Meanwhile the little maid for whom they labored2 slept quietly in the adjoining room, all unknowing of the delights in store for her.
The next morning at eight o’clock a little procession waited in front of the Children’s House of Joy, making ready for its start on the long journey to Overlook Mountain.
At the head stood Colonel Gresham’s seven-passenger car, in charge of John, the Colonel’s chauffeur3. Next came No. 45678; then Russell Ely, who had placed himself and his car at Polly’s disposal; while Colonel Gresham’s small truck, piled with all manner of luggage, tagged the three. The children were chattering4 and snickering as only little people can. There were last words to say, last bundles to dispose of, and all was hilarity5 and happiness.
[101] “Now, father,” said Polly, “remember that you have promised to come up in August for a few days at the least, and you must plan to make it a week if you possibly can. You owe it to yourself and to your patients. I do wish you and mother could come together.”
She looked appealingly into Mrs. Dudley’s eyes.
Her mother smilingly shook her head. “I’ll try to come,” she said, “and I’ll do my very best to make your father keep his promise; but I’m afraid we can’t come at the same time.”
“As soon as I can make this box stay where it belongs,” she laughed. “There! I believe that’s positively7 the last.”
Her eyes scanned the running-board, the walk, even the roadway. Was everything in? She paused, thinking.
“Don’t try to find a single package more,” laughed Lilith. “If we don’t start pretty soon—”
“Oh! I forgot—” She dashed towards the house.
“What? What?” cried those nearest.
Russell was already leaping after Polly, while Lilith reassured9 the anxious tot. In a moment the two runaways10 reappeared in the doorway11, Russell carrying Polly’s forgotten lunch basket.
This made the grown folks laugh. Then everybody[102] said good-bye. There was a waving of hands, the cars burr-r-ed and sizzed and smoked; there were more good-byes and hand-wavings—and they were on the long way to Overlook.
Reaching Prattsboro Polly Dudley’s car whirled ahead of the procession and speeded around to the little gray house.
Dolly Merrifield was at the window, ready from hat to shoe, and even more radiant than usual.
“I never was so taken back in my life,” declared Aunt Sophie, looking up from the suitcase she was strapping12. “I got a letter from Sardis just now, telling why he didn’t answer mine. He hadn’t got it! And to think your father should take the trouble to write! Well, if he hadn’t, Dolly could not have gone—that’s all. I’m mighty13 glad he did, and we all are. Why, Sardis says he went to the post-office and there wasn’t any letter from me. You see, it got mixed up with somebody else’s mail, and he hadn’t got it even then; but he’d heard about it, though. Such doings!
“According to Sardis, anything your father says, goes. I didn’t know he knew him; but it seems he’d heard all about him—when he was down at Yale, I guess. He says he wouldn’t have Dolly miss it for anything. Dear me, this string ain’t long enough! I’ll have to tie a piece on. Thank you. Guess my fingers are nervous. There, that’s all! My! all those autos going? Won’t you have a splendid time! How far’d you say it was?”
[103] “About a hundred and forty miles.”
“My!” ejaculated Mrs. Edmonson again. “Well, you’ve got a lovely day. You’ll let me know how Dolly stood it, won’t you?” she asked a bit anxiously as she followed the others to the sidewalk.
“I’ll send you word right away,” Polly reassured her. “Father says she’ll get along all right, and we have a doctor right here, if we should need anything. And a nurse, too,” she laughed. “They are going to be with us all summer.”
“Oh, they are!” exclaimed Aunt Sophie in a relieved tone. “I shall feel easier about her, then.”
They had reached Polly’s car, and Russell put the little girl on the front seat, between the driver and Lilith.
Aunt Sophie stepped upon the running-board and kissed Dolly again, and then backed out to make way for Polly.
“I’ll write to you, Aunt Sophie,” promised Dolly. “Don’t work too hard! And don’t forget to take a nap before you do the dishes, ’cause you were up all night!”
That was a wonderful ride to most of the passengers. It was just warm enough to be comfortable, with a fresh breeze—exactly such a morning as Polly would have chosen.
“Tired, dear?” she questioned, smiling down into the little face.
[104] “Not a bit,” Dolly smiled back. “Isn’t it splendid! Aren’t you glad Sardis said yes? I wonder if he ever had such a nice ride.”
“I guess so,” laughed Polly; and then, “Have you thought, dear, you will be nearer your brother than when you were at home?”
Dolly’s little thin face grew pink, “O—h!” she said softly.
“I don’t know just where your brother is. I must look it up. He may be right across the New Hampshire line.”
“He is away up in the northern part.” The pink faded. “Never mind, we shall be nearer than when I was down in Prattsboro.”
The child wagged her head delightedly, while Polly wondered what kind of brother this was to hold such a place in his little sister’s heart. If he were all that Dolly believed him to be, she should like to know him.
The wind died and the air grew warm. Jozy and Esther on the back seat were asleep.
“What time is it?” Polly turned to Lilith. “We are pretty near Springfield.”
“Quarter of twelve.”
“I’m famished,” declared Lilith. “Isn’t that tree big enough?”
“No,” Polly laughed. “If I remember, there is a bit of shade this side of Northampton.”
[105] “Do hurry up, then, for I’m sure the tots are starving.”
“Are you hungry, dear?” Polly smiled down at Dolly.
“Not much.”
“Hear that! Where is the lunch basket?” Lilith peered down over the back of her seat. “I believe you hid it away! I don’t see anything familiar.”
Polly looked mischievous15. “There are chicken sandwiches and cream-cheese sandwiches and chocolate snaps and oranges and coffee and—”
“Oh!” Lilith clapped her hands to her ears. “Isn’t she naughty, Dolly?”
“No,” answered Dolly; “she couldn’t be—ever.”
“Oh, yes,” sighed Lilith in mock distress17, “everybody swears allegiance to you. I foresee what lonesome days I am going to have up on the mountain.”
“I love you too,” she said sweetly.
“Bless her little heart!” cried Lilith. “You and I are going to have a lovely time at Overlook, aren’t we?”
“Yes, Miss Lilith,” answered Dolly, yet this was becoming even more perplexing. Hadn’t she just said—
[106] Lilith was watching her. “Did you think I was in earnest?” she smiled. “That’s the way Polly and I amuse ourselves. I was only joking. I am delighted to have everybody love Polly.”
At which the little face grew bright again.
“There!” exclaimed Lilith; “a tree! a tree!—it’s dinner-time!”
“Oh, I say”—and the jester was serious this time—“let me out at that little tea-room or tavern20 or whatever—honest, Polly, I mean it!”
So the car stopped, and the girl disappeared inside the door. Soon she came out, her hands full of ice-cream cones21 which she served to her fellow-passengers and then ran back for more.
Russell drew up beside Polly and leaped out, to follow Lilith. Dr. Abbe was not far behind, and the three returned with more cones, running back and forth22 until all were supplied.
It was a happy thought of Lilith’s, for the children were in ecstasies23, and the icy sweets were grateful to everybody. Dr. Abbe and Russell lingered by Polly’s car, the children on the back seat eating and chattering by turns. Suddenly Little Duke’s voice piped high above the others’.
“Oh! it’s awful hot; but My hasn’t sweat a hair!”
Those on the front seat laughed slyly.
“Pretty good,” observed Russell softly.
[107] “Amusing little fellow,” returned Dr. Abbe in the same tone.
Polly glanced behind. Little Duke, all unconscious of the notice, was engaged in examining his suit of new tan linen24 which was his especial admiration25. Finding it still immaculate, he resumed his ice-cream, remarking, “If My should get a drop on this, it would be enough to drive the angels to drink.”
Russell grinned, Dr. Abbe’s lips puckered26, Lilith laughed into her handkerchief, while Polly whirled her back towards the small boy, and chuckled27.
“You seem to be in a fair way to have plenty of entertainment,” observed Russell.
“This goes a little ahead of our regular everyday kind,” returned Polly; “but there’s always enough to keep us cheerful.”
“It is well we didn’t wait for a woodsy dining-room,” declared Polly, when they were again racing28 northward29. “It doesn’t look as if we’d find one very soon.”
It grew hotter and hotter. Polly drove faster.
“There’s a lovely place this side of South Deerfield,” observed Lilith. “We’re nearly there, I think. Tired, Dolly dear?”
“We’re going to have dinner,” cried Polly gayly, speeding her car. “Look ahead! See that little[108] wood—that’s where we’re going to stop.” And almost as she spoke31 the place was reached.
“Oh, how beautiful!” breathed Dolly.
The four cars drew up on the grass beside the road, lunch boxes were opened, and very shortly everybody was eating and drinking, the grown-ups taking only hurried nibbles32 until most of the children had a glass of milk in one hand and a chicken sandwich in the other. All felt the refreshment33 of the cool, green dining-room. The young men poured the ice-cold coffee and lemonade, the girls handed out sandwiches and cookies, oranges and small cakes, until weariness and heat were forgotten, and everybody was in gay morning mood.
There was not much to pack away into basket and box when the luncheon34 was over, only a few cookies and bottles of milk, in case of need later in the day.
Just as they were ready to start on again, Polly called Dr. Abbe.
He came as if on wings. “At your service,” he bowed.
“Would you mind letting Dolly go to sleep in your arms?” she asked. “I think she will be easier there.”
“I shall be glad to take her,” was his assurance.
“You might change places with one or two of the children here on the back seat,” Polly suggested, noticing the little maid’s troubled face.[109] “Then Dolly will be right with me when she wakes up.”
The exchange was quickly made, and on went the cars, on and on, through wide farm lands, beside gurgling streams and quiet lakes. They whirled into pretty villages and out, ran along the foot of hills and skirted deep ravines, where down, down, down, a brook35 was singing. The mountains drew closer and climbed nearer the clouds. But only the grown people saw and enjoyed it all, for the children, to the very last one, had fallen fast asleep.
There was an instant outcry, and everybody that was awake peered out to discover the trouble. It was one of Russell’s tires that was responsible for the spoiling of so many naps, and at once his coat was off and he was getting out his tools, begging the rest to go on and promising37 to follow as soon as possible. But the road was shady and the cars came to a halt, John and Charley running to help with the injured tire.
The little folks in Russell’s car were in mild excitement, watching proceedings38 with great interest. The less fortunate ones, after vainly craning their necks and being unable to get a satisfactory view of the scene, gave themselves up to conversing39 with their neighbors or finishing their interrupted naps.
[110] “I say, it’s a good time for a lunch—” began Polly.
“Oh!”—“Oh, do, Miss Dudley!”—“I’m hungrier than anything!”—“What are we goin’ to have?”—“Oh, my! are we goin’ to have ice-cream?”
“We’re going to have cookies and milk,” replied Polly. And she began fishing out the cakes from a deep bag.
The little folks were all wide awake at once, including Dolly Merrifield, who looked as fresh as need be.
Polly and Dr. Abbe walked over to the workers where John, driver of the truck, was pumping. “It was good of you to hold Dolly all this time,” said the girl. “Isn’t she a darling?”
“She is,” he answered. And then they fell to talking of the little maid and what they hoped the outing would do for her.
The tire was in place, the men were putting on their coats. “Whew, but it’s hot!” ejaculated Russell, wiping his forehead with his grimy handkerchief. “I supposed my tires were in good con—”
“Bang!”
There was a scream from Polly’s car, a series of screams, and she and the Doctor ran ahead together. The rest came up.
“Don’t be frightened, dears! It’s only a tire.”
[111] The others laughed.
“Pretty big blow-out,” said Russell. He pulled off his coat that was on only one arm.
Dr. Abbe regarded it ruefully. “Wish I knew how to help,” he said.
“It’s a shame—” began Polly.
“It’s fine,” returned Russell; “I’m glad to have a change from driving. They’ve chosen a good, shady spot for it. And the tools are out—all handy.” He ran back for them.
They went at the work good-humoredly, and presently the new tire was on, and they were ready to start.
“Miss Dudley,” began Jozy, a little shyly, “would you mind—may—may—”
“Well, what is it?” urged Polly, one foot on the running-board.
“May I—” Jozy began again,—“do you mind if Grissel and me sit in the other car—the big car?”
“For what?” asked Polly in astonishment41.
Jozy didn’t answer.
Grissel’s courage leapt forward. “We want to sit in that,” she pointed42, “so ’s—so ’s to be there when it goes off.”
The children looked a bit shame-faced; they did not see anything funny. Russell was only a few steps away. He turned back questioningly.
“Jozy and Grissel want to sit in the Gresham[112] car, so as to be on the spot when that takes its turn at popping!”
Russell shouted, and Jozy began to cry.
“Beg pardon, mesdemoiselles,” smiled Russell with a low bow; “but”—glancing at the others—“that is a good one!”
Grissel’s lip went up, and she hid her face in her elbow.
“Come, come,” coaxed44 Polly, “there’s nothing to cry about. We don’t expect any more punctures45, so you’d better stay where you are.” She waved Russell off and settled herself at the wheel.
“What magnificent ferns!” It was Dr. Abbe’s tribute to the mountain road.
“Aren’t they beautiful!” responded Lilith. “Polly says it looks as if somebody had been decorating for a wedding.”
The Doctor laughed—and blushed.
“I wonder if he is going to be married,” thought Lilith.
The way wound up and up; but No. 45678 took the steep grade ascent46 without flinching47, and at least one of the party thought Polly managed her car exceedingly well. As they mounted higher and still higher, occasional breaks in the leafy roadsides drew forth exclamations48 of surprise and admiration from the travelers big and little.
Russell drove up alongside the car ahead.
“Say,” he called, “this is great! Why didn’t you tell a fellow we were bound for the clouds?”
[113] “I thought you knew,” returned Polly. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Like it!” Russell took off his hat, and gazed down the valley. “It makes a man feel pretty small,” he said.
Near at hand lay rolling, pine-scattered pastures, with now and then a cultivated field or fruited orchard49. Farther on, the little town of Overlook stretched itself in a long line from the wooded north to the open south, where shining pleasure cars ran in and out of the covered bridge that spanned the village brook, looking like children’s toys that could rest in the palm of one’s hand. Beyond stood the green hills, with an occasional white farmhouse50 or a parti-colored bungalow51, and then range upon range of hazy52 mountains until they melted into the sky.
On and on went the little procession, up between pines and birches and maples53, where bushes hung thick with ripening54 berries, and finally into the open, leaving weather-worn farmhouses55 on right and left. Rocky pastures where herds56 were feeding, orchards57 whose trees bent58 with their burden of green fruit, meadows yellow with “butter and eggs” and kingcups; these came into view and disappeared.
“There is the site of the old town,” said Polly, waving her hand toward a field of tall grass on her right. “Nearly one hundred years ago Overlook was moved down into the valley, and small stones[114] mark the location of its principal buildings. See that monument over there? That is where the court-house stood. Haven’t you noticed, along the roadside, occasional little numbered granite59 stones?”
“Yes, and I wondered what they were for,” answered Dr. Abbe.
“Each marks the site of some house; it tells on the monument what they were.”
Everybody looked until the spot was left well behind and a bungalow came into view.
“That isn’t ours,” said Polly. “We are going farther to the left. It won’t look familiar even to me, for they are putting on a new piazza60 and a sleeping-porch—unless they’ve finished them already.”
“I see it!” cried Lilith. “And I do believe Benedicta is out watching for us.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
labored
|
|
| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
chauffeur
|
|
| n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机；v.为…开车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
chattering
|
|
| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
hilarity
|
|
| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
query
|
|
| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
positively
|
|
| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
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： |
|
|
|
|
9
reassured
|
|
| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
runaways
|
|
| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
strapping
|
|
| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
lookout
|
|
| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
mischievous
|
|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
stanch
|
|
| v.止住（血等）；adj.坚固的；坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
shrub
|
|
| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
tavern
|
|
| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
cones
|
|
| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
ecstasies
|
|
| 狂喜( ecstasy的名词复数 )； 出神； 入迷； 迷幻药 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
linen
|
|
| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
puckered
|
|
| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
racing
|
|
| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
northward
|
|
| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
wan
|
|
| (wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
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： |
|
|
|
|
32
nibbles
|
|
| vt.& vi.啃，一点一点地咬（nibble的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
luncheon
|
|
| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
brook
|
|
| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
winding
|
|
| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
conversing
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
wailed
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
shriek
|
|
| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
coaxed
|
|
| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的过去式和过去分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
punctures
|
|
| n.（尖物刺成的）小孔( puncture的名词复数 )；（尤指）轮胎穿孔；（尤指皮肤上被刺破的）扎孔；刺伤v.在（某物）上穿孔( puncture的第三人称单数 )；刺穿（某物）；削弱（某人的傲气、信心等）；泄某人的气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
flinching
|
|
| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
exclamations
|
|
| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
orchard
|
|
| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
farmhouse
|
|
| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
bungalow
|
|
| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
hazy
|
|
| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
maples
|
|
| 槭树，枫树( maple的名词复数 )； 槭木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
ripening
|
|
| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的现在分词 )；熟化；熟成 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
farmhouses
|
|
| n.农舍，农场的主要住房( farmhouse的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
herds
|
|
| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
orchards
|
|
| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
granite
|
|
| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
piazza
|
|
| n.广场；走廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
homely
|
|
| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |