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Chapter 2
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 “I am very sorry,” said I, “but I don’t exactly follow the French language when it is spoken.”
 
“Ah! no French!” said the Arab in very broken English, “dat is one sorrow.”  How is it that these fellows learn all languages under the sun?  I afterwards found that this man could talk Italian, and Turkish, and Armenian fluently, and say a few words in German, as he could also in English.  I could not ask for my dinner in any other language than English, if it were to save me from starvation.  Then he called to the Christian2 gentleman in the pantaloons, and, as far as I could understand, made over to him the duty of interpreting between us.  There seemed, however, to be one difficulty in the way of this being carried on with efficiency.  The Christian gentleman could not speak English himself.  He knew of it perhaps something more than did the Arab, but by no means enough to enable us to have a fluent conversation.
 
And had the interpreter—who turned out to be an Italian from Trieste, attached to the Austrian Consulate4 at Alexandria—had the interpreter spoken English with the greatest ease, I should have had considerable difficulty in understanding and digesting in all its bearings, the proposition made to me.  But before I proceed to the proposition, I must describe a ceremony which took place previous to its discussion.  I had hardly observed, when first the procession entered the room, that one of my friend’s followers6—my friend’s name, as I learned afterwards, was Mahmoud al Ackbar, and I will therefore call him Mahmoud—that one of Mahmoud’s followers bore in his arms a bundle of long sticks, and that another carried an iron pot and a tray.  Such was the case, and these two followers came forward to perform their services, while I, having been literally7 pressed down on to the sofa by Mahmoud, watched them in their progress.  Mahmoud also sat down, and not a word was spoken while the ceremony went on.  The man with the sticks first placed on the ground two little pans—one at my feet, and then one at the feet of his master.  After that he loosed an ornamented8 bag which he carried round his neck, and producing from it tobacco, proceeded to fill two pipes.  This he did with the utmost gravity, and apparently9 with very peculiar10 care.  The pipes had been already fixed11 at one end of the stick, and to the other end the man had fastened two large yellow balls.  These, as I afterwards perceived, were mouth-pieces made of amber12.  Then he lit the pipes, drawing up the difficult smoke by long painful suckings at the mouthpiece, and then, when the work had become apparently easy, he handed one pipe to me, and the other to his master.  The bowls he had first placed in the little pans on the ground.
 
During all this time no word was spoken, and I was left altogether in the dark as to the cause which had produced this extraordinary courtesy.  There was a stationary13 sofa—they called it there a divan—which was fixed into the corner of the room, and on one side of the angle sat Mahmoud al Ackbar, with his feet tucked under him, while I sat on the other.  The remainder of the party stood around, and I felt so little master of the occasion, that I did not know whether it would become me to bid them be seated.  I was not master of the entertainment.  They were not my pipes.  Nor was it my coffee, which I saw one of the followers preparing in a distant part of the room.  And, indeed, I was much confused as to the management of the stick and amber mouth-piece with which I had been presented.  With a cigar I am as much at home as any man in the City.  I can nibble14 off the end of it, and smoke it to the last ash, when I am three parts asleep.  But I had never before been invited to regale15 myself with such an instrument as this.  What was I to do with that huge yellow ball?  So I watched my new friend closely.
 
It had manifestly been a part of his urbanity not to commence till I had done so, but seeing my difficulty he at last raised the ball to his mouth and sucked at it.  I looked at him and envied the gravity of his countenance16, and the dignity of his demeanour.  I sucked also, but I made a sputtering17 noise, and must confess that I did not enjoy it.  The smoke curled gracefully18 from his mouth and nostrils20 as he sat there in mute composure.  I was mute as regarded speech, but I coughed as the smoke came from me in convulsive puffs22.  And then the attendant brought us coffee in little tin cups—black coffee, without sugar and full of grit23, of which the berries had been only bruised24, not ground.  I took the cup and swallowed the mixture, for I could not refuse, but I wish that I might have asked for some milk and sugar.  Nevertheless there was something very pleasing in the whole ceremony, and at last I began to find myself more at home with my pipe.
 
When Mahmoud had exhausted25 his tobacco, and perceived that I also had ceased to puff21 forth26 smoke, he spoke1 in Italian to the interpreter, and the interpreter forthwith proceeded to explain to me the purport27 of this visit.  This was done with much difficulty, for the interpreter’s stock of English was very scanty—but after awhile I understood, or thought I understood, as follows:—At some previous period of my existence I had done some deed which had given infinite satisfaction to Mahmoud al Ackbar.  Whether, however, I had done it myself, or whether my father had done it, was not quite clear to me.  My father, then some time deceased, had been a wharfinger at Liverpool, and it was quite possible that Mahmoud might have found himself at that port.  Mahmoud had heard of my arrival in Egypt, and had been given to understand that I was coming to Suez—to carry myself away in the ship, as the interpreter phrased it.  This I could not understand, but I let it pass.  Having heard these agreeable tidings—and Mahmoud, sitting in the corner, bowed low to me as this was said—he had prepared for my acceptance a slight refection for the morrow, hoping that I would not carry myself away in the ship till this had been eaten.  On this subject I soon made him quite at ease, and he then proceeded to explain that as there was a point of interest at Suez, Mahmoud was anxious that I should partake of the refection somewhat in the guise28 of a picnic, at the Well of Moses, over in Asia, on the other side of the head of the Red Sea.  Mahmoud would provide a boat to take across the party in the morning, and camels on which we would return after sunset.  Or else we would go and return on camels, or go on camels and return in the boat.  Indeed any arrangement would be made that I preferred.  If I was afraid of the heat, and disliked the open boat, I could be carried round in a litter.  The provisions had already been sent over to the Well of Moses in the anticipation29 that I would not refuse this little request.
 
I did not refuse it.  Nothing could have been more agreeable to me than this plan of seeing something of the sights and wonders of this land,—and of this seeing them in good company.  I had not heard of the Well of Moses before, but now that I learned that it was in Asia,—in another quarter of the globe, to be reached by a transit30 of the Red Sea, to be returned from by a journey on camels’ backs,—I burned with anxiety to visit its waters.  What a story would this be for Judkins!  This was, no doubt, the point at which the Israelites had passed.  Of those waters had they drunk.  I almost felt that I had already found one of Pharaoh’s chariot wheels.  I readily gave my assent31, and then, with much ceremony and many low salaams32, Mahmoud and his attendant left me.  “I am very glad that I came to Suez,” said I to myself.
 
I did not sleep much that night, for the mosquitoes of Suez are very persevering33; but I was saved from the agonising despair which these animals so frequently produce, by my agreeable thoughts as to Mahmoud al Ackbar.  I will put it to any of my readers who have travelled, whether it is not a painful thing to find one’s-self regarded among strangers without any kindness or ceremonious courtesy.  I had on this account been wretched at Cairo, but all this was to be made up to me at Suez.  Nothing could be more pleasant than the whole conduct of Mahmoud al Ackbar, and I determined34 to take full advantage of it, not caring overmuch what might be the nature of those previous favours to which he had alluded35.  That was his look-out, and if he was satisfied, why should not I be so also?
 
On the following morning I was dressed at six, and, looking out of my bed-room, I saw the boat in which we were to be wafted36 into Asia being brought up to the quay37 close under my window.  It had been arranged that we should start early, so as to avoid the mid-day sun, breakfast in the boat,—Mahmoud in this way engaged to provide me with two refections,—take our rest at noon in a pavilion which had been built close upon the well of the patriarch, and then eat our dinner, and return riding upon camels in the cool of the evening.  Nothing could sound more pleasant than such a plan; and knowing as I did that the hampers38 of provisions had already been sent over, I did not doubt that the table arrangements would be excellent.  Even now, standing5 at my window, I could see a basket laden39 with long-necked bottles going into the boat, and became aware that we should not depend altogether for our morning repast on that gritty coffee which my friend Mahmoud’s followers prepared.
 
I had promised to be ready at six, and having carefully completed my toilet, and put a clean collar and comb into my pocket ready for dinner, I descended40 to the great gateway41 and walked slowly round to the quay.  As I passed out, the porter greeted me with a low obeisance42, and walking on, I felt that I stepped the ground with a sort of dignity of which I had before been ignorant.  It is not, as a rule, the man who gives grace and honour to the position, but the position which confers the grace and honour upon the man.  I have often envied the solemn gravity and grand demeanour of the Lord Chancellor43, as I have seen him on the bench; but I almost think that even Judkins would look grave and dignified44 under such a wig45.  Mahmoud al Ackbar had called upon me and done me honour, and I felt myself personally capable of sustaining before the people of Suez the honour which he had done me.
 
As I walked forth with a proud step from beneath the portal, I perceived, looking down from the square along the street, that there was already some commotion46 in the town.  I saw the flowing robes of many Arabs, with their backs turned towards me, and I thought that I observed the identical gown and turban of my friend Mahmoud on the back and head of a stout47 short man, who was hurrying round a corner in the distance.  I felt sure that it was Mahmoud.  Some of his servants had failed in their preparations, I said to myself, as I made my way round to the water’s edge.  This was only another testimony48 how anxious he was to do me honour.
 
I stood for a while on the edge of the quay looking into the boat, and admiring the comfortable cushions which were luxuriously49 arranged around the seats.  The men who were at work did not know me, and I was unnoticed, but I should soon take my place upon the softest of those cushions.  I walked slowly backwards50 and forwards on the quay, listening to a hum of voices that came to me from a distance.  There was clearly something stirring in the town, and I felt certain that all the movement and all those distant voices were connected in some way with my expedition to the Well of Moses.  At last there came a lad upon the walk dressed in Frank costume, and I asked him what was in the wind.  He was a clerk attached to an English warehouse51, and he told me that there had been an arrival from Cairo.
 
He knew no more than that, but he had heard that the omnibuses had just come in.  Could it be possible that Mahmoud al Ackbar had heard of another old acquaintance, and had gone to welcome him also?
 
At first my ideas on the subject were altogether pleasant.  I by no means wished to monopolise the delights of all those cushions, nor would it be to me a cause of sorrow that there should be some one to share with me the conversational52 powers of that interpreter.  Should another guest be found, he might also be an Englishman, and I might thus form an acquaintance which would be desirable.  Thinking of these things, I walked the quay for some minutes in a happy state of mind; but by degrees I became impatient, and by degrees also disturbed in my spirit.  I observed that one of the Arab boatmen walked round from the vessel53 to the front of the hotel, and that on his return he looked at me—as I thought, not with courteous54 eyes.  Then also I saw, or rather heard, some one in the verandah of the hotel above me, and was conscious that I was being viewed from thence.  I walked and walked, and nobody came to me, and I perceived by my watch that it was seven o’clock.  The noise, too, had come nearer and nearer, and I was now aware that wheels had been drawn55 up before the front door of the hotel, and that many voices were speaking there.  It might be that Mahmoud should wait for some other friend, but why did he not send some one to inform me?  And then, as I made a sudden turn at the end of the quay, I caught sight of the retreating legs of the Austrian interpreter, and I became aware that he had been sent down, and had gone away, afraid to speak to me.  “What can I do?” said I to myself, “I can but keep my ground.”  I owned that I feared to go round to the front of the hotel.  So I still walked slowly up and down the length of the quay, and began to whistle to show that I was not uneasy.  The Arab sailors looked at me uncomfortably, and from time to time some one peered at me round the corner.  It was now fully19 half-past seven, and the sun was becoming hot in the heavens.  Why did we not hasten to place ourselves beneath the awning56 in that boat.
 
I had just made up my mind that I would go round to the front and penetrate57 this mystery, when, on turning, I saw approaching to me a man dressed at any rate like an English gentleman.  As he came near to me, he raised his hat, and accosted58 me in our own language.  “Mr. George Walker, I believe?” said he.
 
“Yes,” said I, with some little attempt at a high demeanour,—“of the firm of Grimes, Walker, and Judkins, Friday Street, London.”
 
“A most respectable house, I am sure,” said he.  “I am afraid there has been a little mistake here.”
 
“No mistake as to the respectability of that house,” said I.  I felt that I was again alone in the world, and that it was necessary that I should support myself.  Mahmoud al Ackbar had separated himself from me for ever.  Of that I had no longer a doubt.
 
“Oh, none at all,” said he.  “But about this little expedition over the water;” and he pointed59 contemptuously to the boat.  “There has been a mistake about that, Mr. Walker; I happen to be the English Vice-Consul3 here.”
 
I took off my hat and bowed.  It was the first time I had ever been addressed civilly by any English consular60 authority.
 
“And they have made me get out of bed to come down here and explain all this to you.”
 
“All what?” said I.
 
“You are a man of the world, I know, and I’ll just tell it you plainly.  My old friend, Mahmoud al Ackbar, has mistaken you for Sir George Walker, the new Lieutenant-Governor of Pegu.  Sir George Walker is here now; he has come this morning; and Mahmoud is ashamed to face you after what has occurred.  If you won’t object to withdraw with me into the hotel, I’ll explain it all.”
 
I felt as though a thunderbolt had fallen; and I must say, that even up to this day I think that the Consul might have been a little less abrupt61.  “We can get in here,” said he, evidently in a hurry, and pointing to a small door which opened out from one corner of the house to the quay.  What could I do but follow him?  I did follow him, and in a few words learned the remainder of the story.  When he had once withdrawn62 me from the public walk he seemed but little anxious about the rest, and soon left me again alone.  The facts, as far as I could learn them, were simply these.
 
Sir George Walker, who was now going out to Pegu as Governor, had been in India before, commanding an army there.  I had never heard of him before, and had made no attempt to pass myself off as his relative.  Nobody could have been more innocent than I was—or have received worse usage.  I have as much right to the name as he has.  Well; when he was in India before, he had taken the city of Begum after a terrible siege—Begum, I think the Consul called it; and Mahmoud had been there, having been, it seems, a great man at Begum, and Sir George had spared him and his money; and in this way the whole thing had come to pass.  There was no further explanation than that.  The rest of it was all transparent63.  Mahmoud, having heard my name from the porter, had hurried down to invite me to his party.  So far so good.  But why had he been afraid to face me in the morning?  And, seeing that the fault had all been his, why had he not asked me to join the expedition?  Sir George and I may, after all, be cousins.  But, coward as he was, he had been afraid of me.  When they found that I was on the quay, they had been afraid of me, not knowing how to get rid of me.  I wish that I had kept the quay all day, and stared them down one by one as they entered the boat.  But I was down in the mouth, and when the Consul left me, I crept wearily back to my bedroom.
 
And the Consul did leave me almost immediately.  A faint hope had, at one time, come upon me that he would have asked me to breakfast.  Had he done so, I should have felt it as a full compensation for all that I had suffered.  I am not an exacting64 man, but I own that I like civility.  In Friday Street I can command it, and in Friday Street for the rest of my life will I remain.  From this Consul I received no civility.  As soon as he had got me out of the way and spoken the few words which he had to say, he again raised his hat and left me.  I also again raised mine, and then crept up to my bed-room.
 
From my window, standing a little behind the white curtain, I could see the whole embarkation65.  There was Mahmoud al Ackbar, looking indeed a little hot, but still going through his work with all that excellence66 of deportment which had graced him on the preceding evening.  Had his foot slipped, and had he fallen backwards into that shallow water, my spirit would, I confess, have been relieved.  But, on the contrary, everything went well with him.  There was the real Sir George, my namesake and perhaps my cousin, as fresh as paint, cool from the bath which he had been taking while I had been walking on that terrace.  How is it that these governors and commanders-in-chief go through such a deal of work without fagging?  It was not yet two hours since he was jolting67 about in that omnibus-box, and there he had been all night.  I could not have gone off to the Well of Moses immediately on my arrival.  It’s the dignity of the position that does it.  I have long known that the head of a firm must never count on a mere68 clerk to get through as much work as he could do himself.  It’s the interest in the matter that supports the man.
 
They went, and Sir George, as I was well assured, had never heard a word about me.  Had he done so, is it probable that he would have requested my attendance?
 
But Mahmoud and his followers no doubt kept their own counsel as to that little mistake.  There they went, and the gentle rippling69 breeze filled their sail pleasantly, as the boat moved away into the bay.  I felt no spite against any of them but Mahmoud.  Why had he avoided me with such cowardice70?  I could still see them when the morning tchibouk was handed to Sir George; and, though I wished him no harm, I did envy him as he lay there reclining luxuriously upon the cushions.
 
A more wretched day than that I never spent in my life.  As I went in and out, the porter at the gate absolutely scoffed71 at me.  Once I made up my mind to complain within the house.  But what could I have said of the dirty Arab?  They would have told me that it was his religion, or a national observance, or meant for a courtesy.  What can a man do, in a strange country, when he is told that a native spits in his face by way of civility?  I bore it, I bore it—like a man; and sighed for the comforts of Friday Street.
 
As to one matter, I made up my mind on that day, and I fully carried out my purpose on the next: I would go across to the Well of Moses in a boat.  I would visit the coasts of Asia.  And I would ride back into Africa on a camel.  Though I did it alone, I would have my day’s pleasuring.  I had money in my pocket, and, though it might cost me £20, I would see all that my namesake had seen.  It did cost me the best part of £20; and as for the pleasuring, I cannot say much for it.
 
I went to bed early that night, having concluded my bargain for the morrow with a rapacious72 Arab who spoke English.  I went to bed early in order to escape the returning party, and was again on the quay at six the next morning.  On this occasion, I stepped boldly into the boat the very moment that I came along the shore.  There is nothing in the world like paying for what you use.  I saw myself to the bottle of brandy and the cold meat, and acknowledged that a cigar out of my own case would suit me better than that long stick.  The long stick might do very well for a Governor of Pegu, but would be highly inconvenient73 in Friday Street.
 
Well, I am not going to give an account of my day’s journey here, though perhaps I may do so some day.  I did go to the Well of Moses—if a small dirty pool of salt water, lying high above the sands, can be called a well; I did eat my dinner in the miserable74 ruined cottage which they graced by the name of a pavilion; and, alas75 for my poor bones! I did ride home upon a camel.  If Sir George did so early, and started for Pegu the next morning—and I was informed such was the fact—he must have been made of iron.  I laid in bed the whole day suffering greviously; but I was told that on such a journey I should have slakened my throat with oranges, and not with brandy.
 
I survived those four terrible days which remained to me at Suez, and after another month was once again in Friday Street.  I suffered greatly on the occasion; but it is some consolation76 to me to reflect that I smoked a pipe of peace with Mahmoud al Ackbar; that I saw the hero of Begum while journeying out to new triumphs at Pegu; that I sailed into Asia in my own yacht—hired for the occasion; and that I rode back into Africa on a camel.  Nor can Judkins, with all his ill-nature, rob me of these remembrances.

The End

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spoke XryyC     
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:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
2 Christian KVByl     
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒
参考例句:
  • They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
  • His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。
3 consul sOAzC     
n.领事;执政官
参考例句:
  • A consul's duty is to help his own nationals.领事的职责是帮助自己的同胞。
  • He'll hold the post of consul general for the United States at Shanghai.他将就任美国驻上海总领事(的职务)。
4 consulate COwzC     
n.领事馆
参考例句:
  • The Spanish consulate is the large white building opposite the bank.西班牙领事馆是银行对面的那栋高大的白色建筑物。
  • The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。
5 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
6 followers 5c342ee9ce1bf07932a1f66af2be7652     
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件
参考例句:
  • the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
  • The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。
7 literally 28Wzv     
adv.照字面意义,逐字地;确实
参考例句:
  • He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
  • Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候,她不走到真正要昏厥了,决不肯坐下来。
8 ornamented af417c68be20f209790a9366e9da8dbb     
adj.花式字体的v.装饰,点缀,美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The desk was ornamented with many carvings. 这桌子装饰有很多雕刻物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She ornamented her dress with lace. 她用花边装饰衣服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
10 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
11 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
12 amber LzazBn     
n.琥珀;琥珀色;adj.琥珀制的
参考例句:
  • Would you like an amber necklace for your birthday?你过生日想要一条琥珀项链吗?
  • This is a piece of little amber stones.这是一块小小的琥珀化石。
13 stationary CuAwc     
adj.固定的,静止不动的
参考例句:
  • A stationary object is easy to be aimed at.一个静止不动的物体是容易瞄准的。
  • Wait until the bus is stationary before you get off.你要等公共汽车停稳了再下车。
14 nibble DRZzG     
n.轻咬,啃;v.一点点地咬,慢慢啃,吹毛求疵
参考例句:
  • Inflation began to nibble away at their savings.通货膨胀开始蚕食他们的存款。
  • The birds cling to the wall and nibble at the brickwork.鸟儿们紧贴在墙上,啄着砖缝。
15 regale mUUxT     
v.取悦,款待
参考例句:
  • He was constantly regaled with tales of woe.别人老是给他讲些倒霉事儿来逗他开心。
  • He loved to regale his friends with tales about the many memorable characters he had known as a newspaperman.他喜欢讲些他当记者时认识的许多名人的故事给朋友们消遣。
16 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
17 sputtering 60baa9a92850944a75456c0cb7ae5c34     
n.反应溅射法;飞溅;阴极真空喷镀;喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 );发劈啪声;喷出;飞溅出
参考例句:
  • A wick was sputtering feebly in a dish of oil. 瓦油灯上结了一个大灯花,使微弱的灯光变得更加阴暗。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
  • Jack ran up to the referee, sputtering protest. 贾克跑到裁判跟前,唾沫飞溅地提出抗议。 来自辞典例句
18 gracefully KfYxd     
ad.大大方方地;优美地
参考例句:
  • She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
  • The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。
19 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
20 nostrils 23a65b62ec4d8a35d85125cdb1b4410e     
鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Her nostrils flared with anger. 她气得两个鼻孔都鼓了起来。
  • The horse dilated its nostrils. 马张大鼻孔。
21 puff y0cz8     
n.一口(气);一阵(风);v.喷气,喘气
参考例句:
  • He took a puff at his cigarette.他吸了一口香烟。
  • They tried their best to puff the book they published.他们尽力吹捧他们出版的书。
22 puffs cb3699ccb6e175dfc305ea6255d392d6     
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
参考例句:
  • We sat exchanging puffs from that wild pipe of his. 我们坐在那里,轮番抽着他那支野里野气的烟斗。 来自辞典例句
  • Puffs of steam and smoke came from the engine. 一股股蒸汽和烟雾从那火车头里冒出来。 来自辞典例句
23 grit LlMyH     
n.沙粒,决心,勇气;v.下定决心,咬紧牙关
参考例句:
  • The soldiers showed that they had plenty of grit. 士兵们表现得很有勇气。
  • I've got some grit in my shoe.我的鞋子里弄进了一些砂子。
24 bruised 5xKz2P     
[医]青肿的,瘀紫的
参考例句:
  • his bruised and bloodied nose 他沾满血的青肿的鼻子
  • She had slipped and badly bruised her face. 她滑了一跤,摔得鼻青脸肿。
25 exhausted 7taz4r     
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的
参考例句:
  • It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长,到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
  • Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。
26 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
27 purport etRy4     
n.意义,要旨,大要;v.意味著,做为...要旨,要领是...
参考例句:
  • Many theories purport to explain growth in terms of a single cause.许多理论都标榜以单一的原因解释生长。
  • Her letter may purport her forthcoming arrival.她的来信可能意味着她快要到了。
28 guise JeizL     
n.外表,伪装的姿态
参考例句:
  • They got into the school in the guise of inspectors.他们假装成视察员进了学校。
  • The thief came into the house under the guise of a repairman.那小偷扮成个修理匠进了屋子。
29 anticipation iMTyh     
n.预期,预料,期望
参考例句:
  • We waited at the station in anticipation of her arrival.我们在车站等着,期待她的到来。
  • The animals grew restless as if in anticipation of an earthquake.各种动物都变得焦躁不安,像是感到了地震即将发生。
30 transit MglzVT     
n.经过,运输;vt.穿越,旋转;vi.越过
参考例句:
  • His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
  • The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。
31 assent Hv6zL     
v.批准,认可;n.批准,认可
参考例句:
  • I cannot assent to what you ask.我不能应允你的要求。
  • The new bill passed by Parliament has received Royal Assent.议会所通过的新方案已获国王批准。
32 salaams 84cb0480ea6c108db9ea0e1ce2b2b9f1     
(穆斯林的)额手礼,问安,敬礼( salaam的名词复数 )
参考例句:
33 persevering AltztR     
a.坚忍不拔的
参考例句:
  • They will only triumph by persevering in their struggle against natural calamities. 他们只有坚持与自然灾害搏斗,才能取得胜利。
  • Success belongs to the persevering. 胜利属于不屈不挠的人。
34 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
35 alluded 69f7a8b0f2e374aaf5d0965af46948e7     
提及,暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中,你提到了某个阴谋。
  • She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。
36 wafted 67ba6873c287bf9bad4179385ab4d457     
v.吹送,飘送,(使)浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The sound of their voices wafted across the lake. 他们的声音飘过湖面传到了另一边。
  • A delicious smell of freshly baked bread wafted across the garden. 花园中飘过一股刚出炉面包的香味。 来自《简明英汉词典》
37 quay uClyc     
n.码头,靠岸处
参考例句:
  • There are all kinds of ships in a quay.码头停泊各式各样的船。
  • The side of the boat hit the quay with a grinding jar.船舷撞到码头发出刺耳的声音。
38 hampers aedee0b9211933f51c82c37a6b8cd413     
妨碍,束缚,限制( hamper的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • Prejudice sometimes hampers a person from doing the right thing. 有时候,偏见会妨碍人正确行事。
  • This behavior is the opposite of modeless feedback, and it hampers flow. 这个行为有悖于非模态的反馈,它阻碍了流。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
39 laden P2gx5     
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的
参考例句:
  • He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
  • Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。
40 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
41 gateway GhFxY     
n.大门口,出入口,途径,方法
参考例句:
  • Hard work is the gateway to success.努力工作是通往成功之路。
  • A man collected tolls at the gateway.一个人在大门口收通行费。
42 obeisance fH5xT     
n.鞠躬,敬礼
参考例句:
  • He made obeisance to the king.他向国王表示臣服。
  • While he was still young and strong all paid obeisance to him.他年轻力壮时所有人都对他毕恭毕敬。
43 chancellor aUAyA     
n.(英)大臣;法官;(德、奥)总理;大学校长
参考例句:
  • They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
  • He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。
44 dignified NuZzfb     
a.可敬的,高贵的
参考例句:
  • Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中,他始终沉默以保持尊严。
  • He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。
45 wig 1gRwR     
n.假发
参考例句:
  • The actress wore a black wig over her blond hair.那个女演员戴一顶黑色假发罩住自己的金黄色头发。
  • He disguised himself with a wig and false beard.他用假发和假胡须来乔装。
46 commotion 3X3yo     
n.骚动,动乱
参考例句:
  • They made a commotion by yelling at each other in the theatre.他们在剧院里相互争吵,引起了一阵骚乱。
  • Suddenly the whole street was in commotion.突然间,整条街道变得一片混乱。
48 testimony zpbwO     
n.证词;见证,证明
参考例句:
  • The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
  • He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。
49 luxuriously 547f4ef96080582212df7e47e01d0eaf     
adv.奢侈地,豪华地
参考例句:
  • She put her nose luxuriously buried in heliotrope and tea roses. 她把自己的鼻子惬意地埋在天芥菜和庚申蔷薇花簇中。 来自辞典例句
  • To be well dressed doesn't mean to be luxuriously dressed. 穿得好不一定衣着豪华。 来自辞典例句
50 backwards BP9ya     
adv.往回地,向原处,倒,相反,前后倒置地
参考例句:
  • He turned on the light and began to pace backwards and forwards.他打开电灯并开始走来走去。
  • All the girls fell over backwards to get the party ready.姑娘们迫不及待地为聚会做准备。
51 warehouse 6h7wZ     
n.仓库;vt.存入仓库
参考例句:
  • We freighted the goods to the warehouse by truck.我们用卡车把货物运到仓库。
  • The manager wants to clear off the old stocks in the warehouse.经理想把仓库里积压的存货处理掉。
52 conversational SZ2yH     
adj.对话的,会话的
参考例句:
  • The article is written in a conversational style.该文是以对话的形式写成的。
  • She values herself on her conversational powers.她常夸耀自己的能言善辩。
53 vessel 4L1zi     
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管
参考例句:
  • The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
  • You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。
54 courteous tooz2     
adj.彬彬有礼的,客气的
参考例句:
  • Although she often disagreed with me,she was always courteous.尽管她常常和我意见不一,但她总是很谦恭有礼。
  • He was a kind and courteous man.他为人友善,而且彬彬有礼。
55 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
56 awning LeVyZ     
n.遮阳篷;雨篷
参考例句:
  • A large green awning is set over the glass window to shelter against the sun.在玻璃窗上装了个绿色的大遮棚以遮挡阳光。
  • Several people herded under an awning to get out the shower.几个人聚集在门栅下避阵雨
57 penetrate juSyv     
v.透(渗)入;刺入,刺穿;洞察,了解
参考例句:
  • Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念逐渐传入东方。
  • The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不能透入树木最浓密的地方。
58 accosted 4ebfcbae6e0701af7bf7522dbf7f39bb     
v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 );跟…搭讪;(乞丐等)上前向…乞讨;(妓女等)勾搭
参考例句:
  • She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. 在街上,一个完全陌生的人贸然走到她跟前搭讪。
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. 他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
59 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
60 consular tZMyq     
a.领事的
参考例句:
  • He has rounded out twenty years in the consular service. 他在领事馆工作已整整20年了。
  • Consular invoices are declarations made at the consulate of the importing country. 领事发票是进口国领事馆签发的一种申报书。
61 abrupt 2fdyh     
adj.突然的,意外的;唐突的,鲁莽的
参考例句:
  • The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
  • His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。
62 withdrawn eeczDJ     
vt.收回;使退出;vi.撤退,退出
参考例句:
  • Our force has been withdrawn from the danger area.我们的军队已从危险地区撤出。
  • All foreign troops should be withdrawn to their own countries.一切外国军队都应撤回本国去。
63 transparent Smhwx     
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的
参考例句:
  • The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明,可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
  • The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。
64 exacting VtKz7e     
adj.苛求的,要求严格的
参考例句:
  • He must remember the letters and symbols with exacting precision.他必须以严格的精度记住每个字母和符号。
  • The public has been more exacting in its demands as time has passed.随着时间的推移,公众的要求更趋严格。
65 embarkation embarkation     
n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船
参考例句:
  • Lisbon became the great embarkation point. 里斯本成了最理想的跳板。 来自英语连读(第二部分)
  • Good, go aboard please, be about very quickly embarkation. 好了,请上船吧,很快就要开船了。
66 excellence ZnhxM     
n.优秀,杰出,(pl.)优点,美德
参考例句:
  • His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
  • My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。
67 jolting 5p8zvh     
adj.令人震惊的
参考例句:
  • 'she should be all right from the plane's jolting by now. “飞机震荡应该过了。
  • This is perhaps the most jolting comment of all. 这恐怕是最令人震惊的评论。
68 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
69 rippling b84b2d05914b2749622963c1ef058ed5     
起涟漪的,潺潺流水般声音的
参考例句:
  • I could see the dawn breeze rippling the shining water. 我能看见黎明的微风在波光粼粼的水面上吹出道道涟漪。
  • The pool rippling was caused by the waving of the reeds. 池塘里的潺潺声是芦苇摇动时引起的。
70 cowardice norzB     
n.胆小,怯懦
参考例句:
  • His cowardice reflects on his character.他的胆怯对他的性格带来不良影响。
  • His refusal to help simply pinpointed his cowardice.他拒绝帮助正显示他的胆小。
71 scoffed b366539caba659eacba33b0867b6de2f     
嘲笑,嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He scoffed at our amateurish attempts. 他对我们不在行的尝试嗤之以鼻。
  • A hundred years ago people scoffed at the idea. 一百年前人们曾嘲笑过这种想法。
72 rapacious hAzzh     
adj.贪婪的,强夺的
参考例句:
  • He had a rapacious appetite for bird's nest soup.他吃燕窝汤吃个没够。
  • Rapacious soldiers looted the houses in the defeated city.贪婪的士兵洗劫了被打败的城市。
73 inconvenient m4hy5     
adj.不方便的,令人感到麻烦的
参考例句:
  • You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
  • Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗?
74 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
75 alas Rx8z1     
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)
参考例句:
  • Alas!The window is broken!哎呀!窗子破了!
  • Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而,真理很少带有浪漫色彩。
76 consolation WpbzC     
n.安慰,慰问
参考例句:
  • The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
  • This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。


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