It was eleven o’clock before all the family were in bed，and two o’clock next morning was the latest time to set off with the beehives．It was a distance of twenty or thirty miles on bad roads to Casterbridge，where the Saturday market was held．At half-past one Mrs Durbeyfield came into the bedroom where Tess and all the children slept．
过了11点钟，这一家人才全都上了床。要带着这些蜂箱上路，最迟也不能迟于翌晨两点钟出发。由那条糟糕的路去卡斯特桥市有二三十英里的路，那儿星期六有集市。在一点半钟的时候，德北夫人走进苔丝和其他孩子们睡觉的卧室。

解析：beehive 蜂箱、蜂窝
eg: Tokyo is a human beehive of a city.
东京是个像蜂窝般人囗集而热闹的都市。

‘The poor man can't go，’she whispered．Tess sat up in bed．
“那个可怜的人儿去不了啦，”她轻轻说道。苔丝从床上坐了起来。

解析：whisper 轻声说、耳语
eg: The girl came in and whispered something in the teacher's ear.
那个女孩进来对老师耳语了几句。

‘But it's late for the bees already．We must take them today．’
“但是已经迟了，我们必须在今天把蜂箱带到！”

‘Maybe a young man would go？’asked Mrs Durbeyfield doubtfully.‘One of the ones dancing with you yesterday？’
“也许哪个年轻小伙子能去？”德北夫人有些迟疑。“叫个昨天跟你跳舞的小伙子？”

‘Oh no，not for the world！’said Tess proudly．‘And let everybody know the reason？I'd be so ashamed！I think I could go if little Abraham came with me．’
“哦，不，绝对不行！”苔丝自尊地说，“难道要让所有的人都知道原由吗？我会感到很羞耻的！我想我可以去，如果小亚伯拉罕能陪我的话。”

解析：not for the world/nor for worlds 绝对不行、无论如何都不
eg: I wouldn't hurt you not for the world.
我绝对不是有心要伤你。

Tess and Abraham dressed， led out the old horse Prince with the loaded waggon，and set off in the dark．They cheered themselves up with bread and butter and conversation．
苔丝和亚伯拉罕穿好了衣服，牵出了那匹名叫“王子”的老马。马车已经上好了货。在黑暗中，他们出发了。他们吃了点儿面包黄油，让自己振奋起精神，还聊起了天。

解析：cheer up 使高兴、使振奋
eg: He cheered up at the thought of going home.
他一想到回家，心里就高兴起来。