49 The ideal servant

It is a good thing my aunt Harriet died years ago.

我的姑妈哈丽特好多年前就去世了,这倒是件好事。

If she were alive today she would not be able to air her views on her favourite topic of conversation: domestic servants.

如果她活到今天,她将不能就她热衷的话题“佣人”发表意见了。

Aunt Harriet lived in that leisurely age when servants were employed to do housework.

哈丽特生活在一个悠闲的年代,家务事都由雇来的佣人代劳。

She had a huge, rambling country house called‘The Gables’.

她在乡下有一幢巨大杂乱的房子,叫作“山墙庄园”。

She was sentimentally attached to this house, for even though it was far too big for her needs, she persisted in living there long after her husband's death.

她对这幢房子在感情上难舍难分。房子实在太大了,但在丈夫去世多年后,她仍然执意长年住在那儿。

Before she grew old, Aunt Harriet used to entertain lavishly.

哈丽特姑妈年轻时,喜欢大摆宴席,招待宾客。