The appearance of the little sitting-room1 as they entered, was tranquillity2 itself; Mrs. Bates, deprived of her usual employment, slumbering3 on one side of the fire, Frank Churchill, at a table near her, most deedily occupied about her spectacles, and Jane Fairfax, standing4 with her back to them, intent on her pianoforte.
Busy as he was, however, the young man was yet able to shew a most happy countenance5 on seeing Emma again.
`This is a pleasure,' said he, in rather a low voice, `coming at least ten minutes earlier than I had calculated. You find me trying to be useful; tell me if you think I shall succeed.'
`What!' said Mrs. Weston, `have not you finished it yet? you would not earn a very good livelihood6 as a working silversmith at this rate.'
`I have not been working uninterruptedly,' he replied, `I have been assisting Miss Fairfax in trying to make her instrument stand steadily7, it was not quite firm; an unevenness8 in the floor, I believe. You see we have been wedging one leg with paper. This was very kind of you to be persuaded to come. I was almost afraid you would be hurrying home.'
He contrived9 that she should be seated by him; and was sufficiently10 employed in looking out the best baked apple for her, and trying to make her help or advise him in his work, till Jane Fairfax was quite ready to sit down to the pianoforte again. That she was not immediately ready, Emma did suspect to arise from the state of her nerves; she had not yet possessed12 the instrument long enough to touch it without emotion; she must reason herself into the power of performance; and Emma could not but pity such feelings, whatever their origin, and could not but resolve never to expose them to her neighbour again.
At last Jane began, and though the first bars were feebly given, the powers of the instrument were gradually done full justice to. Mrs. Weston had been delighted before, and was delighted again; Emma joined her in all her praise; and the pianoforte, with every proper discrimination, was pronounced to be altogether of the highest promise.
`Whoever Colonel Campbell might employ,' said Frank Churchill, with a smile at Emma, `the person has not chosen ill. I heard a good deal of Colonel Campbell's taste at Weymouth; and the softness of the upper notes I am sure is exactly what he and all that party would particularly prize. I dare say, Miss Fairfax, that he either gave his friend very minute directions, or wrote to Broadwood himself. Do not you think so?'
Jane did not look round. She was not obliged to hear. Mrs. Weston had been speaking to her at the same moment.
`It is not fair,' said Emma, in a whisper; `mine was a random13 guess. Do not distress14 her.'
He shook his head with a smile, and looked as if he had very little doubt and very little mercy. Soon afterwards he began again,
`How much your friends in Ireland must be enjoying your pleasure on this occasion, Miss Fairfax. I dare say they often think of you, and wonder which will be the day, the precise day of the instrument's coming to hand. Do you imagine Colonel Campbell knows the business to be going forward just at this time? - Do you imagine it to be the consequence of an immediate11 commission from him, or that he may have sent only a general direction, an order indefinite as to time, to depend upon contingencies15 and conveniences?'
He paused. She could not but hear; she could not avoid answering,
`Till I have a letter from Colonel Campbell,' said she, in a voice of forced calmness, `I can imagine nothing with any confidence. It must be all conjecture16.'
`Conjecture - aye, sometimes one conjectures17 right, and sometimes one conjectures wrong. I wish I could conjecture how soon I shall make this rivet18 quite firm. What nonsense one talks, Miss Woodhouse, when hard at work, if one talks at all; - your real workmen, I suppose, hold their tongues; but we gentlemen labourers if we get hold of a word - Miss Fairfax said something about conjecturing19. There, it is done. I have the pleasure, madam, (to Mrs. Bates,) of restoring your spectacles, healed for the present.'
He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter; to escape a little from the latter, he went to the pianoforte, and begged Miss Fairfax, who was still sitting at it, to play something more.
`If you are very kind,' said he, `it will be one of the waltzes we danced last night; - let me live them over again. You did not enjoy them as I did; you appeared tired the whole time. I believe you were glad we danced no longer; but I would have given worlds - all the worlds one ever has to give - for another half-hour.'
She played.
`What felicity it is to hear a tune20 again which has made one happy! - If I mistake not that was danced at Weymouth.'
She looked up at him for a moment, coloured deeply, and played something else. He took some music from a chair near the pianoforte, and turning to Emma, said,
`Here is something quite new to me. Do you know it? - Cramer. - And here are a new set of Irish melodies. That, from such a quarter, one might expect. This was all sent with the instrument. Very thoughtful of Colonel Campbell, was not it? - He knew Miss Fairfax could have no music here. I honour that part of the attention particularly; it shews it to have been so thoroughly21 from the heart. Nothing hastily done; nothing incomplete. True affection only could have prompted it.'
Emma wished he would be less pointed22, yet could not help being amused; and when on glancing her eye towards Jane Fairfax she caught the remains23 of a smile, when she saw that with all the deep blush of consciousness, there had been a smile of secret delight, she had less scruple24 in the amusement, and much less compunction with respect to her. - This amiable25, upright, perfect Jane Fairfax was apparently26 cherishing very reprehensible27 feelings.
He brought all the music to her, and they looked it over together. - Emma took the opportunity of whispering,
`You speak too plain. She must understand you.'
`I hope she does. I would have her understand me. I am not in the least ashamed of my meaning.'
`But really, I am half ashamed, and wish I had never taken up the idea.'
`I am very glad you did, and that you communicated it to me. I have now a key to all her odd looks and ways. Leave shame to her. If she does wrong, she ought to feel it.'
`She is not entirely28 without it, I think.'
`I do not see much sign of it. She is playing Robin29 Adair at this moment - his favourite.'
Shortly afterwards Miss Bates, passing near the window, descried30 Mr. Knightley on horse-back not far off.
`Mr. Knightley I declare! - I must speak to him if possible, just to thank him. I will not open the window here; it would give you all cold; but I can go into my mother's room you know. I dare say he will come in when he knows who is here. Quite delightful31 to have you all meet so! - Our little room so honoured!'
She was in the adjoining chamber32 while she still spoke33, and opening the casement34 there, immediately called Mr. Knightley's attention, and every syllable35 of their conversation was as distinctly heard by the others, as if it had passed within the same apartment.
`How d' ye do? - how d'ye do? - Very well, I thank you. So obliged to you for the carriage last night. We were just in time; my mother just ready for us. Pray come in; do come in. You will find some friends here.'
So began Miss Bates; and Mr. Knightley seemed determined36 to be heard in his turn, for most resolutely37 and commandingly did he say,
`How is your niece, Miss Bates? - I want to inquire after you all, but particularly your niece. How is Miss Fairfax? - I hope she caught no cold last night. How is she to-day? Tell me how Miss Fairfax is.'
And Miss Bates was obliged to give a direct answer before he would hear her in any thing else. The listeners were amused; and Mrs. Weston gave Emma a look of particular meaning. But Emma still shook her head in steady scepticism.
`So obliged to you! - so very much obliged to you for the carriage,' resumed Miss Bates.
He cut her short with,
`I am going to Kingston. Can I do anything for you?'
`Oh! dear, Kingston - are you? - Mrs. Cole was saying the other day she wanted something from Kingston.'
`Mrs. Cole has servants to send. Can I do any thing for you?'
`No, I thank you. But do come in. Who do you think is here? - Miss Woodhouse and Miss Smith; so kind as to call to hear the new pianoforte. Do put up your horse at the Crown, and come in.'
`Well,' said he, in a deliberating manner, `for five minutes, perhaps.'
`And here is Mrs. Weston and Mr. Frank Churchill too! - Quite delightful; so many friends!'
`No, not now, I thank you. I could not stay two minutes. I must get on to Kingston as fast as I can.'
`Oh! do come in. They will be so very happy to see you.'
`No, no; your room is full enough. I will call another day, and hear the pianoforte.'
`Well, I am so sorry! - Oh! Mr. Knightley, what a delightful party last night; how extremely pleasant. - Did you ever see such dancing? - Was not it delightful? - Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Frank Churchill; I never saw any thing equal to it.'
`Oh! very delightful indeed; I can say nothing less, for I suppose Miss Woodhouse and Mr. Frank Churchill are hearing every thing that passes. And (raising his voice still more) I do not see why Miss Fairfax should not be mentioned too. I think Miss Fairfax dances very well; and Mrs. Weston is the very best country-dance player, without exception, in England. Now, if your friends have any gratitude38, they will say something pretty loud about you and me in return; but I cannot stay to hear it.'
`Oh! Mr. Knightley, one moment more; something of consequence - so shocked! - Jane and I are both so shocked about the apples!'
`What is the matter now?'
`To think of your sending us all your store apples. You said you had a great many, and now you have not one left. We really are so shocked! Mrs. Hodges may well be angry. William Larkins mentioned it here. You should not have done it, indeed you should not. Ah! he is off. He never can bear to be thanked. But I thought he would have staid now, and it would have been a pity not to have mentioned. . . . Well, (returning to the room,) I have not been able to succeed. Mr. Knightley cannot stop. He is going to Kingston. He asked me if he could do any thing. . . .'
`Yes,' said Jane, `we heard his kind offers, we heard every thing.'
`Oh! yes, my dear, I dare say you might, because you know, the door was open, and the window was open, and Mr. Knightley spoke loud. You must have heard every thing to be sure. ``Can I do any thing for you at Kingston?'' said he; so I just mentioned. . . . Oh! Miss Woodhouse, must you be going? - You seem but just come - so very obliging of you.'
Emma found it really time to be at home; the visit had already lasted long; and on examining watches, so much of the morning was perceived to be gone, that Mrs. Weston and her companion taking leave also, could allow themselves only to walk with the two young ladies to Hartfield gates, before they set off for Randalls.
她们走进那间小起居室,发现里面安安静静的:贝茨太太没有做她平时做的事,坐在火炉边打瞌睡;弗兰克·邱吉尔坐在她旁边的一张桌子边,正聚精会神地忙着给她修眼镜;简·费尔法克斯则背朝着他们站在那儿,目不转睛地望着钢琴。
那位年轻人虽然正忙着,但是一见到爱玛,还能露出一副喜不自禁的神情。
“真令人高兴,”他说,声音压得很低,“比我预料的早到了十分钟。你瞧,我想帮点儿忙。你看我能不能修好。”
“什么!”韦斯顿太太说,“还没修好啊?你要是做个银器匠的话,照这样的速度干活,可挣不到钱来过好日子。”
“我又不是一直在修眼镜,”弗兰克答道。“我刚才帮费尔法克斯小姐把钢琴放稳。原来放得不大稳,我想是因为地板不平。你瞧,我们已经在一条琴腿底下垫上了纸。你真好,给请来了。我还有点担心你要急着回家呢。”
他设法让爱玛坐在他身边,费心地给她挑了个最好的烤苹果,还请她帮帮忙,指点他修眼镜,直至简·费尔法克斯准备就绪,好再一次坐在钢琴跟前。爱玛心里猜疑,简所以没有马上准备好,是因为心绪不宁的关系。她刚得到这架钢琴不久,一触到它心里难免不激动,必须让头脑冷静一下才能弹奏。这种心情不管起因如何,爱玛只能表示同情,只能打定主意,决不能将其暴露给她旁边这个人。
简终于开始演奏了。尽管开头几个小节弹得有气无力,但是钢琴的良好性能渐渐地给充分发挥出来了。韦斯顿太太以前听得乐滋滋的,这次又听得乐滋滋的。爱玛跟她一起赞叹不已。还有那架钢琴,经过种种严格的鉴定,被宣称为上上品。
“不管坎贝尔上校委托的什么人,”弗兰克·邱吉尔说,一边朝爱玛笑了笑,“这个人没有挑错。我在韦默斯常听人说起坎贝尔上校很有鉴赏力。我敢肯定,他和他那一伙人特别讲究高音键的柔和。我敢说,费尔法克斯小姐,他要么向给他挑选钢琴的朋友做了仔细的交代,要么亲自给布罗德伍德琴行写过信。你看呢?”
简没有回头。她用不着去听他的。韦斯顿太太这时也在跟她说话。
“这样不好,”爱玛小声说道,“我那是乱猜的。不要惹她难过啦。”
弗兰克笑着摇了摇头,好像既不怀疑又不怜悯。过了不久,他又说:
“费尔法克斯小姐,你眼下这么快乐,你在爱尔兰的朋友一定会为你感到高兴。我敢说,他们经常惦记着你,心想钢琴究竟哪一天才能送到。你认为坎贝尔上校知道眼下事情的进展情况吗?你认为这是他直接托办的结果呢,还是他只做了个一般性的指示,虽然订了货,但没有说定时间,而要根据具体情况,根据对方是否方便,来决定什么时候发货?”
弗兰克顿了顿。简不能不听了,也免不了要回答了。
“我没收到坎贝尔上校的来信之前,”她强作镇静地说,“心里没有把握,只能是猜测。”
“猜测——啊,人有的时候会猜对,有的时候会猜错。但愿我能猜到,我还要多久能把这只铆钉装好。伍德豪斯小姐,人在专心干活的时候说话,尽是胡说八道。我想,真正的工匠是不开口的。可是,我们这些人做起活来,只要抓住一个字眼——费尔法克斯小姐说到了猜测。瞧,铆好啦。太太,”他对贝茨太太说,“我很高兴把你的眼镜修好了,现在没问题啦。”
那母女俩诚挚地向他道谢。为了避开那位女儿,弗兰克走到钢琴那儿,请还坐在钢琴前的费尔法克斯小姐再弹一曲。
“你要是肯赏脸的话,”他说,“那就弹一曲我们昨天晚上跳过的华尔兹,让我重温一遍吧。你不像我那么喜欢听,总是显得无精打采的。我想,见我们不跳了你一定很高兴,可我真想再跳它半个小时——说什么都想跳啊。”
简弹起来了。
“再次听到一支曾经令人快活的曲调,多让人高兴啊!要是我没记错的话,我们在韦默斯跳过这支舞。”
简仰起脸来看了看他,满脸涨得通红,连忙弹起了另一支曲子。弗兰克从钢琴旁边的桌上拿起一份琴谱,转过头来对爱玛说:
“这支曲子我从没听过,你熟悉吗?克雷默出版的(译注:克雷默:系德国钢琴教师兼演奏家克雷默(1771-1858)创办的一家著名的音乐出版社)。这是新出版的一本爱尔兰乐曲集,从这样一个地方得到这样一本乐曲集,这是可以料想得到的。那是跟钢琴一起送来的。坎贝尔上校想得真周到,对吧?他知道费尔法克斯小姐在这儿搞不到乐谱。我特别赞赏他这份情意,说明完全是发自内心的关心。不是敷衍塞责,不是草草了事。只有出自一片真心,才能做到这一步。”
爱玛希望他不要这么尖刻,然而又不由得觉得挺有趣。她朝简·费尔法克斯瞥了一眼,只见她脸上还留着一丝没有完全收敛的微笑,这时她才意识到:简尽管羞得满脸通红,但这张脸上暗暗露出过喜色,因此也就无所顾忌地乐了,对简也不感到内疚了。别看简·费尔法克斯和蔼可亲,为人诚实,十全十美,她心里还藏着不可告人的秘密。
弗兰克把所有的乐谱拿到简跟前,两人一起翻阅。爱玛趁机小声说:
“你说得太露骨了。她一定会听出你的意思来。”
“我希望她听出来。我还就想让她明白我的意思。我表示这样的意思丝毫没有什么难为情的。”
“不过我还真有些难为情呢。我要是没冒出这个念头就好了。”
“我很高兴你冒出了这个念头,而且告诉了我。我现在找到了她那怪异神情、怪异举止的答案。让她去难为情吧。她要是做了亏心事,当然应该感到羞愧。”
“我看她并非毫无愧疚。”
“我看不出多少迹象。她现在在弹《罗宾·阿戴尔》(译注:《罗宾·阿戴尔》:原是苏格兰歌曲,歌词说一位名叫卡罗琳·凯佩尔的姑娘爱上了一个爱尔兰医生罗宾·阿戴尔,不顾亲属反对,与他结了婚)——那可是他最喜欢的曲子。”
过了不久,贝茨小姐从窗前走过,望见奈特利先生骑着马走来。
“哎呀,是奈特利先生!要是可能的话,我一定要跟他谈一谈,好好谢谢他。我不开这扇窗子,免得让你们都着凉。不过你们知道,我可以去我妈妈屋里。我敢说,他要是知道谁在这儿,一定会进来的。有你们大家光临,多令人高兴啊!给我们的小屋子增添了多少光彩呀!”
贝茨小姐还没说完,就来到了隔壁房间,一打开那儿的窗户,就叫住了奈特利先生。他们两人说的话,别人都一字字地听得清清楚楚,好像是在一间屋里似的。
“你好吗?你好吗?谢谢。你昨天晚上让我们坐马车,真是太感谢了。我们回去得正是时候,我妈妈刚好在等我们。请进来,进来吧。你会见到几位朋友。”
贝茨小姐这样开的头;奈特利先生似乎决意要让大伙听见他的话,因而以十分坚决而洪亮的声音说:
“你的外甥女好吗,贝茨小姐?我向你们大家问好,特别是向你的外甥女问好。费尔法克斯小姐好吗?希望她昨晚没着凉。她今天怎么样?告诉我费尔法克斯小姐怎么样。”
贝茨小姐不得不直接回答了这个问题,奈特利先生才肯听她说别的事。在场的人都给逗乐了。韦斯顿太太意味深长地看了爱玛一眼。可爱玛还是摇了摇头,说什么也不肯相信。
“太感谢你啦!感谢你让我们坐马车,”贝茨小姐又说。
奈特利先生打断了她的话:
“我要去金斯顿。你有什么事儿吗?”
“哦!天哪,金斯顿——你要去那儿吗?那天科尔太太还在说,她想请人从金斯顿买点东西。”
“科尔太太可以打发用人去。我能为你办点事儿吗?”
“不用啦,谢谢。还是请进来吧。你知道谁在这儿吗?伍德豪斯小姐和史密斯小姐。她们可真好,特意来听听新钢琴。把马拴在克朗旅店,进来吧。”
“好吧,”奈特利先生从容地说,“或许可以待上五分钟。”
“韦斯顿太太和弗兰克·邱吉尔先生也来啦!好叫人高兴啊,有这么多朋友!”
“不行,现在不行,谢谢。我待不了两分钟。我得尽快去金斯顿。”
“哦!进来吧。他们见到你一定会很高兴的。”
“不啦,不啦,你们家里宾客满座,我改日再来拜访,听听钢琴。”
“唉,真是遗憾!哦!奈特利先生,昨天晚上大家玩得多快活呀。真是快活极啦。你见过这样的舞会吗?难道不令人快活吗?伍德豪斯小姐和弗兰克-邱吉尔先生,我从没见过跳得这么棒的。”
“哦!的确令人快活。我不能不这么说,因为我俩说的话,伍德豪斯小姐和弗兰克·邱吉尔先生想必句句都听见了。还有,”他把嗓门提得更高了,“我不明白为什么不提一提简·费尔法克斯小姐。我认为费尔法克斯小姐舞跳得也很好。韦斯顿太太是英国最出色的乡村舞曲演奏家,谁也比不上她。现在,你的朋友们如果心存感激之情的话,一定会大声地说几句你和我的好话。可惜我不能待在这儿听了。”
“哦!奈特利先生,再待一会儿。有一件要紧的事儿——真让人吃惊啊!简和我都为苹果的事儿大吃一惊!”
“怎么啦?”
“想想看,你把剩下的苹果全都给了我们了。你说你还有许多,可你现在一个也没留下。我们真是大吃一惊啊!霍奇斯太太可真要生气了。威廉·拉金斯在这里说起过。你不该这么做,确实不该这么做。哎!他走了。他从不让人谢他。我还以为他不会走的,要是不提的话,也太可惜了……唁,”她又回到屋里,“我没能留住他。奈特利先生没能留下来。他问我有没有什么事要他办……”
“是的,”简说,“我们听见他问你了,我们什么话都听见了。”
“哦!是的,亲爱的,我想你们也许是听见了,因为你知道,房门开着,窗户开着,奈特利先生说话的声音很大。你们一定是什么都听见了。‘我去金斯顿,你有什么事吗?’他说。所以,我就提了提……哦!伍德豪斯小姐,你得走了吗?你好像刚刚才来呢——你真是太好了。”
爱玛觉得真该回家了。她们已经来了很长时间了。大家一看表,发现上午已经过去了不少时光,韦斯顿太太和她的伙伴也起身告辞,不过他们只能陪两位年轻小姐走到哈特菲尔德大门口,然后再回兰多尔斯。
1 sitting-room | |
n.(BrE)客厅,起居室 | |
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2 tranquillity | |
n. 平静, 安静 | |
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3 slumbering | |
微睡,睡眠(slumber的现在分词形式) | |
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4 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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5 countenance | |
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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6 livelihood | |
n.生计,谋生之道 | |
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7 steadily | |
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
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8 unevenness | |
n. 不平坦,不平衡,不匀性 | |
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9 contrived | |
adj.不自然的,做作的;虚构的 | |
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10 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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11 immediate | |
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的 | |
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12 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
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13 random | |
adj.随机的;任意的;n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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14 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
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15 contingencies | |
n.偶然发生的事故,意外事故( contingency的名词复数 );以备万一 | |
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16 conjecture | |
n./v.推测,猜测 | |
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17 conjectures | |
推测,猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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18 rivet | |
n.铆钉;vt.铆接,铆牢;集中(目光或注意力) | |
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19 conjecturing | |
v. & n. 推测,臆测 | |
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20 tune | |
n.调子;和谐,协调;v.调音,调节,调整 | |
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21 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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22 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
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23 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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24 scruple | |
n./v.顾忌,迟疑 | |
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25 amiable | |
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的 | |
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26 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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27 reprehensible | |
adj.该受责备的 | |
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28 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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29 robin | |
n.知更鸟,红襟鸟 | |
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30 descried | |
adj.被注意到的,被发现的,被看到的 | |
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31 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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32 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
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33 spoke | |
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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34 casement | |
n.竖铰链窗;窗扉 | |
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35 syllable | |
n.音节;vt.分音节 | |
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36 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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37 resolutely | |
adj.坚决地,果断地 | |
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38 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
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