Chapter 15

       Frank's misgivings¹ were not without good cause.

　　The housekeeper²'s call at the store was connectedwith him. How, will be understood from a conversationwhich took place that morning betweenher and John Wade³.

　　``It's a relief to get that boy out of the house, Mrs.

　　Bradley,'' he said at the breakfast table.

　　``That it is, Mr. John,'' she replied. ``But he'll betrying to get back, take my word for it.''

　　``He won't dare to,'' said John Wade,incredulously. ``I told him if he came near the house Iwould give him up to the police.''

　　``I am afraid he will write to your uncle. He'sbold enough for anything.''

　　``I didn't think of that,'' said John, thoughtfully.

　　``Do you know his handwriting, Mrs. Bradley?''

　　``I think I should know it.''

　　``Then if any letters come which you know to befrom him, keep them back from my uncle.''

　　``What shall I do with them?''

　　``Give them to me. I don't want my uncle worriedby his appeals.''

　　``Your uncle seems to be very attached to him.

　　He may go to the store to see him.''

　　``That is true. I should not like that. How shallwe prevent it, that's the question.''

　　``If Gilbert & Mack knew that he was not honestthey would discharge him.''

　　``Exactly,'' said John Wade; ``and as probably hewould be unable to get another situation, he wouldbe compelled to leave the city, and we should get ridof him. I commend your shrewdness, Mrs. Bradley.

　　Your plan is most excellent.''

　　John Wade had more reasons than the housekeeperknew of for desiring the removal of our young herofrom the city--reasons which the reader has probablyguessed. There was a dark secret in his lifeconnected with a wrong done in years past, from whichhe hoped some day to reap personal benefit. UnconsciouslyFrank Fowler stood in his way, and mustbe removed. Such was his determination.

　　``I am going out this morning,'' said thehousekeeper. ``I will make it in my way to call at Gilbert& Mack's. My nephew is a salesman there, as Ihave told you. I will drop a word in his ear, andthat will be enough to settle that boy's hash.''

　　``Your language is professional, Mrs. Bradley,''

　　said John Wade, laughing, ``but you shouldn't alludeto hash in an aristocratic household. I shall be gladto have you carry out your plan.''

　　``I hope you'll speak to your uncle about mynephew, Mr. John. He gets very poor pay wherehe is.''

　　``I won't forget him,'' said John, carelessly.

　　In his heart he thought Thomas Bradley a verylow, obtrusive⁴ fellow, whom he felt by no meansinclined to assist, but it was cheap to make promises.

　　The reader understands now why Mrs. Bradleymade a morning call at Gilbert &; Mack's store.

　　She knew at what part of the counter her nephewwas stationed, and made her way thither⁵ at once.

　　He did not at first recognize her, until she said:

　　``Good-morning, Thomas.''

　　``Good-morning, aunt. What brings you here thismorning? Any good news for me? Has the oldgentleman come around and concluded to do something handsome?''

　　``Mr. Wharton is not in the city. He has gone toWashington. But that isn't what I came about thismorning. You remember that boy who has beenreading to Mr. Wharton?''

　　``One of our cash-boys. Yes; there he is, justgone by.''

　　``Well, he has stolen Mr. John's pocketbook andsome jewelry⁶ belonging to him.''

　　``What have you done about it? What does Mr.

　　Wharton say?''

　　``He's away from home. He doesn't know yet. Mr.

　　John gave him a lecture, and ordered him to leavethe house.''

　　``Does he admit that he took the things?''

　　``No; he denied it as bold as brass⁷, but it didn'tdo him any good. There were the things in histrunk. He couldn't get over that.''

　　Thomas fastened a shrewd glance on his aunt'sface, for he suspected the truth.

　　``So you've got rid of him?'' he said. ``What doyou propose to do next?''

　　``Mr. John thinks your employer ought to knowthat he is a thief.''

　　``Are you going to tell them?''

　　``I want you to do it.''

　　``You must tell them yourself, aunt. I shan't.''

　　``Then introduce me to Mr. Gilbert, Thomas, andI'll do it.''

　　``Follow me, aunt.''

　　He led his aunt to the rear of the store, whereMr. Gilbert was standing⁸.

　　``Mr. Gilbert,'' he said, ``allow me to introduce myaunt, Mrs. Bradley.''

　　The housekeeper was courteously⁹ received, andinvited to be seated. She soon opened her business,and blackened poor Frank's character as she had intended.

　　``Really, Mrs. Bradley, I am sorry to hear this,''

　　said Mr. Gilbert. ``You think there is no doubt ofthe boy's guilt¹⁰?''

　　``I am sorry to say that I have no doubt at all,''

　　said the housekeeper, hypocritically.

　　``Mr. Mack and myself have had a very good opinionof him. He is faithful and prompt.''

　　``Of course, sir, you will retain him in youremploy if you are willing to take the risk, but I thoughtit my duty to put you on your guard.''

　　``I am obliged to you, Mrs. Bradley; though, asI said, I regret to find that my confidence in the boyhas been misplaced.''

　　Late in the afternoon, Frank was called to thecashier's desk.

　　``I am directed by Mr. Gilbert to say that yourservices will not be required after to-day,'' he said.

　　``Here are the week's wages.''

　　``Why am I discharged? What have I done?''

　　demanded Frank, while his heart sank within him.

　　``I don't know. You must ask Mr. Gilbert,''

　　answered the cashier.

　　``I will speak to him, at any rate,'' and Frankwalked up to the senior partner, and addressed tohim the same question.

　　``Can you not guess?'' asked Mr. Gilbert, sternly.

　　``I can guess that a false accusation¹¹ has beenbrought against me,'' said Frank.

　　``A respectable lady has informed me that youare not honest. I regret it, for I have been pleasedwith your diligence. Of course, I cannot retain youin my employ.''

　　``Mr. Gilbert,'' said Frank, earnestly, ``the chargeis false. Mrs. Bradley is my enemy, and wishes meharm. I don't understand how the things came intomy trunk, but I didn't put them there.''

　　``I hope you are innocent, but I must dischargeyou. Business is dull now, and I had decided¹² to partwith four of my cash-boys. I won't pass judgmentupon you, but you must go.''

　　Frank bowed in silence, for he saw that furtherentreaty would be vain, and left the store moredispirited than at any moment since he had been inthe city.

　　Ten days Frank spent in fruitless efforts to obtaina place.

　　All this time his money steadily¹³ diminished. Heperceived that he would soon be penniless. Evidently,something must be done. He formed two determinations.

　　The first was to write to Mr. Wharton,who, he thought, must now have returned fromWashington, asserting his innocence¹⁴ and appealingto him to see Gilbert & Mack, and re-establish himin their confidence. The second was, since he couldnot obtain a regular place, to frequent the wharvesand seek chances to carry bundles. In this way hemight earn enough, with great economy, to pay forhis board and lodging¹⁵.

　　One morning the housekeeper entered the librarywhere John Wade sat reading the daily papers.

　　``Mr. John,'' she said, holding out a letter, ``hereis a letter from that boy. I expected he would writeto your uncle.''

　　John Wade deliberately¹⁶ opened the letter.

　　``Sit down, Mrs. Bradley, and I will read the letteraloud.''

　　It will be only necessary to quote the concludingsentences:

　　`` `I hope, Mr. Wharton, you will not be influencedagainst me by what Mrs. Bradley and your nephewsay. I don't know why it is, but they are my enemies,though I have always treated them with respect.

　　I am afraid they have a desire to injure me in yourestimation. If they had not been, they would havebeen content with driving me from your house, withoutalso slandering¹⁷ me to my employers, and inducingthem to discharge me. Since I was discharged,I have tried very hard to get another place, but asI cannot bring a recommendation from Gilbert &Mack, I have everywhere been refused. I ask you,Mr. Wharton to consider my situation. Already mysmall supply of money is nearly gone, and I do notknow how I am to pay my expenses. If it was anyfault of mine that had brought me into this situation,I would not complain, but it seems hard tosuffer when I am innocent.

　　`` `I do not ask to return to your house, Mr.

　　Wharton, for it would not be pleasant, since your nephewand Mrs. Bradley dislike me, but I have a right toask that the truth may be told to my employers, sothat if they do not wish me to return to their service,they may, at least, be willing to give me a recommendationthat will give me a place elsewhere.'''

　　``I must prevent the boy communicating with myuncle, if it is a possible thing. `Strike while the ironis hot,' I say.''

　　``I think that is very judicious¹⁸, Mr. John. I haveno doubt you will know how to manage matters.''

　　John Wade dressed himself for a walk, and drawingout a cigar, descended¹⁹ the steps of his uncle'shouse into the street.

　　He reached Fifth Avenue, and walked slowlydowntown. He was about opposite Twenty-eighth Street,when he came face to face with the subject of histhoughts.

　　``Where are you going?'' John Wade demandedsternly.

　　``I don't know that I am bound to answer yourquestion,'' answered Frank, quietly, ``but I have noobjection. I am going to Thirty-ninth Street withthis bundle.''

　　``Hark you, boy! I have something to say to you,''

　　continued John Wade, harshly. ``You have had theimpudence to write to my uncle.''

　　``What did he say?''

　　``Nothing that you would like to hear. He looksupon you as a thief.''

　　``You have slandered<sup>21</sup> me to him, Mr. Wade,'' hesaid, angrily. ``You might be in better business thanaccusingly a poor boy falsely.''

　　``Hark you, young man! I have had enough ofyour impudence²⁰. I will give you a bit of advice,which you will do well to follow. Leave this city fora place where you are not known, or I may feeldisposed to shut you up on a charge of theft.''

　　``I shall not leave the city, Mr. Wade,'' returnedFrank, firmly. ``I shall stay here in spite of you,''

　　and without waiting for an answer, he walked on.

1 misgivings   

n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧

参考例句：

• I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。
• Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后， 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧！ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 housekeeper   

n.管理家务的主妇，女管家

参考例句：

• A spotless stove told us that his mother is a diligent housekeeper.炉子清洁无瑕就表明他母亲是个勤劳的主妇。
• She is an economical housekeeper and feeds her family cheaply.她节约持家，一家人吃得很省。

3 wade   

v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉

参考例句：

• We had to wade through the river to the opposite bank.我们只好涉水过河到对岸。
• We cannot but wade across the river.我们只好趟水过去。

4 obtrusive   

adj.显眼的；冒失的

参考例句：

• These heaters are less obtrusive and are easy to store away in the summer.这些加热器没那么碍眼，夏天收起来也很方便。
• The factory is an obtrusive eyesore.这工厂很刺眼。

5 thither   

adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的

参考例句：

• He wandered hither and thither looking for a playmate.他逛来逛去找玩伴。
• He tramped hither and thither.他到处流浪。

6 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

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

7 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

8 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

9 courteously   

adv.有礼貌地，亲切地

参考例句：

• He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
• Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会，他就很客气地站起来，让她走开。

10 guilt   

n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责

参考例句：

• She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
• Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。

11 accusation   

n.控告，指责，谴责

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• She knew that no one would believe her accusation.她知道没人会相信她的指控。

12 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

13 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

14 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。

15 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

16 deliberately   

adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地

参考例句：

• The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
• They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。

17 slandering   

[法]口头诽谤行为

参考例句：

• He's a snake in the grass. While pretending to be your friend he was slandering you behind your back. 他是个暗敌， 表面上装作是你的朋友，背地里却在诽谤你。
• He has been questioned on suspicion of slandering the Prime Minister. 他由于涉嫌诽谤首相而受到了盘问。

18 judicious   

adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的

参考例句：

• We should listen to the judicious opinion of that old man.我们应该听取那位老人明智的意见。
• A judicious parent encourages his children to make their own decisions.贤明的父亲鼓励儿女自作抉择。

19 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

20 impudence   

n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼

参考例句：

• His impudence provoked her into slapping his face.他的粗暴让她气愤地给了他一耳光。
• What knocks me is his impudence.他的厚颜无耻使我感到吃惊。

21 slandered   

造谣中伤( slander的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She slandered him behind his back. 她在背地里对他造谣中伤。
• He was basely slandered by his enemies. 他受到仇敌卑鄙的诋毁。