《小妇人》第40期第7章麦格听到了闲言碎语(7)

　　She was sick all the next day， and on Saturday went home，quite tired of her fortnight's fun．
　　'I'm glad to be home，'she said to her mother and Jo，after telling them how she was dressed up like a doll，drank too much wine，and was ill afterwards．She had laughed while telling them the story，but her face still looked worried at the end．
　　'There is something else，I think，'said Mrs March，smoothing Meg' s cheek，which suddenly became rose-red．
　　'Yes，'Meg said slowly．'I hate people saying and thinking awful things about us and Laurie．'Then she told them the gossip she had heard．
　　'What rubbish！'said Jo．'Just wait until I see Annie Moffat！How stupid to think that Mother has “plans”，and that we are kind to Laurie because he is rich and may marry one of us one day．He'll laugh when I tell him！'
　　'No，Jo，'said her mother．'You must never repeat wicked gossip．
　　'Do you have “plans”，Mother？'asked Meg．
　　'All mothers do，dear，'said Mrs March．'But my plans are different from Mrs Moffat's，I suspect．I want my daughters to be loved，and I want people to think well of them．I want them to marry well，but not to marry rich men just because they are rich．I'd rather you were poor men's wives，if that meant you had happy，peaceful lives．But your father and I believe that we'll always be proud of our daughters，whether they are married or single．'
　　'You will，you will！said Meg and Jo，together．

　第二天她一整天觉得很不舒服。星期六她回家了，由于前一天的玩乐，她感到很累。
　　“真高兴回家来，”当她向母亲和琼讲述了她怎样被打扮得像个玩具娃娃、怎样喝了太多的葡萄酒、后来感到难受的事后，她说。她在向她们讲她的故事时笑过，但最后她的表情还是显得忧虑。
　　“我觉得还有些别的事，”马奇太太边说边抚摸着麦格的脸颊。那张脸突然变得通红。
　　“是的，”麦格慢慢地说，“我讨厌人们说些和想些关于我们和罗瑞的坏话。”之后她向她们讲述了她听到的闲话。
　　“废话！”琼说，“等我看见安妮•墨菲时再说！这有多愚蠢，觉得妈妈早有'打算'，还认为我们对罗瑞好是因为他有钱，将来会跟我们其中的一个结婚。如果我告诉他他会笑坏了的！”
　　“不许，琼，”她母亲说，“你永远不许重复不好的闲话。”
　　“你早有'打算'吗，妈妈？”麦格问。
　　“所有的母亲都有打算的，亲爱的，”马奇太太说。“可我认为我的打算跟墨菲太太的有所不同。我要我的女儿们被爱，我要大家都喜欢她们。我要她们婚姻美满，可不是只为了富有而嫁给富人。如果你们成为穷人的妻子，可那意味着你们拥有幸福宁静的生活，我倒宁愿你们那样做。不过你们的父亲和我相信我们会永远为我们的女儿自豪，无论她们是单身还是已婚。”
　　“你们会的，你们会的。”麦格和琼异口同声地说道。