第一篇:幸福与财富金钱不能给我带来爱情的幸福(中英文)
幸福与财富:金钱不能给我带来爱情的幸福(中英文)
“确实让人钦佩”。这是孔子对一位居住环境险恶、吃着糟糠之食,“却不会让自己的快乐受到影响”的人的形容。
时至今日,中国统治者依旧关心财富与幸福感之间的关系。他们认为自己对权力的把握取决于能否让人们感到幸福。此外,他们估计,快速增长的经济是一切因素中最重要的。过去几十年来,他们都做到了,但最近几年,尽管依旧涌现了不少成功故事(见文章),但人与人之间的不平等却加剧了,骚动很常见。有人估计,每天中国发生的小动荡多达500起。这不禁让人担忧。单纯的经济增长可能是不够的,而政府急切需要让国家日益增长的财富进一步合理分配。
最近发表的两份学术研究都认为现实更为复杂。其中一份发表于五月份,研究人员追踪访问了一些城市居民在1990年至2010年这段时间的幸福感。这段时间每人的产出与消费提高了至少四倍。由南加利福利亚大学一位著名的教“幸福感”的Richard Easterlin教师为领导的研究组写道,中国式检测经济增长与幸福感之间关系的理想城市。但他们发现的是,在这段经济快速增长的时间里,“没有任何证据表明,生活满意度也随之极大提高了”。
另一份研究报告——“社会火山神话:当今中国的不平等感与分配不公”——则是哈佛大学的Martin Whyte准备的。国家调查数据显示,人们对财富不等有着极大地宽容。这份研究是建立在2004年做的调查问卷之上的,但Whyte先生称2009年调查数据的初步分析认为如果硬说人们有什么改变的话,那就是他们对自己的前景变得更为乐观了。那些谢昂自己的居住条件能再五年内得到改善的人从2004年62%上升到2009年的73%。“若认为导致中国人的不满的罪魁祸首是收入悬殊,这是不对的。“Whyte先生说道。他补充道,其实程序不公正、滥用权力以及资源匮乏才是让人们愤怒游行的原因。
大多数外来工都知道Whyte在说什么。去年,61岁的雷朋才(音译)从湖南省一个小镇移居到北京,并找到一份在餐厅刷碗的工作。他的月薪只有1400圆(合约220美金),大多数被他寄回给其妻子与家庭。北京让他见识到了一些人得以享受到的财富,但他把收入不均看做一种无可争辩的事实。“我没去过美国或英国,但那里不也有很大的不平等吗?”
雷先生声称自己对过去十年来农村地区的减税减负政策感到满意,对于小增长的物价反而不大在意。不过,尽管他的基本医疗保障基本足够,但如果遭遇大病大伤,他还是担心收入无法满足。但他还是明确表示有一件事让他很不满:官场腐败。在他老家,官职要不就是给了朋友要不就成了买卖交易。他哀叹道,一旦伤人了,官员们就会掠夺土地、收取罚款、若不送点东西就以生意倒闭相威胁。他说,官员们为所欲为,而老百姓却拿他们没办法。
Happiness and wealth: Money can’t buy
me love
“ADMIRABLE indeed” is how Confucius described a man who, though living in a mean, narrow street with only a single bamboo dish to eat from, “did not allow his joy to be affected.”
The relationship between happiness and wealth remains a concern for China’s rulers today.Their working assumption has long been that their grip on power depends on keeping people happy.And that, they reckon, depends on nothing so much as their continued ability to preside over rapid economic growth.They have managed this for decades, but in recent years inequality has grown more extreme and, despite plenty of success stories(see article), unrest is common.By some counts, as many as 500 protests occur every day across the country.All this has fed fears that economic growth alone might not be enough and that the government needs urgently to improve the distribution of the nation’s growing wealth.Two recent academic studies suggest reality is rather more complicated.One of them, published in May, tracked how content a segment of mainly urban people said they were between 1990 and 2010, a period during which output and consumption per person increased at least fourfold.Researchers, led by Richard Easterlin of the University of Southern California, an eminent “happiness scholar”, wrote that China was ideal for testing expectations of a correlation between economic growth and well-being.But what they found was “no evidence of a marked increase in life satisfaction” to match the rise in prosperity during that period.The other study—“Myth of the Social Volcano: Perceptions of Inequality and Distributive Injustice in Contemporary China”—was prepared by Martin Whyte of Harvard University.Based on national survey data, it found a surprisingly high tolerance of wealth disparity.The study was based on surveys conducted in 2004, but Mr Whyte said preliminary analysis of 2009 survey data showed that people had if anything become even more optimistic about their prospects.The proportion of respondents saying they expected their living standards to improve within five years rose from 62% in 2004 to 73% in 2009.“It is a mistake to think that rising income gaps are the main or even a primary source of popular discontent in China, ” Mr Whyte says.It is, he adds, procedural injustices, abuses of power and the lack of recourse that make people angry enough to take to the streets.Most migrant workers know first-hand what Mr Whyte is talking about.Lei Pengcai, 61, moved to Beijing last year from a small town in Hunan province and took work washing the dishes in a restaurant.His monthly wage is 1, 400 yuan($220), most of which he sends back home to his wife and family.Moving to Beijing has opened his eyes to the kind of wealth that some enjoy, but he sees income disparity as a fact of life.“I haven’t been, but isn’t there great inequality in America and England too?” he asks.Mr Lei declares himself pleased with the past decade’s reduction in rural taxation;not too bothered by moderately rising prices of goods;and somewhat concerned that, although his basic health care is adequate, his coverage would not suffice if he were to suffer a severe illness or injury.But he is clear on the one thing that does make him unhappy: official corruption.In his hometown, official posts are handed out to friends or bought and sold.Once installed, he laments, officials can grab land, charge fines, and demand bribes under threat of closing down a business.They do whatever they want, he says, and the people cannot stop them.
第二篇:爱情与金钱中英文短篇小说
爱情与金钱
你是一名不错的侦探,是吗?如果是的话,那你得比沃尔什探长先找出凶手。沃尔什探长是名警探,他工作虽说慢了点,可十分细心。你是位“快手”吗?侦探是干什么的呢?侦探就是寻找线索的人。而线索就是告诉你谁是凶手的重要但又细小的事物。发现线索不容易,但本故事中有许多线索。有些线索有用——它们能帮助你,可有些线索却不利——它们妨碍你找到凶手。你得仔细点读,否则你会错过线索。
但请记住:你不必相信人们说的每件事。凶手显然会撒谎,可能其他人因不同的理由也会撒谎。也许他们希望某人死去。但是谁希望呢?谁杀的?你能找出凶手吗?
罗伊纳·阿金耶米英国人,但在非洲度过了许多年。《爱情与金钱》是她为英语学生写的第一部故事。Chapter
The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge,about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river.They had a big,old house with a beautiful garden,a lot of flowers and many old.trees.
One Thursday morning in July,Jackie came in from the garden.She was a tall,fat woman,thirty years old.It was the hottest day of the year,but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt.She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water.Just then the phone rang.
'Cambridge 1379,'Jackie said.
'Hello.This is Diane.I want to talk to Mother.'
'Mother isn't here,'Jackie said.'She's at the doctor's.'
'Why?What's Wrong?'
'Nothing's wrong,'Jackie said.'Why are you telephoning? You are going to come this weekend? Mother wants everyone to be here.'
'Yes,I want to come,'Diane said.'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket.'
'No money!Mother is always giving you money!'
'This phone call is very expensive,'Diane said coldly.'Tell Mother please.I need the money.'
Jackie put the phone down.She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke.She felt angry because her sister al-ways asked for money.Diane was twenty years old,the youngest in the family.She lived in London,in one room of a big house.She wanted to be a singer.She sang very well but she could never get work.
Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches.Just then the back door opened,and her mother came in.
'It's very hot!'Molly said.She took off her hat and put it down on the table.She was a tall,dark woman with beautiful eyes.
Two big,black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her.She sat down and put her hands on their heads.
Jackie put the sandwiches on the table.'Mother,'she said,'Diane phoned.She wants money for her train ticket.'
Molly closed her eyes for a minute.Then she stood up.'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend,'she said.'Oh,and please go to the village later and get my tablets.'
'Yes,Mother,'Jackie said.
Molly went to the door.
'Mother,please wait a minute,'Jackie said.'Peter Hobbs came here this morning.He's very angry with you about that letter.He lost his job,you know.Why did you write to his office?He wants to talk to you about it.'
'Well,I don't want to talk to him,'Molly said.She opened the door.
'But Mother,you don't understand.He's seventeen,and it was his first job.He's very,very angry.He says… he says he's going to kill you!'
Molly did not answer.She went out of the room and closed the door.
1克拉克森家住在剑桥附近的乡下,离最近的村庄约有半英里路,距离河有1英里左右。他们有幢大而古老带有美丽花园的房子,花园里有许多花和许多古树。
7月的一个星期四早上,杰基从花园进了屋。她是个高大,肥胖,30来岁的女人。这是一年中最热的日子,而她却穿着暖色调的黄色衬衫和棕色裙子。她走进厨房去喝水,这时电话响了。
“剑桥1379号,”杰基说。
“你好!我是黛安娜。我想和妈妈说话。”
“妈妈不在家,”杰基说。“她看医生去了。”
“怎么了?出了什么事?”
“没什么,”杰基说。“你打电话干嘛?这个周末你回来吗?妈妈希望每个人都在。”
“是啊,我想回来,”黛安娜说。“我正因为没钱买火车票,才打电话。”
“没钱!妈妈总是给你钱!”
“电话费很贵,”黛安娜冷冷说道。“请告诉妈妈,我需要钱。”
杰基放下电话,她从包里拿了枝烟抽起来。她因她的妹妹总是要钱感到生气。黛安娜20岁了,在家里最校她住在伦敦,在一所大房子里有间屋子。她想成为一个歌唱家,她唱得很棒可是她却从来不愿找工作。
杰基走回厨房动手做一些三明治。这时后门开了,她的母亲走了进来。
“天太热了!”莫利说道,她脱下帽子放在桌上。她是位高个子、皮肤浅黑,有双美丽眼睛的女人。
两条大黑狗跟着她进了厨房围着她转,她坐下来把手放在它们的头上。
杰基把三明治放在桌上。“妈妈,”她说道,“黛安娜打来电话,她想要钱买火车票。”
莫利闭上眼一会,然后站起来。“下午我希望你收拾一下房子为周末做准备,”她说。“哦,随后请去村里给我买些药片。”
“好的,妈妈,”杰基说。
莫利向门口走去。
“妈妈,请等一会。”杰基说。“彼得霍布斯今早来了,他对你的那封信很生气。你知道,他丢了工作。你为什么写信给他的办公室?他想和你谈谈这事。”
“好啦,我不想和他谈,”莫利说,她打开门。
“可是妈妈,你不明白。他17岁了,那是他第一份工作,他非常非常生气。他说……他说他会杀了你!”
莫利没答话,她走出房间关上了门。Chapter
It was seven o'clock on Saturday evening.Jackie stood at the window.A car drove slowly up to the front door and stopped.A tall man with white hair got out,It was Albert,the husband of Molly's sister.
'Here's Uncle Albert,'Jackie said.'Always late.'
She went out of the room and opened the front door.Albert came in and went at once to Molly.
'Oh,dear.I'm very late.I am sorry,'Albert said.'Fifty years old today!What a wonderful dress!'
Molly did not smile.'Thank you,Albert.We're all getting older.'Tonight she wore a long black dress,and the two black dogs sat at her feet.'Everyone is here now.Let's go in to dinner,'she said.
Everyone stood up and went to the table.
'The table looks nice,Jackie.What wonderful flowers!'Diane said.She was a beautiful girl,with long black hair and dark blue eyes.She wore a long red dress.
Albert sat down next to Roger Roger was Molly's son,her second child.He lived in Cambridge,in an expensive house.
'Someone called Peter stopped me down the road,'Albert said.'Who is he? He's very angry with you,Molly.'
'That's Peter Hobbs,from the house across the road,'Jackie said quickly.She looked across the table at Molly.'He lost his job last week and he's angry with everyone.'
'It's Molly he doesn't like,'Albert said.
Molly said nothing.Everyone began to eat.
'How is Aunt Annie?'Jackie asked.
'She's much worse now,'Albert said.'She stays in bed all the time.She needs a nurse twenty-four hours a day.'
'I am sorry,'Molly said.
Albert stopped eating and looked at Molly.'It's very difficult and very expensive,you know.Annie feels very unhappy because you don't visit her,Molly.She loves you very much.You are her little sister;you know.'
Molly closed her eyes for a minute.' I know that,Albert.I am fifty years old,but I am always her“little”sister.Well,we can talk about it later.'
Albert laughed.'Oh yes,we can talk later.It's always later with you,Molly.Always tomorrow.Never today.'
Jackie watched her mother.Her mother was angry with Albert.Molly never liked talking about her sister Annie and she did not like visiting her because she was very ill.
'That's a beautiful dress,Diane.Is it new?'Jackie asked.
'Thank you,Jackie.Yes,it's new,and very expensive.I got it on Wednesday,'Diane said.She smiled at Jackie.
'All your things are expensive,'Jackie said.She remembered the phone call on Thursday about the train ticket.
'I don't like cheap things,'Diane said.'And I'm going to need more money soon.I want to go to America.Can you help me,Roger?'
'Oh no,'Roger said.'Nobody wants to help you,Diane.You don't like working,we all know that,but we all want you to get a job.'
Diane laughed.'It doesn't matter,Roger.I don't need your help.Mother always helps me.Mother loves me best.'She suddenly smiled,a quick,beautiful smile.But her eyes were cold.
Jackie looked at her mother.Molly's face was white.Jackie did not understand.Was her mother afraid of Diane?Jackie wanted her mother to be happy today.
'Would you like some more meat,Uncle Albert?'Jackie asked.'Roger,can you give everyone some more to drink?
Roger got up and began to give more wine to everyone.'This is good wine,'he said.
Molly smiled for the first time.'Yes,your father loved this wine.He often drank it.'
'Yes,'Albert said,and looked at Molly.'Expensive,too.'
'Would you like to meet Mr Briggs this weekend,Roger?Jackie asked quickly.'He's the new man at the farm.He wants to meet you.'
'Briggs?Briggs?'Molly said,suddenly angry.'Don't talk to me about that man.I don't like him.He wants half my garden for his farm.He needs more land,he says.I don't want him in my house.He's always dirty and he has bad teeth.'
Jackie stood up and got her bag.'Excuse me,I want a cigarette.'
'Cigarettes!Always a cigarette in your mouth,'Molly said.'I don't like it.Cigarettes aren't good for you.'
Jackie began to smoke.She felt angry but she said nothing.She wanted her mother to be happy this evening,but it was very difficult.
Roger drank some more wine.'Well,Mother,perhaps Mr Briggs is right.The garden is very big,you know,'he said.'It's a lot of work for you.The house is big,too.You're fifty now.You need to be more careful.'
'Roger!I don't need a nurse,you know!I work in the garden every day;I feel happy there.'Molly stood up.'I know you all want my money.You come here for a free dinner,you don't want to see me.You don't love me.You want my house,and my money.Well,you can all wait.No-body is getting more money from me,not before I die!'
'Don't say that,Mother!'Jackie cried.
Molly walked across the room to the door.'I feel ill now.I'm going upstairs to bed.'
Molly left the room.Nobody moved.
'One day I'm going to kill that woman,'Diane said quietly.
Roger looked at Diane but said nothing.Albert moved his head slowly up and down.'Ill!She's angry,that's all,'he said.'Molly always gets angry about money.Why can't she be good to her sister?Annie's going to die soon.Molly knows that.'
Jackie finished her cigarette and stood up.'Would everyone like some coffee?Come into the kitchen and let's drink it there.'
2星期六晚上7点。杰基站在窗前。一辆小车徐徐驶到前门停下来。一个白头发、高个子的男人下了车,他是艾伯特,莫利姐姐的丈夫。
“是艾伯特姨父,”杰基说。“他总是迟到。”
她走出房间打开前门。艾伯特走进来,立刻便走向莫利。
“哦,亲爱的,抱歉,我来得太迟了,”艾伯特说。“今天是你50岁生日!多漂亮的裙子!”
莫利没有笑。“谢谢你,艾伯特。我们都老了。”今晚她穿了一条长长的黑裙子,两条黑狗蹲在她脚边。“现在大家都到了,咱们吃饭吧。”她说。
大家都站起来走到桌前。
“餐桌看起来不错,杰基。多美的花啊!”黛安娜说。她是个美丽的女孩,有一头长长的黑头发和一双深蓝色的眼睛,她穿了一条红色的长裙。
艾伯特坐在罗杰的旁边。罗杰是莫利的儿子,她的第二个孩子。他住在剑桥一幢昂贵的房子里。
“有个叫彼特的人沿路阻挡我,”艾伯特说。“他是谁?他很生你的气,莫利。”
“那是彼得霍布斯,家住在马路对面的房子里。”杰基很快地说。她看着餐桌对面的莫利。“他上周丢了工作,他生每个人的气。”
“他不喜欢的是莫利,”艾伯特说。
莫利一言不发。大家开始吃东西。
“安妮姨妈好吗?”杰基问。
“她现在更糟糕了,”艾伯特说。“她所有时间都呆在床上。她一天24小时都需要护士。”
“我真难过”,莫利说。
艾伯特停下来看着莫利。“你知道,这事非常麻烦并且非常花钱。莫利,安妮因为你不去看她很不高兴。她非常爱你,你知道,你是她的小妹妹。”
莫利闭上了眼。“我知道这些,艾伯特。我都50岁了,可我总是她的'小'妹妹。好吧,我们以后再谈这事。”
艾伯特笑道。“哦,是啊,我们以后再谈。莫利,和你总是以后,总是明天。从来不是今天。”
杰基看着她的母亲,她的母亲生艾伯特的气。莫利从来就不喜欢谈论她姐姐,也不喜欢去拜访她。而她病得很重。
“这裙子真漂亮,黛安娜。是新的吗?”杰基问。
“谢谢,杰基。是的,新裙子,非常贵。我周三才买的。”黛安娜说。她冲着杰基微笑。
“你所有的东西都昂贵,”杰基说。她记起周四关于火车票的电话。
“我不喜欢便宜的东西,”黛安娜说。“我不久会需要更多的钱,我想去美国。罗杰,你能帮我吗?”
“哦,不行,”罗杰说。“没有人想帮你,黛安娜。我们都知道,你不喜欢工作,但是我们都希望你找份工作。”
黛安娜笑道。“没关系,罗杰。我不需要你的帮助,妈妈总是会帮我的,妈妈最爱我。”她突然笑了一下,一个转瞬即逝美丽的微笑。可她的眼神却是冷冷的。
杰基看着她的妈妈,莫利脸色苍白。杰基不明白为什么。她的妈妈会怕黛安娜?杰基希望她的妈妈今天快快乐乐。
“艾伯特姨父,你还要些肉吗?”杰基问。“罗杰,你能给每人再添些饮料吗?”
罗杰站起来动手给大家加了些酒。“这酒不错,”他说。
莫利第一次笑了。“是啊,你父亲爱喝这种酒。他经常喝。”
“是啊”,艾伯特看着莫利说“也非常贵。”
“罗杰,这个周末你想见见布里格斯吗?”杰基急忙问。“他刚来农常他想见见你。”
“布里格斯?布里格斯?”莫利说,她突然生气了。“不要和我谈那个男人,我不喜欢他。他想要我把一半的花园当他的农常他说,他需要更多的土地。我不希望他来我家,他总是脏兮兮的,还有一口坏牙。”
杰基站起来拿她的包。“抱歉,我想抽枝烟。”
“烟!你的嘴总是叼着烟,”莫利说。“我讨厌烟,抽烟对你不好。”
杰基开始抽烟,她感到很生气,但她什么也没说。她想让她妈妈今晚快乐些,可看来这非常难。
罗杰喝了好些酒。“好啦,妈妈,布里格斯先生可能是对的。你清楚,花园是太大了,”他说。“你要干许多的事,房子也太大了。你都50岁了,你需要更多的照顾。”
“罗杰!你明白,我不需要护士!我每天在花园里干点活,我在那儿感到快乐。”莫利站起来。“我知道你们都想要我的钱。你们来这儿只为一顿免费的晚餐,不是想来看看我,你们不爱我。你们想要我的房子,我的钱。好吧,你们都等着。在我死之前,任何人都别想从我这儿得一点儿!”
“别说这些,妈妈!”杰基叫道。
莫利穿过房间走到门前。“现在我感到不舒服。我要上楼睡觉了。”
莫利离开了房间,大家都没动。
“有一天我会杀了这女人,”黛安娜平静地说。
罗杰看看黛安娜,但什么也没说。艾伯特上下摇晃着脑袋。“不舒服!她生气了,就这样,”他说。“莫利谈到钱总要生气。为什么她不能对她姐姐好点?安妮不久就要死了,莫利知道这些。”
杰基抽完烟站起来。“每人都来些咖啡吗?到厨房去,咱们在那儿喝吧!”Chapter
Early next morning the house was quiet.Suddenly there was a cry from the room next to Roger's,his mother's room.Roger opened his eyes and looked at the clock.It was nearly seven o'clock.He got out of bed and opened the door quietly.At the same time the door of his mother's room opened and Diane came out.Her face was very white.
'Roger!It' s Mother!I brought a cup of coffee for her and I found her dead.She's dead…dead in her bed,'she cried.
Roger went quickly to the door of his mother's room and looked in.The window was open but the room was warm.Molly was on the bed,one hand under her head.Roger went across to the bed and put his hand on her arm.It was cold.On the little table next to the bed was a hot cup of coffee and an empty cup.
'I'm going to call the doctor,'Diane said.
'She's dead,'Roger said slowly.His face,too,was white.'Mother is dead!'
Diane walked across the room to the door.'I'm going to phone the doctor,'she said again.
'Wait a minute!'Roger called.'Let's tell the family first.'
'Family!Nobody loved Mother!'Diane went out and ran downstairs.
Roger slowly went downstairs after her and stood by the telephone.
'Dr Pratt,this is Diane Clarkson.It's my mother—she's dead.Can you come quickly?'
Diane put the phone down.'It isn't true,Roger!Mother dead!Daddy died last winter,and now Mother.'Diane began to cry.
'Don't cry,Diane,'Roger said.'Let's go upstairs and tell Uncle Albert and Jackie.'
'No!You tell them!Nobody loved Mother.You aren't sorry.Look at you!You want her money.That's all.'
Roger suddenly wanted to hit Diane.'Be quiet!'he said.'What about you?You didn't love Mother.You wanted her money,too.Don't forget that!'
'It's true,'Diane said.'Oh,I can't stay in this house.I'm going out.I'm going to the river with the dogs.'
'No,'Roger said.'The doctor's coming and I want you here.'
Diane said nothing.She went into the kitchen and at once the dogs got up and came to her.'Beautiful dogs!Daddy loved you and Mother loved you.Now I'm going to love you.'She opened the back door and went out with the dogs.
Roger did not move.He stood by the telephone.'It's true,'he thought.'I am happy about the money.I needed money,and now I'm rich.Things are going to be easier for me now.But Mother…why didn't I love her more? And now she's dead.'Slowly,Roger went back upstairs.He wanted to dress before Dr Pratt arrived.
Dr Pratt was a little fat man without much hair.He was the family doctor and he knew all the Clarkson family very well.He went upstairs at once and looked at Molly's body.He looked carefully at the cup of coffee and the empty cup on the table next to her bed.
'I'm sorry,Roger,'he said.'Where is Diane?She phoned me.'
'She went out with the dogs,'Roger said.'She was angry with me—angry with everyone.'
Dr Pratt said nothing for a minute.'This is going to be very difficult.I'm going to phone the police,Roger.'
'Police!Why?What's wrong?
'I don't know.Your mother wasn't ill.I saw her on Thursday and she was very well.Why did she die?I don' t understand.I want to find out.'
Roger went across to the window and looked out at the gar-den.It was a beautiful summer morning.The sky was blue and the garden was green.It was all very quiet.His mother loved this garden.But Tom Briggs wanted the garden.And Roger wanted the garden,too.Roger felt worse and worse.
'Your mother took sleeping tablets,'Dr Pratt said.'Did you know?On Thursday she had a new bottle of tablets,but I can't find it here in her room.'
'I didn't know,'Roger said.'Very well.Let's go down-stairs and you can phone the police.'
Roger went into the kitchen and made some coffee.Just then Diane came in with the dogs.
'Roger,'she said.'Look,I'm sorry.I was angry and said some angry things.'
'It doesn't matter,'Roger said.'Here you are,have some coffee.Dr Pratt is phoning the police.Did you know Mother took sleeping tablets?Well,the bottle is not in her room.'
'What?I don't understand.'Diane took the coffee and be-gan to drink.Her eyes looked big and dark.
Just then Dr Pratt came into the kitchen.'They're coming at once,'he said.'Diane—I'm sorry about your mother.'
'Dr Pratt,I want to tell you about last night.Everyone was very angry…'
'Be quiet!'Roger said quickly.
'Diane never thinks before she opens her mouth,'he thought angrily.
Diane did not look at Roger.'Last night Mother went to bed early because everyone…'
'Don't tell me,'Dr Pratt said.'You can tell the police.'
Roger's face went red.Suddenly he felt afraid.'The police are going to talk to everyone,and ask questions,'he thought.'And they're going to want answers.It's going to be very difficult.'He finished his coffee and stood up.
'I'm going upstairs,'he said.'I'm going to tell Uncle Al-bert and Jackie about Mother…and about the police.'
第二天清晨整幢房子静悄悄的。突然从罗杰房间旁边他母亲的屋子里传出一声尖叫。罗杰睁开眼看了下钟,还不到7点。他下了床,悄悄打开门。正在这时他母亲房间的门也打开了,黛安娜走出来,她的脸非常苍白。
“罗杰!妈妈她,我端了杯咖啡给她,发现她死了。她死了……死在她床上,”她哭道。
罗杰急忙走到他母亲的门前往里看,窗户是开着的,可房间里是温暖的。莫利躺在床上,一只手在她头下。罗杰走到床前把手放在她的手臂上,尸体已经冷了。床边的小桌上有杯热咖啡和一个空杯子。
“我打电话去叫医生,”黛安娜说。
“她死了,”罗杰慢慢地说。他的脸也变白了。“妈妈死了!”
黛安娜穿过房间走到门口。“我去打电话叫医生,”她又说。
“等会儿!”罗杰叫道。“咱们得先告诉家人。”
“家里人!没有人爱妈妈!”黛安娜走出去跑下楼。
罗杰跟着她慢慢走下楼站在电话旁。
“普拉特先生,我是黛安娜克拉克森。我的妈妈——她死了。你能尽快赶来吗?”
黛安娜放下电话。“这不是真的,罗杰!妈妈死了!爸爸去年冬天死了,现在妈妈也死了。”黛安娜开始哭泣。
“别哭了,黛安娜,”罗杰说。“咱们上楼去告诉艾伯特姨父和杰基。”
“不!你去告诉他们!没人爱妈妈,你们不必内疚。看看你们!你们想要她的钱。不过如此。”
罗杰突然想揍黛安娜。“安静点!”他说。“你怎么了?你不爱妈妈,你也想要她的钱,别忘了这点!”
“不错,”黛安娜说。“哦,我不能再呆在这儿了。我要出去。我要和狗去河边。”
“不行,”罗杰说。“医生就要来了,我想你留在这儿。”
黛安娜没说话。她走进厨房。狗立即站起来走到她旁边。“多漂亮的狗!爸爸爱你们,妈妈也爱你们。现在我会爱你们的。”她打开后门,带着狗走了出去。
罗杰没动,他仍站在电话旁。“不错,”他想。“我的确为钱高兴。我需要钱,现在我是富有的了。事情现在对我来说更容易。但是妈妈……我为什么不多爱她些呢?可现在她死了。”罗杰慢慢地上了楼,他想在普拉特医生来前穿好衣服。
普拉特医生是个矮胖没有多少头发的男人,他是家庭医生并且他非常清楚克拉克森一家人。他立即上楼查看莫利的尸体。他仔细看了床边桌子上的一杯咖啡和空杯子。
“抱歉,罗杰,”他说。“黛安娜在哪儿?她给我打了电话。”
“她带着狗出去了,”罗杰说。“她冲我生气,对每个人都生气。”
普拉特医生沉默了一会。“这事非常难办。罗杰,我要打电话给警察。”
“警察!为什么?出了什么事?”
“我不清楚,你的母亲没病,我周四见到她身体很好。她为什么会死?我不明白,我想找出原因。”
罗杰走到窗前向外看花园。这是个美丽的夏天清晨,天空蓝蓝的而花园是一片绿色,一切都非常安静。他的妈妈爱这个花园,然而汤姆布里格斯却打着这个花园的主意,并且罗杰也想要这个花园。罗杰觉得事情越来越糟。
“你的妈妈服了睡眠药,”普拉特医生说。“你知道吗?她周四买了瓶睡眠药,可是我在她的房间却找不到。”
“我不知道,”罗杰说。“好吧。咱们下楼去,你可以给警察打电话。”
罗杰走进厨房弄了些咖啡,这时黛安娜带着狗走进来。
“罗杰,”她说。“你瞧,我很抱歉。我生气了并说了些令人生气的话。”
“没关系,”罗杰说。“给你,喝点咖啡。普拉特医生正打电话给警察。你知道妈妈服睡眠药吗?唷,瓶子不在她的屋里。”
“什么?我不知道。”黛安娜端起咖啡开始喝。她的眼睛看起来又大又黑。
这时普尔特医生走进厨房。“他们马上来,”他说。“黛安娜——我为你妈妈难过。”
“普拉特医生,我想告诉你有关昨晚的事,每人都非常生气……”
“安静些!”罗杰急忙说。
“黛安娜在张嘴前从不想想,”他生气地想。
黛安娜没看罗杰。“昨晚妈妈早早就上床了,因为每个人……”
“别告诉我,”普拉特医生说。“你可以告诉警察。”
罗杰的脸红了,突然他觉得有些害怕。“警察会找每个人谈话,问些问题。”他想。“然后他们会想要答案,这事非常棘手。”他喝完咖啡站起来。
“我上楼去,”他说。“我去告诉艾伯特姨父和杰基有关妈妈的事……还有报警的事。”Chapter
The police arrived very quickly.There were a lot of them.Some of them with cameras went upstairs to Molly's room.Two detectives talked to Dr Pratt in the kitchen.The family waited in the sitting room.It was a hot day again and the windows were open.The dogs sat quietly at Diane's feet.Nobody talked.Jackie smoked.They waited for a long time.Suddenly the door opened and the two detectives came in.
'Good morning.I am Detective Inspector Walsh and this is Sergeant Foster.'The Inspector did not smile.He was a big man in an old black suit and a black hat and coat.He wore a coat because he always felt cold.'Last night someone put sleeping tablets in Mrs Clarkson's hot milk.We are going to question everybody,and we need a room,please.'
Roger stood up.'I'm Roger Clarkson.You can have my father's old office.Come with me,it's along here,'
The office was not a very big room,but there was a table and three or four chairs.Roger opened the window.
'I would like to talk first to your uncle,Albert King,'In-spector Walsh said.He took off his hat and coat and sat down behind the table.
'Of course,'said Roger and left the room.
Sergeant Foster waited by the door.He was a very tall young man with black hair and a nice smile.He was not very happy this morning because he usually played tennis on Sunday mornings.He was one of the best players at the Cambridge Tennis Club.
Albert came in and sat down.
'I'm going to ask some questions,Mr King,'the Inspector said,'and Sergeant Foster is going to write it all down.'
Albert looked at his feet.'Yes,yes.It's your job.I know that.'
'Tell me about last night,'Inspector Walsh asked quietly.
'You were angry with Mrs Clarkson.'
Albert looked at Inspector Walsh for the first time.'Yes,I was.Everyone was angry.Roger was angry.Diane wanted money to go to America.Then there's a man called Tom Brig-gs…He wants half the garden for his farm.Molly was a rich woman.I need money because my wife Annie—Molly's sister—is very ill.I told Molly this.'
'What happened next?'
'Well,Molly was angry with everyone and went upstairs.We went into the kitchen for coffee.Jackie wanted everyone to go up and say good night to Molly.She lives here with Molly so she wanted Molly to be happy.At first Roger said no.He was angry and didn't want to see his mother.'
'And did you see Molly in her room?'
'Yes.I was tired and I went upstairs first.I went to Molly's room and asked her for money again.But no—there was no money for her sister.'Albert stopped and put his hand over his eyes.
Inspector Walsh watched Albert for a minute.'Did you hear noises after you went to bed?'
'Everyone went into Molly's room to say good night,I think.Later,I heard someone…He—or she—went down-stairs.That was about midnight.'
'Very well,Mr King.Thank you,you can go now.'Albert left the room.
Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head.'What time is it?I'm hungry.We're learning a lot,but I need some coffee.'
'Shall I go to the kitchen?'Sergeant Foster asked.
'Oh,no.Later.Let's see Jackie Clarkson next.'
Jackie came in and sat down.She looked down at her hands and said nothing.
'We found the empty bottle of your mother's sleeping tablets in Diane's room,'the Inspector said suddenly.Then he waited.Jackie's face did not change and she said nothing.
'Tell me,did your mother get her tablets from the shop in the village?'
'Yes.My mother usually took a sleeping tablet every night so she needed a lot of tablets.Sometimes she got them from the shop,sometimes I did.On Thursday,I asked Peter Hobbs to get them.He lives in the house across the road,and he of-ten goes to the village on his bicycle.'
'I see.Your mother wanted to stay in this house.How about you?Did you want to move?'
Jackie looked up for a minute and then down at her hands a-gain.'This is Mother's house.I loved my mother.She was good to me.'
'Did you see your mother in her room last night?'
'Yes,everyone did.Diane made hot milk and took it to Mother.She usually drank a cup of hot milk before she slept.'
Inspector Walsh put his hands behind his head.Jackie was very quiet.'What did your mother say?'
Jackie opened her bag and looked for a cigarette.'Can I smoke?'
'Of course.This is your house,'Inspector Walsh said.He watched Jackie.'What did your mother say?'he asked again.
'She wanted to go downstairs again.She remembered the dogs—she wanted to get some dinner for them. I went to my room and she went downstairs.'
'What time was this?'
'I don't remember.About midnight,I think.'
'And the cup of hot milk?'
'It was on the table by her bed.'
'Did you need your mother's money?'
'No,Inspector.Money is not important to me.There are more important things,'Jackie said quietly.
'Well,your uncle Albert wanted money.Tom Briggs wanted the garden.You wanted nothing?'
Jackie finished her cigarette and looked up at the Inspector.Her eyes were suddenly angry.'Don't forget Peter Hobbs.He lost his job because of my mother.He wanted to kill her,you know.And what about Diane?You found the empty bottle in her bag.'
Inspector Walsh listened carefully.'We're going to question everyone,Miss Clarkson.'
Jackie said nothing for a minute.'Would you like some sandwiches and coffee,Inspector?'
'Ah!Yes,please!'Inspector Walsh said warmly.'I would like sandwiches and coffee very much.'
Jackie left the room.Inspector Walsh thought about her.Why was she suddenly angry?The room was quiet.
他的姐妹看着他,可罗杰用手捂住眼睛。“别对我说这些!”“现在没关系!”黛安娜说。“妈妈死了,我们有很多钱,你不需要一份工作。”
罗杰的脸又变红了。“住嘴,黛安娜!”
“现在,”沃尔什探长又开始说了。“彼特霍布斯是个非常忿怒的年轻人,克拉克森太太对他不太好。他从商店里买到睡眠药,可他会把睡眠药放在热牛奶里吗?我认为不会。汤姆布里格斯想要半个花园当他的农常他那晚在厨房,是他放睡眠药在热牛奶里了吗?我认为没有。”
突然天开始下雨了。好一会儿大家都看着窗外的雨。杰基从包里拿了枝烟,开始抽。
“可有人要彼特霍布斯那晚会厨房。她想要大家都看见他,并听他说话,”沃尔什探长说。
“她……?我不明白,”罗杰说着,然后又停住了。
沃尔什探长从窗边走过来坐下。“现在我将告诉你们事件的真象。克拉克森小姐,你那晚要彼特霍布斯来家里。他因为那封信很生你母亲的气。他说:'我要杀了她。'因而你想要大家都听到这话。为什么?”
杰基的脸变白了。“这不是真的!黛安娜呢?你们在她包里发现了空瓶子!”
黛安娜站起来。“在我包里?杰基!你在说什么?”
“请安静,坐下,”沃尔什探长说,看着杰基。
“没错,我们在黛安娜的包里发现了瓶子。可你怎么知道的?我们并没有告诉你。”
“你们告诉了……先前……你们先前告诉了我!”
“没有。我们在黛安娜的房间发现了空瓶,我们告诉了你这事。你说的是黛安娜的包,我们没有告诉你。福斯特警官记下来了。”沃尔什探长仔细看着杰基。“很久以前,你认识了汤姆布里格斯,他是这儿的园丁,你爱上了他,可你的母亲不喜欢他。”
杰基把手放在头上。“不!不!”
“我发现你的相片——一张旧的——在布里格斯家里。你比现在年青,头发长长的。去年汤姆布里格斯回来了,你想得到他,他也爱你,可他没有钱。他想要花园当他的农场,他想要钱,他也想得到你。可你母亲不同意。最后,你想杀了你母亲……然后你真的杀了她。你母亲下楼去看狗,然后你把睡眠药放在她的热牛奶里。随后,你把空瓶子放进黛安娜的包里。”
杰基站起来,她黑黑的眼睛带着恐惧。“你们不知道!”她大声道。“母亲什么也没给我……这么多年了。我想要幸福……和汤姆一起,就这些。我爱汤姆,他也爱我。可母亲不同意,总是不同意。”然后她开始哭,没人理睬她。
杰基走出房子上了警车。沃尔什探长注视着她,然后慢慢走向他的车。他觉得又累又饿。他停下来回头看着那所房子。
“好了,”他对福斯特警官说,“最后,他们得到了钱:艾伯特,罗杰,黛安娜。他们现在都富有了。可他们会快乐吗?”
他上了小车。“咱们走吧,”他说。“我饿了,我需要块三明治。”
第三篇:英语演讲稿--金钱与幸福
Today, I will give you a speech.The title of the speech is Can Money Buy Happiness? It is true that with enough money one can buy all the things one wants, and live a comfort and security life.However, it is equally true that lack of money causes great distress.It is a common view that “money is the root of all evil.” The pursuit of money drives many people to cheat and steal.In some places there is nothing that cannot be bought with money, resulting in corrupt societies where everybody is miserable.So, money does not necessarily mean happiness.It all depends on how it is used.If we make honest and sensible use of money, it can be a stepping-stone to happiness.Although money cannot buy happiness, it can make happiness possible if it is employed sensibly.大家好!
今天是我的演讲。金钱能买来幸福吗? 金钱能买来幸福吗?不同的人有不同的回答。有的人认为能,有的人则持相反的意见。
诚然一个人如果有足够的钱可以买到他想要的所有物品,过上舒适稳定的生活。然而,同样缺钱往往引起巨大的忧伤。人们常常认为“金钱是万恶之源”,对金钱的追求驱使许多人去骗去偷。在某些地方,没有钱买不到的东西,导致社会的腐化堕落。
所以,金钱并不一定就意味着幸福。这取决于怎样使用金钱,如果我们诚信明智地使用金钱,它将是幸福的基石。尽管金钱买不到幸福,但它可以使幸福成为可能。
第四篇:爱情与幸福无关
爱情与幸福无关
男女有两种感情,一种叫相濡以沫,一种叫相忘于江湖!和相爱的人相濡以沫,很不爱的人相忘于江湖!!
不是世间所有美满爱情,最后都要步入婚姻才是完美结局。也不是世间所有美满婚姻都要经历九死一生的爱情!
当王菲浅吟低唱着“不算辜负,可你,欠我幸福”这个句子的时候,我泪雨滂沱`````` 终是塞上牛羊空许约,空许约,空许约,幸福永远为完成!,莉香在完治决定之前提早离去,她那么深切那么纯粹的爱了完治,可是完治始终伤了她,于是她决定放手,她离去,她说无悔!她在三年后的东京街头依旧笑容美丽,只是那一段青春终究被一个叫完治的人辜负过,那一颗芳心终究有了寂寞的痕迹!陈家洛不愿负天下,变负了红颜,一个为他香消玉殒,一个为他寂寞余身。也许他的命运早早的已经注定,在那条命运的路上,没有预设爱情,以及幸福!张无忌放弃了江山与江湖,他把幸福给了赵敏,却把漂泊给了朱儿,把牵挂给小昭,把悔恨给芷若。杨过和小龙女最终做了神仙眷侣。也许他知道,也许他不知道,也许他装作不知道,程英和陆无双为了他负尽青春抛进韶华,郭襄为他天涯思君恋恋不忘,也许他记得,也许他不记得有一个叫公孙绿萼的姑娘把一生停住在他一刹那的目光里。而他所能给的只是一曲清箫·三枚金针或某一时刻的眷顾而已!其实承诺并不算什么,错过也不算不是么,结婚又能怎样,所有的一切自有他的归宿。我们学着看淡,学着不强求,学着深藏,把他
深深埋藏,藏到岁月的尘烟企及不到的地方!
也许在某个落雨的黄昏,某个寂静的夜里,他还是会在我们的心里淡入,淡出,淡出,淡入,拿不走,抹不掉,你曾今这样爱他,也曾今以为,他就是你幸福的原因。可是,他还是离开了,狠狠的离开,决定的那么匆忙,你还来不就回头思索一下。这个世间,太少相濡以沫,太多相忘于江湖!
我们曾经深深地爱过一个人,爱的时候把朝朝暮暮当做天长地久,把一时当做爱了一世,于是承诺,于是奢望执子之手,幸福终老。然后一切消失,然后我们终于明白,爱情是一种多么玄妙多么脆弱的东西,幸福是一件多么可遇而不可求的事情。
爱情也许与幸福无关,也许这一生最终的幸福心底最深的那个人无关,只是将来某一天我们会前主谋他的手,一生细水长流的把风景看透!
第五篇:关于财富与幸福的作文
Wealth and Happiness
Wealth can affect happiness to a certain extent, but the wealth does not mean happiness.Its extent of the effect to the people’s happiness depends on individual’s attitude, some people even in the absence of the wealth of the case can still live a happy life.When a man's spiritual realm reaches a certain height, he can even do not matter, such as the ancient itinerant monk, although he is penniless, and sometimes do not have enough to eat, but he can still very happy, his happiness is probably on the worldly minded, more insight into the human condition, or that of different scenery and the custom enlightenment, is the wisdom of the sublimation.However, some people, although material is extremely rich, but because no spiritual pursuit and the inner emptiness, they too are not happy.There are many people because of ambition is too strong, do not know to meet the practical, for some unrealistic fantasy and waste do mind, life is full of complaints.In my opinion, happiness is to have a suitable goal and strive for the happiness and success, is to do a lot of things I like at leisure time can happiness, is for the present life
satisfaction, only this.