大学英语综合教程 第四册 Unit 3B

[04:57.27]The next morning,straw-hatted,with powder on my nose,I went with my father to the gates of the hospital.
[05:05.66]"It's not this gate,this is for the sick.It's the other gate,round the corner,"said the porter.
[05:13.36]The Yu Wang Fu Palace occupied a whole city block.We walked along its high grey outer wall,
[05:22.14]hearing the dogs scream in the kennels,and came to its other gate,which was Administration building gate.
[05:30.58]It had two large stone lions,one male,one female.We crossed the marble courtyard,
[05:39.54]walked up the steps with their carved dragons coiling in the mikkle,into an entrance hall,with painted beams
[05:48.24]and intricate painted ceiling,redlacquered pillars huge lamps.There was cork matting on the stone floor.
[05:57.96]"I'll leave you,"said Papa. "Try to make a good impression."And he was gone.
[06:04.67]I found the Comptroller's office easily;there was a messenger in the hall directing visitors.An open door,a room,
[06:15.20]two typewriters clattering and two women making them clatter.
[06:21.07]I stood at the door and one of the women came to me.(3)She had the new style of hair,
[06:28.70]all upstanding curls,which I admired,a dress with a print round the hem;she was very pregnant,
[06:37.90]so that her belly seemed to be coming at me first.She smiled. "Hello,what can I do for you?"
[06:46.83]"I have an interview."
[06:49.76]She took the letter from my hand. "Glad you could come.Now,just sit you down.
[06:57.31]No,sit down there.I'll tell Mr.Harned you've come."
[07:02.66]The office had two other doors besides the one to the coridor, on one was "Comptroller."
[07:10.18]That was the one he went through and returned from.
[07:14.70]"Mr.Harned will see you now."
[07:18.28]"Mr.Harned was very tall,thin,with a small bald head,a long chin,enormous glasses.
[07:27.22]I immediately began to quiver withfright.Hishead was like a temple on top of a mountain,
[07:36.20]like the white pagoda on the hill in the North Sea Park.I could not hear a word of what he said.
[07:44.33]A paper and a pencil wer in my hand,however,and Harned was dictating to me,giving me a speed test in shorthand.
[07:53.47]I went out of his office and the pregnant secretary sat me in front of her own typewriter.
[08:00.55]I turned a stricken face to her, "I couldn't hear.I couldn't hear what he said…"
[08:09.35]"Wait,I'll tell him,"She bustled off.At the other desk was a blonde,thin girl,
[08:17.66]who had thrown one look at me and then gone back to clattering.The pregnant one reappeared,
[08:25.50]a pink sheet in hand: "Now just copy this on the typewriter,best you can."
[08:33.02]I hit the keys,swiftly; the typewriter was the same make as mine, a Royal.
[08:40.10]"My,you are fast.I'll tell Mr.Harned."
[08:45.09]And Mr.Harned came out,benign behind those enormous goggle glasses. "Well,Miss Chou,
[08:54.23]we've decided to take youon as a typist,at thirty-five dollars a month.To start Monday.Is that all right?"
[09:03.35]I nodded,unable to speak.Had he said ten dollars I would have accepted.
[09:10.74]The kind secretary said: "Now take your time,and wipe your face.How old are you,by the way?"
[09:19.46]"Sixteen,nearly."
[09:22.55]"Is that all?Why my eldest is bigger than you,and she isn't through school yet.(4)I told Mr.Handed
[09:31.66]you were shy and upset,and that's why you couldn't take dictation.He's all right,just takes getting used to,that's all."
[09:40.52]"I couldn't understand his English."
[09:44.02]"Oh,you'll get used to it.Now,I won't be around on amonday,I'm going to have a baby.
[09:51.15]It's your letter that got them interested in you,you wrote such good English,better than all the other letter we've had.
[09:59.41]Mr.harned will give you a try."She whispered, "I put in a good word for you."
[10:07.29]"Thanks,thanks a lot,…I need the money,I…"
[10:12.60]"Yes,dear,we know,"Obviously she wanted her typewriter back,and her chair.I was still sitting on it. "
[10:22.26]Well ,bye-bye for now;hope you enjoy yourself in this job.I've been here six months and I've enjoyed every minute.
[10:31.20]Don't let Mr.Harned worry you; he's really great,once you get used to him."
[10:37.28]I had a job,had a job,had a job.