it was very late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree made against the electric light. in the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled the dust and the old man liked to sit late because he was deaf and now at night it was quiet and he felt the difference. the two waiters inside the cafe knew that the old man was a little drunk, and while he was a good client they knew that if he became too drunk he would leave without paying, so they kept watch on him.

　　时间很晚了，大家都离开餐馆，只有一个老人还坐在树叶挡住灯光的阴影里。白天里，街上尽是尘埃，到得晚上，露水压住了尘埃。这个老人喜欢坐得很晚，因为他是个聋子，现在是夜里，十分寂静，他感觉得到跟白天的不同。呆在餐馆里的两个侍者知道这老人有点儿醉了，他虽然是个好主顾，可是，他们知道，如果他喝得太醉了，他会不付账就走，所以他们一直在留神他。

　　"last week he tried to commit suicide," one waiter said.

　　"why?"

　　"he was in despair."

　　"what about?"

　　"nothing."

　　"how do you know it was nothing?"

　　"he has plenty of money."

　　"上个星期他想自杀，"一个侍者说。

　　"为什么?"

　　"他绝望啦。"

　　"干吗绝望?"

　　"没事儿。"

　　"你怎么知道是没事儿?"

　　"他有很多钱。"

　　they sat together at a table that was close against the wall near the door of the cafe and looked at the terrace where the tables were all empty except where the old man sat in the shadow of the leaves of the tree that moved slightly in the wind. a girl and a soldier went by in the street. the street light shone on the brass number on his collar. the girl wore no head covering and hurried beside him.

　　他们一起坐在紧靠着餐馆大门墙边的桌旁，眼睛望着平台，那儿的桌子全都空无一人，只有那个老人坐在随风轻轻飘拂的树叶的阴影里。有个少女和一个大兵走过大街。街灯照在他那领章的铜号码上。那个少女没戴帽子，在他身旁匆匆走着。

　　"the guard will pick him up," one waiter said.

　　"what does it matter if he gets what he`s after?"

　　"he had better get off the street now. the guard will get him. they went by five minutes ago."

　　the old man sitting in the shadow rapped on his saucer with his glass. the younger waiter went over to him.

编辑:Liuxuepaper.Com