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．
克拉克森家住在剑桥附近的乡下，离最近的村庄约有半英里路，距离河有1英里左右。他们有幢大而古老带有美丽花园的房子，花园里有许多花和许多古树。

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．
7月的一个星期四早上，杰基从花园进了屋。她是个高大，肥胖，30来岁的女人。这是一年中最热的日子，而她却穿着暖色调的黄色衬衫和棕色裙子。她走进厨房去喝水，这时电话响了。

'Cambridge 1379，'Jackie said．
剑桥1379号，杰基说。

'Hello．This is Diane．I want to talk to Mother．'
你好！我是黛安娜。我想和妈妈说话。

'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．
杰基放下电话，她从包里拿了枝烟抽起来。她因她的妹妹总是要钱感到生气。黛安娜20岁了，在家里最小。她住在伦敦，在一所大房子里有间屋子。她想成为一个歌唱家，她唱得很棒可是她却从来不愿找工作。