祝福 New Year's Sacrifice

舊曆的年底畢竟最像年底，村鎮上不必說，就在天空中也顯出將到新年的氣象來。The end of the old-calendar year is, after all, most like a year's end — needless to say in the villages and towns, but even in the sky itself there appears an air of the coming New Year.灰白色的沉重的晚雲中間時時發出閃光，接著一聲鈍響，是送灶的爆竹；Amid the heavy, grayish-white evening clouds, flashes of light kept breaking out now and then, followed by a dull report — these were the firecrackers seeing off the Kitchen God;近處燃放的可就更強烈了，震耳的大音還沒有息，空氣裏已經散滿了幽微的火藥香。those set off nearby were even more intense — before the deafening report had died away, the air was already filled with the faint fragrance of gunpowder.我是正在這一夜回到我的故鄉魯鎮的。It was on this very night that I returned to my hometown, Luzhen.雖說故鄉，然而已沒有家，所以只得暫寓在魯四老爺的宅子裏。Although I call it my hometown, I no longer had a home there, so I had no choice but to lodge for a while in the house of Fourth Master Lu.他是我的本家，比我長一輩，應該稱之曰「四叔」，是一個講理學的老監生。He is of my own clan, a generation senior to me, so I ought to call him "Fourth Uncle" — an old scholar of the Imperial Academy who talked of Neo-Confucian principles.他比先前並沒有甚麽大改變，單是老了些，但也還未留鬍子，一見面是寒暄，寒暄之後說我「胖了」，說我「胖了」之後即大罵其新黨。He had not changed much since before, only grown a bit older, but he still had not grown a beard; the moment we met there were the usual greetings, after which he said I had "grown fat," and after saying I had "grown fat" he at once launched into a tirade against the reformist party.但我知道，這並非借題在罵我：因為他所罵的還是康有為。But I knew this was not a pretext for scolding me, for the one he was denouncing was still Kang Youwei.但是，談話是總不投機的了，於是不多久，我便一個人剩在書房裏。Still, our conversation never really clicked, and so before long I was left alone in the study.

旧历的年底毕竟最像年底，村镇上不必说，就在天空中也显出将到新年的气象来。灰白色的沉重的晚云中间时时发出闪光，接著一声钝响，是送灶的爆竹；近处燃放的可就更强烈了，震耳的大音还没有息，空气里已经散满了幽微的火药香。我是正在这一夜回到我的故乡鲁镇的。虽说故乡，然而已没有家，所以只得暂寓在鲁四老爷的宅子里。他是我的本家，比我长一辈，应该称之曰「四叔」，是一个讲理学的老监生。他比先前并没有甚么大改变，单是老了些，但也还未留胡子，一见面是寒暄，寒暄之后说我「胖了」，说我「胖了」之后即大骂其新党。但我知道，这并非借题在骂我：因为他所骂的还是康有为。但是，谈话是总不投机的了，于是不多久，我便一个人剩在书房里。

第二天我起得很遲，午飯之後，出去看了幾個本家和朋友；The next day I rose very late, and after lunch I went out to call on a few relatives and friends;第三天也照樣。on the third day I did the same.他們也都沒有甚麽大改變，單是老了些；They too had not changed much, only grown a bit older;家中卻一律忙，都在準備著「祝福」。but every household was busy alike, all preparing for the "New Year's Sacrifice."這是魯鎮年終的大典，致敬盡禮，迎接福神，拜求來年一年中的好運氣的。This is the great year-end rite of Luzhen, performed with the utmost reverence and ceremony, to welcome the God of Fortune and pray for good luck through the coming year.殺雞，宰鵝，買豬肉，用心細細的洗，女人的臂膊都在水裏浸得通紅，有的還帶著絞絲銀鐲子。Chickens are killed, geese slaughtered, pork bought, and everything washed with painstaking care; the women's arms all turn red from soaking in the water, some of them still wearing twisted silver bracelets.煮熟之後，橫七豎八的插些筷子在這類東西上，可就稱為「福禮」了，五更天陳列起來，並且點上香燭，恭請福神們來享用，拜的卻只限於男人，拜完自然仍然是放爆竹。Once boiled, chopsticks are stuck every which way into these offerings, and then they are called the "blessing offerings"; they are set out in the fifth watch before dawn, incense and candles are lit, and the gods of fortune are respectfully invited to partake — though only the men may do the worshipping — and once the worship is done, of course, firecrackers are set off again.年年如此，家家如此，——只要買得起福禮和爆竹之類的——今年自然也如此。Year after year it is thus, every household the same — so long as they can afford the offerings and firecrackers and the like — and this year, naturally, it was thus again.天色愈陰暗了，下午竟下起雪來，雪花大的有梅花那麽大，滿天飛舞，夾著煙靄和忙碌的氣色，將魯鎮亂成一團糟。The sky grew ever more overcast, and in the afternoon it actually began to snow, the flakes as large as plum blossoms, dancing across the whole sky, mingling with the smoky haze and the bustle of preparations, throwing Luzhen into utter confusion.我回到四叔的書房裏時，瓦楞上已經雪白，房裏也映得較光明，極分明的顯出壁上掛著的朱拓的大「壽」字，陳摶老祖寫的，一邊的對聯已經脫落，鬆鬆的卷了放在長桌上，一邊的還在，道是「事理通達心氣和平」。By the time I returned to Fourth Uncle's study, the roof tiles were already white with snow, and the room too was lit up somewhat brighter, showing quite clearly on the wall the large character "Longevity" in vermilion rubbing, written by the Old Patriarch Chen Tuan; one scroll of the paired couplet had already come loose and lay loosely rolled on the long table, while the other still hung, reading, "Understand all things thoroughly, keep the heart and spirit at peace."我又無聊賴的到窗下的案頭去一翻，只見一堆似乎未必完全的《康熙字典》，一部《近思錄集註》和一部《四書襯》。Out of sheer boredom I went and turned over the things on the desk beneath the window, and found only a pile of what looked like an incomplete Kangxi Dictionary, a copy of the Reflections on Things at Hand with Commentary, and a copy of Commentaries on the Four Books.無論如何，我明天決計要走了。In any case, I resolved that I would leave the next day.

第二天我起得很迟，午饭之后，出去看了几个本家和朋友；第三天也照样。他们也都没有甚么大改变，单是老了些；家中却一律忙，都在准备著「祝福」。这是鲁镇年终的大典，致敬尽礼，迎接福神，拜求来年一年中的好运气的。杀鸡，宰鹅，买猪肉，用心细细的洗，女人的臂膊都在水里浸得通红，有的还带著绞丝银镯子。煮熟之后，横七竖八的插些筷子在这类东西上，可就称为「福礼」了，五更天陈列起来，并且点上香烛，恭请福神们来享用，拜的却只限于男人，拜完自然仍然是放爆竹。年年如此，家家如此，——只要买得起福礼和爆竹之类的——今年自然也如此。天色愈阴暗了，下午竟下起雪来，雪花大的有梅花那么大，满天飞舞，夹著烟霭和忙碌的气色，将鲁镇乱成一团糟。我回到四叔的书房里时，瓦楞上已经雪白，房里也映得较光明，极分明的显出壁上挂著的朱拓的大「寿」字，陈抟老祖写的，一边的对联已经脱落，松松的卷了放在长桌上，一边的还在，道是「事理通达心气和平」。我又无聊赖的到窗下的案头去一翻，只见一堆似乎未必完全的《康熙字典》，一部《近思录集注》和一部《四书衬》。无论如何，我明天决计要走了。

況且，一想到昨天遇見祥林嫂的事，也就使我不能安住。Besides, whenever I thought of meeting Xianglin Sao the day before, I found I could not settle down and stay.那是下午，我到鎮的東頭訪過一個朋友，走出來，就在河邊遇見她；It was in the afternoon; I had gone to the east end of town to visit a friend, and coming out, I met her by the river;而且見她瞪著的眼睛的視線，就知道明明是向我走來的。and seeing the fixed stare of her eyes, I knew at once that she was clearly walking toward me.我這回在魯鎮所見的人們中，改變之大，可以說無過於她的了：五年前的花白的頭髮，即今已經全白，全不像四十上下的人；Among all the people I had seen this time in Luzhen, none, I daresay, had changed so much as she: the gray-streaked hair of five years before was now entirely white, not at all like someone of forty or so;臉上瘦削不堪，黃中帶黑，而且消盡了先前悲哀的神色，仿佛是木刻似的；her face was fearfully gaunt, sallow with a tinge of black, and had lost entirely the sorrowful look it once wore, as if it were carved of wood;只有那眼珠間或一輪，還可以表示她是一個活物。only the occasional turning of her eyeballs showed that she was still a living thing.她一手提著竹籃。In one hand she carried a bamboo basket.內中一個破碗，空的；Inside it was a broken bowl, empty;一手拄著一支比她更長的竹竿，下端開了裂：她分明已經純乎是一個乞丐了。in the other hand she leaned on a bamboo pole even taller than herself, split open at the lower end: she had plainly become nothing but a beggar.我就站住，預備她來討錢。I stopped, expecting she would come to beg for money.

况且，一想到昨天遇见祥林嫂的事，也就使我不能安住。那是下午，我到镇的东头访过一个朋友，走出来，就在河边遇见她；而且见她瞪著的眼睛的视线，就知道明明是向我走来的。我这回在鲁镇所见的人们中，改变之大，可以说无过于她的了：五年前的花白的头发，即今已经全白，全不像四十上下的人；脸上瘦削不堪，黄中带黑，而且消尽了先前悲哀的神色，仿佛是木刻似的；只有那眼珠间或一轮，还可以表示她是一个活物。她一手提著竹篮。内中一个破碗，空的；一手拄著一支比她更长的竹竿，下端开了裂：她分明已经纯乎是一个乞丐了。我就站住，预备她来讨钱。

「你回來了？」她先這樣問。"You're back?" she asked first.

「你回来了？」她先这样问。

「是的。」"Yes."

「這正好。"That's good.你是識字的，又是出門人，見識得多。You can read, and you've been out in the world, so you know a great deal.我正要問你一件事——」她那沒有精采的眼睛忽然發光了。I want to ask you about something—" Her lusterless eyes suddenly lit up.

「这正好。你是识字的，又是出门人，见识得多。我正要问你一件事——」她那没有精采的眼睛忽然发光了。

我萬料不到她卻說出這樣的話來，詫異的站著。I had never expected she would say such a thing, and stood there astonished.

我万料不到她却说出这样的话来，诧异的站著。

「就是——」她走近兩步，放低了聲音，極秘密似的切切的說，「一個人死了之後，究竟有沒有魂靈的？」"It's just this—" She stepped closer, lowering her voice, and said in an urgent whisper, as if it were a great secret, "after a person dies, is there really a soul or not?"

「就是——」她走近两步，放低了声音，极秘密似的切切的说，「一个人死了之后，究竟有没有魂灵的？」

我很悚然，一見她的眼釘著我的，背上也就遭了芒刺一般，比在學校裏遇到不及預防的臨時考，教師又偏是站在身旁的時候，惶急得多了。I was quite startled; the moment I saw her eyes fixed on mine, it was as though thorns pricked my back, and I felt far more flustered than when caught unprepared by a surprise test at school with the teacher standing right beside me.對於魂靈的有無，我自己是向來毫不介意的；As to whether or not there are souls, I myself had never given it the slightest thought;但在此刻，怎樣回答她好呢？but at this moment, how was I to answer her?我在極短期的躊躇中，想，這裏的人照例相信鬼，然而她，卻疑惑了，——或者不如說希望：希望其有，又希望其無……，人何必增添末路的人的苦惱，一為她起見，不如說有罷。In the briefest moment of hesitation I thought: people here customarily believe in ghosts, and yet she seemed to doubt it — or rather, to hope: hoping there were, and hoping there weren't... Why should one add to the suffering of someone at the end of her road? For her sake alone, better to say there are.

我很悚然，一见她的眼钉著我的，背上也就遭了芒刺一般，比在学校里遇到不及预防的临时考，教师又偏是站在身旁的时候，惶急得多了。对于魂灵的有无，我自己是向来毫不介意的；但在此刻，怎样回答她好呢？我在极短期的踌躇中，想，这里的人照例相信鬼，然而她，却疑惑了，——或者不如说希望：希望其有，又希望其无……，人何必增添末路的人的苦恼，一为她起见，不如说有罢。

「也許有罷，——我想。」我於是吞吞吐吐的說。"Perhaps there are — I think," I said, hemming and hawing.

「也许有罢，——我想。」我于是吞吞吐吐的说。

「那麽，也就有地獄了？」"Then there must be a hell too?"

「那么，也就有地狱了？」

「啊！"Ah!地獄？」我很喫驚，只得支吾著，「地獄？——論理，就該也有。——然而也未必，……Hell?" I was quite taken aback, and could only hedge, "Hell? — By rights, there ought to be one too. — And yet perhaps not necessarily...誰來管這等事……。」who's to say about such things..."

「啊！地狱？」我很吃惊，只得支吾著，「地狱？——论理，就该也有。——然而也未必，……谁来管这等事……。」

「那麽，死掉的一家的人，都能見面的？」"Then can the members of a family who have died all see one another again?"

「那么，死掉的一家的人，都能见面的？」

「唉唉，見面不見面呢？……」這時我已知道自己也還是完全一個愚人，甚麽躊躇，甚麽計劃，都擋不住三句問，我即刻膽怯起來了，便想全翻過先前的話來，「那是，……"Ah well, whether they can see one another or not..." By now I knew that I myself was still nothing but a fool — all my hesitating, all my planning, could not withstand three questions, and I at once grew timid, wishing to take back everything I had said before, "As for that,...實在，我說不清……。really, I can't say for certain...其實，究竟有沒有魂靈，我也說不清。」in fact, whether or not there really are souls, I can't say for certain either."

「唉唉，见面不见面呢？……」这时我已知道自己也还是完全一个愚人，甚么踌躇，甚么计划，都挡不住三句问，我即刻胆怯起来了，便想全翻过先前的话来，「那是，……实在，我说不清……。其实，究竟有没有魂灵，我也说不清。」

我乘她不再緊接的問，邁開步便走，匆匆的逃回四叔的家中，心裏很覺得不安逸。Taking advantage of the fact that she did not press me further right away, I strode off and fled hurriedly back to Fourth Uncle's house, feeling very uneasy at heart.自己想，我這答話怕於她有些危險。I thought to myself that my answer might well be dangerous for her.她大約因為在別人的祝福時候，感到自身的寂寞了，然而會不會含有別的甚麽意思的呢？——或者是有了甚麽預感了？Perhaps, amid other people's New Year's Sacrifice, she had simply felt her own loneliness — but might there not be some other meaning in it? — Or had she some kind of premonition?倘有別的意思，又因此發生別的事，則我的答話委實該負若干的責任……。If there were some other meaning, and something else were to happen because of it, then my answer would indeed bear some share of the responsibility...但隨後也就自笑，覺得偶爾的事，本沒有甚麽深意義，而我偏要細細推敲，正無怪教育家要說是生著神經病；But then I laughed at myself, feeling that it was merely a chance occurrence with no deep meaning at all, and that my insistence on picking it apart so minutely was just the sort of thing educators would call a symptom of neurosis;而況明明說過「說不清」，已經推翻了答話的全局，即使發生甚麽事，於我也毫無關係了。moreover, I had plainly said "I can't say for certain," which had already overturned the whole force of my answer, so that even if something did happen, it would have nothing whatever to do with me.

我乘她不再紧接的问，迈开步便走，匆匆的逃回四叔的家中，心里很觉得不安逸。自己想，我这答话怕于她有些危险。她大约因为在别人的祝福时候，感到自身的寂寞了，然而会不会含有别的甚么意思的呢？——或者是有了甚么预感了？倘有别的意思，又因此发生别的事，则我的答话委实该负若干的责任……。但随后也就自笑，觉得偶尔的事，本没有甚么深意义，而我偏要细细推敲，正无怪教育家要说是生著神经病；而况明明说过「说不清」，已经推翻了答话的全局，即使发生甚么事，于我也毫无关系了。

「說不清」是一句極有用的話。"I can't say for certain" is an extremely useful phrase.不更事的勇敢的少年，往往敢於給人解決疑問，選定醫生，萬一結果不佳，大抵反成了怨府，然而一用這說不清來作結束，便事事逍遙自在了。Inexperienced, bold young people often dare to resolve others' doubts for them, or choose a doctor on their behalf, and if the result should turn out badly, they generally become the target of resentment instead; but once one closes with this "can't say for certain," one is free and easy in everything.我在這時，更感到這一句話的必要，即使和討飯的女人說話，也是萬不可省的。At this time I felt all the more the necessity of this phrase — even in speaking with a woman who begs for food, it was a thing on no account to be dispensed with.

「说不清」是一句极有用的话。不更事的勇敢的少年，往往敢于给人解决疑问，选定医生，万一结果不佳，大抵反成了怨府，然而一用这说不清来作结束，便事事逍遥自在了。我在这时，更感到这一句话的必要，即使和讨饭的女人说话，也是万不可省的。

但是我總覺得不安，過了一夜，也仍然時時記憶起來，仿佛懷著甚麽不祥的預感，在陰沉的雪天裏，在無聊的書房裏，這不安愈加強烈了。Still, I could not help feeling uneasy, and even after a night had passed I kept recalling it again and again, as though harboring some ominous premonition; in the gloomy, snowy weather, in the tedious study, this uneasiness grew ever stronger.不如走罷，明天進城去。Better to leave, then — tomorrow I would go into the city.福興樓的清燉魚翅，一元一大盤，價廉物美，現在不知增價了否？The clear-stewed shark's fin at the Fuxing Restaurant, a whole yuan for a large plate, cheap and good — I wondered whether the price had gone up by now?往日同遊的朋友，雖然已經雲散，然而魚翅是不可不喫的，即使只有我一個……。Although the friends who once dined there with me had scattered like clouds, the shark's fin was still not to be missed, even if I were to eat it alone...無論如何，我明天決計要走了。In any case, I resolved that I would leave the next day.

但是我总觉得不安，过了一夜，也仍然时时记忆起来，仿佛怀著甚么不祥的预感，在阴沉的雪天里，在无聊的书房里，这不安愈加强烈了。不如走罢，明天进城去。福兴楼的清炖鱼翅，一元一大盘，价廉物美，现在不知增价了否？往日同游的朋友，虽然已经云散，然而鱼翅是不可不吃的，即使只有我一个……。无论如何，我明天决计要走了。

我因為常見些但願不如所料，以為未畢竟如所料的事，卻每每恰如所料的起來，所以很恐怕這事也一律。Because I had often seen things one hoped would not turn out as feared, things one supposed surely would not happen as expected, turn out time and again exactly as feared, I was very much afraid this matter would prove no exception.果然，特別的情形開始了。Sure enough, something out of the ordinary began.傍晚，我竟聽到有些人聚在內室裏談話，仿佛議論甚麽事似的，但不一會，說話聲也就止了，只有四叔且走而且高聲的說：Toward evening I actually heard some people gathered in the inner room, talking as though discussing some matter; but before long the voices ceased, and only Fourth Uncle could be heard, walking about and saying loudly:

我因为常见些但愿不如所料，以为未毕竟如所料的事，却每每恰如所料的起来，所以很恐怕这事也一律。果然，特别的情形开始了。傍晚，我竟听到有些人聚在内室里谈话，仿佛议论甚么事似的，但不一会，说话声也就止了，只有四叔且走而且高声的说：

「不早不遲，偏偏要在這時候——這就可見是一個謬種！」"Not early, not late, but choosing this very moment — that alone shows what a wretched creature she was!"

「不早不迟，偏偏要在这时候——这就可见是一个谬种！」

我先是詫異，接著是很不安，似乎這話於我有關係。At first I was startled, and then very uneasy, as if these words had something to do with me.試望門外，誰也沒有。I looked out toward the doorway, but there was no one there.好容易待到晚飯前他們的短工來沖茶，我才得了打聽消息的機會。Only with great patience did I wait until, just before supper, their hired hand came in to make tea, and I finally got a chance to ask after the news.

我先是诧异，接著是很不安，似乎这话于我有关系。试望门外，谁也没有。好容易待到晚饭前他们的短工来冲茶，我才得了打听消息的机会。

「剛才，四老爺和誰生氣呢？」我問。"Who was Fourth Master angry at just now?" I asked.

「刚才，四老爷和谁生气呢？」我问。

「還不是和祥林嫂？」那短工簡捷的說。"Who else but Xianglin Sao?" the hired hand said curtly.

「还不是和祥林嫂？」那短工简捷的说。

「祥林嫂？"Xianglin Sao?怎麽了？」我又趕緊的問。What's happened?" I asked again, quickly.

「祥林嫂？怎么了？」我又赶紧的问。

「老了。」"She's gone."

「死了？」我的心突然緊縮，幾乎跳起來，臉上大約也變了色，但他始終沒有擡頭，所以全不覺。"Dead?" My heart suddenly clenched, and I nearly leapt up; my face must have changed color too, but he never once raised his head, so he noticed nothing at all.我也就鎮定了自己，接著問：I steadied myself and went on to ask:

「死了？」我的心突然紧缩，几乎跳起来，脸上大约也变了色，但他始终没有抬头，所以全不觉。我也就镇定了自己，接著问：

「甚麽時候死的？」"When did she die?"

「甚么时候死的？」

「甚麽時候？——昨天夜裏，或者就是今天罷。——我說不清。」"When? — Last night, or maybe today. — I can't say for certain."

「甚么时候？——昨天夜里，或者就是今天罢。——我说不清。」

「怎麽死的？」"How did she die?"

「怎么死的？」

「怎麽死的？——還不是窮死的？」他淡然的回答，仍然沒有擡頭向我看，出去了。"How did she die? — What else but died of poverty?" he answered indifferently, still without looking up at me, and went out.

「怎么死的？——还不是穷死的？」他淡然的回答，仍然没有抬头向我看，出去了。

然而我的驚惶卻不過暫時的事，隨著就覺得要來的事，已經過去，並不必仰仗我自己的「說不清」和他之所謂「窮死的」的寬慰，心地已經漸漸輕鬆；Yet my alarm was only a momentary thing; presently I felt that the thing bound to happen had already happened, and I no longer needed to rely on my own "can't say for certain" or his "died of poverty" for comfort — my mind gradually grew lighter;不過偶然之間，還似乎有些負疚。only now and then did I still seem to feel some twinge of guilt.晚飯擺出來了，四叔儼然的陪著。Supper was set out, and Fourth Uncle sat with me in solemn state.我也還想打聽些關於祥林嫂的消息，但知道他雖然讀過「鬼神者，二氣之良能也」，而忌諱仍然極多，當臨近祝福時候，是萬不可提起死亡、疾病之類的話的，倘不得已，就該用一種替代的隱語，可惜我又不知道，因此屢次想問，而終於中止了。I still wanted to ask further about Xianglin Sao, but I knew that although he had read the line "ghosts and spirits are the fine workings of the two vital forces," he still observed a great many taboos, and that at a time so close to the New Year's Sacrifice one must on no account mention words like death or illness, and that if it could not be helped one ought to use some substitute, veiled expression instead — which, unfortunately, I did not know — and so, though I wished again and again to ask, in the end I always stopped myself.我從他儼然的臉色上，又忽而疑他正以為我不早不遲，偏要在這時候來打攪他，也是一個謬種，便立刻告訴他明天要離開魯鎮，進城去，趁早放寬了他的心。From his solemn expression I suddenly suspected that he too was thinking I had come, not early, not late, but had chosen this very moment to trouble him — that I too was a wretched creature — so I told him at once that I would leave Luzhen the next day and go into the city, to set his mind at ease as soon as possible.他也不很留。He did not press me very hard to stay, either.這樣悶悶的喫完了一餐飯。In this gloomy fashion the meal was finished.

然而我的惊惶却不过暂时的事，随著就觉得要来的事，已经过去，并不必仰仗我自己的「说不清」和他之所谓「穷死的」的宽慰，心地已经渐渐轻松；不过偶然之间，还似乎有些负疚。晚饭摆出来了，四叔俨然的陪著。我也还想打听些关于祥林嫂的消息，但知道他虽然读过「鬼神者，二气之良能也」，而忌讳仍然极多，当临近祝福时候，是万不可提起死亡、疾病之类的话的，倘不得已，就该用一种替代的隐语，可惜我又不知道，因此屡次想问，而终于中止了。我从他俨然的脸色上，又忽而疑他正以为我不早不迟，偏要在这时候来打搅他，也是一个谬种，便立刻告诉他明天要离开鲁镇，进城去，趁早放宽了他的心。他也不很留。这样闷闷的吃完了一餐饭。

冬季日短，又是雪天，夜色早已籠罩了全市鎮。Winter days are short, and with the snow besides, night had long since settled over the whole town.人們都在燈下匆忙，但窗外很寂靜。People were all bustling about beneath their lamps, but outside the window all was very still.雪花落在積得厚厚的雪褥上面，聽去似乎瑟瑟有聲，使人更加感得沉寂。The snowflakes fell onto the thick quilt of snow already piled up, giving off what seemed a faint rustling sound, which made one feel the stillness all the more.我獨坐在發出黃光的菜油燈下，想，這百無聊賴的祥林嫂，被人們棄在塵芥堆中的，看得厭倦了的陳舊的玩物，先前還將形骸露在塵芥裏，從活得有趣的人們看來，恐怕要怪訝她何以還要存在，現在總算被無常打掃得乾凈凈了。I sat alone beneath the yellow light of the vegetable-oil lamp, thinking: this utterly wretched Xianglin Sao, cast aside by others onto the rubbish heap, a stale plaything they had grown weary of the sight of — before, she had still exposed her wasted frame amid the refuse, so that those who found life so interesting must surely have wondered, with some astonishment, why she went on existing at all — and now at last she had been swept clean away by the Impermanence of death.魂靈的有無，我不知道；Whether or not there are souls, I do not know;然而在現世，則無聊生者不生，即使厭見者不見，為人為己，也還都不錯。but in this present world, that one who is tedious to the living should cease to live, and that one whom others are weary of seeing should no longer be seen, is, for others' sake as much as her own, no bad thing after all.我靜聽著窗外似乎瑟瑟作響的雪花聲，一面想，反而漸漸的舒暢起來。I listened quietly to the faint rustling sound the snowflakes seemed to make outside the window, and as I thought this over, I found myself, instead, growing gradually more at ease.

冬季日短，又是雪天，夜色早已笼罩了全市镇。人们都在灯下匆忙，但窗外很寂静。雪花落在积得厚厚的雪褥上面，听去似乎瑟瑟有声，使人更加感得沉寂。我独坐在发出黄光的菜油灯下，想，这百无聊赖的祥林嫂，被人们弃在尘芥堆中的，看得厌倦了的陈旧的玩物，先前还将形骸露在尘芥里，从活得有趣的人们看来，恐怕要怪讶她何以还要存在，现在总算被无常打扫得干净净了。魂灵的有无，我不知道；然而在现世，则无聊生者不生，即使厌见者不见，为人为己，也还都不错。我静听著窗外似乎瑟瑟作响的雪花声，一面想，反而渐渐的舒畅起来。

然而先前所見所聞的她的半生事跡的斷片，至此也聯成一片了。And now the fragments of what I had earlier seen and heard of half her life's history came together, at last, into a whole.

然而先前所见所闻的她的半生事迹的断片，至此也联成一片了。

她不是魯鎮人。She was not a native of Luzhen.有一年的冬初，四叔家裏要換女工，做中人的衛老婆子帶她進來了，頭上紮著白頭繩，烏裙，藍夾襖，月白背心，年紀大約二十六七，臉色青黃，但兩頰卻還是紅的。One year, in early winter, Fourth Uncle's household needed to change its maidservant, and Old Mrs. Wei, who acted as go-between, brought her in — a white cord tied round her hair, a black skirt, a blue lined jacket, a moon-white waistcoat, about twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age, her complexion sallow, but her cheeks still red.衛老婆子叫她祥林嫂，說是自己母家的鄰舍，死了當家人，所以出來做工了。Old Mrs. Wei called her Xianglin Sao, and said she was a neighbor of her own mother's family, whose husband had died, and so she had come out to find work.四叔皺了皺眉，四嬸已經知道了他的意思，是在討厭她是一個寡婦。Fourth Uncle frowned, and Fourth Aunt already understood his meaning — he disliked the fact that she was a widow.但是她模樣還周正，手腳都壯大，又只是順著眼，不開一句口，很像一個安分耐勞的人，便不管四叔的皺眉，將她留下了。But her looks were still presentable, her hands and feet sturdy and large, and she kept her eyes cast down and did not say a single word, seeming very much a steady, hard-working sort of person, so, disregarding Fourth Uncle's frown, they kept her on.試工期內，她整天的做，似乎閑著就無聊，又有力，簡直抵得過一個男子，所以第三天就定局，每月工錢五百文。During her trial period she worked the whole day long, as though idleness itself were tedious to her, and she was so strong that she was fully a match for a man; so on the third day it was settled, at wages of five hundred cash a month.

她不是鲁镇人。有一年的冬初，四叔家里要换女工，做中人的卫老婆子带她进来了，头上扎著白头绳，乌裙，蓝夹袄，月白背心，年纪大约二十六七，脸色青黄，但两颊却还是红的。卫老婆子叫她祥林嫂，说是自己母家的邻舍，死了当家人，所以出来做工了。四叔皱了皱眉，四婶已经知道了他的意思，是在讨厌她是一个寡妇。但是她模样还周正，手脚都壮大，又只是顺著眼，不开一句口，很像一个安分耐劳的人，便不管四叔的皱眉，将她留下了。试工期内，她整天的做，似乎闲著就无聊，又有力，简直抵得过一个男子，所以第三天就定局，每月工钱五百文。

大家都叫她祥林嫂；Everyone called her Xianglin Sao;沒問她姓甚麽，但中人是衛家山人，既說是鄰居，那大概也就姓衛了。no one asked her own surname, but since the go-between was from Weijia Shan, and she was said to be a neighbor, she was probably surnamed Wei as well.她不很愛說話，別人問了才回答，答的也不多。She was not much given to talk; she answered only when asked, and even then said little.直到十幾天之後，這才陸續的知道她家裏還有嚴厲的婆婆，一個小叔子，十多歲，能打柴了；It was not until more than ten days had passed that people gradually learned she still had a stern mother-in-law at home, and a young brother-in-law, over ten years old, already able to gather firewood;她是春天沒了丈夫的；her husband had died that spring;他本來也打柴為生，比她小十歲：大家所知道的就只是這一點。he too had made his living by gathering firewood, and had been ten years younger than she: this was all that anyone came to know.

大家都叫她祥林嫂；没问她姓甚么，但中人是卫家山人，既说是邻居，那大概也就姓卫了。她不很爱说话，别人问了才回答，答的也不多。直到十几天之后，这才陆续的知道她家里还有严厉的婆婆，一个小叔子，十多岁，能打柴了；她是春天没了丈夫的；他本来也打柴为生，比她小十岁：大家所知道的就只是这一点。

日子很快的過去了，她的做工卻毫沒有懈，食物不論，力氣是不惜的。The days passed quickly, and her work never slackened in the least; she cared nothing for what she ate, and spared no effort at all.人們都說魯四老爺家裏雇著了女工，實在比勤快的男人還勤快。People all said that the maidservant hired in Fourth Master Lu's household was truly more industrious than even a hard-working man.到年底，掃塵，洗地，殺雞，宰鵝，徹夜的煮福禮，全是一人擔當，竟沒有添短工。By the year's end, sweeping the dust, scrubbing the floors, killing chickens, slaughtering geese, boiling the New Year's offerings the whole night through — all of it she took on alone, so that no extra hired hand was even needed.然而她反滿足，口角邊漸漸的有了笑影，臉上也白胖了。Yet she, for her part, seemed content; the corners of her mouth gradually took on the shadow of a smile, and her face grew fair and plump.

日子很快的过去了，她的做工却毫没有懈，食物不论，力气是不惜的。人们都说鲁四老爷家里雇著了女工，实在比勤快的男人还勤快。到年底，扫尘，洗地，杀鸡，宰鹅，彻夜的煮福礼，全是一人担当，竟没有添短工。然而她反满足，口角边渐渐的有了笑影，脸上也白胖了。

新年才過，她從河邊淘米回來時，忽而失了色，說剛才遠遠地看見幾個男人在對岸徘徊，很像夫家的堂伯，恐怕是正在尋她而來的。The New Year had scarcely passed when, returning one day from washing rice by the river, she suddenly turned pale, saying that she had just seen, far off, several men loitering on the opposite bank, who looked very much like her husband's paternal uncle, and that they were probably coming in search of her.四嬸很驚疑，打聽底細，她又不說。Fourth Aunt was quite alarmed and suspicious, and pressed her for the details, but she would not tell.四叔一知道，就皺一皺眉，道：As soon as Fourth Uncle learned of it, he frowned and said:

新年才过，她从河边淘米回来时，忽而失了色，说刚才远远地看见几个男人在对岸徘徊，很像夫家的堂伯，恐怕是正在寻她而来的。四婶很惊疑，打听底细，她又不说。四叔一知道，就皱一皱眉，道：

「這不好。"This is bad.恐怕她是逃出來的。」I'm afraid she must have run away from home."

「这不好。恐怕她是逃出来的。」

她誠然是逃出來的，不多久，這推想就證實了。She had indeed run away, and before long this surmise was confirmed.

她诚然是逃出来的，不多久，这推想就证实了。

此後大約十幾天，大家正已漸漸忘卻了先前的事，衛老婆子忽而帶了一個三十多歲的女人進來了，說那是祥林嫂的婆婆。About ten-odd days after this, just as everyone was gradually forgetting what had happened before, Old Mrs. Wei suddenly brought in a woman of thirty-some years, saying that she was Xianglin's Wife's mother-in-law.那女人雖是山裏人模樣，然而應酬很從容，說話也能幹，寒暄之後，就賠罪，說她特來叫她的兒媳回家去，因為開春事務忙，而家中只有老的和小的，人手不夠了。Though the woman looked like a mountain-village person, she was quite composed in her manner and capable in speech; after the exchange of greetings, she apologized, saying she had come especially to take her daughter-in-law home, because with spring beginning there was much work to do, and at home there were only the old and the young, not enough hands.

此后大约十几天，大家正已渐渐忘却了先前的事，卫老婆子忽而带了一个三十多岁的女人进来了，说那是祥林嫂的婆婆。那女人虽是山里人模样，然而应酬很从容，说话也能干，寒暄之后，就赔罪，说她特来叫她的儿媳回家去，因为开春事务忙，而家中只有老的和小的，人手不够了。

「既是她的婆婆要她回去，那有甚麽話可說的呢？」四叔說。"Since it's her mother-in-law wanting her to go back, what is there to say?" said Fourth Uncle.於是算清了工錢，一共一千七百五十文，她全存在主人家，一文也還沒有用，便都交給她的婆婆。So her wages were reckoned up, one thousand seven hundred and fifty coppers in all; she had left it all on deposit with her employers, not having spent a single coin, and it was all handed over to her mother-in-law.那女人又取了衣服，道過謝，出去了。The woman also took her clothes, offered thanks, and went out.其時已經是正午。By then it was already noon.

「既是她的婆婆要她回去，那有甚么话可说的呢？」四叔说。于是算清了工钱，一共一千七百五十文，她全存在主人家，一文也还没有用，便都交给她的婆婆。那女人又取了衣服，道过谢，出去了。其时已经是正午。

「阿呀，米呢？"Oh! Where's the rice?祥林嫂不是去淘米的麽？……」好一會，四嬸這才驚叫起來。Wasn't Xianglin's Wife off washing the rice?..." It was a good while before Fourth Aunt cried out in alarm like this.她大約有些餓，記得午飯了。She was probably a little hungry, and had remembered the midday meal.

「阿呀，米呢？祥林嫂不是去淘米的么？……」好一会，四婶这才惊叫起来。她大约有些饿，记得午饭了。

於是大家分頭尋淘籮。So everyone split up to search for the rice-basket.她先到廚下，次到堂前，後到臥房，全不見淘籮的影子。She went first to the kitchen, then to the hall, then to the bedroom, but there was no sign of the rice-basket anywhere.四叔踱出門外，也不見，一直到河邊，才見平平正正的放在岸上，旁邊還有一株菜。Fourth Uncle strolled outside the gate, but still saw nothing, and it was only when he reached the riverbank that he found it, set neatly on the bank, with a stalk of vegetable beside it.

于是大家分头寻淘箩。她先到厨下，次到堂前，后到卧房，全不见淘箩的影子。四叔踱出门外，也不见，一直到河边，才见平平正正的放在岸上，旁边还有一株菜。

看見的人報告說，河裏面上午就泊了一隻白篷船，篷是全蓋起來的，不知道甚麽人在裏面，但事前也沒有人去理會他。Those who had seen it reported that a boat with a white awning had been moored on the river since morning, the awning entirely covered over, so that no one knew who was inside, but beforehand no one had paid it any mind.待到祥林嫂出來淘米，剛剛要跪下去，那船裏便突然跳出兩個男人來，像是山裏人，一個抱住她，一個幫著，拖進船去了。By the time Xianglin's Wife came out to wash the rice and was just about to kneel down, two men suddenly leapt out of the boat—they looked like mountain-village men—one seized hold of her while the other helped, and dragged her into the boat.祥林嫂還哭喊了幾聲，此後便再沒有甚麽聲息，大約給用甚麽堵住了罷。Xianglin's Wife cried out a few times more, but after that there was no more sound at all—probably her mouth had been stopped up with something.接著就走上兩個女人來，一個不認識，一個就是衛婆子。Then two women came walking up; one was unknown, the other was Old Mrs. Wei.窺探艙裏，不很分明，她像是捆了躺在船板上。Peering into the cabin, it was not very clear, but she seemed to be bound and lying on the boat's planking.

看见的人报告说，河里面上午就泊了一只白篷船，篷是全盖起来的，不知道甚么人在里面，但事前也没有人去理会他。待到祥林嫂出来淘米，刚刚要跪下去，那船里便突然跳出两个男人来，像是山里人，一个抱住她，一个帮著，拖进船去了。祥林嫂还哭喊了几声，此后便再没有甚么声息，大约给用甚么堵住了罢。接著就走上两个女人来，一个不认识，一个就是卫婆子。窥探舱里，不很分明，她像是捆了躺在船板上。

「可惡！"Outrageous!然而……。」四叔說。And yet..." said Fourth Uncle.

「可恶！然而……。」四叔说。

這一天是四嬸自己煮中飯；That day Fourth Aunt cooked the midday meal herself;他們的兒子阿牛燒火。their son Ah Niu tended the fire.

这一天是四婶自己煮中饭；他们的儿子阿牛烧火。

午飯之後，衛老婆子又來了。After lunch, Old Mrs. Wei came again.

午饭之后，卫老婆子又来了。

「可惡！」四叔說。"Outrageous!" said Fourth Uncle.

「可恶！」四叔说。

「你是甚麽意思？"What do you mean by this?虧你還會再來見我們。」四嬸洗著碗，一見面就憤憤的說，「你自己薦她來，又合夥劫她去，鬧得沸反盈天的，大家看了成個甚麽樣子？How can you have the face to come and see us again." Fourth Aunt, washing the dishes, spoke angrily the moment she saw her, "You yourself recommended her to us, and then joined in kidnapping her away, kicking up such an uproar—what must it look like to everyone who saw it?你拿我們家裏開玩笑麽？」Are you making a joke of our household?"

「你是甚么意思？亏你还会再来见我们。」四婶洗著碗，一见面就愤愤的说，「你自己荐她来，又合伙劫她去，闹得沸反盈天的，大家看了成个甚么样子？你拿我们家里开玩笑么？」

「阿呀阿呀，我真上當。"Oh dear, oh dear, I was really taken in.我這回，就是為此特地來說說清楚的。This time, it's just for this that I've come specially to explain things clearly.她來求我薦地方，我那裏料得到是瞞著她的婆婆的呢。She came asking me to find her a place, and how could I have guessed she was hiding it from her mother-in-law?對不起，四老爺，四太太。I'm sorry, Fourth Master, Fourth Mistress.總是我老發昏不小心，對不起主顧。It's all my own muddleheaded carelessness, and I've let my patrons down.幸而府上是向來寬宏大量，不肯和小人計較的。Fortunately your household has always been generous and broad-minded, and won't stoop to quarrel with a lowly person like me.這回我一定薦一個好的來折罪……。」This time I'll be sure to find you a good one to make up for my fault..."

「阿呀阿呀，我真上当。我这回，就是为此特地来说说清楚的。她来求我荐地方，我那里料得到是瞒著她的婆婆的呢。对不起，四老爷，四太太。总是我老发昏不小心，对不起主顾。幸而府上是向来宽宏大量，不肯和小人计较的。这回我一定荐一个好的来折罪……。」

「然而……。」四叔說。"And yet..." said Fourth Uncle.

「然而……。」四叔说。

於是祥林嫂事件便告終結，不久也就忘卻了。And so the matter of Xianglin's Wife came to a close, and before long it was forgotten.

于是祥林嫂事件便告终结，不久也就忘却了。

只有四嫂，因為後來雇用的女工，大抵非懶即饞，或者饞而且懶，左右不如意，所以也還提起祥林嫂。Only Fourth Aunt, because the maidservants hired afterward were mostly either lazy or greedy, or both greedy and lazy, and none of them satisfactory, still occasionally spoke of Xianglin's Wife.每當這些時候，她往往自言自語的說，「她現在不知道怎麽樣了？」意思是希望她再來。Whenever such times came, she would often mutter to herself, "I wonder how she's doing now?"—meaning that she hoped she would come back.但到第二年的新正，她也就絕了望。But by the New Year's first month of the following year, she had given up hope.

只有四嫂，因为后来雇用的女工，大抵非懒即馋，或者馋而且懒，左右不如意，所以也还提起祥林嫂。每当这些时候，她往往自言自语的说，「她现在不知道怎么样了？」意思是希望她再来。但到第二年的新正，她也就绝了望。

新正將盡，衛老婆子來拜年了，已經喝得醉醺醺的，自說因為回了一趟衛家山的娘家，住下幾天，所以來得遲了。As the New Year season was drawing to a close, Old Mrs. Wei came to pay a New Year visit, already quite tipsy with drink; she said herself that because she had gone back to her natal home at Weijia Hill and stayed several days, she had come late.她們問答之間，自然就談到祥林嫂。In the course of their questions and answers, the talk naturally turned to Xianglin's Wife.

新正将尽，卫老婆子来拜年了，已经喝得醉醺醺的，自说因为回了一趟卫家山的娘家，住下几天，所以来得迟了。她们问答之间，自然就谈到祥林嫂。

「她麽？」衛老婆子高興的說，「現在是交了好運了。"Her?" said Old Mrs. Wei happily. "She's come into good luck now.她婆婆來抓她回去的時候，是早已許給了賀家坳的賀老六的，所以回家之後不幾天，也就裝在花轎裏擡去了。」When her mother-in-law came to seize her and take her back, she had already long since been promised to He Laoliu of Hejia Hollow, so only a few days after she got home, she was put into a flowered bridal sedan and carried off."

「她么？」卫老婆子高兴的说，「现在是交了好运了。她婆婆来抓她回去的时候，是早已许给了贺家坳的贺老六的，所以回家之后不几天，也就装在花轿里抬去了。」

「阿呀，這樣的婆婆！……」四嬸驚奇的說。"Oh my, what a mother-in-law!..." said Fourth Aunt in astonishment.

「阿呀，这样的婆婆！……」四婶惊奇的说。

「阿呀，我的太太！"Oh, my dear Mistress!你真是大戶人家的太太的話。That's really the talk of a lady from a great household.我們山裏人，小戶人家，這算得甚麽？For us mountain folk, small households, what does this amount to?她有小叔子，也得娶老婆。She has a younger brother-in-law who also needs a wife.不嫁了她，那有這一注錢來做聘禮？If they hadn't married her off, where would they have gotten this sum of money for the betrothal gift?他的婆婆倒是精明強幹的女人呵，很有打算，所以就將地嫁到裏山去。Her mother-in-law is really a shrewd and capable woman, with a good head for planning, and so she married her off into the mountains beyond.倘許給本村人，財禮就不多；If she'd been promised to someone in her own village, the betrothal gift wouldn't have amounted to much;惟獨肯嫁進深山野坳裏去的女人少，所以她就到手了八十千。but there are few women willing to marry deep into the wild mountain hollows, so she got as much as eighty thousand cash.現在第二個兒子的媳婦也娶進了，財禮花了五十，除去辦喜事的費用，還剩十多千。Now the second son's bride has also been taken in—the betrothal gift cost fifty thousand, and after deducting the wedding expenses, there's still more than ten thousand left over.嚇，你看，這多麽好打算？……」Hah, just see, what a clever bit of planning that is!..."

「阿呀，我的太太！你真是大户人家的太太的话。我们山里人，小户人家，这算得甚么？她有小叔子，也得娶老婆。不嫁了她，那有这一注钱来做聘礼？他的婆婆倒是精明强干的女人呵，很有打算，所以就将地嫁到里山去。倘许给本村人，财礼就不多；惟独肯嫁进深山野坳里去的女人少，所以她就到手了八十千。现在第二个儿子的媳妇也娶进了，财礼花了五十，除去办喜事的费用，还剩十多千。吓，你看，这多么好打算？……」

「祥林嫂竟肯依？……」"And Xianglin's Wife actually consented?..."

「這有甚麽依不依。——鬧是誰也總要鬧一鬧的，只要用繩子一捆，塞在花轎裏，擡到男家，捺上花冠，拜堂，關上房門，就完事了。"What's there to consent or not consent about. — Making a fuss—everyone puts up some fuss, that's only natural. All you need is to bind her with a rope, stuff her into the bridal sedan, carry her to the groom's house, press the wedding crown onto her head, have her bow before the ancestral tablets, shut the bridal-chamber door, and it's all settled.可是祥林嫂真出格，聽說那時實在鬧得利害，大家還都說大約因為在念書人家做過事，所以與眾不同呢。But Xianglin's Wife really was out of the ordinary; they say she carried on something fierce at the time, and everyone said it was probably because she'd worked in a scholar's household, and so was different from the common run.太太，我們見得多了：回頭人出嫁，哭喊的也有，說要尋死覓活的也有，擡到男家鬧得拜不成天地的也有，連花燭都砸了的也有。Mistress, we've seen plenty of this: among widows remarrying, some cry and wail, some threaten to kill themselves, some make such a scene at the groom's house that they can't even get through the bowing to Heaven and Earth, and some even smash the wedding candles.祥林嫂可是異乎尋常，他們說她一路只是嚎，罵，擡到賀家坳，喉嚨已經全啞了。But Xianglin's Wife was truly extraordinary—they say she did nothing the whole way but howl and curse, and by the time she was carried to Hejia Hollow her throat was already completely hoarse.拉出轎來，兩個男人和她的小叔子使勁的捺住她也還拜不成天地。When they pulled her out of the sedan, two men and her brother-in-law held her down with all their strength, and still they couldn't get her to bow to Heaven and Earth.他們一不小心，一鬆手，阿呀，阿彌陀佛，她就一頭撞在香案角上，頭上碰了一個大窟窿，鮮血直流，用了兩把香灰，包上兩塊紅布還止不住血呢。The moment they were careless and loosened their grip—oh my, Amitabha—she smashed her head straight into the corner of the incense table, gashing a great hole in her head, blood pouring out; they used two handfuls of incense ash and wrapped it with two pieces of red cloth, and still couldn't stop the bleeding.直到七手八腳的將她和男人反關在新房裏，還是罵，阿呀呀，這真是……。」她搖一搖頭，順下眼睛，不說了。Not until, with much fumbling and scrambling, they had shut her up together with the man in the bridal chamber did she stop—no, even then she went on cursing, oh dear me, it really was..." She shook her head, lowered her eyes, and said no more.

「这有甚么依不依。——闹是谁也总要闹一闹的，只要用绳子一捆，塞在花轿里，抬到男家，捺上花冠，拜堂，关上房门，就完事了。可是祥林嫂真出格，听说那时实在闹得利害，大家还都说大约因为在念书人家做过事，所以与众不同呢。太太，我们见得多了：回头人出嫁，哭喊的也有，说要寻死觅活的也有，抬到男家闹得拜不成天地的也有，连花烛都砸了的也有。祥林嫂可是异乎寻常，他们说她一路只是嚎，骂，抬到贺家坳，喉咙已经全哑了。拉出轿来，两个男人和她的小叔子使劲的捺住她也还拜不成天地。他们一不小心，一松手，阿呀，阿弥陀佛，她就一头撞在香案角上，头上碰了一个大窟窿，鲜血直流，用了两把香灰，包上两块红布还止不住血呢。直到七手八脚的将她和男人反关在新房里，还是骂，阿呀呀，这真是……。」她摇一摇头，顺下眼睛，不说了。

「後來怎麽樣呢？」四婢還問。"And what happened after that?" Fourth Aunt asked further.

「后来怎么样呢？」四婢还问。

「聽說第二天也沒有起來。」她擡起眼來說。"I heard that she didn't even get up the next day." she said, raising her eyes.

「听说第二天也没有起来。」她抬起眼来说。

「後來呢？」"And after that?"

「后来呢？」

「後來？——起來了。"After that? — She got up.她到年底就生了一個孩子，男的，新年就兩歲了。By the end of the year she'd had a child, a boy, who turned two this New Year.我在娘家這幾天，就有人到賀家坳去，回來說看見他們娘兒倆，母親也胖，兒子也胖；During these days I was at my natal home, someone went over to Hejia Hollow and came back saying they'd seen the two of them, mother and son, and both mother and boy were plump;上頭又沒有婆婆，男人所有的是力氣，會做活；there's no mother-in-law over her, and the husband has plenty of strength and knows how to work;房子是自家的。——唉唉，她真是交了好運了。」the house is their own. — Ah well, she really has come into good luck."

「后来？——起来了。她到年底就生了一个孩子，男的，新年就两岁了。我在娘家这几天，就有人到贺家坳去，回来说看见他们娘儿俩，母亲也胖，儿子也胖；上头又没有婆婆，男人所有的是力气，会做活；房子是自家的。——唉唉，她真是交了好运了。」

從此之後，四嬸也就不再提起祥林嫂。From then on, Fourth Aunt no longer spoke of Xianglin's Wife.

从此之后，四婶也就不再提起祥林嫂。

但有一年的秋季，大約是得到祥林嫂好運的消息之後的又過了兩個新年，她竟又站在四叔家的堂前了。But one autumn, about two New Years after the news of Xianglin's Wife's good fortune, she actually stood once more in the hall of Fourth Uncle's house.桌上放著一個荸薺式的圓籃，檐下一個小鋪蓋。On the table sat a round basket shaped like a water-chestnut, and under the eaves lay a small bedroll.她仍然頭上紮著白頭繩，烏裙，藍夾襖，月白背心，臉色青黃，只是兩頰上已經消失了血色，順著眼，眼角上帶些淚痕，眼光也沒有先前那樣精神了。Her hair was still bound with white string, she wore a black skirt, a blue lined jacket, a moon-white waistcoat, her complexion sallow, only now the color had vanished from her cheeks, her eyes downcast, traces of tears at their corners, and her gaze no longer had the spirit it once had.而且仍然是衛老婆子領著，顯出慈悲模樣，絮絮的對四嬸說：And she was still led in by Old Mrs. Wei, who wore a look of compassion and rambled on to Fourth Aunt:

但有一年的秋季，大约是得到祥林嫂好运的消息之后的又过了两个新年，她竟又站在四叔家的堂前了。桌上放著一个荸荠式的圆篮，檐下一个小铺盖。她仍然头上扎著白头绳，乌裙，蓝夹袄，月白背心，脸色青黄，只是两颊上已经消失了血色，顺著眼，眼角上带些泪痕，眼光也没有先前那样精神了。而且仍然是卫老婆子领著，显出慈悲模样，絮絮的对四婶说：

「……"...這實在是叫作『天有不測風雲』，她的男人是堅實人，誰知道年紀輕輕，就會斷送在傷寒上？This really is what's called "unforeseen storms under Heaven"—her husband was a sturdy fellow, and who would have thought that, young as he was, he'd be carried off by typhoid?本來已經好了的，喫了一碗冷飯，復發了。He'd already recovered, but he ate a bowl of cold rice, and it came back.幸虧有兒子；Luckily there was the boy;她又能做，打柴摘茶養蠶都來得，本來還可以守著，誰知道那孩子又會給狼銜去的呢？and she was capable too, could cut firewood, pick tea, raise silkworms, all of it—she could have managed to keep going, but who would have thought the child would be carried off by a wolf?春天快完了，村上倒反來了狼，誰料到？Spring was almost over, and yet a wolf came into the village—who could have guessed it?現在她只剩了一個光身了。Now she's left all alone, with nothing.大伯來收屋，又趕她。Her husband's elder brother came to reclaim the house, and drove her out besides.她真是走投無路了，只好來求老主人。She truly had nowhere left to turn, so she had no choice but to come and beg her former employers.好在她現在已經再沒有甚麽牽掛，太太家裏又凑巧要換人，所以我就領她來——我想，熟門熟路，比生手實在好得多……」Fortunately she has nothing left now to tie her down, and it happens that your household needs to change hands, so I've brought her along—I thought, someone who already knows the ropes is really much better than a raw hand..."

「……这实在是叫作『天有不测风云』，她的男人是坚实人，谁知道年纪轻轻，就会断送在伤寒上？本来已经好了的，吃了一碗冷饭，复发了。幸亏有儿子；她又能做，打柴摘茶养蚕都来得，本来还可以守著，谁知道那孩子又会给狼衔去的呢？春天快完了，村上倒反来了狼，谁料到？现在她只剩了一个光身了。大伯来收屋，又赶她。她真是走投无路了，只好来求老主人。好在她现在已经再没有甚么牵挂，太太家里又凑巧要换人，所以我就领她来——我想，熟门熟路，比生手实在好得多……」

「我真傻，真的，」祥林嫂擡起她沒有神采的眼睛來，接著說。「我單知道下雪的時候野獸在山坳裏沒有食喫，會到村裏來；"I was really foolish, truly," Xianglin's Wife said, raising her lusterless eyes, and went on. "I only knew that in snowy weather, when the wild beasts in the hills have nothing to eat, they come down into the village;我不知道春天也會有。I didn't know that in spring they might come too.我一清早起來就開了門，拿小籃盛了一籃豆，叫我們的阿毛坐在門檻上剝豆去。I got up at first light and opened the door, took a small basket and filled it with beans, and told our Ah Mao to sit on the threshold and shell them.他是很聽話的，我的話句句聽；He was such an obedient child, he listened to my every word;他出去了。he went outside.我就在屋後劈柴，淘米，米下了鍋，要蒸豆。I was out back chopping wood and washing rice; once the rice was in the pot, I was going to steam the beans.我叫阿毛，沒有應，出去一看，只見豆撒得一地，沒有我們的阿毛了。I called for Ah Mao, and got no answer; I went out to look, and saw only the beans scattered all over the ground—our Ah Mao was gone.他是不到別家去玩的；He never went off to play at other people's houses;各處去一問，果然沒有。we asked everywhere, and indeed he was nowhere to be found.我急了，央人出去尋。I grew frantic, and begged people to go out searching.直到下半天，尋來尋去尋到山坳裏，看見刺柴上桂著一只他的小鞋。Not until the afternoon, after searching here and there, did they search their way into the hills, and there on a thorn bush hung one of his little shoes.大家都說，糟了，怕是遭了狼了。Everyone said, this is bad, he must have fallen prey to a wolf.再進去；They went further in;他果然躺在草窠裏，肚裏的五臟已經都給喫空了，手上還緊緊的捏著那只小籃呢。……」她接著但是嗚咽，說不出成句的話來。and there indeed he lay in a nest of grass, his insides already eaten clean out, and in his hand he still clutched that little basket tight..." After this she could only sob, unable to get out any more complete sentences.

「我真傻，真的，」祥林嫂抬起她没有神采的眼睛来，接著说。「我单知道下雪的时候野兽在山坳里没有食吃，会到村里来；我不知道春天也会有。我一清早起来就开了门，拿小篮盛了一篮豆，叫我们的阿毛坐在门槛上剥豆去。他是很听话的，我的话句句听；他出去了。我就在屋后劈柴，淘米，米下了锅，要蒸豆。我叫阿毛，没有应，出去一看，只见豆撒得一地，没有我们的阿毛了。他是不到别家去玩的；各处去一问，果然没有。我急了，央人出去寻。直到下半天，寻来寻去寻到山坳里，看见刺柴上桂著一只他的小鞋。大家都说，糟了，怕是遭了狼了。再进去；他果然躺在草窠里，肚里的五脏已经都给吃空了，手上还紧紧的捏著那只小篮呢。……」她接著但是呜咽，说不出成句的话来。

四嬸起初還躊躊，待到聽完她自己的話，眼圈就有些紅了。Fourth Aunt had at first still hesitated, but by the time she had heard the whole of her account, her eyes had grown a little red.她想了一想，便教拿圓籃和鋪蓋到下房去。She thought it over a moment, then told them to take the round basket and the bedroll to the servants' quarters.衛老婆子仿佛卸了一肩重擔似的噓一口氣，祥林嫂比初來時候神氣舒暢些，不待指引，自己馴熟的安放了鋪蓋。Old Mrs. Wei let out a breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and Xianglin's Wife seemed a little more at ease than when she had first arrived; without waiting to be shown, she settled her bedroll herself, familiar with the way things were done.她從此又在魯鎮做女工了。From then on she was once again a maidservant in Luzhen.

四婶起初还踌踌，待到听完她自己的话，眼圈就有些红了。她想了一想，便教拿圆篮和铺盖到下房去。卫老婆子仿佛卸了一肩重担似的嘘一口气，祥林嫂比初来时候神气舒畅些，不待指引，自己驯熟的安放了铺盖。她从此又在鲁镇做女工了。

大家仍然叫她祥林嫂。Everyone still called her Xianglin's Wife.

然而這一回，她的境遇卻改變得非常大。But this time, her situation had changed very greatly.上工之後的兩三天，主人們就覺得她手腳已沒有先前一樣靈活，記性也壞得多，死屍似的臉上又整日沒有笑影，四嬸的口氣上，已頗有些不滿了。Two or three days after she started work, her employers already felt that her hands and feet were no longer as nimble as before, that her memory had grown much worse, and that her corpse-like face went all day without a trace of a smile; in Fourth Aunt's tone there was already considerable dissatisfaction.當她初到的時候，四叔雖然照例皺過眉，但鑒於向來雇用女工之難，也就並不大反對，只是暗暗地告誡四嬸說，這種人雖然似乎很可憐，但是敗壞風俗的，用她幫忙還可以，祭祀時候可用不著她沾手，一切飯菜，只好自己做，否則，不乾不凈，祖宗是不喫的。When she first arrived, Fourth Uncle, though he had frowned as usual, had not much objected, in view of how difficult it always was to hire maidservants; he had only privately warned Fourth Aunt that although such a person seemed quite pitiable, she was one who corrupted public morals—it was fine to have her help with ordinary things, but at the time of sacrificial offerings she must not be allowed to touch anything, and all the food for the rites would have to be prepared by the family themselves; otherwise, being unclean, the ancestors would not eat it.

然而这一回，她的境遇却改变得非常大。上工之后的两三天，主人们就觉得她手脚已没有先前一样灵活，记性也坏得多，死尸似的脸上又整日没有笑影，四婶的口气上，已颇有些不满了。当她初到的时候，四叔虽然照例皱过眉，但鉴于向来雇用女工之难，也就并不大反对，只是暗暗地告诫四婶说，这种人虽然似乎很可怜，但是败坏风俗的，用她帮忙还可以，祭祀时候可用不著她沾手，一切饭菜，只好自己做，否则，不干不净，祖宗是不吃的。

四叔家裏最重大的事件是祭祀，祥林嫂先前最忙的時候也就是祭祀，這回她卻清閑了。The most important event in Fourth Uncle's household was the sacrificial rite, and it used to be at the sacrifices that Xianglin's Wife was busiest of all; but this time she found herself with nothing to do.桌子放在堂中央，繫上桌幃，她還記得照舊的去分配酒杯和筷子。The table was set in the middle of the hall, the table-skirt tied on, and she still remembered, as before, to go and set out the wine cups and chopsticks.

四叔家里最重大的事件是祭祀，祥林嫂先前最忙的时候也就是祭祀，这回她却清闲了。桌子放在堂中央，系上桌帏，她还记得照旧的去分配酒杯和筷子。

「祥林嫂，你放著罷！"Xianglin's Wife, just leave it be!我來擺。」四嬸慌忙的說。I'll set them out." said Fourth Aunt hastily.

「祥林嫂，你放著罢！我来摆。」四婶慌忙的说。

她訕訕的縮了手，又去取燭臺。She drew back her hand in embarrassment, and went instead to fetch the candlesticks.

她讪讪的缩了手，又去取烛台。

「祥林嫂，你放著罷！"Xianglin's Wife, just leave it be!我來拿。」四嬸又慌忙的說。I'll take them." Fourth Aunt said again, hastily.

「祥林嫂，你放著罢！我来拿。」四婶又慌忙的说。

她轉了幾個圓圈，終於沒有事情做，只得疑惑的走開。She turned about in a few aimless circles, and finding in the end there was nothing for her to do, could only walk away in bewilderment.她在這一天可做的事是不過坐在灶下燒火。The only thing left for her to do that day was to sit at the stove and tend the fire.

她转了几个圆圈，终于没有事情做，只得疑惑的走开。她在这一天可做的事是不过坐在灶下烧火。

鎮上的人們也仍然叫她祥林嫂，但音調和先前很不同；The people of the town still called her Xianglin's Wife too, but their tone was very different from before;也還和她講話，但笑容卻冷冷的了。they still spoke to her, but their smiles had turned cold.她全不理會那些事，只是直著眼睛，和大家講她自己日夜不忘的故事：She paid no attention at all to any of this, but only stared fixedly ahead and told everyone the story she herself could not forget by day or night:

镇上的人们也仍然叫她祥林嫂，但音调和先前很不同；也还和她讲话，但笑容却冷冷的了。她全不理会那些事，只是直著眼睛，和大家讲她自己日夜不忘的故事：

「我真傻，真的，」她說，「我單知道雪天是野獸在深山裏沒有食喫，會到村裏來；"I was really foolish, truly," she said. "I only knew that in snowy weather the wild beasts, having nothing to eat deep in the mountains, would come down into the village;我不知道春天也會有。I didn't know that in spring they might come too."我一大早起來就開了門，拿小籃盛了一籃豆，叫我們的阿毛坐在門檻上剝豆去。I got up at dawn and opened the door, filled a small basket with beans, and told our Ah Mao to sit on the threshold and shell them.他是很聽話的孩子，我的話句句聽；He was a very obedient child, he listened to every word I said;他就出去了。he went out.我就在屋後劈柴，淘米，米下了鍋，打算蒸豆。I was chopping wood and washing rice behind the house, and once the rice was in the pot, I meant to steam the beans.我叫『阿毛！』，沒有應。I called, 'Ah Mao!' but there was no answer.出去一看，只見豆撒得滿地，沒有我們的阿毛了。When I went out to look, I saw only the beans scattered all over the ground — our Ah Mao was gone.各處去一问，都沒有。I asked everywhere, but no one had seen him.我急了，央人去尋去。I grew frantic, and begged people to go and search.直到下半天，幾個人尋到山坳裏，看見刺柴上掛著一只他的小鞋。Not until the afternoon did a few of them, searching in the mountain hollow, see one of his little shoes caught on a thorn bush.大家都說，完了，怕是遭了狼了；Everyone said, it's over, he must have fallen prey to a wolf;再進去；they went in further;果然，他躺在草窠裏，肚裏的五臟已經都給喫空了，可憐他手裏還緊緊的捏著那隻小籃呢。……」她於是淌下眼淚來，聲音也嗚咽了。and sure enough, there he lay in a nest of grass, his insides all eaten away, and — poor child — his hand was still clutching that little basket tightly.……" Then she began to weep, her voice choking with sobs.

「我真傻，真的，」她说，「我单知道雪天是野兽在深山里没有食吃，会到村里来；我不知道春天也会有。我一大早起来就开了门，拿小篮盛了一篮豆，叫我们的阿毛坐在门槛上剥豆去。他是很听话的孩子，我的话句句听；他就出去了。我就在屋后劈柴，淘米，米下了锅，打算蒸豆。我叫『阿毛！』，没有应。出去一看，只见豆撒得满地，没有我们的阿毛了。各处去一问，都没有。我急了，央人去寻去。直到下半天，几个人寻到山坳里，看见刺柴上挂著一只他的小鞋。大家都说，完了，怕是遭了狼了；再进去；果然，他躺在草窠里，肚里的五脏已经都给吃空了，可怜他手里还紧紧的捏著那只小篮呢。……」她于是淌下眼泪来，声音也呜咽了。

這故事倒頗有效，男人聽到這裏，往往斂起笑容，沒趣的走了開去；This story was actually quite effective — men, on hearing this part, would often let their smiles fade and walk off in awkward silence;女人們卻不獨寬恕了她似的，臉上立刻改換了鄙薄的神氣，還要陪出許多眼淚來。the women, however, seemed not merely to forgive her but at once changed their contemptuous expressions, and would even shed a good many tears along with her.有些老女人沒有在街頭聽到她的話，便特意尋來，要聽她這一段悲慘的故事。Some old women, not having heard her story out on the street, made a special trip to seek her out, wanting to hear this tragic tale of hers.直到她說到嗚咽，她們也就一齊流下那停在眼角上的眼淚，嘆息一番，滿足的去了，一面還紛紛的評論著。Not until she reached the point of choking sobs would they, all together, let fall the tears that had been standing at the corners of their eyes, sigh a while, and go away satisfied, discussing it among themselves as they went.

这故事倒颇有效，男人听到这里，往往敛起笑容，没趣的走了开去；女人们却不独宽恕了她似的，脸上立刻改换了鄙薄的神气，还要陪出许多眼泪来。有些老女人没有在街头听到她的话，便特意寻来，要听她这一段悲惨的故事。直到她说到呜咽，她们也就一齐流下那停在眼角上的眼泪，叹息一番，满足的去了，一面还纷纷的评论著。

她就只是反復的向人說她悲慘的故事，常常引住了三五個人來聽她。She simply kept repeating her tragic story to people over and over, often drawing three or five listeners to gather round her.但不久，大家也都聽得純熟了，便是最慈悲的念佛的老太太們，眼裏也再不見有一點淚的痕跡。But before long, everyone had heard it so many times they knew it by heart, and even the most compassionate old sutra-chanting women no longer showed the least trace of tears in their eyes.後來全鎮的人們幾乎都能背誦她的話，一聽到就煩厭得頭痛。Later, nearly everyone in the whole town could recite her words by heart, and the moment they heard them they were so sick of it their heads ached.

她就只是反复的向人说她悲惨的故事，常常引住了三五个人来听她。但不久，大家也都听得纯熟了，便是最慈悲的念佛的老太太们，眼里也再不见有一点泪的痕迹。后来全镇的人们几乎都能背诵她的话，一听到就烦厌得头痛。

「我真傻，真的，」她開首說。'I was truly foolish, truly,' she would begin.

「我真傻，真的，」她开首说。

「是的，你是單知道雪天野獸在深山裏沒有食喫，才會到村裏來的。」他們立即打斷她的話，走開去了。'Yes, you only knew that on snowy days the wild beasts in the deep mountains have nothing to eat, and so they come down to the village.' They would cut her off at once and walk away.

「是的，你是单知道雪天野兽在深山里没有食吃，才会到村里来的。」他们立即打断她的话，走开去了。

她張著口怔怔的站著，直著眼睛看他們，接著也就走了，似乎自己也覺得沒趣。She would stand there open-mouthed, dazed, staring after them with fixed eyes, and then walk off too, as if she herself felt it was pointless.但她還妄想，希圖從別的事，如小籃，豆，別人的孩子上，引出她的阿毛的故事來。But she still nursed the vain hope of leading, from other things — a small basket, beans, other people's children — into the story of her Ah Mao.倘一看見兩三歲的小孩子，她就說：If she happened to see a child of two or three, she would say:

她张著口怔怔的站著，直著眼睛看他们，接著也就走了，似乎自己也觉得没趣。但她还妄想，希图从别的事，如小篮，豆，别人的孩子上，引出她的阿毛的故事来。倘一看见两三岁的小孩子，她就说：

「唉唉，我們的阿毛如果還在，也就有這麽大了……」'Ah, ah, if our Ah Mao were still alive, he would be just this big by now……'

「唉唉，我们的阿毛如果还在，也就有这么大了……」

孩子看見她的眼光就喫驚，牽著母親的衣襟催她走。The child, startled by the look in her eyes, would tug at its mother's hem and urge her to leave.於是又只剩下她一個，終於沒趣的也走了，後來大家又都知道了她的脾氣，只要有孩子在眼前，便似笑非笑的先問她，道：So she would be left alone again, and in the end walk off too, feeling snubbed. Later, once everyone had come to know this habit of hers, as soon as a child appeared they would ask her first, half-smiling:

孩子看见她的眼光就吃惊，牵著母亲的衣襟催她走。于是又只剩下她一个，终于没趣的也走了，后来大家又都知道了她的脾气，只要有孩子在眼前，便似笑非笑的先问她，道：

「祥林嫂，你們的阿毛如果還在，不是也就有這麽大了麽？」'Sister Xianglin, if your Ah Mao were still alive, wouldn't he be just this big now?'

「祥林嫂，你们的阿毛如果还在，不是也就有这么大了么？」

她未必知道她的悲哀經大家咀嚼賞鑒了許多天，早已成為渣滓，只值得煩厭和唾棄；She probably had no idea that her grief, having been chewed over and savored by everyone for so many days, had long since turned to dregs, fit only to be despised and spat upon;但從人們的笑影上，也仿佛覺得這又冷又尖，自己再沒有開口的必要了。but from the shadow of mockery in people's smiles, she seemed to sense how cold and cutting it was, and felt there was no longer any need to open her mouth.她單是一瞥他們，並不回答一句話。She would merely glance at them, without answering a single word.

她未必知道她的悲哀经大家咀嚼赏鉴了许多天，早已成为渣滓，只值得烦厌和唾弃；但从人们的笑影上，也仿佛觉得这又冷又尖，自己再没有开口的必要了。她单是一瞥他们，并不回答一句话。

魯鎮永遠是過新年，臘月二十以後就忙起來了。In Luzhen it was always time to celebrate the New Year — after the twentieth of the twelfth month, things grew busy.四叔家裏這回須雇男短工，還是忙不過來，另叫柳媽做幫手，殺雞，宰鵝；This time Fourth Uncle's household had to hire a manservant, and even so could not manage, so they also called in Sister Liu to help, killing chickens and slaughtering geese;然而柳媽是『善女人』，喫素、不殺生的，只肯洗器皿。but Sister Liu was a 'pious woman,' a vegetarian who would not take life, and would only agree to wash the vessels.祥林嫂除燒火之外，沒有別的事，卻閑著了，坐著只看柳媽洗器皿。Xianglin's Wife, having nothing to do besides tending the fire, was left idle, and sat watching Sister Liu wash the dishes.微雪點點的下來了。A light snow began to fall, flake by flake.

鲁镇永远是过新年，腊月二十以后就忙起来了。四叔家里这回须雇男短工，还是忙不过来，另叫柳妈做帮手，杀鸡，宰鹅；然而柳妈是『善女人』，吃素、不杀生的，只肯洗器皿。祥林嫂除烧火之外，没有别的事，却闲著了，坐著只看柳妈洗器皿。微雪点点的下来了。

「唉唉，我真傻，」祥林嫂看了天空，嘆息著，獨語似的說。'Ah, ah, I was truly foolish,' said Xianglin's Wife, looking up at the sky, sighing as if talking to herself.

「唉唉，我真傻，」祥林嫂看了天空，叹息著，独语似的说。

「祥林嫂，你又來了。」柳媽不耐煩的看著她的臉，說。「我問你：你額角上的傷痕，不就是那時撞壞的麽？」'Xianglin's Wife, there you go again,' said Sister Liu, looking at her face impatiently. 'Let me ask you: that scar on your forehead — wasn't that from when you hit your head that time?'

「祥林嫂，你又来了。」柳妈不耐烦的看著她的脸，说。「我问你：你额角上的伤痕，不就是那时撞坏的么？」

「唔唔。」她含糊的回答。'Mm, mm,' she answered vaguely.

「我問你：你那時怎麽後來竟依了呢？」'Let me ask you: how was it that you gave in after all, in the end?'

「我问你：你那时怎么后来竟依了呢？」

「我麽？……」，'Me?……'

「我么？……」，

「你呀。'You, that's who.我想：這總是你自己願意了，不然……。」I think it must be that you were willing yourself, otherwise……'

「你呀。我想：这总是你自己愿意了，不然……。」

「阿阿，你不知道他力氣多麽大呀。」'Ah, ah, you don't know how strong he was.'

「阿阿，你不知道他力气多么大呀。」

「我不信。'I don't believe it.我不信你這麽大的力氣，真會拗他不過。I don't believe that with all your strength, you really couldn't have overpowered him.你後來一定是自己肯了，倒推說他力氣大。」You must have given in willingly yourself afterward, and now you blame it on his strength.'

「我不信。我不信你这么大的力气，真会拗他不过。你后来一定是自己肯了，倒推说他力气大。」

「啊啊，你……'Ah, ah, you……你倒自己試試看。」她笑了。You should try it yourself and see.' She laughed.

「啊啊，你……你倒自己试试看。」她笑了。

柳媽的打皺的臉也笑起來，使她蹙縮得像一個核桃，乾枯的小眼睛一看祥林嫂的額角，又釘住她的眼。Sister Liu's wrinkled face broke into a laugh too, crinkling up until she looked like a walnut; her small, withered eyes glanced at Xianglin's Wife's forehead, then fixed themselves on her eyes.祥林嫂似乎很局促了，立刻斂了笑容，旋轉眼光，自去看雪花。Xianglin's Wife seemed quite discomfited; she at once let her smile fade, turned her eyes away, and went to watching the snowflakes instead.

柳妈的打皱的脸也笑起来，使她蹙缩得像一个核桃，干枯的小眼睛一看祥林嫂的额角，又钉住她的眼。祥林嫂似乎很局促了，立刻敛了笑容，旋转眼光，自去看雪花。

「祥林嫂，你實在不合算。」柳媽詭秘的說。「再一強，或者索性撞一個死，就好了。'Xianglin's Wife, you really came out the loser,' said Sister Liu mysteriously. 'If you'd resisted a bit harder, or simply dashed yourself dead outright, it would have been better.現在呢，你和你的第二個男人過活不到兩年，倒落了一件大罪名。As it is now, you lived with your second husband less than two years, and yet you've ended up saddled with a grave sin.你想，你將來到陰司去，那兩個死鬼的男人還要爭，你給了誰好呢？Just think — when you go down to the underworld, those two dead husbands' ghosts will fight over you, and which one will you be given to?閻羅大王只好把你鋸開來，分給他們。King Yama will have no choice but to saw you in two and divide you between them.我想，這真是……」I think that's really……'

「祥林嫂，你实在不合算。」柳妈诡秘的说。「再一强，或者索性撞一个死，就好了。现在呢，你和你的第二个男人过活不到两年，倒落了一件大罪名。你想，你将来到阴司去，那两个死鬼的男人还要争，你给了谁好呢？阎罗大王只好把你锯开来，分给他们。我想，这真是……」

她臉上就顯出恐怖的神色來，這是在山村裏所未曾知道的。A look of terror appeared on her face — something she had never known back in the mountain village.

她脸上就显出恐怖的神色来，这是在山村里所未曾知道的。

「我想，你不如及早抵當。'I think you'd do better to atone for it as soon as you can.你到土地廟裏去捐一條門檻，當作你的替身，給千人踏，萬人跨，贖了這一世的罪名，免得死了去受苦。」Go to the Temple of the Earth God and donate a threshold to stand in as your substitute, to be trodden on by a thousand people and stepped over by ten thousand, and redeem the sin of this life, so you won't suffer for it after you die.'

「我想，你不如及早抵当。你到土地庙里去捐一条门槛，当作你的替身，给千人踏，万人跨，赎了这一世的罪名，免得死了去受苦。」

她當時並不回答甚麽話，但大約非常苦悶了，第二天早上起來的時候，兩眼上便都圍著大黑圈。At the time she said nothing in reply, but she must have been in great anguish, for when she got up the next morning, there were great black rings around both her eyes.早飯之後，她便到鎮的西頭的土地廟裏去求捐門檻，廟祝起初執意不允許，直到她急得流淚，才勉強答應了。After breakfast, she went to the Temple of the Earth God at the west end of town to beg to donate a threshold; the temple keeper at first flatly refused, and only when she grew so desperate she wept did he reluctantly consent.價目是大錢十二千。The price was twelve strings of cash.她久已不和人們交口，因為阿毛的故事是早被大家厭棄了的；She had long since stopped exchanging words with people, since her Ah Mao story had long ago worn out everyone's patience;但自從和柳媽談了天，似乎又即傳揚開去，許多人都發生了新趣味，又來逗她說話了。but ever since her talk with Sister Liu, it seemed the news had spread again at once, and many people found fresh interest and came once more to draw her into talk.至於題目，那自然是換了一個新樣，專在她額上的傷疤。As for the subject, it had of course changed to something new, focused entirely on the scar on her forehead.

她当时并不回答甚么话，但大约非常苦闷了，第二天早上起来的时候，两眼上便都围著大黑圈。早饭之后，她便到镇的西头的土地庙里去求捐门槛，庙祝起初执意不允许，直到她急得流泪，才勉强答应了。价目是大钱十二千。她久已不和人们交口，因为阿毛的故事是早被大家厌弃了的；但自从和柳妈谈了天，似乎又即传扬开去，许多人都发生了新趣味，又来逗她说话了。至于题目，那自然是换了一个新样，专在她额上的伤疤。

「祥林嫂，我問你：你那時怎麽竟肯了？」一個說。'Xianglin's Wife, let me ask you: how did you come to give in, back then?' one would say.

「祥林嫂，我问你：你那时怎么竟肯了？」一个说。

「唉，可惜，白撞了這一下。」一個看著她的疤，應和道。'Ah, what a pity, taking that knock for nothing,' another would chime in, looking at her scar.

「唉，可惜，白撞了这一下。」一个看著她的疤，应和道。

她大約從他們的笑容和聲調上，也知道是在嘲笑她，所以總是瞪著眼睛，不說一句話，後來連頭也不回了。From their smiles and their tone she could probably tell she was being mocked, so she always stared at them wide-eyed without saying a word, and later she would not even turn her head.她整日緊閉了嘴唇，頭上帶著大家以為恥辱的記號的那傷痕，默默的跑街，掃地，洗菜，淘米。All day long she kept her lips tightly shut, bearing on her forehead that scar everyone took as a mark of shame, and went silently about her errands, sweeping, washing vegetables, rinsing rice.快夠一年，她才從四嬸手裏支取了歷來積存的工錢，換算了十二元鷹洋，請假到鎮的西頭去。Nearly a full year later, she finally drew from Fourth Aunt the wages she had saved up all along, converted them into twelve silver dollars, and asked for leave to go to the west end of town.但不到一頓飯時候，她便回來，神氣很舒暢，眼光也分外有神，高興似的對四嬸說，自己已經在土地廟捐了門檻了。But in less time than it takes to eat a meal, she was back, looking greatly relieved, her eyes unusually bright, and told Fourth Aunt happily that she had already donated the threshold at the Temple of the Earth God.

她大约从他们的笑容和声调上，也知道是在嘲笑她，所以总是瞪著眼睛，不说一句话，后来连头也不回了。她整日紧闭了嘴唇，头上带著大家以为耻辱的记号的那伤痕，默默的跑街，扫地，洗菜，淘米。快够一年，她才从四婶手里支取了历来积存的工钱，换算了十二元鹰洋，请假到镇的西头去。但不到一顿饭时候，她便回来，神气很舒畅，眼光也分外有神，高兴似的对四婶说，自己已经在土地庙捐了门槛了。

冬至的祭祖時節，她做得更出力，看四嬸裝好祭品，和阿牛將桌子擡到堂屋中央，她便坦然去拿酒杯和筷子。At the winter solstice, when it came time for the ancestral offerings, she threw herself into the work harder than ever; watching Fourth Aunt arrange the offerings, and after she and Ah Niu had carried the table to the middle of the hall, she calmly went to fetch the wine cups and chopsticks.

冬至的祭祖时节，她做得更出力，看四婶装好祭品，和阿牛将桌子抬到堂屋中央，她便坦然去拿酒杯和筷子。

「你放著罷，祥林嫂！」四嬸慌忙大聲說。'Leave that be, Xianglin's Wife!' Fourth Aunt cried out hastily.

「你放著罢，祥林嫂！」四婶慌忙大声说。

她像是受了炮烙似的縮手，臉色同時變作灰黑，也不再去取燭臺，只是失神的站著。She snatched back her hand as if scorched by a branding iron, her face turning ashen at the same time; she made no further move to fetch the candlesticks either, but only stood there vacantly.直到四叔上香的時候，教她走開，她才走開。Not until Fourth Uncle came to light the incense and told her to go away did she finally leave.這一回她的變化非常大，第二天，不但眼睛窈陷下去，連精神也更不濟了。This time the change in her was very great; the next day, not only had her eyes sunk deep into their sockets, but her spirits too had grown even worse.而且很膽怯，不獨怕暗夜，怕黑影，即使看見人，雖是自己的主人，也總惴惴的，有如在白天出穴遊行的小鼠，否則呆坐著，直是一個木偶人。She had also grown very timid — not only afraid of the dark night and of shadows, but even at the sight of people, even her own employers, she was always uneasy, like a little mouse that had ventured out of its hole in broad daylight; otherwise she simply sat there blankly, exactly like a wooden puppet.不半年，頭髮也花白起來了，記性尤其壞，甚而至於常常忘卻了去淘米。In less than half a year, her hair had begun to turn gray, and her memory grew especially poor, so much so that she often forgot even to go wash the rice.

她像是受了炮烙似的缩手，脸色同时变作灰黑，也不再去取烛台，只是失神的站著。直到四叔上香的时候，教她走开，她才走开。这一回她的变化非常大，第二天，不但眼睛窈陷下去，连精神也更不济了。而且很胆怯，不独怕暗夜，怕黑影，即使看见人，虽是自己的主人，也总惴惴的，有如在白天出穴游行的小鼠，否则呆坐著，直是一个木偶人。不半年，头发也花白起来了，记性尤其坏，甚而至于常常忘却了去淘米。

「祥林嫂怎麽這樣了？'What's become of Xianglin's Wife, that she's turned out like this?倒不如那時不留她。」四嬸有時當面就這樣說，似乎是警告她。It would have been better not to have kept her on back then.' Fourth Aunt would sometimes say this right to her face, as if by way of warning.

「祥林嫂怎么这样了？倒不如那时不留她。」四婶有时当面就这样说，似乎是警告她。

然而她總如此，全不見有伶俐起來的希望。Yet she remained just the same, showing not the slightest hope of becoming any sharper.他們於是想打發她走了，教她回到衛老婆子那裏去。So they thought of sending her away, telling her to go back to Old Mother Wei's.但當我還在魯鎮的時候，不過單是這樣說；But while I was still in Luzhen, this remained only talk;看現在的情狀，可見後來終於實行了。judging from her present state now, it is clear that it was eventually carried out.然而她是從四叔家出去就成了乞丐的呢，還是先到衛老婆子家然後再成乞丐的呢？But had she become a beggar right after leaving Fourth Uncle's household, or had she gone first to Old Mother Wei's and only later become a beggar?那我可不知道。That I really do not know.

然而她总如此，全不见有伶俐起来的希望。他们于是想打发她走了，教她回到卫老婆子那里去。但当我还在鲁镇的时候，不过单是这样说；看现在的情状，可见后来终于实行了。然而她是从四叔家出去就成了乞丐的呢，还是先到卫老婆子家然后再成乞丐的呢？那我可不知道。

我給那些因為在近旁而極響的爆竹聲驚醒，看見豆一般大的黃色的燈火光，接著又聽得畢畢剝剝的鞭炮，是四叔家正在「祝福」了；I was startled awake by the firecrackers, loud because they were so near, and saw the bean-sized yellow gleam of the lamplight, then heard the crackling pop of firecrackers — it was Fourth Uncle's household performing the "Blessing" ceremony;知道已是五更將近時候。I knew it must be nearly the fifth watch.我在朦朧中，又隱約聽到遠處的爆竹聲聯綿不斷，似乎合成一天音響的濃雲，夾著團團飛舞的雪花，擁抱了全市鎮。In my drowsy half-sleep, I dimly heard the unbroken sound of firecrackers from far away, as though they merged into one dense cloud of sound that, mingled with swirling, dancing snowflakes, embraced the whole town.我在這繁響的擁抱中，也懶散而且舒適，從白天以至初夜的疑慮，全給祝福的空氣一掃而空了，只覺得天地聖眾歆享了牲醴和香煙，都醉醺醺的在空中蹣跚，預備給魯鎮的人們以無限的幸福。Wrapped in this clamorous embrace, I too felt languid and at ease; all the misgivings that had lingered from daytime into the early evening were swept clean away by the air of the Blessing, and I felt only that the gods and sages of heaven and earth, having enjoyed the sacrificial offerings and incense, were all reeling drunkenly through the sky, preparing to bestow boundless good fortune upon the people of Luzhen.

我给那些因为在近旁而极响的爆竹声惊醒，看见豆一般大的黄色的灯火光，接著又听得毕毕剥剥的鞭炮，是四叔家正在「祝福」了；知道已是五更将近时候。我在朦胧中，又隐约听到远处的爆竹声联绵不断，似乎合成一天音响的浓云，夹著团团飞舞的雪花，拥抱了全市镇。我在这繁响的拥抱中，也懒散而且舒适，从白天以至初夜的疑虑，全给祝福的空气一扫而空了，只觉得天地圣众歆享了牲醴和香烟，都醉醺醺的在空中蹒跚，预备给鲁镇的人们以无限的幸福。

一九二四年二月七日February 7, 1924