Then the damage must be caused at somewhere along the line where the goods weren't handled properly.
那么残损一定是在运输途中的什么地方对货物处理不妥造成的。
and slipping through we no longer take omens from their flight on this side and that; and even the most superstitious villagers no longer take off their hats to the magpie and wish it good-morning.
这些鸟对我们是有益的,虽然我们不再从它们的飞翔姿态来占卜吉凶,连最迷信的村民也不再对喜鹊脱帽行礼,祝它早安了。