CHAPTER XI. THE OUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES.

 Jasper was quietly thinking over his change of circumstances when he was roused by a rather violent slap on the shoulder.

 

Turning hastily, he saw that it was Nicholas.

 

"I say, this is a jolly place, Jasper," said Thorne.

 

"Yes," said Jasper. "It has been my home as far back as I can remember."

 

"That's where you have the advantage of me, but after all it doesn't make much difference, as long as it's going to be my home now."

 

Jasper didn't reply.

 

"I say, Kent, it seems odd that me and you are brothers," said Thorne, not very grammatically.

 

"We are not," said Jasper, quickly.

 

"It's all the same—we've got the same mother."

 

"You are mistaken," said Jasper, coldly.

 

"You know what I mean. She's my mother and your step-mother."

 

"That's very different. Besides, the relationship is so very recent that I find it hard to think of your mother as any relation at all."

 

"She is, though. I suppose me and you will be a good deal together now."

 

"I don't know what my future plans will be," said Jasper, not very much elated by this prospect¹.

 

"No, I suppose not. Mother'll arrange about them. How much allowance did your father use to give you?"

 

Jasper thought at first of refusing to reply, but it occurred to him that under the new and strange circumstances it was not an improper² question for Nicholas to ask. He therefore decided³ to reply.

 

"Five dollars a week," he answered.

 

"When was it paid?"

 

"On Saturday."

 

"See here," said Thorne, drawing from his vest pocket the five-dollar bill his mother had given him.

 

"What of it?" said Jasper.

 

"It's my allowance for this week," said Thorne, triumphantly⁴.

 

"I congratulate you," said Jasper, coldly.

 

"That's kind in you," returned Thorne, with a sneer⁵, "especially as you are cut down."

 

"What do you mean?" asked Jasper, hastily.

 

"Mother says five dollars a week is too much for you. She's going to cut you down to three."

 

The indignant color came to Jasper's cheek. Was this interloper—this stranger—to be preferred to him in his own father's house? He was not excessively fond of money, and had there been need would not have objected to a reduction of his allowance. But to be deprived of his rights in favor of a fellow like Thorne was intolerable. If Nicholas wished to annoy and anger him, he had succeeded.

 

"Who told you this?" demanded Jasper, sharply.

 

"My mother," answered Nicholas, with a gratified smile.

 

"When?"

 

"About fifteen minutes ago," replied Thorne, with provoking coolness.

 

"I don't think she would do anything so outrageous⁶."

 

"Don't you? You'll find mother's got plenty of grit⁷."

 

"So have I," said Jasper, his face hardening. "If your mother undertakes to wrong me she will repent⁸ it."

 

"You had better not say that to her," said Thorne, insolently⁹.

 

"I shall when the proper time comes. My allowance is not due yet. I don't care for the money, but my father knew what it was proper for me to have."

 

"There's going to be a row," thought Nicholas, with satisfaction. "I'll bet on mother. She'll put down this whipper-snapper."

 

Jasper turned away, and walked out of the yard.

 

"Where are you going?" asked Thorne.

 

"To walk."

 

"I guess I'll go along, too."

 

"I would rather go alone."

 

"You're not very polite."

 

"Excuse me," said Jasper, with the instinct of a gentleman. "You would find me very poor company. Another time we will walk together."

 

"Oh, just as you like; I don't want to intrude," said Thorne, sulkily.

 

They did not meet again till supper. Mrs. Kent presided. On one side sat Nicholas, on the other Jasper. Our hero looked sad. The kind, worn face he was accustomed to see at the head of the table was gone forever. He felt that he was indeed desolate¹⁰. His appetite was very small, while, on the other hand, Nicholas seemed to be famished¹¹. His mother kept plying¹² him with dainties and tidbits, and he appeared to like the treatment amazingly.

 

"Why don't you eat, Jasper?" asked Thorne with his mouth full.

 

"I am not hungry."

 

"I should think your walk might have given you an appetite."

 

"It doesn't appear to."

 

"You look awful glum¹³. Is it what I said this afternoon?"

 

"About what?"

 

"Your allowance being cut down."

 

"I wasn't thinking about that particularly. Besides, you are not the one from whom I expect to receive such communications."

 

"It's all true, though, as you will find. Ain't it, mother?" persisted Nicholas, who was anxious to have the row come off as soon as possible.

 

Jasper turned his glance upon Mrs. Kent.

 

"You needn't have introduced the subject, Nicholas," she said, with slight reproof¹⁴.

 

"Why not, mother?"

 

"It isn't a proper subject to introduce at the supper-table."

 

"You see, Jasper didn't half believe what I told him."

 

"He may rely upon your statement," said Mrs. Kent.

 

"Am I to understand that my allowance is reduced to three dollars a week?" asked Jasper, who felt that he had been dragged into the discussion.

 

"Yes. I consider that three dollars a week is a liberal allowance for a boy of your age."

 

"My father gave me five."

 

"Your father acted according to his judgment¹⁵," said Mrs. Kent, coldly. "On some points I differ from him in judgment. I think that he indulged you too much, probably because you were his only child."

 

"He was always kind to me," said Jasper. "It was his nature to be kind."

 

"You will find me kind, too, if you deserve it," said his step-mother. But her tone belied¹⁶ her words.

 

"Nicholas tells me that his allowance is to be five dollars," said Jasper.

 

"I conceive that the amount of his allowance has nothing to do with yours," said Mrs. Kent.

 

"Is it true?" persisted Jasper.

 

"It is," said Mrs. Kent, with a defiant¹⁷ look, which Jasper interpreted to mean "What are you going to do about it?"

 

"Why is he to receive five dollars, if I am only to get three?"

 

"Because I choose."

 

"You have answered rightly," said Jasper, scornfully. "Even you are unable to defend it on the score of fairness or justice."

 

Mrs. Kent's thin lips compressed.

 

"Audacious boy!" she exclaimed, "do you dare to speak to me in this style?"

 

"I am not aware of any impropriety, madam. I am protesting against your unjust partiality for Nicholas."

 

"He is my son."

 

"I am aware of that; but the money out of which the allowance is paid came to you from my father."

 

"Do you dare to continue your impertinent remarks?" exclaimed his step-mother, pale with rage.

 

"Madam, I am only stating the truth," said Jasper, sturdily. "You cannot expect me to submit tamely to such an injustice¹⁸. Had you reduced my allowance and given Nicholas no more I would have let it pass."

 

"I won't submit to this impertinence!" exclaimed Mrs. Kent, furiously. "Nicholas, will you sit there and see your mother insulted?"

 

"What do you want me to do, mother?" asked Thorne, not exactly liking¹⁹ the turn matters had taken.

 

"Put that unmannerly boy out of the room."

 

"Oh, there ain't any need of that," said Thorne, who knew by experience Jasper's strength.

 

"Do as I say, or I will give you no allowance at all!" said Mrs. Kent, stamping her foot angrily.

 

Nicholas unwillingly²⁰ arose from his seat and approached Jasper.

 

"You'd better not try it, Thorne," said Jasper, coolly.

 

"Do you hear that, sir? He has insulted you, too," said Mrs. Kent, in a furious passion.

 

It was these words, perhaps, that spurred Nicholas to his task. Jasper had now risen, and Thorne threw himself upon him.

 

But Jasper was prepared. In less time than I have required to tell it, Thorne found himself prostrate²¹ on the floor.

 

"Madam," said Jasper, turning to his step-mother, "I am ready to leave your presence now, but of my own accord."

 

He left the room. Mrs. Kent was too astonished to speak. She had felt no doubt that Nicholas was more than a match for Jasper, as he certainly was bigger, and weighed twenty pounds more.

 

"My poor boy!" she said, pitifully, bending over her son; "are you much hurt?"

 

"Yes," said Nicholas; "and it's all on account of you!"

 

"I thought you were stronger than he."

 

"So I am, but he knows how to wrestle²²; besides, he's so quick."

 

"I thought you could have put him out easily."

 

"Well, don't set me to doing it again," said Thorne, sulkily. "I didn't want to fight. You made me."

 

"Don't mind it, my dear boy. It was because I was angry with him."

 

"Oh, how my head aches!"

 

"I'll put on some cologne. I'll give you an extra five dollars, too, for standing²³ by your mother."

 

"All right, mother," said Thorne, in a more cheerful tone. "That's the way to talk. Give it to me now."

 

Jasper did not see either of them again that evening. He called on a friend, and, entering the house at ten o'clock, went directly to his own room.

1 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

2 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。

3 decided   

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。

4 triumphantly   

ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地

参考例句：

• The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。
• Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。

5 sneer   

v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语

参考例句：

• He said with a sneer.他的话中带有嘲笑之意。
• You may sneer,but a lot of people like this kind of music.你可以嗤之以鼻，但很多人喜欢这种音乐。

6 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

7 grit   

n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关

参考例句：

• The soldiers showed that they had plenty of grit. 士兵们表现得很有勇气。
• I've got some grit in my shoe.我的鞋子里弄进了一些砂子。

8 repent   

v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔

参考例句：

• He has nothing to repent of.他没有什么要懊悔的。
• Remission of sins is promised to those who repent.悔罪者可得到赦免。

9 insolently   

adv.自豪地，自傲地

参考例句：

• No does not respect, speak insolently,satire, etc for TT management team member. 不得发表对TT管理层人员不尊重、出言不逊、讽刺等等的帖子。 来自互联网
• He had replied insolently to his superiors. 他傲慢地回答了他上司的问题。 来自互联网

10 desolate   

adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂

参考例句：

• The city was burned into a desolate waste.那座城市被烧成一片废墟。
• We all felt absolutely desolate when she left.她走后，我们都觉得万分孤寂。

11 famished   

adj.饥饿的

参考例句：

• When's lunch?I'm famished!什么时候吃午饭？我饿得要死了！
• My feet are now killing me and I'm absolutely famished.我的脚现在筋疲力尽，我绝对是极饿了。

12 plying   

v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意

参考例句：

• All manner of hawkers and street sellers were plying their trade. 形形色色的沿街小贩都在做着自己的买卖。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It was rather Mrs. Wang who led the conversation, plying Miss Liu with questions. 倒是汪太太谈锋甚健，向刘小姐问长问短。 来自汉英文学 - 围城

13 glum   

adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的

参考例句：

• He was a charming mixture of glum and glee.他是一个很有魅力的人，时而忧伤时而欢笑。
• She laughed at his glum face.她嘲笑他闷闷不乐的脸。

14 reproof   

n.斥责，责备

参考例句：

• A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit.严厉的责难胜过温和的欺骗。
• He is impatient of reproof.他不能忍受指责。

15 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

16 belied   

v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎

参考例句：

• His bluff exterior belied a connoisseur of antiques. 他作风粗放，令人看不出他是古董鉴赏家。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her smile belied her true feelings. 她的微笑掩饰了她的真实感情。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 defiant   

adj.无礼的，挑战的

参考例句：

• With a last defiant gesture,they sang a revolutionary song as they were led away to prison.他们被带走投入监狱时，仍以最后的反抗姿态唱起了一支革命歌曲。
• He assumed a defiant attitude toward his employer.他对雇主采取挑衅的态度。

18 injustice   

n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利

参考例句：

• They complained of injustice in the way they had been treated.他们抱怨受到不公平的对待。
• All his life he has been struggling against injustice.他一生都在与不公正现象作斗争。

19 liking   

n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢

参考例句：

• The word palate also means taste or liking.Palate这个词也有“口味”或“嗜好”的意思。
• I must admit I have no liking for exaggeration.我必须承认我不喜欢夸大其词。

20 unwillingly   

adv.不情愿地

参考例句：

• He submitted unwillingly to his mother. 他不情愿地屈服于他母亲。
• Even when I call, he receives unwillingly. 即使我登门拜访，他也是很不情愿地接待我。

21 prostrate   

v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的

参考例句：

• She was prostrate on the floor.她俯卧在地板上。
• The Yankees had the South prostrate and they intended to keep It'so.北方佬已经使南方屈服了,他们还打算继续下去。

22 wrestle   

vi.摔跤，角力；搏斗；全力对付

参考例句：

• He taught his little brother how to wrestle.他教他小弟弟如何摔跤。
• We have to wrestle with difficulties.我们必须同困难作斗争。

23 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。