One of the shining moments of my day is that when, having returned a little weary from an afternoon walk, I exchange boots for slippers, out-of-doors coat for easy, familiar, shabby jacket, and, in my deep, soft-elbowed chair, await the tea-tray. Perhaps it is while drinking tea that I most of all enjoy the sense of leisure. In days gone by I could but gulp down the refreshment, hurried, often harassed by the thought of the work I had before me; often I was quite insensible of the aroma, the flavour of what I drank. Now how delicious is the soft yet penetrating odour which floats into my study with the appearance of the tea-pot! What solace in the first cup, what deliberate sipping of that which follows! What a glow does it bring after a walk in chilly rain! The while, I look around at my books and pictures, tasting the happiness of their tranquil possession. I cast an eye towards my pipe; perhaps I prepare it, with seeming thoughtfulness, for the reception of tobacco. And never, surely, is tobacco more soothing, more suggestive of humane thoughts, than when it comes just after tea --itself a bland inspirer.
对我而言,一天中最灿烂的时刻之一,就是下午带着稍许倦意散步回来，脱下靴子,换上拖鞋,脱下外衣，穿上虽破旧但十分舒适的家居短上衣,然后坐在深陷且柔软的扶手椅上,等待着下午茶被端上来的那段时间。或许喝茶时,才是我最能享受到安逸感的时刻。在以前的日子里，我总是一边想着令人生厌的手头工作,一边匆忙地吞咽下茶点,因此经常完全体验不到伙品的芳香与滋昧。现在,当茶壶被端进我的书房时,一股轻柔的香气便在房间中弥漫开来,那是多么美妙啊!第一杯茶令人深感慰藉,而随后的吸饮则是那样惬意!尤其是在冷雨中散步之后,这杯茶给人带来了怎样的温暖啊!饮茶的同时,我常常环顾我的书籍和画作,品味着这种安然的拥有所带来的幸福感受。我会看一眼我的烟斗,或许还会带着若有所思的神情给它装上烟叶。毋庸置疑,茶本身就是一种没有刺激性但又能够提神醒脑的饮品,饮茶后再吸上一会儿烟一一没有比这更能让人心绪平静、更能唤起人文遐思的方法了。
In nothing is the English genius for domesticity more notably declared than in the institution of this festival -- almost one may call it so -- of afternoon tea. Beneath simple roofs, the hour of tea has something in it of sacred; for it marks the end of domestic work and worry, the beginning of restful, sociable evening. The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose. I care nothing for your five o'clock tea of modish drawing-rooms, idle and wearisome like all else in which that world has part; I speak of tea where one is at home in quite another than the worldly sense. To admit mere strangers to your tea-table is profanation; on the other hand, English hospitality has here its kindliest aspect; never is friend more welcome than when he drops in for a cup of tea. Where tea is really a meal, with nothing between it and nine o'clock supper, it is -- again in the true sense -- the homeliest meal of the day.
英国人拥有料理家庭事务的天赋,而这种天赋在下午茶这种欢宴的习俗中——我们几乎可以这样称呼它——表现得最为突出。在简朴的屋顶下，饮茶的时刻带有某种神圣的色彩;因为它意味着家庭事务和生活烦恼的结束，也标志着安闲的、充满社交愉悦的夜晚的开始。仅仅是茶杯和茶碟碰撞发出的叮当声,便可以使心情变得快乐而平静。我不喜欢那种时尚客厅里五点钟的茶会,它像所有其他世俗之事一样,令人感到空虚和厌倦;我所指的是与世俗意义完全不同的在家中进行的下午茶。允许陌生人坐到你的茶桌前,是对这种习俗的亵渎;顺便到访喝茶的朋友才是最受欢迎的人,这体现出英国人的好客传统最亲切的一面。下午茶实际上就是一顿饭,从下午茶到晚上九点的晚餐之间，不再吃任何东西，在这堅，茶点一一仍然是就其真正意义而言一一是一天里最简单的家庭便餐。
I like to look at my housekeeper when she carries in the tray. Her mien is festal, yet in her smile there is a certain gravity, as though she performed an office which honoured her. She has dressed for the evening; that is to say, her clean and seemly attire of working hours is exchanged for garments suitable to fireside leisure; her cheeks are warm, for she has been making fragrant toast. Quickly her eye glances about my room, but only to have the pleasure of noting that all is in order; inconceivable that anything serious should need doing at this hour of the day. She brings the little table within the glow of the hearth, so that I can help myself without changing my easy position. If she speaks, it will only be a pleasant word or two; should she have anything important to say, the moment will be after tea, not before it; this she knows by instinct. Perchance she may just stoop to sweep back a cinder which has fallen since, in my absence, she looked after the fire; it is done quickly and silently. Then, still smiling, she withdraws, and I know that she is going to enjoy her own tea, her own toast, in the warn, comfortable, sweet-smelling kitchen.
在我的女管家端着茶盘走进来的时候,我常常饶有兴昧地观察她。她神情愉快,微笑中带着一种庄重的神色,仿佛她所从事的是一份令她感到光荣的工作。她已经换上了晚上穿的衣服,也就是说,她把在工作时所穿的干净、得体的衣服,换成了在炉边度过闲暇时光所要穿的衣服了。她的脸颊微微发红,因为她一直在做香甜的烤面包。她快速地扫视了一下我的房间,看到屋内一切都很整洁,她感到很高兴;如果一天中的这个时候还有什么重要的事情要做,那可真是不能想象。她把小桌子搬到壁炉的热力范围之内,这样,我便可以不必改变这个舒适的姿势,就能享用到茶点。她偶尔会说一两句令人愉快的话;如果有什么重要的事情,她会在下午茶之后告诉我,而不是在那之前一一她似乎天生就清楚这一点。她偶尔会弯下身去,将我不在房间时她照料炉火后落下的炉灰扫干净,动作利落,不发出一点儿声音。做完这一切之后,她便会带着同样的微笑退出房间。我知道,她是到温暖、舒适、洋溢着香甜气味的厨房中,享用自己的茶和烤面包去了。
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