The Million Pound 百万英镑
Part One: From Francisco to London
When I was 27 years old, I worked in an office in San Francisco. I did my job well and my future was promising.
I was alone in the world and I was happy. On Saturday afternoons I didn't work. I sailed my little sailboat on San Francisco Bay. One Saturday afternoon, I sailed out too far. The strong afternoon wind pushed my sailboat out of the bay, into the Pacific Ocean.
That night when I had lost all hope, a small British brig saw me and took me on board. The brig was sailing to London. The voyage was long and stormy. I worked as a sailor to pay for my trip.
When I arrived in London, my clothes were old and dirty. I had only one dollar in my pocket. With this dollar, I ate and slept for the first twenty-four hours. During the next twenty-four hours, I didn't eat and I didn't sleep.
At about ten o'clock the following morning, I went to Portland Place. I saw a child walking past, holding a big pear. The child ate one small piece and then threw the pear onto the street. I stopped and looked at it. I was very hungry and I really wanted that pear.
But every time I tried to get it, someone **passed by ** and looked at me. I quickly turned in the other direction and waited for the person to pass by. I tried again and again to get that pear, but the same thing happened. I was desperate. I decided to get the pear and not to worry about the people who saw me. At that moment, a gentleman opened a window behind me and said, "Come in here, please."
A well-dressed servant opened the door. He took me to a beautiful room. Here, two old gentlemen were sitting and discussing something important. Their breakfast was still one the table. I was very hungry and I stared at their breakfast.
I want to tell the reader that the two gentlemen had made a bet several days before. I knew nothing about the bet until later. Let me (to) tell you what happened.
promising adj. 有希望的，有前途的
the Pacific Ocean. n. 太平洋
brig n. 双桅横帆船；
on board 在船（火车、飞机）上
voyage n. （尤指坐船或飞往太空的）航行
stormy adj. 有暴风雨的，风暴的；
pay for 赔偿；为……而付钱；为……付出代价
With this dollar 这一美元
for the first twenty-four hours 在最初的24小时内
During the next twenty-four hours 在接下来的24小时里
the following morning 第二天早上
walking past, 动名词短语作宾补
desperate 绝望的；
passed by 路过
in the other direction 在另一个方向
bet n. 下注；赌金
several days before. Before+具体年份、年龄，4 years before（副词）4年之前，必须要用到过去完成时态
Part Two: An Unusual Bet
The two old gentlemen were brothers. For several days, they argued about a very strange subject. They decided to end their argument with a bet, as the English usually do. The following was the subject of the bet.
The Bank of England issued two banknotes of a million pounds each for a public transaction with a foreign country. England used one banknote and the other remained in the back. At this point, Brother A said to Brother B,
"If an honest and intelligent stranger arrives in London without a friend and without money, except for the $1,000,000 banknote, he will starve to death."
Brother B answered, 'No! I don't agree."
Brother A said, "If he goes to the bank or anywhere else to change this big note, the police will put him in prison. Everyone will think he stole it."
They continued arguing for days, until Brother B said, "I'll bet $20,000 that the stranger will live for thirty days with the banknote and not go to prison."
Brother A accepted the bet. He went to the bank and bought the $1,000,000 banknote. After, he returned home and prepared a letter. Then the two brothers sat by the window and waited for the right man for the bet.
They saw a lot of honest faces go by, but they were not intelligent enough. Several faces were intelligent, but they were not honest. A lot of faces were honest and intelligent, but they were not poor enough. Other faces were honest, intelligent and poor, but they were not stranges.
When they saw me from the window, they thought I was the right man. They asked me questions, and soon they knew my story.
Finally, they told me I was the right man for the bet. I asked them to explain the bet. One of the gentlemen gave me an envelope. I wanted to open it, but he said, "No, don't open it now. Wait until you are in your hotel room. Then read it very carefully."
I was confused and I wanted to discuss the subject with them. But they didn't. I felt hurt because I was the subject of a joke.
When I left their house, I looked for the pear on the street. It was gone. I was quite angry with those two gentlemen.
Far from their house, I opened the envelope. I saw that there was money inside! I didn't stop to read their letter.
I ran to the nearest eating place. I ate and ate and ate. At last, I took out the envelope with the money, to pay for my meal. I looked at the banknote and almost fainted. It was a banknote worth five million dollars! I was speechless. I stared at the banknote. The two gentlemen had made a big mistake.
They probably wanted to give me a one-pound banknote. I saw the owner of the eating place staring at the banknote, too. We were both surprised. I did not know what to do or say, so I simply gave him the note and said, "Give me the change, please."
The owner apologized a thousand times. "I'm very sorry, but I can't change this banknote, sir." "I don't have any other money. Please change this note." The owner then said, "You can pay for this food whenever you want, sir. I understand that you are a very rich gentleman. You like playing jokes on people by dressing like a poor man. You can come here and eat all you want. whenever you want. You can pay me when you want."
argued v. 争论；争吵
argument n. 争论，争吵；
as the English usually do. 就像英国人通常做的那样。
The following was the subject of the bet. 以下是这次打赌的主题。
issued v. 发布；
remained 保持不变，一直是；
At this point, Brother 这时候，此时此刻
except for 除了……以外；要不是由于
he will starve to death. 他会饿死的 to death 结果状语，到极点
主语+bet+钱 that...
waited for the right man for the bet. 等待合适的人来下注。
Other faces 强调剩下的一部分人，不是指全部。.
was quite angry with those two gentlemen. be angry with sb,
Far from their house, 远离他们的家，
I didn't stop to read their letter. 我没有停下来看他们的信。 stop doing sth,停止现在作的事情 stop to do sth. 停下来去做其他事情
envelope n. 信封，
fainted vi. 晕厥
speechless adj. （因气愤、震惊、惊讶等）说不出话的，无语的；非言语所能表达的
worth five million dollars! 定语，价值五百万美元!
whenever you want, sir. whenever 引导时间状语从句
playing jokes on people play jokes on sb.
Part Three: The Letter
When I left the eating place, I hurried to the house of the two gentlemen. I wanted to correct the mistake they had made. I was very nervous.
When I arrived, the same servant opened the door. I asked for the two gentlemen.
"They are gone," the servant said.
"Gone? Gone where?"
"On, on a journey."
"But, where did they go?"
"To the Continent, I think."
"The Continent?"
"Yes, sir."
"When will they return?"
"In a month."
"A month! Oh, this a awful! How can I talk to them? It's extremely important."
"I can't help you. I don't know where they are, sir."
"Then I must see a member of the family."
"All the family are away. They're in Egypt and India, I think."
"Before leaving, the two gentlemen made an enormous mistake. They will certainly return home tonight. Tell them that I came here to correct the mistake. I will return tomorrow."
"I'll tell them if I see them. But I won't see them! Sir, you must not worry. because everything is all right. They will be here on time, and they will see you then. Good-bey."
I was confused. My head was in a fog. I did not understand what the servant told me. The letter, I remembered the letter! This is what it said:
"You are an intelligent and honest man. You are also poor and a stranger. In this envelope you will find some money. It is yours only for 30 days. At the end of 30 days, return to this house, I have a bet on you. If I win this bet, you can have any job with any salary that you want."
There were no signature, no address, no date on the letter. How strange! I didn't know what to think. I went to a park, sat down and thought about what to do. After an hour, I reached the decision that follows.
The two old gentlemen are playing a game that I don't understand. They are betting on me.(But, at that time, I didn't know anything about the details of the bet.)
If I go to the Bank of England to return the banknote, the bank will ask me lots of questions. If I tell the truth, no one will believe me. They will put me in an asylum. If I tell a lie, the police will put me in prison. I can't even give it to anyone, because no honest person will want it. I can do only one thing: I must keep the bill for a whole month. And, I must not lost it. If I help the old man to win his bet. he will give me the job I want. The idea of an important job with a big salary made me happy. With this exciting idea in mind, I began walking down the streets of London.
hurried adj. 匆忙的；草率的
nervous adj. 神经紧张的，担忧的；
on a journey. 在旅途中
extremely adv. 极度，非常
Continent n. 洲，大陆， 此处指亚洲大陆
awful 糟糕的；
My head was in a fog. 一头雾水
have a bet on you 跟你打个赌。
I reached the decision that follows. 我做出了下面的决定。
asylum 精神病院
With this exciting idea in mind, 有了这个激动人心的想法，
Part Four: At the Tailor's
Every time I passed in front of a tailor's, I wanted to enter and buy some new clothes. But, I had no money to pay for them. The $1,000,000 banknote in my packet was useless!
I passed in front of the same tailor's six times. At last I entered. I quietly asked If they had an old, unattractive suit that no one wanted to buy. The man (whom) I spoke to nodded his head, but he didn't speak. The another man looked at me and nodded his head.
I went to him and he said, "One moment, please."
After some time, he took me to a back room. He looked at several ugly suits that on one wanted. He chose the worst (one) for me. I really wanted a suit, so I said nothing.
It was time to pay. "Can you wait a few days for the money? I haven't got any small change with me." The man said, "Oh, you haven't Well, I thought gentleman like you carried large change."
"My friend," I replied, "you can't judge a stranger by the clothes he wears. I can pay for this suit. But, can you change a large banknote?"
"Oh, of course we can change a large banknote," he said coldly.
I gave him the banknote. He received it with a smile a big smile that covered his face. When he read the banknote, his smile disappeared.
The owner of the shop came over and asked me, "What's the trouble?'"
"There isn't any trouble. I'm waiting for my change."
"Come, come. Give him his change, Tod Quickly!"
Tod answered, "it's easy to say, but look at the banknote."
The owner looked at the banknote. Then he looked at my package with the ugly suit.
"Tod," he shouted, "you are stupid! How can you sell this unattractive suit to a millionaire! Tod, you can't see the difference between a millionaire and a poor man."
"I apologize, sir," the owner continued. "Please take off those things you are wearing and throw them in the fire. Put on this fine shirt and this handsome suit. It's prefect for you.--simple but elegant."
I told him I was very happy with the new suit.
"Oh, wait until you see what we can make for you in your size! Tod, bring a pen and a book. Let me measure your leg, your arm ..."
I didn't have a moment to speak.
The owner measured me. Then he ordered his tailors to make me morning suits, evening suits, shirts, coats and other things.
"But, my dear sir," I said, "I can order all these things only if you change my banknote. Or, if you can wait a while before I pay you."
"Wait a while! I'll wait forever, that's the word. Tod, send these things to the gentleman's address. Let the less important customers wait! What's your address, sir?"
"I'm changing my home. I'll come back and give you my new address," I replied.
"Quite right, sir, quite right. Let me show you to the door, sir. Good day, sir, good day."
At the+职业名称's = 在... 那里 At the Tailor's 在裁缝店
unattractive adj. 不美丽的；不吸引人的；令人反感的
I haven't got any small change with me. have sth with sb
coldly adv. 冷淡地；不友好地
elegant adj. （人）高雅的，举止优雅的；
make sb sth. make sth for sb.
less important 次要的（important 的比较级）
Quite right 完全对，好极了
replied v. 回答；反响；
Part Five: The poor Millionaire
The impossible happened. I bought everything I wanted without money. I showed my banknote and asked for change, but every time the same thing happened. No one was able to change it.
I bought all that I needed and all the luxuries that I wanted. I stayed at an expensive hotel in Hanover Square. I always had dinner at the hotel. But I preferred having breakfast at Harris's simple eating place. Harris's was the first place where I had a good meal with my million-pound note. That's where it all started.
The news about me and my banknote was all over London. Harris's eating place became famous because I had breakfast there. Harris was happy with all his new customers.
I lived like a rich, important man. I had money to spend. I lived in a dream. But often, I said to myself, "Remember, this dream will end when the two men return to London. Everything will change. Everything will change."
My story was in the newspapers. Everyone talked about the "strange millionaire with the million-pound note in his pocket." Punch magazine drew a funny picture of me on the front page. People talked about everything I did and about everything I said. They followed me in the streets.
I kept my old clothes, and sometimes I wore them. It was fun when the shop owners thought I was poor. Then I showed them the banknote, and, Oh how their faces changed!
After ten days in London. I went to visit the American Ambassador. He was very happy to meet me. He invited me to a dinner-party that evening.
He told me that he knew my father from Yale University. He invited me to visit his home whenever I wanted.
I was glad to have a new, important friend. I thought to myself, "I'll need an important friend, when the story of the million-pound note and bet comes out."
I want the reader to know that I planed to pay back all the shop owners who sold me things on credit. "If I win the bet for the old gentleman," I thought, "I will have an important job. With an important job, I will have a big salary." I planned to pay back everyone with my first year's salary.
The impossible happened. 不可能的事情发生了。 impossible 作名词
luxuries n. 奢侈品
was happy with all his new customers. be happy with sb.
drew a funny picture of me 物称表达法， drew picture of sb.
how their faces changed! 感叹句
After ten days in London. 在某个地方几天，
Ambassador n. 大使，使节；
comes out. 真相大白,水落石出
on credit 赊帐
Part Six: The Dinner Party
There were fourteen people at the dinner party. The Duke and Duchess of Shoreditch, and their daughter, Lady Anne-Grace-Eleanor de Bohun, the Earl and Countess of Newgate, Viscount Cheapside, Lord and Lady Blatherskite, the Ambassador and his wife and daughter, and some other people. There was also a beautiful, twenty-two-year old English girl, named Portia Langham. I fell in love with her in two minutes, and she with me! = she fell in love with me too.
After a while, the house servant presented another guest, Mr Llody Hastings. When Mr Hastings saw me, he said, "I think I know you."
"Yes, you probably do."
"Are you the -- the --"
"Yes, I'm the strange millionaire with the million-pound note in his packet!"
"Well, well, this is a surprise. I never thought you were the same Henry Adams from San Francisco! Six months ago, you were working in the offices of Blake Hopkins in San Francisco. I remember clearly. You had a very small salary. And at night, you helped me arrange the papers for the Gould and Curry Mining Company. Now you're a millionaire, a celebrity here in London. I can't believe it! How exciting!"
"I can't believe it, either, Lloyd."
"Just three months ago, we went to the Miner's Restaurant"
"No,no, it was the What Cheer Restaurant."
"Right, it was the What Cheer. We went there at two o'clock in the morning. We had steak and coffee. That night we worked for six long hours on the Gould And Curry Mining Company papers. Do you remember, Henry, I asked you to come to London with me. I wanted you to help me to sell the Gould and Curry gold mine shares. But you refused."
Of course I remember. I didn't want to leave my job in San Francisco. And I still think it's difficult to sell shares of a California gold mine here in London.
"You were right Henry. You were so right. It is impossible to sell these shares here in London. My plan failed and I spent all my money. I don't want to talk about it."
"But you must talk about it. When we leave the dinner-party, you must tell me what happened."
"On, can I? I really need to talk to a friend," Lloyd said, with water in his eyes.
"Yes, I want to hear the whole story, every word of it."
"Thank you, Henry. You're a true friend."
At this point, it was time for dinner. Thanks to the English system of precedence, there was no dinner. The Duck of Shoreditch wanted to sit at the head of the table.
The American Ambassador also wanted to sit at the head of the table. It was inpossible for them to decide, so we had no dinner.
The English know about the system of precedence. They have dinner before going out to dinner. But strangers know nothing about it. They remain hungry all evening.
Instead, we had a dish of sardines and a strawberry. Now it was time for everyone to play a game called cribbage. The English never play a game for fun. They play to win or lose something.
Miss Landham and I played the game, but with little interest.
I looked at her beautiful face and said, "Miss Langham, I love you!"
"Mr Adams," she said softly and smiled, "I love you, too!"
This was a wonderful evening. Miss Langham and I were very happy. We smiled laughed and talked. I was honest with her. I told her that I was poor and that I didn't have a cent in the world. I explained that the million-pound note was not mine. She was very curious to know more. I told her the whole story from the start. She laughed and laughed. She thought the story was very funny. I didn't understand why is was funny. I also explained that I needed an important job with a big salary to pay all my debts.
"Portia, dear, can you come with me on the day I must meet those two gentlemen?"
"Well, yes, if I can help you," she replied.
"Of course you can help me. You are so lovely that when the two gentlemen see you, I can ask for any job and any salary. With you here, my sweet Portia. the two gentlemen won't refuse me anything."
Duke n. 公爵
Duchess n. 公爵夫人；
Shoreditch 肖迪奇（地名，英国伦敦的一个地区）
Earl n. （英国）伯爵（封号）
Countess n. 伯爵夫人；女伯爵
Newgate . （在伦敦西门的著名的）纽盖特监狱
presented 引见，介绍
work on sth 忙于做某事
shares n. [金融] 股份
it is difficult to do sth.
with water in his eyes.
precedence n. （重要性或地位的）领先，优先权；地位先后，级别高低
他们整个晚上都很饿，all evening All= the whole+单数
Instead adv. 代替，顶替，反而
cribbage n. 克里比奇牌戏（纸牌玩法之一）
with little interest. = interestedly; with+抽象名词，
was honest with her. be honest with sb.
debts n. 负债类，债务
Part Seven: A Million-Dollar Idea
At the end of the dinner party, I returned to the hotel with Hastings. He walked about his problems, but I didn't listen to him. I was thinking about Portia the whole time.
When we arrived at the hotel, Hastings said, "Let me just stand here and look at this marvelous hotel. It's a palace! What expensive furniture! You have everything you want. You are rich, Henry. And I am poor. "
His words scared me. I too, was poor. I didn't have a cent in the world, and I had debts to pay. I needed to win the gentleman's bet, This was my last hope. Hastings didn't know the truth.
"Henry, just a tiny part of your income can save me. I'm desperate!" Hastings cried.
"My dear Hastings, sit down here and drink this hot whiskey. New tell me your whole story, every word of it."
"Do you want to hear my story again?"
"But, you never told me your story."
"Of course I told you my story, as we walked to the hotel. Don't you remember?"
"I didn't hear one word of it."
"Henry, are you ill? Is something wrong with you?"
What did you drink at the dinner party?
"Oh, Hastings, I'm in love! I can only think about my sweet Portia. This is why I didn't hear your story before."
Hastings got up from his chair, shook my hand and laughed.
"I'm very happy for you, Henry, very happy," he said smiling.
"I'll tell you he whole story again." So he sat down and **patiently ** started to tell me his story.
To make a long story short, the owners of the Gould and Curry Gold Mine sent Lloyd to England, to sell the shares of the mine for one million dollars. Any money he received over one million dollars was his to keep.
Hastings's dream was to sell the shares for more than one million dollars, and become rich. He had only one month to sell he shares. He had done everything to sell them, but nobody wanted to buy them. Then he jumped up and cried, "Henry, you can help me! Will you do it?"
"Tell me how."
"Give me a million dollars and I'll sell you all the shares. You will be the new owner of the gold mine. Don't, don't refuse."
I did not know what to say. I wanted to tell Hastings the truth. But then, an intelligent idea came to me. I thought about it for a moment and then calmly said, "I will save you, Lloyd."
"Then I am already saved! How can I thank you."
"Let me finish, Lloyd. I will save you, bu not in that way. I have a better way. I know everything about that mine. I know its great value. You will sell the shares by using my name. You can send anyone to me, since people in London know me. I will guarantee the gold mine. In a week or two, you will sell the shares for three million dollars, by using my name. And we'll share the money you earn. Half to you and half to me."
Lloyd was very happy and excited. He danced around the room and laughed.
"I can use your name! Your name -- think of it. The rich Londoners will run to buy these shares. I'm saved! And I'll never forget you, Henry!"
marvelous adj. 了不起的；非凡的；令人惊异的；不平常的
furniture n. 家具；装置；
desperate 绝望的，无望的；
a tiny part of your income 你收入的一小部分, tiny adj. 极小的，微小的
he said smiling. 现在分词作 伴随状语
patiently adv. 耐心地；有毅力地
for one million dollars. 以一百万美元的价格
Any money he received over one million dollars was his to keep. 他收到的超过一百万美元的钱都归他所有。
guarantee v. 担保，为……作保
Half to you and half to me. 一半给你，一半给我。
Part Eight: Back to Portland Place
The next day, all of London talked about the shares of the California gold mine. I stayed in my hotel and said to everyone who came to me.
"Yes, I know Mr Hastings. He's a very honest man. And I know the gold mine, because I lived in the California Gold Country. It is mine of great value. People were now interested in buying he shares.
I spent evening with Portia at the American Ambassador's house. I didn't tell her about the shares and the mine. It was a surprise. We talked about our love and our future togeher.
Finally, the end of the month arrived. Lots of rich Londoners bought the shares of the mine. I had a million dollars of my own in the London and Country Bank. And Lloyd did, too.
It was time to meet with the two old gentlemen. I dressed in my best clothes, and I went to get Portia.
Before going to Portland Place, Portia and I talked about the job and the salary.
"Portia, you are so beautiful! when the two gentlemen meet you, they will give me any job and any salary I ask for."
"Henry, please remember that If we ask for too much, we will get nothing. Then what will happen to us?"
"Don't be afraid, Portia."
When we arrived, the same servant opened the door. There were the two old gentleman having tea. They were surprised to see Portia. I introduced her to them. Then I said, "Gentlemen, I am ready to report to you."
"We are pleased to hear this," said one gentleman.
"Now we can decide the bet that my brother Abel and I made. If you win for me, you can have any job in my power. Do you have the million-pound note?"
"Here it is, sir," and I gave it to him.
"I won!" he shouted. "Now what do you say, Abel?"
"I say he survived, and I lost twenty thousand pounds. I can't believe it!"
"I have more to tell you," I said. "But, it's a long story. I'll tell you another time. For now, look at this."
"What! A Certificate of Deposit for 200,000. Is it yours?"
"It's mine. I earned it by using he banknote you lent me for a month."
"This is astonishing! I can't believe it."
Portia looked at me with surprise and said, "Henry, is that really your money? You didn't tell me the truth."
"No, I didn't. But, I know you'll forgive me."
"Don't be so sure! You told me a lie, Henry."
"Dearest Portia, it was only for fun. Come, let's go now."
"But, wait, wait!" my gentleman said. "I want to give you the job and the salary you choose."
"Thank you, thank you with all my heart. But I don't want the job."
"Henry, you didn't thank the good gentleman in the right way, Can I do it for you?" Portia said.
"Of course you can, my dear."
Portia walked to my gentleman, sat on his lap and kissed him on the mouth.
Then the two old gentleman shouted and laughed. I was amazed. What was happening?
"Papa," said Portia, "Henry doesn't want your job I feel very hurt."
"Darling, is that your father?" I asked.
"Yes, he's my stepfather, a dear men. Now do you understand why I laughed when you tole me your story?"
"My dearest sir," I said, "I want to take back what I said. There is a job that I want."
"Tell me!"
"I want the job of son-in-law."
"Well, well, well. But you were never a son-in-law before. Do you know how to do this job?"
"Try me, please! Try me for thirty or forty years, and If ---"
"Oh, all right, Take her!"
Were Portia and I happy? There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe our happiness. When the Londoners heard the whole story of my adventures with the banknote, they talked of nothing else.
Portia's father took the banknote back to he Bank of England and cashed it. Then he gave us the cancelled banknote as a wedding present. We put it in a picture frame and hung it on the wall in our new home. And so I always say, "Yes, it is a million-pound banknote, but it only bought one thing in its life: the most valuable thing in the world - Portia!"
the California Gold Country. 加州黄金之乡
People were now interested in buying he shares. be interested in doing sth, 对做某事感兴趣
It is time to do sth. 该是做某事的时候了。meet with 动词短语
dressed in 动词短语 穿着
Before going to Portland Place 在去波特兰广场之前，
There were the two old gentleman having tea. There be句型+动名词（动名词作补语）
I am ready to report to you. be ready to do sth 准备好做某事
We are pleased to hear this, be pleased to do sth 很高兴地干某事
in my power 在我的能力范围内
another time. 下次；再次
A Certificate of Deposit for 200,000. 一份20万的存单\存折。
astonishing adj. 惊人的，令人惊讶的,astonish 的现在分词
with all my heart. 方式状语，全心全意地
amazed adj. 惊奇的，惊讶的
son-in-law n. 女婿
cancelled adj. 取消的,cancel的过去分词
cashed v. 兑现（支票）；支付现款
frame 框架，边框
hung v. 悬挂；垂落