Trixie entered keenly into all the preparations. She seldom did anything by halves; and she might almost have been joining in the expedition herself so lively was her interest in every detail. She asked endless questions concerning camps and elephants and tigers, and she listened breathless to all that George could tell her of the fascinations6 of the jungle. She dragged books on sport from the musty shelves of the club library, and read them with genuine enjoyment7 during two long, hot afternoons.
Coventry to the last was more or less reluctant to leave her; but she ignored his hesitation8, and when the hour of departure came she drove with him gaily9 to the railway station, and with a cheerful, smiling face saw him off by the night mail.
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It was when she returned to the empty bungalow that her spirits sank. The rooms were so silent, save for the tiny trumpeting10 of mosquitoes in the corners; the atmosphere felt so close, and there was a smell of musk11 rat that was nauseating12. Until dawn brought comparative coolness she lay awake, turning restlessly, hearing the desperate cry of the brain-fever bird, and the monotonous13 thrumming of a stringed instrument in the servants' quarters at the end of the compound. She wondered if natives ever slept save during the spell of rest they claimed in the middle of the day, when a drowsy14 peace descended15 everywhere.
With a sense of dismay that hitherto she had held in check, she contemplated16 the coming fortnight. How boring it would be to have to "think and remember" the whole time that she must be careful to give no cause for gossip! True, she had her household and her livestock17, and her linen18 and store cupboards to occupy her mornings, and she could read and sleep through the succeeding hot hours; but what of the evenings?
For the first week she got on well enough. She snubbed Guy Greaves and other eager slaves who would willingly have placed their time, their dog-carts, their ponies--everything that they possessed--at her disposal. She played in "married" sets of tennis, and dined and consorted19 with the most
[pg 145]
domesticated20 couples in the station, so nervous was she of committing any indiscretion. Every day she wrote to George, accounting21 for her time; this she felt to be a sort of safeguard against the least false step; and so far there had been nothing connected with her doings that she could not chronicle with a perfectly22 clear conscience.
So the time dragged on until the evening before the day on which George Coventry was expected to come home.
The heat was now terrific; even tennis had become an effort, and Trixie left the bungalow to keep her engagement in the public gardens, feeling listless and oppressed. The hot weather had begun early this year, there had been no cooling storms to give temporary coolness and relief, and on all sides Trixie heard ominous23 predictions that "the rains" were going to fail. Not that the prospect24 disturbed her particularly, for as yet she could not realise its gravity. Only those whose lives have been bound up with India can understand the dread25 of such a visitation, the anxious watching of the sky, the heaviness of heart when meteorological reports look bad. For a failure, or even a weakness, of the monsoon26 means grim combat with pestilence27 and famine, and most dire28 distress29, not only at the time, but afterwards, when fever takes its toll30 from an enfeebled population. It means
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strain and over-work for the long-suffering official; everywhere misery31, death, and desolation.
After a languid game she dawdled32 late at the club with a group of people who, like herself, felt unwilling33 to return to stuffy34 bungalows35 and food that must inevitably36 prove untempting. To-night especially she shrank from the prospect of a solitary37 dinner and the weary after hours, even though supported by the knowledge that it was her last evening alone.
They all sat outside the club-house on a round masonry39 platform, talking fitfully, fanned by a make-shift punkah slung40 between two poles. Gradually two or three married couples bestirred themselves and drove away; a few unattached men who had dinner engagements deserted41 also, and presently Mrs. Coventry and Mrs. Roy were the only ladies left, with a small attendance of young men--Guy Greaves, two other subalterns, and a home-sick youth who had joined the Civil Service only last winter, and still preserved pathetically a Bond Street air.
Mrs. Roy was young and pretty and light-hearted, but not entirely42 without guile43. Captain Roy had gone away that afternoon on duty, and she did not intend to dine alone. She invited the company to join her at dinner.
"There's lots of food, such as it is," she told
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them, "and even if we can't eat we can drink champagne44 with plenty of ice in it."
"I'm afraid I can't come," said Trixie ruefully. She knew that George disapproved45 of Mrs. Roy.
"Why not?" persisted Mrs. Roy. "Who are you dining with--the missionaries46?"
They all laughed.
"I'm not dining with anybody," admitted Trixie, obviously weakening. She longed to join the party and have a little "fling," to laugh and talk nonsense and be amused, as an antidote47 to all her good behaviour. No letter would have to be written to-morrow to George. She could tell him all about the evening, and make him understand that she had meant and done no harm.
"Then why can't you come? Don't be unsociable," argued Mrs. Roy. "To-morrow we may all be dead of heat apoplexy, or cholera48, or snake-bite, or something equally common to this delightful49 country, and then you'd be sorry you hadn't enjoyed yourself while you had the chance."
"Do say 'Yes,' Mrs. Coventry," sang a chorus of male voices. And after a moment's further hesitation Trixie succumbed50.
"I must go back and change, then," she said, and rose. A little later they all met again in Mrs. Roy's
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pretty bungalow, and despite the heat and the insects, and, according to Mrs. Roy, the uncertainty51 of existence in India, they were a festive52 little party. They chaffed and told stories, and drank iced champagne and smoked cigarettes, and Trixie cast from her all thoughts of her husband's displeasure. Until this evening she had conformed to his wishes with the most strict consideration. She felt she deserved this innocent enjoyment, that it would be really unreasonable53 of George if he grudged54 it to her.
She had honestly intended to go home soon after dinner was over, but Mrs. Roy refused to "hear of such a thing."
"Behold55 the moon!" she exclaimed, a good deal later, as they straggled out into the veranda56 after a short and boisterous57 game of cards.
And, indeed, the moon was something to behold--huge, orange-coloured, almost terrifying, hanging heavy in the dusty night. Its lurid58 light filtered through the foliage59 of the trees and tinged60 the haze61 of the atmosphere with an unearthly radiance.
"I ask you, who could go to bed whilst that great lantern blazes in the sky?" cried Mrs. Roy with mock grandiloquence62. "Let us all drive down to the river and go for a row. Wouldn't it be simply perfect?"
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And, with others, Trixie agreed. What did it matter? Who cared? There was a sensuous63 influence in the hot, scented64 air that stilled her scruples65, rendered her reckless. For the moment all the careless, irresponsible gaiety of her girlhood had returned.
The young civilian66 and one of the subalterns took charge of Mrs. Roy, the other three climbed into Guy Greaves's dog-cart, and they all drove hatless, wrapless, along the deserted, dusty road hedged with dry mud-banks that were tipped with prickly pear and cactus67, until the ground began to slope, the wheels of the vehicles sank deep into the heavy, sandy soil, and they were at the river's edge.
There was a little delay while two boats were got ready by sleepy boatmen roused from their huts, a good deal of talk and laughter and argument as to how the party should divide and how far they should row. Finally it was agreed that in an hour's time they should land at the grove68 of trees that sheltered the Mohammedan cemetery69, and that the syces with the traps, and a man to take back the boats, should meet them there.
Trixie found herself afloat alone with Guy Greaves. She did not know if this was due to an accident or to Guy's deliberate manøuvring. She felt as though she were in a dream as she
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took the rudder-lines. The second boat shot past them, and the occupants called out foolish jokes and gibes70, sprinkled them with water, and left them far behind.
They slid slowly, silently, over the smooth bosom71 of the holy river, that was burnished72 with the moonlight. From the distance came the sound of native singing, a faint sound that rose and fell on the warm night air, only to be drowned, as though in protest, by the yells of jackals hunting, closely packed, across the plain.
Then all again was quiet, with a vast and dreamy peace that held the man and woman speechless, like a spell, as the boat slipped through the water, on and on.
Suddenly Guy Greaves stopped rowing. He leaned towards his companion, his young face set and hard, his eyes dark in the moonlight; his hands, holding the oars73, were strained and trembling.
"Trixie!" he said in hoarse74 appeal.
His voice roused her. She looked at him, surprised.
"Why have you been so cruel to me lately? What have I done?"
She felt irritated, helpless. "Don't, Guy. Don't be so silly. I don't know what you mean."
"Oh! I know it's no use. But I must say it;
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I must tell you." He spoke75 with quick, nervous emotion. "It isn't as if I'd ever done or said anything since you came out here married to deserve the way you've sat on me lately--or if I have, I didn't know it. I thought I'd been so jolly careful! It hasn't been easy--and it's no good pretending now that I don't care for you, or for you to pretend that you don't know it. You knew it when I was at home last year, and we had such ripping times together. If only I'd been able to afford to marry, wouldn't you have taken me--Trixie? Wouldn't you? Instead of marrying a man old enough to be your great-grandfather!"
The boy had lost his head; his words came with passionate76 bitterness.
"Guy, be quiet!" Trixie broke in, distressed77 and alarmed. "You must be mad to talk like this."
He paid no heed78. "No, I'm not mad--unless, perhaps, with wretchedness. I could stand it all as long as you treated me as a pal79, and were kind, and let me do things for you. But you suddenly kicked me off like an old shoe, and, as far as I can see, for no reason whatever. I want to know," he went on doggedly80, "what I've done."
"You haven't done anything," she hastened to tell him. "It's all your silly imagination. Do, for goodness' sake, go on rowing; we shall never catch up the others before they land."
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He sat motionless, waiting.
"Guy--you must row on. I'll tell you nothing while you behave like this. It's beastly of you. Look--we're floating to the other side of the river! Guy, do be sensible!"
That was what she had said to him last year at home, when he had "talked nonsense" at a dance before he had to sail for India. They both remembered it now. In her agitation81 she clutched at the rudder-lines confusedly, and the boat almost swung round. He steadied it with the oars, but he did not go on rowing.
"Would you have married me if it had been possible?" he persisted, though now more calmly.
There was a long pause. The boat moved sideways, gravitating towards the farther bank, nearing ridges82 of sand and islets of brushwood and rubbish, mysterious shapes that stuck up sharp and fantastic in the moonlight. Something swished past, rippling83 the water with swift cleavage--a long, black water-snake hurrying to its refuge. And a mighty84 splash broke the stillness--a crocodile disturbed from its stupor85 on a sandbank.
"No," said Trixie in a low, tense voice, "I would not have married you. I think I could never have married anybody but George."
The truth had come to her, here on the river in the moonlight, with sudden and overpowering
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force. She loved her husband, loved him with all her generous, impulsive86 heart--and this in spite of his strict views and old-fashioned opinions, his tiresome87 jealousy88, his age! And yet at this very moment she was doing something that, if he could know of it, would hurt and anger him and shake his trust in her, destroy all his pleasure in his holiday, perhaps create a rupture89 between them that never could be healed! What a fool she had been to dine with Mrs. Roy, to allow herself to be dragged into this idiotic90 escapade. And here was Guy behaving like a lunatic because she was alone with him on the river in the middle of the night. How could she ever explain it all to George and persuade him to forgive her?
Before her mental vision rose her husband's handsome, careworn91 face--the keen grey eyes, the dark hair frosted at the temples; and with it came remembrance, realisation of all he must have suffered in the past. How often he had told her that she had restored to him his trust in womanhood, had made him happy when all hope of happiness had seemed denied him.
In a measure she had failed him, too. He would be certain to hear of to-night's folly92, even if she told him nothing about it herself. The only thing to do was to get home as quickly as possible.
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Guy Greaves sat opposite to her, obdurate93, motionless, thinking only of himself and his stupid, boyish adoration94, which was nothing compared with the love of a man experienced and tried. She felt she hated Guy, and all the superficial view of life that he represented to her penitent95 soul.
"Oh, go on--go on!" she cried in frightened desperation. "I must get home. I ought never to have come. I can't bear it. If you don't row, I'll never speak to you again."
He took up the oars with reluctance96. She pulled the rudder-lines again, first one, then the other. The boat shot crookedly97, with a shivering shock, on to a sandbank, and stuck fast. Young Greaves said "Damn!" and Trixie screamed. She stood up.
"For God's sake sit down!" implored98 Guy, in fear that she might spring from the boat, a hideous99 thought of lurking100 crocodiles flashing through his mind.
She sank back to her seat, mute, apprehensive101, while he tried vainly to refloat the boat.
"Give me an oar4. Let me help," she said. He passed it to her. They used all their strength without avail.
"Shout!" she ordered him. "The others may hear you and come back."
He obeyed her, and the sound echoed wide and
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far across the water. But the only answer was the hooting102 of an owl38 in some bushes on the bank, and the scrambling104 of some startled little creature near them in the sand.
"We shall be here all night!" she cried, despairing.
He did not answer. All his attention was concentrated on his efforts to release the boat.
Actually how long it stuck there neither of them knew. The moon sank lower, glowing, molten; myriads105 of mosquitoes beat about them, bit their faces, hands, and feet; the river seemed as stagnant106 as a pool.
Trixie felt paralysed, as in a nightmare. What if they were kept prisoners till the dawn--even longer--even till George should have returned to the bungalow and found her absent?
All at once, with a lurch107, the boat shot free, and Trixie burst into tears of relief.
Guy Greaves felt almost hysterical108 himself. "It's all right now, Trixie. Don't cry." He spoke with cheerful reassurance109. "I'll row hard, and we shall catch the others up in no time."
"They must have landed long ago," she quavered. "Can't we go back to the starting-place? It must be nearer."
"But the traps were to meet us at the grove," he reminded her. "We should have to walk all
[pg 156]
the way home if we went back, and that would take ever so much longer."
"Supposing the others haven't waited," she suggested nervously110. "It would be just like them. They can't all get into the same trap, and they'd take yours and leave us to fish for ourselves without caring twopence!" Her agitation rendered her petulant111 and pessimistic. "You know how thoughtless and inconsiderate Mrs. Roy can be. That is why George can't bear her."
"Oh, nonsense! Mrs. Roy's dog-cart holds four at a pinch, if they let the syce follow. Even if they did take my trap, they'd send it back to meet us. Anyway, don't worry about that till we get there."
He rowed harder than ever, infected in spite of himself by Trixie's forebodings; and he felt hardly surprised to see only the boatman awaiting them on the rough little landing-stage.
"What did I tell you!" said Trixie, a catch of despair in her voice.
"They wouldn't wait down here," he said, as he helped her out of the boat. "Are the sahibs up above in the grove?" he inquired of the man.
The answer was given with drowsy indifference112. "I know not. The order was given to wait for this boat, and take it back with the other."
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They stumbled on up the slope that was steep and uneven113, Trixie clinging to Guy, her breath coming fast and audible. "Do coo-ee," she urged him, "I feel I must know if they're there." He obeyed her. His voice rang clear through the trees and over the river, but echo was all the reply it received.
In disconsolate114 silence they reached the flat ground at the top of the cliff, and plunged115 into the mysterious gloom of the grove. A weak little breeze had arisen, wandering through the trees, like a sighing soul that could not escape from the burial place; here and there they could see the dim outlines of tombs, dome-shaped, or flat-topped and square, touched by the light of the moon that filtered down through the foliage.
"They are not here. They have gone," said Trixie hopelessly.
"They are outside, waiting on the road," said Guy Greaves.
But they were not. When the pair emerged from the grove they found the road empty and silent, not a sign of a trap or anything living, except a great owl that swooped116 over the road and across the unfertile plain beyond with an unearthly hoot103, as though mocking their plight117.
"Come along," said Trixie firmly, "we must walk. If they do send the trap back to meet us
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so much the better, but we can't wait here on the chance."
The road was unmetalled and the ruts were deep. Without further parley118 they started, trudging119 through the dust, engrossed120 in their own emotions. The boy felt that by his lack of self-control he had jeopardised all future friendship with his idol121, and his young heart was heavy with distress, also with resentment122; for it seemed to him that Trixie thought he was to blame for their predicament. Barring that asinine123 outburst of his, which he deeply regretted, he did not see why she should be so perturbed124--not only perturbed, but actually frightened. If anyone should be spiteful enough to gossip, the whole thing could be clearly explained in two minutes. Why, in the old days Trixie would have been the first to enjoy such a harmless adventure. A question crept into his mind and filled him with angry concern: Was she afraid of her husband? He recalled certain tales of his colonel's first marriage, chiefly the one that Coventry's jealous restrictions125 had goaded126 his wife into bolting with some other fellow. Aunt Marion Greaves had once hinted as much in his hearing, and others had said the same. He stepped along burning with rage at the notion that Trixie was bullied127, devising impossible schemes to shield and defend
[pg 159]
her from trouble with Coventry over to-night's escapade.
Trixie herself was practically oblivious128 of his presence. She did not observe that he walked a little ahead, his motive129 being to make sure that she trod on nothing suggestive of reptiles130; once he did notice a thin black line that wriggled131 from the dust in front and disappeared beneath a cactus clump132. Luckily she did not see it; she was absorbed in her desire to find herself safe within her home, torn as she was with repentance133 for her backsliding, dreading134 as she did the confession135 she would have to make to George. Guy startled her presently by an abrupt136 question:
"Why are you in such a funk?" he asked, as though the words had been jerked from his lips against his will.
"What?" said Trixie, with an effort. "What did you say?" She only knew he had spoken, without catching137 the words.
"I only said, why are you so awfully138 worried about--about all this? There can't be any scandal when the whole thing was simply an accident."
"It wasn't an accident my going out with all you silly idiots in the middle of the night!" said Trixie crossly. "And if people do talk and say nasty things about our being left behind it will be my own fault, and I shall deserve it. Anyhow,
[pg 160]
it has taught me a lesson I shan't forget in a hurry."
"Oh, rot! What can they say? And why should you care. Look here, Trixie," he burst out with imprudent impetuosity, "is it that you're in a funk of what the colonel will say or do? For God's sake, tell me if he bullies139 you. We all know what happened about his first wife."
There was an ominous pause. His pulses beat quickly, the noise of their footsteps crunching140 the dust sounded loud in his ears. He wished he had let the subject alone.
Then he heard Trixie say in a cold, contemptuous voice: "Perhaps you will tell me what you all know?"
In nervous excitement he stammered141 his answer. "Why, that he drove her into--into leaving him. Never gave her a chance, wouldn't listen."
And in spite of the anger she felt towards Guy for his outrageous142 presumption143, Trixie's heart sank lower than ever. She knew so little of the history of George's first marriage--had refused to hear when her mother and "Gommie" had wanted to tell her. Never once had she questioned her husband about the divorce, and naturally no one had mentioned it to her in India, until now this blundering boy had raked up the talk he had heard. A horrible doubt assailed144 her. Could it be true
[pg 161]
that George had behaved without mercy, had not been entirely blameless as she had always believed? If so, what might she expect herself when he knew she had not only flown in the face of his wishes, but had been absent nearly all night with Guy Greaves, the one individual, harmless youth though he was, with whom he had begged her not to make herself conspicuous145 during their separation--Guy, over whom they had almost quarrelled! Hurt and annoyed she was sure her husband would be, but what if, as well, he "would not listen, would not give her a chance?"
Her vexation of mind, her disturbance147 of conscience, the annoying delay, the scene with Guy on the river, had all combined to harass148 her nerves and distort her perceptions; and now her companion's perturbing149 suggestion filled her with dread. Nevertheless her spirit rose up in defence of her husband.
"You know nothing about it," she told Guy severely150. "How dare you quote gossip to me! And as to your insinuation about George's behaviour towards me, it only just proves how little you know him."
"They why make such a fuss?" he argued morosely151. He did not believe that Trixie was telling the truth.
"Look here, Guy!" She stopped in the middle
[pg 162]
of the road, and compelled him to turn and face her. "If you weren't such an old friend, and if I didn't know you were a good sort, I should never speak to you again. As it is, you must know we can't be on quite the same terms any more. But I should like you to understand, once and for all, that I love my husband, and because I love him it makes me wretched to think that I should have done anything to vex146 him. I have broken a promise and behaved like a senseless fool. Of course I shall tell him the whole thing, and I am not in the least afraid that he won't forgive me. But that doesn't make me feel any the less ashamed of myself."
All the same, despite her brave words, Trixie was frightened as well as ashamed, and in her heart she knew that Guy had not only divined her fear, but that he shared it himself acutely.
It was a blessed relief to them both to catch sight at this moment of a dark object moving slowly towards them along the road--Guy Greaves's trap, sent back by the rest of the party to meet them. In silence they got into the trap and jolted152 along the uneven road till they reached the metalled highway; then they spun153 swiftly, unhindered, towards the station.
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1
bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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ransacked
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| v.彻底搜查( ransack的过去式和过去分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
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6
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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7
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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8
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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10
trumpeting
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的现在分词形式） | |
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11
musk
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| n.麝香, 能发出麝香的各种各样的植物，香猫 | |
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nauseating
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| adj.令人恶心的，使人厌恶的v.使恶心，作呕( nauseate的现在分词 ) | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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14
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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15
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...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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livestock
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| n.家畜，牲畜 | |
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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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consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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domesticated
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| adj.喜欢家庭生活的；（指动物）被驯养了的v.驯化( domesticate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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accounting
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| n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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ominous
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prospect
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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monsoon
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pestilence
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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toll
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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dawdled
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| v.混（时间）( dawdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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34
stuffy
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| adj.不透气的，闷热的 | |
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35
bungalows
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| n.平房( bungalow的名词复数 )；单层小屋，多于一层的小屋 | |
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36
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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37
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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38
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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39
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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40
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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41
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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42
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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43
guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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44
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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45
disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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47
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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48
cholera
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| n.霍乱 | |
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49
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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50
succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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51
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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52
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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53
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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54
grudged
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| 怀恨（grudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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55
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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56
veranda
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| n.走廊；阳台 | |
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57
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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58
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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59
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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60
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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62
grandiloquence
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| n.夸张之言，豪言壮语，豪语 | |
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63
sensuous
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| adj.激发美感的；感官的，感觉上的 | |
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64
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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65
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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66
civilian
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| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
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67
cactus
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| n.仙人掌 | |
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68
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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69
cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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70
gibes
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| vi.嘲笑，嘲弄（gibe的第三人称单数形式） | |
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71
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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72
burnished
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| adj.抛光的，光亮的v.擦亮（金属等），磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 )；被擦亮，磨光 | |
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73
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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74
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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75
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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76
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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77
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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78
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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79
pal
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| n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友 | |
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80
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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81
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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82
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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83
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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84
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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85
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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86
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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87
tiresome
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| adj.令人疲劳的，令人厌倦的 | |
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88
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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89
rupture
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| n.破裂；(关系的)决裂；v.(使)破裂 | |
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90
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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91
careworn
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| adj.疲倦的，饱经忧患的 | |
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92
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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93
obdurate
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| adj.固执的，顽固的 | |
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94
adoration
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| n.爱慕，崇拜 | |
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95
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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96
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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97
crookedly
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| adv. 弯曲地，不诚实地 | |
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98
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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100
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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101
apprehensive
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| adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的 | |
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102
hooting
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 )； 倒好儿； 倒彩 | |
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103
hoot
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| n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭 | |
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104
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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105
myriads
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| n.无数，极大数量( myriad的名词复数 ) | |
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106
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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107
lurch
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| n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行 | |
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108
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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109
reassurance
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| n.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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110
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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111
petulant
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| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
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112
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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113
uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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114
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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115
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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116
swooped
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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118
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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119
trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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120
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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121
idol
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| n.偶像，红人，宠儿 | |
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122
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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123
asinine
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| adj.愚蠢的 | |
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124
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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125
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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126
goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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127
bullied
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| adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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129
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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130
reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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131
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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132
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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133
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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134
dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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135
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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136
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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137
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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138
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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139
bullies
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| n.欺凌弱小者, 开球 vt.恐吓, 威胁, 欺负 | |
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140
crunching
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的现在分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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141
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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142
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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143
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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144
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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145
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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146
vex
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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147
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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148
harass
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| vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰 | |
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149
perturbing
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| v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的现在分词 ) | |
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150
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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151
morosely
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| adv.愁眉苦脸地，忧郁地 | |
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152
jolted
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| （使）摇动， （使）震惊( jolt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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153
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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