For years I dreamed of having the sort of massive oak slab that would dominate a room—no more child's desk in a trailer laundry-closet, no more cramped kneehole in a rented house.

多年以来，我一直梦想那种巨大厚橡木书桌，占据书最显要位——不必窝在拖车屋洗衣台上，不必在租来子里憋屈着膝盖。