CHAPTER 4
Soft paws padded through Fireheart’s dreamsthat night. A tortoiseshell she-cat emerged from the forest beside him, her amber1 eyes glowing. Fireheart gazed at Spottedleaf and felt the familiar ache in his heart. The pain of the medicine cat’s death, so many moons ago, was as raw as ever. He waited eagerly for her gentle greeting, but this time Spottedleaf didn’t press her nose to his cheek as she usually did. Instead she turned from him and walked away. Surprised Fireheart began to follow, breaking into a run to chase the dappled cat through the woods. He called out to her, but even though her pace hadn’t seemed to quicken, she stayed ahead of him, deaf to his cries.
Without warning, a dark gray shape loomed2 out from behind a tree. It was Bluestar, and the eyes of the ThunderClan leader were wide with fear. Fireheart swerved4 to avoid her, desperately5 trying to keep Spottedleaf in sight, but then Cloudpaw leaped at him from the ferns that lined the other side of the path, knocking him over. Lying winded for a moment, Fireheart could feel Whitestorm’s eyes burning through his fur as the white warrior6 watched him from the branches of a tree.
Fireheart scrambled7 to his paws and raced after Spottedleaf once more. She was still several fox-lengths ahead, padding steadily8 on without even turning to see who called her. Now the rest of ThunderClan had gathered along Fireheart’s path. As he dodged9 and weaved through them, they called out to him—he couldn’t make out their words, but their voices formed a deafening10 chorus of mews, questioning, criticizing, begging for help. The meows grew louder and louder until they drowned out his own cry so that even if she were listening, Spottedleaf could not have heard.
“Fireheart!” One voice sounded above the others. It was Whitestorm. “Mousefur and Longtail are waiting to leave. Wake up, Fireheart!”
Half-dreaming, clouded with sleep, Fireheart pulled himself to his paws. “W-what?” he meowed groggily11.
Early morning light was streaming into the warriors12’ den13. Whitestorm stood beside him in the empty nest where Graystripe used to sleep. “The patrol is waiting,” he repeated. “And Bluestar wants to see you before you go.”
Fireheart shook his head to clear his mind. The dream had frightened him. Spottedleaf had always been closer to him in dreams than she had been even in life. Her behavior last night stung like the bite of an adder14. Was the gentle medicine cat abandoning him?
Fireheart leaned back to stretch, his legs trembling beneath him. “Tell Mousefur and Longtail I’ll be as quick as I can.” He slipped quickly past the slumbering15 bodies of the other warriors. Brindleface was sleeping near the wall of the den with Frostfur curled beside her; both she-cats had returned to their lives as warriors now that their kits16 had left the nursery.
Fireheart pushed his way out into the clearing. It was already warm even though the sun had not yet risen over the treetops, and the woods looked green and inviting17 at the top of the ravine. As he sniffed18 the familiar scents19 of the forest, the pain of Fireheart’s dream began to fade, and he felt his fur relax on his shoulders.
Longtail and Mousefur were waiting at the camp entrance. Fireheart nodded to them as he headed toward Bluestar’s den. What could the ThunderClan leader want so early in the day? Did she have a special mission for him? Fireheart couldn’t help feeling it was a sign that Bluestar was feeling more like her old self, and he called a cheerful greeting through the lichen20.
“Come in!” The Clan3 leader sounded excited, and Fireheart’s hopes soared. Inside, Bluestar was pacing up and down the sandy floor. She didn’t stop when Fireheart entered, and he had to press himself against the wall to keep out of her way.
“Fireheart,” she began without looking at him. “I need to share dreams with StarClan. I must travel to the Moonstone.” The Moonstone was a glittering rock that lay deep underground beyond WindClan territory, where the sun set.
“You want to go to Highstones?” Fireheart exclaimed, surprised.
“Do you know of another Moonstone?” retorted Bluestar impatiently. She was still pacing, her paws echoing in the den.
“I must speak with StarClan!” Bluestar insisted. She stopped dead and narrowed her eyes at her deputy. “And I want you to come. Whitestorm can take charge while we’re gone.”
Fireheart’s unease was growing rapidly. “Who else is coming with us?”
“No one,” answered Bluestar grimly.
Fireheart shivered. He felt bewildered by the dark intensity22 in Bluestar’s tone; it sounded as if she thought her life depended on making this journey. “But isn’t it a bit dangerous to travel by ourselves?” he ventured.
Bluestar turned an icy gaze on Fireheart. His mouth turned dry as the she-cat hissed23 at him, “You want to bring others? Why?”
Fireheart tried to keep his voice steady. “What if we’re attacked?”
“You will protect me,” Bluestar rasped in a low whisper. “Won’t you?”
“With my life!” Fireheart promised solemnly. No matter what he thought about Bluestar’s behavior, his loyalty24 to his leader was unshaken.
Fireheart tipped his head to one side. “But what about the threat from WindClan and ShadowClan?” he meowed hesitantly. “You mentioned it yourself yesterday.”
Bluestar nodded slowly. Fireheart went on; “We’d have to travel through WindClan’s territory to get to Highstones.”
Bluestar leaped to her paws. “I mustspeak with StarClan,” she spat26, the fur on her shoulders bristling27. “Why are you trying to dissuade28 me? Either you come with me or I will go alone!”
Fireheart looked back at her. He had no choice. “I’ll come,” he agreed.
“Good.” Bluestar nodded again, her voice softening29 a little. “We’ll need traveling herbs to keep our strength up. I’ll go and see Yellowfang about them.” She swept past Fireheart and pushed her way out of the cave.
“Are we going now?” Fireheart called.
“Yes,” Bluestar replied, without stopping.
Fireheart bounded out of the den after her. “But I’m meant to lead the dawn patrol,” he protested.
“Send them off without you,” ordered Bluestar.
“Okay.” Fireheart stopped and watched the she-cat disappear into the ferns that led to Yellowfang’s clearing. He felt very uneasy as he padded toward the camp entrance where Longtail and Mousefur were waiting. Longtail was flicking30 his tail impatiently, while Mousefur had settled onto her belly31 and watched Fireheart approach through half-closed eyes.
“What’s going on?” Longtail demanded. “Why’s Bluestar going to see Yellowfang? Is she okay?”
“She’s going to get traveling herbs. Bluestar needs to share with StarClan, so we’re going to the Moonstone,” Fireheart explained.
“That’s a long way,” remarked Mousefur, slowly sitting up.“Is it wise? Bluestar’s probably still weak from the rogue32 cats’ attack.” Fireheart couldn’t help noticing that she tactfully avoided mentioning Tigerclaw’s part in the attack.
“She told me that StarClan has summoned her,” he answered.
“Who else is going?” asked Longtail.
“Just me and Bluestar.”
“I’ll come too, if you like,” offered Mousefur.
Fireheart shook his head regretfully.
Longtail’s mouth twisted into a sneer33. “You think you can protect her alone, do you? You may be deputy, but you’re no Tigerclaw!” he hissed.
“And it’s a good thing he’s not!” Relief washed over Fireheart as he heard Whitestorm’s voice behind him. The white warrior must have heard the whole conversation, because he went on: “Fireheart and Bluestar are less likely to be noticed if they travel together like this. Quite apart from the fact that they’re allowed safe passage to Highstones anyway, they’re more likely to appear like a raiding party to WindClan if there’s more than two of them.”
Mousefur nodded, but Longtail turned his head away. Fireheart blinked gratefully at Whitestorm.
“Go to her,” meowed Whitestorm quietly. “I’ll lead the patrol.”
“But Bluestar wants you to take charge of the Clan while we’re gone,” Fireheart told him.
“In that case, I’ll stay here and organize today’s hunting parties. Mousefur can lead the patrol.”
“Yes,” agreed Fireheart, trying not to show how flustered35 he felt. He turned to Mousefur. “Take Thornpaw with you,” he ordered.
Mousefur dipped her head as Fireheart turned and ran across the clearing to the medicine cat’s den.
“I suppose you’ll be wanting some traveling herbs too,” remarked Yellowfang as Fireheart emerged from the tunnel. The old medicine cat was sitting calmly in the clearing while Bluestar paced restlessly around, lost in her own thoughts.
“Yes, please,” answered Fireheart.
Cinderpelt limped out of the den in the split rock and made straight for Yellowfang without stopping to greet Fireheart. “Which one is chamomile?” she whispered into the medicine cat’s ragged36 ear.
“You must know that by now!” Yellowfang hissed crossly.
Yellowfang snorted, heaved herself to her paws, and went over to the foot of the rock, where several small piles of herbs were lying in a row.
Fireheart glanced at Bluestar. She had stopped pacing and was staring up at the sky, warily38 sniffing39 the air. Fireheart padded after Yellowfang. “Chamomile’s not a traveling herb,” he meowed under his breath.
Yellowfang narrowed her eyes. “Bluestar needs something to soothe40 her heart as well as to give her physical strength.” She glanced scathingly at Cinderpelt and added, “I was hoping to add it to the traveling herbs without telling the whole camp!” She pushed one of the piles with a heavy paw. “That’s chamomile.”
“You shouldn’t have forgotten in the first place,” scolded Yellowfang. “A medicine cat has no time for doubt. Put your energy into todayand stop worrying about the past. You have a duty to your Clan. Stop dithering and get on with it!”
Fireheart couldn’t help feeling sorry for the young cat. He tried to catch her eye, but Cinderpelt wouldn’t look at him. Instead she busied herself with preparing the traveling concoction42, pawing small amounts from each pile of herbs and mixing them together while Yellowfang watched with a concerned frown.
Behind them Bluestar had begun to pace the clearing again. “Aren’t they ready yet?” she meowed irritably43.
Fireheart padded over to Bluestar’s side. “Nearly,” he told her. “Don’t worry. We’ll make it to Highstones by sunset.” Bluestar blinked at him as Cinderpelt limped up with a bundle of herbs.
“These are yours,” she mewed, dropping the mixed leaves at Bluestar’s paws. She jerked her head toward the rock. “Yours are over there,” she told Fireheart.
He was still swallowing to wash the bitter taste of the herbs from his mouth when Bluestar headed out of the clearing, nodding to Fireheart to follow her. Around them, the camp was beginning to stir. Willowpelt had just squeezed out of the nursery and was blinking in the bright sunlight, while Patchpelt was stretching his old limbs in front of the fallen oak. Both cats glanced curiously44 at Bluestar and Fireheart, then carried on with their morning routine.
“Hey!”
Fireheart heard a familiar voice behind him and his heart sank. It was Cloudpaw, scampering45 out of his den with his fur standing46 on end, ungroomed after a night’s sleep. “Where are you going? Can I come?”
Fireheart paused at the tunnel entrance. “Don’t you have a pigeon to collect?”
“The pigeon can wait. I bet some owl’s flown off with it by now anyway,” answered Cloudpaw. “Let me come with you, please!”
“Owls eat liveprey,” Fireheart corrected him. He caught sight of Runningwind padding sleepily out of the warriors’ den and called across the clearing to the brown tom. “Runningwind, will you take Cloudpaw hunting this morning?” He caught a flash of resentment47 in the warrior’s eyes as Runningwind nodded unenthusiastically. Fireheart remembered how willingly Runningwind had taken Thornpaw out to catch squirrels the day before; clearly the warrior wasn’t as fond of Cloudpaw, and frankly48 Fireheart didn’t blame him. His apprentice49 wasn’t trying hard enough to earn the respect of these Clan cats.
“No. Today you will hunt with Runningwind!” Fireheart snapped. Before Cloudpaw could argue any more, he turned and raced after Bluestar.
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1
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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7
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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8
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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9
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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groggily
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| adv.酒醉地；东倒西歪地 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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13
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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14
adder
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| n.蝰蛇；小毒蛇 | |
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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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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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lichen
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| n.地衣, 青苔 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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23
hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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24
loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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reassure
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| v.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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26
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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27
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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28
dissuade
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| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
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29
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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30
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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belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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33
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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flustered
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| adj.慌张的；激动不安的v.使慌乱，使不安( fluster的过去式和过去分词) | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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38
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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39
sniffing
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| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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40
soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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41
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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42
concoction
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| n.调配(物)；谎言 | |
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43
irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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44
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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45
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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46
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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47
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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48
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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49
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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50
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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