CHAPTER III — RANDOLPH GETS THE WATCH

 "It is true," said the teacher, slowly. "Randolph has won the race."

 

Randolph's face lighted up with exultation¹.

 

"But it is also evident," continued Mr. Hooper, "that he would not have succeeded but for the unfortunate collision between Luke Larkin and Tom Harper."

 

Here some of Luke's friends brightened up.

 

"I don't know about that," said Randolph. "At any rate, I came in first."

 

"I watched the race closely," said the teacher, "and I have no doubt on the subject. Luke had so great a lead that he would surely have won the race."

 

"But he didn't," persisted Randolph, doggedly².

 

"He did not, as we all know. It is also clear that had he not stopped to ascertain³ the extent of Tom's injuries he still might have won."

 

"That's so!" said half a dozen boys.

 

"Therefore I cannot accept the result as indicating the superiority of the successful contestant⁴."

 

"I think I am entitled to the prize," said Randolph.

 

"I concede that; but, under the circumstances, I suggest to you that it would be graceful⁵ and proper to waive⁶ your claim and try the race over again."

 

The boys applauded, with one or two exceptions.

 

"I won't consent to that, Mr. Hooper," said Randolph, frowning. "I've won the prize fairly and I want it."

 

"I am quite willing Randolph should have it, sir," said Luke. "I think I should have won it if I had not stopped with Tom, but that doesn't affect the matter one way or the other. Randolph came in first, as he says, and I think he is entitled to the watch."

 

"Then," said Mr. Hooper, gravely, "there is nothing more to be said. Randolph, come forward and receive the prize."

 

Randolph obeyed with alacrity⁷, and received the Waterbury watch from the hands of Mr. Hooper. The boys stood in silence and offered no congratulations.

 

"Now, let me say," said the teacher, "that I cannot understand why there was any collision at all. Tom Harper, why did you get in Luke's way?"

 

"Because I was a fool, sir," answered Tom, smarting from his injuries, and the evident indifference⁸ of Randolph, in whose cause he had incurred⁹ them.

 

"That doesn't answer my question. Why did you act like a fool, as you expressed it?"

 

"I thought I could get out of the way in time," stammered¹⁰ Tom, who did not dare to tell the truth.

 

"You had no other reason?" asked the teacher, searchingly.

 

"No, sir. What other reason could I have?" said Tom, but his manner betrayed confusion.

 

"Indeed, I don't know," returned the teacher, quietly. "Your action, however, spoiled Luke's chances and insured the success of Randolph."

 

"And got me a broken head," muttered Tom, placing his hand upon the swelling¹¹ at the back of his head.

 

"Yes, you got the worst of it. I advise you to go home and apply cold water or any other remedy your mother may suggest."

 

Randolph had already turned away, meaning to return home. Tom joined him. Randolph would gladly have dispensed¹² with his company, but had no decent excuse, as Tom's home lay in the same direction as his.

 

"Well, Randolph, you've won the watch," said Tom, when they were out of hearing of the other boys.

 

"Yes," answered Randolph, indifferently. "I don't care so much for that as for the ten dollars my father is going to give me."

 

"That's what I thought. You've got another watch, you know—more valuable."

 

"Well, what of it?" said Randolph, suspiciously.

 

"I think you might give me the Waterbury. I haven't got any."

 

"Why should I give it to you?" answered Randolph, coldly.

 

"Because but for me you wouldn't have won it, nor the ten dollars, neither."

 

"How do you make that out?"

 

"The teacher said so himself."

 

"I don't agree to it."

 

"You can't deny it. Luke was seven or eight rods ahead when I got in his way."

 

"Then it was lucky for me."

 

"It isn't lucky for me. My head hurts awfully¹³."

 

"I'm very sorry, of course."

 

"That won't do me any good. Come, Randolph, give me the watch, like a good fellow."

 

"Well, you've got cheek, I must say. I want the watch myself."

 

"And is that all the satisfaction I am to get for my broken head?" exclaimed Tom, indignantly.

 

Randolph was a thoroughly¹⁴ mean boy, who, if he had had a dozen watches, would have wished to keep them all for himself.

 

"I've a great mind to tell Luke and the teacher of the arrangement between us."

 

"There wasn't any arrangement," said Randolph, sharply. "However, as I'm really sorry for you, I am willing to give you a quarter. There, now, don't let me hear any more about the matter."

 

He drew a silver quarter from his vest pocket and tendered it to Tom.

 

Tom Harper was not a sensitive boy, but his face flushed with indignation and shame, and he made no offer to take the money.

 

"Keep your quarter, Randolph Duncan," he said scornfully. "I think you're the meanest specimen¹⁵ of a boy that I ever came across. Any boy is a fool to be your friend. I don't care to keep company with you any longer."

 

"This to me!" exclaimed Randolph, angrily. "This is the pay I get for condescending¹⁶ to let you go with me."

 

"You needn't condescend¹⁷ any longer," said Tom, curtly¹⁸, and he crossed to the other side of the street.

 

Randolph looked after him rather uneasily. After all, he was sorry to lose his humble¹⁹ follower²⁰.

 

"He'll be coming round in a day or two to ask me to take him back," he reflected. "I would be willing to give him ten cents more, but as for giving him the watch, he must think me a fool to part with that."

 

1 exultation   

n.狂喜，得意

参考例句：

• It made him catch his breath, it lit his face with exultation. 听了这个名字，他屏住呼吸，乐得脸上放光。
• He could get up no exultation that was really worthy the name. 他一点都激动不起来。

2 doggedly   

adv.顽强地，固执地

参考例句：

• He was still doggedly pursuing his studies.他仍然顽强地进行着自己的研究。
• He trudged doggedly on until he reached the flat.他顽强地、步履艰难地走着，一直走回了公寓。

3 ascertain   

vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清

参考例句：

• It's difficult to ascertain the coal deposits.煤储量很难探明。
• We must ascertain the responsibility in light of different situtations.我们必须根据不同情况判定责任。

4 contestant   

n.竞争者，参加竞赛者

参考例句：

• The company will furnish each contestant with a free ticket.公司将为每个参赛者免费提供一张票。
• The personal appearance and interview of the contestant is another count.参加比赛者的个人仪表和谈话也是一项。

5 graceful   

adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的

参考例句：

• His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
• The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。

6 waive   

vt.放弃，不坚持(规定、要求、权力等)

参考例句：

• I'll record to our habitat office waive our claim immediately.我立即写信给咱们的总公司提出放弃索赔。
• In view of the unusual circumstances,they agree to waive their requirement.鉴于特殊情况，他们同意放弃他们的要求。

7 alacrity   

n.敏捷，轻快，乐意

参考例句：

• Although the man was very old,he still moved with alacrity.他虽然很老，动作仍很敏捷。
• He accepted my invitation with alacrity.他欣然接受我的邀请。

8 indifference   

n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎

参考例句：

• I was disappointed by his indifference more than somewhat.他的漠不关心使我很失望。
• He feigned indifference to criticism of his work.他假装毫不在意别人批评他的作品。

9 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。

10 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

11 swelling   

n.肿胀

参考例句：

• Use ice to reduce the swelling. 用冰敷消肿。
• There is a marked swelling of the lymph nodes. 淋巴结处有明显的肿块。

12 dispensed   

v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药）

参考例句：

• Not a single one of these conditions can be dispensed with. 这些条件缺一不可。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• They dispensed new clothes to the children in the orphanage. 他们把新衣服发给孤儿院的小孩们。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

13 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。

14 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。

15 specimen   

n.样本，标本

参考例句：

• You'll need tweezers to hold up the specimen.你要用镊子来夹这标本。
• This specimen is richly variegated in colour.这件标本上有很多颜色。

16 condescending   

adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的

参考例句：

• He has a condescending attitude towards women. 他对女性总是居高临下。
• He tends to adopt a condescending manner when talking to young women. 和年轻女子说话时，他喜欢摆出一副高高在上的姿态。

17 condescend   

v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑

参考例句：

• Would you condescend to accompany me?你肯屈尊陪我吗？
• He did not condescend to answer.He turned his back on me.他不愿屈尊回答我的问题。他不理睬我。

18 curtly   

adv.简短地

参考例句：

• He nodded curtly and walked away. 他匆忙点了一下头就走了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The request was curtly refused. 这个请求被毫不客气地拒绝了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 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。

20 follower   

n.跟随者；随员；门徒；信徒

参考例句：

• He is a faithful follower of his home football team.他是他家乡足球队的忠实拥护者。
• Alexander is a pious follower of the faith.亚历山大是个虔诚的信徒。