《远大前程》第2章 抓住一名罪犯(4)

　　‘But how could my medicine get into a brandy bottle？’asked my sister．Fortunately she had no time to find the answer，as Mr Pumblechook was calling for a hot rum to remove the taste of the medicine．‘And now，'she said，when the fat man was calmer，‘you must all try Uncle Pumblechook's pre-sent to us！A really delicious meat pie！’
　　‘That's right，Mrs Joe！'said Mr Pumblechook，looking more cheerful now．‘ Bring in the pie！’
　　‘You shall have some，Pip，'said Joe kindly．
　　I knew what would happen next．I could not sit there any longer．I jumped down from the table，and ran out of the room．
　　But at the front door I ran straight into a group of soldiers．Mrs Joe was saying as she came out of the kitchen，‘The pie-has-gone！’but stopped when she saw the soldiers．
‘Excuse me，ladies and gentlemen，'said the officer in charge．‘I'm here in the King's name，and I want the black-smith．’
“可是，我的药怎么能进到白兰地酒瓶里呢？”我姐姐问。幸好她顾不上去找答案。因为潘波趣先生叫喊着要些热松子酒，以除掉药的味道。“喂喂，”她说。这时，这个肥胖的家伙惊魂渐定，“你们大家必须尝尝潘波趣舅舅给我们送的礼物！味道鲜美的肉饼！”
　　“很好，乔夫人，”潘波趣先生说，看样子现在稍高兴了点，“拿肉饼！”
　　“你也会有一份肉饼，匹普，”乔和蔼地说。
　　我料到下一步会发生什么事情，我不能在这儿继续坐下去了，我从椅子上跳下来，拔腿跑出了屋外。
　　但是，在前门口，我直奔入一队士兵里。当乔夫人从厨房里出来时，嘴里正在叨咕，“肉饼——不翼而飞！”可是，当她看到士兵们时，闭上了嘴。
　　“对不起，女士们、先生们，”那个负责的军官说，“我在这里以国王的名义，要找铁匠。”
　　“你们找他干吗？”我姐姐不高兴地问。