CHAPTER XIX. — MUTUAL CONFIDENCES.

 The reader who has followed Sam's fortunes closely may wonder how a boy so shabbily dressed as Sam, could be treated as an equal by a young lady of good family. This leads me to explain that about a month before Sam had been presented with a neat suit of clothes, originally made for a nephew of his employer, but which had proved too small. Thus it happened that, with the exception of his hat, which was rather the worse for wear, our hero presented quite a respectable appearance.

 

Julia Stockton remained outside with Sam till the boat rounded the Battery, and for three-quarters of an hour longer. Sam was very well qualified¹ to answer her numerous questions about the different places they passed.

 

"What is that island?" asked Julia.

 

"That is Blackwell's Island," answered Sam.

 

"Is that where the penitentiary² is?" she inquired, with interest.

 

"Yes, it is that long stone building."

 

"How gloomy it is!" said Julia, with a shudder³. "How can people be so wicked as to need to go to such a place?"

 

Sam winced⁴. He knew very well that he had done things, or, at any rate, planned them, which would have entitled him to a place in the prison they were now passing.

 

"How ashamed I should be if I were ever sent there, and Julia should know it!" he thought.

 

"What makes you look so sober?" asked Julia.

 

"I was pitying the poor people who are confined there."

 

"It must be horrid⁵, but I suppose it can't be helped. I don't see how anybody can want to steal."

 

Sam thought he could understand. It was not so long since he himself had tried to appropriate the property of another; but he only determined⁶ that this should not happen again. He could not consent to forfeit⁷ the good opinion of Julia Stockton, and the class to which she belonged. A new ambition began to stir in Sam's soul—the ambition to lead a thoroughly⁸ respectable life, and to rise to some creditable position.

 

"I will turn over a new leaf, I really will," he said to himself. "I'll be a very different boy from what I have been."

 

They remained outside a while longer, till the steamer had passed through the channel into the broader waters of the Sound, and then re-entered the cabin. The gong for supper had already sounded.

 

"Won't you go down to supper?" asked Sam.

 

"Yes, I think I will. You will come, too?"

 

"Yes, I will go, too," answered Sam, feeling complimented by the invitation.

 

As they were approaching the stairs, Julia dropped a scarf from her neck. It was picked up by a gentleman, who handed it to Sam, with the remark, "Your sister has dropped her scarf."

 

"He takes you for my sister," said Sam, turning to Julia with evident pleasure.

 

"I am afraid you wouldn't own me for a sister," said Julia, smiling coquettishly.

 

"I should be proud to have such a sister," said Sam, earnestly.

 

"Would you, really?"

 

"Yes, I would."

 

"I am afraid you only say so to compliment me."

 

"I mean it; but I am sure you would not want me for a brother."

 

"I don't know," said Julia, with a roguish glance. "Do you always behave well?"

 

"I am afraid I don't always."

 

"Nor I either," returned Julia, in a burst of confidence. "I used to play tricks on my governess sometimes."

 

"I don't think that is so very wicked," said Sam. "Won't you tell me about some of them?"

 

"After supper I will; but I wouldn't like to have anybody else hear."

 

They sat down to the table side by side, and made a satisfactory repast. Sam tried to pay for Julia's, but here the young lady was firm. She insisted on paying her own bill, as indeed propriety⁹ required.

 

When the supper was over, they returned to the saloon.

1 qualified   

adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的

参考例句：

• He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
• We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

2 penitentiary   

n.感化院；监狱

参考例句：

• He worked as a warden at the state penitentiary.他在这所州监狱任看守长。
• While he was in the penitentiary her father died and the family broke up.他坐牢的时候，她的父亲死了，家庭就拆散了。

3 shudder   

v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动

参考例句：

• The sight of the coffin sent a shudder through him.看到那副棺材，他浑身一阵战栗。
• We all shudder at the thought of the dreadful dirty place.我们一想到那可怕的肮脏地方就浑身战惊。

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 horrid   

adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的

参考例句：

• I'm not going to the horrid dinner party.我不打算去参加这次讨厌的宴会。
• The medicine is horrid and she couldn't get it down.这种药很难吃，她咽不下去。

6 determined   

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。

7 forfeit   

vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物

参考例句：

• If you continue to tell lies,you will forfeit the good opinion of everyone.你如果继续撒谎，就会失掉大家对你的好感。
• Please pay for the forfeit before you borrow book.在你借书之前请先付清罚款。

8 thoroughly   

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。

9 propriety   

n.正当行为；正当；适当

参考例句：

• We hesitated at the propriety of the method.我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
• The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当。