In my youth, before becoming a farmer and cattleman, I was a bank employee. This is how it all came about:

年轻的时候，我曾经是一家银行的雇员，后来却沦为农夫兼牛倌了。事情的经过是这样的：

I was twenty-four years old at the time and had no close relatives. I was living in this same little apartment on Santa Fe Avenue, between Canning and Araoz.

当时我二十有四，身边没有亲人，住在位于坎宁和阿牢兹之间的圣塔菲大街的这套小公寓里。

Now, it’s well known that accidents can happen even in such a small space. In my case, it was a tiny accident; when I tried to open the door to go to work, the key broke off in the lock.

大家都非常清楚，即使这样小的地方也难保不出意外。我出的是一点儿小事，早上开门去上班时，我的钥匙断在锁里了。

After resorting in vain to screwdrivers and pliers, I decided to call a locksmith shop. While waiting for the locksmith, I informed the bank I would be coming in a bit late.

我用螺丝刀和钳子忙活了半天也白搭，于是决定打个电话向锁匠铺求助。等锁匠的当儿，我跟银行打了个招呼，说我要晚到一会儿。

Fortunately, the locksmith arrived quite promptly. Concerning this man, I remember only that, although he looked young, his hair was completely white. Through the peephole I said to him: “My key broke off in the lock.”

还算幸运，锁匠立马就赶到了。说到那个锁匠，我只记得他看上去年纪不大，头发却全白了。对着门上的窥孔，我对他说：“我的钥匙断在锁里了。”

He sketched a quick gesture of annoyance in the air: “On the inside? In that case, it’s already a more difficult matter. It’s going to take me at least three hours, and I’ll have to charge you about ...”

他在空中匆匆比画了一下表示伤脑筋：“打里头断的? 那样的话，就更难办了。少说也得花上我三个钟头的工夫，我怕是得跟你要……”

He estimated a terribly high price.

他报了个高得吓人的价。