Recently I gave a dinner party for some close friends.To add a touch of elegance to the evening, I brought out the good stuff--my white Royal Crown Derby china with the fine blue-and-gold border.When we were seated, one of the guests noticed the beat-up gravy boat I'd placed among the newer, better dinnerware. "Is it an heirloom?"she asked tactfully.

　　最近我举办了一次晚宴，招待几位亲密的朋友。为了给那个晚上增添一点优雅的情趣，我摆出了一件奇珍异宝――绘有精美蓝边和金边的白色王冠德比牌的瓷器。大伙儿就座后，其中一位客人注意到了这只残破的船形肉卤盘――我已把它放在了满桌新颖而别致的餐具当中。“这是一件传家宝么？”她机敏地问道。