FIVE and twenty ladies, all in a row, sat on one side of the hall, looking very much as if they felt like the little old woman who fell asleep on the king's highway and awoke with abbreviated1 drapery, for they were all arrayed in gray tunics2 and Turkish continuations, profusely3 adorned4 with many-colored trimmings. Five and twenty gentleman, all in a row, sat on the opposite side of the hall, looking somewhat subdued5, as men are apt to do when they fancy they are in danger of making fools of themselves. They, also, were en costume, for all the dark ones had grown piratical in red shirts, the light ones nautical6 in blue; and a few boldly appeared in white, making up in starch7 and studs what they lost in color, while all were more or less Byronic as to collar.
On the platform appeared a pile of dumb-bells, a regiment8 of clubs, and a pyramid of bean-bags, and stirring nervously9 among them a foreign-looking gentleman, the new leader of a class lately formed by Dr. Thor Turner, whose mission it was to strengthen the world's spine10, and convert it to a belief in air and exercise, by setting it to balancing its poles and spinning merrily, while enjoying the “Sun-cure” on a large scale. His advent11 formed an epoch13 in the history of the town; for it was a quiet old village, guiltless of bustle14, fashion, or parade, where each man stood for what he was; and, being a sagacious set, every one's true value was pretty accurately15 known. It was a neighborly town, with gossip enough to stir the social atmosphere with small gusts16 of interest or wonder, yet do no harm. A sensible, free-and-easy town, for the wisest man in it wore the worst boots, and no one thought the less of his understanding; the belle18 of the village went shopping with a big sun-bonnet and tin pail, and no one found her beauty lessened19; oddities of all sorts ambled20 peacefully about on their various hobbies, and no one suggested the expediency22 of a trip on the wooden horse upon which the chivalrous23 South is always eager to mount an irrepressible abolitionist. Restless people were soothed24 by the lullaby the river sang in its slow journey to the sea, old people found here a pleasant place to make ready to die in, young people to survey the world from, before taking their first flight, and strangers looked back upon it, as a quiet nook full of ancient legends and modern lights, which would keep its memory green when many a gayer spot was quite forgotten. Anything based upon common sense found favor with the inhabitants, and Dr. Turner's theories, being eminently25 so, were accepted at once and energetically carried out. A sort of heathen revival27 took place, for even the ministers and deacons turned Musclemen; old ladies tossed bean-bags till their caps were awry28, and winter roses blossomed on their cheeks; school-children proved the worth of the old proverb, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” by getting their backs ready before the burdens came; pale girls grew blithe29 and strong swinging their dumb namesakes; and jolly lads marched to and fro embracing clubs as if longevity30 were corked31 up in those wooden bottles, and they all took “modest quenchers” by the way.
August Bopp, the new leader of the class, was a German possessing but a small stock of English, though a fine gynmast; and, being also a bashful man, the appointed moment had no sooner arrived than he found his carefully prepared sentences slipping away from his memory as the ice appears to do from under unhappy souls first mounted upon skates. An awful silence reigned34; Mr. Bopp glanced nervously over his shoulder at the staring rows, more appalling35 in their stillness than if they had risen up and hooted36 at him, then piling up the bags for the seventh time, he gave himself a mental shake, and, with a crimson37 visage, was about to launch his first “Ladees und gentlemen,” when the door opened, and a small, merry-faced figure appeared, looking quite at ease in the novel dress, as, with a comprehensive nod, it marched straight across the hall to its place among the weaker vessels39.
A general glance of approbation40 followed from the gentlemen's side, a welcoming murmur41 ran along the ladies', and the fifty pairs of eyes changed their focus for a moment. Taking advantage of which, Mr. Bopp righted himself, and burst out with a decided42,—
“Ladees und gentlemen: the time have arrived that we shall begin. Will the gentlemen serve the ladees to a wand, each one, then spread theirselves about the hall, and follow the motions I will make as I shall count.”
Five minutes of chaos43, then all fell into order, and nothing was heard but the leader's voice and the stir of many bodies moving simultaneously44. An uninitiated observer would have thought himself in Bedlam45; for as the evening wore on, the laws of society seemed given to the winds, and humanity gone mad. Bags flew in all directions, clubs hurtled through the air, and dumb-bells played a castinet accompaniment to peals47 of laughter that made better music than any band. Old and young gave themselves up to the universal merriment, and, setting dignity aside, played like happy-hearted children for an hour. Stout48 Dr. Quackenboss gasped49 twice round the hall on one toe; stately Mrs. Primmins ran like a girl of fifteen to get her pins home before her competitor; Tommy Inches, four feet three, trotted50 away with Deacon Stone on his shoulder, while Mr. Steepleton and Miss Maypole hopped51 together like a pair of lively young ostriches52, and Ned Amandine, the village beau, blew arrows through a pop-gun, like a modern Cupid in pegtops instead of pinions53.
The sprightly54 young lady whose entrance had been so opportune55 seemed a universal favorite, and was overwhelmed with invitations to “bag,” “hop,” and “blow” from the gentlemen who hovered56 about her, cheerfully distorting themselves to the verge57 of dislocation in order to win a glance of approbation from the merry black eyes which were the tapers58 where all these muscular moths59 singed60 their wings. Mr. Bopp had never seen such a little piece of earnestness before, and began to think the young lady must be training for a boat-race or the ring. Her dumb-bells flew about till a pair of white arms looked like the sails of a windmill; she hit out from the shoulder with a vigor61 that would have done execution had there been anything but empty air to “punish;” and the “one, two, three!” of the Zouave movement went off with a snap; while the color deepened from pink to scarlet62 in her cheeks, the black braids tumbled down upon her shoulders, and the clasp of her belt flew asunder63; but her eye seldom left the leader's face, and she followed every motion with an agility64 and precision quite inspiring. Mr. Bopp's courage rose as he watched her, and a burning desire to excel took possession of him, till he felt as if his muscles were made of India-rubber, and his nerves of iron. He went into his work heart and soul, shaking a brown mane out of his eyes, issuing commands like general at the head of his troops, and keeping both interest and fun in full blast till people laughed who had not laughed heartily65 for years; lungs got their fill for once, unsuspected muscles were suddenly developed, and, when the clock struck ten, all were bubbling over with that innocent jollity which makes youth worth possessing, and its memory the sunshine of old age.
The last exercise was drawing to a close, and a large ring of respectable members of society were violently sitting down and rising up in a manner which would have scandalized Miss Wilhelmina Carolina Amelia S. Keggs to the last degree, when Mr. Bopp was seen to grow very pale, and drop in a manner which it was evident his pupils were not expected to follow.
At this unexpected performance, the gentlemen took advantage of their newly-acquired agility to fly over all obstacles and swarm66 on to the platform, while the ladies successfully lessened their unusual bloom by staring wildly at one another and suggesting awful impossibilities. The bustle subsided67, as suddenly as it arose; and Mr. Bopp, rather damp about the head and dizzy about the eye, but quite composed, appeared, saying, with the broken English and appealing manner which caused all the ladies to pronounce him “a dear” on the spot,—
“I hope you will excoose me for making this lesson to be more short than it should; but I have exercise nine hours this day, and being just got well from a illness, I have not recover the strength I have lost. Next week I shall be able to take time by the hair, so that I will not have so much engagements in one day. I thank you for your kindness, and say good-efening.”
After a round of applause, as a last vent12 for their spirits, the class dispersed68, and Mr. Bopp was wrestling with a vicious pin as he put on his collar (“a sure sign he has no ma to see to his buttons, poor lamb!” thought Mrs. Fairbairn, watching him from afar); when the sprightly young lady, accompanied by a lad the masculine image of herself, appeared upon the platform, saying, with an aspect as cordial as her words,—
“Good-evening, Professor. Allow me to introduce my brother and myself, Dick and Dolly Ward69, and ask you in my mother's name, to come home with us; for the tavern70 is not a cosy71 place, and after all this exertion72 you should be made comfortable. Please come, for Dr. Turner always stayed with us, and we promised to do the honors of the town to any gentleman he might send to supply his place.”
“Of course we did; and mother is probably freezing her blessed nose off watching for us; so don't disappoint her, Bopp. It's all settled, the sleigh's at the door, and here's your coat; so, come on!”
Dick was a fine sample of young America in its best aspect, and would have said “How are you?” to Louis Napoleon if he had been at hand, and have done it so heartily that the great Frenchman would have found it hard to resist giving as frank an answer. Therefore no wonder that Mr. Bopp surrendered at once; for the young gentleman took possession of him bodily, and shook him into his coat with an amiable73 impetuosity which developed a sudden rent in the well-worn sleeve thereof, and caused an expression of dismay, to dawn upon the owner's countenance74.
“Beg pardon; never mind; mother'll sew you up in two seconds, and your overcoat will hide the damage. Where is it? I'll get it, and then we'll be off.”
Mr. Bopp colored distressfully, looked up, looked down, and then straight into the lad's face, saying simply,—
“Thank you; I haf no coat but one.”
Dick opened his eyes, and was about opening his mouth also, for the exit of some blunderingly good-natured reply, when a warning poke75 from his sister restrained him, while Dolly, with the innocent hypocrisy76 which is as natural to some women as the art of tying bows, said, as she led the way out,—
“You see the worth of gymnastics, Dick, in this delightful77 indifference78 to cold. I sincerely hope we may reach a like enviable state of health, and look upon great-coats as effeminate, and mufflers a weakness of the flesh. Do you think we shall, Mr. Bopp?”
He shook his head with a perceptible shiver as the keen north wind smote79 him in the face, but answered, with a look half merry, half sad,—
“It is not choice, but what you call necessitee, with me; and I truly hope you may never haf to exercise to keep life in you when you haf sold your coat to pay a doctor's bill, or teach the art of laughing while your heart is heavy as one stone. You would not like that, I think, yet it is good, too; for small things make much happiness for me, and a kind word is often better than a rix dollar.”
There was something in the young man's tone and manner which touched and won his hearers at once. Dolly secretly resolved to put an extra blanket on his bed, and shower kind words upon him, while Dick tucked him up in buffalo80 robes where he sat helplessly beaming down upon the red hood81 at his side.
A roaring fire shone out hospitably82 as they came, and glorified83 the pleasant room, dancing on ancient furniture and pictured walls till the jolly old portraits seemed to wink84 a visible welcome. A cheery-faced little woman, like an elder Dolly, in a widow's cap, stood on the threshold, with a friendly greeting for the stranger, which warmed him as no fine could have done.
If August Bopp had been an Englishman, he would have felt much, but said less on that account; if he had been an American, he would have tried to conceal85 his poverty, and impress the family with his past grandeur86, present importance, or future prospects87; being a German, he showed exactly what he was, with the childlike frankness of his race. Having had no dinner, he ate heartily of what was offered him; being cold, he basked88 in the generous warmth; being homesick and solitary89, he enjoyed the genial90 influences that surrounded him, and told his story, sure of sympathy; for even in prosaic91 Yankeedom he had found it, as travellers find Alpine92 flowers among the snow.
It was a simple story of a laborious93 boyhood, being early left an orphan94, with a little sister dependent on him, till an opening in America tempted95 him to leave her and come to try and earn a home for her and for himself. Sickness, misfortune, and disappointment had been his companions for a year; but he still worked, still hoped, and waited for the happy hour when little Ulla should come to him across the sea. This was all; yet as he told it, with the magical accompaniments of gesture, look, and tone, it seemed full of pathos96 and romance to his listeners, whose faces proved their interest more flatteringly than their words.
Mrs. Ward mended the torn coat with motherly zeal97, and gave it many of those timely stitches which thrifty98 women love to sew. The twins devoted99 themselves to their guest, each in a characteristic manner. Dick, as host, offered every article of refreshment100 the house afforded, goaded101 the fire to a perpetual roar, and discussed gymnastics, with bursts of boyish admiration102 for the grace and skill of his new leader, whom he christened King of Clubs on the spot. Dolly made the stranger one of them at once by talking bad German, as an offset103 to his bad English, called him Professor in spite of all denials, and unconsciously symbolized104 his future bondage105 by giving him a tangled106 skein to hold for the furtherance of her mother's somewhat lengthened107 job.
The Cupid of the present day was undoubtedly109 “raised” in Connecticut; for the ingenuity110 and shrewdness of that small personage could have sprung from no other soil. In former times his stratagems111 were of the romantic order. Colin bleated112 forth113 his passion in rhyme, and cast sheep's eyes from among his flock, while Phyllis coquetted with her crook114 and stuck posies in his hat; royal Ferdinand and Miranda played at chess; Ivanhoe upset his fellow-men like ninepins for love of lackadaisical115 Rowena; and “sweet Moll” turned the pages while her lover, Milton, sang. But in our day the jolly little god, though still a heathen in the severe simplicity116 of his attire117, has become modernized118 in his arts, and invented huskings, apple-bees, sleigh-rides, “drop-ins,” gymnastics, and, among his finer snares119, the putting on of skates, drawing of patterns, and holding skeins,—the last-named having superior advantages over the others, as all will testify who have enjoyed one of those hand-to-hand skirmishes.
August Bopp was three and twenty, imaginative, grateful, and heart-whole; therefore, when he found himself sitting opposite a blooming little damsel, with a head, bound by a pretty red snood, bent120 down before him, and very close to his own a pair of distracting hands, every finger of which had a hit to make, and made it, it is not to be denied that he felt himself entering upon a new and very agreeable experience. Where could he look but in the face opposite, sometimes so girlishly merry and sometimes so beautifully shy? It was a winning face, full of smooth curves, fresh colors, and sunshiny twinkles,—a face every one liked, for it was as changeful as an April day, and always pleasant, whether mischievous121, mournful, or demure122.
Like one watching a new picture, Mr. Bopp inspected every feature of the countenance so near his own; and, as his admiration “grew by what it fed on,” he fell into a chronic123 state of stammer124 and blush; for the frank eyes were very kind, the smooth cheeks reflected a pretty shade of his own crimson, and the smiling lips seemed constantly suggesting, with mute eloquence125, that they were made for kissing, while the expressive126 hands picked at the knots till the Professor felt like a very resigned fly in the web of a most enticing127 young spider.
If the King of Clubs saw a comely128 face, the Queen of Hearts saw what observing girls call a “good face;” and with a womanly respect for strength, the manliest129 attribute of man, she admired the broad shoulders and six feet one of her new master. This face was not handsome, for, true to his fatherland, the Professor had an eminent26 nose, a blonde beard, and a crop of “bonny brown hair” long enough to have been gathered into a ribbon, as in the days of Schiller and Jean Paul; but Dolly liked it, for its strength was tempered with gentleness; patience and courage gave it dignity, and the glance that met her own was both keen and kind.
The silk was wound at last, the coat repaired. Dick with difficulty concealed130 the growing stiffness of his shoulders, while Dolly turned up the lamp, which bluntly hinted bedtime, and Mrs. Ward successfully devoured131 six gapes132 behind her hand, but was detected in the seventh by Mr. Bopp, who glanced at the clock, stopped in the middle of a sentence, and, with a hurried “goot-night,” made for the door without the least idea whither he was going. Piloted by Dick, he was installed in the “best chamber,” where his waking dreams were enlivened by a great fire, and his sleeping ones by an endless succession of skeins, each rapturously concluded in the style of Sam Weller when folding carpets with the pretty maid.
“I tell you, Dolly, it won't do, and I'm not going to have it.”
“Oh, indeed; and how will you help it, you absurd boy?”
“Why, if you don't stop it, I'll just say to Bopp,—'Look here, my dear fellow; this sister of mine is a capital girl, but she will flirt133 and'”—
“And it's a family failing, Dick,” cut in Dolly.
“Not a bit of it. I shall say, 'Take care of your heart, Bopp, for she has a bad habit of playing battle-door and shuttle-cock with these articles; and, though it may be very good fun for a time, it makes them ache when they get a last knock and are left to lie in a corner.'”
“What eloquence! But you'd never dare to try it on Mr. Bopp; and I shouldn't like to predict what would happen to you if you did.”
“If you say 'dare,' I'll do it the first minute I see him. As for consequences, I don't care that for 'em;” and Dick snapped his fingers with an aspect of much disdain134. But something in his sister's face suggested the wisdom of moderation, and moved him to say, less like a lord of creation, and more like a brother who privately135 adored his sister, but of course was not going to acknowledge such a weakness,—
“Well, but soberly, now, I wish you wouldn't plague Bopp; for it's evident to me that he is hit; and from the way you've gone on these two months, what else was to be expected? Now, as the head of the family,—you needn't laugh, for I am,—I think I ought to interfere136; and so I put it to you,—do you like him, and will you have him? or are you merely amusing yourself, as you have done ever since you were out of pinafores? If you like him, all serene137. I'd rather have him for a brother than any one I know, for he's a regular trump138 though he is poor; but if you don't, I won't have the dear old fellow floored just because you like to see it done.”
It may here be remarked that Dolly quite glowed to hear her brother praise Mr. Bopp, and that she indorsed every word with mental additions of double warmth; but Dick had begun all wrong, and, manlike, demanded her confidence before she had made up her mind to own she had any to bestow139; therefore nothing came of it but vexation of spirit; for it is a well-known fact that, on some subjects, if boys will tease, girls will fib, and both maintain that it is right. So Dolly whetted140 her feminine weapon, and assumed a lofty superiority.
“Dear me! what a sudden spasm141 of virtue142; and why, if it is such a sin, has not the 'head of the house' taken his sister to task before, instead of indulging in a like degeneracy, and causing several interesting persons to tear their hair, and bewail his forgetfulness, when they ought to have blessed their stars he was out of the way?”
Dick snowballed a dozing144 crow and looked nettled145; for he had attained146 that age when “Tom Brown at Oxford” was the book of books, the twelfth chapter being the favorite, and five young ladies having already been endowed with the significant heliotrope147 flower; all of which facts Dolly had skilfully148 brought to mind, as a return-shot for his somewhat personal remarks.
“Bah! they were only girls, and it don't amount to anything among us young folks; but Bopp is a grown man, and you ought to respect him too much to play such pranks149 with him. Besides, he's a German, and more tender-hearted than we rough Yankees, as any one can see by the way he acts when you snub him. He is proud, too, for all his meekness150, and waits till he's sure you like him before he says anything; and he'll need the patience of a family of Jobs at the rate you're going on,—a honey-pot one day and a pickle-jar the next. Do make up your mind, and say yes or no, right off, Dolly.”
“Would you have me meet him at the door with a meek151 courtesy, and say, 'Oh, if you please, I'm ready to say Yes, thank you, if you'll be good enough to say, Will you'?”
“Don't be a goose, child; you know I mean nothing of the kind; only you girls never will do anything straight ahead if you can dodge152 and fuss and make a mess of it. Just tell me one thing: Do you, or don't you, like old Bopp?”
“What an elegant way to put it! Of course I like him well enough as a leader; he is clever, and sort of cunning, and I enjoy his funny ways; but what in the world should I do with a great yellow-haired laddie who could put me in his pocket, and yet is so meek that I should never find the heart to henpeck him? You are welcome to him; and since you love him so much, there's no need of my troubling myself on his account; for with you for a friend, he can have no earthly wish ungratified.”
“Don't try to be cutting, Dolly, because you look homely153 when you do, and it's a woman's business to be pretty, always. All I've got to say is, you will be in a nice state of mind if you damage Bopp; for every one likes him, and will be down upon you for a heartless little wretch154; and I shan't blame them, I promise you.”
“I wish the town wouldn't put its fingers in other people's pies, and you may tell it so, with my compliments; and all I have to say is, that you men have more liberty than you know what to do with, and we women haven155't enough; so it's perfectly156 fair that we should show you the worth of the thing by taking it away now and then. I shall do exactly as I please; dance, walk, ride, and flirt, whenever and with whomever I see fit; and the whole town, with Mr. Dick Ward at their head, can't stop me if I choose to go on. Now, then, what next?” After which declaration of independence, Dolly folded her arms, wheeled about and faced her brother, a spirited statuette of Self Will, in a red hood and mittens157.
Dick sternly asked,—
“Is that your firm decision, ma'am?”
“Yes.”
“And you will not give up your nonsense?”
“No.”
“You are quite sure you don't care for Bopp?”
“I could slap him with all my heart.”
“Very good. I shall see that you don't get a chance.”
“I wouldn't try a skirmish, for you'll get beaten, Dick.”
“We'll prove that, ma'am.”
“We will, sir.”
And the belligerents158 loftily paced up the lawn, with their purpose so well expressed by outward signs, that Mrs. Ward knew, by the cock of Dick's hat and the decided tap of Dolly's heels, that a storm was brewing159, before they entered the door.
This fraternal conversation took place some two months from the evening of Mr. Bopp's advent, as the twins were strolling home from school, which school must be briefly160 alluded161 to in order to explain the foregoing remarks. It was an excellent institution in all respects; for its presiding genius stood high in the townfolks' esteem162, and might have served as an example to Dr. Watts163' “busy bee,” in the zeal with which he improved his “shining hours,” and laid up honey against the winter, which many hoped would be long in coming. All manner of aids were provided for sprouting164 souls and bodies, diversions innumerable, and society, some members of which might have polished off Alcibiades a la Socrates, or entertained Plato with “æsthetic tea.” But, sad to relate, in spite of all these blessings165, the students who resorted to this academy possessed166 an Adam-and-Eve-like proclivity167 for exactly what they hadn't got and didn't need; and, not contented168 with the pleasures provided, must needs play truant169 with that young scamp Eros, and turn the ancient town topsy-turvy with modern innovations, till scandalized spinsters predicted that the very babies would catch the fever, refuse their panada in jealous gloom, send billet-doux in their rattles170, elope in wicker-carriages, and set up housekeeping in dolls' houses, after the latest fashion.
Certain inflammable Southerners introduced the new game, and left such romantic legends of their loves behind them that their successors were fired with an ambition to do the like, and excel in all things, from cricket to captivation.
This state of things is not to be wondered at; for America, being renowned171 as a “fast” nation, has become a sort of hotbed, and seems to force humanity into early bloom. Therefore, past generations must not groan172 over the sprightly present, but sit in the chimney-corner and see boys and girls play the game which is too apt to end in a checkmate for one of the players. To many of the lookers-on, the new order of things was as good as a puppet-show; for, with the enthusiasm of youth, the actors performed their parts heartily, forgetting the audience in their own earnestness. Bless us! what revolutions went on under the round jackets, and what love-tokens lay in the pockets thereof. What plots and counterplots occupied the heads that wore the innocent-looking snoods, and what captives were taken in the many-colored nets that would come off and have to be taken care of. What romances blossomed like dandelions along the road to school, and what tales the river might have told if any one could have learned its musical speech. How certain gates were glorified by daily lingerings thereat, and what tender memories hung about dingy174 desks, old pens, and books illustrated175 with all manner of symbolical176 designs.
Let those laugh who will; older and wiser men and women might have taken lessons of these budding heroes and heroines; for here all was honest, sincere, and fresh; the old world had not taught them falsehood, self-interest, or mean ambitions. When they lost or won, they frankly177 grieved or rejoiced, and wore no masks except in play, and then got them off as soon as possible. If blue-eyed Lizzie frowned, or went home with Joe, Ned, with a wisdom older lovers would do well to imitate, went in for another game of foot-ball, gave the rejected apple to little Sally, and whistled “Glory Hallelujah,” instead of “Annie Laurie,” which was better than blowing a rival's brains out, or glowering178 at womankind forever after. Or, when Tom put on Clara's skates three successive days, and danced with her three successive evenings, leaving Kitty to freeze her feet in the one instance and fold her hands in the other, she just had a “good cry,” gave her mother an extra kiss, and waited till the recreant179 Tom returned to his allegiance, finding his little friend a sweetheart in nature as in name.
Dick and Dolly were foremost in the ranks, and expert in all the new amusements. Dick worshipped at many shrines180, but most faithfully at that of a meek divinity, who returned charming answers to the ardent181 epistles which he left in her father's garden wall, where, Pyramus and Thisbe-like, they often chatted through a chink; and Dolly was seldom seen without a staff of aids who would have “fought, bled, and died” for her as cheerfully as the Little Corporal's Old Guard, though she paid them only in words; for her Waterloo had not yet come.
With the charming, perversity182 of her sex in such matters, no sooner had Dolly declared that she didn't like Mr. Bopp, than she began to discover that she did; and so far from desiring “to slap him,” a tendency to regard him with peculiar183 good-will and tenderness developed itself, much to her own surprise; for with all her coquetry and seeming coldness, Dolly had a right womanly heart of her own, though she had never acknowledged the fact till August Bopp looked at her with so much love and longing184 in his honest eyes. Then she found a little fear mingling185 with her regard, felt a strong desire to be respected by him, discovered a certain something which she called conscience, restraining a reckless use of her power, and, soon after her lofty denial to Dick, was forced to own that Mr. Bopp had become her master in the finer species of gymnastics that came in with Adam and Eve, and have kept all creation turning somersets ever since. Of course these discoveries were unconfessed, even to that best bosom186 friend which any of us can have; yet her mother suspected them, and, with much anxiety, saw all, yet held her peace, knowing that her little daughter would, sooner or later, give her a fuller confidence than could be demanded; and remembering the happiest moments of her own happy past, when an older Dick wooed another Dolly, she left that flower, which never can be forced, to open at its own sweet will.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bopp, though carrying his heart upon his sleeve, believed his secret buried in the deepest gloom, and enjoyed all the delightful miseries187 lovers insist upon making for themselves. When Dolly was quiet and absent, he became pensive188, the lesson dragged, and people fancied they were getting tired of the humbug189; when Dolly was blithe and bland190, he grew radiant, exercised within an inch of his life as a vent for his emotions, and people went home declaring gymnastics to be the crowning triumph of the age; and when Dolly was capricious, Mr. Bopp, became a bewildered weathercock, changing as the wind changed, and dire46 was the confusion occasioned thereby191.
Like the sage38 fowl192 in the story, Dick said nothing, but “kept up a terrible thinking,” and, not having had experience enough to know that when a woman says No she is very apt to mean Yes, he took Dolly at her word. Believing it to be his duty to warn “Old Bopp,” he resolved to do it like a Roman brother, regardless of his own feelings or his sister's wrath193, quite unconscious that the motive194 power in the affair was a boyish love of ruling the young person who ruled every one else.
Matters stood thus, when the town was electrified195 by a general invitation to the annual jubilee196 at Jollyboys Hall, which this spring flowered into a masquerade, and filled the souls of old and young with visions of splendor197, frolic, and fun. Being an amiable old town, it gave itself up, like a kind grandma, to the wishes of its children, let them put its knitting away, disturb its naps, keep its hands busy with vanities of the flesh, and its mind in a state of chaos for three mortal weeks. Young ladies were obscured by tarletan fogs, behind which they concocted198 angels' wings, newspaper gowns, Minnehaha's wampum, and Cinderella's slippers199. Inspired but incapable200 boys undertook designs that would have daunted201 a costumer of the first water, fell into sloughs202 of despond, and, emerging, settled down from peers and paladins into jovial203 tars143, friar waterproofs204, and officers in miscellaneous uniforms. Fathers laughed or grumbled205 at the whole thing and advanced pecuniary206 loans with good or ill grace, as the case might be; but the mothers, whose interest in their children's pleasure is a sort of evergreen207 that no snows of time can kill, sewed spangles by the bushel, made wildernesses208 of tissue-paper blossom as the rose, kept tempers sweet, stomachs full, and domestic machinery209 working smoothly210 through it all, by that maternal211 magic which makes them the human providences of this naughty world.
“What shall I go as?” was the universal cry. Garrets were taken by storm, cherished relics212 were teased out of old ladies' lavendered chests (happy she who saw them again!), hats were made into boots, gowns into doublets, cloaks into hose, Sunday bonnets213 despoiled214 of their plumage, silken cauliflowers sown broadcast over the land, and cocked-up caps erected216 in every style of architecture, while “Tag, Rag, and Bobtail” drove a smashing business, and everybody knew what everybody else was going to be, and solemnly vowed217 they didn't—which transparent218 falsehood was the best joke of the whole.
Dolly allowed her mates to believe she was to be the Queen of Hearts, but privately laid hold of certain brocades worn by a trim grandmother half a century ago, and one evening burst upon her brother in a charming “Little Bo-Peep” costume, which, for the benefit of future distressed219 damsels, may be described as a “white silk skirt, scarlet overdress neatly220 bundled up behind,” as ancient ladies expressed it, blue hose with red clocks, high-heeled shoes with silver buckles221, a nosegay in the tucker, and a fly-way hat perched in this case on the top of black curls, which gave additional archness to Dolly's face as she entered, singing that famous ditty.
Dick surveyed her with approval, turning her about like a lay figure, and expressing his fraternal opinion that she was “the sauciest222 little turn-out he ever saw,” and then wet-blanketed the remarks by adding, “Of course you don't call it a disguise, do you? and don't flatter yourself that you won't be known; for Dolly Ward is as plainly written in every curl, bow, and gimcrack, as if you wore a label on your back.”
“Then I shan't wear it;” and off went the hat at one fell blow, as Dolly threw her crook in one corner, her posy in another, and sat down an image of despair.
“Now don't be a goose, and rip everything to bits; just wear a domino over all, as Fan is going to, and then, when you've had fun enough, take it off and do the pretty. It will make two rigs, you see, and bother the boys to your heart's content.”
“Dick, I insist upon kissing you for that brilliant suggestion; and then you may run and get me eight yards of cambric, just the color of Fan's; but if you tell any one, I'll keep her from dancing with you the whole evening;” with which bribe223 and threat Dolly embraced her brother, and shut the door in his face, while he, putting himself in good humor by imagining she was somebody else, departed on his muddy mission.
If the ghosts of the first settlers had taken their walks abroad on the eventful Friday night, they would have held up their shadowy hands at the scenes going on under their venerable noses; for strange figures flitted through the quiet streets, and instead of decorous slumber224, there was decidedly,—“A sound of revelry by night.”
Spurs clanked and swords rattled225 over the frosty ground, as if the British were about to make another flying call; hooded226 monks228 and nuns229 paced along, on carnal thoughts intent; ancient ladies and bewigged gentlemen seemed hurrying to enjoy a social cup of tea, and groan over the tax; barrels staggered and stuck through narrow ways, as if temperance were still among the lost arts, while bears, apes, imps230, and elves pattered or sparkled by, as if a second Walpurgis Night had come, and all were bound for Blocksberg.
“Hooray for the Rooster!” shouted young Ireland, encamped on the sidewalk to see the show, as Mephistopheles' red cock's feather skimmed up the stairs, and he left a pink domino at the ladies' dressing-room door, with the brief warning, “Now cut your own capers231 and leave me to mine,” adding, as he paused a moment at the great door,—
“By Jove! isn't it a jolly sight, though?”
And so it was; for a mammoth232 boot stood sentinel at the entrance; a Bedouin Arab leaned on his spear in one corner, looking as if ready to say,—
“Fly to the desert, fly with me,”
to the pretty Jewess on his arm; a stately Hamlet, with irreproachable233 legs, settled his plumage in another, still undecided to which Ophelia he would first address “The honey of his music vows234.”
Bluff235 King Hal's representative was waltzing in a way that would have filled that stout potentate236 with respectful admiration, while Queen Katherine flirted237 with a Fire Zouave. Alcipades whisked Mother Goose about the room till the old lady's conical hat tottered238 on her head, and the union held fast to a very little Mac. Flocks of friars, black, white, and gray, pervaded239 the hall, with flocks of ballet girls, intended to represent peasants, but failing for lack of drapery; morning and evening stars rose or set, as partners willed; lively red demons240 harassed241 meek nuns, and knights242 of the Leopard243, the Lion or Griffin, flashed by, looking heroically uncomfortable, in their gilded244 cages; court ladies promenaded245 with Jack173 tars, and dukes danced with dairy-maids, while Brother Jonathan whittled246, Aunt Dinah jabbered247, Ingomar flourished his club, and every one felt warmly enthusiastic and vigorously jolly.
“Ach himmel! Das ist wunder schon!” murmured a tall, gray monk227, looking in, and quite unconscious that he spoke248 aloud.
“Ah, I guess you! yes, you are well done. I should like to be a Faust for you, but I haf no time, no purse for a dress, so I throw this on, and run up for a hour or two. Where is—who is all these people? Do you know them?”
“The one with the Pope, Fra Diavolo; the telegraph, and two knights asking her to dance, is Dolly, if that's what you want to know. Go in and keep it up, Bopp, while you can; I am off for Fan;” and Mephistopheles departed over the banisters with a weird250 agility that delighted the beholders; while the gray friar stole into a corner and watched the pink domino for half an hour, at the end of which time his regards were somewhat confused by discovering that there were two pink damsels so like that he could not tell which was the one pointed32 out by Dick and which the new-comer.
“She thinks I will not know her, but I shall go now and find out for myself;” and, starting into sudden activity, the gray brother strode up to the nearest pink lady, bowed, and offered his arm. With a haughty251 little gesture of denial to several others, she accepted it, and they joined the circle of many-colored promenaders that eddied252 round the hall. As they went, Mr. Bopp scrutinized253 his companion, but saw only a slender figure shrouded254 from head to foot, and the tip of a white glove resting on his arm.
“I will speak; then her voice will betray her,” he thought, forgetting that his own was undisguisable.
“Madame, permit me that I fan you, it is so greatly warm.”
A fan was surrendered with a bow, and the masked face turned fully21 toward his own, while the hood trembled as if its wearer laughed silently.
“Ah, it is you,—I know the eyes, the step, the laugh. Miss Dolly, did you think you could hide from me?”
“I did not wish to,” was the whispered answer.
“Did you think I would come?”
“I hoped so.”
“No; I am very glad; I wanted you.”
The pink head drooped256 a little nearer, and another white glove went to meet its mate upon his arm with a pretty, confiding257 gesture. Mr. Bopp instantly fell into a state of bliss,—the lights, music, gay surroundings, and, more than all, this unwonted demonstration258, put the crowning glory to the moment; and, fired with the hopeful omen33, he allowed his love to silence his prudence259, and lead him to do, then and there, the very thing he had often resolved never to do at all.
“Ah, Miss Dolly, if you knew how much, how very much you haf enlarged my happiness, and made this efening shine for me, you would more often be a little friendly, for this winter has been all summer to me, since I knew you and your kind home, and now I haf no sorrow but that after the next lesson I come no more unless you gif me leaf. See now I must say this even here, when so much people are about us, because I cannot stop it; and you will forgif me that I cannot wait any longer.”
“Mr. Bopp, please don't, please stop!” began the pink domino in a hurried whisper. But Mr. Bopp was not to be stopped. He had dammed up the stream so long, that now it rushed on fast, full, and uncontrollable; for, leading her into one of the curtained recesses261 near by, he sat down beside her, and, still plying262 the fan, went on impetuously,—
“I feel to say that I lofe you, and tho' I try to kill it, my love will not die, because it is more strong than my will, more dear than my pride, for I haf much, and I do not ask you to be meine Frau till I can gif you more than my heart and my poor name. But hear now; I will work, and save, and wait a many years if at the end you will take all I haf and say, 'August, I lofe you.' Do not laugh at me because I say this in such poor words; you are my heart's dearest, and I must tell it or never come again. Speak to me one kind yes, and I will thank Gott in himmel for so much joy.”
The pink domino had listened to this rapid speech with averted263 head, and, when it ended, started up, saying eagerly, “You are mistaken, sir, I am not Dolly;” but as she spoke her words were belied264, for the hasty movement displaced her mask, and Mr. Bopp saw Dolly's eyes, a lock of dark hair, and a pair of burning cheeks, before the screen was readjusted. With redoubled earnestness he held her back, whispering,—
“Do not go mitout the little word, Yes, or No; it is not much to say.”
“Well then, No!”
“You mean it? Dolly! truly mean it?”
“Yes, let me go at once, sir.”
Mr. Bopp stood up, saying slowly,—“Yes, go now; they told me you had no heart; I beliefe it, and thank you for that No;” then bowed, and walked straight out of the hall, while the pink domino broke into a fit of laughter, saying to herself,—
“I've done it! I've done it! but what a piece of work there'll be to-morrow.”
“Dick, who was that tall creature Fan was parading with last night? No one knew, and he vanished before the masks were taken off,” asked Dolly, as she and her brother lounged in opposite corners of the sofa the morning after the masquerade, “talking it over.”
“That was old Bopp, Mrs. Peep.”
“Gracious me! why, he said he wasn't coming.”
“People sometimes say what they don't mean, as you may have discovered.”
“But why didn't he come and speak to a body, Dick?”
“Better employed, I suppose.”
“Now don't be cross, dear, but tell me all about it, for I don't understand how you allowed him to monopolize265 Fan so.”
“Oh, don't bother, I'm sleepy.”
“No you're not; you look wicked; I know you've been in mischief266, and I insist upon hearing all about it, so come and 'fess' this instant.”
Dolly proceeded to enforce her command by pulling away his pillow and dragging her brother into a sitting posture267 in spite of his laughing resistance and evident desire to exhaust her patience; for Dick excelled in teasing, and kept his sister in a fidget from morning till night, with occasional fits of penitence268 and petting which lasted till next time. Therefore, though dying to 'fess,' he was undecided as to the best method of executing that task in the manner most aggravating269 to his listener and most agreeable to himself, and sat regarding her with twinkling eyes, and his curly pate270 in a high state of rumple271, trying to appear innocently meek, but failing signally.
“Now, then, up and tell,” commanded Dolly.
“Well, if you won't take my head off till I'm done, I'll tell you the best joke of the season. Are you sure the pink domino with Bopp wasn't yourself,—for she looked and acted very like you?”
“Of course I am. I didn't even know he was there, and think it very rude and ungentlemanly in him not to come and speak to me. You know it was Fan, so do go on.”
“But it wasn't, for she changed her mind and wore a black domino; I saw her put it on myself. Her Cousin Jack came unexpectedly, and she thought if she altered her dress and went with him, you wouldn't know her.”
“Who could it have been, Dick?”
“That's the mystery, for, do you know, Bopp proposed to her.”
“He didn't!” and Dolly flew up with a startled look that, to adopt a phrase from his own vocabulary, was “nuts” to her brother.
“Yes he did; I heard him.”
“When, where, and how?”
“In one of these flirtation272 boxes; they dropped the curtain, but I heard him do it, on my honor I did.”
“Persons of honor don't listen at curtains and key-holes. What did they say?”
“Oh, if it wasn't honorable to listen, it isn't to hear; so I won't tell, though I could not help knowing it.”
“Mercy! don't stop now, or I shall die with curiosity. I dare say I should have done the same; no one minds at such a place, you know. But I don't see the joke yet,” said Dolly dismally273.
“I do,” and Dick went off into a shout.
“You idiotic275 boy, take that pillow out of your mouth, and tell me the whole thing,—what he said, what she said, and what they both did. It was all fun of course, but I'd like to hear about it.”
“It may have been fun on her part, but it was solemn earnest on his, for he went it strong I assure you. I'd no idea the old fellow was so sly, for he appeared smashed with you, you know, and there he was finishing up with this unknown lady. I wish you could have heard him go on, with tears in his eyes”—
“How do you know if you didn't see him?”
“Oh, well, that's only a figure of speech; I thought so from his voice. He was ever so tender, and took to Dutch when English was too cool for him. It was really touching276, for I never heard a fellow do it before; and, upon my word, I should think it was rather a tough job to say that sort of thing to a pretty woman, mask or no mask.”
“What did she say?” asked Dolly, with her hands pressed tight together, and a curious little quiver of the lips.
“She said, No, as short as pie-crust; and when he rushed out with his heart broken all to bits apparently277, she just burst out laughing, and went and polked at a two-forty pace for half an hour.”
Dora unclasped her hands, took a long breath, and cried out,—
“She was a wicked, heartless hussy! and if I know her, I'll never speak to her again; for if he was really in earnest, she ought to be killed for laughing at him.”
“So ought you, then, for making fun of poor Fisher when he went down on his knees behind the huckleberry bushes last summer. He was earnest enough, for he looked as black-and-blue as his berries when he got home. Your theory is all right, ma'am, but your practice is all bosh.”
“Hold your tongue about that silly thing. Boys in college think they know everything, can do everything, have everything, and only need beckon278, and all womankind will come and adore. It made a man of him, and he'll thank me for taking the sentimental279 nonsense and conceit280 out of him. You will need just such a lesson at the rate you go on, and I hope Fan will give it to you.”
“When the lecture is over, I'll go on with the joke, if you want to know it.”
“Isn't this enough?”
“Oh, bless you, no! the cream of it is to come. What would you give to know who the lady was?”
“Five dollars, down, this minute.”
“Very good, hand 'em over, and I'll tell you.”
“Truly, Dick?”
“Yes, and prove it.”
Dolly produced her purse, and, bill in hand, sat waiting for the disclosure. Dick rose with a melo-dramatic bow,—
“Lo, it was I.”
“That's a great fib, for I saw you flying about the whole evening.”
“You saw my dress, but I was not in it.”
“Oh! oh! who did I keep going to, then? and what did I do to make a fool of myself, I wonder?”
Purse and bill dropped out of Dolly's hand, and she looked at her brother with a distracted expression of countenance. Dick rubbed his hands and chuckled281.
“Here's a jolly state of things. Now I'll tell you the whole story. I never thought of doing it till I saw Bopp and told him who you were; but on my way for Fan I wondered if he'd get puzzled between you two; and then a grand idea popped into my head to puzzle him myself, for I can take you off to the life. Fan didn't want me to, but I made her, so she lent me hoops282 and gown and the pink domino, and if ever I thanked my stars I wasn't tall, I did then, for the things fitted capitally as to length, tho' I kept splitting something down the back, and scattering283 hooks and eyes in all directions. I wish you could have heard Jack roar while they rigged me. He had no dress, so I lent him mine, till just before the masks were taken off, when we cut home and changed. He told me how you kept running to him to tie up your slippers, find your fan, and tell him funny things, thinking it was me. I never enjoyed anything so much in my life.”
“I knew Bopp, and hovered near till he came to find out who I was. I took you off in style, and it deceived him, for I'm only an inch or two taller than you, and kept my head down in the lackadaisical way you girls do; I whispered, so my voice didn't betray me; and was very clinging, and sweet, and fluttery, and that blessed old goose was sure it was you. I thought it was all over once, for when he came the heavy in the recess260, I got a bit flustered285, he was so serious about it, my mask slipped, but I caught it, so he only saw my eyes and forehead, which are just like yours, and that finished him, for I've no doubt I looked as red and silly as you would have done in a like fix.”
“Why did you say No?” and Dolly looked as stern as fate.
“What else should I say? You told me you wouldn't have him, and I thought it would save you the bother of saying it, and him the pain of asking twice. I told him some time ago that you were a born flirt; he said he knew it; so I was surprised to hear him go on at such a rate, but supposed that I was too amiable, and that misled him. Poor old Bopp, I kept thinking of him all night, as he looked when he said, 'They told me you had no heart, now I believe it, and I thank you for that No.' It was rather a hard joke for him, but it's over now, and he won't have to do it again. You said I wouldn't dare tell him about you; didn't I? and haven't I won the”—
The rest of the sentence went spinning dizzily through Dick's head, as a sudden tingling286 sensation pervaded his left ear, followed by a similar smart in the right; and, for a moment, chaos seemed to have come again. Whatever Dolly did was thoroughly287 done: when she danced, the soles of her shoes attested288 the fact; when she flirted, it was warm work while it lasted; and when she was angry, it thundered, lightened, and blew great guns till the shower came, and the whole affair ended in a rainbow. Therefore, being outwitted, disappointed, mortified289, and hurt, her first impulse was to find a vent for these conflicting emotions, and possessing skillful hands, she left them to avenge290 the wrong done her heart, which they did so faithfully, that if ever a young gentleman's ears were vigorously and completely boxed, Dick was that young individual. As the thunder-clap ceased, the gale291 began and blew steadily292 for several minutes.
“You think it a joke, do you? I tell you, it's a wicked, cruel thing; you've told a lie; you've broken August's heart, and made me so angry that I'll never forgive you as long as I live. What do you know about my feelings? and how dare you take it upon yourself to answer for me? You think because we are the same age that I am no older than you, but you're mistaken, for a boy of eighteen is a boy, a girl is often a woman, with a woman's hopes and plans; you don't understand this any more than you do August's love for me, which you listened to and laughed at. I said I didn't like him, and I didn't find out till afterward293 that I did; then I was afraid to tell you lest you'd twit me with it. But now I care for no one, and I say I do like him,—yes, I love him with all my heart and soul and might and I'd die this minute if I could undo108 the harm you've done, and see him happy. I know I've been selfish, vain, and thoughtless, but I am not now; I hoped he'd love me, hoped he'd see I cared for him, that I'd done trifling294, and didn't mind if he was poor, for I'd enough for both; that I longed to make his life pleasant after all his troubles; that I'd send for the little sister he loves so well, and never let him suffer any more; for he is so good, so patient, so generous, and dear to me, I cannot do enough for him. Now it's all spoilt; now I can never tell him this, never comfort him in any way, never be happy again all my life, and you have done it.”
As Dolly stood before her brother, pouring out her words with glittering eyes, impetuous voice, and face pale with passionate295 emotion, he was scared; for as his scattered296 wits returned to him, he felt that he had been playing with edge tools, and had cut and slashed297 in rather a promiscuous298 manner. Dazed and dizzy, he sat staring at the excited figure before him, forgetting the indignity299 he had received, the mistake he had made, the damage he had done, in simple wonder at the revolutions going on under his astonished eyes. When Dolly stopped for breath, he muttered with a contrite300 look,—
“I'm very sorry,—it was only fun; and I thought it would help you both, for how the deuce should I know you liked the man when you said you hated him?”
“I never said that, and if I'd wanted advice I should have gone to mother. You men go blundering off with half an idea in your heads, and never see your stupidity till you have made a mess that can't be mended; we women don't work so, but save people's feelings, and are called hypocrites for our pains. I never meant to tell you, but I will now, to show you how I've been serving you, while you've been harming me: every one of those notes from Fan which you admire so much, answer so carefully, and wear out in your pocket, though copied by her, were written by me.”
“The devil they were!” Up flew Dick, and clapping his hand on the left breast-pocket, out came a dozen pink notes tied up with a blue ribbon, and much the worse for wear. He hastily turned them over as Dolly went on.
“Yes, I did it, for she didn't know how to answer your notes, and came to me. I didn't laugh at them, or make fun of her, but helped her silly little wits, and made you a happy boy for three months, though you teased me day and night, for I loved you, and hadn't the heart to spoil your pleasure.”
“You've done it now with a vengeance301, and you're a pair of deceitful minxes. I've paid you off. I'll give Fan one more note that will keep her eyes red for a month; and I'll never love or trust a girl again as long as I live,—never! never!”
Red with wrath, Dick flung the treasured packet into the fire, punched it well down among the coals, flung away the poker302, and turned about with a look and gesture which would have been comically tragic303 if they had not been decidedly pathetic, for, in spite of his years, a very tender heart beat under the blue jacket, and it was grievously wounded at the perfidy304 of the gentle little divinity whom he worshipped with daily increasing ardor305. His eyes filled, but he winked306 resolutely307; his lips trembled, but he bit them hard; his hands doubled themselves up, but he remembered his adversary308 was a woman; and, as a last effort to preserve his masculine dignity, he began to whistle.
As if the inconsistencies of womankind were to be shown him as rapidly as possible, at this moment the shower came on, for, taking him tenderly about the neck, Dolly fell to weeping so infectiously, that, after standing17 rigidly309 erect215 till a great tear dropped off the end of his nose, ignominiously310 announcing that it was no go, Dick gave in, and laying his head on Dolly's shoulder, the twins quenched311 their anger, washed away their malice312, and soothed their sorrow by one of those natural processes, so kindly313 provided for poor humanity, and so often despised as a weakness when it might prove a better strength than any pride.
Dick cleared up first, with no sign of the tempest but a slight mist through which his native sunshine glimmered314 pensively315.
“Don't dear, don't cry so; it will make you sick, and won't do any good, for things will come right, or I'll make 'em, and we'll be comfortable all round.”
“No, we never can be as we were, and it's all my fault. I've betrayed Fan's confidence, I've spoiled your little romance, I've been a thoughtless, wicked girl, I've lost August; and, oh, dear me, I wish I was dead!” with which funereal316 climax317 Dolly cried so despairingly that, like the youngest Miss Pecksniff, she was indeed “a gushing318 creature.”
“Oh, come now, don't be dismal274, and blame yourself for every trouble under the sun. Sit down and talk it over, and see what can be done. Poor old girl, I forgave you the notes, and say I was wrong to meddle319 with Bopp. I got you into the scrape, and I'll get you out if the sky don't fall, or Bopp blow his brains out, like a second Werther, before to-morrow.”
Dick drew the animated320 fountain to the wide chair, where they had sat together since they were born, wiped her eyes, laid her wet cheek against his own, and patted her back, with an idea that it was soothing321 to babies, and why not to girls?
“I wish mother was at home,” sighed Dolly, longing for that port which was always a haven of refuge in domestic squalls like this.
“Write, and tell her not to stay till Saturday.”
“No; it would spoil her visit, and you know she deferred322 it to help us through this dreadful masquerade. But I don't know what to do.”
“Why, bless your heart, it's simple enough. I'll tell Bopp, beg his pardon, say 'Dolly's willing,' and there you are all taut323 and ship-shape again.”
“I wouldn't for the world, Dick. It would be very hard for you, very awkward for me, and do no good in the end; for August is so proud he'd never forgive you for such a trick, would never believe that I 'had a heart' after all you've said and I've done; and I should only hear with my own ears that he thanked me for that No. Oh, why can't people know when they are in love, and not go heels over head before they are ready!”
“Well, if that don't suit, I'll let it alone, for that is all I can suggest; and if you like your woman's way better, try it, only you'll have to fly round, because to-morrow is the last night, you know.”
“I shan't go, Dick.”
“Why not? we are going to give him the rose-wood set of things, have speeches, cheers for the King of Clubs, and no end of fun.”
“I can't help it; there would be no fun for me, and I couldn't look him in the face after all this.”
“Oh, pooh! yes, you could, or it will be the first time you dared not do damage with those wicked eyes of yours.”
“It is the first time I ever loved any one.” Dolly's voice was so low, and her head drooped so much, that this brief confession324 was apparently put away in Dick's pocket, and being an exceedingly novel one, filled that inflammable youth with a desire to deposit a similar one in the other pocket, which, being emptied of its accustomed contents, left a somewhat aching void in itself and the heart underneath325. After a moment's silence, he said,—
“Well, if you won't go, you can settle it when he comes here, though I think we should all do better to confess coming home in the dark.”
“He won't come here again, Dick.”
“Won't he! that shows you don't know Bopp as well as I. He'll come to say good-by, to thank mother for her kindness, and you and me for the little things we've done for him (I wish I'd left the last undone326!), and go away like a gentleman, as he is,—see if he don't.”
“Do you think so? Then I must see him.”
“I'm sure he will, for we men don't bear malice and sulk and bawl327 when we come to grief this way, but stand up and take it without winking328, like the young Spartan329 brick when the fox was digging into him, you know.”
“Then, of course, you'll forgive Fan.”
“Ah ha! your theory is very good, sir, but your practice is bosh,” quoted Dolly, with a gleam of the old mischief in her face.
Dick took a sudden turn through the room, burst out laughing, and came back, saying heartily,—
“I'll own up; it is mean to feel so, and I'll think about forgiving you both; but she may stop up the hole in the wall, for she won't get any more letters just yet; and you may devote your epistolary powers to A. Bopp in future. Well, what is it? free your mind, and have done with it; but don't make your nose red, or take the starch out of my collar with any more salt water, if you please.”
“No, I won't; and I only want to say that, as you owe the explanation to us both, perhaps it would be best for you to tell August your part of the thing as you come home to-morrow, and then leave the rest to fate. I can't let him go away thinking me such a heartless creature, and once gone it will be too late to mend the matter. Can you do this without getting me into another scrape, do you think?”
“I haven't a doubt of it, and I call that sensible. I'll fix it capitally,—go down on my knees in the mud, if it is necessary; treat you like eggs for fear of another smash-up; and bring him home in such a tip-top state, you'll only have to nod and find yourself Mrs. B. any day you like. Now let's kiss and be friends, and then go pitch into that pie for luncheon331.”
So they did, and an hour afterward were rioting in the garret under pretence332 of putting grandma's things away; for at eighteen, in spite of love and mischief, boys and girls have a spell to exorcise blue devils, and a happy faculty333 of forgetting that “the world is hollow, and their dolls stuffed with saw-dust.”
Dick was right, for on the following evening, after the lesson, Mr. Bopp did go home with him, “to say good-by, like a gentleman as he was.” Dolly got over the first greeting in the dusky hall, and as her guest passed on to the parlor334, she popped her head out to ask anxiously,—
“Did you say anything, Dick?”
“I couldn't; something has happened to him; he'll tell you about it. I'm going to see to the horse, so take your time, and do what you like,” with which vague information Dick vanished, and Dolly wished herself anywhere but where she was.
Mr. Bopp sat before the fire, looking so haggard and worn out that the girl's conscience pricked335 her sorely for her part in the change, but plucking up her courage, she stirred briskly among the tea-cups, asking,—
“What shall I give you, sir?”
“Thank you, I haf no care to eat.”
Something in his spiritless mien336 and sorrowful voice made Dolly's eyes fill; but knowing she must depend upon herself now, and make the best of her position, she said kindly, yet nervously,—
“You look tired; let me do something for you if I can; shall I sing for you a little? you once said music rested you.”
“You are kind; I could like that I think. Excoose me if I am dull, I haf—yes, a little air if you please.”
More and more disturbed by his absent, troubled manner, Dolly began a German song he had taught her, but before the first line was sung he stopped her with an imploring—
“For Gott sake not that! I cannot hear it this night; it was the last I sung her in the Vaterland.”
“Mr. Bopp, what is it? Dick says you have a trouble; tell me, and let us help you if we can. Are you ill, in want, or has any one wronged or injured you in any way? Oh, let me help you!”
Tears had been streaming down Mr. Bopp's cheeks, but as she spoke he checked them, and tried to answer steadily,—
“No, I am not ill; I haf no wants now, and no one has hurt me but in kindness; yet I haf so great a grief, I could not bear it all alone, and so I came to ask a little sympathy from your good Mutter, who has been kind to me as if I was a son. She is not here, and I thought I would stop back my grief; but that moosic was too much; you pity me, and so I tell you. See, now! when I find things go bright with me, and haf a hope of much work, I take the little store I saved, I send it to my friend Carl Hoffman, who is coming from my home, and say, 'Bring Ulla to me now, for I can make life go well to her, and I am hungry till I haf her in my arms again.' I tell no one, for I am bold to think that one day I come here with her in my hand, to let her thank you in her so sweet way for all you haf done for me. Well, I watch the wind, I count the days, I haf no rest for joy; and when Carl comes, I fly to him. He gifs me back my store, he falls upon my neck and does not speak, then I know my little Kind will never come, for she has gone to Himmel before I could make a home for her on earth. Oh, my Ulla! it is hard to bear;” and, with a rain of bitter tears, poor Mr. Bopp covered up his face and laid it down on his empty plate, as if he never cared to lift it up again.
Then Dolly forgot herself in her great sympathy, and, going to him, she touched the bent head with a soothing hand; let her tears flow to comfort his; and whispered in her tenderest voice,—
“Dear Mr. Bopp, I wish I could heal this sorrow, but as I cannot, let me bear it with you; let me tell you how we loved the little child, and longed to see her; how we should have rejoiced to know you had so dear a friend to make your life happy in this strange land; how we shall grieve for your great loss, and long to prove our respect and love for you. I cannot say this as I ought, but, oh, be comforted, for you will see the child again, and, remembering that she waits for you, you will be glad to go when God calls you to meet your Ulla in that other Fatherland.”
“Ah, I will go now! I haf no wish to stay, for all my life is black to me. If I had found that other little friend to fill her place, I should not grieve so much, because she is weller there above than I could make her here; but no; I wait for that other one; I save all my heart for her; I send it, but it comes back to me; then I know my hope is dead, and I am all alone in the strange land.”
There was neither bitterness nor reproach in these broken words, only a patient sorrow, a regretful pain, as if he saw the two lost loves before him and uttered over them an irrepressible lament337. It was too much for Dolly and with sudden resolution she spoke out fast and low,—
“Mr. Bopp, that was a mistake. It was not I you saw at the masque; it was Dick. He played a cruel trick; he insulted you and wronged me by that deceit, and I find it very hard to pardon him.”
“What! what is that!” and Mr. Bopp looked up with tears still shining in his beard, and intense surprise in every feature of his face.
Dolly turned scarlet, and her heart beat fast as she repeated with an unsteady voice,—
“It was Dick, not I.”
A cloud swept over Mr. Bopp's face, and he knit his brows a moment as if Dolly had not been far from right when she said “he never would forgive the joke.” Presently, he spoke in a tone she had never heard before,—cold and quiet,—and in his eye she thought she read contempt for her brother and herself,—
“I see now, and I say no more but this; it was not kind when I so trusted you. Yet it is well, for you and Richart are so one, I haf no doubt he spoke your wish.”
Here was a desperate state of things. Dolly had done her best, yet he did not, or would not, understand, and, before she could restrain them, the words slipped over her tongue,—
“No! Dick and I never agree.”
Mr. Bopp started, swept three spoons and a tea-cup off the table as he turned, for something in the hasty whisper reassured338 him. The color sprang up to his cheek, the old warmth to his eye, the old erectness339 to his figure, and the eager accent to his voice. He rose, drew Dolly nearer, took her face between his hands, and bending, fixed340 on her a look tender yet masterful, as he said with an earnestness that stirred her as words had never done before,—
“Dollee, he said No! do you say, Yes?”
She could not speak, but her heart stood up in her eyes and answered him so eloquently341 that he was satisfied.
“Thank the Lord, it's all right!” thought Dick, as, peeping in at the window ten minutes later, he saw Dolly enthroned upon Mr. Bopp's knee, both her hands in his, and an expression in her April countenance which proved that she found it natural and pleasant to be sitting there, with her head on the kind heart that loved her; to hear herself called “meine leibchen;” to know that she alone could comfort him for little Ulla's loss, and fill her empty place.
“They make a very pretty landscape, but too much honey isn't good for 'em, so I'll go in, and we'll eat, drink, and be merry, in honor of the night.”
He rattled the latch342 and tramped on the mat to warn them of his approach, and appeared just as Dolly was skimming into a chair, and Mr. Bopp picking up the spoons, which he dropped again to meet Dick, with a face “clear shining after rain;” and kissing him on both cheeks after the fashion of his country, he said, pointing to Dolly,—
“See, it is all fine again. I forgif you, and leave all blame to that bad spirit, Mephistopheles, who has much pranks like that, but never pays one for their pain, as you haf me. Heart's dearest, come and say a friendly word to Richart, then we will haf a little health,—Long life and happiness to the King of Clubs and the Queen of Hearts.”
“Yes, August, and as he's to be a farmer, we'll add another,—'Wiser wits and better manners to the Knave343 of Spades.'”
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1
abbreviated
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| adj. 简短的，省略的 动词abbreviate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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2
tunics
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| n.（动植物的）膜皮( tunic的名词复数 )；束腰宽松外衣；一套制服的短上衣；（天主教主教等穿的）短祭袍 | |
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profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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starch
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| n.淀粉；vt.给...上浆 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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epoch
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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14
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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15
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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16
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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17
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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18
belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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19
lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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20
ambled
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| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
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21
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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22
expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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23
chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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24
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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25
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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27
revival
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| n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振 | |
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28
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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29
blithe
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| adj.快乐的，无忧无虑的 | |
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30
longevity
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| n.长命；长寿 | |
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31
corked
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| adj.带木塞气味的，塞着瓶塞的v.用瓶塞塞住( cork的过去式 ) | |
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32
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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33
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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34
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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36
hooted
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| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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38
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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39
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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40
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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41
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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44
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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45
bedlam
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| n.混乱，骚乱；疯人院 | |
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46
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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47
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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49
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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50
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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51
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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52
ostriches
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| n.鸵鸟( ostrich的名词复数 )；逃避现实的人，不愿正视现实者 | |
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53
pinions
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| v.抓住[捆住]（双臂）( pinion的第三人称单数 ) | |
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54
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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55
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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56
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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57
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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58
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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59
moths
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| n.蛾( moth的名词复数 ) | |
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60
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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61
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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62
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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63
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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64
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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65
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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66
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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67
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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68
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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69
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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70
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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71
cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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72
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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73
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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74
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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75
poke
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| n.刺，戳，袋；vt.拨开，刺，戳；vi.戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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76
hypocrisy
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| n.伪善，虚伪 | |
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77
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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78
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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79
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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80
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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81
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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82
hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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83
glorified
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| 美其名的，变荣耀的 | |
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84
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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85
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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86
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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87
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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88
basked
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的过去式和过去分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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89
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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90
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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91
prosaic
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| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
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92
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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93
laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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94
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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95
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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96
pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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97
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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98
thrifty
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| adj.节俭的；兴旺的；健壮的 | |
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99
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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100
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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101
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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102
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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103
offset
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| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
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104
symbolized
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| v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
bondage
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| n.奴役，束缚 | |
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106
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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107
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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108
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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109
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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110
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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111
stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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112
bleated
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的过去式和过去分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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113
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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114
crook
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| v.使弯曲；n.小偷，骗子，贼；弯曲(处) | |
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115
lackadaisical
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| adj.无精打采的，无兴趣的；adv.无精打采地，不决断地 | |
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116
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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117
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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118
modernized
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| 使现代化，使适应现代需要( modernize的过去式和过去分词 )； 现代化，使用现代方法 | |
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119
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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120
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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121
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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122
demure
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| adj.严肃的；端庄的 | |
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123
chronic
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| adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的 | |
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124
stammer
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| n.结巴，口吃；v.结结巴巴地说 | |
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125
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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126
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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127
enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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128
comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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129
manliest
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| manly（有男子气概的）的最高级形式 | |
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130
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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131
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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132
gapes
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的第三人称单数 )；张开，张大 | |
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133
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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134
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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135
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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136
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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137
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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138
trump
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| n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭 | |
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139
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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140
whetted
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| v.（在石头上）磨（刀、斧等）( whet的过去式和过去分词 )；引起，刺激（食欲、欲望、兴趣等） | |
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141
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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142
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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143
tars
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| 焦油，沥青，柏油( tar的名词复数 ) | |
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144
dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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145
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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146
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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147
heliotrope
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| n.天芥菜；淡紫色 | |
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148
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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149
pranks
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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150
meekness
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| n.温顺，柔和 | |
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151
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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152
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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153
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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154
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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155
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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156
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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157
mittens
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| 不分指手套 | |
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158
belligerents
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| n.交战的一方（指国家、集团或个人）( belligerent的名词复数 ) | |
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159
brewing
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| n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式 | |
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160
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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161
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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162
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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163
watts
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| （电力计量单位）瓦，瓦特( watt的名词复数 ) | |
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164
sprouting
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| v.发芽( sprout的现在分词 )；抽芽；出现；（使）涌现出 | |
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165
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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166
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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167
proclivity
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| n.倾向，癖性 | |
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168
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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169
truant
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| n.懒惰鬼，旷课者；adj.偷懒的，旷课的，游荡的；v.偷懒，旷课 | |
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170
rattles
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| （使）发出格格的响声， （使）作嘎嘎声( rattle的第三人称单数 )； 喋喋不休地说话； 迅速而嘎嘎作响地移动，堕下或走动； 使紧张，使恐惧 | |
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171
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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172
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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173
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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174
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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175
illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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176
symbolical
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| a.象征性的 | |
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177
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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178
glowering
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| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
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179
recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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180
shrines
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| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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181
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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182
perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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183
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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184
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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185
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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186
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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187
miseries
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| n.痛苦( misery的名词复数 )；痛苦的事；穷困；常发牢骚的人 | |
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188
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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189
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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190
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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191
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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192
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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193
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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194
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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195
electrified
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| v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 )；使兴奋 | |
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196
jubilee
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| n.周年纪念；欢乐 | |
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197
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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198
concocted
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| v.将（尤指通常不相配合的）成分混合成某物( concoct的过去式和过去分词 )；调制；编造；捏造 | |
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199
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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200
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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201
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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202
sloughs
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| n.沼泽( slough的名词复数 )；苦难的深渊；难以改变的不良心情；斯劳(Slough)v.使蜕下或脱落( slough的第三人称单数 )；舍弃；除掉；摒弃 | |
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203
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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204
waterproofs
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| n.防水衣物，雨衣 usually plural( waterproof的名词复数 )v.使防水，使不透水( waterproof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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205
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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206
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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207
evergreen
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| n.常青树；adj.四季常青的 | |
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208
wildernesses
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| 荒野( wilderness的名词复数 )； 沙漠； （政治家）在野； 不再当政（或掌权） | |
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209
machinery
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| n.(总称)机械，机器；机构 | |
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210
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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211
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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212
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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213
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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214
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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215
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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216
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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217
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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218
transparent
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| adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的 | |
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219
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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220
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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221
buckles
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| 搭扣，扣环( buckle的名词复数 ) | |
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222
sauciest
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| adj.粗鲁的( saucy的最高级 )；粗俗的；不雅的；开色情玩笑的 | |
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223
bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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224
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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225
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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226
hooded
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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227
monk
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| n.和尚，僧侣，修道士 | |
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228
monks
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| n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 ) | |
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229
nuns
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| n.（通常指基督教的）修女， （佛教的）尼姑( nun的名词复数 ) | |
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230
imps
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| n.（故事中的）小恶魔( imp的名词复数 )；小魔鬼；小淘气；顽童 | |
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231
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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232
mammoth
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| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
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233
irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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234
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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235
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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236
potentate
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| n.统治者；君主 | |
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237
flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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238
tottered
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| v.走得或动得不稳( totter的过去式和过去分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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239
pervaded
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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240
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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241
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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242
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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243
leopard
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| n.豹 | |
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244
gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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245
promenaded
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| v.兜风( promenade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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246
whittled
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| v.切，削（木头），使逐渐变小( whittle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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247
jabbered
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| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的过去式和过去分词 )；急促兴奋地说话 | |
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248
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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249
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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250
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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251
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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252
eddied
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| 起漩涡，旋转( eddy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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253
scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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254
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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255
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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256
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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257
confiding
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|
| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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258
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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259
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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260
recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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261
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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262
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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263
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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264
belied
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|
| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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265
monopolize
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| v.垄断，独占，专营 | |
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266
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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267
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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268
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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269
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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270
pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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271
rumple
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|
| v.弄皱，弄乱；n.褶纹，皱褶 | |
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272
flirtation
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| n.调情，调戏，挑逗 | |
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273
dismally
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| adv.阴暗地，沉闷地 | |
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274
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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275
idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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276
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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277
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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278
beckon
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| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
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279
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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280
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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281
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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282
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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283
scattering
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|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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284
deluded
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|
| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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285
flustered
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|
| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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286
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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287
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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288
attested
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| adj.经检验证明无病的，经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；声称…属实；使宣誓 | |
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289
mortified
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|
| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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290
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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291
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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292
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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293
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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294
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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295
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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296
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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297
slashed
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| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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298
promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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299
indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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300
contrite
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| adj.悔悟了的，后悔的，痛悔的 | |
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301
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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302
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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303
tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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304
perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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305
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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306
winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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307
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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308
adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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309
rigidly
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| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
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310
ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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311
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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312
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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313
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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314
glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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315
pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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316
funereal
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| adj.悲哀的；送葬的 | |
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317
climax
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| n.顶点；高潮；v.(使)达到顶点 | |
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318
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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319
meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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320
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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321
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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322
deferred
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|
| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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323
taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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324
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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325
underneath
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|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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326
undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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327
bawl
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|
| v.大喊大叫，大声地喊，咆哮 | |
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328
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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329
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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330
growled
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|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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331
luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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332
pretence
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| n.假装，作假；借口，口实；虚伪；虚饰 | |
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333
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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334
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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335
pricked
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|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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336
mien
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| n.风采；态度 | |
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337
lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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338
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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339
erectness
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| n.直立 | |
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340
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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341
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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342
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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343
knave
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| n.流氓；（纸牌中的）杰克 | |
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