阿方索·博略特/Affonco Botelho
阿方索·博略特是十九世纪葡萄牙作家，《一杯茶》是他最为人熟知的一部短篇小说。
Not very many years ago the journey from Oporto to Regoa had to be made partly by stagecoach and partly by rail, as the country permitted.
The stagecoach, drawn by six powerful horses, stood at the point of departure from the offices of the Coaching Company in Oporto, awaiting the final arrivals. In the wild crowd around the coach, some passengers declared that they could not get the places they had booked and others could not find their luggage. The general disturbance was penetrated from time to time by the rough language of the porters.
A young man sat in one of the places near the door. He had taken his seat early, and his luggage was all in order. The other places were all filled with the exception of the one opposite him; and this one appeared to be reserved for some passenger who had not been able to arrive in time. The driver gathered up the reins, and the guard began to sound the signal for departure.
Suddenly a strange sight came round the comer—a fat man walking like a duck, breathing hard, and waving an enormous umbrella in the direction of the coach. After him came two porters with a load of luggage.
The guard used some strong language, the luggage was lifted up, and the fat passenger climbed into the empty place. With some difficulty he found room for his umbrella and a big rain cloak.
The horses set off along the stony streets of Oporto in the direction of the road leading to the railway station of the Minho-Douro line. The fat passenger seemed annoyed about something, for he muttered impatiently to himself, and could not sit still. At last he caught the eye of the young man opposite, Joao de Sousa.
"It is too bad, sir," he exclaimed, "Just think: I could not get my cup of tea!"
Joao de Sousa did not answer, but looked questioningly at the fat man, who went on:
"You see, it has always been my custom to take a cup of tea after my lunch; just a cup of strong black tea. I was in such a hurry to catch the coach that I did not wait for tea just now. I cannot tell you how I miss it. You see, sir, when a man comes to my age, habits are everything, and it is really dreadful to have to break your habits. Now I know I shall be miserable throughout the journey because I could not have my cup of tea. You are young, sir, but take the advice of a man who is of regular habits. When you once form a steady habit, let nothing put you off it."
Joao de Sousa was amused. "But when we get to the railway station," he said, "you will be able to get tea in the refreshment room."
"Of course! I had not thought of that! It will be a little bit late after my lunch, but at least it will be something."
When they got to the station, the train was already at the platform. Everyone rushed into the refreshment room to prepare for the train journey, some by drinking a glass of wine and eating some bread and fruit, others by purchasing food to eat in the train.
The fat man sat down at one of the tables and looked round for a waiter. But there were few of them, and it was some time before he attracted the attention of one and ordered a cup of tea. He was about to give details of the tea that he wanted, but the busy waiter had to attend to other orders. At last Joao de Sousa, when going off to take his place in the train, saw the fat man preparing to enjoy his favourite drink.
Presently he came rushing out and climbed into the train just as the whistle sounded, he sat down opposite Joao de Sousa, and wiped his face with a brilliant silk handkerchief.
"Well?" Joao de Sousa smiled.
"My dear boy, it was green tea that the waiter brought me. I can never drink green tea!"
The train passed through the magnificent mountains, past little farm-houses and streams. Night was coming on and the setting sun had gone down below the hills. The fat passenger saw no beauty in the scene. He yawned and uttered impatient exclamations under his breath. De Sousa heard a moan ending with the word "tea".
"You can soon have your cup of tea," he said.
"Where?"
"We leave the train at Cahide and take another stagecoach."
"Ah, so we do! I had not thought of it. Many thanks for reminding me. I can get tea in the inn where the coach starts."
The fat passenger then began to sing contentedly to himself until he fell into a heavy sleep, lulled by the motion of the train. He did not open his eyes until Joao de Sousa gave him a little shake.
"What is it? Where are we?"
"We are at Cahide. We must get off here and take the coach."
"You are very kind, sir." The fat man began to gather up his luggage.
Two stagecoaches were standing outside the inn, one on the way to Villa Real and the other to Regoa. Passing the restaurant on his way to the coaches, Joao de Sousa found the fat passenger arguing violently with a waiter. He stopped to ask if he was going to Regoa or to Villa Real.
"I am going to Regoa, sir, just think of it! A terrible thing! I cannot get my cup of tea."
"That is a very serious matter indeed," said the young man gravely.
"Serious? I believe you. What sort of a restaurant is this? There is not a leaf of black tea in the place!"
"All passengers for Regoa take their places, please," called out the guard, an interesting figure in the old coaching dress of the place.
The fat passenger again sat down opposite Joao de Sousa.
"So you have been disappointed again, sir?"
"Don't speak of it. It is too awful. What a journey to make without my cup of tea!"
"But you will have another chance in Amatante, where we change the horses."
"Oh, I am glad. You are very good, sir."
The coach rolled on through the country roads, and in spite of the motion and the noise the passengers slept. Joao de Sousa remained awake, watching the country pass under the light of the moon: the trees, the hedges, the lights from the houses of a village on the hillside. Presently they came to the ancient bridge of Amatante, the origin of which is lost in the mists of the past. The coach passed into the narrow stony street, and stopped outside the famous old inn of the Capadera.
The dining-room of the inn was full of tobacco smoke and the smell of chocolate. The waiter advanced to show the travelers to their seats, and presently a really excellent supper was served. This Joao de Sousa thoroughly enjoyed, drinking the good wine of Valdepenas. He looked round and saw the fat passenger sitting at a corner of the table, waiting anxiously to speak to the waiter.
"Waiter, I want a cup of tea, strong and black, remember. No other will do."
"Sir, in an instant. I must just serve the supper, and then I will order the tea for you. What will you have for supper, sir?"
"I cannot eat anything until I have had my tea."
The waiter continued serving the great dishes of chicken and all kinds of excellent food; and bottles of good wine were passed merrily round the table. The fat passenger waited patiently. Presently it was announced that the coach would start in five minutes, and there was great excitement and confusion. Everyone rushed to find a place in the coach, and Joao de Sousa heard the unhappy voice of the fat passenger saying, "And my tea? Waiter, what about that tea?" "In one minute, sir."
All had taken their places except the fat man, who stood at the door of the inn impatiently. As the coach had to climb the mountain for some distance, a strong team of twelve oxen had been fastened to it, gay with red caps and brass bells. The guard called to the fat passenger, "Take your place, sir, if you please. I can wait no longer."
Suddenly the waiter came running with a steaming cup of tea on a tray. The fat passenger had one foot on the step of the coach, but he uttered a cry of joy, seized the cup, and raised it to his lips. But the next instant he cried out in distress, and put the cup back on the tray.
"Impossible to drink this tea, waiter. It is boiling hot. Why do you bring it like that, when the coach is just starting?" And he climbed into his place opposite Joao de Sousa, tears of pain and annoyance in his eyes.
The stagecoach climbed the hill slowly for five hours, dragged by the slow but powerful oxen. A fine rain fell on the enormous old trees beside the mountain road, and the wind whistled through their branches. Here and there little streams ran down from the mountain snows towards the mighty River Douro.
The driver walked beside the leader of the team, encouraging the oxen. All the passengers except Joao de Sousa slept. They passed a stone-built house near the road, and the moon threw strange reflections on its roof. Higher up they passed a little cottage above which hung a massive block of stone which looked as if it might fall at any moment. The road grew narrower as they approached the top, and the sun rose, bathing the mountain in many colours—purple, pink and yellow. The coach stopped at an inn near the village of Quintella, and those passengers who were awake descended to stretch their legs in the pure morning air.
Joao de Sousa walked along admiring the splendour of the scenery. Peak after peak extended as far as the eye could see, and lower down shone a wide stretch of water. The whole lovely picture was framed in the great trees, and as the young man paused to draw a breath of delight, he heard a slow step approaching. A long yawn of weariness sounded close to his ear, and Joao de Sousa smiled at the sight of the fat passenger, still half asleep, and so different from the glow of the new morning.
"Well, sir, how are you? What about your tea now?"
"Oh, my dear young friend, I have really lost all hopes. There is no tea in that miserable inn; they say no one ever asks for such a thing."
The horses were ready, and the guard gave the signal for the start. They went fast down the mountain-side and were soon among dark trees and then fruit. Presently the passengers were among the grapes that grow by the Douro. By the side of the great river they drove for many miles until the houses grew thicker and gardens appeared. At last they entered the white streets of Regoa. It was just half past eight in the morning, the right hour for breakfast.
As the coach stopped at the hotel, a fine building with green shutters, the fat passenger turned to Joao de Sousa with a smile. "I thank you, sir, for all your courtesy. I should have had a dreadful journey indeed without your agreeable company. I cannot tell you how I have suffered from the loss of my cup of tea. It is wrong to give up habits at my age. Take my advice, sir, and do not allow anything to interfere with a habit you have formed, if it is a good one. Now I can get my cup of tea at last. It is late, it is true, but better late than never. Permit me to introduce myself, sir. My name is Barnade dos Anjos; I am a native of the town of Freixo-de-Espada-a-Cinta, and I am traveling to Douro on business. I hope to meet you again, sir, and in any case I am always at your service. I wish you good luck and a safe journey; and now I am going, my dear young friend, to drink your health in a cup of tea."
数年前，受地势所限，人们从奥波尔图去雷果阿，不得不先搭乘公共马车，然后再换乘火车。
在奥波尔图马车公司办事处门外的发车处，停靠着一辆套有六匹高头大马的马车，恭候最后一批乘客的到来。人们围在马车周围，喧闹不已，只听见有人抱怨定了座位坐不上，有人发牢骚找不到行李。搬运工们则时不时地说些脏话，使气氛更加混乱。
此时，一个年轻人正坐在靠马车门口的座位上。位置他早就找到了，行李也都安放妥当了。车内的座位除了他对面的那个，都已坐满，看来某些未能及时赶到的乘客是没有位置了。车夫拉好缰，司门员也发出信号，准备出发。
突然，令人吃惊的一幕出现在拐角处——只见一个胖男人喘着粗气，舞着把大伞，像只鸭子一样跑过来，身后还跟着两个扛着行李的搬运工。
司门员把他大声训斥了一番后，行李被抬上了车。胖男人爬到空位上，然后艰难地把自己的伞和大号雨衣放下。
马车沿着奥波尔图的碎石街道，向米纽——杜罗火车站驶去。胖男人似乎有些郁闷，因为他一直不耐烦地嘟囔着，一副坐立不安的样子。后来，坐在对面的年轻人霍普·德·索萨注意到了他。
“先生，真倒霉啊，”他大声叫道，“你想想，我连杯茶都没喝到！”
朱奥·德·索萨没有答话，只是疑惑地看了看胖男人，胖男人接着说道：
“你看，我习惯了午饭后喝茶，一杯浓浓的红茶就行。刚才我只顾赶车，连茶都没喝。你不知道，我现在多想喝口茶啊。你看，先生，如果人到了我这个岁数，习惯说有多重要就有多重要。要是非得改掉习惯不可，那真是糟透了。这会儿我就知道，路上如果喝不到茶，那可真痛苦啊。先生，你年轻，可是，像我这样有某种生活习惯的人，你可要听一听。一旦你养成生活规律，就要始终坚持下去。”
朱奥·德·索萨被逗乐了。“可是，等到了火车站，”他说，“您就可以在火车站的小吃部里喝茶了。”
“是啊！我还真没想到呢！虽然是在午饭后晚会儿喝到茶，那至少比喝不上好。”
马车到火车站时，火车早已停在站台边上了。人们蜂拥地进了小吃部，开始为即将开始的行程做准备。有人买了随即要喝的葡萄酒、要吃的面包和水果，有人则买了车上要吃的食物。
胖男人在一张餐桌前坐下，四处找侍者。可是店里人手少，过了很久，一个侍者才注意到他。胖乘客点了一杯茶，刚想具体交代时，侍者又忙着接待其他客人去了。最后，直到朱奥·德·索萨离开小吃部上车坐到座位上时，才瞧见胖男人正准备享用他心爱的饮料。
很快，火车汽笛鸣了，突然胖男人从小吃店里冲了出来，爬上火车，在朱奥·德·索萨的对面坐了下来，然后用一块漂亮的真丝手帕擦着脸。
“怎么样？”朱奥·德·索萨微笑着问。
“老兄，侍者上的是绿茶，可我是从来不沾绿茶的！”
火车在雄伟的山岭中穿过，沿途可见一幢幢小农舍和一条条溪流。这时夜幕降临，太阳缓缓落至山下。胖男人却无心观赏这美景，他嘴里打着呵欠，发出郁闷的感叹声。朱奥·德·索萨听到末尾的单词是“茶”的呻吟声。
“您马上就能喝到茶了。”他说。
“在哪儿？”
“我们会在卡伊达换乘另一辆马车。”
“啊，也是啊！我怎么就没想到，多谢你提醒我，这样我就能到驿站的客栈里喝上茶了。”
而后胖男人竟惬意地哼起歌来，再加上车子的摇晃，他很快就昏昏沉沉地睡着了，直到朱奥·德·索萨轻轻地摇了他——下，才睁开眼睛。
“这是哪儿啊？到哪儿啦？”
“到卡伊达了。我们得换车了。”
“太谢谢你了，先生。”胖男人开始收拾起自己的行李。
客栈门外停靠着两辆马车，一辆去雷阿尔镇，另一辆则去雷果阿。在去换马车的路上，经过饭店时，朱奥·德·索萨看到胖男人正火气冲天地跟——个侍者吵架。他停下脚步，问他去雷果阿还是去雷阿尔镇。
“雷果阿，先生。想想，我是多么倒霉啊！甚至连杯茶都没喝到。”
“这确实很严重。”年轻人严肃地说。
“严重？太对了。这是什么饭店啊？连片红茶的茶叶都甭想找到！”
“去雷果阿的，上车了，上车了！”一个司门员喊道。那个司门员一身当地车夫老式制服的打扮，样子令人发笑。
胖男人又在朱奥·德·索萨的对面坐了下来。
“看样子，你又失望透了，先生？”
“不说了。真他妈的倒霉，连杯茶都喝不到，这一路我怎么过啊！”
“可是，我们到了阿马兰特换车时，您又有机会喝到茶了。”
“哦，太好了。你真是个好人，先生。”
马车行驶在乡间小路上。尽管马车一路颠簸摇晃，又嘈杂，但这并不能消除乘客们的睡意。朱奥·德·索萨一直没睡，不停地观赏着月色下的乡间小路、树木、树篱，还有那从山坡上的村舍人家透出的柔和灯光。渐渐地，车子行驶到了古老的阿兰马特桥上，薄雾下的桥已变得模糊。马车穿过狭窄的碎石街道，停靠在卡帕德拉镇著名的老客栈门前。
烟草和巧克力的味道充溢着客栈的餐厅。侍者上前把客人们迎到座位上。顷刻之间，侍者便送上来一份色香味俱全的晚餐。朱奥·德·索萨品尝着巴尔德佩尼亚斯的美酒，全身心地享受着。他抬头望了望周围，只见胖男人正坐在餐桌的一角，焦急地向侍者交代着什么。
“服务员，给我来杯茶，记着，是浓浓的红茶，我不要别的。”
“先生，马上上茶。我得先上晚餐，再为您叫茶。您吃点什么，先生？”
“不喝茶，我什么都不想吃。”
侍者忙着为客人们送上成盘的鸡肉和各式的美味佳肴，瓶瓶佳酿在餐桌上被人们热闹地互相传递着。胖男人不得不在一边耐心地等着自己的红茶。一会儿，有人告知马车五分钟后发车，店里顿时**起来，人声鼎沸。人们冲到车上，坐了下来。这时，朱奥·德·索萨听到人群中传来胖男人的声音：“我的茶呢？服务员！我的茶在哪儿呢？”显然，胖男人极其恼怒。“一分钟就好，先生。”
所有人都坐到了座位上，只有胖男人还在客栈门口不耐烦地等着。马车接下来要爬很长的山路，所以车子前拴了十二头剽悍的公牛，它们各个头顶红帽，系着铜铃，一副精神十足的模样。司门员冲着胖乘客喊道：“回到你座位上去吧，快点，先生！不能再等了。”
这时，侍者突然端着托盘跑了出来，那杯热气腾腾的茶正好在托盘上。胖男人这时一只脚已踏上了车子台阶，但还是开心地叫起来。只见他抓起茶杯就往嘴边送，随即听见他沮丧的叫声，茶杯又被放回托盘。
“这茶怎么喝啊，服务员！能把人烫死！都要开车了，怎么才把这么烫的茶端来？”说着，他登上马车，满脸的悲伤和郁闷，眼泪也流了下来，又坐在了朱奥·德·索萨的对面。
剽悍的公牛缓慢而有力地拖着车子在山坡上行进了五个小时。雨淅淅沥沥地下着，拍打着山路两旁高耸入云的老树，狂风一路咆哮着穿过树枝，山上的积雪渐渐融化，汇成涓涓细流，最后汇入广博的杜罗河。
车夫走到头牛旁，赶着牛队继续前行。其他人都睡着了，只有朱奥·德·索萨还睁着眼。车子驶过路边的一座石屋，月光洒在屋顶上，折射出奇异的光。车子继续往高处攀登，途经一间小小的农舍，农舍的上方悬着一块巨大的岩石，似乎快要掉下来了。越往上走，山路也就越崎岖，快到山顶时，太阳升起来了，将大山笼罩在一片绚丽的霞光之中——紫色、粉红色和黄色。马车在金特拉村附近的一家客栈门前停了下来。早晨空气清爽，睡醒的乘客从车上走了下来，伸展着自己疲倦的腿脚。
朱奥·德·索萨边溜达边欣赏着如画的景色。放眼望去，一座座高山连绵起伏，山下一条大河蜿蜒流淌着，波光**漾，四周的参天大树恰似一幅画框镶嵌在这幅如画的美景周围。年轻人停下脚步，精神愉悦地深呼吸。这时，耳边渐渐传来一阵拖沓的脚步声，接着是倦意浓浓的、长长的呵欠声。朱奥·德·索萨笑了起来，还是那个胖男人，他一副睡意蒙眬的样子，与清晨这如画的美景很不协调。
“啊，早上好啊，先生！您喝到茶了吗？”
“哦，年轻人，我彻底绝望了。那个糟糕的小店压根儿就没有茶。店里伙计说从来就没人点过这种东西。”
马备好了，司门员发出了出发的信号。就这样，一队人马从山腰飞奔而下，快速穿过茂密的树林和果林。很快，要到杜罗河边了。马车又沿河岸向前行进了几英里，渐渐地，出现了密密麻麻的房屋，还有一座座花园。最后，马车载着乘客驶进雷果阿洁白的大道。此时是上午八点半，正好赶上吃早餐。
马车在宾馆门前停了下来。这是一幢华美的大厦，装有绿色的百叶窗。胖男人回过头，笑着对朱奥·德·索萨说道：“谢谢你，先生，谢谢你的耐心相伴。假如没有你的陪伴，我这趟旅行不知有多糟糕。你不明白，没有茶我有多郁闷。像我这样的年龄，放弃自己的习惯是个错误的选择。先生，接受我的忠告吧，假如形成了好的习惯，就不要去打破它。现在我终于要喝茶了，的确是晚了点，但总比不喝好。请允许我自我介绍一下，先生。我是巴纳贝·多斯·安霍斯，来自弗雷舒——德——埃斯帕达——阿——辛塔镇，来杜罗出差办事。但愿下次还能见到你，先生。不论有什么事，我愿意随时效劳。祝你好运，旅途愉快，我亲爱的小朋友，以茶代酒祝你身体健康！”
心灵小语
生活是一杯茶，需细细去嗅，才能嗅出茶香四溢；需慢慢去呷，才能品出清新淡雅；需幽幽去感，才能觉出平淡中的平凡。
W词汇笔记
miserable ['miz?r?bl] adj. 悲惨的；令人痛苦的；太少的；卑鄙的
例 The film was a miserable commercial failure both in Italy and in the United States.
这部电影在意大利和美国均遭遇票房惨败。
brilliant ['brilj?nt] adj. 明亮的；（非正式）美好的；闪耀的；才华横溢的
例 He was a deeply serious musician who had shown his brilliance very early.
他是个很严肃的音乐家，很早就展露出非凡的才华。
anxiously ['??k??sli] adv. 焦急地，担忧地；眼巴巴
例 Both the Americans and the Russians are anxious to avoid conflict in South Asia.
美国人和俄罗斯人都迫切希望避免在南亚发生冲突。
enormous [i'n?:m?s] adj. 巨大的；庞大的；极恶的；凶暴的
例 By some freak of fate, she won an enormous sum of money.
她不知交了什么好运，赢了一大笔钱。
S小试身手
胖男人似乎有些郁闷，因为他一直不耐烦地嘟囔着，一副坐立不安的样子。
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火车在雄伟的山岭中穿过，沿途可见一幢幢小农舍和一条条溪流。
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早晨空气清爽，睡醒的乘客从车上走了下来，伸展着自己疲倦的腿脚。
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P短语家族
The general disturbance was penetrated from time to time by the rough language of the porters.
from time to time：不时，偶尔，间或；时而
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I cannot tell you how I have suffered from the loss of my cup of tea.
suffer from：患（某种病），受（某种病痛）折磨；因……而受罚；闹；罹
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