Peter was a carpenter(木匠)in our village. Once I asked him to make a dining table for my wife. He made it just the right size to fill the space between the two windows. When I arrived home that evening, Peter was drinking a cup of tea and writing out his bill for his work.
My wife said to me quietly," That's his ninth cup of tea today..."Then she said loudly," It's a beautiful table, dear, isn't it? "
"I won't decide about that until I see that bill，"I said.
Peter laughed and gave me his bill for the work. It said:
| One dining table June 10, 2017 Wood 27.00 Paint(油漆） 5. 50 Work, 8 hours($ 2 per hour) 16. 00 Total(总计） 58. 50 |
When I was looking at the hill, Peter said, "It's been a fine day, hasn't it?"
"Yes, "I said, "I'm glad it is only the 10th of June."
"Me too, "said Peter, "it'll be a bit hotter by the end of the month."
"Yes. Hotter and more expensive. Dining tables will be 20 more expensive on June 30th, won't they, Peter?"
Peter looked hard at me for half a minute. There was a little smile on his face. I gave his bill back to him.
"If it isn't too much trouble, Peter," I said," please add it up again. You can forget the date. "
I paid him 48. 50 and he was happy to get it.
