RAT-A-TAT-TAT, RAT-A-TAT-TAT

 "Look! there go the soldiers," cried Mazie, leaning out of the nursery window. "Jamie, come quick and see the real soldiers."

 

Her little brother left his toy warriors¹ and ran to the window. "Rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat!" went the drums as the troops swung forward in a long line, the gay flags flying in the breeze.

 

"Why, there's Harold Gray's papa!" said Mazie. "There he is, Jamie, on that beautiful black horse."

 

The little boy clapped his hands. "Hurray!" he shouted; "I wish my papa was a soldier."

 

"So do I," cried Mazie; "wouldn't father look fine on a big horse?"

 

"I'm very glad he's not," said Mother, coming into the nursery. "War is cruel, and many of those brave men may never come back."

 

Just then in the crowd Mazie saw little Harold Gray holding tightly to his mother's hand. The little boy's eyes were filled with tears as he watched his father ride away.

 

"Oh, mother!" cried Mazie and Jamie together, catching² hold of her hand, "I'm so glad father isn't a soldier. How we'd miss him if he didn't come home tonight."

 

1 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

2 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。