第5章 我的家庭(3)
My first impression of the mountains was very vivid，because I had been brought up in the plains.So I enjoyed immensely our life in the Carpathian villages，the view of the pikes，the excursions to the valleys and to the high mountain lakes with picturesque names such as："The Eye of the Sea."However，I never lost my attachment to the open horizon and the gentle views of a plain hill country.
Later I had the opportunity to spend a vacation with my father far more south in Podolia，and to have the first view of the sea at Odessa，and afterwards at the Baltic shore.This was a thrilling experience.But it was in France that I become acquainted with the big waves of the ocean and the ever-changing tide.All my life through，the new sights of Nature made me rejoice like a child.
中学时期很受重视的数学和物理我都学得毫不费力，并且成绩很好。每当遇到问题，我便会向父亲求教。父亲热爱科学，并且在学校也进行这类课程的教学。他喜欢尽自己所能向我们解说大自然的奥秘和他对科学的研究。可惜的是，他没有自己的实验室，所以无法进行实验研究。
假期是尤其令人感到欣慰的。我们住到乡下的亲友家中，避开了警探的监视，可以自由自在、无忧无虑地生活。我们在林中奔跑喊叫，还在广阔的田地间劳作，乐得心花怒放，自在极了。有些时候，我们甚至越过俄国边境进入加里西亚山中，那儿不是俄国的领土，而是由奥地利人统治。奥地利人要比俄国人好一些。在那里，我们可以尽情地讲波兰语，高声唱爱国歌曲，而不必担心被捕入狱。
因为从小生活在平原地区，所以我对山峦的第一印象很好，也非常喜欢住在喀尔巴阡山的小村子里，喜欢那巍峨突兀的山峰，喜欢在山谷里和高山之间那被诗意地称为“海之眼”的湖泊旁流连忘返。但是，在我心中，对那一望无垠的平原的眷念却从未消逝，那开阔的视野，那柔和的色调，永远使我的心灵感到震颤。
后来，父亲带我到更南边的波多尼亚度假，并且在敖德萨第一次看到了大海，后来又北上到了波罗的海。这次经历对我来说是美好的。但是，直到去了法国，我才算是真正地领略到了海洋的波涛澎湃和潮汐涌退的壮丽景象。在一生之中，每当看到大自然的新景象，我就总会像个孩子似的欢呼雀跃。
Thus passed the period of our school life.We all had much facility for intellectual work.My brother，Doctor Sklodowski，having finished his medical studies，became later the chief physician in one of the principal Warsaw hospitals.My sisters and I intended to take up teaching as our parents had done.However，my elder sister，when grown up，changed her mind and decided to study medicine.She took the degree of doctor at the Paris University，married Doctor Dluski，a Polish physician，and together they established an important sanatorium in a wonderfully beautiful Carpathian mountain place of Austrian Poland.My second sister，married in Warsaw，Mrs.Szalay，was for many years a teacher in the schools，where she rendered great service.Later she was appointed in one of the lyceums of free Poland.
I was but fifteen when I finished my high-school studies，always having held first rank in my class.The fatigue of growth and study compelled me to take almost a year's rest in the country.I then returned to my father in Warsaw，hoping to teach in the free schools.But family circumstances obliged me to change my decision.My father，now aged and tired，needed rest；his fortune was very modest.So I resolved to accept a position as governess for several children.Thus，when scarcely seventeen，I left my father's house to begin an independent life.
That going away remains one of the most vivid memories of my youth.My he a r t was heavy as I climbed into the railway car.It was to carry me for several hours，away from those I loved.And after the railway journey I must drive for five hours longer.What experience was awaiting me？So I questioned as I sat close to the car window looking out across the wide plains.
我们的学生生涯很快就结束了。那些需要动脑筋的课程我们都可以得心应手，学习起来毫不费力。我的哥哥从医学院毕业之后，走上了从医的道路，后来成为华沙一家著名医院的主任医师。我和我的姐姐们原打算像父母那样去当教师。但是后来，随着年龄的增长，我的大姐改变了主意，决定也去学医，她在巴黎大学取得医学博士学位后，嫁给了一位波兰内科医生德鲁斯基。他们夫妇两人前往奥属波兰喀尔巴阡山区一个风景秀丽的地方创办了一家大型疗养院。我的二姐在华沙嫁给了斯查莱先生，她在学校从事教育工作多年，一直兢兢业业，波兰独立后，担任了一所中学的校长。
上中学的时候，我的成绩一直名列前茅，毕业时，才刚刚15岁。由于读书用功，身体劳累，我不得不在毕业之后到农村生活了将近一年的时间。在那之后，我又回到了华沙，回到了父亲的身边。开始我希望去一所免费中学任教，但因家境不佳，我不得已改变了自己的决定。当时父亲已经年迈，心力交瘁，需要休息，但是他的收入却很微薄。所以，我决定找一份待遇更好的工作来减轻他的压力。因此，17岁那年，我接受了一份家庭教师的工作，从那时起，我就离开了父亲的家，开始了一个人在外地的生活。
离家时的情景我至今历历在目，记忆犹新。当上了火车的时候，我的心情十分沉重。我将被火车带到要行驶几个小时才能到达的远方，并且下了火车后，我还需要乘坐马车再走五个小时的路程。车窗外广袤的平原飞一样地向后退去，我的心里却像是坠了铅一样：等待我的将会是什么呢？
The father of the family to which I went was an agriculturist.His oldest daughter was about my age，and although working with me，was my companion rather than my pupil.There were two younger children，a boy and a girl.My relations with my pupils were friendly；after our lessons we went together for daily walks.Loving the country，I did not feel lonesome，and although this particular country was not especially picturesque，I was satisfied with it in all seasons.I took the greatest interest in the agricultural development of the estate where the methods were considered as models for the region.I knew the progressive details of the work，the distribution of crops in the fields；I eagerly followed the growth of the plants，and in the stables of the farm I knew the horses.
In winter the vast plains，covered with snow，were not lacking in charm，and we went for long sleigh rides.Sometimes we could hardly see the road."Look out for the ditch！"I would call to the driver."You are going straight into it，"and "Never fear！"he would answer，as over we went！But these tumbles only added to the gayety of our excursions.
I remember the marvelous snow house we made one winter when the snow was very high in the fields；we could sit in it and look out across the rose-tinted snow plains.We also used to skate on the ice of the river and to watch the weather anxiously，to make sure that the ice was not going to give way，depriving us of our pleasure.
我前去任教的那家的男主人是位农场主。他的大女儿和我年龄相仿，在跟我学习的过程中，渐渐成了我的伙伴。除了她，主人家还有一个男孩和一个女孩。我和他们相处得很好。每天课程结束之后，我们便一起出去散步。因为非常热爱农村生活，所以在这里我并不觉得寂寞。虽然这里的景色并不算美，但却四季各异，仍然能够使我感到欢快和满足。这个庄园先进的种植技术被公认为是这个地区的典型，对于它，我有着很浓厚的兴趣。渐渐地，我懂得了种植技术，并且一直关注着谷物种植后的生长情况。在农庄的马厩里，我还熟识了马匹的脾性。
冬季到来的时候，一望无际的大地上白雪皑皑，显得分外妖娆。有时候，我们驾着雪橇在雪地上飞驰，竟至连路都看不清楚，吓得我冲着驾雪橇的人大喊：“小心河沟！”驾雪橇的人却毫不在意地回答我：“您这是正往河沟冲去，别害怕！”话音刚落，雪橇就翻倒了。不过，在雪野上翻倒不但不可怕，反而还给我们的远足增添了乐趣。
我记得有一年冬天，大雪纷飞，地面上覆盖着厚厚的积雪，我们用雪堆成了一座形状怪异的雪屋，并且坐在里面观赏远处被映成玫瑰色的茫茫雪原。我们还经常到封冻的河上去溜冰，这一切都使我们感到欣喜若狂，欢快的同时我们最担心的就是天气转暖，那样我们的这份快乐就会被夺走。