狄更斯双语小说:《董贝父子》第17章Part 02
Captain Cuttle, however, becoming cognisant of what had happened, relinquished these attempts, as he perceived the slender chance that now existed of his being able to obtain a little easy chat with Mr Dombey before the period of Walter's departure. But in admitting to himself, with a disappointed and crestfallen countenance, that Sol Gills must be told, and that Walter must go—taking the case for the present as he found it, and not having it enlightened orimprovedbeforehand by the knowing management of a friend—the Captain still felt an unabated confidence that he, Ned Cuttle, was the man for Mr Dombey; and that, to set Walter's fortunes quite square, nothing was wanted but that they two should come together.
For the Captain never could forget how well he and Mr Dombey had got on at Brighton; with what nicety each of them had put in a word when it was wanted; how exactly they had taken one another's measure; nor how Ned Cuttle had pointed out that resources in the first extremity, and had brought the interview to the desired termination. On all these grounds the Captain soothed himself with thinking that though Ned Cuttle was forced by the pressure of events to 'stand by' almost useless for the present, Ned would fetch up with a wet sail in good time, and carry all before him.
因为船长永远不能忘记，他与董贝先生在布赖顿相处得很好，他们每人都在合适的时候恰如其分地说出了需要说的话；他们曾经准确地判断了彼此的为人；他也不会忘记他内德·卡特尔怎样在陷于绝境时指出这条出路并使会晤导向合乎要求的结局。船长根据这些理由安慰自己：内德·卡特尔目前虽然由于情势所逼，暂且只好无所事事地袖手旁观，但有朝一日，时机一到，他内德总能扬起船帆，胜利地向前航行的。Under the influence of this good-natured delusion, Captain Cuttle even went so far as to revolve in his own bosom, while he sat looking at Walter and listening with a tear on his shirt-collar to what he related, whether it might not be at once genteel and politic to give Mr Dombey a verbal invitation, whenever they should meet, to come and cut his mutton in Brig Place on some day of his own naming, and enter on the question of his young friend's prospects over a social glass.
在这种出自善意的误解的影响下，卡特尔船长坐在那里，看着沃尔特，听着他叙述，同时在衬衫领子上掉下一颗眼泪的时候，心中甚至在转悠着这样的念头：不论哪一天他遇见董贝先生时，他就口头邀请他，在他指定的任何一天，到布里格广场来品尝品尝羊肉，然后在碰杯祝酒时再谈谈他年轻朋友的前途问题——这样做是不是既符合礼仪而又富于策略？
But the uncertain temper of Mrs MacStinger, and the possibility of her setting up her rest in the passage during such an entertainment, and there delivering some homily of an uncomplimentary nature, operated as acheckon the Captain's hospitable thoughts, and rendered him timid of giving them encouragement.
但是麦克斯适杰太太的脾气难以捉摸，在他举行宴请时她可能伸开四肢，躺卧在走廊里，含沙带刺地说起教来；这些顾虑在船长好客的想法上泼上一瓢冷水，使他胆怯心灰。一ove:vt.改善, 改进, 提高 vi.变得更好, 改进
【语法用法】
improve跟improve upon的区别：前者指的的是“在好或不好的基础上进行修改，改进”，而后者则是指“在好的基础再更进一步”。
This poem cannot be improved.
这首诗太好或太坏，以致于不能修改了。
This poem cannot be improved upon.
这首诗好得不能再好了。
improve跟better的区别：前者指的是大方面的，或是人物内在的提高，以及比较抽象的事物的提高，如improve one's health。后者指的是人的地位，物质或经济条件上的提高，如better the conditions of the workers（工人生活条件的提高）；
在使用improved同improving时要特别注意，避免误用improved而形成被动语态。
【错句举例与错句分析】
错句: Do you think the situation is improved?
订正: Do you think the situation is improving?
翻译: 你认为这个形势得到改善了吗？
分析: 句中的形势改善应是一种主动语态，这不可用improved。
【词义辨析】
improve, better, perfect, refine
这些动词均有“改进、改善”之意。
improve最常用词，多指状态或性质上的深刻或重要改进，也可指自身能力的提高。
better多用于口语，指适当地改善原来并非很差的状态或性质，也指社会地位、经济状况的改善。
perfect语义强，通常指使方法、技术等达到完善美好的境地。
refine侧重指使语言、仪态等变得文雅、优美，也可指技艺等的提高。
【例句用法】
Wine improves with age.
酒存放得越久越醇。
I hope the weather will improve before Friday.
我希望星期五之前天气会好转。
二k:v.检查, 阻止, 核对 n.检查, 阻碍, 支票, 账单, 方格图案, (国际象棋)将军
【语法用法】
美国人常将check指“支票”，而英国人则常用cheque；
check作及物动词时，词组check up指“查核”，而check作不及物动词时，表示“查核”用check up on；
check with指“跟……符合”，check up with指“和……符合”。
The reprint checks up with the original.
重印本和原版不符合。
examination of check up在美国指“全身检查”，而英国人一般用physical overhaul。
【词义辨析】
restrain, check, refrain, bridle, curb, inhibit
这些动词均含“阻止、抑制、制止”之意。
restrain含义广，指用强力或权力去阻止或限制某人做某事。
check多指阻止前进或继续发展。
refrain常指暂时对某种行动或冲动的抑制。
bridle指抑制住强烈的感情或欲望。
curb可指急剧或果断的制止，也可指用严格的方法加以控制。
inhibit主要指抑制愿望、情绪或念头，也指制止某物的蔓延。
【例句用法】
The plumber made a careful check of the pipes.
管子工对管道做了仔细的检查。
They checked their steps.
他们突然停住脚步。
