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Furthermore,
這回
he would speak with such eloquence that the robe would bring a good price.
他得使出百般解數，巧言說服大家，賣個好價錢。
He would begin early,
得早點啟程，
fust after dawn,
天一亮就出發。
and station himself near the town well.
碰上一個人
He would address everyone that approached and within a short time
就如此這般地說一遍，
he would be returning to the Mount of Olives
也許很快就可以
with silver in his purse.
帶著錢回橄欖山了。
He reached for the unfinished bread and began to eat
他一邊啃著剩下的面包，
while he thought of his master.
一邊想著他的主人。
Pathros would be proud of him
柏薩羅一定會對他感到滿意，引以為榮，
because he had not despaired
因為他沒有半途而廢，
and returned as a failure.
失敗而歸。
In truth, four days was much too long a time to consummate the sale of but one simple robe
四天賣掉一件袍子，時間是長了一點，
but if he could accomplish the deed in four days
但他心里明白，這次能用四天時間賣掉東西，
he knew he could learn, from Pathros,
以后就能從主人那
how to accomplish it in three days,
學到三天賣掉東西的方法，
then two days.
然后兩天。
In time he would become so proficient
總會有那么一天，
that he would sell many robes every hour!
他能在一小時內賣掉許多件袍子。
Then he would indeed be a salesman of repute.
那時，他就真成了有名望的推銷員了。
He departed from the noisy inn
離開嘈雜的小客棧，
and headed toward the cave and his animal.
他舉步走向拴著牲口的山洞。
The chilled air had stiffened the grass with a thin coating of frost
野草在寒冷的空氣中凍僵了披著一層薄薄的霜衣，
and each blade crackled with complaint
他踩在上面，草葉劈啪作響，
from the pressure of his sandals.
發出脆裂的抱怨聲。
Hafid decided not to ride into the hills tonight.
他打算今晚不回山上，
Instead, he would rest in the cave with his animal.
就和小驢在洞里擠一夜算了。
Tomorrow, he knew, would be a better day
他還是堅信明天自己會吉星高照，時來運轉。
although now he understood why the others always bypassed this unprosperous village.
雖然他現在明白為什么別的推銷員都不愿光顧這個小鎮，
They had said that no sales could be made here
別的推銷員說過這里根本沒有生意可做。
and he had re-called their words
每每受到拒絕時，
every time someone had refused to buy his robe.
他都會想起這些話。
Yet, Pathros had sold hundreds of robes here many years ago.
可是，柏薩羅不是在多年以前在這一帶賣出了很多袍子嗎。
Perhaps times had been different then and,
也許時過境遷了，
after all, Pathros was a great salesman.
再說，柏薩羅畢竟是個了不起的推銷大師。
A flickering light from the cave caused him to hasten his steps
洞穴里好像有亮光，
for fear that a thief was within.
可能是小偷。
