CHAPTER V. DICK RECEIVES TWO VALUABLE PRESENTS.

 At the end of the last chapter we left Dick standing¹ on the steps of Mr. Rockwell's residence in Madison Avenue. He had rung the bell and was waiting to have his summons answered. To say that Dick expected to enjoy his visit would not be strictly² true. He knew very well that his street education had not qualified³ him to appear to advantage in fashionable society, and he wished that Fosdick were with him to lend him countenance⁴.

 

While under the influence of these feelings the door was thrown open, and a servant looked at him inquiringly.

 

"Is Mr. Rockwell at home?" asked Dick.

 

"Yes. Would you like to see him?"

 

"He asked me to call this evening."

 

"What! Are you the boy that saved Master Johnny from drowning?" asked the servant, her face brightening up, for Johnny was a great favorite in the house.

 

"I jumped into the water after him," said Dick, modestly.

 

"I heard Mr. Rockwell say he was expecting you to-night. Come right in. Mistress is very anxious to see you."

 

Placed a little at his ease by this cordial reception, Dick followed the servant upstairs to a pleasant sitting-room⁵ on the second floor. Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell were seated at a centre-table reading the evening papers, while Johnny and his sister Grace were constructing a Tower of Babel with some blocks upon the carpet before the fire.

 

Dick entered, and stood just within the door, with his cap in his hand, feeling a little embarrassed.

 

"I am glad to see you, Richard," said Mr. Rockwell, rising from his seat, and advancing to our hero with a pleasant smile. "Mrs. Rockwell has been anxious to see you. My dear, this is the brave boy who saved our little Johnny."

 

Mrs. Rockwell, a tall, graceful⁶ lady, with a smile that quite captivated Dick, offered her hand, and said, earnestly, "My brave boy, I have been wishing to see you. I shudder⁷ to think that, but for your prompt courage, I should now be mourning the loss of my dear little Johnny. Accept a mother's thanks for a favor so great that she can never hope to repay it."

 

Now this acknowledgment was very pleasant to Dick, but it was also very embarrassing. It is difficult to receive praise gracefully⁸. So our hero, not knowing what else to say, stammered⁹ out that she was very welcome.

 

"I understand that you have entered my husband's employment," said Mrs. Rockwell.

 

"Yes," said Dick. "He was kind enough to take me."

 

"I hope to make a man of business of our young friend," said Mr. Rockwell. "He will soon feel at home in his new position, and I hope we may find the connection mutually satisfactory."

 

"Have you a pleasant boarding-place?" asked Mrs. Rockwell.

 

"Tip-top," said Dick. "I mean pretty good," he added, in a little confusion.

 

"Where is it?"

 

"In Bleecker Street," said Dick, very glad that he was not obliged to say Mott Street.

 

"That is quite a good location," said Mr. Rockwell. "How do you spend your evenings, Richard?"

 

"In studying with a friend of mine," said Dick. "I want to know something by the time I grow up."

 

"That is an excellent resolution," said his employer, with warm approval. "I wish more boys of your age were equally sensible. You may depend upon it that a good education is the best preparation for an honorable and useful manhood. What is your friend's name?"

 

"Henry Fosdick. He rooms with me."

 

"I am glad you have a friend who shares your tastes. But perhaps you would like to renew your acquaintance with the young gentleman to whom you have rendered so great a service. Johnny has been allowed to stay up beyond his usual bedtime because you were coming. Johnny, come here!"

 

Johnny rose from his blocks, and came to his mother's side. He was a pleasant-looking little fellow, with a pair of bright eyes, and round, plump cheeks. He looked shyly at Dick.

 

"Did you ever see this young man?" asked his mother.

 

"Yes," said Johnny.

 

"When was it?"

 

"When I was in the river," said Johnny. "He pulled me out."

 

"Are you glad to see him?"

 

"Yes," said Johnny. "What is his name?"

 

"Dick," said our hero, who somehow could not help feeling, when called Richard, that some other boy was meant.

 

"Won't you come and help me build a house?" asked little Johnny.

 

Dick accepted the invitation with pleasure, feeling more at home with children than with older persons.

 

"This is sister Grace," said Johnny, with an offhand¹⁰ introduction.

 

"I saw you on the boat," said Dick.

 

"Yes," said Grace, "I was there. Oh, how frightened I was when Johnny fell into the water! I don't see how you dared to jump in after him."

 

"Oh, I've been in swimming many a time. I don't mind it," said Dick.

 

"I s'pose you're used to it, like the fishes," said Johnny. "I'm glad I'm not a fish. I shouldn't like to live in the water."

 

"I don't think I should, either," said Dick. "Now, what do you think the fishes do when it rains?"

 

"I do not know."

 

"They go down to the bottom of the sea to get out of the wet."

 

"Isn't it wet down at the bottom of the sea?" asked Johnny, in good faith.

 

"Of course it is, you little goose," said Grace, with an air of superior wisdom.

 

"Will you make me a house?" said Johnny.

 

"What kind of a house do you want?" said Dick, seating himself on the carpet, and taking up the blocks.

 

"Any kind," said Johnny.

 

Dick, beginning to feel quite at home with the children, erected¹¹ an imposing-looking house, leaving little spaces for the doors and windows.

 

"That's better than the house Grace made," said Johnny, looking at it with complacency.

 

"But it won't last very long," said Dick. "You'd better sell it before it tumbles over."

 

"Do you own any houses?" asked Johnny.

 

"Not many," said Dick, smiling.

 

"My father owns this house," said Johnny, positively¹². "He paid fifty dollars for it."

 

"I didn't think houses were so cheap," said Dick. "I'd like to buy one at that price."

 

"You're a little goose, Johnny," said Grace. "He gave as much as five hundred dollars."

 

"Grace doesn't know much more about the price of real estate than Johnny," said Mr. Rockwell.

 

"Didn't the house cost as much as five hundred dollars?" asked Grace.

 

"As much as that certainly, my dear."

 

Just then, by an unguarded movement of Johnny's foot, the edifice¹³ of blocks reared by Dick became a confused ruin.

 

"I've got tired of building houses," he announced, "Won't you tell me a story, Dick?"

 

"I don't think I know any," said our hero.

 

"Here is a book of pictures," said his mother, bringing one from the table. "Perhaps your new friend will show them to you."

 

Dick took the book, and felt very glad that he had learned to read. Otherwise he might have been considerably¹⁴ embarrassed.

 

The children asked a great many questions of Dick about the pictures, some of which he could not answer. Johnny, on being shown the picture of a Turkish mosque¹⁵, asked if that was the place where the turkeys went to church.

 

"If there was any place for a goose to go to church, you'd go there," said his sister.

 

"I aint a goose any more than you are," said Johnny, indignantly; "am I, Dick?"

 

Just then the servant came in to carry the children to bed, and, considerably against their wishes, they were obliged to withdraw.

 

"Come again, Dick," said Johnny.

 

"Thank you," said Dick. "Good-night."

 

"Good-night," said the two children, and the door closed upon them.

 

"I think I'll be going," said Dick, who did not feel quite so much at ease, now that his young friends had left him.

 

"Wait a few minutes," said Mrs. Rockwell.

 

She rang the bell, and a servant brought up some cake and apples, of which Dick was invited to partake.

 

I need not detail the conversation; but Mrs. Rockwell, with the tact¹⁶ of a genuine lady, managed to draw out Dick, and put him quite at his ease.

 

"How old are you, Richard?" she asked.

 

"Fifteen," said Dick; "goin' on sixteen."

 

"You are getting to be quite a young man,—old enough to wear a watch. Have you one?"

 

"No," said Dick, not suspecting the motive¹⁷ that led to her question.

 

"Will you allow me the pleasure of supplying the deficiency?" said Mrs. Rockwell.

 

As she spoke¹⁸, she drew from a box at her side a very neat gold watch and chain, and placed it in Dick's hands.

 

Our hero was so astonished at first that he could scarcely believe that this valuable present was intended for him.

 

"Is it for me?" he asked, hesitatingly.

 

"Yes," said Mrs. Rockwell, smiling pleasantly. "I hope you will find it of service."

 

"It is too much," said Dick. "I do not deserve it."

 

"You must let me be the judge of that," said the lady, kindly¹⁹. "Here is the key; I nearly forgot to give it to you. I suppose you know how to wind it up?"

 

"Yes," said Dick. "I understand that. I am very much obliged to you."

 

"You are very welcome. Whenever you look at it, let it remind you that under all circumstances you can rely upon the friendship of Johnny's parents."

 

Dick slipped the watch into a watch-pocket in his vest, for which he had never before had any use, and attached the chain to his button-hole.

 

"How beautiful it is!" he said, in tones of admiration²⁰.

 

"It was bought at Ball & Black's," said Mrs. Rockwell. "If it should not keep good time, or anything should happen to it, I advise you to take it there, and they will repair it for you."

 

Dick perceived by his new watch that it was nearly ten o'clock, and rose to go. He was kindly invited to renew his visit, and promised to do so. Just as he was leaving the room, Mr. Rockwell handed a sealed envelope to Dick, saying, "Put this in your pocket, Richard. It will be time enough to open it when you get home."

 

Dick sped home much more quickly than he had come. He thought with delight of Fosdick's surprise when he should see the new watch and chain, and also with pardonable exultation²¹ of the sensation he would produce at the table when he carelessly drew out his watch to see what time it was.

 

When he reached his boarding-house, and went upstairs, he found Fosdick sitting up for him.

 

"Well, Dick, what sort of a time did you have?" he asked.

 

"Tip-top," said Dick.

 

"Who did you see?"

 

"Mr. and Mrs. Rockwell, and two children,—Johnny, the one I fished out of the water, and his sister, Grace. Johnny's a jolly little chap, and his sister is a nice girl."

 

"Halloa, what's that?" asked Fosdick, suddenly espying²² the watch-chain.

 

"What do you think of my new watch?" asked Dick, drawing it out.

 

"Do you mean to say it is yours?"

 

"Yes. Mrs. Rockwell gave it to me."

 

"It's a regular beauty. Mr. Henderson has got one that he paid a hundred dollars for; but it isn't as nice as yours."

 

"Seems to me I have no end of luck," said Dick. "I'll be a young man of fortun' before I know it."

 

"People will think you are now, when they see you wear such a watch as that."

 

"Johnny Nolan'd think I stole it, if he should see it," said Dick. "Poor chap! I wish some luck would come to him. I saw him to-day lookin' just as I used to before I met Frank."

 

"There's some difference between then and now, Dick."

 

"Yes. I was a rough chap in them days."

 

"In those days, Dick."

 

"In those days, and I don't know but I am now, but I'm trying to improve. With you to help me, I think I'll grow up respectable."

 

"I hope we both will, Dick. But who's that letter from that you've just taken out of your pocket?"

 

"Oh, I forgot. Mr. Rockwell handed it to me just before I came away, and told me not to open it till I got home. P'r'aps it says that he hasn't no more occasion for my valuable services."

 

"That isn't very likely, considering the present you have brought home. But open it; I am curious to see what is in it."

 

The envelope was cut open, and a piece of paper dropped out.

 

Fosdick picked it up, and to his inexpressible amazement²³ ascertained²⁴ that it was a check on the Park Bank for the sum of one thousand dollars made payable²⁵ to Richard Hunter, or order.

 

"A thousand dollars!" repeated Dick, overwhelmed with astonishment²⁶; "you're only foolin' me. P'r'aps it's ten dollars."

 

"No, it's a thousand dollars. Read it yourself if you don't believe it."

 

"I wish you'd pinch me, Fosdick," said Dick, seriously.

 

"Certainly, if you wish it."

 

"That's enough," said Dick, hastily. "I only wanted to make sure I wasn't dreamin'. I can't believe I'm worth a thousand dollars."

 

"You're a lucky fellow, Dick," said Fosdick, "and you deserve your luck. I'm heartily²⁷ glad of it."

 

"About the best luck I ever had was in meeting you," said Dick, affectionately. "I'm goin' to give you half the money."

 

"No, you're not, Dick. Thank you all the same," said Fosdick, decidedly. "It was meant for you, and you must keep it. I'll get along well enough. If I don't, I know you'll help me."

 

"But I wish you'd take half the money."

 

"No, Dick, it wouldn't be right. But your new watch says it's getting late, and we had better go to bed."

 

It was some time before Dick fell asleep. His good luck had so excited him that he found it difficult to calm down sufficiently²⁸ to sink into a quiet slumber²⁹.

 

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

3 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

4 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

5 sitting-room   

n.（BrE）客厅，起居室

参考例句：

• The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
• Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。

6 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

7 shudder   

v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动

参考例句：

• The sight of the coffin sent a shudder through him.看到那副棺材，他浑身一阵战栗。
• We all shudder at the thought of the dreadful dirty place.我们一想到那可怕的肮脏地方就浑身战惊。

8 gracefully   

ad.大大方方地；优美地

参考例句：

• She sank gracefully down onto a cushion at his feet. 她优雅地坐到他脚旁的垫子上。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line. 新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

9 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

10 offhand   

adj.临时，无准备的；随便，马虎的

参考例句：

• I can't answer your request offhand.我不能随便答复你的要求。
• I wouldn't want to say what I thought about it offhand.我不愿意随便说我关于这事的想法。

11 ERECTED   

adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立

参考例句：

• A monument to him was erected in St Paul's Cathedral. 在圣保罗大教堂为他修了一座纪念碑。
• A monument was erected to the memory of that great scientist. 树立了一块纪念碑纪念那位伟大的科学家。

12 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

13 edifice   

n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室)

参考例句：

• The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。
• There is a huge Victorian edifice in the area.该地区有一幢维多利亚式的庞大建筑物。

14 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

15 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

16 tact   

n.机敏，圆滑，得体

参考例句：

• She showed great tact in dealing with a tricky situation.她处理棘手的局面表现得十分老练。
• Tact is a valuable commodity.圆滑老练是很有用处的。

17 motive   

n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的

参考例句：

• The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
• He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。

18 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。

19 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

20 admiration   

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 exultation   

n.狂喜，得意

参考例句：

• It made him catch his breath, it lit his face with exultation. 听了这个名字，他屏住呼吸，乐得脸上放光。
• He could get up no exultation that was really worthy the name. 他一点都激动不起来。

22 espying   

v.看到( espy的现在分词 )

参考例句：

23 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。

24 ascertained   

v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The previously unidentified objects have now been definitely ascertained as being satellites. 原来所说的不明飞行物现在已证实是卫星。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I ascertained that she was dead. 我断定她已经死了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

25 payable   

adj.可付的，应付的，有利益的

参考例句：

• This check is payable on demand.这是一张见票即付的支票。
• No tax is payable on these earnings.这些收入不须交税。

26 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

27 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。

28 sufficiently   

adv.足够地，充分地

参考例句：

• It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
• The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。

29 slumber   

n.睡眠，沉睡状态

参考例句：

• All the people in the hotels were wrapped in deep slumber.住在各旅馆里的人都已进入梦乡。
• Don't wake him from his slumber because he needs the rest.不要把他从睡眠中唤醒，因为他需要休息。