19-2-18 【英语美文】《日本海棠》中产的对视，无处安放的保守，无从跳脱的桎梏

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The Japanese Quince By John Galsworthy (1910)

1.      As Mr. Nilson, well knownin the City, opened the window of his dressing-room, he experienced a peculiarsweetish sensation in the back ofhis throat, and a feeling of emptiness just under his fifth rib. Hooking the window back, he noticedthat a little tree in the Square Gardens had come out in blossom, and that the thermometer stood at sixty. 'Perfectmorning,' he thought; 'spring at last!'

2.      He took up an ivory-backed hand-glass and scrutinised his face. His firm,well-coloured cheeks, with their neat brown moustaches, and his round,well-opened, clear grey eyes, wore a reassuring appearance of good health.Putting on his coat, he went downstairs. Arrived, Mr. Nilson again became awareof that queer feeling. A cuckoo clock struck eight.

3.      'Half an hour to breakfast,'he thought; 'I'll take a turn in theGardens.' He proceeded to pace thecircular path with his morning paper clasped behind him. He had scarcely made two rounds, however, when he realized that,instead of going away in the fresh air, the feeling had increased.

4.      He drew several deepbreaths, having heard deep breathing recommended by his wife's doctor; but they augmented rather than diminished thesensation. Running over what he hadeaten the night before, he could recollect no unusual dish, and it occurred tohim that it might possibly be some smell affecting him. But he could detect nothing except a faint sweetlemony scent, which evidently emanated from the bushes budding in thesunshine. He was on the point of resuming his promenade, when a blackbird close by burst into song, and, lookingup, Mr. Nilson saw at a distance of perhaps five yards a little tree, in theheart of whose branches the bird was perched.

5.      He stood staring curiouslyat this tree, recognising it for that which he had noticed from his window. Itwas covered with young blossoms, pink and white, and little bright greenleaves; and on all this blossom and these leaves the sunlight glistened. Mr.Nilson smiled; the little tree was so alive and pretty! And instead of passingon, he stayed there smiling at the tree.

6.      'Morning like this!' hethought; 'and here I am the only person in the Square who has the--to come outand--!' But he had no sooner conceived this thought than he saw quite near him a man with his hands behind him, whowas also staring up and smiling at the little tree. Rather taken aback, Mr. Nilson ceased to smile, and looked furtively at the stranger.

7.      It was his next-doorneighbour, Mr. Tandram, well known in the City, who had occupied the adjoining house for some five years.Mr. Nilson perceived at once the awkwardness of his position, for they had notyet had occasion to speak to one another. Doubtful, he decided at last tomurmur: "Fine morning!" and was passing on, when Mr. Tandramanswered: "Beautiful, for the time of year!"

8.      Detecting a slightnervousness in his neighbour's voice, Mr. Nilson was emboldened to regard him openly. He was of about Mr. Nilson's ownheight, with firm well-coloured cheeks, neat brown moustaches, and round,well-opened, clear grey eyes. Mr. Nilson noticed that he had his morning paperclasped behind him as he looked up at the little tree. And, visited somehow bythe feeling that he had been caught out, he said abruptly:

9.      "Er--can you give methe name of that tree?" Mr. Tandram answered: "I was about to ask youthat," and stepped towards it. Mr. Nilson also approached the tree. "Sureto have its name on, I should think," he said. Mr. Tandram was the firstto see the little label, close to where the blackbird had been sitting. He readit out. "Japanese quince!" "Ah!" said Mr. Nilson,"thought so. Early flowerers." "Very," assented Mr.Tandram, and added: "Quite a feelin' in the air today." Mr. Nilsonnodded. "It was a blackbird singin'," he said.

10.  "These exotics, theydon't bear fruit. Pretty blossom!" he continued and he again glanced up atthe blossom, thinking: 'Nice fellow, this, I rather like him.' Mr. Tandram alsogazed at the blossom. And the little tree as if appreciating their attention, quivered and glowed. From a distancethe blackbird gave a loud, clear call. Mr. Nilson dropped his eyes. It struckhim suddenly that Mr. Tandram looked a little foolish; and, as if he had seenhimself, he said: "I must be going in. Good morning!"

11.  A shade passed over Mr.Tandram's face, as if he, too, had suddenly noticed something about Mr. Nilson."Good morning," he replied, and clasping their journals to theirbacks they separated. Mr. Nilson retraced his steps toward his garden window,walking slowly so as to avoid arriving at the same time as his neighbour.Having seen Mr. Tandram mount his scrolled iron steps, he ascended hisown in turn. On the top step he paused.

12.  With the slanting spring sunlight darting and quivering into it, theJapanese quince seemed more living than a tree. The blackbird had returned toit, and was chanting out his heart. Mr.Nilson sighed; again he felt that queer sensation, that choky feeling in histhroat. The sound of a cough or sigh attracted his attention. There, in the shadowof his French window, stood Mr. Tandram, also looking forth across the Gardensat the little quince tree.

Unaccountably upset, Mr. Nilson turnedabruptly into the house, and opened his morning paper.