My friend and I meet each week on line and type for hours. One night I had a high fever and felt too sick to chat, so I dashed off a brief note cancel-ing our cyber-plans. My friend seemed upset when I phoned her a few days later. “If you don't want to go on the Net with me,” she said, “just say so.” Perplexed, I retrieved the e-mail I'd sent her. It read, “I won't be able to talk to you on the computer tonight. I have laryngitis.”
我和我的朋友每個(gè)星期都在網(wǎng)上見面,一聊就是幾個(gè)小時(shí)。有一天晚上,我發(fā)高燒,不能和她聊天,就發(fā)給她一個(gè)便條,取消了我們的網(wǎng)上約會(huì)。過了幾天,我打電話給她。她似乎有點(diǎn)不高興。她說:“你如果不愿意繼續(xù)和我在網(wǎng)上聊天,就明說好了?!蔽冶凰f得莫名其妙,就把我發(fā)給她的那個(gè)電子郵件找出來看。我寫的是:“我得了喉炎,今天晚上不能和你在網(wǎng)上聊天了?!?