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CHAPTER VI. A TEMPEST.
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 The charge was so strange and unexpected that Florence was overwhelmed. She could only murmur1:
 
“Oh, uncle!”
 
Her young companion was indignant. Already he felt that Florence had consented to accept him as a friend, and he was resolved to stand by her.
 
“I say, old man,” he bristled2 up, “don’t you go to insult her! She’s an angel!”
 
“No doubt you think so,” rejoined Mr. Linden, in a tone of sarcasm3. “Upon my word, miss, I congratulate you on your elevated taste. So this is your reason for not being willing to marry your Cousin Curtis?”
 
“Indeed, uncle, you are mistaken. I never met this boy till to-night.”
 
“Don’t try to deceive me. Young man, did you open my secretary?”
 
“Yes, sir.”
 
“And robbed it into the bargain,” continued Linden, going to the secretary, and examining it. He did not, however, miss the will, but only the roll of bills. “Give me back the money you have taken from me, you young rascal4!”
 
“I took nothing, sir.”
 
“It’s a lie! The money is gone, and no one else could have taken it.”
 
“I don’t allow no one to call me a liar5. Just take that back, old man, or I——”
 
“Indeed, uncle, he took nothing, for he had only just opened the secretary when I woke up and spoke6 to him.”
 
“You stand by him, of course, shameless girl! I blush to think that you are my niece. I am glad to think that my eyes are opened before it is too late.”
 
The old merchant rang the bell violently, and aroused the house. Dodger7 made no attempt to escape, but stood beside Florence in the attitude of a protector. But a short time elapsed before Curtis Waring and the servants entered the room, and gazed with wonder at the tableau8 presented by the excited old man and the two young people.
 
“My friends,” said John Linden, in a tone of excitement, “I call you to witness that this girl, whom I blush to acknowledge as my niece, has proved herself unworthy of my kindness. In your presence I cut her off, and bid her never again darken my door.”
 
“But what has she done, uncle?” asked Curtis. He was prepared for the presence of Dodger, whom he rightly concluded to be the agent of Tim Bolton, but he could not understand why Florence should be in the library at this late hour. Nor was he able to understand the evidently friendly relations between her and the young visitor.
 
“What has she done?” repeated John Linden. “She has introduced that young ruffian into the house to rob me. Look at that secretary! He has forced it open, and stolen a large sum of money.”
 
“It is not true, sir,” said Dodger, calmly, “about taking the money, I mean. I haven’t taken a cent.”
 
“Then why did you open the secretary?”
 
“I did mean to take money, but she stopped me.”
 
“Oh, she stopped you?” repeated Linden, with withering9 sarcasm. “Then, perhaps, you will tell me where the money is gone?”
 
“He hasn’t discovered about the will,” thought Curtis, congratulating himself; “if the boy has it, I must manage to give him a chance to escape.”
 
“You can search me if you want to,” continued Dodger, proudly. “You won’t find no money on me.”
 
“Do you think I am a fool, you young burglar?” exclaimed John Linden, angrily.
 
“Uncle, let me speak to the boy,” said Curtis, soothingly10. “I think he will tell me.”
 
“As you like, Curtis; but I am convinced that he is a thief.”
 
Curtis Waring beckoned11 Dodger into an adjoining room.
 
“Now, my boy,” he said, smoothly12, “give me what you took from the secretary, and I will see that you are not arrested.”
 
“But, sir, I didn’t take nothing—it’s just as I told the old duffer. The girl waked up just as I’d got the secretary open, and I didn’t have a chance.”
 
“But the money is gone,” said Curtis, in an incredulous tone.
 
“I don’t know nothing about that.”
 
“Come, you’d better examine your pockets. In the hurry of the moment you may have taken it without knowing it.”
 
“No, I couldn’t.”
 
“Didn’t you take a paper of any kind?” asked Curtis, eagerly. “Sometimes papers are of more value than money.”
 
“No, I didn’t take no paper, though Tim told me to.”
 
Curtis quietly ignored the allusion13 to Tim, for it did not suit his purpose to get Tim into trouble. His unscrupulous agent knew too much that would compromise his principal.
 
“Are you willing that I should examine you?”
 
“Yes, I am. Go ahead.”
 
Curtis thrust his hand into the pockets of the boy, who, boy as he was, was as tall as himself, but was not repaid by the discovery of anything. He was very much perplexed14.
 
“Didn’t you throw the articles on the floor?” he demanded, suspiciously.
 
“No, I didn’t.”
 
“You didn’t give them to the young lady?”
 
“No; if I had she’d have said so.”
 
“Humph! this is strange. What is your name?”
 
“Dodger.”
 
“That’s a queer name; have you no other?”
 
“Not as I know of.”
 
“With whom do you live?”
 
“With my father. Leastways, he says he’s my father.”
 
There was a growing suspicion in the mind of Curtis Waring. He scanned the boy’s features with attention. Could this ill-dressed boy—a street boy in appearance—be his long-lost and deeply wronged cousin?
 
“Who is it that says he is your father?” he demanded, abruptly15.
 
“Do you want to get him into trouble?”
 
“No, I don’t want to get him into trouble, or you either. Better tell me all, and I will be your friend.”
 
“You’re a better sort than I thought at first,” said Dodger. “The man I live with is called Tim Bolton.”
 
“I though so,” quickly ejaculated Curtis. He had scarcely got out the words before he was sensible that he had made a mistake.
 
“What! do you know Tim?” inquired Dodger, in surprise.
 
“I mean,” replied Curtis, lamely16, “that I have heard of this man Bolton. He keeps a saloon on the Bowery, doesn’t he?”
 
“Yes.”
 
“I thought you would be living with some such man. Did he come to the house with you tonight?”
 
“Yes.”
 
“Where is he?”
 
“He stayed outside.”
 
“Perhaps he is there now.”
 
“Don’t you go to having him arrested,” said Dodger, suspiciously.
 
“I will keep my promise. Are you sure you didn’t pass out the paper and the money to him? Think now.”
 
“No, I didn’t. I didn’t have a chance. When I came into the room yonder I saw the gal17 asleep, and I thought she wouldn’t hear me, but when I got the desk open she spoke to me, and asked me what I was doin’.”
 
“And you took nothing?”
 
“No.”
 
“It seems very strange. I cannot understand it. Yet my uncle says the money is gone. Did anyone else enter the room while you were talking with Miss Linden?”
 
“I didn’t see any one.”
 
“What were you talking about?”
 
“She said the old man wanted her to marry you, and she didn’t want to.”
 
“She told you that?” exclaimed Curtis, in displeasure.
 
“Yes, she did. She said she’d rather marry the dude that was here early this evenin’.”
 
“Mr. de Brabazon!”
 
“Yes, that’s the name.”
 
“Upon my word, she was very confidential18. You are a queer person for her to select as a confidant.”
 
“Maybe so, sir; but she knows I’m her friend.”
 
“You like the young lady, then? Perhaps you would like to marry her yourself?”
 
“As if she’d take any notice of a poor boy like me. I told her if her uncle sent her away, I’d take care of her and be a brother to her.”
 
“How would Mr. Tim Bolton—that’s his name, isn’t it?—like that?”
 
“I wouldn’t take her to where he lives.”
 
“I think, myself, it would hardly be a suitable home for a young lady brought up on Madison Avenue. There is certainly no accounting19 for tastes. Miss Florence——”
 
“That’s her name, is it?”
 
“Yes; didn’t she tell you?”
 
“No; but it’s a nice name.”
 
“She declines my hand, and accepts your protection. It will certainly be a proud distinction to become Mrs. Dodger.”
 
“Don’t laugh at her!” said Dodger, suspiciously.
 
“I don’t propose to. But I think we may as well return to the library.”
 
“Well,” said Mr. Linden, as his nephew returned with Dodger.
 
“I have examined the boy, and found nothing on his person,” said Curtis; “I confess I am puzzled. He appears to have a high admiration20 for Florence——”
 
“As I supposed.”
 
“She has even confided21 to him her dislike for me, and he has offered her his protection.”
 
“Is this so, miss?” demanded Mr. Linden, sternly.
 
“Yes, uncle,” faltered22 Florence.
 
“Then you can join the young person you have selected whenever you please. For your sake I will not have him arrested for attempted burglary. He is welcome to what he has taken, since he is likely to marry into the family. You may stay here to-night, and he can call for you in the morning.”
 
John Linden closed the secretary, and left the room, leaving Florence sobbing23. The servants, too, retired24, and Curtis was left alone with her.
 
“Florence,” he said, “accept my hand, and I will reconcile my uncle to you. Say but the word, and——”
 
“I can never speak it, Curtis! I will take my uncle at his word. Dodger, call for me to-morrow at eight, and I will accept your friendly services in finding me a new home.”
 
“I’ll be on hand, miss. Good-night!”
 
“Be it so, obstinate25 girl!” said Curtis, angrily. “The time will come when you will bitterly repent26 your mad decision.”

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 murmur EjtyD     
n.低语,低声的怨言;v.低语,低声而言
参考例句:
  • They paid the extra taxes without a murmur.他们毫无怨言地交了附加税。
  • There was a low murmur of conversation in the hall.大厅里有窃窃私语声。
2 bristled bristled     
adj. 直立的,多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • They bristled at his denigrating description of their activities. 听到他在污蔑他们的活动,他们都怒发冲冠。
  • All of us bristled at the lawyer's speech insulting our forefathers. 听到那个律师在讲演中污蔑我们的祖先,大家都气得怒发冲冠。
3 sarcasm 1CLzI     
n.讥讽,讽刺,嘲弄,反话 (adj.sarcastic)
参考例句:
  • His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
  • She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。
4 rascal mAIzd     
n.流氓;不诚实的人
参考例句:
  • If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做,我就认为他是个恶棍。
  • The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。
5 liar V1ixD     
n.说谎的人
参考例句:
  • I know you for a thief and a liar!我算认识你了,一个又偷又骗的家伙!
  • She was wrongly labelled a liar.她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。
6 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
7 dodger Ku9z0c     
n.躲避者;躲闪者;广告单
参考例句:
  • They are tax dodgers who hide their interest earnings.他们是隐瞒利息收入的逃税者。
  • Make sure she pays her share she's a bit of a dodger.她自己的一份一定要她付清--她可是有点能赖就赖。
8 tableau nq0wi     
n.画面,活人画(舞台上活人扮的静态画面)
参考例句:
  • The movie was a tableau of a soldier's life.这部电影的画面生动地描绘了军人的生活。
  • History is nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.历史不过是由罪恶和灾难构成的静止舞台造型罢了。
9 withering 8b1e725193ea9294ced015cd87181307     
使人畏缩的,使人害羞的,使人难堪的
参考例句:
  • She gave him a withering look. 她极其蔑视地看了他一眼。
  • The grass is gradually dried-up and withering and pallen leaves. 草渐渐干枯、枯萎并落叶。
10 soothingly soothingly     
adv.抚慰地,安慰地;镇痛地
参考例句:
  • The mother talked soothingly to her child. 母亲对自己的孩子安慰地说。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He continued to talk quietly and soothingly to the girl until her frightened grip on his arm was relaxed. 他继续柔声安慰那姑娘,她那因恐惧而紧抓住他的手终于放松了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
11 beckoned b70f83e57673dfe30be1c577dd8520bc     
v.(用头或手的动作)示意,召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He beckoned to the waiter to bring the bill. 他招手示意服务生把账单送过来。
  • The seated figure in the corner beckoned me over. 那个坐在角落里的人向我招手让我过去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
12 smoothly iiUzLG     
adv.平滑地,顺利地,流利地,流畅地
参考例句:
  • The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作,所以工作进展顺利。
  • Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。
13 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
14 perplexed A3Rz0     
adj.不知所措的
参考例句:
  • The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛,走了又回来,犹豫不决,总怕上当受骗。
  • The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。
15 abruptly iINyJ     
adv.突然地,出其不意地
参考例句:
  • He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
  • I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。
16 lamely 950fece53b59623523b03811fa0c3117     
一瘸一拐地,不完全地
参考例句:
  • I replied lamely that I hope to justify his confidence. 我漫不经心地回答说,我希望我能不辜负他对我的信任。
  • The wolf leaped lamely back, losing its footing and falling in its weakness. 那只狼一跛一跛地跳回去,它因为身体虚弱,一失足摔了一跤。
17 gal 56Zy9     
n.姑娘,少女
参考例句:
  • We decided to go with the gal from Merrill.我们决定和那个从梅里尔来的女孩合作。
  • What's the name of the gal? 这个妞叫什么?
18 confidential MOKzA     
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的
参考例句:
  • He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
  • We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
19 accounting nzSzsY     
n.会计,会计学,借贷对照表
参考例句:
  • A job fell vacant in the accounting department.财会部出现了一个空缺。
  • There's an accounting error in this entry.这笔账目里有差错。
20 admiration afpyA     
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕
参考例句:
  • He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
  • We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
21 confided 724f3f12e93e38bec4dda1e47c06c3b1     
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等)
参考例句:
  • She confided all her secrets to her best friend. 她向她最要好的朋友倾吐了自己所有的秘密。
  • He confided to me that he had spent five years in prison. 他私下向我透露,他蹲过五年监狱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 faltered d034d50ce5a8004ff403ab402f79ec8d     
(嗓音)颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 ); 支吾其词; 蹒跚; 摇晃
参考例句:
  • He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
  • "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着:“这孩子脑袋真长。”
23 sobbing df75b14f92e64fc9e1d7eaf6dcfc083a     
<主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的
参考例句:
  • I heard a child sobbing loudly. 我听见有个孩子在呜呜地哭。
  • Her eyes were red with recent sobbing. 她的眼睛因刚哭过而发红。
24 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
25 obstinate m0dy6     
adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的
参考例句:
  • She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了,不会让任何人帮她的。
  • The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。
26 repent 1CIyT     
v.悔悟,悔改,忏悔,后悔
参考例句:
  • He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
  • Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。


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