CHAPTER XVI AN UNPLEASANT DISCOVERY

 It never occurred to Frank that his cordial reception was wholly due to his supposed wealth. Had he known the Tarbox family better, he would have had no uncertainty¹ on this point. As it was, the discovery was soon made.

 

"All my olive branches are for you, my dear young cousin," said Mr. Tarbox, waving his hand. "A peaceful, happy family. Children, this is our esteemed² relative, Frank Courtney. You remember visiting his delightful³ home, the Cedars⁴."

 

"Yes, pa," said Julia.

 

Pliny said nothing, but stared at Frank, inwardly considering whether it would be possible to borrow some money of him.

 

"I am glad to meet you all. I hope we shall become better acquainted," said Frank politely.

 

"No doubt you will," said Mr. Tarbox. "They are rather bashful, but they long to know you."

 

"How are you?" said Pliny, in a sudden burst of sociability⁵.

 

"Pretty well, thank you!" answered Frank, finding it rather difficult to preserve his gravity.

 

"I am in a store," said Pliny.

 

"In your father's store?"

 

"No. He wouldn't pay me as much as I get where I am."

 

Mr. Tarbox looked embarrassed.

 

"A smaller boy answered my purpose," he said, in an explanatory manner. "Pliny is suited for higher duties. But our supper is ready. It is frugal⁶ compared with yours at the Cedars, my dear Frank, but you are heartily⁷ welcome to it."

 

"It looks very nice, Mr. Tarbox," said our hero, "and I have not been accustomed to luxurious⁸ living."

 

This answer pleased Mr. and Mrs. Tarbox. Even if Frank should become a boarder on liberal terms, they didn't wish to spend too much on their table.

 

"We couldn't get sirloin steak," said Mr. Tarbox; "but I hope you will find this good."

 

"No doubt I shall," said Frank, politely.

 

"Won't you have another piece of steak?" asked Mrs. Tarbox.

 

Frank saw that there was but a small piece left, and, though his appetite was not wholly satisfied, he answered:

 

"No, thank you."

 

"I will!" said Pliny, quickly.

 

Mrs. Tarbox frowned at her son, but did not venture to refuse in the presence of her guest. She cut off a small portion of the steak, and, with a severe look, put it on the extended plate of Pliny.

 

"You've got a good appetite, Pliny," said Julia.

 

"So would you have, if you had to work like me!" grumbled⁹ Pliny.

 

After the steak came an apple pie, which was cut into seven pieces. Mrs. Tarbox managed to make Frank's piece a little larger than the rest.

 

Her husband observed it with approval. He was very desirous that Frank should be satisfied with his fare.

 

When Pliny rose from the table, saying that he must be getting back to the store, Frank rose also.

 

"I will go with you," he said, "if you have no objection. I would like to take a walk."

 

"Come along," said Pliny. "I should like to have company."

 

"You will be a great deal of company for Pliny," observed Mr. Tarbox, rubbing his hands with satisfaction. "Just of an age and of congenial tastes."

 

Frank hardly expected to find Pliny very congenial, but he wished to obtain some information, which he thought the latter could give him, and he also wanted to see something of Newark.

 

"I say, your name is Frank, isn't it?" commenced Pliny:

 

"Yes."

 

"The old man's awful glad to see you."

 

"I am glad of it. He has received me very kindly¹⁰."

 

"Got up an extra supper for you. We don't often get steak for supper."

 

This was rather an embarrassing revelation, and surprised Frank somewhat. The supper had not seemed to him at all extra. It would do, but was far from luxurious.

 

"I hope you'll stay with us a good while," continued Pliny.

 

"Thank you."

 

"You see we shall live better while you are with us, and the rest of us will be gainers."

 

"I don't want to put your father to any unusual expense."

 

"Oh, he can afford it! But he's stingy, father is. He doesn't spend any more than he can help."

 

"It is best to be economical, I suppose."

 

"When you don't carry it too far. I say, Frank," continued Pliny, lowering his voice, "you can't lend me five dollars, can you?"

 

Frank regarded Pliny with astonishment¹¹. The proposal was very abrupt¹², especially when the shortness of their acquaintance was considered.

 

"Are you particularly in need of money?" asked Frank.

 

"Well, you see," said Pliny, "I want it for a particular purpose."

 

"Why not ask your father for it?"

 

"Oh, he'd never let me have it!"

 

Now, in Frank's present circumstances, five dollars represented a good deal of money. He was the more impressed with the necessity of economy since he had found out how small were the wages paid in stores to boys of his age.

 

He did not feel at all inclined to grant Pliny's request, especially as he had a strong suspicion that it would be a long time before the sum would be returned.

 

"Why do you apply to me, Pliny?" he asked, seriously.

 

"Didn't your mother die and leave you a big property? Father says you must be worth more than a hundred thousand dollars."

 

"Your father probably has not heard of the will," said Frank, quietly.

 

"What was there in the will?" asked Pliny.

 

"The whole property was left to Mr. Manning."

 

"Who is he?"

 

"My stepfather."

 

"And nothing to you?"

 

"Nothing to me."

 

"But he's got to take care of you, hasn't he?"

 

"It was expected, but I am going to earn my own living, if I can."

 

Pliny stopped short in blank amazement¹³ and whistled.

 

"Then you haven't got a lot of money?"

 

"No."

 

"Won't your stepfather give you a part of the property?"

 

"I haven't asked him, but I don't think he will."

 

"And why did you come to Newark?"

 

"I thought your father might give me some help about getting a place."

 

"If this isn't the richest joke!" said Pliny, laughing uproariously.

 

"Where is the joke? I don't see it," returned Frank, inclined to be angry.

 

"The way you have taken in the old man. He thinks you are rich, and has treated you accordingly—got up an extra supper and all that. Oh, it's too good!"

 

"I certainly didn't intend to take him in, as you call it," said Frank. "The sooner you tell him the better."

 

"I'll tell him," said Pliny. "I shall enjoy seeing how provoked he'll be."

 

"I think I will leave you," said Frank, shortly. "I will take a walk by myself.

 

"Well, don't lose your way. Oh, I wish the store was shut! I want to tell the old man."

 

And Pliny laughed again, while our hero walked off in disgust.

 

1 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

2 esteemed   

adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为

参考例句：

• The art of conversation is highly esteemed in France. 在法国十分尊重谈话技巧。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He esteemed that he understood what I had said. 他认为已经听懂我说的意思了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 delightful   

adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的

参考例句：

• We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
• Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。

4 cedars   

雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The old cedars were badly damaged in the storm. 风暴严重损害了古老的雪松。
• Open thy doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour thy cedars. 1黎巴嫩哪，开开你的门，任火烧灭你的香柏树。

5 sociability   

n.好交际，社交性，善于交际

参考例句：

• A fire of withered pine boughs added sociability to the gathering. 枯松枝生起的篝火给这次聚合增添了随和、友善的气氛。 来自辞典例句
• A certain sociability degree is a specific character of most plants. 特定的群集度是多数植物特有的特征。 来自辞典例句

6 frugal   

adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的

参考例句：

• He was a VIP,but he had a frugal life.他是位要人，但生活俭朴。
• The old woman is frugal to the extreme.那老妇人节约到了极点。

7 heartily   

adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

参考例句：

• He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
• The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。

8 luxurious   

adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的

参考例句：

• This is a luxurious car complete with air conditioning and telephone.这是一辆附有空调设备和电话的豪华轿车。
• The rich man lives in luxurious surroundings.这位富人生活在奢侈的环境中。

9 grumbled   

抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声

参考例句：

• He grumbled at the low pay offered to him. 他抱怨给他的工资低。
• The heat was sweltering, and the men grumbled fiercely over their work. 天热得让人发昏，水手们边干活边发着牢骚。

10 kindly   

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。

11 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

12 abrupt   

adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的

参考例句：

• The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
• His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。

13 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。