5 THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER 烧炭者与漂洗工

THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER 烧炭者与漂洗工

THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER

There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house: "We shall get to know one another better that way," he said, "and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished." The Fuller thanked him, but replied, "I couldn't think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal."

烧炭者与漂洗工

烧炭人在一所房子里干活，看见有一个漂布人搬迁到他的旁边来住时，满怀高兴地走上 去劝他与自己同住，并解释说这样彼此更亲密，更方便，还更省钱。漂布人却回答说：“也许你说的是真话，但完全不可能办到，因为凡我所漂白的，都将被你弄黑。”

这故事说明，不同类的人难相处。

1.charcoal-burner：烧炭工人

2.fuller：漂洗工

3.acquaintance：相熟；了解

4.sort：种类；分类

5.expense：费用；开支

6.diminish：减少；削弱

7.charcoal：木炭