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第2章 Talking Before the Sea（第1页）

“Wakeupoldman，”

theboysaidandputhishandononeoftheoldmansknees.

Theoldmanopenedhiseyesandforamomenthewascomingbackfromalongwayaway.Thenhesmiled.

“Whathaveyougot?”

heasked.

“Supper，”

saidtheboy.“Weregoingtohavesupper.”

“Imnotveryhungry.”

“Comeonandeat.Youcantfishandnoteat.”

“Ihave，”

theoldmansaidgettingupandtakingthenewspaperandfoldingit.Thenhestartedtofoldtheblanket.“Keeptheblanketaroundyou，”

theboysaid.YoullnotfishwithouteatingwhileImalive.

“Thenlivealongtimeandtakecareofyourself，”

theoldmansaid.“Whatareweeating?”

“Blackbeansandrice，friedbananas，andsomestew.”

Theboyhadbroughttheminatwo-deckermetalcontainerfromtheTerrace.Thetwosetsofknivesandforksandspoonswereinhispocketwithapaper-napkinwrappedaroundeachset.

“Whogavethistoyou?”

“Martin.Theowner.”

“Imustthankhim.”

“Ithankedhimalready，”

theboysaid.“Youdontneedtothankhim.”

“Illgivehimthebellymeatofabigfish，”

theoldmansaid.“Hashedonethisforusmorethanonce?”

“Ithinkso.”

“Imustgivehimsomethingmorethanthebellymeatthen.Heisverythoughtfulforus.”

“Hesenttwobeers.”

“Ilikethebeerincansbest.”

“Iknow.Butthisisinbottles，Hatueybeer，andItakebackthebottles.”

“Thatsverykindofyou，”

theoldmansaid.“Shouldweeat?”

“Ivebeenaskingyouto，”

theboytoldhimgently.“Ihavenotwishedtoopenthecontaineruntilyouwereready.”

“Imreadynow，”

theoldmansaid.“Ionlyneededtimetowash.”

Wheredidyouwash?Theboythought.Thevillagewatersupplywastwostreetsdowntheroad.Imusthavewaterhereforhim，theboythought，andsoapandagoodtowel.WhyamIsothoughtless?Imustgethimanothershirtandajacketforthewinterandsomesortofshoesandanotherblanket.

“Yourstewisexcellent，”

theoldmansaid.

“Tellmeaboutthebaseball，”

Theboyaskedhim.