Mrs. Flint had flaunted her motherhood. And Connie had been just a bit, just a little bit jealous. She couldn't help it.

“噢，顺路过来的时候。通常是早晨。哦，再见，查泰莱夫人！请务必再来做客。能招待您让我倍感荣幸。”康妮翻过篱笆，踏上那条茂密的杉树丛掩映的窄径。弗林特太太穿过草场，直奔自家的方向跑去，头上的遮阳帽证明她是如假包换的老师。康妮对这片新植的茂密树林没什么好感，这里让人感到毛骨悚然，几乎透不过气。她低着头，加紧脚步往回赶，心里惦念着弗林特家的女孩。真是个惹人爱的小家伙，只是像父亲一样，有点罗圈腿。现在就已有些征兆，但或许长大了会好些。有个孩子多么贴心，多么有成就感，瞧弗林特太太那副志得意满的样子！她拥有康妮所没有的东西，显然也无法企及。没错，弗林特太太之所以神气活现，正因为身为人母。康妮心里感到有点妒忌，稍稍觉得有些醋意。但又无可奈何。

She started out of her muse, and gave a little cry of fear. A man was there.

她从冥想状态惊醒，惊叫出声。前面居然有人。

It was the keeper. He stood in the path like Balaam's ass, barring her way.

碰到的竟然是守林人。他站在路当央，像是巴兰的驴子（注：巴兰是《圣经》中的一位先知，受命诅咒以色列人，但遭到所骑驴子的谴责，转而祝福以色列人。），挡住康妮的归途。

"How's this?" he said in surprise.

“你怎么会在这儿？”他惊讶地问。

"How did you come?" she panted.

“你怎么来了？”她喘着粗气。

"How did you? Have you been to the hut?" "No! No! I went to Marehay." He looked at her curiously, searchingly, and she hung her head a little guiltil