It is pleasant to turn from the smoke and turmoil1 of the city to the fresh air and quiet of the country.
To the man who spends most of his time in the heart of London, going into the country—even for a short distance—is like passing into the fields of Elysium. This was, at all events, the opinion of Stephen Welland; and Stephen must have been a good judge, for he tried the change frequently, being exceedingly fond of bicycling, and occasionally taking what he termed long spins on that remarkable2 instrument.
One morning, early in the summer-time, young Welland, (he was only eighteen), mounted his iron horse in the neighbourhood of Kensington, and glided3 away at a leisurely4 pace through the crowded streets. Arrived in the suburbs of London he got up steam, to use his own phrase, and went at a rapid pace until he met a “chum,” by appointment. This chum was also mounted on a bicycle, and was none other than our friend Samuel Twitter, Junior—known at home as Sammy, and by his companions as Sam.
“Isn’t it a glorious day, Sam?” said Welland as he rode up and sprang off his steed.
“Magnificent!” answered his friend, also dismounting and shaking hands. “Why, Stephen, what an enormous machine you ride!”
“Yes, it’s pretty high—48 inches. My legs are long, you see. Well, where are we to run to-day?”
“Wherever you like,” said Sam, “only let it be a short run, not more than forty miles, for I’ve got an appointment this afternoon with my old dad which I can’t get off.”
“That’ll do very well,” said Welland, “so we can go round by—”
Here he described a route by country road and village, which we pretend not to remember. It is sufficient to know that it represented the required “short” run of forty miles—such is the estimate of distance by the youth of the present day!
“Now then, off we go,” said Welland, giving his wheel—he quite ignored the existence of the little thing at the back—a shove, putting his left foot on the treadle, and flinging his right leg gracefully6 over.
Young Twitter followed suit, but Sammy was neither expert nor graceful5. True, he could ride easily, and travel long distances, but he could only mount by means of the somewhat clumsy process of hopping7 behind for several yards.
Once up, however, he went swiftly enough alongside his tall companion, and the two friends thereafter kept abreast8.
“Oh! isn’t it a charming sensation to have the cool air fanning one’s cheeks, and feel the soft tremor9 of the wheel, and see the trees and houses flow past at such a pace? It is the likest thing to flying I ever felt,” said Welland, as they descended10 a slight incline at, probably, fifteen miles an hour.
“It is delightful,” replied Sam, “but, I say, we better put on the brakes here a bit. It gets much steeper further down.”
Instead of applying the brake, however, young Welland, in the exuberance11 of his joy, threw his long legs over the handles, and went down the slope at railway speed, ready, as he remarked, for a jump if anything should go wrong.
Twitter was by no means as bold as his friend, but, being ashamed to show the white feather, he quietly threw his shorter legs over the handles, and thus the two, perched—from a fore-and-aft point of view—upon nothing, went in triumph to the bottom of the hill.
A long stretch of smooth level road now lay before them. It required the merest touch on the treadles to send them skimming along like skaters on smooth ice, or swallows flying low. Like gentle ghosts they fleeted along with little more than a muffled12 sound, for their axles turned in ball-sockets and their warning bells were silent save when touched.
Onward13 they went with untiring energy, mile after mile, passing everything on the way—pedestrians, equestrians14, carts and gigs; driving over the level ground with easy force, taking the hills with a rush to keep up the pace, and descending15 on the other sides at what Welland styled a “lightning run.”
Now they were skimming along a road which skirted the margin16 of a canal, the one with hands in his coat-pockets, the other with his arms crossed, and both steering18 with their feet; now passing under a railway-arch, and giving a wild shout, partly to rouse the slumbering19 echoes that lodged20 there, and partly to rouse the spirit of a small dog which chanced to be passing under it—in both cases successfully! Anon they were gliding21 over a piece of exposed ground on which the sun beat with intense light, causing their shadows to race along with them. Again they were down in a hollow, gliding under a row of trees, where they shut off a little of the steam and removed their caps, the better to enjoy the grateful shade. Soon they were out in the sunshine again, the spokes22 of their wheels invisible as they topped a small eminence23 from the summit of which they took in one comprehensive view of undulating lands, with villages scattered24 all round, farm-houses here and there, green fields and flowering meadows, traversed by rivulet25 or canal, with cattle, sheep, and horses gazing at them in silent or startled wonder, and birds twittering welcome from the trees and hedge-rows everywhere.
Now they were crossing a bridge and nearing a small town where they had to put hands to the handles again and steer17 with precaution, for little dogs had a tendency to bolt out at them from unexpected corners, and poultry27 is prone28 to lose its heads and rush into the very jaws29 of danger, in a cackling effort to avoid it. Stray kittens and pigs, too, exhibited obstinate30 tendencies, and only gave in when it was nearly too late for repentance31. Little children, also, became sources of danger, standing32 in the middle of roads until, perceiving a possible catastrophe33, they dashed wildly aside—always to the very side on which the riders had resolved to pass,—and escaped by absolute miracle!
Presently they came to a steep hill. It was not steep enough to necessitate34 dismounting, but it rendered a rush inadvisable. They therefore worked up slowly, and, on gaining the top, got off to breathe and rest a while.
“That was a glorious run, wasn’t it, Sam?” said Welland, flicking35 the dust from his knees with his handkerchief. “What d’ye say to a glass of beer?”
“Can’t do it, Stephen, I’m Blue Ribbon.”
“Oh! nonsense. Why not do as I do—drink in moderation?”
“Well, I didn’t think much about it when I put it on,” said Sam, who was a very sensitive, and not very strong-minded youth; “the rest of us did it, you know, by father’s advice, and I joined because they did.”
Welland laughed rather sarcastically36 at this, but made no rejoinder, and Sam, who could not stand being laughed at, said—
“Well, come, I’ll go in for one glass. I’ll be my own doctor, and prescribe it medicinally! Besides, it’s an exceptional occasion this, for it is awfully37 hot.”
“It’s about the best run I ever had in the same space of time,” said Welland on quitting the beer shop.
“First-rate,” returned Sam, “I wish my old dad could ride with us. He would enjoy it so.”
“Couldn’t we bring him out on a horse? He could ride that, I suppose?”
“Never saw him on a horse but once,” said Sam, “and that time he fell off. But it’s worth suggesting to him.”
“Better if he got a tricycle,” said Welland.
“I don’t think that would do, for he’s too old for long rides, and too short-winded. Now, Stephen, I’m not going to run down this hill. We must take it easy, for it’s far too steep.”
“Nonsense, man, it’s nothing to speak of; see, I’ll go first and show you the way.”
He gave the treadle a thrust that sent him off like an arrow from a bow.
“Stay! there’s a caravan38 or something at the bottom—wild beasts’ show, I think! Stop! hold on!”
But Sam Twitter shouted in vain. Welland’s was a joyous39 spirit, apt to run away with him. He placed his legs over the handles for security, and allowed the machine to run. It gathered speed as it went, for the hill became steeper, insomuch that the rider once or twice felt the hind-wheel rise, and had to lean well back to keep it on the ground. The pace began to exceed even Welland’s idea of pleasure, but now it was too late to use the brake, for well did he know that on such a slope and going at such a pace the slightest check on the front wheel would send him over. He did not feel alarmed however, for he was now near the bottom of the hill, and half a minute more would send him in safety on the level road at the foot.
But just at the foot there was a sharpish turn in the road, and Welland looked at it earnestly. At an ordinary pace such a turn could have been easily taken, but at such a rate as he had by that time attained40, he felt it would require a tremendous lean over to accomplish it. Still he lost no confidence, for he was an athlete by practice if not by profession, and he gathered up his energies for the moment of action.
The people of the caravan—whoever they were—had seen him coming, and, beginning to realise his danger to some extent, had hastily cleared the road to let him pass.
Welland considered the rate of speed; felt, rather than calculated, the angle of inclination41; leaned over boldly until the tire almost slipped sideways on the road, and came rushing round with a magnificent sweep, when, horrible sight! a slight ridge26 of what is called road-metal crossed the entire road from side to side! A drain or water pipe had recently been repaired, and the new ridge had not yet been worn down by traffic. There was no time for thought or change of action. Another moment and the wheel was upon it, the crash came, and the rider went off with such force that he was shot well in advance of the machine, as it went with tremendous violence into the ditch. If Welland’s feet had been on the treadles he must have turned a complete somersault. As it was he alighted on his feet, but came to the ground with such force that he failed to save himself. One frantic42 effort he made and then went down headlong and rolled over on his back in a state of insensibility.
When Sam Twitter came to the bottom of the hill with the brake well applied43 he was able to check himself in time to escape the danger, and ran to where his friend lay.
For a few minutes the unfortunate youth lay as if he had been dead. Then his blood resumed its flow, and when the eyes opened he found Sam kneeling on one side of him with a smelling bottle which some lady had lent him, and a kindly44-faced elderly man with an iron-grey beard kneeling on the other side and holding a cup of water to his lips.
“That’s right, Stephen, look up,” said Sam, who was terribly frightened, “you’re not much hurt, are you?”
“Hurt, old fellow, eh?” sighed Stephen, “why should I be hurt? Where am I? What has happened?”
“Take a sip45, my young friend, it will revive you,” said the man with the kindly face. “You have had a narrow escape, but God has mercifully spared you. Try to move now; gently—we must see that no bones have been broken before allowing you to rise.”
By this time Welland had completely recovered, and was anxious to rise; all the more that a crowd of children surrounded him, among whom he observed several ladies and gentlemen, but he lay still until the kindly stranger had felt him all over and come to the conclusion that no serious damage had been done.
“Oh! I’m all right, thank you,” said the youth on rising, and affecting to move as though nothing had happened, but he was constrained46 to catch hold of the stranger rather suddenly, and sat down on the grass by the road-side.
“I do believe I’ve got a shake after all,” he said with a perplexed47 smile and sigh. “But,” he added, looking round with an attempt at gaiety, “I suspect my poor bicycle has got a worse shake. Do look after it, Sam, and see how it is.”
Twitter soon returned with a crestfallen48 expression. “It’s done for, Stephen. I’m sorry to say the whole concern seems to be mashed49 up into a kind of wire-fencing!”
“Is it past mending, Sam?”
“Past mending by any ordinary blacksmith, certainly. No one but the maker50 can doctor it, and I should think it would take him a fortnight at least.”
“What is to be done?” said Stephen, with some of his companion’s regret of tone. “What a fool I was to take such a hill—spoilt such a glorious day too—for you as well as myself, Sam. I’m very sorry, but that won’t mend matters.”
“Are you far from home, gentlemen?” asked the man with the iron-grey beard, who had listened to the conversation with a look of sympathy.
“Ay, much too far to walk,” said Welland. “D’you happen to know how far off the nearest railway station is?”
“Three miles,” answered the stranger, “and in your condition you are quite unfit to walk that distance.”
“I’m not so sure of that,” replied the youth, with a pitiful look. “I think I’m game for three miles, if I had nothing to carry but myself, but I can’t leave my bicycle in the ditch, you know!”
“Of course you can’t,” rejoined the stranger in a cheery tone, “and I think we can help you in this difficulty. I am a London City Missionary51. My name is John Seaward. We have, as you see, brought out a number of our Sunday-school children, to give them a sight of God’s beautiful earth; poor things, they’ve been used to bricks, mortar52, and stone all their lives hitherto. Now, if you choose to spend the remainder of the day with us, we will be happy to give you and the injured bicycle a place in our vans till we reach a cabstand or a railway station. What say you? It will give much pleasure to me and the teachers.”
Welland glanced at his friend. “You see, Sam, there’s no help for it, old boy. You’ll have to return alone.”
“Unless your friend will also join us,” said the missionary.
“You are very kind,” said Sam, “but I cannot stay, as I have an engagement which must be kept. Never mind, Stephen. I’ll just complete the trip alone, and comfort myself with the assurance that I leave you in good hands. So, good-bye, old boy.”
“Good-bye, Twitter,” said Stephen, grasping his friend’s hand.
“Twitter,” repeated the missionary, “I heard your friend call you Sam just now. Excuse my asking—are you related to Samuel Twitter of Twitter, Slime, and Company, in the city?”
“I’m his eldest53 son,” said Sam.
“Then I have much pleasure in making your acquaintance,” returned the other, extending his hand, “for although I have never met your father, I know your mother well. She is one of the best and most regular teachers in our Sunday-schools. Is she not, Hetty?” he said, turning to a sweet-faced girl who stood near him.
“Indeed she is, I was her pupil for some years, and now I teach one of her old classes,” replied the girl.
“I work in the neighbourhood of Whitechapel, sir,” continued the missionary, “and most of the children here attend the Institution in George Yard.”
“Well, I shall tell my mother of this unexpected meeting,” said Sam, as he remounted his bicycle. “Good-bye, Stephen. Don’t romp54 too much with the children!”
“Adieu, Sam, and don’t break your neck on the bicycle.”
In a few minutes Sam Twitter and his bicycle were out of sight.
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1
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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2
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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3
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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4
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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5
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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6
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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7
hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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8
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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9
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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10
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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11
exuberance
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| n.丰富；繁荣 | |
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12
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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13
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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equestrians
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| n.骑手（equestrian的复数形式） | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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spokes
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| n.（车轮的）辐条( spoke的名词复数 )；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 | |
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eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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34
necessitate
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| v.使成为必要，需要 | |
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35
flicking
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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caravan
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| n.大蓬车；活动房屋 | |
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joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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41
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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45
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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48
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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mashed
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| a.捣烂的 | |
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50
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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51
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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52
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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53
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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54
romp
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| n.欢闹；v.嬉闹玩笑 | |
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