《福尔摩斯探案集·红发会》第13节
“‘My name,’ said he, ‘is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?’ “I answered that I had not. “His face fell immediately. “‘Dear me!’ he said gravely, ‘that is very serious indeed! I am sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bachelor.’ “My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for a few minutes he said that it would be all right. “‘In the case of another,’ said he, ‘the objection might be fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your new duties?’ “‘Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,’ said I. “‘Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!’ said Vincent Spaulding. ‘I should be able to look after that for you.’
注释摘要
在杰贝兹·威尔逊的叙述里，邓肯·罗斯这句自我介绍实际上是在干什么值得细看。他说自己是“我们高贵的捐助人留下的基金的养老金领取者之一”——这短短一句，同时完成了三件事：表明红发会的合法性（有基金、有信托人、有既定受益者）、把自己和威尔逊归入同一个利益群体（消除戒备）、并且暗示这个职位是真实存在且有人实际领钱的。但紧接着，他突然把话题从头发转向婚姻状况，问威尔…