Elsewhere in Oregon a lumber-mill worker named Tim invited me to a simple dinner with his family in their dilapidated house. He gave me a Bible. Then he offered me his tent. I refused, knowing it was probably one of the family's most valuable possessions. But Tim was determined that I have it, and finally I agreed to take it.
在俄勒冈的另一个地方，一个叫蒂姆的锯木厂工人邀请我去他们破旧的家里和他家人一起吃了顿简单的晚餐。他给了我一本《圣经》,还要把家里的帐篷给我。我拒绝了，因为我知道那极有可能是这家人最值钱的一样东西了。然而蒂姆执意让我接受，最后我只好同意。
I was grateful to all the people I met for their rides, their food, their shelter, their gifts. But the kindest act of all was when they merely were themselves.
我感激所遇到的所有人，感谢他们让我搭车，给我食物，给我提供住处，送我礼物。但最友善的举动是，他们是那么自然真诚。
One day I walked into the local chamber of commerce in Jamestown, Tennessee. A man inside the old stone building jumped up from his cluttered desk. "Come on in," said Baxter Wilson, 59. He was the executive director.
有一天，我走进了田纳西州的詹姆斯敦一家当地商会。在这座古老建筑里一个男人从他凌乱的桌子旁站起身。“请进，”59岁的巴克斯特·威尔逊说。他是那儿的执行会长。
When I asked him about camping in the area, he handed me a brochure for a local campground. "Would you like me to call for you?" he asked.
我向他打听在当地露营的事。他递给我一本当地露营地的小册子。“需要我帮你打电话吗？”他问。
Seeing that it cost $12, I replied, "No, that's all right. I'm not sure what I'm going to do."
我一看露营得花12美元，就回答，“不用了，没事。我也不知道我该怎么做。”
Then he saw my backpack. "Almost anybody around here will let you pitch a tent on their land, if that's what you want," he said.
这时他看见了我的背包。“这里差不多每个人都会让你在他们的地里支帐篷的，如果那是你所想要的话。”他说。
Now you're talking, I thought. "Any particular direction?" I asked.
这话就对了，我想。“有没具体的方位？”我问。
Tell you what. I've got a big farm about ten miles south of here. If you're here at 5:30, you can ride with me.
“跟你说吧，我有个大农场，在从这儿往南大概10英里。要是你五点半能在这儿，我可以开车带你去。”
I accepted, and we drove out to a magnificent country house. Suddenly I realized he'd invited me to spend the night in his home.
我接受了，于是我们开车去了一幢华丽的乡村住宅。突然，我意识到他是邀请我到他家过夜。