狄更斯雙語小說:《董貝父子》第42章Part8

'Why, he is a young rip, I am afraid,' returned Carker, with a shrug. 'He bears that character. But the truth is, I took him into my service because, being able to get no other employment, he conceived (had been taught at home, I daresay) that he had some sort of claim upon you, and was constantly trying to dog your heels with his petition. And although my defined and recognised connexion with your affairs is merely of a business character, still I have that spontaneous interest in everything belonging to you, that - '
He stopped again, as if to discover whether he had led Mr Dombey far enough yet. And again, with his chin resting on his hand, he leered at the picture.
'Carker,' said Mr Dombey, 'I am sensible that you do not limit your - '
'Service,' suggested his smiling entertainer.
'No; I prefer to say your regard,' observed Mr Dombey; very sensible, as he said so, that he was paying him a handsome and flattering compliment, 'to our mere business relations. Your consideration for my feelings, hopes, and disappointments, in the little instance you have just now mentioned, is an example in point. I I am obliged to you, Carker.'
Mr Carker bent his head slowly, and very softly rubbed his hands, as if he were afraid by any action to disturb the current of Mr Dombey's confidence.

“是的，我擔心，他是個一無可取的年輕人，”卡克聳聳肩膀，回答道。”他有那樣的名聲。可是實際情況是，我還是讓他來給我服務了，因爲他找不到其他職業，就認爲（我敢說，這是他家裏教給他的），他可以向您提出什麼要求似的，於是不斷設法尾隨着您，向您提出請求。雖然我跟您商定的、雙方承認的關係僅僅是屬於業務性質的，可是我對屬於您的一切事情仍然具有那種自發的興趣，因此--”
他又停住，彷彿想看一看他把董貝先生是不是已經引得夠遠了，然後，他又用手支託着下巴，斜眼看着那張圖畫。
“卡克，”董貝先生說道，”我知道您並不限制您的--”
“服務，”請他吃早飯的主人笑嘻嘻地提示道。
“不，我寧肯說是您的關心，”董貝先生說道；他很清楚，他這麼說是給了他一個很大的討他喜歡的恭維。”我知道，您並不把您的關心侷限於我們之間純粹的業務關係方面。您剛纔提到的那件小事就是個很好的例子，說明您關心我的感情、希望和失望。我感謝您，卡克。”
卡克先生慢慢地低下頭，很輕地搓着手，彷彿他擔心任何動作都會打斷董貝先生的充滿信任的話語似的。