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.

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.

'Cambridge 1379，'Jackie said.

'Hello. This is Diane. I want to talk to Mother.'

'Mother isn't here，'Jackie said.'She's at the doctor's.'

'Why？What's Wrong？'

'Nothing's wrong，'Jackie said. 'Why are you telephoning？ You are going to come this weekend？ Mother wants everyone to be here.'

'Yes，I want to come，'Diane said.' I'm phoning because I have no money for the train ticket.'

'No money！Mother is always giving you money！'

'This phone call is very expensive，'Diane said coldly. 'Tell Mother please. I need the money.'

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.

Jackie went back into the kitchen and began to make some sandwiches. Just then the back door opened，and her mother came in.

'It's very hot！'Molly said. She took off her hat and put it down on the table.She was a tall，dark woman with beautiful eyes.

Two big，black dogs came into the kitchen after her and ran across to her.She sat down and put her hands on their heads.

Jackie put the sandwiches on the table. 'Mother，'she said，'Diane phoned.She wants money for her train ticket.'

Molly closed her eyes for a minute. Then she stood up. 'This afternoon I want you to get the house ready for the weekend，'she said.'Oh，and please go to the village later and get my tablets.'

'Yes，Mother，'Jackie said.

Molly went to the door.

'Mother，please wait a minute，'Jackie said.'Peter Hobbs came here this morning.He's very angry with you about that letter.He lost his job，you know.Why did you write to his office？He wants to talk to you about it.'

'Well，I don't want to talk to him，'Molly said.She opened the door.

'But Mother，you don't understand. He's seventeen，and it was his first job. He's very，very angry. He says… he says he's going to kill you！'

Molly did not answer. She went out of the room and closed the door.

译文

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。

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。

“剑桥1379号，”杰基说。

“你好！我是黛安娜。我想和妈妈说话。”

“妈妈不在家，”杰基说。“她看医生去了。”

“怎么了？出了什么事？”

“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。”

“是啊，我想回来，”黛安娜说。“我正因为没钱买火车票，才打电话。”

“没钱！妈妈总是给你钱！”

“电话费很贵，”黛安娜冷冷说道。“请告诉妈妈，我需要钱。”

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。

杰基走回厨房动手做一些三明治。这时后门开了，她的母亲走了进来。

“天太热了！”莫利说道，她脱下帽子放在桌上。她是位高个子、皮肤浅黑，有双美丽眼睛的女人。

两条大黑狗跟着她进了厨房围着她转，她坐下来把手放在它们的头上。

杰基把三明治放在桌上。“妈妈，”她说道，“黛安娜打来电话，她想要钱买火车票。”

莫利闭上眼一会，然后站起来。“下午我希望你收拾一下房子为周末做准备，”她说。“哦，随后请去村里给我买些药片。”

“好的，妈妈，”杰基说。

莫利向门口走去。

“妈妈，请等一会。”杰基说。“彼得·霍布斯今早来了，他对你的那封信很生气。你知道，他丢了工作。你为什么写信给他的办公室？他想和你谈谈这事。”

“好啦，我不想和他谈，”莫利说，她打开门。

“可是妈妈，你不明白。他17岁了，那是他第一份工作，他非常非常生气。他说……他说他会杀了你！”

莫利没答话，她走出房间关上了门。