第18课：当仁不让《走遍美国》

ACT 1-1  “我无法相信！”

【故事梗概】

市里教育经费拮据，联合校董会出了空缺，Carter Boswell竞选的口号是节约经费，办法是取消学校的课余文化项目。Ellen对这种短见的作法感到气愤。

Ellen: [as Philip enters] I don't believe it!

Philip: What's wrong?

Ellen: Carter Boswell!

Philip: Who's Carter Boswell?

Ellen: He's running for the school board. The election's next month.

Philip: What's wrong with wanting to be on the school board?

Ellen: Nothing. But he wants to cut the school budget!

Philip: Maybe it needs cutting.

Ellen: Cutting the budget is fine, but he wants to do it by cutting all the cultural programs. No music, no dance, no concert, no stage presentations.

Philip: Why does he want to do that?

Ellen: He says it's to save the taxpayers’ money and I think he believes that the taxpayers will vote for him if he spends less on the cultural programs.

Philip: He's probably right. Lots of people want their taxes used for new books and a new paint job in the schoolrooms.

Ellen: Maybe some of us would like to pay a little bit more and keep the cultural programs for our kids.

Philip: Well, I'm not sure, Ellen. I hear it from my patients. Lots of people are tired of higher taxes.

Ellen: I know, but if Boswell wins he'll be an important decision-maker on the school board, and he doesn't know anything about our children's education.

【语言点精讲】

1. He's running for the school board. The election's next month.

run for: 竞选，角逐。

school board:（地方政府的）联合校董会；教育委员会。美国各州的公共教育是由州内各学区（school district）负责。各学区由通过选举产生的联合校董会（school board）人员组成。联合校董会的权力有: 聘用学区教育局长。局长负责学区的具体教育工作。联合校董会在任用教师，选择教材方面施加影响。还有权批准其它决策。竞选联合校董会委员，常成为美国公民参政的第一步。

election: 选举。

2. Cutting the budget is fine, but he wants to do it by cutting all the cultural programs. No music, no dance, no concert, no stage presentations.

削减经费也可以，可是他想要通过削减所有文化项目的方法来削减经费。取消音乐课，取消舞蹈课，取消音乐会，取消舞台演出。

cut the budget: 削减预算。

stage presentation: 表演，演出。

3. He says it's to save the taxpayers’ money and I think he believes that the taxpayers will vote for him if he spends less on the cultural programs.

他说是为纳税人节约开支，而我认为他相信假如他在文化项目上少花一些钱，纳税人会投他的票。

It's to save…: 这是为了省（钱，时间等）。

taxpayer: 纳税人。

vote for sb.: 为某人投票。

4. Lots of people are tired of higher taxes. 

很多人厌倦交纳更多的税款。

be tired of sth.: 对某事感到厌倦。

5. Lots of people want their taxes used for new books and a new paint job in the schoolrooms.

很多人想让他们的钱被用于买新的书籍和把教室重新粉刷一次。

a new paint job: 指一次重新粉刷油漆的活儿。

6. I know, but if Boswell wins he'll be an important decision-maker on the school board, and he doesn't know anything about our children's education.

我知道，可是假如Boswell竞选获胜，他将成为联合校董会上重要的决策者，而他却对于我们孩子们的教育一无所知。

decision-maker: 决策者。

ACT 1-2  “为什么我不该参加竞选？”

【故事梗概】

鉴于并没有人与Carter Boswell竞争，Ellen决定要参选。她的决定得到了全家人的支持。

Philip: Who's running against him?

Ellen: Nobody. That's the problem.

Philip: Well, it sounds to me like Carter Boswell is going to win this seat on the board.

Ellen: Oh, not if can stop him!

Philip: And how are you going to stop him?

Ellen: I don't know. Maybe I'll run against him.

Philip: [He thinks she is joking.] Well, you've got my vote.

Ellen: I'm serious, Philip. Why shouldn't I run?

Robbie: [He enters.] Why shouldn't you run for what, Mom?

Philip: Your mother is thinking of running for the school board.

Robbie: Hey, that's terrific, Mom!

[Richard and Marilyn enter.]

Richard: Against Carter Boswell? Great!

Ellen: Well, if I run for office, the voters will have a clear choice. I stand for everything Boswell doesn't.

Marilyn: I think a lot of people will vote for you against Boswell, Ellen. I'll vote for you.

Ellen: Will you help me if I do run?

Marilyn: Absolutely.

Ellen: The trouble is it takes a little bit of money to run a campaign.

Philip: I think you can make a difference, Ellen. And in a short campaign you wouldn't need as much money. You know something. Ellen? Why not give the people of Riverdale a clear choice? I'm with you. You can make a difference.

【语言点精讲】

1. Who's running against him?

有谁跟他竞选这职务？

run against sb.:与某人竞选。

2. Well, it sounds to me like Carter Boswell is going to win this seat on the board. 

那么，听起来好像Carter Boswell要稳拿联合校董会的职位了。

It sounds to me like: 听起来好像，听起来似乎会。

seat: 职位。每位校董事在校董会里都有一个席位。

3. Not if I can stop him! 

我要是能办得到，就不让他赢得这个席位。

这是省略句，全句应为He's not going to win this seat on the board if I can stop him．

4. Why shouldn't I run?

为什么我不该参加竞选？

5. Well, if I run for office, the voters will have a clear choice. I stand for everything Boswell doesn't.

说起来，如果我竞选这一职务，选民们将有明确的选择。我支持Boswell所不支持的一切事物。

run for office: 竞选某职务。office在这里指公职，职务。

voter: 投票人，选民。

a clear choice: 明确的选择。

stand for: 代表，支持。

6. The trouble is it takes a little bit of money to run a campaign.

问题是进行竞选活动要花不少钱呢。

It takes a little bit of money to do sth.: 做某事要花些钱。a little bit of money意思实际上是 quite a bit of money，这是反话。

run: 进行（竞选），推动。

campaign: 这里指竞选活动。竞选活动可包括公开演讲，在报纸上做广告、访问选民，以及在电视上露面。

7. I think you can make a difference, Ellen. And in a short campaign you wouldn't need as much money. 

我认为你会产生影响的，Ellen。而且如果竞选活动的时期很短，你就不需要那么多钱。make a difference在这里指关系重大，影响很大。

8. You know something？

口语中常用的引导语，表示将提供某种对方可能还不知道的情况。也常说: You know what？

9. I'm with you. 

我在你这边。我支持你。

ACT 1-3  “因为我关心。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen去找里弗代尔当地报纸的编辑 Charles Maxwell, 希望他可以帮忙宣布自己参加竞选的消息。

Maxwell: Come in.

Ellen: Mr. Maxwell?

Maxwell: [He looks up.] Yes, Charles Maxwell.

Ellen: My name is Ellen Stewart.

Maxwell: Hello. Please, sit down. You asked to see me. What would you like to see me about?

Ellen: I'd like your help.

Maxwell: Well, I'm editor of the most influential newspaper in Riverdale. Actually, it's the only newspaper. [He smiles.] A lot of people would like my help. Do you have a story?

Ellen: I'm planning to run for the school board.

Maxwell: Against Carter Boswell?

Ellen: Yes.

Maxwell: Well, that is news.

Ellen: Will you announce that I'm running?

Maxwell: Sure. But I need some information.

Ellen: Of course.

Maxwell: [He gets a pad and a pen .] Why will the voters vote for you against Boswell, Mrs. Stewart?

Ellen: Because I care.

Maxwell: "Vote for Ellen Stewart. She cares." Not a bad slogan.

【语言点精讲】

1. Well, I'm editor of the most influential newspaper in Riverdale. Actually, it's the only newspaper. 

嗯，我是里弗代尔最有影响的报纸的编辑。实际上，它是这里惟一的报纸。

the most influential: 最有影响力的。

Actually, it's the only newspaper.: 比较小的地方常只有一种地方报纸。Maxwell前面说的 the most influential newspaper是带诙谐意味的，但亟需补充下面这句，以免听者误认他在大言不惭。

2. Do you have a story?

你是有一条新闻吗？

a story: 是报业的行话，指刊出或播出的一条新闻，不指虚构小说。

3. That is news. 

这可是条新闻。句中的is重读了，加重了强调的语气。

4. Because I care.

因为我关心；因为我认真于……。

5. Not a bad slogan. 

这口号不坏。

slogan: 标语，口号。

ACT 1-4  “你现在正在成为新闻来源。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen向当地报纸的编辑Maxwell解释了自己的竞选计划。Maxwell同意给刊登一条她参加竞选的消息。

Maxwell: But what do you care about?

Ellen: Well, I care about the children of our town. I don't want them to grow up without cultural programs in our school.

Maxwell: Do you have a plan?

Ellen: I want our children to learn more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. I want to keep the after-school programs -- the music, the concerts.

Maxwell: It's not a bad plan. But who's going to pay for all of this?

Ellen: We are. The citizens of Riverdale, of course. I plan to get help from the businessmen and the corporations of Riverdale.

Maxwell: That's fair enough. Exactly what do you want from me, Mrs. Stewart?

Ellen: You don't know me. I can't expect you to take my side against Boswell. But I do need some publicity so that the people of our town know that I'm running for office and that I care about our children.

Maxwell: Fair enough. I certainly can print the news. And you are now making news.

【语言点精讲】

1. I want our children to learn more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. I want to keep the after-school programs -- the music, the concerts.

我要让咱们的孩子不止学会读、写、算。我想要保持课余的项目——音乐课，音乐会。

reading, writing and arithmetic: 阅读、写作、算术。通称 the three R's，因为都含有字母r。

2. That's fair enough.

这倒很合理。

3. I can't expect you to take my side against Boswell. But I do need some publicity so that the people of our town know that I'm running for office and that I care about our children.

我无法指望你支持我反对Boswell。可是我确实需要一些宣传，好让我们镇上的人民知道我在竞选职务，我关心我们的孩子。

expect sb. to do sth.: 期望某人做某事，指望某人做某事。

to take my side: 支持我。

run for office: 竞选职务。

publicity: 宣传。

4. Exactly what do you want from me, Mrs. Stewart?

Stewart夫人，你究竟要我为你做什么呢？

5. I certainly can print the news. And you are now making news. 

我当然可以把这条消息刊登在报上，而你现在正在成为新闻来源。

print: 刊登在报纸上。

make news: 制造新闻。

ACT 2-1  “在投票处再见。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen并没有强大的政治机器作为后盾，竞选全靠自己一家和Robbie的朋友们帮忙，用电话拉票，用信件寄传单。

Grandpa: [He enters the living room.] Here are the fliers, hot off the press!

Ellen: [She takes some fliers.] Looks good. Simple.

Marilyn: Right over here, Grandpa. You fold the fliers. Richard and I will put them into the envelopes.

Richard: We finished addressing over three hundred envelopes.

Grandpa: Need another box?

Ellen: Good work, gang.

Mike: [speaking on the phone] Hi, this is Mike Johnson. Can I speak with Mr. or Mrs. Anderson? Thanks.

Robbie: [speaking on the phone] Mr. Nelson. Hi. This is Robbie Stewart. Did you know my mother is running for the school board?

Jimmy: [speaking on the phone] Yes, Miss Kim, Ellen Stewart. “She cares. ” Oh, see you at the polls. [He hangs up the phone, picks it up again, and dials another number.]

Robbie: Certainly, I'll give her your best wishes, Mr. Nelson.

Mike: [speaking on the phone] Hi, this is Mike Johnson. Can I speak with Mr. or Mrs. Burns? Thank you.

【语言点精讲】

1. Here are the fliers, hot off the press!

传单来了，刚刚印出来的。

flier: 传单；广告传单。又称handouts。较正式的传单或小册子称为leaflets，课堂上发的简明讲义也称为handouts。

Hot off the press! : 刚刚印出来的。 hot off原指食物刚刚出炉。卖食品以刚出炉还冒着热气的最吸引人，其它东西也借用了这个比喻。

2. We finished addressing over three hundred envelopes.

我们已经给300多个信封写上收信人姓名、地址了。

finish doing sth.: 做完某事。

address: 在这里做动词，指写（收信人的）姓名、地址。

3. Hi, this is Mike Johnson. Can I speak with Mr. or Mrs. Anderson? Thanks.

你好，我是Mike Johnson。我可以找Anderson先生或夫人听电话吗？谢谢。

这是打电话时常用的开场白。

4. Did you know my mother is running for the school board?

你知不知道我妈妈在竞选联合校董会的职务？

run for: 竞选。

5. Oh, see you at the polls.

噢，在投票处再见。

很显然，对方直捷了当地说明她是要投埃伦一票的，所以不用多劝说了。See you是常见面的熟人道别时的用语，也可说: “See you later.”或“I'll be seeing you.”在电话交谈之末说“See you….”更为恰当。

poll: 投票处。

ACT 2-2  “它起了很大的作用。”

【故事梗概】

Ellen对竞选准备的进程很满意。照例回家很晚的Philip医生只能干别人最不喜欢的舐信封的活儿。

Ellen: We have done so much in such a short amount of time. I can't believe it! Wait till Philip comes home and sees our progress!

Robbie: Everyone saw the story in the Riverdale newspaper.

Ellen: Mr. Maxwell was very kind to print my announcement.

Grandpa: It helps enormously. Everybody in Riverdale reads his paper.

Richard: Your photo in it helped, too.

Ellen: Thanks to you, Richard. It's a good picture.

Philip: [He enters.]Well, hi, all.

Richard & Robbie: Hi, Dad.

Ellen: Hello, darling.

Philip: May I … may I help?

Marilyn: [She murmurs yes.] Licking envelopes.

Grandpa: I fold the fliers.

Richard: We stuff them.

Philip: And I lick the envelopes.

【语言点精讲】

1. We have done so much in such a short amount of time. I can't believe it!

我们在这么短的时间里做了这么多的事，我简直无法相信！

a short amount of time: 短时间。用amount表示不可数名词，而用number表示可数名词。

2. Wait till Philip comes home and sees our progress!

等菲利普到家，看见我们取得的进展，（他会很惊讶的）！

progress: 进展，进步。

3. Mr. Maxwell was very kind to print my announcement.

Maxwell先生好心地刊出了我的声明。

announcement: 公告；宣告；发表；通告。

4. It helps enormously. Everybody in Riverdale reads his paper.

它起了很大的作用。里弗代尔家家都看他这份报。

enormously: 巨大地。

5. Thanks to you, Richard. It's a good picture.

多亏了你，Richard，这张照片照得真不错。

thanks to: 由于，幸亏。

6. Well, hi, all .

嗨，大家好！

7. Licking envelope. 

用舌头舐背胶粘信封。

ACT 2-3  “你也得上电视才好。”

【故事梗概】

Boswell先生正在电视上做竞选演讲。Boswell的老练而富于煽动性的竞选演说给Ellen心上投下了自我怀疑的阴影。家人都在给Ellen打气，并要她也去做竞选拉票演说。

Robbie: Hey, everybody, Mrs. Greenberg is on the phone. She says Carter Boswell is on the TV right now--doing a commercial.

Philip: What channel?

Robbie: Five.

Philip: Five? [He turns on the television.]

[They all watch the TV.]

Boswell: …and if you ask what I care about, I'll tell you. I care about the school buildings in need of paint. I care about more lockers for the teachers. I care about new fixtures in the hallways -- not music or dancing or entertainment. I care about the practical things. If you do, vote for me, Carter Boswell.

Ellen: A lot of people will agree with him.

Philip: I told you.

Robbie: Too bad kids can't vote. It's our school, but we can't vote.

Richard: There are people in favor of the cultural programs, Mom.

Marilyn: There are, Ellen. Don't be upset by Boswell's commercial.

Philip: You have to go on television, too.

Ellen: Boswell's a powerful speaker.

Philip: You can be, too. Your ideas are good ones.

Ellen: I don't know. I'm not sure I'm up to it.

【语言点精讲】

1. Hey, everybody, Mrs. Greenberg is on the phone. She says Carter Boswell is on the TV right now--doing a commercial. 

嗨，大家听着，Greenberg夫人打电话来了，她说Carter Boswell现在正在电视上露面——他在广告节目里讲话。

commerical: 电视或收音机里的广告。

2. I care about the school buildings in need of paint. I care about more lockers for the teachers. I care about new fixtures in the hallways--not music or dancing or entertainment. I care about the practical things. 

我关心那些需要油漆粉刷的校舍，我关心给老师们多设一些衣物柜，我关心在走廊里安装新灯具——而不是搞什么音乐课，舞蹈课和娱乐活动，我关心的是实用的东西。

in need of: 需要，缺少。这是较为正式用语。

locker: 金属制的储物柜。美国的学校里普遍设立这种柜子，分配给每位学生和老师存放东西之用，各人可自行加锁。

fixture: 固定装置。房屋里的附属装置，如电灯、洗手间的水池等。这里，Boswell先生是 在指学校走廊天花板的灯，或称light fixture。

practical: 实用的。

3. If you do, vote for me, Carter Boswell.

如果你也关心实用的东西，请投我Carter Boswell一票。

do在这里代表上一句的谓语 care about the practical things.

4. There are people in favor of the cultural programs, Mom.

还是有人赞成文化项目的，妈妈。

in favor of :支持，赞同。在表决时可以说: “Those in favor, please raise your hands… Those against, please raise your hands.”

5. You have to go on television, too.

你也得上电视才好。

go on TV: 上电视，在电视上露面。

6. I'm not sure I'm up to it.

我不敢肯定我能顶得下来。

up to it: 在这里指能做得到，相当于able to do it. 

ACT 3-1  “你这个主意很高明啊！”

【故事梗概】

在Stewart家厨房里，Richard手握摄像机。他为Ellen拍摄了竞选演讲，并把他拍的片子送到当地的家用电器商店里去播放。

Ellen: …my slogan is "I care." I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care. [to the family]How was it?

Richard: You were terrific!

Ellen: Can I see it?

Richard: Sure. [He puts the tape in the VCR. They see and hear parts of the tape again. ]

Ellen: [on television ] Hello. My name is Ellen Stewart, and I'm running for the open seat on the school board. My slogan is "I care." What does the word care mean? … I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care.

Philip: I like it, but now what? How can we possibly get it on so Riverdale will see it and hear it?

Richard: Leave it to me.

[In the window of a local appliance store. All the television sets are playing Ellen's message.]

Ellen: [on television] … I mean that when I say "I care." I care about people, not things. Vote for me, Ellen Stewart. I care. In the Stewarts' living room. It is nighttime. Richard enters from outside.

Marilyn: What happened?

Richard: Mom is now on television in every appliance store in Riverdale, except Hamlin's. He's a Boswell voter.

Philip: That's a brilliant idea, Richard!

Grandpa: You inherited your father's brains.

Philip: We got our brains from you, Dad.

【语言点精讲】

1. He puts the tape in the VCR.

他把录像带放进录像机

VCR: 录像机，是videocassette recorder的缩写。

2. Leave it to me.

交给我吧。交给我去办。由我来处理（别人不需管了）。

3. In the window of a local appliance store. All the television sets are playing Ellen's message.

在当地一个家用电器商店里，店中所有的电视机都在播送埃伦的讲话。

appliance store: 家用电器商店。

4. I mean that when I say "I care."

当我说“我关心”的时候，这就是我的意思。

5. Mom is now on television in every appliance store in Riverdale, except Hamlin's. He's a Boswell voter.

现在里弗代尔的每一处家电商店的荧屏上都在播放妈妈的演讲，除了Hamlin的店，他们要投票支持Boswell的。

Hamlin's: 这里指的是 Hamlin's shop。

a Boswell voter: Boswell的支持者。

6. That's a brilliant idea, Richard!

Richard，你这个主意很高明啊！

brilliant: 卓越的，棒的。相当于very clever, splendid.

7. You inherited your father's brains.

你继承了你爸爸的好脑筋。

inherit: 继承。你能继承东西，如戒指或房子。你也可继承一些个人特征，如蓝眼睛或音乐才能。

brain: 这个词既指脑器官，又指智力。在后一意义上常用复数。

ACT 3-2  “你领先了，那总比落后好。”

【故事梗概】

选举当天，Stewart一家人围在电视前看投票的直播。Ellen的票数暂时领先。Ellen很紧张。

Richard: And guess what? I called channel five. Their TV news is going to cover it. "Housewife campaigns in appliance stores." And I'll bet some magazine will pick up the story, too.

Robbie: Mom, you're going to win! I know it!

Philip: Hold it, Robbie! Just cool down. I know we're getting some attention now, but in the end the voters will have to decide.

Grandpa: You're going to win. Trust me!

[Election Night. The family is watching the news on television. ]

Reporter: In the hotly contested race for the one seat on the Riverdale School Board, Mrs. Ellen Stewart has taken an early lead.

Robbie: She's winning! Mom, you're winning!

Peporter: Now returning to other local news …Riverdale High School beat its rival Horace Mann in baseball today …

Ellen: It's too soon to know for certain.

Philip: You're ahead. That's better than being behind.

Reporter: More sports after this.

Ellen: It's not over yet. Let's just all calm down, and wait for the final results.

Grandpa: Ellen, why don't you go out to the backyard and get some fresh air?

Ellen: Thank you, Grandpa. I need some.

【语言点精讲】

1. Their TV news is going to cover it.

他们的电视新闻将报导这件事。

cover: 这里是对某一事件进行采访报导的意思。cover近来常用作“涵盖，包括，包覆，掩护，负担费用，保证”等意思，都是从最基本的“覆盖上”化出的。

2. And I'll bet some magazine will pick up the story, too.

我敢打赌有些杂志也会报导这条新闻。

I'll bet: 我相信。

pick up the story: 报道这条新闻。pick up除了接人、取物等意外，还有“（偶然）捡拾”的意思，因此化出了“偶然结识，（警方）在路上拘捕，染上传染性疾病，养成习惯，学到本领，（开车）半路上搭载生人，获得（奖赏，声誉，钱财，可贵的东西等），嗅到或听到、接收到”等等。

3. Hold it, Robbie! Just cool down. I know we're getting some attention now, but in the end the voters will have to decide.

Robbie，沉住气，冷静点。我知道我们现在吸引了一些注意力，但是归根结底还是得由选民们来决定。

hold it: 沉住气。hold在这里是“停止，等一下”的意思，it指当时正在做的事。

cool down: 冷静点。用于 叫人冷静下来，不要过分激动或过分乐观。

get attention: 吸引注意力。

4. In the hotly contested race for the one seat on the Riverdale School Board, Mrs. Ellen Stewart has taken an early lead.

在争夺联合校董会唯一空缺席位激烈的选举战中，Ellen Stewart已初步领先。

hotly contested race: 激烈的竞赛或选举战。

take an early lead: 初步领先。

5. Riverdale High School beat its rival Horace Mann in baseball today.

里弗代尔中学今天在棒球比赛中击败了对手霍勒斯·曼中学队

beat one's rival: 击败了竞争对手。

6. You're ahead. That's better than being behind.

你领先了，那总比落后好。

ahead: 领先。

7. More sports after this. 

稍候是体育新闻。

More … after this: 这是在广播或电视节目中，一个较长的节目没有完，中间穿插一小段广告、简明新闻或音乐时，广播员惯用的话。this指下面插入的节目。对于前面的节目称为that，如在新闻节目完了以后常说：“That was John Smith with the world news.”等。

ACT 3-3  “你的选票数很接近。”

【故事梗概】

选举的结果出来了，Ellen以微弱的劣势输掉了选举。但是她的主张引起了各方，包括当选的Boswell的关注。Boswell先生还打算为她组建一个艺术委员会。

Ellen: What happened?

Philip: You came very close. Ellen.

Grandpa: You lost by only a hundred and twenty-one votes.

Ellen: [She sits down.] I lost.

Richard: You tried, Mom.

Marilyn: You lost by a very small number of votes.

Robbie: Only one hundred and twenty-one votes! I'm sorry, Mom.

Ellen: There just wasn't enough time.

Philip: [He sits down next to her.] Look, you've made a very strong impression on our community. You'll have another chance next election.

[The phone rings. Philip answers it.]

Philip: Hello. Oh, yes, yes, Mr. Maxwell. [He gives the telephone to Ellen.]

Ellen: Hello, Mr. Maxwell.

Maxwell: How are you? I just called to tell you that you are very impressive. You lost the election, but you won the attention of the residents of Riverdale, of Boswell, and of me.

Ellen: Well, thank you, Mr. Maxwell. I appreciate your kind words. I needed that.

Maxwell: I hear Boswell wants to appoint you to a special arts committee. I'm sending over a reporter in the morning to interview you.

Ellen: You are?

Maxwell: I'm going to do an article on "Ellen Stewart--she cares." Maybe we'll all care now. Good-bye.

Ellen: Thank you----and good-bye.

Philip: What was that about?

Ellen: You were right, Philip. I did make a difference in town.

Robbie: And in this family.

[ Ellen and Robbie hug . ]

【语言点精讲】

1. You came very close. Ellen.

你的选票数很接近，Ellen。

close在表示比分接近，票数相差不多，差一点儿打赢。

2. You lost by only a hundred and twenty-one votes.

你仅以121票之差落选了。句中的by是介词，表示数目，量，度等。

3. There just wasn't enough time.

太仓促了。Ellen 感到很遗憾，如果时间充裕些，多做准备，结果就不会这样了。

4. You've made a very strong impression on our community.

你已给我们的社区留下了很深的印象。

make a …impression on…: 给人以某种印象。impression，印象。

5. I just called to tell you that you are very impressive. 

我给你打电话是想告诉你，你给人们很深刻的印象。

impressive: 形容词，给人深刻印象。

6. You lost the election, but you won the attention of the residents, of Riverdale, of Boswell, and of me.

你在选举中失败了，但你却赢得了里弗代尔居民的注意，也赢得博斯韦尔和我的注意。

… of Boswell, and of me: 句子前面省略了“you won the attention”。

7. I hear Boswell wants to appoint you to a special arts committee. 

我听说博斯韦尔想委任你担任一个特别的艺术委员会的委员。

appoint: 任命，委任。

committee: 委员会，工作小组。

8. I'm going to do an article on "Ellen Stewart--she cares."

我要刊出一篇文章，题目叫作“Ellen Stewart，她关心”。

I'm going to do an article: 我准备写一篇文章。 do在这里相当于write。