It was quite in accordance with this disposition4 of his, that, after recovering Rose in the manner we have seen, he was not content, until he had seen her brother, and exulted5 over him. On the day succeeding, therefore, instead of going to work, he came over to New York, for the express purpose of witnessing our hero's grief and chagrin6 at the loss of his sister. He knew very well where to find him.
Rough and Ready surveyed the approach of his stepfather with mingled7 anger and anxiety. He it was that held in his power the one whom the newsboy loved best. Rufus guessed his motive in seeking him now, and, knowing that he intended to speak to him, awaited his address in silence.
"I am well," said the newsboy, shortly.
"I am glad to hear it," said Martin; "I'd ought to feel glad of it, you've been such a dootiful son."
"I am not your son," said Rough and Ready, in a tone which indicated that he was very glad that no such relationship existed between them.
"That's lucky for me," said Martin; "I wouldn't own such a young cub9. When I have a son, I hope he'll be more dootiful, and treat me with more gratitude10."
"What should I be grateful for?" demanded the newsboy, quickly.
"Not that I know of," said Rufus, coolly. "I've had to support myself, and help support you, ever since we came to New York."
"So you complain of having to work, do you? 'Cause I was a poor man, and couldn't support you in idleness, you think you're ill used."
"I never complained of having to work. I am willing to work hard for myself—and Rose."
"How is Rose now? I hope she is well," said Martin, with a smile of triumph.
"That's what I'd like to have you tell me," said Rufus, looking steadily12 at Martin. "Where have you carried my sister?"
"What should I know of your sister?" said Martin. "The last I knew, you kidnapped her from my care and protection."
"Your care and protection!" repeated Rough and Ready, disdainfully. "What care did you ever take of her? You did nothing for her support, but came home drunk about every day. You couldn't take care of yourself, much less any one else."
"Do you want a licking?" asked Martin, angrily, approaching a little nearer.
"I wouldn't advise you to try it, Mr. Martin," he said, composedly. "I am able to take care of myself."
"Are you? I am happy to hear it," sneered14 Martin, repressing his anger, as he thought that, after all, he had it in his power to punish Rufus more effectually and safely through his sister than by any attempt at present violence. "I'm happy to hear it, for I've relieved you of any other care. I will take care of Rose now."
"Where is she?" asked Rufus, anxiously.
"She's safe," said Martin.
"Is that all you are going to tell me?"
"It's all you need to know. Only, if you're very anxious to contribute to your sister's support, you can hand me the money, and it shall go for her board."
As he looked at Martin with his air of insolent15 triumph, the newsboy felt that he hated him. It was not a Christian16 feeling, but it was a very natural one. This was the man who had made his mother's life a wretched one, and hastened her death; who in this and other ways had brought grief and trouble upon Rose and himself, and who now seemed determined17 to continue his persecutions, out of a spirit of miserable18 spite and hatred19. He would hardly have been able to control his temper, but he knew that Martin would probably wreak20 vengeance21 upon his sister for anything he might do to provoke him, and he resolved, poor as the chance was, to try and see if he could not conciliate him, and induce him, if possible, to give up Rose again to his own care.
"Mr. Martin," he said, "Rose will only be a trouble and expense to you. Why won't you bring her back? You don't care for her; but she is my sister, and I will willingly work for her support." "Rose must stay with me," said Martin. "If you're so anxious to pay her expenses, you can pay me."
"I want her to live with me."
"Sorry I couldn't accommodate you," said Martin, "but your influence was bad on her. I can't allow you to be together. She's been growing a great deal wus since she was with me. I carried her yesterday to a nice, respectable boarding-place, and the fust thing she did was to get to fighting with another little gal22 in the house."
"Where was that?"
"Maybe you'd like to have me tell you."
"Rose is a very sweet, peaceable little girl, and if she got into trouble, the other girl was to blame."
"The other girl's a little angel, so her mother says, and she ought to know. Rose has got a sullen23, bad temper; but I'll break her of it, see if I don't."
"If you ill-treat my sister, it'll be the worse for you," said Rough and Ready, hotly.
"Hoity-toity, I guess I can punish my child, if I see fit, without asking your leave."
"She isn't your child."
"I've got her in my charge, and I mean to keep her."
This was unfortunately true, and Rufus chafed24 inwardly that it was so. To think that his darling little Rose should be in the power of such a coarse brute25 was enough to fill him with anger and despair. But what could he do? Was there any way in which he could get her back? If he only knew where she was! But of this he was entirely26 ignorant. Indignant as he was, he must use conciliating means as long as there was any chance that these would avail anything. He thought of the money he had laid aside, and it occurred to him that Mr. Martin might be accessible to a bribe27. He knew that his stepfather was very poorly provided with money, unless he had greatly improved in his habits upon his former mode of life. At all events, he could but fail, and he determined to make the attempt.
"Mr. Martin," he said, "if you'll bring my sister back, and agree not to take her away from me again, I'll give you ten dollars."
"Have you got so much money?" asked Martin, doubtfully.
"Yes."
"Where did you get it?"
"I earned it."
"Have you got any more?"
"A little."
The newsboy did not think it expedient28 to let his stepfather know precisely29 how much he had, for he knew his demands would rise with the knowledge.
"How much more?" persisted Martin.
"I can't exactly say."
"Have you got fifteen dollars?"
"I will try to raise it, if you will bring back my sister."
Martin hesitated. Fifteen dollars was not to be despised. This sum would enable him to live in idleness for a time. Besides he would be relieved of the expenses of Rose, and this would amount in time to considerable. As he did not pretend to feel any attachment30 to his stepdaughter, and didn't expect to receive any pleasure or comfort from her society, it certainly seemed to be a desirable arrangement. But, on the other hand, it was pleasant to a man like Martin to feel that he had some one in his power over whom he could exercise control, and upon whom he might expend31 his anger. Besides, he would keep Rufus in a constant state of trouble and anxiety, and this, too, was something. Still he did not like to give up wholly the chance of gaining the fifteen dollars. After a little hesitation32, he said, "Have you got the money with you?"
"No."
"Have you any of it with you?"
"Only a dollar or two."
"That won't do."
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I should want part or the whole of it in advance."
"I shouldn't be willing to pay you in advance," said the newsboy, whose confidence in his stepfather's integrity was by no means large.
"Why not?"
"I'll pay you when you bring Rose. That's fair enough."
"Perhaps you wouldn't have the money."
"Then you could carry her back again."
"And have all my trouble for nothing!"
"You won't have all your trouble for nothing. I want Rose back, and I shall be sure to have the money with me."
Mr. Martin reflected a moment. He knew that he could trust the newsboy's word. Much as he disliked him, he knew that if he made a promise he would keep it, if there was a possibility of his doing so. Fifteen dollars was quite a sum to him, for it was a long time since he had had so much, and such were his shiftless habits, that it would probably be a long time before he would have it, especially if he had to pay for the board of Rose. Again, it occurred to him that if he should surrender Rose, and receive the money, he might steal her again, and thus lose nothing But then it was probable that Rufus would guard against this by removing to a different quarter of the city, and not permitting Rose to go out unaccompanied.
So there was a little conflict in his mind, and finally he came to this decision. He would not surrender Rose quite yet. He wanted to torment33 both her and her brother a little longer. There was time enough to make the arrangement a week hence. Perhaps by that time the newsboy would be ready to increase his offer.
"Well," said Rough and Ready, "what do you say?"
"I'll think about it."
"You'd better decide now."
"No, I don't feel like it. Do you think I'm ready to give up my little daughter's society, after having her with me only a day?" and he smiled in a way that provoked Rufus, as he knew it would.
"Will you bring her to-morrow?" asked the news boy, who felt that he must hold his anger in check.
"Maybe I'll bring her in the course of a week; that is, if she behaves herself. I must break her of some of her faults. She needs trainin'."
"She's a good little girl."
"She's got to be better before I give her back. Hope you won't fret34 about her;" and Martin walked away, with a half laugh, as he saw the trouble which the newsboy couldn't help showing in his face.
A sudden idea came to Rufus.
"Ben," he said, beckoning35 to Ben Gibson, who had just got through with a job, "do you see that man?"
"The one you've been talking with?"
"Yes."
"Well, what about him?"
"I'll give you a dollar if you'll follow him, and find out where he lives. Of course he mustn't know that you are following him."
"Maybe he isn't going home."
"Never mind. Follow him if it takes you all day, and you shall have the dollar."
"Maybe I'll get off the track."
"You're too sharp for that. You see, Ben, he's carried off my little sister, and I want to find out where he has put her. Just find out for me where she is, and we'll carry her off from him."
"That'll be bully36 fun," said Ben. "I'm your man. Just take care of my box, and I'll see what I can do."
Mr. Martin had turned down Spruce Street. He kept on his way, not suspecting that there was some one on his track.
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收听单词发音
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1
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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7
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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cub
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| n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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victuals
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| n.食物；食品 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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budge
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| v.移动一点儿；改变立场 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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15
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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wreak
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| v.发泄；报复 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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bribe
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| n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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expend
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| vt.花费，消费，消耗 | |
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32
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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33
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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35
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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bully
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| n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮 | |
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