ACT I
Where's Mom? 妈妈呢?
She went to a school-board meeting. 她去参加联合校董事会会议了。
I don't know how she does it. 我不知道她怎么办到的。
She sure keeps busy. 她真的是忙个不停。
It's important to her. 这对她来说很重要。
There are lots of places to go, 有很多地方要去，
lots of things to do. 许多事情要做。
She can't sit around and do nothing. 她总不能闲坐着无所事事呀。
Philip works late. Philip工作到很晚。
I guess you're right. 我想你说得对。
I wish I had her energy. 我希望我有她那样的精力。
Anybody home? 有人在家吗？
We're in here, Dad. 我们在里面，爸爸。
Oh. Hi, gang. 噢。嗨，你们好。
Hello, Philip. 哈，Philip。
How was your day? 今天好吗？
My day was just fine. 这一天还好。
So was my night. 晚上也还不错。
It's almost ten o'clock. 现在已经快十点钟了。
Mmm. I'm starving. 嗯，我饿坏了。
Um ... where's Mom? 唔……妈妈呢？
She went to a school-board meeting. 她去参加联合校董事会的会议。
There's a note for you on the refrigerator. 冰箱上有她留给你的字条。
Oh? 噢？
Did you have dinner, Robbie? 你吃晚餐了吗， Robbie？
Yeah. 吃了。
Mike and I had a hamburger at the diner. Mike和我在火车厢餐厅那儿吃了汉堡。
I came home a little while ago. 我也是刚刚到家。
You've been working late 你一直工作到很晚
almost every night this week, Dad. 几乎这个星期的每天晚上都如此，爸爸。
Aren't you exhausted? 你不会精疲力尽吗？
I don't have time to be exhausted. 我没有时间去精疲力尽。
You and Mom haven't had dinner together with us 你和妈妈没有和我们一起吃晚饭
in almost a full week. 差不多有一整个星期了。
Yeah, 是啊。
I feel bad 我觉得很不安
about us not having dinner with the family, 对于我们无法与全家人共进晚餐，
but our schedules are so different. 但我们的工作时间实在差太多了。
Either I'm at the hospital doing paperwork, 不是我在医院办公事，
or Mom is at a committee meeting. 就是妈妈参加小组会议。
I frankly don't know what to do about it. 我真不知道该怎么解决。
I'm worried about you and Mom. 我很担心你和妈妈。
You really have been working too hard. 你们确实太忙了。
Well, 好啦，
I think I've had enough of that sandwich. 我想我已经吃够了三明治。
You didn't finish it. 你没有吃完它。
It's not good to eat before going to bed. 在上床前吃太多不好。
A cookie can't hurt, though. 但一片小甜饼不要紧。
Well, 好啦，
I'm heading off for bed 我先去睡觉了
and a good night's sleep. 睡一个好觉。
Well, good night. 好吧，晚安。
Good night, Son. 晚安，儿子。
Good night, Dad. 晚安，爸爸。
I'm going to bed. 我去睡觉了。
Good night, Philip. 晚安，Philip。
Haven't you finished balancing that checkbook? 你还没有核对完支票簿帐目？
I found another mistake. 我又发现一个错误。
I'll be off to bed myself in a minute. 我再过一会也要上床睡觉了。
OK. Good night. 好，晚安。
I'm really concerned about them, 我真的为他们担心，
Grandpa. 爷爷。
Concerned about whom? 为谁担心？
About Mom and Dad. 爸爸和妈妈。
They hardly ever see each other. 他们几乎彼此不碰头。
Dad often works late, 爸爸老是工作到很晚，
and Mom has all these committees she's on. 妈妈又有那么多的小组会议要开。
What do you propose to do about it? 那你建议要怎么办？
You have that look in your eye. 你看起来好像有了主意似的。
I don't know, 我不知道，
but there must be a way 但总该有一个办法
of getting them to spend more time together. 能让他们有更多时间相处。
Quality time. 黄金时光。
I got home late
after working all day.
I was hoping to find you,
but you were away.
You left me some dinner,
something to eat,
but I won't be waiting up,
'cause I've got to get to sleep.
I'm going to get home late
after working all day.
I know you'll be home,
but I'll miss you anyway.
I hope you find my note
and have something to eat.
I really want to see you,
but you'll be asleep.
We never seem to have any fun
like we had before.
We're working too hard,
and I never get to see you anymore.
We have to make time for each other.
We owe it to ourselves and one another.
So why don't we do it?
What do you say?
Let's make some changes.
We could start today.
We need some quality time
... together.
... together.
What we need is quality time.
Oh, yeah!
We need to talk to each other,
laugh with each other.
Let's get together, you and me.
With quality time,
we'll enjoy each other's company.
You're working long hours,
and you're never at home.
Sometimes it seems
you're just a voice on the phone.
And when you call,
You say you'll be home late.
You're always missing dinner
'cause it just can't wait.
My job keeps me busy,
and I know you're busy, too.
I really want to spend
"more" time with you.
I'm getting up early,
and I'm coming home late.
If I want to see you,
I've got to make a special date.
We need some quality time
... together.
What we need is quality time.
Oh, yeah!
We need to talk to each other,
laugh with each other.
Let's get together ...
[NextPage]
ACT II
Hello there, Robbie. 哈，Robbie。
What are you doing up this late? 这么晚了你还没睡在做什么？
Reading. 读书。
Reading? 读书？
At this hour? 在这个时候？
Ah, come on, Robbie. 噢，算了吧，Robbie。
What are you doing up this late? 这么晚你不睡在干什么？
Things on my mind. 想一些事情。
Do you care to talk about them? 你想谈谈它们吗？
Sure, 当然，
if you don't mind listening. 假如你不介意听的话。
Robbie, Robbie, remember me? Robbie，Robbie，记得我？
I'm your mother. 我是你母亲。
If you have something you want to talk about, 假如你有什么事情要谈，
I'm always prepared to listen. 我总是准备听的。
You haven't been around much lately. 最近你在家的时候不多。
So that's it. 原来是这件事。
OK, let's talk. 好，让我们谈谈。
You and Dad are like ships that pass in the night. 和爸爸就像在夜里交错而过的船一样。
Dad works hard, and he works late. 爸爸工作忙，而且忙到很晚。
You work hard on all your committees, 而你总是在各种委员会忙，
and you work late. 也工作到很晚。
I thought you were proud of the work I do. 我还以为你为我所做的工作感到骄傲呢。
I am, Mom. 我确实感到骄傲，妈妈。
Real proud. 真的骄傲。
You are one fantastic mom, 你是一位好母亲。
but ... but I've been noticing 但……但我注意到
how little quality time 黄金时光太少了
you spend with Dad and me ... and the family. 和父亲，我……及全家人共度的。
It's a real problem, Robbie. 这确实是个问题，Robbie。
I know it. 我知道。
I'm concerned. 我很担心。
There must be a way 总该有个办法
that Dad and you can spend more time together. 能使你和爸爸有更多时间在一起。
Well, we always talk about 说的也是，我们常在谈论
taking a vacation together--with the family. 要一起渡个假---和全家一起。
I think you ought to 我觉得你们应该
take a vacation away from the family--alone. 离开家人而单独在一起渡个假。
Kind of a second honeymoon. 类似二度蜜月的假期。
It would be wonderful, 那倒是很美妙，
but our schedules won't allow it. 但我们的工作时间表不允许这样。
I think I have an idea. 我有一个主意。
You do? 真的？
Yup. 是的。
I think I have an idea 我想我有一个办法
that will bring Dad and you 使你和爸爸
together in a more scheduled way. 能更定时在一起。
What is it? 是什么主意？
Well, 噢，
you know how Dad is always talking about 知道爸爸时常谈起
the kids in the ward 住院的孩子们
and how important it is for them to be paid attention to? 以及他们何等需要受人关怀？
Yes. 是的。
Well ... 好……
and how hard it is 他还说这件事很难
because the doctors and nurses are so busy? 因为医生和护士们都非常忙？
Yes. 是的。
Well, how would it be if you took some time 好，那你花些时间
to work with Dad towards solving that problem? 和爸爸一起来解决这个问题怎么样？
I don't get it. 我不懂你的话。
Like setting up a regular weekly reading program. 譬如说开办一项每周一次的定期阅读计划。
You and Dad. 你和爸爸。
You and Dr. Philip Stewart-- 和Philip Stewart医生---
going to the children's ward once or twice a week 每星期就去小儿科病房一两次
and reading to them. 为他们朗读。
Not bad. 不错。
Not a bad idea, Robbie. 蛮好的主意，Robbie。
As a matter of fact, 事实上 ，
it fits right in with something I'm working on right now 这跟我正在进行的某项小组工作不谋而合
with the school-board committee. 与联合校董事会有关。
What's that? 什么样的工作？
I've been trying 我一直努力
to work out a program 想研拟一项计划
in the public school 在公立学校中
that will bring parents and teachers together once a week 让家长们及教师每星期一次
to read to the students--their own children, really. 共同为学生们---其实就是他们自己的孩子朗读。
By doing that, it will encourage reading. 这样做能鼓励阅读。
So it might fit in with a program 所以这个跟计划相当吻合
for reading to the kids in the hospital. 为住院的孩子朗读。
You're right. 你说得对。
We'll do it! 我们就来进行吧！
I'm going to talk to Daddy about it right now. 我现在就去跟爸爸谈谈这件事。
But Dad was so exhausted when he came home from work. 但爸爸工作回来时已经累得不得了。
Why don't you talk to him about it tomorrow? 何不明天再跟他谈？
You are a very smart young man, Robbie. 你是个绝顶聪明的年轻人，Robbie。
I think I'll wait until tomorrow. 我想我就等明天再谈。
You won't forget, will you? 不会忘记吧？
Believe me, I won't. 放心，我不会的。
It is a great idea, 这是个极好的主意。
and I promise you I won't forget. 我向你保证我不会忘的。
Thanks, Mom. 谢谢，妈妈。
Thank you, Robbie. 谢谢你，Robbie。
I don't get it.
I don't understand.
I don't follow you.
No, no. Oh, no, no.
Run that by me again,
'cause I don't understand.
No, no. I don't get it.
I don't get it.
What do you mean?
I don't get the picture.
Huh? I don't get it.
Explain it all again,
'cause I don't understand.
No, no. I don't get it.
What are you trying to say?
What are you trying to say?
I don't get it.
Exactly what do you mean?
I don't follow you.
Could you explain that again?
I don't get it.
I don't understand.
I don't follow you.
No, no. Oh, no, no.
Run that by me again,
'cause I don't understand.
No, no. I don't get it.
Ah, I get it.
Oh, I see what you mean.
Yeah. I see what you're trying to say.
I get it.
Right! I see.
Oh, I know what you mean.
OK, I follow you now.
I understand.
I get it.
I get it.
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ACT III
Good morning. 早安。
What a wonderful morning! 多么美好的早晨！
Don't the flowers smell wonderful? 花儿闻起来好香，不是吗？
Good morning, Ellen. 早安，Ellen。
Yes, they do. 是的，花儿好香。
That's why I'm reading my paper and having my coffee 这就是今天早上为什么我看报纸喝咖啡
on the patio this morning. 要在院子里。
Ah, it does smell sweet. 噢，它们确实很香。
How was your school-board meeting last night? 昨天晚上你们的联合校董事会会议开得怎么样？
You must've come home very late. 你一定很晚才回家。
Did you find the sandwich I made for you? 你找到我为你做的三明治了？
Thanks, dear. 谢谢，亲爱的。
I was so tired 我太累了。
I didn't even finish it. 没有能吃完它。
Philip, I've been working on this special project Philip，我一直在研拟一项特别计划
with the school board, 和联合校董事会一起，
and I'd like your opinion about it. 我需要你的意见。
What is it? 是个什么样的计划？
I've been trying to find 我一直在寻求
a way to encourage reading. 鼓励阅读的办法。
Good luck! 祝你好运！
Well, I think I may have found a way to do it. 噢，我想我也许已找到一种办法。
Tell me about it. 说给我听吧。
I work with families every day, Ellen. 我每天的工作就是接触一些家庭，Ellen。
I see how people spend their leisure time-- 我看到人们怎样利用空闲时间---
young and old. 不管是年轻的还是年老的。
Mostly watching television. 大部分是看电视。
Well, that would be OK 那倒没有什么关系。
if, and I repeat, 只要，我重复一遍，
if people took the time to read. 只要人们肯花时间去阅读。
I couldn't agree with you more. 我彻底同意你的看法。
The question is, 问题是，
how do we get them to read more? 我们怎样才能使他们多阅读？
I think 我想
you're going to give me the answer to that question. 是要给我这个问题一个答案。
You have that look in your eye. 你的眼睛显示出你已有了答案。
I do have an answer, Philip. 我确实有一个答案，Philip。
Or at least I think I do. 至少我想我有了答案。
Well, tell me about it. 那么，告诉我吧。
The plan is a simple one. 计划很简单。
Involve the entire family in a reading project. 让整个家庭都参与阅读计划。
In the home? 在家中？
Yes, in the home. 是的，在家中。
But first in the school-rooms. 但首先是在教室里。
Hmm, interesting. 嗯，有意思。
But how do you plan to do that? 但你预备怎么做呢？
By arranging with the public schools 首先从公立学校开始
to schedule one hour a week--to start with. 安排一星期一个小时。
During that time 在那一小时
parents are invited to attend-- 家长被邀请来参加---
and to read along with the children--their children. 和孩子们---他们的孩子们一起阅读。
It can go beyond the school system, Ellen. 这可以推广到学校体制以外，Ellen。
Really? 真的？
I guarantee you it would go very well in the hospitals. 我保证在医院这种计划会推行得很好。
My patients--mostly kids-- 我的病人---大多数是孩子---
would love to read and be read to. 会喜欢阅读并且喜欢别人读给他们听。
You think so? 你想会是这样吗？
I know so. 我确定知道是这样。
Maybe we can experiment with your patients 也许我们可以在你的病人中试一试。
and see how the plan works. 看看这项计划实施得如何。
I love the idea. 我喜欢这个主意。
Would you work with me on it? 你愿意和我一起来做吗？
I would love to, Philip. 我当然愿意，Philip。
And that way, 而且那样的话，
we'll spend more time together, Ellen. 我们会有更多的时间在一起，Ellen。
We just don't see each other anymore. 我们彼此差不多见不到面了。
You and I are very busy these days. 这些天来我们俩都很忙。
This is true. 这倒是事实。
We need to find time to be together more, 我们确实需要多找时间相聚一块，
to do things together more--you and I. 也需要多在一起工作。
This would be a wonderful way to accomplish that. 这倒是达到这个目的的绝佳办法。
I have a question. 我有一个问题。
Yes? 是吗？
What do we read? 我们读些什么呢？
To the patients in the ward? 读给病房里的病人？
Yes. 是的。
Well, 好，
let you and I talk about it. 我们就来讨论一下。
What would you like to read to them? 你想读些什么给他们听？
Mrs. Stewart and I Stewart太太和我
will read a poem by Robert Frost. 要朗读Robert Frost作的一首诗。
It's called 它的题目是
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." “雪夜林边小驻” 。
Would you begin, Ellen? 请你开始，Ellen ？
All right. 好的。
"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" “雪夜林边小驻”
by Robert Frost. Robert Frost作。
Whose woods these are I think I know. 这是谁的林子我想我知道。
His house is in the village though; 虽然他的屋子是在村子里；
He will not see me stopping here 他不会看到我驻足此地
To watch his woods fill up with snow. 注视他落满雪花的林子。
My little horse must think it queer 我的小马一定感到奇怪
To stop without a farmhouse near 为何停在没有农舍的地方
Between the woods and frozen lake 就在林子和冰湖之间
The darkest evening of the year. 在这一年中最漆黑的夜晚。
He gives his harness bells a shake 他摇动绳上的铃铛
To ask if there is some mistake. 想问问是否搞错了。
The only other sound's the sweep 徐风掠过和细雪纷飞
Of easy wind and downy flake. 徐风掠过和细雪纷飞。
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, 林子迷人，漆黑而深邃，
But I have promises to keep, 但是我有约要赴，
And miles to go before I sleep, 在我就寝前还得赶许多里路，
And miles to go before I sleep. 在我就寝前还得赶许多里路。
You two belong on stage! That was wonderful! 你们俩简直是职业演员！读得太棒了！
Grandpa! 爷爷！
Dad ... Robbie. When did you come? 爸爸……Robbie。你们什么时候来的？
We've been listening to you both. 我们一直在听你们朗诵。
These are lucky kids. 这是一群幸运的孩子。
Do you enjoy reading together? 你们喜欢在一起朗诵吗？
Well, we may read together aloud at home. 嗯，我们或许可以在家里一起大声朗诵。
You were right, Robbie. 你做对了，Robbie。
I know. 我知道。
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near.
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.