《小妇人》第14期_第3章 劳伦斯家的男孩(4)

　　'Yes，'he said．'She looks so fresh and quiet．'
　　This pleased Jo very much， and soon the two of them were talking easily， like old friends．'I hear you're always studying hard，'said Jo．'Are you going to college soon？'
　　'Not for a year or two，'he said．'I'm sixteen next month，and I won't go before I'm seventeen．'
　　'I wish I was going to college，said Jo．
　　'I hate even the idea of it！'said Laurie．
　　Jo wanted to know why， but he looked so serious that instead of asking she said，'Why don't you go and dance？'
　　'I will if you'll come too，'be answered．
　　'I can't because—' Jo stopped．
　　'Because what？'
　　'You won't tell？'
　　'Never！'
　　'I' ve a bad habit of standing near a fire，and I burn my dresses，'said Jo．'I have to keep still so that no one will see the burn on this one． Laugh if you like．'
　　But Laurie didn't laugh．'Never mind that，he said gently．'Please come．'

“是的，”他答道。“她看上去那么清纯和安静。”
　　这让琼十分高兴，不久他们俩就像老朋友一样自如地交谈起来。“我听说你学习很用功，”琼说，“那你不久要去读大学吗？”
　　“一两年内不会，”他回答。“我下个月满16岁，17岁以前我不会去。”
　　“我真希望能上大学，”琼说。
　　“我一想到它就感到憎恨！”罗瑞说。
　　琼想问为什么，可他看上去很严肃，琼没提问，而是说：“你为什么不去跳舞？”
　　“如果你也来我就跳，”他回答。
　　“我不能，因为——，”琼欲言又止。
　　“因为什么？”
　　“你不说出去吗？”
　　“绝不会！”
　　“我有个坏毛病，总是离火炉很近，结果把裙子烧了，”琼说，“我只好站直了，好让人看不出这件衣服上的烧痕。想笑你就笑吧。”
　　可罗瑞没笑。“没关系，”他轻柔地说，“来吧。”