CHAPTER XI. THE FIRST DAY ON THE RIVER.

 About half-past twelve dinner was announced.

 

"I hope you'll sit next to us, Tom," said Jennie Watson.

 

"I will, if I can."

 

It happened that Milton Graham entered the saloon at the same time with the new friends. He took the seat next to Jennie, much to that young lady's annoyance¹.

 

"Will you be kind enough to take the next seat?" she asked. "That young gentleman is to sit next to me."

 

"I am sorry to resign the pleasure, but anything[86] to oblige," said Graham. "Tom, I congratulate you," he continued, with a disagreeable smile.

 

"Thank you," said our hero briefly².

 

"He calls you Tom. Does he know you?" inquired Jennie, in a low voice.

 

"I made his acquaintance yesterday for the first time."

 

"I don't like his looks; do you?"

 

"Wait till after dinner and I will tell you," said Tom, fearing that Graham would hear.

 

Milton Graham saw that Jennie was pretty, and desired to make her acquaintance.

 

"Tom," said he—for he sat on the other side of our hero—"won't you introduce me to your young lady friend?"

 

Tom was not well versed³ in etiquette⁴, but his good sense told him that he ought to ask Jennie's permission first.

 

"If Miss Watson is willing," he said, and asked her the question.

 

Jennie was not aware of Graham's real character, and gave permission. She was perhaps a little too ready to make new acquaintances.

 

"Do you enjoy this mode of travel, Miss[87] Watson?" said Graham, after the introduction.

 

"Oh, yes; I think it very pleasant."

 

"I suppose you wouldn't like the ocean as well. I went to Havana last winter—on business for my father—and had a very rough passage. The steamer pitched and tossed, making us all miserably⁵ seasick⁶."

 

"I shouldn't like that."

 

"I don't think you would; but we business men must not regard such things."

 

Tom listened to him with incredulity. Only the day before he would have put full confidence in his statement; but he had learned a lesson, thanks to Graham himself.

 

"How far are you going, Miss Watson?" continued Graham.

 

"To Cincinnati. My mother and I are going to live there."

 

"It is a very pleasant city. I have often been there—on business."

 

"What is your business, Mr. Graham?" Tom could not help asking.

 

"I see you are a Yankee," said Graham, smiling. "Yankees are very inquisitive—always asking questions."[88]

 

"Are you a Yankee, Mr. Graham?" asked Jennie. "You asked me where I was going."

 

"A fair hit," said Graham. "No, I am not a Yankee. I am a native of New York."

 

"And I of New Jersey," said Tom.

 

"Oh, you are a foreigner then," said Graham. "We always call Jerseymen foreigners."

 

"It is a stupid joke, I think," said Tom, who was loyal to his native State.

 

"You didn't answer Tom's question," said Jennie, who was a very straightforward⁷ young lady.

 

"Oh, my father is a commission merchant," answered Graham.

 

"What does he deal in?"

 

"Articles too numerous to mention. Tom, will you pass me the potatoes?"

 

Dinner was soon over, and the passengers went upon deck. Graham lit a cigar.

 

"Have a cigar, Tom?" he said.

 

"No, thank you; I don't smoke."

 

"You'll soon learn. I'll see you again soon."

 

"Tom," said Jennie, "tell me about this Mr. Graham. What do you know about him?"[89]

 

"I don't like to tell what I know," said Tom, hesitating.

 

"But I want you to. You introduced me, you know."

 

"What I know is not to his advantage. I don't like to talk against a man."

 

"You needn't mind telling me."

 

On reflection Tom decided⁸ that he ought to tell what he knew, for he felt that Jennie ought to be put on her guard against a man whom he did not consider a suitable acquaintance for her.

 

"Very well," said he, "if you promise not to let him know that I have told you."

 

"I promise."

 

"He was my roommate last night at the Pittsburg House," said Tom, in a low voice. "During the night he tried to rob me."

 

"You don't say so!" ejaculated Jennie, in round-eyed wonder.

 

"I will tell you the particulars."

 

This Tom did. Jennie listened with indignation.

 

"But I don't understand," she said. "Why should the son of a merchant need to rob a boy[90] like you? He looks as if he had plenty of money."

 

"So I thought; but the hotel clerk told me that sharpers often appeared like this Mr. Graham, if that is his name."

 

"How strange it seems!" said Jennie. "I wish you hadn't introduced me."

 

"I didn't want to; but he asked, and at the table I couldn't give my reasons for refusing."

 

"My dear child," said her mother, "you are too ready to form new acquaintances. Let this be a lesson for you."

 

"But some new acquaintances are nice," pleaded Jennie. "Isn't Tom a new acquaintance?"

 

"I will make an exception in his favor," said Mrs. Watson, smiling pleasantly.

 

"Thank you," said Tom. "How do you know but I may be a pickpocket⁹?" he continued, addressing Jennie.

 

"As I have only ten cents in my pocket I will trust you," said the young lady merrily. "I'd trust you with any amount, Tom," she added impulsively¹⁰.

 

"Thank you, for your good opinion, Miss Jennie."[91]

 

"Don't call me Miss Jennie. If you do, I'll call you Mr. Tom."

 

"I shouldn't know myself by that title. Then I'll call you Jennie."

 

"I wish you were going to live in Cincinnati," said the young lady. "It would be nice to have you come and see us."

 

"I should like it; but I mustn't think so much of pleasure as business."

 

"Like Mr. Graham."

 

"I must work hard at the mines. I suppose I shall look pretty rough when I am there."

 

"When you've made your pile, Tom—that's what they call it, isn't it?—you'll come back, won't you?"

 

"Yes."

 

"You must stop in Cincinnati on your way home."

 

"I wouldn't know where to find you."

 

"I will give you our address before we part. But that will be some time yet."

 

About this time Graham, who had finished smoking his cigar, strolled back.

 

"Miss Watson," said he, "don't you feel like having a promenade¹¹?"[92]

 

"Yes," said Jennie suddenly. "Tom, come walk with me."

 

Our hero readily accepted the invitation, and the two walked up and down the deck.

 

"That's what I call a snub," said Graham's friend, the dark-complexioned young man, who was within hearing.

 

Graham's face was dark with anger.

 

"Curse her impudence¹², and his too!" he muttered. "I should like to wring¹³ the boy's neck."

 

"He can't help it, if the girl prefers his company," said the other, rather enjoying Graham's mortification¹⁴.

 

"I'll punish him all the same."

 

By this time Tom and Jennie were near him again, on their return.

 

"You don't treat me with much ceremony, Miss Watson," said Graham, with an evil smile.

 

"My mother doesn't like me to make too many acquaintances," said Jennie demurely¹⁵.

 

"She is very prudent," sneered¹⁶ Graham. "You have known your present companion quite a long time."[93]

 

"I hope to know him a long time," said the young lady promptly¹⁷. "Let's us continue our walk, Tom."

 

In discomfiture¹⁸ which he was unable to hide, Graham walked away.

 

"Evidently, Graham, you are no match for those two youngsters," said his friend, in amusement, which Graham did not share.

 

Graham did not reply, but seemed moody¹⁹ and preoccupied²⁰.

 

Tom and his companion noticed Graham's displeasure, but they felt indifferent to it. They had no desire to continue his acquaintance. Our hero introduced Mr. Waterbury to his new friends, and this gentleman, who was a thorough gentleman, except on the rare occasion when he yielded to the temptation of strong drink, made a favorable impression upon both.

 

So the day passed. Tom enjoyed it thoroughly²¹. The river banks afforded a continuous panorama²², while the frequent stops gave him an opportunity of observing the different towns in detail. Two or three times he went ashore²³, accompanied by Jennie, and remained till the steamer was ready to start. 

Finally night came, and one by one the weary passengers retired²⁴ to rest.

 

"Good night, Tom," said Jennie Watson. "Be up early in the morning."

 

"So as to get an appetite for breakfast?" asked Tom, with a smile.

 

"I think we shall both have appetites enough; but it will be pleasant to breathe the fresh morning air."

 

Tom promised to get up, if he wakened in time.

 

"If you don't mind, I will occupy the lower berth," said Mr. Waterbury. "I can't climb as well as you."

 

"All right, sir. It makes no difference to me."

1 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。

2 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

3 versed   

adj. 精通，熟练

参考例句：

• He is well versed in history.他精通历史。
• He versed himself in European literature. 他精通欧洲文学。

4 etiquette   

n.礼仪，礼节；规矩

参考例句：

• The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
• According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。

5 miserably   

adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地

参考例句：

• The little girl was wailing miserably. 那小女孩难过得号啕大哭。
• It was drizzling, and miserably cold and damp. 外面下着毛毛细雨，天气又冷又湿，令人难受。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 seasick   

adj.晕船的

参考例句：

• When I get seasick,I throw up my food.我一晕船就呕吐。
• He got seasick during the voyage.在航行中他晕船。

7 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。

8 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。

9 pickpocket   

n.扒手；v.扒窃

参考例句：

• The pickpocket pinched her purse and ran away.扒手偷了她的皮夹子跑了。
• He had his purse stolen by a pickpocket.他的钱包被掏了。

10 impulsively   

adv.冲动地

参考例句：

• She leant forward and kissed him impulsively. 她倾身向前，感情冲动地吻了他。
• Every good, true, vigorous feeling I had gathered came impulsively round him. 我的一切良好、真诚而又强烈的感情都紧紧围绕着他涌现出来。

11 promenade   

n./v.散步

参考例句：

• People came out in smarter clothes to promenade along the front.人们穿上更加时髦漂亮的衣服，沿着海滨散步。
• We took a promenade along the canal after Sunday dinner.星期天晚饭后我们沿着运河散步。

12 impudence   

n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼

参考例句：

• His impudence provoked her into slapping his face.他的粗暴让她气愤地给了他一耳光。
• What knocks me is his impudence.他的厚颜无耻使我感到吃惊。

13 wring   

n.扭绞；v.拧，绞出，扭

参考例句：

• My socks were so wet that I had to wring them.我的袜子很湿，我不得不拧干它们。
• I'll wring your neck if you don't behave!你要是不规矩，我就拧断你的脖子。

14 mortification   

n.耻辱，屈辱

参考例句：

• To my mortification, my manuscript was rejected. 使我感到失面子的是：我的稿件被退了回来。
• The chairman tried to disguise his mortification. 主席试图掩饰自己的窘迫。

15 demurely   

adv.装成端庄地，认真地

参考例句：

• "On the forehead, like a good brother,'she answered demurely. "吻前额，像个好哥哥那样，"她故作正经地回答说。 来自飘（部分）
• Punctuation is the way one bats one's eyes, lowers one's voice or blushes demurely. 标点就像人眨眨眼睛，低声细语，或伍犯作态。 来自名作英译部分

16 sneered   

讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He sneered at people who liked pop music. 他嘲笑喜欢流行音乐的人。
• It's very discouraging to be sneered at all the time. 成天受嘲讽是很令人泄气的。

17 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

18 discomfiture   

n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑

参考例句：

• I laughed my head off when I heard of his discomfiture. 听到别人说起他的狼狈相，我放声大笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Without experiencing discomfiture and setbacks,one can never find truth. 不经过失败和挫折，便找不到真理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

19 moody   

adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的

参考例句：

• He relapsed into a moody silence.他又重新陷于忧郁的沉默中。
• I'd never marry that girl.She's so moody.我决不会和那女孩结婚的。她太易怒了。

20 preoccupied   

adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式)

参考例句：

• He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice anything wrong. 他只顾想着心事，没注意到有什么不对。
• The question of going to the Mount Tai preoccupied his mind. 去游泰山的问题盘踞在他心头。 来自《简明英汉词典》

21 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。

22 panorama   

n.全景，全景画，全景摄影，全景照片[装置]

参考例句：

• A vast panorama of the valley lay before us.山谷的广阔全景展现在我们面前。
• A flourishing and prosperous panorama spread out before our eyes.一派欣欣向荣的景象展现在我们的眼前。

23 ashore   

adv.在(向)岸上，上岸

参考例句：

• The children got ashore before the tide came in.涨潮前，孩子们就上岸了。
• He laid hold of the rope and pulled the boat ashore.他抓住绳子拉船靠岸。

24 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。