Chapter XXXI — Clouds in the Sky

 Ben felt that he and his aunt were fortunately situated¹. From the time when his salary was raised he had laid aside two dollars a week, which he deposited in the savings²-bank on School Street. His aunt, having no rent to pay, easily got along on her income from work and from the liberal board paid for little Emma.

 

"I am getting on," thought Ben, complacently³ regarding his bank book, at the end of three months. "I am worth twenty-six dollars already."

 

Little Emma, his aunt's boarder, was a child of pleasant disposition⁴, and had given little trouble to Mrs. Bradford. Her health, too, had been excellent, until all at once she became pale and thin. Mrs. Bradford felt it her duty to report this to Mr. Manning, the child's guardian⁵. By his direction, a skillful physician was consulted, who gave it as his opinion that the best thing for the child would be a sea voyage. This was communicated to Mr. Manning.

 

"Fortunately," he responded, "my sister starts in a fortnight for Europe. She will be absent six months. I have prevailed upon her to take charge of Emma."

 

Mrs. Bradford was glad that the little girl would have a chance to recover her former health and bloom; but she felt her loss doubly, on account of her society, and on account of the loss of income which her absence would involve. It was not until after Emma had actually gone that she felt the full force of the last consideration. So the poor woman wrote a doleful letter to Ben, in which she predicted that Tony and herself must soon go to the poorhouse.

 

When this letter reached Ben his duty was set plainly before him. From his regular income he could spare two dollars a week, and, taking two dollars weekly from his reserve fund, he would be enabled to allow his aunt four dollars a week, which, added to her own earnings⁶, would maintain her and Tony in comfort.

 

"My dear aunt," he wrote, "don't talk of going to the poorhouse just yet. You forget that you have a rich nephew in Boston, who is unwilling⁷ that any of his relations should live at public expense unless they get into public office. I don't suppose there is any chance of your getting elected member of Congress. As it is, I shall send you every week four, dollars, which I hope will provide you with your usual comfort. I can keep up this allowance for twenty weeks, and that will carry you nearly to the time when Emma will return to you; then all will be right again."

 

Ben began to save a dollar more. He wanted to prepare for the time when his little fund would be exhausted⁸. If by that time he had twelve dollars more, he would be able to continue to his aunt her regular allowance, till the six months were at an end. The thought that he had arranged matters so satisfactory made Ben quite cheerful. He realized the advantage of the habit of saving. He was encouraged also by some help which he received from the bookkeeper.

 

"Ben," said he, "do you spend all your salary?"

 

"Yes, Mr. Porter, I am obliged to."

 

"I should think you could save something out of eight dollars a week, as only four goes for board."

 

"So I could, but I have to help my aunt."

 

"I thought she was provided for," said Mr. Porter.

 

"Doesn't she get seven dollars a week for boarding a little girl?"

 

"She did; but the little girl is now in Europe."

 

"I suppose you cannot send much to your aunt."

 

"I send her four dollars a week."

 

"Four dollars a week!" exclaimed the young man, in surprise. "Why, that allows you nothing after paying your board."

 

The Ben told his friend about his savings.

 

"Doesn't it seem hard to have your earnings used up in this way?" asked the bookkeeper.

 

"No," answered Ben cheerfully.

 

"You are an excellent boy, Ben. You have done just the right thing. I am glad you are so unselfish."

 

"I am afraid I am selfish as the majority of boys; but I am not mean enough to let my aunt and little cousin suffer."

 

"I believe you consider me a friend of yours, Ben."

 

"I consider you one of the best friends I have, Mr. Porter," said Ben warmly.

 

"Then you must allow me a friend's privilege."

 

As he said this he drew from his pocketbook a twenty-dollar bill, and put it into Ben's hands.

 

"Thank you very much, Mr. Porter; but ought I to accept so much?"

 

"Certainly. Remember that my means are considerable, and that I have no one dependent upon me."

 

Ben felt that his companion derived⁹ pleasure from his gift, and he did not see why he should make any further objections. He added the twenty dollars to his savings-book fund, and said to himself: "There will be no trouble now in tiding over the six months."

 

But it is said misfortunes never come singly. The very next day his aunt received a lawyer's letter, which plunged¹⁰ her into the deepest despondency.

 

1 situated   

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
• She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

2 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

3 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

4 disposition   

n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署

参考例句：

• He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
• He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。

5 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

6 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%。

7 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

8 exhausted   

adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的

参考例句：

• It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长，到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
• Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。

9 derived   

vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取

参考例句：

• Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 plunged   

v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
• She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。