We walked in so quietly that the nurse at the desk didn't even lift her eyes from the book. Mum pointed at a big chair by the door and I knew she wanted me to sit down. While I watched mouth open in surprise, Mum took off her hat and coat and gave them to me to hold. She walked quietly to the small room by the lift and took out a wet mop. She pushed the mop past the desk and as the nurse looked up, Mum nodded and said, "Very dirty floors. "
我们悄悄地走了进去，办公桌前的护士甚至连眼睛都没离开书本。妈妈指着门边的一把大椅子，我知道她想让我坐下。妈妈脱下帽子和外套，让我拿着，我惊讶地张大了嘴。她悄悄走进电梯旁的小房间，拿出一个湿拖把。拖把经过桌子，护士抬起头来，妈妈点头示意，说：“地板很脏。”
"Yes, I'm glad they've finally decided to clean them, "the nurse answered. She looked at Mum strangely and said, "But aren't you working late?"
“嗯，我很高兴他们终于决定打扫了，”护士回答。她奇怪地看着我妈，说：“但是你不会工作到很晚吧？”
Mum just pushed harder, each swipe of the mop taking her farther and farther down the hall. I watched until she was out of sight and the nurse had turned back to writing in the big book.
妈妈只是拖得更起劲，每拖一次她就沿着走廊越来越远。我一直看着她，直到她离开我的视线，护士又回去在那本大本子写字。
After a long time Mum came back. Her eyes were shining. She quickly put the mop back and took my hand. As we turned to go out of the door, Mum bowed politely to the nurse and said, "Thank you."
过了很长时间，妈妈回来了，她的眼睛闪闪发光。她迅速地把拖把放回原处，拉住我的手。当我们转身出门时，妈妈礼貌地向护士鞠躬，说：“谢谢。”
Outside, Mum told me, "Dagmar is fine. No fever. "
出了门，妈妈告诉我，“达格玛很好，没有发烧。”
"You saw her, Mum?"
“妈，你看见她了？”
"Of course. I told her about the hospital rules, and she will not expect us until tomorrow. Dad will stop worrying as well. It's a fine hospital. But such floors! A mop is no good. You need a brush."
“当然。我给她说了医院的规定，她不用指望我们明天会来。爸爸也不用担心，这家医院很好，除了地板！拖把不行，需要一把刷子。”
