双语美文：我花了20美元，让世界变得更好了

 　　I Paid For A Young Woman's Groceries

　　我为一个女孩买了杂货

　　I was in line at Trader Joe's and the young woman in front of me had her card declined¹, she embarrassedly handed the cashier another card, which was also declined and then a final card that was approved for just $5.47.

　　我在乔氏超市连锁店排着队，排在我前面女孩的银行卡因为余额不足被退回了，于是她不好意思地递给收银员另一张卡，但还是因为同样的理由被退回了，最后她又拿出了一张卡，但余额显示只有5.47美元。

　　She asked the cashier to cancel the transaction². The cashier motions for manager. I smile and offer to pay the balance, which was $20 something dollars.

　　无奈之下，她只能让收银员取消交易。收银员示意了经理。我微笑了一下，然后帮女孩付了余款。

　　The woman was very thankful, the cashier was happy.

　　女孩很感激，收银员看到这一幕感到非常欣喜。

　　On my way out the manager handed me a bouquet³ of mixed flowers. He didn't say anything, just held the flowers out to me.

　　就在我走出超市时，经理递给了我一束花。但他什么也没说，只是把花递给了我。

　　I saw he was overcomed with emotion. I suspected that if he opened his mouth he would start to cry. I accepted the flowers with thanks and walked out feeling that, for just a few moments, the world had become a better place.

　　我看得出他是在克制情绪。我甚至怀疑他一旦张开嘴巴就会开始哭起来。我收下了花，并向他道谢。在我走出超市的那一刻，感觉世界都美好了起来。

1 declined   

v.辞谢，谢绝（邀请等）( decline的过去式和过去分词 )；（道路、物体等）下倾；（太阳）落下；（在品格、价值上）降低

参考例句：

• We asked her to come to our party, but she declined. 我们请她来参加我们的晚会，但是她谢绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He declined to charge his memory with so many details. 他不愿在脑中记这么多细枝末节。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 transaction   

n.处理，交易，相互作用

参考例句：

• He was twenty dollars in pocket by the transaction.他在这笔生意中赚了20美元。
• He left the transaction of the matter to his secretary.他把这件事交给秘书办理。

3 bouquet   

n.花束，酒香

参考例句：

• This wine has a rich bouquet.这种葡萄酒有浓郁的香气。
• Her wedding bouquet consisted of roses and ivy.她的婚礼花篮包括玫瑰和长春藤。