第五十二回　俏平兒情掩蝦須鐲　勇晴雯病補雀金裘 Pretty Ping'er Conceals the Theft of a Bracelet; Brave Qingwen Mends a Peacock-Gold Cloak While Ill

賈母道：“正是這話了。Grandmother Jia said, "That's exactly it.上次我要說這話，我見你們的大事多，如今又添出這些事來，你們固然不敢抱怨，未免想著我只顧疼這些小孫子孫女兒們，就不体貼你們這當家人了。I meant to say this before, but I saw how many great matters you all had on your hands, and now still more troubles have come up besides — you certainly wouldn't dare complain, but you might well have thought I only doted on these little grandsons and granddaughters and gave no thought to you who manage the household.你既這麼說出來，更好了。”因此時薛姨媽李嬸都在座，邢夫人及尤氏婆媳也都過來請安，還未過去，賈母向王夫人等說道：“今兒我才說這話，素日我不說，一則怕逞了鳳丫頭的臉，二則眾人不伏。Since you've said it yourself now, so much the better." Since Aunt Xue and Mrs. Li were both present at the time, and Lady Xing and You-shi and her daughter-in-law had also come over to pay their respects, and had not yet left, Grandmother Jia said to Lady Wang and the others, "It's only today that I say this; ordinarily I don't, first because I feared it would go to Xifeng's head, and second because the others wouldn't be won over.今日你們都在這里，都是經過妯娌姑嫂的，還有他這樣想的到的沒有？”薛姨媽，李嬸，尤氏等齊笑說：“真個少有。Now that you are all here today, all of you who have been through the experience of sisters-in-law and cousins by marriage — has there ever been another who thought of things this thoroughly?" Aunt Xue, Mrs. Li, and You-shi all laughed and said together, "Truly, few indeed.別人不過是禮上面子情兒，實在他是真疼小叔子小姑子。With others it's no more than a matter of surface courtesy, but she genuinely dotes on her husband's younger brothers and sisters.就是老太太跟前，也是真孝順。”賈母點頭歎道：“我雖疼他，我又怕他太伶俐也不是好事。”鳳姐兒忙笑道：“這話老祖宗說差了。And even toward Old Ancestress she is truly filial." Grandmother Jia nodded and sighed, "Much as I dote on her, I do fear that being too clever is not necessarily a good thing." Xifeng hastened to say with a smile, "There Old Ancestress is mistaken.世人都說太伶俐聰明，怕活不長。People all say that being too clever and sharp means one won't live long.世人都說得，人人都信，獨老祖宗不當說，不當信。Everyone says it, and everyone believes it — only Old Ancestress ought not to say it, ought not to believe it.老祖宗只有伶俐聰明過我十倍的，怎麼如今這樣福壽雙全的？Old Ancestress is ten times more clever and sharp than I am — how is it then that you now enjoy such fullness of blessing and long life?只怕我明兒還胜老祖宗一倍呢！I daresay tomorrow I shall even surpass Old Ancestress twice over!我活一千歲後，等老祖宗歸了西，我才死呢。”賈母笑道：“眾人都死了，單剩下咱們兩個老妖精，有什麼意思。”說的眾人都笑了。I'll live to be a thousand, and only after Old Ancestress has gone West will I die." Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "When everyone else has died and only the two of us old monsters are left, what fun would that be?" This set everyone laughing.

贾母道：“正是这话了。上次我要说这话，我见你们的大事多，如今又添出这些事来，你们固然不敢抱怨，未免想著我只顾疼这些小孙子孙女儿们，就不体贴你们这当家人了。你既这么说出来，更好了。”因此时薛姨妈李婶都在座，邢夫人及尤氏婆媳也都过来请安，还未过去，贾母向王夫人等说道：“今儿我才说这话，素日我不说，一则怕逞了凤丫头的脸，二则众人不伏。今日你们都在这里，都是经过妯娌姑嫂的，还有他这样想的到的没有？”薛姨妈，李婶，尤氏等齐笑说：“真个少有。别人不过是礼上面子情儿，实在他是真疼小叔子小姑子。就是老太太跟前，也是真孝顺。”贾母点头叹道：“我虽疼他，我又怕他太伶俐也不是好事。”凤姐儿忙笑道：“这话老祖宗说差了。世人都说太伶俐聪明，怕活不长。世人都说得，人人都信，独老祖宗不当说，不当信。老祖宗只有伶俐聪明过我十倍的，怎么如今这样福寿双全的？只怕我明儿还胜老祖宗一倍呢！我活一千岁后，等老祖宗归了西，我才死呢。”贾母笑道：“众人都死了，单剩下咱们两个老妖精，有什么意思。”说的众人都笑了。

寶玉因記挂著晴雯襲人等事，便先回園里來。Baoyu, his mind occupied with the matter of Qingwen and Xiren, went back to the Garden ahead of the others.到房中，藥香滿屋，一人不見，只見晴雯獨臥于炕上，臉面燒的飛紅，又摸了一摸，只覺燙手。When he reached his room, the air was thick with the smell of medicine, and not a soul was to be seen; only Qingwen lay alone on the kang, her face burning bright red. He touched her again and found her hand scalding hot.忙又向爐上將手烘暖，伸進被去摸了一摸身上，也是火燒。He hurried to the brazier to warm his hands, then reached under the quilt to feel her body — it too was burning like fire.因說道：“別人去了也罷，麝月秋紋也這樣無情，各自去了？”晴雯道：“秋紋是我攆了他去吃飯的，麝月是方才平兒來找他出去了。So he said, "Never mind the others being gone, but how can even Sheyue and Qiuwen be so heartless as to go off on their own?" Qingwen said, "I sent Qiuwen off myself to eat. As for Sheyue, Ping'er came just now and called her out.兩人鬼鬼祟祟的，不知說什麼。The two of them were being furtive and mysterious about it, and I don't know what they were saying.必是說我病了不出去。”寶玉道：“平兒不是那樣人。It must be that they were saying I'm ill and won't be going out." Baoyu said, "Ping'er isn't that sort of person.況且他并不知你病特來瞧你，想來一定是找麝月來說話，偶然見你病了，隨口說特瞧你的病，這也是人情乖覺取和的常事。Besides, she didn't even know you were ill, so she didn't come specially to see you — it was probably that she came looking for Sheyue to talk to her, and happened to notice you were ill, and said in passing that she'd come specially to see about your illness. That's just an ordinary bit of tact, the kind people use to keep on good terms.便不出去，有不是，與他何干？Even if she didn't come out to see you, where's the wrong in that, and what would it have to do with her?你們素日又好，斷不肯為這無干的事傷和氣。”晴雯道：“這話也是，只是疑他為什麼忽然間瞞起我來。”寶玉笑道：“讓我從後門出去，到那窗根下聽聽說些什麼，來告訴你。”說著，果然從後門出去，至窗下潛聽。You two have always gotten along well besides — she would certainly never spoil good feelings over such an unrelated matter." Qingwen said, "That's true enough, only I do wonder why she suddenly took to hiding things from me." Baoyu said with a smile, "Let me slip out the back door and listen under that window to what they're saying, then come tell you." So saying, he did indeed go out by the back door and crept up to listen beneath the window.

宝玉因记挂著晴雯袭人等事，便先回园里来。到房中，药香满屋，一人不见，只见晴雯独卧于炕上，脸面烧的飞红，又摸了一摸，只觉烫手。忙又向炉上将手烘暖，伸进被去摸了一摸身上，也是火烧。因说道：“别人去了也罢，麝月秋纹也这样无情，各自去了？”晴雯道：“秋纹是我撵了他去吃饭的，麝月是方才平儿来找他出去了。两人鬼鬼祟祟的，不知说什么。必是说我病了不出去。”宝玉道：“平儿不是那样人。况且他并不知你病特来瞧你，想来一定是找麝月来说话，偶然见你病了，随口说特瞧你的病，这也是人情乖觉取和的常事。便不出去，有不是，与他何干？你们素日又好，断不肯为这无干的事伤和气。”晴雯道：“这话也是，只是疑他为什么忽然间瞒起我来。”宝玉笑道：“让我从后门出去，到那窗根下听听说些什么，来告诉你。”说著，果然从后门出去，至窗下潜听。

只聞麝月悄問道：“你怎麼就得了的？”平兒道：“那日洗手時不見了，二奶奶就不許吵嚷，出了園子，即刻就傳給園里各處的媽媽們小心查訪。He heard only Sheyue ask quietly, "How ever did you get it back?" Ping'er said, "That day when we were washing our hands it went missing. Second Mistress wouldn't allow any fuss to be made about it; once she was out of the Garden she immediately sent word to all the old nannies throughout the Garden to make careful, quiet inquiries.我們只疑惑邢姑娘的丫頭，本來又窮，只怕小孩子家沒見過，拿了起來也是有的。We suspected it might be one of Miss Xing's maids, since she is poor besides, and thought perhaps the child, never having seen such a thing, might well have picked it up out of curiosity.再不料定是你們這里的。We never expected it would turn out to be someone from your quarters.幸而二奶奶沒有在屋里，你們這里的宋媽媽去了，拿著這支鐲子，說是小丫頭子墜兒偷起來的，被他看見，來回二奶奶的。Luckily Second Mistress wasn't in the room — Mama Song from your place came in, holding the bracelet, saying it was little Zhui'er who had stolen it; she'd caught her at it and come to report it to Second Mistress.我赶著忙接了鐲子，想了一想：寶玉是偏在你們身上留心用意，爭胜要強的，那一年有一個良兒偷玉，剛冷了一二年間，還有人提起來趁願，這會子又跑出一個偷金子的來了。I hurried over and took the bracelet from her, and thought it over: Baoyu has always been especially attentive and careful about anyone connected with you, always wanting to come out ahead — that year when Liang'er stole the jade, it had barely cooled down for a year or two and people still bring it up with relish now and then, and here another theft has cropped up, this time of gold.而且更偷到街坊家去了。And what's more, stolen right into a neighboring household's hands.偏是他這樣，偏是他的人打嘴。Of all people it had to be her, and of all people it had to be someone from your own household who let the family name down.所以我倒忙叮嚀宋媽，千萬別告訴寶玉，只當沒有這事，別和一個人提起。So I hurried to caution Mama Song — on no account tell Baoyu, just act as if nothing had happened, and don't breathe a word of it to anyone.第二件，老太太，太太聽了也生氣。Second, if Old Ancestress and Madam were to hear of it, they'd be angry too.三則襲人和你們也不好看。Third, it wouldn't look good for Xiren or the rest of you either.所以我回二奶奶，只說：‘我往大奶奶那里去的，誰知鐲子褪了口，丟在草根底下，雪深了沒看見。So when I reported to Second Mistress, I only said, 'I was on my way to Elder Mistress's place when I noticed the clasp of the bracelet had come loose, and it had fallen among the grass roots; the snow was too deep and I didn't see it.今兒雪化盡了，黃澄澄的映著日頭，還在那里呢，我就揀了起來。’二奶奶也就信了，所以我來告訴你們。Today the snow has all melted, and there it was, glinting gold in the sunlight — I just picked it up.' Second Mistress believed it, and that's why I've come to tell you two.你們以後防著他些，別使喚他到別處去。From now on keep a closer eye on her, and don't send her out on errands elsewhere.等襲人回來，你們商議著，變個法子打發出去就完了。”麝月道：“這小娼婦也見過些東西，怎麼這麼眼皮子淺。”平兒道：“究竟這鐲子能多少重，原是二奶奶說的，這叫做‘蝦鬚鐲’，倒是這顆珠子還罷了。When Xiren gets back, the two of you can talk it over and find some way to send her off, and that will settle the matter." Sheyue said, "That little wretch has seen plenty of fine things before — how can she be so shallow and grasping?" Ping'er said, "After all, how much can this bracelet be worth? As Second Mistress herself said, this is what's called a 'shrimp-whisker bracelet' — it's only the pearl on it that's worth anything.晴雯那蹄子是塊爆炭，要告訴了他，他是忍不住的。That creature Qingwen is a regular firecracker — if she were told, she'd never be able to hold herself back.一時氣了，或打或罵，依舊嚷出來不好，所以單告訴你留心就是了。”說著便作辭而去。In a fit of temper she'd either beat the girl or scold her, and it would still get out and make things worse, so I've told only you to keep an eye on things, and that's enough." With that she took her leave and went off.

只闻麝月悄问道：“你怎么就得了的？”平儿道：“那日洗手时不见了，二奶奶就不许吵嚷，出了园子，即刻就传给园里各处的妈妈们小心查访。我们只疑惑邢姑娘的丫头，本来又穷，只怕小孩子家没见过，拿了起来也是有的。再不料定是你们这里的。幸而二奶奶没有在屋里，你们这里的宋妈妈去了，拿著这支镯子，说是小丫头子坠儿偷起来的，被他看见，来回二奶奶的。我赶著忙接了镯子，想了一想：宝玉是偏在你们身上留心用意，争胜要强的，那一年有一个良儿偷玉，刚冷了一二年间，还有人提起来趁愿，这会子又跑出一个偷金子的来了。而且更偷到街坊家去了。偏是他这样，偏是他的人打嘴。所以我倒忙叮咛宋妈，千万别告诉宝玉，只当没有这事，别和一个人提起。第二件，老太太，太太听了也生气。三则袭人和你们也不好看。所以我回二奶奶，只说：‘我往大奶奶那里去的，谁知镯子褪了口，丢在草根底下，雪深了没看见。今儿雪化尽了，黄澄澄的映著日头，还在那里呢，我就拣了起来。’二奶奶也就信了，所以我来告诉你们。你们以后防著他些，别使唤他到别处去。等袭人回来，你们商议著，变个法子打发出去就完了。”麝月道：“这小娼妇也见过些东西，怎么这么眼皮子浅。”平儿道：“究竟这镯子能多少重，原是二奶奶说的，这叫做‘虾须镯’，倒是这颗珠子还罢了。晴雯那蹄子是块爆炭，要告诉了他，他是忍不住的。一时气了，或打或骂，依旧嚷出来不好，所以单告诉你留心就是了。”说著便作辞而去。

寶玉聽了，又喜又氣又歎。Hearing all this, Baoyu felt glad, angry, and moved to sighing all at once.喜的是平兒竟能体貼自己，氣的是墜兒小竊，歎的是墜兒那樣一個伶俐人，作出這丑事來。Glad that Ping'er should think of him so considerately; angry that Zhui'er should stoop to petty thieving; and sighing that someone as clever as Zhui'er should have done something so shameful.因而回至房中，把平兒之話一長一短告訴了晴雯。So he went back to his room and told Qingwen everything Ping'er had said, from beginning to end.又說：“他說你是個要強的，如今病著，聽了這話越發要添病，等好了再告訴你。”晴雯聽了，果然氣的蛾眉倒蹙，鳳眼圓睜，即時就叫墜兒。He added, "She said you're the sort who can't bear to lose face, and that since you're ill now, hearing this would only make your illness worse — she'd wait till you were better to tell you." On hearing this, Qingwen's moth-eyebrows knit in anger, her phoenix eyes flew wide open, and she at once called for Zhui'er.寶玉忙勸道：“你這一喊出來，豈不辜負了平兒待你我之心了。Baoyu hurried to stop her, saying, "If you make a scene over this now, won't it be turning your back on all the thoughtful care Ping'er has shown you and me?不如領他這個情，過後打發他就完了。”晴雯道：“雖如此說，只是這口氣如何忍得！”寶玉道：“這有什麼氣的？Better to accept her kindness for now, and settle Zhui'er's business quietly later." Qingwen said, "That may be so, but how can I swallow this anger!" Baoyu said, "What is there to be angry about?你只養病就是了。”Just concentrate on getting well."

宝玉听了，又喜又气又叹。喜的是平儿竟能体贴自己，气的是坠儿小窃，叹的是坠儿那样一个伶俐人，作出这丑事来。因而回至房中，把平儿之话一长一短告诉了晴雯。又说：“他说你是个要强的，如今病著，听了这话越发要添病，等好了再告诉你。”晴雯听了，果然气的蛾眉倒蹙，凤眼圆睁，即时就叫坠儿。宝玉忙劝道：“你这一喊出来，岂不辜负了平儿待你我之心了。不如领他这个情，过后打发他就完了。”晴雯道：“虽如此说，只是这口气如何忍得！”宝玉道：“这有什么气的？你只养病就是了。”

晴雯服了藥，至晚間又服二和，夜間雖有些汗，還未見效，仍是發燒，頭疼鼻塞聲重。Qingwen took her medicine, and by evening took a second dose; in the night she sweated a little, but there was still no improvement — she remained feverish, with a headache and a heavy, stuffed-up nose.次日，王太醫又來診視，另加減湯劑。The next day, Doctor Wang came again to examine her and adjusted the decoction accordingly.雖然稍減了燒，仍是頭疼。Though the fever had eased somewhat, the headache remained.寶玉便命麝月：“取鼻煙來，給他嗅些痛打幾個嚏噴，就通了關竅。”麝月果真去取了一個金鑲雙扣金星玻璃的一個扁盒來，遞與寶玉。Baoyu then told Sheyue, "Fetch the snuff — let her take a sniff and sneeze hard a few times, and that will clear her passages." Sheyue did indeed go and fetch a flat box of gold-inlaid glass with a double gold clasp studded with gold stars, and handed it to Baoyu.寶玉便揭翻盒扇，里面有西洋琺琅的黃髮赤身女子，兩肋又有肉翅，里面盛著些真正汪恰洋煙。Baoyu opened the lid of the box; inside, on a Western enamel design, was a fair-haired nude woman with fleshy wings at her sides, and within was packed genuine foreign snuff of the finest kind.晴雯只顧看畫兒，寶玉道：“嗅些，走了氣就不好了。”晴雯聽說，忙用指甲挑了些嗅入鼻中，不怎樣。Qingwen was absorbed in looking at the picture, when Baoyu said, "Sniff some, or it will lose its potency once exposed to air." At this Qingwen quickly scooped up a little with her fingernail and sniffed it into her nose — it had no great effect.便又多多挑了些嗅入。So she scooped up a good deal more and sniffed it in.忽覺鼻中一股酸辣透入囟門，接連打了五六個嚏噴，眼淚鼻涕登時齊流。Suddenly she felt a pungent, sour-hot sensation shoot straight up through the crown of her head, and in quick succession she sneezed five or six times, tears and mucus streaming from her eyes and nose at once.晴雯忙收了盒子，笑道：“了不得，好爽快！Qingwen hastily put the box away and said with a laugh, "Goodness, what a relief!拿紙來。”早有小丫頭子遞過一搭子細紙，晴雯便一張一張的拿來醒鼻子。Bring me some paper." A little maid had already handed over a stack of fine paper, and Qingwen took sheet after sheet to wipe her nose.寶玉笑問：“如何？”晴雯笑道：“果覺通快些，只是太陽還疼。”寶玉笑道：“越性盡用西洋藥治一治，只怕就好了。”說著，便命麝月：“和二奶奶要去，就說我說了：姐姐那里常有那西洋貼頭疼的膏子藥，叫做‘依弗哪’，找尋一點兒。”麝月答應了，去了半日，果拿了半節來。Baoyu asked with a smile, "How is it now?" Qingwen said with a smile, "It really does feel clearer, only my temples still ache." Baoyu said with a smile, "Might as well go all the way and treat it with Western medicine too — that will probably cure it." So saying, he told Sheyue, "Go and ask Second Mistress for some; tell her I said that she often has that Western headache plaster called 'Yifuna' — find a bit of it." Sheyue agreed and went off; after quite a while she indeed came back with half a stick of it.便去找了一塊紅緞子角兒，鉸了兩塊指頂大的圓式，將那藥烤和了，用簪挺攤上。She then found a scrap of red satin, cut two round pieces about the size of a fingertip, warmed the medicine and blended it, and spread it on with the flat end of a hairpin.晴雯自拿著一面靶鏡，貼在兩太陽上。Qingwen herself took a hand mirror and pressed the plasters onto her two temples.麝月笑道：“病的蓬頭鬼一樣，如今貼了這個，倒俏皮了。Sheyue said with a laugh, "When you're sick you look like a disheveled ghost, but now that you've stuck these on, you actually look rather fetching.二奶奶貼慣了，倒不大顯。”說畢，又向寶玉道：“二奶奶說了：明日是舅老爺生日，太太說了叫你去呢。Second Mistress is so used to wearing them that they hardly show on her at all." Having said this, she turned to Baoyu and said, "Second Mistress said: tomorrow is your uncle's birthday, and Madam said you're to go.明兒穿什麼衣裳？What clothes will you wear tomorrow?今兒晚上好打點齊備了，省得明兒早起費手。”寶玉道：“什麼順手就是什麼罷了。Better to have everything laid out and ready tonight, so as to save the bother of scrambling in the morning." Baoyu said, "Whatever comes to hand will do.一年鬧生日也鬧不清。”說著，便起身出房，往惜春房中去看畫。A whole year of birthdays and one still can't keep them all straight." So saying, he rose and left the room, heading to Xichun's quarters to look at the painting.

晴雯服了药，至晚间又服二和，夜间虽有些汗，还未见效，仍是发烧，头疼鼻塞声重。次日，王太医又来诊视，另加减汤剂。虽然稍减了烧，仍是头疼。宝玉便命麝月：“取鼻烟来，给他嗅些痛打几个嚏喷，就通了关窍。”麝月果真去取了一个金镶双扣金星玻璃的一个扁盒来，递与宝玉。宝玉便揭翻盒扇，里面有西洋珐琅的黄发赤身女子，两肋又有肉翅，里面盛著些真正汪恰洋烟。晴雯只顾看画儿，宝玉道：“嗅些，走了气就不好了。”晴雯听说，忙用指甲挑了些嗅入鼻中，不怎样。便又多多挑了些嗅入。忽觉鼻中一股酸辣透入囟门，接连打了五六个嚏喷，眼泪鼻涕登时齐流。晴雯忙收了盒子，笑道：“了不得，好爽快！拿纸来。”早有小丫头子递过一搭子细纸，晴雯便一张一张的拿来醒鼻子。宝玉笑问：“如何？”晴雯笑道：“果觉通快些，只是太阳还疼。”宝玉笑道：“越性尽用西洋药治一治，只怕就好了。”说著，便命麝月：“和二奶奶要去，就说我说了：姐姐那里常有那西洋贴头疼的膏子药，叫做‘依弗哪’，找寻一点儿。”麝月答应了，去了半日，果拿了半节来。便去找了一块红缎子角儿，铰了两块指顶大的圆式，将那药烤和了，用簪挺摊上。晴雯自拿著一面靶镜，贴在两太阳上。麝月笑道：“病的蓬头鬼一样，如今贴了这个，倒俏皮了。二奶奶贴惯了，倒不大显。”说毕，又向宝玉道：“二奶奶说了：明日是舅老爷生日，太太说了叫你去呢。明儿穿什么衣裳？今儿晚上好打点齐备了，省得明儿早起费手。”宝玉道：“什么顺手就是什么罢了。一年闹生日也闹不清。”说著，便起身出房，往惜春房中去看画。

剛到院門外邊，忽見寶琴的小丫鬟名小螺者從那邊過去，寶玉忙赶上問：“那去？”小螺笑道：“我們二位姑娘都在林姑娘房里呢，我如今也往那里去。”寶玉聽了，轉步也便同他往瀟湘館來。Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he happened to see Baoqin's little maid, called Xiaoluo, passing by on the other side. Baoyu hurried after her and asked, "Where are you off to?" Xiaoluo said with a smile, "Both our young ladies are over at Miss Lin's place, and I'm on my way there too." On hearing this, Baoyu turned and went along with her toward Xiaoxiang Pavilion.不但寶釵姊妹在此，且連邢岫煙也在那里，四人圍坐在熏籠上敘家常。Not only were Baochai and her cousin there, but even Xing Xiuyan was present, the four of them sitting together around the hand-warming brazier, chatting of everyday matters.紫鵑倒坐在暖閣里，臨窗作針黹。Zijuan sat in the warm alcove by the window, doing needlework.一見他來，都笑說：“又來了一個！The moment they saw him come in, they all laughed and said, "Here's another one come!可沒了你的坐處了。”寶玉笑道：“好一幅‘冬閨集艷圖’！There'll be no seat left for you." Baoyu said with a smile, "What a splendid 'Picture of Beauties Gathered in the Winter Chamber'!可惜我遲來了一步。What a pity I've come a step too late.橫豎這屋子比各屋子暖，這椅子坐著并不冷。”說著，便坐在黛玉常坐的搭著灰鼠椅搭的一張椅上。In any case this room is warmer than any of the others, so this chair won't feel cold to sit in." So saying, he sat down in the chair with the squirrel-fur chair-back that Daiyu usually sat in.因見暖閣之中有一玉石條盆，里面攢三聚五栽著一盆單瓣水仙，點著宣石，便极口贊：“好花！Noticing a jade-stone trough in the warm alcove, planted in clusters of three and five with a pot of single-petaled narcissus, set off with Xuan stones, he praised it warmly: "What lovely flowers!這屋子越發暖，這花香的越清香。This room grows all the warmer, and the flowers all the more fragrantly clear.昨日未見。”黛玉因說道：“這是你家的大總管賴大嬸子送薛二姑娘的，兩盆腊梅，兩盆水仙。I didn't see them yesterday." Daiyu then said, "These were sent by your household's chief steward's wife, Aunt Lai Da, as a gift to Cousin Xue the Second — two pots of wintersweet and two pots of narcissus.他送了我一盆水仙，他送了蕉丫頭一盆腊梅。She gave me one pot of narcissus, and gave Jiao-yatou one pot of wintersweet.我原不要的，又恐辜負了他的心。I didn't really want it, but I was afraid of disappointing her feelings.你若要，我轉送你如何？”寶玉道：“我屋里卻有兩盆，只是不及這個。If you'd like it, shall I pass it on to you instead?" Baoyu said, "I already have two pots in my room, though not as fine as this one.琴妹妹送你的，如何又轉送人，這個斷使不得。”黛玉道：“我一日藥吊子不離火，我竟是藥培著呢，那里還擱的住花香來熏？Since Cousin Qin gave it to you, how could you go and pass it on to someone else? That simply won't do." Daiyu said, "Not a day goes by that the medicine kettle leaves the fire in my room — I'm practically nourished on medicine as it is, so how could I bear to have flower fragrance mixed in on top of that?越發弱了。It would only make me weaker still.況且這屋子里一股藥香，反把這花香攪坏了。Besides, this room is already full of the smell of medicine, which would only spoil the flowers' fragrance.不如你抬了去，這花也清淨了，沒雜味來攪他。”寶玉笑道：“我屋里今兒也有病人煎藥呢，你怎麼知道的？”黛玉笑道：“這話奇了，我原是無心的話，誰知你屋里的事？Better that you carry them off — then the flowers can stay clean and untainted, with no mixed smells to disturb them." Baoyu said with a smile, "There happens to be someone sick in my room too, taking medicine today — how did you know that?" Daiyu said with a smile, "What a strange thing to say — I only spoke offhand; how would I know anything about what goes on in your room?你不早來聽說古記，這會子來了，自驚自怪的。”You didn't come earlier to hear the old tale being told, and now that you've come, you're startling and alarming yourself over nothing."

刚到院门外边，忽见宝琴的小丫鬟名小螺者从那边过去，宝玉忙赶上问：“那去？”小螺笑道：“我们二位姑娘都在林姑娘房里呢，我如今也往那里去。”宝玉听了，转步也便同他往潇湘馆来。不但宝钗姊妹在此，且连邢岫烟也在那里，四人围坐在熏笼上叙家常。紫鹃倒坐在暖阁里，临窗作针黹。一见他来，都笑说：“又来了一个！可没了你的坐处了。”宝玉笑道：“好一幅‘冬闺集艳图’！可惜我迟来了一步。横竖这屋子比各屋子暖，这椅子坐著并不冷。”说著，便坐在黛玉常坐的搭著灰鼠椅搭的一张椅上。因见暖阁之中有一玉石条盆，里面攒三聚五栽著一盆单瓣水仙，点著宣石，便极口赞：“好花！这屋子越发暖，这花香的越清香。昨日未见。”黛玉因说道：“这是你家的大总管赖大婶子送薛二姑娘的，两盆腊梅，两盆水仙。他送了我一盆水仙，他送了蕉丫头一盆腊梅。我原不要的，又恐辜负了他的心。你若要，我转送你如何？”宝玉道：“我屋里却有两盆，只是不及这个。琴妹妹送你的，如何又转送人，这个断使不得。”黛玉道：“我一日药吊子不离火，我竟是药培著呢，那里还搁的住花香来熏？越发弱了。况且这屋子里一股药香，反把这花香搅坏了。不如你抬了去，这花也清净了，没杂味来搅他。”宝玉笑道：“我屋里今儿也有病人煎药呢，你怎么知道的？”黛玉笑道：“这话奇了，我原是无心的话，谁知你屋里的事？你不早来听说古记，这会子来了，自惊自怪的。”

寶玉笑道：“咱們明兒下一社又有了題目了，就詠水仙腊梅。”黛玉聽了，笑道：“罷，罷！Baoyu said with a smile, "Well, our next poetry meeting has its subject ready-made then — we'll write on narcissus and wintersweet." Daiyu, hearing this, said with a laugh, "Enough, enough!我再不敢作詩了，作一回，罰一回，沒的怪羞的。”說著，便兩手握起臉來。I dare not write any more poems — every time I write one I get scolded for it, it's mortifying." So saying, she covered her face with both hands.寶玉笑道：“何苦來！Baoyu said with a smile, "What's the use of that!又奚落我作什麼。Why go and mock me on top of it?我還不怕臊呢，你倒握起臉來了。”寶釵因笑道：“下次我邀一社，四個詩題，四個詞題。Here I'm not even embarrassed, and you're the one covering your face." Baochai then said with a smile, "Next time I host a poetry meeting, I'll set four poem topics and four song topics.每人四首詩，四闋詞。Each person to write four poems and four song-lyrics.頭一個詩題《詠〈太極圖〉》，限一先的韻，五言律，要把一先的韻都用盡了，一個不許剩。”寶琴笑道：“這一說，可知是姐姐不是真心起社了，這分明難人。The first poem topic will be 'On the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate,' restricted to the rhymes of the 'yixian' group, in five-character regulated verse — every single rhyme in the yixian group must be used, not one left over." Baoqin said with a laugh, "From the sound of it, one can tell Sister isn't really serious about starting a poetry club — this is plainly meant to stump people.若論起來，也強扭的出來，不過顛來倒去弄些《易經》上的話生填，究竟有何趣味。If it comes down to it, one could force something out, but it would be nothing more than tossing phrases from the Book of Changes back and forth and stuffing them in any old way — what pleasure would there be in that in the end?我八歲時節，跟我父親到西海沿子上買洋貨，誰知有個真真國的女孩子，才十五歲，那臉面就和那西洋畫上的美人一樣，也披著黃頭髮，打著聯垂，滿頭帶的都是珊瑚，貓兒眼，祖母綠這些寶石，身上穿著金絲織的鎖子甲洋錦襖袖，帶著倭刀，也是鑲金嵌寶的，實在畫兒上的也沒他好看。When I was eight, I went with my father to the shore of the Western Sea to buy foreign goods, and there, as it happened, was a girl from the Kingdom of Zhenzhen, only fifteen years old, whose face was just like the beauties in Western paintings. She too wore golden hair done up in cascading strands, her head covered all over with coral, cat's-eye, and emerald gems; on her body she wore a coat of gold-thread chain mail with foreign brocade sleeves, and she carried a Japanese sword, also inlaid with gold and studded with gems — truly, even the beauties in paintings were not as lovely as she was.有人說他通中國的詩書，會講五經，能作詩填詞，因此我父親央煩了一位通事官，煩他寫了一張字，就寫的是他作的詩。”眾人都稱奇道异。Someone said she was thoroughly versed in Chinese poetry and letters, could discourse on the Five Classics, and was able to compose poems and song-lyrics, so my father entreated an interpreter official to write out a sheet for us — what he wrote down was a poem she herself had composed." Everyone exclaimed in wonder at this marvel.寶玉忙笑道：“好妹妹，你拿出來我瞧瞧。”寶琴笑道：“在南京收著呢，此時那里去取來？”寶玉聽了，大失所望，便說：“沒福得見這世面。”黛玉笑拉寶琴道：“你別哄我們。Baoyu said eagerly with a smile, "Dear sister, bring it out and let me see it." Baoqin said with a smile, "It's kept in Nanjing — however could I fetch it here now?" On hearing this, Baoyu was greatly disappointed, and said, "I have no such luck as to see this wonder of the world." Daiyu pulled at Baoqin with a laugh and said, "Don't try to fool us.我知道你這一來，你的這些東西未必放在家里，自然都是要帶了來的，這會子又扯謊說沒帶來。I know perfectly well that when you came here this time, you'd hardly have left such things at home — naturally you'd have brought them all along, and now you turn around and lie, saying you didn't bring it.他們雖信，我是不信的。”寶琴便紅了臉，低頭微笑不語。The others may believe you, but I certainly don't." At this Baoqin blushed, lowered her head, and smiled without a word.寶釵笑道：“偏這個顰兒慣說這些白話，把你就伶俐的。”黛玉道：“若帶了來，就給我們見識見識也罷了。”寶釵笑道：“箱子籠子一大堆還沒理清，知道在那個里頭呢！Baochai said with a laugh, "It's just like Pin-er here, always talking such nonsense — she's got you flustered now." Daiyu said, "If you did bring it, why not let us have a look at it too." Baochai said with a smile, "There's a whole pile of trunks and boxes still not sorted out — who knows which one it's in!等過日收拾清了，找出來大家再看就是了。”又向寶琴道：“你若記得，何不念念我們聽聽。”寶琴方答道：“記得是首五言律，外國的女子也就難為他了。”寶釵道：“你且別念，等把雲兒叫了來，也叫他聽聽。”說著，便叫小螺來吩咐道：“你到我那里去，就說我們這里有一個外國美人來了，作的好詩，請你這’詩瘋子’來瞧去，再把我們‘詩呆子’也帶來。”小螺笑著去了。Once we've had time to tidy things up and find it, we can all take a look then." Then, turning to Baoqin, she said, "If you remember it, why not recite it for us to hear?" Baoqin then answered, "I do remember it — it's a five-character regulated verse; for a foreign girl, it's really quite an achievement." Baochai said, "Wait a moment before you recite it — let's call Yun'er over too, so she can hear it as well." So saying, she called Xiaoluo over and told her, "Go to my place and tell them that a foreign beauty has come to see us here, who writes fine poetry — ask that 'poetry-mad girl' of ours to come and see, and bring our 'poetry-fool' along too." Xiaoluo went off smiling.

宝玉笑道：“咱们明儿下一社又有了题目了，就咏水仙腊梅。”黛玉听了，笑道：“罢，罢！我再不敢作诗了，作一回，罚一回，没的怪羞的。”说著，便两手握起脸来。宝玉笑道：“何苦来！又奚落我作什么。我还不怕臊呢，你倒握起脸来了。”宝钗因笑道：“下次我邀一社，四个诗题，四个词题。每人四首诗，四阕词。头一个诗题《咏〈太极图〉》，限一先的韵，五言律，要把一先的韵都用尽了，一个不许剩。”宝琴笑道：“这一说，可知是姐姐不是真心起社了，这分明难人。若论起来，也强扭的出来，不过颠来倒去弄些《易经》上的话生填，究竟有何趣味。我八岁时节，跟我父亲到西海沿子上买洋货，谁知有个真真国的女孩子，才十五岁，那脸面就和那西洋画上的美人一样，也披著黄头发，打著联垂，满头带的都是珊瑚，猫儿眼，祖母绿这些宝石，身上穿著金丝织的锁子甲洋锦袄袖，带著倭刀，也是镶金嵌宝的，实在画儿上的也没他好看。有人说他通中国的诗书，会讲五经，能作诗填词，因此我父亲央烦了一位通事官，烦他写了一张字，就写的是他作的诗。”众人都称奇道异。宝玉忙笑道：“好妹妹，你拿出来我瞧瞧。”宝琴笑道：“在南京收著呢，此时那里去取来？”宝玉听了，大失所望，便说：“没福得见这世面。”黛玉笑拉宝琴道：“你别哄我们。我知道你这一来，你的这些东西未必放在家里，自然都是要带了来的，这会子又扯谎说没带来。他们虽信，我是不信的。”宝琴便红了脸，低头微笑不语。宝钗笑道：“偏这个颦儿惯说这些白话，把你就伶俐的。”黛玉道：“若带了来，就给我们见识见识也罢了。”宝钗笑道：“箱子笼子一大堆还没理清，知道在那个里头呢！等过日收拾清了，找出来大家再看就是了。”又向宝琴道：“你若记得，何不念念我们听听。”宝琴方答道：“记得是首五言律，外国的女子也就难为他了。”宝钗道：“你且别念，等把云儿叫了来，也叫他听听。”说著，便叫小螺来吩咐道：“你到我那里去，就说我们这里有一个外国美人来了，作的好诗，请你这’诗疯子’来瞧去，再把我们‘诗呆子’也带来。”小螺笑著去了。

半日，只聽湘雲笑問：“那一個外國美人來了？”一頭說，一頭果和香菱來了。After a good while, they heard Xiangyun ask with a laugh, "Which foreign beauty has come?" Even as she spoke, she did indeed arrive together with Xiangling.眾人笑道：“人未見形，先已聞聲。”寶琴等忙讓坐，遂把方才的話重敘了一遍。Everyone laughed and said, "Her form hasn't appeared yet, but her voice has already been heard." Baoqin and the others hastily offered them seats, and then repeated everything that had just been said.湘雲笑道：“快念來聽聽。”寶琴因念道：Xiangyun said with a laugh, "Quick, recite it for us to hear." So Baoqin recited:

半日，只听湘云笑问：“那一个外国美人来了？”一头说，一头果和香菱来了。众人笑道：“人未见形，先已闻声。”宝琴等忙让坐，遂把方才的话重叙了一遍。湘云笑道：“快念来听听。”宝琴因念道：

昨夜朱樓夢，今宵水國吟。Last night I dreamed of vermilion towers; tonight I chant beside the Water Kingdom.

昨夜朱楼梦，今宵水国吟。

島雲蒸大海，嵐氣接叢林。Island clouds steam up over the great sea; mountain mists merge into the tangled forest.

岛云蒸大海，岚气接丛林。

月本無今古，情緣自淺深。The moon itself knows no past or present; the bonds of feeling are of themselves shallow or deep.

月本无今古，情缘自浅深。

漢南春歷歷，焉得不關心。Clear and vivid, the springtime of Han-nan — how could one help but be moved by it?

汉南春历历，焉得不关心。

眾人聽了，都道“難為他！On hearing this, everyone said, "What a feat for her!竟比我們中國人還強。”一語未了，只見麝月走來說：“太太打發人來告訴二爺，明兒一早往舅舅那里去，就說太太身上不大好，不得親自來。”寶玉忙站起來答應道：“是。”因問寶釵寶琴可去。She's even better at it than we Chinese are." Before the words had quite died away, Sheyue was seen coming in to say, "Madam has sent someone to tell Second Master that tomorrow morning he's to go early to your uncle's; she said to say that Madam herself isn't feeling too well and can't come in person." Baoyu hastily stood up and answered, "Yes." He then asked whether Baochai and Baoqin were going.寶釵道：“我們不去，昨兒單送了禮去了。”大家說了一回方散。Baochai said, "We're not going — we sent our gifts over separately just yesterday." With that everyone talked a while longer before breaking up.

众人听了，都道“难为他！竟比我们中国人还强。”一语未了，只见麝月走来说：“太太打发人来告诉二爷，明儿一早往舅舅那里去，就说太太身上不大好，不得亲自来。”宝玉忙站起来答应道：“是。”因问宝钗宝琴可去。宝钗道：“我们不去，昨儿单送了礼去了。”大家说了一回方散。

寶玉因讓諸姊妹先行，自己落後。Baoyu let the girls go on ahead while he himself lingered behind.黛玉便又叫住他問道：“襲人到底多早晚回來。”寶玉道：“自然等送了殯才來呢。”黛玉還有話說，又不曾出口，出了一回神，便說道：“你去罷。”寶玉也覺心里有許多話，只是口里不知要說什麼，想了一想，也笑道：“明兒再說罷。”一面下了階磯，低頭正欲邁步，复又忙回身問道：“如今的夜越發長了，你一夜咳嗽幾遍？Daiyu then called him back and asked, "When exactly is Xiren coming back?" Baoyu said, "Naturally she won't be back until after the burial procession." Daiyu had more to say, but the words would not come out; after a moment lost in thought, she simply said, "You'd better go." Baoyu too felt there was a great deal on his mind, but did not know how to put it into words; after thinking a moment, he too said with a smile, "I'll tell you tomorrow." So saying, he went down the steps, and just as he was about to walk off with his head lowered, he hastily turned back again and asked, "The nights are growing longer now — how many times a night do you cough?醒幾次？”黛玉道：“昨兒夜里好了，只嗽了兩遍，卻只睡了四更一個更次，就再不能睡了。”寶玉又笑道：“正是有句要緊的話，這會子才想起來。”一面說，一面便挨過身來，悄悄道：“我想寶姐姐送你的燕窩——”一語未了，只見趙姨娘走了進來瞧黛玉，問：“姑娘這兩天好？”黛玉便知他是從探春處來，從門前過，順路的人情。How many times do you wake?" Daiyu said, "Last night was better — I only coughed twice, but I only managed to sleep through one watch out of four before I couldn't sleep any more." Baoyu then said with a smile, "There was something important I meant to say, and only now do I remember it." So saying, he drew closer and said quietly, "I was thinking, about that bird's-nest Cousin Bao sent you—" Before he had finished, in came Aunt Zhao to see Daiyu, asking, "How has the young lady been these past few days?" Daiyu at once realized she had come from Tanchun's quarters, and was simply paying a courtesy call in passing, since it was on her way.黛玉忙陪笑讓坐，說：“難得姨娘想著，怪冷的，親身走來。”又忙命倒茶，一面又使眼色與寶玉。Daiyu hastily rose smiling and offered her a seat, saying, "How good of Auntie to think of me, coming all this way in person in such cold weather." She quickly had tea poured, and at the same time signaled to Baoyu with her eyes.寶玉會意，便走了出來。Baoyu took the hint and went out.

宝玉因让诸姊妹先行，自己落后。黛玉便又叫住他问道：“袭人到底多早晚回来。”宝玉道：“自然等送了殡才来呢。”黛玉还有话说，又不曾出口，出了一回神，便说道：“你去罢。”宝玉也觉心里有许多话，只是口里不知要说什么，想了一想，也笑道：“明儿再说罢。”一面下了阶矶，低头正欲迈步，复又忙回身问道：“如今的夜越发长了，你一夜咳嗽几遍？醒几次？”黛玉道：“昨儿夜里好了，只嗽了两遍，却只睡了四更一个更次，就再不能睡了。”宝玉又笑道：“正是有句要紧的话，这会子才想起来。”一面说，一面便挨过身来，悄悄道：“我想宝姐姐送你的燕窝——”一语未了，只见赵姨娘走了进来瞧黛玉，问：“姑娘这两天好？”黛玉便知他是从探春处来，从门前过，顺路的人情。黛玉忙陪笑让坐，说：“难得姨娘想著，怪冷的，亲身走来。”又忙命倒茶，一面又使眼色与宝玉。宝玉会意，便走了出来。

正值吃晚飯時，見了王夫人，王夫人又囑他早去。It happened to be dinnertime just then; he saw Lady Wang, who again urged him to set out early.寶玉回來，看晴雯吃了藥。Baoyu went back and watched Qingwen take her medicine.此夕寶玉便不命晴雯挪出暖閣來，自己便在晴雯外邊。That night Baoyu did not have Qingwen moved out of the warm alcove, but instead lay down himself on the outer side of Qingwen.又命將熏籠抬至暖閣前，麝月便在熏籠上。He also had the hand-warming brazier carried to the front of the alcove, and Sheyue slept on the brazier's platform.一宿無話。The night passed without incident.至次日，天未明時，晴雯便叫醒麝月道：“你也該醒了，只是睡不夠！The next day, before it was light, Qingwen woke Sheyue, saying, "You ought to be awake by now — how can you never get enough sleep!你出去叫人給他預備茶水，我叫醒他就是了。”麝月忙披衣起來道：“咱們叫起他來，穿好衣裳，抬過這火箱去，再叫他們進來。Go out and tell someone to get tea and water ready for him; I'll wake him myself." Sheyue hurriedly threw on her clothes and rose, saying, "Let's wake him up, get him dressed, and carry this fire-box away, then have them come in.老嬤嬤們已經說過，不叫他在這屋里，怕過了病氣。The old nannies have already said that he shouldn't be in this room, for fear of catching the sickness.如今他們見咱們擠在一處，又該嘮叨了。”晴雯道：“我也是這麼說呢。”二人才叫時，寶玉已醒了，忙起身披衣。Now, if they see the two of us crowded in here together, they'll start grumbling again." Qingwen said, "That's just what I was thinking too." As the two of them were about to call him, Baoyu had already woken, and hastily rose and threw on his clothes.麝月先叫進小丫頭子來，收拾妥當了，才命秋紋檀雲等進來，一同伏侍寶玉梳洗畢。Sheyue first called the little maids in to tidy things up properly, and only then had Qiuwen, Tanyun, and the others come in together to attend Baoyu in washing and dressing.麝月道：“天又陰陰的，只怕有雪，穿那一套氈的罷。”寶玉點頭，即時換了衣裳。Sheyue said, "It's overcast again — it looks like it might snow. Better wear that felt outfit." Baoyu nodded and changed his clothes at once.小丫頭便用小茶盤捧了一蓋碗建蓮紅棗兒湯來，寶玉喝了兩口。A young maid brought in a covered bowl of lotus-seed and red-date soup on a small tea tray, and Baoyu drank a couple of mouthfuls.麝月又捧過一小碟法製紫薑來，寶玉噙了一塊。Sheyue then brought over a small dish of specially prepared candied purple ginger, and Baoyu popped a piece into his mouth.又囑咐了晴雯一回，便往賈母處來。After giving Qingwen a few more instructions, he set off for Grandmother Jia's quarters.

正值吃晚饭时，见了王夫人，王夫人又嘱他早去。宝玉回来，看晴雯吃了药。此夕宝玉便不命晴雯挪出暖阁来，自己便在晴雯外边。又命将熏笼抬至暖阁前，麝月便在熏笼上。一宿无话。至次日，天未明时，晴雯便叫醒麝月道：“你也该醒了，只是睡不够！你出去叫人给他预备茶水，我叫醒他就是了。”麝月忙披衣起来道：“咱们叫起他来，穿好衣裳，抬过这火箱去，再叫他们进来。老嬷嬷们已经说过，不叫他在这屋里，怕过了病气。如今他们见咱们挤在一处，又该唠叨了。”晴雯道：“我也是这么说呢。”二人才叫时，宝玉已醒了，忙起身披衣。麝月先叫进小丫头子来，收拾妥当了，才命秋纹檀云等进来，一同伏侍宝玉梳洗毕。麝月道：“天又阴阴的，只怕有雪，穿那一套毡的罢。”宝玉点头，即时换了衣裳。小丫头便用小茶盘捧了一盖碗建莲红枣儿汤来，宝玉喝了两口。麝月又捧过一小碟法制紫姜来，宝玉噙了一块。又嘱咐了晴雯一回，便往贾母处来。

賈母猶未起來，知道寶玉出門，便開了房門，命寶玉進去。Grandmother Jia had not yet risen; knowing Baoyu had come out, she opened her bedroom door and told him to come in.寶玉見賈母身後寶琴面向里也睡未醒。Baoyu saw that behind Grandmother Jia, Baoqin lay facing the wall, still asleep.賈母見寶玉身上穿著荔色哆羅呢的天馬箭袖，大紅猩猩氈盤金彩繡石青妝緞沿邊的排穗褂子。Grandmother Jia saw that Baoyu was wearing a lichee-colored duoluo-wool jacket with flying-horse archer's cuffs, and over it a scarlet 'xingxing'-felt sleeveless coat embroidered in couched gold and colored thread, trimmed along the edges with slate-blue brocade, and finished with a fringe of tassels.賈母道：“下雪呢么？”寶玉道：“天陰著，還沒下呢。”賈母便命鴛鴦來：“把昨兒那一件烏雲豹的氅衣給他罷。”鴛鴦答應了，走去果取了一件來。Grandmother Jia said, "Is it snowing?" Baoyu said, "The sky is overcast, but it hasn't started yet." Grandmother Jia then called for Yuanyang: "Give him that black-cloud-leopard cloak from yesterday." Yuanyang assented and went off, and indeed brought one back.寶玉看時，金翠輝煌，碧彩閃灼，又不似寶琴所披之鳧靨裘。When Baoyu looked at it, it shimmered with gold and kingfisher-blue, glinting with jade-green light, and was unlike the wild-duck-down cloak that Baoqin had worn.只聽賈母笑道：“這叫作‘雀金呢’，這是俄羅斯國拿孔雀毛拈了線織的。Just then he heard Grandmother Jia say with a smile, "This is called 'peacock-gold cloth'; it is woven in Russia, with thread spun from peacock feathers.前兒把那一件野鴨子的給了你小妹妹，這件給你罷。”寶玉磕了一個頭，便披在身上。The other day I gave that wild-duck one to your little cousin; this one I'll give to you." Baoyu kowtowed once, then draped it over himself.賈母笑道：“你先給你娘瞧瞧去再去。”寶玉答應了，便出來，只見鴛鴦站在地下揉眼睛。Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "Go show your mother first, then be on your way." Baoyu assented and went out, only to see Yuanyang standing there rubbing her eyes.因自那日鴛鴦發誓決絕之後，他總不和寶玉講話。Ever since that day when Yuanyang had sworn her resolute oath, she had never spoken to Baoyu again.寶玉正自日夜不安，此時見他又要回避，寶玉便上來笑道：“好姐姐，你瞧瞧，我穿著這個好不好。”鴛鴦一摔手，便進賈母房中來了。Baoyu had been uneasy day and night ever since; seeing her now trying to avoid him once more, he came up to her and said with a smile, "Dear sister, look, does this suit me or not?" Yuanyang flung her hand away and went straight in to Grandmother Jia's room.寶玉只得到了王夫人房中，與王夫人看了，然後又回至園中，與晴雯麝月看過後，至賈母房中回說：“太太看了，只說可惜了的，叫我仔細穿，別遭踏了他。”賈母道：“就剩下了這一件，你遭踏了也再沒了。Baoyu had no choice but to go to Madam Wang's quarters and show it to her, then returned to the Garden and showed it to Qingwen and Sheyue, and afterward went back to Grandmother Jia's room to report: "Mother looked at it and only said it was a pity, and told me to wear it carefully so as not to spoil it." Grandmother Jia said, "This is the only one left; if you spoil it there won't be another.這會子特給你做這個也是沒有的事。”說著又囑咐他：“不許多吃酒，早些回來。”寶玉應了幾個“是”。To have one made especially for you now would be out of the question." So saying, she also cautioned him, "Don't drink too much wine, and come back early." Baoyu answered "Yes" several times.

贾母犹未起来，知道宝玉出门，便开了房门，命宝玉进去。宝玉见贾母身后宝琴面向里也睡未醒。贾母见宝玉身上穿著荔色哆罗呢的天马箭袖，大红猩猩毡盘金彩绣石青妆缎沿边的排穗褂子。贾母道：“下雪呢么？”宝玉道：“天阴著，还没下呢。”贾母便命鸳鸯来：“把昨儿那一件乌云豹的氅衣给他罢。”鸳鸯答应了，走去果取了一件来。宝玉看时，金翠辉煌，碧彩闪灼，又不似宝琴所披之凫靥裘。只听贾母笑道：“这叫作‘雀金呢’，这是俄罗斯国拿孔雀毛拈了线织的。前儿把那一件野鸭子的给了你小妹妹，这件给你罢。”宝玉磕了一个头，便披在身上。贾母笑道：“你先给你娘瞧瞧去再去。”宝玉答应了，便出来，只见鸳鸯站在地下揉眼睛。因自那日鸳鸯发誓决绝之后，他总不和宝玉讲话。宝玉正自日夜不安，此时见他又要回避，宝玉便上来笑道：“好姐姐，你瞧瞧，我穿著这个好不好。”鸳鸯一摔手，便进贾母房中来了。宝玉只得到了王夫人房中，与王夫人看了，然后又回至园中，与晴雯麝月看过后，至贾母房中回说：“太太看了，只说可惜了的，叫我仔细穿，别遭踏了他。”贾母道：“就剩下了这一件，你遭踏了也再没了。这会子特给你做这个也是没有的事。”说著又嘱咐他：“不许多吃酒，早些回来。”宝玉应了几个“是”。

老嬤嬤跟至廳上，只見寶玉的奶兄李貴和王榮，張若錦，趙亦華，錢啟，周瑞六個人，帶著茗煙，伴鶴，鋤藥，掃紅四個小廝，背著衣包，抱著坐褥，籠著一匹雕鞍彩轡的白馬，早已伺候多時了。The old nanny followed him out to the hall, where they found Baoyu's foster-brother Li Gui, along with Wang Rong, Zhang Ruojin, Zhao Yihua, Qian Qi, and Zhou Rui—six men in all—together with the four page-boys Mingyan, Banhe, Chuyao, and Saohong, who had long since been waiting, carrying bundles of clothing, holding a saddle cushion, and leading by the rein a white horse with a carved saddle and colorful bridle.老嬤嬤又吩咐了他六人些話，六個人忙答應了幾個“是”，忙捧鞭墜鐙。The old nanny gave the six of them a few more instructions, and all six hastily assented, then hurried to take up the whip and hold the stirrup.寶玉慢慢的上了馬，李貴和王榮籠著嚼環，錢啟周瑞二人在前引導，張若錦，趙亦華在兩邊緊貼寶玉後身。Baoyu mounted the horse slowly; Li Gui and Wang Rong held the bit-rings, Qian Qi and Zhou Rui led the way in front, while Zhang Ruojin and Zhao Yihua stayed close behind on either side of him.寶玉在馬上笑道：“周哥，錢哥，咱們打這角門走罷，省得到了老爺的書房門口又下來。”周瑞側身笑道：“老爺不在家，書房天天鎖著的，爺可以不用下來罷了。”寶玉笑道：“雖鎖著，也要下來的。”錢啟李貴等都笑道：“爺說的是。From atop the horse Baoyu said with a smile, "Brother Zhou, Brother Qian, let's go out through this side gate, so we won't have to dismount again when we reach the door of Father's study." Zhou Rui turned and said with a smile, "The Master is not at home, and the study is locked up every day, so you needn't dismount, sir." Baoyu said with a smile, "Even though it's locked, I still ought to dismount." Qian Qi, Li Gui, and the others all said with a smile, "You're quite right, sir.便托懶不下來，倘或遇見賴大爺林二爺，雖不好說爺，也勸兩句。If you got lazy and didn't dismount, and happened to run into Master Lai Da or Second Master Lin, even though they wouldn't dare say anything to you directly, they'd still offer a word or two of advice.有的不是，都派在我們身上，又說我們不教爺禮了。”周瑞錢啟便一直出角門來。And whatever fault there was would be laid on us, saying we hadn't taught you proper manners." So Zhou Rui and Qian Qi went straight on out through the side gate.

老嬷嬷跟至厅上，只见宝玉的奶兄李贵和王荣，张若锦，赵亦华，钱启，周瑞六个人，带著茗烟，伴鹤，锄药，扫红四个小厮，背著衣包，抱著坐褥，笼著一匹雕鞍彩辔的白马，早已伺候多时了。老嬷嬷又吩咐了他六人些话，六个人忙答应了几个“是”，忙捧鞭坠镫。宝玉慢慢的上了马，李贵和王荣笼著嚼环，钱启周瑞二人在前引导，张若锦，赵亦华在两边紧贴宝玉后身。宝玉在马上笑道：“周哥，钱哥，咱们打这角门走罢，省得到了老爷的书房门口又下来。”周瑞侧身笑道：“老爷不在家，书房天天锁著的，爷可以不用下来罢了。”宝玉笑道：“虽锁著，也要下来的。”钱启李贵等都笑道：“爷说的是。便托懒不下来，倘或遇见赖大爷林二爷，虽不好说爷，也劝两句。有的不是，都派在我们身上，又说我们不教爷礼了。”周瑞钱启便一直出角门来。

正說話時，頂頭果見賴大進來。Just as they were talking, they saw Lai Da coming toward them head-on.寶玉忙籠住馬，意欲下來。Baoyu hastily reined in his horse, meaning to dismount.賴大忙上來抱住腿。Lai Da hurried forward and took hold of his leg.寶玉便在鐙上站起來，笑攜他的手，說了幾句話。Baoyu stood up in the stirrups and, smiling, took his hand and exchanged a few words with him.接著又見一個小廝帶著二三十個拿掃帚簸箕的人進來，見了寶玉，都順牆垂手立住，獨那為首的小廝打千兒，請了一個安。Just then they saw a page-boy leading in twenty or thirty people carrying brooms and dustpans; on seeing Baoyu, they all stood aside against the wall with their hands hanging respectfully, while only the boy in the lead dropped to one knee and made a bow of greeting.寶玉不識名姓，只微笑點了點頭兒。Baoyu did not know his name, and merely nodded to him with a slight smile.馬已過去，那人方帶人去了。Once the horse had passed by, the man then led his people on their way.于是出了角門，門外又有李貴等六人的小廝并幾個馬夫，早預備下十來匹馬專候。Then they went out through the side gate, where, besides the six attendants of Li Gui and the rest, there were also several grooms, with about ten horses already prepared and waiting.一出了角門，李貴等都各上了馬，前引傍圍的一陣煙去了，不在話下。As soon as they were out through the side gate, Li Gui and the others all mounted up, and in a swirl like smoke, some leading the way and some flanking him, they were gone—no need to go into detail.

正说话时，顶头果见赖大进来。宝玉忙笼住马，意欲下来。赖大忙上来抱住腿。宝玉便在镫上站起来，笑携他的手，说了几句话。接著又见一个小厮带著二三十个拿扫帚簸箕的人进来，见了宝玉，都顺墙垂手立住，独那为首的小厮打千儿，请了一个安。宝玉不识名姓，只微笑点了点头儿。马已过去，那人方带人去了。于是出了角门，门外又有李贵等六人的小厮并几个马夫，早预备下十来匹马专候。一出了角门，李贵等都各上了马，前引傍围的一阵烟去了，不在话下。

這里晴雯吃了藥，仍不見病退，急的亂罵大夫，說：“只會騙人的錢，一劑好藥也不給人吃。”麝月笑勸他道：“你太性急了，俗語說：’病來如山倒，病去如抽絲。’又不是老君的仙丹，那有這樣靈藥！Meanwhile Qingwen had taken her medicine, but her illness still would not recede, and in her impatience she cursed the doctor roundly, saying, "All he knows is how to cheat people out of their money—he won't give anyone a single good dose of medicine." Sheyue laughed and tried to calm her, saying, "You're too impatient. As the saying goes, 'Sickness comes crashing down like a mountain, and leaves only thread by thread.' It's not as if this were some immortal elixir of Laojun—where would such a miraculous medicine come from!你只靜養幾天，自然好了。Just rest quietly for a few days and you'll naturally get better.你越急越著手。”晴雯又罵小丫頭子們：“那里鑽沙去了！The more anxious you get, the worse it will be." Qingwen then went on to curse the little maids: "Where have you all burrowed off to, like moles into sand!瞅我病了，都大膽子走了。The moment you saw I was sick, you all took the nerve to slip away.明兒我好了，一個一個的才揭你們的皮呢！”唬的小丫頭子篆兒忙進來問：“姑娘作什麼。”晴雯道：“別人都死絕了，就剩了你不成？”說著，只見墜兒也蹭了進來。Just wait till I'm well again—I'll peel the skin off every one of you, one by one!" This frightened the little maid Zhuan'er, who hurried in to ask, "What is it you need, miss?" Qingwen said, "Has everyone else died off, so that only you're left?" As she spoke, they saw Zhui'er also sidle in.晴雯道：“你瞧瞧這小蹄子，不問他還不來呢。Qingwen said, "Just look at this little wench—if I hadn't asked, she still wouldn't have come.這里又放月錢了，又散果子了，你該跑在頭里了。Now that it's time to hand out the monthly allowance and pass around the fruit, you ought to have been the first one running in.你往前些，我不是老虎吃了你！”墜兒只得前湊。Come closer—it's not as if I were a tiger that would eat you!" Zhui'er had no choice but to come closer.晴雯便冷不防欠身一把將他的手抓住，向枕邊取了一丈青，向他手上亂戳，口內罵道：“要這爪子作什麼？Qingwen, without warning, raised herself up and grabbed her hand, then took a long hairpin from beside her pillow and jabbed it wildly at her hand, cursing all the while, "What use are these claws of yours?拈不得針，拿不動線，只會偷嘴吃。You can't hold a needle, can't manage a thread—all you're good for is sneaking bites of food.眼皮子又淺，爪子又輕，打嘴現世的，不如戳爛了！”墜兒疼的亂哭亂喊。Your eyes are too quick to look away and your hands too light-fingered—you deserve to be shamed to your face; better to just stab them to ruin!" Zhui'er cried and screamed in pain.麝月忙拉開墜兒，按晴雯睡下，笑道：“才出了汗，又作死。Sheyue hurriedly pulled Zhui'er away and pressed Qingwen back down to lie flat, saying with a laugh, "You've only just broken into a sweat, and now you're courting death again.等你好了，要打多少打不的？Once you're well, there'll be plenty of time to beat her as much as you like.這會子鬧什麼！”晴雯便命人叫宋嬤嬤進來，說道：“寶二爺才告訴了我，叫我告訴你們，墜兒很懶，寶二爺當面使他，他撥嘴兒不動，連襲人使他，他背後罵他。What's the point of carrying on like this now!" Qingwen then had someone call Mama Song in, and said to her, "Master Bao just told me himself, and told me to tell you all: Zhui'er is very lazy. When Master Bao himself gives her something to do, she talks back and won't budge; even when Xiren sends her on errands, she curses her behind her back.今兒務必打發他出去，明兒寶二爺親自回太太就是了。”宋嬤嬤聽了，心下便知鐲子事發，因笑道：“雖如此說，也等花姑娘回來知道了，再打發他。”晴雯道：“寶二爺今兒千叮嚀萬囑咐的，什麼‘花姑娘’‘草姑娘’，我們自然有道理。Today she absolutely must be sent away; tomorrow Master Bao will report it to Madam himself." Hearing this, Mama Song realized at once that the matter of the bracelet had come to light, and said with a smile, "Even so, we ought to wait until Miss Hua comes back and knows of it before sending her off." Qingwen said, "Master Bao urged this on me over and over again today—never mind 'Miss Hua' or 'Miss Whoever-Else,' we know perfectly well what we're doing.你只依我的話，快叫他家的人來領他出去。”麝月道：“這也罷了，早也去，晚也去，帶了去早清靜一日。”Just do as I say, and quickly send for her family to come and take her away." Sheyue said, "That's just as well—sooner or later she'll have to go anyway; better to get her out early and have one day's peace sooner."

这里晴雯吃了药，仍不见病退，急的乱骂大夫，说：“只会骗人的钱，一剂好药也不给人吃。”麝月笑劝他道：“你太性急了，俗语说：’病来如山倒，病去如抽丝。’又不是老君的仙丹，那有这样灵药！你只静养几天，自然好了。你越急越著手。”晴雯又骂小丫头子们：“那里钻沙去了！瞅我病了，都大胆子走了。明儿我好了，一个一个的才揭你们的皮呢！”唬的小丫头子篆儿忙进来问：“姑娘作什么。”晴雯道：“别人都死绝了，就剩了你不成？”说著，只见坠儿也蹭了进来。晴雯道：“你瞧瞧这小蹄子，不问他还不来呢。这里又放月钱了，又散果子了，你该跑在头里了。你往前些，我不是老虎吃了你！”坠儿只得前凑。晴雯便冷不防欠身一把将他的手抓住，向枕边取了一丈青，向他手上乱戳，口内骂道：“要这爪子作什么？拈不得针，拿不动线，只会偷嘴吃。眼皮子又浅，爪子又轻，打嘴现世的，不如戳烂了！”坠儿疼的乱哭乱喊。麝月忙拉开坠儿，按晴雯睡下，笑道：“才出了汗，又作死。等你好了，要打多少打不的？这会子闹什么！”晴雯便命人叫宋嬷嬷进来，说道：“宝二爷才告诉了我，叫我告诉你们，坠儿很懒，宝二爷当面使他，他拨嘴儿不动，连袭人使他，他背后骂他。今儿务必打发他出去，明儿宝二爷亲自回太太就是了。”宋嬷嬷听了，心下便知镯子事发，因笑道：“虽如此说，也等花姑娘回来知道了，再打发他。”晴雯道：“宝二爷今儿千叮咛万嘱咐的，什么‘花姑娘’‘草姑娘’，我们自然有道理。你只依我的话，快叫他家的人来领他出去。”麝月道：“这也罢了，早也去，晚也去，带了去早清静一日。”

宋嬤嬤聽了，只得出去喚了他母親來，打點了他的東西，又來見晴雯等，說道：“姑娘們怎麼了，你侄女兒不好，你們教導他，怎麼攆出去？Hearing this, Mama Song had no choice but to go out and call the girl's mother, and helped pack up her things; then she came back to see Qingwen and the others, saying, "What's gotten into you young ladies? If your niece has done wrong, you should teach her better—why turn her out?也到底給我們留個臉兒。”晴雯道：“你這話只等寶玉來問他，與我們無干。”那媳婦冷笑道：“我有膽子問他去！At least leave us some face in the matter." Qingwen said, "Wait until Baoyu comes back and ask him about it—it has nothing to do with us." The woman said with a cold laugh, "I wouldn't dare go ask him about it!他那一件事不是聽姑娘們的調停？Is there a single thing he does that isn't arranged by you young ladies?他縱依了，姑娘們不依，也未必中用。Even if he agreed to something, if you young ladies didn't agree, it wouldn't do him any good either.比如方才說話，雖是背地里，姑娘就直叫他的名字。Take just now, for instance—even though it was said behind his back, you, miss, called him outright by his given name.在姑娘們就使得，在我們就成了野人了。”晴雯聽說，一發急紅了臉，說道：“我叫了他的名字了，你在老太太跟前告我去，說我撒野，也攆出我去。”麝月忙道：“嫂子，你只管帶了人出去，有話再說。It's all right for you young ladies to do that, but if we did it, we'd be called savages." Hearing this, Qingwen flushed red with anger and said, "I called him by his name—go report me to Old Ancestress, say I've behaved wildly, and have me turned out too!" Sheyue hastily said, "Sister-in-law, just take the girl and go—say whatever you like elsewhere.這個地方豈有你叫喊講禮的？Is this a place where you get to shout and lecture us about propriety?你見誰和我們講過禮？Have you ever seen anyone lecture us about propriety here?別說嫂子你，就是賴奶奶林大娘，也得擔待我們三分。Never mind you, sister-in-law—even Granny Lai or Mama Lin would have to give us three parts of leeway.便是叫名字，從小兒直到如今，都是老太太吩咐過的，你們也知道的，恐怕難養活，巴巴的寫了他的小名兒，各處貼著叫萬人叫去，為的是好養活。As for calling him by name, that's been so from his childhood right up to now, by Old Ancestress's own instructions, as you well know—she feared he'd be hard to raise, and so deliberately had his baby name written out and posted everywhere, to be called by ten thousand people, all so as to make him easier to raise.連挑水挑糞花子都叫得，何況我們！Even the water-carriers and manure-haulers and beggars are allowed to call him by it—how much more so we!連昨兒林大娘叫了一聲‘爺’，老太太還說他呢，此是一件。Just yesterday, when Mama Lin called him 'young master' once, Old Ancestress even scolded her for it—that's one thing.二則，我們這些人常回老太太的話去，可不叫著名字回話，難道也稱‘爺’？Second, the rest of us are always going to Old Ancestress to report on matters—are we not to call him by name when we report? Are we supposed to call him 'young master' too?那一日不把寶玉兩個字念二百遍，偏嫂子又來挑這個了！Is there a single day that Baoyu's name isn't spoken two hundred times over—yet you, sister-in-law, of all people, have to come and pick at this!過一日嫂子閒了，在老太太，太太跟前，聽聽我們當著面兒叫他就知道了。Some other day when you have a free moment, come stand before Old Ancestress and Madam and listen to us call him by name to his face, and then you'll understand.嫂子原也不得在老太太，太太跟前當些体統差事，成年家只在三門外頭混，怪不得不知我們里頭的規矩。You, sister-in-law, have never even been given proper duties standing before Old Ancestress or Madam—year in and year out you just loiter about outside the third gate, so no wonder you don't know the rules of our inner quarters.這里不是嫂子久站的，再一會，不用我們說話，就有人來問你了。This is no place for you to stand about for long, sister-in-law; in another moment, even without our saying anything, someone will come and take you to task.有什麼分證話，且帶了他去，你回了林大娘，叫他來找二爺說話。If you have anything to argue, take her away first, and go tell Mama Lin to come and speak with Master Bao himself about it.家里上千的人，你也跑來，我也跑來，我們認人問姓，還認不清呢！”說著，便叫小丫頭子：“拿了擦地的布來擦地！”那媳婦聽了，無言可對，亦不敢久立，賭氣帶了墜兒就走。There are a thousand people in this household—if you come running over and I come running over, we wouldn't even be able to tell who's who!" So saying, she called to a little maid, "Bring the floor cloth and wipe the floor!" Hearing this, the woman had nothing to say in reply, and not daring to linger, stormed off in a huff, taking Zhui'er with her.宋媽媽忙道：“怪道你這嫂子不知規矩，你女兒在這屋里一場，臨去時，也給姑娘們磕個頭。Mama Song hurriedly said, "No wonder your sister-in-law here doesn't know the rules! Your daughter has served in this room for some time—before she leaves, she ought at least to kowtow to the young ladies.沒有別的謝禮，——便有謝禮，他們也不希罕，——不過磕個頭，盡了心。There's no other gift needed—even if there were a gift, they wouldn't care for it—just a kowtow, to show she meant well.怎麼說走就走？”墜兒聽了，只得翻身進來，給他兩個磕了兩個頭，又找秋紋等。How can you just up and leave like that?" Hearing this, Zhui'er had no choice but to turn back in, and kowtowed twice to the two of them, then went looking for Qiuwen and the others.他們也不睬他。But they paid her no attention either.那媳婦嗐聲歎氣，口不敢言，抱恨而去。The woman sighed and groaned, not daring to say a word, and left nursing her grievance.

宋嬷嬷听了，只得出去唤了他母亲来，打点了他的东西，又来见晴雯等，说道：“姑娘们怎么了，你侄女儿不好，你们教导他，怎么撵出去？也到底给我们留个脸儿。”晴雯道：“你这话只等宝玉来问他，与我们无干。”那媳妇冷笑道：“我有胆子问他去！他那一件事不是听姑娘们的调停？他纵依了，姑娘们不依，也未必中用。比如方才说话，虽是背地里，姑娘就直叫他的名字。在姑娘们就使得，在我们就成了野人了。”晴雯听说，一发急红了脸，说道：“我叫了他的名字了，你在老太太跟前告我去，说我撒野，也撵出我去。”麝月忙道：“嫂子，你只管带了人出去，有话再说。这个地方岂有你叫喊讲礼的？你见谁和我们讲过礼？别说嫂子你，就是赖奶奶林大娘，也得担待我们三分。便是叫名字，从小儿直到如今，都是老太太吩咐过的，你们也知道的，恐怕难养活，巴巴的写了他的小名儿，各处贴著叫万人叫去，为的是好养活。连挑水挑粪花子都叫得，何况我们！连昨儿林大娘叫了一声‘爷’，老太太还说他呢，此是一件。二则，我们这些人常回老太太的话去，可不叫著名字回话，难道也称‘爷’？那一日不把宝玉两个字念二百遍，偏嫂子又来挑这个了！过一日嫂子闲了，在老太太，太太跟前，听听我们当著面儿叫他就知道了。嫂子原也不得在老太太，太太跟前当些体统差事，成年家只在三门外头混，怪不得不知我们里头的规矩。这里不是嫂子久站的，再一会，不用我们说话，就有人来问你了。有什么分证话，且带了他去，你回了林大娘，叫他来找二爷说话。家里上千的人，你也跑来，我也跑来，我们认人问姓，还认不清呢！”说著，便叫小丫头子：“拿了擦地的布来擦地！”那媳妇听了，无言可对，亦不敢久立，赌气带了坠儿就走。宋妈妈忙道：“怪道你这嫂子不知规矩，你女儿在这屋里一场，临去时，也给姑娘们磕个头。没有别的谢礼，——便有谢礼，他们也不希罕，——不过磕个头，尽了心。怎么说走就走？”坠儿听了，只得翻身进来，给他两个磕了两个头，又找秋纹等。他们也不睬他。那媳妇嗐声叹气，口不敢言，抱恨而去。

晴雯方才又閃了風，著了氣，反覺更不好了，翻騰至掌燈，剛安靜了些。Qingwen, having just then caught a further chill and worked herself into a fit of anger, in fact felt even worse than before; she tossed and turned until lamp-lighting time, when she finally grew a little quieter.只見寶玉回來，進門就嗐聲跺腳。Just then Baoyu came back, and the moment he entered he sighed heavily and stamped his foot.麝月忙問原故，寶玉道：“今兒老太太喜喜歡歡的給了這個褂子，誰知不防後襟子上燒了一塊，幸而天晚了，老太太，太太都不理論。”一面說，一面脫下來。Sheyue hurriedly asked what was wrong. Baoyu said, "Today Grandmother Jia happily gave me this jacket, and who would have thought—without anyone noticing, a hole got burned in the back panel. Luckily it was already getting dark, so Grandmother Jia and Mother didn't take any notice." As he spoke, he took it off.麝月瞧時，果見有指頂大的燒眼，說：“這必定是手爐里的火迸上了。When Sheyue looked, she indeed found a burn mark the size of a fingertip, and said, "This must be a spark from the hand-warmer that flew onto it.這不值什麼，赶著叫人悄悄的拿出去，叫個能干織補匠人織上就是了。”說著便用包袱包了，交與一個媽媽送出去。It's nothing much—just quickly have someone take it out quietly and find a skilled mending craftsman to weave it back together." So saying, she wrapped it in a cloth bundle and gave it to an old woman to take out.說：“赶天亮就有才好。She said, "It must be done by daybreak.千萬別給老太太，太太知道。”婆子去了半日，仍舊拿回來，說：“不但能干織補匠人，就連裁縫繡匠并作女工的問了，都不認得這是什麼，都不敢攬。”麝月道：“這怎麼樣呢！Whatever you do, don't let Grandmother Jia or Madam find out." The old woman was gone a good while, then brought it back just as it was, saying, "Not only could no skilled mending craftsman manage it, but I even asked the tailors, embroiderers, and needlewomen too, and none of them recognized what this material even was—none of them dared take it on." Sheyue said, "Whatever shall we do!明兒不穿也罷了。”寶玉道：“明兒是正日子，老太太，太太說了，還叫穿這個去呢。I suppose he'll just have to go without wearing it tomorrow." Baoyu said, "Tomorrow is the actual day of the celebration—Grandmother Jia and Mother both said I should wear this one.偏頭一日燒了，豈不掃興。”晴雯聽了半日，忍不住翻身說道：“拿來我瞧瞧罷。And to have it burn on the very first day—wouldn't that spoil everything." Qingwen had been listening for a good while; unable to bear it any longer, she turned over and said, "Bring it here and let me look at it.沒個福氣穿就罷了。If I've no such luck as to get to wear it, so be it.這會子又著急。”寶玉笑道：“這話倒說的是。”說著，便遞與晴雯，又移過燈來，細看了一會。But now is no time to be fretting like this." Baoyu said with a smile, "That's very well said." So saying, he handed it to Qingwen, moved the lamp closer, and examined it carefully for a while.晴雯道：“這是孔雀金線織的，如今咱們也拿孔雀金線就象界線似的界密了，只怕還可混得過去。”麝月笑道：“孔雀線現成的，但這里除了你，還有誰會界線？”晴雯道：“說不得，我掙命罷了。”寶玉忙道：“這如何使得！Qingwen said, "This is woven with peacock-gold thread. If we now take peacock-gold thread too and darn it in with a technique like ruled-line weaving, it might just pass unnoticed." Sheyue said with a smile, "The peacock thread is ready at hand, but who besides you here knows how to do ruled-line weaving?" Qingwen said, "There's no help for it—I'll just have to risk my life over it." Baoyu said hastily, "How can that be!才好了些，如何做得活。”晴雯道：“不用你蝎蝎螫螫的，我自知道。”一面說，一面坐起來，挽了一挽頭髮，披了衣裳，只覺頭重身輕，滿眼金星亂迸，實實撐不住。You've only just begun to recover—how could you do needlework." Qingwen said, "No need for you to fuss and flutter over me like this—I know what I'm doing myself." So saying, she sat up, twisted her hair into a knot, threw on a robe, but felt her head heavy and her body weak, with golden stars bursting wildly before her eyes, and she truly could hardly bear up.若不做，又怕寶玉著急，少不得恨命咬牙捱著。Yet if she didn't do it, she feared Baoyu would only fret himself sick, so there was nothing for it but to grit her teeth and endure, resent it though she might.便命麝月只幫著拈線。She told Sheyue only to help by twisting the thread.晴雯先拿了一根比一比，笑道：“這雖不很象，若補上，也不很顯。”寶玉道：“這就很好，那里又找哦羅嘶國的裁縫去。”晴雯先將里子拆開，用茶杯口大的一個竹弓釘牢在背面，再將破口四邊用金刀刮的散松松的，然後用針紉了兩條，分出經緯，亦如界線之法，先界出地子後，依本衣之紋來回織補。Qingwen first took a strand and compared it, then said with a smile, "It doesn't match very well, but once it's mended in, it won't be too noticeable." Baoyu said, "This is quite good enough—where else could we go and find a tailor from the country of 'Elosi'!" Qingwen first unpicked the lining, nailed a bamboo hoop the size of a teacup's mouth firmly to the underside, then with a small gold-handled knife scraped the four edges of the burnt hole loose and fluffy, threaded a needle with two strands, separated out the warp and weft, and, following the same ruled-line technique, first ruled out the ground, then wove it in and out to match the pattern of the original fabric.補兩針，又看看，織補兩針，又端詳端詳。She would weave two stitches, then look it over; weave two more, then examine it closely again.無奈頭暈眼黑，氣喘神虛，補不上三五針，伏在枕上歇一會。But try as she might, her head spun and her eyes dimmed, her breath came short and her spirit weak; she could not manage more than three or five stitches before she had to lean on the pillow and rest a while.寶玉在旁，一時又問：“吃些滾水不吃？”一時又命：“歇一歇。”一時又拿一件灰鼠斗篷替他披在背上，一時又命拿個拐枕與他靠著。Baoyu, at her side, kept asking, "Will you have some hot water?" and then, "Rest a bit." Then he would fetch a grey squirrel-fur cape and drape it over her shoulders, and then he would have someone bring a bolster for her to lean against.急的晴雯央道：“小祖宗！In her distress Qingwen pleaded with him, "My little ancestor!你只管睡罷。Just go to sleep, won't you.再熬上半夜，明兒把眼睛摳摟了，怎麼處！”寶玉見他著急，只得胡亂睡下，仍睡不著。If you keep this up half the night more, tomorrow your eyes will be worn to hollows—what then!" Seeing how anxious she was, Baoyu had no choice but to lie down anyhow, though he still could not fall asleep.一時只聽自鳴鐘已敲了四下，剛剛補完，又用小牙刷慢慢的剔出絨毛來。After a while he heard the self-striking clock chime four times, just as the mending was finished, and then with a small toothbrush she slowly teased out the loose fibers.麝月道：“這就很好，若不留心，再看不出的。”寶玉忙要了瞧瞧，說道：“真真一樣了。”晴雯已嗽了幾陣，好容易補完了，說了一聲：“補雖補了，到底不象，我也再不能了！”噯喲了一聲，便身不由主倒下。Sheyue said, "This is very good indeed—if one didn't look closely, one would never spot it." Baoyu hurried over to look for himself, and said, "It really does look just the same." Qingwen had already coughed through several fits by the time she barely managed to finish the mending, and said, "Mended it may be, but it's still not quite the same—and I simply have no strength left in me!" With a groan of pain, she fell back, unable to hold herself up any longer.要知端的，且聽下回分解。To know what happened in the end, you must hear the explanation given in the next chapter.

晴雯方才又闪了风，著了气，反觉更不好了，翻腾至掌灯，刚安静了些。只见宝玉回来，进门就嗐声跺脚。麝月忙问原故，宝玉道：“今儿老太太喜喜欢欢的给了这个褂子，谁知不防后襟子上烧了一块，幸而天晚了，老太太，太太都不理论。”一面说，一面脱下来。麝月瞧时，果见有指顶大的烧眼，说：“这必定是手炉里的火迸上了。这不值什么，赶著叫人悄悄的拿出去，叫个能干织补匠人织上就是了。”说著便用包袱包了，交与一个妈妈送出去。说：“赶天亮就有才好。千万别给老太太，太太知道。”婆子去了半日，仍旧拿回来，说：“不但能干织补匠人，就连裁缝绣匠并作女工的问了，都不认得这是什么，都不敢揽。”麝月道：“这怎么样呢！明儿不穿也罢了。”宝玉道：“明儿是正日子，老太太，太太说了，还叫穿这个去呢。偏头一日烧了，岂不扫兴。”晴雯听了半日，忍不住翻身说道：“拿来我瞧瞧罢。没个福气穿就罢了。这会子又著急。”宝玉笑道：“这话倒说的是。”说著，便递与晴雯，又移过灯来，细看了一会。晴雯道：“这是孔雀金线织的，如今咱们也拿孔雀金线就象界线似的界密了，只怕还可混得过去。”麝月笑道：“孔雀线现成的，但这里除了你，还有谁会界线？”晴雯道：“说不得，我挣命罢了。”宝玉忙道：“这如何使得！才好了些，如何做得活。”晴雯道：“不用你蝎蝎螫螫的，我自知道。”一面说，一面坐起来，挽了一挽头发，披了衣裳，只觉头重身轻，满眼金星乱迸，实实撑不住。若不做，又怕宝玉著急，少不得恨命咬牙挨著。便命麝月只帮著拈线。晴雯先拿了一根比一比，笑道：“这虽不很象，若补上，也不很显。”宝玉道：“这就很好，那里又找哦罗嘶国的裁缝去。”晴雯先将里子拆开，用茶杯口大的一个竹弓钉牢在背面，再将破口四边用金刀刮的散松松的，然后用针纫了两条，分出经纬，亦如界线之法，先界出地子后，依本衣之纹来回织补。补两针，又看看，织补两针，又端详端详。无奈头晕眼黑，气喘神虚，补不上三五针，伏在枕上歇一会。宝玉在旁，一时又问：“吃些滚水不吃？”一时又命：“歇一歇。”一时又拿一件灰鼠斗篷替他披在背上，一时又命拿个拐枕与他靠著。急的晴雯央道：“小祖宗！你只管睡罢。再熬上半夜，明儿把眼睛抠搂了，怎么处！”宝玉见他著急，只得胡乱睡下，仍睡不著。一时只听自鸣钟已敲了四下，刚刚补完，又用小牙刷慢慢的剔出绒毛来。麝月道：“这就很好，若不留心，再看不出的。”宝玉忙要了瞧瞧，说道：“真真一样了。”晴雯已嗽了几阵，好容易补完了，说了一声：“补虽补了，到底不象，我也再不能了！”嗳哟了一声，便身不由主倒下。要知端的，且听下回分解。