搜索
AWholeNationandaPeople[1]TherewasonestorekeeperIrememberaboveallothersinmyyouth,whenIwasspendingagoodportion(part)ofmytimewithamotley(mixed)groupofvariedethnicancestry(racialbackground).Wecontended(competed)withoneanothertoderide(laughat)thecustomsoftheoldcountry(motherland).OnourSaturdayforays(attack)intoneighborhoodsbeyondourown,toprovewewerereallyAmericans,weatehotdogsanddrankCokes.Ifaboydidn'thavetencents(dime)forthisrepast(meal)hewent(was)hungry,forhedarednotbringasandwichfromhomemadeofthespicedmeatsourfamiliesate.[2]Oneofouruntamedgameswastoseekout(found)theownerofapushcart(wagon)orastore,unmistakablyanimmigrant(-emigrant),andbedevil(annoy/troubled)himwithachorusofinsultsandjeers.Toproveallegiance(loyalty)tothegangitwasnecessarytoreserve(keep)ourfiercestmalevolenceforastorekeeperorpeddlerbelongingtoourownethnicbackground.[3]ForthatreasonIledaraid(attack)onthesmall,shabby(oldandbroken)groceryofoldBarbaNikos,short,sinewy(strong)Greekwhowalkedwithaslightlimpandsported(showed)aflaring,handlebarmustache.[4]Westoodoutsidehisstoreanddared(challenged)himtocomeout.Whenheemerged(appeared)todobattle(fight),weplucked(grasped)afewplumsandpeachesfromthebasketonthesidewalk(pavement)andretreated(withdrew),Igoacrossthestreettoeatthemwhile(atsametime)hewatched.Hewavedafistandhurledepithetsatusinornamental(graceful)Greek.[5]Aware(Realizing)thatmymettle(courage)wasbeingtested,Iraisedmyarmandthrewmyhalf-eatenplumattheoldman.Myaimwasaccurateandtheplumstruck(hit)himonthecheek.Heshudderedandputhishandtothestain.Hestaredatmeacrossthestreet,andalthoughIcouldnotseehiseyes,Ifeltthemsear(burn)myflesh(-meat).Heturnedandwalkedsilentlybackintothestore.Theboysslapped(patted)myshouldersinadmiration,butitwasahollow(empty)victorythatrested(felldown)likeastoneinthepitofmystomach(depressed).[6]Attwilight(dusk),whenwedisbanded(dismissed),Ipassedthegroceryaloneonmywayhome.Therewasasmalllightburninginthestoreandtheshadowoftheoldman'sbodyoutlinedagainsttheglass.Goaded(Encouraged)byremorse(regret),Iwalkedtothedoorandentered.[7]Theoldmanmovedfrombehindthenarrowwoodencounterandstaredatme.Iwantedtoturnandflee(escape;fleet),butbythenitwastoolate.Ashemotioned(waved)formetocomecloser,Ibraced(prepared)myselfforacurse(abuse/scoring)orablow(beating).[8]Youweretheone,hesaid,finally,inaharsh(rigid/fierce)voice.[9]Inoddedmutely(silently).[10]Whydidyoucomeback?'[11]Istoodthereunabletoanswer.[12]What'syourname?[13]Haralambos,Isaid,speakingtohiminGreek.[14]Helookedatmeinshock(surprisedly),YouareGreek!hecried.AGreekboyattackingaGreekgrocer!Hestood(was)appalled(shocked)attheimmensity(seriousness)ofmycrime.Allright,hesaidcoldly.Youare(come)herebecauseyouwishtomakeamends(todosth.asaremedy).Hisgreatmustachebristled(stoodonend)inconcentration.Fourplums,twopeaches,hesaid.Thatmakesatotalofseventy-eightcents.Callitseventy-five.Doyouhaveseventy-fivecents,boy?[15]Ishookmyhead.[16]Thenyouwillworkitoff(payforitbyworking),hesaid.Fifteencentsanhourintoseventy-fivecentsmakes(equalsto)—hepaused—fivehoursofwork.CanyoucomehereSaturdaymorning?[17]Yes,Isaid.[18]Yes,BarbaNikos,hesaidsternly(seriously/rigidly).Showrespect.[19]Yes,BarbaNikos,Isaid.[20]Saturdaymorningateighto'clock,hesaid.NowgohomeandsaythanksinyourprayersthatIdidnot[lose(vt.)-loose(a.)-loosen(vt.removed)yourimpudent(rude/impolite)headwithasolid(strong/heavy)smack(slap)ontheear.Ineedednofurtherurging(scoring)andfled(escaped).[21]Saturdaymorning,stillapprehensive(fearful),Ireturnedtothestore.Ibeganbysweeping,raisingcloudsofdustindarkandhiddencorners.Iwashedthewindows,whippingthesqueegeeswiftly(quickly)upanddowntheglassinafeveroffear(anxiously)thatsomememberofthegangwouldseeme.WhenIfinishedIhurried(ran)backinside.[22]Forthebalance(Payingthedebt)ofthemorningIstacked(piled)cans,washedthecounter,anddustedbottlesofyellowwine.Afewcustomersentered,andBarbaNikosservedthem.Alittleaftertwelveo'clockhelockedthedoorsohecouldeatlunch.Hecuthimselfafewslices(slicedbread)ofsausage,torealargechunk(apiece)fromaloafofcrisp-crustedbread,andfilledasmallcupwithadozenblackshinyolivesfloatinginbrine.Heoffered(gave)methecup.Icouldnothelp(fromdoingsth.)myselfandgrimaced.[23]Youareastupid(foolish)boy,theoldmansaid.YouarenotreallyGreek,areyou?[24]Yes,Iam.[25]Youmightbe,headmittedgrudgingly(unwillingly).Butyoudonotact(likea)Greek.Wrinklingyournoseatthesefine(excellent)olives.Lookaroundthisstoreforaminute(moment).Whatdoyousee?[26]Fruitsandvegetables,Isaid.Cheeseandolivesandthingslikethat(sth.similar).[27]Hestaredatmewithamassivescorn.That'swhatImean,hesaid.Youareabonehead(fool).Youdon'tunderstandthatawholenationandapeopleareinthisstore.[28]Ilookeduneasily(anxiously)towardthestoreroomintherear(back),almostexpectingsomeonetoemerge(appear).[29]Whataboutolives?hecut(wave)theairwithasweepofhisarm.Thereareolivesofmanyshapesandcolors.PointedblackonesfromKalamata,ovalonesfromAmphissa,pickledgreenolivesandsharptangyyellowones.AchillescarriedblackolivestoTroyandafteradayofsavage(fierce)battleleadinghisMyrmidons,he'd(would)restandeatcheeseandripeblacko