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CHAPTER XXXVI
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The news of the failures which convulsed the City on that Black Monday did not reach Aldersbury until late on the Tuesday--the tidings came in with the mails. But hours before that, and even before the opening of the bank, things in the town had come to a climax1. The women, always more practical than the men and less squeamish, had taken fright and been talking. In many a back parlor2 in Maerdol, and the Foregate, and on the Cop, wives had spoken their minds. They wouldn't be scared out of asking for their own, by any banker that ever lived, they said. Not they! "Would you, Mrs. Gittins?" quoth one.

"Not I, ma'am, if I had it to ask for, as your goodman has. I'd not sleep another night before I had it tight and right."

"No more he shall! What, rob his children for fear of a stuffy4 old man's black looks? But I'll see him into the bank myself, and see that he brings it out, too! I'll answer for that!"

"And you're in the right, ma'am, seeing it's yours. Money's not that easy got we're to be robbed of it. Now those notes with CO. on them they're money anyways, I suppose? There's nothing can alter them, I'm thinking. I've two of them at home, that my lad----"

"Oh, Mrs. Gittins!" And superior information raised its hands in horror. "You understand nothing at all. Don't you know they're the worst of all? If those shutters--go--up at that bank," dramatically, "they'll not be worth the paper they're printed on! You take my advice and go this very minute and buy something at Purslow's or Bowdler's, and get them changed. And you'll thank me for that word, Mrs. Gittins, as long as you live."

Upset was not the word for Mrs. Gittins, who had thought herself outside the fray5. "Well, they be thieves and liars6!" she gasped7. "And Dean's too, ma'am? You don't mean to say----"

"I wouldn't answer even for them," darkly. "If you ask me, I'd let some one else have 'em, Mrs. Gittins. Thank the Lord, I've none of them on my mind!"

And on that Mrs. Gittins waddled8 away, and two minutes later stood in Purslow's shop, inwardly "all of a twitter," but outwardly looking as if butter would not melt in her mouth. But, alas10! Purslow's was out of change that day; and so, strange to say, was Bowdler's. Most unlucky--great scarcity11 of silver--Government's fault--should they book it? But Mrs. Gittins, although she was all of a twitter, as she explained afterwards, was not so innocent as that, and got away without making her purchase.

Still, that was the way talk went, up and down Bride Hill and in Shocklatch, at front door and back door alike. And the men were not ill-content to be bidden. Some had passed a sleepless12 night, and had already made up their minds not to pass another. Others had had a nudge or a jog of the elbow from a knowing friend, and had been made as wise by a raised eyebrow13 as by an hour's sermon. Worse still, some had got hold of a story first set afloat at the Gullet--the Gullet was the ancient low-browed tavern14 in the passage by the Market Place, where punch flowed of a night, and the tradesmen of the town and some of their betters were in the habit of supping, as their fathers and grandfathers had supped before them. Arthur's departure, quickly followed by Clement's--after dark and in a post-chaise, mark you!--had not passed without comment; and a wiseacre had been found to explain it. At first he had confined himself to nods and winks15, but being cornered and at the same time uplifted by liquor--for though the curious could taste saloop at the Gullet, Heathcote's ale was more to the taste of the habitués, when they did not run to punch--he has whispered a word, which had speedily passed round the circle and not been slow to go beyond it.

"Gone! Of course they're gone!" was the knowing one's verdict. "And you'll see the old man will be gone, too, before morning, and the strong-box with him! Open? No, they'll not open? Never again, ten o'clock or no ten o'clock. Well, if you must have it, I got it from Wolley not an hour back. And he ought to know. Wasn't he hand in glove with them? Director of the--oh, the Railroad Shares? Waste paper! Never were worth more, my lad. If you put your money into that, it's on its way to London by this time!"

"And Boulogne to-morrow," said another, going one better, as he knocked the ashes out of his pipe. "I'm seventy-five down by them, and that's the worst and the best for me! Those that are in deeper, I'm sorry for them, but they've only themselves to thank! It's been plain this month past what was going to happen."

One or two were tempted16 to ask why he hadn't drawn17 out his seventy-five pounds, if he had been so sure. But they refrained, having a wambling, a sort of sick feeling in the pit of their stomachs. He was a rude, overbearing fellow, and there was no knowing what he might not bring out by way of retort.

The upshot of this and of a hundred other reports which ran about the town like wild-fire, was that a full twenty minutes before the bank opened on the Tuesday, its doors were the butt9 of a hundred eyes. Many assembled by twos and threes in the High Street and on the Market Place, awaiting the hour; while others took up their stand in the dingy18 old Butter Cross a little above the bank, where day in and day out old crones sat knitting and the poultry19 women's baskets stood on market days. Few thought any longer of concealment20; the time for that was past, the feeling of anxiety was too deep and too widespread. Men came together openly, spoke3 of their fears and cursed the banker, or nervously21 fingered their pass-books, and compared the packets of notes that they had with them.

Some watched the historic clock, but more watched, and more eagerly, the bank. The door, the opening of which, if it were ever opened, meant so much to so many, must have shrunk, seasoned wood as it was, under the intensity22 of the gaze fixed23 upon it; while the windows of the bank-house--ugh! the pretender, to set himself up after that fashion, while all the time he was robbing the poor!--were exposed to a fire as constant. Not a curtain moved or a blind was lowered, but the action was marked and analyzed24, deductions25 drawn from it, and arguments based upon it. That was Ovington's bedroom! No, that. And there was his girl at the lower window--but he would not have been likely to take her with him in any case.

As a fact, had they been on the watch a little earlier, they would have been spared one anxiety. For about nine o'clock Ovington had shown himself. He had left the house, crossed with a grave face to the Market Place, and rung the bell at Dean's. He had entered after a brief parley26 with an amazed man-servant, had been admitted to see one of the partners, and at a cost to his pride, which only he could measure, the banker had stooped to ask for help. Between concerns doing business in the same town, relations must exist and transactions must pass even when they are in competition; and Dean's and Ovington's had been no exception to the rule. But the elder bank had never forgotten that they had once enjoyed a monopoly. They had neither abandoned their claims nor made any secret of their hostility27, and Ovington knew that it was to the last degree unlikely that they would support him, even if they had the power to do so.

But he had convinced himself that it was his duty to make the attempt, however hopeless it might seem, and however painful to himself--and few things in his life had been more painful. To play the suppliant28, he who had raised his head so high, and by virtue29 of an undoubted touch of genius had carried it so loftily, this was bad enough. But to play the suppliant to the very persons on whom he had trespassed30, and whom he had defied, to open his distresses31 to those to whom he had pretended to teach a newer and sounder practice, to acknowledge in act, if not in word, that they had been right and he wrong, this indeed was enough to wring32 the proud man's heart, and bring the perspiration33 to his brow.

Yet he performed the task with the dignity, of which, as he had risen in the world, he had learned the trick, and which even at this moment did not desert him. "I am going to be frank with you, Mr. Dean," he said when the door had closed on the servant and the two stood eye to eye. "There is going, I fear, to be a run on me to-day, and unfortunately I have been disappointed in a sum of twelve thousand pounds, which I expected to receive. I do not need the whole, two-thirds of the sum will meet all the demands which are likely to be made upon me, and to cover that sum I can lodge34 undeniable security, bills with good names--I have a list here and you can examine it. I suggest, Mr. Dean, that in your own interests as well as in mine you help me. For if I am compelled to close--and I cannot deny that I may have to close, though I trust for a short time only--it is certain that a very serious run will be made upon you."

Mr. Dean's eyes remained cold and unresponsive. "We are prepared to meet it," he answered frostily. "We are not afraid." He was a tall man, thin and dry, without a spark of imagination, or enterprise. A man whose view was limited to his ledger35, and who, if he had not inherited a business, would never have created one.

"You are aware that Poles' and Williams's have failed?"

"Yes. I believe that our information is up to date."

"And that Garrard's at Hereford closed yesterday?"

"I am sorry to hear it."

"The times are very serious, Mr. Dean. Very serious."

"We have foreseen that," the other replied. They were both standing36. "The truth is, we are paying for a period of reckless trading, encouraged in my humble37 opinion, Mr. Ovington"--he could not refrain from the stab--"by those who should have restrained it."

Ovington let that pass. He had too much at stake to retort. "Possibly," he said. "Possibly. But we have now to deal with the present--as it exists. It is on public rather than on private grounds that I appeal to you, Mr. Dean. A disaster threatens the community. I appeal to you to help me to avert38 it. As I have said, securities shall be placed in your hands, more than sufficient to cover the risk. Approved securities to your satisfaction."

But the other shook his head. He was enjoying his triumph--a triumph beyond his hopes. "What you suggest," he said, a faint note of sarcasm39 in his tone, "comes to this, Mr. Ovington--that we pool resources? That is how I understand you?"

"Practically."

"Well, I am afraid that in justice to our customers I must reply that we cannot do that. We must think of them first, and of ourselves next."

Ovington took up his hat. The other's tone was coldly decisive. Still he made a last effort. "Here is the list," he said. "Perhaps if you and your brother went over it at your leisure?"

But Dean waved the list away. "It would be useless," he said. "Quite useless. We could not entertain the idea." He was already anticipating the enjoyment40 with which he would tell his brother the news.

With a heavy heart, Ovington replaced the list in his breast pocket. "Very good," he said. His face was grave. "I did not expect--to be frank--any other answer, Mr. Dean. But I thought it was my duty to see you. I regret your decision. Good-morning."

"Good-morning," the other banker replied, and he rang for his man-servant.

"They're gone," he reflected complacently41, as the door closed behind his visitor. "Smashed, begad!" and with the thought he rid himself of a sense of inferiority which had more than once troubled him in his rival's presence. He sat down to eat his breakfast with a good appetite. The day would be a trying one, but Dean's, at any rate, was safe. Dean's, thank God, had never put its hand out farther than it could draw it back. How pleased his brother would be!

That was the worst, immeasurably the worst, of Ovington's experiences, but it was not the only painful interview that was in store for him before the bank opened that morning. Twice, men, applying, stealthy and importunate42, at the back door, forced their way in to him. They were not of those who had claims on the bank and feared to be losers by it. They were in debt to it, but desperate and pushed for money they saw in the bank's necessity their opportunity. They--one of the two was Purslow--required only small sums, and both had conceived the idea that, as the bank was about to fail, it would be all one to Ovington whether he obliged them or not. It would be but a hundred or so the less for the creditors43, and as the bank had sold their pledged stocks they thought that it owed them something. They had still influence, their desperate straits were not yet known; if he obliged them they would do this and that and the other--nebulous things--for him.

Ovington, of course, could do nothing for them, but to harden his heart against their appeals was not a good preparation for the work before him, and when he entered the bank five minutes before ten, he had to brace44 himself in order to show an unmoved front to the clerks.

He need not have troubled himself. Rodd knew all, and the two lads, on their way to the bank that morning, had been badgered out of such powers of observation as they possessed45. They had been followed, cornered, snatched in this direction and that, rudely questioned, even threatened. Were they going to open? Where was the gaffer? Was he gone? They had been wellnigh bothered out of their lives, and more than once had been roughly handled. It seemed as if all Aldersbury was against them--and they did not like it. But Ovington had the knack46 of attaching men to him, the lads were loyal, and they had returned only hard words to those who waylaid47 them. Pay? They could pay all the dirty money in Aldersbury! Mr. Ovington? Well, they'd see. They'd see where he was, and be licking his boots in a week's time. And they'd better take their hands off them! The stouter48 even threatened fisticuffs. A little more and he'd give his questioners a lick over the chops. Come now, give over, or he'd show them a trick of Dutch Sam's they wouldn't like.

The two arrived at the bank, panting and indignant, their coats half off their backs; and Rodd, whose impeccable respectability no one had ventured to assail49, had to say a few sharp words before they settled down and the counter assumed the calm and orderly aspect that, in his eyes, the occasion required. He was himself simmering with indignation, but he let no sign of it appear. He had made all his arrangements beforehand, seen every book in its place, and the cash where it could be handled--and a decent quantity, sufficient to impose on the vulgar--laid in sight. After a few words had been exchanged between him and Ovington, the latter retired50 to the desk behind the curtain, and the other three took their places. Nothing remained but to watch--the seniors with trepidation51, the juniors with a not unpleasant excitement--the minute hand of the clock. It wanted three minutes of ten.

And already, though from their places behind the counter the clerks could not see it, the watching groups before the bank had grown into a crowd. It lined the opposite pavement, it hung a fringe two-deep on the steps of the Butter Cross, it extended into the Market Place, it stretched itself half-way down the hill. And it made itself heard. The voices of those who passed along the pavement, the scraps52 of talk half caught, the sudden exclamation53, merged54 in a murmur55 not loud but continuous, and fraught56 with something of menace. Once, on the fringe of the gathering57, there was an outburst of booing, but it ceased as suddenly as it had risen, suppressed by the more sober element; and once a hand tried the doors, a voice surprisingly loud, cried, "They're fast enough!" and footsteps retreated across the pavement. The driver of a cart descending58 the hill called to "Make way! Make way!" and that, too, reached those within almost as plainly as if it had been said in the room. Something, too, happened on it, for a shout of laughter followed.

It wanted two--it wanted one minute of ten. Rodd gave the order to open.

The younger clerk stepped forward and drew the bolts. He turned the key, and opened one leaf of the door. The other was thrust open from without. The clerk slid under the counter to his place. They came in.

They came in, three abreast59, elbowing and pushing one another in their efforts to be first. In a moment they were at the counter, darting60 suspicious glances at the clerks and angry looks at one another, and with them entered an atmosphere of noise and contention61, of trampling62 feet and peevish63 exclamations64. The bank, so still a moment before, was filled with clamor. There were tradesmen among them, a little uncertain of themselves and thankful that Ovington was not visible, and one or two bluff65 red-faced farmers who cared for nobody, and slapped their books down on the counter; and there were also a few, of the better sort, who looked straight before them and endeavored to see as little as possible--with a sprinkling of small fry, clerks and lodging-house keepers and a coal-hawker, each with his dirty note gripped tight in his fist. The foremost rapped on the counter and cried "Here, Mister, I'm first!" "No, I!" "Here, you, please attend to me!" They pressed their claims rudely, while those in the rear uttered impatient remonstrances66, holding their books or their notes over the heads of others in the attempt to gain attention. In a moment the bank was full--full to the doors, full of people, full of noise.

Rodd's cold eye travelled over them, measured them, weighed them. He was filled with an immense contempt for them, for their folly67, their greed, their selfishness. He raised his hand for silence. "This is not a cock-fight," he said in a tone as withering68 as his eye. "This is a bank. When you gentlemen have settled who comes first. I will attend to you." And then, as the noise only broke out afresh and more loudly, "Well, suppose I begin at the left hand," he said. He passed to that end of the counter. "Now, Mr. Buffery, what can I do for you. Got your book?"

But Mr. Buffery had not got his book, as Rodd had noticed. On that the cashier slowly drew from a shelf below the counter a large ledger, and, turning the leaves, began a methodical search for the account.

But this was too much for the patience of the man last on the right, who saw six before him, and had left no one to take care of his shop. "But, see here," he cried imperiously. "Mr. Rodd, I'm in a hurry! If that young man at the desk could attend to me I shouldn't take long."

Rodd, keeping his place in the book with his finger, looked at him. "Do you want to pay in, Mr. Bevan?" he asked gravely.

"No. I want forty-two, seven, ten. Here's my cheque."

"You want cash?"

"That's it."

"Well, I'm the cashier in this bank. No one else pays cash. That's the rule of the bank. Now, Mr. Buffery," leisurely69 turning back to the page in the ledger, and running his finger down it. "Thirty-five, two, six. That's right, is it?"

"That's right, sir." Buffery knuckled70 his forehead gratefully.

"You've brought a cheque?"

But Buffery had not brought a cheque. Rodd shrugged71 his shoulders, called the senior clerk forward, and entrusted72 the customer, who was no great scholar, to his care. Then he closed the ledger, returned it carefully to the shelf, and turned methodically to the next in the line. "Now, Mr. Medlicott, what do you want? Are you paying, or drawing?"

Mr. Medlicott grinned, and sheepishly handed in a cheque. "I'll draw that," he mumbled73, perspiring74 freely, while from the crowd behind him, shuffling75 their feet and breathing loudly, there rose a laugh. Rodd brought out the ledger again, and verified the amount. "Right," he said presently, and paid over the sum in Dean's notes and gold.

The man fingered the notes and hesitated. Rodd, about to pass to the next customer, paused. "Well, ain't they right?" he said. "Dean's notes. Anything the matter with them?"

The man took them without more, and Rodd paid the next and the next in the same currency, knowing that it would be remarked. "I'll give them a jog while I can," he thought. "They deserve it." And, sure enough, every note of that bank that he paid out was presented across the counter at Dean's within the hour. It gave Mr. Dean something to think about.

No one, in truth, could have done the work better than Rodd. He was so cool, so precise, so certain of himself. Nothing put him out. He plodded76 through his usual routine at his usual leisurely pace. He recked nothing of the impatient shuffling crowd on the other side of the counter, nothing of the greedy eyes that grudged77 every motion of his hand. They might not have existed for him. He looked through them. A plodder78, he had no nerves. He was the right man in the right place.

At noon, taking with him a slip of paper, he went to report to Ovington, who had retired to the parlor. They had paid out seventeen hundred pounds in the two hours. At this rate they could go on for a long time. There was only one large account in the room--should he call it up and pay it? It might have a good effect.

Ovington agreed, and Rodd returned to the counter. His eye sought out Mr. Meredith. "I don't know what you're doing here," he said austerely79. "But I suppose your time is worth something. If you'll pass up your cheque I'll let you go."

The small fry clamored, but Rodd looked through them. "Eight hundred and ten," said Meredith with a sigh of relief, passing his cheque over the heads of those before him. He was not ashamed of his balance, but for the moment he was ashamed of himself. He began to suspect that he had let himself be carried away with a lot of silly small chaps--yet his fingers itched80 to hold the money.

Rodd confirmed the account, fluttered a packet of notes, counted them thrice and slowly, and tossed them to Mr. Meredith. "I make them right," he said, "but you'd better count them." Then, to one or two who were muttering something about illegal preference, "Bless your innocent hearts," he said, "you'll all be paid!" And he took the next in order as if nothing had happened.

It had its effect, and so had a thing that half an hour later broke the dreary81 monotony of paying out. A man at the back who had just pressed in--for the crowd, reinforced by new arrivals, was very nearly as large as at the hour of opening--raised his voice, complaining bitterly that he could not stay there all day, and that he wanted to pay in some money and go about his business.

There was a stir of surprise. A dozen turned to look at him.

"Good lord!" someone exclaimed.

Only Rodd was unmoved. "Get a pay slip," he said to the senior clerk, who had been pretty well employed filling in cheques for the illiterate82 and examining notes. "Now, gentlemen, fair play. Let his pass through. Oh, it's Mr. Walker, is it? How much, Mr. Walker?"

"Two seven six, ten," said Mr. Walker, laying a heavy canvas bag on the counter. Rodd untied83 the neck of the bag and upset the contents, notes and gold, before him. He counted the money with professional deftness84, whilst the clerk filled in the slip. "How's your brother?" he asked.

"Pretty tidy."

"And how are things in Wolverhampton?"

"So, so! But not so bad as they were."

"Thank you. You're the only sensible man I've seen to-day, and we shall not forget it. Now, gentlemen, next please."

Mr. Walker was closely inspected as he pushed his way out, and one or two were tempted to say a word of warning to him, but thought better of it, and held their peace. About two in the afternoon a Mr. Hope of Bretton again broke the chain of withdrawals85. He paid in two hundred. Him a man did pluck by the sleeve, muttering "Have a care, man! Have a care what you're doing!" But Mr. Hope, a bluff tradesman-looking person only answered, "Thank ye, but I am up to snuff. If you ask me I think you're a silly set of fools."

News of him and of what he had said, and indeed of much more than he had said, ran quickly through the crowd that wondered and waited all day before the bank; that snapped up every rumor86, and devoured87 the wildest inventions. The bank would close at one! It would close at three--the speaker had it on the best authority! It would close when so and so had been paid! Ovington, the rascal88, had fled. He was in the bank, white as a sheet. He had attempted suicide. There was a warrant out for him. The crowd moved hither and thither89, like the colors in a kaleidoscope. On its outer edges there was horseplay. Children chased one another up and down the Butter Cross steps, fell over the old women who knitted, were cuffed90 by the men, driven out by the Beadle--only to return again.

But under the trivialities there was tense excitement. Now and again a man who had been slow to take the alarm forced his way, pale and agitated91, through the crowd, to vanish within the doors; or a countryman, whom the news had only just reached in his boosey-close or his rickyard--as they call a stackyard in Aldshire--rode up the hill, hot with haste and cursing those who blocked his road, flung his reins92 to the nearest bystander, and plunged93 into the bank as into water. And on the fringe, hiding themselves in doorways94, or in the dark mouths of alleys95, were men who stood biting their nails, heedless or unconscious of what passed about them; or who came staggering up from the Gullet with stammering96 tongues and eyes bloodshot with drink--men who a year before had been well-to-do, sober citizens, fathers of families. All one to them now whether Ovington's stood or fell! They had lost their all, and to show for it and for all that they had ever been worth had but a few pieces of printed paper, certificates, or what not, which they took out and read in corners, as if something of hope might still, at the thousandth time of reading be derived97 from them, or which they brandished98 aloft in the tavern with boasts of what they would have gained if trickery had not robbed them. So, though the crowd had its humors and was swept at times by gusts99 of laughter, the spectre of ruin stood, gaunt and bleak100, in the background, and many a heart quailed101 before grim visions of bailiffs and forced sales and the workhouse--the workhouse, that in Aldersbury, where they were nothing if not genteel, they called the House of Industry.

And Ovington, as he sat over his books, or peered from time to time from a window, knew this, and felt it. He would not have been human if he had not thought with longing102 of that twelve thousand, the use of which had so nearly been his; ay, and with passing regret--for after all was not the greatest good for the greatest number sound morality?--of the self-denying ordinance103 which had robbed him of it. But harassed104 and heavy-hearted as he was, he remained master of himself, and his bearing was calm and dignified105, when at a quarter to four, he showed himself, for the first time that day, in the bank.

It was still half-full, and the approach of closing time and the certainty that they could not all be paid that day, along with the fear that the doors would not open on the morrow, mightily106 inflamed107 those who were not in the front rank. They clamored to be paid, brandishing108 their books or their notes. Some tried prayers, addressing Rodd by name, pleading their poverty or their services. Others reproached him for his slowness, and swore that it was purposeful. And they would not be still, they pushed and elbowed one another, rose on tiptoe and shuffled109 their feet, quarrelled among themselves.

Their voices filled the bank, passed beyond it, were heard in the street. Rodd worked on bravely, but the perspiration stood on his brow, while the clerks, flurried and nervous, looked now at the clock and now at the malcontents whose violence and restlessness seemed to treble their numbers.

Then it was that Ovington came in, and on the instant the noise died down, and there was silence. He advanced without speaking to within a few feet of the counter. He was cold, composed, upright, dignified. And still he did not speak. He surveyed his customers, his spectacles in his hand. His eyes took in each. At length, "Gentlemen," he said quietly, "there is no need for this excitement. You will all be paid. We are shorthanded to-day, but I had no reason to suppose that those who know me as well as most of you do know me--and there are some here who have known me all my life--would distrust me. However, as we are shorthanded, the bank will remain open to-day until half-past four. Mr. Rodd, you will see, if you please, that the requirements of those now in the room are met. I need not add that the bank will open at the usual time to-morrow. Good-day, gentlemen."

They raised a feeble cheer in their relief, and in the act of turning away, he paused. "Mr. Ricketts," he said, singling out one, "you are here about those bills? They are important. If you will bring them through to me--yes, if you please?"

The man whom he had addressed, a banker's clerk, followed him thankfully into the parlor. His uneasiness had been great, for, though he had not joined in his neighbors' threats, his employers' claim exceeded those of all the rest put together.

"We daren't wait, Mr. Ovington," he said apologetically. "Our people want it. I take it, it is all right, sir?"

"Quite," Ovington said. "You have them here? What is the total?"

"Eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, six, eight, sir."

Ovington examined the bills with a steady hand and wrote the amount on a slip of paper. He rang the bell, and the younger clerk came in. "Bring me that," he said "as quickly as you can." Then to his visitor, "My compliments to Mr. Allwood. Will you tell him that his assistance has been of material use to me, and that I shall not forget it? I was sorry to hear of Gibbons' failure."

"Yes, sir. Very unfortunate. Very unfortunate, indeed?"

"He is no loser by them, I hope?"

"Well, he is, sir, I am sorry to say."

"Ah, I am sorry." And when the lad had brought in the money, and the account was settled, "Are you returning to-night?"

"No, sir. My instructions were to travel by daylight."

"Then you have an opportunity of stating outside, that you have been paid? I am anxious, of course, to stop this foolish run."

The man said he would not fail to do so, and Ovington thanked him and saw him out by the private door. Then, taking with him certain books and the slips of paper that Rodd had sent in to him at hourly intervals110, he went into the dining-room. Things were no worse than he had expected, but they were no better. Or, yes, they were, a few hundreds better.

Betty was there, awaiting him with an anxious face. She had had no slips to inform her from hour to hour how things went, and she had been too wise to intrude111 on her father. But many times she had looked from the windows on the scene before the bank, on the shifting crowd, the hasty arrivals, the groups that clung unwearied to the steps of the Butter Cross; and though poverty--she was young--had few terrors for her, she comprehended only too well what her father was suffering--ay, and, though it was a minor112 evil, what a blister113 to his pride was this gathering of his neighbors to witness his fall!

So, though she could have put on an appearance of cheerfulness, she felt that it would not accord with his mood, and instead, "Well, father," she said, with loving anxiety, "is it bad or good?" And, as he sank wearily into his chair, she passed her arm about his shoulders.

"Well," he replied, with the sigh of a tired man, "it is pretty much as we expected. I don't know, child, that it is better or worse. But Rodd will be here presently and he will tell us. He must be worn out, poor chap. He has borne the brunt of the day, and he has borne it famously. Famously! I offered to take his place at the dinner-hour but he would not have it. He has not left the counter for five minutes at a time, and he has shown splendid nerve."

"Then you have not missed the others much?"

"No. We did not wish to pay out too quickly. Well--let us have some tea. Rodd will be glad of it. He has not tasted food since ten o'clock."

"Did you go in, father?"

"For a minute," smiling, "to scold them."

"Oh, they are horrid114!"

"No, they are just frightened. Frightened, child! We should do the same in their place."

"No," Betty said stoutly115. "I shouldn't! And I could never like anyone who did! Never!"

"Did what?"

"Took money from you when you wanted it so much! I think they're mean! Mean! And I shall never think anything else!" Betty's eyes sparkled, she was red with indignation. But the heat passed, and now she was paler than usual, she looked sad. Perhaps she had forgotten how things were, and now remembered; or perhaps--at any rate the glow faded and she was again the Betty of late days--a tired and depressed116 Betty.

She had seen to it that the fire was clear and the lamps burned brightly; had she not visited the room a dozen times to see to it? And now the curtains had been drawn, the tea-tray had come in, the kettle sang on the hob, the silver and china, reflecting the lights, twinkled a pleasant welcome to the tired man. Or they would have, if he could have believed that the comfort about him was permanent. But how long--the doubt tortured him--would it be his? How long could he ensure it for others? The waiting, anxious crowd, the scared faces, the clamorous117 customers, these were the things he saw, the things that blotted118 out the room and darkened the future. These were the only realities, the abiding119, the menacing facts of life. He let his chin fall on his hand, and gazed moodily120 into the fire. A Napoleon of-finance? Ay, but a Napoleon, crushed in the making, whose Waterloo had met him at Arcola!

He straightened himself when Rodd's step was heard in the passage, and he rose to take the last slip from the cashier's hand.

"Sit down, man, sit down," he said. "Betty, give Rodd a cup of tea. He must need it. Well?" putting on his glasses to consult the slip.

"We've paid out thirteen thousand two hundred and ten, sir."

"Through one pair of hands! Well done! A fine feat121, Rodd, and I shall not forget it. Umph!" thoughtfully, "that is just about what we expected. Neither much better nor much worse. What we did not expect--but sit down and drink your tea, man. Betty!"

"Yes, father."

"Pass the toast to him. He deserves all we can do for him. What we did not expect," reverting122 to the slip with a wrinkled brow, "were the payments in. Four hundred and seventy odd! I don't understand that. No other sign of returning credit, Rodd? Was it some one we've obliged? Very unlikely, for long memories are rare at such times as these. Who was it?"

Rodd was busy with his toast. Betty had passed it to him with a polite smile. "There were two, sir, I think," he said. He spoke as if he were not quite certain.

The banker looked up in surprise. "Think!" he said. "Why, you must know."

"Well, there were two, sir, I am sure. But paying out all day----"

"You'd remember who paid in, I should think. When there were but two. You must remember who they were."

"One was from Wolverhampton, I know," Rodd replied, "Mr. Watkins--or Walker."

"Walker or Watkins? Of Wolverhampton? I don't remember any customer of that name. And the other? Who was he?"

"From somewhere Bretton way. I could look him up."

The banker eyed Rodd closely. Had the day's work been too much for him? "You could look him up?" he rejoined. "Why, man, of course you could. Four hundred and seventy! A bank has failed before now for lack of less. All good notes, I suppose? No Gibbons' or Garrards', eh?" an idea striking him. "But you'd see to that. If some one had the idea of washing his hands that way--and the two banks already closed!"

But Rodd shook his head. "No, sir. It was in gold and Bank of England notes. I saw to that."

"Then I don't understand it," the banker decided123. He sat pondering--the thing had taken hold of his mind. Was it a trick? Did they mean to draw out the amount next morning? But, no they would not risk the money, and he would stand no worse if they drew it. An enemy could not have done it, then. A friend? But such friends were rare and the sum was no trifle. The amount was more than he had received for his plate, the proceeds of which had already gone into the cash-drawer. He pondered.

Meanwhile, "Another cup of tea?" Betty said politely. And as Rodd, avoiding her eyes, handed her his cup, "It's so nice to hear of strangers helping124 us," she continued with treacherous125 sweetness. "One feels so grateful to them."

Rodd muttered something, his mouth full of toast.

"It's so fine of them to trust us, when they don't know how things are--as we do, of course. I think it is splendid of them," Betty continued. "Father, you must bring them to me, some day, when all these troubles are over--that I may thank them."

But her father had risen to his feet. He was standing on the hearthrug, a queer look on his face. "I think that they are here now," he said. "Rodd, why did you do it?"

The cashier started. "I, sir? I don't think I----"

"Oh, you understand, man!" The banker was much moved. "You understand very well. Walker of Wolverhampton? You've a brother at Wolverhampton, I remember, though I don't think I've ever seen him. This is your three hundred, and all you could add to it. My G--d, man----" Ovington was certainly moved, for he seldom swore, "but if we go you'll lose it! You must draw it out before the bank opens to-morrow."

"No," said Rodd, who had turned red. "I shall do nothing of the sort, sir. It's as safe there as anywhere. I'm not afraid."

"But I don't understand," Betty said, looking from one to the other. It couldn't be true. It could not be that she had made such a--a dreadful mistake!

"There's no Mr. Walker," her father explained, "and no gentleman from Bretton. They are both Rodd. It's his money."

"Do you mean----" in a very small voice. "I thought that Mr. Rodd took his money out!"

"Only to put it in again when he thought that it might help us more. But we can't have it. He mustn't lose his money, all I expect that he----"

"It came out of the bank," Rodd said, "And there's where it belongs, and I'm not going," stubbornly, "to take it out. I've been here ten years--very comfortable, sir. And if the bank closed where'd I be? It's my interest that it shouldn't close."

The banker turned to the fire and put one foot on the fender as if to warm it. "Well, let it stay," he said, but his voice was unsteady. "If we have to close you'll have done a silly thing--that's all. But if we don't, you'll not have been such a fool!"

"Oh, we shall not close," Rodd boasted, and he gulped126 down his tea, his ears red.

There was an embarrassing silence. Ovington turned. "Well, Betty," he said, attempting a lighter127 tone. "I thought that you were going to thank--Mr. Walker of Wolverhampton?"

But Betty, murmuring something about an order for the servants, had already hurried from the room.


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 climax yqyzc     
n.顶点;高潮;v.(使)达到顶点
参考例句:
  • The fifth scene was the climax of the play.第五场是全剧的高潮。
  • His quarrel with his father brought matters to a climax.他与他父亲的争吵使得事态发展到了顶点。
2 parlor v4MzU     
n.店铺,营业室;会客室,客厅
参考例句:
  • She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
  • Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店?
3 spoke XryyC     
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:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
4 stuffy BtZw0     
adj.不透气的,闷热的
参考例句:
  • It's really hot and stuffy in here.这里实在太热太闷了。
  • It was so stuffy in the tent that we could sense the air was heavy with moisture.帐篷里很闷热,我们感到空气都是潮的。
5 fray NfDzp     
v.争吵;打斗;磨损,磨破;n.吵架;打斗
参考例句:
  • Why should you get involved in their fray?你为什么要介入他们的争吵呢?
  • Tempers began to fray in the hot weather.大热天脾气烦燥。
6 liars ba6a2311efe2dc9a6d844c9711cd0fff     
说谎者( liar的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The greatest liars talk most of themselves. 最爱自吹自擂的人是最大的说谎者。
  • Honest boys despise lies and liars. 诚实的孩子鄙视谎言和说谎者。
7 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
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:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
8 waddled c1cfb61097c12b4812327074b8bc801d     
v.(像鸭子一样)摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • A family of ducks waddled along the river bank. 一群鸭子沿河岸摇摇摆摆地走。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The stout old man waddled across the road. 那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
9 butt uSjyM     
n.笑柄;烟蒂;枪托;臀部;v.用头撞或顶
参考例句:
  • The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
  • He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。
10 alas Rx8z1     
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)
参考例句:
  • Alas!The window is broken!哎呀!窗子破了!
  • Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而,真理很少带有浪漫色彩。
11 scarcity jZVxq     
n.缺乏,不足,萧条
参考例句:
  • The scarcity of skilled workers is worrying the government.熟练工人的缺乏困扰着政府。
  • The scarcity of fruit was caused by the drought.水果供不应求是由于干旱造成的。
12 sleepless oiBzGN     
adj.不睡眠的,睡不著的,不休息的
参考例句:
  • The situation gave her many sleepless nights.这种情况害她一连好多天睡不好觉。
  • One evening I heard a tale that rendered me sleepless for nights.一天晚上,我听说了一个传闻,把我搞得一连几夜都不能入睡。
13 eyebrow vlOxk     
n.眉毛,眉
参考例句:
  • Her eyebrow is well penciled.她的眉毛画得很好。
  • With an eyebrow raised,he seemed divided between surprise and amusement.他一只眉毛扬了扬,似乎既感到吃惊,又觉有趣。
14 tavern wGpyl     
n.小旅馆,客栈;小酒店
参考例句:
  • There is a tavern at the corner of the street.街道的拐角处有一家酒馆。
  • Philip always went to the tavern,with a sense of pleasure.菲利浦总是心情愉快地来到这家酒菜馆。
15 winks 1dd82fc4464d9ba6c78757a872e12679     
v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
参考例句:
  • I'll feel much better when I've had forty winks. 我打个盹就会感到好得多。
  • The planes were little silver winks way out to the west. 飞机在西边老远的地方,看上去只是些很小的银色光点。 来自辞典例句
16 tempted b0182e969d369add1b9ce2353d3c6ad6     
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚,但还是没开口。
  • I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
17 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
18 dingy iu8xq     
adj.昏暗的,肮脏的
参考例句:
  • It was a street of dingy houses huddled together. 这是一条挤满了破旧房子的街巷。
  • The dingy cottage was converted into a neat tasteful residence.那间脏黑的小屋已变成一个整洁雅致的住宅。
19 poultry GPQxh     
n.家禽,禽肉
参考例句:
  • There is not much poultry in the shops. 商店里禽肉不太多。
  • What do you feed the poultry on? 你们用什么饲料喂养家禽?
20 concealment AvYzx1     
n.隐藏, 掩盖,隐瞒
参考例句:
  • the concealment of crime 对罪行的隐瞒
  • Stay in concealment until the danger has passed. 把自己藏起来,待危险过去后再出来。
21 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
22 intensity 45Ixd     
n.强烈,剧烈;强度;烈度
参考例句:
  • I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
  • The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。
23 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
24 analyzed 483f1acae53789fbee273a644fdcda80     
v.分析( analyze的过去式和过去分词 );分解;解释;对…进行心理分析
参考例句:
  • The doctors analyzed the blood sample for anemia. 医生们分析了贫血的血样。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The young man did not analyze the process of his captivation and enrapturement, for love to him was a mystery and could not be analyzed. 这年轻人没有分析自己蛊惑著迷的过程,因为对他来说,爱是个不可分析的迷。 来自《简明英汉词典》
25 deductions efdb24c54db0a56d702d92a7f902dd1f     
扣除( deduction的名词复数 ); 结论; 扣除的量; 推演
参考例句:
  • Many of the older officers trusted agents sightings more than cryptanalysts'deductions. 许多年纪比较大的军官往往相信特务的发现,而不怎么相信密码分析员的推断。
  • You know how you rush at things,jump to conclusions without proper deductions. 你知道你处理问题是多么仓促,毫无合适的演绎就仓促下结论。
26 parley H4wzT     
n.谈判
参考例句:
  • The governor was forced to parley with the rebels.州长被迫与反叛者谈判。
  • The general held a parley with the enemy about exchanging prisoners.将军与敌人谈判交换战俘事宜。
27 hostility hdyzQ     
n.敌对,敌意;抵制[pl.]交战,战争
参考例句:
  • There is open hostility between the two leaders.两位领导人表现出公开的敌意。
  • His hostility to your plan is well known.他对你的计划所持的敌意是众所周知的。
28 suppliant nrdwr     
adj.哀恳的;n.恳求者,哀求者
参考例句:
  • He asked for help in a suppliant attitude.他以恳求的态度要我帮忙。
  • He knelt as a suppliant at the altar.他跪在祭坛前祈祷。
29 virtue BpqyH     
n.德行,美德;贞操;优点;功效,效力
参考例句:
  • He was considered to be a paragon of virtue.他被认为是品德尽善尽美的典范。
  • You need to decorate your mind with virtue.你应该用德行美化心灵。
30 trespassed b365c63679d93c6285bc66f96e8515e3     
(trespass的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Here is the ringleader of the gang that trespassed on your grounds. 这就是侵犯你土地的那伙人的头子。
  • He trespassed against the traffic regulations. 他违反了交通规则。
31 distresses d55b1003849676d6eb49b5302f6714e5     
n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 );痛苦;贫困;危险
参考例句:
  • It was from these distresses that the peasant wars of the fourteenth century sprang. 正是由于这些灾难才爆发了十四世纪的农民战争。 来自辞典例句
  • In all dangers and distresses, I will remember that. 在一切危险和苦难中,我要记住这一件事。 来自互联网
32 wring 4oOys     
n.扭绞;v.拧,绞出,扭
参考例句:
  • My socks were so wet that I had to wring them.我的袜子很湿,我不得不拧干它们。
  • I'll wring your neck if you don't behave!你要是不规矩,我就拧断你的脖子。
33 perspiration c3UzD     
n.汗水;出汗
参考例句:
  • It is so hot that my clothes are wet with perspiration.天太热了,我的衣服被汗水湿透了。
  • The perspiration was running down my back.汗从我背上淌下来。
34 lodge q8nzj     
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆
参考例句:
  • Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗?
  • I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
35 ledger 014xk     
n.总帐,分类帐;帐簿
参考例句:
  • The young man bowed his head and bent over his ledger again.那个年轻人点头应诺,然后又埋头写起分类帐。
  • She is a real accountant who even keeps a detailed household ledger.她不愧是搞财务的,家庭分类账记得清楚详细。
36 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
37 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
38 avert 7u4zj     
v.防止,避免;转移(目光、注意力等)
参考例句:
  • He managed to avert suspicion.他设法避嫌。
  • I would do what I could to avert it.我会尽力去避免发生这种情况。
39 sarcasm 1CLzI     
n.讥讽,讽刺,嘲弄,反话 (adj.sarcastic)
参考例句:
  • His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
  • She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。
40 enjoyment opaxV     
n.乐趣;享有;享用
参考例句:
  • Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同,我们这次访问更加愉快了。
  • After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话,这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。
41 complacently complacently     
adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地
参考例句:
  • He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
  • "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装,"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
42 importunate 596xx     
adj.强求的;纠缠不休的
参考例句:
  • I would not have our gratitude become indiscreet or importunate.我不愿意让我们的感激变成失礼或勉强。
  • The importunate memory was kept before her by its ironic contrast to her present situation.萦绕在心头的这个回忆对当前的情景来说,是个具有讽刺性的对照。
43 creditors 6cb54c34971e9a505f7a0572f600684b     
n.债权人,债主( creditor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》
44 brace 0WzzE     
n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备
参考例句:
  • My daughter has to wear a brace on her teeth. 我的女儿得戴牙套以矫正牙齿。
  • You had better brace yourself for some bad news. 有些坏消息,你最好做好准备。
45 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
46 knack Jx9y4     
n.诀窍,做事情的灵巧的,便利的方法
参考例句:
  • He has a knack of teaching arithmetic.他教算术有诀窍。
  • Making omelettes isn't difficult,but there's a knack to it.做煎蛋饼并不难,但有窍门。
47 waylaid d51e6f2b42919c7332a3f4d41517eb5f     
v.拦截,拦路( waylay的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I got waylaid on my way here. 我在来这里的路上遭到了拦路抢劫。
  • He was waylaid by thieves. 他在路上被抢了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
48 stouter a38d488ccb0bcd8e699a7eae556d4bac     
粗壮的( stout的比较级 ); 结实的; 坚固的; 坚定的
参考例句:
  • Freddie was much stouter, more benevolent-looking, cheerful, and far more dandified. 弗烈特显得更魁伟,更善良、更快活,尤其更像花花公子。 来自教父部分
  • Why hadn't she thought of putting on stouter shoes last night? 她昨天晚上怎么没想起换上一双硬些的鞋呢?
49 assail ZoTyB     
v.猛烈攻击,抨击,痛斥
参考例句:
  • The opposition's newspapers assail the government each day.反对党的报纸每天都对政府进行猛烈抨击。
  • We should assist parents not assail them.因此我们应该帮助父母们,而不是指责他们。
50 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
51 trepidation igDy3     
n.惊恐,惶恐
参考例句:
  • The men set off in fear and trepidation.这群人惊慌失措地出发了。
  • The threat of an epidemic caused great alarm and trepidation.流行病猖獗因而人心惶惶。
52 scraps 737e4017931b7285cdd1fa3eb9dd77a3     
油渣
参考例句:
  • Don't litter up the floor with scraps of paper. 不要在地板上乱扔纸屑。
  • A patchwork quilt is a good way of using up scraps of material. 做杂拼花布棉被是利用零碎布料的好办法。
53 exclamation onBxZ     
n.感叹号,惊呼,惊叹词
参考例句:
  • He could not restrain an exclamation of approval.他禁不住喝一声采。
  • The author used three exclamation marks at the end of the last sentence to wake up the readers.作者在文章的最后一句连用了三个惊叹号,以引起读者的注意。
54 merged d33b2d33223e1272c8bbe02180876e6f     
(使)混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 ); 相融; 融入; 渐渐消失在某物中
参考例句:
  • Turf wars are inevitable when two departments are merged. 两个部门合并时总免不了争争权限。
  • The small shops were merged into a large market. 那些小商店合并成为一个大商场。
55 murmur EjtyD     
n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言
参考例句:
  • They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
  • There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。
56 fraught gfpzp     
adj.充满…的,伴有(危险等)的;忧虑的
参考例句:
  • The coming months will be fraught with fateful decisions.未来数月将充满重大的决定。
  • There's no need to look so fraught!用不着那么愁眉苦脸的!
57 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
58 descending descending     
n. 下行 adj. 下降的
参考例句:
  • The results are expressed in descending numerical order . 结果按数字降序列出。
  • The climbers stopped to orient themselves before descending the mountain. 登山者先停下来确定所在的位置,然后再下山。
59 abreast Zf3yi     
adv.并排地;跟上(时代)的步伐,与…并进地
参考例句:
  • She kept abreast with the flood of communications that had poured in.她及时回复如雪片般飞来的大批信件。
  • We can't keep abreast of the developing situation unless we study harder.我们如果不加强学习,就会跟不上形势。
60 darting darting     
v.投掷,投射( dart的现在分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • Swallows were darting through the clouds. 燕子穿云急飞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子在空中掠过。 来自辞典例句
61 contention oZ5yd     
n.争论,争辩,论战;论点,主张
参考例句:
  • The pay increase is the key point of contention. 加薪是争论的焦点。
  • The real bone of contention,as you know,is money.你知道,争论的真正焦点是钱的问题。
62 trampling 7aa68e356548d4d30fa83dc97298265a     
踩( trample的现在分词 ); 践踏; 无视; 侵犯
参考例句:
  • Diplomats denounced the leaders for trampling their citizens' civil rights. 外交官谴责这些领导人践踏其公民的公民权。
  • They don't want people trampling the grass, pitching tents or building fires. 他们不希望人们踩踏草坪、支帐篷或生火。
63 peevish h35zj     
adj.易怒的,坏脾气的
参考例句:
  • A peevish child is unhappy and makes others unhappy.一个脾气暴躁的孩子自己不高兴也使别人不高兴。
  • She glared down at me with a peevish expression on her face.她低头瞪着我,一脸怒气。
64 exclamations aea591b1607dd0b11f1dd659bad7d827     
n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 );感叹;感叹语;感叹词
参考例句:
  • The visitors broke into exclamations of wonder when they saw the magnificent Great Wall. 看到雄伟的长城,游客们惊叹不已。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • After the will has been read out, angry exclamations aroused. 遗嘱宣读完之后,激起一片愤怒的喊声。 来自辞典例句
65 bluff ftZzB     
v.虚张声势,用假象骗人;n.虚张声势,欺骗
参考例句:
  • His threats are merely bluff.他的威胁仅仅是虚张声势。
  • John is a deep card.No one can bluff him easily.约翰是个机灵鬼。谁也不容易欺骗他。
66 remonstrances 301b8575ed3ab77ec9d2aa78dbe326fc     
n.抱怨,抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • There were remonstrances, but he persisted notwithstanding. 虽遭抗议,他仍然坚持下去。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Mr. Archibald did not give himself the trouble of making many remonstrances. 阿奇博尔德先生似乎不想自找麻烦多方规劝。 来自辞典例句
67 folly QgOzL     
n.愚笨,愚蠢,蠢事,蠢行,傻话
参考例句:
  • Learn wisdom by the folly of others.从别人的愚蠢行动中学到智慧。
  • Events proved the folly of such calculations.事情的进展证明了这种估计是愚蠢的。
68 withering 8b1e725193ea9294ced015cd87181307     
使人畏缩的,使人害羞的,使人难堪的
参考例句:
  • She gave him a withering look. 她极其蔑视地看了他一眼。
  • The grass is gradually dried-up and withering and pallen leaves. 草渐渐干枯、枯萎并落叶。
69 leisurely 51Txb     
adj.悠闲的;从容的,慢慢的
参考例句:
  • We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着,看遍所有的橱窗。
  • He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐,高兴的开车去工作。
70 knuckled 645777324ba698a50d55e2ede0181ba7     
v.(指人)指关节( knuckle的过去式和过去分词 );(指动物)膝关节,踝
参考例句:
  • He knuckled me in the chest. 他用指关节敲击我的胸部。 来自辞典例句
  • Mr. Cruncher knuckled his forehead, as Sydney Carton and the spy returned from the dark room. 克朗彻先生用指关节敲敲自己的前额,这时西德尼 - 卡尔顿和密探从黑屋出来了。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
71 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
72 entrusted be9f0db83b06252a0a462773113f94fa     
v.委托,托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He entrusted the task to his nephew. 他把这任务托付给了他的侄儿。
  • She was entrusted with the direction of the project. 她受委托负责这项计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》
73 mumbled 3855fd60b1f055fa928ebec8bcf3f539     
含糊地说某事,叽咕,咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He mumbled something to me which I did not quite catch. 他对我叽咕了几句话,可我没太听清楚。
  • George mumbled incoherently to himself. 乔治语无伦次地喃喃自语。
74 perspiring 0818633761fb971685d884c4c363dad6     
v.出汗,流汗( perspire的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He had been working hard and was perspiring profusely. 他一直在努力干活,身上大汗淋漓的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • So they "went it lively," panting and perspiring with the work. 于是他们就“痛痛快快地比一比”了,结果比得两个人气喘吁吁、汗流浃背。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
75 shuffling 03b785186d0322e5a1a31c105fc534ee     
adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • Don't go shuffling along as if you were dead. 别像个死人似地拖着脚走。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Some one was shuffling by on the sidewalk. 外面的人行道上有人拖着脚走过。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
76 plodded 9d4d6494cb299ac2ca6271f6a856a23b     
v.沉重缓慢地走(路)( plod的过去式和过去分词 );努力从事;沉闷地苦干;缓慢进行(尤指艰难枯燥的工作)
参考例句:
  • Our horses plodded down the muddy track. 我们的马沿着泥泞小路蹒跚而行。
  • He plodded away all night at his project to get it finished. 他通宵埋头苦干以便做完专题研究。 来自《简明英汉词典》
77 grudged 497ff7797c8f8bc24299e4af22d743da     
怀恨(grudge的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The mean man grudged the food his horse ate. 那个吝啬鬼舍不得喂马。
  • He grudged the food his horse ate. 他吝惜马料。
78 plodder e5d45dd682c8013295332f617389973a     
n.沉重行走的人,辛勤工作的人
参考例句:
  • He was quiet, conscientious, a bit of a plodder. 他做事闷声不响,小心谨慎,有点死气沉沉的。 来自柯林斯例句
79 austerely 81fb68ad1e216c3806c4e926b2516000     
adv.严格地,朴质地
参考例句:
  • The austerely lighted garage was quiet. 灯光黯淡的车库静悄悄的。 来自辞典例句
  • Door of Ministry of Agriculture and produce will be challenged austerely. 农业部门及农产品将受到严重的挑战。 来自互联网
80 itched 40551ab33ea4ba343556be82d399ab87     
v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Seeing the children playing ping-pong, he itched to have a go. 他看到孩子们打乒乓,不觉技痒。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • He could hardly sIt'still and itched to have a go. 他再也坐不住了,心里跃跃欲试。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
81 dreary sk1z6     
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的
参考例句:
  • They live such dreary lives.他们的生活如此乏味。
  • She was tired of hearing the same dreary tale of drunkenness and violence.她听够了那些关于酗酒和暴力的乏味故事。
82 illiterate Bc6z5     
adj.文盲的;无知的;n.文盲
参考例句:
  • There are still many illiterate people in our country.在我国还有许多文盲。
  • I was an illiterate in the old society,but now I can read.我这个旧社会的文盲,今天也认字了。
83 untied d4a1dd1a28503840144e8098dbf9e40f     
松开,解开( untie的过去式和过去分词 ); 解除,使自由; 解决
参考例句:
  • Once untied, we common people are able to conquer nature, too. 只要团结起来,我们老百姓也能移山倒海。
  • He untied the ropes. 他解开了绳子。
84 deftness de3311da6dd1a06e55d4a43af9d7b4a3     
参考例句:
  • Handling delicate instruments requires deftness. 使用精巧仪器需要熟练。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • I'm greatly impressed by your deftness in handling the situation. 你处理这个局面的机敏令我印象十分深刻。 来自高二英语口语
85 withdrawals e8b79ee63bd5060c582d7b93a43ec3dd     
n.收回,取回,撤回( withdrawal的名词复数 );撤退,撤走;收回[取回,撤回,撤退,撤走]的实例;推出(组织),提走(存款),戒除毒瘾,对说过的话收回,孤僻
参考例句:
  • He has made several withdrawals from his bank account. 他从银行账户上提了几次款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • It is not the bank's policy to deduct interest on withdrawals. 提款需扣除利息这并非是本银行的政策。 来自辞典例句
86 rumor qS0zZ     
n.谣言,谣传,传说
参考例句:
  • The rumor has been traced back to a bad man.那谣言经追查是个坏人造的。
  • The rumor has taken air.谣言流传开了。
87 devoured af343afccf250213c6b0cadbf3a346a9     
吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光
参考例句:
  • She devoured everything she could lay her hands on: books, magazines and newspapers. 无论是书、杂志,还是报纸,只要能弄得到,她都看得津津有味。
  • The lions devoured a zebra in a short time. 狮子一会儿就吃掉了一匹斑马。
88 rascal mAIzd     
n.流氓;不诚实的人
参考例句:
  • If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做,我就认为他是个恶棍。
  • The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。
89 thither cgRz1o     
adv.向那里;adj.在那边的,对岸的
参考例句:
  • He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。
  • He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。
90 cuffed e0f189a3fd45ff67f7435e1c3961c957     
v.掌打,拳打( cuff的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She cuffed the boy on the side of the head. 她向这男孩的头上轻轻打了一巴掌。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Mother cuffed the dog when she found it asleep on a chair. 妈妈发现狗睡在椅子上就用手把狗打跑了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
91 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
92 reins 370afc7786679703b82ccfca58610c98     
感情,激情; 缰( rein的名词复数 ); 控制手段; 掌管; (成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的)保护带
参考例句:
  • She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。
  • The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。
93 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
94 doorways 9f2a4f4f89bff2d72720b05d20d8f3d6     
n.门口,门道( doorway的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The houses belched people; the doorways spewed out children. 从各家茅屋里涌出一堆一堆的人群,从门口蹦出一群一群小孩。 来自辞典例句
  • He rambled under the walls and doorways. 他就顺着墙根和门楼遛跶。 来自辞典例句
95 alleys ed7f32602655381e85de6beb51238b46     
胡同,小巷( alley的名词复数 ); 小径
参考例句:
  • I followed him through a maze of narrow alleys. 我紧随他穿过一条条迂迴曲折的窄巷。
  • The children lead me through the maze of alleys to the edge of the city. 孩子们领我穿过迷宫一般的街巷,来到城边。
96 stammering 232ca7f6dbf756abab168ca65627c748     
v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He betrayed nervousness by stammering. 他说话结结巴巴说明他胆子小。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • \"Why,\" he said, actually stammering, \"how do you do?\" “哎呀,\"他说,真的有些结结巴巴,\"你好啊?” 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
97 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
98 brandished e0c5676059f17f4623c934389b17c149     
v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 );炫耀
参考例句:
  • "Bang!Bang!"the small boy brandished a phoney pistol and shouted. “砰!砰!”那小男孩挥舞着一支假手枪,口中嚷嚷着。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Swords brandished and banners waved. 刀剑挥舞,旌旗飘扬。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
99 gusts 656c664e0ecfa47560efde859556ddfa     
一阵强风( gust的名词复数 ); (怒、笑等的)爆发; (感情的)迸发; 发作
参考例句:
  • Her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts. 她的宽大的裙子被风吹得鼓鼓的。
  • Turbulence is defined as a series of irregular gusts. 紊流定义为一组无规则的突风。
100 bleak gtWz5     
adj.(天气)阴冷的;凄凉的;暗淡的
参考例句:
  • They showed me into a bleak waiting room.他们引我来到一间阴冷的会客室。
  • The company's prospects look pretty bleak.这家公司的前景异常暗淡。
101 quailed 6b883b0b92140de4bde03901043d6acd     
害怕,发抖,畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I quailed at the danger. 我一遇到危险,心里就发毛。
  • His heart quailed before the enormous pyramidal shape. 面对这金字塔般的庞然大物,他的心不由得一阵畏缩。 来自英汉文学
102 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
103 ordinance Svty0     
n.法令;条令;条例
参考例句:
  • The Ordinance of 1785 provided the first land grants for educational purposes.1785年法案为教育目的提供了第一批土地。
  • The city passed an ordinance compelling all outdoor lighting to be switched off at 9.00 PM.该市通过一条法令强令晚上九点关闭一切室外照明。
104 harassed 50b529f688471b862d0991a96b6a1e55     
adj. 疲倦的,厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He has complained of being harassed by the police. 他投诉受到警方侵扰。
  • harassed mothers with their children 带着孩子的疲惫不堪的母亲们
105 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的,高贵的
参考例句:
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中,他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
106 mightily ZoXzT6     
ad.强烈地;非常地
参考例句:
  • He hit the peg mightily on the top with a mallet. 他用木槌猛敲木栓顶。
  • This seemed mightily to relieve him. 干完这件事后,他似乎轻松了许多。
107 inflamed KqEz2a     
adj.发炎的,红肿的v.(使)变红,发怒,过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • His comments have inflamed teachers all over the country. 他的评论激怒了全国教师。
  • Her joints are severely inflamed. 她的关节严重发炎。 来自《简明英汉词典》
108 brandishing 9a352ce6d3d7e0a224b2fc7c1cfea26c     
v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 );炫耀
参考例句:
  • The horseman came up to Robin Hood, brandishing his sword. 那个骑士挥舞着剑,来到罗宾汉面前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He appeared in the lounge brandishing a knife. 他挥舞着一把小刀,出现在休息室里。 来自辞典例句
109 shuffled cee46c30b0d1f2d0c136c830230fe75a     
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:
  • He shuffled across the room to the window. 他拖着脚走到房间那头的窗户跟前。
  • Simon shuffled awkwardly towards them. 西蒙笨拙地拖着脚朝他们走去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
110 intervals f46c9d8b430e8c86dea610ec56b7cbef     
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
参考例句:
  • The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴,有阵雨。
  • Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。
111 intrude Lakzv     
vi.闯入;侵入;打扰,侵扰
参考例句:
  • I do not want to intrude if you are busy.如果你忙我就不打扰你了。
  • I don't want to intrude on your meeting.我不想打扰你们的会议。
112 minor e7fzR     
adj.较小(少)的,较次要的;n.辅修学科;vi.辅修
参考例句:
  • The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
  • I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。
113 blister otwz3     
n.水疱;(油漆等的)气泡;v.(使)起泡
参考例句:
  • I got a huge blister on my foot and I couldn't run any farther.我脚上长了一个大水泡,没办法继续跑。
  • I have a blister on my heel because my shoe is too tight.鞋子太紧了,我脚后跟起了个泡。
114 horrid arozZj     
adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的
参考例句:
  • I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
  • The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃,她咽不下去。
115 stoutly Xhpz3l     
adv.牢固地,粗壮的
参考例句:
  • He stoutly denied his guilt.他断然否认自己有罪。
  • Burgess was taxed with this and stoutly denied it.伯杰斯为此受到了责难,但是他自己坚决否认有这回事。
116 depressed xu8zp9     
adj.沮丧的,抑郁的,不景气的,萧条的
参考例句:
  • When he was depressed,he felt utterly divorced from reality.他心情沮丧时就感到完全脱离了现实。
  • His mother was depressed by the sad news.这个坏消息使他的母亲意志消沉。
117 clamorous OqGzj     
adj.吵闹的,喧哗的
参考例句:
  • They are clamorous for better pay.他们吵吵嚷嚷要求增加工资。
  • The meeting began to become clamorous.会议开始变得喧哗了。
118 blotted 06046c4f802cf2d785ce6e085eb5f0d7     
涂污( blot的过去式和过去分词 ); (用吸墨纸)吸干
参考例句:
  • She blotted water off the table with a towel. 她用毛巾擦干桌上的水。
  • The blizzard blotted out the sky and the land. 暴风雪铺天盖地而来。
119 abiding uzMzxC     
adj.永久的,持久的,不变的
参考例句:
  • He had an abiding love of the English countryside.他永远热爱英国的乡村。
  • He has a genuine and abiding love of the craft.他对这门手艺有着真挚持久的热爱。
120 moodily 830ff6e3db19016ccfc088bb2ad40745     
adv.喜怒无常地;情绪多变地;心情不稳地;易生气地
参考例句:
  • Pork slipped from the room as she remained staring moodily into the distance. 阿宝从房间里溜了出来,留她独个人站在那里瞪着眼睛忧郁地望着远处。 来自辞典例句
  • He climbed moodily into the cab, relieved and distressed. 他忧郁地上了马车,既松了一口气,又忧心忡忡。 来自互联网
121 feat 5kzxp     
n.功绩;武艺,技艺;adj.灵巧的,漂亮的,合适的
参考例句:
  • Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
  • He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。
122 reverting f5366d3e7a0be69d0213079d037ba63e     
恢复( revert的现在分词 ); 重提; 回到…上; 归还
参考例句:
  • The boss came back from holiday all relaxed and smiling, but now he's reverting to type. 老板刚度假回来时十分随和,满面笑容,现在又恢复原样了。
  • The conversation kept reverting to the subject of money. 谈话的内容总是离不开钱的事。
123 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
124 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
125 treacherous eg7y5     
adj.不可靠的,有暗藏的危险的;adj.背叛的,背信弃义的
参考例句:
  • The surface water made the road treacherous for drivers.路面的积水对驾车者构成危险。
  • The frozen snow was treacherous to walk on.在冻雪上行走有潜在危险。
126 gulped 4873fe497201edc23bc8dcb50aa6eb2c     
v.狼吞虎咽地吃,吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 );大口地吸(气);哽住
参考例句:
  • He gulped down the rest of his tea and went out. 他把剩下的茶一饮而尽便出去了。
  • She gulped nervously, as if the question bothered her. 她紧张地咽了一下,似乎那问题把她难住了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
127 lighter 5pPzPR     
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级
参考例句:
  • The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色,色调明朗了一些。
  • The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。


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