CHAPTER IX. HOW MR. DRUMMOND TOOK THE NEWS.

 Joshua's anticipations¹ of a good breakfast were realized. As he entered the room where the table was set, he saw a dish of beefsteak, another of fried potatoes, and some hot biscuit. This with coffee was very much better than the breakfast usually provided in the Drummond household.

 

Joshua burst into a fresh fit of laughter, thinking how his father had been taken in.

 

"What's the matter, Joshua?" asked his mother, who was the only one in the room besides himself.

 

"Oh, it's the richest joke, mother!"

 

"What is?" asked Mrs. Drummond, perplexed².

 

"I can't tell you now, but you'll find out pretty soon. Ho, ho!"

 

And Joshua commenced to laugh again.

 

"Has Mr. Conrad come downstairs?"

 

"I haven't seen Mr. Conrad this morning," [Pg 79]answered Joshua, imitating his mother's tone in repeating the name.

 

Just then Walter entered, and said "Good-morning."

 

"Good-morning, Mr. Conrad," said Mrs. Drummond. "I hope you slept well."

 

"Very well, thank you," said Walter.

 

Mr. Drummond here entered from the street, having been for an hour in the store opposite.

 

"Good-morning, Mr. Conrad," he said. "I trust you rested well, and can do justice to our humble³ repast. I have been in the store an hour. We who are not endowed with the gifts of Fortune must be early astir."

 

Joshua tried to suppress a laugh, but not with entire success.

 

"What are you snickering at, Joshua?" demanded Mr. Drummond, in a displeased⁴ tone. "I don't know what Mr. Conrad will think of your manners."

 

"You'll excuse them, won't you, Mr. Conrad?" asked Joshua, beginning to chuckle⁵ again.

 

Knowing very well the source of his amusement, and feeling his own position to be an awkward one,[Pg 80] Walter was all the more resolved to impart to Mr. Drummond without delay the posture⁶ of his father's affairs. He did not answer Joshua's appeal.

 

"I don't see what has got into you this morning, Joshua," said Mrs. Drummond, mildly. "You seem in very good spirits."

 

"So I am," said Joshua, with a grin.

 

His father suspected that the unusual excellence⁷ of the breakfast had something to do with Joshua's mirth, and was afraid he would let out something about it. This made him a little nervous, as he wanted to keep up appearances before his young guest.

 

Walter's appetite was not very good. His father's death weighed heavily upon him, and Joshua's revelation of the night before was not calculated to cheer him. It was mortifying⁸ to think that Mr. Drummond's gracious manner was entirely⁹ owing to his supposed wealth; but of this he entertained little doubt. He was anxious to have the truth known, no matter how unfavorably it might affect his position with the Drummonds. There were some, he knew, whose kindness did not depend on his reputed[Pg 81] wealth. "You have a poor appetite, Mr. Conrad," said Mr. Drummond. "Let me give you another piece of steak."

 

"No, I thank you," said Walter.

 

"I'll take another piece, father," said Joshua.

 

"I have already helped you twice," said his father, frowning.

 

"I'm hungry this morning," said Joshua, who, knowing that he could not expect another as good breakfast, determined¹⁰ to do full justice to this.

 

"If you are, you need not overeat yourself," said Mr. Drummond, depositing on his son's outstretched plate a square inch of meat.

 

Joshua coolly helped himself to fried potatoes, and appropriated a hot biscuit, much to his father's annoyance¹¹. He resolved to give Joshua a private hint that he must be more sparing in his eating. He did not like to speak before Walter, desiring to keep up with him the character of a liberal man. Joshua understood his father's feelings, and it contributed to the enjoyment¹² which he felt at the thought of how richly his father was sold.

 

At length breakfast was over.

 

[Pg 82]

 

"I must go back to the store," said Mr. Drummond. "Joshua will look after you, Mr. Conrad. I hope you will be able to pass the time pleasantly."

 

"If you can spare me five minutes, Mr. Drummond, I should like to speak to you in private," said Walter, determined to put an end to the misunderstanding at once.

 

"Certainly. I can spare five or ten minutes, or more, Mr. Conrad. Won't you walk into the parlor¹³?"

 

The parlor was a very dreary-looking room, dark, cold, and cheerless. A carpet, of an ugly pattern, covered the floor; there was a centre-table in the middle of the room with a few books that were never opened resting upon it. Half-a-dozen cane-bottomed chairs stood about the room, and there were besides a few of the stock articles usually to be found in country parlors¹⁴, including a very hard, inhospitable-looking sofa. As the Drummonds did not have much company, this room was very seldom used.

 

"Take a seat, Mr. Conrad," said Mr. Drummond, seating himself.

 

[Pg 83]

 

Mr. Drummond was far from anticipating the nature of Walter's communication. Indeed, he cherished a hope that our hero was about to ask his assistance in settling up the estate,—a request with which, it is needless to say, he would gladly have complied.

 

"I don't suppose you know how I am situated," Walter commenced. "I mean in relation to my father's estate."

 

"I suppose it was all left to you, and very properly. I congratulate you on starting in the world under such good auspices¹⁵. I don't, of course, know how much your father left, but—"

 

"It is not certain that my father left anything," said Walter, thinking it best to reveal every thing at once.

 

"What!" exclaimed Mr. Drummond, his lower jaw¹⁶ falling, and looking very blank.

 

"My father made some investments recently that turned out badly."

 

"But he was worth a very large property,—it can't all be lost."

 

"I am afraid there will be very little left, if [Pg 84]anything. He lost heavily by some mining stock, which he bought at a high figure, and which ran down to almost nothing."

 

"There's the house left, at any rate."

 

"My father borrowed its value, I understand; I am afraid that must go too."

 

Now, at length, it flashed upon Mr. Drummond how he had been taken in. He thought of the attentions he had lavished¹⁷ upon Walter, of the extra expense he had incurred¹⁸, and all as it appeared for a boy likely to prove penniless. He might even expect to live upon him. These thoughts, which rapidly succeeded each other, mortified¹⁹ and made him angry.

 

"Why didn't you tell me this before, young man?" he demanded with asperity²⁰.

 

His change of tone and manner showed Walter that Joshua was entirely right in his estimate of his father's motives²¹, and he in turn became indignant.

 

"When did you expect me to tell you, Mr. Drummond?" he said quickly. "I only arrived yesterday afternoon, and I tell you this morning. I would have told you last night, if you had been in the house."

 

[Pg 85]

 

"Why didn't you tell me when I was at Willoughby?"

 

"I had other things to think of," said Walter, shortly. "The thought of my father's death and of my loss shut out everything else."

 

"Well, what are you going to do?" asked Mr. Drummond, in a hard tone.

 

"I shall have to earn my own living," said Walter. "I am well and strong, and am not afraid."

 

"That is a good plan," said Mr. Drummond, who knew Walter so little as to fear that he wanted to become dependent upon him.

 

"When I was of your age I had my own living to earn. What do you propose to do?"

 

"Have you a vacancy²² for me in your store? Joshua told me you wished him to go in."

 

"You couldn't earn much, for you don't know anything of the business."

 

"I should not expect to. I am perfectly²³ willing to work for my board until I find out how my father's affairs are going to turn out."

 

This proposal struck Mr. Drummond favorably. He judged that Walter would prove a valuable[Pg 86] assistant when he was broken in, for it was easy to see that he had energy. Besides, it was desirable to keep him near until it was decided²⁴ whether Mr. Conrad's affairs were really in as bad a state as his son represented. Even if a few thousand dollars were left, Mr. Drummond would like the handling of that sum. Then, again, no one knew better than Mr. Drummond that Walter's board would cost him very little; for, of course, he would at once return to his usual frugal²⁵ fare.

 

"Very well," he said; "you can go into the store on those terms. As you say, you've got your own living to earn, and the sooner you begin the better."

 

Walter had not said this, but he agreed with Mr. Drummond.

 

It may be thought strange that our hero should have been willing to enter the employment of such a mean man; but he thought it wisest to remain in the neighborhood until he could learn something definite about his father's affairs. He prepared to go to work at once, partly because he didn't wish to be dependent, partly because he foresaw that he should be happier if employed.

 

When Mr. Drummond and Walter came out of the parlor, Joshua was waiting in the next room, and looked up eagerly to see how his father bore the communication. He was disappointed when he saw that Mr. Drummond looked much as usual.

 

"Conrad has been telling me," said Mr. Drummond, "that his father lost a good deal of money by speculation²⁶, and it is doubtful whether he has left any property."

 

"I am very sorry," said Mrs. Drummond; and Walter saw and appreciated her look of sympathy.

 

"As he will probably have to work for a living, he has asked for a place in my store," pursued Mr. Drummond, "and I have agreed to take him on trial. Conrad, you may get your hat and come over at once."

 

Joshua whistled in sheer amazement²⁷. The affair had by no means terminated as he anticipated.

1 anticipations   

预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物

参考例句：

• The thought took a deal of the spirit out of his anticipations. 想到这，他的劲头消了不少。
• All such bright anticipations were cruelly dashed that night. 所有这些美好的期望全在那天夜晚被无情地粉碎了。

2 perplexed   

adj.不知所措的

参考例句：

• The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛，走了又回来，犹豫不决，总怕上当受骗。
• The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。

3 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

4 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。

5 chuckle   

vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑

参考例句：

• He shook his head with a soft chuckle.他轻轻地笑着摇了摇头。
• I couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at the thought of it.想到这个，我忍不住轻轻地笑起来。

6 posture   

n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势

参考例句：

• The government adopted an uncompromising posture on the issue of independence.政府在独立这一问题上采取了毫不妥协的态度。
• He tore off his coat and assumed a fighting posture.他脱掉上衣，摆出一副打架的架势。

7 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。

8 mortifying   

adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等）

参考例句：

• I've said I did not love her, and rather relished mortifying her vanity now and then. 我已经说过我不爱她，而且时时以伤害她的虚荣心为乐。 来自辞典例句
• It was mortifying to know he had heard every word. 知道他听到了每一句话后真是尴尬。 来自互联网

9 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

10 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。

11 annoyance   

n.恼怒，生气，烦恼

参考例句：

• Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气？
• I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。

12 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

13 parlor   

n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅

参考例句：

• She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
• Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店？

14 parlors   

客厅( parlor的名词复数 )； 起居室； （旅馆中的）休息室； （通常用来构成合成词）店

参考例句：

• It had been a firm specializing in funeral parlors and parking lots. 它曾经是一个专门经营殡仪馆和停车场的公司。
• I walked, my eyes focused into the endless succession of barbershops, beauty parlors, confectioneries. 我走着，眼睛注视着那看不到头的、鳞次栉比的理发店、美容院、糖果店。

15 auspices   

n.资助，赞助

参考例句：

• The association is under the auspices of Word Bank.这个组织是在世界银行的赞助下办的。
• The examination was held under the auspices of the government.这次考试是由政府主办的。

16 jaw   

n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训

参考例句：

• He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
• A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。

17 lavished   

v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I lavished all the warmth of my pent-up passion. 我把憋在心里那一股热烈的情感尽量地倾吐出来。 来自辞典例句
• An enormous amount of attention has been lavished on these problems. 在这些问题上，我们已经花费了大量的注意力。 来自辞典例句

18 incurred   

[医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式

参考例句：

• She had incurred the wrath of her father by marrying without his consent 她未经父亲同意就结婚，使父亲震怒。
• We will reimburse any expenses incurred. 我们将付还所有相关费用。

19 mortified   

v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等）

参考例句：

• She was mortified to realize he had heard every word she said. 她意识到自己的每句话都被他听到了，直羞得无地自容。
• The knowledge of future evils mortified the present felicities. 对未来苦难的了解压抑了目前的喜悦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 asperity   

n.粗鲁，艰苦

参考例句：

• He spoke to the boy with asperity.他严厉地对那男孩讲话。
• The asperity of the winter had everybody yearning for spring.严冬之苦让每个人都渴望春天。

21 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。

22 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

23 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

24 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。

25 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。

26 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

27 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。