端午節 The Double Fifth Festival

方玄綽近來愛說『差不多』這一句話，幾乎成了『口頭禪』似的；Fang Xuanchuo had lately taken a liking to saying "more or less" — it had nearly become his catchphrase;而且不但說，的確也盤據在他腦裏了。and not only did he say it, it had indeed come to occupy his mind.他最初說的是『都一樣』，後來大約覺得欠穩當了，便改爲『差不多』，一直使用到現在。What he first used to say was "all the same," but later, probably feeling it wasn't quite solid enough, he changed it to "more or less," and has used that ever since.

方玄绰近来爱说『差不多』这一句话，几乎成了『口头禅』似的；而且不但说，的确也盘据在他脑里了。他最初说的是『都一样』，后来大约觉得欠稳当了，便改为『差不多』，一直使用到现在。

他自從發見了這一句平凡的警句以後，雖然引起了不少的新感慨，同時卻也得到許多新慰安。Ever since he discovered this ordinary little maxim, though it had stirred up quite a few new grievances in him, it had at the same time brought him much new comfort.譬如看見老輩威壓靑年，在先是要憤憤的，但現在卻就轉念道，將來這少年有了兒孫時，大抵也要擺這架子的罷，便再沒有什麽不平了。For instance, when he saw an elder lording it over the young, at first he would be indignant, but now he would think again: when this young man in time has sons and grandsons of his own, he too will most likely put on such airs — and then there was nothing left to be indignant about.又如看見兵士打車夫，在先也要憤憤的，但現在也就轉念道，倘使這車夫當了兵，這兵拉了車，大抵也就這麽打，便再也不放在心上了。Or again, when he saw a soldier beating a rickshaw puller, at first he would also be indignant, but now he would think again: if this puller had become a soldier, and this soldier pulled a rickshaw, he would most likely be beaten just the same — and so he no longer took it to heart.他這樣想着的時候，有時也疑心是因爲自己沒有和惡社會奮鬭的勇氣，所以瞞心昧己的故意造出來的一條逃路，很近于『無是非之心』。When he thought this way, he sometimes suspected it was because he himself lacked the courage to struggle against the evil in society, and so, deceiving his own conscience, he had deliberately invented an escape route for himself, one that came close to "having no sense of right and wrong."遠不如改正了好。Far better to correct it.然而這意見，總反而在他腦裏生長起來。And yet this notion kept growing in his mind all the same.

他自从发见了这一句平凡的警句以后，虽然引起了不少的新感慨，同时却也得到许多新慰安。譬如看见老辈威压靑年，在先是要愤愤的，但现在却就转念道，将来这少年有了儿孙时，大抵也要摆这架子的罢，便再没有什么不平了。又如看见兵士打车夫，在先也要愤愤的，但现在也就转念道，倘使这车夫当了兵，这兵拉了车，大抵也就这么打，便再也不放在心上了。他这样想着的时候，有时也疑心是因为自己没有和恶社会奋鬭的勇气，所以瞒心昧己的故意造出来的一条逃路，很近于『无是非之心』。远不如改正了好。然而这意见，总反而在他脑里生长起来。

他將這『差不多說』最初公表的時候是在北京首善學校的講堂上，其時大槪是提起關于歷史上的事情來，于是說到『古今人不相遠』，說到各色人等的『性相近』，終于牽扯到學生和官僚身上，大發其議論道：The first time he publicly aired this "more-or-less theory" was on the lecture platform of the Capital's First School in Beijing; the occasion, as it happened, was some discussion of historical matters, whereupon he came to speak of how "the ancients and moderns are not far apart," and of how all sorts of people are "close in nature," and finally dragged in the subject of students and officials, holding forth at length:

他将这『差不多说』最初公表的时候是在北京首善学校的讲堂上，其时大槪是提起关于历史上的事情来，于是说到『古今人不相远』，说到各色人等的『性相近』，终于牵扯到学生和官僚身上，大发其议论道：

『現在社會上時髦的都通行罵官僚，而學生罵得尤利害。"Nowadays it's the fashion in society to abuse officials across the board, and students abuse them most fiercely of all.然而官僚並不是天生的特別種族，就是平民變就的。And yet officials are not born a special breed apart — they are simply transformed from ordinary people.現在學生出身的官僚就不少，和老官僚有什麽兩樣呢？「易地則皆然」，思想、言論舉動、丰采都沒有什麽大區別……There are no few officials nowadays who came up through the student ranks, and how are they any different from the old-style officials? 'Change places and all would be the same' — in thought, in speech and conduct, in bearing, there is no great difference...便是學生團體新辦的許多事業，不是也已經難免出弊病，大半煙消火滅了麽？Take even the many enterprises newly set up by student organizations — have they not also, more often than not, run into abuses and gone up in smoke before long?差不多的。It's more or less the same.但中國將來之可慮就在此。……』But it is precisely here that China's future lies in danger.…"

『现在社会上时髦的都通行骂官僚，而学生骂得尤利害。然而官僚并不是天生的特别种族，就是平民变就的。现在学生出身的官僚就不少，和老官僚有什么两样呢？「易地则皆然」，思想、言论举动、丰采都没有什么大区别……便是学生团体新办的许多事业，不是也已经难免出弊病，大半烟消火灭了么？差不多的。但中国将来之可虑就在此。……』

散坐在講堂裏的二十多個聽講者，有的悵然了，或者是以爲這話對；Of the more than twenty listeners scattered about the lecture hall, some looked disappointed, taking this, perhaps, as agreeing with the remark;有的勃然了，大約是以爲侮辱了神聖的靑年；some flushed with anger, probably feeling that it insulted the sacred youth;有幾個卻對他微笑了，大約以爲這是他替自己的辯解：因爲方玄綽就是兼做官僚的。a few, however, smiled at him, probably supposing this to be his own self-defense — since Fang Xuanchuo himself doubled as an official.

散坐在讲堂里的二十多个听讲者，有的怅然了，或者是以为这话对；有的勃然了，大约是以为侮辱了神圣的靑年；有几个却对他微笑了，大约以为这是他替自己的辩解：因为方玄绰就是兼做官僚的。

而其實卻是都錯誤。But in fact they were all mistaken.這不過是他的一種新不平；This was merely a new grievance of his own;雖說不平，又只是他的一種安分的空論。and though called a grievance, it was after all only a piece of complacent, idle talk.他自己雖然不知道是因爲懶，還是因爲無用，總之覺得是一個不肯運動，十分安分守己的人。He himself did not know whether it was out of laziness or out of uselessness, but in any case he felt himself to be a man unwilling to bestir himself, thoroughly content to keep to his own station.總長寃他有神經病，只要地位還不至于動搖，他決不開一開口；When the Minister wronged him by suspecting him of having a nervous disorder, so long as his position was not actually shaken, he would never open his mouth about it;教員的薪水欠到大半年了，只要別有官俸支持，他也決不開一開口。when the teachers' salaries fell more than half a year in arrears, so long as he still had his official stipend to support him, he would likewise never open his mouth.不但不開口，當教員聯合索薪的時候，他還暗地裏以爲欠斟酌，太嚷嚷；Not only did he not speak up — when the teachers banded together to demand their pay, he privately thought them ill-considered and making too much noise;直到聽得同寮過分的奚落他們了，這纔略有些小感慨，後來一轉念，這或者因爲自己正缺錢，而別的官並不兼做教員的緣故罷，于是就釋然了。only when he heard his colleagues being mocked too harshly did he feel a faint stirring of sympathy, but on second thought he decided this was probably because he himself happened to be short of money at the moment, while the other officials did not also serve as teachers — and with that he felt quite at ease again.

而其实却是都错误。这不过是他的一种新不平；虽说不平，又只是他的一种安分的空论。他自己虽然不知道是因为懒，还是因为无用，总之觉得是一个不肯运动，十分安分守己的人。总长寃他有神经病，只要地位还不至于动摇，他决不开一开口；教员的薪水欠到大半年了，只要别有官俸支持，他也决不开一开口。不但不开口，当教员联合索薪的时候，他还暗地里以为欠斟酌，太嚷嚷；直到听得同寮过分的奚落他们了，这才略有些小感慨，后来一转念，这或者因为自己正缺钱，而别的官并不兼做教员的缘故罢，于是就释然了。

他雖然也缺錢，但從沒有加入教員的團體內，大家議決罷課，可是不去上課了。Though he too was short of money, he never once joined the teachers' association; when everyone voted to strike, however, he simply stopped going to class.政府說『上了課纔給錢』，他纔略恨他們的類乎用果子耍猴子；When the government said, "Pay will be given only once classes resume," he felt a flicker of resentment at being treated rather like a monkey teased with fruit;一個大教育家說道：『教員一手挾書包一手要錢不高尙。』他纔對于他的太太正式的發牢騷了。when a great educator declared, "For a teacher to carry books under one arm and demand money with the other hand is unrefined," it was only then that he formally aired his grievances to his wife.

他虽然也缺钱，但从没有加入教员的团体内，大家议决罢课，可是不去上课了。政府说『上了课才给钱』，他才略恨他们的类乎用果子耍猴子；一个大教育家说道：『教员一手挟书包一手要钱不高尙。』他才对于他的太太正式的发牢骚了。

「喂，怎麽只有兩盤？』聽了『不高尙說』這一日的晚餐時候，他看着菜蔬說。"Hey, why only two dishes?" he said, looking at the vegetables at dinner on the very day he had heard the remark about being "unrefined."

「喂，怎么只有两盘？』听了『不高尙说』这一日的晚餐时候，他看着菜蔬说。

他們是沒有受過新教育的，太太並無學名或雅號，所以也就沒有什麽稱呼了，照老例雖然也可以叫『太太』，但他又不願意太守舊，于是就發明了一個『喂』字。They had never received a modern education, and his wife had no formal school name or elegant courtesy name, so there was nothing in particular to call her by; by old custom he might have called her "wife," but not wishing to seem too old-fashioned, he had invented the word "Hey" instead.太太對他卻連『喂』字也沒有，只要臉向着他說話，依據習慣法，他就知道這話是對他而發的。His wife, for her part, did not even have a "Hey" for him; she simply turned her face toward him when she spoke, and by the unwritten law between them, he knew the words were meant for him.

他们是没有受过新教育的，太太并无学名或雅号，所以也就没有什么称呼了，照老例虽然也可以叫『太太』，但他又不愿意太守旧，于是就发明了一个『喂』字。太太对他却连『喂』字也没有，只要脸向着他说话，依据习惯法，他就知道这话是对他而发的。

『可是上月領來的一成半都完了……"But the half-month's pay we drew last month is already gone…昨天的米，也還是好容易纔賒來的呢。』伊站在桌旁，臉對着他說。even yesterday's rice was only got on credit, and with great difficulty at that." She stood by the table, her face turned toward him as she spoke.

『可是上月领来的一成半都完了……昨天的米，也还是好容易才赊来的呢。』伊站在桌旁，脸对着他说。

『你看，還說教書的要薪水是卑鄙哩。"You see — and they still say it's contemptible for teachers to ask for their pay.這種東西似乎連人要喫飯，飯要米做，米要錢買這一點粗淺事情都不知道……』These sort of people seem not even to know so simple a thing as that people must eat, that rice makes the food, and that rice must be bought with money…"

『你看，还说教书的要薪水是卑鄙哩。这种东西似乎连人要吃饭，饭要米做，米要钱买这一点粗浅事情都不知道……』

『對啦。"That's right.沒有錢怎麽買米，沒有米怎麽煑……』他兩頰都鼓起來了，彷彿氣惱這答案正和他的議論『差不多』，近乎隨聲附和模樣；Without money how can one buy rice, and without rice how can one cook…" His cheeks both puffed out, as though he were vexed that this answer was "more or less" the same as his own argument, coming rather too close to mere echoing agreement;接着便將頭轉向別一面去了，依據習慣法，這是宣吿討論中止的表示。then he turned his head away to the other side, which, by the unwritten law between them, was the signal declaring the discussion closed.

『对啦。没有钱怎么买米，没有米怎么煑……』他两颊都鼓起来了，彷佛气恼这答案正和他的议论『差不多』，近乎随声附和模样；接着便将头转向别一面去了，依据习惯法，这是宣吿讨论中止的表示。

待到淒風冷雨這一天，教員們因爲向政府去索欠薪，在新華門前爛泥裏被國軍打得頭破血出之後，倒居然也發了一點薪水。When at last, on that day of chill wind and cold rain, the teachers, having gone to the government to demand their overdue pay, were beaten by the national troops in the mud before Xinhua Gate until their heads bled, some pay was at last, remarkably enough, issued.方玄綽不費一舉手之勞的領了錢，酌還些舊債，卻還缺一大筆款，這是因爲官俸也頗有些拖欠了。Fang Xuanchuo, without troubling to lift a finger, drew his pay and repaid some old debts, but a large sum was still lacking, because his official stipend too had fallen rather far into arrears.當是時，便是廉吏清官們也漸以爲薪之不可不索，而況兼做教員的方玄綽，自然更表同情于學界起來，所以大家主張繼續罷課的時候，他雖然仍未到場，事後卻尤其心悅誠服的確守了公共的決議。At that time, even the honest and upright officials gradually came to feel that demanding one's pay was not to be avoided, and all the more so Fang Xuanchuo, who doubled as a teacher, naturally felt still greater sympathy for the academic world; so when everyone proposed to continue the strike, although he still did not show up in person, he afterward abided by the collective resolution all the more wholeheartedly and sincerely.

待到凄风冷雨这一天，教员们因为向政府去索欠薪，在新华门前烂泥里被国军打得头破血出之后，倒居然也发了一点薪水。方玄绰不费一举手之劳的领了钱，酌还些旧债，却还缺一大笔款，这是因为官俸也颇有些拖欠了。当是时，便是廉吏清官们也渐以为薪之不可不索，而况兼做教员的方玄绰，自然更表同情于学界起来，所以大家主张继续罢课的时候，他虽然仍未到场，事后却尤其心悦诚服的确守了公共的决议。

然而政府竟又付錢，學校也就開課了。Yet the government after all paid out the money again, and the school reopened.但在前幾天，卻有學生總會上一個呈文給政府，說：『教員倘若不上課，便不要付欠薪。』這雖然並無效，而方玄綽卻忽而記起前回政府所說的『上了課纔給錢』的話來，『差不多』這一個影子在他眼前又一幌，而且並不消滅，于是他便在講堂上公表了。But a few days before this, the students' general association had submitted a petition to the government saying, "If the teachers do not hold classes, then their overdue pay should not be given." Though this had no effect whatsoever, Fang Xuanchuo suddenly recalled the government's earlier remark, "Pay will be given only once classes resume," and the shadow of "more or less" flickered before his eyes once again, and did not fade away this time; and so he made it public on the lecture platform.

然而政府竟又付钱，学校也就开课了。但在前几天，却有学生总会上一个呈文给政府，说：『教员倘若不上课，便不要付欠薪。』这虽然并无效，而方玄绰却忽而记起前回政府所说的『上了课才给钱』的话来，『差不多』这一个影子在他眼前又一幌，而且并不消灭，于是他便在讲堂上公表了。

准此，可見如果將『差不多說』鍛鍊羅織起來，自然也可以判作一種挾帶私心的不平，但總不能說是專爲自己做官的辯解。On this evidence, one can see that if the "more-or-less theory" were pressed and worked up into an indictment, it could certainly be construed as a kind of grievance harboring private motives, but it still cannot fairly be called a defense made purely for his own sake as an official.只是每到這些時，他又常常喜歡拉上中國將來的命運之類的問題，一不小心，便連自己也以爲是一個憂國的志士：人們是每苦于沒有『自知之明』的。Only, at such times, he also liked to drag in questions concerning the future fate of China and the like, and before he knew it, he would even come to think of himself as a patriot troubled over the nation's fate: people, after all, so often suffer from a lack of "self-knowledge."

准此，可见如果将『差不多说』锻炼罗织起来，自然也可以判作一种挟带私心的不平，但总不能说是专为自己做官的辩解。只是每到这些时，他又常常喜欢拉上中国将来的命运之类的问题，一不小心，便连自己也以为是一个忧国的志士：人们是每苦于没有『自知之明』的。

但是『差不多 』的事實又發生了，政府當初雖只不理那些招人頭痛的教員，後來竟不理到無關痛癢的官吏，欠而又欠，終于逼得先前鄙薄教員要錢的好官，也很有幾員化爲索薪大會裏的驍將了。But then the fact of "more or less" arose once again: the government, though at first it had only ignored those headache-inducing teachers, later went so far as to ignore even officials of no consequence whatsoever, arrears piling upon arrears, until at last even those good officials who had earlier looked down on teachers for demanding money were driven, several of them, to become valiant fighters in the pay-demanding assemblies themselves.惟有幾種日報上卻很發了些鄙薄譏笑他們的文字。Only certain daily newspapers published quite a number of pieces disparaging and mocking them.方玄綽也毫不爲奇，毫不介意，因爲他根據了他的『差不多說』，知道這是新聞記者還未缺少潤筆的緣故，萬一政府或是闊人停了津貼，他們多半也要開大會的。Fang Xuanchuo was not in the least surprised, nor did he take it to heart, because, going by his "more-or-less theory," he knew this was simply because the newspapermen had not yet run short of payment for their writing; should the government or some wealthy person ever cut off their subsidies, they too would very likely hold a mass assembly before long.

但是『差不多 』的事实又发生了，政府当初虽只不理那些招人头痛的教员，后来竟不理到无关痛痒的官吏，欠而又欠，终于逼得先前鄙薄教员要钱的好官，也很有几员化为索薪大会里的骁将了。惟有几种日报上却很发了些鄙薄讥笑他们的文字。方玄绰也毫不为奇，毫不介意，因为他根据了他的『差不多说』，知道这是新闻记者还未缺少润笔的缘故，万一政府或是阔人停了津贴，他们多半也要开大会的。

他旣已表同情于教員的索薪，自然也贊成同寮的索俸，然而他仍然安坐在衙門中，照例的並不一同去討債。Having already shown sympathy for the teachers' demand for pay, he naturally also approved of his colleagues' demand for their stipends; and yet he still sat calmly in his office as usual, and as a rule did not go along to press for the debt.至于有人疑心他孤高，那可也不過是一種誤解罷了。As for those who suspected him of being aloof and proud, that too was merely a misunderstanding.他自己說，他是自從出世以來，只有人向他來要債，他從沒有向人去討過債，所以這一端是『非其所長』。He himself said that ever since he was born, it had only ever been others coming to him to collect debts, and he had never once gone to anyone to demand a debt owed him, so that this particular skill was simply "not his forte."而且他最不敢見手握經濟之權的人物，這種人待到失了權勢之後，捧着一本大乘起信論講佛學的時候，固然也很是『藹然可親 』的了，但還在寶座上時，卻總是一副閻王臉，將別人都當奴才看，自以爲手操着你們這些窮小子們的生殺之權。Moreover, what he least dared to face were men who held the power of the purse — such men, once they had lost their power and sat holding a copy of the Mahayana Awakening of Faith discoursing on Buddhism, could indeed seem quite "amiable and approachable,"but while still seated on their throne of authority, they always wore the face of King Yama, looking on everyone else as their slaves, imagining that the power of life and death over you poor wretches lay in their own hands.他因此不敢見，也不願見他們。For this reason he dared not, and did not wish to, see them.這種脾氣，雖然有時連自己也覺得是孤高，但往往同時也疑心這其實是沒本領。This temperament of his, though at times even he himself felt it to be a kind of aloofness, he often at the same time suspected was in fact nothing more than incompetence.

他既已表同情于教员的索薪，自然也赞成同寮的索俸，然而他仍然安坐在衙门中，照例的并不一同去讨债。至于有人疑心他孤高，那可也不过是一种误解罢了。他自己说，他是自从出世以来，只有人向他来要债，他从没有向人去讨过债，所以这一端是『非其所长』。而且他最不敢见手握经济之权的人物，这种人待到失了权势之后，捧着一本大乘起信论讲佛学的时候，固然也很是『蔼然可亲 』的了，但还在宝座上时，却总是一副阎王脸，将别人都当奴才看，自以为手操着你们这些穷小子们的生杀之权。他因此不敢见，也不愿见他们。这种脾气，虽然有时连自己也觉得是孤高，但往往同时也疑心这其实是没本领。

大家左索右索，總算一節一節的挨過去了，但比起先前來，方玄綽究竟是萬分的拮据，所以使用的小厮和交易的店家不消說，便是方太太對于他也漸漸的缺了敬意，只要看伊近來不很附和，而且常常提出獨創的意By demanding pay from this side and that, everyone had managed somehow to scrape through one stretch after another, but compared with before, Fang Xuanchuo was in the end extremely hard-pressed for money; needless to say the houseboy he employed and the shopkeepers he dealt with noticed it, but even Mrs. Fang gradually grew less respectful toward him — one had only to see that she no longer went along so readily with him these days, and often put forward opinions of her own, with some rather brusque behavior besides, to understand as much.

大家左索右索，总算一节一节的挨过去了，但比起先前来，方玄绰究竟是万分的拮据，所以使用的小厮和交易的店家不消说，便是方太太对于他也渐渐的缺了敬意，只要看伊近来不很附和，而且常常提出独创的意

見，有些唐突的舉動，也就可以了然了。到了陰曆五月初四的午前，他一回來，伊便將一疊帳單塞在他的鼻子跟前，這也是往常所沒有的。When he came home just before noon on the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, his wife thrust a wad of bills right under his nose — something that had never happened before.

见，有些唐突的举动，也就可以了然了。到了阴历五月初四的午前，他一回来，伊便将一叠帐单塞在他的鼻子跟前，这也是往常所没有的。

『一總總得一百八十塊錢纔够開消……"Altogether we need a hundred and eighty dollars just to cover expenses…發了麽？』伊並不對着他看的說。Has it been issued?" she said, not even looking at him as she spoke.

『一总总得一百八十块钱才够开消……发了么？』伊并不对着他看的说。

『哼，我明天不做官了。"Hmph, tomorrow I quit being an official.錢的支票是領來的了，可是索薪大會的代表不發放，先說是沒有同去的人都不發，後來又說是要到他們跟前去親領。The check for the money has been drawn all right, but the representatives of the pay-demanding assembly won't hand it out — first they said no one who hadn't joined the demand would get paid, and now they say everyone has to go in person to collect it before them.他們今天單揑着支票，就變了閻王臉了，我實在怕看見……Today they just sat there clutching the checks and put on King Yama faces — I really couldn't bear to look…我錢也不要了，官也不做了，這樣無限量的卑屈……』I don't want the money anymore, and I won't be an official anymore either, such boundless humiliation…"

『哼，我明天不做官了。钱的支票是领来的了，可是索薪大会的代表不发放，先说是没有同去的人都不发，后来又说是要到他们跟前去亲领。他们今天单揑着支票，就变了阎王脸了，我实在怕看见……我钱也不要了，官也不做了，这样无限量的卑屈……』

方太太見了這少見的義憤，倒有些愕然了，但也就沈靜下來。Mrs. Fang, seeing this rare display of righteous indignation, was rather taken aback at first, but soon settled down again.

方太太见了这少见的义愤，倒有些愕然了，但也就沈静下来。

『我想，還不如去親領罷，這算什麼呢。』伊看着他的臉說。"I think, wouldn't it be better to go and collect it in person after all — what does it matter?" she said, looking at his face.

『我想，还不如去亲领罢，这算什么呢。』伊看着他的脸说。

『我不去！"I won't go!這是官俸，不是賞錢，照例應該由會計科送來的。』This is an official stipend, not a handout in charity — by rule it ought to be delivered by the accounting office."

『我不去！这是官俸，不是赏钱，照例应该由会计科送来的。』

『可是不送來又怎麽好呢……"But if they don't deliver it, then what's to be done…哦，昨夜忘記說了，孩子們說那學費，學校裏已經催過好幾次了，說是倘若再不繳……』oh, I forgot to mention last night — the children say the school has already pressed several times about that tuition fee, saying that if it isn't paid soon…"

『可是不送来又怎么好呢……哦，昨夜忘记说了，孩子们说那学费，学校里已经催过好几次了，说是倘若再不缴……』

『胡說！"Nonsense!做老子的辦事教書都不給錢，兒子去念幾句書倒要錢？』Their father does his official duties and teaches without getting paid for it, and yet the son studying a few books is supposed to cost money?"

『胡说！做老子的办事教书都不给钱，儿子去念几句书倒要钱？』

伊覺得他已經不很顧忌道理，似乎就要將自己當作校長來出氣，犯不上，便不再言語了。She sensed that he had already stopped much minding what was reasonable, as if he were about to vent his temper on her as though she were the school principal, and it wasn't worth the trouble, so she said no more.

伊觉得他已经不很顾忌道理，似乎就要将自己当作校长来出气，犯不上，便不再言语了。

兩個默默的喫了午飯。The two of them ate their midday meal in silence.他想了一會，又懊惱的出去了。He sat thinking for a while, then went out again in a sulk.

两个默默的吃了午饭。他想了一会，又懊恼的出去了。

照舊例，近年是每逢節根或年關的前一天，他一定須在夜裏的十二點鐘纔回家，一面走，一面掏着懷中，一面大聲的叫道：『喂，領來了！』于是遞給伊一疊簇新的中交票，臉上很有些得意的形色。By old custom, in recent years, on the day before every festival or year's end, he was sure not to come home until twelve o'clock at night; walking along, he would fumble in his coat, and call out loudly, "Hey, I've got it!" and then hand her a wad of brand-new banknotes from the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications, a look of no small satisfaction on his face.誰知道初四這一天卻破了例，他不到七點鐘便回家來。Who would have thought that this fourth day broke the rule — he came home before seven o'clock.方太太很驚疑，以爲他竟已辭了職了，但暗暗地察看他臉上，卻也並不見有什麽格外倒運的神情。Mrs. Fang was quite startled and alarmed, thinking he must have gone and resigned his post after all, but stealing a glance at his face, she saw no sign of any especially ill fortune there either.

照旧例，近年是每逢节根或年关的前一天，他一定须在夜里的十二点钟才回家，一面走，一面掏着怀中，一面大声的叫道：『喂，领来了！』于是递给伊一叠簇新的中交票，脸上很有些得意的形色。谁知道初四这一天却破了例，他不到七点钟便回家来。方太太很惊疑，以为他竟已辞了职了，但暗暗地察看他脸上，却也并不见有什么格外倒运的神情。

『怎麽了？……"What's happened?…這樣早？……』伊看定了他說。So early?…" she said, fixing her eyes on him.

『怎么了？……这样早？……』伊看定了他说。

『發不及了，領不出了，銀行已經關了門，得等初八。』"Too late to be issued, couldn't draw it — the bank's already closed. Have to wait till the eighth."

『发不及了，领不出了，银行已经关了门，得等初八。』

『親領？……』伊惴惴的問。"Collecting it in person?…" she asked uneasily.

『亲领？……』伊惴惴的问。

『親領這一層，倒也已經取消了，聽說仍舊由會計科分送。"That business of collecting in person has actually been called off now — I hear it's to be distributed by the accounting office as before after all.可是銀行今天已經關了門，休息三天，得等到初八的上午。』他坐下，眼睛看着地面了，喝過一口茶，纔又慢慢的開口說：『幸而衙門裏也沒有什麽問題了，大約到初八就準有錢……But the bank's already closed today, closed for three days — have to wait until the morning of the eighth." He sat down, his eyes on the floor, and after taking a sip of tea, at last slowly began to speak again: "Fortunately there's no more trouble at the office either — by the eighth there should certainly be money…向不相干的親戚朋友去借錢，實在是一件煩難事。Going to borrow money from relatives and friends one has nothing much to do with is truly a troublesome business.我午後硬着頭皮去尋金永生，談了一會，他先恭維我不去索薪，不肯親領，非常之清高，一個人正應該這樣做；This afternoon I steeled myself and went to look up Jin Yongsheng; we talked a while, and at first he complimented me on not demanding my pay, on not going to collect it in person, on being so very high-minded — that a person really ought to behave that way;待到知道我想要向他通融五十元，就像我在他嘴裏塞了一大把鹽似的，凡有臉上可以打皺的地方都打起皺來，說房租怎樣的收不起，買賣怎樣的賠本，在同事面前親身領款，也不算什麽的，卽刻將我支使出來了。』but the moment he understood I wanted to borrow fifty dollars from him, it was as if I'd stuffed a great handful of salt into his mouth — every wrinkle his face was capable of making, it made, saying how the rent was impossible to collect, how his business was losing money, that going in person to collect one's pay in front of one's colleagues wasn't anything to be ashamed of after all, and packed me straight off."

『亲领这一层，倒也已经取消了，听说仍旧由会计科分送。可是银行今天已经关了门，休息三天，得等到初八的上午。』他坐下，眼睛看着地面了，喝过一口茶，才又慢慢的开口说：『幸而衙门里也没有什么问题了，大约到初八就准有钱……向不相干的亲戚朋友去借钱，实在是一件烦难事。我午后硬着头皮去寻金永生，谈了一会，他先恭维我不去索薪，不肯亲领，非常之清高，一个人正应该这样做；待到知道我想要向他通融五十元，就像我在他嘴里塞了一大把盐似的，凡有脸上可以打皱的地方都打起皱来，说房租怎样的收不起，买卖怎样的赔本，在同事面前亲身领款，也不算什么的，即刻将我支使出来了。』

『這樣緊急的節根，誰還肯借出錢去呢。』方太太卻只淡淡的說，並沒有什麽慨然。"At such a pressing time of year, right before the festival, who's going to be willing to lend money to anyone?" Mrs. Fang said only flatly, without any show of indignation at all.

『这样紧急的节根，谁还肯借出钱去呢。』方太太却只淡淡的说，并没有什么慨然。

方玄綽低下頭來了，覺得這也無怪其然的，況且自己和金永生本來很疏遠，他接着就記起去年年關的事來，那時有一個同鄕來借十塊錢，他其時明明已經收到了衙門的領款憑單的了，因爲恐怕這人將來未必會還錢，便裝了一副爲難的神色，說道衙門裏旣然領不到俸錢，學校裏又不發薪水，實在『愛莫能助』，將他空手送走了。Fang Xuanchuo bowed his head, feeling that this too was hardly to be wondered at, especially since he and Jin Yongsheng had never been close to begin with; he went on to recall an incident from the year before, at the New Year's reckoning, when a fellow townsman had come to borrow ten dollars from him — at the time he had, in fact, already received the office's payment voucher, but fearing this man might never repay the money, he had put on a look of great difficulty, saying that since he could draw no pay from the office, and the school too was not issuing salaries, he was truly "unable to help despite his sympathy," and had sent the man away empty-handed.他雖然自己並不看見裝了怎樣的臉，但此時卻覺得很局促，嘴唇微微一動，又搖一搖頭。Though he himself had not seen what sort of face he had put on then, he now felt distinctly ill at ease over it, his lips twitching faintly, and he shook his head.

方玄绰低下头来了，觉得这也无怪其然的，况且自己和金永生本来很疏远，他接着就记起去年年关的事来，那时有一个同鄕来借十块钱，他其时明明已经收到了衙门的领款凭单的了，因为恐怕这人将来未必会还钱，便装了一副为难的神色，说道衙门里既然领不到俸钱，学校里又不发薪水，实在『爱莫能助』，将他空手送走了。他虽然自己并不看见装了怎样的脸，但此时却觉得很局促，嘴唇微微一动，又摇一摇头。

然而不多久，他忽而恍然大悟似的發命令了：叫小廝卽刻上街去賒一甁蓮花白。Yet before long, he suddenly seemed to hit upon an idea, and issued an order: he told the houseboy to go out at once and get a bottle of lotus-white liquor on credit.他知道店家希圖明天多還帳，大抵是不敢不賒的，假如不賒，則明天分文不還，正是他們應得的懲罰。He knew that the shopkeeper, hoping to be repaid all the more the next day, would hardly dare refuse him credit; and if he refused, then tomorrow he would get not a single cent back, which would only serve him right.

然而不多久，他忽而恍然大悟似的发命令了：叫小厮即刻上街去赊一甁莲花白。他知道店家希图明天多还帐，大抵是不敢不赊的，假如不赊，则明天分文不还，正是他们应得的惩罚。

蓮花白竟賒來了，他喝了兩盃，靑白色的臉上泛了紅，喫完飯，又頗有些高興了，他點上一枝大號哈得門香煙，從桌上抓起一本嘗試集來，躺在牀上就要看。The lotus-white liquor was indeed brought on credit; he drank two cups, and a flush of red rose over his pale face; after finishing the meal he grew rather cheerful again, lit up a large Hademen cigarette, snatched a copy of Experiments in Verse from the table, and lay down on the bed to read it.

莲花白竟赊来了，他喝了两杯，靑白色的脸上泛了红，吃完饭，又颇有些高兴了，他点上一枝大号哈得门香烟，从桌上抓起一本尝试集来，躺在床上就要看。

『那麼，明天怎麽對付店家呢？』方太太追上去，站在牀面前，看着他的臉說。"Well then, how are we to deal with the shopkeeper tomorrow?" Mrs. Fang followed after him, and stood before the bed, looking at his face as she spoke.

『那么，明天怎么对付店家呢？』方太太追上去，站在床面前，看着他的脸说。

『店家？……"The shopkeeper?…教他們初八的下半天來。』Tell him to come in the afternoon of the eighth."

『店家？……教他们初八的下半天来。』

『我可不能這麽說。"I can't very well say that.他們不相信，不答應的。』He won't believe it, he won't agree to it."

『我可不能这么说。他们不相信，不答应的。』

『有什麽不相信。"What's there not to believe?他們可以問去，全衙門裏什麽人也沒有領到，都得初八！』他戟着第二個指頭在帳子裏的空中畫了一個半圓，方太太跟着指頭也看了一個半圓，只見這手便去翻開了嘗試集。He can go and ask around — nobody in the whole office has received their pay, everyone has to wait till the eighth!" He jabbed his second finger, drawing a half-circle in the air inside the bed-curtain, and Mrs. Fang's eyes followed the finger and traced a half-circle too, only to see the hand go and open up Experiments in Verse.

『有什么不相信。他们可以问去，全衙门里什么人也没有领到，都得初八！』他戟着第二个指头在帐子里的空中画了一个半圆，方太太跟着指头也看了一个半圆，只见这手便去翻开了尝试集。

方太太見他強橫到出乎情理之外了，也暫時開不得口。Mrs. Fang, seeing him so unreasonably stubborn, beyond all sense, found for the moment she could say nothing.

方太太见他强横到出乎情理之外了，也暂时开不得口。

『我想，這模樣是鬧不下去的，將來總得想點法，做點什麽別的事……』伊終于尋到了別的路，說。"I think, this can't go on like this — sooner or later we'll have to think of some way, do something else…" she said, having at last found another road to take.

『我想，这模样是闹不下去的，将来总得想点法，做点什么别的事……』伊终于寻到了别的路，说。

『什麼法呢？"What way is there?我「文不像謄錄生武不像救火兵」，別的做什麽？』I'm 'no clerk with the brush, no fireman with the hose' — what else is there for me to do?"

『什么法呢？我「文不像誊录生武不像救火兵」，别的做什么？』

『你不是給上海的書鋪子做過文章麽？』"Didn't you used to write pieces for the Shanghai publishing houses?"

『你不是给上海的书铺子做过文章么？』

『上海的書鋪子？"The Shanghai publishing houses?買稿要一個一個的算字，空格不算數。When they buy a manuscript they count it word by word, and blank spaces don't count.你看我做在那里的白話詩去，空白有多少，怕只値三百大錢一本罷。Just look at the vernacular poems I wrote for them — with all that blank space, they'd hardly be worth three hundred coppers a volume.收版權稅又半年六月沒消息，「遠水救不得近火」，誰耐煩。』And as for collecting royalties, half a year, a whole year goes by without word — 'distant water cannot put out a fire close at hand,' who has the patience for that."

『上海的书铺子？买稿要一个一个的算字，空格不算数。你看我做在那里的白话诗去，空白有多少，怕只値三百大钱一本罢。收版权税又半年六月没消息，「远水救不得近火」，谁耐烦。』

『那麽，給這里的報館裏……』"Then, what about the newspaper offices here…"

『那么，给这里的报馆里……』

『給報館裏？"Give it to a newspaper office?便在這里很大的報館裏，我靠着一個學生在那里做編輯的大情面，一千字也就是這幾個錢，卽使一早做到夜，能够養活你們麽？Even at the biggest newspaper office here, relying on the great favor of a student of mine who works there as an editor, a thousand characters brings only so many coppers — even if I wrote from dawn till dark, could that support all of you?況且我肚子裏也沒有這許多文章。』Besides, I haven't got that many essays in my belly to begin with."

『给报馆里？便在这里很大的报馆里，我靠着一个学生在那里做编辑的大情面，一千字也就是这几个钱，即使一早做到夜，能够养活你们么？况且我肚子里也没有这许多文章。』

『那麼，過了節怎麽辦呢？』"Then, once the festival is over, what are we to do?"

『那么，过了节怎么办呢？』

『過了節麽？——仍舊做官……"Once the festival is over? — Go on being an official, same as ever…明天店家來要錢，你只要說初八的下午。』Tomorrow when the shopkeeper comes for the money, you just tell him the afternoon of the eighth."

『过了节么？——仍旧做官……明天店家来要钱，你只要说初八的下午。』

他又要看嘗試集了。He was about to go back to reading Experiments in Verse.方太太怕失了機會，連忙吞吞吐吐的說：Mrs. Fang, afraid of losing her chance, hurried to say, stammering:

他又要看尝试集了。方太太怕失了机会，连忙吞吞吐吐的说：

『我想，過了節，到了初八，我們……"I think, once the festival is over, once the eighth comes, we…"倒不如去買一張彩票……』It would be better to just go buy a lottery ticket……'

『我想，过了节，到了初八，我们……倒不如去买一张彩票……』

『胡說！'Nonsense!會說出這樣無教育的……』That you could say something so uneducated……'

『胡说！会说出这样无教育的……』

這時候，他忽而又記起被金永生支使出來以後的事了。At that moment he suddenly recalled again what had happened after Jin Yongsheng had sent him out on an errand.那時他惘惘的走過稻香村，看見店門口竪着許多斗大的字的廣吿道『頭彩幾萬元』，彷彿記得心裏也一動，或者也許放慢了脚步的罷，但似乎因爲捨不得皮夾裏僅存的六角錢，所以竟也毅然決然的走遠了。At that time he had walked past Daoxiang Cun in a daze, and seeing at the shop's entrance an advertisement standing there in characters as big as pecks, reading 'First Prize: Tens of Thousands of Yuan,' he seemed to recall that his heart had stirred a little, and perhaps he had even slowed his pace; but it seemed that, unable to bear parting with the mere sixty cents left in his wallet, he had after all resolutely walked on and away.他臉色一變，方太太料想他是在惱着伊的無教育，便趕緊退開，沒有說完話。His face changed color, and Mrs. Fang, guessing that he was angry at her lack of education, quickly withdrew, leaving her words unfinished.方玄綽也沒有說完話，將腰一伸，咿咿嗚嗚的就念嘗試集。Fang Xuanchuo, too, left his words unfinished; stretching his back, he began humming and mumbling verses from the Changshi Ji (Experiments).

这时候，他忽而又记起被金永生支使出来以后的事了。那时他惘惘的走过稻香村，看见店门口竖着许多斗大的字的广吿道『头彩几万元』，彷佛记得心里也一动，或者也许放慢了脚步的罢，但似乎因为舍不得皮夹里仅存的六角钱，所以竟也毅然决然的走远了。他脸色一变，方太太料想他是在恼着伊的无教育，便赶紧退开，没有说完话。方玄绰也没有说完话，将腰一伸，咿咿呜呜的就念尝试集。

（一九二二年六月。）(June, 1922.)

据《中华人民共和国著作权法释义》，法人作品应满足三点要求：（1）由法人（或其他组织，以下简称“法人”）主持创作，而非工作人员自发进行；（2）创作思想及表达方式体现法人意志；（3）由法人负责，而非执笔者。（详情）According to the Interpretation of the Copyright Law of the People's Republic of China, a work made by a legal person must satisfy three requirements: (1) it is created under the direction of the legal person (or other organization, hereinafter "the legal person"), rather than spontaneously by staff members on their own initiative; (2) the creative ideas and the manner of expression embody the will of the legal person; (3) liability for the work rests with the legal person, not with the person who actually wrote it. (See details.)

鲁迅《端午節》最初于1922年9月10日《小說月報》第十三卷第九號发表。《鲁迅全集》由鲁迅先生纪念委员会编印于1938年。Lu Xun's 'Duanwu Jie' (The Dragon Boat Festival) was first published on September 10, 1922, in Xiaoshuo Yuebao (The Short Story Magazine), volume 13, issue 9. The Complete Works of Lu Xun was compiled and printed by the Lu Xun Memorial Committee in 1938.

鲁迅《端午节》最初于1922年9月10日《小说月报》第十三卷第九号发表。《鲁迅全集》由鲁迅先生纪念委员会编印于1938年。