CHAPTER VIII. A GIFT.

 The next forenoon Paul called at Mr. Preston's place of business. On entering the office he found Mr. Talbot conversing¹ with him.

 

"Talbot," said Mr. Preston, "this is your new tenant², Paul Hoffman."

 

"Good-morning, Paul," said Mr. Talbot pleasantly. "Mrs. Talbot tells me that you and your mother called last evening."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"I was called away by an engagement, but I am glad to say that Mrs. Talbot approves my choice."

 

"Thank you, sir."

 

"I hear from Mr. Preston that you have been unfortunate in being burned out."

 

"Yes, sir, we have been burned out, but we hadn't much to lose."

 

"Were you able to save any of your clothing?"

 

"My mother saved a new dress she had just bought."

 

"Was that all?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"It will cost you considerable to replace what was destroyed."

 

"Considerable for me, sir. I called this morning to ask Mr. Preston for fifty dollars, from the money he has of mine, to spend for clothes for my mother, and brother, and myself."

 

"Will fifty dollars be sufficient?"

 

"I have some money on hand. That will be all I shall need to draw."

 

"It will be a pity to disturb your savings³. Your care of my house will be worth more than the rent. I will give you fifty dollars besides."

 

Suiting the action to the word, Mr. Talbot took out his pocketbook and drew therefrom five ten-dollar bills, which he placed in Paul's hands.

 

"You are very kind," said Paul, in grateful surprise. "We felt well paid by having our rent free."

 

"You are quite welcome, but I ought to tell you that it is to Mrs. Talbot you are indebted rather than to myself. She suggested my giving you the money, having been much pleased with your mother's appearance."

 

"I am very much obliged to her also, then," said Paul, "and so will be my mother when I tell her. We will try to give you satisfaction."

 

"I feel sure you will," said Mr. Talbot kindly⁴.

 

"That is a fine boy," he said, after Paul had bidden them good-morning and left the office.

 

"He is an excellent boy," said Mr. Preston warmly. "He is straightforward⁵, manly⁶, and honest."

 

"How did you fall in with him?"

 

"He fell in with me," said Mr. Preston, laughing.

 

"How is that?"

 

"As I was turning the corner of a street downtown one day he ran into me and nearly knocked the breath out of me."

 

"Which prepossessed you in his favor?" inquired Mr. Talbot, smiling.

 

"Not at first. However, it led to a little conversation, by which I learned that he was a street candy merchant, and that some young thief had run off with all his stock in trade. He was then in hot pursuit. Learning that his mother was a seamstress and a worthy⁷ woman, I employed her to make me some shirts. I have followed the fortunes of the family, and have been Paul's adviser⁸ since then, and latterly his banker. He is now proprietor⁹ of a street-stand, and making, for a boy of his age, quite a fair income."

 

"Your account interests me. If I am as well satisfied as I hope to be with the family I will hereafter seek out some way of serving him."

 

"I am certain you will be satisfied."

 

The two gentlemen now conversed¹⁰ of other things, with which the reader has no concern.

 

Paul went home in high spirits, and delighted his mother and Jimmy with the gift he had received.

 

"Now, mother," he said, "get on your bonnet¹¹ and shawl, and we'll go out shopping."

 

"Won't you take me too, Paul?" asked Jimmy.

 

"To be sure I will. I am going to buy you a suit of clothes, Jimmy."

 

The little boy clapped his hands. New clothes were a rarity to him, and the purchase of a new suit, therefore, would be a memorable¹² event.

 

I do not propose to detail Paul's purchases. They consisted of new suits for Jimmy and himself, and a complete outfit¹³ of under garments, closing with the purchase of two plain, substantial trunks. Mrs. Hoffman deferred¹⁴ her own shopping till Monday.

 

When, later in the day, the various articles arrived, Paul regarded them with much complacency.

 

"It looks as if we were getting up in the world," he said.

 

"You deserve to succeed, Paul," said his mother. "You have been industrious¹⁵ and faithful, and God has prospered¹⁶ you."

 

"I have had a good mother to encourage me," said Paul, "or I should not have done so well."

 

"You are right to say that, Paul," said Mrs. Norton. "It isn't every boy that has a good mother."

 

"That is true. There are some boys I know who would do well if their mothers were not shiftless and intemperate¹⁷. You remember Tommy O'Connor, mother, don't you?"

 

"Yes, Paul."

 

"I met him in Nassau street yesterday. He was lounging about in rags, doing nothing. He asked me to lend him five cents. I asked him why he was not at work. He said his mother took all his money and spent it for drink. Then she got quarrelsome and beat him."

 

"How can any mother behave in that way?" said Mrs. Hoffman, shuddering¹⁸.

 

"I don't know, but there is more than one mother that does it, though it's more likely to be the father."

 

The next day dawned bright and pleasant.

 

"Can I put on my new clothes, Paul?" asked Jimmy.

 

"Yes," said Paul. "It's Sunday, and we'll all put on our best clothes and go to church."

 

"I should like that," said the little boy, delighted.

 

Mrs. Hoffman readily agreed to the plan.

 

If of late the family had remained at home on Sunday, it was at first for want of good clothing, not from any want of respect for religious institutions. During Mr. Hoffman's life they had attended regularly, and Paul had belonged to a Sunday-school, Jimmy being too young. The church they had formerly¹⁹ attended being in Harlem, they could not of course go so far, but dropped into one not far from union Square. They were shown seats by the sexton, and listened attentively²⁰ to the services, though it must be confessed that Jimmy's attention was occasionally diverted to his new clothes, of which he was not a little proud. Mrs. Hoffman felt glad once more to find herself enjoying religious privileges, and determined²¹ henceforth to attend regularly.

 

As they were leaving the church, Paul suddenly found himself, to his surprise, next to Mr. and Mrs. Talbot, whom he had not before observed.

 

"Good-morning, Mr. Talbot," he said.

 

Mr. Talbot turned on being addressed and said:

 

"What, Paul, are you here?"

 

"Mr. Talbot, this is my mother," said Paul.

 

"Mrs. Hoffman," said Mr. Talbot, with as much courtesy as if he were addressing his social equal, "I am glad to make your acquaintance. My dear, this is Mrs. Hoffman."

 

Mrs. Talbot greeted both cordially, and made some inquiries²² about Jimmy. She observed with pleasure the neat appearance of the entire family, feeling sure that those who were so careful about their own appearance would be equally careful of her house. She also thought more favorably of them for their attendance at church, having herself a high respect for religious observances. Of course Paul and his mother thanked her in fitting terms for the gift which had enabled them to replace their losses by the fire.

 

After a brief conversation they parted, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot going uptown, while Paul and his mother had nearly two miles to walk in a different direction.

 

"Next Sunday we shall be walking uptown also," said Paul. "It will look well in the Directory, 'Paul Hoffman, merchant; house, Madison avenue,' won't it?"

 

"Yes," said his mother, "so long as it doesn't mention that you live in the basement."

 

"Some time I hope to occupy a whole house of my own."

 

"In Madison avenue?"

 

"Perhaps so; who knows?"

 

"I see, Paul, you are getting ambitious."

 

"Where shall I be, Paul?" asked Jimmy, who felt that his future prospects²³ deserved consideration.

 

"Oh, you'll be a famous artist, and have a studio on Fifth avenue."

 

"Do you think so, Paul?" asked the little fellow seriously.

 

"I hope so. All you want is a little help from me now and then. If I had time I would give you a course of lessons in drawing."

 

"You draw awfully²⁴, Paul."

 

"Do you draw any better?"

 

"Of course I do."

 

"Mother," said Paul, with much gravity, "that boy's self-conceit is unbounded. You ought to talk to him about it."

 

But though Paul liked to joke Jimmy, he had already decided²⁵, after they moved uptown, to give him an opportunity of developing his talent by engaging a drawing teacher for him. The large saving in their expenses from not being obliged to pay rent would allow him to do this easily. He had not yet mentioned this to Jimmy, for he meant to surprise him.

1 conversing   

v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• I find that conversing with her is quite difficult. 和她交谈实在很困难。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They were conversing in the parlor. 他们正在客厅谈话。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 tenant   

n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用

参考例句：

• The tenant was dispossessed for not paying his rent.那名房客因未付房租而被赶走。
• The tenant is responsible for all repairs to the building.租户负责对房屋的所有修理。

3 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

4 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。

5 straightforward   

adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的

参考例句：

• A straightforward talk is better than a flowery speech.巧言不如直说。
• I must insist on your giving me a straightforward answer.我一定要你给我一个直截了当的回答。

6 manly   

adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地

参考例句：

• The boy walked with a confident manly stride.这男孩以自信的男人步伐行走。
• He set himself manly tasks and expected others to follow his example.他给自己定下了男子汉的任务，并希望别人效之。

7 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

8 adviser   

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。

9 proprietor   

n.所有人；业主；经营者

参考例句：

• The proprietor was an old acquaintance of his.业主是他的一位旧相识。
• The proprietor of the corner grocery was a strange thing in my life.拐角杂货店店主是我生活中的一个怪物。

10 conversed   

v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 )

参考例句：

• I conversed with her on a certain problem. 我与她讨论某一问题。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• She was cheerful and polite, and conversed with me pleasantly. 她十分高兴，也很客气，而且愉快地同我交谈。 来自辞典例句

11 bonnet   

n.无边女帽；童帽

参考例句：

• The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光，使之不刺眼。
• She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽，帽上缀着褪了色的假花。

12 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

13 outfit   

n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装

参考例句：

• Jenney bought a new outfit for her daughter's wedding.珍妮为参加女儿的婚礼买了一套新装。
• His father bought a ski outfit for him on his birthday.他父亲在他生日那天给他买了一套滑雪用具。

14 deferred   

adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从

参考例句：

• The department deferred the decision for six months. 这个部门推迟了六个月才作决定。
• a tax-deferred savings plan 延税储蓄计划

15 industrious   

adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的

参考例句：

• If the tiller is industrious,the farmland is productive.人勤地不懒。
• She was an industrious and willing worker.她是个勤劳肯干的员工。

16 prospered   

成功，兴旺( prosper的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The organization certainly prospered under his stewardship. 不可否认，这个组织在他的管理下兴旺了起来。
• Mr. Black prospered from his wise investments. 布莱克先生由于巧妙的投资赚了不少钱。

17 intemperate   

adj.无节制的，放纵的

参考例句：

• Many people felt threatened by Arther's forceful,sometimes intemperate style.很多人都觉得阿瑟的强硬的、有时过激的作风咄咄逼人。
• The style was hurried,the tone intemperate.匆促的笔调，放纵的语气。

18 shuddering   

v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动

参考例句：

• 'I am afraid of it,'she answered, shuddering. “我害怕，”她发着抖，说。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
• She drew a deep shuddering breath. 她不由得打了个寒噤，深深吸了口气。 来自飘（部分）

19 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

20 attentively   

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》

21 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。

22 inquiries   

n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释，等候进一步调查。
• I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

23 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。

24 awfully   

adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地

参考例句：

• Agriculture was awfully neglected in the past.过去农业遭到严重忽视。
• I've been feeling awfully bad about it.对这我一直感到很难受。

25 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。