09 Don't Give Up

Chapter 9 Don't Give Up Annie said Jack. Over here, she called. Jack saw two figures standing in the twilight. He walked over to Annie and Clara. They all stared in the direction of the distant battlefield. Bright lights flashed against the dark blue horizon, cannon shells exploding.

第九章 别放弃 “杰克。”安妮唤道。 “到这儿来。”她招呼着。 杰克看见暮色中站着两个人影。 他走到安妮和克拉拉身边。 三个人都望向远处战场的方向。 深蓝色的地平线上亮光大作，那是炮弹在爆炸。

Every time you see a flash, you know a shell may have taken a life or many lives, said Clara. That's awful, said Annie. Yes, it is, said Clara. A whole world can vanish in that flash. All a young man's joys and sorrows, all his memories. This is a cruel war, said Annie. All wars are cruel, said Clara Barton. People feel they must fight for causes they believe in. But they soon discover that war is not about glory and fame. It's about misery and terrible pain and sadness. It makes me miss my mom and dad, said Annie. It makes me really miss them. Annie sounded tired and homesick. Finally, she had lost her cheerfulness. I think it's time for you two to go home, said Clara.

“每次你看到亮光闪过，就知道有一颗炮弹可能夺走了一条或者 好多条生命。”克拉拉说。 “太可怕了。”安妮说。 “是啊，确实很可怕。”克拉拉说。 那道亮光闪过的瞬间，一整个世界可能就消失了。 一个年轻人所有的喜怒哀乐，所有的回忆，都会烟消云散。 “这场战争太残酷了。”安妮说。 “所有战争都很残酷。”克拉拉·巴顿说。 人们总觉得必须为自己信仰的事业而战。 可他们很快就会发现，战争和荣耀、名声一点关系都没有。 战争带来的只有苦难、剧痛和悲伤。 “我好想爸爸妈妈。”安妮说。 我真的特别想他们。 安妮的声音听起来又疲惫又想家。 她终于没了往日的活泼劲儿。 “我觉得你们两个该回家了。”克拉拉说。

Jack thought of all the wounded men who needed food and water and kindness and comfort. No, Jack said, we have to stay. We can't give up. That's on the list. Don't give up. Jack pulled out their list to show Clara Barton. Oh, yes, she said, nodding. I see one of my nurses has written down the things I often say. Let me add one thing more. Do not forget the ones who love you. Jack heaved a big sigh. He was homesick too. Can we keep the list? He asked. Of course, said Clara. You don't have to work in a hospital to follow my words. They work in all of life, no matter where you go. Thanks, said Jack.

杰克想起了所有受伤的士兵，他们需要食物、水，需要善意和安慰。 “不。”杰克说，“我们得留下来。” 我们不能放弃。 这是清单上写的内容。 别放弃。 杰克掏出他们的清单给克拉拉·巴顿看。 “哦，对呀。”她点着头说道。 肯定是哪个护士把我常说的话记下来了。 我再多加一条吧。 别忘了那些爱着你的人。 杰克重重地叹了口气。 他也想家了。 “我们能留着这张清单吗？” 他问道。 “当然可以。”克拉拉说。 不一定非要在医院工作才能照着这些话做。 不管你去哪里，这辈子这些道理都能用得上。 “谢谢你。”杰克说。

you

你们

My thanks to both of you," said Clara Barton. You were great helpers. You were a great teacher," said Annie. Goodbye, said Clara Barton. Be very careful going home. We will, said Jack and Annie. Bye. The sun was setting as they walked out of the camp. The boom of cannons sounded in the distance. Soldiers sang a song around a campfire. We're tending tonight on the old campground. Give us a song to cheer our weary hearts, a song of home, and friends we love so dear.

“我也要谢谢你们两个。”克拉拉·巴顿说。 你们都是非常棒的小帮手。 “你是超棒的老师。”安妮说。 “再见啦。”克拉拉·巴顿说。 回家路上一定要小心。 “我们会的。”杰克和安妮齐声回答。 拜拜。 他们走出营地的时候，太阳正在落山。 远处传来大炮的轰鸣声。 士兵们围着营火唱歌。 今夜我们驻守在旧营地。 给我们唱首歌振奋下疲惫的心吧，唱首关于家乡的歌， 还有我们深爱着的朋友。

Jack and Annie walked through the darkening field. By the time they reached the woods, the stars were out. They climbed up the rope ladder to the treehouse. Annie grabbed the Pennsylvania book. Wait, said Jack. He looked out the window. He couldn't see anything below. But the soldier's song still carried through the warm starry night. Many are the hearts that are weary tonight, wishing for the war to cease. As Jack listened, he thought of Clara Barton, the elderly slave, the young Confederate soldier, and John, the drummer boy. War is not a game, Jack said softly. It is definitely not a game.

杰克和安妮走过渐渐暗下来的田野，等他们走到树林边的时候， 星星已经出来了。他们顺着绳梯爬上树屋。安妮抓起那本 宾夕法尼亚的书。 “等等。”杰克说。他望向窗外，下面什么都看不见，可士兵的 歌声依然飘荡在温暖的星夜里。今夜有太多疲惫的心 盼着战争能够停止。 杰克听着歌声，想起了克拉拉·巴顿、年老的黑奴、年轻的南方邦联士兵， 还有敲鼓的小男孩约翰。 “战争不是游戏。”杰克轻声说，它绝对不是游戏。