謝。祝福您！”
He went to church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure.
他上禮拜堂去，然後在街上逛來逛去，看著人們匆匆來往奔波，拍拍孩子們的頭，對乞丐們問問話，低下頭去看看人家屋子裏的廚房，抬起頭來望望人家的窗戶，覺得隨便哪一件事情都使他得到樂趣。
He had never dreamed that any walk—that anything—could give him so much happiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps towards his nephew’s house.
他從來做夢也沒有想到任何散步——任何事情——能給他這麼多的幸福。到了下午，他調轉腳步，向他外甥的家走去。
He passed the door a dozen times, before he had the courage to go up and knock. But he made a dash, and did it:
他在門外走來走去，走了十幾遍，才鼓起勇氣來上前去敲門。最後他一個衝刺，終於敲起門來。
“Is your master at home, my dear?” said Scrooge to the girl. Nice girl! Very. “Yes, sir.” “Where is he, my love?” said Scrooge.
“你的主人在家嗎，親愛的？”斯克擄奇對那姑娘說。一位好姑娘！好得很。“在家，先生。”“他在哪兒啊，我的好人兒？”斯克擄奇問。
“He’s in the dining-room, sir, along with mistress. I’ll show you up-stairs, if you please.”
“先生，他在餐廳裏，跟太太在一起。我領您上樓去，好不好？”
“Thank’ee. He knows me,” said Scrooge, with his hand already on the dining-room lock. “I’ll go in here, my dear.”
“謝謝你。他認得我的，”斯克擄奇說，他的手已經放在餐廳的門把手上了。“我這就進去啦，親愛的。”
He turned it gently, and sidled his face in, round the door.
他輕輕地旋著把手，把他的臉兒從門邊側著伸進去。
They were looking at the table (which was spread out in great array); for these young housekeepers are always nervous on such points, and like to see that everything is right. 他們正在對桌子上望著（桌上這時已經擺好了）；因這些年輕的主婦在這種問題上老是很緊張，喜歡看見一切都安排得好好的。
“Fred!” said Scrooge. Dear heart alive, how his niece by marriage started!
“弗雷德！”斯克擄奇說。天啊，他的外甥媳婦真是嚇了一大跳！
Scrooge had forgotten, for the moment, about her sitting in the corner with the footstool, or he wouldn’t have done it, on any account.
斯克擄奇這時忘掉了她是坐在角落裏，腳擱在一隻腳凳上，否則他隨便怎樣也不會這樣叫的。
“Why bless my soul!” cried Fred, “who’s that?” “It’s I. Your uncle Scrooge. I have come to dinner. Will you let me in, Fred?”
“啊呀，上帝保佑我！”弗雷德叫道，“這是哪一位呀？” “是我。你的舅舅斯克擄奇。我是來吃飯的。你肯讓我進來嗎，弗雷德？”
Let him in! It is a mercy he didn’t shake his arm off. He was at home in five minutes. Nothing could be heartier. His niece looked just the same.
讓他進來！他握手時沒把他胳膊搖斷已是走運了。五分鍾之後，他就感到舒適自在了。沒有比這更熱誠的接待了。他的外甥媳婦看來同是熱誠。
So did Topper when he came. So did the plump sister when she came. So did every one when they came.
陶泊爾，他走過來的時候也是這樣熱誠。那位胖妹妹走過來的時候，她也是這樣熱誠。每個人走過來的時候，他們也都是這樣熱誠。
Wonderful party, wonderful games, wonderful unanimity, won-der-ful happiness!
好得不得了的宴會，好得不得了的遊戲，好得不得了的親密融洽，好—得—不—得—了的幸福快樂！
But he was early at the office next morning. Oh, he was early there. If he could only be there first, and catch Bob Cratchit coming late!
但是第二天早晨，他老早就到辦公室了。哦，他是特地早去的！他只要能夠先到那裏，撞見鮑勃·克拉吉遲到就好了！
That was the thing he had set his heart upon. And he did it; yes, he did! The clock struck nine. No Bob. A quarter past. No Bob.
這便是他一心想做到的事情。果然給他做到了；是的，他做到了！鍾敲了九點。鮑勃沒來。九點一刻了。鮑勃沒來。
He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time. Scrooge sat with his door wide open, that he might see him come into the Tank.
他足足遲到了十八分半鍾。斯克擄奇坐在那兒，把他的房門開得大大的，以便能看見鮑勃走進那個“水槽”。
His hat was off, before he opened the door; his comforter too.
鮑勃在推開門之前，已經先把帽子脫掉，圍巾也除下來了。
He was on his stool in a jiffy; driving away with his pen, as if he were trying to overtake nine o’clock.
他一眨眼就坐到了他的小凳上，拿起筆來飛快地寫著，彷彿他想追上九點鍾似的。
“Hallo!” growled Scrooge, in his accustomed voice, as near as he could feign it. “What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?”
“喂！”斯克擄奇盡可能地裝出他慣常的聲音，咆哮道。“你今天到這個時候才來，究竟是什麼意思？”
“I am very sorry, sir,” said Bob. “I am behind my time.”
“我真抱歉得很，先生，”鮑勃說。“我是遲到了。”
“You are?” repeated Scrooge. “Yes. I think you are. Step this way, sir, if you please.”
“你是遲到了？”斯克擄奇重複說一遍。“是啊。我想你是遲到了。對不起，先生，請你到這兒來一下。”
“It’s only once a year, sir,” pleaded Bob, appearing from the Tank. “It shall not be repeated. I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.”
“這不過是一年一度啊，先生，”鮑勃從“水槽”裏鑽出來，懇求道。“下次決不會再這樣了。昨兒晚上，我玩得太快活了，先生。”
“Now, I’ll tell you what, my friend,” said Scrooge, “I am not going to stand this sort of thing any longer.
“喏，我來講給你聽，我的朋友，”斯克擄奇說，“我再也容忍不了這種事情啦。
And therefore,” he continued, leaping from his stool, and giving Bob such a dig in the waistcoat that he staggered back into the Tank again;
所以嘛，”他接下去說，從凳子上跳下來，對著鮑勃身上的背心，那麼使勁地一戳，戳得他跌跌撞撞地一直退回到“水槽”裏。——
“and therefore I am about to raise your salary!”
“所以嘛，我就要給你加薪水啦！”
Bob trembled, and got a little nearer to the ruler.
鮑勃發起抖來，朝放著尺的地方走近了一點兒。
He had a momentary idea of knocking Scrooge down with it, holding him, and calling to the people in the court for help and a strait-waistcoat.
有那麼一刹那時間，他想用這根尺把斯克擄奇擊倒，挾住了他的身子，叫院子裏的人大家來幫忙，給他穿上一件緊身衣[5]！
[5] 緊身衣：一種厚帆布製成的長袖衣服，給發瘋的人穿上，束縛住手足，使他無法動彈。這裏是說鮑勃以為斯克擄奇發瘋了。
“A merry Christmas, Bob!” said Scrooge, with an earnestness that could not be mistaken, as he clapped him on the back.
“祝你聖誕快樂，鮑勃！”斯克擄奇說，輕輕地拍拍他的背脊，他那一副誠懇的樣子，誰看了都不會誤解的。
“A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow, than I have given you, for many a year!
“祝你過一個更加快樂的聖誕節，鮑勃，我的好人兒，比我許多年來給過你的聖誕節都要快樂得多！
I’ll raise your salary, and endeavour to assist your struggling family, and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon, over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob! 我要加你的薪水，並且要盡力幫助你那艱苦奮鬥的家庭，讓咱們就在今天下午，邊喝著一碗聖誕節的熱氣騰騰的‘必歇浦’[6]，邊談你的事兒，鮑勃！
[6] 必歇浦為一種用葡萄酒、橘子或檸檬、香料和砂糖混合製成的飲料，加熱後飲用。
Make up the fires, and buy another coal-scuttle before you dot another i, Bob Cratchit!”
快把爐裏的火加加旺，趕快先去買一桶煤來再動筆寫吧，鮑勃·克拉吉！”
Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father.
斯克擄奇實現超過了自己的諾言。他做了所有這些事情，而且還做了不知多少別的事情；至於小丁姆呢，他並沒有死，斯克擄奇還做了他的乾爹。
He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, or borough, in the good old world. 他成為這個又好又老的城市所知道的，或者這個又好又老的世界上任何一個別的又老又好的都市、城鎮和自治市鎮所知道的再好也沒有的朋友，再好也沒有的東家和再好也沒有的人。
Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh, and little heeded them;
有些人看見他這種轉變，覺得好笑，但是他讓他們笑，一點不去理會他們；
for he was wise enough to know that nothing ever happened on this globe, for good, at which some people did not have their fill of laughter in the outset;
因為他已相當聰明，知道在這個地球上的任何一件事情，在開頭的時候總是有人大笑而特笑的；
and knowing that such as these would be blind anyway, he thought it quite as well that they should wrinkle up their eyes in grins, as have the malady in less attractive forms. 且知道，這種人無論如何都是盲目的，因此他覺得，與其讓他們犯別種樣子不雅觀的毛病，倒不如讓他們笑得眯起了眼睛的好。
His own heart laughed: and that was quite enough for him.
他自己打心底裏在笑，而這對他來說，已經是很足夠的了。
He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever afterwards;
從此以後，他跟精靈們[7]不再有往來，而是根據“滴酒不沾”的原則生活。
and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge.
後來人們常常談到他，說如果現在世上有什麼人懂得怎樣過好聖誕節的話，那就要算是他了。
May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!
但願人們說我們也正是這樣，我們大家都是這樣！因此，正如小丁姆說的：上帝保佑我們，每一個人！
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