CHAPTER X. JED REACHES DUNCAN.

 Percy Dixon's face flushed with resentment¹.

 

"Do you know who you are talking to?" he demanded.

 

"Yes," answered Jed coolly. "I am talking to a boy who thinks a great deal more of himself than any one else does."

 

"I would punish you, but I don't want to dirty my hands with you. I'll tell my father, and he'll see that old Fogson flogs you."

 

Jed smiled. He never meant to see Fogson again if he could help it, but he was too wise to impart his plans to Percy.

 

At this moment his father came up to the gate, and as he opened it his attention was drawn² to Jed.

 

"Have you come here with any message for me?" he asked.

 

"I have a note for you."

 

[Pg 88]

 

"Give it to me."

 

"Humph!" said the squire³, casting his eye over the note. "Mr. Fogson asks me to call this evening. I will do so."

 

"Very well, sir."

 

"Father," interrupted Percy, "there is to be a play performed at Duncan this evening."

 

"Is there?"

 

"Yes; I saw a bill in the post-office. It's the 'Gold King,' I believe. May I go?"

 

"I don't know," said the squire, hesitating. "Mr. Fogson wants me to call at the poorhouse."

 

"If you don't care about going, I can drive mother and Alice over. You know you promised we should attend the next theatrical⁴ performance anywhere near."

 

"If your mother and Alice would like to go I have no objection. You must drive carefully, and you can leave the horses in the hotel stable."

 

"All right," said Percy joyfully⁵. "Did you ever go to a theatre?" he asked Jed in a patronizing tone.

 

"No."

 

[Pg 89]

 

"I have been quite often," said Percy complacently⁶. "But, of course, paupers⁷ can't attend amusements."

 

"You may change your mind this evening," thought Jed.

 

Jed went at once to the doctor's house. Dr. Redmond had just arrived from a round of visits.

 

"Good morning, Jed," he said pleasantly.

 

"Good morning, Dr. Redmond."

 

"Do you want to see me?"

 

"I have come to claim your promise," said Jed.

 

"What is that?"

 

"You promised me a suit of clothes when I got ready to leave the poorhouse."

 

Dr. Redmond's face instantly assumed a look of interest.

 

"And you have decided⁹ to take this important step?" he said.

 

"Yes, doctor. I am tired of being called a pauper⁸. I am sure I can earn my own living, and I mean to try it."

 

"I don't know but you are right, Jed. At any rate, you have my best wishes. Come[Pg 90] into the house, and I will ask Mrs. Redmond to look up the suit. If I am not mistaken you will need other things also—socks, handkerchiefs, and underclothing."

 

"I need them, no doubt, but I don't want to ask too much."

 

"I think Mrs. Redmond can fit you out. And, by the way, I think you can manage a little supper. In what direction are you going?"

 

"To Duncan."

 

"Why there, in particular?"

 

"I have a friend there."

 

"Who is it?"

 

"Harry¹⁰ Bertram, the actor."

 

Dr. Redmond looked surprised.

 

"How did you get acquainted with him?"

 

Jed told the story. The incident of Fogson's assault on the sleeping actor and his defeat amused the doctor not a little.

 

"He may be of service to you," he said. "At any rate, an actor sees a good deal of the world, and he may be able to give you some advice. Now put on your clothes and see what a transformation¹¹ they will make."

 

[Pg 91]

 

Mrs. Redmond took Jed up to a small chamber¹² belonging to her absent son, and laid the clothing on the bed, advising Jed to go into the bathroom close by and take a good bath.

 

When, half an hour or more later, he descended¹³ to the floor below, Dr. Redmond started in surprise. In place of the poorhouse drudge¹⁴ there stood before him a good-looking boy, attired¹⁵ in a brown suit, with clean linen¹⁶ and his hair neatly¹⁷ brushed. Dr. and Mrs. Redmond exchanged glances.

 

"I wouldn't believe clothes made such a difference," exclaimed the doctor.

 

"Nor I," chimed in his wife.

 

The same idea came into the mind of each. Jed's personal appearance would do credit to any family, however exclusive. Yet he had been brought up in the Scranton poorhouse, and associated with paupers all his life.

 

"I mustn't forget to give you your money," said the doctor, and he put a roll of bills into Jed's hand.

 

"But here is five dollars!" said Jed. "It was only two you had of mine."

 

[Pg 92]"Take the five. You will need it. It is small enough capital for a boy to go forth¹⁸ into the world with to seek his fortune. Now how are you going to Duncan?"

 

"I am going to walk."

 

"I am afraid you will get very tired," said Mrs. Redmond in a tone of sympathy.

 

"No, ma'am, it is only five miles."

 

"And five miles is a trifle to a strong boy like Jed."

 

"Won't you wait till after supper?" asked Mrs. Redmond.

 

"No, thank you. It would get me there too late."

 

"Then I will make up some sandwiches for you. Your walk will make you hungry."

 

Jed started with a small valise in which were packed some extra underclothing, and he carried in his hand a substantial lunch wrapped in paper.

 

It was far better than the supper which he missed at the poorhouse.

 

He was rather afraid of meeting some one whom he knew, particularly Percy Dixon, who he was sure would be delighted to thwart[Pg 93] his plan by reporting him; but fortunately he escaped observation. He passed two men whom he knew very well, but in his new dress they did not know him.

 

Jed had walked about half way when a man in a top buggy overtook him, and, stopping his horse, called out, "Is this the road to Duncan?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Is it a straight road all the way?"

 

"Not quite, sir. There are one or two turns."

 

"I am sorry to hear it. I am not acquainted hereabouts, and I shouldn't like to lose my way. Are you going to Duncan?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Then jump in, unless you prefer walking. With a good guide I shall be all right."

 

"I would rather ride, and I will accept your invitation with pleasure."

 

"Then we are both suited."

 

Jed's new acquaintance was a stout¹⁹ man of middle age, with a prompt, alert manner, and looked like a business man. He had a quick, impulsive²⁰ way with him.

 

[Pg 94]

 

"Are you travelling?" he asked, noticing Jed's valise.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Going to see the world, eh?"

 

"I'm going in search of a living, sir," answered Jed.

 

"Got parents?"

 

"No, sir. I'm alone in the world."

 

"Well, you've got a tough job before you."

 

"Yes, sir, I don't doubt it; but I am young and healthy, and I think I ought to be able to earn my living. Are you a business man?"

 

"No, not exactly. Why do you ask?"

 

"I thought you might have a place for me if you were."

 

"I am not in the right sort of business for you, my lad. I am the manager of the Gold King Dramatic Company."

 

"Then you are acquainted with Harry Bertram?" said Jed eagerly.

 

"Yes, he is one of my actors. What do you know of Harry Bertram?"

 

"He slept in the same room with me last night. He told me to come to Duncan, and he would see what he could do for me."

 

[Pg 95]

 

"Ha, indeed! Well, Harry is a good fellow, and a good friend. He has one fault. He is a little too convivial²¹."

 

"Yes, sir; I thought so. Is he a good actor?"

 

"Excellent in his line. He gets a very good salary, but I am afraid he doesn't save very much of it. Are you going to see the play this evening?"

 

"Yes; Mr. Bertram thought he could get me in."

 

"You won't need to ask him for a pass. Here is one;" and the manager scribbled²² on a leaf from his note-book

 

Admit Bearer.

 

Mordaunt.

 

"Thank you, sir," said Jed, as he pocketed the pass. "I suppose you are Mr. Mordaunt?"

 

"John Mordaunt, manager of the Gold King Company. In my humbler days I was known to my friends as Jack²³ Mordaunt."

 

By this time they had reached Duncan, and drove at once to the hotel.

1 resentment   

n.怨愤，忿恨

参考例句：

• All her feelings of resentment just came pouring out.她一股脑儿倾吐出所有的怨恨。
• She cherished a deep resentment under the rose towards her employer.她暗中对她的雇主怀恨在心。

2 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

3 squire   

n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅

参考例句：

• I told him the squire was the most liberal of men.我告诉他乡绅是世界上最宽宏大量的人。
• The squire was hard at work at Bristol.乡绅在布里斯托尔热衷于他的工作。

4 theatrical   

adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的

参考例句：

• The final scene was dismayingly lacking in theatrical effect.最后一场缺乏戏剧效果，叫人失望。
• She always makes some theatrical gesture.她老在做些夸张的手势。

5 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

6 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

7 paupers   

n.穷人( pauper的名词复数 )；贫民；贫穷

参考例句：

• The garment is expensive, paupers like you could never afford it! 这件衣服很贵，你这穷鬼根本买不起！ 来自互联网
• Child-friendliest among the paupers were Burkina Faso and Malawi. 布基纳法索，马拉维，这俩贫穷国家儿童友善工作做得不错。 来自互联网

8 pauper   

n.贫民，被救济者，穷人

参考例句：

• You lived like a pauper when you had plenty of money.你有大把钱的时候，也活得像个乞丐。
• If you work conscientiously you'll only die a pauper.你按部就班地干，做到老也是穷死。

9 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。

10 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。

11 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

12 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

13 descended   

a.为...后裔的，出身于...的

参考例句：

• A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
• The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。

14 drudge   

n.劳碌的人；v.做苦工，操劳

参考例句：

• I feel like a real drudge--I've done nothing but clean all day!我觉得自己像个做苦工的--整天都在做清洁工作！
• I'm a poor,miserable,forlorn drudge;I shall only drag you down with me.我是一个贫穷，倒运，走投无路的苦力，只会拖累你。

15 attired   

adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 linen   

n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的

参考例句：

• The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。
• Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。

17 neatly   

adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地

参考例句：

• Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
• The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。

18 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

20 impulsive   

adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的

参考例句：

• She is impulsive in her actions.她的行为常出于冲动。
• He was neither an impulsive nor an emotional man,but a very honest and sincere one.他不是个一冲动就鲁莽行事的人，也不多愁善感.他为人十分正直、诚恳。

21 convivial   

adj.狂欢的，欢乐的

参考例句：

• The atmosphere was quite convivial.气氛非常轻松愉快。
• I found it odd to imagine a nation of convivial diners surrendering their birthright.我发现很难想象让这样一个喜欢热热闹闹吃饭的民族放弃他们的习惯。

22 scribbled   

v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下

参考例句：

• She scribbled his phone number on a scrap of paper. 她把他的电话号码匆匆写在一张小纸片上。
• He scribbled a note to his sister before leaving. 临行前，他给妹妹草草写了一封短信。

23 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。