在酒樓上 In the Wine Shop

我從北地向東南旅行，繞道訪了我的家鄉，就到S城。I was traveling southeast from the north, and made a detour to visit my hometown, then went on to S City.這城離我的故鄉不過三十里，坐了小船，小半天可到，我曾在這裡的學校裏當過一年的教員。This city is no more than thirty li from my hometown; by small boat one can arrive in less than half a day. I had once taught for a year at the school here.深冬雪後，風景淒清，懶散和懷舊的心緒聯結起來，我竟暫寓在S城的洛思旅館裏了；In deep winter, after a snowfall, the scenery was bleak and desolate, and a mood of idleness mixed with nostalgia came over me together, so that I ended up putting up for a while at the Luosi Hotel in S City;這旅館是先前所沒有的。this hotel had not existed before.城圈本不大，尋訪了幾個以為可以會見的舊同事，一個也不在，早不知散到那裡去了，經過學校的門口，也改換了名稱和模樣，於我很生疏。The city wall enclosed only a small area. I sought out a few old colleagues I thought I might meet, but not one of them was there — they had long since scattered off to who knows where. Passing by the gate of the school, I found it too had changed its name and appearance, and it felt quite strange to me.不到兩個時辰，我的意興早已索然，頗悔此來為多事了。In less than two hours my interest had already faded entirely, and I rather regretted that coming here had been a needless bother.

我从北地向东南旅行，绕道访了我的家乡，就到S城。这城离我的故乡不过三十里，坐了小船，小半天可到，我曾在这里的学校里当过一年的教员。深冬雪后，风景凄清，懒散和怀旧的心绪联结起来，我竟暂寓在S城的洛思旅馆里了；这旅馆是先前所没有的。城圈本不大，寻访了几个以为可以会见的旧同事，一个也不在，早不知散到那里去了，经过学校的门口，也改换了名称和模样，于我很生疏。不到两个时辰，我的意兴早已索然，颇悔此来为多事了。

我所住的旅館是租房不賣飯的，飯菜必須另外叫來，但又無味，入口如嚼泥土。The hotel I was staying at only let rooms and did not serve meals; food had to be ordered separately, but it was tasteless, like chewing mud when it went into my mouth.窗外只有漬痕班駁的牆壁，帖著枯死的莓苔；Outside the window there was only a wall mottled with damp stains, plastered with withered moss;上面是鉛色的天，白皚皚的絕無精采，而且微雪又飛舞起來了。above it hung a leaden sky, a dazzling white utterly without brilliance, and now a fine snow had begun to swirl down again.我午餐本沒有飽，又沒有可以消遣的事情，便很自然的想到先前有一家很熟識的小酒樓，叫一石居的，算來離旅館並不遠。I had not had my fill at lunch, and had nothing to occupy myself with, so quite naturally I thought of a small wine shop I used to know well, called Yishiju, which as I recalled was not far from the hotel.我於是立即鎖了房門，出街向那酒樓去。So I locked my door at once and went out into the street toward that wine shop.其實也無非想姑且逃避客中的無聊，並不專為買醉。In truth it was really just to escape for a while the tedium of being a traveler, not chiefly to seek out drink.一石居是在的，狹小陰濕的店面和破舊的招牌都依舊；Yishiju was still there, its narrow, dim, damp shopfront and its worn old signboard both unchanged;但從掌櫃以至堂倌卻已沒有一個熟人，我在這一石居中也完全成了生客。but from the shopkeeper down to the waiters there was not a single face I knew — in this Yishiju I too had become entirely a stranger.然而我終於跨上那走熟的屋角的扶梯去了，由此徑到小樓上。Even so I finally climbed the familiar staircase in the corner of the room, and from there went straight up to the little upper floor.上面也依然是五張小板桌；Upstairs there were still, as before, the five small wooden tables;獨有原是木欞的後窗卻換嵌了玻璃。only the back window, which had once had a wooden lattice, had now been fitted with glass.

我所住的旅馆是租房不卖饭的，饭菜必须另外叫来，但又无味，入口如嚼泥土。窗外只有渍痕班驳的墙壁，帖著枯死的莓苔；上面是铅色的天，白皑皑的绝无精采，而且微雪又飞舞起来了。我午餐本没有饱，又没有可以消遣的事情，便很自然的想到先前有一家很熟识的小酒楼，叫一石居的，算来离旅馆并不远。我于是立即锁了房门，出街向那酒楼去。其实也无非想姑且逃避客中的无聊，并不专为买醉。一石居是在的，狭小阴湿的店面和破旧的招牌都依旧；但从掌柜以至堂倌却已没有一个熟人，我在这一石居中也完全成了生客。然而我终于跨上那走熟的屋角的扶梯去了，由此径到小楼上。上面也依然是五张小板桌；独有原是木棂的后窗却换嵌了玻璃。

「一斤紹酒。——菜？"A catty of Shaoxing wine. — And to eat?十個油豆腐，辣醬要多！」Ten pieces of fried tofu, and go heavy on the chili sauce!"

「一斤绍酒。——菜？十个油豆腐，辣酱要多！」

我一面說給跟我上來的堂倌聽，一面向後窗走，就在靠窗的一張桌旁坐下了。I said this to the waiter who had come up with me, and at the same time walked toward the back window, sitting down at the table beside it.樓上「空空如也」，任我揀得最好的坐位：可以眺望樓下的廢園。The upper floor was "empty as could be," leaving me free to pick the best seat: one from which I could look down at the ruined garden below.這園大概是不屬於酒家的，我先前也曾眺望過許多回，有時也在雪天裏。This garden, I think, did not belong to the wine shop; I had looked out at it many times before, sometimes even on snowy days.但現在從慣於北方的眼睛看來，卻很值得驚異了：幾株老梅竟鬥雪開著滿樹的繁花，仿佛毫不以深冬為意；But now, seen with eyes grown used to the north, it struck me as truly astonishing: several old plum trees were braving the snow, in full bloom with clusters of flowers, as though quite unmindful of deep winter;倒塌的亭子邊還有一株山茶樹，從晴綠的密葉裏顯出十幾朵紅花來，赫赫的在雪中明得如火，憤怒而且傲慢，如蔑視遊人的甘心於遠行。beside the collapsed pavilion there was also a camellia tree, its dozen or so red blossoms showing brilliant through the clear green of its dense leaves, blazing bright as fire in the snow, angry and proud, as if scorning the traveler who was content to wander far from home.我這時又忽地想到這裡積雪的滋潤，著物不去，晶瑩有光，不比朔雪的粉一般乾，大風一吹，便飛得滿空如煙霧。……At that moment it struck me too how the snow here, moist and clinging, stayed wherever it fell, crystalline and gleaming, quite unlike the powdery, dry snow of the north, which a strong wind would blow up into the air till it filled the sky like mist and smoke.…

我一面说给跟我上来的堂倌听，一面向后窗走，就在靠窗的一张桌旁坐下了。楼上「空空如也」，任我拣得最好的坐位：可以眺望楼下的废园。这园大概是不属于酒家的，我先前也曾眺望过许多回，有时也在雪天里。但现在从惯于北方的眼睛看来，却很值得惊异了：几株老梅竟斗雪开著满树的繁花，仿佛毫不以深冬为意；倒塌的亭子边还有一株山茶树，从晴绿的密叶里显出十几朵红花来，赫赫的在雪中明得如火，愤怒而且傲慢，如蔑视游人的甘心于远行。我这时又忽地想到这里积雪的滋润，著物不去，晶莹有光，不比朔雪的粉一般干，大风一吹，便飞得满空如烟雾。……

「客人，酒。……」"Your wine, sir.…"

堂棺懶懶的說著，放下杯，筷，酒壺和碗碟，酒到了。The waiter said this listlessly, setting down cup, chopsticks, wine pot, and bowls and dishes — the wine had arrived.我轉臉向了板桌，排好器具，斟出酒來。I turned back to face the table, arranged the utensils, and poured out the wine.覺得北方固不是我的舊鄉，但南來又只能算一個客子，無論那邊的乾雪怎樣紛飛，這裡的柔雪又怎樣的依戀，於我都沒有什麼關係了。I felt that the north, after all, was not my old home, yet coming south I could only count as a traveler too; no matter how the dry snow up there went whirling about, or how the soft snow here lingered so tenderly, none of it had anything to do with me any longer.我略帶些哀愁，然而很舒服的呷一口酒。With a touch of sorrow, yet quite contentedly, I took a sip of the wine.酒味很純正；The wine's flavor was very pure and true;油豆腐也煮得十分好；the fried tofu, too, was cooked to perfection;可惜辣醬太淡薄，本來S城人是不懂得吃辣的。it was only a pity the chili sauce was too weak and thin — people of S City, of course, never did understand how to eat spicy food.

堂棺懒懒的说著，放下杯，筷，酒壶和碗碟，酒到了。我转脸向了板桌，排好器具，斟出酒来。觉得北方固不是我的旧乡，但南来又只能算一个客子，无论那边的干雪怎样纷飞，这里的柔雪又怎样的依恋，于我都没有什么关系了。我略带些哀愁，然而很舒服的呷一口酒。酒味很纯正；油豆腐也煮得十分好；可惜辣酱太淡薄，本来S城人是不懂得吃辣的。

大概是因為正在下午的緣故罷，這會說是酒樓，卻毫無酒樓氣，我已經喝下三杯酒去了，而我以外還是四張空板桌。Perhaps because it was the middle of the afternoon, this place, though called a wine shop, had none of the atmosphere of one; I had already drunk down three cups of wine, and besides me there were still four empty tables.我看著廢園，漸漸的感到孤獨，但又不願有別的酒客上來。Gazing at the ruined garden, I gradually began to feel lonely, and yet I did not wish for any other drinker to come up either.偶然聽得樓梯上腳步響，便不由的有些懊惱，待到看見是堂棺，才又安心了，這樣的又喝了兩杯酒。When I chanced to hear footsteps on the stairs, I could not help feeling a little annoyed; only when I saw it was the waiter did I feel at ease again, and so drank two more cups of wine in this fashion.

大概是因为正在下午的缘故罢，这会说是酒楼，却毫无酒楼气，我已经喝下三杯酒去了，而我以外还是四张空板桌。我看著废园，渐渐的感到孤独，但又不愿有别的酒客上来。偶然听得楼梯上脚步响，便不由的有些懊恼，待到看见是堂棺，才又安心了，这样的又喝了两杯酒。

我想，這回定是酒客了，因為聽得那腳步聲比堂倌的要緩得多。This time, I thought, it must surely be a drinker, for the footsteps I heard were far slower than the waiter's.約略料他走完了樓梯的時候，我便害怕似的擡頭去看這無幹的同伴，同時也就吃驚的站起來。Reckoning that he had about finished climbing the stairs, I raised my head, half in apprehension, to look at this unrelated companion of the moment, and at the same instant started up in astonishment.我竟不料在這裡意外的遇見朋友了，——假如他現在還許我稱他為朋友。I had never expected to meet a friend here by chance, — that is, if he would still allow me to call him a friend now.那上來的分明是我的舊同窗，也是做教員時代的舊同事，面貌雖然頗有些改變，但一見也就認識，獨有行動卻變得格外迂緩，很不像當年敏捷精悍的呂緯甫了。The one who had come up was unmistakably my old schoolmate, and also my former colleague from my days as a teacher; though his features had changed a good deal, I recognized him at a glance all the same — only his movements had grown strangely slow and sluggish, quite unlike the quick, sharp, capable Lü Weifu of former years.

我想，这回定是酒客了，因为听得那脚步声比堂倌的要缓得多。约略料他走完了楼梯的时候，我便害怕似的抬头去看这无干的同伴，同时也就吃惊的站起来。我竟不料在这里意外的遇见朋友了，——假如他现在还许我称他为朋友。那上来的分明是我的旧同窗，也是做教员时代的旧同事，面貌虽然颇有些改变，但一见也就认识，独有行动却变得格外迂缓，很不像当年敏捷精悍的吕纬甫了。

「阿，——緯甫，是你麼？"Ah — Weifu, is that you?我萬想不到會在這裡遇見你。」I never imagined I would meet you here."

「阿，——纬甫，是你么？我万想不到会在这里遇见你。」

「阿阿，是你？"Ah, ah, is it you?我也萬想不到……」I never imagined it either……"

「阿阿，是你？我也万想不到……」

我就邀他同坐，但他似乎略略躊躇之後，方纔坐下來。I invited him at once to sit with me, but he seemed to hesitate slightly before finally sitting down.我起先很以為奇，接著便有些悲傷，而且不快了。At first I found this very strange, and then I felt a little sad, and also uneasy.細看他相貌，也還是亂蓬蓬的鬚髮；Looking closely at his face, his beard and hair were still unkempt as ever;蒼白的長方臉，然而衰瘦了。his long, pale face, though, had grown gaunt and thin.精神跟沉靜，或者卻是頹唐，又濃又黑的眉毛底下的眼睛也失了精采，但當他緩緩的四顧的時候，卻對廢園忽地閃出我在學校時代常常看見的射人的光來。His spirit seemed calm and still, or perhaps it was rather listlessness; beneath his thick, dark eyebrows his eyes too had lost their old brilliance, but as he slowly looked about him, there suddenly flashed toward the ruined garden that piercing gleam I had so often seen in him back in our school days.

我就邀他同坐，但他似乎略略踌躇之后，方才坐下来。我起先很以为奇，接著便有些悲伤，而且不快了。细看他相貌，也还是乱蓬蓬的须发；苍白的长方脸，然而衰瘦了。精神跟沉静，或者却是颓唐，又浓又黑的眉毛底下的眼睛也失了精采，但当他缓缓的四顾的时候，却对废园忽地闪出我在学校时代常常看见的射人的光来。

「我們，」我高興的，然而頗不自然的說，「我們這一別，怕有十年了罷。"We," I said cheerfully, though rather awkwardly, "it must be nearly ten years since we parted.我早知道你在濟南，可是實在懶得太難，終於沒有寫一封信。……」I knew long ago that you were in Jinan, but I was really too lazy to bear it, and in the end never wrote you a single letter.……"

「我们，」我高兴的，然而颇不自然的说，「我们这一别，怕有十年了罢。我早知道你在济南，可是实在懒得太难，终于没有写一封信。……」

「彼此都一樣。"It's the same on both sides.可是現在我在太原了，已經兩年多，和我的母親。But now I'm in Taiyuan, it's already been more than two years, with my mother.我回來接她的時候，知道你早搬走了，搬得很乾凈。」When I came back to fetch her, I learned you had already moved away long before, moved away without a trace."

「彼此都一样。可是现在我在太原了，已经两年多，和我的母亲。我回来接她的时候，知道你早搬走了，搬得很干净。」

「你在太原做什麼呢？」我問。"What are you doing in Taiyuan?" I asked.

「你在太原做什么呢？」我问。

「教書，在一個同鄉的家裡。」"Teaching, in the home of a fellow townsman."

「教书，在一个同乡的家里。」

「這以前呢？」"And before that?"

「这以前呢？」

「這以前麼？」他從衣袋裏掏出一支煙捲來，點了火銜在嘴裡，看著噴出的煙霧，沉思似的說：「無非做了些無聊的事情，等於什麼也沒有做。」"Before that?" He drew a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and held it in his mouth, and watching the smoke he puffed out, said as though lost in thought: "Nothing much — just did some pointless things, which amounted to having done nothing at all."

「这以前么？」他从衣袋里掏出一支烟卷来，点了火衔在嘴里，看著喷出的烟雾，沉思似的说：「无非做了些无聊的事情，等于什么也没有做。」

他也問我別後的景況；He too asked me how things had gone with me since we parted;我一面告訴他一個大概，一面叫堂倌先取杯筷來，使他先喝著我的酒，然後再去添二斤。I told him roughly how it had been, and at the same time called the waiter to first bring another cup and chopsticks, so that he could start drinking my wine, and then go and fetch two more catties.其間還點菜，我們先前原是毫不客氣的，但此刻卻推讓起來了，終於說不清那一樣是誰點的，就從堂倌的口頭報告上指定了四樣萊：茴香豆，凍肉，油豆腐，青魚乾。In between we also ordered dishes; in the old days we had never stood on ceremony with each other, but now we fell to deferring back and forth, and in the end could not say clearly which dish had been whose choice, and simply picked out four dishes from what the waiter recited: fennel beans, jellied meat, fried tofu, and dried mackerel.

他也问我别后的景况；我一面告诉他一个大概，一面叫堂倌先取杯筷来，使他先喝著我的酒，然后再去添二斤。其间还点菜，我们先前原是毫不客气的，但此刻却推让起来了，终于说不清那一样是谁点的，就从堂倌的口头报告上指定了四样莱：茴香豆，冻肉，油豆腐，青鱼干。

「我一回來，就想到我可笑。」他一手擎著煙捲，一隻手扶著酒盃，似笑非笑的向我說。「我在少年時，看見蜂子或蠅子停在一個地方，給什麼來一嚇，即刻飛去了，但是飛了一個小圈子，便又回來停在原地點，便以為這實在很可笑，也可憐。"The moment I came back, I thought of how laughable I must seem." He said this to me, half smiling, half not, one hand holding up his cigarette, the other resting on his wine cup. "When I was young, I used to see a bee or a fly settle on some spot, and if something gave it a fright it would fly off at once, but after circling round in a small loop it would come back and settle again on the very same spot; I used to think this truly laughable, and pitiable too.可不料現在我自己也飛回來了，不過繞了一點小圈子。But who would have thought that now I myself have come flying back as well, only I circled through a somewhat larger loop.又不料你也回來了。And who would have thought that you too have come back.你不能飛得更遠些麼？」Can't you fly any farther than this?"

「我一回来，就想到我可笑。」他一手擎著烟卷，一只手扶著酒杯，似笑非笑的向我说。「我在少年时，看见蜂子或蝇子停在一个地方，给什么来一吓，即刻飞去了，但是飞了一个小圈子，便又回来停在原地点，便以为这实在很可笑，也可怜。可不料现在我自己也飞回来了，不过绕了一点小圈子。又不料你也回来了。你不能飞得更远些么？」

「這難說，大約也不外乎繞點小圈子罷。」我也似笑非笑的說。「但是你為什麼飛回來的呢？」"That's hard to say — I suppose it doesn't amount to much more than circling round in a small loop too," I said, also half smiling, half not. "But why did you come flying back?"

「这难说，大约也不外乎绕点小圈子罢。」我也似笑非笑的说。「但是你为什么飞回来的呢？」

「也還是為了無聊的事。」他一口喝幹了一杯酒，吸幾口煙，眼睛略為張大了。「無聊的。——但是我們就談談罷。」"For some pointless matter too, after all." He drained a cup of wine in one gulp, drew a few puffs of smoke, and his eyes opened a little wider. "A pointless thing. — But let's just talk, shall we."

「也还是为了无聊的事。」他一口喝干了一杯酒，吸几口烟，眼睛略为张大了。「无聊的。——但是我们就谈谈罢。」

堂倌搬上新添的酒菜來，排滿了一桌，樓上又添了煙氣和油豆腐的熱氣，仿佛熱鬧起來了；The waiter brought up the newly ordered wine and dishes, setting them out to fill the table; the upper floor was further filled with the smoke of cigarettes and the warm steam of the fried tofu, and it seemed to grow lively;樓外的雪也越加紛紛的下。outside, the snow beyond the building was falling ever more thickly.

堂倌搬上新添的酒菜来，排满了一桌，楼上又添了烟气和油豆腐的热气，仿佛热闹起来了；楼外的雪也越加纷纷的下。

「你也許本來知道，」他接著說，“我曾經有一個小兄弟，是三歲上死掉的，就葬在這鄉下。"You probably already know," he went on, "that I once had a little brother, who died at the age of three, and was buried out here in the countryside.我連他的模樣都記不清楚了，但聽母親說，是一個很可愛念的孩子，和我也很相投，至今她提起來還似乎要下淚。I can't even clearly remember what he looked like now, but Mother says he was a very lovable child, and very fond of me too — even now, when she brings it up, she still seems ready to shed tears.今年春天，一個堂兄就來了一封信，說他的墳邊已經漸漸的浸了水，不久怕要陷入河裡去了，須得趕緊去設法。This spring, a cousin of mine sent a letter saying that the water had gradually been seeping in around his grave, and that before long it was likely to collapse into the river, so something had to be done about it quickly.母親一知道就很著急，幾乎幾夜睡不著，——她又自己能看信的。The moment Mother learned of this she grew very anxious, and could barely sleep for several nights, — she can read letters herself, you know.然而我能有什麼法子呢？And yet what could I possibly do?沒有錢，沒有工夫：當時什麼法也沒有。No money, no time: at the time there was nothing to be done about it at all.

「你也许本来知道，」他接著说，“我曾经有一个小兄弟，是三岁上死掉的，就葬在这乡下。我连他的模样都记不清楚了，但听母亲说，是一个很可爱念的孩子，和我也很相投，至今她提起来还似乎要下泪。今年春天，一个堂兄就来了一封信，说他的坟边已经渐渐的浸了水，不久怕要陷入河里去了，须得赶紧去设法。母亲一知道就很著急，几乎几夜睡不著，——她又自己能看信的。然而我能有什么法子呢？没有钱，没有工夫：当时什么法也没有。

「一直挨到現在，趁著年假的閑空，我才得回南給他來遷葬。」他又喝乾一杯酒，看說窗外，說，「這在那邊那裡能如此呢？"I put it off, dragging on all the way until now, and only by taking advantage of the winter break did I manage to come south to move his grave for him." He drained another cup of wine, and looking out the window, said, "Could things ever be like this over there?積雪裡會有花，雪地下會不凍。Flowers amid piled snow, ground beneath the snow that never freezes.就在前天，我在城裡買了一口小棺材，——因為我豫料那地下的應該早已朽爛了，——帶著棉絮和被褥，雇了四個土工，下鄉遷葬去。Just the day before yesterday, I bought a small coffin in the city, — because I supposed the one underground must long since have rotted away, — and taking along cotton wadding and bedding, I hired four laborers and went out to the countryside to move the grave.我當時忽而很高興，願意掘一回墳，願意一見我那曾經和我很親睦的小兄弟的骨殖：這些事我生平都沒有經歷過。At the time I suddenly felt quite pleased — glad to have the chance to dig up a grave once, glad to see the bones of the little brother who had once been so close and dear to me: these were things I had never once experienced in my whole life.到得墳地，果然，河水只是咬進來，離墳已不到二尺遠。When we reached the gravesite, sure enough, the river water was gnawing steadily inward, already less than two feet from the grave.可憐的墳，兩年沒有培土，也平下去了。The poor grave, with no earth added to it in two years, had sunk quite flat.我站在雪中，決然的指著他對土工說，‘掘開來！’我實在是一個庸人，我這時覺得我的聲音有些希奇，這命令也是一個在我一生中最為偉大的命令。I stood there in the snow and resolutely pointed at it and said to the laborers, 'Dig it open!' I really am such an ordinary, timid man at heart — at that moment I felt my own voice sounded somehow strange, and that this order was also the single most grand and momentous command of my entire life.但土工們卻毫不駭怪，就動手掘下去了。But the laborers were not in the least taken aback, and simply set to work digging.待到掘著壙穴，我便過去看，果然，棺木已經快要爛盡了，只剩下一堆木絲和小木片。By the time they had dug down to the burial chamber, I went over to look, and sure enough, the coffin had almost completely rotted away, leaving only a heap of wood fibers and small splinters.我的心顫動著，自去拔開這些，很小心的，要看一看我的小兄弟，然而出乎意外！My heart trembling, I went and pulled these aside myself, very carefully, wanting to have a look at my little brother — but it was beyond all expectation!被褥，衣服，骨骼，什麼也沒有。Bedding, clothing, bones — there was nothing there at all.我想，這些都消盡了，向來聽說最難爛的是頭髮，也許還有罷。I thought, well, these had all decayed completely away; I had always heard that hair was the hardest thing of all to rot, perhaps there would still be some left, at least.我便伏下去，在該是枕頭所在的泥土裡仔仔細細的看，也沒有。So I bent down low, and searched carefully, very carefully, through the earth where the pillow should have been — there was nothing there either.蹤影全無！」Not a trace of anything at all!"

「一直挨到现在，趁著年假的闲空，我才得回南给他来迁葬。」他又喝干一杯酒，看说窗外，说，「这在那边那里能如此呢？积雪里会有花，雪地下会不冻。就在前天，我在城里买了一口小棺材，——因为我豫料那地下的应该早已朽烂了，——带著棉絮和被褥，雇了四个土工，下乡迁葬去。我当时忽而很高兴，愿意掘一回坟，愿意一见我那曾经和我很亲睦的小兄弟的骨殖：这些事我生平都没有经历过。到得坟地，果然，河水只是咬进来，离坟已不到二尺远。可怜的坟，两年没有培土，也平下去了。我站在雪中，决然的指著他对土工说，‘掘开来！’我实在是一个庸人，我这时觉得我的声音有些希奇，这命令也是一个在我一生中最为伟大的命令。但土工们却毫不骇怪，就动手掘下去了。待到掘著圹穴，我便过去看，果然，棺木已经快要烂尽了，只剩下一堆木丝和小木片。我的心颤动著，自去拔开这些，很小心的，要看一看我的小兄弟，然而出乎意外！被褥，衣服，骨骼，什么也没有。我想，这些都消尽了，向来听说最难烂的是头发，也许还有罢。我便伏下去，在该是枕头所在的泥土里仔仔细细的看，也没有。踪影全无！」

我忽而看見他眼圈微紅了，但立即知道是有了酒意。I suddenly noticed that the rims of his eyes had gone faintly red, but realized at once it was only the effect of the wine.他總不很吃菜，單是把酒不停的喝，早喝了一斤多，神情和舉動都活潑起來，漸近於先前所見的呂緯甫了，我叫堂倌再添二斤酒，然後迴轉身，也拿著酒盃，正對面默默的聽著。He hardly touched the food at all, simply drinking cup after cup without pause, and having already drunk more than a catty, his expression and manner grew livelier, gradually coming closer to the Lü Weifu I had once known; I called the waiter to bring two more catties of wine, and then, turning back around, I too took up my cup and sat listening to him in silence, facing him directly.

我忽而看见他眼圈微红了，但立即知道是有了酒意。他总不很吃菜，单是把酒不停的喝，早喝了一斤多，神情和举动都活泼起来，渐近于先前所见的吕纬甫了，我叫堂倌再添二斤酒，然后回转身，也拿著酒杯，正对面默默的听著。

「其實，這本已可以不必再遷，只要平了土，賣掉棺材；"In truth, there had really been no need to move the grave again at all — it would have been enough just to level the earth over it and sell off the coffin;就此完事了的。and that would have been the end of the matter.我去賣棺材雖然有些離奇，但只要價錢極便宜，原鋪子就許要，至少總可以撈回幾文酒錢來。Going to sell the coffin myself might seem a little odd, but as long as the price was very cheap, the shop that had originally sold it would surely be willing to take it back, and at the very least I could have scraped together a few coins for wine.但我不這佯，我仍然鋪好被褥，用棉花裹了些他先前身體所在的地方的泥土，包起來，裝在新棺材裏，運到我父親埋著的墳地上，在他墳旁埋掉了。But I didn't do that. I still laid out the bedding as before, wrapped up some of the earth from the place where his body had once lain in cotton wadding, bundled it all up, put it into the new coffin, carried it to the burial ground where my father is buried, and buried it there beside his grave.因為外面用磚墩，昨天又忙了我大半天：監工。Because we had to build a brick enclosure around the outside, yesterday I was kept busy for the better part of the day again: overseeing the work.但這樣總算完結了一件事，足夠去騙騙我的母親，使她安心些。——阿阿，你這樣的看我，你怪我何以和先前太不相同了麼？But in this way the whole matter has at last been brought to a close, enough at least to deceive my mother a little, to set her mind somewhat at ease. — Ah, ah, why do you look at me like that — do you blame me for having become so utterly different from before?是的，我也還記得我們同到城隍廟裡去拔掉神像的鬍子的時候，連日議論些改革中國的方法以至於打起來的時候。Yes, I too still remember the time when the two of us went together to the City God Temple and pulled the beard off the idol's face, and the days when we argued endlessly over ways to reform China, to the point of nearly coming to blows.但我現在就是這樣子，敷敷衍衍，模模胡胡。But now I have become just like this, muddling along, perfunctory, hazy and confused about everything.我有時自己也想到，倘若先前的朋友看見我，怕會不認我做朋友了。——然而我現在就是這樣。」Sometimes I think to myself, if my old friends of those days were to see me now, I'm afraid they would no longer acknowledge me as a friend at all. — And yet this is just what I am now."

「其实，这本已可以不必再迁，只要平了土，卖掉棺材；就此完事了的。我去卖棺材虽然有些离奇，但只要价钱极便宜，原铺子就许要，至少总可以捞回几文酒钱来。但我不这佯，我仍然铺好被褥，用棉花裹了些他先前身体所在的地方的泥土，包起来，装在新棺材里，运到我父亲埋著的坟地上，在他坟旁埋掉了。因为外面用砖墩，昨天又忙了我大半天：监工。但这样总算完结了一件事，足够去骗骗我的母亲，使她安心些。——阿阿，你这样的看我，你怪我何以和先前太不相同了么？是的，我也还记得我们同到城隍庙里去拔掉神像的胡子的时候，连日议论些改革中国的方法以至于打起来的时候。但我现在就是这样子，敷敷衍衍，模模胡胡。我有时自己也想到，倘若先前的朋友看见我，怕会不认我做朋友了。——然而我现在就是这样。」

他又掏出一支煙捲來，銜在嘴裡，點了火。He drew out another cigarette, held it in his mouth, and lit it.

他又掏出一支烟卷来，衔在嘴里，点了火。

「看你的神情，你似乎還有些期望我，——我現在自然麻木得多了，但是有些事也還看得出。"Judging from your expression, it seems you still hold some hopes for me, — I, of course, have grown far more numb and insensible now, but there are still some things I can make out.這使我很感激，然而也使我很不安：怕我終於辜負了至今還對我懷著好意的老朋友。……」他忽而停住了，吸幾口煙，才又慢慢的說，“正在今天，剛在我到這一石居來之前，也就做了一件無聊事，然而也是我自己願意做的。This makes me very grateful, and yet it also makes me very uneasy: I'm afraid that in the end I will disappoint the old friend who, even now, still bears me good will.……" He suddenly stopped, drew a few puffs of smoke, and only then went on slowly again, "Just today, in fact, just before I came here to Yishiju, I went and did another pointless thing — though it was also something I was willing to do of my own accord.我先前的東邊的鄰居叫長富，是一個船戶。My former neighbor to the east was named Changfu, a boatman.他有一個女兒叫阿順，你那時到我家裡來，也許見過的，但你一定沒有留心，因為那時她還小。He had a daughter named Ashun; you may have seen her back then when you came to my house, but you certainly never paid her any attention, because at that time she was still small.後來她也長得並不好看，不過是平常的瘦瘦的瓜子臉，黃臉皮；Later on she didn't grow up to be particularly good-looking either — just an ordinary thin, oval face, sallow-skinned;獨有眼睛非常大，睫毛也很長，眼白又青得如夜的晴天，而且是北方的無風的晴天，這裡的就沒有那麼明凈了。only her eyes were remarkably large, her lashes very long too, and the whites of her eyes were as clear a blue-black as the sky on a clear night — and, what's more, like a clear night in the north with no wind at all; the skies here never have quite that same clarity.她很能幹，十多歲沒了母親，招呼兩個小弟妹都靠她，又得服侍父親，事事都周到；She was very capable — losing her mother when she was little more than ten, she alone looked after her two little brother and sister, and had to wait on her father besides, seeing to everything with great care;也經濟，家計倒漸漸的穩當起來了。she was frugal too, and the household's circumstances gradually grew steadier and more secure.鄰居幾乎沒有一個不誇獎她，連長富也時常說些感激的活。There was hardly a neighbor who did not praise her; even Changfu himself often spoke of her with real gratitude.這一次我動身回來的時候，我的母親又記得她了，老年人記性真長久。This time, when I was setting out to come back, my mother remembered her again — old people really do have long memories.她說她曾經知道順姑因為看見誰的頭上戴著紅的剪絨花，自己也想一朵，弄不到，哭了，哭了小半夜，就挨了她父親的一頓打，後來眼眶還紅腫了兩三天。She told me she had once heard that Ashun, on seeing someone wearing a red velvet flower in her hair, had wanted one for herself, and unable to get one, had cried, cried for half the night, and afterward got a beating from her father for it, so that her eyes stayed red and swollen for two or three days after.這種剪絨花是外省的東西，S城裡尚且買不出，她那裡想得到手呢？This kind of velvet flower is a thing from outside the province; even in S City it can't be bought, so how could she ever have hoped to get hold of one there?趁我這一次回南的便，便叫我買兩朵去送她。Taking advantage of this trip of mine back south, she told me to buy two of them to take to her.

「看你的神情，你似乎还有些期望我，——我现在自然麻木得多了，但是有些事也还看得出。这使我很感激，然而也使我很不安：怕我终于辜负了至今还对我怀著好意的老朋友。……」他忽而停住了，吸几口烟，才又慢慢的说，“正在今天，刚在我到这一石居来之前，也就做了一件无聊事，然而也是我自己愿意做的。我先前的东边的邻居叫长富，是一个船户。他有一个女儿叫阿顺，你那时到我家里来，也许见过的，但你一定没有留心，因为那时她还小。后来她也长得并不好看，不过是平常的瘦瘦的瓜子脸，黄脸皮；独有眼睛非常大，睫毛也很长，眼白又青得如夜的晴天，而且是北方的无风的晴天，这里的就没有那么明净了。她很能干，十多岁没了母亲，招呼两个小弟妹都靠她，又得服侍父亲，事事都周到；也经济，家计倒渐渐的稳当起来了。邻居几乎没有一个不夸奖她，连长富也时常说些感激的活。这一次我动身回来的时候，我的母亲又记得她了，老年人记性真长久。她说她曾经知道顺姑因为看见谁的头上戴著红的剪绒花，自己也想一朵，弄不到，哭了，哭了小半夜，就挨了她父亲的一顿打，后来眼眶还红肿了两三天。这种剪绒花是外省的东西，S城里尚且买不出，她那里想得到手呢？趁我这一次回南的便，便叫我买两朵去送她。

“我對於這差使倒並不以為煩厭，反而很喜歡；I didn't find this errand the least bit tiresome — quite the opposite, I was actually rather glad of it;為阿順，我實在還有些願意出力的意思的。for Ashun's sake, I really did feel some willingness to make the effort.前年，我回來接我母親的時候，有一天，長富正在家，不知怎的我和他閑談起來了。The year before last, when I came back to fetch my mother, one day, with Changfu happening to be at home, somehow or other we fell to chatting.他便要請我吃點心，蕎麥粉，並且告訴我所加的是白糖。He then insisted on treating me to a snack, buckwheat flour, and told me moreover that what he'd put in it was white sugar.你想，家裡能有白糖的船戶，可見決不是一個窮船戶了，所以他也吃得很闊綽。Just think — a boatman's household that can afford white sugar is clearly no poor boatman at all, and so he could afford to live rather lavishly too.我被勸不過，答應了，但要求只要用小碗。Unable to refuse his urging, I accepted, but asked that I be given only a small bowl.他也很識世故，便囑咐阿順說，‘他們文人，是不會吃東西的。He was also quite worldly-wise, so he told Ah Shun, 'These men of letters, they can't really eat much.你就用小碗，多加糖！’然而等到調好端來的時候，仍然使我吃一嚇，是一大碗，足夠我吃一天。Just use a small bowl, and put in plenty of sugar!' Yet when it was prepared and brought out, it still gave me a start — it was a big bowl, enough to last me a whole day.但是和長富吃的一碗比起來，我的也確乎算小碗。But compared with the bowl Changfu was eating, mine was indeed, in fact, a small one.我生平沒有吃過蕎麥粉，這回一嘗，實在不可口，卻是非常甜。I had never in my life eaten buckwheat flour before; tasting it this time, it was really not to my liking, and yet it was extremely sweet.我漫然的吃了幾口，就想不吃了，然而無意中，忽然間看見阿順遠遠的站在屋角裏，就使我立刻消失了放下碗筷的勇氣。I ate a few mouthfuls absent-mindedly and was about to stop, but quite by chance I suddenly caught sight of Ah Shun standing far off in the corner of the room, and this at once robbed me of the courage to put down my bowl and chopsticks.我看她的神情，是害怕而且希望，大約怕自己調得不好，願我們吃得有味，我知道如果剩下大半碗來，一定要使她很失望，而且很抱歉。Looking at her expression, it was one of both fear and hope — probably afraid that she hadn't prepared it well, and hoping that we would find it tasty; I knew that if I left more than half the bowl, it would surely disappoint her greatly, and make her feel very apologetic.我於是同時決心，放開喉嚨灌下去了，幾乎吃得和長富一樣快。So I made up my mind then and there, and poured it down my throat, eating almost as fast as Changfu.我由此才知道硬吃的苦痛，我只記得還做孩子時候的吃盡一碗拌著驅除蛔蟲藥粉的沙糖才有這樣難。Only then did I learn the pain of forcing food down; the only thing I could recall being as hard as this was, when I was still a child, finishing a whole bowl of brown sugar mixed with roundworm-expelling powder.然而我毫不抱怨，因為她過來收拾空碗時候的忍著的得意的笑容，已盡夠賠償我的苦痛而有餘了。Yet I did not complain in the least, for the smile of restrained triumph on her face when she came to clear away the empty bowl was more than enough to repay me for my suffering.所以我這一夜雖然飽脹得睡不穩，又做了一大串惡夢，也還是祝贊她一生幸福，願世界為她變好。So that night, although I was so bloated I slept fitfully and had a long string of bad dreams, I still wished her a lifetime of happiness, and hoped the world would turn better for her sake.然而這些意思也不過是我的那些舊日的夢的痕跡，即刻就自笑，接著也就忘卻了。Yet these thoughts were merely traces of my old dreams of days gone by; I laughed at myself at once, and then straightaway forgot them.

“我对于这差使倒并不以为烦厌，反而很喜欢；为阿顺，我实在还有些愿意出力的意思的。前年，我回来接我母亲的时候，有一天，长富正在家，不知怎的我和他闲谈起来了。他便要请我吃点心，荞麦粉，并且告诉我所加的是白糖。你想，家里能有白糖的船户，可见决不是一个穷船户了，所以他也吃得很阔绰。我被劝不过，答应了，但要求只要用小碗。他也很识世故，便嘱咐阿顺说，‘他们文人，是不会吃东西的。你就用小碗，多加糖！’然而等到调好端来的时候，仍然使我吃一吓，是一大碗，足够我吃一天。但是和长富吃的一碗比起来，我的也确乎算小碗。我生平没有吃过荞麦粉，这回一尝，实在不可口，却是非常甜。我漫然的吃了几口，就想不吃了，然而无意中，忽然间看见阿顺远远的站在屋角里，就使我立刻消失了放下碗筷的勇气。我看她的神情，是害怕而且希望，大约怕自己调得不好，愿我们吃得有味，我知道如果剩下大半碗来，一定要使她很失望，而且很抱歉。我于是同时决心，放开喉咙灌下去了，几乎吃得和长富一样快。我由此才知道硬吃的苦痛，我只记得还做孩子时候的吃尽一碗拌著驱除蛔虫药粉的沙糖才有这样难。然而我毫不抱怨，因为她过来收拾空碗时候的忍著的得意的笑容，已尽够赔偿我的苦痛而有余了。所以我这一夜虽然饱胀得睡不稳，又做了一大串恶梦，也还是祝赞她一生幸福，愿世界为她变好。然而这些意思也不过是我的那些旧日的梦的痕迹，即刻就自笑，接著也就忘却了。

「我先前並不知道她曾經為了一朵剪絨花挨打，但因為母親一說起，便也記得了蕎麥粉的事，意外的勤快起來了。"I hadn't known before that she'd once been beaten over a velvet flower, but once mother mentioned it, I remembered the business of the buckwheat flour too, and became unexpectedly diligent about it.我先在太原城裡搜求了一遍，都沒有；I first searched all through the city of Taiyuan, but there was none to be found;一直到濟南……」right up until Jinan……"

「我先前并不知道她曾经为了一朵剪绒花挨打，但因为母亲一说起，便也记得了荞麦粉的事，意外的勤快起来了。我先在太原城里搜求了一遍，都没有；一直到济南……」

窗外沙沙的一陣聲響，許多積雪從被他壓彎了的一技山茶樹上滑下去了，樹枝筆挺的伸直，更顯出烏油油的肥葉和血紅的花來。Outside the window there came a rustling sound, and a mass of accumulated snow slid down off a camellia branch that had been bent under its weight; the branch sprang straight up again, making the glossy dark leaves and blood-red flowers stand out all the more.天空的鉛色來得更濃，小鳥雀啾唧的叫著，大概黃昏將近，地面又全罩了雪，尋不出什麼食糧，都趕早回巢來休息了。The leaden color of the sky grew even denser; little sparrows chirped and twittered — dusk was probably drawing near, and with the ground all covered in snow again and no food to be found anywhere, they were all hurrying back early to their nests to rest.

窗外沙沙的一阵声响，许多积雪从被他压弯了的一技山茶树上滑下去了，树枝笔挺的伸直，更显出乌油油的肥叶和血红的花来。天空的铅色来得更浓，小鸟雀啾唧的叫著，大概黄昏将近，地面又全罩了雪，寻不出什么食粮，都赶早回巢来休息了。

「一直到了濟南，」他向窗外看了一回，轉身喝乾一杯酒，又吸幾口煙，接著說。“我才買到剪絨花。"Not until I got to Jinan," he glanced out the window a moment, turned and drained a cup of wine, took a few puffs of his cigarette, and went on, "did I manage to buy the velvet flowers.我也不知道使她挨打的是不是這一種，總之是絨做的罷了。I don't even know whether it was this kind that got her beaten — anyway, it was made of velvet, that much is certain.我也不知道她喜歡深色還是淺色，就買了一朵大紅的，一朵粉紅的，都帶到這裡來。Nor did I know whether she liked dark colors or light ones, so I bought one bright red one and one pink one, and brought them both here with me.

「一直到了济南，」他向窗外看了一回，转身喝干一杯酒，又吸几口烟，接著说。“我才买到剪绒花。我也不知道使她挨打的是不是这一种，总之是绒做的罢了。我也不知道她喜欢深色还是浅色，就买了一朵大红的，一朵粉红的，都带到这里来。

“就是今天午後，我一吃完飯，便去看長富，我為此特地耽擱了一天。It was just this afternoon — as soon as I finished eating, I went to see Changfu; I specially delayed a day just for this.他的家倒還在，只是看去很有些晦氣色了，但這恐怕不過是我自己的感覺。His house was still there, though it looked rather touched by misfortune — but that's probably just my own impression.他的兒子和第二個女兒——阿昭，都站在門口，大了。His son and his second daughter — Ah Zhao — were both standing at the gate; they've grown up.阿昭長得全不像她姊姊，簡直像一個鬼，但是看見我走向她家，便飛奔的逃進屋裡去。Ah Zhao looks nothing at all like her elder sister — she's simply like a little ghost — but when she saw me coming toward the house, she bolted and fled inside.我就問那小子，知道長富不在家。‘你的大姊呢？’他立刻瞪起眼睛，連聲問我尋她什麼事，而且惡狠狠的似乎就要撲過來，咬我。I asked the boy, and learned that Changfu was not home. 'Where's your elder sister?' I asked. He instantly glared at me, demanding again and again what business I had with her, and looking so fierce he seemed about to pounce on me and bite.我支吾著退走了，我現在是敷敷衍衍……I mumbled some excuse and withdrew. These days I just get by however I can……

“就是今天午后，我一吃完饭，便去看长富，我为此特地耽搁了一天。他的家倒还在，只是看去很有些晦气色了，但这恐怕不过是我自己的感觉。他的儿子和第二个女儿——阿昭，都站在门口，大了。阿昭长得全不像她姊姊，简直像一个鬼，但是看见我走向她家，便飞奔的逃进屋里去。我就问那小子，知道长富不在家。‘你的大姊呢？’他立刻瞪起眼睛，连声问我寻她什么事，而且恶狠狠的似乎就要扑过来，咬我。我支吾著退走了，我现在是敷敷衍衍……

“你不知道，我可是比先前更怕去訪人了。You have no idea — I'm even more afraid of visiting people now than I used to be.因為我已經深知道自己之討厭，連自己也討厭，又何必明知故犯的去使人暗暗地不快呢？Because I already know only too well how tiresome I am — I'm sick of myself — so why should I knowingly go and secretly upset others?然而這回的差使是不能不辦妥的，所以想了一想，終於回到就在斜對門的柴店裏。But this errand was one I couldn't leave undone, so after thinking it over, I finally went to the firewood shop just diagonally across the way.店主的母親，老發奶奶，倒也還在，而且也還認識我，居然將我邀進店裏坐去了。The shopkeeper's mother, old Granny Fa, was still there, and still recognized me too — she actually invited me in to sit down in the shop.我們寒暄幾句之後，我就說明瞭回到S城和尋長富的緣故。After we exchanged a few pleasantries, I explained the reason for my return to S City and my looking for Changfu.不料她嘆息說：To my surprise, she sighed and said:

“你不知道，我可是比先前更怕去访人了。因为我已经深知道自己之讨厌，连自己也讨厌，又何必明知故犯的去使人暗暗地不快呢？然而这回的差使是不能不办妥的，所以想了一想，终于回到就在斜对门的柴店里。店主的母亲，老发奶奶，倒也还在，而且也还认识我，居然将我邀进店里坐去了。我们寒暄几句之后，我就说明瞭回到S城和寻长富的缘故。不料她叹息说：

‘可惜順姑沒有福氣戴這剪絨花了。’”'What a pity Sister Shun has no such luck left to wear this velvet flower.'"

‘可惜顺姑没有福气戴这剪绒花了。’”

「她於是詳細的告訴我，說是‘大約從去年春天以來，她就見得黃瘦，後來忽而常常下淚了，問她緣故又不說；"She then told me in detail, saying that ever since about last spring, Shun had grown sallow and thin, and later had suddenly taken to crying often; when asked the reason she wouldn't say;有時還整夜的哭，哭得長富也忍不住生氣，罵她年紀大了，發了瘋。sometimes she even cried the whole night through, until Changfu couldn't help getting angry and scolded her, saying she was old enough to know better and had gone mad.可是一到秋初，起先不過小傷風，終於躺倒了，從此就起不來。But then, come early autumn, what began as no more than a slight cold ended with her taking to her bed, and from then on she never got up again.直到咽氣的前幾天，才肯對長富說，她早就像她母親一樣，不時的吐紅和流夜汗。Only in the last few days before she breathed her last did she finally tell Changfu that, like her mother before her, she had for some time been coughing up blood and having night sweats.但是瞞著，怕他因此要擔心，有一夜，她的伯伯長庚又來硬借錢，——這是常有的事，——她不給，長庚就冷笑著說：你不要驕氣，你的男人比我還不如！But she had kept it hidden, afraid it would worry him. One night, her uncle Changgeng came again to force a loan out of her — this was a common occurrence — and when she refused him, Changgeng sneered and said: Don't put on such airs — your husband is worse off than even I am!她從此就發了愁，又怕羞，不好問，只好哭。From then on she fell into worry, and being too ashamed to ask about it, could do nothing but cry.長富趕緊將她的男人怎樣的掙氣的話說給她聽，那裡還來得及？Changfu hastened to tell her all about how well her husband was making his way in the world, but how could that still help by then?況且她也不信，反而說：好在我已經這樣，什麼也不要緊了。’」Besides, she didn't believe it anyway, and instead said: It's just as well I'm already like this — nothing matters anymore.'"

「她于是详细的告诉我，说是‘大约从去年春天以来，她就见得黄瘦，后来忽而常常下泪了，问她缘故又不说；有时还整夜的哭，哭得长富也忍不住生气，骂她年纪大了，发了疯。可是一到秋初，起先不过小伤风，终于躺倒了，从此就起不来。直到咽气的前几天，才肯对长富说，她早就像她母亲一样，不时的吐红和流夜汗。但是瞒著，怕他因此要担心，有一夜，她的伯伯长庚又来硬借钱，——这是常有的事，——她不给，长庚就冷笑著说：你不要骄气，你的男人比我还不如！她从此就发了愁，又怕羞，不好问，只好哭。长富赶紧将她的男人怎样的挣气的话说给她听，那里还来得及？况且她也不信，反而说：好在我已经这样，什么也不要紧了。’」

「她還說，‘如果她的男人真比長庚不如，那就真可怕呵！"She also said, 'If her husband really were worse off than Changgeng, that would truly be a terrible thing!比不上一個愉雞賊，那是什麼東西呢？To not even measure up to a chicken thief — what sort of creature would that make him?然而他來送殮的時候，我是親眼看見他的，衣服很乾凈，人也體面；But when he came for the funeral, I saw him with my own eyes — his clothes were very clean, and he himself looked quite respectable;還眼淚汪汪的說，自己撐了半世小船，苦熬苦省的積起錢來聘了一個女人，偏偏又死掉了。he even said, with eyes brimming with tears, that he had poled a boat for half his life, scrimping and saving to gather enough money to marry a wife, and yet she had to go and die on him.可見他實在是一個好人，長庚說的全是誑。So it's clear he really is a good man, and everything Changgeng said was pure lies.只可惜順姑竟會相信那樣的賊骨頭的誑話，白送了性命。——但這也不能去怪誰，只能怪順姑自己沒有這一份好福氣。’」It's just a pity that Sister Shun actually believed the lies of that scoundrel, and threw away her life for nothing. — But then, no one can really be blamed for it; one can only say Sister Shun herself simply wasn't blessed with such good fortune.'"

「她还说，‘如果她的男人真比长庚不如，那就真可怕呵！比不上一个愉鸡贼，那是什么东西呢？然而他来送殓的时候，我是亲眼看见他的，衣服很干净，人也体面；还眼泪汪汪的说，自己撑了半世小船，苦熬苦省的积起钱来聘了一个女人，偏偏又死掉了。可见他实在是一个好人，长庚说的全是诳。只可惜顺姑竟会相信那样的贼骨头的诳话，白送了性命。——但这也不能去怪谁，只能怪顺姑自己没有这一份好福气。’」

「那倒也罷，我的事情又完了。"Well, that's that, and my business there was finished again.但是帶在身邊的兩朵剪絨花怎麼辦呢？But then what was I to do with the two velvet flowers I had brought with me?好，我就托她送了阿昭。Very well, I asked her to pass them on to Ah Zhao.這阿昭一見我就飛跑，大約將我當作一隻狼或是什麼，我實在不願意去送她。——但是我也就送她了，母親只要說阿順見了喜歡的了不得就是。This Ah Zhao, the moment she saw me, ran off as fast as she could — probably taking me for a wolf or some such thing — and I really had no wish to give them to her myself. — But I gave them to her all the same; as for mother, all I need tell her is that Ah Shun was overjoyed to see them.這些無聊的事算什麼？What do such pointless matters amount to, after all?只要模模胡胡。As long as one gets through them in a muddle.模模胡胡的過了新年，仍舊教我的‘子日詩云’去。」I muddled through the New Year, and went back to teaching my 'Confucius says, the Odes say' as before."

「那倒也罢，我的事情又完了。但是带在身边的两朵剪绒花怎么办呢？好，我就托她送了阿昭。这阿昭一见我就飞跑，大约将我当作一只狼或是什么，我实在不愿意去送她。——但是我也就送她了，母亲只要说阿顺见了喜欢的了不得就是。这些无聊的事算什么？只要模模胡胡。模模胡胡的过了新年，仍旧教我的‘子日诗云’去。」

「你教的是‘子日詩云’麼？」我覺得奇異，便問。"You're teaching 'Confucius says, the Odes say'?" I felt this strange, and asked.

「你教的是‘子日诗云’么？」我觉得奇异，便问。

「自然。"Of course.你還以為教的是ABCD麼？Did you think I was teaching ABCD?我先是兩個學生，一個讀《詩經》，一個讀《孟子》。At first I had two pupils, one studying the Book of Songs, the other Mencius.新近又添了一個，女的，讀《女兒經》。Recently another was added, a girl, who studies the Girls' Classic.連算學也不教，不是我不教，他們不要教。」I don't even teach arithmetic — not that I refuse to teach it, but they don't want it taught."

「自然。你还以为教的是ABCD么？我先是两个学生，一个读《诗经》，一个读《孟子》。新近又添了一个，女的，读《女儿经》。连算学也不教，不是我不教，他们不要教。」

「我實在料不到你倒去教這類的書，……」"I really would never have guessed that you of all people would be teaching books of that sort, ……"

「我实在料不到你倒去教这类的书，……」

「他們的老子要他們讀這些，我是別人，無乎不可的。"Their fathers want them to read these; I'm an outsider to it, so it's all the same to me either way.這些無聊的事算什麼？What do such pointless matters amount to?只要隨隨便便，……」As long as one takes it all in stride, ……"

「他们的老子要他们读这些，我是别人，无乎不可的。这些无聊的事算什么？只要随随便便，……」

他滿臉已經通紅，似乎很有些醉，但眼光卻又消沉下去了。His whole face had already flushed red, as if he were quite drunk, yet the light in his eyes sank low again.我微微的嘆息，一時沒有話可說。I sighed faintly, and for a moment had nothing to say.樓梯上一陣亂響，擁上幾個酒客來：當頭的是矮子，擁腫的圓臉；There came a clatter of footsteps on the stairs, and a few drinkers crowded up: the one in front was a short fellow with a puffy round face;第二個是長的，在臉上很惹眼的顯出一個紅鼻子；the second was a tall one, whose face was conspicuously marked by a red nose;此後還有人，一疊連的走得小樓都發抖。after them came still more, tramping up one after another so that the whole little upper room shook.我轉眼去著呂緯甫，他也正轉眼來看我，我就叫堂倌算酒賬。I turned my eyes toward Lü Weifu, and he too was just then turning to look at me, so I called the waiter to reckon up the bill.

他满脸已经通红，似乎很有些醉，但眼光却又消沉下去了。我微微的叹息，一时没有话可说。楼梯上一阵乱响，拥上几个酒客来：当头的是矮子，拥肿的圆脸；第二个是长的，在脸上很惹眼的显出一个红鼻子；此后还有人，一叠连的走得小楼都发抖。我转眼去著吕纬甫，他也正转眼来看我，我就叫堂倌算酒账。

「你藉此還可以支持生活麼？」我一面準備走，一面問。"Can you manage to support yourself on this?" I asked, getting ready to leave.

「你藉此还可以支持生活么？」我一面准备走，一面问。

「是的。——我每月有二十元，也不大能夠敷衍。」"Yes. — I get twenty yuan a month, though it's barely enough to scrape by on."

「是的。——我每月有二十元，也不大能够敷衍。」

「那麼，你以後豫備怎麼辦呢？」"Then what do you plan to do from now on?"

「那么，你以后豫备怎么办呢？」

「以後？——我不知道。"From now on? — I don't know.你看我們那時豫想的事可有一件如意？Just think — of all the things we once hoped for back then, was there a single one that turned out as we wished?我現在什麼也不知道，連明天怎樣也不知道，連後一分……」Now I know nothing at all — I don't even know what tomorrow will bring, not even the next moment……"

「以后？——我不知道。你看我们那时豫想的事可有一件如意？我现在什么也不知道，连明天怎样也不知道，连后一分……」

堂倌送上賬來，交給我；The waiter brought up the bill and handed it to me;他也不像初到時候的謙虛了，只向我看了一眼，便吸煙，聽憑我付了賬。he was no longer as deferential as when he'd first arrived; he merely glanced at me once, then went on smoking, leaving me to pay the bill.

堂倌送上账来，交给我；他也不像初到时候的谦虚了，只向我看了一眼，便吸烟，听凭我付了账。

我們一同走出店門，他所住的旅館和我的方向正相反，就在門口分別了。We walked out of the restaurant together; the inn where he was staying lay in the opposite direction from mine, so we parted right at the door.我獨自向著自己的旅館走，寒風和雪片撲在臉上，倒覺得很爽快。I walked alone toward my own inn; the cold wind and snowflakes lashed against my face, and I found it strangely refreshing.見天色已是黃昏，和屋宇和街道都織在密雪的純白而不定的羅網裡。I saw that the sky had already turned to dusk, and that the houses and streets were all woven into a shifting white net of dense falling snow.

我们一同走出店门，他所住的旅馆和我的方向正相反，就在门口分别了。我独自向著自己的旅馆走，寒风和雪片扑在脸上，倒觉得很爽快。见天色已是黄昏，和屋宇和街道都织在密雪的纯白而不定的罗网里。

一九二四年二月一六日February 16, 1924