"You will know best, old man," said the wife. "It is fair-day today; so ri de into town and get rid of the horse for money, or make a good exchange; whichever you do will be right for me." And she fastened his neckerchief for him; for she could do that better than he could, and she could a lso tie it very prettily in a double bow. She also smoothed his hat round and round with the palm of her hand, and gave him a kiss. Then he rode away upon the horse that was to be sold or bartered for something else. Yes, the old man knew what he was about. The sun shone with great heat, and not a cloud was to be seen in the sky. The road was very dusty; for a number of people, all going to the fair, were drivin g, riding, or walking upon it. There was no shelter anywhere from the hot sunshine. Among the rest, a man came trudging along, driving a cow to the fair. The cow was as beautiful a creature as any cow could be. "She gives good milk, I am certain," said the peasant to himself. "That would be a very good exchange; the cow for the horse. Hallo there! you with the cow," he sa id. "I tell you what; I dare say a horse is of more value than a cow; but I don't care for that...a cow will be more useful to me; so, if you like, we'll exchange." "To be sure, I will," said the man. Accordingly the exchange was made; and as the matter was settled, the peasant might have turned back; for he had done the business he came to do. | 「老公!你比较清楚什么是最好的,」老婆说。 「今天是赶市集的日子,你骑到镇上把马卖掉换几个钱,或者做个好交易,不管你怎么做我都没有异议。」 于是她帮丈夫围上围巾,因为她比他更会围围巾。 她又用手掌把他的帽子调得圆圆整整的,然后亲吻他一下。 于是他便骑上那匹他打算卖掉或交换其它物品的马出去了。 是的,这个老人自有他的分辨能力。 太阳照射出炽热的光芒,天空不见缕缕的云丝。 道路上漫天尘埃,原来是一大群的人,有的赶马车、有的骑马、有的步行,全都赶集去了。 那里没有一处可以遮蔽炎热阳光的地方。 那些人当中有一个男人,边走边赶着母牛去市场。 那头牛与任何一只牛比起来都毫不逊色。 「我确定它可以挤出好牛奶,」农夫对自己说。 「那会是个好交易吧!用马换母牛。 喂、喂!牛主人!」他说。 「我有话跟你说,我相信马比牛更有价值,但是我不关心那个,......一头牛对我而言比较有帮助。那么,如果你愿意的话,我们就作个交易吧!」 「我当然愿意。」那人说。 于是交易结束,事情总算解决,农夫就可以回家去了,因为他出来办的事已完成。 |