Chapter I — Ben and His Aunt

 Five o'clock sounded from the church clock, and straightway the streets of Milltown were filled with men, women, and children issuing from the great brick factories huddled¹ together at one end of the town. Among these, two boys waked in company, James Watson and Ben Bradford. They were very nearly of an age, James having just passed his fifteenth birthday, and Ben having nearly attained² it.

 

Both boys looked sober. Why, will appear from their conversation.

 

"It's rather hard to get out of a job just now," said James. "Why couldn't the superintendent³ discharge somebody else?"

 

"I suppose it's all right," said Ben. "We were taken on last, and we haven't as much claim to remain as those that have been in the mill longer."

 

"I don't believe there was any need of discharging anybody," complained James.

 

"You know business is very dull," said Ben, who was more considerate, "and I hear they have been losing money."

 

"Oh, well, they can stand it," said James.

 

"So can you," said Ben. "Your father is pretty well off, and you won't suffer."

 

"Oh, I shall have enough to eat, and so on; but I shan't have any spending money, and I can't get a new suit, as I expected to this fall."

 

"I wish that was all I had to fear," said Ben; "but you know how it is with me. I don't see how Aunt Jane is going to get along without my earnings⁴."

 

"Oh, you'll get along somehow," said James carelessly, for he did not care enough about other people's prospects⁵ to discuss them.

 

"Yes, I guess so," said Ben, more cheerfully. "There's no use in worrying. Wait and Hope—that's my motto."

 

"You have to wait a thundering long time sometimes," said James. "Well, good night. Come round and see me to-morrow. You'll have plenty of time."

 

"I don't know about that. I must look up something to do."

 

"I shan't. I am going to wait till the superintendent takes me on again. There's one comfort. I can lie abed as long as I want to. I won't be tied to the factory bell."

 

The house which James entered was a good-sized two-story house, with an ample yard, and a garden behind it. His father kept a dry-goods store in Milltown, and was generally considered well-to-do. James entered the mill, not because he was obliged to, but because he wanted to have a supply of money in his pocket. His father allowed him to retain all of his wages, requiring him only to purchase his own clothes. As he was paid five dollars a week, James was able to clothe himself with half his income, and reserve the rest for spending-money. He was very fond of amusements, and there was no circus, concert, or other entertainment in Milltown which he did not patronize.

 

Ben kept on his way, till he reached the small house where his aunt lived, and which had been his own home ever since his parents died, when he was but five years of age. Two years before, Mr. Reuben Bradford, his uncle, died, and since then the family had been supported chiefly by Ben's wages in the mill. His aunt got some sewing to do, but her earnings were comparatively small.

 

There was one thing Ben dreaded⁶, and that was, to tell his aunt about his loss of employment. He knew how she would take it. She was apt to be despondent⁷, and this news would undoubtedly⁸ depress her. As for Ben, he was of a sanguine⁹, cheerful temperament¹⁰, and always ready to look at the bright side, if there was any bright side at all.

 

His little cousin Tony, seven years old, ran out to meet him.

 

"What makes you late, Ben?" he asked.

 

"I am not so very late, Tony," answered Ben, taking the little fellow's hand.

 

"Yes you are; it's half-past five o'clock, and supper's been ready quarter of an hour."

 

"I see how it is, Tony. You are hungry, and that has made you tired of waiting."

 

"No, I am not, but I wanted you to come home. It's always pleasanter when you are at home."

 

"I am glad you like my company. Good evening, Aunt Jane."

 

"Good evening, Ben. Sit right down at the table."

 

"Wait till I've washed my hands, aunt. I came home by Mr. Watson's, and that made me a little longer. Have you heard any news?"

 

Ben asked this, thinking it possible that his aunt had already heard of the discharge of some of the factory hands; but her answer satisfied him that she had not.

 

"Butter's a cent higher a pound," said Mrs. Bradford. "I declare, things seem to be going up all the time. Thirsty-five cents a pound! It really seems sinful to ask such a price."

 

"I wish that wasn't the worst of it," thought Ben.

 

"I'm afraid even at twenty-five cents it will be hard for us to pay for butter, if I don't get something to do soon."

 

"I guess I won't tell Aunt Jane till after supper," Ben decided¹¹. "After a good cup of tea, perhaps it won't make her feel so low-spirited."

 

So he ate his supper, chatting merrily with his little cousin all the time, just as if he had nothing on his mind. Even his aunt smiled from time to time at his nonsense, catching¹² the contagion¹³ of his cheerfulness.

 

"I wish you'd split a little wood for me, Ben," said Mrs. Bradford, as our hero rose from the supper table. "I've had some ironing to do this afternoon, and that always takes off the fuel faster."

 

"All right, Aunt Jane," said Ben.

 

"I guess I'll wait till I've finished the wood before telling her," thought Ben. "It won't be any worse than now."

 

Tony went into the woodshed, to keep him company, and his aunt prepared to clear away the supper dishes.

 

She had scarcely commenced upon this when a knock was heard at the door. The visitor proved to be old Mrs. Perkins, a great-aunt of James Watson, who was an inveterate¹⁴ gossip. Her great delight was to carry news from one house to another.

 

"How do you do, Mrs. Bradford?" she began. "I was just passin' by, and thought I'd come in a minute."

 

"I am very glad to see you, Mrs. Perkins. Won't you have a cup of tea?"

 

"No thank you. The fact is, I've just took tea at my nephew Watson's. There I heard the news, and I couldn't help comin' right round and sympathizin' with you."

 

"Sympathizing with me! What for?" asked Mrs. Bradford, amazed. On general principles, she felt that she stood in need of sympathy, but her visitor's tone seemed to hint at something in particular.

 

"It ain't possible you haven't heard the news?" ejaculated Mrs. Perkins, feeling that she was indeed in luck, to have it in her power to communicate such important intelligence to one who had not heard of it.

 

"I hope it isn't anything about Ben," said Mrs. Bradford alarmed.

 

"Yes, I may say it is something about Benjamin," answered Mrs. Perkins, nodding in a tantalizing¹⁵ manner.

 

"He hasn't got into any scrape, has he? He hasn't done anything wrong, has he?" asked Aunt Jane startled.

 

"No, poor child!" sighed the old lady. "That's the wust on't. It ain't what he has done; it's because he won't have anything to do."

 

"For mercy's sakes, tell me what you mean, Mrs. Perkins."

 

"Hasn't Benjamin told you that he's lost his place at the factory?"

 

"Is this true, Mrs. Perkins?" asked Mrs. Bradford, turning pale.

 

"Yes, business is dull and fifty men and boys have been turned off. James Watson and your Benjamin are among them."

 

"Ben never told me anything about it," faltered¹⁶ Mrs. Bradford. "Heaven only knows what we shall do."

 

"Oh, I guess you'll get along someway," said Mrs. Perkins, complacently¹⁷. She was not herself affected¹⁸, having sufficient property to live upon. "Well, I must be going," said the old lady, anxious to reach the next neighbor, and report how poor Mrs. Bradford took it. "Don't you be too much worried. The Lord will provide."

 

"I am afraid we shall all starve," thought Mrs. Bradford mournfully.

 

She opened the shed door, and said: "Ben, is it true that you've lost your place at the mill?"

 

"Yes, aunt," answered Ben. "Who told you?"

 

"Old Mrs. Perkins. Why didn't you tell me before?"

 

"There's no hurry about bad news, aunt."

 

"I am afraid we'll all have to go to the poorhouse," said Aunt Jane, sighing.

 

"Perhaps we may, but we'll see what else we can do first. Wait and Hope, aunt—that's my motto."

 

Mrs. Bradford shook her heard mournfully.

 

"I don't mind it so much for myself," she said; "but I can't help thinking of you and Tony."

 

"Tony and I are coming out all right. There's lots of ways of making money, aunt. Just do as I do—'Wait and Hope.'"

 

1 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

2 attained   

（通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况）

参考例句：

• She has attained the degree of Master of Arts. 她已获得文学硕士学位。
• Lu Hsun attained a high position in the republic of letters. 鲁迅在文坛上获得崇高的地位。

3 superintendent   

n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长

参考例句：

• He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
• He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。

4 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

5 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。

6 dreaded   

adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
• He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》

7 despondent   

adj.失望的，沮丧的，泄气的

参考例句：

• He was up for a time and then，without warning,despondent again.他一度兴高采烈，但忽然又情绪低落下来。
• I feel despondent when my work is rejected.作品被拒后我感到很沮丧。

8 undoubtedly   

adv.确实地，无疑地

参考例句：

• It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
• He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。

9 sanguine   

adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的

参考例句：

• He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
• He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。

10 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

11 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。

12 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

13 contagion   

n.(通过接触的疾病)传染；蔓延

参考例句：

• A contagion of fear swept through the crowd.一种恐惧感在人群中迅速蔓延开。
• The product contagion effect has numerous implications for marketing managers and retailers.产品传染效应对市场营销管理者和零售商都有很多的启示。

14 inveterate   

adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的

参考例句：

• Hitler was not only an avid reader but also an inveterate underliner.希特勒不仅酷爱读书，还有写写划划的习惯。
• It is hard for an inveterate smoker to give up tobacco.要一位有多年烟瘾的烟民戒烟是困难的。

15 tantalizing   

adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• This was my first tantalizing glimpse of the islands. 这是我第一眼看见的这些岛屿的动人美景。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• We have only vague and tantalizing glimpses of his power. 我们只能隐隐约约地领略他的威力，的确有一种可望不可及的感觉。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史

16 faltered   

（嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃

参考例句：

• He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
• "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着：“这孩子脑袋真长。”

17 complacently   

adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地

参考例句：

• He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
• "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装，"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

18 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。