365个英语简短小故事-74. The Handyman Comes

（单词翻译）

The sinks were leaking. David looked in the local paper and saw an ad for Toby the handyman. David left a message on the answering machine. Two days later, he called again. He told Toby that he had left a message two days ago. Toby apologized. He said he hadn’t checked his messages in a couple of days.

David felt like hanging up. Why was it so hard to find a worker who was responsible? Responsible and clean—many workers were slobs who left messes for the homeowner to clean up. Toby doesn’t check his machine, David mused¹. David told Toby that the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room faucets³ were leaking. Toby said he could come over on Friday; each faucet² would cost $20. If he had to buy any parts, that would be extra.

David was pleased. Sixty dollars was a great price. Of course, if Toby fixed⁴ faucets like he checked his messages, maybe the deal wouldn’t be so good. Then again, it was only a $60 risk. David asked Toby if a check was okay. Toby said no; he only accepted cash. David said that was okay, as long as he got an invoice⁵. Toby said he would be over Friday at 1:00 p.m.

At 3:00 p.m., David left a message on Toby’s machine, asking where he was. At 3:30, Toby showed up. David asked if he had brought an invoice. “Oh, jeez, I forgot. I’m sorry,” Toby said. David shook his head in disbelief. But, since Toby was there, he decided⁶ to let him in. Before Toby walked into David's house, he wiped his feet very carefully on the mat. David noticed that. Maybe Toby will work out just fine, he thought.