The chickens for which Tess was responsible lived in an old cottage on Mrs d’Urberville's land．On her first day Tess had to take some of the chickens to show to their owner．She immediately realized the old lady was blind．Mrs d’Urberville held each bird and felt it carefully to see that it was in good health．At the end she suddenly asked Tess a question．
苔丝要养的鸡关在德伯夫人庄园的一间旧茅舍里。第一天她就要带着几只鸡去见它们的主人。她马上就意识到这个老妇人已经双目失明。德伯夫人一只只地抱过她的鸡，仔细地抚摩着，以便确认它们全都很好。之后，她突然向苔丝问道：

解析：cottage 小屋、村舍
eg: A friend of mine bought a cottage last year.
我的一个朋友去年买了一座小屋。

‘Can you whistle？’
“你会吹口哨吗？”

解析：whistle 可作名词意为口哨、汽笛；作动词意为吹口哨、鸣汽笛  文中的“whistle”是动词
eg: The boy whistled happily when he walked along.
男孩边走边高兴地吹口哨。

‘Whistle，Ma’am？’
“吹口哨，夫人？”

‘Yes，whistle tunes．I want you to practise and whistle to my birds every day．’
“对，吹点儿曲调。我要你练习每天给我的鸡儿们吹口哨。”

解析：tune 曲调；和谐；心情；作动词还有使一致的意思
eg: The violinist tuned the violin.
小提琴手给小提琴调弦。

‘Yes，Ma’am．’
“是，夫人。”

Tess was not surprised at Mrs d’Urberville's cold manner，and did not expect any more of such a great lady．However，she did not realize that the old lady had never even heard about the family connection．
苔丝对德伯夫人的冷漠并不感到惊讶，她本来就没对这样一位贵妇人抱更多的期望。然而她并不了解，这个老妇人根本就没听人说起过她们的亲戚关系。

解析：be surprised at 对……感到惊讶
eg: I am surprised at the news.
听到这消息我感到非常吃惊。

connection 关联、关系
动词原形是connect 连接、联合
eg: His illness had some connection with his diet.
他的病与他减肥有点关系。