THE CHARCOAL-BURNER AND THE FULLER

There was once a Charcoal-burner who lived and worked by himself. A Fuller, however, happened to come and settle in the same neighbourhood; and the Charcoal-burner, having made his acquaintance and finding he was an agreeable sort of fellow, asked him if he would come and share his house: “We shall get to know one another better that way,” he said, “and, beside, our household expenses will be diminished.” The Fuller thanked him, but replied, “I couldn't think of it, sir: why, everything I take such pains to whiten would be blackened in no time by your charcoal.”

烧炭工和漂洗工

从前，有一个烧炭工，他一个人生活，自力更生。有一个漂洗工碰巧搬到了他家附近，两个人熟了起来，烧炭工觉得漂洗工很好相处，于是便提出建议，问他是否愿意搬到他家，两个人同住。“这样子我们就能够更熟识，日常开支也能够省掉很多。”漂洗工表示感谢，但是拒绝了他的提议。“先生，我可真不觉得那样好。啊呀，我费尽力气洗干净的东西，全都会立刻被你的煤炭弄成黑色的。”