AND ROBINSON SELECTED THEIR HOUSE OF BUSINESS.
And haberdashery it was. But there was much yet to be done before any terms for a partnership1 could be settled. Mr. Jones at first insisted that he and his father-in-law should begin business on equal terms. He considered that any questions as to the actual right in the property would be mean after their mutual2 agreement to start in the world as friends. But to this Mr. Brown, not unnaturally3, objected.
"Then I shall go back to my lawyer," said Jones. Whereupon he did leave the room, taking his hat with him; but he remained below in the old shop.
"If I am to go into partnership with that man alone," said Mr. Brown, turning to his young friend almost in despair, "I may prepare for the Gazette at once.—And for my grave!" he added, solemnly.
"I'll join you," said Robinson. "I haven't got any money. You know that. But then neither has he."
"I wish you had a little," said Mr. Brown. "Capital is capital, you know."
"But I've got that which is better than capital," said Robinson, touching4 his forehead with his forefinger5. "And if you'll trust me, Mr. Brown, I won't see you put upon." The promise which Mr. Robinson then gave he kept ever afterwards with a marked fidelity6.
"I will trust you," said Mr. Brown. "It shall be Brown, Jones, and Robinson."
"And Brown, Jones, and Robinson shall carry their heads high among the greatest commercial firms of this wealthy metropolis7," said Robinson, with an enthusiasm which was surely pardonable at such a moment.
Mr. Jones soon returned with another compromise; but it was of a low, peddling8 nature. It had reference to sevenths and eighths, and went into the payments of the household bills. "I, as one of the partners, must object to any such arrangements," said Robinson.
"You!—you one of the partners!" said Jones.
"If you have no objection—certainly!" said Robinson. "And if you should have any objection,—equally so."
"You!—a bill-sticker!" said Jones.
In the presence of William Brisket, George Robinson had been forced to acknowledge that matter must still occasionally prevail over mind; but he felt no such necessity in the presence of Jones. "I'll tell you what it is," said Robinson; "I've never denied my former calling. Among friends I often talk about it. But mind you, Mr. Jones, I won't bear it from you! I'm not very big myself, but I think I could stand up before you!"
But in this quarrel they were stopped by Mr. Brown. "Let dogs delight," he said or sung, "to bark and bite;—" and then he raised his two fat hands feebly, as though deprecating any further wrath9. As usual on such occasions Mr. Robinson yielded, and then explained in very concise10 language the terms on which it was proposed that the partnership should be opened. Mr. Brown should put his "capital" into the business, and be entitled to half the profits. Mr. Jones and Mr. Robinson should give the firm the advantage of their youth, energies, and genius, and should each be held as the possessor of a quarter. That Mr. Jones made long and fierce objections to this, need hardly be stated. It is believed that he did, more than once, go back to his lawyer. But Mr. Brown, who, for the time, put himself into the hands of his youngest partner, remained firm, and at last the preliminaries were settled.
The name of the house, the nature of the business, and the shares of the partners were now settled, and the site of the future labours of the firm became the next question. Mr. Brown was in favour of a small tenement11 in Little Britain, near to the entrance into Smithfield.
"There would not be scope there," said Robinson.
"And no fashion," said Jones.
"It's safe and respectable," pleaded Mr. Brown. "There have been shops in Little Britain these sixty years in the same families."
But Robinson was of opinion that the fortunes of the firm might not improbably be made in six, if only they would commence with sufficient distinction. He had ascertained12 that large and commanding premises13 might be had in St. Paul's Churchyard, in the frontage of which the square feet of plate glass could be counted by the hundred. It was true that the shop was nearly all window; but then, as Mr. Robinson said, an extended front of glass was the one thing necessary. And it was true also that the future tenants14 must pay down a thousand pounds before they entered;—but then, as he explained, how could they better expend15 the trifle of money which they possessed16?
"Trifle of money!" said Mr. Brown, thinking of the mountains of butter and years of economy which had been required to put together those four thousand pounds;—thinking also, perhaps, of the absolute impecuniosity17 of his young partner who thus spoke18.
Jones was for the West End and Regent Street. There was a shop only two doors off Regent Street, which could be made to look as if it was almost in Regent Street. The extension of a side piece of plate glass would show quite into Regent Street. He even prepared a card, describing the house as "2 doors from Regent Street," printing the figure and the words "Regent Street" very large, and the intermediate description very small. It was ever by such stale, inefficient19 artifices20 as these that he sought success.
"Who'll care for your card?" said Robinson. "When a man's card comes to be of use to him, the thing's done. He's living in his villa21 by that time, and has his five thousand a-year out of the profits."
"I hope you'll both have your willas before long," said Brown, trying to keep his partners in good humour. "But a cottage horney will be enough for me. I'd like to be able to give my children their bit of dinner on Sunday hot and comfortable. I want no more than that."
That was a hard battle, and it resulted in no victory. The dingy22 shop in Little Britain was, of course, out of the question; and Mr. Brown assisted Robinson in preventing that insane attempt at aping the unprofitable glories of Regent Street. The matter ended in another compromise, and a house was taken in Bishopsgate Street, of which the frontage was extensive and commanding, but as to which it must certainly be confessed that the back part of the premises was inconveniently23 confined.
"It isn't exactly all I could wish," said Robinson, standing24 on the pavement as he surveyed it. "But it will do. With a little originality25 and some dash, we'll make it do. We must give it a name."
"A name?" said Mr. Brown; "it's 81, Bishopsgate Street; ain't it? They don't call houses names in London."
"That's just why we'll have a name for ours, Mr. Brown."
"The 'Albert Emporium,'" suggested Jones; "or 'Victoria Mart.'"
Mr. Jones, as will be seen, was given to tuft-hunting to the backbone26. His great ambition was to have a lion and unicorn27, and to call himself haberdasher to a royal prince. He had never realized the fact that profit, like power, comes from the people, and not from the court. "I wouldn't put up the Queen's arms if the Queen came and asked me," Robinson once said in answer to him. "That game has been played out, and it isn't worth the cost of the two wooden figures."
"'The Temple of Fashion' would do very well," said Jones.
"The Temple of Fiddlestick!" said Robinson.
"Of course you say so," said Jones.
"Let dogs delight—" began Mr. Brown, standing as we were in the middle of the street.
"I'll tell you what," said Robinson; "there's nothing like colour. We'll call it Magenta28 House, and we'll paint it magenta from the roof to the window tops."
This beautiful tint29 had only then been invented, and it was necessary to explain the word to Mr. Brown. He merely remarked that the oil and paint would come to a deal of money, and then gave way. Jones was struck dumb by the brilliancy of the idea, and for once forgot to object.
"And, I'll tell you what," said Robinson—"nine times nine is eighty-one."
"Certainly, certainly," said Mr. Brown, who delighted to agree with his younger partner when circumstances admitted it. "You are right there, certainly." Jones was observed to go through the multiplication31 table mentally, but he could detect no error.
"Nine times nine is eighty-one," repeated Robinson with confidence, "and we'll put that fact up over the first-floor windows."
And so they did. The house was painted magenta colour from top to bottom. And on the front in very large figures and letters, was stated the undoubted fact that nine times nine is 81. "If they will only call us 'The nine times nine,' the thing is done," said Robinson. Nevertheless, the house was christened Magenta House. "And now about glass," said Robinson, when the three had retired32 to the little back room within.
Mr. Robinson, however, admitted afterwards that he was wrong about the colour and the number. Such methods of obtaining attention were, he said, too easy of imitation, and devoid33 of any inherent attraction of their own. People would not care for nine times nine in Bishopsgate Street, if there were nine times nines in other streets as well. "No," said he; "I was but beginning, and made errors as beginners do. Outside there should be glass, gas, gold, and glare. Inside there should be the same, with plenty of brass34, and if possible a little wit. If those won't do it, nothing will." All the same the magenta colour and the nine times nine did have their effect. "Nine times nine is eighty-one," was printed on the top of all the flying advertisements issued by the firm, and the printing was all done in magenta.
Mr. Brown groaned35 sorely over the expenditure36 that was necessary in preparation of the premises. His wish was that this should be paid for in ready money; and indeed it was necessary that this should be done to a certain extent. But the great object should have been to retain every available shilling for advertisements. In the way of absolute capital,—money to be paid for stock,—4,000l. was nothing. But 4,000l. scattered37 broadcast through the metropolis on walls, omnibuses, railway stations, little books, pavement chalkings, illuminated38 notices, porters' backs, gilded39 cars, and men in armour40, would have driven nine times nine into the memory of half the inhabitants of London. The men in armour were tried. Four suits were obtained in Poland Street, and four strong men were hired who rode about town all day on four brewers' horses. They carried poles with large banners, and on the banners were inscribed41 the words which formed the shibboleth42 of the firm;—
MAGENTA HOUSE,
9 TIMES 9 IS 81,
BISHOPSGATE STREET.
And four times a day these four men in armour met each other in front of the windows of the house, and stood there on horseback for fifteen minutes, with their backs to the curbstone. The forage43, however, of the horses became so terribly large an item of expenditure that Mr. Brown's heart failed him. His heart failed him, and he himself went off late one evening to the livery stable-keeper who supplied the horses, and in Mr. Robinson's absence, the armour was sent back to Poland Street.
"We should have had the police down upon us, George," said Mr. Brown, deprecating the anger of his younger partner.
"And what better advertisement could you have wished?" said Robinson. "It would have been in all the papers, and have cost nothing."
"But you don't know, George, what them beastesses was eating! It was frightful44 to hear of! Four-and-twenty pounds of corn a day each of 'em, because the armour was so uncommon45 heavy." The men in armour were then given up, but they certainly were beginning to be effective. At 6 p.m., when the men were there, it had become impossible to pass the shop without going into the middle of the street, and on one or two occasions the policemen had spoken to Mr. Brown. Then there was a slight accident with a child, and the newspapers had interfered46.
But we are anticipating the story, for the men in armour did not begin their operations till the shop had been opened.
"And now about glass," said Robinson, as soon as the three partners had retired from the outside flags into the interior of the house.
"It must be plate, of course," said Jones. Plate! He might as well have said when wanting a house, that it must have walls.
"I rather think so," said Robinson; "and a good deal of it."
"I don't mind a good-sized common window," said Brown.
"A deal better have them uncommon," said Robinson, interrupting him. "And remember, sir, there's nothing like glass in these days. It has superseded47 leather altogether in that respect."
"Leather!" said Mr. Brown, who was hardly quick enough for his junior partner.
"Of all our materials now in general use," said Robinson, "glass is the most brilliant, and yet the cheapest; the most graceful48 and yet the strongest. Though transparent49 it is impervious50 to wet. The eye travels through it, but not the hailstorm. To the power of gas it affords no obstacle, but is as efficient a barrier against the casualties of the street as an iron shutter51. To that which is ordinary it lends a grace; and to that which is graceful it gives a double lustre52. Like a good advertisement, it multiplies your stock tenfold, and like a good servant, it is always eloquent53 in praise of its owner. I look upon plate glass, sir, as the most glorious product of the age; and I regard the tradesman who can surround himself with the greatest quantity of it, as the most in advance of the tradesmen of his day. Oh, sir, whatever we do, let us have glass."
"It's beautiful to hear him talk," said Mr. Brown; "but it's the bill I'm a thinking of."
"If you will only go enough ahead, Mr. Brown, you'll find that nobody will trouble you with such bills."
"But they must be paid some day, George."
"Of course they must; but it will never do to think of that now. In twelve months or so, when we have set the house well going, the payment of such bills as that will be a mere30 nothing,—a thing that will be passed as an item not worth notice. Faint heart never won fair lady, you know, Mr. Brown." And then a cloud came across George Robinson's brow as he thought of the words he had spoken; for his heart had once been faint, and his fair lady was by no means won.
"That's quite true," said Jones; "it never does. Ha! ha! ha!"
Then the cloud went away from George Robinson's brow, and a stern frown of settled resolution took its place. At that moment he made up his mind, that when he might again meet that giant butcher he would forget the difference in their size, and accost54 him as though they two were equal. What though some fell blow, levelled as at an ox, should lay him low for ever. Better that, than endure from day to day the unanswered taunts55 of such a one as Jones!
Mr. Brown, though he was not quick-witted, was not deficient56 when the feelings of man and man were concerned. He understood it all, and taking advantage of a moment when Jones had stepped up the shop, he pressed Robinson's hand and said,—"You shall have her, George. If a father's word is worth anything, you shall have her." But in this case,—as in so many others,—a father's word was not worth anything.
"But to business!" said Robinson, shaking off from him all thoughts of love.
After that Mr. Brown had not the heart to oppose him respecting the glass, and in that matter he had everything nearly his own way. The premises stood advantageously at the comer of a little alley57, so that the window was made to jut58 out sideways in that direction, and a full foot and a half was gained. On the other side the house did not stand flush with its neighbour,—as is not unfrequently the case in Bishopsgate Street,—and here also a few inches were made available. The next neighbour, a quiet old man who sold sticks, threatened a lawsuit59; but that, had it been instituted, would have got into the newspapers and been an advertisement. There was considerable trouble about the entrance. A wide, commanding centre doorway60 was essential; but this, if made in the desirable proportions, would have terribly crippled the side windows. To obviate61 this difficulty, the exterior62 space allotted63 for the entrance between the frontage of the two windows was broad and noble, but the glass splayed inwards towards the shop, so that the absolute door was decidedly narrow.
"When we come to have a crowd, they won't get in and out," said Jones.
"If we could only crush a few to death in the doorway our fortune would be made," said Robinson.
"God forbid!" said Mr. Brown; "God forbid! Let us have no bloodshed, whatever we do."
In about a month the house was completed, and much to the regret of both the junior partners, a considerable sum of ready money was paid to the tradesmen who performed the work. Mr. Jones was of opinion that by sufficient cunning such payments might be altogether evaded64. No such thought rested for a moment in the bosom65 of Mr. Robinson. All tradesmen should be paid, and paid well. But the great firm of Brown, Jones, and Robinson would be much less likely to scrutinize66 the price at which plate glass was charged to them per square foot, when they were taking their hundreds a day over the counter, than they would be now when every shilling was of importance to them.
"For their own sake you shouldn't do it," said he to Mr. Brown. "You may be quite sure they don't like it."
"I always liked it myself," said Mr. Brown. And thus he would make little dribbling67 payments, by which an unfortunate idea was generated in the neighbourhood that money was not plentiful68 with the firm.
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1
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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peddling
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| 忙于琐事的，无关紧要的 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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concise
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| adj.简洁的，简明的 | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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tenants
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| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
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expend
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| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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impecuniosity
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| n.（经常）没有钱，身无分文，贫穷 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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inefficient
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| adj.效率低的，无效的 | |
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artifices
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| n.灵巧( artifice的名词复数 )；诡计；巧妙办法；虚伪行为 | |
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villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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inconveniently
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| ad.不方便地 | |
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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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originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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backbone
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| n.脊骨，脊柱，骨干；刚毅，骨气 | |
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unicorn
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| n.(传说中的)独角兽 | |
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magenta
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| n..紫红色（的染料）；adj.紫红色的 | |
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tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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multiplication
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| n.增加，增多，倍增；增殖，繁殖；乘法 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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35
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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42
shibboleth
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| n.陈规陋习；口令；暗语 | |
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forage
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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46
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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47
superseded
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| [医]被代替的，废弃的 | |
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48
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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50
impervious
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| adj.不能渗透的，不能穿过的，不易伤害的 | |
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51
shutter
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| n.百叶窗；(照相机)快门；关闭装置 | |
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52
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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54
accost
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| v.向人搭话，打招呼 | |
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55
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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56
deficient
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| adj.不足的，不充份的，有缺陷的 | |
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alley
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| n.小巷，胡同；小径，小路 | |
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jut
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| v.突出；n.突出，突出物 | |
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lawsuit
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| n.诉讼，控诉 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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obviate
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| v.除去，排除，避免，预防 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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scrutinize
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| n.详细检查，细读 | |
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dribbling
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| n.（燃料或油从系统内）漏泄v.流口水( dribble的现在分词 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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