课文原文（双语）
Ellen, I’d like your opinion. Ellen，我想听听你的意见。
About what? 关于什么？
Well, Richard and I feel that with a baby coming we need to have our own place to live. 嗯，Richard和我觉得孩子快要出生了，我们应该有自己的房子。
Oh. 噢。
Well, what do you think about Richard and me looking for a small house or an apartment at this point in our lives? 那么，你觉得我和Richard找一个小住宅或公寓在这个时候怎么样？
We love having you here, and there is room, and … and when the baby comes, the baby can stay in your room for a while. 我们喜欢你们住这里，这里有地方，而且……而且婴儿出生以后，可以住在你们房间一段时间。
Richard feels we need to find a small house. Richard觉得我们需要一个小住宅。
I remember when I was pregnant with Richard. Philip and I were living with Grandma and Grandpa. Philip was a young doctor, and he kept talking about having a house of our own. It’s natural. 我记得当我怀着Richard时，Philip与我和爷爷、奶奶住在一起。Philip当时是个年轻的大夫，他老说要有自己的家。这是很自然的。
What did you do? 那你们怎么办呢？
We looked at a lot of houses. 我们看了好多房子。
Did you find one? 找到合适的吗？
Oh, not at first. We couldn’t afford it. 噢，没有马上找到。我们当时不够钱。
Grandpa wanted to lend us the money to buy one, but Philip is too independent. He didn’t want to borrow any money. 爷爷要借给我们钱去买房子，但是Philip的独立性太强了。他不想借钱。
Sounds like Richard. They’re all alike. Richard is a real Stewart. He’s independent, and sometimes just stubborn. 听起来跟Richard一样。他们都是一个样子。Richard是个典型的Stewart家后代。他的独立性强，有时候甚至近乎顽固。
When did you buy a house? 那你们在什么时候买房子呢？
After Richard was born. I was teaching music, and Philip was opening his first medical office. 等生下Richard之后。我当时教音乐，而Philip则第一次开诊所。
Where was the house? 房子在什么地方？
Right here in Riverdale. Of course, it was a small house, but just right for us. 就在这里，Riverdale。当然，那是一栋小房子，但正好够我们住。
It’s funny. History repeats itself. Now Richard and I are having a baby, and we probably won’t be able to afford a house right away, either. 真有意思。历史在重演。现在，Richard和我有了孩子，而我们也许也一样不能马上负担得起一栋房子。
Why don’t you look at some houses, Marilyn? 你何不去看一看房子呢，Marilyn？
Good idea. 好主意。
Look in the real-estate section of Sunday’s Times. You’ll learn a lot. 查一查星期天的《纽约时报》房地产版，你会增长不少见识。
Maybe we should speak to a real-estate agent about a house. And a bank about a mortgage. 也许我们应该和房地产仲介商谈一谈关于房子的事。还要和银行谈谈贷款。
I’ll talk to Richard about it. I think it’s a good idea, Ellen. We can learn a lot by asking. 我会与Richard商量商量。我觉得这是个好主意，Ellen。我们到处问问会学到不少东西。
And if I can be of any help, let me know. 如果我能有所帮忙的话，告诉我。
As a matter of fact, my friend Virginia Martinelli is a real-estate agent. 事实上，我的朋友Virginia Martinelli就是个房地产仲介。
Good. You won’t believe this, but she sold us our first house and this one. 好极了。你简直不会相信，我们的第一栋房子和这一栋都是她卖的。
Well, I’ll tell Richard, and we’ll go to see her. 嗯，我会告诉Richard，我们会去找她。
Do you think the skirt length is right, Ellen? Do you think it’s too long? 你觉得这裙子长度合适吗？你会不会觉得太长了？
I think the skirt is just right. Are you planning to attach a train to it? 我觉得长度合适。你准备加拖地裙摆吗？
No. No train. Just the dress. But I am going to make a headpiece of lace. 不，不加裙摆。就是这样连身套装。但我准备做一个蕾丝头饰。
That dress is gorgeous. 这套服装真华丽。
Thanks, Ellen. And thanks for the advice about the house. I’ll talk to Richard about it the minute he comes home. 谢谢，Ellen。也谢谢你关于房子的建议。我就跟Richard商量，他一回来。
And remember, we love having you here. There’s no need to rush. 记住，我们喜欢你们住这里。没有必要急急忙忙。
At the real-estate agent’s office: （在房地产中介办公室：）
I remember your parents’ first house very well. It was on Spring Avenue, near the park. 我还清楚记得你父母的第一栋房子。那房子是在Spring Avenue，公园附近。
I grew up in that house. 我就在那栋房子长大的。
Yes, and you were such a cute baby. I’ve seen pictures of him. He had blond hair. 对，你当时是个很逗人喜爱的婴儿。我见过他的照片。他原来是金色头发。
I’ve been friendly with the Stewart family for a long time, so it’s my pleasure to help you find a house now. 我和Stewart家有交情很久了，所以现在我很乐意帮助你们找房子。
Well, we’re not sure we can afford one. But we’d like to find out about the possibilities. 嗯，我们还不知道是不是负担得起。但我们想知道有多大的可能性。
That’s a good idea. I love your house on Linden Street. I sold your father that house seventeen years ago. 这是个好主意。我喜欢你们家在Linden街的房子。十七年前我把那栋房子卖给你父亲的。
Really? 真的？
Yes, Mom was pregnant with Robbie then, and they needed the extra room. 是的，那时妈妈怀着Robbie，他们需要多一些空间。
I hear you’re expecting a baby, Mrs. Stewart. 我听说你们快有小孩了，Stewart太太。
Mmm-hmm. So we will be needing more room. 嗯。所以我们也将需要更大的空间。
Oh, so you don’t need something immediately? 呵，所以你们并不是急着马上就要。
No. But in five or six months … 不急。但是在五、六个月后……
And time passes so quickly. 可是时间过得很快。
Yes, it does. 是的，确实如此。
Well, when you called, you gave me enough information about your salaries and your savings. So I have a good idea about your financial situation. Let me show you some pictures of houses. 嗯，你们打电话来时，已经给了我充分的资料关于薪资和储蓄。所以，我对你们的财务状况很了解。我来给你们看看一些房子的照片。
With two bedrooms? 有两间卧室吗？
Yes, I think I can show you some. Of course, they won’t be in Riverdale. The cost of housing’s too high for you here. 是的，我有一些可以给你们看。当然这些房子不在Riverdale，这里的房子对你们来说太贵了。
I haven’t thought about living anywhere else. We’ve always lived in this area. 我还没有考虑要住到别的地方去。我们一直住在这个地区。
Where should we look for a house, Mrs. Martinelli? 我们应该到什么地方找房子，Martinelli太太？
Well, we have an office in Mount Kisco. It’s a lovely area, and it’s only about an hour’s drive from here. Here. I have a book with photos of some homes in that area. 好，我们在Mount Kisco有个办事处。那里是个可爱的地方，而且从此地到那里只有大约一小时的车程。这里。我有一本那个地区房子的照片。
Now, let’s see. Here. This is a lovely two-bedroom house in your price range. 来，我们看看。这个，这一栋可爱房子有两间卧室，在你们价格范围内。
It’s pretty, but I prefer a two-story home. 是漂亮，但我喜欢两层楼的房子。
I do, too. I don’t care for a ranch type. 我也一样。不爱平房。
OK. Oh, this is a wonderful house. I know it well. I sold it to the present owners. 好的。啊，这是一栋很好的房子。我非常清楚。是我把它卖给了现在的主人。
It looks wonderful. 看起来很好看。
This is a two-bedroom, two-bath house. It has a full basement, and it is on a half-acre lot. You can probably afford this one. 这是一栋有两间卧室，两间盥洗室的房子。全面地下室，用地半英亩。你可能负担得起这栋房子。
I like this house. 我喜欢这栋房子。
So do I. And the price is right. 我也喜欢。而且价格也合适。
Would you like to go see it? 你们要去看看吗？
Yes. We’re planning to talk to someone at the bank next week. Perhaps we could see the house this weekend. 是的。我们计划下星期与银行的人谈一谈。也许这周末我们会去看看这栋房子。
If someone doesn’t buy it before then. But let’s keep looking. Just to get an idea of some other possibilities. 如果在此之前没有人买走的话。但让我们继续看下去。瞧瞧其他可能的选择。
This is very helpful, Mrs. Martinelli. 这样很有用，Martinelli太太。
Here. This is a wonderful example of Spanish-style architecture. 这里。这是栋很棒的典型西班牙式建筑。
Oh, I love the roof tiles on a Spanish-style house. It looks like the houses in Hollywood. 噢，我喜欢西班牙式房屋的屋顶瓦。看起来好像是好莱坞的房子。
It’s interesting. A house like this in Riverdale costs double the price. 很有趣。在Riverdale像这样的房子价格要贵一倍。
Oh my! 啊！
Here’s a real buy. It’s a bargain. This house just came on the market. It’s quite lovely. 这个价格便宜。真是大廉售。这栋房子刚刚推出要卖。相当好看。
Is it a two-bedroom house? 是两个卧室的吗？
No. It has three bedrooms and three baths. I know the house. It has a brand new kitchen. And a living room with a twelve-foot ceiling. And there’s a two-car garage. 不。这栋房子有三间卧室，三间盥洗室。我熟悉这房子，有一个全新的厨房。有一间十二英尺高的客厅。还有一个可放两辆车的车库。
Then why don’t we go look at this house, too? It’s a good investment. 那我们何不也去看看这栋房子？这是一项好投资。
Thank you, Mrs. Martinelli. Thanks so much. 谢谢你！Martinelli太太。非常感谢。
My pleasure. Give my best to your parents. Your father’s a wonderful doctor, Richard. He took care of my daughter when she was a child. He’s the best pediatrician in Westchester. 不客气。替我向你父母问好。你父亲是个了不起的医生，Richard。我女儿曾受他照顾在她小时候。他是全Westchester最好的小儿科医师。
Thanks, Mrs. Martinelli. I’ll give them your regards. We really appreciate your advice. 谢谢你，Martinelli太太。我会向他们转达你的问候。我们非常感谢你的建议。
I do think you should go see the houses and talk to the bank. Here. Let me give you some information sheets about the houses. They’re both very good buys. 我确实感到你们应该去看看这些房子并且和银行谈一谈。来，我给你们一些关于这些房子的简介。这两栋都是价格便宜的。
Well, thanks so much for your help and your time, Mrs. Martinelli. We’ve got a lot to talk about. 好的，感谢你的帮助，占用了你的时间，Martinelli太太。我们有很多可商量的了。
Mmm-hmm. Thanks. 嗯。谢谢。
At the bank: （在银行：）
How do you do? 你好！
Hello. I’m Ralph Riley. 哈罗！我叫Ralph Riley。
I’m Richard Stewart, and this is my wife, Marilyn. 我叫Richard Stewart，这是我妻子，Marilyn。
Pleased to meet you. 很高兴与你见面。
Likewise, Mr. Riley. 我们也一样，Riley先生。
Please, sit down. What can I do for you? 请坐下。我能为你们做什么呢？
We’d like to discuss a mortgage. For a house. 我们想请教一下贷款的事。为了房子。
Fine. Are you buying a house or are you refinancing your present home? 好的。你们是要买房子呢，还是原有的房子重新申请贷款？
We’re planning to buy a house. And we’d like to find out about a mortgage. We are customers of the bank. As a matter of fact, my whole family banks here. 我们计划买一栋房子。我们想知道如何贷款。我们是贵行的顾客。事实上，我们全家都是贵行的顾客。
I have some questions to ask. Do you own your house or do you rent? 我有一些问题要问。你们自己有房子还是租房子？
Neither. We live with my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Philip Stewart. 都不是。我们和父母住在一起，我父母是Philip Stewart夫妇。
And how old are you? 你几岁了？
I’m twenty-nine. 我二十九岁。
I’m thirty. 我三十岁。
And, Mr. Stewart, what is your occupation? 那么，Stewart先生，你的职业呢？
I’m a freelance photographer. 我是自由摄影师。
And, Mrs. Stewart, are you working? 嗯，Stewart太太，你有工作吗？
Yes. I’m a designer, and I work in a boutique. 是的，我是位设计师，我在一家服装店工作。
Did you bring any savings or salary information? Last year’s tax forms? 你是否带来储蓄和薪资的相关资料？譬如去年的纳税申报表格？
Yes. Here they are. 带来了，在这里。
OK. What … what kind of house did you have in mind? 好的，你们打算买什么样的房子？
We’re talking about buying a two-bedroom house in Mount Kisco. Here are the financial details on the house. 我们在商量购买一栋有两间卧室的房子，在Mount Kisco。这是这房子的财务细节。
Thank you. Are you prepared to make a ten-percent down payment? 谢谢你。你打算缴纳10%做为自备款吗？
Yes, we are. 是的，我们准备如此。
Payments over thirty years? 三十年分期付款吗？
Yes. 是的。
Do you think we can get a loan? 你觉得我们能得到贷款吗？
Well, it depends. Do you own any other property? Any stocks or bonds? 嗯，这还要看情况。你们拥有其他什么财产吗？有股票或债券吗？
No. 没有。
I see. Then you don’t have any collateral. 我明白了。那么你们没有任何担保物。
Perhaps you could get a guarantor–someone to sign for the loan for you. 也许你可以找一位担保人，找个人为你们的贷款签个名。
Why is that necessary? 为什么有此必要？
Since you don’t have enough income, and you don’t already own any property, the bank needs to be sure you can pay the mortgage every month. A guarantor is responsible for the loan if you can’t make the payments. 由于你们的收入不够，而你们又没有拥有其他财产，银行需要确定你们能每月按时付款。担保人要对贷款负责，如果你们不能还钱。
I see. Well, the idea of buying a house is exciting. Thank you, Mr. Riley. We’ll read this over carefully. 我明白了。嗯，买房子的念头叫人兴奋过头。谢谢你，Riley先生。我们会仔细阅读这些。
Thank you. 谢谢。
Good-bye. Thanks. 再见。谢谢。
Good-bye. And hope to see you soon. 再见。希望很快再见到你们。
I hope so, too. Take care. 我也希望如此。慢走。
Good-bye. 再见。
Back home, discussing with Ellen: （回家后与Ellen讨论：）
It all sounded so easy until they mentioned needing collateral or a guarantor. 一切听起来都那么容易，在他们提到担保物或担保人之前。
We have no collateral. And I don’t think it’s a good idea to ask Dad to sign as a guarantor. I don’t feel right about it. 我们没有担保物。而且我觉得这不是个好主意，请爸爸当担保人为我签字。我觉得这样不对。
I understand your feelings about it, Richard. 我了解你对这种事的心情，Richard。
Now, tell me, what’s the problem? 啊，告诉我，有什么问题？
We can get a loan from the bank if we can put up some collateral. And we don’t own anything to use as collateral. Or someone can sign with us as a guarantor. 我们能够从银行得到贷款，如果我们能提供担保物的话。可是我们没有任何可以做担保物的东西。或者有人能当担保人帮我们签字。
Why don’t you speak to Dad? 你们为什么不跟爸爸说说看？
No. If we buy a house, I want to be able to handle it alone. 不，如果我们买房子，我希望能够自行负责。
Everybody needs help sometimes, Richard. 每个人都有需要帮助的时候，Richard。
I understand Richard’s feelings about it, Ellen. In two or three months, I’ll have an advance on my book and be able to put more money down. 我了解Richard对此的感受，Ellen。两到三个月后，我能得到我那本书的预付款，也就可以增加自备款的额度。
What about the house in Mount Kisco? 在Mount Kisco的房子呢？
Somebody else’ll buy it by then. 别人也许买走了。
Then there’ll be other houses, Marilyn. Richard has a point. You’re just beginning to look. We’re in no great rush. It’s true. 还会有别的房子，Marilyn。Richard说得对。你们只是开始看房子而已。我们并不很急，这是真的。
This has been a great learning experience for us, Marilyn. Talking to the real-estate agent. Looking at the houses. Talking to the loan officer at the bank. It has been a learning experience. That’s true. 这对我们是一次很好的学习经验，Marilyn。与房地产仲介商谈，看房子，与银行的贷款负责人谈。这真是一次学习经验，真的。
I think you’re doing the right thing. Taking your time. Looking around. Especially with a purchase of this kind. You’re talking about a lot of money. 我觉得你们做得对。慢慢来，到处看看，特别是这一类买卖。你们谈的可是一大笔钱。
We’ll call Mrs. Martinelli and tell her to keep looking for us. And I’ll call Mr. Riley at the bank and tell him we’ll see him in a couple of months. 我们会打电话给Martinelli太太告诉她继续帮我们物色房子。我打电话到银行给Riley先生，告诉他过几个月我们再去找他。
And if you ever need Dad or me to help you … 如果你们的确需要我和爸爸的帮助的话，……
We know. You know we’ll be there for you. It’s a Stewart tradition. We’re a family. 我们知道。你们知道我们是会伸出援手的。这是Stewart家的传统。我们是一家人。
重难点分析
- “I’d like your opinion.” — 礼貌地征求对方意见。
- “at this point in our lives” — 表示"在我们人生的这个阶段"。
- “History repeats itself.” — 谚语，意为"历史重演"。
- “real-estate section” — 报纸的房地产版块。
- “real-estate agent” — 房地产经纪人/中介。
- “mortgage” — 按揭贷款，购房贷款的核心术语。
- “As a matter of fact” — 固定表达，意为"事实上"。
- “You won’t believe this” — 引出令人惊讶的信息。
- “the minute he comes home” — 表示"他一回家就……"，the minute 相当于 as soon as。
- “in your price range” — 在你能承受的价格范围内。
- “I don’t care for…” — 表示"我不喜欢……"。
- “a real buy” / “a bargain” — 表示"划算的买卖/便宜货"。
- “came on the market” — 表示"上市/开始出售"。
- “down payment” — 首付/自备款。
- “collateral” — 抵押品/担保物。
- “guarantor” — 担保人/保证人。
- “have a point” — 表示"说得有道理"。
- “in no great rush” — 表示"不着急"。
核心词汇
| 词汇 | 音标 | 释义 |
|---|---|---|
| opinion | /əˈpɪnjən/ | 意见，看法 |
| pregnant | /ˈpreɡnənt/ | 怀孕的 |
| independent | /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/ | 独立的 |
| stubborn | /ˈstʌbərn/ | 固执的 |
| afford | /əˈfɔːrd/ | 负担得起 |
| mortgage | /ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/ | 按揭贷款 |
| real-estate | /ˈriːl ɪˈsteɪt/ | 房地产 |
| agent | /ˈeɪdʒənt/ | 代理人，中介 |
| salary | /ˈsæləri/ | 薪资 |
| savings | /ˈseɪvɪŋz/ | 储蓄 |
| financial | /faɪˈnænʃl/ | 财务的 |
| collateral | /kəˈlætərəl/ | 抵押品，担保物 |
| guarantor | /ˌɡærənˈtɔːr/ | 担保人，保证人 |
| investment | /ɪnˈvestmənt/ | 投资 |
| property | /ˈprɑːpərti/ | 财产，房产 |
| freelance | /ˈfriːlæns/ | 自由职业的 |
| boutique | /buːˈtiːk/ | 精品店 |
口语中的应用
- “I’d like your opinion.” — 礼貌地请求建议或意见。
- “Sounds like Richard.” — 表示"听起来像Richard（的作风）"。
- “You won’t believe this” — 引出令人惊讶的消息。
- “I don’t care for…” — 委婉表达不喜欢。
- “It depends.” — 表示"看情况而定"。
- “Take your time.” — 表示"慢慢来，不着急"。
- “We’re a family.” — 强调家庭团结和支持。
- “We’ll be there for you.” — 表示"我们会支持你"。
核心练习句型
-
征求对方意见：
- I’d like your opinion.
- What do you think about…?
-
表达"买不起/负担得起"：
- We couldn’t afford it.
- We can afford this one.
-
表达"喜欢/不喜欢"：
- I prefer a two-story home.
- I don’t care for a ranch type.
-
询问职业和收入：
- What is your occupation?
- Are you working?
-
银行贷款相关表达：
- We’d like to discuss a mortgage.
- Are you prepared to make a ten-percent down payment?
- Do you have any collateral?
-
表达"有道理"：
- Richard has a point.
- That’s a good point.