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Chapter 17 Among the Maids
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 Although this story is about Jo's boys, her girls cannot beneglected, because they held a high place in this little republic,and especial care was taken to fit them to play their parts worthilyin the great republic which offered them wider opportunities and moreserious duties. To many the social influence was the better part ofthe training they received; for education is not confined to books,and the finest characters often graduate from no college, but makeexperience their master, and life their book. Others cared only forthe mental culture, and were in danger of over-studying, under thedelusion which pervades1 New England that learning must be had at allcosts, forgetting that health and real wisdom are better. A thirdclass of ambitious girls hardly knew what they wanted, but werehungry for whatever could fit them to face the world and earn aliving, being driven by necessity, the urgency of some half-conscioustalent, or the restlessness of strong young natures to break awayfrom the narrow life which no longer satisfied.

 
  At Plumfield all found something to help them; for the growinginstitution had not yet made its rules as fixed2 as the laws of theMedes and Persians, and believed so heartily3 in the right of allsexes, colours, creeds4, and ranks to education, that there was roomfor everyone who knocked, and a welcome to the shabby youths from upcountry, the eager girls from the West, the awkward freedman or womanfrom the South, or the well-born student whose poverty made thiscollege a possibility when other doors were barred. There still wasprejudice, ridicule5, neglect in high places, and prophecies offailure to contend against; but the Faculty6 was composed of cheerful,hopeful men and women who had seen greater reforms spring fromsmaller roots, and after stormy seasons blossom beautifully, to addprosperity and honour to the nation. So they worked on steadily7 andbided their time, full of increasing faith in their attempt as yearafter year their numbers grew, their plans succeeded, and the senseof usefulness in this most vital of all professions blessed them withits sweet rewards.
 
  Among the various customs which had very naturally sprung up was oneespecially useful and interesting to 'the girls', as the young womenliked to be called. It all grew out of the old sewing hour still keptup by the three sisters long after the little work-boxes had expandedinto big baskets full of household mending. They were busy women, yeton Saturdays they tried to meet in one of the three sewing-rooms; foreven classic Parnassus had its nook where Mrs Amy often sat among herservants, teaching them to make and mend, thereby8 giving them arespect for economy, since the rich lady did not scorn to darn herhose, and sew on buttons. In these household retreats, with books andwork, and their daughters by them, they read and sewed and talked inthe sweet privacy that domestic women love, and can make so helpfulby a wise mixture of cooks and chemistry, table linen9 and theology,prosaic duties and good poetry.
 
  Mrs Meg was the first to propose enlarging this little circle; for asshe went her motherly rounds among the young women she found a sadlack of order, skill, and industry in this branch of education.
 
  Latin, Greek, the higher mathematics, and science of all sortsprospered finely; but the dust gathered on the work-baskets, frayedelbows went unheeded, and some of the blue stockings sadly neededmending. Anxious lest the usual sneer10 at learned women should applyto 'our girls', she gently lured11 two or three of the most untidy toher house, and made the hour so pleasant, the lesson so kindly12, thatthey took the hint, were grateful for the favour, and asked to comeagain. Others soon begged to make the detested13 weekly duty lighter14 byjoining the party, and soon it was a privilege so much desired thatthe old museum was refitted with sewing-machines, tables,rocking-chair, and a cheerful fireplace, so that, rain or shine, theneedles might go on undisturbed.
 
  Here Mrs Meg was in her glory, and stood wielding15 her big shears16 likea queen as she cut out white work, fitted dresses, and directedDaisy, her special aide, about the trimming of hats, and completingthe lace and ribbon trifles which add grace to the simplest costumeand save poor or busy girls so much money and time. Mrs Amycontributed taste, and decided17 the great question of colours andcomplexions; for few women, even the most learned, are without thatdesire to look well which makes many a plain face comely18, as well asmany a pretty one ugly for want of skill and knowledge of the fitnessof things. She also took her turn to provide books for the readings,and as art was her forte19 she gave them selections from Ruskin,Hamerton, and Mrs Jameson, who is never old. Bess read these aloud asher contribution, and Josie took her turn at the romances, poetry,and plays her uncles recommended. Mrs Jo gave little lectures onhealth, religion, politics, and the various questions in which allshould be interested, with copious20 extracts from Miss Cobbe's Dutiesof Women, Miss Brackett's Education of American Girls, Mrs Duffy's NoSex in Education, Mrs Woolson's Dress Reform, and many of the otherexcellent books wise women write for their sisters, now that they arewaking up and asking: 'What shall we do?'
 
  It was curious to see the prejudices melt away as ignorance wasenlightened, indifference21 change to interest, and intelligent mindsset thinking, while quick wits and lively tongues added spice to thediscussions which inevitably22 followed. So the feet that wore theneatly mended hose carried wiser heads than before, the pretty gownscovered hearts warmed with higher purposes, and the hands thatdropped the thimbles for pens, lexicons23, and celestial24 globes, werebetter fitted for life's work, whether to rock cradles, tend thesick, or help on the great work of the world.
 
  One day a brisk discussion arose concerning careers for women. MrsJo had read something on the subject and asked each of the dozengirls sitting about the room, what she intended to do on leavingcollege. The answers were as usual: 'I shall teach, help mother,study medicine, art,' etc.; but nearly all ended with:
 
  'Till I marry.'
 
  'But if you don't marry, what then?' asked Mrs Jo, feeling like agirl again as she listened to the answers, and watched thethoughtful, gay, or eager faces.
 
  'Be old maids, I suppose. Horrid25, but inevitable26, since there are somany superfluous27 women,' answered a lively lass, too pretty to fearsingle blessedness unless she chose it.
 
  'It is well to consider that fact, and fit yourselves to be useful,not superfluous women. That class, by the way, is largely made up ofwidows, I find; so don't consider it a slur28 on maidenhood29.'
 
  'That's a comfort! Old maids aren't sneered30 at half as much as theyused to be, since some of them have grown famous and proved thatwoman isn't a half but a whole human being, and can stand alone.'
 
  'Don't like it all the same. We can't all be like Miss Nightingale,Miss Phelps, and the rest.'
 
  So what can we do but sit in a corner and look on?' asked a plaingirl with a dissatisfied expression.
 
  'Cultivate cheerfulness and content, if nothing else. But there areso many little odd jobs waiting to be done that nobody need "sit idleand look on", unless she chooses,' said Mrs Meg, with a smile, layingon the girl's head the new hat she had just trimmed.
 
  'Thank you very much. Yes, Mrs Brooke, I see; it's a little job, butit makes me neat and happy--and grateful,' she added, looking up withbrighter eyes as she accepted the labour of love and the lesson assweetly as they were given.
 
  'One of the best and most beloved women I know has been doing oddjobs for the Lord for years, and will keep at it till her dear handsare folded in her coffin32. All sorts of things she does--picks upneglected children and puts them in safe homes, saves lost girls,nurses poor women in trouble, sews, knits, trots33, begs, works for thepoor day after day with no reward but the thanks of the needy34, thelove and honour of the rich who make Saint Matilda their almoner.
 
  That's a life worth living; and I think that quiet little woman willget a higher seat in Heaven than many of those of whom the world hasheard.'
 
  'I know it's lovely, Mrs Bhaer; but it's dull for young folks. We dowant a little fun before we buckle35 to,' said a Western girl with awide-awake face.
 
  'Have your fun, my dear; but if you must earn your bread, try to makeit sweet with cheerfulness, not bitter with the daily regret that itisn't cake. I used to think mine was a very hard fate because I hadto amuse a somewhat fretful old lady; but the books I read in thatlonely library have been of immense use to me since, and the dear oldsoul bequeathed me Plumfield for my "cheerful service andaffectionate care". I didn't deserve it, but I did use to try to bejolly and kind, and get as much honey out of duty as I could, thanksto my dear mother's help and advice.'
 
  'Gracious! if I could earn a place like this, I'd sing all day and bean angel; but you have to take your chance, and get nothing for yourpains, perhaps. I never do,' said the Westerner, who had a hard timewith small means and large aspirations36.
 
  'Don't do it for the reward; but be sure it will come, though not inthe shape you expect. I worked hard for fame and money one winter;but I got neither, and was much disappointed. A year afterwards Ifound I had earned two prizes: skill with my pen, and ProfessorBhaer.'
 
  Mrs Jo's laugh was echoed blithely38 by the girls, who liked to havethese conversations enlivened by illustrations from life.
 
  'You are a very lucky woman,' began the discontented damsel, whosesoul soared above new hats, welcome as they were, but did not quiteknow where to steer39.
 
  'Yet her name used to be "Luckless Jo", and she never had what shewanted till she had given up hoping for it,' said Mrs Meg.
 
  'I'll give up hoping, then, right away, and see if my wishes willcome. I only want to help my folks, and get a good school.'
 
  'Take this proverb for your guide: "Get the distaff ready, and theLord will send the flax",' answered Mrs Jo.
 
  'We'd better all do that, if we are to be spinsters,' said the prettyone, adding gaily40, 'I think I should like it, on the whole--they areso independent. My Aunt Jenny can do just what she likes, and ask noone's leave; but Ma has to consult Pa about everything. Yes, I'llgive you my chance, Sally, and be a "superfluum", as Mr Plock says.'
 
  'You'll be one of the first to go into bondage41, see if you aren't.
 
  Much obliged, all the same.'
 
  'Well, I'll get my distaff ready, and take whatever flax the Fatessend--single, or double-twisted, as the powers please.'
 
  'That is the right spirit, Nelly. Keep it up, and see how happy lifewill be with a brave heart, a willing hand, and plenty to do.'
 
  'No one objects to plenty of domestic work or fashionable pleasure, Ifind; but the minute we begin to study, people tell us we can't bearit, and warn us to be very careful. I've tried the other things, andgot so tired I came to college; though my people predict nervousexhaustion and an early death. Do you think there is any danger?'
 
  asked a stately girl, with an anxious glance at the blooming facereflected in the mirror opposite.
 
  'Are you stronger or weaker than when you came two years ago, MissWinthrop?'
 
  'Stronger in body, and much happier in mind. I think I was dying ofennui; but the doctors called it inherited delicacy42 of constitution.
 
  That is why mamma is so anxious, and I wish not to go too fast.'
 
  'Don't worry, my dear; that active brain of yours was starving forgood food; it has plenty now, and plain living suits you better thanluxury and dissipation. It is all nonsense about girls not being ableto study as well as boys. Neither can bear cramming43; but with propercare both are better for it; so enjoy the life your instinct led youto, and we will prove that wise headwork is a better cure for thatsort of delicacy than tonics44, and novels on the sofa, where far toomany of our girls go to wreck45 nowadays. They burn the candle at bothends; and when they break down they blame the books, not the balls.'
 
  'Dr Nan was telling me about a patient of hers who thought she hadheart-complaint, till Nan made her take off her corsets, stopped hercoffee and dancing all night, and made her eat, sleep, walk, and liveregularly for a time; and now she's a brilliant cure. Common senseversus custom, Nan said.'
 
  'I've had no headaches since I came here, and can do twice as muchstudying as I did at home. It's the air, I think, and the fun ofgoing ahead of the boys,' said another girl, tapping her big foreheadwith her thimble, as if the lively brain inside was in good workingorder and enjoyed the daily gymnastics she gave it.
 
  'Quality, not quantity, wins the day, you know. Our brains may besmaller, but I don't see that they fall short of what is required ofthem; and if I'm not mistaken, the largest-headed man in our class isthe dullest,' said Nelly, with a solemn air which produced a gale31 ofmerriment; for all knew that the young Goliath she mentioned had beenmetaphorically slain46 by this quick-witted David on many abattle-field, to the great disgust of himself and his mates.
 
  'Mrs Brooke, do I gauge47 on the right or the wrong side?' asked thebest Greek scholar of her class, eyeing a black silk apron48 with alost expression.
 
  'The right, Miss Pierson; and leave a space between the tucks; itlooks prettier so.'
 
  'I'll never make another; but it will save my dresses fromink-stains, so I'm glad I've got it'; and the erudite Miss Piersonlaboured on, finding it a harder task than any Greek root she everdug up.
 
  'We paper-stainers must learn how to make shields, or we are lost.
 
  I'll give you a pattern of the pinafore I used to wear in my"blood-and-thunder days", as we call them,' said Mrs Jo, trying toremember what became of the old tin-kitchen which used to hold herworks.
 
  'Speaking of writers reminds me that my ambition is to be a GeorgeEliot, and thrill the world! It must be so splendid to know that onehas such power, and to hear people own that one possesses a"masculine intellect"! I don't care for most women's novels, but hersare immense; don't you think so, Mrs Bhaer?' asked the girl with thebig forehead, and torn braid on her skirt.
 
  'Yes; but they don't thrill me as little Charlotte Bronte's books do.
 
  The brain is there, but the heart seems left out. I admire, but Idon't love, George Eliot; and her life is far sadder to me than MissBronte's, because, in spite of the genius, love, and fame, she missedthe light without which no soul is truly great, good, or happy.'
 
  'Yes'm, I know; but still it's so romantic and sort of new andmysterious, and she was great in one sense. Her nerves and dyspepsiado rather destroy the illusion; but I adore famous people and mean togo and see all I can scare up in London some day.'
 
  'You will find some of the best of them busy about just the work Irecommend to you; and if you want to see a great lady, I'll tell youthat Mrs Laurence means to bring one here today. Lady Abercrombie islunching with her, and after seeing the college is to call on us. Sheespecially wanted to see our sewing-school, as she is interested inthings of this sort, and gets them up at home.'
 
  'Bless me! I always imagined lords and ladies did nothing but rideround in a coach and six, go to balls, and be presented to the Queenin cocked hats, and trains and feathers,' exclaimed an artless youngperson from the wilds of Maine, whither an illustrated49 paperoccasionally wandered.
 
  'Not at all; Lord Abercrombie is over here studying up our Americanprison system, and my lady is busy with the schools-- both veryhigh-born, but the simplest and most sensible people I've met thislong time. They are neither of them young nor handsome, and dressplainly; so don't expect anything splendid. Mr Laurence was tellingme last night about a friend of his who met my lord in the hall, andowing to a rough greatcoat and a red face, mistook him for acoachman, and said: "Now, my man, what do you want here?" LordAbercrombie mildly mentioned who he was, and that he had come todinner. And the poor host was much afflicted50, saying afterward37: "Whydidn't he wear his stars and garters? then a fellow would know he wasa lord."'
 
  The girls laughed again, and a general rustle51 betrayed that each wasprinking a bit before the titled guest arrived. Even Mrs Jo settledher collar, and Mrs Meg felt if her cap was right, while Bess shookout her curls and Josie boldly consulted the glass; for they werewomen, in spite of philosophy and philanthropy.
 
  'Shall we all rise?' asked one girl, deeply impressed by theimpending honour.
 
  'It would be courteous52.'
 
  'Shall we shake hands?'
 
  'No, I'll present you en masse, and your pleasant faces will beintroduction enough.'
 
  'I wish I'd worn my best dress. Ought to have told us,' whisperedSally.
 
  'Won't my folks be surprised when I tell them we have had a real ladyto call on us?' said another.
 
  'Don't look as if you'd never seen a gentlewoman before, Milly. Weare not all fresh from the wilderness,' added the stately damsel who,having Mayflower ancestors, felt that she was the equal of all thecrowned heads of Europe.
 
  'Hush, she's coming! Oh, my heart, what a bonnet53!' cried the gay girlin a stage whisper; and every eye was demurely54 fixed upon the busyhands as the door opened to admit Mrs Laurence and her guest.
 
  It was rather a shock to find, after the general introduction wasover, that this daughter of a hundred earls was a stout55 lady in aplain gown, and a rather weather-beaten bonnet, with a bag of papersin one hand and a note-book in the other. But the face was full ofbenevolence, the sonorous56 voice very kind, the genial57 manners verywinning, and about the whole person an indescribable air of highbreeding which made beauty of no consequence, costume soon forgotten,and the moment memorable58 to the keen-eyed girls whom nothing escaped.
 
  A little chat about the rise, growth, and success of this particularclass, and then Mrs Jo led the conversation to the English lady'swork, anxious to show her pupils how rank dignifies59 labour, andcharity blesses wealth.
 
  It was good for these girls to hear of the evening-schools supportedand taught by women whom they knew and honoured; of Miss Cobbe'seloquent protest winning the protection of the law for abused wives;Mrs Butler saving the lost; Mrs Taylor, who devoted60 one room in herhistoric house to a library for the servants; Lord Shaftesbury, busywith his new tenement-houses in the slums of London; of prisonreforms; and all the brave work being done in God's name by the richand great for the humble61 and the poor. It impressed them more thanmany quiet home lectures would have done, and roused an ambition tohelp when their time should come, well knowing that even in gloriousAmerica there is still plenty to be done before she is what sheshould be--truly just, and free, and great. They were also quick tosee that Lady Abercrombie treated all there as her equals, fromstately Mrs Laurence, to little Josie, taking notes of everything andprivately resolving to have some thick-soled English boots as soon aspossible. No one would have guessed that she had a big house inLondon, a castle in Wales, and a grand country seat in Scotland, asshe spoke62 of Parnassus with admiration63, Plumfield as a 'dear oldhome', and the college as an honour to all concerned in it. At that,of course, every head went up a little, and when my lady left, everyhand was ready for the hearty64 shake the noble Englishwoman gave them,with words they long remembered:
 
  'I am very pleased to see this much-neglected branch of a woman'seducation so well conducted here, and I have to thank my friend MrsLaurence for one of the most charming pictures I've seen inAmerica--Penelope among her maids.'
 
  A group of smiling faces watched the stout boots trudge65 away,respectful glances followed the shabby bonnet till it was out ofsight, and the girls felt a truer respect for their titled guest thanif she had come in the coach and six, with all her diamonds on.
 
  'I feel better about the "odd jobs" now. I only wish I could do themas well as Lady Abercrombie does,' said one.
 
  'I thanked my stars my buttonholes were nice, for she looked at themand said: "Quite workmanlike, upon my word," added another, feelingthat her gingham gown had come to honour.
 
  'Her manners were as sweet and kind as Mrs Brooke's. Not a bit stiffor condescending66, as I expected. I see now what you meant, Mrs Bhaer,when you said once that well-bred people were the same all the worldover.'
 
  Mrs Meg bowed her thanks for the compliment, and Mrs Bhaer said:
 
  'I know them when I see them, but never shall be a model ofdeportment myself. I'm glad you enjoyed the little visit. Now, if youyoung people don't want England to get ahead of us in many ways, youmust bestir yourselves and keep abreast67; for our sisters are inearnest, you see, and don't waste time worrying about their sphere,but make it wherever duty calls them.'
 
  'We will do our best, ma'am,' answered the girls heartily, andtrooped away with their work-baskets, feeling that though they mightnever be Harriet Martineaus, Elizabeth Brownings, or George Eliots,they might become noble, useful, and independent women, and earn forthemselves some sweet title from the grateful lips of the poor,better than any a queen could bestow68.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 pervades 0f02439c160e808685761d7dc0376831     
v.遍及,弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • An unpleasant smell pervades the house. 一种难闻的气味弥漫了全屋。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • An atmosphere of pessimism pervades the economy. 悲观的气氛笼罩着整个经济。 来自辞典例句
2 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
3 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
4 creeds 6087713156d7fe5873785720253dc7ab     
(尤指宗教)信条,教条( creed的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • people of all races, colours and creeds 各种种族、肤色和宗教信仰的人
  • Catholics are agnostic to the Protestant creeds. 天主教徒对于新教教义来说,是不可知论者。
5 ridicule fCwzv     
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄
参考例句:
  • You mustn't ridicule unfortunate people.你不该嘲笑不幸的人。
  • Silly mistakes and queer clothes often arouse ridicule.荒谬的错误和古怪的服装常会引起人们的讪笑。
6 faculty HhkzK     
n.才能;学院,系;(学院或系的)全体教学人员
参考例句:
  • He has a great faculty for learning foreign languages.他有学习外语的天赋。
  • He has the faculty of saying the right thing at the right time.他有在恰当的时候说恰当的话的才智。
7 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
8 thereby Sokwv     
adv.因此,从而
参考例句:
  • I have never been to that city,,ereby I don't know much about it.我从未去过那座城市,因此对它不怎么熟悉。
  • He became a British citizen,thereby gaining the right to vote.他成了英国公民,因而得到了投票权。
9 linen W3LyK     
n.亚麻布,亚麻线,亚麻制品;adj.亚麻布制的,亚麻的
参考例句:
  • The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。
  • Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。
10 sneer YFdzu     
v.轻蔑;嘲笑;n.嘲笑,讥讽的言语
参考例句:
  • He said with a sneer.他的话中带有嘲笑之意。
  • You may sneer,but a lot of people like this kind of music.你可以嗤之以鼻,但很多人喜欢这种音乐。
11 lured 77df5632bf83c9c64fb09403ae21e649     
吸引,引诱(lure的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The child was lured into a car but managed to escape. 那小孩被诱骗上了车,但又设法逃掉了。
  • Lured by the lust of gold,the pioneers pushed onward. 开拓者在黄金的诱惑下,继续奋力向前。
12 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
13 detested e34cc9ea05a83243e2c1ed4bd90db391     
v.憎恶,嫌恶,痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • They detested each other on sight. 他们互相看着就不顺眼。
  • The freethinker hated the formalist; the lover of liberty detested the disciplinarian. 自由思想者总是不喜欢拘泥形式者,爱好自由者总是憎恶清规戒律者。 来自辞典例句
14 lighter 5pPzPR     
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级
参考例句:
  • The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色,色调明朗了一些。
  • The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。
15 wielding 53606bfcdd21f22ffbfd93b313b1f557     
手持着使用(武器、工具等)( wield的现在分词 ); 具有; 运用(权力); 施加(影响)
参考例句:
  • The rebels were wielding sticks of dynamite. 叛乱分子舞动着棒状炸药。
  • He is wielding a knife. 他在挥舞着一把刀。
16 shears Di7zh6     
n.大剪刀
参考例句:
  • These garden shears are lightweight and easy to use.这些园丁剪刀又轻又好用。
  • With a few quick snips of the shears he pruned the bush.他用大剪刀几下子就把灌木给修剪好了。
17 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
18 comely GWeyX     
adj.漂亮的,合宜的
参考例句:
  • His wife is a comely young woman.他的妻子是一个美丽的少妇。
  • A nervous,comely-dressed little girl stepped out.一个紧张不安、衣着漂亮的小姑娘站了出来。
19 forte 8zbyB     
n.长处,擅长;adj.(音乐)强音的
参考例句:
  • Her forte is playing the piano.她擅长弹钢琴。
  • His forte is to show people around in the company.他最拿手的就是向大家介绍公司。
20 copious koizs     
adj.丰富的,大量的
参考例句:
  • She supports her theory with copious evidences.她以大量的例证来充实自己的理论。
  • Every star is a copious source of neutrinos.每颗恒星都是丰富的中微子源。
21 indifference k8DxO     
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎
参考例句:
  • I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
  • He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。
22 inevitably x7axc     
adv.不可避免地;必然发生地
参考例句:
  • In the way you go on,you are inevitably coming apart.照你们这样下去,毫无疑问是会散伙的。
  • Technological changes will inevitably lead to unemployment.技术变革必然会导致失业。
23 lexicons 16adb28a682f1f96d52643d0f611c52f     
n.词典( lexicon的名词复数 );专门词汇
参考例句:
  • I have a discipline: medical, sports, and advertising lexicons. 另一些是专科词典,如医学词典、体育词典、广告词典等等。 来自互联网
24 celestial 4rUz8     
adj.天体的;天上的
参考例句:
  • The rosy light yet beamed like a celestial dawn.玫瑰色的红光依然象天上的朝霞一样绚丽。
  • Gravity governs the motions of celestial bodies.万有引力控制着天体的运动。
25 horrid arozZj     
adj.可怕的;令人惊恐的;恐怖的;极讨厌的
参考例句:
  • I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
  • The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃,她咽不下去。
26 inevitable 5xcyq     
adj.不可避免的,必然发生的
参考例句:
  • Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
  • The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。
27 superfluous EU6zf     
adj.过多的,过剩的,多余的
参考例句:
  • She fined away superfluous matter in the design. 她删去了这图案中多余的东西。
  • That request seemed superfluous when I wrote it.我这样写的时候觉得这个请求似乎是多此一举。
28 slur WE2zU     
v.含糊地说;诋毁;连唱;n.诋毁;含糊的发音
参考例句:
  • He took the remarks as a slur on his reputation.他把这些话当作是对他的名誉的中伤。
  • The drug made her speak with a slur.药物使她口齿不清。
29 maidenhood maidenhood     
n. 处女性, 处女时代
参考例句:
30 sneered 0e3b5b35e54fb2ad006040792a867d9f     
讥笑,冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
  • It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。
31 gale Xf3zD     
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等)
参考例句:
  • We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
  • According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报,明天有大风。
32 coffin XWRy7     
n.棺材,灵柩
参考例句:
  • When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
  • The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。
33 trots b4193f3b689ed427c61603fce46ef9b1     
小跑,急走( trot的名词复数 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
参考例句:
  • A horse that trots, especially one trained for harness racing. 训练用于快跑特别是套轭具赛跑的马。
  • He always trots out the same old excuses for being late. 他每次迟到总是重复那一套藉口。
34 needy wG7xh     
adj.贫穷的,贫困的,生活艰苦的
参考例句:
  • Although he was poor,he was quite generous to his needy friends.他虽穷,但对贫苦的朋友很慷慨。
  • They awarded scholarships to needy students.他们给贫苦学生颁发奖学金。
35 buckle zsRzg     
n.扣子,带扣;v.把...扣住,由于压力而弯曲
参考例句:
  • The two ends buckle at the back.带子两端在背后扣起来。
  • She found it hard to buckle down.她很难专心做一件事情。
36 aspirations a60ebedc36cdd304870aeab399069f9e     
强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 ); 志向; 发送气音; 发 h 音
参考例句:
  • I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
  • The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。
37 afterward fK6y3     
adv.后来;以后
参考例句:
  • Let's go to the theatre first and eat afterward. 让我们先去看戏,然后吃饭。
  • Afterward,the boy became a very famous artist.后来,这男孩成为一个很有名的艺术家。
38 blithely blithely     
adv.欢乐地,快活地,无挂虑地
参考例句:
  • They blithely carried on chatting, ignoring the customers who were waiting to be served. 他们继续开心地聊天,将等着购物的顾客们置于一边。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He blithely ignored her protests and went on talking as if all were agreed between them. 对她的抗议他毫不在意地拋诸脑后,只管继续往下说,仿彿他们之间什么都谈妥了似的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
39 steer 5u5w3     
vt.驾驶,为…操舵;引导;vi.驾驶
参考例句:
  • If you push the car, I'll steer it.如果你来推车,我就来驾车。
  • It's no use trying to steer the boy into a course of action that suits you.想说服这孩子按你的方式行事是徒劳的。
40 gaily lfPzC     
adv.欢乐地,高兴地
参考例句:
  • The children sing gaily.孩子们欢唱着。
  • She waved goodbye very gaily.她欢快地挥手告别。
41 bondage 0NtzR     
n.奴役,束缚
参考例句:
  • Masters sometimes allowed their slaves to buy their way out of bondage.奴隶主们有时允许奴隶为自己赎身。
  • They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。
42 delicacy mxuxS     
n.精致,细微,微妙,精良;美味,佳肴
参考例句:
  • We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
  • He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。
43 cramming 72a5eb07f207b2ce280314cd162588b7     
n.塞满,填鸭式的用功v.塞入( cram的现在分词 );填塞;塞满;(为考试而)死记硬背功课
参考例句:
  • Being hungry for the whole morning, I couldn't help cramming myself. 我饿了一上午,禁不住狼吞虎咽了起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She's cramming for her history exam. 她考历史之前临时抱佛脚。 来自《简明英汉词典》
44 tonics 5722ce5f833f803d7b70cfda2e365a56     
n.滋补品( tonic的名词复数 );主音;奎宁水;浊音
参考例句:
  • I think you have a prejudice against tonics. 我认你对补药有偏见。 来自互联网
  • Two gin and tonics, please. 请来两杯杜松子酒加奎宁水。 来自互联网
45 wreck QMjzE     
n.失事,遇难;沉船;vt.(船等)失事,遇难
参考例句:
  • Weather may have been a factor in the wreck.天气可能是造成这次失事的原因之一。
  • No one can wreck the friendship between us.没有人能够破坏我们之间的友谊。
46 slain slain     
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The soldiers slain in the battle were burried that night. 在那天夜晚埋葬了在战斗中牺牲了的战士。
  • His boy was dead, slain by the hand of the false Amulius. 他的儿子被奸诈的阿缪利乌斯杀死了。
47 gauge 2gMxz     
v.精确计量;估计;n.标准度量;计量器
参考例句:
  • Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗?
  • It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。
48 apron Lvzzo     
n.围裙;工作裙
参考例句:
  • We were waited on by a pretty girl in a pink apron.招待我们的是一位穿粉红色围裙的漂亮姑娘。
  • She stitched a pocket on the new apron.她在新围裙上缝上一只口袋。
49 illustrated 2a891807ad5907f0499171bb879a36aa     
adj. 有插图的,列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • His lecture was illustrated with slides taken during the expedition. 他在讲演中使用了探险时拍摄到的幻灯片。
  • The manufacturing Methods: Will be illustrated in the next chapter. 制作方法将在下一章说明。
50 afflicted aaf4adfe86f9ab55b4275dae2a2e305a     
使受痛苦,折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • About 40% of the country's population is afflicted with the disease. 全国40%左右的人口患有这种疾病。
  • A terrible restlessness that was like to hunger afflicted Martin Eden. 一阵可怕的、跟饥饿差不多的不安情绪折磨着马丁·伊登。
51 rustle thPyl     
v.沙沙作响;偷盗(牛、马等);n.沙沙声声
参考例句:
  • She heard a rustle in the bushes.她听到灌木丛中一阵沙沙声。
  • He heard a rustle of leaves in the breeze.他听到树叶在微风中发出的沙沙声。
52 courteous tooz2     
adj.彬彬有礼的,客气的
参考例句:
  • Although she often disagreed with me,she was always courteous.尽管她常常和我意见不一,但她总是很谦恭有礼。
  • He was a kind and courteous man.他为人友善,而且彬彬有礼。
53 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
54 demurely demurely     
adv.装成端庄地,认真地
参考例句:
  • "On the forehead, like a good brother,'she answered demurely. "吻前额,像个好哥哥那样,"她故作正经地回答说。 来自飘(部分)
  • Punctuation is the way one bats one's eyes, lowers one's voice or blushes demurely. 标点就像人眨眨眼睛,低声细语,或伍犯作态。 来自名作英译部分
56 sonorous qFMyv     
adj.响亮的,回响的;adv.圆润低沉地;感人地;n.感人,堂皇
参考例句:
  • The sonorous voice of the speaker echoed round the room.那位演讲人洪亮的声音在室内回荡。
  • He has a deep sonorous voice.他的声音深沉而洪亮。
57 genial egaxm     
adj.亲切的,和蔼的,愉快的,脾气好的
参考例句:
  • Orlando is a genial man.奥兰多是一位和蔼可亲的人。
  • He was a warm-hearted friend and genial host.他是个热心的朋友,也是友善待客的主人。
58 memorable K2XyQ     
adj.值得回忆的,难忘的,特别的,显著的
参考例句:
  • This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
  • The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。
59 dignifies fc14b042cd9baa8783221aa26331e25c     
使显得威严( dignify的第三人称单数 ); 使高贵; 使显赫; 夸大
参考例句:
  • Tragic literature dignifies sorrow and disaster. 悲剧作品使悲伤和灾难得到了升华。
60 devoted xu9zka     
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的
参考例句:
  • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
61 humble ddjzU     
adj.谦卑的,恭顺的;地位低下的;v.降低,贬低
参考例句:
  • In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见,他将在选举中获胜。
  • Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。
62 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
63 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
64 hearty Od1zn     
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的
参考例句:
  • After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了,他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
  • We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。
65 trudge uK2zq     
v.步履艰难地走;n.跋涉,费力艰难的步行
参考例句:
  • It was a hard trudge up the hill.这趟上山是一次艰难的跋涉。
  • The trudge through the forest will be tiresome.长途跋涉穿越森林会令人疲惫不堪。
66 condescending avxzvU     
adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的
参考例句:
  • He has a condescending attitude towards women. 他对女性总是居高临下。
  • He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. 和年轻女子说话时,他喜欢摆出一副高高在上的姿态。
67 abreast Zf3yi     
adv.并排地;跟上(时代)的步伐,与…并进地
参考例句:
  • She kept abreast with the flood of communications that had poured in.她及时回复如雪片般飞来的大批信件。
  • We can't keep abreast of the developing situation unless we study harder.我们如果不加强学习,就会跟不上形势。
68 bestow 9t3zo     
v.把…赠与,把…授予;花费
参考例句:
  • He wished to bestow great honors upon the hero.他希望将那些伟大的荣誉授予这位英雄。
  • What great inspiration wiII you bestow on me?你有什么伟大的灵感能馈赠给我?


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