窃书记（Off the Shelf 窃书记）

Off the Shelf

窃书记

When I was ten years old, I lived with my family in a small ranch house in rural South Jersey. I often accompanied my mother to the A&P to buy groceries. We did not have a car, so we walked, and I would help her carry the bags.

我10岁的时候，和家人一起住在南泽西郊区一个低矮的小平房里。我经常陪妈妈到A&P超市去买日用品。我们没有车，所以都是走着去的，而我都会帮她拎袋子。

My mother had to shop very carefully, as my father was on strike. She was a waitress, and her salary and tips barely sustained us. One day, while she was weighing prices, a promotional display for the World Book Encyclopedia caught my eye. The volumes were cream-colored, with forest-green spines stamped in gold. Volume I was ninety-nine cents with a ten- dollar purchase.

妈妈买东西必须精打细算，因为爸爸当时正在罢工。她是一个服务员，工资和小费加在一起也就勉强够维持我们的生活。一天，当她在超市里比较价格时，《世界百科全书》的促销展示吸引了我的注意。那是一套奶白色的书，暗绿色的书脊上面烫着金字。购物满10美元就可以用99美分买这套书的第一册。

All I could think of, as we combed the aisles for creamed corn, dry milk, cans of Spam, and shredded wheat, was the book, which I longed for with all my being. I stood at the register with my mother, holding my breath as the cashier rang up the items. It came to over eleven dollars. My mother produced a five, some singles , and a handful of change. As she was counting out the money, I somehow found the courage to ask for the encyclopedia. "Could we get one?" I said, showing her the display. "It's only ninety-nine cents."

当我们穿梭在超市货架通道之间寻找着奶油玉米、奶粉、斯帕姆午餐肉罐头和脆麦片条时，我满脑子想的都是那本书，一门心思就想得到它。我和妈妈站在收银台旁，我屏住呼吸，看着收银员输入那些东西的金额结账。总金额超过了11美元。妈妈拿出一张5美元、几张1美元和一把零钱。在她数钱的时候，我不知怎的鼓起了勇气问她要那本百科全书。“我们买一本行吗？”我一边说，一边指着那个促销展示让她看，“只要99美分。”

I did not understand my mother's increasing anxiety; she did not have enough change and had to sacrifice a large can of peas to pay the amount."Not now, Patricia, she said sternly. "Today is not a good day." I packed the groceries and followed her home, crestfallen .