Violent was Mr. Weller’s indignation as he was borne along; numerous were the allusions4 to the personal appearance and demeanour of Mr. Grummer and his companion; and valorous were the defiances to any six of the gentlemen present, in which he vented6 his dissatisfaction. Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. Winkle listened with gloomy respect to the torrent9 of eloquence10 which their leader poured forth11 from the sedan-chair, and the rapid course of which not all Mr. Tupman’s earnest entreaties12 to have the lid of the vehicle closed, were able to check for an instant. But Mr. Weller’s anger quickly gave way to curiosity when the procession turned down the identical courtyard in which he had met with the runaway13 Job Trotter; and curiosity was exchanged for a feeling of the most gleeful astonishment14, when the all-important Mr. Grummer, commanding the sedan-bearers to halt, advanced with dignified15 and portentous16 steps to the very green gate from which Job Trotter had emerged, and gave a mighty17 pull at the bell-handle which hung at the side thereof. The ring was answered by a very smart and pretty-faced servant-girl, who, after holding up her hands in astonishment at the rebellious18 appearance of the prisoners, and the impassioned language of Mr. Pickwick, summoned Mr. Muzzle19. Mr. Muzzle opened one half of the carriage gate, to admit the sedan, the captured ones, and the specials; and immediately slammed it in the faces of the mob, who, indignant at being excluded, and anxious to see what followed, relieved their feelings by kicking at the gate and ringing the bell, for an hour or two afterwards. In this amusement they all took part by turns, except three or four fortunate individuals, who, having discovered a grating in the gate, which commanded a view of nothing, stared through it with the indefatigable21 perseverance22 with which people will flatten23 their noses against the front windows of a chemist’s shop, when a drunken man, who has been run over by a dog-cart in the street, is undergoing a surgical24 inspection25 in the back-parlour.
At the foot of a flight of steps, leading to the house door, which was guarded on either side by an American aloe in a green tub, the sedan-chair stopped. Mr. Pickwick and his friends were conducted into the hall, whence, having been previously26 announced by Muzzle, and ordered in by Mr. Nupkins, they were ushered27 into the worshipful presence of that public-spirited officer.
The scene was an impressive one, well calculated to strike terror to the hearts of culprits, and to impress them with an adequate idea of the stern majesty28 of the law. In front of a big book-case, in a big chair, behind a big table, and before a big volume, sat Mr. Nupkins, looking a full size larger than any one of them, big as they were. The table was adorned29 with piles of papers; and above the farther end of it, appeared the head and shoulders of Mr. Jinks, who was busily engaged in looking as busy as possible. The party having all entered, Muzzle carefully closed the door, and placed himself behind his master’s chair to await his orders. Mr. Nupkins threw himself back with thrilling solemnity, and scrutinised the faces of his unwilling30 visitors.
‘Now, Grummer, who is that person?’ said Mr. Nupkins, pointing to Mr. Pickwick, who, as the spokesman of his friends, stood hat in hand, bowing with the utmost politeness and respect.
‘This here’s Pickvick, your Wash-up,’ said Grummer.
‘Come, none o’ that ‘ere, old Strike-a-light,’ interposed Mr. Weller, elbowing himself into the front rank. ‘Beg your pardon, sir, but this here officer o’ yourn in the gambooge tops, ’ull never earn a decent livin’ as a master o’ the ceremonies any vere. This here, sir’ continued Mr. Weller, thrusting Grummer aside, and addressing the magistrate31 with pleasant familiarity, ‘this here is S. Pickvick, Esquire; this here’s Mr. Tupman; that ‘ere’s Mr. Snodgrass; and farder on, next him on the t’other side, Mr. Winkle — all wery nice gen’l’m’n, Sir, as you’ll be wery happy to have the acquaintance on; so the sooner you commits these here officers o’ yourn to the tread — mill for a month or two, the sooner we shall begin to be on a pleasant understanding. Business first, pleasure arterwards, as King Richard the Third said when he stabbed the t’other king in the Tower, afore he smothered33 the babbies.’
At the conclusion of this address, Mr. Weller brushed his hat with his right elbow, and nodded benignly34 to Jinks, who had heard him throughout with unspeakable awe35.
‘Who is this man, Grummer?’ said the magistrate,.
‘Wery desp’rate ch’racter, your Wash-up,’ replied Grummer. ‘He attempted to rescue the prisoners, and assaulted the officers; so we took him into custody36, and brought him here.’
‘You did quite right,’ replied the magistrate. ‘He is evidently a desperate ruffian.’
‘He is my servant, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick angrily.
‘Oh! he is your servant, is he?’ said Mr. Nupkins. ‘A conspiracy37 to defeat the ends of justice, and murder its officers. Pickwick’s servant. Put that down, Mr. Jinks.’
Mr. Jinks did so.
‘What’s your name, fellow?’ thundered Mr. Nupkins.
‘Veller,’ replied Sam.
‘A very good name for the Newgate Calendar,’ said Mr. Nupkins.
This was a joke; so Jinks, Grummer, Dubbley, all the specials, and Muzzle, went into fits of laughter of five minutes’ duration.
‘Put down his name, Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate.
‘Two L’s, old feller,’ said Sam.
Here an unfortunate special laughed again, whereupon the magistrate threatened to commit him instantly. It is a dangerous thing to laugh at the wrong man, in these cases.
‘Where do you live?’ said the magistrate.
‘Vere ever I can,’ replied Sam.
‘Put down that, Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate, who was fast rising into a rage.
‘Score it under,’ said Sam.
‘He is a vagabond, Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate. ‘He is a vagabond on his own statement — is he not, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
‘Then I’ll commit him — I’ll commit him as such,’ said Mr. Nupkins.
‘This is a wery impartial country for justice, ‘said Sam.‘There ain’t a magistrate goin’ as don’t commit himself twice as he commits other people.’
At this sally another special laughed, and then tried to look so supernaturally solemn, that the magistrate detected him immediately.
‘Grummer,’ said Mr. Nupkins, reddening with passion, ‘how dare you select such an inefficient39 and disreputable person for a special constable40, as that man? How dare you do it, Sir?’
‘I am very sorry, your Wash-up,’ stammered41 Grummer.
‘Very sorry!’ said the furious magistrate. ‘You shall repent43 of this neglect of duty, Mr. Grummer; you shall be made an example of. Take that fellow’s staff away. He’s drunk. You’re drunk, fellow.’
‘I am not drunk, your Worship,’ said the man.
‘You ARE drunk,’ returned the magistrate. ‘How dare you say you are not drunk, Sir, when I say you are? Doesn’t he smell of spirits, Grummer?’
‘Horrid, your Wash-up,’ replied Grummer, who had a vague impression that there was a smell of rum somewhere.
‘I knew he did,’ said Mr. Nupkins. ‘I saw he was drunk when he first came into the room, by his excited eye. Did you observe his excited eye, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
‘I haven’t touched a drop of spirits this morning,’ said the man, who was as sober a fellow as need be.
‘How dare you tell me a falsehood?’ said Mr. Nupkins. ‘Isn’t he drunk at this moment, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir,’ replied Jinks.
‘Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate, ‘I shall commit that man for contempt. Make out his committal, Mr. Jinks.’
And committed the special would have been, only Jinks, who was the magistrate’s adviser44 (having had a legal education of three years in a country attorney’s office), whispered the magistrate that he thought it wouldn’t do; so the magistrate made a speech, and said, that in consideration of the special’s family, he would merely reprimand and discharge him. Accordingly, the special was abused, vehemently46, for a quarter of an hour, and sent about his business; and Grummer, Dubbley, Muzzle, and all the other specials, murmured their admiration47 of the magnanimity of Mr. Nupkins.
‘Now, Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate, ‘swear Grummer.’
Grummer was sworn directly; but as Grummer wandered, and Mr. Nupkins’s dinner was nearly ready, Mr. Nupkins cut the matter short, by putting leading questions to Grummer, which Grummer answered as nearly in the affirmative as he could. So the examination went off, all very smooth and comfortable, and two assaults were proved against Mr. Weller, and a threat against Mr. Winkle, and a push against Mr. Snodgrass. When all this was done to the magistrate’s satisfaction, the magistrate and Mr. Jinks consulted in whispers.
The consultation48 having lasted about ten minutes, Mr. Jinks retired49 to his end of the table; and the magistrate, with a preparatory cough, drew himself up in his chair, and was proceeding50 to commence his address, when Mr. Pickwick interposed.
‘I beg your pardon, sir, for interrupting you,’ said Mr. Pickwick; ‘but before you proceed to express, and act upon, any opinion you may have formed on the statements which have been made here, I must claim my right to be heard so far as I am personally concerned.’
‘Hold your tongue, Sir,’ said the magistrate peremptorily51.
‘I must submit to you, Sir —’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘Hold your tongue, sir,’ interposed the magistrate, ‘or I shall order an officer to remove you.’
‘You may order your officers to do whatever you please, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick; ‘and I have no doubt, from the specimen52 I have had of the subordination preserved amongst them, that whatever you order, they will execute, Sir; but I shall take the liberty, Sir, of claiming my right to be heard, until I am removed by force.’
‘Pickvick and principle!’ exclaimed Mr. Weller, in a very audible voice.
‘Sam, be quiet,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘Dumb as a drum vith a hole in it, Sir,’ replied Sam.
Mr. Nupkins looked at Mr. Pickwick with a gaze of intense astonishment, at his displaying such unwonted temerity54; and was apparently55 about to return a very angry reply, when Mr. Jinks pulled him by the sleeve, and whispered something in his ear. To this, the magistrate returned a half-audible answer, and then the whispering was renewed. Jinks was evidently remonstrating56. At length the magistrate, gulping57 down, with a very bad grace, his disinclination to hear anything more, turned to Mr. Pickwick, and said sharply, ‘What do you want to say?’
‘First,’ said Mr. Pickwick, sending a look through his spectacles, under which even Nupkins quailed58, ‘first, I wish to know what I and my friend have been brought here for?’
‘Must I tell him?’ whispered the magistrate to Jinks.
‘I think you had better, sir,’ whispered Jinks to the magistrate. ‘An information has been sworn before me,’ said the magistrate, ‘that it is apprehended59 you are going to fight a duel60, and that the other man, Tupman, is your aider and abettor in it. Therefore — eh, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, sir.’
‘Therefore, I call upon you both, to — I think that’s the course, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
‘To — to — what, Mr. Jinks?’ said the magistrate pettishly61.
‘To find bail62, sir.’
‘Yes. Therefore, I call upon you both — as I was about to say when I was interrupted by my clerk — to find bail.’ ‘Good bail,’ whispered Mr. Jinks.
‘I shall require good bail,’ said the magistrate.
‘Town’s-people,’ whispered Jinks.
‘They must be townspeople,’ said the magistrate.
‘Fifty pounds each,’ whispered Jinks, ‘and householders, of course.’
‘I shall require two sureties of fifty pounds each,’ said the magistrate aloud, with great dignity, ‘and they must be householders, of course.’
‘But bless my heart, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick, who, together with Mr. Tupman, was all amazement63 and indignation; ‘we are perfect strangers in this town. I have as little knowledge of any householders here, as I have intention of fighting a duel with anybody.’
‘I dare say,’ replied the magistrate, ‘I dare say — don’t you, Mr. Jinks?’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
‘Have you anything more to say?’ inquired the magistrate.
Mr. Pickwick had a great deal more to say, which he would no doubt have said, very little to his own advantage, or the magistrate’s satisfaction, if he had not, the moment he ceased speaking, been pulled by the sleeve by Mr. Weller, with whom he was immediately engaged in so earnest a conversation, that he suffered the magistrate’s inquiry64 to pass wholly unnoticed. Mr. Nupkins was not the man to ask a question of the kind twice over; and so, with another preparatory cough, he proceeded, amidst the reverential and admiring silence of the constables65, to pronounce his decision. He should fine Weller two pounds for the first assault, and three pounds for the second. He should fine Winkle two pounds, and Snodgrass one pound, besides requiring them to enter into their own recognisances to keep the peace towards all his Majesty’s subjects, and especially towards his liege servant, Daniel Grummer. Pickwick and Tupman he had already held to bail.
Immediately on the magistrate ceasing to speak, Mr. Pickwick, with a smile mantling67 on his again good-humoured countenance68, stepped forward, and said —
‘I beg the magistrate’s pardon, but may I request a few minutes’ private conversation with him, on a matter of deep importance to himself?’
‘What?’ said the magistrate. Mr. Pickwick repeated his request.
‘This is a most extraordinary request,’ said the magistrate. ‘A private interview?’
‘A private interview,’ replied Mr. Pickwick firmly; ‘only, as a part of the information which I wish to communicate is derived69 from my servant, I should wish him to be present.’
The magistrate looked at Mr. Jinks; Mr. Jinks looked at the magistrate; the officers looked at each other in amazement. Mr. Nupkins turned suddenly pale. Could the man Weller, in a moment of remorse70, have divulged71 some secret conspiracy for his assassination72? It was a dreadful thought. He was a public man; and he turned paler, as he thought of Julius Caesar and Mr. Perceval.
The magistrate looked at Mr. Pickwick again, and beckoned73 Mr. Jinks.
‘What do you think of this request, Mr. Jinks?’ murmured Mr. Nupkins.
Mr. Jinks, who didn’t exactly know what to think of it, and was afraid he might offend, smiled feebly, after a dubious74 fashion, and, screwing up the corners of his mouth, shook his head slowly from side to side.
‘Mr. Jinks,’ said the magistrate gravely, ‘you are an ass7.’
At this little expression of opinion, Mr. Jinks smiled again — rather more feebly than before — and edged himself, by degrees, back into his own corner.
Mr. Nupkins debated the matter within himself for a few seconds, and then, rising from his chair, and requesting Mr. Pickwick and Sam to follow him, led the way into a small room which opened into the justice-parlour. Desiring Mr. Pickwick to walk to the upper end of the little apartment, and holding his hand upon the half-closed door, that he might be able to effect an immediate20 escape, in case there was the least tendency to a display of hostilities75, Mr. Nupkins expressed his readiness to hear the communication, whatever it might be.
‘I will come to the point at once, sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick; ‘it affects yourself and your credit materially. I have every reason to believe, Sir, that you are harbouring in your house a gross impostor!’
‘Two,’ interrupted Sam. ‘Mulberry agin all natur, for tears and willainny!’
‘Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘if I am to render myself intelligible76 to this gentleman, I must beg you to control your feelings.’
‘Wery sorry, Sir,’ replied Mr. Weller; ‘but when I think o’ that ‘ere Job, I can’t help opening the walve a inch or two.’
‘In one word, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘is my servant right in suspecting that a certain Captain Fitz–Marshall is in the habit of visiting here? Because,’ added Mr. Pickwick, as he saw that Mr. Nupkins was about to offer a very indignant interruption, ‘because if he be, I know that person to be a —’
‘Hush, hush,’ said Mr. Nupkins, closing the door. ‘Know him to be what, Sir?’
‘An unprincipled adventurer — a dishonourable character — a man who preys77 upon society, and makes easily-deceived people his dupes, Sir; his absurd, his foolish, his wretched dupes, Sir,’ said the excited Mr. Pickwick.
‘Dear me,’ said Mr. Nupkins, turning very red, and altering his whole manner directly. ‘Dear me, Mr. —’
‘Pickvick,’ said Sam.
‘Pickwick,’ said the magistrate, ‘dear me, Mr. Pickwick — pray take a seat — you cannot mean this? Captain Fitz–Marshall!’
‘Don’t call him a cap’en,’ said Sam, ‘nor Fitz–Marshall neither; he ain’t neither one nor t’other. He’s a strolling actor, he is, and his name’s Jingle78; and if ever there was a wolf in a mulberry suit, that ‘ere Job Trotter’s him.’
‘It is very true, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick, replying to the magistrate’s look of amazement; ‘my only business in this town, is to expose the person of whom we now speak.’
Mr. Pickwick proceeded to pour into the horror-stricken ear of Mr. Nupkins, an abridged79 account of all Mr. Jingle’s atrocities80. He related how he had first met him; how he had eloped with Miss Wardle; how he had cheerfully resigned the lady for a pecuniary81 consideration; how he had entrapped82 himself into a lady’s boarding-school at midnight; and how he (Mr. Pickwick) now felt it his duty to expose his assumption of his present name and rank.
As the narrative83 proceeded, all the warm blood in the body of Mr. Nupkins tingled84 up into the very tips of his ears. He had picked up the captain at a neighbouring race-course. Charmed with his long list of aristocratic acquaintance, his extensive travel, and his fashionable demeanour, Mrs. Nupkins and Miss Nupkins had exhibited Captain Fitz–Marshall, and quoted Captain Fitz–Marshall, and hurled85 Captain Fitz–Marshall at the devoted86 heads of their select circle of acquaintance, until their bosom87 friends, Mrs. Porkenham and the Misses Porkenhams, and Mr. Sidney Porkenham, were ready to burst with jealousy88 and despair. And now, to hear, after all, that he was a needy89 adventurer, a strolling player, and if not a swindler, something so very like it, that it was hard to tell the difference! Heavens! what would the Porkenhams say! What would be the triumph of Mr. Sidney Porkenham when he found that his addresses had been slighted for such a rival! How should he, Nupkins, meet the eye of old Porkenham at the next quarter-sessions! And what a handle would it be for the opposition90 magisterial91 party if the story got abroad!
‘But after all,’ said Mr. Nupkins, brightening for a moment, after a long pause; ‘after all, this is a mere42 statement. Captain Fitz–Marshall is a man of very engaging manners, and, I dare say, has many enemies. What proof have you of the truth of these representations?’
‘Confront me with him,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘that is all I ask, and all I require. Confront him with me and my friends here; you will want no further proof.’
‘Why,’ said Mr. Nupkins, ‘that might be very easily done, for he will be here to-night, and then there would be no occasion to make the matter public, just — just — for the young man’s own sake, you know. I— I— should like to consult Mrs. Nupkins on the propriety92 of the step, in the first instance, though. At all events, Mr. Pickwick, we must despatch93 this legal business before we can do anything else. Pray step back into the next room.’
Into the next room they went.
‘Grummer,’ said the magistrate, in an awful voice.
‘Your Wash-up,’ replied Grummer, with the smile of a favourite.
‘Come, come, Sir,’ said the magistrate sternly, ‘don’t let me see any of this levity94 here. It is very unbecoming, and I can assure you that you have very little to smile at. Was the account you gave me just now strictly95 true? Now be careful, sir!’ ‘Your Wash-up,’ stammered Grummer, ‘I–’
‘Oh, you are confused, are you?’ said the magistrate. ‘Mr. Jinks, you observe this confusion?’
‘Certainly, Sir,’ replied Jinks.
‘Now,’ said the magistrate, ‘repeat your statement, Grummer, and again I warn you to be careful. Mr. Jinks, take his words down.’
The unfortunate Grummer proceeded to re-state his complaint, but, what between Mr. Jinks’s taking down his words, and the magistrate’s taking them up, his natural tendency to rambling96, and his extreme confusion, he managed to get involved, in something under three minutes, in such a mass of entanglement97 and contradiction, that Mr. Nupkins at once declared he didn’t believe him. So the fines were remitted98, and Mr. Jinks found a couple of bail in no time. And all these solemn proceedings99 having been satisfactorily concluded, Mr. Grummer was ignominiously100 ordered out — an awful instance of the instability of human greatness, and the uncertain tenure101 of great men’s favour.
Mrs. Nupkins was a majestic female in a pink gauze turban and a light brown wig102. Miss Nupkins possessed103 all her mamma’s haughtiness104 without the turban, and all her ill-nature without the wig; and whenever the exercise of these two amiable105 qualities involved mother and daughter in some unpleasant dilemma106, as they not infrequently did, they both concurred107 in laying the blame on the shoulders of Mr. Nupkins. Accordingly, when Mr. Nupkins sought Mrs. Nupkins, and detailed108 the communication which had been made by Mr. Pickwick, Mrs. Nupkins suddenly recollected109 that she had always expected something of the kind; that she had always said it would be so; that her advice was never taken; that she really did not know what Mr. Nupkins supposed she was; and so forth.
‘The idea!’ said Miss Nupkins, forcing a tear of very scanty110 proportions into the corner of each eye; ‘the idea of my being made such a fool of!’
‘Ah! you may thank your papa, my dear,’ said Mrs. Nupkins; ‘how I have implored111 and begged that man to inquire into the captain’s family connections; how I have urged and entreated112 him to take some decisive step! I am quite certain nobody would believe it — quite.’
‘But, my dear,’ said Mr. Nupkins.
‘Don’t talk to me, you aggravating113 thing, don’t!’ said Mrs. Nupkins.
‘My love,’ said Mr. Nupkins, ‘you professed114 yourself very fond of Captain Fitz–Marshall. You have constantly asked him here, my dear, and you have lost no opportunity of introducing him elsewhere.’
‘Didn’t I say so, Henrietta?’ cried Mrs. Nupkins, appealing to her daughter with the air of a much-injured female. ‘Didn’t I say that your papa would turn round and lay all this at my door? Didn’t I say so?’ Here Mrs. Nupkins sobbed115.
‘Oh, pa!’ remonstrated116 Miss Nupkins. And here she sobbed too.
‘Isn’t it too much, when he has brought all this disgrace and ridicule117 upon us, to taunt118 me with being the cause of it?’ exclaimed Mrs. Nupkins.
‘How can we ever show ourselves in society!’ said Miss Nupkins.
‘How can we face the Porkenhams?’ cried Mrs. Nupkins.
‘Or the Griggs!’ cried Miss Nupkins. ‘Or the Slummintowkens!’ cried Mrs. Nupkins. ‘But what does your papa care! What is it to HIM!’ At this dreadful reflection, Mrs. Nupkins wept mental anguish119, and Miss Nupkins followed on the same side.
Mrs. Nupkins’s tears continued to gush120 forth, with great velocity121, until she had gained a little time to think the matter over; when she decided122, in her own mind, that the best thing to do would be to ask Mr. Pickwick and his friends to remain until the captain’s arrival, and then to give Mr. Pickwick the opportunity he sought. If it appeared that he had spoken truly, the captain could be turned out of the house without noising the matter abroad, and they could easily account to the Porkenhams for his disappearance123, by saying that he had been appointed, through the Court influence of his family, to the governor-generalship of Sierra Leone, of Saugur Point, or any other of those salubrious climates which enchant124 Europeans so much, that when they once get there, they can hardly ever prevail upon themselves to come back again.
When Mrs. Nupkins dried up her tears, Miss Nupkins dried up hers, and Mr. Nupkins was very glad to settle the matter as Mrs. Nupkins had proposed. So Mr. Pickwick and his friends, having washed off all marks of their late encounter, were introduced to the ladies, and soon afterwards to their dinner; and Mr. Weller, whom the magistrate, with his peculiar125 sagacity, had discovered in half an hour to be one of the finest fellows alive, was consigned126 to the care and guardianship127 of Mr. Muzzle, who was specially66 enjoined128 to take him below, and make much of him.
‘How de do, sir?’ said Mr. Muzzle, as he conducted Mr. Weller down the kitchen stairs.
‘Why, no considerable change has taken place in the state of my system, since I see you cocked up behind your governor’s chair in the parlour, a little vile129 ago,’ replied Sam.
‘You will excuse my not taking more notice of you then,’ said Mr. Muzzle. ‘You see, master hadn’t introduced us, then. Lord, how fond he is of you, Mr. Weller, to be sure!’
‘Ah!’ said Sam, ‘what a pleasant chap he is!’
‘Ain’t he?‘replied Mr. Muzzle.
‘So much humour,’ said Sam.
‘And such a man to speak,’ said Mr. Muzzle. ‘How his ideas flow, don’t they?’
‘Wonderful,’ replied Sam; ‘they comes a-pouring out, knocking each other’s heads so fast, that they seems to stun130 one another; you hardly know what he’s arter, do you?’ ‘That’s the great merit of his style of speaking,’ rejoined Mr. Muzzle. ‘Take care of the last step, Mr. Weller. Would you like to wash your hands, sir, before we join the ladies’! Here’s a sink, with the water laid on, Sir, and a clean jack131 towel behind the door.’
‘Ah! perhaps I may as well have a rinse,’ replied Mr. Weller, applying plenty of yellow soap to the towel, and rubbing away till his face shone again. ‘How many ladies are there?’
‘Only two in our kitchen,’ said Mr. Muzzle; ‘cook and ‘ouse-maid. We keep a boy to do the dirty work, and a gal45 besides, but they dine in the wash’us.’
‘Oh, they dines in the wash’us, do they?’ said Mr. Weller.
‘Yes,’ replied Mr. Muzzle, ‘we tried ’em at our table when they first come, but we couldn’t keep ’em. The gal’s manners is dreadful vulgar; and the boy breathes so very hard while he’s eating, that we found it impossible to sit at table with him.’
‘Young grampus!’ said Mr. Weller.
‘Oh, dreadful,’ rejoined Mr. Muzzle; ‘but that is the worst of country service, Mr. Weller; the juniors is always so very savage132. This way, sir, if you please, this way.’
Preceding Mr. Weller, with the utmost politeness, Mr. Muzzle conducted him into the kitchen.
‘Mary,’ said Mr. Muzzle to the pretty servant-girl, ‘this is Mr. Weller; a gentleman as master has sent down, to be made as comfortable as possible.’
‘And your master’s a knowin’ hand, and has just sent me to the right place,’ said Mr. Weller, with a glance of admiration at Mary. ‘If I wos master o’ this here house, I should alvays find the materials for comfort vere Mary wos.’ ‘Lor, Mr. Weller!’ said Mary blushing.
‘Well, I never!’ ejaculated the cook.
‘Bless me, cook, I forgot you,’ said Mr. Muzzle. ‘Mr. Weller, let me introduce you.’
‘How are you, ma’am?’ said Mr. Weller.‘Wery glad to see you, indeed, and hope our acquaintance may be a long ’un, as the gen’l’m’n said to the fi’ pun’ note.’
When this ceremony of introduction had been gone through, the cook and Mary retired into the back kitchen to titter, for ten minutes; then returning, all giggles133 and blushes, they sat down to dinner. Mr. Weller’s easy manners and conversational134 powers had such irresistible135 influence with his new friends, that before the dinner was half over, they were on a footing of perfect intimacy136, and in possession of a full account of the delinquency of Job Trotter.
‘I never could a-bear that Job,’ said Mary.
‘No more you never ought to, my dear,’ replied Mr. Weller.
‘Why not?’ inquired Mary.
‘‘Cos ugliness and svindlin’ never ought to be formiliar with elegance137 and wirtew,’ replied Mr. Weller. ‘Ought they, Mr. Muzzle?’
‘Not by no means,’ replied that gentleman.
Here Mary laughed, and said the cook had made her; and the cook laughed, and said she hadn’t.
‘I ha’n’t got a glass,’ said Mary.
‘Drink with me, my dear,’ said Mr. Weller. ‘Put your lips to this here tumbler, and then I can kiss you by deputy.’
‘For shame, Mr. Weller!’ said Mary.
‘What’s a shame, my dear?’
‘Talkin’ in that way.’
‘Nonsense; it ain’t no harm. It’s natur; ain’t it, cook?’
‘Don’t ask me, imperence,’ replied the cook, in a high state of delight; and hereupon the cook and Mary laughed again, till what between the beer, and the cold meat, and the laughter combined, the latter young lady was brought to the verge138 of choking — an alarming crisis from which she was only recovered by sundry139 pats on the back, and other necessary attentions, most delicately administered by Mr. Samuel Weller. In the midst of all this jollity and conviviality140, a loud ring was heard at the garden gate, to which the young gentleman who took his meals in the wash-house, immediately responded. Mr. Weller was in the height of his attentions to the pretty house– maid; Mr. Muzzle was busy doing the honours of the table; and the cook had just paused to laugh, in the very act of raising a huge morsel141 to her lips; when the kitchen door opened, and in walked Mr. Job Trotter.
We have said in walked Mr. Job Trotter, but the statement is not distinguished142 by our usual scrupulous143 adherence144 to fact. The door opened and Mr. Trotter appeared. He would have walked in, and was in the very act of doing so, indeed, when catching145 sight of Mr. Weller, he involuntarily shrank back a pace or two, and stood gazing on the unexpected scene before him, perfectly146 motionless with amazement and terror.
‘Here he is!’ said Sam, rising with great glee. ‘Why we were that wery moment a-speaking o’ you. How are you? Where have you been? Come in.’
Laying his hand on the mulberry collar of the unresisting Job, Mr. Weller dragged him into the kitchen; and, locking the door, handed the key to Mr. Muzzle, who very coolly buttoned it up in a side pocket.
‘Well, here’s a game!’ cried Sam. ‘Only think o’ my master havin’ the pleasure o’ meeting yourn upstairs, and me havin’ the joy o’ meetin’ you down here. How are you gettin’ on, and how is the chandlery bis’ness likely to do? Well, I am so glad to see you. How happy you look. It’s quite a treat to see you; ain’t it, Mr. Muzzle?’
‘Quite,’ said Mr. Muzzle.
‘So cheerful he is!’ said Sam.
‘In such good spirits!’ said Muzzle. ‘And so glad to see us — that makes it so much more comfortable,’ said Sam. ‘Sit down; sit down.’
Mr. Trotter suffered himself to be forced into a chair by the fireside. He cast his small eyes, first on Mr. Weller, and then on Mr. Muzzle, but said nothing.
‘Well, now,’ said Sam, ‘afore these here ladies, I should jest like to ask you, as a sort of curiosity, whether you don’t consider yourself as nice and well-behaved a young gen’l’m’n, as ever used a pink check pocket-handkerchief, and the number four collection?’
‘And as was ever a-going to be married to a cook,’ said that lady indignantly. ‘The willin!’
‘And leave off his evil ways, and set up in the chandlery line arterwards,’ said the housemaid.
‘Now, I’ll tell you what it is, young man,’ said Mr. Muzzle solemnly, enraged147 at the last two allusions, ‘this here lady (pointing to the cook) keeps company with me; and when you presume, Sir, to talk of keeping chandlers’ shops with her, you injure me in one of the most delicatest points in which one man can injure another. Do you understand that, Sir?’
Here Mr. Muzzle, who had a great notion of his eloquence, in which he imitated his master, paused for a reply.
But Mr. Trotter made no reply. So Mr. Muzzle proceeded in a solemn manner —
‘It’s very probable, sir, that you won’t be wanted upstairs for several minutes, Sir, because MY master is at this moment particularly engaged in settling the hash of YOUR master, Sir; and therefore you’ll have leisure, Sir, for a little private talk with me, Sir. Do you understand that, Sir?’
Mr. Muzzle again paused for a reply; and again Mr. Trotter disappointed him.
‘Well, then,’ said Mr. Muzzle, ‘I’m very sorry to have to explain myself before ladies, but the urgency of the case will be my excuse. The back kitchen’s empty, Sir. If you will step in there, Sir, Mr. Weller will see fair, and we can have mutual148 satisfaction till the bell rings. Follow me, Sir!’
As Mr. Muzzle uttered these words, he took a step or two towards the door; and, by way of saving time, began to pull off his coat as he walked along.
Now, the cook no sooner heard the concluding words of this desperate challenge, and saw Mr. Muzzle about to put it into execution, than she uttered a loud and piercing shriek149; and rushing on Mr. Job Trotter, who rose from his chair on the instant, tore and buffeted150 his large flat face, with an energy peculiar to excited females, and twining her hands in his long black hair, tore therefrom about enough to make five or six dozen of the very largest-sized mourning-rings. Having accomplished151 this feat38 with all the ardour which her devoted love for Mr. Muzzle inspired, she staggered back; and being a lady of very excitable and delicate feelings, she instantly fell under the dresser, and fainted away.
At this moment, the bell rang.
‘That’s for you, Job Trotter,’ said Sam; and before Mr. Trotter could offer remonstrance152 or reply — even before he had time to stanch153 the wounds inflicted154 by the insensible lady — Sam seized one arm and Mr. Muzzle the other, and one pulling before, and the other pushing behind, they conveyed him upstairs, and into the parlour.
It was an impressive tableau155. Alfred Jingle, Esquire, alias156 Captain Fitz–Marshall, was standing32 near the door with his hat in his hand, and a smile on his face, wholly unmoved by his very unpleasant situation. Confronting him, stood Mr. Pickwick, who had evidently been inculcating some high moral lesson; for his left hand was beneath his coat tail, and his right extended in air, as was his wont53 when delivering himself of an impressive address. At a little distance, stood Mr. Tupman with indignant countenance, carefully held back by his two younger friends; at the farther end of the room were Mr. Nupkins, Mrs. Nupkins, and Miss Nupkins, gloomily grand and savagely157 vexed158. ‘What prevents me,’ said Mr. Nupkins, with magisterial dignity, as Job was brought in —‘what prevents me from detaining these men as rogues159 and impostors? It is a foolish mercy. What prevents me?’
‘Pride, old fellow, pride,’ replied Jingle, quite at his ease. ‘Wouldn’t do — no go — caught a captain, eh? — ha! ha! very good — husband for daughter — biter bit — make it public — not for worlds — look stupid — very!’
‘Wretch,’ said Mr. Nupkins, ‘we scorn your base insinuations.’
‘I always hated him,’ added Henrietta.
‘Oh, of course,’ said Jingle. ‘Tall young man — old lover — Sidney Porkenham — rich — fine fellow — not so rich as captain, though, eh? — turn him away — off with him — anything for captain — nothing like captain anywhere — all the girls — raving160 mad — eh, Job, eh?’
Here Mr. Jingle laughed very heartily161; and Job, rubbing his hands with delight, uttered the first sound he had given vent5 to since he entered the house — a low, noiseless chuckle162, which seemed to intimate that he enjoyed his laugh too much, to let any of it escape in sound. ‘Mr. Nupkins,’ said the elder lady,‘this is not a fit conversation for the servants to overhear. Let these wretches163 be removed.’
‘Certainly, my dear,’ Said Mr, Nupkins. ‘Muzzle!’
‘Your Worship.’
‘Open the front door.’
‘Yes, your Worship.’
‘Leave the house!’ said Mr. Nupkins, waving his hand emphatically.
Jingle smiled, and moved towards the door.
‘Stay!’ said Mr. Pickwick. Jingle stopped.
‘I might,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘have taken a much greater revenge for the treatment I have experienced at your hands, and that of your hypocritical friend there.’
Job Trotter bowed with great politeness, and laid his hand upon his heart.
‘I say,’ said Mr. Pickwick, growing gradually angry, ‘that I might have taken a greater revenge, but I content myself with exposing you, which I consider a duty I owe to society. This is a leniency164, Sir, which I hope you will remember.’
When Mr. Pickwick arrived at this point, Job Trotter, with facetious165 gravity, applied166 his hand to his ear, as if desirous not to lose a syllable167 he uttered.
‘And I have only to add, sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick, now thoroughly168 angry, ‘that I consider you a rascal169, and a — a — ruffian — and — and worse than any man I ever saw, or heard of, except that pious170 and sanctified vagabond in the mulberry livery.’
‘Ha! ha!’ said Jingle, ‘good fellow, Pickwick — fine heart — stout171 old boy — but must NOT be passionate172 — bad thing, very — bye, bye — see you again some day — keep up your spirits — now, Job — trot3!’
With these words, Mr. Jingle stuck on his hat in his old fashion, and strode out of the room. Job Trotter paused, looked round, smiled and then with a bow of mock solemnity to Mr. Pickwick, and a wink8 to Mr. Weller, the audacious slyness of which baffles all description, followed the footsteps of his hopeful master.
‘Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, as Mr. Weller was following.
‘Sir.’ ‘Stay here.’
Mr. Weller seemed uncertain.
‘Stay here,’ repeated Mr. Pickwick.
‘Mayn’t I polish that ‘ere Job off, in the front garden?’ said Mr. Weller. ‘Certainly not,’ replied Mr. Pickwick.
‘Mayn’t I kick him out o’ the gate, Sir?’ said Mr. Weller.
‘Not on any account,’ replied his master.
For the first time since his engagement, Mr. Weller looked, for a moment, discontented and unhappy. But his countenance immediately cleared up; for the wily Mr. Muzzle, by concealing173 himself behind the street door, and rushing violently out, at the right instant, contrived174 with great dexterity175 to overturn both Mr. Jingle and his attendant, down the flight of steps, into the American aloe tubs that stood beneath.
‘Having discharged my duty, Sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick to Mr. Nupkins, ‘I will, with my friends, bid you farewell. While we thank you for such hospitality as we have received, permit me to assure you, in our joint176 names, that we should not have accepted it, or have consented to extricate177 ourselves in this way, from our previous dilemma, had we not been impelled178 by a strong sense of duty. We return to London to-morrow. Your secret is safe with us.’
Having thus entered his protest against their treatment of the morning, Mr. Pickwick bowed low to the ladies, and notwithstanding the solicitations of the family, left the room with his friends.
‘Get your hat, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘It’s below stairs, Sir,’ said Sam, and he ran down after it.
Now, there was nobody in the kitchen, but the pretty housemaid; and as Sam’s hat was mislaid, he had to look for it, and the pretty housemaid lighted him. They had to look all over the place for the hat. The pretty housemaid, in her anxiety to find it, went down on her knees, and turned over all the things that were heaped together in a little corner by the door. It was an awkward corner. You couldn’t get at it without shutting the door first.
‘Here it is,’ said the pretty housemaid. ‘This is it, ain’t it?’
‘Let me look,’ said Sam.
The pretty housemaid had stood the candle on the floor; and, as it gave a very dim light, Sam was obliged to go down on HIS knees before he could see whether it really was his own hat or not. it was a remarkably179 small corner, and so — it was nobody’s fault but the man’s who built the house — Sam and the pretty housemaid were necessarily very close together.
‘Yes, this is it,’ said Sam. ‘Good-bye!’
‘Good-bye!’ said the pretty housemaid.
‘Good-bye!’ said Sam; and as he said it, he dropped the hat that had cost so much trouble in looking for.
‘How awkward you are,’ said the pretty housemaid. ‘You’ll lose it again, if you don’t take care.’
So just to prevent his losing it again, she put it on for him.
Whether it was that the pretty housemaid’s face looked prettier still, when it was raised towards Sam’s, or whether it was the accidental consequence of their being so near to each other, is matter of uncertainty180 to this day; but Sam kissed her.
‘You don’t mean to say you did that on purpose,’ said the pretty housemaid, blushing.
‘No, I didn’t then,’ said Sam; ‘but I will now.’
So he kissed her again. ‘Sam!’ said Mr. Pickwick, calling over the banisters.
‘Coming, Sir,’ replied Sam, running upstairs.
‘How long you have been!’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘There was something behind the door, Sir, which perwented our getting it open, for ever so long, Sir,’ replied Sam.
And this was the first passage of Mr. Weller’s first love.
点击收听单词发音
1 majestic | |
adj.雄伟的,壮丽的,庄严的,威严的,崇高的 | |
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2 impartial | |
adj.(in,to)公正的,无偏见的 | |
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3 trot | |
n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧 | |
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4 allusions | |
暗指,间接提到( allusion的名词复数 ) | |
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5 vent | |
n.通风口,排放口;开衩;vt.表达,发泄 | |
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6 vented | |
表达,发泄(感情,尤指愤怒)( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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7 ass | |
n.驴;傻瓜,蠢笨的人 | |
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8 wink | |
n.眨眼,使眼色,瞬间;v.眨眼,使眼色,闪烁 | |
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9 torrent | |
n.激流,洪流;爆发,(话语等的)连发 | |
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10 eloquence | |
n.雄辩;口才,修辞 | |
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11 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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12 entreaties | |
n.恳求,乞求( entreaty的名词复数 ) | |
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13 runaway | |
n.逃走的人,逃亡,亡命者;adj.逃亡的,逃走的 | |
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14 astonishment | |
n.惊奇,惊异 | |
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15 dignified | |
a.可敬的,高贵的 | |
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16 portentous | |
adj.不祥的,可怕的,装腔作势的 | |
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17 mighty | |
adj.强有力的;巨大的 | |
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18 rebellious | |
adj.造反的,反抗的,难控制的 | |
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19 muzzle | |
n.鼻口部;口套;枪(炮)口;vt.使缄默 | |
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20 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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21 indefatigable | |
adj.不知疲倦的,不屈不挠的 | |
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22 perseverance | |
n.坚持不懈,不屈不挠 | |
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23 flatten | |
v.把...弄平,使倒伏;使(漆等)失去光泽 | |
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24 surgical | |
adj.外科的,外科医生的,手术上的 | |
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25 inspection | |
n.检查,审查,检阅 | |
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26 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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27 ushered | |
v.引,领,陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
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29 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
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30 unwilling | |
adj.不情愿的 | |
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31 magistrate | |
n.地方行政官,地方法官,治安官 | |
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32 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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33 smothered | |
(使)窒息, (使)透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 ); 覆盖; 忍住; 抑制 | |
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34 benignly | |
adv.仁慈地,亲切地 | |
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35 awe | |
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧 | |
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36 custody | |
n.监护,照看,羁押,拘留 | |
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37 conspiracy | |
n.阴谋,密谋,共谋 | |
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38 feat | |
n.功绩;武艺,技艺;adj.灵巧的,漂亮的,合适的 | |
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39 inefficient | |
adj.效率低的,无效的 | |
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40 constable | |
n.(英国)警察,警官 | |
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41 stammered | |
v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42 mere | |
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过 | |
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43 repent | |
v.悔悟,悔改,忏悔,后悔 | |
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44 adviser | |
n.劝告者,顾问 | |
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45 gal | |
n.姑娘,少女 | |
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46 vehemently | |
adv. 热烈地 | |
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47 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
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48 consultation | |
n.咨询;商量;商议;会议 | |
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49 retired | |
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的 | |
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50 proceeding | |
n.行动,进行,(pl.)会议录,学报 | |
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51 peremptorily | |
adv.紧急地,不容分说地,专横地 | |
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52 specimen | |
n.样本,标本 | |
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53 wont | |
adj.习惯于;v.习惯;n.习惯 | |
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54 temerity | |
n.鲁莽,冒失 | |
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55 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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56 remonstrating | |
v.抗议( remonstrate的现在分词 );告诫 | |
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57 gulping | |
v.狼吞虎咽地吃,吞咽( gulp的现在分词 );大口地吸(气);哽住 | |
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58 quailed | |
害怕,发抖,畏缩( quail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59 apprehended | |
逮捕,拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 ); 理解 | |
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60 duel | |
n./v.决斗;(双方的)斗争 | |
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61 pettishly | |
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62 bail | |
v.舀(水),保释;n.保证金,保释,保释人 | |
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63 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
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64 inquiry | |
n.打听,询问,调查,查问 | |
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65 constables | |
n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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66 specially | |
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
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67 mantling | |
覆巾 | |
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68 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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69 derived | |
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
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70 remorse | |
n.痛恨,悔恨,自责 | |
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71 divulged | |
v.吐露,泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72 assassination | |
n.暗杀;暗杀事件 | |
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73 beckoned | |
v.(用头或手的动作)示意,召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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74 dubious | |
adj.怀疑的,无把握的;有问题的,靠不住的 | |
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75 hostilities | |
n.战争;敌意(hostility的复数);敌对状态;战事 | |
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76 intelligible | |
adj.可理解的,明白易懂的,清楚的 | |
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77 preys | |
v.掠食( prey的第三人称单数 );掠食;折磨;(人)靠欺诈为生 | |
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78 jingle | |
n.叮当声,韵律简单的诗句;v.使叮当作响,叮当响,押韵 | |
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79 abridged | |
削减的,删节的 | |
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80 atrocities | |
n.邪恶,暴行( atrocity的名词复数 );滔天大罪 | |
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81 pecuniary | |
adj.金钱的;金钱上的 | |
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82 entrapped | |
v.使陷入圈套,使入陷阱( entrap的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83 narrative | |
n.叙述,故事;adj.叙事的,故事体的 | |
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84 tingled | |
v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85 hurled | |
v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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86 devoted | |
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的 | |
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87 bosom | |
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的 | |
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88 jealousy | |
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌 | |
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89 needy | |
adj.贫穷的,贫困的,生活艰苦的 | |
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90 opposition | |
n.反对,敌对 | |
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91 magisterial | |
adj.威风的,有权威的;adv.威严地 | |
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92 propriety | |
n.正当行为;正当;适当 | |
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93 despatch | |
n./v.(dispatch)派遣;发送;n.急件;新闻报道 | |
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94 levity | |
n.轻率,轻浮,不稳定,多变 | |
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95 strictly | |
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地 | |
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96 rambling | |
adj.[建]凌乱的,杂乱的 | |
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97 entanglement | |
n.纠缠,牵累 | |
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98 remitted | |
v.免除(债务),宽恕( remit的过去式和过去分词 );使某事缓和;寄回,传送 | |
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99 proceedings | |
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报 | |
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100 ignominiously | |
adv.耻辱地,屈辱地,丢脸地 | |
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101 tenure | |
n.终身职位;任期;(土地)保有权,保有期 | |
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102 wig | |
n.假发 | |
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103 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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104 haughtiness | |
n.傲慢;傲气 | |
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105 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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106 dilemma | |
n.困境,进退两难的局面 | |
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107 concurred | |
同意(concur的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
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108 detailed | |
adj.详细的,详尽的,极注意细节的,完全的 | |
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109 recollected | |
adj.冷静的;镇定的;被回忆起的;沉思默想的v.记起,想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110 scanty | |
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的 | |
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111 implored | |
恳求或乞求(某人)( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112 entreated | |
恳求,乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113 aggravating | |
adj.恼人的,讨厌的 | |
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114 professed | |
公开声称的,伪称的,已立誓信教的 | |
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115 sobbed | |
哭泣,啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 ); 哭诉,呜咽地说 | |
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116 remonstrated | |
v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 );告诫 | |
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117 ridicule | |
v.讥讽,挖苦;n.嘲弄 | |
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118 taunt | |
n.辱骂,嘲弄;v.嘲弄 | |
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119 anguish | |
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼 | |
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120 gush | |
v.喷,涌;滔滔不绝(说话);n.喷,涌流;迸发 | |
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121 velocity | |
n.速度,速率 | |
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122 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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123 disappearance | |
n.消失,消散,失踪 | |
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124 enchant | |
vt.使陶醉,使入迷;使着魔,用妖术迷惑 | |
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125 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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126 consigned | |
v.把…置于(令人不快的境地)( consign的过去式和过去分词 );把…托付给;把…托人代售;丟弃 | |
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127 guardianship | |
n. 监护, 保护, 守护 | |
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128 enjoined | |
v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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129 vile | |
adj.卑鄙的,可耻的,邪恶的;坏透的 | |
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130 stun | |
vt.打昏,使昏迷,使震惊,使惊叹 | |
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131 jack | |
n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克 | |
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132 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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133 giggles | |
n.咯咯的笑( giggle的名词复数 );傻笑;玩笑;the giggles 止不住的格格笑v.咯咯地笑( giggle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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134 conversational | |
adj.对话的,会话的 | |
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135 irresistible | |
adj.非常诱人的,无法拒绝的,无法抗拒的 | |
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136 intimacy | |
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行 | |
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137 elegance | |
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙 | |
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138 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
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139 sundry | |
adj.各式各样的,种种的 | |
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140 conviviality | |
n.欢宴,高兴,欢乐 | |
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141 morsel | |
n.一口,一点点 | |
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142 distinguished | |
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的 | |
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143 scrupulous | |
adj.审慎的,小心翼翼的,完全的,纯粹的 | |
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144 adherence | |
n.信奉,依附,坚持,固着 | |
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145 catching | |
adj.易传染的,有魅力的,迷人的,接住 | |
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146 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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147 enraged | |
使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 ); 歜; 激愤 | |
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148 mutual | |
adj.相互的,彼此的;共同的,共有的 | |
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149 shriek | |
v./n.尖叫,叫喊 | |
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150 buffeted | |
反复敲打( buffet的过去式和过去分词 ); 连续猛击; 打来打去; 推来搡去 | |
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151 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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152 remonstrance | |
n抗议,抱怨 | |
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153 stanch | |
v.止住(血等);adj.坚固的;坚定的 | |
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154 inflicted | |
把…强加给,使承受,遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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155 tableau | |
n.画面,活人画(舞台上活人扮的静态画面) | |
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156 alias | |
n.化名;别名;adv.又名 | |
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157 savagely | |
adv. 野蛮地,残酷地 | |
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158 vexed | |
adj.争论不休的;(指问题等)棘手的;争论不休的问题;烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 );使苦恼;使生气;详细讨论 | |
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159 rogues | |
n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 );无赖;调皮捣蛋的人;离群的野兽 | |
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160 raving | |
adj.说胡话的;疯狂的,怒吼的;非常漂亮的;令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话;疯话adv.胡言乱语地;疯狂地 | |
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161 heartily | |
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很 | |
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162 chuckle | |
vi./n.轻声笑,咯咯笑 | |
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163 wretches | |
n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 );可怜的人;恶棍;坏蛋 | |
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164 leniency | |
n.宽大(不严厉) | |
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165 facetious | |
adj.轻浮的,好开玩笑的 | |
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166 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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167 syllable | |
n.音节;vt.分音节 | |
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168 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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169 rascal | |
n.流氓;不诚实的人 | |
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170 pious | |
adj.虔诚的;道貌岸然的 | |
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172 passionate | |
adj.热情的,热烈的,激昂的,易动情的,易怒的,性情暴躁的 | |
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173 concealing | |
v.隐藏,隐瞒,遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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174 contrived | |
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的 | |
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175 dexterity | |
n.(手的)灵巧,灵活 | |
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176 joint | |
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合 | |
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177 extricate | |
v.拯救,救出;解脱 | |
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178 impelled | |
v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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179 remarkably | |
ad.不同寻常地,相当地 | |
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180 uncertainty | |
n.易变,靠不住,不确知,不确定的事物 | |
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