They were rather earnest about the tommies , and the threat of conscription , and the shortage of sugar and toffee for the children .

他们对于军队，对于征兵的恐吓，对于儿童们的糖与糖果的缺乏，是颇郑重其事的。

In all these things , of course , the authorities were ridiculously at fault . But clifford could not take it to heart . To him the authorities were ridiculous ab ovo , not because of toffee or tommies .

这些事情，当然，都是当局的罪过。但是克利福却不关心，在他看来，当局本身就是可笑的，而不是因为糖果或军队问题。