[美国故事] American Stories: All the Years of Her Life

By VOA   2008-2-8

This is the VOA Special English program American Stories.

Our story today is called ''All the Years of Her Life''. It was written by Morley Callaghan, here is Shep O'Neal to tell you the story.

The drug store was beginning to close for the night. Young Alfred Higgins who worked in the store was putting on his coat, getting ready to go home. On his way out, he passed Mr. Sam Carr, the little gray hair man who owned the store. Mr. Carr looked up at Alfred as he passed and said in a very soft voice, ''Just a moment, Alfred, one moment before you go.''

Mr. Carr spoke so quietly that he worried Alfred. ''What is it, Mr. Carr?''

''Maybe you'd be good enough to take a few things out of your pockets and leave them here before you go.'' Said Mr. Carr.

''What things? What are you talking about?''

''You've got a compact and a lipstick and at least two tubes of toothpaste in your pockets, Alfred.''

''What do you mean?'' Alfred answered. ''Do you think I am crazy?'' His face got red.

Mr. Carr kept looking at Alfred, coldly. Alfred did not know what to say and tried to keep his eyes from meeting the eyes of his boss. After a few moments, he put his hand into his pockets and took out the things he had stolen.

''Petty thieving, eh, Alfred?'' said Mr. Carr. ''And maybe you'd be good enough to tell me how long this has been going on.''

''This is the first time I ever took anything.''

Mr. Carr was quick to answer, ''So now you think you tell me a lie? What kind of a fool do I look like, hah? I don't know what goes on in my own store, eh? I/ tell you, you have been doing this for a long time.'' Mr. Carr had a strange smile on his face. ''I don