The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People — Page 6

擅自查看别人的私人烟盒是非常失礼的行为。

It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.

阿尔杰农：哦！规定什么该读、什么不该读，这种死板的规矩实在荒唐。现代文化有一大半都取决于那些"不该读"的东西。

Oh! it is absurd to have a hard and fast rule about what one should read and what one shouldn't. More than half of modern culture depends on what one shouldn't read.

杰克：这一点我非常清楚，但我无意讨论现代文化。那种话题不适合私下谈论。我只是想要回我的烟盒。

I am quite aware of the fact, and I don't propose to discuss modern culture. It isn't the sort of thing one should talk of in private. I simply want my cigarette case back.

阿尔杰农：是的，但这并不是你的烟盒。这个烟盒是一个叫塞西莉的人送的礼物，而你说你不认识任何叫这个名字的人。

Yes; but this isn't your cigarette case. This cigarette case is a present from some one of the name of Cecily, and you said you didn't know any one of that name.

杰克：好吧，既然你想知道，塞西莉碰巧是我的姑妈。

Well, if you want to know, Cecily happens to be my aunt.

阿尔杰农：你的姑妈！

Your aunt!

杰克：是的。她是个迷人的老太太。住在坦布里奇韦尔斯。把烟盒还给我吧，阿尔杰。

Yes. Charming old lady she is, too. Lives at Tunbridge Wells. Just give it back to me, Algy.

阿尔杰农：〔退到沙发背后〕但如果她是你的姑妈，又住在坦布里奇韦尔斯，为什么她自称"小塞西莉"呢？〔朗读道〕"小塞西莉献上最深情的爱。"

[Retreating to back of sofa.] But why does she call herself little Cecily if she is your aunt and lives at Tunbridge Wells? [Reading.] 'From little Cecily with her fondest love.'

杰克：〔走到沙发旁跪上去〕我亲爱的老兄，这有什么大不了的？有的姑妈高，有的姑妈不高。这种事情，姑妈自己当然有权决定。你似乎认为每个姑妈都应该和你的姑妈一模一样！这才真是荒唐！

[Moving to sofa and kneeling upon it.] My dear fellow, what on earth is there in that? Some aunts are tall, some aunts are not tall. That is a matter that surely an aunt may be allowed to decide for herself. You seem to think that every aunt should be exactly like your aunt! That is absurd!