即使是他那孩子的激动也不能控制他回答时伴随着的顽皮的、奇妙的但却令人感动的眼光。

　　It brought a vague expression of dissatisfaction into Mr Dombey’s face; but the door being opened, it was quickly gone.

　　它使董贝先生脸上露出了隐约的、不满的表情；但这时门开了，它很快就消失了。

　　’Doctor Blimber is at home, I believe?’ said Mr Dombey.

　　“我想布林伯博士在家吧？”董贝先生说道。

　　The man said yes; and as they passed in, looked at Paul as if he were a little mouse, and the house were a trap. He was a weak-eyed young man, with the first faint streaks or early dawn of a grin on his countenance. It was mere imbecility; but Mrs Pipchin took it into her head that it was impudence, and made a snap at him directly.

　　那仆人说是的；当他们走进去的时候，他看着保罗，仿佛他是只小耗子，而那座房屋则仿佛是只捕鼠笼似的。他是一位弱视的青年，脸上露出一丝难以觉察的龇牙咧嘴的笑容或它最初闪出的一道微光。这仅仅是低能的表现而已；但皮普钦太太却凭空地认为这是无礼，所以就立刻恶狠狠地抓住了他。

　　’How dare you laugh behind the gentleman’s back?’ said Mrs Pipchin. ’And what do you take me for?’

　　“你怎么敢在有身份的先生背后发笑？”皮普钦太太说道。

　　’I ain’t a laughing at nobody, and I’m sure I don’t take you for nothing, Ma’am,’ returned the young man, in consternation.

　　“你又把我当作什么人？”“我没有笑任何人；我还可以肯定，我没有把您小看了，夫人，”那位年轻人惊慌地回答道。

　　’A pack of idle dogs!’ said Mrs Pipchin, ’only fit to be turnspits. Go and tell your master that Mr Dombey’s here, or it’ll be worse for you!’

　　“一群吊儿郎当的懒狗！”皮普钦太太说，“只配去转动烤肉叉①！去告诉你的主人，董贝先生来了，要不你的结果就更糟！”

　　The weak-eyed young man went, very meekly, to discharge himself of this commission; and soon came back to invite them to the Doctor’s study.

　　那位弱视的年轻人十分温顺地离开去执行任务；不久就回来请他们到博士的书房里去。

　　’You’re laughing again, Sir,’ said Mrs Pipchin, when it came to her turn, bringing up the rear, to pass him in the hall.

　　“你又笑了，先生，”皮普钦太太笑道；她走在后面，这时从他身边穿过前厅。

　　’I ain’t,’ returned the young man, grievously oppressed. ’I never see such a thing as this!’

　　“我没有笑，”被欺压得很痛苦的年轻人回答道。“我从来没有见到这样的事情！”

　　’What is the matter, Mrs Pipchin?’ said Mr Dombey, looking round. ’Softly! Pray!’

　　“怎么回事，皮普钦太太？”董贝先生回过头来看了一下，说道。“请轻一些！”

　　-------- ①英国旧时社会中训练狗用踏车来转动烤肉叉。