小说搜索     点击排行榜   最新入库
首页 » 经典英文小说 » 董贝父子 Dombey and Son » Chapter 48
选择底色: 选择字号:【大】【中】【小】
Chapter 48
关注小说网官方公众号(noveltingroom),原版名著免费领。

The Flight of Florence

In the wildness of her sorrow, shame, and terror, the forlorn girl hurried through the sunshine of a bright morning, as if it were the darkness of a winter night. Wringing1 her hands and weeping bitterly, insensible to everything but the deep wound in her breast, stunned2 by the loss of all she loved, left like the sole survivor3 on a lonely shore from the wreck4 of a great vessel5, she fled without a thought, without a hope, without a purpose, but to fly somewhere anywhere.

The cheerful vista6 of the long street, burnished7 by the morning light, the sight of the blue sky and airy clouds, the vigorous freshness of the day, so flushed and rosy8 in its conquest of the night, awakened9 no responsive feelings in her so hurt bosom10. Somewhere, anywhere, to hide her head! somewhere, anywhere, for refuge, never more to look upon the place from which she fled!

But there were people going to and fro; there were opening shops, and servants at the doors of houses; there was the rising clash and roar of the day's struggle. Florence saw surprise and curiosity in the faces flitting past her; saw long shadows coming back upon the pavement; and heard voices that were strange to her asking her where she went, and what the matter was; and though these frightened her the more at first, and made her hurry on the faster, they did her the good service of recalling her in some degree to herself, and reminding her of the necessity of greater composure.

Where to go? Still somewhere, anywhere! still going on; but where! She thought of the only other time she had been lost in the wild wilderness11 of London - though not lost as now - and went that way. To the home of Walter's Uncle.

Checking her sobs12, and drying her swollen14 eyes, and endeavouring to calm the agitation15 of her manner, so as to avoid attracting notice, Florence, resolving to keep to the more quiet streets as long as she could, was going on more quietly herself, when a familiar little shadow darted16 past upon the sunny pavement, stopped short, wheeled about, came close to her, made off again, bounded round and round her, and Diogenes, panting for breath, and yet making the street ring with his glad bark, was at her feet.

'Oh, Di! oh, dear, true, faithful Di, how did you come here? How could I ever leave you, Di, who would never leave me?'

Florence bent17 down on the pavement, and laid his rough, old, loving, foolish head against her breast, and they got up together, and went on together; Di more off the ground than on it, endeavouring to kiss his mistress flying, tumbling over and getting up again without the least concern, dashing at big dogs in a jocose18 defiance19 of his species, terrifying with touches of his nose young housemaids who were cleaning doorsteps, and continually stopping, in the midst of a thousand extravagances, to look back at Florence, and bark until all the dogs within hearing answered, and all the dogs who could come out, came out to stare at him.

With this last adherent20, Florence hurried away in the advancing morning, and the strengthening sunshine, to the City. The roar soon grew more loud, the passengers more numerous, the shops more busy, until she was carried onward21 in a stream of life setting that way, and flowing, indifferently, past marts and mansions22, prisons, churches, market-places, wealth, poverty, good, and evil, like the broad river side by side with it, awakened from its dreams of rushes, willows23, and green moss24, and rolling on, turbid25 and troubled, among the works and cares of men, to the deep sea.

At length the quarters of the little Midshipman arose in view. Nearer yet, and the little Midshipman himself was seen upon his post, intent as ever on his observations. Nearer yet, and the door stood open, inviting26 her to enter. Florence, who had again quickened her pace, as she approached the end of her journey, ran across the road (closely followed by Diogenes, whom the bustle27 had somewhat confused), ran in, and sank upon the threshold of the well-remembered little parlour.

The Captain, in his glazed28 hat, was standing29 over the fire, making his morning's cocoa, with that elegant trifle, his watch, upon the chimney-piece, for easy reference during the progress of the cookery. Hearing a footstep and the rustle30 of a dress, the Captain turned with a palpitating remembrance of the dreadful Mrs MacStinger, at the instant when Florence made a motion with her hand towards him, reeled, and fell upon the floor.

The Captain, pale as Florence, pale in the very knobs upon his face raised her like a baby, and laid her on the same old sofa upon which she had slumbered31 long ago.

'It's Heart's Delight!' said the Captain, looking intently in her face. 'It's the sweet creetur grow'd a woman!'

Captain Cuttle was so respectful of her, and had such a reverence32 for her, in this new character, that he would not have held her in his arms, while she was unconscious, for a thousand pounds.

'My Heart's Delight!' said the Captain, withdrawing to a little distance, with the greatest alarm and sympathy depicted33 on his countenance34. 'If you can hail Ned Cuttle with a finger, do it!'

But Florence did not stir.

'My Heart's Delight!' said the trembling Captain. 'For the sake of Wal'r drownded in the briny35 deep, turn to, and histe up something or another, if able!'

Finding her insensible to this impressive adjuration36 also, Captain Cuttle snatched from his breakfast-table a basin of cold water, and sprinkled some upon her face. Yielding to the urgency of the case, the Captain then, using his immense hand with extraordinary gentleness, relieved her of her bonnet37, moistened her lips and forehead, put back her hair, covered her feet with his own coat which he pulled off for the purpose, patted her hand - so small in his, that he was struck with wonder when he touched it - and seeing that her eyelids38 quivered, and that her lips began to move, continued these restorative applications with a better heart.

'Cheerily,' said the Captain. 'Cheerily! Stand by, my pretty one, stand by! There! You're better now. Steady's the word, and steady it is. Keep her so! Drink a little drop o' this here,' said the Captain. 'There you are! What cheer now, my pretty, what cheer now?'

At this stage of her recovery, Captain Cuttle, with an imperfect association of a Watch with a Physician's treatment of a patient, took his own down from the mantel-shelf, and holding it out on his hook, and taking Florence's hand in his, looked steadily39 from one to the other, as expecting the dial to do something.

'What cheer, my pretty?' said the Captain. 'What cheer now? You've done her some good, my lad, I believe,' said the Captain, under his breath, and throwing an approving glance upon his watch. 'Put you back half-an-hour every morning, and about another quarter towards the arternoon, and you're a watch as can be ekalled by few and excelled by none. What cheer, my lady lass!'

'Captain Cuttle! Is it you?' exclaimed Florence, raising herself a little.

'Yes, yes, my lady lass,' said the Captain, hastily deciding in his own mind upon the superior elegance40 of that form of address, as the most courtly he could think of.

'Is Walter's Uncle here?' asked Florence.

'Here, pretty?' returned the Captain. 'He ain't been here this many a long day. He ain't been heerd on, since he sheered off arter poor Wal'r. But,' said the Captain, as a quotation41, 'Though lost to sight, to memory dear, and England, Home, and Beauty!'

'Do you live here?' asked Florence.

'Yes, my lady lass,' returned the Captain.

'Oh, Captain Cuttle!' cried Florence, putting her hands together, and speaking wildly. 'Save me! keep me here! Let no one know where I am! I'll tell you what has happened by-and-by, when I can. I have no one in the world to go to. Do not send me away!'

'Send you away, my lady lass!' exclaimed the Captain. 'You, my Heart's Delight! Stay a bit! We'll put up this here deadlight, and take a double turn on the key!'

With these words, the Captain, using his one hand and his hook with the greatest dexterity42, got out the shutter43 of the door, put it up, made it all fast, and locked the door itself.

When he came back to the side of Florence, she took his hand, and kissed it. The helplessness of the action, the appeal it made to him, the confidence it expressed, the unspeakable sorrow in her face, the pain of mind she had too plainly suffered, and was suffering then, his knowledge of her past history, her present lonely, worn, and unprotected appearance, all so rushed upon the good Captain together, that he fairly overflowed44 with compassion45 and gentleness.

'My lady lass,' said the Captain, polishing the bridge of his nose with his arm until it shone like burnished copper46, 'don't you say a word to Ed'ard Cuttle, until such times as you finds yourself a riding smooth and easy; which won't be to-day, nor yet to-morrow. And as to giving of you up, or reporting where you are, yes verily, and by God's help, so I won't, Church catechism, make a note on!'

This the Captain said, reference and all, in one breath, and with much solemnity; taking off his hat at 'yes verily,' and putting it on again, when he had quite concluded.

Florence could do but one thing more to thank him, and to show him how she trusted in him; and she did it' Clinging to this rough creature as the last asylum47 of her bleeding heart, she laid her head upon his honest shoulder, and clasped him round his neck, and would have kneeled down to bless him, but that he divined her purpose, and held her up like a true man.

'Steady!' said the Captain. 'Steady! You're too weak to stand, you see, my pretty, and must lie down here again. There, there!' To see the Captain lift her on the sofa, and cover her with his coat, would have been worth a hundred state sights. 'And now,' said the Captain, 'you must take some breakfast, lady lass, and the dog shall have some too. And arter that you shall go aloft to old Sol Gills's room, and fall asleep there, like a angel.'

Captain Cuttle patted Diogenes when he made allusion48 to him, and Diogenes met that overture49 graciously, half-way. During the administration of the restoratives he had clearly been in two minds whether to fly at the Captain or to offer him his friendship; and he had expressed that conflict of feeling by alternate waggings of his tail, and displays of his teeth, with now and then a growl50 or so. But by this time, his doubts were all removed. It was plain that he considered the Captain one of the most amiable51 of men, and a man whom it was an honour to a dog to know.

In evidence of these convictions, Diogenes attended on the Captain while he made some tea and toast, and showed a lively interest in his housekeeping. But it was in vain for the kind Captain to make such preparations for Florence, who sorely tried to do some honour to them, but could touch nothing, and could only weep and weep again.

'Well, well!' said the compassionate52 Captain, 'arter turning in, my Heart's Delight, you'll get more way upon you. Now, I'll serve out your allowance, my lad.' To Diogenes. 'And you shall keep guard on your mistress aloft.'

Diogenes, however, although he had been eyeing his intended breakfast with a watering mouth and glistening53 eyes, instead of falling to, ravenously54, when it was put before him, pricked55 up his ears, darted to the shop-door, and barked there furiously: burrowing56 with his head at the bottom, as if he were bent on mining his way out.

'Can there be anybody there!' asked Florence, in alarm.

'No, my lady lass,' returned the Captain. 'Who'd stay there, without making any noise! Keep up a good heart, pretty. It's only people going by.'

But for all that, Diogenes barked and barked, and burrowed57 and burrowed, with pertinacious58 fury; and whenever he stopped to listen, appeared to receive some new conviction into his mind, for he set to, barking and burrowing again, a dozen times. Even when he was persuaded to return to his breakfast, he came jogging back to it, with a very doubtful air; and was off again, in another paroxysm, before touching59 a morsel60.

'If there should be someone listening and watching,' whispered Florence. 'Someone who saw me come - who followed me, perhaps.'

'It ain't the young woman, lady lass, is it?' said the Captain, taken with a bright idea

'Susan?' said Florence, shaking her head. 'Ah no! Susan has been gone from me a long time.'

'Not deserted61, I hope?' said the Captain. 'Don't say that that there young woman's run, my pretty!'

'Oh, no, no!' cried Florence. 'She is one of the truest hearts in the world!'

The Captain was greatly relieved by this reply, and expressed his satisfaction by taking off his hard glazed hat, and dabbing62 his head all over with his handkerchief, rolled up like a ball, observing several times, with infinite complacency, and with a beaming countenance, that he know'd it.

'So you're quiet now, are you, brother?' said the Captain to Diogenes. 'There warn't nobody there, my lady lass, bless you!'

Diogenes was not so sure of that. The door still had an attraction for him at intervals63; and he went snuffing about it, and growling64 to himself, unable to forget the subject. This incident, coupled with the Captain's observation of Florence's fatigue65 and faintness, decided66 him to prepare Sol Gills's chamber67 as a place of retirement68 for her immediately. He therefore hastily betook himself to the top of the house, and made the best arrangement of it that his imagination and his means suggested.

It was very clean already; and the Captain being an orderly man, and accustomed to make things ship-shape, converted the bed into a couch, by covering it all over with a clean white drapery. By a similar contrivance, the Captain converted the little dressing-table into a species of altar, on which he set forth69 two silver teaspoons70, a flower-pot, a telescope, his celebrated71 watch, a pocket-comb, and a song-book, as a small collection of rarities, that made a choice appearance. Having darkened the window, and straightened the pieces of carpet on the floor, the Captain surveyed these preparations with great delight, and descended72 to the little parlour again, to bring Florence to her bower73.

Nothing would induce the Captain to believe that it was possible for Florence to walk upstairs. If he could have got the idea into his head, he would have considered it an outrageous74 breach75 of hospitality to allow her to do so. Florence was too weak to dispute the point, and the Captain carried her up out of hand, laid her down, and covered her with a great watch-coat.

'My lady lass!' said the Captain, 'you're as safe here as if you was at the top of St Paul's Cathedral, with the ladder cast off. Sleep is what you want, afore all other things, and may you be able to show yourself smart with that there balsam for the still small woice of a wounded mind! When there's anything you want, my Heart's Delight, as this here humble76 house or town can offer, pass the word to Ed'ard Cuttle, as'll stand off and on outside that door, and that there man will wibrate with joy.' The Captain concluded by kissing the hand that Florence stretched out to him, with the chivalry77 of any old knight-errant, and walking on tiptoe out of the room.

Descending78 to the little parlour, Captain Cuttle, after holding a hasty council with himself, decided to open the shop-door for a few minutes, and satisfy himself that now, at all events, there was no one loitering about it. Accordingly he set it open, and stood upon the threshold, keeping a bright look-out, and sweeping79 the whole street with his spectacles.

'How de do, Captain Gills?' said a voice beside him. The Captain, looking down, found that he had been boarded by Mr Toots while sweeping the horizon.

'How are, you, my lad?' replied the Captain.

'Well, I m pretty well, thank'ee, Captain Gills,' said Mr Toots. 'You know I'm never quite what I could wish to be, now. I don't expect that I ever shall be any more.'

Mr Toots never approached any nearer than this to the great theme of his life, when in conversation with Captain Cuttle, on account of the agreement between them.

'Captain Gills,' said Mr Toots, 'if I could have the pleasure of a word with you, it's - it's rather particular.'

'Why, you see, my lad,' replied the Captain, leading the way into the parlour, 'I ain't what you may call exactly free this morning; and therefore if you can clap on a bit, I should take it kindly80.'

'Certainly, Captain Gills,' replied Mr Toots, who seldom had any notion of the Captain's meaning. 'To clap on, is exactly what I could wish to do. Naturally.'

'If so be, my lad,' returned the Captain. 'Do it!'

The Captain was so impressed by the possession of his tremendous secret - by the fact of Miss Dombey being at that moment under his roof, while the innocent and unconscious Toots sat opposite to him - that a perspiration81 broke out on his forehead, and he found it impossible, while slowly drying the same, glazed hat in hand, to keep his eyes off Mr Toots's face. Mr Toots, who himself appeared to have some secret reasons for being in a nervous state, was so unspeakably disconcerted by the Captain's stare, that after looking at him vacantly for some time in silence, and shifting uneasily on his chair, he said:

'I beg your pardon, Captain Gills, but you don't happen to see anything particular in me, do you?'

'No, my lad,' returned the Captain. 'No.'

'Because you know,' said Mr Toots with a chuckle82, 'I kNOW I'm wasting away. You needn't at all mind alluding83 to that. I - I should like it. Burgess and Co. have altered my measure, I'm in that state of thinness. It's a gratification to me. I - I'm glad of it. I - I'd a great deal rather go into a decline, if I could. I'm a mere84 brute85 you know, grazing upon the surface of the earth, Captain Gills.'

The more Mr Toots went on in this way, the more the Captain was weighed down by his secret, and stared at him. What with this cause of uneasiness, and his desire to get rid of Mr Toots, the Captain was in such a scared and strange condition, indeed, that if he had been in conversation with a ghost, he could hardly have evinced greater discomposure.

'But I was going to say, Captain Gills,' said Mr Toots. 'Happening to be this way early this morning - to tell you the truth, I was coming to breakfast with you. As to sleep, you know, I never sleep now. I might be a Watchman, except that I don't get any pay, and he's got nothing on his mind.'

'Carry on, my lad!' said the Captain, in an admonitory voice.

'Certainly, Captain Gills,' said Mr Toots. 'Perfectly86 true! Happening to be this way early this morning (an hour or so ago), and finding the door shut - '

'What! were you waiting there, brother?' demanded the Captain.

'Not at all, Captain Gills,' returned Mr Toots. 'I didn't stop a moment. I thought you were out. But the person said - by the bye, you don't keep a dog, you, Captain Gills?'

The Captain shook his head.

'To be sure,' said Mr Toots, 'that's exactly what I said. I knew you didn't. There is a dog, Captain Gills, connected with - but excuse me. That's forbidden ground.'

The Captain stared at Mr Toots until he seemed to swell87 to twice his natural size; and again the perspiration broke out on the Captain's forehead, when he thought of Diogenes taking it into his head to come down and make a third in the parlour.

'The person said,' continued Mr Toots, 'that he had heard a dog barking in the shop: which I knew couldn't be, and I told him so. But he was as positive as if he had seen the dog.'

'What person, my lad?' inquired the Captain.

'Why, you see there it is, Captain Gills,' said Mr Toots, with a perceptible increase in the nervousness of his manner. 'It's not for me to say what may have taken place, or what may not have taken place. Indeed, I don't know. I get mixed up with all sorts of things that I don't quite understand, and I think there's something rather weak in my - in my head, in short.'

The Captain nodded his own, as a mark of assent88.

'But the person said, as we were walking away,' continued Mr Toots, 'that you knew what, under existing circumstances, might occur - he said "might," very strongly - and that if you were requested to prepare yourself, you would, no doubt, come prepared.'

'Person, my lad' the Captain repeated.

'I don't know what person, I'm sure, Captain Gills,' replied Mr Toots, 'I haven't the least idea. But coming to the door, I found him waiting there; and he said was I coming back again, and I said yes; and he said did I know you, and I said, yes, I had the pleasure of your acquaintance - you had given me the pleasure of your acquaintance, after some persuasion89; and he said, if that was the case, would I say to you what I have said, about existing circumstances and coming prepared, and as soon as ever I saw you, would I ask you to step round the corner, if it was only for one minute, on most important business, to Mr Brogley's the Broker's. Now, I tell you what, Captain Gills - whatever it is, I am convinced it's very important; and if you like to step round, now, I'll wait here till you come back.'

The Captain, divided between his fear of compromising Florence in some way by not going, and his horror of leaving Mr Toots in possession of the house with a chance of finding out the secret, was a spectacle of mental disturbance91 that even Mr Toots could not be blind to. But that young gentleman, considering his nautical92 friend as merely in a state of preparation for the interview he was going to have, was quite satisfied, and did not review his own discreet93 conduct without chuckle

At length the Captain decided, as the lesser94 of two evils, to run round to Brogley's the Broker's: previously95 locking the door that communicated with the upper part of the house, and putting the key in his pocket. 'If so be,' said the Captain to Mr Toots, with not a little shame and hesitation96, 'as you'll excuse my doing of it, brother.'

'Captain Gills,' returned Mr Toots, 'whatever you do, is satisfactory to me.

The Captain thanked him heartily97, and promising90 to come back in less than five minutes, went out in quest of the person who had entrusted98 Mr Toots with this mysterious message. Poor Mr Toots, left to himself, lay down upon the sofa, little thinking who had reclined there last, and, gazing up at the skylight and resigning himself to visions of Miss Dombey, lost all heed99 of time and place.

It was as well that he did so; for although the Captain was not gone long, he was gone much longer than he had proposed. When he came back, he was very pale indeed, and greatly agitated100, and even looked as if he had been shedding tears. He seemed to have lost the faculty101 of speech, until he had been to the cupboard and taken a dram of rum from the case-bottle, when he fetched a deep breath, and sat down in a chair with his hand before his face.

'Captain Gills,' said Toots, kindly, 'I hope and trust there's nothing wrong?'

'Thank'ee, my lad, not a bit,' said the Captain. 'Quite contrairy.'

'You have the appearance of being overcome, Captain Gills,' observed Mr Toots.

'Why, my lad, I am took aback,' the Captain admitted. 'I am.'

'Is there anything I can do, Captain Gills?' inquired Mr Toots. 'If there is, make use of me.'

The Captain removed his hand from his face, looked at him with a remarkable102 expression of pity and tenderness, and took him by the hand, and shook it hard.

'No, thank'ee,' said the Captain. 'Nothing. Only I'll take it as a favour if you'll part company for the present. I believe, brother,' wringing his hand again, 'that, after Wal'r, and on a different model, you're as good a lad as ever stepped.'

'Upon my word and honour, Captain Gills,' returned Mr Toots, giving the Captain's hand a preliminary slap before shaking it again, 'it's delightful103 to me to possess your good opinion. Thank'ee.

'And bear a hand and cheer up,' said the Captain, patting him on the back. 'What! There's more than one sweet creetur in the world!'

'Not to me, Captain Gills,' replied Mr Toots gravely. 'Not to me, I assure you. The state of my feelings towards Miss Dombey is of that unspeakable description, that my heart is a desert island, and she lives in it alone. I'm getting more used up every day, and I'm proud to be so. If you could see my legs when I take my boots off, you'd form some idea of what unrequited affection is. I have been prescribed bark, but I don't take it, for I don't wish to have any tone whatever given to my constitution. I'd rather not. This, however, is forbidden ground. Captain Gills, goodbye!'

Captain Cuttle cordially reciprocating104 the warmth of Mr Toots's farewell, locked the door behind him, and shaking his head with the same remarkable expression of pity and tenderness as he had regarded him with before, went up to see if Florence wanted him.

There was an entire change in the Captain's face as he went upstairs. He wiped his eyes with his handkerchief, and he polished the bridge of his nose with his sleeve as he had done already that morning, but his face was absolutely changed. Now, he might have been thought supremely105 happy; now, he might have been thought sad; but the kind of gravity that sat upon his features was quite new to them, and was as great an improvement to them as if they had undergone some sublimating106 process.

He knocked softly, with his hook, at Florence's door, twice or thrice; but, receiving no answer, ventured first to peep in, and then to enter: emboldened107 to take the latter step, perhaps, by the familiar recognition of Diogenes, who, stretched upon the ground by the side of her couch, wagged his tail, and winked108 his eyes at the Captain, without being at the trouble of getting up.

She was sleeping heavily, and moaning in her sleep; and Captain Cuttle, with a perfect awe109 of her youth, and beauty, and her sorrow, raised her head, and adjusted the coat that covered her, where it had fallen off, and darkened the window a little more that she might sleep on, and crept out again, and took his post of watch upon the stairs. All this, with a touch and tread as light as Florence's own.

Long may it remain in this mixed world a point not easy of decision, which is the more beautiful evidence of the Almighty's goodness - the delicate fingers that are formed for sensitiveness and sympathy of touch, and made to minister to pain and grief, or the rough hard Captain Cuttle hand, that the heart teaches, guides, and softens110 in a moment!

Florence slept upon her couch, forgetful of her homelessness and orphanage111, and Captain Cuttle watched upon the stairs. A louder sob13 or moan than usual, brought him sometimes to her door; but by degrees she slept more peacefully, and the Captain's watch was undisturbed.

这位孤独无助的女孩子怀着极度的悲痛、羞耻与恐怖,在晴朗的早晨的阳光中奔跑着,仿佛这是一个黑暗的冬夜一样。她使劲绞扭着自己的手,痛苦地哭着,除了胸中深刻的创伤之外,什么也感觉不到;由于失去了她所爱的一切,她晕眩发愣;就像一只大船遭难以后在荒凉的海滨唯一还活下来的人一样,她没有思想,没有希望,没有目的地奔跑着,只想跑到一个什么地方去——任何地方都可以。

长街的林荫路景被晨曦抹上一层光泽,令人赏心悦目;蓝色的天空中飘浮着几朵轻轻的白云;白天战胜黑夜之后,精神抖擞,生气勃勃,脸上泛上一片红晕;但这一切在她破碎的心中却唤不起任何反应的感情。到一个什么地方去,任何地方都可以,只要能把她隐藏起来就行!到一个什么地方去,任何地方都可以,只要能找到一个避身之处,永远也不再去看到她逃出来的地方就行!

可是街道上行人来来往往;商店开着门,仆人们出现在房屋的门口;人们为日常生活与工作奔忙而引起的纷争与喧嚣正在逐渐增加。弗洛伦斯看到从她身旁匆匆走过的脸上露出了惊异与好奇的表情,看到长长的影子怎样又返回到人行道上;她听到陌生的在问她,她到哪里去,发生了什么事;虽然这些情况最初使她更加惊恐,促使她加快步子,更加急忙地往前跑去,可是它们却同时使她在一定程度上恢复冷静,并提醒她必须更加泰然自若,这对她是有好处的。

到哪里去?仍然是到一个什么地方去,任何地方都可以!仍然是一直往前走。可是走到哪里去呢?她想起她在唯一的另一次,曾经在这宽阔茫茫的伦敦迷了路——虽然并不是像现在这样迷了路——,于是就沿着那条路走去。到沃尔特舅舅的家里去。

弗洛伦斯抑制住啜泣,擦干了臃肿的眼睛,竭力使她激动的心情平静下来,以免引起行人的注意,并决定尽可能沿着行人比较稀少的街道走,她自己也更镇静了;这时候一个熟悉的小影子飞快地冲到阳光照射着的人行道上来,突然停住,转着圈子,跑近她的身边,然后又跑开,在她的四周跳跃着,原来是戴奥吉尼斯跑到她的脚边来了;它喘着气,但仍让街上响彻了它的快乐的吠叫声。

“啊,戴!啊亲爱的、真诚的、忠实的戴,你怎么跑到这里来的?你永远也不会离开我,我怎么能离开你呢,戴?”

弗洛伦斯在人行道上弯下身去,把他的毛发蓬乱、久已熟悉、感情深切而又傻里傻气的头紧贴在她的胸前,然后一道站起来,一道向前走去。戴跳离地面的时间比在地上走的时间还多,因为它力图飞跳起来去吻他的女主人;它在地上打滚,然后又无忧无虑地起来,向大狗猛冲过去,向它的同类开玩笑地进行挑战;它吓唬正在清扫门阶的年轻女仆,用鼻子去碰她们;它还经常在作了种种放纵的行为之后,突然停下来,回头看着弗洛伦斯,并吠叫着,直到后来附近所有能听到的狗都响应地吠叫起来,所有能跑出来的狗都跑出来瞪着眼睛看着它。

弗洛伦斯跟这个最后的追随者一起,在早晨时间的流逝中,在逐渐热起来的阳光中,向着伦敦城赶紧走去。不久,喧嚣声更响了,行人更多了,商店更忙碌了,直到后来,朝着这个方向流去的生活的溪流载着她向前流去,它像和它并排流动的宽阔的大河一样漠不关心地流过商业中心地带,流过大厦,流过监狱,流过教堂、流过市集,流过财富,流过贫困,流过善与恶;它曾经梦到过芦苇、杨柳与青苔,这时它从这些梦中醒过来,在人们的工作中与忧虑中,混浊不清、起伏不平地滚滚流向深海。

终于,小海军军官候补生管辖的地盘已经出现在眼前了。再走近一些,小海军军官候补生本人也看得见了;他站在他的岗位上,像往常一样,专心致志地观察着。再走近一些,开着的门在邀请她进去。弗洛伦斯在接近旅程终点时已重新加快了步伐,这时跑着穿过了道路(戴奥吉尼斯紧紧跟着,街上熙熙攘攘、乱乱哄哄的景象使它莫名其妙),从门中穿了进去,倒在她记得清清楚楚的小客厅的门槛上。

船长戴着上了光的帽子,站在炉火前面,正煮着早晨的可可;他那精致漂亮的玩艺儿——他的表搁在壁炉架上,这样他在煮可可的时候就可以方便地知道时间。他听到脚步声和衣服移动时发出的窸窣声,心房怦怦跳动地想起可怕的麦克斯适杰太太,于是就转过身去;就在这个时刻,弗洛伦斯向他伸出手,头脑发晕,倒在地板上。

船长脸色像弗洛伦斯一样苍白,脸上的每一个疙瘩都苍白了;他把她像个婴孩一样托了起来,放在她好久以前曾经睡过的那张沙发上。

“这是心的喜悦!”船长目不转睛地注视着她的脸,说道,“这就是那个可爱的小人儿,现在已长成一个大姑娘了!”

卡特尔船长对她是这样有礼貌,对现已成年的她是这样尊敬,就是给他一千镑,他也不会在她没有知觉的情况下把她抱在怀里的。

“我的心的喜悦!”船长向后退了几步,脸上露出极大的惊慌与同情,说道:“如果您能用个指头给内德·卡特尔打出一个信号,那就请打出吧!”

可是弗洛伦斯没有动。

“我的心的喜悦!”颤抖着的船长说道。“看在淹死在深海中的沃尔特的分上,随风转舵吧;如果可能的话,那么就请升上一面什么旗吧!”

卡特尔船长看到她对这打动人心的恳求也毫无感觉,就从吃早餐的桌子上取来一盆冷水,洒了一些在她脸上。由于情况紧急,船长用他的大手非常轻柔地摘下她的帽子,蘸湿她的嘴唇和前额,把她的头发撩回去,还特地脱下他自己的外套,盖在她的脚上,并轻轻地拍着她的手——她的手在他的手中显得那么小,他接触到它的时候,感到万分惊讶——;当他看到她的眼皮在颤动,她的嘴唇开始翕动的时候,他怀着轻松一些的心情,继续进行这些抢救措施。

“高高兴兴地,”船长说道,“高高兴兴地!做好准备,我的宝贝,做好准备!就这样!您现在好一些了。沉着气!别着急!就这么办!现在喝几滴吧,”船长说道,“您看,我说对了吧!现在怎么样,我的宝贝,现在怎么样?”

在她开始慢慢恢复过来的时候,卡特尔船长把表跟医生诊察病人的方法模糊地联系起来了;他从壁炉架上取下表,挂在他的钩子上,然后把弗洛伦斯的手放在他的手里,不断地一会儿看看手,一会儿看看表,好像指望从表的针盘上看到什么似的。

“现在怎么样,我的宝贝?”船长说道,“现在怎么样?我觉得,你已给她帮了一些忙,我的孩子,”船长低声说道,一边向表赞许地看了一眼。“每天早上把你拨回半小时,每天傍晚把你拨回大约一刻钟,这样就只有少数几只表能跟你不分高低,能超过你的就绝对没有了。现在怎么样,我的小姑娘夫人?”

“卡特尔船长,是您吗?”弗洛伦斯稍稍欠起身来,喊道。

“是的,是的,我的小姑娘夫人,”船长在心中急忙决定采用这个最优美的称呼方式,这是他所能想出来的最尊敬的称呼方式。

“沃尔特舅舅在这里吗?”弗洛伦斯问道。

“在这里吗,宝贝?”船长回答道,“他已好久不在这里了。自从他出去寻找可怜的沃尔特以后,就没有听到他的消息了。不过,”船长采用了一段引语,说道,“虽然已看不到他了,但却仍亲切地怀念着他;英国,故乡与美丽万岁!”

“您住在这里吗?”弗洛伦斯问道。

“是的,我的小姑娘夫人,”船长回答道。

“啊,卡特尔船长,”弗洛伦斯喊道,一边把两只手合在一起,疯狂似地说着。“救救我吧!把我留在这里吧!别让任何人知道我在哪里!不久等我恢复精力以后,我会把发生的事情告诉您的。在这世界上,我已没有可以投靠的人了。别把我打发走吧!”

“把您打发走,我的小姑娘夫人!”船长高声喊道。“您,我的心的喜悦,等一会儿,我们把舷窗盖关紧,把钥匙在锁眼里转动两次!”

船长说完之后,就极其熟练地用一只手和他的钩子从门上取下护窗板,把它关上,并把门锁紧。

当他回到弗洛伦斯身边的时候,她拉过他的手,吻了吻它。她在这个动作中表达出她无依无靠的处境,也表达了她对他的恳求和她对他的信任;在她脸上流露出难以形容的悲伤。她在精神上无疑曾经受到而且还继续受着痛苦;他知道她过去的历史,又看到她现在孤苦伶仃、精疲力竭、毫无保护的状态,——所有这一切全都涌集到善良的船长的心头,使他充满了怜悯与温厚的感情。

“我的小姑娘夫人,”船长说道,一边用袖子擦着鼻梁,把它擦得像磨亮的铜一样,闪闪发亮,“在你觉得能风平浪静、从容自在地航行之前,请一个字也别跟爱德华·卡特尔说。不在今天,也不在明天。至于说把您抛弃,或者去报告您在哪里,那么说实话,依靠上帝帮助,我是不会干这种事情的。请去翻一下《教义问答》,在找到这句话的地方,请做个记号!”

这些话连同《教义问答》的引语,船长是一口气说出来的,说时一本正经,在说到“说实话”的时候,他摘下了帽子,在所有的话都说完之后又把它戴上。

弗洛伦斯唯一能做的事就是感谢他,并向他表示她信任他,她这样做了。她抱住这个性格粗犷的人,把他作为她悲痛的心的最后一个庇护所;她把头靠在他的诚实的肩膀上,搂着他的脖子,本来还想跪下去感谢他,可是他猜到了她的意图,就像一个真正的男子汉一样制止了她。

“镇静!”船长说道。“镇静!您知道,我的宝贝,您太虚弱了,不好站着,必须再躺到这里来。好了,好了!”看看船长怎样把她托起来,放到沙发上,并把他的外套覆盖着她,即使把成百个壮丽的景色丢开不看,那也是值得的,“现在,”船长说道,“您必须吃点早饭,小姑娘夫人,这条狗也要吃点。

然后您上楼到老所尔·吉尔斯的房间去,像天使一样睡一觉。”

卡特尔船长提到戴奥吉尼斯的时候,抚摸抚摸它,戴奥吉尼斯亲切地迎着他走过去接受这一建议。在船长对弗洛伦斯进行抢救措施的时候,他显然打不定主意,是向船长猛扑过去呢,还是向他表示友好。他感情上的这种斗争,表现在或者摇摇尾巴,或者露露牙齿,有时还嗥叫一、两声。但到这时他的疑团已完全消除了。很明显,他认为船长是最和蔼可亲的人们当中的一位,跟他认识对任何一条狗来说都是光荣的。

可以证明他怀有这样信念的是,当船长在泡茶和烤面包片的时候,他一直跟随着船长,并对他的家务管理表示出浓厚的兴趣。可是仁厚的船长给弗洛伦斯准备这些饮食却是白费力气,她本想要表示一点领情的心意,尽量设法吃一点,但却什么也吃不下去,而只能哭着,不住地哭着。

“好了,好了,”富有同情心的船长说道,“你需要睡觉了,我的心的喜悦,睡一觉之后你跑的航程会更多。现在,我要给你发口粮了,我的孩子。”他对戴奥吉尼斯说道。“在这之后,你应当到楼上去守卫你的女主人。”

戴奥吉尼斯起初虽然流着口水,眼睛闪着亮光,直盯盯地看着指定给他的早餐,但是当把早餐端到他面前的时候,他却没有饿得迫不及待地向它扑过去,而是竖起耳朵,奔到店门边,狂暴地吠叫着,并用鼻面在门槛下面打着洞,仿佛他想要掘通一条出路似的。

“难道那里有什么人吗?”弗洛伦斯惊恐地问道。

“没有,我的小姑娘夫人,”船长回答道。“有谁到这里会不敲门的呢?大胆些,别害怕,宝贝。看来只不过有人路过这里罢了。”

可是虽然这么说,戴奥吉尼斯仍怀着难以消除的怒气,吠叫着,吠叫着,在门槛下面打着洞,打着洞;每当他停下来听一听的时候,他总好像是更有信心似的,因为他又开始吠叫和打洞,这样反复了十多次。甚至当劝他回去吃早餐的时候,他还是露出十分疑惑的神色,慢吞吞地走着;然后一口也没吃,又突然发起怒来,向门口猛冲过去。

“是不是有什么人在那里偷听和偷看?”弗洛伦斯低声说道,“也许有什么人看到我到这里来了——有什么人跟随着我吧。”

“那位姑娘不会到这里来吧,小姑娘夫人?”船长心中忽然闪现出一个想法,就这样问道。

“苏珊?”弗洛伦斯摇摇头,说道。“嗳,不会的!苏珊早就离开我了。”

“我希望,不是抛开你,擅自离走的吧?”船长问道。“别跟我讲那位姑娘逃跑的事,我的宝贝!”

“啊,不,不!”弗洛伦斯喊道,“她的心是世界上最忠诚的心当中的一个。”

船长听到这个回答,感到十分宽慰,他取下那顶上了光的硬帽子,用卷得像一只球似的手绢轻轻拍打着脑袋各处,并怀着无比自得的心情,露出喜气洋洋的神色,几次重复说道,他知道这一点,他就这样来表示他的满意。

“好了,你现在安静了,是不是,老弟?”船长对戴奥吉尼斯说道,“那里没有什么人,我的小姑娘夫人,上帝保佑您!”

戴奥吉尼斯对这一点倒并不是那么确信无疑。门仍不时吸引他的注意。他嗅嗅它,嗥叫着。没有把这件事忘记。这个情况,以及船长注意到弗洛伦斯的疲倦和虚弱,使卡特尔船长决定立即把所尔·吉尔斯的卧房收拾收拾,作为她隐居休息的地方。因此他急忙跑到房屋顶层,凭着他的想象和他能够动用的材料,把它尽可能布置得好一些。

房间已经很干净了;船长是个有条理的人,习惯于把东西收拾得像船里一样整整齐齐;他把床改成一张躺椅,在上面盖一块干净的白布;船长采用类似的设计,把化妆台改成一个类似圣坛似的东西;他在上面摆了两只银茶匙,一个花盆,一架望远镜,他的有名的表,一只可以随身携带的梳子,一本歌曲集;这些珍品集合在一起,看上去十分优美。船长把窗帘拉下,使房间的光线阴暗一些,又把地板上的地毯拉平,然后十分高兴地把这些布置好了的物品打量了一番以后,又走到楼下的小客厅里去把弗洛伦斯安置到她的闺房里来。

船长无论如何也不会相信弗洛伦斯有力气走上楼去;如果他真以为她有力气上去的话,那么他也认为让弗洛伦斯独自上楼,是粗暴地违反了他殷勤款待客人的规则。弗洛伦斯太虚弱了,不能不同意他的这个看法,所以船长立即用手把她托着送上楼,然后放下来,用航海值班时穿着的一件厚大衣盖在她身上。

“我的小姑娘夫人,”船长说道,“我把梯子抽掉以后,您在这里就像待在圣保罗大教堂里一样安全了。您首先需要睡觉;您的受了创伤的心还有一些痛,但采用香膏治疗之后,也许能使你精神愉快起来!我的心的喜悦,如果您需要什么东西,这个粗陋的住宅或这个城市能够提供的话,那么请您就对爱德华·卡特尔说一句;他将到门外去给您站岗放哨,这样您就会使他心里高兴,精神振奋的。”船长说完之后,像一位老游侠骑士一样,崇敬有礼地吻了吻弗洛伦斯向他伸出的手,并踮着脚尖走出了房间。

卡特尔船长走到楼下小会客室里,心里急忙琢磨了一番之后,决定把店门打开几分钟,使他自己放心,至少现在没有什么人在附近闲逛。因此,他打开门,站在门槛上,小心戒备,戴上眼镜,扫视着整个街道。

“您好,吉尔斯船长!”他身旁的一个声音说道。船长低头看,发现当他向远处扫视的时候,图茨先生已经靠近他了。

“您好吗,我的孩子,”船长回答道。

“唔,我很好,谢谢您,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生说道,“您知道,我从没有像现在感觉得这么好,这正是我所希望的。

我也不指望今后什么时候还能会这样好的了。”

图茨先生跟卡特尔船长谈话的时候,从来没有像现在这样明白地暗示过他生活中的这个重要的话题,因为他遵守他们之间达成的协议。

“吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生说道,“如果我能荣幸地跟您谈一句话的话,这是——这是一件重要的事情。”

“啊,您听我说,我的孩子,”船长回答道,一边把他领到客厅里,“今天早上我不很空;所以您如果能急忙张帆的话,那么我将会十分感谢。”

“当然,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生回答道,他不太明白船长话中的含意。“急忙张帆,这正是我希望要做的事情。这是很自然的。”

“如果是这样的话,我的孩子,”船长回答道,“那就请这么做吧。”

船长由于保守着那极大的秘密——董贝小姐这时候就在他的家里,而天真的图茨先生则坐在他的对面,对这一无所知——,心神十分不定,额上都冒出了一颗汗珠。当他手里拿着上了光的帽子,慢条斯理地把它擦干的时候,他觉得他不能把眼睛从图茨先生的脸上移开。看来,图茨先生本人也有一些秘密的理由使他感到紧张不安;船长的凝视使他心烦意乱;他默默地、发呆地向他看了一些时候,很不自在地在椅子上移来移去,然后说道:

“请原谅,吉尔斯船长,您没有看到我有什么特殊的地方吧,是不是?”

“没有,我的孩子,”船长回答道,“没有。”

“因为您知道,”图茨先生吃吃地笑了一下,说道,“我知道我瘦了。您丝毫不必顾虑,指出这一点好了。我——我喜欢这样。我瘦得这个样子,伯吉斯公司已经重新量了我的尺寸。我感到满意。我——我喜欢这样。如果我能做得到的话,那么我真十分愿意衰弱下去。您知道,我只不过是一头在地面上吃草的畜牲罢了。吉尔斯船长。”

图茨先生愈是这样滔滔不绝地说下去,船长被他自己的秘密压得愈是难受,也就愈是凝神地注视着他。由于存在这样一个使他感到不安的原因,又由于他一心想摆脱掉图茨先生,所以他当时处在十分惶恐与奇怪的状态中;如果他是在跟一个鬼怪交谈的话,那么他也未必会露出更为心绪不宁的神色的。

“可是我现在想跟您谈一下,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生说道,“今天早上我正好往这里走过来,——说老实话吧,我想来跟您一道吃早饭。至于睡觉,您知道,我现在完全不睡觉了。我可以说跟一位更夫一样,所不同的是,没有人给我发工资,更夫也没有什么沉重的心事。”

“说下去,我的孩子!”船长用警告的语气说道。

“当然,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生说道。“完全正确!今天早上我正好往这里走过来(大概在一个小时以前),发现门关着——”

“怎么!是·您在门口等候着呀,老弟?”船长问道。

“完全不是,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生回答道。“我片刻也没有停留。我以为您出去了。可是那人说——顺便问一下,您家里没有养狗吧,·是·不·是,吉尔斯船长?”

船长摇摇头。

“不错,”图茨先生说道,“我也正是这样说的。我知道您没有养狗。有一条狗,吉尔斯船长,是属于——不过对不起。

那是禁区。”

船长凝神看着图茨先生,直到他的身形似乎比原来的大出一倍为止;当船长想到戴奥吉尼斯忽然想要跑到楼下来,成为客厅里的第三者的时候,他的额上又冒汗了。

“那个人说,“图茨先生继续说道,“他听见有条狗在这店里叫;但我知道这是不可能的,我也是这样对他说的;可是他说得那么斩钉截铁,仿佛他亲眼看到那条狗似的。”

“是个什么人,我的孩子?”船长问道。

“唔,您看,事情是这样的,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生神态显得更加紧张不安,说道,“这不该由我来说什么事情可能发生或什么事情可能不会发生。确实,我不知道。我把我不十分明白的各种事情全混淆了,我觉得我的——直截了当地说吧,我觉得我的脑子有些差劲。”

船长点点头,表示同意。

“可是当我们离开的时候,”图茨先生继续说道,“那个人说,您知道在目前情况下·可·能会发生什么事情——他说‘可能’这两个字的时候是很富于表情的。——他还说,如果请您做好准备的话,那么您无疑就会做好准备的。”

“这是个什么人,我的孩子?”船长重复问道。

“确实,我不知道这是个什么人,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生回答道,“我一点也不知道。不过我走到门口的时候,发现他在那里等候着;他问我是不是还回来,我说还回来,他问我是不是认识您,我说是的,在我向您请求之后,我荣幸地跟您结识了;他说,如果是这样的话,那么我是不是跟您说一说我刚才已经对您说过的,关于在目前情况下和做好准备等等那些话;他还说,是不是我一见到您,就请您拐过这条街角,到经纪人布罗格利先生那里去一下。哪怕去一分钟也好,因为有一件极为重要的事情。我不知道这是一件什么事情,但我相信那是很重要的;如果您高兴现在就去,那么我可以在这里等您回来。”

船长担心不去会在某些方面连累到弗洛伦斯,但又怕把图茨先生单独留在屋子里,他可能碰巧会发现那个秘密,这左右为难的考虑使他心烦意乱,甚至连图茨先生也看出来了。不过这位年轻的先生以为他这位海员朋友只不过是在为即将进行的会晤进行准备,所以感到很满意,当他回想到自己谨慎的行为时,他还吃吃地笑了几声。

两害相权取其轻。船长终于决定到经纪人布罗格利那里去,并事先把通到楼上的门锁上,钥匙放在他自己的衣袋中。

“如果是这样的话,”船长不是毫无羞愧与犹豫地对图茨先生说道,“请您原谅我这么做吧,老弟。”

“吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生回答道,“不论您做什么,我都是满意的。”

船长由衷地感谢他,答应在不到五分钟的时间内回来,然后就出去寻找那位托图茨先生捎带这神秘口讯的人。可怜的图茨先生在独自留下的时候,躺在沙发上,根本没有猜想到谁曾经在这里躺过,同时仰望着天窗,沉陷在对董贝小姐的胡思乱想之中,忘记了时间与地点。

对他来说这样倒也有好处;因为船长虽然走了不久,但比他原先提出的时间还是长久好多。他回来的时候,脸色苍白,情绪十分激动,甚至看去仿佛流过眼泪似的。他似乎失去了说话的能力,直到他走到碗柜跟前,深深地吸了一口气,用手捂着脸,在椅子中坐下来为止。

“吉尔斯船长,”图茨亲切地问道,“我希望,而且我也相信,没有什么不好的事情吧?”

“谢谢您,我的孩子,一点也没有。”船长说道,“情况恰恰相反。”

“从您的神态看,您太激动了,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生说道。

“唔,我的孩子,我被吓了一跳,”船长承认道,“确实是这样。”

“我能帮助您做点事情吗,吉尔斯船长?”图茨先生说道。

“如果有什么事情需要我帮助的话,那么您就指派我去做吧。”

船长把手从脸上拿下来,露出某种异常怜悯与亲切的表情看着他,并拉住他的手,紧紧地握着。

“没有,谢谢您,”船长说道。“没有什么事。不过如果您现在跟我告别的话,那么我就觉得您是给我做了一件好事了。我相信,老弟,”他又紧握着他的手,“除了沃尔特,您是世界上最好的孩子了,虽然您跟他是不同的类型。”

“说实话,我以荣誉发誓,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生回答道,他先轻轻地拍了一下船长的手,然后又握着它,“我真高兴能得到您的好评。谢谢您。”

“请您帮个忙,高兴起来吧,”船长拍拍他的背,说道。

“有什么了不起!世界上可爱的姑娘不止一个哪!”

“对我来说不是这样,吉尔斯船长,”图茨先生一本正经地回答道。“请相信我,对我来说不是这样。我对董贝小姐的感情是难以形容的;我的心是一个荒岛,只有她一个人住在上面。我一天天地消瘦下去,我对这感到自豪。如果您能看到我脱掉靴子以后的腿,那么您对什么是单恋就可以有一点概念了。医生给我开药方,让我服规那皮,可是我没有服,因为我根本不想增强我的体质。是的,我不想。不过,这是禁区。吉尔斯船长,再见!”

卡特尔船长真心诚意地回答了图茨先生热情的告别,然后把门锁上,一边露出和他刚才看图茨时同样异常的怜悯与亲切的表情,摇着头,一边上楼去看看弗洛伦斯是否需要他帮忙。

船长上楼去的时候,脸上的表情完全改变了。他用手绢抹去眼泪,又像他这天早上所做的那样,用袖子擦亮他的鼻梁;可是他脸上的表情是截然不同地改变了。他一会儿看上去是无比地快乐,一会儿看上去又像是怀着悲伤的心情;但是在他脸上有一种庄重的神色,却是过去从来没有过的,它使他的容貌变得漂亮起来了,仿佛他的脸已经历过某种升华的过程似的。

他用钩子轻轻地在弗洛伦斯的门上敲了两、三下;但是得不到任何回答,他就大胆地先往里窥探了一下,然后走进去;他之所以大胆地采取了后一个步骤,也许是因为戴奥吉尼斯把他当做熟人来欢迎的缘故。戴奥吉尼斯伸直身子,躺在她的睡椅旁边的地上,向船长摇着尾巴,眨巴着眼睛,但却懒得起来。

她正在酣睡,在睡眠中还哼叫着。卡特尔船长对她的年轻、美丽和忧伤怀着完全崇敬的心情,抬起她的头,把这时已经掉落的大衣重新拉好,复盖在她身上,并把窗帘遮蔽得更严密一些,使她可以继续好好地睡觉,然后又踮着脚尖,走出房间,在楼梯上守卫。他所做的这一切,不论是接触一下还是移动一下脚步,全都是轻悄悄的,就像弗洛伦斯自己的一样。

在这复杂的世界上可能还会长久留下一个不易判断的问题:哪一个能更美好地证明全能的上帝的慈善?——是那创造出来,为了进行同情的、温存的抚摸,并用来减轻痛苦与悲哀的巧妙的手指呢?还是那只由心灵进行教育、指导并能在片刻间使它变得温柔起来的、卡特尔船长的粗糙的、坚硬的手呢?

弗洛伦斯在她的躺椅中睡着,忘记了她无家可归、孤苦伶仃的处境;卡特尔船长则在楼梯上守卫着。一声比平常更响的抽泣或哼叫有时促使他走到她的门口,但是逐渐地,她睡得比较沉静了;船长的守卫也没有再受到干扰。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 wringing 70c74d76c2d55027ff25f12f2ab350a9     
淋湿的,湿透的
参考例句:
  • He was wringing wet after working in the field in the hot sun. 烈日下在田里干活使他汗流满面。
  • He is wringing out the water from his swimming trunks. 他正在把游泳裤中的水绞出来。
2 stunned 735ec6d53723be15b1737edd89183ec2     
adj. 震惊的,惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
  • The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。
3 survivor hrIw8     
n.生存者,残存者,幸存者
参考例句:
  • The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.这次撞车的惟一幸存者是一个婴儿。
  • There was only one survivor of the plane crash.这次飞机失事中只有一名幸存者。
4 wreck QMjzE     
n.失事,遇难;沉船;vt.(船等)失事,遇难
参考例句:
  • Weather may have been a factor in the wreck.天气可能是造成这次失事的原因之一。
  • No one can wreck the friendship between us.没有人能够破坏我们之间的友谊。
5 vessel 4L1zi     
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管
参考例句:
  • The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
  • You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。
6 vista jLVzN     
n.远景,深景,展望,回想
参考例句:
  • From my bedroom window I looked out on a crowded vista of hills and rooftops.我从卧室窗口望去,远处尽是连绵的山峦和屋顶。
  • These uprisings come from desperation and a vista of a future without hope.发生这些暴动是因为人们被逼上了绝路,未来看不到一点儿希望。
7 burnished fd53130f8c1e282780d281f960e0b9ad     
adj.抛光的,光亮的v.擦亮(金属等),磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 );被擦亮,磨光
参考例句:
  • The floor was spotless; the grate and fire-irons were burnished bright. 地板上没有污迹;炉栅和火炉用具擦得发亮。 来自辞典例句
  • The woods today are burnished bronze. 今天的树林是一片发亮的青铜色。 来自辞典例句
8 rosy kDAy9     
adj.美好的,乐观的,玫瑰色的
参考例句:
  • She got a new job and her life looks rosy.她找到一份新工作,生活看上去很美好。
  • She always takes a rosy view of life.她总是对生活持乐观态度。
9 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 bosom Lt9zW     
n.胸,胸部;胸怀;内心;adj.亲密的
参考例句:
  • She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。
  • A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。
11 wilderness SgrwS     
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
12 sobs d4349f86cad43cb1a5579b1ef269d0cb     
啜泣(声),呜咽(声)( sob的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • She was struggling to suppress her sobs. 她拼命不让自己哭出来。
  • She burst into a convulsive sobs. 她突然抽泣起来。
13 sob HwMwx     
n.空间轨道的轰炸机;呜咽,哭泣
参考例句:
  • The child started to sob when he couldn't find his mother.孩子因找不到他妈妈哭了起来。
  • The girl didn't answer,but continued to sob with her head on the table.那个女孩不回答,也不抬起头来。她只顾低声哭着。
14 swollen DrcwL     
adj.肿大的,水涨的;v.使变大,肿胀
参考例句:
  • Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着,她的双腿已经肿了。
  • A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她,她的手臂肿起来了。
15 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
16 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
17 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
18 jocose H3Fx7     
adj.开玩笑的,滑稽的
参考例句:
  • Dr. Daniel was a gleg man of a jocose nature.丹尼尔大夫是一位天生诙谐而反应机敏的人。
  • His comic dialogues are jocose and jocular,thought-provoking.他的小品诙谐,逗乐,发人深省。
19 defiance RmSzx     
n.挑战,挑衅,蔑视,违抗
参考例句:
  • He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
  • He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。
20 adherent cyqzU     
n.信徒,追随者,拥护者
参考例句:
  • He was most liberal where money would bring him a powerful or necessary political adherent.在金钱能够收买一个干练的或者必需的政治拥护者的地方,他是最不惜花钱的。
  • He's a pious adherent of Buddhism.他是一位虔诚的佛教徒。
21 onward 2ImxI     
adj.向前的,前进的;adv.向前,前进,在先
参考例句:
  • The Yellow River surges onward like ten thousand horses galloping.黄河以万马奔腾之势滚滚向前。
  • He followed in the steps of forerunners and marched onward.他跟随着先辈的足迹前进。
22 mansions 55c599f36b2c0a2058258d6f2310fd20     
n.宅第,公馆,大厦( mansion的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Fifth Avenue was boarded up where the rich had deserted their mansions. 第五大道上的富翁们已经出去避暑,空出的宅第都已锁好了门窗,钉上了木板。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
  • Oh, the mansions, the lights, the perfume, the loaded boudoirs and tables! 啊,那些高楼大厦、华灯、香水、藏金收银的闺房还有摆满山珍海味的餐桌! 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
23 willows 79355ee67d20ddbc021d3e9cb3acd236     
n.柳树( willow的名词复数 );柳木
参考例句:
  • The willows along the river bank look very beautiful. 河岸边的柳树很美。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Willows are planted on both sides of the streets. 街道两侧种着柳树。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
24 moss X6QzA     
n.苔,藓,地衣
参考例句:
  • Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
  • He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。
25 turbid tm6wY     
adj.混浊的,泥水的,浓的
参考例句:
  • He found himself content to watch idly the sluggish flow of the turbid stream.他心安理得地懒洋洋地望着混浊的河水缓缓流着。
  • The lake's water is turbid.这个湖里的水混浊。
26 inviting CqIzNp     
adj.诱人的,引人注目的
参考例句:
  • An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
  • The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人,使人感到亲切温馨。
27 bustle esazC     
v.喧扰地忙乱,匆忙,奔忙;n.忙碌;喧闹
参考例句:
  • The bustle and din gradually faded to silence as night advanced.随着夜越来越深,喧闹声逐渐沉寂。
  • There is a lot of hustle and bustle in the railway station.火车站里非常拥挤。
28 glazed 3sLzT8     
adj.光滑的,像玻璃的;上过釉的;呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式);上釉于,上光;(目光)变得呆滞无神
参考例句:
  • eyes glazed with boredom 厌倦无神的眼睛
  • His eyes glazed over at the sight of her. 看到她时,他的目光就变得呆滞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
29 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
30 rustle thPyl     
v.沙沙作响;偷盗(牛、马等);n.沙沙声声
参考例句:
  • She heard a rustle in the bushes.她听到灌木丛中一阵沙沙声。
  • He heard a rustle of leaves in the breeze.他听到树叶在微风中发出的沙沙声。
31 slumbered 90bc7b1e5a8ccd9fdc68d12edbd1f200     
微睡,睡眠(slumber的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The baby slumbered in his cradle. 婴儿安睡在摇篮中。
  • At that time my virtue slumbered; my evil, kept awake by ambition. 就在那时,我的善的一面睡着了,我的邪恶面因野心勃勃而清醒着。
32 reverence BByzT     
n.敬畏,尊敬,尊严;Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称;v.尊敬,敬畏,崇敬
参考例句:
  • He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
  • We reverence tradition but will not be fettered by it.我们尊重传统,但不被传统所束缚。
33 depicted f657dbe7a96d326c889c083bf5fcaf24     
描绘,描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 ); 描述
参考例句:
  • Other animals were depicted on the periphery of the group. 其他动物在群像的外围加以修饰。
  • They depicted the thrilling situation to us in great detail. 他们向我们详细地描述了那激动人心的场面。
34 countenance iztxc     
n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同
参考例句:
  • At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
  • I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地,仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。
35 briny JxPz6j     
adj.盐水的;很咸的;n.海洋
参考例句:
  • The briny water is not good for the growth of the trees.海水不利于这种树木的生长。
  • The briny air gave a foretaste of the nearby sea.咸空气是快近海的前兆。
36 adjuration lJGyV     
n.祈求,命令
参考例句:
  • With this hurried adjuration, he cocked his blunderbuss, and stood on the offensive. 他仓促地叫了一声,便扳开几支大口径短抢的机头,作好防守准备。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
  • Her last adjuration to daughter was to escape from dinginess if she could. 她对女儿最后的叮嘱是要竭尽全力摆脱这种困难。 来自辞典例句
37 bonnet AtSzQ     
n.无边女帽;童帽
参考例句:
  • The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes.婴孩的帽子遮住阳光,使之不刺眼。
  • She wore a faded black bonnet garnished with faded artificial flowers.她戴着一顶褪了色的黑色无边帽,帽上缀着褪了色的假花。
38 eyelids 86ece0ca18a95664f58bda5de252f4e7     
n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 );眼睛也不眨一下;不露声色;面不改色
参考例句:
  • She was so tired, her eyelids were beginning to droop. 她太疲倦了,眼睑开始往下垂。
  • Her eyelids drooped as if she were on the verge of sleep. 她眼睑低垂好像快要睡着的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
39 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
40 elegance QjPzj     
n.优雅;优美,雅致;精致,巧妙
参考例句:
  • The furnishings in the room imparted an air of elegance.这个房间的家具带给这房间一种优雅的气氛。
  • John has been known for his sartorial elegance.约翰因为衣着讲究而出名。
41 quotation 7S6xV     
n.引文,引语,语录;报价,牌价,行情
参考例句:
  • He finished his speech with a quotation from Shakespeare.他讲话结束时引用了莎士比亚的语录。
  • The quotation is omitted here.此处引文从略。
42 dexterity hlXzs     
n.(手的)灵巧,灵活
参考例句:
  • You need manual dexterity to be good at video games.玩好电子游戏手要灵巧。
  • I'm your inferior in manual dexterity.论手巧,我不如你。
43 shutter qEpy6     
n.百叶窗;(照相机)快门;关闭装置
参考例句:
  • The camera has a shutter speed of one-sixtieth of a second.这架照像机的快门速度达六十分之一秒。
  • The shutter rattled in the wind.百叶窗在风中发出嘎嘎声。
44 overflowed 4cc5ae8d4154672c8a8539b5a1f1842f     
溢出的
参考例句:
  • Plates overflowed with party food. 聚会上的食物碟满盘盈。
  • A great throng packed out the theater and overflowed into the corridors. 一大群人坐满剧院并且还有人涌到了走廊上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
45 compassion 3q2zZ     
n.同情,怜悯
参考例句:
  • He could not help having compassion for the poor creature.他情不自禁地怜悯起那个可怜的人来。
  • Her heart was filled with compassion for the motherless children.她对于没有母亲的孩子们充满了怜悯心。
46 copper HZXyU     
n.铜;铜币;铜器;adj.铜(制)的;(紫)铜色的
参考例句:
  • The students are asked to prove the purity of copper.要求学生们检验铜的纯度。
  • Copper is a good medium for the conduction of heat and electricity.铜是热和电的良导体。
47 asylum DobyD     
n.避难所,庇护所,避难
参考例句:
  • The people ask for political asylum.人们请求政治避难。
  • Having sought asylum in the West for many years,they were eventually granted it.他们最终获得了在西方寻求多年的避难权。
48 allusion CfnyW     
n.暗示,间接提示
参考例句:
  • He made an allusion to a secret plan in his speech.在讲话中他暗示有一项秘密计划。
  • She made no allusion to the incident.她没有提及那个事件。
49 overture F4Lza     
n.前奏曲、序曲,提议,提案,初步交涉
参考例句:
  • The opera was preceded by a short overture.这部歌剧开始前有一段简短的序曲。
  • His overture led to nothing.他的提议没有得到什么结果。
50 growl VeHzE     
v.(狗等)嗥叫,(炮等)轰鸣;n.嗥叫,轰鸣
参考例句:
  • The dog was biting,growling and wagging its tail.那条狗在一边撕咬一边低声吼叫,尾巴也跟着摇摆。
  • The car growls along rutted streets.汽车在车辙纵横的街上一路轰鸣。
51 amiable hxAzZ     
adj.和蔼可亲的,友善的,亲切的
参考例句:
  • She was a very kind and amiable old woman.她是个善良和气的老太太。
  • We have a very amiable companionship.我们之间存在一种友好的关系。
52 compassionate PXPyc     
adj.有同情心的,表示同情的
参考例句:
  • She is a compassionate person.她是一个有同情心的人。
  • The compassionate judge gave the young offender a light sentence.慈悲的法官从轻判处了那个年轻罪犯。
53 glistening glistening     
adj.闪耀的,反光的v.湿物闪耀,闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
  • Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》
54 ravenously 6c615cc583b62b6da4fb7e09dbd37210     
adv.大嚼地,饥饿地
参考例句:
  • We were all ravenously hungry after the walk. 我们散步之后都饿得要命。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The boys dug in ravenously. 男孩们开始狼吞虎咽地吃起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
55 pricked 1d0503c50da14dcb6603a2df2c2d4557     
刺,扎,戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 ); 刺伤; 刺痛; 使剧痛
参考例句:
  • The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry. 厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
  • He was pricked by his conscience. 他受到良心的谴责。
56 burrowing 703e0bb726fc82be49c5feac787c7ae5     
v.挖掘(洞穴),挖洞( burrow的现在分词 );翻寻
参考例句:
  • What are you burrowing around in my drawer for? 你在我抽屉里乱翻什么? 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The forepaws are also used for burrowing and for dragging heavier logs. 它们的前爪还可以用来打洞和拖拽较重的树干。 来自辞典例句
57 burrowed 6dcacd2d15d363874a67d047aa972091     
v.挖掘(洞穴),挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 );翻寻
参考例句:
  • The rabbits burrowed into the hillside. 兔子在山腰上打洞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She burrowed her head into my shoulder. 她把头紧靠在我的肩膀上。 来自辞典例句
58 pertinacious YAkyB     
adj.顽固的
参考例句:
  • I can affirm that he is tenacious and pertinacious as are few.我可以肯定,像他那样不屈不挠、百折不回的人是十分罕见的。
  • Questions buzzed in his head like pertinacious bees.一连串问题在他脑子里盘旋着,就象纠缠不休的蜜蜂。
59 touching sg6zQ9     
adj.动人的,使人感伤的
参考例句:
  • It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
  • His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
60 morsel Q14y4     
n.一口,一点点
参考例句:
  • He refused to touch a morsel of the food they had brought.他们拿来的东西他一口也不吃。
  • The patient has not had a morsel of food since the morning.从早上起病人一直没有进食。
61 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
62 dabbing 0af3ac3dccf99cc3a3e030e7d8b1143a     
石面凿毛,灰泥抛毛
参考例句:
  • She was crying and dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. 她一边哭一边用手绢轻按眼睛。
  • Huei-fang was leaning against a willow, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. 四小姐蕙芳正靠在一棵杨柳树上用手帕揉眼睛。 来自子夜部分
63 intervals f46c9d8b430e8c86dea610ec56b7cbef     
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息
参考例句:
  • The forecast said there would be sunny intervals and showers. 预报间晴,有阵雨。
  • Meetings take place at fortnightly intervals. 每两周开一次会。
64 growling growling     
n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼
参考例句:
  • We heard thunder growling in the distance. 我们听见远处有隆隆雷声。
  • The lay about the deck growling together in talk. 他们在甲板上到处游荡,聚集在一起发牢骚。
65 fatigue PhVzV     
n.疲劳,劳累
参考例句:
  • The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
  • I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
66 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。
67 chamber wnky9     
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所
参考例句:
  • For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说,牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
  • The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。
68 retirement TWoxH     
n.退休,退职
参考例句:
  • She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
  • I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
69 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
70 teaspoons 2373c24f8a940bcba4d8d55a1e80e98c     
n.茶匙( teaspoon的名词复数 );一茶匙的量
参考例句:
  • Add two teaspoons of salt. 加两小匙盐。
  • Add 3 heaped teaspoons of sugar. 加满满的三匙糖。 来自《简明英汉词典》
71 celebrated iwLzpz     
adj.有名的,声誉卓著的
参考例句:
  • He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
  • The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。
72 descended guQzoy     
a.为...后裔的,出身于...的
参考例句:
  • A mood of melancholy descended on us. 一种悲伤的情绪袭上我们的心头。
  • The path descended the hill in a series of zigzags. 小路呈连续的之字形顺着山坡蜿蜒而下。
73 bower xRZyU     
n.凉亭,树荫下凉快之处;闺房;v.荫蔽
参考例句:
  • They sat under the leafy bower at the end of the garden and watched the sun set.他们坐在花园尽头由叶子搭成的凉棚下观看落日。
  • Mrs. Quilp was pining in her bower.奎尔普太太正在她的闺房里度着愁苦的岁月。
74 outrageous MvFyH     
adj.无理的,令人不能容忍的
参考例句:
  • Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
  • Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。
75 breach 2sgzw     
n.违反,不履行;破裂;vt.冲破,攻破
参考例句:
  • We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
  • He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。
76 humble ddjzU     
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。
77 chivalry wXAz6     
n.骑士气概,侠义;(男人)对女人彬彬有礼,献殷勤
参考例句:
  • The Middle Ages were also the great age of chivalry.中世纪也是骑士制度盛行的时代。
  • He looked up at them with great chivalry.他非常有礼貌地抬头瞧她们。
78 descending descending     
n. 下行 adj. 下降的
参考例句:
  • The results are expressed in descending numerical order . 结果按数字降序列出。
  • The climbers stopped to orient themselves before descending the mountain. 登山者先停下来确定所在的位置,然后再下山。
79 sweeping ihCzZ4     
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的
参考例句:
  • The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
  • Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗?
80 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
81 perspiration c3UzD     
n.汗水;出汗
参考例句:
  • It is so hot that my clothes are wet with perspiration.天太热了,我的衣服被汗水湿透了。
  • The perspiration was running down my back.汗从我背上淌下来。
82 chuckle Tr1zZ     
vi./n.轻声笑,咯咯笑
参考例句:
  • He shook his head with a soft chuckle.他轻轻地笑着摇了摇头。
  • I couldn't suppress a soft chuckle at the thought of it.想到这个,我忍不住轻轻地笑起来。
83 alluding ac37fbbc50fb32efa49891d205aa5a0a     
提及,暗指( allude的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He didn't mention your name but I was sure he was alluding to you. 他没提你的名字,但是我确信他是暗指你的。
  • But in fact I was alluding to my physical deficiencies. 可我实在是为自己的容貌寒心。
84 mere rC1xE     
adj.纯粹的;仅仅,只不过
参考例句:
  • That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
  • It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。
85 brute GSjya     
n.野兽,兽性
参考例句:
  • The aggressor troops are not many degrees removed from the brute.侵略军简直象一群野兽。
  • That dog is a dangerous brute.It bites people.那条狗是危险的畜牲,它咬人。
86 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
87 swell IHnzB     
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强
参考例句:
  • The waves had taken on a deep swell.海浪汹涌。
  • His injured wrist began to swell.他那受伤的手腕开始肿了。
88 assent Hv6zL     
v.批准,认可;n.批准,认可
参考例句:
  • I cannot assent to what you ask.我不能应允你的要求。
  • The new bill passed by Parliament has received Royal Assent.议会所通过的新方案已获国王批准。
89 persuasion wMQxR     
n.劝说;说服;持有某种信仰的宗派
参考例句:
  • He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说,他才决定离开。
  • After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后,她同意去了。
90 promising BkQzsk     
adj.有希望的,有前途的
参考例句:
  • The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
  • We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
91 disturbance BsNxk     
n.动乱,骚动;打扰,干扰;(身心)失调
参考例句:
  • He is suffering an emotional disturbance.他的情绪受到了困扰。
  • You can work in here without any disturbance.在这儿你可不受任何干扰地工作。
92 nautical q5azx     
adj.海上的,航海的,船员的
参考例句:
  • A nautical mile is 1,852 meters.一海里等于1852米。
  • It is 206 nautical miles from our present location.距离我们现在的位置有206海里。
93 discreet xZezn     
adj.(言行)谨慎的;慎重的;有判断力的
参考例句:
  • He is very discreet in giving his opinions.发表意见他十分慎重。
  • It wasn't discreet of you to ring me up at the office.你打电话到我办公室真是太鲁莽了。
94 lesser UpxzJL     
adj.次要的,较小的;adv.较小地,较少地
参考例句:
  • Kept some of the lesser players out.不让那些次要的球员参加联赛。
  • She has also been affected,but to a lesser degree.她也受到波及,但程度较轻。
95 previously bkzzzC     
adv.以前,先前(地)
参考例句:
  • The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
  • Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿,解释原先发生了什么。
96 hesitation tdsz5     
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。
97 heartily Ld3xp     
adv.衷心地,诚恳地,十分,很
参考例句:
  • He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿,就出去找他的马。
  • The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手,热情地和我握手。
98 entrusted be9f0db83b06252a0a462773113f94fa     
v.委托,托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He entrusted the task to his nephew. 他把这任务托付给了他的侄儿。
  • She was entrusted with the direction of the project. 她受委托负责这项计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》
99 heed ldQzi     
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心
参考例句:
  • You must take heed of what he has told.你要注意他所告诉的事。
  • For the first time he had to pay heed to his appearance.这是他第一次非得注意自己的外表不可了。
100 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
101 faculty HhkzK     
n.才能;学院,系;(学院或系的)全体教学人员
参考例句:
  • He has a great faculty for learning foreign languages.他有学习外语的天赋。
  • He has the faculty of saying the right thing at the right time.他有在恰当的时候说恰当的话的才智。
102 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
103 delightful 6xzxT     
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的
参考例句:
  • We had a delightful time by the seashore last Sunday.上星期天我们在海滨玩得真痛快。
  • Peter played a delightful melody on his flute.彼得用笛子吹奏了一支欢快的曲子。
104 reciprocating 2c7af54cfa9659c75889d0467abecb1f     
adj.往复的;来回的;交替的;摆动的v.报答,酬答( reciprocate的现在分词 );(机器的部件)直线往复运动
参考例句:
  • Dynamic loading is produced by seismic forces, non-steady wind, blast, reciprocating machinery. 动荷载是由于地震力、不稳定的风、冲击波,往复式机器所产生。 来自辞典例句
  • The prime mover may be a gas reciprocating engine. 原动机可能是燃气往复式发动机。 来自辞典例句
105 supremely MhpzUo     
adv.无上地,崇高地
参考例句:
  • They managed it all supremely well. 这件事他们干得极其出色。
  • I consider a supremely beautiful gesture. 我觉得这是非常优雅的姿态。
106 sublimating 84ca21689d111a764454df17cfd1c9b5     
v.(使某物质)升华( sublimate的现在分词 );使净化;纯化
参考例句:
107 emboldened 174550385d47060dbd95dd372c76aa22     
v.鼓励,使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Emboldened by the wine, he went over to introduce himself to her. 他借酒壮胆,走上前去向她作自我介绍。
  • His success emboldened him to expand his business. 他有了成就因而激发他进一步扩展业务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
108 winked af6ada503978fa80fce7e5d109333278     
v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
参考例句:
  • He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼,她便知道他的想法和她一样。
  • He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
109 awe WNqzC     
n.敬畏,惊惧;vt.使敬畏,使惊惧
参考例句:
  • The sight filled us with awe.这景色使我们大为惊叹。
  • The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。
110 softens 8f06d4fce5859f2737f5a09a715a2d27     
(使)变软( soften的第三人称单数 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰
参考例句:
  • Iron softens with heat. 铁受热就软化。
  • Moonlight softens our faults; all shabbiness dissolves into shadow. 月光淡化了我们的各种缺点,所有的卑微都化解为依稀朦胧的阴影。 来自名作英译部分
111 orphanage jJwxf     
n.孤儿院
参考例句:
  • They dispensed new clothes to the children in the orphanage.他们把新衣服发给孤儿院的小孩们。
  • They gave the proceeds of the sale to the orphanage.他们把销售的收入给了这家孤儿院。


欢迎访问英文小说网

©英文小说网 2005-2010

有任何问题,请给我们留言,管理员邮箱:[email protected]  站长QQ :点击发送消息和我们联系56065533