RUTH'S THANKSGIVING DINNER

 "I wish I could dress up like those Rag-a-muffins!" exclaimed Ruth, looking out of the nursery window on Thanksgiving Day, "I think it would be such fun!"

 

"Do you, dear?" said Mother, standing¹ behind her little daughter who was watching a number of children dressed grotesquely² in grown-ups' clothes parade up and down the avenue.

 

"Yes, indeed," replied Ruth, "just see the fun they are having."

 

"But think how poor they are and how few pleasures they really have; they are not looking forward to a lovely Thanksgiving dinner," said Mother, noticing the discontented look on Ruth's face.

 

"Don't they get any dinner?" she asked, turning to Mother in surprise.

 

"Yes, but only a very poor one; no turkey, no nuts and raisins³."

 

"Mother," cried Ruth, "could I give my dinner to one of these poor little children?"

 

"How do you mean?" Mother asked, delighted at the generosity⁴ of her little daughter.

 

"Well," answered Ruth, suddenly realizing what she was about to give up. "I mean, Mother dear, could I give some of my dinner to that poor little boy over there by the lamp post?"

 

"Yes, you may," Mother answered, and, touching⁵ the bell, she told Wiggins to bring in the little boy. "Give him a piece of mince⁶ pie and some candy for dessert, Wiggins," she added, "and don't pass the mince pie nor candy to Miss Ruth at dinner."

 

Then Mother came over to where Ruth was standing and, placing her arms around her little daughter, said, "You know, dear, you are giving up some of your dinner to make a little boy happy."

 

"Yes, Mother," answered Ruth with a smile, "some of my very own dinner."

 

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 grotesquely   

adv. 奇异地,荒诞地

参考例句：

• Her arched eyebrows and grotesquely powdered face were at once seductive and grimly overbearing. 眉棱棱着，在一脸的怪粉上显出妖媚而霸道。 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子
• Two faces grotesquely disfigured in nylon stocking masks looked through the window. 2张戴尼龙长袜面罩的怪脸望着窗外。

3 raisins   

n.葡萄干( raisin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These raisins come from Xinjiang,they taste delicious. 这些葡萄干产自新疆，味道很甜。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Mother put some raisins in the cake. 母亲在糕饼中放了一些葡萄干。 来自辞典例句

4 generosity   

n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为

参考例句：

• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。

5 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

6 mince   

n.切碎物；v.切碎，矫揉做作地说

参考例句：

• Would you like me to mince the meat for you?你要我替你把肉切碎吗？
• Don't mince matters,but speak plainly.不要含糊其词，有话就直说吧。