"How lovely it must be to have your own milk and butter and cream and fruit, and, above all, to know that they're clean! And the chickens! Do you know, I can't touch chickens in the city; I haven't tasted one for a year, I am so disgusted at the thought of how they may be fed,—and yet I am just longing5 for a taste of plump, clean, ... grain-fed——"
Marion's voice wavered; she stopped reading. I uttered a prolonged whistle, then laughed in a hollow mirthless tone that brought a responsive gleam to Marion's worried face. She left the breakfast table and looked anxiously out of the window at the back of the room, then sat down again with a sigh of thankfulness.
"What a mercy Paul wasn't within hearing," she said; "how he would have howled!"
I went to the window. Paul was surrounded by our flock of twenty-seven [Pg 91]half-grown chickens and five hens. In one hand he held his little tin pail of corn; with the other he dealt out one grain at a time to each in turn, calling the fowl6 by name and reproving those that tried to snatch the others' share. "Jeremiah, here's yours—come along Aunt Noddy," I heard him say coaxingly7.
I sat down again and stared at Marion hopelessly; she responded with a gaze of mute despair; then we both studied the tablecloth8 without speaking, feeling that the skeleton we had ignored for months had at last stalked unbidden from the closet.
As I thought the matter over I could see that Marion was entirely9 to blame for this hopeless complication. If she had allowed me to get eggs from pure-bred stock for setting we would have had twenty-seven chickens of exactly similar appearance that Paul never could have individualized, never have named, never have loved with the passionate10 fervor11 that he bestowed12 on each one of the variegated13 specimens14 hatched from eggs at ten cents a dozen. My eggs, I computed15, would have cost not more than five[Pg 92] dollars; so in order to save four dollars and a half, Marion had saddled us with a flock as unapproachable from a culinary stand-point as so many sacred cows. This conclusion presented itself with such clearness that I was on the point of submitting it to Marion when I remembered how unpleasant it was to me to listen to wholesome16 truths, so I merely looked unselfish and hummed thoughtfully.
My wife regarded me with suspicion, her frown deepening. "I have asked you repeatedly," she said, with frosty distinctness, "not to hum, and not to look like that."
My complaisance17 vanished. I am not easily irritated, and I try to avoid answering back, but I cannot stand being told not to look like that.
"Marion," I retorted, "I don't wonder you feel annoyed, but you may as well face the difficulty now. I'm tired of people asking me how we like living in the country, and then remarking that it must be fine to have your own chickens. Of course, I'm willing to keep up appearances and to make-believe that having our own chickens[Pg 93] is one of our many daily luxuries; but now that your Aunt Sophy is coming we've got to eat them, or she'll know the reason why. Oh, yes, I know," I added, as she tried to interrupt—"I know we can't have them in the abstract. We've got to kill and cook and pick the bones of Abner, Jeremiah, Lucy, or some other of the boy's pets; but if I had had my way about the eggs he couldn't have told one from another, and we might have had an occasional fowl without these painful personal associations."
I regretted my rashness when I saw Marion's look of calm scorn, her manner leading me to expect a revival18 of some of my mistakes. I can evolve plausible19 theories, but she usually shatters them with the most distracting personal applications.
"I hadn't intended to point out that you are responsible," she said, "but since you are so unjust as to try to blame me, I must do so. Don't you see, Henry, that it is but another instance of your habit of evading20 unpleasant duties. I have told you repeatedly"—I squirmed in protest, for I do hate that phrase, and I knew so well what[Pg 94] was coming—"that you would say anything to tide over a disagreeable scene,—and it's true."
"Honestly, Marion," I protested, "I—I wouldn't. I'd jump into any kind of a scrimmage—I'd do anything to please you. If you'll only be cheerful I'll—I'll see that it doesn't happen"——
"There you are again," she interrupted, in a descending21 cadence22 of utter dejection. "Oh, dear—it is so hopeless! Listen, Henry, and see if you can understand this: Paul is now six, and yet he never knew there was such a thing as death until last month. You had your way about that—and what was the result? The child nearly went crazy when his bantam hen died. If you had been at home, I have no doubt you would have told him it was asleep, but you more than made up for that by assuring him that it had gone to heaven."
"I did nothing of the kind," I protested indignantly. "Paul came to me"——
"The child came to me," Marion went on sternly, "perfectly happy in the thought of Bijou having gone"——
[Pg 95]
"He came to me," I insisted, "asking if Bijou had gone to heaven. I said I hoped"——
"It doesn't matter so much what you said as the way you said it. However, as you say, Aunt Sophy is coming, and we must eat some of those chickens; so you may face the situation and settle with Paul. If you had explained to him that chickens were made to eat, as I wanted you to do in the first place, you wouldn't have had this trouble now. If I thought it would be a lesson to you I could stand my share, but I know you'll forget all about it in a week and be ready to do the same thing again, so you may as well take the consequences alone."
I was preparing to ask for a properly executed death-warrant, specifying23 the first victims by name, but before I could speak my wife dived into her pocket for a handkerchief and retreated upstairs.
I can tackle a disagreeable duty when there is no other course open to me, but I am not upheld, as Marion is, by a strong sense of righteousness; indeed, I am [Pg 96]inclined to feel personally unworthy to attempt any good act that is patently out of my line, yet on the rare occasions when Marion behaves in this childish manner I throw my conscientious25 scruples26 to the winds in my frantic27 desire to assuage28 her grief.
I found Paul teaching a hen and two chickens to sit still as he drew them around on his little wagon29. My resolution wavered as I watched his innocent enjoyment30, but the thought of Aunt Sophy spurred me on. Besides, if Marion was bloodthirsty enough to want these poor creatures eaten, it was not for me to feel faint-hearted.
"Well, Paul," I said, with spurious cheerfulness, "giving them a ride? Are these some—ha, ha!—you want to keep for pets?"
Paul has a quick ear for a false note. He studied my face with grave wonderment, his earnest gaze piercing my jocose31 mask. "Why, father," he exclaimed, "your voice sounds so queer—and what a funny [Pg 97]question! They're all pets,—of course, I want to keep every one."
"Come and sit on the bench beside me," I said ingratiatingly, "and we'll have a talk.... Do you know that—that people sometimes have to—that is, that people don't usually raise chickens for pets?"
"Oh, yes, I know," he replied, nodding his little head with philosophic32 certainty. "Most boys would rather keep dogs and rabbits, and ponies33 and other animals; but I don't want anything for pets except hens and chickens, and perhaps—well, I think I would like a pair of white pigeons. I heard you saying to mother that I wasn't a bit like other boys. Is that one way I'm different?"
"It is," I answered with curt34 emphasis.
Paul snuggled closer to me and leaned his head on my shoulder. "You say that as if"—he hesitated shyly—"as if you wished I was like other boys. Am I not as good?"
"You're better, my boy, far better!" I exclaimed, in quick remorse35.
[Pg 98]
This remark may appear injudicious, but Paul is like me in many ways, and there is not a shadow of vanity or self-consciousness in his character; no amount of praise, or even flattery, could disturb the natural equipoise of his self-esteem, but he is quick to feel the hurt of unjust depreciation36. When Marion forgets my imperfections and tells me I am the best man in the world, I am aware that she is drawing it a little strong; at the same time, I am strengthened and uplifted by her opinion, and I feel the yearning37 to do noble things, to be more worthy24 of my pedestal, to attain38 that serenity39 of temper which mortals name angelic.
Paul's face brightened, and I knew that I had made amends40 for my previous abrupt41 and jarring tone. I began again cautiously, taking care to speak with soothing42 mellowness43. "I don't think I ever heard of anyone keeping twenty-seven chickens and five hens for pets."
A merry light danced in Paul's eyes. "That's what you said about farming with a spade, a rake and a hoe," he reminded me, "and mother said we must do what[Pg 99] was right without thinking about other people."
Chance, instinct, or his inherited nimble mind had enabled him to checkmate me as neatly44 as Marion could have done it; I moved back. Passing lightly over the objectionable features, I briefly45 sketched46 the magnitude of the chicken-raising industry for supplying city markets, pointing out the necessity for poor farmers selling their fowls47 to buy food and clothing. Despite my care he was visibly shocked.
"No matter how poor we were, you would never send our chickens to market?" he inquired, breathing hard.
There could be but one answer to that question, and after I had fervently48 disclaimed49 the possibility of poverty ever making me so heartless, each of us remained buried in his own thoughts for a brief time. The chickens gathered around, and I fancied they regarded me with intuitive dread50 in their glistening51 eyes, as if they waited to hear my next attempt to seal their doom52. An overgrown bully53 suddenly pecked a weaker brother, pulling out a bunch of[Pg 100] feathers viciously as he spurned54 the victim with his feet. Paul darted55 to the rescue and brought the brutal56 assailant back to the bench a prisoner.
"What is that villain's name, Paul?" I asked with eager interest.
"Why, this is Angelica," he answered. "Don't you remember you named him yourself when he was first hatched?"
I did remember. He was then a beautiful yellowish ball of fluff, with large, soft, wide-open eyes, the prettiest one of the brood; now he was grown into a greedy, swaggering, insolent57 swashbuckler, proud of his stature58 and fine plumage.
"He's a dangerous criminal," I said, feeling his plump breast appreciatively, "and it might be better to—to"—somehow the word stuck in my throat; I hesitated.
"I know, father," cried Paul joyfully59. "I'm the policeman and you're the judge—he must be tried and then sentenced to wear a muzzle60."
Angelica was tried and sentenced, then muzzled61 with a small rubber band that fitted tightly over his bill. His antics amused[Pg 101] us so much that for a few minutes I forgot my fatal errand.
"He looks wicked enough to kill some of the others," I remarked, after a pause. "Do you know, Paul, how a person who kills another is punished?" He looked up with sudden, awed62 interest. "They put a rope around—him, and—and"——
"And what?"
"——fine him a dollar and costs."
"Oh!" he gasped63, "I'm so glad that's all. And do they take the rope off afterwards?"
"I believe they do," I replied, in deep dejection.
"Father, I just love chickens. Don't you?"
"I do, indeed," I affirmed, with sudden reckless, despairing intention; "but I love them in two different ways. If they're nice, well-mannered birds I love to see them running about with their feathers on; but if they're naughty I love to see them not running about with their feathers off." Paul laughed in glee. "Your mother and Aunt Sophy like them too," I went on warily,[Pg 102] my heart thumping64; "and I think if chickens are cruel and bad they deserve to be stuffed"—his expression changed suddenly, but he still looked bravely into my eyes—"with bread-crumbs, and roasted, with thick—brown—rich—gravy."
Paul jerked his little hand from mine and stood up in front of me, his face twitching65 and his eyes brimming. "You greedy—greedy—GREEDY!" he gasped.
"Paul,—my boy,—listen," I implored66; "your aunt Sophy is coming, and she's awfully67 fond"——
My words were lost in a prolonged howl. He had a phenomenal voice, but this delayed howl eclipsed all previous ones. I followed him in frantic haste, eager to forswear all designs on his pets, but he fled as if I were after his scalp. When I finally found him, too late, he was in his mother's arms, and I knew she had promised him everything, from the look she turned on me,—a look that caused me to slink silently away, a soulless brute68, and alas69!—a tailless one.
"Henry," said Aunt Sophy, complacently70, as I drove her to the station after her visit, "in all the time my husband had his farm I never could get him to use our own chickens. He said they cost him two dollars apiece, being from thoroughbred stock, but I see you have more sense and raise good plain barnyard fowls that you can eat every day if you want to. Why, we must have had them three times a week while I've been here, and you seem to have a good large flock yet. I've tried a dozen times to count them, but they always went criss-cross. How many have you got left?"
"Just twenty-seven," I answered, stroking my mustache with modest pride.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
reassured
|
|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
pittance
|
|
| n.微薄的薪水，少量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
longing
|
|
| n.（for）渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
fowl
|
|
| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
coaxingly
|
|
| adv. 以巧言诱哄，以甘言哄骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
8
tablecloth
|
|
| n.桌布，台布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
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： |
|
|
|
|
11
fervor
|
|
| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
bestowed
|
|
| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
variegated
|
|
| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
specimens
|
|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
computed
|
|
| adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
wholesome
|
|
| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
complaisance
|
|
| n.彬彬有礼，殷勤，柔顺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
revival
|
|
| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
plausible
|
|
| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
evading
|
|
| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
cadence
|
|
| n.（说话声调的）抑扬顿挫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
specifying
|
|
| v.指定( specify的现在分词 )；详述；提出…的条件；使具有特性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
conscientious
|
|
| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
scruples
|
|
| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
assuage
|
|
| v.缓和，减轻，镇定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
jocose
|
|
| adj.开玩笑的，滑稽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
philosophic
|
|
| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
ponies
|
|
| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
curt
|
|
| adj.简短的，草率的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
depreciation
|
|
| n.价值低落，贬值，蔑视，贬低 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
yearning
|
|
| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
attain
|
|
| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
serenity
|
|
| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
amends
|
|
| n. 赔偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
soothing
|
|
| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
mellowness
|
|
| 成熟； 芳醇； 肥沃； 怡然 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
sketched
|
|
| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
fowls
|
|
| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
fervently
|
|
| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
disclaimed
|
|
| v.否认( disclaim的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
glistening
|
|
| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
bully
|
|
| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
spurned
|
|
| v.一脚踢开，拒绝接受( spurn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
brutal
|
|
| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
insolent
|
|
| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
stature
|
|
| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
joyfully
|
|
| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
muzzle
|
|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
muzzled
|
|
| 给（狗等）戴口套( muzzle的过去式和过去分词 )； 使缄默，钳制…言论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
awed
|
|
| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
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： |
|
|
|
|
64
thumping
|
|
| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
twitching
|
|
| n.颤搐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
awfully
|
|
| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
complacently
|
|
| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |