英语美文背诵 难忘的钢琴曲(下)

My first discovery was his grandmother's great love of music. She spent hours playing her old, off-key piano. One day, she told me I didn't have enough fun in my life and took it upon herself to teach me the art.

我的第一个发现是他的祖母无比热爱音乐。她许多时候都在弹她那架又旧变调的钢琴。有一天，她说我的生活缺乏乐趣，并执意亲自教我艺术。

Grandma was impressed with my ability and encouraged me to continue. Weekends in their house became more than just books and cooking,they were filled with the wonderful sounds of the out-of-tune piano and two very out-of-tune singers.

祖母非常赞赏我的能力，她鼓励我继续学下去。在他们家度过的周末并非只有书本与烹调；那些日子里洋溢着走调钢琴与两个走调歌手的动人音乐和歌声。

When Christmas break came, Grandma got a chest cold, and I was afraid to leave her. I hadn't been home since Labor¹ Day, and my family was anxious to see me. I agreed to come home, but for two weeks instead of four, so I could return to Grandma and Grandpa. I said my good-byes, arranged for their temporary care and return home.

圣诞假期来临了，祖母患上胸口冷的疾病，我非常不愿离开她。可自从劳动节后我就没回家，家人都急切希望见到我。所以我还是同意回家去，但只住上两周而不是四周，然后我就回来看祖母和祖父。我道了别，安排好他俩的暂时看护后就回家去了。

As I was loading my car to go back to school, the phone rang.

等我装车要返校的时候，电话响了。

'Daneen, don't rush back,' he said.

“丹宁，别赶回来了，”他说。

"Why? What's wrong?" I asked, panic rising.

“怎么了？出什么事了？”我心急火燎地问。

"Grandma died last night, and we have decided² to put Grandpa in a retirement³ home. I'm sorry."

“祖母昨晚去世了，我们决定让祖父搬到老年人之家去。很抱歉。”

I hung up the phone feeling like my world had ended. I had lost my friend, and that was far worse than knowing I would have to return to dishwashing.

我挂上电话，感觉世界末日到了一般。我失去了我的朋友，那比起知道我还得回去洗碗要糟糕得多。

I went back at the end of four weeks, asking to begin the work-study program again. The financial aid advisor⁴ looked at me as if I had lost my mind. I explained my position, then he smiled and slid me an envelope. "This is for you," he said.

四周后我回去要求再加入半工半读计划。奖助学金顾问看着我的模样好像我疯了似的。我解释了自己的情况，他于是微笑着传给我一个信封。”给你的，”他说。

It was from grandma. She had known how sick she was. In the envelope was enough money to pay for the rest of my school year and a request that I take piano lessons in her memory.

是祖母的信。她早已知道自己的病情有多严重了。信封里有足够的钱支付我剩下几年的学费，她还请求我去上她记忆中的钢琴课。

I don't think 'The Old Grey Mare⁵' was even played with more feeling than it was my second year in college. Now, years later, when I walk by a piano, I smile and think of Grandma. She is tearing up the ivories⁶ in heaven, I am sure.

我觉得《那匹老灰马》不会再有大二时我弹的那样深情。如今，多年之后，当我走过钢琴旁，我总会微笑着想起祖母。她正在天堂里大弹特弹着钢琴呢，我敢肯定。

1 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

4 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

5 mare   

n.母马，母驴

参考例句：

• The mare has just thrown a foal in the stable.那匹母马刚刚在马厩里产下了一只小马驹。
• The mare foundered under the heavy load and collapsed in the road.那母马因负载过重而倒在路上。

6 ivories   

象牙( ivory的名词复数 )； 象牙制品； 象牙色； 象牙质

参考例句：

• The museum has a fine collection of medieval ivories. 该博物馆收藏着一批精美的中世纪象牙制品。
• She is tearing up the ivories in heaven, I am sure. 她正在天堂里大弹特弹着钢琴呢，我敢肯定。