Shore Air Softens the Loom Threads - 適合中級的英文短篇故事，含中譯與發音

Orson sat at the hand loom, with one leg on the foot pedal. The wooden frame stood supportive and square around the stretched lengthwise threads. He pressed the pedal and a lower group sank while a higher group rose. He slid the shuttle through the gap and moved the beater bar to press. Theo sat on the low bench and wound blue thread onto a bobbin. He fixed a small metal clip over the loose end, so it stayed put. The varnish on the front beam felt smooth and a little warm under his palm. Cool air from the shore drifted through the high window and carried a salt smell.

The beat had a steady tap until the damp air softened the threads a touch. A new whisper came from the gap, and the shuttle brushed a hanging loop. Orson paused his hands but kept his leg firm on the pedal a moment longer. The gap opened a little wider, and he slid the shuttle at a higher angle. He brought the beater forward more gently, and the row pressed in without scrape. Theo listened to the slight change in sound and leaned closer to watch.

The cloth grew by one even line, and a softer band stayed where the air shifted. Theo rested his spare hand on the beam, and warm varnish caught a little lint. He lifted his palm and left a pale print on the wood beside the cloth. With the shuttle set back in, Orson drew the beater close and pressed.

Orson坐在手織機前，一條腿踩著腳踏板。木製框架結實又方正，支撐著拉緊的經線。他踩下踏板，下面的一組線下降，上一組線升起。他把梭子從空隙滑過，然後推動打緯桿把緯線壓實。Theo坐在矮長凳上，把藍線繞到梭芯上。他用一個小金屬夾子夾住線頭，這樣就不會鬆開。前方橫樑上的清漆在他手心下很光滑，也帶著一點溫度。從高窗吹進來的海岸涼風帶著淡淡鹽味。

槌打本來有穩定的節拍，直到潮濕空氣讓線略微變軟。空隙裡出現新的細響，梭子擦到了一個垂著的小圈。Orson手勢停了一下，但那條腿又多踩住踏板一瞬。空隙又張大了一點，他把梭子用更高的角度滑過去。他更輕地把打緯桿推向前，這一行就貼緊了，沒有擦刮聲。Theo聽著那一點點聲音變化，身子湊近去看。

布面又多了一道平整的線，而空氣改變處留下較柔的一帶。Theo把空著的手放在橫樑上，溫熱的清漆黏住了一點棉絮。他抬起手心，木頭上留下一個淡淡的手印，就在布邊旁。梭子回到位子後，Orson把打緯桿拉近，然後一壓。