A country maid was walking along with a can of milk upon her head, when she fell into the following train of reflections.

"The money for which I shall sell this milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs to three hundred. These eggs, allowing for what may prove addle¹（腐坏的，糊涂的） , and what may be destroyed by vermin（害虫，歹徒） , will produce at least two hundred and fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to carry to market just at the time when poultry²（家禽） is always dear; so that by the new year I cannot fail of having money enough to purchase a new gown（长袍，礼服） . Green-let me consider-yes, green becomes my complexion³ best, and green it shall be. In this dress I will go to the fair, where all young fellows will strive to have me for a parter; but no-I shall refuse every one of them, and with a disdainful（轻蔑的，鄙视的） toss turn from them."

Transported with this idea, she could not forbear（忍耐克制） acting⁴ with her head the thought that passed in her mind, when down came the can of milk! And all her imaginary happiness vanished in a moment.