That he was not actually at the end of his resources went for nothing; he held the distinction a quibble, mockingly immaterial,—like the store of guineas in his pocket, too insignificant10 for mention when contrasted with his needs. And his base of supplies, the American city of his nativity, whence—and not without a glow of pride in his secret heart—he was wont12 to register at foreign hostelries, had been arbitrarily cut off from him by one of those accidents sardonically14 classified by insurance and express corporations as Acts of God.
Now to one who has lived all his days serenely15 in accord with the dictates16 of his own sweet will, taking no thought for the morrow, such a situation naturally seems both appalling17 and intolerable, at the first blush. It must be confessed that, to begin with, Kirkwood drew a long and disconsolate18 face over his fix. And in that black hour, primitive19 of its kind in his brief span, he became conscious of a sinister20 apparition21 taking shape at his elbow—a shade of darkness which, clouting22 him on the back with a skeleton hand, croaked23 hollow salutations in his ear.
"Come, Mr. Kirkwood, come!" its mirthless accents rallied him. "Have you no welcome for me?—you, who have been permitted to live the quarter of a century without making my acquaintance? Surely, now, it's high time we were learning something of one another, you and I!" "But I don't understand," returned Kirkwood blankly. "I don't know you—"
"True! But you shall: I am the Shade of Care—"
"Dull Care!" murmured Kirkwood, bewildered and dismayed; for the visitation had come upon him with little presage25 and no invitation whatever.
"Dull Care," the Shade assured him. "Dull Care am I—and Care that's anything but dull, into the bargain: Care that's like a keen pain in your body, Care that lives a horror in your mind, Care that darkens your days and flavors with bitter poison all your nights, Care that—"
But Kirkwood would not listen further. Courageously26 submissive to his destiny, knowing in his heart that the Shade had come to stay, he yet found spirit to shake himself with a dogged air, to lift his chin, set the strong muscles of his jaw27, and smile that homely28 wholesome29 smile which was his peculiarly.
"Very well," he accepted the irremediable with grim humor; "what must be, must. I don't pretend to be glad to see you, but—you're free to stay as long as you find the climate agreeable. I warn you I shan't whine30. Lots of men, hundreds and hundreds of 'em, have slept tight o' nights with you for bedfellow; if they could grin and bear you, I believe I can."
Now Care mocked him with a sardonic13 laugh, and sought to tighten31 upon his shoulders its bony grasp; but Kirkwood resolutely32 shrugged33 it off and went in search of man's most faithful dumb friend, to wit, his pipe; the which, when found and filled, he lighted with a spill twisted from the envelope of a cable message which had been vicariously responsible for his introduction to the Shade of Care.
"It's about time," he announced, watching the paper blacken and burn in the grate fire, "that I was doing something to prove my title to a living." And this was all his valedictory34 to a vanished competence35. "Anyway," he added hastily, as if fearful lest Care, overhearing, might have read into his tone a trace of vain repining, "anyway, I'm a sight better off than those poor devils over there! I really have a great deal to be thankful for, now that my attention's drawn36 to it."
For the ensuing few minutes he thought it all over, soberly but with a stout37 heart; standing6 at a window of his bedroom in the Hotel Pless, hands deep in trouser pockets, pipe fuming38 voluminously, his gaze wandering out over a blurred39 infinitude of wet shining roofs and sooty chimney-pots: all of London that a lowering drizzle40 would let him see, and withal by no means a cheering prospect41, nor yet one calculated to offset42 the disheartening influence of the indomitable Shade of Care. But the truth is that Kirkwood's brain comprehended little that his eyes perceived; his thoughts were with his heart, and that was half a world away and sick with pity for another and a fairer city, stricken in the flower of her loveliness, writhing43 in Promethean agony upon her storied hills.
There came a rapping at the door.
Kirkwood removed the pipe from between his teeth long enough to say "Come in!" pleasantly.
The knob was turned, the door opened. Kirkwood, swinging on one heel, beheld44 hesitant upon the threshold a diminutive45 figure in the livery of the Pless pages.
"Mister Kirkwood?"
Kirkwood nodded.
"Gentleman to see you, sir."
Kirkwood nodded again, smiling. "Show him up, please," he said. But before the words were fairly out of his mouth a footfall sounded in the corridor, a hand was placed upon the shoulder of the page, gently but with decision swinging him out of the way, and a man stepped into the room.
"Mr. Brentwick!" Kirkwood almost shouted, jumping forward to seize his visitor's hand.
"My dear boy!" replied the latter. "I'm delighted to see you. 'Got your note not an hour ago, and came at once—you see!"
"It was mighty46 good of you. Sit down, please. Here are cigars.... Why, a moment ago I was the most miserable47 and lonely mortal on the footstool!"
"I can fancy." The elder man looked up, smiling at Kirkwood from the depths of his arm-chair, as the latter stood above him, resting an elbow on the mantel. "The management knows me," he offered explanation of his unceremonious appearance; "so I took the liberty of following on the heels of the bellhop, dear boy. And how are you? Why are you in London, enjoying our abominable48 spring weather? And why the anxious undertone I detected in your note?"
He continued to stare curiously49 into Kirkwood's face. At a glance, this Mr. Brentwick was a man of tallish figure and rather slender; with a countenance50 thin and flushed a sensitive pink, out of which his eyes shone, keen, alert, humorous, and a trace wistful behind his glasses. His years were indeterminate; with the aspect of fifty, the spirit and the verve of thirty assorted51 oddly. But his hands were old, delicate, fine and fragile; and the lips beneath the drooping52 white mustache at times trembled, almost imperceptibly, with the generous sentiments that come with mellow53 age. He held his back straight and his head with an air—an air that was not a swagger but the sign-token of seasoned experience in the world. The most carping could have found no flaw in the quiet taste of his attire54. To sum up, Kirkwood's very good friend—and his only one then in London—Mr. Brentwick looked and was an English gentleman.
"Why?" he persisted, as the younger man hesitated. "I am here to find out. To-night I leave for the Continent. In the meantime ..."
"And at midnight I sail for the States," added Kirkwood. "That is mainly why I wished to see you—to say good-by, for the time."
"You're going home—" A shadow clouded Brentwick's clear eyes.
"To fight it out, shoulder to shoulder with my brethren in adversity."
The cloud lifted. "That is the spirit!" declared the elder man. "For the moment I did you the injustice55 to believe that you were running away. But now I understand. Forgive me.... Pardon, too, the stupidity which I must lay at the door of my advancing years; to me the thought of you as a Parisian fixture56 has become such a commonplace, Philip, that the news of the disaster hardly stirred me. Now I remember that you are a Californian!"
"I was born in San Francisco," affirmed Kirkwood a bit sadly. "My father and mother were buried there ..."
"And your fortune—?"
"I inherited my father's interest in the firm of Kirkwood & Vanderlip; when I came over to study painting, I left everything in Vanderlip's hands. The business afforded me a handsome living."
"You have heard from Mr. Vanderlip?"
"Fifteen minutes ago." Kirkwood took a cable-form, still damp, from his pocket, and handed it to his guest. Unfolding it, the latter read:
"Kirkwood, Pless, London. Stay where you are no good coming back everything gone no insurance letter follows vanderlip."
"When I got the news in Paris," Kirkwood volunteered, "I tried the banks; they refused to honor my drafts. I had a little money in hand,—enough to see me home,—so closed the studio and came across. I'm booked on the Minneapolis, sailing from Tilbury at daybreak; the boat-train leaves at eleven-thirty. I had hoped you might be able to dine with me and see me off."
In silence Brentwick returned the cable message. Then, with a thoughtful look, "You are sure this is wise?" he queried57.
"It's the only thing I can see."
"But your partner says—"
"Naturally he thinks that by this time I should have learned to paint well enough to support myself for a few months, until he can get things running again. Perhaps I might." Brentwick supported the presumption58 with a decided59 gesture. "But have I a right to leave Vanderlip to fight it out alone? For Vanderlip has a wife and kiddies to support; I—"
"Your genius!"
"My ability, such as it is—and that only. It can wait.... No; this means simply that I must come down from the clouds, plant my feet on solid earth, and get to work."
"The sentiment is sound," admitted Brentwick, "the practice of it, folly60. Have you stopped to think what part a rising young portrait-painter can contribute toward the rebuilding of a devastated61 city?"
"The painting can wait," reiterated62 Kirkwood. "I can work like other men."
"You can do yourself and your genius grave injustice. And I fear me you will, dear boy. It's in keeping with your heritage of American obstinacy63. Now if it were a question of money—"
"Mr. Brentwick!" Kirkwood protested vehemently65. "I've ample for my present needs," he added.
"Of course," conceded Brentwick with a sigh. "I didn't really hope you would avail yourself of our friendship. Now there's my home in Aspen Villas66.... You have seen it?"
"In your absence this afternoon your estimable butler, with commendable67 discretion68, kept me without the doors," laughed the young man.
"It's a comfortable home. You would not consent to share it with me until—?"
"You are more than good; but honestly, I must sail to-night. I wanted only this chance to see you before I left. You'll dine with me, won't you?"
"If you would stay in London, Philip, we would dine together not once but many times; as it is, I myself am booked for Munich, to be gone a week, on business. I have many affairs needing attention between now and the nine-ten train from Victoria. If you will be my guest at Aspen Villas—"
"Please!" begged Kirkwood, with a little laugh of pleasure because of the other's insistence69. "I only wish I could. Another day—"
"Oh, you will make your million in a year, and return scandalously independent. It's in your American blood." Frail70 white fingers tapped an arm of the chair as their owner stared gravely into the fire. "I confess I envy you," he observed.
"The opportunity to make a million in a year?" chuckled71 Kirkwood.
"No. I envy you your Romance."
"The Romance of a Poor Young Man went out of fashion years ago.... No, my dear friend; my Romance died a natural death half an hour since."
"There spoke72 Youth—blind, enviable Youth!... On the contrary, you are but turning the leaves of the first chapter of your Romance, Philip."
"Romance is dead," contended the young man stubbornly.
"Long live the King!" Brentwick laughed quietly, still attentive73 to the fire. "Myself when young," he said softly, "did seek Romance, but never knew it till its day was done. I'm quite sure that is a poor paraphrase74 of something I have read. In age, one's sight is sharpened—to see Romance in another's life, at least. I say I envy you. You have Youth, unconquerable Youth, and the world before you.... I must go."
He rose stiffly, as though suddenly made conscious of his age. The old eyes peered more than a trifle wistfully, now, into Kirkwood's. "You will not fail to call on me by cable, dear boy, if you need—anything? I ask it as a favor.... I'm glad you wished to see me before going out of my life. One learns to value the friendship of Youth, Philip. Good-by, and good luck attend you."
Alone once more, Kirkwood returned to his window. The disappointment he felt at being robbed of his anticipated pleasure in Brentwick's company at dinner, colored his mood unpleasantly. His musings merged75 into vacuity76, into a dull gray mist of hopelessness comparable only to the dismal77 skies then lowering over London-town.
Brentwick was good, but Brentwick was mistaken. There was really nothing for Kirkwood to do but to go ahead. But one steamer-trunk remained to be packed; the boat-train would leave before midnight, the steamer with the morning tide; by the morrow's noon he would be upon the high seas, within ten days in New York and among friends; and then ...
The problem of that afterwards perplexed78 Kirkwood more than he cared to own. Brentwick had opened his eyes to the fact that he would be practically useless in San Francisco; he could not harbor the thought of going back, only to become a charge upon Vanderlip. No; he was resolved that thenceforward he must rely upon himself, carve out his own destiny. But—would the art that he had cultivated with such assiduity, yield him a livelihood79 if sincerely practised with that end in view? Would the mental and physical equipment of a painter, heretofore dilettante80, enable him to become self-supporting?
Knotting his brows in concentration of effort to divine the future, he doubted himself, darkly questioning alike his abilities and his temper under trial; neither ere now had ever been put to the test. His eyes became somberly wistful, his heart sore with regret of Yesterday—his Yesterday of care-free youth and courage, gilded81 with the ineffable82, evanescent glamour83 of Romance—of such Romance, thrice refined of dross84, as only he knows who has wooed his Art with passion passing the love of woman.
Far away, above the acres of huddled85 roofs and chimney-pots, the storm-mists thinned, lifting transiently; through them, gray, fairy-like, the towers of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament bulked monstrous86 and unreal, fading when again the fugitive87 dun vapors88 closed down upon the city.
Nearer at hand the Shade of Care nudged Kirkwood's elbow, whispering subtly. Romance was indeed dead; the world was cold and cruel.
The gloom deepened.
In the cant11 of modern metaphysics, the moment was psychological.
There came a rapping at the door.
Kirkwood removed the pipe from between his teeth long enough to say "Come in!" pleasantly.
The knob was turned, the door opened. Kirkwood, turning on one heel, beheld hesitant upon the threshold a diminutive figure in the livery of the Pless pages.
"Mr. Kirkwood?"
Kirkwood nodded.
"Gentleman to see you, sir."
Kirkwood nodded again, smiling if somewhat perplexed. Encouraged, the child advanced, proffering89 a silver card-tray at the end of an unnaturally91 rigid92 forearm. Kirkwood took the card dubiously93 between thumb and forefinger94 and inspected it without prejudice.
"'George B. Calendar,'" he read. "'George B. Calendar!' But I know no such person. Sure there's no mistake, young man?"
The close-cropped, bullet-shaped, British head was agitated95 in vigorous negation96, and "Card for Mister Kirkwood!" was mumbled97 in dispassionate accents appropriate to a recitation by rote64.
"Very well. But before you show him up, ask this Mr. Calendar if he is quite sure he wants to see Philip Kirkwood."
"Yessir."
The child marched out, punctiliously98 closing the door. Kirkwood tamped99 down the tobacco in his pipe and puffed100 energetically, dismissing the interruption to his reverie as a matter of no consequence—an obvious mistake to be rectified101 by two words with this Mr. Calendar whom he did not know. At the knock he had almost hoped it might be Brentwick, returning with a changed mind about the bid to dinner.
He regretted Brentwick sincerely. Theirs was a curious sort of friendship—extraordinarily close in view of the meagerness of either's information about the other, to say nothing of the disparity between their ages. Concerning the elder man Kirkwood knew little more than that they had met on shipboard, "coming over"; that Brentwick had spent some years in America; that he was an Englishman by birth, a cosmopolitan102 by habit, by profession a gentleman (employing that term in its most uncompromisingly British significance), and by inclination103 a collector of "articles of virtue104 and bigotry," in pursuit of which he made frequent excursions to the Continent from his residence in a quaint24 quiet street of Old Brompton. It had been during his not infrequent, but ordinarily abbreviated105, sojourns106 in Paris that their steamer acquaintance had ripened107 into an affection almost filial on the one hand, almost paternal108 on the other....
There came a rapping at the door.
Kirkwood removed the pipe from between his teeth long enough to say "Come in!" pleasantly.
The knob was turned, the door opened. Kirkwood, swinging on one heel, beheld hesitant upon the threshold a rather rotund figure of medium height, clad in an expressionless gray lounge suit, with a brown "bowler109" hat held tentatively in one hand, an umbrella weeping in the other. A voice, which was unctuous110 and insinuative, emanated111 from the figure.
"Mr. Kirkwood?"
Kirkwood nodded, with some effort recalling the name, so detached had been his thoughts since the disappearance112 of the page.
"Yes, Mr. Calendar—?"
"Are you—ah—busy, Mr. Kirkwood?"
"Are you, Mr. Calendar?" Kirkwood's smile robbed the retort of any flavor of incivility.
Encouraged, the man entered, premising that he would detain his host but a moment, and readily surrendering hat and umbrella. Kirkwood, putting the latter aside, invited his caller to the easy chair which Brentwick had occupied by the fireplace.
"It takes the edge off the dampness," Kirkwood explained in deference114 to the other's look of pleased surprise at the cheerful bed of coals. "I'm afraid I could never get acclimated115 to life in a cold, damp room—or a damp cold room—such as you Britishers prefer."
"It is grateful," Mr. Calendar agreed, spreading plump and well cared-for hands to the warmth. "But you are mistaken; I am as much an American as yourself."
"Yes?" Kirkwood looked the man over with more interest, less matter-of-course courtesy.
He proved not unprepossessing, this unclassifiable Mr. Calendar; he was dressed with some care, his complexion116 was good, and the fullness of his girth, emphasized as it was by a notable lack of inches, bespoke117 a nature genial118, easy-going and sybaritic. His dark eyes, heavy-lidded, were active—curiously, at times, with a subdued119 glitter—in a face large, round, pink, of which the other most remarkable120 features were a mustache, close-trimmed and showing streaks121 of gray, a chubby122 nose, and duplicate chins. Mr. Calendar was furthermore possessed123 of a polished bald spot, girdled with a tonsure124 of silvered hair—circumstances which lent some factitious distinction to a personality otherwise commonplace.
His manner might be best described as uneasy with assurance; as though he frequently found it necessary to make up for his unimpressive stature125 by assuming an unnatural90 habit of authority. And there you have him; beyond these points, Kirkwood was conscious of no impressions; the man was apparently126 neutral-tinted of mind as well as of body.
"So you knew I was an American, Mr. Calendar?" suggested Kirkwood.
"'Saw your name on the register; we both hail from the same neck of the woods, you know."
"I didn't know it, and—"
"Yes; I'm from Frisco, too."
"And I'm sorry."
Mr. Calendar passed five fat fingers nervously127 over his mustache, glanced alertly up at Kirkwood, as if momentarily inclined to question his tone, then again stared glumly128 into the fire; for Kirkwood had maintained an attitude purposefully colorless. Not to put too fine a point upon it, he believed that his caller was lying; the man's appearance, his mannerisms, his voice and enunciation129, while they might have been American, seemed all un-Californian. To one born and bred in that state, as Kirkwood had been, her sons are unmistakably hall-marked.
Now no man lies without motive130. This one chose to reaffirm, with a show of deep feeling: "Yes; I'm from Frisco, too. We're companions in misfortune."
"I hope not altogether," said Kirkwood politely.
Mr. Calendar drew his own inferences from the response and mustered131 up a show of cheerfulness. "Then you're not completely wiped out?"
"To the contrary, I was hoping you were less unhappy."
"Oh! Then you are—?"
Kirkwood lifted the cable message from the mantel. "I have just heard from my partner at home," he said with a faint smile; and quoted: "'Everything gone; no insurance.'"
Mr. Calendar pursed his plump lips, whistling inaudibly. "Too bad, too bad!" he murmured sympathetically. "We're all hard hit, more or less." He lapsed132 into dejected apathy133, from which Kirkwood, growing at length impatient, found it necessary to rouse him.
"You wished to see me about something else, I'm sure?"
Mr. Calendar started from his reverie. "Eh? ... I was dreaming. I beg pardon. It seems hard to realize, Mr. Kirkwood, that this awful catastrophe134 has overtaken our beloved metropolis—"
The canting phrases wearied Kirkwood; abruptly135 he cut in. "Would a sovereign help you out, Mr. Calendar? I don't mind telling you that's about the limit of my present resources."
"Pardon me." Mr. Calendar's moon-like countenance darkened; he assumed a transparent136 dignity. "You misconstrue my motive, sir."
"Then I'm sorry."
"I am not here to borrow. On the other hand, quite by accident I discovered your name upon the register, down-stairs; a good old Frisco name, if you will permit me to say so. I thought to myself that here was a chance to help a fellow-countryman." Calendar paused, interrogative; Kirkwood remained interested but silent. "If a passage across would help you, I—I think it might be arranged," stammered137 Calendar, ill at ease.
"It might," admitted Kirkwood, speculative138.
"I could fix it so that you could go over—first-class, of course—and pay your way, so to speak, by, rendering113 us, me and my partner, a trifling139 service."
"Ah?"
"In fact," continued Calendar, warming up to his theme, "there might be something more in it for you than the passage, if—if you're the right man, the man I'm looking for."
"That, of course, is the question."
"Eh?" Calendar pulled up suddenly in a full-winged flight of enthusiasm.
Kirkwood eyed him steadily140. "I said that it is a question, Mr. Calendar, whether or not I am the man you're looking for. Between you and me and the fire-dogs, I don't believe I am. Now if you wish to name your quid pro5 quo, this trifling service I'm to render in recognition of your benevolence141, you may."
"Ye-es," slowly. But the speaker delayed his reply until he had surveyed his host from head to foot, with a glance both critical and appreciative142.
He saw a man in height rather less than the stock size six-feet so much in demand by the manufacturers of modern heroes of fiction; a man a bit round-shouldered, too, but otherwise sturdily built, self-contained, well-groomed.
Kirkwood wears a boy's honest face; no one has ever called him handsome. A few prejudiced persons have decided that he has an interesting countenance; the propounders of this verdict have been, for the most part, feminine. Kirkwood himself has been heard to declare that his features do not fit; in its essence the statement is true, but there is a very real, if undefinable, engaging quality in their very irregularity. His eyes are brown, pleasant, set wide apart, straightforward143 of expression.
Now it appeared that, whatever his motive, Mr. Calendar had acted upon impulse in sending his card up to Kirkwood. Possibly he had anticipated a very different sort of reception from a very different sort of man. Even in the light of subsequent events it remains144 difficult to fathom145 the mystery of his choice. Perhaps Fate directed it; stranger things have happened at the dictates of a man's Destiny.
At all events, this Calendar proved not lacking in penetration146; men of his stamp are commonly endowed with that quality to an eminent147 degree. Not slow to reckon the caliber148 of the man before him, the leaven149 of intuition began to work in his adipose150 intelligence. He owned himself baffled.
"Thanks," he concluded pensively151; "I reckon you're right. You won't do, after all. I've wasted your time. Mine, too."
"Don't mention it."
Calendar got heavily out of his chair, reaching for his hat and umbrella. "Permit me to apologize for an unwarrantable intrusion, Mr. Kirkwood." He faltered152; a worried and calculating look shadowed his small eyes. "I was looking for some one to serve me in a certain capacity—"
"Certain or questionable153?" propounded154 Kirkwood blandly155, opening the door.
Pointedly156 Mr. Calendar ignored the imputation157. "Sorry I disturbed you. G'dafternoon, Mr. Kirkwood."
"Good-by, Mr. Calendar." A smile twitched158 the corners of Kirkwood's too-wide mouth.
Calendar stepped hastily out into the hall. As he strode—or rather, rolled—away, Kirkwood maliciously159 feathered a Parthian arrow.
"By the way, Mr. Calendar—?"
The sound of retreating footsteps was stilled and "Yes?" came from the gloom of the corridor.
"Were you ever in San Francisco? Really and truly? Honest Injun, Mr. Calendar?"
For a space the quiet was disturbed by harsh breathing; then, in a strained voice, "Good day, Mr. Kirkwood"; and again the sound of departing footfalls.
Kirkwood closed the door and the incident simultaneously160, with a smart bang of finality. Laughing quietly he went back to the window with its dreary outlook, now the drearier161 for lengthening162 evening shadows.
"I wonder what his game is, anyway. An adventurer, of course; the woods are full of 'em. A queer fish, even of his kind! And with a trick up his sleeve as queer and fishy163 as himself, no doubt!"
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
dreary
|
|
| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
distressing
|
|
| a.使人痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
succinctly
|
|
| adv.简洁地；简洁地，简便地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
pro
|
|
| n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
inevitably
|
|
| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
mitigating
|
|
| v.减轻，缓和( mitigate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
insignificant
|
|
| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
cant
|
|
| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
wont
|
|
| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
sardonic
|
|
| adj.嘲笑的，冷笑的，讥讽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
sardonically
|
|
| adv.讽刺地，冷嘲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
serenely
|
|
| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
dictates
|
|
| n.命令，规定，要求( dictate的名词复数 )v.大声讲或读( dictate的第三人称单数 )；口授；支配；摆布 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
appalling
|
|
| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
disconsolate
|
|
| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
primitive
|
|
| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
apparition
|
|
| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
clouting
|
|
| v.（尤指用手）猛击，重打( clout的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
croaked
|
|
| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
presage
|
|
| n.预感，不祥感；v.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
courageously
|
|
| ad.勇敢地，无畏地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
homely
|
|
| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
wholesome
|
|
| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
whine
|
|
| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
tighten
|
|
| v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
resolutely
|
|
| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
valedictory
|
|
| adj.告别的；n.告别演说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
competence
|
|
| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
fuming
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
blurred
|
|
| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
drizzle
|
|
| v.下毛毛雨；n.毛毛雨，蒙蒙细雨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
offset
|
|
| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
writhing
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
diminutive
|
|
| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
abominable
|
|
| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
assorted
|
|
| adj.各种各样的，各色俱备的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
mellow
|
|
| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
attire
|
|
| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
injustice
|
|
| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
fixture
|
|
| n.固定设备；预定日期；比赛时间；定期存款 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
queried
|
|
| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
folly
|
|
| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
devastated
|
|
| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
reiterated
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
obstinacy
|
|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
rote
|
|
| n.死记硬背，生搬硬套 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
vehemently
|
|
| adv. 热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
villas
|
|
| 别墅，公馆( villa的名词复数 )； （城郊）住宅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
commendable
|
|
| adj.值得称赞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
insistence
|
|
| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
attentive
|
|
| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
paraphrase
|
|
| vt.将…释义，改写；n.释义，意义 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
merged
|
|
| （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： |
|
|
|
|
76
vacuity
|
|
| n.(想象力等)贫乏，无聊，空白 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
dismal
|
|
| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
perplexed
|
|
| adj.不知所措的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
livelihood
|
|
| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
dilettante
|
|
| n.半瓶醋，业余爱好者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
gilded
|
|
| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
ineffable
|
|
| adj.无法表达的，不可言喻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
glamour
|
|
| n.魔力，魅力；vt.迷住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
dross
|
|
| n.渣滓；无用之物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
monstrous
|
|
| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
fugitive
|
|
| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
vapors
|
|
| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
proffering
|
|
| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
90
unnatural
|
|
| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
unnaturally
|
|
| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
rigid
|
|
| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
dubiously
|
|
| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
agitated
|
|
| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
negation
|
|
| n.否定；否认 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
mumbled
|
|
| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
punctiliously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
tamped
|
|
| v.捣固( tamp的过去式和过去分词 )；填充；（用炮泥）封炮眼口；夯实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
puffed
|
|
| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
rectified
|
|
| [医]矫正的，调整的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
cosmopolitan
|
|
| adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
abbreviated
|
|
| adj. 简短的，省略的 动词abbreviate的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
sojourns
|
|
| n.逗留，旅居( sojourn的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
ripened
|
|
| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
paternal
|
|
| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
bowler
|
|
| n.打保龄球的人，（板球的）投（球）手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
unctuous
|
|
| adj.油腔滑调的，大胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
emanated
|
|
| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的过去式和过去分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
disappearance
|
|
| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
rendering
|
|
| n.表现，描写 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
deference
|
|
| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
acclimated
|
|
| v.使适应新环境，使服水土服水土，适应( acclimate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
bespoke
|
|
| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
streaks
|
|
| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
chubby
|
|
| adj.丰满的，圆胖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
tonsure
|
|
| n.削发；v.剃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
stature
|
|
| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
glumly
|
|
| adv.忧郁地，闷闷不乐地；阴郁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
enunciation
|
|
| n.清晰的发音；表明，宣言；口齿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
motive
|
|
| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
mustered
|
|
| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
lapsed
|
|
| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
apathy
|
|
| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
catastrophe
|
|
| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
transparent
|
|
| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
stammered
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
speculative
|
|
| adj.思索性的，暝想性的，推理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
benevolence
|
|
| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
appreciative
|
|
| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
straightforward
|
|
| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
penetration
|
|
| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
eminent
|
|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
caliber
|
|
| n.能力；水准 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
leaven
|
|
| v.使发酵；n.酵母；影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
adipose
|
|
| adj.脂肪质的，脂肪多的；n.（储于脂肪组织中的）动物脂肪；肥胖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
pensively
|
|
| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
faltered
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
questionable
|
|
| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
propounded
|
|
| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
blandly
|
|
| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
pointedly
|
|
| adv.尖地，明显地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
imputation
|
|
| n.归罪，责难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
twitched
|
|
| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
maliciously
|
|
| adv.有敌意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
simultaneously
|
|
| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
drearier
|
|
| 使人闷闷不乐或沮丧的( dreary的比较级 )； 阴沉的； 令人厌烦的； 单调的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
162
lengthening
|
|
| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
fishy
|
|
| adj. 值得怀疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |