That is all I have to say.”
M
RS. CANARY was, literally1 speaking, behind the times. The weekly edition of that romantic sheet, the Household Times, had just arrived, and the mistress of the house had been unable to resist the temptation to "lose herself" in its crackling folds for a few minutes. It was Sunday morning, and the Sabbath to the Canary family meant the dressing2 of five children for attendance at a house of worship. There was a strong odour of soap and sanctity about the little home, but the mother was reading aloud, totally oblivious3 to the noise and confusion surrounding her:
-155-
"Si-lunce reigned4 in the great hall as the Duke faced his quack-ing vik-tum. The res-o-lute blood of his dough-ty ancest-ers shone in his deep eyes. 'I little expect-ed this of you, Phil-lup,' he said at last. The cring-ing slave fell abjeck-ly at his feet, without a word. The calm un-im-passioned voice per-ceeded. 'Fate has played you a sorry trick,' it said.
"The man gru-vel-ing at his feet made no reply, but the Duke's keen eye caught the gleam of a shining blade. 'Traitor5, Mis-cre-ant,' he hissed6, 'would you play me false in my own hall?' and he fell upon the fiendish form."
From the Duke's hall to the Canary kitchen was only a step. In the latter place the long-suffering Holly7 Belle8 was having a discussion with Fridoline as to the merits of church-going for the rising generation. Fridoline was determined9 of chin, and fiery10 of disposition11, and at the early age of seven had conceived a violent aversion to the ritual of faith, and the-156- proper observance of the Sabbath. The following patient monologue13 floated through the half-closed door:
"Oh, yes you will, Fridoline. Every one goes to Sunday School.... Here's the blacking all ready for you.... No, you can't wash first. What's the use of getting clean and then gauming yourself all up agin?... Black the heels of the shoes. Yes, they do show, too.... No, Friddie dear, please don't put on that clean collar until you wash your neck. Let me help you wash.... Well, I won't, if you don't want me to, but you are never pertic'ler about the edges, you know you ain't.... Stop brushing Mike's hair with that blacking brush!... Friddie, I'll tell Ma!... No, your neck ain't clean, an' your ears are a sight. Let me take that rag a minute. No, I won't get your coat collar wet.... Don't work your face that way, Friddie; it can't be as stiff as that.... Well, don't open your mouth, then you won't taste it.... Stop-157- hitting my elbow.... Fridoline Canary!... I hate to tell on you, but if you don't stop I will.... Ma, make Friddie stop!"
Mrs. Canary, putting her forefinger15 between the pages of the Duke's history, came to the doorway16 and looked in,—the picture of grieved amazement17.
"Why, Fridoline," she exclaimed. "Why do you hurt that loving sister of yours? Elbows is tender in ladies. Holly Belle, I wouldn't be too pertic'ler about the edges. He was washed good last Wednesday."
"Sh'd say I was," growled18 Fridoline, looking vengefully at his sister. "They's no need of making me as wet as wash-day agin. Holly Belle's too doggoned clean."
"Ye look as shiny as a new mirror," said his mother proudly. "There's nothing like Ivory soap for bringing out all there is in a man. You look every inch a policeman's son. Now your uncle Weatherby, who holds a government position at Washington, D.C.——"
-158-
"Don't interrupt, Friddie dear," said his mother mildly. "You put me all out of mind of what I was goin' to say. Certainly you do have to go to Sabbath School. I ain't goin' to have it said that I ever let circumstances interfere20 with religion."
"I hate Sunday School," complained Fridoline; "I don't get no good going."
"Oh, yes you do, son," encouraged his mother. "You learn lots. Didn't you get promoted from primary to secondary less'n a month ago?"
"Yes," growled the boy, "en the only difference is that ye put a nickel in the collection instead of a cent. I'm goin' to be changed back agin."
"No, ye ain't," said his mother decidedly. "You get that church down on ye, and ye'll miss the Sunday School picnic. But I'll tell ye what ye can do, Friddie. After the picnic ye can all make a change and go to Mr. Lee's-159- church. The Weatherbys have always been Baptists, but out of compliment to Mr. Lee I'm willin' to let you change. He's been so nice and neighbourly that I think he's deserved it. We won't say nothing about it, and some fine day we'll surprise him by five shinin' faces increasing his aujence."
The idea of a picnic and a surprise facilitated the dressing, and a half hour more saw the departure of the five Canarys in all the splendour of cleanliness and handed-down clothes. Mrs. Canary, standing21 in the doorway, viewed them with pride.
"Now mind yerselves," was her parting instruction. "Ye look like a little herd22 of white doves, and see that ye act so. Holly Belle, don't forget to lend Mikey your handkerchief when necessary. And conduct yerselves right during divine services."
"There goes Miss Billy," she added to herself, as her own little brood rounded the corner. "As chipper as a sparrer, an' a-carryin' something to the needy23, I should judge by that-160- Haverland chiny dish in her hand. Land o' love! She's turnin' into old man's Schultzsky's!"
A pudgy little maiden24 in a large rocking chair sat swinging back and forth25 upon Mr. Schultzsky's dilapidated porch as Miss Billy approached. The stolid26 Bohemian face was neutralised by the effect of two blonde pig-tails, which were braided so tightly as to give her a scared and hunted expression. She looked more frightened than ever as the visitor ascended27 the rickety steps.
"Good-morning!" said Miss Billy.
The little girl stopped the motion of the chair and stared at the newcomer.
"This is a nice place to sit."
The little girl's eyes grew rounder, but she made no reply.
"Does Mr. Schultzsky live here?" went on Miss Billy.
The child caught the familiar name, and nodded.
-161-
"Is he in bed?"
"Ja ne rozumim," said the little maid.
"Do you suppose he would see me?"
"Ja ne rozumim."
"Goodness!" said Miss Billy to herself. "This is worse than taking the census28. I wonder what language the child is talking. I'm sure it's not German or French or Latin or Greek. I might try her on hog-latin. I never saw a child who couldn't understand that. May—I—see—Mr.—Schultzsky?" she persisted in the loud and emphatic29 way that one always uses with a foreigner.
The little girl stared at her in a frightened way.
"Mr. Schultzsky? In?" asked Miss Billy desperately30.
The child looked about her with a hunted and terrified expression. Then she rose from her rocking chair, and backed hastily down the steps, keeping a safe distance between herself and the caller. "Ja ne rozumim," she gasped31, and disappeared around the house. Miss-162- Billy turned to the door. She looked about for a bell, but finding none, rapped upon the unpainted panel. There was no answer. A second knock only brought an echo which reverberated32 through the shell of the house.
She hesitated a moment, and then stepping timidly inside, found herself in a tiny box of a hallway which seemed to extend from the front door to the back. Two doors opened into the hall and Miss Billy paused irresolutely33 at one. A sound of heavy breathing came from within, and she knocked lightly.
"Come in," growled the voice of Mr. Schultzsky, and Miss Billy entered. The inside of the house proved even more uninviting than the outside. The room was small and low, with broken plastering, and soiled hemp34 carpet on the floor. The only window was closed, and the ragged35 green shade drawn36 tightly down. A musty odour, as of ancient food and air, pervaded37 everything.
On a narrow bed in the corner lay Mr. Schultzsky with a ragged blanket drawn up-163- over his head to exclude even the faint light. Over the foot board dangled38 three flat irons at the end of a rope—an improvised39 weight for the injured leg. Miss Billy caught her breath at the sight.
Mr. Schultzsky evidently heard the sigh. He threw his arms out uneasily, but his head remained in eclipse. His muffled40 voice came from beneath the blanket:
"Chvatej, Johanna, Ja mam hlat."
Miss Billy started to speak, but Mr. Schultzsky interrupted.
"Get me something to eat. Quick," he ordered.
The first sentence was unintelligible41 to Miss Billy, but the command was clear. A wild plan of propitiating42 the old man seized her. She turned to the hall without a word.
The small room adjoining was evidently the kitchen, for a rusty43 stove stood at one side, and a few shabby dishes were ranged in a cupboard on the other. A half loaf of bread, a piece of salt pork, and a cup partially44 filled with tea-164- stood on a shelf. There was no other food in sight. The fire had burned low, but Miss Billy poked45 the coals together and added some fuel.
"Ne davej vec nes jeden," called a muffled voice from the next room.
"He's probably advising me to save on fuel," thought Miss Billy, little guessing how nearly she had arrived at the truth.
She filled the tea-kettle, set it over the blaze, cut a slice of bread, and found a fork. The soup, which she had brought with her, she poured into a tin pan and set on the stove to re-heat. Then she looked about for serving utensils46. There was no tray or napkin to be seen, but she covered the bread board with the fringed doily that had accompanied the soup.
As she stepped lightly about her work her spirits rose higher than they had since the news of the landlord's accident. She hugged to herself the grim retribution she was receiving as she scorched47 her face, as well as the bread, over the coals.
-165-
"I can forgive myself, if he forgives me," she thought.
There was no butter or milk in the cupboard, and the tableware seemed to be in all stages of decrepitude48. The Haviland bowl looked most incongruous in company with the cracked cups and plates on the tray, but Miss Billy was forced to be content. She covered the stove, and turned the drafts in a way she felt sure Mr. Schultzsky would approve, and then, leaving the improvised tray on the shelf, with fear and trembling approached the door of the bedroom. The old man seemed to be asleep. Fearful of disturbing him, Miss Billy stood hesitating in the doorway. Then she cautiously opened the window, and pulled up the shade a few inches. The light showed a dirty room in a great state of disorder49. On a chair beside the bed was an array of bottles, dishes, and the remains50 of a meal. Old clothes were strewn about the floor, dust lay in great rolls everywhere, and the cobwebs under the bed had only been disturbed by the motley pile-166- of shoes and clothing which was thrust underneath51. A broken harness was suspended from a hook on one side of the room, and on the opposite wall, crooked52 and high, hung the picture of a beautiful woman.
Miss Billy went quietly to work to remedy things. She hung up the clothes that littered the place, and arranged the medicine bottles. Just as she was debating with herself as to the advisability of rousing the invalid53, the old man moved painfully. "Are you coming, Johanna? Hurry up," he called from beneath the bed clothes. Miss Billy made haste to obey. She brought the tray from the kitchen, and quietly approached the bedside. Mr. Schultzsky lifted the blanket from his face. He looked greyer and older than ever, his hair was matted and towsled, and in the dim light he was a ghostly and forbidding object. Even bold Miss Billy's hands shook as she helped to raise him, and prop12 him a few inches higher with a pillow. As she took up the tray again the old man glanced at her for-167- the first time. Instead of the stolid Bohemian face he had been expecting to see, Miss Billy's sunny grey eyes, more tender and earnest than usual, looked down into his stony54 grey ones.
"Who are you?" he said.
illustration
“Who are you?” he said.
"Don't you know?" answered the girl. "I'm Miss Billy—Wilhelmina Lee—the girl at No. 12. I came to see if there was anything I could do for you."
Miss Billy, trembling inwardly, went on bravely with her recital:—"Don't you remember? You fell on our sidewalk. It was that day when you wouldn't do anything about the repairs, and I went out to try to mend it myself. And oh, Mr. Schultzsky, I said I hoped you'd fall through the rotten planks57! I was only half in earnest, you know, but you did come along and fall. And I feel as though it were my fault. I'm so sorry—so-168- very sorry." Her voice faltered58. The old man looked at her unwinkingly.
"Go away," he said.
"But you'll let me help you," entreated59 the girl, bringing the chair nearer to the side of the bed.
"Go away," repeated the old man.
Mr. Schultzsky tried to raise himself from the pillow, but fell back with a groan62. He regarded her vindictively63, and his face was more sinister64 than ever as he repeated savagely—"Go away! Go away!"
Miss Billy set down the tray on the chair and withdrew quickly. The burning tears filled her eyes as she felt her way along to the gate. "He was cruel," she said bitterly to herself. "I didn't deserve it." A calmer mood took possession of her before she reached the door of her home. "Well, he didn't strike me," she said stoutly65. "And I know I did my duty. But I shan't try to make friends-169- with him again, and I shall never never let Ted14 hear of this."
But her brother's quick wits had already anticipated and made ready for her home coming. As she flung off her hat, and threw herself into the big chair in the study, the sermon board thrust a black and white message before her eyes. It had been empty when she left the house. Now it bore a rude sketch66 of a nondescript animal, a cross between a bear and a wolf, arrayed in a huge night cap. An unmistakable Little Red Riding Hood67 stood at the side of the beast. And below was scrawled68 in Theodore's hand:
Some bears have got two legs,
And some have got more;
Be lessons right severe,
If they've two legs or four!
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
dressing
|
|
| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
oblivious
|
|
| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
reigned
|
|
| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
traitor
|
|
| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
holly
|
|
| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
belle
|
|
| n.靓女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
fiery
|
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
prop
|
|
| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
monologue
|
|
| n.长篇大论，（戏剧等中的）独白 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
ted
|
|
| vt.翻晒，撒，撒开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
forefinger
|
|
| n.食指 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
whined
|
|
| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
herd
|
|
| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
needy
|
|
| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
maiden
|
|
| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
stolid
|
|
| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
census
|
|
| n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
emphatic
|
|
| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
reverberated
|
|
| 回响，回荡( reverberate的过去式和过去分词 )； 使反响，使回荡，使反射 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
irresolutely
|
|
| adv.优柔寡断地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
hemp
|
|
| n.大麻；纤维 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
pervaded
|
|
| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
dangled
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
improvised
|
|
| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
muffled
|
|
| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
unintelligible
|
|
| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
propitiating
|
|
| v.劝解，抚慰，使息怒( propitiate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
43
rusty
|
|
| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
poked
|
|
| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
utensils
|
|
| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
scorched
|
|
| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
decrepitude
|
|
| n.衰老；破旧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
underneath
|
|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
crooked
|
|
| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
invalid
|
|
| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
stony
|
|
| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
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： |
|
|
|
|
56
syllable
|
|
| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
planks
|
|
| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
faltered
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
entreated
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
restitution
|
|
| n.赔偿；恢复原状 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
vindictively
|
|
| adv.恶毒地；报复地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
stoutly
|
|
| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
sketch
|
|
| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
hood
|
|
| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
scrawled
|
|
| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |