Renditions
No. 69 (Spring 2008)
Dear Husband
Translated by Bonnie S. McDougall and Flora Lam
...
YUAN: True, true. (Picks up the cigarette tin on the table and offers it to LIU)
Would you like one?
LIU (refusing): Oh, sir!
YUAN: What's the matter? You've quit smoking?
LIU: You must be aware that this is not your residence.
YUAN: Oh, you're right, I shouldn't be offering someone else's cigarettes. (takes out his cigarette case and passes it over to LIU) Have one of mine. They're
Golden Horse brand, a genuine domestic product. Try one, see what you
think. (Still reluctant, LIU automatically glances at the door.) Oh, don't
worry. Your master and mistress both know their place, they won't blame
you if a guest offers you a cigarette.
LIU (takes one): Thank you, sir. (Lights the cigarette himself and inhales. The
cigarette reminds them of their former relationship, so they begin to talk in
a more intimate manner.) Have you met the mistress, sir?
YUAN: No. Why do you ask?
LIU (hesitates): Because ... I wanted to talk to you before, but I never had the
chance. (Moves closer) I think the mistress is a bit strange.
YUAN: In what way strange?
LIU: Please don't tell the master and mistress.
YUAN: Go ahead.
LIU: The mistress ...
YUAN: What about your mistress?
LIU: The amah says ...
YUAN: What does the amah say?
LIU (Lowers his voice, coming closer to YUAN): The master hasn't slept in the mistress's room once since she's been here.
YUAN: You fool!
LIU: You think I'm being foolish? Don't you believe it?
YUAN: Oh, I believe you all right!
LIU: Don't you think it's strange?
YUAN: Yes, it is strange, but it's not your mistress who's strange, it's your
master. Do you have any idea what kind of person your master is?
LIU: No.
YUAN: Well, your master is a poet. Do you know what kind of a person a poet
is? Ah, I see you don't. A poet is someone who can see what other people
can't but can't see what other people can; who can imagine what other
people can't but can't imagine what other people can; and who can do what
other people can't but can't do what other people can.
LIU (doubtful): The mistress locks the door every night when she goes to bed.
YUAN: So what? Your master has the keys in his pocket! (LIU shakes his
head.)
LIU: The cook says ...
YUAN: What does the cook say?
LIU (lowers his voice): The cook says our mistress must be a ... (Going over to
YUAN's side, LIU whispers.)
YUAN: Rubbish! Get out, you oaf!
...
Back to table of contents
Research Centre for Translation, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.