Chapter 14 The First Day In New York

 By dint¹ of a little inquiry² Andy found his way to Mrs. Norris' boarding house in Clinton Place. It was a plain three-story-and-basement house of brick and looked thoroughly³ respectable.

 

Andy took a general view of it, and thought he should take it. To his country eyes it looked quite aristocratic. It was higher than any house in Arden, even Squire⁴ Carter's.

 

He ascended⁵ the steps and rang the bell.

 

It was answered by a Swedish girl named Eva, a blond girl of the true Scandinavian type.

 

"Is Mrs. Norris at home?" he asked.

 

"She is upstairs," was the reply.

 

"I should like to see her."

 

"Who shall I tell her calls?"

 

"She won't know my name. Tell her it is some one with a letter from Mr. Walter Gale⁶."

 

"Won't you step in?"

 

She ushered⁷ Andy into a small reception room opening from the hall. It was a very small room, provided with a sofa, one chair and a writing desk. Just over the sofa hung an engraving⁸ of Washington crossing the Delaware.

 

Andy sat down on the sofa and placed his gripsack in front of him. There was nothing to occupy his mind, so he sat patiently, wondering what sort of a looking woman the landlady⁹ might be.

 

Soon there was a rustle¹⁰ of garments, and a stout¹¹, pleasant-looking lady, of perhaps fifty, wearing a small cap set off with red ribbons, entered the room.

 

"Mrs. Norris?" said Andy, inquiringly, rising out of respect.

 

"Yes, I am Mrs. Norris. Eva told me you had a letter from Mr.--I didn't catch the name."

 

"Mr. Walter Gale."

 

"Oh, yes, Mr. Gale. I know him very well."

 

"Did he ever board here?"

 

"No; he boarded at one of the hotels. Mr. Gale is a rich man."

 

She took the letter and read it.

 

"Mr. Gale asks if I can take you to board, and offers to pay your board. He must be a great friend of yours?"

 

"He is. I hope the arrangement will be satisfactory."

 

"Quite so. I couldn't wish any better paymaster than Mr. Gale. Are you going to work in the city?"

 

"Yes. I have a place in Mr. Flint's jewelry¹² store on Union Square."

 

"Really? That is quite a high-toned place. I got my best spoons there."

 

"Have you got a room for me?" asked Andy, a little anxiously.

 

"Yes, I've got a small hall bedroom. I suppose you didn't expect a square room?"

 

"It would be too expensive."

 

"It wouldn't be if you had a roommate. There's a gentleman on the third floor front, a Mr. Warren. He is sickly, and writes for some of the papers. He told me he would like a roommate; but perhaps you would prefer a small room alone?"

 

"I should."

 

"Then I've a small room on the same floor. It was occupied till last week by a music teacher, but he was three weeks behind in his rent and I had to let him go. It's a trying business, keeping a boarding house, Mr.--"

 

"Grant," suggested Andy.

 

"Yes. That's a good name. I suppose you're in nowise related to the general?"

 

"No; I wish I was."

 

"If you will follow me upstairs I'll show you the room. You can bring your valise."

 

Andy took it in his hand and followed the landlady up two flights of stairs. She panted a little, being a stout lady, but Andy would have run upstairs if he had been alone.

 

On the upper floor there were three rooms, the doors of all being open.

 

"That is Mr. Warren's room," said Mrs. Norris, pointing to the front apartment.

 

It was a room of about fourteen feet square, and was neatly¹³ furnished. It contained a double bed and the usual chamber¹⁴ furniture.

 

"It will accommodate two gentlemen nicely," said Mrs. Norris. "Perhaps, after you get acquainted with Mr. Warren, you may strike up a bargain to room with him."

 

"I don't think I should like to room with a sickly gentleman."

 

"Well, there is something in that. One night Mr. Warren had a fit--I don't know what kind of one--and rolled onto the floor. I room just underneath¹⁵, and I was very much frightened."

 

"It would have frightened me, too, if I had roomed with him."

 

"Well, fits ain't very pleasant, I allow."

 

"Who rooms in the third room, next to mine?"

 

"A young man of eighteen, named Perkins. I don't rightly know what sort of a place he is in. I think it's a neckwear store on Spring Street."

 

Andy was rather glad to learn that there was one boarder somewhere near his own age.

 

He did not think he should enjoy the acquaintance of Mr. Warren. He was prejudiced against him by the knowledge that he was sickly and had fits.

 

"There are other boarders on my second floor. You will make their acquaintance at the table."

 

"What are your hours for meals, Mrs. Norris?"

 

"We have lunch from twelve to one. Breakfast is from seven to nine, and we have dinner from six to seven, though in the case of a boarder who is kept later by business we stretch a point, and try to accommodate him. I hope that will suit you."

 

"Oh, I am sure it will."

 

"Shall you be at lunch to-day?"

 

"No, I don't think so. I am going to explore the city a little."

 

"Very few of my boarders are present at lunch. Still there is a bite for them, if they do come."

 

"I would like to wash, if you will send up some water and a towel."

 

"Eva will bring them right up. Have you soap of your own?"

 

"Yes."

 

"Gentlemen often prefer providing their own. If you will give me your name in full, I will enter it on my books."

 

"My name is Andrew Grant."

 

"Very well."

 

"What is your rate of board? Mr. Gale will pay it, but I should like to know what it is."

 

"Five dollars a week for your room. Mr. Warren pays seven, but he has a large room to himself. If you should decide to room with him, I shall charge you five dollars apiece."

 

"Thank you; I don't think we shall come to any agreement."

 

She went downstairs, and Andy surveyed his room with interest.

 

It was certainly small--quite the narrowest room he had ever seen. There was one window from which he had a view of the back yard, rather a forlorn-looking space. There was a cat perched on the high, board fence separating the yard from that of the adjoining house.

 

Andy liked cats, and called out "Pussy¹⁶." The cat looked up, and mewed her recognition and acknowledgment of the friendly overture¹⁷. Then Eva came up with a pitcher¹⁸ of water and a towel.

 

"Will one do you?" she asked. "The rest are in the wash, and I'll bring you another this evening."

 

"One will be sufficient for the present."

 

"So you're comin' here to live?" she said, sociably¹⁹.

 

"Yes, Eva."

 

"I hope you don't have fits, like Mr. Warren."

 

"I don't think I ever had one yet," answered Andy, with a smile.

 

"I'm glad of that. I'm afraid of gentlemen that have fits."

 

Eva went downstairs, and Andy proceeded to make his ablutions. It was a dusty day, and the water was refreshing²⁰.

 

After he had washed his face and hands he opened his gripsack and took out his brush and comb, which he placed on a tiny bureau in one corner of the room. It contained two drawers, and in one of them he put away the contents of the valise.

 

By this time it was half-past ten, and he put on his hat and went downstairs. He went out into the street, and after a moment of indecision walked to Broadway. He thought he could not do better than to walk down this wonderful thoroughfare, of which he had heard so much.

 

It did occur to him that he might report at the jewelry store, but he would see enough of that hereafter and he preferred to take a little walk about the city.

 

Andy used his eyes to good advantage. He looked in at the shop windows, and watched the human tide that swept by him.

 

Finally he found himself accosted²¹ by one of the passersby²².

 

"My young friend, could you oblige me with a quarter to take me to Newark? My pocket has been picked, and--"

 

All this seemed familiar. Andy looked up and recognized at once the stranger whom he had relieved in front of the Grand Central Depot²³.

 

"When did you get back from Yonkers?" he asked, abruptly²⁴.

 

"I never was in Yonkers."

 

"I gave you a quarter only an hour or two ago to get to your sick sister in Yonkers."

 

Muttering that there was some mistake, the man hurried away, looking confused.

 

"I wonder if I shall ever meet him again?" thought Andy. 

1 dint   

n.由于，靠；凹坑

参考例句：

• He succeeded by dint of hard work.他靠苦干获得成功。
• He reached the top by dint of great effort.他费了很大的劲终于爬到了顶。

2 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

3 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

4 squire   

n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅

参考例句：

• I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
• The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。

5 ascended   

v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 gale   

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。

7 ushered   

v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
• A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 engraving   

n.版画；雕刻（作品）；雕刻艺术；镌版术v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的现在分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中）

参考例句：

• He collected an old engraving of London Bridge. 他收藏了一张古老的伦敦桥版画。 来自辞典例句
• Some writing has the precision of a steel engraving. 有的字体严谨如同钢刻。 来自辞典例句

9 landlady   

n.女房东，女地主

参考例句：

• I heard my landlady creeping stealthily up to my door.我听到我的女房东偷偷地来到我的门前。
• The landlady came over to serve me.女店主过来接待我。

10 rustle   

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。

12 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

13 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

14 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

15 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。

16 pussy   

n.(儿语)小猫，猫咪

参考例句：

• Why can't they leave my pussy alone?为什么他们就不能离我小猫咪远一点？
• The baby was playing with his pussy.孩子正和他的猫嬉戏。

17 overture   

n.前奏曲、序曲，提议，提案，初步交涉

参考例句：

• The opera was preceded by a short overture.这部歌剧开始前有一段简短的序曲。
• His overture led to nothing.他的提议没有得到什么结果。

18 pitcher   

n.(有嘴和柄的)大水罐；(棒球)投手

参考例句：

• He poured the milk out of the pitcher.他从大罐中倒出牛奶。
• Any pitcher is liable to crack during a tight game.任何投手在紧张的比赛中都可能会失常。

19 sociably   

adv.成群地

参考例句：

• Hall very sociably pulled up. 霍尔和气地勒住僵绳。
• Sociably, the new neighbors invited everyone on the block for coffee. 那个喜好交际的新邻居邀请街区的每个人去喝咖啡。

20 refreshing   

adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的

参考例句：

• I find it'so refreshing to work with young people in this department.我发现和这一部门的青年一起工作令人精神振奋。
• The water was cold and wonderfully refreshing.水很涼，特别解乏提神。

21 accosted   

v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭

参考例句：

• She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. 在街上，一个完全陌生的人贸然走到她跟前搭讪。
• His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. 他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 passersby   

n. 过路人(行人,经过者)

参考例句：

• He had terrorized Oxford Street,where passersby had seen only his footprints. 他曾使牛津街笼罩了一片恐怖气氛，因为那儿的行人只能看到他的脚印，看不到他的人。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
• A person is marceling on a street, watching passersby passing. 街边烫发者打量着匆匆行人。

23 depot   

n.仓库，储藏处；公共汽车站；火车站

参考例句：

• The depot is only a few blocks from here.公共汽车站离这儿只有几个街区。
• They leased the building as a depot.他们租用这栋大楼作仓库。

24 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。