Leigh Manor7 had belonged to Mr. Fothersley from the day of his birth, which occurred two months after the death of his father. That gentleman had married late in life for the sole and avowed8 purpose of providing his estate with an heir, of which purpose his son most cordially approved. At the same time he had never seen his way to go so far himself. The Fothersleys were not a marrying family. His mother, a colourless person, of irreproachable9 lineage, and a view of life which contemplated10 only two aspects, the comfortable and the uncomfortable, had lived long enough to see him well into the forties, by which time he was as skillful as she had been in the management of an establishment. Everything continued to run in the same perfect order, and Mr. Fothersley felt no more inclined than during her lifetime to disturb the smooth current of his pleasant life by embarking11 on the very uncertain adventure of matrimony. On this particular morning he paused outside his own gate to look at the view—almost the same view that was obtainable from the “house on the wall” at Thorpe Farm. Ever since he was a small child, Mr. Fothersley could remember taking visitors to see “our view,” 122and he had, at an early age, esteemed12 it unfortunate that none so good was to be obtained from the grounds of Leigh Manor. He looked out over the quiet scene. The great beautiful valley, with the suggestion only of the sea beyond, the dotted farmsteads, with here and there some noble old mansion13 like his own secluded14 among its trees, and, at his feet, little Mentmore village, with its grey church tower, half hidden in the hollow. It was typical of all he held most dearly. A symbol of the well-ordered ease and superiority of his position, of the things which were indeed, though unconsciously, Mr. Fothersley’s religion.
In the grey church his forbears had, like himself, sat with their peers, in the front pews, while their dependents had herded15 discreetly16 at the back behind the pillars. In these eminently17 picturesque18 cottages, of two or three rooms, dwelt families who, he had always taken more or less for granted, regarded him and his with a mixture of respect and reverence19, just touched—only touched—with awe20. On the whole most worthy21 and respectable people. Mr. Fothersley was generous to them out of his superabundance. He was indeed attached to them; and although Mr. Fothersley prided himself on moving with the times, it was plain that any alteration22 in the admirable state of things 123existing in Mentmore would not only be a mistake, but absolutely wrong.
Therefore, on this fine June morning, Mr. Fothersley was perturbed23. The knowledge that Mr. Pithey dwelt in the noble grey stone house on the opposite hill, in the place of his old friend, Helford Rose, spoilt “his view” for him. And, for the first time, too, one of Ruth Seer’s new cottages had become visible just below his own pasture fields. The workmen were putting on the roof. It was to Mr. Fothersley an unseemly sight in Mentmore. Ruth had done her best, she had spent both time and money in securing material that would not spoil the harmony or character of the little village, but as Mr. Fothersley had said, it was the thin end of the wedge.
What was to prevent Mr. Pithey from scattering24 some horrible epidemic25 of hideous26 utilitarian27 domiciles broadcast over his wide estate? Mr. Fothersley shuddered28, and remembered with thankfulness that they were not at present a paying proposition.
Still, he wished Miss Seer had not these queer manias29. Not that he disliked her—far from it. Indeed, the little basket of his special early strawberries, poised30 in his right hand, was on its way to her. And he had even traced a distant cousinship with her on the Courthope side. 124Since what was now familiarly known in his set as the Pithian Invasion he considered her a distinct asset at Thorpe.
“I would not have had old Dick’s place vulgarized for a good deal,” he said to himself as he descended31 the hill. “And I know even he did talk of building some cottages before the war, poor dear fellow.”
All the same, he did not feel in his usual spirits, and presently, to add to his discomfort32, he passed the local sweep, window cleaner, and generally handy man, who, instead of touching33 his hat as of old, nodded a cheery, “Good-morning, Mr. Fothersley! Nice weather,” to him.
Mr. Fothersley did not like it. Most distinctly it annoyed him! It had been one thing to go and see Mankelow when he was wounded, and a patient in the local V.A.D., and make a considerable fuss over him, but that, as Mr. Pithey was fond of saying, “was different.” It was decidedly presuming on it for Mankelow to treat him in that “Hail fellow, well met” way.
This brought to Mr. Fothersley’s mind the threatening strikes among the miners, transport workers, and what Mr. Fothersley vaguely34 designated as “those sort of people.” He wondered what would happen if all the sweeps went 125on strike. It was a most dangerous thing to light fires with a large accumulation of soot35 up the chimney—most dangerous.
At this moment he nearly collided with Ruth Seer, as she came swiftly round the Post Office corner.
They both stopped, laughed, and apologized.
“I was just on my way to you with some of our early strawberries,” said Mr. Fothersley, exposing a corner of the contents of his basket.
“How very good of you!” exclaimed Ruth. “And I do love them. Will you wait for me one moment? I am going on my way to send a telegram to Mr. North.”
Now curiosity was the most prominent trait in Mr. Fothersley’s funny little character, and it was the naked and unashamed curiosity of the small child. It might almost be looked on as a virtue36 turned inside out, so real and keen was his interest in his neighbors’ affairs, an interest often followed by sympathy and help.
“Telegraphing to North!” he exclaimed. “What about?”
No inhabitant of any length of time would have been in the least astonished, but Ruth, for a moment or two taken thoroughly37 aback, simply stared at him. Then, somewhat late in the day, it began to dawn on her that her telegram 126to Roger North might possibly demand an explanation, and one she had no intentions of giving.
“Telegraphing to North? What about?” repeated Mr. Fothersley, his little pink face beaming with kindly38 interest.
The whole truth being out of the question, there was nothing for it but as much as possible.
“I want to see him to ask his opinion on a matter of importance,” said Ruth.
Astonishment39 mingled40 with the curiosity on Mr. Fothersley’s speaking countenance41. Many things flashed through his mind in the minute while he and Ruth again stared at each other, the most prominent being the tongue of the Postmistress and Mrs. North’s fiery42 jealousy43.
Mr. Fothersley could remember terrible times, when it had been aroused by lesser44 matters than this telegram, aroused to such an extent that all Mentmore had become aware of it, and much unnecessary dirty linen45 washed in public before the storm subsided46.
North himself on these occasions was, in Mr. Fothersley’s language, difficult, most difficult. He either teased his wife unmercifully, or lost his temper and used bad language. The whole affair was always, again in Mr. Fothersley’s 127language, “regrettable, most regrettable,” while the groundwork of the whole matter was, that women bored North far more than they ever amused him, so that if he did talk to one it was noticeable.
It was quite evident to Mr. Fothersley that Miss Seer was wholly unconscious of anything unusual in her action. This surprised him, for he had understood she had been a companion, and a companion’s knowledge of such things, as a rule, passes belief.
Ruth made a movement to pass on, the fatal document in her hand. But it was one of those moments when Mr. Fothersley was supreme47.
“My dear lady,” he exclaimed, “I am going to Westwood so soon as I have deposited my little offering on your doorstep. Allow me to take the message for you.”
With a deft48 movement the paper was in his possession, was neatly49 folded and placed in safety in his waistcoat pocket. His little plump figure turned, plainly prepared to escort her back to Thorpe.
“The telegram will explain itself?” he asked, “or shall I give any message?”
“I want to consult him about some happenings on the farm,” answered Ruth. “Things I should like to talk over with him with as little delay as possible. Mr. North has been very 128kind, and, I think takes a real interest in Thorpe.”
“No doubt. No doubt.” Mr. Fothersley acquiesced50 cordially. “He was poor Carey’s most intimate friend. Though indeed we were all his friends. A most lovable fellow. Indeed, he was almost too kind-hearted. Anyone could take him in—and did!” added Mr. Fothersley, with warmth. “There was a German fellow, very pleasant, I own, to meet, who used to stay with him quite a lot at one time. I always felt how, if they had invaded England, he would have known every inch of the country round here, for no doubt he took notes of everything, as they always did. Funnily enough, he was taken prisoner badly wounded by Dick’s own regiment51, and died at the clearing station, before they could get him to a hospital.”
Ruth looked at the sunlit peace of the farm, for they had reached the gate. She remembered what Violet Riversley had told her. And yet Dick Carey had cared for this man.
“And they had parted here as friends,” she said.
“I believe Dick was quite cut up about it,” said Mr. Fothersley. “Very odd. But poor dear Dick was odd! No sense of proportion, you know!”
This was a favourite saying of both Mr. 129Fothersley’s and Mrs. North’s. It is doubtful if either of them quite knew what they meant by it, but it sounded well.
Mr. Fothersley repeated it over again, leaning with his arms on the gate. “No sense of proportion. A lovable fellow though, most lovable. Many’s the time we’ve stood here, just as you and I are standing52, watching his birds. You have the bird pool still, I see.” Mr. Fothersley fumbled53 for his glasses. “Yes, and those wretched little blue-tits everywhere—the worst offenders54 in the garden. Even the blossom is not safe from them. Madness to encourage them with coconuts55 and bacon-rind. But as I said, poor Dick——”
By this time Mr. Fothersley had his glasses firmly planted across the bridge of his nose. He could see the pool plainly, and in addition to several blue-tits, two round cherub56 faces, open-mouthed, very still, hanging over the edge of the bank.
“Good heavens! What are those?” he exclaimed.
“Only two small visitors of mine,” said Ruth, smiling. “It is quite wonderful how still they have learnt to be to watch the birds. They live in Blackwall Tenements57, and their only playground there is a strip of pavement under a dust shoot.”
“Oh, Tommy! ’e’s caught a f’y!”
The next moment every bird had gone, while the complete figures belonging to the moon faces arose, as it were out of the ground. Both wore knickers, both had short hair, but it was plainly the master male who administered swift and primitive60 punishment.
“There, you’ve done it again!”
The boy pocketed his hands and moved off.
“Jes’ like a woman,” he called over his shoulder.
The other small figure followed him at a humble63 distance, wailing64 aloud till both disappeared from view.
Mr. Fothersley shuddered.
“How can you bear it?” he asked, his little pink face really concerned. “Even Dick——”
“Stopped short at Germans,” Ruth ended for him. “Well, it has its compensations. And after all, what can one do? I know that playground under the dust soot! And I have all this. One could not bear it, if one didn’t have them down.”
131“How many?” asked Mr. Fothersley faintly.
Ruth leant back against the gate and gave way to helpless laughter, while Mr. Fothersley prodded65 holes in the bank with his stick and waited with dignity till she should recover. He saw nothing to laugh at.
“I beg your pardon,” said Ruth, hurriedly suppressing what she felt from his manner was most unseemly mirth. “I only have two at a time,” she added appeasingly. “And they are really very good on the whole.”
“I should relegate66 them to the back garden,” said Mr. Fothersley decisively. “I remember as a child even I was never allowed to run wild where I pleased. Good heavens! what is that noise?” He cocked an attentive67 ear, as a sound, like nothing he had ever heard before, made itself evident.
At the same moment, over the crest68 of the lawn appeared a wonderful procession. First came the small female figure in knickers, brandishing69 in her right hand a crimson70 flag, while with the left she held a small tin trumpet71 to her lips, with which at intervals73 she blew a breathless note. The same which had attracted Mr. Fothersley’s attention. Then, strapped74 into his go-cart, and positively75 smothered76 in flags and flowers, came Bertram Aurelius. Finally, pushing the go-cart with somewhat dangerous 132vigour, the small Lord of the Show. Around the procession, leaping and barking, skirmished Sarah and Selina, while beside the go-cart Larry padded sedately77, snuffing the air delicately, waving a stately tail.
The procession circled the lawn at the full speed of the children’s small legs, dropped over into the garden pathway and disappeared towards the farmyard.
“Quite like one of the delightful79 illustrations in the children’s books of to-day,” he said, smiling. “Please don’t think me unsympathetic, dear lady. A love of children is one of the most beautiful traits in a woman’s character, and philanthropy has also its due place. But do not be carried away by too much enthusiasm. Do have, as I used to say to poor Dick, a due sense of proportion. Otherwise you will only get imposed upon, and do no good in the long run. Believe me, you have gone quite far enough with these innovations, and do let it stop there before you have cause for regret.”
Mr. Fothersley paused and smiled, well pleased with the turning of his phrases. Also he felt his advice was good. Ruth acquiesced with becoming humility80, aware only of a little running commentary which conveyed nothing 133to her. Her mind was entirely81 absorbed with the fact that Larry had accompanied the small procession which had so swiftly crossed their line of vision and disappeared—Larry, who kept children severely82 in their place as became a dignified83 gentleman of a certain age, and on whom not even Selina’s wiliest enticement84 produced the smallest effect.
“No good ever comes of moving people out of their natural surroundings,” continued Mr. Fothersley, holding on his way with complete satisfaction. “All men cannot be equal, and it only makes them discontented with the state of life in which it has pleased God to place them. Personally I believe also they are quite unable to appreciate better conditions. Why, when——”
And here, to the little man’s astonishment, Ruth suddenly, and very vividly85, turned on him, shaking a warning finger in front of his startled nose.
“Mr. Fothersley, if you tell me that old story about the chickens in the bathroom, I warn you I am quite unable to bear it. I shall hold forth86, and either make you very cross with me or bore you to death. I have lived amongst the very poor, and between your view of them and mine there is a great gulf87 fixed88. I know what you cannot know—their sufferings, their endurance, 134their patience. I would have every child in London down here if I could—so there! And they may love their squalor and filth89, as people here have said to me. It is all the home they have ever known. It is the great indictment90 against our civilization.”
Then she stopped and suddenly smiled at him, it was a smile that barred offence.
“There, you see! Don’t start me off, whatever you do!”
Mr. Fothersley smiled back. “My dear lady, I admire your kindness of heart. It is your lack of any sense of proportion——”
It was at this moment that Mr. Pithey appeared, magnificent in a new tweed knickerbocker suit of a tawny91 hue92, with immaculate gaiters, brown boots and gloves; a cap to match the suit, upon his head; the inevitable93 cigar in his mouth; looking incongruous enough, between the wild rose and honeysuckle hedges.
To discover a couple of anything like marriageable age alone together, in what he called “the lanes,” suggested one thing and one thing only to Mr. Pithey’s mind. His manner assumed a terrible geniality95.
“Now don’t let me disturb you,” he said, waving a large newly gloved hand. “Just a word with this lady, and I’m off.” He perpetrated a wink96 that caused Mr. Fothersley to 135shut his eyes. “Two’s company and three’s none, eh?”
Mr. Fothersley opened his eyes and endeavoured to stare him down with concentrated rage and disgust. But Mr. Pithey held on his way, undisturbed.
“Wonderful how you meet everybody in this little place! Just passed Lady Condor97. Jove! how that woman does cake her face with paint. At her age too! What’s the use? Doesn’t worry me, but Mrs. Pithey disapproves98 of that sort of thing root and branches.”
If Mr. Fothersley could have called down fire from heaven and slain99 Mr. Pithey at that moment, he would undoubtedly100 have done so; as it was, he could only struggle impotently for words wherewith to convey to him some sense of his insufferable impertinence.
And words failed him. His little round face quivering with rage, he stammered101 for a moment unintelligibly102, making furious gestures with his disengaged hand at the astonished Mr. Pithey. Finally he turned his back and thrust the basket of strawberries into Ruth’s hand.
“Please send the basket back at your convenience, Miss Seer,” he said. Even in that moment he did not forget the importance of the return of one of the Leigh Manor baskets. “Good-morning.”
136“Touching little brute103,” remarked Mr. Pithey cheerfully, gazing after him. “What’s upset him now? He’ll have an apoplectic104 fit if he walks at that rate in this heat, a man of his built and a hearty105 eater too!”
Indeed poor Mr. Fothersley, by the time he reached the Manor, between rage and nervousness, for who could say what thoughts Mr. Pithey’s egregious106 remarks might not have given rise to in Miss Seer’s mind, was in a very sad state.
It was impossible to risk driving to Westwood in an open car. He ordered the landaulette, closed.
It was necessary to go because he had Miss Seer’s telegram to deliver. Also the desire was strong upon him for the people of his own little world, those who felt things as he felt them, and saw things even as he saw them. He wanted to talk over the various small happenings of the morning with an understanding spirit; the sweep’s familiarity, Miss Seer’s odd activities, and last, but not least, Mr. Pithey’s hateful facetiousness107. Above all, though he hardly knew it himself, he wanted to get with people who were the same as people had been before the war, to get away from this continual obtrusion108 of an undercurrent of difference, of 137change, which so disquieted109 him, and he wanted, badly wanted, comfort and sympathy.
The Norths were by themselves, and proportionately glad to see him. Violet had left, on a sudden impulse, that morning, and fresh visitors were not expected till the following week.
The very atmosphere of Nita North comforted the little man. The atmosphere of the great commonplace, the unimaginative, the egotistic. An atmosphere untouched by the war. Peace descended on his troubled spirit as he unfolded his table napkin and watched the butler, in the very best manner of the best butler lift the silver cover in front of Mrs. North from the golden-brown veal110 cutlets, each with its dainty roll of fat bacon, Mr. Fothersley’s favourite luncheon111 dish, while North, who had his moments of insight, said:
“Some of the Steinberg Cabinet for Mr. Fothersley, Mansfield.”
Indeed, both the Norths saw at once that Mr. Fothersley was not quite himself, that he had been upset.
It was impossible to tell the chief causes of his annoyance112 before the servants, though, in an interval72, he commented on the familiar behaviour of the sweep, and his views as to the results of “the new independence” on the 138working classes, and the danger of strikes.
“I have no patience with this pandering113 to the lower classes,” said Mrs. North. “They must be taught.”
North, who was genuinely fond of little Mr. Fothersley, did not ask “How?” as he had an irritating habit of doing when he heard his wife enunciate114 this formula.
Mr. Fothersley agreed. “Certainly, they must be taught.”
He was distinctly soothed115. The Steinberg Cabinet had not altered, indeed it had gained in its power to minister. The objectionable feeling that the foundations on which his world was built were quivering and breaking up subsided into the background, and by the time the coffee came, and the servants departed, he was his usual genial94 kindly little self, and could even give a risible116 turn to his account of Mr. Pithey’s impertinence.
“I lost my temper and, I am afraid, practically gibbered at him with rage,” he owned. “I was hardly dignified. But that I should live to hear that Marion Condor is disapproved117 of by Mrs. Pithey!”
“Insolent brute!” said Mrs. North, all unconscious that her language was Pithian. “Can nobody put him in his place?”
“He must be taught,” suggested North 139wickedly. But, though his wife shot a doubtful glance at him, Mr. Fothersley took the suggestion in good faith.
“I quite agree with you, Roger. The question is, How? Unfortunately we have all called.”
“We could all cut him,” suggested Mrs. North.
“I don’t approve of cutting people, my dear Nita. In a small community it makes things very unpleasant and leads to such uncomfortable situations.” Indeed, Mr. Fothersley had more than once interposed in almost a high-handed manner to prevent Mrs. North cutting ladies of whom she thought she had reason to be jealous. “No, I sincerely wish we had never called, but having called, and indeed invited these people to our houses, received them as guests, I should deprecate cutting them. You agree with me, Roger?”
“Certainly. The Pitheys would not care if you did. Also he is the sort of man who could worry you a good deal in the village if he took it into his head to do so. Better keep good terms with him if you can.”
“What did Miss Seer say?” asked Mrs. North.
“I don’t remember her saying anything, but I was so agitated118. I didn’t, of course, even 140look at her. You don’t think his remarks will give rise to any ideas——” Mr. Fothersley paused, looking from one to the other.
“Good Lord, no!” said North.
“How do you know?” asked his wife sharply. “I should certainly advise Arthur to keep away for the future.”
“I expect you will like your cigar in the garden with Nita,” he said, pushing the box across the table to his guest. “I’ve got some letters to write.”
When he reached his study he took Ruth’s telegram out of his pocket-book and, lighting120 a match, burned it very carefully to ashes. “Bless their small minds,” he said.
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merged
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| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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heliotrope
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| n.天芥菜；淡紫色 | |
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manor
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| n.庄园，领地 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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utilitarian
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| adj.实用的，功利的 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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manias
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| n.（mania的复数形式） | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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descended
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discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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vaguely
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soot
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virtue
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thoroughly
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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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39
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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40
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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41
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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43
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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44
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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45
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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46
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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47
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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48
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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49
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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50
acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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52
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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53
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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54
offenders
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| n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物） | |
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55
coconuts
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| n.椰子( coconut的名词复数 )；椰肉，椰果 | |
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56
cherub
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| n.小天使，胖娃娃 | |
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57
tenements
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| n.房屋，住户，租房子( tenement的名词复数 ) | |
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58
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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59
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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60
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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61
sobs
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| 啜泣（声），呜咽（声）( sob的名词复数 ) | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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63
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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64
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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65
prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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66
relegate
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| v.使降级，流放，移交，委任 | |
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67
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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68
crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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69
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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70
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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71
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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72
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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73
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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74
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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75
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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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
sedately
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| adv.镇静地，安详地 | |
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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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79
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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80
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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81
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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82
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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83
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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84
enticement
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| n.诱骗，诱人 | |
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85
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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86
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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87
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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88
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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89
filth
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| n.肮脏，污物，污秽；淫猥 | |
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90
indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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91
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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92
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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93
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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94
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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95
geniality
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| n.和蔼，诚恳；愉快 | |
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96
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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97
condor
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| n.秃鹰；秃鹰金币 | |
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98
disapproves
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的第三人称单数 ) | |
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99
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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100
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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101
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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102
unintelligibly
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| 难以理解地 | |
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103
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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104
apoplectic
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| adj.中风的；愤怒的；n.中风患者 | |
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105
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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106
egregious
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| adj.非常的，过分的 | |
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107
facetiousness
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| n.滑稽 | |
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108
obtrusion
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| n.强制，莽撞 | |
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109
disquieted
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| v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
veal
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| n.小牛肉 | |
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111
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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112
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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113
pandering
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| v.迎合（他人的低级趣味或淫欲）( pander的现在分词 )；纵容某人；迁就某事物 | |
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114
enunciate
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| v.发音；（清楚地）表达 | |
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115
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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116
risible
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| adj.能笑的；可笑的 | |
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117
disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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118
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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119
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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120
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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