CHAPTER XXIX. GILBERT’S PLANS.

Gilbert left the house of Mrs. Briggs, not cast down, but with a full understanding of his situation. Until now he had had his guardian’s assistance, and, with the income from his position as office-boy, had felt no anxiety. Now, both had failed him, for the time at least, and he must shift for himself. Disaster develops the manhood in a boy as well as a man. So Gilbert did not indulge in any gloomy anticipations¹ of starvation or pauperism². He never for a moment regretted his refusal to take money from Mrs. Briggs, offered as it had been in such a manner as to insult his self-respect.

“I’d rather live on one meal a day,” he said to himself stoutly³, “than humble⁴ myself to that woman.”

261When he re-entered his room he found his room-mate reading.

“Well, Gilbert,” he said, “did you have a pleasant call?”

“So pleasant that I shall not call again in a hurry,” answered Gilbert.

“Then Mrs. Briggs won’t give you any assistance?”

“Yes; but I have rejected it.”

Mr. Ingalls looked surprised.

“Did you not act unwisely?” he asked.

“Let me tell you just what passed between us, and you shall judge.”

The young man listened attentively⁵. When Gilbert had finished his story, he said, emphatically, “You did just right. I should have done the same thing in your circumstances.”

“I am glad you approve of my action. I couldn’t stoop to take money offered as charity.”

“Then you have got to strike out for yourself, it seems?”

“Yes, and I must settle to-night what I shall do.”

“Have you made up your mind to anything?”

262“I was thinking about that as I walked home. To begin with, I will borrow money of you to pay Mrs. White, if you are still willing to lend it.”

“I will lend it to you with pleasure.”

“I think I had better leave this house, obtain a cheaper room, and board at a restaurant.”

“I don’t think you can save much that way. Mrs. White is very reasonable in her charges.”

“I know that, but the probability is that I can’t pay her. I must be strictly⁶ economical. I am not sure but the best thing I can do is to go to the Newsboys’ Lodge⁷.”

Mr. Ingalls shook his head.

“It would never do,” he said. “It would not suit a boy brought up as you have been.”

“I don’t suppose it would; but I don’t expect to suit myself. That is not the question with me. I must do as I can.”

“Then stay here. If you can’t pay your whole board at the week’s end I will make up the balance. I should have to pay more, at any rate, if I occupied the room alone.”

263Gilbert reflected a moment.

“You are very kind, Mr. Ingalls,” he said, “and I will accept your offer, on one condition.”

“What is that?”

“That you lend me the money, and I will repay it as soon as I am able.”

“I agree to that.”

“Then I will stay, for a week or two at least. Now I want to ask your advice. I must find something to do at once.”

“I wish there was a vacancy⁸ in our establishment.”

“I only want temporary employment. I expect Mr. Sands will take me back on his return.”

“I didn’t think of that. Have you thought of anything?”

“I am going to try my luck as a newsboy.”

“As a newsboy! What will your friends, the Vivians, say?”

“I don’t know, and I can’t afford to care. I must get a living somehow for the next few days, and I would rather sell papers than black boots. In the afternoon I shall try to get a little baggage-smashing to do.”

264“I admire your pluck, Gilbert,” said his room-mate. “Not many boys, brought up as you have been, would be willing to sell papers in the streets.”

“I don’t pretend to like it,” said Gilbert; “but I would rather do it than sponge on others, or take money flung at me as alms. If you object to rooming with a common newsboy,” he added, smiling, “I suppose I must look for another boarding-place.”

“Wait till I give you notice to quit,” said Ingalls. “In the mean time I will do all I can to encourage you. I will buy a morning paper of you to-morrow morning. Where shall you stand?”

“Near the ‘Times’ building, I think. Don’t forget your promise now. If I have one customer engaged I shall sleep more soundly.”

“You can rely upon me. Have you got money enough to start yourself in business? If not, command my purse.”

“I will borrow fifty cents, to make sure that I have enough. Now, as I must be up betimes and take an early breakfast, I think I will turn in.”

265“Good-night, then. I will stay up and read awhile longer.”

“He’s a plucky⁹ boy,” thought the young man. “He deserves to succeed, and I believe he will.”

1 anticipations   

预期( anticipation的名词复数 )； 预测； （信托财产收益的）预支； 预期的事物

参考例句：

• The thought took a deal of the spirit out of his anticipations. 想到这，他的劲头消了不少。
• All such bright anticipations were cruelly dashed that night. 所有这些美好的期望全在那天夜晚被无情地粉碎了。

2 pauperism   

n.有被救济的资格，贫困

参考例句：

• He becomes a pauper, and pauperism develops more rapidly than population and wealth. 工人变成赤贫者，贫困比人口和财富增长得还要快。 来自英汉非文学 - 共产党宣言
• Their women and children suffer, and their old age is branded with pauperism. 他们的妻儿受苦，他们的晚年注定要依靠救济过活。 来自辞典例句

3 stoutly   

adv.牢固地，粗壮的

参考例句：

• He stoutly denied his guilt.他断然否认自己有罪。
• Burgess was taxed with this and stoutly denied it.伯杰斯为此受到了责难，但是他自己坚决否认有这回事。

4 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

5 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

7 lodge   

v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆

参考例句：

• Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
• I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。

8 vacancy   

n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺

参考例句：

• Her going on maternity leave will create a temporary vacancy.她休产假时将会有一个临时空缺。
• The vacancy of her expression made me doubt if she was listening.她茫然的神情让我怀疑她是否在听。

9 plucky   

adj.勇敢的

参考例句：

• The plucky schoolgirl amazed doctors by hanging on to life for nearly two months.这名勇敢的女生坚持不放弃生命近两个月的精神令医生感到震惊。
• This story featured a plucky heroine.这个故事描述了一个勇敢的女英雄。