散文：忠诚的朋友Part 13

 【英文原文】

  "'I am very sorry,' said little Hans, rubbing his eyes and pulling off his night-cap, 'but I was so tired that I thought I would lie in bed for a little time, and listen to the birds singing. Do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing?'

  "'Well, I am glad of that,' said the Miller¹, clapping little Hans on the back, 'for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you are dressed, and mend my barn-roof for me.'

  "Poor little Hans was very anxious to go and work in his garden, for his flowers had not been watered for two days, but he did not like to refuse the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him.

  "'Do you think it would be unfriendly of me if I said I was busy?' he inquired in a shy and timid voice.

  "'Well, really,' answered the Miller, 'I do not think it is much to ask of you, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow; but of course if you refuse I will go and do it myself.'

  "'Oh! on no account,' cried little Hans and he jumped out of bed, and dressed himself, and went up to the barn.

  "He worked there all day long, till sunset, and at sunset the Miller came to see how he was getting on.

  "'Have you mended the hole in the roof yet, little Hans?' cried the Miller in a cheery voice.

  "'It is quite mended,' answered little Hans, coming down the ladder.

  "'Ah'! said the Miller, 'there is no work so delightful² as the work one does for others.'

1 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。

2 delightful   

adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的

参考例句：

• We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
• Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。