梦千寻
The old home I remembered was not in the least like this. My old home was much better. But if you asked me to recall its peculiar charm or describe its beauties， I had no clear impression， no words to describe it. And now it seemed this was all there was to it. Then I rationalized the matter to myself，saying： Home was always like this， and although it had not improved， still it is not so depressing as I imagine； it is only my mood that has changed， because I am coming back to the country this time with no illusions.
This time I had come with the sole object of saying goodbye. The old house our clan had lived in for so many years had already been sold to another family， and was to change hands before the end of the year. I had to hurry there before New Year’s Day to say goodbye for ever to the familiar old house， and to move my family to another place where I was working， far from my old home town.
我所记得的故乡全不如此。我的故乡好得多了。但要我记起他的美丽，说出他的佳处来，却又没有影像，没有言辞了。仿佛也就如此。于是我自己解释说：故乡本也如此，——虽然没有进步，也未必有如我所感的悲凉，这只是我自己心情的改变罢了，因为我这次回乡，本没有什么好心绪。
我这次是专为了别他而来的。我们多年聚族而居的老屋，已经公同卖给别姓了，交屋的期限，只在本年，所以必须赶在正月初一以前，永别了熟识的老屋，而且远离了熟识的故乡，搬家到我在谋食的异地去。
