(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Our story is called "The Bride Comesto Yellow Sky." It was written by Stephen Crane. We will listen to thestory in two parts. Today we will hear the first part of the story. "TheBride Comes to Yellow Sky". The great train was rushing forward suchsteady dignity of motion that a glance from the window seemed simply to provethat the flatlands of Texas were pouring toward the east. A newly married pairhad come on this train at San Antonio. The man's face was reddened from manydays in the wind and sun. His roughened hands were continually moving over hisnew black clothes in a most nervous manner. From time to time he looked downrespectfully at his suit. He sat with a hand on each knee, like a man waitingin a shop for a haircut. The glances he gave to other passengers were few andquick. The bride was not pretty, nor was she very young. She wore a dress ofblue with many buttons. She continually turned her head to regard some part orother of her dress. It made her feel strange. One could tell that she hadcooked and that she expected to cook, dutifully. The searching glances of someof the passengers as she had entered the car had brought the blood rushing toher face. Her uncomfortable expression was strange to see upon this plain face,which was usually calm and almost emotionless.
They were evidently very happy. "Everbeen in a train like this before?" he asked, smiling with delight. "No,"she answered, "I never was. It's fine, isn't it?" "Great! Aftera while we'll go forward to the dining car and get a big dinner. Finest meal inthe world. Costs a dollar." "Oh, it does?" cried the bride."A dollar? Oh, that's too much for us, isn't it, Jack?" "Not onthis trip, at least," he answered bravely. "We're going to enjoyourselves." Later he explained to her about the trains. "You see,it's a thousand miles from one end of Texas to the other. The train runsstraight across it, and only stops four times." He had the pride of anowner. He pointed out to her the beauty of the car they were riding in. And intruth her eyes opened wider as she observed the rich, sea-green cloth coveringthe seats, the shining silver and glass, the wood that shone darkly like thesurface of a pool of oil. To the minds of the pair, their surroundings repeatedthe glory of their wedding that morning in San Antonio. This was the spirit oftheir new life, and the man's face in particular shone with a joy that made himappear foolish to certain passengers. In the minds of some, there was supposedto be something hugely funny in the pair's situation.
"We are due in Yellow Sky at3:42," he said, looking tenderly into her eyes. "Oh, are we?"she said, as if she had not been aware of it. To show surprise at her husband'sremark was part of her wifely duty. She took from a pocket a little silverwatch. As she held it before her, and stared at it with a look of attention,the new husband's face shone. "I bought it in San Antonio from a friend ofmine," he told her proudly. "It's 17 minutes past 12," she said,looking up at him with a happy expression which, nevertheless, showed a lack ofexperience in conversing with men. A passenger, observing her small nervousness,laughed to himself. At last they went to the dining car. The man serving theirtable happened to take pleasure in directing them through their meal. He viewedthem with the manner of a fatherly guide, his face shining with kindness. Butthey did not understand his attentions. As they returned to their seats, theyshowed in their faces a sense of escape.
It was evident that, as the distance fromYellow Sky grew shorter, the husband became more nervous. His red hands wereeven more noticeable. He was rather absent-minded and faraway when the bride leanedforward and spoke to him. As a matter of truth, Jack Potter was beginning tofind his deed weighing upon him like a great stone. He, the town policeman ofYellow Sky, was a man known, liked, and feared in his community. He, animportant person, had gone to San Antonio to meet a girl he believed he loved. Andthere he had actually married her without discussing any part of the matterwith Yellow Sky. He was now bringing his bride to a sure-to-be-surprised town. Ofcourse, people in Yellow Sky married as it pleased them. But Potter's thoughtsof his duty to his friends, or of their idea of his duty, made him feel he wassinful. He was guilty of a great and unusual crime. Face to face with this girlin San Antonio, he had leaped over all the social fences. At San Antonio he waslike a man hidden in the dark. A knife to cut any friendly duty was easy totake in his hand in that distant city. But the hour of Yellow Sky, the hour ofdaylight, was approaching.
He knew very well that his wedding was animportant thing to the town. It could only be equaled by the burning of the newhotel. His friends could not forgive him, he felt. And now the train washurrying him toward a scene of surprise, merriment, and blame. He glanced outof the window again. Yellow Sky had a kind of band, which played its horns anddrums painfully, to the delight of the people. He laughed without heart as hethought of it. If the citizens could dream of his arrival with his bride, theywould march the band at the station and accompany them, among cheers andlaughter, to his house. He decided that he would use all methods of speed andcleverness in making the journey from the station to his house. Once safely athome, he would announce the news. Then he would not go among the citizens untilthey'd had time to master their emotions. The bride looked anxiously at him."What's worrying you, Jack?" He laughed. "I'm not worrying,girl. I'm only thinking of Yellow Sky." She understood, and her faceturned red again. They shared a sense of slight guilt that developed a finertenderness. They looked at each other with eyes softly glowing. But Potteroften laughed the same nervous laugh. The deep red color upon the bride's facedid not lessen. "We're nearly there," he said.
As the train began to slow, they movedforward in the car. The long line of cars moved into the station of Yellow Sky."The train has to get water here," said Potter, from a tight throatand face, as one announcing death. Before the train stopped, his eye hadsearched the station, and he was glad and surprised to see there was no onethere except the station master. "Come on, girl," said Potter with athick voice. As he helped her down, they each laughed in a strained manner. Hetook her bag and told his wife to hold his arm. As they hurried away he sawthat the station master had turned and was running toward them, waving hisarms. Potter laughed, and sighed as he laughed, when he realized the firsteffect of his wedding upon Yellow Sky. He grasped his wife's arm firmly to hisside and they hurried away.
The California train was due at Yellow Skyin 21 minutes. There were six men in the Weary Gentleman Saloon. One was asalesman who talked a great deal and rapidly; three were Texans who did notcare to talk at that time; and two were Mexican sheep farmers who did notusually talk in the saloon. The saloon-keeper's dog lay in front of the door.His head was resting on his feet, and he glanced sleepily here and there withthe ready watchfulness of a dog that is sometimes kicked. Across the sandystreet were some bright green, grass spots, so wonderful in appearance next toburning sands in the hot sun. At the cooler side of the railroad station, a manwithout a coat sat in a chair leaned back against the building. He smoked hispipe. The waters of the Rio Grande river circled near the town, and beyond itcould be seen great flatlands. Except for the busy salesman and his companionsin the saloon, Yellow Sky was sleeping.
Thesalesman leaned easily upon a table and told many tales with the confidence ofa story teller who has found new listeners. He was interrupted by a young manwho suddenly appeared in the open door. He cried, "Scratchy Wilson'sdrunk, and has started to make trouble." The two Mexicans at once put downtheir glasses and disappeared through the rear door of the saloon. The salesman, not understanding the importanceof the warning, jokingly answered, "All right, old man. Suppose he has? Comein and have a drink anyhow." But the information had made such an apparentimpression upon everyone in the room that the salesman was forced to see itsimportance. All had become instantly serious. "Well," he said, filledwith mystery, "what is this?" His three companions started to tellhim, but the young man at the door stopped them." "It means, myfriend," he answered as he came into the saloon, "that for the nexttwo hours this town won't be very healthy." The saloon-keeper went to thedoor and locked it. Reaching out of the window, he pulled in heavy woodenboards, which covered the windows and locked there. The salesman was lookingfrom one to another. "What is this, anyhow?" he cried. "Youdon't mean there is going to be a gun-fight?" Come back to AmericanStories next week for the second half of "The Bride Comes to YellowSky" by Stephen Crane.
重点解析
1.from time to time 有时；不时
For the children, parents should always run from time to time to show concern and timely to talk about the heart.
对于小孩子来说家长应该经常时不时去关心，适时的去谈谈心。
2.point out to 使注意；使注重
But I would like to point out to you that you must be fully held responsible for any consequence that may arise.
不过，我得向你指出，由此产生的一切后果你要负全部责任。
3.hurry away 匆匆离去；使赶快去
You'll have to excuse me. I shall have to hurry away.
请原谅我，我得赶快走了。
4.be forced to 迫做某事；不得不
"Companies are going to be forced to use bankruptcy as a vehicle to right-size the balance sheet, " he said.
他指出，“企业被迫将破产作为一种调整资产负债表至合理规模的手段”。
参考译文
我们今天要讲的故事是斯蒂芬·克莱恩的短篇小说《新娘来到黄天镇》，故事分为两部分，今天讲述上部分内容。《新娘来到黄天镇》。巨型火车正气宇轩昂地向前奔驰，从窗口望出去，似乎只是证明德克萨斯州的平原在向东倾泻。一对新婚夫妇在圣安东尼奥登上这列火车，男人的脸经风吹日晒好多天都变红了。他那双粗糙的手一直很紧张地在他那件黑色新衣服上移动。他不时地望着自己的西装，眼神中充满敬意。他坐在那里，两只手放在双膝上，就像一个男人在理发店里等待理发一样。他很少看其他乘客，就算看也是快快地扫一下。新娘不算漂亮，也不是很年轻。她穿着一条缀有许多钮扣的蓝色连衣裙。她不停地转过头注视着连衣裙的某个部分。这让她看起来怪怪的。能看得出她呆过厨房，而且希望尽职尽责地煮饭做菜。她上车时，一些乘客肆意地盯着她打量，让她羞红了脸。她那张素净的脸庞原本宁静，也没什么表情，所以当她流露出不安的表情时，看上去有点奇怪。
他们显然很高兴。“以前坐过这样的火车吗？”他笑着问。“没有，”她回答，“我从来没坐过。挺好的，对吧？”“太棒了！我们过一会就去餐车去吃晚餐，弄一桌子菜，全世界最好的食物，收费一美元。”“哦，是吗？”新娘叫道。“一美元？噢，对我们来说太贵了，不是吗，杰克？”“至少在这趟旅行中不算贵，”他勇敢地回答。“我们要尽情享用一番。”后来他向她解释有关火车的知识。“你看，从德克萨斯州这头到那头有一千英里，火车是径直穿过的，只停四次。”他神气得像主人一般，把漂亮的车厢指给她看。她果然睁大眼睛，注视着铺在座位上的海绿色绒布、闪闪发光的白银和玻璃，还有像油面一样闪烁着黑色光泽的木头。在这对恋人的心目中，他们周围的环境重现了那天早上在圣安东尼奥举行婚礼的辉煌盛景。这就是他们新生活的活力所在，尤其是那个男人脸上洋溢的喜悦之情，在一些乘客看来显得很滑稽。
对某些人来说，这对情侣的境遇应该是非常有趣的。他温柔地看着她的眼睛说：“我们3：42到黄天镇。”“哦，是吗？”她说，好像自己没意识到这一点。对她丈夫的话表示惊讶，是履行妻子职责的一部分。她从口袋里拿出一块小银表。当她把它举到眼前，聚精会神地盯着它看时，新婚丈夫的脸上又闪耀出光芒。“我在圣安东尼奥时，从一个朋友那买的这块表，”他自豪地告诉她。“现在是12：17，”她抬头看着他说道，脸上洋溢着快乐的表情。尽管如此，她还是缺乏与男人交谈的经验。一位乘客看出她有点紧张，就自己笑了出来。最后他们去了餐车。接待他们的服务员碰巧很乐意为他们服务，像慈父一般指点他们，脸上闪烁着慈祥可亲的光芒。但他的殷勤服务，让他们无法理解。他们回到座位上时，脸上流露出逃离窘境的庆幸。
距离黄天镇越来越近，很显然丈夫变得越发不安。他那双红色的手越来越显眼。新娘倾着身子对他说话时，他有点心不在焉。事实上，杰克·波特开始发现某件事像一块巨石一样压在他身上。他作为黄天镇的警长，是个鼎鼎大名的人物，大家都喜欢他，也惧怕他。他这个重要的人物，跑到圣安东尼奥去见这位自己确信深爱的女孩。他还娶了她，都没有问黄天镇乡亲们的意见。他现在要带着新娘回去了，这一定会让镇上的人大吃一惊。黄天镇的人想和谁结婚就结，但当波特想到他对朋友的责任，或想到他们心中他的责任时，他会有种罪恶感。他犯了一个滔天大罪。他在圣安东尼奥和这个女孩面对面时，不顾一切地越过所有社会藩篱。在圣安东尼奥，他就像一个躲在黑暗中的人。在那个遥远的城市中，他能轻而易举地握住匕首，斩断任何形式的手足情谊。但是，黄天镇的时间，白昼的时间正在逼近。
他完全知道自己的婚礼在镇上是件大事，重要性相当于新酒店起火。他觉得，他的哥们不会原谅他。现在，火车正载着他驶向惊喜、欢乐和指责声中。他又向窗外匆匆看了一眼。黄天镇有个乐队，他们吹喇叭、敲鼓，演奏得相当糟糕，这倒让镇上的人感到很逗乐。想到这，他不自主地笑了起来。如果大家能想象到他将带着新娘驾到，他们肯定会把乐队请到车站来，伴着欢笑声和他们一道回住所。他决定用最快的方法赶紧从车站回家，安然无恙地到家后，他就会告诉大家结婚的事。然后等镇上的人热情褪去一点后，再出来活动。新娘焦虑地望着他问：“你愁什么呢，杰克？”他笑了笑说：“我没发愁，老婆，我只是在想黄天镇。”她懂了，羞红了脸。他们各自心里都有了些许负罪感，然后变得更加温柔。他们看着对方，眼神滚烫而温柔。但波特总是那样紧张地笑，新娘脸上的绯红似乎也褪不掉了。“我们就快到了，”他说。
火车开始减速了，他们走到前面的车厢。一长串车厢驶入了黄天镇车站。波特说：“火车得在这里加水。”他喉咙像被堵住了，面孔威严，仿佛在宣布某人的死讯。在火车停下来之前，他那双眼在车站上找寻着什么，他惊喜地看到车站上除了站长以外，没有其他人。“过来，老婆，”波特用嘶哑的声音说。当他扶着她下来时，他们都不自然地笑了起来。他拿着她的包，告诉妻子握着他的手臂。当他们匆忙离开时，他看到站长转过身向他们跑来，挥舞着他的手臂。波特注意到自己的婚讯在黄天镇带来的第一个反应，他笑了，边笑变叹了口气。他抓住妻子的手臂，紧紧拉到自己身边，然后快步离开。
加州火车预定在21分钟后到达黄天镇。在“疲倦绅士”沙龙酒吧里，有六个男人。其中一个是一个销售员，他说话又多又快；三个德克萨斯人，他们当时不想说话；还有两个墨西哥牧羊人，他们在酒吧里通常不说话。酒吧老板的狗躺在门前，头枕在爪子上，懒洋洋地左顾右看，但行人偶尔会踢它，所以它时不时显露出警惕的神情。布满沙尘的街道上，有点点绿色，在烈日下滚烫的尘沙中出现这样的绿色景致，真是太美妙了。在车站比较凉爽的一侧，一个没穿外套的男人坐在一把倾斜的椅子上，他背后是一座大楼。这个男人吸着烟斗。格兰德河的河水环绕着小镇，河的另一边是巨大的平原。除了酒吧里繁忙的销售员和他的同伴外，黄天镇一片寂静。
销售员斜靠着一张桌子，滔滔不绝地讲起了故事，那架势仿佛是找寻到新听众的说书人。突然，一个年轻人出现在门口，打断了销售员的故事。年轻人喊道：“斯克莱奇·威尔逊喝醉啦，他开始惹事了。”两个墨西哥人立刻放下手中的酒杯，从酒吧后门溜走了。销售员没明白事态的严重性，开玩笑地答道，“好吧，伙计。可能他真喝醉了？不管怎么说，进来喝一杯吧。”但是，酒吧里的每个人听到这个消息时，都产生了巨大反应。这让销售员意识到事情的严重性，所有人都变得严肃起来。他很疑惑，问道：“喂，这是怎么回事？”他的三个同伴正准备跟他解释，站在门口的年轻人却打断了他们。”年轻人走进酒吧回答说：“伙计，这意味着接下来的两小时里，这个镇将不再是安宁之地。”酒吧老板走到门口，把门锁上。他又走到窗口，拉回沉重的木板，把窗户遮住后又锁上。销售员看看这个人，又望望那个人。他喊道：“到底会发生什么呢？不会是有枪战吧？”欢迎下周继续收听美国故事，我们将带来斯蒂芬·克莱恩的短篇小说《新娘来到黄天镇》的下部分内容。
