故鄉故乡

時候既然是深冬；漸近故鄕時，天氣又陰晦了，冷風吹進船艙中，嗚嗚的響，從篷隙向外一望，蒼黃的天底下，遠近橫着幾個蕭索的荒村，沒有一些活氣。我的心禁不住悲涼起來了。

时候既然是深冬；渐近故乡时，天气又阴晦了，冷风吹进船舱中，呜呜的响，从篷隙向外一望，苍黄的天底下，远近横着几个萧索的荒村，没有一些活气。我的心禁不住悲凉起来了。

It was the depth of winter. As we drew near, the sky clouded over, and a cold wind whistled into the cabin of the boat. Looking out through a crack in the awning, I saw a few desolate villages lying scattered, near and far, under a sallow sky, without the least sign of life. My heart sank in spite of me.

阿！這不是我二十年來時時記得的故鄕？

阿！这不是我二十年来时时记得的故乡？

Ah. Was this really the home I had kept in my memory for twenty years?

我所記得的故鄕全不如此。我的故鄕好得多了。但要我記起他的美麗，說出他的佳處來，卻又沒有影像，沒有言辭了。彷彿也就如此。於是我自己解釋說：故鄕本也如此，——雖然沒有進步，也未必有如我所感的悲涼，這只是我自己心情的改變罷了，因爲我這次回鄕，本沒有什麽好心緖。

我所记得的故乡全不如此。我的故乡好得多了。但要我记起他的美丽，说出他的佳处来，却又没有影像，没有言辞了。仿佛也就如此。于是我自己解释说：故乡本也如此，——虽然没有进步，也未必有如我所感的悲凉，这只是我自己心情的改变罢了，因为我这次回乡，本没有什么好心绪。

The home I remembered was not like this at all. My home was much better. Yet if I tried to recall its beauty and name its good points, I had no image of them, no words for them. Perhaps it had always been like this. So I explained it to myself: home had always been this way. It had not improved, but it was not necessarily as dreary as I felt it to be; only my mood had changed, because this time I had not come home in a cheerful frame of mind.

我這次是專爲了別他而來的。我們多年聚族而居的老屋，已經公同賣給別姓了，交屋的期限，只在本年，所以必須趕在正月初一以前，永別了熟識的老屋，而且遠離了熟識的故鄕，搬家到我在謀食的異地去。

我这次是专为了别他而来的。我们多年聚族而居的老屋，已经公同卖给别姓了，交屋的期限，只在本年，所以必须赶在正月初一以前，永别了熟识的老屋，而且远离了熟识的故乡，搬家到我在谋食的异地去。

I had come this time solely to bid it farewell. The old house in which our clan had lived together for so many years had been sold to another family, and it had to be handed over before the end of the year. So we had to leave before New Year's Day, saying goodbye forever to the familiar old house and the familiar old place, and move to the strange town where I now earned my living.

第二日淸早晨我到了我家的門口了。瓦楞上許多枯草的斷莖當風抖着，正在說明這老屋難免易主的原因。幾房的本家大約已經搬走了，所以很寂靜。我到了自家的房外，我的母親早已迎着出來了，接着便飛出了八歲的姪兒宏兒。

第二日清早晨我到了我家的门口了。瓦楞上许多枯草的断茎当风抖着，正在说明这老屋难免易主的原因。几房的本家大约已经搬走了，所以很寂静。我到了自家的房外，我的母亲早已迎着出来了，接着便飞出了八岁的侄儿宏儿。

Early the next morning I reached the gate of our house. Broken stems of withered grass on the roof tiles trembled in the wind, explaining well enough why this old house was bound to change owners. Several branches of the family seemed to have moved out already, so it was very quiet. When I reached our own rooms, my mother was already coming out to meet me, and my eight-year-old nephew Hong'er came rushing out after her.

我的母親很高興，但也藏着許多淒涼的神情，教我坐下，歇息，喝茶，且不談搬家的事。宏兒沒有見過我，遠遠的對面站着只是看。

我的母亲很高兴，但也藏着许多凄凉的神情，教我坐下，歇息，喝茶，且不谈搬家的事。宏儿没有见过我，远远的对面站着只是看。

My mother was very pleased, though she was also hiding a good deal of sadness. She told me to sit down, rest and drink some tea, and said nothing about moving for the time being. Hong'er, who had never seen me before, stood at a distance, just staring.

但我們終於談到搬家的事。我說外間的寓所已經租定了，又買了幾件家具，此外須將家裏所有的木器賣去，再去增添。母親也說好，而且行李也略已齊集，木器不便搬運的，也小半賣去了，只是收不起錢來。

但我们终于谈到搬家的事。我说外间的寓所已经租定了，又买了几件家具，此外须将家里所有的木器卖去，再去增添。母亲也说好，而且行李也略已齐集，木器不便搬运的，也小半卖去了，只是收不起钱来。

But at last we did talk about the move. I said that I had already rented lodgings in the other town and bought some furniture, and that the rest would have to be bought after we sold all the wooden things here. My mother agreed. She said the luggage was nearly all packed, and some of the furniture that was too awkward to take, a small part of it, had already been sold, only she had not been able to collect the money.

『你休息一兩天，去拜望親戚本家一回，我們便可以走了。』母親說。

『你休息一两天，去拜望亲戚本家一回，我们便可以走了。』母亲说。

"Rest for a day or two, and go round once to call on our relatives, and then we can leave," my mother said.

『是的。』

『是的。』

"Yes."

『還有閏土，他每到我家來時，總問起你，很想見你一回面。我已經將你到家的大約日期通知他，他也許就要來了。』

『还有闰土，他每到我家来时，总问起你，很想见你一回面。我已经将你到家的大约日期通知他，他也许就要来了。』

"And there is Runtu. Every time he comes here he asks after you, and he wants very much to see you once more. I have told him roughly when you would be back, so he may come any time."

我於是日日盼望新年，新年到，閏土也就到了。好容易到了年末，有一日，母親告訴我，閏土來了，我便飛跑的去看。他正在廚房裏，紫色的圓臉，頭戴一頂小氈帽，頸上套一個明晃晃的銀項圈，這可見他的父親十分愛他，怕他死去，所以在神佛面前許下願心，用圈子將他套住了。他見人很怕羞，只是不怕我，沒有旁人的時候，便和我說話，於是不到半日，我們便熟識了。

我于是日日盼望新年，新年到，闰土也就到了。好容易到了年末，有一日，母亲告诉我，闰土来了，我便飞跑的去看。他正在厨房里，紫色的圆脸，头戴一顶小毡帽，颈上套一个明晃晃的银项圈，这可见他的父亲十分爱他，怕他死去，所以在神佛面前许下愿心，用圈子将他套住了。他见人很怕羞，只是不怕我，没有旁人的时候，便和我说话，于是不到半日，我们便熟识了。

So I looked forward to New Year every day, for New Year would bring Runtu. At last the end of the year came, and one day my mother told me that Runtu had arrived, and I flew to see him. He was in the kitchen: a round, ruddy-purple face, a little felt cap on his head, and a gleaming silver ring around his neck, which showed how much his father loved him; he had been afraid the boy might die, so he had made a vow before the gods and the Buddha and used the ring to hold him fast. Runtu was very shy with people, but not with me. When no one else was about he would talk to me, and in less than half a day we were friends.

我們那時候不知道談些什麽，只記得閏土很高興，說是上城之後，見了許多沒有見過的東西。

我们那时候不知道谈些什么，只记得闰土很高兴，说是上城之后，见了许多没有见过的东西。

I don't know what we talked about then. I only remember that Runtu was very happy, and said that since coming to town he had seen a great many things he had never seen before.

第二日，我便要他捕鳥。他說：

第二日，我便要他捕鸟。他说：

The next day I wanted him to catch birds. He said:

『這不能。須大雪下了纔好。我們沙地上，下了雪，我掃出一塊空地來，用短棒支起一個大竹匾，撒下粃穀，看鳥雀來喫時，我遠遠地將縛在棒上的繩子只一拉，那鳥雀就罩在竹匾下了。什麽都有：稻雞、角雞、鵓鴣、藍背……』

『这不能。须大雪下了才好。我们沙地上，下了雪，我扫出一块空地来，用短棒支起一个大竹匾，撒下秕谷，看鸟雀来吃时，我远远地将缚在棒上的绳子只一拉，那鸟雀就罩在竹匾下了。什么都有：稻鸡、角鸡、鹁鸪、蓝背……』

"Can't be done. We have to wait for a heavy snow. On our sandy land, after it snows, I sweep a clear patch, prop up a big bamboo sieve with a short stick, scatter husks underneath, and when the birds come to eat, I give one pull from far off on the string tied to the stick, and the birds are caught under the sieve. All kinds: rice-birds, horned pheasants, wood pigeons, blue-backs ..."

我於是又很盼望下雪。

我于是又很盼望下雪。

So then I longed for snow as well.

閏土又對我說：

闰土又对我说：

Runtu also said to me:

『管賊麽？』

『管贼么？』

"Guard them against thieves?"

『不是。走路的人口渴了摘一個瓜喫，我們這里是不算偸的。要管的是獾豬、刺蝟、猹。月亮地下，你聽，啦啦的響了，猹在咬瓜了。你便揑了胡叉，輕輕地走去……』

『不是。走路的人口渴了摘一个瓜吃，我们这里是不算偷的。要管的是獾猪、刺猬、猹。月亮地下，你听，啦啦的响了，猹在咬瓜了。你便捏了胡叉，轻轻地走去……』

"No. If someone walking by is thirsty and picks a melon to eat, folks round us don't count that as stealing. What we guard against are badgers, hedgehogs and zha. In the moonlight, you listen, and there's a crunching sound: that's a zha biting a melon. Then you take your pitchfork and creep up quietly ..."

『他不咬人麽？』

『他不咬人么？』

"Doesn't it bite people?"

『有胡叉呢。走到了，看見猹了，你便刺。這畜生很伶俐，倒向你奔來，反從胯下竄了。他的皮毛是油一般的滑。……』

『有胡叉呢。走到了，看见猹了，你便刺。这畜生很伶俐，倒向你奔来，反从胯下窜了。他的皮毛是油一般的滑。……』

"You've got the pitchfork. You creep up, you see the zha, and you stab. The creature is very clever. It runs straight at you and gets away between your legs. Its fur is as slippery as oil ..."

我素不知道天下有這許多新鮮事：海邊有如許五色的貝殼；西瓜有這樣危險的經歷，我先前單知道他在水果店裏出賣罷了。

我素不知道天下有这许多新鲜事：海边有如许五色的贝壳；西瓜有这样危险的经历，我先前单知道他在水果店里出卖罢了。

I had never known that the world was full of so many fresh things: that the seashore had shells of every colour like that, and that watermelons led such dangerous lives. Before, I had only known them as things sold in the fruit shop.

阿！閏土的心裏有無窮無盡的希奇的事，都是我往常的朋友所不知道的。他們不知道一些事，閏土在海邊時，他們都和我一樣只看見院子裏高牆上的四角的天空。

阿！闰土的心里有无穷无尽的希奇的事，都是我往常的朋友所不知道的。他们不知道一些事，闰土在海边时，他们都和我一样只看见院子里高墙上的四角的天空。

Ah. Runtu's mind was full of endless marvels, none of which my usual friends knew about. They knew nothing of these things. While Runtu was by the sea, they, like me, saw only the square of sky above the high walls of the courtyard.

可惜正月過去了，閏土須回家裏去，我急得大哭，他也躱到廚房裏，哭着不肯出門，但終於被他父親帶走了。他後來還託他的父親帶給我一包貝殼和幾枝很好看的鳥毛，我也曾送他一兩次東西，但從此沒有再見面。

可惜正月过去了，闰土须回家里去，我急得大哭，他也躲到厨房里，哭着不肯出门，但终于被他父亲带走了。他后来还托他的父亲带给我一包贝壳和几枝很好看的鸟毛，我也曾送他一两次东西，但从此没有再见面。

Unfortunately the first month came to an end and Runtu had to go home. I cried bitterly, and he hid in the kitchen, crying and refusing to come out, but in the end his father took him away. Later he sent me, through his father, a packet of shells and a few very pretty feathers, and I sent him things once or twice, but we never saw each other again.

現在我的母親提起了他，我這兒時的記憶，忽而全都閃電似的蘇生過來，似乎看到了我的美麗的故鄕了。我應聲說：

现在我的母亲提起了他，我这儿时的记忆，忽而全都闪电似的苏生过来，似乎看到了我的美丽的故乡了。我应声说：

Now that my mother had mentioned him, these childhood memories came back to life all at once, like lightning, and I seemed to glimpse my beautiful old home. I answered:

『這好極！他，——怎樣？……』

『这好极！他，——怎样？……』

"That's wonderful. And how is he ...?"

『他？……他景況也很不如意……』母親說着，便向房外看，『這些人又來了。說是買木器，順手也就隨便拿走的，我得去看看。』

『他？……他景况也很不如意……』母亲说着，便向房外看，『这些人又来了。说是买木器，顺手也就随便拿走的，我得去看看。』

"He? ... Things haven't gone well for him either ..." As she spoke, my mother looked out of the room. "Those people are here again. They say they've come to buy furniture, and they help themselves to whatever they like on the way. I must go and see."

母親站起身，出去了。門外有幾個女人的聲音，我便招宏兒走近面前，和他閒話：問他可會寫字，可願意出門。

母亲站起身，出去了。门外有几个女人的声音，我便招宏儿走近面前，和他闲话：问他可会写字，可愿意出门。

My mother got up and went out. Several women's voices could be heard outside the door. I called Hong'er over and chatted with him: I asked whether he could write, and whether he would like to go away.

『我們坐火車去麽？』

『我们坐火车去么？』

"Shall we go by train?"

『我們坐火車去。』

『我们坐火车去。』

"Yes, we shall go by train."

『船呢？』

『船呢？』

"And by boat?"

『先坐船，……』

『先坐船，……』

"By boat first ..."

『哈！這模樣了！鬍子這麽長了！』一種尖利的怪聲突然大叫起來。

『哈！这模样了！胡子这么长了！』一种尖利的怪声突然大叫起来。

"Ha. So this is how he looks now. Such a long moustache." A strange, shrill voice suddenly cried out.

我喫了一嚇，趕忙擡起頭，卻見一個凸顴骨，薄嘴唇，五十歲上下的女人站在我面前，兩手搭在髀間，沒有繫裙，張着兩脚，正像一個畫圖儀器裏細脚伶仃的圓規。

我吃了一吓，赶忙抬起头，却见一个凸颧骨，薄嘴唇，五十岁上下的女人站在我面前，两手搭在髀间，没有系裙，张着两脚，正像一个画图仪器里细脚伶仃的圆规。

I gave a start and looked up quickly. In front of me stood a woman of about fifty, with prominent cheekbones and thin lips. She had her hands on her hips, wore no skirt over her trousers, and stood with her legs apart, just like the compass in a box of drawing instruments, with its thin, spindly legs.

我愕然了。

我愕然了。

I was taken aback.

『不認識了麽？我還抱你咧！』

『不认识了么？我还抱你咧！』

"Don't you know me? I used to carry you in my arms."

我愈加愕然了。幸而我的母親也就進來，從旁說：

我愈加愕然了。幸而我的母亲也就进来，从旁说：

I was even more taken aback. Fortunately my mother came in just then and said from the side:

『他多年出門，統忘卻了。你該記得罷，』便向着我說，『這是斜對門的楊二嫂，……開豆腐店的。』

『他多年出门，统忘却了。你该记得罢，』便向着我说，『这是斜对门的杨二嫂，……开豆腐店的。』

"He's been away so many years, he has forgotten everything. You ought to remember," she said, turning to me. "This is Mrs Yang, the second sister-in-law from across the road ... who keeps the beancurd shop."

『忘了？這眞是貴人眼高。……』

『忘了？这真是贵人眼高。……』

"Forgotten? Well, the great look down on the rest of us ..."

『那有這事……我……』我惶恐着，站起來說。

『那有这事……我……』我惶恐着，站起来说。

"Not at all ... I ..." I stood up, flustered.

『我並沒有闊哩。我須賣了這些，再去……』

『我并没有阔哩。我须卖了这些，再去……』

"I haven't grown rich at all. I have to sell these things to buy ..."

我知道無話可說了，便閉了口，默默的站着。

我知道无话可说了，便闭了口，默默的站着。

I knew there was nothing more to be said, so I closed my mouth and stood in silence.

『阿呀阿呀，眞是愈有錢，便愈是一毫不肯放鬆，愈是一毫不肯放鬆，便愈有錢……』圓規一面憤憤的回轉身，一面絮絮的說，慢慢向外走，順便將我母親的一副手套塞在褲腰裏，出去了。

『阿呀阿呀，真是愈有钱，便愈是一毫不肯放松，愈是一毫不肯放松，便愈有钱……』圆规一面愤愤的回转身，一面絮絮的说，慢慢向外走，顺便将我母亲的一副手套塞在裤腰里，出去了。

"Oh dear, oh dear, it's true: the more money they have, the less they'll part with a hair of it, and the less they'll part with a hair of it, the more money they have ..." Muttering on and on, the compass turned away indignantly and walked slowly out, slipping a pair of my mother's gloves into the waist of her trousers as she went.

此後又有近處的本家和親戚來訪問我。我一面應酬，偸空便收拾些行李，這樣的過了三四天。

此后又有近处的本家和亲戚来访问我。我一面应酬，偷空便收拾些行李，这样的过了三四天。

After this, relatives and members of the clan who lived nearby came to call. I received them, and whenever I had a moment I packed a few things. Three or four days passed like this.

一日是天氣很冷的午後，我喫過午飯，坐着喝茶，覺得外面有人進來了，便回頭去看。我看時，不由的非常出驚，慌忙站起身，迎着走去。

一日是天气很冷的午后，我吃过午饭，坐着喝茶，觉得外面有人进来了，便回头去看。我看时，不由的非常出惊，慌忙站起身，迎着走去。

One very cold afternoon, after lunch, I was sitting drinking tea when I sensed someone coming in, and turned to look. When I saw who it was I was greatly startled, jumped up, and hurried to meet him.

這來的便是閏土。雖然我一見便知道是閏土，但又不是我這記憶上的閏土了。他身材增加了一倍；先前的紫色的圓臉，已經變作灰黃，而且加上了很深的皺紋；眼睛也像他父親一樣，周圍都腫得通紅，這我知道，在海邊種地的人，終日吹着海風，大抵是這樣的。他頭上是一頂破氈帽，身上只一件極薄的棉衣，渾身瑟索着；手裏提着一個紙包和一枝長煙管，那手也不是我所記得的紅活圓實的手，卻又粗又笨而且開裂，像是松樹皮了。

这来的便是闰土。虽然我一见便知道是闰土，但又不是我这记忆上的闰土了。他身材增加了一倍；先前的紫色的圆脸，已经变作灰黄，而且加上了很深的皱纹；眼睛也像他父亲一样，周围都肿得通红，这我知道，在海边种地的人，终日吹着海风，大抵是这样的。他头上是一顶破毡帽，身上只一件极薄的棉衣，浑身瑟索着；手里提着一个纸包和一枝长烟管，那手也不是我所记得的红活圆实的手，却又粗又笨而且开裂，像是松树皮了。

The newcomer was Runtu. Although I knew him at first glance, he was no longer the Runtu of my memory. He was twice the size he had been. His round, ruddy face had turned a greyish yellow and was lined with deep wrinkles. His eyes, like his father's, were swollen and red all round; I knew that this is how most people who farm by the sea become, exposed to the sea wind all day. On his head was a shabby felt cap, and he wore only a very thin padded jacket, so that he was shivering all over. In his hand he carried a paper package and a long pipe, and the hand was not the plump, rosy hand I remembered, but coarse and clumsy and cracked, like the bark of a pine tree.

我這時很興奮，但不知道怎麽說纔好，只是說：

我这时很兴奋，但不知道怎么说才好，只是说：

I was very excited, but I did not know what to say, and could only say:

『阿！閏土哥，——你來了？……』

『阿！闰土哥，——你来了？……』

"Ah, Brother Runtu, so you've come ...?"

我接着便有許多話，想要連珠一般湧出：角雞、跳魚兒、貝殼、猹，……但又總覺得被什麽擋着似的。單在腦裏面回旋，吐不出口外去。

我接着便有许多话，想要连珠一般涌出：角鸡、跳鱼儿、贝壳、猹，……但又总觉得被什么挡着似的。单在脑里面回旋，吐不出口外去。

Then a great many things came to me that I wanted to pour out one after another like a string of beads: horned pheasants, jumping fish, shells, zha ... But something seemed to hold them back. They only went round and round in my head and would not come out of my mouth.

他站住了，臉上現出歡喜和淒涼的神情；動着嘴脣，卻沒有作聲。他的態度終於恭敬起來了，分明的叫道：

他站住了，脸上现出欢喜和凄凉的神情；动着嘴唇，却没有作声。他的态度终于恭敬起来了，分明的叫道：

He stood still, and a look of both joy and sadness came over his face. His lips moved, but he made no sound. At last his manner became respectful, and he said clearly:

我似乎打了一個寒噤；我就知道，我們之間已經隔了一層可悲的厚障壁了。我也說不出話。

我似乎打了一个寒噤；我就知道，我们之间已经隔了一层可悲的厚障壁了。我也说不出话。

Something like a shudder went through me. I knew then that a sad, thick barrier had come between us. I could not speak either.

他回過頭去說：『水生，給老爺磕頭。』便拖出躱在背後的孩子來，這正是一個二十年前的閏土，只是黃瘦些，頸子上沒有銀圈罷了。『這是第五個孩子，沒有見過世面，躱躱閃閃。……』

他回过头去说：『水生，给老爷磕头。』便拖出躲在背后的孩子来，这正是一个二十年前的闰土，只是黄瘦些，颈子上没有银圈罢了。『这是第五个孩子，没有见过世面，躲躲闪闪。……』

He turned his head and said, "Shuisheng, kowtow to the master." And he pulled forward a child who had been hiding behind his back. This was just the Runtu of twenty years before, only paler and thinner, and with no silver ring around his neck. "This is my fifth child. He hasn't seen the world, so he hangs back ..."

母親和宏兒下樓來了，他們大約也聽到了聲音。

母亲和宏儿下楼来了，他们大约也听到了声音。

My mother and Hong'er came downstairs. They had probably heard our voices.

『老太太。信是早收到了。我實在喜歡的了不得，知道老爺回來……』閏土說。

『老太太。信是早收到了。我实在喜欢的了不得，知道老爷回来……』闰土说。

"Madam, I got your letter long ago. I was so glad to hear the master was coming home ..." said Runtu.

『阿，你怎的這樣客氣起來。你們先前不是哥弟稱呼麽？還是照舊：迅哥兒。』母親高興的說。

『阿，你怎的这样客气起来。你们先前不是哥弟称呼么？还是照旧：迅哥儿。』母亲高兴的说。

"Oh, why are you so formal? Didn't you two call each other brother in the old days? Just call him Brother Xun as you used to," said my mother cheerfully.

『阿呀，老太太眞是……這成什麽規矩。那時是孩子，不懂事……』閏土說着，又叫水生上來打拱，那孩子卻害羞，緊緊的只貼在他背後。

『阿呀，老太太真是……这成什么规矩。那时是孩子，不懂事……』闰土说着，又叫水生上来打拱，那孩子却害羞，紧紧的只贴在他背后。

"Oh, madam, really ... What would that look like? We were children then and didn't know any better ..." As he spoke, Runtu called Shuisheng forward again to bow, but the child was shy and stayed pressed close behind his father's back.

『他就是水生？第五個？都是生人，怕生也難怪的；還是宏兒和他去走走。』母親說。

『他就是水生？第五个？都是生人，怕生也难怪的；还是宏儿和他去走走。』母亲说。

"So this is Shuisheng? The fifth? Everyone here is a stranger to him, no wonder he's shy. Let Hong'er take him out for a walk," said my mother.

宏兒聽得這話，便來招水生，水生卻鬆鬆爽爽同他一路出去了。母親叫閏土坐，他遲疑了一回，終於就了坐，將長煙管靠在桌旁，遞過紙包來，說：

宏儿听得这话，便来招水生，水生却松松爽爽同他一路出去了。母亲叫闰土坐，他迟疑了一回，终于就了坐，将长烟管靠在桌旁，递过纸包来，说：

When Hong'er heard this he went over to Shuisheng, and Shuisheng went out with him quite easily. My mother asked Runtu to sit down. He hesitated for a moment, then at last took a seat, leaned his long pipe against the table, and handed over the paper package, saying:

『冬天沒有什麽東西了。這一點乾靑豆倒是自家曬在那里的，請老爺……』

『冬天没有什么东西了。这一点干青豆倒是自家晒在那里的，请老爷……』

"There's nothing much in winter. These few dried green beans we dried ourselves. Please, master ..."

我問問他的景況。他只是搖頭。

我问问他的景况。他只是摇头。

I asked him how things were with him. He only shook his head.

『非常難。第六個孩子也會幫忙了，卻總是喫不够……又不太平……什麽地方都要錢，沒有定規……收成又壞。種出東西來，挑去賣，總要捐幾回錢，折了本；不去賣，又只能爛掉。……』

『非常难。第六个孩子也会帮忙了，却总是吃不够……又不太平……什么地方都要钱，没有定规……收成又坏。种出东西来，挑去卖，总要捐几回钱，折了本；不去卖，又只能烂掉。……』

"Very hard. Even my sixth child can help now, but there's never enough to eat ... and no peace either ... Money wanted everywhere, and no fixed rules about it ... and the harvests are bad. You grow things and carry them to market, and you have to pay several taxes on the way and lose money. If you don't sell them, they just rot ..."

他只是搖頭；臉上雖然刻着許多皺紋，卻全然不動，彷彿石像一般。他大約只是覺得苦，卻又形容不出，沈默了片時，便拿起煙管來默默的吸煙了。

他只是摇头；脸上虽然刻着许多皱纹，却全然不动，仿佛石像一般。他大约只是觉得苦，却又形容不出，沉默了片时，便拿起烟管来默默的吸烟了。

He only shook his head. His face was carved with many wrinkles, yet it did not move at all, like a stone statue. Probably he felt only the bitterness and could not put it into words. After a moment's silence he took up his pipe and smoked without a word.

母親問他，知道他的家裏事務忙，明天便得回去；又沒有喫過午飯，便叫他自己到廚下炒飯喫去。

母亲问他，知道他的家里事务忙，明天便得回去；又没有吃过午饭，便叫他自己到厨下炒饭吃去。

My mother questioned him and learned that he was very busy at home and would have to go back the next day. He had not had lunch, so she told him to go to the kitchen and fry some rice for himself.

他出去了；母親和我都歎息他的景況：多子、饑荒、苛稅、兵、匪、官、紳，都苦得他像一個木偶人了。母親對我說，凡是不必搬走的東西，儘可以送他，可以聽他自己去揀擇。

他出去了；母亲和我都叹息他的景况：多子、饥荒、苛税、兵、匪、官、绅，都苦得他像一个木偶人了。母亲对我说，凡是不必搬走的东西，尽可以送他，可以听他自己去拣择。

He went out, and my mother and I sighed over his circumstances: too many children, famine, heavy taxes, soldiers, bandits, officials, gentry, all of them had ground him down until he was like a wooden puppet. My mother told me that whatever we did not need to take with us we could give to him, and let him choose for himself.

下午，他揀好了幾件東西：兩條長桌，四個椅子，一副香爐和燭臺，一桿擡秤。他又要所有的草灰（我們這裏煑飯是燒稻草的，那灰，可以做沙地的肥料），待我們啓程的時候，他用船來載去。

下午，他拣好了几件东西：两条长桌，四个椅子，一副香炉和烛台，一杆抬秤。他又要所有的草灰（我们这里煮饭是烧稻草的，那灰，可以做沙地的肥料），待我们启程的时候，他用船来载去。

In the afternoon he picked out a few things: two long tables, four chairs, an incense burner and candlesticks, and a steelyard. He also asked for all the ashes from the stove (in our part of the country we burn rice straw for cooking, and the ashes can be used to fertilize sandy soil), and said he would come for them with a boat when we left.

夜間，我們又談些閒天，都是無關緊要的話；第二天早晨，他就領了水生回去了。

夜间，我们又谈些闲天，都是无关紧要的话；第二天早晨，他就领了水生回去了。

That night we talked again about this and that, nothing of importance. The next morning he went home with Shuisheng.

又過了九日，是我們啓程的日期。閏土早晨便到了，水生沒有同來，卻只帶着一個五歲的女兒管船隻。我們終日很忙碌，再沒有談天的工夫。來客也不少，有送行的，有拿東西的，有送行兼拿東西的。待到傍晚我們上船的時候，這老屋裏的所有破舊大小粗細東西，已經一掃而空了。

又过了九日，是我们启程的日期。闰土早晨便到了，水生没有同来，却只带着一个五岁的女儿管船只。我们终日很忙碌，再没有谈天的工夫。来客也不少，有送行的，有拿东西的，有送行兼拿东西的。待到傍晚我们上船的时候，这老屋里的所有破旧大小粗细东西，已经一扫而空了。

Nine days later came the day of our departure. Runtu arrived in the morning. Shuisheng had not come with him; he had brought only a five-year-old daughter to watch the boat. We were busy all day and had no more time to talk. There were a good many visitors too, some to see us off, some to take things away, and some to see us off and take things away. By the time we went aboard the boat at dusk, every old and broken thing in the house, large and small, coarse and fine, had been swept away.

我們的船向前走，兩岸的靑山在黃昏中，都裝成了深黛顏色，連着退向船後梢去。

我们的船向前走，两岸的青山在黄昏中，都装成了深黛颜色，连着退向船后梢去。

Our boat moved forward. The green hills on both banks had taken on a deep blue-black in the twilight, and receded one after another past the stern.

宏兒和我靠着船窗，同看外面模糊的風景，他忽然問道：

宏儿和我靠着船窗，同看外面模糊的风景，他忽然问道：

Hong'er and I leaned against the cabin window, looking out together at the blurred scenery, when he suddenly asked:

『大伯！我們甚麽時候回來？』

『大伯！我们甚么时候回来？』

"Uncle, when are we coming back?"

『回來？你怎麽還沒有走就想回來了。』

『回来？你怎么还没有走就想回来了。』

"Coming back? Why are you thinking of coming back before you've even left?"

『可是，水生約我到他家玩去咧……』他睜着大的黑眼睛，癡癡的想。

『可是，水生约我到他家玩去咧……』他睁着大的黑眼睛，痴痴的想。

"But Shuisheng has asked me to go to his home and play ..." His big black eyes were wide open as he thought about it.

母親和宏兒都睡着了。

母亲和宏儿都睡着了。

My mother and Hong'er were both asleep.

我想到希望，忽然害怕起來了。閏土要香爐和燭臺的時候，我還暗地裏笑他，以爲他總是崇拜偶像，什麽時候都不忘卻。現在我所謂希望，不也是我自己手製的偶像麽？只是他的願望切近，我的願望茫遠罷了。

我想到希望，忽然害怕起来了。闰土要香炉和烛台的时候，我还暗地里笑他，以为他总是崇拜偶像，什么时候都不忘却。现在我所谓希望，不也是我自己手制的偶像么？只是他的愿望切近，我的愿望茫远罢了。

At the thought of hope I was suddenly afraid. When Runtu had asked for the incense burner and the candlesticks, I had secretly laughed at him for always worshipping idols, never forgetting them for a moment. Was not what I called hope an idol too, one I had made with my own hands? The only difference was that his wishes were near, and mine were vague and far away.

我在朦朧中，眼前展開一片海邊碧綠的沙地來，上面深藍的天空中掛着一輪金黃的圓月。我想：希望是本無所謂有，無所謂無的。這正如地上的路，其實地上本沒有路；走的人多了，也便成了路。

我在朦胧中，眼前展开一片海边碧绿的沙地来，上面深蓝的天空中挂着一轮金黄的圆月。我想：希望是本无所谓有，无所谓无的。这正如地上的路，其实地上本没有路；走的人多了，也便成了路。

Half asleep, I saw the green sandy fields by the sea open out before me, and over them, in the deep blue sky, a round golden moon. I thought: hope is a thing of which one cannot say that it is, nor that it is not. It is just like the roads over the land. In truth the land had no roads to begin with; where enough people walk, a road comes into being.