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首页 » 儿童英文小说 » Luck and Pluck or John Oakley's Inheritance » CHAPTER XI. JOHN CONSULTS A LAWYER.
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CHAPTER XI. JOHN CONSULTS A LAWYER.
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 Mrs. Oakley felt very well pleased with the arrangement she had made about John. Her brother lived nearly one hundred miles distant. She would have liked John even further off; but this would remove him from the ability to interfere1 with her plans. She felt, too, that she would be more comfortable with him out of the house. Until the will was found and destroyed she would not feel safe, and she did not venture to search thoroughly2 till John was out of the way.
But there was one important question: Would John consent to go? On this point Mrs. Oakley felt doubtful. She knew that it would be a grievous disappointment to him to leave his class at the academy, and all his young friends in the village, not to speak of his natural regret at leaving the house where he had been born, and which had always been his home. Under the circumstances, therefore, she felt that it would be best to use a little stratagem3.
[119]
Meanwhile John had been thinking earnestly of his position and his duty. He felt that he needed advice, and he determined4 to call upon Squire5 Selwyn, who, as I have already said, was his father's legal adviser6 and intimate friend. His son Sam, also, was John's best friend, and thus the families had a double bond of union.
The day succeeding Mr. Huxter's arrival was Wednesday. On that day the afternoon session at the academy was over an hour earlier than usual, the only exercise being declamation7, or, on alternate weeks, the reading of compositions. John thought this would be the most favorable opportunity he would have for consulting Mr. Selwyn.
Squire Selwyn's office was a small, neat one-story building situated8 on the main street, not far from the academy building. It was painted white, with green blinds, and had been built expressly for a law office.
Sam and John walked home from school together as usual. When they came to the office John said:—
"I'm going in to see your father, Sam; so I'll bid you good-afternoon."
"Got some law business for the governor?"
"Maybe."
[120]
"Then you better consult me," said Sam. "I swept out the office for a week once when the office-boy was off on vacation, and you can't think what a lot of law I picked up in that time."
"I dare say," said John, smiling. "I don't doubt your qualifications, but I think I'll consult your father this time."
"All right," said Sam, more seriously. "I'm glad you're going to. The fact is, Mrs. Oakley is doing her best to circumvent9 you, and you must do your best, or she'll succeed."
"I'm afraid she will at any rate," said John.
"I wish you could find that will."
"So do I."
"Do you believe in dreams, John?" asked Sam, lowering his voice.
"What makes you ask that?"
"Because I dreamed last night that I found the will. It seemed to me that it was very dark, and I came upon Mrs. Oakley and Ben, each with a lantern in their hand, searching about on the ground for it. I followed them softly, and all at once spied a white paper. Mrs. Oakley saw it at the same time, and reached out for it, but I was too quick, and carried it off in triumph."
"Is that all?"
[121]
"Not quite. When she and Ben saw that I had got it they dropped their lanterns and ran after me, or rather Ben threw his at my head. It was an awful whack10. Just then I woke up, and found that I had struck my head against the bedpost."
"Well," said John, laughing, "how do you interpret that dream?"
"In this way. I think that the will is going to be found some day, and that I shall be the one to find it."
"I certainly hope you will. It would make a great change in my circumstances."
"What'll you give me if I find it, John?"
"A gold watch," said John.
"Well, that's worth working for."
"You seem to be in earnest about it."
"There's many a true word spoken in jest. The time may come when I shall remind you of your promise."
"I hope it will. You will find that I keep my promises."
"All right. Well, there's the squire looking out the window, so I'll leave you. Good luck!"
John entered the office.
"Good-afternoon, John," said Squire Selwyn. "How are things going on at home?"
[122]
"We are all well," said John.
"I'm glad to hear it. Won't you sit down?"
The lawyer was a man of middle height. He had a pleasant face and manner, but his eye was keen and penetrating11, and seemed to be reading the person upon whom it rested. He was deservedly popular, for it was always his endeavor to conciliate rather than to foment12 quarrels, and he more than once succeeded in dissuading13 a client from a lawsuit14 which would have put a considerable sum of money into his own pocket. He was a safe legal adviser, and an honest lawyer. He was glad to see John, for he had always been attracted towards him, not only because of his friendship for the father, but because of John's truthfulness15 and straightforwardness16.
Seeing that John hesitated, he said, by way of encouragement:—
"If there is anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask it. Your father was my friend, and I hope to be regarded by his son in the same light."
"It is because of that that I have called upon you, Squire Selwyn," said John. "You know, of course," he added, after a little hesitation17, "how my father left his property?"
"I know how he appears to have left it," said the lawyer, significantly.
[123]
"I would like to ask you a question, Squire Selwyn," said John; "but of course you will not answer it unless you think proper."
"Very properly put. Ask your question, and I will decide as to its fitness."
"It is this: Do you know whether my father made any later will than the one which was found?"
"I have no hesitation in answering your question. He did."
"How long since was it made?"
"Only three months before he died."
"I suppose that it disposed of the property differently?"
"It disposed of it as the law would have done if no will had been made. Your stepmother was to have her thirds; the rest of the property would have gone to you. The matter might have been left to the law but for the existence of the former will, which was in Mrs. Oakley's charge, and which she said that she had mislaid."
"Who would have been my guardian18 under the last will, Squire Selwyn?"
"Your father asked me to assume that office, and I consented cheerfully, not only from my friendship[124] for him, but because I have a very good opinion of you," said Squire Selwyn.
"Thank you, sir," said John, earnestly.
"Let me add, my young friend," said the lawyer, kindly19, "that I hope you will come to me as freely for advice as if I really filled this office."
"I will, sir," said John. "I am so situated that I need a friend to advise me who is older and wiser than myself."
"Apply to me freely at all times," said the lawyer, pleased with John's modest demeanor20.
"There is one thing I want to tell you," said John; "I think my father's last will is still in existence."
"What grounds have you for such a belief?" asked Squire Selwyn, regarding him closely.
"I will tell you, sir," said John.
He then related the particulars of his last interview with his father, and the great effort which the sick man made to communicate something to him.
Squire Selwyn listened attentively21.
"Will you repeat the words which you could distinguish?" he said.
"I distinctly heard father say, 'my will,' and I thought I heard him say also 'drawer.'"
[125]
"I am glad you told me this," said the lawyer, thoughtfully. "Did he attempt to say more?"
"There was no chance. Mrs. Oakley entered the chamber22, and ordered me out. She said I was disturbing father."
"Do you think she heard the words which your father uttered?"
"I know she could not, for it was only by placing my ear close to his mouth that I could distinguish the little I did."
"How did your father seem affected23 by the interruption?"
"He seemed disappointed."
"Didn't you have any further chance to speak with your father?"
"No; Mrs. Oakley would never admit me again."
The lawyer sat for a moment plunged24 in thought. At length he said:—
"Have you ever chanced, since your father's death, to see your stepmother searching the papers he left behind?"
"Yes, sir."
"Tell me when."
John related the circumstances.
"Did she give any explanation?"
[126]
"She said she was looking for a receipt."
"Didn't she seem disturbed at your seeing her thus engaged?"
"She seemed angry, and accused me of prying25 into her actions."
"What opinion did you form of her object at that time?" asked the lawyer.
"I thought she was looking for the will," said John, frankly26.
"Are your relations with your stepmother pleasant?" asked Squire Selwyn.
"I am sorry to say they are not," said John. "If they had been, I would not have troubled myself about the will. But I can see that Mrs. Oakley is determined to persecute27 me, and make my life unhappy, and that she is determined not to carry out any of my father's plans about my education. She has already taken away my horse, and sold it. She intended to give it to Ben, but he had an unlucky adventure with it one afternoon."
"I heard of that," said the lawyer, smiling. "He got thrown, didn't he?"
"Yes, sir. That cured him of wanting to ride, and so the horse was sold."
"It was a present to you from your father, was it not?"
[127]
"Yes, sir. Ben received at the same time a gold watch, which he still has."
"That seems hardly fair. One question more: Have you any knowledge of any secret drawer in your father's desk, or in any article which he used to own?"
"No, sir."
"I suppose not. If there had been one, he would hardly have disclosed its whereabouts to a boy. Well, my young friend," said the lawyer, rising, as if to terminate the interview, "I am glad to have received this call from you. I regard your information as important. It strengthens the conviction which I before entertained, that your father's last will is in existence somewhere. Out of regard to your interests, as well as to carry out his last wishes, I sincerely hope that it may be found. But I need not tell you that in the present position of affairs the greatest caution is absolutely necessary. I am not prepared to advise you at present, but shall take your case under my most serious consideration."
John took his cap and books, and Squire Selwyn accompanied him to the door of the office. As they stood on the threshold, an open wagon28 drove by. Both looked up simultaneously29, and an expression of vexation swept over the lawyer's face as he[128] recognized Mrs. Oakley and her brother. Mrs. Oakley's eye lighted up as it rested upon John.
"He is getting dangerous," she thought. "It is well I am going to be rid of him."

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1 interfere b5lx0     
v.(in)干涉,干预;(with)妨碍,打扰
参考例句:
  • If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话,可能弊多利少。
  • When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件,棘手的事情就来了。
2 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
3 stratagem ThlyQ     
n.诡计,计谋
参考例句:
  • Knit the brows and a stratagem comes to mind.眉头一皱,计上心来。
  • Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.商业折扣可以用作维护顾客忠诚度的一种竞争策略。
4 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
5 squire 0htzjV     
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。
6 adviser HznziU     
n.劝告者,顾问
参考例句:
  • They employed me as an adviser.他们聘请我当顾问。
  • Our department has engaged a foreign teacher as phonetic adviser.我们系已经聘请了一位外籍老师作为语音顾问。
7 declamation xx6xk     
n. 雄辩,高调
参考例句:
  • Declamation is a traditional Chinese teaching method.诵读教学是我国传统的语文教学方法。
  • Were you present at the declamation contest of Freshmen?大一的朗诵比赛你参加了没有?
8 situated JiYzBH     
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的
参考例句:
  • The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
  • She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。
9 circumvent gXvz0     
vt.环绕,包围;对…用计取胜,智胜
参考例句:
  • Military planners tried to circumvent the treaty.军事策略家们企图绕开这一条约。
  • Any action I took to circumvent his scheme was justified.我为斗赢他的如意算盘而采取的任何行动都是正当的。
10 whack kMKze     
v.敲击,重打,瓜分;n.重击,重打,尝试,一份
参考例句:
  • After years of dieting,Carol's metabolism was completely out of whack.经过数年的节食,卡罗尔的新陈代谢完全紊乱了。
  • He gave me a whack on the back to wake me up.他为把我弄醒,在我背上猛拍一下。
11 penetrating ImTzZS     
adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的
参考例句:
  • He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。
  • He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。
12 foment 4zly0     
v.煽动,助长
参考例句:
  • The rebels know the truth and seek to foment revolution.那些叛乱者知道真相,并且想办法来挑起革命。
  • That's an attempt to foment discord.这是挑拨。
13 dissuading 9ca7cefbd11d7fe8f2029a3d74e52166     
劝(某人)勿做某事,劝阻( dissuade的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • If he has once fastened upon an idea,there is no dissuading him from it. 他一旦认准一个主意,就不可能让他放弃。
14 lawsuit A14xy     
n.诉讼,控诉
参考例句:
  • They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
  • He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。
15 truthfulness 27c8b19ec00cf09690f381451b0fa00c     
n. 符合实际
参考例句:
  • Among her many virtues are loyalty, courage, and truthfulness. 她有许多的美德,如忠诚、勇敢和诚实。
  • I fired a hundred questions concerning the truthfulness of his statement. 我对他发言的真实性提出一连串质问。
16 straightforwardness Fhoz2v     
n.坦白,率直
参考例句:
  • They were impressed by his sincerity and straightforwardness. 他的诚恳直率给他们留下了很深的印象。
  • What some people take for rudeness is really straightforwardness. 一些人所认为的无礼实际上却是直率的表现。
17 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
18 guardian 8ekxv     
n.监护人;守卫者,保护者
参考例句:
  • The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
  • The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。
19 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
20 demeanor JmXyk     
n.行为;风度
参考例句:
  • She is quiet in her demeanor.她举止文静。
  • The old soldier never lost his military demeanor.那个老军人从来没有失去军人风度。
21 attentively AyQzjz     
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神
参考例句:
  • She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时,她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着,把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
22 chamber wnky9     
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。
23 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
24 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
25 prying a63afacc70963cb0fda72f623793f578     
adj.爱打听的v.打听,刺探(他人的私事)( pry的现在分词 );撬开
参考例句:
  • I'm sick of you prying into my personal life! 我讨厌你刺探我的私生活!
  • She is always prying into other people's affairs. 她总是打听别人的私事。 来自《简明英汉词典》
26 frankly fsXzcf     
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说
参考例句:
  • To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说,我一点也不赞成这个主意。
  • Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说,我不反对改革。
27 persecute gAwyA     
vt.迫害,虐待;纠缠,骚扰
参考例句:
  • They persecute those who do not conform to their ideas.他们迫害那些不信奉他们思想的人。
  • Hitler's undisguised effort to persecute the Jews met with worldwide condemnation.希特勒对犹太人的露骨迫害行为遭到世界人民的谴责。
28 wagon XhUwP     
n.四轮马车,手推车,面包车;无盖运货列车
参考例句:
  • We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
  • The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。
29 simultaneously 4iBz1o     
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地
参考例句:
  • The radar beam can track a number of targets almost simultaneously.雷达波几乎可以同时追着多个目标。
  • The Windows allow a computer user to execute multiple programs simultaneously.Windows允许计算机用户同时运行多个程序。


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