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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Chester Rand or The New Path to Fortune » CHAPTER XI. CHESTER'S FIRST EXPERIENCES IN NEW YORK.
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CHAPTER XI. CHESTER'S FIRST EXPERIENCES IN NEW YORK.
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 The bell was rung, and a servant opened the door.
 
"I will go up to Mr. Conrad's room," said Rob.
 
The servant knew him, and no objection was made. They went up two flights to the front room on the third floor. Rob opened the door without ceremony and entered, followed by Chester.
 
He found himself in a spacious1 room, neatly2 furnished and hung around with engravings, with here and there an oil painting. There was a table near the window with a portfolio3 on it. Here, no doubt, Mr. Conrad did some of his work. There was no bed in the room, but through an open door Chester saw a connecting bedroom.
 
"This is a nice room," he said.
 
"Yes, cousin Herbert likes to be comfortable. Here, give me your valise, and make yourself at home."
 
Chester sat down by the window and gazed out on the broad street. It was a pleasant, sunny day, and everything looked bright and attractive.
 
"You are going to live in New York, aren't you?" asked Rob.
 
"Yes, if I can make a living here."
 
"I guess cousin Herbert will help you."
 
"He has already. He has obtained a place for me in a real estate office at five dollars a week."
 
"I think I could live on five dollars a week."
 
"I suppose it costs considerable to live in New York."
 
Chester felt no apprehension4, however. He was sure he should succeed, and, indeed, he had reason to feel encouraged, for had he not already engaged two hundred dollars' worth of work?—and this sum seemed as much to him as two thousand would have done to Mr. Conrad.
 
An hour glided5 by rapidly, and then a step was heard on the stairs.
 
"That's cousin Herbert," said Rob, and he ran to open the door.
 
"Hello, Rob. Did you find Chester?"
 
"Yes, here he is!"
 
"Glad to see you, Chester," said the artist, shaking his hand cordially; "you must excuse my not going to meet you, but I was busily engaged on a large drawing for Harper's Weekly, and, feeling in a favorable mood, I didn't want to lose the benefit of my inspiration. You will find when you have more experience that an artist can accomplish three times as much when in the mood.
 
"I am glad you didn't leave off for me. Rob has taken good care of me."
 
"Yes, Rob is used to the city; I thought you would be in safe hands. And how do you like my quarters?"
 
"They are very pleasant. And the street is so wide, too."
 
"Yes, I like Thirty-fourth street. I lodge6, but I don't board here."
 
Chester was surprised to hear this. In Wyncombe everyone took his meals in the same house in which he lodged7.
 
"And that reminds me, don't you feel hungry? I don't ask Rob, for he always has an appetite. How is it with you, Chester?"
 
"I took a very early breakfast."
 
"So I thought," laughed Conrad. "Well, put on our coats, and we'll go to Trainor's."
 
They walked over to Sixth Avenue and entered a restaurant adjoining the Standard Theater. It was handsomely decorated, and seemed to Chester quite the finest room he was ever in. Ranged in three rows were small tables, each designed for four persons. One of these was vacant, and Conrad took a seat on one side, placing the two boys opposite.
 
"Now," he said, "I had better do the ordering. We will each order a different dish, and by sharing them we will have a variety."
 
There is no need to mention of what the dinner consisted. All three enjoyed it, particularly the two boys. It was the first meal Chester had taken in a restaurant, and he could not get rid of a feeling of embarrassment8 at the thought that the waiters, who were better dressed than many of the prominent citizens of Wyncombe, were watching him. He did not, however, allow this feeling to interfere9 with his appetite.
 
"Do you always eat here, Mr. Conrad?" asked Chester.
 
"No; sometimes it is more convenient to go elsewhere. Now and then I take a table d'hote dinner."
 
"I don't think I can afford to come here often," Chester remarked, after consulting the bill of fare and the prices set down opposite the different dishes.
 
"No; it will be better for you to secure a boarding place. You want to be economical for the present. How did you leave your mother?"
 
"Very well, thank you, Mr. Conrad. We have been very fortunate in securing a boarder who pays eight dollars a week, so that mother thinks she can get along for the present without help from me."
 
"That is famous. Where did you get such a boarder in Wyncombe?"
 
"It is a lady, the cousin of Mr. Gardener, the lawyer. She will be company for mother."
 
"It is an excellent arrangement. Now, boys, if you have finished, I will go up and settle the bill."
 
As they left the restaurant, Mr. Conrad said:
 
"In honor of your arrival, I shall not work any more to-day. Now, shall we go back to my room, or would you like to take a walk and see something of the city?"
 
The unanimous decision was for the stroll.
 
Mr. Conrad walked down Broadway with the boys, pointing out any notable buildings on the way. Chester was dazzled. The great city exceeded his anticipations10. Everything seemed on so grand a scale to the country boy, and with his joyous11 excitement there mingled12 the thought: "And I, too, am going to live here. I shall have a share in the great city, and mingle13 in its scenes every day."
 
Rob was used to the city, and took matters quietly. He was not particularly impressed. Yet he could not help enjoying the walk, so perfect was the weather. As they passed Lord & Taylor's, a lady came out of the store.
 
"Why, mother," said Rob, "is that you?"
 
"Yes, Rob. I came in on a shopping excursion, and I want you to go with me and take care of me."
 
Rob grumbled14 a little, but, of course, acceded15 to his mother's request. So Chester was left alone with Mr. Conrad.
 
"How do you feel about coming to New York, Chester?" asked his friend. "You are not afraid of failure, are you?"
 
"No, Mr. Conrad, I feel very hopeful. Something has happened to me to-day that encourages me very much."
 
"What is it?"
 
Chester told the story of his meeting with Prof. Hazlitt, and the proposition which had been made to him.
 
"Why, this is famous," exclaimed Conrad, looking pleased. "I know of Prof. Hazlitt, though I never met him. He was once professor in a Western college, but inheriting a fortune from his uncle, came to New York to pursue his favorite studies. He does not teach now, but, I believe, delivers an annual course of lectures before the students of Columbia College. He is a shrewd man, and the offer of employment from him is indeed a compliment. I am very glad you met him. He may throw other work in your way."
 
"I hope I can give him satisfaction," said Chester. "It makes me feel rich whenever I think of the sum I am to receive. Two hundred dollars is a good deal of money."
 
"To a boy like you, yes. It doesn't go very far with me now. It costs a good deal for me to live. How much do you think I have to pay for my room—without board?"
 
"Three dollars a week," guessed Chester.
 
Mr. Conrad smiled.
 
"I pay ten dollars a week," he said.
 
Chester's breath was quite taken away.
 
"Why, I did not think the whole house would cost as much—for rent."
 
"You will get a more correct idea of New York expenses after a while. Now, let me come back to your plans. You had better stay with me for a few days."
 
"But I am afraid I shall be putting you to inconvenience, Mr. Conrad."
 
"No; it will be pleasant for me to have your company. On Monday morning I will go with you to the office of the real estate broker16 who is to employ you."
 
Chester passed Sunday pleasantly, going to church in the forenoon, and taking a walk with Mr. Conrad in the afternoon. He wrote a short letter to his mother, informing her of his safe arrival in the city, but not mentioning his engagement by Prof. Hazlitt. He preferred to wait till he had an interview with the professor, and decided17 whether he could do the work satisfactorily.
 
"Your future employer is Clement18 Fairchild," said the artist. "His office is on West Fourteenth Street, between Seventh and Eight Avenues."
 
"What sort of a man is he?" asked Chester.
 
"I don't know him very well, but I believe he does a very good business. You will know more about him in a week than I can tell you. There is one comfort, and that is that you are not wholly dependent upon him. I advise you, however, to say nothing in the office about your art work. Business men sometimes have a prejudice against outside workers. They feel that an employee ought to be solely19 occupied with their interests."
 
"I will remember what you say, Mr. Conrad."
 
Chester looked forward with considerable curiosity and some anxiety to his coming interview with Mr. Fairchild.
 

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spacious YwQwW     
adj.广阔的,宽敞的
参考例句:
  • Our yard is spacious enough for a swimming pool.我们的院子很宽敞,足够建一座游泳池。
  • The room is bright and spacious.这房间很豁亮。
2 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地
参考例句:
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
3 portfolio 9OzxZ     
n.公事包;文件夹;大臣及部长职位
参考例句:
  • He remembered her because she was carrying a large portfolio.他因为她带着一个大公文包而记住了她。
  • He resigned his portfolio.他辞去了大臣职务。
4 apprehension bNayw     
n.理解,领悟;逮捕,拘捕;忧虑
参考例句:
  • There were still areas of doubt and her apprehension grew.有些地方仍然存疑,于是她越来越担心。
  • She is a girl of weak apprehension.她是一个理解力很差的女孩。
5 glided dc24e51e27cfc17f7f45752acf858ed1     
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔
参考例句:
  • The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
  • They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
6 lodge q8nzj     
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆
参考例句:
  • Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗?
  • I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。
7 lodged cbdc6941d382cc0a87d97853536fcd8d     
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属
参考例句:
  • The certificate will have to be lodged at the registry. 证书必须存放在登记处。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Our neighbours lodged a complaint against us with the police. 我们的邻居向警方控告我们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
9 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
10 anticipations 5b99dd11cd8d6a699f0940a993c12076     
预期( anticipation的名词复数 ); 预测; (信托财产收益的)预支; 预期的事物
参考例句:
  • The thought took a deal of the spirit out of his anticipations. 想到这,他的劲头消了不少。
  • All such bright anticipations were cruelly dashed that night. 所有这些美好的期望全在那天夜晚被无情地粉碎了。
11 joyous d3sxB     
adj.充满快乐的;令人高兴的
参考例句:
  • The lively dance heightened the joyous atmosphere of the scene.轻快的舞蹈给这场戏渲染了欢乐气氛。
  • They conveyed the joyous news to us soon.他们把这一佳音很快地传递给我们。
12 mingled fdf34efd22095ed7e00f43ccc823abdf     
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系]
参考例句:
  • The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
  • The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候,这一男一女就开始交往了。
13 mingle 3Dvx8     
vt.使混合,使相混;vi.混合起来;相交往
参考例句:
  • If we mingle with the crowd,we should not be noticed.如果我们混在人群中,就不会被注意到。
  • Oil will not mingle with water.油和水不相融。
14 grumbled ed735a7f7af37489d7db1a9ef3b64f91     
抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 ); 发牢骚; 咕哝; 发哼声
参考例句:
  • He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
  • The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏,水手们边干活边发着牢骚。
15 acceded c4280b02966b7694640620699b4832b0     
v.(正式)加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 );答应;(通过财产的添附而)增加;开始任职
参考例句:
  • He acceded to demands for his resignation. 他同意要他辞职的要求。
  • They have acceded to the treaty. 他们已经加入了那个条约。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 broker ESjyi     
n.中间人,经纪人;v.作为中间人来安排
参考例句:
  • He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
  • I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。
17 decided lvqzZd     
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。
18 clement AVhyV     
adj.仁慈的;温和的
参考例句:
  • A clement judge reduced his sentence.一位仁慈的法官为他减了刑。
  • The planet's history contains many less stable and clement eras than the holocene.地球的历史包含着许多不如全新世稳定与温和的地质时期。
19 solely FwGwe     
adv.仅仅,唯一地
参考例句:
  • Success should not be measured solely by educational achievement.成功与否不应只用学业成绩来衡量。
  • The town depends almost solely on the tourist trade.这座城市几乎完全靠旅游业维持。


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