“Walk in, Mr. Cameron,” he said, cordially. “My mother is in the next room.”
Mrs. Carter was prepossessed in favor of Cameron. In worldly advantages he was her superior; yet with the instinct of a gentleman he seemed unconscious of any such difference and did not exhibit the least trace of condescension1, as many ill-bred persons might have.
“I have wanted to see you, Mrs. Carter,” he said. “As the mother of my professor, the desire was only natural.”
“Herbert tells me he has learned a good deal since he has been reading to you. He has often spoken of his good fortune in meeting you.”
“I feel equally fortunate in meeting him. Not every boy of his age would adapt himself as readily and intelligently as he has.”
“I am very glad if you find Herbert of service to you,” said Mrs. Carter. “In all ways the engagement has been of advantage to him.”
“James would hardly have been willing to sacrifice so much of his time,” said Herbert, “though he might be willing to try it for a day or two to supersede4 me.”
“I think I shall have to worry along with my present professor,” said Cameron, “and allow James to devote his superior talents to some other business.”
The table was already spread in honor of the guest, and both Herbert and Mrs. Carter were gratified to find that the young collegian did ample justice to the meal.
“I feel almost ashamed of my appetite,” said Cameron; “but the change from the stereotyped5 bill of fare at the hotel is pleasant and gives the food an increased relish6.”
“I am glad to hear you say so, Mr. Cameron; I could hardly expect to compete with the hotel in point of variety. Let me give you another cup of tea.”
“Thank you. I don't often venture on a third cup, but I think I will make an exception to-night.”
“Dr. Johnson sometimes got up to a dozen, I believe,” said Herbert.
“He exceeded that number at times; but we must remember that the cups in his day barely contained a third as much as ours, so he was not so immoderate, after all. His excesses in eating were less pardonable.”
“Was he a very large eater?” asked the widow.
“He actually gorged7 himself, if we are to believe the accounts that have come down to us,” said Cameron. “I am afraid, Mrs. Carter, you would have found him a very unprofitable boarder.”
“But,” said Herbert; “there is one of Dr. Johnson's labors9 I shall not seek to imitate. I shall never attempt to write a dictionary.”
“It must be a monotonous10 and wearisome labor8. Besides, I don't think we could either of us improve upon Webster or Worcester.”
They arose, and Mrs. Carter, who could not afford to keep a servant, herself cleared away the tea table.
“Herbert,” said the young collegian, “you mentioned one day that your father was an inventor.”
“He made one invention, but whether it will amount to anything, I don't know. He had high hopes of it, but died before he had any opportunity of testing its value.”
“Will you show it to me?”
“With pleasure.”
Herbert led Cameron upstairs into his own chamber11, where, since his father's death, the work which had cost his father so many toilsome hours had been kept. Cameron examined it carefully. Herbert waited anxiously for his verdict. At length he spoke2.
“As far as I am qualified12 to judge,” he said, “your father's invention seems to embody13 an improvement. But you must not rely too much upon my opinion. My knowledge of the details of manufacturing is superficial. I should like to show it to my father.”
“There is nothing that I would like better,” said Herbert, “if you think he would be willing to examine it.”
“He would be glad to do so. It is for his interest to examine anything which will facilitate the details of his business. I am intending to go home next Friday afternoon, and, with your permission, will carry this with me.”
“I shall feel very much obliged to you if you will,” said Herbert. “It may be worth nothing. I know it would have been my father's wish to have it examined by one who is qualified to judge.”
“It is a pity your father could not have lived to enjoy the benefit of his invention, if it succeeds.”
“He was a great loss to us,” said Herbert. “There were but three of us, and he was at an age when we might hope to have him with us for a good many years yet. If I had been a few years older, I should have been better able to make up his loss to my mother.”
“She is fortunate in having a son who is so willing to do his best for her,” said Cameron, kindly14. “We don't know what the future may have in store for us, Herbert; but you may rely upon my continued friendship.”
Herbert pressed the hand of the young collegian warmly, for he knew that the offer of service was no empty compliment, but made in earnest sincerity15.
The evening passed pleasantly and at nine o'clock Cameron took his leave. Herbert accompanied him as far as the hotel. He was walking leisurely16 back when he heard his name called and, turning, saw that it was James Leech who had accosted17 him.
“Where have you been, Carter?” inquired James; “been to see Mr. Cameron, I suppose? Doesn't he get enough of your company in the daytime?”
“You must ask him that. He has been taking tea at our house and I accompanied him home.”
“He took supper at your house!”
“Yes.”
“He seems very fond of keeping low company.”
“Then I advise you hereafter to keep your impudence20 to yourself,” retorted Herbert; “and for fear you may forget it, I give you this as a reminder21.”
An instant later James Leech found himself lying on his back on the sidewalk with Herbert bending over him.
He kept upon his feet, pale with rage and mortification22.
“I'll be revenged upon you yet, you brute23!” he shrieked24, in his rage leaving our hero victor of the field.
“I wouldn't have touched him if he hadn't spoken against my mother,” said Herbert.
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1
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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2
spoke
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| 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 | |
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3
leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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4
supersede
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| v.替代；充任 | |
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5
stereotyped
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| adj.(指形象、思想、人物等)模式化的 | |
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6
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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7
gorged
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| v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的过去式和过去分词 )；作呕 | |
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8
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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9
labors
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| 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 | |
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10
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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11
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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12
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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13
embody
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| vt.具体表达，使具体化；包含，收录 | |
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14
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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15
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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16
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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17
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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18
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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19
doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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20
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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21
reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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22
mortification
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| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
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23
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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