Mother(母亲)
Maxim Gorky
Part 1 Chapter 1
Every day the factory whistle bellowed forth its shrill,
roaring, trembling noises into the smoke-begrimed and greasy
atmosphere of the workingmen's suburb; and obedient to the summons
of the power of steam, people poured out of little gray houses into
the street. With somber faces they hastened forward like frightened
roaches, their muscles stiff from insufficient sleep. In the chill
morning twilight they walked through the narrow, unpaved street to
the tall stone cage that waited for them with cold assurance,
illumining their muddy road with scores of greasy, yellow, square
eyes. The mud plashed under their feet as if in mocking
commiseration. Hoarse exclamations of sleepy voices were heard;
irritated, peevish, abusive language rent the air with malice; and,
to welcome…