英文短篇故事（纽约）276 The Dangerous Paper Clip

 　　They were walking toward the elevator. He was sucking on a paper clip. They got to the elevator. He pushed the Down button. They waited. He decided¹ to throw out the paper clip. But no trash can was nearby. He didn't want to throw the paper clip on the floor. The elevator door opened. He dropped the paper clip down the elevator shaft². His wife said, "What are you doing? The elevator shaft isn't a trash can. It's part of the elevator system. Maybe that paper clip will land in the motor. Maybe the motor will burn out. Maybe we'll crash to the floor.” She walked out of the elevator. He followed her. "What are you doing?" he asked. She said, "I'm taking the stairs. And so are you." They returned home later that day. A sign on the elevator said, "Please Use Stairs." She said, "I hope nobody died."

1 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。

2 shaft   

n.(工具的)柄，杆状物

参考例句：

• He was wounded by a shaft.他被箭击中受伤。
• This is the shaft of a steam engine.这是一个蒸汽机主轴。