"You seem in spirits," commented Rona, from the washstand. "It's more than I am. Miss Lodge1 was a pig yesterday. She said my dictation was a disgrace to the school, and I'd got to stop in during the interval2 this morning and write out all the wrong words a dozen times each. It's too sickening! I'd no luck yesterday. Phyllis Chantrey had my book to correct, and her writing and mine are such opposite poles, we daren't try it on."
"Try what on?" asked Ulyth, pausing with the brush in her hand.
"Why, the exchange dodge3, you know."
"I don't know."
"Don't you take dictation in V b? Well, in our form we get it twice a week, and Miss Lodge makes us correct each other's books. We make it up to try and exchange with a girl whose writing's pretty like one's own; then, you see, we can alter things neatly4, and allow full marks. It generally works, but it didn't yesterday."
Ulyth's face was a study.[Pg 77]
"You mean to tell me you correct each other's mistakes!"
"Why not?" said Rona, not the least abashed5. "Miss Lodge never finds out."
Ulyth collapsed6 into a chair. What was she to do with such a girl?
"Don't you know it's the most atrocious cheating?"
"Is it? Why, the whole form does it," returned the Cuckoo unconcernedly.
"Then they're abominable7 little wretches8, and don't deserve to be candidates for the Camp-fire League. I'm thoroughly9 ashamed of them. Have they no sense of honour?"
The Cuckoo was looking perplexed10.
"Ulyth Stanton, you're always rounding something new on me," she sighed. "I can't keep up with you. I keep my hair tidy now, and don't leave my things lying round the room, and I try to give a sort of twitter instead of laughing, and I've dropped ever so many words you object to, and practise walking down the passage with a book on my head. What more do you want?"
"A great deal," said Ulyth gravely. "Didn't you learn honour at home?"
"Catch Mrs. Barker!"
"But surely your father——?"
"I saw so little of Dad. He was out all day, and sometimes off for weeks together at our other block. When he was at home he didn't care to be bothered overmuch."
An amazed pity was taking the place of Ulyth's[Pg 78] indignation. This was, indeed, fallow ground. Mrs. Arnold's comment flashed across her mind:
"What an opportunity for a Torch-bearer!"
"I don't want to be turned into a prig," urged the Cuckoo.
"You needn't. There's a certain amount of slang and fun that's allowable, but noblesse oblige must always come first. You don't understand French yet? Well, never mind. All that matters is that you simply must realize, Rona—do listen, please—that all of us here, including you, mustn't—couldn't—cheat at lessons. For your own sake, and for the sake of the school, you must stop it."
"You think a lot of the school!"
"And quite right too! The school stands to us for what the State does to grown-up people. We've got to do our best to keep the tone up. Cheating brings it down with a run. It's as bad as tearing up treaties."
"Go ahead. Rub it in," returned the Cuckoo, beginning to whistle a trifle defiantly11.
She thought the matter over, nevertheless, and returned to the subject that night when they were going to bed.
"Ulyth, I told the girls exactly what you said about them. My gracious, you should have seen their faces! Boiled lobsters12 weren't in it. That hit about the Camp-fire Guild13 seemed specially14 to floor them. I don't fancy, somehow, there'll be any more correcting done in dictation. You've touched them up no end."[Pg 79]
"I'm extremely glad if what I said has brought them to their senses," declared Ulyth.
Rona got on tolerably well among her comrades, but there was one exception. With Stephanie she was generally in a state of guerrilla warfare15. The latter declared that the vulgar addition to the school was an outrage16 on the feelings of those who had been better brought up. Stephanie had ambitions towards society with a big S, and worshipped titles. She would have liked the daughter of a duke for a schoolfellow, but so far no member of the aristocracy had condescended18 to come and be educated at The Woodlands. Stephanie felt injured that Miss Bowes and Miss Teddington should have accepted such a girl as Rona, and lost no opportunity of showing that she thought the New Zealander very far below the accepted standard. The Cuckoo's undoubted good looks were perhaps another point in her disfavour. The school beauty did not easily yield place to a rival, and though she professed19 to consider Rona's complexion20 too high-coloured, she had a sneaking22 consciousness that it was superior to her own.
During the summer holidays Stephanie had taken part in a pageant23 that was held in aid of a charity near her home. As Queen of the Roses she had occupied a rather important position, and her portrait, in her beautiful fancy costume, had appeared in several of the leading ladies' newspapers. Stephanie's features were good, and the photograph had been a very happy one—"glorified out of all knowledge" said some of the girls; so[Pg 80] the photographer had exhibited it in his window, and altogether more notice had been taken of it than was perhaps salutary for the original. Stephanie had brought a copy back to school, and it now adorned24 her bedroom mantelpiece. She was never tired of descanting upon the pageant, and telling about all the aristocratic people who had come to see it. According to her account the very flower of the neighbourhood had been present, and had taken special notice of her. A girl who had so lately consorted25 with the county could not be expected to tolerate a tyro26 from the backwoods. Stephanie was too well brought up to allow herself to be often openly rude; her taunts27 were generally ingeniously veiled, but they were none the less aggravating28 for that. The Cuckoo might be callow in some respects, but in others she was very much up-to-date. Though she would look obtuse29, and pretend not to understand, as a matter of fact not a gibe30 was lost upon her, and she kept an exact account of the score.
One morning, early in December, Miss Teddington, who was distributing the contents of the postbag, handed Stephanie a small parcel. It was only a few days after the latter's birthday, and, supposing it to be a belated present, the mistress did not ask the usual questions by which she regulated her pupils' correspondence. The letters were always given out immediately after breakfast, and the girls took them upstairs to read in their dormitories during the quarter of an hour in which they made their beds and tidied their rooms. This[Pg 81] morning, just as Ulyth was shaking her pillow, Rona came in, chuckling31 to herself. The Cuckoo's eyes twinkled like stars.
"D'you want some sport?" she asked. "If you do, come with me, and have the time of your life!"
Ulyth put down the pillow, and hesitated. Fifteen minutes was not too long an allowance for all she was expected to do in her room. But Rona's manner was inviting32. She wanted to see what the fun was. The temptress held the door open, and beckoned33 beguilingly34.
"All serene35!" yielded Ulyth.
Rona seized her by the arm and dragged her delightedly down the passage.
"Now you're chummy," she murmured. "Whatever you do, though, don't make a noise and give the show away!"
Still in the dark as to the Cuckoo's intentions, Ulyth allowed herself to be led to Dormitory 2, No. 4, at the opposite side of the house. We have mentioned before that the bedrooms at The Woodlands were very spacious—so large, indeed, that each was partitioned into four cubicles36 divided by lath-and-plaster walls. A passage inside the dormitory gave access to the cubicles, which were in fact separate little bedrooms, except that the partition walls, for purposes of ventilation, did not reach the ceiling. At present the fourth cubicle37 in Dormitory 2 was unoccupied, but its furniture was rather curiously38 arranged. One of the beds had been pulled close against the partition, and a chest[Pg 82] of drawers, with the drawers removed, had been placed upon it.
"I fixed39 it up last night, and it was a job," whispered the Cuckoo. "Good thing I'm strong. Now we've got to climb on that, and you'll see what you'll see!"
Ulyth had an uneasy consciousness that she ought not to be mixed up in such a business; but, after all, the girls often scrambled40 up and peeped into one another's cubicles for a joke, so her action would not be without precedent41. She was a very human person, and liked fun as well as anybody. With extreme caution she and Rona mounted the chest of drawers, trying not to make the slightest noise. Their eyes were just on a level with the top of the partition, and they had a good view of the next cubicle. The occupants, Stephanie and her room-mate, Beth Broadway, were far too absorbed to think of looking up towards the ceiling. Their attention was concentrated on the parcel which had arrived by the post. It contained a small bottle, carefully packed in shavings, and also a typewritten letter, the purport42 of which seemed to electrify43 Stephanie.
"It's the most extraordinary thing I've ever heard!" she was saying. "Beth, just listen to this."
And she read aloud:
"66 Holborn Viaduct,
London.
"Dear Madam,
"Having seen your portrait, as a noted44 beauty, published in The Princess, The Ladies'[Pg 83] Court Journal, and other leading pictorials45, we venture to submit to you a sample of our famous Eau de Venus, an invaluable46 adjunct to the toilet of any lady possessing a delicate complexion. It is a perfectly47 harmless, fragrantly48 scented49 fluid, which, if applied50 daily after breakfast, produces a rose-leaf bloom which is absolutely incomparable. As it is a new preparation, we are anxious to submit it to a few ladies of influence in the fashionable world, feeling sure that, once used, they will recommend it.
"We shall esteem51 it a great favour if you will graciously try the enclosed sample. We do not ask for testimonials, but any expression of appreciation52 from one who figured so admirably as Queen of the Roses at the Barrfield Pageant would be to us a source of immense gratification.
"May we recommend that the preparation be applied immediately after breakfast, as its ingredients are more potent53 to the delicate pores of the skin if used at that period of the morning.
"With apologies for troubling you, and hoping you will condescend17 to give our Eau de Venus at least a trial,
"We remain,
"Faithfully yours,
"Renan, Mariette, et Cie,
Parfumeurs."
"How very peculiar54!" gasped55 Beth, much impressed.[Pg 84]
"It must be because they saw my photo in the papers," said Stephanie. She was trying to speak casually56, and not to appear too flattered, but her eyes shone. "I believe that pageant made rather a sensation, and of course, well, I was the principal figure in it. I suppose I shall have to try this Eau de Venus."
"It's in a funny little bottle," commented Beth.
"Samples generally are. They never send you very much of a thing. They want you to buy a big bottle afterwards."
Stephanie carefully removed the cork57. The preparation seemed to be of a pink, milky58 description.
"It smells of violets," she said, offering the bottle for Beth to sniff59.
"I should certainly try it, if I were you," recommended the latter.
"It says it's quite harmless," continued Stephanie, referring to the letter, "and should be used immediately after breakfast. Well, there's no time like the present!"
If there was a curious agitation60 on the other side of the partition, neither girl noticed it. Stephanie poured some of the liquid into her hand and rubbed it over her face. Then she turned to the looking-glass.
"It seems very pink and queer! It's all in red streaks61!"
"Perhaps you've put on too much. Wipe some of it off," advised Beth.
Vigorous measures with a sponge followed, and Stephanie anxiously surveyed the result.[Pg 85]
"It won't come off!" she faltered62. "Oh, what have I done to myself? I'm all red smears63!"
Her dismay was too much for one at least on the other side of the partition. Rona broke into a loud, cackling laugh. One swift glance upwards64 and Stephanie realized that she was the victim of a practical joke. It took her exactly three seconds to reach the next cubicle.
"So it's you, is it?" she exploded. "Well, Ulyth Stanton, I am astonished! Evil communications corrupt65 good manners, and yours smack66 of the backwoods."
"Don't throw it on Ulyth; she knew nothing about it," retorted the chuckling Cuckoo belligerently67. "It's my business, and I don't mind telling you so!"
"I might have known, you—you utter cad! You don't deserve to be in a school among ladies!"
"Go on. Pitch it as strong as you like. The cub's quits with you now for all your airs and your nastiness."
"Oh, don't!" protested Ulyth, interfering68 in much distress69. "Rona, do stop! I'd no idea you meant to play such a dreadful trick on Stephie."
"You must have known something of it, or you wouldn't have come to look on. I expect you were at the bottom of it," sneered70 Stephanie; "so don't try to sneak21 out of it, Ulyth Stanton. Your precious joke has marked me for life."
"No, no! It's only cochineal and milk. I got it from the cook," put in the Cuckoo.[Pg 86]
"It's stained her face all over, though," said Beth Broadway reproachfully.
"I shall go straight to Miss Bowes," whimpered Stephanie.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," said Ulyth. "Try some methylated spirit first. I'll give you some from my room."
The remedy proved efficacious. The stains yielded to gentle rubbing, and the four girls flew in a wild hurry to make their beds, three much relieved and one naughtily exultant71.
"I've paid out Stephie," panted Rona, tucking in her blankets anyhow. "I felt proud of that letter. Made it up with the help of advertisements in the Illustrated72 Journal. Then I typed it in the study while Teddie was out. You didn't know I could type? Learnt how on the voyage, from a girl who'd a typewriter on board with her. I laid on the butter pretty thick. I knew Steph would swallow it to any amount. Oh, didn't she just look flattered? It was prime! The under-housemaid posted the parcel for me."
"Stephie'll never forgive you!"
"Much I care!"
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1
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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7
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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8
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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9
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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10
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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defiantly
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| adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地 | |
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12
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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guild
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| n.行会，同业公会，协会 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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16
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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17
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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19
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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pageant
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| n.壮观的游行；露天历史剧 | |
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24
adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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consorted
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| v.结伴( consort的过去式和过去分词 )；交往；相称；调和 | |
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tyro
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| n.初学者；生手 | |
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27
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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28
aggravating
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| adj.恼人的，讨厌的 | |
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obtuse
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| adj.钝的；愚钝的 | |
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gibe
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| n.讥笑；嘲弄 | |
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31
chuckling
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的现在分词 ) | |
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32
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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33
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beguilingly
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35
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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cubicles
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| n.小卧室，斗室( cubicle的名词复数 ) | |
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cubicle
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| n.大房间中隔出的小室 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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41
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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42
purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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43
electrify
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| v.使充电；使电气化；使触电；使震惊；使兴奋 | |
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44
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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pictorials
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| 以图画表示的，有画面的( pictorial的名词复数 ) | |
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46
invaluable
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| adj.无价的，非常宝贵的，极为贵重的 | |
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47
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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48
fragrantly
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| adv.芬芳地；愉快地 | |
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49
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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50
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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51
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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52
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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53
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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54
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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55
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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56
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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57
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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58
milky
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| adj.牛奶的，多奶的；乳白色的 | |
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59
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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60
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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61
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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62
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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63
smears
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| 污迹( smear的名词复数 )； 污斑； （显微镜的）涂片； 诽谤 | |
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64
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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65
corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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66
smack
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| vt.拍，打，掴；咂嘴；vi.含有…意味；n.拍 | |
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67
belligerently
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68
interfering
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| adj. 妨碍的 动词interfere的现在分词 | |
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69
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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70
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
exultant
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| adj.欢腾的，狂欢的，大喜的 | |
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illustrated
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| adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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