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Finally spring burst into glorious green and Reuben's spirits erupted. The time had come! He ran into the barn, climbed to the hayloft and uncovered the tin can. He poured the coins out and began to count.
春天終于來了，帶來片片綠意，魯本的精神也隨之振奮。是時候了!他跑到谷倉，爬上草垛，打開鐵罐，倒出所有硬幣清點起來。
Then he counted again. He needed 20 cents more. Could there be any sacks left any where in town? He had to find four and sell them before the day ended.
他又數一遍，還差20美分。鎮上哪兒還會有丟棄的麻袋嗎?他必須在今天結束之前再找4條去賣掉。
Reuben ran down Water Street.
魯本沿著沃特街走著。
The shadows were lengthening when Reuben arrived at the factory. The sack buyer was about to lock up.
魯本趕到工廠，廠房的影子已被夕陽拉得很長了。收購麻袋的人正要鎖門。
"Mister! Please don't close up yet."
“先生!請先不要關門。”
The man turned and saw Reuben, dirty and sweat stained.
那人轉過身來，看到了臟兮兮、汗涔涔的魯本。
"Come back tomorrow, boy."
“明天再來吧，孩子。”
"Please, Mister. I have to sell the sacks now—please."The man heard a tremor in Reuben's voice and could tell he was close to tears.
“求您了，先生，我必須現在把麻袋賣掉——求您啦。”那人感覺到魯本的聲音在顫抖，知道他快要哭了。
"Why do you need this money so badly?"
“你為什么這么急著要這點兒錢?”
"It's a secret."
“這是秘密。”
The man took the sacks, reached into his pocket and put four coins in Reuben's hand. Reuben murmured a thank you and ran home.
那人接過麻袋，手伸進口袋，掏出4個硬幣放在魯本手里。魯本輕輕說了聲“謝謝”就往家跑。
Then, clutching the tin can, he headed for the shop.
接著，他緊緊摟著鐵罐，直奔那家商店。
"I have the money," he solemnly told the owner.
“我有錢啦!”他一本正經地告訴店主。
The man went to the window and retrieved Reuben's treasure.
店主走向櫥窗，取出魯本夢寐以求的東西。
He wiped the dust off and gently wrapped it in brown paper. Then he placed the parcel in Reuben's hands.
他撣去灰塵，用牛皮紙把它小心包好，然后把這個小包放到魯本手上。
Racing home, Reuben burst through the front door. His mother was scrubbing the kitchen stove. "Here, Mum! Here!"Reuben exclaimed as he ran to her side. He placed a small box in her work roughened hand.
魯本一路狂奔到家，沖進前門。媽媽正在廚房擦洗灶臺。“瞧，媽媽!瞧!”魯本一邊跑向她一邊大叫著。他把一個小盒子放在她因勞作而變得粗糙的手上。
She unwrapped it carefully, to save the paper. A blue-velvet jewel box appeared. Dora lifted the lid, tears beginning to blur her vision.
為了不損壞包裝紙，她小心翼翼地把它拆開，一個藍色天鵝絨的首飾盒映入眼簾。多拉打開盒蓋，淚水頓時模糊了她的雙眼。
In gold lettering on a small, almond-shaped brooch was the word Mother.
在一個小巧的心狀胸針上刻著金字：母親。
It was Mother's Day, 1946.
那是1946年的母親節。
Dora had never received such a gift; she had no finery except her wedding ring. Speechless, she smiled radiantly and gathered her son into her arms.
多拉從未收到過這樣的禮物；除了結婚戒指外，她沒有別的飾物。哽咽無語，她把兒子一把攬入懷中，臉上洋溢著動人的光彩。
