The Sports
HAPPILY enough, it did not rain next day, and after morning school everybody dressed up to the nines. Dr Fagan appeared in a pale grey morning coat and sponge-bag trousers, looking more than ever jeune premier1; there was a spring in his step and a pronounced sprightliness2 of bearing that Paul had not observed before. Flossie wore a violet frock of knitted wool made for her during the preceding autumn by her sister. It was the colour of indelible ink on blotting4 paper, and was ornamented5 at the waist with flowers of emerald green and pink. Her hat, also home made, was the outcome of many winter evenings of ungrudged labour. All the trimmings of all her previous hats had gone to its adornment6. Dingy7 wore a little steel brooch made in the shape of a bull dog. Grimes wore a stiff evening collar of celluloid.
'Had to do something to celebrate the occasion,' he said, 'so I put on a "choker". Phew, though, it's tight. Have you seen my fiancée's latest creation? Ascot ain't in it. Let's get down to Mrs Roberts for a quick one before the happy throng8 rolls up.'
'I wish I could, but I've got to go round the ground with the Doctor.'
'Righto, old boy! See you later. Here comes Prendy in his coat of many colours.'
Mr Prendergast wore a blazer of faded stripes, which smelt9 strongly of camphor.
'I think Dr Fagan encourages a certain amount of display on these occasions,' he said. 'I used to keep wicket for my college, you know, but I was too short sighted to bc much good. Still, I am entitled to the blazer,' he said with a note of defiance10 in his voice, 'and it is more appropriate to a sporting occasion than a stiff collar.'
'Good old Prendy!' said Grimes. 'Nothing like a change of clothes to bring out latent pep. I felt like that my first week in khaki. Well, so long. Me for Mrs Roberts. Why don't you come too, Prendy?'
'D'you know,' said Mr Prendergast, 'I think I will.'
Paul watched them disappear down the drive in amazement11. Then he went off to find the Doctor.
'Frankly,' said the Doctor, 'I am at a loss to understand my own emotions. I can think of no entertainment that fills me with greater detestation than a display of competitive athletics12, none except possibly folk dancing. If there are two women in the world whose company I abominate and there are very many more than two - they are Mrs Beste Chetwynde and Lady Circumference13. I have, moreover, had an extremely difficult encounter with my butler, who will you believe it? waited at luncheon14 in a mustard coloured suit of plus fours and a diamond tie pin, and when I reprimanded him, attempted to tell me some ridiculous story about his being the proprietor15 of a circus or swimming bath or some such concern. And yet,' said the Doctor, 'I am filled with a wholly delightful16 exhilaration. I can't understand it. It is not as though this was the first occasion of the kind. During the fourteen years that I have been at Llanabba there have been six sports days and two concerts, all of them, in one way or another, utterly17 disastrous18. Once Lady Bunyan was taken ill; another time it was the matter of the press photographers and the obstacle race; another time some quite unimportant parents brought a dog with them which bit two of the boys very severely19 and one of the masters, who swore terribly in front of everyone. I could hardly blame him, but of course he had to go. Then there was the concert when the boys refused to sing "God Save the King" because of the pudding they had had for luncheon. One way and another, I have been consistently unfortunate in my efforts at festivity. And yet I look forward to each new fiasco with the utmost relish20. Perhaps, Pennyfeather, you will bring luck to Llanabba; in fact, I feel confident you have already done so. Look at the sun!'
Picking their way carefully among the dry patches in the waterlogged drive, they reached the playing fields. Here the haphazard21 organization of the last twenty four hours seemed to have been fairly successful. A large marquee was already in position, and Philbrick still in plus fours and three gardeners were at work putting up a smaller tent.
'That's for the Llanabba Silver Band,' said the Doctor. 'Philbrick, I required you to take off those loathsome22 garments.'
'They were new when I bought them,' said Philbrick, 'and they cost eight pounds firteen. Anyhow, I can't do two things at once, can I? If I go back to change, who's going to manage all this, I'd like to know?'
'All right! Finish what you are doing first. Let us just review the arrangements. The marquee is for the visitors' tea. That is Diana's province. I expect we shall find her at work.'
Sure enough, there was Dingy helping23 two servants to arrange plates of highly coloured cakes down a trestle table. Two other servants in the background were cutting sandwiches. Dingy, too, was obviously enjoying herself.
'Jane, Emily, remember that that butter has to do for three loaves. Spread it thoroughly24, but don't waste it, and cut the crusts as thin as possible. Father, will you see to it that the boys who come in with their parents come in alone? You remember last time how Briggs brought in four boys with him, and they ate all the jam sandwiches before Colonel Loder had had any. Mr Pennyfeather, the champagne25 cup is not for the masters. In fact, I expect you will find yourselves too much occupied helping the visitors to have any tea until they have left the tent. You had better tell Captain Grimes that, too. I am sure Mr Prendergast would not think of pushing himself forward.'
Outside the marquee were assembled several seats and tubs of palms and flowering shrubs26. 'All this must be set in order,' said the Doctor; 'our guests may arrive in less than an hour.' He passed on. 'The cars shall turn aside from the drive here and come right into the ground. It will give a pleasant background to the photographs, and, Pennyfeather, if you would with tact27 direct the photographer so that more prominence28 was given to Mrs Beste Chetwynde's Hispano Suiza than to Lady Circumference's little motor car, I think it would be all to the good. All these things count, you know.'
'Nothing seems to have been done about marking out the ground,' said Paul.
'No,' said the Doctor, turning his attention to the field for the first time, 'nothing. Well, you must do the best you can. They can't do everything.'
'I wonder if any hurdles29 have come?'
'They were ordered,' said the Doctor. 'I am certain of it. Philbrick, have any hurdles come?'
'Yes,' said Philbrick with a low chuckle30.
'Why, pray, do you laugh at the mention of hurdles?'
'Just you look at them!' said Philbrick. 'They're behind the tea house there.'
Paul and the Doctor went to look and found a pile of spiked31 iron railings in sections heaped up at the back of the marquee. They were each about five feet high and were painted green with gilt32 spikes33.
'It seems to me that they have sent the wrong sort,' said the Doctor.
'Yes.'
'Well, we must do the best we can. What other things ought there to be?'
'Weight, harmner, javelin34, long-jump pit, high-jump posts, low hurdles, eggs, spoons, and greasy35 pole,' said Philbrick.
'Previous!y competed for,' said the Doctor imperturbably36. 'What else?'
'Somewhere to run,' suggested Paul.
'Why, God bless my soul, they've got the whole park! How did you manage yesterday for the heats?'
'We judged the distance by eye.'
'Then that is what we shall have to do to day. Really, my dear Pennyfeather, it is quite unlike you to fabricate difficulties in this way. I am afraid you are getting unnerved. Let them go on racing37 until it is time for tea; and remember,' he added sagely38, 'the longer the race the more time it takes. I leave the details to you. I am concerned with style. I wish, for instance, we had a starting pistol.'
'Would this be any use?' said Philbrick, producing an enormous service revolver. 'Only take care; it's loaded.'
'The very thing,' said the Doctor. 'Only fire into the ground, mind. We must do everything we can to avoid an accident. Do you always carry that about with you?'
'Only when I'm wearing my diamonds,' said Philbrick.
'Well, I hope that is not often. Good gracious! Who are these extraordinary looking people?'
Ten men of revolting appearance were approaching from the drive. They were low of brow, crafty39 of eye, and crooked40 of limb. They advanced huddled41 together with the loping tread of wolves, peering about them furtively42 as they came, as though in constant terror of ambush43; they slavered at their mouths, which hung loosely over their receding3 chins, while each clutched under his apelike arm a burden of curious and unaccountable shape. On seeing the Doctor they halted and edged back, those behind squinting44 and moulting over their companions' shoulders.
'Crikey!' said Philbrick. 'Loonies! This is where I shoot.'
'I refuse to believe the evidence of my eyes,' said the Doctor. 'These creatures simply do not exist.'
After brief preliminary shuffling45 and nudging, an elderly man emerged from the back of the group. He had a rough black beard and wore on his uneven46 shoulders a druidical wreath of brass47 mistletoe berries.
'Why, it's my friend the stationmaster!' said Philbrick.
'We are the silver band the Lord bless and keep you,' said the stationmaster in one breath, 'the band that no one could beat whatever but two indeed in the Eisteddfod that for all North Wales was look you.'
'I see,' said the Doctor; 'I see. That's splendid. Well, will you please go into your tent, the little tent over there.'
'To march about you would not like us?' suggested the stationmaster; 'we have a fine yellow flag look you that embroidered48 for us was in silks.'
'No, no. Into the tent!'
The statiomnaster went back to consult with his fellow-musicians. There was a baying and growling49 and yapping as of the jungle at moonrise, and presently he came forward again with an obsequious50, sidelong shuffle51.
'Three pounds you pay us would you said indeed to at the sports play.'
'Yes, yes, that's right, three pounds. Into the tent!'
'Nothing whatever we can play without the money first,' said the stationmaster firmly.
'How would it be,' said Philbrick, 'if I gave him a clout52 on the ear?'
'No, no, I beg you to do nothing of the kind. You have not lived in Wales as long as I have.' He took a note case from his pocket, the sight of which seemed to galvanize the musicians into life; they crowded round, twitching53 and chattering54. The Doctor took out three pound notes and gave them to the stationmaster. 'There you are, Davies!' he said. 'Now take your men into the tent. They are on no account to emerge until after tea; do you understand?'
The band slunk away, and Paul and the Doctor turned back towards the Castle.
'The Welsh character is an interesting study,' said Dr Fagan. 'I have often considered writing a little monograph55 on the subject, but I was afraid it might make me unpopular in the village. The ignorant speak of them as Celts, which is of course wholly erroneous. They are of pure Iberian stock the aboriginal56 inhabitants of Europe who survive only in Portugal and the Basque district. Celts readily intermarry with their neighbours and absorb them. From the earliest times the Welsh have been looked upon as an unclean people. It is thus that they have preserved their racial integrity. Their sons and daughters rarely mate with human-kind except their own blood relations. In Wales there was no need for legislation to prevent the conquering people intermarrying with the conquered. In Ireland that was necessary, for there intermarriage was a political matter. In Wales it was moral. I hope, by the way, you have no Welsh blood?'
'None whatever,' said Paul.
'I was sure you had not, but one cannot be too careful. I once spoke57 of this subject to the sixth form and learned later that one of them had a Welsh grandmother. I am afraid it hurt his feelings terribly, poor little chap. She came from Pembrokeshire, too, which is of course quite a different matter. I often think,' he continued, 'that we can trace almost all the disasters of English history to the influence of Wales. Think of Edward of Caernarvon, the first Prince of Wales, a perverse58 life, Pennyfeather, and an unseemly death, then the Tudors and the dissolution of the Church, then Lloyd George, the temperance movement, Noncomformity, and lust59 stalking hand in hand through the country, wasting and ravaging60. But perhaps you think I exaggerate? I have a certain rhetorical tendency, I admit.'
'No, no,' said Paul.
'The Welsh,' said the Doctor, 'are the only nation in the world that has produced no graphic61 or plastic art, no architecture, no drama. They just sing,' he said with disgust, 'sing and blow down wind instruments of plated silver. They are deceitful because they cannot discern truth from falsehood, depraved because they cannot discern the consequences of their indulgence. Let us consider,' he continued, 'the etymological62 derivations of the Welsh language....'
But here he was interrupted by a breathless little boy who panted down the drive to meet them. 'Please, sir, Lord and Lady Circumference have arrived sir. They're in the library with Miss Florence. She asked me to tell you.'
'The sports will start in ten minutes,' said the Doctor. 'Run and tell the other boys to change and go at once to the playing fields. I will talk to you about the Welsh again. It is a matter to which I have given some thought, and I can see that you are sincerely interested. Come in with me and see the Circumferences63.'
Flossie was talking to them in the library.
'Yes, isn't it a sweet colour?' she was saying. 'I do like something bright myself. Diana made it for me; she does knit a treat, does Diana, but of course I chose the colour, you know, because, you see, Diana's taste is all for wishy-washy greys and browns. Mournful, you know. Well, here's the dad. Lady Circumference was just saying how much she likes my frock what you said was vulgar, so there!'
A stout64 elderly woman dressed in a tweed coat and skirt and jaunty65 Tyrolean hat advanced to the Doctor. 'Hullo!' she said in a deep bass66 voice, 'how are you? Sorry if we're late. Circumference ran over a fool of a boy. I've just been chaffing your daughter here about her frock. Wish I was young enough to wear that kind of thing. Older I get the more I like colour. We're both pretty long in the tooth, eh?' She gave Dr Fagan a hearty67 shake of the hand, that obviously caused him acute pain. Then she turned to Paul.
'So you're the Doctor's hired assassin, eh? Well, I hope you keep a firm hand on my toad68 of a son. How's he doin'?'
'Quite well,' said Paul.
'Nonsense!' said Lady Circumference. 'The boy's a dunderhead. If he wasn't he wouldn't be here. He wants beatin' and hittin' and knockin' about generally, and then he'll be no good. That grass is shockin' bad on the terrace, Doctor; you ought to sand it down and re sow it, but you'll have to take that cedar69 down if you ever want it to grow properly at the side. I hate cuttin' down a tree like losin' a tooth but you have to choose, tree or grass; you can't keep 'em both. What d'you pay your head man?'
As she was talking Lord Circumference emerged from the shadows and shook Paul's hand. He had a long fair moustache and large watery70 eyes which reminded Paul a little of Mr. Prendergast.
'How do you do?' he said.
'How do you do?' said Paul.
'Fond of sport, eh?' he said. 'I mean these sort of sports?'
'Oh, yes,' said Paul. 'I think they're so good for the boys.'
'Do you? Do you think that,' said Lord Circumference very earnestly: 'you think they're good for the boys?'
'Yes,' said Paul; 'don't you?'
'Me? Yes, oh yes. I think so, too. Very good for the boys.'
'So useful in the case of a war or anything,' said Paul.
'Do you think so? D'you really and truly think so? That there's going to be another war, I mean?'
'Yes, I'm sure of it; aren't you?'
'Yes, of course. I'm sure of it too. And that awful bread, and people coming on to one's own land and telling one what one's to do with one's own butter and milk, and commandeering one's horses! Oh, yes all over again! My wife shot her hunters rather than let them go to the army. And girls in breeches on all the farms! All over again! Who do you think it will be this time?'
'The Americans,' said Paul stoutly71.
'No, indeed, I hope not. We had German prisoners on two of the farms. That wasn't so bad, but if they start putting Americans on my land, I'll just refilse to stand it. My daughter brought an American down to luncheon the other day, and, do you know...?'
'Dig it and dung it,' said Lady Circumference. 'Only it's got to be dug deep, mind. Now how did your calceolarias do last year?'
'I really have no idea,' said the Doctor. 'Flossie, how did our calceolarias do?'
'Lovely,' said Flossie.
'I don't believe a word of it,' said Lady Circumference. 'Nobody's calceolarias did well last year.'
'Shall we adjourn72 to the playing fields?' said the Doctor. 'I expect they are all waiting for us.'
Talking cheerfully, the party crossed the hall and went down the steps.
'Your drive's awful wet,' said Lady Circumference. 'I expect there's a blocked pipe somewhere. Sure it ain't sewage?'
'I was never any use at short distances,' Lord Circumference was saying. 'I was always a slow starter, but I was once eighteenth in the Crick at Rugby. We didn't take sports so seriously at the 'Varsity when I was up: everybody rode. What college were you at?'
'Scone, were you? Ever come across a young nephew of my wife's called Alastair Digby-Vane-Trumpington?'
'I just met him,' said Paul.
'That's very interesting, Greta. Mr Pennyfoot knows Alastair.'
'Does he? Well, that boy's doing no good for himself. Got fined twenty pounds the other day, his mother told me. Seemed proud of it. If my brother had been alive he'd have licked all that out of the young cub74. It takes a man to bring up a man.'
'Yes,' said Lord Circumference meekly75.
'Who else do you know at Oxford76? Do you know Freddy French Wise?'
'No.'
'Or Tom Obblethwaite or that youngest Castleton boy?'
'No, I'm afraid not. I had a great friend called Potts.'
'Potts!' said Lady Circumference, and left it at that.
All the school and several local visitors were assembled in the field. Grimes stood by himself, looking depressed77. Mr Prendergast, flushed and unusually vivacious78, was talking to the Vicar. As the headmaster's party came into sight the Llanabba Silver Band struck up Men of Harlech.
'Shockin' noise,' commented Lady Circumference graciously.
The head prefect came forward and presented her with a programme, be ribboned and embossed in gold. Another prefect set a chair for her. She sat down with the Doctor next to her and Lord Circumference on the other side of him.
'Pennyfeather,' cried the Doctor above the band, 'start them racing.'
Philbrick gave Paul a megaphone. 'I found this in the pavilion,' he said. 'I thought it might be useful.'
'Who's that extraordinary man?' asked Lady Circumference.
'He is the boxing coach and swimming professional,' said the Doctor. 'A finely developed figure, don't you think?'
'First race,' said Paul through the megaphone, 'under sixteen. Quarter mile!' He read out Grimes's list of starters.
'What's Tangent doin' in this race?' said Lady Circumference. 'The boy can't run an inch.'
The silver band stopped playing.
'The course,' said Paul, 'starts from the pavilion, goes round that clump79 of elms...'
'Beeches80,' corrected Lady Circumference loudly.
'... and ends in front of the bandstand. Starter, Mr Prendergast; timekeeper, Captain Grimes.'
'I shall say, "Are you ready? one, two, three!" and then fire,' said Mr Prendergast. 'Are you ready? One' -
there was a terrific report. 'Oh dear! I'm sorry' but the race had begun. Clearly Tangent was not going to win; he was sitting on the grass crying because he had been wounded in the foot by Mr Prendergast's bullet. Philbrick carried him, wailing81 dismally82, into the refreshment83 tent, where Dingy helped him off with his shoe. His heel was slightly grazed. Dingy gave him a large slice of cake, and he hobbled out surrounded by a sympathetic crowd.
'That won't hurt him,' said Lady Circumference, 'but I think someone ought to remove the pistol from that old man before he does anything serious.'
'I knew that was going to happen,' said Lord Circumference.
'A most unfortunate beginning,' said the Doctor.
'Am I going to die?' said Tangent, his mouth full of cake.
'For God's sake, look after Prendy,' said Grimes in Paul's ear. 'The man's as tight as a lord, and on one whisky, too.'
'First blood to me!' said Mr Prendergast gleefully.
'The last race will be run again,' said Paul down the megaphone. 'Starter, Mr Philbrick; timekeeper, Mr Prendergast.'
'On your marks! Get set.' Bang went the pistol, this time without disaster. The six little boys scampered84 off through the mud, disappeared behind the beeches and returned rather more slowly. Captain Grimes and Mr Prendergast held up a piece of tape.
'Well run, sirl' shouted Colonel Sidebotham. 'Jolly good race.'
'Capital,' said Mr Prendergast, and dropping his end of the tape, he sauntered over to the Colonel. 'I can see you are a fine judge of a race, sir. So was I once. So's Grimes. A capital fellow, Grimes; a bounder, you know, but a capital fellow. Bounders can be capital fellows; don't you agree, Colonel Slidebottom? In fact, I'd go further and say that capital fellows are bounders. What d'you say to that? I wish you'd stop pulling at my arm, Pennyfeather. Colonel Shybottom and I are just having a most interesting conversation about bounders.'
The silver band struck up again, and Mr Prendergast began a little jig85, saying: 'Capital fellow!' and snapping his fingers. Paul led him to the refreshment tent.
'Dingy wants you to help her in there,' he said firmly, 'and, for God's sake, don't come out until you feel better.'
'I never felt better in my life,' said Mr Prendergast indignantly. 'Capital fellow! capital fellow!'
'It is not my affair, of course,' said Colonel Sidebotham, 'but if you ask me I should say that man had been drinking.'
'He was talking very excitedly to me,' said the Vicar, 'about some apparatus86 for warming a church in Worthing and about the Apostolic Claims of the Church of Abyssinia. I confess I could not follow him clearly. He seems deeply interested in Church matters. Are you quite sure he is right in the head? I have noticed again and again since I have been in the Church that lay interest in ecclesiastical matters is often a prelude87 to insanity88.'
'Drink, pure and simple,' said the Colonel. 'I wonder where he got it? I could do with a spot of whisky.'
'Quarter mile open!' said Paul through his megaphone.
Presently the Clutterbucks arrived. Both the parents were stout. They brought with them two small children, a governess, and an elder son. They debouched from the car one by one, stretching their limbs in evident relief.
'This is Sam,' said Mr Clutterbuck, 'just down from Cambridge. He's joined me in the business, and we've brought the nippers along for a treat. Don't mind, do you, Doc? And last, but not least, my wife.'
Dr Fagan greeted them with genial89 condescension90 and found them seats.
'I am afraid you have missed all the jumping events,' he said. 'But I have a list of the results here. You will see that Percy has done extremely well.'
'Didn't know the little beggar had it in him. See that, Martha? Percy's won the high-jump and the long-jump and the hurdles. How's your young hopeful been doing, Lady Circumference?'
'My boy has been injured in the foot,' said Lady Circumference coldly.
'Dear me! Not badly, I hope? Did he twist his ankle in the jumping?'
'No,' said Lady Circumference, 'he was shot at by one of the assistant masters. But it is kind of you to inquire.'
'Three Miles Open!' announced Paul. 'The course of six laps will be run as before.'
'On your marks! Get set.' Bang went Philbrick's revolver. Off trotted91 the boys on another race.
'Father,' said Flossie, 'don't you think it's time for the tea interval92?'
'Nothing can be done before Mrs Beste Chetwynde arrives,' said the Doctor.
Round and round the muddy track trotted the athletes while the silver band played sacred music unceasingly.
'Last lap!' announced Paul.
The school and the visitors crowded about the tape to cheer the winner. Amid loud applause Clutterbuck breasted the tape well ahead of the others.
'Well run! Oh, good, jolly good, sir!' cried Colonel Sidebotham.
'Good old Percy! That's the stuff,' said Mr Clutterbuck.
'Well run, Percy!' chorused the two little Clutterbucks, prompted by their governess.
'That boy cheated,' said Lady Circumference. 'He only went round five times. I counted.'
'I think unpleasantness so mars the afternoon,' said the Vicar.
'How dare you suggest such a thing?' asked Mrs Clutterbuck. 'I appeal to the referee93. Percy ran the full course, didn't he?'
'Clutterbuck wins,' said Captain Grimes.
'Fiddlesticks!' said Lady Circumference. 'He deliberately94 lagged behind and joined the others as they went behind the beeches. The little toad!'
'Really, Greta,' said Lord Circumference, 'I think we ought to abide95 by the referee's decision.'
'Well, they can't expect me to give away the prizes, then. Nothing would induce me to give that boy a prize.'
'Do you understand, madam, that you are bringing a serious accusation96 against my son's honour?'
'Serious accusation fiddlesticks! What he wants is a jolly good hidin'.'
'No doubt you judge other people's sons by your own. Let me tell you, Lady Circumference...'
'Don't attempt to browbeat97 me, sir. I know a cheat when I see one.'
At this stage of the discussion the Doctor left Mrs Hope Brown's side, where he had been remarking upon her son's progress in geometry, and joined the group round the winning post.
'If there is a disputed decision,' he said genially98, 'they shall race again.'
'Percy has won already,' said Mr Clutterbuck. 'He has been adjudged the winner.'
'Splendid! splendid! A promising99 little athlete. I congratulate you, Clutterbuck.'
'But he only ran five laps,' said Lady Circumference.
'Then clearly he has won the five furlongs race, a very exacting100 length.'
'But the other boys,' said Lady Circumference, almost beside herself with rage, 'have run six lengths.'
'Then they,' said the Doctor imperturbably, 'are first, second, third, fourth, and fifth respectively in the Three Miles. Clearly there has been some confusion. Diana, I think we might now serve tea.'
Things were not easy, but there was fortunately a distraction101, for as he spoke an enormous limousine102 of dove-grey and silver stole soundlessly on to the field.
'But what could be more opportune103? Here is Mrs Beste Chetwynde.'
Three light skips brought him to the side of the car, but the footman was there before him. The door opened, and from the cushions within emerged a tall young man in a clinging dove grey overcoat. After him, like the first breath of spring in the Champs élysées, came Mrs BesteChetwynde two lizard104 skin feet, silk legs, chinchilla body, a tight little black hat, pinned with platinum105 and diamonds, and the high invariable voice that may be heard in any Ritz Hotel from New York to Budapest.
'I hope you don't mind my bringing Chokey, Dr Fagan?' she said. 'He's just crazy about sport.'
'I sure am that,' said Chokey.
'Dear Mrs Beste Chetwynde!' said Dr Fagan; 'dear, dear, Mrs Beste Chetwynde!' He pressed her glove, and for the moment was at a loss for words of welcome, for 'Chokey', though graceful106 of bearing and irreproachably107 dressed, was a Negro.
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premier
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sprightliness
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| n.愉快，快活 | |
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receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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blotting
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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adornment
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dingy
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throng
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smelt
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defiance
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amazement
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athletics
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| n.运动，体育，田径运动 | |
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circumference
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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20
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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21
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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22
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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23
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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25
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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26
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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27
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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28
prominence
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| n.突出；显著；杰出；重要 | |
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29
hurdles
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| n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛 | |
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30
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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31
spiked
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| adj.有穗的；成锥形的；有尖顶的 | |
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32
gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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33
spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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34
javelin
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| n.标枪，投枪 | |
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35
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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36
imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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37
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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39
crafty
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| adj.狡猾的，诡诈的 | |
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40
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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41
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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42
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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43
ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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44
squinting
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| 斜视( squint的现在分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
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shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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46
uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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47
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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48
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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49
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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obsequious
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| adj.谄媚的，奉承的，顺从的 | |
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51
shuffle
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| n.拖著脚走，洗纸牌；v.拖曳，慢吞吞地走 | |
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52
clout
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| n.用手猛击；权力，影响力 | |
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53
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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54
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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55
monograph
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| n.专题文章，专题著作 | |
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aboriginal
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| adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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59
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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60
ravaging
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| 毁坏( ravage的现在分词 )； 蹂躏； 劫掠； 抢劫 | |
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graphic
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| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
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62
etymological
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| adj.语源的，根据语源学的 | |
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circumferences
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| 周围，圆周( circumference的名词复数 ) | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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66
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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68
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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69
cedar
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| n.雪松，香柏(木) | |
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70
watery
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| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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71
stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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72
adjourn
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| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
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73
scone
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| n.圆饼，甜饼，司康饼 | |
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74
cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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75
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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76
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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77
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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79
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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80
beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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81
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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82
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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83
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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84
scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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86
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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87
prelude
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| n.序言，前兆，序曲 | |
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88
insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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89
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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90
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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91
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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92
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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93
referee
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| n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人 | |
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94
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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95
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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96
accusation
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| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
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97
browbeat
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| v.欺侮；吓唬 | |
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98
genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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99
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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100
exacting
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| adj.苛求的，要求严格的 | |
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101
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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102
limousine
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| n.豪华轿车 | |
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103
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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104
lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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105
platinum
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| n.白金 | |
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106
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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107
irreproachably
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| adv.不可非难地，无过失地 | |
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