Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen

one Ace.Cai sometimes feels happy and sometimes disappointed about his work in Chinatown.The purpose of those elders hiring her was originally to hope that she would teach Chinese children to speak Mandarin and explain the Four Books and Five Classics at the same time.Those who hired her thought that as long as she was well-trained in ancient Chinese prose, it would be enough.But Ace found her job difficult, not something that ordinary college graduates can often come across.When Ai Si came, she thought that she only needed to teach a little ancient Chinese.As a matter of fact, the Chinese level of the children of overseas Chinese was so poor that she had to teach them word by word from the beginning.She couldn't even teach them the most basic ancient Chinese textbook "Three Hundred Tang Poems".The boys who came to the class were of different ages, and they had already been in an American school for a day before the Chinese class, so they were listless, tired, or not interested in class.Later, Ai Si simply dismissed the idea of ​​using more in-depth teaching materials, and only taught simple words and conversations, without any preparation before class.

She has a well-lit room on the second floor.In Chinatown, she doesn't have any relatives or friends.Everyone around her speaks Cantonese.She spent four months observing the environment in New York and learning Cantonese and English.Like the young people studying here, she was very homesick in the first few months.After returning to the room at night, I felt lonely and helpless. I often cried and missed my mother and sister in China, and fell asleep after crying. Fortunately, the occurrence of the Sino-Japanese War changed and enriched her life.War brings together characters who share the same patriotism.Ace also forgot all the unsatisfactory things.

Marriage hadn't occurred to her when she first met Tom.She's young, and she's saving for college.But she was too busy.Tom looks good, he looks like a healthy young man, he seems a little alienated from others, this is because of his higher intelligence, but besides his intelligence, Aisi can also see from his eyes His shy and brooding personality.She still remembers how he introduced himself as a washerman. Those accidents made the distance between Tom and her a lot closer.When he asked her: Are you injured?She saw the concern in Tom's eyes when she saw him.Eva's laughter and the smiles of the other women as Tom helped her put the tape on made her think that there seemed to be some understanding among the women.It was as if every woman except herself wished for the two of them to be together.

In the week before National Day, she could observe everything about Tom very clearly.She saw Tom and his family, and noticed that he was not shy or silent when he was with them.Flora asked her in the parade if she wanted to learn English. Was there any special purpose?Also, Mrs. Feng asked if she would like to teach Tom Chinese and let Tom teach her English. Is there a special purpose?Were these women planning to win her and Tom behind her back?She thought again that Mrs. Yang said that she could be her goddaughter, is she kidding?Life in New York seems to be getting more and more interesting.

Tom can come in the afternoon, but she has classes in the afternoon.Can she ask him to come during her class?No, or let him come at night when she has no class?Not to mention it would be too intimate.She didn't know him at all.No!She said to herself that she should not fall into the trap of love.Tom had better come on Saturday.What's wrong with Saturday? Why Saturday, Miss Cai?asked Tom. You must not want to work on Sunday!Ace replied. Miss Cai, you teach Chinese on Saturday, and I teach you English on Sunday.I can also take you out on Sundays, you don't know much about New York and America, and I've lived here for four years.I can teach you English until your ears can't stand it.Isn't it fun that we can talk, talk, talk, talk all day long? (We will jabber, jabber, jabber all day.)

OK!Not a bad idea.Ace answered immediately.Someone took her out for a walk on Sunday, so she didn't have to be locked in the room alone and miss home.What did you mean by jabber︱jabber︱jabber? You see, I have already started teaching you. Jabber, jabber, jabber, I want you to learn some more dramatic words, but your wording is wrong, jabber should speak short and fast.Don't say jabberjabberjabber like this, as if you are holding a bowl full of water in your hand and are afraid of spilling the water. Ace smiled. Can I call you Ace? why not?Your whole family calls me Ace. yes!When we talk about you at home, we always say Ai Si, but when I come to see you, I call you Miss Cai. I think it's so strange.

Does your family talk about me at home? Talks about you a lot, especially Eva. why? You know it. Tom looked at her frankly, and Ace blushed suddenly. two Ace woke up this Sunday and couldn't help but feel happy.This is her first time hanging out with boys.When she taught Tom ancient Chinese yesterday, she realized that Tom really wanted to learn a little Chinese.He feels ashamed of his ignorance, and listens intently when she teaches him about Chinese history. At ten o'clock Tom came to fetch her. where are we going We walked across the Manhattan Bridge. can we go Of course you can.

It is now the end of October, and the weather is a bit cold.Tom was wearing a collarless blue sweatshirt. Why don't you wear slacks (home trousers)?It is more convenient to walk like this. What are slacks? It is the trousers that women wear for walking every day. Do you have them? Yes, I have several!That's what I wear when I'm sailing at sea. right!That is slacks. She ran downstairs, and after a while, she was wearing navy blue trousers and a pink sweatshirt. Is this okay? Tom could hardly recognize her, and stared at her blankly.She imitated American models and turned around, but the final posture was Chinese style again, with her hands bent parallel to her chest, and her slender fingers curled slightly.

alright!let's go! do you have a hatAce asked. I've never worn a hat. Tom wasn't used to seeing Essie in Western clothes, but he was fascinated by her stylish looks and Oriental accent and posture. They strolled across the Manhattan Bridge, the sun shining on their faces.On the right side of the bridge, the fleet of the Navy District was moored on the water, and a cloud of black smoke enveloped most of the port.Tom and Alice walked side by side.He also carried Whitman's Leaves of Grass in his pocket. Walking on the smooth road, the heart is extremely light and happy, Before me is a healthy and free world,

The long brown trail takes me to where my heart desires. Afoot and light︱heart I took to the open road, Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. Tom, what are you reading?Are you a bookworm? I am reciting a poem I love. What poem is that? walterWhitman's "Songs of the Smooth Road," I took his collection of poems with me.I know there's a place over the bridge to sit down. They stopped in the middle of the bridge to look around.The valley also seems to be enjoying an idle Sunday, with only a few tugboats sailing lazily upstream.Looking from a distance, you can see the small island of Gavina in the middle of the river, and farther away, you can see the Statue of Liberty in the smog.

what is that?Ace pointed to the boat full of passengers. It was a yacht, and it took passengers around the islands that surrounded the river. what island manhattan.Manhattan is an island.Let's see which Sunday, we took a boat to see the island from the river.do you like water Not particularly fond of it, why are you asking me this question? New York is a port.We should take a look at its harbor, look at the sea-crossing bridge and the ships passing by.We are now over the Atlantic Ocean with Coney Island and the beach ahead.When I first came, I didn't see the beauty of it. Tom, what do you want to do in the future? I don't know, I can't make up my mind yet.My mother decided to send me to college, but not those famous schools like Harvard and Princeton.I will find a public university that is closer to home, and it won't cost too much to live at home. What do you like to learn? I like science, maybe I should study engineering, look at those bridges, isn't it great engineering? They walked back to the other bank, wandering the street until they saw a shaded stone bench, and sat down, each holding a roadside hot dog.Tom said he was going to start teaching her English.Ai Si had already learned English when she was in Shanghai, and had read the novel "A Tale of Two Cities" in her freshman year.Her main problem is that her pronunciation is not correct.Tom opened Leaves of Grass to Song of the Smooth Road: You are the street full of flags in the city, you are the rein of the horse, you are the ferry, you are the cruise ship and sampan in the port. You are the edge of the world, you are the ship on the voyage, You are your own rudder, you are the scenery outside the window, you are the highest point in the world! you flagg'd walks of the cities! you strong curbs at the edges! you ferries! you planks and posts of wharves! you timberlined sides! you distant ships! You rows of houses! you window|pierc'd facades! you roofs! I think we can start on this side.Tom said. These words are beautiful, said Aiz, do you call these poems? No, not just that side.You have to look at it holistically. They flip to the other side.The problem with Essie is that it reads as if she is reciting, each word is dragged out in a stiff and monotonous voice, and she doesn't distinguish between strong and weak.It took her even a second to say a hand. what are you doing?Chinese embroidery? Ace smiled shyly, knowing what Tom meant. do you know?Tom said that in China, people teach English completely incorrectly, they teach individual words instead of whole sentences.Students also try to recognize words instead of sentences.I know there is a good way. what way? You only need to learn three sentences a day, but you must practice until you get them right.Say them the way Americans speak.If you don't care about individual words or grammatical structures, you can make rapid progress. I will try it out! Tom picked out two lines for her to read after him: Alan!Whoever you are, come and walk with me, Walk with me, you will find that you are never bored. Allons! Whoever you are come travel! with me, Traveling with me you find what never tires. read after me.Tom said. Come travel with me, Traveling with me you find what never tires.Aisi followed him again at the speed of reciting. Do you know what these sentences mean? Ace looked at Tom.I understand what they mean.She had a knowing smile on her face, Tom, what do you do in your spare time?What's your favorite pastime? I?You mean the time after I finish class?I deliver clothes to customers' homes.If I still have time, I go down to the East River and watch the boats go by.Sometimes I go to the movies, I do everything, I walk around town, I have great legs. You must be a happy person, you have family here. Yes, I am very happy.Do you have any relatives here? No! You must be lonely when you have no classes. Yes. Why don't you come to my house and spend the evening with us? I will go in the future.Does your family agree with us coming out on Sunday? Of course they agree, funny things happen in our house.Ever since I met you, I've often wondered what are you doing by yourself at night?I lie down to sleep at night and miss you too. Ace gave him a quick look, didn't she? It's Ace. What? I was afraid of you two weeks ago, and I am a little afraid of you now. she laughed.why are you afraid of me I can't say it, you have many things that are novel and interesting to me.You know a lot, and I don't know anything about ancient China, classical Chinese, or Chinese literature. Are you really willing to teach me? She was moved by his sincere look, and she looked at him for a long time before saying: I don't know much.I will teach you everything I know. They just sat for a while in the October sun, and then Tom said: Let's go! Ace stood up, feeling a little tired. can you walk backI like to walk. Let's take a ride!please. Ace believed it, Tom's leg strength is really nothing to say. However, it was not until the next few Sundays that Ace realized how much Tom could walk, and when he walked, he forgot who was with him.Sometimes they walk on Wall Street, and sometimes they sit in the port and watch the ships coming into the port.They also sometimes take a boat to visit the island, and Iss likes to take a boat because she doesn't have to move her legs tiredly.Sometimes they take the bus on Fifth Avenue, from the first stop to the last stop.One November morning, Tom took the subway to Coney Island to see the ocean in winter.When the weather got really cold, Tom took Ace to the movie theater for her English class. But the few nights spent at Tom's house were the happiest days for Aisi.When Ace felt lonely, she would call Tom and ask if she could come to his house, and Tom would pick her up at the train station on Eighty-fourth Street. Flora's due date was approaching, and her mother was sure that she was going to have a boy.She is confident that she can tell from the shape of a pregnant woman's belly whether the baby is male or female.Flora agreed to La.Mayor Gautier suggested that if it is a boy, it should be named Marco, but she also decided that if it is a girl, it should be called Ferreira.Mom heard Flora say that Ferreira means little flower, and she immediately agreed with the name.As for the origin of Marco's name, it took Flora and Tom a lot of time to convince her that the story was true. On a Saturday in January, Uncle Cheng came to have dinner.After dinner, Flora said that her stomach was starting to hurt, and that her due date was at the end of February, which Flora's doctor was sure of.Around ten o'clock Flora felt the pain again, and this time it was much worse.Flora thought that when she was going upstairs in the afternoon, she was leaning on the railing for breath halfway, and at this time a child rushed downstairs and hit her, and she was knocked so that she turned around and sat on the stairs.She didn't expect that the sudden vibration would be so serious.She called her doctor, but there was no answer, and she was in so much pain. If the doctor says the due date is February, then it's not yet time!Uncle Cheng said that maybe she just ate something that didn't suit her constitution.I can go back and get some birth control pills.what do you think?younger sister. Everyone didn't know what to do, tried calling the doctor again, but he was obviously away for the weekend. What hospital do you go to? Women's Hospital, at 110th Street. However, my uncle said that since the doctor is not here, I can go get some painkillers and tocolytics, at least it won't do any harm. Uncle Cheng hurried out, and about an hour later, he came back with a pack of traditional Chinese medicine in his hand.After Flora took the medicine, everyone watched her attentively. She was in pain for a while, and no one knew whether her pain was increasing or disappearing. She'll be fine, and when the medicine takes effect, she'll be fine.After Uncle Cheng finished speaking, he fell asleep on Tom's bed and snored from time to time.Roy and her parents have been taking care of Flora. At half past three, a sudden, severe pain hit Flora. Flora felt that she couldn't bear it any longer, and the whole family woke up. Go and call the police.Flora cried out in pain. Mom didn't understand what she was talking about.Call the police.Flora persisted.Roy hurried downstairs and ran to the police station with all his strength. Soon, a policeman came to take Flora away.It took Roy a long time to hail a taxi, and then they delayed a good deal of time unpacking a small suitcase.Flora was still suffering.It was a cold day, and they wrapped Flora in a blanket. The policeman and Roy both carried Flora into the car, and Mom insisted that she go with them.The taxi driver started the car and waited.Flora screamed, and neighbors poked their heads out of their windows to see what was going on.Roy got into the car first, and Flora lay next to him, while Mom and the officer sat in the front seat.Flora's moans mingled with the sound of the car starting. Come on!Drive as quickly and safely as possible.The police spoke to the driver.It was four o'clock in the morning and there were very few cars on the street.But Flora's cry grew louder.Mom turned and took Flora's hand. There was another scream, and Mom stroked Flora's body.God!I think the baby is about to hit the ground.The blanket is already wet. The officers and drivers just watched the road intently. Slow down!Lowe said the car was vibrating too much. The car slowed down.Flora felt she couldn't take it any longer, grabbed Roy and Mom desperately, and then there was another scream of pain. parking!Mom said, I think the baby is already born. The driver braked the car and then turned off the motor.They were just one longer block from the hospital. There was a dead silence, and Flora's moaning stopped, and the mother felt the wet part of the blanket and the warm body of the baby.The driver turned around and said: God!Do you believe it, officer?This is the second time a baby has been born in my car. Good luck never comes alone.The police said, this is the first time I have encountered such a thing. I also have children, five in total.Pregnant moms always wait until the last minute to go to the hospital.I always tell my wife to go to the hospital at the first sign. The mother took off her coat, wrapped the baby carefully, and waited for the umbilical cord to fall, wasting no time groping for the baby. He is Marco.Congratulations, Flora, she whispered to Roy. Congratulations on having a grandson, Mom.Lowe said he then told the police: This is Marco.Polo. Mark.What does Polo mean? He's a boy, Roy said proudly, and my wife is Italian. The car started again and slowly drove towards the hospital. In the evening paper of the next day, it was published that Officer Otto delivered a half-Chinese boy in the taxi and named him Marco.Polo, there is also a picture of mother and child group photo.On the third morning, Flora received a congratulatory telegram, which was La.From Mayor Gautier.