《黑骏马》第12章 苦日子(2)

（单词翻译）

He can't use all his strength when his head is held back with that bearing rein¹，the woman went on.If you take it off，I'm sure he'll do better.

他的头被绳套向后拉得抬起来，这样他就使不上力气，妇女接下去说。如果你卸下绳套，我肯定他能干好。

Anything to please a lady，'said Jakes，smiling．

只要能让女士开心，我什么事都可以干！贾克笑着说。

The rein was taken off and I moved my head up and down several times to help my aching neck．

绳套拆了下来，我上下活动了几次酸疼的脖子。

Poor boy，is that what you wanted？'said the woman， pat-ting me．She turned to Jakes.If you speak to him kindly² and lead him on，I believe he'll do better．

可怜的孩子，你就想这样吧？女人说着拍拍我。她转向贾克：只要对他说几句好话，并牵着它，我相信他会干得更好。

Jakes took the rein，and I put down my head and moved on．I pulled the cart up the hill， then stopped to take a breath．

贾克拾起缰绳，我低下头拉起来。我把车拉上了山顶，停下来喘着气。

Well，that helped，said Jakes，'but if I went without a bearing rein all the time，the other cart drivers would laugh at me．It's fashionable，you see．

咦，倒是管用，贾克说。可是如果我一直不用绳套，其他车夫会笑我的。这是潮流，你知道吧。

It's better to start a good fashion than to follow a bad one，said the woman．'Many gentlemen don't use bearing reins³ now．

开始一个好潮流比追随一个坏潮流强。妇女说，现在很多绅士已不再用绳套了。

She gave me another pat on the neck and walked on．

她又拍了拍我的脖子，然后走了。