《红楼梦》翻译（七十五）

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twin05 2010-07-30 14:01 | 只看楼主 树型| 收藏| 小中大 1 ^#

《红楼梦》翻译（七十五）

原著
　　王夫人心中怕的是凤姐儿未经过丧事，怕他料理不清，惹人耻笑．今见贾珍苦苦的说到这步田地，心中已活了几分，却又眼看着凤姐出神．那凤姐素日最喜揽事办，好卖弄才干，虽然当家妥当，也因未办过婚丧大事，恐人还不伏，巴不得遇见这事．今见贾珍如此一来，他心中早已欢喜．先见王夫人不允，后见贾珍说的情真，王夫人有活动之意，便向王夫人道：“大哥哥说的这么恳切，太太就依了罢。”王夫人悄悄的道：“你可能么？"凤姐道：“有什么不能的．外面的大事已经大哥哥料理清了，不过是里头照管照管，便是我有不知道的，问问太太就是了。”王夫人见说的有理，便不作声．贾珍见凤姐允了，又陪笑道：“也管不得许多了，横竖要求大妹妹辛苦辛苦．我这里先与妹妹行礼，等事完了，我再到那府里去谢。”说着就作揖下去，凤姐儿还礼不迭．

　　贾珍便忙向袖中取了宁国府对牌出来，命宝玉送与凤姐，又说：“妹妹爱怎样就怎样，要什么只管拿这个取去，也不必问我．只求别存心替我省钱，只要好看为上，二则也要同那府里一样待人才好，不要存心怕人抱怨．只这两件外，我再没不放心的了。”凤姐不敢就接牌，只看着王夫人．王夫人道：“你哥哥既这么说，你就照看照看罢了．只是别自作主意，有了事，打发人问你哥哥，**子要紧。”宝玉早向贾珍手里接过对牌来，强递与凤姐了．又问：“妹妹住在这里，还是天天来呢？若是天天来，越发辛苦了．不如我这里赶着收拾出一个院落来，妹妹住过这几日倒安稳。”凤姐笑道：“不用．那边也离不得我，倒是天天来的好。”贾珍听说，只得罢了．然后又说了一回闲话，方才出去．

　　一时女眷散后，王夫人因问凤姐：“你今儿怎么样？"凤姐儿道：“太太只管请回去，我须得先理出一个头绪来，才回去得呢。”王夫人听说，便先同邢夫人等回去，不在话下．

　　这里凤姐儿来至三间一所抱厦内坐了，因想：头一件是人口混杂，遗失东西，第二件，事无专执，临期推委，第三件，需用过费，滥支冒领，第四件，任无大小，苦乐不均，第五件，家人豪纵，有脸者不服钤束，无脸者不能上进．此五件实是宁国府中风俗，不知凤姐如何处治，且听下回分解．正是：

　　金紫万千谁治国，裙钗一二可齐家
霍克斯译文
Lady Wang’s only concern had been lest Xi-feng, who had had no experience of large-scale funerals, might find the task too big for her and perhaps end up by making a fool of herself. But Cousin Zhen’s moving plea caused her attitude to soften considerably and she eyed Xi-feng thoughtfully as though struggling to make up her mind. Xi-feng for her part had always loved managing things and enjoyed showing off her ability to do so. When Cousin Zhen first made his request, her mind had at once consented; and now, observing that Lady Wang appeared to be already half persuaded, she hastened to complete the process.
‘Cousin Zhen has spoken su eloquently. Oughtn’t we per haps to agree, Aunt?’
‘Do you think you can do it?’ Lady Wang asked her in a low aside.
‘I don’t see why not,’ said Xi-feng. ‘Cousin Zhen has already seen to all the outside arrangements himself. It’s only a question of looking after the domestic side for a bit. And even if there is anything I don’t know about, I can always ask you.’
This seemed reasonable enough to Lady Wang, so she said nothing. Seeing that Xi-feng herself appeared to be willing, Cousin Zhen turned to her with a smile.
‘Actually there isn’t so very much to do,’ he said. ‘You really must let us persuade you to take this on. Let me make you a reverence now, to show my gratitude. Then, when this is all over, I shall come round to your place to thank you properly.’
So saying, he clasped his hands before him and made her a formal bow. Xi-feng hurriedly curtseyed back.
Cousin Zhen now ordered someone to fetch the tallies for the entire Ning-guo household and instructed Bao-yu to hand them to Xi-feng.
‘I want you to manage things whatever way you like,’ he told her. ‘Anything you want you can get by using one of these. There is no need to ask me for it. I have only two requests to make of you. First that you should dismiss from your mind any idea of trying to save me any money. The important thing is to put on a good show: the expense doesn’t matter. And secondly that you should treat our people here exactly as you treat the members of your own household. Don’t be afraid of upsetting them. Provided that you will observe those conditions, I leave everything in your hands with the utmost confidence.’
Xi-feng watched Lady Wang, not daring to accept the tallies without her approval.
‘You hear what your cousin says,’ said Lady Wang. ‘You bad better do as he asks. Only do not take too much upon yourself. If there are any decisions to make, be sure to ask Cousin Zhen or his wife first.’
Bao-yu had already received the tallies from Cousin Zhen and now thrust them at Xi-feng. For politeness’ sake she feigned a certain amount of reluctance, but was soon prevailed upon to accept them.
‘Will you stay here with us,’ Cousin Zhen asked her, ‘or will you be coming over every day from the other house? If you intend to come over from the other house every day, it will greatly add to your burdens. We have an apartment here with its own courtyard which we can very quickly place at your disposal. If you would care to move in for the next week or two, I am sure we could make you comfortable.’
‘Thank you, but it won’t be necessary,’ said Xi-feng with a smile. ‘I am needed at the other house too, so it will be best if I come here every day.’
Having accomplished his mission, Cousin Zhen stayed chatting a little longer and then left. Presently, when the visiting ladies had dispersed, Lady Wang asked Xi-feng what her plans were for the rest of the day.
‘Please go on without me, Aunt,’ said Xi-feng. ‘Before I go back myself I must first try to sort out exactly what this job is going to entail.’
Lady Wang accordingly left without more delay in the company of Lady Xing, and the two ladies returned to the Rong-guo mansion, where we must now leave them.
Alone at last, Xi-feng wandered into a sort of penthouse building where she sat down and tried to formulate the task that lay ahead. Five major abuses, long habitual in the Ning-guo establishment, presented themselves to her mind as being specially in need of attention, viz:
1.Because it was so large and so motley an establishment, things were always getting lost.
2.Because there was no rational division of labour, it always seemed to be someone else’s responsibility whenever a job needed to be done.

3.Because the household’s expenditure was so lavish, money was always getting misappropriated or misspent.

4.Because no distinctions were made between one job and another, the rewards and hardships were unfairly distributed,
5.Because the servants were so arrogant and undisciplined, those with face’ could brook no restraint and those without could win no advancement.
If you want to know how Xi-feng dealt with these abuses, you will have to read the chapter which follows.
杨宪益译文
Lady Wang’s only concern had been lest Xifeng, having no experi ence of funerals, might lay herself open to ridicule by managing badly. The earnestness of Jia Zhen’s request softened her heart and she eyed Xifeng thoughtfully.
Now Xifeng loved nothing better than displaying her administrative ability. Although she ran the household competently, as she had never been entrusted with grand affairs like weddings or funerals she was afraid others were not yet fully convinced of her efficiency and she was longing for a chance like this. Jia Zhen’s request delighted her. Seeing that his eagerness was overcoming Lady Wang’s initial reluctance, she said:
“Since my cousin is so earnest and pressing, won’t you give your consent, madam?”
“Are you sure you can cope?” whispered Lady Wang.
“I don’t see why not. Cousin Zhen has seen to all the important out side arrangements, it’s just a question of keeping an eye on the domestic side. And in case of doubt, I can consult you.”
Since this was reasonable, Lady Wang made no further objection.
“I can’t see to everything,” Jia Zhen said to Xifeng. “I must beg you to help us, cousin. Let me express my gratitude now, and when everything’s over I shall come round to your side to thank you properly.”
He made a low bow and, before she could return it, produced the Ning Mansion tally from his sleeve and asked Baoyu to hand it to her.
“You will have a free hand, cousin,” he promised. “Just use this to requisition whatever, you want, there’s no need to consult me. I’ve only two requests to make. First, please don’t try to spare me expense, as I want everything done handsomely. And secondly, treat the servants here as you would your own, don’t be afraid they may resent it. Apart from these two provisos, nothing else worries me.”
Xifeng did not venture to take the tally but glanced at Lady Wang.
“Do as your cousin asks,” said Lady Wang. “But don’t take too much upon yourself. If there are any decisions to make, send to ask him and your sister-in-law what should be done.”
Baoyu had already taken the tally from Jia Then and forced it on Xifeng.
“Would you prefer to stay here or to come over every day?” Jia Zhen asked her. “Coming over every day might be rather tiring. Why not let me clear out an apartment for you to stay in. Wouldn’t that save you trouble?”
“There’s no need,” replied Xifeng gaily. “They can’t do without me over there. I’ll come every day.”
Jia Zhen did not insist but left them after a little further chat.
As soon as the visitors had gone Lady Wang asked Xifeng what she proposed to do now.
“Please don’t wait for me, madam. I must sort things out before I come home.”
So Lady Wang left first with Lady Xing, while Xifeng retired to a small three-roomed annex to reflect as follows:
“First, this household is such a mixed one that things may get lost. Secondly, unless duties are assigned the servants may shirk work. Thirdly, the heavy expenditure may lead to extravagance and faked receipts. Fourthly, if no distinction is made between large tasks and small ones, some will have a harder time than others. Fifthly, these servants are so out of hand that those with any pretensions may defy me, and those with none won’t do their best.”
These were indeed the’ five distinguishing features of the Ning Man sion. To know how Xifeng coped, read the following chapter.
Truly:
Not one in ten thousand officials can rule the state,
Yet how splendidly a fair lady can run a household.

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《红楼梦》翻译（七十五）

《红楼梦》翻译（七十五）

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