予與?。ㄉ希?/h1>
2019-09-10 07:22:44克米特·謝爾比
英語(yǔ)世界 2019年2期
克米特·謝爾比
Nobody wanted to pick up mama’s new helper that morning. But we drew straws and I was it. The February wind kept spitting snow as I cranked up2 the old Ford. I was blind angry.
This poker-faced3 Nora Bruce and I would have to ride past the schoolhouse. If the other kids saw us I might as well quit school， the way they teased a fellow. Nora being nineteen and my being twelve had something to do with the teasing too.
To make matters worse， here came mama carrying out the foot warmer. The foot warmer was four hot bricks buried in sawdust and tied in a burlap bag. “Oh mama，” I said.
“Now young man you stop acting like John D. Rockefeller，” mama said. “Nora’s old shoes were thin as paper. I noticed in church yesterday. I’d send my Sunday coat， only she would be too stiff-necked4 proud to wear it. Now you be nice to Nora， she’s had it tough.”
Nora’s folks lived in back of a cornfield in an old sway-backed5 house， but they were moving to Arkansas， so Nora was coming to stay with us. Two men with long hair and blue jumpsuits were loading their stove in a wagon when I got there.
Nora came walking towards me carrying extra clean clothes. The wind blew her thin coat. Her dress was clean but faded. Three little kids ran after her， crying， “Nodie Nodie.” Instead of shoes， they wore pieces of an old hat sewed moccasin6 fashion. The snow was ankle deep.
“Now， now，” Nora stooped， hugging all three at once. “If you want shoes， you’ll have to let Nodie go earn ’em.” She kissed them each and climbed in the Ford.
“Hurry，” she said. We bounced down the lane and Nora waved once， then wiped her eyes on the ends of the scarf tied round her head. “That wind is cold，” she said. “They’re not your brothers and sisters are they， Nora？” I asked.
“They’re step-brothers and sisters. But that doesn’t keep me from loving them， does it？” She sounded almost angry. I got to thinking how it would be if dad had died and mama had to get married again to have a place to stay， like Nora’s mother had. If I were Nora， maybe I’d be poker-faced too.
When I reached home that night from school， Nora was churning. She stood straight and let the churn dasher fall as if it were big business. I kept wishing she would smile. “Do you play the piano， Nora？” mama asked hopeful. “No.” Nora’s lips were a straight line.
“I could trade turkey eggs to Miss Thompson to teach you. It wouldn’t cost a penny to learn.”
“I came here to work for my board and clothes， Mrs Betts. Not to play the piano. I don’t want to be in debt.”
“You mustn’t be so proud child. Try to look at it as if you were my daughter. We want to give you a few advantages.”
“I don’t want folks doing favours for me just because I’m poor and they’re sorry for me. That’s the same as begging.”
“My， my. Independent too.” Mama’s smile was the merry-scheming kind. “We’ll see.”
Ordinarily Luke， our hired man， forgot to comb his hair. Tonight he slicked it down carefully. At the table he kept passing things to Nora. She seemed embarrassed at seeing so much food on the table. She took birdlike helpings7.
“You’ll have to eat more than that， Nora，” Dad urged， “or you’ll lose your figure.”
Nora gave him a straight look. “My figure isn’t much， Mr Betts， but it’s what the good Lord gave me.” Luke said hurriedly， “I think slender girls look nice.”
On Saturday Nora rode to town with us in the Ford. “Here’s your week’s wages， Nora.” Mama counted out six dollars. Nora shook her head. “That’s a full week. I didn’t start till Wednesday.” “We don’t punch a time clock8 at our house， Nora.” Mama held out the two bills. Nora’s mouth made a straight line. “I’ll take what I earn. No more.”
“Goodness.” Mama borrowed two one-dollar bills from dad and kept the five. “Are we even now， Nora？” “We’re even，” Nora said. She folded the bills carefully.
“When we get to town，” mama said， smiling， “I’d like to have you help me pick out some dress goods.”
Nora looked interested. “What kind of dress did you have in mind？”
“They’re for you. I thought three or four ginghams9 for everyday and a pretty silk for Sunday. And shoes perhaps.”
Nora shook her head. “I haven’t earned ’em yet. I’d be in debt to you.” “What am I going to do with you， Nora？” Mama sounded helpless and exasperated10. “You can’t have something for nothing， Mrs Betts，” Nora said. “I don’t want to be obligated11.”
Nora wouldn’t go inside the dry goods12 store when we got to town. “I got business at the post-office，” she said， and walked off.
While dad and I were buying groceries mama brought some packages out and laid them on the back car seat. When all of us started home mama asked， “What kept you in the drug store13 so long Nora？”
Nora said， “I got my eye on a crochet needle. I may buy it later.” “How much did it cost？” mama asked. “Twenty-five cents.” “But you had three dollars Nora.” “I did have.” Nora held up a money order stub14. “I sent two seventy-five to Arkansas for the kids. Then I had to buy the money order15 and pay for the stamp.”
I said， “It’s for them to buy shoes， isn’t it Nora？” She nodded. “I promised.”
Mama wiped at her eyes. “I declare， this dust is awful16，” she said.
Later mama opened up the bundles. She laid three gingham pieces on Nora’s knees. Nora looked down at the gingham but didn’t touch it. “It’s pretty，” she said. “They’re yours， child.” Mama unwound the last bundle. “This one’s special. I want you to have them for your birthday.” Mama shook out the wrinkles. It was red silk. A sort of fire-engine colour.
“My birthday’s six months off.” Nora touched the silk with one finger. Like she had to. She rubbed her finger afterwards like a kitten tasting cream. She shook her head sadly. “I couldn’t. I’d be in debt for life.”
“Nora， Nora.” Mama sounded gently chiding17. “You have to take in order to learn how to give. See， I bought a real pretty pattern. And I just love to sew.”
“How much？” Nora asked. “It was charge18，” mama said. “I forgot to ask how much. But we don’t have to pay for it till next fall.”
Nora’s big eyes regarded her steadily. “How much？” Mama sighed and held out the charge ticket.
Nora read the figures， troubled. “Eight dollars and sixty-eight cents. It’s cut off19 now.” She sounded like someone talking to herself. “I promised to buy three pairs of shoes. That comes first. Do you think the store would take it back and hold it until I get the shoes paid out？”
“Nora， let me and John buy the shoes，” mama offered.
“They’re my kinfolks， Mrs Betts and I don’t want them begging. I can’t wear the dresses until they’re paid for. I would be using something that didn’t belong to me.”
“Anyway， I can make them for you， Nora，” mama said， sounding tired. “We can keep them back like a savings account.”
“After I pay for the first gingham one，” Nora said. “I will put it on and wear it. Not before.” She added， “But I thank you for them.”
“Child， child，” mama said， concerned and troubled.
（To be continued）
那天早上，沒(méi)人想去接?jì)寢屝抡业膸褪帧Ｓ谑俏覀兂楹灈Q定誰(shuí)去接，結(jié)果抽到了我。2月的風(fēng)不停吐著雪花，我啟動(dòng)那輛舊福特，心里升起莫名的怒火。
我和板著個(gè)臉的諾拉·布魯斯開車必須路過(guò)學(xué)校。如果其他孩子看見(jiàn)我們，就他們奚落同伴的勁兒，我還不如退學(xué)算了。諾拉19歲，而我12歲，這也成了他們奚落的緣由。
更糟的是，媽媽帶著腳爐來(lái)了。腳爐是四塊熱磚做的，外面用鋸屑包著，捆在麻袋里?！芭?，媽媽?！蔽艺f(shuō)。
“你這年輕人，就別當(dāng)自己是約翰·D.洛克菲勒了！”媽媽說(shuō)，“諾拉的舊鞋跟紙一樣薄，我昨天在教堂就注意到了。我本想把禮拜天外套送給她，可她梗著脖子要面子不肯穿。你可要對(duì)諾拉好點(diǎn)，她過(guò)得不容易?！?/p>
諾拉的家人住在玉米田后面的一座就要塌陷的老房子里，不過(guò)他們就要搬到阿肯色州，因此諾拉過(guò)來(lái)和我們住。我到的時(shí)候，兩個(gè)留著長(zhǎng)發(fā)、身穿藍(lán)色連衫褲的男人正在往一輛馬車?yán)镅b爐子。
諾拉拿著幾件干凈的衣服朝我走來(lái)。風(fēng)吹起她薄薄的外衣。她的衣服挺干凈，但已經(jīng)褪色。三個(gè)小孩子跟在她身后，邊跑邊叫：“諾迪，諾迪！”他們沒(méi)有鞋，腳上穿的是縫成平底鞋樣子的破帽布片。雪深到腳踝。
“好啦，好啦，”諾拉蹲下身，把三個(gè)孩子一起擁入懷中，“你們要鞋子，就得讓諾迪去給你們掙啊。”她吻了吻每個(gè)孩子，爬上福特車。
“快走！”她說(shuō)道。我們的車沿著小路顛簸而去，諾拉回頭揮了一次手，然后用裹在頭上的圍巾邊擦眼睛?！帮L(fēng)真冷?！彼f(shuō)。
“他們不是你的親生弟妹吧，諾拉？”我問(wèn)她。
“他們是繼父的孩子，但這并不妨礙我愛(ài)他們，對(duì)嗎？”她的語(yǔ)氣似乎有些不高興。我暗暗想，如果我爸爸死了，媽媽為了安身再嫁，就像諾拉的媽媽一樣，換作我，我也會(huì)板著個(gè)臉吧。
那天晚上，我從學(xué)校回到家，諾拉正在攪拌牛奶。她直著身板，讓攪乳器落下，好像在干一件了不起的事情。我一直希望她會(huì)笑?！澳銖椾撉賳?，諾拉？”媽媽滿懷期待地問(wèn)，“不會(huì)?！敝Z拉的嘴唇繃成了一條直線。
“我可以用火雞蛋跟湯普森小姐交換，讓她教你彈琴，不花一分錢?！?/p>
“貝茨太太，我是為衣食來(lái)這里工作的，不是來(lái)學(xué)鋼琴的。我不想欠債?！?/p>
“孩子，你可不能這么傲氣。你就把自己當(dāng)作我女兒吧。我們是想讓你多學(xué)點(diǎn)東西，以后有用?！?/p>
“我不想別人因?yàn)槲腋F就施舍我，可憐我，這和乞討沒(méi)什么兩樣。”
“我的天，你還很獨(dú)立。”媽媽笑了，是那種既快樂(lè)又有心計(jì)的笑，“我們等著瞧。”
我們的雇工盧克一般都想不起要梳頭。今天晚上，他特地把頭發(fā)梳得整整齊齊。在餐桌上，他不停地給諾拉遞東西。諾拉看著桌上豐盛的食物，有些局促。她吃得和鳥兒一樣少。
“諾拉，你得多吃點(diǎn)，”爸爸督促道，“不然你就瘦得沒(méi)型了?！?/p>
諾拉直直地盯著他：“我身材雖然不好，貝茨先生，但這是主賜給我的?！北R克趕緊說(shuō)：“我覺(jué)得瘦點(diǎn)的女孩好看。”
星期六，諾拉和我們一起坐福特進(jìn)城?！斑@是你一周的工資，諾拉?！眿寢寯?shù)出6美元。諾拉搖搖頭?！斑@是整周的工錢，可我星期三才開始工作?！薄拔覀兗夜ぷ鞑淮蚩ǎZ拉。”媽媽把兩張鈔票遞給她，諾拉的嘴抿成一條直線?！拔抑荒梦覓甑腻X，多了不要?！?/p>
“好吧?！眿寢審陌职帜抢锝枇藘蓮?美元的鈔票，留下5美元那張。“現(xiàn)在對(duì)了嗎，諾拉？”“對(duì)了?！敝Z拉說(shuō)。她小心翼翼地疊好鈔票。
“我們到城里后，”媽媽笑著說(shuō)，“我想讓你幫我挑幾款裙子布料?！?/p>
諾拉來(lái)了興趣：“您想做什么樣的裙子？”
“是給你的。我想給你做三四款條紋布裙平時(shí)穿，再做一條漂亮絲裙禮拜天穿。也許還有鞋子。”
諾拉搖搖頭：“我還沒(méi)掙到買這些的錢，我會(huì)欠你的?！薄拔以撃媚阍趺崔k，諾拉？”媽媽有些生氣，卻又無(wú)可奈何?！斑@世上沒(méi)有免費(fèi)的東西，貝茨太太，”諾拉說(shuō)，“我不想欠別人的?！?/p>
進(jìn)城后，諾拉不愿去布店。“我去郵局辦點(diǎn)事?！闭f(shuō)完，她就走開了。
我和爸爸買日用雜貨時(shí)，媽媽把幾包東西拿出去放在汽車后座上。大家準(zhǔn)備回家時(shí)，媽媽問(wèn)：“諾拉，你怎么在雜貨店待了那么久？”
諾拉說(shuō)：“我看中了一枚鉤針，以后可能會(huì)買?！薄岸嗌馘X？”媽媽問(wèn)?！?5美分?！薄澳阌?美元，諾拉?！薄笆?。”諾拉拿出一張匯票存根?！拔医o阿肯色州的弟妹們寄了2美元75美分，此外還得買匯款單和郵票。”
我問(wèn)她：“是給他們買鞋用的，對(duì)嗎，諾拉？”她點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭：“我答應(yīng)過(guò)的?！?/p>
媽媽擦了擦眼睛。“我得說(shuō)，這里的灰塵太多了?！彼f(shuō)。
過(guò)了一會(huì)兒，媽媽打開幾捆布料。她把三塊格子布放在諾拉的膝蓋上。諾拉低頭看著格子布，但沒(méi)有碰：“很漂亮?！彼f(shuō)?！斑@都是給你的，孩子?！眿寢尨蜷_最后一捆布料：“這塊料子很特別，我希望你過(guò)生日時(shí)能穿上這料子做的衣服?！眿寢尪堕_布料。那是塊紅色絲布，有點(diǎn)像消防車的顏色。
“我的生日還有六個(gè)月呢?！敝Z拉不由自主地用一根手指輕撫絲布。之后她搓搓手指，就像一只嘗了口奶油的小貓。她搖搖頭，有點(diǎn)難過(guò)：“我不能要這個(gè)，否則我這輩子都還不清了。”
“諾拉，諾拉，”媽媽語(yǔ)氣中帶著輕微的責(zé)備，“你得接受，才能學(xué)會(huì)給予。瞧，我買的布料圖案多漂亮，我就是喜歡縫衣服。”
“多少錢？”諾拉問(wèn)道。“記在賬上了，”媽媽說(shuō)，“我忘了問(wèn)價(jià)錢，但明年秋天才需要付錢呢。”
諾拉睜大眼睛，一動(dòng)不動(dòng)地盯著她：“多少錢？”媽媽嘆口氣，拿出收費(fèi)單。
諾拉不安地讀著上面的數(shù)字：“8美元68美分，這下完了?！彼?tīng)起來(lái)好像在自言自語(yǔ)，“我答應(yīng)過(guò)要買3雙鞋。買鞋要緊。您看能不能讓商店把這個(gè)拿回去幫我留著，等我付完鞋錢后再去?。俊?/p>
“諾拉，讓我和約翰幫你買鞋吧。”媽媽說(shuō)。
“他們是我的親人，貝茨太太，我不想讓他們乞討。鞋錢付清之前，我不能穿這些裙子。我不會(huì)用不屬于自己的東西?！?/p>
“無(wú)論如何，諾拉，我可以先給你做衣服?！眿寢専o(wú)奈地說(shuō)，“我們可以把它們存起來(lái)，就像存錢一樣?！?/p>
“等我付完第一條格子裙的錢之后，”諾拉說(shuō)，“我就會(huì)穿上它，在這之前不行。”她接著說(shuō)，“但我要謝謝您?！?/p>
“孩子啊，孩子?！眿寢屨f(shuō)道，既擔(dān)憂又為難。
（未完待續(xù)）
（譯者單位：廣東外語(yǔ)外貿(mào)大學(xué)）
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克米特·謝爾比
Nobody wanted to pick up mama’s new helper that morning. But we drew straws and I was it. The February wind kept spitting snow as I cranked up2 the old Ford. I was blind angry.
This poker-faced3 Nora Bruce and I would have to ride past the schoolhouse. If the other kids saw us I might as well quit school， the way they teased a fellow. Nora being nineteen and my being twelve had something to do with the teasing too.
To make matters worse， here came mama carrying out the foot warmer. The foot warmer was four hot bricks buried in sawdust and tied in a burlap bag. “Oh mama，” I said.
“Now young man you stop acting like John D. Rockefeller，” mama said. “Nora’s old shoes were thin as paper. I noticed in church yesterday. I’d send my Sunday coat， only she would be too stiff-necked4 proud to wear it. Now you be nice to Nora， she’s had it tough.”
Nora’s folks lived in back of a cornfield in an old sway-backed5 house， but they were moving to Arkansas， so Nora was coming to stay with us. Two men with long hair and blue jumpsuits were loading their stove in a wagon when I got there.
Nora came walking towards me carrying extra clean clothes. The wind blew her thin coat. Her dress was clean but faded. Three little kids ran after her， crying， “Nodie Nodie.” Instead of shoes， they wore pieces of an old hat sewed moccasin6 fashion. The snow was ankle deep.
“Now， now，” Nora stooped， hugging all three at once. “If you want shoes， you’ll have to let Nodie go earn ’em.” She kissed them each and climbed in the Ford.
“Hurry，” she said. We bounced down the lane and Nora waved once， then wiped her eyes on the ends of the scarf tied round her head. “That wind is cold，” she said. “They’re not your brothers and sisters are they， Nora？” I asked.
“They’re step-brothers and sisters. But that doesn’t keep me from loving them， does it？” She sounded almost angry. I got to thinking how it would be if dad had died and mama had to get married again to have a place to stay， like Nora’s mother had. If I were Nora， maybe I’d be poker-faced too.
When I reached home that night from school， Nora was churning. She stood straight and let the churn dasher fall as if it were big business. I kept wishing she would smile. “Do you play the piano， Nora？” mama asked hopeful. “No.” Nora’s lips were a straight line.
“I could trade turkey eggs to Miss Thompson to teach you. It wouldn’t cost a penny to learn.”
“I came here to work for my board and clothes， Mrs Betts. Not to play the piano. I don’t want to be in debt.”
“You mustn’t be so proud child. Try to look at it as if you were my daughter. We want to give you a few advantages.”
“I don’t want folks doing favours for me just because I’m poor and they’re sorry for me. That’s the same as begging.”
“My， my. Independent too.” Mama’s smile was the merry-scheming kind. “We’ll see.”
Ordinarily Luke， our hired man， forgot to comb his hair. Tonight he slicked it down carefully. At the table he kept passing things to Nora. She seemed embarrassed at seeing so much food on the table. She took birdlike helpings7.
“You’ll have to eat more than that， Nora，” Dad urged， “or you’ll lose your figure.”
Nora gave him a straight look. “My figure isn’t much， Mr Betts， but it’s what the good Lord gave me.” Luke said hurriedly， “I think slender girls look nice.”
On Saturday Nora rode to town with us in the Ford. “Here’s your week’s wages， Nora.” Mama counted out six dollars. Nora shook her head. “That’s a full week. I didn’t start till Wednesday.” “We don’t punch a time clock8 at our house， Nora.” Mama held out the two bills. Nora’s mouth made a straight line. “I’ll take what I earn. No more.”
“Goodness.” Mama borrowed two one-dollar bills from dad and kept the five. “Are we even now， Nora？” “We’re even，” Nora said. She folded the bills carefully.
“When we get to town，” mama said， smiling， “I’d like to have you help me pick out some dress goods.”
Nora looked interested. “What kind of dress did you have in mind？”
“They’re for you. I thought three or four ginghams9 for everyday and a pretty silk for Sunday. And shoes perhaps.”
Nora shook her head. “I haven’t earned ’em yet. I’d be in debt to you.” “What am I going to do with you， Nora？” Mama sounded helpless and exasperated10. “You can’t have something for nothing， Mrs Betts，” Nora said. “I don’t want to be obligated11.”
Nora wouldn’t go inside the dry goods12 store when we got to town. “I got business at the post-office，” she said， and walked off.
While dad and I were buying groceries mama brought some packages out and laid them on the back car seat. When all of us started home mama asked， “What kept you in the drug store13 so long Nora？”
Nora said， “I got my eye on a crochet needle. I may buy it later.” “How much did it cost？” mama asked. “Twenty-five cents.” “But you had three dollars Nora.” “I did have.” Nora held up a money order stub14. “I sent two seventy-five to Arkansas for the kids. Then I had to buy the money order15 and pay for the stamp.”
I said， “It’s for them to buy shoes， isn’t it Nora？” She nodded. “I promised.”
Mama wiped at her eyes. “I declare， this dust is awful16，” she said.
Later mama opened up the bundles. She laid three gingham pieces on Nora’s knees. Nora looked down at the gingham but didn’t touch it. “It’s pretty，” she said. “They’re yours， child.” Mama unwound the last bundle. “This one’s special. I want you to have them for your birthday.” Mama shook out the wrinkles. It was red silk. A sort of fire-engine colour.
“My birthday’s six months off.” Nora touched the silk with one finger. Like she had to. She rubbed her finger afterwards like a kitten tasting cream. She shook her head sadly. “I couldn’t. I’d be in debt for life.”
“Nora， Nora.” Mama sounded gently chiding17. “You have to take in order to learn how to give. See， I bought a real pretty pattern. And I just love to sew.”
“How much？” Nora asked. “It was charge18，” mama said. “I forgot to ask how much. But we don’t have to pay for it till next fall.”
Nora’s big eyes regarded her steadily. “How much？” Mama sighed and held out the charge ticket.
Nora read the figures， troubled. “Eight dollars and sixty-eight cents. It’s cut off19 now.” She sounded like someone talking to herself. “I promised to buy three pairs of shoes. That comes first. Do you think the store would take it back and hold it until I get the shoes paid out？”
“Nora， let me and John buy the shoes，” mama offered.
“They’re my kinfolks， Mrs Betts and I don’t want them begging. I can’t wear the dresses until they’re paid for. I would be using something that didn’t belong to me.”
“Anyway， I can make them for you， Nora，” mama said， sounding tired. “We can keep them back like a savings account.”
“After I pay for the first gingham one，” Nora said. “I will put it on and wear it. Not before.” She added， “But I thank you for them.”
“Child， child，” mama said， concerned and troubled.
（To be continued）
那天早上，沒(méi)人想去接?jì)寢屝抡业膸褪帧Ｓ谑俏覀兂楹灈Q定誰(shuí)去接，結(jié)果抽到了我。2月的風(fēng)不停吐著雪花，我啟動(dòng)那輛舊福特，心里升起莫名的怒火。
我和板著個(gè)臉的諾拉·布魯斯開車必須路過(guò)學(xué)校。如果其他孩子看見(jiàn)我們，就他們奚落同伴的勁兒，我還不如退學(xué)算了。諾拉19歲，而我12歲，這也成了他們奚落的緣由。
更糟的是，媽媽帶著腳爐來(lái)了。腳爐是四塊熱磚做的，外面用鋸屑包著，捆在麻袋里?！芭?，媽媽?！蔽艺f(shuō)。
“你這年輕人，就別當(dāng)自己是約翰·D.洛克菲勒了！”媽媽說(shuō)，“諾拉的舊鞋跟紙一樣薄，我昨天在教堂就注意到了。我本想把禮拜天外套送給她，可她梗著脖子要面子不肯穿。你可要對(duì)諾拉好點(diǎn)，她過(guò)得不容易?！?/p>
諾拉的家人住在玉米田后面的一座就要塌陷的老房子里，不過(guò)他們就要搬到阿肯色州，因此諾拉過(guò)來(lái)和我們住。我到的時(shí)候，兩個(gè)留著長(zhǎng)發(fā)、身穿藍(lán)色連衫褲的男人正在往一輛馬車?yán)镅b爐子。
諾拉拿著幾件干凈的衣服朝我走來(lái)。風(fēng)吹起她薄薄的外衣。她的衣服挺干凈，但已經(jīng)褪色。三個(gè)小孩子跟在她身后，邊跑邊叫：“諾迪，諾迪！”他們沒(méi)有鞋，腳上穿的是縫成平底鞋樣子的破帽布片。雪深到腳踝。
“好啦，好啦，”諾拉蹲下身，把三個(gè)孩子一起擁入懷中，“你們要鞋子，就得讓諾迪去給你們掙啊。”她吻了吻每個(gè)孩子，爬上福特車。
“快走！”她說(shuō)道。我們的車沿著小路顛簸而去，諾拉回頭揮了一次手，然后用裹在頭上的圍巾邊擦眼睛?！帮L(fēng)真冷?！彼f(shuō)。
“他們不是你的親生弟妹吧，諾拉？”我問(wèn)她。
“他們是繼父的孩子，但這并不妨礙我愛(ài)他們，對(duì)嗎？”她的語(yǔ)氣似乎有些不高興。我暗暗想，如果我爸爸死了，媽媽為了安身再嫁，就像諾拉的媽媽一樣，換作我，我也會(huì)板著個(gè)臉吧。
那天晚上，我從學(xué)校回到家，諾拉正在攪拌牛奶。她直著身板，讓攪乳器落下，好像在干一件了不起的事情。我一直希望她會(huì)笑?！澳銖椾撉賳?，諾拉？”媽媽滿懷期待地問(wèn)，“不會(huì)?！敝Z拉的嘴唇繃成了一條直線。
“我可以用火雞蛋跟湯普森小姐交換，讓她教你彈琴，不花一分錢?！?/p>
“貝茨太太，我是為衣食來(lái)這里工作的，不是來(lái)學(xué)鋼琴的。我不想欠債?！?/p>
“孩子，你可不能這么傲氣。你就把自己當(dāng)作我女兒吧。我們是想讓你多學(xué)點(diǎn)東西，以后有用?！?/p>
“我不想別人因?yàn)槲腋F就施舍我，可憐我，這和乞討沒(méi)什么兩樣。”
“我的天，你還很獨(dú)立。”媽媽笑了，是那種既快樂(lè)又有心計(jì)的笑，“我們等著瞧。”
我們的雇工盧克一般都想不起要梳頭。今天晚上，他特地把頭發(fā)梳得整整齊齊。在餐桌上，他不停地給諾拉遞東西。諾拉看著桌上豐盛的食物，有些局促。她吃得和鳥兒一樣少。
“諾拉，你得多吃點(diǎn)，”爸爸督促道，“不然你就瘦得沒(méi)型了?！?/p>
諾拉直直地盯著他：“我身材雖然不好，貝茨先生，但這是主賜給我的?！北R克趕緊說(shuō)：“我覺(jué)得瘦點(diǎn)的女孩好看。”
星期六，諾拉和我們一起坐福特進(jìn)城?！斑@是你一周的工資，諾拉?！眿寢寯?shù)出6美元。諾拉搖搖頭?！斑@是整周的工錢，可我星期三才開始工作?！薄拔覀兗夜ぷ鞑淮蚩ǎZ拉。”媽媽把兩張鈔票遞給她，諾拉的嘴抿成一條直線?！拔抑荒梦覓甑腻X，多了不要?！?/p>
“好吧?！眿寢審陌职帜抢锝枇藘蓮?美元的鈔票，留下5美元那張。“現(xiàn)在對(duì)了嗎，諾拉？”“對(duì)了?！敝Z拉說(shuō)。她小心翼翼地疊好鈔票。
“我們到城里后，”媽媽笑著說(shuō)，“我想讓你幫我挑幾款裙子布料?！?/p>
諾拉來(lái)了興趣：“您想做什么樣的裙子？”
“是給你的。我想給你做三四款條紋布裙平時(shí)穿，再做一條漂亮絲裙禮拜天穿。也許還有鞋子。”
諾拉搖搖頭：“我還沒(méi)掙到買這些的錢，我會(huì)欠你的?！薄拔以撃媚阍趺崔k，諾拉？”媽媽有些生氣，卻又無(wú)可奈何?！斑@世上沒(méi)有免費(fèi)的東西，貝茨太太，”諾拉說(shuō)，“我不想欠別人的?！?/p>
進(jìn)城后，諾拉不愿去布店。“我去郵局辦點(diǎn)事?！闭f(shuō)完，她就走開了。
我和爸爸買日用雜貨時(shí)，媽媽把幾包東西拿出去放在汽車后座上。大家準(zhǔn)備回家時(shí)，媽媽問(wèn)：“諾拉，你怎么在雜貨店待了那么久？”
諾拉說(shuō)：“我看中了一枚鉤針，以后可能會(huì)買?！薄岸嗌馘X？”媽媽問(wèn)?！?5美分?！薄澳阌?美元，諾拉?！薄笆?。”諾拉拿出一張匯票存根?！拔医o阿肯色州的弟妹們寄了2美元75美分，此外還得買匯款單和郵票。”
我問(wèn)她：“是給他們買鞋用的，對(duì)嗎，諾拉？”她點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭：“我答應(yīng)過(guò)的?！?/p>
媽媽擦了擦眼睛。“我得說(shuō)，這里的灰塵太多了?！彼f(shuō)。
過(guò)了一會(huì)兒，媽媽打開幾捆布料。她把三塊格子布放在諾拉的膝蓋上。諾拉低頭看著格子布，但沒(méi)有碰：“很漂亮?！彼f(shuō)?！斑@都是給你的，孩子?！眿寢尨蜷_最后一捆布料：“這塊料子很特別，我希望你過(guò)生日時(shí)能穿上這料子做的衣服?！眿寢尪堕_布料。那是塊紅色絲布，有點(diǎn)像消防車的顏色。
“我的生日還有六個(gè)月呢?！敝Z拉不由自主地用一根手指輕撫絲布。之后她搓搓手指，就像一只嘗了口奶油的小貓。她搖搖頭，有點(diǎn)難過(guò)：“我不能要這個(gè)，否則我這輩子都還不清了。”
“諾拉，諾拉，”媽媽語(yǔ)氣中帶著輕微的責(zé)備，“你得接受，才能學(xué)會(huì)給予。瞧，我買的布料圖案多漂亮，我就是喜歡縫衣服。”
“多少錢？”諾拉問(wèn)道。“記在賬上了，”媽媽說(shuō)，“我忘了問(wèn)價(jià)錢，但明年秋天才需要付錢呢。”
諾拉睜大眼睛，一動(dòng)不動(dòng)地盯著她：“多少錢？”媽媽嘆口氣，拿出收費(fèi)單。
諾拉不安地讀著上面的數(shù)字：“8美元68美分，這下完了?！彼?tīng)起來(lái)好像在自言自語(yǔ)，“我答應(yīng)過(guò)要買3雙鞋。買鞋要緊。您看能不能讓商店把這個(gè)拿回去幫我留著，等我付完鞋錢后再去?。俊?/p>
“諾拉，讓我和約翰幫你買鞋吧。”媽媽說(shuō)。
“他們是我的親人，貝茨太太，我不想讓他們乞討。鞋錢付清之前，我不能穿這些裙子。我不會(huì)用不屬于自己的東西?！?/p>
“無(wú)論如何，諾拉，我可以先給你做衣服?！眿寢専o(wú)奈地說(shuō)，“我們可以把它們存起來(lái)，就像存錢一樣?！?/p>
“等我付完第一條格子裙的錢之后，”諾拉說(shuō)，“我就會(huì)穿上它，在這之前不行。”她接著說(shuō)，“但我要謝謝您?！?/p>
“孩子啊，孩子?！眿寢屨f(shuō)道，既擔(dān)憂又為難。
（未完待續(xù)）
（譯者單位：廣東外語(yǔ)外貿(mào)大學(xué)）
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