1
The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge，about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river．They had a big，old house with a beautiful garden，a lot of flowers and many old．trees．
One Thursday morning in July，Jackie came in from the garden．She was a tall，fat woman，thirty years old．It was the hottest day of the year，but she wore a warm brown skirt and yellow shirt．She went into the kitchen to get a drink of water．Just then the phone rang．
'Mother isn't here，'Jackie said．'She's at the doctor's．'
“妈妈不在家，”杰基说。“她看医生去了。”
'Why？What's Wrong？'
“怎么了？出了什么事？”
'Nothing's wrong，'Jackie said．'Why are you telephoning？ You are going to come this weekend？ Mother wants everyone to be here．'
“没什么，”杰基说。“你打电话干嘛？这个周末你回来吗？妈妈希望每个人都在。”
'Yes，I want to come，'Diane said．'I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket．'
“是啊，我想回来，”黛安娜说。“我正因为没钱买火车票，才打电话。”
'No money！Mother is always giving you money！'
“没钱！妈妈总是给你钱！”
'This phone call is very expensive，'Diane said coldly．'Tell Mother please．I need the money．'
“电话费很贵，”黛安娜冷冷说道。“请告诉妈妈，我需要钱。”
Jackie put the phone down．She took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke．She felt angry because her sister al-ways asked for money．Diane was twenty years old， the youngest in the family．She lived in London，in one room of a big house．She wanted to be a singer．She sang very well but she could never get work．
Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches．Just then the back door opened，and her mother came in．
杰基走回厨房动手做一些三明治。这时后门开了，她的母亲走了进来。
'It's very hot！'Molly said．She took off her hat and put it down on the table．She was a tall，dark woman with beautiful eyes．
“天太热了！”莫利说道，她脱下帽子放在桌上。她是位高个子、皮肤浅黑，有双美丽眼睛的女人。
Two big，black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her．She sat down and put her hands on their heads．
两条大黑狗跟着她进了厨房围着她转，她坐下来把手放在它们的头上。
Jackie put the sandwiches on the table．'Mother，'she said，'Diane phoned．She wants money for her train ticket．'
杰基把三明治放在桌上。“妈妈，”她说道，“黛安娜打来电话，她想要钱买火车票。”
Molly closed her eyes for a minute．Then she stood up．'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend，'she said．'Oh，and please go to the village later and get my tablets．'
'Mother，please wait a minute，'Jackie said．'Peter Hobbs came here this morning．He's very angry with you about that letter．He lost his job，you know．Why did you write to his office？He wants to talk to you about it．'
