Esther and Mellicent were almost equally well supplied by their anxious mother, but their bottles behaved in a well-regulated fashion, and never took upon themselves to play tricks, while those in Peggy’s room seemed infected by the spirit of the owner, and amused themselves with seeing how much mischief25 they could accomplish. A bottle of ammonia had been provided as a cure for bites of gnats26 and flies; Peggy flicked27 a towel more hastily than usual, and down it fell, the contents streaming over the wood, and splashing on to the wardrobe near at hand, with the consequence that every sign of polish was removed, and replaced by white unsightly stains. The glass stopper of a smelling-salts bottle became fixed28 in its socket29, and, being anointed with oil and placed before the fire to melt, popped out suddenly with a noise as of a cannon30 shot, aimed accurately31 for the centre of the mirror, and smashed it into a dozen pieces. The “safety ink-pot,” out of which she indited32 her letters to her mother, came unfastened of its own accord and rolled up and down the clean white toilet cover. This, at least, was the impression left by Peggy’s innocent protestations, while the gas and soap seemed equally obstinate—the one refusing to be lowered when she left the room, and the other insisting upon melting itself to pieces in her morning bath!
“Mrs Saville was right—Peggy is a most expensive person!” cried Mrs Asplin in dismay, when the bills for repairs came in; but when the vicar suggested the advisability of a reproof33, she said, “Oh, poor child; she is so lonely—I haven’t the heart to scold her;” and Peggy continued to detail accounts of her latest misfortune with an air of exaggerated melancholy34, which barely concealed35 the underlying36 satisfaction. It required a philosophic37 mind to be able to take damages to personal property in so amiable38 a fashion; but occasionally Peggy’s pickles39 took an irresistibly40 comical character. The story was preserved in the archives of the family of one evening when the three girls had been sent upstairs to wash their abundant locks and dry them thoroughly41 before retiring to bed. A fire was kindled42 in the old nursery, which was now used as a sewing-room, and Mrs Asplin, who understood nothing if it was not the art of making young folks happy, had promised a supper of roast apples and cream when the drying process was finished.
Esther and Mellicent were squatted43 on the hearth44, in their blue dressing-gowns, when in tripped Peggy, fresh as a rose, in a long robe of furry45 white, tied round the waist with a pink cord. One bath-towel was round her shoulders, and a smaller one extended in her hands, with the aid of which she proceeded to perform a fancy dance, calling out instructions to herself the while, in imitation of the dancing-school mistress. “To the right—two—three! To the left—two—three! Spring! Pirouette! Atti–tude!” She stood poised46 on one foot, towel waving above her head, damp hair dripping down her back, while Esther and Mellicent shrieked47 with laughter, and drummed applause with heel and toe. Then she flopped48 down on the centre of the hearth, and there was an instantaneous exclamation49 of dismay.
“Phew! What a funny smell! Phew! Phew! Whatever can it be?”
“I smelt50 it too. Peggy, what have you been doing? It’s simply awful!”
“Hair-wash, I suppose, or the soap—I noticed it myself. It will pass off,” said Peggy easily; but at that moment Mrs Asplin entered the room, sniffed51 the air, and cried loudly—
“Bless me, what’s this? A regular Apothecaries’ Hall! Paregoric! It smells as if someone had been drinking quarts of paregoric! Peggy, child, your throat is not sore again?”
“Not at all, thank you. Quite well. I have taken no medicine to-day.”
“But it is you, Peggy—it really is!” Mellicent declared. “There was no smell at all before you came into the room. I noticed it as soon as the door was opened, and when you came and sat down beside us—whew! simply fearful!”
“I have taken no medicine to-day,” repeated Peggy firmly. Then she started, as if with a sudden thought, lifted a lock of hair, sniffed at it daintily, and dropped it again with an air of conviction. “Ah, I comprehend! There seems to have been a slight misunderstanding. I have mistaken the bottles. I imagined that I was using the mixture you gave me, but—”
“She has washed her hair in cough-mixture! Oh, oh, oh! She has mixed paregoric and treacle52 with the water! Oh, what will I do! what will I do! This child will be the death of me!” Mrs Asplin put her hand to her side, and laughed until the tears ran down her cheeks, while Mellicent rolled about on the floor, and Esther’s quiet “He, he, he!” filled up the intervals53 between the bursts of merriment.
Peggy was marched off to have her hair re-washed and rinsed54, and came back ten minutes later, proudly complacent55, to seat herself in the most comfortable stool and eat roast apple with elegant enjoyment56. She was evidently quite ready to enlarge upon her latest feat57, but the sisters had exhausted58 the subject during her absence, and had, moreover, a piece of news to communicate which was of even greater interest.
“Oh, Peggy, what y’think?” cried Mellicent, running her words into each other in breathless fashion, as her habit was when excited; “I’ve got something beautiful to tell you. S’afternoon Bob got a letter from his mother to say that they were all coming down next week to stay at the Larches59 for the winter. They come almost every year, and have shooting-parties, and come to church and sit in the big square pew, where you can just see their heads over the side. They look so funny, sitting in a row without their bodies. Last year there was a young lady with them who wore a big grey hat—the loveliest hat you ever saw—with roses under the brim, and stick-up things all glittering with jewels, and she got married at Christmas. I saw her photograph in a magazine, and knew her again in a moment. I used to stare at her, and once she smiled back at me. She looked sweet when she smiled. Lady Darcy always comes to call on mother, and she and father go there to dinner ever so many times, and we are asked to play with Rosalind—the Honourable60 Rosalind. I expect they will ask you to go too. Isn’t it exciting?”
“I can bear it,” said Peggy coldly. “If I try very hard, I think I can support the strain.”
The Larches, the country house of Lord Darcy, had already been pointed61 out to her notice; but the information that the family was coming down for the yearly visit was unwelcome to her, for a double reason. She feared, in the first place, lest it should mean a separation from Bob, who was her faithful companion, and fulfilled his promise of friendship in a silent, undemonstrative fashion, much to her fancy. In the second place, she was conscious of a rankling62 feeling of jealousy63 towards the young lady who was distinguished64 by the name of the Honourable Rosalind, and who seemed to occupy an exalted65 position in the estimation of the vicar’s daughters. Her name was frequently introduced into conversation, and always in the most laudatory66 fashion. When a heroine was of a superlatively fascinating description, she was “Just like Rosalind”; when an article of dress was unusually fine and dainty, it would “do for Rosalind.” Rosalind was spoken of with bated breath, as if she were a princess in a fairy tale, rather than an ordinary flesh-and-blood damsel. And Peggy did not like it; she did not like it at all, for, in her own quiet way, she was accustomed to queen it among her associates, and could ill brook68 the idea of a rival. She had not been happy at school, but she had been complacently69 conscious that of all the thirty girls she was the most discussed, the most observed, and also, among the pupils themselves, the most beloved. At the vicarage she was an easy first. When the three girls went out walking, she was always in the middle, with Esther and Mellicent hanging on an arm at either side. Robert was her sworn vassal70, and Max and Oswald her respectful and, on the whole, obedient servants. Altogether, the prospect71 of playing second fiddle72 to this strange girl was by no means pleasant. Peggy tilted73 her chin, and spoke67 in a cool, cynical74 tone.
“What is she like, this wonderful Rosalind? Bob does not seem to think her extraordinary. I cannot imagine a ‘Miss Robert’ being very beautiful, and as she is his sister, I suppose they are alike.”
Instantly there arose a duet of protests.
“Not in the least. Not a single bit. Rosalind is lovely! Blue eyes, golden hair—”
“Down past her waist—”
“The sweetest little hands—”
“A real diamond ring—”
“Pink cheeks—”
“Drives a pony-carriage, with long-tailed ponies—”
“Speaks French all day long with her governess—jabber75, jabber, jabber, as quick as that—just like a native—”
“Plays the violin—”
“Has a lovely little sitting-room76 of her own, simply crammed77 with the most exquisite78 presents and books, and goes travelling abroad to France and Italy and hot places in winter. Lord and Lady Darcy simply worship her, and so does everyone, for she is as beautiful as a picture. Don’t you think it would be lovely to have a lord and lady for your father and mother?”
Peggy sniffed the air in scornful superiority.
“I am very glad I’ve not! Titles are so ostentatious! Vulgar, I call them! The very best families will have nothing to do with them. My father’s people were all at the Crusades, and the Wars of the Roses, and the Field of the Cloth of Gold. There is no older family in England, and they are called ‘Fighting Savilles,’ because they are always in the front of every battle, winning honours and distinctions. I expect they have been offered titles over and over again, but they would not have them. They refused them with scorn, and so would I if one were offered to me. Nothing would induce me to accept it!”
Esther rolled her eyes in a comical, sideway fashion, and gave a little chuckle79 of unbelief; but Mellicent looked quite depressed80 by this reception of her grand news, and said anxiously—
“But, Peggy, think of it! The Honourable Mariquita! It would be too lovely! Wouldn’t you feel proud writing it in visitors’ books, and seeing it printed in newspapers when you grow up? ‘The Honourable Mariquita wore a robe of white satin, trimmed with gold!’”
“Peggy Saville is good enough for me, thank you,” said that young lady, with a sudden access of humility81. “I have no wish to have my clothes discussed in the public prints. But if you are invited to the Larches to play with your Rosalind, pray don’t consider me! I can stay at home alone. I don’t mind being dull. I can turn my time to good account. Not for the world would I interfere82 with your pleasure?”
“But P–P–Peggy, dar–ling Peggy, we would not leave you alone!” Mellicent’s eyes were wide with horror, she stretched out entreating83 hands towards the unresponsive figure. To see Peggy cross and snappish like—any other ordinary mortal was an extraordinary event, and quite alarming to her placid84 mind. “They will ask you, too, dear! I am sure they will—we will all be asked together!” she cried; but Peggy tossed her head, refusing to be conciliated.
“I shall have a previous engagement. I am not at all sure that they are the sort of people I ought to know,” she said. “My parents are so exclusive! They might not approve of the acquaintance!”
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1
capers
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| n.开玩笑( caper的名词复数 )；刺山柑v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的第三人称单数 ) | |
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2
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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truthful
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| adj.真实的，说实话的，诚实的 | |
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prim
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| adj.拘泥形式的，一本正经的；n.循规蹈矩，整洁；adv.循规蹈矩地，整洁地 | |
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5
grandiose
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| adj.宏伟的，宏大的，堂皇的，铺张的 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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7
confided
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| v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的过去式和过去分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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8
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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10
pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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natty
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| adj.整洁的，漂亮的 | |
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12
artistic
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| adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的 | |
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13
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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14
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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ailments
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| 疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 ) | |
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17
prescription
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| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
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unearthed
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| 出土的（考古） | |
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tonics
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| n.滋补品( tonic的名词复数 )；主音；奎宁水；浊音 | |
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concoctions
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| n.编造，捏造，混合物( concoction的名词复数 ) | |
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21
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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22
judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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24
sediment
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| n.沉淀，沉渣，沉积(物) | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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26
gnats
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| n.叮人小虫( gnat的名词复数 ) | |
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27
flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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29
socket
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| n.窝，穴，孔，插座，插口 | |
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30
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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indited
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| v.写（文章，信等）创作，赋诗，创作( indite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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35
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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underlying
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| adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的 | |
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philosophic
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| adj.哲学的，贤明的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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39
pickles
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| n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱 | |
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irresistibly
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| adv.无法抵抗地，不能自持地；极为诱惑人地 | |
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41
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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42
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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43
squatted
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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44
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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45
furry
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| adj.毛皮的；似毛皮的；毛皮制的 | |
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46
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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47
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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48
flopped
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| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
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49
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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50
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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51
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
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52
treacle
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| n.糖蜜 | |
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53
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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54
rinsed
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| v.漂洗( rinse的过去式和过去分词 )；冲洗；用清水漂洗掉（肥皂泡等）；（用清水）冲掉 | |
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55
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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56
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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57
feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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59
larches
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| n.落叶松（木材）( larch的名词复数 ) | |
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60
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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61
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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62
rankling
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| v.（使）痛苦不已，（使）怨恨不已( rankle的现在分词 ) | |
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63
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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64
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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65
exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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66
laudatory
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| adj.赞扬的 | |
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67
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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68
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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69
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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70
vassal
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| n.附庸的；属下；adj.奴仆的 | |
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71
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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72
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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73
tilted
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| v. 倾斜的 | |
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74
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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75
jabber
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| v.快而不清楚地说；n.吱吱喳喳 | |
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76
sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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77
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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78
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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79
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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80
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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81
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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82
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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83
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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84
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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