19-7-1 【英语美文】家的爱是融入不是排除《弃婴小小本杰明》Little Benjamin

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Little Benjamin

ByLaura E. Richards – edited version

1.       "I think the kitty wants to come in," said Mother Golden."I hear him crying somewhere. Won't you go and let him in, Adam?" Adamlaid down his book and went out; the whole family looked up cheerfully,expecting to see Aladdin, the great Maltese cat, enter. There was a pause; then Adam came back with a white, scared face,and looked at his father without speaking.

2.       "What is the matter, my son?" asked Father Golden. "IsKitty hurt?" asked Mother Golden, anxiously. "Was it that dog ofJackson's?" cried Lemuel, Mary, Ruth, and Joseph.  "The cat isn't there!" said Adam."It's-- a basket, father." "A basket? What does the boymean?" "A long basket, with something white inside; and--it'scrying!"

3.       "My heart!" said Mother Golden; and she was out of thedoor in a flash. The children tumbled headlong toward the door, butwere met by Mother Golden returning, bearing in her strong arms a long basket,in which was indeed something white and fluffy that cried. "A baby!" exclaimed Father Golden.  "A baby!" echoed Mary, Lemuel, Ruth, and Joseph. "Well, I knew it was ababy," protested Adam; "but I didn't like to say so."

4.       "My heart!" said Mother Golden again. "Oh, mother,mayn't we keep it?" cried both girls at once. “Here's a note!" Saidmother Golden. She opened a folded paper, and read: "His mother is dead.Ask the woman with the kind eyes to take care of him." "Myheart!" said Mother Golden, again.

5.       "It's a boy, then!" said Father Golden, brightening. Hecame forward, the boys edging forward too, encouraged by another masculine presence. "It's a boy, and a beauty!" said Mother Golden,wiping her eyes. " Poor mother, to have to go and leave him. Father, whatdo you say?..."

6.       (10 Years later…) "Father, may I come in, if you are not busy?" It was Marywho spoke; Mary, the eldest daughter, now a woman grown.  "Whatis it, daughter Mary?" "The same old story, father dear; Benny in mischief again. This time he has rubbed soot on all the door-handles, andthe whole house is black with it. I hate to trouble you, father, but I expectyou'll have to speak to him."

7.       "I'll speak to the child, Mary," he said. "I'll seethat this does not happen again. What is it, Ruthie?" "I was lookingfor Mary, father. I wanted--oh, Mary! what shall I do with Benny? he has tiedRover and the cat together by their tails, and they are rushing all about thegarden, almost crazy. I wish you would speak to him, father." "I willdo so, Ruth, I will do so. Don't be distressed,my daughter."

8.       Then, Adam walked in and said in an earnest, grave tone: "Somethingmust be done about that boy, father!" he said. "He is the torment of the whole family." "Noone can live a day in peace!" said Lemuel who joined. "No creature's life is safe!" saidJoe. "He breaks everything he layshands on," said Ruth,"and he won't keep his hands off anything."  

9.       "You were all little once, boys!" said Mary. "Wenever behaved in this kind of way!" said the brothers. "Somethingmust be done!" "You are right," said Father Golden."Something must be done." Glancing once more at the portrait of Mother Golden, he turned and faced his childrenwith grave looks. "Sit down, sons and daughters!" said the old man."I have something to say to you." The young people obeyed, wondering,but not questioning.

10.   He paused for a moment; then said: "Ten years ago today, thatchild was left on our doorstep.""It doesn't seem so long!" interrupted Adam. "It seemslonger!" said Mary. "I keep forgetting he came that way!"murmured Joe. "I felt doubtful about taking him in," Father Goldenwent on. "But your mother wished it; you all wished it. We decided to keephim, and give him a good start in life, and we have kept him till now. LittleBenjamin is now ten years old, more or less," said Father Golden."You are men and women grown; even Joseph is seventeen. The troublemakeris little Benjamin, a child of ten years. The time has come to decide whatshall be done with the child.  He isturning out wild and mischievous,and you all, except Mary, come to me often with complaints of him.”

11.   "Now, this thing has gone far enough”, he continued.  One of two things: either this boy is to besent away to some institution, to take his place among other orphans and foundlings, or - he must be one of youfor now and always, to share everything with you while I live, as if he wasyour own blood, and to have his share of the property when I am gone. Sons and daughters, this question is foryou to decide. I shall say nothing. Benjamin becomes my own son, to be receivedand treated by you as your own brother, or he goes."

12.   A silence followed; but it was broken soon by a lively whistle, shrilling out a rollicking tune; thenext moment a boy came running into the room. Curly, rosy, dirty, ragged,laughing, panting, little Benjaminstood still and looked round on all the earnest, serious faces. "What'sthe matter, all you folks?" heasked. "I should think you was all in meeting, and sermon just beginning. Ruth, I tied up Kitty's leg all right; andI'll dig greens to pay for theglass, Joe. Say, Bro'rer-Adam-an'-Lem (Benny pronounced this as if it were oneword), did you forget it was April Fool's Day? Didn't I fool you good?And--say! there's a fierce breeze andmy new kite's a buster. Who'll comeout and fly her with me?"  "Iwill, Benny!" said Adam, Lemuel, Mary, Ruth, and Joseph at the same time,and out the door they all ran.