"Why didn't you invite him to ride home with you?" asked the squire.
"I did; but he preferred to walk."
"What does he look like?"
"Like an old tramp," answered Percy.
Squire Marlowe was taken aback; for, without having received any definite intelligence from the long absent relative, he had somehow persuaded himself that Uncle Jacob had accumulated a fortune at the mines.
"Then he is shabbily dressed?" said the squire, inquiringly.
"I should say so. I say, father, I thought he was rich. You always said so."
"And I still think so."
"Then why don't he dress better?"
"He is rather eccentric, Percy; and these California miners don't care much for dress as a rule. I shouldn't wonder if he were worth half a million. You'd better treat him with11 attention, for we are his natural heirs, and there's no telling what may happen."
"Enough said, father. I don't care how he dresses if he's got the cash."
"I must go and speak to your mother, or she will treat him coldly. You know how particular she is."
Squire Marlowe managed to drop a hint to his wife, who was as worldly wise as himself, and saw the advantage of being attentive2 to a wealthy relative.
By this time Uncle Jacob had reached the door.
Squire Marlowe himself answered the bell, as a mark of special attention, and gazed with curiosity at the old man.
Jacob Marlowe, though coarsely clad, was scrupulously3 neat and clean, and there was a pleasant smile on his bronzed face as he recognized his nephew.
"I believe you are Uncle Jacob," said the squire, affably.
"Yes, Albert, and I'm mighty4 glad to see a relation. It's twenty-five years since I have seen one that was kin5 to me."
"Welcome to Lakeville, Uncle Jacob. I am glad to see you. Percy told me he met you on the road: Why didn't you ride up with him?"
"It wasn't worth gettin' in to ride a quarter12 of a mile. I am used to exercise in California."
"To be sure. Come into the house, and lay your valise down anywhere. Here is my wife, Mrs. Marlowe. Julia, this is Uncle Jacob, of whom you have heard me speak so often."
"Where are you going to put Uncle Jacob, Julia?" asked the squire.
"You may take him to the blue room," said Mrs. Marlowe, in a tone of hesitation7.
This blue room was the handsomest chamber8 in the house, and was assigned to those whom it was considered politic9 to honor.
"Come right upstairs, Uncle Jacob. I'll show you your room myself," said Albert Marlowe.
"I ain't used to such luxury, Albert," said the old man, as he gazed around the comfortably appointed apartment. "You ought to see my cabin at Murphy's diggings. I reckon your servant would turn up her nose at it."
"I know you don't care much for style in California, uncle."
"No, we don't, though we've got as handsome houses in 'Frisco as anywhere else.13 Why, Albert, this room is fine enough for a prince."
"Then you can think yourself a prince," said the squire, genially10. "Now, if you want to wash your face and hands, and arrange your toilet, you will have abundant time before dinner. Come down when you have finished."
Albert Marlowe returned to his wife.
"Mr. Marlowe," said she, "are you very sure that old man is rich?"
"I have no doubt of it, Julia."
"But what an old fright he is! Why, he looks dreadfully common, and his clothes are wretchedly shabby."
"True, Julia; but you must remember miners are not very particular about their dress."
"I should think not, if he is a fair specimen11. It makes me shudder12 to think of his occupying the blue-room. The hall bedroom on the third floor would have been good enough for him."
"Remember, my dear, he is in all probability very wealthy, and we are his heirs. I am not so well off as people imagine, and it will be a great thing for us to have a fortune of a quarter or half a million drop in by and by."
"There's something in that, to be sure," the14 lady admitted. "But can't you induce him to wear better clothes?"
"I will suggest it very soon. We mustn't be too precipitate13, for fear he should take offense14. You know these rich uncles expect to be treated with a good deal of consideration."
"Do you think he will expect to live with us? I shall really give up if I have got to have such a looking old tramp as a permanent member of the family."
"But, Julia, if he is really very rich, it is important for us to keep him strictly15 in view. You know there will be plenty of designing persons, who will be laying snares16 to entrap17 him, and get possession of his money."
"How old is he? Is he likely to live long?"
"I think he must be about sixty-five."
"And he looks alarmingly healthy," said Mrs. Marlowe, with a sigh.
"His father died at sixty-seven."
Mrs. Marlowe brightened up. "That is encouraging," she said, hopefully.
"I don't think he looks so very healthy," added the squire.
"He has a good color."
"His father was the picture of health till within a few weeks of his death."
"What did he die of?"
"Apoplexy."15
"To be sure. The old man looks as if he might go off that way."
"In that case we should only need to be troubled with him a couple of years, and for that we should be richly repaid."
"You shall be repaid, my dear! Only treat him well!"
"Will you give me half what money he leaves to us?"
"Say one-third, Julia. That will repay you richly for all your trouble."
"Very well! Let it be a third. But, Mr. Marlowe, don't let there be any mistake! I depend upon you to find out as soon as possible how much money the old man has."
"Trust to me, Julia. I am just as anxious to know as you are."
In twenty minutes Uncle Jacob came down stairs. He had done what he could to improve his appearance, or "slick himself up," as he expressed it, and wore a blue coat and vest, each provided with brass19 buttons. But from close packing in his valise both were creased20 up in such a manner that Squire Marlowe and his wife shuddered21, and Percy's face wore an amused and supercilious22 smile.
"I declare I feel better to be dressed up," said the old man. "How long do you think I've had this coat and vest, Albert?"
"I really couldn't guess."
"I had it made for me ten years ago in Sacramento. It looks pretty well, but then I've only worn it for best."
Percy had to stuff his handkerchief in his mouth to repress a laugh. Uncle Jacob regarded him with a benevolent23 smile, and seemed himself to be amused about something.
"Now, Uncle Jacob, we'll sit down to dinner. You must be hungry."
"Well, I have got a fairish appetite. What a nice eatin' room you've got, Albert. I ain't used to such style."
"I presume not," said Mrs. Marlowe, dryly.
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收听单词发音
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1
squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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7
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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8
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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14
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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16
snares
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| n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 ) | |
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entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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19
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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21
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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22
supercilious
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| adj.目中无人的，高傲的；adv.高傲地；n.高傲 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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