当作家威廉·迪安·豪厄尔斯在威尼斯做领事的时候,身材矮胖。但他像许多其他身材肥胖的人一样性情温和。有一天,一位朋友去拜访他,这位朋友又高又瘦。“豪厄尔斯,”朋友说,“如果我像你一样胖,我就去上吊。”“那么,”豪厄尔斯回答,“一旦我决定采取你的提议,我就用你做我上吊的绳子。” When the writer William Dean Howells was consular in Venice, he was short and fat. But he is as mild as many other obese people. One day, a friend visited him and the friend was tall and thin. “Howells,” said the friend. “If I’m as fat as you, I’ll hang it.” “Then,” Howells replied. “Once I decide to take your proposal, I’ll do it with you. The rope.”