简 介
你可以许三个愿，你可以要世界上存在的三样东西，你的愿望将变为现实。你会说，\"这在现实世界是不可能发生的。\"那么，好好想想吧。你能要什么？你想要什么？
当你许愿的时候，这仅仅是个开始。当你改变了一样东西，接着你会改变世界上的每一样东西。一个变化引起另一个变化。谁又能知道这些变化又将在哪里结束？
在这个故事中，怀特一家可以许三个愿，但他们犯了一个小小的错误。他们的第一个愿望变成了现实。接着，顷刻间，他们的生活陷入了一场可怕的恶梦……
雅各布斯（1863-1943）是一位短篇小说作家。《猴爪》是他的最有名的小说之一。
Chapter 1
第一章
It was cold and dark out in the road and the rain did not stop for a minute．But in the little living－room of number 12 Castle Road it was nice and warm．Old Mr White and his son， Herbert， played chess and Mrs White sat and watched them． The old woman was happy because her husband and her son were good friends and they liked to be together．'Herbert's a good son，' she thought．'We waited a long time for him and I was nearly forty when he was born， but we are a happy family．' And old Mrs White smiled．
这是一条又冷又暗的道路，雨一刻也没有停止。但是在城堡路12号的一间客厅里却舒适而温暖。老怀特先生和他的儿子赫伯特正在下棋，怀特夫人坐着看。老妇人很愉快，因为丈夫和儿子关系友好（是好朋友）并且喜欢在一起。赫伯特是个好儿子，她想。“他让我们等了很长时间，我将近40岁才生下他，但是我们的家庭很幸福，”老怀特夫人微笑了。
It was true．Herbert was young and he laughed a lot， but his mother and his father laughed with him． They had not got much money， but they were a very happy little family．
这是事实。赫拍特年轻爱笑，而且他母亲和父亲和他一起笑。他们的钱不多，但是他们是个很幸福的小家庭。
The two men did not talk because they played carefully． The room was quiet， but the noise of the rain was worse now and they could hear it on the windows． Suddenly Old Mr White looked up．'Listen to the rain！' he said．
两个不说话因为他们在认真地下棋。房间里安静，但是下雨声更烈，他们能听到雨敲打在窗户上（的声音）。突然老怀特抬头看，“听这雨！”他说。
'Yes， it's a bad night，' Herbert answered．'It's not a good night to be out． But is your friend， Tom Morris，coming tonight？'
“是的，是个糟糕的晚上，”赫伯特回答。“今晚不适合出去。但是你的朋友汤姆莫里斯今晚要来吗？”
'Yes， that's right． He's coming at about seven o'clock，'the old man said．'But perhaps this rain…'
“是的，今晚。他大约7点钟到”老男人说。“但是可能这雨……”
Mr White did not finish because just then the young man heard a noise．
怀特先生没说完，因为正在那时年轻人听见一个声响。
'Listen！'Herbert said．'There's someone at the door now．'
“听！”赫伯特说，“现在有人在门口。”
'I didn't hear a noise，' his father answered， but he got up from his chair and went to open the front door． Mrs White got up too and began to put things away．
“我没听见声响”，他父亲回答，但是他从椅子中起来走过去打开前门。怀特夫人也起来收拾好东西。
Mr White said，'Come in， come in， Tom． It's wonderful to see you again． What a bad night！ Give me your coat and then come into the living－room． It's nice and warm in there．'
怀特先生说：“汤姆，请进，请进。再见到你太好。多糟糕的晚上！把外套给我到客厅来。那儿又舒适又暖和。”
The front door was open， and in the living-room Mrs White and Herbert felt the cold． Then Mr White came back into the living－room with a big，red-faced man．
前门开了，客厅里的怀特夫人和赫伯特感到一股寒冷。那时怀特先生和一个大块头、脸庞发红的男人来到客厅。
'This is Tom Morris，' Mr White told his wife and son． 'We were friends when we were young． We worked together before Tom went to India． Tom， this is my wife and this is our son， Herbert．'
“这是汤姆莫里斯，”怀特先生向妻子和儿子介绍。“我们年轻的时候是朋友。汤姆去印度之前我们一起工作过。汤姆，这是我的妻子和儿子。”
'Pleased to meet you，' Tom Morris said．
“很高兴见到你们，”汤姆说。
'Pleased to meet you， Mr Morris，' Mrs White answered．'Please come and sit down．'
“很高兴见到你，莫里斯先生，”怀特夫人回答，“请过来坐下。”
'Yes， come on， Tom，' Mr White said．'Over here．It's nice and warm．'
“好，过来，汤姆，”怀特生生说，“这边来，这里又舒适又暖和。”
'Thank you，'the big man answered and he sat down．
“谢谢，”大块头男人回答，坐下。
'Let's have some whisky，'Old Mr White said．'You need something to warm you on a cold night．' He got out a bottle of whisky and the two old friends began to drink and talk． The little family listened with interest to this visitor from far away and he told them many strange stories．
“我们喝点威士忌吧，”老怀特说，“在寒冷的夜晚里你需要暖和一下。”他取出一瓶威士忌，两个老朋友边喝边谈。小家庭都对这个来自远方的访客感兴趣，他们听他讲述了许多奇异的故事。
Chapter 2
第二章
After some time Tom Morris stopped talking and Mr White said to his wife and son，'Tom was a soldier in India for twenty-one years． India is a wonderful country．'
过了一段时间，汤姆莫里斯人停止谈话，怀特先生对妻子和儿子说，“汤姆是呆在印度二十年的一个军人。印度是一个奇妙的国家。”
'Yes，'Herbert said．'I'd like to go there．'
“是的，”赫伯特说，“我想去了那儿。”
'Oh， Herbert！' his mother cried． She was afraid because she did not want to lose her son．
“哦，赫伯特！”他母亲叫了起来。她害怕因为她不想失去儿子。
'I wanted to go to India too，'her husband said， 'but…'
“我也想去印度，”她丈夫说，“但是……”
'It's better for you here！' the soldier said quickly．
“你在这儿比较好！”这位军人迅速说。
'But you saw a lot of strange and wonderful things in India ．I want to see them too one day，' Mr White said．
“但是你在印度看到了很多奇异而美妙的事情。有一天我也想去看看，”怀特先生说。
The soldier put down his whisky．'No！' he cried．'Stay here ！'
军人放下他的威士忌。“不要！”他大声喊道，“呆在这里！”
Old Mr White did not stop．'But your stories were interesting， 'he said to Tom Morris．'What did you begin to say about a monkey's paw？'
老怀特没有停住。“但是你的故事很有趣，”他对汤姆莫里斯说，“你开始说过有关猴拟爪的什么事情？”
'Nothing！' Morris answered quickly．'Well…nothing important．'
“没有什么事！”莫里斯迅速回答，“哦，无关紧要。”
'A monkey's paw？' Mrs White said．
“一只猴爪？”怀特夫人问。
'Come on， Mr Morris！ Tell us about it，' Herbert said．
“继续，莫里斯先生！给我们讲讲，”赫伯特说。
Morris took his whisky in his hand， but suddenly he put it down again．Slowly he put his hand into the pocket of his coat and the White family watched him．
莫里斯手里拿起威士忌，但是突然又把他放下。他慢慢地把手伸进外衣的口袋里，怀特一家人注视着他。
'What is it？ What is it？' Mrs White cried．
“是什么，是什么？”怀特夫人叫道。
Morris said nothing． He took his hand out of his pocket．The White family
watched carefully-and in the soldier's hand they saw something little and dirty．
莫里斯什么没有说。他从口袋里拿出手。怀特一家仔细地注视着他——在这个军人手中他们看到了小而脏的东西。
Mrs White moved back， afraid， but her son，Herbert，took it and looked at it carefully．
怀特夫人退了退，有些害怕，但是他的儿子，赫伯特拿过来仔细地看。
'Well，what is it？'Mr White asked his friend．
“哦，这是什么？”怀特先生问他的朋友。
'Look at it，' the soldier answered．'It's a little paw…a monkey's paw．'
“看吧，”军人回答，“这是一只小爪子……一只猴子的爪。”
'A monkey's paw！'Herbert said-and he laughed．'Why do you carry a monkey's paw in your pocket，Mr Morris？' he asked the old soldier．
“猴爪！”赫伯特说着笑了。“为什么你把一只猴爪放在口袋里，莫里斯先生？”他问这位老军人。
'Well，you see，' Morris said，'this monkey's paw is magic！'
“哦，你看，”莫里斯说，“这只猴爪有魔力！”
Herbert laughed again， but the soldier said，'Don't laugh，boy．Remember， you're young．I'm old now and in India I saw many strange things．' He stopped talking for a minute and then he said，'This monkey's paw can do strange and wonderful things． An old Indian gave the paw to one of my friends． My friend was a soldier too． This paw is magic because it can give three wishes to three people．'
赫伯特又笑了，但是军人说，“不要笑，孩子。记住，你还年轻。我现在老了，在印度我看到许多奇异的事情。”他的话停了一会又说，“这只猴爪能做奇异而精彩的事情。一个老印度人把这只猴爪给了我一个朋友。我的朋友也是一个军人。这只猴爪有魔力是因为它能实现三个人的三个愿望。”
'Wonderful！'Herbert said．
“太妙了！”赫伯特说。
'But these three wishes don't bring happiness，'the soldier said．'The old Indian wanted to teach us something-it's never good to want to change things．'
“但是这三个愿望不能带来幸福，”军人说，“老印度人想教给我们一些事情——改变事情决不会好。”
'Well， did your friend have three wishes？' Herbert asked the old soldier．
“哦，你的朋友有三个愿望吗？”赫伯特问老军人。
'Yes，'Morris answered quietly．'And his third and last wish was to die！'
“是的，”莫里斯快速回答，“他的第三个也是最后愿望就是去死！”
Mr and Mrs White listened to the story and they felt afraid， but Herbert asked，'And did he die？'
怀特先生和夫人听着这个故事，他们感到了恐惧。但是赫伯特问，“他融会贯通了吗？”
'Yes， he did，' Morris said．' He had no family， so his things came to me when he died． The monkey's paw was with his things， but he told me about it before he died，' Tom Morris finished quietly．
“是的，他做了，”莫里斯说，“他没有家庭，于是他死后他的东西给了我，就是猴爪和他的其他东西，但是他临死前告诉我了这件事，”汤姆莫里斯很快说完了。
'What were his first two wishes， then？' Herbert asked． 'What did he ask for？'
“他的前两个愿望是什么，然后呢？”赫伯特问，“他要求了什么？”
'I don't know． He didn't want to tell me，' the soldier answered．
“我不知道，他不想告诉我。”军人回答。
For a minute or two everybody was quiet， but then Herbert said，' And you， Mr Morris ：did you have three wishes？'
大约一两分钟大家都安静了，但是此后赫伯特说，“你呢，莫里斯先生，你有三个愿望吗？”
'Yes， I did，' Morris answered．'I was young． I wanted many things-a fast car， money… 'Morris stopped for a minute and then he said with difficulty，'My wife and my young son died in an accident in the car． Without them I didn't want the money， so， in the end， I wished to lose it． But it was too late．My wife and my child were dead．'
“是的，我做了，”莫里斯先生回答。“我当时年轻。我想要很多东西——一辆快车，财富……”莫里斯停了一会儿然后他吃力地说，“我的妻子和幼子因为事故死于车内。没有了他们我不想要什么财富了，于是，最后，我许愿让它（财富）消失。但是一切太迟了。我妻子和儿子已经死了。”
The room was very quiet． The White family looked at the unhappy face of the old soldier．
房间里很安静。怀特一家看着老军人不快乐的脸。
此时怀特先生说，“现在你还想要猴爪吗？你不需要它了。你可以把它给某个人。“
'How can I give it to someone？'the soldier said．'The monkey's paw brings
unhappiness with it．'
“我怎么能把它给别人？”军人回答，“这只猴爪会带来不幸。”
'Well， give it to me，' Mr White said．'Perhaps this time it…'
“那好，给我吧，”怀特先生说。“也许这次它……”
'No！' Tom Morris cried．'You're my friend． I can't give it to you．'then，after a minute，he said，'I can't give it to you，but，of course you can take it from me．But remember-this monkey's paw brings unhappiness！'
“不！”汤姆莫里斯叫道，“你是我的朋友。我不能给你。”然后，过了一会儿，他说，“我不能把它给你，但是，当然你可能从我这儿拿走他。但是记住——这只猴爪（会）带来不幸。
Old Mr White did not listen and he did not think．Quickly， he put out his hand， and he took the paw．
老怀特没有说也没有想，他迅速地伸出手，拿走猴爪。
Tom Morris looked unhappy，but Mr White did not want to wait．
汤姆莫里斯看上去不高兴，但是怀特先生不想等。
'What do I do now？' he asked his friend．
“现在我做什么？”他问他的朋友（汤姆）。
'Yes， come on，' Father， Herbert said．'Make a wish！' And he laughed．
“是的，来吧，父亲，”赫伯特说，“许个愿！”他笑了。
The soldier said nothing and Mr White asked him again，'What do I do now？'
军人一语不发，怀特又问他，“现在我做什么？”
At first the old soldier did not answer， but in the end he said quietly，'OK． But remember！ Be careful！ Think before you make your wish.'
开始老军人不回答，但是最后他平静地说，“OK。但是记住！注意！许愿前想好。”
'Yes， yes，' Mr White said．
“好的，好的，”怀特先生说。
'Take the paw in your right hand and then make your wish， but…'tom Morris began．
“把猴爪放在右手然后许愿，但是……”汤姆莫里斯开始说。
'Yes， we know，' Herbert said．'Be careful！'
“好的，我们知道了，”赫拍特说，“会谨慎的！”
Just then old Mrs White stood up and she began to get the dinner． Her husband looked at her．Then he smiled and said to her，'Come on．Help me ！What can I wish for？ We need money，of course．'
正在这时怀特夫人站起来准备餐饭（正餐）。他的丈夫看着她，那时他微笑着对她说，“过来，帮帮我！我能许什么愿呢，当然，我们需要钱。”
Mrs White laughed， but she thought for a minute and then she said，'Well， I'm getting old now and sometimes it's difficult to do everything．Perhaps I need four hands and not two． Yes， ask the paw to give me two more hands．'
怀特夫人笑了，但是她想了一会儿然后说，“哦，我现在变老了，做事情时往往困难。也许我需要四只手而不是两只。”
'OK， then，' her husband said， and he took the monkey's paw in his right hand．Everybody watched him and for a minute he waited． Then he opened his mouth to make his wish．
“OK，那么，”她丈夫说，他把猴爪放在右手。大家注视着他，他等了一会儿。然后他张口许愿。
Suddenly Tom Morris stood up．'Don't do it！'he cried．
突然汤姆克里斯站起来。“不要这样做！”他叫道。
The old soldier's face was white． Herbert and his mother laughed， but Mr White looked at Tom's face．
老军人脸都白了。赫伯特和他母亲笑了，但是怀特先生注视着汤姆的脸。
Old Mr White was afraid and he put the monkey's paw into his pocket．
老怀特害怕了，他把猴爪放在他衣袋里。
After a minute or two they sat down at the table and began to have dinner． The soldier told the family many strange and wonderful stories about India．They forgot the monkey's paw， and because the soldier's stories were interesting，they asked him many questions about India． When Tom Morris stood up to leave， it was very late．
一两分钟后，他们坐在桌子旁开始吃饭。军人向怀特家讲述了许多关于印度奇异而精彩的故事。他们忘记了猴爪，因为军人的故事很有趣，他们问他许多关于印度的问题。当汤姆起身离开时，天很晚了。
'Thank you for a very nice evening，' Morris said to the family．'And thank you for a very good dinner， 'he said to Mrs White．
“谢谢你，使我度过了一个美好的晚上，”莫里斯对怀特家说。“谢谢你的美餐，”他又对怀特夫人说。
'It was a wonderful evening for us， Tom，' Old Mr White answered．'Your
stories were very interesting． Our life isn't very exciting and we don't have the money to visit India， so please come again soon． You can tell us some more stories about India．'
“对我们来说，（也）是个美妙的夜晚，汤姆，”老怀特回答。“你的故事很有趣。我们的生活缺少刺激，我们没有钱去印度游览，欢迎你以后再来。你可以给我们多讲讲印度的故事。”
Then the old soldier put on his coat．He said goodbye to the White family， and went out into the rain．
然后这位老军人穿上外套，他向怀特家说再见，然后离开了（到雨中）。
Chapter 3
第三章
It was nearly midnight．In their warm living-room， the two old people and their son sat and talked about the soldier's stories．
此时将近午夜时分。在他们温暖的客厅里，两位老人和他们的儿子坐着谈论着军人的故事。
'India is a wonderful country，' Mr White said．'What exciting stories！ It was a good evening．'
“印度是个奇妙的国家，”怀特先生说，“多刺激的故事！这是个美妙的夜晚。”
Mrs White stood up to take some things into the kitchen， but she stopped and listened to Herbert and his father．
怀特夫人起身把东西收拾进厨房，但是她停住了听赫伯特和他父亲说话。
'Yes，'Herbert said．' Morris told some interesting stories， but， of course， some of them weren't true． '
“是的，”赫伯特说，“莫里斯讲了一些有趣的故事，但是，当然，其中一些故事是事实。”
'Oh Herbert！'Mrs White said．
“哦，赫伯特！”怀特夫人说。
'Well， Mother， that story about the monkey's paw wasn't true． A dirty little monkey's paw isn't magic！ But it was a good story．' And Herbert smiled．
“好的，母亲，那个关于猴爪的故事不是真的。一只肮脏的猴爪子有什么魔力！这只是个好听的故事。”赫伯特微笑了。
'Well，I think you're right， Herbert，' his mother said．
“哦，我觉得你是对的，赫伯特，”他母亲说。
'I don't know，' Mr White said quietly．'Perhaps the story was true． Strange things can happen sometimes．'
“我不知道，”怀特先生平静地说，“也许这故事是真的。有时会发生奇怪的事情。”
Mrs White looked at her husband．'Did you give some money to Tom Morris for that paw？' she asked．'We don't have money to give away for nothing！' Mrs White was angry now．
怀特夫人注视着她的丈夫。“你为了猴爪给汤姆莫里斯钱了吗？”
'Well，yes，'her husband answered．'I did， but not much， and at first he didn't want to take it． He wanted the monkey's paw．'
“哦，是的”，她丈夫回答，“我给了，但是不多，开始她不想拿，他想要猴爪。”
'Well，he can't have it，'Herbert laughed．'It's our paw now and we're going to be rich and happy．Come on， Father．Make a wish！'
“哦，他不能拥有它了，”赫伯特笑了。“它是我们的猴爪，我们将会富有和幸福。来吧，父亲。许愿吧！”
Old Mr White took the paw from his pocket．'OK，Herbert， but what am I going to ask for？ I have everything-you， your mother． What do I need？'
老怀特从衣袋里拿出猴爪。“OK，赫伯特，但是我许什么愿望呢？我拥有一切——你，
你母亲。我（还）需要什么？”
'Money，of course，'Herbert answered quickly．'We need money！ You're always thinking about money． That's be cause we haven't got very much of it． With money you can pay for this house ．It can be your house！ Go on， Father， wish for thirty thousand pounds！'
“钱，当然了，”赫伯特迅速回答。“我们需要钱！你总是为钱焦虑，那样导致我们没有很多。你可以用钱支付这座房子的费用。它可以是你的房子！来吧，父亲，许愿要三万英镑。”
Herbert stopped talking and his old father thought for a minute． The room was quiet and they could hear the rain on the windows．
赫伯特停下（谈话），他的老父亲思考了一会儿。房间里很安静，他们能听到雨敲打在窗户上。
Then Mr White took the monkey's paw in his right hand． He was afraid， but he looked at his wife and she smiled at him．
然后怀特先生把猴爪放在右手。他害怕而看着他的妻子，她对他微笑着。
'Go on，' she said．
“来吧，”她说。
Slowly and carefully Mr White said，'I wish for thirty thousand pounds．'
怀特缓慢而小心地说，“我希望得到三万英镑。”
Suddenly he gave a cry and Mrs White and Herbert ran to him．
突然他大叫一声，怀特夫人和赫伯特跑向他。
'What's the matter， Father？' Herbert asked．
“发生什么了，父亲？”赫伯特问。
'It moved！' Mr White cried．'The monkey's paw-it moved！'
“它动了！”怀特先生喊道，“猴爪——它动了！”
They looked at the paw． It was now on the floor and not in the old man's hand． The family watched it， and they wait ed-but it did not move again．
他们注视着猴爪。现在它在地板上而不是老人的手中。一家人注视着，他们等待着——但是它不再动了。
So the little family sat down again and they waited． Nothing happened The noise of the rain on the windows was worse now and their little living－room did not feel nice and warm．
于是一家人（小家庭）又坐下来等待着。现在除了雨敲打在窗上的声音更猛烈外什么都没有发生，他们的小客厅感觉不到舒适而温暖了。
Mrs White said，'It's cold Let's go to bed．'
怀特夫人说，“天冷了我们上床休息吧。”
Mr White did not answer and in the end Herbert said， 'Well，there's no money，Father． Your friend's story wasn't true．'But Mr White did not answer． He sat quietly and said nothing．
怀特先生没有回答，最后赫伯特说，“唉，没有钱，父亲。你朋友的故事不是真的。“但是怀特先生没回答。他静静地坐着一言不发。
After some time Mrs White said to her husband，'Are you OK ？'
过了一段时间，怀特夫人对丈夫说，“你还好吗？”
'Yes，yes，' the old man answered，'but for a minute or two I was afraid．'
“是的，是的，”老人回答，“不过恐怕要等一两分钟。”
'Well， we needed that money，' Mrs White said，'but we aren't going to get it． I'm tired． I'm going to bed．'
“哦，我们需要钱，”怀特夫人说，“但是我们不准备要了。我累了。我要上床休息了。”
After Mrs White went to bed， the two men sat and smoked for some time．
怀特夫人上床休息后，两个男人坐着抽烟等了一会儿。
Then Herbert said，'Well，Father，I'm going to bed too． Perhaps the money is in a bag under your bed！Good night， Father．'And Herbert laughed and went out of the room．
然后赫伯特说，“父亲，我也去睡了。或许钱在你床下的包里呢。晚安，父亲。“赫伯特笑着走出房间。
Old Mr White sat in the cold living－room for a long time． The candle died and it was dark Suddenly， the old man saw a face at the window． Quickly， he looked again， but there was nothing there． He felt afraid． Slowly he stood up and left the cold， dark room．
老怀特坐在寒冷的客厅里呆了很久。蜡烛燃尽突然变黑了，老人看到窗户旁有张脸。很快，他再看，但是那儿什么都没有。他感到了恐惧。他慢慢地起身，离开这又冷又黑的房间。
Chapter 4
第四章
The next morning the winter sun came through the window and the house felt
nice and warm again． Mr White felt better and he smiled at his wife and son． The family sat down to have breakfast and they began to talk about the day．The monkey's paw was on a little table near the window， but nobody looked at it and nobody thought about it．
第二天早晨冬天的太阳透过窗户照进来，房屋又舒服而温暖了。怀特感觉好些，他对着妻子和儿子微笑。一家人坐下来吃早餐他们开始谈论生活。那只猴爪在靠近窗户的一张小桌子上，但没有人看它，也没人谈论它。
'I'm going to the shops this morning，' Mrs White said． 'I want to get something nice for dinner．Are you going to come with me？' she asked her husband．
“我早上准备去商店，”怀特夫人说。“我想要（买）些好东西准备正餐。你要和我一起去吗？”她问丈夫。
'No， I'm going to have a quiet morning． I'm going to read，' her husband answered．
“不去了，我要过个平静的早上。我要阅读，”她丈夫回答。
'Well， I'm not going to go out this evening，'Herbert said，'so we can go to bed early tonight．We were very late last night．'
“好吧，今晚我不出去了，”赫伯特说，“今晚我们可以早睡觉。昨晚上太晚了。”
'And we aren't going to have stories about monkey's paws！'Mrs White said． She was angry．'Why did we listen to your friend？' she asked her husband．'A monkey's paw can't give you things！'she stopped but the two men did not answer her．'Thirty thousand pounds！' she said quietly．'We needed that money．'
“我们不需要猴爪的故事了！”怀特夫人说。她生气了。“为什么我们听你朋友的？”她问丈夫。“一只猴爪子不能带给什么！”她停下不说但是两个男人没有回答她。“三万英镑！”她静静地说，“我们需要那些钱！”
Just then Herbert looked at the clock and stood up．'I'm going to work，' he said．'Perhaps the postman has got the money for you in a letter．Remember， I want some of it too！'Herbert laughed and his mother laughed too．
正在那时赫伯特看着钟表站起来。“我去工作了，”他用说。“或许邮递员把放在信封里的钱送给我们。记住，我也想要一部分钱！”赫伯特笑了，他的母亲也笑了。
'Don't laugh， son，' Mr White said．'Tom Morris is an old friend and he thinks the story is true． Perhaps it is．'
“不要笑，儿子，”怀特先生说，“汤姆莫里斯是我的老朋友，他认为这故事是真的。或许就是真的。”
'Well，leave some of the money for me， 'Herbert laughed again．
“好吧，留下部分钱给我，”赫伯特又笑了。
His mother laughed too and she went to the door with him．
他的母亲也笑了，她和他走到门口。
'Goodbye， Mother，' Herbert said happily．'Get some thing nice for dinner this evening at the shops．I'm always hungry after a day at work．'
“再见，妈妈，”赫伯特愉快地说。“为今晚的正餐从商店里弄点好东西。工作一天后我总是饿。”
'I know you are！' Mrs White answered．
“我知道你这样（会饿）！”怀特夫人回答。
Herbert left the house and walked quickly down the road． His mother stood at the door for some time and watched him． The winter sun was warm， but suddenly she felt very cold．
赫伯特离开家很快地顺着道路走了。他的母亲站在门口一会儿，看着他（走了）。冬天的太阳是温暖的，但是突然她感到很冷。
Chapter 5
第五章
Slowly， Old Mrs White went back into the house．Her husband looked up and saw something strange in her face．
老怀特夫人慢慢地回家了。她丈夫抬头看，看到她脸上奇怪的表情。
'What's the matter？'he asked．
“发生什么事了？”他问。
'Nothing，'his wife answered，and she sat down to finish her breakfast． She began to think about Tom Morris again and suddenly she said to her husband，'Your friend drank a lot of whisky last night！ A monkey's paw！ What a story！'
“没有，”他妻子回答，她坐下来吃完她的早餐。她开始再次想到了汤姆克里斯，突然她对丈夫说，“你朋友昨晚喝了不少威士忌！一只猴爪！什么故事！”
Mr White did not answer her because just then the post man arrived． He brought two letters for them-but there was no money in them． After breakfast the two old people forgot about the money and the monkey's paw．
怀特先生没有回答她，因为这时邮递员来到了。他拿给他们两封信，但是信里面没有钱。早餐后两个老人忘记了钱和猴爪（的事情）。
Later in the day， at about one o'clock， Mr and Mrs White sat down to eat and then they began to talk about money again． They did not have very much money， so they often needed to talk about it．
天比较晚了，大约一点钟，怀特先生和夫人坐下来吃饭，这时他们开始再次谈论钱（的事情）。他们没有多少钱，因此他们经常需要谈论这个。
'That thirty thousand pounds，'Mrs White said， 'we need it！'
“三万英镑，”怀特夫人说，“我们需要它。”
'But it didn't come this morning，' her husband answered．'Let's forget it！'
“但是它今早没有来，”她丈夫回答，“我们忘了它吧！”
Then he said，'But that thing moved． The monkey's paw moved in my hand！ Tom's story was true！'
然后他说，“但是那东西移动了。那只猴爪在我手里移动了！汤姆的故事是真的！”
'You drank a lot of whisky last night．Perhaps the paw didn't move，'Mrs White answered．
“昨晚你喝多了。或许猴爪没有动，”怀特夫人回答。
'It moved！'Mr White cried angrily．
“它动了！”怀特先生生气地喊道。
At first his wife did not answer，but then she said，'Well， Herbert laughed
about it…'
起先他妻子不回答，但是她们说，“哦，赫伯特笑它呢……”
Suddenly she stopped talking． She stood up and went over to the window．
突然她停下不说， 她站起来朝窗户走去。
'What's the matter？' her husband asked ．
“发生什么事了？”他丈夫问。
'There's a man in front of our house，' Mrs White answered．'He's a stranger-very tall-and well－dressed． He's looking at our house…Oh，no…it's OK…He's going away…'
“咱们房前有个男人，”怀特夫人回答。“他是个陌生人——很高、穿着考究。他看着我们家……哦，不对，好了，他走开了……”
'Come and sit down！ Finish eating！'Mr White said．
“过来做下，把饭吃完！”怀特先生说。
The old woman did not listen to her husband．'He isn't going away，' she went on．'He's coming back． I don't know him-he's a stranger． Yes， he's very well-dressed…'suddenly Mrs White stopped． She was very excited．'He's coming
to the door… Perhaps he's bringing the money！'
老妇人没有听丈夫的话。“他没有走开，”她继续说，“他回来了。我不认识他——他是个陌生人。是的，他穿着很考究……”突然怀特夫人停下了。她很激动，“他朝门口走过来了……或许他带钱来了！”
And she ran out of the room to open the front door．
她跑出房间打开前门。
The tall， well－dressed stranger stood there． For a minute he said nothing， but then he began，'Good afternoon． I'm looking for Mr and Mrs White．
那个穿着考究的高个子陌生人站在那儿。他沉默了一会儿，然后他开始说，“下午好。我正在找怀特先生和怀特夫人。”
'Well，I'm Mrs White，' the old woman answered．'What can I do for you？'
“哦，我是怀特夫人，”老妇人回答，“我能为你做些什么？”
At first the stranger did not answer， but then he said，'Mrs White， I'm from Maw and Meggins． Can I come in and talk to you？'
开始陌生人不回答，但是他说了，“怀特夫人，我来自Maw and Meggins（公司）。我能进去说吗？“
Maw and Meggins had a big factory and Herbert White worked there on the machinery．
Maw and Meggins有个大工厂，赫伯特在那儿的机械上工作。
'Yes，of course，'Mrs White answered．' Please come in．'
“是的，当然可以，”怀特夫人回答，“请进。”
The well－dressed stranger came into the little living－room and Mr White stood up．
这个穿着考究的陌生人来到小客厅，怀特先生站起来。
'Are you Mr White？' the stranger began． Then he went on，'I'm from Maw and Meggins．'
“你是怀特先生吗？”陌生人开始说。他继续说，“我来自Maw and Meggins（公司）。”
Mrs White looked at the stranger and she thought，'Perhaps he has the money… but why Maw and Meggins？And his face is very unhappy… Why？'suddenly the old woman was afraid．
怀特夫人看着这个陌生人，想，“或许他有钱……但是为什么是Maw and Meggins？他的脸上看起来很难过……为什么？”突然老妇人害怕了。
'Please sit down，' Mr White began， but now his wife could not wait．
“请坐下，”怀特先生开始说，但是现在他妻子等不及了。
'What's the matter？'she cried．'Is Herbert…'she could not finish the question．
“发生什么事了？”她叫道，“是不是赫伯特……”她（紧张而害怕）不能说完话。
The stranger did not look at their faces-and Mr White began to be afraid too．
陌生人没有直视他们——怀特先生也开始害怕了
'Please， tell us！' he said．
“请告诉我们！”他说。
'I'm very sorry，' the man from Maw and Meggins began． He stopped for a minute and then he began again．'I'm very sorry， but this morning there was an accident at the factory…'
“我很抱歉，”来自Maw and Meggins的男人开始（说）了。他停了一会儿再次开始说，“我很抱歉，但是今天早上工厂里发生了场意外……”
'What's the matter？ Is Herbert OK？' Mrs White cried again．
“发生什么事了？赫伯特还好吗”怀特夫人又叫道。
'Well…' the man began slowly．
“唉……”男人（语速）开始缓慢了。
'Is he in hospital？ the old woman asked， very afraid now．
“他在医院吗？”老男人问，现在他非常害怕。
'Yes， but…' the stranger looked at Mrs White's face and stopped．
“是的，但是……”陌生人注视着怀特夫人的脸，停下了。
'Is he dead？ Is Herbert dead？ Mr White asked quietly．
“他死了吗？赫伯特死了吗？”怀特先生镇静地问。
'Dead！' Mrs White cried．'Oh no… please…not dead！ Not Herbert！ Not our son！'
“死了！”怀特夫人哭喊道。“哦不……请……不要死！不是赫伯特！不是我们的儿子！”
Suddenly the old woman stopped because she saw the stranger's face． Then the two old people knew． Their son was dead！ Old Mrs White began to cry quietly and Mr White put his arm round her．
突然老妇人停下来因为她看到陌生人的脸部（表情）。此时两位老人知道了。他们的儿
子死了。老怀特夫人开始默默抽泣，怀特先生用胳臂揽住她。
Some time later the man from Maw and Meggins said， 'It was the machinery-an accident Herbert called， \"Help！\"． The men heard him-and ran to him quickly，but they could do nothing． The next minute he was in the machinery． I'm very， very sorry，' he finished．
过一会儿后这个来自Maw and Meggins的男人说，“这是个机械事故，赫伯特向人呼救。人们听见了迅速跑向他，但是他们什么都做不了（无法救下赫伯特）。紧接着赫伯特被卷进机器里了。我非常非常地抱歉，”他说完了。
For a minute or two the room was quiet． At last Mrs White said，'Our son！ Dead！ We're never going to see him again．What are we going to do without him？'
一会儿时间房间里很安静。最后怀特夫人说（很难过），“我们儿子！死了！我们再也看不到他了。没有他我们怎么办？”
Her husband said，'He was our son． We loved him．'
她丈夫说，“他是我们的儿子，我们很爱他。”
Then Mrs White asked the stranger，'Can we see him？Can we see our son？ Please take me to him． I want to see my son．'
此时怀特夫人问陌生人，“我们能看看他吗？我们能看儿子吗？请把他给我们。我想看
我的儿子。”
But the stranger answered quickly，'No！' he said．'It's better not to see him． They couldn't stop the machinery quickly． He was in there for a long time． And at first they couldn't get him out．He was… 'the man stopped． Then he said ,'Don't go to see him！'
但是陌生人很快回答，“不，”他说，“最好不要去看他。他们不能很快地停下机器。他在那儿很长时间了。开始他们不能把他弄出来。他……”男人停下了，接着说，“不要去看他了！”
The stranger went over to the window because he did not want to see the faces of the two old people． He said nothing， but he stood there for some time and he waited．
陌生人走到窗户旁因为他不想看到两位老人的脸（悲伤的样子）。他一言不发，只是站在那儿等待着。
Then he went back to the old people and began to talk again．'There's one more thing，' he said．'Your son worked for Maw and Meggins for six years and he was a good worker． Now Maw and Meggins want to help you at this unhappy time．'Again the stranger stopped．After a minute he began again．'Maw and Meggins want to give you some money．' Then he put something into Mr White's hand．
然后他走回老人身旁开始又说，“有一件事情，”他说，“你的儿子为Maw and Meggins工作了6年，他是一个好工人。现在由于这次不幸Maw and Meggins想帮助你们。”陌生人又停下了。一会儿他又开始说了，“Maw and Meggins会给你们一些钱。”然后他把什么东西放到怀特先生手中。
Old Mr White did not look at the money in his hand． Slowly he stood up and looked at the stranger， afraid．'How much？' Mr White asked， very quietly． He did not want to hear the answer．
老怀先生没有看手中的钱。他慢慢地站起来恐惧地看着这个陌生人，很平静地问；“多少？”他（真的）不想听到回答。
'Thirty thousand pounds，' the stranger said．
“三万英镑，”陌生人说。
Chapter 6
第六章
Three days later，in the big，new cemetery two miles from their house，the two old people said goodbye to their dead son．Then they went back to their dark，old house． They did not want to live without Herbert， but they waited for something good to happen， something to help them．The days went by very slowly． Sometimes they did not talk because there was nothing to say without
Herbert． And so the days felt very long．
三天后，在离他们家两英里的一个大的新的墓地里，两位老人对他们死去的儿子道别。然后他们返回他们又暗又老的房子里。没有了赫伯特他们不想活了，只是等待着好事情发生，能帮助他们的好事情。日子缓慢地过着。有时他们不说话，因为没有了赫伯特他们无活可说。于是感觉日子特别长。
Then，one night，about a week later，Mrs White got out of bed because she could not sleep． She sat by the window and she watched and waited for her son． He did not come and she began to cry quietly．
（那时）大约一周后的一天晚上，怀特夫人从床上起来，因为她睡不着。她在窗户旁看着等着她的儿子。他再也回不来了，她默默地哭泣。
In the dark her husband heard her and he called，'Come back to bed． It's cold out there．'
在暗处她丈夫听到她哭泣，喊她，“回床上来吧，外面那儿冷。”
'It's colder for my son，'his wife answered．'He's out there in the cold cemetery．'
“我儿子那儿更冷，”他妻子回答，“他走了呆在寒冷的墓地里。”
Mrs White did not go back to bed， but Mr White was old and tired and the bed was warm． So， in the end， he went to sleep again． Suddenly he heard a
cry from his wife．
怀特夫人没有回床上去，但是怀特先生老了而且累了，床上很暖和。于是，最后他又入睡了。突然他听到他妻子大叫了一声。
'The paw！' she cried．'The monkey's paw！' She came back to the bed and stood there．
“猴爪！”她大叫，“那只猴爪！”她回到床边站在那儿。
'What is it ？ What's the matter？'Mr White cried．He sat up in bed．'What's the matter？ 'he thought．'Why is she ex cited？ What's she talking about？' He looked at his wife．
“怎么了，发生什么事？”怀特先生叫道。他从床上起身，“发生什么了，”他想，“为什么她紧张？她说的什么？”他看着妻子。
Her face was very white in the dark．'I want it，'she said quietly， 'and you've got it！ Give it to me！ Please！'
她的脸色在黑暗里（显得）很惨白。“我想要他，”她静静地说，“你有它（它在你那儿）！请把它给我！”
'What？' Mr White asked．
“什么？”怀特先生问。
'The monkey's paw， Mrs White said．'Where is it？'
“猴爪，”怀特夫人说，“它在哪儿？”
'It's downstairs， Mr White answered．'Why？'
“它在楼下。”怀特先生回答，“怎么了？”
Mrs White began to laugh and cry．'We can have two more wishes！ 'she cried． 'We had one-but there are two more！'
怀特夫人开始又笑又哭。“我们能许两个愿！”她哭喊道，“我们许了一个——但是还有两个！”
'Oh，no！Not again！ Think， woman！' Mr White cried． But Mrs White did not listen．
“哦，不！不要再做了！想想吧，（你这）女人！”怀特先生大声说道。但是怀特夫人不听。
'Quickly，' she said ．'Go and get the paw． We're going to wish for our boy to come back to us！'
“快点，”她说，“去取猴爪。我们要许愿，希望我们的孩子回到我们身边来。”
'No！' Mr White cried．'You're mad！'
“不！”怀特先生喊，“你疯了！”
'Get it！ Get it quickly！' Mrs White cried again．
“去拿，快去拿！”怀特夫人再次喊道。
Mr White said again，'Think， woman！ Think！ Our boy was in the machinery for a long time． They didn't want to show him to us！ Think！Do you want to see his body？'
怀特先生又说，“想想吧，老婆子！想想吧！我们的孩子在机器里很长时间了。他们不想把他给我们看！想想吧！你想看到他的尸体？”
'Yes！ He's my son． I'm not afraid of him！' she answered．
“是的！他是我儿子。我不害怕！”她回答。
'You don't understand，' Mr White said sadly， but he went downstairs to look for the monkey's paw．
“你不可理喻，”怀特夫人难过地说，但是他到楼下去找猴爪。
In the living-room it was dark and Mr White did not have a candle． Slowly， he went across the room and he put out his hand for the monkey's paw． He touched it， and quickly took his hand away again．
客厅里很暗而且怀特先生没有蜡烛。他缓慢地穿过房间伸出手找猴爪。他摸到它，迅速地又缩回手来。
'No！' he thought．'I can't！I don't want to see Herbert！ His face-after he was in the machinery… no！'
“不！”他想。“我不能这样做！我不想看到赫伯特！他的脸……在机器里后……不！”
Then he thought about his wife-and he put out his hand and took the paw．
然后他想到他的妻子——于是他又伸出去拿猴爪。
In the bedroom his wife waited． She saw the paw in Mr White's hand and cried，'Quick！ Make the wish！'
在卧室里妻子等着他。她听到猴爪到了怀特先生的手里，喊道：“快！许愿！“
'I can't，'Mr White answered． 'Remember-he died in the machinery！'
“我不能，”怀特先生回答，“记着——他死在机器里了！”
'Make the wish！ I'm not afraid of my own son！'Mrs White cried again．
“许愿！我不怕我自己的儿子！”怀特夫人又喊了。
Mr White looked sadly at his wife， but he took the paw in his right hand and
said slowly，'I wish for my son， Herbert， to come back to us．'then he sat down in the nearest chair．
怀特先生对妻子（的做法）看起来很难过，但是他把猴爪放在右手，慢慢地说了，“我希望我的儿子赫伯特，回到我们身边来。”然后他在最近的椅子上坐下来。
But Mrs White went over to the window and looked out into the road． She stayed there for a long time and she did not move． Nothing happened． The monkey's paw could not do it！
但是怀特夫人走到窗户旁（向外看）看着外面的路。她呆在那儿很长时间没有挪动。什么都没有发生。猴爪不能做到了！
'Thank God！'Mr White said，and he went back to bed．
“感谢上帝！”怀特先生说，他回到床上。
Soon Mrs White went to bed too．
不久怀特夫人也上床休息了。
Chapter 7
第七章
But they did not sleep． They waited and they listened． In the end Mr White
got up to get a candle because the dark made him more afraid． He began to go downstairs， but suddenly he heard a noise at the front door．He stopped，and he listened. He could not move．Then the noise came again． This time he ran．He ran upstairs，back into the bedroom and he closed the door behind him． But again the noise came．
但是他们睡不着。他们等着听着。最后怀特先生起来拿根蜡烛，因为黑暗使他更恐惧他开始到楼下，但是突然他听到前门有声音。他停下，听着，不能移动。接着声音又传进来。这次他跑起来。他跑到楼上，回到卧室，关上身后的门。但是声音再次传进来。
'What's that？' Mrs White cried， and she sat up in bed．
“发生什么了？”怀特夫人喊道，她从床上起来。
'Nothing！ GO to sleep again！' her husband answered．
“没事！再睡吧！”他丈夫回答。
But Mrs White listened-and the noise came again．'It's Herbert！ It's Herbert！ she cried．'I'm going to open the door for him．'
但是怀特夫人听到了，声音又传进来。“是赫伯特！是赫伯特！”她叫道。“我要给他开门。”
And she got out of bed and ran to the door of the bedroom．Mr White got there first and stopped her．
她下了床跑到卧室门旁。怀特先生先到那儿制止她。
'No！' he cried．'Think！'
“不要！”他叫道，“想想吧！”
'But it's my boy！ It's Herbert，' she answered．
“但是是我儿子！是赫伯特，”她回答。
'No！Don't go！Don't…'her husband cried again．
“不，不要去！不要……”她丈夫又喊道。
But Mrs White did not listen to him． She opened the bed room door and ran from the room．'I'm coming， Herbert． I'm coming！' she called．
但是怀特夫人不听他的。她打开卧室门，跑出房间。“我来了，赫伯特。我来了！”她喊着。
Mr White ran after her．'Stop！'he cried．'Remember， Herbert died in the machinery！You don't want to see him！'
怀特先生随后跑来。“停下，”他叫道，“记住，赫伯特在机器里死了！你不要想看他了！”
For a minute Mrs White stopped and looked at her husband， but then the
noise came again and she began to run downstairs．
怀特夫人停下了一会儿，看着她丈夫，但是接着声音再进传进来她开始住楼下跑。
'Help me！ Help me！' she called to her husband．
“帮我啊，帮我！”她对丈夫喊。
But Mr White did not move．'The paw！' he thought．'Where's the monkey's paw？'
但是怀特先生没有动。“猴爪！”他想，“猴爪在哪里？”
He ran back into the bedroom．'Quick！'he thought． 'Where is it？'At first he could not find it in the dark．Ah！ There it was！ He had it！
他跑回卧室。“快！”他想，“它在哪儿？”起先在黑暗里他找不到它，啊！它在那儿，他拿到它了！
Just at that minute he heard his wife downstairs．
正在那时他听到妻子下楼了。
'Wait！ Wait， Herbert！ I'm coming！' she cried． She began to open the front door．
“等着，等着，赫伯特！我来了！”她哭喊着，开始打开前门。
At the same time Mr White took the monkey's paw in his right hand and he made his third wish．
这时怀特先生把猴爪放在右手许了第三个愿望。
Mrs White gave a long unhappy cry and her husband ran down to her． She stood by the open door． Very afraid，Old Mr White looked out into the dark．
怀特夫人发出长长地一声惨叫，他的丈夫跑到（楼下）她身边。她站在打开的门口，老怀特（夫人）望着外面（黑漆漆一片）。
The road was dark and quiet-and there was nobody there．
道路又暗又静——那儿什么人都没有。
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