Little Mrs. Sommers one day found herself the unexpected owner of fifteen dollars. It seemed to her a very large amount of money. The way it filled up her worn money holder gave her a feeling of importance that she had not enjoyed for years.
一天，身材娇小的萨默斯太太意外地捡到十五美元。这对她来说算是一笔可观的财富了。这些钱把萨默斯太太那破旧的钱夹撑得鼓鼓的，她觉得自己仿佛成了一位重要人物——她已经有许多年未曾体会过这种滋味了。
The question of investment was one she considered carefully. For a day or two she walked around in a dreamy state as she thought about her choices. She did not wish to act quickly and do anything she might regret.
她要好好思量如何使用这笔钱。这一两天来，她一直恍恍惚惚，来回踱步，思考着各种选择。她可不愿意冲动行事，以免做出一些会让自己后悔的事情。
A dollar or two could be added to the price she usually paid for her daughter Janie’s shoes. This would guarantee they would last a great deal longer than usual. She would buy cloth for new shirts for the boys. Her daughter Mag should have another dress. And still there would be enough left for new stockings—two pairs per child. The idea of her little family looking fresh and new for once in their lives made her restless with excitement.
只要再掏一两美元就能凑足她平时给女儿贾妮买鞋子的钱，这对鞋子一定比平常买的更耐穿。她可以给儿子们买布缝制新衬衫。女儿麦格也该买条裙子了。剩下的钱足够买几双新袜子——每个孩子两双。让全家人生平第一次打扮一新，这想法使她兴奋得坐立不安。
Mrs. Sommers knew the value of finding things for sale at reduced prices. But that day she was tired and a little bit weak. When she arrived at the large department store, she sat in front of an empty counter. She rested her hand upon the counter.
萨默斯太太深知寻找降价销售的物品有多重要。但是那天她非常疲惫，也有点虚弱。她来到大型百货商店，坐在一个空柜台前，一只手搁在柜台上。
She wore no gloves. She slowly grew aware that her hand had felt something very pleasant to touch. She looked down to see that her hand lay upon a pile of silk stockings. A young girl who stood behind the counter asked her if she wished to examine the silky leg coverings.
她没有戴手套。她慢慢意识到自己的手摸到了一些触感很舒服的东西。她低下头，看到自己的手正放在一堆丝袜上面。站在柜台后面的年轻女孩问她是否想看看这些丝质袜子。
She smiled as if she had been asked to inspect diamond jewelry with the aim of purchasing it. But she went on feeling the soft, costly items. Now she used both hands, holding the stockings up to see the light shine through them.
她笑了，仿佛她要买的是钻石首饰，别人请她查看珠宝似的。她继续抚摸着这轻柔而昂贵的商品，用双手举起袜子，欣赏光线闪耀其间。
Mrs. Sommers chose a black pair and looked at them closely.
萨默斯太太挑了一双黑色的丝袜，仔细检查。
“A dollar and ninety-eight cents,” she said aloud. “Well, I will buy this pair.”
“一美元九十八美分，”她大声说。“我要买这双。”
She handed the girl a five dollar bill and waited for her change and the wrapped box with the stockings. What a very small box it was! It seemed lost in her worn, old shopping bag.
她递给售货员一张五美元的钞票，静心等待找零和装好袜子的包装盒。这盒子真小啊！它在萨默斯太太那老旧的购物袋里仿佛不见了踪影。
Mrs. Sommers then took the elevator which carried her to an upper floor into the ladies’rest area. In an empty corner, she replaced her cotton stockings for the new silk ones.
