CHAPTER IV. LIFE AT THE BOARDING-HOUSE.

 Dick found his new quarters in Bleecker Street very comfortable. His room was kept in neat order, which was more than could be said of his former home in Mott Street. There once a fortnight was thought sufficient to change the sheets, while both boys were expected to use the same towel, and make that last a week. Indeed, Mrs. Mooney would have considered the boys "mighty¹ particular" if they had objected to such an arrangement. Mrs. Browning, fortunately, was very different, and Dick found nothing to complain of either in his chamber² or in the board which was furnished.

 

Dick had felt rather awkward on his first appearance at the table, but he was beginning to feel more at his ease. It was rather remarkable³, considering his past life, how readily he adapted himself to an experience so different. He left the store at five o'clock, and got to his boarding-house in time to get ready for dinner. Dick had now got to be quite particular about his appearance. He washed his face and hands thoroughly⁴, and brushed his hair carefully, before appearing at the table.

 

Miss Peyton, the lively young lady who has already been mentioned in the first chapter, sat near the boys, and evidently was quite prepossessed in their favor. Both had bright and attractive faces, though Dick would undoubtedly⁵ be considered the handsomest. He had a fresh color which spoke⁶ of good health, and was well-formed and strong. Henry Fosdick was more delicate in appearance; his face was thinner, and rather pale. It was clear that he was not as well able to fight his way through life as Dick. But there was something pleasant and attractive in his quiet sedateness⁷, as well as in the frank honesty and humor that could be read in the glance of our friend Dick.

 

"Won't you and your friend stop a little while and sing?" asked Miss Peyton, addressing Henry Fosdick on the evening of the second day of Dick's business career.

 

Fosdick hesitated.

 

"My friend has an engagement this evening," he said.

 

"I suppose I may not ask where," said she.

 

"I am invited to spend the evening with some friends on Madison Avenue," said Dick.

 

"Indeed?" said Miss Peyton, surprised. "I wasn't aware you had such fashionable friends, or I couldn't have expected to retain you."

 

"All my friends are not as fashionable," said Dick, wondering what the young lady would say if she could see his late fellow-lodgers at Mrs. Mooney's, on Mott Street.

 

"If I can't hope to keep you this evening, you must promise to stay awhile to-morrow evening. I hope to have the pleasure of hearing you sing, Mr. Hunter."

 

"When I give a concert," said Dick, "I'll be sure to let you in gratooitous."

 

"Thank you," said Miss Peyton. "I shall remind you of it. I hope that time will come very soon."

 

"Just as soon as I can engage the Academy of Music on reasonable terms."

 

"You'd better try first in the parlor⁹ here. We'll take up a contribution, to pay you for your exertions¹⁰."

 

"Thank you," said Dick. "You're very kind, as the man said to the judge when he asked him when it would be perfectly¹¹ agreeable for him to be hung."

 

Miss Peyton laughed at this remark, and Dick went upstairs to get ready for his visit to Madison Avenue.

 

Our hero felt a little bashful about this visit. He was afraid that he would do or say something that was improper¹², or that something would slip out which would betray his vagabond life of the streets.

 

"I wish you was going with me, Fosdick," he said.

 

"You'll get along well enough alone, Dick. Don't be afraid."

 

"You see I aint used to society, Fosdick."

 

"Nor I either."

 

"But it seems to come natural to you. I'm always makin' some blunder."

 

"You'll get over that in time, Dick. It's because you have so much fun in you. I am more sober. Miss Peyton seems very much amused by your odd remarks."

 

"I have to talk so; I can't think of anything else to say."

 

"There's one thing, Dick, we mustn't give up at any rate."

 

"What's that?"

 

"Studying. We don't either of us know as much as we ought to."

 

"That's so."

 

"You can see how much good studying has done for you so far. If it hadn't been for that, you wouldn't have been able to go into Mr. Rockwell's employment."

 

"That's true enough, Fosdick. I'm afraid I don't know enough now."

 

"You know enough to get along very well for the present, but you want to rise."

 

"You're right. When I get to be old and infirm I don't want to be an errand-boy."

 

"Nor I either. So, Dick, I think we had better make up our minds to study an hour or an hour and a half every evening. Of course, you can't begin this evening, but there are very few when you can't find the time."

 

"I'll send a circ'lar to my numerous friends on Fifth Avenue and Madison, tellin' 'em how much I'm obliged for their kind invitations, but the claims of literatoor and science can't be neglected."

 

"Do you know, Dick, I think it might be well for us to begin French?"

 

"I wonder what Johnny Nolan would say if I should inquire after his health in the polly-voo language?"

 

"It wouldn't be the first time you have astonished him."

 

"Well, Fosdick, I'm in for it if you think it's best. Now tell me what necktie I shall wear?"

 

Dick displayed two. One was bright red with large figures, which he had bought soon after he began to board in Mott Street. The other was a plain black.

 

"You'd better wear the black one, Dick," said Fosdick, whose taste was simpler and better than his friend's.

 

"It seems to me it don't look handsome enough," said Dick, whose taste had not yet been formed, and was influenced by the Bowery style of dress.

 

"It's more modest, and that is all the better."

 

"All right. I suppose you know best. Before I get ready I must give a new shine to my boots. I'm going to make them shine so you can see your face in them."

 

"Better let me do that for you, Dick. I can do it while you're dressing⁸, and that will save time."

 

"No, Fosdick, I was longer in the business than you, and none of the boys could beat me on shines."

 

"I don't know but you're right, Dick. I freely yield the palm to you in that."

 

Dick stripped off his coat and vest and went to work with a will. He had never worked so hard for one of his old customers.

 

"I'm goin' to give it a twenty-five cent shine," he said.

 

Just then a knock was heard at the chamber-door.

 

"Come in!" said Dick, pausing a moment in his labors¹³.

 

Mr. Clifton, a fellow-boarder, entered with a cigar in his mouth.

 

"Holloa," said he, "what's up? Going to the theatre, Hunter?"

 

"No," said Dick. "I'm goin' out to spend the evening with some friends up in Madison Avenue."

 

"So I heard you say at the table, but I thought you were joking."

 

"No," said Dick; "it's a fact."

 

"Seems to me you handle the brush pretty skilfully," remarked Mr. Clifton. "I should almost think you had served a regular apprenticeship¹⁴ at it."

 

"So I have," answered Dick. "Didn't you ever see me when I blacked boots on Chatham Square?"

 

"Good joke!" said the young man, who was far from supposing that Dick was in earnest. "Oh, yes, of course I've seen you often! Did you make money at it?"

 

"I retired¹⁵ on a fortun'," said Dick, "and now I've invested my capital in mercantile pursuits. There," and he took up one boot, and showed it to his visitor, "did you ever see a better shine than that?"

 

"No, I didn't, that's a fact," said Clifton, admiringly. "You beat the young rascal¹⁶ I employ all hollow. I say, Hunter, if you ever go into the 'shine' business again, I'll be a regular customer of yours."

 

"He little thinks I've blacked his boots before now," thought Dick.

 

"All right," said he, aloud. "When a commercial crisis comes, and I fail in business, I think I'll remember your encouragin' offer, and remind you of it."

 

"Have a cigar either of you?" asked Clifton, drawing out a case. "Excuse my not offering it before."

 

"No, thank you," said Fosdick.

 

"Don't smoke, eh? Won't you have one, Hunter?"

 

"No, thank you. Fosdick is my guardian¹⁷, and he don't allow it."

 

"So you're a good boy. Well, I wish you a pleasant evening," and Clifton sauntered out to find some other companion.

 

"He wouldn't believe I'd been a boot-black," said Dick, "even after I told him. I knew he wouldn't, or I wouldn't have said so. Is my hair parted straight?"

 

"Yes, it's all right."

 

"How's my cravat¹⁸?"

 

"It'll do. You're getting to be quite a dandy, Dick."

 

"I want to look respectable; got it right that time. When I visit Turkey I want to look as the turkeys do. Won't you go with me,—as far as the door, I mean?"

 

"Yes, if you're going to walk."

 

"I'd rather. I feel kind of nervous, and perhaps I'll walk it off."

 

The two boys got their caps, and walked up Broadway on the west side. The lights were already lit, and the shop windows made a brilliant display. At intervals¹⁹ places of amusement opened wide their hospitable²⁰ portals, and large placards presented tempting²¹ invitations to enter.

 

They reached union Square, and, traversing it, again walked up Broadway to Madison Park. At the upper end of this park commences the beautiful avenue which bears the same name. Only about half a dozen blocks now required to be passed, when the boys found themselves opposite a residence with a very imposing²² front.

 

"This is the place," said Dick. "I wish you were going in with me."

 

"I hope you will have a pleasant time, Dick. Good-by till I see you again."

 

Dick felt a little nervous, but he summoned up all his courage, and, ascending²³ the broad marble steps, rang the bell.

1 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

2 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

4 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

5 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

6 spoke   

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 sedateness   

n.安详，镇静

参考例句：

• As nothing else happened and everything quieted down again, the man put away his gun, looking quite embarrassed, but he soon regained his usual sedateness. 随后，再也没有什么动静了。他收起了手枪，显得尴尬异常，但很快便恢复了常态。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Grace lapsed into unwonted sedateness. 格雷丝变得异常严肃起来。 来自辞典例句

8 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

9 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

10 exertions   

n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使

参考例句：

• As long as they lived, exertions would not be necessary to her. 只要他们活着，是不需要她吃苦的。 来自辞典例句
• She failed to unlock the safe in spite of all her exertions. 她虽然费尽力气，仍未能将那保险箱的锁打开。 来自辞典例句

11 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

12 improper   

adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的

参考例句：

• Short trousers are improper at a dance.舞会上穿短裤不成体统。
• Laughing and joking are improper at a funeral.葬礼时大笑和开玩笑是不合适的。

13 labors   

v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转

参考例句：

• He was tiresome in contending for the value of his own labors. 他老为他自己劳动的价值而争强斗胜，令人生厌。 来自辞典例句
• Farm labors used to hire themselves out for the summer. 农业劳动者夏季常去当雇工。 来自辞典例句

14 apprenticeship   

n.学徒身份；学徒期

参考例句：

• She was in the second year of her apprenticeship as a carpenter. 她当木工学徒已是第二年了。
• He served his apprenticeship with Bob. 他跟鲍勃当学徒。

15 retired   

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。

16 rascal   

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。

17 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

18 cravat   

n.领巾，领结；v.使穿有领结的服装，使结领结

参考例句：

• You're never fully dressed without a cravat.不打领结，就不算正装。
• Mr. Kenge adjusting his cravat,then looked at us.肯吉先生整了整领带，然后又望着我们。

19 intervals   

n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息

参考例句：

• The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴，有阵雨。
• Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。

20 hospitable   

adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的

参考例句：

• The man is very hospitable.He keeps open house for his friends and fellow-workers.那人十分好客，无论是他的朋友还是同事，他都盛情接待。
• The locals are hospitable and welcoming.当地人热情好客。

21 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。

22 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

23 ascending   

adj.上升的，向上的

参考例句：

• Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。