理解的赠品（2）（2/2）
《穿过爱的时光》作者：杨柳青 2017-01-24 02:12
.
I knew nothing of money at that time. I would watch my mother hand something to people, who would then hand her a package or a bag, and slowly the idea of exchange percolated into my mind. Sometime about then I reached a decision. I would journey the interminable two blocks to Mr. Wigden’s all alone. I remember the tinkle of the bell as I managed, after some considerable effort, to push open the big door. Enthralled, I worked my way slowly all the way down the display counter.
Here were spearmint leaves with a fresh minty fragrance. There gumdrops—the great big ones, so tender to bite into, all crusty with crystals of sugar. In the next tray were fudgy chocolate babies. The box behind them held enormous jawbreakers which made a satisfying bulge in your cheek. The hard, shiny, dark-brown-covered peanuts Mr. Wigden dished out with a little wooden scoop—two scoops for a cent. And, of course, there were the licorice whips. These lasted a long time if you let the bites dissolve instead of chewing them.
When I had picked out a promising assortment； Mr. Wigden leaned over the counter and asked, “You have the money to pay for all these?”
“Oh, yes, ” I replied, “I have lots of money. ”I reached out my fist, and into Mr. Wigden’s open hand I dumped a half-dozen cherry seeds carefully wrapped in shiny tinfoil.
Mr. Wigden stood gazing down at the palm of his hand；then he looked searchingly at me for a long moment.
“ Isn’t it enough?” I asked him anxiously.
He sighed gently. “ I think it is a bit too much, ” he answered “ You have some change coming. ” He walked over to his old-fashione cash register and cranked open the drawer. Returning to the counter, he leaned over and dropped two pennies into my outstretched hand.
My mother scolded me about taking the trip alone when she found me out. I don’t think it ever occurred to her to ask about the financial arrangement. I was simply cautioned not to go again unless I asked first. I must have obeyed and, evidently, when permission was granted for me to make the trip, a cent or two was given me for my purchases. since I don’t remember using cherry seeds a second time. In fact, the whole affair insignificant to me then, was soon forgotten in the busy occupation of growing up.
I knew nothing of money at that time. I would watch my mother hand something to people, who would then hand her a package or a bag, and slowly the idea of exchange percolated into my mind. Sometime about then I reached a decision. I would journey the interminable two blocks to Mr. Wigden’s all alone. I remember the tinkle of the bell as I managed, after some considerable effort, to push open the big door. Enthralled, I worked my way slowly all the way down the display counter.
Here were spearmint leaves with a fresh minty fragrance. There gumdrops—the great big ones, so tender to bite into, all crusty with crystals of sugar. In the next tray were fudgy chocolate babies. The box behind them held enormous jawbreakers which made a satisfying bulge in your cheek. The hard, shiny, dark-brown-covered peanuts Mr. Wigden dished out with a little wooden scoop—two scoops for a cent. And, of course, there were the licorice whips. These lasted a long time if you let the bites dissolve instead of chewing them.
When I had picked out a promising assortment； Mr. Wigden leaned over the counter and asked, “You have the money to pay for all these?”
“Oh, yes, ” I replied, “I have lots of money. ”I reached out my fist, and into Mr. Wigden’s open hand I dumped a half-dozen cherry seeds carefully wrapped in shiny tinfoil.
Mr. Wigden stood gazing down at the palm of his hand；then he looked searchingly at me for a long moment.
“ Isn’t it enough?” I asked him anxiously.
He sighed gently. “ I think it is a bit too much, ” he answered “ You have some change coming. ” He walked over to his old-fashione cash register and cranked open the drawer. Returning to the counter, he leaned over and dropped two pennies into my outstretched hand.
My mother scolded me about taking the trip alone when she found me out. I don’t think it ever occurred to her to ask about the financial arrangement. I was simply cautioned not to go again unless I asked first. I must have obeyed and, evidently, when permission was granted for me to make the trip, a cent or two was given me for my purchases. since I don’t remember using cherry seeds a second time. In fact, the whole affair insignificant to me then, was soon forgotten in the busy occupation of growing up.