Many years after receiving my graduate degree,I returned to the State University of New York at Binghamton as a faculty member.
獲取研究生學(xué)位多年以后,我回到位于賓翰頓的紐約州立大學(xué)當(dāng)教員.

One day in a crowded elevator,someone remarked on its inefficiency.
一天,電梯里很擁擠,有人抱怨電梯效率太低.

I said the elevators had not changed in the 20 years since I began there as a student.
我說(shuō)自我在那里當(dāng)學(xué)生起,20年來(lái)電梯一直沒有換過(guò).

When the door finally opened,I felt a compassionate pat on my back,and turned to see an elderly nun smiling at me.
最后當(dāng)電梯門打開時(shí),我感到有人在我的背上同情地拍了一下,回過(guò)頭來(lái)我看到一位年長(zhǎng)的修女正在朝我微笑.

"You'll get that degree,dear," she whispered."Perseverance is a virtue."
“你會(huì)拿到學(xué)位的,親愛的,”她低聲說(shuō)道：“堅(jiān)持不懈是一種美德.”