Until the day arrived on which I was to entertain my newly-found old friends, I lived principally on Dora and coffee. In my love-lorn condition, my appetite languished1; and I was glad of it, for I felt as though it would have been an act of perfidy2 towards Dora to have a natural relish3 for my dinner. The quantity of walking exercise I took, was not in this respect attended with its usual consequence, as the disappointment counteracted4 the fresh air. I have my doubts, too, founded on the acute experience acquired at this period of my life, whether a sound enjoyment5 of animal food can develop itself freely in any human subject who is always in torment6 from tight boots. I think the extremities7 require to be at peace before the stomach will conduct itself with vigour8.
On the occasion of this domestic little party, I did not repeat my former extensive preparations. I merely provided a pair of soles, a small leg of mutton, and a pigeon-pie. Mrs. Crupp broke out into rebellion on my first bashful hint in reference to the cooking of the fish and joint10, and said, with a dignified11 sense of injury, 'No! No, sir! You will not ask me sich a thing, for you are better acquainted with me than to suppose me capable of doing what I cannot do with ampial satisfaction to my own feelings!' But, in the end, a compromise was effected; and Mrs. Crupp consented to achieve this feat12, on condition that I dined from home for a fortnight afterwards.
And here I may remark, that what I underwent from Mrs. Crupp, in consequence of the tyranny she established over me, was dreadful. I never was so much afraid of anyone. We made a compromise of everything. If I hesitated, she was taken with that wonderful disorder14 which was always lying in ambush15 in her system, ready, at the shortest notice, to prey16 upon her vitals. If I rang the bell impatiently, after half-a-dozen unavailing modest pulls, and she appeared at last - which was not by any means to be relied upon - she would appear with a reproachful aspect, sink breathless on a chair near the door, lay her hand upon her nankeen bosom17, and become so ill, that I was glad, at any sacrifice of brandy or anything else, to get rid of her. If I objected to having my bed made at five o'clock in the afternoon - which I do still think an uncomfortable arrangement - one motion of her hand towards the same nankeen region of wounded sensibility was enough to make me falter18 an apology. In short, I would have done anything in an honourable19 way rather than give Mrs. Crupp offence; and she was the terror of my life.
I bought a second-hand20 dumb-waiter for this dinner-party, in preference to re-engaging the handy young man; against whom I had conceived a prejudice, in consequence of meeting him in the Strand21, one Sunday morning, in a waistcoat remarkably22 like one of mine, which had been missing since the former occasion. The 'young gal23' was re-engaged; but on the stipulation24 that she should only bring in the dishes, and then withdraw to the landing-place, beyond the outer door; where a habit of sniffing25 she had contracted would be lost upon the guests, and where her retiring on the plates would be a physical impossibility.
Having laid in the materials for a bowl of punch, to be compounded by Mr. Micawber; having provided a bottle of lavender-water, two wax-candles, a paper of mixed pins, and a pincushion, to assist Mrs. Micawber in her toilette at my dressing-table; having also caused the fire in my bedroom to be lighted for Mrs. Micawber's convenience; and having laid the cloth with my own hands, I awaited the result with composure.
At the appointed time, my three visitors arrived together. Mr. Micawber with more shirt-collar than usual, and a new ribbon to his eye-glass; Mrs. Micawber with her cap in a whitey-brown paper parcel; Traddles carrying the parcel, and supporting Mrs. Micawber on his arm. They were all delighted with my residence. When I conducted Mrs. Micawber to my dressing-table, and she saw the scale on which it was prepared for her, she was in such raptures27, that she called Mr. Micawber to come in and look.
'My dear Copperfield,' said Mr. Micawber, 'this is luxurious28. This is a way of life which reminds me of the period when I was myself in a state of celibacy29, and Mrs. Micawber had not yet been solicited30 to plight31 her faith at the Hymeneal altar.'
'He means, solicited by him, Mr. Copperfield,' said Mrs. Micawber, archly. 'He cannot answer for others.'
'My dear,' returned Mr. Micawber with sudden seriousness, 'I have no desire to answer for others. I am too well aware that when, in the inscrutable decrees of Fate, you were reserved for me, it is possible you may have been reserved for one, destined32, after a protracted33 struggle, at length to fall a victim to pecuniary35 involvements of a complicated nature. I understand your allusion36, my love. I regret it, but I can bear it.'
'Micawber!' exclaimed Mrs. Micawber, in tears. 'Have I deserved this! I, who never have deserted37 you; who never WILL desert you, Micawber!' 'My love,' said Mr. Micawber, much affected38, 'you will forgive, and our old and tried friend Copperfield will, I am sure, forgive, the momentary39 laceration of a wounded spirit, made sensitive by a recent collision with the Minion40 of Power - in other words, with a ribald Turncock attached to the water-works - and will pity, not condemn41, its excesses.'
Mr. Micawber then embraced Mrs. Micawber, and pressed my hand; leaving me to infer from this broken allusion that his domestic supply of water had been cut off that afternoon, in consequence of default in the payment of the company's rates.
To divert his thoughts from this melancholy42 subject, I informed Mr. Micawber that I relied upon him for a bowl of punch, and led him to the lemons. His recent despondency, not to say despair, was gone in a moment. I never saw a man so thoroughly43 enjoy himself amid the fragrance44 of lemon-peel and sugar, the odour of burning rum, and the steam of boiling water, as Mr. Micawber did that afternoon. It was wonderful to see his face shining at us out of a thin cloud of these delicate fumes45, as he stirred, and mixed, and tasted, and looked as if he were making, instead of punch, a fortune for his family down to the latest posterity47. As to Mrs. Micawber, I don't know whether it was the effect of the cap, or the lavender-water, or the pins, or the fire, or the wax-candles, but she came out of my room, comparatively speaking, lovely. And the lark48 was never gayer than that excellent woman.
I suppose - I never ventured to inquire, but I suppose - that Mrs. Crupp, after frying the soles, was taken ill. Because we broke down at that point. The leg of mutton came up very red within, and very pale without: besides having a foreign substance of a gritty nature sprinkled over it, as if if had had a fall into the ashes of that remarkable49 kitchen fireplace. But we were not in condition to judge of this fact from the appearance of the gravy50, forasmuch as the 'young gal' had dropped it all upon the stairs - where it remained, by the by, in a long train, until it was worn out. The pigeon-pie was not bad, but it was a delusive51 pie: the crust being like a disappointing head, phrenologically speaking: full of lumps and bumps, with nothing particular underneath52. In short, the banquet was such a failure that I should have been quite unhappy - about the failure, I mean, for I was always unhappy about Dora - if I had not been relieved by the great good humour of my company, and by a bright suggestion from Mr. Micawber.
'My dear friend Copperfield,' said Mr. Micawber, 'accidents will occur in the best-regulated families; and in families not regulated by that pervading53 influence which sanctifies while it enhances the - a - I would say, in short, by the influence of Woman, in the lofty character of Wife, they may be expected with confidence, and must be borne with philosophy. If you will allow me to take the liberty of remarking that there are few comestibles better, in their way, than a Devil, and that I believe, with a little division of labour, we could accomplish a good one if the young person in attendance could produce a gridiron, I would put it to you, that this little misfortune may be easily repaired.'
There was a gridiron in the pantry, on which my morning rasher of bacon was cooked. We had it in, in a twinkling, and immediately applied55 ourselves to carrying Mr. Micawber's idea into effect. The division of labour to which he had referred was this: - Traddles cut the mutton into slices; Mr. Micawber (who could do anything of this sort to perfection) covered them with pepper, mustard, salt, and cayenne; I put them on the gridiron, turned them with a fork, and took them off, under Mr. Micawber's direction; and Mrs. Micawber heated, and continually stirred, some mushroom ketchup57 in a little saucepan. When we had slices enough done to begin upon, we fell-to, with our sleeves still tucked up at the wrist, more slices sputtering58 and blazing on the fire, and our attention divided between the mutton on our plates, and the mutton then preparing.
What with the novelty of this cookery, the excellence59 of it, the bustle60 of it, the frequent starting up to look after it, the frequent sitting down to dispose of it as the crisp slices came off the gridiron hot and hot, the being so busy, so flushed with the fire, so amused, and in the midst of such a tempting61 noise and savour, we reduced the leg of mutton to the bone. My own appetite came back miraculously62. I am ashamed to record it, but I really believe I forgot Dora for a little while. I am satisfied that Mr. and Mrs. Micawber could not have enjoyed the feast more, if they had sold a bed to provide it. Traddles laughed as heartily63, almost the whole time, as he ate and worked. Indeed we all did, all at once; and I dare say there was never a greater success.
We were at the height of our enjoyment, and were all busily engaged, in our several departments, endeavouring to bring the last batch64 of slices to a state of perfection that should crown the feast, when I was aware of a strange presence in the room, and my eyes encountered those of the staid Littimer, standing65 hat in hand before me.
'What's the matter?' I involuntarily asked.
'I beg your pardon, sir, I was directed to come in. Is my master not here, sir?'
'No.'
'Have you not seen him, sir?'
'No; don't you come from him?'
'Not immediately so, sir.'
'Did he tell you you would find him here?'
'Not exactly so, sir. But I should think he might be here tomorrow, as he has not been here today.' 'Is he coming up from Oxford66?'
'I beg, sir,' he returned respectfully, 'that you will be seated, and allow me to do this.' With which he took the fork from my unresisting hand, and bent67 over the gridiron, as if his whole attention were concentrated on it.
We should not have been much discomposed, I dare say, by the appearance of Steerforth himself, but we became in a moment the meekest69 of the meek70 before his respectable serving-man. Mr. Micawber, humming a tune46, to show that he was quite at ease, subsided71 into his chair, with the handle of a hastily concealed73 fork sticking out of the bosom of his coat, as if he had stabbed himself. Mrs. Micawber put on her brown gloves, and assumed a genteel languor74. Traddles ran his greasy75 hands through his hair, and stood it bolt upright, and stared in confusion on the table-cloth. As for me, I was a mere9 infant at the head of my own table; and hardly ventured to glance at the respectable phenomenon, who had come from Heaven knows where, to put my establishment to rights.
Meanwhile he took the mutton off the gridiron, and gravely handed it round. We all took some, but our appreciation76 of it was gone, and we merely made a show of eating it. As we severally pushed away our plates, he noiselessly removed them, and set on the cheese. He took that off, too, when it was done with; cleared the table; piled everything on the dumb-waiter; gave us our wine-glasses; and, of his own accord, wheeled the dumb-waiter into the pantry. All this was done in a perfect manner, and he never raised his eyes from what he was about. Yet his very elbows, when he had his back towards me, seemed to teem77 with the expression of his fixed78 opinion that I was extremely young.
'Can I do anything more, sir?'
I thanked him and said, No; but would he take no dinner himself?
'None, I am obliged to you, sir.'
'Is Mr. Steerforth coming from Oxford?'
'I beg your pardon, sir?'
'Is Mr. Steerforth coming from Oxford?'
'I should imagine that he might be here tomorrow, sir. I rather thought he might have been here today, sir. The mistake is mine, no doubt, sir.'
'If you should see him first -' said I.
'If you'll excuse me, sir, I don't think I shall see him first.'
'In case you do,' said I, 'pray say that I am sorry he was not here today, as an old schoolfellow of his was here.'
'Indeed, sir!' and he divided a bow between me and Traddles, with a glance at the latter.
He was moving softly to the door, when, in a forlorn hope of saying something naturally - which I never could, to this man - I said:
'Oh! Littimer!'
'Sir!'
'Did you remain long at Yarmouth, that time?'
'Not particularly so, sir.'
'You saw the boat completed?'
'Yes, sir. I remained behind on purpose to see the boat completed.'
'I know!' He raised his eyes to mine respectfully.
'Mr. Steerforth has not seen it yet, I suppose?'
'I really can't say, sir. I think - but I really can't say, sir. I wish you good night, sir.'
He comprehended everybody present, in the respectful bow with which he followed these words, and disappeared. My visitors seemed to breathe more freely when he was gone; but my own relief was very great, for besides the constraint79, arising from that extraordinary sense of being at a disadvantage which I always had in this man's presence, my conscience had embarrassed me with whispers that I had mistrusted his master, and I could not repress a vague uneasy dread13 that he might find it out. How was it, having so little in reality to conceal72, that I always DID feel as if this man were finding me out?
Mr. Micawber roused me from this reflection, which was blended with a certain remorseful80 apprehension81 of seeing Steerforth himself, by bestowing82 many encomiums on the absent Littimer as a most respectable fellow, and a thoroughly admirable servant. Mr. Micawber, I may remark, had taken his full share of the general bow, and had received it with infinite condescension83.
'But punch, my dear Copperfield,' said Mr. Micawber, tasting it, 'like time and tide, waits for no man. Ah! it is at the present moment in high flavour. My love, will you give me your opinion?'
Mrs. Micawber pronounced it excellent.
'Then I will drink,' said Mr. Micawber, 'if my friend Copperfield will permit me to take that social liberty, to the days when my friend Copperfield and myself were younger, and fought our way in the world side by side. I may say, of myself and Copperfield, in words we have sung together before now, that
We twa hae run about the braes And pu'd the gowans' fine
- in a figurative point of view - on several occasions. I am not exactly aware,' said Mr. Micawber, with the old roll in his voice, and the old indescribable air of saying something genteel, 'what gowans may be, but I have no doubt that Copperfield and myself would frequently have taken a pull at them, if it had been feasible.'
Mr. Micawber, at the then present moment, took a pull at his punch. So we all did: Traddles evidently lost in wondering at what distant time Mr. Micawber and I could have been comrades in the battle of the world.
'Ahem!' said Mr. Micawber, clearing his throat, and warming with the punch and with the fire. 'My dear, another glass?'
Mrs. Micawber said it must be very little; but we couldn't allow that, so it was a glassful.
'As we are quite confidential84 here, Mr. Copperfield,' said Mrs. Micawber, sipping85 her punch, 'Mr. Traddles being a part of our domesticity, I should much like to have your opinion on Mr. Micawber's prospects86. For corn,' said Mrs. Micawber argumentatively, 'as I have repeatedly said to Mr. Micawber, may be gentlemanly, but it is not remunerative87. Commission to the extent of two and ninepence in a fortnight cannot, however limited our ideas, be considered remunerative.'
We were all agreed upon that.
'Then,' said Mrs. Micawber, who prided herself on taking a clear view of things, and keeping Mr. Micawber straight by her woman's wisdom, when he might otherwise go a little crooked88, 'then I ask myself this question. If corn is not to be relied upon, what is? Are coals to be relied upon? Not at all. We have turned our attention to that experiment, on the suggestion of my family, and we find it fallacious.'
Mr. Micawber, leaning back in his chair with his hands in his pockets, eyed us aside, and nodded his head, as much as to say that the case was very clearly put.
'The articles of corn and coals,' said Mrs. Micawber, still more argumentatively, 'being equally out of the question, Mr. Copperfield, I naturally look round the world, and say, "What is there in which a person of Mr. Micawber's talent is likely to succeed?" And I exclude the doing anything on commission, because commission is not a certainty. What is best suited to a person of Mr. Micawber's peculiar89 temperament90 is, I am convinced, a certainty.'
Traddles and I both expressed, by a feeling murmur91, that this great discovery was no doubt true of Mr. Micawber, and that it did him much credit.
'I will not conceal from you, my dear Mr. Copperfield,' said Mrs. Micawber, 'that I have long felt the Brewing92 business to be particularly adapted to Mr. Micawber. Look at Barclay and Perkins! Look at Truman, Hanbury, and Buxton! It is on that extensive footing that Mr. Micawber, I know from my own knowledge of him, is calculated to shine; and the profits, I am told, are e-NOR-MOUS! But if Mr. Micawber cannot get into those firms - which decline to answer his letters, when he offers his services even in an inferior capacity - what is the use of dwelling93 upon that idea? None. I may have a conviction that Mr. Micawber's manners -'
'Hem56! Really, my dear,' interposed Mr. Micawber.
'My love, be silent,' said Mrs. Micawber, laying her brown glove on his hand. 'I may have a conviction, Mr. Copperfield, that Mr. Micawber's manners peculiarly qualify him for the Banking94 business. I may argue within myself, that if I had a deposit at a banking-house, the manners of Mr. Micawber, as representing that banking-house, would inspire confidence, and must extend the connexion. But if the various banking-houses refuse to avail themselves of Mr. Micawber's abilities, or receive the offer of them with contumely, what is the use of dwelling upon THAT idea? None. As to originating a banking-business, I may know that there are members of my family who, if they chose to place their money in Mr. Micawber's hands, might found an establishment of that description. But if they do NOT choose to place their money in Mr. Micawber's hands - which they don't - what is the use of that? Again I contend that we are no farther advanced than we were before.'
I shook my head, and said, 'Not a bit.' Traddles also shook his head, and said, 'Not a bit.'
'What do I deduce from this?' Mrs. Micawber went on to say, still with the same air of putting a case lucidly95. 'What is the conclusion, my dear Mr. Copperfield, to which I am irresistibly96 brought? Am I wrong in saying, it is clear that we must live?'
I answered 'Not at all!' and Traddles answered 'Not at all!' and I found myself afterwards sagely97 adding, alone, that a person must either live or die.
'Just so,' returned Mrs. Micawber, 'It is precisely98 that. And the fact is, my dear Mr. Copperfield, that we can not live without something widely different from existing circumstances shortly turning up. Now I am convinced, myself, and this I have pointed26 out to Mr. Micawber several times of late, that things cannot be expected to turn up of themselves. We must, in a measure, assist to turn them up. I may be wrong, but I have formed that opinion.'
Both Traddles and I applauded it highly.
'Very well,' said Mrs. Micawber. 'Then what do I recommend? Here is Mr. Micawber with a variety of qualifications - with great talent -'
'Really, my love,' said Mr. Micawber.
'Pray, my dear, allow me to conclude. Here is Mr. Micawber, with a variety of qualifications, with great talent - I should say, with genius, but that may be the partiality of a wife -'
Traddles and I both murmured 'No.'
'And here is Mr. Micawber without any suitable position or employment. Where does that responsibility rest? Clearly on society. Then I would make a fact so disgraceful known, and boldly challenge society to set it right. It appears to me, my dear Mr. Copperfield,' said Mrs. Micawber, forcibly, 'that what Mr. Micawber has to do, is to throw down the gauntlet to society, and say, in effect, "Show me who will take that up. Let the party immediately step forward."'
I ventured to ask Mrs. Micawber how this was to be done.
'By advertising99,' said Mrs. Micawber - 'in all the papers. It appears to me, that what Mr. Micawber has to do, in justice to himself, in justice to his family, and I will even go so far as to say in justice to society, by which he has been hitherto overlooked, is to advertise in all the papers; to describe himself plainly as so-and-so, with such and such qualifications and to put it thus: "Now employ me, on remunerative terms, and address, post-paid, to W. M., Post Office, Camden Town."'
'This idea of Mrs. Micawber's, my dear Copperfield,' said Mr. Micawber, making his shirt-collar meet in front of his chin, and glancing at me sideways, 'is, in fact, the Leap to which I alluded100, when I last had the pleasure of seeing you.'
'Advertising is rather expensive,' I remarked, dubiously101.
'Exactly so!' said Mrs. Micawber, preserving the same logical air. 'Quite true, my dear Mr. Copperfield! I have made the identical observation to Mr. Micawber. It is for that reason especially, that I think Mr. Micawber ought (as I have already said, in justice to himself, in justice to his family, and in justice to society) to raise a certain sum of money - on a bill.'
Mr. Micawber, leaning back in his chair, trifled with his eye-glass and cast his eyes up at the ceiling; but I thought him observant of Traddles, too, who was looking at the fire.
'If no member of my family,' said Mrs. Micawber, 'is possessed102 of sufficient natural feeling to negotiate that bill - I believe there is a better business-term to express what I mean -'
Mr. Micawber, with his eyes still cast up at the ceiling, suggested 'Discount.'
'To discount that bill,' said Mrs. Micawber, 'then my opinion is, that Mr. Micawber should go into the City, should take that bill into the Money Market, and should dispose of it for what he can get. If the individuals in the Money Market oblige Mr. Micawber to sustain a great sacrifice, that is between themselves and their consciences. I view it, steadily103, as an investment. I recommend Mr. Micawber, my dear Mr. Copperfield, to do the same; to regard it as an investment which is sure of return, and to make up his mind to any sacrifice.'
I felt, but I am sure I don't know why, that this was self-denying and devoted104 in Mrs. Micawber, and I uttered a murmur to that effect. Traddles, who took his tone from me, did likewise, still looking at the fire.
'I will not,' said Mrs. Micawber, finishing her punch, and gathering105 her scarf about her shoulders, preparatory to her withdrawal106 to my bedroom: 'I will not protract34 these remarks on the subject of Mr. Micawber's pecuniary affairs. At your fireside, my dear Mr. Copperfield, and in the presence of Mr. Traddles, who, though not so old a friend, is quite one of ourselves, I could not refrain from making you acquainted with the course I advise Mr. Micawber to take. I feel that the time is arrived when Mr. Micawber should exert himself and - I will add - assert himself, and it appears to me that these are the means. I am aware that I am merely a female, and that a masculine judgement is usually considered more competent to the discussion of such questions; still I must not forget that, when I lived at home with my papa and mama, my papa was in the habit of saying, "Emma's form is fragile, but her grasp of a subject is inferior to none." That my papa was too partial, I well know; but that he was an observer of character in some degree, my duty and my reason equally forbid me to doubt.'
With these words, and resisting our entreaties107 that she would grace the remaining circulation of the punch with her presence, Mrs. Micawber retired108 to my bedroom. And really I felt that she was a noble woman - the sort of woman who might have been a Roman matron, and done all manner of heroic things, in times of public trouble.
In the fervour of this impression, I congratulated Mr. Micawber on the treasure he possessed. So did Traddles. Mr. Micawber extended his hand to each of us in succession, and then covered his face with his pocket-handkerchief, which I think had more snuff upon it than he was aware of. He then returned to the punch, in the highest state of exhilaration.
He was full of eloquence109. He gave us to understand that in our children we lived again, and that, under the pressure of pecuniary difficulties, any accession to their number was doubly welcome. He said that Mrs. Micawber had latterly had her doubts on this point, but that he had dispelled110 them, and reassured111 her. As to her family, they were totally unworthy of her, and their sentiments were utterly113 indifferent to him, and they might - I quote his own expression - go to the Devil.
Mr. Micawber then delivered a warm eulogy114 on Traddles. He said Traddles's was a character, to the steady virtues115 of which he (Mr. Micawber) could lay no claim, but which, he thanked Heaven, he could admire. He feelingly alluded to the young lady, unknown, whom Traddles had honoured with his affection, and who had reciprocated116 that affection by honouring and blessing117 Traddles with her affection. Mr. Micawber pledged her. So did I. Traddles thanked us both, by saying, with a simplicity118 and honesty I had sense enough to be quite charmed with, 'I am very much obliged to you indeed. And I do assure you, she's the dearest girl! -'
Mr. Micawber took an early opportunity, after that, of hinting, with the utmost delicacy119 and ceremony, at the state of MY affections. Nothing but the serious assurance of his friend Copperfield to the contrary, he observed, could deprive him of the impression that his friend Copperfield loved and was beloved. After feeling very hot and uncomfortable for some time, and after a good deal of blushing, stammering120, and denying, I said, having my glass in my hand, 'Well! I would give them D.!' which so excited and gratified Mr. Micawber, that he ran with a glass of punch into my bedroom, in order that Mrs. Micawber might drink D., who drank it with enthusiasm, crying from within, in a shrill121 voice, 'Hear, hear! My dear Mr. Copperfield, I am delighted. Hear!' and tapping at the wall, by way of applause.
Our conversation, afterwards, took a more worldly turn; Mr. Micawber telling us that he found Camden Town inconvenient122, and that the first thing he contemplated123 doing, when the advertisement should have been the cause of something satisfactory turning up, was to move. He mentioned a terrace at the western end of Oxford Street, fronting Hyde Park, on which he had always had his eye, but which he did not expect to attain124 immediately, as it would require a large establishment. There would probably be an interval125, he explained, in which he should content himself with the upper part of a house, over some respectable place of business - say in Piccadilly, - which would be a cheerful situation for Mrs. Micawber; and where, by throwing out a bow-window, or carrying up the roof another story, or making some little alteration126 of that sort, they might live, comfortably and reputably, for a few years. Whatever was reserved for him, he expressly said, or wherever his abode127 might be, we might rely on this - there would always be a room for Traddles, and a knife and fork for me. We acknowledged his kindness; and he begged us to forgive his having launched into these practical and business-like details, and to excuse it as natural in one who was making entirely128 new arrangements in life.
Mrs. Micawber, tapping at the wall again to know if tea were ready, broke up this particular phase of our friendly conversation. She made tea for us in a most agreeable manner; and, whenever I went near her, in handing about the tea-cups and bread-and-butter, asked me, in a whisper, whether D. was fair, or dark, or whether she was short, or tall: or something of that kind; which I think I liked. After tea, we discussed a variety of topics before the fire; and Mrs. Micawber was good enough to sing us (in a small, thin, flat voice, which I remembered to have considered, when I first knew her, the very table-beer of acoustics) the favourite ballads129 of 'The Dashing White Sergeant130', and 'Little Tafflin'. For both of these songs Mrs. Micawber had been famous when she lived at home with her papa and mama. Mr. Micawber told us, that when he heard her sing the first one, on the first occasion of his seeing her beneath the parental131 roof, she had attracted his attention in an extraordinary degree; but that when it came to Little Tafflin, he had resolved to win that woman or perish in the attempt.
It was between ten and eleven o'clock when Mrs. Micawber rose to replace her cap in the whitey-brown paper parcel, and to put on her bonnet132. Mr. Micawber took the opportunity of Traddles putting on his great-coat, to slip a letter into my hand, with a whispered request that I would read it at my leisure. I also took the opportunity of my holding a candle over the banisters to light them down, when Mr. Micawber was going first, leading Mrs. Micawber, and Traddles was following with the cap, to detain Traddles for a moment on the top of the stairs.
'Traddles,' said I, 'Mr. Micawber don't mean any harm, poor fellow: but, if I were you, I wouldn't lend him anything.'
'My dear Copperfield,' returned Traddles, smiling, 'I haven't got anything to lend.'
'You have got a name, you know,' said I.
'Oh! You call THAT something to lend?' returned Traddles, with a thoughtful look.
'Certainly.'
'Oh!' said Traddles. 'Yes, to be sure! I am very much obliged to you, Copperfield; but - I am afraid I have lent him that already.'
'For the bill that is to be a certain investment?' I inquired.
'No,' said Traddles. 'Not for that one. This is the first I have heard of that one. I have been thinking that he will most likely propose that one, on the way home. Mine's another.'
'I hope there will be nothing wrong about it,' said I. 'I hope not,' said Traddles. 'I should think not, though, because he told me, only the other day, that it was provided for. That was Mr. Micawber's expression, "Provided for."'
Mr. Micawber looking up at this juncture133 to where we were standing, I had only time to repeat my caution. Traddles thanked me, and descended134. But I was much afraid, when I observed the good-natured manner in which he went down with the cap in his hand, and gave Mrs. Micawber his arm, that he would be carried into the Money Market neck and heels.
I returned to my fireside, and was musing135, half gravely and half laughing, on the character of Mr. Micawber and the old relations between us, when I heard a quick step ascending136 the stairs. At first, I thought it was Traddles coming back for something Mrs. Micawber had left behind; but as the step approached, I knew it, and felt my heart beat high, and the blood rush to my face, for it was Steerforth's.
I was never unmindful of Agnes, and she never left that sanctuary137 in my thoughts - if I may call it so - where I had placed her from the first. But when he entered, and stood before me with his hand out, the darkness that had fallen on him changed to light, and I felt confounded and ashamed of having doubted one I loved so heartily. I loved her none the less; I thought of her as the same benignant, gentle angel in my life; I reproached myself, not her, with having done him an injury; and I would have made him any atonement if I had known what to make, and how to make it.
'Why, Daisy, old boy, dumb-foundered!' laughed Steerforth, shaking my hand heartily, and throwing it gaily138 away. 'Have I detected you in another feast, you Sybarite! These Doctors' Commons fellows are the gayest men in town, I believe, and beat us sober Oxford people all to nothing!' His bright glance went merrily round the room, as he took the seat on the sofa opposite to me, which Mrs. Micawber had recently vacated, and stirred the fire into a blaze.
'I was so surprised at first,' said I, giving him welcome with all the cordiality I felt, 'that I had hardly breath to greet you with, Steerforth.'
'Well, the sight of me is good for sore eyes, as the Scotch139 say,' replied Steerforth, 'and so is the sight of you, Daisy, in full bloom. How are you, my Bacchanal?'
'I am very well,' said I; 'and not at all Bacchanalian140 tonight, though I confess to another party of three.'
'All of whom I met in the street, talking loud in your praise,' returned Steerforth. 'Who's our friend in the tights?'
I gave him the best idea I could, in a few words, of Mr. Micawber. He laughed heartily at my feeble portrait of that gentleman, and said he was a man to know, and he must know him. 'But who do you suppose our other friend is?' said I, in my turn.
'Heaven knows,' said Steerforth. 'Not a bore, I hope? I thought he looked a little like one.'
'Traddles!' I replied, triumphantly141.
'Who's he?' asked Steerforth, in his careless way.
'Don't you remember Traddles? Traddles in our room at Salem House?'
'Oh! That fellow!' said Steerforth, beating a lump of coal on the top of the fire, with the poker142. 'Is he as soft as ever? And where the deuce did you pick him up?'
I extolled143 Traddles in reply, as highly as I could; for I felt that Steerforth rather slighted him. Steerforth, dismissing the subject with a light nod, and a smile, and the remark that he would be glad to see the old fellow too, for he had always been an odd fish, inquired if I could give him anything to eat? During most of this short dialogue, when he had not been speaking in a wild vivacious144 manner, he had sat idly beating on the lump of coal with the poker. I observed that he did the same thing while I was getting out the remains145 of the pigeon-pie, and so forth68.
'Why, Daisy, here's a supper for a king!' he exclaimed, starting out of his silence with a burst, and taking his seat at the table. 'I shall do it justice, for I have come from Yarmouth.'
'I thought you came from Oxford?' I returned.
'Not I,' said Steerforth. 'I have been seafaring - better employed.'
'Littimer was here today, to inquire for you,' I remarked, 'and I understood him that you were at Oxford; though, now I think of it, he certainly did not say so.'
'Littimer is a greater fool than I thought him, to have been inquiring for me at all,' said Steerforth, jovially146 pouring out a glass of wine, and drinking to me. 'As to understanding him, you are a cleverer fellow than most of us, Daisy, if you can do that.'
'That's true, indeed,' said I, moving my chair to the table. 'So you have been at Yarmouth, Steerforth!' interested to know all about it. 'Have you been there long?'
'No,' he returned. 'An escapade of a week or so.'
'And how are they all? Of course, little Emily is not married yet?'
'Not yet. Going to be, I believe - in so many weeks, or months, or something or other. I have not seen much of 'em. By the by'; he laid down his knife and fork, which he had been using with great diligence, and began feeling in his pockets; 'I have a letter for you.'
'From whom?'
'Why, from your old nurse,' he returned, taking some papers out of his breast pocket. "'J. Steerforth, Esquire, debtor147, to The Willing Mind"; that's not it. Patience, and we'll find it presently. Old what's-his-name's in a bad way, and it's about that, I believe.'
'Barkis, do you mean?'
'Yes!' still feeling in his pockets, and looking over their contents: 'it's all over with poor Barkis, I am afraid. I saw a little apothecary148 there - surgeon, or whatever he is - who brought your worship into the world. He was mighty149 learned about the case, to me; but the upshot of his opinion was, that the carrier was making his last journey rather fast. - Put your hand into the breast pocket of my great-coat on the chair yonder, and I think you'll find the letter. Is it there?'
'Here it is!' said I.
'That's right!'
It was from Peggotty; something less legible than usual, and brief. It informed me of her husband's hopeless state, and hinted at his being 'a little nearer' than heretofore, and consequently more difficult to manage for his own comfort. It said nothing of her weariness and watching, and praised him highly. It was written with a plain, unaffected, homely150 piety151 that I knew to be genuine, and ended with 'my duty to my ever darling' - meaning myself.
While I deciphered it, Steerforth continued to eat and drink.
'It's a bad job,' he said, when I had done; 'but the sun sets every day, and people die every minute, and we mustn't be scared by the common lot. If we failed to hold our own, because that equal foot at all men's doors was heard knocking somewhere, every object in this world would slip from us. No! Ride on! Rough-shod if need be, smooth-shod if that will do, but ride on! Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race!'
'And win what race?' said I.
'The race that one has started in,' said he. 'Ride on!'
I noticed, I remember, as he paused, looking at me with his handsome head a little thrown back, and his glass raised in his hand, that, though the freshness of the sea-wind was on his face, and it was ruddy, there were traces in it, made since I last saw it, as if he had applied himself to some habitual152 strain of the fervent153 energy which, when roused, was so passionately154 roused within him. I had it in my thoughts to remonstrate155 with him upon his desperate way of pursuing any fancy that he took - such as this buffeting156 of rough seas, and braving of hard weather, for example - when my mind glanced off to the immediate54 subject of our conversation again, and pursued that instead.
'I tell you what, Steerforth,' said I, 'if your high spirits will listen to me -'
'They are potent157 spirits, and will do whatever you like,' he answered, moving from the table to the fireside again.
'Then I tell you what, Steerforth. I think I will go down and see my old nurse. It is not that I can do her any good, or render her any real service; but she is so attached to me that my visit will have as much effect on her, as if I could do both. She will take it so kindly158 that it will be a comfort and support to her. It is no great effort to make, I am sure, for such a friend as she has been to me. Wouldn't you go a day's journey, if you were in my place?'
His face was thoughtful, and he sat considering a little before he answered, in a low voice, 'Well! Go. You can do no harm.'
'You have just come back,' said I, 'and it would be in vain to ask you to go with me?'
'Quite,' he returned. 'I am for Highgate tonight. I have not seen my mother this long time, and it lies upon my conscience, for it's something to be loved as she loves her prodigal159 son. - Bah! Nonsense! - You mean to go tomorrow, I suppose?' he said, holding me out at arm's length, with a hand on each of my shoulders.
'Yes, I think so.'
'Well, then, don't go till next day. I wanted you to come and stay a few days with us. Here I am, on purpose to bid you, and you fly off to Yarmouth!'
'You are a nice fellow to talk of flying off, Steerforth, who are always running wild on some unknown expedition or other!'
He looked at me for a moment without speaking, and then rejoined, still holding me as before, and giving me a shake:
'Come! Say the next day, and pass as much of tomorrow as you can with us! Who knows when we may meet again, else? Come! Say the next day! I want you to stand between Rosa Dartle and me, and keep us asunder160.'
'Would you love each other too much, without me?'
'Yes; or hate,' laughed Steerforth; 'no matter which. Come! Say the next day!'
I said the next day; and he put on his great-coat and lighted his cigar, and set off to walk home. Finding him in this intention, I put on my own great-coat (but did not light my own cigar, having had enough of that for one while) and walked with him as far as the open road: a dull road, then, at night. He was in great spirits all the way; and when we parted, and I looked after him going so gallantly161 and airily homeward, I thought of his saying, 'Ride on over all obstacles, and win the race!' and wished, for the first time, that he had some worthy112 race to run.
I was undressing in my own room, when Mr. Micawber's letter tumbled on the floor. Thus reminded of it, I broke the seal and read as follows. It was dated an hour and a half before dinner. I am not sure whether I have mentioned that, when Mr. Micawber was at any particularly desperate crisis, he used a sort of legal phraseology, which he seemed to think equivalent to winding162 up his affairs.
'SIR - for I dare not say my dear Copperfield,
'It is expedient163 that I should inform you that the undersigned is Crushed. Some flickering164 efforts to spare you the premature165 knowledge of his calamitous166 position, you may observe in him this day; but hope has sunk beneath the horizon, and the undersigned is Crushed.
'The present communication is penned within the personal range (I cannot call it the society) of an individual, in a state closely bordering on intoxication167, employed by a broker168. That individual is in legal possession of the premises169, under a distress170 for rent. His inventory171 includes, not only the chattels172 and effects of every description belonging to the undersigned, as yearly tenant173 of this habitation, but also those appertaining to Mr. Thomas Traddles, lodger174, a member of the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
'If any drop of gloom were wanting in the overflowing175 cup, which is now "commended" (in the language of an immortal176 Writer) to the lips of the undersigned, it would be found in the fact, that a friendly acceptance granted to the undersigned, by the before-mentioned Mr. Thomas Traddles, for the sum Of 23l 4s 9 1/2d is over due, and is NOT provided for. Also, in the fact that the living responsibilities clinging to the undersigned will, in the course of nature, be increased by the sum of one more helpless victim; whose miserable177 appearance may be looked for - in round numbers - at the expiration178 of a period not exceeding six lunar months from the present date.
'After premising thus much, it would be a work of supererogation to add, that dust and ashes are for ever scattered179
'On 'The 'Head 'Of 'WILKINS MICAWBER.'
Poor Traddles! I knew enough of Mr. Micawber by this time, to foresee that he might be expected to recover the blow; but my night's rest was sorely distressed180 by thoughts of Traddles, and of the curate's daughter, who was one of ten, down in Devonshire, and who was such a dear girl, and who would wait for Traddles (ominous praise!) until she was sixty, or any age that could be mentioned.
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languished
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| 长期受苦( languish的过去式和过去分词 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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perfidy
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| n.背信弃义，不忠贞 | |
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relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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counteracted
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| 对抗，抵消( counteract的过去式 ) | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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extremities
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| n.端点( extremity的名词复数 )；尽头；手和足；极窘迫的境地 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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second-hand
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| adj.用过的，旧的，二手的 | |
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strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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stipulation
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| n.契约，规定，条文；条款说明 | |
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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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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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raptures
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| 极度欢喜( rapture的名词复数 ) | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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celibacy
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| n.独身(主义) | |
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solicited
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| v.恳求( solicit的过去式和过去分词 )；（指娼妇）拉客；索求；征求 | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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protract
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| v.延长，拖长 | |
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35
pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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allusion
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| n.暗示，间接提示 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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minion
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| n.宠仆；宠爱之人 | |
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condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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fragrance
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| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
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fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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46
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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posterity
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| n.后裔，子孙，后代 | |
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48
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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49
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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50
gravy
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| n.肉汁；轻易得来的钱，外快 | |
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51
delusive
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| adj.欺骗的，妄想的 | |
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52
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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53
pervading
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的现在分词 ) | |
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54
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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57
ketchup
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| n.蕃茄酱，蕃茄沙司 | |
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58
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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60
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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batch
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| n.一批(组，群)；一批生产量 | |
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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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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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meekest
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| adj.温顺的，驯服的( meek的最高级 ) | |
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70
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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71
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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73
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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77
teem
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| vi.(with)充满，多产 | |
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78
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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79
constraint
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| n.(on)约束，限制；限制(或约束)性的事物 | |
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80
remorseful
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| adj.悔恨的 | |
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81
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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82
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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83
condescension
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| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
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84
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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85
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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86
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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87
remunerative
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| adj.有报酬的 | |
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88
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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89
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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90
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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91
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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92
brewing
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| n. 酿造, 一次酿造的量 动词brew的现在分词形式 | |
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93
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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94
banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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95
lucidly
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| adv.清透地，透明地 | |
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96
irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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97
sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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98
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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99
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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100
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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102
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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103
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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104
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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105
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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106
withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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107
entreaties
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| n.恳求，乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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108
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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109
eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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110
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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111
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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112
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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113
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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114
eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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115
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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116
reciprocated
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| v.报答，酬答( reciprocate的过去式和过去分词 )；（机器的部件）直线往复运动 | |
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117
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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118
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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119
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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120
stammering
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 ) | |
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121
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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122
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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123
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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124
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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125
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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126
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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127
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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128
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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129
ballads
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| 民歌，民谣，特别指叙述故事的歌( ballad的名词复数 )； 讴 | |
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130
sergeant
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| n.警官，中士 | |
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131
parental
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| adj.父母的；父的；母的 | |
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132
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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133
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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134
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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135
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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136
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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137
sanctuary
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| n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区 | |
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138
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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139
scotch
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；v.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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140
bacchanalian
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| adj.闹酒狂饮的；n.发酒疯的人 | |
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141
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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142
poker
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| n.扑克；vt.烙制 | |
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143
extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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144
vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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145
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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146
jovially
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| adv.愉快地，高兴地 | |
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147
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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148
apothecary
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| n.药剂师 | |
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149
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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150
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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151
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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152
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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153
fervent
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| adj.热的，热烈的，热情的 | |
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154
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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155
remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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156
buffeting
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| 振动 | |
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157
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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158
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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159
prodigal
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| adj.浪费的，挥霍的，放荡的 | |
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160
asunder
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| adj.分离的，化为碎片 | |
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161
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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162
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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163
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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164
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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165
premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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166
calamitous
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| adj.灾难的，悲惨的；多灾多难；惨重 | |
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167
intoxication
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| n.wild excitement;drunkenness；poisoning | |
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168
broker
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| n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排 | |
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169
premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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170
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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171
inventory
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| n.详细目录，存货清单 | |
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172
chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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173
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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174
lodger
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| n.寄宿人，房客 | |
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175
overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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176
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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177
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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178
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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179
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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180
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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