"Look 'ere, Mr. Carton," he snapped, "wot could be more simpler? W'en there's a man or a woman a-standin' at the door shoutin' to be keerful an' hurry up, an' put this 'ere an' that there, an' hobstructin' gin'rally, there's bound to be trouble. W'y, in Lunnon you don't ketch the bobbies botherin' about common drunks in movin' season, for they knows there's goin' to be a full docket of assaults an' batteries an' 'busive langwidges. W'y, with your plan there wouldn't be none o' that, for a man 'd jest onload 'is dray as mum as a trained pig a-pickin' hout cards. Mr. Carton," he concluded, "Hi'll put every blessed piece in the[Pg 47] right room an' set up yer kitchen stove an' bedstids free."
My heart warmed to Bliggs, for his active movements as he loaded the wagon14 inspired me with confidence, and when he drove off with his two helpers I had not a doubt but that he would carry out his cheerful assurances.
It was late in the afternoon by the time we locked the door of our dismantled15 house. The click of the lock sent a lump into my throat that caused me to turn quickly away, but Marion lingered, heaving a little sigh of regret. It is a peculiarity16 of hers to look back if that process is at all likely to result in a sigh; for my own part, I prefer to look straight ahead if I suspect there is to be any attempt to stir up my well of emotion, and, in consequence, on rare occasions I have been called cold-blooded. Paul is different in this respect; he is the dividing line between us. Marion caught him younger, and his plastic little soul has been moulded with loving care. He is sympathetic and responsive. He is not like any one musical instrument; he is like[Pg 48] two. As easily moved as an ?olian harp17, he has the fire, spirit and continuity of the bagpipes18.
"Look, Paul!" said his mother tenderly, her eyes moistening. "Say 'Good-by, old house.'"
It was, at the least, an injudicious remark. Up to that moment we had been positively19 gleeful, and Paul had looked upon the change as a glorified20 picnic, for I had taken pains to instil21 the belief that Waydean would be an earthly elysium for a small boy; but now, with a woman's pensive22 touch, my carefully built fabric23 collapsed24. Paul's big solemn eyes grew cloudy; a faint crescent appeared on each side of his mouth, deepening gradually. I watched this development in dumb despair, while Marion was absorbed in tender reminiscence, then, before I could utter a warning cry, his mouth shot open to the amazing degree that I knew so well. I grabbed him hastily, kneeling down. "Listen, Paul!" I shouted into his ear. "We'll move back—to-morrow—if you like."
I stood up suddenly, amazed; a hand had clutched my collar and almost pulled me[Pg 49] backward—Marion's flashing eyes met mine. "Such a falsehood!" she gasped25. "How dare you!"
I did not hear these words, but I knew what she said by the motion of her lips; besides, her manner made it perfectly26 plain that I was supposed to have infringed27 the truth, so speech was superfluous28. As a matter of fact I could have disproved the charge, but not before Paul, for we strive to avoid discussing such matters before him; anyway, I would have needed a megaphone to make myself heard. Therefore, I stepped humbly29 aside, with a gesture that indicated my complete willingness to leave the matter to his mother.
"Paul, dear,—listen," she called out, bending over him; "we're not going to move back—ever."
The effect was instantaneous; he dropped to the sidewalk, renewing his efforts as he wriggled30 in anguish31. I was obliged to pick him up in accordance with Marion's frantic32 gestures, and we retreated into the empty house, where she pacified33 him in course of time. I do not know the precise method she[Pg 50] adopted, but I think, from snatches of conversation that reached me, that beautiful native birds figured largely—among others, storks34! I know that storks do not grow at Waydean, yet I preserved a grim silence, thinking what a strong case I might make, were I not too generous to do so.
I was justly indignant, for I do not seem to be able to make Marion understand that, like her, I have a horror of untruth; in fact, I am more cautious in my statements than any other journalist I know; but while I am placidly35 content to accept any assertion of hers without question, she is likely to quibble over almost every statement I make. I admit that I am forgetful, that to-morrow I may say exactly the opposite to what I say to-day, that what I condemn36 in the abstract may seem to me expedient37 and proper under certain conditions, but I object to being openly accused of prevarication38. Paul, as I have said, is not an ordinary child (and although people who are not his parents are inclined to use a compassionate39 tone in making that remark, I do so with defiant41 pride), therefore he should[Pg 51] be treated with tactful consideration not accorded to common children. He responds to my sympathetic touch, I am glad to say, with sweet concords42; that is, of course, if my elbow is not joggled by his mother. In this case, though I spoke43 in haste, my words would have stopped Paul's outcry had Marion left him to me, and had she not been prone44 to suspicion she would have seen that my statement was absolutely truthful45. I knew that the child had been moved by a passing sentiment and would be more than content with our new home once he was transplanted, but I was deeply grieved at his mother suspecting me of being so base as not to be willing to move back to the city the next day if Paul liked.
We had missed the first afternoon train, and after a dreary46 wait for the next one we arrived at the little country station just at dusk, and before we reached Waydean darkness had fallen. We groped our way around to the back door and stumbled into the kitchen, where I lit a candle I had brought. My heart sank at the first glance about the room, for it was quite empty and[Pg 52] I feared that our goods had not arrived, but when I peered fearfully into the next room I saw that what looked at first like a railroad box-car was a rectangular erection of all our household belongings47. We stared incredulously by the light of the flickering48 candle, walking around the structure in despair. Next the ceiling, like a statue on its massive base, our cooking-stove perched giddily—Bliggs had set it up with a vengeance49!—on the very bottom lay all our beds and bedding, hopelessly buried, for if I attempted to disturb the pile, down would plunge50 that threatening mass of metal. Bliggs was a fiend!
A strip of torn wall-paper hung down like a banner from a projecting curtain-pole; it was covered with rude pencillings, which we deciphered together after Paul had dropped asleep on my overcoat, with this result:
Mister Carton.
heluv a rode.
hosses nere ded.
men kickt.
basht em fur emtin botel.
basht em fur mutinin bout13 histin stov.
[Pg 53]to dark to ce chok marks.
done nex bes stile.
heluv a gob wel dun.
wilyum bliggs.
I opened the kitchen door and looked despairingly out into the darkness; the twinkling light of the next farm-house shone far away like a star on the horizon; I must go over there and ask for food and lodging51 as if we were penniless wayfarers52. Marion stood beside me, and together we tried to assure each other that the people whose light looked so cheery must be warm-hearted and hospitable53 enough to make us welcome. As we gazed, a second light appeared near the farm-house; evidently some person had come out with a lantern, for we could hear his carolling whistle accompanying the gliding54 movement of the light. It was coming nearer, for we could soon make out the lilting melody of the whistler and the encircling glow that surrounded him, and I felt Marion's grasp tighten55 on my arm with a sudden hope that had also sprung up in my breast. Nearer and nearer he came, until the globe of light grew larger[Pg 54] and cast titanic56 shadows of a pair of nimble legs that passed around the end of the barn, through the yard, up to our very door, where we stood spellbound; then the whistle ceased, the lantern was raised, and by its dazzling glow we saw a little man with kindly57 gray eyes and thin reddish whiskers standing58 there.
"Good-evenin'!" he called out, cheerily. "We heard there was some people movin' in to-day, and we thought you might be kinder upsot, so I come to see if you wouldn't step along over to our place and have supper and stay the night. The missis has the beds ready, and Sairey knows how to fix things comfortable."
There was a moment's awkward pause, for we were dumb with excess of emotion.
"You don't know my name, and I don't know yourn," he proceeded. "Mine's Andy Taylor, and my place is next south, over there where you see that light."
I clutched his hand. "Mr. Taylor," I gasped, "come in. I was afraid you were an angel—perhaps you are, but we—we're awfully59 glad to see you."
[Pg 55]
"It's so good"—began Marion, then she collapsed.
"Why, where's your load?" he asked, looking around the vacant room.
I showed him, while Marion held the candle aloft. I related my wrongs with passionate40 fervor60; I exhibited the Bliggs epistle, translating the rude characters as I traced them with a trembling forefinger61 and called down vengeance on the head of the perpetrator. A spasm62 shot across my visitor's face and his wide-open mouth closed with a snap; he leaned forward helplessly as if a sneeze had seized him, then a wild outburst of hilarity63 smote64 our astonished ears. "Oh, Lordy, Lordy!" he groaned65. "The upliftin' power"—he pointed66 upward to the stove—"of—of strong drink!"
Andy Taylor's lantern shed its cheering rays over us as he led the way across the fields to the distant beacon-light of his house. Forlorn, homesick, discouraged, as we had been, his friendly hospitality filled us with gratitude67 too deep for words. His unquestioning acceptance of us as guests[Pg 56] was staggering, accustomed as we were to the artificial restrictions68 of social intercourse69 in the city. As Marion said afterward70, I might have been a temporarily retired71 burglar who had eloped with another man's wife and kidnapped a child, or we might have been dangerous lunatics, or worse,—we might have been vulgar people! But yet, with the all-embracing charity that thinketh no evil, Andy's sprightly72 step led us from the chaotic73 discomfort74 of our new home to the warmth and cheer that awaited us in his. No wonder, then, that Marion wept like a tired child on the shoulder of the motherly old lady who welcomed us, or that Andy, after one glance at my expressive75 face, backed away with a hurried remark about having to attend to the fire. Later, when Paul had been put to sleep in an old-fashioned billowy feather bed, we settled ourselves in the kitchen for a smoke. We could hear from the sitting-room76 the continuous restful murmur77 of the women's voices, rising and falling in the responsive cadences78 of that sweet communion that betokens79, even in the most prosaic80 utterances,[Pg 57] the mingling81 of kindred spirits of the gentle sex. I look back upon that evening as one of the pleasantest I ever spent, and I enjoyed to the full the quaint82 sayings and funny stories of the genial83 little man who entertained me.
The clock struck eleven before either of us noticed the lateness of the hour. Andy rose reluctantly, knocking the ashes out of his pipe.
"Well, Mr. Carton," said he, "I'm mighty84 glad you're goin' to be a neighbor of mine. The women-folk seem to have hit it off, too," he added, opening the door into the next room, "and"——
He stopped speaking, and a look of astonishment85 crossed his face as a tumultuous babel of conversation reached our ears. The voices no longer rose and fell—they rose steadily86, each dominating the other, it seemed, and yet—marvel of marvels87!—in perfect amity88, though they no longer responded but spoke at one and the same time.
"If it was two men?" whispered Andy, with a chuckle89.
[Pg 58]
"Exactly," I replied; "it would mean a fight."
We listened intently. It was a problem—simple to the speakers—of gussets, and pleats, and back widths, and yet not one connected sentence could we hear.
"I tell you what, Mr. Carton," said Andy, in his hoarse90 whisper, "I've been married forty-two years, and I ain't found anything yet as entertainin' as the ways of a woman."
"Well," I suggested, "what about the ways of two women?"
Andy doubled himself over in silent glee; as for me, I felt that I had said something rather neat, and tried not to smile myself. Just then the voices in the next room suddenly ceased.
"Well, I declare!" exclaimed Mrs. Taylor. "It's after eleven. I wonder what them men is talkin' about so quiet in the kitchen. If your husband lets him, Andy'll jest talk him blind, once he gets started."
Marion laughed merrily. "Why, Mrs. Taylor," she said, "how absurd! You don't know Henry, or you wouldn't say that."
[Pg 59]
"Talk about women gossipin', as men do, Mrs. Carton, I believe there's more gossip goes on among the men down at the post-office every day than all the women round here do in a week. Now Andy"——
At that moment Andy softly shut the door, shuffled91 a chair across the floor ostentatiously and announced in a loud tone that it was time to get to bed.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
parlor
|
|
| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
elicited
|
|
| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
approbation
|
|
| n.称赞；认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
mar
|
|
| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
elation
|
|
| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
platitudes
|
|
| n.平常的话，老生常谈，陈词滥调( platitude的名词复数 )；滥套子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
impunity
|
|
| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
arena
|
|
| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
impugned
|
|
| v.非难，指谪( impugn的过去式和过去分词 )；对…有怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
demurred
|
|
| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
bout
|
|
| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
dismantled
|
|
| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
peculiarity
|
|
| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
harp
|
|
| n.竖琴；天琴座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
bagpipes
|
|
| n.风笛；风笛( bagpipe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
glorified
|
|
| 美其名的，变荣耀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
instil
|
|
| v.逐渐灌输 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
pensive
|
|
| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
fabric
|
|
| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
collapsed
|
|
| adj.倒塌的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
infringed
|
|
| v.违反（规章等）( infringe的过去式和过去分词 )；侵犯（某人的权利）；侵害（某人的自由、权益等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
superfluous
|
|
| adj.过多的，过剩的，多余的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
humbly
|
|
| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
wriggled
|
|
| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
anguish
|
|
| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
pacified
|
|
| 使（某人）安静( pacify的过去式和过去分词 )； 息怒； 抚慰； 在（有战争的地区、国家等）实现和平 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
storks
|
|
| n.鹳( stork的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
placidly
|
|
| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
expedient
|
|
| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
prevarication
|
|
| n.支吾；搪塞；说谎；有枝有叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
compassionate
|
|
| adj.有同情心的，表示同情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
passionate
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
defiant
|
|
| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
concords
|
|
| n.和谐，一致，和睦( concord的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
43
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
prone
|
|
| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
truthful
|
|
| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
belongings
|
|
| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
flickering
|
|
| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
lodging
|
|
| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
wayfarers
|
|
| n.旅人，（尤指）徒步旅行者( wayfarer的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
hospitable
|
|
| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
gliding
|
|
| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
tighten
|
|
| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
titanic
|
|
| adj.巨人的，庞大的，强大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
fervor
|
|
| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
spasm
|
|
| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
hilarity
|
|
| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
smote
|
|
| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
restrictions
|
|
| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
afterward
|
|
| adv.后来；以后 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
sprightly
|
|
| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
chaotic
|
|
| adj.混沌的，一片混乱的，一团糟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
discomfort
|
|
| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
sitting-room
|
|
| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
cadences
|
|
| n.（声音的）抑扬顿挫( cadence的名词复数 )；节奏；韵律；调子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
betokens
|
|
| v.预示，表示( betoken的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
mingling
|
|
| adj.混合的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
marvels
|
|
| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
amity
|
|
| n.友好关系 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
chuckle
|
|
| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
shuffled
|
|
| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |