“十年，”毫无同情心的皮普钦用哭丧的声音说道，她那冷酷的灰色眼睛冷若冰霜地闪了一下光，低垂的头阴郁地摇晃了一下，“是很长的时间。”

　　’It depends on circumstances, returned Mr Dombey; ’at all events, Mrs Pipchin, my son is six years old, and there is no doubt, I fear, that in his studies he is behind many children of his age - or his youth,’ said Mr Dombey, quickly answering what he mistrusted was a shrewd twinkle of the frosty eye, ’his youth is a more appropriate expression. Now, Mrs Pipchin, instead of being behind his peers, my son ought to be before them; far before them. There is an eminence ready for him to mount upon. There is nothing of chance or doubt in the course before my son. His way in life was clear and prepared, and marked out before he existed. The education of such a young gentleman must not be delayed. It must not be left imperfect. It must be very steadily and seriously undertaken, Mrs Pipchin.’

　　“这取决于境况如何，”董贝先生回答道；“不管怎么样，皮普钦太太，我的儿子已经六岁了；我担心，跟他同样年龄或者说跟他同样处于少年时期的许多孩子相比，他在学习上毫无疑问已经落后了。”他迅速地回答了那只冷若冰霜的眼睛中发出的一道他觉得是狡狯的眼光，“跟他同样处于少年时期——这个说法更恰当。可是，皮普钦太太，我的儿子不能落在他的同辈人的后面，而应当超过他们，远远地超过他们。有一个高地正等待着他去攀登。在我的儿子的未来的生活路程中没有什么听凭机会摆布或存在疑问的东西。他的生活道路是没有障碍的，预先准备好的，在他出生之前就已经筹划定了的。这样一位年轻绅士的教育是不应该耽误的。不应该让它处于不完善的状态。它必须很坚定很认真地进行，皮普钦太太。”

　　’Well, Sir,’ said Mrs Pipchin, ’I can say nothing to the contrary.’

　　“唔，先生，”皮普钦太太说道，“我不会有什么异议。”

　　’I was quite sure, Mrs Pipchin,’ returned Mr Dombey, approvingly, ’that a person of your good sense could not, and would not.’

　　“我完全相信，皮普钦太太，”董贝先生赞同地说道，“像您这样有卓越见识的人是不会，也不愿意有异议的。”

　　’There is a great deal of nonsense - and worse - talked about young people not being pressed too hard at first, and being tempted on, and all the rest of it, Sir,’ said Mrs Pipchin, impatiently rubbing her hooked nose. ’It never was thought of in my time, and it has no business to be thought of now. My opinion is "keep ’em at it".’

　　“现在人们谈论着各种乌七八糟的废话，——比废话还不如——，说什么对年轻人开始不要强迫得太厉害，而应当循循善诱，其他等等，先生，”皮普钦太太不耐烦地擦了擦她的钩鼻，说道，“在我做孩子的时候，从来没有这样一些想法。现在也用不着这样去想。我的意见是，‘强迫他们去做’。”

　　’My good madam,’ returned Mr Dombey, ’you have not acquired your reputation undeservedly; and I beg you to believe, Mrs Pipchin, that I am more than satisfied with your excellent system of management, and shall have the greatest pleasure in commending it whenever my poor commendation - ’ Mr Dombey’s loftiness when he affected to disparage his own importance, passed all bounds - ’can be of any service. I have been thinking of Doctor Blimber’s, Mrs Pipchin.’

　　“我的好夫人，”董贝先生回答道，“您真是名不虚传；请您相信，皮普钦太太，我对您优良的管理制度非常满意；只要我不足挂齿的推荐意见能有什么用的话，我将会十分高兴来推荐它。”——当董贝先生假装贬低自己的重要性时，他的高傲是超越一切限度的——，“我一直在考虑布林伯博士的学校，皮普钦太太。”

　　’My neighbour, Sir?’ said Mrs Pipchin. ’I believe the Doctor’s is an excellent establishment. I’ve heard that it’s very strictly conducted, and there is nothing but learning going on from morning to night.’

　　“我的近邻吗，先生？”皮普钦太太说道。“我相信这位博士的学校是一所优秀的学校。我听说管理很严格，从早到晚除了学习不干别的。”

　　’And it’s very expensive,’ added Mr Dombey.

　　“而且费用很贵，”董贝先生补充道。

　　’And it’s very expensive, Sir,’ returned Mrs Pipchin, catching at the fact, as if in omitting that, she had omitted one of its leading merits.

　　“而且费用很贵，”皮普钦太太回答道；她紧紧抓住这个事实，仿佛遗漏了这一点，她就遗漏了它的最主要的优点之一似的。