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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Grit or The Young Boatman of Pine Point » CHAPTER 21. MR. BRANDON LOSES HIS SUPPER.
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CHAPTER 21. MR. BRANDON LOSES HIS SUPPER.
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 When Brandon and Travers had discussed the plan, and decided1 to accept the terms offered by Colonel Johnson, the latter, looking cautiously about, inquired:
 
"Where's the boy?"
 
"Out with the boat, I expect," said Brandon.
 
"He's a little ruffian. I never saw such a desperate boy of his age."
 
"He managed you neatly," said Brandon, with a smile.
 
"Pooh!" returned Travers, who did not like the allusion2. "I didn't want to hurt the boy."
 
"He didn't want to harm you," said Brandon, with an exasperating3 smile.
 
"I could wind him round my finger," said Travers disdainfully. "You don't think I'm afraid of that half-grown cub4, I hope."
 
Grit5 heard this, and smiled to himself at the evident annoyance6 of Travers.
 
"As to winding7 me round his finger," thought the young boatman, "I may have something to say about that."
 
[Pg 152]
 
Brandon did not continue his raillery, not wishing to provoke the friend who had secured him participation8 in so profitable a job.
 
"Where's the old lady?" asked Travers, with a glance toward the staircase.
 
"I believe she's gone out, but I'll see."
 
Brandon went to the foot of the stairs, and called:
 
"Mrs. B.!"
 
There was no response.
 
"Yes, she's gone, and the coast is clear. Where are you staying, Travers?"
 
"I s'pose I'll have to stay at the hotel, unless you can provide for me here."
 
"You'd better go to the tavern9, for there might be trouble about keepin' you here. Mrs. B. and the boy don't like you."
 
"I thought you were master of the house," said Travers, with mild sarcasm10.
 
"So I am," answered Brandon, a little embarrassed, "but I don't want to be in hot water all the time."
 
"You don't want me to stay to supper, I reckon."
 
"Well, I guess not to-night. Fact is, I don't know when we shall have supper. Mrs. B. ought to be here gettin' it ready."
 
"Come out and have a walk, Brandon. I[Pg 153] will introduce you to Colonel Johnson, and we can talk this thing over."
 
"All right. That'll take up the time till supper."
 
The two men walked over to the tavern, and Colonel Johnson walked out with them. They had a conference together, but it is not necessary to give the details here.
 
A little after six o'clock Brandon directed his steps homeward.
 
"I'll be a little late to supper," he said to himself, "but Mrs. B. will save some for me. I feel confoundedly hungry. Must be in the air. There's nothing like country air to give a man a good appetite."
 
Brandon opened the door of the cottage, and went in. All was quiet and solitary11, as he had left it.
 
"Well. I'll be blowed!" he ejaculated. "What does all this mean? Where's Mrs. B., and where's supper?"
 
He sat down, and looked about him in surprise and bewilderment.
 
"What has become of Mrs. B.?" he thought. "She hasn't gone and left me, just when I've come home after an absence of five years? That boy can't have carried her off, can he?"
 
[Pg 154]
 
Brandon did not have long to debate this question in his own mind, for the door opened, and Grit and his mother entered. Brandon was relieved, but he could not forbear expressing his vexation.
 
"Well, Mrs. B.," he said, "this I call pretty goings on. Are you aware that it is nearly seven o'clock, ma'am?"
 
"I supposed it was," answered his wife quietly.
 
"And you've left me to starve here, ma'am! This is a strange time for supper."
 
"We've had supper," answered Grit coolly.
 
"Had supper!" ejaculated Brandon, looking about him. "I don't see any signs of supper."
 
"You won't see any signs of it here," continued Grit.
 
"What do you mean?"
 
"I mean that mother and I have engaged board at Mrs. Sprague's. We have just had supper there."
 
"You have! Well, that's a new start. It doesn't matter much, though. I'll go over and get mine."
 
"We haven't made any arrangements for you," said Grit. "I shall pay for mother's board and mine. You can make any bargain you like for your board."
 
[Pg 155]
 
"Well, if that isn't the meanest treatment I ever received!" exclaimed Brandon, in wrath12 and disgust. "You actually begrudge13 me the little I eat, and turn me adrift in the cold world!"
 
"That's one way of looking at it, Mr. Brandon," said Grit. "Here's the other: You are a strong man, in good health, and able to work. Most men in your position expect to support a family, but you come to live upon my earnings14, and expect me not only to provide you with board, but with money for the purpose of drink. That isn't all! You bring home one of your disreputable companions, and expect us to provide for him, too. Now, I am willing to work for mother, and consider it a privilege to do so, but I can't do any more. If you don't choose to contribute to the support of the family, you must at least take care of yourself. I am not going to do it."
 
"How hard and unfeeling you are, Grit!" said Brandon, in the tone of a martyr15. "After all I have suffered in the last five years you treat me like this."
 
"As to the last five years, Mr. Brandon," said Grit, "I should think you would hardly care to refer to them. It was certainly your own fault that you were not as free as I am."
 
[Pg 156]
 
"I was a victim of circumstances," whined16 Brandon.
 
"We won't discuss that," said Grit. "You had a fair trial, and were sentenced to five years' imprisonment17. About the unkindness. I should like to know what you think of a man who deliberately18 takes away the means of earning a living from his stepson, who is filling his place, and supporting his family, in order to gratify his miserable19 love of drink."
 
"You drove me to it, Grit."
 
"How did I drive you to it?"
 
"You would not give me from your overflowing20 hoards21, when I felt sick and in need of a mild stimulus22. You had sixty dollars, and would not spare me one."
 
"So you sold my boat for half price, and squandered23 nearly the whole proceeds in one forenoon!" exclaimed Grit scornfully. "Mr. Brandon, your reasoning is altogether too thin. We have decided to leave you to support yourself as you can."
 
Here the glowing prospects24 offered by the plan suggested by Colonel Johnson occurred to Brandon, and his tone changed.
 
"You may find you have made a mistake, Grit, you and Mrs. B.," said Brandon [Pg 157]pompously. "You have snubbed and illtreated me because you looked upon me as a poor, destitute25, friendless man. It's the way of the world! But you may regret it, and that very soon. What will you say when I tell you that I have a chance to earn five thousand dollars in the next five days, eh?"
 
Mrs. Brandon looked surprised, for Grit had not thought it wise to confide26 to his mother what he had heard of the conversation between Travers and his stepfather. Grit, on the other hand, was immediately interested, for the compensation offered was one of the things he had not overheard.
 
"Five thousand dollars!" he repeated, appearing to be surprised.
 
"Yes, five thousand dollars!" repeated Brandon complacently27. "That's a thousand dollars a day! Perhaps you won't be so anxious to get rid of me when I am worth my thousands."
 
"That's pretty good pay," said Grit quietly. "What have you got to do?"
 
"That would be telling," said Brandon cunningly. "It's a joint28 speculation29 of my friend Travers and myself—my friend Travers, whom you treated so badly. It's he that's brought me this fine offer, and you insult and order[Pg 158] him out of the house. You were just as bad as Grit, Mrs. B."
 
"You are welcome to all you make, Mr. Brandon," said Grit. "Neither my mother nor myself will ask a penny of the handsome sum you expect to make. You can spend it all on yourself if you like. All we ask is, that you will take care of yourself, and leave us alone."
 
"I mean to do so," said Brandon independently, "but, as I shan't get the money for three or four days, I should like to borrow five dollars, and I'll repay you double within a week."
 
"That's a very generous offer," said Grit, "but I don't lend without better security."
 
"Isn't there anything to eat in the house, Mrs. B.?" asked Brandon, changing the subject. "I'm famished30."
 
"You will find some cold meat, and bread, and butter in the pantry."
 
Brandon went to the pantry, and satisfied his appetite as well as he could. He then went out, and Grit soon followed.
 
"Mother," he said, "I have an important call to make, but will be back soon."
 
It will be remembered that Mr. Courtney had formerly31 been president of the bank, but proving unpopular in consequence of his [Pg 159]disposition to manage it in his own interest, Mr. Philo Graves, a manufacturer, was put in his place. To the house of Mr. Graves Grit directed his steps.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 decided lvqzZd     
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。
2 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
3 exasperating 06604aa7af9dfc9c7046206f7e102cf0     
adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • Our team's failure is very exasperating. 我们队失败了,真是气死人。
  • It is really exasperating that he has not turned up when the train is about to leave. 火车快开了, 他还不来,实在急人。
4 cub ny5xt     
n.幼兽,年轻无经验的人
参考例句:
  • The lion cub's mother was hunting for what she needs. 这只幼师的母亲正在捕猎。
  • The cub licked the milk from its mother's breast. 这头幼兽吸吮着它妈妈的奶水。
5 grit LlMyH     
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。
6 annoyance Bw4zE     
n.恼怒,生气,烦恼
参考例句:
  • Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气?
  • I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。
7 winding Ue7z09     
n.绕,缠,绕组,线圈
参考例句:
  • A winding lane led down towards the river.一条弯弯曲曲的小路通向河边。
  • The winding trail caused us to lose our orientation.迂回曲折的小道使我们迷失了方向。
8 participation KS9zu     
n.参与,参加,分享
参考例句:
  • Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
  • The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。
9 tavern wGpyl     
n.小旅馆,客栈;小酒店
参考例句:
  • There is a tavern at the corner of the street.街道的拐角处有一家酒馆。
  • Philip always went to the tavern,with a sense of pleasure.菲利浦总是心情愉快地来到这家酒菜馆。
10 sarcasm 1CLzI     
n.讥讽,讽刺,嘲弄,反话 (adj.sarcastic)
参考例句:
  • His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
  • She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。
11 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
12 wrath nVNzv     
n.愤怒,愤慨,暴怒
参考例句:
  • His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
  • The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。
13 begrudge jubzX     
vt.吝啬,羡慕
参考例句:
  • I begrudge spending so much money on train fares.我舍不得把这么多钱花在火车票上。
  • We should not begrudge our neighbour's richness.我们不应该嫉妒邻人的富有。
14 earnings rrWxJ     
n.工资收人;利润,利益,所得
参考例句:
  • That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
  • Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。
15 martyr o7jzm     
n.烈士,殉难者;vt.杀害,折磨,牺牲
参考例句:
  • The martyr laid down his life for the cause of national independence.这位烈士是为了民族独立的事业而献身的。
  • The newspaper carried the martyr's photo framed in black.报上登载了框有黑边的烈士遗像。
16 whined cb507de8567f4d63145f632630148984     
v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 );哀诉,诉怨
参考例句:
  • The dog whined at the door, asking to be let out. 狗在门前嚎叫着要出去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • He whined and pouted when he did not get what he wanted. 他要是没得到想要的东西就会发牢骚、撅嘴。 来自辞典例句
17 imprisonment I9Uxk     
n.关押,监禁,坐牢
参考例句:
  • His sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.他的判决由死刑减为无期徒刑。
  • He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for committing bigamy.他因为犯重婚罪被判入狱一年。
18 deliberately Gulzvq     
adv.审慎地;蓄意地;故意地
参考例句:
  • The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
  • They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。
19 miserable g18yk     
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的
参考例句:
  • It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
  • Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
20 overflowing df84dc195bce4a8f55eb873daf61b924     
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • The stands were overflowing with farm and sideline products. 集市上农副产品非常丰富。
  • The milk is overflowing. 牛奶溢出来了。
21 hoards 0d9c33ecc74ae823deffd01d7aecff3a     
n.(钱财、食物或其他珍贵物品的)储藏,积存( hoard的名词复数 )v.积蓄并储藏(某物)( hoard的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • She hoards her money - she never spends it. 她积蓄钱,但从来不花钱。 来自辞典例句
  • A squirrel hoards nuts for the winter. 松鼠为过冬贮藏坚果。 来自辞典例句
22 stimulus 3huyO     
n.刺激,刺激物,促进因素,引起兴奋的事物
参考例句:
  • Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
  • Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。
23 squandered 330b54102be0c8433b38bee15e77b58a     
v.(指钱,财产等)浪费,乱花( squander的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He squandered all his money on gambling. 他把自己所有的钱都糟蹋在赌博上了。
  • She felt as indignant as if her own money had been squandered. 她心里十分生气,好像是她自己的钱给浪费掉了似的。 来自飘(部分)
24 prospects fkVzpY     
n.希望,前途(恒为复数)
参考例句:
  • There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
  • They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
25 destitute 4vOxu     
adj.缺乏的;穷困的
参考例句:
  • They were destitute of necessaries of life.他们缺少生活必需品。
  • They are destitute of common sense.他们缺乏常识。
26 confide WYbyd     
v.向某人吐露秘密
参考例句:
  • I would never readily confide in anybody.我从不轻易向人吐露秘密。
  • He is going to confide the secrets of his heart to us.他将向我们吐露他心里的秘密。
27 complacently complacently     
adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地
参考例句:
  • He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
  • "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装,"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
28 joint m3lx4     
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合
参考例句:
  • I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤,肩膀脫臼了。
  • We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。
29 speculation 9vGwe     
n.思索,沉思;猜测;投机
参考例句:
  • Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
  • There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。
30 famished 0laxB     
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。
31 formerly ni3x9     
adv.从前,以前
参考例句:
  • We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
  • This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。


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