ROSE had no new gown to wear on this festive1 occasion, and gave one little sigh of regret as she put on the pale blue silk refreshed with clouds of gaze de Chambéry. But a smile followed, very bright and sweet, as she added the clusters of forget-me-not which Charlie had conjured2 up through the agency of an old German florist3, for one part of her plan had been carried out, and Prince was invited to be her escort, much to his delight, though he wisely made no protestations of any sort and showed his gratitude4 by being a model gentleman. This pleased Rose, for the late humiliation5 and a very sincere desire to atone6 for it gave him an air of pensive7 dignity which was very effective.
Aunt Clara could not go, for a certain new cosmetic8, privately9 used to improve the once fine complexion10, which had been her pride till late hours impaired11 it, had brought out an unsightly eruption12, reducing her to the depths of woe13 and leaving her no solace14 for her disappointment but the sight of the elegant velvet15 dress spread forth16 upon her bed in melancholy17 state.
So Aunt Jessie was chaperon, to Rose's great satisfaction, and looked as "pretty as a pink," Archie thought, in her matronly pearl-colored gown with a dainty trifle of rich lace on her still abundant hair. He was very proud of his little mama, and as devoted18 as a lover, "to keep his hand in against Phebe's return," she said laughingly when he brought her a nosegay of blush roses to light up her quiet costume.
A happier mother did not live than Mrs. Jessie as she sat contentedly19 beside Sister Jane (who graced the frivolous20 scene in a serious black gown with a diadem21 of purple asters nodding above her severe brow), both watching their boys with the maternal22 conviction that no other parent could show such remarkable23 specimens24 as these. Each had done her best according to her light, and years of faithful care were now beginning to bear fruit in the promise of goodly men, so dear to the hearts of true mothers.
Mrs. Jessie watched her three tall sons with something like wonder, for Archie was a fine fellow, grave and rather stately, but full of the cordial courtesy and respect we see so little of nowadays and which is the sure sign of good home training. "The cadets," as Will and Geordie called themselves, were there as gorgeous as you please, and the agonies they suffered that night with tight boots and stiff collars no pen can fitly tell. But only to one another did they confide25 these sufferings and the rare moments of repose26 when they could stand on one aching foot with heads comfortably sunken inside the excruciating collars, which rasped their ears and made the lobes27 thereof a pleasing scarlet28. Brief were these moments, however, and the Spartan29 boys danced on with smiling faces, undaunted by the hidden anguish30 which preyed31 upon them "fore32 and aft," as Will expressed it.
Mrs. Jane's pair were an odd contrast, and even the stern disciplinarian herself could not help smiling as she watched them. Steve was superb, and might have been married on the spot, so superfine was his broad-cloth, glossy33 his linen34, and perfect the fit of his gloves. While pride and happiness so fermented35 in his youthful bosom36, there would have been danger of spontaneous combustion37 if dancing had not proved a safety valve, for his strong sense of the proprieties38 would not permit him to vent39 his emotions in any other way.
Kitty felt no such restraint, and looked like a blissful little gypsy, with her brunet prettiness set off by a dashing costume of cardinal40 and cream color and every hair on her head curled in a Merry Pecksniffian crop, for youth was her strong point, and she much enjoyed the fact that she had been engaged three times before she was nineteen.
To see her and Steve spin around the room was a sight to bring a smile to the lips of the crustiest bachelor or saddest spinster, for happy lovers are always a pleasing spectacle, and two such merry little grigs as these are seldom seen.
Mac, meantime, with glasses astride his nose, surveyed his brother's performances "on the light fantastic" very much as a benevolent43 Newfoundland would the gambols44 of a toy terrier, receiving with thanks the hasty hints for his guidance which Steve breathed into his ear as he passed and forgetting all about them the next minute. When not thus engaged Mac stood about with his thumbs in his vest pockets, regarding the lively crowd like a meditative45 philosopher of a cheerful aspect, often smiling to himself at some whimsical fancy of his own, knitting his brows as some bit of ill-natured gossip met his ear, or staring with undisguised admiration46 as a beautiful face or figure caught his eye.
"I hope that girl knows what a treasure she has got. But I doubt if she ever fully47 appreciates it," said Mrs. Jane, bringing her spectacles to bear upon Kitty as she whisked by, causing quite a gale48 with her flying skirts.
"I think she will, for Steve has been so well brought up, she cannot but see and feel the worth of what she has never had, and being so young she will profit by it," answered Mrs. Jessie softly, thinking of the days when she and her Jem danced together, just betrothed49.
"I've done my duty by both the boys, and done it thoroughly50, or their father would have spoilt them, for he's no more idea of discipline than a child." And Aunt Jane gave her own palm a smart rap with her closed fan, emphasizing the word "thoroughly" in a most suggestive manner.
"I've often wished I had your firmness, Jane but after all, I'm not sure that I don't like my own way best, at least with my boys, for plenty of love, and plenty of patience, seem to have succeeded pretty well." And Aunt Jessie lifted the nosegay from her lap, feeling as if that unfailing love and patience were already blooming into her life as beautifully as the sweet-breathed roses given by her boy refreshed and brightened these long hours of patient waiting in a corner.
"I don't deny that you've done well, Jessie, but you've been let alone and had no one to hold your hand or interfere51. If my Mac had gone to sea as your Jem did, I never should have been as severe as I am. Men are so perverse52 and shortsighted, they don't trouble about the future as long as things are quiet and comfortable in the present," continued Mrs. Jane, quite forgetting that the shortsighted partner of the firm, physically53 speaking at least, was herself.
"Ah, yes! We mothers love to foresee and foretell54 our children's lives even before they are born, and are very apt to be disappointed if they do not turn out as we planned. I know I am yet I really have no cause to complain and am learning to see that all we can do is to give the dear boys good principles and the best training we may, then leave them to finish what we have begun." And Mrs. Jessie's eye wandered away to Archie, dancing with Rose, quite unconscious what a pretty little castle in the air tumbled down when he fell in love with Phebe.
"Right, quite right on that point we agree exactly. I have spared nothing to give my boys good principles and good habits, and I am willing to trust them anywhere. Nine times did I whip my Steve to cure him of fibbing, and over and over again did Mac go without his dinner rather than wash his hands. But I whipped and starved them both into obedience55, and now I have my reward," concluded the "stern parent" with a proud wave of the fan, which looked very like a ferule, being as big, hard, and uncompromising as such an article could be.
Mrs. Jessie gave a mild murmur57 of assent58, but could not help thinking, with a smile, that in spite of their early tribulations59 the sins for which the boys suffered had gotten a little mixed in their result, for fibbing Steve was now the tidy one, and careless Mac the truth teller60. But such small contradictions will happen in the best-regulated families, and all perplexed61 parents can do is to keep up a steadfast62 preaching and practicing in the hope that it will bear fruit sometime, for according to an old proverb,-
Children pick up words as pigeons pease,
To utter them again as God shall please.
"I hope they won't dance the child to death among them, for each one seems bound to have his turn, even your sober Mac," said Mrs. Jessie a few minutes later as she saw Archie hand Rose over to his cousin, who carried her off with an air of triumph from several other claimants.
"She's very good to him, and her influence is excellent, for he is of an age now when a young woman's opinion has more weight than an old one's. Though he is always good to his mother, and I feel as if I should take great comfort in him. He's one of the sort who will not marry till late, if ever, being fond of books and a quiet life," responded Mrs. Jane, remembering how often her son had expressed his belief that philosophers should not marry and brought up Plato as an example of the serene63 wisdom to be attained64 only by a single man while her husband sided with Socrates, for whom he felt a profound sympathy, though he didn't dare to own it.
"Well, I don't know about that. Since my Archie surprised me by losing his heart as he did, I'm prepared for anything, and advise you to do likewise. I really shouldn't wonder if Mac did something remarkable in that line, though he shows no sign of it yet, I confess," answered Mrs. Jessie, laughing.
"It won't be in that direction, you may be sure, for her fate is sealed. Dear me, how sad it is to see a superior girl like that about to throw herself away on a handsome scapegrace. I won't mention names, but you understand me." And Mrs. Jane shook her head, as if she could mention the name of one superior girl who had thrown herself away and now saw the folly65 of it.
"I'm very anxious, of course, and so is Alec, but it may be the saving of one party and the happiness of the other, for some women love to give more than they receive," said Mrs. Jessie, privately wondering, for the thousandth time, why brother Mac ever married the learned Miss Humphries.
"You'll see that it won't prosper66, and I shall always maintain that a wife cannot entirely67 undo68 a mother's work. Rose will have her hands full if she tries to set all Clara's mistakes right," answered Aunt Jane grimly, then began to fan violently as their hostess approached to have a dish of chat about "our dear young people."
Rose was in a merry mood that night, and found Mac quite ready for fun, which was fortunate, since her first remark set them off on a droll69 subject.
"Oh, Mac! Annabel has just confided70 to me that she is engaged to Fun See! Think of her going to housekeeping in Canton someday and having to order rats, puppies, and bird's-nest soup for dinner," whispered Rose, too much amused to keep the news to herself.
"By Confucius! Isn't that a sweet prospect71?" And Mac burst out laughing, to the great surprise of his neighbors, who wondered what there was amusing about the Chinese sage72. "It is rather alarming, though, to have these infants going on at this rate. Seems to be catching73, a new sort of scarlet fever, to judge by Annabel's cheeks and Kitty's gown," he added, regarding the aforesaid ladies with eyes still twinkling with merriment.
"Don't be ungallant, but go and do likewise, for it is all the fashion. I heard Mrs. Van tell old Mrs. Joy that it was going to be a marrying year, so you'll be sure to catch it," answered Rose, reefing her skirts, for, with all his training, Mac still found it difficult to keep his long legs out of the man-traps.
"It doesn't look like a painful disease, but I must be careful, for I've no time to be ill now. What are the symptoms?" asked Mac, trying to combine business with pleasure and improve his mind while doing his duty.
"If you ever come back I'll tell you," laughed Rose as he danced away into the wrong corner, bumped smartly against another gentleman, and returned as soberly as if that was the proper figure.
"Well, tell me 'how not to do it,' " he said, subsiding74 for a moment's talk when Rose had floated to and fro in her turn.
"Oh! You see some young girl who strikes you as particularly charming whether she really is or not doesn't matter a bit and you begin to think about her a great deal, to want to see her, and to get generally sentimental75 and absurd," began Rose, finding it difficult to give a diagnosis76 of the most mysterious disease under the sun.
"Don't think it sounds enticing77. Can't I find an antidote78 somewhere, for if it is in the air this year I'm sure to get it, and it may be fatal," said Mac, who felt pretty lively and liked to make Rose merry, for he suspected that she had a little trouble from a hint Dr. Alec had given him.
"I hope you will catch it, because you'll be so funny."
"Will you take care of me as you did before, or have you got your hands full?"
"I'll help, but really with Archie and Steve and Charlie, I shall have enough to do. You'd better take it lightly the first time, and so won't need much care."
"Very well, how shall I begin? Enlighten my ignorance and start me right, I beg."
"Go about and see people, make yourself agreeable, and not sit in corners observing other people as if they were puppets dancing for your amusement. I heard Mrs. Van once say that propinquity works wonders, and she ought to know, having married off two daughters, and just engaged a third to 'a most charming young man.'"
"Good lack! The cure sounds worse than the disease. Propinquity, hey? Why, I may be in danger this identical moment and can't flee for my life," said Mac, gently catching her round the waist for a general waltz.
"Don't be alarmed, but mind your steps, for Charlie is looking at us, and I want you to do your best. That's perfect take me quite round, for I love to waltz and seldom get a good turn except with you boys," said Rose, smiling up at him approvingly as his strong arm guided her among the revolving79 couples and his feet kept time without a fault.
"This certainly is a great improvement on the chair business, to which I have devoted myself with such energy that I've broken the backs of two partners and dislocated the arm of the old rocker. I took an occasional turn with that heavy party, thinking it good practice in case I ever happen to dance with stout80 ladies." And Mac nodded toward Annabel, pounding gaily81 with Mr. Tokio, whose yellow countenance82 beamed as his beady eyes rested on his plump fiancée.
Pausing in the midst of her merriment at the image of Mac and the old rocking chair, Rose said reprovingly, "Though a heathen Chinee, Fun puts you to shame, for he did not ask foolish questions but went a-wooing like a sensible little man, and I've no doubt Annabel will be very happy."
"Choose me a suitable divinity and I will try to adore. Can I do more than that to retrieve83 my character?" answered Mac, safely landing his partner and plying84 the fan according to instructions.
"How would Emma do?" inquired Rose, whose sense of the ludicrous was strong and who could not resist the temptation of horrifying86 Mac by the suggestion.
"Never! It sets my teeth on edge to look at her tonight. I suppose that dress is 'a sweet thing just out,' but upon my word she reminds me of nothing but a Harlequin ice," and Mac turned his back on her with a shudder87, for he was sensitive to discords88 of all kinds.
"She certainly does, and that mixture of chocolate, pea green, and pink is simply detestable, though many people would consider it decidedly 'chic,' to use her favorite word. I suppose you will dress your wife like a Spartan matron of the time of Lycurgus," added Rose, much tickled89 by his new conceit90.
"I'll wait till I get her before I decide. But one thing I'm sure of,-she shall not dress like a Greek dancer of the time of Pericles," answered Mac, regarding with great disfavor a young lady who, having a statuesque figure, affected91 drapery of the scanty92 and clinging description.
"Then it is of no use to suggest that classic creature, so as you reject my first attempts, I won't go on but look about me quietly, and you had better do the same. Seriously, Mac, more gaiety and less study would do you good, for you will grow old before your time if you shut yourself up and pore over books so much."
"I don't believe there is a younger or a jollier-feeling fellow in the room than I am, though I may not conduct myself like a dancing dervish. But I own you may be right about the books, for there are many sorts of intemperance94, and a library is as irresistible95 to me as a barroom to a toper. I shall have to sign a pledge and cork96 up the only bottle that tempts93 me my ink-stand."
"I'll tell you how to make it easier to abstain97. Stop studying and write a novel into which you can put all your wise things, and so clear your brains for a new start by and by. Do I should so like to read it," cried Rose, delighted with the project, for she was sure Mac could do anything he liked in that line.
"First live, then write. How can I go to romancing till I know what romance means?" he asked soberly, feeling that so far he had had very little in his life.
"Then you must find out, and nothing will help you more than to love someone very much. Do as I've advised and be a modern Diogenes going about with spectacles instead of a lantern in search, not of an honest man, but a perfect woman. I do hope you will be successful." And Rose made her curtsey as the dance ended.
"I don't expect perfection, but I should like one as good as they ever make them nowadays. If you are looking for the honest man, I wish you success in return," said Mac, relinquishing98 her fan with a glance of such sympathetic significance that a quick flush of feeling rose to the girl's face as she answered very low, "If honesty was all I wanted, I certainly have found it in you."
Then she went away with Charlie, who was waiting for his turn, and Mac roamed about, wondering if anywhere in all that crowd his future wife was hidden, saying to himself, as he glanced from face to face, quite unresponsive to the various allurements99 displayed,
"'What care I how fair she be,
If she be not fair for me'"
Just before supper several young ladies met in the dressing100 room to repair damages and, being friends, they fell into discourse101 as they smoothed their locks and had their tattered102 furbelows sewed or pinned up by the neat-handed Phillis-in-waiting.
When each had asked the other, "How do I look tonight, dear?" and been answered with reciprocal enthusiasm, "Perfectly103 lovely, darling!" Kitty said to Rose, who was helping104 her to restore order out of the chaos105 to which much exercise had reduced her curls: "By the way, young Randal is dying to be presented to you. May I after supper?"
"No, thank you," answered Rose very decidedly.
"Well, I'm sure I don't see why not," began Kitty, looking displeased106 but not surprised.
"I think you do, else why didn't you present him when he asked? You seldom stop to think of etiquette107 why did you now?"
"I didn't like to do it till I had you are so particular I thought you'd say 'no,' but I couldn't tell him so," stammered108 Kitty, feeling that she had better have settled the matter herself, for Rose was very particular and had especial reason to dislike this person because he was not only a dissipated young reprobate109 himself but seemed possessed110 of Satan to lead others astray likewise.
"I don't wish to be rude, dear, but I really must decline, for I cannot know such people, even though I meet them here," said Rose, remembering Charlie's revelations on New Year's night and hardening her heart against the man who had been his undoing111 on that as well as on other occasions, she had reason to believe.
"I couldn't help it! Old Mr. Randal and Papa are friends, and though I spoke112 of it, brother Alf wouldn't hear of passing that bad boy over," explained Kitty eagerly.
"Yet Alf forbade you driving or skating with him, for he knows better than we how unfit he is to come among us."
"I'd drop him tomorrow if I could, but I must be civil in my own house. His mother brought him, and he won't dare to behave here as he does at their bachelor parties."
"She ought not to have brought him till he had shown some desire to mend his ways. It is none of my business, I know, but I do wish people wouldn't be so inconsistent, letting boys go to destruction and then expecting us girls to receive them like decent people." Rose spoke in an energetic whisper, but Annabel heard her and exclaimed, as she turned round with a powder puff113 in her hand: "My goodness, Rose! What is all that about going to destruction?"
"She is being strong-minded, and I don't very much blame her in this case. But it leaves me in a dreadful scrape," said Kitty, supporting her spirits with a sniff41 of aromatic114 vinegar.
"I appeal to you, since you heard me, and there's no one here but ourselves do you consider young Randal a nice person to know?" And Rose turned to Annabel and Emma with an anxious eye, for she did not find it easy to abide115 by her principles when so doing annoyed friends.
"No, indeed, he's perfectly horrid116! Papa says he and Gorham are the wildest young men he knows, and enough to spoil the whole set. I'm so glad I've got no brothers," responded Annabel, placidly117 powdering her pink arms, quite undeterred by the memory of sundry118 white streaks119 left on sundry coat sleeves.
"I think that sort of scrupulousness120 is very ill-bred, if you'll excuse my saying so, Rose. We are not supposed to know anything about fastness, and wildness, and so on, but to treat every man alike and not be fussy121 and prudish," said Emma, settling her many-colored streamers with the superior air of a woman of the world, aged42 twenty.
"Ah! But we do know, and if our silence and civility have no effect, we ought to try something else and not encourage wickedness of any kind. We needn't scold and preach, but we can refuse to know such people and that will do some good, for they don't like to be shunned122 and shut out from respectable society. Uncle Alec told me not to know that man, and I won't." Rose spoke with unusual warmth, forgetting that she could not tell the real reason for her strong prejudice against "that man."
"Well, I know him: I think him very jolly, and I'm engaged to dance the German with him after supper. He leads quite as well as your cousin Charlie and is quite as fascinating, some people think," returned Emma, tossing her head disdainfully, for Prince Charming did not worship at her shrine123 and it piqued124 her vanity.
In spite of her quandary125, Rose could not help smiling as she recalled Mac's comparison, for Emma turned so red with spiteful chagrin126, she seemed to have added strawberry ice to the other varieties composing the Harlequin.
"Each must judge for herself. I shall follow Aunt Jessie's advice and try to keep my atmosphere as pure as I can, for she says every woman has her own little circle and in it can use her influence for good, if she will. I do will heartily127, and I'll prove that I'm neither proud nor fussy by receiving, here or at home, any respectable man you like to present to me, no matter how poor or plain or insignificant128 he may be."
With which declaration Rose ended her protest, and the four damsels streamed downstairs together like a wandering rainbow. But Kitty laid to heart what she had said; Annabel took credit herself for siding with her; and Emma owned that she was not trying to keep her atmosphere pure when she came to dance with the objectionable Randal. So Rose's "little circle" was the better for the influence she tried to exert, although she never knew it.
At suppertime Charlie kept near her, and she was quite content with him, for he drank only coffee, and she saw him shake his head with a frown when young Van beckoned129 him toward an anteroom, from whence the sound of popping corks130 had issued with increasing frequency as the evening wore on.
"Dear fellow, he does try," thought Rose, longing131 to show how she admired his self-denial, but she could only say, as they left the supper room with the aunts, who were going early: "If I had not promised Uncle to get home as soon after midnight as possible, I'd stay and dance the German with you, for you deserve a reward tonight."
"A thousand thanks, but I am going when you do," answered Charlie, understanding both her look and words and very grateful for them.
"Really?" cried Rose, delighted.
"Really. I'll be in the hall when you come down." And Charlie thought the Fra Angelico angel was not half so bright and beautiful as the one who looked back at him out of a pale blue cloud as Rose went upstairs as if on wings.
When she came down again Charlie was not in the hall, however, and, after waiting a few minutes, Mac offered to go and find him, for Aunt Jane was still hunting a lost rubber above.
"Please say I'm ready, but he needn't come if he doesn't want to," said Rose, not wishing to demand too much of her promising56 penitent132.
"If he has gone into that barroom, I'll have him out, no matter who is there!" growled133 Mac to himself as he made his way to the small apartment whither the gentlemen retired134 for a little private refreshment135 when the spirit moved, as it often did.
The door was ajar, and Charlie seemed to have just entered, for Mac heard a familiar voice call out in a jovial136 tone: "Come, Prince! You're just in time to help us drink Steve's health with all the honors."
"Can't stop, only ran in to say good night, Van. Had a capital time, but I'm on duty and must go."
"That's a new dodge137. Take a stirrup cup anyway, and come back in time for a merry-go-rounder when you've disposed of the ladies," answered the young host, diving into the wine cooler for another bottle.
"Charlie's going in for sanctity, and it doesn't seem to agree with him," laughed one of the two other young men who occupied several chairs apiece, resting their soles in every sense of the word.
"Apron138 strings139 are coming into fashion the bluer the better hey, Prince?" added the other, trying to be witty140, with the usual success.
"You'd better go home early yourself, Barrow, or that tongue of yours will get you into trouble," retorted Charlie, conscious that he ought to take his own advice, yet lingering, nervously141 putting on his gloves while the glasses were being filled.
"Now, brother-in-law, fire away! Here you are, Prince." And Steve handed a glass across the table to his cousin, feeling too much elated with various pleasurable emotions to think what he was doing, for the boys all knew Charlie's weakness and usually tried to defend him from it.
Before the glass could be taken, however, Mac entered in a great hurry, delivering his message in an abbreviated142 and rather peremptory143 form: "Rose is waiting for you. Hurry up!"
"All right. Good night, old fellows!" And Charlie was off, as if the name had power to stop him in the very act of breaking the promise made to himself.
"Come, Solon, take a social drop, and give us an epithalamium in your best Greek. Here's to you!" And Steve was lifting the wine to his own lips when Mac knocked the glass out of his hand with a flash of the eye that caused his brother to stare at him with his mouth open in an imbecile sort of way, which seemed to excite Mac still more, for, turning to his young host, he said, in a low voice, and with a look that made the gentlemen on the chairs sit up suddenly: "I beg pardon, Van, for making a mess, but I can't stand by and see my own brother tempt85 another man beyond his strength or make a brute144 of himself. That's plain English, but I can't help speaking out, for I know not one of you would willingly hurt Charlie, and you will if you don't let him alone."
"What do you pitch into me for? I've done nothing.
A fellow must be civil in his own house, mustn't he?" asked Van good-humoredly as he faced about, corkscrew in hand.
"Yes, but it is not civil to urge or joke a guest into doing what you know and he knows is bad for him. That's only a glass of wine to you, but it is perdition to Charlie, and if Steve knew what he was about, he'd cut his right hand off before he'd offer it."
"Do you mean to say I'm tipsy?" demanded Steve, ruffling145 up like a little gamecock, for though he saw now what he had done and was ashamed of it, he hated to have Mac air his peculiar146 notions before other people.
"With excitement, not champagne147, I hope, for I wouldn't own you if you were," answered Mac, in whom indignation was effervescing148 like the wine in the forgotten bottle, for the men were all young, friends of Steve's and admirers of Charlie's. "Look here, boys," he went on more quietly, "I know I ought not to explode in this violent sort of way, but upon my life I couldn't help it when I heard what you were saying and saw what Steve was doing. Since I have begun, I may as well finish and tell you straight out that Prince can't stand this sort of thing. He is trying to flee temptation, and whoever leads him into it does a cowardly and sinful act, for the loss of one's own self-respect is bad enough, without losing the more precious things that make life worth having. Don't tell him I've said this, but lend a hand if you can, and never have to reproach yourselves with the knowledge that you helped to ruin a fellow creature, soul and body."
It was well for the success of Mac's first crusade that his hearers were gentlemen and sober, so his outburst was not received with jeers149 or laughter but listened to in silence, while the expression of the faces changed from one of surprise to regret and respect, for earnestness is always effective and championship of this sort seldom fails to touch hearts as yet unspoiled. As he paused with an eloquent150 little quiver in his eager voice, Van corked151 the bottle at a blow, threw down the corkscrew, and offered Mac his hand, saying heartily, in spite of his slang,-
"You are a first-class old brick! I'll lend a hand for one, and do my best to back up Charlie, for he's the finest fellow I know, and shan't go to the devil like poor Randal if I can help it."
Murmurs152 of applause from the others seemed to express a general assent to this vigorous statement, and, giving the hand a grateful shake, Mac retreated to the door, anxious to be off now that he had freed his mind with such unusual impetuosity.
"Count on me for anything I can do in return for this, Van. I'm sorry to be such a marplot, but you can take it out in quizzing me after I'm gone. I'm fair game, and Steve can set you going."
With that, Mac departed as abruptly153 as he had come, feeling that he had "made a mess" of it, but comforting himself with the thought that perhaps he had secured help for Charlie at his own expense and thinking with a droll smile as he went back to his mother: "My romance begins by looking after other girls' lovers instead of finding a sweetheart for myself, but I can't tell Rose, so she won't laugh at me.
收听单词发音 |
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festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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florist
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| n.花商；种花者 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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humiliation
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atone
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| v.赎罪，补偿 | |
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pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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cosmetic
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| n.化妆品；adj.化妆用的；装门面的；装饰性的 | |
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privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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12
eruption
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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13
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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16
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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17
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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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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19
contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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20
frivolous
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| adj.轻薄的；轻率的 | |
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21
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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22
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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23
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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24
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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25
confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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26
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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27
lobes
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| n.耳垂( lobe的名词复数 )；（器官的）叶；肺叶；脑叶 | |
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28
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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29
spartan
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| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
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30
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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31
preyed
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| v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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32
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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33
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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34
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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35
fermented
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| v.（使）发酵( ferment的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）激动；骚动；骚扰 | |
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36
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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37
combustion
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| n.燃烧；氧化；骚动 | |
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38
proprieties
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| n.礼仪，礼节；礼貌( propriety的名词复数 )；规矩；正当；合适 | |
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39
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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40
cardinal
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| n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的 | |
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41
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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42
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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43
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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44
gambols
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| v.蹦跳，跳跃，嬉戏( gambol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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45
meditative
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| adj.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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46
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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47
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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48
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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49
betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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50
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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51
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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52
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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53
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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54
foretell
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| v.预言，预告，预示 | |
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55
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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56
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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57
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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58
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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59
tribulations
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| n.苦难( tribulation的名词复数 )；艰难；苦难的缘由；痛苦 | |
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60
teller
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| n.银行出纳员；(选举)计票员 | |
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61
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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62
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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63
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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64
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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65
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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66
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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67
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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68
undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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69
droll
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| adj.古怪的，好笑的 | |
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70
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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71
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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72
sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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73
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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74
subsiding
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的现在分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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75
sentimental
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| adj.多愁善感的，感伤的 | |
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76
diagnosis
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| n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断 | |
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77
enticing
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| adj.迷人的；诱人的 | |
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78
antidote
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| n.解毒药，解毒剂 | |
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79
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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81
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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82
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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83
retrieve
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| vt.重新得到，收回；挽回，补救；检索 | |
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84
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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85
tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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86
horrifying
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| a.令人震惊的，使人毛骨悚然的 | |
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87
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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88
discords
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| 不和（discord的复数形式） | |
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89
tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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90
conceit
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| n.自负，自高自大 | |
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91
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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92
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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93
tempts
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| v.引诱或怂恿（某人）干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 )；使想要 | |
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94
intemperance
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| n.放纵 | |
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95
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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96
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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97
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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98
relinquishing
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的现在分词 )； 放弃 | |
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99
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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100
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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101
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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102
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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103
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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104
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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105
chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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106
displeased
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| a.不快的 | |
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107
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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108
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
reprobate
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| n.无赖汉；堕落的人 | |
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110
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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111
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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112
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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113
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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114
aromatic
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| adj.芳香的，有香味的 | |
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115
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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116
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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117
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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118
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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119
streaks
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| n.（与周围有所不同的）条纹( streak的名词复数 )；（通常指不好的）特征（倾向）；（不断经历成功或失败的）一段时期v.快速移动( streak的第三人称单数 )；使布满条纹 | |
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120
scrupulousness
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| n.一丝不苟；小心翼翼 | |
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121
fussy
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| adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的 | |
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122
shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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124
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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125
quandary
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| n.困惑，进迟两难之境 | |
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126
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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127
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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128
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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129
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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130
corks
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| n.脐梅衣；软木( cork的名词复数 )；软木塞 | |
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131
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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132
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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133
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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134
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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135
refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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136
jovial
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| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
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137
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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138
apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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139
strings
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| n.弦 | |
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140
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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141
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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142
abbreviated
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| adj. 简短的，省略的 动词abbreviate的过去式和过去分词 | |
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143
peremptory
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| adj.紧急的，专横的，断然的 | |
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144
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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145
ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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146
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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147
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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148
effervescing
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| v.冒气泡，起泡沫( effervesce的现在分词 ) | |
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149
jeers
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| n.操纵帆桁下部（使其上下的）索具；嘲讽( jeer的名词复数 )v.嘲笑( jeer的第三人称单数 ) | |
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150
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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151
corked
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| adj.带木塞气味的，塞着瓶塞的v.用瓶塞塞住( cork的过去式 ) | |
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152
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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153
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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