美国语文第四册 第24期：真正的男子汉（04）
He said, "Katy is in the house!" "In what room?" asked Fred.
汤姆说：“凯蒂在房子里！”“在哪间？”弗雷德问道。
"In that one, "pointing to a window in the upper story.
“就是那间。”汤姆指向了楼上的一扇窗户。
It was no time for words, but for instant, vigorous action.
没时间多说了，得马上采取有力的行动。
The staircase was already on fire; there was but one way to reach Katy, and that full of danger.
楼梯已经着火了。现在只有一条路能到凯蒂房间，而这条路却又异常危险。
The second floor might fall at any moment, and Fred knew it.
弗雷德知道，房子的二楼随时都有可能坍塌。
But he trusted in an arm stronger than his own, and silently sought help and guidance.
但是他信任那些比他有力气的大人，然后轻声地向他们寻求帮助和指导。
A ladder was quickly brought, and placed against the house.
人们很快拿来了一架梯子，把它搭在了房子外墙上。
Fred mounted it, followed by the hired man, dashed in the sash of the window,
弗雷德爬上了梯子，雇来的人紧随其后，先后从窗框冲了进去。
and pushed his way into the room where the poor child lay nearly suffocated with smoke.
他立刻奔向凯蒂的房间，那个可怜的孩子在里面被浓烟呛得几乎要窒息了。
He roused her with some difficulty, carried her to the window, and placed her upon the sill.
他费力地叫醒凯蒂，将她抱到窗边，放在窗台上。
She was instantly grasped by strong arms, and carried down the ladder, Fred following as fast as possible.
她随即被一双强有力的胳膊紧紧抓住并抱下了梯子。弗雷德以最快的速度紧跟其后。
They had scarcely reached the ground before a crash of falling timbers told them that they had barely escaped with their lives.
他们刚一站到地面上就听到了木头掉落的撞击声，这说明刚才他们差点就没机会逃命了。
Tom Barton never forgot the lesson of that night;
汤姆.巴顿永远也忘不了那天夜里的一课。
and he came to believe, and to act upon the belief, in after years, that true manliness is in harmony with gentleness, kindness, and self-denial.
在之后的岁月里，他开始相信并且用行动实践这一信念，即真正的男子汉是温柔、善良和自我牺牲的统一。
