It was very late, for the Christmas-tree was stripped, the little folks abed, the baskets and bundles left at poor neighbors' doors, and everything ready for the happy day which would begin as the clock struck twelve. They were resting after their labors3, while the yule log burned down; but the mother's words reminded Belinda of one good friend who had received no gift that night.
"We've forgotten Rosa! Her mistress is away, but she shall have a present nevertheless. Late as[Pg 68] it is, she will like some apples and cake and a Merry Christmas from the family."
Belinda jumped up as she spoke4, and, having collected such remnants of the feast as a horse would relish5, she put on her hood6, lighted a lantern, and trotted8 off to the barn.
As she opened the door of the loose box in which Rosa was kept, she saw her eyes shining in the dark as she lifted her head with a startled air. Then, recognizing a friend, she rose and came rustling9 through the straw to greet her late visitor. She was evidently much pleased with the attention, and rubbed her nose against Miss Belinda gratefully, but seemed rather dainty, and poked10 over the contents of the basket, as if a little suspicious, though apples were her favorite treat.
Knowing that she would enjoy the little feast more if she had company while she ate it, for Rosa was a very social beast, Miss Belinda hung up the lantern, and, sitting down on an inverted11 bucket, watched her as she munched12 contentedly13.
"Now really," said Miss Belinda, when telling her story afterwards, "I am not sure whether I took a[Pg 69] nap and dreamed what follows, or whether it actually happened, for strange things do occur at Christmas time, as every one knows.
"As I sat there the town clock struck twelve, and the sound reminded me of the legend which affirms that all dumb animals are endowed with speech for one hour after midnight on Christmas eve, in memory of the animals about the manger when the blessed Child was born.
"'I wish the pretty fancy was a fact, and our Rosa could speak, if only for an hour, because I am sure she has an interesting history, and I long to know it.'
"I said this aloud, and to my utter amazement14 the bay mare15 stopped eating, fixed16 her intelligent eyes upon my face, and answered in a language I understood perfectly17 well,—
"'You shall know it, for whether the legend is true or not I feel as if I could confide18 in you and tell you all I feel. I was lying awake listening to the fun in the house, thinking of my dear mistress over the sea and feeling very sad, for I heard you say I was to be sold. That nearly broke my heart,[Pg 70] for no one has ever been so kind to me as Miss Merry, and nowhere shall I be taken care of, nursed, and loved as I have been since she bought me. I know I am getting old, and stiff in the knees, and my forefoot is lame19, and sometimes I'm cross when my shoulder aches; but I do try to be a patient, grateful beast. I've got fat with good living, my work is not hard, I dearly love to carry those who have done so much for me, and I'll tug20 for them till I die in harness, if they will only keep me.'
"I was so astonished at this address that I tumbled off the pail, and sat among the straw staring up at Rosa, as dumb as if I had lost the power she had gained. She seemed to enjoy my surprise, and added to it by letting me hear a genuine horse laugh, hearty21, shrill22, and clear, as she shook her pretty head, and went on talking rapidly in the language which I now perceived to be a mixture of English and the peculiar23 dialect of the horse-country Gulliver visited.
"'Thank you for remembering me to-night, and in return for the goodies you bring I'll tell my[Pg 71] story as fast as I can, for I have often longed to recount the trials and triumphs of my life. Miss Merry came last Christmas eve to bring me sugar, and I wanted to speak, but it was too early and I could not say a word, though my heart was full.'
"Rosa paused an instant, and her fine eyes dimmed as if with tender tears at the recollection of the happy year which had followed the day she was bought from the drudgery24 of a livery-stable to be a lady's pet. I stroked her neck as she stooped to sniff25 affectionately at my hood, and said eagerly,—
"'Tell away, dear, I'm full of interest, and understand every word you say.'
"Thus encouraged, Rosa threw up her head, and began with an air of pride which plainly proved, what we had always suspected, that she belonged to a good family.
"'My father was a famous racer, and I am very like him; the same color, spirit, and grace, and but for the cruelty of man I might have been as renowned26 as he. I was a very happy colt, petted by my master, tamed by love, and never struck a blow while he lived. I gained one race for him, and[Pg 72] promised so well that when he died I brought a great price. I mourned for him, but was glad to be sent to my new owner's racing-stable and made much of, for people predicted that I should be another Goldsmith Maid or Flora27 Temple. Ah, how ambitious and proud I was in those days! Vain of my good blood, my speed, and my beauty; for indeed I was handsome then, though you may find it hard to believe now.' And Rosa sighed regretfully as she stole a look at me, and took the attitude which showed to advantage the fine lines about her head and neck.
"'I do not find it hard, for we have always said you had splendid points about you. Miss Merry saw them, though you were a skeleton, when she bought you; so did the skilful28 Cornish blacksmith when he shod you. And it is easy to see that you belong to a good family by the way you hold your head without a check-rein and carry your tail like a plume,' I said, with a look of admiration29 which comforted her as much as if she had been a passée belle30.
"'I must hurry over this part of my story, because,[Pg 73] though brilliant, it was very brief, and ended in a way which made it the bitterest portion of my life,' continued Rosa. 'I won several races, and great fame was predicted for me. You may guess how high my reputation was when I tell you that before my last fatal trial thousands were bet on me, and my rival trembled in his shoes. I was full of spirit, eager to show my speed and sure of success. Alas31, how little I knew of the wickedness of human nature then, how dearly I bought the knowledge, and how it has changed my whole life! You do not know much about such matters, of course, and I won't digress to tell you all the tricks of the trade; only beware of jockeys and never bet.
"'I was kept carefully out of every one's way for weeks, and only taken out for exercise by my trainer. Poor Bill! I was fond of him, and he was so good to me that I never have forgotten him, though he broke his neck years ago. A few nights before the great race, as I was getting a good sleep, carefully tucked away in my roomy stall, some one stole in and gave me a warm mash32. It was dark,[Pg 74] I was half awake, and I ate it like a fool, though I knew by instinct that it was not Bill who fed it to me. I was a confiding33 creature then, and as all sorts of queer things had been done to prepare me I thought it was all right. But it was not, and that deceit has caused me to be suspicious about my food ever since, for the mash was dosed in some way; it made me very ill, and my enemies nearly triumphed, thanks to this cowardly trick.
"'Bill worked over me day and night, that I might be fit to run. I did my best to seem well and gay, but there was not time for me to regain34 my lost strength and spirit, and pride alone kept me up. "I'll win for my master if I die in doing it," I said to myself, and when the hour came pranced35 to my place trying to look as well as ever, though my heart was very heavy and I trembled with excitement. "Courage, my lass, and we'll beat in spite of their black tricks," whispered Bill, as he sprung to his place.
"'I lost the first heat, but won the second, and the sound of the cheering gave me strength to walk away without staggering, though my legs shook[Pg 75] under me. What a splendid minute that was when, encouraged and refreshed by my faithful Bill, I came on the track again! I knew my enemies began to fear, for I had borne myself so bravely they fancied I was quite well, and now, excited by that first success, I was mad with impatience36 to be off and cover myself with glory.'
"Rosa looked as if the 'splendid minute' had come again, for she arched her neck, opened wide her red nostrils37, and pawed the straw with one little foot, while her eyes shone with sudden fire, and her ears were pricked38 up as if to catch again the shouts she heard that day.
"'I wish you had, for I won, I won! The big black horse did his best, but I had vowed41 to win or die, and I kept my word, for I beat him by a head, and then dropped as if dead. I might as well have died then, people thought, for the poison, the exertion42, and the fall ruined me for a racer. My master cared no more for me, and would have had me shot if Bill had not saved my life. I was pronounced[Pg 76] good for nothing, and he bought me cheap. I was lame and useless for a long time, but his patient care did wonders, and just as I was able to be of use to him he was killed.
"'A gentleman in want of a saddle-horse purchased me because my easy gait and quiet temper suited him; for I was meek43 enough now, and my size fitted me to carry his delicate daughter.
"'For more than a year I served little Miss Alice, rejoicing to see how rosy44 her pale cheeks became, how upright her feeble figure grew, thanks to the hours spent with me; for my canter rocked her as gently as if she were in a cradle, and fresh air was the medicine she needed. She often said she owed her life to me, and I liked to think so, for she made my life a very easy one.
"'But somehow my good times never lasted long, and when Miss Alice went West I was sold. I had been so well treated that I looked as handsome and gay as ever, though my shoulder never was strong again, and I often had despondent45 moods, longing46 for the excitement of the race-course with the instinct of my kind; so I was glad when, attracted by my[Pg 77] spirit and beauty, a young army officer bought me and I went to the war. Ah! you never guessed that, did you? Yes, I did my part gallantly47 and saved my master's life more than once. You have observed how martial48 music delights me, but you don't know that it is because it reminds me of the proudest hour of my life. I've told you about the saddest; let me relate this also, and give me a pat for the brave action which won my master his promotion49, though I got no praise for my part of the achievement.
"'In one of the hottest battles my captain was ordered to lead his men to a most perilous50 exploit. They hesitated, so did he; for it must cost many lives, and, brave as they were, they paused an instant. But I settled the point, for I was wild with the sound of drums, the smell of powder, the excitement of the hour, and, finding myself sharply reined51 in, I rebelled, took the bit between my teeth, and dashed straight away into the midst of the fight, spite of all my rider could do. The men thought their captain led them on, and with a cheer they followed, carrying all before them.[Pg 78]
"'What happened just after that I never could remember, except that I got a wound here in my neck and a cut on my flank; the scar is there still, and I'm proud of it, though buyers always consider it a blemish52. But when the battle was won my master was promoted on the field, and I carried him up to the general as he sat among his officers under the torn flags.
"'Both of us were weary and wounded, both were full of pride at what we had done; but he got all the praise and the honor, I only a careless word and a better supper than usual.
"'I thought no one knew what I had done, and resented the ingratitude53 of your race; for it was the horse, not the man, who led that forlorn hope, and I did think I should have a rosette at least, when others got stars and bars for far less dangerous deeds. Never mind, my master knew the truth, and thanked me for my help by keeping me always with him till the sad day when he was shot in a skirmish, and lay for hours with none to watch and mourn over him but his faithful horse.
"'Then I knew how much he loved and thanked[Pg 79] me, for his hand stroked me while it had the strength, his eye turned to me till it grew too dim for seeing, and when help came, among the last words he whispered to a comrade were these, "Be kind to Rosa and send her safely home; she has earned her rest."
"'I had earned it, but I did not get it, for when I was sent home the old mother's heart was broken at the loss of her son, and she did not live long to cherish me. Then my hard times began, for my next owner was a fast young man, who ill used me in many ways, till the spirit of my father rose within me, and I gave my brutal55 master a grand runaway56 and smash-up.
"'To tame me down, I was sold for a car horse; and that almost killed me, for it was dreadful drudgery to tug, day after day, over the hard pavement with heavy loads behind me, uncongenial companions beside me, and no affection to cheer my life.
"'I have often longed to ask why Mr. Bergh does not try to prevent such crowds from piling into those cars; and now I beg you to do what you can to stop such an unmerciful abuse.[Pg 80]
"'In snow-storms it was awful, and more than one of my mates dropped dead with overwork and discouragement. I used to wish I could do the same, for my poor feet, badly shod, became so lame I could hardly walk at times, and the constant strain on the up grades brought back the old trouble in my shoulder worse than ever.
"'Why they did not kill me I don't know, for I was a miserable57 creature then; but there must be something attractive about me, I fancy, for people always seem to think me worth saving. What can it be, ma'am?'
"'Now, Rosa, don't be affected58; you know you are a very engaging little animal, and if you live to be forty will still have certain pretty ways about you, that win the hearts of women, if not of men. They see your weak points, and take a money view of the case; but we sympathize with your afflictions, are amused with your coquettish airs, and like your affectionate nature. Now hurry up and finish, for I find it a trifle cold out here.'
"I laughed as I spoke, for Rosa eyed me with a sidelong glance and gently waved the docked tail,[Pg 81] which was her delight; for the sly thing liked to be flattered and was as fond of compliments as a girl.
"'Many thanks. I will come now to the most interesting portion of my narrative59. As I was saying, instead of knocking me on the head I was packed off to New Hampshire, and had a fine rest among the green hills, with a dozen or so of weary friends. It was during this holiday that I acquired the love of nature which Miss Merry detected and liked in me, when she found me ready to study sunsets with her, to admire new landscapes, and enjoy bright summer weather.
"'In the autumn a livery-stable keeper bought me, and through the winter fed me up till I was quite presentable in the spring. It was a small town, but through the summer many city people visited there, so I was kept on the trot7 while the season lasted, because ladies could drive me. You, Miss Belinda, were one of the ladies, and I never shall forget, though I have long ago forgiven it, how you laughed at my queer gait the day you hired me.
"'My tender feet and stiff knees made me tread very gingerly, and amble60 along with short mincing[Pg 82] steps, which contrasted oddly, I know, with my proudly waving tail and high-carried head. You liked me nevertheless, because I didn't rattle61 you down the steep hills, was not afraid of locomotives, and stood patiently while you gathered flowers and enjoyed the lovely prospects62.
"'I have always felt a regard for you since you did not whip me, and admired my eyes, which, I may say without vanity, have always been considered unusually fine. But no one ever won my whole heart like Miss Merry, and I never shall forget the happy day when she came to the stable to order a saddle-horse. Her cheery voice made me prick39 up my ears, and when she said, after looking at several showy beasts, "No, they don't suit me. This one now has the right air; can I ride her?" my heart danced within me and I looked round with a whinny of delight. She understood my welcome, and came right up to me, patted me, peered into my face, rubbed my nose, and looked at my feet with an air of interest and sympathy, that made me feel as if I'd like to carry her round the world.
"'Ah, what rides we had after that! What happy[Pg 83] hours trotting63 gayly through the green woods, galloping64 over the breezy hills, or pacing slowly along quiet lanes, where I often lunched luxuriously65 on clover-tops, while Miss Merry took a sketch66 of some picturesque67 bit with me in the foreground.
"'I liked that, and we had long chats at such times, for she seemed to understand me perfectly. She was never frightened when I danced for pleasure on the soft turf, never chid68 me when I snatched a bite from the young trees as we passed through sylvan69 ways, never thought it a trouble to let me wet my tired feet in babbling70 brooks71, or to dismount and take out the stones that plagued me.
"'Then how well she rode! So firm yet light a seat, so steady a hand, so agile72 a foot to spring on and off, and such infectious spirits, that no matter how despondent or cross I might be, in five minutes I felt gay and young again when dear Miss Merry was on my back.'
"Here Rosa gave a frisk that sent the straw flying, and made me shrink into a corner, while she pranced about the box with a neigh which waked the big brown colt next door, and set poor Buttercup to low[Pg 84]ing for her calf73, the loss of which she had forgotten for a little while in sleep.
"'Ah, Miss Merry never ran away from me! She knew my heels were to be trusted, and she let me caper74 as I would, glad to see me lively. Never mind, Miss Belinda, come out and I'll be sober, as befits my years,' laughed Rosa, composing herself, and adding, so like a woman that I could not help smiling in the dark,—
"'When I say "years" I beg you to understand that I am not as old as that base man declared, but just in the prime of life for a horse. Hard usage has made me seem old before my time, and I am good for years of service yet.'
"'Few people have been through as much as you have, Rosa, and you certainly have earned the right to rest,' I said consolingly, for her little whims75 and vanities amused me much.
"'You know what happened next,' she continued; 'but I must seize this opportunity to express my thanks for all the kindness I've received since Miss Merry bought me, in spite of the ridicule76 and dissuasion77 of all her friends.[Pg 85]
"'I know I didn't look like a good bargain, for I was very thin and lame and shabby; but she saw and loved the willing spirit in me, pitied my hard lot, and felt that it would be a good deed to buy me even if she never got much work out of me.
"'I shall always remember that, and whatever happens to me hereafter, I never shall be as proud again as I was the day she put my new saddle and bridle78 on, and I was led out, sleek79, plump, and handsome, with blue rosettes at my ears, my tail cut in the English style, and on my back Miss Merry in her London hat and habit, all ready to head a cavalcade80 of eighteen horsemen and horsewomen. We were the most perfect pair of all, and when the troop caracoled down the wide street six abreast81, my head was the highest, my rider the straightest, and our two hearts the friendliest in all the goodly company.
"'Nor is it pride and love alone that binds82 me to her, it is gratitude54 as well, for did not she often bathe my feet herself, rub me down, water me, blanket me, and daily come to see me when I was here alone for weeks in the winter time? Didn't she study horses' feet and shoes, that I might be cured if pos[Pg 86]sible? Didn't she write to the famous friend of my race for advice, and drive me seven miles to get a good smith to shoe me well? Have not my poor contracted feet grown much better, thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me? Am I not fat and handsome, and, barring the stiff knees, a very presentable horse? If I am, it is all owing to her; and for that reason I want to live and die in her service.
"'She doesn't want to sell me, and only bade you do it because you didn't want the care of me while she is gone. Dear Miss Belinda, please keep me! I'll eat as little as I can. I won't ask for a new blanket, though your old army one is very thin and shabby. I'll trot for you all winter, and try not to show it if I am lame. I'll do anything a horse can, no matter how humble83, to earn my living, only don't, pray don't send me away among strangers who have neither interest nor pity for me!'
"Rosa had spoken rapidly, feeling that her plea must be made now or never, for before another Christmas she might be far away and speech of no use to win her wish. I was much touched, though[Pg 87] she was only a horse; for she was looking earnestly at me as she spoke, and made the last words very eloquent84 by preparing to bend her stiff knees and lie down at my feet. I stopped her, and answered, with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my hand,—
"'You shall not be sold, Rosa! you shall go and board at Mr. Town's great stable, where you will have pleasant society among the eighty horses who usually pass the winter there. Your shoes shall be taken off, and you shall rest till March at least. The best care will be taken of you, dear, and I will come and see you; and in the spring you shall return to us, even if Miss Merry is not here to welcome you.'
"'Thanks, many, many thanks! But I wish I could do something to earn my board. I hate to be idle, though rest is delicious. Is there nothing I can do to repay you, Miss Belinda? Please answer quickly, for I know the hour is almost over,' cried Rosa, stamping with anxiety; for, like all her sex, she wanted the last word.
"'Yes, you can,' I cried, as a sudden idea popped[Pg 88] into my head. 'I'll write down what you have told me, and send the little story to a certain paper I know of, and the money I get for it will pay your board. So rest in peace, my dear; you will have earned your living, and may feel that your debt is paid.'
"Before she could reply the clock struck one, and a long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power. But we understood each other now, and, cutting a lock from her mane for Miss Merry, I gave Rosa a farewell caress85 and went away, wondering if I had made it all up, or if she had really broken a year's silence and freed her mind.
"However that may be, here is the tale, and the sequel to it is, that the bay mare has really gone to board at a first-class stable," concluded Miss Belinda. "I call occasionally and leave my card in the shape of an apple, finding Madam Rosa living like an independent lady, with her large box and private yard on the sunny side of the barn, a kind ostler to wait upon her, and much genteel society from the city when she is inclined for company.
"What more could any reasonable horse desire?"
点击收听单词发音
1 ward | |
n.守卫,监护,病房,行政区,由监护人或法院保护的人(尤指儿童);vt.守护,躲开 | |
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2 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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3 labors | |
v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 );苦干;详细分析;(指引擎)缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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4 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
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5 relish | |
n.滋味,享受,爱好,调味品;vt.加调味料,享受,品味;vi.有滋味 | |
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6 hood | |
n.头巾,兜帽,覆盖;v.罩上,以头巾覆盖 | |
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7 trot | |
n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧 | |
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8 trotted | |
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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9 rustling | |
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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10 poked | |
v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 );戳出;拨弄;与(某人)性交 | |
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11 inverted | |
adj.反向的,倒转的v.使倒置,使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12 munched | |
v.用力咀嚼(某物),大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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13 contentedly | |
adv.心满意足地 | |
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14 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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15 mare | |
n.母马,母驴 | |
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16 fixed | |
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的 | |
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17 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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18 confide | |
v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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19 lame | |
adj.跛的,(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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20 tug | |
v.用力拖(或拉);苦干;n.拖;苦干;拖船 | |
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21 hearty | |
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
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22 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
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23 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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24 drudgery | |
n.苦工,重活,单调乏味的工作 | |
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25 sniff | |
vi.嗅…味道;抽鼻涕;对嗤之以鼻,蔑视 | |
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26 renowned | |
adj.著名的,有名望的,声誉鹊起的 | |
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27 flora | |
n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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28 skilful | |
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的 | |
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29 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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30 belle | |
n.靓女 | |
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31 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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32 mash | |
n.麦芽浆,糊状物,土豆泥;v.把…捣成糊状,挑逗,调情 | |
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33 confiding | |
adj.相信人的,易于相信的v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的现在分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
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34 regain | |
vt.重新获得,收复,恢复 | |
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35 pranced | |
v.(马)腾跃( prance的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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36 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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37 nostrils | |
鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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38 pricked | |
刺,扎,戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 ); 刺伤; 刺痛; 使剧痛 | |
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39 prick | |
v.刺伤,刺痛,刺孔;n.刺伤,刺痛 | |
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40 ardor | |
n.热情,狂热 | |
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41 vowed | |
起誓,发誓(vow的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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42 exertion | |
n.尽力,努力 | |
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43 meek | |
adj.温顺的,逆来顺受的 | |
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44 rosy | |
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的 | |
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45 despondent | |
adj.失望的,沮丧的,泄气的 | |
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46 longing | |
n.(for)渴望 | |
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47 gallantly | |
adv. 漂亮地,勇敢地,献殷勤地 | |
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48 martial | |
adj.战争的,军事的,尚武的,威武的 | |
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49 promotion | |
n.提升,晋级;促销,宣传 | |
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50 perilous | |
adj.危险的,冒险的 | |
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51 reined | |
勒缰绳使(马)停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 ); 驾驭; 严格控制; 加强管理 | |
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52 blemish | |
v.损害;玷污;瑕疵,缺点 | |
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53 ingratitude | |
n.忘恩负义 | |
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54 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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55 brutal | |
adj.残忍的,野蛮的,不讲理的 | |
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56 runaway | |
n.逃走的人,逃亡,亡命者;adj.逃亡的,逃走的 | |
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57 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
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58 affected | |
adj.不自然的,假装的 | |
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59 narrative | |
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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60 amble | |
vi.缓行,漫步 | |
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61 rattle | |
v.飞奔,碰响;激怒;n.碰撞声;拨浪鼓 | |
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62 prospects | |
n.希望,前途(恒为复数) | |
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63 trotting | |
小跑,急走( trot的现在分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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64 galloping | |
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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65 luxuriously | |
adv.奢侈地,豪华地 | |
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66 sketch | |
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述 | |
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67 picturesque | |
adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
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68 chid | |
v.责骂,责备( chide的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69 sylvan | |
adj.森林的 | |
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70 babbling | |
n.胡说,婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 );作潺潺声(如流水);含糊不清地说话;泄漏秘密 | |
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71 brooks | |
n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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72 agile | |
adj.敏捷的,灵活的 | |
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73 calf | |
n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮 | |
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74 caper | |
v.雀跃,欢蹦;n.雀跃,跳跃;续随子,刺山柑花蕾;嬉戏 | |
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75 WHIMS | |
虚妄,禅病 | |
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76 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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77 dissuasion | |
n.劝止;谏言 | |
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78 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
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79 sleek | |
adj.光滑的,井然有序的;v.使光滑,梳拢 | |
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80 cavalcade | |
n.车队等的行列 | |
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81 abreast | |
adv.并排地;跟上(时代)的步伐,与…并进地 | |
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82 binds | |
v.约束( bind的第三人称单数 );装订;捆绑;(用长布条)缠绕 | |
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83 humble | |
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低 | |
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84 eloquent | |
adj.雄辩的,口才流利的;明白显示出的 | |
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85 caress | |
vt./n.爱抚,抚摸 | |
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