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首页 » 经典英文小说 » Shifting For Himself » CHAPTER XIII. GILBERT CALLS ON THE VIVIANS.
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CHAPTER XIII. GILBERT CALLS ON THE VIVIANS.
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As the boarders rose from the dinner-table on Friday, Alphonso Jones addressed Gilbert.

“Let us take a walk,” he proposed.

“Thank you,” said Gilbert; “but I have an engagement.”

“I suppose there is a lady in the case,” said Alphonso, slyly.

“There is a young lady where I am going,” answered Gilbert.

“So I thought. I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to mention names?”

“Oh, yes. I am going to call on Mr. Vivian, in West Forty-eighth Street.”

“What! Mr. Vivian, the great merchant?” asked Jones, surprised.

“I believe he is an extensive importer.”

125“That’s the one I mean. How in the world did you get acquainted there?”

“I haven’t been long acquainted,” said our hero.

Alphonso Jones was a young man who, in England, would be called a tuft-hunter. He aspired1 to be on visiting terms in families of high social position; but thus far had not met with much success. This did not prevent him from boasting continually of intimacy2 in quarters where he was not even acquainted. He did not dream that his little imposture3 was easily seen through by most of those who knew him, but was complacent4 in the thought that he was classed with that aristocracy, which he admired from a distance.

“Don’t you know the Vivians, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls. “I thought you knew everybody that was worth knowing.”

“So I do,” said Alphonso, with an air of importance,—“that is, nearly everybody. I met the Vivians, I believe, at Saratoga, but did not have a chance to cultivate their acquaintance. Greyson, will you do me a favor?”

“What is it?” asked Gilbert.

126“Let me accompany you this evening to Mr. Vivian’s. You can introduce me as your friend, in case they do not remember our former meeting.”

“I should like to oblige you, Mr. Jones,” said Gilbert, “but my own acquaintance is too limited to allow me to take such a liberty.”

“Just as you say, of course,” said Alphonso, crestfallen5. “I dare say I shall soon meet them at some fashionable party.”

“So it will really not make much difference,” suggested Ingalls.

“Oh, very little,” said Mr. Jones, nonchalantly. “I thought perhaps Mr. Greyson might like the company of one who was used to society. I think, on the whole, I will call on my friends, the Montmorencys, this evening.”

“Where do they live, Mr. Jones?” asked Mr. Ingalls.

“They occupy an elegant mansion6 on Fifth Avenue,” answered Alphonso, consequentially7.

“Couldn’t you take me along with you?” asked Mr. Ingalls, demurely8.

127“I fear not,” said Alphonso. “The fact is, Mr. Ingalls, the Montmorencys are very exclusive, and have expressly said to me more than once, ‘We are always glad to have you drop in, Mr. Jones, for we look upon you as one of ourselves; but bring no strangers. Our circle is already extensive, and we cannot add to it.’ Very sorry, of course.”

“So am I, Mr. Jones,” said Mr. Ingalls. “I should like to know a few high-toned people. How fortunate you are in knowing so many! What is the number of the Montmorencys’ house?”

“I always forget numbers,” said Alphonso, rather confused (for the whole story of the Montmorencys was a fiction), “but, of course, the house is familiar to me. It’s on Murray Hill.”

“That fellow is a humbug9, Gilbert,” said Ingalls, as he and his room-mate entered their own apartment. “He pretends to have a great many fashionable friends; but it’s all a sham10. Some day I’m going to teach him a lesson.”

“How?”

“Introduce a friend of mine, a good amateur actor, 128as a French count. Fancy his delight at making each an aristocratic acquaintance!”

“Let me know when the time comes,” said Gilbert, laughing.

“You shall assist me in it. I hope you will have a pleasant call this evening.”

“I have no doubt of it.”

Gilbert dressed himself carefully, and at half-past seven started on his visit. The evening was pleasant, and he decided11 to walk. Just opposite the Hoffman House he fell in with Randolph Briggs.

“Hallo, Gilbert,” called out Randolph, “where are you bound,—to our house? I don’t believe you’ll find anybody at home.”

“I am bound elsewhere,” said Gilbert

“Where?” asked Randolph, curiously12.

“To Mr. Vivian’s.”

“To call upon Laura?”

“My call will not be exclusively upon her,” said Gilbert.

“Take my advice and don’t go,” said Randolph actuated by jealousy13.

129“Why not?” Gilbert asked, quietly.

“They might look upon it as an intrusion.”

“I don’t think they will, as I was specially14 invited for this evening.”

“Out of politeness. Probably they have forgotten all about it.”

“It appears to me, Randolph, that you take a good deal of interest in this matter,” said Gilbert, amused.

“Oh, I care nothing about it; only as a friend I thought I would just mention that it might be thought rather presumptuous15 to take advantage of the accident that made you acquainted with Laura, to force yourself upon the family. If I were a poor boy like you, I would be careful to associate with my own class.”

Gilbert was provoked at Randolph’s insolence16, as he rightly considered it, and answered coldly, “I will think of your advice, Mr. Briggs. I appreciate your motives17 in offering it.”

“What does he mean?” thought Randolph, following with his eyes his father’s ward18. “I believe the fellow is angry with me. Poor and proud, I dare say. The Vivians will soon get tired of him.”

130But though he tried to console himself with this reflection, it chafed19 Randolph not a little that Gilbert should be invited to a house which he could not hope to enter.

Gilbert kept on his way to Mr. Vivian’s house arriving about eight o’clock.

“Is Mr. Vivian at home?” he inquired of the servant who answered his summons.

“He went out for half an hour; will you come in and wait for him?”

“Is Miss Laura in?”

“I believe she is.”

“Then you may hand her my card, if you please.”

Gilbert was ushered20 into the parlor21. He did not have to wait long. Laura entered and cordially offered her hand.

“I am very glad to see you, Gilbert—Mr. Greyson, I mean.”

“Never mind about Mr. Greyson,” said Gilbert, smiling. “Call me Gilbert, if you don’t mind.”

“Then I will,” said Laura, frankly22. “Do you 131know, I already begin to look upon you as an old friend.”

“I am very glad of that, Miss Laura.”

“My father went out for half an hour, as the servant probably told you. He bade me keep you till his return.”

“Thank you; I shall be very glad to stay.”

“I met a friend of yours on Fifth Avenue yesterday, Gilbert.”

“Who was it?”

“Randolph Briggs.”

Gilbert smiled.

“I don’t know how far he is my friend,” he said; “though he told me this evening he was, and as a friend he ventured to give me some advice.”

“Indeed?” said Laura, looking the curiosity she felt.

“Would you like to hear what it was?”

“I certainly should, for it doesn’t strike me that Randolph Briggs is particularly qualified23 to give advice to anybody.”

“He advised me not to come here.”

132“Not to come here! Why not?” exclaimed Laura, impetuously.

“He said I was only invited out of compliment, and that my visit would probably be considered an intrusion.”

“I wonder how he dared to say such things!” said Laura, indignantly. “What can he know of our feelings? Why, he isn’t on visiting terms here himself!”

“I suppose he meant it for my good,” said Gilbert.

“I am glad you didn’t take his advice, Gilbert.”

“I didn’t care to deprive myself of a pleasure. Besides, I thought I could soon judge for myself whether you looked upon me as an intruder.”

“What do you think about it?” asked Laura. “You have been here long enough to decide.”

“I think I will stay a little longer.”

Just then a boy of ten opened the door of the parlor.

“Laura,” he said, “mother wants you to bring Mr. Greyson into the library.”

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 aspired 379d690dd1367e3bafe9aa80ae270d77     
v.渴望,追求( aspire的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She aspired to a scientific career. 她有志于科学事业。
  • Britain,France,the United States and Japan all aspired to hegemony after the end of World War I. 第一次世界大战后,英、法、美、日都想争夺霸权。 来自《简明英汉词典》
2 intimacy z4Vxx     
n.熟悉,亲密,密切关系,亲昵的言行
参考例句:
  • His claims to an intimacy with the President are somewhat exaggerated.他声称自己与总统关系密切,这有点言过其实。
  • I wish there were a rule book for intimacy.我希望能有个关于亲密的规则。
3 imposture mcZzL     
n.冒名顶替,欺骗
参考例句:
  • Soiled by her imposture she remains silent.她背着冒名顶替者的黑锅却一直沉默。
  • If they knew,they would see through his imposture straight away.要是他们知道,他们会立即识破他的招摇撞骗行为。
4 complacent JbzyW     
adj.自满的;自鸣得意的
参考例句:
  • We must not become complacent the moment we have some success.我们决不能一见成绩就自满起来。
  • She was complacent about her achievements.她对自己的成绩沾沾自喜。
5 crestfallen Aagy0     
adj. 挫败的,失望的,沮丧的
参考例句:
  • He gathered himself up and sneaked off,crushed and crestfallen.他爬起来,偷偷地溜了,一副垂头丧气、被斗败的样子。
  • The youth looked exceedingly crestfallen.那青年看上去垂头丧气极了。
6 mansion 8BYxn     
n.大厦,大楼;宅第
参考例句:
  • The old mansion was built in 1850.这座古宅建于1850年。
  • The mansion has extensive grounds.这大厦四周的庭园广阔。
7 consequentially d7f5a2fd3978a004f10b0ba1b1c5e86b     
adv.必然地
参考例句:
  • In the construction of hydroelectric power station, eco-environment will be consequentially destroyed to some extent. 在水电站建设中,生态环境必然遭到一定程度的破坏。 来自互联网
  • It was because of these subjective and objective reasons that it consequentially retreated from the history. 正是由于这些主观和客观的原因,注定它必然要退出历史舞台。 来自互联网
8 demurely demurely     
adv.装成端庄地,认真地
参考例句:
  • "On the forehead, like a good brother,'she answered demurely. "吻前额,像个好哥哥那样,"她故作正经地回答说。 来自飘(部分)
  • Punctuation is the way one bats one's eyes, lowers one's voice or blushes demurely. 标点就像人眨眨眼睛,低声细语,或伍犯作态。 来自名作英译部分
9 humbug ld8zV     
n.花招,谎话,欺骗
参考例句:
  • I know my words can seem to him nothing but utter humbug.我知道,我说的话在他看来不过是彻头彻尾的慌言。
  • All their fine words are nothing but humbug.他们的一切花言巧语都是骗人的。
10 sham RsxyV     
n./adj.假冒(的),虚伪(的)
参考例句:
  • They cunningly played the game of sham peace.他们狡滑地玩弄假和平的把戏。
  • His love was a mere sham.他的爱情是虚假的。
11 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
12 curiously 3v0zIc     
adv.有求知欲地;好问地;奇特地
参考例句:
  • He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
  • He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。
13 jealousy WaRz6     
n.妒忌,嫉妒,猜忌
参考例句:
  • Some women have a disposition to jealousy.有些女人生性爱妒忌。
  • I can't support your jealousy any longer.我再也无法忍受你的嫉妒了。
14 specially Hviwq     
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地
参考例句:
  • They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
  • The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。
15 presumptuous 6Q3xk     
adj.胆大妄为的,放肆的,冒昧的,冒失的
参考例句:
  • It would be presumptuous for anybody to offer such a view.任何人提出这种观点都是太放肆了。
  • It was presumptuous of him to take charge.他自拿主张,太放肆了。
16 insolence insolence     
n.傲慢;无礼;厚颜;傲慢的态度
参考例句:
  • I've had enough of your insolence, and I'm having no more. 我受够了你的侮辱,不能再容忍了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • How can you suffer such insolence? 你怎么能容忍这种蛮横的态度? 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 motives 6c25d038886898b20441190abe240957     
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
  • His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。
18 ward LhbwY     
n.守卫,监护,病房,行政区,由监护人或法院保护的人(尤指儿童);vt.守护,躲开
参考例句:
  • The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
  • During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时,我要点根火把,抵挡蚊虫。
19 chafed f9adc83cf3cbb1d83206e36eae090f1f     
v.擦热(尤指皮肤)( chafe的过去式 );擦痛;发怒;惹怒
参考例句:
  • Her wrists chafed where the rope had been. 她的手腕上绳子勒过的地方都磨红了。
  • She chafed her cold hands. 她揉搓冰冷的双手使之暖和。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
20 ushered d337b3442ea0cc4312a5950ae8911282     
v.引,领,陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The secretary ushered me into his office. 秘书把我领进他的办公室。
  • A round of parties ushered in the New Year. 一系列的晚会迎来了新年。 来自《简明英汉词典》
21 parlor v4MzU     
n.店铺,营业室;会客室,客厅
参考例句:
  • She was lying on a small settee in the parlor.她躺在客厅的一张小长椅上。
  • Is there a pizza parlor in the neighborhood?附近有没有比萨店?
22 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。
23 qualified DCPyj     
adj.合格的,有资格的,胜任的,有限制的
参考例句:
  • He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。
  • We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。


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