At length the day broke, and poor Mrs Quilp, shivering with cold of early morning and harassed5 by fatigue6 and want of sleep, was discovered sitting patiently on her chair, raising her eyes at intervals7 in mute appeal to the compassion8 and clemency9 of her lord, and gently reminding him by an occasion cough that she was still unpardoned and that her penance10 had been of long duration. But her dwarfish11 spouse13 still smoked his cigar and drank his rum without heeding14 her; and it was not until the sun had some time risen, and the activity and noise of city day were rife15 in the street, that he deigned16 to recognize her presence by any word or sign. He might not have done so even then, but for certain impatient tapping at the door he seemed to denote that some pretty hard knuckles17 were actively18 engaged upon the other side.
‘Why dear me!’ he said looking round with a malicious19 grin, ‘it’s day. Open the door, sweet Mrs Quilp!’
His obedient wife withdrew the bolt, and her lady mother entered.
Now, Mrs Jiniwin bounced into the room with great impetuosity; for, supposing her son-in-law to be still a-bed, she had come to relieve her feelings by pronouncing a strong opinion upon his general conduct and character. Seeing that he was up and dressed, and that the room appeared to have been occupied ever since she quitted it on the previous evening, she stopped short, in some embarrassment20.
Nothing escaped the hawk’s eye of the ugly little man, who, perfectly21 understanding what passed in the old lady’s mind, turned uglier still in the fulness of his satisfaction, and bade her good morning, with a leer or triumph.
‘Why, Betsy,’ said the old woman, ‘you haven’t been — you don’t mean to say you’ve been a —’
‘Sitting up all night?’ said Quilp, supplying the conclusion of the sentence. ‘Yes she has!’
‘All night?’ cried Mrs Jiniwin.
‘Ay, all night. Is the dear old lady deaf?’ said Quilp, with a smile of which a frown was part. ‘Who says man and wife are bad company? Ha ha! The time has flown.’
‘You’re a brute23!’ exclaimed Mrs Jiniwin.
‘Come come,’ said Quilp, wilfully24 misunderstanding her, of course, ‘you mustn’t call her names. She’s married now, you know. And though she did beguile25 the time and keep me from my bed, you must not be so tenderly careful of me as to be out of humour with her. Bless you for a dear old lady. Here’s to your health!’
‘I am much obliged to you,’ returned the old woman, testifying by a certain restlessness in her hands a vehement26 desire to shake her matronly fist at her son-in-law. ‘Oh! I’m very much obliged to you!’
‘Grateful soul!’ cried the dwarf12. ‘Mrs Quilp.’
‘Yes, Quilp,’ said the timid sufferer.
‘Help your mother to get breakfast, Mrs Quilp. I am going to the wharf27 this morning — the earlier the better, so be quick.’
Mrs Jiniwin made a faint demonstration28 of rebellion by sitting down in a chair near the door and folding her arms as if in a resolute29 determination to do nothing. But a few whispered words from her daughter, and a kind inquiry30 from her son-in-law whether she felt faint, with a hint that there was abundance of cold water in the next apartment, routed these symptoms effectually, and she applied31 herself to the prescribed preparations with sullen32 diligence.
While they were in progress, Mr Quilp withdrew to the adjoining room, and, turning back his coat-collar, proceeded to smear33 his countenance34 with a damp towel of very unwholesome appearance, which made his complexion35 rather more cloudy than it was before. But, while he was thus engaged, his caution and inquisitiveness36 did not forsake37 him, for with a face as sharp and cunning as ever, he often stopped, even in this short process, and stood listening for any conversation in the next room, of which he might be the theme.
‘Ah!’ he said after a short effort of attention, ‘it was not the towel over my ears, I thought it wasn’t. I’m a little hunchy villain38 and a monster, am I, Mrs Jiniwin? Oh!’
The pleasure of this discovery called up the old doglike smile in full force. When he had quite done with it, he shook himself in a very doglike manner, and rejoined the ladies.
Mr Quilp now walked up to front of a looking-glass, and was standing22 there putting on his neckerchief, when Mrs Jiniwin happening to be behind him, could not resist the inclination39 she felt to shake her fist at her tyrant40 son-in-law. It was the gesture of an instant, but as she did so and accompanied the action with a menacing look, she met his eye in the glass, catching41 her in the very act. The same glance at the mirror conveyed to her the reflection of a horribly grotesque42 and distorted face with the tongue lolling out; and the next instant the dwarf, turning about with a perfectly bland43 and placid44 look, inquired in a tone of great affection.
‘How are you now, my dear old darling?’
Slight and ridiculous as the incident was, it made him appear such a little fiend, and withal such a keen and knowing one, that the old woman felt too much afraid of him to utter a single word, and suffered herself to be led with extraordinary politeness to the breakfast-table. Here he by no means diminished the impression he had just produced, for he ate hard eggs, shell and all, devoured45 gigantic prawns46 with the heads and tails on, chewed tobacco and water-cresses at the same time and with extraordinary greediness, drank boiling tea without winking47, bit his fork and spoon till they bent48 again, and in short performed so many horrifying49 and uncommon50 acts that the women were nearly frightened out of their wits, and began to doubt if he were really a human creature. At last, having gone through these proceedings51 and many others which were equally a part of his system, Mr Quilp left them, reduced to a very obedient and humbled52 state, and betook himself to the river-side, where he took boat for the wharf on which he had bestowed53 his name.
It was flood tide when Daniel Quilp sat himself down in the ferry to cross to the opposite shore. A fleet of barges54 were coming lazily on, some sideways, some head first, some stern first; all in a wrong-headed, dogged, obstinate55 way, bumping up against the larger craft, running under the bows of steamboats, getting into every kind of nook and corner where they had no business, and being crunched56 on all sides like so many walnut-shells; while each with its pair of long sweeps struggling and splashing in the water looked like some lumbering57 fish in pain. In some of the vessels58 at anchor all hands were busily engaged in coiling ropes, spreading out sails to dry, taking in or discharging their cargoes59; in others no life was visible but two or three tarry boys, and perhaps a barking dog running to and fro upon the deck or scrambling60 up to look over the side and bark the louder for the view. Coming slowly on through the forests of masts was a great steamship61, beating the water in short impatient strokes with her heavy paddles as though she wanted room to breathe, and advancing in her huge bulk like a sea monster among the minnows of the Thames. On either hand were long black tiers of colliers; between them vessels slowly working out of harbour with sails glistening62 in the sun, and creaking noise on board, re-echoed from a hundred quarters. The water and all upon it was in active motion, dancing and buoyant and bubbling up; while the old grey Tower and piles of building on the shore, with many a church-spire shooting up between, looked coldly on, and seemed to disdain63 their chafing64, restless neighbour.
Daniel Quilp, who was not much affected65 by a bright morning save in so far as it spared him the trouble of carrying an umbrella, caused himself to be put ashore66 hard by the wharf, and proceeded thither67 through a narrow lane which, partaking of the amphibious character of its frequenters, had as much water as mud in its composition, and a very liberal supply of both. Arrived at his destination, the first object that presented itself to his view was a pair of very imperfectly shod feet elevated in the air with the soles upwards68, which remarkable69 appearance was referable to the boy, who being of an eccentric spirit and having a natural taste for tumbling, was now standing on his head and contemplating70 the aspect of the river under these uncommon circumstances. He was speedily brought on his heels by the sound of his master’s voice, and as soon as his head was in its right position, Mr Quilp, to speak expresively in the absence of a better verb, ‘punched it’ for him.
‘Come, you let me alone,’ said the boy, parrying Quilp’s hand with both his elbows alternatively. ‘You’ll get something you won’t like if you don’t and so I tell you.’
‘You dog,’ snarled71 Quilp, ‘I’ll beat you with an iron rod, I’ll scratch you with a rusty72 nail, I’ll pinch your eyes, if you talk to me — I will.’
With these threats he clenched73 his hand again, and dexterously74 diving in betwen the elbows and catching the boy’s head as it dodged75 from side to side, gave it three or four good hard knocks. Having now carried his point and insisted on it, he left off.
‘You won’t do it agin,’ said the boy, nodding his head and drawing back, with the elbows ready in case of the worst; ‘now —’
‘Stand still, you dog,’ said Quilp. ‘I won’t do it again, because I’ve done it as often as I want. Here. Take the key.’
‘Why don’t you hit one of your size?’ said the boy approaching very slowly.
‘Where is there one of my size, you dog?’ returned Quilp. ‘Take the key, or I’ll brain you with it’— indeed he gave him a smart tap with the handle as he spoke76. ‘Now, open the counting-house.’
The boy sulkily complied, muttering at first, but desisting when he looked round and saw that Quilp was following him with a steady look. And here it may be remarked, that between this boy and the dwarf that existed a strange kind of mutual77 liking78. How born or bred, and or nourished upon blows and threats on one side, and retorts and defiances on the other, is not to the purpose. Quilp would certainly suffer nobody to contract him but the boy, and the boy would assuredly not have submitted to be so knocked about by anybody but Quilp, when he had the power to run away at any time he chose.
‘Now,’ said Quilp, passing into the wooden counting-house, ‘you mind the wharf. Stand upon your head agin, and I’ll cut one of your feet off.’
The boy made no answer, but directly Quilp had shut himself in, stood on his head before the door, then walked on his hands to the back and stood on his head there, and then to the opposite side and repeated the performance. There were indeed four sides to the counting-house, but he avoided that one where the window was, deeming it probable that Quilp would be looking out of it. This was prudent79, for in point of fact, the dwarf, knowing his disposition80, was lying in wait at a little distance from the sash armed with a large piece of wood, which, being rough and jagged and studded in many parts with broken nails, might possibly have hurt him.
It was a dirty little box, this counting-house, with nothing in it but an old ricketty desk and two stools, a hat-peg, an ancient almanack, an inkstand with no ink, and the stump81 of one pen, and an eight-day clock which hadn’t gone for eighteen years at least, and of which the minute-hand had been twisted off for a tooth-pick. Daniel Quilp pulled his hat over his brows, climbed on to the desk (which had a flat top) and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep with ease of an old pactitioner; intending, no doubt, to compensate82 himself for the deprivation83 of last night’s rest, by a long and sound nap.
Sound it might have been, but long it was not, for he had not been asleep a quarter of an hour when the boy opened the door and thrust in his head, which was like a bundle of badly-picked oakum. Quilp was a light sleeper84 and started up directly.
‘Here’s somebody for you,’ said the boy.
‘Who?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Ask!’ said Quilp, seizing the trifle of wood before mentioned and throwing it at him with such dexterity85 that it was well the boy disappeared before it reached the spot on which he had stood. ‘Ask, you dog.’
Not caring to venture within range of such missles again, the boy discreetly86 sent in his stead the first cause of the interruption, who now presented herself at the door.
‘What, Nelly!’ cried Quilp.
‘Yes,’ said the child, hesitating whether to enter or retreat, for the dwarf just roused, with his dishevelled hair hanging all about him and a yellow handkerchief over his head, was something fearful to behold87; it’s only me, sir.’
‘Come in,’ said Quilp, without getting off the desk. ‘Come in. Stay. Just look out into the yard, and see whether there’s a boy standing on his head.’
‘No, sir,’ replied Nell. ‘He’s on his feet.’
‘You’re sure he is?’ said Quilp. ‘Well. Now, come in and shut the door. What’s your message, Nelly?’
The child handed him a letter. Mr Quilp, without changing his position further than to turn over a little more on his side and rest his chin on his hand, proceeded to make himself acquainted with its contents.
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收听单词发音
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1
winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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2
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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7
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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dwarfish
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| a.像侏儒的，矮小的 | |
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dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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14
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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15
rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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18
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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19
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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21
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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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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23
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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wilfully
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| adv.任性固执地；蓄意地 | |
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25
beguile
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| vt.欺骗，消遣 | |
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26
vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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27
wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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28
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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30
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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32
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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33
smear
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| v.涂抹；诽谤，玷污；n.污点；诽谤，污蔑 | |
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34
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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inquisitiveness
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| 好奇，求知欲 | |
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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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38
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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39
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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40
tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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41
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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42
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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43
bland
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| adj.淡而无味的，温和的，无刺激性的 | |
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44
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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45
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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46
prawns
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| n.对虾，明虾( prawn的名词复数 ) | |
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47
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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48
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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49
horrifying
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| a.令人震惊的，使人毛骨悚然的 | |
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50
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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51
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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52
humbled
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| adj. 卑下的，谦逊的，粗陋的 vt. 使 ... 卑下，贬低 | |
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53
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
barges
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| 驳船( barge的名词复数 ) | |
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55
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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56
crunched
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的过去式和过去分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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57
lumbering
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| n.采伐林木 | |
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58
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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59
cargoes
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| n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负 | |
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60
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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61
steamship
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| n.汽船，轮船 | |
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62
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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63
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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64
chafing
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| n.皮肤发炎v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的现在分词 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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66
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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67
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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68
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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69
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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70
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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71
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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72
rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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73
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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75
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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76
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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77
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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78
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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79
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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80
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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81
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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82
compensate
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| vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消 | |
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83
deprivation
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| n.匮乏；丧失；夺去，贫困 | |
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84
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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85
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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86
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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87
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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