Aunt Dolly's Hat

多莉姨妈的帽子

Three things I was sure of as a child: My family loved me. The sun would come up tomorrow. I had a wonderful voice.I figured that was unquestionably true because I participated at the top of my lungs in all the family sing-alongs, and no one ever stopped me. So I was delighted when my second-grade teacher announced her plans for a musical pageant at Christmas.

当我还是小孩子时，曾对3件事情笃信不疑：我的家人都爱我；太阳每天早上都会升起；我的嗓音很美妙。对最后一点我尤其有把握。因为每当全家一起唱歌时，我都会扯着嗓门大喊，从来没有人阻止过我。所以当我的二年级老师凯瑟琳嬷嬷宣布她要在圣诞节当天举行一场演唱会时，我别提有多高兴了。

Sister Kathleen said she would cast singers according to ability. All 26 of us students raised our hands in eager anticipation.

凯瑟琳嬷嬷对全班同学说要根据我们的演唱天赋来编排节目，全班26个人都迫不及待地举起了手。

"Those who feel confident about a solo role, form a line to the right of the piano," Sister said. "If you feel more comfortable as a chorus member, stand to the left."

“想独唱的同学请站在钢琴右侧，想参加合唱的同学请站在钢琴左侧。”

I was first on the solo line before Sister reached the piano. She showed me a list of tunes, and I picked a family favorite, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling." Sister played, and I sang with all the emotion a seven-year-old could muster. "Thank you, Jacquelyn," Sister said, interrupting. "Next, please." I'd barely sung a dozen lines. Some of the kids snickered as I returned to my seat. What had I done wrong?

我就第一个站到了钢琴右侧。她给了我几支曲子，我从中挑选了我们家最喜欢唱的《当爱尔兰眼睛微笑时》。嬷嬷开始弹琴，我则以一个7岁女孩儿所能展示的最丰富的感情开始演唱。可没唱几句就被嬷嬷打断了：“谢谢你，下一位。”当我回到座位上时，看到有些同学在窃笑。难道我做错什么事了吗？

One by one the solo roles were filled. The rest of us were put into the chorus audition line. Sister listened to each student, then arranged us into small groups of similar voices. I was left alone.

独唱的名额很快就招满了。剩余的都被放入合唱的队列中了。嬷嬷听了每位同学的试唱，然后将声音接近的人编排在同一个声部，最后只剩下我孤零零的一个人。

While the other children studied their music, Sister Kathleen motioned me to her desk. She looked kindly at me.

当其他同学开始熟悉歌谱时，嬷嬷把我叫到她的桌前，温和地看着我。

"Jacquelyn, have you heard the expression tone-deaf?"

“杰奎琳，你听说过‘音盲’这个词吗?”

I shook my head.

我摇了摇头。