Many years after receiving my graduate degree,I returned to the State University of New York at Binghamton as a faculty member.

获取研究生学位多年以后,我回到位于宾翰顿的纽约州立大学当教员.

One day in a crowded elevator,someone remarked on its inefficiency.

一天,电梯里很拥挤,有人抱怨电梯效率太低.

I said the elevators had not changed in the 20 years since I began there as a student.

我说自我在那里当学生起,20年来电梯一直没有换过.

When the door finally opened,I felt a compassionate pat on my back,and turned to see an elderly nun smiling at me.

最后当电梯门打开时,我感到有人在我的背上同情地拍了一下,回过头来我看到一位年长的修女正在朝我微笑.

"You'll get that degree,dear," she whispered."Perseverance is a virtue."

“你会拿到学位的,亲爱的,”她低声说道：“坚持不懈是一种美德.”