On the morning after the events just narrated13 she took her can as usual, but was utterly14 horrified15, when she turned the tap, to find the water running red. She was intensely superstitious16, and immediately jumped to the conclusion that she was the victim of witchcraft17, so she flung her apron18 over her head, commenced to sob19, and deplored20 the early death which would probably overtake her. She sat on the landing making quite a scene, prophesying21 evil to the other servants who crowded round to condole22 and marvel23, and showing the bewitched water in her jug12 with a mixture of importance and horror. The girls who occupied rooms on the upper landing were duly thrilled, and, after debating every possible or impossible solution of the mystery, were on the point of carrying the tale to Miss Rodgers when Peachy came hurrying along.
"I've only just heard. Don't, don't go to the 'Ogre's Den3' about it. If you love me don't. I guess I know what's happened. The water's not bewitched. If you've any sense left in your silly head come with me on to the roof and we'll look at the cistern. We'll soon find out what's the matter. Callie, lend me your butterfly-net, that's a saintly girl!"
Anastasia, though somewhat protesting, allowed herself to be persuaded, and went with Peachy first to the kitchen floor and then up the iron staircase to the roof. Approaching the cistern Peachy climbed[192] on to its edge, lowered her butterfly-net, and presently fished up a wet and draggled scarlet24 ribbon which stained her fingers red as she held it out to Anastasia's astonished gaze.
"I guess it's this that has been bleeding inside the tank and has stained the water," she explained.
"But, Signorina, I ask how it place itself there?" demanded the still puzzled chambermaid in her halting English, then mother-wit overmastering native superstition25, she burst into laughter. "Oh! Oh! Oh! It is no magic but you, Signorina. Who hid my towels? I go to tell Mees Rodgers. Yes! You shall get into very big scrape!"
"No, Anastasia, don't tell," implored26 Peachy. "It was only a joke. Look here! Are you fond of chocolates? I had a box sent me yesterday, and you shall have them all. It won't do any good to tell Miss Rodgers, will it?"
"You not come on to this roof again and touch my towels?" conceded Anastasia doubtfully.
"Never! I promise faithfully."
"Then I not tell."
"Good! You're a white angel. I'll square the girls and get them not to mind washing in pink water for a day or two. It ought to improve their complexions28. So we'll just say nothing at all about it at headquarters. That's settled. Anastasia, your English is improving wonderfully; I guess I'll teach you some American next—it's the finest language in the world. Botheration, I've soused Callie's but[193]terfly-net. I don't know what she'll say about it. I'm out of one scrape into another the whole time. Well, I'd rather face Callie than Miss Rodgers anyhow. She may storm, but she can't give me bad marks or stop my next exeat. Come along, Anastasia. We'll take the ribbon with us to show as a trophy29. It will give them a little bit of a surprise downstairs if I'm not mistaken."
Owing to luck, and to the kindness of Anastasia, Peachy's pranks did not on this occasion meet with any punishment. Irene, who had been greatly fearing an exposure of the whole escapade, once more breathed freely. If the matter had come to the ears of Miss Rodgers the three girls would certainly have been "gated," and Irene was particularly anxious not to lose her approaching exeat. It was her turn to go to tea at the Villa Bleue, and she was looking forward greatly to the occasion. It would be her first visit, for she had forfeited30 her privilege earlier in the term, when she and Lorna lost themselves among the olive groves31. Much to their satisfaction the buddies32 were invited together, in company with Mary, Sheila, Monica, and Winnie, who were also on the good conduct list. Of course there was considerable prinking in front of the looking-glasses, careful adjusting of hair ribbons and other trifles of toilet, before the girls considered themselves in party trim and ready to do credit to the Villa Camellia. Escorted by Miss Brewster, who acted chaperon, or "policewoman" as Sheila in[194]sisted on calling her, they walked in orderly file down the eucalyptus33 avenue to the town, past the hotel, along the esplanade, and up a steep incline to the Villa Bleue. The hospitable34 little parsonage seemed an exact materialization of the personality of its owners. Canon and Mrs. Clark were both small and smiling and charitable and particularly kind, and their tiny unpretentious dwelling35, with its sunny aspect and its flowers and its pet birds, was absolutely in keeping with their tone of mind. From some houses seem to emanate36 certain mental atmospheres, as if they reflected the sum total of the thoughts that have collected there, and sensitive visitors receive subconscious37 impressions of chilly38 magnificence, intellectual activity or a spirit of general tolerance39.
The Villa Bleue always felt radiant with kind and cheery impulses, and its flower-covered walls seemed almost to shine as the girls, secure of a welcome, parted from Miss Brewster, and ran up the steps to the pleasant veranda40. Mrs. Clark made them at home at once. She had six cosy41 basket-chairs waiting for them, and a plateful of most delicious almond taffy, and she installed them to sit and admire the view, while she talked and put them at their ease. Schoolgirls are notoriously bashful visitors, and in certain circumstances all six would have been mum as mice and entirely42 devoid43 of conversation except a conventional yes or no, but with dear Mrs. Clark's beaming face and warm-hearted manner to[195] disarm44 their shyness they were perfectly natural, and enjoyed themselves as entirely as if they were at a dormitory tea or a sorority supper. The best part about Mrs. Clark was that she had the happy knack45 of forgetting her age and throwing herself back into the mental environment of sixteen. She was certainly not a stiff hostess; indeed her treatment of her guests was less conventional than that adopted by Rachel Moseley at the prefects' parties; she laughed and chatted and asked questions about the school, till in a few minutes the girls were chattering46 like sparrows and behaving as if they had known her for years.
Tea was set out on little basket tables in the veranda, and there were all the delicious home-made things for which the Villa Bleue had gained a just reputation—brown scones47 and honey, potato cakes, Scotch48 shortbread, buttered oatmeal biscuits, iced lemon sandwich cake, and chocolate fingers.
When tea was taken away and the basket tables were once more free, Mrs. Clark produced dainty cards and scarlet pencils and organized a competition. It was entitled "Nursery Rhymes," and contained twenty questions to be answered by the competitors. These ran as follows:
NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION
1. Who made Cock Robin's shroud49?
2. Who was exhausted50 by family cares?[196]
3. Who disliked insects?
4. Who showed an interest in horticulture?
5. Who summoned an orchestra?
6. Who pursued matrimonial intentions without the parental51 sanction?
7. Who showed religious intolerance?
8. Who took a joint52 that did not belong to him?
9. Who deplored the loss of hand gear?
10. Whose salary was restricted owing to slackness in work?
11. What animal pursued horological investigations53?
12. Who made the record high jump?
13. Who wore a superfluity of jewelry54?
14. Whose culinary efforts were temporarily confiscated55?
15. Who pulled Pussy56 from the well?
16. Who slept instead of attending to business?
17. Who exhibited sanctimonious57 satisfaction over a meal?
18. Who lost a number of domestic animals?
19. Who had an accident during the performance of their duty?
20. Who was mutilated by a bird?
Some of the questions seemed easy and some were difficult. The girls sat puzzling over them, and writing the answers when they got inspiration. Irene scribbled58 away delightedly, but Lorna, who had almost forgotten the nursery rhymes of her childhood, was in much mystification, and only filled in a few of the vacant spaces. Numbers 6, 7, 13 and 14 proved the most baffling and no one was able to solve all twenty.[197]
After allowing a considerable laxity in respect of time Mrs. Clark rang the bell and declared the competition closed. The girls changed cards, and waited with interest while their hostess read out the answers.
ANSWERS TO NURSERY RHYMES COMPETITION
1.
I, said the beetle59,
With my thread and needle.
2.
The old woman who lived in a shoe.
3.
Miss Muffet.
4.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary.
5.
Old King Cole, who called for his fiddlers three.
6.
Froggie would a-wooing go,
Whether his mother would let him or no.
7.
Goosey goosey gander,
Whither do you wander,
Upstairs, downstairs,
In my lady's chamber10.
There I met an old man
Who wouldn't say his prayers,
So I took him by the left leg
And threw him down the stairs.
8.
Taffy was a Welshman,
Taffy was a thief,
Taffy came to my house
And stole a piece of beef.
9.
Three little kittens
Lost their mittens60
[198] And they began to cry.
10.
Johnny shall have a new master
And he shall have but a penny a day,
Because he won't work any faster.
11.
Dickery, dickery, dock!
The mouse ran up the clock!
12.
The cow jumped over the moon.
13.
The fair lady of Banbury Cross.
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes.
14.
The Queen of Heart's tarts61.
15.
Little Tommy Trout62.
16.
Little Boy Blue.
17.
Little Jack63 Horner.
18.
Little Bo Peep.
19.
Jack and Jill.
20.
The maid was in the garden
Hanging out the clothes,
When by came a blackbird
And nipped off her nose.
There was a good deal of laughter over the competition and much counting up of marks. Irene, who had scored eighteen out of the possible twenty, came out top, and was accordingly handed the pretty little photograph frame which formed the prize.
"I only got six," mourned Lorna. "I was a perfect duffer at it."
"I had fifteen," purred Sheila, "but I couldn't for the life of me remember who made Cock Robin's shroud, or who pulled Pussy out of the well."
"It's such ages since I read any nursery rhymes," said Monica.[199]
"That's just the fun of it, of course!" declared Mary. "Did you make up the questions, Mrs. Clark?"
"No, I got the Canon to compose them. He'll be glad you liked them. Oh, here he comes. He had to go to a committee meeting this afternoon. Did you get tea, dear, at Major Littleton's?" (to her husband). "That's right! Then sit down on this comfy chair and entertain us, please."
"Rather a big order," laughed Canon Clark, shaking hands with his young visitors, and taking the proffered64 seat. "How do you want to be entertained? No sermons to-day?" and his eyes twinkled. "Don't all speak at once. I'm beginning to get nervous!"
"You can tell the most beautiful stories," suggested Sheila, who had paid visits before to the Villa Bleue and knew the capabilities65 of her host.
"Oh, yes, please, do tell us a story!" agreed the others. "We'd like it better than anything."
"I have one inside my desk which is just ready to send off to a magazine. If it won't bore you to listen to it, I'll read it aloud and let you judge whether it has any interest in it or not. An audience of schoolgirls ought to be severe critics. As a rule they're omnivorous66 readers of fiction. If you turn it down I shall tear it up."
"Oh, but we shan't!"
"Please begin!"
Thus urged, Canon Clark fetched a manuscript[200] from his study, and after passing round the plate of taffy, to "sweeten his narrative67" as he put it, he sat down in his basket-chair on the veranda and began to read.
"THE LUCK OF DACREPOOL
"I had known Jack Musgrave out East; we had chummed at Mandalay, messed together at Singapore, hunted big game up in Kashmir, and shot tigers in Bengal, and, when we said good-by, as he boarded the homeward-bound steamer at Madras, it was with a cordial invitation on his part that I should look him up if ever I happened to penetrate68 into the remote corner of Cumberland where his family acres were situated69.
"For a year or two my affairs kept me in India, and nothing seemed more unlikely than that—for the present, at any rate—Jack and I should cross paths again, but by one of those strange chances which sometimes occur in this world I found myself, on the Christmas Eve of 190-, standing70 on the platform of Holdergate Station, having missed the connection for Scotland, and with the pleasing prospect71 before me of spending the night, and possibly—if trains were not available—the ensuing Christmas Day at the one very second-rate inn in the village.
"It was then that I remembered that Holdergate was the nearest station to Dacrepool Grange, and that, if Jack's memory still held good, I might find a[201] hearty72 welcome and spend a pleasant evening recalling old times and discussing past shots, instead of putting up with the inferior accommodation offered by the landlady73 of the King's Arms. As no one either at the station or in the village seemed willing to vouchsafe74 me definite information as to whether the owner of Dacrepool was at home or abroad, parrying my inquiries75 with such scant76 courtesy and in so uncouth77 and unintelligible78 a dialect as to be scarce understood, I resolved to chance it, and with some difficulty hiring a farmer's gig, I started out on a six-mile drive over the bleak79 moorlands, which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could reach in a dim vista80 of brown heath and distant snow-clad fell. It was a dreary81 and unseasonable evening, with a damp mist rising from the sodden82 ground, and occasional falls of sleet83, mingled84 with rain that chilled one to the bone. I buttoned my coat closely round my throat, and braced85 my nerves to meet the elements, hoping I might find my reward at the end of my journey, and inwardly cursing every mile of the rough road.
"But even Cumberland miles cannot wind on forever, and my Jehu at length drew up at a massive stone gateway86, which he assured me formed the entrance to Dacrepool Grange. There was neither light nor sound in the lodge87, nor did any one come out in answer to our impatient calls, so we had perforce to open the gates for ourselves. They creaked on their rusty88 hinges, as if they had not been un[202]closed for many a day, and when I noted89 the neglected drive, where the overhanging trees swept our faces as we passed, I began to fear that I had come on a fool's errand, and that I should find the house shut up and my friend abroad.
"On this point, however, my driver reassured90 me. 'Nay91, oo'be to home, theer's a light i' yon winder,' he said, pointing with his whip where a faint streak92 of yellow shone like a beacon93 into the surrounding gloom. The moon was struggling through the clouds, and I could dimly discern the outline of the quaint94 gabled front of the house, with its mullioned windows, and masses of clinging ivy95. Dismounting at the old stone porch, I seized the knocker and beat a mighty96 tattoo97. There was no reply. Even the light had disappeared from the window almost simultaneously98 with the approach of our carriage wheels, and though I hammered for fully27 five minutes I failed to obtain the slightest response to my knocks. I was on the point of turning away in despair and driving back in the gig to Holdergate, when a sound of footsteps was heard within, together with an unbolting and unbarring, the door was opened about six inches on the chain, and a hard-featured woman peeped cautiously out into the darkness.
"I at once proclaimed my identity and my errand, but, by the light of the candle which she held in her hand, she looked me up and down with a glance of keen distrust and evident disfavor. 'How am I to[203] know it is as you say?' she replied guardedly, and without making any move to grant me admittance.
"'Then fetch your master,' I exclaimed with some heat, thrusting my card into her hand. 'He should know my name at any rate, though he seems to have trained you in strange notions of hospitality to keep a guest standing on the doorstep on a bitter evening in December.'
"Grumbling99 under her breath she went away, and I was half inclined to follow her example and quit this very unpromising spot, when a quick step resounded100 in the hall, the door was flung open wide, and I was dragged forcibly into the house by my friend Jack, who hailed me with such unfeigned delight and enthusiasm that there could be little doubt of the genuineness of his welcome.
"'You've sprung upon us at a queer time, as it happens, old man, but if you don't mind taking pot-luck we'll spend a ripping night together,' he cried, hauling me into the dining-room, where a pretty fairy of a girl sprang up to greet us. 'This is my sister Bessie, and I've talked about you so often that she'll give you as big a welcome as I do. It's only a poor best we can show you in the way of entertainment, but you'll make allowances when I tell you how I'm situated, and what we lack in kind we must make up in good will.'
"'What's good enough for you will be good enough for me,' I replied heartily101, submitting to be[204] relieved of my coat and installed in the best chair by the blazing fire—a pleasant change indeed from the cold and the sleet outside.
"'You must not think our guests usually receive such a churlish reception,' said Jack, laughing a little, 'but the fact is, we took you for the bailiffs. I'm sorry to say I've outrun the constable—it's really not my fault, for the old place was mortgaged to its last penny when it fell to me—but, as the case stands, I'm enduring a kind of siege; daren't put my nose out of my own door for fear I should be served with writs102, and have to smuggle103 what supplies we can beg or borrow through the kitchen window. It's a queer kind of Christmas to spend, and a poor lookout104 for the New Year, for I'm afraid the old place is bound to go in the end, though I have vowed105 to stick to it as long as I can hold it, and Bessie has vowed to stick to me, though she might have a more cheerful home elsewhere if she liked. There's precious little to offer you in our larder106, but perhaps we can furnish up something in the way of supper; can't we, Bessie?'
"Miss Musgrave laughed merrily.
"'Mr. Harper must imagine himself back in camp,' she replied; 'I hope he can manage to subsist107 on porridge and cheese and tinned provisions, for I don't think we have anything better to offer him.'
"I would have subsisted108 on a far poorer diet to remain within sight of those bright eyes, and I endeavored to convince my host and hostess that I[205] desired nothing more than to be treated as one of themselves, with such success that I seemed to drop at once into the family circle, and never spent a pleasanter or more jovial109 evening in my life. Jack and I sat up late after Bessie had retired110, chatting of bygone days and past adventures till the jungles and plains seemed almost more real than the cheery blaze of the fire before us; but the talk came round at last to the affairs of the moment.
"'Is not there any plan by which you could raise the wind, Jack?'" I inquired.
"'Never a one. I've tried every end up, but there seems no way out of the trouble unless, indeed, we could find Sir Godfrey's treasure.'
"'Who's he?'
"'An ancestor of mine, rather a back number, considering he died somewhere about two hundred and fifty years ago—but a restless old gentleman, for he is still said to have a trick of haunting the house, and, according to popular tradition, hoping to be able to point out the hiding-place of a treasure he stowed away.'
"'Was it genuine treasure?'
"'I believe so. He went off to fight in the Civil Wars, and hid the family plate and jewels in a secure place which nobody knew of but himself. He had not the sense to leave any record of the spot, and when he was killed at Naseby his secret died with him, and the valuables—unless, as I sometimes suspect, the old chap had previously pledged them[206]—were not forthcoming, nor have they ever been heard of since.'
"'Has he ever appeared to you?'
"'Not he; I only wish he would. The hoard111 would be a jolly windfall to me if I could manage to light upon it. But I'm not the kind who goes about seeing ghosts. I'm too plain and matter-of-fact by half, and, though I often hear mysterious taps on the panels of my bedroom, I prosaically112 set it down to rats and mice. Now, you're a psychic113 sort of a fellow, the seventh son of a seventh son; if he wants to make himself visible, perhaps you may get a sight of him; I'm afraid it's more than ever I shall.'
"'Is there no clew at all left as to the hiding-place of the treasure?' I inquired.
"'Only an old rhyme so obscure as to be quite unintelligible:
He who plucks a rose at Yule
Will bring back luck to Dacrepool.
Even you, with your fondness for antiquities114 and rummaging115 strange things out of old books, can scarcely make anything of that, I should say.'
"I shook my head, for the riddle116 seemed quite unreadable, and as we had already sat up until long past midnight I begged for my candle, and proposed to defer117 our conversation until the morning. Jack, declaring that none of the beds in the damp old house was fit to sleep in without a week of previous[207] airing, insisted upon giving up his room to me, and passing the night himself on the dining-room sofa, and, in spite of my protestations, I was forced to acquiesce118 in his plans for my comfort.
"Left alone, I looked with some curiosity round the gloomy oak-paneled chamber, where the fire-light flashed on the carved four-poster, with its faded yellow damask curtains, and lit up the moth-eaten tapestry119 that adorned120 a portion of the upper part of the walls, but scarcely illumined the dark corners which lay beyond. There were quaint old presses and chests roomy enough to hide a dozen ghosts in, and a portrait of a gentleman in the elaborate costume of the Stuart period seemed to look down upon me with strangely haunting eyes.
"'A spooky enough place,' I murmured, 'hallowed by the spirits of numerous generations, no doubt. Well, I'll undertake they won't disturb me to-night, for I am dog-tired and mean to sleep like a log.'
"I am an old traveler, and was soon in bed and enjoying a well-earned slumber121, but my dreams were wild, for I seemed now to be driving furiously over the moorland, pursuing ever the phantom122 of pretty Bessie, who, with her bewitching smile, was luring123 me into the fog and darkness, and now to be barring the front door to defend her from some unknown assailant, whose perpetual rapping rang like an echo through my brain. With the impotent strength of dreamland I struggled vainly to close the door, which was opening slowly to admit the[208] nameless horror. I seemed to feel a hot breath on my cheek, and with a wild shriek124 I woke, to find the moonlight streaming in through the broad diamond-paned window, falling in a white shaft125 across the floor, while the last embers of the fire were smoldering126 to ashes upon the hearth127.
"I sat up in bed with that feeling of broad awakeness and alertness which comes to us sometimes, and caught my breath as I listened, for through the stillness of the night came the unmistakable sound of a gentle tapping from behind the paneling of the wall. It was not continuous, but more as one might rap at the chamber door of a sleeping person, waiting every now and then to hear if one had obtained a response. An intense and vivid sensation came over me that I was not alone in the room; that there was some presence other than my own personality which was striving in some way to force itself upon my consciousness and arrest my attention. Was it only my fancy, or were the moonbeams actually shaping themselves into a human form, till against the dark background of the fireplace, I seemed to see the misty128 shadowy outline of a figure, so vague and ethereal that even as I looked it appeared to melt again into the moonlight and cease to exist?
"With every nerve on the stretch I strained my eyes to gain a clearer impression. A passing cloud left the room for a few moments in darkness, but, as the beams shone out full and clear once[209] more, that shadowy figure seemed to gather substance, and I felt as if some unknown force were compelling my attention and chaining my every sense in a mute endeavor to establish some chord of connection between me and the dim spirit world which floats forever round us. Now waxing, now waning129, the vision grew, till I fancied I caught a glint of armor. For an instant a wild imploring130 glance met my own, and a transparent131 finger pointed132 to the richly-carved paneling below the arras, but as I sprang from the bed the vision faded swiftly away, leaving me standing on the floor in the calm moonlight doubting the evidence of my senses, and half convinced that I must still have been in the continuance of my dream.
"Yet, as I looked, something in the carved paneling struck my notice, and, following the direction in which the spectral133 finger had pointed, I saw that the dragons and the twisted scrolls134 were united in the center by a Tudor rose. In an instant there flashed across my mind the old saying which Jack had quoted:
He who plucks a rose at Yule
Will bring back luck to Dacrepool.
What impulse urged me I cannot say, but compelled by some seemingly irresistible135 suggestion I seized the sculptured rose and wrenched136 at it with all my strength. There was a dull thud, followed by a[210] harsh grinding noise, and the whole of the paneling slid slowly back, revealing a cavity behind, where, half hidden by the accumulations of dust and cobwebs, I could catch a sight of silver tankards and masses of plate enough to make the mouth of a collector water with envy. Still scarcely certain whether I was sleeping or waking, I put in my hand and drew out a bag filled with something heavy, and even as I did so the rotten mildewed137 canvas broke with the strain, and a stream of golden coins descended138 with a clatter139 upon the floor.
"Like a maniac140 I rushed to my door and hallooed lustily for Jack, who, roused by my shouts, came hurrying up in scanty141 attire142, with a revolver in one hand and a poker143 in the other.
"'What is it, old man, thieves or bailiffs? Just hold 'em till I come, can't you?'
"'It's neither,' I replied, as I hauled him in with triumph, 'but I believe I have had a visit from your esteemed144 ancestor, and, as a Christmas gift, allow me to introduce you to the long-lost family treasure.'
"There was no mistake about it—it was real enough, and, as the Christmas bells came chiming through the frosty air, we turned out bags of gold, piles of silver and priceless jewels warranted to redeem145 Dacrepool Grange twice over if necessary, and sending Jack into a very ecstasy146 of joy.
"'By Jove, old chap,' he exclaimed, 'I owe it all to you. Here I've slept in this room for years, and[211] never paid any heed147 to the raps and taps, though I've heard them often enough, while the treasure was under my very nose, only waiting to be discovered. Then you come along with your ghost-seeing eyes, and the spirit, if spirit it was, is able to convey to you the secret it's been trying to get off its mind for hundreds of years. You've saved me from the bankruptcy148 court, and it's a debt of gratitude149 you'll find I shan't lightly forget.'
"It was a very jovial Christmas which we spent that day, for the news of the find got abroad at daylight, and we were promptly150 visited by the butcher and baker151, bringing stores of good cheer and profuse152 apologies for past misunderstandings; even the severe old servant relapsed into smiles as she bore in a smoking sirloin of beef. Jack's spirits rose to the wildest pitch, and little Bessie, who persisted in calling me the savior of the family credit, could scarcely do enough to show her gratitude. Jack wanted me to share the best of the jewels with him, and was so annoyed at my refusal that I could only gain peace by a hint that I should sometime ask him for something more valuable still. And I got my way, for my unexpected visit lengthened153 out to a stay of some weeks, during which pretty Bessie's gratitude had time to ripen154 into a warmer feeling. So in the end it was quite a different treasure which I bore away from Dacrepool Grange, and I feel equally with Jack that I have cause to remember that strange Christmas Eve, and to render my thanks[212] to old Sir Godfrey, who now sleeps soundly in his grave, secure in the accomplishment155 of his mission, having rid his soul of the burden of his secret and restored luck to Dacrepool."
"Is it true?" asked Sheila, as Canon Clark folded up his manuscript.
"Well, I can hardly call it a personal reminiscence, but you must allow for author's license156. Old historic houses sometimes have secret hiding-places, and dreams are undoubtedly157 strange things. It's all founded upon legends which I have heard. Mrs. Clark and I first met in an ancient grange not at all unlike Dacrepool, didn't we, Bess? And if we didn't find treasure behind the paneling we certainly ought to have done so. Now I'm extremely sorry to have to hurry you, but I promised Miss Morley that you should be back at school by half past six, and I undertook to escort you through the town. I hope you'll all come and have tea with us some afternoon next term and we'll have another competition. Don't say good-by to Mrs. Clark. Give the Italian 'A rivederci' instead, because that means not a parting greeting but 'May we see one another again.'"
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1 cove | |
n.小海湾,小峡谷 | |
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2 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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3 den | |
n.兽穴;秘密地方;安静的小房间,私室 | |
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4 creek | |
n.小溪,小河,小湾 | |
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5 villa | |
n.别墅,城郊小屋 | |
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6 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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7 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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8 pranks | |
n.玩笑,恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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9 cistern | |
n.贮水池 | |
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10 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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11 jugs | |
(有柄及小口的)水壶( jug的名词复数 ) | |
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n.(有柄,小口,可盛水等的)大壶,罐,盂 | |
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13 narrated | |
v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14 utterly | |
adv.完全地,绝对地 | |
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15 horrified | |
a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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16 superstitious | |
adj.迷信的 | |
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17 witchcraft | |
n.魔法,巫术 | |
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18 apron | |
n.围裙;工作裙 | |
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19 sob | |
n.空间轨道的轰炸机;呜咽,哭泣 | |
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20 deplored | |
v.悲叹,痛惜,强烈反对( deplore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21 prophesying | |
v.预告,预言( prophesy的现在分词 ) | |
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22 condole | |
v.同情;慰问 | |
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23 marvel | |
vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异;n.令人惊异的事 | |
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24 scarlet | |
n.深红色,绯红色,红衣;adj.绯红色的 | |
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25 superstition | |
n.迷信,迷信行为 | |
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26 implored | |
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27 fully | |
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地 | |
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28 complexions | |
肤色( complexion的名词复数 ); 面色; 局面; 性质 | |
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29 trophy | |
n.优胜旗,奖品,奖杯,战胜品,纪念品 | |
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30 forfeited | |
(因违反协议、犯规、受罚等)丧失,失去( forfeit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31 groves | |
树丛,小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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32 buddies | |
n.密友( buddy的名词复数 );同伴;弟兄;(用于称呼男子,常带怒气)家伙v.(如密友、战友、伙伴、弟兄般)交往( buddy的第三人称单数 );做朋友;亲近(…);伴护艾滋病人 | |
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33 eucalyptus | |
n.桉树,桉属植物 | |
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34 hospitable | |
adj.好客的;宽容的;有利的,适宜的 | |
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35 dwelling | |
n.住宅,住所,寓所 | |
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36 emanate | |
v.发自,来自,出自 | |
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37 subconscious | |
n./adj.潜意识(的),下意识(的) | |
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38 chilly | |
adj.凉快的,寒冷的 | |
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39 tolerance | |
n.宽容;容忍,忍受;耐药力;公差 | |
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40 veranda | |
n.走廊;阳台 | |
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41 cosy | |
adj.温暖而舒适的,安逸的 | |
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42 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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43 devoid | |
adj.全无的,缺乏的 | |
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44 disarm | |
v.解除武装,回复平常的编制,缓和 | |
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45 knack | |
n.诀窍,做事情的灵巧的,便利的方法 | |
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46 chattering | |
n. (机器振动发出的)咔嗒声,(鸟等)鸣,啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的,啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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47 scones | |
n.烤饼,烤小圆面包( scone的名词复数 ) | |
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48 scotch | |
n.伤口,刻痕;苏格兰威士忌酒;v.粉碎,消灭,阻止;adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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49 shroud | |
n.裹尸布,寿衣;罩,幕;vt.覆盖,隐藏 | |
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50 exhausted | |
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的 | |
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51 parental | |
adj.父母的;父的;母的 | |
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52 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
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53 investigations | |
(正式的)调查( investigation的名词复数 ); 侦查; 科学研究; 学术研究 | |
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54 jewelry | |
n.(jewllery)(总称)珠宝 | |
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55 confiscated | |
没收,充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56 pussy | |
n.(儿语)小猫,猫咪 | |
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57 sanctimonious | |
adj.假装神圣的,假装虔诚的,假装诚实的 | |
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58 scribbled | |
v.潦草的书写( scribble的过去式和过去分词 );乱画;草草地写;匆匆记下 | |
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59 beetle | |
n.甲虫,近视眼的人 | |
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60 mittens | |
不分指手套 | |
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61 tarts | |
n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 );轻佻的女人;妓女;小妞 | |
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62 trout | |
n.鳟鱼;鲑鱼(属) | |
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63 jack | |
n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克 | |
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64 proffered | |
v.提供,贡献,提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65 capabilities | |
n.能力( capability的名词复数 );可能;容量;[复数]潜在能力 | |
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66 omnivorous | |
adj.杂食的 | |
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67 narrative | |
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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68 penetrate | |
v.透(渗)入;刺入,刺穿;洞察,了解 | |
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69 situated | |
adj.坐落在...的,处于某种境地的 | |
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70 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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71 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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72 hearty | |
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
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73 landlady | |
n.女房东,女地主 | |
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74 vouchsafe | |
v.惠予,准许 | |
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75 inquiries | |
n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 | |
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76 scant | |
adj.不充分的,不足的;v.减缩,限制,忽略 | |
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77 uncouth | |
adj.无教养的,粗鲁的 | |
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78 unintelligible | |
adj.无法了解的,难解的,莫明其妙的 | |
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79 bleak | |
adj.(天气)阴冷的;凄凉的;暗淡的 | |
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80 vista | |
n.远景,深景,展望,回想 | |
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81 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
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82 sodden | |
adj.浑身湿透的;v.使浸透;使呆头呆脑 | |
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83 sleet | |
n.雨雪;v.下雨雪,下冰雹 | |
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84 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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85 braced | |
adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 );撑牢;使自己站稳;振作起来 | |
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86 gateway | |
n.大门口,出入口,途径,方法 | |
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87 lodge | |
v.临时住宿,寄宿,寄存,容纳;n.传达室,小旅馆 | |
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88 rusty | |
adj.生锈的;锈色的;荒废了的 | |
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89 noted | |
adj.著名的,知名的 | |
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90 reassured | |
adj.使消除疑虑的;使放心的v.再保证,恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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91 nay | |
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者 | |
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92 streak | |
n.条理,斑纹,倾向,少许,痕迹;v.加条纹,变成条纹,奔驰,快速移动 | |
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93 beacon | |
n.烽火,(警告用的)闪火灯,灯塔 | |
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94 quaint | |
adj.古雅的,离奇有趣的,奇怪的 | |
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95 ivy | |
n.常青藤,常春藤 | |
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96 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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97 tattoo | |
n.纹身,(皮肤上的)刺花纹;vt.刺花纹于 | |
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98 simultaneously | |
adv.同时发生地,同时进行地 | |
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99 grumbling | |
adj. 喃喃鸣不平的, 出怨言的 | |
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100 resounded | |
v.(指声音等)回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 );产生回响;(指某处)回荡着声音 | |
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101 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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102 writs | |
n.书面命令,令状( writ的名词复数 ) | |
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103 smuggle | |
vt.私运;vi.走私 | |
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104 lookout | |
n.注意,前途,瞭望台 | |
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105 vowed | |
起誓,发誓(vow的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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106 larder | |
n.食物贮藏室,食品橱 | |
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107 subsist | |
vi.生存,存在,供养 | |
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108 subsisted | |
v.(靠很少的钱或食物)维持生活,生存下去( subsist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109 jovial | |
adj.快乐的,好交际的 | |
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110 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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111 hoard | |
n./v.窖藏,贮存,囤积 | |
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112 prosaically | |
adv.无聊地;乏味地;散文式地;平凡地 | |
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113 psychic | |
n.对超自然力敏感的人;adj.有超自然力的 | |
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114 antiquities | |
n.古老( antiquity的名词复数 );古迹;古人们;古代的风俗习惯 | |
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115 rummaging | |
翻找,搜寻( rummage的现在分词 ); 海关检查 | |
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116 riddle | |
n.谜,谜语,粗筛;vt.解谜,给…出谜,筛,检查,鉴定,非难,充满于;vi.出谜 | |
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117 defer | |
vt.推迟,拖延;vi.(to)遵从,听从,服从 | |
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118 acquiesce | |
vi.默许,顺从,同意 | |
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119 tapestry | |
n.挂毯,丰富多采的画面 | |
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120 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
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121 slumber | |
n.睡眠,沉睡状态 | |
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122 phantom | |
n.幻影,虚位,幽灵;adj.错觉的,幻影的,幽灵的 | |
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123 luring | |
吸引,引诱(lure的现在分词形式) | |
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124 shriek | |
v./n.尖叫,叫喊 | |
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125 shaft | |
n.(工具的)柄,杆状物 | |
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126 smoldering | |
v.用文火焖烧,熏烧,慢燃( smolder的现在分词 ) | |
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127 hearth | |
n.壁炉炉床,壁炉地面 | |
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128 misty | |
adj.雾蒙蒙的,有雾的 | |
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129 waning | |
adj.(月亮)渐亏的,逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 );(月)亏;变小;变暗淡 | |
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130 imploring | |
恳求的,哀求的 | |
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131 transparent | |
adj.明显的,无疑的;透明的 | |
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132 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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133 spectral | |
adj.幽灵的,鬼魂的 | |
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134 scrolls | |
n.(常用于录写正式文件的)纸卷( scroll的名词复数 );卷轴;涡卷形(装饰);卷形花纹v.(电脑屏幕上)从上到下移动(资料等),卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 );(似卷轴般)卷起;(像展开卷轴般地)将文字显示于屏幕 | |
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135 irresistible | |
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的 | |
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136 wrenched | |
v.(猛力地)扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 );扭伤;使感到痛苦;使悲痛 | |
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137 mildewed | |
adj.发了霉的,陈腐的,长了霉花的v.(使)发霉,(使)长霉( mildew的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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138 descended | |
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的 | |
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139 clatter | |
v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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140 maniac | |
n.精神癫狂的人;疯子 | |
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141 scanty | |
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的 | |
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142 attire | |
v.穿衣,装扮[同]array;n.衣着;盛装 | |
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143 poker | |
n.扑克;vt.烙制 | |
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144 esteemed | |
adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 );敬重;认为;以为 | |
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145 redeem | |
v.买回,赎回,挽回,恢复,履行(诺言等) | |
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146 ecstasy | |
n.狂喜,心醉神怡,入迷 | |
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147 heed | |
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心 | |
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148 bankruptcy | |
n.破产;无偿付能力 | |
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149 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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150 promptly | |
adv.及时地,敏捷地 | |
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151 baker | |
n.面包师 | |
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152 profuse | |
adj.很多的,大量的,极其丰富的 | |
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153 lengthened | |
(时间或空间)延长,伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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154 ripen | |
vt.使成熟;vi.成熟 | |
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155 accomplishment | |
n.完成,成就,(pl.)造诣,技能 | |
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156 license | |
n.执照,许可证,特许;v.许可,特许 | |
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157 undoubtedly | |
adv.确实地,无疑地 | |
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