Secret Lady Daily English 20060813
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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Wellington served as commander of the British forces in the Peninsular War between Britain and France. As the war progressed, the soldiers of his army became adept at living off the country. On one occasion, Wellington himself caught a soldier staggering along carrying a stolen beehive.
“Hallo, sir, where did you get that beehive?” asked Wellington.
The soldier obviously did not recognise his commander nor understand his question, for he replied, “The beehives, sir, are over that hill. But you had better hurry before they have all been taken.”
威灵顿在英、法半岛战争之中任英军司令，其间他麾下的士兵渐渐精通取之于民用之于我。有一次，威灵顿亲自碰到一名士兵偷了个蜂巢，抱在路上走，走得十分吃力。
威灵顿问：「喂，老兄，蜂巢是哪来的？」
那士兵显然不认得他的指挥官，也不明白威灵顿这个问题的含义。他回答说：「老兄，蜂巢在山的那边。你最好快点走，迟了，恐怕都被拿去了。」
【附注】 Adept 是「精通」或「熟练」，其后习惯用 in 或 at 带出精通的事情，例如： He was adept in / at copywriting （他擅长撰写广告）。
Adept 也可用来形容技巧，例如： His paintings are remarkable for the adept use of colours （他的油画，色彩运用精妙，殊足称道）。
Live off 指「靠……过活」，常带贬义，例如： He lived off his wife all his life （他一生都靠老婆养活）。说士兵 live off the country ，是指靠当地出产的粮食过活。本文的 live off 当然带「非法取得粮食」含义。
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