A cleanwell-light place.docVIP

2014-2015学年第二学期短学期——经典阅读 年级：2012 专业：英语 姓名： 学号： A Clean, Well-Lighted Place ERNEST HEMINGWAY2 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 against3 the electric light. In the day time the street was dusty, but at night the dew settled4 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 difference5. The two waiters inside the cafe knew that the old man was a little drunk, and while he was a good client6 they knew that if he became too drunk he would leave without paying, so they kept watch on him. Last week he tried to7 commit suicide, one waiter said. Why? He was in despair. What about? Nothing8. How do you know it was nothing? He has plenty of money9. 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 collar10. The girl wore no head covering11 and hurried12 beside him. The guard will pick him up, one waiter said. What does it matter if he gets what hes after13? He had better get off the street now14. The guard will get him. They went by five minutes ago. The old man sitting in the shadow rapped on15 his saucer with his glass. The younger waiter went over to him. What do you want? The old man looked at him. Another brandy16, he said. Youll be drunk17, the waiter said. The old man looked at him. The waiter went away. Hell stay all night, he said to his colleague. Im sleepy now. I never get into bed before three oclock18. He should have killed himself last week19. The waiter took the brandy bottle and another saucer from the counter inside the cafe and marched out20 to the old mans table. He put down the saucer and poured