第十章（第24/42页）

“嘿，约瑟芬！瞧瞧谁来看你了？这是谁呀，约瑟芬？查泰莱夫人——你认识查泰莱夫人的，不是吗？”这个小家伙古灵精怪，活泼聪颖，毫无怯意地盯着康妮。对她来说，从男爵夫人啥都不是。

"Come! Will you come to me?" said Connie to the baby.

“过来！来我这边好吗？”康妮召唤着小婴儿。

The baby didn't care one way or another, so Connie picked her up and held her in her lap. How warm and lovely it was to hold a child in one's lap, and the soft little arms, the unconscious cheeky little legs.

小家伙还没什么主见，于是康妮把她抱起来，放在自己膝上。把小宝宝拥在膝上，多么地温暖，多么地愉快，那柔嫩的小胳膊，乱踢乱蹬的小腿。

"I was just having a rough cup of tea all by myself. Luke's gone to market, so I can have it when I like. Would you care for a cup, Lady Chatterley? I don't suppose it's what you're used to, but if you would...” Connie would, though she didn't want to be reminded of what she was used to. There was a great relaying of the table, and the best cups brought and the best tea-pot.

“我正打算自己鼓捣点茶喝。卢克去市场了，什么时候喝下午茶，全凭我自己做主。留下喝一杯好吗，查泰莱夫人？想必这茶不会有您习惯喝的那么香醇，但如果您愿意的话……”虽然不想人家提及自己平常的习惯，但康妮还是愿意留下来。桌子经过大幅重新布置，摆上最好的茶壶和茶杯。

"If only you wouldn't take any trouble," said Connie.

“只要不会给您添麻烦。”康妮说。

But if Mrs. Flint took no trouble, where was the fun! So Connie played with the child and was amused by its little female dauntlessness, and got a deep voluptuous pleasure out of its soft young warmth. Young life! And so fearless! So fearless, because so defenceless. All the other people, so narrow with fear!

但如果弗林特太太不麻烦，那乐趣又何在呢？这样，康妮就可以顺理成章地逗弄可爱的宝宝，她被小姑娘初生牛犊似的勇敢劲儿逗得乐不可支。这幼小生命的柔嫩与温暖，让她体验到强烈的感官刺激。年幼的生命！如此地无畏！毫无自卫能力，因而如此无所畏惧。而那些成年人却总因为恐惧，而谨小慎微！

She had a cup of tea, which was rather strong, and very good bread and butter, and bottled damsons. Mrs. Flint flushed and glowed and bridled with excitement, as if Connie were some gallant knight. And they had a real female chat, and both of them enjoyed it.

她喝了一杯茶，甚是香醇，奶油面包非常道地，配以瓶装的李子。弗林特太太脸色绯红，全身发烫，极力遏制着自己激动的心情，好像坐在面前的康妮是位英姿勃发的骑士。她俩聊得全是女人间的话题，且都感觉十分尽兴。

"It's a poor little tea, though," said Mrs. Flint.

“抱歉，茶很难合您的意。”弗林特太太说。

"It's much nicer than at home," said Connie truthfully.

“比在家里喝到的还要醇厚很多。”康妮由衷地说。

"Oh-h!" said Mrs. Flint, not believing, of course.

“噢！”弗林特太太说，当然，她认为这只是客套。

But at last Connie rose.

最后，康妮起身告辞。

"I must go," she said. "My husband has no idea where I am. He'll be wondering all kinds of things.” "He'll never think you're here," laughed Mrs. Flint excitedly. "He'll be sending the crier round.” "Goodbye, Josephine," said Connie, kissing the baby and ruffling its red, wispy hair.