如题所述
1 pieces of 8 hair 7, just a bit of money, which is 60 Fen minutes of the coin, a penny a penny in the grocery store owner, the vendors and the butcher Lailai hard, every time a hair with the smell of urine, the transaction is a deeply argue about little details. Della counted it three times, one dollar and seven cents, and the second day was christmas.
In addition to flop down on the shabby little couch crying, obviously there is no other way.
D do, but spiritual feeling arise spontaneously, life is cry sniffles and smiles withsniffles predominating.
As the housewife gradually calmed down, lets take a look at the house. A furnished apartment house, rent eight dollars a week. Although it is difficult to describe, but it is really enough to help the word beggar.
There is a mailbox downstairs in the doorway, which no letter, and an electric button from no one finger ring. Moreover, there is a name card, write James di - Han Lin yang.
Dillingham this name is the owner of previous brilliance as a whim added, when he earned thirty dollars a week. Now, his income has shrunk to $twenty, Dillingham letters appear blurred, as though they were thinking seriously of a modest and unassuming practical letters D. However, when Mr. James Dillingham Jan, go upstairs, walked into the room upstairs, James de Han Lin - Mrs. Yang is just introduced to you as della is always called him Kim, and warmly embraced him. Of course, thats the best. Yes, Jim is so lucky!
Della finished her cry to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a backyard in a gray cat walking a gray fence in. Tomorrow is Christmas. She has only one dollar and seven cents to buy a gift for Jim. She spent several months, and worked her way through the effort, and got the result. Twenty dollars a week is not long, so always spending more than budget. Only one yuan and seven gifts for Jim. Her Jim. She spent many a happy hour planning to send him a gift Kexin, a fine and rare and precious gift -- at least some match on all things just to Jim.
There is a wall mirror between the two windows of the room. Maybe youve seen a wall mirror that costs eight dollars a week. A very small and dexterous person who, by observing himself in a series of longitudinal images, may have an approximate concept of his own appearance. Della slim, had mastered the art.
Suddenly, she whirled round the window and stood in front of the wall mirror. Her eyes were sparkling, but in twenty seconds her face lost its luster. She split her hair so fast that she completely scattered it.
Now, James Dillingham young couple each have a special pride. One is Jims gold watch, which was handed down by his grandfather to his father, and his father passed it on to Jiabao, while the other was Dellas hair. If the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the courtyard, one day Della would have let her hair hang down, dry out the window, to be cast into the shade of the Queens jewels; if his treasures piled up in the basement, Solomon Wang is the gatekeeper, when Jim walked in there, will touch the gold watch. Let the Solomon Wang beard from envy.
At this moment, Dellas hair rippled around her, microwave and downs, shine, like the brown waterfall. Her hair is long and, like a piece of her robe. And then she nervously nervously combed her hair. Hesitated for a minute and stood still while splashed on the worn red carpet one or two drops of tears.
She put on her old brown jacket, wearing old brown hat, eyes remain with tears, the skirt is placed, then out of the door, down the stairs to the street.
She stopped before a sign, and said, Mrs. Alfonso F Roni, specializing in all kinds of hair.. Della ran up the stairs panting after a pause. The mast, the lady body is too pale, with Sofros stern manner, the title is irrelevant.
Are you going to buy my hair? Della asked.
I buy my hair, said madame. Take off your hat, and let me see the hair..
The brown falls down rippled.
Twenty dollars, said Madame, grabbing her hair as she was.
Give me the money quickly, della said.
Ah, the next two hours, like wings, flew happily past. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was rummaging through the shops to buy gifts for Jim.
She finally found it. It must have been made for Jim. It was never meant for anybody else. She has searched the stores, where there is no such thing, a simple white gold bracelet with a carved. Just like all good things, it is only a matter of length, not a display of decoration. And its worthy of the gold watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must belong to all of Jim. It is like Jim himself, quiet and value -- the description applied to both. She bought it for twenty-one dollars, hurried home, leaving only seven cents. The gold watch, the chain, whether on any occasion, Jim can no kuise to look at the time.
Even though the watch was gorgeous, because it used the old belt to represent the chain, he sometimes glanced furtively.
After della came home, her ecstasy became a little cautious and sensible. She lit the gas and the hair pincers to repair for love and generosity to the destruction, it is always a very difficult task, dear friends -- a mammoth task.
Within forty minutes her head was covered with close lying curls that made her look like a schoolboy. She stared at herself in the mirror the old look, carefully and critically according to.
If Jim looked at me not to kill my words, she automatic speaking, hell say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what can I do? - well, only one yuan and seven cents. What can I do?
Seven oclock, she made the coffee, the pan on the hot stove, always do steak.
Jim always goes home on time. Della held the silver chain in her hand and sat near the door on the corner of the table. Then she heard his footsteps on the stairs below, and she lost his face for a moment. She had a habit for the simplest everyday things and pray silently, at the moment, she whispered: please God, make him think I am still pretty.
The door opened, and Jim stepped in and closed the door. He looked thin and very serious. Poor man, he was only twenty-two years old, and he was burdened with a family! He needs to buy a new coat, not even a glove.
Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed on della, and his face made her unable to understand and make her hair stand on end. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, is not an expression of any she had expected. He just stared at della with his face in his face.
Della wriggled, jumped down from the table and went over to him.
Jim, dear, she cried, dont stare at me like that.. I cut off my hair and sold it. Because I didnt give you a present, I couldnt spend christmas. Hair will grow again - you dont mind, do you? Im not going to do that. My hair grows very fast. Say Merry Christmas! Jim, lets be happy. You cant guess what a nice gift I bought you - what a beautiful and delicate gift!
Have you cut off your hair? Asked Jim slowly, he racked his brains did not seem to realize this obvious fact.
Cut it off, della said. Anyway, dont you like me too? Without long hair, Im still me, right?
Jim looked at the room curiously four times.
Did you say your hair was gone? He asked, almost idiotic.
Dont look for it, said della. Tell you, I sold it - sold it, no!. Its Christmas Eve, nice guy. Treat me well, its for you. Maybe my hair counts, she said, very softly, but nobody knows how much I love you.. I do steak, Jim?
Jim seemed to wake up from a trance and put della in his arms. Now, dont worry, lets take ten seconds to think carefully about something unimportant from another angle. The rent is $eight a week, or $one million - whats the difference? A mathematician or a wit will give you the wrong answer. Maggie brings precious gifts, but its missing that thing. This obscure statement will be explained later.
Jim took a small bag out of his coat pocket and threw it on the table.
Dont make any mistake for me, Del, he said, no matter Haircut or a shave or a shampoo, I think there what can reduce a little bit of love for my wife. However, as long as you open the package you will see why you had me reckless.
The white fingers cleverly untied the rope and opened the paper bag. And then there was a scream of rapture, oops! Suddenly became a female neurotic tears and crying, in urgent need of the owner of all the way to comfort.
Or because the combs -- the set of combs on the table, side and back, everything. It was a long time ago that Della had seen and envied something in a window in broadway. These beautiful combs, pure tortoiseshell, xiangzhuo jewelry -- just the color of her lost hair match. She knew that the comb was too expensive, and she only admired it, but never thought of it. Now, all this belongs to her, but the beautiful long hair that has the qualifications to wear this coveted ornament has disappeared.
However, she still hairbrush to her chest, took a moment to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: my hair grows so fast, Jim!
Then, she looked like a scalded cat jumped up and cried, oh! Oh!
Jim hasnt seen his beautiful gift yet. She can scarcely wait to open palm, stretched out in front of him, the dull precious metal seemed so bright.
Is it beautiful, Jim? I searched all over the city to find it. Now, you can watch it one hundred times a day. Give me the watch, and Ill see what it looks like on the watch.
Kim instead of obeying, but fell on the couch, his hands under his head and smiled.
Del, he said, lets put aside the Christmas gifts and save it for a while. They are so good that they are not suitable for use at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. Now, you do steak.
As you all know, Maggie is a clever, intelligent person who brings gifts to Jesus who is born in a manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas gifts. Because they are smart people, there is no doubt that their gifts are smart gifts, and if you meet two things exactly the same, you may also have the right to exchange. Here, I have clumsily introduced you to two silly children living in an apartment suite, not surprisingly, they have unwisely sacrificed their most precious things for each other. But lets say the last word to the wise today, among all the gifts, the two are the wisest. Among all the gifts and gifts received, the two of them are the wisest. Wherever they are, theyre the smartest people.
They are sages. .
翻译
1块8毛7,就这么些钱,其中六毛是一分一分的铜板,一个子儿一个子儿在杂货店老板、菜贩子和肉店老板那儿硬赖来的,每次闹得脸发臊,深感这种掂斤播两的交易实在丢人现眼。德拉反复数了三次,还是一元八角七,而第二天就是圣诞节了。
除了扑倒在那破旧的小睡椅上哭嚎之外,显然别无他途。
德拉这样做了,可精神上的感慨油然而生,生活就是哭泣、抽噎和微笑,尤以抽噎占统治地位。
当这位家庭主妇逐渐平静下来之际,让我们看看这个家吧。一套带家具的公寓房子,每周房租八美元。尽管难以用笔墨形容,可它真正够得上乞丐帮这个词儿。
楼下的门道里有个信箱,可从来没有装过信,还有一个电钮,也从没有人的手指按响过电铃。而且,那儿还有一张名片,上写着杰姆斯狄林汉杨先生。
迪林厄姆这个名号是主人先前春风得意之际,一时兴起加上去的,那时候他每星期挣三十美元。现在,他的收入缩减到二十美元,迪林厄姆的字母也显得模糊不清,似乎它们正严肃地思忖着是否缩写成谦逊而又讲求实际的字母D。不过,每当杰姆斯狄林汉杨先生,回家上楼,走进楼上的房间时,杰姆斯狄林汉杨太太,就是刚介绍给诸位的德拉,总是把他称作吉姆,而且热烈地拥抱他。那当然是再好不过的了。是呀,吉姆是多好的运气呀!
德拉哭完之后,往面颊上抹了抹粉,她站在窗前,痴痴地瞅着灰蒙蒙的后院里一只灰白色的猫正行走在灰白色的篱笆上。明天就是圣诞节,她只有一元八角七给吉姆买一份礼物。她花去好几个月的时间,用了最大的努力一分一分地攒积下来,才得了这样一个结果。一周二十美元实在经不起花,支出大于预算,总是如此。只有一元八角七给吉姆买礼物,她的吉姆啊。她花费了多少幸福的时日筹划着要送他一件可心的礼物,一件精致、珍奇、贵重的礼物至少应有点儿配得上吉姆所有的东西才成啊。
房间的两扇窗子之间有一面壁镜。也许你见过每周房租八美元的公寓壁镜吧。一个非常瘦小而灵巧的人,从观察自己在一连串的纵条影象中,可能会对自己的容貌得到一个大致精确的概念。德拉身材苗条,已精通了这门子艺术。
突然,她从窗口旋风般地转过身来,站在壁镜前面。她两眼晶莹透亮,但二十秒钟之内她的面色失去了光彩。她急速地拆散头发,使之完全泼散开来。
现在,詹姆斯迪林厄姆杨夫妇俩各有一件特别引以自豪的东西。一件是吉姆的金表,是他祖父传给父亲,父亲又传给他的传家宝;另一件则是德拉的秀发。如果示巴女王①也住在天井对面的公寓里,总有一天德拉会把头发披散下来,露出窗外晾干,使那女王的珍珠宝贝黯然失色;如果地下室堆满金银财宝、所罗门王又是守门人的话,每当吉姆路过那儿,准会摸出金表,好让那所罗门王忌妒得吹胡子瞪眼睛。
此时此刻,德拉的秀发泼撒在她的周围,微波起伏,闪耀光芒,有如那褐色的瀑布。她的美发长及膝下,仿佛是她的一件长袍。接着,她又神经质地赶紧把头发梳好。踌躇了一分钟,一动不动地立在那儿,破旧的红地毯上溅落了一、两滴眼泪。
她穿上那件褐色的旧外衣,戴上褐色的旧帽子,眼睛里残留着晶莹的泪花,裙子一摆,便飘出房门,下楼来到街上。
她走到一块招牌前停下来,上写着:索弗罗妮夫人专营各式头发。德拉奔上楼梯,气喘吁吁地定了定神。那位夫人身躯肥大,过于苍白,冷若冰霜,同索弗罗妮的雅号简直牛头不对马嘴。
你要买我的头发吗?德拉问。
我买头发,夫人说。揭掉帽子,让我看看发样。
那褐色的瀑布泼撒了下来。
二十美元,夫人一边说,一边内行似地抓起头发。
快给我钱,德拉说。
呵,接着而至的两个小时犹如长了翅膀,愉快地飞掠而过。请不用理会这胡诌的比喻。她正在彻底搜寻各家店铺,为吉姆买礼物。
她终于找到了,那准是专为吉姆特制的,决非为别人。她找遍了各家商店,哪儿也没有这样的东西,一条朴素的白金表链,镂刻着花纹。正如一切优质东西那样,它只以货色论长短,不以装潢来炫耀。而且它正配得上那只金表。她一见这条表链,就知道一定属于吉姆所有。它就像吉姆本人,文静而有价值,这一形容对两者都恰如其份。她花去二十一美元买下了,匆匆赶回家,只剩下八角七分钱。金表匹配这条链子,无论在任何场合,吉姆都可以毫无愧色地看时间了。
尽管这只表华丽珍贵,因为用的是旧皮带取代表链,他有时只偷偷地瞥上一眼。
德拉回家之后,她的狂喜有点儿变得审慎和理智了。她找出烫发铁钳,点燃煤气,着手修补因爱情加慷慨所造成的破坏,这永远是件极其艰巨的任务,亲爱的朋友们,简直是件了不起的任务呵。
不出四十分钟,她的头上布满了紧贴头皮的一绺绺小卷发,使她活像个逃学的小男孩。她在镜子里老盯着自己瞧,小心地、苛刻地照来照去。
假如吉姆看我一眼不把我宰掉的话,她自言自语,他定会说我像个科尼岛上合唱队的卖唱姑娘。但是我能怎么办呢?唉,只有一元八角七,我能干什么呢?
七点钟,她煮好了咖啡,把煎锅置于热炉上,随时都可做肉排。
吉姆一贯准时回家。德拉将表链对叠握在手心,坐在离他一贯进门最近的桌子角上。接着,她听见下面楼梯上响起了他的脚步声,她紧张得脸色失去了一会儿血色。她习惯于为了最简单的日常事物而默默祈祷,此刻,她悄声道:求求上帝,让他觉得我还是漂亮的吧。
门开了,吉姆步入,随手关上了门。他显得瘦削而又非常严肃。可怜的人儿,他才二十二岁,就挑起了家庭重担!他需要买件新大衣,连手套也没有呀。
吉姆站在屋里的门口边,纹丝不动地好像猎犬嗅到了鹌鹑的气味似的。他的两眼固定在德拉身上,其神情使她无法理解,令她毛骨悚然。既不是愤怒,也不是惊讶,又不是不满,更不是嫌恶,根本不是她所预料的任何一种神情。他仅仅是面带这种神情死死地盯着德拉。
德拉一扭腰,从桌上跳了下来,向他走过去。
吉姆,亲爱的,她喊道,别那样盯着我。我把头发剪掉卖了,因为不送你一件礼物,我无法过圣诞节。头发会再长起来你不会介意,是吗?我非这么做不可。我的头发长得快极了。说‘恭贺圣诞’吧!吉姆,让我们快快乐乐的。你肯定猜不着我给你买了一件多么好的.多么美丽精致的礼物啊!
你已经把头发剪掉了?吉姆吃力地问道,似乎他绞尽脑汁也没弄明白这明摆着的事实。
剪掉卖了,德拉说。不管怎么说,你不也同样喜欢我吗?没了长发,我还是我嘛,对吗?
吉姆古怪地四下望望这房间。
你说你的头发没有了吗?他差不多是白痴似地问道。
别找啦,德拉说。告诉你,我已经卖了卖掉了,没有啦。这是圣诞前夜,好人儿。好好待我,这是为了你呀。也许我的头发数得清,突然她特别温柔地接下去,可谁也数不清我对你的恩爱啊。我做肉排吗,吉姆?
吉姆好像从恍惚之中醒来,把德拉紧紧地搂在怀里。现在,别着急,先让我们花个十秒钟从另一角度审慎地思索一下某些无关紧要的事。房租每周八美元,或者一百万美元,那有什么差别呢?数学家或才子会给你错误的答案。麦琪带来了宝贵的礼物,但就是缺少了那件东西。这句晦涩的话,下文将有所交待。
吉姆从大衣口袋里掏出一个小包,扔在桌上。
别对我产生误会,德尔,他说道,无论剪发、修面,还是洗头,我以为世上没有什么东西能减低一点点对我妻子的爱情。不过,你只要打开那包东西,就会明白刚才为什么使我楞头楞脑了。
白皙的手指灵巧地解开绳子,打开纸包。紧接着是欣喜若狂的尖叫,哎呀!突然变成了女性神经质的泪水和哭泣,急需男主人千方百计的慰藉。
还是因为摆在桌上的梳子,全套梳子,包括两鬓用的,后面的,样样俱全。那是很久以前德拉在百老汇的一个橱窗里见过并羡慕得要死的东西。这些美妙的发梳,纯玳瑁做的,边上镶着珠宝,其色彩正好同她失去的美发相匹配。她明白,这套梳子实在太昂贵,对此,她仅仅是羡慕渴望,但从未想到过据为己有。现在,这一切居然属于她了,可惜那有资格佩戴这垂涎已久的装饰品的美丽长发已无影无踪了。
不过,她依然把发梳搂在胸前,过了好一阵子才抬起泪水迷蒙的双眼,微笑着说:我的头发长得飞快,吉姆!
随后,德拉活像一只被烫伤的小猫跳了起来,叫道,喔!喔!
吉姆还没有瞧见他的美丽的礼物哩。她急不可耐地把手掌摊开,伸到他面前,那没有知觉的贵重金属似乎闪现着她的欢快和热忱。
漂亮吗,吉姆?我搜遍了全城才找到了它。现在,你每天可以看一百次时间了。把表给我,我要看看它配在表上的样子。
吉姆非但不按她的吩咐行事,反而倒在睡椅上,两手枕在头下,微微发笑。
德尔,他说,让我们把圣诞礼物放在一边,保存一会儿吧。它们实在太好了,目前尚不宜用。我卖掉金表,换钱为你买了发梳。现在,你做肉排吧。
正如诸位所知,麦琪是聪明人,聪明绝顶的人,他们把礼物带来送给出生在马槽里的耶稣。他们发明送圣诞礼物这玩艺儿。由于他们是聪明人,毫无疑问,他们的礼物也是聪明的礼物,如果碰上两样东西完全一样,可能还具有交换的权利。在这儿,我已经笨拙地给你们介绍了住公寓套间的两个傻孩子不足为奇的平淡故事,他们极不明智地为了对方而牺牲了他们家最最宝贵的东西。不过,让我们对现今的聪明人说最后一句话,在一切馈赠礼品的人当中,那两个人是最聪明的。在一切馈赠又接收礼品的人当中,像他们两个这样的人也是最聪明的。无论在任何地方,他们都是最聪明的人。
他们就是圣贤。