The General certainly seemed to grow an inch taller，assumed a more stately demeanordemeanor n.行为，风度，and took two steps backward and one step forward，as if he were dancing a minuetminuet n.米奴哀小步舞，米奴哀小步舞曲，and then came as much gravitygravity n.地心引力，重力，认真，严肃，庄重 and expression into the face of the General as the General could contrive to infuseinfuse vi.泡，注vt.灌输，注入，沏或泡（茶、药等） into it； but he replied，将军一下子高了一小截，显出更坚决的神气，往后退了两步，再往前走了一步，就像在跳小步舞一样。他满脸严肃，能在一位将军高贵的脸上表现出来的种种表情，都摆出来了。
“I never retract my words！ You are invited，Professor！” and he bowed with a glance at the King，who must have heard the whole dialogue.
“我从不反悔。教授，您受到了邀请！”他鞠了个躬，向显然听到了这一切的国王瞥了一眼。
Now，there was a company to dinner at the Generals，but only the old Count and his protege were invited.
于是在将军家举行了晚宴，只邀请了伯爵和他的宠友。
“I have my foot under his table.” thought George. “Thats laying the foundation stone.”
“脚一伸到桌子下，”乔治认为，“基石便已奠定！”
And the foundation stone was really laid，with great ceremony，at the house of the General and of the Generals lady.
在将军和将军夫人那里，最庄严地奠定了基石。
The man had come. and had spoken quite like a person in good society，and had made himself very agreeable，so that the General had often to repeat his “Charming！” The General talked of this dinner，talked of it even to a court lady； and this lady，one of the most intellectual persons about the court，asked to be invited to meet the Professor the next time he should come. So he had to be invited again； and he was invited，and came，and was charming again； he could even play chess.
客人来了。客人自然是将军认识和知道的。客人的谈吐完全像上流社会的人，十分风趣，将军不得不多次重复说“好极了！”将军夫人讲起她的晚餐，她甚至还把这次晚餐告诉了一个宫廷女侍官。这位女侍官，是一个最有灵性的人，要求下次教授再来的时候也邀请上她。于是自然还得邀请他，也真的再次邀请了他，他又来了，又是好极了，而且还会下象棋。
“Hes not out of the cellar，” said the General； “hes quite a distinguisheddistinguished adj.卓著的，著名的，高贵的 person. There are many distinguished persons of that kind，and its no fault of his.”
“他不是出生于地下室！”将军说道，“他肯定是一个望族的少爷！出自名门的少爷的儿子很多，这完全不是这个年轻人的过错。”
The Professor，who was received in the Kings palace，might very well be received by the General； but that he could ever belong to the house was out of the question，only the whole town was talking of it.
可以进出皇宫的教授，当然也完全可以进出将军的家。但要在那里生下根则完全谈不到，尽管全城的人都接受了这个事实。
He grew and grew. The dew of favor fell from above，so no one was surprised after all that he should become a Privy Councillor，and Emily a Privy Councillors lady.
他在那里生了根，仁慈的露珠从上面降了下来！因此在教授荣升为国政参事的时候，爱米莉成了国政参事夫人，这便一点儿也不令人惊讶了。
“Life is either a tragedytragedy n.悲剧，惨案，悲惨，灾难 or a comedy.” said the General. “In tragedies they die，in comedies they marry one another.”
“生活是喜剧，要不然就是悲剧，”将军说道，“在悲剧中主角都死亡，在喜剧中他们缔结良缘。”
In this case they married. And they had three clever boys—but not all at once.
在这儿他们结了良缘。他们生了三个可爱的男孩，当然并不是一下子生下来的。
The sweet children rode on their hobbyhorses through all the rooms when they came to see the grandparents. And the General also rode on his stick； he rode behind them in the character of groom to the little Privy Councillors.
这些甜蜜的孩子来看外公外婆的时候，他们便骑着木马在厅堂里跑。将军也骑上木马，跟在他们的身后，就像是这些小国政参事的马夫。
And the Generals lady sat on her sofa and smiled at them，even when she had her severest headache.
将军夫人坐在沙发里微笑着，尽管她犯着她那严重的头痛病。
So far did George get，and much further； else it had not been worth while to tell the story of THE PORTERS SON.
乔治发达到了这个地步，还在大大地发展着，否则便不必费神来讲《看门人的儿子》了。
