ACT 2-1 “ 您真是個能理解人的好父親。”

【故事梗概】

次日上午，Robbie坐在起居室里等Philip帶他到密歇根大學校友俱樂部去見招生主任Charley Rafer。出發前，他們還有點時間來喝杯咖啡、聊一聊。

Philip: Sorry, Robbie. Sorry to be late this morning, but, well, we’ve still got some time for a cup of coffee. I can’t wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer.

Robbie: Neither can I.

Philip: So you thought about it, huh?

Robbie: Yes, I have, Dad.

Philip: Well, I’m glad. I knew you’d realize that this interview could be an important experience for you.

Robbie: I came to that conclusion.

Philip: That’s very wise, Robbie. Very wise. Now let’s head off for the city and the university club.

Robbie: Thanks, Dad.

Philip: Thanks…for what?

Robbie: Thanks for hearing me out. And...

Philip: And…?

Robbie: And thanks for being such an understanding father.

Philip: Well, thank you, Robbie. Thank you.

【語言點精講】

1. I can’t wait to see my old pal Charley Rafer.

我迫不及待地想見到我的老伙伴Charley Rafer了。

can’t wait to…: 迫不及待的想做……

old pal: 老友。pal是非正式用法，作“哥們兒，伙伴”解。

2. Neither can I．

我也恨不能早點見到他。

neither是副詞，是“也不”的意思，放在句首時情態動詞（如can）或助動詞（如do）也要相應提前。如: Andy doesn’t like coffee. Neither do I.

3. I knew you’d realize that this interview could be an important experience for you.

我知道你會明白這次面談對你來說可能是一次有益的經歷。

I knew (that)...: 我就知道……，我早就知道……

4. I came to that conclusion.

我也是這么認為的。我也得出這樣的結論。

conclusion 是名詞，作“結論”解。

5. Thanks for hearing me out.

謝謝你耐心聽取我的意見。

hear … out: 耐心聽取、傾聽。

6. And thanks for being such an understanding father．

謝謝您，您真是個能理解人的好父親。

understanding: 這里指“通情達理的，善解人意的”。