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8. The great Rataplan
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For more than a month, I remained on at Velvet1 Hills, and then, leaving the station to the capable care of the manager, came down to Adelaide to make the city my permanent headquarters.

I took possession of one of the places that had come to me near Mitcham. It had such fine surroundings.

It was as beautiful a home as one could wish, right at the very foot of the hills, with a glorious old world garden full of lovely flowers, with fruit trees and vines, with gently playing fountains, and with in fact everything that would speak always to the mind of youth and tell of love, peace and happiness.

I furnished it with the best that money could buy, having Mary always in my mind, and making sure all the time, that it was there I should be bringing her when our honeymoon2 had waned3.

I called on the Chief within a few days of coming down. Candidly4 I wanted his advice, and he was the only friend I had in the city.

He was genuinely pleased to see me, and met me with a hearty5 shake of the hand.

“Well, my boy,” he exclaimed genially6, “so you’ve come this time without being fetched. Any more trouble on the board — have you got the sack?”

“No Chief,” I answered cheerfully, “but it’s a very different person that stands before you now. I mean very different to the poor hunted wretch8 who stood here last time.”

“Dear me, if my memory serves me right, it was a very insolent9 young man that stood before me once, with very little of the hunted wretch about his face. But, I see you’re togged up a bit now — quite like an English swell10. What horse have you been backing lately?”

“Chief,” I said seriously, “I’ve come into money. I’m a very rich man.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. I’ve come to tell you about it and get your advice too, on another matter.”

The Chief listened most interestedly, and it quite warmed my heart to see the genuine pleasure he took in my good fortune.

When I had finished and he had congratulated me many times over, he asked me kindly11 how he could help me.

“Look here,” I said bluntly, “I want to get to know Sir Henry Vane.”

“But don’t you know him already — didn’t he give you that tenner in King William Street once?”

“Yes, but I don’t mean that way at all. I want to know him socially. I want to know the family.”

The Chief stared for a moment, and then a broad grin broke over his face. “So ho! my lad,” he exclaimed all smiles. “It isn’t Sir Henry you want to know, it’s Miss Mary you’re interested about. Now I come to think of it, you once wasted three-quarters of an hour of the valuable time of four of my best men, by going into a cafe and sitting there to gaze at Miss Vane. Oh yes, I remember all about it now, and so that’s the job you’re on, is it?”

“Look here again, Chief,” I said solemnly, “It’s my intention to marry Miss Vane.”

“Oh, is it? Well, good luck to you, my boy; but let me tell you straight — right at the beginning; you’re taking on something deuced stiff in setting your cap there.”

“I know that perfectly12 well,” I replied, “and I’ve come to you because I know for certain that if anyone can help me, you can. You know Sir Henry, don’t you?”

“Yes, John, I know him.”

“Well, couldn’t you put me in the way of getting to know him?”

“Look here, lad, I’ll tell you all about Sir Henry and his family, and you can then judge for yourself. You know where they live; up at Aviemore, on Mount Lofty. He and his sister, who keeps house for him, and Miss Mary. Now, to begin with, they’re very rich. Your money will be of no use to you. I mean, if you were as rich as Croesus and Sir Henry didn’t like you — he’d just turn you down as soon as look at you — if you went near. Last fall, there were two fellows after Miss Mary, besides Percy Thornton, who’s always on the job. One was young Felders of Sydney — pots of money and all that, but devilish fast with the girls. He made a dead set on Mary directly he saw her, but he never got the ghost of a look in. Sir Henry told him flatly he didn’t wish him to know her. Then, there was the Tavish man. No scandal about girls there, but rumours13 of shady financial ways that had made him rich. Just the same ‘keep off the grass, please,’ straight to his face. I must say Miss Vane was not apparently14 taken with either of these gentlemen, for she plainly acted with her father in choking them off. So you see, my boy, money’s nothing to them. Now about their social life. There’s no more exclusive set in all Australia — they’re most deucedly particular whom they admit to terms of friendship. No, they’re not a bit snobby15. They have acquaintances everywhere in all walks of life; rich and poor, it doesn’t make any difference.

“Plenty of acquaintances I say, but friends — ah! that’s the difficulty. They keep themselves very much to themselves. It takes a long while before any one can say they’re friends of the family. It’s a deuced hard set to get into. Before you’re ever invited up to dinner, or indeed into the house, you’ve first got to be thoroughly16 approved of by Sir Henry. He’s a man of the world. He’s quite a democrat17 in his way, and free and easy, and hail-fellow-well-met with, as I say, all sorts of people here. But behind it all, he’s still got the prejudices of the class in which he was born. He’s an aristocrat18 at heart, and keeps his family proudly to himself. You can get to know Sir Henry himself easily, in a way. He races, and if you race, as I expect you will, you’ll soon have a speaking acquaintanceship with him. If you go straight and don’t have your horses pulled, and don’t let the poor public be done in too often by too obviously in and out running, then Sir Henry will be always pleasant to you and give you a friendly nod when he sees you. But wait; that won’t mean he’s going to let you get behind him to his womenfolk — see? He’ll be quite nice to you, but it will probably end there. He won’t introduce you necessarily to Miss Mary. In a word John — you’ve got to make good yourself to get behind the cold reserve. No pushing from anyone outside will help you with this kind of people. It’s up to you to work it yourself. One thing, however, I will say — once they really take to you and admit you as one of themselves — they’re the nicest people in the world to get on with. They trust you in everything. Now, do you understand?”

“Perfectly,” I said, “it’s very nice of you to be so frank about it.”

“Of course, however,” he went on smiling, “if Miss Mary should happen to take a fancy to that nice brown face of yours — well anything might happen, for she’s one of those girls who’ve got a lot of character behind her pretty clinging ways.”

“You know the family fairly well then, Chief?”

“Yes, I do. You see, Sir Henry and I went campaigning together. I am quite a friend of theirs, and that is why I can tell you everything so plainly. And now look here, John. I shall keep a fatherly eye on you and your romance, and if ever I see a chance where I can chip in and help you — you can depend on me.”

I left the Chief, at first feeling rather disspirited and down at the mouth, but I soon began to reason myself into a better frame of mind.

After all, I thought, I was in an infinitely19 better position than I was a year ago. Then, I seemed to have no chance whatever, but now, at all events as far as worldly goods were concerned, I could at least meet Sir Henry on equal terms.

I quite realised as the Chief had insisted in rubbing home, that everything now depended upon my own efforts. Well, I thought again, in getting to know Mary and her family I would leave nothing to chance. I would make the chance myself.

Directly they returned to Adelaide I determined20 I would lay energetic siege to the castle that held my lady love.

In the meantime I busied myself with Rataplan. I had bought a good stretch of land adjoining a farm of mine near Roseworthy and under the care of one of the station overseers, who in his time had worked in a large racing21 stable near Melbourne, had put Rataplan into strict training.

It was not that he was requiring much training. He was naturally a born leaper, and the work I had given him at Velvet Hills had brought him to the pink of condition.

He had always given us little trouble, but in one way I was very anxious about him.

I knew he was a very good animal, and I myself had never been astride of anything within two stone of him, but still I had never yet had the opportunity of trying him with any known good class public performer.

We had clocked him many times. He was always handicapped by a terribly slow beginning, but he had done two and a quarter miles, with me on his back, in under four minutes and a quarter and with a flying start I had known him to cover seven furlongs in one twenty-five.

So I knew he must be pretty smart, but before racing him in public, I determined to get a line to see how he compared with the general run of South Australian horses.

I set my fancy on a rather smart performer, Lad of Mine, an aged22 hurdler, about ten years old, that had been doing very well lately, and was generally about the eleven stone mark.

His running was a little bit of the in and out variety, but with a good jockey up, he was always to be reckoned with, even in the best of company.

I approached the owner and suggested a deal. After a little bargaining we came to terms.

Then, I sought out the jockey who usually rode him and made it worth his while to come up to Roseworthy for a trial.

Keys was the jockey’s name, and I took him over the course I had arranged, and gave him every opportunity of observing its peculiarities24.

He could weigh in comfortably at nine stone, but I went to scale at eleven stone six.

I didn’t let him know what weight he was carrying, but I put him up on Lad of Mine with twenty-one pounds of lead under his saddle — myself, I mounted Rataplan as I was.

The trial was to be two miles and a quarter, over eight flights of hurdles25, and my man sent us off to a good start.

As usual, Rataplan was dreadfully slow in getting off, and Lad of Mine’s jockey looked back and grinned sympathetically when he was fully7 twenty yards ahead. But he didn’t grin long.

I tried to ride Rataplan exactly as if we were riding in a public race. I didn’t hurry or bustle26 him in any way at first, but just let him find, in his own time, that wonderful devouring27 stride of his.

He was soon gaining on Lad of Mine but Keys, good jockey that he was, made no effort to push his mount.

He was reckoning, I guessed, to profit later by the exertion28 of the extra work Rataplan was now putting in.

But he was reckoning I knew, without his host. At a mile Rataplan had drawn29 level, and for another mile the two animals raced even, side by side.

Lad of Mine was a good jumper, and it would have rejoiced any experienced racing crowd to mark the perfect way both beasts took their hurdles together.

Just when we had passed the two-mile post, I thought it about time to see what Rataplan could do. There was one more hurdle23 to jump, and I put him to it at a suddenly increased pace.

Lad of Mine came over faultlessly a length behind us and then, with about three hundred yards to go, I touched Rataplan slightly with the whip and let him out.

It filled me with delight to feel him instantly draw away. Lad of Mine made a game effort to come after him, but he might have been fetlock deep in mud, for all the effect it had, and Rataplan passed the winning post fully ten lengths ahead.

“What were we giving you?” called out Keys when he came up.

“I was giving you thirteen pounds,” I replied smiling.

“My word, but he’s a corker then. He went that last furlong like he was in a sprint30. Why don’t you put him on the flat, sir?”

“Because for one thing, he’s a terribly slow beginner, and for another I don’t think he’ll be handy enough at the turns. He loses badly at the corners.”

We gave both horses a good rest, and then changed mounts. I promised Keys a box of cigars if he caught me before we reached the first mile post.

I slipped Lad of Mine away sharply, and was quickly many lengths ahead of Rataplan, but Keys no doubt thinking of the cigars, shook the latter up a great deal more than I had seen fit to, and easily caught me before the mile was reached.

He was most enthusiastic about Rataplan, and echoed almost word for word what the manager had told me the first time I was introduced to the gelding.

“I don’t think, Mr. Stratton,” he concluded, “we shall find a horse in the State able to beat him at level weights.”

Rataplan gave his first bow to the public at a Balaklava meeting, and with nine stone up, made a small field of seven look exceedingly silly.

Then he went on next to Gawler, and with nine stone seven this time, gave the good people there a great, if not exactly profitable, treat, by the easy way he trounced thirteen others. He started a little over eight to one.

Then I entered him for a handicap hurdle at Victoria Park, and this time he was allotted31 ten stone seven.

The handicappers were evidently waking up to the gelding’s possibilities, I thought, and I was looking forward to the time when the weight allotted would allow of my taking the mount myself.

Several smart performers were entered at Victoria Park, and Rataplan would now be running against some quite respectable animals.

I was early in the paddock that afternoon, and had a good look over the other competitors. Sunrise in particular took my fancy. He was a handsome chestnut32 — an old Oakbank hero, and was carrying top weight — eleven stone ten.

Then there were two others on the eleven stone three mark. Podger and the Wizard, both very good looking animals, and not to be despised.

Very much lower in the handicap there was Kilkenny, nine stone seven, a very useful-looking little beast, just beginning to make some name for himself in moderate company.

Altogether there were fifteen horses ready to run. Rataplan had a lot of admirers, and most people stopped to have a look at him as they passed his stall. It was not often a hurdler was put up fourteen pounds so quickly.

I gave Keys very particular instructions about the race. Rataplan was drawn number one against the rails, but I knew from his slow beginning, the position would be of no use to him. So I told Keys that if he were tailed off as usual, to bring him right round on the outside, and when he made up ground, to keep him well behind the leaders until he entered the straight. The only thing I had found that really annoyed the gelding was the dust.

I finally told Keys that once in the straight he was to win as he liked, for I wanted the weight raised so that I could take the next mount myself. Keys grinned at this part of the instructions, and remarked that in fifteen years’ racing he’d never been told such a thing before. The invariable command he received was to keep the win down if possible to half a length.

I was just giving him a leg up before he went on to the course when happening to look up, I suddenly saw Mary and her father among the crowd against the palings.

The girl noticed me at the same moment, and in a flash, I saw the changing expression on her face. The eyebrows33 contracted sharply and sweetly curved lips parted just a little. She stared hard at me for a moment and then, evidently taking in the number on Rataplan’s saddle-cloth, quickly dropped her eyes and began turning over the pages of the programme she was holding in her hand.

“Good,” I thought delightfully34, “now she will at least know my name.”

But Rataplan had got a little excited with the close proximity35 of the crowd and I had for a moment to transfer all my attention to getting his jockey safely into the saddle. When I looked round, about half a minute later, the girl and her father had disappeared.

I went up into the owner’s stand with a great happiness in my heart. Now at last the waiting was all over and I was, for good or evil, for good luck or bad luck, face to face with the difficulties of winning the hand of the girl I loved.

It was only for a very short time, however, that I could give way to my thoughts.

The usual shout went up that the horses had started on their way.

The start was only about two hundred yards off the grandstand, and as they came before us and over the first flight of hurdles Rataplan was, as I expected, quite ten lengths behind the rest of the field, but I noticed with satisfaction, that Keys had brought him well away from the rails and pretty well clear of the dust of the other horses.

He took the first hurdle in faultless style, and the crowd knowing something now of his peculiarly slow beginnings, cheered ironically as he passed before them.

Keys seemed to take the cheers to his own account, and turning towards the stands, grinned appreciatively at the noise they were making.

The field was soon well away from us, but Rataplan had found his stride, and was quickly overhauling36 them.

When they were opposite the grand stand on the far side of the course, he had worked his way well up into the bunch of the middle horses. Only Sunrise and Kilkenny were then well in front, with perhaps three lengths between them and the others.

Just before coming to the turn leading into the straight run for home, I saw Keys begin to get busy on Rataplan, and before any one could almost take it in, the gelding had flashed up level with Sunrise and Kilkenny.

Both Sunrise and Kilkenny had got something in hand, and the three came away together, almost in line. Then Rataplan lost slightly at the turn and came into the straight, a good length behind the other two.

The crowd shouted “Sunrise, Sunrise wins easily — no Kilkenny,” but Rataplan was now putting in his fine burst of speed, and there was at once no question about the issue.

Kilkenny crumpled37 up immediately, but Sunrise, perhaps remembering his old sprinting38 days, for a moment held Rataplan in check. Only for a moment, however, and the latter came away from his now solitary39 opponent, length upon length. When they passed opposite the Derby stand Rataplan was a good five lengths in front, and Keys (enjoying himself immensely), turned his grinning face towards the crowd and waved his hand.

Rataplan ran home easily a winner by seven lengths, and returned £3 15s. dividend40 — being almost cofavourite with Sunrise.

I met the gelding as he came in, and it was a proud moment for me as he affectionately nosed up to my hand. The public were very much taken with his performance, and surged up to the palings to get a good look at us both.

I had been introduced to the great Percy Thornton earlier in the day, and he was among the first to congratulate me.

“You have a magnificent animal there,” he said, “and anything is possible with him, but why on earth, man, don’t you run him on the flat?”

Sir Henry Vane came up as we were talking, and young Thornton at once introduced us.

“A new conquering hero, Sir Henry,” he said, “a gentleman who has come from up country to teach us poor city chaps how to run our horses.”

Sir Henry smiled pleasantly, but not offering to shake hands gave me a little bow.

Half mechanically I saluted41 him in return, and his fine face flushed up with pleasure.

“Force of habit I expect Mr. Stratton,” he said genially. “Well all the same it’s sometimes very pleasing to an old campaigner. It takes us back to those happy days when we all had hard work to do.”

“Yes, Sir Henry,” I returned, smiling easily. “I remember you at Bullecourt and later on before Amiens.”

“Ah, we lived then, Mr. Stratton, didn’t we? It was risk and danger all the time, but it was the champagne42 of life all the same.”

We chatted lightly for a few minutes, and in parting I could see I had made a good impression on him, for he shook hands cordially before moving away.

All the while out of the tail of my eye I could see Miss Mary up on one of the stands. She was interestedly watching my conversation with her father, and I took care, every now and then, to let her know I had got my eye on her too.

Internally, I was greatly excited at speaking to her father, but outwardly at least, I prided myself there was no trace of the state of my feelings within.

I had held myself upright and straight as became a soldier, and the whole time had talked easily and without embarrassment43 of my service in France. Remembering the part I intended him to play in my future life, I was anxious to make good at once that I was no ignorant and uncultivated hobble-dehoy.

Waiting for the starting of the next race, I stood by the palings near the weighing-in room, thinking that by remaining there I could get a nice half view of Miss Mary’s face all the time. She soon became aware that I was watching her, and at once very obligingly made a half turn round so that I could see her full face. “You sweet little minx,” I thought, “you’ve got some pluck in you besides your pretty ways. You know I want to look at you and you’re purposely giving me the chance.”

I thoroughly enjoyed myself that afternoon. Everything, I thought, was going on well. Rataplan had covered me with honour and glory — lots of nice people had been brought up and introduced to me; I was on good speaking terms with Mary’s father, and last but not least — Mary had herself suggested to me in a deliciously provoking way, that it was just possible the longing44 and the hunger in my heart might be having all the time its exact counterpart in the soft and gentle breast of the sweet girl only a few yards away.

Things, however, didn’t move as quickly as I had hoped, for after that day, try as I might, I didn’t seem to be able to get any closer to the Vane family. I joined everything and went everywhere where I thought Mary would be likely to go, but without any real success.

I saw her every now and then at public functions, and we always exchanged glances in a frankly45 mutually interested way.

I felt I had told her many times in an unspoken way that I admired her, and in return, I always thought the sweetest look in the world came over her face when her eyes purposely met mine.

Of one thing, I became very certain. Directly I did get to know the girl, the preliminaries to our sweet-hearting should be of very brief duration.

I would go straight to the point, I thought, and tell her at once that I loved her. I believed too she would want me to be brief, for I knew quite well we had told each other many times with our eyes of the mysterious desire that was overshadowing us both.

I called on the Chief one day and complained of my slow progress. He seemed very much amused.

“Well, as I told you,” he laughed, “you’re not going to get Mary without a fight. She’s a charming girl, and if I were heart-whole I should sigh like you. One thing, however, I can let you know, to cheer you up. She’s interested in you — quite interested, and very frank about it too. I was dining there last week and something brought up your name. I was sitting opposite Miss Mary, and, my dear John, I saw the prettiest blush imaginable, as she dropped her eyes upon the plate. A little later, however, she joined in the conversation herself and asked me where you lived. I said, I assure you, all the nice things I could about you, and pictured you as the very ideal of a young man.”

“Well, Chief,” I said disappointedly as I took up my hat to go, “I wish Sir Henry were inclined to be a bit more friendly — he’s always very nice when I meet him, but as you see, it all ends there. However, I’m on the look out and you see if I don’t do something desperate soon.”

Two days after my conversation with the Chief, what I thought was an opportunity presented itself.

I heard Sir Henry was selling a couple of his two-year-old fillies, Pearly Tears and Melinda. They were good little fillies, and I had seen them both in running at various times.

I thought I would ring him up — tell him I would like to buy them, and ask him if he could see me, if I came up at twelve o’clock straight away.

Twelve was very near one, I argued, and it was quite possible that if Sir Henry had made a good bargain with me over the fillies, what would be more natural than that he should ask me to lunch.

At any rate I thought I would try it. My hand was trembling when I took up the receiver, but being put through to Aviemore I said who I was, and asked to speak to Sir Henry. Sir Henry came at once to the ‘phone, and hearing what I wanted, after a moment’s hesitation46, said twelve o’clock would do very nicely for him.

I was in the thick of it now with a vengeance47.

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 velvet 5gqyO     
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的
参考例句:
  • This material feels like velvet.这料子摸起来像丝绒。
  • The new settlers wore the finest silk and velvet clothing.新来的移民穿着最华丽的丝绸和天鹅绒衣服。
2 honeymoon ucnxc     
n.蜜月(假期);vi.度蜜月
参考例句:
  • While on honeymoon in Bali,she learned to scuba dive.她在巴厘岛度蜜月时学会了带水肺潜水。
  • The happy pair are leaving for their honeymoon.这幸福的一对就要去度蜜月了。
3 waned 8caaa77f3543242d84956fa53609f27c     
v.衰落( wane的过去式和过去分词 );(月)亏;变小;变暗淡
参考例句:
  • However,my enthusiasm waned.The time I spent at exercises gradually diminished. 然而,我的热情减退了。我在做操上花的时间逐渐减少了。 来自《用法词典》
  • The bicycle craze has waned. 自行车热已冷下去了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4 candidly YxwzQ1     
adv.坦率地,直率而诚恳地
参考例句:
  • He has stopped taking heroin now,but admits candidly that he will always be a drug addict.他眼下已经不再吸食海洛因了,不过他坦言自己永远都是个瘾君子。
  • Candidly,David,I think you're being unreasonable.大卫,说实话我认为你不讲道理。
5 hearty Od1zn     
adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的
参考例句:
  • After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了,他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
  • We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。
6 genially 0de02d6e0c84f16556e90c0852555eab     
adv.亲切地,和蔼地;快活地
参考例句:
  • The white church peeps out genially from behind the huts scattered on the river bank. 一座白色教堂从散布在岸上的那些小木房后面殷勤地探出头来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • "Well, It'seems strange to see you way up here,'said Mr. Kenny genially. “咳,真没想到会在这么远的地方见到你,"肯尼先生亲切地说。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
7 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
8 wretch EIPyl     
n.可怜的人,不幸的人;卑鄙的人
参考例句:
  • You are really an ungrateful wretch to complain instead of thanking him.你不但不谢他,还埋怨他,真不知好歹。
  • The dead husband is not the dishonoured wretch they fancied him.死去的丈夫不是他们所想象的不光彩的坏蛋。
9 insolent AbGzJ     
adj.傲慢的,无理的
参考例句:
  • His insolent manner really got my blood up.他那傲慢的态度把我的肺都气炸了。
  • It was insolent of them to demand special treatment.他们要求给予特殊待遇,脸皮真厚。
10 swell IHnzB     
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强
参考例句:
  • The waves had taken on a deep swell.海浪汹涌。
  • His injured wrist began to swell.他那受伤的手腕开始肿了。
11 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
12 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
13 rumours ba6e2decd2e28dec9a80f28cb99e131d     
n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 );风闻;谣言;谣传
参考例句:
  • The rumours were completely baseless. 那些谣传毫无根据。
  • Rumours of job losses were later confirmed. 裁员的传言后来得到了证实。
14 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
15 snobby 667d10674990d20663977c10de67e90a     
a.虚荣的
参考例句:
  • Can I really tell my snobby friends that I now shop at-egads-Walmart? 天呐,我真得好意思告诉那帮势利的朋友们我在沃尔玛买东西?
16 thoroughly sgmz0J     
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地
参考例句:
  • The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
  • The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。
17 democrat Xmkzf     
n.民主主义者,民主人士;民主党党员
参考例句:
  • The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
  • About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后,他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。
18 aristocrat uvRzb     
n.贵族,有贵族气派的人,上层人物
参考例句:
  • He was the quintessential english aristocrat.他是典型的英国贵族。
  • He is an aristocrat to the very marrow of his bones.他是一个道道地地的贵族。
19 infinitely 0qhz2I     
adv.无限地,无穷地
参考例句:
  • There is an infinitely bright future ahead of us.我们有无限光明的前途。
  • The universe is infinitely large.宇宙是无限大的。
20 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
21 racing 1ksz3w     
n.竞赛,赛马;adj.竞赛用的,赛马用的
参考例句:
  • I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
  • The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。
22 aged 6zWzdI     
adj.年老的,陈年的
参考例句:
  • He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了,也老点了。
  • He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老,然而记忆力还好。
23 hurdle T5YyU     
n.跳栏,栏架;障碍,困难;vi.进行跨栏赛
参考例句:
  • The weather will be the biggest hurdle so I have to be ready.天气将会是最大的障碍,所以我必须要作好准备。
  • She clocked 11.6 seconds for the 80 metre hurdle.八十米跳栏赛跑她跑了十一秒六。
24 peculiarities 84444218acb57e9321fbad3dc6b368be     
n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪
参考例句:
  • the cultural peculiarities of the English 英国人的文化特点
  • He used to mimic speech peculiarities of another. 他过去总是模仿别人讲话的特点。
25 hurdles ef026c612e29da4e5ffe480a8f65b720     
n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 );跳栏;(供人或马跳跃的)栏架;跨栏赛
参考例句:
  • In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时,必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句
26 bustle esazC     
v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹
参考例句:
  • The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深,喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
  • There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the railway station.火车站里非常拥挤。
27 devouring c4424626bb8fc36704aee0e04e904dcf     
吞没( devour的现在分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光
参考例句:
  • The hungry boy was devouring his dinner. 那饥饿的孩子狼吞虎咽地吃饭。
  • He is devouring novel after novel. 他一味贪看小说。
28 exertion F7Fyi     
n.尽力,努力
参考例句:
  • We were sweating profusely from the exertion of moving the furniture.我们搬动家具大费气力,累得大汗淋漓。
  • She was hot and breathless from the exertion of cycling uphill.由于用力骑车爬坡,她浑身发热。
29 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
30 sprint QvWwR     
n.短距离赛跑;vi. 奋力而跑,冲刺;vt.全速跑过
参考例句:
  • He put on a sprint to catch the bus.他全速奔跑以赶上公共汽车。
  • The runner seemed to be rallied for a final sprint.这名赛跑者似乎在振作精神作最后的冲刺。
31 allotted 5653ecda52c7b978bd6890054bd1f75f     
分配,拨给,摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I completed the test within the time allotted . 我在限定的时间内完成了试验。
  • Each passenger slept on the berth allotted to him. 每个旅客都睡在分配给他的铺位上。
32 chestnut XnJy8     
n.栗树,栗子
参考例句:
  • We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden.我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树。
  • In summer we had tea outdoors,under the chestnut tree.夏天我们在室外栗树下喝茶。
33 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
34 delightfully f0fe7d605b75a4c00aae2f25714e3131     
大喜,欣然
参考例句:
  • The room is delightfully appointed. 这房子的设备令人舒适愉快。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • The evening is delightfully cool. 晚间凉爽宜人。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
35 proximity 5RsxM     
n.接近,邻近
参考例句:
  • Marriages in proximity of blood are forbidden by the law.法律规定禁止近亲结婚。
  • Their house is in close proximity to ours.他们的房子很接近我们的。
36 overhauling c335839deaeda81ce0dd680301931584     
n.大修;拆修;卸修;翻修v.彻底检查( overhaul的现在分词 );大修;赶上;超越
参考例句:
  • I had no chance of overhauling him. 我没有赶上他的可能。 来自辞典例句
  • Some sites need little alterations but some need total overhauling. 有些网站需要做出细微修改,而有些网站就需要整体改版。 来自互联网
37 crumpled crumpled     
adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式
参考例句:
  • She crumpled the letter up into a ball and threw it on the fire. 她把那封信揉成一团扔进了火里。
  • She flattened out the crumpled letter on the desk. 她在写字台上把皱巴巴的信展平。
38 sprinting 092e50364cf04239a3e5e17f4ae23116     
v.短距离疾跑( sprint的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Stride length and frequency are the most important elements of sprinting. 步长和步频是短跑最重要的因素。 来自互联网
  • Xiaoming won the gold medal for sprinting in the school sports meeting. 小明在学校运动会上夺得了短跑金牌。 来自互联网
39 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
40 dividend Fk7zv     
n.红利,股息;回报,效益
参考例句:
  • The company was forced to pass its dividend.该公司被迫到期不分红。
  • The first quarter dividend has been increased by nearly 4 per cent.第一季度的股息增长了近 4%。
41 saluted 1a86aa8dabc06746471537634e1a215f     
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 );赞扬,赞颂
参考例句:
  • The sergeant stood to attention and saluted. 中士立正敬礼。
  • He saluted his friends with a wave of the hand. 他挥手向他的朋友致意。 来自《简明英汉词典》
42 champagne iwBzh3     
n.香槟酒;微黄色
参考例句:
  • There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
  • They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。
43 embarrassment fj9z8     
n.尴尬;使人为难的人(事物);障碍;窘迫
参考例句:
  • She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
  • Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。
44 longing 98bzd     
n.(for)渴望
参考例句:
  • Hearing the tune again sent waves of longing through her.再次听到那首曲子使她胸中充满了渴望。
  • His heart burned with longing for revenge.他心中燃烧着急欲复仇的怒火。
45 frankly fsXzcf     
adv.坦白地,直率地;坦率地说
参考例句:
  • To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说,我一点也不赞成这个主意。
  • Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说,我不反对改革。
46 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
47 vengeance wL6zs     
n.报复,报仇,复仇
参考例句:
  • He swore vengeance against the men who murdered his father.他发誓要向那些杀害他父亲的人报仇。
  • For years he brooded vengeance.多年来他一直在盘算报仇。


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