長明燈 The Eternal Lamp

春陰的下午，吉光屯唯一的茶館子裏的空氣又有些緊張了，人們的耳朵裏，仿佛還留著一種微細沉實的聲息——「熄掉他罷！」On an overcast spring afternoon, the air in the only teahouse in Jiguang Village had grown tense again; in people's ears there seemed still to linger a faint, low, solid sound — "Put it out!"

春阴的下午，吉光屯唯一的茶馆子里的空气又有些紧张了，人们的耳朵里，仿佛还留著一种微细沉实的声息——「熄掉他罢！」

但當然並不是全屯的人們都如此。But of course it was not the whole village that felt this way.這屯上的居民是不大出行的，動一動就須查黃歷，看那上面是否寫著「不宜出行」；The inhabitants of this village did not go out much; the moment they stirred they had to consult the almanac to see whether it said "travel inauspicious";倘沒有寫，出去也須先走喜神方，迎吉利。and if it did not say so, before going out they still had to first walk in the direction of the God of Joy, to greet good fortune.不拘禁忌地坐在茶館裏的不過幾個以豁達自居的青年人，但在蟄居人的意中卻以為個個都是敗家子。Those who sat in the teahouse unmindful of such taboos were no more than a few young men who prided themselves on being broad-minded, but in the minds of the housebound folk, every one of them was thought a spendthrift wastrel.

但当然并不是全屯的人们都如此。这屯上的居民是不大出行的，动一动就须查黄历，看那上面是否写著「不宜出行」；倘没有写，出去也须先走喜神方，迎吉利。不拘禁忌地坐在茶馆里的不过几个以豁达自居的青年人，但在蛰居人的意中却以为个个都是败家子。

現在也無非就是這茶館裏的空氣有些緊張。So now it was, after all, nothing more than that the air in this teahouse had grown somewhat tense.

现在也无非就是这茶馆里的空气有些紧张。

「還是這樣麼？」三角臉的拿起茶碗，問。"Still the same?" asked Triangle-Face, picking up his teacup.

「还是这样么？」三角脸的拿起茶碗，问。

「聽說，還是這樣，」方頭說，「還是盡說‘熄掉他熄掉他’。"So I hear, still the same," said Square-Head, "still saying nothing but 'put it out, put it out.'眼光也越加發閃了。His eyes have grown more flashing too.見鬼！Damn it!這是我們屯上的一個大害，你不要看得微細。This is a great scourge in our village — don't think it a small matter.我們倒應該想個法子來除掉他！」We really ought to think of some way to get rid of him!"

「听说，还是这样，」方头说，「还是尽说‘熄掉他熄掉他’。眼光也越加发闪了。见鬼！这是我们屯上的一个大害，你不要看得微细。我们倒应该想个法子来除掉他！」

「除掉他，算什麼一回事。"Getting rid of him — what is there to that?他不過是一個……。He's nothing but a...什麼東西！What a creature!造廟的時候，他的祖宗就捐過錢，現在他卻要來吹熄長明燈。When the temple was built, his ancestors donated money for it, yet now he wants to come and blow out the Long-Bright Lamp.這不是不肖子孫？Isn't this an unfilial descendant?我們上縣去，送他忤逆！」闊亭捏了拳頭，在桌上一擊，慷慨地說。Let's go to the county seat and report him for filial impiety!" said Kuoting, clenching his fist and striking the table, speaking with great vehemence.一只斜蓋著的茶碗蓋子也噫的一聲，翻了身。A teacup lid that had been resting askew gave a little clink and flipped over.

「除掉他，算什么一回事。他不过是一个……。什么东西！造庙的时候，他的祖宗就捐过钱，现在他却要来吹熄长明灯。这不是不肖子孙？我们上县去，送他忤逆！」阔亭捏了拳头，在桌上一击，慷慨地说。一只斜盖著的茶碗盖子也噫的一声，翻了身。

「不成。"That won't do.要送忤逆，須是他的父母，母舅……」方頭說。To report someone for filial impiety, it must be his parents or maternal uncle..." said Square-Head.

「不成。要送忤逆，须是他的父母，母舅……」方头说。

「可惜他只有一個伯父……」闊亭立刻頹唐了。"Too bad he only has an uncle..." Kuoting immediately deflated.

「可惜他只有一个伯父……」阔亭立刻颓唐了。

「闊亭！」方頭突然叫道。「你昨天的牌風可好？」"Kuoting!" Square-Head suddenly called out. "How was your luck at cards yesterday?"

「阔亭！」方头突然叫道。「你昨天的牌风可好？」

闊亭睜著眼看了他一會，沒有便答；Kuoting stared at him wide-eyed for a moment without answering right away;胖臉的莊七光已經放開喉嚨嚷起來了：fat-faced Zhuang Qiguang had already opened his throat and begun bawling:

阔亭睁著眼看了他一会，没有便答；胖脸的庄七光已经放开喉咙嚷起来了：

「吹熄了燈，我們的吉光屯還成什麼吉光屯，不就完了麼？"If the lamp gets blown out, what will become of our Jiguang Village — won't it just be finished?老年人不都說麼：這燈還是梁武帝點起的，一直傳下來，沒有熄過；Don't the old folk all say: this lamp was lit by Emperor Wu of Liang himself, and has been passed down ever since without ever going out;連長毛造反的時候也沒有熄過……。even when the Long-Hairs rose in rebellion it never went out...你看，嘖，那火光不是綠瑩瑩的麼？Look, tsk, isn't that flame a glowing green?外路人經過這裏的都要看一看，都稱贊……。Travelers passing through from other parts all have to take a look, and all praise it...嘖，多麼好……。Tsk, how splendid...他現在這麼胡鬧，什麼意思？……」What does he mean, carrying on like this now?..."

「吹熄了灯，我们的吉光屯还成什么吉光屯，不就完了么？老年人不都说么：这灯还是梁武帝点起的，一直传下来，没有熄过；连长毛造反的时候也没有熄过……。你看，啧，那火光不是绿莹莹的么？外路人经过这里的都要看一看，都称赞……。啧，多么好……。他现在这么胡闹，什么意思？……」

「他不是發了瘋麼？"Isn't he mad?你還沒有知道？」方頭帶些藐視的神氣說。Haven't you heard yet?" said Square-Head, with a somewhat scornful air.

「他不是发了疯么？你还没有知道？」方头带些藐视的神气说。

「哼，你聰明！」莊七光的臉上就走了油。"Hmph, aren't you clever!" Zhuang Qiguang's face turned oily with irritation.

「哼，你聪明！」庄七光的脸上就走了油。

「我想：還不如用老法子騙他一騙，」灰五嬸，本店的主人兼工人，本來是旁聽著的，看見形勢有些離了她專註的本題了，便趕忙來岔開紛爭，拉到正經事上去。"I think it would be better to trick him the old way," said Aunt Hui-Wu, the proprietress and sole worker of the shop, who had been listening in; seeing that things had strayed somewhat from the matter she cared about, she hurried to break in on the dispute and steer it back to serious business.

「我想：还不如用老法子骗他一骗，」灰五婶，本店的主人兼工人，本来是旁听著的，看见形势有些离了她专注的本题了，便赶忙来岔开纷争，拉到正经事上去。

「什麼老法子？」莊七光詫異地問。"What old way?" Zhuang Qiguang asked in surprise.

「什么老法子？」庄七光诧异地问。

「他不是先就發過一回瘋麼，和現在一模一樣。"Didn't he go mad once before, just the same as now?那時他的父親還在，騙了他一騙，就治好了。」His father was still alive then, and they tricked him once, and it cured him."

「他不是先就发过一回疯么，和现在一模一样。那时他的父亲还在，骗了他一骗，就治好了。」

「怎麼騙？"Tricked him how?我怎麼不知道？」莊七光更其詫異地問。How is it I never knew?" Zhuang Qiguang asked, even more astonished.

「怎么骗？我怎么不知道？」庄七光更其诧异地问。

「你怎麼會知道？"How could you know?那時你們都還是小把戲呢，單知道喝奶拉矢。At that time you lot were still little tykes, knowing only how to suckle milk and shit.便是我，那時也不這樣。Even I wasn't like this then.你看我那時的一雙手呵，真是粉嫩粉嫩……」Just look at what my hands were like then — truly pink and soft..."

「你怎么会知道？那时你们都还是小把戏呢，单知道喝奶拉矢。便是我，那时也不这样。你看我那时的一双手呵，真是粉嫩粉嫩……」

「你現在也還是粉嫩粉嫩……」方頭說。"You're still pink and soft now..." said Square-Head.

「你现在也还是粉嫩粉嫩……」方头说。

「放你媽的屁！」灰五嬸怒目地笑了起來，「莫胡說了。"Cut the crap!" Aunt Hui-Wu laughed with glaring eyes. "Stop talking nonsense.我們講正經話。Let's talk seriously.他那時也還年青哩；He was still young then too;他的老子也就有些瘋的。his father was a bit mad as well.聽說：有一天他的祖父帶他進社廟去，教他拜社老爺，瘟將軍，王靈官老爺，他就害怕了，硬不拜，跑了出來，從此便有些怪。I heard that one day his grandfather took him into the shrine to teach him to bow to the Earth God, the Plague General, and Lord Wang Ling-guan, and he got frightened, flatly refused to bow, and ran out — and from then on he's been a bit strange.後來就像現在一樣，一見人總和他們商量吹熄正殿上的長明燈。Later, just like now, whenever he saw people he would always try to talk them into blowing out the Long-Bright Lamp in the main hall.他說熄了便再不會有蝗蟲和病痛，真是像一件天大的正事似的。He said that once it was put out there would never again be locusts or sickness — really as if it were the most solemn matter in the world.大約那是邪祟附了體，怕見正路神道了。It must have been some evil spirit possessing him, making him afraid of the true and proper gods.要是我們，會怕見社老爺麼？If it were us, would we be afraid to see the Earth God?你們的茶不冷了麼？Hasn't your tea gone cold?對一點熱水罷。Let me add a little hot water.好，他後來就自己闖進去，要去吹。Well, after that he took to bursting in by himself, trying to blow it out.他的老子又太疼愛他，不肯將他鎖起來。And his father doted on him too much to have him locked up.呵，後來不是全屯動了公憤，和他老子去吵鬧了麼？Ah, and later didn't the whole village rise up in indignation and go make a row with his father about it?可是，沒有辦法，——幸虧我家的死鬼那時還在，給想了一個法：將長明燈用厚棉被一圍，漆漆黑黑地，領他去看，說是已經吹熄了。」But there was nothing to be done — luckily my late husband was still alive then, and he thought of a way: they wrapped the Long-Bright Lamp round with a thick cotton quilt, making it pitch black, and led him to look, telling him it had already been put out."

「放你妈的屁！」灰五婶怒目地笑了起来，「莫胡说了。我们讲正经话。他那时也还年青哩；他的老子也就有些疯的。听说：有一天他的祖父带他进社庙去，教他拜社老爷，瘟将军，王灵官老爷，他就害怕了，硬不拜，跑了出来，从此便有些怪。后来就像现在一样，一见人总和他们商量吹熄正殿上的长明灯。他说熄了便再不会有蝗虫和病痛，真是像一件天大的正事似的。大约那是邪祟附了体，怕见正路神道了。要是我们，会怕见社老爷么？你们的茶不冷了么？对一点热水罢。好，他后来就自己闯进去，要去吹。他的老子又太疼爱他，不肯将他锁起来。呵，后来不是全屯动了公愤，和他老子去吵闹了么？可是，没有办法，——幸亏我家的死鬼那时还在，给想了一个法：将长明灯用厚棉被一围，漆漆黑黑地，领他去看，说是已经吹熄了。」

「唉唉，這真虧他想得出。」三角臉吐一口氣，說，不勝感服之至似的。"Ai, ai, that was really clever of him to think up." Triangle-Face let out a breath, speaking as though overcome with admiration.

「唉唉，这真亏他想得出。」三角脸吐一口气，说，不胜感服之至似的。

「費什麼這樣的手腳，」闊亭憤憤地說，「這樣的東西，打死了就完了，嚇！」"Why go to all that trouble," Kuoting said indignantly. "A creature like that — beat him to death and be done with it, hah!"

「费什么这样的手脚，」阔亭愤愤地说，「这样的东西，打死了就完了，吓！」

「那怎麼行？」她吃驚地看著他，連忙搖手道，「那怎麼行！"How could that do?" She looked at him in alarm, waving her hand hastily. "That would never do!他的祖父不是捏過印靶子的麼？」Didn't his grandfather once hold the official seal?"

「那怎么行？」她吃惊地看著他，连忙摇手道，「那怎么行！他的祖父不是捏过印靶子的么？」

闊亭們立刻面面相覷，覺得除了「死鬼」的妙法以外，也委實無法可想了。Kuoting and the others at once exchanged glances, feeling that apart from the late husband's clever trick, there was truly no other way to think of.

阔亭们立刻面面相觑，觉得除了「死鬼」的妙法以外，也委实无法可想了。

「後來就好了的！」她又用手背抹去一些嘴角上的白沫，更快地說，「後來全好了的！"And after that he was well again!" She wiped away with the back of her hand some white foam at the corner of her mouth, and went on even faster, "Afterward he was completely well!他從此也就不再走進廟門去，也不再提起什麼來，許多年。From then on he never again set foot in the temple gate, nor ever brought the matter up again, for many years.不知道怎麼這回看了賽會之後不多幾天，又瘋了起來了。I don't know how it happened, but this time, only a few days after watching the temple fair, he went mad again.哦，同先前一模一樣。Oh, exactly the same as before.午後他就走過這裏，一定又上廟裏去了。This afternoon he passed by here — he must be off to the temple again.你們和四爺商量商量去，還是再騙他一騙好。You should go and talk it over with Fourth Master — it's still best to trick him once more.那燈不是梁五弟點起來的麼？Wasn't that lamp lit by the fifth brother Liang?不是說，那燈一滅，這裏就要變海，我們就都要變泥鰍麼？Isn't it said that the moment that lamp goes out, this place will turn into a sea, and we'll all turn into loaches?你們快去和四爺商量商量罷，要不……」Go quickly and talk it over with Fourth Master, or else..."

「后来就好了的！」她又用手背抹去一些嘴角上的白沫，更快地说，「后来全好了的！他从此也就不再走进庙门去，也不再提起什么来，许多年。不知道怎么这回看了赛会之后不多几天，又疯了起来了。哦，同先前一模一样。午后他就走过这里，一定又上庙里去了。你们和四爷商量商量去，还是再骗他一骗好。那灯不是梁五弟点起来的么？不是说，那灯一灭，这里就要变海，我们就都要变泥鳅么？你们快去和四爷商量商量罢，要不……」

「我們還是先到廟前去看一看，」方頭說著，便軒昂地出了門。"Let's go have a look in front of the temple first," said Square-Head, and strode out the door with an air of importance.

「我们还是先到庙前去看一看，」方头说著，便轩昂地出了门。

闊亭和莊七光也跟著出去了。Kuoting and Zhuang Qiguang followed him out as well.三角臉走得最後，將到門口，回過頭來說道：Triangle-Face went out last, and just as he reached the doorway, turned his head back and said:

阔亭和庄七光也跟著出去了。三角脸走得最后，将到门口，回过头来说道：

「這回就記了我的賬！"Just put this on my tab this time!入他……。」Damn him..."

「这回就记了我的账！入他……。」

灰五嬸答應著，走到東墻下拾起一塊木炭來，就在墻上畫有一個小三角形和一串短短的細線的下面，劃添了兩條線。Aunt Hui-Wu agreed, walked over to the east wall, picked up a piece of charcoal, and beneath a small triangle already drawn on the wall together with a row of short thin lines, added two more strokes.

灰五婶答应著，走到东墙下拾起一块木炭来，就在墙上画有一个小三角形和一串短短的细线的下面，划添了两条线。

他們望見社廟的時候，果然一並看到了幾個人：一個正是他，兩個是閑看的，三個是孩子。When they caught sight of the shrine, they indeed saw several people at once: one was in fact him, two were idle onlookers, and three were children.

他们望见社庙的时候，果然一并看到了几个人：一个正是他，两个是闲看的，三个是孩子。

但廟門卻緊緊地關著。But the temple gate was tightly shut.

但庙门却紧紧地关著。

「好！"Good!廟門還關著。」闊亭高興地說。The temple gate is still shut," said Kuoting happily.

「好！庙门还关著。」阔亭高兴地说。

他們一走近，孩子們似乎也都膽壯，圍近去了。As soon as they drew near, the children too seemed to grow bolder and crowded in closer.本來對了廟門立著的他，也轉過臉來對他們看。He, who had been standing facing the temple gate, also turned his face to look at them.

他们一走近，孩子们似乎也都胆壮，围近去了。本来对了庙门立著的他，也转过脸来对他们看。

他也還如平常一樣，黃的方臉和藍布破大衫，只在濃眉底下的大而且長的眼睛中，略帶些異樣的光閃，看人就許多工夫不眨眼，並且總含著悲憤疑懼的神情。He too still looked as usual — a sallow square face and a tattered blue cotton gown — only in the large, long eyes beneath his thick brows there was a faint, unusual glint; when he looked at someone he would go a long while without blinking, and his expression always held a look of grief, indignation, suspicion, and fear.短的頭發上粘著兩片稻草葉，那該是孩子暗暗地從背後給他放上去的，因為他們向他頭上一看之後，就都縮了頸子，笑著將舌頭很快地一伸。Two blades of straw were stuck to his short hair — no doubt the children had quietly stuck them on from behind, for after glancing up at his head, they all ducked their necks and, laughing, quickly stuck out their tongues.

他也还如平常一样，黄的方脸和蓝布破大衫，只在浓眉底下的大而且长的眼睛中，略带些异样的光闪，看人就许多工夫不眨眼，并且总含著悲愤疑惧的神情。短的头发上粘著两片稻草叶，那该是孩子暗暗地从背后给他放上去的，因为他们向他头上一看之后，就都缩了颈子，笑著将舌头很快地一伸。

他們站定了，各人都互看著別個的臉。They came to a stop, each of them looking at the others' faces.

他们站定了，各人都互看著别个的脸。

「你幹什麼？」但三角臉終於走上一步，詰問了。"What are you doing?" Triangle-Face finally stepped forward and demanded.

「你干什么？」但三角脸终于走上一步，诘问了。

「我叫老黑開門，」他低聲，溫和地說。「就因為那一盞燈必須吹熄。"I'm calling for Old Hei to open the door," he said softly and gently. "It's simply because that lamp must be put out.你看，三頭六臂的藍臉，三只眼睛，長帽，半個的頭，牛頭和豬牙齒，都應該吹熄……Look — the blue face with three heads and six arms, the three eyes, the tall hat, the half-head, the ox-head and the pig's tusks — all of them ought to be put out...吹熄。Put out.吹熄，我們就不會有蝗蟲，不會有豬嘴瘟……。」Put it out, and we'll have no more locusts, no more hog-snout plague..."

「我叫老黑开门，」他低声，温和地说。「就因为那一盏灯必须吹熄。你看，三头六臂的蓝脸，三只眼睛，长帽，半个的头，牛头和猪牙齿，都应该吹熄……吹熄。吹熄，我们就不会有蝗虫，不会有猪嘴瘟……。」

「唏唏，胡鬧！」闊亭輕蔑地笑了出來，「你吹熄了燈，蝗蟲會還要多，你就要生豬嘴瘟！」"Heh heh, nonsense!" Kuoting laughed scornfully. "If you blow out the lamp, there'll be even more locusts, and you'll be the one to catch hog-snout plague!"

「唏唏，胡闹！」阔亭轻蔑地笑了出来，「你吹熄了灯，蝗虫会还要多，你就要生猪嘴瘟！」

「唏唏！」莊七光也陪著笑。"Heh heh!" Zhuang Qiguang laughed along too.

「唏唏！」庄七光也陪著笑。

一個赤膊孩子擎起他玩弄著的葦子，對他瞄準著，將櫻桃似的小口一張，道：A bare-chested child raised the reed he had been playing with, took aim at him, and opening his little cherry-like mouth, said:

一个赤膊孩子擎起他玩弄著的苇子，对他瞄准著，将樱桃似的小口一张，道：

「吧！」"Bang!"

「你還是回去罷！"You'd better go on back!倘不，你的伯伯會打斷你的骨頭！If you don't, your uncle will break your bones!燈麼，我替你吹。As for the lamp, I'll blow it out for you.你過幾天來看就知道。」闊亭大聲說。Come back and look in a few days, and you'll see," Kuoting said loudly.

「你还是回去罢！倘不，你的伯伯会打断你的骨头！灯么，我替你吹。你过几天来看就知道。」阔亭大声说。

他兩眼更發出閃閃的光來，釘一般看定闊亭的眼，使闊亭的眼光趕緊辟易了。His two eyes flashed all the more brightly, fixing on Kuoting's eyes like a nail, so that Kuoting's gaze quickly flinched away.

他两眼更发出闪闪的光来，钉一般看定阔亭的眼，使阔亭的眼光赶紧辟易了。

「你吹？」他嘲笑似的微笑，但接著就堅定地說，「不能！"You'll blow it out?" He gave a mocking little smile, but then said firmly, "That won't do!不要你們。I don't want any of you.我自己去熄，此刻去熄！」I'll go put it out myself, put it out this very moment!"

「你吹？」他嘲笑似的微笑，但接著就坚定地说，「不能！不要你们。我自己去熄，此刻去熄！」

闊亭便立刻頹唐得酒醒之後似的無力；Kuoting at once went limp and dispirited, as if he had just sobered up from wine;方頭卻已站上去了，慢慢地說道：but Square-Head had already stepped up, and said slowly:

阔亭便立刻颓唐得酒醒之后似的无力；方头却已站上去了，慢慢地说道：

「你是一向懂事的，這一回可是太胡塗了。"You've always been a sensible man, but this time you're being far too muddle-headed.讓我來開導你罷，你也許能夠明白。Let me explain it to you — perhaps you'll be able to understand.就是吹熄了燈，那些東西不是還在麼？Even if the lamp is blown out, won't those things still be there?不要這麼傻頭傻腦了，還是回去！Don't be so foolish — go on back!睡覺去！」Go to sleep!"

「你是一向懂事的，这一回可是太胡涂了。让我来开导你罢，你也许能够明白。就是吹熄了灯，那些东西不是还在么？不要这么傻头傻脑了，还是回去！睡觉去！」

「我知道的，熄了也還在。」他忽又現出陰鷙的笑容，但是立即收斂了，沉實地說道，「然而我只能姑且這麼辦。"I know that — even put out, they'll still be there." He suddenly wore a dark, grim smile again, but at once suppressed it, and said steadily, "But for now, this is all I can do.我先來這麼辦，容易些。I'll start by doing this — it's easier this way.我就要吹熄他，自己熄！」他說著，一面就轉過身去竭力地推廟門。I am going to put it out — put it out myself!" As he spoke, he turned and pushed with all his strength at the temple gate.

「我知道的，熄了也还在。」他忽又现出阴鸷的笑容，但是立即收敛了，沉实地说道，「然而我只能姑且这么办。我先来这么办，容易些。我就要吹熄他，自己熄！」他说著，一面就转过身去竭力地推庙门。

「餵！」闊亭生氣了，「你不是這裏的人麼？"Hey!" Kuoting grew angry. "Aren't you a person of this place?你一定要我們大家變泥鰍麼？Do you really want us all to turn into loaches?回去！Go back!"你推不開的，你沒有法子開的！You can't push it open — there's no way for you to open it!吹不熄的！It can't be blown out!還是回去好！」You'd better go back!

「喂！」阔亭生气了，「你不是这里的人么？你一定要我们大家变泥鳅么？回去！你推不开的，你没有法子开的！吹不熄的！还是回去好！」

「我不回去！I won't go back!我要吹熄他！」I want to blow it out!

「不成！It's no good!你沒法開！」There's no way for you to open it!

「不成！你没法开！」

「…………」……

「你沒法開！」There's no way for you to open it!

「你没法开！」

「那麼，就用別的法子來。」他轉臉向他們一瞥，沉靜地說。"Then I'll use another way," he said calmly, turning to glance at them.

「那么，就用别的法子来。」他转脸向他们一瞥，沉静地说。

「哼，看你有什麼別的法。」"Hmph, let's see what other way you've got."

「哼，看你有什么别的法。」

「…………」……

「看你有什麼別的法！」"Let's see what other way you've got!"

「看你有什么别的法！」

「我放火。」"I'll set it on fire."

「什麼？」闊亭疑心自己沒有聽清楚。"What?" Kuoting suspected he hadn't heard right.

「什么？」阔亭疑心自己没有听清楚。

「我放火！」"I'll set it on fire!"

沉默像一聲清磬，搖曳著尾聲，周圍的活物都在其中凝結了。The silence was like the note of a clear chime-stone, its trailing echo lingering, and every living thing around seemed to congeal within it.但不一會，就有幾個人交頭接耳，不一會，又都退了開去；But before long a few people put their heads together and whispered, and before long again they all drew back;兩三人又在略遠的地方站住了。two or three of them stopped a little further off.廟後門的墻外就有莊七光的聲音喊道：Outside the wall by the temple's back gate came the voice of Zhuang Qiguang, calling out:

沉默像一声清磬，摇曳著尾声，周围的活物都在其中凝结了。但不一会，就有几个人交头接耳，不一会，又都退了开去；两三人又在略远的地方站住了。庙后门的墙外就有庄七光的声音喊道：

「老黑呀，不對了！"Lao Hei, this is bad!你廟門要關得緊！You must shut the temple gate tight!老黑呀，你聽清了麼？Lao Hei, do you hear me clearly?關得緊！Shut it tight!我們去想了法子就來！」We'll go think of a way and come right back!"

「老黑呀，不对了！你庙门要关得紧！老黑呀，你听清了么？关得紧！我们去想了法子就来！」

但他似乎並不留心別的事，只閃爍著狂熱的眼光，在地上，在空中，在人身上，迅速地搜查，仿佛想要尋火種。But he seemed to pay no heed to anything else, his eyes only glittering with a wild, feverish light, searching swiftly over the ground, through the air, over people's bodies, as though hunting for a source of fire.

但他似乎并不留心别的事，只闪烁著狂热的眼光，在地上，在空中，在人身上，迅速地搜查，仿佛想要寻火种。

方頭和闊亭在幾家的大門裏穿梭一般出入了一通之後，吉光屯全局頓然擾動了。After Fangtou and Kuoting had darted in and out of the gates of several households, one after another like shuttles, the whole of Jiguang Tun was suddenly thrown into an uproar.許多人們的耳朵裏，心裏，都有了一個可怕的聲音：「放火！」但自然還有多少更深的蟄居人的耳朵裏心裏是全沒有。In the ears and hearts of many people there now rang one terrible word: "Fire!" But of course there were still a good many more deeply reclusive people whose ears and hearts it had not reached at all.然而全屯的空氣也就緊張起來，凡有感得這緊張的人們，都很不安，仿佛自己就要變成泥鰍，天下從此毀滅。Even so, the air of the whole village grew tense, and all who felt this tension became greatly uneasy, as though they themselves were about to turn into loaches, and the world were about to be destroyed from that moment on.他們自然也隱約知道毀滅的不過是吉光屯，但也覺得吉光屯似乎就是天下。They knew vaguely enough, of course, that what would be destroyed was only Jiguang Tun, but they felt as though Jiguang Tun were the whole world all the same.

方头和阔亭在几家的大门里穿梭一般出入了一通之后，吉光屯全局顿然扰动了。许多人们的耳朵里，心里，都有了一个可怕的声音：「放火！」但自然还有多少更深的蛰居人的耳朵里心里是全没有。然而全屯的空气也就紧张起来，凡有感得这紧张的人们，都很不安，仿佛自己就要变成泥鳅，天下从此毁灭。他们自然也隐约知道毁灭的不过是吉光屯，但也觉得吉光屯似乎就是天下。

這事件的中樞，不久就湊在四爺的客廳上了。The center of this affair before long gathered in Fourth Master's parlor.坐在首座上的是年高德韶的郭老娃，臉上已經皺得如風幹的香橙，還要用手捋著下頦上的白胡須，似乎想將他們拔下。Seated in the place of honor was Guo Laowa, venerable in years and virtue, his face already wrinkled like a wind-dried orange, still stroking with his hand the white beard on his chin, as though he meant to pluck it out.

这事件的中枢，不久就凑在四爷的客厅上了。坐在首座上的是年高德韶的郭老娃，脸上已经皱得如风干的香橙，还要用手捋著下颏上的白胡须，似乎想将他们拔下。

「上半天，」他放松了胡子，慢慢地說，「西頭，老富的中風，他的兒子，就說是：因為，社神不安，之故。"This morning," he said slowly, letting go of his beard, "at the west end, old Fu had a stroke, and his son says it's because the earth god is unsettled.這樣一來，將來，萬一有，什麼，雞犬不寧，的事，就難免要到，府上……This being so, in future, should there ever be, some, disturbance among the chickens and dogs, it would be hard to avoid, coming to, your honorable house……是的，都要來到府上，麻煩。」Yes, it would all come round to your house, causing no end of trouble."

「上半天，」他放松了胡子，慢慢地说，「西头，老富的中风，他的儿子，就说是：因为，社神不安，之故。这样一来，将来，万一有，什么，鸡犬不宁，的事，就难免要到，府上……是的，都要来到府上，麻烦。」

「是麼，」四爺也捋著上唇的花白的鮎魚須，卻悠悠然，仿佛全不在意模樣，說，「這也是他父親的報應呵。"Is that so," said Fourth Master, likewise stroking the grizzled catfish-whiskers on his upper lip, but leisurely, as though it were no concern of his at all, "that too is his father's retribution.他自己在世的時候，不就是不相信菩薩麼？Didn't he himself, while he was alive, refuse to believe in the Bodhisattva?我那時就和他不合，可是一點也奈何他不得。I was at odds with him over it then, but there was nothing whatever I could do about him.現在，叫我還有什麼法？」Now, what am I supposed to do about it?"

「是么，」四爷也捋著上唇的花白的鲇鱼须，却悠悠然，仿佛全不在意模样，说，「这也是他父亲的报应呵。他自己在世的时候，不就是不相信菩萨么？我那时就和他不合，可是一点也奈何他不得。现在，叫我还有什么法？」

「我想，只有，一個。"I think, there's, only, one way.是的，有一個。Yes, there's one.明天，捆上城去，給他在那個，那個城隍廟裏，擱一夜，是的，擱一夜，趕一趕，邪祟。」Tomorrow, bind him and take him into town, and put him in that, that City God temple, for a night — yes, for a night, to drive off, the evil spirits."

「我想，只有，一个。是的，有一个。明天，捆上城去，给他在那个，那个城隍庙里，搁一夜，是的，搁一夜，赶一赶，邪祟。」

闊亭和方頭以守護全屯的勞績，不但第一次走進這一個不易瞻仰的客廳，並且還坐在老娃之下和四爺之上，而且還有茶喝。For their service in guarding the whole village, Kuoting and Fangtou not only entered this rarely-glimpsed parlor for the first time, but were even seated below Laowa and above Fourth Master, and were even given tea to drink.他們跟著老娃進來，報告之後，就只是喝茶，喝幹之後，也不開口，但此時闊亭忽然發表意見了：They had come in following Laowa, and after making their report, did nothing but drink their tea; once it was drained they said nothing more either — but just then Kuoting suddenly spoke up with an opinion:

阔亭和方头以守护全屯的劳绩，不但第一次走进这一个不易瞻仰的客厅，并且还坐在老娃之下和四爷之上，而且还有茶喝。他们跟著老娃进来，报告之后，就只是喝茶，喝干之后，也不开口，但此时阔亭忽然发表意见了：

「這辦法太慢！"This plan is too slow!他們兩個還管著呢。Those two are still standing guard there.最要緊的是馬上怎麼辦。The most urgent thing is what to do right now.如果真是燒將起來……」If it should really catch fire……"

「这办法太慢！他们两个还管著呢。最要紧的是马上怎么办。如果真是烧将起来……」

郭老娃嚇了一跳，下巴有些發抖。Guo Laowa gave a start, his chin trembling a little.

郭老娃吓了一跳，下巴有些发抖。

「如果真是燒將起來……」方頭搶著說。"If it should really catch fire……" Fangtou broke in eagerly.

「如果真是烧将起来……」方头抢著说。

「那麼，」闊亭大聲道，「就糟了！」"Then," said Kuoting loudly, "it'll be a disaster!"

「那么，」阔亭大声道，「就糟了！」

一個黃頭發的女孩子又來沖上茶。A yellow-haired girl came in again to freshen the tea.闊亭便不再說話，立即拿起茶來喝。Kuoting said nothing more, and at once picked up his cup to drink.渾身一抖，放下了，伸出舌尖來舐了一舐上嘴唇，揭去碗蓋噓噓地吹著。His whole body gave a shudder; he set it down, stuck out the tip of his tongue to lick his upper lip, then lifted off the lid and blew on it with a hissing sound.

一个黄头发的女孩子又来冲上茶。阔亭便不再说话，立即拿起茶来喝。浑身一抖，放下了，伸出舌尖来舐了一舐上嘴唇，揭去碗盖嘘嘘地吹著。

「真是拖累煞人！」四爺將手在桌上輕輕一拍，「這種子孫，真該死呵！"Truly, what a burden he is!" Fourth Master gave the table a light slap with his hand. "A descendant like this really deserves to die!唉！」Ah!"

「真是拖累煞人！」四爷将手在桌上轻轻一拍，「这种子孙，真该死呵！唉！」

「的確，該死的。」闊亭擡起頭來了，「去年，連各莊就打死一個：這種子孫。"Indeed, he deserves to die." Kuoting raised his head. "Last year, over at Liange Village they beat one of this sort to death.大家一口咬定，說是同時同刻，大家一齊動手，分不出打第一下的是誰，後來什麼事也沒有。」Everyone insisted with one voice that it had happened all at the same instant, that everyone struck together, so that no one could tell who had struck the first blow — and afterward nothing came of it at all."

「的确，该死的。」阔亭抬起头来了，「去年，连各庄就打死一个：这种子孙。大家一口咬定，说是同时同刻，大家一齐动手，分不出打第一下的是谁，后来什么事也没有。」

「那又是一回事。」方頭說，「這回，他們管著呢。"That's another matter." said Fangtou. "This time, those two are keeping watch on him.我們得趕緊想法子。We must hurry and think of a way.我想……」I think……"

「那又是一回事。」方头说，「这回，他们管著呢。我们得赶紧想法子。我想……」

老娃和四爺都肅然地看著他的臉。Laowa and Fourth Master both looked at his face gravely.

老娃和四爷都肃然地看著他的脸。

「我想：倒不如姑且將他關起來。」"I think — it would be better, for now, to simply lock him up."

「我想：倒不如姑且将他关起来。」

「那倒也是一個妥當的辦法。」四爺微微地點一點頭。"That would indeed be a sound plan." Fourth Master gave a slight nod.

「那倒也是一个妥当的办法。」四爷微微地点一点头。

「妥當！」闊亭說。"Sound!" said Kuoting.

「妥当！」阔亭说。

「那倒，確是，一個妥當的，辦法。」老娃說，「我們，現在，就將他，拖到府上來。"That is, indeed, a sound, plan." said Laowa. "We, right now, should, drag him, over to your honorable house.府上，就趕快，收拾出，一間屋子來。Your house, should quickly, clear out, a room.還，準備著，鎖。」And, also, have ready, a lock."

「那倒，确是，一个妥当的，办法。」老娃说，「我们，现在，就将他，拖到府上来。府上，就赶快，收拾出，一间屋子来。还，准备著，锁。」

「屋子？」四爺仰了臉，想了一會，說，「舍間可是沒有這樣的閑房。"A room?" Fourth Master tilted his face up, thought a moment, and said, "My humble house really has no such spare room.他也說不定什麼時候才會好……」And there's no telling when he'll ever get well again……"

「屋子？」四爷仰了脸，想了一会，说，「舍间可是没有这样的闲房。他也说不定什么时候才会好……」

「就用，他，自己的……」老娃說。"Just use, his, own……" said Laowa.

「就用，他，自己的……」老娃说。

「我家的六順，」四爺忽然嚴肅而且悲哀地說，聲音也有些發抖了。「秋天就要娶親……。"My Liushun," Fourth Master suddenly said, solemn and sorrowful, his voice trembling a little too, "is to be married this autumn……。你看，他年紀這麼大了，單知道發瘋，不肯成家立業。Just look at him — old as he is, and all he knows is going mad, unwilling to settle down and start a family.舍弟也做了一世人，雖然也不大安分，可是香火總歸是絕不得的……。」My late brother lived out a whole lifetime too, and though he was never very well-behaved, still the family line can never be let die out……。"

「我家的六顺，」四爷忽然严肃而且悲哀地说，声音也有些发抖了。「秋天就要娶亲……。你看，他年纪这么大了，单知道发疯，不肯成家立业。舍弟也做了一世人，虽然也不大安分，可是香火总归是绝不得的……。」

「那自然！」三個人異口同音地說。"Naturally!" the three men said with one voice.

「那自然！」三个人异口同音地说。

「六順生了兒子，我想第二個就可以過繼給他。"Once Liushun has sons, I was thinking the second one could be adopted over to him.但是，——別人的兒子，可以白要的麼？」But — can one simply take another man's son for nothing?"

「六顺生了儿子，我想第二个就可以过继给他。但是，——别人的儿子，可以白要的么？」

「那不能！」三個人異口同音地說。"That won't do!" the three men said with one voice.

「那不能！」三个人异口同音地说。

「這一間破屋，和我是不相幹；"As for this one broken-down room, it's no concern of mine;六順也不在乎此。and Liushun doesn't care about it either.可是，將親生的孩子白白給人，做母親的怕不能就這麼松爽罷？」But to give away one's own flesh and blood for nothing — the mother surely couldn't be so easy about that, could she?"

「这一间破屋，和我是不相干；六顺也不在乎此。可是，将亲生的孩子白白给人，做母亲的怕不能就这么松爽罢？」

「那自然！」三個人異口同音地說。"Naturally!" the three men said with one voice.

「那自然！」三个人异口同音地说。

四爺沉默了。Fourth Master fell silent.三個人交互看著別人的臉。The three of them looked at one another's faces in turn.

四爷沉默了。三个人交互看著别人的脸。

「我是天天盼望他好起來，」四爺在暫時靜穆之後，這才緩緩地說，「可是他總不好。"I hope every day that he'll get better," Fourth Master said slowly at last, after a brief hush, "but he never does.也不是不好，是他自己不要好。It isn't that he can't get better — it's that he himself won't.無法可想，就照這一位所說似的關起來，免得害人，出他父親的醜，也許倒反好，倒是對得起他的父親……。」There's nothing else to be done. Perhaps locking him up, as this gentleman suggests, so he'll harm no one and bring no shame on his father's name, might actually be for the best — it would be the fairer thing toward his father……。"

「我是天天盼望他好起来，」四爷在暂时静穆之后，这才缓缓地说，「可是他总不好。也不是不好，是他自己不要好。无法可想，就照这一位所说似的关起来，免得害人，出他父亲的丑，也许倒反好，倒是对得起他的父亲……。」

「那自然，」闊亭感動的說，「可是，房子……」"Naturally," said Kuoting, moved. "But, the room……"

「那自然，」阔亭感动的说，「可是，房子……」

「廟裏就沒有閑房？……」四爺慢騰騰地問道。"Isn't there a spare room in the temple?……" Fourth Master asked slowly.

「庙里就没有闲房？……」四爷慢腾腾地问道。

「有！」闊亭恍然道，「有！"There is!" said Kuoting, as though suddenly struck by the thought. "There is!進大門的西邊那一間就空著，又只有一個小方窗，粗木直柵的，決計挖不開。The room just west of the main gate stands empty, and it has only one small square window, barred with thick, straight wooden bars — there's absolutely no prying it open.好極了！」Excellent!"

「有！」阔亭恍然道，「有！进大门的西边那一间就空著，又只有一个小方窗，粗木直栅的，决计挖不开。好极了！」

老娃和方頭也頓然都顯了歡喜的神色；Laowa and Fangtou both at once showed looks of delight;闊亭吐一口氣，尖著嘴唇就喝茶。Kuoting let out a breath, and pursing his lips, drank his tea.

老娃和方头也顿然都显了欢喜的神色；阔亭吐一口气，尖著嘴唇就喝茶。

未到黃昏時分，天下已經泰平，或者竟是全都忘卻了，人們的臉上不特已不緊張，並且早褪盡了先前的喜悅的痕跡。Before dusk had even come, the world was already at peace once more — or perhaps everything had simply been forgotten; not only were people's faces no longer tense, but every trace of their earlier delight had long since faded away.在廟前，人們的足跡自然比平日多，但不久也就稀少了。In front of the temple, footsteps were naturally more numerous than on ordinary days, but before long they too grew few.只因為關了幾天門，孩子們不能進去玩，便覺得這一天在院子裏格外玩得有趣，吃過了晚飯，還有幾個跑到廟裏去遊戲，猜謎。It was only that, the gate having been shut for several days so the children could not go in to play, they found playing in the courtyard this day especially good fun; after supper a few of them even ran into the temple to play games and guess riddles.

未到黄昏时分，天下已经泰平，或者竟是全都忘却了，人们的脸上不特已不紧张，并且早褪尽了先前的喜悦的痕迹。在庙前，人们的足迹自然比平日多，但不久也就稀少了。只因为关了几天门，孩子们不能进去玩，便觉得这一天在院子里格外玩得有趣，吃过了晚饭，还有几个跑到庙里去游戏，猜谜。

「你猜。」一個最大的說，「我再說一遍：白篷船，紅劃楫，搖到對岸歇一歇，點心吃一些，戲文唱一出。」"Guess it," said the biggest one. "I'll say it again: white-awning boat, red oars, rows to the far bank to rest a while, eats a bit of a snack, sings a bit of an opera."

「你猜。」一个最大的说，「我再说一遍：白篷船，红划楫，摇到对岸歇一歇，点心吃一些，戏文唱一出。」

「那是什麼呢？‘紅劃楫’的。」一個女孩說。"What could that be — the one with 'red oars'?" said a girl.

「那是什么呢？‘红划楫’的。」一个女孩说。

「我說出來罷，那是……」"I'll just tell you, it's……"

「我说出来罢，那是……」

「慢一慢！」生癩頭瘡的說，「我猜著了，航船。」"Wait, wait!" said the boy with the scabby head. "I've got it — a ferry boat."

「慢一慢！」生癞头疮的说，「我猜著了，航船。」

「航船。」赤膊的也道。"A ferry boat." said the bare-chested one too.

「哈，航船？」最大的道，「航船是搖櫓的。"Ha, a ferry boat?" said the biggest one. "A ferry boat is rowed with a scull.他會唱戲文麼？Can it sing an opera?你們猜不著。You can't guess it.我說出來罷……」I'll just tell you……"

「哈，航船？」最大的道，「航船是摇橹的。他会唱戏文么？你们猜不著。我说出来罢……」

「慢一慢，」癩頭瘡還說。"Wait, wait," the scabby-headed boy said again.

「慢一慢，」癞头疮还说。

「哼，你猜不著。"Hmph, you can't guess it.我說出來罷，那是：鵝。」I'll just tell you — it's a goose."

「哼，你猜不著。我说出来罢，那是：鹅。」

「鵝！」女孩笑著說，「紅劃楫的。」"A goose!" the girl said, laughing. "The one with red oars."

「鹅！」女孩笑著说，「红划楫的。」

「怎麼又是白篷船呢？」赤膊的問。"Then how is it a white-awning boat too?" asked the bare-chested one.

「怎么又是白篷船呢？」赤膊的问。

「我放火！」"I'll set it on fire!"

孩子們都吃驚，立時記起他來，一齊註視西廂房，又看見一只手扳著木柵，一只手撕著木皮，其間有兩只眼睛閃閃地發亮。The children were all startled, and at once remembered him; together they turned to stare at the west wing, and saw one hand gripping the wooden bars, one hand tearing at the bark of the wood, and between them two eyes glinting and flashing.

孩子们都吃惊，立时记起他来，一齐注视西厢房，又看见一只手扳著木栅，一只手撕著木皮，其间有两只眼睛闪闪地发亮。

沉默只一瞬間，癩頭瘡忽而發一聲喊，拔步就跑；The silence lasted only an instant; the scabby-headed boy suddenly gave a shout and took to his heels;其余的也都笑著嚷著跑出去了。the rest of them too, laughing and shouting, ran out after him.赤膊的還將葦子向後一指，從喘籲籲的櫻桃似的小嘴唇裏吐出清脆的一聲道：The bare-chested one even pointed a reed back behind him, and from his gasping, cherry-like little lips let out one crisp sound:

沉默只一瞬间，癞头疮忽而发一声喊，拔步就跑；其余的也都笑著嚷著跑出去了。赤膊的还将苇子向后一指，从喘吁吁的樱桃似的小嘴唇里吐出清脆的一声道：

「吧！」"Bang!"

從此完全靜寂了，暮色下來，綠瑩瑩的長明燈更其分明地照出神殿，神龕，而且照到院子，照到木柵裏的昏暗。From then on all was utterly still; dusk came down, and the greenish glow of the eternal lamp shone out all the more clearly upon the shrine hall and the altar niche, and reached even into the courtyard, into the dimness behind the wooden bars.

从此完全静寂了，暮色下来，绿莹莹的长明灯更其分明地照出神殿，神龛，而且照到院子，照到木栅里的昏暗。

孩子們跑出廟外也就立定，牽著手，慢慢地向自己的家走去，都笑吟吟地，合唱著隨口編派的歌：Once the children had run out of the temple they stopped short, and hand in hand, walked slowly homeward, all smiling, singing together a song made up as they went along:

孩子们跑出庙外也就立定，牵著手，慢慢地向自己的家走去，都笑吟吟地，合唱著随口编派的歌：

「白篷船，對岸歇一歇。"White-awning boat, rests a while on the far bank.

「白篷船，对岸歇一歇。

此刻熄，自己熄。Put it out now — put it out yourself.戲文唱一齣。Sing a scene of opera.

此刻熄，自己熄。戏文唱一出。

我放火！I'm setting the fire!哈哈哈！Ha ha ha!

火火火，點心喫一些。Fire, fire, fire — have a little snack.

火火火，点心吃一些。

戲文唱一齣。Sing a scene of opera.

戏文唱一出。

………………………

………………

…」…"

一九二五年三月一日March 1, 1925