《了不起的盖茨比·Chapter II》第7节
The man peered doubtfully into the basket, plunged in his hand and drew one up, wriggling, by the back of the neck. “That’s no police dog,” said Tom. “No, it’s not exactly a police dog,” said the man with disappointment in his voice. “It’s more of an Airedale.” He passed his hand over the brown washrag of a back. “Look at that coat. Some coat. That’s a dog that’ll never bother you with catching cold.” “I think it’s cute,” said Mrs. Wilson enthusiastically. “How much is it?” “That dog?” He looked at it admiringly. “That dog will cost you ten dollars.” The Airedale—undoubtedly there was an Airedale concerned in it somewhere, though its feet were startlingly white—changed hands and settled down into Mrs. Wilson’s lap, where she fondled the weatherproof coat with rapture. “Is it a boy or a girl?” she asked delicately. “That dog? That dog’s a boy.” “It’s a bitch,” said Tom decisively. “Here’s your money. Go and buy ten more dogs with it.” We drove over to Fifth Avenue, warm and soft, almost pastoral, on the summer Sunday afternoon. I wouldn’t have been surprised to see a great flock of white sheep turn the corner. “Hold on,” I said, “I have to leave you here.”
注释摘要
这一小段戏发生在一辆出租车里，一场荒唐的街头交易中。威尔逊太太——也就是汤姆的情妇——刚刚在新车站买了闲话杂志、冷霜和一小瓶香水，现在她看见路边有个卖狗的老人，便一门心思要买条狗带回公寓去。老人把篮子伸到车窗前，里面挤着一堆刚出生不久、品种不明的狗崽。他从篮子里随便捞出一只，揪着后颈拎起来，小狗在空中扭动。汤姆当场拆台，说这不是她想要的警犬。卖狗人只好顺着…