第二十七回　滴翠亭楊妃戲彩蝶　埋香塚飛燕泣殘紅 By Dripping Emerald Pavilion Baochai Chases Butterflies; At the Flower Grave Daiyu Weeps over Fallen Blossoms

話說林黛玉正自悲泣，忽聽院門響處，只見寶釵出來了，寶玉襲人一群人送了出來。As the story goes, Lin Daiyu was still weeping in sorrow when she suddenly heard the courtyard gate open and saw Baochai come out, with Baoyu, Xiren, and a whole group seeing her off.待要上去問著寶玉，又恐當著眾人問羞了寶玉不便，因而閃過一旁，讓寶釵去了，寶玉等進去關了門，方轉過來，猶望著門灑了幾點淚。She wanted to go up and question Baoyu, but feared that doing so before everyone would embarrass him and put him in an awkward position; so she slipped aside and let Baochai pass, and only after Baoyu and the others had gone in and shut the gate did she emerge again, still gazing at it as she shed a few more tears.自覺無味，方轉身回來，無精打彩的卸了殘妝。Finding it all pointless, she finally turned back and listlessly removed the remnants of her makeup.

话说林黛玉正自悲泣，忽听院门响处，只见宝钗出来了，宝玉袭人一群人送了出来。待要上去问著宝玉，又恐当著众人问羞了宝玉不便，因而闪过一旁，让宝钗去了，宝玉等进去关了门，方转过来，犹望著门洒了几点泪。自觉无味，方转身回来，无精打彩的卸了残妆。

紫鵑雪雁素日知道林黛玉的情性：無事悶坐，不是愁眉，便是長歎，且好端端的不知為了什麼，常常的便自淚道不乾的。Zijuan and Xueyan had long known Lin Daiyu’s disposition: whenever she sat brooding with nothing to do, she would either knit her brows or sigh at length; and often, for no apparent reason at all, her tears would flow and refuse to dry.先時還有人解勸，怕他思父母，想家鄉，受了委曲，只得用話寬慰解勸。At first people had tried to comfort her, thinking she missed her parents and homeland or had suffered some grievance, and so they did their best to console and reassure her.誰知後來一年一月的竟常常的如此，把這個樣兒看慣，也都不理論了。But as time went on and she continued like this month after month, year after year, they grew accustomed to the sight and ceased to pay it any heed.所以也沒人理，由他去悶坐，只管睡覺去了。Thus no one attended to her now; they left her sitting there in gloom and went off to sleep.那林黛玉倚著床欄杆，兩手抱著膝，眼睛含著淚，好似木雕泥塑的一般，直坐到二更多天方才睡了。Lin Daiyu leaned against the bed rail, clasping her knees in both hands, her eyes brimming with tears, as motionless as a figure carved in wood or molded from clay; she sat there until well after the second watch before finally falling asleep.一宿無話。Nothing further occurred that night.至次日乃是四月二十六日，原來這日未時交芒种節。The next day was the twenty-sixth of the fourth month, and the Grain in Ear season was due to begin during the hour of the Goat.尚古風俗：凡交芒种節的這日，都要設擺各色禮物，祭餞花神，言芒种一過，便是夏日了，眾花皆卸，花神退位，須要餞行。According to an ancient custom, on the day Grain in Ear began, all manner of gifts were laid out in sacrifice and farewell to the Goddess of Flowers; for once Grain in Ear had passed, summer was at hand, all the blossoms would fall, and the flower goddess would relinquish her place and must therefore be given a proper send-off.然閨中更興這件風俗，所以大觀園中之人都早起來了。This custom was especially popular among the women’s apartments, and so everyone in Grand Prospect Garden rose early.那些女孩子們，或用花瓣柳枝編成轎馬的，或用綾錦紗羅疊成干旄旌幢的，都用彩線繫了。The girls made some objects like sedan chairs and horses from petals and willow twigs, and others like banners, pennons, and canopies from damask, brocade, gauze, and silk, tying them all with colored thread.每一顆樹上，每一枝花上，都繫了這些物事。They fastened these things to every tree and every flowering branch.滿園里繡帶飄颻，花枝招展，更兼這些人打扮得桃羞杏讓，燕妒鶯慚，一時也道不盡。Throughout the garden embroidered ribbons fluttered and flower-laden branches flaunted their beauty; and the girls themselves were so adorned that peaches blushed and apricot blossoms yielded before them, while swallows grew jealous and orioles ashamed—a spectacle impossible to describe in a few words.

紫鹃雪雁素日知道林黛玉的情性：无事闷坐，不是愁眉，便是长叹，且好端端的不知为了什么，常常的便自泪道不干的。先时还有人解劝，怕他思父母，想家乡，受了委曲，只得用话宽慰解劝。谁知后来一年一月的竟常常的如此，把这个样儿看惯，也都不理论了。所以也没人理，由他去闷坐，只管睡觉去了。那林黛玉倚著床栏杆，两手抱著膝，眼睛含著泪，好似木雕泥塑的一般，直坐到二更多天方才睡了。一宿无话。至次日乃是四月二十六日，原来这日未时交芒种节。尚古风俗：凡交芒种节的这日，都要设摆各色礼物，祭饯花神，言芒种一过，便是夏日了，众花皆卸，花神退位，须要饯行。然闺中更兴这件风俗，所以大观园中之人都早起来了。那些女孩子们，或用花瓣柳枝编成轿马的，或用绫锦纱罗叠成干旄旌幢的，都用彩线系了。每一颗树上，每一枝花上，都系了这些物事。满园里绣带飘飖，花枝招展，更兼这些人打扮得桃羞杏让，燕妒莺惭，一时也道不尽。

且說寶釵、迎春、探春、惜春、李紈、鳳姐等并巧姐、大姐、香菱與眾丫鬟們在園內玩耍，獨不見林黛玉。Now Baochai, Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Li Wan, Xifeng, and the others, together with Qiaojie, Dajie, Xiangling, and all the maids, were amusing themselves in the garden; only Lin Daiyu was absent.迎春因說道：“林妹妹怎麼不見？Yingchun therefore said, “Why is Cousin Lin nowhere to be seen?好個懶丫頭！What a lazy girl she is!這會子還睡覺不成？”寶釵道：“你們等著，我去鬧了他來。”說著便丟下了眾人，一直往瀟湘館來。Surely she cannot still be asleep at this hour?” Baochai said, “Wait here; I’ll go tease her and bring her along.” With that she left the others and went straight toward the Xiaoxiang Lodge.正走著，只見文官等十二個女孩子也來了，上來問了好，說了一回閒話。As she walked, she saw Wenguan and the other twelve young actresses coming her way; they approached to exchange greetings and chatted with her for a while.寶釵回身指道：“他們都在那里呢，你們找他們去罷。Baochai turned and pointed. “They are all over there; go and find them.我叫林姑娘去就來。”說著便逶迤往瀟湘館來。I’ll fetch Miss Lin and come directly.” So saying, she continued at a leisurely pace toward the Xiaoxiang Lodge.忽然抬頭見寶玉進去了，寶釵便站住低頭想了想：寶玉和林黛玉是從小兒一處長大，他兄妹間多有不避嫌疑之處，嘲笑喜怒無常，況且林黛玉素習猜忌，好弄小性兒的。Suddenly, looking up, she saw Baoyu go inside; Baochai stopped and considered: Baoyu and Lin Daiyu had grown up together from childhood, and as cousins they often behaved with an intimacy that disregarded appearances, teasing, laughing, angered or pleased by turns; moreover, Lin Daiyu was habitually suspicious and apt to take offense.此刻自己也跟了進去，一則寶玉不便，二則黛玉嫌疑。If she followed him in now, it would, first, make things awkward for Baoyu and, second, arouse Daiyu’s suspicions.罷了，倒是回來的妙。Better leave it; turning back would be wisest.想畢抽身回來。Having decided this, she turned away.

且说宝钗、迎春、探春、惜春、李纨、凤姐等并巧姐、大姐、香菱与众丫鬟们在园内玩耍，独不见林黛玉。迎春因说道：“林妹妹怎么不见？好个懒丫头！这会子还睡觉不成？”宝钗道：“你们等著，我去闹了他来。”说著便丢下了众人，一直往潇湘馆来。正走著，只见文官等十二个女孩子也来了，上来问了好，说了一回闲话。宝钗回身指道：“他们都在那里呢，你们找他们去罢。我叫林姑娘去就来。”说著便逶迤往潇湘馆来。忽然抬头见宝玉进去了，宝钗便站住低头想了想：宝玉和林黛玉是从小儿一处长大，他兄妹间多有不避嫌疑之处，嘲笑喜怒无常，况且林黛玉素习猜忌，好弄小性儿的。此刻自己也跟了进去，一则宝玉不便，二则黛玉嫌疑。罢了，倒是回来的妙。想毕抽身回来。

剛要尋別的姊妹去，忽見前面一雙玉色蝴蝶，大如團扇，一上一下迎風翩躚，十分有趣。She was just about to seek out the other girls when she suddenly saw ahead of her a pair of pale jade-colored butterflies, each as large as a round fan, fluttering delightfully up and down in the breeze.寶釵意欲扑了來玩耍，遂向袖中取出扇子來，向草地下來扑。Baochai wanted to catch them for sport, so she took a fan from her sleeve and went down onto the grass to chase them.只見那一雙蝴蝶忽起忽落，來來往往，穿花度柳，將欲過河去了。The pair of butterflies rose and fell, darting to and fro through flowers and willows, until they seemed about to cross the stream.倒引的寶釵躡手躡腳的，一直跟到池中滴翠亭上，香汗淋漓，嬌喘細細。They lured Baochai on tiptoe all the way to Dripping Emerald Pavilion in the middle of the pond, until fragrant perspiration streamed from her and she panted delicately.寶釵也無心扑了，剛欲回來，只聽滴翠亭里邊嘁嘁喳喳有人說話。Baochai had lost all desire to catch them and was just about to turn back when she heard hushed voices whispering inside Dripping Emerald Pavilion.原來這亭子四面俱是游廊曲橋，蓋造在池中水上，四面雕鏤隔子糊著紙。The pavilion stood over the water in the middle of the pond, surrounded on all four sides by covered walks and winding bridges, with paper pasted over the carved latticework on every side.

刚要寻别的姊妹去，忽见前面一双玉色蝴蝶，大如团扇，一上一下迎风翩跹，十分有趣。宝钗意欲扑了来玩耍，遂向袖中取出扇子来，向草地下来扑。只见那一双蝴蝶忽起忽落，来来往往，穿花度柳，将欲过河去了。倒引的宝钗蹑手蹑脚的，一直跟到池中滴翠亭上，香汗淋漓，娇喘细细。宝钗也无心扑了，刚欲回来，只听滴翠亭里边嘁嘁喳喳有人说话。原来这亭子四面俱是游廊曲桥，盖造在池中水上，四面雕镂隔子糊著纸。

寶釵在亭外聽見說話，便煞住腳往里細聽，只聽說道：“你瞧瞧這手帕子，果然是你丟的那塊，你就拿著，要不是，就還芸二爺去。”又有一人說話：“可不是我那塊！Hearing voices from outside, Baochai stopped and listened closely. One voice said, “Look at this handkerchief. If it really is the one you lost, take it; if it isn’t, give it back to Master Yun.” Another replied, “Why, of course it’s mine!拿來給我罷。”又聽道：“你拿什麼謝我呢？Give it to me.” Then the first said, “And what will you give me in thanks?難道白尋了來不成。”又答道：“我既許了謝你，自然不哄你。”又聽說道：“我尋了來給你，自然謝我，但只是揀的人，你就不拿什麼謝他？”又回道：“你別胡說。You don’t expect me to have found it for nothing, do you?” The other answered, “Since I promised to thank you, naturally I won’t deceive you.” The first continued, “I found it and brought it to you, so of course you should thank me; but what about the person who picked it up—won’t you give him something too?” The other replied, “Don’t talk nonsense.他是個爺們家，揀了我的東西，自然該還的。He is a young gentleman; if he found something of mine, naturally he ought to return it.我拿什麼謝他呢？”又聽說道：“你不謝他，我怎麼回他呢？Why should I give him anything?” The first said, “If you don’t thank him, what am I to tell him?況且他再三再四的和我說了，若沒謝的，不許我給你呢。”半晌，又聽答道：“也罷，拿我這個給他，算謝他的罷。——你要告訴別人呢？Besides, he told me over and over that unless there was some token of thanks, I wasn’t to give it to you.” After a long pause, the other replied, “Very well, give him this as my thanks.—You won’t tell anyone, will you?須說個誓來。”又聽說道：“我要告訴一個人，就長一個疔，日後不得好死！”又聽說道：“噯呀！You must swear an oath.” The first said, “If I tell a single person, may a boil grow on me, and may I come to a bad end!” Then the other exclaimed, “Oh!咱們只顧說話，看有人來悄悄在外頭聽見。We have been so wrapped up in talking that someone may have come and secretly listened outside.不如把這隔子都推開了，便是有人見咱們在這里，他們只當我們說頑話呢。We had better push all these lattice windows open; then even if someone sees us here, they will merely think we are joking together.若走到跟前，咱們也看的見，就別說了。”And if anyone comes near, we shall see them and can stop talking.”

宝钗在亭外听见说话，便煞住脚往里细听，只听说道：“你瞧瞧这手帕子，果然是你丢的那块，你就拿著，要不是，就还芸二爷去。”又有一人说话：“可不是我那块！拿来给我罢。”又听道：“你拿什么谢我呢？难道白寻了来不成。”又答道：“我既许了谢你，自然不哄你。”又听说道：“我寻了来给你，自然谢我，但只是拣的人，你就不拿什么谢他？”又回道：“你别胡说。他是个爷们家，拣了我的东西，自然该还的。我拿什么谢他呢？”又听说道：“你不谢他，我怎么回他呢？况且他再三再四的和我说了，若没谢的，不许我给你呢。”半晌，又听答道：“也罢，拿我这个给他，算谢他的罢。——你要告诉别人呢？须说个誓来。”又听说道：“我要告诉一个人，就长一个疔，日后不得好死！”又听说道：“嗳呀！咱们只顾说话，看有人来悄悄在外头听见。不如把这隔子都推开了，便是有人见咱们在这里，他们只当我们说顽话呢。若走到跟前，咱们也看的见，就别说了。”

寶釵在外面聽見這話，心中吃驚，想道：“怪道從古至今那些奸淫狗盜的人，心机都不錯。Hearing this from outside, Baochai was startled and thought, “No wonder those who commit adultery or theft have always been so quick-witted.這一開了，見我在這里，他們豈不臊了。Once they open the windows and see me here, won’t they be mortified?況才說話的語音，大似寶玉房里的紅兒的言語。Besides, that voice just now sounded very much like Hong’er from Baoyu’s apartments.他素昔眼空心大，是個頭等刁鑽古怪東西。She has always been proud and ambitious, and is a most cunning and troublesome creature.今兒我聽了他的短兒，一時人急造反，狗急跳牆，不但生事，而且我還沒趣。Now that I have overheard her secret, desperation might drive her to anything—a cornered dog will leap a wall—and not only might she make trouble, but I should be left looking foolish as well.如今便赶著躲了，料也躲不及，少不得要使個‘金蟬脫殼’的法子。”猶未想完，只聽”咯吱”一聲，寶釵便故意放重了腳步，笑著叫道：“顰兒，我看你往那里藏！”一面說，一面故意往前赶。If I hurry away now, I doubt I can hide in time; I shall have to use the stratagem of ‘the cicada shedding its shell.’” Before she had finished the thought, she heard a creak; Baochai deliberately made her footsteps heavy and cried out laughing, “Pin’er, let’s see where you can hide!” As she spoke, she purposely hurried forward.那亭內的紅玉墜兒剛一推窗，只聽寶釵如此說著往前赶，兩個人都唬怔了。Inside the pavilion, Hongyu and Zhuier had only just pushed open the window when they heard Baochai calling this out as she hurried ahead, and both girls froze in terror.寶釵反向他二人笑道：“你們把林姑娘藏在那里了？”墜兒道：“何曾見林姑娘了。”寶釵道：“我才在河那邊看著林姑娘在這里蹲著弄水兒的。Baochai turned and asked them with a smile, “Where have you hidden Miss Lin?” Zhuier replied, “We haven’t seen Miss Lin.” Baochai said, “Just now, from the other side of the stream, I saw Miss Lin crouching here playing with the water.我要悄悄的唬他一跳，還沒有走到跟前，他倒看見我了，朝東一繞就不見了。I meant to creep up and give her a fright, but before I could reach her, she saw me, darted eastward, and vanished.別是藏在這里頭了。”一面說一面故意進去尋了一尋，抽身就走，口內說道：“一定是又鑽在山子洞里去了。Surely she hasn’t hidden in here?” As she spoke, she deliberately went inside and looked around, then withdrew and walked away, saying, “She must have slipped into one of the rockery caves again.遇見蛇，咬一口也罷了。”一面說一面走，心中又好笑：這件事算遮過去了，不知他二人是怎樣。It would serve her right if she met a snake and got bitten.” She went off speaking thus, inwardly amused: she had managed to cover the matter up, but who knew what the two girls would make of it?

宝钗在外面听见这话，心中吃惊，想道：“怪道从古至今那些奸淫狗盗的人，心机都不错。这一开了，见我在这里，他们岂不臊了。况才说话的语音，大似宝玉房里的红儿的言语。他素昔眼空心大，是个头等刁钻古怪东西。今儿我听了他的短儿，一时人急造反，狗急跳墙，不但生事，而且我还没趣。如今便赶著躲了，料也躲不及，少不得要使个‘金蝉脱壳’的法子。”犹未想完，只听”咯吱”一声，宝钗便故意放重了脚步，笑著叫道：“颦儿，我看你往那里藏！”一面说，一面故意往前赶。那亭内的红玉坠儿刚一推窗，只听宝钗如此说著往前赶，两个人都唬怔了。宝钗反向他二人笑道：“你们把林姑娘藏在那里了？”坠儿道：“何曾见林姑娘了。”宝钗道：“我才在河那边看著林姑娘在这里蹲著弄水儿的。我要悄悄的唬他一跳，还没有走到跟前，他倒看见我了，朝东一绕就不见了。别是藏在这里头了。”一面说一面故意进去寻了一寻，抽身就走，口内说道：“一定是又钻在山子洞里去了。遇见蛇，咬一口也罢了。”一面说一面走，心中又好笑：这件事算遮过去了，不知他二人是怎样。

誰知紅玉聽了寶釵的話，便信以為真，讓寶釵去遠，便拉墜兒道：“了不得了！But Hongyu believed Baochai’s words; when Baochai had gone some distance, she seized Zhuier and said, “This is terrible!林姑娘蹲在這里，一定聽了話去了！”墜兒聽說，也半日不言語。Miss Lin was crouching here—she must have heard everything!” On hearing this, Zhuier too was speechless for a long while.紅玉又道：“這可怎麼樣呢？”墜兒道：“便是聽了，管誰筋疼，各人幹各人的就完了。”紅玉道：“若是寶姑娘聽見，還倒罷了。Hongyu said again, “What are we to do now?” Zhuier replied, “Even if she heard, whose sinews ache over it? Let each of us mind her own business, and that is the end of it.” Hongyu said, “If Miss Bao had heard, it would not have been so bad.林姑娘嘴里又愛刻薄人，心里又細，他一聽見了，倘或走露了風聲，怎麼樣呢？”二人正說著，只見文官，香菱，司棋，待書等上亭子來了。But Miss Lin has a sharp tongue and a subtle mind; now that she has heard, what if she lets the secret slip?” While they were still talking, Wenguan, Xiangling, Siqi, Daishu, and others came up into the pavilion.二人只得掩住這話，且和他們頑笑。The two had no choice but to suppress the subject and laugh and play with them.

谁知红玉听了宝钗的话，便信以为真，让宝钗去远，便拉坠儿道：“了不得了！林姑娘蹲在这里，一定听了话去了！”坠儿听说，也半日不言语。红玉又道：“这可怎么样呢？”坠儿道：“便是听了，管谁筋疼，各人干各人的就完了。”红玉道：“若是宝姑娘听见，还倒罢了。林姑娘嘴里又爱刻薄人，心里又细，他一听见了，倘或走露了风声，怎么样呢？”二人正说著，只见文官，香菱，司棋，待书等上亭子来了。二人只得掩住这话，且和他们顽笑。

只見鳳姐兒站在山坡上招手叫，紅玉連忙棄了眾人，跑至鳳姐跟前，堆著笑問：“奶奶使喚作什麼事？”鳳姐打諒了一打諒，見他生的乾淨俏麗，說話知趣，因笑道：“我的丫頭今兒沒跟進我來。Presently they saw Xifeng standing on the hillside, beckoning and calling; Hongyu hurriedly left the others and ran up to her, asking with an eager smile, “What does Second Mistress wish me to do?” Xifeng looked her over and, seeing that she was neat and pretty and spoke with tact, said smiling, “My maid did not come into the garden with me today.我這會子想起一件事來，要使喚個人出去，不知你能幹不能幹，說的齊全不齊全？”紅玉笑道：“奶奶有什麼話，只管吩咐我說去。I have just remembered something and need to send someone out on an errand; I don’t know whether you are capable enough to do it and repeat the message in full.” Hongyu smiled. “Whatever Mistress wishes said, simply tell me, and I will carry the message.若說的不齊全，誤了奶奶的事，憑奶奶責罰就是了。”鳳姐笑道：“你是那位小姐房里的？If I fail to repeat it fully and spoil Mistress’s business, you may punish me as you see fit.” Xifeng smiled. “Which young lady’s apartments do you belong to?我使你出去，他回來找你，我好替你說的。”紅玉道：“我是寶二爺房里的。”鳳姐聽了笑道：“噯喲！If I send you out and she comes looking for you, I shall know whom to explain it to.” Hongyu replied, “I serve Second Master Bao.” Xifeng laughed when she heard this. “Oh!你原來是寶玉房里的，怪道呢。So you are from Baoyu’s rooms—that explains it.也罷了，等他問，我替你說。Very well; if he asks, I shall speak for you.你到我們家，告訴你平姐姐：外頭屋里桌子上汝窯盤子架兒底下放著一卷銀子，那是一百六十兩，給繡匠的工价，等張材家的來要，當面稱給他瞧了，再給他拿去。Go to our house and tell your Sister Ping’er this: on the table in the outer room, beneath the Ru-ware plate stand, lies a roll of silver containing one hundred and sixty taels, the embroiderers’ wages; when Zhang Cai’s wife comes for it, weigh it before her and show her, then let her take it away.再里頭床頭間有一個小荷包拿了來。”And bring me the little purse from the head of the bed in the inner room.”

只见凤姐儿站在山坡上招手叫，红玉连忙弃了众人，跑至凤姐跟前，堆著笑问：“奶奶使唤作什么事？”凤姐打谅了一打谅，见他生的干净俏丽，说话知趣，因笑道：“我的丫头今儿没跟进我来。我这会子想起一件事来，要使唤个人出去，不知你能干不能干，说的齐全不齐全？”红玉笑道：“奶奶有什么话，只管吩咐我说去。若说的不齐全，误了奶奶的事，凭奶奶责罚就是了。”凤姐笑道：“你是那位小姐房里的？我使你出去，他回来找你，我好替你说的。”红玉道：“我是宝二爷房里的。”凤姐听了笑道：“嗳哟！你原来是宝玉房里的，怪道呢。也罢了，等他问，我替你说。你到我们家，告诉你平姐姐：外头屋里桌子上汝窑盘子架儿底下放著一卷银子，那是一百六十两，给绣匠的工价，等张材家的来要，当面称给他瞧了，再给他拿去。再里头床头间有一个小荷包拿了来。”

紅玉聽說撤身去了，回來只見鳳姐不在這山坡子上了。On hearing this, Hongyu turned and left; when she returned, Xifeng was no longer on the hillside.因見司棋從山洞里出來，站著系裙子，便赶上來問道：“姐姐，不知道二奶奶往那里去了？”司棋道：“沒理論。”紅玉聽了，抽身又往四下里一看，只見那邊探春寶釵在池邊看魚。Seeing Siqi emerge from a rockery cave and stand there tying her skirt, Hongyu hurried up and asked, “Sister, do you know where Second Mistress has gone?” Siqi answered, “I didn’t notice.” Hongyu turned away and looked all around; then she saw Tanchun and Baochai watching the fish by the pond.紅玉上來陪笑問道：“姑娘們可知道二奶奶那去了？Hongyu went up with a deferential smile and asked, “Do the young ladies know where Second Mistress has gone?探春道：“往你大奶奶院裡找去。”紅玉聽了，才往稻香村來，頂頭只見晴雯，綺霰，碧痕，紫綃，麝月，待書，入畫，鶯兒等一群人來了。Tanchun replied, “Try looking in your First Mistress’s courtyard.” Only then did Hongyu head toward Paddy-Sweet Cottage; coming toward her she met Qingwen, Qixia, Bihen, Zixiao, Sheyue, Daishu, Ruhua, Ying’er, and a whole group of others.晴雯一見了紅玉，便說道：“你只是瘋罷！The moment Qingwen saw Hongyu, she said, “Go on, run wild!院子里花兒也不澆，雀兒也不喂，茶爐子也不爖，就在外頭逛。”紅玉道：“昨兒二爺說了，今兒不用澆花，過一日澆一回罷。You neither water the flowers in the courtyard, nor feed the birds, nor tend the tea stove—you only roam about outside.” Hongyu replied, “Second Master said yesterday that the flowers needn’t be watered today; they are to be watered every other day.我喂雀兒的時侯，姐姐還睡覺呢。”碧痕道：“茶爐子呢？”紅玉道：“今兒不該我爖的班兒，有茶沒茶別問我。”綺霰道：“你聽聽他的嘴！When I fed the birds, Sister, you were still asleep.” Bihen asked, “And the tea stove?” Hongyu replied, “It isn’t my turn to tend it today; whether there is tea or not, don’t ask me.” Qixia said, “Just listen to that tongue of hers!你們別說了，讓他逛去罷。”紅玉道：“你們再問問我逛了沒有。Say no more; let her roam if she likes.” Hongyu said, “You might first ask whether I really was roaming.二奶奶使喚我說話取東西的。”說著將荷包舉給他們看，方沒言語了，大家分路走開。Second Mistress sent me with a message and to fetch something.” As she spoke, she held up the purse for them to see; at that they fell silent, and everyone went her separate way.晴雯冷笑道：“怪道呢！Qingwen gave a cold laugh. “So that explains it!原來爬上高枝兒去了，把我們不放在眼里。She has climbed onto a higher branch now and no longer deigns to notice us.不知說了一句話半句話，名兒姓兒知道了不曾呢，就把他興的這樣！Who knows whether she has spoken so much as half a sentence, or whether Mistress even knows her name, yet look how excited it has made her!這一遭半遭兒的算不得什麼，過了後兒還得聽呵！One little errand means nothing; after tomorrow, she will still have to take orders here!有本事從今兒出了這園子，長長遠遠的在高枝兒上才算得。”一面說著去了。If she has the ability to leave this garden today and stay forever on that high branch, then it will count for something.” So saying, she went away.

红玉听说撤身去了，回来只见凤姐不在这山坡子上了。因见司棋从山洞里出来，站著系裙子，便赶上来问道：“姐姐，不知道二奶奶往那里去了？”司棋道：“没理论。”红玉听了，抽身又往四下里一看，只见那边探春宝钗在池边看鱼。红玉上来陪笑问道：“姑娘们可知道二奶奶那去了？探春道：“往你大奶奶院里找去。”红玉听了，才往稻香村来，顶头只见晴雯，绮霰，碧痕，紫绡，麝月，待书，入画，莺儿等一群人来了。晴雯一见了红玉，便说道：“你只是疯罢！院子里花儿也不浇，雀儿也不喂，茶炉子也不爖，就在外头逛。”红玉道：“昨儿二爷说了，今儿不用浇花，过一日浇一回罢。我喂雀儿的时侯，姐姐还睡觉呢。”碧痕道：“茶炉子呢？”红玉道：“今儿不该我爖的班儿，有茶没茶别问我。”绮霰道：“你听听他的嘴！你们别说了，让他逛去罢。”红玉道：“你们再问问我逛了没有。二奶奶使唤我说话取东西的。”说著将荷包举给他们看，方没言语了，大家分路走开。晴雯冷笑道：“怪道呢！原来爬上高枝儿去了，把我们不放在眼里。不知说了一句话半句话，名儿姓儿知道了不曾呢，就把他兴的这样！这一遭半遭儿的算不得什么，过了后儿还得听呵！有本事从今儿出了这园子，长长远远的在高枝儿上才算得。”一面说著去了。

這里紅玉聽說，不便分證，只得忍著氣來找鳳姐兒。Hongyu found it improper to argue with her, so she swallowed her anger and went to look for Xifeng.到了李氏房中，果見鳳姐兒在這里和李氏說話兒呢。When she reached Madam Li’s rooms, she indeed found Xifeng there talking with her.紅玉上來回道：“平姐姐說，奶奶剛出來了，他就把銀子收了起來，才張材家的來討，當面稱了給他拿去了。”說著將荷包遞了上去，又道：“平姐姐教我回奶奶：才旺兒進來討奶奶的示下，好往那家子去。Hongyu came forward and reported, “Sister Ping’er says that just after Mistress went out, she put the silver away; then Zhang Cai’s wife came for it, so she weighed it in front of her and let her take it.” She handed over the purse and continued, “Sister Ping’er told me to report to Mistress that Wang’er came in just now to ask for your instructions, so that he might go to that family.平姐姐就把那話按著奶奶的主意打發他去了。”鳳姐笑道：“他怎麼按我的主意打發去了？”紅玉道：“平姐姐說：我們奶奶問這里奶奶好。Sister Ping’er dismissed him with a message framed according to Mistress’s wishes.” Xifeng smiled. “How did she frame it according to my wishes?” Hongyu replied, “Sister Ping’er said: ‘Our mistress sends her regards to the mistress here.原是我們二爺不在家，雖然遲了兩天，只管請奶奶放心。Our Second Master happens to be away; although matters have been delayed for two days, please set your mind at ease.等五奶奶好些，我們奶奶還會了五奶奶來瞧奶奶呢。When Fifth Mistress is better, our mistress will come with her to visit you.五奶奶前兒打發了人來說，舅奶奶帶了信來了，問奶奶好，還要和這里的姑奶奶尋兩丸延年神驗萬全丹。The day before yesterday Fifth Mistress sent word that Aunt had written with her regards to you, and also wished to ask the young mistress here for two of her Miraculous, All-Effectual Pills of Everlasting Youth.若有了，奶奶打發人來，只管送在我們奶奶這里。If any are available, please send someone with them, and simply have them delivered to our mistress.明兒有人去，就順路給那邊舅奶奶帶去的。”Someone will be going tomorrow and can take them on to Aunt along the way.’”

这里红玉听说，不便分证，只得忍著气来找凤姐儿。到了李氏房中，果见凤姐儿在这里和李氏说话儿呢。红玉上来回道：“平姐姐说，奶奶刚出来了，他就把银子收了起来，才张材家的来讨，当面称了给他拿去了。”说著将荷包递了上去，又道：“平姐姐教我回奶奶：才旺儿进来讨奶奶的示下，好往那家子去。平姐姐就把那话按著奶奶的主意打发他去了。”凤姐笑道：“他怎么按我的主意打发去了？”红玉道：“平姐姐说：我们奶奶问这里奶奶好。原是我们二爷不在家，虽然迟了两天，只管请奶奶放心。等五奶奶好些，我们奶奶还会了五奶奶来瞧奶奶呢。五奶奶前儿打发了人来说，舅奶奶带了信来了，问奶奶好，还要和这里的姑奶奶寻两丸延年神验万全丹。若有了，奶奶打发人来，只管送在我们奶奶这里。明儿有人去，就顺路给那边舅奶奶带去的。”

話未說完，李氏道：“噯喲喲！Before she had finished, Madam Li exclaimed, “Goodness me!這些話我就不懂了。I cannot make head or tail of all that.什麼‘奶奶’‘爺爺’的一大堆。”鳳姐笑道：“怨不得你不懂，這是四五門子的話呢。”說著又向紅玉笑道：“好孩子，難為你說的齊全。What a great heap of ‘mistresses’ and ‘masters’!” Xifeng laughed. “No wonder you cannot understand; the message passes through four or five households.” Then she smiled at Hongyu. “Good girl, you did very well to repeat it all.別象他們扭扭捏捏的蚊子似的。You are not like those others, mincing and mumbling like mosquitoes.嫂子你不知道，如今除了我隨手使的幾個丫頭老婆之外，我就怕和他們說話。Sister-in-law, you do not know: apart from the few maids and matrons I use regularly, I dread having to speak to any of them.他們必定把一句話拉長了作兩三截兒，咬文咬字，拿著腔兒，哼哼唧唧的，急的我冒火，他們那里知道！They always stretch a single sentence into two or three pieces, picking over every word and putting on affected tones, humming and droning until I am on fire with impatience—though they never realize it!先時我們平兒也是這麼著，我就問著他：難道必定裝蚊子哼哼就是美人了？Our Ping’er used to be the same, and I asked her, ‘Must you buzz like a mosquito before you can be considered a beauty?’說了幾遭才好些兒了。”李宮裁笑道：“都象你潑皮破落戶才好。”鳳姐又道：“這一個丫頭就好。Only after I spoke to her several times did she improve.” Li Gongcai laughed. “You would like them all to be brazen rascals like you.” Xifeng continued, “This girl is good.方才兩遭，說話雖不多，聽那口聲就簡斷。”說著又向紅玉笑道：“你明兒伏侍我去罷。I have heard her speak only twice, and though she used few words, her tone was brisk and concise.” Then she smiled at Hongyu. “Come and serve me from tomorrow on.我認你作女兒，我一調理你就出息了。”I’ll take you as my daughter; once I have trained you, you will make something of yourself.”

话未说完，李氏道：“嗳哟哟！这些话我就不懂了。什么‘奶奶’‘爷爷’的一大堆。”凤姐笑道：“怨不得你不懂，这是四五门子的话呢。”说著又向红玉笑道：“好孩子，难为你说的齐全。别象他们扭扭捏捏的蚊子似的。嫂子你不知道，如今除了我随手使的几个丫头老婆之外，我就怕和他们说话。他们必定把一句话拉长了作两三截儿，咬文咬字，拿著腔儿，哼哼唧唧的，急的我冒火，他们那里知道！先时我们平儿也是这么著，我就问著他：难道必定装蚊子哼哼就是美人了？说了几遭才好些儿了。”李宫裁笑道：“都象你泼皮破落户才好。”凤姐又道：“这一个丫头就好。方才两遭，说话虽不多，听那口声就简断。”说著又向红玉笑道：“你明儿伏侍我去罢。我认你作女儿，我一调理你就出息了。”

紅玉聽了，扑哧一笑。Hongyu burst out laughing.鳳姐道：“你怎麼笑？Xifeng asked, “What are you laughing at?你說我年輕，比你能大幾歲，就作你的媽了？Do you think that because I am young and only a few years older than you, I cannot be your mother?你還作春夢呢！You are still dreaming!你打聽打聽，這些人頭比你大的大的，赶著我叫媽，我還不理。Just ask around: plenty of people much older than you press forward to call me Mother, and I pay them no attention.今兒抬舉了你呢！”紅玉笑道：“我不是笑這個，我笑奶奶認錯了輩數了。I am doing you an honor today!” Hongyu smiled. “I am not laughing at that; I am laughing because Mistress has mistaken the generations.我媽是奶奶的女兒，這會子又認我作女兒。”鳳姐道：“誰是你媽？”李宮裁笑道：“你原來不認得他？My mother is Mistress’s daughter, and now Mistress wants to take me as a daughter too.” Xifeng asked, “Who is your mother?” Li Gongcai laughed. “Do you mean you do not know who she is?他是林之孝之女。”鳳姐聽了十分詫异，說道：“哦！She is Lin Zhixiao’s daughter.” Xifeng was greatly astonished. “Oh!原來是他的丫頭。”又笑道：“林之孝兩口子都是錐子扎不出一聲兒來的。So she is their girl.” Then she laughed. “Lin Zhixiao and his wife are both so silent that you could not prick a sound out of them with an awl.我成日家說，他們倒是配就了的一對夫妻，一個天聾，一個地啞。I am forever saying they are a perfectly matched couple: one is deaf by heaven’s decree and the other mute by earth’s.那里承望養出這麼個伶俐丫頭來！Who could have expected them to produce such a clever girl!你十幾歲了？”紅玉道：“十七歲了。”又問名字，紅玉道：“原叫紅玉的，因為重了寶二爺，如今只叫紅兒了。”How old are you?” Hongyu replied, “Seventeen.” Asked her name, she said, “I was originally called Hongyu, but since the yu in it was the same as Second Master Bao’s, I am now called only Hong’er.”

红玉听了，扑哧一笑。凤姐道：“你怎么笑？你说我年轻，比你能大几岁，就作你的妈了？你还作春梦呢！你打听打听，这些人头比你大的大的，赶著我叫妈，我还不理。今儿抬举了你呢！”红玉笑道：“我不是笑这个，我笑奶奶认错了辈数了。我妈是奶奶的女儿，这会子又认我作女儿。”凤姐道：“谁是你妈？”李宫裁笑道：“你原来不认得他？他是林之孝之女。”凤姐听了十分诧异，说道：“哦！原来是他的丫头。”又笑道：“林之孝两口子都是锥子扎不出一声儿来的。我成日家说，他们倒是配就了的一对夫妻，一个天聋，一个地哑。那里承望养出这么个伶俐丫头来！你十几岁了？”红玉道：“十七岁了。”又问名字，红玉道：“原叫红玉的，因为重了宝二爷，如今只叫红儿了。”

鳳姐聽說將眉一皺，把頭一回，說道：“討人嫌的很！At this Xifeng frowned, turned her head aside, and said, “How tiresome!得了玉的益似的，你也玉，我也玉。”因說道：“既這麼著肯跟，我還和他媽說，‘賴大家的如今事多，也不知這府里誰是誰，你替我好好的挑兩個丫頭我使’，他一般答應著。As though there were some special profit in having yu in one’s name—you have a yu, and so does everyone else.” Then she said, “Since you are willing to follow me, I shall have another word with your mother. I told her, ‘Lai Da’s wife has so much to do nowadays that she no longer knows who is who in this household; choose two good maids for my use,’ and she readily agreed.他饒不挑，倒把這女孩子送了別處去。Not only did she fail to choose anyone, but she actually sent this girl elsewhere.難道跟我必定不好？”李氏笑道：“你可是又多心了。Could following me really be so undesirable?” Madam Li laughed. “Now you are being oversuspicious again.他進來在先，你說話在後，怎麼怨的他媽！”鳳姐道：“既這麼著，明兒我和寶玉說，叫他再要人去，叫這丫頭跟我去。The girl came here before you spoke to her mother; how can you blame her mother for that?” Xifeng said, “In that case, tomorrow I shall speak to Baoyu and tell him to find someone else, and have this girl come with me.可不知本人願意不願意？”紅玉笑道：“願意不願意，我們也不敢說。But I wonder whether the girl herself is willing?” Hongyu smiled. “Whether we are willing or not is not something we servants dare say.只是跟著奶奶，我們也學些眉眼高低，出入上下，大小的事也得見識見識。”剛說著，只見王夫人的丫頭來請，鳳姐便辭了李宮裁去了。But by following Mistress, we could learn how to read people and situations, how to conduct ourselves with high and low alike, and gain experience of affairs great and small.” Just as she finished speaking, one of Lady Wang’s maids arrived to summon Xifeng, so Xifeng took leave of Li Gongcai and went away.紅玉回怡紅院去，不在話下。Hongyu returned to Happy Red Court, and nothing further need be said of that.

凤姐听说将眉一皱，把头一回，说道：“讨人嫌的很！得了玉的益似的，你也玉，我也玉。”因说道：“既这么著肯跟，我还和他妈说，‘赖大家的如今事多，也不知这府里谁是谁，你替我好好的挑两个丫头我使’，他一般答应著。他饶不挑，倒把这女孩子送了别处去。难道跟我必定不好？”李氏笑道：“你可是又多心了。他进来在先，你说话在后，怎么怨的他妈！”凤姐道：“既这么著，明儿我和宝玉说，叫他再要人去，叫这丫头跟我去。可不知本人愿意不愿意？”红玉笑道：“愿意不愿意，我们也不敢说。只是跟著奶奶，我们也学些眉眼高低，出入上下，大小的事也得见识见识。”刚说著，只见王夫人的丫头来请，凤姐便辞了李宫裁去了。红玉回怡红院去，不在话下。

如今且說林黛玉因夜間失寐，次日起來遲了，聞得眾姊妹都在園中作餞花會，恐人笑他痴懶，連忙梳洗了出來。Now let us return to Lin Daiyu: having slept poorly during the night, she rose late the next morning; when she heard that all the girls were holding a farewell-to-the-flowers gathering in the garden, she feared they would laugh at her for being foolishly lazy, and hurriedly washed, dressed, and came out.剛到了院中，只見寶玉進門來了，笑道：“好妹妹，你昨兒可告我了不曾？He had just reached the courtyard when Baoyu came through the gate and said with a smile, “Dear sister, did you tell them for me yesterday or not?教我懸了一夜心。”林黛玉便回頭叫紫鵑道：“把屋子收拾了，撂下一扇紗屜，看那大燕子回來，把帘子放下來，拿獅子倚住，燒了香就把爐罩上。”一面說一面又往外走。“You kept me anxious all night.” Daiyu turned and called to Zijuan, “Tidy the room, leave one gauze window open, and when you see that great swallow return, lower the curtain, brace it with the lion weight, light the incense, and put the cover over the burner.” Even as she spoke, she went on walking out.寶玉見他這樣，還認作是昨日中晌的事，那知晚間的這段公案，還打恭作揖的。Seeing her behave this way, Baoyu still supposed it was because of what had happened at noon the day before, knowing nothing of the case that had arisen that evening; he kept bowing and making obeisance to her.林黛玉正眼也不看，各自出了院門，一直找別的姊妹去了。Daiyu would not even look him in the face, but went out through the courtyard gate and straight off to find the other girls.寶玉心中納悶，自己猜疑：看起這個光景來，不象是為昨日的事，但只昨日我回來的晚了，又沒有見他，再沒有沖撞了他的去處了。Baoyu was perplexed and thought to himself, “From the look of things, it does not seem to be about yesterday; but yesterday I merely came back late and did not see her—surely I cannot have offended her anywhere else.”一面想，一面由不得隨後追了來。Thinking thus, he could not help hurrying after her.

如今且说林黛玉因夜间失寐，次日起来迟了，闻得众姊妹都在园中作饯花会，恐人笑他痴懒，连忙梳洗了出来。刚到了院中，只见宝玉进门来了，笑道：“好妹妹，你昨儿可告我了不曾？教我悬了一夜心。”林黛玉便回头叫紫鹃道：“把屋子收拾了，撂下一扇纱屉，看那大燕子回来，把帘子放下来，拿狮子倚住，烧了香就把炉罩上。”一面说一面又往外走。宝玉见他这样，还认作是昨日中晌的事，那知晚间的这段公案，还打恭作揖的。林黛玉正眼也不看，各自出了院门，一直找别的姊妹去了。宝玉心中纳闷，自己猜疑：看起这个光景来，不象是为昨日的事，但只昨日我回来的晚了，又没有见他，再没有冲撞了他的去处了。一面想，一面由不得随后追了来。

只見寶釵探春正在那邊看鶴舞，見黛玉去了，三個一同站著說話兒。He saw Baochai and Tanchun watching the cranes dance nearby; when Daiyu joined them, the three stood talking together.又見寶玉來了，探春便笑道：“寶哥哥，身上好？When Tanchun saw Baoyu coming too, she smiled and said, “Brother Baoyu, have you been well?我整整的三天沒見你了。”寶玉笑道：“妹妹身上好？“I have not seen you for three whole days.” Baoyu smiled and said, “And have you been well, sister?我前兒還在大嫂子跟前問你呢。”探春道：“寶哥哥，你往這里來，我和你說話。”寶玉聽說，便跟了他，離了釵，玉兩個，到了一棵石榴樹下。“The day before yesterday I was asking after you when I was with Sister-in-law.” Tanchun said, “Brother Baoyu, come over here; I want to speak to you.” At this Baoyu followed her away from Baochai and Daiyu, and they stopped beneath a pomegranate tree.探春因說道：“這幾天老爺可曾叫你？”寶玉笑道：“沒有叫。”探春說：“昨兒我恍惚聽見說老爺叫你出去的。”寶玉笑道：“那想是別人聽錯了，并沒叫的。”探春又笑道：“這幾個月，我又攢下有十來吊錢了，你還拿了去，明兒出門逛去的時侯，或是好字畫，好輕巧頑意兒，替我帶些來。”寶玉道：“我這麼城里城外，大廊小廟的逛，也沒見個新奇精致東西，左不過是那些金玉銅磁沒處撂的古董，再就是綢緞吃食衣服了。”探春道：“誰要這些。Tanchun said, “Has Father sent for you these past few days?” Baoyu smiled. “No, he has not.” Tanchun said, “Yesterday I thought I vaguely heard that Father had summoned you.” Baoyu replied with a smile, “Someone must have misheard; he did not summon me.” Tanchun smiled again. “Over the past few months I have saved another ten strings or so of cash. Take them, and next time you go out, if you see any fine calligraphy or paintings, or any pretty little ingenious trinkets, bring me some.” Baoyu said, “For all my roaming inside and outside the city, through great galleries and little temples, I have never seen anything novel and exquisite—only those homeless ‘antiques’ of gold, jade, bronze, and porcelain, or else silks, foodstuffs, and clothes.” Tanchun said, “Who wants such things?怎麼象你上回買的那柳枝兒編的小籃子，整竹子根摳的香盒兒，膠泥垛的風爐兒，這就好了。“Something like that little basket woven of willow twigs you bought last time, or the incense box carved from a whole bamboo root, or the little clay brazier—that sort of thing would do nicely.我喜歡的什麼似的，誰知他們都愛上了，都當寶貝似的搶了去了。”寶玉笑道：“原來要這個。“I liked them beyond measure, but then everyone else took a fancy to them and snatched them away as though they were treasures.” Baoyu laughed. “So that is what you want!這不值什麼，拿五百錢出去給小子們，管拉一車來。”探春道：“小廝們知道什麼。“Those are worth next to nothing. Give the boys five hundred cash to spend, and they could bring back a whole cartload.” Tanchun said, “What would the pages know about it?你揀那朴而不俗，直而不拙者，這些東西，你多多的替我帶了來。“You must choose things that are plain without being vulgar, simple without being clumsy, and bring me plenty of them.我還像上回的鞋作一雙你穿，比那一雙還加工夫，如何呢？”“Then I shall make you another pair of shoes like the last pair, only with still more workmanship—how would that be?”

只见宝钗探春正在那边看鹤舞，见黛玉去了，三个一同站著说话儿。又见宝玉来了，探春便笑道：“宝哥哥，身上好？我整整的三天没见你了。”宝玉笑道：“妹妹身上好？我前儿还在大嫂子跟前问你呢。”探春道：“宝哥哥，你往这里来，我和你说话。”宝玉听说，便跟了他，离了钗，玉两个，到了一棵石榴树下。探春因说道：“这几天老爷可曾叫你？”宝玉笑道：“没有叫。”探春说：“昨儿我恍惚听见说老爷叫你出去的。”宝玉笑道：“那想是别人听错了，并没叫的。”探春又笑道：“这几个月，我又攒下有十来吊钱了，你还拿了去，明儿出门逛去的时侯，或是好字画，好轻巧顽意儿，替我带些来。”宝玉道：“我这么城里城外，大廊小庙的逛，也没见个新奇精致东西，左不过是那些金玉铜磁没处撂的古董，再就是绸缎吃食衣服了。”探春道：“谁要这些。怎么象你上回买的那柳枝儿编的小篮子，整竹子根抠的香盒儿，胶泥垛的风炉儿，这就好了。我喜欢的什么似的，谁知他们都爱上了，都当宝贝似的抢了去了。”宝玉笑道：“原来要这个。这不值什么，拿五百钱出去给小子们，管拉一车来。”探春道：“小厮们知道什么。你拣那朴而不俗，直而不拙者，这些东西，你多多的替我带了来。我还像上回的鞋作一双你穿，比那一双还加工夫，如何呢？”

寶玉笑道：“你提起鞋來，我想起個故事：那一回我穿著，可巧遇見了老爺，老爺就不受用，問是誰作的。Baoyu laughed. “Now that you mention the shoes, I remember a story: once when I was wearing them, I happened to meet Father; he took exception to them and asked who had made them.我那里敢提‘三妹妹’三個字，我就回說是前兒我生日，是舅母給的。“I dared not utter the words ‘Third Sister,’ so I replied that my aunt had given them to me for my birthday the other day.老爺聽了是舅母給的，才不好說什麼，半日還說：‘何苦來！“When Father heard they were from my aunt, he could say no more, though after a long while he still remarked, ‘Why go to all this trouble?虛耗人力，作踐綾羅，作這樣的東西。’我回來告訴了襲人，襲人說這還罷了，趙姨娘氣的抱怨的了不得：‘正經兄弟，鞋搭拉襪搭拉的沒人看的見，且作這些東西！’”探春聽說，登時沉下臉來，道：“這話糊涂到什麼田地！“‘Squandering people’s labor and wasting fine silk to make things of this sort!’ When I came back and told Xiren, she said that was not so bad, but that Aunt Zhao had been furious and complained bitterly: ‘His own brother goes about with his shoes and stockings hanging off him and no one sees to them, while she busies herself making things like these!’” At this Tanchun’s face instantly darkened. “How can anyone talk such utter nonsense!怎麼我是該作鞋的人么？“Am I someone whose duty it is to make shoes?環兒難道沒有分例的，沒有人的？“Does Huan not receive his proper allowance, and has he no one to look after him?一般的衣裳是衣裳，鞋襪是鞋襪，丫頭老婆一屋子，怎麼抱怨這些話！“Clothes are provided as clothes should be, shoes and stockings as shoes and stockings should be, and there is a whole roomful of maids and old women—how can she make such complaints?給誰聽呢！“Whom are they meant for?我不過是閒著沒事兒，作一雙半雙，愛給那個哥哥弟弟，隨我的心。“I merely happened to be at leisure and made a pair or half a pair; I may give them to whichever brother I please, just as the fancy takes me.誰敢管我不成！“Who would dare interfere with me?這也是白氣。”寶玉聽了，點頭笑道：“你不知道，他心里自然又有個想頭了。”探春聽說，益發動了氣，將頭一扭，說道：“連你也糊涂了！“It is anger wasted for nothing.” Baoyu nodded and smiled. “You do not understand; naturally she has another notion in her mind.” At this Tanchun grew still angrier, tossed her head aside, and said, “Even you are muddleheaded!他那想頭自然是有的，不過是那陰微鄙賤的見識。“Naturally she has her notions, but they are only the mean, underhanded notions of a base mind.他只管這麼想，我只管認得老爺，太太兩個人，別人我一概不管。“She may think whatever she likes; for my part, I acknowledge only Father and Mother, and take no account of anyone else.就是姊妹弟兄跟前，誰和我好，我就和誰好，什麼偏的庶的，我也不知道。“Even among my own sisters and brothers, I am friendly with whoever is friendly with me; I know nothing of ‘principal’ or ‘concubine-born.’論理我不該說他，但忒昏憒的不象了！“By rights I should not speak of her this way, but she is really intolerably benighted!還有笑話呢：就是上回我給你那錢，替我帶那頑的東西。“And there is something more ridiculous still: you remember the money I gave you last time to buy me those playthings.過了兩天，他見了我，也是說沒錢使，怎麼難，我也不理論。“Two days later, when she saw me, she too began saying how hard up she was and how she had no money to spend, but I took no notice.誰知後來丫頭們出去了，他就抱怨起來，說我攢的錢為什麼給你使，倒不給環兒使呢。“Then, after the maids had gone out, she began complaining that I had given you my savings to spend instead of giving them to Huan.我聽見這話，又好笑又好氣，我就出來往太太跟前去了。”正說著，只見寶釵那邊笑道：“說完了，來罷。“When I heard that, I was both amused and furious, so I walked out and went straight to Mother.” As they were speaking, Baochai called laughingly from over there, “If you have finished, come back.顯見的是哥哥妹妹了，丟下別人，且說梯己去。“It is plain to see that you are brother and sister: you leave everyone else behind to whisper your secrets.我們聽一句兒就使不得了！”說著，探春寶玉二人方笑著來了。“We are not even allowed to hear a single word!” At this Tanchun and Baoyu came back laughing.

宝玉笑道：“你提起鞋来，我想起个故事：那一回我穿著，可巧遇见了老爷，老爷就不受用，问是谁作的。我那里敢提‘三妹妹’三个字，我就回说是前儿我生日，是舅母给的。老爷听了是舅母给的，才不好说什么，半日还说：‘何苦来！虚耗人力，作践绫罗，作这样的东西。’我回来告诉了袭人，袭人说这还罢了，赵姨娘气的抱怨的了不得：‘正经兄弟，鞋搭拉袜搭拉的没人看的见，且作这些东西！’”探春听说，登时沉下脸来，道：“这话糊涂到什么田地！怎么我是该作鞋的人么？环儿难道没有分例的，没有人的？一般的衣裳是衣裳，鞋袜是鞋袜，丫头老婆一屋子，怎么抱怨这些话！给谁听呢！我不过是闲著没事儿，作一双半双，爱给那个哥哥弟弟，随我的心。谁敢管我不成！这也是白气。”宝玉听了，点头笑道：“你不知道，他心里自然又有个想头了。”探春听说，益发动了气，将头一扭，说道：“连你也糊涂了！他那想头自然是有的，不过是那阴微鄙贱的见识。他只管这么想，我只管认得老爷，太太两个人，别人我一概不管。就是姊妹弟兄跟前，谁和我好，我就和谁好，什么偏的庶的，我也不知道。论理我不该说他，但忒昏愦的不象了！还有笑话呢：就是上回我给你那钱，替我带那顽的东西。过了两天，他见了我，也是说没钱使，怎么难，我也不理论。谁知后来丫头们出去了，他就抱怨起来，说我攒的钱为什么给你使，倒不给环儿使呢。我听见这话，又好笑又好气，我就出来往太太跟前去了。”正说著，只见宝钗那边笑道：“说完了，来罢。显见的是哥哥妹妹了，丢下别人，且说梯己去。我们听一句儿就使不得了！”说著，探春宝玉二人方笑著来了。

寶玉因不見了林黛玉，便知他躲了別處去了，想了一想，索性遲兩日，等他的氣消一消再去也罷了。When Baoyu saw that Daiyu had disappeared, he knew she had gone off somewhere to avoid him; after some thought, he decided he might as well wait a couple of days for her anger to subside before visiting her again.因低頭看見許多鳳仙石榴等各色落花，錦重重的落了一地，因歎道：“這是他心里生了氣，也不收拾這花兒來了。Then, looking down, he saw blossoms of every kind—balsam, pomegranate, and many others—fallen thick as brocade all over the ground, and he sighed. “She must be so angry that she has stopped gathering up the flowers.待我送了去，明兒再問著他。”說著，只見寶釵約著他們往外頭去。“I shall take them there for her and ask her about it tomorrow.” Just then Baochai invited the others to go outside with her.寶玉道：“我就來。”說畢，等他二人去遠了，便把那花兜了起來，登山渡水，過樹穿花，一直奔了那日同林黛玉葬桃花的去處來。“I shall be along directly,” said Baoyu; and when the two of them had gone some distance, he gathered the flowers into the skirt of his robe and, climbing hills and crossing streams, passing trees and threading his way through flowers, went straight to the place where he and Daiyu had buried the peach blossoms that day.將已到了花冢，猶未轉過山坡，只聽山坡那邊有嗚咽之聲，一行數落著，哭的好不傷感。He was almost at the flower grave but had not yet rounded the hillside when he heard sobbing from the other side; amid the sobs, someone was lamenting, weeping most piteously.寶玉心下想道：“這不知是那房里的丫頭，受了委曲，跑到這個地方來哭。”一面想，一面煞住腳步，聽他哭道是：Baoyu thought, “I wonder which household’s maid has suffered some grievance and run here to cry.” Even as he thought this, he checked his steps and listened; this was what she wept:

宝玉因不见了林黛玉，便知他躲了别处去了，想了一想，索性迟两日，等他的气消一消再去也罢了。因低头看见许多凤仙石榴等各色落花，锦重重的落了一地，因叹道：“这是他心里生了气，也不收拾这花儿来了。待我送了去，明儿再问著他。”说著，只见宝钗约著他们往外头去。宝玉道：“我就来。”说毕，等他二人去远了，便把那花兜了起来，登山渡水，过树穿花，一直奔了那日同林黛玉葬桃花的去处来。将已到了花冢，犹未转过山坡，只听山坡那边有呜咽之声，一行数落著，哭的好不伤感。宝玉心下想道：“这不知是那房里的丫头，受了委曲，跑到这个地方来哭。”一面想，一面煞住脚步，听他哭道是：

花謝花飛花滿天，紅消香斷有誰怜？The flowers fade, the flowers fly, their petals fill the sky; their redness pales, their fragrance dies—who pities them?

花谢花飞花满天，红消香断有谁怜？

游絲軟系飄春榭，落絮輕沾扑繡帘。Gossamer softly binds the drifting spring pavilion; falling catkins lightly brush the embroidered blind.

游丝软系飘春榭，落絮轻沾扑绣帘。

閨中女兒惜春暮，愁緒滿怀無釋處，The maiden in her chamber grieves that spring is ending, her heart so full of sorrow she can find no relief;

闺中女儿惜春暮，愁绪满怀无释处，

手把花鋤出繡閨，忍踏落花來复去。Taking her flower hoe in hand, she leaves her broidered room, unable to bear treading fallen blooms as she comes and goes.

手把花锄出绣闺，忍踏落花来复去。

柳絲榆莢自芳菲，不管桃飄與李飛。Willow threads and elm pods flaunt their own abundance, heedless whether peach and plum blossoms scatter.

柳丝榆荚自芳菲，不管桃飘与李飞。

桃李明年能再發，明年閨中知有誰？Next year the peach and plum will bloom again—but who will be in the chamber then?

桃李明年能再发，明年闺中知有谁？

三月香巢已壘成，梁間燕子太無情！By the third month the fragrant nest is built; how heartless are the swallows in the beams!

三月香巢已垒成，梁间燕子太无情！

明年花發雖可啄，卻不道人去梁空巢也傾。Though next year, when the flowers bloom, you may peck at them, you cannot know that she will be gone, the beams deserted, and the nest itself fallen.

明年花发虽可啄，却不道人去梁空巢也倾。

一年三百六十日，風刀霜劍嚴相逼，All through the three hundred and sixty days of the year, the knives of wind and swords of frost press cruelly close;

一年三百六十日，风刀霜剑严相逼，

明媚鮮妍能幾時，一朝飄泊難尋覓。How long can brilliant beauty and fresh color last? Once they drift away, they are hard to find.

明媚鲜妍能几时，一朝飘泊难寻觅。

花開易見落難尋，階前悶殺葬花人，Flowers in bloom are easily seen, but fallen flowers hard to find; before the steps, the flower-burier is tormented with grief,

花开易见落难寻，阶前闷杀葬花人，

獨倚花鋤淚暗灑，灑上空枝見血痕。Leaning alone upon her flower hoe, shedding secret tears—tears that fall upon bare branches and leave stains of blood.

独倚花锄泪暗洒，洒上空枝见血痕。

杜鵑無語正黃昏，荷鋤歸去掩重門。The cuckoo falls silent as dusk descends; shouldering her hoe, she goes home and closes the doors one by one.

杜鹃无语正黄昏，荷锄归去掩重门。

青燈照壁人初睡，冷雨敲窗被未溫。The green lamp shines on the wall as she first lies down; cold rain taps the window, and her bedclothes are not yet warm.

青灯照壁人初睡，冷雨敲窗被未温。

怪奴底事倍傷神，半為怜春半惱春：Why, you ask, am I so deeply troubled? Half from pity for spring, half from resentment of spring:

怪奴底事倍伤神，半为怜春半恼春：

怜春忽至惱忽去，至又無言去不聞。Pity because spring comes so suddenly, resentment because it leaves so suddenly; it comes without a word and departs without a sound.

怜春忽至恼忽去，至又无言去不闻。

昨宵庭外悲歌發，知是花魂與鳥魂？Last night a mournful song arose beyond the courtyard—was it the spirit of the flowers, or the spirit of the birds?

昨宵庭外悲歌发，知是花魂与鸟魂？

花魂鳥魂總難留，鳥自無言花自羞。The spirits of flowers and birds alike are hard to keep: the birds are mute, the flowers abashed.

花魂鸟魂总难留，鸟自无言花自羞。

願奴脅下生雙翼，隨花飛到天盡頭。Would that wings might grow beneath my arms, so I could follow the flowers in flight to the end of heaven.

愿奴胁下生双翼，随花飞到天尽头。

天盡頭，何處有香丘？At the end of heaven, where can a fragrant grave be found?

天尽头，何处有香丘？

未若錦囊收艷骨，一抔淨土掩風流。Better to gather their lovely remains in a silken bag and cover their beauty with a mound of pure earth.

未若锦囊收艳骨，一抔净土掩风流。

質本洁來還洁去，強于污淖陷渠溝。Pure they came from nature; pure let them return—better than sinking defiled into foul mud and filthy ditches.

质本洁来还洁去，强于污淖陷渠沟。

爾今死去儂收葬，未卜儂身何日喪？Today you die, and I gather you for burial; but when my own death will come, I cannot tell.

尔今死去侬收葬，未卜侬身何日丧？

儂今葬花人笑痴，他年葬儂知是誰？Today I bury the flowers, and people laugh at my folly; in years to come, who will bury me?

侬今葬花人笑痴，他年葬侬知是谁？

試看春殘花漸落，便是紅顏老死時。Only see: as spring expires and the flowers gradually fall, so comes the time when beauty grows old and dies.

试看春残花渐落，便是红颜老死时。

一朝春盡紅顏老，花落人亡兩不知！One day spring will end and beauty will grow old: flowers fallen, maiden dead, neither knowing of the other!

一朝春尽红颜老，花落人亡两不知！

寶玉聽了不覺痴倒。Listening to this, Baoyu was overcome, lost in a trance.要知端詳，且聽下回分解。To learn the full particulars, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.

宝玉听了不觉痴倒。要知端详，且听下回分解。