CHAPTER XXV. GILBERT IN A TIGHT PLACE.

Gilbert called upon the Vivians the same evening. He was received with as much cordiality as on his first visit.

“Now,” said Mr. Vivian, laying down the evening paper, which he had been reading at Gilbert’s entrance, “tell me how you came to lose your place.”

Gilbert told his story in the fewest possible words.

“It’s a great shame,” said Fred, indignantly; “I’d like to put a head on that book-keeper.”

“I sympathize with you, Fred,” said Laura; “but I think you might have expressed yourself differently.”

“Your sister is right, Fred,” said Mr. Vivian; “you must not be too ready to employ street phrases.”

“That’s what I mean, any way,” said Fred.

231“Do you think your employer will do you justice when he returns?” asked Mr. Vivian.

“Yes, sir. Mr. Sands is an excellent man, and he knows very well that Mr. Moore is prejudiced against me.”

“Then you expect to be taken back?”

“Yes, sir.”

“If anything should occur to prevent, come at once and let me know.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Before the evening was over Gilbert managed to introduce the subject of the little flower-girl whom he had befriended. He gave an account of the father’s sickness, and the little girl’s devotion. Fred and Laura were much interested, and asked many questions, which Gilbert answered as well as he could.

“You think these people really worthy¹ of assistance, Gilbert?” asked Mr. Vivian.

“Yes, sir, I have no doubt of it.”

“You know there are many impostors, who live by working on the sympathies of the benevolent²?”

“Yes, sir; but in this case I have no hesitation³ at 232all. I am sure Mr. Talbot and the little girl deserve help.”

“In that case,” said the merchant, “I am willing to do something for them.”

He drew from his pocket a ten-dollar bill and handed it to Gilbert.

“It may be best,” he suggested, “not to give them this money all at once, but a dollar or two at a time, in order to insure its careful use.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Gilbert, joyfully⁴; “this money will be like a fortune to them. I will see that your wishes are carried out.”

“Papa,” said Fred, “may I give Gilbert my five-dollar gold piece for the little girl and her father?”

“Not at present, Fred; though I am glad you feel like offering it. When this money is expended⁵, Gilbert will let us know, and then we will see what else is to be done.”

“You are a dear, good boy, to offer the money,” said Laura, giving her brother an unexpected kiss; “you have got a good heart, though you don’t always keep your face and hands clean.”

233“A fellow can’t be always washing his face and hands,” said Fred. “You needn’t kiss me if you are afraid of the dirt.”

Laura laughed. “I will risk it this time,” she said.

“Won’t you play me a game of checkers, Gilbert?” asked Fred.

“What am I to do while you two are playing?” asked Laura.

“Oh, you can be umpire,” said Fred.

“I should be sure to decide against you,” said Laura.

“That’s because you like Gilbert,” said Fred, who was just at the age when a boy is apt to make disconcerting speeches.

Laura blushed a little, and so did Gilbert.

“I think we both like him,” said Laura.

“I do,” said Fred.

“Thank you both,” said Gilbert. “I suppose there isn’t such a thing as three playing a game of checkers. That would bring us all in.”

234“No,” said Laura; “but we can play the Mansion⁶ of Happiness, if Fred is willing.”

“I don’t mind,” said Fred. “That’s good fun, too.”

So the game referred to was brought out, and an hour was consumed in this way. Fred, to his great delight, was the victor each time, and was disposed to exult⁷ over his vanquished⁸ opponents.

“Never mind, Fred; it will be our turn next time,” said Laura.

At half-past nine Gilbert set out for home. He felt that he had passed a pleasant evening, and was cheered by the thought that his discharge had not alienated⁹ these true friends from him.

Two days later he went into the office of Mr. Briggs. He was accustomed to make a weekly call, when Mr. Briggs would give him money to pay his week’s board.

“Is Mr. Briggs in?” he asked, after looking about him in vain for that gentleman.

“Mr. Briggs will not be in for a long time,” said the clerk addressed. “He has gone to Europe.”

235“Gone to Europe!” exclaimed Gilbert, in genuine astonishment¹⁰.

“Business of importance called him very suddenly,” said the clerk.

“How long is he to be gone?”

“It is uncertain. From two to three months, I should say.”

“Did he leave any letter or message for me,—Gilbert Greyson?”

The clerk shook his head.

“Nothing at all,” he answered.

Gilbert left the office in great perplexity. How was he to pay the week’s board now due, he asked himself, with less than a dollar in hand, and no income?

1 worthy   

adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的

参考例句：

• I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
• There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。

2 benevolent   

adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的

参考例句：

• His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him.他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。
• He was a benevolent old man and he wouldn't hurt a fly.他是一个仁慈的老人，连只苍蝇都不愿伤害。

3 hesitation   

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。

4 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

5 expended   

v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽

参考例句：

• She expended all her efforts on the care of home and children. 她把所有精力都花在料理家务和照顾孩子上。
• The enemy had expended all their ammunition. 敌人已耗尽所有的弹药。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 mansion   

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 exult   

v.狂喜，欢腾；欢欣鼓舞

参考例句：

• Few people would not exult at the abolition of slavery.奴隶制被废除了，人们无不为之欢乐鼓舞。
• Let's exult with the children at the drawing near of Children's Day.六一儿童节到了，让我们陪着小朋友们一起欢腾。

8 vanquished   

v.征服( vanquish的过去式和过去分词 )；战胜；克服；抑制

参考例句：

• She had fought many battles, vanquished many foes. 她身经百战，挫败过很多对手。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I vanquished her coldness with my assiduity. 我对她关心照顾从而消除了她的冷淡。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

9 alienated   

adj.感到孤独的，不合群的v.使疏远( alienate的过去式和过去分词 )；使不友好；转让；让渡（财产等）

参考例句：

• His comments have alienated a lot of young voters. 他的言论使许多年轻选民离他而去。
• The Prime Minister's policy alienated many of her followers. 首相的政策使很多拥护她的人疏远了她。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。