6. I Returned Without Accomplishing Anything

And he gave me a mirror and a comb.

"I don't want a mirror, I don't want a comb. Please take my photograph. I'm going to Minta this afternoon. And I'm in a hurry," I said.

"Yes," he said. "But first the price. This is the best camera in Darpur and I'm the best photographer. Three photographs will cost you two pounds fifty."

"Two pounds fifty!" And I laughed.

"Two pounds fifty-and pay me now please," the photographer answered.

I did not know the price of photographs. What could I do?

Then the photographer said, "You are an old man. For you, the price is two pounds."

So I gave him the money and he took the photographs.

"Come back tomorrow morning," he said.

"I want my three photographs now, immediately," I said.

"Don't be stupid," the photographer said. "Photographs take twenty-four hours. Come back tomorrow."

What could I do? So I said, "Yes. Tomorrow morning."

"Good," said the photographer. "Now go. I have a lot of work. I'm very busy."

I went back to the bus station. I sat on the bus for three hours.

I walked ten miles back to my village.

It was night time and I was very tired.

Martha and my friends were waiting for me.

"Where is the money?" Martha asked.

"I have no money. I cannot change the money order. First I must have an Identity Card." And I told Martha everything.

"Tomorrow I am going to Darpur again," I said.

Then I did not talk again.

I was very tired and it was late at night.

I lay on my bed and I slept.

                                ——《百词斩爱阅读》