1. Im fourteen and often go to the grocery1 store to sell eggs with Mum.

我十四岁了，经常帮妈妈把鸡蛋拿到杂货店去卖。

2. Then we look at the shotgun and leather shoes in the shop window， but do not have enough money.

然后我和妈妈会看看橱窗里的猎枪和皮鞋，可是我们没有钱买。

3. During the summer holiday， Mr. Hook hires me to dig a well. There are lots of blisters2 on my palms3， but I dont care.

暑假，霍克先生雇我帮他打井。尽管双手磨起了泡，可我不觉得苦。

4. The well is finished. Mr. Hook pays me and I run to the grocery store for the gun. 井打好了，霍克先生付给我工钱。我跑到杂货店，去买那支猎枪。

5. But when I see the leather4 shoes， I am not happy at all.

但當我看到妈妈试穿过的那双皮鞋，高兴劲儿全没有了。

6. I get home and hide the gun in the haystack5. I want to show it when Mum buys the shoes.

回到家，我把猎枪藏到干草堆里，想等妈妈买了皮鞋再拿出来。

7. Mum asks me to have her shoes mended. The shoemaker has a look and says they are too worn to mend.

妈妈让我替她去补鞋。鞋匠接过鞋看了看说，这鞋破得没法再补了。

8. I run back home and then go to the grocery store with the gun. “I want to exchange the gun for the leather shoes.” I say to the boss.

我跑回家拿出猎枪来到杂货店。我对老板说：“我想用猎枪换那双皮鞋。”

9. “Your shoes are too worn to mend，” I say to Mum with the shoes behind my back.

我走进家门，把鞋藏在背后对妈妈说：“您的那双鞋太旧已经没有办法再补了。”

10. Mum is very disappointed. I take out the shoes， “I buy the new shoes with my money.”

妈妈很失望。我拿出鞋说：“我买下了这双新鞋。”

11. “But that is your first money.” Her eyes are moist6 with tears.

“可这是你第一次挣到的钱啊！”妈妈的眼睛都湿润了。

12. Now the shoes are worn， but Mum hates to throw them away. I understand it.

现在那双鞋已经破旧了，可妈妈舍不得扔掉它。我知道这是为什么。