Hot Spring - Translation, Literary Classics 036

Author: Guy de Maupassant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The habitual early risers have already emerged from the water, walking out of the bathhouse, two by two or singly, under the shade of towering trees, along the small stream flowing down from the Angar Valley, strolling leisurely. Other bathers come from the village of Angar, then quickly enter the bathhouse. It is a massive building, with the ground floor used for hot spring treatments; the second floor is an entertainment venue, a café, and a billiard room. Since Dr. Bonafé discovered a rich-flowing spring in the Angar Valley, which he later named the Bonafé Hot Springs, the timid local and nearby landowners, who dared not take big risks in business, finally decided to build a large building in this beautiful valley of Auvergne, capable of serving multiple purposes such as treatment and entertainment. The ground floor sells mineral water and also offers shower and tub baths; the upper floor provides beer, sweet liqueurs, and can arrange music. Although this valley is in the wilderness, it is picturesque and pleasing to the eye, with the entire mountain covered in tall walnut and chestnut trees. They followed the stream, enclosed a piece of the valley, and turned it into a garden, which is essential in any hot spring area. They also laid out three paths in the garden, one nearly straight, and the other two winding in a zigzag pattern; at the end of one of the paths, they artificially diverted a gushing spring from the main spring...