薄奠 A Humble Sacrifice

一天晴朗的春天的午後，我因爲天氣太好，坐在家裏，覺得悶不過，吃過了較遲的午飯，帶了幾個零用錢，就跑出外面去逛去。One fine spring afternoon, the weather was so lovely that I found it unbearably stifling to sit at home; after a rather late lunch, I took a little spending money and went out for a stroll.北京的晴空，顏色的確與南方的蒼穹不同。The color of Beijing’s clear sky is indeed different from that of the southern heavens.在南方無論如何晴快的日子，天上總有一縷薄薄的纖雲飛着，並且天空的藍色，總帶着一道很淡很淡的白味，北京的晴空卻不是如此，天色一碧到底，你站在地上對天注視一會，身上好像能生出兩翼翅膀來，就要一揚一擺的飛上空中去的樣子。In the South, no matter how bright and clear the day, there is always a wisp of thin, delicate cloud drifting overhead, and the blue of the sky is always tinged with the faintest touch of white; but Beijing’s clear sky is not like this: it is blue through and through, and if you stand on the ground gazing up at it for a while, you feel as though wings might sprout from your body and, with a sweep and a flutter, carry you into the air.這可是單指不起風的時候而講，若一起風，則人在天空下眼睛都睜不開，更說不到晴空的顏色如何了。This, however, applies only when there is no wind; once the wind rises, you can scarcely open your eyes beneath the sky, much less speak of what color it is.那一天的午後，空氣非常澄靜，天色眞青得可憐，我在街上夾在那些快樂的北京人士中間，披了一身和暖的陽光，不知不覺，竟走到了前門外最熱鬧的一條街上。That afternoon the air was extraordinarily clear and still, and the sky was pitifully, exquisitely blue; walking among the happy people of Beijing with my whole body wrapped in warm sunlight, I found myself, before I knew it, on the busiest street outside Qianmen.踏進了一家賣燈籠的店裏，買了幾張奇妙的小畫，重新回上大街緩步的時候，我忽而聽出了一陣中國戲園特有的那種原始的鑼鼓聲音來。I stepped into a lantern shop and bought several curious little pictures; when I returned to the main street and resumed my leisurely walk, I suddenly heard the primitive clangor of gongs and drums peculiar to a Chinese theater.我的兩隻脚就受了這聲音的牽引，自然而然的踏了進去。My feet were drawn on by the sound and carried me inside of their own accord.聽戲聽到了第三齣，外面忽而起了烏烏的大風，戲園的屋頂也有些兒搖動。By the time I had watched the third play, a great moaning wind had suddenly risen outside, and even the theater roof was shaking a little.戲散之後，推來讓去的走出戲園，撲面就來了一陣風沙。When the performance ended, we jostled and yielded our way out of the theater, only to be met full in the face by a blast of wind and sand.我眼睛閉了一忽，走上大街來雇車，車夫都要我七角六角大洋，不肯按照規矩折價。I shut my eyes for a moment, then went onto the main street to hire a rickshaw, but the pullers all demanded seventy or sixty cents in silver and refused to lower their fares according to the usual rate.那時候天雖則還沒有黑，但因爲風沙飛滿在空中，所以沈沈的大地上，已經現出了黃昏前的急景。Although it was not yet dark, the air was so full of flying sand that the somber earth already wore the hurried look that comes just before dusk.店家的電燈，也都已上火，大街上汽車馬車洋車擠塞在一處。The shops had all switched on their electric lights, while motorcars, carriages, and rickshaws jammed the main street together.一種車鈴聲叫喚聲，並不知從何處來的許多雜音，儘在那裹奏錯亂的交響樂。Bells, cries, and countless other noises of uncertain origin were all playing a chaotic symphony there.大約是因爲夜宴的時刻逼近，車上的男子，定是去赴宴會，奇裝的女子，想來是去陪席的。Probably because the hour for evening banquets was drawing near, the men in the vehicles were no doubt going to feasts, while the oddly dressed women were presumably going to provide company at the tables.

一天晴朗的春天的午后，我因为天气太好，坐在家里，觉得闷不过，吃过了较迟的午饭，带了几个零用钱，就跑出外面去逛去。北京的晴空，颜色的确与南方的苍穹不同。在南方无论如何晴快的日子，天上总有一缕薄薄的纤云飞着，并且天空的蓝色，总带着一道很淡很淡的白味，北京的晴空却不是如此，天色一碧到底，你站在地上对天注视一会，身上好像能生出两翼翅膀来，就要一扬一摆的飞上空中去的样子。这可是单指不起风的时候而讲，若一起风，则人在天空下眼睛都睁不开，更说不到晴空的颜色如何了。那一天的午后，空气非常澄静，天色真青得可怜，我在街上夹在那些快乐的北京人士中间，披了一身和暖的阳光，不知不觉，竟走到了前门外最热闹的一条街上。踏进了一家卖灯笼的店里，买了几张奇妙的小画，重新回上大街缓步的时候，我忽而听出了一阵中国戏园特有的那种原始的锣鼓声音来。我的两只脚就受了这声音的牵引，自然而然的踏了进去。听戏听到了第三出，外面忽而起了乌乌的大风，戏园的屋顶也有些儿摇动。戏散之后，推来让去的走出戏园，扑面就来了一阵风沙。我眼睛闭了一忽，走上大街来雇车，车夫都要我七角六角大洋，不肯按照规矩折价。那时候天虽则还没有黑，但因为风沙飞满在空中，所以沈沈的大地上，已经现出了黄昏前的急景。店家的电灯，也都已上火，大街上汽车马车洋车挤塞在一处。一种车铃声叫唤声，并不知从何处来的许多杂音，尽在那裹奏错乱的交响乐。大约是因为夜宴的时刻逼近，车上的男子，定是去赴宴会，奇装的女子，想来是去陪席的。

一則因爲大風，二則因爲正是一天中間北京人士最繁忙的時刻，所以我雇車竟雇不着，一直的走到了前門大街。What with the high wind and the fact that this was the busiest hour of the day for the people of Beijing, I could not hire a rickshaw and had to walk all the way to Qianmen Avenue.爲了上舉的兩種原因，洋車夫強率昂價，原是常有的事情，我因零用錢化完，袋裏只有四五十枚銅子，不能應他門的要求。For the two reasons just mentioned, it was common for rickshaw pullers to insist on exorbitant fares; but I had spent all my pocket money and had only forty or fifty coppers left, so I could not meet their demands.所以就下了決心，想一直走到西單牌樓再雇車回家。I therefore resolved to walk straight to the Xidan Pailou and hire a rickshaw home from there.走下了正陽橋邊的步道，被一輛南行的汽車噴滿了一身灰土，我的決心，又動搖起來，含含糊糊的向道旁停着的一輛洋車問了一句，“嗳！I had just come down the footpath beside Zhengyang Bridge when a southbound motorcar sprayed me all over with dust; my resolve began to waver, and I vaguely called to a rickshaw standing by the roadside, “Hey!四十枚拉巡捕廳兒胡同拉不拉？”那車夫竟恭恭敬敬的向我點了點頭說：Will you take me to Xunbuting Hutong for forty coppers?” To my surprise, the puller nodded most respectfully and said:

一则因为大风，二则因为正是一天中间北京人士最繁忙的时刻，所以我雇车竟雇不着，一直的走到了前门大街。为了上举的两种原因，洋车夫强率昂价，原是常有的事情，我因零用钱化完，袋里只有四五十枚铜子，不能应他门的要求。所以就下了决心，想一直走到西单牌楼再雇车回家。走下了正阳桥边的步道，被一辆南行的汽车喷满了一身灰土，我的决心，又动摇起来，含含糊糊的向道旁停着的一辆洋车问了一句，“嗳！四十枚拉巡捕厅儿胡同拉不拉？”那车夫竟恭恭敬敬的向我点了点头说：

“坐上罷！“Get in,先生！”sir!”

“坐上罢！先生！”

坐上了車，被他向北的拉去，那麼大的風沙，竟打不上我的臉來，我知道那時候起的是南風了。Once I was seated, he pulled me northward; despite all that wind and sand, none of it struck my face, and I knew then that the wind was from the south.我不坐洋車則已，若坐洋車的時候，總愛和洋車夫談閒話，想以我的言語來緩和他的勞働之苦，因爲平時我們走路，若有一箇朋友，和我們閒談着走，覺得不費力些。Ordinarily I did not ride in rickshaws, but whenever I did, I always liked to chat with the puller, hoping my words might ease the hardship of his labor; for when we ourselves are walking with a friend beside us to talk to, the going seems less tiring.我從自己的這種經驗着想，老是在實行淺薄的社會主義，一邊高踞在車上，一邊向前面和牛馬一樣在奔走的我的同胞攀談些無頭無尾的話。Reasoning from this experience of my own, I was forever practicing a shallow sort of socialism: perched high in the rickshaw, I would make disjointed conversation with my countryman running before me like an ox or a horse.這一天，我本來不想開口，但看看他的彎曲的背脊，聽聽他嘿嘿的急喘，終覺得心裏難受，所以輕輕的對他說：That day I had not intended to speak, but when I saw his bent back and heard his rapid, heaving breaths, I could not help feeling distressed, so I said softly to him:

坐上了车，被他向北的拉去，那么大的风沙，竟打不上我的脸来，我知道那时候起的是南风了。我不坐洋车则已，若坐洋车的时候，总爱和洋车夫谈闲话，想以我的言语来缓和他的劳働之苦，因为平时我们走路，若有一个朋友，和我们闲谈着走，觉得不费力些。我从自己的这种经验着想，老是在实行浅薄的社会主义，一边高踞在车上，一边向前面和牛马一样在奔走的我的同胞攀谈些无头无尾的话。这一天，我本来不想开口，但看看他的弯曲的背脊，听听他嘿嘿的急喘，终觉得心里难受，所以轻轻的对他说：

“我倒不忙，你慢慢的走吧，你是那兒的車？”“I’m in no hurry; take your time. Where is your rickshaw based?”

“我倒不忙，你慢慢的走吧，你是那儿的车？”

“我是巡捕廳胡同西口的車。”“My rickshaw is based at the west entrance of Xunbuting Hutong.”

“我是巡捕厅胡同西口的车。”

“你在那兒住家吓？”“Do you live there too?”

“你在那儿住家吓？”

“就在那南顺城街的北口，巡捕廳胡同的拐角兒上。”“Right at the north end of Nanshuncheng Street, on the corner of Xunbuting Hutong.”

“就在那南顺城街的北口，巡捕厅胡同的拐角儿上。”

“老天爺不知怎麼的，每天刮這麼大的風。”“Heaven knows why it blows so hard every day.”

“老天爷不知怎么的，每天刮这么大的风。”

“是啊！“Indeed!我们拉車的也苦，你們坐車的老爺們也不快活，這樣的大風天氣，眞眞是招怪吓！”It is hard on us pullers, and no pleasure for you gentlemen riding either; such fierce winds are truly monstrous!”

“是啊！我们拉车的也苦，你们坐车的老爷们也不快活，这样的大风天气，真真是招怪吓！”

這樣的一路講，一路被他拉到我寄住的寓舍門口的時候，天已經快黑了。Talking in this fashion all the way, I was pulled to the door of the lodging where I was staying; by then it was nearly dark.下車之後我數銅子給他，他却和我說起客氣話來，他一邊拿出了一條黑黝黝的手巾來擦頭上身上的汗，一邊笑着說：After getting out, I counted out the coppers for him, but he began making polite refusals; taking out a black and grimy towel to wipe the sweat from his head and body, he said with a smile:

这样的一路讲，一路被他拉到我寄住的寓舍门口的时候，天已经快黑了。下车之后我数铜子给他，他却和我说起客气话来，他一边拿出了一条黑黝黝的手巾来擦头上身上的汗，一边笑着说：

“您带着吧，我們是街坊，還拿錢麼？”“Keep it, sir. We’re neighbors—how could I take your money?”

“您带着吧，我们是街坊，还拿钱么？”

被他這樣的一說，我倒覺得難爲情了，所以雖衹應該給他四十枚銅子的，而到這時候却不得不把盡我所有的四十八枚銅子都給了他。His words made me feel embarrassed, so although I owed him only forty coppers, I now had no choice but to give him all forty-eight that I possessed.他道了謝，拉着空車在灰黑的道上向西邊他的家裏走去，我呆呆的目送了他一程，心裏却在空想他的家庭。——他走囘家去，他的女人必定遠遠的聞聲就跑出來接他。He thanked me and pulled his empty rickshaw westward along the gray-black road toward his home; I stood staring after him for some distance, idly imagining his family.—As he went home, his woman would surely hear him from afar and run out to meet him.把車斗裏的銅子拿出，將車交還了車行，他回到自己屋裏來打一盆水洗洗手臉，吸幾口煙，他就可在洋燈下和他的妻子享受很健康的夜膳。After taking the coppers from the rickshaw body and returning the vehicle to its owner, he would go into his own room, fetch a basin of water to wash his hands and face, take a few puffs of tobacco, and then enjoy a wholesome supper with his wife beneath the kerosene lamp.若他有興致，大約還要喝一二個銅子白甘。If he felt inclined, he would probably spend another copper or two on baigan liquor.喝了微醉，講些東西南北的廢話，他就以抱了，他的女人小孩，鑽進被去酣睡這種酣睡。A little drunk, after rambling about this and that, he could embrace his woman and children, burrow under the quilt, and sleep soundly.大約是他們勞傷階級的唯一的享樂。Such sound sleep was probably the one pleasure of their toil-worn class.

被他这样的一说，我倒觉得难为情了，所以虽衹应该给他四十枚铜子的，而到这时候却不得不把尽我所有的四十八枚铜子都给了他。他道了谢，拉着空车在灰黑的道上向西边他的家里走去，我呆呆的目送了他一程，心里却在空想他的家庭。——他走囘家去，他的女人必定远远的闻声就跑出来接他。把车斗里的铜子拿出，将车交还了车行，他回到自己屋里来打一盆水洗洗手脸，吸几口烟，他就可在洋灯下和他的妻子享受很健康的夜膳。若他有兴致，大约还要喝一二个铜子白甘。喝了微醉，讲些东西南北的废话，他就以抱了，他的女人小孩，钻进被去酣睡这种酣睡。大约是他们劳伤阶级的唯一的享乐。

“啊啊！……”“Ah, ah!…”

空想到了此地，我的感傷病又發了。At this point in my reverie, my old sickness of sentimentality flared up again.

空想到了此地，我的感伤病又发了。

“啊啊！“Ah, ah!可憐我兩年來沒有睡過一箇整整的全夜！Poor me—I have not slept one whole, unbroken night in two years!這倒還可以說是因病所致，但是我的遠隔在三千里外的女人小孩，又爲了什麼，不能和我在一處享樂吃苦呢？That, at least, might be blamed on illness; but why must my woman and children, three thousand li away, be unable to share life’s pleasures and hardships with me?難道我們是應該永遠隔離的麼？Are we meant to remain separated forever?難道這也是病麼？……Can this too be an illness?…總之是我不好，是我沒有能力養活妻子，啊啊，你這車夫，你這向我道謝，被我憐憫的車夫，我不如你吓，我不如你！”In the end, it is my fault: I lack the ability to support my wife. Ah, you rickshaw puller—you who thanked me and were pitied by me—I am worse off than you, worse off than you!”

“啊啊！可怜我两年来没有睡过一个整整的全夜！这倒还可以说是因病所致，但是我的远隔在三千里外的女人小孩，又为了什么，不能和我在一处享乐吃苦呢？难道我们是应该永远隔离的么？难道这也是病么？……总之是我不好，是我没有能力养活妻子，啊啊，你这车夫，你这向我道谢，被我怜悯的车夫，我不如你吓，我不如你！”

我在門口灰闇的空氣裏呆呆的立了一回，忽而想起了自家的身世，就不知不覺的心酸起來，紅潤的眼睛，被我所依賴的主人看見，是不大好的，因此我就復從門口走了下來，遠遠的跟那洋車走了一段。I stood dazed for a while in the dim air outside the gate; suddenly remembering my own circumstances, I felt an involuntary pang of grief, but it would not do for my reddened eyes to be seen by the host on whom I depended, so I went down from the gate again and followed the rickshaw at a distance for a while.跟牠轉了灣，看那車夫進了胡同拐角上的一間破舊的矮屋，我又走上平則門大街去跑了一程，等天黑了，纔走回家來吃晚饭。I followed it around a bend and watched the puller enter a shabby low house on the corner of the hutong; then I went up to Pingzemen Avenue and walked for a while, waiting until it was dark before returning home for supper.

我在门口灰暗的空气里呆呆的立了一回，忽而想起了自家的身世，就不知不觉的心酸起来，红润的眼睛，被我所依赖的主人看见，是不大好的，因此我就复从门口走了下来，远远的跟那洋车走了一段。跟牠转了湾，看那车夫进了胡同拐角上的一间破旧的矮屋，我又走上平则门大街去跑了一程，等天黑了，才走回家来吃晚饭。

自從這一回後，我和他的洋車，竟有了緣分，接連的坐了好幾次。From that occasion onward, his rickshaw and I seemed fated to meet, and I rode in it several times in succession.他和我也漸漸的熟起來了。He and I gradually became acquainted as well.

自从这一回后，我和他的洋车，竟有了缘分，接连的坐了好几次。他和我也渐渐的熟起来了。

平則門外，有一道城河。Outside Pingzemen there was a moat.河道雖比不上朝陽門外的運河那麼寬，但春秋雨霽，綠水粼粼，也儘够浮着錦帆，乘風南下。Though it was not as broad as the canal outside Chaoyangmen, after the rains of spring and autumn its green waters shimmered, broad enough for brocade sails to float upon them and run south before the wind.兩岸的垂楊古道，倒影入河水中間，也大有板渚隨堤的風味。The ancient roads lined with weeping willows on either bank were reflected in the river, giving the scene much of the charm of Banzhu and the Sui Embankment.河邊隙地，長成一片綠蕪，晚來時候，老有閒人在那裏調鷹放馬。On the open ground beside the river grew an expanse of green weeds, where, toward evening, idlers were always training hawks and exercising horses.太陽將落未落之際，站在這城河中間的渡船上，往北望去，看得出西直門的城樓，似煙似霧的，溶化成金碧的顏色，飄颺在兩岸垂楊夾着的河水高頭。Just as the sun was about to set, if you stood on the ferryboat in the middle of the moat and looked north, you could make out the tower of Xizhimen, hazy as smoke or mist, dissolving into shades of gold and jade and floating above the water enclosed by weeping willows on both banks.春秋佳日，向晚的時候，你若一箇人上城河邊上來走走，好像是在看後期印象派的風景畫，幾乎能使你忘記是身在紅塵十丈的北京城外。On a fine spring or autumn evening, if you came alone to stroll beside the moat, it was like looking at a late-Impressionist landscape, and you could almost forget that you were just outside Beijing, deep in the dust and bustle of the mortal world.西山數不盡的諸峯，又如笑如眠，帶着紫蒼的暮色，靜躺在綠蔭起伏的春野西邊，你若叫牠一聲，好像是這些遠山，都能慢慢的走上你身邊來的樣子。The countless peaks of the Western Hills, seeming both to smile and to sleep, lay quietly beneath the dusky violet haze beyond the undulating, green-shadowed spring fields; if you called to them, it seemed as though those distant hills might all slowly come walking to your side.西直門外又有幾處養鵝鴨的莊園，所以每天午後，城河裏老有一對一對的白鵝在那裏游泳。There were also several estates outside Xizhimen that raised geese and ducks, so every afternoon pairs of white geese were always swimming in the moat.夕陽最後的殘照，從楊柳陰中透出一兩條光線來，射在這些浮動的白鵝背上時，愈能顯得這幅風景的活潑鮮靈，別饒風致。When one or two rays of the setting sun’s final afterglow filtered through the willow shade and struck the backs of these floating white geese, they made the scene appear all the more lively and fresh, lending it a special charm.我一箇人渺焉一身，寄住在人海的皇城裏，衷心鬱鬱，老感着無聊，無聊之極，不是從城的西北跑往城南，上戲園茶樓，媚寮酒館，去夾在許多快樂的同類中間，忘却我自家的存在，和他們一樣的學習醉生夢死，便獨自一箇跑出平則門外，去享受這本地的風光。Alone and insignificant, lodging in the imperial city amid a sea of people, I was inwardly oppressed and perpetually bored; when boredom became unbearable, I would either run from the city’s northwest to its southern quarter, visiting theaters and teahouses, brothels and taverns, losing myself among crowds of my happy fellow men, forgetting my own existence and joining them in learning to live drunkenly and dream life away, or else go alone beyond Pingzemen to enjoy the local scenery.玉泉山的幽靜，大覺寺的深邃，並不是對我沒有魔力，不過一年有三百五十九日窮的我，斷沒有餘錢，去領略牠們的高尚的清景。The seclusion of Yuquanshan and the deep serenity of Dajuesi were not without their magic for me; but being poor three hundred and fifty-nine days of the year, I certainly had no spare money with which to savor their lofty, pure scenery.五月中旬的有一天午後，我又無端感着了一種悲憤，本想上城南的快樂地方，去尋些慰安的，但袋裏連幾箇車錢也沒有了，所以只好走出平則門外，去坐在楊柳陰中，盡量地呼吸呼吸西山的爽氣。One afternoon in mid-May, I was again seized for no reason by a feeling of sorrow and indignation; I had meant to go to the pleasure quarters in the south of the city in search of consolation, but I did not have even the price of a few rickshaw rides in my pocket, so I could only walk out through Pingzemen, sit in the shade of the willows, and breathe my fill of the refreshing air from the Western Hills.我守着西天的顏色，從濃藍變成淡紫，一忽兒天的的四圍又染得深紅了，遠遠的法國教會堂的屋頂和許多綠樹梢頭，剎那間返射了一陣赤赭的殘光，一忽兒空氣就變得澄蒼靜肅，視野內招喚我注意的物體，什麼也沒有了。I watched the colors of the western sky change from deep blue to pale violet; presently the edges of the heavens were stained crimson, and for an instant the roof of the distant French church and the tops of many green trees reflected a flash of russet afterglow; then, in another moment, the air turned clear, blue-gray, still, and solemn, and nothing remained within my field of vision to summon my attention.四周的物影，渐渐散乱起来，我感着了一種日暮的悲哀，無意識地滴了幾滴眼淚，就慢慢的眞是非常緩慢，好像在夢裏遊行似的，走回家來。The shadows of things around me gradually dissolved into confusion; overcome by the melancholy of dusk, I unconsciously shed a few tears, then made my way home slowly—truly, very slowly—as though wandering through a dream.進平則門往南一拐，就是南順城街，南順城街路東的第一條胡同便是巡捕廳胡同。Inside Pingzemen, a turn to the south brought one to Nanshuncheng Street, and the first hutong on the eastern side of that street was Xunbuting Hutong.我走到胡同的西口，正要進胡同的時候，忽而從角上的一間破屋裏漏出了幾聲大聲來。I had reached the west entrance of the hutong and was about to turn in when several loud shouts suddenly escaped from a dilapidated house on the corner.這聲音我覺得熟得很，少微用了一點心力，回想了一想，我馬上就記起那個身材瘦長，臉色黝黑，常拉我上南城去的車夫來。The voice seemed extremely familiar; after making a slight effort to search my memory, I at once recalled the tall, thin, dark-faced rickshaw puller who often took me to the southern quarter.我站住靜聽了一會，聽得他好像在和人拌嘴。I stopped and listened quietly for a while; he seemed to be quarreling with someone.我坐過他許多次數的車，他的脾氣是很好的，所以聽到他在和人拌嘴，心裏很覺得奇怪。I had ridden in his rickshaw many times and knew him to be very good-tempered, so I found it most strange to hear him quarreling.看他的樣子，好像有五十多歲的光景，但他自己說今年只有四十二歲。From his appearance he seemed to be over fifty, though he himself said he was only forty-two that year.他平常非常沉默寡言，不過你和他說話的時候，他却總來回答你一句兩句。He was ordinarily very quiet and taciturn, yet whenever you spoke to him, he would always answer with a sentence or two.他身材本來很高，但是不曉是因爲社會的壓迫呢，還是因爲他天生的病症，背脊卻是彎着，看去好像不十分高。He was naturally very tall, but whether because of society’s oppression or some inborn ailment, his back was bent, so that he did not look especially tall.他臉上浮着的一種謹愼的勞働者特有的表情，我怎麼也形容不出來，他好像是在默想他的被社會虐待的存在是應該的樣子，又好像在這沈默的忍苦中間，表示他的無限的反抗，和不斷的掙扎的樣子。I cannot describe the cautious expression peculiar to a laborer that hovered on his face; he seemed to be silently pondering that his abused existence in society was only as it ought to be, yet he also seemed, through his silent endurance of suffering, to express his boundless resistance and unceasing struggle.總之他那一種沈默忍受的態度，使人家見了便能生出無限的感慨來。In short, the attitude with which he silently endured everything could not fail to arouse infinite emotion in anyone who saw him.况且是和他社會的地位相去無幾，而受的虐待又比他更甚的我，平常坐他的車，和他談話的時候，總要感着一種抑鬱不平的氣，橫上心來，而這種抑鬱不平之氣，他也無處去發洩，我也無處去發洩，只好默默的悶受着，卽使悶受不過，最多亦衹能向天長嘯一聲。All the more was this true of me, whose social position differed little from his and who suffered even worse abuse: whenever I rode in his rickshaw and talked with him, a stifled sense of injustice would rise in my heart; yet he had nowhere to vent this feeling, and neither had I, so we could only bear it in silence, and even when it grew unbearable, the most we could do was raise one long cry to heaven.有一天我在前門外喝醉了酒，往一家相識的人家去和衣睡了半夜，醒來的時候，已經是下弦月上昇的時刻了。One day I got drunk outside Qianmen and went to the home of an acquaintance, where I slept in my clothes until midnight; when I awoke, the waning moon was already rising.我從韓家潭雇車雇到西單牌樓，在西單牌樓，換車的時候，又遇見了他。I hired one rickshaw from Hanjiatan to Xidan Pailou, and when I changed rickshaws at Xidan Pailou, I happened to meet him again.半夜酒醒，從灰白死寂，除了一乘兩乘汽車飛過，攪起一陣灰來，此外別無動靜的長街上，慢慢被拖回家來。Sobered from drink at midnight, I was slowly dragged home along the gray-white, deathly silent avenue, where nothing stirred except one or two motorcars speeding past and stirring up a cloud of dust.這種悲哀的情調，已儘夠我消受的了，况又遇着了他，一路上聽了他許多不堪再聽的話……That sorrowful mood was already more than enough for me to endure; and now I had met him as well and listened all the way to many things too painful to hear again…他說這箇年頭兒眞教人生存不得。He said that times like these truly made it impossible to stay alive.他說洋價漲了一個兩箇銅子，而煤米油鹽，都要各漲一倍。He said foreign goods had risen by one or two coppers, while coal, rice, oil, and salt had each doubled in price.他說洋車出租的東家，眞會挑剔，一根骨子彎了一點，一箇小釘不見了，就要賠許多錢。He said the owners who rented out rickshaws were truly exacting: if one rib was slightly bent or a tiny nail went missing, they demanded a great deal in compensation.他說他一天到晚拉車，拉來的幾箇錢還不够供洋車租主的絞搾，皮帶破了，弓子彎了的時候，更不必說了。He said that though he pulled his rickshaw from morning to night, the few coins he earned were not even enough to satisfy the rickshaw owner’s extortion; and if a leather strap broke or a shaft bent, it went without saying that things were worse.他說他的女人不會治家，老要白化錢。He said his woman did not know how to manage a household and was always wasting money.他說他的大小孩今年八歲，二小孩今年三歲了。……He said his older child was eight that year and the younger one three.…我默默的坐在車上，看看天上慘澹的星月，經過了幾條灰黑靜寂的狹巷，細聽着他的一條條的訴說，覺得這些苦楚，都不是他一箇人的苦楚。I sat silently in the rickshaw, looking at the bleak stars and moon overhead as we passed through several dark-gray, silent alleys, and listened closely to each of his complaints; I felt that these sufferings were not his alone.我眞想跳下車來，同他抱頭痛哭一場，但是我著在身上的一件竹布長衫，和盤在腦裏的一堆教育的繩距，把我的直率的情感縛住了。I truly wanted to leap down, embrace him, and have a good cry together; but the ramie-cloth gown I wore and the mass of educational restraints coiled in my mind bound up my spontaneous feelings.自從那一晚以後，我心裏存了一種怕與他相見的心思，所以和他不見了半箇多月。After that night, I harbored a fear of seeing him again, and so did not meet him for more than half a month.這一天日暮，我自平則門走回家來，聽了他在和人吵鬧的聲音，心裏竟起了一種自責的心思，好像是不應該躱避開這箇可憐的朋友，至半月之久的樣子。At dusk that day, as I walked home from Pingzemen and heard him quarreling with someone, I was suddenly filled with self-reproach, as though I should not have avoided this poor friend for half a month.我靜聽了一忽，纔知道他吵鬧的對手，是他的女人。After listening quietly for a moment, I realized that the person with whom he was quarreling was his woman.一時心情被他的悲慘的聲音所挑動，我竟不待囘思，一腳就踏進了他住的那所破屋。My feelings were stirred by the misery in his voice, and without pausing to think, I stepped straight into the dilapidated house where he lived.他的住房，只有一間小屋，小屋的一半，却被一箇大炕占據了去。His dwelling consisted of a single small room, half of which was occupied by a large kang.在外邊天色雖還沒有十分闇黑，但在他那矮小的屋內，早已黑影沈沈，辨不出物體來。Although it was not yet completely dark outside, deep shadows had long since filled his low little room, making it impossible to distinguish anything.他一手挿在腰裏，一手指着炕上縮成一堆，坐在那裏的一箇婦人，一聲兩聲的在那裏數罵。With one hand planted on his hip and the other pointing at a woman who sat huddled in a heap on the kang, he was counting off her faults one by one.兩箇小孩，爬在炕的裏邊，我一進去時，只見他自家一箇站着的背影，他的女子和小孩，都看不出來。Two children were crawling about at the back of the kang; when I first entered, I could see only his own standing figure from behind, while his woman and children were invisible.後來招呼了他，向他手指着的地方看去，纔看出了一箇女人，又站了一忽，我的眼睛在黑闊裏經慣了，重復看出了他的兩箇小孩。After I called to him and looked where he was pointing, I finally made out a woman; after standing a while longer, as my eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, I also discerned his two children.我進去叫了他一聲，問他爲什麼要這樣的動氣，他就把手一指，指着炕沿上的那女人說：I entered, called his name, and asked why he was so angry; pointing at the woman on the edge of the kang, he said:

平则门外，有一道城河。河道虽比不上朝阳门外的运河那么宽，但春秋雨霁，绿水粼粼，也尽够浮着锦帆，乘风南下。两岸的垂杨古道，倒影入河水中间，也大有板渚随堤的风味。河边隙地，长成一片绿芜，晚来时候，老有闲人在那里调鹰放马。太阳将落未落之际，站在这城河中间的渡船上，往北望去，看得出西直门的城楼，似烟似雾的，溶化成金碧的颜色，飘飏在两岸垂杨夹着的河水高头。春秋佳日，向晚的时候，你若一个人上城河边上来走走，好像是在看后期印象派的风景画，几乎能使你忘记是身在红尘十丈的北京城外。西山数不尽的诸峰，又如笑如眠，带着紫苍的暮色，静躺在绿荫起伏的春野西边，你若叫牠一声，好像是这些远山，都能慢慢的走上你身边来的样子。西直门外又有几处养鹅鸭的庄园，所以每天午后，城河里老有一对一对的白鹅在那里游泳。夕阳最后的残照，从杨柳阴中透出一两条光线来，射在这些浮动的白鹅背上时，愈能显得这幅风景的活泼鲜灵，别饶风致。我一个人渺焉一身，寄住在人海的皇城里，衷心郁郁，老感着无聊，无聊之极，不是从城的西北跑往城南，上戏园茶楼，媚寮酒馆，去夹在许多快乐的同类中间，忘却我自家的存在，和他们一样的学习醉生梦死，便独自一个跑出平则门外，去享受这本地的风光。玉泉山的幽静，大觉寺的深邃，并不是对我没有魔力，不过一年有三百五十九日穷的我，断没有余钱，去领略牠们的高尚的清景。五月中旬的有一天午后，我又无端感着了一种悲愤，本想上城南的快乐地方，去寻些慰安的，但袋里连几个车钱也没有了，所以只好走出平则门外，去坐在杨柳阴中，尽量地呼吸呼吸西山的爽气。我守着西天的颜色，从浓蓝变成淡紫，一忽儿天的的四围又染得深红了，远远的法国教会堂的屋顶和许多绿树梢头，刹那间返射了一阵赤赭的残光，一忽儿空气就变得澄苍静肃，视野内招唤我注意的物体，什么也没有了。四周的物影，渐渐散乱起来，我感着了一种日暮的悲哀，无意识地滴了几滴眼泪，就慢慢的真是非常缓慢，好像在梦里游行似的，走回家来。进平则门往南一拐，就是南顺城街，南顺城街路东的第一条胡同便是巡捕厅胡同。我走到胡同的西口，正要进胡同的时候，忽而从角上的一间破屋里漏出了几声大声来。这声音我觉得熟得很，少微用了一点心力，回想了一想，我马上就记起那个身材瘦长，脸色黝黑，常拉我上南城去的车夫来。我站住静听了一会，听得他好像在和人拌嘴。我坐过他许多次数的车，他的脾气是很好的，所以听到他在和人拌嘴，心里很觉得奇怪。看他的样子，好像有五十多岁的光景，但他自己说今年只有四十二岁。他平常非常沉默寡言，不过你和他说话的时候，他却总来回答你一句两句。他身材本来很高，但是不晓是因为社会的压迫呢，还是因为他天生的病症，背脊却是弯着，看去好像不十分高。他脸上浮着的一种谨愼的劳働者特有的表情，我怎么也形容不出来，他好像是在默想他的被社会虐待的存在是应该的样子，又好像在这沈默的忍苦中间，表示他的无限的反抗，和不断的挣扎的样子。总之他那一种沈默忍受的态度，使人家见了便能生出无限的感慨来。况且是和他社会的地位相去无几，而受的虐待又比他更甚的我，平常坐他的车，和他谈话的时候，总要感着一种抑郁不平的气，横上心来，而这种抑郁不平之气，他也无处去发泄，我也无处去发泄，只好默默的闷受着，即使闷受不过，最多亦衹能向天长啸一声。有一天我在前门外喝醉了酒，往一家相识的人家去和衣睡了半夜，醒来的时候，已经是下弦月上升的时刻了。我从韩家潭雇车雇到西单牌楼，在西单牌楼，换车的时候，又遇见了他。半夜酒醒，从灰白死寂，除了一乘两乘汽车飞过，搅起一阵灰来，此外别无动静的长街上，慢慢被拖回家来。这种悲哀的情调，已尽够我消受的了，况又遇着了他，一路上听了他许多不堪再听的话……他说这个年头儿真教人生存不得。他说洋价涨了一个两个铜子，而煤米油盐，都要各涨一倍。他说洋车出租的东家，真会挑剔，一根骨子弯了一点，一个小钉不见了，就要赔许多钱。他说他一天到晚拉车，拉来的几个钱还不够供洋车租主的绞搾，皮带破了，弓子弯了的时候，更不必说了。他说他的女人不会治家，老要白化钱。他说他的大小孩今年八岁，二小孩今年三岁了。……我默默的坐在车上，看看天上惨澹的星月，经过了几条灰黑静寂的狭巷，细听着他的一条条的诉说，觉得这些苦楚，都不是他一个人的苦楚。我真想跳下车来，同他抱头痛哭一场，但是我著在身上的一件竹布长衫，和盘在脑里的一堆教育的绳距，把我的直率的情感缚住了。自从那一晚以后，我心里存了一种怕与他相见的心思，所以和他不见了半个多月。这一天日暮，我自平则门走回家来，听了他在和人吵闹的声音，心里竟起了一种自责的心思，好像是不应该躱避开这个可怜的朋友，至半月之久的样子。我静听了一忽，才知道他吵闹的对手，是他的女人。一时心情被他的悲惨的声音所挑动，我竟不待囘思，一脚就踏进了他住的那所破屋。他的住房，只有一间小屋，小屋的一半，却被一个大炕占据了去。在外边天色虽还没有十分暗黑，但在他那矮小的屋内，早已黑影沈沈，辨不出物体来。他一手挿在腰里，一手指着炕上缩成一堆，坐在那里的一个妇人，一声两声的在那里数骂。两个小孩，爬在炕的里边，我一进去时，只见他自家一个站着的背影，他的女子和小孩，都看不出来。后来招呼了他，向他手指着的地方看去，才看出了一个女人，又站了一忽，我的眼睛在黑阔里经惯了，重复看出了他的两个小孩。我进去叫了他一声，问他为什么要这样的动气，他就把手一指，指着炕沿上的那女人说：

“這臭東西把我辛辛苦苦積下來的三塊多錢，一下子就化了。“This wretched thing has spent, all at once, the three dollars and more that I worked so hard to save.去買了這些綑屍體的布來。……”She went and bought all this cloth for wrapping corpses.… ”

“这臭东西把我辛辛苦苦积下来的三块多钱，一下子就化了。去买了这些捆尸体的布来。……”

說着他用腳一跌，地上果然滚了一包白色的布出來。As he spoke, he stamped his foot, and sure enough, a bundle of white cloth rolled out across the floor.他一邊向我問了些寒暄話，一邊就簇緊了眉頭說：While exchanging a few conventional greetings with me, he knitted his brows tightly and said:

说着他用脚一跌，地上果然滚了一包白色的布出来。他一边向我问了些寒暄话，一边就簇紧了眉头说：

“我的心思，她們一點兒也不曉得，我要積這幾塊錢幹什麼？“They haven’t the slightest idea what I intend. What did I save those few dollars for?我不過想自家去買一輛舊車來拉，可以免掉那車行的租錢呀！I only wanted to buy an old rickshaw of my own to pull, so I could be free of the rental money charged by the rickshaw shop!天氣熱了，我們窮人，就是光着脊肋兒，也有什麼要緊？Now that the weather is hot, what does it matter if poor people like us go bare-backed?她却要去買這些白洋布來做衣服，你說可氣不可氣啊？”But she had to buy all this white calico to make clothes. Tell me, isn’t that infuriating?”

“我的心思，她们一点儿也不晓得，我要积这几块钱干什么？我不过想自家去买一辆旧车来拉，可以免掉那车行的租钱呀！天气热了，我们穷人，就是光着脊肋儿，也有什么要紧？她却要去买这些白洋布来做衣服，你说可气不可气啊？”

我聽了心裏雖則也爲他難受，但口上只好安慰他說：Although hearing this made me feel distressed for him, I could only console him aloud:

我听了心里虽则也为他难受，但口上只好安慰他说：

“做衣服倒也是要緊的，積幾箇錢，是很容易的事情，你但須忍耐着，三四塊錢是不難再積起來的。”“Clothes are necessary too. Saving a little money is easy enough; you only need to be patient, and it will not be difficult to save another three or four dollars.”

“做衣服倒也是要紧的，积几个钱，是很容易的事情，你但须忍耐着，三四块钱是不难再积起来的。”

我說完了話，忽而在沈沈的靜寂中，從坑沿上聽出了幾聲暗泣的聲音來。When I had finished speaking, I suddenly heard several muffled sobs from the edge of the kang amid the deep silence.這時候我若袋裏有錢，一定要全部拿出來給他，請他息怒。Had I possessed any money then, I would certainly have taken it all out and given it to him, begging him to calm his anger.但是我身邊一摸，却摸不着一箇銅銀的貨幣。But when I felt about my person, I could not find a single coin, copper or silver.呆呆的站着，心裏打算了一會，我覺得終究沒有方法好想。I stood there blankly, turning things over in my mind for a while, but in the end I could think of no solution.正在着惱的時候，我裏邊小褂袋裏唧唧響着的一箇銀表的針步聲，忽而敲動了我的耳膜。Just as I was becoming vexed, the ticking of a silver watch in the inner pocket of my short jacket suddenly struck my eardrum.我知道若在此時，當面把這銀表拿出來給他，他是一定不肯受的。I knew that if I took out the silver watch and offered it to him openly at that moment, he would certainly refuse it.遲疑了一會，我想出了一箇主意，乘他不注意的時候，悄悄的把表拿了出來。After hesitating a while, I conceived a plan and quietly took out the watch when he was not looking.和他講着些慰勸他的話，一邊我走上前去了一步，順手把表擱在一張半破的桌上。As I continued speaking words of comfort and advice to him, I stepped forward and casually set the watch on a half-broken table.隨後又和他交換了幾句言語，我就走出來了。After exchanging a few more words with him, I went out.我出到了門外，走進胡同，心裏感得的一種沈悶，比午後上城外去的時候更甚了。Once outside, as I walked into the hutong, I felt an oppression even heavier than when I had gone beyond the city that afternoon.我只恨我自家太無能力，太沒有勇氣。I hate only that I myself am too incapable, too lacking in courage.我仰天看看，在深沈的天空裏，只看出了幾顆星來。I looked up at the sky, and in its deep, sunken vastness I could make out only a few stars.

我说完了话，忽而在沈沈的静寂中，从坑沿上听出了几声暗泣的声音来。这时候我若袋里有钱，一定要全部拿出来给他，请他息怒。但是我身边一摸，却摸不着一个铜银的货币。呆呆的站着，心里打算了一会，我觉得终究没有方法好想。正在着恼的时候，我里边小褂袋里唧唧响着的一个银表的针步声，忽而敲动了我的耳膜。我知道若在此时，当面把这银表拿出来给他，他是一定不肯受的。迟疑了一会，我想出了一个主意，乘他不注意的时候，悄悄的把表拿了出来。和他讲着些慰劝他的话，一边我走上前去了一步，顺手把表搁在一张半破的桌上。随后又和他交换了几句言语，我就走出来了。我出到了门外，走进胡同，心里感得的一种沈闷，比午后上城外去的时候更甚了。我只恨我自家太无能力，太没有勇气。我仰天看看，在深沈的天空里，只看出了几颗星来。

第二天的早晨。The next morning.我剛起床，正在那裏刷牙的時候，聽見門外有人打門。I had just gotten up and was brushing my teeth when I heard someone knocking at the door outside.出去一看，就看見他拉着車站在門口。I went out to look, and saw him standing at the gate pulling his rickshaw.他問了我一聲好，手向車斗裏一摸，就把那箇表拿出來問我說：He greeted me, then reached his hand into the rickshaw's box and took out that watch, asking me:

第二天的早晨。我刚起床，正在那里刷牙的时候，听见门外有人打门。出去一看，就看见他拉着车站在门口。他问了我一声好，手向车斗里一摸，就把那个表拿出来问我说：

“先生這是你的吧！"Sir, isn't this yours?你昨晚上掉下的吧！”You must have dropped it last night!"

“先生这是你的吧！你昨晚上掉下的吧！”

我聽了臉上紅了一紅，馬上就說：Hearing this, my face flushed red, and I said at once:

我听了脸上红了一红，马上就说：

“这不是我的，我并没有掉表。”"That's not mine, I never lost a watch."

他連說了幾聲奇怪，把那表的來歷說了一陣，見我堅不肯認，就也沒有方法，收起了表，慢慢的拉着空車向東走去。He kept saying how strange it was, going on for a while about how he'd come by the watch, but seeing that I firmly refused to admit it was mine, there was nothing more he could do; he put the watch away and slowly pulled his empty rickshaw off toward the east.

他连说了几声奇怪，把那表的来历说了一阵，见我坚不肯认，就也没有方法，收起了表，慢慢的拉着空车向东走去。

夏至以後，北京接連下了半箇多月的雨。After the summer solstice, Beijing had rain for over half a month straight.我因爲一天晚上，沒有蓋被睡覺，惹了一場很重的病，直到了二禮拜前，才得起床。Because one night I slept without covering myself with a quilt, I fell seriously ill, and it wasn't until two weeks ago that I was able to get out of bed.起床後第三天的午後，我看看久雨新霽，天氣很好，就拿了一根手杖，踏出門去。On the afternoon of the third day after I got up, seeing that the long rain had finally cleared and the weather was fine, I took a walking stick and stepped out the door.因爲這是病後第一次的出門，所以出了門就走往西邊，依舊想到我平時所愛的平則門外的河邊去閒行。Since this was the first time I had gone out since my illness, once outside I headed west, still wanting, as I usually did, to wander along the riverbank outside Pingze Gate.走過那胡同角上的破屋的時候，我只看見門口立了一羣人，在那裏看熱鬧。As I passed the run-down house at the corner of that hutong, I saw a crowd of people standing at the doorway, watching the commotion.屋內有人在低聲啜泣。Inside the house someone was sobbing quietly.我以爲那拉車的又在和他的女人吵鬧了，所以也就走了過去，去看熱鬧，一邊我心裏却暗暗的想着：I assumed the rickshaw puller was quarreling with his wife again, so I too walked over to see what was happening, thinking to myself secretly as I went:

夏至以后，北京接连下了半个多月的雨。我因为一天晚上，没有盖被睡觉，惹了一场很重的病，直到了二礼拜前，才得起床。起床后第三天的午后，我看看久雨新霁，天气很好，就拿了一根手杖，踏出门去。因为这是病后第一次的出门，所以出了门就走往西边，依旧想到我平时所爱的平则门外的河边去闲行。走过那胡同角上的破屋的时候，我只看见门口立了一群人，在那里看热闹。屋内有人在低声啜泣。我以为那拉车的又在和他的女人吵闹了，所以也就走了过去，去看热闹，一边我心里却暗暗的想着：

“今天若他們再因金錢而爭吵，我却可以解决他們的問題。”"If today they're quarreling over money again, I could solve their problem for them."

“今天若他们再因金钱而争吵，我却可以解决他们的问题。”

因爲那時候我家裏寄出來爲我作醫藥費的錢還沒有用完，皮包裏還有幾張五塊錢的鈔票收藏着，我踏近前去一看，破屋裏並沒有拉車的影子，只有他的女人坐在炕沿上哭，一箇小一点的小孩，坐在地上他母親的腳跟前，也在陪着她哭。Since at that time the money my family had sent me for medical expenses was not yet used up, and I still had a few five-dollar notes tucked away in my wallet, I stepped closer to look, but there was no sign of the rickshaw puller in the shabby house — only his wife sitting on the edge of the kang, crying, with a small child sitting on the ground at his mother's feet, crying along with her.看了一會，我終摸不着頭腦，不曉得她爲什麼要哭。After watching for a while, I still couldn't make sense of it, not knowing why she was crying.和我一塊兒站着的人，有的喞喞的在那裏嘆息，有的也拿出手巾來在擦眼淚說“可憐哪，可憐哪！”我向一箇立在我旁邊的中年婦人問了一番，纔知道她的男人，前幾天在南下窪的大水裏淹死了。Among the people standing with me, some sighed softly, some took out handkerchiefs to wipe their tears, saying, "Poor thing, poor thing!" I asked a middle-aged woman standing beside me, and only then learned that her husband had drowned a few days before in the flood at Nanxiawa.死了之後，她還不曉得，直到第二天的旁晚，由拉車的同伴，認出了他的相貌，纔跑囘來告訴她。After he died, she did not know of it at first; it was not until the evening of the next day that a fellow rickshaw puller recognized his face and ran back to tell her.她和她的兩箇兒子，得了此信，冒雨走上南橫街南邊的屍場去一看，大哭了一陣，她自己也跳在附近的一箇水池裏，經她兒子的呼救，附近的居民，費了許多氣力，纔把她撈救上來。On hearing this news, she and her two sons walked through the rain to the corpse ground south of Nanheng Street to look, wept bitterly there, and then she herself jumped into a nearby pond; hearing her sons cry for help, the neighbors nearby exerted great effort and finally fished her out.後來由那地方的慈善家，出了錢把她的男人埋葬完畢，且給了她三十觔麪票，八十吊銅子，送她回來。Afterward, a philanthropist from that neighborhood paid to have her husband buried, and gave her thirty jin of flour coupons and eighty strings of coppers, and sent her home.囘來之後，她白天晚上，只是哭，已經哭了好幾天了。Since returning home, she had done nothing but cry, day and night, and had already been crying for several days.我聽了這一番消息，看了這一場光景，心裏只是難受，同一兩箇月前頭，半夜從前門回來，坐在她男人的車上，聽他的訴說時一樣，覺得這樣光景，决不是她一箇人的。Hearing this account and seeing this scene, I felt nothing but distress at heart — the same as I had felt a month or two before, coming home from Qianmen at midnight, sitting in her husband's rickshaw listening to him tell his troubles — and I felt that such a plight was surely not hers alone.我忽而想起了我的可憐的女人，又想起了我的和那在地上哭的小孩一樣大的龍兒，也覺得眼睛裏熱起來，癢起來了。I suddenly thought of my own poor wife, and then of my son Long'er, who was the same age as the child crying on the ground, and I felt my eyes grow hot and start to itch.我心裏正在難受，忽而從人叢裏擠來了一箇八九歲的小孩赤足袒胸的跑了進來。Just as my heart was aching, a boy of eight or nine, barefoot and bare-chested, suddenly squeezed out of the crowd and ran in.他小手裏拿了幾箇銅子躡手躡腳的對她說：In his small hand he held a few coppers, and tiptoeing over to her he said:

因为那时候我家里寄出来为我作医药费的钱还没有用完，皮包里还有几张五块钱的钞票收藏着，我踏近前去一看，破屋里并没有拉车的影子，只有他的女人坐在炕沿上哭，一个小一点的小孩，坐在地上他母亲的脚跟前，也在陪着她哭。看了一会，我终摸不着头脑，不晓得她为什么要哭。和我一块儿站着的人，有的喞喞的在那里叹息，有的也拿出手巾来在擦眼泪说“可怜哪，可怜哪！”我向一个立在我旁边的中年妇人问了一番，才知道她的男人，前几天在南下洼的大水里淹死了。死了之后，她还不晓得，直到第二天的旁晚，由拉车的同伴，认出了他的相貌，才跑囘来告诉她。她和她的两个儿子，得了此信，冒雨走上南横街南边的尸场去一看，大哭了一阵，她自己也跳在附近的一个水池里，经她儿子的呼救，附近的居民，费了许多气力，才把她捞救上来。后来由那地方的慈善家，出了钱把她的男人埋葬完毕，且给了她三十觔面票，八十吊铜子，送她回来。囘来之后，她白天晚上，只是哭，已经哭了好几天了。我听了这一番消息，看了这一场光景，心里只是难受，同一两个月前头，半夜从前门回来，坐在她男人的车上，听他的诉说时一样，觉得这样光景，决不是她一个人的。我忽而想起了我的可怜的女人，又想起了我的和那在地上哭的小孩一样大的龙儿，也觉得眼睛里热起来，痒起来了。我心里正在难受，忽而从人丛里挤来了一个八九岁的小孩赤足袒胸的跑了进来。他小手里拿了几个铜子蹑手蹑脚的对她说：

“媽，你瞧，這是人家給我的。”"Mother, look, someone gave me this."

“妈，你瞧，这是人家给我的。”

看熱鬧的人，看了他那小臉上的嚴肅的表情，和他那小手的滑稽的樣子，有幾筒笑着走了，只有兩箇以手巾擦着眼淚的老婦人，還站在那裏，我看看周圍的人數少了，就也踏了進去問她說：Those watching the commotion, seeing the solemn look on his small face and the comical way he held out his little hand, several of them laughed and walked off; only two old women, still wiping their tears with handkerchiefs, remained standing there. Seeing that the crowd around had thinned, I too stepped inside and asked her:

看热闹的人，看了他那小脸上的严肃的表情，和他那小手的滑稽的样子，有几筒笑着走了，只有两个以手巾擦着眼泪的老妇人，还站在那里，我看看周围的人数少了，就也踏了进去问她说：

“你還認得我麼？”"Do you still remember me?"

“你还认得我么？”

她舉起紅腫的眼睛來，對我看了一眼，點了一點頭，仍復伏倒頭去在哀哀的哭着。She raised her swollen, red eyes, looked at me for a moment, nodded, and then bowed her head again, weeping mournfully as before.我想叫她不哭，但是看看她的情形，覺得是不可能的，所以只好默默的站着，眼睛看見她的瘦削的雙肩一起一縮的在抽動。I wanted to tell her not to cry, but seeing her state, I realized it was useless, so I could only stand there in silence, watching her thin shoulders heave and shudder as she sobbed.我這樣的靜立了三五分鐘，門外又忽而擠了許多人攏來看我。I had stood there quietly like this for three or five minutes when suddenly more people crowded around the doorway to look at me.我覺得被他們看得不耐煩了，就走出了一步對他們說：Growing impatient at being stared at by them, I stepped forward and said to them:

她举起红肿的眼睛来，对我看了一眼，点了一点头，仍复伏倒头去在哀哀的哭着。我想叫她不哭，但是看看她的情形，觉得是不可能的，所以只好默默的站着，眼睛看见她的瘦削的双肩一起一缩的在抽动。我这样的静立了三五分钟，门外又忽而挤了许多人拢来看我。我觉得被他们看得不耐烦了，就走出了一步对他们说：

“你们看什麼熱鬧？"What are you all looking at?人家死了人在這裏哭，你們有什麼好看？”Someone's family member has died and she's crying here — what is there to see?"

“你们看什么热闹？人家死了人在这里哭，你们有什么好看？”

那八歲的孩子，看我心裏發了惱，就走上門口，把一扇破門關上了，喀丹一響，屋裏忽而暗了起來，他的哭着的母親，好像也爲這變化所驚動，一時止住哭聲，擎起眼來看他的孩子和離門不遠呆立着的我。The eight-year-old boy, seeing that I had grown angry, went to the doorway and shut one of the broken door panels; with a bang, the room suddenly went dark. His weeping mother, seemingly startled by this change, stopped crying for a moment, raised her eyes, and looked at her child and at me, standing dumbly not far from the door.我乘此機會，就勸她說：Taking this chance, I urged her, saying:

那八岁的孩子，看我心里发了恼，就走上门口，把一扇破门关上了，喀丹一响，屋里忽而暗了起来，他的哭着的母亲，好像也为这变化所惊动，一时止住哭声，擎起眼来看他的孩子和离门不远呆立着的我。我乘此机会，就劝她说：

“看養孩子要緊，你老是哭也不是道理，我若可以帮你的忙，我總沒有不爲你出力的。”"Raising your children well is what matters most — it's no use to keep crying like this. If there's any way I can help you, I'll always do what I can for you."

“看养孩子要紧，你老是哭也不是道理，我若可以帮你的忙，我总没有不为你出力的。”

她聽了這話，一邊啜泣，一邊斷斷續續的說：Hearing this, she wept and spoke haltingly:

她听了这话，一边啜泣，一边断断续续的说：

“我……"I……我……I……别的都不怪，我……I don't blame anything else, I……只……only……只怪他何以死了那麽快。only blame him for dying so quickly.也……Also……也不知他……I also don't know whether he……他是自家沈河的呢？whether he drowned himself,還是……”or whether……"

“我……我……别的都不怪，我……只……只怪他何以死了那么快。也……也不知他……他是自家沈河的呢？还是……”

她說了這一句又哭起來了。Having said this much, she began to cry again.我沒有方法，就從袋裏拿出了皮包，取了一張五塊錢的鈔票遞給她說：Having no other way to help, I took out my wallet from my pocket, drew out a five-dollar note, and handed it to her, saying:

她说了这一句又哭起来了。我没有方法，就从袋里拿出了皮包，取了一张五块钱的钞票递给她说：

“這雖然不多，你拿着用吧！”"This isn't much, but please take it and use it!"

“这虽然不多，你拿着用吧！”

她聽了這話，又止住了哭，啜泣着對我說：Hearing this, she stopped crying again, and said to me between sobs:

她听了这话，又止住了哭，啜泣着对我说：

“我……"I……我們……We……是不要錢用，只……we don't need money, only……只是他……only he……他死得……he died……死得太可憐了。……he died so pitifully.……他……He……他活着的時候，老……when he was alive, he always……老想自己買一輛車，但是……always wanted to buy a rickshaw of his own, but……但是這心願兒終究沒有達到。……but this wish of his was never fulfilled in the end.……前天我我到冥衣鋪去定一輛紙糊的洋車，想燒給他，那一家掌櫃的要我六塊多錢，我沒有定下來。The day before yesterday I went to the paper-goods shop to order a paper rickshaw, meaning to burn it for him, but the shopkeeper there wanted over six dollars from me, so I couldn't afford to order it.你……You……你老爺心好，請你請你老爺去買一輛好好的紙車來燒給他吧！”you, sir, have a kind heart — please, sir, would you go and buy a nice paper rickshaw to burn for him?"

“我……我们……是不要钱用，只……只是他……他死得……死得太可怜了。……他……他活着的时候，老……老想自己买一辆车，但是……但是这心愿儿终究没有达到。……前天我我到冥衣铺去定一辆纸糊的洋车，想烧给他，那一家掌柜的要我六块多钱，我没有定下来。你……你老爷心好，请你请你老爷去买一辆好好的纸车来烧给他吧！”

說完她又哭了。Having said this, she cried again.我聽了這一段話，心裏愈覺得難受，呆呆的立了一忽，只好把剛纔的那張鈔票收起，一邊對她說：Hearing this, I felt even more distressed at heart, and stood there dumbly for a while; I could only put away the note I had just taken out, saying to her:

说完她又哭了。我听了这一段话，心里愈觉得难受，呆呆的立了一忽，只好把刚才的那张钞票收起，一边对她说：

“你别哭了吧！"Don't cry anymore.他是我的朋友，那纸糊的洋車，我明天一定去買了來，和你一塊去燒到他的墳前去。”He was my friend. I'll surely go tomorrow and buy that paper rickshaw, and go together with you to burn it before his grave."

“你别哭了吧！他是我的朋友，那纸糊的洋车，我明天一定去买了来，和你一块去烧到他的坟前去。”

又對兩箇小孩說了幾句話，我就打開門走了出來。After saying a few more words to the two children, I opened the door and walked out.我從來沒有辦過喪事，所以尋來尋去，總尋不出一家冥衣舖來定那紙糊的洋車。I had never handled funeral affairs before, so I searched here and there and simply could not find a paper-goods shop to order the paper rickshaw from.後來直到四牌樓附近，找定了一家，付了他錢，要他趕緊爲我糊一輛車。Later, all the way over near Sipailou, I finally found one, paid the man, and asked him to hurry and make the rickshaw for me.

又对两个小孩说了几句话，我就打开门走了出来。我从来没有办过丧事，所以寻来寻去，总寻不出一家冥衣铺来定那纸糊的洋车。后来直到四牌楼附近，找定了一家，付了他钱，要他赶紧为我糊一辆车。

二天之後，那紙洋車輛好了，卻巧天氣也不下雨，我早早吃了午飯，就雇了四輛洋車，同她及兩箇小孩一道去上她男人的墳。Two days later, the paper rickshaw was ready, and as luck would have it the weather was clear with no rain; I ate lunch early, then hired four rickshaws, and went together with her and her two children to visit her husband's grave.車過順治門內大街的時候，因爲我前面的一乘人力車上衹載着一輛紙糊的很美麗的洋車和兩包錠子，大街上來往的紅男綠女只是凝目的在看我和我後面車上的那箇眼睛哭得紅腫，衣服襤褸的中年人婦。As the rickshaws passed through the avenue inside Shunzhi Gate, because the rickshaw ahead of mine carried only that beautifully made paper rickshaw and two bundles of paper ingots, the fashionable men and women passing along the avenue kept staring fixedly at me and at the middle-aged woman in the rickshaw behind me, her eyes swollen red from crying, her clothes shabby and worn.我被衆人的目光鞭撻不過，心裏起了一種不可抑遏的反抗和詛咒的毒念，只想放大了喉嚨向着那些紅男綠女和汽車中的貴人狠命的叫罵着說：Unable to bear the lash of the crowd's staring eyes any longer, an uncontrollable urge to rebel and curse rose up in my heart, and I wanted only to raise my voice to its fullest and curse savagely at those fashionable men and women and the wealthy people in their automobiles, shouting:

二天之后，那纸洋车辆好了，却巧天气也不下雨，我早早吃了午饭，就雇了四辆洋车，同她及两个小孩一道去上她男人的坟。车过顺治门内大街的时候，因为我前面的一乘人力车上衹载着一辆纸糊的很美丽的洋车和两包锭子，大街上来往的红男绿女只是凝目的在看我和我后面车上的那个眼睛哭得红肿，衣服褴褛的中年人妇。我被众人的目光鞭挞不过，心里起了一种不可抑遏的反抗和诅咒的毒念，只想放大了喉咙向着那些红男绿女和汽车中的贵人狠命的叫骂着说：

“猪狗！"Pigs and dogs!畜生！Beasts!你们看什麼？What are you looking at?我的朋友，這可憐的拉車者是爲你們所逼死的呀！My friend — this poor rickshaw puller — was driven to his death by the likes of you!你們還看什麼？”What more is there for you to look at?"

“猪狗！畜生！你们看什么？我的朋友，这可怜的拉车者是为你们所逼死的呀！你们还看什么？”

一九二四年八月十四日作於北京Written in Beijing, August 14, 1924.

一九二四年八月十四日作于北京