高老夫子 Master Gao

這一天，從早晨到午後，他的工夫全費在照鏡，看《中國歷史教科書》和查《袁了凡綱鑑》裏；That day, from morning until afternoon, he spent all his effort looking in the mirror, reading the *Chinese History Textbook*, and consulting the *Yuan Liaofan Outline of History*;眞所謂「人生識字憂患始」，頓覺得對于世事很有些不平之意了。it was truly a case of "grief begins once a man knows how to read," for he suddenly felt rather aggrieved about the affairs of the world.而且這不平之意，是他從來沒有經驗過的。And this feeling of grievance was something he had never experienced before.

这一天，从早晨到午后，他的工夫全费在照镜，看《中国历史教科书》和查《袁了凡纲鉴》里；真所谓「人生识字忧患始」，顿觉得对于世事很有些不平之意了。而且这不平之意，是他从来没有经验过的。

首先就想到往常的父母實在太不將兒女放在心裏。First he thought of how, in the old days, parents really never gave a thought to their children.他還在孩子的時候，最喜歡爬上桑樹去偷桑椹喫，但他們全不管，有一回竟跌下樹來磕破了頭，又不給好好地醫治，至今左邊的眉稜上還帶着一個永不消滅的尖劈形的瘢痕。When he was still a boy, his greatest joy was climbing the mulberry tree to steal mulberries, but they never paid him any mind, and once he actually fell out of the tree and gashed his head, and even then was not properly treated, so that to this day there remains, above his left eyebrow, a wedge-shaped scar that will never fade.他現在雖然格外留長頭髮，左右分開，又斜梳下來，可以勉強遮住了，但究竟還看見尖劈的尖，也算得一個缺點，萬一給女學生發見，大概是免不了要看不起的。Nowadays, though he wears his hair extra long, parted left and right and combed down at a slant, so that it can just barely cover the scar, still the tip of the wedge can be seen after all, and this counts as a defect — if the female students should happen to notice it, he would surely be looked down upon.他放下鏡子，怨憤地吁一口氣。He put down the mirror and heaved a resentful sigh.

首先就想到往常的父母实在太不将儿女放在心里。他还在孩子的时候，最喜欢爬上桑树去偷桑椹吃，但他们全不管，有一回竟跌下树来磕破了头，又不给好好地医治，至今左边的眉棱上还带着一个永不消灭的尖劈形的瘢痕。他现在虽然格外留长头发，左右分开，又斜梳下来，可以勉强遮住了，但究竟还看见尖劈的尖，也算得一个缺点，万一给女学生发见，大概是免不了要看不起的。他放下镜子，怨愤地吁一口气。

其次，是《中國歷史教科書》的編纂者竟太不爲教員設想。Next, it was that the compiler of the *Chinese History Textbook* had simply given no thought at all to the teacher who would have to use it.他的書雖然和《了凡綱鑑》也有些相合，但大段又很不相同，若即若離，令人不知道講起來應該怎樣拉在一處。Though his book agreed in some large sections with the *Outline*, in the main it differed a great deal, now close, now distant, so that one could not tell how to fit the two together when lecturing.但待到他瞥着那夾在教科書裏的一張紙條，卻又怨起中塗辭職的歷史教員來了，因爲那紙條上寫的是：But when he happened to glance at the slip of paper tucked into the textbook, he found himself resenting instead the history teacher who had resigned midway, because what was written on that slip was:

其次，是《中国历史教科书》的编纂者竟太不为教员设想。他的书虽然和《了凡纲鉴》也有些相合，但大段又很不相同，若即若离，令人不知道讲起来应该怎样拉在一处。但待到他瞥着那夹在教科书里的一张纸条，却又怨起中涂辞职的历史教员来了，因为那纸条上写的是：

「從第八章《東晉之興亡》起。」"Begin from Chapter Eight, 'The Rise and Fall of the Eastern Jin.'"

「从第八章《东晋之兴亡》起。」

如果那人不將三國的事情講完，他的豫備就決不至于這麼困苦。If that man had only finished lecturing on the Three Kingdoms period, his preparation would by no means have been in such distress.他最熟悉的就是三國，例如桃園三結義，孔明借箭，三氣周瑜，黃忠定軍山斬夏侯淵以及其他種種，滿肚子都是，一學期也許講不完。What he knew best was precisely the Three Kingdoms — things like the Oath of the Peach Garden, Kongming Borrowing Arrows, the Three Vexations of Zhou Yu, Huang Zhong Beheading Xiahou Yuan at Dingjun Mountain, and all sorts of others — his stomach was full of them, enough that he might not finish lecturing on them in a whole term.到唐朝，則有秦瓊賣馬之類，便又較爲擅長了，誰料偏偏是東晉。Coming to the Tang dynasty, there was the matter of Qin Qiong selling his horse and the like, in which he was also fairly well versed — who would have guessed it would turn out to be precisely the Eastern Jin.他又怨憤地吁一口氣，再拉過《了凡綱鑑》來。He heaved another resentful sigh, and pulled the *Outline* back toward him again.

如果那人不将三国的事情讲完，他的豫备就决不至于这么困苦。他最熟悉的就是三国，例如桃园三结义，孔明借箭，三气周瑜，黄忠定军山斩夏侯渊以及其他种种，满肚子都是，一学期也许讲不完。到唐朝，则有秦琼卖马之类，便又较为擅长了，谁料偏偏是东晋。他又怨愤地吁一口气，再拉过《了凡纲鉴》来。

「噲，你怎麼外面看看還不够，又要鑽到裏面去看了？」"Hey, haven't you had enough looking at the outside of it, that you want to burrow inside and look too?"

「哙，你怎么外面看看还不够，又要钻到里面去看了？」

一隻手同時從他背後彎過來，一撥他的下巴。A hand reached around from behind him at the same time and flicked his chin.但他並不動，因爲從聲音和舉動上，便知道是暗暗躄進來的打牌的老朋友黃三。But he did not move, for from the voice and the manner he knew at once it was his old mahjong-playing friend Huang San, who had crept stealthily in.他雖然是他的老朋友，一禮拜以前還一同打牌，看戲，喝酒，跟女人，但自從他在《大中日報》上發表了《論中華國民皆有整理國史之義務》這一篇膾炙人口的名文，接着又得了賢良女學校的聘書之後，就覺得這黃三一無所長，總有些下等相了。Although Huang San was his old friend, and only a week before the two of them had still been playing mahjong, watching operas, drinking, and chasing women together, ever since he had published in the *Dazhong Daily* that widely-praised essay "On the Duty of Every Chinese Citizen to Put the National History in Order," and had then received the letter of appointment from Xianliang Girls' School, he had come to feel that this Huang San had not a single accomplishment to his name, and altogether had rather a low-class air about him.所以他並不回頭，板着臉正正經經地回答道：So he did not turn his head, but kept a straight face and answered in dead earnest:

一只手同时从他背后弯过来，一拨他的下巴。但他并不动，因为从声音和举动上，便知道是暗暗躄进来的打牌的老朋友黄三。他虽然是他的老朋友，一礼拜以前还一同打牌，看戏，喝酒，跟女人，但自从他在《大中日报》上发表了《论中华国民皆有整理国史之义务》这一篇脍炙人口的名文，接着又得了贤良女学校的聘书之后，就觉得这黄三一无所长，总有些下等相了。所以他并不回头，板着脸正正经经地回答道：

「不要胡說！"Don't talk nonsense!我正在預備功課……。」I'm preparing my lessons just now…"

「不要胡说！我正在预备功课……。」

「你不是親口對老缽說的麼：你要謀一個教員做，去看看女學生。」"Didn't you tell Old Bo yourself, in your own words, that you wanted to get yourself a teaching post so you could go and look at the female students?"

「你不是亲口对老钵说的么：你要谋一个教员做，去看看女学生。」

「你不要相信老缽的狗屁！」"Don't you believe a word of Old Bo's nonsense!"

「你不要相信老钵的狗屁！」

黃三就在他桌旁坐下，向桌面上一瞥，立刻在一面鏡子和一堆亂書之間，發見了一個翻開着的大紅紙的帖子。Huang San then sat down beside his table, and with one glance across the tabletop immediately spotted, wedged between a mirror and a pile of scattered books, a large red card lying open.他一把抓來，瞪着眼睛一字一字地看下去：He snatched it up and, staring hard, read it word by word:

黄三就在他桌旁坐下，向桌面上一瞥，立刻在一面镜子和一堆乱书之间，发见了一个翻开着的大红纸的帖子。他一把抓来，瞪着眼睛一字一字地看下去：

「『爾礎高老夫子？』誰呢？"'Er Chu, Venerable Master Gao'? Who's that?你麼？You?你改了名字了麼？」黃三一看完，就性急地問。Have you changed your name?" Huang San asked impatiently the moment he finished reading.

「『尔础高老夫子？』谁呢？你么？你改了名字了么？」黄三一看完，就性急地问。

但高老夫子只是高傲的一笑；But Venerable Master Gao only smiled a lofty smile;他的確改了名字了。he had indeed changed his name.然而黃三只會打牌，到現在還沒有留心新學問，新藝術。Yet Huang San only knew how to play mahjong, and to this day had never paid the least attention to the new learning or the new art.他既不知道有一個俄國大文豪高爾基，又怎麼說得通這改名的深遠的意義呢？Since he did not even know there was a great Russian man of letters named Gorky, how could he possibly be made to understand the profound significance of this change of name?所以他只是高傲地一笑，並不答覆他。So he merely smiled loftily, and did not answer him.

但高老夫子只是高傲的一笑；他的确改了名字了。然而黄三只会打牌，到现在还没有留心新学问，新艺术。他既不知道有一个俄国大文豪高尔基，又怎么说得通这改名的深远的意义呢？所以他只是高傲地一笑，并不答覆他。

「喂喂，老桿，你不要鬧這些無聊的玩意兒了！」黃三放下聘書，說。「我們這里有了一個男學堂，風氣已經鬧得够壞了；"Hey, hey, old Gao, don't go fussing with this pointless business!" said Huang San, putting down the letter of appointment. "We've already got one school for boys here, and the goings-on are bad enough already;他們還要開什麼女學堂，將來眞不知道要鬧成什麼樣子纔罷。now they want to open some girls' school too — there's no telling what a mess it will end up as.你何苦也去鬧，犯不上……。」Why should you go bothering with it too, it's not worth it…"

「喂喂，老杆，你不要闹这些无聊的玩意儿了！」黄三放下聘书，说。「我们这里有了一个男学堂，风气已经闹得够坏了；他们还要开什么女学堂，将来真不知道要闹成什么样子才罢。你何苦也去闹，犯不上……。」

「這也不見得。"That's not necessarily so.況且何太太一定要請我，辭不掉……。」因爲黃三毀謗了學校，又看手錶上已經兩點半，離上課時間只有半點了，所以他有些氣忿，又很露出焦躁的神情。Besides, Mrs. He absolutely insisted on engaging me, and I couldn't very well refuse…" Because Huang San had disparaged the school, and because a glance at his wristwatch showed it was already half past two, with only half an hour left before class, he felt somewhat annoyed, and showed a good deal of impatience in his manner.

「这也不见得。况且何太太一定要请我，辞不掉……。」因为黄三毁谤了学校，又看手表上已经两点半，离上课时间只有半点了，所以他有些气忿，又很露出焦躁的神情。

「好！"Fine!這且不談。」黃三是乖覺的，即刻轉帆，說，「我們說正經事罷：今天晚上我們有一個局面。Never mind that for now." Huang San, being quick-witted, changed tack at once. "Let's talk about the real business: tonight we've got a game on.毛家屯毛資甫的大兒子在這里了，來請陽宅先生看墳地去的，手頭現帶着二百番。The elder son of Mao Zifu of Maojiatun is here, having come to invite a geomancer to look at burial grounds, and he's got two hundred silver dollars on him right now.我們已經約定，晚上湊一桌，一個我，一個老缽，一個就是你。We've already arranged it — tonight we'll make up a table, one me, one Old Bo, and one you.你一定來罷，萬不要誤事。You must come without fail, don't you dare spoil things.我們三個人埽光他！」The three of us will clean him out!"

「好！这且不谈。」黄三是乖觉的，即刻转帆，说，「我们说正经事罢：今天晚上我们有一个局面。毛家屯毛资甫的大儿子在这里了，来请阳宅先生看坟地去的，手头现带着二百番。我们已经约定，晚上凑一桌，一个我，一个老钵，一个就是你。你一定来罢，万不要误事。我们三个人埽光他！」

老桿——高老夫子——沈吟了，但是不開口。Old Gao — Venerable Master Gao — pondered a moment, but said nothing.

老杆——高老夫子——沈吟了，但是不开口。

「你一定來，一定！"You must come, absolutely!我還得和老缽去接洽一回。I still need to go and arrange things once more with Old Bo.地方還是在我的家裏。The place will still be at my house.那傻小子是『初出茅廬』，我們准可以埽光他！That silly young fellow is fresh out of the gate — we're sure to be able to clean him out!你將那一副竹紋清楚一點的交給我罷！」Hand over that set of bamboo-pattern tiles, the ones with the clearer markings, to me!"

「你一定来，一定！我还得和老钵去接洽一回。地方还是在我的家里。那傻小子是『初出茅庐』，我们准可以埽光他！你将那一副竹纹清楚一点的交给我罢！」

高老夫子慢慢地站起來，到牀頭取了馬將牌盒，交給他；Venerable Master Gao slowly stood up, went to the head of the bed to fetch the mahjong-tile box, and handed it to him;一看手錶，兩點四十分了。glancing at his watch, it was already twenty to three.他想：黃三雖然能幹，但明知道我已經做了教員，還來當面毀謗學堂，又打攪別人的豫備功課，究竟不應該。He thought: Huang San, capable as he is, surely knows perfectly well that I have already become a teacher, and yet still comes right to my face to disparage the school, and moreover disturbs another person's lesson preparation — this really will not do.他于是冷淡地說道：So he said coldly:

高老夫子慢慢地站起来，到床头取了马将牌盒，交给他；一看手表，两点四十分了。他想：黄三虽然能干，但明知道我已经做了教员，还来当面毁谤学堂，又打搅别人的豫备功课，究竟不应该。他于是冷淡地说道：

「晚上再商量罷。"We'll talk about it again tonight.我要上課去了。」I have to go teach my class."

「晚上再商量罢。我要上课去了。」

他一面說，一面恨恨地向《了凡綱鑑》看了一眼，拿起教科書，裝在新皮包裏，又很小心地戴上新帽子，便和黃三出了門。As he spoke, he glanced resentfully at the *Outline*, picked up the textbook and packed it into his new leather satchel, and, carefully putting on his new hat, went out the door together with Huang San.他一出門，就放開腳步，像木匠牽着的鑽子似的，肩膀一扇一扇地直走，不多久，黃三便連他的影子也望不見了。The moment he was out the door he strode off at a great pace, his shoulders swinging back and forth like a carpenter's drill being worked, and before long Huang San could no longer even see his shadow.

他一面说，一面恨恨地向《了凡纲鉴》看了一眼，拿起教科书，装在新皮包里，又很小心地戴上新帽子，便和黄三出了门。他一出门，就放开脚步，像木匠牵着的钻子似的，肩膀一扇一扇地直走，不多久，黄三便连他的影子也望不见了。

高老夫子一跑到賢良女學校，即將新印的名片交給一個駝背的老門房。As soon as Venerable Master Gao arrived at Xianliang Girls' School, he handed his newly printed calling card to a hunchbacked old gatekeeper.不一忽，就聽到一聲「請」，他于是跟着駝背走，轉過兩個彎，已到教員豫備室了，也算是客廳。In a moment he heard a voice say "This way, please," and so he followed the hunchback, turned two corners, and had already reached the teachers' preparation room, which also served as a parlor.何校長不在校；Principal He was not at the school;迎接他的是花白鬍子的教務長，大名鼎鼎的萬瑤圃，別號「玉皇香案吏」的，新近正將他自己和女仙贈答的詩《仙壇酬唱集》陸續登在《大中日報》上。the one who came out to receive him was the dean of studies, a man with a grizzled beard, the famous Wan Yaopu, whose sobriquet was "Attendant of the Jade Emperor's Incense Table," and who had recently been having the poems he exchanged with a female immortal, the *Collection of Answering Songs at the Immortal Altar*, published in installments in the *Dazhong Daily*.

高老夫子一跑到贤良女学校，即将新印的名片交给一个驼背的老门房。不一忽，就听到一声「请」，他于是跟着驼背走，转过两个弯，已到教员豫备室了，也算是客厅。何校长不在校；迎接他的是花白胡子的教务长，大名鼎鼎的万瑶圃，别号「玉皇香案吏」的，新近正将他自己和女仙赠答的诗《仙坛酬唱集》陆续登在《大中日报》上。

「阿呀！"Ah!礎翁！Venerable Chu!久仰久仰！……」萬瑤圃連連拱手，並將膝關節和腿關節接連彎了五六彎，彷彿想要蹲下去似的。I've long admired you, long admired you!…" Wan Yaopu bowed again and again with clasped hands, bending his knee and leg joints five or six times in succession, as though he meant to crouch right down.

「阿呀！础翁！久仰久仰！……」万瑶圃连连拱手，并将膝关节和腿关节接连弯了五六弯，彷佛想要蹲下去似的。

「阿呀！"Ah!瑤翁！Venerable Yao!久仰久仰！……」礎翁夾着皮包照樣地做，並且說。I've long admired you, long admired you!…" Venerable Chu, his satchel tucked under his arm, did exactly the same, and said the same.

「阿呀！瑶翁！久仰久仰！……」础翁夹着皮包照样地做，并且说。

他們于是坐下；The two of them then sat down;一個似死非死的校役便端上兩杯白開水來。a school attendant who looked half dead brought in two cups of plain hot water.高老夫子看看對面的掛鐘，還只兩點四十分，和他的手錶要差半點。Venerable Master Gao glanced at the clock on the wall opposite — it was still only twenty to three, half an hour off from his wristwatch.

他们于是坐下；一个似死非死的校役便端上两杯白开水来。高老夫子看看对面的挂钟，还只两点四十分，和他的手表要差半点。

「阿呀！"Ah!礎翁的大作，是的，那個……。Venerable Chu's great work — yes, that one…是的，那——『中國國粹義務論』，眞眞要言不煩，百讀不厭！Yes — that 'On the Duty of Preserving China's National Essence' — truly, it says much in few words, one never tires of reading it again and again!實在是少年人們的座右銘，座右銘座右銘！It is truly a maxim for the young to live by, a maxim, a maxim!兄弟也頗喜歡文學，可是，玩玩而已，怎麼比得上礎翁。」他重行拱一拱手，低聲說，「我們的盛德乩壇天天請仙，兄弟也常常去唱和。As for myself, I too am rather fond of literature, but it's merely dabbling — how could it compare to Venerable Chu's?" He clasped his hands again and said in a low voice, "At our Shengde planchette altar we invite the immortals down every day, and I myself often join in the exchange of verses.礎翁也可以光降光降罷。Venerable Chu ought to honor us with a visit sometime as well.那乩仙，就是蕊珠仙子，從她的語氣上看來，似乎是一位謫降紅塵的花神。That planchette immortal is none other than the Fairy Ruizhu, and judging from her manner of speech, she would seem to be a flower goddess banished down to the world of mortal dust.她最愛和名人唱和，也很贊成新黨，像礎翁這樣的學者，她一定大加青眼的。She dearly loves exchanging verses with famous men, and is quite in favor of the new party too; a scholar like Venerable Chu, she would certainly look upon with the greatest favor.哈哈哈哈！」Ha ha ha ha!"

「阿呀！础翁的大作，是的，那个……。是的，那——『中国国粹义务论』，真真要言不烦，百读不厌！实在是少年人们的座右铭，座右铭座右铭！兄弟也颇喜欢文学，可是，玩玩而已，怎么比得上础翁。」他重行拱一拱手，低声说，「我们的盛德乩坛天天请仙，兄弟也常常去唱和。础翁也可以光降光降罢。那乩仙，就是蕊珠仙子，从她的语气上看来，似乎是一位谪降红尘的花神。她最爱和名人唱和，也很赞成新党，像础翁这样的学者，她一定大加青眼的。哈哈哈哈！」

但高老夫子卻不很能發表什麼崇論宏議，因爲他的豫備——東晉之興亡——本沒有十分足，此刻又並不足的幾分也有些忘卻了。But Venerable Master Gao was not able to offer up any lofty discourse or grand views, for his preparation — on the rise and fall of the Eastern Jin — had never been very adequate to begin with, and even that inadequate portion he had now half forgotten.他煩躁愁苦着；He was vexed and troubled;從繁亂的心緒中，又湧出許多斷片的思想來：上堂的姿勢應該威嚴；out of the confused turmoil of his mind there welled up many fragmentary thoughts: his bearing on the platform ought to be dignified;額角的瘢痕總該遮住；the scar on his forehead must be kept covered;教科書要讀得慢；the textbook should be read slowly;看學生要大方。he should look at the students with an air of composure.但同時還模模胡胡聽得瑤圃說着話：But at the same time he still dimly heard Yaopu going on talking:

但高老夫子却不很能发表什么崇论宏议，因为他的豫备——东晋之兴亡——本没有十分足，此刻又并不足的几分也有些忘却了。他烦躁愁苦着；从繁乱的心绪中，又涌出许多断片的思想来：上堂的姿势应该威严；额角的瘢痕总该遮住；教科书要读得慢；看学生要大方。但同时还模模胡胡听得瑶圃说着话：

「……"……賜了一個荸薺……。『醉倚青鸞上碧霄』，多麼超脫……bestowed a water-chestnut… 'Drunk, I lean on the blue phoenix, up to the azure heavens' — how transcendent…那鄧孝翁叩求了五回，這纔賜了一首五絕……『紅袖拂天河，莫道……』蕊珠仙子說……that filial fellow Deng kowtowed and pleaded five times before she finally bestowed a five-character quatrain… 'Red sleeves brush the River of Heaven, say not…' so said the Fairy Ruizhu…礎翁還是第一回……Venerable Chu, this is your very first visit…這就是本校的植物園！」and this is our school's botanical garden!"

「……赐了一个荸荠……。『醉倚青鸾上碧霄』，多么超脱……那邓孝翁叩求了五回，这才赐了一首五绝……『红袖拂天河，莫道……』蕊珠仙子说……础翁还是第一回……这就是本校的植物园！」

「哦哦！」爾礎忽然看見他舉手一指，這纔從亂頭思想中驚覺，依着指頭看去，窗外一小片空地，地上有四五株樹，正對面是三間小平房。"Oh, oh!" Erchu, suddenly seeing him raise his hand and point, was startled out of his tangled thoughts, and following the pointing finger he saw, outside the window, a small patch of open ground with four or five trees on it, and directly opposite, three small single-story rooms.

「哦哦！」尔础忽然看见他举手一指，这才从乱头思想中惊觉，依着指头看去，窗外一小片空地，地上有四五株树，正对面是三间小平房。

「這就是講堂。」瑤圃並不移動他的手指，但是說。"This is the lecture hall," said Yaopu, without moving his pointing finger.

「这就是讲堂。」瑶圃并不移动他的手指，但是说。

「哦哦！」"Oh, oh!"

「學生是很馴良的。"The students are very docile.她們除聽講之外，就專心縫紉……。」Apart from listening to lectures, they devote themselves entirely to needlework…"

「学生是很驯良的。她们除听讲之外，就专心缝纫……。」

「哦哦！」爾礎實在頗有些窘急了，他希望他不再說話，好給自己聚精會神，趕緊想一想東晉之興亡。"Oh, oh!" Erchu was in fact growing rather flustered, and hoped the man would stop talking so that he might gather his wits and quickly think over the rise and fall of the Eastern Jin.

「哦哦！」尔础实在颇有些窘急了，他希望他不再说话，好给自己聚精会神，赶紧想一想东晋之兴亡。

「可惜內中也有幾個想學學做詩，那可是不行的。"It's a pity that among them there are a few who want to try their hand at writing poetry — that simply won't do.維新固然可以，但做詩究竟不是大家閨秀所宜。Reform is all very well, but writing poetry is really not fitting for young ladies of good family.蕊珠仙子也不很贊成女學，以爲淆亂兩儀，非天曹所喜。The Fairy Ruizhu, too, does not much approve of schooling for girls, holding that it confounds the proper order of yin and yang, which Heaven's ministry does not favor.兄弟還很同她討論過幾回……。」As for myself, I have discussed the matter with her more than once…"

「可惜内中也有几个想学学做诗，那可是不行的。维新固然可以，但做诗究竟不是大家闺秀所宜。蕊珠仙子也不很赞成女学，以为淆乱两仪，非天曹所喜。兄弟还很同她讨论过几回……。」

爾礎忽然跳了起來，他聽到鈴聲了。Erchu suddenly leapt up — he had heard the bell.

尔础忽然跳了起来，他听到铃声了。

「不，不。"No, no.請坐！Please sit!那是退班鈴。」That's the bell for the end of the previous period."

「不，不。请坐！那是退班铃。」

「瑤翁公事很忙罷，可以不必客氣……。」"Venerable Yao must have very pressing official duties — please don't stand on ceremony for my sake…"

「瑶翁公事很忙罢，可以不必客气……。」

「不，不！"No, no!不忙，不忙！Not pressing, not pressing at all!兄弟以爲振興女學是順應世界的潮流，但一不得當，即易流于偏，所以天曹不喜，也許不過是防微杜漸的意思。As for myself, I hold that promoting education for women is in keeping with the tide of the world, but once it goes even slightly astray, it easily tips over into excess, and that is why Heaven's ministry does not favor it — perhaps it means no more than guarding against the first small slip.只要辦理得人，不偏不倚，合乎中庸，一以國粹爲歸宿，那是決無流弊的。So long as it is managed by the right people, even-handed and impartial, in keeping with the Mean, and taking the national essence as its ultimate goal, then there can surely be no ill consequences at all.礎翁，你想，可對？Venerable Chu, what do you think — am I not right?這是蕊珠仙子也以爲『不無可採』的話。This is also what the Fairy Ruizhu considers 'not without merit.'哈哈哈哈！」Ha ha ha ha!"

「不，不！不忙，不忙！兄弟以为振兴女学是顺应世界的潮流，但一不得当，即易流于偏，所以天曹不喜，也许不过是防微杜渐的意思。只要办理得人，不偏不倚，合乎中庸，一以国粹为归宿，那是决无流弊的。础翁，你想，可对？这是蕊珠仙子也以为『不无可采』的话。哈哈哈哈！」

校役又送上兩杯白開水來；The attendant again brought in two more cups of plain hot water;但是鈴聲又響了。but the bell rang again.

校役又送上两杯白开水来；但是铃声又响了。

瑤圃便請爾礎喝了兩口白開水，這纔慢慢地站起來，引導他穿過植物園，走進講堂去。Yaopu then invited Erchu to take a couple of sips of the plain hot water, and only then rose slowly, and led him across the botanical garden and into the lecture hall.

瑶圃便请尔础喝了两口白开水，这才慢慢地站起来，引导他穿过植物园，走进讲堂去。

他心頭跳着，筆挺地站在講臺旁邊，只看見半屋子都是蓬蓬鬆松的頭髮。His heart pounding, he stood ramrod straight beside the lectern, and all he could see was half a room full of tousled, disheveled hair.瑤圃從大襟袋裏掏出一張信箋，展開之後，一面看，一面對學生們說道：Yaopu drew a letter-sheet from his inner breast pocket, and unfolding it, read it over while addressing the students:

他心头跳着，笔挺地站在讲台旁边，只看见半屋子都是蓬蓬松松的头发。瑶圃从大襟袋里掏出一张信笺，展开之后，一面看，一面对学生们说道：

「這位就是高老師，高爾礎高老師，是有名的學者，那一篇有名的《論中華國民皆有整理國史之義務》，是誰都知道的。《大中日報》上還說過，高老師是：驟慕俄國文豪高君爾基之爲人，因改字爾礎，以示景仰之意，斯人之出，誠吾中華文壇之幸也！"This is Mr. Gao — Mr. Gao Erchu — a renowned scholar. Everyone knows his famous essay 'On the Duty of All Chinese Citizens to Set Their National History in Order.' The Dazhong Daily even wrote of him: 'Suddenly smitten with admiration for the character of the Russian literary giant Gorky, he changed his courtesy name to Erchu, to show his reverence. That such a man should appear is truly the good fortune of our Chinese literary world!'現在經何校長再三敦請，竟惠然肯來，到這里來教歷史了……」Now, after repeated and earnest entreaties from Principal He, he has graciously consented to come here and teach history…"

「这位就是高老师，高尔础高老师，是有名的学者，那一篇有名的《论中华国民皆有整理国史之义务》，是谁都知道的。《大中日报》上还说过，高老师是：骤慕俄国文豪高君尔基之为人，因改字尔础，以示景仰之意，斯人之出，诚吾中华文坛之幸也！现在经何校长再三敦请，竟惠然肯来，到这里来教历史了……」

高老師忽而覺得很寂然，原來瑤翁已經不見，只有自己站在講臺旁邊了。Mr. Gao suddenly felt a great stillness — it turned out Yao Weng had already vanished, and he alone was left standing beside the lectern.他只得跨上講臺去，行了禮，定一定神，又記起了態度應該威嚴的成算，便慢慢地翻開書本，來開講「東晉之興亡」。He had no choice but to step up onto the platform, bow, steady his nerves, and then, recalling his resolve to appear dignified, slowly opened his book and began lecturing on 'The Rise and Fall of the Eastern Jin.'

高老师忽而觉得很寂然，原来瑶翁已经不见，只有自己站在讲台旁边了。他只得跨上讲台去，行了礼，定一定神，又记起了态度应该威严的成算，便慢慢地翻开书本，来开讲「东晋之兴亡」。

「嘻嘻！」似乎有誰在那里竊笑了。"Hee hee!" Someone seemed to be snickering over there.

「嘻嘻！」似乎有谁在那里窃笑了。

高老夫子臉上登時一熱，忙看書本，和他的話並不錯，上面印着的的確是：「東晉之偏安」。Old Master Gao's face flushed hot at once; he hurriedly checked his book — his words had not been wrong, for what was printed there was indeed: "The Precarious Peace of the Eastern Jin."書腦的對面，也還是半屋子蓬蓬鬆松的頭髮，不見有別的動靜。Across from the gutter of the book, half the room was still nothing but a mass of tousled hair, with no other movement to be seen.他猜想這是自己的疑心，其實誰也沒有笑；He guessed it was only his own suspicion, that in fact no one had been laughing;于是又定一定神，看住書本，慢慢地講下去。so he steadied himself once more, kept his eyes fixed on the book, and went on lecturing slowly.當初，是自己的耳朵也聽到自己的嘴說些什麼的，可是逐漸胡塗起來，竟至于不再知道說什麼，待到發揮「石勒之雄圖」的時候，便只聽得吃吃地竊笑的聲音了。At first, his own ears could still hear what his own mouth was saying, but gradually he grew muddled, until he no longer knew what he was saying at all, and by the time he came to expound on "Shi Le's Grand Ambitions," all he could hear was the sound of stifled snickering.

高老夫子脸上登时一热，忙看书本，和他的话并不错，上面印着的的确是：「东晋之偏安」。书脑的对面，也还是半屋子蓬蓬松松的头发，不见有别的动静。他猜想这是自己的疑心，其实谁也没有笑；于是又定一定神，看住书本，慢慢地讲下去。当初，是自己的耳朵也听到自己的嘴说些什么的，可是逐渐胡涂起来，竟至于不再知道说什么，待到发挥「石勒之雄图」的时候，便只听得吃吃地窃笑的声音了。

他不禁向講臺下一看，情形和原先已經很不同：半屋子都是眼睛，還有許多小巧的等邊三角形，三角形中都生着兩個鼻孔，這些連成一氣，宛然是流動而深邃的海，閃爍地汪洋地正衝着他的眼光。He could not help glancing down from the platform, and found the scene quite different from before: half the room was all eyes, and there were also many neat little equilateral triangles, each triangle sprouting two nostrils; all of this merged into one, forming what seemed a flowing, fathomless sea, glittering and vast, surging straight toward his gaze.但當他瞥見時，卻又驟然一閃，變了半屋子蓬蓬鬆松的頭髮了。But the instant he caught sight of it, it flickered suddenly and changed back into half a room of tousled hair.

他不禁向讲台下一看，情形和原先已经很不同：半屋子都是眼睛，还有许多小巧的等边三角形，三角形中都生着两个鼻孔，这些连成一气，宛然是流动而深邃的海，闪烁地汪洋地正冲着他的眼光。但当他瞥见时，却又骤然一闪，变了半屋子蓬蓬松松的头发了。

他也連忙收回眼光，再不敢離開教科書，不得已時，就擡起眼來看看屋頂。He too hastily withdrew his eyes, and dared not look away from the textbook again; when he absolutely had to, he would raise his eyes and look at the ceiling instead.屋頂是白而轉黃的洋灰，中央還起了一道正圓形的稜線；The ceiling was cement, white shading into yellow, with a perfectly circular ridge line raised in its center;可是這圓圈又生動了，忽然擴大，忽然收小，使他的眼睛有些昏花。but this circle too came alive, now swelling larger, now shrinking smaller, until his eyes grew rather dazzled.他豫料倘將眼光下移，就不免又要遇見可怕的眼睛和鼻孔聯合的海，只好再回到書本上，這時已經是「淝水之戰」，苻堅快要駭得「草木皆兵」了。He guessed that if he let his gaze drop, he would surely meet again that dreadful sea of joined eyes and nostrils, so he had no choice but to return to the book, where it was now the "Battle of Fei River," and Fu Jian was about to be so terrified that he took "every tree and blade of grass for an enemy soldier."

他也连忙收回眼光，再不敢离开教科书，不得已时，就抬起眼来看看屋顶。屋顶是白而转黄的洋灰，中央还起了一道正圆形的棱线；可是这圆圈又生动了，忽然扩大，忽然收小，使他的眼睛有些昏花。他豫料倘将眼光下移，就不免又要遇见可怕的眼睛和鼻孔联合的海，只好再回到书本上，这时已经是「淝水之战」，苻坚快要骇得「草木皆兵」了。

他總疑心有許多人暗暗地發笑，但還是熬着講，明明已經講了大半天，而鈴聲還沒有響，看手錶是不行的，怕學生要小覷；He kept suspecting that many people were laughing at him under their breath, but he forced himself to keep lecturing; it clearly felt as though he had already been talking half the day, yet the bell still had not rung — he could not check his watch, for fear the students would think less of him;可是講了一會，又到「拓跋氏之勃興」了，接着就是「六國興亡表」，他本以爲今天未必講到，沒有豫備的。but after lecturing on a while longer, he arrived at "The Rise of the Tuoba Clan," and next came the "Table of the Rise and Fall of the Six Kingdoms" — he had assumed he would not get this far today, and had not prepared it.

他总疑心有许多人暗暗地发笑，但还是熬着讲，明明已经讲了大半天，而铃声还没有响，看手表是不行的，怕学生要小觑；可是讲了一会，又到「拓跋氏之勃兴」了，接着就是「六国兴亡表」，他本以为今天未必讲到，没有豫备的。

他自己覺得講義忽而中止了。He himself felt his lecture suddenly grind to a halt.

他自己觉得讲义忽而中止了。

「今天是第一天，就是這樣罷……。」他惶惑了一會之後，纔斷續地說，一面點一點頭，跨下講臺去，也便出了教室的門。"Today being the first day, let's leave it at that, then…." After a moment of flustered confusion, he finally said this, haltingly, nodding his head as he stepped down from the platform and went straight out of the classroom door.

「今天是第一天，就是这样罢……。」他惶惑了一会之后，才断续地说，一面点一点头，跨下讲台去，也便出了教室的门。

「嘻嘻嘻！」"Hee hee hee!"

他似乎聽到背後有許多人笑，又彷彿看見這笑聲就從那深邃的鼻孔的海裏出來。He seemed to hear many people laughing behind him, and seemed also to see that laughter rising straight out of that fathomless sea of nostrils.他便惘惘然，跨進植物園，向着對面的教員豫備室大踏步走。Dazed and lost, he strode into the botanical garden, walking briskly toward the teachers' preparation room across the way.

他似乎听到背后有许多人笑，又彷佛看见这笑声就从那深邃的鼻孔的海里出来。他便惘惘然，跨进植物园，向着对面的教员豫备室大踏步走。

他大喫一驚，至于連《中國歷史教科書》也失手落在地上了，因爲腦殼上突然遭了什麼東西的一擊。He gave a great start — so much so that his Chinese History Textbook slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground — for his skull had suddenly been struck by something.他倒退兩步，定睛看時，一枝夭斜的樹枝橫在他面前，已被他的頭撞得樹葉都微微發抖。He stumbled back two steps, and on fixing his eyes to look, found a crooked, slanting branch lying across his path, its leaves still trembling faintly from the blow of his head.他趕緊彎腰去拾書本，書旁邊豎着一塊木牌，上面寫道——He hurriedly bent down to pick up the book; beside it stood a wooden sign, on which was written—

他大吃一惊，至于连《中国历史教科书》也失手落在地上了，因为脑壳上突然遭了什么东西的一击。他倒退两步，定睛看时，一枝夭斜的树枝横在他面前，已被他的头撞得树叶都微微发抖。他赶紧弯腰去拾书本，书旁边竖着一块木牌，上面写道——

他似乎聽到背後有許多人笑，又彷彿看見這笑聲就從那深邃的鼻孔的海裏出來。He seemed to hear many people laughing behind him, and seemed also to see that laughter rising straight out of that fathomless sea of nostrils.于是也就不好意思去撫摩頭上已經疼痛起來的皮膚，只一心跑進教員豫備室裏去。So, too embarrassed to rub the spot on his head where the skin had already begun to ache, he thought only of hurrying into the teachers' preparation room.

他似乎听到背后有许多人笑，又彷佛看见这笑声就从那深邃的鼻孔的海里出来。于是也就不好意思去抚摩头上已经疼痛起来的皮肤，只一心跑进教员豫备室里去。

那裏面，兩個裝着白開水的杯子依然，卻不見了似死非死的校役，瑤翁也蹤影全無了。Inside, the two cups of plain boiled water were still there as before, but the half-dead-looking school attendant was nowhere to be seen, and Yao Weng too had vanished without a trace.一切都黯淡，只有他的新皮包和新帽子在黯淡中發亮。Everything was dim and murky; only his new leather briefcase and new hat gleamed amid the gloom.看壁上的掛鐘，還只有三點四十分。He looked at the clock on the wall — it was only twenty to four.

那里面，两个装着白开水的杯子依然，却不见了似死非死的校役，瑶翁也踪影全无了。一切都黯淡，只有他的新皮包和新帽子在黯淡中发亮。看壁上的挂钟，还只有三点四十分。

高老夫子回到自家的房裏許久之後，有時全身還驟然一熱；Long after Old Master Gao had returned to his own room, his whole body would still, from time to time, suddenly flush hot;又無端的憤怒；and for no reason at all he would grow angry;終于覺得學堂確也要鬧壞風氣，不如停閉的好，尤其是女學堂，——有什麼意思呢，喜歡虛榮罷了！in the end he came to feel that schools really were corrupting public morals, and it would be better to shut them down — especially girls' schools. What was the point of them, anyway? Nothing but a love of vanity!

高老夫子回到自家的房里许久之后，有时全身还骤然一热；又无端的愤怒；终于觉得学堂确也要闹坏风气，不如停闭的好，尤其是女学堂，——有什么意思呢，喜欢虚荣罢了！

「嘻嘻！」"Hee hee!"

他還聽到隱隱約約的笑聲。He could still hear faint, indistinct laughter.這使他更加憤怒，也使他辭職的決心更加堅固了。This made him angrier still, and hardened his resolve to resign all the more firmly.晚上就寫信給何校長，只要說自己患了足疾。That evening he wrote to Principal He, saying only that he had come down with a foot ailment.但是，倘來輓留，又怎麼辦呢？——也不去。But what if they came to urge him to stay? — He would not go regardless.女學堂眞不知道要鬧到什麼樣子，自己又何苦去和她們爲伍呢？There was no telling what sort of scandal that girls' school would come to; why should he trouble himself keeping such company anyway?犯不上的。It simply wasn't worth it.他想。So he thought.

他还听到隐隐约约的笑声。这使他更加愤怒，也使他辞职的决心更加坚固了。晚上就写信给何校长，只要说自己患了足疾。但是，倘来挽留，又怎么办呢？——也不去。女学堂真不知道要闹到什么样子，自己又何苦去和她们为伍呢？犯不上的。他想。

他于是決絕地將《了凡綱鑑》搬開；He then resolutely pushed aside the Outline and Mirror of Liaofan;鏡子推在一旁；shoved the mirror off to one side;聘書也合上了。and closed up the letter of appointment as well.正要坐下，又覺得那聘書實在紅得可恨，便抓過來和《中國歷史教科書》一同塞入抽屜裏。Just as he was about to sit down, it struck him that the letter of appointment was an infuriating shade of red, so he snatched it up and stuffed it into the drawer together with the Chinese History Textbook.

他于是决绝地将《了凡纲鉴》搬开；镜子推在一旁；聘书也合上了。正要坐下，又觉得那聘书实在红得可恨，便抓过来和《中国历史教科书》一同塞入抽屉里。

一切大概已經打疊停當，桌上只剩下一面鏡子，眼界清淨得多了。With everything now more or less put away in order, only a mirror was left on the desk, and his field of view felt a great deal cleaner.然而還不舒適，彷彿欠缺了半個魂靈，但他當即省悟，戴上紅結子的秋帽，徑向黃三的家裏去了。Yet he still did not feel at ease, as though half his soul were missing — but he grasped the reason at once, put on his autumn cap with the red tassel, and headed straight for Huang San's house.

一切大概已经打叠停当，桌上只剩下一面镜子，眼界清净得多了。然而还不舒适，彷佛欠缺了半个魂灵，但他当即省悟，戴上红结子的秋帽，径向黄三的家里去了。

「來了，爾礎高老夫子！」老缽大聲說。"Here he is — Old Master Gao Erchu!" Lao Bo called out loudly.

「来了，尔础高老夫子！」老钵大声说。

「狗屁！」他眉頭一皺，在老缽的頭頂上打了一下，說。"Rubbish!" he said, frowning, and gave Lao Bo a rap on the top of the head.

「狗屁！」他眉头一皱，在老钵的头顶上打了一下，说。

「教過了罷？"Been teaching, have you?怎麼樣，可有幾個出色的？」黃三熱心地問。How did it go — any outstanding ones among them?" Huang San asked eagerly.

「教过了罢？怎么样，可有几个出色的？」黄三热心地问。

「我沒有再教下去的意思。"I have no intention of going on with it.女學堂眞不知道要鬧成什麼樣子。There's no telling what sort of mess that girls' school will turn into.我輩正經人，確乎犯不上醬在一起……。」We decent, upright sorts really oughtn't to get mixed up with all that…."

「我没有再教下去的意思。女学堂真不知道要闹成什么样子。我辈正经人，确乎犯不上酱在一起……。」

毛家的大兒子進來了，胖到像一個湯圓。The eldest son of the Mao family came in, fat as a rice-glue dumpling.

毛家的大儿子进来了，胖到像一个汤圆。

「阿呀！"Ah!久仰久仰！……」滿屋子的手都拱起來，膝關節和腿關節接二連三地屈折，彷彿就要蹲了下去似的。Such an honor, such an honor!…" Hands cupped in salute all round the room, knee joints and leg joints bending one after another, as though everyone were about to crouch right down.

「阿呀！久仰久仰！……」满屋子的手都拱起来，膝关节和腿关节接二连三地屈折，彷佛就要蹲了下去似的。

「這一位就是先前說過的高幹亭兄。」老缽指着高老夫子，向毛家的大兒子說。"This is the very Mr. Gao Ganting I mentioned before," said Lao Bo, pointing to Old Master Gao, addressing the Mao family's eldest son.

「这一位就是先前说过的高干亭兄。」老钵指着高老夫子，向毛家的大儿子说。

「哦哦！"Oh, oh!久仰久仰！……」毛家的大兒子便特別向他連連拱手，並且點頭。Such an honor, such an honor!…" The Mao family's eldest son cupped his hands to him again and again in turn, nodding all the while.

「哦哦！久仰久仰！……」毛家的大儿子便特别向他连连拱手，并且点头。

這屋子的左邊早放好一頂斜擺的方桌，黃三一面招呼客人，一面和一個小鴉頭佈置着座位和籌馬。On the left side of the room a square table had already been set at a slant; Huang San, greeting the guests with one hand as it were, was with the other arranging seats and gaming chips together with a young maidservant.不多久，每一個桌角上都點起一枝細瘦的洋燭來，他們四人便入座了。Before long, a slender foreign candle had been lit at each corner of the table, and the four of them took their seats.

这屋子的左边早放好一顶斜摆的方桌，黄三一面招呼客人，一面和一个小鸦头布置着座位和筹马。不多久，每一个桌角上都点起一枝细瘦的洋烛来，他们四人便入座了。

萬籟無聲。All was utterly silent.只有打出來的骨牌拍在紫檀桌面上的聲音，在初夜的寂靜中清徹地作響。Only the sound of dominoes slapped down on the rosewood tabletop rang out clear and sharp in the stillness of early evening.

万籁无声。只有打出来的骨牌拍在紫檀桌面上的声音，在初夜的寂静中清彻地作响。

高老夫子的牌風並不壞，但他總還抱着什麼不平。Old Master Gao's luck at the tiles was not at all bad, yet he still nursed some lingering grievance.他本來是什麼都容易忘記的，惟獨這一回，卻總以爲世風有些可慮；By nature he forgot things easily, but this once he kept feeling that the morals of the age were something to worry over;雖然面前的籌馬漸漸增加了，也還不很能够使他舒適，使他樂觀。and though the chips before him were steadily piling up, even that could not quite set him at ease, or make him feel cheerful.但時移俗易，世風也終究覺得好了起來；But as times shift and customs change, the morals of the age at last came to seem better after all;不過其時很晚，已經在打完第二圈，他快要湊成「清一色」的時候了。though by then it was already very late, the second round nearly finished, and he was just on the verge of completing an all-one-suit hand.

高老夫子的牌风并不坏，但他总还抱着什么不平。他本来是什么都容易忘记的，惟独这一回，却总以为世风有些可虑；虽然面前的筹马渐渐增加了，也还不很能够使他舒适，使他乐观。但时移俗易，世风也终究觉得好了起来；不过其时很晚，已经在打完第二圈，他快要凑成「清一色」的时候了。

一九二五年五月一日May 1, 1925