《襯衫領子》，1848 年

the Shirt-collar, 1848

從前有一位講究的紳士，他除了別的東西之外，還有一個脫靴器和一把梳子；但他還有世上最精緻的襯衫領子，關於這個領子，我們馬上就要聽一個故事了。

there was once a fine gentleman who possessed among other things a boot-jack and a hair-brush; but he had also the finest shirt-collar in the world, and of this collar we are about to hear a story.

這個領子已經很舊了，以至於他開始考慮結婚的事；有一天，他碰巧和一條襪帶在同一個洗衣盆裡。

the collar had bee so old that he began to think about getting married; and one day he happened to find himself in the same washing-tub as a garter.

“說真的，” 襯衫領子說，“我以前從沒見過這麼纖細、這麼精緻、這麼整潔、這麼柔軟的東西。我可以冒昧地問一下你的名字嗎？”

“Upon my word,” said the shirt-collar, “I have never seen anything so slim and delicate, so neat and soft before. may I venture to ask your name?”

“我不會告訴你的。” 襪帶回答道。

“I shall not tell you,” replied the garter.

“你在家的時候住在哪兒呢？” 襯衫領子問道。但襪帶生性害羞，不知道該怎麼回答這樣的問題。

“where do you reside when you are at home?” asked the shirt-collar. but the garter was naturally shy, and did not know how to answer such a question.

“我猜你是一條腰帶，” 襯衫領子說，“一種襯腰帶。我看出來了，我的小女士，你既實用又美觀。”

“I presume you are a girdle,” said the shirt-collar, “a sort of under girdle. I see that you are useful, as well as ornamental, my little lady.”

“你別和我說話，” 襪帶說，“我覺得我可沒給過你這樣做的任何鼓勵。”

“You must not speak to me,” said the garter; “I do not think I have been given you any encouragement to do so.”

“哦，當一個人長得像你這麼漂亮的時候，” 襯衫領子說，“這難道還不夠鼓勵嗎？”

“oh, when any one is as beautiful