生词

One day, a poor boy who was trying to pay his way through school by selling goods door to door found that he only had one dime（一角硬币） left. He was hungry so he decided to beg for a meal at the next house.

一天，一个靠挨家挨户送货半工半读的男孩穷得只剩下一枚一角的硬币了。他饥肠辘辘，于是决定到下一户人家讨口饭吃。

However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don't owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught me never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

开门的是一位可爱的年轻女士，他顿时不知所措。他没有要饭，只是讨要一口水喝。她看他这么饿，就递给他一大杯牛奶。男孩慢慢喝完牛奶，问道：“我应该给你多少钱？” “一分钱也不用给，”她答道：“妈妈教导我，人付出善意不需要回报。”他说：“那么，就请接受我发自肺腑的感谢吧。”

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but it also increased his faith in the human race. He was about to give up and quit before this point.

说完，霍华德·凯利离开了那户人家。此时，他不仅感到浑身有了力气，而且更加相信人与人之间是互相关爱的。在这一点上，他原本正打算放弃呢。

Years later the young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled（阻碍）. They finally sent her to the big city, where specialists can be called in to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly, now famous, was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately, he rose and went down through the hospital hall into her room.

多年以后，这位女士生命垂危，本地医生都束手无策。他们最终把她送去大城市治疗，在那里，由专家会诊研究这罕见的病。如今大名鼎鼎的霍华德·凯利医生也被请来会诊。刚一听说女士从何处送来，他一闪念，立马站起身，穿过医院大厅，走向她的病房。

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room and determined to do his best to save her life. From that day on, he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won.

凯利医生穿着白大褂走进病房，一眼就认出了她。回到会诊室，他下定决心全力抢救她的生命。从那天起，他对她的病格外上心。 经过长时间的奋力抢救，向病魔展开的这场仗终于打赢了。

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval（批准）. He looked at it and then wrote something on the side. The bill was sent to her room. She was afraid to open it because she was positive that it would take the rest of her life to pay it off.

凯利医生让办公室把医疗账单拿给他亲自核准。他看了看账单，然后在边上写了几个字。账单被送到病房时，女士都不敢打开看。因为她很清楚这高昂的费用怕是用尽余生都不易偿还的。

Finally she looked, and the note on the side of the bill caught her attention. She read these words... “Paid in full with a glass of milk.” (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly Tears of joy flooded her eyes...

最后，她还是看了。账单边上的标注引起了她的注意。她读了起来…… “该患者已用一杯牛奶将诊疗费用全数付清。”(签名)霍华德·凯利医生 女士喜悦的眼泪夺眶而出……

生词

pay one's way through school 半工半读

lose one's nerve 惊慌

baffle [ˈbæfl] v.使受挫折

consultation [ˌkɒnslˈteɪʃn] n.商议；会诊

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