弟兄 Brothers

公益局一向無公可辦，幾個辦事員在辦公室裏照例的談家務。The Public Welfare Bureau had, as always, no public business to attend to, and several clerks in the office were, as usual, chatting about household affairs.秦益堂捧著水煙筒咳得喘不過氣來，大家也只得住口。Qin Yitang, holding his water pipe, coughed until he could hardly breathe, and everyone had no choice but to stop talking.久之，他擡起紫漲著的臉來了，還是氣喘籲籲的，說：「到昨天，他們又打起架來了，從堂屋一直打到門口。After a good while, he raised his face, flushed purple, still gasping for breath, and said, "Just yesterday, they started fighting again, all the way from the main hall to the gate.我怎麼喝也喝不住。」他生著幾根花白鬍子的嘴唇還抖著。No matter how I shouted at them, I couldn't stop them." His lips, sprouting a few streaks of grizzled beard, were still trembling.

公益局一向无公可办，几个办事员在办公室里照例的谈家务。秦益堂捧著水烟筒咳得喘不过气来，大家也只得住口。久之，他抬起紫涨著的脸来了，还是气喘吁吁的，说：「到昨天，他们又打起架来了，从堂屋一直打到门口。我怎么喝也喝不住。」他生著几根花白胡子的嘴唇还抖著。

「老三說，老五折在公債票上的錢是不能開公賬的，應該自己賠出來……。」"Old Three says the money Old Five lost on government bonds can't be charged to the family account—he should make it good himself out of his own pocket…"

「老三说，老五折在公债票上的钱是不能开公账的，应该自己赔出来……。」

「你看，還是為錢，」"You see, it's still about money,"

「你看，还是为钱，」

張沛君就慷慨地從破的躺椅上站起來，兩眼在深眼眶裡慈愛地閃爍。「我真不解自家的弟兄何必這樣斤斤計較，豈不是橫豎都一樣？……」Zhang Peijun rose magnanimously from the worn-out lounge chair, his eyes glinting kindly from deep sockets. "I really cannot understand why brothers within the same family need be so calculating over petty sums—isn't it all the same in the end either way?…"

张沛君就慷慨地从破的躺椅上站起来，两眼在深眼眶里慈爱地闪烁。「我真不解自家的弟兄何必这样斤斤计较，岂不是横竖都一样？……」

「像你們的弟兄，那裡有呢。」益堂說。"Brothers like the two of you—where would you find such a thing?" said Yitang.

「像你们的弟兄，那里有呢。」益堂说。

「我們就是不計較，彼此都一樣。"We simply don't calculate such things; it's the same for both of us.我們就將錢財兩字不放在心上。We simply don't let the words 'money' and 'property' weigh on our minds.這麼一來，什麼事也沒有了。That way, nothing ever comes of it.有誰家鬧著要分的，我總是將我們的情形告訴他，勸他們不要計較。Whenever some family is quarreling over dividing their property, I always tell them how things are between my brother and me, and urge them not to calculate so much.益翁也只要對令郎開導開導……。」You need only give your sons a little guidance too, old Yi…"

「我们就是不计较，彼此都一样。我们就将钱财两字不放在心上。这么一来，什么事也没有了。有谁家闹著要分的，我总是将我们的情形告诉他，劝他们不要计较。益翁也只要对令郎开导开导……。」

「那－－裏……。」益堂搖頭說。"Ah—that…" Yitang said, shaking his head.

「那－－里……。」益堂摇头说。

「這大概也怕不成。」汪月生說，於是恭敬地看著沛君的眼，「像你們的弟兄，實在是少有的；"I'm afraid that could hardly be managed," said Wang Yuesheng, then looked respectfully into Peijun's eyes. "Brothers like the two of you are truly a rare thing;我沒有遇見過。I have never met the like.你們簡直是誰也沒有一點自私自利的心思，這就不容易……。」Between the two of you there's simply not a trace of selfishness on either side—that's no easy thing…"

「这大概也怕不成。」汪月生说，于是恭敬地看著沛君的眼，「像你们的弟兄，实在是少有的；我没有遇见过。你们简直是谁也没有一点自私自利的心思，这就不容易……。」

「他們一直從堂屋打到大門口……。」益堂說。"They fought all the way from the main hall to the front gate…" said Yitang.

「他们一直从堂屋打到大门口……。」益堂说。

「令弟仍然是忙？……」月生問。"Is your younger brother still as busy as ever?…" asked Yuesheng.

「令弟仍然是忙？……」月生问。

「還是一禮拜十八點鐘功課，外加九十三本作文，簡直忙不過來。"Still eighteen class hours a week, plus ninety-three essays to mark—he simply can't keep up.這幾天可是請假了，身熱，大概是受了一點寒……。」These past few days he's actually taken leave—running a fever, probably caught a slight chill…"

「还是一礼拜十八点钟功课，外加九十三本作文，简直忙不过来。这几天可是请假了，身热，大概是受了一点寒……。」

「我看這倒該小心些，」月生鄭重地說。「今天的報上就說，現在時癥流行……。」"I think that's something to be careful about," said Yuesheng gravely. "Today's paper said that there's a seasonal epidemic going around just now…"

「我看这倒该小心些，」月生郑重地说。「今天的报上就说，现在时症流行……。」

「什麼時癥呢？」沛君吃驚了，趕忙地問。"What epidemic?" Peijun asked, startled, hastening to ask.

「什么时症呢？」沛君吃惊了，赶忙地问。

「那我可說不清了。"That I really couldn't say for certain.記得是什麼熱罷。」I believe it was some kind of fever."

「那我可说不清了。记得是什么热罢。」

沛君邁開步就奔向閱報室去。Peijun strode off at once and hurried toward the reading room.

沛君迈开步就奔向阅报室去。

「真是少有的，」月生目送他飛奔出去之後，向著秦益堂贊嘆著。「他們兩個人就像一個人。"Truly a rare thing," said Yuesheng, watching him dash off, then remarking admiringly to Qin Yitang. "The two of them are just like one person.要是所有的弟兄都這樣，家裡那裡還會鬧亂子。If all brothers were like that, how could there ever be trouble in a household.我就學不來……。」I could never learn to be like that…"

「真是少有的，」月生目送他飞奔出去之后，向著秦益堂赞叹著。「他们两个人就像一个人。要是所有的弟兄都这样，家里那里还会闹乱子。我就学不来……。」

「說是折在公債票上的錢不能開公賬……。」益堂將紙煤子插在紙煤管子裏，恨恨地說。"They say the money lost on government bonds can't be charged to the family account…" Yitang said bitterly, jabbing his paper spill into the spill-holder.

「说是折在公债票上的钱不能开公账……。」益堂将纸煤子插在纸煤管子里，恨恨地说。

辦公室中暫時的寂靜，不久就被沛君的步聲和叫聽差的聲音震破了。The momentary stillness in the office was soon shattered by the sound of Peijun's footsteps and his calling for the attendant.他仿佛已經有什麼大難臨頭似的，說話有些口吃了，聲音也發著抖。He seemed as though some great calamity were already upon him; his speech had grown somewhat stammering, and his voice was trembling too.他叫聽差打電話給普悌思普大夫，請他即刻到同興公寓張沛君那裡去看病。He told the attendant to telephone Dr. Pratt and ask him to come at once to Zhang Peijun's rooms at the Tongxing Lodgings to see a patient.月生便知道他很著急，因為向來知道他雖然相信西醫，而進款不多，平時也節省，現在卻請的是這裡第一個有名而價貴的醫生。Yuesheng could tell at once how anxious he was, for he had always known that although Peijun believed in Western medicine, his income was small and he was ordinarily frugal—yet now he was calling in the most famous and expensive doctor in the city.於是迎了出去，只見他臉色青青的站在外面聽聽差打電話。So he went out to meet him, and found him standing outside, his face pale, listening to the attendant make the call.

办公室中暂时的寂静，不久就被沛君的步声和叫听差的声音震破了。他仿佛已经有什么大难临头似的，说话有些口吃了，声音也发著抖。他叫听差打电话给普悌思普大夫，请他即刻到同兴公寓张沛君那里去看病。月生便知道他很著急，因为向来知道他虽然相信西医，而进款不多，平时也节省，现在却请的是这里第一个有名而价贵的医生。于是迎了出去，只见他脸色青青的站在外面听听差打电话。

「怎麼了？」"What's happened?"

「怎么了？」

「報上說……"The paper says…說流行的是猩……It says what's going around is scar…猩紅熱。Scarlet fever.我我午後來局的時，靖甫就是滿臉通紅……。I—I—when I came to the bureau this afternoon, Jingfu's whole face was flushed red already…已經出門了麼？Has he already gone out?請……Please…請他們打電話找，請他即刻來，同興公寓，同興公寓……。」Please have them telephone to find him, ask him to come at once—Tongxing Lodgings, Tongxing Lodgings…"

「报上说……说流行的是猩……猩红热。我我午后来局的时，靖甫就是满脸通红……。已经出门了么？请……请他们打电话找，请他即刻来，同兴公寓，同兴公寓……。」

他聽聽差打完電話，便奔進辦公室，取了帽子。As soon as he heard the attendant finish the call, he rushed into the office and snatched up his hat.汪月生也代為著急，跟了進去。Wang Yuesheng, anxious on his behalf too, followed him in.

他听听差打完电话，便奔进办公室，取了帽子。汪月生也代为著急，跟了进去。

「局長來時，請給我請假，說家裡有病人，看醫生……。」他胡亂點著頭，說。"When the director comes, please ask leave for me—say there's someone sick at home, and I've gone to fetch the doctor…" he said, nodding his head distractedly.

「局长来时，请给我请假，说家里有病人，看医生……。」他胡乱点著头，说。

「你去就是。"Just go.局長也未必來。」月生說。The director may not even come today," said Yuesheng.

「你去就是。局长也未必来。」月生说。

但是他似乎沒有聽到，已經奔出去了。But he seemed not to have heard, and had already dashed out.

但是他似乎没有听到，已经奔出去了。

他到路上，已不再較量車價如平時一般，一看見一個稍微壯大，似乎能走的車夫，問過價錢，便一腳跨上車去，道，「好。Once out on the road, he no longer haggled over the fare as he usually did; the moment he spotted a somewhat sturdy-looking rickshaw puller who seemed able to run, he asked the price, then stepped straight up into the rickshaw and said, "All right.只要給我快走！」Just get me there fast!"

他到路上，已不再较量车价如平时一般，一看见一个稍微壮大，似乎能走的车夫，问过价钱，便一脚跨上车去，道，「好。只要给我快走！」

公寓卻如平時一般，很平安，寂靜；The lodging house, however, was just as usual, perfectly peaceful and quiet;一個小夥計仍舊坐在門外拉胡琴。a young errand-boy still sat outside the gate playing the huqin.他走進他兄弟的臥室，覺得心跳得更利害，因為他臉上似乎見得更通紅了，而且發喘。He walked into his brother's bedroom, and felt his heart pound even harder, for Jingfu's face seemed even redder now, and he was breathing hard besides.他伸手去一摸他的頭，又熱得炙手。He reached out and touched his forehead, and it was burning hot to the touch.

公寓却如平时一般，很平安，寂静；一个小伙计仍旧坐在门外拉胡琴。他走进他兄弟的卧室，觉得心跳得更利害，因为他脸上似乎见得更通红了，而且发喘。他伸手去一摸他的头，又热得炙手。

「不知道是什麼病？"I don't know what illness it is.不要緊罷？」靖甫問，眼裡發出憂疑的光，顯系他自己也覺得不尋常了。It's not serious, is it?" Jingfu asked, a look of worried doubt in his eyes, plainly a sign that he himself sensed something was not right.

「不知道是什么病？不要紧罢？」靖甫问，眼里发出忧疑的光，显系他自己也觉得不寻常了。

「不要緊的，……"It's nothing serious, …傷風罷了。」他支梧著回答說。just a cold, that's all," he answered evasively.

「不要紧的，……伤风罢了。」他支梧著回答说。

他平時是專愛破除迷信的，但此時卻覺得靖甫的樣子和說話都有些不祥，仿佛病人自己就有了什麼豫感。He was ordinarily one who loved to debunk superstition, yet just now he felt there was something ominous in both Jingfu's look and his words, as though the patient himself had some premonition.這思想更使他不安，立即走出，輕輕地叫了夥計，使他打電話去問醫院：可曾找到了普大夫？This thought unsettled him all the more, and he went straight out and quietly called the errand-boy, telling him to telephone the hospital and ask: had Dr. Pratt been found yet?

他平时是专爱破除迷信的，但此时却觉得靖甫的样子和说话都有些不祥，仿佛病人自己就有了什么豫感。这思想更使他不安，立即走出，轻轻地叫了伙计，使他打电话去问医院：可曾找到了普大夫？

「就是啦，就是啦。"Just a moment, just a moment.還沒有找到。」夥計在電話口邊說。Not found yet," the boy said into the telephone.

「就是啦，就是啦。还没有找到。」伙计在电话口边说。

沛君不但坐不穩，這時連立也不穩了；By now Peijun could not only not sit still, he could not even stand still;但他在焦急中，卻忽而碰著了一條生路：也許並不是猩紅熱。but in his anxiety a way out suddenly occurred to him: perhaps it was not scarlet fever after all.然而普大夫沒有找到，……And yet Dr. Pratt could not be found, …同寓的白問山雖然是中醫，或者於病名倒還能斷定的，但是他曾經對他說過好幾回攻擊中醫的話：況且追請普大夫的電話，他也許已經聽到了……。Bai Wenshan, who lodged in the same house, was a practitioner of Chinese medicine, and might well be able to determine the name of the illness—but Peijun had, on several occasions, spoken to him in terms attacking Chinese medicine; besides, Bai might already have overheard the telephone calls chasing after Dr. Pratt…

沛君不但坐不稳，这时连立也不稳了；但他在焦急中，却忽而碰著了一条生路：也许并不是猩红热。然而普大夫没有找到，……同寓的白问山虽然是中医，或者于病名倒还能断定的，但是他曾经对他说过好几回攻击中医的话：况且追请普大夫的电话，他也许已经听到了……。

然而他終於去請白問山。Yet in the end he went to fetch Bai Wenshan all the same.

然而他终于去请白问山。

白問山卻毫不介意，立刻戴起玳瑁邊墨晶眼鏡，同到靖甫的房裡來。Bai Wenshan, however, did not seem to mind in the least; he at once put on his tortoiseshell-rimmed dark glasses and came along with him to Jingfu's room.他診過脈，在臉上端詳一回，又翻開衣服看了胸部，便從從容容地告辭。He took the pulse, studied Jingfu's face for a while, then opened his clothing and examined his chest, after which he took his leave in a leisurely, unhurried manner.沛君跟在後面，一直到他的房裡。Peijun followed close behind, all the way to Bai's own room.

白问山却毫不介意，立刻戴起玳瑁边墨晶眼镜，同到靖甫的房里来。他诊过脉，在脸上端详一回，又翻开衣服看了胸部，便从从容容地告辞。沛君跟在后面，一直到他的房里。

他請沛君坐下，卻是不開口。Bai asked Peijun to sit down, but said nothing.

他请沛君坐下，却是不开口。

「問山兄，舍弟究竟是……？」他忍不住發問了。"Brother Wenshan, what exactly is wrong with my younger brother…?" he could not help asking.

「问山兄，舍弟究竟是……？」他忍不住发问了。

「紅斑痧。"Red-spot sha fever.你看他已經‘見點’了。」You see, the spots have already 'come out.'"

「红斑痧。你看他已经‘见点’了。」

「那麼，不是猩紅熱？」沛君有些高興起來。"Then it's not scarlet fever?" Peijun brightened somewhat.

「那么，不是猩红热？」沛君有些高兴起来。

「他們西醫叫猩紅熱，我們中醫叫紅斑痧。」"What the Western doctors call scarlet fever, we in Chinese medicine call red-spot sha fever."

「他们西医叫猩红热，我们中医叫红斑痧。」

這立刻使他手腳覺得發冷。This at once made his hands and feet turn cold.

这立刻使他手脚觉得发冷。

「可以醫麼？」他愁苦地問。"Can it be cured?" he asked miserably.

「可以医么？」他愁苦地问。

「可以。"It can.不過這也要看你們府上的家運。」But that will also depend on your household's fortune."

「可以。不过这也要看你们府上的家运。」

他已經胡塗得連自己也不知道怎樣竟請白問山開了藥方，從他房裡走出；By now he was so muddled that he himself did not know quite how he came to have Bai Wenshan write out a prescription, and walked out of his room;但當經過電話機旁的時候，卻又記起普大夫來了。but as he passed by the telephone, he remembered Dr. Pratt again.他仍然去問醫院，答說已經找到了，可是很忙，怕去得晚，須待明天早晨也說不定的。He telephoned the hospital once more to ask, and was told that the doctor had been found, but that he was very busy and might well be late—it might not be possible until tomorrow morning.然而他還叮囑他要今天一定到。Even so, Peijun insisted that the doctor absolutely must come today.

他已经胡涂得连自己也不知道怎样竟请白问山开了药方，从他房里走出；但当经过电话机旁的时候，却又记起普大夫来了。他仍然去问医院，答说已经找到了，可是很忙，怕去得晚，须待明天早晨也说不定的。然而他还叮嘱他要今天一定到。

他走進房去點起燈來看，靖甫的臉更覺得通紅了，的確還現出更紅的點子，眼瞼也浮腫起來。He went into the room and lit the lamp to look, and found that Jingfu's face seemed even redder now, with brighter red spots plainly showing, and his eyelids had begun to swell as well.他坐著，卻似乎所坐的是針氈；He sat there, and yet it was as though he sat on a cushion of needles;在夜的漸就寂靜中，在他的翹望中，每一輛汽車的汽笛的呼嘯聲更使他聽得分明，有時竟無端疑為普大夫的汽車，跳起來去迎接。as the night grew ever more still, and in his eager watching, the wail of every motorcar's horn reached his ears all the more clearly, and sometimes, for no reason at all, he took it for Dr. Pratt's car and leapt up to go and meet it.但是他還未走到門口，那汽車卻早經駛過去了；But before he had even reached the doorway, the car had already driven past;惘然地回身，經過院落時，見皓月已經西升，鄰家的一株古槐，便投影地上，森森然更來加濃了他陰郁的心地。dazed, he would turn back, and passing through the courtyard, see that the bright moon had already climbed westward, and an old locust tree in the neighboring yard cast its shadow on the ground, its somber denseness deepening still further the gloom that lay upon his heart.

他走进房去点起灯来看，靖甫的脸更觉得通红了，的确还现出更红的点子，眼睑也浮肿起来。他坐著，却似乎所坐的是针毡；在夜的渐就寂静中，在他的翘望中，每一辆汽车的汽笛的呼啸声更使他听得分明，有时竟无端疑为普大夫的汽车，跳起来去迎接。但是他还未走到门口，那汽车却早经驶过去了；惘然地回身，经过院落时，见皓月已经西升，邻家的一株古槐，便投影地上，森森然更来加浓了他阴郁的心地。

突然一聲烏鴉叫。Suddenly a crow cawed.這是他平日常常聽到的；This was something he often heard on ordinary days;那古槐上就有三四個烏鴉窠。there were three or four crows' nests in that old locust tree.但他現在卻嚇得幾乎站住了，心驚肉跳地輕輕地走進靖甫的房裡時，見他閉了眼躺著，滿臉仿佛都見得浮腫；But now it startled him so that he nearly stopped in his tracks; his heart pounding, he crept quietly into Jingfu's room, and saw him lying there with his eyes closed, his whole face seemingly swollen;但沒有睡，大概是聽到腳步聲了，忽然張開眼來，那兩道眼光在燈光中異樣地淒愴地發閃。yet he was not asleep—having apparently heard the footsteps, he suddenly opened his eyes, and those two beams of gaze flashed strangely, mournfully, in the lamplight.

突然一声乌鸦叫。这是他平日常常听到的；那古槐上就有三四个乌鸦窠。但他现在却吓得几乎站住了，心惊肉跳地轻轻地走进靖甫的房里时，见他闭了眼躺著，满脸仿佛都见得浮肿；但没有睡，大概是听到脚步声了，忽然张开眼来，那两道眼光在灯光中异样地凄怆地发闪。

「信麼？」靖甫問。"Any news?" Jingfu asked.

「信么？」靖甫问。

「不，不。"No, no.是我。」他吃驚，有些失措，吃吃地說，「是我。It's me." He was startled, somewhat flustered, and stammered, "It's me.我想還是去請一個西醫來，好得快一點。I think I'd better still go and fetch a Western doctor—you'll get well faster that way.他還沒有來……。」He still hasn't come…"

「不，不。是我。」他吃惊，有些失措，吃吃地说，「是我。我想还是去请一个西医来，好得快一点。他还没有来……。」

靖甫不答話，合了眼。Jingfu made no reply, and closed his eyes.他坐在窗前的書桌旁邊，一切都靜寂，只聽得病人的急促的呼吸聲，和鬧鐘的劄劄地作響。He sat by the desk near the window; everything was still, and all that could be heard was the patient's hurried breathing and the ticking of the alarm clock.忽而遠遠地有汽車的汽笛發響了，使他的心立刻緊張起來，聽它漸近，漸近，大概正到門口，要停下了罷，可是立刻聽出，駛過去了。Suddenly, far off, a motorcar's horn sounded, and at once his heart tensed; he listened as it drew nearer and nearer—it must be just at the gate now, about to stop, surely—but the next instant he could tell it had driven straight past.這樣的許多回，他知道了汽笛聲的各樣：有如吹哨子的，有如擊鼓的，有如放屁的，有如狗叫的，有如鴨叫的，有如牛吼的，有如母雞驚啼的，有如嗚咽的……。After this happened many times over, he came to know all the varieties of that horn's sound: some like a whistle blowing, some like a drum being struck, some like flatulence, some like a dog barking, some like a duck quacking, some like an ox bellowing, some like a startled hen shrieking, some like a low sobbing…他忽而怨憤自己：為什麼早不留心，知道，那普大夫的汽笛是怎樣的聲音的呢？He suddenly grew angry at himself: why had he not thought earlier to take note of just what Dr. Pratt's own car-horn sounded like?

靖甫不答话，合了眼。他坐在窗前的书桌旁边，一切都静寂，只听得病人的急促的呼吸声，和闹钟的札札地作响。忽而远远地有汽车的汽笛发响了，使他的心立刻紧张起来，听它渐近，渐近，大概正到门口，要停下了罢，可是立刻听出，驶过去了。这样的许多回，他知道了汽笛声的各样：有如吹哨子的，有如击鼓的，有如放屁的，有如狗叫的，有如鸭叫的，有如牛吼的，有如母鸡惊啼的，有如呜咽的……。他忽而怨愤自己：为什么早不留心，知道，那普大夫的汽笛是怎样的声音的呢？

對面的寓客還沒有回來，照例是看戲，或是打茶圍去了。The lodger across the way had still not come home—as usual, he must have gone to the theater, or off to some teahouse gathering.但夜卻已經很深了，連汽車也逐漸地減少。But the night had already grown very deep, and even the motorcars were gradually growing fewer.強烈的銀白色的月光，照得紙窗發白。The strong, silvery-white moonlight shone upon the paper window, turning it pale.

对面的寓客还没有回来，照例是看戏，或是打茶围去了。但夜却已经很深了，连汽车也逐渐地减少。强烈的银白色的月光，照得纸窗发白。

他在等待的厭倦裏，身心的緊張慢慢地弛緩下來了，至於不再去留心那些汽笛。Worn out with waiting, the tension in his body and mind gradually slackened, until he no longer troubled to listen for those horns at all.但淩亂的思緒，卻又乘機而起；But his tangled thoughts seized the chance to rise up instead;他仿佛知道靖甫生的一定是猩紅熱，而且是不可救的。he felt, as though he already knew for certain, that what Jingfu had must be scarlet fever, and that it was beyond saving.那麼，家計怎麼支持呢，靠自己一個？In that case, how was the family to be supported—by himself alone?雖然住在小城裡，可是百物也昂貴起來了……。Even living in a small town as they did, the price of everything had been rising too…自己的三個孩子，他的兩個，養活尚且難，還能進學校去讀書麼？His own three children, and his brother's two—it was already hard enough just to feed them; how could they possibly go to school as well?只給一兩個讀書呢，那自然是自己的康兒最聰明，——然而大家一定要批評，說是薄待了兄弟的孩子……。And if only one or two could be sent to school, then naturally it would be his own son Kang'er, the cleverest of them—yet everyone would surely criticize him, say he had treated his brother's children shabbily…"

他在等待的厌倦里，身心的紧张慢慢地弛缓下来了，至于不再去留心那些汽笛。但凌乱的思绪，却又乘机而起；他仿佛知道靖甫生的一定是猩红热，而且是不可救的。那么，家计怎么支持呢，靠自己一个？虽然住在小城里，可是百物也昂贵起来了……。自己的三个孩子，他的两个，养活尚且难，还能进学校去读书么？只给一两个读书呢，那自然是自己的康儿最聪明，——然而大家一定要批评，说是薄待了兄弟的孩子……。

後事怎麼辦呢，連買棺木的款子也不夠，怎麼能夠運回家，只好暫時寄頓在義莊裡……。As for funeral arrangements, there would not even be enough money to buy a coffin, let alone to transport it back home—it would have to be left temporarily at the charitable mortuary…

后事怎么办呢，连买棺木的款子也不够，怎么能够运回家，只好暂时寄顿在义庄里……。

忽然遠遠地有一陣腳步聲進來，立刻使他跳起來了，走出房去，卻知道是對面的寓客。Suddenly, far off, footsteps came sounding nearer, and at once he sprang up and went out of the room—only to find it was the lodger from across the way.

忽然远远地有一阵脚步声进来，立刻使他跳起来了，走出房去，却知道是对面的寓客。

「先帝爺，在白帝城……。」"The Former Emperor, at Baidi Castle…"

「先帝爷，在白帝城……。」

他一聽到這低微高興的吟聲，便失望，憤怒，幾乎要奔上去叱罵他。The moment he heard this soft, cheerful crooning, he was overcome with disappointment and fury, and very nearly rushed up to curse the man to his face.但他接著又看見夥計提著風雨燈，燈光中照出後面跟著的皮鞋，上面的微明裡是一個高大的人，白臉孔，黑的絡腮鬍子。But then he saw the errand-boy carrying a storm-lantern, its light picking out a pair of leather shoes following behind, and, dimly lit above them, a tall man with a pale face and a black, full beard.這正是普悌思。This was indeed Pu Tisi.

他一听到这低微高兴的吟声，便失望，愤怒，几乎要奔上去叱骂他。但他接著又看见伙计提著风雨灯，灯光中照出后面跟著的皮鞋，上面的微明里是一个高大的人，白脸孔，黑的络腮胡子。这正是普悌思。

他像是得了寶貝一般，飛跑上去，將他領入病人的房中。As if he had gotten hold of a treasure, he dashed up and led him into the patient's room.兩人都站在床面前，他擎了洋燈，照著。The two of them stood in front of the bed; he held up the foreign lamp, lighting the way.

他像是得了宝贝一般，飞跑上去，将他领入病人的房中。两人都站在床面前，他擎了洋灯，照著。

「先生，他發燒……。」沛君喘著說。"Doctor, he has a fever..." Peijun said, panting.

「先生，他发烧……。」沛君喘著说。

「什麼時候，起的？」普悌思兩手插在褲側的袋子裏，凝視著病人的臉，慢慢地問。"When did it start?" Pu Tisi asked slowly, his hands thrust into his trouser pockets, staring fixedly at the patient's face.

「什么时候，起的？」普悌思两手插在裤侧的袋子里，凝视著病人的脸，慢慢地问。

「前天。"The day before yesterday.不，大……No, the...大大前天。」the day before the day before yesterday."

普大夫不作聲，略略按一按脈，又叫沛君擎高了洋燈，照著他在病人的臉上端詳一回；Doctor Pu said nothing, felt the pulse briefly, then had Peijun raise the lamp higher and studied the patient's face closely for a while by its light;又叫揭去被臥，解開衣服來給他看。then had the bedding pulled back and the clothing undone so he could examine him.看過之後，就伸出手指在肚子上去一摩。Having looked him over, he reached out a finger and pressed it once against his stomach.

普大夫不作声，略略按一按脉，又叫沛君擎高了洋灯，照著他在病人的脸上端详一回；又叫揭去被卧，解开衣服来给他看。看过之后，就伸出手指在肚子上去一摩。

「Measles……」普悌思低聲自言自語似的說。"Measles..." Pu Tisi said in a low voice, as though talking to himself.

「Measles……」普悌思低声自言自语似的说。

「疹子麼？」他驚喜得聲音也似乎發抖了。"Measles?" he said, so startled and delighted that his voice seemed to tremble.

「疹子么？」他惊喜得声音也似乎发抖了。

「疹子。」"Measles."

「就是疹子？……」"It's really measles?..."

「疹子。」"Measles."

「你原來沒有出過疹子？……」"So you've never had measles before?..."

「你原来没有出过疹子？……」

他高興地剛在問靖甫時，普大夫已經走向書桌那邊去了，於是也只得跟過去。Just as he was happily asking Jingfu this, Doctor Pu had already walked over to the desk, so he had no choice but to follow.只見他將一隻腳踏在椅子上，拉過桌上的一張信箋，從衣袋裡掏出一段很短的鉛筆，就桌上颼颼地寫了幾個難以看清的字，這就是藥方。He saw him plant one foot on a chair, pull over a sheet of letter paper from the desk, take out a very short stub of pencil from his pocket, and scratch out a few barely legible characters on the paper right there — this was the prescription.

他高兴地刚在问靖甫时，普大夫已经走向书桌那边去了，于是也只得跟过去。只见他将一只脚踏在椅子上，拉过桌上的一张信笺，从衣袋里掏出一段很短的铅笔，就桌上飕飕地写了几个难以看清的字，这就是药方。

「怕藥房已經關了罷？」沛君接了方，問。"I'm afraid the pharmacy may already be closed?" Peijun asked, taking the prescription.

「怕药房已经关了罢？」沛君接了方，问。

「明天不要緊。"It's fine tomorrow.明天吃。」Take it tomorrow."

「明天不要紧。明天吃。」

「明天再看？……」"Should you come see him again tomorrow?..."

「不要再看了。"No need to see him again.酸的，辣的，太鹹的，不要吃。Nothing sour, spicy, or too salty.熱退了之後，拿小便，送到我的，醫院裏來，查一查，就是了。Once the fever goes down, take a urine sample and bring it to my hospital for testing, that's all.裝在，乾凈的，玻璃瓶裏；Put it in a clean glass bottle;外面，寫上名字。」and write his name on the outside."

「不要再看了。酸的，辣的，太咸的，不要吃。热退了之后，拿小便，送到我的，医院里来，查一查，就是了。装在，干净的，玻璃瓶里；外面，写上名字。」

普大夫且說且走，一面接了一張五元的鈔票塞入衣袋裡，一徑出去了。Doctor Pu talked as he walked, taking a five-dollar note and stuffing it into his pocket, and went straight out.他送出去，看他上了車，開動了，然後轉身，剛進店門，只聽得背後gögö的兩聲，他才知道普悌思的汽車的叫聲原來是牛吼似的。He saw him out, watched him get into the car and drive off, and then turned back; just as he stepped through the shop door, he heard two "gögö" sounds behind him, and only then realized that the horn of Pu Tisi's car sounded just like the bellow of an ox.但現在是知道也沒有什麼用了，他想。But knowing it now was of no use, he thought.

普大夫且说且走，一面接了一张五元的钞票塞入衣袋里，一径出去了。他送出去，看他上了车，开动了，然后转身，刚进店门，只听得背后gögö的两声，他才知道普悌思的汽车的叫声原来是牛吼似的。但现在是知道也没有什么用了，他想。

房子裏連燈光也顯得愉悅；Inside the house, even the lamplight seemed cheerful;沛君仿佛萬事都已做訖，周圍都很平安，心裡倒是空空洞洞的模樣。Peijun felt as though everything had been settled and all around him was peaceful, yet his heart felt strangely empty and hollow.他將錢和藥方交給跟著進來的夥計，叫他明天一早到美亞藥房去買藥，因為這藥房是普大夫指定的，說惟獨這一家的藥品最可靠。He handed the money and the prescription to the shop assistant who had come in with him, telling him to go to the Meiya Pharmacy first thing tomorrow morning to buy the medicine, because that was the pharmacy Doctor Pu had specified, saying that only that one shop's medicines were reliable.

房子里连灯光也显得愉悦；沛君仿佛万事都已做讫，周围都很平安，心里倒是空空洞洞的模样。他将钱和药方交给跟著进来的伙计，叫他明天一早到美亚药房去买药，因为这药房是普大夫指定的，说惟独这一家的药品最可靠。

「東城的美亞藥房！"The Meiya Pharmacy in the East City!一定得到那裡去。You must go there without fail.記住：美亞藥房！」他跟在出去的夥計後面，說。Remember: Meiya Pharmacy!" he said, following the departing assistant out.

「东城的美亚药房！一定得到那里去。记住：美亚药房！」他跟在出去的伙计后面，说。

院子裏滿是月色，白得如銀；「在白帝城」的鄰人已經睡覺了，一切都很幽靜。The courtyard was filled with moonlight, white as silver; the neighbor who sang "At Baidi City" had already gone to sleep, and everything was very quiet.只有桌上的鬧鐘愉快而平勻地劄劄地作響；Only the alarm clock on the desk ticked away cheerfully and evenly;雖然聽到病人的呼吸，卻是很調和。though the patient's breathing could be heard, it was quite regular.他坐下不多久，忽又高興起來。Not long after he sat down, he suddenly grew cheerful again.

院子里满是月色，白得如银；「在白帝城」的邻人已经睡觉了，一切都很幽静。只有桌上的闹钟愉快而平匀地札札地作响；虽然听到病人的呼吸，却是很调和。他坐下不多久，忽又高兴起来。

「你原來這麼大了，竟還沒有出過疹子？」他遇到了什麼奇跡似的，驚奇地問。"So you're already this old, and you've still never had measles?" he asked in astonishment, as though he had come across some miracle.

「你原来这么大了，竟还没有出过疹子？」他遇到了什么奇迹似的，惊奇地问。

「…………」"............"

「你自己是不會記得的。"You wouldn't remember it yourself.須得問母親才知道。」You'd have to ask Mother to know."

「你自己是不会记得的。须得问母亲才知道。」

「…………」"............"

「母親又不在這裡。"And Mother isn't here.竟沒有出過疹子。To think you've never had measles.哈哈哈！」Ha ha ha!"

「母亲又不在这里。竟没有出过疹子。哈哈哈！」

沛君在床上醒來時，朝陽已從紙窗上射入，刺著他朦朧的眼睛。When Peijun woke up in bed, the morning sun was already shining in through the paper window, stinging his bleary eyes.但他卻不能即刻動彈，只覺得四肢無力，而且背上冷冰冰的還有許多汗，而且看見床前站著一個滿臉流血的孩子，自己正要去打她。But he could not move at once; he felt his limbs were weak, his back was cold and covered in sweat, and he saw a child standing in front of the bed with a face streaming with blood, while he himself was just about to strike her.

沛君在床上醒来时，朝阳已从纸窗上射入，刺著他朦胧的眼睛。但他却不能即刻动弹，只觉得四肢无力，而且背上冷冰冰的还有许多汗，而且看见床前站著一个满脸流血的孩子，自己正要去打她。

但這景象一剎那間便消失了，他還是獨自睡在自己的房裡，沒有一個別的人。But this scene vanished in an instant; he was still lying alone in his own room, with no one else there.他解下枕衣來拭去胸前和背上的冷汗，穿好衣服，走向靖甫的房裡去時，只見「在白帝城」的鄰人正在院子裏漱口，可見時候已經很不早了。He untied the pillowcase to wipe the cold sweat from his chest and back, got dressed, and as he walked toward Jingfu's room, he saw the "At Baidi City" neighbor rinsing his mouth in the courtyard, which showed that it was already quite late in the morning.

但这景象一刹那间便消失了，他还是独自睡在自己的房里，没有一个别的人。他解下枕衣来拭去胸前和背上的冷汗，穿好衣服，走向靖甫的房里去时，只见「在白帝城」的邻人正在院子里漱口，可见时候已经很不早了。

靖甫也醒著了，眼睜睜地躺在床上。Jingfu was awake too, lying in bed with his eyes wide open.

靖甫也醒著了，眼睁睁地躺在床上。

「今天怎樣？」他立刻問。"How are you feeling today?" he asked at once.

「今天怎样？」他立刻问。

「好些……。」"Better..."

「藥還沒有來麼？」"Hasn't the medicine come yet?"

「药还没有来么？」

「沒有。」"No."

「没有。」

他便在書桌旁坐下，正對著眠床；He then sat down beside the desk, facing the bed directly;看靖甫的臉，已沒有昨天那樣通紅了。Jingfu's face, he saw, was no longer as flushed red as it had been yesterday.但自己的頭卻還覺得昏昏的，夢的斷片，也同時閃閃爍爍地浮出：But his own head still felt dazed, and fragments of his dream at the same time flickered up before him:

他便在书桌旁坐下，正对著眠床；看靖甫的脸，已没有昨天那样通红了。但自己的头却还觉得昏昏的，梦的断片，也同时闪闪烁烁地浮出：

——靖甫也正是這樣地躺著，但卻是一個死屍。— Jingfu was lying just like this, but he was a corpse.他忙著收殮，獨自背了一口棺材，從大門外一徑背到堂屋裡去。He busied himself with the funeral preparations, carrying a coffin alone on his back, straight from outside the main gate into the main hall.地方仿佛是在家裡，看見許多熟識的人們在旁邊交口贊頌……。The place seemed to be his home, and he saw many familiar people standing by, praising him in chorus...

——靖甫也正是这样地躺著，但却是一个死尸。他忙著收殓，独自背了一口棺材，从大门外一径背到堂屋里去。地方仿佛是在家里，看见许多熟识的人们在旁边交口赞颂……。

——他命令康兒和兩個弟妹進學校去了；— He ordered Kang'er and his two younger siblings off to school;卻還有兩個孩子哭嚷著要跟去。but there were still two children crying and clamoring to go along.他已經被哭嚷的聲音纏得發煩，但同時也覺得自己有了最高的威權和極大的力。He was already vexed, worn down by their crying and shouting, but at the same time he felt that he himself possessed supreme authority and immense power.他看見自己的手掌比平常大了三四倍，鐵鑄似的，向荷生的臉上一掌批過去……。He saw that his own palm had grown three or four times its normal size, like cast iron, and he swung it in a slap across Hesheng's face...

——他命令康儿和两个弟妹进学校去了；却还有两个孩子哭嚷著要跟去。他已经被哭嚷的声音缠得发烦，但同时也觉得自己有了最高的威权和极大的力。他看见自己的手掌比平常大了三四倍，铁铸似的，向荷生的脸上一掌批过去……。

他因為這些夢跡的襲擊，怕得想站起來，走出房外去，但終於沒有動。Assailed by these traces of the dream, he was frightened enough to want to stand up and walk out of the room, but in the end he did not move.也想將這些夢跡壓下，忘卻，但這些卻像攪在水裡的鵝毛一般，轉了幾個圍，終於非浮上來不可：He also tried to press down these traces of the dream and forget them, but they were like goose down stirred into water — after turning around a few times, they were bound to float back up to the surface:

他因为这些梦迹的袭击，怕得想站起来，走出房外去，但终于没有动。也想将这些梦迹压下，忘却，但这些却像搅在水里的鹅毛一般，转了几个围，终于非浮上来不可：

——荷生滿臉是血，哭著進來了。— Hesheng, her face covered in blood, came in crying.他跳在神堂上……。He leapt up onto the shrine platform...那孩子後面還跟著一群相識和不相識的人。Behind the child followed a crowd of people, some familiar and some strangers.他知道他們是都來攻擊他的……。He knew they had all come to attack him...

——荷生满脸是血，哭著进来了。他跳在神堂上……。那孩子后面还跟著一群相识和不相识的人。他知道他们是都来攻击他的……。

——「我決不至於昧了良心。— "I would never go against my conscience.你們不要受孩子的誑話的騙……。」他聽得自己這樣說。Don't be deceived by the child's lies..." he heard himself say.

——「我决不至于昧了良心。你们不要受孩子的诳话的骗……。」他听得自己这样说。

——荷生就在他身邊，他又舉起了手掌……。— Hesheng was right beside him, and he raised his palm again...

——荷生就在他身边，他又举起了手掌……。

他忽而清醒了，覺得很疲勞，背上似乎還有些冷。He suddenly came awake, feeling very exhausted, his back still seeming somewhat cold.靖甫靜靜地躺在對面，呼吸雖然急促，卻是很調勻。Jingfu lay quietly across from him; though his breathing was rapid, it was quite even.桌上的鬧鐘似乎更用了大聲劄劄地作響。The alarm clock on the desk seemed to be ticking even more loudly now.

他忽而清醒了，觉得很疲劳，背上似乎还有些冷。靖甫静静地躺在对面，呼吸虽然急促，却是很调匀。桌上的闹钟似乎更用了大声札札地作响。

他旋轉身子去，對了書桌，只見蒙著一層塵，再轉臉去看紙窗，掛著的日曆上，寫著兩個漆黑的隸書：廿七。He turned his body toward the desk and saw it was covered in a layer of dust; turning his face to look at the paper window, he saw the calendar hanging there, with two characters written in jet-black clerical script: Twenty-seven.

他旋转身子去，对了书桌，只见蒙著一层尘，再转脸去看纸窗，挂著的日历上，写著两个漆黑的隶书：廿七。

夥計送藥進來了，還拿著一包書。The shop assistant brought the medicine in, also carrying a parcel of books.

伙计送药进来了，还拿著一包书。

「什麼？」靖甫睜開了眼睛，問。"What is it?" Jingfu asked, opening his eyes.

「什么？」靖甫睁开了眼睛，问。

「藥。」他也從惝恍中覺醒，回答說。"The medicine," he answered, also rousing himself from his daze.

「药。」他也从惝恍中觉醒，回答说。

「不，那一包。」"No, that parcel."

「先不管它。"Never mind that for now.吃藥罷。」他給靖甫服了藥，這才拿起那包書來看，道，「索士寄來的。Take your medicine first." He gave Jingfu the medicine, and only then picked up the parcel of books to look at it, saying, "It's from Suoshi.一定是你向他去借的那一本：《Sesame and Lilies》。」It must be the one you borrowed from him: Sesame and Lilies."

「先不管它。吃药罢。」他给靖甫服了药，这才拿起那包书来看，道，「索士寄来的。一定是你向他去借的那一本：《Sesame and Lilies》。」

靖甫伸手要過書去，但只將書面一看，書脊上的金字一摩，便放在枕邊，默默地合上眼睛了。Jingfu reached out for the book, but after just glancing at the cover and running his fingers over the gold letters on the spine, he set it down beside his pillow and silently closed his eyes.過了一會，高興地低聲說：After a while, he said cheerfully, in a low voice:

靖甫伸手要过书去，但只将书面一看，书脊上的金字一摩，便放在枕边，默默地合上眼睛了。过了一会，高兴地低声说：

「等我好起來，譯一點寄到文化書館去賣幾個錢，不知道他們可要……。」"Once I'm well again, I'll translate a bit of it and send it to the Wenhua Bookstore to sell for a little money — I wonder if they'd want it..."

「等我好起来，译一点寄到文化书馆去卖几个钱，不知道他们可要……。」

這一天，沛君到公益局比平日遲得多，將要下午了；That day, Peijun arrived at the Public Welfare Bureau much later than usual — it was almost afternoon;辦公室裏已經充滿了秦益堂的水煙的煙霧。the office was already filled with the smoke from Qin Yitang's water pipe.汪月生遠遠地望見，便迎出來。Wang Yuesheng caught sight of him from a distance and came out to greet him.

这一天，沛君到公益局比平日迟得多，将要下午了；办公室里已经充满了秦益堂的水烟的烟雾。汪月生远远地望见，便迎出来。

「謔！"Ha!來了。So you've come.令弟全愈了罷？Your younger brother's fully recovered, I take it?我想，這是不要緊的；I thought it was nothing serious;時癥年年有，沒有什麼要緊。seasonal illnesses come every year, nothing to worry about.我和益翁正惦記著呢；Old Yi and I were just thinking of you;都說：怎麼還不見來？we both said, why hasn't he come yet?現在來了，好了！Now you're here, good!但是，你看，你臉上的氣色，多少……。But, look, your complexion, it's somewhat...是的，和昨天多少兩樣。」Yes, it's somewhat different from yesterday."

「谑！来了。令弟全愈了罢？我想，这是不要紧的；时症年年有，没有什么要紧。我和益翁正惦记著呢；都说：怎么还不见来？现在来了，好了！但是，你看，你脸上的气色，多少……。是的，和昨天多少两样。」

沛君也仿佛覺得這辦公室和同事都和昨天有些兩樣，生疏了。Peijun too felt as though the office and his colleagues seemed somehow different from yesterday, oddly unfamiliar.雖然一切也還是他曾經看慣的東西：斷了的衣鉤，缺口的唾壺，雜亂而塵封的案卷，折足的破躺椅，坐在躺椅上捧著水煙筒咳嗽而且搖頭嘆氣的秦益堂……。Even though everything was still what he was used to seeing: the broken coat hook, the chipped spittoon, the disorderly dust-covered files, the broken reclining chair with a missing leg, and Qin Yitang sitting in it, cradling his water pipe, coughing and shaking his head with sighs...

沛君也仿佛觉得这办公室和同事都和昨天有些两样，生疏了。虽然一切也还是他曾经看惯的东西：断了的衣钩，缺口的唾壶，杂乱而尘封的案卷，折足的破躺椅，坐在躺椅上捧著水烟筒咳嗽而且摇头叹气的秦益堂……。

「他們也還是一直從堂屋打到大門口……。」"They just went on fighting from the main hall all the way to the front gate..."

「他们也还是一直从堂屋打到大门口……。」

「所以呀，」月生一面回答他，「我說你該將沛兄的事講給他們，教他們學學他。"That's just it," Yuesheng answered him, "I keep saying you should tell them about Brother Pei here, and have them learn from him.要不然，真要把你老頭兒氣死了……。」Otherwise, you're really going to be angered to death, old man..."

「所以呀，」月生一面回答他，「我说你该将沛兄的事讲给他们，教他们学学他。要不然，真要把你老头儿气死了……。」

「老三說，老五折在公債票上的錢是不能算公用的，應該……"Third Brother says the money Fifth Brother lost on the government bonds can't be counted as family funds, it should...應該……。」益堂咳得彎下腰去了。it should—" Yitang coughed so hard he bent double.

「老三说，老五折在公债票上的钱是不能算公用的，应该……应该……。」益堂咳得弯下腰去了。

「真是‘人心不同’……。」月生說著，便轉臉向了沛君，「那麼，令弟沒有什麼？」"Truly, 'no two hearts are alike'..." Yuesheng said, then turned to Peijun, "So, your brother is all right?"

「真是‘人心不同’……。」月生说著，便转脸向了沛君，「那么，令弟没有什么？」

「沒有什麼。"Nothing serious.醫生說是疹子。」The doctor says it's measles."

「没有什么。医生说是疹子。」

「疹子？"Measles?是呵，現在外面孩子們正鬧著疹子。Ah yes, children outside are having a bout of measles these days.我的同院住著的三個孩子也都出了疹子了。The three children living in my compound have all had it too.那是毫不要緊的。It's nothing to worry about at all.但你看，你昨天竟急得那麼樣，叫旁人看了也不能不感動，這真所謂‘兄弟怡怡’。」But look at you, you were so worried about it yesterday that anyone watching couldn't help but be moved — this is truly what's called 'brothers in harmony.'"

「疹子？是呵，现在外面孩子们正闹著疹子。我的同院住著的三个孩子也都出了疹子了。那是毫不要紧的。但你看，你昨天竟急得那么样，叫旁人看了也不能不感动，这真所谓‘兄弟怡怡’。」

「昨天局長到局了沒有？」"Did the Director come to the bureau yesterday?"

「昨天局长到局了没有？」

「還是‘杳如黃鶴’。Still "vanished like the yellow crane" — no word of him at all.你去簿子上補畫上一個‘到’就是了。」Just go and pencil in an "attended" in the register book.

「还是‘杳如黄鹤’。你去簿子上补画上一个‘到’就是了。」

「說是應該自己賠。」益堂自言自語地說。「這公債票也真害人，我是一點也莫名其妙。"They say he ought to pay for it out of his own pocket," Yitang muttered to himself. "These government bonds are truly the ruin of people — I don't understand the first thing about them."你一沾手就上當。The moment you lay a hand on them, you're cheated.到昨天，到晚上，也還是從堂屋一直打到大門口。By yesterday, by evening, they were still at it, fighting all the way from the main hall to the front gate.老三多兩個孩子上學，老五也說他多用了公眾的錢，氣不過……。」Lao San has two more children in school now, and Lao Wu says he's used more than his share of the public funds too, and got so worked up over it he couldn't contain himself..."

「说是应该自己赔。」益堂自言自语地说。「这公债票也真害人，我是一点也莫名其妙。你一沾手就上当。到昨天，到晚上，也还是从堂屋一直打到大门口。老三多两个孩子上学，老五也说他多用了公众的钱，气不过……。」

「這真是愈加鬧不清了！」月生失望似的說。「所以看見你們弟兄，沛君，我真是‘五體投地’。"This just gets more and more impossible to untangle!" Yuesheng said, sounding almost disappointed. "That's exactly why, when I see you and your brother, Pei-jun, I truly 'prostrate myself in admiration.'"是的，我敢說，這決不是當面恭維的話。」Yes, I dare say, this is by no means flattery to your face."

「这真是愈加闹不清了！」月生失望似的说。「所以看见你们弟兄，沛君，我真是‘五体投地’。是的，我敢说，这决不是当面恭维的话。」

沛君不開口，望見聽差的送進一件公文來，便迎上去接在手裡。Pei-jun said nothing; seeing the office attendant bring in an official document, he stepped forward and took it in hand.月生也跟過去，就在他手裡看著，念道：Yuesheng went over too, and reading it right there over his hand, recited aloud:

沛君不开口，望见听差的送进一件公文来，便迎上去接在手里。月生也跟过去，就在他手里看著，念道：

「‘公民郝上善等呈：東郊倒斃無名男屍一具請飭分局速行撥棺擡埋以資衛生而重公益由’。"'Petition from citizen Hao Shangshan and others: an unidentified male corpse has been found dead in the eastern suburbs; may the branch bureau be instructed to promptly provide a coffin and have it carried off for burial, for the sake of public health and the public good.'我來辦。I'll handle it.你還是早點回去罷，你一定惦記著令弟的病。You'd better go on home now — you must be worried about your brother's illness.你們真是‘鶺鴒在原’……。」You two truly are like 'wagtails stranded on the plain'..."

「‘公民郝上善等呈：东郊倒毙无名男尸一具请饬分局速行拨棺抬埋以资卫生而重公益由’。我来办。你还是早点回去罢，你一定惦记著令弟的病。你们真是‘鹡鸰在原’……。」

「不！」他不放手，「我來辦。」"No!" He would not let go of it. "I'll handle it."

「不！」他不放手，「我来办。」

月生也就不再去搶著辦了。So Yuesheng gave up trying to snatch it away from him.沛君便十分安心似的沉靜地走到自己的桌前，看著呈文，一面伸手去揭開了綠銹斑斕的墨盒蓋。Pei-jun then, looking quite at ease, walked calmly to his own desk, gazing at the petition, while reaching out to lift the lid of his ink box, mottled green with rust.

月生也就不再去抢著办了。沛君便十分安心似的沉静地走到自己的桌前，看著呈文，一面伸手去揭开了绿锈斑斓的墨盒盖。

一九二五年十一月三日November 3, 1925