His methods were so bizarre and so baroque and he was such a past-master of the art of publicity8 that he always afforded first-page “copy” whenever he arrived in a city. His meetings were held in great specially9 constructed tabernacles seating ten thousand or more persons and were conducted with a splendid sense of dramatic values for he was a keen psychologist and he knew the things best calculated to move and sway great groups of people. The judicious10 and the ultra-dignified who came to grieve or to sneer11 were usually carried away in a tumult12 of emotional excitement and were literally13 swept off their feet by the cumulative14 appeal of all his cunningly devised plans to “get to their innards,” as “Billy” himself was wont15 to phrase it in his own inelegant, but singularly effective style.
Not even Jimmy Martin himself had such a vocabulary of arresting and original slang as “Billy” Williams. His sermons reeked16 with it when he felt that the occasion warranted its use and even the most conservative of clergymen who at first frowned at such language in the pulpit were eventually obliged to admit that it had its place in a white-hot appeal made to a vast miscellaneous audience seated in an auditorium17 as long as a city block, an audience which would unquestionably remain unmoved if preached to in the chaste18 and austere19 phrases of the conventional pulpit orator20. The downright sincerity21 of the man and the compelling force of his powerful personality turned scoffers into ardent22 followers23 and made him indeed a mighty24 power in any city which he honored with a visit.
Early on the Sunday evening following the events hitherto chronicled a great crowd surged about the entrances to the huge wooden auditorium which sprawled25 over a lot in the environs of the city. It was a heterogeneous26 crowd not dissimilar in its composition to the other crowds which flocked in the summer to the great white tents which the circus pitched on this very spot. Most of those comprising it were quiet and orderly—apparently a little self-conscious of the necessity for decorum—but there were, here and there, a group of noisy and irrepressible Spirits, all of them young, who seemed to regard the occasion as one affording unequalled opportunities for a lark27. The doors had not yet been opened for the evening service and the throng28 grew to enormous proportions with each passing minute.
An acute observer in an aeroplane circling over the particular group which awaited entrance on the north side of the tabernacle would have noticed a little cluster of femininity in the front ranks which stood out vividly29 from the rather dull and neutral tone of the rest of the crowd like some brilliant pattern woven into a field of grayish tinge30.
There were rich purples, bright reds and gay greens in this little oasis31 of color and from it there arose light laughter and frivolous32 chatter33, the echoes of which carried to the shocked ears of those more serious minded persons who patiently waited on its edges for the onrush which always followed the opening of the doors. Jimmy Martin stood in the direct center of the oasis in his capacity as Personal Custodian34 of the Big Idea and tried to soothe35 those turbulent spirits among the members of the chorus of the “Keep Moving” company who were beginning to chafe36 at the delay.
“Say, young fellow,” drawled a svelte37 creature whose tawny38 hair glowed like an aureole as the last rays from the setting sun caught and kindled39 it, “I haven’t stood as long as this since I quit cloak and suit modeling to decorate the drama. Where do you get this stuff anyway? What do you think we are—a troupe40 of trained seals?”
“That’s what I say,” broke in a young person with the soft eyes of a Rubens’ seraph41. “I called off a perfectly42 good dinner date with a dandy little Harvard rah-rah just because Bartlett made a personal matter out of this thing and here we are standing43 around with the other hicks waiting for the side-show to begin and wasting perfectly good and valuable time. Press agents always did get my goat.”
“Mine, too,” remarked a languid houri whose pallid44 face was set off by a pair of enormous green earrings45. “In New York I wouldn’t think of standing in line for a chance to see the signing of the Declaration of Independence with the original cast, and here I am getting corns on my tootsies waiting to listen to a fellow that anyone can hear any time for nothing at all. Really, girls, I don’t think any of us are in our right minds.”
“I know it’s a nuisance, ladies,” said Jimmy urbanely46, “but when you see the smear47 that I think we’re goin’ to land in tomorrow’s papers you’ll be thankful that you stuck along. I want you all to sit in a group by yourselves and don’t any of you try to be too shrinking. I want the newspaper bunch to find you’re there without my tellin’ ’em. Then it’ll look as if your bein’ there is more on the level than otherwise. When it comes to the singin’ I want all of you, please, to cut in for all it’s worth just as if Bartlett was sittin’ down in front at a dress rehearsal48.”
“When the trail hittin’ begins just sit tight and register intense interest in the proceedings49. If any of you laugh it’ll spoil the whole arrangement. I was at one of these meetin’s out in Denver a couple of years ago and when those folks start comin’ down the aisles51 believe me it ain’t anything to get funny about. If any of the newspaper crowd get to you when it’s all over I want whoever does any talkin’ to say that you’re all profoundly impressed with everything and all that, and that you’re all comin’ again tomorrow afternoon and whenever else you get a chance.”
Jimmy didn’t heed52 the sarcastic53 reception with which his final words of instruction were greeted. His eyes were fixed54 admiringly for the moment on Lolita Murphy who stood near him talking earnestly to one of the “ponies.” To him she never looked prettier than she did in the simple little tailor-made suit and the trim black velvet55 toque which she had worn on the automobile56 ride they had taken together that afternoon, an excursion which seemed to have wiped out all traces of the “Cedar Rapids blues,” and which had left her smiling and happy again. She had protested a little against participating in the staging of Jimmy’s Big Idea, but had finally yielded to his persuasive58 arguments and here she was now, shining and radiant in contrast with her more elaborately attired59 and highly artificial sisters.
Just then a murmur60 swept through the crowd; attendants at the entrance shouted “easy, please, everyone,” and Jimmy and his group of more or less merry chorus maidens61 were caught in a whirling current of humanity which shot them through the door, rumpled63 and almost panic-stricken, and landed them at the head of a long aisle50 bisecting the huge empty auditorium which yawned before them, ablaze64 with lights and festooned with flags. The press agent was the first to collect his thoughts.
“Everybody make a dive for the front seats,” he shouted. “Follow me.”
The “Keep Moving” girls couldn’t do anything else. The surging crowd pressed them forward and they took the aisle on the run to avoid being knocked down. They all managed to get seats in the front rows where hand-mirrors, powder puffs65 and lip sticks soon came into play to the horror and stupefaction of many in the great choir66 of a thousand which occupied places on the platform directly in front of them.
Jimmy, having successfully performed his function as counselor67 and cicerone, was careful to seat himself a considerable distance away on the other side of the aisle where he effaced68 himself as much as possible by betraying an intense interest in a hymn69 book which was proffered70 him by an usher71. He knew that it wouldn’t do for him to be seen in close proximity72 to his charges by any of the keen-eyed reporters who were even now gathering73 at the press table underneath74 the reading desk in the center of the platform.
One of these reporters, a curly-headed youngster with laughing eyes, turned his chair around to get a comprehensive view of the thousands of persons who were jostling each other in the center and side aisles as the vast building rapidly filled up. He caught a glimpse of the numerous facial toilettes in progress in the front rows, ran an appraising75 eye over the entire group; smothered76 an unchurchly chuckle77 and nudged his nearest companion. Presently the entire press table was abuzz with whispered comment as the identity of the visitors was established.
While the crowd was still noisily filing into the rear rows “Billy” Williams’ principal assistant put in an appearance on the platform and was loudly applauded by scattered78 groups who were promptly79 quieted by the ushers80 who moved quickly up and down the aisles, ready at a moment’s notice, to insist upon the preservation81 of the dignities. The assistant was a jovial82 looking man with an infectious smile. He held a cornet in one hand and he raised the other to command the attention of the great throng. A hush83 fell over the assemblage and presently the strains of “Onward, Christian7 Soldiers” cut through the silence with penetrating84 incisiveness85. The effect was electric. When the cornetist had finished he turned swiftly and at precisely86 the same instant the thousand singers on the platform rose to their feet and burst into song. Another signal and the audience stood up. In response to a pleading gesture from the man with the smile a voice was raised here and there in unison87 with the chorus. He pleaded pantomimically once more and, as if by the exercise of sheer hypnotic control, he presently cajoled the great crowd into singing.
From that moment he held the audience in the hollow of his hand and played with it. Now he would have everyone on one side of the auditorium singing. Then he would be challenging those on the other side to outdo their competitors. Now it was the women who would be asked to sing alone. Next it would be the men. The choir would be asked to sing a verse. Then the entire audience would be called upon to follow them. By the time he had finished with those preliminaries he had the throats of everyone present in such thorough working order and the feeling of self-consciousness had been so dissipated that when he eventually demanded “a combined effort that will shake the gates of glory” the result was inspiring to the last degree.
As the final words of the final chorus were shaken out by ten thousand throats in one last concentrated burst of glad song the Rev. “Billy” Williams stepped through a door on the side of the platform and quickly crossed to the reading desk. No playwright88, craftily89 scheming for a “good entrance” for a stage star, could ever have contrived90 a situation or a moment more pregnant with dramatic effectiveness or more tense with emotion. The last word of the hymn had died down and the air seemed to still throb91 with the dying echoes as the evangelist reached to the center of the platform and held up his hand in a gesture which was an invitation to prayer. Ten thousand heads were bowed in humble92 submission93 to his implied command, and in a voice which breathed sincerity and fine feeling he offered up a simple supplication94 beseeching95 the blessing96 of Divine Providence97 upon all assembled and upon himself, an unworthy instrument of a higher Power.
He was a stockily built man with a rugged98 and rather rough-hewn face. Blue eyes were set in it below bushy brows that gave him, in moods of intense earnestness, a somewhat ferocious99 aspect. They were eyes that now glowed with tender warmth, that grew hard or relentlessly100 cold next moment or that would ever and anon gleam and glint with merriment. They were the most expressive101 of his features. They mirrored his moods with uncanny accuracy. The movements of his squat102 and chunky frame were quick and darting103 when he was in action and even when he was in repose—which was seldom—he seemed to be literally seething104 with energy beneath the surface. When he permitted himself the luxury of letting down the inhibitive105 barriers which ordinarily held this energy in check he became a dynamic force that was almost irresistible106 in its onslaught on the emotions.
The prayer over, another hymn was sung under the magnetic leadership of the assistant, while “Billy” Williams pulled his chair over the edge of the platform and fraternized with the reporters as was his custom. Jimmy Martin, who was watching the proceedings circumspectly107 over the shoulder of a prim108 looking maiden62 lady who stood next him and whose hymn book he was sharing in a pretense109 of devotional interest, noticed that the curly headed newsgatherer was whispering to the evangelist and directing the latter’s attention to his charges in the front rows.
He saw “Billy” Williams look interestedly at the young women and then smile. It was such a healthy, wholesome110, frank smile that it was instantly returned by the “Keep Moving” girls and Jimmy found himself taking note of the fact that even the most utterly111 blase112 members of the group seemed to drop their affected113 air of supreme114 world-weariness for a moment and become human once more. He noticed the evangelist turn away from the press table as the final chorus of the hymn was sung by everyone in the auditorium and look up towards the flag-bedecked rafters for a half minute or so as if pondering on an idea that had occurred to him. As the great audience seated itself he sprang to his feet with an air of decision.
“My friends,” he announced in a voice which swept to the farthest corners of the vast building, “I have an announcement to make that may disappoint some of you. I regret this but my duty is as clear to me as the unclouded noon-day sky. A Divine opportunity for service presents itself to me tonight and I would be recreant115 to my ideals if I did not embrace it. I had intended to preach to you on some of the lessons which I draw from the disgusting exhibition of prize-fighting which was tolerated in this city during the past week and I had announced that I would tan the hides of some of the city officials responsible for its sanction, and that I would nail those hides on the door of the house wherein abideth decency116 and honor.
“I have changed my plan, my friends, not because of any fear of the skulking117 swine whom I had intended to attack. Their turn on the griddle will come tomorrow night. Instead of preaching on that theme I have decided118 to devote this evening’s discourse119 to an attack upon the pernicious evils of the modern theatre,—that hell-hole, that cesspool, that slimy sink of iniquity120 and despair. Bear with me, my friends, for tonight I may be the humble medium by means of which the truth may be brought not only into your own lives, but into the lives and into the hearts of those more directly connected with this unholy institution for the degradation121 of mankind.”
He paused for a moment while a whispered buzz of comment spread through the auditorium. Jimmy Martin, who had sat fascinated throughout these introductory remarks and who could hardly credit the validity of his own auditory sensations, darted122 an apprehensive123 glance at the chorus girls. A few were registering haughty124 and contemptuous disdain125 and were sniffing126 the circumambient air. The majority, however, seemed gifted with a saving sense of humor and were smiling good-naturedly. Jimmy sighed with relief. It was pleasant to think that the Rev. “Billy” Williams was unconsciously playing into his hand so successfully that the story which was now certain to develop would take on an added value and would unquestionably be featured in the headlines.
There was another hymn and then the evangelist plunged127 into the body of his discourse. It was a sermon that he had already delivered with sensational success in no less than twenty-three states. It was a fine example of unrestrained denunciatory oratory128 and it ranked with his other internationally famous sermons such as “Dancing—the Devil’s Device for Drugging Decency”; or, “Modern Women’s Attire—Satan’s Trap for the Unwary Male.” He traced the history of the drama from the flourishing days of its great popularity in ancient Greece down through twenty-five centuries to the present day and on the way he stopped to excoriate129 a long line of playwrights130 from Aristophanes to the writer of a salacious bed-room farce131 then current in Boston. He denounced the comedies of Terence at which ancient Rome laughed; the immoral132 plays which had their day during the Restoration in England and the modern American musical comedy with equal vehemence133 and with that complete absence of a sense of proportion which always characterizes the propagandist and the special pleader.
He admitted, and rather gloried in the admission, that he had not been in a theatre in twenty-five years and declared that he would sooner be struck dead than ever cross the threshold of one again. On top of this assertion he declared with convincing sincerity, that “I know whereof I speak when I say to you that never before in the history of the civilized134 world has the theatre quite so flagrantly flaunted135 its indecencies in the face of an outraged136 public as at the present time.” He attacked the defenseless moving picture and consigned137 it and its progenitors138 and abettors to the exterior139 darkness.
Then he grew sentimental140 and his voice, which had been pitched in a high key, became touched with something soft and tender. He gave his idea of what he felt to be the blasting and devastating141 effect of the world of the theatre upon a girl who might had known the restraining influences of a simple home in her childhood and he presented a picture of the sordid142 contacts she would be forced to make in seeking a career upon the stage. Jimmy winced143 at the unreality of this picture; its unfairness and its gross exaggeration, but there was no doubting that the speaker himself believed it to be gospel truth and that he presented it with such convincing sincerity that the vast majority of those present were all aquiver with moral indignation at the charges he made. He let his voice drop to a lower tone, and there was the vibrant144 tremor145 of a deeply-felt emotion in it as he spoke146, crouching147 over the reading desk and bending his head forward in an attitude of eager expectancy148.
“Mayhap there is such a girl here tonight, drawn149 hither by the elusive150 whisperings of a conscience which was developed at the knee of a saintly mother and under the fond paternal151 care of a loving father. Perchance she comes, like so many of these poor butterflies of the stage, from a home in a small town untouched by the tinsel glitter and the tawdry allurements152 of the pleasure-ridden metropolis153. Perhaps she was caught defenseless in a moment of passionate154 revolt against what she, poor foolish thing, felt to be the cramping155 restrictions156 of her environment, and perhaps she was swept off her feet into the current that leads swift and ever swifter to destruction.
“Perhaps she said good-bye to the peaceful little town, to the heart-broken mother and to the tender, patient father who was trying so hard to stay the flood of tears surging in his kindly157 eyes; perhaps she went to the big city and courted the muse158 of tragedy or of comedy and found, for a time, a specious159 joy in the glare and brilliance160 of the footlights. Perhaps there came to her a measure of success in the new realm of pleasure and mayhap she was carried out of herself, out of her real self, into a lotus land of dazzling splendor161.”
His voice grew more tremulous now. He leaned forward and seemed to be speaking directly to the little group of girls in the front rows. Jimmy noticed that they were the focus point of observation on the part of the reporters.
“If there are any such girls here tonight,” pleaded the evangelist, “let me hold out to them the helping162 hand of service. Let me beg them, with all the sincerity of my nature, to give heed to the warning I have sounded. Let me ask them to picture the little home back yonder with the empty chair that’s always waiting for the daughter who has gone out to beat her fragile wings against the candle’s flame. Let them picture again the little mother with the soft, grey eyes. They were so bright and lively once, but now there is an anxious look in them. There is sadness in her heart, too, a heavy sadness, but she tries to be brave for the sake of him who sits so gloomily by the fire-place and aches for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is gone.
“Let me entreat163 you to bring the roses back to mother’s pale cheeks again if there are any of you here. Let me plead with you, out of a full heart, to bring the laughter back to father’s lips and the smile back to his care-worn face. Let me urge you to fly from the stifling164 air of the playhouse back to the clean, open spaces where the fair winds blow, where love and tender solicitude165 await you and where life is real and earnest and not an empty, foolish dream. We will pray for guidance and when we have finished I will ask all those who wish to be consecrated166 anew to come down the aisles and clasp my hand in a pledge of fealty167 to the service of Him whom they have forgotten for a while in the fretful rush of selfish living. Let us pray.”
Down on his knees went the Rev. “Billy” Williams and as thousands in the great audience bowed their heads once more he prayed fervently168 that everyone present who was unworthy at heart might see the light and embrace again with the simple faith of childhood the eternal truths of religion. The “Keep Moving” girls bowed their heads with the others, and if Jimmy had been a little closer he might have noticed that here and there a rouged169 face was stained with tears and that hard lines around the mouths of one or two of the bolder spirits had been softened170 as if by some subtle alchemy beyond the ken57 of mortal mind.
The prayer over, the evangelist sprang to his feet and raised his hand. The great choir, in instant response to his signal, began to softly sing, “Lead, Kindly Light.” At a perfectly timed moment toward the end of this most exquisite171 of hymns172 his voice sounded above the pianissimo phrasing of the massed singers and carried, with penetrating clarity, to the far end of the hushed auditorium.
“Won’t someone make the break with the past,” he exhorted173. “Won’t someone be the first to lead the strayed sheep into the vineyard of the Lord?”
A tall, thin man with scraggly white hair and a pale ascetic174 face stood up about fifteen rows back from the platform and slid out into the nearest aisle. He bent175 his head as if breasting a heavy wind and his cheeks suddenly flamed at the consciousness of the thousands of eyes which were turned on him as he slouched awkwardly down toward “Billy” Williams, who had stepped from the platform and who was now standing at the end of the aisle. The evangelist reached out his hand and the tall man grasped it as he made a quick dive for a handkerchief and dabbed176 at his face. He mumbled177 something under his breath.
“Don’t be ashamed to cry, brother,” said the evangelist, putting his arm affectionately around the other’s shoulder. “Tears at a time like this are drops of God’s dew that will wash your soul as clean as morning roses.” And then he addressed the audience as the last notes of the hymn were sung by the choir. “Who’ll join our brother at the mercy seat,” he shouted. “Who’ll be the next to heed the glad tidings?”
There was a movement and a scraping of feet in every section of the building and presently men and women of all ages and all conditions began coming down the aisle to be greeted by “Billy” Williams and shunted aside into the open space designed for the reception of converts. There they stood, most of them with drooped178 heads and many of them crying. There were a few who held their heads up and their shoulders back and who stood four-square to all the curious glances directed toward them. On their faces were brave smiles and there was about them the air of spiritual elation179 that was inspiring to those who noted180 it.
Jimmy Martin’s emotions had been subjected to a severe grilling181 during the concluding portion of the preacher’s sentimental appeal and he had lost a little of his self-reserve and customary complacency during the prayer. When the first of the converts came struggling down the aisle and had begun to weep a little, the press agent found himself, for the first time in many years, struggling to hold back the tears that came unbidden into his own eyes. When the others had followed the spell was broken and he looked furtively182 about to see if anyone had noticed that he had been trembling on the verge183 of weakness. He thought once more of the mission which had brought him into this alien atmosphere and he directed his attention to the benches occupied by the young women for whom he was acting184 as a somewhat remote escort.
The converts were coming down the aisles now in little groups of three and four and the evangelist was keeping things at fever heat with loudly voiced exhortations185. He leaned toward the “Keep Moving” girls and made a personal plea to them.
“Isn’t there someone here in this group of girls who has seen the light tonight,” he inquired. “Won’t someone among you step out here and take my hand and get right with her soul again?”
“I’ll say I will,” Jimmy heard Natalie Nugent, the girl with the pallor and the green earrings, say as she stood up and walked toward “Billy” Williams who gripped her outstretched hand and directed her to a position alongside him. The press agent looked at the other girls and noticed that they were watching her with fascinated interest. Somehow he couldn’t quite grasp what it all meant.
“God bless you, sister,” the evangelist shouted. “Won’t some of your friends join you?” He plunged again into the vernacular186, choosing, as always, the effective moment. “It’s your cue, girls,” he pleaded. “The curtain’s up and the call boy is knocking at the door of your hearts. Don’t delay. You can’t tell what moment the Great Stage Manager will ring down for the last time. It may be tonight. It may be tomorrow. Don’t be caught unprepared. It’s a blessed opportunity, girls. Don’t pass it up. For mother’s sake, girls, for mother’s sake.”
Three other girls got up now and came forward. Jimmy gave an audible gasp187 of amazement188. A fifth and a sixth moved into place beside the others and then Lolita Murphy stood up, hesitated for just a moment, caught “Billy” Williams’ warm human smile and stepped briskly forward. A half dozen others followed. The remainder sat with bowed heads. Those who had left their places stood in a little circle by themselves, clustered directly about the beaming evangelist. He made a last plea for converts to the vast audience and a stray dozen or more men and women, whose moral courage had not been quite strong enough to force a decision at the beginning, bobbed up here and there and moved toward the platform. There was a momentary189 pause and then the preacher spoke again.
“My friends,” he said, “a most remarkable190 event has occurred here tonight. Perhaps some of you here near the front have surmised191 what it is, but I am sure that the great majority of you have not grasped its significance. My efforts tonight have been blessed by an achievement of which I am extremely proud. Thirteen members of a theatrical192 company now appearing in this city—a company presenting a conglomeration193 bearing the idiotic194 title of ‘Keep Moving’—thirteen lovely young women have been rescued from the insidious195 temptations that lurk196 behind the blinding glare of the footlights and have come out here in the open and made a pledge to get back into the old, simple ways of living. It’s the most wonderful thing that has happened since I began my campaign, and while these brave and earnest souls are here with us let us all join in a prayer that they may be steadfast197 in their new aim and that their example may be a shining one to thousands of others in this great city. Let us pray.”
When the great throng arose after the prayer to sing the final hymn Jimmy Martin edged out of his seat and slipped unobtrusively up one of the aisles and out into the chill evening air. He was dazed and bewildered, but he had presence of mind enough to hail a taxicab and direct the chauffeur198 to drive him to his hotel. He had an idea that pictures of the fair converts would be in demand and he wanted to be on hand when the bright young gentlemen of the press put in an appearance.
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rev
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| v.发动机旋转，加快速度 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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usurping
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的现在分词 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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sensational
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| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
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adherence
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| n.信奉，依附，坚持，固着 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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publicity
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| n.众所周知，闻名；宣传，广告 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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cumulative
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| adj.累积的，渐增的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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reeked
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的过去式和过去分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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auditorium
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| n.观众席，听众席；会堂，礼堂 | |
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chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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austere
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| adj.艰苦的；朴素的，朴实无华的；严峻的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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sprawled
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| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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heterogeneous
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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27
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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28
throng
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| n.人群，群众；v.拥挤，群集 | |
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29
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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30
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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31
oasis
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| n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方 | |
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32
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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33
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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34
custodian
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| n.保管人，监护人；公共建筑看守 | |
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35
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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36
chafe
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| v.擦伤；冲洗；惹怒 | |
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37
svelte
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| adj.（女人）体态苗条的 | |
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38
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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39
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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40
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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41
seraph
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| n.六翼天使 | |
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42
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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43
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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44
pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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45
earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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46
urbanely
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| adv.都市化地，彬彬有礼地，温文尔雅地 | |
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47
smear
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| v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑 | |
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48
rehearsal
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| n.排练，排演；练习 | |
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49
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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50
aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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51
aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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52
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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53
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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54
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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55
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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56
automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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57
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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58
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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59
attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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61
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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62
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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63
rumpled
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| v.弄皱，使凌乱( rumple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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65
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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66
choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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67
counselor
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| n.顾问，法律顾问 | |
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68
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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69
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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70
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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72
proximity
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| n.接近，邻近 | |
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73
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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74
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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75
appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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76
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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77
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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78
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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79
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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80
ushers
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| n.引座员( usher的名词复数 )；招待员；门房；助理教员v.引，领，陪同( usher的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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82
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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83
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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84
penetrating
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|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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85
incisiveness
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| n.敏锐，深刻 | |
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86
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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87
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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88
playwright
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| n.剧作家，编写剧本的人 | |
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89
craftily
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| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
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90
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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91
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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92
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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93
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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94
supplication
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| n.恳求，祈愿，哀求 | |
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95
beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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96
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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97
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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98
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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99
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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100
relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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101
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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102
squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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103
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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104
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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105
inhibitive
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| a.起抑制作用的 | |
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106
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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107
circumspectly
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| adv.慎重地，留心地 | |
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108
prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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109
pretense
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| n.矫饰，做作，借口 | |
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110
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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111
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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112
blase
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| adj.厌烦于享乐的 | |
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113
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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114
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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115
recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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116
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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117
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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118
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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119
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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120
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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121
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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122
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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123
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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124
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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125
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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126
sniffing
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| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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127
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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128
oratory
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| n.演讲术；词藻华丽的言辞 | |
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129
excoriate
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| v.使磨破皮；剥皮 | |
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130
playwrights
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| n.剧作家( playwright的名词复数 ) | |
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131
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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132
immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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133
vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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134
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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135
flaunted
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| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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136
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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137
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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138
progenitors
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| n.祖先( progenitor的名词复数 )；先驱；前辈；原本 | |
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139
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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140
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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141
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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142
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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143
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
vibrant
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| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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145
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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146
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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147
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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148
expectancy
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| n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额 | |
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149
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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150
elusive
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| adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的 | |
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151
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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152
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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153
metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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154
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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155
cramping
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| 图像压缩 | |
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156
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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157
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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158
muse
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| n.缪斯（希腊神话中的女神），创作灵感 | |
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159
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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160
brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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161
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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162
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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163
entreat
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| v.恳求，恳请 | |
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164
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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165
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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166
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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167
fealty
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| n.忠贞，忠节 | |
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168
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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169
rouged
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| 胭脂，口红( rouge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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170
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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171
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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172
hymns
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌( hymn的名词复数 ) | |
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173
exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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174
ascetic
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| adj.禁欲的；严肃的 | |
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175
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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176
dabbed
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| （用某物）轻触( dab的过去式和过去分词 )； 轻而快地擦掉（或抹掉）； 快速擦拭； （用某物）轻而快地涂上（或点上）… | |
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177
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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178
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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179
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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180
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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181
grilling
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| v.烧烤( grill的现在分词 )；拷问，盘问 | |
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182
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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183
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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184
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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185
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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186
vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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187
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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188
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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189
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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190
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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191
surmised
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的过去式和过去分词 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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192
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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193
conglomeration
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| n.团块，聚集，混合物 | |
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194
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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195
insidious
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| adj.阴险的，隐匿的，暗中为害的，（疾病）不知不觉之间加剧 | |
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196
lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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197
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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198
chauffeur
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| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
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