第三十二回　訴肺腑心迷活寶玉　含耻辱情烈死金釧 Baoyu Bares His Heart in Confusion; Jinchuan Dies of Shame and Wounded Love

話說寶玉見那麒麟，心中甚是歡喜，便伸手來拿，笑道：“虧你揀著了。The story goes that when Baoyu saw the qilin, he was very pleased, and reaching out his hand to take it, said with a smile, "Lucky that you picked it up.你是那里揀的？”史湘雲笑道：“幸而是這個，明兒倘或把印也丟了，難道也就罷了不成？”寶玉笑道：“倒是丟了印平常，若丟了這個，我就該死了。”襲人斟了茶來與史湘雲吃，一面笑道：“大姑娘聽見前兒你大喜了。”史湘雲紅了臉，吃茶不答。Where did you find it?" Shi Xiangyun said with a smile, "It's fortunate it was only this. If tomorrow you happened to lose your official seal too, would that also be dismissed so lightly?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Losing the seal would be nothing much, but if I lost this, I'd deserve to die." Xiren poured tea and brought it to Shi Xiangyun, saying with a smile as she did so, "I heard, young miss, that you had a happy occasion the other day." Shi Xiangyun blushed and drank her tea without answering.襲人道：“這會子又害臊了。Xiren said, "Now you're shy again.你還記得十年前，咱們在西邊暖閣住著，晚上你同我說的話兒？Do you still remember, ten years ago, when we lived together in the warm chamber on the west side, the things you said to me at night?那會子不害臊，這會子怎麼又害臊了？”史湘雲笑道：“你還說呢。You weren't shy then—why are you shy now?" Shi Xiangyun said with a smile, "Listen to you talk.那會子咱們那麼好。We were so close back then.後來我們太太沒了，我家去住了一程子，怎麼就把你派了跟二哥哥，我來了，你就不像先待我了。”襲人笑道：“你還說呢。Later, after my aunt passed away, I went home to live for a while, and somehow you were assigned to wait on Second Brother. By the time I came back, you no longer treated me the way you used to." Xiren said with a smile, "Listen to you talk.先姐姐長姐姐短哄著我替你梳頭洗臉，作這個弄那個，如今大了，就拿出小姐的款來。Back then it was 'sister this' and 'sister that,' coaxing me into combing your hair and washing your face for you, doing this and that for you—now that you're grown up, you've put on the airs of a young lady.你既拿小姐的款，我怎敢親近呢？”史湘雲道：“阿彌陀佛，冤枉冤哉！Since you've put on the airs of a young lady, how would I dare get too familiar with you?" Shi Xiangyun said, "Amitabha Buddha, what an injustice, what a wrong!我要這樣，就立刻死了。If I were really like that, I'd drop dead on the spot.你瞧瞧，這麼大熱天，我來了，必定赶來先瞧瞧你。Just look—in this scorching heat, the moment I arrived, I was bound to rush over to see you first.不信你問問縷兒，我在家時時刻刻那一回不念你幾聲。”話未了，忙的襲人和寶玉都勸道：“頑話你又認真了。If you don't believe me, ask Lower — not a single moment when I was at home did I fail to mention you." Before she had finished speaking, Xiren and Baoyu both hurried to soothe her, saying, "It was only a joke, and you're taking it seriously again.還是這麼性急。”史湘雲道：“你不說你的話噎人，倒說人性急。”一面說，一面打開手帕子，將戒指遞與襲人。You're still so quick-tempered." Shi Xiangyun said, "You don't say that your own words choke people, but instead say I'm quick-tempered." As she spoke, she opened her handkerchief and handed the ring to Xiren.襲人感謝不盡，因笑道：“你前兒送你姐姐們的，我已得了，今兒你親自又送來，可見是沒忘了我。Xiren was endlessly grateful, and said with a smile, "The ones you gave to your sisters the other day, I already received. Today you brought one especially for me yourself—it shows you haven't forgotten me.只這個就試出你來了。This alone is enough to prove your feelings.戒指兒能值多少，可見你的心真。”史湘雲道：“是誰給你的？”襲人道：“是寶姑娘給我的。”湘雲笑道：“我只當是林姐姐給你的，原來是寶釵姐姐給了你。A ring isn't worth much, but it shows your heart is sincere." Shi Xiangyun said, "Who gave it to you?" Xiren said, "Miss Bao gave it to me." Xiangyun said with a smile, "I assumed it was Sister Lin who gave it to you—so it turns out it was Sister Baochai.我天天在家里想著，這些姐姐們再沒一個比寶姐姐好的。Every day at home I think about it—among all these sisters, there's not one who compares to Sister Bao.可惜我們不是一個娘養的。It's a pity we weren't born of the same mother.我但凡有這麼個親姐姐，就是沒了父母，也是沒妨礙的。”說著，眼睛圈兒就紅了。If only I had a real sister like her, then even without parents I'd have nothing to worry about." As she spoke, her eyes reddened.寶玉道：“罷，罷，罷！Baoyu said, "Enough, enough, enough!不用提這個話。”史湘雲道：“提這個便怎麼？Don't bring this up." Shi Xiangyun said, "What's wrong with bringing it up?我知道你的心病，恐怕你的林妹妹聽見，又怪嗔我贊了寶姐姐。I know your sore spot—you're afraid your Cousin Lin will hear and be angry with me for praising Sister Bao.可是為這個不是？”襲人在旁嗤的一笑，說道：“雲姑娘，你如今大了，越發心直口快了。”寶玉笑道：“我說你們這幾個人難說話，果然不錯。”史湘雲道：“好哥哥，你不必說話教我惡心。Isn't that it?" Xiren gave a snort of laughter beside them and said, "Miss Yun, now that you're grown up, you're more outspoken than ever." Baoyu said with a smile, "I said you two were hard to deal with, and indeed I was right." Shi Xiangyun said, "Dear brother, don't say things to make me sick.只會在我們跟前說話，見了你林妹妹，又不知怎麼了。”You only talk this way in front of us—when you see your Cousin Lin, who knows how you'd act."

话说宝玉见那麒麟，心中甚是欢喜，便伸手来拿，笑道：“亏你拣著了。你是那里拣的？”史湘云笑道：“幸而是这个，明儿倘或把印也丢了，难道也就罢了不成？”宝玉笑道：“倒是丢了印平常，若丢了这个，我就该死了。”袭人斟了茶来与史湘云吃，一面笑道：“大姑娘听见前儿你大喜了。”史湘云红了脸，吃茶不答。袭人道：“这会子又害臊了。你还记得十年前，咱们在西边暖阁住著，晚上你同我说的话儿？那会子不害臊，这会子怎么又害臊了？”史湘云笑道：“你还说呢。那会子咱们那么好。后来我们太太没了，我家去住了一程子，怎么就把你派了跟二哥哥，我来了，你就不像先待我了。”袭人笑道：“你还说呢。先姐姐长姐姐短哄著我替你梳头洗脸，作这个弄那个，如今大了，就拿出小姐的款来。你既拿小姐的款，我怎敢亲近呢？”史湘云道：“阿弥陀佛，冤枉冤哉！我要这样，就立刻死了。你瞧瞧，这么大热天，我来了，必定赶来先瞧瞧你。不信你问问缕儿，我在家时时刻刻那一回不念你几声。”话未了，忙的袭人和宝玉都劝道：“顽话你又认真了。还是这么性急。”史湘云道：“你不说你的话噎人，倒说人性急。”一面说，一面打开手帕子，将戒指递与袭人。袭人感谢不尽，因笑道：“你前儿送你姐姐们的，我已得了，今儿你亲自又送来，可见是没忘了我。只这个就试出你来了。戒指儿能值多少，可见你的心真。”史湘云道：“是谁给你的？”袭人道：“是宝姑娘给我的。”湘云笑道：“我只当是林姐姐给你的，原来是宝钗姐姐给了你。我天天在家里想著，这些姐姐们再没一个比宝姐姐好的。可惜我们不是一个娘养的。我但凡有这么个亲姐姐，就是没了父母，也是没妨碍的。”说著，眼睛圈儿就红了。宝玉道：“罢，罢，罢！不用提这个话。”史湘云道：“提这个便怎么？我知道你的心病，恐怕你的林妹妹听见，又怪嗔我赞了宝姐姐。可是为这个不是？”袭人在旁嗤的一笑，说道：“云姑娘，你如今大了，越发心直口快了。”宝玉笑道：“我说你们这几个人难说话，果然不错。”史湘云道：“好哥哥，你不必说话教我恶心。只会在我们跟前说话，见了你林妹妹，又不知怎么了。”

襲人道：“且別說頑話，正有一件事還要求你呢。”史湘雲便問”什麼事？”襲人道：“有一雙鞋，摳了墊心子。Xiren said, "Let's set the joking aside—there's actually something I need to ask of you." Xiangyun asked, "What is it?" Xiren said, "There's a pair of shoes, with the insole cut out.我這兩日身上不好，不得做，你可有工夫替我做做？”史湘雲笑道：“這又奇了，你家放著這些巧人不算，還有什麼針線上的，裁剪上的，怎麼教我做起來？I haven't been well these past two days and can't finish them—do you have time to make them for me?" Shi Xiangyun said with a smile, "Now that's strange. Your household has no shortage of skilled hands, to say nothing of people for needlework and cutting patterns—why ask me to do it?你的活計叫誰做，誰好意思不做呢。”襲人笑道：“你又糊涂了。Whoever's work it is, who would be so rude as to refuse to do it?" Xiren said with a smile, "You're confused again.你難道不知道，我們這屋里的針線，是不要那些針線上的人做的。”史湘雲聽了，便知是寶玉的鞋了，因笑道：“既這麼說，我就替你做了罷。Don't you know that the needlework in our room isn't meant to be done by those needlework people." When Shi Xiangyun heard this, she knew at once it must be a pair of shoes for Baoyu, and said with a smile, "Since that's how it is, I'll make them for you.只是一件，你的我才作，別人的我可不能。”襲人笑道：“又來了，我是個什麼，就煩你做鞋了。Only one thing—I'll make them if they're for you, but I can't make them for anyone else." Xiren said with a smile, "There you go again—who am I, that I'd trouble you to make shoes for me.實告訴你，可不是我的。To tell you the truth, they're not mine.你別管是誰的，橫豎我領情就是了。”史湘雲道：“論理，你的東西也不知煩我做了多少了，今兒我倒不做了的原故，你必定也知道。”襲人道：“倒也不知道。”史湘雲冷笑道：“前兒我聽見把我做的扇套子拿著和人家比，賭氣又鉸了。Never mind whose they are—in any case I'll simply take the credit for asking." Shi Xiangyun said, "By rights, I don't know how many things of yours I've already made for you without complaint—but today, the reason I don't want to make them, you must surely know too." Xiren said, "Actually I don't know." Shi Xiangyun said with a cold smile, "The other day I heard that the fan pouch I made was taken and compared against someone else's, and then out of spite it was cut up.我早就聽見了，你還瞞我。I heard about it long ago—you were still hiding it from me.這會子又叫我做，我成了你們的奴才了。”寶玉忙笑道：“前兒的那事，本不知是你做的。”襲人也笑道：“他本不知是你做的。And now you want me to make things again—have I become your servant?" Baoyu said hastily with a smile, "As for that business the other day, I truly didn't know it was you who made it." Xiren too said with a smile, "He truly didn't know it was you who made it.是我哄他的話，說是新近外頭有個會做活的女孩子，說扎的出奇的花，我叫他拿了一個扇套子試試看好不好。It was I who fooled him, telling him that there was recently a girl outside who was skilled at needlework, said to embroider extraordinary flowers, and I had him take out a fan pouch to try and see if it was good or not.他就信了，拿出去給這個瞧給那個看的。He believed it, and took it out to show this person and that.不知怎麼又惹惱了林姑娘，鉸了兩段。Somehow it angered Miss Lin, and she cut it into two pieces.回來他還叫赶著做去，我才說了是你作的，他後悔的什麼似的。”史湘雲道：“越發奇了。Afterward he still wanted it made in a hurry, and only then did I say it was you who had made it—he regretted it something terrible." Shi Xiangyun said, "Now that's even stranger.林姑娘他也犯不上生氣，他既會剪，就叫他做。”襲人道：“他可不作呢。Miss Lin had no business getting angry over it—since she's so good at cutting things up, let her make it herself." Xiren said, "Oh, she wouldn't make it.饒這麼著，老太太還怕他勞碌著了。Even as things are, the Old Ancestress still worries she might tire herself out.大夫又說好生靜養才好，誰還煩他做？And the doctor says she needs to rest quietly and recuperate—who would dare trouble her to make anything?舊年好一年的工夫，做了個香袋兒，今年半年，還沒拿針線呢。”正說著，有人來回說：“興隆街的大爺來了，老爺叫二爺出去會。”寶玉聽了，便知是賈雨村來了，心中好不自在。Last year it took her nearly a whole year to make one little scent pouch, and this year, half the year gone, she still hasn't picked up a needle." Just as they were speaking, someone came to report, "The gentleman from Xinglong Street has arrived. The Master says Second Master is to go out and receive him." When Baoyu heard this, he knew it was Jia Yucun, and felt thoroughly put out.襲人忙去拿衣服。Xiren hurried off to fetch his clothes.寶玉一面蹬著靴子，一面抱怨道：“有老爺和他坐著就罷了，回回定要見我。”史湘雲一邊搖著扇子，笑道：“自然你能會賓接客，老爺才叫你出去呢。”寶玉道：“那里是老爺，都是他自己要請我去見的。”湘雲笑道：“主雅客來勤，自然你有些警他的好處，他才只要會你。”寶玉道：“罷，罷，我也不敢稱雅，俗中又俗的一個俗人，并不願同這些人往來。”湘雲笑道：“還是這個情性不改。As Baoyu pulled on his boots, he grumbled, "It would be enough for Father to sit with him—every single time he insists on seeing me too." Shi Xiangyun, fanning herself, said with a smile, "Naturally it's because you're capable of receiving guests properly that Father calls you out." Baoyu said, "It's not Father at all—it's always he himself who insists on inviting me to meet him." Xiangyun said with a smile, "'When the host is refined, guests come often'—naturally you have some qualities that impress him, which is why he always wants to meet you." Baoyu said, "Enough, enough—I dare not even call myself refined, I'm a thoroughly common, vulgar fellow, and I have no wish to associate with people like that." Xiangyun said with a smile, "Still the same temperament, unchanged as ever.如今大了，你就不願讀書去考舉人進士的，也該常常的會會這些為官做宰的人們，談談講講些仕途經濟的學問，也好將來應酬世務，日後也有個朋友。Now that you're grown, even if you don't wish to study for the examinations to become a Provincial or Metropolitan Graduate, you ought at least to meet often with these officials and statesmen, and talk over matters of statecraft and worldly affairs, so as to be prepared for handling worldly business in the future, and to have some friends besides.沒見你成年家只在我們隊里攪些什麼！”寶玉聽了道：“姑娘請別的姊妹屋里坐坐，我這里仔細污了你知經濟學問的。”襲人道：“雲姑娘快別說這話。Look at you, all year round tangled up with nothing but us girls!" Hearing this, Baoyu said, "Miss, go sit in one of the other sisters' rooms—I'm afraid I'll contaminate you, knowing statecraft and worldly affairs as you do." Xiren said, "Miss Yun, please don't say such things.上回也是寶姑娘也說過一回，他也不管人臉上過的去過不去，他就咳了一聲，拿起腳來走了。Last time, it was Miss Bao who said something similar, and without caring whether it left someone's face hanging or not, he gave a cough and simply got up and walked off.這里寶姑娘的話也沒說完，見他走了，登時羞的臉通紅，說又不是，不說又不是。Miss Bao hadn't even finished what she was saying, and seeing him walk off, she instantly flushed red with shame—she couldn't say more, yet couldn't very well stop either.幸而是寶姑娘，那要是林姑娘，不知又鬧到怎麼樣，哭的怎麼樣呢。Fortunately it was Miss Bao—had it been Miss Lin, there's no telling how it would have ended, or how much crying there would have been.提起這個話來，真真的寶姑娘叫人敬重，自己訕了一會子去了。Speaking of this, Miss Bao really does command respect—she just laughed it off in embarrassment and let it go after a while.我倒過不去，只當他惱了。I felt bad about it myself, thinking he must be angry.誰知過後還是照舊一樣，真真有涵養，心地寬大。Who would have thought that afterward everything went on just as before—truly she has forbearance and a broad, generous heart.誰知這一個反倒同他生分了。And who would have thought that this one here instead grew distant from him because of it.那林姑娘見你賭氣不理他，你得賠多少不是呢。”寶玉道：“林姑娘從來說過這些混帳話不曾？If Miss Lin saw you sulking and ignoring her, think how much apologizing you'd have to do." Baoyu said, "Has Miss Lin ever said such nonsensical things?若他也說過這些混帳話，我早和他生分了。”襲人和湘雲都點頭笑道：“這原是混帳話。”原來林黛玉知道史湘雲在這里，寶玉又赶來，一定說麒麟的原故。If she too had ever said such nonsensical things, I would have grown distant from her long ago." Xiren and Xiangyun both nodded and said with a smile, "That certainly was nonsensical talk." It happened that Lin Daiyu knew Shi Xiangyun was there, and guessed that Baoyu had rushed over surely because of the qilin.因此心下忖度著，近日寶玉弄來的外傳野史，多半才子佳人都因小巧玩物上撮合，或有鴛鴦，或有鳳凰，或玉環金珮，或鮫帕鸞絛，皆由小物而遂終身。So she pondered to herself that among the miscellaneous romances and unofficial histories Baoyu had recently gotten hold of, most told of talented scholars and beautiful maidens brought together through some small, delicate trinket—sometimes a pair of mandarin ducks, sometimes phoenixes, sometimes jade bracelets or gold ornaments, or shark-silk kerchiefs and phoenix sashes—all cases where a small object sealed a lifetime bond.今忽見寶玉亦有麒麟，便恐借此生隙，同史湘雲也做出那些風流佳事來。Now, suddenly seeing that Baoyu too had a qilin, she feared this might give rise to some entanglement, and that he and Shi Xiangyun might end up creating one of those romantic affairs.因而悄悄走來，見机行事，以察二人之意。So she quietly went over, intending to act according to what she observed, so as to gauge the feelings between the two of them.不想剛走來，正聽見史湘雲說經濟一事，寶玉又說：“林妹妹不說這樣混帳話，若說這話，我也和他生分了。”林黛玉聽了這話，不覺又喜又驚，又悲又歎。She had no sooner arrived than she happened to hear Shi Xiangyun speaking of matters of statecraft, and Baoyu saying, "Cousin Lin never says such nonsensical things—if she did, I would have grown distant from her too." Hearing this, Lin Daiyu felt at once glad and startled, sorrowful and sighing, all together.所喜者，果然自己眼力不錯，素日認他是個知己，果然是個知己。What made her glad was that her own judgment had indeed proven right—she had always considered him a true confidant, and indeed he was one.所驚者，他在人前一片私心稱揚于我，其親熱厚密，竟不避嫌疑。What startled her was that he, in front of others, so openly and privately sang her praises, so intimate and unguarded, not even avoiding suspicion.所歎者，你既為我之知己，自然我亦可為你之知己矣，既你我為知己，則又何必有金玉之論哉；What made her sigh was this: if you are truly my confidant, then naturally I too may be your confidant; and if you and I are confidants, then why should there be this talk of 'gold and jade' at all?既有金玉之論，亦該你我有之，則又何必來一寶釵哉！And if there must be this talk of gold and jade, then it ought to concern you and me—why should a Baochai have come into it at all!所悲者，父母早逝，雖有銘心刻骨之言，無人為我主張。What grieved her was that her parents had died young, and though she had words engraved on her very heart and bones, there was no one to speak up and arrange things on her behalf.況近日每覺神思恍惚，病已漸成，醫者更氣弱血虧，恐致勞怯之症，你我雖為知己，但恐自不能久待，你縱為我知己，奈我薄命何！Moreover, of late she often felt her spirit and mind grow distracted and dazed—illness had gradually taken hold, and the doctors said moreover that her energy was weak and her blood deficient, which might lead to a wasting, consumptive condition. Even if you and I are confidants, I fear I may not be able to wait long myself—even if you are my confidant, what is to be done about my ill fate!想到此間，不禁滾下淚來。Thinking to this point, she could not help but let the tears roll down.待進去相見，自覺無味，便一面拭淚，一面抽身回去了。Thinking that if she went in to see them now she would only feel out of place, she wiped her tears and turned to go back.

袭人道：“且别说顽话，正有一件事还要求你呢。”史湘云便问”什么事？”袭人道：“有一双鞋，抠了垫心子。我这两日身上不好，不得做，你可有工夫替我做做？”史湘云笑道：“这又奇了，你家放著这些巧人不算，还有什么针线上的，裁剪上的，怎么教我做起来？你的活计叫谁做，谁好意思不做呢。”袭人笑道：“你又糊涂了。你难道不知道，我们这屋里的针线，是不要那些针线上的人做的。”史湘云听了，便知是宝玉的鞋了，因笑道：“既这么说，我就替你做了罢。只是一件，你的我才作，别人的我可不能。”袭人笑道：“又来了，我是个什么，就烦你做鞋了。实告诉你，可不是我的。你别管是谁的，横竖我领情就是了。”史湘云道：“论理，你的东西也不知烦我做了多少了，今儿我倒不做了的原故，你必定也知道。”袭人道：“倒也不知道。”史湘云冷笑道：“前儿我听见把我做的扇套子拿著和人家比，赌气又铰了。我早就听见了，你还瞒我。这会子又叫我做，我成了你们的奴才了。”宝玉忙笑道：“前儿的那事，本不知是你做的。”袭人也笑道：“他本不知是你做的。是我哄他的话，说是新近外头有个会做活的女孩子，说扎的出奇的花，我叫他拿了一个扇套子试试看好不好。他就信了，拿出去给这个瞧给那个看的。不知怎么又惹恼了林姑娘，铰了两段。回来他还叫赶著做去，我才说了是你作的，他后悔的什么似的。”史湘云道：“越发奇了。林姑娘他也犯不上生气，他既会剪，就叫他做。”袭人道：“他可不作呢。饶这么著，老太太还怕他劳碌著了。大夫又说好生静养才好，谁还烦他做？旧年好一年的工夫，做了个香袋儿，今年半年，还没拿针线呢。”正说著，有人来回说：“兴隆街的大爷来了，老爷叫二爷出去会。”宝玉听了，便知是贾雨村来了，心中好不自在。袭人忙去拿衣服。宝玉一面蹬著靴子，一面抱怨道：“有老爷和他坐著就罢了，回回定要见我。”史湘云一边摇著扇子，笑道：“自然你能会宾接客，老爷才叫你出去呢。”宝玉道：“那里是老爷，都是他自己要请我去见的。”湘云笑道：“主雅客来勤，自然你有些警他的好处，他才只要会你。”宝玉道：“罢，罢，我也不敢称雅，俗中又俗的一个俗人，并不愿同这些人往来。”湘云笑道：“还是这个情性不改。如今大了，你就不愿读书去考举人进士的，也该常常的会会这些为官做宰的人们，谈谈讲讲些仕途经济的学问，也好将来应酬世务，日后也有个朋友。没见你成年家只在我们队里搅些什么！”宝玉听了道：“姑娘请别的姊妹屋里坐坐，我这里仔细污了你知经济学问的。”袭人道：“云姑娘快别说这话。上回也是宝姑娘也说过一回，他也不管人脸上过的去过不去，他就咳了一声，拿起脚来走了。这里宝姑娘的话也没说完，见他走了，登时羞的脸通红，说又不是，不说又不是。幸而是宝姑娘，那要是林姑娘，不知又闹到怎么样，哭的怎么样呢。提起这个话来，真真的宝姑娘叫人敬重，自己讪了一会子去了。我倒过不去，只当他恼了。谁知过后还是照旧一样，真真有涵养，心地宽大。谁知这一个反倒同他生分了。那林姑娘见你赌气不理他，你得赔多少不是呢。”宝玉道：“林姑娘从来说过这些混帐话不曾？若他也说过这些混帐话，我早和他生分了。”袭人和湘云都点头笑道：“这原是混帐话。”原来林黛玉知道史湘云在这里，宝玉又赶来，一定说麒麟的原故。因此心下忖度著，近日宝玉弄来的外传野史，多半才子佳人都因小巧玩物上撮合，或有鸳鸯，或有凤凰，或玉环金珮，或鲛帕鸾绦，皆由小物而遂终身。今忽见宝玉亦有麒麟，便恐借此生隙，同史湘云也做出那些风流佳事来。因而悄悄走来，见机行事，以察二人之意。不想刚走来，正听见史湘云说经济一事，宝玉又说：“林妹妹不说这样混帐话，若说这话，我也和他生分了。”林黛玉听了这话，不觉又喜又惊，又悲又叹。所喜者，果然自己眼力不错，素日认他是个知己，果然是个知己。所惊者，他在人前一片私心称扬于我，其亲热厚密，竟不避嫌疑。所叹者，你既为我之知己，自然我亦可为你之知己矣，既你我为知己，则又何必有金玉之论哉；既有金玉之论，亦该你我有之，则又何必来一宝钗哉！所悲者，父母早逝，虽有铭心刻骨之言，无人为我主张。况近日每觉神思恍惚，病已渐成，医者更气弱血亏，恐致劳怯之症，你我虽为知己，但恐自不能久待，你纵为我知己，奈我薄命何！想到此间，不禁滚下泪来。待进去相见，自觉无味，便一面拭泪，一面抽身回去了。

這里寶玉忙忙的穿了衣裳出來，忽見林黛玉在前面慢慢的走著，似有拭淚之狀，便忙赶上來，笑道：“妹妹往那里去？Meanwhile Baoyu, having hurriedly dressed, came out, and suddenly saw Lin Daiyu walking slowly ahead of him, seeming to be wiping away tears; he hurried to catch up with her and said with a smile, "Where are you going, little sister?怎麼又哭了？Why are you crying again?又是誰得罪了你？”林黛玉回頭見是寶玉，便勉強笑道：“好好的，我何曾哭了。”寶玉笑道：“你瞧瞧，眼睛上的淚珠兒未乾，還撒謊呢。”一面說，一面禁不住抬起手來替他拭淚。Who has offended you this time?" Lin Daiyu turned and saw it was Baoyu, and forced a smile, saying, "Nothing at all—when have I been crying?" Baoyu said with a smile, "Just look at yourself—the tears on your eyelashes haven't even dried yet, and you're still lying." As he spoke, he couldn't help raising his hand to wipe her tears for her.林黛玉忙向後退了幾步，說道：“你又要死了！Lin Daiyu hastily stepped back several paces, saying, "You're impossible again!作什麼這麼動手動腳的！”寶玉笑道：“說話忘了情，不覺的動了手，也就顧不的死活。”林黛玉道：“你死了倒不值什麼，只是丟下了什麼金，又是什麼麒麟，可怎麼樣呢？”一句話又把寶玉說急了，赶上來問道：“你還說這話，到底是咒我還是氣我呢？”林黛玉見問，方想起前日的事來，遂自悔自己又說造次了，忙笑道：“你別著急，我原說錯了。Why must you keep putting your hands on me like this!" Baoyu said with a smile, "I got carried away talking and forgot myself, and moved my hand without thinking—I wasn't even thinking about life or death." Lin Daiyu said, "It wouldn't matter much if you died, except that you'd leave behind that gold thing of yours, and that qilin too—then what would happen?" This remark once again made Baoyu anxious, and he hurried up to her and asked, "You say such a thing again—are you cursing me, or are you angry at me?" Hearing this question, Lin Daiyu suddenly remembered the incident of a few days before, and regretted having again spoken rashly, so she hastily said with a smile, "Don't be upset, I admit I misspoke.這有什麼的，筋都暴起來，急的一臉汗。”一面說，一面禁不住近前伸手替他拭面上的汗。What is there to get so worked up about, with the veins standing out on your neck and sweat all over your face from being upset." As she spoke, she couldn't help stepping closer and reaching out to wipe the sweat from his face.寶玉瞅了半天，方說道”你放心”三個字。Baoyu gazed at her for a long while, and then finally said just the three words, "Set your heart at ease."林黛玉聽了，怔了半天，方說道：“我有什麼不放心的？Hearing this, Lin Daiyu was stunned for a long while, and then finally said, "What is there for me to be uneasy about?我不明白這話。I don't understand what you mean.你倒說說怎麼放心不放心？”寶玉歎了一口氣，問道：“你果不明白這話？Why don't you explain—what do you mean by 'set my heart at ease' or not?" Baoyu sighed and asked, "Do you truly not understand what I mean?難道我素日在你身上的心都用錯了？Could it be that all the care I've given you all this time has been wasted?連你的意思若体貼不著，就難怪你天天為我生氣了。”林黛玉道：“果然我不明白放心不放心的話。”寶玉點頭歎道：“好妹妹，你別哄我。If I can't even grasp your feelings, then no wonder you're angry with me every single day." Lin Daiyu said, "I truly don't understand this talk of setting my heart at ease or not." Baoyu nodded and sighed, "Dear sister, don't deceive me.果然不明白這話，不但我素日之意白用了，且連你素日待我之意也都辜負了。If you truly don't understand this, then not only has all my usual devotion been wasted, but you have also failed to live up to all the care you yourself have shown me.你皆因總是不放心的原故，才弄了一身病。It's precisely because you can never set your heart at ease that you've worn yourself into this state of illness.但凡寬慰些，這病也不得一日重似一日。”林黛玉聽了這話，如轟雷掣電，細細思之，竟比自己肺腑中掏出來的還覺懇切，竟有萬句言語，滿心要說，只是半個字也不能吐，卻怔怔的望著他。If only you could ease your mind a little, this illness wouldn't keep growing worse day by day." Hearing these words, Lin Daiyu felt as though struck by thunder and lightning; thinking it over carefully, it seemed even more earnest and heartfelt than if it had come straight from her own innermost being. She had ten thousand words she wanted to say, filling her whole heart, and yet she could not utter even half a word, but only gazed at him blankly.此時寶玉心中也有萬句言語，不知從那一句上說起，卻也怔怔的望著黛玉。At this moment Baoyu too had ten thousand words in his heart, not knowing which one to begin with, and he too could only gaze blankly at Daiyu.兩個人怔了半天，林黛玉只咳了一聲，兩眼不覺滾下淚來，回身便要走。The two of them stood dazed like this for a long while, until Lin Daiyu gave a single cough, and, unable to help it, tears rolled from her eyes; she turned and made to leave.寶玉忙上前拉住，說道：“好妹妹，且略站住，我說一句話再走。”林黛玉一面拭淚，一面將手推開，說道：“有什麼可說的。Baoyu hurried forward and caught hold of her, saying, "Dear sister, please stay a moment—let me say one more thing before you go." Lin Daiyu, wiping her tears with one hand, pushed his hand away with the other, saying, "What is there left to say.你的話我早知道了！”口里說著，卻頭也不回竟去了。I already know what you mean to say!" So saying, without so much as turning her head, she walked away.

这里宝玉忙忙的穿了衣裳出来，忽见林黛玉在前面慢慢的走著，似有拭泪之状，便忙赶上来，笑道：“妹妹往那里去？怎么又哭了？又是谁得罪了你？”林黛玉回头见是宝玉，便勉强笑道：“好好的，我何曾哭了。”宝玉笑道：“你瞧瞧，眼睛上的泪珠儿未干，还撒谎呢。”一面说，一面禁不住抬起手来替他拭泪。林黛玉忙向后退了几步，说道：“你又要死了！作什么这么动手动脚的！”宝玉笑道：“说话忘了情，不觉的动了手，也就顾不的死活。”林黛玉道：“你死了倒不值什么，只是丢下了什么金，又是什么麒麟，可怎么样呢？”一句话又把宝玉说急了，赶上来问道：“你还说这话，到底是咒我还是气我呢？”林黛玉见问，方想起前日的事来，遂自悔自己又说造次了，忙笑道：“你别著急，我原说错了。这有什么的，筋都暴起来，急的一脸汗。”一面说，一面禁不住近前伸手替他拭面上的汗。宝玉瞅了半天，方说道”你放心”三个字。林黛玉听了，怔了半天，方说道：“我有什么不放心的？我不明白这话。你倒说说怎么放心不放心？”宝玉叹了一口气，问道：“你果不明白这话？难道我素日在你身上的心都用错了？连你的意思若体贴不著，就难怪你天天为我生气了。”林黛玉道：“果然我不明白放心不放心的话。”宝玉点头叹道：“好妹妹，你别哄我。果然不明白这话，不但我素日之意白用了，且连你素日待我之意也都辜负了。你皆因总是不放心的原故，才弄了一身病。但凡宽慰些，这病也不得一日重似一日。”林黛玉听了这话，如轰雷掣电，细细思之，竟比自己肺腑中掏出来的还觉恳切，竟有万句言语，满心要说，只是半个字也不能吐，却怔怔的望著他。此时宝玉心中也有万句言语，不知从那一句上说起，却也怔怔的望著黛玉。两个人怔了半天，林黛玉只咳了一声，两眼不觉滚下泪来，回身便要走。宝玉忙上前拉住，说道：“好妹妹，且略站住，我说一句话再走。”林黛玉一面拭泪，一面将手推开，说道：“有什么可说的。你的话我早知道了！”口里说著，却头也不回竟去了。

寶玉站著，只管發起呆來。Baoyu stood there, sunk into a daze.原來方才出來慌忙，不曾帶得扇子，襲人怕他熱，忙拿了扇子赶來送與他，忽抬頭見了林黛玉和他站著。It happened that when he had rushed out earlier he had forgotten to bring his fan, and Xiren, afraid he would be too hot, had hurried after him with the fan to bring it to him; just as she came up, she raised her head and saw Lin Daiyu standing there with him.一時黛玉走了，他還站著不動，因而赶上來說道：“你也不帶了扇子去，虧我看見，赶了送來。”寶玉出了神，見襲人和他說話，并未看出是何人來，便一把拉住，說道：“好妹妹，我的這心事，從來也不敢說，今兒我大膽說出來，死也甘心！Presently Daiyu walked off, and he still stood there without moving; so Xiren hurried up and said, "You went off without even taking your fan—lucky I noticed, and hurried to bring it to you." Baoyu, lost in his own thoughts, seeing Xiren speaking to him, did not even register who it was, and grabbing her by the hand, said, "Dear sister, this feeling in my heart I have never dared speak of before—today I'll be bold and say it out, and I'll die content!我為你也弄了一身的病在這里，又不敢告訴人，只好掩著。For your sake I too have worn myself into illness here, and dared not tell anyone, but could only keep it hidden.只等你的病好了，只怕我的病才得好呢。Only once your illness is cured, I'm afraid, will mine ever get better.睡里夢里也忘不了你！”襲人聽了這話，嚇得魄消魂散，只叫”神天菩薩，坑死我了！”便推他道：“這是那里的話！Even in my sleep, even in my dreams, I cannot forget you!" Hearing this, Xiren was so terrified her very soul seemed to scatter, and could only cry out, "Heavens above, Bodhisattva, this will be the death of me!" and pushed him away, saying, "What kind of talk is this!敢是中了邪？Have you been possessed by some evil spirit?還不快去？”寶玉一時醒過來，方知是襲人送扇子來，羞的滿面紫漲，奪了扇子，便忙忙的抽身跑了。Won't you hurry off now?" Baoyu came to his senses all at once, and only then realized it was Xiren who had brought the fan; flushing crimson with shame, he snatched the fan and hurried off.

宝玉站著，只管发起呆来。原来方才出来慌忙，不曾带得扇子，袭人怕他热，忙拿了扇子赶来送与他，忽抬头见了林黛玉和他站著。一时黛玉走了，他还站著不动，因而赶上来说道：“你也不带了扇子去，亏我看见，赶了送来。”宝玉出了神，见袭人和他说话，并未看出是何人来，便一把拉住，说道：“好妹妹，我的这心事，从来也不敢说，今儿我大胆说出来，死也甘心！我为你也弄了一身的病在这里，又不敢告诉人，只好掩著。只等你的病好了，只怕我的病才得好呢。睡里梦里也忘不了你！”袭人听了这话，吓得魄消魂散，只叫”神天菩萨，坑死我了！”便推他道：“这是那里的话！敢是中了邪？还不快去？”宝玉一时醒过来，方知是袭人送扇子来，羞的满面紫涨，夺了扇子，便忙忙的抽身跑了。

這里襲人見他去了，自思方才之言，一定是因黛玉而起，如此看來，將來難免不才之事，令人可驚可畏。Seeing him go, Xiren thought over what he had just said, and concluded it must certainly have arisen because of Daiyu; seen in this light, it seemed unavoidable that in the future something improper might happen—the thought was truly alarming and frightening.想到此間，也不覺怔怔的滴下淚來，心下暗度如何處治方免此丑禍。Thinking to this point, she too could not help but let tears fall in a daze, and secretly pondered how she might handle things so as to avoid such a disgraceful calamity.正裁疑間，忽有寶釵從那邊走來，笑道：“大毒日頭地下，出什麼神呢？”襲人見問，忙笑道：“那邊兩個雀兒打架，倒也好玩，我就看住了。”寶釵道：“寶兄弟這會子穿了衣服，忙忙的那去了？Just as she was caught in this uncertainty, Baochai suddenly came walking over from the other side, and said with a smile, "Under this scorching sun, what are you so lost in thought about?" Hearing the question, Xiren said quickly with a smile, "Those two sparrows over there were fighting—it was rather amusing, so I stopped to watch." Baochai said, "Where was Cousin Bao off to just now, in such a hurry, all dressed?我才看見走過去，倒要叫住問他呢。I saw him just now walking past and meant to call out and ask him.他如今說話越發沒了經緯，我故此沒叫他了，由他過去罷。”襲人道：“老爺叫他出去。”寶釵聽了，忙道：噯喲！But these days his talk has gotten more and more incoherent, so I didn't bother calling him—just let him go on his way." Xiren said, "The Master called him out." Hearing this, Baochai said hastily, "Oh dear!這麼黃天暑熱的，叫他做什麼！In this scorching, blazing heat, what does he want him for!別是想起什麼來生了氣，叫出去教訓一場。”襲人笑道：“不是這個，想是有客要會。”寶釵笑道：“這個客也沒意思，這麼熱天，不在家里涼快，還跑些什麼！”襲人笑道：“倒是你說說罷。”I hope it isn't that he remembered something and got angry, and is calling him out to give him a scolding." Xiren said with a smile, "It's not that—I imagine there's a guest to be received." Baochai said with a smile, "This guest has no sense either—in such hot weather, not staying home where it's cool, running about for what!" Xiren said with a smile, "You should talk."

这里袭人见他去了，自思方才之言，一定是因黛玉而起，如此看来，将来难免不才之事，令人可惊可畏。想到此间，也不觉怔怔的滴下泪来，心下暗度如何处治方免此丑祸。正裁疑间，忽有宝钗从那边走来，笑道：“大毒日头地下，出什么神呢？”袭人见问，忙笑道：“那边两个雀儿打架，倒也好玩，我就看住了。”宝钗道：“宝兄弟这会子穿了衣服，忙忙的那去了？我才看见走过去，倒要叫住问他呢。他如今说话越发没了经纬，我故此没叫他了，由他过去罢。”袭人道：“老爷叫他出去。”宝钗听了，忙道：嗳哟！这么黄天暑热的，叫他做什么！别是想起什么来生了气，叫出去教训一场。”袭人笑道：“不是这个，想是有客要会。”宝钗笑道：“这个客也没意思，这么热天，不在家里凉快，还跑些什么！”袭人笑道：“倒是你说说罢。”

寶釵因而問道：“雲丫頭在你們家做什麼呢？”襲人笑道：“才說了一會子閒話。Baochai then asked, "What was Cousin Yun doing over at your place?" Xiren said with a smile, "We were just chatting for a while.你瞧，我前兒粘的那雙鞋，明兒叫他做去。”寶釵聽見這話，便兩邊回頭，看無人來往，便笑道：“你這麼個明白人，怎麼一時半刻的就不會体諒人情。Look, that pair of shoes I basted the other day—I'll have her make them tomorrow." Hearing this, Baochai turned to look both ways, and seeing no one about, said with a smile, "You're usually such a sensible person—how is it that just now you couldn't show a little more consideration for people's feelings.我近來看著雲丫頭神情，再風里言風里語的聽起來，那雲丫頭在家里竟一點兒作不得主。I've been watching Cousin Yun's manner lately, and putting together bits and pieces I've overheard, it seems that at home that girl really has no say in anything at all.他們家嫌費用大，竟不用那些針線上的人，差不多的東西多是他們娘兒們動手。Their family, begrudging the expense, doesn't even keep proper needlework servants—almost everything is done by the women of the family themselves with their own hands.為什麼這幾次他來了，他和我說話兒，見沒人在跟前，他就說家里累的很。Why is it that these last few times she's come, whenever she talks with me and there's no one else around, she always says how exhausted she is at home.我再問他兩句家常過日子的話，他就連眼圈兒都紅了，口里含含糊糊待說不說的。And when I ask her a bit more about everyday household matters, her eyes go red at once, and she starts to speak but trails off, hesitant and unable to say it plainly.想其形景來，自然從小兒沒爹娘的苦。Thinking over her circumstances, it's clearly the bitterness of having lost her parents so young.我看著他，也不覺的傷起心來。”襲人見說這話，將手一拍，說：“是了，是了。Watching her, I can't help but feel sorrowful myself." Hearing this, Xiren clapped her hands together and said, "That's it, that's it.怪道上月我煩他打十根蝴蝶結子，過了那些日子才打發人送來，還說‘打的粗，且在別處能著使罷，要勻淨的，等明兒來住著再好生打罷’。No wonder last month, when I asked her to braid ten butterfly knots for me, it was many days before she had someone send them over, and even then she said, 'They're roughly made—just use them somewhere out of the way for now; if you want them done finely, wait until I come to stay again and I'll do them properly.'如今聽寶姑娘這話，想來我們煩他他不好推辭，不知他在家里怎麼三更半夜的做呢。Now, hearing what you say, Miss Bao, I realize that when we ask things of her she must find it hard to refuse—who knows what hours of the night she has to work at home to get it done.可是我也糊涂了，早知是這樣，我也不煩他了。”寶釵道：“上次他就告訴我，在家里做活做到三更天，若是替別人做一點半點，他家的那些奶奶太太們還不受用呢。”襲人道：“偏生我們那個牛心左性的小爺，憑著小的大的活計，一概不要家里這些活計上的人作。I really was thoughtless—had I known it was like this, I wouldn't have troubled her at all." Baochai said, "Last time she told me herself that at home she works until the third watch of the night, and that if she does even the smallest bit of work for someone else, those aunts and ladies of her household are none too pleased about it." Xiren said, "It's just that our stubborn, willful young master of ours, whatever the task, big or small, absolutely refuses to have any of the needlework servants in the house do it.我又弄不開這些。”寶釵笑道：“你理他呢！And I can't manage to spread the work around either." Baochai said with a smile, "Just ignore him!只管叫人做去，只說是你做的就是了。”襲人笑道：“那里哄的信他，他才是認得出來呢。Simply have someone else do it, and just say you made it yourself, and that will be that." Xiren said with a smile, "How could I ever fool him into believing that—he's the one person who can always tell.說不得我只好慢慢的累去罷了。”寶釵笑道：“你不必忙，我替你作些如何？”襲人笑道：“當真的這樣，就是我的福了。There's nothing for it—I suppose I'll just have to tire myself out with it slowly." Baochai said with a smile, "You needn't rush yourself—how about I do some of it for you?" Xiren said with a smile, "If you really would, that would be my good fortune indeed.晚上我親自送過來。”I'll bring it over to you myself this evening."

宝钗因而问道：“云丫头在你们家做什么呢？”袭人笑道：“才说了一会子闲话。你瞧，我前儿粘的那双鞋，明儿叫他做去。”宝钗听见这话，便两边回头，看无人来往，便笑道：“你这么个明白人，怎么一时半刻的就不会体谅人情。我近来看著云丫头神情，再风里言风里语的听起来，那云丫头在家里竟一点儿作不得主。他们家嫌费用大，竟不用那些针线上的人，差不多的东西多是他们娘儿们动手。为什么这几次他来了，他和我说话儿，见没人在跟前，他就说家里累的很。我再问他两句家常过日子的话，他就连眼圈儿都红了，口里含含糊糊待说不说的。想其形景来，自然从小儿没爹娘的苦。我看著他，也不觉的伤起心来。”袭人见说这话，将手一拍，说：“是了，是了。怪道上月我烦他打十根蝴蝶结子，过了那些日子才打发人送来，还说‘打的粗，且在别处能著使罢，要匀净的，等明儿来住著再好生打罢’。如今听宝姑娘这话，想来我们烦他他不好推辞，不知他在家里怎么三更半夜的做呢。可是我也糊涂了，早知是这样，我也不烦他了。”宝钗道：“上次他就告诉我，在家里做活做到三更天，若是替别人做一点半点，他家的那些奶奶太太们还不受用呢。”袭人道：“偏生我们那个牛心左性的小爷，凭著小的大的活计，一概不要家里这些活计上的人作。我又弄不开这些。”宝钗笑道：“你理他呢！只管叫人做去，只说是你做的就是了。”袭人笑道：“那里哄的信他，他才是认得出来呢。说不得我只好慢慢的累去罢了。”宝钗笑道：“你不必忙，我替你作些如何？”袭人笑道：“当真的这样，就是我的福了。晚上我亲自送过来。”

一句話未了，忽見一個老婆子忙忙走來，說道：“這是那里說起！Before she had even finished speaking, an old woman came hurrying up and said, "Whoever would have thought of such a thing!金釧兒姑娘好好的投井死了！”襲人唬了一跳，忙問”那個金釧兒？”老婆子道：“那里還有兩個金釧兒呢？Miss Jinchuan has gone and drowned herself in the well!" Xiren was startled and quickly asked, "Which Jinchuan?" The old woman said, "How many Jinchuans are there around here?就是太太屋里的。The one from the Mistress's own rooms.前兒不知為什麼攆他出去，在家里哭天哭地的，也都不理會他，誰知找他不見了。The other day, for some reason, she was driven out, and at home she wept and wailed to heaven and earth, but no one paid her any mind—and now, who would have thought, she couldn't be found anywhere.剛才打水的人在那東南角上井里打水，見一個尸首，赶著叫人打撈起來，誰知是他。Just now the people fetching water at the well in the southeast corner drew up a body, and when they hurried to have it pulled out, it turned out to be her."他們家里還只管亂著要救活，那里中用了！”寶釵道：“這也奇了。”襲人聽說，點頭贊歎，想素日同氣之情，不覺流下淚來。"Her family is still in an uproar trying to revive her—what use could that be!" Baochai said, "That is strange indeed." Hearing this, Xiren nodded and sighed, and thinking of their long friendship and shared feeling, could not help shedding tears.寶釵聽見這話，忙向王夫人處來道安慰。Hearing this, Baochai hurried to Lady Wang's quarters to offer words of comfort.這里襲人回去不提。Here we leave Xiren, who returned to her own place, without further mention.

一句话未了，忽见一个老婆子忙忙走来，说道：“这是那里说起！金钏儿姑娘好好的投井死了！”袭人唬了一跳，忙问”那个金钏儿？”老婆子道：“那里还有两个金钏儿呢？就是太太屋里的。前儿不知为什么撵他出去，在家里哭天哭地的，也都不理会他，谁知找他不见了。刚才打水的人在那东南角上井里打水，见一个尸首，赶著叫人打捞起来，谁知是他。他们家里还只管乱著要救活，那里中用了！”宝钗道：“这也奇了。”袭人听说，点头赞叹，想素日同气之情，不觉流下泪来。宝钗听见这话，忙向王夫人处来道安慰。这里袭人回去不提。

卻說寶釵來至王夫人處，只見鴉雀無聞，獨有王夫人在里間房內坐著垂淚。Now to tell of Baochai: when she arrived at Lady Wang's, all was silent as if not a crow or sparrow stirred, and only Lady Wang sat alone in the inner room, weeping.寶釵便不好提這事，只得一旁坐了。Baochai found it awkward to bring up the matter, and so simply sat down to one side.王夫人便問：“你從那里來？”寶釵道：“從園里來。”王夫人道：“你從園里來，可見你寶兄弟？”寶釵道：“才倒看見了。Lady Wang then asked, "Where have you come from?" Baochai said, "From the garden." Lady Wang said, "You've come from the garden—did you happen to see your cousin Baoyu?" Baochai said, "I did see him just now.他穿了衣服出去了，不知那里去。”王夫人點頭哭道：“你可知道一樁奇事？He had gotten dressed and gone out; I don't know where he went." Lady Wang nodded and said through her tears, "Do you know of a strange thing that has happened?金釧兒忽然投井死了！”寶釵見說，道：“怎麼好好的投井？Jinchuan suddenly threw herself into the well and died!" Hearing this, Baochai said, "How could she throw herself into the well for no reason?這也奇了。”王夫人道：“原是前兒他把我一件東西弄坏了，我一時生氣，打了他幾下，攆了他下去。That is strange indeed." Lady Wang said, "It was because the other day she ruined something of mine, and I, in a moment of anger, struck her a few times and sent her away.我只說氣他兩天，還叫他上來，誰知他這麼氣性大，就投井死了。I only meant to be angry with her for a couple of days and then have her back again—who would have thought her temper was so fierce that she'd go and throw herself into the well.豈不是我的罪過。”寶釵歎道：“姨娘是慈善人，固然這麼想。Isn't this my own fault?" Baochai sighed and said, "Aunt, you are a kind and compassionate person, so naturally you think this way.据我看來，他并不是賭氣投井。But as I see it, she surely did not throw herself into the well out of spite.多半他下去住著，或是在井跟前憨頑，失了腳掉下去的。Most likely, after going down to stay there, she was fooling around near the well and lost her footing and fell in.他在上頭拘束慣了，這一出去，自然要到各處去頑頑逛逛，豈有這樣大氣的理！She had been used to being kept under strict rules up here, and once she got out, she would naturally want to wander about and amuse herself here and there—how could she possibly have been in such a towering rage!縱然有這樣大氣，也不過是個糊涂人，也不為可惜。”王夫人點頭歎道：“這話雖然如此說，到底我心不安。”寶釵歎道：“姨娘也不必念念于茲，十分過不去，不過多賞他幾兩銀子發送他，也就盡主僕之情了。”王夫人道：“剛才我賞了他娘五十兩銀子，原要還把你妹妹們的新衣服拿兩套給他妝裹。And even if she were in such a rage, she would only be a foolish person, not worth grieving over." Lady Wang nodded and sighed, "What you say may be true, but still my heart is not at ease." Baochai sighed and said, "Aunt, there is no need to dwell on it so, or to be so distressed over it—just give her family a few more taels of silver extra to see to her burial, and that will fulfill the bond between mistress and servant." Lady Wang said, "Just now I gave her mother fifty taels of silver, and I meant also to take two sets of new clothes from among your girl cousins' things to dress her body for the coffin.誰知鳳丫頭說可巧都沒什麼新做的衣服，只有你林妹妹作生日的兩套。Who would have thought that Feng girl said as it happened there were no new-made clothes at all, except the two sets made for your cousin Lin's birthday.我想你林妹妹那個孩子素日是個有心的，況且他也三災八難的，既說了給他過生日，這會子又給人妝裹去，豈不忌諱。I thought that your cousin Lin, being the sensitive child she usually is, and moreover being one who has suffered many small misfortunes and illnesses—since these were already spoken of as being for her birthday, to now use them to dress a corpse would surely be inauspicious.因為這麼樣，我現叫裁縫赶兩套給他。For this reason, I have now told the tailor to hurry and make two sets for her.要是別的丫頭，賞他幾兩銀子就完了，只是金釧兒雖然是個丫頭，素日在我跟前比我的女兒也差不多。”口里說著，不覺淚下。If it were any other maid, a few taels of silver in reward would be the end of it, but Jinchuan, although only a maidservant, was in my daily life almost like a daughter to me." Even as she spoke, she could not help shedding tears.寶釵忙道：“姨娘這會子又何用叫裁縫赶去，我前兒倒做了兩套，拿來給他豈不省事。Baochai quickly said, "Aunt, why trouble the tailor to rush them now? I happen to have had two sets made the other day myself—wouldn't it save trouble to bring those for her?況且他活著的時候也穿過我的舊衣服，身量又相對。”王夫人道：“雖然這樣，難道你不忌諱？”寶釵笑道：“姨娘放心，我從來不計較這些。”一面說，一面起身就走。Besides, while she was alive she also used to wear my old clothes, and our builds are much the same." Lady Wang said, "Even so, wouldn't you find it inauspicious?" Baochai smiled and said, "Aunt, set your mind at ease—I have never troubled myself over such things." So saying, she rose at once and went off.王夫人忙叫了兩個人來跟寶姑娘去。Lady Wang quickly called two servants to go along with Miss Bao.

却说宝钗来至王夫人处，只见鸦雀无闻，独有王夫人在里间房内坐著垂泪。宝钗便不好提这事，只得一旁坐了。王夫人便问：“你从那里来？”宝钗道：“从园里来。”王夫人道：“你从园里来，可见你宝兄弟？”宝钗道：“才倒看见了。他穿了衣服出去了，不知那里去。”王夫人点头哭道：“你可知道一桩奇事？金钏儿忽然投井死了！”宝钗见说，道：“怎么好好的投井？这也奇了。”王夫人道：“原是前儿他把我一件东西弄坏了，我一时生气，打了他几下，撵了他下去。我只说气他两天，还叫他上来，谁知他这么气性大，就投井死了。岂不是我的罪过。”宝钗叹道：“姨娘是慈善人，固然这么想。据我看来，他并不是赌气投井。多半他下去住著，或是在井跟前憨顽，失了脚掉下去的。他在上头拘束惯了，这一出去，自然要到各处去顽顽逛逛，岂有这样大气的理！纵然有这样大气，也不过是个糊涂人，也不为可惜。”王夫人点头叹道：“这话虽然如此说，到底我心不安。”宝钗叹道：“姨娘也不必念念于兹，十分过不去，不过多赏他几两银子发送他，也就尽主仆之情了。”王夫人道：“刚才我赏了他娘五十两银子，原要还把你妹妹们的新衣服拿两套给他妆裹。谁知凤丫头说可巧都没什么新做的衣服，只有你林妹妹作生日的两套。我想你林妹妹那个孩子素日是个有心的，况且他也三灾八难的，既说了给他过生日，这会子又给人妆裹去，岂不忌讳。因为这么样，我现叫裁缝赶两套给他。要是别的丫头，赏他几两银子就完了，只是金钏儿虽然是个丫头，素日在我跟前比我的女儿也差不多。”口里说著，不觉泪下。宝钗忙道：“姨娘这会子又何用叫裁缝赶去，我前儿倒做了两套，拿来给他岂不省事。况且他活著的时候也穿过我的旧衣服，身量又相对。”王夫人道：“虽然这样，难道你不忌讳？”宝钗笑道：“姨娘放心，我从来不计较这些。”一面说，一面起身就走。王夫人忙叫了两个人来跟宝姑娘去。

一時寶釵取了衣服回來，只見寶玉在王夫人旁邊坐著垂淚。In a little while Baochai fetched the clothes and returned, only to find Baoyu sitting beside Lady Wang, weeping.王夫人正才說他，因寶釵來了，卻掩了口不說了。Lady Wang had just been scolding him, but seeing Baochai arrive, she covered her mouth and said no more.寶釵見此光景，察言觀色，早知覺了八分，于是將衣服交割明白。Seeing this scene, Baochai, reading their words and expressions, already sensed most of what had happened, and so she simply handed over the clothes and made everything clear.王夫人將他母親叫來拿了去。Lady Wang then called Jinchuan's mother to come and take them away.再看下回便知。What follows will be told in the next chapter.

一时宝钗取了衣服回来，只见宝玉在王夫人旁边坐著垂泪。王夫人正才说他，因宝钗来了，却掩了口不说了。宝钗见此光景，察言观色，早知觉了八分，于是将衣服交割明白。王夫人将他母亲叫来拿了去。再看下回便知。