《小妇人》第36期第7章麦格听到了闲言碎语(3)

　　'I shall ask young Laurence to come，and we'll have some fun with her afterwards．'
　　Meg tried to forget what she'd heard，but could not．The gossip made her angry，and she was glad when the party was over and she was alone in her bed．She cried quietly to herself．Why did people have to say those things？She and Laurie were just friends，but now that friendship felt damaged by the unkind gossip．
　　The next day，Miss Belle said，'Meg，dear，we've sent an invitation to your friend，Mr Laurence，for Thursday．'
　　Meg pretended to misunderstand．'You're very kind，but I'm afraid he won't come．He's nearly seventy．'
　　Miss Belle laughed．'I mean the young man．'
　　'There isn't one，'said Meg．'Laurie is only a boy．'
　　'Isn't he about your age？'said Clara．
　　'Nearer Jo's，'said Meg．'I'm seventeen in August．'
　　'It's nice of him to send you flowers，'said Annie．
　　'He often does，to all of us，'said Meg．'My mother and old Mr Laurence are friends，you know．'

“我会请小劳伦斯来，然后我们再跟她逗趣。”
　　麦格试图忘记她所听到的话，可是不行。那些闲言碎语使她很生气，所以晚会结束、她独自躺到床上时她很不高兴。她静静地哭了。人们为什么要那么说呢？她和罗瑞只是朋友，现在那份友谊像是要被那些不友好的闲话毁了。
　　第二天，白拉小姐说：“麦格，亲爱的，我们给你的朋友劳伦斯先生发了份邀请，请他参加星期四的舞会。”
　　麦格假装误会了：“你们真好，可我想他不会来的。他都快70岁了。”
　　白拉小姐笑了。“我是说那个年轻的先生。”
　　“没有年轻的先生，”麦格说，“劳瑞还是个孩子。”
　　“他不是和你差不多大吗？”克拉拉问。
　　“他离琼更近些。”麦格说。“我八月份就17岁了。”
　　“他送你花真好，”安妮说。
　　“他经常这样，给我们大家都送，”麦格说。“你们知道，我妈妈和老劳伦斯先生是朋友。”