Listening outside the door, she caught a sound of puffing2 and groaning3, and, unable to resist the promptings of anxiety and curiosity, turned the handle and entered the room.
The victim was seated in the doctor’s big leather arm-chair, looking very perturbed4 and sorry for himself, while Jack and Betty hovered5 near, alternately offering suggestions for his relief.
“If you would lie down on the sofa—”
“Or have a cushion to your back—”
“Or a cup of tea—”
“Or wine—”
“Or sal-volatile—”
“Shall I bathe your head with eau de Cologne?”
“Would you put up your feet on a chair?”
The victim had apparently6 been too much engrossed7 in his own self-pity to take any notice of the separate suggestions, but now their reiteration8 had an irritating effect, for with startling unexpectedness he thrust forward his big, flushed face, and shouted a loud refusal.
“No, no, no, no! Do you want to kill me at once? I only want rest and a chance to get my breath again. Tea? Wine? Faugh! I hope I know better than that after the agonies I have had to go through. Sal-volatile! Do you take me for an hysterical9 old woman? Feet up? Ay, young sir, I expect I shall have a longer dose of that position than I care for after this adventure! As if I had not had enough of it already—five weeks on my chair in the summer, three in the spring, two months last winter.”
From his own account he was evidently a great sufferer, yet in appearance he was stout10 and healthy enough. Jack made a swift diagnosis11, and said politely—
“Gout, I suppose, sir? Gout in your feet?”
“And what makes you suppose anything of the kind, sir? I don’t carry a label to advertise my ailments12 that I am aware of!” cried the old gentleman, with an irascibility which convinced his audience that he was on the point of another attack. Then suddenly he looked past his two questioners, saw Jill’s peering face, and went off at another tangent.
“Oh ho! What’s this? I saw you outside in the street. What are you doing here, may I ask? Come in for a treat to see the rest of the show?”
“It’s my house! I live here!” replied Jill grandiloquently13. “I am sorry you are not well. Would you like us to whistle for a cab to take you home? It’s always nicest to be at home when one is ill.”
It was all very well for Jack to frown dissent14. Jill was inclined to think that the truest wisdom lay in getting the old gentleman out of the way before her father’s return, and so escape with one scolding instead of two. She raised her eyebrows15, and mouthed the dumb question, “Will you tell?” while the victim continued his groans16 and lamentations.
“Great mistake ever to leave home in these days. Can’t think what I am coming to next. I merely stooped down to pick up a parcel—simplest thing in the world; done it a score of times before—and over I went full on my face. Terrible crash! Terrible crash! Paralysis17 now, I expect, in addition to everything else. Just my luck! A wreck18, sir—a wreck! And I used to be the strongest man in the regiment19. Ah, well, well, that’s all over! I must be content to be on the shelf now.”
Betty turned towards the twins with a scrutinising gaze, but they had no eyes for her. A note of real pathos20 had sounded in the victim’s voice as he bemoaned21 his lost strength, and their hearts melted before it. Jack stepped boldly forward to make his confession22.
“It was not paralysis, sir. It was—the parcel! We’re sorry,—I’m sorry, but it was only a joke, and we never thought you would fall. No one else fell. We kept pulling it away by the string, you know, a few inches at a time, so that you did not notice, but you had really farther and farther to stretch, and it was that that made you topple over.”
He paused, and the old gentleman stopped groaning and stared at him with eyes of crab-like protuberance. The crimson23 flush deepened on his cheeks, and his white whiskers appeared to bristle24 with wrath25. He was truly an awe-inspiring object.
“It was your doing, was it? You pulled away the parcel, did you? I ‘toppled over,’ did I?” he repeated with awful deliberation. That was the lull26 before the storm, and then it broke in all its fury, and roared over their heads, so that they gasped27 and trembled before it.
The victim went back to his earliest childhood, and thanked Providence28 that he at least had known how to behave himself, and desist from silly, idiotic29, ridiculous, tom-fool tricks, which would disgrace a monkey on an organ. He projected himself into the future, and prophesied30 ruin and destruction for a race which produced popinjays and clowns. He announced his intention of dying that very night, so that the crime which his hearers had committed might be duly avenged31, and in the same breath would have them to know that he was not the sort of man to be affected32 by the tricks of unmannerly cubs33, and that General Terence Digby was match for a hundred such as they, gout or no gout. Gout, indeed! Toppled, forsooth! The world was coming to a pretty pass! Was it part of the plot, might he ask, to cajole him into the house and poison him with their sal-volatile tea? This was a case for the police!
Betty gave a little shriek34 of dismay, but the twins exchanged glances of subdued35 admiration36. They liked to hear a thing done really well, and the General’s denunciation was a triumph of its kind. But when asked if he were not thoroughly37 ashamed of himself, Jack showed the courage of his opinion.
“Sorry!” he declared. “I said so before, sir, but not ashamed. We wouldn’t have been bribed38 to hurt you, and I’ll apologise as much as you like, but we were doing nothing wrong. It was only a joke.”
“Joke!” screamed the old gentleman. “Joke!” He rolled his protruding39 eyes towards the ceiling, and gasped and spluttered in disgust. “Is that what you call a joke? I don’t know what this country is coming to! Have you nothing better to do with your time, young sir, than to prowl about the streets playing monkey tricks on innocent passers-by? I am sorry for you if that is your best idea of enjoyment40.”
“Boys will be boys!” said Jack, in his quaint41, sententious fashion. “We can only be young once, sir, so we might as well make the most of it while we can.”
“Besides, we weren’t prowling about in the street!” cried Jill, suddenly bursting into the conversation, her determination to keep silent melting away before what she was pleased to consider a slight on her dignity. “Mother wouldn’t allow such a thing. The Square is private property. We have a key, and she knows we are perfectly42 safe when we are there.”
“But, by Jove, other people are not! You manage to get into mischief43 though you are railed up!” cried the victim, and a sort of spasm44 passed over his face, as of a smile violently suppressed. He glared at Jill, from her to Betty, from Betty to Jack, and then let his glance wander round the room—the big, handsome apartment so sparsely45 filled with the furniture of a smaller house. The sideboard looked poor and insignificant46 in the recess47 designed for one twice the size; the few pictures entirely48 failed to hide the marks of the places where the last tenant49 had hung his more generous supply. The carpet covered only two-thirds of the floor, and was eked50 out by linoleum51. To the most unobservant eye it must have been evident that the owner of this house was a man whose means were so limited that the strictest economy was necessary in the management of his household.
“Ha—ho—hum!” coughed the old gentleman suddenly. “Have you ever heard of such a thing as the Employers’ Liability Act?”
The girls shook their heads. Jack had glimmering52 ideas on the subject.
“It’s a sort of—er—of insurance, isn’t it? If a workman fellow drops a sack on your head, the other fellow has to pay up, so he pays the insurance fellow to do it for him. That’s the sort of thing, isn’t it, sir?”
“That is the sort of thing, sir, expressed with your natural elegance53 of diction. Does your father contract with an ‘insurance fellow,’ may I ask?”
“No—why should he? He doesn’t employ any workmen.”
“He is responsible for his children, however, who are a hundred times more dangerous. How will he like it, do you think, when I send him in a bill for my expenses, and the loss of time caused by this accident? I put a high price on my time, let me tell you. It is of value to other people besides myself—of value to my country, sir, I am proud to think! If I am laid aside by the hand of Providence, that is one matter. It’s a very different thing when it is done of malice54 intent. What should you say to a hundred pounds a week, eh, what?”
Jill gave a squeal55 of dismay. Betty set her lips tight, and tried to look composed and haughty56, but she felt a trifle sick. She could hardly bring herself to believe that such a proceeding57 would be legally possible, yet the old gentleman had distinctly said that such a law existed, and Jack appeared to know something about it. Beneath his air of bravado58 she could see that the boy shared in her own nervousness, and a wild idea of flinging herself at the stranger’s feet and imploring59 his clemency60 was beginning to take shape in her brain, when a sound from without attracted the attention of all.
It was the click of the doctor’s key in the latch61, and a moment later he entered the hall, and paused, as his custom was, to read the messages which had been pencilled for him on a slate62. Then came the rustle63 of Mary’s skirt, a few low-toned words, and the sound of quick steps approaching the dining-room door. It was a thrilling moment!
There sat the victim, scarlet-faced, glassy-eyed, scowling64 more fiercely than ever, as if in anticipation65 of the coming conflict. There in a row stood the three young people, shivering in their respective shoes, for was it not the greatest of offences to “worry father,” and involve him in needless expenses?
“Sorry to have been out, sir,” cried the doctor, entering the room, and rubbing his hands in brisk, professional manner. “My maid tells me that you have had a fall. I hope my young people have looked after you in my absence. Now, would you prefer to have a talk here, or shall I assist you into my consulting-room?”
The critical moment had arrived, and with it came a rapturous surprise, for even as the young people gazed, the anger faded out of the stranger’s face, the gleaming eyes softened66, the lips relaxed, and, as by the waving of a magician’s wand, he was suddenly changed into a kindly67, benevolent68 old gentleman, who would never condescend69 to such an indignity70 as a fit of temper.
“Thank you, sir, thank you, sir! I fancy I am pretty nearly my own man again. Your son very kindly brought me in, and gave me the opportunity of resting, which was really all I required. And your daughter offered me refreshments71. I—ah—happened to slip,”—the protruding eyes met Jack’s with a flicker72, which, if such a thing could be imagined, was almost a wink73!—“to slip on the pavement, and a man of my weight feels these things more than a boy. Gout, sir, gout in the feet! Your good son has already diagnosed my complaint, and, no doubt, you will be equally ready. Now, if you could make up a prescription74 which would give me back my powers of twenty years ago—”
Dr Trevor laughed, while Betty, Jack, and Jill mentally erected75 a monument, and placed the figure of the victim upon it in everlasting76 gratitude77 and affection.
“I am afraid I can hardly do that, but if you will allow me I will give you a draught78 which will steady your nerves after the shock. How did you come to fall? Was the pavement slippery with the mud?”
“The London pavements, sir,” answered the old man pompously79, “the London pavements are a disgrace to civilisation80! Don’t tell me that I am crazy. Don’t tell me it is the best-paved city in the world. I’ve heard that statement before, and I stick to my own opinion. My opinion, I trust, sir, is worth as much as any other man’s. It is a wonder there are not many more accidents. I fell, sir, I would have you know, in consequence of my own selfish and avaricious81 instincts, and I attach no blame to anyone but myself!”
“Ah!” exclaimed the doctor significantly. He glanced towards his son, caught his air of embarrassment82, and hesitated between amusement and indignation. “Jack—at your old parcel trick again?”
“Boys will be boys, sir, as I have just been reminded. Perhaps we can remember the day when we also— But what about that draught? Five minutes in your consulting-room, if you please, and then Master Jack can kindly get me a cab. I will not trust myself in the streets again to-day.”
Another twinkling glance at the twins, and the old gentleman raised himself slowly from his chair, and followed the doctor from the room, leaving the three young people staring at each other breathlessly.
“This is a day!” cried Jill, with a caper83 of delight. “We’ve made two new friends! The pretty lady says she is coming to call, and we must go to tea, and then this jolly old man... What a brick he is! He didn’t mind scolding us himself, but he wouldn’t let anyone else do it. Jack, do be awfully84 nice when you get the cab, and offer to see him home. Tell him how grateful we are. Hint like anything to make him invite us there!”
“Trust me for that!” cried Jack.
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收听单词发音
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1
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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2
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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3
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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5
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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6
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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reiteration
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| n. 重覆, 反覆, 重说 | |
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9
hysterical
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| adj.情绪异常激动的，歇斯底里般的 | |
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diagnosis
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| n.诊断，诊断结果，调查分析，判断 | |
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ailments
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| 疾病（尤指慢性病），不适( ailment的名词复数 ) | |
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grandiloquently
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dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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15
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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16
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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paralysis
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| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
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wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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21
bemoaned
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| v.为（某人或某事）抱怨( bemoan的过去式和过去分词 )；悲悼；为…恸哭；哀叹 | |
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22
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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23
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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24
bristle
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| v.（毛发）直立，气势汹汹，发怒；n.硬毛发 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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26
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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27
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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28
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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idiotic
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| adj.白痴的 | |
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prophesied
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| v.预告，预言( prophesy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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31
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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cubs
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| n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 ) | |
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34
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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39
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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43
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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44
spasm
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| n.痉挛，抽搐；一阵发作 | |
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45
sparsely
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| adv.稀疏地；稀少地；不足地；贫乏地 | |
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46
insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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50
eked
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| v.（靠节省用量）使…的供应持久( eke的过去式和过去分词 )；节约使用；竭力维持生计；勉强度日 | |
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51
linoleum
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| n.油布，油毯 | |
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52
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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53
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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54
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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55
squeal
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| v.发出长而尖的声音；n.长而尖的声音 | |
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56
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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57
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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bravado
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| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
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imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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clemency
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| n.温和，仁慈，宽厚 | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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62
slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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63
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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scowling
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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66
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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67
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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68
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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69
condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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indignity
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| n.侮辱，伤害尊严，轻蔑 | |
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71
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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72
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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73
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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74
prescription
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| n.处方，开药；指示，规定 | |
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75
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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76
everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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77
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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78
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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79
pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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80
civilisation
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| n.文明，文化，开化，教化 | |
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81
avaricious
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| adj.贪婪的，贪心的 | |
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82
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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83
caper
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| v.雀跃，欢蹦；n.雀跃，跳跃；续随子，刺山柑花蕾；嬉戏 | |
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84
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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