研究生英语阅读教程(基础级2版)课文07及其翻译..doc

A Whole Nation and a People [1] There was one storekeeper I remember above all others in my youth, when I was spending a good portion (part) of my time with a motley (mixed) group of varied ethnic ancestry (racial background). We contended (competed) with one another to deride (laugh at) the customs of the old country (motherland). On our Saturday forays (attack) into neighborhoods beyond our own, to prove we were really Americans, we ate hot dogs and drank Cokes. If a boy didnt have ten cents (dime) for this repast (meal) he went (was) hungry, for he dared not bring a sandwich from home made of the spiced meats our families ate. [2] One of our untamed games was to seek out (found) the owner of a pushcart (wagon) or a store, unmistakably an immigrant (-emigrant), and bedevil (annoy/ troubled) him with a chorus of insults and jeers. To prove allegiance (loyalty) to the gang it was necessary to reserve (keep) our fiercest malevolence for a storekeeper or peddler belonging to our own ethnic background. [3] For that reason I led a raid (attack) on the small, shabby (old and broken) grocery of old Barba Nikos, short, sinewy (strong) Greek who walked with a slight limp and sported (showed) a flaring, handlebar mustache. [4] We stood outside his store and dared (challenged) him to come out. When he emerged (appeared) to do battle (fight), we plucked (grasped) a few plums and peaches from the basket on the sidewalk (pavement) and retreated (withdrew), I go across the street to eat them while (at same time) he watched. He waved a fist and hurled epithets at us in ornamental (graceful) Greek. [5] Aware (Realizing) that my mettle (courage) was being tested, I raised my arm and threw my half-eaten plum at the old man. My aim was accurate and the plum struck (hit) him on the cheek. He shuddered and put his hand to the stain. He stared at me across the street, and although I could not see his eyes, I felt them sear (burn) my flesh (-meat). He turned and walked silently back in