CHAPTER VIII. WOLVERTON'S DISMAY.

 Wolverton uttered a cry of dismay when he found that the receipt had disappeared. With trembling fingers he turned over a pile of papers in the hope of finding the important paper.

 

"Where on earth can it be?" he asked himself, with a troubled face.

 

He set himself to consider when he had seen it last and where he had placed it.

 

"It must be in the desk somewhere," he decided², and resumed his search. Those of my readers who have mislaid any article can picture to themselves his increasing perplexity as the missing paper failed to turn up.

 

He was finally obliged to conclude that it was not in the desk. But, if so, where could it be? If not found, or if found by any one else, his situation would be an embarrassing[Pg 70] one. He had assured Mrs. Burton that the interest money had not been paid. Now suppose the receipt were found, what would be the inference? He could not help acknowledging that it would look bad for him. Until he learned something of its whereabouts he would not dare to press Mrs. Burton for a second payment of the interest money.

 

"It is as bad as losing a hundred and fifty dollars," he groaned³. "It is a pile of money to lose."

 

Aaron Wolverton did not appear to consider that it was losing what was not his property, and was only preventing him from pushing a fraudulent claim. He actually felt wronged by this inopportune loss. He felt somehow that he was the victim of misfortune.

 

But what could have become of the receipt? That was what troubled him. Was there anybody who was responsible for its disappearance⁴? Naturally it would be important for Mrs. Burton to get hold of it; but then, they did not know of its existence. They had no evidence that the receipt had even been delivered to Richard Burton. Still it was possible[Pg 71] that Bob Burton had visited the house, and searched the desk. He would inquire of his sister.

 

He opened the door leading to the kitchen, where Miss Sally Wolverton was engaged in some domestic employment.

 

"Sally, has the Burton boy been here this morning?"

 

"No; why should he come? He isn't one of your visitors, is he?"

 

"Was he here yesterday?"

 

"No; what makes you ask?"

 

"There was a little business, connected with the farm, which he might have come about."

 

"I am glad he didn't come," said Sally. "He's too high-strung for me."

 

"I don't like him myself; but sometimes we have to do business with those we don't like."

 

"That's so. How's the widder left?"

 

"She's got the ranch⁵, but I hold a mortgage of three thousand dollars on it," replied her brother, his features expanding into a wintry smile. A man who can laugh heartily⁶ possesses redeeming⁷ traits, even if in some respects[Pg 72] he is bad; but Aaron Wolverton had never been known to indulge in a hearty⁸ laugh.

 

"Can she pay?"

 

"Not at present."

 

"Is the mortgage for a term of years?"

 

"No; it can be called in at the end of any year."

 

"I never liked that woman," said Miss Sally Wolverton, grimly.

 

Sally Wolverton did not like any woman who was younger and prettier than herself, and there were few who were not prettier. She had never known of her brother's infatuation for the lady she was criticising, otherwise she would have been tempted⁹ to express herself even more strongly. She was strongly opposed to his marriage, as this would have removed her from her place in his household, or, even if she remained, would have deprived her of her power. Aaron did not care at present to take her into his confidence. Still he could not forbear coming, in a faint way, to the defense¹⁰ of the woman he admired.

 

"Mrs. Burton is a fine-looking woman," he said.[Pg 73]

 

"Fine looking!" repeated Sally with a contemptuous sniff¹¹. "I don't admire your taste."

 

"She isn't in your style, Sally," said Aaron, with a sly twinkle in his eye.

 

Sally Wolverton was taller than her brother, with harsh features, a gaunt, angular figure, and an acid expression.

 

"I hope not," she answered. "I hope I don't look like an insipid¹² doll."

 

"You certainly don't, Sally; you have expression enough, I am sure."

 

"Do you think Mrs. Burton pretty?" asked Sally, suspiciously.

 

"Oh, so so!" answered Aaron, guardedly; for he did not care to reveal the secret to his sister at present. She was useful to him as a housekeeper¹³, and moreover (an important point) she was very economical; more so than any person whom he could hire. He did indeed pay his sister, but only a dollar a week, and out of this she saved nearly one half, having the gift of economy in quite as large a measure as himself.

 

This assurance, and her brother's indifferent tone, relieved Sally from her momentary¹⁴ [Pg 74]suspicion. Yet, had she been able to read her brother's secret thoughts, she would have been a prey¹⁵ to anxiety. He had made up his mind, if ever he did marry Mrs. Burton, to give Sally her walking-ticket.

 

"I can't afford to support two women," he reflected, "and my wife ought to be able to do all the work in so small a household."

 

"Why are you so anxious to know whether any of the Burtons have been here?"

 

"I thought they might come," answered her brother, evasively. "You haven't seen anything of that black imp¹, Clip, have you?"

 

"No; has he any business with you?"

 

"I have some business with him," snarled¹⁶ Wolverton. "He played a trick on me this morning."

 

"What sort of a trick?"

 

"I got him to carry me across the creek¹⁷ in his boat, and he managed to upset me."

 

"Did he do it a-purpose?"

 

"Yes; he laughed like a hyena¹⁸ when he saw me floundering in the water."

 

"If he comes round here, I'll give him a lesson. I can't abide¹⁹ a nigger any way.[Pg 75] They're as lazy as sin, and they ain't got no more sense than a monkey. It's my opinion they are a kind of monkey, any way."

 

Fortunately for the colored race all are not so prejudiced against them as Sally Wolverton—otherwise they would be in a bad case.

 

"By the way, Sally, have you seen a stray paper about the floor in my room?" asked Wolverton, with assumed carelessness.

 

"What sort of a paper was it?"

 

"It was a—a receipt," answered her brother, hesitating.

 

"What kind of a receipt—from whom?" asked Sally, who possessed²⁰ her share of general curiosity.

 

"That isn't to the point. If you have seen such a paper, or picked it up, I shall feel relieved. I might have to pay the money over again if I don't find it."

 

This was misrepresenting the matter, but Wolverton did not think it expedient²¹ to give his sister a clew to so delicate a secret.

 

"No; I have seen no paper," she said shortly, not relishing²² his evasive reply. "Have you searched your desk?"[Pg 76]

 

"Yes."

 

"And didn't find it?"

 

"No."

 

"Suppose I look. Four eyes are better than two."

 

"No, thank you, Sally," answered her brother, hastily. "I am particular about not having my papers disturbed."

 

Aaron Wolverton would have gained some valuable information touching²³ the missing paper if he could have transferred himself at that moment to Burton's Ranch.

 

Bob and Clip were out in the yard when Sam Wolverton made his appearance, breathless and excited.

 

"What's the matter, Sam?" asked Bob, wondering.

 

"Let me catch my breath," gasped²⁴ Sam. "I—I've got some good news."

 

"Then you are welcome. Has your uncle got married?"

 

"No; nor aunt Sally either," replied Sam. "What do you say to that?" and he drew from his vest pocket a long strip of paper.

 

"What's that?" asked Bob, eagerly.

 

"It's the receipt", answered Sam.

1 imp   

n.顽童

参考例句：

• What a little imp you are!你这个淘气包！
• There's a little imp always running with him.他总有一个小鬼跟着。

2 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。

3 groaned   

v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦

参考例句：

• He groaned in anguish. 他痛苦地呻吟。
• The cart groaned under the weight of the piano. 大车在钢琴的重压下嘎吱作响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

5 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

6 heartily   

adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

参考例句：

• He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
• The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。

7 redeeming   

补偿的，弥补的

参考例句：

• I found him thoroughly unpleasant, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. 我觉得他一点也不讨人喜欢，没有任何可取之处。
• The sole redeeming feature of this job is the salary. 这份工作唯其薪水尚可弥补一切之不足。

8 hearty   

adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

参考例句：

• After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
• We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

9 tempted   

v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词）

参考例句：

• I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
• I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。

10 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

11 sniff   

vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视

参考例句：

• The police used dogs to sniff out the criminals in their hiding - place.警察使用警犬查出了罪犯的藏身地点。
• When Munchie meets a dog on the beach, they sniff each other for a while.当麦奇在海滩上碰到另一条狗的时候，他们会彼此嗅一会儿。

12 insipid   

adj.无味的，枯燥乏味的，单调的

参考例句：

• The food was rather insipid and needed gingering up.这食物缺少味道，需要加点作料。
• She said she was a good cook,but the food she cooked is insipid.她说她是个好厨师，但她做的食物却是无味道的。

13 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。

14 momentary   

adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的

参考例句：

• We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
• I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。

15 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

16 snarled   

v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说

参考例句：

• The dog snarled at us. 狗朝我们低声吼叫。
• As I advanced towards the dog, It'snarled and struck at me. 我朝那条狗走去时，它狂吠着向我扑来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 creek   

n.小溪，小河，小湾

参考例句：

• He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
• People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。

18 hyena   

n.土狼，鬣狗

参考例句：

• African hyena noted for its distinctive howl.非洲鬣狗，以其特别的嚎叫而闻名。
• The hyena's public image is not aided by its ridiculous appearance.鬣狗滑稽的外表无助于改善它在公众心中的形象。

19 abide   

vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受

参考例句：

• You must abide by the results of your mistakes.你必须承担你的错误所造成的后果。
• If you join the club,you have to abide by its rules.如果你参加俱乐部，你就得遵守它的规章。

20 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

21 expedient   

adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计

参考例句：

• The government found it expedient to relax censorship a little.政府发现略微放宽审查是可取的。
• Every kind of expedient was devised by our friends.我们的朋友想出了各种各样的应急办法。

22 relishing   

v.欣赏( relish的现在分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望

参考例句：

• He ate quietly, relishing his meal. 他安静地吃着，细细品味着食物。 来自辞典例句
• Yes, an iron rampart," he repeated, relishing his phrase. 是的，就是铜墙铁壁，"他很欣赏自己用的这个字眼，又重复了一遍。 来自飘（部分）

23 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

24 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》