We worked for days carrying things upstairs, until, late one afternoon, the water edged over the threshold and rushed into the house. I watched, amazed at how rapidly it rose.

• 连着几天,我们忙于把东西搬到楼上,有一天一直忙到下午五六点钟,河水徐徐地漫过门槛,冲进屋里。我监视着,发现河水上涨的速度快得令人惊讶。