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第26章 Drawn to the Warmth温暖

晚安心语

Spring has always been your favorite time of year.As always,it'within.

一直以来,春天都是你最喜爱的季节。一如以往,春天一直都在你心里。

By Marion Smith

Factoring in the wind chill,I knew the temperature was below zero.The bitter cold cut through my Californian sensibilities,as well as my enthusiasm as a tourist,so I ducked through the nearest door for warmth and found myself in Washington,D.C.'s Union Station.

I settled onto one of the public benches with a steaming cup of coffee-waiting for feeling to return to my fingers and toes-and relaxed to engage in some serious people-watching.

Several tables of diners spilled out into the great hall from the upscale American Restaurant,and heavenly aromas tempted me to consider an early dinner.I observed a man seated nearby and,from the longing in his eyes,realized that he,too,noticed the tantalizing food.His gaunt body,wind-chapped hands and tattered clothes nearly shouted,“Homeless,homeless!”I wondered how long it had been since he had eaten.

Half expecting him to approach me for a handout,I almost welcomed such a plea.He never did.The longer I took in the scene,the crueler his plight seemed.My head and heart waged a silent war,the one telling me to mind my own business,the other urging a trip to the food court on his behalf.

While my internal debate raged on,a well-dressed young couple approached him.“Excuse me,sir,”the husband began.

“My wife and I just finished eating,and our appetites weren't as big as we thought.We hate to waste good food.Can you help us out and put this to use?”He extended a large Styrofoam container.

“God bless you both.Merry Christmas,”came the grateful reply.

Pleased,yet dismayed by my own lack of action,I continued to watch.The man scrutinized his newfound bounty,rearranged the crackers,inspected the club sandwich and stirred the salad dressing-obviously prolonging this miracle meal.Then,with a slow deliberateness,he lifted the soup lid and,cupping his hands around the steaming warm bowl,inhaled.At last,he unwrapped the plastic spoon,filled it to overflowing,lifted it toward his mouth and-with a suddenness that stunned me-stopped short.

I turned my head to follow his narroweyed gaze.

Entering the hall and shuffling in our direction was a new arrival.Hatless and gloveless,the elderly man was clad in lightweight pants,a threadbare jacket and open shoes.His hands were raw,and his face had a bluish tint.I wasn't alone in gasping aloud at this sad sight,but my needy neighbor was the only one doing anything about it.

Setting aside his meal,he leaped up and guided the elderly man to an adjacent seat.He took his icy hands and rubbed them briskly in his own.With a final tenderness,he draped his worn jacket over the older man's shoulders.

“Pop,my name's Jack,”he said,“and one of God's angels brought me this meal.I just finished eating and hate to waste good food.Can you help me out?”

He placed the still-warm bowl of soup in the stranger's hands without waiting for an answer.But he got one.

“Sure,son,but if only you go halfway with me on that sandwich.It's too much for a man at my age.”

It wasn't easy making my way to the food court with tears blurring my vision,but I soon returned with large containers of coffee and a big assortment of pastries.

“Excuse me,gentlemen,but...”

I left Union Station that day feeling warmer than I had ever thought possible.

李起 译

考虑到寒风凛冽的因素,我相信气温在零度以下。极度的严寒切断了我加州人的敏感性,也打消了我作为一名游客的热忱。于是为了取暖,我躲进最近的一扇门,然后发觉自己在华盛顿特区联合车站。

我舒适地坐在一张公共长椅上,点了一杯热气腾腾的咖啡——等待着身体恢复知觉——并放松下来饶有兴趣地观看各色人等。

数张餐桌延伸进高档的美国餐馆的大厅中,美妙的香味吸引着我考虑提前用餐。我注意到坐在附近的一个人,从他眼神里的渴望,我意识到他也闻到了诱人的食物。他瘦削的身体、因风吹而皲裂的双手及破旧的衣服几乎在呐喊:“流浪街头者,流浪街头者!”

我自忖着他有多久没有吃饭了。

我以为他也许会走近我讨点救济,我几乎乐于接受这样的恳求。他未曾这样做。这样的情景我领会得越久,他的苦境仿佛就越残酷。我的大脑与内心在默默地进行斗争,一个告诫我别管闲事,另一个劝我为他而去一趟美食广场。

我内心的辩论激烈地进行时,一对衣着入时的年轻夫妇走近了他:“劳驾,先生。”丈夫开始说,“我与妻子刚用完餐,我们的胃口不如我们想的那样大。我们不愿浪费美味佳肴,您能帮我们解决困难,将这吃掉吗?”他递过一个大号的泡沫塑料餐盒。

“愿上帝保佑你们。圣诞快乐!”那人满怀感激地回答。

尽管我很高兴,但由于自己没有行动仍感到很沮丧,于是继续观察。那人端详着新获得的食物,重新整理薄脆饼干、仔细查看总汇三明治并搅拌着沙拉调味酱——显然在延长这顿神奇的饭。然后,他缓慢而又从容不迫地拿起汤碗的盖儿,双手捧着热气腾腾的碗,吸了一口气。最终,他展开塑料汤匙,盛了满满一匙,向着嘴举起了汤匙——一个意外令我大吃一惊——他竟突然停了下来。

我跟随他狭长的眼睛注视的目光转过了头。

一位新人进了大厅,拖着脚朝我们走来。老人没戴帽子及手套,他身着轻飘飘的裤子、一件磨得很薄的外套、裂了口的鞋子。他双手红肿,脸上有点蓝色的染发剂。看到这令人难过的景象,并不仅是我一个人感到吃惊不已,但我贫困的邻座却是唯一行动的人。

那人留出自己的饭,敏捷地跳起来,将老人领到邻近的一个座位。他握住老人冰冷的手,并放在自己的手中轻快地揉搓。最后,他温柔地将自己破旧的外套披在老人的双肩上。

“大伯,我的名字叫杰克,”他说,“上帝的一位天使给我送来了这顿饭。我刚用完餐,不愿浪费这美味佳肴。您能帮我解决困难吗?”

他将依旧温热的那碗汤递到陌生人的手中,并不期待着回应。但他得到了应答:

“好的,孩子,但要是你我将这块三明治各吃一半就好了。对我这样年纪的人来说,这些食物太多了。”

泪水模糊了我的视线,因此去美食广场并不容易。但我很快就返回来了,并带着大号的咖啡杯及一大堆各种各样的油酥面团:“劳驾,先生,但……”那天,我离开联合车站时,感觉比曾料想到的更加温暖。

轻英语

关于“show”词组搭配

show in把……领进

show off炫耀

on show被展示,上演

in show表面上,有名无实

talk show脱口秀,现场访谈

show itself呈现

show up显而易见,到场,揭露

have a show of有机会,有可能

show out送出(客人)

show sb around带领……参观

dumb show哑剧,手势

in open show公然

make a good show好看,大出洋相

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