儒琴英语文学词汇咀嚼《德伯家的苔丝》(Tess of the Durbervilles)一书的用词。 《苔丝》以哈代的威塞克斯为背景，是一部关于虚伪和双重标准的感人小说。托马斯·哈代（Thomas Hardy，1840—1928）, 英国诗人、小说家。他是横跨两个世纪的作家，早期和中期的创作以小说为主，继承和发扬了维多利亚时代的文学传统；晚年以其出色的诗歌开拓了英国20世纪的文学。
英语文学词汇 Literature Terms
abeyance /əˈbeɪ.əns/
noun: suspension; a state of temporary inactivity —used chiefly in the phrase “in abeyance”
搁置；暂时中止；暂缓
This penitential mood kept her from naming the wedding-day. The beginning of November found its date still in abeyance, though he asked her at the most tempting times. But Tess’s desire seemed to be for a perpetual betrothal, in which everything should remain as it was then.
这种忏悔的心情使她没有说出结婚的日子。到了11月初，尽管他在最诱人的时候问过她，但婚礼的日期仍然遥遥无期。但是苔丝的愿望似乎永远处在订婚阶段，一切都保持现在的样子。（第32章）
weir /wɪr/
noun: a wall built under the water across a river, over which the water flows from one level to another in a controlled way
堰( 堰和坝有什么区别: 堰，是一种横越河流的障碍设施，可以改变水流的特性; 坝，挡水成水库）
The water was high in the streams, squirting through the weirs and tinkling under culverts; the smallest gulleys were all full.
溪里的水涨得很高，急速流过堰顶的；丁当作响穿过道路排水管。就连最小的沟渠也是满满的水。
shilly-shally ˈʃɪl.iˌʃæl.i/
noun & verb: in an irresolute, undecided, or hesitating manner
动摇不定；犹豫不决
Mrs Crick congratulated Tess on the shilly-shallying having at last come to an end, and said that directly she set eyes on Tess she divined that she was to be the chosen one of somebody who was no common outdoor man;
克里克太太祝贺苔丝，说总算不用犹豫不决了。还说，她一看到苔丝，就猜到她决不会嫁给一个干力气活的乡下人。（第32章）
in train
chiefly British : a sequence (as of events or actions) leading to some result or goal —often used in the phrase in train
运动中; 进行中;正在准备中；启动；实施
But to know that things were in train was an immense relief to Tess notwithstanding, who had well-nigh feared that somebody would stand up and forbid the banns on the ground of her history.
不过，苔丝得知一切都已经安排好了，心里不禁如释重负。她本来担心有人会端出她过去的底细，反对这门婚事。（第32章）
