Tom did not complain, however. He liked the excitement of the ride, and did not mind the violent jolting1, though it made his limbs ache and his bones sore.
Percy Burnett grumbled2 enough for Tom and himself, too.
“I wouldn’t have taken this infernal stage,” he said, at a halting-place, “if I had known it would shake me to pieces.”
“It is better than walking,” said one of the passengers, philosophically3.
“I don’t know about that,” answered Burnett. “I would about as soon walk.”
Tom heard this, but did not think Mr. Burnett in earnest. For his own part, though an inexperienced traveler, he showed that he was already a good one, for he met, with cheerful good humor, the discomforts4 of the trip.
About five miles before the stage reached its destination Percy Burnett called out to the driver:
140
“How much further have we got to go, driver?”
“Five or six miles, sir.”
“I can’t stand it.”
“You won’t have to stand,” said a good-natured fellow-passenger. “You can sit.”
Percy Burnett turned upon him irritably5.
“You may consider that very witty6, sir,” he said, “but I don’t.”
“No offense7 intended,” said the other, pleasantly.
“I’ve a great mind to walk,” said Burnett. “Driver, is it easy to find the road?”
“Yes, sir; straight ahead.”
“And it’s only about five miles?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then I will walk; but I shall want company. Tom, are you tired?”
“No, sir.”
“Are you willing to walk the rest of the way with me?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Tom, cheerfully.
He answered truly, for his limbs were cramped8 by sitting for many hours in one position, and he felt that it would be agreeable to limber them a little with exercise.
“I don’t know but I’ll join you,” said a passenger.
Percy Burnett looked excessively annoyed.
“If you don’t object to my company,” continued the other.
“Please yourself, sir,” said Burnett in a repellent tone, which showed very clearly his aversion to the proposal.
141 “On the whole, I guess, I will stick by the stage,” said the other, seeing that his company would be unwelcome.
Mr. Burnett looked very much relieved.
“You can leave your baggage on the coach,” said the driver, noticing that Burnett had his bag in his hand.
“I’d rather keep it. Tom, bring yours with you.”
Of course Tom obeyed, though he did not see any advantage in burdening himself with what might just as well have gone in the coach.
“That’s an agreeable man,” said the passenger, whose overtures9 had been declined, after the coach drove off.
“As sweet as a crab-apple,” said the driver. “I’m glad to be rid of him.”
“The boy’s a different sort.”
“Yes, the boy’s a good fellow. Pity he’s tied to such a man.”
So the coach drove away, leaving Tom and his employer plodding10 along in a heavy, muddy road. It was hard work walking, but Tom did not care for that. He would like, however, to have had a more agreeable companion.
A little ahead of them was a fallen bough11 of a tree, separated from the parent trunk probably by some violent storm. It occurred to Tom that it would be a good idea to cut from it a stick, which might serve as a staff, and so lighten the labor12 of walking. He went up to the bough, therefore, and drew out a stout13 jack-knife, which he had in his pocket.
142 “What are you going to do?” asked Mr. Burnett, quickly.
“Going to cut me a cane14,” replied Tom, innocently.
“I can’t stop for any such nonsense,” said Burnett, crossly.
“Go right on, Mr. Burnett, and I’ll catch you,” said Tom, good-humoredly.
“I positively15 forbid your cutting a cane, do you hear me?” said Burnett, angrily.
“I hear you, but I don’t understand you,” said Tom, considerably16 surprised.
“I believe I speak plain English. Leave that, and come along.”
Tom began to think his employer very unreasonable17, but as he accepted wages from him he did not think it wise to quarrel. So he resumed his march, but did not attempt to speak to his companion.
Presently the road entered a wood. It was already dusk, and the trees, though leafless, still contributed to deepen the darkness which surrounded them.
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1
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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2
grumbled
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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3
philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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4
discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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irritably
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| ad.易生气地 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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7
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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8
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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9
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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plodding
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| a.proceeding in a slow or dull way | |
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11
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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12
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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14
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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15
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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16
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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17
unreasonable
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| adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的 | |
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