Chapter XXI — Ben Wins at School

 Every boy was in his seat the next morning at the opening of school. Though the choice lay between two only, there was a general interest felt in the result of the competition. Ben was the favorite, though Sam had a few followers—generally sycophantic¹ boys who had a respect for wealth, or had favors to ask of him.

 

"Boys," said the principal, "I sat up till twelve o'clock last evening, examining your papers. I have not only ascertained² who are entitled to the two prizes, but I have made a list of the ten highest scholars, with their percentages. I am glad to say that many of you have done well, and I regret that I have not more prizes to bestow³. I will now announce the names of the prize boys."

 

"First prize—Benjamin Bradford." "Second prize—Sam Archer⁴."

 

The boys applauded noisily.

 

"Bradford's percentage," continued the principal, "is ninety-nine and eight-tenths; Archer's, ninety-seven and nine-tenths. Both are very high and I heartily⁵ congratulate both young gentlemen upon their brilliant success. Bradford, you may come up to the desk."

 

Mr. Taylor placed in his hands a neat edition of Longfellow's poems.

 

"Thank you, sir," said Ben.

 

The boys again applauded.

 

"Archer, you may come up," said the principal.

 

Sam rose slowly, and with a discontented look shuffled⁶ up to the desk. An edition of Tennyson's poems was handed to him. He received them without a word of thanks and hurried back to his seat.

 

There was no applause in his case.

 

This was the last day of school, and the session lasted but an hour and a half. At half-past ten the boys poured out of the schoolhouse with noisy demonstrations⁷ of joy.

 

"I congratulate you, old fellow," said James Watson to Ben. "You've done splendidly."

 

"Thank you, James."

 

"So do I, and I," exclaimed one and another.

 

Ben received all these congratulations modestly.

 

"Go and congratulate Sam, boys," he said.

 

"A good scholar, but a mean boy," said James. "However, here goes."

 

"I congratulate you on your prize, Sam," he said offering his hand.

 

Sam did not appear to see the hand.

 

"A second prize isn't worth having," he said discontentedly. "Of course it was all I had a chance for. Bradford is the teacher's favorite."

 

"Do you mean to say Ben don't deserve the first prize?"

 

"He was sure to get it, anyhow."

 

"That's mean in you to speak so, Sam."

 

"It's what I think, at any rate."

 

"Well, Sam," said his father, as he entered his presence, "how is it?"

 

"Just as I expected, father. Old Taylor gave the first prize to his favorite, Ben Bradford."

 

"After all the attention I have paid that man, it is positively⁸ outrageous⁹ to defraud¹⁰ you of your rights."

 

"You won't have his salary increased now, will you, father?"

 

"I'll do what I can to have the man discharged."

 

"There's a favor I want to ask of you, father."

 

"What is it, my son?"

 

"I hear that Ben Bradford is going to seek employment in the mill, now that school is over; I hope you'll refuse to take him on."

 

"I will. His prize will cost him dear."

 

"Would you have given him employment if I had beaten him for the prize?"

 

"Yes; business has revived, and we have decided¹¹ to take on some extra hands, giving preference to those who have formerly¹² been in our employ."

 

"Then I will be revenged, at any rate," said Sam.

 

1 sycophantic   

adj.阿谀奉承的

参考例句：

• Qinhui was a notorious sycophantic official in the Song dynasty,and was spurned by later generations.秦桧是宋代著名的佞臣，受尽后人的唾骂。
• We heard the sound of sycophantic laughter.我们听到了谄媚的笑声。

2 ascertained   

v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The previously unidentified objects have now been definitely ascertained as being satellites. 原来所说的不明飞行物现在已证实是卫星。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I ascertained that she was dead. 我断定她已经死了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 bestow   

v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费

参考例句：

• He wished to bestow great honors upon the hero.他希望将那些伟大的荣誉授予这位英雄。
• What great inspiration wiII you bestow on me?你有什么伟大的灵感能馈赠给我？

4 archer   

n.射手，弓箭手

参考例句：

• The archer strung his bow and aimed an arrow at the target.弓箭手拉紧弓弦将箭瞄准靶子。
• The archer's shot was a perfect bull's-eye.射手的那一箭正中靶心。

5 heartily   

adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

参考例句：

• He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
• The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。

6 shuffled   

v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼

参考例句：

• He shuffled across the room to the window. 他拖着脚走到房间那头的窗户跟前。
• Simon shuffled awkwardly towards them. 西蒙笨拙地拖着脚朝他们走去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

8 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

9 outrageous   

adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的

参考例句：

• Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
• Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。

10 defraud   

vt.欺骗，欺诈

参考例句：

• He passed himself off as the managing director to defraud the bank.他假冒总经理的名义诈骗银行。
• He is implicated in the scheme to defraud the government.他卷入了这起欺骗政府的阴谋。

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 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。