CHAPTER 4

 And all the summer passed and another summer and still more. The beeches¹ kept on growing steadily² and at last grew right over the little oak's head.

 

"Keep your leaves to yourselves," cried the oak. "You're standing³ in my light; and that I can't endure. I must have proper sunshine. Take your leaves away, or else I shall die."

 

The beeches only laughed and went on growing. At last they met right over the little oak's head and then he died.

 

"That was ill done," roared the big oaks and shook their branches in anger.

 

But the old oak stood up for his foster-children:

 

"Serve him right!" he said. "That's his reward for bragging⁴. I say it, though he is my own flesh and blood. But you must be careful now, you little beeches, or else I shall slap you on the head too."

1 beeches   

n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材

参考例句：

• The beeches, oaks and chestnuts all belong to the same family. 山毛榉树、橡树和栗子树属于同科树种。 来自互联网
• There are many beeches in this wood. 这片树林里有许多山毛榉。 来自互联网

2 steadily   

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。

3 standing   

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。

4 bragging   

v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的现在分词 )；大话

参考例句：

• He's always bragging about his prowess as a cricketer. 他总是吹嘘自己板球水平高超。 来自辞典例句
• Now you're bragging, darling. You know you don't need to brag. 这就是夸口，亲爱的。你明知道你不必吹。 来自辞典例句