CHAPTER VI THE SON AND HEIR

 Gerald looked up as his stepmother appeared, followed by Abel. He understood, of course, that this was the son of whom Mrs. Lane had spoken.

 

"Gerald," said his stepmother, "this is my son, Abel."

 

"I am glad to see you, Abel," said Gerald, politely, holding out his hand.

 

Abel seemed undecided whether to take it or not, but finally held out his own. He surveyed Gerald disapprovingly². He could not help noticing, with a feeling of envy, that Gerald was superior to him in refinement³ and personal appearance.

 

"Have you ever been in Portville before?" asked Gerald.

 

"No," was Abel's brief reply.

 

"I shall be glad to go about with you whenever you like, and show you the village."

 

"Abel is too tired to-day," said Mrs. Lane, in her usual cold tone of voice.

 

"No," said Abel, unexpectedly; "I'll go along with you."

 

"Be back in half an hour," said Mrs. Lane. "We shall have supper early this evening."

 

"All right," said Gerald.

 

"I believe you have been at boarding-school," said Gerald, as they left the house.

 

"Yes; it's a beastly place."

 

"Indeed? I never was in such a school, and I don't understand what it is like. What were your objections to it?"

 

"The living was very poor."

 

"Did you learn much? Did you have good teachers?"

 

"Oh, I don't care much about studying. It's all very well for poor boys. But I sha'n't have to earn my living—mother'll take care of me."

 

Gerald winced⁴. He understood very well that the money upon which Abel depended was, or should have been, his own.

 

"I suppose you had sports?"

 

"Yes; the boys played baseball and other things."

 

"Do you like baseball?"

 

"Not much. I wanted to be captain of the club, but the boys wouldn't let me."

 

"I hope you will like Portville. We have an academy here. Perhaps you will attend."

 

"Not just yet. I am tired of studying."

 

"Do you like boating?"

 

"Yes, have you got a pond?"

 

"Yes, and I have a dory. I will take you out on Monday, if you like."

 

"You have a dory? Did my mother give it to you?"

 

"No; it was given me by my father."

 

"I shall ask mother to give me a sail-boat."

 

"I would like one myself," said Gerald.

 

"I don't think she will give you one, but I will let you go out with me sometimes," said Abel, in a patronizing tone, which Gerald did not like.

 

"How did you find your way to the house? Of course you didn't know where it was, as you never were in town before."

 

"I got a poor boy to walk up with me and carry my valise. I wonder my mother didn't send you down to meet me."

 

"I would have gone with pleasure," said Gerald, politely.

 

"Are you going to school, or are you working?"

 

"I have been attending school."

 

"What did you study?"

 

"Latin and French, besides English studies."

 

Abel was surprised. He was a very ordinary scholar, and had never studied any language except his own.

 

"I shouldn't think such studies would do any good to a boy who has to work for a living."

 

"Then I suppose you have not studied them?"

 

"No."

 

"My father intended me to enter college."

 

"But you won't go now?"

 

"I suppose not," said Gerald, shortly.

 

Here they came upon two boys, who were jumping in competition with each other.

 

One was John Holman, the other Munroe Hill.

 

"Boys," said Gerald, "this is Abel Tyler, the son of Mrs. Lane."

 

"Glad to see you," said Munroe.

 

"I believe we have met before," said John, smiling.

 

"Yes; you took my valise to the house for me."

 

"Will you jump, Gerald?" asked Munroe.

 

"If you'll promise not to outdo me," said Gerald.

 

"I shall try to do it," said Munroe. "Will you join?"

 

This question was addressed to Abel.

 

"Yes," answered Abel.

 

He had legs unusually long for his size, and thought he could outdo the others. Arrangements were made, and John Holman started off. He jumped seven feet on a standing⁵ jump. Abel followed and beat his distance by three inches.

 

"How's that?" he asked, complacently⁶.

 

"Very fair," said Gerald. "Now I will try."

 

His jump was seven feet four inches. Abel frowned and looked displeased⁷, and was even more dissatisfied when Munroe jumped seven feet six inches.

 

"You boys are fresh," he said. "I am tired. I have jumped seven feet nine inches when I was in good condition."

 

None of the three boys believed him, but Munroe said, politely:

 

"We will try again some day when you can do yourself justice. None of us can jump as far as that."

 

"Are you going to stay in Portville some time?" he asked.

 

"Yes; I guess so. My mother says it will take her some time to settle the estate."

 

Gerald looked grave, remembering that it was his father's estate, and that his father's death appeared likely to make a great difference in his position and prospects⁸.

 

"After the estate is settled mother and I may go to Europe," continued Abel, complacently.

 

None of the boys made any comments, and they soon separated.

 

"Who is this Munroe Hill?" asked Abel, when he was left alone with Gerald.

 

"His father is a lawyer."

 

"Is he well off?"

 

"I presume so. He lives in a nice house."

 

"And John Holman?"

 

"He works in a shoe shop. His father is dead, and he has to help support the family."

 

"I thought he was poor. Did you notice that his pants were patched?"

 

"Yes," said Gerald, gravely; "the poor fellow hasn't much money to spend on clothing."

 

"Is he a friend of yours?"

 

"Yes," replied Gerald, warmly; "he is a capital fellow."

 

"Humph! I sha'n't care to associate with him. Mother likes to have me particular."

 

"Do you think he is any the worse for his poor clothes?"

 

"Of course he isn't a gentleman."

 

"You and I have a different idea as to what constitutes a gentleman."

 

The time was when Abel had not been able to dress much better than John Holman; but, as this was unknown to Gerald, he posed as one who was "born in the purple."

 

"I shall try to get better acquainted with Munroe," proceeded Abel. "He seems like a gentleman."

 

"Everybody likes him; but he is also a friend of John Holman."

 

"It seems to me that society is rather mixed here."

 

"We don't judge each other by clothes or a good bank account," said Gerald, manfully.

 

"I do. I prefer to associate with those who are in my own social position."

 

"Abel appears to be a snob," thought Gerald. "I am sure I sha'n't like him."

 

On their way through the village they passed a drug-store.

 

"I suppose no soda⁹ water is to be had in a town like this," said Abel, with a quiet smile.

 

"Yes; we can get some in the drug-store. If you will come in I shall be glad to offer you some."

 

"I don't mind," replied Abel, who seldom declined a treat.

 

They entered the store and were speedily supplied. Gerald drew a dollar bill from his vest-pocket and paid the bill.

 

"I wonder how much money he carries round with him?" thought Abel. "I must ask mother."

 

"Now I guess we'll go home. I feel tired after my journey."

 

"Very well."

 

"Where did you go?" asked Mrs. Lane, when they re-entered the house.

 

"I took Abel round the village, Mrs. Lane."

 

"And what do you think of it, Abel?" asked his mother.

 

"Oh, it'll do; but I'd rather live in the city."

 

"The city would naturally be more attractive to a young person. You prefer it to Fulton, I hope?"

 

"Yes; I hope I shall never go back there. I hate boarding-school."

 

"I hope you don't hate study. At your age you can hardly have a sufficient education. There is a good academy here. I should like to have you attend next term."

 

"Perhaps I will," said Abel, vaguely¹⁰; "but I want to rest a while."

 

When Gerald left the room he said:

 

"Gerald treated me to some soda water."

 

"Did he?"

 

"Yes, and he took out a dollar bill to pay for it. Do you allow him much money?"

 

"No; he won't have as much as you."

 

"I should hope not. He's only your stepson."

 

"I am quite aware of that, and so is he."

 

"Does he attend the academy?"

 

"He has been doing so; but I have decided¹ to withdraw him and put him to work."

 

"Where? In a shoe shop?"

 

"No. Mr. Tubbs, a grocer in the village, has agreed to take him."

 

"That's a good arrangement. He hasn't any money, and ought to work for a living like that Holman boy I met."

 

"Did you meet John Holman?"

 

"Yes. Who is he?"

 

"His mother is one of my tenants¹¹; but if she doesn't pay a month's rent on Monday I shall turn her out."

 

"That's right, mother. Business is business. I wish I were going to sleep in that large room to-night."

 

"You shall go into it to-morrow."

 

"I expect Gerald will make a fuss," chuckled¹² Abel.

 

"No doubt he will."

 

"But you won't give in to him, will you, mother? You won't forget that I am to have the best of everything?"

 

"Yes, my darling; I will see that you are well provided for," said Mrs. Lane, fondly.

1 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。

2 disapprovingly   

adv.不以为然地，不赞成地，非难地

参考例句：

• When I suggested a drink, she coughed disapprovingly. 我提议喝一杯时，她咳了一下表示反对。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He shook his head disapprovingly. 他摇了摇头，表示不赞成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 refinement   

n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼

参考例句：

• Sally is a woman of great refinement and beauty. 莎莉是个温文尔雅又很漂亮的女士。
• Good manners and correct speech are marks of refinement.彬彬有礼和谈吐得体是文雅的标志。

4 winced   

赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He winced as the dog nipped his ankle. 狗咬了他的脚腕子，疼得他龇牙咧嘴。
• He winced as a sharp pain shot through his left leg. 他左腿一阵剧痛疼得他直龇牙咧嘴。

5 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。

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 displeased   

a.不快的

参考例句：

• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。
• He was displeased about the whole affair. 他对整个事情感到很不高兴。

8 prospects   

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。

9 soda   

n.苏打水；汽水

参考例句：

• She doesn't enjoy drinking chocolate soda.她不喜欢喝巧克力汽水。
• I will freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.我给你的饮料重加一些苏打水和冰块。

10 vaguely   

adv.含糊地，暖昧地

参考例句：

• He had talked vaguely of going to work abroad.他含糊其词地说了到国外工作的事。
• He looked vaguely before him with unseeing eyes.他迷迷糊糊的望着前面，对一切都视而不见。

11 tenants   

n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者

参考例句：

• A number of tenants have been evicted for not paying the rent. 许多房客因不付房租被赶了出来。
• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。

12 chuckled   

轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She chuckled at the memory. 想起这件事她就暗自发笑。
• She chuckled softly to herself as she remembered his astonished look. 想起他那惊讶的表情，她就轻轻地暗自发笑。