" An artist" ? returned the other, with a blank stare.

“一个艺术家” ？ 另一个茫然地回道。

The old man paused with a blank stare for a little while, holding the one key erect on the ring; then with an agitated jerk he began to work with his bony left hand at emptying the tin box before him.

老者愣了愣，将那一把钥匙竖立在戒指上。然后，他激动地猛地一跳，开始用瘦骨嶙峋的左手干活，把面前的锡盒倒空。