neighbor
There was music from my neighbor&39;s house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars .At high tide in the afternoon I watched his guests diving from the tower of his raft or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the waters of the Sound ,drawing aquaplanes over cataracts of foam .On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus ,bearing parties to and from the city ,between nine in the morning and long past midnight ,while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains .And on Mondays eight servants including an extra gardener toiled all day with mops and scrubbing-brushes and hammers and garden-shears ,repairing the ravages of the night before.
整个夏天的夜晚都有音乐从我邻居家传过来。在他蔚蓝的花园里,男男女女像飞蛾一般在笑语、香槟和繁星中间来来往往。下午涨潮的时候,我看着他的客人从他的木筏的跳台上跳水,或是躺在他私人海滩的热沙上晒太阳,同时他的两艘小汽艇破浪前进,拖着滑水板驶过翻腾的浪花。每逢周末,他的劳斯莱轿车就成了公共汽车,从早晨九点到深更半夜往来城里接着客人,同时他的旅行车也像一只轻捷的黄色甲壳虫那样去火车站接所有的班车。每星期一,八个仆人,包括一个临时园丁,整整苦干一天,用许多拖把、板刷、榔头、修枝剪来收拾前一晚的残局。
Every Friday five crates of oranges and lemons arrived from a fruiterer in New York -- every Monday these same oranges and lemons left his back door in a pyramid of pulpless halves .These was a machine in the kitchen which could extract the juice of two hundred oranges in half an hour ,if a little button was pressed two hundred times by a butler&39;s thumb.
每星期五,五箱橙子和柠檬从纽约一家水果行送到。每星期一,这些橙子和柠檬变成一座半拉半拉的果皮堆成的小金字塔,从他的后门运出去。他厨房里有一台榨果汁机,半小时之内可以榨两百只橙子,只要男管家用大拇指把一个按钮按两百次就行了。
At least once a fortnight a corps of caterers came down with several hundred feet of canvas and enough colored lights to make a Christmas tree of Gatsby&39;s enormous garden .On buffet tables ,garnished with glistening hors-d&39;oeuvre ,spiced baked hams crowded against salads of harlequin designs and pastry pigs and turkeys bewitched to a dark gold .In the main hall a bar with a real brass rail was set up ,and stocked with gins and liquors and with cordials so long forgotten that most of his female guests were too young to know one from another .
至少每两周一次,大批包办筵席的人从城里赶来,带来好几百英尺帆布帐篷和无数的彩色电灯,足以把盖茨比巨大的花园布置得像一棵圣诞树。自助餐桌上各色冷盘琳琅满目,一只只五香火腿周围摆满了五花八门的色拉、烤得金黄的乳猪和火鸡。大厅里面,设起了一个装着一根真的铜杆的酒吧,备有各种杜松子酒和烈性酒,还有各种早已罕见的甘露酒,大多数女客年纪太轻,根本分不清哪个是哪个。
By seven o&39;clock the orchestra has arrived -- no thin five -piece affair but a whole pitful of oboes and trombones and saxophones and viols and cornets and piccolos and low and high drums .The last swimmers have come in from the beach now and are dressing upstairs ;the cars from New York are parked five deep in the drive ,and already the halls salons and verandas are gaudy with primary colors and hair shorn in strange new ways and shawls beyond the dreams of Castile .The bar is in full swing and floating rounds of cocktails permeate the garden outside until the air is alive wiht chatter and laughter and casual innuendo and introductions forgotten on the spot and enthusiastic meetings between women who never knew each other&39;s names .
七点以前乐队到达,决不是什么五人小乐队,而是配备齐全的整班人马,双簧管、长号、萨克斯管、大小提琴、短号、短笛、高低音铜鼓、应有尽有。最后一批游泳的客人已经从海滩上进来,现在正在楼上换衣服。纽约来的轿车五辆一排停在车道上,同时所有的厅堂、客室、阳台已经都是五彩缤纷,女客们的发型争奇斗艳,披的纱巾是卡斯蒂尔人做梦也想不到的。酒吧那边生意兴隆,同时一盘盘鸡尾酒传送到外面花园里的每个角落,到后来整个空气里充满了欢声笑语,充满 了脱口而出、转眼就忘的打趣和寒暄,充满了彼此始终不知姓名的太太们之间亲热无比的会见。
The lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun and now the orchestra is playing yellow cocktail music and the opera of voices pitches a key higher .Laughter is easier ,minute by minute ,spilled with prodigality ,tipped out at a cheerful word .The groups change more swiftly swell with new arrivals ,dissolve and form in the same breath -- already there are wanderers ,confident girls who weave here and there among the stouter and more stable ,become for a sharp ,joyous moment the center of a group and then excited with triumph glide on through the sea-change of faces and voices and color under the constandtly changing light .
大地蹒跚着离开太阳,电灯显得更亮,此刻乐队正在演奏温馨鸡尾酒会音乐,于是大合唱般的人声又提高了一个音调。笑声每时每刻都就得越来越容易,毫无节制地倾泻出来,只要一句笑话就会引起哄然大笑。人群的变化越来越快,忽而随着新来的客人而增大,忽而分散后又立即重新组合。已经有一些人在东飘西荡--脸皮厚的年轻姑娘在比较稳定的人群中间钻进钻出,一会儿在片刻的欢腾中成为一群人注间的中心,一会儿又得意洋洋在不断变化的灯光下穿过变幻不定的面孔、声音和色彩扬长而去。
Suddenly one of these gypsies in trembling opal ,seizes a cocktail out of the air ,dumps it down for courage and moving her hands like Frisco dances out alone on the canvas platform . A momentary hush ; the orchestra leader varies his rhythm obligingly for her and these is a burst of chatter as the erroneous news goes around that she is Gilda Gray&39;s understudy from the &34;Follies .&34;The party has begun.
忽然间,这些吉卜赛人式的姑娘中有一个满身珠光宝气,一伸手就抓来一杯鸡尾酒,一口干下去壮壮胆子,然后手舞足蹈,一个人跳到篷布舞池中间去表演。片刻的寂静之后,乐队指挥殷勤地为她改变了拍子,随后突然响起了一阵唧唧喳喳的说话声,因为有谣言传开,说她是“艾利斯歌舞团”吉尔德.格雷的替角。晚会正式开始了。
I believe that on the first night I went to Gatsby&39;s house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited .People were not invited -- they went there .They got into automobiles which bore them out to Long Island and somehow they ended up at Gatsby&39;s door .Once there they were introduced by somebody who knew Gatsby and after that they conducted themselves according to the rules of behavior associated with amusement parks .Sometimes they came and went without having met Gatsby at all ,came for the party with a simplicity of heart that was ite own ticket of admission .
我相信那天晚上我第一次到盖茨比家去时,我是少数几个真正接到请贴的客人之一。人们并不是邀请来的--他们是自己来的。他们坐上汽车,车子把他们送到长岛,后来也不知怎么的他们总是出现在盖茨比的门口。一到之后总会有什么认识盖茨比的人给他们介绍一下,从此他们的言谈行事就像在娱乐场所一样了。有时候他们从来到走根本没见过盖茨比,他们怀着一片至诚前来赴会,这一点就可以算一张入场券了。
I had been actually invited .A chauffeur in a uniform of robin&39;s egg blue crossed my lawn early that Saturday morning with a surprisingly formal note from his employer -- the honor would be entirely Gatsby&39;s ,it said ,if I would attend his &34;little party&34;that night .He had seen me several times and had intended to call on me long before but a peculiar combination of cirrumstances had prevented it --signed Jay Gatsby in a majestic hand .
我确实是受到邀请的。那个星期六一清早,一个身穿蓝绿色制服的司机穿过我的草地,为他主人送来一封措词非常客气的请帖,上面写道,如果我光临当晚他的“小上聚会”,盖茨比当感到不胜荣幸。他已经见过我几次,并且早就打算造访,但由于种种特殊原因未能如愿--末尾是杰伊.盖茨比签名,笔迹很神气。
Dressed up in white flannels I went over to his lawn a little after seven and wandered around rather ill-at-ease among swirls and eddies of people I didn&39;t know -- though here and there was a face I had noticed on the commuting train . I was immediately struck by the number of young Englishmen dotted about ;all well dressed ,all looking a little hungry and all talking in low earnest voices to solid and prosperous Americans .I was sure that they were selling something :bonds or insurance or automobiles .They were ,at least ,agonizingly aware of the easy money in the vicinity and convinced that it was theirs for a few words in the right key .
晚上七点一过,我身穿一套白法兰绒便装走到他家的草坪上,很不自在地在一群群我不认识的人中间晃来晃去--虽然偶尔也有一个我在区间火车上见过的面孔。我马上注意到客人中夹杂着不少年轻的英国人:个个衣着整齐,个个面有饥色,个个都在低声下气地跟殷实的美国人谈话。我敢说他们都在推销什么--或是债券,或是保险,或是汽车。他们最起码都揪心地意识到,近在眼前就有唾手可得的钱,并且相信,只要几句话说得投机,钱就到手了。
As soon as I arrived I made an attempt to find my host but the two or three people of whom I asked his whereabouts stared at me in such an amazed way and denied so vehemently any knowledge of his movements that I slunk off in the direction of the cocktail table -- the only place in the garden where a single man could linger without looking purposeless and alone.
我一到之后就设法去找主人,可是问了两三个人他在哪里,他们都大惊异地瞪着我,同是矢口否认知道他的行踪,我只好悄悄地向供应鸡尾酒的桌子溜过去--整个花园里只有这个地方可以让一个单身汉流连一下而不显得无聊和孤独。
I was on my way to get roaring drunk from sheer embarrassment when Jordan Baker came out of the house and stood at the head of the marble steps ,leaning a little backward and looking with contemptuous interest down into the garden .
我百无聊赖,正准备喝个酩酊大醉,这时乔丹.贝克从屋里走了出来,站在大理石台阶的最上一级,身体微身后仰,用轻藐的神气俯瞰着花园。
Welcome or not ,I found it necessary to attach myself to someone before I should begin to addres cordial remarks to the passers-by.
不管人家欢迎不欢迎,我觉得实在非找一个聊伴不可,不然的话,我恐怕要跟过往的客人寒暄起来了。
&34;Hello!&34; I roared ,advancing toward her .My voice seemed unnaturally loud across the garden .
你好!我大喊一声,朝她走去。我的声音在花园里听上去似乎响得很不自然。
&34;I thought you might be here ,&34;she responded absently as I came up .&34;I remembered you lived next door to --&34;
我猜你也许会来的,等我走到跟前,她心不在焉地答道,我记得你住在隔壁…
She held my hand impersonally ,as a promise that she&39;d take care of me in a minute ,and gave ear to two girls in twin yellow dresses who stopped at the foot of the steps .
她不带感情地拉拉我的手,作为她答应马上再来理会我的表示,然后去听台阶下面两个穿着一样的黄色连衣裙的姑娘讲话。
&34;Hello !&34;they cried together .&34;Sorry you didn&39;t win .&34;
你好!她们同声喊道,可惜你没赢。
That was for the golf tournament .She had lost in the finals the week before .
这说的是高尔夫球比赛。她在上星期的决赛中输掉了。
&34;You don&39;t know who we are ,&34;said one of the girls in yellow ,&34;but we met you here about a month ago .&34;
你不知道我们是谁,其中一人穿黄衣的姑娘说,可是大约一个月以前我们在这儿见过面。
&34;You&39;ve dyed your hair since then ,&34;remarked Jordan ,and I started but the girls had moved casually on and her remark was addressed to the premature moon ,produced like the supper ,no doubt ,out of a caterer&39;s basket .With Jordan&39;s slender golden arm resting in mine we descended the steps and sauntered about the garden .A tray of cocktails floated at us through the twilight and we sat down at a table with the two girls in yellow and three men ,each one introduced to us as Mr.Mumble .
你们后来染过头发了。乔丹说,我听了一惊,但两个姑娘却已经漫不经心地走开了,因此她这句话说给早升的月亮听了,月亮和晚餐的酒菜一样,无疑也是从包办酒席的人的篮子里拿出来的。乔丹用她那纤细的、金黄色的手臂挽着我的手臂,我们走下了台阶,在花园里闲逛。一盘鸡尾酒在暮色苍茫中飘到我们面前,我们就在一张桌子旁坐下,同座的还有那两个穿黄衣的姑娘和三个男的,介绍给我们的时候名字全含含糊糊一带而过。
&34;Do you come to these parites often ?&34;inquired Jordan of the girl beside her .
你常来参加这些晚会吗?乔丹问她旁边的那个姑娘。
&34;The last one was the one I met you at ,&34;answered the girl ,in an alert ,confident voice.She turned to her companion :&34;Wasn&39;t it for you ,Lucille?&34;
我上次来就是见到你的那一次,姑娘回答,声音是机灵而自信的。她又转身问她的朋友,你是不是也一样,露西尔?
It was for Lucille ,too .
露西尔也是一样。
&34;I like to come ,&34;Lucille said .&34;I never care what I do ,so I always have a good time .When I was here last I tore my gown on a chair ,and he asked me my name and address --inside of a week I got a package from Croirier&39;s with a new evening gown in it .&34;
我喜欢来,露西尔说,我从来不在乎干什么,只要我玩得痛快就行。上次我来这里,我的衣服在椅子上撕破了,他就问了我的姓名住址--不出一个星期我收到克罗里公司送来的一个包裹,里面是一件新晚礼服。
&34;Did you keep it ?&34;asked Jordan.
你收下了吗?乔丹问。
&34;Sure I did .I was going to wear it tonight ,but it was too big in the bust and had to be altered .It was gas blue with lavender beads .Two hundred and sixty-five dollars .&34;
我当然收下了,我本来今晚准备穿的,可是它胸口太大,非改不可。衣服是淡蓝色的,镶着淡紫色的珠下。二百六十五美元。
&34;There&39;s something funny about a fellow that&39;ll do a thing like that ,&34;said the other girl eagerly .&34;He doesn&39;t want any trouble with anybody.&34;
一个人肯干这样的事真有古怪,另外那个姑娘热切地说,他不愿意得罪人任何人。
&34;Who doesn&39;t ?&34;I inquired .
谁不愿意?我问。
&34;Gatsby .Somebody told me --&34;
盖茨比,有人告诉我…
The two girls and Jordan leaned together confidentially.
两个姑娘和乔丹诡秘地把头靠到一起。
&34;Somebody told me they thought he killed a man once .&34;
有人告诉我,人家认为他杀过一个人。
A thrill passed over all of us .The three Mr.Mumbles bent forward and listened eagerly .
我们大家都感到十分惊异,三位先生也把头伸到前面,竖起耳朵来听。
&34;I don&39;t think it&39;s so much that .&34;argued Lucille skeptically;&34;it&39;s more that he was a German spy during the war .&34;
我想并不是那回事,露西尔不以为然地争辩道,多半是因为在大战时他当过德国间谍。
One of the men nodded in confirmation .
三个男的当中有一个点头表示赞同。
&34;I heard that from a man who knew all about him ,grew up with him in Germany,&34;he assured us positively.
我也听过一个人这样说,这人对他一清二楚,是从小和他一起在德国长大的。他肯定无疑地告诉我们。
&34;Oh ,no,&34;said the frist girl ,&34;it couldn&39;t be that ,because he was in the American army during the war .&34;As our cresulity seitched back to her she leaned forward with enthusiasm.&34;You look at him sometimes when he thinks nobody&39;s looking at him .I&39;ll bet he killed a man .&34;
噢,不对,第一个姑娘又说,不可能那样,因为大战期间他是在美国军队里。由于我们又倾向于听信她的话,她又兴致勃勃地把头伸到前面。你只要趁他以为没有人看他的时候看他一眼。我敢打赌他杀过一个人。
She narrowed her eyes and shivered .Lucille shivered .We all turned and looked around for Gatsby .It was testimony to the romantic speculation he inspired that there were whispers about him from those who found little that ie was necessary to whisper about in this world .
她眯起眼睛,哆嗦了起来。露西尔也在哆嗦,我们大家掉转身来,四面张望去找盖茨比。有些人早就认为这个世界上没有什么需要避讳的事情,现在谈起他来却这样窃窃私语,这一点也足发证明他引起了人们何等浪漫的遐想了。
The first supper --there would be another one after midnight --was now being served ,and Jordan invited me to join her own party who were spread around a table on the other side of the garden .There were three married couples and Jordan&39;s escort ,a persistent undergraduate given to violent innuendo and obviously under the impression that sooner or later Jordan was going to yield him up her person to a greater or lesser degree .Instead of rambling this party had preserved a dignified homogeneity ,and assumed to itself the function of representing the staid nobility of the countryside -- East Egg condecending to West Egg ,and carefully on guard against its spectroscopic gayety.
第一顿晚饭---午夜后还有一顿--此刻准备好了,乔丹邀我去和花园那边围着一张桌子坐的她的一伙朋友坐在一起。一共有三对夫妇,外加一个陪同乔丹来的男大学生,此人死气白赖,说起话来老是旁敲侧击,并且显然认为乔丹早晚会委身于他的。这伙为不到处转悠,而是正襟危坐,自成一体,并且俨然自封为庄重的农村贵族的代表--东卵屈尊光临西卵,而又小心翼翼提防它那灯红酒绿的欢乐。