Sir William Thompson was1 very deaf3 but he did4 not like people to know this. One evening he had5 invited6 several7 friendsto dinner, and while9 they were sitting at the table, one of thefriends told a funny story. Everyone laughed, and SirWilliam, who had laughed as2 loud as anyone10, said11,“That was a very funny joke12, but I know a funnier one. Would13 you liketo hear it?” They all said they would, so Sir William began hisstory. When it ended, everyone laughed louder than ever8 andSir William smiled happily14. But he didn't know the reason15 for their laughter16. He had told the very same story that his friendhad just told.
54.笑 话
威廉·汤普森爵士非常聋,但他却不愿意让别人知道这 件事,一天晚上,他邀请了几位朋友吃饭。在就餐的时候,一 位朋友讲了个有趣的故事,大都笑了,汤普森也和别人一 样放声大笑,他说:“这是个十分有趣的笑话,但是我还知道 一个更有趣的笑话,你们愿意听吗?”朋友们都说愿意听。于 是,汤普森开始讲他的故事。当故事讲完时,大家笑得比方才 还厉害,汤普森的脸上露出了欣慰的笑容。但他却不知道别 人发笑的原因。原来,他讲的正是方才那位朋友讲的故事。