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equal effort. Her past experience had shown her that when a few top girls only were taking an examination, the rest of the Form was apt to slack and lose interest, and she considered there were several who, though not actually candidates, would benefit by the special preparation, and would make efforts on the chance of having been selected. Gwen did not, of course, know whether her name was on Miss Roscoe's private list, but she secretly cherished the possibility. She knew her work had improved; indeed that it was equal to that of anyone in the Fifth. There was no age limit for the Senior Oxford, and though she was the youngest in her Form, her fifteenth birthday would fall on the first day of the examination. Gwen was very ambitious; to be chosen as a candidate, and to pass with distinction, seemed a goal worth all the hard work of the school year. It brought visions of other and higher examinations in years to come; honours and scholarships which were waiting for those who had the pluck and the ability to win them, a rosy11 dream of college and university success on a distant horizon.
"I'm going to be Gwen Gascoyne, B.A., somehow before I've finished," she thought. "I've made up my mind to that!"
It was just at this crisis that Beatrice caught a severe chill. She—the wisest at health precautions where others were concerned—did a series of exceedingly rash and foolish things, with the result that she was obliged most reluctantly to give in, and allow Dr. Chambers12 to be sent for. Though Beatrice tried to make light of her own illness, the doctor took a
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different view of the case, and greatly to her consternation13 ordered her promptly14 to bed.
"I can't stop in bed! It's impossible!" she protested indignantly. "What's to become of the household? Nellie can't do everything; besides, she's no head, and she'd forget to feed the chickens, or she'd burn the bread, and let Martin tumble down the well if nobody was there to look after her."
"Then one of your sisters must stop at home, for you've got to stay in bed!" commanded Dr. Chambers. "Yes, I insist, and if you won't obey me, I shall send for a hospital nurse to make you!"
At this awful threat Beatrice subsided15 into unwilling16 obedience17, only stipulating18 that her enforced retirement19 should be as brief as possible, and that she might be allowed to direct domestic affairs from her bedroom.
"I suppose I can't stop you worrying over the household, but you're not to stir out of bed till I give you permission, and I'll probably keep you there for a fortnight. The rest will do you all the good in the world," replied the doctor. "As for managing without you, they'll just have to manage!"
Dr. Chambers's autocratic orders were, of course, to be followed to the letter, everybody realized that; the only difficulty was how it was going to be done. The family held an immediate20 conclave21 on the subject in the invalid22's room.
"I suppose I shall have to stay at home," said Winnie, "though I hardly dare suggest it to Miss Roscoe. With Miss Roberts still away, it makes things doubly difficult. I'm already taking four extra
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classes, and who's to teach those, and my own as well? It's enough to disorganize the school."
"Miss Roscoe would be furious if you stopped away!" said Gwen. "I don't see how you can."
"I'll write to Cousin Edith, and ask if she can help us," suggested Mr. Gascoyne.
"No, don't!" groaned23 Beatrice. "If Cousin Edith comes, I shall get straight out of bed, in spite of Dr. Chambers. I warn you I will! She and I don't get on."
Nobody was anxious for Cousin Edith's presence, so the suggestion dropped.
"A charwoman wouldn't meet the want," sighed Winnie. "It must be somebody who knows all the ropes of the household, or she'd be no use. Lesbia's too young; but how about Gwen? She ought to be able to manage."
Gwen did not wait to hear Beatrice's reply, but bolted straightway to her own bedroom. The proposal was as unwelcome as it was unexpected. To stop at home now, for a whole fortnight, just when every moment at school was of such great importance! Why, such a proceeding24 might wreck25 every chance she had for the exam.! Of course she was not sure whether she was really a candidate, but she had a shrewd suspicion that she was one of the selected number. She wished Miss Roscoe had openly given out the names, then she would have known exactly what to do in the circumstances. Could anything be more exasperating26? It was impracticable for Winnie to fill the breach27; with one teacher short, Miss Roscoe could not possibly spare her, especially at such a busy
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time as the end of the term. Gwen realized that perfectly28. Lesbia—little, childish Lesbia—would be about as much use as Stumps29 or Basil—why, she would be playing with Martin in the orchard30 while the fowls31 went hungry and Nellie burnt the bread. As for Cousin Edith, she was not a favourite with the Gascoynes, and the fact of her presence would be hardly conducive32 to the invalid's recovery.
"I verily believe Bee would get up if she knew Cousin Edith were poking33 about downstairs," thought Gwen. "I know I ought to stay—but I can't, I can't! It means so much to pass that exam. It would be horrid34 to stop at home, too, with Bee in bed directing everything. If she were going away, and would leave me to it, I shouldn't mind. It's not the work I'm dreading35. But I know Bee only too well. She'll ring a bell and have me up to her room every five minutes to ask how things are getting on, and what I've done and what I haven't done, and she'll worry, worry, worry, and scold, scold, scold the whole time. There'll be no credit in my slaving, not the least. No, I don't think it can be expected from me. It's too hard."
Gwen made the last remark aloud, and she repeated it again emphatically, because she just happened to catch sight of the New Year motto that hung over her dressing36 table.
"Oh do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle. But you shall be a
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miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."
"I thought it meant school work," she said to herself. "But after all I suppose it means home work as well, or any kind of work that comes uppermost. I wonder if I could. Look here, Gwen Gascoyne, it's rather a big sacrifice, but you've got to make it for once. With four daughters, Dad has a right to expect somebody to keep the house comfortable, and just at this critical moment you're the only one available. It's hard, but it'll have to be. Your little ambition, my dear, must take a back seat for the present, while you go and 'wash dishes and feed the swine'. You'd better make the plunge37 and get it over!"
Father and Winnie had adjourned38 to the garden, so Gwen hurried downstairs before she repented39 her resolution.
"Dad! I believe I can manage, if Bee will let me try," she blurted40 out, for Gwen generally did things abruptly41.
Winnie drew a sigh of relief.
"I believe you could, too," she said hastily, "and I've been telling Beatrice so. Miss Roscoe will think I'm playing her a very nasty trick if I stop away. She'd never forgive me. You're strong, Gwen, and you know all about the hens and the pigs, and you can keep an eye on Nellie."
"Yes, try, childie. It will be a good practice for you—and there's nobody else," agreed Father.
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Thus it came about that Gwen entered upon an entirely42 new experience. She had, of course, helped in the house before, but only under Beatrice's personal supervision43; it was quite a different matter to have to take the responsibility of the whole establishment.
"Bother your sister as little as you can, I want her to have a complete rest," said Dr. Chambers. "You mustn't let her worry about what's going on downstairs."
It was easy enough for the doctor to give orders, thought Gwen, but a difficult matter to carry them out. She was determined44, however, to do her best, and she made a most heroic effort to be patient with the invalid. The fact was that poor Beatrice, who never spared herself, was overworked, and the hot, damp weather had affected45 her nerves. Dr. Chambers knew his patient when he prescribed a fortnight in bed, and was well aware that it was the only way of persuading her to take the rest she needed. At first Gwen's anticipations46 of a trying time were literally47 fulfilled. Beatrice's bell was ringing constantly, and she had to keep running up and down stairs and listening to endless and minute directions, and to answer a perfect catechism of questions as to how affairs were progressing in the kitchen. Nellie also was in a grumpy mood, and difficult to conciliate. She did not like having instructions sent to her through Gwen, and showed her resentment48 by clattering49 about the kitchen and banging doors. It required more tact50 than Gwen had ever made use of in her life before to keep the peace. Then Martin was no slight anxiety, for the little scamp thought he could take
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advantage of Beatrice's absence to get into as much mischief51 as a magpie52, and Gwen hardly dared trust him five minutes out of her sight. Between Martin, household tasks, and certain parish duties which could not be omitted, there was plenty to be done, and the days seemed full from morning till night.
Gwen had never before realized how very much lay in Beatrice's hands, and she began slowly to appreciate how heavy a burden her sister carried year in and year out, with scarcely ever a holiday to relieve the tension.
"It's far worse than any amount of lessons," she thought. "Going back to school will be quite a holiday after this."
One resolve Gwen had made, and stuck to with grim determination—to spend a certain time every day over mathematics and one or two other subjects in which she feared she was weak. She got Lesbia to bring her books from school, and every night, long after the latter was asleep, she would sit up in their joint53 bedroom studying. It was impossible to snatch five minutes during the day, but when the house was still and quiet it was easier to concentrate her thoughts, and she was surprised sometimes what progress she was able to make. Night after night she heard the clock strike twelve before she put out her lamp, and once even the early midsummer dawn stole in and caught her unawares. None of the family knew that she sat up working so late, or probably Father would have forbidden it, for it was certainly burning the candle at both ends. It was very difficult to rise at six o'clock and help to prepare breakfast when she seemed only to have had a few hours' sleep, and it
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was often a great temptation to ignore the alarum and turn over on her pillow. But having accepted the household drudgery54, Gwen had enough grit55 to carry out her duties thoroughly56, however unwelcome some of them might be, and to secure breakfast in time was a cardinal57 virtue58 at the Parsonage. To her credit she never once let the others start late for school, or forgot to place their packets of lunch ready, and Beatrice herself could not have been more solicitous59 about drying wet boots and stockings.
"You're getting quite grandmotherly, Gwen," laughed Basil. "You never used to care about damp feet before. You're nearly as big a fusser as Bee. You made my cricket flannels60 look no end, though. I will say that for you."
"I like Gwen's housekeeping, she puts so much jam in the tarts61!" remarked Giles approvingly.
"Gwen lets me feed the chickens my own self," said Martin with a satisfied chuckle62. "And she mended my kite, too."
"I wish you'd mend my blue print dress, Gwen," said Lesbia. "I tore it again at school yesterday. That last darn of yours was uncommonly63 neat."
"Are they really getting to appreciate me more now I do more for them?" Gwen asked herself. "I never thought they cared an atom about me before. I was always the odd one at home. It's hard work, and a fearful trouble to do all those extra things, but oh!—it is nice to feel one's wanted."
At the end of a fortnight Beatrice was decidedly better, but Dr. Chambers was still unwilling to allow her to come downstairs.
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"Best complete the cure while we're about it, and take another week in your room," he decreed. "If you begin to bustle64 round the house too soon, it may undo65 all the good of this enforced rest.
"I feel such a slacker," groaned the invalid.
After the doctor had gone the family held another conference in Beatrice's room.
"I had a letter from Cousin Edith this morning," said Mr. Gascoyne. "She offers to come and take full charge, both of you and the household. What do you think, Bee? Had we better let her come for a while, just until you're fit to be about again?"
"It isn't worth it for a week—and I mean to be down then, doctor or no doctor!" announced Beatrice, with characteristic firmness. "In the meantime I'd rather have Gwen than anybody, if she doesn't mind staying at home a few days longer. She's a kind little nurse, and she's kept things going wonderfully. I'd never have believed she'd manage so well."
Gwen's eyes filled with tears. Beatrice, of all people in the world, to yield her so high a tribute of praise! Beatrice, who had been so captious66 and hard to please as she lay in bed giving elaborate directions, and whose fidgety ways had needed so much patience!
"I'm glad if I've been of any use," she faltered67.
"Use! You've been a jewel. I don't know whatever we should have done without you," said Beatrice, catching68 Gwen's hand, and squeezing it hard. "Can you spare another week as general slavey? Miss Roscoe would quite understand."
"I'll do anything you like, Bee," said Gwen, returning the squeeze.
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收听单词发音
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1
enervating
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| v.使衰弱，使失去活力( enervate的现在分词 ) | |
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necessitated
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| 使…成为必要，需要( necessitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sopping
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| adj. 浑身湿透的 动词sop的现在分词形式 | |
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overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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5
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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16
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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stipulating
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| v.（尤指在协议或建议中）规定，约定，讲明（条件等）( stipulate的现在分词 )；规定，明确要求 | |
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19
retirement
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| n.退休，退职 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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invalid
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| n.病人，伤残人；adj.有病的，伤残的；无效的 | |
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groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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exasperating
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| adj. 激怒的 动词exasperate的现在分词形式 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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29
stumps
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| （被砍下的树的）树桩( stump的名词复数 )； 残肢； （板球三柱门的）柱； 残余部分 | |
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30
orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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conducive
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| adj.有益的，有助的 | |
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poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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dreading
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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38
adjourned
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| （使）休会， （使）休庭( adjourn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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repented
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| 对（自己的所为）感到懊悔或忏悔( repent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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46
anticipations
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| 预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物 | |
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47
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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49
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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50
tact
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| n.机敏，圆滑，得体 | |
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51
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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52
magpie
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| n.喜欢收藏物品的人，喜鹊，饶舌者 | |
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53
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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54
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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55
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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56
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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57
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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58
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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59
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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60
flannels
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| 法兰绒男裤； 法兰绒( flannel的名词复数 ) | |
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61
tarts
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| n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞 | |
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62
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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63
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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64
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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65
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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66
captious
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| adj.难讨好的，吹毛求疵的 | |
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67
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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68
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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