It was one evening while I was engaged in preparing my weekly agricultural page for the Observer, and Marion was poring over her account book that she suddenly[Pg 105] dropped her pencil and exclaimed: "Henry!"
"Well?" I asked, with meek5 resignation, my brain beginning to stiffen6, for I judged from her tone that she had arrived at some miraculous7 result in figures.
"We've been living in the country four months," she said impressively, "and what do you think I find? We've actually paid more for butter and milk and vegetables than in any four months while we lived in the city."
"How strange," I commented, trying to look interested.
My wife smiled slightly, in a way that I find peculiarly irritating. "You're only pretending to listen," she said, "and you couldn't possibly understand while you look like that."
My weariness vanished; I started up indignantly. "While I look like what?" I demanded.
Marion laughed. "That's better," she said. "I'd rather see you look angry than stupid. Now I'll try again to get your attention. Do you remember what you said[Pg 106] when I gave you the choice of a lawn-mower or a hammock for your birthday?"
I did remember. I had made a swift calculation at the time that a hammock would be easier to run, so I had urged Marion not to go to the expense of a lawn-mower, reminding her also that it might properly be ranked among the tabooed farm implements9.
"Certainly," I answered, at a loss to know what was coming, "I said I would prefer a hammock."
"And do you remember that you promised to hire or borrow one of Peter's cows to crop the grass on the lawn?"
"Well, I didn't exactly promise. I said it would be easy enough to get one."
"And now the grass is as long as hay. Why didn't you do it?"
I frowned, for I hate insistent10, unnecessary questions,—questions that are bound to lead up to some unpleasant climax11 that it would be better to avoid. I could stand being thrown overboard without ceremony better than being forced to walk the plank12 with measured tread, yet if I protest against[Pg 107] this Socratic method of arriving at conclusions she tells me with pained surprise that it is for my good,—that I should learn not only to regret my mistakes, but to thoroughly13 understand why I am sorry. Rather than have her say that, I am willing to answer any ordinary question with outward docility14.
"The plan didn't seem so feasible when I thought it over," I replied meekly15. "It would have looked foolish to offer to pay Peter for letting me feed his cow, and I couldn't make up my mind to borrow one, so the time slipped away before——"
"Of course it did," she interrupted; "the way it always does. But, after all, I think"—a merry light danced in her eyes—"I'll forgive you. There'll be all the more grass for,—oh, dear, you do look so funny!—our cow."
"Our cow!" I gasped16, in stupefaction.
"Henry," she burst forth17 excitedly, "I've been trying to break it to you gently, but you don't seem to understand. I've come round to your way of thinking—you may go and buy a cow to-morrow."
[Pg 108]
It was a complete surprise to me that Marion should be so suddenly seized by the desire to own a cow. For my own part I would rather have started with a herd18, but still, it was something to be thankful for that she did not insist upon beginning with a goat. Then there was the possibility that a cow might grow into a herd; that would mean a hired man, horses, implements, a large dairy business, more land, an ultimate fortune. Yes, I was more than gratified that Marion was beginning to see that my ideas on farm management were sound.
When I asked our butcher the next morning if he knew of any cows for sale in the neighborhood we awaited his answer with breathless anxiety. He half-closed his eyes, studying the mud on the wagon19-wheel in profound meditation20, our suspense21 intensified22 by this dramatic pause.
"I'll tell you what I'd do," he said, at last, pointing northward23 impressively with his long knife. "I'd go up there on the clay where the pastures is dried up and the farmers is feedin' hay at fifteen dollars a ton, and I'd buy a cow for half what she could[Pg 109] be bought for down here where the grass is green."
That sounded reasonable, and when he proceeded to name some of his customers "on the clay," I stopped him at the name Waydean.
"Any relation of Peter's?" I asked, with sudden interest.
"His brother," he answered, with an odd smile—"and it's a dead fright how them two men hate each other! I believe Peter'd go clean off his head if you was to buy a cow from John."
I smiled with satisfaction. Peter had set his snares24 in vain in many artful endeavors to sell me some of his belongings25; with sunny smiles I had avoided giving him a chance to add to the exorbitant26 rent that I paid him, and he could scarcely conceal27 glances of sour disappointment in my presence. That I should buy a cow from anyone else would, I knew, be pain to him; his pain would not be less if I bought her from his brother John.
"Well," said the butcher, when I had announced my intention of having a look at[Pg 110] John Waydean's cattle, "I pass within half a mile of his place on my round, so I can give you a lift if you like to come along with me. Of course," he added, taking a sidelong survey of me, "John can't skin a man quite so neat as Peter, but he's pretty sharp on a bargain, and you want to keep your weather eye open when you dicker with him. Know much about cattle?"
Some people can boast about acquirements they haven't got; I cannot. I merely looked shrewd and modest, nodding slightly to the butcher, simultaneously28 with a faint movement of one eyelid29. Marion, misunderstanding my silence, exclaimed confidently: "Oh, he knows all about that sort of thing. He writes articles for the Observer."
At this point I disclaimed30, with becoming embarrassment31, all pretension32 to unusual lore33, but the butcher looked profoundly impressed and delighted.
"That's all right!" he said cheerily. "I know his cows is mostly fresh, but he's got one or two strippers."
I went into the house to get ready for[Pg 111] the trip; Marion followed me. "Henry," she inquired, in a confidential34 tone, "what are fresh cows,—and strippers?"
It was the very problem I was wrestling with. If the butcher had not been waiting, and if Marion hadn't followed me so closely, I would have snatched a moment to consult my books of reference, but I had no time even to collect my thoughts properly. I was in the awkward predicament of the schoolboy who knows he knows the answer to a question, but somehow cannot think of the words. I was in a great hurry, but Marion was so anxious for information that I did my best to enlighten her.
"A fresh cow," I said, struggling into my coat in jerks, "is one—in the prime—of life—and—and vigor35; a stripper, on the contrary, is merely—a—a middle-aged—juvenile."
I seized my hat and hurried away. As we drove out of the yard I noticed that Marion was standing in the kitchen doorway36 gazing after me with the expression of one who is prevented from seeing the bottom of a pool by the reflections on its surface. I[Pg 112] waved her a gay farewell and hoped for the best.
I had a dim idea that I could find out indirectly37 during the drive what the butcher thought these terms meant, but I needed all my mental agility38 to make a creditable appearance of understanding his voluble allusions39 to grades, stockers, springers, shorthorns, yearlings, heifers, and numerous other varieties of cattle. My answers were brief and guarded, and when I tottered40 I was so swift to recover my balance that my errors were not apparent to my companion. On such occasions I may sometimes be suspected of not being familiar with a subject, but I would defy anyone to prove my ignorance. If Marion's reputation for veracity41 had not been at stake I might have been willing to act the part of a humble42 tyro43 asking for information, but since she had plainly said that I knew all about cattle it was my duty to try to make her statement appear credible44.
I descended45 from the wagon feeling that I was utterly46 incapable47 of choosing a cow, but I concealed48 my fears under a mask of[Pg 113] calm assurance as I bade the butcher good-by.
"Mr. Carton," he said, in parting, "if you was a greenhorn that didn't know the difference between a stocker and a springer, like most city men, I'd say to buy your cow off of some other man than John Waydean, but he'll know better than to try to palm off scrub-stock onto you."
This cheerful prediction almost made me perspire49 with apprehension50, particularly as scrub-stock was a brand new variety that he had not mentioned previously51. My confidence returned, however, when I stood in John Waydean's barnyard and saw his cows paraded for my inspection52, for no two of them were alike, and I could tell at a glance which were Jerseys53 and which were common cows. I took care not to express a preference until I found out which ones their owner appeared most anxious to sell, and these I instantly decided55 not to buy. Even had I not been warned by the butcher I would have mistrusted John Waydean, for his face had not the prepossessing appearance of his brother's, and his manner[Pg 114] was surly and suspicious. I examined each of the animals with a critical air, ignoring his evident desire to make me believe that an ugly creature resembling a bison was the finest cow, and finally chose a graceful56, neat-limbed, fawn-colored Jersey54. The reluctance57 to part with her that I detected in the old man's manner, and the fact of his asking me ten dollars more for her than for any other, confirmed my intuition that I had chosen wisely. I was about to close the bargain when the butcher's words came back to my mind. I looked sharply at the seller. His smooth-shaven face was creased58 with deep lines about the mouth—a mouth resembling his brother Peter's in its smug rigidity59, but whether it concealed regret or triumph I could not determine.
"Mr. Waydean," I said, with stern incisiveness60, "is that animal a fresh cow or a stripper?"
His reply had a ring of indignant, scornful reproach. Take her or leave her, he didn't care a blank, but I couldn't run no rig on him by asking such questions. However, since I had mentioned the[Pg 115] matter, I'd better come into the stable and see the prettiest week-old calf61 in the county. He'd sell it for two dollars, and if I raised it on that cow's milk he'd be willing to buy it back in the fall for ten. My lingering doubts were dispelled62 when I saw the pretty little soft-eyed creature, and I suddenly remembered that a fresh cow is one with a fresh calf. Marion hadn't spoken about getting a calf, but I felt sure that if I suggested it should be made into veal64 she would insist upon its being kept, then I would have a tangible65 nucleus66 toward the realization67 of my dream of owning a herd of dairy cows. I closed the bargain hurriedly, with the proviso that he was to hitch68 up his team and deliver my purchases at Waydean. In a few minutes the calf was hoisted69 into the wagon, bleating70 dismally71. I looked for some demonstration72 of sympathy from its mother, but she appeared quite unconcerned and would not follow until she had been tied to the rear of the vehicle. I thought this rather peculiar8, but the old man explained that she had always showed a great fondness for home and was[Pg 116] reluctant to leave. During our drive he was almost as voluble as the butcher had been, discoursing73 of the iniquities74 of the man whom he was ashamed to call his brother. "Mr. Carton," he warned me solemnly, "I wouldn't put it past him to come over and run that cow down, he'll be that mad that you knew too much to buy one off of him, but don't you believe a word he says. A man that'd go into court and swear as he done in connection with my late father's property wouldn't stick at nothin'. You watch Pete; if he ain't took you in on the rent, he'll even up in some other way, for it ain't in him to act straight and square like me."
* * * * * * *
"The dear little lovely thing! I do believe it's hungry, Henry. How are you going to feed it?"
I have been asked many questions for which I have been obliged to invent answers, but this was not one of them. I had never owned a calf before, so my ideas on calf-raising were logical and [Pg 117]conclusive. The theory that the progeny75 of a cow should not be allowed to associate with the mother was, I explained, founded upon true scientific laws. A calf brought up on a milk-pail would learn to take its food at stated intervals76, escape indigestion, heaves and hollow horn, and grow up into a gentle, courteous77 and productive adult; while the mother, segregated78 from an otherwise guzzling79, irrational80, worrying offspring, would chew her cud in the placid81 beatitude most essential to the production of the largest quantity of rich milk.
Marion listened silently, with a knowing smile, but when I had finished she remarked that I knew perfectly82 well that I was talking rubbish, and that the natural way of feeding anything was the right way. Hadn't I better get the soup ladle and her mixing-bowl and teach the calf to sit up properly at the kitchen table while I was about it?
I replied rather hastily, and before I had finished speaking Marion left me and went into the house. I was alone with a calf, a cow, and a guilty conscience; alone at the[Pg 118] very time when I most needed help and encouragement. Five minutes before I had looked on my purchases with exultation83, while my wife stood in the stable beside me, uttering ecstatic exclamations84 of delight because I had bought a cow so beautiful to behold85 and the dearest little calf that I must never mention in connection with veal again; now, in my black despair over this disagreement, I hated the innocent cause of it. If Marion had tried persuasion86, I would have been willing to cast my theory to the winds, but I could not brook87 ridicule88 and I determined89 to bring up that calf by hand at whatever cost in time and trouble. I decided to begin at once by learning to milk the cow; after that, I would be in a better position to look up Marion and forgive her for the way I had behaved.
I didn't expect to become an expert milker at once, but I knew from observation how to milk, and I went to work with frantic90 energy. In a calmer frame of mind I might have waited to tie Ariadne's legs together, they looked so excessively agile;[Pg 119] however, she allowed me to exhaust every possible grip and password without protest, also,—alas!—without acknowledgment. When I retreated at last with the empty pail, my dismay was increased by the sideways leaps of joyful91 anticipation92 indulged in by the calf in the next stall. Something had to be done to fill up that creature, and I realized with a sense of utter desolation that I was left alone to do it. A word of advice, a protest, tears or angry reprisals93, would alike have been sweet to my ears at that moment, but I knew Marion too well to hope that she would come to my help until I implored94 her forgiveness; even then,—oh, maddening inconsistency!—she would perhaps be plunged95 in gloom because I had not enough strength of character to stick to my convictions. No, there was but one course for me: I must prove the worth of my theory, if possible; if not, I would at least be in a position to capitulate with the honors of war.
I went into the house and looked up the directions for teaching a calf to drink. I[Pg 120] found that you merely seized it by the nostrils96 with the thumb and little finger, inserting the other three into its mouth as you drew its head gently into the pail of milk. This operation sounded rather objectionable, but I could not afford to be squeamish, and I prepared to smuggle97 our small supply of milk out of the pantry and add it up with water to make a sufficient bulk. As I passed through the kitchen I glanced furtively98 at Marion in the faint hope that she might be ready to hold out the olive branch, but when I saw that she did not deign99 to notice my existence a sudden violent resentment100 seized me. Instead of surreptitiously abstracting the milk, as I had intended, I poured it into the pail with defiant101 ostentation102; still, I left the kitchen with a sinking heart, for when Marion neglected to ask me what I was going to do with that, I knew that she must indeed be in a serious mood.
I know I followed the directions to the letter up to the point when I drew the calf's head into the pail and inserted my fingers, though much perseverance103 was needed, for[Pg 121] it seemed to be able to travel backwards in all directions at once, faster than I could go forwards; but after that I am not quite sure what happened. I know there was a violent explosion and upheaval,—a blank followed, then I discovered that I was standing in the stable doorway frantically104 squeezing three of my fingers between my knees to deaden the pain, while the calf stood outside looking at me with an expression of incredulous wonder, its legs sticking out in four different directions like props105. I wonder whether it was blown out or carried out; I don't think it walked. I don't think, either, that I lost my presence of mind; if I did, I found it again instantly. Instead of going into the house for liniment, I calmly turned the cow out of the stable also, then I looked on grimly, resigned to non-interference if the calf should happen to bite its parent or the cow kick her offspring.
Ariadne looked around apprehensively106 when she emerged from the stable; the calf ambled107 crookedly108 toward her; she edged away with forward pointed109 ears; it [Pg 122]followed hungrily. She trotted110 toward the open gate, the calf gamboling in pursuit; suddenly her tail straightened and she broke into a mad gallop,—so did the calf, so also did I. It was in this order we passed the kitchen door where Marion stood calling out to me in wild alarm to run, that the cow had broken loose.
Perhaps it was this cheery information that inspired me to overtake my movable property a mile further down the road, where our butcher, homeward bound, had got off his wagon to turn them back.
"You might be able to milk a cow that had milk," he said with a chuckle111, after listening to my tale, "but it'd take Old Nick to raise a calf on a dry one."
"A dry one!" I shouted. "Do you mean"——
"Did the old man tell you it was this cow's calf?" he interrupted.
"Well, no,—I can't remember that he did. He said I'd better take the calf too, and I supposed——"
"Exactly—then he's salted you right enough! You've paid forty dollars for a[Pg 123] beef cow that he offered to give me for a twenty dollar account he owes me. I'm sorry—dashed sorry—that you've been took in, but—he, he! ha, ha, ha!—but you let on you knowed all about cattle, and I told you to keep your weather eye——"
"I can stand being swindled," I shouted, in wrath112, "but I won't stand any told-you-so business. You ought to have more sense than to talk that way when—when——"
"There, there," he interjected soothingly—"I know jest how you feel. The other day my missis told me I'd smash my hand if I went hammerin' nails with an axe113. Well sir, it wasn't three minutes till I did. Of course I swore a bit, but when I went into the kitchen and the missis asked me first how I done it, and then said she knowed I would, I jest went clean out of my head with rage. I'd sooner have gone out and smashed the other thumb than have been spoke63 to that way."
My heart warmed to the butcher; he is a man of fine feelings. He not only gave me twenty dollars for the cow, but promised to frighten John Waydean into silence[Pg 124] by representing that I was preparing evidence for a criminal prosecution114.
"And now," I said, in conclusion, "I'd like your candid115 opinion about the calf. If I decided to raise it, would it be likely to grow into a valuable cow?"
"Well," he answered, gulping116 in a peculiar, hesitating way, as if he were reluctant to answer, "you mostly can't tell what kind of a cow a calf will make when it's a week old, but if you—if you wanted to raise a cow, you—you——"
His face became suffused117 with a dull purple flush, as if he were struggling with a mighty118 spasmodic sneeze; he turned his face away, his body shaking convulsively, then with obvious difficulty he continued: "If you wanted to raise a cow you'd ought to have bought a—a—ha, ha, ha!——"
"Have bought what?" I cried, in exasperation119.
He stopped laughing and looked up and down the road, then leaned over the edge of the wagon-seat with his whip hand shielding one side of his mouth. I hung breathless on his words.
"A—cow—calf," he whispered.
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1
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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expenditures
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| n.花费( expenditure的名词复数 )；使用；（尤指金钱的）支出额；（精力、时间、材料等的）耗费 | |
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3
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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5
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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miraculous
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| adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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10
insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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13
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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docility
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| n.容易教，易驾驶，驯服 | |
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meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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16
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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exorbitant
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| adj.过分的；过度的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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eyelid
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| n.眼睑，眼皮 | |
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30
disclaimed
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| v.否认( disclaim的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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allusions
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| 暗指，间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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40
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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41
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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42
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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43
tyro
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| n.初学者；生手 | |
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44
credible
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| adj.可信任的，可靠的 | |
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45
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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46
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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47
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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48
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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49
perspire
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| vi.出汗，流汗 | |
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50
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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52
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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53
jerseys
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| n.运动衫( jersey的名词复数 ) | |
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54
jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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55
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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56
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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57
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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58
creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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60
incisiveness
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| n.敏锐，深刻 | |
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61
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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nucleus
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| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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68
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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discoursing
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| 演说（discourse的现在分词形式） | |
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iniquities
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| n.邪恶( iniquity的名词复数 )；极不公正 | |
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progeny
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| n.后代，子孙；结果 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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segregated
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| 分开的； 被隔离的 | |
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guzzling
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| v.狂吃暴饮，大吃大喝( guzzle的现在分词 ) | |
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irrational
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| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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82
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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86
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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93
reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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97
smuggle
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| vt.私运；vi.走私 | |
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98
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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99
deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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100
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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101
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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102
ostentation
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| n.夸耀，卖弄 | |
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103
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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104
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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105
props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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106
apprehensively
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| adv.担心地 | |
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107
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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108
crookedly
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| adv. 弯曲地，不诚实地 | |
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109
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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110
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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111
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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112
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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113
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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114
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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115
candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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116
gulping
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的现在分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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117
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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119
exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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