第四章 The Weed-Grown Courtyard and Its Tenants

第四章Chapter Four

一到了夏天，蒿草長沒大人的腰了，長沒我的頭頂了，黃狗進去，連個影也看不見了。As soon as summer came, the wormwood grass grew tall enough to bury an adult's waist, tall enough to bury the top of my head; if the yellow dog went in, not even its shadow could be seen.

一到了夏天，蒿草长没大人的腰了，长没我的头顶了，黄狗进去，连个影也看不见了。

夜裡一颳起風來，蒿草就刷拉刷拉的響著，因為滿院子都是蒿草，所以那響聲就特別大，成群結隊的就響起來了。At night, whenever the wind rose, the wormwood grass would rustle and swish, and because the whole yard was full of it, the sound was especially loud, rustling in great crowds all together.

夜里一刮起风来，蒿草就刷拉刷拉的响著，因为满院子都是蒿草，所以那响声就特别大，成群结队的就响起来了。

下了雨，那蒿草的梢上都冒著煙，雨本來下得不很大，若一看那蒿草，好像那雨下得特別大似的。When it rained, wisps of mist rose from the tips of the wormwood grass; the rain itself wasn't falling very hard, but if you looked at the grass, it seemed as though the rain were falling especially hard.

下了雨，那蒿草的梢上都冒著烟，雨本来下得不很大，若一看那蒿草，好像那雨下得特别大似的。

下了毛毛雨，那蒿草上就瀰漫得朦朦朧朧的，像是已經來了大霧，或者像是要變天了，好像是下了霜的早晨，混混沌沌的，在蒸騰著白煙。When a fine drizzle fell, the wormwood grass became all hazy and indistinct, as if a thick fog had already rolled in, or as if the weather were about to change, like a frosty morning, murky and confused, steaming with white mist.

下了毛毛雨，那蒿草上就弥漫得朦朦胧胧的，像是已经来了大雾，或者像是要变天了，好像是下了霜的早晨，混混沌沌的，在蒸腾著白烟。

颳風和下雨，這院子是很荒涼的了。When the wind blew and the rain fell, this yard was a very desolate place indeed.就是晴天，多大的太陽照在上空，這院子也一樣是荒涼的。Even on a clear day, no matter how brightly the sun shone overhead, this yard was just as desolate.沒有什麼顯眼耀目的裝飾，沒有人工設置過的一點痕跡，什麼都是任其自然，願意東，就東，願意西，就西。There was no striking or dazzling decoration, not a trace of anything arranged by human hand — everything was left to itself, free to go east if it wished to go east, west if it wished to go west.若是純然能夠做到這樣，倒也保存了原始的風景。If it could truly manage to be like this, it would after all have preserved a kind of primeval scenery.但不對的，這算什麼風景呢？But that's not quite right — what sort of scenery could this be called?東邊堆著一堆朽木頭，西邊扔著一片亂柴火。To the east lay a heap of rotten wood, to the west a scattered pile of tangled firewood.左門旁排著一大片舊磚頭，右門邊曬著一片沙泥土。Beside the left gate was ranged a great expanse of old bricks; by the right gate a patch of sandy earth lay drying in the sun.

刮风和下雨，这院子是很荒凉的了。就是晴天，多大的太阳照在上空，这院子也一样是荒凉的。没有什么显眼耀目的装饰，没有人工设置过的一点痕迹，什么都是任其自然，愿意东，就东，愿意西，就西。若是纯然能够做到这样，倒也保存了原始的风景。但不对的，这算什么风景呢？东边堆著一堆朽木头，西边扔著一片乱柴火。左门旁排著一大片旧砖头，右门边晒著一片沙泥土。

沙泥土是廚子拿來搭爐灶的，搭好了爐灶的泥土就扔在門邊了。The sandy earth had been brought by the cook to build a stove, and once the stove was built, the leftover earth was just tossed by the gate.若問他還有什麼用處嗎？If you asked whether it still had any use,我想他也不知道，不過忘了就是了。I think even he wouldn't know — he had simply forgotten about it.

沙泥土是厨子拿来搭炉灶的，搭好了炉灶的泥土就扔在门边了。若问他还有什么用处吗？我想他也不知道，不过忘了就是了。

至於那磚頭可不知道是幹什麼的，已經放了很久了，風吹日曬，下了雨被雨澆。As for those bricks, no one knew what they were for; they had been lying there a long time, blown by the wind, scorched by the sun, and soaked whenever it rained.反正磚頭是不怕雨的，澆澆又礙什麼事。After all, bricks aren't afraid of rain — what harm could a soaking do?那麼就澆著去吧，沒人管它。So let them be soaked then, no one bothered about them.其實也正不必管它，湊巧爐灶或是炕洞子壞了，那就用得著它了。In fact there was really no need to bother about them — if by chance the stove or the flue of the kang broke down, then they would come in handy.就在眼前，伸手就來，用著多麼方便。Right there before your eyes, just reach out and take them — how convenient to use.但是爐灶就總不常壞，炕洞子修的也比較結實。But the stove hardly ever broke down, and the kang flue was built rather sturdily too.不知那裡找的這樣好的工人，一修上炕洞子就是一年，頭一年八月修上，不到第二年八月是不壞的，就是到了第二年八月，也得泥水匠來，磚瓦匠來用鐵刀一塊一塊的把磚砍著搬下來。Who knows where they found such skilled workmen — once the kang flue was repaired it would last a whole year; if it was repaired in the eighth month of one year, it wouldn't break before the eighth month of the next, and even when that eighth month came, a mason had to come, a bricklayer had to come and use an iron chisel to hack the bricks loose and take them down one by one.所以那門前的一堆磚頭似乎是一年也沒有多大的用處。So that pile of bricks in front of the gate seemed to be of hardly any use even in a whole year.三年兩年的還是在那裡擺著。For two or three years it just went on sitting there.大概總是越擺越少，東家拿去一塊墊花盆，西家搬去一塊又是做什麼。Presumably it kept getting smaller the longer it sat — this household would take one brick to prop up a flowerpot, that household would carry off another for some other purpose.不然若是越擺越多，那可就糟了，豈不是慢慢的會把房門封起來的嗎？Otherwise, if the pile kept growing bigger, that would really be trouble — wouldn't it gradually end up walling off the door?

至于那砖头可不知道是干什么的，已经放了很久了，风吹日晒，下了雨被雨浇。反正砖头是不怕雨的，浇浇又碍什么事。那么就浇著去吧，没人管它。其实也正不必管它，凑巧炉灶或是炕洞子坏了，那就用得著它了。就在眼前，伸手就来，用著多么方便。但是炉灶就总不常坏，炕洞子修的也比较结实。不知那里找的这样好的工人，一修上炕洞子就是一年，头一年八月修上，不到第二年八月是不坏的，就是到了第二年八月，也得泥水匠来，砖瓦匠来用铁刀一块一块的把砖砍著搬下来。所以那门前的一堆砖头似乎是一年也没有多大的用处。三年两年的还是在那里摆著。大概总是越摆越少，东家拿去一块垫花盆，西家搬去一块又是做什么。不然若是越摆越多，那可就糟了，岂不是慢慢的会把房门封起来的吗？

其實門前的那磚頭是越來越少的。In fact, the bricks in front of the gate were growing fewer and fewer.不用人工，任其自然，過了三年兩載也就沒有了。Without any human effort, left simply to nature, after two or three years they would be gone entirely.

其实门前的那砖头是越来越少的。不用人工，任其自然，过了三年两载也就没有了。

可是目前還是有的。But for the present they were still there.就和那堆泥土同時在曬著太陽，它陪伴著牠，牠陪伴著它。Right along with that heap of earth, both basking in the sun together — it kept the other company, and the other kept it company too.

可是目前还是有的。就和那堆泥土同时在晒著太阳，它陪伴著牠，牠陪伴著它。

除了這個，還有打碎了的大缸扔在牆邊上，大缸旁邊還有一個破了口的罎子陪著它蹲在那裡。Besides this, there was also a shattered big vat thrown by the wall, and beside the vat a jar with a broken mouth crouched there keeping it company.罎子底上沒有什麼，只積了半罎雨水，用手攀著罎子邊一搖動，那水裡邊有很多活物，會上下的跑，似魚非魚，似蟲非蟲，我不認識。At the bottom of the jar there was nothing much, only about half a jar's worth of rainwater that had collected; if you gripped the rim with your hand and gave it a shake, there were many living things moving about in the water, darting up and down — not quite fish, not quite insects, I couldn't tell what they were.再看那勉強站著的，幾乎是站不住了的已經被打碎了的大缸，那缸裡邊可是什麼也沒有。Then look at that big vat, standing there only barely, almost unable to stay upright, already shattered — inside it there was nothing at all.其實不能夠說那是「裡邊」，本來這缸已經破了肚子。Actually one couldn't really call it an 'inside' — the vat's belly had already been broken open.談不到什麼「裡邊」「外邊」了。There was no longer any question of 'inside' or 'outside.'就簡稱「缸磉」吧！Let's just call it, for short, the 'vat-base'!在這缸磉上什麼也沒有，光滑可愛，用手一拍還會發響。On this vat-base there was nothing at all; it was smooth and pleasing, and if you slapped it with your hand it would even give off a sound.小的時就總喜歡到旁邊去搬一搬，一搬就不得了了，在這缸磉的下邊有無數的潮蟲。As a child I always liked to go over and move it a bit, but once I moved it, what a commotion — underneath this vat-base were countless woodlice.嚇得趕快就跑。Frightened, I would quickly run off.跑得很遠的站在那裡回頭看著，看了一回，那潮蟲亂跑一陣又回到那缸磉的下邊去了。I would run far off and stand there looking back; after watching a while, the woodlice, having scurried about in confusion, would go back again underneath the vat-base.

除了这个，还有打碎了的大缸扔在墙边上，大缸旁边还有一个破了口的坛子陪著它蹲在那里。坛子底上没有什么，只积了半坛雨水，用手攀著坛子边一摇动，那水里边有很多活物，会上下的跑，似鱼非鱼，似虫非虫，我不认识。再看那勉强站著的，几乎是站不住了的已经被打碎了的大缸，那缸里边可是什么也没有。其实不能够说那是「里边」，本来这缸已经破了肚子。谈不到什么「里边」「外边」了。就简称「缸磉」吧！在这缸磉上什么也没有，光滑可爱，用手一拍还会发响。小的时就总喜欢到旁边去搬一搬，一搬就不得了了，在这缸磉的下边有无数的潮虫。吓得赶快就跑。跑得很远的站在那里回头看著，看了一回，那潮虫乱跑一阵又回到那缸磉的下边去了。

這缸磉為什麼不扔掉呢？Why wasn't this vat-base thrown away, then?大概就是專養潮蟲。Probably it was kept just for raising woodlice.

这缸磉为什么不扔掉呢？大概就是专养潮虫。

和這缸磉相對著，還扣著一個豬槽子，那豬槽子已經腐朽了，不知扣了多少年了。Facing this vat-base, there was also a pig trough turned upside down; the trough had already rotted, and no one knew how many years it had lain overturned there.槽子底上長了不少的蘑菇，黑森森的，那是些小蘑；On the bottom of the trough grew quite a few mushrooms, dark and thick-clustered — small mushrooms these were;看樣子，大概吃不得，不知長著做什麼。by the look of them, they probably weren't fit to eat, and no one knew what purpose they served in growing there.

和这缸磉相对著，还扣著一个猪槽子，那猪槽子已经腐朽了，不知扣了多少年了。槽子底上长了不少的蘑菇，黑森森的，那是些小蘑；看样子，大概吃不得，不知长著做什么。

靠著槽子的旁邊就睡著一柄生鏽的鐵犁頭。Lying right beside the trough was a rusted iron plowshare.

靠著槽子的旁边就睡著一柄生锈的铁犁头。

說也奇怪，我家裡的東西都是成對的，成雙的。Strange to say, the things in my family's yard all came in pairs, in matched couples.沒有單個的。There were none standing alone.

说也奇怪，我家里的东西都是成对的，成双的。没有单个的。

磚頭曬太陽，就有泥土來陪著。The bricks basked in the sun, and the earth came to keep them company.有破罎子，就有破大缸。There was a broken jar, and there was a broken vat.

砖头晒太阳，就有泥土来陪著。有破坛子，就有破大缸。

有豬槽子就有鐵犁頭。There was a pig trough, and there was an iron plowshare.像是它們都配了對，結了婚。It was as though they had all been paired off and married.而且各自都有新生命送到世界上來。And each of them, moreover, brought new life into the world.比方缸子裡的似魚非魚，大缸下邊的潮蟲，豬槽子上的蘑菇等等。For instance, the not-quite-fish in the jar, the woodlice under the big vat, the mushrooms on the pig trough, and so on.

有猪槽子就有铁犁头。像是它们都配了对，结了婚。而且各自都有新生命送到世界上来。比方缸子里的似鱼非鱼，大缸下边的潮虫，猪槽子上的蘑菇等等。

不知為什麼，這鐵犁頭，卻看不出什麼新生命來，而是全體腐爛下去了。For some reason, though, this iron plowshare showed no sign of any new life at all — instead its whole body was simply rotting away.什麼也不生，什麼也不長，全體黃澄澄的。Nothing was born of it, nothing grew on it; the whole thing was a dull rusty yellow.用手一觸就往下掉末，雖然它本質是鐵的，但淪落到今天，就完全像黃泥做的了，就像要癱了的樣子。Touch it with your hand and bits would crumble off; although by nature it was iron, by now it had sunk so low it looked exactly as if it were made of yellow clay, as though it were about to collapse into a heap.比起它的同伴那木槽子來，真是遠差千里，慚愧慚愧。Compared with its companion, the wooden trough, it truly fell short by a thousand miles — shameful, shameful.這犁頭假若是人的話，一定要流淚大哭：「我的體質比你們都好哇，怎麼今天衰弱到這個樣子？」If this plowshare were a person, it would surely weep aloud: 'My constitution was better than any of yours — how did I come to be so feeble as this today?'

不知为什么，这铁犁头，却看不出什么新生命来，而是全体腐烂下去了。什么也不生，什么也不长，全体黄澄澄的。用手一触就往下掉末，虽然它本质是铁的，但沦落到今天，就完全像黄泥做的了，就像要瘫了的样子。比起它的同伴那木槽子来，真是远差千里，惭愧惭愧。这犁头假若是人的话，一定要流泪大哭：「我的体质比你们都好哇，怎么今天衰弱到这个样子？」

它不但它自己衰弱，發黃，一下了雨，它那滿身的黃色的色素，還跟著雨水流到別人的身上去。Not only had it itself grown feeble and turned yellow, but whenever it rained, the yellow pigment covering its whole body would flow off with the rainwater onto others besides.那豬槽子的半邊已經被染黃了。Half of the pig trough had already been dyed yellow by it.

它不但它自己衰弱，发黄，一下了雨，它那满身的黄色的色素，还跟著雨水流到别人的身上去。那猪槽子的半边已经被染黄了。

那黃色的水流，還一直流得很遠，是凡它所經過的那條土地，都被它染得焦黃。That yellow trickle of water flowed on a long way besides, and wherever it passed over the ground, it stained the earth a scorched yellow.

那黄色的水流，还一直流得很远，是凡它所经过的那条土地，都被它染得焦黄。

我家是荒涼的。My family's home was a desolate place.

我家是荒凉的。

一進大門，靠著大門洞子的東壁是三間破房子，靠著大門洞子的西壁仍是三間破房子。As soon as you entered the main gate, against the east wall of the gate-passage stood three dilapidated rooms, and against the west wall of the gate-passage stood another three dilapidated rooms.再加上一個大門洞，看起來是七間連著串，外表上似乎是很威武的，房子都很高大，架著很粗的木頭的房架。Add to that the gate-passage itself, and it looked like seven rooms strung together in a row; on the outside it appeared quite imposing — the buildings were all tall and grand, framed with very thick wooden beams.大柁是很粗的，一個小孩抱不過來。The great roof-beams were so thick that a child couldn't get their arms around one.都一律是瓦房蓋，房脊上還有透窿的用瓦做的花，迎著太陽看去，是很好看的。All of them alike were tiled roofs, and on the ridge there were even openwork flower patterns made of tile, which, seen against the sun, looked very fine indeed.房脊的兩梢上，一邊有一個鴿子，大概也是瓦做的。At the two ends of the ridge there was a pigeon on each side, probably also made of tile.終年不動，停在那裡。Year in and year out they never moved, just perched there.這房子的外表，似乎不壞。The outward appearance of this house seemed not at all bad.

一进大门，靠著大门洞子的东壁是三间破房子，靠著大门洞子的西壁仍是三间破房子。再加上一个大门洞，看起来是七间连著串，外表上似乎是很威武的，房子都很高大，架著很粗的木头的房架。大柁是很粗的，一个小孩抱不过来。都一律是瓦房盖，房脊上还有透窿的用瓦做的花，迎著太阳看去，是很好看的。房脊的两梢上，一边有一个鸽子，大概也是瓦做的。终年不动，停在那里。这房子的外表，似乎不坏。

但我看它內容空虛。But to my eye, its substance was hollow and empty.

但我看它内容空虚。

西邊的三間，自家用裝糧食的，糧食沒有多少，耗子可是成群了。The three rooms on the west side were used by the family itself for storing grain; there wasn't much grain, but the rats had certainly multiplied into whole packs.

西边的三间，自家用装粮食的，粮食没有多少，耗子可是成群了。

糧食倉子底下讓耗子咬出洞來，耗子的全家在吃著糧食。At the bottom of the grain bins the rats had gnawed out holes, and whole rat families were feeding on the grain.耗子在下邊吃，麻雀在上邊吃。The rats ate from below, and the sparrows ate from above.全屋都是土腥氣。The whole room reeked of a musty, earthy smell.窗子壞了，用板釘起來，門也壞了，每一開就顫抖抖的。The windows were broken and had been nailed shut with boards; the door too was broken, and it trembled and shook every time it was opened.

粮食仓子底下让耗子咬出洞来，耗子的全家在吃著粮食。耗子在下边吃，麻雀在上边吃。全屋都是土腥气。窗子坏了，用板钉起来，门也坏了，每一开就颤抖抖的。

靠著門洞子西壁的三間房，是租給一家養豬的。The three rooms against the west wall of the gate-passage were rented out to a family that raised pigs.那屋裡屋外沒有別的，都是豬了。Inside and outside that place there was nothing else — it was all pigs.大豬小豬，豬槽子，豬糧食。Big pigs, small pigs, pig troughs, pig feed.來往的人也都是豬販子，連房子帶人，都弄得氣味非常之壞。The people who came and went were all pig dealers too, and between the buildings and the people, everything reeked terribly.

靠著门洞子西壁的三间房，是租给一家养猪的。那屋里屋外没有别的，都是猪了。大猪小猪，猪槽子，猪粮食。来往的人也都是猪贩子，连房子带人，都弄得气味非常之坏。

說來那家也並沒有養了多少豬，也不過十個八個的。To tell the truth, that family didn't actually keep all that many pigs — no more than seven or eight, or perhaps ten.每當黃昏的時候，那叫豬的聲音遠近得聞。Every evening at dusk, the sound of pigs squealing could be heard both near and far.打著豬槽子，敲著圈棚。They would beat on the pig troughs, knock on the pens,叫了幾聲，停了一停。call out a few times, then pause for a moment.聲音有高有低，在黃昏的莊嚴的空氣裡好像是說他家的生活是非常寂寞的。The sound rose and fell, and in the solemn air of dusk it seemed to be saying that that household's life was a very lonely one.

说来那家也并没有养了多少猪，也不过十个八个的。每当黄昏的时候，那叫猪的声音远近得闻。打著猪槽子，敲著圈棚。叫了几声，停了一停。声音有高有低，在黄昏的庄严的空气里好像是说他家的生活是非常寂寞的。

除了這一連串的七間房子之外，還有六間破房子，三間破草房，三間碾磨房。Besides this string of seven rooms, there were also six more dilapidated rooms — three ramshackle thatched rooms and three mill rooms.

除了这一连串的七间房子之外，还有六间破房子，三间破草房，三间碾磨房。

三間碾磨房一起租給那家養豬的了，因為它靠近那家養豬的。The three mill rooms were rented out together to the pig-raising family too, since they stood close by that family's place.

三间碾磨房一起租给那家养猪的了，因为它靠近那家养猪的。

三間破草房是在院子的西南角上，這房子它單獨的跑得那麼遠，孤伶伶的，毛頭毛腳的，歪歪斜斜的站在那裡。The three ramshackle thatched rooms stood in the southwest corner of the yard; all on their own they had strayed off that far, standing there solitary, rough and ragged, leaning crookedly to one side.

三间破草房是在院子的西南角上，这房子它单独的跑得那么远，孤伶伶的，毛头毛脚的，歪歪斜斜的站在那里。

房頂的草上長著青苔，遠看去，一片綠，很是好看。On the thatch of the roof grew moss, and seen from a distance it was a stretch of green, very pleasing to look at.下了雨，房頂上就出蘑菇，人們就上房採蘑菇，就好像上山去採蘑菇一樣，一採採了很多。When it rained, mushrooms would sprout on the roof, and people would climb up to pick them, just as if they were going up a mountain to gather mushrooms, and they would gather a great many at a time.這樣出蘑菇的房頂實在是很少有，我家的房子共有三十來間，其餘的都不會出蘑菇，所以住在那房裡的人一提著筐子上房去採蘑菇，全院子的人沒有不羨慕的，都說：A roof that sprouted mushrooms like this was truly a rare thing; my family's buildings numbered some thirty rooms in all, and none of the rest ever grew mushrooms, so whenever the people living in that room picked up their baskets and climbed onto the roof to gather mushrooms, there was no one in the whole yard who did not envy them, and they would all say:

房顶的草上长著青苔，远看去，一片绿，很是好看。下了雨，房顶上就出蘑菇，人们就上房采蘑菇，就好像上山去采蘑菇一样，一采采了很多。这样出蘑菇的房顶实在是很少有，我家的房子共有三十来间，其余的都不会出蘑菇，所以住在那房里的人一提著筐子上房去采蘑菇，全院子的人没有不羡慕的，都说：

「這蘑菇是新鮮的，可不比那乾蘑菇，若是殺一個小雞炒上，那真好吃極了。」'These mushrooms are fresh ones, quite unlike those dried mushrooms — if you killed a chicken and fried them up together, they'd taste absolutely wonderful.'

「这蘑菇是新鲜的，可不比那干蘑菇，若是杀一个小鸡炒上，那真好吃极了。」

「蘑菇炒豆腐，噯，真鮮！」'Mushrooms fried with bean curd — ah, so delicious!'

「蘑菇炒豆腐，嗳，真鲜！」

「雨後的蘑菇嫩過了仔雞。」'Mushrooms after the rain are more tender than a young chicken.'

「雨后的蘑菇嫩过了仔鸡。」

「蘑菇炒雞，吃蘑菇而不吃雞。」'Mushrooms fried with chicken — you eat the mushrooms and leave the chicken.'

「蘑菇炒鸡，吃蘑菇而不吃鸡。」

「蘑菇下麵，吃湯而忘了麵。」'Mushrooms in noodle soup — you drink the broth and forget all about the noodles.'

「蘑菇下面，吃汤而忘了面。」

「吃了這蘑菇，不忘了姓才怪的。」'Eat these mushrooms, and it'd be a wonder if you didn't forget your own family name.'

「吃了这蘑菇，不忘了姓才怪的。」

「清蒸蘑菇加薑絲，能吃八盌小米子乾飯。」'Mushrooms steamed plain with shredded ginger — you could eat eight bowls of millet rice with them.'

「清蒸蘑菇加姜丝，能吃八盌小米子干饭。」

「你不要小看了這蘑菇，這是意外之財！」'Don't you go looking down on these mushrooms — this is a windfall of good fortune!'

「你不要小看了这蘑菇，这是意外之财！」

同院住的那些羨慕的人，都恨自己為什麼不住在那草房裡。Those envious people living in the same courtyard all resented themselves for not living in that thatched room.若早知道租了房子連蘑菇都一起租來了，就非租那房子不可。If they had known earlier that renting the room meant renting the mushrooms along with it, they would have insisted on renting that very room.天下那有這樣的好事，租房子還帶蘑菇的。Where in the world was there such a good bargain — renting a room that came with mushrooms thrown in!於是感慨唏噓，相嘆不已。And so they sighed and lamented, marveling to one another without end.

同院住的那些羡慕的人，都恨自己为什么不住在那草房里。若早知道租了房子连蘑菇都一起租来了，就非租那房子不可。天下那有这样的好事，租房子还带蘑菇的。于是感慨唏嘘，相叹不已。

再說站在房間上正在採著的，在多少隻眼目之中，真是一種光榮的工作。As for the one standing on the roof picking away, under the gaze of so many eyes, it was truly a glorious task.於是也就慢慢的採，本來一袋煙的工夫就可以採完，但是要延長到半頓飯的工夫。And so they would pick slowly and deliberately — a job that could really have been finished in the time it takes to smoke a pipe was stretched out instead to half the time of a meal.同時故意選了幾個大的，從房頂上驕傲的拋下來，同時說：At the same time they would deliberately pick out a few of the biggest ones and toss them down proudly from the roof, saying as they did:

再说站在房间上正在采著的，在多少只眼目之中，真是一种光荣的工作。于是也就慢慢的采，本来一袋烟的工夫就可以采完，但是要延长到半顿饭的工夫。同时故意选了几个大的，从房顶上骄傲的抛下来，同时说：

「你們看吧，你們見過這樣乾淨的蘑菇嗎？'Just look at these — have you ever seen such clean mushrooms?錯了是這個房頂，那個房頂能夠長出這樣的好蘑菇來。」Only this roof of ours, no other roof, could grow such fine mushrooms as these.'

「你们看吧，你们见过这样干净的蘑菇吗？错了是这个房顶，那个房顶能够长出这样的好蘑菇来。」

那在下面的，根本看不清房頂到底那蘑菇全部多大，以為一律是這樣大的，於是就更增加了無限的驚異。Those standing below could not really see clearly just how big all the mushrooms up on the roof actually were, and supposed every one of them was just as large as these, so their astonishment grew all the greater.趕快彎下腰去拾起來，拿到家裡，晚飯的時候，賣豆腐的來，破費二百錢撿點豆腐，把蘑菇燒上。They would quickly bend down to pick them up and carry them home, and when the bean-curd seller came round at dinner time, they would spend two hundred cash on some bean curd and cook it together with the mushrooms.

那在下面的，根本看不清房顶到底那蘑菇全部多大，以为一律是这样大的，于是就更增加了无限的惊异。赶快弯下腰去拾起来，拿到家里，晚饭的时候，卖豆腐的来，破费二百钱捡点豆腐，把蘑菇烧上。

可是那在房頂上的因為驕傲，忘記了那房頂有許多地方是不結實的，已經露了洞了，一不加小心就把腳掉下去了，把腳往外一拔，腳上的鞋子不見了。But the one up on the roof, made careless by pride, forgot that in many places the roof was not sound and had already opened into holes, and with one careless step a foot went right through; on yanking the foot back out, the shoe on it was gone.

可是那在房顶上的因为骄傲，忘记了那房顶有许多地方是不结实的，已经露了洞了，一不加小心就把脚掉下去了，把脚往外一拔，脚上的鞋子不见了。

鞋子從房頂落下去，一直就落在鍋裡，鍋裡正是翻開的滾水，鞋子就在滾水裡邊煮上了。The shoe fell from the roof straight down into a pot below, and the pot happened to be full of water at a rolling boil, so the shoe went on cooking right there in the boiling water.鍋邊漏粉的人越看越有意思，越覺得好玩，那一隻鞋子在開水裡滾著，翻著，還從鞋底上滾下一些泥漿來，弄得漏下去的粉條都黃忽忽的了。The person by the pot making noodles found it more and more amusing the longer they watched, more and more fun — that single shoe tumbling and turning in the boiling water, with bits of mud rolling off its sole, so that the noodle strands dropping into the pot all turned a murky yellow.可是他們還不把鞋子從鍋裡拿出來，他們說，反正這粉條是賣的，也不是自己吃。Yet they still didn't take the shoe out of the pot; they said that after all these noodles were to be sold, not for themselves to eat.

鞋子从房顶落下去，一直就落在锅里，锅里正是翻开的滚水，鞋子就在滚水里边煮上了。锅边漏粉的人越看越有意思，越觉得好玩，那一只鞋子在开水里滚著，翻著，还从鞋底上滚下一些泥浆来，弄得漏下去的粉条都黄忽忽的了。可是他们还不把鞋子从锅里拿出来，他们说，反正这粉条是卖的，也不是自己吃。

這房頂雖然產蘑菇，但是不能夠避雨，一下起雨來，全屋就像小水罐似的。Although this roof produced mushrooms, it could not keep out the rain — whenever it started raining, the whole room turned into something like a little water jug.摸摸這個是濕的，摸摸那個是濕的。Feel this thing and it was wet, feel that thing and it was wet too.

这房顶虽然产蘑菇，但是不能够避雨，一下起雨来，全屋就像小水罐似的。摸摸这个是湿的，摸摸那个是湿的。

好在這裡邊住的都是些個粗人。Fortunately, the people living inside were all rough, hardy sorts.

好在这里边住的都是些个粗人。

有一個歪鼻瞪眼的名叫「鐵子」的孩子。There was a child with a crooked nose and staring eyes named 'Tiezi.'他整天手裡拿著一柄鐵鍬，在一個長槽子裡邊往下切著，切些個什麼呢？All day long he held an iron shovel in his hand, chopping away down in a long trough — chopping at what, though?初到這屋子裡來的人是看不清的，因為熱氣騰騰的這屋裡不知都在做些個什麼。Anyone new to this room couldn't make it out clearly, for amid all the steaming heat inside, there was no telling just what was going on.細一看，才能看出來他切的是馬鈴薯。Only on looking closely could one make out that he was slicing potatoes.槽子裡都是馬鈴薯。The trough was full of potatoes.

有一个歪鼻瞪眼的名叫「铁子」的孩子。他整天手里拿著一柄铁锹，在一个长槽子里边往下切著，切些个什么呢？初到这屋子里来的人是看不清的，因为热气腾腾的这屋里不知都在做些个什么。细一看，才能看出来他切的是马铃薯。槽子里都是马铃薯。

這草房是租給一家開粉房的。This thatched hut was rented to a family who ran a starch-noodle workshop.漏粉的人都是些粗人，沒有好鞋襪，沒有好行李，一個一個的和小豬差不多，住在這房子裡邊是很相當的，好房子讓他們一住也怕是住壞了。The men who strained the noodles were all rough fellows, with no decent shoes or socks and no decent belongings; one after another, they were much like little pigs, so it was quite fitting for them to live in a place like this—for even a good house would probably be ruined once they moved in.何況每一下雨還有蘑菇吃。Besides, whenever it rained, there were mushrooms to eat.

这草房是租给一家开粉房的。漏粉的人都是些粗人，没有好鞋袜，没有好行李，一个一个的和小猪差不多，住在这房子里边是很相当的，好房子让他们一住也怕是住坏了。何况每一下雨还有蘑菇吃。

這粉房裡的人吃蘑菇，總是蘑菇和粉配在一道，蘑菇炒粉，蘑菇燉粉，蘑菇煮粉。The people in the noodle workshop always ate mushrooms together with noodles: noodles fried with mushrooms, noodles stewed with mushrooms, noodles boiled with mushrooms.沒有湯的叫做「炒」，有湯的叫做「煮」，湯少一點的叫做「燉」。With no broth it was called “fried”; with broth, “boiled”; and with only a little broth, “stewed.”

这粉房里的人吃蘑菇，总是蘑菇和粉配在一道，蘑菇炒粉，蘑菇炖粉，蘑菇煮粉。没有汤的叫做「炒」，有汤的叫做「煮」，汤少一点的叫做「炖」。

他們做好了，常常還端著一大盌來送給祖父。When they had cooked some, they would often bring Grandfather a large bowlful.等那歪鼻瞪眼的孩子一走了，祖父就說：As soon as the crooked-nosed, glaring-eyed boy had gone, Grandfather would say:

他们做好了，常常还端著一大盌来送给祖父。等那歪鼻瞪眼的孩子一走了，祖父就说：

「這吃不得，若吃到有毒的就吃死了。」“You mustn't eat this. If you happen upon a poisonous one, it'll kill you.”

「这吃不得，若吃到有毒的就吃死了。」

但那粉房裡的人，從來沒吃死過，天天裡邊唱著歌，漏著粉。Yet no one in the noodle workshop had ever died from eating them; every day they sang as they strained their noodles.

但那粉房里的人，从来没吃死过，天天里边唱著歌，漏著粉。

粉房的門前搭了幾丈高的架子，亮晶晶的白粉，好像瀑布似的掛在上邊。In front of the workshop stood a rack several zhang high, from which the glistening white noodles hung like a waterfall.

粉房的门前搭了几丈高的架子，亮晶晶的白粉，好像瀑布似的挂在上边。

他們一邊掛著粉，也是一邊唱著的。They sang as they hung the noodles up.等粉條曬乾了，他們一邊收著粉，也是一邊的唱著。And when the noodles had dried, they sang as they gathered them in.那唱不是從工作所得到的愉快，好像含著眼淚在笑似的。Their singing did not spring from the joy of work; it was like smiling through tears.

他们一边挂著粉，也是一边唱著的。等粉条晒干了，他们一边收著粉，也是一边的唱著。那唱不是从工作所得到的愉快，好像含著眼泪在笑似的。

逆來順受，你說我的生命可惜，我自己卻不在乎。They took whatever came without complaint: you may say my life is a pitiable thing, but I myself do not care.你看著很危險，我卻自己以為得意。You may think it terribly dangerous, but I pride myself on it.不得意怎麼樣？And if I did not, what then?人生是苦多樂少。In life there is much sorrow and little joy.

逆来顺受，你说我的生命可惜，我自己却不在乎。你看著很危险，我却自己以为得意。不得意怎么样？人生是苦多乐少。

那粉房裡的歌聲，就像一朵紅花開在了牆頭上。The song from the noodle workshop was like a red flower blooming atop a wall.越鮮明，就越覺得荒涼。The brighter it was, the more desolate everything seemed.

那粉房里的歌声，就像一朵红花开在了墙头上。越鲜明，就越觉得荒凉。

「正月十五正月正，“The fifteenth of the first month, the full first moon,

家家戶戶掛紅燈。Every household hangs up crimson lanterns.

家家户户挂红灯。

人家的丈夫團圓聚，Other women's husbands gather home with their families,

人家的丈夫团圆聚，

孟姜女的丈夫去修長城。」But Meng Jiangnü's husband has gone to build the Great Wall.”

孟姜女的丈夫去修长城。」

只要是一個晴天，粉絲一掛起來了，這歌音就聽得見的。Whenever the weather was clear and the vermicelli was hung out, this song could be heard.因為那破草房是在西南角上，所以那聲音比較的遼遠。Because the broken-down thatched hut stood in the southwest corner, the singing sounded comparatively distant.偶爾也有裝腔女人的音調在唱「五更天」。Now and then there would also be a woman singing “The Five Night Watches” in an affected voice.

只要是一个晴天，粉丝一挂起来了，这歌音就听得见的。因为那破草房是在西南角上，所以那声音比较的辽远。偶尔也有装腔女人的音调在唱「五更天」。

那草房實在是不行了，每下一次大雨，那草房北頭就要多加一隻支柱，那支柱已經有七八隻之多了，但是房子還是天天的往北邊歪。The thatched hut was truly past all use: after every heavy rain, another prop had to be added at its northern end; there were already seven or eight of them, yet the house kept leaning farther north day by day.越歪越厲害，我一看了就害怕，怕從那旁邊一過，恰好那房子倒了下來，壓在我身上。Its tilt grew worse and worse, and the sight of it frightened me; I feared that just as I passed beside it, the house might collapse and crush me beneath it.那房子實在是不像樣子了，窗子本來是四方的，都歪斜得變成菱形的了。The house was truly a sorry sight: its windows, square to begin with, had all been skewed into diamonds.門也歪斜得關不上了。The door, too, had warped so badly that it would no longer close.牆上的大柁就像要掉下來似的，向一邊跳出來了。The great roof girder looked ready to fall, jutting out to one side.房脊上的正樑一天一天的往北走，已經拔了榫，脫離別人的牽掣，而它自己單獨行動起來了。Day by day the main ridge beam crept northward; it had already pulled free of its mortises and shaken off the restraint of the other timbers, and now it was moving on its own.那些釘在房脊上的椽杆子，能夠跟著它跑的，就跟著它一順水的往北邊跑下去了；Those rafters nailed to the ridge that could follow it went sliding down northward in a single sweep;不能夠跟著它跑的，就掙斷了釘子，而垂下頭來，向著粉房裡的人們的頭垂下來，因為另一頭是壓在檐外，所以不能夠掉下來，只是滴里郎當的垂著。those that could not follow tore themselves free of their nails and hung their heads down over the people in the noodle workshop; since their other ends were pinned beneath the eaves outside, they could not fall, but merely dangled there, loose and clattering.

那草房实在是不行了，每下一次大雨，那草房北头就要多加一只支柱，那支柱已经有七八只之多了，但是房子还是天天的往北边歪。越歪越厉害，我一看了就害怕，怕从那旁边一过，恰好那房子倒了下来，压在我身上。那房子实在是不像样子了，窗子本来是四方的，都歪斜得变成菱形的了。门也歪斜得关不上了。墙上的大柁就像要掉下来似的，向一边跳出来了。房脊上的正梁一天一天的往北走，已经拔了榫，脱离别人的牵掣，而它自己单独行动起来了。那些钉在房脊上的椽杆子，能够跟著它跑的，就跟著它一顺水的往北边跑下去了；不能够跟著它跑的，就挣断了钉子，而垂下头来，向著粉房里的人们的头垂下来，因为另一头是压在檐外，所以不能够掉下来，只是滴里郎当的垂著。

我一次進粉房去，想要看一看漏粉到底是怎樣漏法。Once I went into the noodle workshop to see exactly how the noodles were strained.但是不敢細看，我很怕那椽子頭掉下來打了我。But I did not dare look closely, for I was afraid the end of a rafter might fall and strike me.

我一次进粉房去，想要看一看漏粉到底是怎样漏法。但是不敢细看，我很怕那椽子头掉下来打了我。

一刮起風來，這房子就喳喳的山響，大柁響，馬樑響，門框、窗框響。Whenever the wind rose, the whole house clattered thunderously: the great girder creaked, the crossbeam creaked, and the doorframes and window frames creaked.

一刮起风来，这房子就喳喳的山响，大柁响，马梁响，门框、窗框响。

一下了雨，又是喳喳的響。Whenever it rained, it clattered too.

一下了雨，又是喳喳的响。

不刮風，不下雨，夜裡也是會響的，因為夜深人靜了，萬物齊鳴，何況這本來就會響的房子，那能不響呢。Even when there was neither wind nor rain, it would creak at night; for in the deep stillness of night all things raise their voices, and how could this house, which creaked by its very nature, remain silent?

不刮风，不下雨，夜里也是会响的，因为夜深人静了，万物齐鸣，何况这本来就会响的房子，那能不响呢。

以它響得最厲害。It creaked the loudest of all.別的東西的響，是因為傾心去聽它，就是聽得到的，也是極幽渺的，不十分可靠的。The sounds made by other things could be heard only if one listened intently, and even then they were so faint and elusive as to be scarcely trustworthy.也許是因為一個人的耳鳴而引起來的錯覺，比方貓、狗、蟲子之類的響叫，那是因為他們是生物的緣故。Perhaps they were illusions brought on by a ringing in one's ears; as for the cries of cats, dogs, insects, and the like, those sounded because they were living creatures.

以它响得最厉害。别的东西的响，是因为倾心去听它，就是听得到的，也是极幽渺的，不十分可靠的。也许是因为一个人的耳鸣而引起来的错觉，比方猫、狗、虫子之类的响叫，那是因为他们是生物的缘故。

可曾有人聽過夜裡房子會叫的，誰家的房子會叫，叫得好像個活物似的，嚓嚓的，帶著無限的重量。But had anyone ever heard a house cry out at night? Whose house could cry out like a living thing, crunching and cracking under a boundless weight?往往會把睡在這房子裡的人叫醒。It often woke the people sleeping inside.

可曾有人听过夜里房子会叫的，谁家的房子会叫，叫得好像个活物似的，嚓嚓的，带著无限的重量。往往会把睡在这房子里的人叫醒。

被叫醒了的人，翻了一個身說：A person awakened by it would roll over and say:

被叫醒了的人，翻了一个身说：

「房子又走了。」“The house has moved again.”

真是活神活現，聽他說了這話，好像房子要搬了場似的。It was said with such vivid conviction that the house seemed about to move away to some other place.

真是活神活现，听他说了这话，好像房子要搬了场似的。

房子都要搬場了，為什麼睡在裡邊的人還不起來，他是不起來的，他翻了個身又睡了。Yet though the house itself was about to move away, why did the people sleeping inside not get up? They did not; they merely rolled over and went back to sleep.

房子都要搬场了，为什么睡在里边的人还不起来，他是不起来的，他翻了个身又睡了。

住在這裡邊的人，對於房子就要倒的這會事，毫不加戒心，好像他們已經有了血族的關係，是非常信靠的。Those who lived there felt not the least alarm at the prospect of the house collapsing, as though they and the house were blood relations and trusted each other utterly.

住在这里边的人，对于房子就要倒的这会事，毫不加戒心，好像他们已经有了血族的关系，是非常信靠的。

似乎這房一旦倒了，也不會壓到他們，就像是壓到了，也不會壓死的，絕對的沒有生命的危險。It seemed that even if the house did collapse, it would not crush them; and even if it did crush them, it could not kill them—there was absolutely no danger to their lives.這些人的過度的自信，不知從那裡來的，也許住在那房子裡邊的人都是用鐵鑄的，而不是肉長的。Where these people got such excessive confidence, I do not know; perhaps all who lived in that house were cast from iron rather than made of flesh.再不然就是他們都是敢死隊，生命置之度外了。Otherwise, they must all have belonged to a suicide squad, holding their lives of no account.

似乎这房一旦倒了，也不会压到他们，就像是压到了，也不会压死的，绝对的没有生命的危险。这些人的过度的自信，不知从那里来的，也许住在那房子里边的人都是用铁铸的，而不是肉长的。再不然就是他们都是敢死队，生命置之度外了。

若不然為什麼這麼勇敢？If not, why were they so brave?生死不怕。They feared neither life nor death.

若不然为什么这么勇敢？生死不怕。

若說他們是生死不怕，那也是不對的，比方那曬粉條的人，從杆子上往下摘粉條的時候，那杆子掉下來了，就嚇他一哆嗦。Yet to say they feared neither life nor death would also be wrong. For instance, when a man taking dried noodles down from a pole saw the pole fall, he would start with fright.粉條打碎了，他還沒有敲打著。The noodles were smashed, though he himself had not been struck.他把粉條收起來，他還看著那杆子，他思索起來，他說：He gathered up the noodles, then kept looking at the pole; he began to ponder and said:

若说他们是生死不怕，那也是不对的，比方那晒粉条的人，从杆子上往下摘粉条的时候，那杆子掉下来了，就吓他一哆嗦。粉条打碎了，他还没有敲打著。他把粉条收起来，他还看著那杆子，他思索起来，他说：

「莫不是──」“Could it be—”

他越想越奇怪，怎麼粉打碎了，而人沒打著呢。The more he thought, the stranger it seemed: how was it that the noodles had been smashed, but the man had not been hit?他把那杆子扶了上去，遠遠的站在那裡看著，用眼睛捉摸著。He propped the pole up again, then stood at a distance watching it, trying to judge it with his eyes.越捉摸越覺得可怕。The more he studied it, the more frightening it seemed.

他越想越奇怪，怎么粉打碎了，而人没打著呢。他把那杆子扶了上去，远远的站在那里看著，用眼睛捉摸著。越捉摸越觉得可怕。

「唉呀！“Ai-ya!這要是落到頭上呢。」What if that had landed on my head?”

「唉呀！这要是落到头上呢。」

那真是不堪想像了。That was truly too dreadful to imagine.於是他摸著自己的頭頂，他覺得萬幸萬幸，下回該加小心。Then he felt the crown of his head and counted himself extraordinarily lucky, resolving to be more careful next time.

那真是不堪想像了。于是他摸著自己的头顶，他觉得万幸万幸，下回该加小心。

本來那杆子還沒有房椽子那麼粗，可是他一看見，他就害怕，每次他再曬粉條的時候，他都是躲著那杆子，連在它旁邊走也不敢走。That pole was not even as thick as a roof rafter, yet the very sight of it frightened him; whenever he next hung noodles out to dry, he kept well away from that pole and did not even dare walk beside it.總是用眼睛溜著它，過了很多日才算把這回事忘了。He was forever keeping a wary eye on it, and it was many days before he finally forgot the affair.

本来那杆子还没有房椽子那么粗，可是他一看见，他就害怕，每次他再晒粉条的时候，他都是躲著那杆子，连在它旁边走也不敢走。总是用眼睛溜著它，过了很多日才算把这回事忘了。

下雨打雷的時候，他就把燈滅了，他們說雷撲火，怕雷劈著。When it rained and thundered, he put out the lamp; they said thunder pounced on fire, and feared that lightning might strike them.

下雨打雷的时候，他就把灯灭了，他们说雷扑火，怕雷劈著。

他們過河的時候，拋兩個銅板到河裡去，傳說河是饞的，常常淹死人的，把銅板一擺到河裡，河神高興了，就不會把他們淹死了。When they crossed the river, they tossed two copper coins into the water; the story went that the river was greedy and often drowned people, but if copper coins were thrown into it, the River God would be pleased and would not drown them.

他们过河的时候，抛两个铜板到河里去，传说河是馋的，常常淹死人的，把铜板一摆到河里，河神高兴了，就不会把他们淹死了。

這證明住在這嚓嚓響著的草房裡的他們，也是很膽小的，也和一般人一樣是戰戰兢兢的活在這世界上。This proves that the people living in that crackling thatched hut were timid too, and that, like everyone else, they lived in fear and trembling in this world.

这证明住在这嚓嚓响著的草房里的他们，也是很胆小的，也和一般人一样是战战兢兢的活在这世界上。

那麼這房子既然要塌了，他們為麼不怕呢？Then, since the house was about to collapse, why were they not afraid?

那么这房子既然要塌了，他们为么不怕呢？

據賣饅頭的老趙頭說：According to Old Zhao, the steamed-bun seller:

据卖馒头的老赵头说：

「他們要的就是這個要倒的麼！」“A house about to fall down is just what they want!”

「他们要的就是这个要倒的么！」

據粉房裡的那個歪鼻瞪眼的孩子說：According to the crooked-nosed, glaring-eyed boy from the noodle workshop:

据粉房里的那个歪鼻瞪眼的孩子说：

「這是住房子啊，也不是娶媳婦要她周周正正。」“It's only a house to live in, not a wife you're marrying—why should it have to be perfectly straight and proper?”

「这是住房子啊，也不是娶媳妇要她周周正正。」

據同院住的周家的兩位少年紳士說：According to the Zhou family's two young gentlemen, who lived in the same compound:

据同院住的周家的两位少年绅士说：

「這房子對於他們那等粗人，就再合適也沒有了。」“For rough people of their sort, no house could be more suitable.”

「这房子对于他们那等粗人，就再合适也没有了。」

據我家的有二伯說：According to Second Uncle You of our family:

据我家的有二伯说：

「是他們貪圖便宜，好房子呼蘭城裡有的多，為啥他們不搬家呢？“They're just after cheap rent. There are plenty of good houses in Hulan—why don't they move?好房子人家要房錢的呀，不像是咱們家這房子，一年送來十斤二十斤的乾粉就完事，等於白住。Because people charge rent for good houses, that's why. Our house isn't like that: they bring us ten or twenty jin of dried noodles a year and that's the end of it. They practically live here for nothing.你二伯是沒有家眷，若不我也找這樣房子去住。」If your Second Uncle didn't have a family to consider, I'd find a house like this to live in too.”

「是他们贪图便宜，好房子呼兰城里有的多，为啥他们不搬家呢？好房子人家要房钱的呀，不像是咱们家这房子，一年送来十斤二十斤的干粉就完事，等于白住。你二伯是没有家眷，若不我也找这样房子去住。」

二伯說的也許有點對。Perhaps Second Uncle had something of a point.

二伯说的也许有点对。

祖父早就想拆了那座房子的，是因為他們幾次的全體挽留才留下來的。Grandfather had long wanted to tear the house down; it remained standing only because all its occupants had repeatedly pleaded with him not to.

祖父早就想拆了那座房子的，是因为他们几次的全体挽留才留下来的。

至於這個房子將來倒與不倒，或是發生什麼幸與不幸，大家都以為這太遠了，不必想了。As for whether the house would collapse in the future, or what good or ill might come of it, everyone felt that was too far off to think about.

至于这个房子将来倒与不倒，或是发生什么幸与不幸，大家都以为这太远了，不必想了。

我家的院子是很荒涼的。Our family compound was a very desolate place.

我家的院子是很荒凉的。

那邊住著幾個漏粉的，那邊住著幾個養豬的。Over there lived several noodle strainers; over here lived several pig keepers.養豬的那廂房裡還住著一個拉磨的。In the side room occupied by the pig keepers there also lived a man who turned a mill.

那边住著几个漏粉的，那边住著几个养猪的。养猪的那厢房里还住著一个拉磨的。

那拉磨的，夜裡打著梆子通夜的打。The mill-turner beat a wooden clapper at night, beating it the whole night through.

那拉磨的，夜里打著梆子通夜的打。

養豬的那一家有幾個閒散雜人，常常聚在一起唱著秦腔，拉著胡琴。The pig-keeping household had several idle hangers-on, who often gathered to sing Qinqiang opera and play the huqin.

养猪的那一家有几个闲散杂人，常常聚在一起唱著秦腔，拉著胡琴。

西南角上那漏粉的則歡喜在晴天裡邊唱一個《嘆五更》。The noodle strainers in the southwest corner, meanwhile, liked to sing “Lament of the Five Night Watches” on clear days.

西南角上那漏粉的则欢喜在晴天里边唱一个《叹五更》。

他們雖然是拉胡琴、打梆子、嘆五更，但是並不是繁華的，並不是一往直前的，並不是他們看見了光明，或是希望著光明，這些都不是的。Yet although they played the huqin, beat the clapper, and lamented through the five night watches, there was nothing lively or flourishing about it; they were not pressing boldly forward, nor had they seen the light or placed their hopes in it—none of that was true.

他们虽然是拉胡琴、打梆子、叹五更，但是并不是繁华的，并不是一往直前的，并不是他们看见了光明，或是希望著光明，这些都不是的。

他們看不見什麼是光明的，甚至於根本也不知道，就像太陽照在了瞎子的頭上了，瞎子也看不見太陽，但瞎子卻感到實在是溫暖了。They could not see what light was; indeed, they did not even know it existed. It was like the sun shining on a blind man's head: the blind man could not see the sun, yet he truly felt its warmth.

他们看不见什么是光明的，甚至于根本也不知道，就像太阳照在了瞎子的头上了，瞎子也看不见太阳，但瞎子却感到实在是温暖了。

他們就是這類人，他們不知道光明在那裡，可是他們實實在在的感得到寒涼就在他們的身上，他們想擊退了寒涼，因此而來了悲哀。They were people of this sort: they did not know where the light was, but they could truly feel the cold upon their bodies; they wished to drive the cold away, and from this came their sorrow.

他们就是这类人，他们不知道光明在那里，可是他们实实在在的感得到寒凉就在他们的身上，他们想击退了寒凉，因此而来了悲哀。

他們被父母生下來，沒有什麼希望，只希望吃飽了，穿暖了。They had been born into the world by their parents with no great hopes; they hoped only to eat their fill and dress warmly.但也吃不飽，也穿不暖。Yet they could neither eat their fill nor dress warmly.

他们被父母生下来，没有什么希望，只希望吃饱了，穿暖了。但也吃不饱，也穿不暖。

逆來的，順受了。Whatever adversity came, they submitted to it.

逆来的，顺受了。

順來的事情，卻一輩子也沒有。But favorable things never came to them in all their lives.

顺来的事情，却一辈子也没有。

磨房裡那打梆子的，夜裡常常是越打越響，他越打得激烈，人們越說那聲音淒涼。At night, the clapper-beater in the millhouse often beat louder and louder; the more fiercely he beat, the more mournful people said the sound became.因為他單單的響音，沒有同調。For his was a solitary sound, without another voice to answer it.

磨房里那打梆子的，夜里常常是越打越响，他越打得激烈，人们越说那声音凄凉。因为他单单的响音，没有同调。

我家的院子是很荒涼的。Our family compound was a very desolate place.

我家的院子是很荒凉的。

粉房旁邊的那小偏房裡，還住著一家趕車的，那家喜歡跳大神，常常就打起鼓來，喝喝咧咧唱起來了。In the small lean-to beside the noodle workshop lived a family of cart drivers who were fond of shaman séances; they often began beating a drum and singing at the tops of their voices.鼓聲往往打到半夜才止，那說仙道鬼的，大神和二神的一對一答。The drumming often continued until midnight, while the chief and assistant shamans, speaking of spirits and ghosts, called and answered one another.蒼涼，幽渺，真不知今世何世。Bleak and remote—it was impossible to tell what age one was living in.

粉房旁边的那小偏房里，还住著一家赶车的，那家喜欢跳大神，常常就打起鼓来，喝喝咧咧唱起来了。鼓声往往打到半夜才止，那说仙道鬼的，大神和二神的一对一答。苍凉，幽渺，真不知今世何世。

那家的老太太終年生病，跳大神都是為她跳的。The old lady of that family was ill all year round, and all the shaman séances were performed for her sake.

那家的老太太终年生病，跳大神都是为她跳的。

那家是這院子頂豐富的一家，老少三輩。That was the wealthiest family in the compound, with three generations, old and young.家風是乾淨俐落，為人謹慎，兄友弟恭，父慈子愛。Their household was clean and orderly, their conduct cautious; the elder brother was kind to the younger and the younger respectful to the elder, the father loving and the sons dutiful.家裡絕對的沒有閒散雜人。There were absolutely no idle hangers-on in the family.絕對不像那粉房和那磨房，說唱就唱，說哭就哭。They were nothing at all like the noodle workshop or the millhouse, where people sang whenever they pleased and wept whenever they pleased.他家永久是安安靜靜的。Their home was always quiet and peaceful.跳大神不算。The shaman séances did not count.

那家是这院子顶丰富的一家，老少三辈。家风是干净俐落，为人谨慎，兄友弟恭，父慈子爱。家里绝对的没有闲散杂人。绝对不像那粉房和那磨房，说唱就唱，说哭就哭。他家永久是安安静静的。跳大神不算。

那終年生病的老太太是祖母，她有兩個兒子，大兒子是趕車的，二兒子也是趕車的。The old lady who was ill all year round was the grandmother; she had two sons, the elder a cart driver and the younger a cart driver too.一個兒子都有一個媳婦。Each son had a wife.大兒媳婦胖胖的，年已五十了。The elder son's wife was plump and already fifty.二兒媳婦瘦瘦的，年已四十了。The younger son's wife was thin and already forty.

那终年生病的老太太是祖母，她有两个儿子，大儿子是赶车的，二儿子也是赶车的。一个儿子都有一个媳妇。大儿媳妇胖胖的，年已五十了。二儿媳妇瘦瘦的，年已四十了。

除了這些，老太太還有兩個孫兒，大孫兒是二兒子的。Besides these, the old lady had two grandsons; the elder grandson was the younger son's child.二孫兒是大兒子的。The younger grandson was the elder son's child.

除了这些，老太太还有两个孙儿，大孙儿是二儿子的。二孙儿是大儿子的。

因此他家裡稍稍有點不睦，那兩個媳婦妯娌之間，稍稍有點不合適，不過也不很明朗化。Because of this, there was a slight lack of harmony in the household: the two daughters-in-law did not get on altogether well, though their discord never quite came into the open.只是你我之間各自曉得。It was merely something each knew in her heart about the other.做嫂子的總覺得兄弟媳婦對她有些不馴，或者就因為她的兒子大的緣故吧。The one who was the elder sister-in-law always felt that her younger brother's wife was somewhat unruly toward her, perhaps simply because her own son was older.兄弟媳婦就總覺得嫂子是想壓她，憑什麼想壓人呢？The younger brother's wife, for her part, always felt that the elder sister-in-law wanted to lord it over her — what right did she have to lord it over anyone?自己的兒子小。Her own son was young.沒有媳婦指使著，看了別人還眼氣。With no daughter-in-law of her own to order about, she felt envious watching others who did.

因此他家里稍稍有点不睦，那两个媳妇妯娌之间，稍稍有点不合适，不过也不很明朗化。只是你我之间各自晓得。做嫂子的总觉得兄弟媳妇对她有些不驯，或者就因为她的儿子大的缘故吧。兄弟媳妇就总觉得嫂子是想压她，凭什么想压人呢？自己的儿子小。没有媳妇指使著，看了别人还眼气。

老太太有了兩個兒子，兩個孫子，認為十分滿意了。The old lady, having two sons and two grandsons, considered herself entirely satisfied.人手整齊，將來的家業，還不會興旺的嗎？With hands enough in the family, how could the household's fortunes fail to flourish in the future?就不用說別的，就說趕大車這把力氣也是夠用的。Not to mention anything else — just take the strength needed to drive the big cart, and that alone was ample.看看誰家的車上是爺四個，拿鞭子的，坐在車後尾巴上的都是姓胡，沒有外姓。Just look — whose cart had father and sons, four of them together? The one holding the whip and those seated at the back of the cart were all surnamed Hu, not a single outsider among them.在家一盆火，出外父子兵。At home, a blazing hearth; away from home, an army of father and sons.

老太太有了两个儿子，两个孙子，认为十分满意了。人手整齐，将来的家业，还不会兴旺的吗？就不用说别的，就说赶大车这把力气也是够用的。看看谁家的车上是爷四个，拿鞭子的，坐在车后尾巴上的都是姓胡，没有外姓。在家一盆火，出外父子兵。

所以老太太雖然是終年病著，但很樂觀，也就是跳一跳大神什麼的解一解心疑也就算了。So although the old lady was sick the whole year round, she remained quite cheerful — having a shaman dance now and then to ease her worries was enough for her.她覺得就是死了，也是心安理得的了，何況還活著，還能夠看得見兒子們的忙忙碌碌。She felt that even if she died, her mind would be at peace and her conscience clear — let alone that she was still alive, still able to watch her sons bustling busily about.

所以老太太虽然是终年病著，但很乐观，也就是跳一跳大神什么的解一解心疑也就算了。她觉得就是死了，也是心安理得的了，何况还活著，还能够看得见儿子们的忙忙碌碌。

媳婦們對於她也很好的，總是隔長不短的張羅著給她花幾個錢跳一跳大神。Her daughters-in-law treated her very well too, forever arranging, every so often, to spend a little money and have a shaman dance for her.

媳妇们对于她也很好的，总是隔长不短的张罗著给她花几个钱跳一跳大神。

每一次跳神的時候，老太太總是坐在炕裡，靠著枕頭，掙扎著坐了起來，向那些來看熱鬧的姑娘媳婦們講：Every time the shaman danced, the old lady would sit on the kang, leaning against a pillow, struggling to sit herself up, and say to the girls and young wives who had come to watch the spectacle:

每一次跳神的时候，老太太总是坐在炕里，靠著枕头，挣扎著坐了起来，向那些来看热闹的姑娘媳妇们讲：

「這回是我大媳婦給我張羅的。」或是「這回是我二媳婦給我張羅的。」"This time it's my eldest daughter-in-law who arranged it for me." Or: "This time it's my second daughter-in-law who arranged it for me."

「这回是我大媳妇给我张罗的。」或是「这回是我二媳妇给我张罗的。」

她說的時候非常得意，說著說著就坐不住了。She said this with great pride, and as she went on talking she could no longer manage to keep sitting up.她患的是癱病，就趕快招媳婦們來把她放下了。What she suffered from was paralysis, so the daughters-in-law had to hurry over and lay her back down.放下了還要喘一袋煙的工夫。Even once laid down, she still had to pant for as long as it takes to smoke a pipe.

她说的时候非常得意，说著说著就坐不住了。她患的是瘫病，就赶快招媳妇们来把她放下了。放下了还要喘一袋烟的工夫。

看熱鬧的人，沒有一個不說老太太慈祥的，沒有一個不說媳婦孝順的。Among those who came to watch, there was not one who did not say the old lady was kindly, not one who did not say the daughters-in-law were filial.

看热闹的人，没有一个不说老太太慈祥的，没有一个不说媳妇孝顺的。

所以每一跳大神，遠遠近近的人都來了，東院西院的，還有前街後街的也都來了。So every time the shaman danced, people came from far and near — those from the east courtyard and the west courtyard, and those from the front street and the back street all came too.

所以每一跳大神，远远近近的人都来了，东院西院的，还有前街后街的也都来了。

只是不能夠預先訂座，來得早的就有櫈子、炕沿坐。Only there was no reserving seats beforehand — those who came early got a stool or a spot on the edge of the kang to sit on.來得晚的，就得站著了。Those who came late had to stand.

只是不能够预先订座，来得早的就有櫈子、炕沿坐。来得晚的，就得站著了。

一時這胡家的孝順，居於領導的地位，風傳一時，成為婦女們的楷模。For a time the filial devotion of the Hu family held a leading place, its fame spreading far and wide, and it became a model for the womenfolk.

一时这胡家的孝顺，居于领导的地位，风传一时，成为妇女们的楷模。

不但婦女，就是男人也得說：Not only the women — even the men had to say:

不但妇女，就是男人也得说：

「老胡家人旺，將來財也必旺。」"The Hu family's people are thriving; in the future their wealth is bound to thrive too."

「老胡家人旺，将来财也必旺。」

「天時、地利、人和，最要緊的還是人和。"Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, human harmony — of these, human harmony matters most.人和了，天時不好也好了。With human harmony, even bad timing turns good.地利不利也利了。」Even an unfavorable location becomes favorable."

「天时、地利、人和，最要紧的还是人和。人和了，天时不好也好了。地利不利也利了。」

「將來看著吧，今天人家趕大車的，再過五年看，不是二等戶，也是三等戶。」"Just wait and see — today they're mere cart-drivers, but give it five years, and if they're not a second-class household, they'll at least be a third-class one."

「将来看著吧，今天人家赶大车的，再过五年看，不是二等户，也是三等户。」

我家的有二伯說：Our family's Youerbo said:

我家的有二伯说：

「你看著吧，過不了幾年人家就騾馬成群了。"Just you watch, before many years pass they'll have mules and horses in herds.別看如今人家就一輛車。」Don't be fooled that right now they've got only the one cart."

「你看著吧，过不了几年人家就骡马成群了。别看如今人家就一辆车。」

他家的大兒媳婦和二兒媳婦的不睦，雖然沒有新的發展，可也總沒有消滅。The discord between the eldest and second daughters-in-law of that family, though it had not developed any further, had certainly not died out either.

他家的大儿媳妇和二儿媳妇的不睦，虽然没有新的发展，可也总没有消灭。

大孫子媳婦通紅的臉，又能幹，又溫順。The eldest grandson's wife had a face flushed rosy red, and was both capable and gentle.人長得不肥不瘦，不高不矮，說起話來，聲音不大不小。She was neither fat nor thin, neither tall nor short, and when she spoke, her voice was neither loud nor soft.正合適配到他們這樣的人家。She was exactly the right match to be married into a family such as theirs.

大孙子媳妇通红的脸，又能干，又温顺。人长得不肥不瘦，不高不矮，说起话来，声音不大不小。正合适配到他们这样的人家。

車回來了，牽著馬就到井邊去飲水。When the cart came back, she would lead the horse to the well to give it water.車馬一出去了，就餵草。As soon as the cart and horse went out, she would feed them fodder.看她那長樣可並不是做這類粗活人，可是做起事來並不弱於人，比起男人來，也差不了許多。To look at her you would not have taken her for someone suited to this kind of rough work, and yet when she set her hand to it she was no weaker than anyone else — compared to a man, she fell short by not very much.

车回来了，牵著马就到井边去饮水。车马一出去了，就喂草。看她那长样可并不是做这类粗活人，可是做起事来并不弱于人，比起男人来，也差不了许多。

放下了外邊的事情不說，再說屋裡的，也樣樣拿得起來，剪、裁、縫、補，做那樣像那樣，他家裡雖然沒有什麼綾、羅、綢、緞可做的，就說粗布衣也要做個四六見線，平平板板，一到過年的時候，無管怎樣忙，也要偷空給奶奶婆婆，自己的婆婆，大娘婆婆，各人做一雙花鞋。Setting aside the outdoor work, as for the work indoors she could handle every bit of it too — cutting, tailoring, sewing, mending — whatever she did, she did it properly; although there was no damask, gauze, silk, or satin to be had in that household, even with coarse cloth garments she made sure the seams ran true and the cloth lay smooth and flat, and when New Year came round, however busy she was, she always stole the time to make a pair of embroidered shoes each for her husband's grandmother, for her own mother-in-law, and for her husband's aunt.雖然沒有什麼好的鞋面，就說青水布的，也要做個精緻。Though there was no fine material for the shoe uppers, even with plain blue cotton cloth she made something exquisite.雖然沒有絲線，就用棉花線，但那顏色卻配得水靈靈的新鮮。Though there was no silk thread, she used cotton thread instead, yet the colors she matched came out as fresh and vivid as dew.

放下了外边的事情不说，再说屋里的，也样样拿得起来，剪、裁、缝、补，做那样像那样，他家里虽然没有什么绫、罗、绸、缎可做的，就说粗布衣也要做个四六见线，平平板板，一到过年的时候，无管怎样忙，也要偷空给奶奶婆婆，自己的婆婆，大娘婆婆，各人做一双花鞋。虽然没有什么好的鞋面，就说青水布的，也要做个精致。虽然没有丝线，就用棉花线，但那颜色却配得水灵灵的新鲜。

奶奶婆婆的那雙繡的是桃紅的大瓣蓮花。On the pair for the grandmother-in-law she embroidered broad-petaled peach-pink lotus flowers.大娘婆婆的那雙繡的是牡丹花。On the pair for the elder aunt-in-law she embroidered peonies.婆婆的那雙繡的是素素雅雅的綠葉蘭。On the pair for her mother-in-law she embroidered plain, elegant green-leafed orchids.

奶奶婆婆的那双绣的是桃红的大瓣莲花。大娘婆婆的那双绣的是牡丹花。婆婆的那双绣的是素素雅雅的绿叶兰。

這孫子媳婦回了娘家，娘家的人一問她婆家怎樣，她說都好都好，將來非發財不可。When this grandson's wife went back to visit her own family, and they asked her how her husband's household was, she said it was good, all good, and that in the future they were bound to grow rich.大伯公是怎樣的兢兢業業，公公是怎樣的吃苦耐勞。How diligent and conscientious the eldest uncle was, how hardworking and enduring her father-in-law was.奶奶婆婆也好，大娘婆婆也好。The grandmother-in-law was good, the elder aunt-in-law was good too.凡是婆家的無一不好。Everyone in her husband's family, without exception, was good.完全順心，這樣的婆家實在難找。Everything suited her perfectly — a husband's family like this was truly hard to find.

这孙子媳妇回了娘家，娘家的人一问她婆家怎样，她说都好都好，将来非发财不可。大伯公是怎样的兢兢业业，公公是怎样的吃苦耐劳。奶奶婆婆也好，大娘婆婆也好。凡是婆家的无一不好。完全顺心，这样的婆家实在难找。

雖然她的丈夫也打過她，但她說，那個男人不打女人呢？Although her husband had beaten her too, she said, what man doesn't beat his wife?於是也心滿意足的並不以為那是缺陷了。And so she remained perfectly content, not regarding it as any flaw at all.

虽然她的丈夫也打过她，但她说，那个男人不打女人呢？于是也心满意足的并不以为那是缺陷了。

她把繡好的花鞋送給奶奶婆婆，她看她繡了那麼一手好花，她感到了對這孫子媳婦有無限的慚愧，覺得這樣一手好針線，每天讓她餵豬打狗的，真是難為了她了。When she brought the embroidered shoes she had finished to the grandmother-in-law, and the old woman saw what a fine hand she had at embroidery, she felt endless shame on this grandson's wife's behalf, thinking that to have such skilled needlework and yet be made to feed the pigs and see to the dogs every day was truly hard on her.奶奶婆婆把手伸出來，把那鞋接過來，真是不知如何說好，只是輕輕的托著那鞋，蒼白的臉孔，笑盈盈的點著頭。The grandmother-in-law reached out her hand and took the shoes, truly at a loss for what to say, and simply cradled them gently, her pale face beaming as she nodded.

她把绣好的花鞋送给奶奶婆婆，她看她绣了那么一手好花，她感到了对这孙子媳妇有无限的惭愧，觉得这样一手好针线，每天让她喂猪打狗的，真是难为了她了。奶奶婆婆把手伸出来，把那鞋接过来，真是不知如何说好，只是轻轻的托著那鞋，苍白的脸孔，笑盈盈的点著头。

這是這樣好的一個大孫子媳婦。Such was this fine eldest grandson's wife.二孫子媳婦也訂好了，只是二孫子還太小，一時不能娶過來。A wife had also been arranged for the second grandson, only the second grandson was still too young, so for the time being she could not be brought over to marry him.

这是这样好的一个大孙子媳妇。二孙子媳妇也订好了，只是二孙子还太小，一时不能娶过来。

她家的兩個妯娌之間的磨擦，都是為了這沒有娶過來的媳婦，她自己的婆婆的主張把她接過來，做團圓媳婦，嬸婆婆就不主張接來，說她太小不能幹活，只能白吃飯，有什麼好處。The friction between the two sisters-in-law in that family was all over this not-yet-married-in daughter-in-law: her own mother-in-law was in favor of bringing the girl over now to be raised in the house as a future bride, while the great-aunt-in-law was against it, saying the girl was too young to work and could only eat for nothing — what good would that do?

她家的两个妯娌之间的磨擦，都是为了这没有娶过来的媳妇，她自己的婆婆的主张把她接过来，做团圆媳妇，婶婆婆就不主张接来，说她太小不能干活，只能白吃饭，有什么好处。

爭執了許久，來與不來，還沒有決定。They argued about it for a long time, and whether she would come or not was still undecided.等下回給老太太跳大神的時候，順便問一問大仙家再說吧。They would wait until the next time the shaman danced for the old lady, and ask the immortal spirit about it then, before deciding.

争执了许久，来与不来，还没有决定。等下回给老太太跳大神的时候，顺便问一问大仙家再说吧。

我家是荒涼的。My family's home was a desolate place.

我家是荒凉的。

天還未明，雞先叫了；Before the sky had even grown light, the roosters crowed first;後邊磨房裡那梆子聲還沒有停止，天就發白了。the clapper sound from the mill house out back had not yet stopped when the sky began to whiten.天一發白，烏鴉群就來了。As soon as the sky whitened, flocks of crows came.

天还未明，鸡先叫了；后边磨房里那梆子声还没有停止，天就发白了。天一发白，乌鸦群就来了。

我睡在祖父旁邊，祖父一醒，我就讓祖父唸詩，祖父就唸：I slept beside my grandfather, and as soon as he woke, I would make him recite poems, and grandfather would recite:

我睡在祖父旁边，祖父一醒，我就让祖父念诗，祖父就念：

「春眠不覺曉，處處聞啼鳥。"Sleeping in spring, unaware of the dawn, everywhere one hears the cry of birds.

「春眠不觉晓，处处闻啼鸟。

夜來風雨聲，花落知多少？」In the night came the sound of wind and rain — who knows how many blossoms fell?"

夜来风雨声，花落知多少？」

「春天睡覺不知不覺的就睡醒了，醒了一聽，處處有鳥叫著，回想昨夜的風雨，可不知道今早花落了多少。」"In spring one sleeps and wakes without noticing it; once awake, listening, one hears birds calling everywhere; thinking back on last night's wind and rain, one has no way of knowing how many flowers have fallen by this morning."

「春天睡觉不知不觉的就睡醒了，醒了一听，处处有鸟叫著，回想昨夜的风雨，可不知道今早花落了多少。」

是每唸必講的，這是我的約請。He explained it every single time he recited it — that was my standing request.

是每念必讲的，这是我的约请。

祖父正在講著詩，我家的老廚子就起來了。While grandfather was in the midst of explaining the poem, our old cook would get up.

祖父正在讲著诗，我家的老厨子就起来了。

他咳嗽著，聽得出來，他擔著水桶到井邊去挑水去了。He would be coughing, and from the sound of it you could tell he had shouldered his water buckets and gone off to the well to fetch water.

他咳嗽著，听得出来，他担著水桶到井边去挑水去了。

井口離得我家的住房很遠，他搖著井繩嘩拉拉的響，日裡是聽不見的，可是在清晨，就聽得分外的清明。The mouth of the well was quite far from our living quarters, and the splashing rattle of the well-rope as he worked it could not be heard in the daytime, but in the early morning it came through with unusual clarity.

井口离得我家的住房很远，他摇著井绳哗拉拉的响，日里是听不见的，可是在清晨，就听得分外的清明。

老廚子挑完了水，家裡還沒有人起來。By the time the old cook had finished fetching the water, no one else in the house had yet risen.

老厨子挑完了水，家里还没有人起来。

聽得見老廚子刷鍋的聲音刷拉拉的響。One could hear the swish-swash sound of the old cook scrubbing the pots.老廚子刷完了鍋，燒了一鍋洗臉水了，家裡還沒有人起來。The old cook finished scrubbing the pots and heated a pot of water for washing faces, and still no one else in the house had risen.

听得见老厨子刷锅的声音刷拉拉的响。老厨子刷完了锅，烧了一锅洗脸水了，家里还没有人起来。

我和祖父唸詩，一直唸到太陽出來。Grandfather and I went on reciting poems, all the way until the sun came up.

我和祖父念诗，一直念到太阳出来。

祖父說：Grandfather would say:

祖父说：

「起來吧。」"Time to get up."

「起来吧。」

「再唸一首。」"One more poem."

「再念一首。」

祖父說：Grandfather would say:

祖父说：

「再唸一首可得起來了。」"One more poem, but then you really must get up."

「再念一首可得起来了。」

於是再唸一首，一唸完了，我又賴起來不算了，說再唸一首。So he would recite one more, and the moment it was finished, I would start pestering again, saying it didn't count, and asking for yet another.

于是再念一首，一念完了，我又赖起来不算了，说再念一首。

每天早晨都是這樣糾纏不清的鬧。Every morning went on this way, this same tangled little squabble.等一開了門，到院子去。Once the door was finally opened, we would go out into the courtyard.院子裡邊已經是萬道金光了，大太陽曬在頭上都滾熱的了。By then the courtyard was already ablaze with ten thousand rays of golden light, and the great sun beating down on one's head was already scorching hot.太陽兩丈高了。The sun stood two zhang high.

每天早晨都是这样纠缠不清的闹。等一开了门，到院子去。院子里边已经是万道金光了，大太阳晒在头上都滚热的了。太阳两丈高了。

祖父到雞架那裡去放雞，我也跟在那裡，祖父到鴨架那裡去放鴨，我也跟在後邊。Grandfather would go to the chicken coop to let the chickens out, and I tagged along there too; grandfather would go to the duck pen to let the ducks out, and I followed right behind.

祖父到鸡架那里去放鸡，我也跟在那里，祖父到鸭架那里去放鸭，我也跟在后边。

我跟著祖父，大黃狗在後邊跟著我。I followed grandfather, and Big Yellow Dog followed behind me.我跳著，大黃狗搖著尾巴。I skipped along, and Big Yellow Dog wagged his tail.

我跟著祖父，大黄狗在后边跟著我。我跳著，大黄狗摇著尾巴。

大黃狗的頭像盆那麼大，又胖又圓，我總想要當一匹小馬來騎牠。Big Yellow Dog's head was as big as a basin, fat and round, and I always wanted to ride him like a little pony.祖父說騎不得。Grandfather said he could not be ridden.

大黄狗的头像盆那么大，又胖又圆，我总想要当一匹小马来骑牠。祖父说骑不得。

但是大黃狗是喜歡我的，我是愛大黃狗的。But Big Yellow Dog was fond of me, and I loved Big Yellow Dog.

但是大黄狗是喜欢我的，我是爱大黄狗的。

雞從架裡出來了，鴨子從架裡出來了，牠們抖擻著毛，一出來就連跑帶叫的，吵的聲音很大。The chickens came out of the coop, the ducks came out of the pen; they shook out their feathers, and the moment they emerged they went running and squawking, making a great clamor.

鸡从架里出来了，鸭子从架里出来了，牠们抖擞著毛，一出来就连跑带叫的，吵的声音很大。

祖父撒著通紅的高粱粒在地上，又撒了金黃的穀粒子在地上。Grandfather scattered bright red sorghum grains on the ground, and then scattered golden millet grains on the ground as well.

祖父撒著通红的高粱粒在地上，又撒了金黄的谷粒子在地上。

於是雞啄食的聲音，咯咯的響成群了。And so the sound of the chickens pecking at their food rose up in a great clucking chorus.

于是鸡啄食的声音，咯咯的响成群了。

餵完了雞，往天空一看，太陽已經三丈高了。Once the chickens were fed, a glance up at the sky showed the sun already three zhang high.

喂完了鸡，往天空一看，太阳已经三丈高了。

我和祖父回到屋裡，擺上小桌，祖父吃一盌飯米湯，澆白糖；Grandfather and I would go back inside, set out the small table, and grandfather would eat a bowl of rice gruel with white sugar poured over it;我則不吃，我要吃燒包米；but I would not eat that — I wanted roasted corn instead;祖父領著我，到後園去，淌著露水去到包米叢中為我擗一穗包米來。grandfather would lead me out to the back garden, wading through the dew into the corn patch to break off an ear of corn for me.

我和祖父回到屋里，摆上小桌，祖父吃一盌饭米汤，浇白糖；我则不吃，我要吃烧包米；祖父领著我，到后园去，淌著露水去到包米丛中为我擗一穗包米来。

擗來了包米，襪子、鞋，都濕了。By the time the corn was brought back, my socks and shoes were both soaked.

擗来了包米，袜子、鞋，都湿了。

祖父讓老廚子把包米給我燒上，等包米燒好了，我已經吃了兩盌以上的飯米湯澆白糖了。Grandfather had the old cook roast the corn for me, and by the time it was done, I had already eaten more than two bowls of rice gruel with white sugar.包米拿來，我吃了一兩個粒，就說不好吃，因為我已吃飽了。When the corn was brought, I ate a kernel or two and then declared it wasn't tasty, because I was already full.

祖父让老厨子把包米给我烧上，等包米烧好了，我已经吃了两盌以上的饭米汤浇白糖了。包米拿来，我吃了一两个粒，就说不好吃，因为我已吃饱了。

於是我手裡拿燒包米就到院子去餵大黃去了。So, roasted corn still in hand, I went out to the courtyard to feed it to Big Yellow instead.

于是我手里拿烧包米就到院子去喂大黄去了。

「大黃」就是大黃狗的名字。"Big Yellow" was simply the name of Big Yellow Dog.

「大黄」就是大黄狗的名字。

街上，在牆頭外面，各種叫賣聲音都有了，賣豆腐的，賣饅頭的，賣青菜的。Out on the street, beyond the top of the wall, all sorts of peddlers' calls could be heard — those selling tofu, those selling steamed buns, those selling vegetables.

街上，在墙头外面，各种叫卖声音都有了，卖豆腐的，卖馒头的，卖青菜的。

賣青菜的喊著，茄子、黃瓜、莢豆和小葱子。The vegetable seller called out: eggplants, cucumbers, string beans, and scallions.

卖青菜的喊著，茄子、黄瓜、荚豆和小葱子。

一挑喊著過去了，又來了一挑；One shoulder-pole load went by calling out, and then another came along;這一挑不喊茄子、黃瓜，而喊著芹菜、韮菜、白菜……this one did not call eggplants and cucumbers, but instead celery, chives, cabbage...

一挑喊著过去了，又来了一挑；这一挑不喊茄子、黄瓜，而喊著芹菜、韮菜、白菜……

街上雖然熱鬧起來了，而我家裡則仍是靜悄悄的。Though the street had grown lively, my family's house remained perfectly quiet.

街上虽然热闹起来了，而我家里则仍是静悄悄的。

滿院子蒿草，草裡面叫著蟲子。The whole courtyard was overgrown with wormwood, and insects chirped away within the grass.破東西東一件西一樣的扔著。Broken odds and ends lay scattered about, one thing here, another there.

满院子蒿草，草里面叫著虫子。破东西东一件西一样的扔著。

看起來似乎是因為清早，我家才冷靜，其實不然的，是因為我家的房子多，院子大，人少的緣故。It might seem that it was only because of the early hour that our house was so still, but that was not really so — it was because our house had so many rooms, so large a courtyard, and so few people.

看起来似乎是因为清早，我家才冷静，其实不然的，是因为我家的房子多，院子大，人少的缘故。

那怕就是到了正午，也仍是靜悄悄的。Even come high noon, it was still just as quiet.

那怕就是到了正午，也仍是静悄悄的。

每到秋天，在蒿草的當中，也往往開了蓼花，所以引來了不少的蜻蜓和蝴蝶在那荒涼的一片蒿草上鬧著。Every autumn, smartweed flowers would often bloom amid the wormwood, drawing quite a few dragonflies and butterflies to flit and stir above that desolate stretch of weeds.這樣一來，不但不覺得繁華，反而更顯得荒涼寂寞。And so, far from feeling lively, the place seemed all the more desolate and forlorn.

每到秋天，在蒿草的当中，也往往开了蓼花，所以引来了不少的蜻蜓和蝴蝶在那荒凉的一片蒿草上闹著。这样一来，不但不觉得繁华，反而更显得荒凉寂寞。