第六章 Second Uncle You

第六章Chapter Six

我家的有二伯，性情真古怪。Our family's Uncle Youer had a truly strange temperament.

有東西，你若不給他吃，他就罵。If there was food and you didn't give it to him to eat, he would curse.若給他送上去，他就說：But if you brought it and offered it up to him, he would say:

有东西，你若不给他吃，他就骂。若给他送上去，他就说：

「你二伯不吃這個，你們拿去吃吧！」"Your Second Uncle doesn't eat this, you all take it and eat it!"

「你二伯不吃这个，你们拿去吃吧！」

家裡買了落花生、凍梨之類，若不給他，除了讓他看不見，若讓他找著了一點影子，他就沒有不罵的：When the family bought things like peanuts or frozen pears, if they didn't give him any, then unless they kept it entirely out of his sight, if he caught even a trace of it, he would invariably curse:

家里买了落花生、冻梨之类，若不给他，除了让他看不见，若让他找著了一点影子，他就没有不骂的：

「他媽的……"Damn it……王八蛋……Bastards……兔羔子，有貓狗吃的，有蟑螂、耗子吃的，他媽的就是沒有人吃的……Sons of rabbits, there's food for cats and dogs, food for cockroaches and rats, and damn it, there's just none for people to eat……兔羔子，兔羔子……」Sons of rabbits, sons of rabbits……"

「他妈的……王八蛋……兔羔子，有猫狗吃的，有蟑螂、耗子吃的，他妈的就是没有人吃的……兔羔子，兔羔子……」

若給他送上去，他就說：But if it was brought and offered up to him, he would say:

若给他送上去，他就说：

「你二伯不吃這個，你們拿去吃吧。」"Your Second Uncle doesn't eat this, you all take it and eat it."

「你二伯不吃这个，你们拿去吃吧。」

有二伯的性情真古怪，他很喜歡和天空的雀子說話，他很喜歡和大黃狗談天。Uncle Youer's temperament was truly strange—he loved talking to the sparrows in the sky, he loved chatting with the big yellow dog.他一和人在一起，他就一句話沒有了，就是有話也是很古怪的，使人聽了常常不得要領。The moment he was with people he had not a single word to say; and even when he did speak, it was very odd, so that people listening often couldn't make heads or tails of it.

有二伯的性情真古怪，他很喜欢和天空的雀子说话，他很喜欢和大黄狗谈天。他一和人在一起，他就一句话没有了，就是有话也是很古怪的，使人听了常常不得要领。

夏天晚飯後大家坐在院子裡乘涼的時候，大家都是嘴裡不停的講些個閒話，講得很熱鬧，就連蚊子也嗡嗡的，就連遠處的蛤蟆也呱呱的叫著。In summer, after supper, when everyone sat in the courtyard to cool off, everyone's mouths kept up a steady stream of idle chatter, chattering away merrily, until even the mosquitoes buzzed along and even the frogs in the distance croaked away.只是有二伯一聲不響的坐著。Only Uncle Youer sat there without a sound.他手裡拿著蠅甩子，東甩一下，西甩一下。In his hand he held a fly-whisk, flicking it once this way, once that way.

夏天晚饭后大家坐在院子里乘凉的时候，大家都是嘴里不停的讲些个闲话，讲得很热闹，就连蚊子也嗡嗡的，就连远处的蛤蟆也呱呱的叫著。只是有二伯一声不响的坐著。他手里拿著蝇甩子，东甩一下，西甩一下。

若有人問他的蠅甩子是馬鬃的還是馬尾的？If someone asked whether his fly-whisk was made of horsehair mane or horse-tail hair,他就說：he would say:

若有人问他的蝇甩子是马鬃的还是马尾的？他就说：

「啥人玩啥鳥，武大郎玩鴨子。"Whatever man plays with whatever bird—Wu Dalang played with ducks.馬鬃，都是貴東西，那是穿綢穿緞的人拿著，腕上戴著藤蘿鐲，指上戴著大攀指。Horsehair mane, that's all fine stuff, that's for people who wear silk and satin to carry, with wisteria bracelets on their wrists and big archer's rings on their fingers.什麼人玩什麼物。Whatever man plays with whatever thing.窮人，野鬼，不要自不量力，讓人家笑話。……」Poor men, wild ghosts, shouldn't overreach themselves and let people laugh at them……"

「啥人玩啥鸟，武大郎玩鸭子。马鬃，都是贵东西，那是穿绸穿缎的人拿著，腕上戴著藤萝镯，指上戴著大攀指。什么人玩什么物。穷人，野鬼，不要自不量力，让人家笑话。……」

傳說天上的那顆大昴星，就是灶王爺騎著毛驢上西天的時候，他手裡打著的那個燈籠，因為毛驢跑得太快，一不加小心燈籠就掉在天空了。Legend has it that the great Pleiades star up in the sky was the lantern the Kitchen God carried in his hand when he rode his donkey up to the Western Paradise; because the donkey ran too fast, in one careless moment the lantern fell and was left hanging in the sky.我就常常把這個話題來問祖父，說那燈籠為什麼被掉在天空，就永久長在那裡了，為什麼不落在地上來？I often used to put this question to my grandfather, asking why the lantern, once dropped, had stayed up there forever, why it hadn't fallen down to the ground.

传说天上的那颗大昴星，就是灶王爷骑著毛驴上西天的时候，他手里打著的那个灯笼，因为毛驴跑得太快，一不加小心灯笼就掉在天空了。我就常常把这个话题来问祖父，说那灯笼为什么被掉在天空，就永久长在那里了，为什么不落在地上来？

這話題，我看祖父也回答不出的，但是因為我的非問不可，祖父也就非答不可了。This question, I could see, my grandfather couldn't really answer either, but since I simply had to ask, he simply had to answer.他說，天空裡有一個燈籠杆子，那才高呢，大昴星就挑在那燈籠杆子上。He said there was a lantern pole up in the sky, and my, how tall it was—the great Pleiades star was hung right on that lantern pole.並且那燈籠杆子，人的眼睛是看不見的。And moreover, that lantern pole was invisible to human eyes.

这话题，我看祖父也回答不出的，但是因为我的非问不可，祖父也就非答不可了。他说，天空里有一个灯笼杆子，那才高呢，大昴星就挑在那灯笼杆子上。并且那灯笼杆子，人的眼睛是看不见的。

我說：I said:

我说：

「不對，我不相信──」"That's not right, I don't believe it——"

「不对，我不相信──」

我說：I said:

我说：

「沒有燈籠杆子，若是有，為什麼我看不見？」"There's no lantern pole; if there were, why can't I see it?"

「没有灯笼杆子，若是有，为什么我看不见？」

於是祖父又說：So then my grandfather said again:

于是祖父又说：

「天上有一根線，大昴星就被那線繫著。」"There's a thread up in the sky, and the great Pleiades star is tied to it by that thread."

「天上有一根线，大昴星就被那线系著。」

我說：I said:

我说：

「我不信，天上沒有線的，有為什麼我看不見？」"I don't believe it, there's no thread in the sky; if there were, why can't I see it?"

「我不信，天上没有线的，有为什么我看不见？」

祖父說：Grandfather said:

祖父说：

「線是細的麼，你那能看見，就是誰也看不見的。」"The thread is thin, isn't it—how could you possibly see it, no one at all could see it."

「线是细的么，你那能看见，就是谁也看不见的。」

我就問祖父：So I asked my grandfather:

我就问祖父：

「誰也看不見，你怎麼看見啦？」"If no one can see it, how did you see it?"

「谁也看不见，你怎么看见啦？」

乘涼的人都笑了，都說我真厲害。Everyone cooling off there laughed, all saying I was really something.

乘凉的人都笑了，都说我真厉害。

於是祖父被逼得東說西說，說也說不上來了。So my grandfather, pressed into a corner, rambled this way and that, until he couldn't come up with anything more to say.眼看祖父是被我逼得胡謅起來，我也知道他是說不清楚的了。I could see plainly that I had driven my grandfather into making things up, and I knew too that he couldn't explain it clearly.不過我越看他胡謅我就越逼他。But the more I saw him making things up, the more I pressed him.

于是祖父被逼得东说西说，说也说不上来了。眼看祖父是被我逼得胡诌起来，我也知道他是说不清楚的了。不过我越看他胡诌我就越逼他。

到後來連大昴星是灶王爺的燈籠這回事，我也推翻了。In the end I even overturned the whole idea that the great Pleiades star was the Kitchen God's lantern.我問祖父大昴星到底是個什麼？I asked my grandfather what the great Pleiades star really was.

到后来连大昴星是灶王爷的灯笼这回事，我也推翻了。我问祖父大昴星到底是个什么？

別人看我糾纏不清了，就有出主意的讓我問有二伯去。Seeing that I wouldn't let it go, someone came up with the idea of sending me to ask Uncle Youer instead.

别人看我纠缠不清了，就有出主意的让我问有二伯去。

我跑到了有二伯坐著的地方，我還沒有問，剛一碰了他的蠅甩子，他就把我嚇了一跳。I ran over to where Uncle Youer was sitting; before I had even asked anything, I had just barely brushed his fly-whisk when he gave me a fright.他把蠅甩子一抖，嗃嘮一聲：He gave the fly-whisk a shake and barked out:

我跑到了有二伯坐著的地方，我还没有问，刚一碰了他的蝇甩子，他就把我吓了一跳。他把蝇甩子一抖，嗃唠一声：

「你這孩子，遠點去吧……」"You, child, get further away……"

「你这孩子，远点去吧……」

使我不得不站得遠一點，我說：That made me have to stand a bit further off, and I said:

使我不得不站得远一点，我说：

「有二伯，你說那天上的大昴星到底是個什麼？」"Uncle Youer, tell me, what exactly is that great Pleiades star up in the sky?"

「有二伯，你说那天上的大昴星到底是个什么？」

他沒有立刻回答我，他似乎想了一想，才說：He didn't answer me right away; he seemed to think it over for a moment, then said:

他没有立刻回答我，他似乎想了一想，才说：

「窮人不觀天象。"Poor men don't study the heavens.狗咬耗子，貓看家，多管閒事。」Dogs bite rats, cats guard the house—meddling too much in other people's business."

「穷人不观天象。狗咬耗子，猫看家，多管闲事。」

我又問，我以為他沒有聽準：I asked again, thinking he hadn't heard me clearly:

我又问，我以为他没有听准：

「大昴星是灶王爺的燈籠嗎？」"Is the great Pleiades star the Kitchen God's lantern?"

「大昴星是灶王爷的灯笼吗？」

他說：He said:

他说：

「你二伯雖然也長了眼睛，但是一輩子沒有看見什麼。"Though your Second Uncle has eyes too, in his whole life he's never seen anything.你二伯雖然也長了耳朵，但是一輩子也沒有聽見什麼。Though your Second Uncle has ears too, in his whole life he's never heard anything.你二伯是又聾又瞎，這話可怎麼說呢？Your Second Uncle is both deaf and blind—now how can that be, you ask?比方那亮亮堂堂的大瓦房吧，你二伯也有看見了的，可是看見了怎麼樣，是人家的，看見了也是白看。Take those bright, splendid tile-roofed houses, for instance—your Second Uncle has seen them too, but what of it, they belong to other people, so seeing them is seeing them for nothing.聽也是一樣，聽見了又怎樣，與你不相干……Hearing is just the same—what does it matter if you hear it, it's none of your concern……你二伯活著是個不相干……Your Second Uncle, alive, is a nobody, of no concern to anyone……星星，月亮，颳風，下雨，那是天老爺的事情，你二伯不知道……」Stars, the moon, the wind blowing, the rain falling—that's Old Man Heaven's business, your Second Uncle doesn't know about it……"

「你二伯虽然也长了眼睛，但是一辈子没有看见什么。你二伯虽然也长了耳朵，但是一辈子也没有听见什么。你二伯是又聋又瞎，这话可怎么说呢？比方那亮亮堂堂的大瓦房吧，你二伯也有看见了的，可是看见了怎么样，是人家的，看见了也是白看。听也是一样，听见了又怎样，与你不相干……你二伯活著是个不相干……星星，月亮，刮风，下雨，那是天老爷的事情，你二伯不知道……」

有二伯真古怪，他走路的時候，他的腳踢到了一塊磚頭，那磚頭把他的腳碰痛了。Uncle Youer was truly strange: once while he was walking, his foot kicked against a brick, and the brick bruised his foot painfully.他就很小心的彎下腰去把磚頭拾起來，他細細的端相著那磚頭，看看那磚頭長得是否不瘦不胖合適，是否順眼，看完了，他才和那磚頭開始講話：He then very carefully bent down and picked up the brick, examining it closely, looking to see whether the brick was shaped just right, neither too thin nor too fat, whether it was pleasing to the eye; only after he'd looked it over did he begin to speak to the brick:

有二伯真古怪，他走路的时候，他的脚踢到了一块砖头，那砖头把他的脚碰痛了。他就很小心的弯下腰去把砖头拾起来，他细细的端相著那砖头，看看那砖头长得是否不瘦不胖合适，是否顺眼，看完了，他才和那砖头开始讲话：

「你這小子，我看你也是沒有眼睛，也是跟我一樣，也是瞎模糊眼的。"You there, you rascal, I see you have no eyes either, you're just like me, your eyes are blurred and clouded too.不然你為啥往我腳上撞，若有膽子撞，就撞那個耀武揚威的，腳上穿著靴子鞋的……Otherwise why would you go bumping into my foot? If you'd had the nerve to bump into someone, you should have bumped into one of those strutting, swaggering types, with boots or shoes on their feet……你撞我還不是個白撞，撞不出一大二小來，臭泥子滾石頭，越滾越臭……」Bumping into me gets you nothing, you won't get any credit for it, a stinking clod rolling along with a stone, the more it rolls the stinkier it gets……"

「你这小子，我看你也是没有眼睛，也是跟我一样，也是瞎模糊眼的。不然你为啥往我脚上撞，若有胆子撞，就撞那个耀武扬威的，脚上穿著靴子鞋的……你撞我还不是个白撞，撞不出一大二小来，臭泥子滚石头，越滚越臭……」

他和那磚頭把話談完了，他才順手把它拋開去，臨拋開的時候，他還最後囑咐了它一句：Once he'd finished talking things over with the brick, he tossed it aside with a flick of his hand, and just as he threw it away, he gave it one last word of advice:

他和那砖头把话谈完了，他才顺手把它抛开去，临抛开的时候，他还最后嘱咐了它一句：

「下回你往那穿鞋穿襪的腳上去碰呵。」"Next time go bump into the foot of someone wearing shoes and socks."

「下回你往那穿鞋穿袜的脚上去碰呵。」

他這話說完了，那磚頭也就拍搭的落到了地上。No sooner had he finished saying this than the brick landed on the ground with a thud.原來他沒有拋得多遠，那磚頭又落到原來的地方。As it turned out, he hadn't thrown it very far at all—the brick landed right back in its original spot.

他这话说完了，那砖头也就拍搭的落到了地上。原来他没有抛得多远，那砖头又落到原来的地方。

有二伯走在院子裡，天空飛著的麻雀或是燕子若落了一點糞在他的身上，他就停下腳來，站在那裡不走了。When Uncle Youer was walking in the courtyard, if a sparrow or swallow flying overhead dropped a bit of droppings on him, he would stop in his tracks and stand there without moving.他揚著頭。He would raise his head.他罵著那早已飛過去了的雀子，大意是：那雀子怎樣怎樣不該把糞落在他身上，應該落在那穿綢穿緞的人的身上。He would curse at the bird that had long since flown off, the gist of it being: how could that bird have gone and dropped its droppings on him of all people, it ought to have dropped them on someone dressed in silk and satin.不外罵那雀子糊塗瞎眼之類。It amounted to nothing more than cursing the bird for being muddleheaded and blind, and the like.

有二伯走在院子里，天空飞著的麻雀或是燕子若落了一点粪在他的身上，他就停下脚来，站在那里不走了。他扬著头。他骂著那早已飞过去了的雀子，大意是：那雀子怎样怎样不该把粪落在他身上，应该落在那穿绸穿缎的人的身上。不外骂那雀子糊涂瞎眼之类。

可是那雀子很敏捷的落了糞之後，早已飛得無影無蹤了，於是他就罵著他頭頂上那塊藍瓦瓦的天空。But the bird, having dropped its droppings so nimbly, had already flown off without a trace, so he ended up cursing the patch of blue sky over his head instead.

可是那雀子很敏捷的落了粪之后，早已飞得无影无踪了，于是他就骂著他头顶上那块蓝瓦瓦的天空。

有二伯說話的時候，把「這個」說成「介個」。When Uncle Youer spoke, he pronounced "zhège" (this) as "jiège."

有二伯说话的时候，把「这个」说成「介个」。

「那個人好。」"That person is good."

「那个人好。」

「介個人壞。」"Jiège person is bad."

「介个人坏。」

「介個人狼心狗肺。」"Jiège person has the heart of a wolf and the lungs of a dog."

「介个人狼心狗肺。」

「介個物不是物。」"Jiège thing isn't even a thing."

「介个物不是物。」

「家雀也往身上落糞，介個年頭是啥年頭。」"Even house sparrows go dropping their droppings on you—jiège age we're living in, what kind of age is that."

「家雀也往身上落粪，介个年头是啥年头。」

還有，有二伯不吃羊肉。Also, Uncle Youer never ate mutton.

还有，有二伯不吃羊肉。

祖父說，有二伯在三十年前他就來到了我們家裡，那時候他才三十多歲。Grandfather said that Uncle Youer had come to our household thirty years before, when he was just past thirty himself.

祖父说，有二伯在三十年前他就来到了我们家里，那时候他才三十多岁。

而今有二伯六十多歲了。Now Uncle Youer was past sixty.

而今有二伯六十多岁了。

他的乳名叫有子，他已經六十多歲了，還叫著乳名。His childhood name was Youzi, and though he was already past sixty, people still called him by that childhood name.祖父叫他「有子做這個。」「有子做那個。」Grandfather called him, "Youzi, do this." "Youzi, do that."

他的乳名叫有子，他已经六十多岁了，还叫著乳名。祖父叫他「有子做这个。」「有子做那个。」

我們叫他有二伯。We called him Uncle Youer.

我们叫他有二伯。

老廚子叫他有二爺。The old cook called him Master Youer.

老厨子叫他有二爷。

他到房戶，地戶那裡去，人家叫他有二東家。When he went to the tenants who rented houses or land from us, they called him Landlord Youer.

他到房户，地户那里去，人家叫他有二东家。

他到北街頭的燒鍋去，人家叫他有二掌櫃的。When he went to the distillery at the north end of the street, they called him Manager Youer.

他到北街头的烧锅去，人家叫他有二掌柜的。

他到油房去抬油，人家也叫他有二掌櫃的。When he went to the oil press to carry oil, they too called him Manager Youer.

他到油房去抬油，人家也叫他有二掌柜的。

他到肉鋪子上去買肉，人家也叫他有二掌櫃的。When he went to the butcher's shop to buy meat, they too called him Manager Youer.

他到肉铺子上去买肉，人家也叫他有二掌柜的。

一聽人家叫他「二掌櫃的」，他就笑逐顏開。The moment he heard people call him "Manager," his face would break into a beaming smile.叫他有二爺叫他有二東家，叫他有二伯也都是一樣的笑逐顏開。Whether called Master Youer, or Landlord Youer, or Uncle Youer, it was all the same—his face would light right up with smiles.

一听人家叫他「二掌柜的」，他就笑逐颜开。叫他有二爷叫他有二东家，叫他有二伯也都是一样的笑逐颜开。

有二伯最忌諱人家叫他的乳名，比方街上的孩子們，那些討厭的，就常常在他的背後拋一顆石子，掘一捧灰土，嘴裡邊喊著「有二子」「大有子」「小有子」。What Uncle Youer hated most was for people to call him by his childhood name; for instance the children on the street, those pesky ones, would often fling a pebble or a handful of dust behind his back, shouting out "Youerzi," "Big Youzi," "Little Youzi."

有二伯最忌讳人家叫他的乳名，比方街上的孩子们，那些讨厌的，就常常在他的背后抛一颗石子，掘一捧灰土，嘴里边喊著「有二子」「大有子」「小有子」。

有二伯一遇到這機會，就沒有不立刻打了過去的，他手裡若是拿著蠅甩子，他就用蠅甩子把去打。Whenever Uncle Youer got the chance, he would invariably charge over at once to strike them; if he had his fly-whisk in hand, he would strike out with the fly-whisk.他手裡若是拿著煙袋，他就用煙袋鍋子去打。If he had his pipe in hand, he would strike out with the pipe bowl.

有二伯一遇到这机会，就没有不立刻打了过去的，他手里若是拿著蝇甩子，他就用蝇甩子把去打。他手里若是拿著烟袋，他就用烟袋锅子去打。

把他氣的像老母雞似的，把眼睛都氣紅了。It made him so angry he was like a ruffled old hen, his eyes flushed red with rage.

把他气的像老母鸡似的，把眼睛都气红了。

那些頑皮的孩子們一看他打了來，就立刻說：「有二爺，有二東家，有二掌櫃的，有二伯。」並且舉起手來作著揖，向他朝拜著。The moment those mischievous children saw him coming at them to strike, they would instantly cry out: "Master Youer, Landlord Youer, Manager Youer, Uncle Youer," and raise their cupped hands in a bow, paying him homage.

那些顽皮的孩子们一看他打了来，就立刻说：「有二爷，有二东家，有二掌柜的，有二伯。」并且举起手来作著揖，向他朝拜著。

有二伯一看他們這樣子，立刻就笑逐顏開，也不打他們了，就走自己的路去了。The instant Uncle Youer saw them acting like this, his face would at once break into smiles, and he would stop chasing them and go on his own way.

有二伯一看他们这样子，立刻就笑逐颜开，也不打他们了，就走自己的路去了。

可是他走不了多遠，那些孩子們就在後邊又吵起來了，什麼：But he wouldn't get very far before the children would start up their clamor behind him again, things like:

可是他走不了多远，那些孩子们就在后边又吵起来了，什么：

「有二爺，兔兒爺。」"Master Youer, Master Rabbit."

「有二爷，兔儿爷。」

「有二伯，打槳桿。」"Uncle Youer, paddle-pole beater."

「有二伯，打桨杆。」

「有二東家，捉大王八。」"Landlord Youer, catch the big turtle."

「有二东家，捉大王八。」

他在前邊走，孩子們還在他背後的遠處喊。He walked on ahead while the children kept shouting from a distance behind him.一邊喊著，一邊揚著街道上的灰土，灰土高飛著一會工夫，街上鬧成個小旋風似的了。Shouting all the while, they kicked up the dust of the street, and for a good while the dust flew up so high the street seemed caught up in a little whirlwind.

他在前边走，孩子们还在他背后的远处喊。一边喊著，一边扬著街道上的灰土，灰土高飞著一会工夫，街上闹成个小旋风似的了。

有二伯不知道聽見了這個與否，但孩子們以為他是聽見了的。No one knew whether Uncle Youer heard this or not, but the children assumed he had.

有二伯不知道听见了这个与否，但孩子们以为他是听见了的。

有二伯卻很莊嚴的，連頭也不回的一步一步的沉著的向前走去了。Uncle Youer, however, walked on very solemnly, not even turning his head, step by step, calmly forging ahead.

有二伯却很庄严的，连头也不回的一步一步的沉著的向前走去了。

「有二爺，」老廚子總是一開口「有二爺」，一閉口「有二爺」的叫著。"Master Youer,"—the old cook always opened his mouth with "Master Youer" and closed it with "Master Youer" too.

「有二爷，」老厨子总是一开口「有二爷」，一闭口「有二爷」的叫著。

「有二爺的蠅甩子……」"Master Youer's fly-whisk……"

「有二爷的蝇甩子……」

「有二爺的煙袋鍋子……」"Master Youer's pipe bowl……"

「有二爷的烟袋锅子……」

「有二爺的煙荷包……」"Master Youer's tobacco pouch……"

「有二爷的烟荷包……」

「有二爺的煙荷包疙瘩……」"Master Youer's tobacco-pouch knot……"

「有二爷的烟荷包疙瘩……」

「有二爺吃飯啦……」"Master Youer, time to eat……"

「有二爷吃饭啦……」

「有二爺，天下雨啦……」"Master Youer, it's raining……"

「有二爷，天下雨啦……」

「有二爺快看吧，院子裡的狗打仗啦……」"Master Youer, quick, come look, the dogs in the courtyard are fighting……"

「有二爷快看吧，院子里的狗打仗啦……」

「有二爺，貓上牆頭啦……」"You Erye, there's a cat up on the wall...!"

「有二爷，猫上墙头啦……」

「有二爺，你的蠅甩子掉了毛啦。」"You Erye, your fly-whisk is shedding its bristles."

「有二爷，你的蝇甩子掉了毛啦。」

「有二爺，你的草帽頂落了家雀糞啦。」"You Erye, there's sparrow droppings on the crown of your straw hat."

「有二爷，你的草帽顶落了家雀粪啦。」

老廚子一向是叫他「有二爺」的。The old cook had always called him "You Erye."唯獨他們兩個一吵起來的時候，老廚子就說：Only when the two of them got into a quarrel would the old cook say:

老厨子一向是叫他「有二爷」的。唯独他们两个一吵起来的时候，老厨子就说：

「我看你這個『二爺』一丟了，就只剩下個『有』字了。」"The way I see it, once you lose that 'Erye' of yours, all that's left is the word 'You'."

「我看你这个『二爷』一丢了，就只剩下个『有』字了。」

「有字」和「有子」差不多，有二伯一聽正好是他的乳名。"You" (有) sounded much like "Youzi" (有子), and when You Erbo heard it, it happened to be exactly his childhood name.

「有字」和「有子」差不多，有二伯一听正好是他的乳名。

於是他和老廚子罵了起來，他罵他一句，他罵他兩句。So he and the old cook started trading curses—he'd curse one line at him, and get two back.越罵聲音越大。The more they cursed, the louder their voices grew.有時他們兩個也就打了起來。Sometimes the two of them would even come to blows.

于是他和老厨子骂了起来，他骂他一句，他骂他两句。越骂声音越大。有时他们两个也就打了起来。

但是過了不久，他們兩個又照舊的好了起來。But before long, the two of them would be on good terms again, just as before.又是：And then it would be:

但是过了不久，他们两个又照旧的好了起来。又是：

「有二爺這個。」"You Erye, this—"

「有二爷这个。」

「有二爺那個。」"You Erye, that—"

「有二爷那个。」

老廚子一高起興來，就說：Whenever the old cook was in high spirits, he would say:

老厨子一高起兴来，就说：

「有二爺，我看你的頭上去了個『有』字，不就只剩了『二爺』嗎？」"You Erye, seems to me if the 'You' came off the top of your name, wouldn't all that's left be 'Erye'?"

「有二爷，我看你的头上去了个『有』字，不就只剩了『二爷』吗？」

有二伯於是又笑逐顏開了。Then You Erbo's face would break into a broad smile again.

有二伯于是又笑逐颜开了。

祖父叫他「有子」，他不生氣，他說：When Grandfather called him "Youzi," he didn't get angry; he said:

祖父叫他「有子」，他不生气，他说：

「向皇上說話，還稱自己是奴才呢！"Even when addressing the Emperor himself, one still calls oneself 'your servant'!總也得有個大小。There's always a rank to things, high and low.宰相大不大，可是他見了皇上也得跪下，在萬人之上，在一人之下。」The Prime Minister is a great man, is he not? Yet when he sees the Emperor he too must kneel—he stands above ten thousand men, but below the One."

「向皇上说话，还称自己是奴才呢！总也得有个大小。宰相大不大，可是他见了皇上也得跪下，在万人之上，在一人之下。」

有二伯的膽子是很大的，他什麼也不怕。You Erbo's nerve was said to be great—he was afraid of nothing.我問他怕狼不怕？I asked him whether he was afraid of wolves.

有二伯的胆子是很大的，他什么也不怕。我问他怕狼不怕？

他說：He said:

他说：

「狼有什麼怕的，在山上，你二伯小的時候上山放豬去，那山上就有狼。」"What's there to fear in wolves? Up in the mountains—when your Uncle You was young, I used to go up the mountain to herd pigs, and there were wolves up there."

「狼有什么怕的，在山上，你二伯小的时候上山放猪去，那山上就有狼。」

我問他敢走黑路不敢？I asked him whether he dared walk on dark roads at night.

我问他敢走黑路不敢？

他說：He said:

他说：

「走黑路怕啥的，沒有愧心事，不怕鬼叫門。」"What's there to fear in walking dark roads? If your conscience is clear, you needn't fear a ghost knocking at your door."

「走黑路怕啥的，没有愧心事，不怕鬼叫门。」

我問他夜裡一個人，敢過那東大橋嗎？I asked him whether he dared cross the Dongda Bridge alone at night.

我问他夜里一个人，敢过那东大桥吗？

他說：He said:

他说：

「有啥不敢的，你二伯就是愧心事不敢做，別的都敢。」"What's there not to dare? The only thing your Uncle You doesn't dare do is anything that would shame his conscience—everything else, I dare."

「有啥不敢的，你二伯就是愧心事不敢做，别的都敢。」

有二伯常常說，跑毛子的時候（日俄戰時）他怎樣怎樣的膽大，全城都跑空了，我們家也跑空了。You Erbo often spoke of how bold he had been during the time of "fleeing the Russians" (during the Russo-Japanese War), when the whole town had emptied out in flight, and our household too had emptied out.那毛子拿著大馬刀在街上跑來跑去，騎在馬身上。Those Russians rode about on horseback through the streets, brandishing great sabers.那真是殺人無數。They truly killed countless people.見了關著大門的就敲，敲開了，抓著人就殺。Whenever they saw a gate shut tight, they would pound on it, and once it was opened, they'd seize whoever was inside and kill them.有二伯說：You Erbo said:

有二伯常常说，跑毛子的时候（日俄战时）他怎样怎样的胆大，全城都跑空了，我们家也跑空了。那毛子拿著大马刀在街上跑来跑去，骑在马身上。那真是杀人无数。见了关著大门的就敲，敲开了，抓著人就杀。有二伯说：

「毛子在街上跑來跑去，那大馬蹄子跑得呱呱的響，我正自己煮麵條吃呢，毛子就來敲大門來了，在外邊喊著『裡邊有人沒有？』若有人快點把門打開，不打開毛子就要拿刀把門劈開的，劈開門進來，那就沒有好，非殺不可……」"The Russians were riding back and forth through the streets, their great horses' hooves clattering away, and I was just cooking myself some noodles to eat when the Russians came pounding on the gate, shouting from outside, 'Is anyone in there?' If someone was in, they'd better open the door quick—if you didn't open it, the Russians would hack the door open with their sabers, and once they broke in, there was no good to come of it, you were sure to be killed..."

「毛子在街上跑来跑去，那大马蹄子跑得呱呱的响，我正自己煮面条吃呢，毛子就来敲大门来了，在外边喊著『里边有人没有？』若有人快点把门打开，不打开毛子就要拿刀把门劈开的，劈开门进来，那就没有好，非杀不可……」

我就問：So I asked:

我就问：

「有二伯你可怕？」"Uncle You, were you afraid?"

他說：He said:

他说：

「你二伯燒著一鍋開水，正在下著麵條。"Your Uncle You had a pot of water boiling and was dropping the noodles in.那毛子在外邊敲，你二伯還在屋裡吃麵呢……」The Russians were pounding away outside, and your Uncle You was still inside eating his noodles..."

「你二伯烧著一锅开水，正在下著面条。那毛子在外边敲，你二伯还在屋里吃面呢……」

我還是問他：I asked him again:

我还是问他：

「你可怕？」"Were you afraid?"

他說：He said:

他说：

「怕什麼？」"Afraid of what?"

「怕什么？」

我說：I said:

我说：

「那毛子進來，他不拿馬刀殺你？」"If the Russians had come in, wouldn't they have killed you with their sabers?"

「那毛子进来，他不拿马刀杀你？」

他說：He said:

他说：

「殺又怎麼樣！"So what if they killed me!不就是一條命嗎？」Isn't it just one life?"

「杀又怎么样！不就是一条命吗？」

可是每當他和祖父算起帳來的時候，他就不這麼說了。But whenever he got into a settling of accounts with Grandfather, he wouldn't talk that way at all.他說：He would say:

可是每当他和祖父算起帐来的时候，他就不这么说了。他说：

「人是肉長的呀！"A person is made of flesh!人是爹娘養的呀！A person is raised by a father and mother!誰沒有五臟六腑。Who doesn't have the five organs and six viscera?不怕，怎麼能不怕！Not afraid—how could anyone not be afraid!也是嚇得抖抖亂顫，……I too was frightened into trembling all over, ...眼看著那是大馬刀，一刀下來，一條命就完了。」Watching that great saber right there before your eyes—one stroke, and a life is finished."

「人是肉长的呀！人是爹娘养的呀！谁没有五脏六腑。不怕，怎么能不怕！也是吓得抖抖乱颤，……眼看著那是大马刀，一刀下来，一条命就完了。」

我一問他：I would ask him:

我一问他：

「你不是說過，你不怕嗎？」"Didn't you say before that you weren't afraid?"

「你不是说过，你不怕吗？」

這種時候，他就罵我：At times like this, he would scold me:

这种时候，他就骂我：

「沒心肝的，遠的去著罷！"You heartless thing, get away from me!不怕，是人還有不怕的……」Not afraid—is there any person who isn't afraid..."

「没心肝的，远的去著罢！不怕，是人还有不怕的……」

不知怎麼的，他一和祖父提起跑毛子來，他就膽小了，他自己越說越怕。Somehow, whenever he brought up the flight from the Russians in front of Grandfather, he turned timid, and the more he talked the more frightened he grew.有的時候他還哭了起來。Sometimes he even wept.說那大馬刀閃光湛亮，說那毛子騎在馬上亂殺亂砍。He would talk of how those great sabers flashed and gleamed, of how the Russians on horseback hacked and slashed at random.

不知怎么的，他一和祖父提起跑毛子来，他就胆小了，他自己越说越怕。有的时候他还哭了起来。说那大马刀闪光湛亮，说那毛子骑在马上乱杀乱砍。

有二伯的行李，是零零碎碎的，一掀動他的被子就從被角往外流著棉花，一掀動他的褥子，那所鋪著的毡片，就一片一片的好像活動地圖似的一省一省的割據開了。You Erbo's bedding was all in tatters—give his quilt a shake and cotton wadding would spill out from the corners; give his mattress a shake and the felt lining spread beneath it would come apart piece by piece, like a movable map carved up province by province.

有二伯的行李，是零零碎碎的，一掀动他的被子就从被角往外流著棉花，一掀动他的褥子，那所铺著的毡片，就一片一片的好像活动地图似的一省一省的割据开了。

有二伯的枕頭，裡邊裝的是蕎麥殼，每當他一掄動的時候，那枕頭就在角上或是在肚上漏了餡了，嘩嘩的往外流著蕎麥殼。You Erbo's pillow was stuffed with buckwheat husks, and whenever he swung it about, it would split open at a corner or in the middle and spill its filling, buckwheat husks pouring out with a rustling sound.

有二伯的枕头，里边装的是荞麦壳，每当他一抡动的时候，那枕头就在角上或是在肚上漏了馅了，哗哗的往外流著荞麦壳。

有二伯是愛護他這一套行李的，沒有事的時候，他就拿起針來縫它們。You Erbo cherished this bedding of his, and whenever he had nothing else to do, he would pick up a needle and mend it.縫縫枕頭，縫縫毡片，縫縫被子。He'd mend the pillow a little, mend the felt a little, mend the quilt a little.

有二伯是爱护他这一套行李的，没有事的时候，他就拿起针来缝它们。缝缝枕头，缝缝毡片，缝缝被子。

不知他的東西，怎那樣的不結實，有二伯三天兩天的就要動手縫一次。No one knew why his things were so flimsy, but every two or three days You Erbo had to take up his needle and mend them again.

不知他的东西，怎那样的不结实，有二伯三天两天的就要动手缝一次。

有二伯的手是很粗的，因此他拿著一顆很大的大針，他說太小的針他拿不住的。You Erbo's hands were very coarse and thick, so he used a very large needle, saying that a needle too small he couldn't hold on to.他的針是太大了點，迎著太陽，好像一顆女人頭上的銀簪子似的。His needle was rather too large—held up against the sun, it looked just like a silver hairpin on a woman's head.

有二伯的手是很粗的，因此他拿著一颗很大的大针，他说太小的针他拿不住的。他的针是太大了点，迎著太阳，好像一颗女人头上的银簪子似的。

他往針鼻裡穿線的時候，那才好看呢，他把針線舉得高高的，睜著一個眼睛，閉著一個眼睛，好像是在瞄準，好像他在半天空裡看見了一樣東西，他想要快快的拿它，又怕拿不準跑了，想要研究一會再去拿，又怕過一會就沒有了。It was quite a sight when he threaded the eye of that needle—he'd hold the needle and thread up high, one eye open and one eye shut, as if taking aim, as if he'd spotted something up there in midair that he wanted to snatch up quickly, yet feared that if he aimed wrong it would get away; he wanted to study it a while longer before reaching for it, yet feared that in another moment it would be gone.於是他的手一著急就哆嗦起來，那才好看呢。So his hands, growing anxious, would start to tremble—and that was quite a sight too.

他往针鼻里穿线的时候，那才好看呢，他把针线举得高高的，睁著一个眼睛，闭著一个眼睛，好像是在瞄准，好像他在半天空里看见了一样东西，他想要快快的拿它，又怕拿不准跑了，想要研究一会再去拿，又怕过一会就没有了。于是他的手一著急就哆嗦起来，那才好看呢。

有二伯的行李，睡覺起來，就捲起來的。As soon as You Erbo rose from sleep, his bedding would be rolled up.捲起來之後，用繩子綑著。Once rolled up, it was bound together with a rope.好像他每天要去旅行的樣子。It looked as though he were setting off on a journey every single day.

有二伯的行李，睡觉起来，就卷起来的。卷起来之后，用绳子捆著。好像他每天要去旅行的样子。

有二伯沒有一定的住處，今天住在那咔咔響著房架子的粉房裡，明天住在養豬的那家的小豬官的炕梢上，後天也許就和那後磨房裡的馮歪嘴子一條炕睡上了。You Erbo had no fixed dwelling—today he might sleep in the noodle-mill with its creaking, rattling frame; tomorrow at the foot of the kang in the little swineherd's quarters at the pig-keeper's place; and the day after that he might well end up sharing a kang with Feng Waizuizi back in the mill house.反正他是什麼地方有空他就在什麼地方睡。In any case, wherever there was an empty spot, that's where he'd sleep.

有二伯没有一定的住处，今天住在那咔咔响著房架子的粉房里，明天住在养猪的那家的小猪官的炕梢上，后天也许就和那后磨房里的冯歪嘴子一条炕睡上了。反正他是什么地方有空他就在什么地方睡。

他的行李他自己揹著，老廚子一看他揹起行李，就大嚷大叫的說：He carried his own bedding on his back, and whenever the old cook saw him shoulder it, he would call out loudly:

他的行李他自己揹著，老厨子一看他揹起行李，就大嚷大叫的说：

「有二爺，又趕集去了……」"You Erye, off to market again..."

「有二爷，又赶集去了……」

有二伯也就遠遠的回答著他：And You Erbo would answer him back from a distance:

有二伯也就远远的回答著他：

「老王，我去趕集，你有啥捎的沒有呵？」"Old Wang, I'm off to market—is there anything you need me to bring back for you?"

「老王，我去赶集，你有啥捎的没有呵？」

於是有二伯又自己走自己的路，到房戶的家裡的方便地方去投宿去了。And so You Erbo went on his own way again, off to lodge wherever was convenient among the households of the neighborhood.

于是有二伯又自己走自己的路，到房户的家里的方便地方去投宿去了。

有二伯的草帽沒有邊沿，只有一個帽頂，他的臉焦焦黑，他的頭頂雪雪白。You Erbo's straw hat had no brim left, only the crown, and his face was scorched dark while the top of his head was snowy white.黑白分明的地方，就正是那草帽扣下去被切得溜齊的腦蓋的地方。The place where black and white met so sharply was exactly where the hat, pressed down over his head, had cut a clean, even line across his scalp.他每一摘下帽子來，是上一半白，下一半黑。Every time he took his hat off, the upper half was white and the lower half was black.就好像後園裡的倭瓜曬著太陽的那半是綠的，背著陰的那半是白的一樣。Just like the pumpkins in the back garden—the side turned toward the sun was green, and the side left in shadow was pale.

有二伯的草帽没有边沿，只有一个帽顶，他的脸焦焦黑，他的头顶雪雪白。黑白分明的地方，就正是那草帽扣下去被切得溜齐的脑盖的地方。他每一摘下帽子来，是上一半白，下一半黑。就好像后园里的倭瓜晒著太阳的那半是绿的，背著阴的那半是白的一样。

不過他一戴起草帽來也就看不見了。But once he put his straw hat back on, none of this could be seen at all.他戴帽的尺度是很準確的，一戴就把帽邊很準確的切在了黑白分明的那條線上。He set his hat with great precision—the moment he put it on, its edge fell exactly along that sharp line between black and white.不高不低，就正正的在那條線上。Neither too high nor too low, but exactly right on that line.偶爾也戴得略微高了一點，但是這種時候很少，不大被人注意。Once in a while he set it slightly too high, but such occasions were rare and hardly drew anyone's notice.那就是草帽與腦蓋之間，好像鑲了一膛窄窄的白邊似的，有那麼一膛白線。On those occasions, between the straw hat and his scalp there would appear a narrow white rim, as if a thin white border had been inlaid there.

不过他一戴起草帽来也就看不见了。他戴帽的尺度是很准确的，一戴就把帽边很准确的切在了黑白分明的那条线上。不高不低，就正正的在那条线上。偶尔也戴得略微高了一点，但是这种时候很少，不大被人注意。那就是草帽与脑盖之间，好像镶了一膛窄窄的白边似的，有那么一膛白线。

有二伯穿的是大半截子的衣裳，不是長衫，也不是短衫，而是齊到膝頭那麼長的衣裳，那衣裳是魚藍色竹布的，帶著四方大尖托領，寬衣大袖，懷前帶著大麻銅鈕子。What You Erbo wore was a garment of in-between length—neither a long gown nor a short jacket, but one reaching just to the knees; it was made of fish-blue cotton cloth, with a large square pointed collar, wide body and sleeves, and big hemp-cord copper buttons down the front.

有二伯穿的是大半截子的衣裳，不是长衫，也不是短衫，而是齐到膝头那么长的衣裳，那衣裳是鱼蓝色竹布的，带著四方大尖托领，宽衣大袖，怀前带著大麻铜钮子。

這衣裳本是前清的舊貨，壓在祖父的箱底裡，祖母一死了，就陸續的穿在有二伯的身上了。This garment had originally been an old article from the days of the former Qing dynasty, lying pressed at the bottom of Grandfather's chest, and once Grandmother died, it was gradually put onto You Erbo's back to wear.

这衣裳本是前清的旧货，压在祖父的箱底里，祖母一死了，就陆续的穿在有二伯的身上了。

所以有二伯一走在街上，都不知他是那個朝代的人。So that whenever You Erbo walked down the street, no one could tell which dynasty he belonged to.

所以有二伯一走在街上，都不知他是那个朝代的人。

老廚子常說：The old cook often said:

老厨子常说：

「有二爺，你寬衣大袖的，和尚看了像和尚，道人看了像道人。」"You Erye, with your wide robe and broad sleeves, a monk looking at you would take you for a monk, and a Daoist priest looking at you would take you for a Daoist priest."

「有二爷，你宽衣大袖的，和尚看了像和尚，道人看了像道人。」

有二伯是喜歡捲著褲腳的，所以耕田種地的莊稼人看了，又以為他是一個莊稼人，一定是插秧了剛剛回來。You Erbo liked to roll up his trouser cuffs, so that farmers out plowing and planting, seeing him, took him for one of their own, certain he'd just come back from setting out rice seedlings.

有二伯是喜欢卷著裤脚的，所以耕田种地的庄稼人看了，又以为他是一个庄稼人，一定是插秧了刚刚回来。

有二伯的鞋子，不是前邊掉了底，就是後邊缺了跟。You Erbo's shoes, if not coming apart at the sole in front, were missing their heel in back.

有二伯的鞋子，不是前边掉了底，就是后边缺了跟。

他自己前邊掌掌，後邊釘釘，似乎釘也釘不好，掌也掌不好，過了幾天，又是掉底缺跟仍然照舊。He himself would patch the front and nail the back, but it seemed neither the nailing nor the patching ever held; after a few days the sole would be coming loose and the heel missing, just as before.

他自己前边掌掌，后边钉钉，似乎钉也钉不好，掌也掌不好，过了几天，又是掉底缺跟仍然照旧。

走路的時候拖拖的，再不然就搭搭的。When he walked, his shoes dragged, or else they flapped.前邊掉了底，那鞋就張著嘴，他的腳好像舌頭似的，每一邁步，就在那大嘴裡邊活動著，後邊缺了跟，每一走動，就踢踢踏踏的腳跟打著鞋底發響。With the sole gone in front, the shoe gaped open like a mouth, and his foot, like a tongue, moved about inside that great mouth with every step; with the heel missing in back, every step made a slapping, clattering sound as his heel struck against the sole.

走路的时候拖拖的，再不然就搭搭的。前边掉了底，那鞋就张著嘴，他的脚好像舌头似的，每一迈步，就在那大嘴里边活动著，后边缺了跟，每一走动，就踢踢踏踏的脚跟打著鞋底发响。

有二伯的腳，永遠離不開地面，母親說他的腳下了千斤閘。You Erbo's feet never seemed to leave the ground—Mother said it was as though a thousand-pound gate had come down on them.

有二伯的脚，永远离不开地面，母亲说他的脚下了千斤闸。

老廚子說有二伯的腳上了絆馬鎖。The old cook said You Erbo's feet were shackled with horse-hobbles.

老厨子说有二伯的脚上了绊马锁。

有二伯自己則說：You Erbo himself would say:

有二伯自己则说：

「你二伯掛了絆腳絲了。」"Your Uncle You has the tripping-cord hung on him."

「你二伯挂了绊脚丝了。」

絆腳絲是人臨死的時候掛在兩隻腳上的繩子。The tripping-cord is the cord that is tied around a person's two feet when they are dying.有二伯就這樣的說著自己。That was how You Erbo spoke of himself.

绊脚丝是人临死的时候挂在两只脚上的绳子。有二伯就这样的说著自己。

有二伯雖然作弄成一個耍猴不像耍猴的，討飯不像討飯的，可是他一走起路來，卻是端莊、沉靜，兩個腳跟非常有力，打得地面鼕鼕的響，而且是慢吞吞的前進，好像一位大將軍似的。Though You Erbo had been made to look like some cross between a monkey-trainer and a beggar—neither quite one nor the other—yet once he started walking, he moved with dignity and composure, his two heels striking the ground with great force, thudding away, advancing slowly and deliberately, just like some great general.

有二伯虽然作弄成一个耍猴不像耍猴的，讨饭不像讨饭的，可是他一走起路来，却是端庄、沉静，两个脚跟非常有力，打得地面冬冬的响，而且是慢吞吞的前进，好像一位大将军似的。

有二伯一進了祖父的屋子，那擺在琴桌上的那口黑色的坐鐘，鐘裡邊的鐘擺，就常常格稜稜格稜稜的響了一陣就停下來了。Whenever You Erbo entered Grandfather's room, the black standing clock set on the zither table—its pendulum inside—would often go tick-tock, tick-tock for a spell and then stop.

有二伯一进了祖父的屋子，那摆在琴桌上的那口黑色的坐钟，钟里边的钟摆，就常常格棱棱格棱棱的响了一阵就停下来了。

原來有二伯的腳步過於沉重了點，好像大石頭似的打著地板，使地板上所有的東西，一時都起了跳動。It turned out that You Erbo's footsteps were simply too heavy, striking the floor like great stones, so that everything on the floor would suddenly jump and tremble.

原来有二伯的脚步过于沉重了点，好像大石头似的打著地板，使地板上所有的东西，一时都起了跳动。

有二伯偷東西被我撞見了。I once caught You Erbo in the act of stealing something.

有二伯偷东西被我撞见了。

秋末，後園裡的大榆樹也落了葉子，園裡荒涼了，沒有什麼好玩的了。At the end of autumn, the great elm tree in the back garden had shed its leaves too, and the garden had grown desolate—there was nothing fun left to do there.

秋末，后园里的大榆树也落了叶子，园里荒凉了，没有什么好玩的了。

長在前院的蒿草，也都敗壞了而倒了下來，房後菜園上的各種秧棵完全掛滿了白霜，老榆樹全身的葉子已經沒有多少了，可是秋風還在搖動著它。The wormwood growing in the front courtyard had all withered and fallen over as well; the various vegetable stalks in the garden behind the house were hung all over with white frost, and the old elm tree had hardly any leaves left on its whole body, yet the autumn wind still shook it.天空是發灰的，雲彩也失了形狀，好像被洗過硯台的水盆，有深有淺，混洞洞的。The sky had turned a grayish color, and the clouds too had lost their shape, looking like a basin of water that had been used to wash an inkstone—patches deep and patches pale, all murky and blurred.這樣的雲彩，有的帶來了雨點，有時帶來了細雪。Clouds like these sometimes brought raindrops, and sometimes brought fine snow.

长在前院的蒿草，也都败坏了而倒了下来，房后菜园上的各种秧棵完全挂满了白霜，老榆树全身的叶子已经没有多少了，可是秋风还在摇动著它。天空是发灰的，云彩也失了形状，好像被洗过砚台的水盆，有深有浅，混洞洞的。这样的云彩，有的带来了雨点，有时带来了细雪。

這樣的天氣，我為著外邊沒有好玩的，我就在藏亂東西的後房裡玩著。In weather like this, since there was nothing fun to do outside, I would play in the back room where all the odds and ends were stored.我爬上了裝舊東西的屋頂去。I climbed up onto the roof of the shed where old things were stored.

这样的天气，我为著外边没有好玩的，我就在藏乱东西的后房里玩著。我爬上了装旧东西的屋顶去。

我是登著箱子上去的，我摸到了一個小琉璃罐，那裡邊裝的完全是墨棗。I got up by climbing onto a chest, and there I found a little glass jar filled entirely with black dates.

我是登著箱子上去的，我摸到了一个小琉璃罐，那里边装的完全是墨枣。

等我抱著這罐子要下來的時候，可就下不來了，方才上來的時候，我登著的那箱子，有二伯站在那裡正在開著它。But when I hugged the jar to me and tried to climb down, I could not: Uncle You’er was standing by the chest I had used on my way up, trying to open it.

等我抱著这罐子要下来的时候，可就下不来了，方才上来的时候，我登著的那箱子，有二伯站在那里正在开著它。

他不是用鑰匙開，他是用鐵絲在開。He was not opening it with a key; he was using a piece of wire.

他不是用钥匙开，他是用铁丝在开。

我看著他開了很多時候，他用牙齒咬著他手裡的那塊小東西……I watched him work at it for a long time, biting the little object in his hand with his teeth...他歪著頭，咬得格格拉拉的發響。He tilted his head and bit down on it with a loud crunching sound.咬了之後又放在手裡扭著它，而後又把它觸到箱子上去試一試。After biting it, he twisted it in his hands, then tried it against the chest again.

我看著他开了很多时候，他用牙齿咬著他手里的那块小东西……他歪著头，咬得格格拉拉的发响。咬了之后又放在手里扭著它，而后又把它触到箱子上去试一试。

他顯然不知道我在棚頂上看著他，他既打開了箱子，他就把沒有邊沿的草帽脫下來，把那塊咬了半天的小東西就壓在帽頂裡面。He plainly did not know I was watching him from the roof of the shed; once he had opened the chest, he took off his brimless straw hat and pressed the little object he had been biting into the crown.

他显然不知道我在棚顶上看著他，他既打开了箱子，他就把没有边沿的草帽脱下来，把那块咬了半天的小东西就压在帽顶里面。

他把箱子翻了好幾次，紅色的椅墊，藍色粗布的繡花圍裙，女人的繡花鞋子……He rummaged through the chest several times: a red chair cushion, a blue coarse-cloth embroidered apron, a woman’s embroidered shoes...還有一團滾亂的花色的絲線，在箱子底上還躺著一隻湛黃的銅酒壺。There was also a tangled ball of colored silk thread, and at the bottom of the chest lay a bright-yellow copper wine pot.

他把箱子翻了好几次，红色的椅垫，蓝色粗布的绣花围裙，女人的绣花鞋子……还有一团滚乱的花色的丝线，在箱子底上还躺著一只湛黄的铜酒壶。

有二伯用他滿都是脈絡的粗手把繡花鞋子，亂絲線，抓到一邊去，只把銅酒壺從那一堆之中抓出來了。With his coarse, vein-knotted hands, Uncle You’er swept the embroidered shoes and tangled silk thread aside and pulled only the copper wine pot from the heap.

有二伯用他满都是脉络的粗手把绣花鞋子，乱丝线，抓到一边去，只把铜酒壶从那一堆之中抓出来了。

太師椅上的紅墊子，他把它放在地上，用腰帶綑了起來。He put the red cushion from the armchair on the ground and tied it up with his belt.銅酒壺放在箱子蓋上，而後把箱子鎖了。He set the copper wine pot on the lid of the chest, then locked the chest.

太师椅上的红垫子，他把它放在地上，用腰带捆了起来。铜酒壶放在箱子盖上，而后把箱子锁了。

看樣子好像他要帶著這些東西出去，不知為什麼，他沒有帶東西，他自己出去了。It looked as though he meant to carry these things away, but for some reason he left them behind and went out alone.

看样子好像他要带著这些东西出去，不知为什么，他没有带东西，他自己出去了。

我一看他出去，我趕快的登著箱子就下來了。As soon as I saw him leave, I hurriedly climbed down by way of the chest.

我一看他出去，我赶快的登著箱子就下来了。

我一下來，有二伯就又回來了，這一下子可把我嚇了一跳，因為我是在偷墨棗，若讓母親曉得了，母親非打我不可。No sooner had I climbed down than Uncle You’er came back, giving me a terrible fright, for I was stealing black dates, and if Mother found out, she would certainly beat me.平常我偷著把雞蛋饅頭之類，拿出去和鄰居家的孩子一塊去吃，有二伯一看見就沒有不告訴母親的，母親一曉得就打我。Ordinarily, when I secretly took eggs, steamed buns, or the like outside to eat with the neighbors’ children, Uncle You’er never failed to tell Mother if he saw me, and as soon as Mother found out, she beat me.

我一下来，有二伯就又回来了，这一下子可把我吓了一跳，因为我是在偷墨枣，若让母亲晓得了，母亲非打我不可。平常我偷著把鸡蛋馒头之类，拿出去和邻居家的孩子一块去吃，有二伯一看见就没有不告诉母亲的，母亲一晓得就打我。

他先提起門旁的椅墊子，而後又來拿箱子蓋上的銅酒壺。First he picked up the chair cushion beside the door, then came over for the copper wine pot on the chest lid.等他掀著衣襟把銅酒壺壓在肚子上邊，他才看到牆角上站著的是我。Only after he lifted the front of his gown and pressed the copper wine pot against his belly did he see me standing in the corner.

他先提起门旁的椅垫子，而后又来拿箱子盖上的铜酒壶。等他掀著衣襟把铜酒壶压在肚子上边，他才看到墙角上站著的是我。

他的肚子前壓著銅酒壺，我的肚子前抱著一罐墨棗。He had a copper wine pot pressed against his belly; I had a jar of black dates clasped against mine.他偷，我也偷，所以兩邊害怕。He was stealing, and so was I; therefore we were both afraid.

他的肚子前压著铜酒壶，我的肚子前抱著一罐墨枣。他偷，我也偷，所以两边害怕。

有二伯一看見我，立刻頭蓋上就冒著很大的汗珠。The instant Uncle You’er saw me, great beads of sweat sprang out all over his forehead.他說：He said:

有二伯一看见我，立刻头盖上就冒著很大的汗珠。他说：

「你不說麼？」“You won’t tell, will you?”

「你不说么？」

「說什麼……」“Tell what...?”

「说什么……」

「不說，好孩子……」他拍著我的頭頂。“Don’t tell—there’s a good child...” He patted the top of my head.

「不说，好孩子……」他拍著我的头顶。

「那麼，你讓我把這琉璃罐拿出去。」“Then you must let me take this glass jar outside.”

「那么，你让我把这琉璃罐拿出去。」

他說：「拿罷。」He said, “Go ahead.”

他说：「拿罢。」

他一點沒有阻擋我。He did not try to stop me at all.我看他不阻擋我，我還在門旁的筐子裡抓了四五個大饅頭，就跑了。When I saw that he was not stopping me, I also grabbed four or five large steamed buns from the basket by the door and ran off.

他一点没有阻挡我。我看他不阻挡我，我还在门旁的筐子里抓了四五个大馒头，就跑了。

有二伯還在糧食倉子裡邊偷米，用大口袋揹著，揹到大橋東邊那糧米鋪去賣了。Uncle You’er also stole rice from the granary, carrying it away in a large sack on his back to sell at the grain shop east of the bridge.

有二伯还在粮食仓子里边偷米，用大口袋揹著，揹到大桥东边那粮米铺去卖了。

有二伯還偷各種東西，錫火鍋、大銅錢、煙袋嘴……Uncle You’er stole all sorts of other things too: a pewter hotpot, large copper coins, pipe mouthpieces...反正家裡邊一丟了東西，就說有二伯偷去了。In any case, whenever anything went missing from the house, they said Uncle You’er had stolen it.有的東西是老廚子偷去的，也就賴上了有二伯。Some things were actually stolen by the old cook, but they were blamed on Uncle You’er all the same.有的東西是我偷著拿出去玩了，也賴上了有二伯。Some things I had secretly taken outside to play with were blamed on Uncle You’er too.還有比方一個鐮刀頭，根本沒有丟，只不過放忘了地方，等用的時候一找不到，就說有二伯偷去了。And sometimes, for instance, a sickle blade had not gone missing at all; someone had merely forgotten where it was put, but when it could not be found when needed, they said Uncle You’er had stolen it.

有二伯还偷各种东西，锡火锅、大铜钱、烟袋嘴……反正家里边一丢了东西，就说有二伯偷去了。有的东西是老厨子偷去的，也就赖上了有二伯。有的东西是我偷著拿出去玩了，也赖上了有二伯。还有比方一个镰刀头，根本没有丢，只不过放忘了地方，等用的时候一找不到，就说有二伯偷去了。

有二伯帶著我上公園的時候，他什麼也不買給我吃。When Uncle You’er took me to the park, he never bought me anything to eat.公園裡邊賣什麼的都有，油炸糕，香油掀餅，豆腐腦，盌碟。The park had vendors selling everything: fried rice cakes, sesame-oil pancakes, tofu pudding, bowls and plates.他一點也不買給我吃。He would not buy me a single thing to eat.

有二伯带著我上公园的时候，他什么也不买给我吃。公园里边卖什么的都有，油炸糕，香油掀饼，豆腐脑，盌碟。他一点也不买给我吃。

我若是稍稍在那賣東西吃的旁邊一站，他就說：If I paused even briefly beside a food stall, he would say:

我若是稍稍在那卖东西吃的旁边一站，他就说：

「快走罷，快往前走。」“Hurry up—keep moving.”

「快走罢，快往前走。」

逛公園就好像趕路似的，他一步也不讓我停。Going around the park was just like hurrying along a road; he would not let me stop for even a step.

逛公园就好像赶路似的，他一步也不让我停。

公園裡變把戲的，耍熊瞎子的都有，敲鑼打鼓，非常熱鬧。There were conjurers in the park and men making black bears perform; with gongs and drums sounding, it was tremendously lively.而他不讓我看。But he would not let me watch.我若是稍稍的在那變把戲的前邊停了一停，他就說：If I stopped for even a moment in front of a conjurer, he would say:

公园里变把戏的，耍熊瞎子的都有，敲锣打鼓，非常热闹。而他不让我看。我若是稍稍的在那变把戏的前边停了一停，他就说：

「快走罷，快往前走。」“Hurry up—keep moving.”

「快走罢，快往前走。」

不知為什麼他時時在追著我。For some reason he was forever hurrying me along.

不知为什么他时时在追著我。

等走到一個賣冰水的白布篷前邊，我看見那玻璃瓶子裡邊泡著兩個焦黃的大佛手，這東西我沒有見過，我就問有二伯那是什麼？When we reached a white canvas awning where iced drinks were sold, I saw two great scorched-yellow Buddha’s-hand citrons soaking in a glass jar; I had never seen such things before, so I asked Uncle You’er what they were.

等走到一个卖冰水的白布篷前边，我看见那玻璃瓶子里边泡著两个焦黄的大佛手，这东西我没有见过，我就问有二伯那是什么？

他說：He said:

他说：

「快走罷，快往前走。」“Hurry up—keep moving.”

「快走罢，快往前走。」

好像我若再多看一會工夫，人家就要來打我了似的。It was as though, if I looked a moment longer, someone would come and beat me.

好像我若再多看一会工夫，人家就要来打我了似的。

等來到了跑馬戲的近前，那裡邊連喊帶唱的，實在熱鬧，我就非要進去看不可。When we came near the circus, there was shouting and singing inside, and it was wonderfully lively; I absolutely insisted on going in to see it.有二伯則一定不進去，他說：But Uncle You’er flatly refused to go in. He said:

等来到了跑马戏的近前，那里边连喊带唱的，实在热闹，我就非要进去看不可。有二伯则一定不进去，他说：

「沒有什麼好看的……」“There’s nothing worth seeing...”

「没有什么好看的……」

他說：He said:

他说：

「你二伯不看介個……」“Your Uncle You’er doesn’t watch that sorta thing...”

「你二伯不看介个……」

他又說：Then he said:

他又说：

「家裡邊吃飯了。」“They’ll be eating at home now.”

「家里边吃饭了。」

他又說：Then he said:

他又说：

「你再鬧，我打你。」“If you keep making a fuss, I’ll beat you.”

「你再闹，我打你。」

到了後來，他才說：Only in the end did he say:

到了后来，他才说：

「你二伯也是願意看，好看的有誰不願意看。“Your Uncle You’er wants to see it too—who wouldn’t want to see something entertaining?你二伯沒有錢，沒有錢買票，人家不讓咱進去。」Your Uncle You’er has no money, no money for tickets; they won’t let us in.”

「你二伯也是愿意看，好看的有谁不愿意看。你二伯没有钱，没有钱买票，人家不让咱进去。」

在公園裡邊，當場我就拉住了有二伯的口袋，給他施以檢查，檢查出幾個銅板來，買票這不夠的。Right there in the park, I seized Uncle You’er’s pocket and searched it; I found several copper coins, but they were not enough for tickets.有二伯又說：Uncle You’er said again:

在公园里边，当场我就拉住了有二伯的口袋，给他施以检查，检查出几个铜板来，买票这不够的。有二伯又说：

「你二伯沒有錢……」“Your Uncle You’er has no money...”

「你二伯没有钱……」

我一急就說：In my impatience I said:

我一急就说：

「沒有錢你不會偷？」“If you have no money, why don’t you steal some?”

「没有钱你不会偷？」

有二伯聽了我那話，臉色雪白，可是一轉眼之間又變成通紅的了。When Uncle You’er heard this, his face turned snow-white, but in the blink of an eye it became crimson.他通紅的臉上，他的小眼睛故意的笑著，他的嘴唇顫抖著，好像他又要照著他的習慣，一串一串的說一大套的話。On his crimson face, his little eyes forced a smile and his lips trembled, as though, following his usual habit, he were about to pour forth a long string of words.但是他沒有說。But he said nothing.

有二伯听了我那话，脸色雪白，可是一转眼之间又变成通红的了。他通红的脸上，他的小眼睛故意的笑著，他的嘴唇颤抖著，好像他又要照著他的习惯，一串一串的说一大套的话。但是他没有说。

「回家罷！」“Let’s go home!”

「回家罢！」

他想了一想之後，他這樣的招呼著我。After thinking for a moment, that was how he called to me.

他想了一想之后，他这样的招呼著我。

我還看見過有二伯偷過一個大澡盆。I once also saw Uncle You’er steal a large bathtub.

我还看见过有二伯偷过一个大澡盆。

我家院子裡本來一天到晚是靜的，祖父常常睡覺，父親不在家裡，母親也只是在屋子裡邊忙著，外邊的事情，她不大看見。Our courtyard was normally quiet from morning till night: Grandfather often slept, Father was away from home, and Mother was always busy indoors and seldom saw what happened outside.

我家院子里本来一天到晚是静的，祖父常常睡觉，父亲不在家里，母亲也只是在屋子里边忙著，外边的事情，她不大看见。

尤其是到了夏天睡午覺的時候，全家都睡了，連老廚子也睡了。Especially at summer naptime, the whole household slept, even the old cook.連大黃狗也睡在有蔭涼的地方了。Even the big yellow dog slept in a shady spot.所以前院，後園，靜悄悄的一個人也沒有，一點聲音也沒有。Thus the front courtyard and back garden were perfectly still, without a person in sight or the slightest sound.

尤其是到了夏天睡午觉的时候，全家都睡了，连老厨子也睡了。连大黄狗也睡在有荫凉的地方了。所以前院，后园，静悄悄的一个人也没有，一点声音也没有。

就在這樣的一個白天，一個大澡盆被一個人揹著在後園裡邊走起來了。On just such an afternoon, a large bathtub began moving through the back garden on someone’s back.

就在这样的一个白天，一个大澡盆被一个人揹著在后园里边走起来了。

那大澡盆是白洋鐵的，在太陽下邊閃光湛亮。The bathtub was made of galvanized iron and flashed dazzlingly in the sunlight.大澡盆有一人多長，一邊走著還一邊匡郎匡郎的響著。It was longer than a man was tall, and as it moved it clanged and clattered.看起來，很害怕，好像瞎話上的白色的大蛇。It was frightening to see, like a great white snake from a tall tale.

那大澡盆是白洋铁的，在太阳下边闪光湛亮。大澡盆有一人多长，一边走著还一边匡郎匡郎的响著。看起来，很害怕，好像瞎话上的白色的大蛇。

那大澡盆太大了，扣在有二伯的頭上，一時看不見有二伯，只看見了大澡盆。The bathtub was so large that, turned upside down over Uncle You’er’s head, it hid him completely; for a moment all one could see was the bathtub.好像那大澡盆自己走動了起來似的。It looked as though the bathtub had started walking by itself.

那大澡盆太大了，扣在有二伯的头上，一时看不见有二伯，只看见了大澡盆。好像那大澡盆自己走动了起来似的。

再一細看，才知道是有二伯頂著它。Only on looking more closely could one tell that Uncle You’er was carrying it on his head.

再一细看，才知道是有二伯顶著它。

有二伯走路，好像是沒有眼睛似的，東倒一倒，西斜一斜，兩邊歪著。Uncle You’er walked as though he had no eyes, lurching east and swaying west, listing from side to side.我怕他撞到了我，我就靠住了牆根上。Afraid he might run into me, I pressed myself against the foot of the wall.

有二伯走路，好像是没有眼睛似的，东倒一倒，西斜一斜，两边歪著。我怕他撞到了我，我就靠住了墙根上。

那大澡盆是很深的，從有二伯頭上扣下來，一直扣到他的腰間。The bathtub was very deep; upside down over Uncle You’er’s head, it reached all the way to his waist.所以他看不見路了，他摸著往前走。Thus he could not see the way and had to feel his way forward.

那大澡盆是很深的，从有二伯头上扣下来，一直扣到他的腰间。所以他看不见路了，他摸著往前走。

有二伯偷了這澡盆之後，就像他偷那銅酒壺之後的一樣。After Uncle You’er stole this bathtub, things went just as they had after he stole the copper wine pot.一被發現了之後，老廚子就天天戲弄他，用各種的話戲弄著有二伯。Once it was discovered, the old cook teased him every day, tormenting Uncle You’er with every sort of remark.

有二伯偷了这澡盆之后，就像他偷那铜酒壶之后的一样。一被发现了之后，老厨子就天天戏弄他，用各种的话戏弄著有二伯。

有二伯偷了銅酒壺之後，每當他一拿著酒壺喝酒的時候，老廚子就問他：After Uncle You’er stole the copper wine pot, whenever he lifted a wine pot to drink, the old cook would ask him:

有二伯偷了铜酒壶之后，每当他一拿著酒壶喝酒的时候，老厨子就问他：

「有二爺，喝酒還是銅酒壺好呀，還是錫酒壺好？」“Master You’er, which is better for drinking wine, a copper wine pot or a pewter one?”

「有二爷，喝酒还是铜酒壶好呀，还是锡酒壶好？」

有二伯說：Uncle You’er would say:

有二伯说：

「什麼的還不是一樣，反正喝的是酒。」“What difference does it make? It’s wine you’re drinking either way.”

「什么的还不是一样，反正喝的是酒。」

老廚子說：The old cook would say:

老厨子说：

「不見得罷，大概還是銅的好呢……」“Surely not. I imagine copper is better...”

「不见得罢，大概还是铜的好呢……」

有二伯說：Uncle You’er would say:

有二伯说：

「銅的有啥好！」“What’s so good about copper?”

「铜的有啥好！」

老廚子說：The old cook would say:

老厨子说：

「對了，有二爺。“Quite right, Master You’er.咱們就是不要銅酒壺，銅酒壺拿去賣了也不值錢。」We have no use for copper wine pots; they aren’t worth much even if you take them away and sell them.”

「对了，有二爷。咱们就是不要铜酒壶，铜酒壶拿去卖了也不值钱。」

旁邊的人聽到這裡都笑了，可是有二伯還不自覺。Everyone nearby would laugh at this, but Uncle You’er still failed to realize what was happening.

旁边的人听到这里都笑了，可是有二伯还不自觉。

老廚子問有二伯：The old cook asked Uncle You’er:

老厨子问有二伯：

「一個銅酒壺賣多少錢？」“How much can you sell a copper wine pot for?”

「一个铜酒壶卖多少钱？」

有二伯說：Uncle You’er said:

有二伯说：

「沒賣過，不知道。」“I’ve never sold one, so I don’t know.”

「没卖过，不知道。」

到後來老廚子又說五十吊，又說七十吊。Later the old cook suggested fifty strings of cash, then seventy.

到后来老厨子又说五十吊，又说七十吊。

有二伯說：Uncle You’er said:

有二伯说：

「那有那麼貴的價錢，好大一個銅酒壺還賣不上三十吊呢。」“How could it fetch such a high price? Even a great big copper wine pot would not sell for thirty strings.”

「那有那么贵的价钱，好大一个铜酒壶还卖不上三十吊呢。」

於是把大家都笑壞了。At that, everyone nearly died laughing.

于是把大家都笑坏了。

自從有二伯偷了澡盆之後，那老廚子就不提酒壺，而常常問有二伯洗澡不洗澡，問他一年洗幾次澡，問有二伯一輩子洗幾次澡。Ever since Uncle You’er stole the bathtub, the old cook stopped mentioning the wine pot and instead often asked Uncle You’er whether he bathed, how many times a year he bathed, and how many baths he would take in his whole life.他還問人死了到陰間也洗澡的嗎？He even asked whether people still bathed in the underworld after they died.

自从有二伯偷了澡盆之后，那老厨子就不提酒壶，而常常问有二伯洗澡不洗澡，问他一年洗几次澡，问有二伯一辈子洗几次澡。他还问人死了到阴间也洗澡的吗？

有二伯說：Uncle You’er said:

有二伯说：

「到陰間，陰間陽間一樣，活著是個窮人，死了是條窮鬼。“In the underworld? The underworld is just like this one: live as a poor man, die as a poor ghost.窮鬼閻王爺也不愛惜，不下地獄就是好的。Even Lord Yan has no care for a poor ghost; he should count himself lucky if he is not sent to hell.還洗澡呢！And you talk of bathing!別玷汙了那洗澡水。」He’d only foul the bathwater.”

「到阴间，阴间阳间一样，活著是个穷人，死了是条穷鬼。穷鬼阎王爷也不爱惜，不下地狱就是好的。还洗澡呢！别玷污了那洗澡水。」

老廚子於是說：The old cook then said:

老厨子于是说：

「有二爺，照你說的窮人是用不著澡盆的囉！」“Master You’er, by your reckoning, poor people have no need of bathtubs, then!”

「有二爷，照你说的穷人是用不著澡盆的啰！」

有二伯有點聽出來了，就說：Er-bo caught a hint of it, and said:

有二伯有点听出来了，就说：

「陰間沒去過，用不用不知道。」"I've never been to the underworld, so I don't know if it's of use or not."

「阴间没去过，用不用不知道。」

「不知道？」"You don't know?"

「不知道。」"I don't know."

「我看你是明明知道，我看你是昧著良心說瞎話……」老廚子說。"I think you know perfectly well, I think you're speaking against your conscience, talking nonsense……" said the old cook.

「我看你是明明知道，我看你是昧著良心说瞎话……」老厨子说。

於是兩個人打起來了。And so the two of them started fighting.

于是两个人打起来了。

有二伯逼著問老廚子，他那兒昧過良心。Er-bo pressed the old cook, demanding to know where he himself had ever gone against his conscience.有二伯說：Er-bo said:

有二伯逼著问老厨子，他那儿昧过良心。有二伯说：

「一輩子沒昧過良心。"In my whole life I've never gone against my conscience.走的正，行的端，一步兩腳窩……」I walk straight and act upright, every step leaves two clear footprints……"

「一辈子没昧过良心。走的正，行的端，一步两脚窝……」

老廚子說：The old cook said:

老厨子说：

「兩腳窩，看不透……」"Two footprints — I can't see through you……"

「两脚窝，看不透……」

有二伯正顏厲色的說：Er-bo said sternly, with a stern face:

有二伯正颜厉色的说：

「你有什麼看不透的？」"What is it you can't see through?"

「你有什么看不透的？」

老廚子說：The old cook said:

老厨子说：

「說出來怕你羞死！」"If I said it, I'm afraid you'd die of shame!"

「说出来怕你羞死！」

有二伯說：Er-bo said:

有二伯说：

「死，死不了；"Die — I won't die;你別看我窮，窮人還有個窮活頭。」don't look down on me for being poor — even a poor man has something to live for."

「死，死不了；你别看我穷，穷人还有个穷活头。」

老廚子說：The old cook said:

老厨子说：

「我看你也是死不了。」"I think you won't die either."

有二伯說：Er-bo said:

有二伯说：

「死不了。」"I won't die."

老廚子說：The old cook said:

老厨子说：

「死不了，老不死，我看你也是個老不死的。」"Won't die, an old man who won't die — I think you're just an old good-for-nothing who won't die."

「死不了，老不死，我看你也是个老不死的。」

有的時候，他們兩個能接續著罵了一兩天，每次到後來，都是有二伯打了敗仗。Sometimes the two of them could keep quarreling for a day or two straight, and each time, in the end, it was Er-bo who lost the battle.老廚子罵他是個老「絕後」。The old cook cursed him as an old man who would 'die without descendants.'

有的时候，他们两个能接续著骂了一两天，每次到后来，都是有二伯打了败仗。老厨子骂他是个老「绝后」。

有二伯每一聽到這兩個字，就甚於一切別的字，比「見閻王」更壞。Whenever Er-bo heard those two words, they struck him worse than any other words, worse even than 'going to see the King of Hell.'於是他哭了起來，他說：And so he would start crying, and say:

有二伯每一听到这两个字，就甚于一切别的字，比「见阎王」更坏。于是他哭了起来，他说：

「可不是麼！"Isn't that the truth!死了連個添墳上土的人也沒有。When I die there won't even be anyone to add earth to my grave.人活一輩子是個白活，到了歸終是一場空……A man lives his whole life for nothing, and in the end it all comes to naught……無家無業，死了連個打靈頭幡的人也沒有。」No family, no property — when I die there won't even be anyone to carry the funeral banner."

「可不是么！死了连个添坟上土的人也没有。人活一辈子是个白活，到了归终是一场空……无家无业，死了连个打灵头幡的人也没有。」

於是他們兩個又和和平平的，笑笑嬉嬉的照舊的過著和平的日子。And then the two of them would go back to living peacefully, laughing and joking, carrying on their peaceful days as before.

于是他们两个又和和平平的，笑笑嬉嬉的照旧的过著和平的日子。

後來我家在五間正房的旁邊，造了三間東廂房。Later, my family built three rooms as an east wing beside the five main rooms.

后来我家在五间正房的旁边，造了三间东厢房。

這新房子一造起來，有二伯就搬回家裡來住了。As soon as this new building was put up, Er-bo moved back home to live in it.

这新房子一造起来，有二伯就搬回家里来住了。

我家是靜的，尤其是夜裡，連雞鴨都上了架，房頭的鴿子，檐前的麻雀也都各自回到自己的窩裡去睡覺了。Our household was quiet, especially at night — even the chickens and ducks had gone up to roost, the pigeons on the roof and the sparrows under the eaves had all gone back to their own nests to sleep.

我家是静的，尤其是夜里，连鸡鸭都上了架，房头的鸽子，檐前的麻雀也都各自回到自己的窝里去睡觉了。

這時候就常常聽到廂房裡的哭聲。At such times one would often hear the sound of crying from the wing room.

这时候就常常听到厢房里的哭声。

有一回父親打了有二伯，父親三十多歲，有二伯快六十歲了。Once Father beat Er-bo — Father was in his thirties, and Er-bo was nearly sixty.他站起來就被父親打倒下去，他再站起來，又被父親打倒下去，最後他起不來了，他躺在院子裡邊了，而他的鼻子也許是嘴還流了一些血。As soon as he stood up Father knocked him down, he stood up again and Father knocked him down again, and finally he could not get up — he lay there in the yard, and blood trickled from his nose, or perhaps his mouth.

有一回父亲打了有二伯，父亲三十多岁，有二伯快六十岁了。他站起来就被父亲打倒下去，他再站起来，又被父亲打倒下去，最后他起不来了，他躺在院子里边了，而他的鼻子也许是嘴还流了一些血。

院子裡一些看熱鬧的人都站得遠遠的，大黃狗也嚇跑了，雞也嚇跑了。The onlookers in the yard all stood far away, the big yellow dog was frightened off too, and so were the chickens.老廚子該收柴收柴，該擔水擔水，假裝沒有看見。The old cook went on gathering firewood and carrying water as usual, pretending not to have seen.

院子里一些看热闹的人都站得远远的，大黄狗也吓跑了，鸡也吓跑了。老厨子该收柴收柴，该担水担水，假装没有看见。

有二伯孤伶伶的躺在院心，他的沒有邊的草帽，也被打掉了，所以看得見有二伯的頭部的上一半是白的，下一半是黑的，而且黑白分明的那條線就在他的前額上，好像西瓜的「陰陽面」。Er-bo lay all alone in the middle of the yard; his brimless straw hat had been knocked off too, so one could see that the upper half of his head was white and the lower half was black, and the sharp line between black and white ran right across his forehead, just like the 'yin-yang face' of a watermelon.

有二伯孤伶伶的躺在院心，他的没有边的草帽，也被打掉了，所以看得见有二伯的头部的上一半是白的，下一半是黑的，而且黑白分明的那条线就在他的前额上，好像西瓜的「阴阳面」。

有二伯就這樣自己躺著，躺了許多時候，才有兩個鴨子來啄食撒在有二伯身邊的那些血。Er-bo just lay there like that by himself, and lay there for a long while, before two ducks came over to peck at the blood spilled beside him.

有二伯就这样自己躺著，躺了许多时候，才有两个鸭子来啄食撒在有二伯身边的那些血。

那兩個鴨子，一個是花脖，一個是綠頭頂。Of those two ducks, one had a mottled neck, and the other had a green head.

那两个鸭子，一个是花脖，一个是绿头顶。

有二伯要上吊，就是這個夜裡，他先是罵著，後是哭著，到後來也不哭也不罵了。It was that very night that Er-bo tried to hang himself — first he cursed, then he cried, and after that he neither cried nor cursed anymore.又過了一會，老廚子一聲喊起，幾乎是發現了什麼怪物似的大叫：After a while longer, the old cook let out a shout, crying out loudly as if he'd discovered some monster:

有二伯要上吊，就是这个夜里，他先是骂著，后是哭著，到后来也不哭也不骂了。又过了一会，老厨子一声喊起，几乎是发现了什么怪物似的大叫：

「有二爺上吊啦！"Master Er-ye has hanged himself!有二爺上吊啦！」Master Er-ye has hanged himself!"

「有二爷上吊啦！有二爷上吊啦！」

祖父穿起衣裳來，帶著我。Grandfather put on his clothes and took me with him.等我們跑到廂房去一看，有二伯不在了。By the time we ran to the wing room and looked, Er-bo was not there.

祖父穿起衣裳来，带著我。等我们跑到厢房去一看，有二伯不在了。

老廚子在房子外邊招呼著我們。The old cook was outside the building, calling to us.我們一看南房梢上掛了繩子，是黑夜，本來看不見，是老廚子打著燈籠我們才看到的。We looked and saw a rope hanging from the end of the south building — it was pitch dark, and we couldn't have seen it, but the old cook was holding a lantern, and that was how we came to see it.

老厨子在房子外边招呼著我们。我们一看南房梢上挂了绳子，是黑夜，本来看不见，是老厨子打著灯笼我们才看到的。

南房梢上有一根兩丈來高的橫杆，繩子在那橫杆上拖拖落落的垂著。At the end of the south building there was a crossbeam some two zhang high, and the rope hung loosely dangling from that beam.

南房梢上有一根两丈来高的横杆，绳子在那横杆上拖拖落落的垂著。

有二伯在那裡呢？But where was Er-bo?等我們拿燈籠一照，才看見他在房牆的根邊，好好的坐著。When we shone the lantern to look, we saw him sitting perfectly fine at the foot of the wall.他也沒有哭，他也沒有罵。He wasn't crying, and he wasn't cursing either.

有二伯在那里呢？等我们拿灯笼一照，才看见他在房墙的根边，好好的坐著。他也没有哭，他也没有骂。

等我再拿燈籠向他臉上一照，我看他用哭紅了的小眼睛瞪了我一下。When I shone the lantern on his face again, I saw him glare at me with his small eyes, red from crying.

等我再拿灯笼向他脸上一照，我看他用哭红了的小眼睛瞪了我一下。

過了不久，有二伯又跳井了。Not long after, Er-bo tried to jump into the well again.

过了不久，有二伯又跳井了。

是在同院住的挑水的來報的信，又敲窗戶又打門。It was the water-carrier living in the same courtyard who came to bring the news, knocking on the window and pounding on the door.我們跑到井邊上一看，有二伯並沒有在井裡邊，而是坐在井外邊，而是離開井口五十步之外的安安穩穩的柴堆上。We ran to the well and looked, and Er-bo was not in the well at all — instead he was sitting outside it, sitting quite calmly on a woodpile some fifty paces away from the mouth of the well.他在那柴堆上安安穩穩的坐著。He sat there on the woodpile, perfectly calm and settled.

是在同院住的挑水的来报的信，又敲窗户又打门。我们跑到井边上一看，有二伯并没有在井里边，而是坐在井外边，而是离开井口五十步之外的安安稳稳的柴堆上。他在那柴堆上安安稳稳的坐著。

我們打著燈籠一照，他還在那裡拿著小煙袋抽煙呢。We shone the lantern on him, and there he was, still smoking with his little pipe.

我们打著灯笼一照，他还在那里拿著小烟袋抽烟呢。

老廚子，挑水的，粉房裡的漏粉的都來了，驚動了不少的鄰居。The old cook, the water-carrier, and the noodle-strainer from the starch-noodle shop all came, and quite a few neighbors were roused as well.

老厨子，挑水的，粉房里的漏粉的都来了，惊动了不少的邻居。

他開初是一動不動。At first he did not move at all.後來他看人們來全了，他站起來就往井邊上跑，於是許多人就把他抓住了，那許多人，那裡會眼看著他去跳井的。Then, once he saw that everyone had gathered, he stood up and ran toward the well, whereupon a number of people seized hold of him — how could all those people just stand by and watch him jump into the well?

他开初是一动不动。后来他看人们来全了，他站起来就往井边上跑，于是许多人就把他抓住了，那许多人，那里会眼看著他去跳井的。

有二伯去跳井，他的煙荷包，小煙袋都帶著，人們推勸著他回家的時候，那柴堆上還有一枝小洋蠟，他說：When Er-bo went to jump into the well, he had brought along his tobacco pouch and his little pipe; when people were urging and coaxing him to go home, there was still a small foreign candle left on the woodpile, and he said:

有二伯去跳井，他的烟荷包，小烟袋都带著，人们推劝著他回家的时候，那柴堆上还有一枝小洋蜡，他说：

「把那洋蠟給我帶著。」"Bring that candle along for me."

「把那洋蜡给我带著。」

後來有二伯「跳井」「上吊」這些事，都成了笑話，街上的孩子都給編成了一套歌在唱著：「有二爺跳井，沒那麼回事。」「有二伯上吊，白嚇唬人。」Later, Er-bo's episodes of 'jumping into the well' and 'hanging himself' both became a joke, and the children in the street even made up a little song to sing: 'Master Er-ye jumps into the well — it's nothing of the sort.' 'Er-bo hangs himself — just scaring people for nothing.'

后来有二伯「跳井」「上吊」这些事，都成了笑话，街上的孩子都给编成了一套歌在唱著：「有二爷跳井，没那么回事。」「有二伯上吊，白吓唬人。」

老廚子說他貪生怕死，別人也都說他死不了。The old cook said he clung to life and feared death, and everyone else said he just wouldn't die.

老厨子说他贪生怕死，别人也都说他死不了。

以後有二伯再「跳井」「上吊」也都沒有人看他了。After that, whenever Er-bo 'jumped into the well' or 'hanged himself' again, no one paid him any attention anymore.

以后有二伯再「跳井」「上吊」也都没有人看他了。

有二伯還是活著。Er-bo went on living all the same.

有二伯还是活著。

我家的院子是荒涼的，冬天一片白雪，夏天則滿院蒿草。Our family's courtyard was a desolate place — in winter a sheet of white snow, and in summer a yard full of wormwood.風來了，蒿草發著聲響，雨來了，蒿草梢上冒煙了。When the wind came, the wormwood rustled and sounded; when the rain came, mist seemed to steam up from the tips of the wormwood.

我家的院子是荒凉的，冬天一片白雪，夏天则满院蒿草。风来了，蒿草发著声响，雨来了，蒿草梢上冒烟了。

沒有風，沒有雨，則關著大門靜靜的過著日子。When there was no wind and no rain, the gate stayed shut and the days passed quietly.

没有风，没有雨，则关著大门静静的过著日子。

狗有狗窩，雞有雞架，鳥有鳥籠，一切各得其所。The dog had its kennel, the chickens had their coop, the birds had their cages — everything had its proper place.唯獨有二伯夜夜不好好的睡覺。Only Er-bo, night after night, never slept properly.在那廂房裡邊，他自己半夜三更的就講起話來。There in the wing room, in the dead of night he would start talking to himself.

狗有狗窝，鸡有鸡架，鸟有鸟笼，一切各得其所。唯独有二伯夜夜不好好的睡觉。在那厢房里边，他自己半夜三更的就讲起话来。

「說我怕『死』我也不是吹，叫過三個兩個來看！"If you say I'm afraid of 'death,' I'm not boasting — call over a couple of people to see for themselves!問問他們見過『死』沒有！Ask them whether they've ever seen 'death'!那俄國毛子的大馬刀閃光湛亮，說殺就殺，說砍就砍。Those Russian devils' big sabers flashed bright and gleaming — say kill and they'd kill, say hack and they'd hack.那些膽大的，不怕死的，一聽說俄國毛子來了，只顧逃命，連家業也不要了。Those bold ones, the ones not afraid of death — the moment they heard the Russian devils were coming, they thought only of saving their own skins and didn't even care about their family property.那時候，若不是這膽小的給他守著，怕是跑毛子回來連條褲子都沒有穿的。Back then, if it hadn't been for this timid fellow guarding things for them, I'm afraid when they came running back from fleeing the Russian devils they wouldn't even have had a pair of trousers to wear.到了如今，吃得飽，穿得暖，前因後果連想也不想，早就忘到九霄雲外去了。Now that they're well fed and warmly clothed, they don't even think about the cause and the consequence — long since forgotten it, thrown to the winds.良心長到肋條上，黑心荔，鐵面人，……」Their conscience has grown right onto their ribs — black-hearted wretches, iron-faced men, ……"

「说我怕『死』我也不是吹，叫过三个两个来看！问问他们见过『死』没有！那俄国毛子的大马刀闪光湛亮，说杀就杀，说砍就砍。那些胆大的，不怕死的，一听说俄国毛子来了，只顾逃命，连家业也不要了。那时候，若不是这胆小的给他守著，怕是跑毛子回来连条裤子都没有穿的。到了如今，吃得饱，穿得暖，前因后果连想也不想，早就忘到九霄云外去了。良心长到肋条上，黑心荔，铁面人，……」

「……"……說我怕死，我也不是吹，兵馬刀槍我見過，霹雷，黃風我見過。If you say I'm afraid of death, I'm not boasting — soldiers and horses, swords and spears, I've seen them; thunderbolts and yellow windstorms, I've seen those too.就說那俄國毛子的大馬刀罷，見人就砍，可是我也沒有怕過，說我怕死……Take those Russian devils' big sabers, for instance — they'd hack down anyone they saw, but even then I was never afraid. And you say I'm afraid of death……介年頭是啥年頭，……」What kind of age is this age we're in, ……"

「……说我怕死，我也不是吹，兵马刀枪我见过，霹雷，黄风我见过。就说那俄国毛子的大马刀罢，见人就砍，可是我也没有怕过，说我怕死……介年头是啥年头，……」

那東廂房裡，有二伯一套套的講著，又是河溝漲水了，水漲得多麼大，別人沒有敢過的，有二伯說他敢過。There in the east wing room, Er-bo went on and on with one story after another — now it was the river ditch flooding, how high the water had risen, how no one else had dared cross it, and Er-bo said he had dared to cross it.又是什麼時候有一次著大火，別人都逃了，有二伯上去搶了不少的東西。Now it was about some time there had been a great fire, how everyone else had fled, and Er-bo had rushed in and salvaged no end of things.又是他的小時候，上山去打柴，遇見了狼，那狼是多麼兇狠，他說：Now it was about when he was a boy, going up the mountain to gather firewood, and running into a wolf — how ferocious that wolf was — he said:

那东厢房里，有二伯一套套的讲著，又是河沟涨水了，水涨得多么大，别人没有敢过的，有二伯说他敢过。又是什么时候有一次著大火，别人都逃了，有二伯上去抢了不少的东西。又是他的小时候，上山去打柴，遇见了狼，那狼是多么凶狠，他说：

「狼心狗肺，介個年頭的人狼心狗肺的，吃香的喝辣的。"Wolf-hearted and dog-lunged — people in this day and age are wolf-hearted and dog-lunged, eating the choicest food and drinking the finest wine.好人在介個年頭，是個王八蛋、兔羔子……」A good man, in this day and age, is nothing but a bastard, a son of a rabbit……"

「狼心狗肺，介个年头的人狼心狗肺的，吃香的喝辣的。好人在介个年头，是个王八蛋、兔羔子……」

「兔羔子，兔羔子……」"Son of a rabbit, son of a rabbit……"

有二伯夜裡不睡，有的時候就來在院子裡沒頭沒尾的「兔羔子兔羔子」自己說著話。At night Er-bo would not sleep, and sometimes he would come out into the yard and, with neither head nor tail to it, mutter 'son of a rabbit, son of a rabbit' to himself.

有二伯夜里不睡，有的时候就来在院子里没头没尾的「兔羔子兔羔子」自己说著话。

半夜三更的，雞鴨貓狗都睡了。In the dead of night, the chickens, ducks, cats, and dogs were all asleep.唯獨有二伯不睡。Only Er-bo did not sleep.

半夜三更的，鸡鸭猫狗都睡了。唯独有二伯不睡。

祖父的窗子上了帘子，看不見天上的星星月亮，看不見大昴星落了沒有，看不見三星是否打了橫樑。Grandfather's window had its curtain drawn, so one could not see the stars and moon in the sky, could not see whether the Great Pleiades had set, could not see whether the Three Stars had crossed the crossbeam.只見白煞煞的窗帘子被星光月光照得發白通亮。One could only see the deathly-pale window curtain shining white and bright, lit up by the light of the stars and moon.

祖父的窗子上了帘子，看不见天上的星星月亮，看不见大昴星落了没有，看不见三星是否打了横梁。只见白煞煞的窗帘子被星光月光照得发白通亮。

等我睡醒了，我聽見有二伯「兔羔子兔羔子」的自己在說話，我要起來掀起窗帘來往院子裡看一看他。When I woke up, I heard Er-bo muttering 'son of a rabbit, son of a rabbit' to himself, and I wanted to get up and lift the curtain to look out into the yard at him.祖父不讓我起來，祖父說：Grandfather would not let me get up, and said:

等我睡醒了，我听见有二伯「兔羔子兔羔子」的自己在说话，我要起来掀起窗帘来往院子里看一看他。祖父不让我起来，祖父说：

「好好睡罷，明天早晨早早起來，咱們燒包米吃。」"Go to sleep properly now — tomorrow morning get up early, and we'll roast some corn to eat."

「好好睡罢，明天早晨早早起来，咱们烧包米吃。」

祖父怕我起來，就用好話安慰著我。Grandfather, afraid I would get up, comforted me with kind words.

祖父怕我起来，就用好话安慰著我。

等再睡覺了，就在夢中聽到了呼蘭河的南岸，或是呼蘭河城外遠處的狗咬。When I fell asleep again, in my dream I heard, from the south bank of the Hulan River, or from somewhere far outside the town of Hulan, the barking of dogs.

等再睡觉了，就在梦中听到了呼兰河的南岸，或是呼兰河城外远处的狗咬。

於是我做了一個夢，夢見了一個大白兔，那兔子的耳朵，和那磨房裡的小驢的耳朵一般大。And so I had a dream, and dreamed of a big white rabbit, whose ears were as big as the ears of the little donkey in the mill.我聽見有二伯說「兔羔子」，我想到一個大白兔，我聽到了磨房的梆子聲，我想到了磨房裡的小毛驢，於是夢見了白兔長了毛驢那麼大的耳朵。I heard Er-bo say 'son of a rabbit,' and thought of a big white rabbit; I heard the clapper sound from the mill, and thought of the little donkey in the mill — and so I dreamed of a white rabbit with ears grown as big as the donkey's.

于是我做了一个梦，梦见了一个大白兔，那兔子的耳朵，和那磨房里的小驴的耳朵一般大。我听见有二伯说「兔羔子」，我想到一个大白兔，我听到了磨房的梆子声，我想到了磨房里的小毛驴，于是梦见了白兔长了毛驴那么大的耳朵。

我抱著那大白兔，我越看越喜歡，我一笑笑醒了。I held that big white rabbit in my arms, and the more I looked at it the more I loved it, and I laughed myself awake.

我抱著那大白兔，我越看越喜欢，我一笑笑醒了。

醒來一聽，有二伯仍舊「兔羔子兔羔子」的坐在院子裡。When I woke and listened, Er-bo was still sitting in the yard muttering 'son of a rabbit, son of a rabbit.'後邊那磨房裡的梆子也還打得很響。Behind, in the mill, the clapper was still sounding loudly.

醒来一听，有二伯仍旧「兔羔子兔羔子」的坐在院子里。后边那磨房里的梆子也还打得很响。

我夢見的這大白兔，我問祖父是不是就是有二伯所說的「兔羔子」？I asked Grandfather whether the big white rabbit I had dreamed of was the very 'son of a rabbit' Er-bo kept talking about.

我梦见的这大白兔，我问祖父是不是就是有二伯所说的「兔羔子」？

祖父說：Grandfather said:

祖父说：

「快睡覺罷，半夜三更不好講話的。」"Go to sleep quickly now — it's no good talking in the middle of the night."

「快睡觉罢，半夜三更不好讲话的。」

說完了，祖父也笑了，他又說：Having said this, Grandfather laughed too, and then said again:

说完了，祖父也笑了，他又说：

「快睡罷，夜裡不好多講話的。」"Go to sleep quickly — it's no good talking too much at night."

「快睡罢，夜里不好多讲话的。」

我和祖父還都沒有睡著，我們聽到那遠處的狗咬，慢慢的由遠而近，近處的狗也有的叫了起來。Grandfather and I still had not fallen asleep, and we heard the distant barking of dogs slowly drawing nearer, and some of the nearby dogs began barking too.大牆之外，已經稀疏疏的有車馬經過了，原來天已經快亮了。Outside the great wall, carts and horses were already passing by here and there, sparsely — it turned out day was about to break.可是有二伯還在罵「兔羔子」，後邊磨房裡的磨官還在打著梆子。But Er-bo was still cursing 'son of a rabbit,' and behind, in the mill, the mill-hand was still sounding the clapper.

我和祖父还都没有睡著，我们听到那远处的狗咬，慢慢的由远而近，近处的狗也有的叫了起来。大墙之外，已经稀疏疏的有车马经过了，原来天已经快亮了。可是有二伯还在骂「兔羔子」，后边磨房里的磨官还在打著梆子。

第二天早晨一起來，我就跑去問有二伯，「兔羔子」是不是就是大白兔？As soon as I got up the next morning, I ran to ask Er-bo whether 'son of a rabbit' was the big white rabbit.

第二天早晨一起来，我就跑去问有二伯，「兔羔子」是不是就是大白兔？

有二伯一聽就生氣了：The moment Er-bo heard this, he got angry:

有二伯一听就生气了：

「你們家裡沒好東西，儘是些耗子，從上到下，都是良心長在肋條上，大人是大耗子，小孩是小耗子……」“There’s nothing good in your family—nothing but rats. From top to bottom, you all have your consciences growing on your ribs: the grown-ups are big rats, and the children are little rats…”

「你们家里没好东西，尽是些耗子，从上到下，都是良心长在肋条上，大人是大耗子，小孩是小耗子……」

我不知道他說的是什麼，我聽了一會，沒有聽懂。I did not know what he was talking about; I listened for a while, but could make no sense of it.

我不知道他说的是什么，我听了一会，没有听懂。