美国语文第六册 第18期:大扫除(7)

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　　And though it does not abolish, it at least shortens the period of female dominion¹. 尽管不会废除，但至少缩短了女性居于主导地位的阶段。

　　This paper is decorated with various fancies; and made so ornamental² that the women have admitted the fashion without perceiving the design. 这张纸绘以色彩斑斓的幻想，使其如此富有装饰性，以至于妇女不必理解图样，就能欣然接受时尚。

　　There is also another alleviation³ to the husband's distress⁴. 对于丈夫的痛苦处境而言，还有另一种缓解痛苦的方法。

　　He generally has the sole use of a small room or closet for his books and papers, the key of which he is allowed to keep. 一般来说，他仅会占用一个小房间或者壁橱来放书籍和文件，钥匙则由他掌管。

　　This is considered as a privileged place, even in the whitewashing⁵ season, and stands like the land of Goshen amidst the plagues of Egypt. 这个小房间或者壁橱被认为是享有特权的专有之地，甚至在粉刷季节，也像埃及瘟疫肆虐时的歌珊地（语出《圣经》，出埃及前以色列人住的埃及北部肥沃的牧羊地）一样。

　　But then he must be extremely cautious, and ever upon his guard; 不过在那之后，他必须极为小心谨慎，

　　for, should he inadvertently go abroad and leave the key in his door, the housemaid, who is always on the watch for such an opportunity, immediately enters in triumph with buckets, brooms, and brushes—takes possession of the premises⁶, 以胜利者的姿态马上拎起水桶、拿着扫帚和刷子——仿佛这间房子的主人似的，

　　and forthwith puts all his books and papers "to rights," to his utter confusion, and sometimes serious detriment⁷. 毫不拖延地交出他对自己的书和文件的“权利”，陷入完全混乱的状态，有时则造成严重的损害。

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