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小说的情节既清晰而又暗藏机关。以介绍婚姻为职业的犹太老头宾尼？沙兹曼为犹太大学生列奥？芬克尔介绍结婚对象，他极力向列奥推荐了几个家庭境况很好、陪嫁丰厚的姑娘，可是这些姑娘里没有一个是列奥中意的。最后，在沙兹曼给列奥的一堆照片中，列奥发现了令他着迷的姑娘，当他得知这个姑娘就是沙兹曼的女儿时，他依然爱她，却也产生了疑虑：“事情朝这个路子发展，是不是沙兹曼一手策划的。”这样的情节似乎只是平淡中多了几点巧合而已，但是列奥的疑虑为这个情节增加了奇妙的一笔：原来，表面上是媒人沙兹曼在帮列奥找对象，实际上却是沙兹曼在为自己的女儿斯妲拉和列奥牵红线。
列奥是个生活内容极其简单的年轻人，他对爱情与婚姻十分向往，却又毫无经验，于是请媒人沙兹曼为他介绍对象。列奥善良和犹豫的性格特点―信任他人、不愿意让别人难堪―给了沙兹曼开展计划的机会。他诚实地面对自己，不为虚荣而粉饰自己，更不能容忍别人对他的神化。他宁可忍受这种对自己内心的无情发现所带来的痛苦，也不愿给自己戴上虚假的光环。和莉莉的约会是一次痛苦的经历，但还是带给了列奥宝贵的自我认识：他发现自己除了父母，谁也不爱。如果要改变这个令他痛心的情况，他就应该首先学会爱，找到爱。因此，他终于明白自己所向往的婚姻的前提应该是爱情，而不是其他。性格单纯的列奥一旦发现自己内心的真正需要，变得非常热情执著。列奥思念斯妲拉，把爱情看做改邪归正和皈依上帝的起点，也就是获得新生的起点。
Not long ago there lived in uptown[1]New York，in a small，almost meager[2]room，though crowded with books，Leo Finkle，a rabbinical[3]student in the Yeshivah University.Finkle，after six years of study，was to be ordained in June and had been advised by an acquaintance that he might find it easier to win himself a congregation[4]if he were married.Since he had no present prospects of marriage，after two tormented days of turning it over in his mind，he called in Pinye Salzman，a marriage broker whose two-line advertisement he had read in the Forward.
The matchmaker appeared one night out of the dark fourth-floor hallway of the graystone rooming house where Finkle lived，grasping a black，strapped[5]portfolio[6]that had been worn thin with use.Salzman，who had been long in the business，was of slight but dignified build，wearing an old hat，and an overcoat too short and tight for him.He smelled frankly of fish，which he loved to eat，and although he was missing a few teeth，his presence was not displeasing，because of an amiable manner curiously contrasted with mournful eyes.His voice，his lips，his wisp[7]of beard，his bony fingers were animated，but give him a moment of repose and his mild blue eyes revealed a depth of sadness，a characteristic that put Leo a little at ease although the situation，for him，was inherently tense.
He at once informed Salzman why he had asked him to come，explaining that his home was in Cleveland，and that but for his parents，who had married comparatively late in life，he was alone in the world.He had for six years devoted himself almost entirely to his studies，as a result of which，understandably，he had found himself without time for a social life and the company of young women.Therefore he thought it the better part of trial and error-of embarrassing fumbling-to call in an experienced person to advise him on these matters.He remarked in passing that the function of the marriage broker was ancient and honorable，highly approved in the Jewish community，because it made practical the necessary without hindering joy.Moreover，his own parents had been brought together by a matchmaker.They had made，if not a financially profitable marriage-since neither had possessed any worldly goods to speak of-at least a successful one in the sense of their everlasting devotion to each other.Salzman listened in embarrassed surprise，sensing a sort of apology.Later，however，he experienced a glow of pride in his work，an emotion that had left him years ago，and he heartily approved of Finkle.
The two went to their business.Leo had led Salzman to the only clear place in the room，a table near a window that overlooked the lamp-lit city.He seated himself at the matchmaker’s side but facing him，attempting by an act of will to suppress the unpleasant tickle in his throat.Salzman eagerly unstrapped his portfolio and removed a loose rubber band from a thin packet of much-handled cards.As he flipped through them，a gesture and sound that physically hurt Leo，the student pretended not to see and gazed steadfastly out the window.Although it was still February，winter was on its last legs，signs of which he had for the first time in years begun to notice.He now observed the round white moon，moving high in the sky through a cloud menagerie[8]，and watched with half-open mouth as it penetrated a huge hen，and dropped out of her like an egg laying itself.Salzman，though pretending through eye-glasses he had just slipped on，to be engaged in scanning the writing on the cards，stole occasional glances at the young man’s distinguished face，noting with pleasure the long，severe scholar’s nose，brown eyes heavy with learning，sensitive yet ascetic[9]lips，and a certain，almost hollow quality of the dark cheeks.He gazed around at shelves upon shelves of books and let out a soft，contented sigh.
When Leo’s eyes fell upon the cards，he counted six spread out in Salzman’s hand.
“So few？”he asked in disappointment.
“You wouldn’t believe me how much cards I got in my office，”Salzman replied.“The drawers are already filled to the top，so I keep them now in a barrel，but is every girl good for a new rabbi？”
Leo blushed at this，regretting all he had revealed of himself in a curriculum[10]vitae[11]he had sent to Salzman.He had thought it best to acquaint him with his strict standards and specifications，but in having done so，felt he had told the marriage broker more than was absolutely necessary.
He hesitantly inquired，“Do you keep photographs of your clients on file？”
“First comes family，amount of dowry[12]，also what kind of promises，”Salzman replied，unbuttoning his tight coat and settling himself in the chair.“After comes pictures，rabbi.”
“Call me Mr.Finkle.I’m not yet a rabbi.”
Salzman said he would，but instead called him doctor，which he changed to rabbi when Leo was not listening too attentively.
Salzman adjusted his horn-rimmed[13]spectacles，gently cleared his throat and read in an eager voice the contents of the top card：
“Sophie P.Twenty-four years.Widow one year.No children.Educated high school and two years college.Father promises eight thousand dollars.Has wonderful wholesale business.Also real estate.On the mother’s side comes teachers，also one actor.Well known on Second Avenue.”
Leo gazed up in surprise.“Did you say a widow？”
“A widow don’t mean spoiled，rabbi.She lived with her husband maybe four months.He was a sick boy she made a mistake to marry him.”
“Marrying a widow has never entered my mind.”
“This is because you have no experience.A widow，especially if she is young and healthy like this girl，is a wonderful person to marry.She will be thankful to you the rest of her life.Believe me，if I was looking now for a bride，I would marry a widow.”
Leo reflected，then shook his head.
Salzman hunched[14]his shoulders in an almost imperceptible[15]gesture of disappointment.He placed the card down on the wooden table and began to read another：
“Lily H.High school teacher.Regular.Not a substitute.Has savings and new Dodge car.Lived in Paris one year.Father is successful dentist thirty-five years.Interested in professional man.Well Americanized family.Wonderful opportunity.”
“I knew her personally，”said Salzman.“I wish you could see this girl.She is a doll.Also very intelligent.All day you could talk to her about books and theater and what not.She also knows current events.”
“I don’t believe you mentioned her age？”
“Her age？”Salzman said，raising his brows.“Her age is thirty-two years.”
“Leo said after a while，”I’m afraid that seems a little too old.
Salzman let out a laugh.“So how old are you，rabbi？”
“Twenty-seven.”
“So what is the difference，tell me，between twenty-seven and thirty-two？My own wife is seven years older than me.So what did I suffer？―Nothing.If Rothschild[16]’s daughter wants to marry you，would you say on account her age，no？”
“Yes，”Leo said dryly[17]。
Salzman shook off the no in the eyes.“Five years don’t mean a thing.I give you my word that when you will live with her for one week you will forget her age.What does it mean five years-that she lived more and knows more than somebody who is younger？On this girl，God bless her，years are not wasted.Each one that it comes makes better the bargain.”
“What subject does she teach in high school？”
“Languages.If you heard the way she speaks French，you will think it is music.I am in the business twenty-five years，and I recommend her with my whole heart.Believe me，I know what I’m talking，rabbi.”
“What’s on the next card？”Leo said abruptly.
Salzman reluctantly turned up the third card：
“Ruth K.Nineteen years.Honor student.Father offers thirteen thousand cash to the right bridegroom.He is a medical doctor.Stomach specialist with marvelous practice.Brother in law owns garment business.Particular people.”
Salzman looked as if he had read his trump card[18]。
“Did you say nineteen？”Leo asked with interest.
“On the dot.”
“Is she attractive？”He blushed.“Pretty？”
Salzman kissed his finger tips.“A little doll.On this I give you my word.Let me call the father tonight and you will see what means pretty.”
But Leo was troubled.“You’re sure she’s that young？”
“This I am positive.The father will show you the birth certificate.”
“Are you positive there isn’t something wrong with her？”Leo insisted.
“Who says there is wrong？”
“I don’t understand why an American girl her age should go to a marriage broker.”
A smile spread over Salzman’s face.
“So for the same reason you went，she comes.”
Leo flushed.“I am passed for time.”
Salzman，realizing he had been tactless[19]，quickly explained.“The father came，not her.He wants she should have the best，so he looks around himself.When we will locate the right boy he will introduce him and encourage.This makes a better marriage than if a young girl without experience takes for herself.I don’t have to tell you this.”
“But don’t you think this young girl believes in love？”Leo spoke uneasily.
Salzman was about to guffaw[20]but caught himself and said soberly[21]，“Love comes with the right person，not before.”
Leo parted dry lips but did not speak.Noticing that Salzman had snatched a glance at the next card，he cleverly asked，“How is her health？”
“Perfect，”Salzman said，breathing with difficulty.“Of course，she is a little lame on her right foot from an auto accident that it happened to her when she was twelve years，but nobody notices on account she is so brilliant and also beautiful.”
Leo got up heavily and went to the window.He felt curiously bitter and upbraided[22]himself for having called in the marriage broker.Finally，he shook his head.
“Why not？”Salzman persisted，the pitch of his voice rising.
“Because I detest stomach specialists.”
“So what do you care what is his business？After you marry her do you need him？Who says he must come every Friday night in your house？”
Ashamed of the way the talk was going，Leo dismissed[23]Salzman，who went home with heavy，melancholy eyes.
Though he had felt only relief at the marriage broker’s departure，Leo was in low spirits the next day.He explained it as rising from Salzman’s failure to produce a suitable bride for him.He did not care for his type of clientele[24].But when Leo found himself hesitating whether to seek out another matchmaker，one more polished than Pinye，he wondered if it could be protestations to the contrary，and although he honored his father and mother-that he did not，in essence，care for the match****** institution？This thought he quickly put out of mind yet found himself still upset.All day he ran around the woods-missed an important appointment，forgot to give out his laundry，walked out of a Broadway cafeteria without paying and had to run back with the ticket in his hand；had even not recognized his landlady in the street when she passed with a friend and courteously called out，“A good evening to you，Doctor Finkle.”By nightfall，however，he had regained sufficient calm to sink his nose into a book and there found peace from his thoughts.
Almost at once there came a knock on the door.Before Leo could say enter，Salzman，commercial cupid，was standing in the room.His face was gray and meager，his expression hungry，and he looked as if he would expire[25]on his feet.Yet the marriage broker managed，by some trick of the muscles to display a broad smile.
“So good evening.I am invited？”
Leo nodded，disturbed to see him again，yet unwilling to ask the man to leave.
Beaming still，Salzman laid his portfolio on the table.“Rabbi，I got for you tonight good news.”
“I’ve asked you not to call me rabbi.I’m still a student.”
“Your worries are finished.I have for you a first-class bride.”
“Leave me in peace concerning this subject.”Leo pretended lack of interest.
“The world will dance at your wedding.”
“Please，Mr.Salzman，no more.”
“But first must come back my strength，”Salzman said weakly.He fumbled with[26]the portfolio straps and took out of the leather case an oily paper bag，from which he extracted a hard，seeded roll and a small，smoked white fish.With a quick emotion of his hand he stripped the fish out of its skin and began ravenously[27]to chew.“All day in a rush，”he muttered.
Leo watched him eat.
“A sliced tomato you have maybe？”Salzman hesitantly inquired.
“No.”
The marriage broker shut his eyes and ate.When he had finished he carefully cleaned up the crumbs and rolled up the remains of the fish，in the paper bag.His spectacled eyes roamed the room until he discovered，amid some piles of books，a one-burner gas stove.Lifting his hat he humbly asked，“A glass of tea you got，rabbi？”
Conscience-stricken，Leo rose and brewed the tea.He served it with a chunk of lemon and two cubes of lump sugar，delighting Salzman.
After he had drunk his tea，Salzman’s strength and good spirits were restored.
“So tell me rabbi，”he said amiably，“you considered some more the three clients I mentioned yesterday？”
“There was no need to consider.”
“Why not？”
“None of them suits me.”
“What then suits you？”
Leo let it pass because he could give only a confused answer.
Without waiting for a reply，Salzman asked，“You remember this girl I talked to you-the high school teacher？”
“Age thirty-two？”
But surprisingly，Salzman’s face lit in a smile.“Age twenty-nine.”
Leo shot him a look.“Reduced from thirty-two？”
“A mistake，”Salzman avowed[28]，“I talked today with the dentist.He took me to his safety deposit box and showed me the birth certificate.She was twenty-nine years last August.They made her a party in the mountains where she went for her vacation.When her father spoke to me the first time I forgot to write the age and I told you thirty-two，but now I remember this was a different client，a widow.”
“The same one you told me about？I thought she was twenty-four？”
“A different.Am I responsible that the world is filled with widows？”
“No，but I’m not interested in them，nor for that matter，in school teachers.”
Salzman pulled his clasped hand to his breast.Looking at the ceiling he devoutly exclaimed，“Yiddishe kinder，what can I say to somebody that he is not interested in high school teachers？So what then you are interested？”
Leo flushed but controlled himself.
“In what else will you be interested，”Salzman went on，“if you not interested in this fine girl that she speaks four languages and has personally in the bank ten thousand dollars？Also her father guarantees further twelve thousand.Also she has a new car，wonderful clothes，talks on all subjects，and she will give you a first-class home and children.How near do we come in our life to paradise？”
If she’s so wonderful，why wasn’t she married ten years ago？”
“Why？”said Salzman with a heavy laugh.“―Why？Because she is partikiller[29].This is why.She wants the best.”
Leo was silent，amused at how he had entangled himself.But Salzman had arouse his interest in Lily H{L-End}
，and he began seriously to consider calling on her.When the marriage broker observed how intently Leo’s mind was at work on the facts he had supplied，he felt certain they would soon come to an agreement.
伯纳德？马拉默德
前不久，在纽约居民区的一间狭小，几近简陋，却堆满书籍的房间里，住着一个名叫利奥？芬克尔的年轻人。他在耶西瓦大学（耶西瓦大学为美国犹太人在一八八六年创立的一所私立大学，校址设在美国纽约市。）攻读犹太教律法，经过六载寒窗，他终将在六月份被授予圣职，出任牧师了。这时一个熟人建议他最好先结婚，这样会更容易取得教徒们的信任。可是，他到目前连个意中人都没有，又谈何结婚呢？他冥思苦想，折腾了两天，到头来还是把一个名叫平尼？萨尔兹曼的人请到家中。萨尔兹曼是个专门为人做媒的。芬克尔曾在《前进报》上读过他刊登的仅有两行字的广告。
一天晚上，这位媒人来到芬克尔住的这座公寓的灰砖大楼四楼黑洞洞的走廊里。他手里提着一只有皮带的黑色公文包，那只公文包由于多年磨损，已经变得薄了。萨尔兹曼从事这个行当已有多年。他身材瘦小，但仪表不俗，戴一顶旧帽子，大衣显得又短又紧。他常常让人闻到鱼味，对此他也毫不掩饰，他爱吃鱼。他虽说缺了几颗牙，但看上去并不叫人生厌。因为他总是那么和霭可亲，而眼神又带有几分伤感。他说起话来娓娓动听，那副嘴唇，一绺轻髯，还有那消瘦的手指配合着那声音，是那么充满活力，但一旦静下来，他那双淡蓝色的眼睛又显得深沉忧郁。这一特征让利奥心放宽了不少，本来这种场合对他来说难免有些紧张的。
他开门见山，把请他来的目的告诉了他。他说这全都是为父母着想的，他们结婚相对较晚，而目前他仍然孤身一人，形单影只。六年来，他一心扑在学业上，无暇于社交生活，又无女友为伴，结果就成了这个样子。这是完全可以理解的。与其自己寻来觅去，令人尴尬地瞎闯，不如请个有经验的人出个主意。他还提到媒人在犹太人社会里是个古老而又受人尊敬的职业，它可以使人们的需要变成现实，而事后又不成为人们幸福的障碍。他还说他的父母也是经媒人撮合才成亲的。由于双方家里都很穷，没什么财产，所以他们的婚姻谈不上谁在经济上获益，但至少他们多年来一直相亲相爱，也算是一桩美满的婚姻。萨尔兹曼听着，有点尴尬，也有些惊喜，感到其中不乏为这一项职业的辩解。后来，他也曾觉得这项职业确有一种自豪感，但这种感觉已经消失多年了。他打心眼里赞同芬克尔的看法。
于是他们两个就着手这件事了。利奥把萨尔兹曼带到屋内惟一敞亮的地方：靠窗的一张桌子旁，从窗子可以看到灯火通明的城市夜景。他坐在媒人旁边，但面对着他，极力抑制着痒得难受的嗓子。萨尔兹曼急切地打开公文包上的皮带，拿出一沓薄薄的多次翻弄过的卡片，取下套在上面的松松的橡皮箍。他翻着那些卡片，利奥看着他那动作，听着他发出的声音感到很不舒服。他假装不在看，而把眼睛盯在窗外。尽管现在仍是二月，但冬天已近尾声，对于这一时节的种种迹象他已多年没有关注过了。他望着那轮圆圆的明月在云层中穿过，那云朵就像一个个奇形怪状的动物。他半张着嘴，看着月儿钻进了一只大母鸡，又从后面钻了出来，就好像那只鸡生下了一只蛋。萨尔兹曼假装透过刚戴上去的眼镜在仔细看卡片上的字，却时时在偷眼看着这个年轻人气宇不凡的面庞，满怀欣喜地注视着他那又高又直的学者般的鼻子，那双棕色的眼睛透着无限的智慧，两片嘴唇敏感中又不乏严肃，两颊黝黑而凹陷，给人以镇定自若的印象。他环顾四周，看到一架又一架的书，不由自主满意地轻轻嘘了一口气。
当利奥看到卡片时，发现萨尔兹曼手中只有六张。
“就这么几张？”他不禁失望地问。
“我办公室里卡片多极了，我说了你也不信，”萨尔兹曼回答说，“抽屉里都堆满了，我现在都把它们放在一只桶里，可并不是每个姑娘都能配得上我们即将上任的拉比呀。”（拉比是犹太教中负责执行教规、律法，并主持宗教仪式的人员或犹太教会众领袖。）
利奥听了脸上一红，后悔他寄给萨尔兹曼的个人履历表填得太详细了。他原以为把自己的准确情况和一些细节最好都告诉媒人，以便更好地了解他，可谁知一下子写过了头，把不是很必需的内容也写了上去。
他不太好意思地问道：“你的顾客材料里附照片吗？”
“先看门第，再看陪嫁，以及其他承诺，”萨尔兹曼一边回答一边解开紧裹在身上的大衣扣子，然后靠在椅子背上。“最后才是看照片呢，拉比。”
“请叫我芬克尔先生，我还不是拉比呢。”
萨尔兹曼满口应诺，但却称他为博士，而趁利奥不注意时又改称拉比。
萨尔兹曼正了正角质眼镜的镜架，轻轻地清了清喉咙，很卖力似的念着第一张卡片。
“索菲？P，二十四岁，一年前丈夫去世，无子女，中学毕业，受过两年大学教育。父亲经营批发业，生意兴隆，并有房地产。愿陪嫁八千美元。母亲亲属中有几位是教师，还有一位是演员，在第二街颇有声望。”
利奥惊奇地抬头看着他：“你是说她是个寡妇？”
“寡妇也不等于就失去清白，拉比，她可能才和丈夫在一起四个月，而丈夫又只是个孩子，或有病。她本不该嫁给他的。”
“我还从来没有考虑过娶个寡妇呢。”
“这就是你的见识少了，其实像这个姑娘这样的寡妇，又年轻，又健壮，娶到家去准是个好媳妇。她这辈子都会对你感恩戴德。信我的没错。我现在要是讨老婆，我就找个寡妇。”
利奥想了想，还是摇了摇头。
萨尔兹曼耸了耸肩，微微地表示失望。他把这一张卡片放在木桌上，又开始念下一张。
“莉莉？H，中学教师，正式教员，非代课教员。本人有积蓄，并有新道奇汽车一辆，曾旅居巴黎一年。父亲是有名的牙医，有三十五年临床经验。愿觅职业男性，完全美国化的家庭，莫失良机。”
“我很熟悉这个人，”萨尔兹曼说，“我真希望你能见见她。她可爱极了，还相当聪明，你可以整天和她聊天，谈书本，谈戏剧，谈什么都行，她对时事也了如指掌。”
“我想你还没说她的年龄呢。”
“她的年龄？”萨尔兹曼眉毛一扬，“芳龄三十二。”
利奥停了一会儿，说道：“恐怕太大点吧。”
萨尔兹曼不禁一笑。“你多大了，拉比？”
“二十七。”
“你说二十七和三十二有多大区别？我的老婆就比我大七岁，我吃亏了吗？一点也没吃亏。要是罗特希尔德的女儿想嫁给你，你还能因为比你大几岁而说‘不’吗？”
“是的。”利奥毫无表情地答道。
萨尔兹曼知道他说的“是的”其实是“不会”的意思，也没太在意。“大五岁算不了什么，我跟你说，你要是跟她生活一个礼拜，你一定会忘记她还比你大几岁的事。大五岁意味着什么？不就意味着比她年轻的人多活几年，多些见识吗？上帝保佑，对这个姑娘来说，这五年可没白活，她年长一岁，就身价高一等。”
“她在中学教什么？”
“教外语，你听她讲的法语，简直和听音乐一样。我干这一行也有二十五年了，对于她我是真心推荐的。请相信我，我可不骗人，拉比。”
“下一张是谁？”利奥突然问道。
萨尔兹曼很不情愿地拿起第三张。
“鲁丝？K，十九岁，优等生，如有合适人选，父亲愿出一万三千美元现金陪嫁，父亲是医学博士，胃病专家，技术精湛，内弟开服装店，上等人家。”
从萨尔兹曼那副神气看，似乎是打出了一张王牌。
“你刚才说她才十九岁？”利奥对这倒挺感兴趣。
“一点不错。”
“她长得好看吗？”利奥脸有点红，“漂亮吗？”
萨尔兹曼吻了吻手指尖，“可爱至极，这一点，我可以保证。今天晚上我就给她父亲打个电话，让你看看什么是真正的美人儿。”
利奥还是不放心：“你敢保证她真的那么年轻？”
“这我敢担保，他父亲可以给你她的出生证看看。”
“你敢肯定她真的没什么问题？”利奥还是追根问底。
“谁说有问题？”
“我只是不明白像她这样年纪轻轻的，干吗要求媒人说媒。”
萨尔兹曼脸上掠过一丝微笑。
“和你一样啊，你可以去，她也可以来嘛。”
利奥脸红了。“我不是时间来不及了么。”
萨尔兹曼意识到刚才说的并不合理，连忙解释道：“是她父亲的意思，这并不是她本人的意思。他希望她的女儿选一个最中意的丈夫，所以他就亲自出马，四处撒网，一旦我们确定了对象，他就会把他引见给她，并促成他们的婚事。这样得到的婚姻要比没有经验的姑娘自己来找好。我本不必告诉你这些。”
“那你认为这个姑娘相信爱情吗？”利奥有些不安地问。
萨尔兹曼几乎要大声笑出来，但还是抑制住了，只是十分冷静地说：“爱情来自意中人，在这以前谈什么爱情呢？”
利奥张了张干燥的嘴唇，但没有说出什么，他注意到萨尔兹曼的眼光已经溜到另一张卡片上去了。他明智地问了一句：“她身体情况怎么样？”
“绝对健康。”萨尔兹曼说道，这时呼吸有些困难。“当然，她的右脚有点跛，是她十二岁时一次车祸留下的。不过她又聪明又伶俐，长得又那么漂亮，谁会注意那点事呢？”
利奥心事重重，站起身，走向窗户。他有一种说不出的痛苦，怪自己不该请媒人来。最后他还是摇摇头。
“为什么不行呢？”萨尔兹曼还不肯放弃，说话的嗓门也提高了。
“因为我讨厌胃病专家。”
“你娶的是女儿，管她父亲是干什么的呢？你结了婚还要他做什么？谁也没有说每周五晚上他必定得到你家来。”
这种不顾脸面的谈话还在继续。利奥打断了他，让他回去了。他走的时候，眼光阴沉忧郁。
尽管打发走了说媒的，利奥心情感到轻松一些，可第二天他始终打不起精神。他认为这主要是因为萨尔兹曼没有给他介绍一个称心的姑娘。他是不诚心给他这样的主顾介绍。但是当利奥在犹豫是否要找一个比平尼更有经验的媒人时，他又怀疑是否―虽然自己这么做了，而且他也尊重父母的意见―在心底里他根本就不相信说媒拉线这类人呢？他很快就打消了这个念头，可还是心神不定。他一整天就在林子里转来转去，把一个很重要的约会也错过了，忘了把衣服送出去洗，去百老汇大街吃饭忘了付钱，结果又手里拿着付款单往回跑；女房东和她的一个朋友在街上见到他，很有礼貌地同他打招呼：“晚上好，芬克尔博士。”可他居然没认出来。直到天黑，他才平静下来开始认真看书，心里才有些安宁。
就在这时，有人敲门。还没等他说声请进，推销爱情的萨尔兹曼已经站到屋子里了。他的面色灰白，憔悴，好像几天没吃饭，随时都会倒地断气那样。可是这位婚姻掮客的肌肉却神奇般地一变，脸上绽开了笑容。
“晚上好，欢迎我来吗？”
利奥点点头，看到他的再次光临，心里挺不安的，可又不想让他回去。
萨尔兹曼仍然满面春风，把公文包放到桌上。“拉比，我今天晚上可给你带好消息来了。”
“我已经告诉过你，不要称我拉比，我还是个学生。”
“这下子你再也不用担心了，我带来的是个一流的新娘。”
“如果是这件事，还是不要再提了。”利奥佯作没有兴趣。
“你要是同她结婚，全世界人都得为你庆祝婚礼。”
“萨尔兹曼先生，请不要再说了。”
“可首先得让我恢复一下体力。”萨尔兹曼虚弱地说。他摸索着公文包的皮带，从皮包里掏出一个油腻腻的纸袋，又从袋里取出一个上面有几粒芝麻的面包圈，还有一条小熏鱼。他的手的动作十分麻利，很快就把鱼的皮剥下来，开始狼吞虎咽地吃了起来。“忙了一整天了。”他边吃边咕哝着。
利奥看着他吃。
“有切成片的西红柿吧？”萨尔兹曼问道，但有些迟疑。
“没有。”
这位媒人又闭上眼睛吃起来。吃完后，又小心翼翼地把面包屑也拣了起来，把吃剩下的鱼又包了起来，放进纸袋里。他那双戴眼镜的眼睛在屋内四处搜寻，终于发现在一堆堆的书中有一个煤气炉。他摘下帽子低声下气地问：“可以喝杯茶吗，拉比？”
利奥有些于心不忍，站起身来为他冲杯茶，同时还放了一块柠檬和两块方糖，这让萨尔兹曼乐不可支。
萨尔兹曼喝过茶，精神头儿和体力都得到了恢复。
“告诉我，拉比，”他和蔼地说，“昨天我给你看的那三个人你又考虑一下没有？”
“没必要再考虑了。”
“为什么呢？”
“她们都不中我意。”
“那么什么样的才让你中意呢？”
利奥没有回答，因为要回答也只能给一个说不清楚的答案。
萨尔兹曼不等他回答又问道：“你还记得那个姑娘吗？那个中学教师。”
“三十二岁的那个？”
但出乎意料的是，萨尔兹曼脸上绽着笑容：“二十九岁！”
利奥看了他一眼。“怎么又少了几岁？”
“搞错了，”萨尔兹曼承认错误，“今天我和牙医谈过了，他把我带到保险柜取出她的出生证明给我看。去年八月她正好二十九岁。去年过生日时，她正在山里度假，他们还给她开了个晚会呢。她父亲第一次告诉我时我忘了记年龄了，我告诉你三十二岁的是另一个客户，她是个寡妇。”
“你告诉我的就是那一个，我记得她不是二十四岁吗？”
“另一个寡妇，现在世界上就是寡妇多，这能怪我吗？”
“当然不能怪你。不过，我对寡妇不感兴趣，还有对那个中学教师，也不感兴趣。”
萨尔兹曼双手紧握放在胸前，两眼望着天花板，虔诚地说：“我的犹太孩子啊，对中学教师都不感兴趣的人，我该怎么办呢？你到底对什么感兴趣呢？”
利奥有点来火，但控制住了自己。
“你还能对什么感兴趣？”萨尔兹曼继续道，“如果你对能讲四国语言，银行里又有一万美元的私人存款的好姑娘都不感兴趣的话。再说，她爸爸还答应再给一万二千元。她手头又有辆新车，有的是好衣裳，还可以和她谈天说地，她又给你一个一流的家，还有孩子，你简直进了天堂一般。”
“她要是那么好，为什么十年前不结婚呢？”
“为什么？”萨尔兹曼哈哈大笑，“为什么？还不是她太挑剔，这就是为什么，她总想要最好的。”
利奥不吱声了，心里感到好笑，绕来绕去把他给绕进去了。不过萨尔兹曼又把他的兴趣引向了莉莉？H，而且他开始认真地考虑去拜访她的事儿了。当这位媒人注意到利奥真心地考虑他所提供的情况时，他感到他们很快就可以达成协议了，这一点他心里有数。
作者简介
About the Author
Bernard Malamud：伯纳德？马拉默德，（1914-1986），从俄国移居美国的犹太籍作家。他毕业于纽约市学院和哥伦比亚大学后，就在大学任教，同时从事文学创作。他的作品大多反映犹太下层人民的困苦生活，他们的精神面貌，他们的喜乐悲欢和强韧性格；风格幽默而含蓄，色彩浓重而明朗，笔端饱含着同情小人物的人道主义精神。他的主要代表作长篇小说《伙计》，描写一个原先蔑视犹太人的流民弗兰克，目赌犹太人身受的痛苦和舍己为人的慈悲心肠，灵魂从而得到“净化”，以至于自己也成了“犹太人”的故事，体现了作者所谓“人人都是犹太人”的理想。
V
词汇扫雷
ocabulary
1.uptown：住宅区
2.meager：寒碜的
3.rabbinical：拉比（犹太教教士）专业的
4.congregation：教堂的会众（指教堂里聚集的人群）
5.strapped：捆住的
6.portfolio：公事包，文件夹
7.wisp：缕
8.menagerie：动物园
9.ascetic：苦行的，克己的
10.curriculum：全部课程，
11.vitae：个人简历
12.dowry：嫁妆
13.horn-rimmed：角质架的（眼镜）
14.hunch：弓起
15.impercetible：难以察觉的
16.Rothschild：罗特希尔德，德语意为“红盾”，该家族在欧洲建立了由多加银行组成的金融帝国，其成员亦被英国、法国及奥地利政府授勋。
17.dryly：干巴巴地，冷冰冰地
18.trump card：王牌
19.tactless：不圆通的，不明智的
20.guffaw：大笑
21.soberly：庄重地，严肃地
22.upbraid：责备
23.dismiss：请退，支走
24.clientele：委托人
25.expire：灭亡，死去
26.fumble with：手忙脚乱地翻
27.ravenously：极饿地，狼吞虎咽地
28.avow：发誓
29.partikiller：舞会女王
小编点评
整篇小说弥漫着犹太人特有的孤独和忧伤的气息，即使是沙兹曼的狡猾也显得那么小心翼翼，忧心忡忡，充满了爱与痛苦。正因为列奥是个单纯而又拥有大好前途的大学生，媒人沙兹曼才会相中他；也正因为列奥的单纯，他才会被沙兹曼的爱情魔桶所左右；正因为沙兹曼是如此老谋深算而又爱女如命，他才能步步为营，为自己的女儿赢得爱情和新生。沙兹曼的温柔而又悲哀的眼神是通过列奥的眼睛见到的，列奥的深藏着学问的眼睛是沙兹曼偷偷看到的，斯妲拉的无比纯洁的眼神是列奥老远就看到的。不仅描绘了人物的外貌，还透过外貌，赋予了人物独特的精神气质，更重要的是显示了人物与人物之间心灵上的某种微妙的，甚至是带有魔力的联系。
《魔桶》中的“桶”是只闻其名未见其形，然而年轻人对爱情的纯真向往为桶增添了无穷魔力；同样，犹太人沙兹曼把做媒当作生意来经营的专注与狡黠也为“桶”增加了神秘的色彩。
