CHAPTER XVI. PROF. HAZLITT AT HOME.

 Chester did not forget his engagement to call upon Prof. Hazlitt on Wednesday evening.

 

He was shown at once into the professor's study. It was a large room, the sides lined with bookcases crowded with volumes. There seemed to be more books than Chester had ever seen before.

 

In the center of the room was a study table, covered with books, open as if in use. On one side was a desk, at which Prof. Hazlitt himself was seated.

 

"Good-evening, my young friend," he said, cordially, as Chester entered the room. "You did not forget your appointment."

 

"No, sir. I was not likely to forget such an engagement."

 

"Have you grown to feel at home in the city?"

 

"Not entirely¹, sir, but I am getting a little used to it."

 

"I think you mentioned that you were going into a real estate office?"

 

"Yes, sir. I have commenced my duties there."

 

"I hope you find them agreeable."

 

"I might, sir, but that the bookkeeper seems to have taken a dislike to me."

 

"I suspect that you would like better to devote yourself to art work."

 

"I think I should, sir, but Mr. Conrad thinks it better that I should only devote my leisure to drawing."

 

"No doubt his advice is wise, for the present, at least. Now, suppose we come to business. I believe I told you I am writing a book on ethnology."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"I find a good deal of help in rare volumes which I consult at the Astor Library. These I cannot borrow, but I have the use of anything I find suited to my needs in the library of Columbia College. Then I import a good many books. I shall spare no pains to make my own work valuable and comprehensive. Of course, I shall feel at liberty to copy and use any illustrations I find in foreign publications. It is here that you can help me."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Here, for instance," and the professor opened a French book, "are some sketches³ illustrating⁴ the dress and appearance of the natives of Madagascar. Do you think you can copy them?"

 

"I have no doubt of it, sir," he answered.

 

"Sit down in that chair and try. You will find pencils and drawing paper before you. I will mention one or two particulars in which I want you to deviate⁵ from the original."

 

Chester sat down and was soon deep in his task. He felt that it was important for him to do his best. He could understand that, though the professor was a kind-hearted man, he would be a strict critic.

 

He therefore worked slowly and carefully, and it was nearly an hour before he raised his head and said:

 

"I have finished."

 

"Show the sketch² to me," said the professor.

 

Chester handed it to him.

 

He examined it with critical attention. Gradually his face lighted up with pleasure.

 

"Admirably done!" he exclaimed. "You have carried out my wishes."

 

"Then you are satisfied, sir?"

 

"Entirely."

 

"I am very glad," said Chester, with an air of relief.

 

He felt now he could do all that was required of him, and, as the contract would pay him two hundred dollars, this success to-night was an important one.

 

"I won't ask you to do any more this evening, but I will give you some work to do at home. I believe I agreed to pay you two dollars for each sketch?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Probably you are not over well provided with money, and I will pay you as you go on. Or, rather, I will give you ten dollars as an advance for future work."

 

"Thank you, sir. You are very kind."

 

"Only considerate. I have seen the time when a ten-dollar-bill would have been welcome to me. Now, thanks to a wealthy relative, who left me a fortune, I am amply provided for."

 

At this moment the study door opened and a bright-looking boy of about fifteen entered.

 

"May I come in, uncle?" he asked, with a smile.

 

"Yes. Chester, this is my nephew, Arthur Burks. Arthur, this is Chester Rand, a young artist, who is assisting me."

 

Arthur came forward and gave Chester his hand cordially.

 

"You ought to wear spectacles," he said, "like uncle Edgar. You don't look dignified⁶ enough to be his assistant."

 

"That may come in time," said Chester, with a smile.

 

"Arthur, I am done with Chester for this evening," said the professor. "You may carry him off and entertain him. You may bring me the other two sketches whenever you are ready."

 

"Come up to my den," said Arthur. "I have the front room on the third floor."

 

As they went upstairs, a prolonged, melancholy⁷ shriek⁸ rang through the house.

 

Chester stopped short in dismay, and an expression of pain succeeded the gay look on Arthur's face.

 

1 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

2 sketch   

n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述

参考例句：

• My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
• I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。

3 sketches   

n.草图( sketch的名词复数 )；素描；速写；梗概

参考例句：

• The artist is making sketches for his next painting. 画家正为他的下一幅作品画素描。
• You have to admit that these sketches are true to life. 你得承认这些素描很逼真。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 illustrating   

给…加插图( illustrate的现在分词 )； 说明； 表明； （用示例、图画等）说明

参考例句：

• He upstaged the other speakers by illustrating his talk with slides. 他演讲中配上幻灯片，比其他演讲人更吸引听众。
• Material illustrating detailed structure of graptolites has been etched from limestone by means of hydrofluoric acid. 表明笔石详细构造的物质是利用氢氟酸从石灰岩中侵蚀出来。

5 deviate   

v.(from)背离，偏离

参考例句：

• Don't deviate from major issues.不要偏离主要问题。
• I will never deviate from what I believe to be right.我绝不背离我自信正确的道路。

6 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

7 melancholy   

n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的

参考例句：

• All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
• He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过，他感到很郁闷。

8 shriek   

v./n.尖叫，叫喊

参考例句：

• Suddenly he began to shriek loudly.突然他开始大声尖叫起来。
• People sometimes shriek because of terror,anger,or pain.人们有时会因为恐惧，气愤或疼痛而尖叫。