羊皮卷的故事（23）（在线收听）

Pathros glanced again and again at the open tent flap

一边望着帐篷外洒满星光的大地。

and the brightness beyond which still illuminated the camp grounds,

他不再困惑，

A smile began to form on his puzzled face

慢慢露出笑容。

and he did not notice that the lad had ceased with his story

他没有注意到少年已经把故事讲完，

and was now sobbing.

开始在一旁抽噎。

Soon the sobs subsided

慢慢地，抽噎声也止住了，

and there was only silence in the great tent.

帐内一片沉寂。

Hafid dared not look up at his master.

海菲不敢抬头看他的主人。

He had failed

他已经失败了，

and proven that he was ill-equipped to be anything more than a camel boy.

事实证明，他只配喂养骆驼。

He fought back the urge to leap up and run from the tent.

他很想站起来逃出帐篷。

Then he felt the great salesman's hand on his shoulder

突然他感到那位推销大师的手正按在自己的肩上，

and forced himself to look into the eyes of Pathros.

他不得不看着主人的眼睛。

"My son, this trip has not been of much profit to you."

“孩子，这一趟，你没赚什么钱。”

"No, sire."

“是的，老爷。”

"But to me it has.

“但在我看来，你获益匪浅。

The star which followed you has cured me of a blindness that I am reluctant to admit.

我不得不承认，天上的那颗星星照亮了我的眼睛。

I will explain this matter to you only after we return to Palmyra.

等我们回到帕尔迈拉岛以后，我再解释给你听，

Now I make a request of thee."

现在我要你做一件事。

"Yes, master."

“好的，老爷。”

"Our sellers will begin returning to the caravan before sundown tomorrow

“明天日落以前，咱们的推销员都会回来，

and their animals will need your care.

到时候他们牲畜还需要人照料。

Are you willing to return to your duties as camel boy for the present?"

你愿不愿意先回去照料那些牲畜？”

Hafid rose resignedly

海菲顺从地站起身，

and bowed toward his benefactor.

感激地向主人鞠了一躬，说道：

"Whatever you ask of me, that I will do . . .

“您吩咐我做什么，我都愿意去做……

and I am sorry that I have failed you."

这一趟让您失望，我很难过。”

"Go then, and prepare for the return of our men

“去吧，准备一下，大伙快要回来了。

and we shall meet again when we are in Palmyra."

我们回家以后再谈。”

As Hafid stepped through the tent opening,

海菲出了帐篷，

bright light from above momentarily blinded him.

星光亮得他睁不开眼。

He rubbed his eyes

他揉揉眼睛，

and heard Pathros call from inside the tent.

听到主人在里面叫他。

The youth turned

少年回身又进了帐篷，

and stepped back inside, waiting for the old man to speak.

听候主人差遣。

Pathros pointed toward him and said,

只听老人说道：

"Sleep in peace

“安心睡吧，

for you have not failed."

孩子，你没有失败。”

The bright star remained above

那颗明亮的星星，

throughout the night.

整晚都停在帐篷的上空。