1、高考资源网（） 您身边的高考专家【导读】当演员是多少人孩提时期的梦想。人们通常以为演员代表的是光鲜、美丽与富有，但真的是那样吗？【节选】PicturesEight oclock in the morning.Miss Ada Moss lay in her narrow bed，staring up at the ceiling.Her room，which was right at the top of a tall house in Bloomsbury，smelled of wet clothes and face powder and the bag of fried potatoes
2、 she had brought in for supper the night before.Oh dear，thought Miss Moss.I am cold.I wonder why I always wake up so cold in the mornings now.My knees and feet and my backespecially my backare like ice.And I was always so warm in the old days.It isnt because Im thin.Im just as wellcovered as I alway
3、s was.No，its because I dont have a good hot dinner in the evenings.She imagined a row of good hot dinners passing across the ceiling，each with a bottle of good strong beer.Id like to get up now，she thought，and have a big sensible breakfast.Pictures of big sensible breakfasts followed the good hot di
4、nners across the ceiling.Miss Moss pulled the blanket up over her head and closed her eyes.Suddenly，her landlady burst into the room.Theres a letter for you，Miss Moss.Oh，said Miss Moss，in a voice which was much too friendly，thank you very much，Mrs Pine.Its very good of you to bring me my letters.Oh，
5、its nothing，said the landlady.I hope its the letter that youve been waiting for.Yes，said Miss Moss brightly，yes，perhaps it is.I wouldnt be surprised.Well，Id be very surprised，said the landlady.Thats the truth.And can you open it right now，please？A lot of landladies wouldnt even asktheyd just open it
6、 themselves.Things cant go on like this，Miss Moss，indeed they cant.First you tell me youve got the money to pay your rent，then you say you havent，then theres a letter lost in the post or a theatre manager whos gone to Brighton but will be coming back soonIm sick and tired of it all，and Ive had enoug
7、h.At a time like this，too，with the price of everything skyhigh and my poor boy away at the war in France！If you cant pay your rent，theres plenty of other people who would give me good money for a room like this.As my sister Eliza was saying to me only yesterday，Miss Moss，Ive been much too softhearte
8、d with you！Miss Moss did not seem to be listening to this.She tore open the letter.It was from a film company.No suitable parts for a lady of your experience at present，she read.She stared at it for a long time before she spoke to her landlady.Well，Mrs Pine，she said.I think youll be sorry for what y
9、ouve just said.This is from a theatre manager who wants to see me immediately about a part in a new musical show.But the landlady was too quick for her.She tore the letter out of Miss Mosss hand.Oh is it，is it indeed！she cried.Give me back that letter.Give it back to me at once，you bad，wicked woman，
10、cried Miss Moss.She could not get out of bed because she had a hole in her nightdress.Well，Miss Moss，said the landlady，if I dont get my money by eight oclock tonight，you can get out of my house，my Lady.The door banged and Miss Moss was alone.She threw back the bedclothes，and sat on the side of the b
11、ed，shaking with anger and staring at her fat white legs.The old cat，she said，the rotten old cat！Then she began to pull on her clothes.Oh，I wish I could pay that woman！Then Id tell her what I think of her！She suddenly saw her face in the mirror，and gave herself a little smile.Well，old girl，she said，y
12、oure in trouble this time，and no mistake.But the person in the mirror stopped smiling.You silly thing，said Miss Moss.Its no good crying.Youll make your nose all red.Come on！Get dressed，and go out and find a job.Thats what youve got to do.She picked up her bag and shook it.A few small coins fell out.
13、Ill have a nice cup of tea at an ABC caf before I go anywhere，she decided.Ive got enough money for that.Ten minutes later，a large lady in a blue dress and a black hat covered in purple flowers looked at herself in the mirror，and sang：Sweetheart，remember that hope never diesAnd it always is darkest b
14、efore sunrise.But the person in the mirror wouldnt smile at her，and Miss Moss went out.When she came to the ABC caf，the door was open. A man was carrying boxes of bread in，and two waitresses were combing their hair and talking.My young man came home from France last night，one of the girls sang happi
15、ly.Oh，I say！How topping for you！cried the other.Yes，wasnt it！He brought me a sweet little brooch.Look，its got“Dieppe”written on it.Oh，I say！How topping for you！The man with the boxes of bread came in again，almost knocking Miss Moss over.Can I have a cup of tea，please？she asked.But the waitress went
16、on combing her hair.Oh，she sang，were not open yet.She turned to the other girl.Are we，dear？Oh，no，said the other waitress.Miss Moss went out.Ill go to Charing Cross，she decided.Thats what Ill do.And Ill have coffee，not tea.Coffees more filling.Those girls！Her young man came home；he brought her a broo
17、ch.She began to cross the road.Look out，Fatty！shouted a taxidriver.Miss Moss pretended not to hear.No，I wont go to Charing Cross，she decided.Ill go straight to Kig and Kadgit.They open at nine.If I get there early，Mr.Kadgit may have something for me.“Im so glad to see you，Miss Moss.Ive just heard fr
18、om a manager who wants a lady.exactly the right part for you.three pounds a week.go and see him immediately.Its lucky you came so early.”But there was nobody at Kig and Kadgit except an old woman washing the floor in the passage.Nobody here yet，Miss，the old woman said.Oh，isnt Mr.Kadgit here？said Mis
19、s Moss.Ill sit down and wait for him，if I may.You cant wait in the waitingroom，Miss.I havent cleaned it yet.Mr.Kadgit never comes in before eleven thirty on a Saturday.Sometimes he doesnt come in at all.How silly of me，said Miss Moss.I forgot it was Saturday.Mind your feet，please，Miss，said the old w
20、oman.And Miss Moss was out in the street again.The nice thing about Beit and Bithem wasit was always crowded.You walked into the waitingroom and you met everybody you knew.The early ones sat on chairs，and the later ones sat on the early ones knees，while the men stood around the walls，talking and jok
21、ing with the ladies.Hello，said Miss Moss，in her friendly way.Here we are again！And young Mr.Clayton did a couple of dancesteps and sang：Waiting for the Robert ELee！Mr.Bithem here yet？asked Miss Moss，powdering her nose.Oh，yes，dear！cried all the girls together.Hes been here for ages.Weve been waiting
22、for more than an hour！Oh dear，said Miss Moss.Any work for us，do you think？Oh，a few jobs in Africa，said young Mr.Clayton.A hundred and fifty a week for two years，you know.Oh！cried the girls.Isnt he a scream？Isnt he too funny？A dark girl with a sad face touched Miss Moss on the arm.I just missed a lov
23、ely job yesterday，she said.Six weeks on tour，and then the West End. The manager said I would have got it if Id been a bit strongerlooking.He said the part was made for meonly Im too thin.She stared at Miss Moss，and the dirty，dark red rose on her hat looked as sad and disappointed as she was.Oh，dear，
24、that was awfully bad luck，Miss Moss said，trying hard not to sound too interested.What was the show called，may I ask？But the sad，dark girl understood what Miss Moss wanted，and a mean look came into her heavy eyes.Oh，it wasnt a part for you，my dear，she said.He wanted someone young，you know，a dark Span
25、ish type like me.I was too thin，that was the only problem.The door opened and Mr.Bithem appeared.He kept one hand on the door，and held up the other for silence.Look here，ladiesand here he paused and gave them his famous smileand all you boys，They all laughed loudly at that.Ive got nothing for you th
26、is morning.Come back on Monday.Im expecting several phone calls on Monday.Miss Moss pushed desperately through the crowd.Mr.Bithem，I wonder if youve had any news from.Now，let me see，said Mr.Bithem slowly，staring at her.He had seen Miss Moss four times a week forhow many weeks was it？Now，who are you？
27、Miss Ada Moss.Oh yes，yes；of course，my dear.Not yet，my dear.Now I had a call for twentyeight ladies today，but they had to be young and able to kick their legs up a bit.Come back the week after nexttherell be nothing before that.电影早上8点钟。埃达莫斯小姐躺在她窄窄的床上，两眼直盯着天花板。她的房间正好位于布卢姆斯伯里区一幢高楼的最顶层，房间里混杂着湿衣服、香粉和炸土豆的
28、味道，那包炸土豆是她昨晚带回来当晚饭的。“噢，天啊，”莫斯小姐思忖着，“我觉得好冷。我真不知道为什么这些日子早上醒来的时候，总觉得那么冷。我的膝盖、脚和背尤其是背冷得像冰块一样。我从前可总是暖暖和和的。这并不是因为我瘦的缘故，而且我盖的被子也和以前一样多。不，这准是因为我晚上总吃不上可口的热乎乎的晚餐。”她想象着一盘盘可口的热乎乎的晚餐排着队从天花板上穿过，每样晚餐还配有一瓶上等的烈性啤酒。“我想现在起床，”她想，“去吃一顿丰盛的早餐。”天花板上那可口的热乎乎的晚餐上过去之后，随之而来的是丰盛的早餐。莫斯小姐拉起毯子蒙在头上，闭上了眼睛。突然，房东太太闯了进来。“有你一封信，莫斯小姐。” “噢
29、，”莫斯小姐用一种过于友好的声调说，“太感谢您了，派因太太。您帮我拿信，真是太好了。”“噢，这没什么，”房东太太说，“我希望这是你一直在等的那封信。”“对，”莫斯小姐欢快地说，“对，可能是的。我不觉得意外。”“嗯，可我觉得很意外，”房东太太说，“我说的是真话。能不能请你现在就把信拆开？许多房东甚至问都不问就自己拆开看了。不能再这样拖下去了，莫斯小姐，确实不能再这样了。你先是说你有钱付房租了，后来又说你没钱，然后又是信被邮局搞丢了，再有就是剧院经理去布赖顿了，但很快就能回来我对这些都听腻了，简直受够了。眼下这年头，所有东西的价钱都高上了天，我那可怜的孩子又远在法国打仗！要是你付不起房租，有的是人
30、愿意出高价租这间房子。我姐姐伊莱扎昨天还跟我说来着。莫斯小姐，我对你可真够仁慈的了！”莫斯小姐好像没听到这些。她把信拆开。信是一家电影公司寄来的。“我们现在没有适合您这种经历的女士扮演的角色。”她看着信。她盯着信看了很久才和房东太太说话。“嗯，派因太太，”她说，“我想你会为你刚才说过的话后悔的。这封信是一位剧院经理写来的，他想马上见我，跟我谈谈有关一部新音乐剧中的角色的事。”但是房东太太手疾眼快，从莫斯小姐手里一把扯过信来。 “噢，是吗，真是这样吗！”她叫道。“把信还给我，马上把信还给我，你这个不要脸的坏女人。”莫斯小姐叫了起来。她下不了床，因为她的睡衣上破了个洞。“好吧，莫斯小姐，”房东太太
31、说，“到今晚8点钟时，要是我还拿不到钱的话，你就从我的房子里滚出去，我的小姐。”门“砰”地一声关上了，房间里只剩下莫斯小姐一人。她一把掀开被子，坐在床边，气得浑身发抖，两眼盯着自己白胖的腿。“老恶妇，”她说，“不要脸的老恶妇！”然后她开始穿衣服。“噢，要是我有钱付给那个女人该多好！然后我就告诉她她在我心目中是个什么样子！”她突然在镜子里看到自己的脸，然后冲着自己微微一笑。“嗯，老姑娘，”她说，“这次你可有麻烦了，绝对没错。”镜子中的那个人已经不再笑了。“你这个傻东西，”莫斯小姐说，“哭有什么用，只会把你的鼻子弄得通红。来吧！穿好衣服，出去找工作。这才是你应该做的。”她拿起背包晃了晃，从包里掉出
32、了几枚小硬币。“不管去哪儿，我得先到ABC咖啡馆好好喝上一杯茶，”她打定主意，“我的钱足够喝茶了。”十分钟后，只见一位身穿蓝裙子，头戴黑底紫花帽子的胖女人边照镜子边唱歌：“希望永远不会破灭哟我的爱人你要记在心太阳升起前哟总是最黑暗的时分。”可是镜子里的人不再冲她微笑了。莫斯小姐走了出去。当她走到ABC咖啡馆的时候，店门已经开了。一个男人正在往咖啡馆里搬一箱箱的面包，两个女招待边梳头边聊天。“我男人昨晚从法国回来了。”其中一个女招待高兴地说道。“噢，真的吗！瞧把你高兴的！”另一个大声说。“是啊，谁说不是呢！他给我带了个漂亮的小胸针。你看，上面还写着迪耶普三个字呢。”“噢，真的吗！真把你美死了！”
33、那个搬面包箱的男人又进来了，差点儿把莫斯小姐撞倒。“请给我来杯茶好吗？”她问道。但那个女招待继续梳着头。“哦，”她唱歌似地说，“我们还没开门呢。”她转身对另一个女招待说：“开门了吗，亲爱的？”“哦，还没开呢。”另一个女招待说。莫斯小姐走了出去。“我去查理十字街吧，”她拿定主意，“就到那儿去。我要喝咖啡，不喝茶了。咖啡更能填饱肚子。这些姑娘！她男人回家了；还给她带回一个胸针”她准备过马路。“当心，肥婆！”一个出租车司机大声叫道。莫斯小姐装作没听见。“不，我不去查理十字街了，”她又有了一个决定，“我直接去基格和卡德吉特吧。那儿9点钟开门。要是我去得早，卡德吉特先生可能会有消息告诉我莫斯小姐，很高兴
34、见到你。我刚从一位经理那里听说，他需要一位女士这个角色挺适合你的一周三英镑赶快去找他吧。你来得早，算你运气。”但在“基格和卡德吉特”里，除了一位在过道擦地板的老妇人外，一个人都没有。“这儿还没来人呢，小姐。”老妇人说。“哦，卡德吉特先生不在吗？”莫斯小姐问，“如果可以的话，我坐下来等他。”“你不能在等候室等，小姐。那儿我还没有打扫干净呢。每逢星期六，不到11点半卡德吉特先生是不会来的，有时干脆一整天都不来。”“我多傻呀，”莫斯小姐说，“我忘了今天是星期六了。”“请留心您的脚，小姐。”老妇人说。莫斯小姐又来到了大街上。“拜特和比瑟姆”这个地方的好处在于这儿总是挤满了人。走进等候室，你碰到的每一个
35、人都是你认识的。早来的人坐在椅子上，晚来的人坐在早来的人的膝盖上，男人们靠墙边站着，跟女人聊天、开玩笑。“你好，”莫斯小姐友好地说，“我们又见面了！”年轻的克莱顿先生走了几个舞步，唱道：“在等罗伯特E.李！”“比瑟姆先生来了吗？”莫斯小姐边问边往鼻子上扑粉。“哦，来了，亲爱的！”所有的姑娘们一块儿喊道，“他已经来了很久了，我们都等了一个多小时了！”“哦，天啊，”莫斯小姐问，“你们觉得我们会有事做吗？”“哦，有几个去非洲的差事，”年轻的克莱顿先生说，“要知道，去上两年，每星期能挣150英镑。”“噢！”姑娘们叫道，“他可真滑稽，真有趣！”一位皮肤黑黑的、哭丧着脸的姑娘碰了碰莫斯小姐的胳膊。“我昨天
36、错过了一个好差事，”她说，“先巡回演出六周，然后再去伦敦西区。经理说我要是看起来再强壮点儿，就能得到这份工作了。他说这个角色挺适合我的只是我太瘦了。”她盯着莫斯小姐，她帽子上那朵肮脏的、暗红色的玫瑰看起来跟她本人一样忧伤、失望。 “哦，亲爱的，真是太倒霉了，”莫斯小姐尽量使自己的声音听起来漫不经心，“我可不可以问问那个剧叫什么名字？”那个哭丧着脸、黑皮肤的姑娘一下看破了莫斯小姐的心思，她那双疲倦的眼睛里闪现出一丝恶意。“哦，那个角色不适合你，亲爱的，”她说，“你知道，人家要的是年轻姑娘，像我这样黑黑的，西班牙风格的。我太瘦弱了，这是唯一的问题。”门开了，比瑟姆先生出现了。他一只手扶着门，举起另
37、一只手示意大家安静。“注意了，女士们”说到这儿他停了一下，露出他广为人知的笑容“还有你们这些小伙子们。”等候室里的人哄堂大笑起来。“今天早上是没什么指望了，星期一再来吧，我想星期一会来几个电话。”莫斯小姐在人群中不顾一切地朝前挤。“比瑟姆先生，我想知道你有没有什么消息”“嗯，让我想想。”比瑟姆先生慢吞吞地说，两眼盯着她看。他每周看见莫斯小姐四次已经连续多少个星期了呢？“你是谁？”“埃达莫斯小姐。”“哦，对，对；是的，亲爱的。还没有消息，亲爱的。今天我接到个电话，要招28个女的，可人家要年轻的，还要能跳几下舞的。下下周再来吧这之前不会有什么了。”知识积累1cat n狠毒的女人2rotten adj. 腐化的；道德败坏的3I say 用以表示惊讶、震惊等4knock sb./sth.over 撞倒5tour n. 巡回比赛、演出等6heavy adj. 昏昏欲睡的，显得疲倦的文化链接短篇小说电影是英国女作家Katherin Mansfield的作品。主人公埃达莫斯小姐是位业余演员，过着贫困潦倒的生活。房东老太太天天来逼交房租，莫斯小姐分分钟有被赶到大街上去的可能- 9 - 版权所有高考资源网
